The era of the plutocrats Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The era of the plutocrats - Essay Example He was not merely a financier and a banker but a philanthropist and an art collector. He gained his education in both US and Germany. He was trained as an accountant at Sherman and Company and in 1867, was transferred to his father's banking company Drexel, Morgan and Company where he became a partner in 10 years. In 1895, the company was renamed as J. P. Morgan and became a world renowned banking house. He was responsible for arranging the merger between Edison General Electric and Thompson-Houson Electric Company. The new company formed, General Electric came on to become the main electrical equipment manufacturing company in the country. He financed Federal Steel Company and merged it with Carnegie Steel Company which came on to become United States Steel Corporation. With the help of his network in London, he was able to attract British investment for growing industrial corporations in the U.S. as he played a major role in attaining capital for companies. He became a member of th e board of directors of many of these companies, most of which were rail road companies. This meant that by 1902, Morgan had control over 8,000 km of railroads in America. To gain control over major corporations, he concentrated his efforts on acquiring control of several banks and insurance companies. He was at times criticized for his hunger for power and his urge for gaining control (Simkin, JP Morgan) Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25th, 1835, in Dunfermline, Scotland to a handloom weaver. The Carnegie family had to immigrate to the United States in 1848 because of the economic depression. In America, Andrew began to work at the age of 12 at a local cotton factory while pursuing his education by attending night school. At 14, Andrew Carnegie took the job of messenger boy where his talent was duly noticed by the superintendent of the western division of the company, Thomas A. Scott. When during the Civil War Scott was made secretary, he took Carnegie along with him to Washi ngton to work as his right-hand man. Organizing the military telegraph system was part of Carnegie’s job. On becoming superintendent, Carnegie wisely invested in many promising ventures, one of which was Woodruff Sleeping Car Company and many other small iron mills and factories, the most important of which was the company which he owned a one-fifth share in: Keystone Bridge. Some of the major milestones he achieved include the opening of his steel furnace at Braddock, writing a series of books and articles through which he voiced his opinions that the rich should help the poor and a man that dies rich is disgraced. He also set up a fund which finances 3,000 public libraries (380 in Britain), the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Carnegie Institution of Washington. By the time of his death, he had donated $350,000,000 (Simkin, Andrew Carnegie). Born in New York in 1839, John Davidson Rockefeller at the young age of 16 became a cler k in a commission house. He wanted to work for himself and in 1850 by saving every penny he earned, he with an Englishman, Maurice Clark, opened his own company, Clark & Rockefeller Produce and Commission which sold farm implements, fertilizers and household goods. He sold his successful business for the more lucrative business of refining crude oil and started a company called Standard Oil. He was able to minimize costs by setting up an exclusive deal

Applying MBTI to understand and resolve conflict Essay

Applying MBTI to understand and resolve conflict - Essay Example At the beginning of the project there were people who believed that we should have started the project then analysed it later depending on the outcome of our first trial. They proposed that if anything turned out wrong after the first trial, we could come up with ways to improve it in a second trial. There were others who wanted to brainstorm about the best way to go about the project before attempting to carry on with it. The project needed to be done in two shifts: night and day shift. Work was always being assigned randomly without due regard to the workers’ preferences, personalities and abilities. It was assumed by management that those who had lower abilities would catch up with their peers with time and had to be pushed towards greater performance and under tight supervision. The employees were not comfortable with the way duties and shifts were being assigned by the management. As a result of this many of the employees were arriving late or even completely failing to show up for work. On the other hand, others were performing their duties poorly due to lack of interest, low morale taking its toll on most workers. Instead of analyzing the situation as it was and listening to the employees, the management opted to fire some employees believing that this would be an example to other employees. The situation improved slightly owing to the fact that many employees did not want to lose their jobs. However, productivity remained low as the employees only exerted effort in the presence of their supervisors. In their absence, work was performed sluggishly unless it was going to earn the employee more cash during overtime. This presented a situation that demanded critical thinking. As the group leader I had to come up with a solution that everyone in the team was comfortable with. However, this was not a simple task especially after taking into account the fact that people had varying problems, sometimes

The General Environment Consists Of Six Segments Marketing Essay

The General Environment Consists Of Six Segments Marketing Essay Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited Telecom is a  company based on media and telecommunications industry offering telecommunications and information, communication and technology (ICT) services in New Zealand and Australia. The company has a headcount of about 8297 employees as of 2011 (Annual report of Telecom New Zealand, 2011).Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited is the largest telecommunications service provider in New Zealand providing consumers and business people with a wide range of products and services. Telecom operates under the following business units: Telecom Retail , Gen-i, AAPT, Telecom New Zealand International, Chorus and Technology shared services (Annual report of Telecom New Zealand, 2011). Today, Telecom plays a significant marketing leader role by owning more than one million fixed line customers and over two million mobile connections in the New Zealand telecommunications market (Annual report of Telecom New Zealand, 2011). However, the companys total operating revenues and total gains for the financial year 2011 (ending June 2011) is about NZ$ 5122 million, a decrease of 2.8% over the financial year 2010 (Annual report of Telecom New Zealand, 2011). Environmental factors General Environment Analysis According to Hanson, Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson (2011), the general environment consists of six segments: Demographic segment Telecoms major operations are carried out in New Zealand and Australia which contributes to very less population globally. The region consists of people from different ethnic groups like Maoris, Europeans, Asians and Pacific Islanders with lots of immigrants from different parts of the world. The major source of income is through salaries and wages; others include interests, investments and self-employment. Economic segment The New Zealand economy is suffering a quite slow recovery with the GDP result growing by 0.3 % in December 2011 quarter (New Zealand Statistics, 2012). Furthermore, the companys revenue decreased in the year 2011 which is not a good thing in the industry. It also depends on the nations economic condition in the World Market. Sometimes recessions may also affect the companys performance. Political/legal segment Telecom has its own governance objectives, policies, taxation laws and regulations for its employees. It should also be following the Telecommunication Act set by the Government. Furthermore, the Telecommunication Amendment Act in New Zealand will simplify telecommunications regulation and increase the marketing competition within the telecommunication service industry in New Zealand (Telecom New Zealand, 2012). The firm should also be following the Human Rights Act and Employment law for the firms employees. Legal proceedings are carried out for violation of laws and regulations. Socio-cultural segment Telecom consists of diverse set of people in the workplace who helps in the companys success in the Global Market. The employees face a lot of challenges in order to meet the Companys goals and objectives. It has a wide range of diversity programs such as Leadership programmes, Global Women programmes and flexible working policies (Annual report of Telecom New Zealand, 2011). Telecom foundation was recently started to do charity and community works. The firm also have concerns about New Zealands environment (Telecom New Zealand, 2012). Technological segment Since Telecom being a part of the telecommunications Industry, there are a lot of new technologies and innovations being created at a very fact pace. So the company must learn the new technology very fast so as to adopt the new technology ahead of its competitors. The company has also shown interest in the new technology called the Ultra Fast Broadband initiative which is a new technology for faster broadband connections (Telecom New Zealand, 2012). There is also a more focus of globalisation of technology and internet enabled services. Global segment Telecom is company that is based in New Zealand and Australia. So the company is not globally attracted. It should expand the organisation globally so that it can gain a competitive advantage over its competitors when they have a global presence in the industry. Globalisation always helps in creating opportunities and challenges for the firm which makes them more successful in the industry. Industry Environment Analysis According to Hanson et al (2011), the five forces of Industry environment consists of : Threat of new entrants Entry into the telecommunication industry requires a huge capital because they need to build a great infrastructure within New Zealand. The threat of new entrants will be lower in the industry because they have to compete with its well-established competitors. However due to lower switching costs between service providers, the new entrant may have an opportunity in the existing market share when their services are cheaper than the existing competitors. The government policies are also liberalized for entry in the telecommunication industry which is an added advantage. Overall, the threat of new entrants in the telecommunication industry is medium. Planning Process and Strategies From the above General Environment we can find factors that influence and also affect the industry in the form of opportunities and threats. These factors mainly depend on the competitiveness, market share, substitute products, supply and demand. Opportunities can be listed as: Growing broadband market with the introduction of ultra-fast broadband initiative in New Zealand which helps the company to gain more customers. Mobile data services are being used more these days as people tend to use mobile for browsing the internet. Increasing growth of mobile payment service which is an easy and a convenient way to do transactions due to more use of Smartphones. Threats can be listed as: Globalisation of the company is important to survive in the industry Legal proceedings of the company involves more legal costs Intense competition among the competitors acts as a threat in the industry Team Structure And Dynamics The industry consists of only a few potential competitors which is an advantage for the company. But there are also new competitors and also the threat of new entrants which lowers the companys market share in the industry. The company has its own substitute products due to advancements in technology and thus when people want to switch from fixed to mobile connection; the company eventually retains its new customers. When the company is updated in the technological world, it will eventually gain new customers and also retain its own customers as well. Thus the bargaining power of suppliers is relatively high. Bargaining power of buyers The industry is characterised by large number of potential buyers who are independent in choosing their own service provider. Customers tend to choose their service provider based on the companys customer service and price range. So the customers gain an advantage to switch to other service providers when required which decreases the suppliers power. However when the buyers are in a contract period, the switching costs are relatively high which is an advantage to the suppliers. Thus the bargaining power of buyers is medium. Threat of substitute products Telecom is a part of the telecommunication industry and it has its own substitute products as the company has both fixed and wireless connections. Since the substitute products are there within the own company it is not found to be a key issue for the company. Thus overall the level of threat of substitute products is relatively low. Rivalry among competing firms The New Zealand Telecommunication Industry has its major competitors like Vodafone, Telecom, Telstra clear and 2degrees. The rivalry among these competitors is relatively high because of their different approaches in the industry. Vodafone is said to be the major competitor of telecom because of its global presence in the industry. 2degrees has also set a mark in the industry due to its cheaper prices and quality plans. Thus the rivalry among the competing firms is said to be high. Competitor The key competitors of Telecom across various business units are Telstraclear, Vodafone Group PLC, Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited, AirNet Systems, Inc, Woosh Wireless, CallPlus Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM Corporation, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), Two Degrees Mobile Limited, Orcon Internet Limited. Though Telecom is one of the largest communication industries in New Zealand, there are also potential threats because of its competitors. Vodafone is the largest mobile phone operator in New Zealand which is mainly because of its global presence in over 30 countries. 2degrees is also gaining advantage with low call rates and innovative plans. So Telecom should gain competitive advantage by expanding the organisation globally by providing quality service and cheap products. Leadership: Telecom following the democratic leadership. Democratic leaders make the final decisions, but they include team members in the decision-making process. They encourage creativity, and team members are often highly engaged in projects and decisions. There are many benefits of democratic leadership. Team members tend to have high job satisfaction and are productive because theyre more involved in decisions. This style also helps develop peoples skills. Team members feel in control of their destiny, so theyre motivated to work hard by more than just a financial reward. Because participation takes time, this approach can slow decision-making, but the result is often good. The approach can be most suitable when working as a team is essential, and when quality is more important than efficiency or productivity. The downside of democratic leadership is that it can often hinder situations where speed or efficiency is essential. For instance, during a crisis, a team can waste valuable time gathering peoples input. Another downside is that some team members might not have the knowledge or expertise to provide high quality input. Conclusion: Telecom has a leading marketing position within the highly competitive marketplace. Currently the management of Telecom is facing some strategic issues in telecommunication industry. Some of the key issues are the Ultra Band Broadband initiative introduced by the New Zealand Government which is said to be the future of broadband connections in New Zealand. So Telecom should be very keen in providing better service to the customers with the new broadband initiative so as to gain a competitive advantage over other competitors. The companys profitability and revenue has also decreased in the financial year 2011 which is considered to be an issue in the market value of the company, so the company should try to gain more profits and revenues in the future. The company should also change its marketing strategies so that it can attract more customers in the future. With lots of new technologies being innovated the company can use these technologies to market their products and services so as to create positive market position in the industry.

Leonardo Da Vinci :: essays research papers

1452-1519, Italian painter, sculptor, architect, musician, engineer, and scientist, probably the supreme example of Renaissance genius. Born in Vinci, Tuscany, he was the illegitimate son of a Florentine notary and a peasant girl. His precocious artistic talent brought him to Verrocchio's workshop in 1466, where he met Botticelli and Ghirlandaio. The cul mination of his art in this first period in Florence is seen in the magnificent, unfinished Adoration of the Magi (Uffizi), with its characteristic dramatic movement and chiaroscuro. In c.1482 Leonardo went to the court of Ludovico Sforza in Milan and there composed most of his Trattato della pittura and the notebooks that demonstrate his versa tile genius. The severe plagues in 1484 and 1485 drew his attention to town planning, and his drawings and plans for domed churches reflect his concern with architectural problems. In 1483, Leonardo and his pupil Ambrogio de Predis were commissioned to execute the famous Madonna of the Rocks (two versions: 1483-c.1486, Louvre; 1483-1508, National Gall., London). The now badly damaged Last Supper (c.1495-1498; Milan) was executed during the period when he was experimenting with the Fresco medium, and this partly accounts for its damage. Despite this, a sublime spiritual content and power of invention mark it as one of the world's masterpieces. Leonardo's model for an equestrian monument to Francesco Sforza was never cast, and in 1500 he returned to Florence, where he did much theoretical work in mathematics and pursued his anatomical studies in the hospital of Santa Maria Nuova. As a military engineer for Cesare Borgia he studied swamp reclamation and met Niccolà ² Machiavelli. In c.1503 he executed the celebrated Mona Lisa (Louvre). Then, as architect and engineer in Milan to the French king Louis Xii, he continued his scientific investigations into geology, botany, hydraulics, and mechanics. In 1510-11 he painted St. Anne, Mary, and the Child (Louvre), a work that exemplifies his handling of sfumato-misty, subtle transitions in tone.

Dress code

Have you ever found yourself walking through the halls of a school and stretched out far beyond the sight of your eyes, you notice nothing but masses of students conformed into a single color or uniform? School dress codes have long since been a subject of debate amongst both students and faculty alike. In one school district after another, school uniforms are proposed as the solution. The real question is whether or not they actually serve a functional purpose, and the cost/extent of having those rules in place. School dress codes impose on freedom of expression, is time consuming, can be very costly and serve no functional purpose outside of school. Having a dress code (such as a uniform) is expensive and has no use outside of school. Poor families may not have the money to pay uniforms and having that as a dress code may be more of a hassle for them. They may depend on hand me downs or may buy clothes from second hand stores that do not provide uniforms. Buying clothes that follow a dress code may also be more expensive because children may still want clothes that they can wear outside of school. Uniforms have no use out of school. It is not a casual outfit for going to the mall or park. It is not a business suit that could be used for interviews and other occasions. Having a dress code causes the school to misuse its time. Dress codes are not enforced very well. Some teachers enforce following the dress code and others do not which presents miscommunication with students. Some students can get away with not following the dress code and others do not. When the dress code is enforced it wastes class time. It takes time away from the teacher and instructing the class. It takes away from the child’s learning experience and the rest of the child peer’s learning experience. Dress codes have not been proving to help students academically, behaviorally, or socially which means there is no valid reason to have one. Having a dress code infringes on an individual’s personal right. The first amendment states that â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Implementing a dress code on someone violates their right of the first amendment. Clothing is a way of expressing yourself. It allows people to experiment with their identities and a way to discover your inner self. Self expression is very important to a child’s development emotionally. In an effort to allow students their rights of expression, avoid costly and wasteful time spending the use of school dress codes should be avoided. Dress codes are simply a way to give schools more power over students and to infringe on their creativity and freedom of expression. Dress code Have you ever found yourself walking through the halls of a school and stretched out far beyond the sight of your eyes, you notice nothing but masses of students conformed into a single color or uniform? School dress codes have long since been a subject of debate amongst both students and faculty alike. In one school district after another, school uniforms are proposed as the solution. The real question is whether or not they actually serve a functional purpose, and the cost/extent of having those rules in place. School dress codes impose on freedom of expression, is time consuming, can be very costly and serve no functional purpose outside of school. Having a dress code (such as a uniform) is expensive and has no use outside of school. Poor families may not have the money to pay uniforms and having that as a dress code may be more of a hassle for them. They may depend on hand me downs or may buy clothes from second hand stores that do not provide uniforms. Buying clothes that follow a dress code may also be more expensive because children may still want clothes that they can wear outside of school. Uniforms have no use out of school. It is not a casual outfit for going to the mall or park. It is not a business suit that could be used for interviews and other occasions. Having a dress code causes the school to misuse its time. Dress codes are not enforced very well. Some teachers enforce following the dress code and others do not which presents miscommunication with students. Some students can get away with not following the dress code and others do not. When the dress code is enforced it wastes class time. It takes time away from the teacher and instructing the class. It takes away from the child’s learning experience and the rest of the child peer’s learning experience. Dress codes have not been proving to help students academically, behaviorally, or socially which means there is no valid reason to have one. Having a dress code infringes on an individual’s personal right. The first amendment states that â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Implementing a dress code on someone violates their right of the first amendment. Clothing is a way of expressing yourself. It allows people to experiment with their identities and a way to discover your inner self. Self expression is very important to a child’s development emotionally. In an effort to allow students their rights of expression, avoid costly and wasteful time spending the use of school dress codes should be avoided. Dress codes are simply a way to give schools more power over students and to infringe on their creativity and freedom of expression.

Objectives of Firms Essay

Standard theory assumes that businesses have sufficient information, market power and (importantly) motivation to set prices for their products that maximise profits This assumption is now heavily criticised by economists who have studied the organisation and objectives of modern-day corporations. Not only do most businesses frequently move away from pure profit-seeking behaviour, many are organised and operated in a way where profit is not the only objective. Key Point: There will always be a range of business objectives: 1. Profit maximisation (where MR=MC) 2. Revenue maximisation (sales revenue) – where MR=zero 3. Increasing and protecting market share 4. Surviving an economic downturn / recession 5. Pursuing ethical business objectives (corporate social responsibility) 6. Providing a public service – see later sections on nationalised (state-owned) industries Why might a business depart from profit maximisation? Some explanations relate to the lack of accurate information required to set profit maximising prices. Others concentrate on the alternative objectives of businesses. Imperfect information: It might be hard for a business to pinpoint their profit maximising output, as they cannot accurately calculate marginal revenue & cost. Day-to-day pricing decisions are taken on the basis of â€Å"estimated demand† or â€Å"rules of thumb†. A business might look to add a profit margin on top of average cost – â€Å"cost-plus pricing†. Multi-product businesses: Most businesses are multi-product firms operating in a range of markets across countries and continents – the volume of information that they have to handle can be vast. And they must keep track of the ever-changing preferences of consumers. The idea that there is a neat, single profit maximising price is redundant. Behavioural Theories of the Firm Behavioural economists believe that large-scale businesses are complex organizations made up of various stakeholders – i.e. groups who have a vested interest in the activity of a business. Examples include: Managers employed by a business and other employees Shareholders – people who have an equity stake in a business Customers The government and it’s agencies including local government Each group is likely to have different objectives or goals at points in time. The dominant group at any moment can give greater emphasis to their own objectives – for example price and output decisions may be taken at a local level by managers – with shareholders taking only a distant and imperfectly informed view of the company’s performance and strategy. If firms are likely to move away from pure profit maximising behaviour, what are the alternatives? 1. Satisficing behaviour is a term first coined by economist Hugo Simon – when faced with a decision where the cost of identifying and pursuing the optimal choice is high. For business owners this might mean moving away from pure profit maximisation and choosing instead to aim for minimum acceptable levels of achievement in terms of revenue and profit. 2. Sales Revenue Maximisation The objective of maximising sales revenue rather than profits was developed by William Baumol whose work focused on the behaviour of manager-controlled businesses. Baumol argued that annual salaries and perks are linked to total sales revenue rather than profits. Companies geared towards maximising revenue are likely to make extensive use of price discrimination to extract extra revenue and profit from consumers. A firm might also aim to maximise sales revenue rather than profits because it wishes to deter the entry of new firms. If a firm decides to aim to maximise sales revenue rather than profits, one of the consequences might be a reduction in the price of the firm’s shares 3. Managerial Satisfaction model An alternative view was put forward by Oliver Williamson (1981), who developed the concept of managerial satisfaction (or managerial utility). This can be enhanced by raising sales revenue. Assuming that the firm’s costs remain the same, a firm will choose a lower price and supply a higher output when sales revenue maximisation is the main objective. The profit maximising price is P1 at output Q1, the revenue maximising price is P2 at output Q2 Consumer surplus is higher with sales revenue maximisation because output is higher and price is lower. Producer surplus is greater when profits are maximised. Social Entrepreneurs Michael Porter – Shared Value and the Limitations of CSR Narrow views about how to create profit has created disconnect between businesses and society and needs to change according to Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter. â€Å"A growing number of companies known for their hard-nosed approach to business—such as GE, Google, IBM, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Nestlà ©, Unilever, and Wal-Mart—have already embarked on efforts to create shared value by looking again at the intersection between society and corporate performance.† Shared value is creating economic value by creating social value In recent times, creating value has tended to focus on short-termist thinking – Businesses have been long on driving huge sales and output volumes, downsize and de-layering inefficient management and generally responding to pressure from financial markets to deliver immediate results through cost-cutting, dynamic pricing and increasingly tough marketing that can often persuade people to buy things that are not good for them. This involves a recalibration and a rethinking about what a product really is and what needs a business is meeting, for example in the food industry, products that are nutritious and healthy rather than focus on volume, lower unit costs and higher profits. He notes to increasing prominence of social entrepreneurs with revenue generating business models. Consumers looking at the world differently and expressing their preferences in strong ways – this is already having a direct effect on supermarket behaviour. A social enterprise is a business that has social objectives whose profits are reinvested for that purpose in the business or the community, rather than being driven by the need to seek profit to satisfy investors. Social entrepreneurs are looking to achieve social and environmental aims Not for Profit Businesses These are charities, community organisations that are run on commercial lines e.g. Network Rail: Network Rail: Their stated purpose is to deliver a safe, reliable and efficient railway for Britain They employ over 35,000 people with annual staff costs in excess of  £1.6bn It is a company limited by guarantee – whose debts are secured by the government Network Rail operates as a commercial business and regulated by the Office of Rail Regulation Network Rail is a â€Å"not-for-dividend† company – profits are invested in the railway network. Train operating companies (TOCs) pay Network Rail for use of the rail infrastructure They are given targets for punctuality and safety In 2011 Network Rail made profits of  £750 million. It receives an annual subsidy from the UK government in excess of  £5 billion. Businesses required to main a loss-making service A good example here is the Royal Mail which is required to maintain a universal national postal delivery service throughout the UK for a uniform price. Household mail makes a loss, cross-subsidised by business mail – although this market is shrinking for the Royal Mail because of the introduction of fresh competition from 2006. The Post Office Ltd is a subsidiary of the Royal Mail Group plc – it runs substantial losses on the network or rural post offices and has been under great pressure to close hundreds of offices to stem losses.

Kent State University Essays - An Edible History Of Humanity, Books

Kent State University Essays - An Edible History Of Humanity, Books Kent State University "Agriculture, the Game Changer" by Jada Garrison "An Edible History of Humanity" by Tom Standage Jada Garrison World History Ancient and Medieval Hist-11050-002-201780 Professor Shane Strate 7 November 2017 "An Edible History of Humanity" made it clear that the impact of agriculture on humanity plays a role in many aspects. The author is making the point that the importance of agriculture is a major employer, even of today's society. This text also brings to the table the aspect of the solution to feeding the world who, at times, were starving. The outstanding gains in technology that contributed to the advances in agriculture that made these things possible. Who would have thought corn, wheat, potatoes, and rice would have been the starting blocks of the wide, wide variety that agriculture offers today. The agriculture revolution is arguably the most important turning point in human history, from simple transactions in trade to establishing entire empires who took in these newly found techniques to benefit their rise in society. Agriculture brought about many advantages, as long as some disadvantages. Human society may have never formed into what it is today. At the beginning of time the little civilizations that stuck together were based off of a hunter-gatherer food supply. Members of these communities would spend hours hunting and whatever they brought back to be prepared would be shared with the peoples of the civilization. A hunter-gatherer's structure of society was mostly one-leveled or equal. Everyone in the community worked towards the same thing, providing food. This did not leave for much of a multi-tiered society, everyone had the same social standings for the most part. When the hunter-gatherers would settle into permanent spots they would sometimes settle near a farm. On occasion the hunter-gatherer would pick up on the techniques and then decided to farm as well. "Alternatively, hunter-gatherers on the fringes of farming areas might have decided to follow suit and become farmers themselves, adopting the methods [] of their farming neighbors." (Standage, pg 23). According to Standage this may have been due to "cultural diffusion", this is when the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities occur. Though the hunter-gatherers diet was thought to be healthier and more beneficial because they ate more meats, "rather than relying on a few stable crops." (Standage, pg 30), unlike farmers. The conversion of the hunter-gatherer society to an agriculture society brought many changes. The need for a larger food supply, social order, and organizational skills. In the agricultural civilizations there was a need to keep things in order, the "Big Men" or farmers who gained control over food supply became more powerful. The debt that was owed to them is what made them most powerful, though. The more debt owed to him the more food he would take as payment, when he obtained more food it would "legitimize the leaders position" (Standage, pg 50). Another strategy of gaining the most storage of the communities agricultural surplus could lead to a leadership positon. "Elaborate public-works projects then legitimize the leader's position..." (Standage, pg 42). Standage makes the statement of "Food was wealth, and control or food was power" (Standage, pg 13) this is proven true with how the civilizations created their social rankings. Each civilization had their own set of social classes, but for the most part they contained; the ruler, the appointed, military class, craftsmen, farmers, peasants and slaves. Some classes Many set these classes apart, finical status, training, and the simple fact of what class you were born into. In some societies you could work to make your way up the rankings, but in most what you were born into is what you stayed in. Social classes were being more of an necessity as the population grew and new advancements came about. Rulers had to know how to gain trust or legitimize himself. They could often do this by showing leadership characteristics in big projects being conducted throughout the civilization. A major project that was needed to be organized in their times were the irrigation systems. "One theory contends that a big man or leader can become more powerful by coordinating activities, particularly irrigation. [] control of the irrigation system would confer power on the leader" (tandage, pg 41).

Caimito Decoction to Antiseptic Mouthwash Essays

Caimito Decoction to Antiseptic Mouthwash Essays Caimito Decoction to Antiseptic Mouthwash Essay Caimito Decoction to Antiseptic Mouthwash Essay Common problem of people orally are: bad breath, gum diseases and many more. It is usually prevented by brushing the teeth several times as prescribed, some uses mouthwash after they brush their teeth, some uses tongue scrapers to help clean their mouth and more. But as time passes and researches are done, companies have come up of an idea that helped them to sell more and let us people be more interested diseases which is adding flavours to their products particularly the mouthwash.Caimito has spread to the low lands of Central America and now grow in the tropics of Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines. Provinces have grown trees and mostly one of them is Caimito. And now because of its sweet fruit that the citizens love it is now often cultured. If you thought that Caimito (Chrysophyllum cainito) is used only for its sweet fruit, you are wrong. Its leaves and barks are useful as its fruit by being herbals. Its decoction is or can be used as an alt ernative for high pricing mouthwash. PURPOSE: a. )To clean the mouth as an antiseptic mouthwash. b. Prevent inflammation within the gum areas. RESULT: a. )Antiseptic Mouthwash made with decoction of Caimito leaves and other chemicals. INGREDIENTS AND CHEMICALS USED: 4 ounces (120 ml) peppermint hydrosol (flower water) 4 ounces (120 ml) strong herbal infusion made with Caimito leaves decoction 1 teaspoon (5 ml) thyme extract 2 teaspoons (10 ml) myrrh gum extract 5-10 drops 100% wild-crafted mint flavor extract PROCEDURE: 1. Mix all the ingredients together in a glass or a jar (as preferred). 2. Shake well to blend the ingredients together. 3. Best to store for about 24 hours before use. CONCLUSION:Herbal mouthwash can be as effective as a chemical induced, factory produced mouthwashes. III. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Cherry Baay IV. INTRODUCTION: We conducted some research over the internet and made an experiment. We are finding an alternative to over pricing mouthwash which can be made at ho me finding organic ingredients in your or your neighbours’ backyard. V. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: An effective mouthwash is one that does not only make the breath fresh but also serves as an antiseptic. It should not simply mask the effective mouth odour caused by excessive activity of anaerobic bacteria inhabiting the mouth.There is a need to prevent the increase in the population. VI. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: A mouthwash is a solution in addition to regular oral hygiene methods such as brushing and flossing. Alternative mouth gargles can be prepared from locally available plants such as herbs and fruit bearing ones. Certain plant parts may have active ingredients that have antimicrobial activity. An example is the peppermint that contains essential oils found to be efficient in neutralizing mouth conditions and in freshening breath. This study aims to answer following questions: 1. Is Caimito leaves decoction can be effective mouthwash? . Is the peppermint that contains ess ential oils can be effective in neutralizing mouth conditions and in freshening breath? VII. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: In this study the people will benefit because they can use it in the prevention of dental diseases and maintenance of the oral health and it can be used for preventing gums and oral infections. VIII. SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY: This study only tested the feasibility of using decoction prepared from Caimito leaves as mouthwash. Not much money is used in the experiment. It can take for about 30 minutes to an hour.

Appropriate vs. Apropos vs. Apt

Appropriate vs. Apropos vs. Apt Appropriate vs. Apropos vs. Apt Appropriate vs. Apropos vs. Apt By Maeve Maddox A reader has asked for a discussion of â€Å"appropriate vs. apropos vs. apt.† All three words may be used as adjectives meaning suitable or pertinent: Your reference to â€Å"The Emperor’s New Clothes† is apropos of the way so many people conform to social expectations rather than think for themselves. I admire your apt choice of words in this article. A rating of â€Å"G† indicates that a movie is appropriate for children. Of the three adjectives, appropriate [uh-PRO-pree-it] is heard more often. Appropriate derives from the past participle of a Latin verb, a combination of ad (to) and proprius (own). Something appropriate â€Å"belongs† to someone or something. Here are some examples of current usage: How Having An Appropriate Level Of Confidence Can Better Your Life By comparing many entertainment jobs, you should be able to get a good idea of the appropriate salary. The young offender could not be questioned without an appropriate adult present Was Lohan’s courtroom attire appropriate? Note: English also has the verb appropriate [uh-PRO-pree-ATE], â€Å"to take possession of.† For example, â€Å"A section of land at St. Clements in Oxfordhas been appropriated to planning purposes to facilitate a regeneration project intended for the area.† Apt is from the Latin word aptus, â€Å"fitted, suited, appropriate.† The adjective derives from a verb meaning â€Å"to fasten, to attach.† The most common use of apt is to describe the fitness or expressiveness of language. Another meaning of apt is â€Å"ready to learn,† as in â€Å"She’s an apt student.† Sometimes apt is a synonym for likely: â€Å"Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.† Apt can also be used in the sense of â€Å"having an unfortunate tendency, or â€Å"exposed to a risk†: Spanked kids more apt to commit crimes Study: Immigrants who live, work together less apt to learn English The adjectival use of apropos is the least common of the three. I’ve seen forum comments asserting that apropos is â€Å"never a synonym for appropriate.† A French borrowing, apropos functions more often as a preposition or as an adverb. Apropos comes from French propos, â€Å"with regard to this purpose.† As an adjective, it is a synonym for appropriate: My point is rather that it is not  apropos  in every case. The mayor called the cornflake comment â€Å"not apropos† and warned Lukaszuk to be careful of what he says. Your allusion to Josephine Tey’s bit of dialogue was very clever and funnybut not apropos As a preposition, apropos means â€Å"with reference to; concerning†: The principal remarked apropos the new regulations, â€Å"They will cost a lot to implement and do nothing to address the problem.† As an adverb, apropos is most commonly heard in the expression â€Å"apropos of nothing.† The sense is that someone’s comments or actions are completely unrelated to any previous discussion or situation. For example, â€Å"Apropos of nothing, Tom started talking about his root canal.† The usual preposition to follow apropos is of. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:15 Terms for Those Who Tell the FutureOn Behalf Of vs. In Behalf OfCharles's Pen and Jesus' Name

Baseball Management Statistics Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Baseball Management Statistics Project - Essay Example Based on the specific factors relevant for making MLB profitable, the statistical report provides specific test ran for the variables with the indispensable impact on baseball league. Variable test ran inherently discussed based on a business perspective. Most importantly, the statistical report contains concrete materials for assisting baseball committee in improving specific shortfalls within the league. Moreover, the report entails recommendations relevant for enlightening baseball committee members in understanding statistics associated with advancements within baseball league. In contemporary baseball setting and competition, financial gain is imperative in improving performance. Prompt and reasonable wages are indispensable in improving both franchise owners and players’ morale to actively participate within baseball league. In addition, increase in baseball league prominence requires its committee members to engage actively in increasing facilities for the association. Establishment of modern facilities coupled with reasonable salaries for baseball players is imperative in promoting baseball members for the association. Therefore, improved fan base assist in realization of higher economic income. It is hypothetical that an increase in members’ attendance for a specific baseball team leads into corresponding improvement in salaries for the players and franchise owners. Moreover, increase in fan base positively corresponds to an improvement in facilities and other modern investments relevant for developing thee sports organization. Statistical analysis based on Anova test of the data in Appendix A depicts a positive correlation between participation and wages received by both franchise owners and players. Anova test results show that participation of approximately three million baseball members or more, results into correspondent increase salaries for the players and franchise

The Ethics of Hardball Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Ethics of Hardball - Research Paper Example 14). Therefore, applying the case of Home Depot, their decision to limit any increase in prices of their products especially during the anticipation of Hurricane Andrew still paid off in the long run. As emphasized, â€Å"although prices increased early in anticipation of Hurricane Andrew, Home Depot was still able, with the cooperation of suppliers, to sell half-inch plywood sheets for $10.15 after the hurricane, compared with a price of $8.65 before, thereby limiting the increase to less than 18 percent. Home Depot executives explained their decision as an act of good ethics by not profiting from human misery† (Braybrook, 1983, p. 12). By taking into consideration the interests of the society and the general public, and the scenario at hand, businesses could make good and ethical decisions by evaluating the repercussions of their actions on a longer perspective basis. †¢ Should businesses be held morally accountable applying different standards than we use to assess others in a society? Why or why not? Explain your position. According to the topic on The Relationship between Ethics and the Law, it was disclosed that â€Å"business activity takes place within an extensive framework of law, and some people hold that law is the only set of rules that applies to business activity. Law, not ethics, is the only relevant guide† (Braybrook, 1983, p. 14). Therefore, businesses are expected to be governed by ethical and moral standards; and should be held morally accountable for the various decisions made. Concurrently, despite legal standards that prevail and continue to be the primary basis for decision-making, both ethical and moral standards must be integrated and incorporated in the process. †¢ Is it inherently unethical to make business decisions that add long-term value to the business and which do not violate law or social convention? Why or why not? Explain your position. It is not inherently unethical to make business decisions that add long-term value

British Social Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

British Social Policy - Essay Example Starting from the Old Poor Law (established by Elizabethan Act in 1572) which provided the relief to the poor (provision for work, help to immigrations and compulsory poor rate), and up to the current social security benefits (child support, unemployment, income support, and pensions), the social policy has gone though the number of reforms which have changed the delivery of the social and financial assistance. In the early 18th century the number of immigrants to Britain has much increases and most of them were living behind the line of poverty. From economic perspective, the situation in the country was stable and, as the result, the government was able to address the needs of the poor. In particular, the workhouses and poorhouses were established where poor could work and satisfy their basic needs. However, the situation has started to change in the 19th century when the industrial revolution fostered the development of the towns and the rapid population growth. From microeconomic perspective, the government was no longer able to deliver social benefits to the poor and the poverty rate doubled (Laybourn 1995). The Poor Law did not meet the needs of people because the increased population was beyond the British ability to provide for and, moreover, the Poor Law was undermining the wages of the independent workers. The health perspective of social policy was first addressed by the Br... Medical care remained private and voluntary, even though the number of infirmaries grew rapidly. Interestingly, until 1885, there was the law that required people to be poor in order to use infirmaries (Poynter 1960). In the early 1900s, the government has laid the foundation of the modern social policy and social services and the infrastructure of the public services was developed. In the period of 1905-1911 the following acts were developed: Unemployment Workmen Act, Education Act (free school meals), School Medical Services, Pension Act, Labour Exchange Act, National Insurance Act. As the result of such governmental concern with the social policy, the delivery of the social services has much improved and the poverty rate significantly reduced. During the inter-war period, the Widows, Orphans and Old Age Contributory Pension Act was introduced which granted the financial assistance to those who were unable to earn for living because of war (Poynter 1960). The so-called wartime perspective has further influenced the delivery of social policy to British population. In 1942 the National Insurance system was proposed which rested on three perceptions: family allowances, national health service delivery and full employment. The key elements of the welfare state after 1948 included social security, health, housing, education and welfare of children. Unlike the Poor Law that separated these social services, the new social policy was focused on inter-relating the nature of the services as well as emphasizing the importance of each. From theoretical perspective, the Welfare State was not intended to reduce the poverty, but to encourage the provision of social services on the same grounds as roads and libraries (Alcock

Prescriptive & Emergent Strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Prescriptive & Emergent Strategies - Essay Example Companies in the current corporate world need to develop strategies which comprise series of decisions and plans developed focusing on achieving the company goals and objectives. All forms of organizations require strategic plan to ensure that they achieve the set objectives whether they are small or large. Strategic management is a core aspect of an organization and comprises of various approaches adopted in various companies. Therefore to evaluate a strategic plan of a given company, it is important to acknowledge and explore other available alternatives. It is notable that prescriptive and emergent strategic planning strategies are popular and mostly used in various companies. These two strategies go head to head in much argument and it is important for companies to evaluate their relevance and effectiveness given economic climate that the specific company is operating (Analoui 2003). In the context of the current economic climate the one that will ensure that the organization attain its long-term and short-term objectives shall emerge to being on top. The current economic climate It is notable that the current economic climate in most countries in the world is very much turbulent. This has become a key determinant in regard to strategic planning of most organizations and companies. According to Charles Hill (2009) he asserts that in UK and USA and many other countries it is notable that they are out of economic crisis and recession, there is much fear that the economic situation may return to recession (Hill 2009). The most affected companies are the retail companies which have opened stores in many countries.

NO TITLE NEEDED Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

NO TITLE NEEDED - Essay Example Once the diet of the children is not checked, it will result to health problems such as obesity, marasmus,and kwashikor among other nutritional disorders. Nutritional disorders eventually affect the life of the individuals as they will results to body failures and disadvantaged characters (Zoumbaris and Sharon 67). With the help of the various nutritional organizations such as the National Research Council will make it much easier in facilitating the ideas of diet checkup. The government through the campaign propelled by the first lady will be able to reach the many individuals within the different states in the country. Raising the nutritional status of the American citizens is in the rise to promote nutritional suitability for a healthy life. With the support of the nutritional companies, Michelle Obama will be able to reach his target of promoting a healthier eating among the Americans by advocating against taking of junky and fatty foods. The foods tend to be less nutritional henceforth being discouraged from taking them. They also tend to be more likely to cause diseases that might be terminal such as cancer. Excessive taking of the junky foods may also cause nutritional diseases such

Privatisation in UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Privatisation in UK - Essay Example Privatisation in the UK has been part of a broader strategy to increase the role of markets in former state industries, to change the means of public control (by substituting arms-length regulation for more direct political control) and to modify incentives to economic efficiency. This process has taken more than fifteen years so far, and will take longer still to come to come to full fruition. The Government's approach to Company Law Reform has been dominated by a desire to please sections of the business lobby. This has undermined attempts to deliver corporate responsibility. In November 2005, Gordon Brown announced his intention to scrap the Operating and Financial Review (OFR), which would have obliged companies to report on their social and environmental performance. It is thus inevitable to take into consideration the underlying system of national (corporate) laws that regulates this field or that suffers from proper implementation, reform or application. The law is directly related to the performance of management in the process of directing and controlling the company as a means of maximizing the residuals and the value of the company for its shareholders, including all the interested parties under the stakeholder concept: workers; management; buyers; suppliers; creditors; local government; and so forth. The key to this obviously lies in the way the company is cond ucted, as well as the capacity of its managers to keep a continuity of success, regardless of the economic circumstances and the problems of the company itself. Stronger government oversight is necessary. Accounting reports have to give a clear picture on the company's operation as well as of its financial structure. Application of company law may give rise to conflicts of interest between a company and the government law. The Trade Justice Movement and the Corporate Responsibility (CORE) coalition are calling on the Government to ensure new laws, which apply to UK firms hold company directors to account for the impact of their activities on communities, workers and the environment in Britain and overseas. 'Disclosure', 'transparency' and 'shareholder value' make up the framework of shareholding governance nowadays and are amongst the most common words in company law while treating with privatisation symptoms and while seeking ways to combat its ills. These institutions look "ideally" towards improved corporate governance standards (which is selfish), in particular on facilitating developing markets to re-establish competition (again persona l gain), gain investors' confidence (for company profit) and promote national economical growth (where they seldom allow intervention, which poses the problem of applying proper company law). Trying to seek easier and cheaper alternatives to counter competition companies are going haywire with their social responsibility that seldom adhere to UK company law even if it exists or find ways to seek loopholes (since they remain unaccountable). Like companies, producing palm oil in the UK is actually obtaining by driving rapid rainforest destruction in South East Asia. Over 500 UK companies have been trading in palm oil, most for more than a decade now without any UK company law to curb them. Yet despite high profile public campaigns about its impacts, virtually none of these companies can prove

NO TITLE NEEDED Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

NO TITLE NEEDED - Essay Example Once the diet of the children is not checked, it will result to health problems such as obesity, marasmus,and kwashikor among other nutritional disorders. Nutritional disorders eventually affect the life of the individuals as they will results to body failures and disadvantaged characters (Zoumbaris and Sharon 67). With the help of the various nutritional organizations such as the National Research Council will make it much easier in facilitating the ideas of diet checkup. The government through the campaign propelled by the first lady will be able to reach the many individuals within the different states in the country. Raising the nutritional status of the American citizens is in the rise to promote nutritional suitability for a healthy life. With the support of the nutritional companies, Michelle Obama will be able to reach his target of promoting a healthier eating among the Americans by advocating against taking of junky and fatty foods. The foods tend to be less nutritional henceforth being discouraged from taking them. They also tend to be more likely to cause diseases that might be terminal such as cancer. Excessive taking of the junky foods may also cause nutritional diseases such

Organizational Theory Final Paper Essay Example for Free

Organizational Theory Final Paper Essay Due to the recent and anticipated changes the U.S. government has made and continues to make in procedures regarding contract awards, as well as external market pressures from the economic downturn, I submit this proposal as a new approach to the existing organizational structure. Because talent and loyalty are at such a high premium in today’s workforce, I submit that the workforce be modified structurally rather than a full-scale reduction. This economic crisis will not last long and our current reaction and decisions will determine our longevity in the market. So the main objective of this restructure will be to make the best and most beneficial use of our employees that are committed to moving forward and to continue to build goodwill with our employees, shareholders, customers and suppliers. Changes in technology are not an issue for this particular proposal. The very nature of this company enhances flexibility in technological changes and even spear-heads changes in some aspects of industry. There may be mild behavior changes needed, but only to coincide with structural changes. The structural changes should prove to be positively accepted, as underutilization and overutilization issues should be resolved. The outcomes expected are: * reduced costs by realigning talent to appropriate duties * redefining merits for bonuses and certain benefits * offering more flexible working conditions for higher performance * creating diverse teams based on goals and projects * redesign Marketing division, re-evaluate goals, re-evaluate performance Forces Driving Change: * Characteristics of workforce have changed * The organizational structure of this company embraces military-like order. Modification of this approach is needed to empower team structure and welcome more civilian business approaches as â€Å"staff and middle management are better networked, more mobile, and smarter about their value and their options in the market.† (PWC) * Labor supply has changed * Much of the upper management and specialized employees are retired military, bringing them closer to a second retirement. While current conditions have delayed this trend it still exists. Competing companies aggressively recruit educated and experienced managers and industry specialists so we must create conditions that will foster satisfaction and loyalty. * Government contract allocation procedures have changed * More attention and emphasis must be put on other areas of the company’s businesses for wealth building. Government contracting has adjusted rates and opened the door for smaller companies to compete for Defense and Aerospace teaming contracts. * Economic downturns have caused readjustments in businesses and education * The Business Services company needs to update and integrate new business-to-business consulting approaches, enhancing and adding to our strict Six Sigma training. * The Advanced Visualization Solutions division needs to develop their products to serve beyond educational facilities, as most facilities are not currently able to invest in state-of-the-art technology. These products need to be streamlined to bring the cost of production and cost to customers down. * The Construction Company needs to focus on developing more domestic business. The international projects need to be managed by on-site managers via patriots or expatriate assignments. This will reduce expensive unplanned international travel as well as build goodwill with the natives of the country the project is based in. * The Marketing/Communications division has become obsolete, using old approaches of only upgrading the company website and only attending industry exhibitions and conferences. Marketing has become isolated from the energy that exists in the whole of the company, not working cooperatively or creatively with each subsidiary company. This is possibly due to absence of the sense of meaningfulness in the managers, thus lack of motivation. * The Core Divisions need more cohesion in their performance. Due to the overlap of duties between HR, Contracting and Accounting, there must be less antagonism and more cooperation between the managers. The executives rely on authoritarian leadership and â€Å"job-scare† tactics to motivate operations of these departments, thus the managers isolate themselves into their own responsibilities by not sharing information or working as cohesive teams to resolve challenges. Obviously, most of these problems have their origin in the culture that has been created in the company. While there are a few who remain loyal to the mission statement of the company and endeavor to sustain a family-like atmosphere, most managers and employees have become dissatisfied with not only the culture but with their own sense of meaning within the company. Thus, the owners and executives must be the first to revisit the mission statement and goals first set forth by the owners, create a more cohesive and safe culture and implement their own change of perspective. â€Å"Far too often, leaders ask everyone else to change, but in reality this usually isn’t possible until they first change themselves†. (De Smet, et al) One of the strengths to having retired military personnel in leadership and production is their ability to follow orders and to learn quickly. Most of their experience in military life was often being given an order (goal) and some of the necessary resources (most of the time), but little knowledge on how to execute it. Much of our nation’s greatest technology has come from such situations. For example, John Shergill itemized 10 American technological advances accomplished during wartime. One of the most outstanding was the development of a virtual environment, or the internet. â€Å"Conceived and designed in the late 1970’s during the height of the cold war as a defense against nuclear war. The thought was that if vital government information could be stored in a virtual environment, it would be impossible to take out communications at one location. The effect of this advancement is obvious to anyone reading this†. (Shergill) Necessity being the mother of invention was also observable when a young officer was given command over the technology department where he was deployed. Not only was the technology obsolete, but he had no idea how a computer worked. His order was to update and repair the system. Period. He quickly learned and implemented all he could and was successful in not only updating but enhancing new technology for that particular base. Today, as a retired Navy colonel, he is a professor of Networking, computer software and hardware at an outstanding US college. So the ingenuity and problem solving skills that exists within the retired military community is priceless, but their instinctive command-and-control leadership styles have become outdated and ineffective in a civilian business world, especially with civilian employees. Six Sigma approaches have been attractive to the Business Solutions department because it continues to embrace the command-and-control management skills; focusing on optimal production and very little on optimizing producers. Therefore I propose comprehensive and all-inclusive leadership-development training. I understand this may be especially opposed by our Business Services division, as these instructors consider themselves experts in the field of leadership. But it is vital that leaders stay ahead of trends in leadership especially if they train other leaders. Their expertise in traditional instruction of management mixed with the evolving principles will not only enhance, but possibly lead to more forward thinking and new approaches as they implement them. Again, it would be quite in character for the retired military leaders to take what they learn in this area and create even more valuable tactics and approaches that will enrich business leaders the world over. Thus creating a new benchmark for our company and creating a new competitive edge. In the April 2012 online edition of McKinsey Quarterly, three experts in the field of leadership training wrote of their findings in making leadership training the heart of large organizational change. The authors described the situation of one global company as â€Å"While the need for operational change was clear—the performance of the company†¦was inconsistent and in many cases far below that of competitors in terms of efficiency, productivity, and cost—so too were the organizational obstacles. Drives for improvement, for example, carried a stigma of incompetence; current performance was considered â€Å"good enough†; conflict tended to be passive-aggressive or was avoided entirely; and†¦employees felt that they were treated as cogs and that their supervisors were enforcers. The effect of all this on employees was disengagement, a lack of trust in senior management, and a pervasive fear of making mistakes—a worry reinforced by the company’s strong culture of safety and of risk aversion†¦ (So) the senior team had to look beyond technical improvements and focus on helping the company’s leaders to master the personal behavioral changes needed to support the operational ones. To that end, the company mounted an intense, immersive, and individualized leadership program† (De Smet, et al). The authors note that the program took four months for each participant, and included two week-long training programs and ongoing coaching to integrate what they learn with their work experiences. In the span of three years the return on investment in the participants has been tenfold for each leader. The program has increased the company’s income by almost $2 million, and the new leadership behavior has been crucial to the company’s success and is believed to have made the total organizational changes that were made more effective. So the development program I suggest needs to include: * Integrating leadership training with a BHG (big hairy goal). Without personalizing training it will be ineffective. Without an obtainable and desirable goal training will be a waste of time and effort. * Recognize the strengths and successes our company has and build on them. Bring in our strongest and most dedicated leaders (not necessarily formal managers) and train them in how to skillfully influence change by engaging everyone involved in the organization. These leaders may need to be considered as new or replacing current ineffective management or at the very least as team/discussion leaders. They are the bridge between corporate office and employee satisfaction. Use our Company Philosophy, found in our Employee Handbook, to employ our Core Competencies to realize our Vision Statement. * Any change in our organization must be based on honesty. Every employee of our company possesses, or at one time possessed, an expectation of good from us. Being a part of this organization was highly esteemed in the community and upon hiring, the employees felt important and distinct in their field because of our decision to employ. After being employed for about 3 years, the most common feature of the dissatisfaction that begins to set in is the irregular dispersion of information and a feeling that Corporate is not being honest or forthright with them. While this may be a military â€Å"need-to-know† approach to employee management, it is no longer efficient, as our employees are no longer military and they expect inclusion. The â€Å"leaks† and rumors that circulate on all of our job-sites and offices are much more damaging than the truth given from a trusted leader could ever be. * Common language and vocabulary used by leaders must be adopted. The language of a common vision is powerful, so leaders must be allowed to emerge and reassigned to influence the entire company. Success is contagious so the empowered managers will be able to empower employees. * Evaluate managers’ skills and interests and place them in the appropriate department. Technology can be learned, but it won’t be learned by a dissatisfied manager. * Modify benefits. Currently all employees derive their motivation from our bonus plan. Employees have been willing to accept the absence of sick leave, the infrequency of pay raises, and the absence of certain benefits in favor of expecting the year-end bonus. The Employee Handbook indicates that bonuses are â€Å"discretionary profit-sharing and performance-based rewards provided to employees base on a review of the factors previously mentioned in addition to management’s recommendations† (Our Company Handbook, pg. 11). It should be noted that every employee has different needs and motivations for working with us. We should modify our benefit offering by allowing them to make the decision of whether they would rather have a raise, receive a bonus or an enhancement to their provided benefits. * Subsidiary companies’ Business Development departments and company-wide Marketing/Communications must begin to work more cooperatively, beginning with information sharing and frequent interaction. Up to this point, these two departments have functioned exclusively of the other, relying only on each other for necessary information or for marketing tools for conventions/meetings. While BD has relied heavily on personal contacts networks, it must begin to utilize the principals and power of marketing. Marketing/Communications must begin to pursue the good of each BD department to enhance their efforts. The commitment to the structural changes, development of leaders and employee happiness must begin with the owners. It must also be an ongoing commitment, as sporadic attempts will only reinforce skepticism and heighten dissatisfaction. Leadership training must become a systemic process, not an event (Day, pg 8).

Application of GIS Technology in Electrical Distribution

Application of GIS Technology in Electrical Distribution ABSTRACT Electric utilities have a need to keep a comprehensive and accurate inventory of their physical assets, both as a part of normal service provision (extending the network, undertaking maintenance, etc.) and as a part of their obligation to inform third parties about their facilities. Complexity of electrical distribution power system is a good reason for introducing new information technology GIS (Geographic Information System) that carries out complex power system analyses (e.g., fault analysis, optimization of networks, load forecasting) in acceptable amount of time. By using modern GIS, in conjunction with his own in-house developed software, in less time and more accurately, the utility engineer is able to design and to analyze electrical distribution network. This paper presents the idea of the project CADDiN © (Computer Aided Design of Distribution Network) currently under development at the Power Systems Department of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Zagr eb. INTRODUCTION Importance of Distribution Network in Energy Supply One of the primary contribution to the advancements and improvements in mans life-style over the years has been the ability to use and control energy. Mans use of energy can be seen in everyday operations such as mechanical motion and the production of heat and light. Large amounts of power are generated at power plants and sent to a network of high-voltage (400, 220 or 110 kV) transmission lines. These transmission lines supply power to medium voltage (e.g. 10 or 20 kV) distribution networks (distribution primary system), which supply power to still lower voltage (0.4 kV) distribution networks (distribution secondary system). Both distribution network lines supply power to customers directly. Thus, the total network is a complex grid of interconnected lines. This network has the function of transmitting power from the points of generation to the points of consumption. The distribution system is particularly important to an electrical utility for two reasons: its proximity to the ultimate customer and its high investment cost. The objective of distribution system planning is to ensure that the growing demand for electricity, with growing rates and high load densities, can be satisfied in an optimum way, mainly to achieve minimum of total cost of the distribution system expansion. Therefore, the distribution system planner partitions the total distribution system planning problem into a set of subproblems that can be handled by using available, usually heuristic methods and techniques [T.Gonen, 1986]. The design of electrical distribution networks is an everyday task for electric utility engineers, specially in RD department. Such design was carried out few years ago manually. This classical approach usually result in overdesign distribution system, which is now considered as a waste of capacity that can be used instead of investing in system expansion. Four years ago a PC program package (CADDiN ©) for optimal planning of distribution network was put in operation in Elektra Zagreb (Electric Utility of City of Zagreb). It is a result of joint RD of Power System Department of Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Elektra Zagreb. Based on the experience or PC-CADDiN ©, at the end or 1992. the prototype of new project CADDiN © was started conceptually organized as a part of the Geographic Information System. The role of GIS in Distribution Networks Database plays a central role in the operation of planning, where analysis programs form a part of the system supported by a database management system which stores, retrieves, and modifies various data on the distribution systems. The thing that distinguishes an electrical utility information system from an other information system such as those used in banking, stock control, or payroll systems is needed to record geographical information in the database. Electrical utility companies need two types of geographical information: details on the location of facilities, and information on the spatial interrelations between them. The integration of geographically referenced database, analytical tools and in-house developed software tools will allow the system to be designed more economically and to be operated much closer to its limits resulting in more efficient, low-cost power distribution systems. Additional benefits such as improved material management, inventory control, preventiv e maintenance and system performance can be accomplished in a systematic and cost-effective manner (Z.Sumic, et al, 1993). Before graphical workstations were developed, many electric utilities have built technical information systems based on relational database management systems (E.Jorum, et al, 1993.). Technical information system is designed to cover the requirements of power supply utilities considering network expansion and operation planning, maintenance management and system documentation. In advanced utilities all information systems are built around same RDBMS and constantly updated. Establishing links between these information systems and geographical information system is only in defining relationship between objects in the two systems. The problem that has risen is in a number of different information systems in the same utility (technical information system, customer information system, etc.) or even several overlapping technical information systems and some of these a re not updated. Objective The objective of the distribution network design process can be divided into three independent parts. These parts are: Load forecasting load growth of the geographical area served by substation; determination of load magnitude and its geographic location; customer load characteristics; Design of secondary system (low voltage distribution network) optimal substation allocation and transformer sizing; secondary circuitry routing and sizing; Design of primary system (medium voltage distribution network) optimal substation allocation; primary circuitry routing and sizing; To reduce a problem complexity each part of the design process is divided in functional subproblems. Each of these subproblems can be then much easier to manage. Although only independent some parts of design process interact, i.e. placement of substation will influence secondary routing which in turn will influence primary routing. The number of possible design solutions that might satisfy a given set of spatial, technical and economic constraints is quite numerous. Multiple, interdependent goals and constraints make conventional procedural optimization methods inappropriate for distribution network design. Due to the complexity of the design process, heuristic methods and AI techniques must be applied to find near optimal [S.Krajcar, 1988] or satisfying solutions [Z.Sumic, 1993]. The main reason for this simplification is regarding work-force and computer time for finding optimal solution that in high percentage could not be applicable in real situation. [End Page 1858] GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM OF PROJECT CADDIN Pilot-project CADDiN was started at the beginning of 1993 as a research project inside the main research project Research and Development of Electric Power System supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Croatia. The development of optimization and design procedures of electric distribution network is a parallel process with building database by Cadastral Office of the City of Zagreb, and therefore some other available examples of basic map databases are used for research purposes (see Figure 1). The strategy employed emphasized only the data composed of basic map databases for technical applications (scales of 1:500 to 1:5000). There is no unique definition for Geographic Information System (GIS) but a commonly accepted one is that it is a system with computer hardware and software functions for the spatial data input, storage, analysis, and output [T. Bernhardsen 1992]. Many textbook definitions go further and identify analysis as the one activity which differentiates GIS from other computer-based systems for handling geographic data, such as automated cartography. Modern GIS, stores information on the geometry, attributes and topology of geographic features in one relational database management system. SYSTEM 9 used in the pilot-project CADDiN is a feature-oriented GIS which organizes geography-related information into a topology-structured, object-oriented, relational database system. A project is the highest level of data organization of GIS used in CADDiN [Computervision, 1992]. It represents the entire database that has been set up for a particular geographic area for example, a town, a municipality, or a service district. It comprises two components: a data store that contains all the geographic and attribute data relating to features; and a database definition that specifies the structure of the project through feature classes and themes. Theme definition determines which features and attributes are to be used and the ways in which are to be displayed. Independently stored geometry of a feature, and its graphic representation enables position and representational data to be changed without reference to each other. The link between the geometry and the representation is provided by the theme. It comprises a list of feature classes, feature class attributes, and a link to a separate list of graphic transforms. An important safety aspect of used GIS is that it does not allow users to make changes to the database at project level. A user may only query it. The database is created and updated by means of the next lower level of data structure: the partition. This is a copied, working subset, or portion of a project. It is at this level that a user interacts with the system to enter, edit, update and manipulate data. Partitions are extracted from a project based on the type of work to be done and the data that will be required to perform that work. When editing is completed, the partition is merged into the project database, effecting the update. Partitions are created by means of a partition definition that describes the spatial extent, the contents, and the representation. The system uses the partition definition to extract the required geometric and attribute data and then allocates them into the required partition. The merit of the partition structure is that it allows different department s within an organization to work safely on the data from the same project. All geometric features in the data model are built up from geometric primitives, referred to as nodes, lines, surfaces and spaghetti. A node is stored as a set of X, Y, and optionally Z coordinates in 3D database, and might be used to represent e.g. transformers, switchgears, MV LV buses, etc. A line primitive is a geometric element defined by two end-nodes (allowing intermediate points), and might be used to describe transmission lines, cables, etc. A surface consists of one or more line segments that together form a closed polygon. A forest, lakes, parks, a portion of network, or area covered by a lot of buildings could be described by this kind of polygon. Spaghetti enables to model features where no topological structure is required. Nodes are the only geometric primitives that have coordinate information directly associated with them. Lines are not defined in terms of geographic coordinates, but by pointers to their topological nodes. Surfaces are defined by pointers to the lin es surrounding the surface. All these pointers are created and maintained automatically. Geographic objects are stored as collections of nodes, lines, surfaces or spaghetti, but they can be referred to as geometric primitives as well as some group of objects which can be identified and named in the real world roads. cables, transformers, buildings, and so on. These categories are represented by `feature classes, and the individual instances of geographic objects as `features. Such features at last consist of one or more geometric primitives. All features within a particular feature class will have the same topological structure, and the same set of attributes. Feature classes could be also identified as objects in groupings of related objects that may be established on the basis of location, spatial relationships or common attributes. These logical groupings of features are called complex features. They are defined as features that contain other features. All complex features of particular type, comprise a complex feature class. A useful application of complex feature classification would be in forming logical groupings such as MV bus, transformer, LV bus, protection devices into substation. Complex features can also have attributes associated with them (for example name, number). It would eliminate duplicating of feature attributes which properly relate to the substation. Definition of complex feature is not restricted to include only simple features as constituent components. For example, distribution network could be defined as a complex feature containing a number of substations, cables, which are themselves complex features. A strength of this approach is that it can be used to minimize the level of data redundancy of both attribute and geometric information. Users interact with the database via an object handler, and they are assisted in that interaction by a structured query language that incorporates extended spatial and reference operators. Behind analytical tools available inside GIS environment, a set of standalone functions is available from UNIX shell. This set of functions is called Application Tool Box (ATB). ATB offers an environment in which data can be managed directly, without first having to extract meaning from map representations of those data. Under this approach a user can develop analytical models according to specific requirements by integration of ATB functions, in-house developed software (C and FORTRAN programs) and shell programming. To speed up complex analysis by Development Libraries of ATB new processing functions of ATB could be developed. Applications of project CADDiN are developing by ATB functions in conjunction with C and Corn shell programs. ATB data management and viewing comprise processing functions, dataflow management and graphics viewing system. Processing functions perform the actual analysis operations on sets of data called data flows, each of which corresponds to a relational table in the database. All manipulation of data flows takes place in a special temporary work area called a clipboard. Processing functions involve the following operations: information management (i.e. selecting information from database and placing it into a dataflow, communicating with external software packages), attribute processing (i.e. generating values for attributes based on classification rules or formula), geometry processing (spatial functions union, adjacent, etc.) and arithmetic processing (i.e. calculating the area of surface entities, or length of linear entities). Dataflow management is used to create, display and delete data flows and views. Graphic viewing system allows user to see the intermediate or final results and generate a plot of those results. Compatible to ATB functions are standalone functions of Network Trace Analysis module. By those functions network tracing can be carried out using the information on network connectivity and component characteristics that are already stored in database. Special function is used for network generation that is stored as dataflow on the clipboard. On this dataflow several networks tracing functions can be performed (path optimization, range finding, path finding) or can be used by external software. As a result of that analysis a dataflow is produced on the clipboard. Original and resultant networks can be queried simultaneously. The user can keep or delete resulting data flow on the clipboard or retrieved in database. OPTIMIZATION OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS IN GIS Optimal Location of TS x/0.4 kV in Secondary Distribution Network The procedure for finding optimal configuration of secondary system consists of two possible optimization steps: optimization of new area secondary system and optimal connection of the particular customer(s) to existing secondary system. Regarding urbanistic plans, ecological and esthetic constraints as well as previous load growth analyses possible locations of substations are known in advance. These assumptions make planning of secondary system more simple because only routing process must be applied for several locations of substations and fixed locations of customers. The first step of routing process begins by connecting customer to the nearest routing corridor. After that procedure, the secondary system network is generated by network module. On this network any path analysis is applied and as results of analysis there are all possible connections between substation and customers. These results are used as input for external, CADDiN module of optimization of radial structured networks. During this process of optimization the set of rules is used to satisfy standard practices employed by designers. The optimized network is then saved on clipboard in dataflow and can be graphically viewed. The cost for the secondary system is mainly the capital investment cost consisting of cable laying cost and cost of cables. For each location of substation optimization process must be repeated. Solution with minimal investment costs and satisfactory technical constraints is the best regarding secondary network. All solutions that are technically satisfied must be taken into account during the primary network optimization. It is necessary because the local optimum of secondary system does not imply the optimum of primary system, and global optimum of distribution network. The optimal connection of the particular customer to existing secondary system must fulfill next two technical as well as economical constraints: the shortest possible length of connection due to voltage drop that may be permitted; reserve in load capacity of substation due to customer load. The new customer must be connected to the nearest neighbor customer satisfying previously mentioned constraints. The few nearest customers are found in a buffer zone with new customer as a center of this zone. The shortest path between new customer and possible connection node is found in two steps: both nodes are connected to the nearest routing corridor, and after that by GIS network function find best path analysis shortest path between nodes is found. Optimal Structuring of Predefined Primary Distribution Network Configuration Due to the load characteristics, requested availability and quality of energy supply two main configurations of secondary system are used in optimal planning There is a ring structure (starting and ending node is the same HV/MV substation and routing nodes are MV/LV substations) and a link structure (starting node is one HV/MV substation routing nodes are MV/LV substations and ending node is other HV/MV substation). Regarding the usage of GIS technology the optimization procedure of these two network configurations is very similar. In optimization process three different problems are considered: optimization of the new primary system; reconfiguration of the existing primary system regarding predefined structure, and reinforcement of the existing primary system with defined structure by installing additional capacity in demand nodes or including the new MV/LV substation in the network. The first problem is similar to the problems in optimization of secondary system. There must be known all possible connections and distances between HV/LV substation (source node) and MV/LV substations (demand nodes) as well as themselves. Therefore, all network nodes must be connected to the nearest routing corridor. By any path analysis and heuristic algorithms (presently genetic algorithms are tested) initial solution or zero-iteration is generated. After that by the union of GIS network function find best path analysis and other heuristic methods optimal solution is found. The second problem is more complicated than the first one because existing connections in network must be considered in optimization procedure. Otherwise, same procedures are used as in the first problem. Example of this optimization procedure can be shown in the Figure 3. In the third problem, optimization procedure is similar to the procedure of adding the new customer to the second system. Slight differences are in a way of connecting new substation to the existing network. In the primary system, regarding the constraint of reliability of supply of energy to the customer, each MV/LV substation must have a possibility to be supplied from two sides. Therefore, the nearest existing cable between two substations must be found for the connection of the new station, or the nearest routing corridor by which the new station could be connected to the nearest substations that are found in a buffer zone around it. When a better type of connection is found, solution is tested on several technical constraints (voltage drop, cable and route load, investment costs, etc.). Load forecasting of TS x/0.4 kV Small area or spatial, forecasting is the prediction of both the amounts and locations of future electric load growth in a manner suitable for distribution planning which really means with geographic resolution adequate for planning a new distribution network or extensions to the existing one. The procedure is based on dividing a utility service area into a number of sufficiently small areas and projecting the future load in each one. This is usually accomplished by dividing a utility service area into either a grid of uniformly sized rectangular cells, or into equipment oriented areas corresponding to feeder or substation areas (H.L. Willis, 1983,1992). Methods for computerized small area load forecasting, regarding their data requirements and analysis methods, fall into three categories: trending multivariate (multivariable) simulation. Essentially these methods analyze past and present load growth to identify trends, patterns, or information about the process of load growth that is then used to project future load growth. Trending methods require minimal data (they work only with historical load data, usually annual peak load) and computer resources, and are relatively straightforward in use. Because of their simplicity and generally the lowest expenses, they were the most widely used techniques in the past. Multivariate methods require considerably more data (historical loads, geographic and demographic data on customers and usage) and much more extensive computer resources, but in return they generally provide more accurate forecasts. Simulation methods in addition to historical loads require extensive and comprehensive data that include land use type, geographic and demographic data on a small area basis, transportation and other diverse factors that may affect load growth. They also require considerable computer resources and work-force. On the other hand they offer advantages in accuracy and analysis of load growth under changing conditions. Because of their complexity and requirements simulation models have been beyond the scope of many electric utilities. So far one can see that the nature of small area forecasting requires heavy use of computerized analyses and manipulation of large quantity of data. With its possibilities GIS is an excellent mean for developing and applying simulation forecast models. Of course, there is no limitation to use GIS for trending methods, at least for some very fast qualitative review, or for short range (less than five years ahead) predictions. A service zone of a substation may be defined as a complex feature which comprises parcels, buildings on those parcels, electrical connections for every building or customer, existing interconnections between customers hookups and associated substation etc. Parcels, buildings and streets are modeled as polygons, and cadastral lot code is attached to them as one of the attributes. Statistical and census districts based on approximately equal number of inhabitants and cadastral districts are polygons, too. Second very important information is address, modeled as complex feature class comprising a street name and number. Polygonal analysis and polygon processing, which is possible in GIS, and address as a common link enables the planner to determine a substation service zone and calculate its area. Via features attributes all necessary customers data (annual electricity consumption, annual peak loads, type of customers, some special requests and interfering factors, etc.) are obtainable . In that way it is possible to track amounts and sort of energy used by individual customer, or substation service area or some other region. Upon these information load densities (kWh/m ²) or kWh sales per customer can be computed. Procedure with built-in clustering algorithm detects groups (classes, clusters) of customers with similar past energy consumption behavior. For distribution load forecasting K-means algorithm [Hartigan, 1986] is recommended, with a minimum of 6-year load history [H.L. Willis, 1983]. The K-means algorithm searches for a partition, that is, a set of clusters that minimizes the total difference between small areas and their assigned clusters (the error of the partition). It works by moving small areas from one cluster to another. The search ends when no such movements of small areas reduce the error value. CONCLUSION This paper presents the concept of the pilot project CADDiN for optimization of electric distribution networks based on GIS technology. The architecture of CADDiN consists of the heuristic methods implemented within GIS and procedural programs. In such a hybrid environment, the GIS principal task is to model real world, perform spatial analyses and ensure the high accuracy of optimization procedures. The first results obtained by the prototype database and developed procedures encourage that concepts and ideas established in this paper can be applied on the real problems that exist in the distribution system planning.