Wednesday, May 6, 2020

A Dream About Final Exams in Wislawa Szymborsks Poem...

Wislawa Szymborska poem â€Å"Brueghel’s Two Monkeys† starts out in a strange way. It begins out by what the author â€Å"dreams about final exams† (1). Oddly, what she sees in her dream is â€Å"two monkeys, chained to the floor† (2). The poem is about the human conditions in different settings of mankind. The monkeys are the things that of the poets dream about the exam. The monkeys are a symbol of the suffering of mankind—based on the chains—through the unpredictable events. As said in the last stanza, â€Å"One monkey stares and listens with a mocking disdain† (7), while â€Å"the other seems to be dreaming away† (8). The poem is full of metaphors that get the reader thinking about what it means in respect to what the author is addressing. Reality has junctions in which one is peaceful while the other is harsh. In the poem â€Å"Brueghel’s Two Monkeys† by Wislawa Szymborska, we will look at representation of h uman condition in a certain event. We will examine the human conditions through exams, history, and solution. In the poem, when it comes to exams it shows a great deal of decision making. In the first stanza of the poem it show a significantly note of assessment. The part where the two monkeys were â€Å"chained to the floor, sit on the windowsill† (2), the line after states â€Å"the sky behind them flutters† (3). The monkeys are being assessed in beginning of the poem. The part of where the monkeys â€Å"sit on the windowsill† (2) illustrates the idea of whether one should stay in the position of where

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Business Strategy Report External Issue Affection

Question: Discuss about the Report for Business Strategy Report of External Issue Affection. Answer: Introduction: The aim of the report is to analyze the various factors that lead a company to adopt strategies to move parts of its business activities offshore resulting in the loss of a number of local jobs. In order to achieve this aim, analysis of both internal and external factors that affect the business operation of an organization. In this report, Telstra has been selected for the case study. Report suggested that Telstra has confirmed its off shore shift that resulted in shifting of 670 Australian jobs (ABC News. 2014). A detail analysis of the internal and external issues that has forced the company to take initiative to shift their business offshore will be done in the report. In addition to this, discussion of the impact on the stakeholders of the organization will also be made. Following this, an explanation shall be made to find the reason that helps to continue a number of jobs in Australia. Telstra Corporation or Telstra is Australias largest telecommunication and Media Company which operates with telecommunication networks, mobile, internet, television and other entertainment products and services. With total revenue of A$ 27.1 Billion, the company is head quartered at Melbourne, Australia (telstra.com.au, 2016). When business outsourcing transgresses the national boundaries of a country, outsourcing takes the form of off sourcing. Both internal and external factors are equally responsible for a company to take strategic decision to undertake off shore expansion of business. Evaluation of the external issues affecting the company that have driven it to employ a strategy that has resulted in moving off-shore As pointed out by Wjcik (2013), that a company can find out strategies to improve the internal business of their company but it becomes challenging for the company to fight against the external changes that results in the loss of the business of the company. Therefore, external factors are highly responsible for the company to move off shore. Some of the external factors for Telstra that compelled the company to move off shore are: Increase in competitors: Top competitors like Vodafone Group Public Limited, Optus Systems Pty Limited and Spark New Zealand Limited supported the regulations proposed by the Government. It was found that of 499 base stations located at different regions, 427 belonged to Telstra. Keeping this particular factor in mind, it can be easily said that this situation created greater impact on the business of the particular company (The Sydney Morning Herald. 2016). Therefore, sharing network shall put negative impact on the profitability of the company. Political factors: Roaming regulations: Government has launched a number of competitive laws to detect the misuse of the market power of the telecommunication companies. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has also declared their intention of asking the domestic telecom service providers to keep a check on the roaming services to the competitors network to operate on the Telstra network in major regional and rural areas (telstra.com.au, 2016). In this matter, Tony Warren, Executive of Telstra group commented that a declaration of the mobile roaming coverage would stop the Company to remain a differentiator in the Australian market. This made the management to remove their rationale for investment in the regions of Australia. Decreasing market share: With the advent of several telecom regulations, it was found that the share of the Company considerable declined. The Vice President of Victorian Farmers Federation also welcomed the regulation set by ACCC on the roaming regulations to open up to a competitive market. It has been found that several other companies from other countries as well use the option of outsourcing or off shoring their service when they find that there is less opportunity of growth in their own country (telstra.com.au, 2016). This was exactly undertaken by Telstra when its market share found to decrease. Emphasis on perfect processes: Many Companies focus to strengthen their business operation by improving their standardization in the internal processes of the business. In order to save time and managements involvement in a particular business project, major companies often take the help of other companies in other countries to carry out their business operations (telstra.com.au, 2016). For Telstra as well, this point is equally valid. In order to think of expansion and bigger operational facility, going off shore is the best process to implement in the business. As pointed out by Wjcik (2013), when a company takes the opportunity of moving off-shore, it becomes one of the steps that they undertake to increase their profit margin. The issues that Telstra faced were not new to the Company but in 1998 as well as in 2005, Telstra released similar discussions in their paper. Network sharing agreement was also ended in the year 2012 and since then the Company do not have any kind of domestic roaming agreements till today. The management has pointed out that network coverage is clearly an important feature for a telecom company and any kind of changes in such plans definitely impact the business operation of a company. Analyses of the internal issues that are making the company consider moving jobs offshore as part of its strategy As pointed out by Fratocchi et al. (2014), that a company undertakes the opportunity to go off shore due to a number of internal factors as well. These factors might range from internal business decisions to the incapability of the labor force in action. Reading Kotlarsky, Scarbrough and Oshri (2014), it has been found that in recent perspective, companies are moving in a sophisticated and more mission-critical function. Moving to countries like China, India and other such countries can provide highly skilled labor with scientific and engineering intelligence. It is for the same reason that many companies of United States and Europe to grab the strategies of moving off shore. The need of skilled and low waged labor makes a Company to take strategic decisions regarding their out sourcing (Dawley, 2014). A number of internal factors that compel a Company to take decision to take outsourcing are: Absence of specialists or experts: In many cases, the sole driver that forces a company to go off shore is the inability or incompetency of the leaders of the Company to manage the operation of the business. In a competitive world, it is important to understand the needs and demand of the dynamic environment (France and Pope 2016). Failing to cope with such situations, some companies grab the option of going offshore. Irregular risk factors: Australia faced sudden risk factors at regular interval of time in situations related to the telecom industry. With regular up downs in the rules and regulatory of the telecom business, it was challenging for Telstra to operate in the competitive market scenario. In case of outsourcing or off shoring a business project, the responsibility of the business gets distributed and is narrowed down (Vitasek, Ledyard and Manrodt 2013). As a result a Company gets prone to the risk factors that arise at any point of time in a market. In case of Telstra, it can be said that lack of skilled labor is one of the main issue that the company has been facing since a long time. In Asian countries like India or China, availability of skilled and low paid workers is easily available. There is great provision for call centers in these countries and many companies from around the Globe are grabbing this opportunity to outsource their business and gain more net profit. Telstra also wanted to grab the same opportunity and access to the qualified personnel of the particular country. Customers of the Company also had complaints regarding the quality of network that the Company served. These complaints against the Company created a negative image of the Company in the market (Gerbl, McIvor and Loane 2014). This was another vital factor for Telstra to move off shore for creating greater reach of their business to people around the world. Identification of the stakeholders in this company and discussion on how the shift of offshore activities will affect these Stakeholders Stakeholders of Telstra include internal stakeholders like the employees, team of management, owners and directors of the Company. External stakeholders include shareholders, customers, dealers and other business partners as well. Primary stakeholders are the group of people who are directly affected either positively or negatively by any kind of action of the agency or the organization. Primary stakeholders of Telstra are all Australians ranging from customers, shareholders and other publics who show greater interest on the matters of the telecom company (Gerbl et al. 2016). It has to be understood that Telstra operates in a community of metropolitan, regional as well as remote areas of Australia. Telstra operates with great responsibility in terms of designing, operating and managing the products and services of the company. These primary stakeholders have been found to get engaged with the community organization of Telstra. Therefore, it can be easily assumed that any kind of business move is bound to affect this group of primary stakeholders of the Company. Customers of Telstra include residents of Australia, small and medium size enterprises and other governmental heads as well. These customers are largely depended on the quality, accessibility and affordability of the product (Lacity and Willcocks 2013). In case if the company goes off shore their might arise certain issues regarding the personal information and services provided to these customers. It has been found that Telstra works with a diverse range of employees including 29,000 employees. The employees get ample opportunity to involve in the business operation of the Company. The employees are always asked to express their views on the business of the Company. Therefore, off shoring the business is a big issue that definitely put impact on the business operation. Another important stakeholder of the company is the Governmental bodies. The local, state and national level Ministers and leaders to other department staffs are depended on the service of this telecommunication department (Duan et al. 2014). Telstras corporate and relationship management team always focus on keeping a good relation with these people. However, in case the Company goes off shore, the company has to be more focused on delivering their information to a world-class information solution. Telstra is a member of the Mobile Carriers Forum that deals with the social and environmental issues. It is also a member of Australian Industry Group and Business Council of Australia. Other stakeholders of Telstra include major companies and organizations which are greatly depended on information communication technology (telstra.com.au 2016). These industries are also interested in any kind of issues that impact the business of a telecommunication industry. Therefore, in case moving off shore becomes one of the strategies of the Company, it is going to affect these federal bodies of Australia as well. Explanation of why a number of jobs will continue to be based in Australia and the associated implications As pointed out by Lacity and Willcocks (2013), a company cannot completely shift its business to other country. In case a company has to undertake the option of shifting its operation to other country or countries, a part of the business operation always remains in the base country. It has been identified that moving off shore shall result in a net loss of 116 jobs from Telstra who are citizens of Australia. However, there shall remain 128 existing job in the country and 12 new ones shall be created. It has also been commented that initiatives have been undertaken by the management of the team to operate in other country by sending a number of important officials to the target country. However, their specification of the role has not been defined yet. Moving a business completely to another country is not feasible for a company. It has to be understood that a company take the opportunity to move its business operation to other country just to grab the opportunities of skilled or low waged laborer or the market opportunity of that particular country. In this situation, it has to be mention that an Australia based company cannot take the risk of completely shifting its operation to another country. In such case, the complete identity of the company might get lost (Duan et al. 2014). The company has tom leave its mark on the home country to maintain a personal identity. It is usually happen that the main operations and higher designated posts job remained in the home country and only the business operation that are depend on a large number of labor support shift to the other country where off shoring has been decided to take place. If the case of Telstra is taken into consideration, it has to be said that the company planned only to shift the customer support channel to the Asian countries like India, China, whereas the important decision making process that requires the involvement of the higher authorities like the managing director or the CEO remain in Australia (Baltzan 2012). The management commented on this initiative that only a part of their operation shall be shifted to Asian countries to grab the opportunity of the skilled and low waged laborer who are available in these countries in abundance (Kim et al. 2013). However, all kind of business decision shall be based completely on the decision making procedure that the management shall decide operating from Australia only. The shifting handover is done only to maximize the profit of the country and not to shift its business operation. Off shoring can be considered as one of the reasons that fulfill the objective of expansion of the business (Stanger 2014). Therefore, it can be said that off shoring is not the process of shifting the business entirely on another country but to use the resources of the other country and make best utilization of it. The same approach has been taken by Telstra in its recent business operation to overcome the issues that the company was facing in operating in Australia. Conclusion: The report based on the analysis of the opportunities that an organization gains when it opt for shifting a part of its business operation over sea. In case of Telstra, a number of internal and external factors have resulted in adoption of the strategies that ultimately resulted in the factor that the company has to off shore its business in other countries like India and China. It has been found that by undertaking the strategies for off shoring, the company tend to improve its business function to a great extent that resulted in improving the condition and fight against the odds that Telstra had to face in its home country. However, it has also been found that it is never feasible to transfer the entire business off shore because it might result in loss of identity of the business or disturb the business strategies and operations undertaken by the company. Therefore, it is likely to use the resources of the other country that might include both human resource and physical resources like land or climate, and the main part of the business still remained in the home country. References: ABC News. 2014. Telstra confirms 670 Australian jobs to go offshore. [online] Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-23/telstra-to-move-almost-700-australia-jobs-offshore/5619102https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-23/telstra-to-move-almost-700-australia-jobs-offshore/5619102 [Accessed 8 Sep. 2016]. Baltzan, P., 2012.Business driven technology. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Dawley, S., 2014. Creating new paths? Offshore wind, policy activism, and peripheral region development.Economic Geography,90(1), pp.91-112. Dhar, S., 2012. From outsourcing to Cloud computing: evolution of IT services.Management Research Review,35(8), pp.664-675. Duan, C., Grover, V., Roberts, N. and Balakrishnan, N., 2014. Firm valuation effects of the decision to adopt relationally governed business process outsourcing arrangements.International Journal of Production Research,52(15), pp.4673-4694. France, C. and Pope, N., 2016. The Effect of Offshore Shifts on Brand Attitude and Corporate Image. InLooking Forward, Looking Back: Drawing on the Past to Shape the Future of Marketing(pp. 305-308). Springer International Publishing. Fratocchi, L., Di Mauro, C., Barbieri, P., Nassimbeni, G. and Zanoni, A., 2014. When manufacturing moves back: Concepts and questions.Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management,20(1), pp.54-59. Gerbl, M., Gerbl, M., McIvor, R., McIvor, R., Humphreys, P. and Humphreys, P., 2016. Making the business process outsourcing decision: why distance matters.International Journal of Operations Production Management,36(9), pp.1037-1064. Gerbl, M., McIvor, R. and Loane, S., 2014. Near or Far: A Multi theory lens to examine the business process outsourcing decision. Kim, Y.J., Song, J., Baker, J. and Kim, J., 2013. An examination of the importance of core competencies and relationship management in IT outsourcing agreements: empirical evidence from an eastern cultural context.Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM),21(3), pp.21-41. Kotlarsky, J., Scarbrough, H., and Oshri, I. 2014. Coordinating expertise across knowledge boundaries in offshore-outsourcing projects: The role of codification.Management Information Systems Quarterly,38(2), 607-627. Lacity, M.C. and Willcocks, L.P., 2013. Outsourcing business processes for innovation.MIT Sloan management review,54(3), p.63. Stanger, A., 2014.One nation under contract: The outsourcing of American power and the future of foreign policy. Yale University Press. telstra.com.au, 2016. About Telstra [online] Available at: https://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/download/document/telstra-how-we-engage.pdf [Accessed 8 Sep. 2016]. telstra.com.au, 2016. Annual Report 2016 [online] Available at: https://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/about-us/investors/pdf%20D/2015-ANNUAL-REPORT.pdf [Accessed 8 Sep. 2016]. telstra.com.au, 2016. Telstra [online] Available at: https://www.telstra.com.au/ [Accessed 8 Sep. 2016]. telstra.com.au, Financial report 2016. [online] Available at: https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/investors/financial-information/financial-results [Accessed 8 Sep. 2016]. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2016. Telstra may be forced to open up regional mobile networks. [online] Available at: https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/telstra-may-be-forced-to-open-up-mobile-networks-in-regional-and-remote-areas-20160905-gr8qeh.html [Accessed 8 Sep. 2016]. Vitasek, K., Ledyard, M. and Manrodt, K., 2013. An Outsourcing Primer. InVested Outsourcing(pp. 17-25). Palgrave Macmillan US. Wjcik, D., 2013. Where governance fails Advanced business services and the offshore world.Progress in Human Geography,37(3), pp.330-347.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Lord Curzon Essay Example

Lord Curzon Essay George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston,  KG,  GCSI,  GCIE,  PC  (11 January 1859 – 20 March 1925), known as  The Lord Curzon of Kedleston  between 1898 and 1911 and as  The Earl Curzon of Kedleston  between 1911 and 1921, was a  British  Conservative  statesman who wasViceroy of India  and  Foreign Secretary. The  Curzon Line  was named after him. - Early life Curzon was the eldest son and second of 11 children of Alfred Curzon, the 4th  Baron Scarsdale  (1831–1916),  Rector  of  Kedleston  in  Derbyshire, and his wife Blanche (1837–1875), daughter of Joseph Pocklington Senhouse of Netherhall in Cumberland. He was born at  Kedleston Hall, built on the site where his family, who were of  Norman  ancestry, had lived since the 12th century. His mother, worn out by childbirth, died when George was 16; her husband survived her by 41 years. Neither parent exerted a major influence on Curzons life. The Baron was an austere and unindulgent father who believed in the long-held family tradition that landowners should stay on their land and not go roaming about all over the world. He thus had little sympathy for those travels across Asia between 1887 and 1895 which made his son one of the most traveled men who ever sat in a British cabinet. A more decisive presence in Curzons childhood was that of his brutal governess, Ellen Mary Paraman, whose tyranny in the nursery stimulated his combative qualities and encouraged the obsessional side of his nature. We will write a custom essay sample on Lord Curzon specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Lord Curzon specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Lord Curzon specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Paraman periodically forced him to parade through the village wearing a conical hat bearing the words  liar,sneak, and  coward. Curzon later noted, No children well born and well-placed ever cried so much and so justly. [1] He was educated at  Eton College[2]  and  Balliol College, Oxford. At Eton he was a favorite of  Oscar Browning, an over-intimate relationship that led to his tutors dismissal. [3][4]  While at Eton, he was a controversial figure who was liked and disliked with equal intensity by large numbers of masters and other boys. This strange talent for both attraction and repulsion stayed with him all his life: few people ever felt neutral about him. At  Oxford  he was President of the  Union  and Secretary of the  Oxford Canning Club. Although he failed to achieve a  first class degree  in  Greats, he won the Lothian and  Arnold Prizes, the latter for an essay on  Sir Thomas More  (about whom he confessed to having known almost nothing before commencing study, literally delivered as the clocks were chiming midnight on the day of the deadline). He was elected a prize fellow of  All Souls College  in 1883. A teenage  spinal injury, incurred while riding, left Curzon in lifelong pain, often resulting in insomnia, and required him to wear a metal corset, contributing to an unfortunate impression of stiffness and arrogance. While at Oxford, Curzon was the inspiration for the following  Balliol rhyme, a piece of doggerel which stuck with him in later life: My name is George Nathaniel Curzon, I am a most superior person. My cheeks are pink, my hair is sleek, I dine at  Blenheim  twice a week. - - Early career and Parliament Curzon became Assistant Private Secretary to  Lord Salisbury  in 1885, and in 1886 entered  Parliament  as Member for  Southport  in south-west  Lancashire. His  maiden speech, which was chiefly an attack on  home rule  and  Irish nationalism, was regarded in much the same way as his oratory at the  Oxford Union: brilliant and eloquent but also presumptuous and rather too self-assured. Subsequent performances in the Commons, often dealing with Ireland or reform of the House of Lords (which he supported), received similar verdicts. He was  Under-Secretary of State for India  in 1891-1892 and  Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs  in 1895–1898. [citation needed] In the meantime he had travelled around the world:  Russia  and  Central Asia  (1888-9), a long tour of  Persia  (1889–90),  Siam,  French Indochina  and  Korea(1892), and a daring foray into  Afghanistan  and the  Pamirs  (1894), and published several books describing central and eastern Asia and related policy issues. A bold and compulsive traveller,  fascinated by oriental life  and geography, he was warded the gold medal of the  Royal Geographical Society  for his exploration of the source of the  Amu Darya  (Oxus). Yet the main purpose of his journeys was political: they formed part of a vast and comprehensive project to study the problems of Asia and their implications for  British India. At the same time they reinforced his pride in his nation and her imperial mission. Viceroy of India (1898–1905) Lord Curzon-Procession to  Sanchi  Tope, 28 Nov 1899 In January 1899 he was appointed  Viceroy of India. He was created a  Peer of Ireland  as  Baron Curzon of Kedleston, in the County of Derby,[6]  on his appointment. This peerage was created in the Peerage of Ireland (the last so created) so that he would be free, until his fathers death, to re-enter theHouse of Commons  on his return to Britain. Reaching India shortly after the suppression of the frontier risings of 1897–1898, he paid special attention to the independent tribes of the north-west frontier, inaugurated a new province called the  North West Frontier Province, and pursued a policy of forceful control mingled with conciliation. The only major armed outbreak on this frontier during the period of his administration was the  Mahsud-Waziri  campaign of 1901. In the context of the  Great Game  between the British and  Russian Empires  for control of  Central Asia, he held deep mistrust of Russian intentions. This led him to encourage British trade in  Persia, and he paid a visit to the  Persian Gulf  in 1903. At the end of that year, he sent a  British expedition to Tibetunder  Francis Younghusband, ostensibly to forestall a Russian advance. After bloody conflicts with  Tibets poorly-armed defenders, the mission penetrated to  Lhasa, where a treaty was signed in September 1904. No Russian presence was found in Lhasa. Lord Curzon and  Lady Curzonarriving at the  Delhi Durbar, 1903. Within India, Curzon appointed a number of commissions to inquire into education, irrigation, police and other branches of administration, on whose reports legislation was based during his second term of office as viceroy. Reappointed Governor-General in August 1904, he presided over the  1905 partition of Bengal, which roused such bitter opposition among the people of the province that it was later revoked (1911). He also took an active interest in military matters. In 1901, he founded the  Imperial Cadet Corps, or ICC. The ICC was a corps delite, designed to give Indian princes and aristocrats military training, after which a few would be given officer commissions in the Indian Army. But these commissions were special commissions which did not empower their holders to command any troops. Predictably, this was a major stumbling block to the ICCs success, as it caused much resentment among former cadets. Though the ICC closed in 1914, it was a crucial stage in the drive to Indianise the Indian Armys officer Corps, which was haltingly begun in 1917. Military organisation proved to be the final issue faced by Curzon in India. A difference of opinion with the British military Commander-in-Chief in India,  Lord Kitchener, regarding the status of the military member of the council in India, led to a controversy in which Curzon failed to obtain the support of the home government. He resigned in August 1905 and returned to England. During his tenure, Curzon undertook the restoration of the  Taj Mahal, and expressed satisfaction that he had done so. Lord and Lady Curzon on the elephant Lakshman Prasad, 29 December 1902

Thursday, March 12, 2020

For Counselors How to Write a Strong Recommendation Letter for Your Student

For Counselors How to Write a Strong Recommendation Letter for Your Student SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips As a counselor, you play a huge role in helping students along the path to college. Throughout their four years, you support them in setting goals and making plans for after high school. When it comes time to apply, you write their letters of recommendation. Having worked as a college counselor and spent the past year as a grad student intern in a high school counseling department, I saw how much counselors do in the college planning and application process. I also saw the challenges of supporting large caseloads of students and writing hundreds of letters of recommendation, often around the same hectic time. Despite the mad rush, these counselors crafted eloquent letters customized to each and every one of their students. Based on my observations and my own experience writing letters for my students, I've compiled what I think is the most helpful advice for writing memorable and effective recommendations. I'll go over key content, structure, and style, as well as discuss what not to include in a recommendation letter. Since it's always good to keep your goals in sight, I'll start by going over the purpose of the counselor letter of recommendation. What are they for, and how do they differ from a teacher recommendation? What's the Purpose of the Counselor Letter of Recommendation? The counselor recommendation letter is givenserious consideration by admissions committees.Writing a strong letter of support is one more way that counselors can advocate for their students and help them achieve their academic and personal goals. While a teacher's recommendation may emphasize a student's academic abilities and attitude toward learning, a counselor can focus more on the student'spersonal growth and role within the school community.As a counselor, you can speak to the student's strength of character and interpersonal skills, as well as the student's goals during and following college. The best recommendations are specific and in depth, which can be a challenge for counselors with large caseloads. The national average ofstudent to counselor ratio is 471 to 1!How can a counselor get to know all her students well enough to write a personalized letter? Most schools ask students to fill out a "brag sheet," or to answer self-reflective prompts like, "Discuss a significant experience that shaped who you are today" or "Share an obstacle or challenge you overcame and what you learned from it." These brag sheets, combined with college meetings, can reveal a great deal about the student. This material, along with observations and the relationship you've had with the student over her four years in school, can go a long way toward informing your letter. To help you and students make the most of these meetings and brag sheets,what's the key content that you need for a strong letter of recommendation? What Should Go Into a Letter of Recommendation? Intuitively, most recommenders know that they should talk about their students' strengths and how great they would be at college. Most recommendation letters say positive things about a student. Butwhat makes some of them stand out among the restand truly impress admissions officers? What can you do as a counselor to boost your student's chances of getting in? The most effective letterspaint a specific portrait of a student.Rather than listing everything under the sun, they zero in on key strengths and qualities. They use powerful words, give a high ranking, avoid cliches, and tell specific stories to prove their characterization of a student. A good recommendation speaks to a student's past achievements and indicates confidence in her future success. Let's look more in depth at how to accomplish each of these things. Highlight Major Strengths and Impressive Personal Qualities The most memorable recommendation letters tell a specific story. Youdon't have to list everything on a student's resume, or strive to present them as the most well-rounded candidate the school will ever see. Often, admissions officers are impressed by a student's commitment to developing expertise or cultivating skill in a certain area. Deep achievement is generally more noteworthy than general dabbling, and your recommendation letter can reflect that. Stella's greatest strengths are her sensitivity to others and commitment to social justice. A budding intellectual, Jon is fascinated by new ideas and has a tremendous capacity to weigh many different opinions at the same time. An excellent student and strong leader, Maria stands out with her strong inner voice and assured sense of self. From Potions to Divination to History of Magic, there's no subject that Hermione hasn't mastered through sheer cleverness, effort, and determination. (This one might only work for magical universities.) I'm not suggesting that you leave out major strengths of your students, as you want to paint a dynamic picture of them as multifaceted individuals. But you should highlight the most important ones and avoid writing a list of everything they've done and been involved in. Plus, simply repeating a resume says nothing aboutyour relationship with the student.By highlighting her passion for volunteer work, love of historical research, commitment to sports, or fascination with physics, you're giving insight into what drives a student to do what she does and how she communicates and demonstrates her passions to those around her, including yourself. To best narrow down your thoughts, I've found it helpful to brainstorm what comes to mind when I think about a student. Is she especially intellectually curious, compassionate towards others, or interested in other cultures? Does she excel at creative problem-solving or at energizing others in a group setting? Once you've chosen the most important qualities that an admissions officer should know, think aboutspecific anecdotes and examplesyou can give to prove them. Let her actions speak even louder than your words. Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. Give Specific Examples and Anecdotes Your recommendation letter should definitelyinclude examples.Think of examples as proof of what you're saying. You can say a student is intellectual or philosophical, but that doesn't communicate very much or explain how you know that. Additionally, you could describe a conversation you had with the student about the role of technology in relationships and how she challenged you with ideas you'd never thought about before. Not only do stories help the student come to life and differentiate her from others with similar qualities, but they also show that you have a strong relationship with the student. By showing that you know her well, yourletter carries even more weight.In the eyes of admissions officers, you become especially qualified to assess her and provide a meaningful statement of support. Since I should practice what I preach, here are a few examples of using examples! Noah has an outgoing and inspiring presence in our school. As the star of our school's spring musical, he impressed everyone with his beautiful singing voice and flare for comedy. I remember laughing along with the crowd during one of his monologues, wondering how he managed to already have such tangible stage presence. Monica is remarkable for her caring and kindness toward others. After noticing that some students didn't have appropriate winter attire during last year's polar vortex, she organized a Hope Chest and donations closet, where students could "go shopping" for free gloves, scarves, boots, and coats. She even designed the closet to look like a store, with fancy coat hangers and colorful shopping bags. This extra touch and attention to detail showed me how sensitive and attuned she is to the feelings of others. To best depict your student in a memorable way, you should be careful with your language.Powerful adjectives and statements of high rankingwill stand out a lot more than language that sounds generic or lukewarm. Use Powerful Language and Rankings I found word banks of strong adjectives to be helpful when composing and revising letters. When I first sat down to write, all the cliches bounded into my head, eager to be of service. "Let's write about how she's is a good student with a lot of dedication and a heart of gold!" they'd insist. Not only would these sound cheesy and unspecific, they also don't do much to differentiate the student from anybody else. Sorry, cliches. I know you were just trying to help. Maybe next time. When drafting, and especially when revising, your letter, be on the lookout forambiguous, generic, or cliche language.Then think about what words you can use that would be more impactful and communicate exactly what you want to say. Instead of writing about how smart a student is, do you want to comment on her creative problem solving or nuanced understanding of complex issues? Is she particularly innovative in her insights or thorough in her research? Some powerful words includeanalytical, insightful, curious, observant, innovative,ormastery (of a specific subject area).Others that fall more in the arena of personal and professional strengths includemature, flexible, generous, empathetic, leader, versatile, ethical, motivated, ambitious, resourceful, andstrong communication skills. Of course, these descriptors are not sufficient on their own. As discussed above, you want touse examples from observations or interactionsto illustrate what you mean. Two students might both be ambitious but in very different ways. You always want to differentiate the applicant from all the others and comment on what makes her unique. Ahigh ranking,furthermore,can also go a long way from a counselor, especially one who has worked in the school for years. Statements like these say a lot. Always ready with a book suggestion and eager to get to English class, Juan is the most literary student I've ever worked with in my twelve years at Cumberland High School. In terms of academic talent, passion, and drive, Kate is one of the top three students I've known in my ten years as an educator. In my decade counseling students at Forks High School, I've never met a student as self-aware or driven as Edward. Saying someone is "above average" doesn't sound too strong, though, so you should probably leave out a statement of ranking unless it's particularly glowing. Finally, your letter can speak to a student's potential and talk about what you envision her doing at college and beyond. Speak to a Student's Future Success Admissions officers are aiming to build a class of dynamic, diverse students with a range of talents and interests. They want students whose past achievements point to their future success. As a counselor who has likely seen the student grow and develop over a transformative four years, you can speak to her continued growth in college. Assure admissions officers that your students will contribute academically and socially at college. Speak to what you see them doing, and how they'll be a major asset to their community. If the student has struggled in school, you could speak to her potential for growth. Statements like these can usually come in the conclusion of your letter. Based on the incredible resilience Ashley has shown throughout the challenges in her life, I have no doubt that she will continue to handle anything that comes her way with strength, grace, and a positive outlook. Considering all she's accomplished as Class President, I am confident that Sara will have a strong voice and leadership role on her college campus. Even with his mysterious absences, Edward has risen to top of his class. I'm sure he will continue to excel academically during this next chapter of his eternal life (Twilight: The College Years). While all of these elements are key for your letter of recommendation, are there any types of content that you shouldn't include in your letter? I touched upon a few of them above, but let's review what could make your letter ineffective. What Shouldn't Go Into a Letter of Recommendation? To reiterate the point, simplylisting out a student's activities and achievementswould make for a weak letter. It's not personal or insightful, and it's a reiteration of information that's present in other parts of the application. While you should speak to significant involvements, you should do so in a personal way - what drives the student and how has she demonstrated her skills, interests, or personality. On a similar note, writing about quantitative data, like GPA or number of years involved in each club, won't add much to a student's chances. It's like confirming that the student attended your school, without actually giving an assessment or recommendation. When you go through your letter, be on the lookout for generic language that could apply to a number of students. Similarly, revise anything that'sambiguous or hyperbolic. Overblown enthusiasm could sound insincere, while lukewarm praise could sound forced. Make sure you're not listing adjectives without examples. When you read over your letter, it should add value to an application by providing insight and differentiating the student from other applicants with similar grades and activities. Finally, you don't want to use a template that's very similar for a lot of students, especially if they're applying to the same colleges. Nearly identical letters would make you lose credibility in the eyes of admissions officers, and then your letter would do little to help a student get accepted. Once you've brainstormed the qualities you want to highlight and stories you want to tell, it's helpful to draft your letter with aclear structurein mind. How to Structure Your Recommendation Letter Your recommendation letter should be one page. In exceptional circumstances, you might continue onto two pages, but generally speaking it should be one full page. Less than that could look like you don't have much to say about a student. That might be the case, but admissions officers will notice that and interpret it as they will. In the introduction, you should state your recommendation for the student. Say who you are and how long and in what contexts you've known the student. This shows that you're qualified to make an assessment. As Sofia's counselor for the past four years at Degrassi High, I have had the pleasure of watching her grow into one of the most successful students in her class. James: inventor, sci-fi fan, coder extraordinaire. In my twelve years as a counselor at High School High, I've never seen a student more passionate about technological innovation than James, who has a skill for computer engineering far beyond his years. In the middle two to three paragraphs, you can dive into your assessment of the student, using the content and techniques talked about above. Highlight her impressive personal qualities, and talk about her growth. If there are any important challenges the student has had to overcome, you should share that as well. If the challenge is especially personal, I would double check with the student that she feels comfortable sharing that information. If you can tailor your assessment to the specific college, all the better. For highly selective colleges, you could attest to the student's ability to thrive in an academically rigorous environment. You could speak to her collaboration, communication, or leadership skills, to her flexibility or ambition, or to her resourcefulness and resilience. One of the most ethically driven and global minded students I've known in my 12 years as a counselor, Laura founded the Amnesty International Club at our school and worked tirelessly to involve her fellow students, faculty, and community in her campaigns for human rights and international justice. Tufts University, with its renowned international relations program, would be an ideal fit with her interests and goals for the future. As a creative, mature, and self-directed learner, Ana would thrive in Brown's environment, where she could explore her passion for science and build a rigorous curriculum that would match her goals. Finally, in the conclusion you should restate your support for the candidate. Provide a vision of what you see her accomplishing at college. Conclude with an invitation for admissions officers to contact you with any questions or for any further information. Be intentional with how you conclude your letter. Will readers be left with a strong impression of the student? Did your letter communicate exactly what you wanted to say? To review, let's go over the do's and don't's of writing a letter of recommendation. Key Points The best letters take time and thought to personalize, which can be tough to come by when you have hundreds of letters to write. By honing in on the key content and structure of good letters, you can streamline the process for yourself and cut out approaches that waste time or produce mediocre letters. Below are the key points that helped me the most when writing recommendation letters for students with all different interests, plans, and personalities. Do Be asspecificas possible, highlighting a student's major strengths and impressive personal qualities. Show, don't tell.Be demonstrative with stories and examples, rather than just descriptions. Use powerful, enthusiastic language and statements ofhigh ranking. Be careful not to use phrases that could be interpreted negatively. Talk aboutpersonal challengesthe student has overcome. Give your vision for how you see the studentcontributing to her college community. Don't Restate everything on a student'sresume. List quantitativedata. Describe a student without having examples to illustrate your points. Use generic, ambiguous, or hyperbolic language. Leave out essential insightsinto the student's character or motivations. Sound lukewarm or downright critical. Go too long or too short. Copy and paste from other letters. As a counselor, you're an indispensable part of a student's journey of self-discovery and post-high school planning. While all those letters can feel overwhelming, you're also one of the best people to advocate for your students and expertly write letters of recommendation that will help them get accepted to their dream schools. What's Next? What makes a strong letter of recommendation here?Check out ourfull guide and new examples here. For more insight on writing letters of recommendation, check out theseexamples of great college recommmendation letters from counselors. And to see what not to do, read these examples of bad recommendations from counselors (coming soon). Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Monday, February 24, 2020

Operation Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Operation Plan - Essay Example Operations plan should also put into consideration economic constraints. Poor financial governance in a new operation plan may be hindrance to its success. Strategy Before expanding its business to serving breakfast, the organization should completely stabilize its former operations. This is because the initial operations form the identity of the business. In an argument by Grant (2005) the identity of a business venture is the most important thing in a business even in the consideration of increasing its operations venture. In case of any incidence of risk, the former operations will be used as a mitigations tool. According to Schermerhorn (2009) once an organization is identified with a particular business operation, it is more likely to prosper in it than when venturing in other operations. However, in this case the operations are similar and involve similar operations. The staff in the restaurant should be tuned so that they accommodate breakfast schedules their activities. Diffe rent from serving other meals, breakfast served to walk in consumers requires appropriate time management. Time barrier may hinder the restaurant from offering reliable breakfast services. The restaurant transition from serving breakfast to serving other meals should also be well structured (Ferrell & Hartline, 2010). Considering it as a new activity the restaurant should adapt indulging into two shifts of serving meal. In making the new operations the organizations efficient, the management should consider training of the staff. Training of the staff will increase their efficiency in serving a new set of meal. In this serving also includes packaging of contents in breakfast. As new venture the restaurant needs new staff training procedures which would incorporate new activities in the venture. For instance, the restaurant will have to add trained chefs who are experienced in the preparation of breakfast meals. Apart from employment of new cooking staff the restaurant should conside r training the already existing staff. These will the cut the cost on the implementation of the new operation plan. The restaurant should also consider implementation of a good marketing plan. In the consumer population the restaurant is famous only for other meals rather than breakfast meals. To increase their significance in the market, the restaurant should employ very informative marketing strategies. The marketing strategy should be in consideration of other competitors SWOT analysis (Johnson, Scholes & Whittington, 2008). Processes The process of a business transformation is generally referred to as a project. In this case, the restaurant should view this operational change as a project. To make the project successful the restaurant need to separate the operations of serving breakfast from the rest of the restaurant setting. In this way the breakfast operations will be handled as lone projects. According to Strategic Direction (2007) in this way the project will have enough at tention and attention to launch to full operation. Launching a new line of operation in an existing business should be free from influence from an already existing company. If the two lines of operations are different it becomes more than impossible to launch a successive new line of operations. For instance, a breakfast line in a fast food setting requires a well structured new management an operational strategy. The designing of the project should not

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Redesign project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Redesign project - Essay Example Mixing such pertinent equipment as nails and reverting materials among others may compromise the safety of the installation process. For a safer installation process, only an experienced professional and not any other person who may obtain the manual must do the installation. Warning/ Caution Never, stand or walk on the glass panel. Such actions may result in the instantaneous breakage of the panel thereby jeopardizing the equipment besides potential risk it presents to the installer. Protect the sheathing from any source of wetness at all costs. Failure of such during the installation process may cause leaks therefore do not work during stormy weather. Do not cut or attempt to modify the mounting systems. Ensure the use of the equipment provided by the company and replacing damaged equipment. The modification of such important equipment may compromise the safety of the work environment. Points to consider when selecting the installation position The point of location is one of the m ost critical contributors to the effectiveness of the solar system. The installer must therefore consider several factors that contribute to both the effectiveness and the safety of the installation process as listed below: Do not locate the systems near salt-water locations. The installer must maintain a 0.3 meters radius from such locations. Salt water corrodes the surface thus reducing the use of the systems. Inspection of the roof support system is vital and the installer must ensure that the roof is strong enough to endure the weight of the panel. In inspecting the roof support system, the installer must check to ensure that the support is durable and will therefore last as long as the panel lasts. Inspection of the roof is equally important and the installer must ensure that the roof is capable not only of supporting the panel but also expose the panel to adequate sunlight. The condition of the roof should promise the longevity of the panel any repairs to the roof must take pl ace before the installation as subsequent repairs may disrupt the use of the panel. More importantly, the roof must prove the ability to support the weight of the panel and provide ease of wiring. Please note: Install the panels at approximately twelve inches from the ridges of the roof. Additionally to ensure the effective usability of the panels, do not install the solar panels in either windy or stormy regions as such are not the best weather conditions for the use of the panels and may also pose serious risks during the installation process. PV Modules Wiring is essential during the installation process and presents potential risks to both the installer and the users of the solar panels. The installer must therefore ensure that: The wiring process is in accordance to the dictates of the National Electrical Code. In this, the government outlines the quality of wires to use and the equipment to use during wiring. Failure to comply with the provisions is a criminal offense. Note th at the solar panels produce electric current with any minimal exposure to direct sunlight at any time and thus presents potential shock risks to both the installer and anybody else. The installer must prevent any contact with naked wires during the wiring process and discourage the presence of anybody not

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Failure Analysis Essay Example for Free

Failure Analysis Essay Team D will analyze the organizations Samsung Electronics Company (SEC) and Research In Motion Blackberry (RIM). The study will analyze in depth the success of Samsung and the failure of Blackberry. The paper analyzes how Samsung evolved into one of the largest conglomerates in the world during the past decade the demise of Blackberry and how the company failed. Vision and Mission Statement Samsung Vision Statement, The vision of SAMSUNG Electronics is Leading the Digital Convergence Revolution (Samsung, 2013, p. 1). Mission Statement â€Å"To experience the joy of advancing and applying technology for the benefit of the public† (Samsung, 2013, p. 1.). Established in 1938, Samsung has gone thru many changes. During its various changes, Samsung continues to modify its mission statement according to its own change and to new developments globally. Economic contribution to the nation â€Å", Priority to human resources† â€Å" Pursuit of rationalism are slogans that represent important moments in Samsung’s history. The organization has grown from a national leader to a worldwide consumer leader. The constant fluctuation in the global economy, competition, and operations, Samsung transformed its mission statement in 1990. According to Samsung’s philosophy, We will devote our human resources and technology to create superior products and services, thereby contributing to a better global society (Samsung, 2013, p. 2.). The organizations attitude is a representation of its determination to contribute to the success of people globally. Key factors for Samsung is the dedication, creativity, and talent of its employees. The strong leadership and team support has made endless opportunities for new technology and achieving higher standard of living globally. Leadership at Samsung believe its success is due to its contribution to people worldwide and to the shared prosperity between national boundaries worldwide. This determines how they manage their  company. The objective for Samsung Electronics is to generate the future with its consumers. SEC can be considered as one of very few companies that manage to go beyond mere imitation of global competitors, leverage resources, accelerate the pace of organizational learning and manage to attain seemingly impossible goals ( Hamel and Prahalad, 1989). Vision and Mission Statement Blackberry vision statement, â€Å"Blackberry aims to be the premier center for management development excelling in developing managers of tomorrow; strengthening management capabilities and facilitating policy options to meet emerging challenges†. (Blackberry, 2013, p.1.). Mission statement, â€Å"To develop socially and professionally responsible and proactive managers and leaders with holistic perspectives and competencies. (Blackberry, 2013, p.1.) In realizing the above vision and mission, RIM focuses on the following strategic areas: In 1994, Blackberry (RIM) was created. The organization is located in Waterloo, Ontario Canada. Other locations include Europe, United States, Mexico, and Asia Pacific. Blackberry lead the design, fabrication, distributor of its wireless solutions for the global cellular communications market. The creation of combined software, services, and support, Blackberry provided solutions for email, cell phone, SMS, MMS, Intranet, and Internet applications â€Å"The beauty of this device was that users could do all of these functions even as they were striding down the sidewalk, far from any desktop computer† (Kim, 2008). . The organization provided services for Civil Service, local governance, and the private sector. This enabled Blackberry to strengthen and develop into a strong financial, self-supported Institute. The downfall of Blackberry began on January 9, 2007, with the introduction of the iPhone. Apple sold a million iPhones the first week of its release, signaling the era of the smartphone. In a conference call on March 29, 2012 CEO Thorsten Heins stated, â€Å"It is now very clear to me that substantial change is what RIM needs,† (All Thing D, 2012, p. 1.). The CEO is creating something Blackberry has not had for a long time, a vision. . â€Å"We believe that BlackBerry cannot succeed if we try to be everybody’s darling and all things to all people†, (All Things D, 2012, p. 1.). It might be too late but  the organization will undertake a complete review analysis of the way the company operates. Leadership style, management, organizational structure, and culture Samsung Electronics is a worldwide organization with nearly 160,000 employees and operates in countries worldwide. Samsung is devoted to having a healthy organizational culture. It believes that ethical management is not only a tool for responding to the rapid changes in the global business environment, but also a vehicle for building trust with its various stakeholders, shareholders, customers, partners, employees, and local communities around the world. Samsung’s aim is to become one of the most ethical companies in the world that is respected by its stakeholders, Samsung Electronics continues to train its employees and operate monitoring systems, while practicing fair and transparent corporate management. Samsung has established a good and safe working environment for its personnel, this improves employee morale and productivity and commitment to the organization. Employees respect all workers despite the positions they have. Workers and leaders have a good relationship that allows both side to work together on workers grievances relating to their work environment. The relationships between the workers and leaders are interactive and workers grievances relating to their working environment and other labor related issues work well. Workers at Samsung will respect all workers despite the roles they play. CEO Kwon Oh Hyun is a commanding leader, almost militarist in leading. In South Korea, this style of leadership is very effective; unlike in the United States a commanding leader for a non-military organization would be ineffective. Kwon Oh Hyun is direct, takes tight control, very demanding, disciplined, and demands immediate compliance within the company, from top to bottom. It is difficult to recognize what leadership style is within Blackberry. What has brought Blackberry to its demise is not having a clear vision from its upper executives. Their leaders had no sense of direction to innovate the organization. Blackberry ten years ago was a leader in the cellular business. Customers who owned a blackberry phone felt important, celebrities, Wall Street investment bankers. Today Blackberry is at jeopardy on becoming obsolete. Blackberry made some critical mistakes, which put the organization in jeopardy. The organization  disregarded the iPhone until it was too late. Prior CEO Lazaridis â€Å"told his employees that no one would buy the iPhone because customers did not want a personal computer on their cell phones.† (Forbes, 2011, p. 2.) Blackberry promoted a culture of unwillingness and closed communication. Upper executives did not want to listen to ideas from below. Additionally, a critical mistake was waiting too long to innovate new products into their product line. Their current product line is a big dinosaur and still look much like their first phones. To further trouble Blackberry, two major outages occurred on April 2007 and again in February 2008, each outage lasted for a few days. Leading Organizational Change Team D would use the Kotter’s Eight Steps Detailed guidance for managing change. First major change is to establish a sense of urgency, in order to create a compelling reason for change. The compelling reason for change is to seek new ways of innovation. Keeping up with the global rapid change in the telecommunications, industry is vital. [Change process theories describe a typical pattern of events that occur from the beginning of a change to the end, and in some cases they describe how earlier changes affect subsequent changes. The theories may identify distinct phases in the process, stages in the reaction of individuals, or effects of repeated changes on people.] (Gary Yukl, 2013, p. 1.) In order to keep Blackberry competitive with the market, the organization must find new products to introduce into the market. Introducing a new lineup of products such as new cell phone models is vital for the company to compete with its competitors. The sense of urgency is creating and updating our products in time to keep up with the competition. The team would create a coalition between upper management to establish the new change for blackberry. The coalition between top executives would facilitate the introduction of the new strategy into our new business plan. A major priority for blackberry and its top executives is to create a clear vision for the upcoming change of the organization. The next hurdle is to widely open up communication barriers and simplify the communication between upper management on down. Blackberry will promote a culture of open communication and willingness for all its employees. The open communication will enable the organization to communicate the vision throughout the company. Good communication will help the organization with employees who resist change. Communication between upper management and employees will help give a clear vision of the change. Inadequate communication will give employees a sense of false information for example believe that change is not feasible, fear of personal failure, loss of status, and economic threat. The CEO will empower other managers to act on the vision by encouraging risk-taking and removing barriers to help solve problems. The new plan will take two years to implement. The action plan will include short-term goals that move blackberry toward the new vision. The change will allow upper management on down to consolidate improvement. All management reassess all changes to include analytical information, the consolidation improvements will allow the organization to make any necessary adjustments in the new programs. All management will have to lead by example and demonstrate the success of the cultural change. The new plan will reinforce the changes by demonstrating the relationship between the new behaviors. The leadership styles will be between transformational and visionary leadership. These leadership styles will inspire the conviction of the new vision and will give blackberry a clear direction to succeed in the new change. Transformational leadership will inspire and develop empowering focus on the new plan. Conclusion During significant change to a company’s structure and strategies, personnel can experience high levels of stress on the job. Prior to executing the strategies, organizations must empower employees to adopt the role of change and encourage them to take action to solve the problems that stresses them. A large piece of the puzzle is communication between upper management on down. Personnel need to feel that they are empowered during the phase of the change. Although few organizations fully acknowledge their role in helping employees, cope with change. Individual reactions to change your complex and most experts agree that people tend to be uncomfortable with change; employees do not want to depart from their comfort zone.