Incentive Plans Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Organizational Development & Human Resources Term Paper

Hierarchical Development and Human Resources - Term Paper Example Accordingly, the points which will be dissected identify with execution assessments, effective administration, treatment of troublesome circumstances, and issues identifying with enrolling and remuneration. The principal idea that this understudy might want to examine identifies with the issue of execution assessments. While the presentation assessment is an oft feared piece of numerous occupations, the key ideas that were found out inside the class helped this understudy to move toward the issue with another outlook. The truth is that exhibition surveys are not all by themselves a negative; rather, representatives have been molded to think so because of various components. The first and generally farsighted of these, as has been exhibited inside class, is the way that the presentation audit process is frequently overlooked up until the last possible moment. Along these lines, the worker as a rule has emphatically no sign of how their exhibition has been checked for the sum of the pe riod being referred to. Likewise, what this influences is a circumstance where fear is the essential feeling with which the representative welcomes the procedure (Muller 2009). Nonetheless, as the readings and course work have illustrated, a far better model whereby than draw in worker as well as investor purchase in inside such a procedure is to make the whole execution survey process something that is direct, unmistakably counted, and straightforward. Along these lines, the component of the obscure is evacuated as the worker can draw in with the business (and the other way around) as a methods for understanding the degree to which commitments, objectives, and measurements were met during the period being referred to. As opposed to trying to in a general sense rethink the presentation audit process, the best model of progress is dependent upon all gatherings included keeping away from of correspondence open all through the period so when the survey comes up, no explanations will be required. The job of the board inside a given firm or association is a theme that has empowered a considerable number of experts and scholars to clarify upon better and increasingly refined models. However, as has been learned inside this specific class, there is anything but a complete meaning of right administration; rather, there is a reiteration of instances of mistaken administration. Such is the situation because of the way that the field of the executives and administrative practice is so expansive and nuanced because of the host of various characters that various directors bring to the procedure. Additionally, the way that there are plainly noticeable off base administration rehearses is progressively useful in controlling and coordinating the specialist towards techniques and applications that would limit these inaccurate practices and steer the procedure back towards an increasingly suitable bearing. By methods for getting this, the peruser/analyst or potentially understu dy can and ought to get that albeit a reiteration of best practices are existent inside the domain of the executives, the best strategy for coordinating the best possible application thereof inside the present work environment is to guarantee that the littler subset of negative administration rehearses are kept away from no matter what. These incorporate yet are not restricted to: micromanagement, hands off methodologies, the improvement of non-proficient representative supervisor connections, undesirable force elements, and many, numerous others. As a method of being careful and understanding

How to Organize and Run an Assessment Center

How to Organize and Run an Assessment Center What makes a business successful? Ask this question and the most probable answers would be a sound business proposition and a solid business plan, having enough funding to start and operate the business, and having a viable product or service. Some would even say that investing in relevant technologies is also vital. More often than not, they miss one element: manpower.A business cannot succeed, let alone start operating, without people. And we are not talking about just any random people called in from the streets and hired to become managers, rank-and-file employees, workers, and even customer service representatives. We are talking about the right people who are the right fit to the organization.In order to get the right people to drive the organization, there is a need to invest in the recruitment process. For that, the business needs an assessment center that is run properly and effectively. © Shutterstock.com | racornIn this article, I will explore 1) the assessment center and 2) how to organize and run an assessment center.THE ASSESSMENT CENTERAn assessment center can be easily defined as a physical place where people are tested and interviewed for a job. However, it also refers to the process in which a group of people who are being considered for a position or a job are given a series of tests or interviews. We will focus on the latter definition.According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, only one out of three companies makes use of assessment centers when recruiting personnel from a pool of applicants. Many businesses, especially startups that are on a tight budget, are not completely in on the idea of investing in an assessment center. After all, they are supposed to cut costs or put a great bulk of their available funding towards product development and other areas that they deem more important than hiring people.What they fail to realize is that all those areas or functions will not be accomplished without the right people performing the tasks required.Benefits of an Assessment CenterYou will get a better understanding of the importance of an assessment center if you are made aware of the benefits of having one.An assessment center will make the results of the selection process objective, fair and transparent.  There are many businesses that follow a standard recruitment process â€" often set by the industry they belong to â€" when selecting applicants. There is definitely nothing wrong with this plan, but a problem arises when there are aspects that cannot be addressed by the standardized process.Using an assessment center will yield more accurate results in the selection process, since it allows the business to employ more selection methods, beyond what is in the standard recruitment process. The range of selection methods is broader, increasing the likelihood of the company pinning the right person for the job.An assessment center will ensure that you will hire the best possible candidate for the job, based on their qualifications, skills, and competencies.  This process enables interviewers or the selection panel to have a more objective view when evaluating the existing performance of the applicant, since all the information they need will be provided. They will also be able to predict the job performance of the applicant in the future, just by looking at the current and past job performances of the applicant.This is a common scenario: more than two people will be applying for a single position. Certainly, the selection process will be easier if there are only a handful of applicants to choose from, but in case of applicants numbering by the dozen, hundreds, or even thousands, the main problem encountered by the selection team is differentiation.Through an assessment center, it will be easier to assess and differentiate between and among the applicants. Screening those with similar qualif ications will be faster, and you do not have to wade through a room full of resumes and application letters.An assessment center is more cost-effective in the long run.  While it is true that the business will have to invest outright on an assessment center, the long-term benefits will outweigh that cost.Say, for example, that the company does not have a proper recruitment process in place. Instead, it decides to play things “by ear”, and this often results in too many recruitment phases, most of which are redundant and unnecessary.Recruitment errors are also likely to occur, and this is also going to cost you more money. The worst recruitment error that you can possibly commit without an assessment center is hiring the wrong people for the job. They are incompetent, and they cannot do the job they were supposed to. Thus, they won’t be able to deliver on their tasks, and productivity will go down. This means you will be paying the salary and benefits of people that are unable to do anything in return for your company.An assessment center can be considered as the first training of new employees or new members of the organization.  During the selection process, all applicants will be subjected to a series or battery of exercises. These can already be counted as training for the incoming employees, even if it is still unknown who among them will be selected. Through the exercises, the candidates will have a better insight on their role or their functions when they do get hired by the company.An assessment center increases the probabilities of longer term placements.  A high turnover rate of employees is indicative of many problems within the organization, and it will also decrease efficiency and productivity while increasing the costs of training new people every now and then. If you have a proper recruitment process in place and it has been performed through an effectively run assessment center, you will also save a lot of money in having to perform the se lection process repeatedly.An assessment center will guarantee that your selection is in alignment with your overall business goals and objectives.  With an assessment center, you can pretty much tailor the recruitment process depending on the needs of the company. As opposed to simply relying on a standard recruitment process, an assessment center will take into consideration the diversity of organizations, and integrate that into the process.Having an assessment center will improve the reputation of the company.  Businesses may also use assessment centers to build an employer brand. The public, not just the applicants, is likely to be impressed by a company that has a stringent selection process. Even those that have been rejected are still likely to think highly of a company that puts a lot of effort in its recruitment process.HOW TO ORGANIZE AND RUN AN ASSESSMENT CENTERWhen you set up an assessment center, you should not be haphazard about it. You should design the assessment ce nter in such a way that:It reflects the brand recruitment culture and philosophy of your organization. What does the organization want to establish in choosing its members? What message does it want to convey to the market by hiring this or that type of person?It reflects the human resource or HR strategy employed by the organization. Human resource management is a vital arm of any company, so the HR strategy must be in line with how the assessment process was carried out.It clearly presents the skills that are required for the job. This is best demonstrated by the tasks or activities used in the assessment. There should be a clear connection between the job description and the specifications of the person that will be assigned the job.The selection process is fair. All the candidates or applicants should be given equal and enough opportunity to shine. You can do this by designing the activities and exercises in a manner that gives the ample time and opportunity to show what they ar e capable of.Unfortunately, not all assessment centers are successful. Some complete the process and accomplish people placement, but they fall short of expectations. The employee turned out to be a wrong fit for the job, or it turns out that the design of the assessment center was faulty from the very beginning.An assessment center can only succeed if it is run properly. Let us take a look at some of the steps that you should take to run an assessment center and make it a success.Step 1. Choose credible and qualified members for your panel of assessors.One of the best things you can do is to invite a selection of key personnel from different departments of the business. An advantage of this is their familiarity with the operations of the business. They know what is needed, so they are in a better position to select who will fill that need.Or the business can opt not to engage its existing key personnel and choose people specifically for the assessment center. If that is the case, i t is important that the people to be included in the team be trained in recruitment and assessment, especially when it comes to recognizing competencies and experience.Getting the perfect balance can be quite tricky, which is why it is frequently advised that you combine internal and external assessors. Get people that are already within the company, and hire new blood. This will ensure that you have people that are familiar with the business and its requirements, and that you also have new people who will lend objectivity and transparency to the recruitment process.Step 2. Identify the competencies that will be measured.Competencies are defined as the measurable or quantifiable abilities, behaviors, knowledge and skills that are critical in the success of performing a job. Knowledge pertains to the theoretical understanding of applicants about the job; abilities and skills are their innate capacities to perform the tasks; and behavior refers to a person’s overall conduct or the s um of his or her actions.Competencies are basically what the job entails or requires from applicants. You can say that the entire assessment center will be founded or based on competencies. They are used for workforce planning and staffing, and assessing candidates for a job and making the final selection. Once selection is over, the company has to implement employee training and development, and competencies will also be used. They will remain in use even after that, since they also play an important role in periodically assessing and managing employee performance.To identify competencies, a job analysis is called for. This means that you have to consider the most critical functions of the job or position you are trying to fill, and find out what the person has to possess in order to perform those functions.Once you have identified the competencies, you will have to narrow them down. Limit the competencies to those that are relevant or those that you want to measure. Be realistic a bout this: as much as you want to measure all the competencies you have identified earlier, that would be impractical, not to mention tedious and time-consuming. By limiting the competencies, you can concentrate on the aspects that really matter.There really is no fixed number of competencies that you should stick to. The number and level of competencies will ultimately depend on the nature of the job and the complexity of the duties and responsibilities that come with it.Step 3. Design tests, exercises and activities.The tests, exercises and activities must match the competencies that you want to measure. It won’t make much sense if the exams and other tests you will subject the applicants to have nothing whatsoever to do in assessing whether they have the competencies that the job requires or not.For example, you are going to fill up a managerial position in the Sales Team, and two of the competencies you have identified are team building and sales planning. Therefore, the tests should be designed to reveal whether the applicant has these two competencies or not. A written examination or requiring a sales presentation will nicely showcase the applicant’s knowledge on sales and distribution. Observing the applicant’s interaction with a group through simulated exercises will be a good exercise to assess his ability to foster teamwork and lead a cohesive sales unit.They should be designed to determine present job skills. This increases the predictive value of the assessment center. By using the information acquired on the current (and past, if any) job skills, it will be easier to predict future job performance of the applicants.You want to give all candidates a chance to shine. To do this, you should employ a variety of activities. Some of the activities you can use include:Psychometric tests. These types of tests are useful in predicting future performance. These measure the aptitude of applicants, and involve tests on numerical reasoning, verbal reason ing, as well as diagrammatic reasoning. Not only do psychometric tests measure the mental capabilities of an individual, they also give assessors a look at his behavioral style.Another psychometric test that is slowly gaining popularity is the SJT, or the Situational Judgment Test. It is aimed at assessing how the individual will approach potential situations that are encountered in the workplace.Reference checks. This should actually be a must in all recruitment processes. You have to check on the accuracy and veracity of the information indicated on the resume of the applicant, particularly the work experience section.Practical examinations or tests. This is similar to the SJT, but is more specific. Provide a scenario that is specific to the position or the job. This is where the assessment center can be even more flexible in designing its tests or exercises, tweaking things to suit the needs of the position and the company.In the illustration given above, applicants for a Sales M anager position will be made to choose a random item or object from their bags.     They will then be required to make an on-the-spot sales pitch; the objective: sell that item to a member of the selection panel, or one of     the other applicants.Another simulation you can apply is a leader-less group discussion. This will display how they do during group discussions, how they interact with others, and how creative and decisive they are with sharing ideas. You will be able to assess if they have managerial or leadership skills.Give them a scenario, or provide them with fictional documents. Both should have a problem that needs to be resolved. They will then give an oral presentation on how to solve that problem. This type of test will demonstrate the applicant’s oral communication skills (which is important in being a manager and being in the Sales Team) and to assess the level of their confidence and professionalism.This involves the candidate and the selection panel meeting face to face. All recruitment processes have an interview phase, and this is where the assessors can ask pretty much anything they want to the applicant.There are instances when exercises are designed to provoke the competitive spirit of applicants. Remember that you want to let your candidates shine, but it should not be to the extent that they will negatively affect the performance of the other candidates. As much as possible, try to avoid group exercises, especially if they pit candidates against one another.Step 4. Establish a timetable, and follow it.This is especially important if you will have to deal with multiple applicants. Plan out a schedule for the assessment center so that you and the applicants will not waste time, money and other resources.Once you have a timetable, make sure that you stick to it. Cancelling and rescheduling can be very stressful, not to mention wasteful. Therefore, you should put more careful thought when you draw up a schedule for the assessment c enter.Step 5. Provide feedback.It is a given that you will be giving feedback to those that have been selected. But you should also make it a point to provide feedback even to the unsuccessful candidates. Not only is it a common courtesy, it will also add credibility and transparency to your assessment center, and to your company as a whole. As mentioned earlier, your employer brand will get a boost and you will improve your reputation of having a fair and objective recruitment process. It will also aid the unsuccessful applicants in their other attempts of being recruited in other companies.Clearly, deciding on which person should perform a specific job is not something that should be done randomly, especially if you are determined to make your business succeed. Hire the best people and they will help pave the way towards the achievement of your business goals.

Essay about Christian Influence in Italian Culture

Christian Influence in Italian Culture Things are not always what they appear to be. When one talks about the influence of religion in a culture, the person must carefully define what they mean by religion. Many times when things are done in the name of Christianity, there are other factors that shape those events. The Crusades could be considered an object of Christian influence, but most would agree that the bloodshed that took place does not complement the message of that religion. Regardless, despite the gray area that exists when one talks about the influence of a religion, an influence still exists. The evidence of Christianitys influence on a society can be seen almost anywhere. This influence can be seen in obvious†¦show more content†¦His influence surpassed that of the political and spiritual leaders of his day. He holds a more prominent place in history than the pope of his time does.? He inspires people living centuries after his death. George Holmes writes, ?There are few cases in European history of individuals whose lives have been so generally accepted as an inspiration by the people of a whole country?.[1]? The fact that people still talk so much about Francis is a testimony to how remarkable the friar was.? He lived a radical life.? The Assisian abandoned all that he owned to live a life of unwavering poverty.? He lived a life of humility; quickly confessing his own sins and rejecting leadership in the order that he had founded.[2]? He loved and gave to everyone, even the most destitute of society.? He often worked with victims of leprosy while rebuilding churches.[3]? People were drawn to Francis because of these remarkable aspects of his character.? Francis was such an incredible figure that his example sparked a movement that would soon go international.? One can discuss how remarkable the life of Francis of Assisi was, however that does not relate to how his works shaped life in Italy.? Earlier orders of the Catholic Church were mainly sealed off from society while members spent their time in monasteries.? Francis believed that the Order of theShow MoreRelatedEssay about Italian and Northern European Renaissance758 Words   |  4 PagesItalian and Northern European Renaissance The Italian and Northern Europe Renaissances were both an important mark in history by changing the ideals of life, thought, culture, and art of the people’s of this time. In this paper I will explain the motive for change in these cultures, including the similarities and differences of the two cultures. The Italian and Northern European Renaissance was the marking point for leaving behind the old ways and moving into the more classicalRead MoreThe Rebirth Of Ancient Cultures1462 Words   |  6 Pages25 November 2015 The Rebirth of Ancient Cultures in Renaissance Florence Florence, Italy is known as the â€Å"cradle of the Renaissance† (la culla del Rinascimento). 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Namely, old English ,middle wnglish and modern English. if people look back to the history of English, it’s certain to say that many elements have helped to shape the language, but one element that so crucial that we should pay special attention to is the influence of Christianity. II.on EnglishRead MoreAntisemitism in the Middle Ages1616 Words   |  7 Pagesfigure of Shylock, a man who represents the treatment of the Jewish people in his time period. Before beginning to understand Shylock, it is vital to understand the historical and dramatic influences under which Shakespeare wrote. These feelings of superiority eventually bring to the Jewish people a loss of culture and respect. To understand the portrayal of Jewish characters in literature such as The Merchant of Venice, it is important to understand the Jewish people of the era and what kind of treatmentRead MoreCulture, Culture And Culture Essay1321 Words   |  6 PagesCulture Many times we hear concepts like ’Oriental culture’, ‘Italian culture’ or ‘Gothic Culture’. So we can understand and verify that it is an important concept related to the idea of the society where we live in. Culture, in Sociology, is a concept developed during XVIII and XIX centuries that has had various definitions. One exhaustive definition is in Browne (2015, p. 31): â€Å"Culture refers to the language, beliefs, values and norms, customs, dress, diet, roles, knowledge and skills, and all

Cell Phone Industry Analysis - 3513 Words

| | | CELL PHONE INDUSTRY ANALYSIS by Rohan Ramchandani Zaheer Sayyed Introduction 1 Dominant Economic Indicator 1 1. Market Size: 1 2. Scope of Competitive Rivalry: 1 3. Stage in Life Cycle: 2 4. Numbers of Companies in the Industry: 2 5. Customers: 3 6. Technology/Innovation: 4 7. Product Characteristics: 6 Camera cell phones: 6 Downloadable Application: 8 Video (Streaming): 8 Internet Access via PC Card: 8 ï‚ · Motorola RAZR: 8 ï‚ · LG the V: 8 8. Scale Economies: 9 ï‚ · Internal 9 ï‚ · External 9 9. Learning amp; Experience Effects: 10 10. Capital Requirements: 10 Introduction The following report details cell phone industry analysis, which deals with cell phone manufacturers†¦show more content†¦4. Numbers of Companies in the Industry: There are over 50 companies with only six top companies in the cell phone industry that controls 80 percent of the market. Even though there are emerging new companies into the market, they are relatively small. The six top companies are rank as follow as the largest to the smallest cell phone company: 1. Verizon Wireless 2. Cingular Wireless 3. ATamp;T Wireless 4. Sprint Wireless 5. Nextel Wireless 6. T-Mobile Wireless Verizon is the number one largest company having 38.9 million U.S. customers. Some companies have suffered low profitability for merging with another company, which resulted in only four of the six companies that controls 80 percent of the market. The following companies merged resulting in only four companies; Sprint merged with Nextel, and Cingular bought ATamp;T. Below are financial highlights showing how well the four cell phone service companies that are occupying the market are faring. Financial Highlights | Sprint | Verizon | Cingular | T-Mobile | Revenue (2005) | 34680.00 M | 27662.00 M | 19436.00 M | 9366.00 M | Revenue Growth (1 yr) | 26.40% | 23.00% | 25.50% | 12.10% | Employees (2005) | 79,900 | 49,800 | 70,300 | 22,616 | Employee growth (1 yr) | 33.40% | 13.40% | 78.40% | 5.10% | 5. Customers: Cell phones are attractive targets that are small, expensive, and useful. Today there are approximately 162Show MoreRelatedAnalysis of the Cell Phone Industry1253 Words   |  6 PagesFIVE FORCES ANALYSIS OF THE CELL PHONE INDUSTRY The cell phone industry is a competitive market and will increase continuously. The profitability of individual companies is driven mainly by their ability to develop new products, providing better service and making their products affordable for consumers. Profitability of companies is achieved also by taking advantage of product marketing, access to capital, and by inquiring the expertise to improve the cell phones. The profitability of theRead MoreCell Phone Industry Analysis3525 Words   |  15 Pages| | | CELL PHONE INDUSTRY ANALYSIS by Rohan Ramchandani Zaheer Sayyed Introduction 1 Dominant Economic Indicator 1 1. Market Size: 1 2. Scope of Competitive Rivalry: 1 3. Stage in Life Cycle: 2 4. Numbers of Companies in the Industry: 2 5. Customers: 3 6. Technology/Innovation: 4 7. Product Characteristics: 6 Camera cell phones: 6 Downloadable Application: 8 Video (Streaming): 8 Internet Access via PC Card: 8 ï‚ · Motorola RAZR: 8 ï‚ · LG the V: 8 8. Scale Economies: 9 Read MorePorter s Competitive Strategy Analysis990 Words   |  4 PagesPorter’s Competitive Strategies Porter’s Competitive Stategies can be derived from his Five Forces Analysis. Porter five forces analysis is a framework that analyzes the level of competition within an industry. It is very useful in the development of a business’s strategy. The five forces is used to determine the competitive intensity of an industry, and therefore, identify the attractiveness of an Industry (Wheelen). You are able to see the components of the Five Forces below: Porter’s CompetitiveRead MoreMobile Phone and New Entrants807 Words   |  4 Pages2.2 Industry Analysis (i) Threat of new entrants Based on case analysis, we indicate that the threat of new entrants for TomTom is considered as medium or moderate. Although new entrants coming into same industry with TomTom was brings a smaller impact of their sales and revenue growth, but TomTom still able to sustain it. For example, the rapidly growth in the industry of smart phones and cell phones, it is causes many new entrants coming it and affected a little of sales and revenue growth ofRead MoreAnalyzing Customer Satisfaction of Samsung Mobile Phones1118 Words   |  4 Pagesusage of cell phones. (ii) Market share of Samsung cell phone is more than any other cell phones. (iii) No one has previously conducted this research in Cuddalore. So I selected this topic. 1.3 Statement of the Problem As against the millennium of rapid growth in cell phone industry and a changing socio-economic scenario and increasing cell phone connection lead to high demands for handsets. Though the cell phone industry is fast flourishing, there are problems in the cell phone industry in IndiaRead MoreCell Phone Safety : The Most Cherished Work Of Mine1520 Words   |  7 Pagesprobably the most cherished work of mine. I had heard the potential hazards of cell phones, and after spending an extended amount of time doing the research, the findings negating cell phone safety was irrefutable. I think that since cell phones are such a highly debated topic, it was an awesome subject to tackle, and I hope this paper can help people think twice about cell phone safety. 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Each environment bases on different factors, therefore the analysis of external environment will help the company seeks for new opportunity in many areas as well as discovering challenges that might have direct impact to the organization in the future. The remote environment consists of the study of the economicRead MoreInternational Marketing Management And Human Resource Management1473 Words   |  6 Pagesadvent of the cell phone has allowed many countries plagued by poor landline service to bypass these problems. Some studies indicate that increasing the cell phone penetration rate (the percentage of the population with cell phone service) by ten percentage points boosts per capita GDP by fifty-nine percent. A Call for Progress describes the need and importance of telecommunication in today s world. It helps many people in exploring different opportunities. Unfortunately, this industry is in theRead MoreDifferentiating Between Market Structures in Kudler1564 Words   |  7 PagesConditions Competitive Analysis Jerona Green, Darlene Wilson, Bronda Perkins, Christopher Pollard ECO/365 April 8, 2013 Samuel Imarhiagbe Current Market Conditions Competitive Analysis In today’s society the cell phone market is a huge competitive industry for cell phone companies. There have been studies that show that half the world has cell phone accounts. One attribute that defines the cell phone market is the idea of consumers is giving up their land line phones. This has caused a

AMD Case Final Free Essays

string(118) " style specifications to MAD visual experience will require in person demonstrations done by retail sales associates\." Finally, MAD needs to switch the consumer’s fixation from specifications such as GHz and KGB, to visual experience. Although Llano is already delayed, it will be ready by mid-201 1 . The next selling cycle, right after mid-2011 , is the Back – to – School season. We will write a custom essay sample on AMD Case Final or any similar topic only for you Order Now This means that waiting until mid-2011 is not necessarily a bad thing. Intel already rushed out a CHIP+SPIN processor called Sandbagging in order to be the first to market, and in doing so produced a mediocre product. According to analysts, â€Å"Intel GAP technology is a generation behind its CPU technology and cannot Offer a outing-edge graphics experience. Unlike Intel, Mad’s strength is in dedicated Spies, due to the acquisition of AT I. Therefore, MAD can release a more complete CHIP+SPLIT processor, aka APP, in time for the Back-to-School season. Usually incentives are negotiated prior to each selling cycle: Back-to- School, Holiday season, and Spring. MAD can offer incentives to retail stores such as Best Buy, H. H. Gregg and Office Depot prior to the Back-to-School season. The incentives would benefit the retailers because they would be paid an extra 5-10 dollars per PC sold, that contains one of Mad’s chips. MAD would also benefit from giving retail incentives by getting more exposure on prominent displays, promotional merchandise available at the retail stores, PC’s with MAD chips featured in ad circulars, and MAD would have access to sales associates for training purposes in return for the incentive. MAD specifically should have a combination of merchandising and training because studies show that when merchandising and training are combined, the VISION brand is better communicated and recommended to customers via retail sales associates. For example, when comparing VISION awareness, Merchandising Alone scored 88%, whereas Merchandising + Training scored 97%. For VISION recommendation, Merchandising Alone scored 46%, whereas Merchandising + Training scored 69%. The Fusion product line consists of one high end product called Llano that was suitable for high-performance desktops and laptops, one mid-tier product called Acetate suitable for low-end notebooks, and one low-end product called Ontario mainly used for notebooks. Acetate and Ontario were also referred to as Bravos. The reason why we choose to launch Llano first, and not Bravos, is because the VISION rand needs to be associated with quality processors and reasonable prices in comparison to Intel. We assume that if MAD launches Bravos first, the VISION brand will run the risk of being miscommunication as a low-end, weak processor and thus MIS-positioned in consumers’ minds, due to a negative first impression. In the past, MAD lacked the ability to court high-end markets, and VISION’s Llano is an attempt to break into high-end markets which will give MAD an opportunity for larger profit margins and market share gains in PC’s. Odessa said, â€Å"Internal projections forecasted that Llano, which would cover all mainstream and high-end products, would account for 70% of Fusion APP sales and that Acetate and Ontario would account for 30%†. Looking back at Mad’s history with Intel, the companies seem to always have a response to one another, or a way to get back at each other. Whether it is by launching a better product, price-cutting, acquisitions, or rushing products to the market, they usually respond within a year or two. For instance, when Intel’s Titanium failed because it could not service 32-bit software, MAD developed the Petrol, which could service both 64-bit and 32-bit software hush creating success for MAD. Part of its success was due to the fact that users did not have to buy new software packages for the processor, unlike Titanium which required new software and proved to be costly. We would rather have the Llano be like a repeat of the Petrol in comparison to Intel’s Sandbagging. This means that even though Intel went to market first with a CPU+SPIN processor, MAD can release a better APP about six months later, which is a relatively quick retaliation to Intel when compared to their history. In order to not make the same mistake that Titanium did, we recommend MAD ark with content and software makers before launching Llano. Another important characteristic about Llano is that it needs to be able to function with both 64-bit and 32-bit programs. The plan is to release Llano with only a few major necessary software applications and programs optimized for 64- bit, so that the Llano APP can be fully experienced by users. As mentioned in the case, â€Å"the lead time for optimizing applications was typically a yea’. Releasing Llano with only a few optimized programs allows Llano to roll out in mid-2011. Also, the idea is that developers can create optimized software ever time, much like how Google Chromate was released with a few notable APS and has gained more over time. Some programs we would optimize are: Direct 1 1, Directorates, Photo and video editing APS, Adobe Acrobat. A large number of optimized programs and applications will come after Llano’s debut. MAD should be concerned with improving relationships with Memos by not forcing the Memos to exclusively use MAD processors and logos, unlike Intel, which according to management â€Å"used its dominant position to dictate terms to Memos or threaten not to work with them if they did not use Intel chips exclusively†. By not imposing on Memos, MAD opens itself to being used by companies such as Apple, which prefers not to put other brands on its devices. MAD should continue following its new branding strategy VISION, which focuses on how the computer is used and not on how fast the computer can calculate excel spreadsheets. If we make the experience matter most, the VISION campaign has done its job. † Currently the conversation between salespeople and consumers revolves around hardware specifications, but MAD wants the conversation to be about what the computer can do. MAD should define its CPU and JPG in simple terms that re straightforward, unlike Intel which is very tech nical. Communicating the change from Intel style specifications to MAD visual experience will require in person demonstrations done by retail sales associates. You read "AMD Case Final" in category "Papers" Retail sales associates will carry out blind tests for consumers by showing shoppers two computers side by side, one with an Intel Sandbagging processor and the other with an MAD Fusion processor. Customers will then choose which computers they feel have the better graphics and visuals, from the demonstrations of the Intel vs.. MAD blind test. Another way to communicate to consumers that MAD APP processors are better, not only for use of Excel but also for visuals, is to show them an experience comparison with the competitor; in this case it is Intel. The VISION Experience Comparison would be signage that translates industry standard specification lingo; it would show that Intel’s processor is equal to choppy, fixated gamely, whereas Amid APP is equal to vivid, clean, smooth game play. The VISION Experience Comparisons would be displayed on the retailer’s shelf, where the specifications are typically shown for each computer. The VISION Experience Comparisons would only be splayed for computers that contain MAD Pap’s. Strategy #1 Add Apes for new form factors such as smoothness and tablets to the Fusion product line. Create relationships and incentive Memos to use the smartened and tablet APES. Rationale #1 The Fusion line currently consists of three different processors: Llano, Acetate, and Ontario. Each processor in the Fusion line is geared toward a certain type of PC. For example, Llano is for powerful desktops and laptops, whereas Acetate is for low-end notebooks. Ontario is for notebooks. The Fusion line up competes with Intel’s ‘Core’ product line nicely. One area of concern is new form factors, such as tablets and smoothness. Currently, Intel is selling the Atom for tablets and smoothness. MAD should include an APP that can service these tablets and smoothness, as well. Looking at the competitive landscape, one can see that tablets and smoothness are under great demand from consumers. Apple’s phone has had major success since 2007 and pads, which were recently released in April 201 0, have shown strong sales. MAD has the ability and should position itself in the tablet and smartened markets as a graphically strong PAPAL maker. It is in Mad’s best interest to become an industry standard for smoothness and tablets. MAD can do this by creating good relationships with manufacturers through flexible deals. For example, MAD will not require Apple to show MAD labels or logos on its products. Also, MAD will strive to have better prices than Intel. In addition, since some of the smartened Memos are also the same companies that create PC’s, MAD can offer bundles. For example, if the same MEMO uses MAD processors in both desktops and smoothness, MAD could Offer a larger discount on advertising or products. Strategy #2 Keep Mad’s VISION marketing strategy, but include a marketing campaign using various media to better portray the VISION marketing strategy. In addition, improve retail and Memos relationship with MAD, to further increase sales. Rationale #2 Mad’s new branding strategy for the introduction of the integrated CHIP/ SPIN, VISION, focuses on consumers’ experience, visuals, and graphics instead of concentrating on the specifications, speed, and numbers a computer may have. The MAD PC purchasing study showed, â€Å"consumers want a simple, straight forward way to compare and choose computers†, which indicates hat most consumers are more concerned with â€Å"what the computer does, over what is inside Of it†. An example Off circular ad featuring VISION is provided in the case; however, it only shows specifications on the MAD processor found inside the Notebooks, completely omitting the message of the VISION strategy. The idea is to provide customers with the most important specifications and also integrate the message, ‘the experience matters most†. For the Fusion processor, customers would want to experience HAD quality video online gaming, enhanced video and photo viewing, high performance photo editing, and AD gaming. This would be a more social, recreational use for a computer or notebook. The new Vision marketing strategy would include a marketing campaign that involves an initiative to change the consumer message throughout various types of media. The campaign will communicate to consumers that MAD APP processors are better, not only for use of Excel, but also for visuals. The ads in the campaign will show consumers a direct comparison with the competitor, in this case Intel. The campaign will be called the VISION Experience Comparison. The VISION Experience Comparison itself would include ads hat show translations of industry standard specification lingo. For example, the ads will demonstrate that Intel’s processor is equal to choppy, fixated gamely, whereas Mad’s APP is equal to vivid, clean, smooth game play. The campaign will be in use two months before each Computer selling cycle. For instance, VISION Experience Comparison commercials will be displayed most heavily two months before the Back-to-School cycle, in order to generate demand. Marketing strategy is important, but relationships with retailers and Memos are also crucial in order for MAD to deliver its new APP processor to ND-users. Intel has the lead on MAD when it comes to MEMO relationships; Intel goes as far as using threats as one of its partnership strategies by making Memos deal exclusively with them. MAD needs to use a non- threatening strategic partnership; make deals with Memos by not forcing them to place Mad’s VISION logo on its devices. For example, â€Å"Apple hasn’t allowed Intel to place a logo on its computers and the company has the most market share for notebooks over $1000†. This means that MAD has the opportunity to make a business deal with a top tier computer brand like Apple. This is cause MAD will not threaten to not cooperate with Apple, in case Apple does not wish to display MAD logos on its devices. MAD should partner with leading Memos such as Hewlett-Packard and Dell Inc. , which have the lead in sales over Leno and Acre as seen on Exhibit 4 of the case. By introducing incentives, MAD could make itself more appealing to Memos. As mentioned in the case, â€Å"MAD can offer Memos 75% refund on full price of all print ads if Memos use the VISION brand†. Instead of reimbursing HP 3-5% of the purchase price of the chip, MAD could raise the percentage to 10%, making the deal appear more appealing to Memos. How to cite AMD Case Final, Papers

Social Movements Essays - Social Movement, Social Movements

Social Movements Elspeth Wilson A Partial View of Political Process Social movements require a fairly complex and multi-dimensional paradigm in order to adequately explain the multiplicity of factors that contribute to their development and sustenance. Like both McAdam and Costain, I believe that the political process model is a much more appropriate theory for social movements than either the classical model (with its emphasis on psychology) or the resource mobilization model (with its ultra-capitalistic approach to all socio-political interactions). Indeed, unlike the classical and resource mobilization theories, the political process model incorporates a number of different factors, making it significantly more realistic and versatile. Both McAdam and Costain analyze a set of empirical evidence in order to judge the credibility of the political process model as a comprehensive paradigm for social movements. While I except the political process model as the most accurate theoretical description of social movements, I do not agree with Costains refo rmulation of political process. Indeed, I believe that Costain succumbs to a subtle regression into elitist theory. In Social Movements as Interest Groups, Costain begins by stating that traditional measures of interest group influence frequently fail to capture the impact social movements have on legislation (p. 285). From this opening, we can assume that she intends to reveal the actual impact of social movements on legislation through a non-traditional method of measurement. In this context, Costain searches for a theory that captures the influential dynamics of social movement success. Her answer is the political process theory, which suggests that the presence of leadership and resources (particularly those provided by external groups) is less important in determining movement success than the structure of political opportunity faced by the movement (p. 288). But what exactly constitutes this structure of political opportunity? Costain argues that movements only emerge when the federal government becomes more favorable and supportive towards the members and goals of the movement. Thus, according to Costain, the mild support of the government was instrumental in the psychological preparation of the movements members; a favorable government encouraged women to realize that there was a possible political solution to their discontent. In this way, at the base of every successful social movement, Costain establishes a prerequisite of an increasingly favorable government (that spurs the psychological state necessary for a large-scale social movement). Thus, the government indirectly influences the formation of the social movement, and the social movement then pressures its (oftentimes reluctant) supporter to pass legislative or protective action. In Costains model, the government is the key figure in both the formation and the success of the social movement. While the government clearly plays an important role in almost every stage of the formation and proliferation of a social movement, I do not think that it is nearly so crucial to the birth of social movements. Indeed, I find Costains emphasis on government a sort of regression to the earlier elitist theories concerning the resources necessary for the success of a social movement. The national government is essentially an elitist institution. Federalism (combined with the basic prerequisites of contemporary successful politicians) makes a certain degree of elitism a necessary reality of American representative democracy. Thus, Costains paramount emphasis of governmental influence on the formation of social movement is not entirely consistent with political process theory. Furthermore, I believe that there is sufficient evidence that governmental support does not always precede the formation of successful social movements. While both the civil rights movement and the womens movement might both seem to superficially conform to the governmental support clause of Costains political process paradigm, this is certainly not the case with all movements. For example, a movement that is particularly hostile towards the government (or seeks to negatively influence the actions of the government) would probably find the government to be fairly unreceptive to their views. This type of negativity would remove the step of governmental support from the equation because it would be exceedingly illogical for the government to support a group that was fundamentally against it. Thus, when analyzing a movement that takes a stand against the direct actions of the federal government, we would clearly not expect the emergence of the movement to be preceded by governmental support for its cause. The anti-war

Language policy in Saudi Arabia

Language policy in Saudi Arabia Introduction Language acts as an important tool that makes sure there is effective communication. It is actually not easy to communicate without the spoken words. Language has its usefulness to human development as research has found. Actually it would be difficult for people to think and actually associate the things and concepts they come across.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Language policy in Saudi Arabia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The sharing of these ideas and concepts through language leads to the development of humans in general. Many countries therefore have their own crafted language policy, since language has been found to be crucial to society. To achieve this, many countries have established their national languages, and even official languages which they would expect its citizens to use. Education policy of the country therefore should be crafted to cater for language as it plays a major ro le in the society. In Saudi Arabia for instance, the national language is Arabic. This therefore means that most Saudis do communicate their thoughts using this language. However, in Saudi Arabia there are systems of education which teach English too, hence a crop of bilinguals in the country. This paper will actually look at the bilingual language policy in Saudi Arabia. The paper will in essence give a brief to establish a partial immersion program. All the issues to do with bilingual education will critically be presented so as to provide a rich background to the brief. Rationale Leaning of a second language has been viewed as a way of enhancing the cognitive development as to whether bilingualism, the ability to use two different languages, has any advantages. However, subsequent studies have shown an encouraging picture. In Saudi Arabia there are both private and public schools. Most private schools have embraced teaching of other languages. Due to the current trends such as gl obalization and general advances in information technology there has been a drive for countries to encourage learning of English language. English language has been dubbed the language of information technology since most of its codes and systems are designed in that language.Advertising Looking for coursework on languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This in effect has an impact on what the countries economic outlook will be since most of the trade is being done through the online markets with wider marketing of English speakers. Saudi Arabia being one of the market players in this globalised world is faced with the daunting task of making sure its citizenry is not left behind. Bilingualism has therefore got several advantages for the country. For instance in one study carried out in the US it was established that Latinos who were able to speak English as well as Spanish were doing better economically as compare d to the rest who were only able to speak one language Garcia ( 2009). Cognitive development of the learner has been seen to develop rapidly when a learner is exposed to another language. In fact it has been found out that bilingualism will aid the development of the brain such that the leaner can easily learn other concepts faster than that learner who has only been exposed to one language. This is especially true of a situation where the languages are used simultaneously. Lee (1996). A story is told of how a girl, Hildegard was subjected to two languages from her parents who spoke both German and English respectively. We are told that at the age of two years she could not differentiate between the two languages’ vocabulary but when she visited Germany, she was able to speak German very well and she was able to use more German vocabulary. When it was time to go back to America she spoke English well and English was her most dominant language, since her father could speak wit h her in English. The best thing to be learnt here is that she did not confuse the vocabulary or the different linguistic elements of the two advantages. It was from this observation that her father Leopold concluded that a child has an advantage if he or she is introduced to different languages at an early stage in life. Bilingualism can also lead to people being accommodative to other people’s ways of life. When one learns a language he or she also learns about the culture and ways of that community hence appreciating that community.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Language policy in Saudi Arabia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Sometimes back the Saudi government did not want to yield to the introduction of other foreign languages but of late the Saudi leadership has allowed the teaching of English to fight intolerance of other among the learners and allow for a more open and accommodative society to the other cultures. As the society moves towards global stage it is important for the citizens to freely communicate with the rest of the globe and the introduction of this bilingualism has had its advantages towards enhancing effective communication between members of different backgrounds. Saudi Arabia occupies a notable position in world affairs and therefore there is need for language policy that may be useful for multilingual society that is out there. This is seen in the diplomatic challenges that it faces. Ramirez (1985) argues that language is crucial for â€Å"the multilingual multicultural awareness in national security diplomacy and commerce†. Ramirez further observes that it is crucial for any society that provides product to have the language competence that will inform the cultural sensitivities around the globe. English language has gained an almost universal use all over the world. Many global higher education providers use English as their medium of instructi on Graber Stoller (1997).What is more crucial, international events are held in this language; not forgetting the large networking sites that have gripped the communication scene in the whole world. Saudi Arabia is not spared in this fast paced global onslaught. What is encouraging is that Saudi Arabia government has made a deliberate effort to move the education standards a notch higher. However there is need for a more results oriented program for the English language in the country. There are however, encouraging signs as the government now funds schools and now most schools are now teaching English language as an independent subject.Advertising Looking for coursework on languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The demand for English in Saudi Arabia is rising due to the advent of the information age. Parents on the other hand are willing to invest in it even organizing for private English language lessons for their children. Records further show that the Saudi government has increased its general funding for education programs through even provision of scholarships. According to Shamary (2008) most of the students are given scholarships to study abroad, in most cases United States of America. One can easily see the need for proper English teaching at elementary level. The Saudi government has therefore even gone further to adopt the English Proficiency test to monitor the quality of the English language. Cummins (1981) However I propose that for better results there is need for a proper immersion program for at the school level. It is well established that it is easier for a language to be acquired at a younger age than at a later day in life. That is why it is crucial for the program that is mandated to handle language to consider this. The advantages of learning while young are many. Firstly, it is easier for that learner to develop a native-like accent. Baker (2006). Secondly, the learners usually need a shorter time of learning to be considered proficient in that language. Another advantage could be that it is easy for the learner to acquire other skills faster as it aids cognitive development. Though an older learner can have the advantage of using the first language to draw from, it is not usually for such a learner to have a native-like accent. Actually, what the older learner may have may just be competence but not the performance. The partial immersion project I would suggest will be based at school level. First of all there is need to know what immersion is. Immersion is a type of bilingual education in which the learners from the majority language speaking group are instructed through the second language and their first language simultaneously. Lyster (198 7). In this program I would suggest that several main subjects are taught using English (L2) and Arabic (L1). In this case the students will be taught predominantly in English, which is the language that the students will be in the process of acquiring. The subjects could include Mathematics, Geography, History and all the science based subjects. But this will require a lot of cooperation. The program is unique as it will not only vouch for partial immersion, based on the background of Saudi Arabia. Factors and Variables There are several factors and variables that have to be considered in this program. Linguistic characteristics, coupled with how languages are interrelated play a major role in how fast learners can benefit from an immersion. For example, according to Garcia (2009) â€Å"†¦ Romance languages, such as Spanish and Italian, share characteristics, while Dutch, German, and Danish, as Germanic languages, have some things in common†. English and Arabic do not s hare these semblances; therefore there is need for an elaborate program to make this program a success. Attitudes of the communities and students should be considered. If in cases where there has been some skepticism, there is need for some enlightening by the government. It is good that the Saudi government supports its citizens to know about other languages as well. This is motivated by the accrued rewards for bilingual speakers. Economic factors that will go into implementing this program are to be considered. The good thing is that the government is funding students for this program, through grants and scholarships. There should be, however some challenges towards providing the relevant material. According to Garcia, there is need to look into the opportunity cost of the whole program. That means it should not just be about monetary cost, but other social challenges. Religious culture and ideology need to be considered. The Saudi set-up is that which epitomizes high Islamic devo tion. The culture is equally conservative as compared to that of the British people. By this, the program should majorly touch on those aspects of culture that do not contravene or contradict the Saudi culture. But it should be crucial for the learners to be informed that there are different cultures. Garcia (2009). There is also another major category known as the outcome factor. This involves linguistic factors and other social ones. But this program will focus on development of bilingual proficiency. This means that the goal here is to have two languages used. Language Maintenance This program will actually promote Arabic language maintenance, though English will be the target language. This is in line with the program as practiced in the Doha Academy in Qatar. This will be in such a way that, as the children are immersed in English, they will at the same time be exposed to strong Islamic religious studies and also the Arabic language. In class for example, separation of boys fro m girls in class will be maintained. This will ensure that by the time the children mature they will be bilingual. Since the Saudi Arabian context is a bit unique, I would suggest that the students are exposed to partial immersion in certain subjects this is due to the fact that it is important a most of the students may not have the chance to be exposed to the second language outside class. It is therefore crucial for them to be exposed to L2 as much as possible in class. However, the way the content is rendered should be accommodative. That means that there should be a lot of illustration done by the teacher to ensure that the concepts are acquired by all the students, especially in cases where there is need for concept elaboration, the instructor should take time to illustrate using both languages. It has been established that the Saudi Arabian students have a major problem at the phonological level. Oral proficiency has been the biggest challenge for the learners while using Eng lish for expression. To cater for this problem the program suggests that there is an early immersion, which means that at nine to ten years old, there should be an immersion program in place. This will handle the issue of phonological proficiency. We know from researches that native-like accent can only be achieved at this age. This is because English and Arabic differ in spelling to sound correspondences. So the earlier the learners are subjected to this language the sooner they develop the strategies aimed at mastering the challenges of phonological variations. In fact Lesaux Siegel (2003) feel that such phonological awareness does continue even as the learner grows. But such a program should be carefully implemented. The schools will be expected to have enough resources for the implementation of the program. These resources will include both the teaching and learning resources. The government should therefore have enough funds for such a program so as effective L2 learning is ac hieved. Another aspect of the program is that the language policy will be that which will require that a native-like proficiency is achieved. This should not be misconstrued to mean eventual abandoning of the culture of L1, but, language teaching should aim at oral proficiency in both languages which at the same time stressing the need for appreciating other cultures. Class size The class size should be a maximum of 40. For those that wish to create smaller classes have the freedom to do so. This will basically depend on the type of resources at hand. Traditionally classes in Saudi Arabia have always been smaller. This is good for teaching as it allows for an even higher teacher student ratio. The purpose of the program is actually directed at the learners becoming a proficient bilingual, while at the same time being competent in other subject areas. The program is designed to provide an additional language to the L1 of the learners. Brown Yule (1983). It is designed not to overshad ow the Arabic language. Actually it is not intended to replace Arabic but it is in essence designed to also enhance L1 and L2 skills mutually. The Saudi government supports Arabic language and therefore the partial immersion considers this. At some time there were fears from parents and some quotas that native culture is threatened by this. This is not true considering the design of this program is that while promoting the local culture, it provides an opportunity for the learner to be taught about another culture, hence achieving one of the objectives of the program. To even assure that the two languages are treated equally assessment is done in both English and Arabic, though instruction at later stages is done in L2. Content In this partial immersion in the school, there will be great emphasis on the content. Though content based learning will not be emphasized at elementary level, there is need for content based learning after year nine. Research has shown that content based ins truction plays a major role in acquisition of other competencies. First the students gain proficiency in language at a faster rate than those who use other non-immersion programs. Their performance in standardized exams has equally been noted. This is so because the concepts pertaining to the subjects are usually already familiar through their usual interaction in the language, not forgetting the role played by L2 in cognitive development as early observed. For this program issues to do with vocabulary, syntax and even phonology should be given credence. Another inference drawn from such performance is that through content-based instruction not only does one learn about language, but also content. They also experience increased motivation to learn as they are exposed to concepts using different medium. Also driven by increased chances of getting employment, many students usually have a heightened interest to excel in the second language and also other subjects in which the medium is used. Graber and Stoller (1997) have observed that language acquisition occurs in context and therefore since there is content based instruction provides a context through which meaning can be inferred communication is usually effective hence effective learning. This is unlike in situations where facts and notions are taught in isolation. The program will therefore provide material that is full of content to the learners. This will also provide the relevance needed for the learner to get meaning easily. Materials Another area that is of great use for the program has to do with the study material. Though this may pose a little challenge to the budget in the school, it is necessary that such is looked at seriously as it is critical to the success of this partial immersion program. There will be need for the schools to provide computers for the online interaction to aid first in motivation. These will also act as a platform through which the learners will see the importance and even p ut to practice what is learnt. For instance it could be instructive to ask the learners for instance to write and post their creative works online for the rest to enjoy. This will motivate many to develop that self drive to perfect their language. Proper language environments like the language laboratory should be in place so that every aspect of language can easily be handled, for instance aspects to do with phonological challenges that most Saudi learners encounter. It is not easy for the learners to achieve an almost native-like accent unless they are exposed to the proper articulation of the phonemes of the second language. The materials prepared for learning should cover different aspects. For example to cater for the cultural aspect it is crucial that the material used reflects the cultural attribute of the speaker of both languages. In most cased L2 culture should be taught since most of the students in Saudi Arabia only know of their culture. The Saudi government on top of o ffering scholarship it is important for it to put in more effort on providing sufficient fund to obtain the relevant material necessary for effective teaching of English. These will go a long way towards providing right charts, models, books, audio-visual equipment and many others. Assessment There should be clear assessment criteria in the program. One notable thing is that assessment should not be seen as a way of looking for mistakes, learners will first of all be informed as to the importance of assessment. The program will therefore adopt a flexible internal assessment. For example in creative writing, it is not important for the teacher to correct mistakes so that learners can freely release their full creative potential, without fear of their mistakes being pointed out. In other areas there should be external assessment that will be used to show the progress. This progress is crucial to the teacher as s/he will be able to identify some of the problem areas that need spinning. Saudi Arabian government has for example embraced an external language proficiency test too, which helps in benchmarking the standards with those of other nations in English language. Teachers The role of the teacher in this partial immersion program is quite important. Given the situation in Saudi Arabia, one can easily tell that for effective English language teaching, there is need for the teaching needs to be looked at in great detail. First of all there is need for teacher re-training so that most may become familiar with the needs of the program’s demands. This training could range from content handling, teaching methods, material preparation, lesson preparation and many others. Other areas that are of great concern have to do with handling the demands of L2 in school. Actually, the need for proper professional development should be a priority. This could be done through benchmarking with other models. In such cases the teachers could be exposed to how things are done in other model immersion programs abroad. Boutin (1993). The teachers may in turn come and induct the rest for the success of the program. The curriculum documents used should be specific and should reflect immersion program’s objectives. To curb a situation where the teachers may have reservations to bilingualism, there is need for in-service induction training that emphasize the need for bilingualism. There has been a situation where sometimes the school administrators and other staff may not be aware of the benefits of bilingualism. They may in the process fail to contribute the desired output to the language acquisition. For instance content taught by the science teachers can be backed by provision of an English language dictionary so that the students may equally get the vocabulary of the concept being taught in English too. Campaigns to enlighten the parents and the wider communication on the benefits of bilingualism should be carried out so that the program does not me et any form of resistance. When this is achieved, then learning will be smooth and learners will be motivated to learn the language and the culture of its native speakers. Lesson plans and materials relevant for the partial immersion program are supposed to be carefully crafted. That is why the teachers engaged in the program will be provided with ample release time to prepare lesson plans and arrange the other material necessary for lesson execution. The type of learning needs at various stages do vary with proper induction; the teachers handling the program should be equipped with the correct skills to master what is required at the different levels. For instance, learning usually varies from teacher centered approach at program inception and implementation to student centered as the students advance in the learning stages or classes. The level of language activities also varies with this stage development. Analysis This program will greatly aid second/foreign language acquisition since it considers the various aspects that are typical of the Saudi environment. First of all, the program as we are told, takes an integrated approach to learning. This means that no particular way dominates. The program did not consider total immersion approach. This is because the writing systems in English and Arabic are quite different. This would be disadvantageous in the long run, but the program has averted this and this is why it takes multi-stage approach. In the program only learners are introduced to content and outcomes that go along with that particular stage. What the program aims at is actually acquisition of linguistic skills that will guarantee achievement in the higher grades. The hybrid program also ensures that learners are exposed to the relevant material necessary for language acquisition. By this, the learners will for instance, know how to interact effectively online in the second language through exposure to the various aspects of culture of native Englis h speakers. Cognitive development is also enhanced when one is introduced to second language Macnamara (1966). Through this development, the learners will excel in both languages as they will discover that there is another medium which is worth exploring. With the government’s support for English language learning, enough resources that are needed for its acquisition will be greatly funded. These could be the teachers, books, rooms, computers etc. the program clearly vouches for a situation where the right resources are availed for proper language teaching. To achieve a native-like accent and proficiency, this hybrid program proposes that language be taught at different levels of complexity. This program, based on research carried out earlier, advocates for early exposure of the learners to the English language specifically this should be at the elementary school. Another major area that will provide effective acquisition has to do with content. The program has gone to a grea ter detail in elaborating the content areas that will be given credence. It has for example singled out the areas such as vocabulary acquisition, phonological aspects and even the syntactic aspects that need serious attention. This conclusion is based on several findings that had established that these were the problem areas by Saudi learners. To add on content is the content-based instruction. This approach will assist learners to develop concrete meanings derived from concrete experiences that they are subjected to. It has long been established for learners to conceive meaning from abstract concepts. But in content-based approach, the learners are able to get the ‘form’ of what is being talked about, and by this, it will be easy for them to remember the concepts that are learnt. Perhaps the vocabulary aspects in this situation usually are the greatest beneficiary. This is so because the learning activities may include the teacher preparing the learners to the vocabula ry that may be encountered in the lesson, and this will aid in comprehension of the concept while at the same time enhancing language acquisition. In practice, the program has put a lot of emphasis on the teaching needs of the program. It has been long established that Saudi government has had its share of staffing problems. First of all, this has been occasioned due to the high demand for English by students, thereby stretching the available number of teachers. Boutin (1993). There is also another problem where some of the expatriate teachers who are taken as mentors are not trained teachers. Another challenge has been that even the teachers who are trained, may lack the requisite knowledge to handle this partial immersion program. This program has noted this plus many other challenges and vouched to teacher re-training/induction to handle the peculiar challenge that the English language requires, under this partial immersion program. Another crucial milestone that the program has put is that of assessment. We are told that at times to put assessment in all aspects of language learning may at times hinder advancement. This is true in the creative writing. By leaving out assessment in such may encourage the students to expose their creative prowess, thereby develop the motivation and the competence to acquire the language. Due to the revolution in technology, the program has embraced learning that encourages the interaction of the students with technology. This could be through posts on the internet networking sites and generally, exposure to the potential that the language exposes one to. It can take the learner beyond the national boundaries. Armed with this awareness, the learner develops the impetus to master the language even more. The class size has a big impact on the language acquisition. A larger class is detrimental to learning as it diminishes individual attention. The program guarantees that a class of no more than thirty five is permitted. Reasons for the content areas to be taught The content areas that have been selected in this program are varied. One major reason is the level of the learner. The learner is given tasks that s/she can manage according to the level. Another reason is that phonological aspects have been found to be a major problem with Saudi students. Since Arabic, which most students speak, has a quite different phonological system as compared to English. It is this radical variation that gives the students a lot of trouble when they learn English. Syntactic aspects have also been given credence in the study. The reason as to why that is so is because many Saudi learners, research has established have a lot of trouble with verb agreement. This could be perhaps due to the diverse sentence structure between Arabic and English, the target language. Conclusion This partial immersion program is set up with very ambitious English language fluency goals. It is for this reason that it advances the notion of early e xposure to language aimed at enhancing a native-like fluency. Fluency in language has been known to be achieved only if the learner is exposed to language at a tender age. The program has set up proper mechanisms through which learners are motivated to learn the English language without any external inhibitions and interference. That is why it propagates for adequate provision of learning and teaching resources. The program has not also forgotten to reflect the benefits of proficiency, keeping in mind the technological, social and even economical global trends that are currently taking shape. Ultimately, the program shows that to increase the numbers of the learners who are proficient in English, there is need for careful attention to the policy of English of the Saudi government. There is need for total revamping of the whole education policy regarding language since second language proficiency has benefits that are unfathomable both to the learner and the nation at large. Referenc e List Baker, C., (2006). Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. New York: Multilingual Matters. Boutin, F., (1993). A Study of Early French Immersion Teachers as Generators of Knowledge. Foreign language Annuals, 26, (4), 511-525. Brown, G., Yule, G., (1983) Teaching the Spoken Language. New York. Cambridge University press. Cummins, J., (1981). The Role of Primary Language In Promoting Educational Success For Language Minority Students. In California in State Department of Education. Schooling and Language minority students: A theoretical framework. (PP3-49). Los Angeles: California State University, Evaluation, Dissemination, and Assessment Center. Garcia, O., (2009). Bilingual Education in the 21st Century: A Global Perspective. New York: Wiley- Blackwell Grabe, W., Stoller F., L., (1997). Content Based Instruction: Research Foundations. New Jersey: Cengage Hakuta, K., (1986). Mirror of Language. The Debate on Bilingualism. New York: Basic Books Lee, P., (2006). C ognitive Development in Bilingual Children: A Case for Bilingual Instruction in Early Childhood Education. The bilingual Research Journal, 20 (34) 499-522 Lesaux, K., N., and Siegel, S., L., (2003). The Development of Reading in Children Who Speak English as a Second Language. Lyster, R., (1987). Speaking Immersion. The Canadian Modern Language Review, 43, (4), pp. 701-717. Macnamara, J., (1966). Bilingualism and Primary Education. New Jersey: Cengage Ramirez, G., A., (1985). Bilingualism through Schooling: Cross Cultural Education for Minority and Majority Students. New York: SUNNY PRESS Shemary, A., (2008). Saudi Arabia: US Preferred Destination for Students, Ashraq, Alowsat. Snow M., A., Brinton, D., M., (Eds). The Content-Based Classroom: Perspectives on Integrating Language and Content (PP5-21). New York: Longman.

Why you should share your opinions out loudâ€not over email

Why you should share your opinions out loud- not over email Who among us hasn’t been in this situation: You receive an email or text from someone you know and wonder, â€Å"What did they mean by that?† â€Å"Are they mad at me- or maybe they were just in a rush† The truth is, although email has made it easier than ever before to send and receive messages with all of the people in our lives- from friends and family members to professional contacts and more- it can be argued that the ease and convenience we’ve gained from modern forms of conversing have been offset by an unfortunate increase in a more impersonal approach to communication, and more opportunities for the mistranslation of a message’s meaning and intent. For humans- and for all animals, really- things like context, body language, and emotion factor heavily into how messages are delivered and received, and when these things are taken out of the equation, which happens when communicating over email, trouble can ensue.According to a recent Psycholog y Today article, â€Å"Research by UCLA psychology professor emeritus Albert Mehrabian found that 7 percent of a message was derived from the words, 38 percent from the intonation, and 55 percent from the facial expression or  body language. In other words, the vast majority of communication is not carried by our words alone†¦Not surprisingly, research shows we communicate most effectively in real-life, real-time conversation.†Just think about it- if only 7% of our messages are derived from the actual words we use, that’s a whopping 93% that’s left to speculation, guesswork, and possible misinterpretation when we communicate over email without the helpful cues that face-to-face communication provides!This gets especially important when you’re talking with someone about a potentially controversial subject or have opposing views on a topic. According to a recent article on Ladders, when we’re facing someone with a point of view that’s i n opposition to our own, we respond more favorably and humanely when the conversations includes voice vs. words, which helps to keep discourse civil.The Ladders article suggests that vocal communication may be a better vehicle for controversial conversations because â€Å"those vocal tics of inflection, intonation, and normal pauses humanize us in ways that get lost over a text message where emotion is implied in emoji and punctuation, and tone is easy to miscommunicate†¦If you want your controversial take to be seen as more than mindless drivel, get off your keyboard and give the person a call.†This information can have a profound effect on how we operate at work. These days, so much of our work lives are spent alone at our desks, silently typing away a volley of email missives on our computers and phones all day. With the volume of email we send out, it would be quite a challenge to stop and think about how each and every message we send will be construed by every rece iver- that would be exhausting!Therefore, some general rules of thumb might be helpful here: use email when sending simple and straightforward messages that are free from emotion, critical evaluation, and potentially controversial opinions. If your messages do contain these items, consider stepping away from your keyboard and engaging in a face-to-face conversation- old-fashioned perhaps, but it just might save you from an uncomfortable, awkward, or embarrassing situation.

Why does work matter for modern societies Essay

Why does work matter for modern societies - Essay Example The complexities of the modern world have also led to people changing their forms of production in order to fit into the world. Modernity has led to a change in labor division from the usual organizational division of labor to social divisions. Divisions of labor have changed and there is a clear varianceamid the pre modern societies and the modern societies. In the pre modern societies, labor was divided based on social units, similarity and familial basis while in the modern world it is divided based on market, state and the civil society. Work is important to the modern world since the modern world has brought about a lot of social differentiation and hence increasing structural complexity. Despite each individual participating in different careers, work holds the society together and wipes away their differences. The pre modern societies were faced with similar challenges, problems since they all belonged to similar locations, families, religion and their levels of education were equal a situation termed as mechanical solidarity. However, in the modern society, people are very different and they have to inter-depend on one another in order to survive. The modern population has different abilities and each human being can do something in a unique and better way than another. This characteristic of the modern society makes it important for every human being to work so that they may serve another human being in their area of specialty and at the same time, get services form other human beings in their different areas of specialty. The pre-modern societies were undifferentiated since they shared strong beliefs and sentiments and this characteristic is termed as collective conscience. The modern societies have a characteristic of being more differentiated due to them having less defined beliefs a nd sentiments but instead have norms and values. This characteristic of the modern society being different and in some way

Teaching Citizenship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Teaching Citizenship - Essay Example Citizenship, exclusively, is both a discrete subject and also a culture - which is a way of living with its own distinct set of values, attitudes and nature which supports continuous lifelong learning. Since citizenship education is so completely new to the curriculum in most schools, the timetable contexts in which it takes place are likely to vary quite considerably. 'Many schools are recognizing the wider benefits of citizenship and offer 'special themed days' with a collapsed timetable and specialist speakers. In some schools, citizenship may be part of, and an extension to, existing programme of Pastoral, Social and Health Education (PSHE). In others there may be timetable slots quite explicitly labelled 'Citizenship'. In yet others, the requirements of the citizenship curriculum may be addressed within a framework of 'Humanities' teaching. Still other schools may decide to address citizenship in a totally 'embedded' cross-curricular way, identifying specific elements of the citizenship curriculum to be included in individual subject departments' schemes of work. Some schools are taking the opportunity to reflect on their organisation and are embracing a citizenship ethos in which citizenship concepts and knowledge are developed through active participation and greater learner responsibility. These schools have effective schools councils, student consultation and representation, shadowing, specialist student training, peer work, whole school special focus days, local and national student elections, involvement with other schools and links with the wider community including their local councilors and MP. Trainees on the course are encouraged to see themselves, first and foremost, as citizenship teachers capable of straddling most, if not all, of the fields of knowledge and pedagogical approaches to which reference has been made. Realistically, and in order to build a viable personal teaching timetable while on school experience, there may be a need to undertake some work in a 'traditional' subject allied to your degree specialism. Some students, (for example, those with degrees in psychology or sociology), may be able to contribute to post-16 teaching in these subjects. Trainees will need to be enterprising; prepared to take considerable responsibility for their own professional development; daring enough to want to shape the future of citizenship education; and dedicated to (and preferably with some successful experience of) 'making a difference' to the lives of young people'. (Graduate School of Education, Copyright 2007 - University of Bristol.) Teaching Citizenship through history: 'Citizenship and History can be seen as natural partners - this was confirmed by Sir Bernard Crick, the founding father of the modern Citizenship education movement in England: " My personal view, that I have had to be a little bit discreet about at times, is that of all the other subjects History may have (should have) overall the greatest role to playSeeley

The Historical Geography of Mesopotamia Essay -- History Iraq Papers H

The Historical Geography of Mesopotamia Mesopotamia is a historical region in southwest Asia where the world's earliest civilization developed. The name comes from a Greek word meaning "between rivers," referring to the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, north or northwest of the bottleneck at Baghdad. It is known as Al-Jazirah, or "The Island," to the Arabs (3). South of this lies Babylonia. However, in the broader sense, the name Mesopotamia has come to be used for the area bounded on the northeast by the Zagros Mountains, and on the southwest by the edge of the Arabian Plateau, and stretching from the Persian Gulf in the southeast to the Anti-Taurus Mountains in the northwest (5). Only from the latitude of Baghdad do the Euphrates and Tigris truly become twin rivers, the "rafidan" of the Arabs, which have constantly changed their courses throughout the ages. This region was the center of a culture whose influence extended throughout the Middle East and even the rest of the known world. This paper will focus o n the importance of geography in raising this small region to such a level of high importance in the history of the world. Explanation of the Applicable National Standards for Geography The National Standards for Geography are being employed into school education programs throughout the United States. The source for the standards is Geography for Life in which they are published. The book suggests the essential knowledge, shills and perspectives that students should master by grades 4,8,and 12. One of these such standards is "knows and understands the physical and human characteristics of places." This is very important to the extent that people cannot fully understand a place unless they first ... ...peoples. The geography of this area certainly played a central role in the importance and influence of these lands. Geography has had a heavy hand in the culture and history of Mesopotamia, as it does in all areas of the world. Works Cited 1. Fertile Crescent Civilizations. http://killeenroos.com/1/mesodata.htm (4-27-99) 2. Fertile Crescent Home Page. http://www.leb.net/~fchp/FC-MNFM.HTML (4-27-99) 3. Kramer, Samuel Noah. The Sumerians. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1963. 4. Mallowan, M.E.L. Early Mesopotamia and Iran. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1965. 5. "Mesopotamia." Encyclopaedia Britannica: Macropaedia. 15th ed. 1997. 6. Oates, David. Studies in the Ancient History of Northern Iraq. London: Oxford UniversityPress, 1963. 7. Oppenheim, A. Leo. Ancient Mesopotamia. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1964.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Mr. Darcy Overcoming His Pride

Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen in the 19th century, tells the story of an upper class man Mr. Darcy over coming his pride, to fall in love with middle class Elizabeth Bennet, who agrees to marry him after getting over her own prejudicial issues. The story is set in the early 1800’s in England, when class and social order were very important, and people married for money and social status. Austen has written the book to criticize and poke fun at some of these ridiculous values in a satirical way, and positions the reader to see that marriage isn’t about money or social status, but true love. Through the way Jane has written the story and constructed the characters, as a reader we are positioned to respond agreeably to the ways in which she has represented ideas and portrayed stereotypes and customs based on the social standings and issues of the regency era. In Pride and Prejudice, one of the main themes focuses on marriage. Austen believes that marriage should be for love, not for financial and social stability. Austen has constructed juxtaposing couples to portray how couples that marry for true love continue to love and live happily, while couples who marry for money and status end up miserable. There are several characters in the novel that married for financial and social well being; Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins, Mr. Wickham and Lydia and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet- all constructed with negative personality traits. When Mr. Collins visits the Bennet’s house at Longburn- where he is heir to the estate, he is in search of a wife- preferably a Bennet sister as he feels a little guilty as they will be kicked out of their home when their father dies and he will inherit the estate. When Mr. Collin’s first proposes, it is to Lizzy, and his reasoning is completely lacking emotion and is based on â€Å"logic and convenience†, as he explained â€Å"My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly – which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honor of calling patroness. This dialogue shows that he is only thinking about his image as a clergyman, and how he would please Lady Catherine and help out the Bennet family at the same time. It was not love that would add to his happiness but more that he was doing something noble and would be seen in a good light by others. Austin portrays this sentiment of the era further when the reader sees how emotionless Mr. Coll ins is, after Lizzy’s polite â€Å"no thank you†, he persistently asks her, before finally giving up and three days later becoming engaged to Lizzy’s best friend, Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte who had deliberately set her sights on Mr. Collins, consoling him after he is declined by Lizzy, was 27 years old, and thought it was highly unlikely she would get a better offer of marriage. As she discussed with Lizzy, she was marrying for financial security and believed that â€Å"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. † When Charlotte saw Lizzy’s shocked face as she announced her engagement she responded with â€Å"Oh, hush. Not all of us can afford to be romantic. I've been offered a comfortable home and protection. There's a lot to be thankful for. This shows us that though Charlotte was an intelligent lady, she had a pragmatic approach to marriage with no sense of romantic attraction to Mr. Collins- that she â€Å"accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment†. When Lizzy visits Charlotte at her home in Kent, she basically tells Lizzy that she tries to get rid of her husband by sending him gardenin g and off on unnecessary trips- minimizing the time they spend together. Austen is showing us the ridiculousness of them marrying for social security and how in their relationship they barely even speak to each other. As a reader, we are encouraged to see the marriage between Mr. Collins and Charlotte as a prime example in supporting Austen’s focus on the idea that marriage should be for love not financial and social sanctuary. Austen has positioned readers to see these characters as the pragmatists of the novel. Readers are not really encouraged to like these characters. Austen leaves us, as readers, respecting Lizzy’s decision to marry for love and feeling contempt and disdain for Mr. Collins and Charlotte and their choice to have a loveless, unhappy marriage. In Pride and Prejudice, Austen has characterized Mrs. Bennet and her daughter Lydia as silly, loud and frivolous characters, good examples of the foolish behaviour and values found in some of the middle/upper class women. Austen has characterized these characters to allow us as a reader to view them as ridiculous compared with Lizzy. Mrs Bennet is shown as a rude overbearing mother, who’s sole ambition in life is to get her five daughters married into the best financial and social position possible. When a single rich man Mr. Bingley arrives in Netherfield, Mrs. Bennet is set on getting her eldest daughter Jane to marry him. When Jane is invited over to the Bingley’s, her mother demands â€Å"†You had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain and you must stay all night†. When Jane falls sick, and must stay put at the Bingley’s, Mrs. Bennet is encouraged because â€Å"As long as she stays there, it is all very well†. This shows that Mrs. Bennet does not think about her daughter’s health, only about her best chance of marrying and gaining a rich inheritance. Lizzy who thinks her mother is been ridiculous, sarcastically comments â€Å"If Jane should die; it would be comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley†. Austen has used this line, to help establish the picture that we as readers begin to understand that Mrs Bennet is foolish, greedy and her priorities in regard to her daughter’s health and marriage are muddled. However as an alternative reading, we could interpret that Mrs. Bennet as only trying to help her daughters, as middle/upper class women would be thought poorly of, if they got a job, and if they had no inheritance, there would be no money source; so it was crucial that they got married at a young age to secure financial security. However Austin writes Lizzy’s character as overcoming these problems without this foolishness. As mentioned Lydia Bennet, like her mother is loud, frivolous and often an embarrassment to her family. She is the youngest of the Bennet sisters at only 15 and is portrayed as immature, silly and naive. Being the favourite of her mother, (as they are both so alike) Lydia is spoilt and has never really been taught how to act or behave in public. So when Lydia is given permission to go away to Brighton, Lizzy is not content, arguing with her father that â€Å"†Our importance, our respectability in the world, must be affected by the wild volatility, the assurance and disdain of all restraint which mark Lydia's character. This gives us as readers, a look at how she is viewed by respectable people in society through Lizzy’s dialogue we are encouraged to think the same. Lydia is also very flirtatious, as Lizzy goes on to describe her as â€Å"A flirt, too, in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond youth and a tolerable person; and from the ignorance and emptiness of her mind†. Through other people’s descriptions of Lydia, we as readers dislike her embarrassing and imprudent attitude. When Lydia elopes with Mr. Wickham, she puts the family name in tatters and does not even acknowledging the shameful thing she had done. The message that Jane Austen is trying to display is that the Regency Era had such strict and absurd behaviours, values and class discrepancies. Through using satirical techniques she has encouraged us as readers to respond by disliking the caricatures of Mrs. Bennet and Lydia, as they help represent the ridiculousness of the society during that period. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen is a romantic novel, which challenges and ridicules the era in which it was written, the early 19th century. Austen, has used satirical language and irony as main literary techniques, to help form the ideas of how she viewed the society. Jane’s perspective was that marriage should be for love, not financial security, and that social status and class; including their roles, values and manners, played a much too important part in defining the society. Through the over exaggeration of stereotypical people from this era, Austin has successfully set us to interpret the characters, ideas and messages of the book to her understanding. As readers, we are compelled to dislike and laugh at many of the characters discussed, as they represent the negatives of period. Austen has successfully constructed this novel through these negatives and the positive characteristics of Lizzy and Mr. Darcy to ensure, that the audience is persuaded to feel strongly and agree with Austen on the messages that marriage should not be for social and financial stability, and that the society should not revolve around class and social status.