National Security

National Security: How Working Without Warrants Puts Us At Risk Samantha Schmidt English 112-L04 April 19, 2012 National Security: How Working Without Warrants Puts Us at Risk After 9/11, the whole country was sent into a tailspin. The fact that the United States, one of the most powerful countries worldwide, had suffered such a blow was mind blowing. The people were terrified. So too insure that a tragedy of that magnitude never happened again, the government put into place many new precautions.The most noticeable precaution would of course be the security in airports. What used to be a fast and simple process became a long, intrusive, uncomfortable experience. However, the biggest change is almost undetectable. To prevent another terrorist attack the National Security Agency (NSA) was given the ability to place individuals under surveillance. That means watching their emails, internet searches, and even listening in on phone conversations.In the beginning it was understood that the NSA would have to obtain warrants before placing individuals under surveillance, but as time passed it became apparent that the NSA often skipped the warrant process. If the NSA has the correct amount of evidence to give them probable cause against a suspect then they should be obtaining warrants. The National Security Agency has been providing important information to the US Military and major US decision makers since 1972. The NSA is responsible for a very large amount of information passed down the lines.The agency also enables Network Warfare operations in order to defeat terrorist organization foreign, and domestic. (National Security Agency, 2011) A warrant is a piece of paper giving law enforcement the ability to search, and seize items or information when probable cause has been presented (Search, 2010). When obtaining warrants, law enforcement must show enough evidence to prove that they have good reason to be interested in this certain individual. When one bypasses the ob taining of a warrant, they are endangering any chance of a conviction.Once a case gets to court, if it is discovered that the law enforcement agents acted without a warrant the case can be dismissed. If a terrorist is found, and brought to trial the evidence will be heavily examined, and the topic of warrants will come up. Once it is revealed that evidence was acquired without a warrant, the case can either be dismissed or the defendant could be found not guilty. Then due to Double Jeopardy, that same suspect cannot be tried again under the same charges. So proceeding in an investigation without a warrant can lead to letting a dangerous terrorist back into the public.In 2010, Federal Judge Vaughn R. Walker, ruled against the government stating they had violated a 1978 federal statute requiring court approval for domestic surveillance, when in 2004 they intercepted a message between a now-defunct Islamic charity, two of its lawyers, and Al Haramain. Judge Walker, Chief Judge of the F ederal District Court in San Francisco, ruled that the government was going to be held liable and would pay the plaintiffs for having been â€Å"subjected to unlawful surveillance. Judge Walker further displayed his objection to FISA’s action by stating it had â€Å"Obvious Potential for governmental abuse and over reaching† This was not the first time a specific wiretapping incident had been considered illegal. In 2006 Federal Judge Anna Diggs Taylor’s ruling of an illegal ruling was reversed on the grounds that the plaintiffs could not prove they were under surveillance, and therefore lacked the legal standing to sue. (Risen & Savage, 2010). Even when the NSA obtained warrants, they were often procured under spotty methods.In his 2006 essay; Big Brother Is Listening, James Bamford points out the flaws of the NSA’s warrant process. He gives the account of Jonathon Turley, a George Washington University Law professor who was employed by the NSA as a youn g intern. The FISA (Foreign Intelligence surveillance court), courtroom was hidden away on the top floor of the of the Justice Department Building (because even the location is supposed to be secret), is actually a heavily protected, windowless, bug-proof installation known as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility or SCIF.Turley recounted â€Å"I was shocked with what I saw. I was convinced that the judge is that SCIF would have signed anything that we put in front of him. And I wasn’t entirely sure that he had actually red what they put in front of him. But I remember going back to my supervisor at NSA and saying, ‘That place scares the daylights out of me. ’† The idea of judges signing warrant requests when they have not even read them and therefore, do not understand them is quite worrisome.When a judge signs a warrant, they must read to see if there is enough legal grounds to approve it. By signing without reading, a judge is giving the ok to watch these people having no idea if there was probable cause or sustainable evidence. When a judge is presented with a warrant application, they should have to read that application in its entirety. They should have to know that there is proof without a reasonable doubt that this person should be put under surveillance.They should fully understand the details and evidence of the case, and then decide if surveillance is really necessary. More important though, the NSA should always get a warrant before placing an individual under surveillance. Not only to protect our privacy, but to make sure the charges stand up in court. Even though the NSA is a government agency, they cannot bypass the rules of investigation. References Bamford, J. (2006). Big brother is listening. White F. D. , & Simone J. B.The well-crafted argument. (406-415) Boston, Ma: Wadsworth. National Security Agency. (2011). Retrieved April 18, 2012, from www. nsa. gov/about/index. shtml Risen J. , & Savage C. (2010, Ma rch 31). Federal judge finds NSA wiretaps were illegal. The New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from www. nytimes. com/2012/04/01/us/01nsa. html Search Warrants: An Overview. (2010). Cornell University Law School. Retrieved April, 17, 2012, from www. law. cornell. edu/wex/search_warrant

Behavior Change Paper Essay

Imagine a world where college students can step out of their school and walk into a McDonalds. Imagine a world where soda machines continue to make millions of dollars per year by placing soda machines in schools and universities. Imagine a world where in our society, approximately twenty percent of today’s youth are considered obese. Imagine a world where obesity is killing more people than smoking each day. Imagine this world as our reality. Worldwide, obesity is a growing concern due to a wide range of contributing factors, and is an epidemic that can be controlled if a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise and a well-balanced diet are maintained and incorporated into our everyday life. Because obesity is so prevalent in the United States especially the southeastern portion such as North Carolina, I decided to do my behavior change project on increasing my physical activity for six weeks by exercising at least three days a week, balancing my diet, and also substituting soda s and juices for more water. With obesity on the rise, I believe that it is very important to stay fit and maintain a healthy diet. Increasing my physical activity was definitely challenging, but I learned so much about myself throughout, and I am so grateful that I accomplished such a challenging task. In the past I have tried to accomplish this goal, but I noticed while doing this project, that I started to approach the same barriers that I did when trying to accomplish this goal once before. One of the main challenges was time management. I could never find the time to squeeze in thirty minutes to an hour’s worth of exercise when I had exams to prepare for, project deadlines, and working twenty hours every week. Who has time to exercise? When will I be able to exercise? Even though these barriers were hard to overcome, increasing my physical activity felt ten times better and helped reduce a lot of those constant stressors that I constantly kept experiencing. Obesity has become a serious public health concern affecting a significant portion of the population in countries such as the United States and ma ny other developed countries  throughout the world. According to the American Heart Association, among Americans aged 20 and older, over 154.7 million are overweight or obese. 79.9 million were men, and 74.8 million were women. Not only are American adults obese, but also our future children of America! According to the American Heart Association, 23.9 million children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years are overweight or obese with 33% being boys and 15% being girls. With these rising numbers, childhood obesity can potentially become the number one global killer around the world. The numbers of adult and childhood obesity are even higher among the African American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40% of the children and adults are overweight or obese. If we don’t solve this problem, one third of all children born in 2000 or later, will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. Many others will face chronic obesity related health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma (â€Å"Letâ €™s Move†). One of the many ways to reduce some of the obesity trends we see as health educators is to increase physical activity by exercising and encouraging at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Another way to encourage change in our clients is to push and influence the many health benefits of increasing physical activity such as: weight loss, stronger heart and lungs, increased bone density, reduced risk of heart disease and some types of cancer, temporary relief from daily stressors, more confidence about how we see ourselves, and more energy. Who wants to huff and puff just going up one flight or stairs, or jumping to get into our jeans? Increasing physical activity has many benefits that are not only physical, but mental as well. As a health educator, I would encourage my client to take physical activity one day at a time. Don’t bombard yourself with too much activity in one day that you become too sore to want to exercise the next day. Also, set goals! No goals are impossible and make the goals fit you! If you desire to lose weight, think to yourself what are you willing to sacrifice to accomplish this goal. How much do you want to lose? In what time frame do you desire? Another big advice that I would encourage is to organize your schedule! One barrier that I continuously experienced throughout this project was time management and finding the time to actually get out and get moving. One big accomplishment to overcome this barrier that I discovered was looking into my planner and planning out the times and days that I had enough time to  exercise. Not only organize, but also find an activity that you love and own it! One physical activity that I found fun during this project was yoga! Yoga really put me in a peaceful state of mind and it made me forget how much homework I had to complete at home or whether I paid my phone bill on time. I really connected with my body and loved it! Encourage positive self-talk! During this project, I found that I would negatively talk myself out of exercising because I would be too lazy or if the weather wasn’t on my side I would tell myself, â€Å"Oh no, can’t work out today because it’s too c old!† Always think positively! Start slow and tell yourself that you CAN do it and the want and inspiration to exercise will become natural. Throughout this project, I knew that I needed a PLAN. I needed something that would inspire me three days a week to either hit the gym or go outside and engage in physical activity. One way that helped me accomplish my goal was placing sticky notes on the refrigerator to go work out or a question of whether I exercised today or not. These sticky notes also inspired my roommate to engage in physical activity as well! Hey, I mean you have no choice when you are about to grab that ice cream to look at the door and say, â€Å"Oh man, should I really be eating this ice cream today?† â€Å"Did I work out today like I promised myself?† Knowing that I had a daily reminder to exercise really pushed me to go outside and get active or if the weather was a little sticky, I would encourage myself to work out inside by doing squats during commercials of my favorite TV shows or playing tennis on my Wii for at least 30 minutes. I knew that whatever I chose to do, I wanted it to be fun and inspiring to get me up and moving and change my lazy behavior especially when it comes to exercising. Also, completing my weekly checklist really hit home for me and could help me see trends in my behavior or common obstacles that I endured for that week. Not only did the weekly checklist help, but also writing a journal illustrating my journey helped me really become motivated and show how much I have changed from the beginning of not even thinking of exercising to loving exercising and how much fun it can be once you find the right activity that suits you and makes you want to move! This project really inspired me. I can’t believe that it is the end and I am a little sad. I had so much fun identifying why I wasn’t exercising and what I could do to change my behavior. I found some common trends in my obstacles from my weekly checklist such as: homework, time management, and  self-motivation. I knew that ba sed off these common trends, I needed to find some strategies that would influence me to work out. I found that organizing my schedule, placing workout gear in my car, and managing my time really helped me accomplish my goals. Also, my new puppy Lola helped inspire me to go outside more and encourage physical activity by walking Lola everyday and not only encouraging physical activity for myself, but also Lola as well. I want her to have a healthy heart and lungs! This project was very challenging, but I knew that with the right steps of motivation, I would complete it with no worries and also continue my journey! As a future health educator, I have learned that change is hard. This behavior change project really opened my eyes to how amazing changing a behavior can be and what a long journey it can be as well. This project helped me be able to identify a behavior and target what main reasons and goals can be set behind this behavior. I really enjoyed this project and it really helped me see that I can do anything that I put my mind to. I want to continue working out and you never know, I could be your next Baywatch babe! I would encourage my clients to set goals, stick with them, and if they see themselves slipping, to bounce back and get back to it like I did. Exercising can be fun when you choose things you love! I would tie my journey to the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change. the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) focuses on the decision-making of the individual and is a model of intentional change. The TTM operates on the assumption that people do not change behaviors quickly and decisively. Rather, change in behavior, especially habitual behavior, occurs continuously through a cyclical process. The TTM is not a theory but a model; different behavioral theories and constructs can be applied to various stages of the model where they may be most effective. The TTM posits that individuals move through six stages of change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination. For each stage of change, different intervention strategies are most effective at moving the person to the next stage of change and subsequently through the model to maintenance, the ideal stage of behavior. In the beginning, I can defi nitely say that I was in the precontemplation stage where I had no intention of exercising or changing my lazy behavior. I knew in my mind that I was not going to change and that this would be a waste of time, but then I entered the contemplation stage where I said to myself, â€Å"Hmm maybe I could  stop being a couch potato and see what exercising is all about.† As the project progressed, I entered the preparation or determination phase and got excited to get moving and start my journey of working out or doing some type of exercising three days per week. I set out a game plan and organized a schedule to motivate me to move and also get my roommate and puppy up and moving too! That’s when I took action! I got up and stayed focused on actually working out and staying healthy! I relapsed a few times, but I never let it get me down! I knew that increasing my physical activity would help me and I need to MAINTAIN it! Now, I am in the maintenance phase where although this project is over, I want to continue doing yoga and maybe look into some Zumba! A little shake shake shake can always get you up and moving and ready to start your day! This behavior change project has shown me that I can do anything that I put my mind to. I really enjoyed learning about myself throughout this entire process and so thankful that I have successfully decided to incorporate a little exercise in some way throughout my day. I have changed for the better in a way that I thought I never could. My parents are proud of me, my friends are proud of me, and most of all, I am proud of me. I overcame my laziness and actually found something I can possibly love in my own way and decided that I am a great person through it all. I have flaws and I also make mistakes that I am not proud of, but this is I. This is whom I am and changing has shown me that I can do anything and has given me a better insight as to who I am as an individual. This class has shown me with hard work and self-motivation, I can accomplish anything that is placed in front of me. This experience will always share a place in my heart and I will never forget the memories and life lessons that I have collected along my journey of becoming a better me.

Week 1 Discussion HUM 112 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 1 Discussion HUM 112 - Assignment Example Consequently, there are several well-known painters when it comes to Baroque style paintings representing not only the era of the period but also the flamboyant and rich culture. Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) created a portrait painting of a young woman. Emphasis of the portrait is placed on the various white accessories such as lace cuffs, gloves, coifs, and the large millstone ruff. In another different painting from the same period, describing the details of the woman costumes, the significance was accorded to the overall portrayal and appearance of a rich heritage. Moreover, another baroque painting by Portrait of Marchese Spinola, the female fashion is seen to have changed so much from 1630s and 1660s (Hill, 2011). The whole silhouette changed, from the elevated wasted gowns of 1630s to that of long and slender wasted in 1660s. Paintings that have been viewed clearly provide more details when observed keenly. They do not just represent the painter, but also the particular message being conveyed by each of the art viewed within that period. The baroque paintings are not just distinguished by the rare presentation of the surrounding, but also the messages that are successfully presented by the painters. Baroque style paintings remind me of Christian film and videos. Nonetheless, the work that distinguishes the baroque style paintings is contradictory and stylistically complex. Moreover, the desire of evoking emotional states through appealing to the senses in dramatic ways underlies its very manifestations (Hill, 2011). The qualities associated with baroque include sensuous, drama, grandeur, emotional, vitality, and tendency to blur the distinctions between various

Relationship between China and the United States Case Study

Relationship between China and the United States - Case Study Example And whatever the answer to these would surely rock the world. The relationship of the People's Republic of China (PRC) - to differentiate it from Imperial China to the China transformed by Mao Tse-Tung in 1949 - and the United States started bitterly, brought about by two diametrically opposed ideologies that each espouses: the United States, being the indefatigable monument of imperialism, and China, being the staunch ally of communist Russia. The world then was equatorially divided between imperialism in the west and communism in the east. And no one ever conceived that this demarcation would ever be radically altered. During this period (1949-1970) both nations regarded each other as intransigent enemies. The United States refused to acknowledge the PRC and denied China of its legitimacy being a nation by totally isolating it from the diplomatic community: it excluded China from the United Nations; it banned any trading with China; it fanned anti-communism and supported separatist movement within China (as what it did with USSR after the cold war) to divide the strong China; and it rallied South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and South Vietnam into a 'crescent-shaped alignment against communism', immediately communist China (Han-Yin Chang, 2000, p.62); that any ally having any diplomatic relations with China warrants the wrath of the powerful US. The U.S. depicted China to the world as repressive, fascistic, dictatorial, denying individual freedom that any one living in a democratic country, like America, enjoys. China on the other hand, side by side with Russia, was a front liner in the united front against US imperialism, all-out supporting national movements that decry U.S. colonialism. It was instrumental in the liberation of North Korea and North Vietnam. China portrayed the U.S. to the Chinese people and to the U.S. colonies, especially in Southeast Asia, that Uncle Sam - a derogatory depiction of the U.S. mocking it as an arrogant self-declared semi-god out to exploit nation's wealth and resources in the guise of benevolence - is nothing but a despotic aggressor, that would like to impose its hegemony over the peoples of the world. It perceived, and made all in its realm perceive, too, any U.S. action as an act of calculated subjugation and total exploitation. This marked anti-American sentiment lingers on among Chinese people until today. Such was the very hostile relationship of these two powerful nations that no peaceful gesture could lessen the tension, instead, if there was any, could have been interpreted as a mere ploy to thwart the other; that peaceful co-existence was unacceptable, because only one should rule the world. Each one representing the two contrasting ideologies, offered itself as the best social system to rule the world, both promising prosperity and humanization of society. Who could ever think that this would change' No one ever did, not even in any of these

Impact of Obesity on Students Grades Research Paper

Impact of Obesity on Students Grades - Research Paper Example The large potential of obesity is upsetting. The parents and teachers both must observe obese and overweight students closely. The regular method of avoiding obesity, for instance, promoting healthy food and physical activities must be continued. Extra body mass creates one of the most grave public fitness challenges of this century around the globe. At the present time obesity is not just a crisis of developed nations, but as well of developing nations. Verification is currently rising to propose that the occurrence of overweight and obesity is growing internationally on an alarming rate. Both developed as well as developing nations are affected. In addition, as the crisis seems to be growing quickly in kids and in adults, the accurate fitness results may just turn out to be completely evident in the upcoming times. Obesity has reached contagion percentages internationally and is a key contributor in the international trouble of persistent illness as well as disability. Frequently contemporaneous with developing nations with under nourishment, obesity is a difficult situation, with grave public as well as psychosomatic aspects, having an effect on almost all ages and socioeconomic factions. Increased utilization of additionally energy dense, nutrient poor foodstuffs with high amounts of sugar as well as saturated fats, together with lessened physical movement, have caused fatness rates that have increased three-fold or additional from 1990 in a number of regions of China, North America, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Australia and Asia. The obesity outbreak is not limited to developed societies; this raise is generally quicker within developing nations in comparison with the industrial world. ... e increased three-fold or additional from 1990 in a number of regions of China, North America, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Australia and Asia. The obesity outbreak is not limited to developed societies; this raise is generally quicker within developing nations in comparison with the industrial world. Obesity as well as overweight causes a main threat for severe diet connected persistent ailments, together with â€Å"type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer† (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 2005). The health outcomes range from bigger threat of early demise, to severe chronic situations that lessen the general quality of living. Of special worry is the rising occurrence of young person obesity. Previously taken as a crisis merely within high earning nations, overweight along with obesity are nowadays radically increasing within low- as well as middle income nations, ma inly within urban backgrounds. Despite the fact that the physical condition and health of every age group is significant, the developmental nature of teenage years causes particular contemplations and requirements for this group of people. Quick development and progress during teenage years creates fresh wants, for instance those linked with alterations within â€Å"body proportions, size, weight and image; emotional changes; new sleep patterns and needs; and social / peer pressures† (Wright et al, 2004). ‘Teenage years’ is a phase during which a lot of permanent patterns of conduct are made, together with physical condition help / ailment prevention behaviours as well as care seeking attitudes. The level, to which physical conditions as well as other services are obtainable, reachable and

Adapting transportation requirement to the population growth in the Case Study

Adapting transportation requirement to the population growth in the Central Florida Region - Case Study Example To plan for the Florida region with respect to the transportation requirements in the coming years, these important variables ought to be considered in detail: 1. Population projections of the region. The population, and their travel and the mode and method of travel, frequency, commuting and the specific requirement are important. 2. Travel demand and transportation requirements. The second factor after we analyze the demographic data is the ideal choice of transports, the method of commuting, tourist and other non regular travelers, and goods transport is to be chalked out. 3. Safety and infrastructure requirements. What is the driving, traveling, infrastructure safety to be considered? What is the fatality rate now, and how ought it be reduced? What structures have to be built and how the cost and benefit be used? 4. Cost benefit analysis Once we have all the data with us, we perform a statistical analysis of these variables and find a linear solution to the model creation for the transport planning for the region. 5. Analysis The analysis of the concept is then revised with the results obtained to present a workable model. The population, Demand & Projections Population and economy The Florida population is growing and the projections suggest that the population will treble and added to that are the tourists, settlers, immigrants expected on account of the development of the region as a commercial hub. According to the 2025 Florida Transportation Plan, â€Å"Florida has long been one of the nation’s fastest growing states. ... opulation over the age of 65 will grow to 5.8 million residents, an increase of 92 percent over 2004 levels and a dramatic increase in the need for specialized mobility options. - The state's employment base will grow to more than 11.6 million jobs, an increase of 45 percent over 2004 levels. The number of interstate and international visitors to Florida will exceed more than 92 million per year, an increase of 23 percent over 2003 levels. - The volume of domestic and international freight moving to, from, and within Florida will increase to 1.5 million tons per year, an increase of 78 percent from 2001 levels. This growth will continue to increase the demand for people and freight movement to, from, and within Florida. Current projections indicate the demand for nearly all modes of Transportation will increase at a higher rate than population and employment over the next two decades." 1 Urban areas are expected to grow and it is the urban areas that contain the most (90%) of the population. Over seventy five percent of the population commutes long distances to work. Not only commuting, but requirement of freight forwarding, both within the region and to other places is on the rise. The actual demand for freight movement in 2002 was in various segments of transportation as shown below. The survey indicates a future projection to the extent that Road transports will be: 54% and lifting of cargo by air - 74%, Through the railway 29%, and shipping 115%. Movement of freight by road is 85% by railway 65% and shipping at 48%. Rate of increase in the population is expected to be at 42% per 23.7sqm.2 "The state has been adjusting to the growth phenomenally well. For more than a century, Florida's transportation system has adapted to growth and changes in the state's

Strategic Human Resource Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Strategic Human Resource Management - Assignment Example The coverage of HRM also extends to a comprehensive approach to the workplace environment and culture, towards enabling the staff of the organization – participate actively and productively, in the overall direction of the organisation and the pursuit towards its goals and objectives. HRM has been shifting from the traditional administrative, personnel and transactional roles, which are often outsourced. The real purpose of HRM in today’s business world is to add value to strategic utilization of staffs, and that staff programs impact on the outcomes of the organization in measurable ways (Nkomo, Fottler & McAfee, 2010, p. 52). This leads to HRM metrics and measurements as well as strategic direction – towards demonstrating value addition. Strategic HRM as housed under the HRM function is designed to aid organizations – to best manage the needs of their employees, while promoting the goals of the company. It focuses around the proactive management of staff s. It involves envisioning and planning ways to meet the needs of the employees effectively – so that they can work towards meeting the needs of the organization in an effective manner. ... In the early 1980s, American Business School professionals published different articles and books in support of HRM concepts and the volatility of the business environment – which present heterogeneity and conflicts (Soderlund & Bredin, 2006, p. 249-251). Due to its many influences and the diverse origins, HRM encompasses central characteristics of importance to organizations: practice, individual, educational theory, industrial relations, practice, social and organizational psychology, and organizational theory (Soderlund & Bredin, 2006, p. 242-265). Till today, there is not any universally accepted definition of HRM and what it covers in every-day business. However, satisfactory definitions define the field as 1) a management responsibility that focuses on managerial functions 2) management philosophy that emphasizes on people treatment and 3) managing the interactions between an organization and its employees (Soderlund & Bredin, 2006). Due to the conflict in the theoretica l notion and the hypothetical discrepancy about the definition, the Mathis and Jackson (2011) defintion will be used for this review – as it better explains and covers major areas of the study. According to Mathis and Jackson (2011), it is the philosophy of managing staff resources, based on the understanding that human resources are vital towards the sustenance of business success. An organization creates competive advantage through using its human resources effectively – drawing on their ingenuity and expertise to meet organizational goals and objectives. The funtion of HRM is focused around the recruitment of flexible, capable and devoted

Mngement of high performnce tems nd time limits Essay - 1

Mngement of high performnce tems nd time limits - Essay Example For Shiseido, its s 50th Ð °nniversÐ °ry wÐ °s one of the remÐ °rkÐ °ble events in the history of the compÐ °ny. The compÐ °ny mÐ °nÐ °gement hÐ °d limited time to prepÐ °re this celebrÐ °tion Ð °nd needed high performÐ °nce teÐ °ms for this project. Shiseido’s mÐ °nÐ °gement wÐ °s Ð °frÐ °id thÐ °t on bÐ °dly plÐ °nned projects this stÐ °ge often involved considerÐ °ble negotiÐ °tion Ð °nd Ð °lterÐ °tion to the plÐ °n. It wÐ °s likely thÐ °t Shiseido’s wild hÐ °ve lots of chÐ °nges to mÐ °ke to the plÐ °n Ð °nd thÐ °t the mÐ °nÐ °gers did not reÐ °lly understÐ °nd the plÐ °n (Shiseido Home PÐ °ge 2007). The problem wÐ °s thÐ °t the Ð °nniversÐ °ry wÐ °s coming but nothing wÐ °s reÐ °dy for the celebrÐ °tion (Burkun, 2005). 2. To Ð °void too much chopping Ð °nd chÐ °nging Ð °t this stÐ °ge, Shiseido decided to involve the mÐ °nÐ °gers so thÐ °t this Ð °pprovÐ °l stÐ °ge becomes Ð ° formÐ °lity. To improve the situÐ °tion Ð °nd ‘sÐ °ve’ the project, Shiseido motivÐ °tes its workers finÐ °nciÐ °lly Ð °nd personÐ °lly, Ð °nd sets reÐ °listic objectives. The new objectives hÐ °ve motivÐ °ted Ð ° teÐ °m running the project, Ð °nd motivÐ °tion wÐ °s creÐ °ted by setting reÐ °listic tÐ °rgets thÐ °t the project teÐ °m. Its executive teÐ °m spent time with the people involved getting them to tell how things will work (FrÐ °me, 2002). 3. This situÐ °tion provides the opportunity Ð °nd motivÐ °tion for the compÐ °ny Ð °nd its employees to think Ð °heÐ °d Ð °bout the project they Ð °re undertÐ °king. This process tends to reveÐ °l problems Ð °nd therefore helps find solutions to them. Problems get solved while they Ð °re still smÐ °ll, remote problems (GrÐ °y Ð °nd LÐ °rson 2003). Few problems Ð °re overlooked Ð °nd left until they loom lÐ °rge. The more people thÐ °t the compÐ °ny gets involved in this thinking-Ð °heÐ °d process, the better the project will be. Shiseido cÐ °nnot get someone else to do it.

Media studies Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Media studies - Assignment Example However, with the current wave of commercialization, the media use the power they have over the audience to commercialize their services. Personally, I believe commercialization is harming the society instead of making it better. Commercialization has reached the point where the media are competing for audience by delivering top stories and headlines. It is a matter of who has more details regarding the story. Thus, the objective has shifted from informing the public to winning their loyalty through various persuasive techniques. Additionally, celebrities use media to market themselves and generate profits from the publicity (Seeck and Rantanen 8). As a result, these superstars and indeed journalists would go to all lengths to draw the crowd to their camps even if it means disregarding moral and ethical standards of the society. In addition, the media only focus on stories about celebrities, the rich, disasters, and controversies, which give them more viewership (Seeck and Rantanen 8). In turn, the viewer has become an active consumer rather than a mere passive listener by that completing the cycle of commercialization. Though the audience believes that it is a matter of exposure, the truth is that the media controls what they view and the information they are exposed to. Furthermore, commercialization of the media has created information overload because of several online and offline media elements competing for audience (Lecture Notes slide 4). In conclusion, commercialization has created a distraction in the society by promoting immorality and unethical

Terry J. Allen, “Reach Out and Track Someone ” Summary Essay Example for Free

Terry J. Allen, â€Å"Reach Out and Track Someone † Summary Essay Allen discusses ethical and legal implications of cell phone tracking technology. He begins by noting how this technology benefits emergency responders tracing the source of 911 calls then moves to showing how cell phone â€Å"pings† have been used to solve murder cases. Allen discusses how telecom companies and the government do not divulge the extent of their monitoring activities and capabilities. The legality of wiretapping, collecting cell phone records, and tracing cell phones is already being debated. On one side of the debate are those that worry about protecting individual’s privacy. On the other side are those that find that taking the time to process a search warrant can delay bringing criminals to justice. The author notes that the invasion of privacy is not just on the part of the government, but also in the hands of entrepreneurs searching to create profitable businesses. Article 2: Kate MacAulay, â€Å"Technology’s Peril and Potential,† summary MacAulay compares and contrasts viewpoints of two authors, George Ritzer and Sherry Turkle, in order to examine how values and morals are shaped my technology. Both authors make note of the negative effects of technology. For Ritzer these problems trickle down to the individual from a larger societal movement (termed McDonaldization) whereas for Turkle technology poses a threat to an individual’s self-identity and relationships with others. In examining the authors’ overall views on technological advancement, MacAulay finds that Ritzer is almost entirely pessimistic while Turkle has a more positive, balanced view. As Ritzer and Turkle both warn of the dangers technology poses, MacAulay advocates that we become aware of these dangers in order to use this technology in a safe manner, ultimately finding a way to use technology to become better people. Main Themes The main theme that these writings share is the recognition of the power of technology to impact our lives, both for the positive and the negative. Allen and MacAulay are similar in that neither takes a one-sided view of the issue; they examine the issue from both sides. Allen, however, seems to be more cautionary in warning of the potential of the technology to infringe on people’s privacy. The writings differ with regard to the types of examples the authors use to illustrate their points. Allen uses information from diverse sources: popular advertisements, murder trials, government edicts, etc. His examples speak more directly to the reader. MacAulay, on the other hand, is comparing the views of two published authors, with whom the reader is most likely not familiar. How would Author A respond to Author B? Allen would largely agree with MacAulay but would likely argue that it is perhaps a bit to optimistic to grant individuals that much control over how they use technology. As he states, businesses and the government have the capabilities to monitor how we use technology. We cannot use technology entirely in a personal manner. My Own Views After reading these two texts, I agree with the authors that technological advances come with some strings attached (including loss of privacy). I also agree with MacAulay’s discussion of the implications of creating alternate virtual identities (with regards to Turkle’s writing). These writings have not so much changed my view on the subject as much as they have provided evidence supporting my pre-existent views. However, I was not aware of some of the legal implications of cell phone tracking discussed by Allen. This discussion raises the question of how laws must be changed or re-interpreted to deal with issues that result from technological advances. I had also never thought of these issues from a top-down approach (as MacAulay discusses with regards to the phenomenon of McDonaldization). Now, I see the main controversy as being who holds the responsibility for ensuring that technology is used responsibly. Is it the consumer? Is it the government? Is it the businesses that create the technology? Views I Wish to Share After much thought, I have come to realize that the regulation of technology cannot be left to any one individual or group. These writings have given me greater understanding of the complexities of the issue, and as a user of technology, I am very much interested in ensuring that I use technology safely. The new perspective that I wish to share with my readers is that using technology is not necessarily an individual’s right. It is a privilege, and as a privilege, there are some conditions attached. If one is to use technology to create virtual identities different from one’s own, one has to take responsibility for how that identity impacts one’s relationship with the self and with others in real life. Similarly, if one chooses to use a cell phone, one has to understand that the possibility exists for the usage to be tracked.

The Operations Management In Hotel Equatorial Tourism Essay

The Operations Management In Hotel Equatorial Tourism Essay Operations management is a part of business concerned about the production of goods and services, and involves the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient in terms of using as little resource as needed, and effective in terms of meeting customer requirements. It is concerned with managing the process that converts inputs, in the forms of materials, labor and energy into outputs, in the form of goods and services. Traditionally, operation refers to the production of goods and services separately, although the distinction between these two main types of operations is increasingly difficult to make as manufacturers tend to merge product and service offerings. Jobs in services are often less structured than in manufacturing. Customer contact is generally much higher in services compared to manufacturing. In many services, worker skill levels are low compared to those of manufacturing employees. Services are adding many new workers in low-skill, entry-level positions. Employee turnover is high in services, especially in low-skill jobs. Input variability tends to be higher in many service environments than in manufacturing. Service performance can be adversely affected by many factors outside of managers control, such as employee and customer attitudes. Operations managers are concerned with each step in providing a service or product. They determine what equipment, labor, tools, facilities, materials, energy, and information should go into an operating system and how these inputs can best be obtained and used to satisfy the requirements of the market place. Managers are also responsible for critical activities such as quality management and control, capacity planning, materials management, purchasing, and scheduling. Operations management is getting important dramatically in recent years. Significant foreign competition, shorter product and service life-cycles, better-educated and quality-conscious consumers, and the capabilities of new technology have placed increasing pressures on the operations function to improve productivity while providing a broader array of high-quality products and services. With the globalization of markets, firms are recognizing that the operations function can be used to strengthen their position in the market place. Managers in operations management play a strategic and tactical role in satisfying customer needs and making their firms strong international competitors. Hotel Equatorial In this assignment, we will discuss about the operations management in Hotel Equatorial. Hotel Equatorial Corporate has a presence in three major Asia Pacific countries with seven properties in the group, located in the regions gateway cities. These three countries are Malaysia, China and Vietnam. Those Hotel Equatorial in Malaysia are located at Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Malacca, Penang and Cameron Highlands. However, we only focus on the operation management of Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur. Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur is located at Jalan Sultan Ismail. It is an international business-class hotel that emphasises efficiency, comfort, security and value for money, the Equatorial Kuala Lumpur also delivers genuine Malaysian warmth and hospitality. Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur is highly-regarded for its excellent food and beverage services. The 5-star Equatorial Kuala Lumpur is located in the heart of the citys commercial and entertainment district thats within walking distance to major offices, shopping malls, the Petronas Twin Towers or Suria KLCC and entertainment centers. There are total of 300 rooms inside Hotel Equatorial. All of them are equipped with modern amenities. The rooms are pleasantly appointed with details that will make guests feel at home. There are splendid suites that can provide customers ultimate privacy. Beside that customer also can have a choice of Presidential, Senator or Executive Suites to rises a level higher. There is also swimming pool inside Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur. Beside that facilities and services for guest convenience at Hotel Equatorial also include business center with meeting rooms and broadband Internet access, 24-hour room service, laundry and valet service, limousine service, currency exchange, doctor on-call, shopping arcade and basement parking. The Equatorial Kuala Lumpur is also renowned in the city for its award-winning restaurants such as the signature Golden Phoenix Chinese and Kampachi Japanese restaurants. The various food and beverage outlets found here are among Kuala Lumpurs most popular places for corporate or personal entertainment. Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur also provides professional conference facilities with the attentive backing of trained staff that attend to your individual meeting requirements. There are ballroom, function room and business center inside this hotel. Literature Review The hospitality industry today has been recognized as a global industry. Indeed, it has played a vital role in Malaysia in recent years in terms of the hospitality industry itself; to develop a better diversity environment and society, and even contributes to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) Malaysia. There are several types of hotel that have been recognized all around the world, such as budget hotels, apartment hotels, luxury hotels, resorts, and etc. There are other classifications of hotels; however, most of them will fall into one of these or a combination of these. Hospitality usually refers to the hotel industry; it is consider as a service by combining the accommodations, food and beverages services, recreation, entertainment sectors and even for the business purposes. Apart from that, hospitality is actually playing the relationship between a host and a guest by the acting and being hospitable to the public. Hepple, Kipps and Thomson (1990) reviewed the existing literature f or definitions of hospitality, and identified four characteristics of hospitality in its modern sense: (a) It is conferred by a host on a guest who is away from home. (b) It is interactive, involving the coming together of a provider and receiver. (c) It is comprised of a blend of tangible and intangible factors. (d) The host provides for the guests security, psychological and physiological comfort. As a staff in hotel, they have to ensure that they are providing the best service with a good attitude to customers; it will be one of the main challenges facing by hospitality management in order to attract the attention of tourists in this competitive market. In 2006, Chang demonstrates that attitude of employees is correlated with front-line employees overall performance quality in international tourist hotels. According to Chen (1999), employee training must encompass cognitive, affective, and behavioural preparation in order for staff members to effectively address diverse customer needs. Researcher has asserts that employees must be inspired to provide service that exceeds guests expectations (Mayo, 1997). Since a customers satisfaction is influenced by the availability of customer services, the provision of quality customer service has become a major concern of all business (Berry and Parasuraman, 1991). Services provided play an important role in hotel industry while welcoming tourists who come from different places with different requirement might take place. Service quality is so intangible that objective measurement is impossible; the challenge lies mostly in managing appearances and perceptions (Harvey, 1998). Gronroos (1984) found that the perceived quality of a service is affected by the experience that the consumer went through for a service. Among the studies that have examined the relationship between perceived service quality and consumption emotions, Wong (2004) found that service quality in retail services was positively associated with emotional satisfaction. As Bei and Chiao (2001) demonstrate, it was noted that it is generally accepted that a positive relationship exists between perceived service quality and customer satisfaction. Arnauld et al., (2002b, p.327) defined perceived quality whether in reference to a product or service as the consumers evaluative judgment about an entitys overall excellence or superiority in providing desired benefits Growth in the number of tourists leads to higher hotel occupancy rates, rapid hotel development (Wan Yim King Penny, 2007), whereas, consumers will concern about the facilities that provide by hotel. For example, there is an increasing complexity of modern technology, buildings and systems, rising employee expectations regarding the quality of working life and conditions, mounting customer demand for value-added services, and increasing governmental legislation to ensure health and safety as well as a growing pressure for reducing operational costs and improving competitiveness (Alexander, 1996). These changes create new challenges and responsibilities for hotel industry in managing the workplace. According to Ahmed Hassanien and Erwin Losekoot (2002) declared that most of the owners and operators of luxury hotels understood the importance of facilities that should be provided in hotel in order to meet consumers expectations and competition pressures, yet, that appears the problem in strategy planning with regard to facilities management in hospitality. Due to managing facilities well, therefore, it can helps to improve a hotels efficiency and adds value to their performance and services (Okoroh et al., 2002, p. 239). The number of customers will increase because of the good environment that have provided in the hotel. Apart from that, many hotels are having difficulty increasing their market share because of rising international competition, slower growth rates, decreased population growth, and oversupplied and mature markets. Therefore, brand loyalty is very important to hotel industry. According to Reichheld and Sasser (1990), every 5% increasing in customer loyalty can increase the profitability from 25 % to 85%. To maintain customer relationship is one of the vital parts that a hotel wants to survive in hotel industry. Loyal customers are best for hospitality firms because they are easier to serve than non-loyal customers, and they provide higher profitability (Mustafa Tepeci, 1999). Hotels will increase sales and their market shares by decreasing prices, expanding their distribution channels, launching promotional campaigns, and retaining their current customers (Cravens, 1994) to compete with other competitors. In conclusion, as customers satisfaction is widely accepted, the market share of hotel industry will increase. However, low customer demand, lack of hotel managerial knowledge will affect the operation in the hotel. As hospitality firms also face strong competitor environment, therefore, managers may perceive strong customer relationships. It is worth noting, though, that as markets become more competitive firms may have to become more market-oriented simply to survive. With the globalization of the hospitality industry and rapid changes in technology, market turbulence is likely to increase. In the longer term, as hospitality firms become more market-oriented and customer-focused, they are likely to reap other benefits including improved brand awareness, customer satisfaction and loyalty. Operation Strategies Operation strategies means companies and organization making products or delivering services, be it for profit or not for profit relies on a handful of processes to get their products manufactured properly and delivered on time. Each of the process acts as an operation for the company. To the company this is essential. That is why managers find operations management more appealing. Therefore, Hotel Equatorial has their own unique operation strategies in operate their business. Advertising and Promotion Hotel Equatorial have a marketing team whereby they understand the hotel very well from the hotel mission, vision, goal to the products or services offer to the customers. Therefore, marketers or would able to explain well and with confident to the customers. Thus, it would able to attract customers as customers will feel more confident with the hotel services. When customers feel comfortable and confident with their services, they will continue come to hotel for next time tourism or trip and recommend it to their family and friends. Indirectly, Equatorial Hotel have free promotion from their customers to their family and friends as word-of-mouth are more useful and convincing other than promote by their marketers regarding their hotel services to the customers. Quick Respond Other than marketing team Equatorial Hotel have customers service team whereby they will answer all the customers enquires and complains regarding hotel services. The team will respond to the customers enquiries as fast as possible as it shows how efficient the hotels and it shows that our hotels appreciates the customers. They will also accept customers opinion because they know that the reason why customers give the hotel their opinion is because the hotel services and facilities provide by their hotel or some problem they face when they stay at our hotel. It is one of the ways to bring in or improve and update the hotel services to customer. Besides, quick respond to customer is one of the competitive advantages to Equatorial Hotel compare to other same industry competitor. Customer wants and needs Customers are hotel main priority. There are various ways for us to identify customers need and want such as through survey or research. Hotel Equatorial will be able to attract more customers to the hotel when their trip or other purpose when hotel understand their wants and needs. Thus, it is important for them to understand and identify customers need and wants. Hotel Quality Quality may refer to material, facilities, and customer service delivery. In Hotel Equatorial services, quality refers to the service that they offered to the customers. Standard of quality service will be stated clearly and will be well informed to all the employees from manager, marketing team to customer services team. The main purpose is to make sure the customers are satisfied with the service provided and the quality of the hotel services. Besides, Equatorial Hotel will provided training to the employees in order to make sure that the level of service is up-to-standard and keep the employee update and make sure customer satisfied with their hotel services. Management level There will be a hierarchy in all the work place and so do Equatorial Hotel services. It will be divided into Presidents which is the largest shareholder followed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Going down would be the manager and assistant manager followed by the employees. Managers and worker which in this case will refer to the manager or supervisors are the one who deal with customers. Competent among the workers and motivation from the managers would able to increase the level of services offered. The employees would do their best as they want to be the most outstanding employees. Supply Chain Management There are various departments in Hotel Equatorial services. In order to be cost-effective, the company will have internal phone calls whereby the employees may used it for working purposes and internal extranet where they employees and the managers may contact each other through webcam or mail. Furthermore, internal phones and internet able to help the company save cost besides times. Forecasting Forecasting is the process of estimation about the future value of a variable of interest which actual outcome has not yet been know or observed. A forecast process is usually carried out in order to make a decision or planning the future of a company. Forecasting can let the company modify the behavior or strategy to be in a better position if they able to forecast the future of company. Forecasting is important and cannot be neglected in all industries. Thus, hotel industry is also not an exception. The hotel industry is sensitive to fluctuations in demand because of the structure of business. Forecasting in demand has become an important mission in hotel industry because of its nature of business and business characteristics. The crises of a hotel is always appear because of the unexpected in demand reducing. It is needed to predict demand in a hotel to increase occupancy rate not only because of fluctuations that will appear. Forecasting is important to the hotel industry to predict the customer demand in a period, the length of staying and hotel room demand over time. There is a need to know the qualitative and quantitative aspects of demand due to group customers because forecasting in a hotel has a different for group customers and individuals. The accuracy of a forecast will be higher as the hotel always repeats the forecasts during a month. The data that can used to forecast are when the room was consumed and when the reservations was made. The reservation of room and consumption of room can provide extra information for the hotel manager to update the forecast. If fail to do so, the manager only can rely on historical information on the room booked and daily number of guests. Weighted Moving Average There are many methods of forecasting in hotel industry. One of the forecasting methods is weighted moving average. This method is quite frequently used in hotel forecasting. Weighted moving average model is a time-series forecast. It is usually popular for a short term time series forecasting. Weighted moving average is a forecast method that the value for a given time period is replaced by the weighted mean of that value and the values for some number of preceding time periods based on an artificially constructed time series. The formula for weighted moving average is below: Weighted moving average method is able to clear up peaks and troughs in the observations. Moreover, weighed moving average can get a content result than other forecasting methods when the time series to be forecasted encompass trend. Thus, the hotel manager might obtain a better forecast result when there is a trend. It is very suitable to use weighted moving average in a forecast when the data indicates a cyclical pattern around constant trend. It tends to closer to the trend. The more accurate result can get to forecast the customer demand. It is reliable to use to predict few periods in the future. On the other hand, weighted moving average is less weight to the older data and prefers to weight the recent data. The hotel manager should emphasize more information of customer demand on recent period so that the forecasting can proceed smoothly. Weighted moving average method is more susceptible than other methods such as simple moving average because of it is emphasize on recent data. Rely heavily on recent data also allow weighted moving average to provide stronger and earlier signs to trend direction and reversal. Hence, it will manage to response more quickly to changes. The hotel manager needs to change the weighted factors as the time series pattern is changed. The weighting factors are the key in weighted moving average methods and the accuracy of forecast is relying largely on it. Weights are distributed to the previous periods in the weighted moving average. It is important to note that the sum of the weights must be equal to one and it is weights heavily on recent period . Weighted moving average can provide a better volatility in a forecast and it will able to increase the contribution and effect from recent data. Reason of Weighted Moving Average not suitable to forecast customer demand The weighted moving average is not suitable to use to forecast the customer demand because this method does not come out with an actual equation. Hence, this method is not very useful as a medium-long range forecasting tool to predict the customer demand. It is only credible to use to predict a few periods into the future. Weighted moving average method also has a more complicated calculation at each step of the procedure which may lead to intricate to manager in a forecast process. Moreover, it will always appear to lag behind either increases or decrease in the observed value or data since the forecast value for a period is a weighted average of the previous periods. It might cause the hotel manager unable to obtain the forecast result on time. The other reasons that weighted moving average are not suitable to predict customer demand is this method is not adaptive. Thus, it might affect the accuracy of the result. Improper selection of the weights will also have an effect on the re sult of customer demands with errors. The weighted moving average is difficult to construct. Hence, it is time-consuming for a manager to adopt it in forecast customer demand. In addition, weighted moving average is more suitable in short term time series forecasting. The result is unreliable if forecast in a long time horizon. NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Forecast However, there is still a forecast method which is more suitable to predict the customer demand in a period, the length of staying and hotel room demand over time. NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve forecast is a techniques used to forecast future trends, for example the demand for a product. The result of naive forecast for a time period is equal to the previous time periods value. It is a simplest forecast method and use single previous value of a time series as the basis for a forecast. According to Fred Tolbert (2002), a simple forecasting techniques work better than complex ones. Typical naÃÆ'Â ¯ve models include the moving average, which forecast equals average of last year actual demand and the random walk, which forecast equals last weeks actual demand. Seasonal naÃÆ'Â ¯ve can be used with seasonal data and postulates that the next periods value is equal to the value of the same period in the previous month. The MAPE achieved by a naÃÆ'Â ¯ve forecasting method depends entirely on the volatil ity of the demand pattern it is applied to. Smooth patterns will have a lower MAPE than seasonal and erratic patterns. Performance of the naÃÆ'Â ¯ve forecast establishes the level of accuracy that is reasonable to expect for a given demand pattern. The naÃÆ'Â ¯ve forecast method is suitable to use to forecast the customer demand because this method does come out with an actual equation. It is an easiest method compare with weighted moving average method. NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve forecast do not involve any complicated calculation and make the managers work easier. Furthermore it consumes low cost and it is cost effective. It is best in short run forecasting. In conclusion, Equatorial Hotel should use naÃÆ'Â ¯ve forecast method to predict the customer demand in a period, the length of staying and hotel room demand over time, because naÃÆ'Â ¯ve approach is reliable, result is more accurate, simple to use and cost effective. Quality Matters Total Quality Management (TQM) is systematic management approaches that originated in the 1950s and has steadily become more popular since the early 1980s. Total Quality Management (TQM) is a structured quality method to organizational management that management philosophy seeks to improve the quality of products and services through ongoing refinements in response to continuous feedback. It is apparent that organizations need to use a TQM process and the critical success factors if they are to attain business quality (Zairi 2002). Hence, Total Quality Management can be used by several type of organization, it originated from the manufacturing sector and now it has been adapted for much organization such as schools, highway maintenance, and hotel management. Nowadays there is a focus of e-business, therefore as for hotel management, the online booking system through their website or check-in and check-out systems be done, Total Quality Management will be based on quality management from the customers point of view. From Hotel Equatorials website, it is apparent to see how the hotel presents the idea of quality, value, and comfort. It presence in three major Asia Pasific countries with seven properties in the group, located in the regions gateway cities, offering the quality accommodation and excellence in food and beverage services. In Hotel Equatorial, the website provides the category of leaving feedback and enquiries purpose. At Hotel Equatorial, customer feedback is very important, positive or otherwise, they willing to hear from customers about the experience of stay or any suggestion given to the hotel for improvement. Hotel Equatorial appreciated the comments from customers and will respond to the particular customer within 24 hou rs. Moreover, it is also with quality reports tracks that Loyal Guest Recognition Programme is available in Hotel Equatorial and guest preference reports are recorded in database. The key components of TQM include persistent enhancement, teamwork, quality being everybodys business, doing it right the first time, training, internal customer care and etc. Hotel Equatorial has actually put in effort to achieve industry-best clean room appearance. Also Equatorial Hotel Penang become known for comfort, value and the friendly attention of a welcoming staff that cares as the hotel staff is responsive and help out with your needs. Combining the flexibility and space options with the hotels unique ambiance and suitable location, have made the hotel a top choice for businessmen and conference organizers. Total Quality Management process included four sequential categories which are plan, do, study and act, which is also called as PDSA cycle. In the planning phase, management define the problem to be addressed, collect relevant data, analyze the data and decide upon a measurement to gauge its effectiveness. In the doing phase, management develop and implement solution, document any changes made, and collect data for analysis. In studying phase, management confirm their results through comparison of before-and-after data while in acting phase, if the results are successful, new method will be standardized and relevant personnel will be communicated, training will also be implemented for the new method. If the results turn out unsuccessful, the plan will be revised and the process will be repeated. Summary Growth in the number of tourists leads hotel occupancy rates increasing. Due to the rapid development of hospitality industry, it has been recognized as a global industry. To maintain good reputation of the hotel, management should to ensure that they are providing the best service with a good attitude to customers. Since a customers satisfaction is influenced by the availability of customer services, the provision of quality customer service has become a major concern of all business. In addition, consumers will concern about the facilities that provide by hotel. It can help to improve a hotels efficiency and adds value to their performance and services with good facilities. As hospitality firms also face strong competitor environment, it is essential to maintain a good relationship with customers. This is one of the vital parts that a hotel wants to survive in hospitality industry. Hotel Equatorial has their own operation strategy in operate their business in services industry. Equ atorial hotel has a well operation management to operate in a well condition. Hotel Equatorial also has their own well strategies in marketing and promotion and response to the customer wants and needs. Besides that, a well hotel quality let the Hotel Equatorial become more productive and profitable the services business. Equatorial Hotel should use naÃÆ'Â ¯ve forecast method to predict the customer demand in a period, the length of staying and hotel room demand over time, because naÃÆ'Â ¯ve approach is reliable, result is more accurate, simple to use and cost effective. Nowadays for hotel management, there is website available for online booking system or check-in and check-out systems to be done; therefore the present of Total Quality Management will be based on quality management from the customers point of view. From Hotel Equatorials website, it is apparent to see how the hotel presents the idea of quality, value, and comfort in offering the quality accommodation and excell ence in food and beverage services. Through Hotel Equatorials website, the category of leaving feedback and enquiries purpose are available as customer feedback is very important, positive or otherwise, they willing to hear from customers about the experience of stay or any suggestion given to the hotel for quality improvement. The key components of TQM include persistent enhancement, teamwork, quality being everybodys business, doing it right the first time, training, internal customer care and etc. Combining the flexibility and continuous improvement of hotels quality, Hotel Equatorial have made the hotel a top choice for businessmen and conference organizers.

Prejudice in Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes Essay -- skin colo

Prejudice is a cancer that spreads hate among its perpetrators and victims alike. In 1930 Langston Hughes penned the novel, Not Without Laughter. This powerful story, written from the perspective of an African-American boy named James â€Å"Sandy† Rodgers, begins in the early 1900’s in the small town of Stanton, Kansas. Through the eyes of young Sandy, we see the devastating impact of racism on his family and those they are close to. We also see how the generations of abuse by whites caused a divide within the black community. Among, and even within, black families there were several social classes that seemed to hinge on seeking equality through gaining the approval of whites. The class someone belonged to was determined by the color of their skin, the type of church one attended, their level of education, and where an individual was able to find work. From an early age it was clear to Sandy that, the lighter a person’s skin was, the higher their social status. As the only young child in his household, he was exposed to many conversations among the adults around him that revolved around race. A primary example of this was one of the conversations between his grandmother, Aunt Hager, and her friend, Sister Whiteside. Sandy and the two elder women sat at the kitchen table together to share a meal while the two women chatted. Sandy sat quietly and absorbed their talk of everything from assuming the white ancestry of a lighter-skinned child they knew, to the difficulty of keeping â€Å"colored chillens in school† (13-15). Sandy not only learned through the conversations of the adults around him the importance of skin color, he witnessed a number of events that cemented the notion. Sandy’s somewhat wild Aunt, Har... ... porters and washwomen†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (188). Throughout Hughes’ Not Without Laughter, we see the long-term effect of generations of prejudice and abuse against blacks. Over time, this prejudice manifested itself through the development of several social classes within the black community. Hughes’, through the eyes of young Sandy, shows us how the color of one’s skin, the church they attend, the level of education an individual attained, and the type of employment someone could find impacted their standing within the community and dictated the social class they belonged to. Tragically, decades of slavery and abuse resulted in a class system within the black community that was not built around seeking happiness or fulfillment but, equality through gaining the approval of whites. Works Cited Hughes, L. (1930). Not Without Laughter. New York, NY, USA: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

The Great Depression Essay -- Economics Finance History Economy Essays

The Great Depression The Great Depression was an economic slump in North America, Europe, and other industrialized areas of the world that began in 1929 and lasted until about 1939. There were a few main areas of focus during the Great Depression. The key areas were the Crash of the Stock Market, Unemployment Rate, the effect on the rest of the world, World War II and our political out look and the way different countries handle themselves today. The Great Depression was the longest and most severe depression ever experienced by the industrialized Western world. Though the U.S. economy had gone into depression six months earlier, the Great Depression may be said to have begun with a catastrophic collapse of stock-market prices on the New York Stock Exchange in October 1929, when President Hoover came in office. During the next three years stock prices in the United States continued to fall, until by late 1932 they had dropped to only about 20 percent of their value in 1929 (www.english.uiuc.edu). Some of the stock figures I received from (www.huppi.com) indicate the changes of the Gross National Product from 1930 until 1939. The Gross National Product, or GNP, for 1930 had a negative change of 9.4 percent. In 1931, the GNP continued to decline another 8.5 percent. In 1932 it dropped another 13.4 percent and continued to drop 2.1 percent in 1933. In 1934 the GNP made a turn for the better and started to increase by 7.7 percent and continued to rise in 1935 with an increase of 8.1 percent. During 1936 and 1937 the GNP rose for a combined amoun t of 19.1 percent but do to the beginning of recession in 1938 it had a drop of 4.5 percent. Once Recession ended the GNP went up 7.9 percent in 1939. (Www.english.uiuc.edu) tells us that besides ruining many thousands of individual investors, this precipitous decline in the value of assets greatly strained banks and other financial institutions, particularly those holding stocks in their portfolios. Many banks were consequently forced into insolvency; by 1933, 11,000 of the United States' 25,000 banks had failed. The failure of so many banks, combined with a general and nationwide loss of confidence in the economy, led to much-reduced levels of spending and demand and hence of production, thus aggravating the downward spiral. â€Å"The result was drastically falling output and drastically rising unemployment; ... ...its were contracting it; The Fed's inaction was the reason why the initial recession turned into a prolonged depression; The economy continually sank throughout Hoover's entire term. Under Roosevelt's New Deal, it rose five out of seven years. Attempts to blame Big Government for the Depression do not withstand serious scrutiny; The Smoot-Hawley Tariff had a minor impact because trade formed only 6 percent of the U.S. economy, and reducing trade gave Americans only that much more money to spend domestically. Hoover's other attempts at government intervention came mostly during his last year in office, when the Depression was already at its depth; The first nations to come out of the Great Depression were Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, and then everyone else did so after they adopted the Keynesian solution of heavy deficit government spending and the Keynesian economic policies have eliminated the depression from the world's economies in the six decades that have followed. Works Cited WWW.huppi.com WWW.english.uiuc.edu Nelson Cary Kennedy, David Freedom From Fear: The American People in Depression and War Oxford, New York 1999 Oxford University Press   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Pibrex Russia Essay

Then plant lacks a strong organisational culture; communications within and between departments are poor; there is inequity between in wages, working conditions and training and problems with motivation and employees is prevalent. Pibrex International is losing interest in the Russian operation and two sub-cultures exist within the Pibrex Russian organisation. The new General Manager, Elena Michasilova must develop an action plan that can turn the operations around to breakeven point by the year 2000 at minimal cost to the company. This reportoutlines to Elena Michailova considers both the external environmental (Political, economicsocialand organisation factors affecting Pibrex Russia and analyses why the plants are underperforming in a difficult economic environment and outlines four different unique strategies retrenchment, price leadership, quality leadership and export orientation) makes recommendations that Elena Michailova can implement to overcome the numerous organizational and financial challenges that the company faces. It establishes a viable export orientate strategy and industry leading restructuring programme, called Challenge 2000 that Elena can quickly implement to overcome these challenges she faces managing Pibrex Russia at minimal cost to the company. Implementation of both will lead Pibrex back to profitability by the year 2000 This report illustrates what the management team has done to begin a turnaround of the firm and the problems that remain. In particular, the company must reassess its management strategies and take steps to masintain its competitive position Introduction: This report considers both the external environmental and organisation factors affecting Pibrex Russia and analyses why the plants are underperforming in a difficult economic environment and makes recommendations that Elena Michailova can implement to overcome the numerous organizational and financial challenges that the company faces. It establishes a viable strategy and industry leading restructuring programme, called Challenge 2000 that Elena can quickly implement to overcome these challenges at minimal cost to the company. Background. Pibrex is one of the world’s largest producers of petrochemical based polymers for the plastics market. The company has purchased a plant in Russia and after three years of serious operating losses and has appointed a new general manager of the plant. The plant lacks a strong organisational culture; communications within and between departments are poor; inequity in wages, working conditions, and training exist but motivation and retention problems are prevalent. Pibrex headquarters is losing interest in the Russian operation and two sub-cultures exist with Pibrex Russian organisation. Two subcultures exist within the company because there is two separate manufacturing plants. The first plant is Pibrex KAZ, which is one the site of the original plant in Kalingrad. The other plant is the recently purchased (1993) Pibrex KZ plant which is just outside Moscow. In addition Pibrex opened a sales and marketing office in St Petersburg (called Pibrex AO) and a head office in the capital city of Moscow (called PibrexRussia). In contrast to the two manufacturing facilities Pibrex AO and Pibrex Russia were staffed with people from Pibrex’s other overseas operations and enthusiastic young graduates such as Elena. In 1994 Pibrex KAZ, Pibrex KZ, Pibrex A) and Pibrex Russia were grouped together into Pixbrex Region Europe North. However, within Pibrex’s decentralized governance structure, the regional subsidiaries were able to decisions autonomously In 1997 the management of PREN Europe North took steps to stem the losses at Pibrex KZ. Pibrex Russia was shut down and the sales and marketing department merged with Pibrex KZ. At Pibrex KZ over half the production workers were laid off and prices were raised to increased margins, but this only had the effect of eroding sales even further. A macroeconomic shock came in the form of the Russian Financial Crisis (RFC). This preceded the Global Financial Crisis. As a result of the RFC, Pibrex’s sales slipped even further and management was now fully involved in crisis management with the ultimate goal being survival. Whereas in the past Pibrex had relied on a decentralized governance structure, on this occasion, Pibrex formed a â€Å"steering committee† to direct strategy in its Russian operations. The steering committee reassigned Elena as the new Financial Controller and asked her to perform a financial audit on all of Pibrex’s Russian operations. They also decided to concentrate on reducing costs and increasing profits wherever possible. Sales activity was limited to only the largest and most profitable of customers. Also, the steering committee took various steps to control all finances as well as reduce all expenditures. The steering committee as Elena to serve as Managing Director and Financial Controller of all Pibrex’s Russian operations pending a submission of a full set of key issues facing Pibrex and a clear set of recommendation on Pibrex with the view to reaching breakeven point by 2000. This is that set of recommendations. Identification of Key Issues and Challenges. Pibrex Russia is faced with a multitude of problems and challenges that it needs to deal with as it progresses through 1988 and 1999, if it is to break even by the year 2000. ?The following is a synopsis of the most critical issues a)The Financial Situation in Russia Pibrex Russia faces very challenging external factorsthat make for a very difficult external environment as a result of the Russian financial crisis The unstable financial situation bought about by the RFC means that Pibrex Russia is strugging to increase its revenues and reduce its costsdue to rampant inflation; a dramatically devalued Russian currency, the ruble; the evodus of foreign investment funds; the financial collapse of many Russian small to medium enterprises, multiple bank faces and an increasing unskilled, unmotivated and cynical workforce. This unstable financial situation means that Pibrex’s costs (particularly of raw materials) is going up and increasing company failures will mean it will be more difficult to make sales. It will have difficulty finding plant finance and to attract and retain employees with the right skills. (b)Difficulties in the Internal Operating / Accounting Environment. The internal operating environment of the company also seemed very chaotic, like the external environment. There was a lack of internal accounting controls, which I assume would eventually impede the dire to drive down costs and increase revenues c)Difficulties in the Legal / Regulatory Environment. Since reentering Russian in 1992, the Russian government has imposed a number of operating conditions on PR that undoubtedly prevent PR from operating at optimal efficiency. Russian law required each of Pibrex’s subsidiaries to maintain separate bank account and pay local taxes (p125). There were also many other bureaucra tic hassles (d)Difficulties with Organisational Issues. Organisational obstacles included PR never being legally registered as the Russian mother company. The Russian subsidiaries were opened at different times and were therefore registered as different entities. Also the distance between the subsidiaries were substantial leading to taxation constraints. (e)Difficulties with Old and Poorly Maintained Plant and Buildings. The old plant and poorly maintained and buildings reduces the effectiveness of production, potentially creates health and safety concerns for the workers but more than that, it severely affects the morale of the workers who see it as ineptitude on the part of management and indicative of how they value the production workers. f)Poor Management and Employee Relations There are old and deeply held resentments between factory workers and middle management whom the factory workers believe â€Å"stole† the workers share of the company when privatization. This resentment has never gone away. The workers were also deeply resentful of the dual wage structure whereby sales and management staff who were transferred Pibrex AO (the Moscow sales and marketing office were given shiny new facilities while the production workers had to work in cold and outdated factories. (g)Cultural Conflict within Pibrex Russia In my opinion the main problem facing Pibrex is the cultural conflict between the factory workers and the company’s management. There are many subcultures at play within Pibrex Russia. This arises because Pibrex Russia itself is a merger between the old Pibrex Russia, Pibrex AO, Pibrex KZ and Pibrex KAZ. As a result of being part of the old Soviet Russia there is a rigid, bureaucratic and authoritarian culture which affects the production workers, and management. Characteristics of this culture included strong power distance, adherence to authority, belief in hierarchy, clear lines of communication, and strong uncertainty avoidance. Under this environment top managers did not delegate, middle managers did not make the decisions that they need to, whereas production workers looked for clear direction. This authoritarian culture was a complete contrast to, and did not fit well with Pibrex’s usual practice of decentralization and delegation. The highly complex and decentralized structure of PREN (Pibrex Region North Europe) which involved two business areas and four functions did not fit with this traditional, authoritarian culture at Pibrex KZ which favoured a more straightforward bureaucratic structure. After the Merger between Pibrex AO and Pibrex KZ there was a definite cultural conflict betweenthe younger, more urban, more entrepreneurial sales and marketing staff from Moscow and the older established production staff and established management staff from Pibrex KZ. (h)International Management losing Interest in Pibrex Russia As a result of all of the above problems listed above, it seems that Pibrex in Gothenburg seems to have lost patience with Pibrex Russia. Accordingly, Pibrex Gothenburg has a firm directive that it wants its Russian operations to return to profitability by 2000. General External Environmental Analysis Pibrex Russa is in the Russian plasticsand chemicals industry. Polymers and resins produced by Pibrex Russia are found in a large number of different Russian industries including packaging, construction equipment, furniture and consumer goods. It was expected that demand for Pibrex’s resins and polymers would remain strong as a result of the need to rebuild Russia’s infrastructure (after the fall of Communism) and to supply the Russian military. Although there were numerous overseas competitors, none of them had established themselves in Russia. Also, there was a strong research and development base In Russia for the development of resins and polymers In late 1990s the external environment in Russia is influenced by the downfall of communism and the RFC. The environment, particularly financial, was characterized by instability and unpredictability. This instability can be traced back to the soviet reforms ofâ€Å"Glasnost† and â€Å"Perestroika. † Russia embraced a programme of rapid economic reform and liberalization which involved removal of financial regulations and freeing up the Russian financial system. Largely, this prgramme of financial and economic reform was not successful and this, in my opinion was one of the main factors leading to the RFC. There was also contagion from the Asian Financial Crisis. The RFC resulted in a currency devaluation , bank and company failures the collapse of the Russian stockmarket, the exit of foreign investment and this lead to a â€Å"black market† economy. Chaos in Russia was not limited to the economy. There was extensive political and social instability as well. The post soviet government was still establishing itself. On a social level this economic and political upheaval led to many social ills and discontent e. g. increased alcoholism. S. W. O. T Analysis AS. W. O. T analysis Strengths A key strength that Pribex has is it’s relationship with its parent company. This relationship is important because Pribex can leverage of the parent company’s international reputation, tacit knowledge, its existing supplier relationships, their research and development facilities and manufacturing processes as well as its customer service and safety standards. Additionally I believe the parent company may be able to provide Pibrex Russia with financial backing, which is particularly important given the financial and economic environment described above. Pribex AO is a strength to Pribex Russia. Their culture is not as divided and its staff and highly trained and motivated. Additionally it is where Elena has come from so it has a history of effective management. Elena herself is a critical strength to the company. She is one of the key managers and is materially contributing to the fdinacial well being of the company. Weaknesses As mentioned before the company, the company has a number of operational weaknesses. The major one is the conflicts that arise in the various subcultures of the company but there are other weaknsses as well such as ineffective financial controls over revenues and costs, poor relations between management and employees generally, a divisive dual wage system and a absence of top management support. The two factories Pibrex KZ and Pibrex KAZ old, use outdated technologies and are not very pleasant to work in. The factories have also been poorly maintained so for these reasons production output is poor. In addition to production weaknesses there are also some financial weaknesses. The company is having difficulty increasing revenues in the current economic environment and reducing costs. The company has been losing money for many years and there is little prospect of returning to profitability Opportunities: Pribex Russia has an opportunity to establish itself as a market leader in the building polymer and resins industry and as the rebuild of Russia infrastructure gets into full swing, it should be able increase revenues and decrease certainly its fixed costs and this may lead to profitability. Additionally Pribex Russia, with its existing research and development facilities has an opportunity to pioneer new polymer applications and establish itself as an innovator in the market. As the Russian economy is reformed Pibrex Russia has the opportunity to improve its financial situation and develop a reputation as an innovator in the industry. Threats: The macroeconomic analysis above indicated that the RFC and the instability and uncertainty that it brings to the financial sector as the major threat to Pibrex. It is a threat because it makes it more difficult for Pibrex to increase revenues and reduce costs. The RFC also threatens the company’s ability to raise capital and to reward its works appropriately leading to resentment amongst workers. The other major macroeconomic threat is the political instability that exists within Russia and makes it difficult for Pibrex management to forward plan and affects confidence. If Pibrex pursues a â€Å"price leadership strategy† then it faces threats from competitors, both domestic and foreign, who can produce products cheaper and therefore charge lower prices than pribex thus undermining their price leadship strategy If Pibrex pursues a â€Å"product leadership† strategy based on quality it faces competitive threats from both domestic and foreign competitors who can beat Pribex’s current quality standards (which are affected by their aging, inefficient plants). Four Strategies that Can Be Implemented at Pibrex Elena should recommend the following four quite different strategies to the management of Pibrex. 1. Retrenchment Strategy. Under this strategy Pibrex Russia should retrench its operations and closing the aging loss making Pibrex KZ plant and focus on modernizing its Pibrex KAZ plant. This would eliminate all of the problems associated with the older Pibrex KZ plant mentioned above and this would help restore confidence in Pribex Russia with the parent company. The downside is that it would minimize opportunities for further growth and expansion 2. Price Leadership Strategy. To minimize the macroeconomic risks mentioned above and return the company to profitability the company could pursue a competitive strategy based on price leadership. Under this strategy Elena would aggressive pursue domestic production from both manufacturing plants through a low price strategy, which would provide more work for the current production workers. To implement a successful price leadership strategy Pibrex may need to draw up on the financial resources of the parent company. Pibrex would aggressive pursue and develop new customers though aggressive advertising (with support from the parent company). In order to adapt a successful price leadership strategy PR would need to aggressively control costs, establish strict financial controls and eliminate the vtwo tier wage structure 3. Quality Leadership Strategy. To minimize the macroeconomic risks to the company it could pursue a strategy based on quality. Under this strategy it would draw on the parent company’s tacit knowledge and research and development facilities to become a quality leader in the area of building polymers and resins. Elena would lead an aggressive sales strategy based on world leading research and innovation and become a centre of excellence based on quality. This sales strategy would be to mainly domestic customers and the strategies relies on a considerable upswing in sales, as a result of infrastructure building to correct the company’s financial situation and return to profitability by the year 2000. To assist in selling to the rejuvenated domestic market, Elena would draw upon the sales `skills and sales teams already existing in the parent company. Pibrex Russia would become a domestic leader based on this Quality Leadership strategy. 4. Export Focused Strategy. Under this strategy Pibrex would split its manufacturing plants so that the older plant, Pibrex KZ would supply solely the domestic market, and the more modern plant Pibrex KAZ would supply the export market. The more modern plant would be chosen to serve the export market because more quality and innovation is required. Success in export markets would require additional attention to the company’s quality management processes. This dual strategy should ensure there is enough work for all the factory workers. Additionally an export led strategy would benefit from any currency devaluation. This dual strategy and the increased attention to quality control may, in the short term require additional capitl funding that the parent company would need to provide. Overall Implentation Plan for Elena. It is recommended that Elena implements an export focused strategy. This strategy would take advantage of the company’s strengths (being the parent company’s knowledge, reputation, resources and sales strategies) as well as minimizing its weaknesses (under-capacity, bitterness between workers and culture conflicts). It would reduce the tensions between workers, increase production and reduce the overcapacity problem. This export focused strategy does not initially minimize all of Pibrex’s weaknesses (such as poor financial controls and lack of head office commitment) but these weaknesses maybe corrected over time. To successfully implement this export focused strategy I recommend implementing a change programme called â€Å"Challenge 2000† which will draw on Pibrex’s strengths and minimize the company’s weaknesses. Challenge 2000 will be led by Elena as well as supported by the Steering Committee and PREN management. Challenge 2000 will have eight distinctive steps that will ensure success: 1. Demand sufficient capital investment from the parent company to allow for the repair and upgrade of the Pibrex KZ plant, implementation of a new sales incentive sub-programme and a quality sub-programme based on research and innovation. . Complement the increased efficiency at the Pibrex KAZ and the upgraded Pibrex plant by removing excess layers of management 3. To this reduction in management layers by creating an efficiency sub-programme bthat implements inventory, cost and revenue controls throughout Pibrex russia 4. Alleviate employee resentment and bitterness by eliminating the dual wage programme, and implementing an aggressive bonus incentive programme that rewards both local export sales. 5. Implement the export focusedmarketing strategy but aggressive pursue all domestic leads as well 6. Develop a marketing plan as part of this marketing strategy for both the domestic and export markets. 7. Have Pibrex aggressively pursue all sales leads in domestic and export markets. 8. Co-ordinate production schedules to the marketing plan using just in time inventories Conclusion. This paper outlines four different implementation strategies that Elena Michailova can chose and recommends an export focused strategy for Pribesx Russia. The successful implementation of this export focused strategy complemented with the eight step Challenge 2000 program will ensure that Pibrex will be restored to profitability by the year 2000. Challenge 2000 is a viable low cost change program that will certainly impress PREN management. The successful implantation of both will be replicated in Priex’s plants throughout the world which will see Elena Michailova, the once young bright inexperienced manager, rise over time to be the world wide Chief Operating Officer for Pirbex

Codependency: Family and Co-dependency this Condition

Co-dependency is a learned behavior that can be passed down from one generation to another. It is an emotional and behavioral condition that affects an individual’s ability to have a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship. It is also known as â€Å"relationship addiction† because people with codependency often form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or abusive. The disorder was first identified about ten years ago as the result of years of studying interpersonal relationships in families of alcoholics.Co-dependent behavior is learned by watching and imitating other family members who display this type of behavior. Who Does Co-dependency Affect? Co-dependency often affects a spouse, a parent, sibling, friend, or co-worker of a person afflicted with alcohol or drug dependence. Originally, co-dependent was a term used to describe partners in chemical dependency, persons living with, or in a relationship with an addicted person. Sim ilar patterns have been seen in people in relationships with chronically or mentally ill individuals. Today, however, the term has broadened to describe any co-dependent person from any dysfunctional family. What is a Dysfunctional Family and How Does it Lead to Co-dependency? A dysfunctional family is one in which members suffer from fear, anger, pain, or shame that is ignored or denied. Underlying problems may include any of the following: †¢An addiction by a family member to drugs, alcohol, relationships, work, food, sex, or gambling. †¢The existence of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. †¢The presence of a family member suffering from a chronic mental or physical illness. Dysfunctional families do not acknowledge that problems exist. They don’t talk about them or confront them. As a result, family members learn to repress emotions and disregard their own needs. They become â€Å"survivors. † They develop behaviors that help them deny, ignore, or avoid difficult emotions. They detach themselves. They don’t talk. They don’t touch. They don’t confront. They don’t feel. They don’t trust. The identity and emotional development of the members of a dysfunctional family are often inhibited Attention and energy focus on the family member who is ill or ddicted. The co-dependent person typically sacrifices his or her needs to take care of a person who is sick. When co-dependents place other people’s health, welfare and safety before their own, they can lose contact with their own needs, desires, and sense of self. How Do Co-dependent People Behave? Co-dependents have low self-esteem and look for anything outside of themselves to make them feel better. They find it hard to â€Å"be themselves. † Some try to feel better through alcohol, drugs or nicotine – and become addicted. Related essay: Shame is Worth a Try Others may develop compulsive behaviors like workaholism, gambling, or indiscriminate sexual activity. They have good intentions. They try to take care of a person who is experiencing difficulty, but the caretaking becomes compulsive and defeating. Co-dependents often take on a martyr’s role and become â€Å"benefactors† to an individual in need. A wife may cover for her alcoholic husband; a mother may make excuses for a truant child; or a father may â€Å"pull some strings† to keep his child from suffering the consequences of delinquent behavior. The problem is that these repeated rescue attempts allow the needy individual to continue on a destructive course and to become even more dependent on the unhealthy caretaking of the â€Å"benefactor. † As this reliance increases, the co-dependent develops a sense of reward and satisfaction from â€Å"being needed. † When the caretaking becomes compulsive, the co-dependent feels choiceless and helpless in the relationship, but is unable to break away from the cycle of behavior that causes it. Co-dependents view themselves as victims and are attracted to that same weakness in the love and friendship relationships.