Article review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 12

Article review - Essay Example The author also makes suggestions on how corporations can do something about this dissatisfaction. John Baldoni (2010) states that during his work presentations there was a time when he discovered eight out of ten workers were not content with their employment. Although the Great Recession made employees stick to their jobs, their dissatisfaction did not go away and new research manifested the fact. (Baldoni, 2010) Workers complained of being overworked, underpaid and underappreciated. The article continues with the research showing six out of ten workers wanting to leave the company. Baldoni goes on further to explain that managers must face the fact that their employees are not pleased. Also, as proven by research, quite a number do not trust upper management thinking that the ones in the higher up do not have as many sacrifices as those in the lower ranks. Ultimately, managers should remember that unhappy workers are unproductive ones and thus steps should be taken to make improve the workers’ disposition. There were three suggestions were made in the article for making work more tolerable for employees. The first one was to address the situation. Baldoni hints that most employers try to ignore the fact that the problem exists. This should not be the case. He encourages employers to try and find out why there is a problem. Asking employees outright is also not a good tactic, Baldoni states, as this would make employees be afraid to tell the truth. A private company resorted to conducting a survey after a number of its professional staff submitted their resignations. (Von Achen, 2010) The results showed that insufficient training and support, infrequent performance feedback and workload issues were the reasons the workers at this company wanted change. The next step Baldoni wrote is to encourage alternatives. He suggests to work together with the employees in making improvements to the

How useful is social class Essay Example for Free

How useful is social class Essay How useful is social class as a variable for segmenting consumer markets? Explore. In the early days of segmentation, according to Schiffman, it was not unusual to apply only one segmentation criterion, e.g. demographic segmentation. Today marketers have realized that it is to simplified to apply only one criterion for segmenting complex markets. Therefore, it is common to combine several criteria to create rich and comprehensive segmentation profiles in order to find the most beneficial target markets for ones product. Shortly, it can be argued that geographic and demographic variables help to locate a certain target market, whereas psycho-graphic and socio-cultural variables help describe who its members are, how they think and how they feel. Demographic is segmenting customers based on age, income, gender, etc. Geographic is based on the region or country they live in. psycho-graphic is based on their personality and socio-cultural segmentation is segmenting the market based on their subculture, religion, social class, family lifestyle/life-cycle (single, married etc). Currently, we will focus on the importance of segmenting the consumer markets based on their social class. Almost every society has some form of a social class structure. According to Kotler, Social classes are societys relatively permanent and ordered divisions whose members share similar values, interest, and behaviors. Society is mainly divided into three major classes, Upper, Middle and Lower. But social scientists have identified that society can be classified into seven social classes. They are the Upper Uppers, Lower Uppers, Upper Middles, Middle Class, Working Class, Upper Lower, and Lower Lowers (See Appendix I). Companies need to consider social class as a variable for segmenting the consumer markets because it is useful for them in determining their target market. It helps them in setting the different marketing mix for different  target market based on their social class. For example, a car company like Toyota produces many different types of car with different brands; prices and which are targeted to different people. The expensive cars like Land Cruiser and Celica is targeted to the upper class. While their other brands like Soluna and Toyota Kijang is mainly focused on the middle and working class. Marketers are also interested in social class because people within a given social class tend to show similar buying behavior. It helps the marketers in setting the price and the quality to use for their product. For instance the Upper Uppers way of decision-making of purchasing a product and the product they purchase would be different from those of the Upper Lower. They would prefer to purchase a more expensive product with good quality. They would not go for cheap products thinking that because if it is inexpensive, it is sure an inferior product. For example, in choosing a car. The upper class would prefer to buy something more elite and exclusive like Mercedes and Lexus since it has a class, and is more of a good quality product. They would not go for something like Timor. Therefore, it is vital that marketers consider the social class when segmenting consumers because it influences on consumer purchasing decision-making. Here, marketers know that their upper class consumers see the quality comparing to price. So they have to develop a product with merit features, since the society is affordable to pay for the product. Besides aiming on target market and setting the price, it also helps the marketers in deciding their advertising activities. The way a company advertises for an expensive and exclusive products will be different from the way they advertise a low quality product. Im sure a marketer would not waste a lot of money in their advertising campaign for an inferior product that is targeted to the middle and lower class. Example, for soap products like Lux and Giv. Lux Company focuses on middle to upper class as their target market. To make it look like a pricier product, they use famous  actresses as their model. At times, the model in the advertising do effect on the consumer decision-making. While Giv Company focuses more on lower class consumers. They are less bother to hire expensive models for their advertising. They would go for a more simple advertising campaign. Overall, I would like to state that if marketers use social classes in targeting their consumer markets, they will be able to easily identify their target, understand their consumer behavior, minimize risk for new products and services and hence can organize successful marketing strategies in which they can sell their products in a better way and can gain more profit. They will also be able to know about the needs of their customers and hence can serve them better in the future.

Procurement Route Selection and Analysis

Procurement Route Selection and Analysis The purpose of this report is to evaluate the procurement routes of construct a new auditorium with high specification technology for Heriot Watt University. The report includes defining several procurement routes, determining the recommended procurement route for this project. This report also covers the evaluation of influence factors and the potential benefits for adopting the recommended procurement route. Background Heriot Watt University (HWU) is planning to build a new auditorium at the existing grass land next to HWUs park with the land area of approximately 1500m2. The proposed auditorium is single storey with mezzanine floor with total 1950m2 gross floor area. The requirement and the need for auditorium shall be perfect for conferences, lectures and presentations, includes the facilities as following: 200 comfortable tiered seats, high specification technology, multimedia theatre with air conditioning, full size interactive screen and computer driven presentation facilities, In view of the HWU top management has decided to build a new auditorium, the projects procurement strategy has to be formed for achieve the optimum balance of risk, control and funding for this project. 2.0 Procurement Strategy Procurement is the amalgam of activities undertaken by the client to obtain a building (BPS, 2nd Edition, 1990). The projects procurement strategy is established for identify the most appropriate way of achieving the projects objectives and the value for money. The key steps in implementing the procurement strategy as following:- Finding out the real needs for the auditorium project and the projects objectives; Analysis the procurement routes for the auditorium project Evaluating the procurement strategy and the influence factors Implement procurement strategy and design team selection and contractor selection for the project Final handover for operation and review successfulness of the project There are many factors are able to influence on procurement strategy and subsequently influence on the selection of procurement route. We have listed down some most important factors for top management to consider for the procurement route. The project objectives and the clients capabilities HWU with a history dating back to 1821, has established one of the top UK universities. The objectives of the project are to build a new comfortable auditorium with high technology and to be able to complete within the cost limit, to the required quality and within the time constraints. In view of HWU is not a regular developer of works, the risk to HWU for this auditorium project shall be minimized. The HWU shall be the single point of contact and responsibility for the project during design and construction and in the event of the building failure. During the design stage, our HWU top management would like to implement their concerns and reliable ideas into the project. The high specification technology with special equipments would like to require some changes to the design due to the unable fixed cases. Risk management Risk management is critically important to project success. It involves identifying and assessing risk, assigning the right risk owners and continually managing, monitoring and reporting on key risks. (OGC03, 2007) In order to determine the most suited procurement route, the necessary comparison of varies procurement routes such as Traditional Route, Design Build route, Management Contracting Route Construction Management Route, etc will be done. Chosen of any route will have its own risks. When the procurement route is determined, the specific key risks, that HWU adopts, must be managed efficiently. The Project Constraints The constraints of the project are that contractor is able to consider the possible impact on neighbouring buildings and the potential concerns of the neighbours. They shall apply for a new entrance and temporary access to the construction site to minimize the impact to campus. The temporary access shall be reinstated to original. The noise pollution during the day time shall be limited in 75 dBA and in 55 dBA during night time. In order to raise the Environmental, Health and safety standard for this project, we have proposed to use the precast components for column, slab and staircase. The consideration and adoption of precast components is not only greatly simplified the construction sequence but also help to reduce construction wastage with such practices. Another consideration of reduce potential environmental impact is to adopt the interior drywall partition. Interior drywall is widely used in the commercial sector to build staffs offices. With consider the above factors, the procurement strategy shall be based on the following principles and guidelines:- The design should be fully meet the project objectives. The project should be based on a firmed price and limited time to construct. The auditorium must ready for operation by End of 2013 for the new intake in Jan 2014. The contract award should be based on the companys capacity and capability instead of lowest price. Selection of contractor intends low risk to HWU. 3.0 Procurement route selection and analysis Once the procurement strategy has been formed, the procurement route then can be selected with consider the clients specific requirement and how the clients risks will be minimized. Various procurement routes have emerged to identify the procurement systems in current use, some more advanced procurement practices are often used currently as shown in Figure 2. Traditional Procurement Routes The traditional procurement consists of the appointment of designer consultants by client before call for tender, and the appointment of a contractor on the other side after tender. The construction project is managed by HWUs project management with no concurrent sequence works that have to occur by following each other as brief, design, tendering construction. The traditional procurement route is varies in Traditional Sequential route and Traditional Accelerated route. Traditional Sequential route means the Contractors bid will be submitted based on the completed design documents and completed tender cost documents as normal. Traditional Accelerated route has requested the client to appoint the contractor earlier on the basis of partial information by negotiation or in competition. The contractor is able to be involved in the project as early as possible. The contractors experience, knowledge and existing materials and equipments can be considered in the final design. Design Build Procurement Routes The DB procurement route has changed the traditional sequence of work. It requires HWU to develop the tender documents that will send to possible contractors for provide and return their design proposal and relevant cost. DB has met the clients intend for a single-point of responsibility in an attempt to reduce clients risks and control the overall costs. DB is allowed the design and construction works concurrently to reduce the total project duration when compared with traditional routes. DB is also firmed the overall price prior to construction with low cost risk, so that HWU will not necessary to expend huge resources to close involvement. DB is varies in several types such as: Turnkey, Package deal, Design build, Develop construct. Turnkey is adopted the DBs principles and extended the contractors responsibility to include the commissioning and fit-out of facility, that same as EPC (engineering, production construction). The contractor has been placed with responsibility, risk and power and the client has the least risk in all procurement routes. Develop Construct is adopted DB with two-stage tendering and novation for give the client greater control over both design and cost. The client will has the higher risk among DB routes. Refer to Figure 3: Risk distribution among DB routes Management Procurement Routes Construction management is a construction manager who appointed by client to advise the client on a fee basis. The client has to involve into contracts with numerous contractors that requested the client is experienced and has to be totally involved with faster response to decisions. Construction management is normally suitable for complex building project. Management contracting can be defined as a management contractor appointed by client will advise client on the program and buildability. It requires the client a good quality brief and relies on a good quality project team. There are higher risk on the uncertain actual cost and total construction duration when compare with DB route. See below Figure 4: Risk analysis between Client Contractor. Other Procurement Routes There are other aspects of procurement routes such as Prime contracting, Partnering, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), etc. Partnering is a procurement philosophy that will ensure the cooperating working between client and contractor and the problems can be solved over adversarial attitudes and practices. Partnering, Prime contracting and PPP procurement routes are mostly suitable for major and huge projects. In view of build the auditorium is a small project, it is recommended that these complex procurement routes are unsuitable or unnecessary. Procurement Route Selection In view of build a new auditorium is able to consider as a straightforward small project, we suggest that the Design Build procurement route shall be adopted. DB procurement route has considered and minimized the clients risk. Refer to the Figure 5: Summary of Client Risk in Advance Procurement Routes. The client has to avoid to loss control for the project and to avoid a very high price rate, the Turnkey and Pachage deal are not recommended for adoption in this project. Hence, we are suggesting to adopt the Design and Build to this project. DB is a more refined form of a package deal which obtained recognition from the JCT in 1981 with the publication of the JCT Standard Form of Building Contract with Contractors Design (CD 81). Figure 6 is shown the procedure of DB project. By chosen the DB procurement route, HWU knows the total financial commitment early in the projects life, and also knows that HWU does not introduce changes during the course of the works. DB has advised the direct negotiation and contact way between the client and the contractor. This has improved the communication lines and enabled the contractor not only to fully respond for the contract but also to adapt more promptly to meet the clients needs. The contractor is responsible for the whole of the design and construction of the building. Responsibilities are not split between designer and builder so that the client finds himself looking to separate parties in the event of a building failure. (BPS, 2nd Edition, 1990) 4.0 The Advantages and Potential benefits of DB route When the DB procurement route is chosen for the project, HWU starts out on a path to success by adherence to the objectives, time, cost and quality requirements of the project. Wider Choice of Design By invited three or more contractors to tender for this project, different with the traditional route, more designers will provide wider idea and design intend, HWU has the wider choice to select the best design that has fully understood and achieved the project objectives. Before HWU top management have decision to choose the contractor, they can input their concerns and comments to the design rather than request changes during construction stage. When both HWU and contractor agree with the amendment, the contract is ready to award accordingly. Time Cost Saving DB saves time and cost for the client, HWU, when it is providing the opportunity to achieve innovation in the delivered facility. Time and cost savings result from the ability of the design-build team to fast-track the project by overlapping the design and construction phases of the schedule. Because the HWU does not need to provide a full set of biddable construction documents, cost savings are also associated with design. Reduced Risk with lesser involvement DB allows the client, HWU, to avoid being placed directly between the architect/engineers and the contractor. HWU does not take on significant risk because of avoid the position on direct involvement. Even more importantly, the contractor will take the responsibility for design errors and omissions under DB route, and HWU is able to relive the major legal and managerial responsibilities. From HWUs view, the DB is a tool to fix many problems associated with the traditional route of contracting for design and construction separately and sequentially. We have also compared the procurement routes as shown in Figure 7. 5.0 The disadvantages of DB route A disadvantage of DB is that the contractor may use an existing building system or modular building form so that the contractor can reduce design time and save their own design fee, may lack aesthetic appeal. By chosen the DB procurement route, HWU is able to be aware of some serious failures among building systems and shall undertake careful research before award the contract. There is no independent architect and consultants to advice and to protect HWUs interests, is another disadvantage of DB route. In order to avoid a blind monitoring, HWU can employ an agent to perform this role on behalf. The agent shall supervise the works from brief, tender stage to design and construction stage, until handover the completed project to HWU, to make sure that the contractors proposal and works are complied with the required objectives and standard. Next, once HWU issued the contract, it will be costly for HWU to change the design, materials or works. HWU has to finalize the requirement before the tender and has to finally amend and confirm contractors proposal before sign the contract. Finally, HWU shall be aware of the responsibility for high quality risk. Some contractors concern with simplifying construction activities are able to lead to a reduction in design quality, as a result, it makes design and build inappropriate for this project in which high specification technology is required. Hence, HWU shall write clearly into the brief for the quality requirements. 6.0 The Alternative Procurement Route In case of the client has more concern on the cost control and changes of design and function, we have propose the Traditional Accelerated route as the alternative procurement route. As mentioned early in clause 3.1, Traditional Accelerated route has allowed the client to appoint the contractor earlier on the basis of partial information by negotiation or in competition. The two-stage tendering will be used to appoint a contractor as early as possible to the project. During the 1st tender stage, the design may not be completed and the tenderers will submit a price based on the available information. Until the 2nd tender stage, the additional design information will ready and the packages are finally priced. The client may comprise negotiation with the contractor (winning tender from 1st stage). When the price agreed, the client can award of the contract as traditional lump sum contract to contractor for commence the works. By compare with the traditional single-stage tendering, the benefit of Traditional Accelerated route to the client are: Shorten the tender period and quicker start on site works; Design stage can extend to construction period, may not requested to complete for tender package. By select the Nominated Sub-contractor, the quality is able to control by the client. The contractor can consider their experience to the design and their existing or extra resources to this project, that they may have a lower price package. The traditional accelerated route is suitable for our client who is not required much experience and the quality and buildability may also achieve the requirement. The client has to consider the risks during 2nd tender stage that the contractor may not meet the clients requirement. This can be resolved by spend more time to get alternative contractor involve and seek the agreement. 7.0 Demonstration of procurement Researches on Selecting Project Delivery Systems found that DB projects are delivered 33.5% faster than projects that are designed and built under separate parties. The researches also showed that DB project are constructed 12% faster for construction stage and have a unit cost that is 6.1% lower than traditional projects. (PDS 1998) 8.0 Conclusion The Design and Build is the recommended procurement route to HWU for this auditorium project. In order to achieve HWUs expectations and vision of delivery of the project, HWU is also to be an integral part of the design process. A well completed auditorium project with DB route will include HWU in the initial design process of programming and schematic design, and will include HWUs involvement not only in design stage meetings but also in the further interim reviews of the design, construction, functionality and even aesthetics at various steps along the design and construction process. DB has its ability to consider all relevant factors that would influence the desirability of the project. The best value selection of DB procurement route provides for the consideration of both cost, time and other more subjective factors such as project management, quality control and team reputation.

The Monkeys Paw by WW Jacob The Speckled Band by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle :: English Literature

The Monkeys Paw by WW Jacob The Speckled Band by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Both of these stories have similar characteristics. They are memorable and well described. They are both original. Also locations are very isolated and mysterious. Each one keeps our interest up to the final twist. But there are some differences. The first and most clear is their genre. †The Monkey’s Paw† is a horror type story, whereas â€Å"The Speckled Band† is a detective story. Other differences are the amount of locations within the story. â€Å"The Speckled Band† is set in many different locations some being the office and the Roylett house. On the other hand â€Å"The Monkey’s Paw† is only set in the family home. â€Å"The Monkey’s Paw† opens in a dark and gloomy setting. It becomes more mysterious when Mr. White bears a guilty grin, which makes us wonder what is going to happen. The mystery continues further when the Sergeant Major arrives and talks of wild scenes from distant parts, as he has served in the army in India for a long time and has picked up as strange talisman, which has been mummified called the monkeys paw. The monkeys paw is special because it can grant you wishes. Mr. White is very excited and wanted to know more of this mysterious talisman. The sergeant is trying to put Mr. White off, wanting to have the paw by saying, â€Å"the last man that use the paw used his last wish to be dead†. The sergeant eventually throws the paw on to the fire but so that it is easy to retrieve. Mr. White grabs the paw before it can burn. He makes his first wish and wishes for two – hundred pounds, which seems a safe sum. He sees an evil face in the fire and the monkeys paw moves as if it was alive. This begins to scare and concern him. When his son leaves for work in the morning he jokes about the wish and says to his parents that the money â€Å"might drop on his head from the sky† and â€Å"don’t break into the money before I get back†. This is ironic, as Herbert doesn’t return home as he dies at work due to the evilness of the wish. Around the time Herbert is due home from work, a man in a suit is outside the house that seems reluctant to enter it. Eventually when he does enter it is to break the news of Herbert’s death. The writer cleverly times this as he introduces a sense of tension into the plot when the amount of compensation is the exact sum

Character Analysis Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth Bennet Jane Austen's time period was a period that was full of change for society, but the main issue she really focused on writing about was women's social status, which was determined by whom she married. During this time period, a woman's ideal man was someone who was wealthy, able to take care of them, and provide her with security. There was no such thing as marrying for love; this is what made Austen’s females differentiate from other women. Austen made most of her main female roles have strong-independent natures and they stood for women's right to marry for love instead of status and wealth. Elizabeth Bennet is a perfect example of such a woman. Her unique characteristics make her one of the most well-known and loved heroines in literature. Although her mother and sisters act quite silly and dumb, excluding Jane, Elizabeth is quite intelligent. Elizabeth's intelligence is what makes her Mr. Bennet's favorite, but in equal, this makes Elizabeth’s her mother's least favorite. Mrs. Bennet ignores Elizabeth's intelligence and states that she is no better than the rest of her sisters. The reader is also shown that Elizabeth’s intelligence is displayed not only by her dialogue, but in her observation skills as well. She watches other's behaviors to decipher their personalities. It is obvious that she enjoys doing it because she states, â€Å"intricate characters are the most amusing† (chap. 9). There is no doubt that Elizabeth is the most independent woman in this story, considering that she rejected two proposals that surely would have made her future secure after her father's death. The first proposal was from Mr. Collins, and although he was rather ridiculous, the Bennets' estate was entitled to him next and marrying him would have saved all of them from being homeless. Despite knowing this, Elizabeth still refuses to marry him because she believes to only marry for love and it obvious that she does not love Mr. Collins. Such a feat shows the strength of her beliefs and character. Pride and Prejudice was originally going to be called First Impressions, although both titles represent the novel quite well. The main characters, Elizabeth and Darcy, are both guilty of giving the other sense-impressions. Elizabeth is guilty of prejudice and Darcy is guilty of pride. Although reader's usually focus on Darcy's pride, Elizabeth has to deal with pride just as much. Elizabeth's pride mainly consists of her rational thinking and belief that the decisions she makes are always wise. She is also takes pride in her ability to figure out others quickly and considers this to be her greatest trait. Although she is correct about most of the character's personalities like Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she is mistaken about Wickham’s and Darcy’s character.

President Obama What You Need to Know Before You Start Your First Job

President Obama What You Need to Know Before You Start Your First Job On paper, President Barack Obama’s story and mine don’t have that much in common. (Our daily lives are pretty different, to say the least- I can’t remember the last time I threw a dinner party for 20 of my closest world leader friends.) You may not think you and President Obama don’t have much in common, either. But both you and I would be incorrect- we all have something very important in common. Everyone, including future presidents, had to start somewhere. In President Obama’s case (and mine!), that start was in the ice cream biz. These days, the President likely has a team of people ready to bring him ice cream whenever he wants it. But once upon a time, he was a teen looking for a foothold in the working world. Like all of us at the very beginning, he was eager for skills and experience that would lead to the next opportunity, then another and another. And while everyone’s path is different, and may not lead to the White House, there are some universal things that we all take from our early job experiences.Work kind of sucks.Sometimes work is great! Sometimes we love our coworkers, and have awesome days. But even in the happiest of times in the best-fitting of jobs, there will be overwhelming days, or times when we hate it. That realism is an unavoidable lesson from one’s first job. Optimism is fantastic, but should always be tempered somewhat with the pragmatic philosophy that sometimes things will be hard, and we need to learn how to power through that.You learn something at every job you’ll ever have.For example, after my own high school summers serving Blizzards, I learned that I was no longer interested in serving food to people. But I also learned skills like how to use a cash register, how to deal with coworkers of varying competence, and how a small business franchise operates.I didn’t pursue a long-term career related to ice cream sales, but I developed a skill base that I can always d raw on, all these years later. Even if you worked someplace for three days before quitting in horror, chances are you learned either something about the workplace in general, or something about yourself.Time management is the key.There are very few jobs out there that are totally unstructured. Whether you got up at 6 a.m. to work a shift, or needed to figure out how to check off your to-do list in order to get out on time at 5 p.m., those early jobs helped instill in us a sense of what time means in the professional world.The workplace is a community.That may sound a little â€Å"I’d like to buy the world a Coke,† but it’s true- working is something all of us have in common. Any workplace is its own little community, with traditions, responsibilities, and a whole bunch of different personalities pushed together for many hours per week. And that little community fits into the broader community somehow, whether it’s providing services or filling needs.At so me point, whether in the near past or the distant past, all of us were green kids with few skills. Looking back and understanding how those early jobs helped us, no matter what path we chose after those earliest opportunities, makes us all the stronger in the future.Source:  LinkedIn