Sunk Cost free essay sample

In economics and business decision-making, sunk costs are retrospective (past) costs that have already been incurred and cannot be recovered. Sunk costs are sometimes contrasted with prospective costs, which are future costs that may be incurred or changed if an action is taken. Both retrospective and prospective costs may be either fixed (continuous for as long as the business is in operation and unaffected by output volume) or variable (dependent on volume) costs. Note, however, that many economists consider it a mistake to classify sunk costs as fixed or variable. For example, if a firm sinks $1 million on an enterprise software installation, that cost is sunk because it was a one-time thing and cannot be recovered once expended. A fixed cost would be monthly payments made as part of a service contract or licensing deal with the company that set up the software. The upfront irretrievable payment for the installation should not be deemed a fixed cost, with its cost spread out over time. We will write a custom essay sample on Sunk Cost or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Sunk costs should be kept separate. The variable costs for this project might include data centre power usage, etc. In traditional microeconomic theory, only prospective (future) costs are relevant to an investment decision. Traditional economics proposes that economic actors should not let sunk costs influence their decisions. Doing so would not be rationally assessing a decision exclusively on its own merits. Alternatively, a decision-maker might make rational decisions according to their own incentives, outside of efficiency or profitability. This is considered to be an incentive problem and is distinct from a sunk cost problem. Evidence from behavioral economics suggests this theory fails to predict real-world behavior. Sunk costs do, in fact, influence actors decisions because humans are prone to loss aversion and framing effects. In light of such cognitive quirks, it is unsurprising that people frequently fail to behave in ways that economists deem rational. Sunk costs should not affect the rational decision-makers best choice. However, until a decision-maker irreversibly commits resources, the prospective cost is an avoidable future cost and is properly included in any decision-making processes. For example, if one is considering preordering movie tickets, but has not actually purchased them yet, the cost remains avoidable.

Georgia OKeefe essays

Georgia O'Keefe essays Precisionist, is the term most widely used to describe Georgia OKeeffes work. OKeeffes great clarity in painting is what identifies her well-known paintings of urban architecture, mountains, bones, and flowers. The simple, clear forms in her masterpieces made her a pioneer of a new modernism in the USA. Although OKeeffe used her subject matter representationaly, the starkly linear quality, the thin, clear coloring, and boldly patterned compositions, give the effect of an abstract design. OKeeffe tried to offer a sense of tranquility and an appreciation of nature in her paintings. That was in the 1920s, and everything was going so fast. Nobody had time to reflect...I decided to paint a huge flower in all its beauty. If you could paint the flower on a huge scale then you could not ignore its beauty, commented OKeeffe. I personally think that OKeeffe was an artistic genius. She created a new way to look at objects which we take for granted, and paved the way for many women arti sts. Georgia OKeeffe was born in 1887, as the second of seven children, on a farm in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. After being given art lessons at home as a child her artistic talent was discovered and later studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and at the Art Student League in New York. While OKeeffe was at school she was taught to mimic the styles of realism but soon realized she could never achieve distinction working within this tradition. After taking a suggestion from Wesley Dow, an artist and art educator at Teachers College, she started creating art again, this time as an attempt to discover a personal language through which she could express her own feelings and ideas. OKeeffe began a series of abstract charcoal drawings and sent them to a past classmate of hers, Alfred Stiegl ...

How to Generate a Steady Income as a Writer for Corporate Clients

How to Generate a Steady Income as a Writer for Corporate Clients Ever wish there was some way you could earn an income you can depend on from your writing? Enter the corporate client and the retainer agreement. Corporations often have a huge need for regular writers, especially those with a strong online presence. They need fresh content for their website, blog and newsletters. Rebecca Matter, President of American Writers Artists Inc (AWAI) advises writers to use retainers, and so does copywriter Angela Booth and content marketer Trent Dyrsmid. A retainer is a sum of money a company agrees to pay a writer a certain sum of money for an agreed upon amount of work. It is a win-win situation for both parties. Companies are guaranteed quality writing from a dependable source and writers can rest easy knowing they have steady money coming in every month. Ready markets for retainers Retainers are most suitable where there is a need for regular writing. Blogs need to be updated frequently. and many companies send out weekly newsletters to their clients. Businesses that want to rank well in Google need create fresh content. When writing for these companies, you must thoroughly research the industry and capture the voice of the business. How to find clients Start Another way to find clients is to search job boards like http://jobs.problogger.net/ and bloggingpro.com/jobs/ . You can also optimize your Linkedin profile, as companies also use the network to find freelance writers. Get prospects to say yes to a retainer When pitching a retainer deal, remember that clients expect a price break. Be sure to point out that How to price your services for success Prices should reflect not only the time you spend on the client but also the time you save not looking for other clients and getting to know their needs. You also need to consider what the rate would be if each task youll be performing were contracted separately and what savings to offer the client. Most importantly, decide on the minimum fee that would make the deal worthwhile for you and keep this in mind when negotiating. Protect yourself Avoid misunderstandings The amount and date of payment The amount and type of writing Invoicing procedures How each party can terminate the agreement For new clients, you should also request 50 percent upfront for the first month and include a date when the agreement will be reviewed. It is possible to earn consistent money writing for corporations. Focus on businesses with high volume writing needs, and hook them with a retainer agreement.

Yvain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Yvain - Essay Example Yvain or the Knight with the Lion tells of Yvain, a knight in King Arthur’s court, whose adventures are initially kicked off by his desire to prove his bravery in the eyes of his fellow knights. Chivalry and courtly love are the two elements underpinning and moving the story, which is set in the medieval period of the famed fictional Arthurian era. Moreover, Chretien de Troyes’ tale highlights the importance of good reputation in the medieval period among knights and how reputation is equated to acts of chivalry and bravery especially for the benefit of the helpless like women. In Yvain or the Knight with the Lion, the reader is apprised of how a knight’s reputation is made, kept and lost. Apparently, reputation for chivalry, honor and bravery is the all-most important consideration by which each knight lives by. The story’s main character Yvain is a proud man who is impelled to rush and defend his honor from a disparaging remark, obviously made in jest and presumably after several bottles of wine, insinuating inability to make good his words. The challenge, to which he rises started when his cousin Calogrenant told a group of knights that he had been defeated by a knight after he had stirred a storm-brewing magical basin at the edge of a forest. This made Yvain censure his cousin for keeping this from him for so long and promptly vowed to avenge his shame by killing the knight himself. Kay, another knight, mocks Yvain’s pronouncement insinuating that he is merely heady with wine. Stung by the remark, Yvain secretly left for the place mentioned by Calogrenant even when King Arthur himself has scheduled a date to see the place himself (de Troyes Vv 1-746). It is evident from the initial events of the tale that reputation is very important to medieval knights. Yvain’s decision to scurry secretly even to the point of

Midwifery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Midwifery - Essay Example The NHS Modernization Agency, which was just recently superseded by NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, was established to facilitate the modernization of health services and the improvement of the patients' experiences and outcomes of health care. With the establishment of the Agency was of course the establishment of specific themes, which in turn, were targeted towards NHS' goals (NHS, 2006). The establishment of such themes is expected to make an impact in everything which are affiliated with health care, most specifically the patients and the workers. The midwives, being medical practitioners themselves are affected by these themes both in positive and negative ways (NHS, 2006). One of the themes emphasized in by the NHS Modernisation Agency was that about the Workforce. Based on this theme, the attempt to modernize the Health Care system would entail the effective use of staff, the attraction of staff and the retention and development of staff. Under the effective use of staff, it is important for the Health Care system to meet the changing demands imposed by the erratic nature of the field by achieving a balance between the workers' skills and service demands (NHS, 2006). According to NHS (2006), to achieve the balance, flexibility and skills are necessary in their workforce. These requirements put the status of midwives in both the advantaged and disadvantaged. As the role of midwives is concentrated on child delivery concerns, this puts them in the advantageous position as well as gives them specialization in which aspect of health care, they are supposedly the only ones sought after. If "balance," is more a function of skill than flexibility, then the power to handle delivery becomes exclusive only to physicians, midwives, and no one else's'. However, the opposite is true otherwise. Flexibility entails the knowledge, experience, trust and ability to perform and be responsible to do more than a single duty. It is not enough that a person has the knowledge and ability to perform duties. It is necessary that the person has the experience and has the legal responsibility for possible miscalculations. This is what is lacking in the midwife profession. If only "balance" is a matter of specialization, knowledge and ability, midwives could be having the advantage over other health care professionals. But since "balance" is also a matter of flexibility, then other health care professionals, specifically, the nurses are gaining the upper hand. Nurses, as it is known, can do assessment, prescription, as well as handling of child delivery, all within the scope of their licenses. Midwives cannot prescribe. They could only handle child delivery, the women's and children's health after birth. In other words, nurses can always act as midwives while midwives cannot act as nurses. The Workforce theme of the NHS modernization promotes independence, competition and thus, improved service given by the health care workers. This is a result of the development of appraisal and performance structure in hospitals based on standards. The results of such appraisals could then be used as basis for matching competencies with specific roles within the framework of the institution. This brings back the subject on specialization. The matching of competencies would be useless without any

Chocolate History Essay Example for Free

Chocolate History Essay All chocolate starts with a seed called a cocoa bean that is grown on a small tree. Many countries in Central and South America produce cocoa beans. The history of chocolate starts in Latin America, where the cocoa bean was first discovered about 2,000 years ago on a tropical tree. The first people recognized to have used these beans to make any kind of chocolate were the Maya’s. They called it the kakawa bean, which is where the origin of the world chocolate began. They most often used the bean to make a spicy, foamy drink. Later, the Aztecs discovered the cocoa bean. Eventually this was introduced in Europe after the Spaniards came to Central America. When the Spaniards began experimenting with the bean, they began to add other spices to it, such as cinnamon and sugar, to give the chocolate a sweeter taste. Soon, the rest of Europe started drinking it and it became a popular drink that only the rich could afford. In the 1600’s the first chocolate house was opened and this flavor was able to reach the mouths of many other people. In the early 1800’s, solid chocolate was created. It became more affordable to everyone and throughout time more recipes were experimented with, creating many different types of chocolate. There are many different types of chocolate such as White, Dark (bittersweet), Milk, Semi-Sweet and even Baking Chocolate (unsweetened). White chocolate isnt really considered chocolate because it has no cocoa solids in it, it is made of the fat from the cocoa beans known as cocoa butter. White chocolate has a creamy consistency and taste. It lacks flavor because it contains no chocolate liquor which gives chocolate the bitter strong chocolate flavor. White chocolate is not normally used in cooking unless it is a replacement for dark or milk chocolate. It is used mainly for decorating. Dark chocolate is the healthiest type of chocolate. This chocolate contains a large amount of disease-fighting flavonoids, anti-oxidants also found in red wine and lots of different fruit and vegetables. Its anti-oxidants can significantly improve blood pressure, prevent blood clots, slow the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol making it less likely to stick to artery walls and also reduce inflammation. Eating dark chocolate can also lower insulin resistance, the main problem behind diabetes. Milk chocolate does not contain as much chocolate liquor as dark chocolate, which gives it a softer chocolate flavor. This chocolate is much sweeter than any other. It is the most popular type of chocolate. Milk chocolate is more difficult to temper properly and more prone to overheating which would make it thick and lumpy if it comes into contact with water. Milk chocolate can be used in pretty much anything you want to be sweet. The difference between regular chocolate and baking chocolate is baking chocolate has less sugar and no fat and its bitter while regular chocolate is sweet and sugary. Tempering means improving the consistency, durability or hardness of a substance by heating and cooling it. Tempering is done by melting solid chocolate to a temperature high enough that the crystals in the cocoa butter break down. Once the chocolate is fully melted, it must be cooled to about 82F, a temperature at which crystals will start to form again so that the chocolate can eventually re-solidify. The chocolate’s temperature is then raised back to about 90F, where it is very smooth and can be poured into chocolate molds and used for other things. White, milk and dark chocolate can be tempered. Tempered chocolate is very glossy, has a firm finish and melts smoothly at around body temperature. Chocolate that has not been tempered or that has been improperly tempered will look flat or discolored. Tempering can be done in 2 ways by hand, or through a process called seeding. Tempering by hand can be done by tabliering where melted chocolate is poured onto a cool marble surface and worked with spatulas until it has cooled down sufficiently. More melted chocolate is added back and incorporated in to the tabliered chocolate to bring it back to the final working temperature. Through the process of seeding, chocolate is melted and a small amount of finely chopped solid chocolate is added into the melted chocolate and stirred in. Adding solid chocolate will lower the temperature of the melted chocolate and it will start to temper the melted chocolate. When it comes to baking, chocolate does not need to be tempered because it is being incorporated into another form. Tempering chocolate is good for dipping foods, for a more clean finish.

ford motor company :: essays research papers

FORD and e-STEEL Enter Into Multi-Year e-Commerce Agreement Automotive Leader to Use Leading Online Steel Exchange to e-Enable Major Web-based, Global Value Chain Purchasing Initiative Dearborn, Mich., and New York, NY — Business Wire — May 17, 2000 — Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), and e-STEEL Corporation, the leading negotiation-based e-Commerce exchange for the global steel industry, today announced an initiative to e-enable complex procurement programs with the automaker's global Tier 1 suppliers. This relationship includes an equity incentive program that will earn the carmaker a minority equity stake in e-STEEL. Ford selected e-STEEL (www.e-steel.com) to provide the steel-specific knowledge and functionality required to rapidly launch a steel e-Commerce procurement system to maximize efficiency and operational savings. Approximately 4-5 million tons of steel and steel-related products will be purchased via e-STEEL for metal stamping suppliers over the course of this contract. The scope of the alliance covers the automaker's steel order fulfillment processing, claims, financial controls, and audit reporting throughout its global manufacturing and assembly operations. "Ford Motor Company has confidence in e-STEEL's ability to deliver this Internet-based solution across its entire Tier 1 steel and metal stamping value chain, both in North America and Europe, within the next few months," said Andrew Hinkly, Director, Raw Material Purchasing, Ford Motor Company. "We selected e-STEEL as our partner due to their expertise in steel procurement systems, their efficient e-business tools such as STEELDIRECTâ„ ¢, and their existing broad coverage of our steel supply base," added Hinkly. "These inherent strengths, and their results-driven management team, will lead to a successful implementation of this program." "The mutual focus of the Ford/e-STEEL alliance is that value is job 1, " said e-STEEL Founder, Chairman, and CEO Michael S. Levin. "Our ValueTrackâ„ ¢ process and speed-to-solutions approach will accelerate Ford and its suppliers' ability to realize substantial operational savings from this program. We are thrilled that Ford Motor Company, which is one of the most innovative global companies, selected e-STEEL for this important initiative." TOP The automaker expects the members of its steel supply chain to realize cost benefits from efficiencies gained by participating in this program. Ford anticipates the volumes of steel transacted through the program to grow significantly during the next 12 months. At present, the Ford/e-STEEL alliance is limited in scope to this program for Ford's purchases, and the millions of tons of steel products a year. In addition to this alliance, e-STEEL recently announced that it also secured strong strategic alliances with three of Ford's major steel suppliers, and recent Ford World Excellence Award winners, U.

Philosophical Views Comparison Essay

The ancient Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Socrates believed in human learning and reasoning. He enforced humans to understand their limits to reason with themselves about their actions. Aristotle was born in third century B. C.. He believed in Purity of Soul achieved by our daily actions and habits. Plato’s main work is written in the form of dialogues with Socrates. However, his work with laws or rules does not involve Socrates or has a very small part of him given in them. Let us study different spheres of their work below. Methods of Acquiring Knowledge : Aristotle – His ways of acquiring knowledge involves both induction and deduction. Aristotle believed in the provision to reason alone with oneself. He gave much more emphasis and value to the knowledge gained by senses. He believed in knowledge gained by experiences as they put us in a dilemma to think about our situations and actions. Socrates – He has divided his education theory in five basic parts – I. Theory of Value – What is worth learning? What are the goals? II. Theory of Knowledge – What is the real meaning of Knowledge? How is it different from beliefs? III. Theory of Human Nature – What is a Human Being? How is it different from other species? What are his limits? IV. Theory of Learning – What is the meaning of learning? How are skills and knowledge acquired? V. Theory of Transmission – Who is to be taught? What is the curriculum going to be? Plato – He worked on a basic structure formation for acquiring knowledge. The first way is to acquire knowledge through senses and experiences. Then, the second is to reason the knowledge acquired by experiences. Then to acquire ‘true knowledge’ by reasoning to oneself in an ethical way. Aristotle, being a student of Plato gave much more value to the education gained though senses and experiences. While Socrates developed a learning theory to understand the basic structure of education and its importance. Important of Thinking – Aristotle believed in rationalizing our thoughts in an ethical way to learn to follow ethics in our daily lives in our habits. He pursed thinking and reasoning to acquire real knowledge based upon the metaphysical truths and laws. Socrates emphasized on understanding human behavior on the basis of their actions. He explained in his theories that we do not tend to do evil, if we are aware of its evil nature. He worked on understanding and directing his studies to help us reason our behavior with logical reasoning. Plato gave his theories in the form of dialogues explain the importance of logical thinking and reasoning to oneself. He gave various situations in his dialogues to explain how to logic and reason to ourselves alone to understand the higher truths. Existence – Aristotle believe in existence in terms of its essentiality. He believe of being a ’qua being’ or ’wisdom’ or ’theology. His Metaphysical conclusion over existence is for any identity to exist is directly related to its essentiality (Cohen, S. Marc. , 1978a. 31: 387-405). Socrates taught that this real subject world is neither to generate or decay. It is to be in existent as it has been. Plato defined existence in two different forms. One is what we can see in the form of its appearance, and the other form is what we cant see. Key Ideas of Aristotle – 1. Perfection is not an act, but a habit. According to Aristotle, we adopt our habits by doing the same act over and over again. If we are practicing bad habits, we will bring them in our life as habits and vica-versa. He said that it is important to practice what is right to create a habit of doing right in our lives. 2. Importance of Education. He was aware of changes that be brought by us in our lives by education. Hence, he used to tell others to spend time reading and learning about life and its rules. 3. Education Creates Wisdom in personality – Aristotle said that a layman hearing a concept for the first time would create an opinion of his own reasons with the concept itself, while an educated person would listen and work the concept in his mind first to understand its deeper meaning. Education makes a person wise enough to think more than to argue more over a concept or topic. 4. Thoughts Create Things – Even if we are not aware of the fact that our negative habits are also manifesting something in our lives, they do as we are thinking them over and over. Key Ideas of Socrates – 1. No one desires Evil as a primary desire. Socrates believed that evil is a force that becomes a desire due to several reasons. Its is important for a human being to renationalize his thoughts and desires to move towards good deeds only. 2. No one does wrong willingly – Socrates gave this idea describing that when people are involved in evil, they are not aware of it. They take their steps believing it is a part of life. At times, they are even proud of what they do even when it is evil. 3. All virtue is knowledge – Socrates was aware of the divine weight of education as well. Education is like a cure for the soul from suffering evil desires. He promoted education in people to understand the ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, as they are given in the universe, not to form their own beliefs. 4. Virtue is all that is required for true happiness – He believed in the purity of soul and education is the only way to keep our soul flawlessly pure. He taught that it is not necessary to discuss your thoughts with other people only. The real capability is to rationalize our own thoughts to conclude the righteous. Education can help the best in this rational practice. It is can purify our thoughts and give us the real and pure ideas to live. Key Ideas of Plato – 1. The Weak fights for Equality – Plato states in his philosophies that strong does not fight for his level in the society. He just asks for what he wants and achieves it, while a weak uses the Law to fight for equality. 2. No one willing does wrong – Plato focuses on the theory of saving our characters from the controllers of the society. 3. Education – He has also given deep philosophical notes over importance of education. He states that education is the way to be logical and rational in our actions. We will find similarities in their very basic philosophical beliefs, for example, Education is the most emphasized area of their philosophical teaching. Each of them has written about importance of education in one’s life and how it leads to pure happiness of soul. However, we will also find certain clear differences among their work. Plato was focused for laws and rules about society. While Aristotle devoted his life to understand human and to guide them towards righteous actions purification of soul. Socrates has given remarkable theories in understanding core human nature and reasons for their actions. References – Bostock, D. , 1994. Aristotle: Metaphysics Books ? and ?. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Cohen, S. Marc. , 1978a. â€Å"Essentialism in Aristotle. † Review of Metaphysics 31: 387-405.

Management proposal

Abstract The present paper is based on a case study of Top Travel. Inconsistent manager practices in selecting travel clerks and trainees are described. Furthermore, the paper includes a section in which a relevant strategy to improve the selection process is recommended. A job description for the position of a HR manager is included. Finally, the paper focuses on a person specification for this management position. Introduction This paper is based on a case study of Top Travel, with focus on inconsistent practices in the selection of travel clerks and trainees. It has been reported that store managers have made mistakes while recruiting potential employees. Therefore, a specific strategy is outlined to improve the selection process. Other aspects discussed in the paper include a job description for the position of a HR manager and a person specification for this position. Inconsistent Success in Selecting Travel Clerks and Trainees One of the likely reasons why Top Travel’s store managers are not consistently successful in selecting suitable travel clerks and trainees is that managers failed to give candidates prior notice and areas to research and focus on. As a result, store managers were unsuccessful in focusing on important aspects, such as accurate determination of candidates’ skills and information on corporate culture and the job position (Mathis and Jackson, 2010). Another reason for the inconsistent success in selecting travel clerks and trainees refers to the lack of formal interview training of store managers. The organisation has not emphasised strategic planning into improving the interviewing process. There was not a sufficient plan of interviewing that had been created in advance. In addition, store managers failed to assess culture fit of candidates within the company (Patterson et al., 2011). The inconsistency of employee selection at Top Travel could be also explained with the fa ct that managers extensively focused on job skills and experience rather than evaluation of candidates’ personality. The ability to differentiate critical job skills was not consistently present during the employee selection process at Top Travel. A Strategy for Improving the Selection Process Based on the issues that have been identified, it is important to recommend a strategy for improving the selection process, for both travel clerks and trainees. Giving candidates prior notice and areas to research is essential because it enables store managers with an opportunity to focus on relevant aspects of the selection process (Mathis and Jackson, 2010). One of the most important issues is to determine candidates’ fit within Top Travel’s culture. Managers should provide an adequate description of the company, including background information, tendencies and trends pertaining to its corporate culture as well as expectations of the job position (Patterson et al., 2011). The organisation should consider the use of competent and qualified interviewers who understand the specificity and structure of the interviewing process. Interviewers should meet in advance and prepare a relevant plan to follow during the interview. It is recommended to assign different responsibilities to different professionals (Brewster et al., 2011). For instance, one person would be responsible for specific types of questions asked during the interview, while another person would be in charge of assessing of candidates’ credentials. Even though store managers at Top Travel have declared their accurate instinct at spotting the right people, there should be emphasis on the evaluation of applicants’ personality. The company needs diverse individuals with diverse personalities to deal with the evolving needs of travel customers (Patterson et al., 2011). Managers should also focus on differentiating one candidate from another. The consistent use of testing and discussi on is a relevant part of the strategy to differentiate the critical job skills that managers expect to see in candidates. Finally, it is important to take the time in creating a small candidate pool with several individuals who meet the needs of Top Travel (Brewster et al., 2011). It may be necessary to reopen the search for employees in case the right people with adequate skills and experience are not settled. Job Description for HR Manager The position of a HR manager requires that the manager should develop policy and regularly participate in the adequate coordination of human resources processes in the organisation. Important responsibilities of a HR manager include employment issues, compensation, maintaining labour relations, benefits, providing employee training opportunities and services (Bareham, 2012). One of the essential duties of a HR manager is to analyse salary trends in the company as well as determine competitive compensation plans. This professional is directly responsible for the creation of suitable policy within the organisation, with focus on ensuring equal employment opportunities and employee benefits (Cushway, 2008). Different policies, regulations and reporting mechanisms should be maintained properly in order to ensure adequate compliance with standards in the field. In addition, a HR manager is expected to evaluate industry trends that could help the organisation grow in the future (Patterson et al., 2011). Furthermore, a HR manager screens and recruits employees when there is a need to fill vacant positions in the organisation (Cushway, 2008). New employee orientation is adequately planned by the manager in an attempt to ensure positive attitude towards the company’s culture and goals. A HR manager should complete reports and recommend procedures that could lead to the decrease or elimination of absenteeism and turnover in the organisation (Bareham, 2012). This professional is also responsible for contracting with outside suppliers to provide appropriate employee services and relocation services. A Person Specification for the HR Position The HR position includes key competencies, such as degree or equivalent, evidence of professional development, extensive contribution to organisational change, experience in delivering reliable HR practices, and experience in developing HR policies (Brewster et al., 2011). Having a professional qualification in the field along with evidence of professional development is a necessary component of screening candidates’ education and training capacity. Focus on organisational change is important considering the fast pace in which modern organisations develop (Bareham, 2012). In addition, a HR manager should demonstrate an extensive experience in the HR field, which would serve as a strong basis for developing successful practices in the organisation. Conclusion The paper discussed inconsistencies in the employee selection process at Top Travel. Store managers demonstrated practices that did not lead to the selection of the right people. Therefore, the paper included important sections on recommending a strategy to improve the selection process along with details on a job description for the position of a HR manager and a person specification for this position. References Bareham, S. (2012). HR in a Nutshell: Making Good Managers Great! Birmingham: Summa Publishing. Brewster, C., Sparrow, P., Vernon, G. and Houldsworth, E. (2011). International Human Resource Management. London: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Cushway, B. (2008). The Handbook of Model Job Descriptions. New York: Kogan Page. Mathis, R. L. and Jackson, J. H. (2010). Human Resource Management. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R. and Switzler, A. (2011). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Royal Automotive Management

Royal Automotive Management Introduction Royal Automotive (RA) deals in new and used cars. The company management strives to make buying a used car a simple process. RA has been in business since the year 2006. During this period, the company management has created a reputation of perfection and quality in its operations.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Royal Automotive Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One of the key areas the company focuses on is the customer’s satisfaction and experience. RA has repeat businesses and referrals of up to 40 per cent. The company is running a lean operation with no large, fancy showroom for its exhibitions. This approach enables RA to cut down on costs and maximize on returns. The focus on customers enables the company to turn its strategy into a partnership with financial institutions. RA has specialized in finding credit opportunities with financial institutions such as Bank of Denver and Ch ase. The company claims to get customers loan requests approved in writing within 5 minutes. Further, the company is a Credit Union member, which makes its credit requests easily approved. RA gives customers the comfort of handling their credit needs with or without references to their credit history. The key for success of RA is its ability to learn and change continuously in its environment of operations. We can assert that the RA management team has been able to adopt approaches of a learning organization that is capable of continuously transforming itself in order to meet the challenges of change, and customers’ requirements. Supply chain and inventory management The emergence of mass production of cars led to the rise of used car dealers. RA has various ranges of models from different car dealers. Therefore, the management of supply chain and inventory occupies a significant part of the company’s operations. These can only work through a complementary management a pproach whereby the company implements changes involving systematizing and stabilizing practices of management, and focus on employment relationships.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The theories and ideas of hierarchies, new work patterns and division of labor particular with emphasis on measurements of outputs, supervision and rewards have been part of the classical approach in an organizational design and management. These ideas emanated from scholars like Fredrick Taylor, Henri Fayol and Max Weber. American automotive industry quickly incorporated these ideas and theories, particularly Ford Motors into its management practices. Management of supply chain grants some elements of security to RA suppliers and customers. The company meets the buyer’s specifications levels of quality and performance. These factors have created confidence in customers about AR ’s commitment to improve in managing the supply of used cars. From the point of view of customers’ management practices in RA, it seems that the customer assumes a dominant role in the relationship and can influence the supply with regard to performance, quality, monitoring, delivering and pricing of used cars in RA. In this way, RA becomes an open-learning organization in terms of managing its stocks and supplies. This emerges from the way the company gets, interprets and acts on information from its customers. Therefore, RA cannot assume that the future supply management will rely on past experiences and consumer behavior. The ability to identify the market and financial changes among consumers and act on the opportunity is the key to supply and stock management in RA. RA must demonstrate to its staff why adapting to changes every day is necessary as the management faces different customers with divergence needs. The company supplies of best selections of used cars m ust be guided by the clients’ specifications and financials positions.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Royal Automotive Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More RA has no choice but to fit its supplies to meet the needs of its clients. RA must be ready to adapt to evolution and revolution at every stage of its operations in order to survive. Customer management We can attribute the success of RA to its two distinct core values. The RA customer service and handling financial needs of its customers has created repeat and referral businesses for the company of up to 40 per cent. This has created a culture of exception customer service and experience management, promoting innovation and fostering cooperation. The company has a commitment to make an effort and resolve all customers’ complaints. Royal Automotive has the management practice of lean operation. It has no large showroom rather it focuses on c ustomers’ satisfaction. This has enabled it to practice continuous improvement in its core operations. This has been the pillar of operation and foundation which RA has become successful. In understanding change in an outside environment and customers’ requirements, the senior management has been able to communicate this to the organization. These strategies emerge from customers’ feedbacks, individual contributions and team efforts. The company seems to have adopted a dominant management strategy that encourages individuals and team to challenge established norm through customers’ feedbacks. In this regard, RA seems to promote individual learning and involvement in the organization so that its representatives are ready to meet new challenges (Nieuwenhuis and Wells 55). Royal Automotive seems to command the retail market for used cars in Denver. It is from retail segment that the company makes most of its sales and profits. The company knows that not all retailer customers are the same. Therefore, it has stocked various ranges of used cars from various manufacturers. The company has both serious buyers and serious shoppers.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The serious buyer is a customer who needs a car within a short time frame. This customer looks for value and price. More often, the customer will compromise on vehicles specification. RA claims that for such customers, buying a used car does not have to take them a whole day. This is a customer who wants to walk in the showroom and drive out with a car. RA gives them that assurance through their large inventories of assorted used cars and credit arrangements processes (West 5). RA has serious shoppers who have carried out their home work and know what they need to buy. The customer has researched various ranges of vehicle models and options before visiting RA and then goes on to give his or her specification of a desired pre-owned car. The company manages such customers by ordering new selections of used cars. Most these customers are car young, car enthusiasts and first time buyers. The fact that RA gets most of its sales from serious buyers and shoppers shows that the company know s how to handle its customers in order to maximize sales. At the same time, those customers who have not decided on what car to buy get both advices on credit and car types. The idea of lean operation and approach to the car dealership probably comes from Japanese approach to car sales. Examination of the company’s management practices would appear relevant to a lean operation model of Japanese car dealers. It involves how RA has learnt and changed due to ever increasing competition following Japan’s over production in the automobile industry which led to sales of used cars, particularly in Africa. Lean production approach focuses on production organization, superior quality and productivity of used cars with customers’ needs guiding the selection of used cars in RA. Lean production has been a dominant form of operation management in Japan car industry. Other dealers realized that the method was transferable outside Japan and adopted it. This approach to managem ent could have influenced the operation of RA in its approach to sales of used cars. Financial management Royal Automotive has credit specialists who are ready to handle any customers’ financial needs. The company claims that every credit application for the purchase of its cars gets approved within 5 minutes. The world automobile industry has experienced rapid and deep changes over the past few decades forcing several market leaders to re-invent their managements and operations practices. Re-inventions methods included mergers, globalization strategies, changes in consumer needs and the rapid entry of Asian countries in the automotive field. These companies come with their own organizational and management cultures into established markets. Asian players have now become the largest producers of cars in the world. Subsequently, they have created successful markets for quality used cars in other continents, which have led to significant changes in the automobile industry. RA h as studied the contemporary financial situation in the United States, which has created less optimism in contemporary customers and incorporated it into its management practices. The company is able to provide best selections of quality used cars affordably and on credit. This is due to reduced customers demand for new cars and high vehicle prices. They solve these problems by providing reliable quality used cars to customers and arrange for funding alternatives through their affiliate financial institutions. Nieuwenhuis, Paul and Peter Wells. The automotive industry and the environment: A technical, business and social future. New York: CRC Press, 2003. Print. West, Penny. Organisational Learning in the Automotive Sector: Routledge Advances in Management and Business Studies. New York: Routledge, 2001. Print.

Asylum Seekers Essay Example for Free

Asylum Seekers Essay I have chosen to do my discursive essay on asylum seekers. I will try to separate lies from facts. I had to think carefully about this topic as there are so many different views on asylum seekers. I also opted to look into asylum seekers because I found that they are an extremely oppressed group. I will give pros and cons on asylum seekers and try to balance out my argument. The impact and influences people in power have on the mass media is tremendous. Together with the negative media coverage, asylum seekers have been given such a bad image. International asylum law defines an asylum seeker as someone who seeks asylum in a foreign country because of war, violence or out of fear of persecution. Only after the recognition of the asylum seekers protection needs, he or she is officially referred to as an asylum seeker and enjoys asylum seeker status, which carries certain rights and obligations according the receiving country. Over the last four years there have been 138,530 asylum seekers in the UK alone. There are many claims about asylum seekers that give them this – Britain is known for asylum seekers to do what they want wherever and whenever they want; but asylum seekers are not allowed to claim welfare benefits in the UK. I found out about forty organisations working with asylum seekers and it says that 85% starve because they have no food to live on and 95% cannot afford to buy clothes or shoes and 80% are not able to maintain a good healthy life. I also found out that nine out of ten asylum seekers will pretend to be in danger to get into Britain. Over half of asylum seekers in the UK are given permission to stay here. The ideas that are often portrayed of asylum seekers are not just ones of foreigners trying to get into Britain but sometimes asylum seekers are accused of being criminals. I found out that having fled danger in their home country asylum seekers are more likely to become victims of crime in the UK .Most asylum seekers that come to Scotland think that it’s amazing, outstanding some even say paradise. This shows us the impact and difference it actually has on their life. In Afghanistan you wouldn’t be able to go a walk, go out with friends for a while like you do here; there are bombs going off, dead bodies lying around the streets and you would hardly see any of your friends and family. Most of them don’t even go to school whereas in the UK they love going to school even though most of us hate it, they love the fact that they are learning and are getting an education but a down point to going to school over here is that they would have to learn English and know it really well if not then they would find it very difficult. Some say that Scottish are the best people ever and they feel so welcomed when they come here. The list could go on. In Afghanistan they would have to have an arranged marriage where they have no say on what happens and when it happens. Whereas here in the UK they can get married whenever they want and whatever age they want they might not even get married. It would be their own choice. On the other hand people in Scotland /UK don’t think about all those horrible things that happen in Afghanistan. Some people just presume because they’re not from here or had a different coloured skin that they are terrorists. Some are even scared. And some even bully them because they are a different race or have lost a family member. We dont think of what we actually have†¦ fully educated and we can do a lot more things that they can’t do. When they come to the UK most asylum seekers would do anything for a job they think that British people are so lucky to live a as they say a normal life, but the downside to that is they take jobs away from local people which makes them more angry. Some UK citizens can’t tell the difference between asylum seekers and illegal immigrants they are discriminated against because of this. Some asylum seekers can make a positive contribution to the economy and local community by having a special talent and can help out. To summarise the discusion of asylum seekers is that there a lot of different views on them. There are so many pros and cons but I have only chosen ones I thought stand out and give good evidence. It’s really yourself that needs to decide what you think on asylum seekers, other people may think different from you but it’s you own opinion and not all asylum seekers are the same. Asylum Seekers. (2016, May 26).

Nutritional Values of Meals Provided By Day Nurseries To 3-5year Essay

Nutritional Values of Meals Provided By Day Nurseries To 3-5year Children - Essay Example This essay stresses that the primary source of data for this research shall be information gathered from interviews conducted and visits to several local day care centres. The operators and workers of different nurseries will be interviewed for the types of and content of meals provided to children. By comparing the food quality of different day care centres and also the food quality of the nurseries with the recommended daily allowance of vital nutrients, inferences can be drawn about the nutritional value of meals provided by nurseries. On ethical grounds, approval for the study shall first be sought from the relevant Institutional Review Boards. Confidentiality will be assured and personal information will not be collected. The data collated from the interviews and visits to the sampled nurseries will be analysed qualitatively to ascertain the nutritional values of meals provided in different day care centres, whether this is sufficient and if there is a relationship between the type of day care centre and the nutritional value of the meals provided. This study is very important, as it will establish the sufficiency or otherwise of the proliferating day care centres in adequately nurturing the young population of this country entrusted to their care. It shall also seek to establish if there is any link between type of day care centre and the quality of care they provide, this information will greatly aid parents in choosing the best nursery for the children.