Bringing Out the Best in Others

When I arrived home after being promoted as the CAD (Computer-aided design) Manager of our company, I had great difficulty going to sleep. It felt as though I was on top of the world and the exhilaration I felt was intensified as I looked back to the years when I first set foot in America. I was an eighteen-year-old lad then and I was very anxious to get assimilated into American society. My entire family and clan had high hopes that somehow I would make it good in a foreign land.Fear of failure probably gave me a head start as my drive and determination to climb the corporate ladder was so strong: I immersed myself in the study of American English and culture more than my other compatriots did. I worked and studied at the same time hoping that my academic credentials and relentless drive to succeed would open doors for me. Fortunately, I was not disappointed. One after the other, the doors of opportunity began to open. I found work to finance my schooling and when I was through with my schooling I immediately found work as CAD Drafter.Little by little, my superiors took notice of my technical and programming skills. Perhaps, over and above these skills, what really made my superiors realize that I was intent on moving up was my refusal to give up when the team seemed to have run into a blank wall. I always kept trying to figure a way out of the problem long after the others in the team had already given up. Indeed, there were a lot of instances when my plain stubbornness solved a difficult problem. Now, as a CAD Manager, I am determined that this same persistence could again one day give me another shot at a higher position.Besides, I am convinced that I have to be particularly quick to recognize the existence of the same trait in my subordinates. I know that a worker with a drive similar to mine would make a difference in the accomplishment of tasks. After literally burning the lines breaking the news back home through an overseas call, I sat in my apartment and asked myself, now what? I realized that having been promoted is not the end of the road. Instead, I was given another uncertain road to trek.This time, the rules are different; the expectations are higher and the demands are also certainly harder. That very night, my elation slowly gave way to apprehension. Even then, I congratulated myself for a job well done and steeled myself for another formidable challenge to be hurdled. I took stock of the team assigned to me and wondered if I could really be an effective leader considering that I have risen from the ranks. Immediately, Mr. Tom Higen came to mind. Like me, he rose from the ranks such that he knows virtually everything about CAD.I silently resolved that I would pattern my management style after his. Mr. Higen would be my role model and mentor. To lead the team effectively, I knew that I had to know the members of my team on a deeper level. John Maxwell (2001) writes that successful people-developers make the right assumptio ns about people, ask the right questions about people and gives the right assistance to people (p. 143). I felt that Mr. Tom Higen demonstrated this trait in his dealings with us. Indeed, he is a very focused worker and yet found time to bond with us, his subordinates.It is true that in my other jobs, I also had superiors who would ask how I was doing almost every time they met me in the lobby or elevator. Yet when one is not sincere, the phony nature of the question somehow gets through and I often had the feeling that they would ask what I was doing not because they really cared about what I was doing but because they could not find any other statement to break the ice. When Mr. Higen asked how I and my other colleagues were doing, I could immediately sense that he was not mouthing a perfunctory, one-liner as some sort of lip-service to what they call corporate bonding.I could feel that he was sincere in asking the question and without much reservation or hesitation, I and my coll eagues could discuss with him our personal problems and eventually we would move on to discussing with him work issues and difficulties. While the presence of other superiors would make us uneasy, Mr. Tom Higen’s presence would be a welcome treat as we found in him an ear that was ready to listen. Realizing that I should also try to establish a strong bond with subordinates, I made it a point that in our weekly meetings, I would ensure that I would arrive at the conference room 30 minutes ahead of schedule.While waiting for the other team members to arrive, I would ask how one’s child was doing or how one was coping with a new-found hobby or sports activity. In these sessions, I was able to gauge whether a subordinate’s performance is being affected by a domestic problem. Once, Matt Cavaness, a Senior CAD Specialist who is an exuberant guy suddenly became withdrawn and failed to meet a deadline twice. It is in one of these pre-conference talks that he disclosed that his 1-year-old daughter kept getting ill and the doctors could not give a final diagnosis. I remarked, â€Å"Now I see why you aren’t your usual self.I will pray that no serious illness has befallen your daughter. I think he was so touched and relieved by my statement that his concentration at work was restored. Now, when the two of us have one-on-one discussion about production issues, we would outdo each other in saying, you are not your usual self, when we are stuck with an impasse. I would say I started to gain the trust and loyalty of Matt by that thoughtful remark. It is indeed surprising how such a seemingly insignificant gesture could pave the way to a strong bond of professionalism and friendship.I think that in this instance, I took the step in making the right assumptions about people as John Maxwell suggested. I discovered what is valued by my team mate and knowing what he values, I use it as a means of connecting with his inner self. I began to see him in a different light and became more understanding of his previous lapses. Another positive result of my pre-conference talks with my subordinates was the fact that whenever I set a meeting or discussion, nobody would get late as what happens in other departments.Since they all know that I always arrive at the venue 30 minutes ahead of time, they either arrive at the venue 30 minutes ahead of schedule or be at the meeting place at least 10 minutes before the sessions. They surely find it embarrassing to keep me waiting. Since I want all meetings and all outputs to be delivered on time, I must ensure that I myself demonstrate this demand in my very own work ethic. This management practice bolstered my integrity, a quality which Maxwell regards as the most important ingredient of leadership (p. 49).Taking off from such a fruitful pre-conference talks with Matt, I also resolved to know the other members of the team in a deeper way: Gunilla and Miguel, the Senior CAD Specialists and Ramon a nd Olive, the Project Cad Specialists. By knowing a lot about their personal circumstances, I believe that I could sincerely engage them in conversations that would delve on both the personal and professional aspect of the employee. I familiarized myself with the personal background of my teammates. I even took pains to memorize the number of children that my subordinates had and ensured that I could at least remember their names.When an employee would come in to refer an issue, I would make it a point to begin with a small talk about the employees current personal undertakings. This went on for quite some time until one of them remarked, â€Å"You’re bent on becoming a Mr Higen, aren’t you? † I was dumbfounded by the man’s perspicacity. With that I suddenly came to realize that perhaps my aping Mr. Higen was being counterproductive. Instead of seeing me as a superior who is as caring and concerned as Tom, I was coming across as phony and a copy-cat. Surp risingly, when I ceased trying to become a clone of Mr.Higen, I suddenly became more relaxed in my conversations that the spontaneity and warmth of my concern as a superior showed through. My co-workers began to like me and began opening up to me as a person and as a professional. My inhibitions and my mental cues to be like Mr. Higen eventually gave way to a more relaxed and natural way of dealing with my subordinates. I began to have a very caring attitude towards my subordinates. I have begun to accept that I am who I am in my own unique way and not through the ideal of some other person.While I am resolved to pay forward the kindness of my superior, I am also obliged to remain true to my identity. This is the only way I could safeguard my identity as a unique individual. After having impressed my subordinates about my concern for their personal and professional welfare, I was dead-set on ensuring that they would throw in their unconditional support in the attainment of our goals . I believed that one sure way of motivating them towards this managerial objective of mine is to gather the input of each member in how to attain the goal in the best and fastest way possible.Again, meetings were in order. The first two projects that were finished in this manner truly went fine and ahead of schedule. However, when each team member became less inhibited in voicing his opinion, we eventually came to a point when we could no longer agree as to which is the best course of action to take. As the leader, I would moderate and resolve issues and made sure that the exchange of ideas did not become a clash of personalities. It came to a point when I could no longer reconcile opinions that in one project, we were at a gridlock and time was running out.I eventually realized that even when management principles require the input of subordinates, my role as the manager would have to be exercised with firmness and finality to avoid such impasse. Nonetheless, to soothe feelings th at might have been hurt by my choice of a course of action over another, I would announce that a particular course of action is what we ought to follow as an exercise of my management prerogative but once it would not turn out to be the best, we would resort to another suggestion later.I realized that even when inputs are sought from subordinates, I, the manager, still have the final say as to the direction that we would take. By doing this I take on accountability and responsibility if anything goes awry and not the subordinate who offered the suggestion. Indeed, decision-making remains my call in spite of the fact that suggestions from subordinates have been solicited. I am technically proficient in all the programs related to drafting and I keep abreast of all the modern software related to CAD.Thus, my co-workers could always count one me to give them the correct and updated technical advice. I relished being the perennial technical point person until I realized that my availabi lity and dependability on the technical side of our work has become counter-productive. I eventually sensed that as the CAD Manager, I should be focusing on other aspects of production. In fact, I should not bother myself too much with the technical work as an employee was already assigned to specifically attend to it.I must have made myself too available for consultation than I should that Olive kept coming to me for inputs for projects assigned to her. Her importuning consumed a considerable amount of time and having become aware of this I made sure that it somehow has to end. The next time that Olivia came for the usual technical consultation, I pretended that I was on my way out for a business lunch with a client. Throughout the day, I made sure that I could not be contacted by her. As the project was due at 5 pm on that day, Olivia was forced to study the technical material herself. In doing so, she was able to solve her problem.I believe that after two other unsuccessful attem pts to get my opinion on a project she was doing, Olivia finally resolved to finish the project all by herself. From then on, realizing that her attempts to consult me midway through a project was merely time-consuming, Olivia finally decided to do her work on her own as well. I realized that by making myself too available, I was not leading my team. I was in fact pitching in for the work that they should have been doing in the first place. Besides, the practice has not resulted in Olivia being able to do the project all by herself.I was teaching her but I did not intend the process to be a repeated activity as she had to be weaned from my constant supervision. I wanted her to be a self-directed or independent employee who is able to reach her goal with minimal or without supervision. This must be what Maxwell had in mind is his admonition to give the right assistance to people. The assistance I was giving Olivia at the start was not the right kind as it had the tendency to make her complacent and dependent. Looking back, I also became aware that my Transition Skill was inadequate.Catapulted to a managerial position, I realized that I would have to go beyond the technical and programming skills and instead hone my managerial skills. I have to make sure that my technical skills are as impeccable as my managerial skills. I needed to learn fast how I could best bring about the best in my five subordinates. Due to the fact that I sometimes had to go on business trips that would take at least a couple of days of absence, I had to delegate some of my tasks. In delegating selected tasks, I would see to it that the job that is delegated is the area where the employee excels.However, I rely on Matt to make the crucial decisions when decisions have to be made immediately. I once thought that delegating tasks is not liked by most subordinates as it would seem to be an additional burden. I learned that in delegating tasks, I have to make the other person realize that dele gation is an affirmation of my trust and confidence. I would begin my delegation spiel with the phrase, â€Å"This is a vital process which, I believe, is best done by you. † This statement makes the person warm up to the idea of the responsibility and he would gladly accept the task without much hesitation.Although I do delegate certain tasks, I still ensure that I am still on top of everything by periodic calls or when absolutely needed, I would have those with delegated tasks discuss matters with me via teleconference. Going back to the admonition of Maxwell about making the right assumptions about people, I found that I have unstated assumptions about people and no matter how I try hard not to make an assumption for fear of being prejudiced, the human mind is always classifying or making categories about things and about other people. For example, I treat my two Filipino subordinates, Miguel and Ramon, the way I treat myself.That is, as immigrants like me, I know that lik e me, they are in a make or break situation such that no matter how adverse the circumstances may be, they will gladly pitch in to help. With this in mind, I give them work that is at times higher or more demanding than that being done by the rest. These two Filipinos always deliver quality work on time. Indeed, people have a way of living up or down to your opinion of them (Maxwell, 147). While assigning work to these two individuals, I always ensure that I are to listen to what is going on with their families.Aware perhaps that I always seek the best for them and their families, I am amply rewarded by their efforts to always bring out the best in themselves. Maxwell says further, â€Å"People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care† (147). The same holds true for Matt and Gunilla. I found that even if they are hard-pressed for time, they would normally respond with enthusiasm to a new project once I had recognized their needs both on the professional and the personal level. For Matt, mere mention of his CD rock collection would send him rattling off album titles since he knows them by heart.I once bought a rock CD for him and he was beside himself with joy. That I should bother with my time to go looking for his type of music was such a profound joy for him. Gunilla on the other hand, loves gardening. Although I do not have much time for late night meetings, I gave her an unexpected visit. I found her busy puttering in the garden. She was ecstatic when I gave her a book about gardening. By the way she enthusiastically responded to my questions, I knew right there and then that I could count on her when it was time to get things done.While I was quite successful with the first four team members, I was a dismal failure when it came to Olivia. It was not because I couldn’t find anything that would make her respond with enthusiasm or anything that would be a common hobby at the stage of her life. Whenever her attention was c alled to certain lapses, she would accept it with a stony face, pout and then start working on a new task. At first I secretly resented it. However, I eventually confronted her about it and she had a litany of woes as an excuse. To ensure that she is able to produce as much as her fellow employees, I paired her off with Matt Cavaness.Nonetheless, she would not change her habits. Before I could think of another technique to make her more productive, she transferred to another company. My experiences with these people have so far been fruitful. In order to bring out the best in them, I need to show them my best side as well. I am a veritable role model in the department where I work. Aside from this, I must show them my utmost concern for them. By working together and at the same time valuing one another, synergy is achieved and more work is done or accomplished. REFERENCE Maxwell J. C (1971). Developing the leader within you. Nashville, Tennessee: Nelson Publishers

Problem Analysis Contract Law

An offer must be firm and demonstrate clear intent, whereas an acceptance must accept the term of the offer unqualifiedly. It should be noted that in the usual case, communication of acceptance and consideration are also essential to constitute a valid acceptance. If all elements are found to exist, the contract will be complete, and Lain will be bound to fulfill his promise. Offer The first issue to address is whether an offer exists. Lain would presumably argue that his statement was merely a puff and lacked intention to be acted upon as he announced it impulsively under the influence of alcohol, and the offer does not give him any benefit.This is, however, a weak argument. The general rule is that the intention of the parties should be assessed objectively, as in Smith v Hughes (1871) LORD 6 CB 597 where Blackburn] stated that the promises conduct should be considered in a way that appears to a reasonable man. The phrase â€Å"would pay El 0,000† exhibits both certainty and intention, because it has stated the exact amount of reward and the wordings shows immediate readiness to be bound. His claim is particularly convincing given his wealth. A reasonable man would therefore believe that Lain did intend to pay the reward if the stated condition was fulfilled.Similar to Williams v Cowardice (1833) 5 Car & P 566, there is only a promise made by one party. Lanai's statement appears to represent a unilateral offer that would be converted into a binding contract once the required act has been performed. This would be further discussed in the following. Acceptance In unilateral contracts, performance of the stipulated act constitutes the acceptance of offer (Cargill v carbonic smoke gall co. [1893] 1 CB 256 (CA)). Both crews have performed the act of â€Å"crossing the finish line† ahead of Lanai's yacht.However, it is highlighted that the current case differs from Cargill v Carbonic Smoke Ball Co. In that it is arguable whether or not anyone who has completed the performance can claim the reward. On one hand, it can be said that since Lanai's offer does not state any conditions, crossing the finishing line is sufficient in itself. This argument is, however, suggesting that any random yacht that happens to cross the finish line by incident is also entitled to the reward, which makes little sense. The court is more likely to accept that only qualified competitors who crossed the knish line ahead of Lanai's yacht should be considered.This is indeed supported by the fact that the crew of † Moon Amour† joined the competition upon knowing the offer. It shows that the offered also understands that being a qualified competitor is a prerequisite. By entering the race, both crews have agreed to the Race Rules and therefore, they should be bound by such rules. In Clarke v Dungaree [1 897] AC 59, the court stated that when the party understands that the race is to be run under a particular set of regulations, and that he delibe rately enter for the race upon those terms, he is bound by such rules.Whilst the crew of â€Å"Bell Raider', being a qualified competitor, had fulfilled the conditions of Lanai's offer, since the French crew was not officially recognized by the race officials due to a breach of the Race Rules, it can hardly be said that the latter has validly accepted Lanai's offer. Communication of acceptance Whilst communication of acceptance is needed in the usual case, in unilateral contract, the offer showed by his language and from the nature of the contract that he waived the need to communicate (Cargill v Carbonic Smoke Ball Co. ).Whether Lain received notice of the performance is irrelevant to the matter at hand. Consideration The agreement has to be supported by consideration in a legally enforceable contract. To determine if there is consideration, it brings up the debate of whether reliance is essential. Lord Dunedin, in Dunlop Pneumatic Tree Co. Ltd v Selfridges & Co. Ltd [191 5] AC 84 7, 855 defined consideration as â€Å"an act or forbearance of one party, or the promise thereof, is the price for which the promise of the other is brought, and the promise thus given for value is enforceable†.Following his definition, obviously, both crews' act Of crossing the finish line, in return for the reward, is treated as good consideration. The answer would be less certain if reliance is required. In the book The Law of Contract, Triple asserts that an act or forbearance would not be consideration â€Å"where the promises would have accomplished the act or forbearance anyway†. This view was supported by R v Clarke (1927) 40 CLC 227, where the court held that the claimant could not recover the reward because his concern was not the reward when he gave the information.In other words, the claimant had not â€Å"act in reliance upon† the offer. It is a matter of debate if this prevailing view is in fact erroneous, as argued by Paul Mitchell and John Philip s in â€Å"Is reliance essential? † , but this is not the current concern. Assuming that this general view is still correct, the French crew's acceptance was clearly motivated by the offer as they did not intend to participate in the race until Lain ‘s announcement. But in the case of â€Å"Bell Raider†, there is insufficient information to tell if their crew did act in reliance to the offer.There may be three different situations depends on the facts. Firstly, if the situation is identical to that of the French crew, they act in reliance to the offer for the same reason. Secondly, if evidence shows that â€Å"Bell Raider will join and win the match even without Lanai's offer, their performance cannot be regarded as consideration as there is no reliance. Thirdly, if â€Å"Bell Raider† will join the match but not necessarily reach the destination ahead of Lanai's yacht, it can still be argued that the reward motivated the crew to outperform themselves and thus, there is reliance.

Nokia Swot Analysis

Nokia SWOT Analysis Strengths Strong brand image is Nokia's core asset. The company continues to strengthen its brand equity through various marketing campaigns. Nokia's brand was the fifth most valued brand in the world according to the top 100 best brands list compiled by InterBrand in 2009, and was the only mobile phone manufacturer in the top 10 best brands list. A strong and highly visible brand enables the company to command a premium for its products and differentiate itself from competitors. The company has been the leading player in the global mobile devices market since 1998.The company's strong market position, besides enhancing the brand image, provides economies of scale in operation. Nokia has the unique production technology, strong technical strength, perfect quality control system. Nokia has an great advantage over other rivals. Nokia, as a company with a 150-year history, has abundant marketing experience, first-class customer service and outstanding large-scale pur chasing skills. Nokia’s mission is simple: Connecting People. Its goal is to build great mobile products that enable billions of people worldwide to enjoy more of what life has to offer.Its ideas of the new products are from the consumer's needs, expectations and dreams, based on detailed market analysis and classifications of consumers. The Nokia-Microsoft partnership brings together two global businesses with highly complementary sets of assets and competencies. The strategic partnership sees Nokia smart phones adopting the new Windows 7 operating system, with the Symbian platform gradually being sidelined. The goal is to establish a third ecosystem to rival iOS and Android. Weaknesses The company's high-end product portfolio is weak compared to its competitors.The company's high-end products are mainly offered through the N-series range of multimedia computers. While, the company's multimedia products feature music players, cameras, pocket computers, gaming consoles and na vigation devices, it lacks appealing touch screen functionally and sleek designs compared to products of its competitors. Nokia also faces significant price competition in this market as phones are being offered at lower price or free, when purchased with a contract. Although the company has been the leading player in the global mobile devices market, the market shares in its other industries are being reducing.Opportunities The company launched Ovi Life Tools (Nokia Ovi Sheng Huo Tong), which offers a range of information services covering healthcare, agriculture, education and entertainment. Launch of new innovative services will enable the company to enhance its customer base thereby increasing its revenues in the coming years. The company made several strategic acquisitions in the recent years. The company's strategic acquisitions enhance its offering and enable it to record revenue growth from new offerings, while providing competitive advantage.It allows high bandwidth applica tions, is expected to increase with the growing need for advanced data and video services. New growth markets where cell phone adoption still has room to go, including India and other countries. Threats Nokia faces intense competition in all the segments of the communications market it operates. In the low-end mobile devices segment, the company has been facing competition South Korean mobile device companies such as LG and Samsung, while it continues to compete with Motorola and Sony Ericsson, among others.In the high end mobile devices/smart phones segment, the company is facing intense competition from Apple, RIM, HTC, and Samsung. The company operates in more than 150 countries across Europe, Americas and Asia Pacific and is exposed to risk from changes in foreign currency rates. Nokia’s business and results of operations are from time to time affected by changes in exchange rates, particularly between the Euro, the company’s reporting currency, and other currencie s such as the US dollar, the Japanese yen and the Chinese Yuan.And European debt crisis brings great impacts on the world, especially Europe where Finland located. Late in the game in 3G creates a risk to be displaced by leaders like Motorola, LG, NEC and others. The market is fast changing, the consumers’ expectations vary. The development tendency of mobile phone is big screen, high resolution, touch screen, intelligent system. But NOKIA touch screen support software is very few. Besides its intelligence system needs to be further ascent. Trapped in the fluidity of the mobile phone business, and missed the latest innovation and trendy design.

Generally accepted accounting principles relating to health care Essay

Generally accepted accounting principles relating to health care - Essay Example The standards relating to GAAP have been recognized to be executed by different organizations while compiling their respective financial reports. In general, GAAP is a broadly used accounting procedure of reporting and recording financial information. The accounting standards that have been outlined within the GAAP are â€Å"generally accepted† by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The mission of GASB is to build and develop the financial reporting standards at the level of local governments and state units (Taylor, 2008). Purpose of GAAP The main purpose of GAAP is to represent the financial report that can significantly reflect the financial position of a particular organization. GAAP provides effective support to the organizations in terms of enhancing their capability within the framework of long-term financial decision making process that eventually enables the organizations to accomplish their predetermined financial objectives. Moreover, the other imper ative purpose of GAAP is to enhance the performance of the business organizations through properly maintaining their financial records (Office of Financial Management, 2012). From the perspective of healthcare industry, GAAP performs a major role through delivering transparent financial statements that encompasse all the financial activities of the healthcare organizations. An effective practice of GAAP tends to facilitate the modern healthcare firms and forecast their future financial performance. Proper implementation of GAAP in the financial reporting process can enable an organization to attain competitive position within the growing healthcare industry (Office of Financial Management, 2012). Oversight of Use of GAAP The different standards or the accounting principles belonging to GAAP can be considered as the set of guiding principles that provide effectual accounting solutions for any organization while preparing financial statements. In order to gain a superior oversight reg arding the use of GAAP, it has been identified that the accounting principles concerning GAAP tends to comply with traditional and rule-based methods in representing the financial statements of various organizations. With regard to asset valuation process, GAAP tends to follow historical cost of the assets rather than focusing on fair value of the assets that depicts fair treatment of the items in the financial statements (Rascona, 2011). Description of Each Principle and the Intention behind the Principles of GAAP GAAP mainly contains five types of principles that ensures towards establishing a well-structured financial report which determines the financial stability of a specific organization. The various principles of GAAP relating to healthcare organizations have been discussed hereunder. Going Concern Principle The principle of going concern represents the fact that the healthcare organizations will tend to operate their respective business functions in such way so that they ca n prepare a balanced and well-structured financial statement. Identifying any types of uncertainties in the business processes it has to be noted that going concern needs to be updated in financial reports through rationalizing different standards or the accounting principles belonging to GAAP (Financial Reporting Council, 2009). Matching Principle The matching principle of GAAP defines as a process of recording each item of expense in relation to revenue that must be recorded in

Forensic DNA Testing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Forensic DNA Testing - Essay Example The DNA Identification Act of 1994 formalized the FBI's authority to establish a National DNA Index System (NDIS). The CODIS is different from the NDIS in that NDIS is the national database whereas CODIS is used today by more than 40 law enforcement laboratories in over 25 countries.( FBI, 2009) The CODIS system requires > 4 RFLP markers and/or 13 core STR markers. Now, what are STR's Most of the DNA is identical to the DNA of others in the human genome. However, there are inherited regions of our DNA that may not necessarily code for proteins termed as introns, which can vary from person to person. A variation in the DNA sequence between individuals is termed as "polymorphism". Sequences which display the highest degree of polymorphism are very useful for DNA analysis in forensics cases and paternity testing. Forensic DNA testing is based on analyzing the inheritance of a class of DNA polymorphisms known as "Short Tandem Repeats "or STRs. STRs are short sequences of DNA, normally of length 2-5 base pairs, that are repeated numerous times in a head-tail manner, for example the sequence GATA occurs anywhere between 5-16 repeats at the locus D7S820. The number of repeats within an STR is referred to as an allele. Thus there are 12 different alleles possible for the D7S820 STR. Because there 12 different alleles for this STR, there are therefore 78 different possibl e genotypes, or pairs of alleles. Specifically, there are 12 homozygote's, in which the same allele is received from each parent, as well as 66 heterozygote's, in which the two alleles are different. Norrgard,K.(2008) After an extensive validation study, 13 STR loci were selected to form the core (i.e., required) genetic markers for CODIS. The methodology involved in the STR analysis is as follows. The DNA is isolated from the sample. The STR region in the DNA is amplified using PCR and suitable primers. The various companies manufacturing STR kits typically vary in the primer they employ. PCR enables even nanogram amounts of sample to be sufficient for evaluation. Only when all the 13 markers match in the source and the felon sample is the convict included in the source of crime. Even after all the 13STR's are matched a statistical test is carried out to analyze the overall STR frequency. It is assumed that the STR's follow law of independent assortment which implies that each member of a pair of homologous chromosomes separates independently of the members of other pairs so the result is random and that the population mates randomly by the FBI in analyzing the STR profiles. The Hardy Weinberg l aw was used to calculate gene frequency which states that the gene frequencies remain conserved from generation to generation. It is important to understand that this number is the probability of seeing this DNA profile if the crime scene evidence did not come from the suspect but from some other person. If all the STR's from the sample are not retrievable due to damaged or an extremely old source of DNA, then the STR profiling cannot be used as the sole evidence and other proof's have to be collected. Though the STR profiling is rapid the CODIS database is currently facing a backlog of >600,000 samples to be keyed in.In addition to

Biology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 10

Biology - Essay Example In other words, it comprised of double stranded molecules of nucleic acids. So important was their work that they received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1962. The film fails to depict the fact that all Watson and Crick did was put the pieces of the puzzle together. In reality, the groundwork and foundation were laid decades before the duo existed. Swiss chemist Friedrich Miescher in 1869 discovered DNA. He discovered nuclein (now known as nucleic acid) inside the nuclei of white blood cells. This discovery should have been a landmark in genetic research, but the scientific community at the time did not view it as such. Phoebus Levene, a Russian biochemist, picked up where Miescher left off. An avid researcher who wrote numerous papers on biochemistry, Levene not only discovered the carbohydrate in RNA but also the correct way of joining RNA and DNA. Erwin Chargaff in later years stretched Levene’s work. He identified differences in DNA among different species. In conclusion, a handful of scientists paved the way for Watson and

Foundations of Business Knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Foundations of Business Knowledge - Essay Example In any working environment, the implementation of management as well as the establishment of communication and relationships becomes more effective if there is a complete understanding of each individual’s traits and capabilities so every working person can be further managed, motivated and developed. Understanding one’s personality and becoming familiar with his or her learning style is an effective means of determining ambivalent qualities that are hard to pin down (Spender & Scherer, 2007). Through the use of self-assessment tests, learning styles indicators and personality tests, individuals are helped in developing self-awareness that is extremely essential when working with any organization (Atherton, 2003). Consequently, companies will be able to support others in achieving self-awareness and working further towards development. They will also be able to improve their level of knowledge of how they can understand and motivate their employees, which will eventuall y aid them to function better in the workplace and even within their personal lives. In turn, these organizations may attain benefits from the improved performance and effectiveness of their employees; desirable outcomes for the organization include increased productivity, enhanced sense of collaboration, and sustained efforts towards self-development. To understand various personality types has been proven valuable for any company as they are able to appreciate their value, strengths and qualities in relation to their contribution to the organization’s goals (Malone, Crowstone & Herman, 2003). Organizational members develop an understanding that their differences are primarily based on their personalities and thus have to find ways of leveraging on such differences rather than allowing these to deter them from reaching organizational goals. Furthermore, aside from managing

New Labour as Thatcherism with a Human Face Essay

New Labour as Thatcherism with a Human Face - Essay Example The move was said partly elicit greater support from the middle class and to support more liberal market policies, afford greater access to welfare and government services and to increase leverage for workers' rights and compensation equity initiatives not by prescribed or direct political intervention but through free market frameworks (Webber, 2009). Evaluation and Analysis There are key differences that have to be recognized by the two sets of policies. To achieve her political objectives, Hill points out that Thatcher essentially had to centralize power. In contrast, New Labour policies revived local governance and accountability including the restoration of the Greater London Authority. Both sought to address bureaucratic issues that were deemed as a deterrent to the effectiveness of governance (Talshir, 2005). Both sets of policies migrated away from the traditional politics of both of their respective parties to adapt approaches most associated more commonly with other political parties (Needham and Nou, 2005). Thatcher adapted liberal policies in contrast with her conservative background and Blair adapted free market policies that diverged from the socialist roots of the Labour party. The most often referred to contrast of the two policies has been in their policies on welfare (Hill, 2001). The Thatcher administration reduced welfare allocations a nd place more stringent criteria to its access. On the other hand, the Blair administration increased welfare funding and expanded services and coverage (Howard, 2004). Comparing the two policies their main similarities lies in their espousing free market principles: both Thatcher and Blair emphasized the need for market driven economies... Both sought to address bureaucratic issues that were deemed as a deterrent to the effectiveness of governance (Talshir, 2005). Both sets of policies migrated away from the traditional politics of both of their respective parties to adapt approaches most associated more commonly with other political parties (Needham   and Nou, 2005). Thatcher adapted liberal policies in contrast with her conservative background and Blair adapted free market policies that diverged from the socialist roots of the Labour party. The most often referred to contrast of the two policies has been in their policies on welfare (Hill, 2001). The Thatcher administration reduced welfare allocations and place more stringent criteria to its access. On the other hand, the Blair administration increased welfare funding and expanded services and coverage (Howard, 2004). Comparing the two policies their main similarities lies in their espousing free market principles: both Thatcher and Blair emphasized the need for ma rket driven economies that encourage productivity and efficiency.   Areas that they had contrasting policies, such as in their perspectives regarding welfare states, had similar consequences (Hills, 1998). Thatcher’s reduction of the welfare state emphasized the need to diminish the dependence on welfare state programs and reserved services to the most socially disadvantaged to reduce cost. In the case of New Labour policies on the same issue, though there was an increase of access pre-Thatcher reforms (Brown,   2004).

The Non-Rational Models Of Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Non-Rational Models Of Leadership - Essay Example One of the more recent leadership concepts – which also challenge the traditional, rational images—links leadership to organizational outcomes. Subsequently, as for as social transforms are a concern, this idea differentiates people connecting leaders and outcome, to create a sense of their executive worlds,   apart from the any bona fide or genuine leadership effect. This course takes for granted that:  One of the more recent leadership concepts – which also challenge the traditional, rational images—links leadership to organizational outcomes. Subsequently, as for as social transforms are a concern, this idea differentiates people connecting leaders and outcome, to create a sense of their executive worlds,   apart from the any bona fide or genuine leadership effect. This course takes for granted that:  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ People consider and distinguish that leadership matters.  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ These attitudes and discernments are calculable.  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Perception s are shared.This framework is alternatively referred to as the confidence in leadership result or the story of leadership.   James R. Meindl proposes that the greater importance of leadership as an idea for executive science is that it is a phenomenological vital facet of how bystander and contributors appreciate, understand and otherwise present connotation to organizational behavior as a result. Therefore, it comes into view that the notion of leadership is an enduringly deep-rooted part of the socially build certainty, which we bear in our mind in the investigation of organizations. This compass interpretation posits that leadership does matter but in a non-rational way.  The view that workforce appreciates organizational ending result to their influential leader is very much in lieu of the notion that one of the leader’s chief responsibility or task is to give details of actions. The leaders are not judged according to authentic executive outcomes as much as by the e nlightenment they bestow.  ... People consider and distinguish that leadership matters. These attitudes and discernments are calculable. Perceptions are shared. This framework is alternatively referred to as the confidence in leadership result or the story of leadership. James R. Meindl proposes that the greater importance of leadership as an idea for executive science is that it is a phenomenological vital facet of how bystander and contributors appreciate, understand and otherwise present connotation to organizational behavior as a result. Therefore, it comes into view that the notion of leadership is an enduringly deep-rooted part of the socially build certainty, which we bear in our mind in the investigation of organizations. This compass interpretation posits that leadership does matter but in a non-rational way (Lieutenant, 1995). The view that workforce appreciate organizational ending result to their influential leader is very much in lieu to the notion that one of leader's chief responsibility or task is to give details of actions. Therefore, leaders are not judged according to authentic executive outcomes as much as by the enlightenment they bestow for the conclusions. According to Lewis R. Pondy, the efficiency of a leader always lies in his capability to build activity momentous for those in his [organization]-not to modify deeds but to provide others wisdom of accepting regarding what they are doing. The observation concerning to the leadership as not-rational ought to be measured additional source for practice of management. Each perspective can be believed as if a part of set of imaginary lenses that leader can place so he can make accurate different shapes of leadership nearsightedness. For example, the troop of strategic actions center tends to be more muddled and frantic

Urban Myth 09 Essay Example for Free

Urban Myth 09 Essay It was a cold night with a strange breeze in the air. The roads were filled with a slight feel of tension as the mans car drove over the frosted motor way. The smart business man dressed in an expensive suit was coming home from work and drove peacefully along the road with not a single worry in the world. He was making his way down a long motor way. The further he seemed to go the colder he began to feel. He felt the cold air coming in and touching upon his polyester suit even though the windows were tightly shut. He was listening to his favourite radio station when he suddenly heard a loud crrrrrrrr sound blast out from the radio speakers. The radio automatically shifted to another music station one the man had never heard before, spooky opera music began to play from the station. It shot out from the radio speakers and surrounded him in the car. The man was momentarily startled then looked down to change the station. On that second he sensed something and looked back up at the frosted road. He gazed upon a young women dressed in an immaculate bold red dress. She was madly close and standing directly in the middle of the road. Without a doubt the man immediately applied the handbrake and stopped with a thunderous skid. As the car stopped the woman was directly in front of bumper. The man looked her straight in the eyes in astonishment as the young women didnt look one bit bothered about nearly being killed by the car. The woman slowly raised her arm into a hitchhikers position to ask for a lift home. The man automatically told her with hand gestures to come inside the car; he was scared she may want to file a law suit against him as he had nearly killed her. He thought that if he gave her a lift home she would not do anything against him. The woman was breathing heavy and with every breath she took misty air seeped out from her mouth onto the front windscreen. As the man began to drive he started to examine the woman from the corner of his eye. She was wearing a sleeveless red dress and looked as if she was going to a party. The man tried to make small talk with the women but got no reply, not even a facial expression. The woman was completely silent and only made noise when taking breathes. As they made it down the road and started to approach the houses the woman began to shiver. The man took off his jacket and gave it to her. She slowly took it without speaking and quickly put it on. Her house was not far from where she was, the young women pointed towards the house and the business man parked up outside. As soon as the car stopped the woman slid quickly out of the car and ran into the house. The man thought to himself how glad he was that she was not going to file a law suit. He then realised the women was still wearing his expensive jacket but could not do anything as he did not want to disturb the household she had already entered. He then heard loud shouting coming from the house but thought nothing of it and drove off. The next morning the man came back to the house to this time hear the same spooky opera music he had first heard when he encountered the strange young woman on the road. The man parked up the car and got out. He approached the door and knocked; the knock sounded echoes throughout the house but could not compete with the sound of the creepy opera music. The music suddenly went off and an old tired looking woman slowly opened the door. She looked very surprised as if no one had knocked on her door for many years; she immediately asked the man what he wanted. The man explained to her what had happened and her daughter or relative perhaps has still got his jacket. The old lady took the man inside and made him feel comfortable as he sat down. She explained to the man how her daughter was murdered brutally on her prom night and thrown into a river not far from the house 20 years ago by her boyfriend as she was coming home. She told him everything in detail about how she was wearing a beautiful red dress and her favourite opera song she use to always play whenever she was feeling upset. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Miscellaneous section.

The sins of memory

The sins of memory THE SINS OF MEMORY The Sins of Memory What are the sins of memory? Have you ever accidentally left your house keys in the front door or walked to the next room only to wonder why you are there? What about believing that someone told you something only to remember later that you read it or heard it on the radio? These are just a few examples of sins that ones memory executes every day. The means by which memory fails is comprised of the sins of omission as well as the sins of commission (Schacter, 2001). According to Schacter (2001) memory blunders can be divided into seven elemental lapses: transience, blocking, and absentmindedness (sins of omission), then misattribution, bias, persistence and suggestibility (sins of commission) (Psychology Today, 34(3), 62; Robinson-Riegler Robinson-Riegler, 2008). According to Schacter (2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007), transience refers to the deterioration or loss of memory over a period of time. As the offender of various memory troubles, transience is a basic aspect of ones memory (Schacter, 2001). Although studies have shown that immediately following an experience memory preserves a comprehensive file allowing one to call to mind the earlier period, with time lapsing ones memory of experiences disappear gradually with out rehearsal (Schacter, 2001) (Psychology Today, 34(3), 62). Most people have had the frustrating experience of failing to produce a face or name. According to Schacter, the memory has not faded and is later unexpectedly retrieved (Schacter, 2001). This blunder is termed tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon (Robinson-Riegler, 2008). Simply because ones mind is unsuccessful in pulling up a piece of information does not imply that the knowledge is not there (Robinson-Riegler, 2008). It possibly will be briefly unobtainable given inadequate retrieval cues (Robinson-Riegler Robinson-Riegler, 2008; Psychology Today, 34(3), 62). According to Schacter (2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007), bias refers to the misrepresented persuasions of ones existing knowledge, and values on their current and later memories of ones experiences. The rebuilding of memories can influence appearance of family affairs and connections; and as a result, the information presented can consist of reconstructed memories adjusted to interconnect with the obligation of the current circumstances and, therefore, are not an accurate portrayal of childrens emotional or behavioral functioning (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007) (Journal of Child Family Studies, 16(3), 297-306; Psychology Today, 34(3), 62). Additionally, Schacter (2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007) suggests that there are different types of bias. Consistency and variation biases would cause people to call to mind their past feelings and beliefs so they would remind one of ones existing views and values (Schacter, 2001 as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007). Whereas hindsight bias implies that memories of past dealings are categorized by current knowledge; egocentric bias would encourage people to recall ones past in a self-enhancing way; along with stereotypical bias that would persuade peoples memories and opinions of diverse social parties (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007) (Psychology Today, 34(3), 62). According to Schacter (2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007), memories can be influenced as a result of external manipulations and as a result may absorb the misleading information from other people into their memory (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007). Well and Bradfield (1998, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007) documented that people who are given validation feel more certain in their own recollections. Additionally, people interrogated with intimidation may have doubts about their memories (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007). One will get a more accurate answer if the questions are worded in a neutral way (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007) (Psychology Today, 34(3), 62). Absent-mindedness entails disengagement amid memory and attention, where recall blunders take place because one is distracted with an issue or concern and is not paying attention (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007). As a consequence of this preoccupation, the wanted information is not transmitted in memory (Schacter, 2001as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007). Conceivably, as a result of preventing oneself from expanding on specific information required for later recollection, dividing ones attention throughout encoding information inhibits later recall (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007). People are prone to fail to remember central responsibilities. A good system to reduce this obstacle is to develop a prioritized duty record use daily (Haraburda, 2007) (The Free Library, 2007; Journal of Child Family Studies, 16(3), 297-306). Misattribution entails transferring a memory to the incorrect source. This breakdown of memory can consist of recollection of events that never transpired or recalling events accurately and nevertheless misattributing it to the incorrect situation or occasion (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007). People recollect facts precisely and still may misattribute the source of the fact when one has uncertain memories of an incident (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007). People have a tendency to remember things that did not happen (Haraburda, 2007) (The Free Library, 2007; Journal of Child Family Studies, 16(3), 297-306). The sin of persistence is the repeated recollection of unsolicited memories (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007). Schacter believes that one may be able to avoid certain situations that are harmful because of the way that negative memories are stored (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007). He suggests that until memories are reframed adequately they are forced into conscious attention (Schacter, 2001, as cited in Renk, Donnelly, McKinney Baksh, 2007) (Journal of Child Family Studies, 16(3), 297-306). In conclusions performing the following actions can improve ones precision of the information acquired from others, but failure to do so can result in one making inadequate judgments based on flawed information (Haraburda, 2007). Acquire information promptly after an experience, while it is fresh in ones mind (Haraburda, 2007). Make use of a prioritized duty list. 3. Record observations from important dealings (Haraburda, 2007). Document important dates, events and goals on a daily (Haraburda, 2007). Utilize impartially worded questions when seeking information (Haraburda, 2007). Recognize the perspective of the person supplying the information (Haraburda, 2007). Be aware of and identify the symptoms of PTS (Haraburda, 2007) (The Free Library, 2007). Reference Chart is from The Seven Sins of Memory, by BrianWork, Vol. 12 No.3 May-June 2002 Neuroethies: Mapping the Field; http://perpich.com/neuroed/archive/78.pdf, chart Haraburda, Scott S. (2007, January 1). The seven sins of memory: how they affect your program The Free Library. (2007). Retrieved October 06, 2009 from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The seven sins of memory: how they affect your program.-a0159699652 Renk, K., Donnelly, R., McKinney, C., Baksh, E. (2007, June). Do Schacters Seven Sins of Memory Apply to Ratings of Childrens Emotional and Behavioral Functioning? Journal of Child Family Studies, 16(3), 297-306. Retrieved September 28, 2009, doi:10.1007/s10826-006-9086- Robinson-Riegler, G. Robinson-Riegler, B. (2008). Cognitive psychology, applying the science of the mind. (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. Schacter, D. (2001). The Seven Sins of Memory. Psychology Today, 34(3), 62. http://search.ebscohost.com.kaplan.uah.edu

Marketing Essay -- essays research papers

All companies compete with one another; they strive for excellence and to be the best. They have to compete with each other to win over markets and to be the one who ends up on top. Most businesses are guided by the maxim "nothing ventured, nothing gained" (Spulber 7). Winning a market requires a company to have an aggressive investment and growth. Although many companies try to keep costs down for the consumer, low costs are not always the solution for every situation. It is generally the Chief Executive officer (CEO) who formulated strategies to connect markets. The CEO has to have the ability to for see the future of the company in order to make intelligent decisions. Wal-Mart was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton, who wanted to make a discount department store, and ended up being extremely successful in his doings. The earnings in one year for Wal-Mart are approximately $4,430,000,000. Commonly, the winning firm is identified as the firm with the highest sales revenue. There are many winning firms including Wal-Mart for their retailing ability. Wal-Mart stores are the leading retailer with $100 billion in retail sales and is also the leader in profits with $3billion which is much higher then the company with $3 billion which is much higher then the trailing company Sears. The market value of Wal-Mart is more then three times higher then their competitors. Wal-Mart has not only been able to take over the retail market, but they continue to grow substantially. Winning markets, like Wal-Mart result from an effective strategy, a continuous innovations, and efficient organization. Companies that try to have larger firms may not be successful just because they are bigger, a successful firm, such as Wal-Mart is successful because of its marketing ability which draws customers in and in turn the customers spend money. A secret success of Wal-Mart is its indirect strategies and ways to win markets without running into high costs. Companies like Wal-Mart like to win a market by attacking the other firms weak points. When Wal-Mart is trying to find another company to engage in direct competition, they need to make sure they have a strong playing field on their part so it is an effective challenge. The primary boundary of a firm is its s... ...hod of exchange can allow an incumbent to remain a marker maker or permit an innovative entrant to bypass the incumbent to remain a market maker or permit an innovative entrant to bypass the incumbent. Intermediary competition offers the possibility of far more effective use of information. A retailer such as Wal-Mart gains a competitive advantage over the other retailer intermediaries through its well developed electronic data interchange system that allows it to pass on information about customer purchasing patterns to its suppliers. This gives Wal-Mart an edge in terms of supplier relationships and allows it to obtain favorable terms compared to competing retailers. Wal-Mart's marketing strategies have made them one of the largest companies in the world. The way they are able to compete with others gives them a competitive edge since most other companies cannot keep up with them. Wal-Mart is a very recognizable name. Seeing how they employ over four million people shop they’re for values. Since Wal-Mart is able to provide discount prices, lower then other stores, gives them the ability to pull shoppers into Wal-Mart for a large variety of items.

Dreams in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman Essay -- Literary Analysi

Do you ever have a dream? What is your dream? Having a dream is crucial for people to work hard to make the dream come true. In Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, the main character, had a dream— to be a well-liked salesman—and had strived for this dream throughout his whole life. But he committed suicide to end his life. He was not happy in the process of achieving his dream. Arthur Miller, the author, reveals a negative attitude towards Willy’s behavior and beliefs. Willy is a man with flaws that leads to his downfall. I share the same attitude with Miller. Yet, I pity the tragedy of Willy. Miller reveals a negative attitude towards Willy’s behavior by displaying Willy’s poor parenting skills. Being a father of Biff and Happy, Willy should teach Biff and Happy with correct moral values. When Biff steals football from the locker room, Willy first told Biff â€Å"to return that.†(30) This is the right thing to say to Biff as stealing is illegal. However, Willy then contradicts himself by saying, â€Å"Sure, he’s gotta practice with a regulation size ball, doesn’t he? †¦ Coach’ll probably congratulate you on your initiative!†(30) In this incident, Willy teaches Biff wrong moral ethics that stealing is acceptable. Besides stealing, Willy encourages Biff to play football instead studying. When Bernard, Biff’s friend, asks Biff to study, Willy argues that ‘’with scholarships to three universities they’re gonna flunk him?’’(33) As Biff is good at playing football, Willy is confident that Biff is able to get a scholarship and get accepted by the universities easily. Aside from having poor parenting skills, Willy also fails to act as a role model for his sons. When Biff discovers his father’s affair with â€Å"the woman,† Willy l... ...ly has wasted his years in pursuit of a goal that is unattainable and wants to remind us that we should not set our goal too high. Otherwise, we will waste our life and have nothing in the end. People usually enjoy the happiness during their chasing of dream. However, Willy can’t find the happiness in the progress of chasing his dream. He should have realized that he was chasing a wrong dream and had other dreams instead. Though I agree that Willy deserves his tragedy, meanwhile, I pity Willy’s tragedy. Willy has no parents to learn from so he learns the things all by himself and nobody teaches him what to do. It is not his fault for having a wrong dream. At least, I think that he is better than people who have no dream. He did strive for his dream and tried to make it comes true. However, he was too stubborn to accept others’ opinions and this leads to his tragedy.

How Technology Has Positively Impacted Society on Defense :: Argumentative Persuasive Papers

How Technology Has Positively Impacted Society on Defense Defense Technology has come a long way since the early nineteen hundreds.With the invention of tanks and planes our country felt it had an adaquate defense, but as technology improved on the opposition side so came the demand for more improved defense measures. For instance in World War II Germany was developing mass amounts of war machinery that was bigger and better than ours. The Invention of the radar played a significant role in defense against these odds. Radar was fully developed by 1942 and was extremely instrumental in Britains defense against German bombers. This technology was developed into anti ship and submarine radar, by the United States Navy, which has been used successfully since then. The US Army also used radar, initially to aim searchlights so the soldier aiming the gun could see where to fire, but the systems evolved into fire control radar that aimed the guns automatically. When the United States came under attack by the Japanese in 1941 all of North America became concerned about homeland defense and imminent attack,society demanded protection. The Japanese had a large Navy very capable of just such a task. As the war escalated it was clear that the US had to develop better technology and fast. In the skies Japanese planes were anilating American aircraft. Technology was again depended upon by society to find a match for the zero, thus came about the F4U corsair. This had a positive effect on society as it created a more secure feeling of defense. US citizens still demanded a quick end to the war so the defense department went to work on the atomic bomb, of course the results would change the world forever. As Americans felt more secure with its new technology in defense a new danger developed in Russia, thus was the beginning of the cold war, perhaps the worst scenario of all. As the world entered the 1950's it was commonplace to see bomb shelters in a lot of backyards. Propaganda was at a new high and fear spread throughout the world. Regardless both countries felt confident of the latter. Society demanded again that higher technology was there only defense. The United States started to develop spy techniques as did the Russians to keep a close eye on each other's progress, this seemed to be the only way to keep the power in balance.

Men are naturally violent and protective Essay

Whether the subject is masculinity, patriarchy, or violence one will not fail to notice the occurrence chauvinism on several categories when portraying the subject of men. This critique attempts to reflect on an article posted on CBC news, British Columbia article. It is apparent that Alexander does not publicly encourage or agitate for violence; however, the movement seeks for response when it is pushed to the wall. The freeman agitation is based on response to the state imposition of a given norms or set of disciplines or what the movement defines as on overbearing government. For instance, Alexander does not require a license to drive or pay income tax (CBC, 2013). According to the extract the concept of violence cannot be used to judge men wholly. Primarily, violence is a vehicle to let views get known to the people, whether legitimate or illegitimate. This promotes the assumption that men will apply violence if they feel their views are being neglected. According to the extract FBI and B.C still considered the movement a source of domestic terror, an assumption that Freemen strongly distance themselves with. When it comes to the concept of governance, it is apparent to note Man chauvinism is the most important observation. The central goal here is the importance of two integral laws, statute law and common law. One will notice from the extract that the movement seeks to agitate for equality, on all accounts this promoting the presence of common law. This propels two crucial situations, the fight against capitalism and individual personality decorum. According to freemen, decorum is essential, and in fact, the group argues that statutory law is primarily responsible for destroying the society. The greater war is not physical confrontation directed by Freeman-Movement, but whether man can uninstall the statutory law imposed to him by the government. Chiefly, one will notice that Freemen chauvinistic perception is centered on the assumption that statutory law imposed to people, with or without their consent and this forms the nucleus of social conflicts (call it violence). For instance, the law convicts innocent people to Jail using the statutory law, jailing them together with people who have broken common law. According to the extract, Freemen movement argues that statutory law is a contract, and each party can live it at will. Freemen view the judiciary as a bunch of brutal people who are naturally violent. A further example to Freemen philosophy is the Daren Wayne McCormick who was convicted by a court in Nova Scotia for uttering threatening words to officers. Freemen viewed that the Judge used his personality (call it humane violence) to pass judgment to an innocent person. The initial conviction of Mr. McCormick was essentially based a criminal court and federal gun laws, in any case, McCormick was originally viewed a danger to the society but not to official members of the judiciary. However, the judgment which sent McCormick to prison was based on danger to official members of the judiciary proving that men are violent by their own character. Reference CBCNews. (September 2nd, 2013).Freemen movement concerns Canadian legal communities. Retrieved January 16th, 2013 from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/freemen-movement-concerns-canadian-legal-communities-1.1345486 Source document

Case Study Jane

After reading about Jane I have learned she associates fear with love due to events earlier in her life. No matter how hard Jane tried to impress her father she was never good enough. As Jane grows older her father no longer hits her but instead uses money as his form of abuse. As you read you learn that she later marries a man who displays the same behaviors as her father. Jane forgives him because she associates this behavior as love. Unless Jane recalls what her aunt tried to associate love with she will continue to let herself be preyed on by both her father and her husband. As a result if Jane continues to live the way she is Jane’s unborn child will most likely be a submissive woman or an abusive man. Through the cognitive perspective we see that Jane thinks of the behaviors displayed by her father as love. As time goes on she appears makes little to no effort to change her thought. Because for so long she has thought that these actions are displays of love. Which in turns Jane allows her husband to do the same things as her father did through out her life, because she believes it to be a display of love. Through the behavioral perspective we see that Jane’s likely to continue to forgive her father and husband for there abuse. In turn she is rewarded with money in most cases. This could be the cause of her behavioral actions following the abuse, because she knows she will continue to receive money from her abusers. Through the psychodynamic perspective we learn that Jane’s childhood greatly impacted her life as an adult allowing the same situations to continue even after she has moved away from her father. This causing her to allow her husband to display the same behaviors and she does nothing to change them. The motivation of allowing the acts to continue could possibly be the money that is received after the abuse which she also considers a display of love.

Age Requirements in the Music Industry

Music brings excitement to everyone’s lives. It goes without saying, music industry is a youth dominated business.   Music creates huge portions of popular cultures, promoting fashions, make-up, automobiles, popular hangouts and latest technology. People behind scenes in music business targeting youthful audiences bring in most revenue. Performer’s ability to portray sex symbolic image determines, to a large extent, record company’s success. Age Requirements; When professionals force very young children into stretching their vocal chords to match pitches in high notes above treble staff, when a child is given drugs to work longer hours while keeping up with school work, it is too young. When an older person no longer wants to make efforts to appeal to audiences, that is when they are too old. Madonna, Tina Turner and Janet Jackson did not acquire their sex symbol images by accident, regardless of how beautiful they were when they were born. When a â€Å"stroke of bad luck† involving serious health problems, is another time when a person is too old for the music industry. This can occur at 20 years old, or it may never occur. Music industry professionals are not concerned with actual ages, as they are with possessing appearances and talent appealing to youth and ability to hold audiences. â€Å"Although Bocelli was exposed to different styles when he was young, its been my experience age doesn’t matter. What matters is a willingness to do what it takes. I have used methods to assist many singers into developing new styles, regardless of age† (Goodrich, 2007).   Carrying off a sexy singing voice is equally important as carrying off sexy physical image. Many auditions forms ask a persons age range. Age range refers to the age performers can portray. Very often, a 40 year old person has an age range of 20-25; likewise very often, a twenty five year old has an age range of 40-50. Sex Symbols; â€Å"Audiences today have a very short attention span. An ability to intrigue an audience is mandatory† (paraphrased, Ravelo, November 1, 2007).   Sex symbols definitely intrigues audiences, initially. Anyone can look like a sex symbol. Sex symbol status, like it or not, is determined by weight management. Rules of statistics do not apply to people keeping youthful appearances years longer than expected. Singers such as Beyonce, Madonna, PussyCat Dolls are superior role models for women. Their hairstyles, fashions, physique contribute to their identity of being a sex symbol. Nightclubs; Even with stricter laws on underage drinking, and the nightclub staff, many underage people successfully enter into clubs. All night club personnel must attend classes and pass a mandatory exam regarding laws. Fake identification cards, or theft of someone else’s valid ID’s are one way it is done. Legal parents or guardians accompanying their children can legally enter into night clubs and drink, as long as the beverage is served to the parent, and they parent gives them the drink. Sometimes managers bend rules allowing underage people into the club. And sometimes unmentioned arrangements are bargained with between the club and the state and city law enforcement agencies. Clubs who ID every person walking through the door, are probably the ones pulling something under the table. Nightclubs appeal to youthful crowds. Usually, nightclubs target age groups by music selection. Sometimes a persons choice of music reveals their age. People educated in music will listen to all types of music. Conclusion; Music industry has no age requirements. Music industry requires targeting youthful audiences at any age. Popular culture, which is youth oriented, is often associated with music. Music videos are full of sex symbols, including Justin Timberlake, Elvis, Ricky Martin, Usher, Gwen Steffani, Christina Augillera. Sex symbols in music industry serve as wonderful role models for all people of all ages. People who are in the spotlight also have a responsibility to ensure their behavior is worth copying. The media and Christian groups love to â€Å"throw dirt† on anything or anyone presented as a glamorous sexy superstar. Music video industry has talented sex symbols of all ages. Notes: Goodrich, M. Can Style Be Learned? Backstage.com Voice Movement; Published November 2, 2007; Date retrieved November 3, 2007 http://www.backstage.com/bso/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003667139 Ravelo, H., Kuhn, S., Bickelmann, L., What Top Three Things Make a Successful Actor Backstage.com; Ask A Pro. Published November 1, 2007; Date retrieved November 3, 2007 http://www.backstage.com/bso/advice-columns/ask-a-professional/ask-a-pro/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003666231

George Washington’s Farewell Address

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were the first and the third presidents of the United States, respectively and both were established presidents in their own ways. In George Washington's Farewell Address he advised Americans to not get entangled within foreign countries' problems and conflicts and to not have everlasting alliances and treaties. Washington also did not like the idea of having diverse political parties, and he also stressed the magnitude of religion and morality.Thomas Jefferson, in his first Inaugural Address states that a superior government ill be able to permit its citizens to be well mannered, but at the same time let them organize themselves in what they desire to do. Jefferson also says that all principles will never change. Although they were both highly respected and regarded to as some of the greatest presidents in American history they didn't always have the same opinions on what would be best for the growing nation.In his Farewell Address, George Wash ington mentions that Americans should mind American business and not be concerned with foreign conflicts because the United States had Just won a ery expensive war for their independence and already owed money to their new ally the French. This was a warning to all Americans because during that time America was still young, and it had many of its own problems to solve. Jefferson was also not in favor of getting involved with foreign entanglements.As Napoleon advanced into Europe, Jefferson decided to remain neutral in the conflict by banning all European trade from American Ports because of the British forces firing upon the Chesapeake. As harassment from Barbary pirates began to become an issue Washington was ersuaded to build up an American Navvy in order to protect those in harm and to retrieve the captured sailors. Thomas Jefferson's approach to the pirates was a little different from Washington's in that he chooses to implement a blockade of Tripoli and other Barbary ports in 1 801; these actions forced him to reconsider his advocacy of budget cuts for the American navy.These actions then allowed the American naw to become respected by the rest of the world, because it proved that they wouldn't be pushed around by anyone. Jefferson and Washington were both in favor of not etting involved in foreign entanglements as they showed through these actions and in their Addresses. George Washington specifically addressed the issue of diverse political parties. Washington thought political parties and political party dominance were very bad ideas.He wanted it to be about the best candidate being elected, not about two parties taking over and preventing all other parties from having an opportunity of being nominated. He said this because he believed it was dangerous to have power blocs arise from these different opinions. These different parties, the Democratic-Republicans and the Federalists were beginning to surface had different thought which in turn caused many h eated debates and a lot of aggression towards the opposite parties. However Jefferson knew that political parties were necessary, he voiced the thought in this famous quote.Jefferson said that there is basically no way to escape the differing opinions and political parties in a successful and free nation, due to the nature of man to disagree and to form their own opinions on how they think the nation should be run. Jetterson and his close triend James Madison organized the Democratic-Republican Party. Jefferson and Washington both had different opinions on the subject of political parties, with Washington strongly disapproving of it and Jefferson being a founder of one of the political parties it is safe to say they didn't share the same mindset on this topic.George Washington was instrumental in stressing the importance of morality and religion. In his Farewell Address Washington that through experience religious values in a government are important. This is referring to the succes sful European nations that have an established religion integrated into their government. Jefferson agreed hat religion was important for people to be able to express and to believe in freely, however Jefferson was very vocal in trying to solidify a position between the church and the state.He was himself a Christian man and placed several god-like statements in the Declaration of Independence. Washington disagreed with Jefferson on the separation of church and state however, they both agreed religion was important in the new nation. In both of their addresses they discussed the issues involving the new government such as the issue of making alliances with other nations or becoming involved in foreign entanglements.Both Washington and Jefferson agreed that for the nation to become successful they must keep away from any foreign affairs regarding the fact that the nation was still developing and if war was to occur it would leave them more susceptible to being taken over. Each of the highly regarded presidents discussed the formation of political parties. Washington thought that political parties would destroy the new system of government. Jefferson on the contrary knew that political parties were inevitable; he then went on, with another respected colleague James Madison, to create the Democratic-RepublicanParty. The subject of religion and morality was discussed greatly in this period of time. Washington believed that for the government to be successful religion must be involved in all of the important branches such as the court systems. Jefferson on the other hand wanted to create a â€Å"wall of separation between church and state. † Although both of the presidents were extremely instrumental in founding and establishing this great nation, they didn't always agree with each other, which isn't bad because to create a good story you must have all points of view.

Alternate Enery-solar energy Annotated Bibliography

Alternate Enery-solar energy - Annotated Bibliography Example 143). Many economies advocated for use of renewable sources of energy to mitigate the possibility of energy crisis. As a result, governments turned to hydro generated electricity for sustainability. The recent concern is the high cost of energy across domestic and industrial applications. This has led to need of alternative energy that is cheaper to supplement other energy sources. Solar energy is the most efficient alternative source of renewable energy since the sun is freely available. Robert et al.’s book focuses on weaknesses, strengths and application of solar power energy. In addition, the book outlines the design and fabrication of solar energy technologies. Common technologies discussed include refrigeration, distillation, detoxification, and water pumping using solar generated power. The authors have analyzed photovoltaic power generated from solar power and its applications in remote site equipment that consume low power. Robert et al. advocate for the use of renewable energy sources that guarantee sustainability and environment conservation. In that regard, they discuss how to improve energy efficiency through use of renewable solar energy. The text is relevant since it outlines the suitability for using solar energy as a renewable energy source as compared to other sources. Boxwell, Michael. Solar electricity handbook: a simple, practical guide to solar energy: How to design and install photovoltaic solar electric systems. 2011 ed., 4th ed. Ryton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire, U.K.: Greenstream Pub., 2011. Print. Michael’s solar electricity handbook provides guidelines for using solar panels to generate electricity. He further outlines procedures followed to design and implement a photovoltaic solar system. For the sake of reference, this book comes along with a detailed website that contains the relevant solar resources and other information a solar user

Analysis of Problems Facing PETRONAS Corporation Research Paper

Analysis of Problems Facing PETRONAS Corporation - Research Paper Example This essay aims at identifying and analyzing the challenges faced by organizations in the public sector. The specific challenge that will be discussed is the poor management of the Malaysian state-owned multinational corporation, PETRONAS. The current state of the organizations are also analyzed by the researcher in the essay after reviewing various resources on the organization selected. Recommendations are also provided by the researcher on the topic of how the organization can improve its performance and be effective in modern world. The public sector organization selected and analyzed in the essay is the Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) Corporation. In conclusion, the researcher sums up the study and states that government-owned organizations receive high consideration and support from the government to effectively operate and achieve their goals. Similarly, PETRONAS Corporation is a Malaysian government-owned corporation that receives support from the government and enables the corporation effectively to exploit oil and gas fields in Malaysia and in other countries. Although PETRONAS is a government-owned company, it is a profit-based entity owned by the Malaysian government rather than a public utility organization. Currently, the corporation is among the top five best companies producing Liquefied Natural Gas in the world. It is stated by the researcher of the essay that the success attained by the corporation is dependent on the support of the Malaysian government.

Math Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Math - Lab Report Example Grade Book button contains grades of the completed quizzes and tests. Expand Chapter content button it populates more tabs with the heading of the chapters and their details. Expand Tools of Success button contain the helping tools, help, support and suggestions. Multimedia Library Button Contains access to multimedia resources available for our textbooks. Pearson Tutor Service contains access to Pearson Tutor Services for personalized, detailed assistance with what we are learning. Discussion button currently doesn’t contain anything right now but it the place where students can discuss issues in their assignments. Expand Course Tools menu to access item such as email, the Class Live chat environment, document sharing, and instructor tools. In homework section, homework for different chapters is placed in different icons buttons. Assignments for different chapters are also accessible in this section. This section also contains questions for chapters and can provide help in solving these questions. For example, the interactive graphic tools is provided in Chapter 1 Homework Objective 1 question 1, by which student can easily solve such questions. Te basic aim of this section is to provide various tools that can be utilised while solving questions. For example the graphic calculator can be utilized while working with a data set. It requires entering the data and then using the calculator various statistical analyses can be done on the given data set and all such info is provided in the ‘Graphing Calculator Help’ and the ‘review’ tab provides summarised content that may be needed while dealing with mathematical problems. ‘Support for technology’ tab also includes useful guides for using the graphic calculator and working on MS Excel. ‘The extended applications tab provides various case studies where the mathematical tools are utilised for solving problems in the real world. The mathematical application in the management

Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 8

Accounting - Essay Example Secondly, Haas School of business is consistently ranked among the top 20 business schools in the country and they cannot sustain this position if they lose their topnotch business faculty. The feasible and non-feasible options to resolve the situation again depends upon how things develop in the course of time and I will use the option based on priorities. My topmost priority will be to maintain the top 20 ranking of the School. In order to achieve that, I will increase the pay of the concerned faculty by 20% to retain them. The source of funds through which the payments are made is extremely important because certain rules and regulations will be attached to these funds regarding its application and disbursement. Moreover certain funds or grants would have been earmarked for a specific purpose or project and hence they cannot be used for any other purpose. But if the payments are not made from a grant or restricting financial source then such payments for a program can be made provided it is approved in the budget and within the overall budget of the organization. If the supplementary payments for faculty are for compensation for program and curriculum development then different set of rules should apply for processing payments for such kind of program. But if the faculty members have not completed any additional tasks to avail the compensation and it is not possible to determine who actually received the benefits from the program, then following are duties and responsibilities of the persons concerned. 2. Faculty members should be severely reprimanded and proper action should be also taken against them according university rules as they have not done any work for curriculum development program to deserve compensation. 3. University administrators should be made accountable for approving the idea, as they are bound to check the relevant records and

Management qualities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Management qualities - Essay Example t talents in sports, Billy Beane did not continue his career as a baseball player himself, instead, he became a general manager of the Oakland Athletics, with which he has changed the way sports looked like during the long period of time. The unique leader’s qualities have enabled him to enjoy the success in baseball among the teams of that large market. As stated (Beane, 2014), one of the critical predispositions to be great leader is to hire smarter people, who are more capable in understanding what particular sport is. Even hiring those who don’t play is a considerable asset to a business. Another successful characteristic of Beane is the ability to bring good team, which may be not noticed by others, but succeeded to reach high results during numerous games. Despite the inability of certain players to be great team-mates, they are ultimately the best at achieving Beane’s goals. Another important quality of Beane is to ability to continue in positive direction s even after setbacks and experience the opportunity to lead people and perform under the same pressure as others. Beane is good in understanding what the credit is, while most traditional stats believe in outcome credit, he considers the process should be given a credit. What most accounts for Beane’s success in being a manager it is that he provides a strong sense of his team and keeps ahead of the competition by applying the model of many mathematical variables and understanding that it is possible to win only through experience of losses. However, taking a positive and optimistic approach enables one to take the full advantage of an opportunity and fulfill the

XML as a programming tool Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

XML as a programming tool - Essay Example Deriving an electronic representation of the paper documents would allow users to view them on a computer screen, take their printouts or store them in the database; however, to achieve this objective, standard forms for different document types and accompanying style sheets would be required. At present, still most of the exchange of information in the health care industry is carried out through printed documents that convey the information in two ways: the content of the document that contains the words, pictures and other information, and the format of the content that provides visual clues for font, font size and location (Sokolowski & Dudeck, 1999). Recently, XML (eXtensible Markup Language), a subset of SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language), has gained widespread popularity in the health care industry because it provides a mechanism to encode healthcare documents and their types into electronic form, and therefore, has led to the development of implementation recommendations in the form of a set of standard DTDs to standardize and match the electronic document requirements in the health care industry (Sokolowski & Dudeck, 1999). DTDs (Data Type Definitions) are crucial for health care informatics as they provide a facility for standardizing formats with style sheets, provide a document information model, provide context for narrative text, and allow for agreement on high-level structures. They describe the structure of the document, the names of the allowable elements, the content of each element type, the structure of the document including the order in which the elements must appear (Sokolowski & Dudeck, 1999). The Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) is designed to provide an XML framework for developing product documentation and has seen rapid adoption and implementation as compared to other approaches for purpose of

Corporate Law For Managers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Corporate Law For Managers - Essay Example In the past, this type of contract was considered as rather risky – the completion of the incorporation procedure was not always guaranteed - a phenomenon also common in modern market. The introduction of the Companies Act 2006 led to the increase of the safety of the specific type of contract – in the section 51 of the above Law it is noted that the person who acted in behalf of the firm or as its agent is considered responsible for the performance of the specific contract; the successful incorporation of the company in the name of which this person acted is not of particular importance regarding the protection of the interests of the party that signed this agreement along with the company’s agent. In this paper the role of the section 51 of the Companies Act 2006 in relation to the problems of pre-incorporation contracts is critically examined; it is proved that the above provision had offered an important framework for the protection of the rights of interests of the parties (individuals or firms) that enter a pre-incorporation contract. In order to identify the problems related with the pre-incorporation contracts it would be necessary to refer primarily to the concept of incorporation; in accordance with Cross et al. (2007, 13) ‘the incorporation process requires the development of articles of incorporation (sometimes called the corporate charter or certificate), which is publicly available and becomes something like the constitution that governs the corporation’; the founders of the corporation are free to choose the terms of the corporate charter – however, they are bound by the law as the application of specific rules, usually represented by the commercial ethics; moreover, it is required by the law that the corporate charter addresses specific issues; the rest of the content of the corporate

READING ANALUZES FOR ETHICS CLASS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

READING ANALUZES FOR ETHICS CLASS - Essay Example Instead, one must strengthen its ability to discern morally which can be developed through a regular and thoughtful deliberation of any ethical issue. Education is a pre requisite to be able to discern what could be morally appropriate in a given situation. This was demonstrated in the dialogue between Steed and Paxmore in the book â€Å"The Responsible Administrator† where Steed wondered how could the Watergate scandal happened. Paxmore explained that it is because â€Å"men without character . . . never comprehend the awful downward course they’re on†. Paxmore attributed this to lack of education where they went to â€Å"chrome and mirror schools where procedures are taught but not the principles†. Thus, they cannot contemplate about a moral problem in â€Å"the abstract where character is formed†. Having a grounded and educated moral compass within is necessary especially in public service where the interest of diverse groups collide that it would be difficult to discern what is ethically appropriate. Unlike in the early stages of the Republic where governance was truly intended to serve the greater good of society, governance today is already murky and peppered with self-interest after the adoption of spoil system. Thus, it becomes difficult what could be right or wrong and this pervades in all spheres of our public life. We need not look far for example how lack of ethics could be damaging. The recent financial crisis that made everybody’s life difficult where millions lost their jobs and thousands more lost their homes can be attributed directly for people lack of ethics or willful disregard for any concept of ethics. The financial scandals that rocked America from Enron, Worldcom to mortgage crisis all redound to greed which is a byproduct of lack of any sense of any ethical consideration. Worst, the crisis was not solely a financial crisis but also a crisis of

The problem with public relations Essay Example for Free

The problem with public relations Essay Budd and Ruben (1988) stressed that the absence of data sources signals mass media’s inevitable downfall and destruction. Once and for all, information is media’s main (product). Thus, it is pretty impossible for media organizations to deliver such (product) if there is an apparent lack of supplier. PR is therefore instrumental in sustaining media’s existence and survival. PR departments of business establishments can supply industry-based news and stories. Likewise, government agencies utilize PR to increase the public’s awareness about the government’s projects and endeavors. Similarly, it can be noticed that advocacy and interest groups capitulated on public relations to voice out their views and opinions. However, while it is true that public relations aid the media in satisfying the market for information, it cannot be denied that PR’s sole purpose is still grounded on the principle of building publicity and creating massive media exposure. The marriage of press releases and news items make it too difficult and confusing for the public to distinguish plain news materials from press releases. The implications of the above-mentioned scenarios are pretty compelling and cannot be readily ignored. For one, the dependence of media organizations on PR departments as news sources raises question regarding the quality of news production. For one, media practitioners are trained and expected to conduct heavy research and collect different news sources to ensure accuracy. Relying on a single source is a cardinal sin for many journalists and broadcasters primarily because news items must ensure that all angles of the story are presented. Relatively, this also served as a challenge to the degree of professionalism practiced by individuals that work in the media. Data gathering and verifying information are essential routines in news production. This means that journalists and broadcasters are expected to go out of their comfort zones and look for socially relevant topics that serve the public’s interests. The notion that media practitioners should develop a keen eyes for details and nose for news, imply that media outfits must exert effort in providing news rather than merely sit and wait for PR handouts. But more than anything else, this situation readily surrenders mass media’s freedom. Mutual connections of news organizations and PR departments manifest media’s subtle suppression and independence from the powerful influences of external environments. Indeed, PR departments, due to its strong links to business organizations, governmental agencies and even advocacy groups, now has the upper-hand in the overall process of how news is produced and delivered to the public (Fitzpatrick Bronstein, 2006) . Drawing on Dahrendorf’s idea of power legitimacy, business establishments and government agencies have the authority to transform news materials into mere promotional or propaganda copies (Slattery, 2003). These actors are well positioned in the social strata that grant them a good grasp of influence. The uneven distribution of authority and rule (Slattery, 2003) readily legitimizes the position of business organizations and government agencies in the social, political, cultural and legal hierarchy. PR subsequently becomes a tool for control and manipulation via exerting pressure to distort and fabricate news items. It is important to note that media outfits are also business endeavors that depend on profiteering to sustain their survival. Profit, in the media context is measured by high ratings and wide audience reception. But this can be only achieved if newspapers and television programs alike have enough information to offer for public consumption (Craig, 2004). It is the information—the news stories that function as lifebloods of the media industry. When PR departments become involved in news making, they are very much capable of withholding data and information that leaves journalists and broadcasters at their mercy. This is most especially true in situations wherein corporate reputation is very much at stake. In these times, media practitioners must exercise neutrality and objectivity. However, neutrality in this case does not work well for PR. One must readily take sides. What happens then is that journalists and news anchors are compelled to transform press releases into (well-researched) news reports that simply explain the sides of the affected party. However, a closer look into the matter shows that these simple explanations are no less than defense mechanisms that are pursued to protect capitalistic aims and orientations. Other business organizations would even push media practitioners to exaggerate press releases and resort to sensationalism (Whitaker, Ramsey Smith, 2004). On the other hand, government agencies can impose legal sanctions to influence news coverage and to a certain extent—silence media groups. These institutions can very much exercise censorship to dismantle media’s critical stand. This situation is highly evident in communities governed by extremely authoritarian regimes. Likewise, if government offices fail to garner favorable media attention, they can create their own media system and thus capitalize on PR. Nowadays, it is not too much of an extraordinary thing to see government agencies publish their own newsletters or newspapers (Franklin Murphy, 1991). A deconstruction of these media contents clearly show that campaign materials are readily expressed as news. Yes, these copies may well increase the public’s awareness. But news, in the truest sense of the word, is not self-serving. Apparently, this scenario manifests a blatant abuse of freedom of expression. However, press releases are also exploited by other media practitioners. This can be specifically observed in journalists and broadcasters who are active members of advocacy groups. Their ideological beliefs may very much interfere with the way they handle news stories. Biases may occur in treating subjects that have differing opinions and perspectives. There are instances wherein released statements of their respective groups are customized to look like news items. But then again, no matter how noble the intentions are, this does not erase the fact that the public is deceived and mislead. The inability of media individuals to distance themselves from their respective affiliations is a subtle and unconscious way of placing more PR content in news items. The agenda-setting model states that mass media in general have the ability to dictate and redefine the audience’s perception (Botha et. al, 2007). News organizations, regardless of the ethical standards that govern broadcast, print and online media can tell the public which issues should be considered important and which should be immediately dismissed as irrelevant. The agenda-setting function of media is manifested through giving focus and emphasis on particular subjects (Botha et. al, 2007). When certain events or personalities receive much media attention, the public is made to believe that these are important. It can be observed that majority of released news items are mainly concern on few large-scale issues. Yet, it seems that there is diversity in newspapers and television news programs. But the truth is, these issues are simply dissected and articulated from different angles. Public relations officers know this very well and PR agencies are readily capitulating on these situations (Burns, 2002). Even though it is a common practice for news producers to identify news angles, this has been nonetheless, abused. Consequently, this scenario is also instrumental in the prevalence of unethical practices in mass media. These include biases, data fabrication, inaccuracy, and conflicting interests. Under this context, news and media in general becomes a tool of the elite to retain their positions in the social and political ladder. Media becomes a hegemonic machine of the ruling class. This situation further reaffirms Althusser’s argument that media is part of the so-called â€Å"ideological state apparatuses or ISA (Fourie, 2007). † Conclusion PR is indeed, a good source of news stories. However, there should be a clear distinction between press releases and news items. Media organizations must assert their independence and autonomy from certain groups that could very well affect news production. It should be always remembered that providing relevant information is not synonymous to creating â€Å"praise releases. † Ethical practices in the media must be strictly observed. The public’s demand for information should not be perceived from a business-oriented view. News stories are not commodities. The public needs to know because the public needs to make a decision. Media, more than anything else is accountable to the public, not to PR agencies. Reference List Benkler, Y. (2006). The Wealth of Networks How Social Production Transforms Markets and Freedoms. Connecticut: Yale University Press Botha, D; Chaka, M; du Plessis, N; Krause, B; Rawjee, V. P; Porthen, D; Veerasamy, D and Wright, B. (2007). Public Relations Fresh Perspectives. Cape Town: Pearsons Education South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Budd, R. and Ruben, B. (1988) Beyond Media New Approaches to Mass Communication. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers Burns, L. (2002). Understanding Journalism. London: Sage Publications Ltd. Clear, A. and Weideman, L. (2001) Dynamics of Public Relations and Journalism. (2nd ed). Cape Town: Juta Co. Ltd. Craig, G. (2004). The Media, Politics and Public Life. North South Wales: Allen Unwing Davies, A. (2003). Public Relations and News Sources. In S. Cottle (Ed. ), News, public relations and power. London: Sage Publications Inc. Fleming, C; Hemmingway, E; Moore, G and Welford, D. (2006). An Introduction to Journalism. London: Sage Publications Inc. Fitzpatrick, K and Bronstein, C. (2006). Ethics in Public Relations. London: Sage Publications Inc. Fourie, P. (Ed. ) (2007). Media Studies Media History, Media and Society (Vol. 1). Cape Town: Juta Co. Ltd. Franklin, B. and Murphy, D. (1991). What News?. London: Routledge L’Etang, J. (2004). Public Relations in Britain. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc. Ray, S. (2007) And Now for the good News. Massachusetts: Moment Point Press Schultz, R. (1998) Reviving the fourth estate. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Slattery, M. (2003). Key Ideas in Sociology. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Ltd. Sloan, W. and Parcell, L. (Eds) (2002). American Journalism History, Principles, Practices. North Carolina: McFarland Company Inc. Whitaker,W; Ramsey, J and Smith, R. (2004). MediaWriting Print, Broadcast and Public Relations. (2nd ed). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc.