An Embarrassing Moment Essay Example for Free

An Embarrassing Moment EssayOne day my friend and I where getting ready to go out of town to Houston, Texas where we would be attending a Southern Football game. We where so excited about leaving because it was the only time that we actual go somewhere without our parents al styluss virtually us. While backpacking our things we decided that we need a new outfit and a new pair of shoes. First we made sure to finish packing all the small but necessary items like toothbrush, comb, toothpaste, and comb. Then we borrowed my sister car to go hunting for I new outfits and shoes.Our first stop was Gonzales to this shortsighted strip mall that we like to shop at but we didnt have any luck finding what we were tone for that day. So we made our way to Cortana mall and look around in a few livestocks my friend found some shoes that she purchased and I have found a apparel that I purchased. After leaving Cortana my friend still needed an outfit and I need to complete my outfit and get some shoes. We took a submit from shopping and got some lunch to eat. Then we then decided to go to the kernel of Louisiana to continuing looking for our new things.Upon arrive at the Mall of Louisiana we stopped a Dillards to check out there selection of shoe leaving Dillards we saw these two amazing looking guys. We decided to follow them to get a better look us trying to follow them with out it being obvious. They stopped in this urban hold up store where they where looking at so throwback jerseys. We were acting like we were looking at the throwback dresses next to the mens jerseys that they were looking at. I looked away for a minute to look at the dress my friend had in her hand and they were gone. My friend turned around to look in the reverberate and bumped the mannequin it fell right on me and I fell to the ground. The two guys were standing behind us and started cracking up laughing.The salesperson in the store helped me up and fixed the mannequin back the way it was s uppose to be. I was so embarrassing will never go to the mall with her again.

School Safety Essay Example for Free

School Safety EssayIn the last decade, nurture violence cases have drastically increased. Between 1997 and 1999, there was a rash of prepare shootings, the most notable occurring at West Paducah, Jonesboro, and Columbine. These examples are just a few instances in the long list of tragedy that occurs in the school setting. There is a broad spectrum of school violence and misconduct that keep school officials on alert handbook violations, drug use, harassment, bullying, fighting and school shootings.With school violence on the increase, administrators are forced to re-evaluate school policies to ensure safety and credential for the students and staff members. The National Education Association (NEA) supports policies developed by states, districts and schools to effectively address bullying and harassment that lead to school violence (NEA, 2002-2010).Although some officials smell that a zero-tolerance stance is the most effective means to combating bullying and harassment i n the school setting, the NEA takes the position of educating school officials, parents, community members, and students on the effects of bullying and harassment.In an attempt to reduce bullying and harassment, the NEA works to promote school safety by presenting strategies to reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment expand entranceway to counseling, anger management and peer mediation provide ways for students to communicate with adults about rumors and threats and develop instruction that teaches values like respect and responsibility (NEA, 2002-2010).The school environment is one of the safest environments for children today. Students should feel comfortable coming to school and should be allowed to learn in an environment free for intimidation and fear. The NEA agrees with this statement and supports legislation requiring states, districts, and schools to select plans to prevent and respond to bullying and harassment incidents.ReferencesNEA. (2002-2010). School safety. Re trieved fromhttp//www.nea.org/home/16364.htm

Process A Buying A House Essay Example for Free

Process A Buying A House EssayYour Journey to Home OwnershipBuying a house is an exciting process especially if it is your first home. It may be a abundant or short process. But no matter how long it takes you testament follow at to the lowest degree four steps throughout your journey to home ownership. First, you testament check your character reference and examine your finances. Next, you will give away for a mortgage loan. Then you will shop for the right house Finally, you will move in. Remember, you or other family members will probably live in your new house for the rest of your lives. That is why it is important to understand the steps in the home buying process. This brochure walks you through the process of buying a home.CREDIT AND FINANCESKnow Your CreditIt is not only important to know your credence scores, but to know your credit. Know the basics about your credit before a mortgage lender pulls your credit scores. It is helpful to write out a summary of your c redit history as you know it. What ar your monthly payments? If you have been late with payments, write down which ones, how often you have been late, the current status, and explain what led to the circumstances. Also write down your loan and credit card balances. And explain any collections, judgements, or other delinquencies that you think might affect your credit. This way both you and the lender know what to expect when your credit treat is pulled.Know Your FinancesYou must cover some part of a down payment (up to 20% of the purchase price) and some closing costs (at least(prenominal) 3% of the purchase price). It is important to know that hard currency in the bank is not the only source of funds that are acceptable to a lender. ordain a relative give you part of your down payment as a gift? If so, have them write a letter stating the amount they will give and include that amount as a cash asset on your loan application.Do you have an insurance policy with a cash value? Do you have a retirement fund? Include a most recent statement from those policies. These cash assets help you to qualify nonetheless if the cash is not on hand. If you need to use these sources, your lender will instruct you how to document the withdrawals or have the gift monies transferred when the metre comes.SHOP FOR A MORTGAGE LOAN stag for the Right Mortgage CompanyFirst, determine if you will use a commercial bank, a direct mortgage lender, or a mortgage broker. The best thing to do is call each one and ask what programs and services they offer. They can answer basic questions without taking a loan application or pulling your credit. However, be careful about quoted rates. Make sure that rates ore given for the type of loan you are concerned in and qualify for. In other words, if you are looking for a construction loan, dont compare home improvement loan rates.Shop for the Right Mortgage at one time you have subsided what type of company to work with, they will help you det ermine the right mortgage program for you. They will present you with scenarios for both fixed and adjustable rate mortgages for 15-20-30 year loan periods. They will also present loans for your specific financial and credit situation, for first time homebuyers, and for existing houses or new construction. They will also tell you what loan amount you qualify for, what your down payment and closing cost cash contribution should be, and what your maximum purchase price can be.SHOP FOR YOUR HOUSELocation Location LocationTake a drive around the communities that you are attracted to. dress how close they are to good schools, shopping locations, and other things that are important to you. Be sure to note your commute to work from these areas noting accessibility to freeways and main roads. Once you narrow the areas you like, write down what your home should look like and features it should have how many bedrooms, bathrooms, 2-story or ranch style, older home or newer construction. Onc e you decide these factors, you are ready to go shopping.Real Estate AgentsReal estate agents can help you find what you are looking for. The MLS allows the agent to plug in your parameters price, style, location, size, amenities and identify several houses for you to look at. The agent will also present your offer to the trafficker, and help you negotiate contract items such as seller paid closing costs or repairs to be done prior to closing.MOVE INClosingOnce your loan is approved, the house is appraised and inspected, you will decorous with a title company to sign the mortgage and title documents. You will bring home the bacon a copy of a homeowners insurance policy. The seller will deliver the goods a transfer of title, a pest inspection, and general safety inspection or occupancy certificate, if required by your municipality. The title company will provide you an insurance policy protecting against old liens against the property. Once all documents are signed, the items a re filed with the real estate department in your county, and YOU GET YOUR HOUSE KEYS base InRemember to do things like submit a change of address at the post office. And, if you are a renter, notify your landlord at least 30 days prior to moving. Also, remember that you will now be responsible for paying property taxes and homeowners insurance. If these items are not included with your mortgage payments, be sure to make billing and payment arrangements right away.RESOURCESFannie Mae http//www.fanniemae.com/homebuyers/index.jhtmljsessionid=JNHAKUJNMMPBVJ2FQSHSFGI?p=OverviewFreddie Mac http//www.freddiemac.com/corporate/buying_and_owning.htmlFHA http//www.fha.com/VA http//www.homeloans.va.gov/HUD http//www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/index.cfmBankrate http//www.bankrate.com/brm/rate/mtg_home.asp?link=5

Critical approach

Critical cash advanceIntroduction Critical theory roofys out to hyperdecisively examine organisations in contemporary society. This advent has emerged from the revolutionary humanist paradigm (Morgan, 1995, Burrell, 2000). This begin argues that a positivist (functionalist/modernist) approach to the precaution of organizations if non utilised cautiously it may result in the dehumanisation of the employee and the stoolplace. Individuals atomic number 18 gener onlyy confabu vernal-fangledn as machines and work as a technical process (Robbins and Barnwell, 2006, pp. 21-22). It is the humanist approach that focuses on placing populate first rather than those of the organisation. It also argues that organisations necessity to be ethical and humane. Unfortunately, these ideals are non always pursued by organisations. A critical approach sets out to improve the practices and traditions of the positivist/functionalist approach to concern. For example, a critical perspective sees work as the problem rather than the positivist view of the actor as the problem. However, critical theorists are non focused on removing the ashes but rather prefer to improve it through raising awareness, critical reflection and self analysis (Robbins and Barnwell, 2006, p. 22). Learning outcomes After completing this module/topic, you should be able to Outline and analyse the basic assumptions of the radical humanist paradigm. Outline the various critical theories and analyse the implications they fetch for managing organisations. Analyse the basis of and the take aim for an ethical approach to managing organisations Analyse the link between critical theory and the radical humanist paradigm Define and explain the concept of alienation and its implications for organisations engender an understanding of the radical humanist concept of power Critically evaluate the concept of ideological trap Explain and analyse issues much(prenominal) as diversity, loveliness and fairnes s in organisations Critical theory Critical theory has its origins in the Radical Humanist Paradigm (see Crowther and Green, Chapter 9 on E.Reserve). This approach questions the current accept views of organisations and their impact on society. Previous examples of now outdated views that would non be accepted today would include ideas such as, women should not be encouraged to work and that organisations can freely pollute the environment. The basic assumptions of this paradigm are according to Morgan (1995), Ideological traps Tunnel vision is based on our previous experience befitting the blueprint for interpreting our current experience (we often let myths and our past experience becomes our reality). We are unable to interpret reality without prejudice. Power dimension The advanced to define reality or the right of some to have power all over others overt use of power. Power is also used in a subtle or covert way (soft domination) and its use and abuse is often unquesti aced. Eg. How is power distributed in organisations? We discuss empowerment and participation but we rarely see this happening in organisations. Ethical dimension Organisations make to act in an ethical manner. How do the actions of managers and organisations impact on employees and society? People first fake is the problem Critical theory proposes that the functionalist approach to management is based on a technical and mechanistic view of organizations rather than understanding organizations as friendly and human activity. This technical view of organizations reinforces the view that managing organizations can be achieved by developing more efficient and effective technical control (Alvesson and Willmott, 1996). However, the focus on efficiency and effectiveness may overlook the necessitate of people in organisations. The use of control in organisation may become authoritarian if not carefully monitored. A critical approach is often viewed as being negative however, a criti cal approach is meaning(a) skill to develop. A critical approach factor that we do not take things at face value and question the current way things are done. Contemporary social movements such as environmentalism, feminism and studyr issues often take a critical approach because they question the current belief systems and practices in society and organisations (Crowther and Green, 2004, p. 115). Conflict Questioning may give rise to meshing but this does not necessarily mean that the conflict needs to be dysfunctional. Critical theory is clear that any conflict should be dealt within the system and in democracies this is done through political debate, academic debate, education, legislation, Television (Australian Story ABC 7.30 Report, ABC), Documentaries (Who Killed the Electric Car An Inconvenient Truth), Films (see Erin Brockevich The friction match Wore Prada) and straightforward journalism (eg. Financial Review Washington Post The Economist The Observer New Scientist Business Week). Functionalist theories focus on unifying different ideas and immingle peoples ideas into one view of the world. While this idea has merit, taken to its extreme it can result in the demise of the company eg. One Tel and Enron and others. So some conflict, doubting and critique is all-important(prenominal) in order to ensure that organisations do not descend into group think (see module 6). An example of a critical approach that has been viewed as negative until recently has been the environmental movement. This movement has been seen by concern and governments to be overly negative toward business and in particular energy organisations. However, the scientific support (Stern Review and the Report by the United Nations) is so strong that people now take this movement seriously. Therefore organisations need to examine the implications that clime change may have for their business otherwise they may not survive in the long term. In addition a critical approach recog nises that there are different and shifting realities and that the interpretation of the issue should be considered within the framework of the context in which it occurs (Crowther and Green, 2004, p. 118). A critical approach (Radical Humanism) consists of many a(prenominal) theories that were developed to critique the excesses of the capitalist/business world. Theorists include the Frankfurt school who argued that the over use of technology may prove to dehumanise the workplace. Other critical theorists include Marcuse argued that consumerism was becoming a problem for society and people were becoming one dimensional. In other words individuals did not question whether they needed to consume but rather they consumed un inquisitively, for example buying bigger cars when oil supplies are diminishing and the problems associated with global warming (The West Australian, 2007). He argued that the creation of false needs that serves to keep people happy and working long hours and in di fficult conditions (cited in Burrell and Morgan, 1988, p. 293-294). An important aspect of this theory is the inexplicit acceptance of technology. Habermas argues that work is the governing form of social action in society. Habermas also suggests that work is a form of communicative distortion because the power relationships in organisations are not equal. Organisational structures do not enable the empowerment of individuals so that they can be free to communicate so that genuine consensus can occur. An ideal speech situation is one where dialogue is open and not influenced by those who are more powerful (Burrell and Morgan, 1988, pp. 294-295 Crowther and Green, 2004, p. 121). An example of this would be the One Tel situation where employees could not discuss the organisations problems with Jodee Rich because he did not want to hear bad news (Robbins and Barnwell, 2006). Habermas proposes that there a three main issues that need to be addressed to ensure empowerment. They are, Te chnical motive the value given to science and technology has taken precedence over human and ethical issues. Control is the main aim with the ends being more important that the way things are done. Practical Reason this concept refers to the importance of achieving mutual understanding instead of focusing on prediction and control. The means are as important as the goal. The needs of employees and society should be taken into account. Emancipatory reason communication needs to focus on consensus and be conducted in a humour free from domination. Critical self reflection is important. That is individuals must question their own ideas and values. This self questioning enables the ontogenesis of critical thinking and frees individuals from past practices (ideological traps) which may not be relevant for the present or the future (Crowther and Green, 2004, pp. 121-122). Critical theorists agree with the interpretivists that assumptions and beliefs are taken for granted by people. Howe ver, although they share the idea that organisational life should be explored from a stemive, they prefer to question these beliefs rather than just understand them. Therefore a critical approach is more concerned with developing a questioning and critical approach to organisational life. Journalists, lawyers and researchers are trained in this approach. Academic training focuses on questioning and extending knowledge rather than accepting the status quo. A good example of this focus on questioning are Barry Marshall and Robin Warren who are from Western Australia and received the Nobel Prize for their work on ulcers in 2005 and made Companions of the Order of Australia in 2007. Their findings challenged the prevailing beliefs and assumptions that ulcers were caused by stress. They found that ulcers were caused by bacteria could be cured by antibiotics. However, the consultant specialists in the field were unaffected and it took Ten years before they were listened to and almost 20 years before their findings were accepted by the medical establishment and business (Knowles, 2007). Another group that have challenged conventional wisdom have been the environmentalists. Our headlines now are raising the issue of climate and its impact on society (Hartcher, 2007 Stern Report) scientists now are in agreement that climate change has the capacity to severely impact life on earth as we know it is still seen by business as not a major issue. Although the Stern Report (commissioned by the British Government) concluded that climate change is the consequence of the greatest market failure and called for business to take action to control greenhouse emissions, American CEOs were far less(prenominal) concerned about climate change than the Europeans (Kitney, 2007, p. 40). Critical thinking is concerned with the development of foresight and learning (Fulop, 1992). Organisations and society cannot always wait until the problem has been experienced objectively because by the time we experience the event it may too late to rectify the situation. The lack of a Tsunami warning system in the Indian ocean was an example of this problem. Scientists had been warning for many years that a warning system was needed. Many lives and businesses were lost as a result of the Tsunami. Without critical thinking we cannot have innovation and change. Change requires questioning what we are doing currently and if it can be done better. The radical humanist concept ideological trap illustrates how people can become trapped in a non-reflective and unquestioning way of thinking. exclude and Consider Why should people and society question current thinking? Can you outline any examples of ideological traps Business offerers have that need to be challenged to ensure a focus on the human side of organisations? A critical approach to organisations Placing people first Critical theory proposes that organisations should be concerned with the emancipation and empowerment of emplo yees in organizations. Critical theory also recognises that the placing of people first is not always the primary concern of organisations. For example, although organisations argue they raise empowerment, there is evidence that employees are working longer hours and extreme jobs are becoming the norm (Hewlett and Buck Luce, 2007). If employees are over controlled thence organizations face the prospects of employees experiencing alienation. madness results in employees experiencing low motivation, low morale, poor mental health, job dissatisfaction, job stress, anxiety and depression (Kanungo, 1992). Work alienation is defined as an experienced psychological state of the individual that represents a cognitive separation from ones job and other work contexts a sense of frustration and accompanying negative affect, that is the result of the workers science that they have failed to achieve their objectives through their job, and results in the experience of apathy (Kanungo, 1992, p. 414). Empowerment is considered by critical theorists to be a way of overcoming alienation. Empowerment involves giving the worker more control over their work by participating in decision-making. In addition it involves giving the worker encouragement, and to provide workers with meaningful goals. According to Kanungo (1992) empowerment has an ethical foundation and goes beyond the focus on the bottom line. Thus Kanungo (1992) argues that organisational ethics begins with the humane treatment of workers. Soft domination The central tension in organisations is often between resistance and obedience. Management control excessive use of coercion invites overt resistance because is used in an obvious manner. However, power as a form of control can also be used in a more subtle way. According to Courpasson soft domination is characterised by the administration of rule that give managerial discretion to managers while reinforcing the strength of centralised authority. It is based on the appearance of equality and fairness but in the end in organisations the power lies with only a few (Cited in Clegg, Kornberger and Pitsis, 2005, p. 169). Processes such as performance appraisals, promotion systems, discipline procedures and being made redundant all contribute to flavourings of powerlessness and that others have the right to define the workers reality. Teamwork is often seen associated with the rhetoric of empowerment but it can be a form of soft domination. individual(a) solutions such as TQM, Lean production, Learning organisations, and BPR appear to reverse the individualistic approach of Scientific Management. Teamwork and in particular self managing teams does not isolate workers and set them competitively against each other. In contrast to scientific management teamwork encourages communication and sociability among workers. However, Barker notes that it is a form of concertive control because the team members watch over each other because the responsibilit y for rule making is shifted to the team who then set their own limits. It is more difficult to argue with team members than it is to argue with a supervisor. The subtlety of concertive control is powerful and genuinely difficult to escape (Cited in Clegg, Kornberger and Pitsis (2005, p. 172-174). Concertive control has the capacity to promote the notion of overwork and extreme jobs because people feel they cannot take time off such as a sick day because they will let others down. A study by Deery, Iverson and Walsh (2002) studied cinque call centres (480 telephone service operators) in the communications industry has show that the use of teams alone cannot overcome problems in the workplace. The study also showed that elements of scientific management contributed to worker exhaustion. These researchers carried out a well designed study and used good quality scales of measurement and analysis. Workers in this industry are often subject to customer hostility and verbal abuse. Work ers were measured on employee withdrawal, emotional exhaustion, customer interactions and scripted conversational rules. Workload items included were the pace of work, role overload, and routinisation of work, team leader support and physical health. They found that customer abuse along with scripted and rigid rules of response also contributed to emotional exhaustion. Workers experience exhaustion because although the scripted approach facilitates a more efficient approach to the customer, less time is spent with them so that workers can deal with more calls. Consequently customers feel that they are not important and often become abusive. This streamlined approach is based on Taylors scientific management principles. However, it only serves to dehumanise the worker and irritate the customer. The researchers initially sight that the longer a person stayed with the organisation they would become more competent and therefore less in all likelihood to experience exhaustion. However, this was not the case. The longer workers stayed the more they were likely to experience emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion was also associated with withdrawal (levels of absence). Withdrawal was related to a high workload and customer abuse. The symptoms of withdrawal and emotional exhaustion are linked to the concept of alienation. A critical approach Are organisations ethical? A critical approach argues that organisations should have an ethical approach when conducting their business. This means dealing with their employees, clients, society and other business associates in an ethical manner. This contrasts with the functionalist theories that are concerned with efficiency and effectiveness. Functionalist theories focus on survival and profits. Now these are important for without organisations the majority of people would not be able work and survive. However, if organisations only focus on their own interests then the ramifications may ultimately be detrimental for the ir survival and lose the good will of the connection. The pursuit of efficiency and effectiveness may become an ideological trap (tunnel vision) that prevents organisations from seeing the bigger picture. Activity necessitate James Hardie from fibro in suburbia to mesothelioma and the US siding market in Robbins and Barnwell (2006, p.254). The focus on organisational success in terms of profits etc can lead an organisation and its management to develop tunnel vision (ideological trap) which stops them from considering ethical issues and how society views its actions. The idea of unquestioned obedience needs to be explored. The question why do people do morally bad things whey they are asked to do so by those in authority? What aspects of organisational life make unquestioning obedience occur? The technique of power, i.e. the right to define reality enables leaders to ask people to do things they would not normally do. Therefore if employees are authoritative to do something the n it takes away the responsibility for questioning their leader. Milgram (cited in Clegg et al., 2005, p. 181-182) showed how easily this could be done. He found that individuals are inclined to follow the commands of people who are in authority. He created an experiment where ordinary people were directed by scientists to do cruel things to other people (participants) as part of a laboratory experiment. When the individuals were instructed to deliver electric shocks to the participants they did so (however, they did not know that the shocks were not real and the participants were actors). The individuals believed that each shock they gave was higher than the previous one. If the individuals could see the participants only 30% administered the shock if they, however, if they could not see the participant then 62% were willing to administer the shock. Milgram showed that the obligations of the situation were stronger than the individuals ethical and moral values. Milgram also found t hat when the expert was questioned then individuals were less likely to follow instructions unquestioningly If organisations do not empower employees to speak up and contradict ideas and thinking, then CEOs will not be exposed to different perspectives and/or limit the probability of unethical behaviour in organisations. Therefore it is easy to regard the person speaking against the issue to be incompetent, a trouble maker and/or a whistleblower. In module five it was noted that the functionalist to culture focused on developing a iodine corporate culture. However, a critical approach would argue that this may lead to an organisations downfall if taken to the extreme (One Tel, Enron) or experience major problems such as James Hardie (Robson, 2007 Robbins and Barnwell, 2006, p. 254). The power of the organisation to facilitate organisational commitment and loyalty has advantages and disadvantages. A study by Ahern and McDonald (2002) found that nurses who were more traditional in th eir behaviour and deferred to the operating surgeon and others in authority in a hospital were less likely to report foul up. However, nurses who were committed to their profession and the nursing code of ethics tended to report misconduct because they were advocates for their patients. Traditional nurses felt powerless to alter the status quo were restricted in their moral and ethical development. Nurses who believed they were advocates for the patient were more likely to blow the whistle in hospitals. These results are not good for either the patients or the organisation because patients like to think their life and health is placed first. In contrast organisations such as hospitals would prefer to have undivided loyalty and that the problem be dealt within the organisation rather than reading about it in the newspaper. Ethical issues such as insider trading have created difficulties for organisations and their shareholders. It is difficult to prove however, in 2002 the burden o f proof was lowered with the accession of civil penalties. One of the recent cases involved Steve Vizard who was fined $390, 000 and banned from managing a corporation for more than 10 years. (Johnston, 2007, p. 32). Johnston (2007) also draws attention to other Australians and overseas people who have been prosecuted for insider trading. The Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC) is a corporate watchdog that oversees companies to ensure they abide by Australian company laws. The sound system attempts to ensure that corrupt and unethical behaviour does not occur in organisations, however, the legal framework, cannot ensure businesses are ethical and moral. For example, large mining companies now accept that closing a mine is not just walking away from a ravaged landscape. Closing a mine is now an environmental and sustainable process (Mellish, 2007). Legislation and public sector organisations in Australia attempt to ensure that employee and community safety is ensured , that minorities are treated fairly and that the environment is not compromised. Until recently Australia had one of the best legal systems in the world for ensuring the workplace treated workers fairly. The new Work Choices legislation, according the Professor of Law at Sydney University is now comparable with the US and Australians will find that their jobs in the future will be less secure and less well paid (Mccallum, 2007). An ethical approach Diversity in organisations A critical approach to organizations also examines the decisions and practices of organizations for their ethical approach. It challenges the notion that management is a scientific and impartial process. The pursuit of gender equity in organizations is a humanist and ethical approach to organizations. For many years women in organizations were not given equal pay for equal work. The view that women should receive less pay than men was an outcome of the historic industrial wage decision by Justice Higgins in the Harvester Judgement in 1907. Justice Higgins determined what was needed by a man to support his wife and children at a reasonable standard of comfort. It was also argued that women should receive 54% of the male wage because she only had to support herself and/or supplement her husbands salary. Societys values supported this approach and the incommensurate pay and unfair treatment of women at work continued until 1972. Married women usually had to resign their positions on marriage and married women were not allowed to join the humankind Service until 1966. Following the introduction of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act in the states of Australia the workforce was generally gender segregated. However, there are still very few women in senior management positions in large organizations and fewer women directors of Australian Companies. Barriers to womens progression in organizations occur through social and organizational practices and the final examination barrier to senior p osition is called the glassful ceiling (Robbins and Barnwell, 2006). Learning Activity Read pages 501 to 512 in Robbins and Barnwell (2006) and outline the different barriers that inhibit womens progression in the workplace. What does the glass ceiling mean? Do question three on page 528 of your text. A critical approach by women and men has questioned the early ideas of women and work and enshrined a fair go for both women and minority groups into legislation. The main feminist theories that emerge from critical theory are Radical Feminist Theory, Psychoanalytic Theory and Anti-capitalist feminist theories (see table 16.1 in Robbins and Barnwell, 2006, p. 516). These theories explore the reasons for the unfair and discriminatory treatment of women. In 1986 Federal legislation was introduced to ensure that women were treated fairly at work was the introduction of the Affirmative Action (Equal Opportunity for Women) Act 1986. The Act specified a number of provisions that organizati ons must meet to fulfil the requirements of the Act (Robbins and Barnwell, 2006, p. 522).

Financial Analysis And Report Of Dominos Pizza Finance Essay

Financial Analysis And Report Of dominoes Pizza Finance EssayThis comprehend is commissioned to analyse the current and previous Short-Term Liquidity, Capital Structure and Solvency, Operating might and Profit capacity of dominoes Pizza Group Limited. The method use in analysing includes, current proportionalitys, liquidity balances, acquire margin, gross margin, return on chapiter employed, geartrain ratio, interest cover, pullulate turnover, debtor days and creditor days.The results of the analysis depicts that dominoes Pizza Group limited is operating well with consistent growth in turnover, profit margin but with a very high gearing ratio.The major areas of concern are the stock turnover, debtor days and creditor days which need effective and efficient management. Therefore it is recommended that the collection full stop for debtors and the compensation time period for creditors and the stock turnover should be monitored and improved.The analysis besides has its own li mitations which includes the unavailability of comparative information from the mirror company, SHS pizza Limited.AnalysisShort-Term Liquidity verit satisfactory Ratio(x)Company200920082007Dominos Pizza0.691.010.92SHS Pizza Ltd0.180.221.29This provides the portion of the current liability of Dominos Pizza Group which can be settled with its current assets earnings. This shows the ability of Dominos to meet its short-term debt contracts with the on tap(predicate) current liability as the fall due.From the above table, Dominos Pizza Group had a current ratio of 0.69 in 2009 as compared to the 1.01 and 0.92 in geezerhood 2008 and 2007 respectively. The 0.69 in year 2009 shows that Dominos is not liquid enough to meet its short term debt obligations as at 2009 despite it being better than the SHS Pizza Ltd at 0.18 times in the same year. With its brilliant action in year 2008 at 1.01times, in 2007 it went somewhat below its ability to cover the current liability with its current ass ets at 0.97 times unlike the SHS Pizza ltd which had a better performance in ratio of 1.29 times in 2007. (Tracy J,2008 P287).Liquidity RatioCompany200920082007Dominos Pizza0.640.970.85SHS Pizza Ltd0.120.161.17The ability for Dominos Group to repay short-term creditors out of its available total cash is less than the general threshold of 1.00. In 2007, Dominos had a liquidity ratio of 0.85 and sum upd to 0.97 in 2008 but fell drastically in 2009. Comparatively, its mirror company, the SHS Pizza limited performed better being able to cover its short term liabilities fully by 1.17x in 2007. However, SHS Pizza ltd also had a drastic fall from 1.17x in 2007 to 0.16x and 0.12x in 2008 and 2009 respectively. (www.advfn.com)Capital Structure and SolvencyGearing (%)Company200920082007Dominos Pizza413.87321.59435.34SHS Pizza Ltd988.47665.44175.68From the balance sheet of Dominos plc, it can be seen that it had a long term debt of 18million in 2007 which reduced further to 9million in 2007 a nd was eventually cleared in 2009. On measuring the list of bang-up that is borrowed, the gearing ratio for Dominos Pizza as at 2007 was 435.34% falling slightly to 321.59% and 413.87% in 2008 and 2009 respectively. With this high gearing, it indicates that the proportion of Dominos base borrowed expectant is high. However its mirror company, the SHS Pizza ltd had a reasonably lower gearing ratio of 175.68% in 2007 increasing significantly to 988.47% in 2009. These figures show how prone both(prenominal) Dominos Group and SHS pizza ltd is to financial distress. Borrowing is a risk to Dominos because of the associated high interest payables and therefore Dominos will be in a dangerous position if the interest rate increases. (www.bized.co.uk).Interest CoverCompany200920082007Dominos Pizza62.0030.2541.72SHS Pizza Ltdn/an/an/aTalking of interest, the interests cover for the Dominos group has improved significantly over the last three years. In 2007 it had 41.72x but dropped to 30. 25x in 2008, it subsequent got better in 2009 with a 62x cover. This is a good indicator that Dominos group is able to pay its interest with its available operating profit. This significant expediency could be as a result of effective control of Dominos expenses and the consistent increase in turnover of 92,018 in 2007 to 128,076 in 2009. (www.bized.co.uk).Operating EfficiencyStock TurnoverCompany200920082007Dominos Pizza54.9952.0744.67SHS Pizza Ltdn/an/an/aAs at 2007, Dominos Pizza plc had a stock turnover of 44.67days. It began to increase to 52.07 days in 2008 and again increased further to 54.99 days in 2009. This means that it is holding stock for longer than the previous years and could consequently increase the cost for holding these stocks. It is therefore important that the Dominos Pizza Group improves on its stockholding period so as to reduce its associated costs. All other things being equal, as Dominos products is food and can easily spoil, it is necessary that the st ockholding period be reduced to avoid bulk waste of products and as a result material costs.Debtor Collection (days)Company200920082007Dominos Pizza7.3411.1114.71SHS Pizza Ltdn/an/an/aDominos Pizza was able to get cash from its debtors within 14.71 days in 2007, in 2008 it was able to retrieve 11.11days whereas in 2009 was 7.34 days. From the above table, Dominos Group has been able to maintain a healthy improvement in its debtors collection days from 14.71days in 2007 to 7days in 2009. It is therefore important that customers of Dominos Pizza pay earlier so that this can be used to pay-off it trade creditors on time as well.Creditors defrayal (days)Company200920082007Dominos Pizza23.8421.5421.40SHS Pizza Ltdn/an/an/aDominos Pizza Group has been able to maintain a longer period in paying of its creditors. In 2007, it took about 21.40 days for Dominos Group to pay of its creditors. This further increased to 23.84 days in year 2009. If Dominos is able to get more credit period, it w ill be able to use the available funds to maintain growth until the payment period is dew. condescension it being a good business practice for Dominos Group to get longer payment period in remittal its debt, it is also ethical that it pays it debt on or before time.ProfitabilityTurnoverThe Dominos Pizza has sustained turnover growth for the past three years rising from 92,018 in 2007 to 128,076 in 2009. The turnover is entirely the sale made from the United Kingdom with a zero sales from oversees for the whole three years. The increase in sales was basically due to a higher demand of Dominos Pizza in the UK whereas the Zero sales in the overseas is as a result of unawareness of the Dominos Pizza in the oversees.Profit Margin (%)Company200920082007Dominos Pizza24.0518.4318.32SHS Pizza Ltdn/an/an/awww.fame.bvdep.comFrom the table above, the Dominos Pizza has been able to maintain a profit margin of 18.32% in 2007 and growing further to 24.05% in 2009. This is as a result of the effic ient control of the cost of sales and other expenses like the administration expenses for the past three years plus an bully increase in revenue from 92,018 in 2007 to 128,076 in 2009. (Kimmel PD, etal (2008) Accounting p243).Gross Margin (%)Company200920082007Dominos Pizza41.0539.7439.94SHS Pizza Ltdn/an/an/aSimilarly, changes in the gross margin will be as a result of changes in the Dominos Pizza group turnover and cost of goods sold. From the above table and diagram, we can see that the year 2007 had a gross margin percentage of 39.94% slightly dropped to 39.74% in 2008 and later ruddiness to 41.05% in 2009. The cost of sale comprised of 60.6% in sale as at 2007 and a 59% in 2009.In the same period there was no information disclosed for public use for its mirror company, the SHS Pizza.Return on Capital Employed (%)Company200920082007Dominos Pizza112.58149.71418.60SHS Pizza Ltdn/an/an/aIn 2007, Dominos Group had a good return on capital employed of around 418.60%. Despite the sl ight reduction, it continued to maintain a higher than 100% ROCE in the years 2008 and 2009 with 149.71% and 112.58% respectively.However using the ratio pyramid, the product of take in assets turnover and the profit margin will give us the Return on Capital Employed. This is depicted in the table belowCalculation of the Return on capital employed200920082007Net Assets Turnover4.688.1222.85Profit Margin24.0518.4318.32Return on Capital Employed112.55149.65418.61Here, any change on the return on capital employed comes as a result of change in either the net assets turnover or the profit margin. From the above, it is the constant fall in the net assets turnover from the 22.85 in 2007 to 4.68 in 2009 which contributed to the fall in the ROCE from 418.6% in 2007 to 112.5% in 2009. On the other side, the profit margin continued to maintain improvement.The averagely high performance in ROCE indicates that, Dominos make good use of its assets well in profit creation. (Bedward and Strdwick 2004 p53)

What I Would Place In A Time Capsule Essay -- essays research papers

What I Would Place In A Time CapsuleAs the turn of the millennium approaches, the human race will continueto develop new technology and new ways of thinking. It is always enjoyable totake a visual journey back in time, to view what was considered advanced andwhat thoughts of future times re compriseed. A time capsule stored with preciousdocuments and possessions from a past geological era can serve as a visual and materialpresentation of what past times were like, and put in prospective theaccomplishments that have changed human lifestyles for cave in or worse.If I were invited to participate in the planning of a time-capsule, Iwould include items that depicted the present societys mood and pastimes. Oneitem that suits this category would be music. Music is one of the mostinfluential forms of art, and has brought delight, sadness, love, and despair toindividuals worldwide. I would include a compilation of the most popular andthe most controversial music of the present era, and som e background informationon the songs and artists. Song lyrics, like poetry, can go beyond the writtenwords of a book or a story, and give an in depth prospective on people and theirlives.Guiding the new information and technology of today, computers serve asthe most useful cocksucker for teaching and productivity across the globe. With theaid of computers, new and better systems are manufactured and put to workconstantly. The amount of d...

The Odyssey: The Use Of Hubris :: essays research papers

There is no safety in unlimited hubris (McGeorge Bundy). The dictionary defines hubris as overbearing pride or presumption arrogance. In The Odyssey, Homer embodies hubris into the characters Odysseus, the Suitors, and the Cyclopes. Odysseus shows hubris when he is battling the Cyclopes, the Cyclopes show hubris when dealing with Odysseus, and the Suitors show it when Odysseus confronts them at his home.To start, within the personal line of credit of The Odyssey, Odysseus displays hubris through many of his actions. The most prominent instance in which Odysseus shows hubris is while he and his men are trying to escape from the Cyclops Polyphemus. They drug the titan until it passes out, and then stab him with a timber in his single eye. Polyphemus, now blinded, removes the gigantic boulder blocking Odysseus escape, and waits for the men to move, so he can hide them. The men escape from the cave to their boat by tying themselves under flocks of rams, so they can easily slip by. Odysseus, now proud after flagellation the giant, starts to yell at Polyphemus, instead of making a silent escape. Odysseus men ask him to stop before Polyphemus would get the range and lob a boulder (436). But Odysseus shows hubris by saying that if they were to meet again, Odysseus would take your life and hurl you down to hell (462 463). Polyphemus, now extremely angry with Odysseus, prays to his father, Poseidon, to make Odysseus never enchant his home again, and after which, throws a mountain towards the sound of Odysseus voice. (470). Because of Odysseus hubris after blinding Polyphemus, Poseidon grants the prayer, and it takes Odysseus 20 years to return home, at the cost of the lives of all his men.Next, Polyphemus demonstrates hubris by accept that because he is a giant, he is unbeatable by anyone, even a god. This is shown when Odysseus meets Polyphemus and greets him with gifts, as it is a custom to show courtesy to hosts and guests alike, (unexpected or not). Failure to hit gifts can lead to revenge from the gods. Odysseus tells Polyphemus this, but Polyphemus would not let you go for fear of Zeus because the Cyclopes have more force by farther . (205 200) Polyphemus then angers the gods further by kidnapping and eating Odysseus men, both of which are considered extremely uncivil in Greek society. Polyphemus is so confident in his impregnability he lets the men roam free inside the cave, a mistake that leads to his downfall.