Swansea Metropolitan and University of Wales Trinity St Davids

Introduction Communication within organizations is vital for full attainment of goals and objectives to enhance customer satisfaction in terms of service experience. Company interactions with customers involve applying different methods that ensure that customers’ pieces of information reach the sales department.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Swansea Metropolitan and University of Wales: Trinity St Davids specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Since this communication process involves many people, it requires appropriate management to guarantee best customer service to the present and future customers. Currently, organizations are adopting the use of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software to improve quality of their service provisions to their clients. The software helps in organizing and tracking contacts of both the present and future customers. Just as other online applications, the software minim izes logistical requirements and time wastage since all employees in every department can view a customer’s information and respond appropriately (Murray 2013). At the same time, a customer will obtain timely response from the necessary departments hence saving productive time. The Database Management System that Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Wales: Trinity Saint Davids included in their system will ease the logistics required in communicating to and managing their students. The report expounds on the benefits that will accrue to the two institutions after adopting CRM, especially in decision-making processes. In addition, it will discuss the principles of Big Data and metrics and examines the gains that the University of Wales is likely to realise in adopting CRM. Finally, the treatise will expound on the ethical and legal implications that may face the institution for storing students’ data for future marketing purposes. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System Organisations interact with customers in three main ways: back office operations, front office contacts, and business contacts. In marketing, business contacts is where a company’s workforce intermingles with suppliers and customers through trade associations and various industry activities (Malhotra Birks 2007). Front office contacts entail straight connections that company workers have with dealers and consumers through mails and phone messaging. On the other hand, back office operations are sequences that aid phone call and e-mailing services such as marketing, promotion, and investment relations.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The use of CRM pays more focus to customers thereby enabling organizations to attract and retain customers through better service provisions, understand their customers, cut cost of managing customers and increase profit maximization. For successful service provision, CRM has different components such as campaign management, sales force automation, and customer service. Further, the process allows firms to communicate to their customers on marketing activities, sell goods and services to customers, and handle after-sales service necessities for customers. Markedly, the Customer Relationship Management software stores all communications with clients as they transpire so that any company worker can retrieve it in future in case need arises. Sales force automation component eliminates instances of effort duplication hence increasing efficiency. Moreover, it expands sales opportunities for current and new customers and even makes it possible for employees not in the sales department to access customers’ recent data easily. In essence, the element improves customer services, as all employees are aware of consumers’ current contact information. When sales representatives get prospecti ve clients, they often use a given set of decisive factors that centre at a drive of attracting new businesses. In the campaign process, the targeted customers receive inducements inform of special sales terms and marketing resources (Murray 2013). This Customer Relationship Management element takes into account all promotion trends, customers’ feedbacks and ultimate scrutiny from the initiative. Elements and Benefits of CRM CRM software has enhanced levels of business-customer engagement in its ability to manage contract wins, business contacts, and client’s information (Malhotra Birks 2007). Customer Relationship Management provides organisations with customers’ business information, which enables them supply products and services that meets customers’ needs. For that reason, CRM solutions enhance customer satisfaction. Additionally, the system allows effective cross-sell, up-sell, and provision of better customer services. Notably, organisations that understand the behaviours of their clients are highly likely to attract and retain current customers in the process.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Swansea Metropolitan and University of Wales: Trinity St Davids specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Advancements in technology has presented numerous challenges to companies in identifying the tastes and preferences of a target market and completely altered consumers buying behaviours thus forcing them to use new ways of reaching their present and prospective customers. An effective CRM solution helps business leaders in making prudent and insightful decisions. At the University of Wales: Trinity St Davids, the management will be able to understand the nature and dynamics of their students. For instance, the management will be able to save data of students applying for first year courses thus offering effective platforms for the academics department to identify the st udents’ potentials and levels of interest in allocating the courses. Further, since the software allows for real time access of data in the dashboard, the university will be at an advantaged position to make right decisions at the right time. A marketing decision-maker having customers’ data at real time is able to monitor expected performances versus the actual results thus driving the marketing return on investments (Galligan 2012). The University will be able to process students’ requests and complaints in real time through the CRM dashboard. Evidently, the software reduces the costs of addressing students’ concern, as the administration will easily identify better processes at the contact centres. It makes student management easy since the administration can solve students’ issues on their first call given more in-depth data on the dashboard. Students’ service provision within the university will be quick and timely given that the admini stration will have students’ data in real time and even mitigate potential threats to students’ satisfaction. The CRM system will also improve the rate at which the university will carry out course-selection for the new students, which will enable it gain competitive advantage over other institutions in Wales and England. When the university departments are able to work together, they will not only have great insights into the objectives of the institution but also develop effective marketing strategies (Wilson 2006).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Principles of Big Data and metrics Businesses that can handle Big Data are more likely to be competitive than their competitors who cannot (Hayes 2012). This concept involves bringing together vast quantities of data, analyzing and processing them to extract valuable information. When Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Wales: Trinity Saint David merged, it is evident that there are abundant data that need re-organization and analysis for the benefit of the institutions. Since the two institutions have different management systems, data integration into a single system will be a challenging task, but through data federation and information integration, it will be possible. Here, data reside where they have been, instead of moving them to other applications. Big data involves fast analysis of varied and massive data that reflect on reality to gain the trust of other users. One has to understand first the reasons for acquiring Big Data. In other words, one has to kno w its importance and substantiate how he/she intends to extract valuable information from Big Data. This process will enable one to make substantial decisions regarding the functions of a business. For effective communication, a well-engineered and harmonised reporting system that removes information overload that can cause confusion for users is necessary. Data minimization is also a key principle of Big Data. This principle ensures that everybody get full data that they need for their work and not in excess of that (Hayes 2013). Data protection prevents exploitation and accessibility by unauthorised parties. Data in the university’s database are extremely sensitive and requires maximum protection for use in a specified purpose. In addition, a functional reporting system where the validity of information is not in doubt and set operational goals maximise customer satisfaction. For better services, organisations need to train their employees so that they can answer customersà ¢â‚¬â„¢ questions successfully. The process of data integration should be customer-centred to enable organisations create impact on their customers. In higher education, Big Data can focus on areas of student progress, institutional finance and budgeting, and resource optimisation. Benefits of Big Data to the University The University of Wales: Trinity St Davids stands to benefit immensely from developing Big Data Networks. For instance, the collected data will assist in addressing strategic issues, such as institutional finance management and budgeting. When the university hosts data at one point all employees can access it thus enhancing accountability and transparency in areas where funds are used. As a result, the university’s overall management will have clean sheets on financial management hence making it register positive image to current and prospective students. Other areas that the institution will preserve its data include enrolment management, progress of strategi c plan, student learning, library, research advancement, procurement and faculty teaching and research performance. The University of Wales: Trinity St Davids will also be able to understand the demographics and behaviours of its students, as all students will be in the Database. Notably, the entire university department will have full access of students’ details, such as characters, ages, religious affiliations, and nationalities. Essentially, the development will assist the institution in monitoring its students with ease. Additionally, Database Management System will benefit the university by optimising use of resources. This is possible since all departments will be monitoring and evaluating the expected results from all resources within the institution. Scrutiny of resources across all university departments will improve the usability and productivity of resources (Javalgi, Martin Young 2006). The initiative will also enable the university to recruit many students at ag o, as the process will not only automate all courses but also improve the relationship between new students and the university administration. In sum, the system will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the university services. Ethical and Legal Issues In attempting to use customers’ data in marketing, the University of Wales: Trinity St Davids will be contravening the policy of individual privacy (Chisnall 1997). Since the institution may apply business-to-consumer marketing as a way of enticing other students to join its courses, the privacy concern is less clear on the context of internet development. Personal data like address, social security numbers, age, likes and dislikes are key concerns to customers. In the UK, the revised 1998 Data Protection Act helps in protecting personal data and marketers ought to be consistent with privacy law whenever they are marketing their products and services via the internet (Ethical Constraints n.d.). In addition, the Univers ity of Wales: Trinity St Davids will not be able to control those who will access the data, as it will be difficult to identify end-users. However, the institution can plant cookies in on the end-users computers to enable websites identify them. The university should also get the consent of the students to transfer data ownership to third parties. On the legal front, citizens expect their personal data and resources to keep them safe and secure. The Data Protection Act (DPA) assists in giving evidence in a legal proceeding involving unlawful sharing of personal data. The university will have to document the need for sharing data with other prospective consumers, information to share and the means of sharing it to avert situations of privacy violations (Ethical Constraints n.d.). Since the Welsh Government encouraged the need for higher institutions to adopt CRM, this does not guarantee the university to share customers’ information under a public sector as per the provisions of section 22 of the DPA. Conclusion The university’s option of adopting the use of CRM in its services presents numerous benefits its ways of handling students’ services and in its overall management. For long-term benefits, the institution should use widely packaged customer database management software applications since they are flexible and indispensable in meeting current marketing needs (Myers 2013). Moreover, rapid and flexible software will increase the security of customers’ data thus enhancing clients’ loyalty to the institution. On marketing, the university should comprehend the provisions of the DPA to help it in differentiating between readily available data and others that are under copyright protection. References Chisnall, P. 1997, Marketing research (5th ed.), McGraw-Hill, London. Ethical Constraints, Internet Studies.  Web. Galligan, F. 2012, Altmetrics for Librarians and Institutions: Part II, Content Management Services for Librarie s and Publishers. Web. Hayes, B. 2012, Big Data has Big Implications for Customer Experience Management | Business Over Broadway, Business Over Broadway: Transforming Business Through Customer Insight. Web. Hayes, B. 2013, Big Data has Big Implications for Customer Experience Management, The Big Data Hub | Understanding big data for the enterprise. Web. Javalgi, R., Martin, M., Young, R. 2006, ‘Marketing research, market orientation and customer relationship management: a framework and implications for service providers’, Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 20. no. 1, pp. 12-23. Malhotra, N. K. Birks, D. F. 2007, Marketing research: an applied approach (3rd ed.), Prentice Hall/Financial Times, Harlow, England. Murray, M. 2013, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Logistics. Web. Myers, R. 2013, Legal and Ethical Issues in Obtaining and Sharing Information, Morris, Manning Martin, LLP.  Web. Wilson, A. M. 2006 Marketing research: an integrated approach (2nd ed.), Prentice Hall/Financial Times, Harlow, England. This report on Swansea Metropolitan and University of Wales: Trinity St Davids was written and submitted by user Duncan Mccall to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Mexico and America; Ethnic Groups and Discrimination

Mexico and America; Ethnic Groups and Discrimination Free Online Research Papers Mexicans immigrated to the United States back in the 1800’s (Stanford, 2006). In 1848 the United States took over a part of Mexico which is not the Southwest (which is where I’m from, The Rio Grande Valley). Hispanics living in these areas were Mexican citizens before the acquisition. The United States even went into agreements with Mexico to have Mexicans work in the United States. Mexicans were treated with cruelty, while working the agricultural fields for years. The United States made several agreements with Mexico to have the Mexicans come to work in the US while American soldiers were fighting in the world wars. The labor shortage that the United States went through was reason enough to have Mexicans migrate to the United States as laborers. The United States found there was a need to have Mexicans come fill in for the labor shortage but they were no longer needed during the depression of the US. Not only were Hispanics send back to Mexico, but Mexican-Ame ricans were sent back as well because they were no longer needed. My culture has suffered from prejudice and several other discriminations such as the dual labor market, redlining, affirmative action and reverse discrimination. Mexicans suffered from the dual labor market even though employment was offered to Mexicans during the shortage of labor that the United States was going through, no safety was provided to the workers. No insurance was available for the laborers either. The United States was prejudice towards Mexicans because as soon as there was no need for their labor services they were sent back to their country. Everyone who was brought to the United States to work including the Mexican-Americans, who were citizens of the United States, was sent back to Mexico. Why were the first colonists not sent back too? Mexicans used to live in what is now the Southwest before it became part of the United States. Not only was my culture robbed from their rightful land but no benefits were given to them while assisting the United States with their shortage. Have you ever heard the phrase, â€Å"Everything is bigger in Texas.†? Texas is the largest state in the United States. The majority of residents in Texas are Mexicans. Mexican Americans are not the minority in the state anymore and discrimination occurs in several hidden ways. We have come a long way and diversity is practiced throughout the work place. It will continue as long as society continues to compare ethnic groups. Yes we are all different, and we should be proud of who we are, but are we all not human? Redlining used to happen and is still happening. â€Å"Mexicans will not be able to purchase their own homes much less be the owner of a new vehicle.† This type of comments is patterns of discrimination that Mexican-Americans have faced at one time or another. I, myself, have encountered this type of discrimination several times before. Rather it is at school or at work. I drive up in a new vehicle and I have heard people make comments about how it cannot be mine! The affirmative action took place when the minority groups were given the opportunity to get jobs (Schaefer, 2006). Although in Texas and in some other states Mexican Americans are not the minority, the ethnic group overall is still a minority; therefore the group has faced and endured the affirmative action. Presently there is still some social inequality and reverse discrimination is something that I have faced. Some places exist where they will not hire someone if they do not know how to speak Spanish even though English is the main language at the work place. They can easily get away with it because they report that the language is needed to conduct the business and this is accepted by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. With this in mind there will always be hidden ways discrimination will present itself. The world seems to have improved throughout the years but there will always be a certain someone who did not learn from the mistakes. Mexican-Americans are not the only minority in this country and all other minorities have faced some sort of discrimination as well. This has always been a touchy subject, why can’t people get along with each other? I think it’s about time we all tried! The world would be a better place if we learn to accept each other’s differences and learn to appreciate each other, and understand that we are all equal. ? References: Schaefer, Richard. (2006). Racial and Ethnic Groups. [Axia College Custom Edition e-text]. , : Prentice-Hall. Retrieved August 29, 2008, from Axia College, ETH 125 Cultural Diversity Web site. Stanford, E. (2006). Interracial America. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved February 15, 2008 from Gale. Apollo Library. http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS www.ask.com. (2008). Hispanics in America. Retrieved August 29, 2008, from www.ask.com Google. (2008). Hispanics in America. Retrieved August 29, 2008, from www.google.com Research Papers on Mexico and America; Ethnic Groups and DiscriminationThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NicePersonal Experience with Teen Pregnancy19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XTwilight of the UAWPETSTEL analysis of IndiaMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into Asia

Tiny houses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tiny houses - Essay Example The film centers around Christopher Smith, who decided to build his house in the spring of the year 2011. At the onset of the movie, Smith describes that his motivation for building the house was because he did not have a ton of money to use in bigger constructions, therefore, considered a financial independence. He points that similarly, the people who built their small houses had the same motivation. For instance, interviews with the tiny house personalities like Jay Shafer, Tammy Stroebel, Deek Diedricksen and other healthy people who chose to live in as tiny as 84 sq ft dwellings (Mueller and Smith). Despite the aesthetic and the value design of the living small houses, the primary motivation that the luminaries gave was on financial independence. As Shafer notes of the tiny life, â€Å"the principal asset is freedom.† Therefore, with a lower overhead, lack of room for extraneous purchases, makes the tiny house life inexpensive that the residents allowed and left to live the way they prefer (Zeiger and Ngo 105). The prime motivation of people to live in the communes, squats, tent cities, Eco-villages and the sustainable housing is derived from the desire reap the physiological benefit. In accord, a desire to reduce one’s physical footprint on the natural environment. The physiological benefit realized lies on one’s peace of mind and a feeling of contentment. A sense of self-satisfaction in the movie is whereby each household involves itself in the act of small house construction. One, therefore, feel contented in doing something constructive that ends up creatively designed and has a twin benefit to the society. More intricate, from the point that a woman can do a task and be as significant as their male counterparts in constructions, is something of significance. For instance, in the film, we see the buildout of Smith assisted by his girlfriend, Merete Mueller. Therefore unfolding the gender

The Effectiveness of The Bank of England Policies in Overcoming the Essay

The Effectiveness of The Bank of England Policies in Overcoming the Crisis - Essay Example This essay offers a comprehensive analysis of activities, that the Bank of England realizes to manage the inflation, with a focus on effectiveness of the Quantitative Easing Programme, which is among the mechanisms applied by the bank to stabilize the economy. It is argued in the paper, that the use of the Quantitative Easing of may cause higher inflation in future. The BOE applies both monetary policy and Quantitative Easing mechanism as the inflation management tools, to ensure that the inflation level does not surpass the lower or the higher limits as predetermined. The concept of inflation refers to a situation where there is a general rise in the prices of goods and services in an economy, within a specified period of time. Monetary policy refers to a mechanism applied to reduce the inflation rate, through the BoE introducing a period of higher interest rates, which targets to reduce both the consumer and the investment spending, and thus lower the quantity of money that is circulating in the economy. The Quantitative Easing mechanism is an unconventional method of managing inflation, which is applied under circumstances where the monetary policy does not generate the desired effect, in enhancing the stability of the economy The risks associated with the Quantitative Easing mechanism is its potential to cause future inflation, through capital flights and the stagnancy of production of goods and services, since the mechanism does not affect the interest rates, which in turn determines the production in the economy. ... In doing this, the Bank of England applies various mechanisms, which include: Monetary policy This refers to a mechanism applied to reduce the inflation rate, through the Bank of England introducing a period of higher interest rates, which targets to reduce both the consumer and the investment spending in the economy, and thus lower the quantity of money that is circulating in the economy (Griffiths & Wall, 2007 p22). This way, the general prices of goods and services in the economy will be lowered, considering that there would be less money in the economy, which cannot support the higher prices. The change of the official interest rate by the Bank of England is applied in the situation where the amount of money that is being spent in the economy has grown at a higher rate, compared to the volume of the output produced, in terms of the goods and services (Qfinance, 2009 p249). Thus, the Bank of England sets an interest rate, at which it lends to the other financial institutions withi n the UK, which in turn affects the interest rates at which such financial institutions, which include the commercial banks, the building societies or the insurance companies, will attach to their loans and mortgages, which they advance to their customers. In addition, the change in the interest rates also affects the prices of other financial assets such as the shares and the bonds, while also influencing the exchange of the country’s currency against those of other countries (Mishkin, 2010, p77). All these changes serve to influence the demand by consumers and businesses, thus affecting the spending that such consumers and businesses make in

Asignment Performance Management Essay Example for Free

Asignment Performance Management Essay Weiss and Hartle (1997) â€Å"A process for establishing a shared understanding about what is to be achieved and how it is to be achieved, and an approach to managing people that increases the probability of achieving success† * In my experience performance management means different things the different people. In the company I currently work for performance management is thought of in the negative as being a process by which managers are able to take employees to task over bad performance and ultimately get rid of them. This may seem archaic and it is the most negative example I have come across in my work life so far, however, even in more forward thinking companies’ employees are often skeptical and suspicious of the performance management process. Conversely I have been fortunate to see performance management at its best. For me performance management is all about taking the core goals of the organisation and ensuring that departmental, team and individuals tasks and behaviors link to and support these goals. In this way employees understand what is expected of them, why the work is important and how it links into the overall performance of the organisation. They are engaged and feel confident in their work knowing that they are contributing to the success of the company. Performance management assists oganisations in motivating and empowering their employees by setting clear goals and rewarding them not only for what they achieve but also the way in which they achieve. In doing this organisations can focus on what is really important to the success of the business. They can recruit and retain the best employees, and motivate and develop by training and challenging the workforce. Performance management allows succession planning so that job roles can be filled with skilled, motivated, experienced employees. Components of Performance Management Performance management is a cyclical process involving a number different components. Goal setting is a key component of the Performance Management process. The organisation’s overall goals should start the chain and depending of the size and structure of the organization these goals. The process should start with the organisational goals which are designed to ensure the performance of the organisation leads to successful business. These goals cascade down to business areas, departments, teams and individuals. For individual employees their job description and the team’s  goals will form the basis of their individual goals. It is important that they understand how their own goals link into those of the organisation, why the work they are doing is important and how it contributes to the overall success of the organisation. There must be agreement on individual goals if they are to be embraced by the individual and they must be SMART if they are to be effective. Specific Measureable Achievable Results Orientated (Relevant) Time bound It is important that individuals are clear on what is expected of them, that they feel the goals can be achieved and that they that they are challenging and interesting. Key to the achievement of goals is regular communication. Communication may be formal or informal but can include updates from the individuals, feedback from colleagues, managers and clients, one to ones or team meetings. This communication is invaluable in employees on track to achieving their goals and making changes when necessary. Performance appraisals are another important component of performance management. These events are often undertaken annually and provide a formal appraisal of the individual’s competence in their role. Individuals and their managers have the opportunity to discuss, provide feedback and evidence of the individual’s achievements (against goals) and, in some organisations, the way in which those achievements were met (behaviours). Some companies also undertake half yearly reviews or appraisals with the view to making sure that that performance stays on track between annual appraisals. This is also an opportunity to review existing goals and set new ones. Performance improvement or development planning is another part of performance management. Areas for improvement or development may be identified at any time during the performance management process but typically come out of appraisal discussions. As with goals it is important that there is agreement on development plans and that activities to develop individuals are varied and effective. If employees are going to achieve their goals and develop their skills, knowledge and delivery within their role they must have access to the appropriate training and coaching. Whether employees require  development because they do not meet their current performance requirements or in order to progress to the next level, training and coaching are also key elements within a comprehensive performance management process. Motivation and performance Management This relationship between motivation and performance management can be complex and individual to each employee. There are numerous motivational theories all of which have elements of authenticity to them. I have looked at two motivational theories, McGregor and Vroom. Douglas McGregor’s theory ‘details two contrasting models of workforce motivation’ ** Theory X suggests that the average person is basically lazy and don’t like work. They prefer to be told what to do and don’t want responsibility. As such there needs to be tight control of the individual and threats of loss or punishment are the best ways to motivate them. Theory Y is the opposite, assuming that most people enjoy work, that they are happy to take responsibility under the right circumstances and that they can be self-motivated to do a good job. This motivation can be enhanced when managers are able to appreciate the employee and develop their trust. Victor Harold Vroom’s theory, to me, has links to the ‘Y Theory’, the theory suggests that factors such as personality, skills, knowledge, experience and abilities drive an individual’s performance. It proposes that employees are motivated by what they expect to receive in return for their effort and what that expected reward means to the employee. This is referred to as ‘Expectancy theory’ and links together in the following way: Expectancy: Does the individual feel the effort they put in will lead to high performance. What is their levels of confidence in what they are capable of doing? Do they have the appropriate resources, knowledge and training to carry out their role? Instrumentality: If the individual achieves a high level of performance is there reward for their efforts and can they be sure they will receive it. Employees must be able to trust that they will. Valence: Is the reward offered/expected one that the individual values. For the reward to motivate it must have importance for the individual, be it financial, recognition, promotion and so on. For me the key to Vroom’s theory and its success in motivating employees is that every individual is different, each has their own needs, wants, expectations and values based on the individuals frame of reference. Management must know and respect the individual and what they want. Reward within Performance management: I have already discussed reward in relation to motivation and how the reward on offer may need to bespoke to the individual in order to be effective. There is, however, a far wider aspect to reward with a performance management process. Reward to attract and to motivate Pay is usually the first thought when talking about reward in employment. It is important that a realistic but attractive salary is offered initially when recruiting new employees. Pay continues to be important for most individuals throughout their employment, however it is not the only way in way employees can be rewarded. Within my current organization pay is only increased annually, across the board, which has little to do with performance except for acknowledging that employees are rewarded for working for the company in line with cost of living rises. Currently there is no performance management process within my organization other than dealing with poor performance in a ‘theory X’ style, employees are serviced with a notice of improvement linked to termination of their contact. Outside of the annual pay increase financial reward is only given if a good employee threatens to leave. Practice is known to all employees via the grapevine and acts to demotivates those who don’t wish to take this approach. I have, however, worked within another organization where annual increases were calculated on performance throughout the year based on a truly robust appraisal system. Engaged and motivated employees were encouraged to collect factual evidence of their achievements and to present and rate this evidence at their appraisal. Ratings were discussed and agreed and then, then to ensure fairness, underwent cross calibration at departmental level. Employees felt they were treated fairly and rewarded not just for their efforts over the year but for their ownership of managing their own performance. Another type of reward for performance, which is being rolled out currently by my employer, is to provide opportunity for high performing  individuals to their knowledge of the business through a shadowing scheme. This has raised employee’s morale as they feel they will be able to perform more effectively and this could, in turn, lead to better opportunities and perhaps promotion. It has also encouraged other individuals to improve their performance in order to be able participate in the scheme. As I have discussed an employee’ perception of the value of reward will vary from one to another. values The need to provide a variety of rewards in line with employee’s expectations and personal preference is supported in the concept of Total Reward schemes. These scheme look at all the rewards and benefits that are or could be provided to employees recognition work/life balance company culture employee development environment, including job design and the physical workspace. *Management and Motivation, Vroom, V.H., Deci, E.L., Penguin 1983 (first published 1970) ** Wikipedia 3 x components of total reward system 1 of which should b non financial Weiss and Hartle (1997)

breaking the norm Essay -- essays research papers

Breaking the Norms  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When each of us was conceived, we did not have anything influencing our perception of the world. While we were growing up and still do this day, our surroundings influenced the way we think and the how we behave in our daily lives. We get ideas about gender roles from our parents, our teachers, television, books and even subconsciously. As part of a project to break the norms of society and push past peoples thresholds, I needed to figure out what made people feel uncomfortable. I thought for a moment and decided to tackle homophobia. I choose this topic because very few men are comfortable talking about the subject of gay men. It is my objective to better understand why men think the way we do. In order to get started I needed to brainstorm.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After a little bit of deliberation, Juan and some other male classmates decided to hold hands and walk through the student union. Picture four grown men holding each others hands, walking through the middle of campus. As you can imagine, we received a lot of looks. We walked around for about five minutes as if nothing was going on. People seemed to be staring at us for a moment saying to themselves â€Å"what are they doing?† This is something that never happens in society. You hardly ever see men holding hands, much less four grown men swinging each others arms. Honestly, my first thought was that we would look so gay if we did this. Others in the group were skeptical at first to do this as well. When we walked into class, the students seem to cringe when they saw us take our seats.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After that day I decided to take my project one step farther and push past everyone’s threshold. In order to break the norms of society and truly make people uncomfortable, I decided to wear the color pink for the entire day of school. I went to the local Savers and purchased several items that were very feminine. I bought a pair of pink and yellow striped bellbottoms and a tight pink collared shirt. I wore the clothes to school in the hopes to witness the students reactions to me wearing clothes completely out of the ordinary. After attending two classes that day, I decided to talk to some friends of mine. They all told me that I looked like a â€Å"fag.† I finally had broke the norms of society and at the same time caught my friends stereot... ...ey take it in the rear!† Some of the men I asked even said they felt â€Å"homosexuality is like a disease that you might rub off on you if you get too close.† Many of these men felt like their families would disown them. My feeling is that if you are not gay then you have no reason to be afraid of someone who is. I feel that if you have no doubt in your sexuality then you wouldn’t feel threatened by someone who is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I don’t feel that men are truly independent or confident enough to let go and feel as comfortable as females do. I feel that the social construction of our society needs to be modified. Men need to be taught that it is okay to show emotion and that whatever their sexuality is, it doesn’t matter. To be more masculine we should learn to cope with our sexuality, and not be afraid. Masculinity does not mean without feeling, it means being strong and coming to terms with who you are. Wearing a pink shirt or holding hands with someone doesn’t mean anything then just that. With so many influences changing our perception of the world, its hard to make the right choices. You should not be so quick to judge someone, and in this case, why does it matter?

British Culture Chaoxiaoqian

My questions are Why does Helena stay with Jimmy and leave Jimmy, why does Alison come back to Jimmy. These are very tricky questions like twisted twines. Here I just air my views, expecting to be complemented by yours. The reasons for Helena staying with Jimmy might be probed from the following: Superficially looking, Jimmy is a person basically worth while. Jimmy is a young man with education, ideas and penetrating insights. Alison breaking through her family's strong obstacles to marry Jimmy from side reflects Jimmy's charms and attractions. Jimmy seems a natural desire and magnet for women if his working-class background?poverty and walled situations are ignored for the moment. As Helena said she took Jimmy to herself because â€Å"she finds that she desires him and wants to have him for a time†. It is an outburst of impulse catalyzed by special occasions. At that time, without digs, Helena had an appointment on the next day and had to lodge in Jimmy's attic; Jimmy is then immersed in bereavement without comfort while Allison and Cliff left him successively. Witnessing Jimmy's bitterness and helplessness, out of her female compassionate nature, Helena offered Jimmy her hand and herself as well. For solace and release, Jimmy dramatically accepted his natural enemy. Thus the two naturally and reasonably moved together. Exploring the in-depth reason, Helena's staying with Jimmy might be considered as a challenge she made for herself driven by her instincts of curiosity and conquest. Helena wanted to make out why the seemingly compatible couple always brawl and torture each other, why Jimmy is always angry?dissatisfied and cynical,always trying hard to be offensive, provocative, irritating. Determined by her inborn authoritative personality and her middle-class inclination to sustain the status quo,she takes Jimmy as a challenge and an attempt, an enemy territory to conquer, to justify her middle-class convictions and consciousness. She expects Jimmy to be changed, back into normal, behaving like anyone else and taking reality like a real man. Naive?romantic and over-confident as Helena is, she fails to change Jimmy. Conversely and ironically, she was within an inch of being changed. Helena was inevitably to lose the war because Jimmy's anger was socially deep-rooted. He had the complex of inferiority and superiority. He showed contempt for uneducated Cliff, irony for educated Alison. He was well educated, but his situation was no better than the two he looked down upon. It was an affliction and sarcasm to him. He lived at the sea of isolation?desperation and inarticulate agony. Without being heard or understood. He found no target to attack, therefore everything became his target. Jimmy was a man born out of his time. To change Jimmy Helena should change the times first. It is difficult and impossible for Helena to change the time, and so with Jimmy. To bridge the systematic and fathomless class and value gap was never a easy task and doomed to be futile and fruitless. Jimmy and Helena's combination was the effect of passionate impulse. It was a kind of insanity or wrong-doings as Helena herself later commented. Once waken up from the dream, the end of their relation was approaching. Helena was a woman of conventionality by nature, she couldn't forget the book of rules anytime. She still believed in â€Å"right and wrong†! Gnawed by the worm of conscience and sense of guilt, she can't †be happy without the book of rules†, she can't †be happy when what you're doing is wrong, or is hurting someone else†. Moreover she lost the war waged against changing Jimmy, the war to restore everything into normal. Unless Jimmy and Helena don't confront with each other face to face, or they will certainly fall into the state of war, the war of ideas, class, values, social reality. There was no middle road to compromise. Helena's exeuntting also meant she lost the war against conventionality, against status quo. Her story is more than a morality one, it further proved every desire or attempt to change the suffocating and inanimate society over-confident and all for naught. Everyone would inevitably subordinate himself to conventionality. My understanding of Alison's return is explained as such: Alison might feel regret about her past behaviors. Though she is the seeming victim of Jimmy's irrational assault, she knows that Jimmy has reason to do so on her. After her abortion, something dormant was aroused from the bottom of her heart and she came back to Jimmy, though shilly-shally. As a young woman, she is a †monument of non-attachment†. †She hasn't had a thought for years!† She is a woman in her 20s without enthusiasm, animation and sincerity. Nothing Jimmy could do would provoke her. Her marriage with Jimmy was a kind of physical and responsive affinity rather than mental and spiritual one. She was nicknamed as ‘Lady Pusillanimous' by Jimmy. Moreover, as a middle-class woman by nature, she kept her arrogant and uppish manner in communicating with the working-class people which was especially exposed when she wrote letter to her mother, discussed Jimmy with her father and Helena, refused to see the dying Mrs. Hugh with Jimmy. She had the sense of inborn class superiority which is a fatal and permanent weapon to sensitive Jimmy. She did betray Jimmy in a sense. In a word, she has never given herself to her husband with the honesty which she knew he demanded and needed. Actually, she knew she should shoulder some responsibility for Jimmy's anger and offered Jimmy more understanding and communication. The problem of their marriage was not sheer Jimmy's fault. Alison left Jimmy in pursuit of peace and relaxation. Tortured by Jimmy's distorted allegiance and loyalty demands for her, Alison wanted to escape from the role of hostage and the war Jimmy declared on †those sections of society†. But Alison never succeeded in escape. Things didn't go in the way as she expected. Alison's coming back could be interpreted as a subjugation to conventionality?reality and failure of Ostrichism. Alison is easily to get used to everything and she is also on the verge of burst. Tortured by Jimmy's distorted allegiance and loyalty demands for her, Alison wanted to escape from the role of hostage and the war Jimmy declared on †those sections of society†. She leaves Jimmy, in pursuit of peace and relaxation. But Alison never succeeded in escape. Things didn't go in the way as she expected. Her abortion brings her shock and disillusionment, awakening something dormant in her heart. She then clearly sees a depressing?aimless?hopeless and futureless reality, without light and outlet. By then she understood Jimmy's anger and discontent to some extent. Without a bright future, Alison had to revert to the past, though vague, remote and suspended it is. She wanted to find herself a position in the conventional and accustomed role of wife. The unpleasant past seems a more lovely memento In comparison with the suffocating and smoldering reality. Finally Alison and Jimmy decide to pick up the bear-squirrel game. It is a seeming communiquà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ by Alison and Jimmy, protesting the reality and fighting against the â€Å"cruel steel traps, lying about everywhere, just waiting for rather mad, slightly satanic, and very timid little animals.† This could be regarded as a faint flicker of hope offered by the protagonists who had a in-depth perception and understanding of life.