Intensification of the Human Rights Issue in China

The human rights issue in China is intensifying as China exercises limitations on dissidents and activists. Different reports on TV have clearly shown the restrictions towards issues as faith and religion as well as other issues related to the rights. In spite of the fast socio-economic change and the development that the technology is bringing, China is and continues to be a one-party, authoritarian state that obliges people not to be free. The freedoms of expression, the freedom to exercise religion openly are some of the most obvious rights that are violated. This paper will explore the Human rights situation currently in China, there are many sources to this paper but the main source is the World Report on Human rights in China. According to the World Report in 2012 it is stated the following: â€Å"it rejects judicial independence and press freedom; and arbitrarily restricts and suppresses human rights defenders and organizations, often through extra-judicial measures† The internet is censored by the government and the ethnic minorities of Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia are treated with repressive policies, these areas are the areas where in the name of the â€Å"social stability† abuses with the power are conducted. According to World Report (2012) the Chinese government â€Å"rejects domestic and international scrutiny of its human rights record as attempts to destabilize and impose â€Å"Western values† on the country†. The Human Rights Situation inShow MoreRelatedSks7000-8 Assignment 31572 Words   |  7 Pagesto expand operations in Asia. 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Computer Vision And Relevant Applications - 762 Words

Computer Vision is one of the most significant aspects of computer history, especially for Artificial Intelligent subject. Data, such as objects, images and video, should be processed so that the computer could recognize and compute. Thus special devices or methods have to be invented to let computer see, like human being, which means letting computers have the ability to capture information in real world intelligently. This paper discusses the overview of the Computer Vision and relevant applications in diffident fields. The Introduction part shows the background and basic theories of computer vision, and the Categories of Computer Vision proposes the several types of methods of capturing. Finally, the Discussion and Conclusion section includes the development of Computer Vision in the future. Scientists and engineers propose that one of target of Artificial Intelligent is to mimic human being by computer technology, which means that computer could acquire the abilities of human being, such as thinking and action. So, based on computer fundament, algorithm and mimic robots were created. Sight, hearing, taste, small and touch are five basic recognized senses of human being. Especially, visual sense is one important channel to receive information and data of environment. Thus computer could have the ability to see by various device and methods. Introduction As human being, visual perception is the basic ability to interpret the environment by processing information. TheShow MoreRelatedThe Technology And Artificial Intelligence1002 Words   |  5 Pagescentury. Artificial intelligence is one part of computer science involved with making computers behave like humans. (Vangie Beal. 2015). Moreover, the Artificial Intelligence has scope very widely. 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Lahore Walled City Upgradation Free Essays

string(199) " the city contains many heterogeneous physical attributes, the activities of the walled city include all aspects of urban life: residential, manufacturing, retail, educational, religious, and civic\." Assignment : Up gradation of walled city LAHORE Conservation of the Urban Fabric Walled City of Lahore, PakistanZachary M. KronINTRODUCTIONThis case study on urban development in the province of Punjab focuses on the Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultant’s efforts to create and implement an urban conservation plan for the walled city of Lahore in the early 1980’s. With a population of four million in 1992,1  this old quarter of Lahore is under tremendous pressure from commercial and industrial interests, which as yet have little regard for the historic nature of the city. We will write a custom essay sample on Lahore Walled City Upgradation or any similar topic only for you Order Now In addition to these active menaces, the city is struggling to integrate new municipal services into its existent tissue without obscuring its visual character. Although few interventions have actually been achieved, several higher profile â€Å"pilot projects† have been carried out in an effort to raise public awareness of the conservation plan. CONTEXTPhysical Lahore is the capital of the province of Punjab, the most fertile area of Pakistan and chief producer of agricultural products for the country. The city is generally arid, except for two months of hot, humid monsoons, and receives less than 20 inches of rain during the course of a year. Historical The earliest credible records of the city date its establishment to around 1050 AD, and show that its existence is due to placement along the major trade route through Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The city was regularly marred by invasion, pillage, and destruction (due to its lack of geographical defenses and general overexposure) until 1525 when it was sacked and then settled by the Mogul emperor Babur. Sixty years later it became the capital of the Mogul Empire under Akbar and in 1605 the fort and city walls were expanded to the present day dimensions. From the mid-18th century until British colonial times, there was a fairly lawless period in which most of the Mogul Palaces (havelis) were razed, marking a â€Å"decrease in social discipline towards the built environment that has continued unabattingly till today. â€Å"2Much of the walled fortification of the city was destroyed following the British annexation of the region in 1849, as both a defensive measure to allow the colonists to better control the populous, and as a commercial enterprise in resale of the brick for new projects. In 1864 many sections of the wall had been rebuilt. Major physical contributions of the British to the old city consisted of piped water and well systems established just outside the former walls. The building of the railroad and a station well outside of the old city set the stage for later expansion. 3Social and Economic A new wave of destruction washed over the city in 1947 following the partition of British Colonial India into the Hindu majority nation of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The resulting inter-communal strife destroyed wide areas of the urban fabric, some of which was repaired by the 1952 Punjab Development of Damaged Areas Act. Many of the arriving Muslim families from India moved into the emigrating Hindu residences, although the lower land values of the old city further established the concentration of lower income groups in the city center, with wealthier families residing outside. In the 1950’s an organization called the Lahore Improvement Trust attempted to instate a plan for commercial development in the old city, but these efforts were largely without effect. 4Between the early 1970’s and ’80’s, 29% of the old city population moved out. The space left by emigrants from the old city has largely been filled by commercial interests, mostly small scale manufacturers and wholesalers, many of whom have national and international clients and do not serve the local community. The advantages for commercial interests are the readily available cheap labor force among the urban poor, as well as relative anonymity, which facilitates the evasion of most national and local taxation. Advantages for speculative developers lie in the absence of enforcement of building regulations, as well as in cheap plots. The resulting commercial encroachment demonstrates a pattern of abuse of building stock through inappropriate re-use of structures intended for small scale (cottage) industry and residential use, as well as destruction of older buildings replaced with quickly erected, lower quality structures. To the northwest, in the city of Peshawar, and to the east, in Delhi, one can find buildings related in form and age to those in Lahore, although in Peshawar the residential construction is primarily of wood. Although Peshawar was controlled by the Moguls and populated with mosques and gardens as Lahore was during the 16th and 17th centuries, little of it remains to be seen. Peshawar also has it’s share of British construction, (including the renovated Mahabat Khan Mosque built under Shah Jehan but largely redone in 1898), and many of the existing residential buildings date from the late 19th century. Like Lahore, the small grain of the urban fabric eft intact can be attributed to the growth of the city within a walled fortification. THE PROJECTSignificance of the Walled City The walled city of Lahore is the product of the cultural influences of at least three major empires in the subcontinent of India: the Mogul Empire, the British colonial presence, and the modern nation-state of Pakistan. As a result of its position along a major trade route, it has also been influenced by many other, less dominant cultures, such as Afghanistan and China. Unlike Peshawar, which has lost much of it’s larger scaled architectural past, and Islamabad, which can only boast Modern Monumental architecture of some merit, Lahore contains some of the best of all the empires which have touched it, as well as smaller scale vernacular architecture. In addition to this object value, the walled city plays a central role in the daily functioning of Lahore. It remains a bustling center of commerce and represents the â€Å"living culture† of the city, an enduring continuation of and evolution from a much older way of life. As the city contains many heterogeneous physical attributes, the activities of the walled city include all aspects of urban life: residential, manufacturing, retail, educational, religious, and civic. You read "Lahore Walled City Upgradation" in category "Papers" CONSERVATION PHILOSOPHYThe Lahore Development Authority’s  Conservation Plan for the Walled City of Lahore  is a series of recommendations concerning the physical decay of historic structures in the city, the â€Å"visual clutter† of newer structures and infrastructure, and the encroachment of various unregulated elements on the city’s fabric. This program of conservation, headed by Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultants Ltd. (PEPAC) is actually the expansion of a project begun in 1979, the â€Å"Lahore Urban Development and Traffic Study† (LUDTS). This study, undertaken by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and funded by the World Bank, identified four areas for improvement. â€Å"1. Urban planning activities, leading to the production of a structure plan to provide a framework for action program within Lahore; 2. Neighborhood upgrading and urban expansion projects, to provide substantial improvements in living conditions for lower income groups; 3. Improvement of traffic conditions in congested parts of the street system of central Lahore: and 4. Improvements to living conditions within the walled city by improving environmental sanitation and providing social support program. â€Å"5Part of LUDTS’ findings identified the precarious position of the physical fabric of the city. The report suggested (among other things) that any development and upgrading program that the city initiated should include measures â€Å"to protect national and regional cultural heritage,† and to that end it recommended the development of a conservation plan. The World Bank made the creation of a plan a condition of the first loans to be issued to Lahore. The study identifies some 1,400 buildings within the city as having high architectural or historical value and presents a series of conservation proposals. These recommendations include both conservation steps for the buildings themselves, as well as social and economic programs to halt the causes of their degradation. In general the study suggested the following: 1. Strategic policies and actions to be taken outside the walled city. 2. Planning activities and studies for both the central area and the walled city. . Institutional development including the full utilization of existing resources reinforced with an active training program, and the application of the legislative resources that already exist. 4. Urban management and controls to include production of a â€Å"Manual for Conservation and Building Renewal† and improved maintenance practices. 5. Traffic improvement and mana gement program. 6. Upgrading and enhancing the physical fabric and the urban environment through upgrading the building stock . . . and through upgrading urban services. 7. Redevelopment with concern for conformity with the scale, height, densities and building typologies traditionally characteristic of the walled city to be demonstrated through projects undertaken by public authorities on state land and through regulated private sector activity. 8. Conservation of individual listed special premises or elements. 6CONSERVATION PROGRAM INTERVENTIONSWhile the statement above outlines a general policy approach to the conservation effort, several pilot projects have been more specifically outlined and a handful have been implemented and funded by the World Bank through the Punjab Urban Development Project. The buildings are, in most cases, structures dating from early British colonial times, both residential and commercial, and more monumental structures from the Mogul Empire, although action has only been taken on government owned buildings. One pilot project that has come directly out of this effort is the restoration of the Wazir Khan Hammam (bath house), built in 1638. The bath, which suffered mostly surface damage to the fresco work, is now being re-used as a tourist center with some facilities for computer education for women. While the structure itself was not in any particular risk of irreversible decay, this  hamam  is a particularly important site to the Development Authority because it is located on a popular entrance point for tourists coming to the city. For visitors it is the first logical stopping point on a walk that goes from the impressive Delhi Gate (Image 6) past the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Choona Mandi Haveli Complex to end at the Lahore Fort. This route is also well traveled by locals going to the wholesale cloth and dry goods markets. It seems that the choice of aiming the rather limited resources of the program at this project is an attempt to heighten the community interest in the conservation effort, rather than directly addressing sites with more desperate conservation needs. Additionally, there are several proposals to deal with the conservation of areas surrounding historic monuments. Of particular concern is the area around the Mori Gate, which stands next to the well preserved UNESCO site of the Lahore Fort, and lies between the Fort and the Delhi Gate, immediately adjacent to the newly conserved and re-used Choona Mandi Haveli Complex. While the Fort itself is a vigorously monitored and controlled site, the area immediately surrounding it is â€Å"visually cluttered,† to say the least. One exits the Fort to be confronted by a mass of electrical cables, transformers, and half a dozen steel recycling operations. PEPAC’s proposal involves the relocation of the steel traders (whom it claims are operating illegally) to a more suitable location and repopulating the area with a mixture of commercial and residential uses. The area itself does not contain artifacts of particular merit, but is amid a concentration of other historic elements. In their statement of policy and issues, PEPAC refers to the exemplary conservation work done at the Choona Mandi Haveli Complex, and to its re-use as a degree college for women. While this is not a PEPAC project, it is identified as a model of the work they wish to see happening in the city, and claim that the project â€Å"came out of the conservation effort† that they are creating. While it is unclear from the literature who in fact has implemented the particular conservation of the HaveliComplex or what the connection is to the PEPAC effort, it is clear a particular region of the city has been identified as a primary site for conservation efforts. It seems sensible to concentrate on blocks of the city as specific focus areas for limited resources and as showpieces to use to solicit further funding, but it is curious that this is not stated as a strategy i n the group’s policy statements. In addition to these concentrated areas of restoration, the main gates to the city have been chosen as pilot projects, several of which have already undergone restoration work. In order to determine how the restored gates should appear, PEPAC searched for clues not only in their existing condition, but also in historical documentation of the gates from the pre-colonial period. In particular, a wealth of information was found in the numerous renderings by French and British explorers from the 17th century who made paintings, drawings and etchings of the sites. After identifying the site and determining the changes that are to occur in the area, the site was â€Å"vacated of encroachers,† who currently occupy the niches, hollows and shelters provided by the wall. Several of the gates have now been restored to their pre-colonial state, but the work has recently been halted due to the cessation of World Bank funding. AUTHOR’S CONCLUSIONThe example of the gates highlights several difficulties faced by PEPAC in the implementation of their conservation project. First, and perhaps most minor, is the fidelity to the historical record that the conservators wish to maintain. Although the accuracy of the sketches can be verified by different views supplied by different artists, it is not necessarily appropriate to restore the gates to the condition they were in during that particular era, especially at the expense of people who may have some claim to residency in portions of the site. A more important criticism is that the definition of â€Å"encroacher† is inadequate. The Prime Minister has attempted to implement a policy to allot property rights to squatters as a way of instilling greater commitment in them to properly maintain the areas they occupy.   However, PEPAC does not qualify the distinction between squatters, â€Å"encroachers,† and residents. Furthermore, 20 million rupees that have been earmarked by the Punjab Urban Redevelopment Project for residents to use for the improvement of their own property was not dispersed due to the inability of the organization to identify legal residents. 9With no clear definition of who is a res ident it will continue to be impossible to make a generalized policy. The total bsence of legal enforcement of property rights further undermines any sense of ownership. An example is the rapacious acts of the speculative developer who buys a building and then digs a second basement, which effectively collapses the neighboring buildings. The owner, without legal recourse that would provide any results, is left with no choice but to sell their ruined plot to the developer, who then erects a cheap, commercial building. 10This dilemma underscores a central conflict in the policy of conservation enacted by PEPAC. On the one hand is the attempt to instate a series of guidelines and regulations which the residents of the city must follow, and on the other hand is the attempt to encourage a sense of ownership, pride and respect among residents for the architecture. The first effectively removes or reduces the choices of the resident in determining the form of their surroundings and relies upon a policy of rule enforcement. The second relies upon the living culture of a place to perpetuate the existing physical culture, although allowing for the changing needs of the people. Unless policy is made concerning ownership and enforcement, these two approaches, which are not necessarily in conflict, will not act in accord, and will each remain ineffectual. It is interesting to note that the areas where the PEPAC conservation effort has been most effective is in exclusively government owned properties: schools, municipal dispensaries, monuments and civic buildings, as well as the homes of police officials. 11In the case of the other projects that have been implemented, PEPAC may be criticized for prematurely starting restoration work before active degradation is stopped, or even slowed. The resurfacing of the Wazir Khan Hamam and work on the area between the Delhi and Mori Gate are a prime example of this, a fairly stable area is being conserved while nearby buildings are being razed for newer construction or crumbling through neglect. (Image 9) However, given the dependency of virtually the entire conservation effort on World Bank funding, it must be a priority for the group to create a visible, finished grouping of conserved buildings in order to solicit further funding. This example of trying to raise consciousness before actually acting to stop degradation is appropriate for any conservation project undertaken in Lahore. From the inception of the current conservation plan, the impetus for preservation has come from outside the city walls and has been hindered by a discrepancy between what is said in meeting rooms and what happens in reality. In the absence of a fairly oppressive and well-funded preservation enforcement program, conservation in the walled city will not be effective without the support and active interest from the people who inhabit it. Endnotes1. John King, and John St. Vincent,  Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit: Pakistan, 4th Edition (Lonely Planet Publications, 1993), p. 191. 2. PEPAC3. Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultants Ltd,  Lahore Development Authority: Conservation Plan for the Walled City of Lahore, Final Report, vol. 1, Plan Proposals (1986), p. 7. 4. Reza H. Ali, â€Å"Urban Conservation in Pakistan: a Case Study of the Walled City of Lahore,†Ã‚  Architectural and Urban Conservation in the Islamic World, Papers in Progress, vol. 1 (Geneva: Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 1990), p. 79. 5. Lahore Development Authority /Metropolitan Planning Wing, with the World Bank/IDA, â€Å"Lahore Urban Development and Traffic Study,† Final Report/vol. 4, Walled City Upgrading Study (August 1980), preface. . Ali, â€Å"Urban Conservation in Pakistan,† p. 87. 7. Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultants Ltd,  Issues and Policies: Conservation of the Walled City of Lahore,  (Metropolitan Planning Section Lahore Development Authority, 1996), point 5. 8. Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consul tants Ltd, Lahore Development Authority,Conservation Plan for the Walled City of Lahore, Final Report, vol. 1, Plan Proposals. (1986), p. 180. 9. Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultants Ltd, Lecture given on the Walled City of Lahore Conservation Project (July 25, 1998). 0. (Sajjad Kausar)11. PEPAC lecture (25 July 1998). BibliographyAli, Reza H. â€Å"Urban Conservation in Pakistan: a case study of the Walled City of Lahore. †Ã‚  Architectural and Urban Conservation in the Islamic World. Papers in Progress. vol. 1. Geneva: Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 1990. Background Paper: Lahore Pakistan. Prepared for Design for Islamic Societies Studio, MIT Department of Architecture and Planning, 1992. King, John and St. Vincent, John. Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit: Pakistan, 4th Edition. Lonely Planet Publications, 1993. Lahore Development Authority /Metropolitan Planning Wing, with the World Bank/IDA. â€Å"Lahore Urban Development and Traffic Study,† Final Report/vol. 4. Walled City Upgrading Study. August 1980. Nadiem, Ihsan H. Lahore: A Glorious Heritage. Lahore: Sang-e-meel Publications, 1996. Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultants Ltd. Lecture given on the Walled City of Lahore Conservation Project. July 25, 1998. Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultants Ltd. Monographs on the Walled City of Lahore. Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultants Ltd. Lahore Development Authority. Conservation Plan for the Walled City of Lahore. Final Report. vol. 1. Plan Proposals. 1986. Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultants Ltd. Issues and Policies: Conservation of the Walled City of Lahore. Metropolitan Planning Section Lahore Development Authority. 1996. Qurashi, Samina. Lahore: The City Within. Singapore: Concept Media, 1988. CreditsAll photographs and illustrations courtesy the Aga Khan Fund, MIT Rotch Collections, unless otherwise noted below:1. Courtesy, KK Mumtaz. 2. Courtesy T. Luke Young. 4. Brian B. Taylor, MIMAR 24, 1987. . From Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultants, Ltd, â€Å"Conservation Plan for the Walled City of Lahore. † 6. Courtesy T. Luke Young. 7a. Brian B. Taylor, MIMAR 24, 1987. 9. Courtesy Hasan Uddin Khan. |   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1. Map of the fortress of Lahore. 2. Traffic outside the walled city. 3. Encroachment. 4. A bazaa r in the Walled city 5. Inside View of the Wazir Khan Hamman, before and after restoration.. 6. streets in the old area. 7a and 7b. Electrical infrastructure. 8. Sharanwalla gate. 9. Electrical infrastructure. Image10. View of the walled city. | | How to cite Lahore Walled City Upgradation, Papers

Challenges and Issues in Hospitality

Question: Discuss about the Challenges and Issues in Hospitality Human resource Management. Answer: Introduction In this highly competitive travel and tourism market in Dubai different renowned hotel chains like Four Seasons, The Oberoi, Hilton Hotels et cetera have tried to penetrate the market which has made it tougher for new Hospitality organisations to enter the market. One such organisation is the Indian Hotel Chain Giant the Taj Hotels. The Taj hotels have opened two new properties in Dubai and the organisation is trying to penetrate the market with its unique and authentic Indian style which has helped it to make an impression in the market. One of the key challenges that almost all the different hotel chains had to face in the Dubai Hospitality market is staffing issues and hence it has become extremely important for the organisation to analyse the different issues and challenges that the organisation faces in recruitment, selection and retention of staffs in the Dubai operations which would help to make effective and suitable recommendations for the organisation to improve its busines s operations and gain competitive advantage in the market (Dowling, Festing Engle, 2013). Hence the present study will take an opportunity to discuss the different key aspects of recruitment, selection and retention for The Taj Dubai and will suggest key strategies to improve HR operations which would help the organisation to make sure it has proper and suitable workforce to compete in this highly competitive market in Dubai. Competition in the Dubai Hotel Industry The hotel industry is one of the most competitive industries in the global market. All across the world there has been a certain boost in the interest among people regarding travel and tourism which has helped many hotel companies to develop their businesses in different regions of the world. Travel and tourism industry has spread all over the world which has helped the number of tourism organisations to establish their business and serve number of tourists all across the world. All across the world there are number of destinations that have become very popular among the consumers like UK, Australia, Greece, Malaysia, Thailand and UAE especially Dubai (C.G. Davidson, McPhail, Barry, 2011). Dubai the heart of the UAE has become one of the most visited and loved tourism destination all across the world even in a highly tumultuous condition of the Middle East. Huge number of tourists every year visit Dubai for its wonderful scenic beauty, Aristocracy, and for its shopping culture. Duba i is one of the richest places in the Earth and hence most of the rich people visit Dubai for its exclusive nature. It is considered as the Las Vegas of the Middle East and the conditions here are largely conducive for travel and tourism (Boxall Purcell, 2011). It is important to mention that in last few decades Dubai has become a complete tourist destination and a number of classic hotel chains have grown up in this area which has slowly and steadily become highly competitive. Given the constant increase in interest among the consumers regarding Dubai, there are various top class hotel chains which has increased the competition in the hotel market in Dubai. In this scenario entering the hospitality market in Dubai wouldnt be highly successful for an organisation like the The Taj which is one of the leading hotel chains in the world. The Taj Dubai has recently opened up two new properties in Dubai facing the great edifice Burj Khalifa. It has been noticed that the hospitality market in Dubai has become highly competitive but companies have faced setbacks due to the constantly increasing HR issues in the market. The competition has significantly increased in the recent past among the top hotels in Dubai to capture greater market share. The c ompetition has increased among hotels not only to increase the market share but also to have the best possible staffs in the organisation (Dessler, 2013). Fig 1: Dubai Hotel Sector From the above graph it is very clear that Dubai Hotel sector has grown significantly in the last few years. From the year 2009 it has had significant growth and the total occupancy has also increased which is one of the major reasons for the increased competition in the Hospitality market in Dubai. Given the constant increase in the Hotel sector it could be said that staffs have become extremely important for the hotel chains operating in the country especially for the new entrants in the Dubai market. As per the statistics reflected above it could be said that The Taj Dubai will have to be very prudent with their business strategy or else it will face significant issues in the market regarding business operations. The hotel occupancy over the last few years have increased rapidly which provides a great opportunity for the new organisations entering the hospitality market in Dubai but it also requires very efficient workforce which has become an imperative issue in the Dubai Hospita lity sector and needs to be discussed effectively (Mondy Mondy, 2013). Key issues and challenges in HR for Taj Hotels in Dubai Operations The Hotel Industry in the Emirates has Experiences a major issue which is staffing issue. The staffing issues have been one of the key topics of interest for the Hoteliers and management scholars especially in the Middle East. Organisations like Marriot, Hilton, Accor hotels all have been very particular about their staffing process which would help them to combat the constantly growing competition in the market, but the key HR issues in selection, recruitment and retention have severely harmed the organisational operation and hence it is extremely important for the Taj Hotels Dubai to make sure they understand all the key issues facing the selection, recruitment strategies of the organisation (Mello, 2011). In the service industry like Hospitality staffs play a key role in the overall growth and development of an organisation and hence every hotel company focuses on getting the best possible workforce in the organisation which would help to gain competitive advantage in the market, but the attrition level and staffing crisis in the leisure sector in Middle East Tourism industry has been a tremendous issue that has affected all the strategies taken up by organisations to have a stable workforce working for the organisation. The major challenges that Middle East Hospitality organisations face are learning and development, reinventing human resources, leadership and culture and engagement. The HR professionals in the Dubai hotel industry have faced significant issues regarding recruitment, selection and retention (Bharwani Butt, 2012). In the highly competitive hospitality industry in Dubai there are several key challenges that the HR department of the organisation The Taj Hotel Dubai wil l have to face which are: Selection, recruitment and retention: One of the major aspects in the business is staffs and the growing hotel industry in Dubai have faced severe employment crisis. The competitive environment in the market has also affected retention and hence the attrition level has increased. With the increase in footfalls the consumers have become highly conservative about the kind of services they are offered but it could be said that lack of efficient staffs have affected the quality of overall service provision in the market. The right application of recruitment selection and retention strategies is important to meet the recruitment objectives of the organisation. Lack of communication is an important issue in selection and recruitment and even in failing to retain employees for the organisation, the high political influence in recruiting local people, lack of proper knowledge and experience are some of the major challenges in recruitment of hospitality staffs in Dubai in this case for the HR department of the organisation Taj Dubai. Diversity and discrimination: This is another key challenge that the HR department of the organisation has to face. Diversity maintenance in business is extremely important but it is also important to ensure that people from different working together must not feel aloof and not exploited in any way which would create significant issue in the business (Chan Kuok, 2011). Corporate culture: The corporate culture of an organisation is the way it perceives the society and tries to contribute to the overall growth and development of the society. The Taj is very particular about its corporate culture and have become renowned for its effective corporate culture but operating in a completely different environment could create significant problems for the company and it might not be able to implement the same corporate culture within the operations and hence it is important for the organisations to make sure it is able to understand as well as focus on constantly working on its corporate culture (Chen, 2009). Legal and political issues: The legal and political issues are the biggest barriers in overseas operation. Most of the leading multinational organisations face legal and political issues while operating and hence it becomes essential for the HR management of Taj to make sure they are aware of the different key legal and political regulations which would help them to comply with while operating in the country. The employment conditions in the Hotel industry are not good because of the demographic changes and generational transitions. On the other hand the high inclinations of companies to place the expatriates in the top managerial positions have had huge impact on the workforce due to communication and cultural issues. The Middle East has been suffering from political turmoil. Even though UAE is hardly affected from this but the police and the administration are highly focused on providing Visas to the right people who takes a huge time for expatriates to go and settle (Day, 2012). Cultural issues: Cultural issues are another major difference among the workforce. Understanding the cultural taste and preference of the people in a new place takes a lot of time and hence it becomes really tough to work within a culturally different group and hence it is important for the HR department to make sure effective strategies are implemented in order to focus on having the best possible workforce in place. In Dubai the people mostly speak Arabic and many people are highly skeptical about speaking any other language even though English is widely used in the place. Communication could become tough in case the local employees insist on speaking Arabic or Persian. The Taj Hotel is highly famous for its traditional Indian style and culture which could become a key difference in managing the operations (Dixit, 2014). Economic aspects: The HR department of Taj will have to make sure that it is able to cut down on the high areas of costs. Especially in the recruitment process it should focus on having the right kind of workforce but at an affordable price. The higher investment of cost in the early stage of business operations will force significant liability to the organisation which if not met properly will create significant financial setbacks for the organisation. Technical issues: In the contemporary business world technology plays a huge role and hence it is important for the organisation to make sure that technical issues like communication and information system are properly managed. This becomes a key challenge to combat as managing database of information, communication systems could be difficult. Implementation of technology could be a complex process and hence there could be number of technical issues which need to be eliminated before it takes a toll on the business operations (Garcia-Carbonell, Martin-Alcazar, Sanchez-Gardey, 2014). These are the key challenges that have the potential to impact the business operation of Taj Dubai if they are not mitigated with suitable strategies. Strategies to mitigate the key HR challenges and issues for Taj Dubai At the present moment competition is significantly high in the Dubai hospitality sector which needs the organisation Taj to implement an effective recruitment and selection strategy. The recruitment and selection strategy of the organisation Taj Hotel Dubai should be completely based on particular labor market which would help to ensure the right kind of employees are taken in for the operations of the organisation. The labor market in Dubai had fluctuated significantly in the past but now it is becoming steady market. Fig 2: Labor Force Participation UAE The above statistics clearly shows that Dubai will receive a consistent labor force participation in this year as well which provides an opportunity for the organisation to choose its labor force properly. It has been stated that the demographic change in the market has significantly affected the organisational recruitments as there will be a downward movement of the labor force in the country. Hence it is important for the organisation to have an effective strategy of proper analysis of the labor market and accordingly choosing people for screening interviews. For this the organisation could use different portals to receive applications and accordingly short listing people. In this case the target labor market of the organisation would be the 18 to 36 age group with at least college graduation degree (for lower level staffs), for management staffs at least an MBA in the respective field will help to get the right kind of employee (Herington, McPhail, Guilding, 2013). The screening interview with some direct questions will help to filter out the different ineligible candidates which would make the system of hiring people easier. The recruitment board will select a panel for the selection procedure where direct questions and job related questions would be asked with practical applications through psychometric tests which would help to get the best possible talent working for the company. The selection and recruitment will be done by complying all the possible laws and regulations regarding the compensation policies and working hours and minimum wage which would eliminate the barriers for recruitment and selection. For retaining the efficient employees the organisation should first of all implement internal recruitment programs which would help to provide financial and positional increments to efficient employees which would help to get engaged with the organisational operations. The intrinsic and extrinsic motivational approach with the help of inc entives and fringe benefits better than other companies would also help to retain employees (Kashyap, 2014). The Geocentric approach to staffing would be an extremely effective approach to retain employees as recruiting people based on their talent in Hospitality industry is very important. On the other hand maintaining the right balance is important for the Taj Hotel and hence understanding the number of expatriates it should have ("Expanding Into New Markets with Limited Resources, by Chris Mumford", 2017). The governments in the Middle East have created excessive pressure to open job opportunities for locals and hence it is important for the organisation to put expatriates in some key positions and then apply geocentric approach to staffing which would help to get the best possible employees for the different positions. The corporate culture of the organisation is mainly based on professional relationship and participative culture where each and every employee is free to provide their views for the overall growth and development of the business (J. du Plessis, Douangphichit, Dodd, 2015) . In this case the organisation would be able to keep retain its corporate culture by breaking the communication barriers through different kinds of communication. Implementing an effective cross cultural upper management team who have ample experience of handling overseas operations and have expertise in developing foreign relationships will be highly effective in this situation (Mahendru Kaleka, n.d.). Putting in place effective performance management system will largely help the organisation to make sure the workforce is performing well and it will also help to understand the training and development needs. There are different performance management tools but for the initial phase of the business the Key performance indicators will work very effectively for the employees working in the organisation. The On Job Training program is effective for the employees to get continuous knowledge, on the other hand the training based on the culture, language and Occupational health and safety should be given in order to make sure the employees are ready to hit the floor ("HR Policies At The Taj: Lessons To Emulate | Business Article | MBA Skool-Study.Learn.Share.", 2017). The hospitality sector is very hectic for the employees and hence it is important for the employees to provide work life balance which would only come when the organisation realises its workforce as assets. The Taj Hotels cu lture has always been focused on providing its employee flexibility for which it has developed number of effective strategies. The organisation should provide work flexibility to the employees like providing short flexible work hours, proper break timings, and effective company sponsored holidays and vacations which would help to keep the employees content and engaged with the company (Paauwe, 2009). The organisation believes in Corporate Social Responsibility and hence focuses on encouraging its employees to take the responsibility which not only helps to motivate employees to work for the company but also helps to make sure the society also backs the organisation. The company focuses on contributing to the environmental awareness campaign, reduction of plastics and paper usage, educational awareness campaigns and it represents its employees which creates a deep bonding with the employees. Hence it could be said that the organisation Taj Dubai should use these strategies to mitigate the operational issues and challenges (Sherkar, 2015). Conclusion The organisation Taj Hotel Dubai has entered a very competitive market and it is important for the organisation to address its recruitment, selection and retention issues. A geocentric approach to staffing will help the organisation to make sure the right mix of expatriates and local people are there in the workforce that would help to be in good terms with the government and the administration of the country. Effective performance management with the help of KPIs and on job training procedures will be effective in developing workforce of the organisation. The corporate culture could be used to make sure that employees communicate among each other breaking any barrier of communication and background issues (Sherwyn, 2008). Finally the organisation would be able to engage employees through CSR campaigns and by providing work life balance through flexibility. Recommendations It is important for the organisation to recruit upper management staffs through internal screening which would help to have people experienced in handling overseas business. This will make them efficient expatriates ready to control foreign workforce. The implementation of technology for efficient screening of the employees is important as it will help to get the right kind of employees for the organisational operation ("The Practice of Aligning HRM to Business Strategy and It", 2016). The implementation of extrinsic and intrinsic motivational concepts will be effective. This will help to understand the interest of the different employees and accordingly help to compensate them helping to retain employees effectively (Vashishth, 2012). There is a strong need of a research and development team to be in place as this will prove to be highly efficient for providing suggestions and insights on the market information about the competitors and their movements in the market. Establishing leadership in management will be extremely important for the organisation as it will help to focus on implementing the strategies discussed and analysing them to understand their efficacy. Leaders play an important role especially in overseas operation and hence application of suitable leadership is essential for the organisation (Wood, 2003). References Bharwani, S. Butt, N. (2012). Challenges for the global hospitality industry: an HR perspective.Worldwide Hospitality And Tourism Themes,4(2), 150-162. https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17554211211217325 C.G. Davidson, M., McPhail, R., Barry, S. (2011). Hospitality HRM: past, present and the future.International Journal Of Contemporary Hospitality Management,23(4), 498-516. https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09596111111130001 Chan, S. Kuok, O. (2011). A Study of Human Resources Recruitment, Selection, and Retention Issues in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Macau.Journal Of Human Resources In Hospitality Tourism,10(4), 421-441. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15332845.2011.588579 Chen, W. (2009). Business Risks, Business Strategies, HRM and De-Globalization.Asian Social Science,5(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v5n1p18 Day, J. (2012). Challenges of Sustainable Tourism.Journal Of Tourism Research Hospitality,01(02). https://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2324-8807.1000e108 Dixit, S. (2014). Human Relations in Industry- Issues Challenges.IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science,19(6), 12-18. https://dx.doi.org/10.9790/0837-19631218 Garcia-Carbonell, N., Martin-Alcazar, F., Sanchez-Gardey, G. (2014). Understanding the HRM-Performance Link: A Literature Review on the HRM Strategy Formulation Process.International Journal Of Business Administration,5(2). https://dx.doi.org/10.5430/ijba.v5n2p71 Herington, C., McPhail, R., Guilding, C. (2013). The evolving nature of hotel HR performance measurement systems and challenges arising: An exploratory study.Journal Of Hospitality And Tourism Management,20, 68-75. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2013.06.002 du Plessis, A., Douangphichit, N., Dodd, P. (2015). HRM in Relation To Employee Motivation and Job Performance in the Hospitality Industry.Journal Of International Business Research And Marketing,1(4), 12-21. https://dx.doi.org/10.18775/jibrm.1849-8558.2015.14.3002 Kashyap, G. (2014). Challenges faced by the Hotel Industry: a review of Indian Scenario.IOSR Journal Of Business And Management,16(9), 69-73. https://dx.doi.org/10.9790/487x-16916973 Mahendru, M. Kaleka, J. Challenges to HRM in 21st Century.SSRN Electronic Journal. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1841363 Paauwe, J. (2009). HRM and Performance: Achievements, Methodological Issues and Prospects.Journal Of Management Studies,46(1), 129-142. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2008.00809.x Sherkar, A. (2015). A Study on Use of E- Resources in Recruitment and Selection Process in 5 Star Hotels.ATITHYA: A Journal Of Hospitality,1(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.21863/atithya/2015.1.1.002 Sherwyn, D. (2008). Synergies for HR in Hospitality.Cornell Hospitality Quarterly,49(1), 4-5. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1938965507312783 The Practice of Aligning HRM to Business Strategy and It. (2016).International Journal Of Science And Research (IJSR),5(8), 195-201. https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/art2016186 Vashishth, M. (2012). Role of IT in HRM: Opportunities and Challenges.Paripex - Indian Journal Of Research,3(4), 159-160. https://dx.doi.org/10.15373/22501991/apr2014/51 Wood, E. (2003). Book Review: International HRM: A Cross-Cultural Approach.Journal Of Industrial Relations,45(2), 254-256. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1472-9296.00083 Boxall,p.f Purcell, j.(2011). Strategy and human resource management (3rded).Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Dessler, g. (2013).human resource management(13thed)Boston, ma: Pearson Higher Ed. Dowling, P.J Festing, M., Engle, A.D(2013). International human resource management (6thed). South Melbourne, Vic: Cengage Mello, J.A (2011). Strategic human resource management (3rded). Mason, OH: south western Cengage Learning. Mondy, R.W., Mondy, J.B. (2013). Human resource management (13th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Expanding Into New Markets with Limited Resources, by Chris Mumford. (2017).Hotelexecutive.com. Retrieved 10 March 2017, from https://hotelexecutive.com/business_review/3436/expanding-into- HR Policies At The Taj: Lessons To Emulate | Business Article | MBA Skool-Study.Learn.Share.. (2017).MBA Skool-Study.Learn.Share.. Retrieved 10 March 2017, from https://www.mbaskool.com/business-articles/human-resource/1339-

Machiavelli Essays - Machiavellianism, Renaissance Literature

Machiavelli Niccolo Machiavelli was not one, but three men: a political theorist, a military theorist, and a famous writer. Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence in 1469. The Machiavelli family was one of the most prominent politically in the city, having 15 Gonfaloniere among his ancestors.1 Niccolo's father, Bernardo Machiavelli was a legal consultant in the city, prominent participant in humanist scholarship of the day, and close associate of the city's First Chancellor. Niccolo received the very top quality humanist education available. We first hear of him playing an active role in the affairs of his native city in 1498, when the position for head of second chancery, came open. He was only twenty-nine years old at the time, and didn't have any previous experience. However, his nomination was confirmed and he was appointed second chancellor of the Florentine Republic.2 Machiavelli's official position involved him in very important duties. The first and second chanceries both handled official correspondence dealing with Florence's domestic, foreign, and military affairs. As head of the second chancier, Machiavelli was also soon assigned the further job of secretary to the Ten of War, the committee responsible for the Florence's diplomatic relations.3 In addition to his routine office duties, he also traveled abroad to act as spokesman for the Ten. During the next fourteen years, Machiavelli was sent on numerous diplomatic missions to France, Switzerland, and Germany. In June 1500, Machiavelli was in France at the court of Louis XII, negotiating for assistance in regaining Pisa, which had asserted its independence form Florence and tried to establish an independent city-state.4 There in France, Machiavelli saw first-hand the weak leadership of the king. He also learned about the French Parliament and its difficulties in resolving power struggles between the hereditary nobles and the common people. The Medici reentered the city of Florence in 1512, after eighteen years. Within weeks the free republic of Florence was swept away, and in came oligarchy, and the Medici family assumed absolute power. In November 1512, Machiavelli was dismissed from his government post and forbidden to leave Florentine territory for a year.5 In February 1513, he was falsely accused of taking part in an unsuccessful conspiracy against the Medici and was imprisoned.6 Early in the same year, Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici was elected as pope as Leo X. The election greatly strengthened the new regime in Florence. Along with celebrations, they freed many political prisoners, including Machiavelli. As soon as he was released, he tried to get his job back. With no response from the Medici, he withdrew to his farm at Sant' Andrea. There Machiavelli began writing "The Prince"-describes the means by which a leader may gain and maintain power. Machiavelli hoped that "The Prince" would bring him to the attention of the Medici. He wanted them to see that he was still their loyal subject, and to impassive that he was a man worth employing.7 The year 1512 is generally considered to have been the turning point of his life. Machiavelli, throughout his whole life was involved in politics and writing.. He was a born writer even when he was not trying. After he was dismissed from office, was when he used his writing as means to get his job back. The Medici didn't agree with the book, and the public was outraged. The public thought he was cruel and heartless for having such evil thoughts. Machiavelli never won the trust of the Medici, and never got his job back. From 1513 to the time of his death in 15278, he wrote numerous of political works including: The Prince, 1513; The Discourses on the First Ten Books of Titus Livy, 1513-1518; The Discourse on the War with Pisa, 1498; Report on the Fortifications of Florence, 1526; The Life of Castruccio Castracani, 1520; The Art of War, 1517-1520, etc. In addition, he wrote several literary works: Mandragola, a play; Clizia, an adaptation from Plautus; Belfagor, a novel.9 The Medici was kicked out of Florence a few years later.10 Machiavelli ran to take office, but his reputation with The Prince made people think that his political views were like the Medici and was not elected. Machiavelli continued to write and died peacefully in his home in 1527.11 Even after his death he was criticized for his corrupt ruling. Machiavelli's purpose was to describe the realities of political life-not to set up a school for tyrants. It was believed that rulers like Napoleon I and Adolf Hitler used The Prince as a kind of textbook to guide them in the pursuit of power.12 If Machiavelli's exposition

Nutrition Essay Writing 10 Facts to Disclose in the Paper

Nutrition Essay Writing 10 Facts to Disclose in the Paper Students are often asked to write an essay devoted to nutrition. There are a great number of nutrition essay topics.   Nowadays, it’s not an easy task to write a nutrition essay. The Internet is full of information, and it’s difficult to find something really worthy, essential, 100% accurate, and useful. It’s very important to find a topic that is unique and informative. Of course, an essay must be supported by a strong idea and facts. It’s also important to show that you possess some specific information on the subject but not only general one. It’s necessary to follow all university requirements while writing a nutrition essay. Remember 4 main writing styles: MLA Chicago APA Harvard If you know nothing about them, then learn more about these styles first in case you don’t want to lose points because of format mistakes. When you use false information, you can fail the task. That’s why you should check the information you are going to use in your work. 10 Verified Facts You Can Reflect in Your Nutrition Essay Eye health depends not only on person’s age, time spent in front of a laptop, iPhone, tablet, and conditions at a person’s working place like light and distance between eyes and documents. The key to eye health is also good nutrition. The most important elements for human eyes are lutein, zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Zinc, Omega 3, Vitamin E, and fatty acids EPA and DHA. Lutein and zeaxanthin partially help protect eyes from blue light and macular oxidative harm. Omega 3 improves tears and eye retina. DHA and EPA acids help people above 45 protect eyes from aging. Zinc, Vitamins E and C work as eye cellular membrane’s When a person wants to lose some weight, it’s very important to find a diet that won’t spoil the health state. It’s especially essential for people who have eye problems. Professionals consider colorful diet to be the best one. Due to it, a person consumes a great variety of fruit and vegetables. The orange day can contain carrot, and a green day may include spinach. They improve eye health because they have much zeaxanthin and lutein. Human brains contain fat, 10-20 percent of which is provided by Omega 3. Scientists differentiate between several main types of Omega 3. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid): fatty fish, eggs, algae, and fish oil; ALA (alpha-linolenic acid): plant oils. Lack of Omega 3 fats can lead to serious health and mental complications like low IQ, mental problems, depression, cardiovascular diseases, and a great number of others. Vitamin D is vitally important for people. As a rule, human organism gets it through the skin. The main source of vitamin D is the sun rays. Unfortunately, most people use protecting creams or stay at home when there is much sun outside. That’s why people should consume one tablespoon of cod liver oil or some Vitamin D supplement. If a body lacks vitamin D, a person can suffer osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, and many other health problems. Scientists can’t completely prove whether carbs and fats are harmful to the human organism or not. The fact is that refined carbs are more harmful than unrefined ones. Whole-grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, and beans contain enough unrefined carbs and refined flour, and sugar contains many refined carbs. When a person keeps to a high-carb diet, the organism can lack a great number of nutritious things like fiber. While eating too many refined carbs a person can have high blood sugar. That can provoke diabetes, obesity, and other diseases. It’s impossible to fulfill the body with vitamins and minerals due to supplements. A person should vary meals to avoid a great number of various diseases. The exception is Vitamin D because not everyone can stand the impact of sun rays, like albinos. Diets are not effective. If a person stops eating some food for a period, the body considers it as starving. When a person returns to usual meals, the body tries to restore the lost elements and a person can gain more kilos than before the diet. That’s why it’s important to change a lifestyle. When a person leads a normal way of life, the body gets everything it requires and doesn’t try to restore the lost elements together with weight. Women who eat healthily can also suffer nausea, constipation, and heartburn. However, proper nutrition can ease the symptoms. A pregnant woman mustn’t eat â€Å"for two† as the myth says. It’s necessary to add 300 calories daily during the second and the third trimester to have enough nutrition. A mother-to-be should get 75-100 grams of protein, 1000 milligrams of Calcium, 27 milligrams of Iron, 600 to 800 micrograms of Folic Acid, and 85 milligrams of Vitamin C daily. She also must avoid badly cooked meals not to get salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and other bad bacteria. The chosen topic must be good and lack investigation so that a student could show personal opinion. References: Husband-Coached Childbirth by Robert Bradley, M.D., Marjie Hathaway, Jay Hathaway, James Hathaway . bradleybirth.com/Diet.aspx Kris Gunnars, BS. Top 10 Nutrition Facts That Everyone Agrees on, March 27. 2018 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-nutrition-facts#section4 Parent Tips. Use the Nutrition Facts Label. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/downloads/nutritionlabel.pdf

Analysis of Nationalism and Ethnic Politics Literature review

Analysis of Nationalism and Ethnic Politics - Literature review Example The point of the existence of nationalism is a nation characterized by shared language, culture, and values. The academic theory on nationalism shows that national identity is usually contested and may reflect in the differences in class, gender, dialect, region, and language. Origin of nationality. The first studies relating to nationalism were mostly historically accounted for by the nationalist movements. Towards the end of the 19th century, the followers of Marx and other socialists showed an analysis that was very critical of the movements of the nationalists. This gives rise to the sociological theories of nationalism which date back to the period after the second world war. Some of these theories discuss issues relating to the identity of the people of a particular nation which are of major impact to nationalists (Smith, 2010). Anthony D. Smith shows the origin of nationalism and creates a synthesis of primordial and modernist views, which are now commonly referred to as an et hnic-symbolist approach. According to Smith, the conditions prior to the formation of a nation include: -A homeland that is fixed(current or historical) -High degree of autonomy -Hostile environments -Memories of battles -Sacred areas and centres -Languages -Special norms and practices -Historical records and way of thought Smith also postulates that the nation came into existence as a result of joining the whole population and not just the elite in the society, the introduction of legal and political institution, ideas from the nationalists, international popularity and the segregation of land by border formation. Research seeks to find out which among the nation or nationalism came first. According to the primordial theory of nationalism, nations are presented to be dating back or at least ethnic groups, as a social reality dating back twenty thousand years as a social reality. However, contrasting this speculation is the modernist theories which to a great extent show that until around 1800, there were no nations. The ideas of a national identity were first introduced by the European states for purposes of modernization and control of the economy and society. The people behind the modernist theory of nationalism view capitalism and printing press as important factors in nationalism. The Approaches to Nationalism The modernist Approach. The modernist approach borrows from the Marxist's traditions and as postulated by Smith, as much as nationalism is a modern concept, he insists that nations too have a pre-modern origin.  Ã‚  

Chewing tobacco Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Chewing tobacco - Research Paper Example & Johnson, C, 2000, p.2). Moreover, the statistics of the tobacco users and its addiction shows that the problem is of large scale and of serious nature. According to a report of the Surgeon General (1989), the negative health consequences of addiction to tobacco through smoking and oral use has been revealed through number of medical and scientific researches (Johnson, D. & Johnson, C, 2000, p.2). The sad news is that the number of people who use tobacco but are not even prepared to quit it is more than 50 million in the US alone (Johnson, D. & Johnson, C, 2000, p.2). This shows that either people are not aware of the hazardous consequences of tobacco dependence or they are so addicted to it that they are not able to quit it. Hence, the only way to tackle the problem of tobacco dependence successfully is to prevent it at any cost, and not to fall in the trap of the ‘safety’ of chewing tobacco and the ‘charm’ of smoking tobacco. Smokeless Tobacco Smokeless t obacco is the tobacco that people chew, take orally or inhale, instead of consuming (i.e. smoking) it through cigarettes, as is usually done (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). ‘Smokeless tobacco’, the tobacco that is consumed by chewing, is the term used generally in Southeast Asia as the oral use of tobacco is more common in Southeast Asian countries (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). In Asian countries, chewing tobacco is common practice not only in men but also in women (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). By adding flavors and nuts, the tobacco is made easy to consume on daily basis (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). People in Asia have a peculiar way of chewing tobacco. To enhance the taste of tobacco and to make it linger in mouth for a long time, the nicotine is permitted to be absorbed slowly through oral cavity by placing the ‘moist’ ground tobacco between the gums and the cheek (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121).However, as this method also makes the user to spit frequently, it is not a popular method of consuming tobacco (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). The method of nasal inhalation or dry snuff, which can be taken orally, is the method which is used by most people to consume smokeless tobacco (Ghodse, 2010, p. 121). It is assumed that as chewing tobacco does not involve inhaling or exhaling smoke, it is not harmful to health. However, it has been found that chewing tobacco causes more harmful health problems than smoking tobacco. Dangers of Chewing Tobacco The tobacco industry has always tried to minimize health worries related to tobacco use by introducing new ‘safe’ brands to the public through manipulative advertisements and campaigns (Johnson, D. & Johnson, C, 2000, p. 3). The tobacco advertising campaigns in 1970’s and 1980’s made people believe that they can reduce the health risks related to tobacco use by adopting the ‘safe’ way to use tobacco, i.e. chewing or tasting it, rather than smoking it through cigarette, cigars or pipes (Johnson, D . & Johnson, C, 2000, p.3). However, it has been found that chewing tobacco is, in fact, more harmful than smoking tobacco. Through the sensitive linings of mouth and tongue, the nicotine enters the bloodstream of the user who chews tobacco (Johnson, D. & Jo

Subject Decision Theory (US MBA course) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Subject Decision Theory (US MBA course) - Essay Example Steve put in all his efforts into the running of the business and managed to make it very successful, so much so that by 1980 the total annual sales went up to more than $2 million. However, after that the company underwent a turn. Steve's son, Jim, joined Blake Electronics in 1984 as a general sales manager. He had completed high school and had obtained a two year course degree in electronics. Jim was said to be quite aggressive and this quality in him did not change after he joined his father's company. In fact, his aggressiveness increased. This led to him making deals with companies which the Blake Electronics was not able to complete. Jim would take contracts to provide the supplies to companies without checking out whether Blake Electronics could manage to fulfil the deal. Due to this Blake Electronics had to face certain embarrassing situations. Still, there was not much harm done yet. By 1988 Jim had started taking government contracts too and two years after that the total sales mounted to greater than $10 million. After that the Company lost the chance of obtaining any more contracts. Jim continued with his behaviour and that led to the government not offering any more contracts to Blake Electronics. This also made the Company lose its reputation and it was termed as an unreliable supplier. Thus, by 1997 there was a great risk of Blake Electronics facing losses. To avoid ... For this he asked the research team of his company to design novel electronic gadgets for home use. The research team came up with the Master Control Center. This was to be sold for $250. The functioning of the device was such that it had two rows of five buttons and each button operated as a switch or a rheostat, depending on what you want. It was powered by two D-sized batteries which lasted till a year or so, depending on how much it is used. According to the research team, this project would cost them $500,000 and if it turned out to be successful, it could bag up to $2 million of sales. Therefore, it surely did sound attractive. However, the problem was that Steve was unsure as to whether this venture would succeed and whether his company would get profits or would lose through this project. In order to solve this problem Steve sent requests for proposals so as to conduct marketing research. Total he sent 30 proposals to business operating in southern California. First of all Marketing Associates, Inc. (MAI) responded. They had offered to charge $100,00 for a survey and according to the information they gave, that company had been operating since three years and were quite a successful business. The second and the last proposal that Steve got was from Iverstine and Kinard. This company had a very good reputation throughout the company and was termed as the largest marketing firm in the region. They were going to charge Steve $500,000 for the survey. Although the cost was higher than of the previous company, Iverstin and Kinard were more able to predict about the sales. This company also did not have as good a record as that of Marketing Associates. However, the fact that they could better be able to make predictions about the Blake

Requirements for a Pilates Instructor

Requirements for a Pilates Instructor Pilates Instructor What is required to be a Pilates instructor? A Pilates instructor offers hands-on comprehensive Pilates instruction to a group of students or to an individual. As a fitness program, Pilates is designed to increase the muscular strength, and to improve one’s posture while toning the body. This is usually taught by working on specifically designed Pilates equipment as also using a Pilates mat. The majority of Pilates instructors are certified practitioners having completed a lengthy training program, but there are also some excellent instructors that have been instructing for many years who are not certified because they probably began instructing before certification existed. Ask yourself the following questions: Do I enjoy teaching? Do I have an interest in body mechanics, anatomy and exercise science? Do I enjoy speaking in front of large groups Am I self-motivated? Am I ok trading my job stability for job flexibility? Core Strength Core strength is the foundation of Pilates. Core muscle is the deep, internal musculature of the back and abdomen. When these core muscles are strong and correctly executing their role, as they are trained to do with Pilates, they will work together with the more superficial musculature of one’s trunk to support the spine and one’s movement. As one develops core strength then also stability is developed throughout the entire torso. This is one technique by which Pilates assists people to overcome their back pain. As the trunk of the body is correctly stabilized, any pressure on the back is released and then the body is able to move more freely and efficiently. The Six Pilates Principles: Centering Control Flow Breath Precision Concentration These six principles are the essential components found in a high quality Pilates workout. The techniques have always emphasized quality over quantity, and you will find that, unlike other systems of exercise, Pilates does not include a lot of repetition for each posture. Alternatively, performing each exercise fully, with precision, will yield more significant gains in a shorter period than one would imagine. A Unique System of Exercise Core strength and thus torso stability, along with the six principles, establish the Pilates techniques apart from so many other types of exercise – which mostly are merely exercise. Weight lifting, for example, can place much attention on arm or leg strength but without attending at all to the inescapable fact that these body parts are connected to the rest of one’s body. Even swimming or running can seem to be all arms and legs, with either an overly tense or a floppy core. Ultimately those people who really do succeed at their sport also learn to use their core muscles correctly and to their advantage. In Pilates an integrative methodology is taught and learned from the outset. Training to Become a Pilates Instructor It is a challenging goal to aim for Pilates fitness instructor certification, but it is clearly worthwhile if you love fitness and group exercise. Equally, you must be willing to invest in the time and effort necessary, for you could become certified and start teaching Pilates within less than one year. As an instructor, you shall be able to assist others to reach their fitness goal while also maintaining your own. The training required to become an instructor of Pilates is intense. Most individual training certifications are in the 20-hour range. To be a completely certified Pilates instructor this will require some 500 or so hours of courses, and will take most people approximately 18 to 24 months to accomplish. You have to love Pilates and also be prepared to study and train hard. You will be spending many weekends at seminars and also a lot of time by yourself practicing, while also practicing teaching upon your friends and those willing to lie down on a mat for you instruction. Expect to spend approximately $4,000 to complete the full training. To qualify as a Pilates instructor, it’s recommended that one participates in Pilates classes for a lengthy stint in order to discover one’s aptitude and interest for the program. Additionally, many of the instructors also study anatomy and other exercise and fitness principles before they embark upon gaining certification from a studio; some number of studios simply will not accept applicants for Pilates instructor training without some background in human anatomy. A student will be required to choose certification in either Pilates mat instruction, which is simpler and so less expensive Or in the comprehensive instruction course with competence of Pilates equipment. Pilates instruction can take place in a group scenario, with several students, or by teaching individual private clients. If an instructor is employed by a studio, then generally they need to teach a required number of classes as determined by the studio, yet many instructors are self-employed and thus are able to determine their own schedules. Choose a mat or comprehensive certification Both the Pilates mat certification or the comprehensive Pilates equipment certification programs, will involve regular classes, both in group and as an individual, including hands-on instruction, written course work, and a final examination. The examination will also include both hands-on work and written questions. The instructor applicants may also be required to assist an existing certified instructor for a number of classes before they are granted the certification. An instructor will need to thoroughly understand the over 500 exercises in the full program, and also how to instruct them on the mat and also using the equipment. They shall need to know how to modify the postures for individuals who may have different needs, such as pregnant women, those with injuries, disabilities, diminished flexibility, or the elderly. Instructors may also wish to incorporate Pilates with other forms of exercise or well-being sciences, like Yoga. The Pilates Method Alliance is the governing body for the Pilates industry. But as this is an unregulated sector, it is not essential that one gets certification through the PMA, but it is recommended. Pilates certification is usually split into two parts Pilates mat certification Comprehensive certification in Pilates, covering all of the specialized Pilates equipment. Following these two basics, there is the professional certification and also further to this several levels of advanced training. This is available for those students who choose to also specialize in a sport-specific, or in the rehabilitative dimensions of Pilates. Basic Mat Instructor Mat instructor training is generally available to those students that have demonstrated the basic proficiency in their classes. It’s recommended that a student should study Pilates for some period before they commence a teacher’s training class, but unfortunately, not all of the certifying bodies are requiring previous Pilates experience. The training courses for mat instructors cover all basic mat exercises, including the techniques of modification sometimes required for different client needs. Expect a mat instructor examination to include a teaching demonstration and also a written test. The basic Mat Instructor certificate is often offered as an intensive one weekend course, or as a course spanning two weekends, this will depend upon the provider. Expect this to cost anywhere from $100. to $300. And even more for certification. Again, please beware. Pilates training is not standardized, so therefore you will get what you pay for. Do research the certification body that interests you and confirm that it meets your standards and needs. Comprehensive Instructor Certification Comprehensive certification that includes Pilates equipment is a more elaborate course than the basic mat instructor certification. A potential student is often required to have undergone at least one year of Pilates study, which includes a number of private lessons. Completion of the mat teacher training course will also be expected. At this comprehensive level, a student must undertake a basic course in human anatomy and physiology, plus the history of Joseph Pilates and also the evolution of the Pilates Method. Moreover in-depth instruction of the Pilates equipment and the exercises performed on it with modifications, are expected. The higher the level then the more sophisticated the certification becomes, so these days there is a trend toward phasing the comprehensive instructor certification process into several segments. Each certification program course has its own design and they do vary, e.g., one may see a program where there is a study level for the reformer, or another for the Cadillac or other apparatus, and perhaps a level dealing with issues regarding special needs. Each of the levels may be an intensive course, or learnt over a longer period of time. Comprehensive certification may take over a year of studies to accomplish, it regularly requires many hours spent in a studio as a teacher apprentice, totaling approximately some 900 hours over a year. Validity of Certification Carefully research which type of fitness organization that you may wish to be associated with. Where you actually obtain the fitness instructor certification will no doubt influence the future job search after training is completed. Various organizations do offer training and subsequent certification, however not all are reputable or even recognized by many gyms or other fitness and health facilities. Do ask established Pilates instructors regarding their training, and understand that acknowledged fitness training organizations, such as the American Fitness Professionals Associates (AFPA), offer you bona fide and specialized group instructor training of all types. Your overall fitness career goal To reach the goal you have chosen, do work with a competent organization that will enable you to reach it. Firstly, secure a Group Fitness Instructor Certification via professionally authenticated fitness training organizations, like Americas Authority on Fitness (ACE). The basic group exercise training and certification will assist you in opening more doors than not having such validity, and moreover it will provide a sturdier foundation for further specialized training, including comprehensive Pilates certification. Understand precisely what you need to accomplish to gain certification, and research the full cost of training prior to committing. Calculate the added costs for other prerequisites, such as CPR training. Ensure you receive the appropriate fitness credits for all the training courses completed. Many fitness training organizations tally the course credits for certification similar to how most colleges and universities calculate the accumulation of credits for a degree. Sometimes the fitness credits may be applied to other types of certifications. Hybrid Pilates. Yoga Pilates. Pilates with Bands, The great Ball, etc†¦ Think about combining Pilates with other exercise methods or fitness equipment techniques as this is a growing field. You can now get certified for Yoga-Pilates, Pilates with exercise bands, and Pilates on the ball, and more. These sort of certification programs are regularly offered in weekend programs that have few prerequisites. Though hybrid combinations may be fun and helpful, it is equally important to understand that Pilates is a highly specific methodology. A minimum requirement of a mat instructor certificate is recommended prior to commencing any cross-over teaching. Pilates Instructing tips Pilates can be somewhat difficult, especially for beginners. When instructing Pilates, it is crucial for the instructor to consider the ability levels of all the participants. To make this easier, it is usually better to limit class sizes so that each participant will receive more of an individual guidance. Classes should be designed to a specific ability level so that on the whole, while abilities will naturally vary, the class is moreorless of a beginner standard, or intermediate etc. One of the mistakes instructors can make is not to put in sufficient effort that keeps the class fun. Instructing Pilates is much more than simply getting people to exercise; it is also about teaching participants to develop healthy long term habits. One way to do this is to keep the activities fun for the class, as this will influence the class to want to keep on with learning. Engaging with individuals is vital, while ensuring that each individual is within their ability level, while also expanding their comfort zone. The effectiveness of any Pilates instructor depends upon their knowledge of the exercises and routines and of their enthusiasm.. these character traits are contagious and those participating in a class will respond to how they are being instructed, and mirror that enthusiasm. An instructor should be clear and precise regarding their instructions and able to guide seamless transitions between the activities while teaching Pilates. This presupposes that you are able to work as an effective communicator while ensuring that each student in the class can understand the guidance. In between the exercises, an instructor must be offering encouragement and also motivation to learners, and explaining carefully the following activity and why it is important. Repetition may be necessary as many students will not clearly follow or understand the directions in full, initially. Some students will inculcate instructions much better by observing, therefore the instructor may need to demonstrate an exercise before and during a set of exercises being performed by the students. Be assured you that you do not have to be young, thin, and extremely agile or a strong individual to toward become instructor. However it’s necessary, to have a passion for passing on knowledge to others.

The Beginnings of Greek Philosophy Essay -- Science Math Stars Papers

The Beginnings of Greek Philosophy The Milesians and Heraclitus Long before the time of Thales, a citizen of Miletus, in the district of Ionia on the west coast of Asia Minor, Chaldaen astrologers had listed data on the position of the stars and planets. As Thales studied these tables he thought he discerned a pattern or regularity in the occurrence of eclipses, and he ventured to predict a solar eclipse that occurred on May 28th 585BC. Some scholars think that this was just a lucky empirical guess, but if it was the discovery of an astronomical regularity or natural law, then Thales may be credited with distinguishing Greek philosophy and science from the somewhat aimless observations and disjointed information of the Eastern wise men. When a law is formulated, Man's wonder at the phenomenon is supposed to be satisfied, and nature is said to be explained and understood. Thales is also credited with the discovery of several theorems of geometry and with diplomatic, engineering, and economic exploits. If there is a difference between science and p hilosophy, it is that the regularities of science are relatively restricted, whereas the more general principles, called 'philosophic' apply to wider areas. Thales's more general speculations concerned the constitution of the universe. What is the world made of? Are there many elements or is there but one? And if one, what is it? These questions dominated the entire Pre-Socratic period; and they are still live issues today; and if Thales's answer seems crude to a so-called sophisticated 21st century mind, his motivation and procedure may prove as profound as any contemporary inspiration. As a matter of fact, Thales taught that all things are made of water, and we may imagine re... ...uch a person, so hardy as to suggest that reality is spiritual and not material, would have to be a genius as great as Plato. There is a much easier choice that can be made. The great minds of ancient Greek thought with all their scientific acumen, so it may be concluded, have failed to find any truth. The reason for their failure is simply that there is no truth to be found. Knowledge is impossible. This conclusion is a welcome relief after such arduous philosophising; and besides, it offers great opportunities for ambitious young thinkers. Thus there arose in Greece the movement known as Sophism. Bibliography: JOHNS, B. Early Greek Philosophical Thought New York, 1976 MARTIN, K. A History of Greek Philosophy New York and London, 1981 McCONNELL, T. The Pre-Socratic Philosophers Dublin 1988 CARSON, N. Exploring the Pre-Socratics London, 1985