Raising and countering objections regarding the decision to get an MBA Essay

Raising and countering objections regarding the decision to get an MBA - Essay Example It is also a fact that earning an MBA degree will not automatically grant you a management or executive position-you must have essential skills and experience as well. WHY ONLY THE MBA: For nearly all individuals, advanced education college, technical school, graduate studies, and company training increase employability and average income. Many jobs require minimum education levels to even be considered. For example, I believe every country requires new teachers to have a bachelor’s degree in education. To be a layer you must have a graduate degree in law and the same for medicine and engineering. Individuals planning on college should look at the lifelong income they can expect from a degree. For example very bright student who go into teaching should expect must lower lifetime income than a business major. It’s also important to know that getting masters in education will keep you out of teaching. The schools will not pay for a MA degree in a new hire, they can hire a BA for much less. Only when you have time, you should consider getting the MA. In the case of PHD any jobs do not reward workers for having a PHD, so there is less motivation to get a PHD (expect among college professors). Many careers such as business accounting and law do not demand PHD so there are few people with these degrees. Coming back at my point generally for business the MBA is considered the terminal or highest degree. However mixing a specialty with an MBA can increase income such as Engineer w/ MBA or MD with MBA who can run a company or organization. Simply the MBA can work as evergreen degree. People object that MBA has lost his worth now: People object that MBA has lost his worth in current economic condition where the employment level is increasing with stunning speed. But according to my research MBA still have certain advantages those can beat all the objections. Better hiring opportunities: As general rule it is considered that more education means more earning . But according to me this rule is especially true for MBA. Many of the Companies have decided to increase their hiring of MBA. According to Corporate Recruiters Survey 2011 Unemployment rates in both the United States and the European Union reached 10-year highs throughout 2009 and 2010. But the 2011 MBA class can breathe easier, however, when it comes to finding a job, as hiring for new MBA graduates trends in a positive direction. In addition simply the MBA is the key door to enter in the world of reputed organizations. Better earning opportunities: Because of MBA you will earn higher salary because of your skills. . According to Corporate Recruiters Survey 2011 84% of employers are offering the MBA’s a benefit package in addition to their salaries. According to United Stated department for labors the management occupations have the higher pay scales in relation with other occupations. This simply shows the worth of MBA degree as a lifesaver. Better relationships: MBA is t he other name of relationships. Being a MBA you are able to deal with every kind of person. For example a manager with a MBA degree with the specialization in Marketing is able to tackle and deal a lot of people at a time in efficient manner. Better skills: Being an MBA you can polish your skills in efficient manner. MBA program is designed especially for business skills. With the help of MBA, you will have much of the knowledge,

A Better Russian Space Program Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A Better Russian Space Program - Essay Example This essay describes main events from the history of launchings and space researches in Soviet Union and modern Russia, such as the first artificial satellite called Sputnik 1 launching in 1957, the first man in space in 1961 and space launches lessening in 90th, because of economic issues, and later provoked by means of political disorder in the country. In 2000, as this essay states, Russia’s position on the world launching started to improve and moved in to top slot which it has detained ever since maintaining an average launching rate. But, sadly, in the last 2 years the Russian space program, once was the envy by the whole world, has been facing a number of problems, especially since huge financial effort on the already strained Russian space agency. Second part of this essay suggests the way Russia can improve it's own space program and what steps should it take, such as experiments with voyages to Mars, increasing their budget and developing a partnership program with NASA. In conclusion, this essay demonstrates the importance of what space agencies all over the world are doing daily. They are constantly researching and developing to better serve mankind's thirst for knowledge and comfort. This is why it is important to support and embrace space agencies at all times, for who knows what gifts they could bring us in the future. It also suggests, that Russia needs to work hard in making their space program the best, that it was in 1980s, and many believe that they can lead the way once more.

United States Essay Example for Free

United States Essay Nowadays most of students after graduating high school start to think and infer which college or university will offer education and affordable tuition. Some future students decide on its prestige, well known student life, or the distance from home to school. When I graduated from high school, I had to decide stay in my native country and study at the university or come over to the United States of America. I chose being in the USA and study at Lone Star College for many reasons. First reason why I chose to attend this college is the unique distance. I would say I drive from my house to school approximately for 3 minutes or  even can take a walk for 10 minutes. That is amazing when you get to school in a couple minutes and you do not have to stick in permanent heavy traffic in the morning or afternoon. When school is close to the house, students will not have problems with attendance. Another reason was incredibly low tuition fee because it is pretty minor for international students. Even when student has financial problems, this college has all financial helps. For instance, scholarships and loans are available for students. All these financial help open doors for every student  who is interested in being educated. Finally I chose this college because all my major classes are in one campus. My prospective major is petroleum engineering, so I spend lots of time in the library studying math and other subjects. I am very lucky that I do not need to waste my precious time being stuck in traffic before I get from one campus to another. Lone Star College is the best community college and I suggest for future students choose very carefully their colleges or universities. There are lots of colleges with their unique teachers and students and it is not easy to make a decision.

Organisational structures and cultures

Organisational structures and cultures Introduction Case study: This case study is about Mr Smiths restaurant. Mr Smith is a foreigner who has lived in the UK for many years. His family in Africa operates a chain of restaurants across the continent and he is therefore familiar with this kind of business. At present the Smith Restaurant has a central location in London, close to many attractions and is easily accessible by public transport. His restaurant is a small family business he is the founder, owner and also the Managing Director. Although he has two Assistant Managers and three Supervisors, he has a direct control over management and operational issues such as hiring of staff, marketing, sales promotion, accounting and finance department. The restaurant has fifty employees mostly made up of international students who work part time. These students are attracted by the flexible working conditions that Mr Smith offers. This allows them to work part time during term time and full time during vacation. Recently the restaurant has seen a big increase in its customers due to the popularity of its European and International cuisines. These factors have convinced Mr Smith of the wisdom of opening similar restaurants throughout the UK. Mr Smith is the one who makes all decisions and he has a direct control over management and other operational issues. The current issue at the restaurant is that Mr Smith is reluctant to recruit new staff and to cope with the increased activity in the restaurant he has reduced staff lunch time. Some staff felt that these changes should not have been introduced without their consent. When one employee complained about the situation, he was sacked. The rest of the employees are unhappy but they are afraid to voice their concerns for fear of loosing their jobs. According to Mr Smith, he pays his employees very well and therefore they will be happy with his decisions; his decisions are not for debate; managers should make the decisions and subordinates must obey. He does not believe in consulting staff when he has to make important decisions. As a result, a feeling of helplessness, alienation, and fear have developed amongst staff. The recent changes in employees working conditions have increased the levels of absenteeism and lateness. Mr Smith is now very concerned that if such trends continue, the restaurant may not be able to cope with the increased customer demand. Being one of the longest serving employees, Mr Smith asked me to consider the above issues and advise him in light of the expansion and recent developments of the business. My task is to advise him on the followings within the chain of new restaurants. Organisational structures and cultures; Approaches to management and leadership styles; Motivational theories and their application; Group behaviour, teamwork and technology TASK 1: Organisational structures and cultures within the UK restaurants Organisational structure creates a framework of order and command through which the activities of the organisation can be planned, organised, controlled, and directed towards the goals and objectives of the organisation. The structure defines tasks and responsibilities, roles, relationships and communication. Within the UK, most restaurants have entrepreneurial, functional and geographical structures. Entrepreneurial Structure: This structure is appropriate for small owner managed companies, for examples: a small restaurant, a small-scale industrial unit, or a small proprietary concern. Functional Structure: This is the most commonly used basis for grouping activities according to specialisation that is organising the business according to what each department does. Specialised skills and delegation of authority to managers are needed to look after different functional areas. Geographical structure: Activities are grouped according to location. Different services are provided by geographical boundaries according to particular needs and demands, the convenience of consumers, or for ease of administration. Advantages and disadvantages of organisational structures The UK restaurants may have hierarchical, tall or flat structure Hierarchical structure: Refers to †¢ Authority: the right to exercise powers such as hiring and firing or buying and selling on behalf of the organisation †¢ Responsibility: the allocation of tasks to individuals and groups within the organisation †¢ Accountability: the need for individuals to explain and justify any failure to fulfil their responsibilities to their superiors in the hierarchy Tall and flat hierarchical structures: In the tall structure there are narrower spans of control and more levels of command that is many managerial levels and fewer staff. In the flat structure there are broader spans of control and few levels of command that is few managerial levels and many staff. For example, the McDonalds restaurants all have a flat structure. The manager in each place of business controls the other assistants and employees. He takes all the decisions and he is in charge of the main functions like, R D, marketing, finance and human resources and the other staff do the selling. Advantages of tall and flat structures Organisational cultures Charles Handy defined it as: The way things are done around here Every business is made up of different cultures, and the cultures that are present within the business depend on the management styles and organisational structures that are used. Handys four types of cultures are: Power culture: Best suited for small entrepreneurial organisations and relies on trust, empathy and personal communication for its effectiveness. Role culture: Emphasizes on power and position within the organisation. This type of culture applies when organisations are big and inflexible. Task culture: Job-oriented or project-oriented. This works well in a matrix organisation structure. Person culture: Works around educated individuals. Examples are groups of barristers, architects, doctors or consultants. Looking at Handys four main types of organisation cultures it can be seen that most of the UK restaurants adopt the power culture. Organisational structure and culture of Mr Smiths restaurant After analysing Mr Smiths case study and the latest issues, it is clear that his restaurant is adopting an entrepreneurial and hierarchical structure, and a power culture since it is a family owned business where there is excessive reliance is on the owner-manager; Mr Smith has authority, responsibility and accountability within the organisation. The distribution of tasks, the definition of authority and responsibility, and the relationship between members of the organisation are established on a personal and informal basis. Therefore I am convinced that the management style, organisational structure and culture are influencing employees behaviour within organisation. However, with Mr Smiths plan to expand and develop new restaurants across the UK, there is need for a formal organisational structure and culture, which has to be carefully designed, so as to avoid conflict and encourage the willing participation of staff for effective organisational performance. I believe that Mr Smith business should have a flat structured along functional lines with major areas including, Sales and Marketing, Human Resources, Accounting and Finance, and Purchasing Departments. With a flat structure the business will have: †¢ A wide span of control encouraging delegation and motivation through job enrichment. †¢ Lower management overhead costs. †¢ Better communications as horizontal and lateral communication is encouraged. †¢ Real and meaningful promotions. †¢ Closer contact between top management and lower levels Factors that may influence individual behaviour of Mr Smiths employees The individual: The individual is a central feature of organisational behaviour. When the needs of the individual and the demands of the organisation are incompatible, this can result in frustration and conflict. Then it the work of the management to integrate the individual and the organisation and to provide a working environment where individuals needs is satisfied as well as organisation goals are achieved. The group: Group exists in all organisations and are essential to their working and performance. People in groups influence each other in many ways and groups may develop their own hierarchies and leaders. Group pressures can have a major influence over the behaviour and performance of individual members. The organisation: Individual behaviour is affected by patterns of organisation structure, technology, styles of leadership and systems of management through which organisational processors are planned, directed and controlled. Therefore, the focus of attention is on the impact of organisation structure and design, and patterns of management, on the behaviour of people within the organisation. TASK 2: How organisational theory underpins principles and practices of management, how this would impact on the new restaurants? The study of management theory (also termed management thinking) and its application in organisations brings changes in behaviour. It helps to understand the principles underlying the process on management. It helps to understand the interrelationship between management theory, principles and practices of management, and behaviour in organisations. Managers learned about how they should behave. This will influence their attitudes towards management practice. The different approaches to management theory are: Classical approach; scientific management; Bureaucracy; Human relations approach; Systems approach; and Contingency approach. These various approaches underpin the common principles of management that organisations should practice in their business, which mean they are based on views of organisations, their purpose and responsibilities, structure, division of work, hierarchy of management, technical requirements, rules and regulations and behaviour. Fayol 14 Principles of Management: 1. Division of work: Specialisation increases output as employees become more efficient. 2. Authority: Gives managers the right to give orders. 3. Discipline: Employees must conform to respect the rules that govern the organisation and the use of penalties for breaking the rules. 4. Unity of command: Only one superior should give orders to employees. 5. Unity of direction: Organisational activities having the similar objective should be directed by one manager using one plan. 6. Subordination of individual interests to general interest: The organisation interest should dominate employees or group interests. 7. Remuneration: A fair wage for workers and their services. 8. Centralisation: The degree to which subordinates participate in decision-making. 9. Scalar chain: Communications should follow this chain. 10. Order. People and materials should be in the right place at the right time. 11. Equity. Managers should be kind and fair to their subordinates. 12. Stability of tenure. High employee turnover is inefficient. Management should provide orderly personnel planning and ensure that replacements are available to fill vacancies. 13. Initiative. Employees who are allowed to originate and carry out plans will exert high levels of effort. 14. Esprit de corps. Promoting team spirit will build harmony and unity within the organisation. Suggestion: Mr Smith should follow these principles of management. Managers will have to perform these five functions (by H Fayol): Plan and forecast; organise; command; coordinate; and control. The different approaches to management theory Classical approach: †¢ Emphasis on purpose; †¢ Formal structure; †¢ Division of work; †¢ Hierarchy of management; †¢ Technical requirements; †¢ Common principles of organisation. Scientific management and Bureaucracy are the two sub-grouping of the classical approach. Scientific management F .W Taylor (1911): †¢ Scientific selection and training of workers; †¢ Development of a true science for each element of an individuals work; †¢ Co-operation with the employees to ensure work is done as set; †¢ Division of work and responsibility between management and the employees; †¢ Improve production efficiency through work studies, tools, economic incentives. Bureaucracy Max Weber (1947): †¢ Formal hierarchical structure; †¢ Organisation by functional specialty; †¢ Rules and regulation; †¢ Impersonality; †¢ Employment based on technical qualifications. Human relations approach: †¢ Elton Mayo and the Hawthorne Studies (1933) discovered that the informal organisation, social norms, acceptance, and sentiments of the group determined individual work behaviour. †¢ Maslow, McGregor, Herzberg, and many others stressed the importance of social relations in organisations, understanding workers and managers as human beings with social and emotional needs. Systems approach: Organisations are open systems that constantly interact with the external environment: Inputs (resources and information) transformation process outputs (products, services, information) feedback Contingency approach: Contingency theory does not identify or recommend any particular approach to organisation and management. Appropriate management approach depends on situational factors faced by an organisation. Suggestion: After comparing the above managerial approaches I believe that the classical approach will best suit Mr Smith restaurants. The classical approach centres on understanding the purpose of an organisation and then examining its structure. They play emphasis on the planning of work, technical requirements, principal of management and behaviour. Attention is given to the division of work, duties, responsibilities, maintaining specialisation and co-ordination, hierarchy of management and formal organisational relationships. TASK 3: Different leadership styles and their effectiveness Definition: Leadership in an organisation is to lead employees to work in a given direction to achieve its goals and objectives. The three styles of leadership are: Autocratic leadership: All authority is centred on the leader and decisions are enforced by means of rewards and the fear of punishment. Communication is one-way, from the leader to the followers. Advantage: Quick decision-making. Disadvantage: Its effect upon group morale; creates conflict. Democratic leadership: In contrast, democratic takes into account the suggestions of the members and of the leader. It is a human relations approach, in which all members of the group can participate and contribute to improve the quality of the final decision. Advantages: Increased morale and support for better decisions through shared ideas among group members. Disadvantages: Slower decision-making and diluted accountability for decisions. Laissez-faire leadership: The leader exercises very little control over group members. A member is given a goal and mostly left alone to decide how to achieve it. The leader functions mainly as a group member, providing only as much advice and direction as is requested. Advantage: Opportunity for individual development offered to group members. All persons are given the chance to express themselves and to function relatively independently. Disadvantage: Lack of group cohesion and unity toward organisational objectives. Without a leader, the group may have little direction and lack of control. The result can be inefficiency or even worse, chaos. Suggestion: Mr Smith is applying an authoritative leadership in his first restaurant because his business is small. But now that he wants to expand his business he has to adopt a different style of leadership. I would suggest that he has to adopt the democratic leadership within his new restaurant. This is because the democratic style is a human relation approach in which all staff participates and contributes in the decision-making. This will prevent conflict between staff. Different motivational theories and their application Definition: Motivation can be described as the direction and persistence of action. It is concerned with why people choose a particular course of action in preference to others. The purpose of motivational theories is to predict behaviour. The difference theories of motivation are: The hierarchy of needs are shown as a series of steps in the form of a pyramid; it implies a thinning out needs as people progress up the hierarchy. Based on Maslows theory, once the lower-level needs have been satisfied (physiological and safety needs) people advanced up the hierarchy. Therefore to provide motivation for a change in behaviour, the manager must direct attention to the next level of needs (love or social needs) that seek satisfaction. McGregor Theory X Y Theory X assumptions: People inherently dislike work. People must be supervised to do work to achieve objectives. People prefer to be directed. Theory Y assumptions: -People view work as being as natural as play and rest. -People will exercise self-direction and self-control towards achieving objectives they are committed to. -People learn to accept and seek responsibility. Herzbergs Two-factor theory McClelland theory: Need for achievement: Personal responsibility Feedback Moderate risk Need for power: Influence Competitive Need for affiliation: Acceptance and friendship Cooperative Suggestion: Mr Smith does not delegate; does not give employees responsibilities; employees are not considered part of the group; they feel insecure in the employment; they cannot voice their opinions; he imposes his rules and regulations on employees. In addition he has reduced employees lunch-time. Here Mr Smith is using McGregors Theory X; employees are unhappy and de-motivated to work as their lunch-time has been reduced but their wages have not increased. Therefore, since he wants to expand his business throughout UK, I will recommend the Maslows hierarchy of needs theory to Mr Smith. Managers will have to provide motivation for a change in behaviour by satisfying the lower-level needs so that the employees basic salary, safe working conditions (need to stay alive, have food, shelter) and job security, fringe benefits, protection against unemployment, illness are satisfied. This will encourage the willing participation of employees for effective organisational performance. The relationship between motivational theory and the practice of management The purpose of motivational theories is to predict behaviour; and behaviour of people in organisations depends on practices of management. If managers practise Fayols 14 principles of management, then employees at all levels are motivated to work. People generally respond in the manner in which they are treated. Therefore, to control human behaviour a heavy responsibility is placed on managers and the activity of management, where attention must also be given to appropriate systems of motivation, job satisfaction and rewards. Accordingly, Mr Smith must understand how good management practices will motivate staff to work. Managers should plan and forecast, organise, command, coordinate, and control appropriately in an attempt to satisfy employees needs so that they are motivated to work. This will create an organisational climate in which employees can work willingly and effectively to achieve the goals of the organisation. Managers should get the best performance from employees to attract more customers. Managers should apply this policy: The needs, wants and rights of employees to be treated fairly and with dignity. TASK 4: Nature of groups and group behaviour within organisations A group comprises two or more individuals who interact in the collective pursuit of a common goal. They share values and goals, are involved in regular activities together, and identify themselves as members of the group and are identified as such by others. (From lecture notes AJ). Another useful way of defining group is a collection of people who share most, if not all, of the following characteristics: A definable membership; Group consciousness; A sense of shared purpose; Interdependence; Interaction; Ability to act in a unitary manner. Formal groups (official groups): Created to carry out specific tasks set up by the organisation to complete assigned tasks. Formal groups may be divided into two categories: 1. Functional groups: Consist of varying size of work units, with a manager and subordinates who are responsible for a range of duties and functions within the organisation, for example: the finance department, the salaries section and the revenues section. 2. Task groups: Created for the dispatch of specific business or operations, such as a project team, management team or co-ordinating committee. Informal groups (unofficial groups): Created by the individual members for the purpose of sharing a common interest. Importance of informal groups: The spread of information through informal networks the grapevine is often much faster and more influential than through formal groups. There is the potential for conflict between roles held in formal and informal groups particularly in respect of leadership, where the informal leader may not be the same person as the formal leader. Two informal groups: 1. Interest groups: develop around the shared pursuit of a specific goal by certain employees, which may or may not be related to the organisation. 2. Friendship groups: Individuals joining together for various social activities The factors influencing Group Behaviour: Cole (1996) Size of the group Leadership and management style Group cohesiveness Motivation of group members Norms of groups Group/team roles The work environment The group task Factors leading to effective teamwork within the new business Peters and Waterman defines five factors for effective teamwork: 1. The numbers should be small: each member will then represent the interest of his or her department. 2. The team should be of limited duration: Exist only to resolve a particular task. 3. Membership should be voluntary. 4. Communication should be informal and unstructured. 5. It should be action-oriented. The team should finish with a plan for action. The influences that threaten success of teamwork The team does not work around the unreliable people. A smaller group of people does most of the work and a larger group pretends to help. Sometimes team members do not work well together and may work against each other. This may result dysfunctional teams, caused by: Lack of trust is the most common problem afflicting teams; Lack of team cohesiveness Lack of a clearly defined purpose Impact of technology on team functioning Technology: Technologies such as e-mail, mobile phones, blackberry, groupware and computers can improve and in some cases delay team functioning. To be able to function effectively, teams must be kept up-to-date with knowledge as technology changes. Communication: Successful teams communicate successfully by email, mobile phone, phone technologies such as blackberry and 3G data cards and 3GB USB dongles, groupware and personal computers. Change: Successful teams can successfully bring-up change. Teams will become less effective and efficient if they do not respond to changing internal and external factors. In contrast, responsive teams are more effective, efficient and, are able to rise to the challenges of the modern business world. Networks and virtual teams: In the modern connected world, it is easier for teams to communicate and network. It is possible to create virtual teams which never (or rarely) meet in physical locations and use a range of web tools to communicate and collaborate. Global and cross-cultural teams Task 5: Strategies for the restaurants stakeholders needs Employees: †¢ Mr has to adopt HR practices to ensure that the organisation is able to achieve success through people. †¢ Staffing the organisation: Sufficient numbers of the right people in the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost for the organisation. †¢ Reward and recognition: Creating structures that maximise recruitment, retention and motivation; obtaining the best performance from the people available. †¢ Performance improvement throughout the organisation, for individual, team and organisational effectiveness †¢ Managing behaviour ensuring that individuals are encouraged to behave in a way that allows and fosters better working relationships. Customers: Mr Smith and his area managers should monitor the changing requirements and expectations of its customers, and the quality of service they require. Conclusion and recommendations With Mr Smiths plan to expand and develop new restaurants across the UK, there is need for a formal organisational structure and culture, which has to be carefully designed to encourage the willing participation of staff for effective organisational performance. Mr Smith should follow the principles of management managers will have to perform these five functions (by H Fayol); plan and forecast; organise; command; coordinate; and control. The classical approach will suit his business as it plays emphasis on the planning of work, technical requirements, principle of management and behaviour. Alongside he has to adopt the democratic leadership in which all members of the group can participate and contribute to improve the quality of the final decision. Area managers will have to provide motivation for a change in behaviour by satisfying the employees needs through rewards. Reference Websites: 1. http://ezinearticles.com/?id=1269812 2. http://choo.fis.utoronto.ca/FIS/courses/LIS1230/LIS1230sharma/history6.htm (Maslows hierarchy of needs) 3. http://www.hnc-business.co.uk/unit3.html Module Tutor Lecture notes and emails: Dhlamini S., 2009. Organisations and Behaviour (unit 3) H1, HND in Business. London: Guildhall College Bibliography Book: Mullins L J ., 2000. Essentials of Organisational Behaviour. Essex: FT/Prentice Hall

Lord Of The Flies: Chapter 9-12 Notes :: essays research papers

1. After Simon is killed, the next paragraph begins, "The clouds open and let the rain down like a waterfall†¦" When the boys kill Simon they not only kill him and spirituality, but what they perceive to be the beast. Because the beast was created by them and embodied all of their evils, one of its interpretations can be as mankind's sin. Simon is very similar to Jesus in this book. The Roman's ruled the world during Jesus' life, and now a similar bloodthirsty society rules the island during Simon's life. Both are killed by such a society, and both sacrifice themselves so that mankind's sin can be forgiven. When Simon dies, the rain washes away not only spirituality, but also the beast and all of the sins that accompany it. Golding writes that the water bounded from the mountaintop. Because the mountain top represented the peak of society, this could be interpreted to state that all of society carries sin, even the glorious moments of it, and that Simon's sacrifice was extended to the boys' entire stay on the island and the sin that was committed during that period of time. This is also similar to Jesus' sacrifice that was for all of mankind's sins, not just the sins of the Roman society that killed him. After Simon has been killed, the figures stagger away. By referring to the boys as figures, they are no longer individuals, but the nameless men who are the vehicle that society uses to carry out its evil deeds. It is no longer of relevance who did what because it was the entire society that killed Simon. This can be related to other societies, such as Nazi Germany. Today Hitler is credited with most of the responsibility for World War II. We do not like to blame German society for it because that would mean that we are also capable of this if we had to endure the circumstances of 1940's Germany. We cannot blame the German race for these problems, as they are a characteristic of humanity. We fought World War II against the forces of racism, but we ourselves treated the Japanese very poorly while all of this was going on. Although we too went through the depression, we did not have the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles against us. When any society has such horrible circumstances, they tend to look for a scapegoat, such as a race of people.

Marginalization of Women During the Cold War Essay -- gender roles, Co

At the height of the Cold War in 1959, Vice President Richard M. Nixon visited the Soviet Union to discuss political ideology with Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev. In what was labeled the â€Å"kitchen debate,† Nixon presented Khrushchev with an American â€Å"model home† that highlighted the merits of capitalism to a global audience. But as the politicians entered the Americanized kitchen, Nixon took a step further. Instead of keeping the focus on economic systems, the Vice President turned the discourse to the two nations’ construction of gender roles. While looking at an American dishwasher, Nixon said, â€Å"This is our newest model†¦In America, we like to make life easier for women†¦ I think that this attitude towards women is universal. What we want to do, is make life more easy for our housewives† (teachingamericanhistory.org). While the accessibility of consumer products that reduced labor for homemakers was an achievement of American capitalism, Nixon’s comments promoted a new American vision of the family. The traditional family in Cold War culture, which featured men as breadwinners and women as homemakers, was now an important component of the American Dream. By referring to women as â€Å"housewives,† Nixon effectively reinforced the pervasive sentiment that women could not only be homemakers in a financially prosperous capitalist society, but that it was also expected of them. As these expectations became fully engrained into the mainstream, gender roles became increasingly rigid, which discouraged many women from considering professional careers, let alone pursue them. As the Cold War era prompted Americans to find refuge in the traditional family, women were expected to operate within the framework of the home and in resul... ...represented an escape from the uncertainty of the future. But with the rise of a new traditional family in America, complete with strict and separate gender roles, women were denied opportunities in the workplace and forced to embrace the task of homemaker. While Nixon argued in the â€Å"kitchen debate† that American strength rested on each member’s ability to rise and fall, the marginalization of woman in Cold War culture masterfully highlights the distance between political idealism and reality. Works Cited Books May, Elaine Tyler. Homeward Bound. Friedan, Betty. The Feminine Mystique. Movies The Home Economics Story. Online Resources â€Å"The Kitchen Debate.† Articles Stevenson, Adlai E. â€Å"A Purpose for Modern Woman.† Chambers, Whittaker. â€Å"Witness.†

PERSONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TEAM WORK ANALYSIS

Effective organisational public presentation is an facet that every organisation would wish to accomplish but how those organisations can bring forth a high public presentation. Teamwork must be one of the replies. This assignment provides some information and points out that why squad work is of import more than group work, and besides demonstrates the manner which squad members interact in order to do their work procedure flow swimmingly. Bing a good squad member, accomplishments demand is considered because personal accomplishments can be utile in footings of develop a squad ‘s public presentation. Due to this consideration, this is my good opportunity to better my accomplishments by placing some accomplishments which need to be improved. Making the personal development program and making a accomplishments audit are tools which can assist me to accomplish my end. As I am presently in the last term before making my thesis of the MBA class this assignment will demo what I have developed so far and demo how much I achieve my ends. This assignment is divided into three undertakings as follows: 1. Describe the different between squad and group and Identify and critically reflect on the relationship between the aims of important operational undertaking and my single function and aims. Furthermore, this undertaking will show and measure how I interacted with my co-workers and demo my sentiment in what I would make if I look back on the important undertaking and why I would make that. 2. This portion shows how I have developed my accomplishments over the class through my personal portfolio 3. This portion shows the contemplation on the procedure of my accomplishments development1. Working with a figure of co-workers on a given undertaking or important operational undertaking1.1 The differences between squad and groupThe word group and squad normally are used interchangeably, but there are really a figure of differences between a squad and a group depends on which portion you have considered. Longman dictionary defined both words base on the word significance: â€Å" group defined as several people or things that are all together in the same topographic point † and â€Å" squad defined as a group of people who have been chosen to work together to make a peculiar occupation † . Besides you can see a difference between group and squad by concentrating on a relationship among members in group or squad. Normally, members in a squad are close to each other and their single undertakings are related to one another. Significantly, squad donates more than one singl e involve in goal-oriented joint action while group refer to informal bunch of more than one person ( Wilson A. 1998 ) and it goes beyond single achievements. ( Ruth & A ; Herman G.1940 ) . In a group, members they are grouped together for administrative intent merely, some members might non cognize each other earlier but working as a squad, they work together because they got a squad end which is best complete with manual support and the relationship across persons is obvious. ( RDI enchiridion, 2009 ) The of import factor which differentiates squad from group is the interdependent among the squad member in executing the squad undertaking ( Saiyadain M.S, 2003 ) The squad members are diverse in footings of assorted positions, personalities, position and function.1.2 Significant operational undertakingDuring my old occupation, I was working in the cordial reception sector, ( In the little size hotel sector ) , as a general helper in a hotel ‘s eating house. On my operational u ndertaking within the hotel ‘s eating house, all staff were gathered to make our ain single undertaking. As the account about squad and group above, I think working with my co-workers on the important operational undertaking is near to a squad construct. Harmonizing to the squad construct, goal-oriented joint action is a cardinal point which indicates that we were working every bit squad because we had a end which we wanted to accomplish by working together because our single undertakings are linked. Significantly, my squad end was to do certain that we satisfy client demands and outlooks with a high quality of service. In my squad, there were 13 staff who had a duty concern to a whole procedure of service bringing ( e.g director, kitchen staff, waiting staff, ) As I mention above, holding the same end is the key which drawing all squad members together because all undertakings in the whole work procedure are linked. In order to accomplish the end, we needed to travel towards the same way because teamwork is a joint action of a group member and each squad members have to lend their accomplishments and sentiment toward the squad end. Therefore, our squad member, foremost, had to be cognizant and clear about the ends and understand single functions and undertakings. My chief function was covering with clients and do certain that they got the best service and other squad members besides got their peculiar undertaking but every undertakings were linked to one another. Working as squad, leading accomplishments is really of import. Leadership can be defined as the procedure of act uponing and persuade others to understand and hold about what needs to be done and how to make it. ( Gary Yukl, 2006 ) In the squad we needed person who can actuate and take squad members in to the right way without any fright of any jobs. Besides, working as squad, we had to interact among members all the clip to do our procedure flow swimmingly in the right way.1.3 Interaction amon g squad membersSignificantly, Interacting among team members is the key facet which can impact to a whole public presentation because it helps the squad to accomplish the end efficaciously. Harmonizing to Longman lexicon, Interaction is defined as a sort of action which two or more objects can impact to each other. The part from members such as interchanging sentiment, thought or cognition can assist the squad execute more effectual. ( Beyerlein M. et Al, . 2000 ) By and large, every squad member develop the ways of interacting among members over the clip, particularly interpersonal communicating among members because the effectivity of a whole public presentation ever depends on how good team members interact to one another. Often, independent squads are presented the best pattern for increased public presentation ( Hellenthal A. and Molleman E. 2008 ) because working as squad, there exists no individual in order to convey the best solution. The interaction such as how a squad make s determinations, assigns work, and holds members accountable determines squad success, these are really of import to see in any squad work. Harmonizing to my work experience, all of the squad members had to unclutter in head and understand the squad ‘s end, otherwise we might hold been gone in a different way. In our daily occupation, we were assigned a undertaking by a squad leader. Basically, squad leader was non the same member all the clip, it depends on the state of affairs. And in any determination devising, there was ever interaction among team members because in any decision-making everyone had to keep the duty for the determination which was eventually made because we were working as squad. All squad members reserved a right to hold or differ and demo our sentiment straight towards our leader. Furthermore, because of our undertakings were linked and would hold been effected to one another, hence staff meeting which was hold every two hebdomad in order to give a oppor tunity for staff to advise our public presentations and tried to happen a solution for any peculiar jobs.1.4 Significant operational undertaking and the existent state of affairs in my work topographic pointHarmonizing to the theory of communicating, ( RDI manus book, 2009 ) effectual communicating within any organisation is an facet that organisations have to concern. Bad communicating will necessarily take to loss of income or worse. Basically, there are three basic types of communications ; bipartisan communicating is the one which is extremely effectual because both transmitter and receiving system can give their feedback straight. Compare with my work experience, my squad end was run intoing the client outlook by presenting a good service. In daily undertaking, good communicating accomplishments would be really utile for working every bit squad because in the whole procedure of working, we had to pass on with the squad members all the clip to do certain that we reached all clie nts ‘ outlook in footings of service quality. Generally, squad members were assigned a undertaking and turn to a day-to-day end by a leader every forenoon and the leader besides allowed us to show our thought which might be utile for the squad if there was a particular event such as private party. During any twenty-four hours working, the most hard state of affairs was, when there was a particular order and waiting staff had to reassign that order to a chef. We had to do certain that we meet the client ‘s outlook. Apart from the daily undertaking, every two hebdomads, there was a meeting which made for all squad members to discourse a whole public presentation in the past two hebdomads. Every squad member would hold got all information which was utile for bettering the squad public presentation such as feedbacks from clients which were collected straight from clients. We besides got a opportunity to show our point of position and portion our thoughts and happen the count ries of understanding as the footing for coaction. Personally, I think the manner that the operational undertaking was managed was sensible and efficient, because good communicating among team member was really of import for working as a squad. If I could pull off this undertaking, I would still keep this good point about bipartisan communicating but I would believe more about staff committedness issue because all staff members were a portion of the success and we should return some benefits back to staff for their difficult work by appealing to them in footings of wages bundle such as salary, fillip, position and acknowledgment. If we could win the staff committedness, staff would be happy to work towards the operational undertaking and we would acquire the best public presentation from them.2. Personal PortfolioPersonal Development Plan is a tool which contains actions or aspirations oriented towards any of the undermentioned purposes and it should be seen as a changeless procedur e affecting sweetening and development of abilities, accomplishments and cognition ( RDI enchiridion, 2009 ) . Apparently, accomplishments audit is of import for everyone who would wish to put up PDP. Skills audit is a tool which is designed to assist you to place your strengths, failings and countries for development within assorted accomplishments countries. ( RDI enchiridion, 2009 ) Before I set up my PDP, I did a accomplishments audit and four of of import accomplishments were chosen to be improved as the tabular array below.Skills AuditKnowledge and accomplishments which I consider to be of import for future occupation Ability Rating ( 1-5 ) 1.Leadership accomplishments 2 2. Prioritizing accomplishment 4 3.Communication accomplishments 3 4. Planning accomplishment 3 5. IT skills 2 Note: see appendices for the original accomplishments audit Harmonizing to the accomplishments audit above, I identified my accomplishments which needed to be improved and take some activities to back up me to better my accomplishments. There are four accomplishments which I think they will be utile for my future calling. Those accomplishments are:1. Leadership accomplishmentFrom my accomplishments audit above I gave myself in a low evaluation and I thought I needed to better this accomplishment because this accomplishment is really of import accomplishment for a director. In the workplace director should hold an ability to actuate a squad member to work toward a common end and acquire the occupation done in order to do the over public presentation more effectual and successful. For bettering this accomplishment, I set some activities such as take parting in any group undertaking ( schoolroom ) , reading a book â€Å" Leadership accomplishments for directors † . During six months for bettering leading accomplishment, I have been derivi ng a batch of cognition and I got many opportunity to pattern this accomplishment. Significantly, I have leant how to carry group members to hold with my thought and besides larn how to be good leader in the group when we were assign the group undertaking such as squad ‘s treatments and presentations during category assignments. I besides learn from reading books which contain leading articles. These books helped me to understand the differences between director and leader ; how the leader is so of import to really work undertaking and it besides teaches me how to be a good leader.2. Prioritizing accomplishmentPrioritizing accomplishments is of import for director because good director is a individual who manages to be after the agenda and divide clip every bit between undertakings can be an plus for the organisation. This accomplishment fundamentally was the accomplishment which I gave myself a highest evaluation among all accomplishments. In the past six months, I improve th is accomplishment a batch particularly during the MBA class. By and large, there were many assignments which had to be submitted on clip, hence, this accomplishment is really utile for me because I could prioritise all my plants and working on the most of import at each minute and could subject all my assignment on clip.3. Communication accomplishmentsCommunication accomplishments are really of import for working as a squad. Working as a squad, Bad communicating will necessarily take to loss of income or worse. My communicating accomplishments at the beginning of the class were non good plenty. Language was my barrier because English is non my first linguistic communication. Therefore, take parting in any group undertaking ( schoolroom ) was the activity which utile for bettering these accomplishments. During my class, I got many opportunity to better my communicating accomplishments such as treatment category, work as a group and communicate to other group members. Furthermore, I h ave learnt a batch signifier the books about communicating. In order to go a more effectual communicator, I have learnt many different communicating ‘s channels such as memos – emails – meetings – teleconferencing – blink of an eye messaging4. Planning accomplishmentPlaning accomplishment is one of those accomplishments which allows a director to expect such issues and be prepared should they originate. My action program for bettering this accomplishment were reading and researching articles or books which are related to an assignment. Over the past six months, I read a batch of books which were utile to my assignment such as the book about Human Resource Management, Managing Change, Marketing, Finance and operational direction. Apart from reading, I did pattern some exercisings before the 24 hours appraisal in Finance direction.5. Information engineering ( IT ) SkillsNot surprisingly, IT skills are really of import in most parts of every workplace because IT accomplishments are still in demand and IT may be the most of import factor for long-run calling success. From my accomplishment audit above, I gave myself low evaluation because I got merely basic ability about IT. Therefore, I planned to better these accomplishments by making a batch of practising in some computing machine applications which I already got the basic cognition approximately such as Microsoft Excel, internet application. Furthermore, I have leant more about some computing machine applications which I had ne'er used earlier such as Autofill with Formulae and maps. From the activities above which were usage to assist myself to better my accomplishments in many countries. After my program reached the mark day of the month which was on April 2010, I will reexamine the accomplishments which were developed over the period of clip by this following tabular array: This tabular array below shows how I have developed my accomplishments so far during my class period. 20th October 2009 -20th January 2010 Skills 1 2 3 4 5 Leadership accomplishments*Prioritizing accomplishments*Communication accomplishments*Planing accomplishments*IT Skills*21th January 2010 – 21 April 2010 Skills 1 2 3 4 5 Leadership accomplishments*Prioritizing accomplishments*Communication accomplishments*Planing accomplishments*IT Skills*Note: 1 = need to be improved with a batch of attempt 2 = can be sensible but still necessitate betterment 3 = need more practicing and necessitate more clip to derive some experiences 4 = moderately confident but need more practicing 5 = achieve the end From the tabular array above which it shows how much my accomplishments have developed over six months. Basically, I divided my self- appraisal into two periods ( three months in each period ) . Harmonizing to the first period of my self-assessment, I realized that all of those accomplishments were developed bit by bit. It was because I had to set myself into new environment such as educational system and linguistic communication which different from my state. 1. Leadership skills- in the first period, I rated myself merely 3 because I think I need more practicing and necessitate more clip to derive some experiences and after six months was over I rated myself 4 which is moderately confident but need more practicing. Frankly, I think to be a good leader with a batch of confident, I need to maintain practicing and tilting from errors in the yesteryear. 2. Prioritizing skills- Before I started to better this accomplishment, I rated myself rather high ( 4 ) but after the first period was over, I still thought that my prioritizing accomplishment did non better much because I had to set myself to the new educational system. When the self-assessment was over, I think this accomplishment was developed successfully. 3. Communication Skills- These accomplishments was hard to be improved for me sing to a linguistic communication barrier. For the first period, hence, I needed to pattern really hard in both English accomplishments and communicating accomplishments because both are linked. After the whole period was over, I think my communicating accomplishments were developed moderately and I would wish to pattern and larn more to draw these accomplishments to be my strength. 4. Planing accomplishments – Although, this accomplishment is rather simple and easy to win but being in MBA cause, be aftering accomplishments was turned to be a spot hard for me. Nevertheless, maintaining myself on path and ever concentrating on the end of my survey, these made me improved this skill rapidly. Therefore, I think this accomplishment was developed successfully. 5. IT skills – Frankly speech production, I think these accomplishments are the most hard to be improve because there are many computing machine applications which take clip to be understood. For the first period, I did non better much on these accomplishments because it was hard to larn how to utilize some computing machine application by myself but within the 2nd period, I got a opportunity to pattern this accomplishment more frequently with my schoolmate due to the fiscal direction faculty. After six months were over, I think that even though I have improved this accomplishment but I need more practicing and necessitate more clip to derive some experiences. Harmonizing to my self- appraisal for all of the accomplishments above, I think I have developed those accomplishments moderately and successfully and those demand to be practiced continuously in order to do them to be my strength and be utile for my hereafter calling3. Contemplation on the procedure of accomplishments developmentHarmonizing to the personal development program, I chose five accomplishments which I need to develop over my class. First, leading accomplishments are the chief accomplishments which I need to develop. Leadership is defined as the procedure of act uponing and persuade others to understand and hold about what needs to be done and how to make it. ( Gary Yukl, 2006 ) and it is about carrying people to lend to doing something extraordinary happen ( Kuozen J. et al. , 2007 ) . Leadership accomplishments are really of import for any teamwork because making a squad end needs person who can take and carry squad members through the right manner whether it is hard or non. Equally far as I am cognizant, my leading accomplishments have been bettering because these accomplishments need clip to pattern. Apparently, group work in the category helps me a batch by constructing my assurance and I am besides larning organize the many books about leading such as â€Å" Leadership accomplishments for directors † which help me to understand more about why leading accomplishments are of import for director occupa tion and how I can go a good leader. Second, Prioritizing accomplishment, personally I thought this accomplishment was really easy to be developed but in fact being in MBA class made me realized that there were many obstructions which prevented myself to accomplish my end such as being in a different educational system and linguistic communication barriers. These obstructions made some of my work delayed but unluckily, I am still on the path and be able to better this accomplishment successfully. Third, Communication accomplishments, good communicate among team members is a portion of bring forthing an effectual squad public presentation. As I have learnt so far during my category period, bipartisan communicating is seemingly more effectual in pattern because treatment in a schoolroom needs everyone in the category to be participated by sharing our thoughts and I decidedly got a opportunity to portion my sentiment and larn how to be a good hearer at the same clip. And I ever use some techniques form the book, â€Å" Step ladders to success for the professional † which help me to execute in my category more expeditiously because difference of thoughts or sentiment might take us to group ‘s struggle and it happened to me many times but these experiences help me to larn how to manage the job. Fourthly, be aftering accomplishments, harmonizing to the fact that I have to subject all of my assignments on clip, hence, be aftering such as what I had to make, which book I had to read etcaˆÂ ¦these assist me to subject all of my assignments on clip and I got a sensible Markss for all of them. This accomplishment can use to any activities which need to be done in a certain clip. Last, IT skills which are of import for a director occupation in footings of utilizing it to bring forth organisational studies. Equally far as I am concern, the spreadsheet ( Excel package ) is really of import computing machine application which simulates a paper, accounting worksheet. Harmonizing to the complication of the plan, it has been taking me long clip to larn and understand how it works, but practising can assist me to utilize this plan more effectual in the hereafter.DecisionIn any countries of any concern, individual who has a possible accomplishment is ever required. Therefore, accomplishments development is really of import for any individual who would wish to acquire a good occupation. By and large, non merely for a occupation searcher but it is for person who needs to better his/her accomplishments in order to execute his/her undertaking more effectual. Personally, this personal accomplishments development helps me to place my ability and accomplishments which I nee d to better and actuate myself to accomplish my end by puting an action program. Although, I have non achieved all my programs at this minute but I believe that if I keep follow my action program, I will decidedly make my end in the hereafter.AppendixsPersonal Development PlanMy GoalWhich skills I need to better?Actions RequiredWho or What Can Help Me?Target Date for ActionTo derive diversified concern cognition and expertness in order to be a possible director in the hereafter by Bettering Some accomplishments which are related to my end 1. Leadership accomplishments – Participating in any group undertaking ( schoolroom ) – Reading a book â€Å" Leadership accomplishments for directors † Schoolmates and a coach By April 2010 2. Prioritizing accomplishments – Prioritize all my plants, working on the most of import at each minute. By April 2010 3.Communication accomplishments Participating in any group undertaking ( schoolroom ) Schoolmates and a coach By April 2010 4.Planing accomplishments Reading and researching article or book which are related to an assignment Coach Submit Date 5. IT Skills Learning Some computing machine Applications which are related i.e. spreadsheet By April 2010Skills AuditKnowledge and accomplishments which I consider to be of import for future occupation Ability Rating ( 1-5 ) Typical Description Coach ‘s Remarks 1.Leadership accomplishments 2 Manager should hold an ability to actuate a squad member to work toward a common end. Suthira has lead her squad ‘s treatments and presentations during category assignments and proved to be good squad leader. 2. prioritizing accomplishments 4 Good director is a individual who manages to be after the agenda and divide clip every bit between undertakings can be an plus for the organisation. During the class, Suthira has appreciated the importance of prioritising in the accomplishment of assignments and undertakings. 3.Communication accomplishments 3 Working as a squad, Bad communicating will necessarily take to loss of income or worse. Suthira ‘s bids of spoken and written English have improved since get downing the plan. 4.Planning accomplishment 3 Planing allows a director to expect such issues and be prepared should they originate. Suthira has developed good planning accomplishments. That appeared clearly during her readyings before categories commenced. 5. IT skills 2 IT accomplishments are still in demand and IT may be the most of import factor for long-run calling success. TitleThe Interaction Between Task and TeamAuthorsAlex Hellenthal, Eric MollemanPublisherVDM Verlag, 2008