NBC Universal Essay Example

NBC Universal Essay Name: Tutor: Course: Date: We will write a custom essay sample on NBC Universal specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on NBC Universal specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on NBC Universal specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer NBC Universal NBC Universal LLC is a global media and entertainment company headquartered in New York City, U.S.A. The company specializes in the â€Å"development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience† (NBCUniversal). Two corporate mergers, first in 2004 and then in 2011 led to the formation of NBC Universal LLC. General Electric Company formed NBC (National Broadcasting Company) company in 1926 (Ahn). After years of expanding and buying up other networks globally, NBC decided to merge with Vivendi Universal in 2003. In 2004, the completion of the merger formed NBC Universal. The completion of a second deal in 2011 gave birth to NBC Universal LLC. This new deal involved General Electric Company (known as GE) and Comcast Corporation (Ahn). NBC Universal is considered a powerhouse in the world of entertainment (NBCUniversal Media, LLC Company Profile). The conglomerate owns Universal Pictures (one of the world’s largest and most successful movie studios) and NBC TV (a successful television network). The Company has been expanding globally since the 1990s. This expansion has seen NBC Universal purchase and acquire broadcasting networks in Europe, Asia and South America (Ahn). Some of the world’s most famous and successful movies and TV shows have been produced by NBC Universal. Examples include the television sitcom Friends and the television drama ER. The successes of the company’s productions have turned NBC into a household name especially in the United States (Ahn). NBCUniversal is headed by a chief executive officer (CEO) Stephen B. Burke. The CEO oversees the company’s general operations including those carried out by the company’s subsidiaries and oversees networks (NBCUniversal). Answerable to the CEO are several executive vice presidents (EVP), presidents and chairpersons. They are in-charge the company’s various departments, networks and subsidiaries. They take instructions directly from the CEO. The EVPs are in-charge of the company’s departments such as the administrative department, the financial department and the strategic integration department. The chairpersons and presidents are in-charge of the company’s networks and subsidiaries. These include NBCUniversal News Group and Universal Studios (NBCUniversal). There are seventeen presidents in the second level of management. They are Robert Greenblatt, Matt Bond, Adam Miller, Jeff Shell, Paula Madison, Patricia Fili-Krushel, Mark Hoffman, Steve Capus, Mark Lazarus, Lauren Zalaznik, Bonnie Hammer, Ted Harbert, Page Thompson, Ron Meyer, Rick Cotton, Adam Fogelson and Lynn Calpeter (NBCUniversal). On paper, the presidents are all equal. However, some presidents do appear to be more important by virtue of controlling departments and networks within the company that are more important or successful than others. Examples include Adam Fogelson who is the president of Universal Pictures (a major subsidiary of NBCUniversal that makes movies), Ted Harbert who is in-charge of NBC Broadcasting (NBCUniversal’s marquee TV network) and Patricia Fili-Krushel chairperson of NBCUniversal News Group (NBC Universal Inc). NBCUniversal uses the matrix organizational structure in the organization of its management. The matrix structure combines the attributes of the project structure and the functional structure with the intentions of maximizing the advantages of both (Dubrin 264). In a matrix organizational structure, focus is placed on both the product and the function. Function entails all the process involved in making a product while the product is what is created because of all the functions (Marquis and Luston 274). Matrix structures enable a company to focus on both the final product and the consumer. It also enables a company to divide its work force such that different departments can work on different projects. This means that a company can have multiple projects being run simultaneously without interfering with each other (Marquis and Luston 274). NBC’s management structure has its strengths and weaknesses. First, the fact that projects are divided suits the company well. NBC is a conglomerate and therefore, has several networks and subsidiaries within it. These different parts of the company can all work on different projects simultaneously. This structure also works well for NBC because each department gets its own equipment and facilities minimizing friction between different departments. A disadvantage of this structure is that the cooperation between different departments might be poor. In addition, any joint projects require a lot of communication and this communication between departments is likely to be poor. The highest level of the organization’s management has three clearly discernible layers. The first and the highest is the level where the CEO is found. The second level responds to the CEO (NBC Universal Inc). This level was introduced after the merger between Comcast and GE was completed (James). The new layer helped breakdown the command structure. The CEO no longer has to deal with the various departments directly. This makes the work easier for the CEO as well as for the departments. The departments will find that feedback from high-level management comes faster because each department has its own president. For the CEO, the added layer makes the work easier. The third layer in top-level management has the heads of the specific networks and those of smaller departments of the company. They respond to the presidents in the second layer. This level of management deals directly with the employees and other workers (NBCUniversal). The CEO’s position at the helm makes him the most influential person in the company. The hierarchical structure of NBCUniversal means that all employees answer to the CEO through the chairpersons and the presidents. This structure suggests that the CEO has to be a hands-on manager and deal with all decisions directly. Stephen Burke’s involvement in the selection of the presidents in the second level also suggests that he carries out his functions the way he should. A statement released by Comcast revealed that he was not just involved in the selection of these presidents but created the layered management structure himself (James). This statement also implies that the CEO prefers to take part in the process of making key decisions at the management level. On paper, NBCUniversal’s structure is quite solid. It has multiple levels of management. This reduces the work that the top level of management has to deal with. This layered management structure also means that all departments, networks and subsidiaries have representation in the top management but without forcing the CEO to deal with each head directly. This means that feedback from the top management gets to the departments much faster as the CEO deals with them much faster. In theory, this structure should also enable NBCUniversal to keep growing. Each department focuses on its own projects and success for these departments translates to financial success for NBCUniversal. However, this has not been the case for NBCUniversal. Several of the networks within the company have not been doing well. This insinuates that the company’s organizational structure is not operating the way it should be. NBC Universal’s largest and most popular network is NBC (the company’s marquee television network). Over the recent past, NBC has been experiencing a decline in its shows ratings. This decline started in the early 2000s after several of the network’s key shows ended (Adalian). Stiff competition from other networks has also contributed to the network’s decline. The network seems to be unable to catch up with the competition, as its new shows are unable to match the successes of the shows from other networks (Adalian). Other networks within NBCUniversal are also going through problems. CNBC (Consumer News and Business Channel) and MSNBC (Microsoft and the National Broadcasting Company) have had trouble keeping key personnel as several news anchors have left NBC and joined rival networks (Hall). All of this suggests that all is not well within NBCUniversal. The decline of several of NBCUniversal’s key networks is showing that the management structure is not really working well. NBCUniversal is primarily an entertainment company and this means that its successes and failures are judged on how well its networks perform. The failures of CNBC, MSNBC and NBC are indicative of a decline in NBCUniversal’s standards. The lack of successful TV shows indicates that the management is not making the right decisions. It also shows a failure in the creative departments of the company’s different networks. Additionally, the decline has been occurring over a long period. It started in the early 2000s and after ten years, nothing seems to have been done to stop it. This shows that the management has been unable to adapt to the changing climate of the entertainment business. It also suggests that there may be a breakdown in communication between the management levels and the company’s low-level workers. This is because over te n years, the company does not appear to have been able to outlined the real problems dogging it and as a result of this has failed to deal with the problems Adding more layers to the management structure would not have the desired effect in the company. It would only increase the bureaucratic levels and complicate the coordination between the highest level of management and the company’s employees. It would also increase the number of people involved in the decision making process and this would be a step backwards. Summarily, the levels of management do not need to be increased. An improvement that can be made is to add an extra department to the company. This addition would be vertical and not horizontal. This role of the department would be to assist the networks in their development phase and ensure that creative content produced is top notch. This department would have its own head in the second tier of the management structure. This head would assist the executives in this second tier in making decisions concerning creative content produced by the networks. The main benefit of having this new department is that the departmen t would help stem the declining standards of NBCUniversal’s networks. The employees are the most important part of NBCUniversal. They play key roles in the conception, development, production and release of the content broadcasted by the company’s networks. NBCUniversal is an entertainment company. This means that the employees’ play a vital role in the company and are perhaps the most important part of NBCUniversal. Despite this important role, the employees do not have any direct representation in the second tier of management. The needs of these employees have to go through two levels of management before reaching the highest level of the company’s management. There should be an improvement in this area. The company should create a new department that deals specifically with all the employees from NBCUniversal. The department should have its own president representing it in the second tier of management. This new department would ensure that employees needs move faster to the higher levels of management. Works Cited Adalian, Joseph. Has NBC Passed the Point of No Return?. Vulture, 7 Feb 2013. Web. 30 April 2013. Ahn, Lisa Von. TIMELINE: NBC, Universal through the 20th century and beyond. Reuters, 4 Dec 2009. Web. 30 April 2013. DuBrin, Andrew J. Essentials of Management. Mason, OH: Thomson Business Economics, 2009. Print. Hall, Colby. The NBC News/ CNBC Exodus, Why is so Much Top Talent Leaving the Network?. Mediaite, 20 June 2011. Web. 30 April 2013. James, Meg. Comcast unveils management team for NBC Universal. Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov 2010. Web. 30 April 2013. Marquis, Bessie L, and Huston, Carol Jorgensen. Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing: Theory and Application. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams Wilkins, 2009. Print NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal, 2013. Web. 30 April 2013. NBC Universal Inc. Cogmap, 26 Jan 2013. Web. 30 April 2013 NBCUniversal Media, LLC Company Profile. Hoovers, 2013. Web. 30 April 2013

Free Essays on Moving City To City

So far in my life I have moved eight times and been to twelve different schools. I’m not talking about just moving houses. I’m talking about eight times, packing all of my things and moving to a whole different state. In all this I have learned the most important quality that anyone needs to get through all of the hardships and changes in moving. That quality is courage. Courage is as stated in The New International Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language to be â€Å"the capacity to meet danger or difficulty with firmness.† In my mind courage has always meant doing what you had to do, and dealing with it because you had to. I never had a choice in my life whether I wanted to move to a different city or not. I just would get told one day that I had about a month before I had to pack up all of my things, say goodbye to all of my friends, say goodbye to my school, and leave everything I had know for the last year or so and move to a whole different place that I didn’t know. For a young child this can be hard. I learned early on, that I was suppost to â€Å"stay strong,† as my father always said. He would tell me that I had to be courageous, and a trooper through all of this and that it would be a new adventure. That’s how I looked at it, as another challenge to face. Courage has to be found deep within you. It isn’t always easy to find, as I have learned from experience, and every time a hardship or a difficult situation comes up you have to dig again to find the courage to get through, but with a little searching I have found that you almost always find it, sometimes at the most unexpected times. Whenever I went into a new school, I would go in shaking, and sometimes crying, and not want to face what was in store for me. My mom would look me in the eyes, tell me everything would be ok, and to find the courage deep within me and I can achieve anything. I would take a few breaths, calm down, and then take m... Free Essays on Moving City To City Free Essays on Moving City To City So far in my life I have moved eight times and been to twelve different schools. I’m not talking about just moving houses. I’m talking about eight times, packing all of my things and moving to a whole different state. In all this I have learned the most important quality that anyone needs to get through all of the hardships and changes in moving. That quality is courage. Courage is as stated in The New International Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language to be â€Å"the capacity to meet danger or difficulty with firmness.† In my mind courage has always meant doing what you had to do, and dealing with it because you had to. I never had a choice in my life whether I wanted to move to a different city or not. I just would get told one day that I had about a month before I had to pack up all of my things, say goodbye to all of my friends, say goodbye to my school, and leave everything I had know for the last year or so and move to a whole different place that I didn’t know. For a young child this can be hard. I learned early on, that I was suppost to â€Å"stay strong,† as my father always said. He would tell me that I had to be courageous, and a trooper through all of this and that it would be a new adventure. That’s how I looked at it, as another challenge to face. Courage has to be found deep within you. It isn’t always easy to find, as I have learned from experience, and every time a hardship or a difficult situation comes up you have to dig again to find the courage to get through, but with a little searching I have found that you almost always find it, sometimes at the most unexpected times. Whenever I went into a new school, I would go in shaking, and sometimes crying, and not want to face what was in store for me. My mom would look me in the eyes, tell me everything would be ok, and to find the courage deep within me and I can achieve anything. I would take a few breaths, calm down, and then take m...

Film Beethoven Lives Upstairs Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Film Beethoven Lives Upstairs - Movie Review Example It is not as simple as the introduction infers. In order for the musical score of a film to add a sense of immersion and dynamism to the viewer's experience, it has to merge flawlessly with other, crucial elements of cinematography. Unfortunately, for "Beethoven Lives Upstairs" the music of the master is sometimes used to mask other, less well constructed areas of filming. For example, the score often hides inconsistencies in the verbal story: in the introduction the Narrator tells the viewer that: Presented without the distraction of the music which intersperses the scene with flawless elegance, the two statements regarding the weather seem ludicrous. Yet the "hook" of this particular scene is the powerful and evocative musical form, and for many viewers at least, they are too enthralled by the music to notice the inaccuracy. That being said, it is all too easy to simply focus on the negative aspects of the film. Unsurprisingly, in a film about Beethoven one would expect the music to powerfully develop and contribute to the strength of the plot. By and large, it manages to achieve this. For example, the fictional Beethoven is sent out into the wet, stormy Vienna night, apparently just to make room for the storm passage from the Sixth Symphony. He does so without much build up in terms of plot; but thanks to the music it attains a certain status as being an overwhelming moment in the film; for Beethoven it marks the moment where he realises the power of his own capabilities-the powerful, evocative key supplements this moment perfectly: in technical terms the functional harmony, leading to the cadences' serve as a mini build up as the score plays out. This happens all while Beethoven is in the Vienna storm, metaphorically trying to discover the depth of his musical ability. It is unquestionably one of the film's strongest moments with regard to how the music supplements the plot In terms of musical quality, the sound engineers generally manage to accurately replicate the beauty of Beethoven's work. Identifying the timbre, or tone colour, is a task easily accomplished thanks to the sharp, crisp sound of the orchestra, conducted by Walter Babiak. The orchestra manages to produce a full symphonic sound. Four vocalists are also used-most frequently in the Ninth Symphony. Use of a synthesizer was also noted as well as violin and flute solos. The pianist, who appears in the credits as simply "D Bodle" performs exquisitely as he alters musical form in performances of diminutive pieces, sonata and concerto movements. Sometimes, he is let down as it is hard to identify the exact pitch and rhythm he was trying to achieve, due to what appears to be dubious microphone placement which creates a dull, muffled sound; when it should resonate clearly and assertively. Sound effects abound, adding wonderful sparkle and drama to the story, making listeners feel as if they are r ight in the streets of nineteenth-century Vienna. In Conclusion, the film "Beethoven Lives Upstairs" manages to portray a relatively accurate portrait of, albeit a relatively small excerpt, the composer's life. The strength of the music is undeniably the films greatest asset. Where

Comparative reflection paper on literature Essay

Comparative reflection paper on literature - Essay Example ..6 Comparison & Analysis†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.7 Racial Discrimination & Youth†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..9 References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.11 Introduction Literature is the reflection of a society. From past history, to present scenarios, li terature presents social phenomena in a very effective manner. It not only gives the description of the facts but gives value-addition to them which helps us understand life and its various facets in the most beautiful manner. It also helps us to highlight and understand the various problems occurring in the society. Racial discrimination is one such issue. Many authors have written books, short stories, poems etc on this much debatable topic. In this paper, we discuss the impact of racial discrimination by comparing two poems which highlight the issue. Racial Discrimination Racism can be defined as negative beliefs, attitudes, actions, or behaviors that are based on various different characteristics or ethnic affiliations (Patcher et al., 2010). It is the unfair treatment of any individual based on his race or because of the personal characteristics associated to his race. One of the examples of this is treating people unfavorably because of their color complexion. While racism hap pens all over the world in various countries, racism by Western powers toward non-westerners had a significant impact on history as compared to any other form such amongst Asians, Africans etc. The most renowned instance of racial has been slavery when referred to the West, particularly developing Africans into slaves. This happened because of the racist belief that Black Africans were not as human as white Europeans and their descendants. Racism affects every individual who becomes target to it. It particularly has effect on children and the youth. They are already struggling to find meaning to their life at this sensitive age, and such time of discrimination has adverse consequences on them. Racism as a stressor may produce negative biological or psychological responses to the behavioral and emotional health of children and may also explain within-group variability in health status and health results (Clark et al., 1999). Based on this my thesis statement would be: ‘Racial d iscrimination has far-reaching effects on the youth’ Literature Comparison The two pieces selected for this comparison are Child of the Americas by Aurora Levins Morales and What it’s like to be a Black Girl by Patricia Smith. Both are poems written by American authors having African origin. These poems highlight the discrimination against Blacks in America. With this analysis however, we will try to understand how racial/color discrimination is disturbing in any part of the world against any kind of race and its effects on the youth who are trying to settle in, trying to understand life, and trying to grow up; are much more. Let us first analyze each work separately and then compare them. Child of the Americas The author of this poem, daughter of an American Jewish father and a Puerto Rican mother, was born in Puerto Rico and moved to America at the age of 13. In this poem,

Applying to the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies Personal Statement

Applying to the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies - Personal Statement Example The most memorable of these voluntary activities were participating in the Youth for Youth Foundation, being a delegate in for the European Youth Parliament, and taking part in the Junior Achievement Young Enterprise. As a result of my voluntary activities, I have been awarded a number of certificates among which are those related to the economy and social responsibility. I have also been an active participant in school Olympiads the most noteworthy of which were in English, Sociology, and Psychology. Moreover, since I was a child, I have always had a competitive spirit and this inspired me to participate in a number of sporting competitions, and most recently, I was a part of my high school handball team for four years. At the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, I intend to register for a diverse number of extracurricular activities in order to ensure my personal development. Among these is taking part in competitions, taking on voluntary activities, as well as participating in e xchange programmes so that I can broaden my horizons concerning other institutions of learning. It is my belief that at the Academy, I will be able to not only become a part of an institution with a long history of academic excellence but also have an opportunity to interact with a diverse number of people from different backgrounds. These interactions will enable me to become more effective in my professional life while at the same time helping me to develop into a more responsible global citizen.

Efficiency Reward Management in British Airways

Efficiency Reward Management in British Airways Competition in the airline industry has gone global and the market and industry dynamics have necessitated the need for companies to make concerted efforts streamlined towards ensuring that high quality goods and services are offered in the market at competitive prices. This has resulted in the adoption and implementation of several tools and strategies by British Airways geared towards the aforementioned goals attainment. One of the strategies that have been soundly embraced by British Airways is the effective and efficient management of human resource department in regards to the selection, recruitment and satisfaction of employees. This has been attained through an emphasis on work site wellness program within the company. These initiatives are aimed at enhance performance management within the company. Company Overview Stiff competition has pushed the airline industry to attain very high levels of service quality to their customers. British Airways has been left outside the bracket in this push to smoke away competition and remain a top provider of airline services. The market expectation levels are expected to improve with the increase in the complexity of travelers demands. British Airways has recognized that employees from its most prized assets and has attached the capacity to improve its performance on the ability to effectively and efficiently manage its of human resource department. The pivotal challenge faced by the company is its inability to become a truly transnational airline. The recent economic crunch, political uncertainties in the Middle East and managerial problems have negatively on its ability to improve on its current performance. However, despite the above challenges, Yahoo Finance (2010) illustrates that net profit for the company has improved from 72m Pounds in 2003 to $438 m in Pounds in 2007 and the earnings per share increased from 6.7 pence to 37.2 pence within the same period. Efficiency Reward Management in British Airways Reward management Chew and Teo (1991) state that a reward system expresses what an organization values and is prepared to pay for; it is governed by the need to reward the right things in order to convey the right message about what is important in terms of expected behaviors and outcomes. The importance of HRM has increased with time and the need to properly manage people is becoming a central focus within organizations today. This has precipitated competition amongst various organizations seeking to portray the best skills in peoples management. This has defined a new role for line managers whose roles in organizations have shifted from the traditional supervisory role to more advanced people resource management. To effectively take efficient steps in the recruitment and selection, employee relations, reward management, appraisal and performance reviews, line managers must receive the support of the HR specialists. The above discussions illustrate the high levels at which British Airways as gone to enhance high levels of performance through better rewards management. Reward systems within organizations are always based on how ones value to the organization. It is concerned with both financial and non-financial rewards and embraces the philosophies, strategies, policies, plans and processes used by organizations to develop and maintain reward systems. Most organizations make use of the term compensation to refer to pay or remuneration. There has been a noted problem with the term compensation in that it means rewards to the employee is only for making amends for the distasteful fact people have to work to make a living. In the analysis of Chew and Teo (1991) proposition for most people work is, in the main, a source for disutility, and they therefore require payment to compensate them for the time they devoted towards it. While this argument is true in its literal sense, it however fails to provide a complete definition of pay philosophy. This is because pay philosophy should take into consideration one competence and contribution, not just compe nsation simply because some none has worked for it. In appreciating that employee rewards takes into deep consideration of the organizations integrated policies and practices, rewards are best given according to market worth of an employee. In addition to that, the ones contribution, skills and competence should also form central measurements under which rewards systems can be based. The rewards scheme runs through the culture and philosophies of an organization and is developed within its framework with the aim of maintaining the best levels of pay, benefits, compensation and other forms of rewards. According to Carter (1988), reward system consists of financial (fixed or variable pay) and employee benefits, which together comprises the total remuneration. In addition to that, rewards system also encompasses non-financial components that include (recognition, praise, achievement, responsibility and personal growth). The non-financial components of rewards system also include performance management systems (Lafferty McMillan, 1989). The combination of the two; financial and non-financial rewards forms the total reward system. Deeper analyses of the reward systems reveal that it has five more components that include processes, practices, structures, schemes and procedures (Heskett, Sasser and Hart, (1990). The successful design, development and implementation of management decisions are very complex and at times daunting tasks for many managers especially when managing the most prizes assets of organization-employees. Usually, managers will be faced with daily problems that require the application of tools that will ensure for the successful operations irrespective of the sectors they manage such as the identification of the objectives of the organization, alternative means of achieving the stated objectives and the selection of the means that accomplish the objectives in the most efficient manner. The first process in the decision making process will entail the identification of the problem. The problem in dealing with employee rewards for the optimum benefit of the organization must enhance the ability of the organization to effectively achieve its objectives. Ideally, successful identification of the problem will encapsulate trying to delineate answers to questions such as what coul d be the causes of the problem, where this is happening, how it is happening, when it is happening, with whom it is happening, and why it is happening (MacNamara, 2008). In essence, this should be followed by an in-depth analysis of the delineation of the complexity of the problem, verification of the understanding of the problem; prioritization and understanding the role to be played towards the redress of the problem (Collins, 1987). In recognizing the fact that an organizations performance depends primarily on the quality of its management and employees, line managers appreciate the role of reward in improving the quality of management through generous rewards. British Airways knows that rewards alone cannot play the sole role of management quality improvement but this process demands with it a number of other factors for it to be fully realized. This is because, the culture, values, and management style of an organization, together with its performance management and employee development programs are equally important (Bureau of Tourism Research, 1989).ÂÂ  It is therefore true that reward management forms an integral part of quality management but cannot stand alone in an organization in ensuring quality management. Reward management is one of the central management issue British Airways top management has over the year managed excellently. Effective reward management not only motivates the employees but also depicts harmonious management style the company is applying to capture and succeed in the market. In addition, the recruitment and retention of best talents take precedence in the business. According to Debrah (2005), The reward or compensation people receive for their contribution to an organization includes monetary and non-monetary components. Remuneration does not simply compensate employees for their efforts it also has an impact on the recruitment and retention of talented people. In this regard, reward management within British management calls for brilliant strategies to ensure that it succeeds. Towards this, the company has employed a number of strategies to help successful implement this program. These strategies include controlling reward, monitoring and evaluating reward theories, managing development of reward system, devolution of line mangers for responsibility for reward system (Hollings, 1998). Controlling reward British Airways has got a good reward management control strategy. Control offers the opportunity to plan and execute reward in a more organized and logical manner which reflect the spirit and mission of the company. According to Gabriel (1988), employers and managers should pay attention to their employees and special attention to the best employees. This is done to encourage good performers, to push them to greater heights. Positive recognition for people can ensure a positive and a productive organization. The recognition of outstanding performance aims to create an understanding of what behaviors might add significant value to the organization and to promote such behaviors. Awards- monetary and non-monetary should be given based on the achievements and accomplishments of workers. Effective reward management calls for effective and strategic management to ensure that the programs not only succeed but also offer a good platform for other companies to emulate. This is an entrenched culture within British Airways aimed at ensuring employee performance improvement. In controlling the rewards, the organization benefits a lot from such an initiative. The befits that come along as a result of reward control include offer of the best opportunity for strategic planning, ensures continuity of the reward system, it is effective in the process of the reward scheme evaluation. Monitoring and evaluating reward theories The process of monitoring and evaluating reward theories demand good management practices from the line managers. In British Airways, This process is ideally inclusive of the major parties to the problem and will involve holding a brainstorming session where the possible solutions to the problem are all presented and analyzed. Bowen (1986) has advised against passing judgment on the possible solutions as presented at the earliest stage of evaluating rewards so as to provide chance for possible solutions and errors that could be omitted. The selection of the reward within British Airways considers best alternative to resolving the problem is the next stage and is essentially where the possible solutions advanced are analyzed and dissected in details. In the selection of the best alternative, the line managers within British Airways takes into considerations the approach that is likely to resolve the problem in the long run, the most realistic solutions, the resources available, time a nd the risks associated with each alternative (McNamara, 2008). Managing the developing reward system Initiating a reward program in most organizations has been easy but managing and developing the rewards comes along with many challenges. This is because reward systems must be well developed and enhanced to reduce employee conflict (Irwin, 2003). In British Airways, this involves assessing how the situation will be once the reward has been initiated and looking for possible weaknesses within the reward scheme. This process is well handled within the British Airways by a pool of highly trained line managers. Essentially, this will entail a careful consideration of the best way to implement the new reward policies and procedures, what resources are desirable in terms of people, facilities and finances, time, who will drive the process, and the person in who will be responsible for the success of the plan. It is imperative that the action plan is communicated to all the stakeholders who will be affected by the new changes within and without the organization to limit the possibility of conflict and take into consideration all the divergent views. Communication within the British Airways values the culture and takes into consideration the major drive within the Airline industry which centrally aims at providing the best competitive work environment to the employees. Devolution for line managers The success of reward schemes and projects has to a large extent relied on the interests, support and commitment of the senior management within the British Airways. This is in order to ensure that everybody in the project team and indeed the whole employees are focused and committed. Most reward schemes within organizations are sometimes conceived, funded and developed without appropriate senior management involvement or approval. Naila (2009) has for example noted that some projects go forward without the management clearly conceptualizing what the project entails. A distinction between mere approval and commitment should be clearly discerned so that the projects run smoothly. According to Kerzner (2006), most projects fail when the senior management lacks a clear understanding and a paucity of the projects perceived benefits, risks and difficulties. This is fundamental because the management plays a central role in costs appropriations and budget allocations for project activities . This means that while the projects approval may actually have been acquired, in the euphoria of getting the projects approved; some of the risks may be ignored or glossed over. Efficient project cost management especially in the field of IT should however ensure that projects approvals are not based on hype and unrealistic calculations but on a framework that encapsulates a realistic assessment of the projects. These remain the central themes within British Airways that define its culture and its reward schemes. Interviews in selection and recruitment The most frequently used selection method in most organizations and companies, with British Airways being no exception, is the interview. The company employs this selection process in selecting and recruiting personnel in the top management positions such as departmental managers. Interviews occur when a candidate responds to questions posed by a manager or some other organizational representative. In an interview, common areas in which questions are posed include education, experience and knowledge of job procedures, mental ability, personality, communication ability, social skills as well as the knowledge of current affairs. The recruitment process within British Airways as a close nit process that enasure only the best is recruited. This is ullusterated below by Guemier and Lockwood (1989). Quality Performance Measurement The capacity to understands and measure performance of an organizational policies is crucial for the success of any business. These measures should include process performance and improvements that can be seen by customers. The importance of performance measurement is important to ensure that customer service is given, to set individual team and business objectives, highlight problems and failure in the processes, provide the needed stimulus for continuous growth and provide benchmark for establishing comparisons. To effectively carry out quality performance, an organization must understand the component of quality costs. These is because the capacity to show that quality system is effective, find more efficient ways of working and get it right from the first time are fundamental in the processes. Performance measurements include four quality costs such as prevention costs, appraisal costs, internal failure costs and external failure costs. Through the application of EFQM that recognizes the fact that there are many approaches to achieving sustainable excellence, British Airways has extensively made use of this non prescriptive framework to analyze its quality performance measurements. This process has been carried out using leadership in at the fore front while enablers include people, policy and strategy partnership and resources who are subjected through a process. The results for the performance of the reward policy within British Airways are then measured by peoples results, customer results and social results. These generate key performance results that are generated through three result components. The tool that was preferred for this process was Radar Scoring Matrix that was capable of covering all aspects of results, approach, deployment, assessment and review. The five poor causes of quality include wrong application of measurement tools, poor combination of enablers for the process, poor leadership, inability to establish a measurement process and failure to engage of all employees in the process. Conclusion The world over, organizations and business enterprises are experiencing major economic crunch and environmental upheaval such as deregulated industrial regulation systems, globalization, competition and technological advancement. These economic, social and political circumstances have precipitated a complex and sophisticated of overlapping and concurrent interventions that are radically changing the existing structures, cultures and job requirements. In response to this dynamic and rapid change, managers need to approach the selection and recruitment from a strategic perspective. Recruitment and selection strategies, process and policies should be integrated within the company human resource department and the organization culture. These have been entrenched in the operational culture of British Airways. In the Airline industry, there is need to streamline the operations to embrace the dynamic changes in selection and recruitment. These changes include new strategies on selection and outsourcing. British Airways has been successful and continue to gain more ground in the world market due to its strategic planning and management. This paper has given a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the role of the human resource department in the selection and recruitment with special reference to British Airways.

Immigration Needs to be Restricted in America Essay -- Argumentative P

Immigration Needs to be Restricted in America Illegal immigration will cost the United States $280 billion dollars from 1995-2004. And that only counts for the immigrants that enter this country illegally. What of the legal immigrants that come to the United States and find it harder than they thought it would be? Most of these immigrants just go on welfare. Legal immigrants participate in 20.7 percent of all welfare programs while native citizens only participate in 14.1 percent (Borjas). This costs the American public millions of dollars every year. At the turn of the century 40 percent of immigrants that came through Ellis Island had to go home. If the immigrants can't handle the work force, there is nothing for them to do but fall back on welfare (Lind). Opposing statistics show that Americans use welfare more than immigrants do. This argument doesn't work for the simple fact that most immigrants haven't been in this country long enough to qualify for Social Security. Therefore we must use the other data which clearly shows that immigrants use welfare more. Another problem that has risen from immigration is crime. In 1986, 28 percent of the arrests for drug possession were illegal immigrants (Stacy). This may not seem like an overwhelming number, but just think if the United States could drop drug trafficking by 28 percent this would be a tremendous step forward. The immigration problem has gotten so bad on the Mexican American, border, that the border patrol have what they call " War Wagons" which are armored vans with bulletproof windows. Guarding a border of a nation that we are at peace with should not be that big of a problem. Most immigrants that enter the country both legally and illegally are trying to fin... ...osing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Inc. 1998 pp. 84-88. Lind, Micheal. "Legal Immigration Harms American workers" Bender, David L. Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Inc. 1998 pp. 79-83 Borjas, George. "Immigrants Abuse the Welfare System." Bender, David L. Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Inc. 1998 pp. 97-102 Stacy, Palmer & Lutton, Wayne. "Illegal Immigrants Cause Crime." Bender, David L. Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Inc. 1990 pp. 90-95 Martinez, Roberto. "Illegal Immigrants Are Victims of Crime." Bender, David L. Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Inc. 1990 pp. 96-99 Lamm, Richard D. "The U.S. Should Limit Immigration." Bender, David L. Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Inc. 1990 pp.105-112

5 Stages of Grief

Kubler-Ross Model of 5 Stages of Death Daniel Redwood, D. C. (1995) mentioned the 5 stages of death was introduced by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in the book On Death and Dying (1956). The 5 stages of death is also known as Kubler-Ross Model. According to this model, there are 5 stages that a person will face when he or she is going through death or is about to lose someone they love or have just lost their loved ones. The 5 stages are Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and the final stage is Acceptance (as citied in Elisabeth K. B. , 1956).The 5 stages will be further explained as below. The first stage is ‘Denial’. In this stage, people who are about to die or have lost their loved ones will be very numb and they will find that there is no purpose in life. Besides that, during this stage, one will not be able to focus in their life and will usually lose their hope. Through being in denial, one will be able to cope and thus making survival to be possible once again. Being in the denial stage also protects them from being overwhelm with the anxiety that they are about to die or have lost their loved ones.Another important reason why one will be in this stage, is because they are unable to accept the reality that they are about to die or have lost their loved ones ( Elisabeth K. B. , 1956). The second stage of death is ‘Anger’. In the ‘Anger’ stage, one will usually be feeling very angry because they got that particular sickness or because they have lost their loved ones. They feel angry because they feel it’s not fair for them to fall sick or for their loved ones to fall sick. This is mainly due to the reason of belief that they have lived a balanced and healthy life. Therefore, they should not easily fall sick and face death.During this stage, the person will usually have a targeted person to release their anger. Usually, the person who is facing death due to some terminal illness will release their anger towards the doctor who is treating them, immediate family members or the person who is taking care of them. According to Axelrod, J. (2006), doctors usually becomes the targeted person because the doctor was not able to find a cure or treatment for the illness that the person is facing. This may be due to the stereotype that doctors should be able to treat and cure all of their patient’s sickness.Family members and the immediate person who is taking care of the person who is facing death becomes the targeted person because the person who is facing death will usually be filled with anger and disappointment due to the fact that they are about to leave their loved ones and not be able to ever see them again. After the ‘Anger’ stage, comes the ‘Bargaining’ stage. According to Elisabeth, K. B. (1956), just before we are about to lose our loved ones, the bargaining stage comes in the form of ‘doing anything and everything’ to spare the life of your loved ones, so that we are able to see them survive and continue living.The bargaining usually involves spirituality, where one will look towards a higher Being for miracle to take place. After a loss, bargaining will appear in the form of â€Å"What if.. † or â€Å"If only.. † statements. This is because, we would wish if we could have return to the past and change things so that we would not have lost our loved ones. The next stage is ‘Depression’. Elisabeth, K. B. (1956) mentioned right after the ‘Bargaining’ stage, we will step into the present state. Feeling of emptiness, sorrow and grief will be very deep and at times unbearable.During this stage, one will feel as though this depression will always be there. Elisabeth, K. B. (1956) also state that the stage of depression is normal when one has lost their loved ones. Finally, we will go through the ‘Acceptance’ stage. During this stage, we have finally accepted the reality and able to live in the present. We may not like the reality, however we have learned to accept. We have finally made a way to be able to continue living our life and move on. Instead of denying the past, one will be able to change, grow and continue living

The Problem of Homeless Veterans in US

The Problem of Homeless Veterans in US Introduction There are several veterans who are homeless in the United States of America and are estimated to range between 130, 000 and 200,000 at a given one night. Homeless veterans represent a fifth of all homeless people in America. There are also those veterans who struggle to meet the excessive rent burdens and this has worsened their homelessness.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Problem of Homeless Veterans in US specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There is also a growing concern regarding the status of the veterans in the future. Women veterans and those with disabilities are becoming increasingly isolated and are likely to become homeless. This is a common characteristic of those veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Demographics The records at the department of Veteran affairs in the US indicate that majority of the homeless veterans are males, and only four percent are females. Majority of them are single, from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds. Approximately, forty-five percent of them suffer from one form of disability or the other and nurse the effects of drug and substance abuse. These homeless veterans are those who served in World War II, Cold war, Vietnam war, Korean war, Panama, Grenada and Lebanon. Female veterans are likely to be married but most of them end up suffering from psychiatric problems (National Coalition for the Homeless 1). Programs and Policy Issues Various attempts are made to ensure that veterans who are homeless acquire homes. The department of veteran affairs is responsible for funding temporary housing for the homeless veterans. These programs include: shelter and a two year transitional housing that is funded by the grant and their per diem program, long-term care through domiciliary care for the homeless veterans and imparting of some skills such as Compensated Work Therapy. However, these programs do not meet the required demand or the existing needs. There is also the Department of Housing and Urban Development that have collaborated with the HUD-VA to offer supportive and housing programs that can connect the housing choice to the vouchers with the VA case management system and services. The HUD program mainly targets the veterans. The addition of extra vouchers by the government was considered to be a major boost. Veteran assistant staff has been collaborating with local coalitions in various states to ensure that the homeless veterans are guaranteed of their security and safety by providing shelter, food, clothing and other forms of assistance (Todd 21).Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The response by homeless veterans gained prominence in the 1980s when the Congress realized that veterans were unrepresented in the data of homeless persons. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans was established to provide services and support to the increasing number of homeless veterans (Perl 18). Conclusion The needs and the demands of the homeless veterans are similar. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Affairs advocates for effective programs, and they suggest for community based non-profit organizations like veterans helping veterans group to spearhead the process. It has been shown that veterans can be successfully assisted to acquire homes. The government needs to take proactive action to curb the menace of having so many veterans being homeless. Long term planning will make it possible for the veterans to be provided with social amenities and health care. The government also needs to actively examine the issue of wage disparity as it directly contributes to homelessness. Unless these are addressed, the tragedy of veteran homelessness will be an unending mess plaguing the American communities. National Coalition for the Homeless. Homeless Veterans. National Coalition for the Homele ss, 2009. Web. nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/veterans.pdf. Perl, Libby. Veterans and Homelessness. New York, NY: DIANE Publishing, n.d. Print. Todd, Ernest. Homelessness: Is Society Looking the Other Way? New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers, 2005. Print.

Martin the Warrior †Book Review Essay

Martin the Warrior – Book Review Essay Free Online Research Papers Martin the Warrior Book Review Essay Fantasy novels come in many different genres. These genres are followed by many authors due to great appeal of that genre. Fantasy novels are a form of fiction in which magic or warriors are involved. Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques is a great example of a sword and sorcery novel. Each animal in Martin the Warrior has his own special talent that makes he or she more capable of than others. Martin is a warrior mouse that has great strength and battle sense like no others. When in trouble he not only uses his strength but also his intelligence to sort everything out. Badrang the Tyrant, on the other hand, is a villainous leader that is all-powerful. All who follow him fear him greatly. Sword and sorcery novels are very creative. The setting in Martin the Warrior creates a whole new world. The book is set in a fictional county called Mossflower. Marshank, which is where Badrang the Tyrant reigns, is a fort heavily guarded by archers and sword wielding villains. The setting is full of adventure. There are woods, caves, streams, and forts, all involving great creativity and adventure. Sorcery is in the Martin the Warrior. There is a magical rabbit named Tibbar that makes others disappear. Afterwards he tells Badrang, You see when Tibbar the magic rabbit performs magic, it is real! He also manages to pull a string from one of the captains ear when the captain asks Oh magical rabbit please come and show me more magic tonight. The use of magic is in sword and sorcery novels. All the creatures use medieval weaponry. Some creatures such as Martin and Badrang use the sword. Then there are those who use slings and bows. Then there are those such and Tibbar who uses magic as his weapon. No machinery whatsoever is involved. Fort Marshank is built like a castle with many sentry towers and heavy gates. Weaponry is not like today, with the use of guns and bombs. Martin the Warrior is a natural sword and sorcery novel. The books use of animals as characters and medieval weaponry and magic makes you think how if it was outlined by the definition of sword and sorcery novel. Martin the Warrior is a good sword and sorcery novel. Research Papers on Martin the Warrior - Book Review EssayHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoMind TravelEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XThe Project Managment Office SystemWhere Wild and West MeetHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsTrailblazing by Eric Anderson

Telecommunications Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Telecommunications Industry - Essay Example Popular link protocols for local area networks (LANs) appeared in the 1970s. AT&T was the first biggest telecommunications company. In 1913, AT&T committed to dispose its telegraph stock. The Telecommunication Act of 1996 changed the regulation and opened the market for competition. AT&T continued to act as the leader, establishing standards for others to follow. In 2000s, the telecommunication industry saw a lot of mergers and reorganizations. Bell Atlantic and GTE combined to form Verizon. Lucent Technologies hived off its enterprise solution group into a new company. Cisco, Nortel Networks, and DSL started making names in voice and data communications and the Internet business. The telecommunications industry is growing at a fast pace. New technology is bringing in new opportunities, and telecommunication companies are catching up fast. The convergence of the computer, Internet, and cellular phones, along with the increased access options through fiber optic, wireless, satellite, and DSL is leading to a continuously connected global community. Information exchange takes place with the push of a button, and the most remote locations are now accessible through the satellite or cellular. This high speed growth is creating new companies, which are further getting merged into the major telecom entities. Some of the large Some of the largest international telecommunications companies known for innovative technology and products are AT&T, British Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, NTT, SBC Communications, Verizon Communications, Vodafone, and WorldCom. Venture Capital and Start-up Financing Activities Venture Capital (VC) investment is when a third party takes equity in a company. A strong, self-sustaining, and vibrant VC industry is a critical factor to create an enterprise culture in which emerging entrepreneurs get encouragement to take risks and build successful businesses. Private sector funding is crucial to enable government policies. Venture capitalists have always backed the high potential telecommunications business. The top VCs, as listed in Forbes.com include Promod Haque (Norwest Venture Partners), Vinod Khosla and Tom Perkins (Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers), David Strohm (Greylock), Lawrence Sonsini (Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati), and Paul Chamberlain (Morgan Stanley). One of the most successful VC backed start up company would be Cisco Systems (Mayer and Kenney 2004). Industry Statistics The VC industry plays a major role in the U.S. economy. In 2007, USA saw a VC investment of $29.4 billion in 3,813 deals. The investment in telecommunication industry stood at $2.1 billion dollars from 290 deals, though it decreased from $2.6 billion (301 deals) in 2006. As against this, the Life Sciences sector (Biotechnology and Medical Device industries together) received a VC investment of $9.1 billion in 2007 (862 deals). Software investing was flat at $5.3 billion in 905 deals. Internet-specific companies got $4.6 billion from 748

Piracy and different aspect of piracy clause in the Charter Party Essay

Piracy and different aspect of piracy clause in the Charter Party contract - Essay Example Reported cases of these terroristic activities run across the globe. From the shores of Africa and South Asia to the waters of North and Latin Americas, piracy remains one of the critical concerns of most nations and still present an extreme endangerment and precariousness to travelers, especially those engaged in business. The internationally-recognized governing body for matters relating to the law and order of the sea, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea defined piracy as the illegal acts of violence committed towards the crew or passengers of a private ship (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982). These acts include but not limited to boarding, extortion, hostage-taking, kidnap-for-ransom, robbery and murder. This undeniable risk prompted a certain initiative, for both ship owners and merchants to craft an insurance coverage that would guarantee them peace of mind and ultimately, protection. â€Å"Attack by pirates or any attempt of theft is covered by this policy that works around the gravity of damage to the aggrieved party† (Global Marine Practice, 2010). This agreement is subscribed in the charter party, in the form of a clause specific about piracy. A written contract shall be entered upon by both the ship owner and the merchant (charterer) signifying their commitment to responsibility when piracy occurs. Theoretically, however, charter clauses on piracy are generally centered on preventing and minimizing the hazards that ships may encounter when at sea. The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), the world-renowned shipping organization, instituted two widely-accepted supplementary charter clauses concerning piracy: the War Risks Clause for Voyage Chartering of 2004 or simply, the VoyWar 2004 and the Piracy Clause for Time Charter Parties of 2009. These governing rules are the ones implemented in almost all members of the shipping industry. The War Risks Clause for