Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Stakeholders Of Marks And Spencer Commerce Essay

Stakeholders Of Marks And Spencer Commerce Essay Marks and Spencer is an international retailer headquartered in London. It was formed in the year 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in partnership. It mainly specializes in cloth lines and high end food products. The major product lines of the organization are womens wear, children wear, sportswear, baby wear, perfumes and cosmetics, food and beverages, home appliances and etc. The brand has over 703 stores in UK and around 361 stores throughout the globe. The company recorded an annual turnover of  £9,934.3 billion by the end of year 2011. The firms profit for the year 2012 was projected to be  £489.6 million (Aaker, 2007). A wide range of information is required by the key stakeholder groups, for instance, customers want to know about the various products that the company is offering them, discount options available, information about the after sales services and etc. Likewise, the shareholders are interested in getting details regarding their dividends plus companys financial reports (Kisielnicki, 2011). Similarly, the community wants to know the operational style of the retailer to ensure that it is not violating any law of the land like employee exploitation, any threat to the environment and etc. Its competitors like Tesco, ASDA wish to know about the sales figure of the company, its position in the market, to analyze their competitive positioning. Information required by stakeholders in different organizations Monitoring and evaluation comprises of analysis and collection of data. All the relevant parties at every level need information for their respective subjects. Project managers require information about the consequences of a specific project to plan control the projects in a better way. Almost every organization publishes reports to give information to its stakeholders (Lee-Kelley and Sankey, 2008). Systems used for communicating with the Marks Spencer stakeholders In Marks Spencer, communication is all about the transmission of information. The company has both internal as well as external communication. Internal communication exists within the business of the retail giant, whereas external communication is present outside the boundaries of business. Both internal and external communications have witnessed great transformation owing to the rapid developments in communication and information technology. The company boasts of: An interconnected system of internal communication- internal network. An e-commerce system for B2C connections. An e-commerce system for B2B connections. When all these links are integrated with each other, a networked economy is created, which has greatly increased the potential of the company to associate with its workforce, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. The internal communication, i.e. communication with employees, shareholders is carried out in three ways i.e. oral, written and electronic. Information is transmitted verbally via face to face interactions, voice mails and etc. Information is communicated in written form by issuing letters, memos, and annual reports. Electronic communication is quickly overtaking other forms. The company has integrated this system in effectively. For instance, the stock list is now easily transmitted electronically from the supermarket to the main office. Transmission of all documents also takes place via emails only (Report on the Business of Marks and Spencer, n.d). Marks and Spencer communicates with its external stakeholders like customers, community, government and etc. using external modes of communication. Its public relation function is a tool to effectively communicate its nice image to the concerned people. Websites, advertisements, promotional campaigns, business letters are some other methods through which the company communicates with its outside key stakeholders (Electronic Shareholder Communication, 2012). Barriers in workplace communication There are several barriers to effective communication in the organization. Some of them are listed below: Inefficient listening skills Poor listening results from: Passive and not active listening and involvement when a person is speaking. No involvement with the subject matter or the other person. Material distractions like excessive noise in the environment, bad network. Disparity in the opinion with the person who is speaking, which results in mentally shutting off the other person. Biasness also creeps in, when a person chooses to listen to only some part and ignore the rest of the part (Perry, 2009). Information overload Receiving a message that contains too much information also acts as a barrier to effective communication. The receiver is not able to correctly interpret or decipher the information because of too many facts. For instance, if the company has put up an advertisement regarding its new product or offer, and too much information has been put into it, then the customer wont be able to digest all of it (4 Barriers to Effective Communication What to Do About Them, 2011). Non-Verbal Gestures At times, it might happen that what a person is speaking is contradicted by his body language and gestures. When this happens, the other person is likely to remember what he saw and not what he heard. Assumptions Postulating literally sabotages effective communication. For example, when the marketing head of Marks Spencer sees that his subordinates are nodding, he assumes that they understand what he is trying to convey, but the case may be totally opposite as well (4 Barriers to Effective Communication What to Do About Them, 2011). Influence of culture and values on communication Every culture and every behavior involves the use of communication. Thus, communication can be said to be a transmitting medium for the ideas and values of different culture. Personalities of people, their respective values and understanding levels also influence communication (Hyde and Williamson, 2000). Cultural Individualism- Collectivism affects communication through cultural norms and values which are beneath the broad culture. This directly impacts communication by way of the characteristics that an individual learns when he/she socializes. For instance, the Americans display individualism, whereas, Asians display collectivism. As Marks Spencer offers its products to both these regions, the cultural differences in the two areas are to be thoroughly considered and accordingly plan its communication strategies (Abubaker, n.d). High as well as low context communication is followed in every culture throughout the globe. People following collectivism culture use high context communication while fostering group cohesion and communicate in a straightforward manner. People belonging to individualistic culture use low context messages and communicate in an indirect manner. Cultures which are of high uncertainty avoidance nature follow unambiguous customs and norms to direct behavior for all kinds of situations. On the other hand, cultures with low uncertainty avoidance tendency are quite ambiguous and lack formal strictness. Face negotiation theory is a theory concerning the behavior and discussion in conflicting situations of people following collectivism and individualism. This theory is very popular for cross culture communication (Stubbs, n.d). Marks Spencer gives a lot of emphasis to cultural disparities and tries to comprehend plus eliminate all such gaps. Some of the initiatives started by the company are- Cross Cultural exposure The Company sends its employees to other countries for a definite period of time to acquaint them with other cultures. The employees stay there, work in other retail outlets of Marks Spencer and learn about the cultures and values of that place (Alon, 2000). Training and Workshops The company provides training and conducts workshops to train its executives in handling of various cultural issues and problems. Hiring multinational and multi cultural employees The organizations aims at hiring people from different cultures and nationality to create a synthesis of various cultures. Cognitive Dissonance This theory states that people are highly motivated to avoid differences in opinions arising out cultural disparities. People generally ignore listening to perspectives that contradict their own, in order to avoid conflicts and disharmony (Morton, 2005). The use of technology- how it fosters and hinders communication It is an obvious fact that communication is the foundation of our society. The commencement of communication technology and its several benefits has made the conducting of business easier internationally. Cost Savings- Cost savings is the biggest advantage of the improvement of technology in business communication. Activities that once involved huge capital can now be finished off easily and in less time. For instance, prior to the commencement of Voice of Internet Protocol technology, making a long distance call was very costly. But, owing to VoIP and cellular telephone technology making calls has become very cheap. Similarly, earlier the only way to send letters from one place to another was to take the services of a messenger or postal service. The email, however, has eliminated the need to transport hard copies (Esmailzadeh, 2006). Speed- The new technology has also increased the speed at which business operations take place. This is especially beneficial to retail companies that have interaction with suppliers in far-away locations. For instance, previously they had to plan meetings for individuals who are in different locations. Now, they can contact one another, sitting at their respective places owing to the video conferencing techniques (Derr, 2002). Hiring of Qualified employees- Several jobs that never existed before have now been created. Skilled professionals are required to maintain, install and operate new information and communication technology tools. On the other hand, the same technology can also act as an impediment to the business communication: Impersonal Attitude Employees might view electronic communication as impersonal if they only receive messages from managers through email. It also creates confusion as this requires more feedback in comparison to personal communication methods. Security Issues The new technology also raises several security concerns. Emails, text messages and other website communication are often vulnerable to be hacked by hackers or other individuals who should not have any rightful access to information (Hoof and et.al., 2005). High tech Equipment Expense The Company has to acquire new equipments to implement business communication technology in its operations. It also requires hiring a person who is capable of handling maintenance issues. This is an additional cost to the company (Wood, 2010). Difficulty Training Employees Retail companies face difficulty training employees about how to make use of the latest technology. They may have a difficult time making them understand the technology and how it work. The company might require shelling out a large sum of money on employee training (Miller, 2011). The procedure of communication from sender to receiver: Encoder: There should be a sender who wants s to communicate the idea. Message: A message can be in various forms verbal, non verbal, written, and electronic. Channel:Messages  are  conveyed  through  channels,  with  non ­verbal  Ã‚  verbal  social  interactions like televisions, telephone, meetings, conferences etc. Decoder: A decoder is the person who receives the message from the sender and decodes it to get the real meaning. Feedback: The receiver will give feedback as per his understanding of the message. Context: The  situation  in  which  your  message  is  delivered  is  the  context (Guffe and Loewy, 2010). Recommendations for the improvement of the Marks Spencer communication   To improve cultural communication between superiors subordinates, the following are the actions that can be taken: Implementation of more Intensive Information System: Technology plays an essential role in the activities of business, Therefore it is essential to improve the Information system of the organization by making sure that all of the employees will be connected to the latest updated communication system. It is also significant to focus on the various coaching and training procedures, where the recruits can apply for and get online class and seminars about different knowledge and skills, which will be supportive in order to fully motivate them to develop and improve, also leaders will have their thoughts about the demands and needs of the staff, which will be helpful in the process of implementing and planning programs and measures that will help to improve the motivation and spirit of the staff (Datamonitor Report, 2011). Focus more on the Culture influence on Communication: It is important for the company to stress on the variety of cultures, and how it can influence their communication. Therefore the below mentioned things can be done to enhance communication in cultural differences: Cross cultural training Intercultural management training Translation services (Miller, 2011) Measures that should be taken to have an effective Communication Plan Minimizing barriers to effective communication. Rendering proper communication an integral part of the overall plan. To bring out the untapped opportunities for improved communication, have effective systems in place. Conduct an assessment to evaluate the communication skills the retailer and find out areas which require polishing. Regular provision for training employees in improving their interpersonal skills communication skills and. Employ team in charge of the overall Communication of the company. Positive indicators that communication is more likely to be handled daily: Visible actions indicators A culture that endorses direct yet non-threatening dialogue in interpersonal relations. A culture that comprehends non-verbal communications (Aaker, 2007). CONCLUSION Thus it can be concluded that information is required by all stakeholder groups of an organization, though their information requirement varies. In Marks Spencer both internal as well as external communication exists. Internal communication exists within the business of the retail giant, whereas external communication is present outside the boundaries of business. The company has an interconnected system of internal communication- internal network, an e-commerce system for B2C connections and an e-commerce system for B2B connections. Marks Spencer also gives a lot of emphasis to cultural disparities and tries to comprehend plus eliminate all such gaps (Alon, 2000).

Monday, January 20, 2020

Frida Kahlo Essay -- Papers

Frida Kahlo Frida Kahlo's life was one marked by extreme suffering, extreme heroism, and extreme genius. Stricken with polio as a child then nearly crippled in a bus accident at the age of eighteen, Kahlo defied the odds not only by learnng to walk again (twice) but by taking the world by storm with her unique artistic vision. Frida Kahlo was born July 6, 1907 near Mexico City. However, she always claimed to be born in the year of the Mexican Revolution, 1910, in order to link her own birth to that of modern Mexico. It was just one of the many half-truths Kahlo told about her life, some say, in order to create a myth through which she would always be remembered. The desire to be remembered was always a central theme of Kahlo's art, as reflected in the many self-portraits she painted (the images for which she is best known). Once she embroidered a pillow for her husband, the muralist Diego Rivera, which read, "Remember me, my love." Kahlo's obsession with mortality is no mystery as illness, severe pain and the threat of death repeatedly imposed themselves on her young life. At age six, Kahlo contracted polio and had to spend 9 months confined to her room. During that time, she created an imaginary friend who would later be reflected in a painting called "The Two Fridas." Explaining the painting in her diary she wrote, "I experienced intensely an imaginary friendship with a little girl more or less the same age as me ... I followed her in all her movements and while she danced, I told her my secret problems." Once over the polio, Kahlo seemed determined to live life to the fullest. She became a tomboy at school and the le... ...e couple did divorce, in 1939, they reunited in less than a year. For all their troubles, they remained one another's greatest loves and greatest fans. That same year Kahlo suffered another blow. Her right leg had to be amputated below the knee due to a gangrene infection. On July 13, 1954, at the age of 47, Frida Kahlo died. The cause was never officially determined. The last entry in Kahlo's diary read, "I hope the leaving is joyful and I hope never to return." Little known outside of the art world until the 1990's, Frida Kahlo has recently become a cultural icon. Numerous books and articles have been written about her. She has been the subject of three documentaries, and a feature film about her life was released October 25, 2002. For a woman who wished to be remembered, it seems, her wish has come true.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Define Love

When it comes to love in needs a few thing and some of them are passion, intimacy and commitment. However depending the type of love or relationship varies. Passion is a form of an emotion that is how you feel someone, and intimacy is a measurement of how close you are to someone or familiar with them. Finally commitment is the act of being committed or committing yourself, to someone a measurement of loyalty. Now for each of love or relationship these three things are provided in different ways. Such as in a relationship with a friend the loyalty is strong and a form of passion and intimacy happens on a low enough level that most do not become physically engaged with each other. Now a family relationship these three things happen a slightly higher level with an extremely low level of physical of engagement such a hug or a kiss on the chick. Now a mutual relationship between two people unrelated in anyway, may have been friends at one point and time; but the level have increase in a way that there may or may not been some kind of physical engagement , a form of loyalty (commitment), passion and intimacy on a high level. All three of these form of relationship meaning and purpose are very different but the thing they have in common is very much the just in different intervals. It all boiling down to who, what, where, when, and how; But to try define something based emotion and the human mind is to try and define why most water runs south or why the wind blows or how the earth is the only inhabited planet. Each one of these is related because all relationships need these three things to function. To be hones this is all I can write about this, but if I must write more, I strongly believe that love is what really makes the world go round and develop people on a mysterious ways. Explaining how you believe an individual’s attachment style can affect the types of love relationships he or she has. An individual’s attachment style can greatly affect the type of love of relationships he or she has because, the attachment is define on the type of relationship as well the relationship, define one the attachment. This can also cause trouble among a relationship because one person’s level of attachment maybe stronger than the others. Or someone who is attached to someone who is not; this is how in some cases stalking happens or heart break. An attachment affects someone relationship because there is a need for attachment, where there is a need, there is a want as well as a requirement. Basically what I mean is the attachment defines a relationship because the attachment is based on the emotionally as well as the physical that is geared towards the person the attachment is for. An attachment is a bases as well as glue for a relationship defining it in a way for it to grow and be prosperous. And as a relationship grows so does the relationship, thou I still warn of an over attachment, in some instances it can become dangerous. Different level of attachment is how you are attached or feel towards your, sister, your mother, father, mother, daughter, son, friend and neighbors. Its how you are and feel towards each person you meet on your day to day life. as well as the people who come and go in your life. Building attachment and relationship as your grow old. It is the nesseccary good and evil of a relationship because attachments don’t always stay as they sometimes go and fade away. How can you ask someone to define an attachment, because no one really know except from their own experience, to define something from their own experience show the truth of their deferment and so the true color of what is meant in their words. Can it be expanded it a certain amount of words, maybe or maybe not; because people do run out of things to say. What I want to say is this, if you are not attached to the person whom you have a relationship with; no matter what level it is, and then you do not have a relationship. What is that you do have I cannot say, but it is best not spend time on it and is will benefit both if you simply walk away from it. So you have to view attachment from a certain view point and frankly it goes to a point of how the heart feels. An attachment is based on the relationship and affects the relationship because the attachment is based on the relationship, the level of love (sounding a little repeating because of the unessacery word count needed) . the attachment brings some together and some apart. The attachment is the defining moment in some cases when it is discovered. For an example when I discovered the attachment that I had to the women who later becomes my wife, I was overjoyed and pursued the attachment so I could keep the filling of happiness. We have now been married for five years and I couldn’t be even more happier. The attachment started our relationship and has defined it for these last five year and that is my point on how attachment affects relationships. If there where was anything else I could say about this then I would but I have ran out of words.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Gun control will not effect violent crime rates - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 547 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/10/10 Did you like this example? Gun control are policies meant to control the manufacture, sale, ownership or use of firearms by the civilians. The debate on gun control has been hitting the headlines in our media due to the current rise in crime rates in the United States. Most criminal activities are carried out with the help of firearm for instance, robbery and rape (Lott, 25). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Gun control will not effect violent crime rates" essay for you Create order Gun-related violence has inflicted much harm on the American society including the death of innocent people caught in the crossfire during mass shootings, gang-related shootout and incidences of armed robbery. We cannot ignore the harm done by these armed criminals, and we must take actions to stop this horror. With this regard, some legislators have pushed for policies that eliminate legal ownership of firearms with a view to controlling the rising crime rates. Gun control does not address the real problem at hand and will not reduce the violent crime rates. Gun control policies will take away guns from the hands of law abiding citizens leaving them vulnerable and defenseless. Under the second amendment of the US Constitution, every American citizen has a right to own a firearm (Rosen, 17). Guns are meant for self-defense in case of life-threatening incidences like robbery, rape and to stop mass shootings. Taking firearms from Americans would leave them unprotected and vulnerable to robbery and attacks by armed criminals. Gun control will only motivate criminal to carry out crimes since they know that their victims are unarmed (Zimring, 725). For this reason, putting restrictions on gun ownership does not address the real problem of crime. Even with Gun controls measure, criminal will still find ways to acquire arms. This is because most criminal acquire their firearms through the black market. This is confirmed by the fact that criminals always use illegal firearms such as sawed-off shotguns, homemade zip guns, and machine guns which are not around to be sold to civilians. This shows that criminals will not be affected by these restrictions on guns since they will still acquire firearms illegally and continue terrorizing people (Jones, 7). Instead of implementing policies that will make the American citizens more vulnerable, legislators should focus on the root causes of rising crime rates and address them. Despite the above arguments against gun control, putting restrictions on firearm ownership may in a way reduce the rising crimes rates in the country. Gun control may prevent some gun related violence that occurs as a result of irresponsible gun handling. Gun control policies do not deny the American citizens their Second Amendment rights since it does not eliminate the ownership of guns but put restrictions on it. Gun control puts strict background checks on those who have applied for guns to prevent terrorists and criminals from acquiring firearms (Kleck Britt, 271). These policies will definitely reduce the gun-related violence. In conclusion, I believe that making ownership of firearms illegal to civilians will not prevent criminal from acquiring guns and committing crimes. If anything, gun control will only encourage criminals to commit crimes because their victims are unarmed. The paper established that regulation of firearm acquisition by the government will not reduce gun-related violence in the country. Taking away guns from law abiding citizens does not address the actual problem of crime but makes these citizens defenseless and vulnerable to attacks.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Essay about McCarthyism versus the Salem Witch Trials

Many people in this world are accused of crimes so absurd that when put to trial, they name others of the same crime to redirect the focus from them to others like it happens in the actual day, every year, with minor cases. McCarthyism was one of those cases that changed history, likewise the Salem Witch Trials. McCarthyism had the same effect on people, people who were accused of communism blame others to lessen their penalty like in the Salem Witch Trials, so how the Salem Witch Trials and the McCarthy Era can connects although the great difference in time? Joseph McCarthy was a United States senator in the mid twentieth century who believed that the communists were taking over the State Department and were shaping the foreign†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"This is the time of the cold war. This is the time when the entire world is split into two vast increasingly hostile armed camps† (Joseph McCarthy). He thought that to find the peace that people wanted they could no longer close their eyes and close their ears to the problems in the government and in the world. To think that the communist revolution could not be carried out peacefully within the framework of a Christian democracy means one has either gone out of ones mind and lost all normal understanding, or has grossly repudiated the communist revolution. He knew that â€Å"The time was now†, that when a great democracy is destroyed, it will not be because of enemies from without but because of enemies from within (The Annals of America). One thing that can relate to the McCarthy Era is the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. McCarthy started McCarthyism as the group of girls started The Salem Witch Trials. He was like the group of girls, accusing innocent people of false acts. In the crucible many people were hanged, and in the McCarthy era many people lost their jobs, and were basically black mailed. Some of the events that were the same would be the hype in the towns. In Salem people were going crazy over the witch craze they could not take it anymore. In the United States many people were listening to McCarthy as people in Salem were to the girls, McCarthy was accusing people of incorrect acts, and the United States people believed it. In the events that happened in theShow MoreRelatedThe Crucible by Arthur Miller1085 Words   |  5 PagesCrucible,’ deals with the internal/external conflicts of protagonist John Proctor, during the witch trials of Salem; showing the effects of â€Å"an individual opposed to the will of the majority.† Through the mass hysteria caused by Abigail, corruption of justice and weakness of man; we see clearly the effects of fear and how Miller’s work translates into his own situation, during the introduction of McCarthyism. The most dominant outward human conflict between individual and society, is shown as ProctorRead MoreThe Crucible By Arthur Miller1355 Words   |  6 Pagesproves his point through The Crucible, a play about the Salem Witch Trials. Miller attacks the red scare, which was a time of fear of communism growing in America, and proves the how similar the two events were, and how they are important. As a political allegory of the red scare, Miller’s relatively accurate comparison between the red scare and the Salem Witch Trials through The Crucible demonstrates the theme of subjective reality versus objective reality, the dangers of lies and slander, and alsoRead MoreThe War Of Good Vs Evil1292 Words   |  6 PagesSamantha Avila Dr. Vance English 3 Honors, Period 2 13 October 2017 The War of Good Versus Evil Evil and good are at the end of very different spectrums; one meaning profound immorality while the other simply meaning moral. A character’s viewpoint on life very much defines the type of person he or she is. People can have differing opinions on what they consider to be good and evil. Lies, ignorance, injustice, wrath, greed, and so on are normally placed into the category of evil. Truth, knowledgeRead MoreEssay about The Fear of the Noose in The Crucible by Arthur Miller713 Words   |  3 Pagesin the book The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Arthur Miller establishes a period in the American history known as the Salem witch trials of 1692. It is a well built Puritan society in which the citizens are bonded with the church. During this time McCarthyism was in play, it was the anti-communist suspicions into the U.S. The theme in the story The Crucible was honesty and truth versus scapegoat. Arthur Miller used the noose to lead the reader to the theme of honesty vs. scapegoat. The noose represents

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The Epidemic Of The Obesity Epidemic Essay - 1488 Words

Introduction The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as the excessive accumulation of fat that puts the person’s health at risk (Lenzi et al., 2015). The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide over the past three decades. According to Holtz (2016), obese people have outnumbered the undernourished, with the World Health Organization estimating that 1.9 billion adults are overweight, out of which about 600 million are obese. Given the recent trends, it is estimated that 1.12 billion people will be obese by 2030 (Grossschà ¤dl, 2014). According to a report by the McKinsey Global Institute, 2014), the global impact of the obesity epidemic is estimated to be $20 trillion, or 2.8 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP), which is on a par with the global impact from terrorism, armed violence, smoking, and warfare. Setting the Context Presently, the toll of the epidemic on healthcare systems alone is between 2 percent and seven percent of net healthcare spending in industrialized economies, excluding the huge costs associated with the treatment of heart disease and type 2 diabetes that account for up to twenty percent of healthcare costs (Bassuk Manson, 2008; Alosco et al., 2015). In addition to the costs to healthcare systems, obesity undermines the productivity of employees, thereby undercutting corporate competitiveness. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013), during the period between 2011 and 2012, 62.8 percent of AustraliansShow MoreRelatedObesity : The Obesity Epidemic1509 Words   |  7 PagesThe Obesity Epidemic What is obesity? According to the Health Reference Center Academic, â€Å"Obesity is a clinical condition characterized by an excess of body fat†. Obesity causes serious and life-threatening diseases. Obesity can be calculated using the BMI or Body mass index. The higher the BMI the more obese a person is considered. More than 1 third of the population in the US is obese. Medical costs for treating obesity were estimated at $147 billion in 2008. Non-Hispanic black and Mexican AmericanRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity1133 Words   |  5 PagesObesity has always been a topic that many have had due to the increase attention it has received. Across America, there has been a lot of attention on the obesity epidemic. In America and the inner cities, more people are eating meals away from home in addition to consuming larger portions from fast food restaurants. At this rate, gaining weight is the likely outcome. High energy dense food has become convenient and affordable. Fas t food is almost everywhere in America and, contributes to the growingRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity2517 Words   |  11 Pagesof obesity in children is on the rise in America. One in three children in America is obese (Kelly). Anyone can recognize there is a problem with the growing numbers of children overweight, however, no one has come up with a way to stop the obesity epidemic. This epidemic in children has been caused by numerous factors now numerous solutions can stop this if they are put in use. Children are weighing more than they ever have. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, â€Å"Obesity hasRead MoreObesity : The Obesity Epidemic2984 Words   |  12 PagesThe Obesity Epidemic What is obesity? A condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body; obesity is when someone is so overweight that it is a threat to their health (â€Å"What is Obesity?†). Obesity is an increasing global health problem. Corpulence is an important matter because of the astounding magnitudes that this disease has reached in the past 30 years (â€Å"Health and Aging†). Obesity is the reason for nearly 10 percent of the national medical budget, whichRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic2270 Words   |  9 Pagesoverweight or obesity. BMI can be easily calculated by an individual’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of individual’s height in meters (kg / m^2). According to the World Health Organization, an individual is classified by BMI, in the following order: underweight = 18.5, normal weight = 18.5-24.9, overweight = 25-29.9, obesity = 30. BMI is useful to measure population because it is standardized in both sexes and all ages in adults. According to the WHO, overweight and obesity is the fifthRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Obesity And Obesity1319 Words   |  6 Pages There’s an appalling epidemic in today’s society sweeping across not only the United States, but all across the globe. This horrible epidemic isn’t the bird flu, or any type of sickness, rather obesity. Today, obesity rates are at an all time high in America. This disease, obesity, is being passed down the family both genetically, and by the terrible eating habits developing in the US. Kids growing up in this generation are facing frightening issues such as increased risk of heart disease, diabetesRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity967 Words   |  4 Pagesthe issue. There has been substantial encouragement, which has pressured governments and politicians to implement restrictions on the publicising of unhealthy foods, particularly those targeting children. (Jolly, R. 2011) Researchers of the epidemic of obesity are inclined to emphasise environmental aspects, including the convenience of high-calorie appetising junk foods in conjunction with the influence of television programming, video games, computers and tablets that discourage exercise. TheoreticallyRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic : Obesity Essay1696 Words   |  7 PagesThe obesity epidemic proves to be an issue in America and continues to grow with time. In simple terms, obesity is a disorder where the subject has increasing amounts of fat, leading to health problems in the future. This epidemic has steadily increased in American bodies for decades and researchers have tried to find the root causes of this problem. Though there is controversy as to what is the primary cause of this rising epidemic, it is clear that there are many factors that contribute to theRead MoreThe Obesity Epidemic Of Obesity1540 Words   |  7 PagesThe Obesity Epidemic is a topic widely studied and mentioned in several contexts’ both medical and social. Obesity is described by Boero (2012) to have exploded in meaning Post- World War II to be more than a â€Å"physical flaw.† Weight concern became an idea that debuted in magazines mainly targeting women and emphasizing â€Å"natural thinness.† The disappearance of the normally worn â€Å"corset† and popularization of the typical 1920’s â€Å"boy catching† flapper, increased the production of diet products and theRead MoreObesity : The Obesity Epidemic1711 Words   |  7 PagesThe obesity epidemic has now become one of the most pressing issues of our time. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) said â€Å"...obesity has more than doubled worldwide since 1980. In 2014, more than 1.9 billion adults (39 percent of Earth’s adult population) were overweight. That includes 600 million who were obese† (Kiener 2015). In the United States, slightly more than one third of adults are obese (FRAC 20 16), and obesity-related deaths make up 18% of all deaths, which is now more than

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Distributed Consortium on Theory and Practice †MyAssignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about the Distributed Consortium on Theory and Practice. Answer: Introduction: Culture shock is the phenomenon where an individual experiences loneliness and loss of identity due to a rapid shift in their normal physical environment. Culture shock in Australia manifests as foreigners try to navigate their way through the social and economic spheres of life. It is important to note that culture shock can also be experienced by Australians as they navigate through different cities within the country. Due to the effects of culture shock, it is important for organizations to develop inclusive and effective IHRM strategies to reduce its negative effects among employees. The paper will evaluate effective IHRM strategies policies and practices that could help manage culture shock within an organization and highlight how UGL Limited has succeeded and managing culture shock. The successful implementation of Human Resource management policies denotes a strategic collaboration between the HR team and leadership. Considering organizational success is rooted in its human capital, most organizations value their workforce and invest in their motivation, development, and empowerment. To manage culture shock, IHRM strategies need to focus their efforts on the social aspects of employees. Culture shock manifests in four distinct stages which determine whether the individual will eventually become accustomed to the new culture and be integrated into the new society (Price, 2016). First, is the honeymoon stage where the new experience is romanticized. The pace of life, new food and the habits of the locals seem enigmatic and enticing. Within an organizational context, an employee experiencing this stage will demonstrate general enthusiasm and zeal for work insisting that the Australian experience is hypnotic and exciting. Despite the utopian nature of this stage, HRM strategies should begin taking effect here to prepare foreign employees for the inevitable. Through inclusive training and education programs, HR can strive to demonstrate the difference in customs. It would be prudent for the programs to highlight the most significant differences in cultural attitude and communication skills. An engaging session will inspire conversation among the employees and get them to talk about their different cultures in a fun and involving way. Another IHRM policy that could greatly help ease the effects of culture shock is when practices provide a link between the organizational culture and the general Australian culture. As new employees are oriented into the organization and familiarized with the different aspects of organizational culture, they should also be told how it interplays with the countrys culture (Von Glinow et al., 2002). For example, the cultural value in Australia emphasizes the importance of equality, freedom and the egalitarian spirit something that permeates through every aspect of social Australian life. Foreigners need to appreciate this culture and incorporate these ideas into their everyday life. The second stage is perhaps the most crucial and involves negotiation as the individual struggles to make sense of his/her new environment (Price, 2016). Here, reality kicks in and there is a heightened sense of disconnect within the individual bringing along feelings of concern, anxiety, and loneliness. This is the most crucial stage of culture shock and IHRM strategies should be specially designed to handle employees at this stage. The stage generally manifest after a couple of months in Australia as the disparities between the native and foreign culture manifests in every aspect of their daily lives. communication plays a critical role in the context of culture shock and HRM strategies should be geared towards providing a platform where employees can talk about their experience in Australia. Such strategies should focus on allowing informal groups where foreigners are given a platform to express their concerns and worries about living and working in Australia. The informal groups will create a safe environment for the foreigners where they can interact with Australians and get moral support (Philippe Didry, 2015). They will also slowly become accustomed to the linguistics nuances and conversation tone commonly used by Australians which will greatly help overcome the language barrier associated with the local accent. The HRM policies should continue with the training and education programs through this stage as the realities of living and work in a foreign country begin to set in (Von Glinow et al., 2002). The programs in this stage should be more personal and geared towards individuals wellbeing. The programs should focus on helping them understand how to pick up patterns to facilitate their capacity to foster new relationships. The two last stages of adjustment and adaptation occur over a period of six months and over. Individuals become accustomed to the new culture and develop positive attitudes towards how things work in Australia. Through the adaptation stage, individuals master the culture and can comfortably function in the host culture (Wood, 2016). It is important to note that every individual reacts differently and will move through the stages at their own pace. Due to this phenomenon, IHRM strategies should be mindful of the individual differences between their employees and appreciate that everyone responds differently to social change. Through these two stages, HRM policies should focus on collecting feedback from employees with the aim of measuring the effectiveness of the programs implemented through their transition process. UGL Limited is an Australian engineering company that provides asset management services and maintenance to corporate real estates, rail, and infrastructure sectors. The organization is committed to its workforce and aims to deliver sustainable growth through investing in a talented workforce (UGL, 2018). To counter the negative effects of culture shock, UGL Limited focuses on training and feedback to help employees reach their potential. The company has an overall impressive employee plan that supports career development and continuous learning to provide employees with the opportunity to develop their skills through new experiences. Communication plays a critical role in the employee programs designated towards countering culture shock (PhilippeDidry, 2015). The programs include both formal and informal sessions where foreign employees are given a chance to interact with others and highlight their experience living in the country. Their colleagues also get involved and provide mora l support and assistance to help them get accustomed to the cultural values of the country and the organization. The organization provides a conducive working environment where employees get to learn and adapt. In conclusion, since different society upholds different sets of values and norms, experiencing some degree of culture shock is inevitable when individuals move into a new society. IHRM policies and practices should strive towards helping foreign employees adjust and adapt to their new environment. Throughout the different stages of culture, shock policies should be focused on formal and informal training and education programs. Communication and feedback will help in measuring and control to determine the effectiveness of the programs. Just like the case of UGL Limited, culture shock is a phenomenon that can be effectively managed through sound HRM. References Philippe, S., Didry, P. (2015). Practice analysis: culture shock and adaptation at work. Revue de l'infirmiere, (216), 31-33. Price, J. (2016). The regulator: Culture shock. Company Director, 32(4), 23. UGL. (2018). Winning with people. Investing in our people. Retrieved from https://www.ugllimited.com/investing-in-our-people- Von Glinow, M. A., Drost, E. A., Teagarden, M. B. (2002). Converging on IHRM best practices: Lessons learned from a globally distributed consortium on theory and practice. Human Resource Management, 41(1), 123-140. Wood, G. (2016). The shock of the real: romanticism and visual culture, 1760-1860. Springer.