Managers vs Leaders

MANAGEMENT 100 Using examples, compare and contrast the characteristics of both managers and leaders. There is a lot of confusion, or at least very different views, about what is meant by management and what is meant by leadership, about whether the work of managers is fundamentally different from the work of leaders, and whether they are in fact different roles at all. Of course the meaning of such ambiguous words will depend on the definition people choose to give those words, and there are many authors who use management and leadership interchangeably while there are other authors who stipulate very separate definitions for each.As Summarized by Professor Warren Bennis, â€Å"Management is getting people to do what needs to be done. Leadership is getting people to want to do what needs to be done† (Bennis 1989). Whilst managers have the authority to make people get work done, leaders will inspire, motivate and mentor people in to getting this work done. Many managers have n ot yet mastered the interpersonal skills needed in order to have good leadership skills. (The Talent Management Experts, 2007). â€Å"Leadership occurs through the use of influence, not the use of force† (Naddafpour, 2012). Jim Clemmer’s idea is that â€Å"we manage things and we lead people† (Clemmer 2012).Management is said to focus more on work. We manage physical assets such as money, paperwork, equipment, etc. Management tends to maintain focus on Fayols four functions of Planning, Organising, controlling, and leading. (Waddell, Jones and George 2011) They also problem solve, cope with complexity, budget and make effective decisions. Whereas Leadership focuses on people and how they are mentored. Leaders will typically create vision and set a direction to promote change and develop strategies to inspire, innovate and motivate people, forming relationships and creating teamwork (Future Visions. n. d. ).Typically these are the general definitions given by mos t authors however everyone has their own ideas about the work that each does. In a Harvard Business Review Classic article, Zaleznik (1992, 15) observed that managerial culture emphasizes rationality, order and control, and that a manager is a problem solver. He went on to suggest that leadership requires very different skills and behaviours more similar to an artist, that leaders tolerate chaos and lack of structure, they are creative and concerned with transformation. Zaleznik argued that the development of a leader is very different to that of a manager.In so doing Zaleznik not only proposes that leadership work is indeed different from management work but also that managers and leaders are different roles and different people. In another Harvard Business Review article entitled â€Å"What Leaders really Do† Kotter (2001, 85) writes that management and leadership are â€Å"two distinctive and complementary systems of action†¦. Both are necessary for success in an inc reasingly complex and volatile business environment. † For Kotter, management is about coping with complexity, about creating order and stability. In contrast, leadership is about coping with change.He uses a military analogy: a peacetime army is about administration and management with good leadership only necessary at the top, whereas in wartime people must be led into battle by leaders at all levels. Kotter elaborates that management is about planning and budgeting whereas leadership is about setting direction, management is about organizing and staffing whereas leadership is about aligning people, and finally management is about controlling and problem solving whereas leadership requires motivating and inspiring. Kotter describes the commonly parroted list of differences between what leaders do and managers do.It is probably more accurately a description of management behaviours/work and leadership behaviours/work than a distinction between â€Å"managers† and †Å"leaders†. In truth many managers do much leadership work, and many leaders do much management work, so it the distinction between roles is a bit artificial, but it is true there are different types of work. The commonly held distinction between manager and leader is perhaps summed up well by Hickman (1990, 7): â€Å"The words ‘manager’ and ‘leader’ are metaphors representing two opposite ends of a continuum. Manager’ tends to signify the more analytical, structured, controlled, deliberate, and orderly end of the continuum, while ‘leader’ tends to occupy the more experimental, visionary, flexible, uncontrolled, and creative end. †¦ I like to think of the prototypical manager as the person who brings the thoughts of the mind to bear on the daily organisational problems. † In contrast the leader brings the feelings of the soul to bear on those same problems†¦. The mind represents the analytical, calculating, structu ring, and ordering side of tasks and organisations.The soul, on the other hand, represents the visionary, passionate, creative, and flexible side. † Jacques and Clement (1994, 19) suggest that the separation of manager from leader has â€Å"reinforced the modern day tendency to debase the idea of the managerial role. † They say it is an unrealistic and incorrect separation. Instead managers have leadership accountabilities, and to be a good manager one also needs to demonstrate good leadership. Being a â€Å"good boss† is not about simply relying on hierarchical authority but about setting purpose and getting people to move in the direction of that achieving that purpose.Similarly McDonald, Burke and Stewart (2006, 79) lament that leader is used in a positive manner suggesting charisma and vision, and â€Å"doing the right thing†, whereas manager is used in a somewhat demeaning fashion to mean rule following, concerned with efficiency, â€Å"doing things right†. They argue that this is a misleading dichotomy. Instead they argue that all managers are leaders in the sense that they lead people, that being a manager entails doing leadership work (as well as doing other management work such as planning, budgeting, etc. ). On the other hand not all leaders are necessarily managers.The leadership quality of a manager reflects their ability â€Å"to create a productive culture through social process†. In all it is believed by some that to be a good manager you need to be a good leader but to be a good leader you do not need to be a manager (Webster, 2012). But can you really point to one individual person and say â€Å"they are a manager but not a leader† and to another and say â€Å"they are a leader but not a manager†. The two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Which is why some authors actually talk about â€Å"managerial leadership†! So what does all this add up to?Certainly there are different vi ews about whether managers and leaders are the same or different roles/people. It is perhaps a false dichotomy or at least not useful in so far as there are many many people with the job title of â€Å"Manager† but for whom a good deal of their work is leadership work. However most authors do agree that there is a set of characteristics/skills/values/behaviours which can clearly be defined as leadership attributes, and the exercise of these attributes is identifiable as leadership work and it is indeed distinct from the planning, controlling, budgeting, reporting work of a manager. ReferencesBennis, W. 1989. On becoming a leader. London: Hutchinson Business Books. Clemmer, J. 2012. Management vs. Leadership. http://www. jimclemmer. com/management-vs. -leadership. php (accessed May 14, 2012). Future Visions. n. d. Leader Vs Manager. http://www. futurevisions. org/ldr_mgr. htm (accessed May 14, 2012). Hickman, C. R. 1990. Mind of a Manager- Soul of a Leader. Canada: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jaques, E. , and S. D. Clement. 1994. Executive Leadership: A Practical Guide to Managing Complexity. Arlington: Cason Hall & Co Kotter, J. P. 2001. What Leaders Really Do. Harvard Business Review, December: 85.Macdonald, I. , C. Burke and K. Stewart. 2006. Systems Leadership: Creating Positive Organisation. England: Gower Publishing Limited. Naddafpour, Ali. (2012). Chapter 11: Leadership and Influence Processes. Lecture notes. Retrieved from College of the Canyons Website: http://www. canyons. edu/Faculty /naddafpoura/Bus110/Bus110Ch11Sum. htm (accessed May 14, 2012). The Talent Management Experts. 2007. Business Impact Leadership [Brochure]. Sydney: Development Dimensions International Inc. Waddell, D. , G. R. Jones, and J. M. George. 2011. Contemporary Management. 2nd ed. North Ryde, NSW: McGraw-Hill Webster, A. 2012.Comparison of Management and Leadership. http://www. ehow. com/info_7758884_comparison-management-leadership. html (accessed May 14, 2012). Zaleznik, A . 1992. Managers and Leaders: Are they Different. Harvard Business Review, March: 15. http://hbr. org/1992/03/managers-and-leaders-are-they-different/ar/1 (accessed May 14, 2012). | SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENTAssignment COVER SHEET| Your Name/s| SHARNI TIETZEL| Student No/s| 14859351| Unit Name| Management 100| Unit Index No. | 10848| TUTOR’S Name| MARTIN TURNBULL| TUTORIAL Day/Time/Class| EXTERNAL| Assignment Title (where applicable)| INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT| | Don’t forget to date stamp| 18/05/2012|Students comments to Lecturer/Tutor (if any)| | | | Please read the following and sign where indicatedDECLARATION: I/We declare the attached assignment is my/our own work and has not previously been submitted for assessment. This work complies with Curtin University of Technology rules concerning plagiarism and copyright. [Refer to www. policies. curtin. edu. au/documents/unit_outlines_plagiarism_state. doc for plagiarism and copyright information. ] I/We have retained a copy of th is assignment for my own records. Signed: SHARNI TIETZEL| THIS SECTION IS TO BE COMPLETED BY LECTURER/TUTOR: COMMENTS TO STUDENT| | | | | | | | Recorded Mark| | Lecturer| | Date| | ASSESSMENT 2 RESPONSE SHEET – Individual Essay Students need to use both in-text referencing and build a reference list. Students must use 8 sources of reference – fewer than this will result in a ‘fail’ grade. | | Mark| Research * A range of sources used * Detail and relevance of research * Originality of sources/approach * Overall depth and quality of research| /20| Content * Effective introduction * Body of essay- clear discussion that remains focused on the topic * Conclusion – restatement of purpose, summary of major findings, synthesis of argument. /20| Analysis * Critical analysis (Developing an argument or a point of view) * Overall depth and quality of analysis| /30| References * Minimum reference requirements met * References used to support arguments and ideas * Correct CHICAGO Version 16 style * All references cited in-text| /20| Academic writing * Grammar * Writing is clear and concise * Sentence structure * Paragraph structure * Spelling * Use of third person voice * Overall academic style| /10| General Comments: (in particular what the participant would need to do to get a higher mark and what has been done well) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|

Haw Par Value Chain & Financial Ratios Analysis Essay

1. PART ONE 1.1 Introduction Haw Par Corporation Limited is a multinational corporation engaged in healthcare, leisure businesses securities and real estate investment, among which we will mainly focus on Haw Par’s traditional business sector-the healthcare segment, which includes 9 subsidiaries (Annual report, 2010). Based on revenues generated and locations of manufacturing facilities, two prominent geographical markets, Asia and America, are selected for discussion. We will look into the competitive environment of the corporation, and the generic strategies adopted to survive in the environment. Then we will investigate operations within Haw Par by analyzing its value chain activities, and propose improvements to enhance its competitive advantages. Lastly, we will identify the top risks imposed to the corporation. 1.2 Competitive Environment – Michael Porter’s Five-Forces Model 1.2.1 Threat of New Entrants Initial capital requirement of entering the healthcare industry is high, including investment in property, plant, equipment and research and development. Moreover, compliance burden with various regulations is heavy, as illustrated by the warning letter received by Haw Par from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. Besides, its scale of business, well-establish brand and distribution network are difficult to imitate. Thus, the threat of new entrant is low. 1.2.2 Threat of Substitute Currently, Haw Par’s healthcare products mainly consist of traditional herbal medicines and newly developed chemical products. The substitutes of herbal medicines are mostly western chemical medicines. We can see that Haw Par is actively responding to the challenge of chemical medicines. However, the existing pharmaceutical companies are very strong, and their products are more competitive on the whole. Therefore, the threat of substitutes is medium. 1.2.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers The products of healthcare division are mainly traditional Chinese medicine oil and its related products, as well as muscle rub, spray and gel (Hoover’s, 2011). As the products are generally medications for daily use, the majority of buyers are individual consumers. Hence, the buyers’ bargaining power is weak. However, if the buyers’ group is large, for example, wholesalers or retailers, the bargaining power of buyer could be moderate or high (ME Porter, 2000). 1.2.4 Bargaining Power of Suppliers Due to Haw Par’s broad product lines, it would have contracted with vast suppliers for the procurement of various crude materials. The main ingredients are common Chinese medicines (Alternative Health Supplies, 2005). The company may choose from a wide range of suppliers. In general, bargaining power of suppliers is low. 1.2.5 Industry Competitors Haw Par has distinguished itself from small and medium size medicine oil businesses by its branding and broad market distribution, yet it is still involved in intense competition with business of comparable market share, for example, Biosensors International and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited which is a main competitor both in Asian and American market. In 2010, Sun Pharmaceutical’s deal with Taro Pharmaceutical Industries boosted Sun’s dermatology and topical products in U.S which might deeply affect Haw Par’s extension market. Generally rivalry among existing firms is high (Hoover’s, 2011). 1.3 Competitive Strategies – Michael Porter’s Three Generic Strategies The general global economic climate took a favorable turn in 09-10, boosting the consumer confidence. On the other hand, the competitive environment of the business is challenged by the intense competition and rising costs (PM Danzon, 2000). To enhance the performance of the business, Haw Par had responded â€Å"by introducing more products that will appeal to a larger group of consumers and by conducting more intensive marketing† (Wee Cho Yaw, 2010). The generic strategy adopted by the business is focus differentiation. The business focused on selective markets and products to raise entry barrier. For example, Haw Par launch a new product in 2011—Tiger Balm Active Muscle Rub which focused on a certain buyer segment—sporting enthusiasts. It also endeavored to distinguish itself by branding as well as adding uniqueness and value to products. One such example comes from Tiger Balm Medicated Plaster, a product with combined functions of energizing body and relieving pains. To do branding, Haw Par increased popularity by sponsoring public events such as marathons in Singapore, and advertising in national magazines in America (Haw Par, 2010). Besides, it also undertook social responsibility by contributing to charities, such as organizing the fundraising event â€Å"The Tiger Balm Record Roar† which supported the Society for the Physically Disabled (Haw Par, 2010). This focus differentiation strategy helped lower the degree of substitutability of other companies’ products and reduce the level of competition. 1.4 Top Three Business Risks The top risk was the intense competition from existing companies, as this would directly affect the percentage of market share owned by Haw Par, and hence its profitability. The second risk was the rising cost of raw materials, which was also an industry-wide problem that might limit a company’s development. Another risk was the failure of compliance with regulations, which had only emerged in the US market, but certainly reflected defects in Haw Par’s internal control. 1.4.1 Intense Competition from Existing Companies Haw Par Corp Ltd faced strong competition from a number of multinational corporations. According to the Competitive Landscape Singapore, in 2011, Haw Par ranks the third in the healthcare sector for market capitalization. The companies listed in Appendix 1 are the major competitors of Haw Par Healthcare Limited in Singapore. Besides, although Haw Par’s healthcare products were distributed to 150 countries via 70 distributors, it still faced high risk from competitors which could render its market share shrink in the health-care area (Haw Par, 2010). To mitigate this risk, Haw Par managed to boost its market shares through improvement of Tiger Balm brand by advertising, sales promotions and the extension of manufacturing line. Another strategy adopted was to diversify product line to broaden customer choices so that consumers would be more likely to choose Haw Par’s product and hence this risk would be minimized. 1.4.2 Increase in Costs of Raw Materials Due to upwards general inflationary pressure, unit price of herbal materials for traditional Chinese medicine was expected to rise. Haw Par also expressed serious concerns in its annual report on rising costs of raw materials and operating activities that would erode its profitability in healthcare sector. This would be one of the reasons why gross profit slipped 3.52% while net profit raised 88.50% in 2010, compared with 2009. To neutralize the negative impact, Haw Par put emphasis on expanding its product portfolio to cater for more customers (The edge, 2011). 1.4.3 Failure to Comply with Regulations and Provisions When Haw Par was expanding its market in foreign countries, it faced challenges in conforming to the different regulations and standards. For example, an inspection on Haw Par’s manufacturing facilities by FDA, discovered â€Å"significant violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations for finished pharmaceuticals† (FDA, 2010). Failure of conforming to regulations would pose a potential threat of being banned in specific markets, which would negatively affect revenue, brand image and social acceptance. To mitigate this risk, Haw Par shall immediately review the unqualified production and procurement practice while proposing appropriate remedies. Furthermore, Haw Par shall also seek opportunity to make appeal to the public so as to restore and conserve its corporate image. 1.5 Value Chain Activities – Primary Activities 1.5.1 Inbound Logistics For Haw Par’s health-care segment, inbound logistics contains management of raw materials, inventory control, warehousing and even returns to suppliers. Efficient inventory management system is an essential factor in boosting profits for Haw Par, by enhancing efficiency and thus reducing expenses. 1.5.2 Operations In the operating process, value is created through transforming the raw materials into final products. Unfortunately, Haw Par Healthcare was warned by FDA about mislabelled products and inadequacies (FDA, 2010). In this case, Haw Par failed to show itself â€Å"to be capable to detecting potential impurities†. Therefore Haw Par Healthcare should improve its testing and packaging operations, so as to maintain its product quality to secure current market position (CBS Interactive, 2010). 1.5.3 Outbound Logistics Though possessing a worldwide distributing network covering 70 countries, Haw Par continued expanding its markets. Nevertheless, Haw Par’s healthcare manufacturing facilities were centralized in its major markets, so as to reduce the costs and improve the overall efficiency. 1.5.4 Marketing and Sales Haw Par focused on marketing activities to boost sales and build brand image, as discussed in competitive strategies. According to the General Manager Ah Kuan Han, Haw Par would intensify substantial advertising activities to enlarge consumer bases (The Business Times, April 1st 2010). According to the horizontal analysis of income statement, the sales and marketing expense increased by 6.00% in 2010. Furthermore, with the already widespread fame, Haw Par was striving to expend its market in UK, America, Caribbean and other parts of world through its comprehensive marketing and sales strategies (The Business Times, 2009). 1.5.5 Service Haw Par has built the Tiger Balm website to facilitate serving its customers. The website provides a wide range of information about its products. Haw Par also provides experience sharing service on its website, through which past users can share their experience with others. 1.6 Value Chain Activities – Support Activities 1.6.1 General Administration A strong and effective board of directors would bring Haw Par to success, by supporting the whole Haw Par Corporation through the activities including planning, general management, risk management, and so on. Good management and information systems would increase operating efficiencies as well as improving the company’s image. 1.6.2 Human Resource Management Haw Par has been recruiting a large pool of staffs. More significantly, Haw Par emphasized on maintaining high quality employees, as evidenced in its advertisement of hiring o-level and above diploma holders as laboratory technicians. (Jobstreet.com, 2011) 1.6.3 Technology Development Haw Par has been actively engaged in technology development, indicated by its â€Å"launching of line extensions on a slate of new products that would address lifestyle needs of modern consumers† (Haw Paw, 2010), which would secure Haw Par’s long term competitiveness in the market. Yet Haw Par shall continue its efforts in innovation to further strengthen market power and improve efficiency. 1.6.4 Procurement As the ingredients of Haw Par’s product are mainly traditional herbs supplied from China, India and Malaysia, the cost of materials from these suppliers is relatively low. However, the procurement activity still needs to be further improved. As mentioned above, Haw Par received a warning letter from FDA which identified a problem of unqualified suppliers. Thus, apart from outsourcing cheaper raw material from suppliers, Haw Par should keep monitoring its suppliers regularly to ensure reliability. 2.2 Financial Ratios Analysis The following sessions will assess the profitability, liquidity (including operating efficiency) and solvency of Haw Par in 2009 and 2010, and account for any substantial fluctuation emerged, through analyzing relevant financial ratios respectively. One of Haw Par’s major competitors – Sun pharmaceutical industries Ltd. is also referred to for comparison. 2.2.1 Profitability Analysis Ratios adopted here include net profit margin, gross profit margin, return on assets, return on equity and earnings per share. The net profit margin of Haw Par nearly doubled from 46.10% to 86.90%. Such a rise is aligned with the increase in sales revenue from $124m to $130m, mainly due to the recovering global economy. As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated, the world real GDP growth is 1.4% and 2.5% for 2009 and 2010 respectively, while for Asian countries the growth was estimated to be 5.5% and 7.0% (Michael Mussa, 2009). As an Asian company, Haw Par has benefited greatly from the economic recovery. However, the gross profit margin displays a slight decrease from 58.25% to 56.20%. This can be partially attributed to rising material costs and operating expenses. Haw Par reported a 7.51% increase in costs of sales while Sun Pharmaceutical reported a 28.3% rise in the costs of sales. Consistent with the trend shown in profit margins, the return on assets, return on equity and earnings per share ratios are also nearly doubled, owing to a better economic environment. Though the total assets and owners’ equity increased due to the market expansion in America, the increase is insufficient to offset the effect of a strong rebound in net income. In short, ratios concerning the profitability manifest a rising trend, and thus we conclude that Haw Par’s profitability has improved from 2009 to 2010 by tapping the opportunity of the warming global economic climate. It also outperformed its competitor, Sun Pharmaceutical, which reported an 8.62% fall in income from operation in 2009-2010(Sun Pharmaceutical, 2010). 2.2.2 Liquidity and Efficiency Analysis Ratios adopted here comprise of current ratio, quick ratio, assets and fixed asset turnover, inventory and receivable turnover, average days in inventory, and average days of receivables. Quick ratio and current ratio are used to assess group’s ability to pay the current liabilities due within one year. The current ratio of Haw Par dropped from 12.57 to 12.09 because of the fair value losses in its investment in United Overseas Bank Limited and disposal of available-for-sale financial assets (Haw Par, 2010). However, the quick ratio, a more stringent measure on liquidity, indicated a rise from 2.70 to 3.31. The contradictory result is actually justifiable on the basis of the very reasons just mentioned. Due to an increase in cash and net accounts receivable, the quick ratio increased, it can be concluded that Haw Par demonstrated a greater capability in meeting its short term bond obligations. The assets turnover and fixed assets turnover ratios assess the group’s ability to generate revenue for each dollar invested in assets and fixed assets respectively. Haw Par’s assets turnover experienced a slight drop from 0.07 to 0.06, while its fixed assets turnover increased from 2.73 to 2.91. Possible explanation would be the group’s heavier investment in subsidiaries and inventories, which increased the total assets, resulting in lower asset turnover ratio. Since the fluctuations on both indicators are insignificant, it is unconvincing to say that Haw Par’s management efficiency improved. The inventory turnover ratio and average days in inventory assess how fast the company is selling its inventories. From 2009 to 2010, the inventory turnover declined from 8.19 to 7.41 and average days in inventory lengthened from 44.59 to 49.29. This is attributed to a 52.30% increase in inventory. These two indicated that Haw Par’s inventory management became less efficient. However, Haw Par might have accumulated inventory purposely to counteract the negative impact of rising raw material costs. The receivable turnover and average days of receivables both indicated the improved efficiency in collecting receivables. While the receivable turnover rose from 6.17 to 6.99, the average days of receivables fell accordingly from 59.20 to 52.23 days. It is discussed earlier that sales revenue increased sharply. Besides higher sales revenue, another factor accounting for this may be a better economic situation under which fewer customers face liquidity problem. In all, though its current ratio decreased slightly, Haw Par still retains its ability to cover short-term debt. However, there is still room for Haw Par to enhance its operating efficiency. It may improve the inventory and receivable management system to boost its business performance. 2.2.3 Solvency Ratio Analysis Ratios adopted for solvency analysis are debt to assets and cash acquisition. The debt to asset ratio reflects the degree of reliance on creditor finance. Haw Par’s debt to asset decreased from 0.047 to 0.045, indicating Haw Par’s improvement of financing strategy by financing more on equity. Two possible explanations for that change may be: (1) Sufficient cash flow allowed Haw Par to rely less on loans. (2) The promising trend in economy helped restore confidence of shareholders who in turn invested actively, as evidenced by the rise in share capital. The cash acquisition ratio nearly doubled from 5.92 to 9.40. The numerator, net cash from operation, plummeted by more than half; however, the denominator, cash paid for PPE, fell more dramatically by two thirds. The two fluctuations as a whole resulted in a rise in cash acquisition ratio, giving a positive indication on Haw Par’s solvency situation. As the two ratios suggested, it seems plausible that Haw Par has improved its solvency. However, its competitor Sun Pharmaceutical, with the debt to assets ratio of merely 0.026, has outperformed Haw Par in solvency. It is still possible for Haw Par to improve further. 3. CONCLUSION To conclude, though benefited from the overall economic recovery, Haw Par was also surrounded by risks and challenges in the competitive environment. However, it has been actively engaged in product innovation and adopted pertinent strategies, especially in marketing sector. Haw Par’s responses were fairly effective in tackling the above-mentioned problems, as proven by its successful financial year. So far, Haw Par has been tapping the benefits of economies of scale, enjoying the opportunities in the emerging Asian market and taking advantage of the global economic recovery. Yet in the contestable market where the barrier to entry is minimal in the long run, Haw Par should continue to strive hard so as to maintain its competitiveness in the ever-changing business world.

Bao Viet Insurance

Bao Viet is one of the most popular insurance company in Vietnam. It was established in 1964. With a strong and prestigious trademark in insurance industry and a network throughout 64 provinces nationwide, Bao Viet has become the leading financial-insurance group in Vietnam. In 2007, Bao Viet launched its Initial Public Offering and became a multi-business financial group. I.The mission, values and objectives of Bao Viet enterprise and the influences of stakeholders: To have a successful business, all companies have to have their own strategies. The first element is that the firm has to show the answer for the question â€Å"why do we exist?† or â€Å"what do we want to become?†. In other words, each company must have their missions or visions which are considered as a magnetic needle for all the people of company such as manager, workers or officers, etc to follow up. As a result, Bao Viet also has their own vision: â€Å"Bao Viet's vision is to be o-ne of the leading financial groups in Vietnam in life and non-life insurance, investment, securities and other financial services† (Anon., 2008). To achieve this mission, the company wants to set up the high standard in every services that they undertake by innovations in productions and knowledge. In addition, by these activities, Bao Viet will also build up their reputation in Vietnam and have a long-term relationship with the customers, clients and business partners. All the enterprises need to identify their values which they can believe on it to secure their businesses. There are some values of Bao Viet for their goals and aims which is â€Å"innovation†, â€Å"growth† and â€Å"efficiency†. Principal of innovation for this company can be set up by receiving customers’ comments or feedbacks. After that, the company can renew their products or provide for customers a higher standard of service. Whilst, growth and efficiency can be assessed by basing on the business’s profits. For example, total revenue of the company in 1989 was VND 76 billion, after seven years, in 1996, this number increased rapidly at VND 970 billion. Bao Viet also should have some obvious objectives to follow. Bao Viet improves their standards of products and services to satisfy the demands of the clients and hope to have more customers and make more profits. For example, due to the success in the first six months of 2008, Bao Viet’s firm has their objective for the last six months: the business will strive to reach the total revenue of VND 3,150 billion in the whole of 2008. Next, the company should know and recognize the importance of stakeholders towards their business. There are three types of stakeholders. Firstly, we have internal stakeholders such as managers and employees who have immediate influences on the activities of the business. Managers will control all the management of the business, they decide to do or not a project so this position is very important for all the enterprises. Employees are also an major part of a business. They are the people who have the main influences on the success of a company. Employees join in the process of production directly, so if they are received high wages and bonuses to motivate them, the quality of products will improve enormously. On the other hand, if managers or employees do not do their works well, the business may get some loss of profits. The second one is connected stakeholders. Shareholders invest in the business in return of their dividends. In some cases, their investments can make them become the owners of the company if they have the largest ordinary shares of public limited company. In other words, shareholders can affect on the business by raising capital and even becoming the owners. Another part of connected stakeholders is banker who can lend the firm large amounts of cash to increase the capital. However, if the company does not make profits to repay their interest, bankers can confiscate the assets and make the enterprise go bankruptcy. Next, Suppliers who supply equipments for the company will expect to be paid and a long term relationship with suppliers can help the business to have more benefits. The last one is customers who need the products or services. For many enterprises, customers are people who decide what is produced or what price is charged. Their behaviors, feedbacks or complaints will influence on the success of the company directly. Thirdly, we have the external stakeholders. Government has a big position for the success of a business by making the laws and regulations which all the firms have to follow to do the businesses. Local authorities also can affect the business by changing local environment such as increase in road traffic. The next one is professional bodies, who want to ensure that the members of the company comply with professional ethics and standards, also affect the business. II.The extent to which Bao Viet company achieves the objectives of three stakeholders: For internal stakeholders such as managers, they are interested in the company’s continuation and growth. They also have some individual interests and goals, for example, a safe and comfortable working environment and skill and career development, etc. Therefore, to achieve the objectives of internal stakeholders, the company needs to increase the revenue and improve the standards of working environment. Bao Viet was held up in 1964, they have 43 years of foundation and growth. In some first years, their revenue only raised a little, turnovers at that time was VND 800,000 with total assets of VND 900,000 because they only served for some state-owned customers. Now, Bao Viet has widened their nationwide network and developed the business to overseas market. In addition, the income also increase enormously: Its investment income in 2003 reached VND 512 billion from a total portfolio of VND 8,114 billion. These great advances make the company become one of the biggest 25 enterprises in Vietnam. Moreover, on 31st May 2007, Bao Viet was listed on the stock market to sell their shares to the public. After this, the chartered capital of Bao Viet increased at VND 6,800 billion. Bao Viet has 40,000 dedicated agents and 5,000 employees with experienced experts and young, well-trained staff so this company always has a good environment for people to work. Bao Viet also achieves in the services for customers who represent for the connected stakeholders. Customers always want to receive the best products or services for their demands. They can complain or give comments to the business about the products and their satisfaction is very important for the company’s success. As a result, the firm always needs to listen to the customers’ opinions, this will make major influences on the new products or services in terms of quality or price. Firstly, Bao Viet strategy bases on the customer orientation which means the customers will become the centre of all activities. The company has taken over the feedback of customers and pay a large amount of money for the customers who bought their insurance. For example, Anh N of Vietnamnet (2004) said that Bao Viet had paid VND 1,000 billion for people who had got accidents or disasters in 2003. Bao Viet also issued more types of insurance such as personal insurance, river boat insurance or fishing boat insurance, etc to serve the customers’ demands. These types will help the customers in many careers to have more choices and make more benefits for the company. Secondly, because of a huge system of nationwide network over the country, Bao Viet has some difficulties to keep contacting with the clients in some parts of Vietnam. Therefore, the company decided to establish more offices and more officers to improve the quality of services for the customers : â€Å"Bao Viet Da Nang built four regional offices in Thanh Khe, Lien Chieu, Hoa Vang, Son Tra – Ngu Hanh Son and a line-up of 120 people who are willing to guide, provide insurance services for the clients everywhere at every time.† (Ha T., 2004). Moreover, Bao Viet associated with some company to develop the quality of services for the customers such as HSBC Vietnam company. By this communication, Bao Viet might provide products for their customers through branch houses of HSBC Vietnam company. Overall, Bao Viet is improving more and more their system of products and services to serve the customers. Besides the benefits for internal and connected stakeholders, Bao Viet also satisfies the requirement of government, an external stakeholder. Government has some main roles such as passing laws to protect workers and customers, collecting taxes or subsidizing activities, etc. Mr Hoan, Chief executive officer of Bao Viet headquarter stated that in 2003, Bao Viet paid VND 189 billion for the government, increased by 8.2% in comparison with the amount in 2002 (Anh N., 2004). Therefore, Bao Viet achieved the responsibility with the government. Meanwhile, the expansion of Bao Viet will increase the chances for people to have jobs, this activity will help the government to solve the problem of unemployment. In conclusion, Bao Viet succeed to achieve the objectives of all the stakeholders which includes internal stakeholder, connected stakeholder and external stakeholder. III.The responsibilities of the company and strategies employed to meet objectives of stakeholders: The first responsibility of the company is social responsibility. Bao Viet has some responsibilities for the government. For example, Bao Viet must pay tax for their income, in other words, the company must follow all the regulations and laws which the government have issued. Besides, they also make benefits for the local communities such as reducing the ratio of unemployed people in the area. Secondly, we have the ethics and business. Obeying the law is that the company must follow the laws and regulations to do the business. Furthermore, the company has to respect the rights of competitors. The firm has not to criticize or attack the rights of competitors or do everything which can harm the competitors. Business ethics also includes that the organization should protect the employees and consumer from danger of the business. In addition, the company also must not do some illegal activities such as bribery or gifts. The next one is the management responsibilities. The company should have good relationship with all their stakeholders. Now, Bao Viet has their IPO, so they will have more shareholders. In addition, the business has the responsibility to maximize the profits for shareholders. As a result, they will continue to invest in the company and the business will make more benefits. Second one is the employees who keeps the organization in operational existence. They contribute for the company by joining in the production directly so their position is also very important and they should be received a suitable treatment in terms of wages or salary, bonuses, etc. Moreover, the firm also should give the employees a coherent career and a training structure to make them become better and work more efficiently. Meanwhile, the company needs to make a good environment for workforce’s lifestyle and make a good condition for them to express all their talent. Next, I will talk about the responsibility for customers. For Bao Viet, the enterprise has to listen to every feedbacks of the customers, develop the quality of services and keep contacting with them to provide enough information which the customers want to know. For the suppliers, the firm must not delay payment or use the power unscrupulously. In addition, having a long-term relationship or giving new supplier the chance to win new business also makes benefits for both sides. The business also have some responsibilities for the competitors such as the laws of competition about fair trading, monopolies or mergers, etc. The last one is responsibilities for the Community. Each area has their own social and ethical values, so that the firm has to respect these values. Moreover, when the Community needs more capital to hold up an event or charity, the business also should sponsor for them. This way will also make benefits for the company because they have a chance to spread their brand. In addition, the last one is that the enterprise has to respond to complaints for local residents. In this part, I will give some strategies which Bao Viet has followed to meet the objectives of stakeholders. The first strategy is to become o ¬ne of the leading financial groups which has an ability of international competitiveness, providing a wide array of financial services from life and non-life insurance, securities, investment to financial services. This expansion will help the business to widen the market for more consumers. The second one is to become the corporation which is the most popular in Vietnam towards the customers. This strategy will be useful and important for a customer orientation company. Next, the company wants to â€Å"become an organization that can maintain and enhance the â€Å"Prestige† â€Å"Reputation† and â€Å"Honesty and Integrity†, having the â€Å"Loyalty† of customers, and BAOVIET members† (Business Environment textbook, 2008). All of the strategies are based on three gold principles of â€Å"innovation†, â€Å"growth† and â€Å"efficiency†. Reference http://www.vietnamnet.vn/xahoi/doisong/2004/10/340859/

Small movie theater-Industry analysis-Competitive analysis-SWOT Research Paper

Small movie theater-Industry analysis-Competitive analysis-SWOT analysis - Research Paper Example concerned to incur expenses differencing their products and services from those of their competitors as well as keeping their prices low in order to attract customers. This will eventually lead to a decrease in the amount of revenue that these businesses fetch. Their profit margins will also be lower. The existing movie theatre industries are likely to benefit from an increase in the barriers to entry. This means that new players to the industry will find it very difficult to enter the market place. Given the analysis, it is very clear that the idea of New Vision Movie Theatre is likely to fail. Being a new player in the market place and given the expected increase in the barriers to entry, it will be very challenging for it to survive. Losses are likely to be incurred as the research industry averages for profitability are very low for a new player in the market place. Growth risk is expected to be medium over the outlook period. It is predicted that the annual industry income is likely to increase by 1.3%. This predicted rise in the growth risk is very minimal and it will be extremely challenging for new players in the market place to keep up with it. The sensitivity risk on the other hand is expected to be low as compared to the previous year in which it was medium. It is expected that the per capita disposable income rise will decrease in the coming year (IBISWorld, 2015). This means that a small movie theatre industry would be a great business idea that is likely to flourish given this kind of prediction. This is because people will be in a position to spend more on leisure activities like going to watch movies in the movie theaters. The risk factor of external competition is however expected to remain constant. This shows that people will still prefer to view movies at their homes using the available entertainment products such as cables, sat ellite television and online streaming platforms. People would prefer to watch movies at the comfort of their homes

Documentary Video Analysis review Movie Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Documentary Video Analysis - Movie Review Example The time was one of increased curiosity about China in the wider world, and this documentary was no doubt conceived as a way of informing western audiences about the background to the unfolding protests in China. The main message of the film appears to be a to give a linear narrative starting with the end of the old feudal system and the beginning of a new struggle for control in China in the year 1911. The neck and neck battle between Nationalists and Communists is shown, with some quite graphic old black and white moving pictures of what life, and in some cases death, was like for many people. Very early on there is an indication of the ultimate goal of the documentary, which seems to be to explain to the viewer how China â€Å"became the largest communist state on earth.† The dramatic way this is sad, and the deep, male American narrative voice, make this sound like something dramatic, and at the same time somewhat frightening. In fact this pro-American tone is carried on t hroughout the whole documentary and constitutes something of a bias. All of the English language voices which are used to translate the passages in Chinese are very American, and it is an interesting choice on the part of the director to use this kind of speaker and not seek out speakers with more international or Asian sounding voices. The film is very effective at conveying the struggle between Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Tse Dong for the heart of the Chinese people. The trouble for the Western viewer is, however, that there does not seem to be much difference between the nationalist and the communist camps. Both go about their business with quite extreme brutality, making this quite a harrowing film to watch in places. Executions, piles of corpses in the streets, and tales of vicious torture bring home the atrocities carried out by both sides, and the human cost to the ordinary people who made up both the armies and the victims of pillaging across a landscape that is already dreadful ly poor. The film would have benefited from pause from visual narrative, in order to explain some of the ideological differences between the two. Mao is shown writing out some of his greatest works, for example, but there is no indication what it was he was writing about. The analysis of events was not at all sophisticated, and in fact some of the graphics were beyond basic. For a production in the late 1980s, it shows remarkably little sophistication in the maps and visual effects that it uses. Arrows and flags denote troop movements and foreign country involvement, but it is all done on a scale that makes china look like a tiny marginal state. There is no impression of the vastness of the territory, or the great differences in terrain and culture that existed across this whole nation. The best features of the film were a) its use of authentic old silent films, and b) its interviews with eye-witnesses who knew some of the leading figures in China in this period. The son of Chiang K ai-shek is interviewed, for example, presenting a disconcertingly western appearance in his shirt and tie, along with many soldiers and a few women who were involved in the Long March or in some of the Communist or Nationalist youth movements. Several of these interviewees give remarkable testimony to the dangers that they themselves faced, and several pronounce

Does Rousseau's conception of the General Will safeguard against Essay

Does Rousseau's conception of the General Will safeguard against tyranny or promote it - Essay Example 5). Rousseau has tried to make conciliation between the individual freedom and the authority of the state. Every man is born free and himself is his own master. No man can make any other man his subordinate without the free consent of the later (Rousseau, Book IV, 1923). The paper attempts to address the question whether the General Will can safeguard against tyranny or promote it. The social contract Man is born independent and enters into the society â€Å"by an act of free will† (Rousseau, 1917, p.28). The term ‘social contract’ directs towards an arrangement in which the common mass submit the sovereignty to the government or an authority for the maintenance of social order in the country. Through this they become â€Å"an indivisible part of the whole† (Ramgotra, 1994, p. 820). Through the social contract a polity is created, that acts as per its general interest (Trachtenberg, 2002, p.4). Thus, a law is proposed in the popular assembly and all the cit izens give consent to the laws. The right of voting cannot be separated from any individual citizen in any act of sovereignty (Rousseau, Book IV, 1923). Rather, one becomes a citizen through his co-authorship in the law-making (Parra, 2010 p. 15) Each individual has the inherent right to state his own views and make proposals. It is argued that, if he has a particular interest which is different from the common interest, the individual is actually made to become free on being forced to follow the interest of the majority. This is on the basis of a supposition that the vote of the majority binds the rest of the mass and all the qualities of the majority are reflected in the General Will. â€Å"The constant will of all the members of the State is the general will; by virtue of it they are citizens and free† (Rousseau Book IV, 1923). The society so formed has been termed by Rousseau as â€Å"people† (Rousseau, 1997) The General Will and common good In this context the que stion arises, that how, the people who do not agree to the law are considered free as well as subject it at the same time. The existence of opponents does not invalidate the law; rather, they prevent themselves from being integrated into it. From Rousseau’s point of view, the General Will always tends to support the cause of public advantage and by making the citizens to follow the law that looks after the good of the community, they are actually made free. When a new law is needed to be issued, the necessity is seen as universal. The man who proposes it merely says what the others have already felt. Hence the situation of questioning the law is not expected to arise at all. He rests assured that the others will support him in his action (Rousseau, Book IV, 1923). The civil association is mostly a voluntary act. When the law is proposed, it is not asked of the citizens whether they reject or approve of it, but it is checked whether the law conforms to the general will, assumi ng that the general will is the will of the people at large. So when the individual citizen holds a view that is different from the common will or is unwilling to give consent to the new law, it proves that the person is mistaken. Any true man would opine in the similar lines as the general will that leads towards common good. Either his opinion is guided by a selfish interest or what he thinks to be the general will is not so. No individual rights can be defiant of the general good. Had his

Is killing animals , or making them suffer, for human ends morally Essay

Is killing animals , or making them suffer, for human ends morally defensible - Essay Example My opinion extends to other human activities that put harm animal which are not necessary, such as poaching or game hunting or animal fights. There is a fundamental moral principle which permits us to share a kind of equal treatment that concerns all human beings and with every kind of differences that exist between and every one of us. I believe that this moral code is not only limited to human beings, but also to other living sentient beings in our environment. I believe that respect for life even extends to non-human living organisms and that animals have every right to be treated with much care and equanimity as we do with a fellow human being. Even if non-human animals are lacking superior and complex rational faculties and capabilities compared to humans, their existence is something to be valued and not to be brushed aside so brusquely. If one were to look at it, an average person would rather dismiss the issue of animal rights while not being able to sit down and swallow the problems of racial discrimination. The reason behind this is that people in general, most of the time ignorantly or unintentionally, have speciesism as part of their mindset. Speciesism could be defined as the belief that one kind of species among all other members of the group is more superior to the rest, therefore the rationale for dominance, subjugation or annihilation of the superior specie against the more inferior. In this case, humanity has seen itself at the highest pedestal of the food chain. Singer made this observation on speciesism in this manner: This attitude reflects a popular prejudice against taking the interests of animals seriously - a prejudice no better founded than the prejudice of white slaveowners against taking the interests of their African slaves seriously. It is easy for us to criticise the prejudices of our grandfathers, from which our fathers freed themselves. It is more difficult to distance ourselves from our own views, so that we can dispassionately search for prejudices among the beliefs and values we hold. What is needed now is a willingness to follow the arguments where they lead, without a prior assumption that the issue is not worth our attention (55-56). I would now come to think that if animals were in the same level as human beings, perhaps in the eyes of a Higher Being such as God, animals were and are still the most abused group of organisms on the Earth. Yet, most of us human beings are not too concerned about this because there is either lack of care or concern. It can be said then that the lack of compassion is what kills animals by human hands. I think there is more to that than just a lack of care for life, something that is more logical. For example, If a person were to be asked whether it is better to put a human being or an animal as a test subject for a scientific experiment that could find a cure for a deadly disease and save millions of lives, would it be certain to say that the person would choose another human being to be put under the knife than an animal? Even if the person being asked was an animal lover or animal rights advocate, I most certainly doubt that any psychologically normal person would choose another human being in a heartbeat. People would rather have an animal go under the experimentation instead since it human beings have more attachment and concern for another human being than an animal. I will not be a hypocrite to say that I know any better about this matter. If being asked the same question, I would

Post traumatic stress disorder Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Post traumatic stress disorder - Research Paper Example The first public alert on the disorder was from the war veterans (Mueser, Rosenberg & Rosenberg, 2009). They spent so much time away from home, and when they came back home, they had persistent flashbacks. The flashbacks caused them to feel threatened wherever they were and could not trust anyone with their lives. Over the years, the disorder has recorded a rise and it has become a socio-cultural problem. The traumatic experiences like terrorist attacks, earthquakes, floods, kidnappings, rape, child abuse, and many others have contributed to more victims suffering from the disorder (Cash, 2006). Statistics has shown that very soon the disorder may be one of the major public health concerns (Cash, 2006). Changes in the methods of treatment are therefore necessary to curb the growing menace. Over the years, the method used for the treatment of PTDS is only focused on the short-term treatment of the disease (Steele, van der Hart and Nijenhuis, 2001). The formulation has not characterized the significant symptoms seen on the victims who have suffered prolonged mental afflictions. They are mainly attributed to repeated domestic or sexual abuse together with political torture. A substitute diagnostic formulation â€Å"complex PTSD† should replace the method of treatment. This treatment will ensure that multiple symptoms are treated, and it will deal with the long-term effect of the disease on the individual for them to heal completely (Steele, van der Hart and Nijenhuis, 2001). The current PTDS deals only with the treatment of single acute trauma and leaves out the bigger picture caused by multiple sources of trauma (Steele, van der Hart and Nijenhuis, 2001). Judith Herman, a professor of psychology at the Harvard, was the first person to propose this treatment. Her book â€Å"Trauma and Recovery† accurately spells out how the treatment should be carried out using the â€Å"complex PTDS†. Most of the clinicians have been of the

Engage Parents In their Childrens Early Learning Assignment

Engage Parents In their Childrens Early Learning - Assignment Example Social barriers result from cultural institutions and structure that encroach on individuals including ethnicity and gender (Tassoni, et al., 2010). Social barriers influence the ability of parents to participate in their children’s early learning and include asylum seekers, travelers, disabled parents, foster carers, and parents located remotely from the school. While some parents find it, difficult to integrate into the school community others demonstrate reluctance or failure to attend school meetings that could affect their level of involvement in school. Cultural barriers involve lack of recognition of values that are not automatically acquainted with different cultural attitudes towards child rearing except those of the natives. Cultural barriers are common especially for immigrants, refugees, and traveling parents who find it difficult to integrate into culturally different schools. Time barriers are common especially for families with parents working, single parent, or more than one child (Smit, et al., 1999). Two working parents’ means there is a shortage of time to participate in school activities or assist children with schoolwork at home. Additionally, single parents have too much on their schedule with little or no time left for participation in children learning. (Bruce, et al., 2011) Circumstance barriers including school governance regulations create a barrier to parent involvement especially by holding regular parents meetings with parents to inform them of new school regulations (Tassoni, et al., 2010). The resulting structure of the school creates circumstances that are uncertain to the parents. Language barriers are common between schools and immigrant parents with only one language of communication (Smit, et al., 1999). In such cases, the schools do not effectively engage the parent in school activities.

Criminal Investigation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5

Criminal Investigation - Essay Example Similarly, objects can point in the direction of the fire since objects melt in the direction of the fire. 2. Source of the fire. This clue usually indicated by an area with the worst damage since the fire burns for a longer time at the origin. Structural damage can also help to identify the origin of the fire as structures tend to collapse from the most weakened part due to longer burning (Russell 2009). According to Fire investigations (2013), the most decisive evidence in the case of arson is the presence of accelerants, which act to tamper with the fire triangle, a source of fuel, oxygen, and heat. The presence of accelerants shows that the fire was not unintentional but an act of arson. Where there is evidence as to assess of the place, such as tools used for forced entry, as well as witnesses where their testimonies are also essential since they support the conviction of arson. Evidence regarding the content of the building prior to the fire is also vital as it can indicate motive in the fire. Motive in this case may result from movement of goods out of the building prior to the fire for insurance fraud or starting the fire to conceal a previous

Hong Kong Essay Example for Free

Hong Kong Essay The Pearl of Asia or the popularly known as Hong Kong is a dynamic metropolis steeped in unique blend of East and West. Hong Kong is also my hometown I am proud of. Since childhood, the most beautiful sight I even seen is the stunning view of Hong Kong. Apart from that, every spectacular image has its own stories, history, culture, and memories that represent this amazing city. Hong Kong is also astonishing for many reasons. One is the famous Victorian Harbor. The Victorian Harbor always caught my attention and my appreciation because of its unique beauty every time I pass along. Victorian Harbor is eye-catching by the glamorous beauty of the lights especially at night. It is actually separated into two sides of Hong Kong Island. When gazing it, I do it intently from one side to another. On the West side, the view of the tier of high raised neighborhood occupied by thousands of families is visible. It is followed by blocks of vintage colonial era architecture which dates back 150 years ago. It is further packed with more tall buildings. The array of glasses, steel and marble-clad edifices are highly condensed in different color layer ranging from the harbor up to the peak. On the other edge of the harbor, there are many high-end and high-rise apartments facing to the direction of Pacific Ocean. Another unforgettable experience is also the refreshing walk along the Avenue of Stars. The Avenue of Stars is a long road which allows every passerby to experience the panoramic views of the popular Victoria Harbor and the memorable Hong Kong skyline. Upon looking in depth at the opposite harbor, various famous architectural works which signifies about Hong Kong excites me. In addition, there are also modern buildings which signify the economic prowess of the city which includes the Two International Finance Centre, Exchange Square, Home to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, HSBC Main Building, and others. Furthermore, there are also buildings built entirely of structural steel without any reinforced concrete in the inner core. The Convention and Exhibition Center which has been built in the concept of Feng Sui with its sweeping sails roof and vast glass windows proves the respect to the culture. These buildings are the proof of the adherence of the city to traditions, culture, quality a nd modernity. Other than the significant buildings, the details of stunning lights along every blocks and street makes the night livelier, more brilliant, and meaningful. Numerous logos of well-known brands are also apparent on top of buildings. Colored neon light signs also hang on every shop which increases brightness of the entire streets. Every block of apartment is also decorated with its own style. These elements, when added together, form the unique culture of fantastic international city. By looking at the brilliant harbor, views of old and new buildings which live side-by-side, colonial buildings, and glass-and-steel skyscrapers, along with its ancient Chinese traditions and lively local culture can clearly be seen. Through the amazing and scenic views I have witnessed and experienced, I became more proud of my citizenship and being part of this attractive land. The above elements and the unique fusion of Western and Eastern culture are the factors that made Hong Kong apart from the rest of Asia. The views I have witnessed will absolutely be remembered in my memories and will forever be painted in my heart.

Research Paper Outline Examples Essay Example for Free

Research Paper Outline Examples Essay Once youve already decided what topic you will be writing about, the next thing you should pay attention to is the scope of your paper or what you will be including in your discussion. The broader your topic is, the more difficult it is to discuss your topic in full details. This is why you should establish before hand the scope and limitations of your paper and this will be the foundation of your research paper outline. Basically, your outline will constitute three main parts namely the Introduction, the Body and the Conclusion. But to make sure your paper is complete, consult your instructor for specific parts he/she wants to be included in your research paper. Sample outlines for research papers will be given later on. But first, let us discuss the main parts of your paper and what information each should cover. Introduction The Introduction should contain your thesis statement or the topic of your research as well as the purpose of your study. You may include here the reason why you chose the particular topic or simply the significance of your research papers topic. You may also state what type of approach it is that youll be using in your paper for the entire discussion of your topic. Generally, your Introduction should state briefly all the major points of your topic your readers will be reading about. Body The body of your paper is where you will be presenting all your arguments to support your thesis statement. Please be reminded of the â€Å"Rule of 3† where you should find 3 supporting arguments for each position you take. Start with a strong argument, followed by a stronger one, and end with the strongest argument as your final point.

A Health Promotion Program Proposal Health And Social Care Essay

A Health Promotion Program Proposal Health And Social Care Essay There are many substance abuse and mental health organizations throughout the country but minimal effort has been expended in targeting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention programs toward people with mental illness and chemical dependency. The severely mentally disabled population are at a higher risk for HIV infection than the general population (Perehenets, Mamary, Rose, 2006). HIV prevention programs are at a commodity and rarely within this vulnerable population recognized as a sexually active population let alone at risk of HIV infection. In the health promotion program the proposed program will be a prevention case management approach to reducing the incidence of HIV in people with mental illness or dual diagnosis. The program will include a variety of professional health services, psychiatric care, and individually tailored education on HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and safer sex, as well as drug/alcohol treatment as needed. Health promotion being the obj ective of this program there will be active progress to reduce HIV infection among mentally ill and substance abusing population. The process will include working individually with each client to facilitate the identification and modifying risky behaviors, while also treating mental illness and substance abuse issues in an active effort to improve wellness (Aids Alert, 2008). In Cleveland, Ohio, there is a limited effort directed toward addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS among people with mental illness and chemical dependency. At the same time, there is a growing phenomenon of HIV transmission through sexual activity among the severely mentally disabled individuals. Mental illness does not increase risk in and of itself, a person with mental illness can, of course, engage in high risk behaviors for HIV infection. Studies of people with Severe Mental Disabilities show that between 4% and 19.4% are HIV positive. In all cases, the seroprevalence rates among people with mental illness are higher than that of the United States population in general (Courns et. al., 1991; Sucks et.al.,1992; Susser, Valencia, and Conover, 1993). It is critical for the severely mentally disabled clients to be provided with adequate education about HIV/AIDS and prevention strategies. The typical severely mentally disabled client suffers from a severe thought disorder exhibiting periods of active mental illness and remission. Active periods may include symptoms such as hallucinations or paranoia. Negative symptoms, which appear during remission, may include anxiety, depression, or impairment in thought (DSM IV). During periods of active illness, a client is less likely to engage in unsafe sex or other high-risk behaviors. During periods of remission, however, a client may resort to sex and/or drug using behaviors in an attempt to self-medicate (Aids Alert, 2007). Ironically, one of the periods of greatest risk is when a client receives effective case management, including medication and counseling. Researching agencies across the United States it was found that rarely did individuals with severe mental illness have any knowledge of the HIV infection or ways to prevent the spread(Aids Alert 2007). Thus it is critical that severely mentally disabled clients be provided adequate education about HIV/AIDS and preventive strategies. The health promotion project will specifically address three priorities: (1) Promoting Healthy Behaviors and Life Styles, (2) Increasing and improving healthcare, (3) Increasing knowledge. Literature Review A total of six articles reviewed for this project all where consistent in the recommendation to reduce HIV among the severely mentally disabled population. To reduce the transmission of HIV among clients in this population, risk prevention and education are essential (Aids Alert, 2008). A challenge among this population is the continuous need for intensive case management because studies showed following education and risk reduction activities are taught after 6 months at risk behaviors returned (Berkman, Pilowsky, Zybert, Herman, Conover, Lemmelli, Cournos, Koepner, Susser. 2007). In review of the literature one of the weakness is that the reality of sustain prevention behaviors where not demonstrated nor did the articles at hand speak about the need for intensive case management once a person with persistent mental illness present being HIV positive or living with AIDS. Clearly the project being proposed would offer continuous individualized, comprehensive, prevention case management approach, coupled with risk-reduction counseling as well as pre and post counseling for testing for HIV. Prevention Case Management ensures that clients have the necessary infrastructure established in their lives to allow them to focus on treatment and healthy living. The case manager links the client to essential services such as healthcare, housing, entitlements, and training. Assisting in daily living skills, such as budgeting and medication compliance, and acts as a liason between medical doctors and psychiatrists working with the client. Once the client has been linked to resources to meet his or her needs and receives psychiatric care to minimize or control symptoms, then the focus on reducing risky behaviors associated with increased risk of HIV infection. There are many substance abuse and mental health organizations throughout the country but minimal effort has been expended in targeting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention programs toward people with mental illness and chemical dependency. Conceptual Model The High Risk Prevention Program is based in behavioral science theory. The education and prevention group sessions and prevention case management both use a combination of the AIDS Risk Reduction Model (ARRM) and Harm Reduction theory as a framework to guide interventions. For example, the education portion of the group sessions teaches people what behaviors put them at risk for HIV or other sexually transmitted infection. The participants activiely show the knowledge they are gaining through the High risk, Low risk, No risk game, where a behavior is written on a card and given to each person. Participants are then asked to stand under the sign that shows the level of risk the behavior carries. This is based on the ARRM principle that in order to change behavior, one must first label it as risky. The prevention portion of the group teaches participants how to reduce likelihood of infection through safer sex practices. This is based on both the ARRM principle that a person must make a commitment to change (e.g., use condoms for every sexual encounter) as well as the Harm Reduction principle that people are going to do risky things, so they should be given ways to at least reduce the risk. The ARRM states that the last step to changing behavior is to take action to perform the desired changed (Lanier,M. Gates,S., 1999). The High Risk Prevention Program witnesses this principle in prevention case management clients, since they are seen and intervened upon over a long period of time (sometimes years), whereas group session clients are seen only once. It is essential to provide education about the risk of HIV transmission to practitioner, community members, and clients. All of these groups need to understand what HIV is, how it is transmitted, and how to change risky behaviors in order to prevent infection. Without this knowledge, the disease will continue to be misunderstood and it will continue to spread through people with mental illness and/or substance dependence. Group sessions will be provided at local community organizations that provide mental health and substance abuse treatment, thus reaching a larger community. Experience shows that many people with mental illness are reluctant to go to an unfamiliar place and/or are likely to isolate themselves at home. Staff will provide outreach to homeless drop in centers and group homes to assist in reaching marginalized populations. Providing prevention education materials and the tools necessary for clients to practice prevention and risk reduction techniques nurses and other supportive staff will offer clients a variety of safer-sex products, including condoms, female condoms, dental dams, lubricants, and pamphlets about specific sexually transmitted disease or HIV. Free anonymous or confidential OraSure testing will be provided to participants following each session. In addition to education and prevention seminars, it is important to assist clients through learning, understanding, and implementing a risk-reduction life style. Prevention case management is critical in ensuring that clients have the necessary infrastructure established in their lives to allow them to focus on treatment and healthy living. The case manager will link the client to essential services such as healthcare, housing, entitlements and/or job training. The case manager will assist with daily living skills, such as budgeting and medication compliance, and act as the constant between medical do ctors and psychiatrists working with client. Project Goals and Objectives The first goal will be to increase knowledge and awareness around HIV and other sexually transmitted disease and prevention models, such as safer sex practices to clinical staff. The objective will be to provide education session about HIV and other sexually transmitted disease to employees and interns to ensure internal agency staff members are informed with accurate knowledge about high-risk behaviors associated with HIV and STDs. A secondary objective for this goal will be for staff members comfort and capability to talk with clients about sexual behaviors and HIV/STD prevention. The second goal will be to decrease behaviors that put people with mental illness and substance abuse problems at risk for HIV infection through comprehensive case management while supporting clients physical, emotional, social and mental health. The first objective will be to provide prevention case management services to 45 unduplicated clients. The intervention will be providing case management services to 30 clients each month, with overlap from month to month ( the average number of case management encounters will be two per client, per month). The second objective for the goal number two is to provide prevention and education sessions to One hundred and Eighty clients. With mental illness and/or substance use to increase knowledge about high risk behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted disease, and safer sex. The intervention will be for multidisciplinary staff to provide prevention education sessions. Seminars will rotate through the community and will be held throughout the year, with an average of one seminar per month. Free, anonymous HIV testing will be provided through collaboration with an established testing provider. The outcome will be that clients achieve an increase in knowledge and awareness of issues around HIV, other sexually transmitted disease and safer sex, as evidenced in pre post test result analysis. Evaluation Component Evaluation of the projects success has two components. The first component is a pre/post test to assess clients knowledge of HIV, safer sex, and sexually transmitted disease. This evaluates the Education and Prevention component of the Project. Post-test scores that are higher than pre-test scores will show that the Education and Prevention session improved the participants knowledge of HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases and safer sex. The second evaluation component is a documented review of client goals. This evaluates the Prevention Case Management component of the project. After establishing rapport with the client, the Prevention Case Manager will collaborate with the client to formulate a personal goal about HIV or other sexually transmitted disease risk reduction or safer sex. Typically, the Prevention Case Manager checks in with the client about this goal at each session to evaluate one or more of the following: the clients knowledge about HIV and prevention, his or her attitudes about changing risky behaviors, and skills available to implement a change. There is a formal written review of the clients goals that takes place every ninety days and is kept in the clients record. Progress is determined by both the clients personal assessment of his or her achievements and the Prevention Case Managers clinical opinion. Optimal outcomes in Prevention Case Management evaluation will demonstrate increase in condom use, cessation of injection drug use, or decreased number of sexual partners. Barriers and Challenges The adoption of Evidence Based Interventions can be best implemented under real-world conditions. The agency implementing the change must also have the ability to offer capacity building activities for the adopters of the intervention. Just adding responsibility to staffs all ready full scheduled can be a barrier to the motivation and successful implementation of the interventions. The level of care also needs to be assessed when offering Prevention Case Management when in fact the client is aligned in needed intensive case management simply to manage basic needs and this intervention would not have any significant change in behavior. The severly mentally ill client will present with challenges of psychiatric stability and that does need prioritizing. Successful behavioral change is not a one-time event. Change occurs over time, and with small steps which accumulate to make large differences. Change must be maintained over time and interwined into the culture of the person and their support system. The clinicians must remain flexible and meet their clients where they are moving them to risk free behaviors in their time line, pulling on their strengths. Nurses must expand their efforts to design and implement interventions which support promotion of health and prevention of disease and disability. Preventing and staying healthy is complex, focus is not only on the client but their family, their support system and their beliefs. The nurses approach needs to be comprehensive looking at primary, secondary and teritarty levels of prevention and involve the client and community in the planning. The Aids Risk Reduction Model allows the nurse to understand and predict clients behavior including how they use and adhere to recommended therapy. Health promotion being the objective of this program there will be active progress to reduce HIV infection among mentally ill and substance abusing population. The process will include working individually with each client to facilitate the identification and modifying risky behaviors, while also treating mental illness and substance abuse issues in an active effort to improve wellness (Aids Alert, 2008). .

Autism in Children :: essays research papers

Lemon juice Pepper spray Handcuffs Blindfolds   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  These are terms that should never enter a parents mind when they send Their children off to school. Especially, if their child is autistic, or has some other kind of learning disability. These terms are known as aversives, and are used to reduce behaviors in children mainly with autism. They cause pain and are a form of punishment for a behavior no matter how large or small i.e. Biting, kicking, punching, not blowing your nose, or not sitting when told to do so. If a command was not followed by a student, the teachers’ immediate reaction is to use one of the many aversives. This is something that has to be stopped and should not be allowed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This type of behavior modification is used all through out the United States and there are even two known programs that use aversives in New Jersey, Eden Institute and Bancroft Neurohealth. I was personally at Eden and witnessed this going on right in front of me, and I knew of a student that unfortunately past away in one of these places. (will not name which) these techniques are dangerous, torturous, over used, and should not be allowed. There are millions of different things that can be done to achieve the same success rate of reducing behaviors. They may not be as quick, but they can and will work. How about positive reinforcement? A technique used in schools also to reduce behaviors. That means you speak to the child is a positive manner or use a reward system like verbal praise, or a piece of cookie, or a sip of a favorite drink to reduce a behavior. If a child does not listen or does not like to follow directions, you can say â€Å"Mike if you sit quietly then I will give you a piece of cookie† and most of the time the child will listen because he/she really wants that cookie.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now some may say that’s fine and dandy but what about more aggressive behavior? Like biting or pulling hair. I would say if a child is biting try to find out why the child is biting. Is it because he is upset, can’t verbalize what he/she wants or maybe his/her teeth are bothering them. There are a lot of things that can be done. For starters develop a behavior plan, using the ABC method. This means Antecedent Behavior Consequence.

The Eyes Motif in the Works of D.H. Lawrence :: Biography Biographies Essays

The Eyes Motif in the Works of D.H. Lawrence D.H. Lawrence's short stories The Shadow in the Rose Garden, The Prussian Officer and The White Stocking possess an eyes motif. This motif, along with a variety of other motifs, are used throughout the works of the author and adds depth to the stories. "The Shadow in the Rose Garden" possesses an eyes motif. The eyes as a "window to the soul" is an ever present reference in this work. First, Lawrence notes the "china-blue eyes" of Mrs. Coates, who is a "delightful, erect old lady." (70) Later, when the young woman sits down on the bench in the garden in front of the white roses and sees the man in front of her, she notices his eyes. Lawrence write: "She looked up, blanched to the lips, and saw his eyes. They were black, and stared without seeing. They were not a man's eyes" (73). The young woman was greatly disturbed by the man whose eyes "stared without seeing." After they began talking, the young woman noticed that his eyes "were the glistening, strange black eyes that she had loved" (74). This deranged man she was talking to reminded her of a man she once loved, who is not her husband because Lawrence makes reference to "his brown eyes" (75). Therefore, Lawrence writes, "Her eyes searched him, and searched him, to see if he woul d recognize her, if she could discover him. 'You don't know me?' she asked, from the terror of her soul, standing alone" (p.74). These lines incorporate the theme of the eyes as a 'window to the soul.' The young woman tries to reach the disturbed man's soul by searching his eyes. The eye motif in "The Shadow in the Rose Garden" can also be found in "The Prussian Officer." Many references are made to the eyes of the older Captain and the younger orderly in "Officer." Lawrence describes the character's eyes when he writes,"The eyes of the two men met, those of the younger sullen and dark, doggedly unalterable, those of the elder sneering with restless contempt" (5). This comes after the orderly becomes more aware of his Captain's affections and starts to show off with his girlfriend a little more. Future lines in the story also carry the theme of eyes as a "window to the soul": "The withering smile came into the Captain's eyes .

Mechanical Mammals :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One day I went to buy a brand new Ford Mustang. The reason I wanted a new car is because I saw this commercial about a new kind of car that had instincts like an animal. I thought it would be really strange to have one of those. As soon as I saw that commercial I knew I had to get that car. I thought that it would be cool to have a car with those instincts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When I went to the car dealership I found that car on sale with a 30 day money back guarantee only because it was a new kind of car. It was a 2008 model it was painted dark blue with white racing strips. I drove it home and it was a real comfortable ride. The next day I woke up and heard a honking noise I got dressed real quick, and went to see what the noise was and it was my new car! So I called the dealership and asked what was going on. They said that the cars get lonely and they can’t be alone for more than 12 hours. I also asked them if there is anything else I should know about this new kind of car. They said, â€Å"Yes, if its not clean it gets mad and gives you a very rough ride.† So right after I hung up the phone I started to clean my car. When I was cleaning it, it made a sound like a cat like it was purring because it was happy. Right after the first month all I could think about was why didn’t I trade it back in for a full refund. The reason why I wanted to trade it in was because it was very hard to keep up with and in good shape. But as the months past I started getting used to it and I guess you could say it was getting used to me also.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I asked the dealership how long it would last.

Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib

Hadrat Ali was the son of Abu Talib, a prominent Quraish chief and custodian of the Holy Ka'bah. The mother of Hadrat Ali was Fatima. Fatima was a cousin of Abu Talib. Thus, both the father and mother of Hadrat Ali were Hashimites, and that was a great honour. Hadrat Ali was born in unusual circumstances. On the 13th day of the holy month of Rajab, Fatima, the mother of Hadrat Ali, visited the Ka'bah to perform the pilgrimage. During the course of the pilgrimage and while circumambulating the Ka'bah, Fatima felt the pangs of childbirth.She retired to a secluded place in the precincts of the holy Ka'bah, and there Hadrat Ali was born. Hadrat Ali has thus had the unique honour to be born in the House of God. When both mother and the child returned home, the holy Prophet, and Hadrat Khadijah came to see her newborn child. Since his birth, he had not opened his eyes, and that worried both Fatima and Abu Talib. However, when the holy Prophet took the child in his lap, then he opened his e yes. So the first person that Hadrat Ali saw after his birth was the holy Prophet.When the holy Prophet was asked whether he approved of the child being named either Asad or Zaid, he said that since the child was born in the House of God, he should be named Ali (the word Ali being a derivative of Allah). Hadrat Ali had thus had the distinction of being named after Allah. No one before him had ever been so named. Furthermore, the name acquired more sanctity because it was suggested by the holy Prophet. His life The life of Hadrat Ali can be divided into three distinct periods.The first period comprises the first 32 years of his life and extends from 600 to 632 CE. I call this period the period of the education and action. It was during this period that he received his education under the loving care of the holy Prophet; imbibed with values of Islam; and acquired all the attributes that contribute to greatness When Ali was five or six years old, a famine occurred in and around Mecca, affecting the economic conditions of Ali's father, who had a large family to support. Muhammad took Ali into his home to raise him.When Muhammad reported that he had received a divine revelation, Ali, then only about ten years old, believed him and professed to Islam. A whole group of companions said that he was amongs the first ones to accept islam. During the persecution of Muslims and boycott of the Banu Hashim in Mecca, Ali stood firmly in support of Muhammad In 622, the year of Muhammad's migration to Yathrib (now Medina), Ali risked his life by sleeping in Muhammad's bed to impersonate him and thwart an assassination plot so that Muhammad could escape in safety. [1][6][21] This night is called Laylat al-Mabit.According to some hadith, a verse was revealed about Ali concerning his sacrifice on the night of Hijra which says, â€Å"And among men is he who sells his nafs (self) in exchange for the pleasure of Allah Ali was 22 or 23 years old when he migrated to Medina. When Muham mad was creating bonds of brotherhood among his companions (sahaba) he selected Ali as his brother. [4][6][24] For the ten years that Muhammad led the community in Medina, Ali was extremely active in his service as his secretary and deputy, serving in his armies, the bearer of his banner in every battle, leading parties of warriors on raids, and carrying messages and orders. 25] As one of Muhammad's lieutenants, and later his son-in-law, Ali was a person of authority and standing in the Muslim community. Familylife In 623, Muhammad told Ali that God ordered him to give his daughter Fatimah Zahra to Ali in marriage. Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (pbuh) found his wife in tears, he then sought the cause of it, Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) responded, â€Å"I thought of my state in the end of this life and in purgatory, since the transition from my father Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) to my own house reminded me of my transition to the grave.By the grace of Allah (SWT), let's rise for prayer in the first hours of our married life and spend the night in worshiping the Lord. † Indeed, in the sweetest and most memorable moment of her life, the very example of human excellence and the gems of women in heavens and on earth, Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) remembers the reason of her creation and asks her husband to accompany her in spending the night seeking closeness to Allah Ali had four children born to Fatimah, Theirs was a simple life of hardship and deprivation.Throughout their life together, Ali remained poor because he did not set great store by material wealth. To relieve their extreme poverty, Ali worked as a drawer and carrier of water and she as a grinder of corn. Often there was no food in her house. According to a famous Hadith, one day she said to Ali: â€Å"I have ground until my hands are blistered. † and Ali answered â€Å"I have drawn water until I have pains in my chest. â€Å"[ [edit] In battles Arabic calligraphy which means â€Å"There is no brave youth except Ali and there is no sword which renders service except Zulfiqar. With the exception of the Battle of Tabouk, Ali took part in all battles and expeditions fought for Islam. [6] As well as being the standard-bearer in those battles, Ali led parties of warriors on raids into enemy lands.Prpphet Muhammad gave him standards on many occasions. Ali first distinguished himself as a warrior in 624 at the Battle of Badr. He defeated the Umayyad champion Walid ibn Utba as well as many other Meccan soldiers. According to Muslim traditions Ali killed between twenty and thirty-five enemies in battle, most agreeing with twenty-seven. 33] Ali was prominent at the Battle of Uhud, as well as many other battles where he wielded a bifurcated sword known as Zulfiqar. [34] He had the special role of protecting Muhammad when most of the Muslim army fled from the battle of Uhud[1] and it was said â€Å"There is no brave youth except Ali and there is no sword which renders service except Zulfiqar. â€Å" [35]He was commander of the Muslim army in the Battle of Khaybar. [36] Following this battle Mohammad gave Ali the name Asadullah, which in Arabic means â€Å"Lion of Allah† or â€Å"Lion of God†. Ali also defended Muhammad in the Battle of Hunayn in 630. 1] Life after Muhammad (during the reign og the 3 caliphs) Another part of Ali's life started in 632 after death of Muhammad and lasted until assassination of Uthman Ibn Affan, the third caliph in 656. During these years, Ali neither took part in any battle or conquest. [4] nor did he assume any executive position. He withdrew from political affairs, especially after the death of his wife, Fatima Zahra. He used his time to serve his family and worked as a farmer. Ali dug a lot of wells and gardens near Medina and endowed them for public use. These wells are known today as Abar Ali (â€Å"Ali's wells†). 60] He also made gardens for his family and descendants Ali did not give his oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr un til some time after the death of his wife, Fatimah. [4]Ali participated in the funeral of Abu Bakr but did not participate in the Ridda Wars. [63] He pledged allegiance to the second caliph Umar ibn Khattab and helped him as a trusted advisor. Caliph Umar particularly relied upon Ali as the Chief Judge of Medina. He also advised Umar to set Hijra as the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Umar used Ali's suggestions in political issues as well as religious ones. 64] Ali was one of the electoral council to choose the third caliph which was appointed by Umar. Although Ali was one of the two major candidates, but the council's arrangement was against him. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas and Abdur Rahman bin Awf who were cousins, were naturally inclined to support Uthman, who was Abdur Rahman's brother-in-law. In addition, Umar gave the casting vote to Abdur Rahman. Abdur Rahman offered the caliphate to Ali on the condition that he should rule in accordance with the Quran, the example set by Muhamma d, and the precedents established by the first two caliphs. Ali rejected the third condition while Uthman accepted it.According to Ibn Abi al-Hadid's Comments on the Peak of Eloquence Ali insisted on his prominence there, but most of the electors supported Uthman and Ali was reluctantly urged to accept him. [65 Election as Caliph as soon as Uthman died, all eyes turned to Ali. The companions of the Prophet could not think of anyone else, to restore peace, and law and order to the Dar-ul-Islam which was battered by economic and social conflict. All the leading Muhajireen and Ansar, therefore, gathered in the Mosque of the Prophet, and agreed, at a caucus, to ask Ali to take charge of the government, and to steer the ship of state to safety.A delegation then called on Ali, and requested him to accept this responsibility. Ali, however, did not accept the offer of the companions, and said that he preferred to be an adviser rather than the caliph. But the companions insisted and told him that there was no other capable of it. But Ali was not eager to grasp this opportunity as he knew that the caliphate was not to be taken with its roses and its thorns, the roses were all gone and all that was left were thorns. So basically accepting the caliphate would only mean wearing a crown of those thorns.Ali knew that if he accepted the caliphate his reign would begin with a civil war, which was not an auspicious beginning. Ali wanted to rebuild the infrastructure of the Islamic society or to bring it back as just as it was in the times of Prophet Muhammad but he realized that he could do so only in the most determined opposition from Quraish. Ali considered all of this and therefore was not willing to take over the caliphate. However at last after great insist from the companions Ali accepted the proposal on the condition that he will put the commandments and prohibitions of Allah and his messenger before everything.

Employer Health Coverage: Cost Control Essay

Health insurance benefits are a large factor that employees consider when looking for employment. Employers are looking to provide insurance that is cost effective for the employer. Choosing what type of insurance to provide can have different effects on the profitability of the employer. Here is a comparison of the cost effectiveness of employer-sponsored health care and self-funded health plans. In employer-sponsored health plans the employer buys health insurance from an insurance company. The human resources department manages the group health plan (GHP) and they negotiate costs and different coverage plans with the insurance company and then select what is offered to the employees. This helps the employer save money by negotiating for deals and choosing what will be offered to employees. The employer can carve out specific items during negotiations, like prescription drug coverage in order to save money. GHP’s also include riders. These are certain options that the employ er doesn’t pay for. Riders are purchased by the employee directly from the insurance company to cover things like vision and dental services. GHP’s have open enrollment periods in which employees choose the coverage options they desire. This is the only time coverage changes can be made. Thus, the employer saves money during the year because insurances coverage isn’t constantly changing. Self-insured health plans are ones where they employer covers the cost of health benefits. This saves an employer money because they can set the premium rate on their claims history. Any money not used towards benefits can be saved and invested. If claims are above projected figures, stop-loss insurance will cover the difference not the company. Self-insured employers, many times will use third-party claims administrators. They are hired to collect premiums and to process and make claims. This saves the  company from the cost of performing these tasks themselves. Provider networks are doctors, health care workers and hospitals that accept the employer health plans. Most are contracted with the employer or insurance company to perform specific services at reduced rates. This saves the company money. Many times, if employees use out of network providers the cost difference is an out of pocket expense for the employee saving the company money. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) limits the ability of insurance companies and employers to deny benefits to employees (and their family members if applicable) because of preexisting conditions. This actually costs the company more money because they cannot deny benefits in most circumstances. Other state laws require employers to have a minimum standard of benefits for employees. This is called creditable coverage. This can also cost the employer more money because they have to adhere to a minimum standard of benefits for employees. Employer sponsored and fully funded insurance are two choices companies have to offer health insurance to employees. There are ways for employers to save money by what they allow to be offered to employees. State and Federal laws also demand certain coverage for employees. This leaves employees with many options to take into account when choosing an employer to work for.