Meeting the Needs of the Youth

Youth in my books would be defined as Grade 8 – Grade 12. What makes this a challenging ministry, is the ever changing make-up of the youth. It seems that every 6 months or so you have an entirely â€Å"new youth group. It is not â€Å"new' in the normal sense as most of them have been In the youth ministry for a while, It Is that they have all changed and it seems like a â€Å"new† group. They speak of the generational theory, stating that each 20 years or so we have a different generation.I however see a new generation every 2 – 3 years. The culture we live In Is changing at a pace never before experienced. Simply looking at the advancement of technology over the last decade demonstrates for us the enormity of our current growth spurt. Although I fall in the same generation theory category as many of my youth, they are vastly different to me. A change has definitely taken place. I am not sure when It was that I moved out of the â€Å"cool† to â€Å"bo ring† category but It seems that it has happened. As all this change takes place one can only expect that the needs will also shift.What I wanted as a youth is most definitely not what the youth wants today. And it is herein that the difficulty lies, assessing the needs of the day. Meeting this Need Now that the greatest need has been identified, how are we to meet this need. Let me suggest the following methodology: 1. Clear concise exposition of the Word. There Is no other way to bring a person to the point of repentance. Paul while ministering to an Idol riddled generation, did not soften the truth. No In Acts 17 we see that Paul does not shrink in declaring the whole counsel of God. Paul even goes s far as telling the hostile audience that they need to repent.Too often today those ministering to youth do not want to teach on so called hard truths found In scripture. We are being told by the â€Å"experts† that teaching too much doctrine is not good. At a recent yout h workshop we were told that teaching systematically through a book of the Bible â€Å"is Just wrong†. We were told that the youth wants fun filled stories and entertaining challenges and nothing that actually breaks down their self esteem. In saying this however, I do acknowledge that some systematic teaching can be done incorrectly, so as to bore or put anyone off.The clear concise exposition that is needed is one that requires much preparation. The preacher needs to know his audience and has to be diligent to bring the message to bear on that audience. Just as it is no use teaching speed reading to 4 year olds, it is no use teaching Supernaturalism to your youth group. It is my opinion that it takes much more work to teach the scriptures to youth and children than adults. More illustrations are needed, more explanation is needed and bridging the gap requires more work. But at he end of the day Is that not what preaching Is all about? 2.Diligent discipleship 1 OFF to conver t the nations. The youth worker needs to work hard at discipline his youth. This takes the form of personal discipleship and the arranging of other discipleship relationships. It is not a dereliction of duties to ask some of the adults in the church to help with discipleship. One youth pastor cannot himself disciple the entire group. This is the primary reason I prefer not to have the main youth meeting on Sunday nights when the â€Å"adult† church meets next door. No, the young people need to get to now the church members and see how they live their Christian lives.This is not a new concept, but simply the Biblical example of having the older men and women training the younger members of the church. (Titus 2:1-8) Discipleship is hard work and time consuming, but also the most rewarding part of my ministry. What a Joy it is to see a young man growing in his walk with the Lord and seeing the same young man's discernment consistently growing. Loving admonition It is often diffi cult to admonish one of the people we love and enjoy. We perceive that our admonishment will create barriers in our relationship.However â€Å"faithful are the wounds of a friend†. During my ministry I have seen that even though the initial reaction is not always what we would desire, the long term affects are rewarding. The youth sees that you are willing to admonish so that they can grow in Christ. You are not simply standing by and condoning (sometimes nonverbally) their obvious wrong behavior. This should always be done in love though. Admonishing must be done carefully and lovingly always addressing a pattern of sin and not one isolated incident. As a parent I feel the tension of loving and disciplining daily.None of us parents or youth workers delights in admonishing, but we are commanded by God to admonish. While admonishing I always keep the following two Proverbs in mind Proverbs 13:24 â€Å"He who spares the rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him p romptly' and Proverbs 8:9 â€Å"Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hates you; Rebuke a wise man and he will love you. † 4. Purposeful ministry The adage is true, â€Å"if you aim at nothing you will be sure to hit it every time. † In order for the youth ministry to be successful it needs to have a defined purpose.A narrow repose, â€Å"having a large youth group† is not specific enough. Each youth ministry is going to have a different local purpose; I say local as the ultimate purpose should be to â€Å"bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord†. Some local purposes will be to establish an initial vibrant youth ministry; others will be to effectively reach the local High School, or even to establish spiritual growth in a core group. Whatever your purpose, it needs to be defined and a plan of action developed. It is important to know how you plan to achieve your purpose.What steps are you going to take so as to assure (realizing it is God who builds His church) that your ministry meets the intended purpose? Conclusion While I agree that doing the same today as we did 10 years ago is not going to cut it, I argue that at the heart the ministry is the same. The youth of today has the same fundamental need as the youth 30 years ago – regeneration. If you are serious about meeting the needs of the youth this is where you must begin. Take the above begin to minister to the youth of today. Always keeping 1 Corinthians 10: 31 as your guide.

Differences in Cultural Conceptions of Intelligence

There are many definitions of intelligence according to both formal and informal theories. Under formal theories, intelligence is associated to adaptation to the environment and the capability to learn. According to experts, there is an intelligence factor, referred to as g, which dictates all adaptive behaviors such as mental, verbal, creative and mechanical abilities. On the other hand, informal theories define intelligence using verbal, practical and social abilities. Conventional measurements of intelligence involve IQ (intelligence quotient) tests.However, different cultures define and measure intelligence differently. Western and Eastern cultures see intelligence in varying perspective according to important factors in each of these two societies (Sternberg et al, 2005). Western culture, such in the United States and most parts of Europe, traditionally defines intelligence as the mental capacity for analytical and reasoning as evidenced by strong performance in practical proble m solving, verbal and social skills.Accordingly, several tests in the United States are used to gauge a person’s intelligence. Examples are the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, Cognitive Abilities Test, and School and College Abilities Tests (Sternberg, 2007). Eastern cultures have an entirely different conventional view of intelligence. In China, for example, intelligence covers righteousness, benevolence, humility, self-knowledge and character as some of the traits that are associated when describing intelligence in addition to cognitive abilities.Furthermore, in Taiwanese Chinese, there are five conceptions regarding intelligence. These are cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal, intellectual self-assertion, and self-effacement. With the above differences in the perception of intelligence in two representative cultures such as the Chinese (Eastern) and American (Western), comes equivalent parameters that should be remembered to measure abilities. Each has its own methods for testing linguistic, spatial and interpersonal skills (Sternberg, 2007).For testing linguistic capabilities, it is important to take into account the use of appropriate language medium. The two cultures agree on using their native tongues for assessing intelligence of members of the said cultures. The English language is prevalently used in American schools; on the other hand, Chinese characters are common in schools in China. The use of figures and characters in the latter language gives advantage to Chinese students in their spatial abilities whereas abstract thinking and imagination is inspired in American setting.Therefore, a glaring contrast in tests given to American and Chinese students lies in the presence or degree of creativity and spatial skills tests, respectively. As mentioned above, there is great advantage among Chinese with regards to spatial thinking skills which can be attributed to the use of characters and physical represent ations in their language. On the other hand, emphasis is given on the use of alphanumeric characters in Western culture which partly results in abstract reasoning. This is why there are more tests dealing with creative thinking in Western than in Chinese culture.With regards to interpersonal skills, teamwork and collaboration is highlighted in the Western culture while in Eastern culture, the importance of excelling and being independent in order to provide or be an example to other people takes precedence. In other words the difference lies in the Eastern focus on the self as exemplified in the Taoist tradition unlike the Western’s emphasis on unity. Therefore, Eastern culture test for how best to surpass one’s successes while Western culture evaluate a person’s ability to be productive within a group (Sternberg, 2007).

Information Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Information Policy - Essay Example ough investment in education is very crucial, it is restricted by the budget constraints of the available resources (Global-economic-symposium.org, 2015). The world today is a technological world, and everybody would not wish to be left behind in the wake of these developments. Information technology (IT) as a subset of education is, therefore, an essential instrument to create all round students equipped with valuable knowledge and skills around computing and communications devices. Learning systems have gone digital, for example, e-learning and Skype, thereby transforming the entire education to a whole new digital platform. These factors make IT a priority investment in education systems. Education systems of developing countries are relatively limited compared to industrialized nations due financial shortages, limited internet access, inadequately trained teachers as well as lack of proper policies and implementation strategies (Heeks, 2002). Developing countries also face digital divide not only between countries but also within the countries themselves. In developed countries such as the USA, all students have access to IT in classrooms, schools and home with all teachers using IT. The learners also access information and computer literacy easily with the internet everywhere. Education technology is a scientific principle in the teaching in industrialized countries. It is a general term that is not just as a series of components or processes. The knowledge encompasses education technology in teaching, software education, self-education, and system tendency that are just dreams in developing countries. Global-economic-symposium.org, (2015).  Effective Investments in Education — Global Economic Symposium. Retrieved 1 July 2015, from

Globalization and Changing Market Trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Globalization and Changing Market Trends - Essay Example This may be assessed at present as already happening, in which the converging global market has created a conduit of goods and services available at almost the same prices for different countries. Stressing that the world is flat, as Levitt used it- figuratively, at least - opts to become competitive in a global market where regional, historical, and geographical divisions are increasingly becoming irrelevant. Globalization is suggested to have created a playing field in which the world is flattened, thereby allowing all participants to level off with one another and participate equally in the global market. Competitive playing fields are leveled between industrial and emerging markets, which is a product of a convergence of workflow software and of personal computer with fiber-optic micro cable, not known to human race twenty-five years ago. The surge of technology is likened to a jet plane that zooms upward, changing economic activities of domestic and global markets. Levitt indicates in his literature that the world is increasingly and inevitably becoming one, putting the multinational corporations into obsolete position, which were abounding at the time the literature was written. Levitt had a keen and clear foresight with his assumption that companies that do not adapt to the new global realities will become victims of those that do (p. 11). This has become a reality at present, in which products that do not cope with the demands of globalization and technological advancement will certainly find themselves in financial collapse. This is the reason why Kodak and Mitsubishi have to align their photo developing techniques with that of a digitalized method, since using the old film developing technique will surely assail the companies with lower income due to inability to keep track with new technology. Strategic management of firms should hence be congruent to the changing global markets. Currently, the world's needs and desires have been irrevocably homogenized as an outcome of globalization, a trend not existing in 1983, of which Levitt had been keen to make a foresight. In his views, he stated that this homogeneity makes the multinational corporation obsolete and the global corporation absolute (p. 3). This may have been true had the multinational corporations not kept up with the growing demands of a globalized market. However, due to their ability to keep up through market research, multinational corporations are still able to hold their positions strongly, updating their product lines and technology alongside current trends. Similarly, more and more European counties trail the path to offshore some or all of their operations with the advent of globalization. In this regard, foreign direct investment increases, which involve transfer of operating capacity for functions like production and transportation (Gampenrieder, 2006). Offshore strategies provide companies the capabilities to aim for distinctive, sustainable, and competitive advantages that require relocation of operating

Should Gay Marriage Be Made Illegal in the U.S Essay

Should Gay Marriage Be Made Illegal in the U.S - Essay Example The essay "Should Gay Marriage Be Made Illegal in the U.S.?" discusses the issue if it is appropriate or legal to legalize the love forever with marriage for two people of the same sex as times have changed and with the ever changing personality people have come express their feeling for the same sex. Gay couples began to demand equal civil rights, including the right to the legal protections of marriage, in the early 1970s. The first legally recognized same-sex partnership was in Denmark in 1989, but the first legal gay marriage wasn't until 2001, in the Netherlands. Since then, countries and states within countries have reacted to gay marriages conducted in other countries by passing laws that prevent foreign gay marriages from being recognized. In the US, San Francisco marriages conducted in 2004 during a brief period of rebellion against state law were later declared void by the state of California. Washington state banned gay marriage in the Defence of Marriage Act 1998 and reinforced the act in 2001. Till date, this has been a debatable issue and has also found that the New Jersey and Massachusetts state court systems are each considering cases that could legalize same-sex unions. The then President Bush, Senator Tom Daschle, and other politicians have stated their oppositio n to legalizing gay marriages. Even the Vatican had launched a new initiative opposing gay marriages. No doubt the common belief is that children do best when they are raised by their own mother and father.

CRITIQUE of 1 out of 4 FILMS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

CRITIQUE of 1 out of 4 FILMS - Essay Example Maria searches for Kynaston to learn more about the craft of acting. What they find in each other is something that they never found on stage – love. The basic human drive that motivates Hughes’ and Kynaston’s behavior, I think, is the need for acceptance and search for identity. Kynaston grew up being trained to portray female roles in the theater. It was on stage that he found his identity regardless of the roles he played. King Charles II’s proclamation indirectly detached Kynaston from his true being, leaving him searching for his identity. Hughes, meanwhile, was an aspiring actress who struggled to find her identity on stage. Although considered a star in her own right, Hughes needed an affirmation and validation for her acting skills which she struggled to get on stage. The film â€Å"Stage Beauty† shows the fine artistry in portraying roles that are alien to one’s being, as in Kynaston’s portrayal of female roles. Acting like a man or a woman on stage can be learned through years of training and hard work. The stage, therefore, is the place where these various roles are performed and lived out. The stage’s appeal lies in the illusion and trickery conjured by its performers who act out different roles. Like the society from which we play a part (whether as a mother, a son, or a lover, for instance), the world is our very own stage where these gender roles are played out, or rather, performed to maintain the trickery and illusion which separate one gender from the other. The film, as this paper argues, breaks the artifice of gender roles by showing precisely that these roles are performances rather than naturally occurring through one’s identity. Moreover, the film challenges society’s definition of how a ma n or a woman should be and invites us to transcend the differences between gender roles. The film’s elements (mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, music, and

Business Requirements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Business Requirements - Essay Example Business goals It is extremely important to first define how the goal of implementing audio and visual capabilities to ensure the needs of disabled clients for the bank are successfully implemented. The following goals need to be addressed in adding audio/visual capabilities: Enterprise collaboration, including features such as audio and video Enterprise portal, to allow users to access the audio/visual files Enterprise resource scheduler to upload new media content Enable online commerce to request files or further downloads Type of deployment The following types of deployments need to both be identified and implemented into the project scope to satisfy all customers: Business to Customer Business to Employee Business to Business Enterprise Employee to Employee Communications Scope It is extremely important to ensure that all parties are involved in the end goal of implementing this change in business practices and that each identified area can be solved and avoid "open-ended" statements that make the goal either unclear or unreachable. If there is any part of the scope of the change that is not identified and remedied, there is a possibility of not meeting the business needs adequately of the target audience. Stakeholders The most important business entity to satisfy is the stakeholders of the bank and this can include both the conventional stakeholder in a traditional banking institution, or, the customer who is a shareholder in a credit union institution. It is important to satisfy that these "stakeholders" are on board for the implementation and how the bottom line will benefit their profit margin. Critical qualities Identify areas that are critical to success. This allows for analysis of the design with respect to the most important... Business Requirements One of the important, but often missed, aspects of web or internet banking is the ability for all persons to access the internet be they abled or disabled. As the world continues to experience more individuals succumbing to disabilities, there is a continual requirement by businesses both on-line and traditional to implement changes to focus on these individuals. As part of the Business Requirements Analysis for the banking industry, our focus will be entirely on adding audio/video capabilities to an existing Internet infrastructure, such being an online banking system. As a business entity, it is important to realize that "a complaint of disability discrimination is unlikely to succeed if accessibility has been considered at the design stage and reasonable steps have been taken to provide access." (Australian Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, 2002). As this consideration is understood, a complete business project plan can be outlined as follows when implementing audio and video capabilities into the banking infrastructure, as taken from the Sun Microsystems website's whitepaper entitled "Sun Java Enterprise System Deployment Planning White Paper" (Sun Microsystems, 2004). Through the implementation of audio and visual tools for the disabled customer and potential customers of the banking system, it allows the bank the ability to reach those customers that have not been properly treated with dignity and what they have been neglected as far as enjoying the benefits of what every person is afforded.

Misconceptions about Other Peoples Religions Research Paper

Misconceptions about Other Peoples Religions - Research Paper Example To me, Holi was merely a spring festival that was celebrated in fun and colorful way. Until then, I did not know that this religious festival had some kind of history, and it celebrated the battle between the good and the bad. I was informed by my host that we shall have to come for two days: firstly for the religious service, and secondly for the festivities. The religious service was performed a day prior to Holi and it is called ‘Holi pooja’. It is performed on the day before Holi, called ‘Holika Dahan’. â€Å"People light bonfires on the eve of Holi festival to celebrate the victory of good over bad which is called Holika Dahan.† (SCFI) The religious devotion of the people in that ceremony really inspired me and I could not help relating the phenomenon of victory of good over bad with my own religious faith. I was surprised to feel that the sense of unfamiliarity started to fade away as the service proceeded and I began to understand what the history of Holi was all about. The name Holi comes from a princess named Holika. A story relates that many years ago Holika tried to kill her brother Prahlad. She did so at the instance of her father [who] wanted to be worshipped as a god, but one person stood in his way. That person was his son, Prahlad... [the King] ordered Holika to sit inside a bonfire and hold Prahlad on her lap... Instead of Prahlad being burned to death, it was Holika who perished. (Haze, pp. 20-21) I had not the slightest idea that the history of this religious festival dated back to ancient times and how important the victory of good over bad was important to them. Thus, the bonfires that are lit on the eve of Holika Dahan are a re-enactment of the trial of the good and the bad. Hindus put the effigies of Holika (that symbolizes the bad) and Prahlad (that symbolizes the good).  

Epidemiology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Epidemiology - Essay Example This entails food safety to ensure monitoring of food to avoid causing foodborne diseases. Therefore, the research question is â€Å"what can consumers do to protect themselves from foodborne illness. The study is purely cross-sectional and investigates the control measures used to enhance prevention of foodborne illness among the consumers. First the study identifies the community, who are the consumers. Some of the basic steps towards prevention of foodborne illness include buy of foodstuffs from reputable sources to enhance any follow-up in case of an emergency. The consumer should ask the supplier of the standards they normally impose to ensure food safety (Lindell & David, 2001). The consumer must choose foodstuff that is wholesome and appears fresh. Any unfamiliar color or odor causes for alarm, and any produce with excessive soil or dust on edible portions must be avoided. The foodstuff should be stored in dry and cool place, and the consumer should follow all directions for use. Washing of hands should be exercised before preparation of any food. All produce must be washed in a clean colander or sink under running water. The cutting boards should be washed in warm water, and any raw produce like fruits should not be chopped in a board used for poultry or raw meat (Lindell & David, 2001). The cross-sectional design involves the collection of data at a definite time to assess the prevalence of chronic or acute conditions. The study involves the collection of special data like the questions about past, and they rely on the originally collected data (Lindell & David, 2001). The design is relatively easy and quick to conduct, and the collection of data on all variables happens at once. This is because the design involves observing the entire population. The method is applicable where the prevalence can be measured for all the factors investigated. Also, multiple outcomes can be studied. The prevalence of any health related characteristics or

The Fundamentals of Statistics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Fundamentals of Statistics - Assignment Example Additionally, in order to provide a clearer illustration of the data, use of graphs and pie charts is paramount. There are many things that are not explicitly understandable and usually require uncovering. Therefore, it is important for the interested parties to come up with ways of developing an adequately deep understanding of the target information. In most cases, the information being sought is usually of significant importance. The information could be explanatory or even form basis for evaluation of problems at hand. This is the reason why people embark on research since it enables them to capture data upon which to validate their views or obtain explanations (Goddard & Melville, 2001). A study conducted on a sample of inmates revealed a number of things based on the views of the inmates on the criminal justice system. The study encompassed qualitative and quantitative variables all of which were related to criminal justice. This is an outlook into two of the variables studied namely â€Å"types of offenses† and satisfaction of the inmates with regard to â€Å"incarceration servi ces†. It is undisputable that different offenses have different frequencies of occurrence thus the need to look into the specific offenses for which the inmates were in. Figure 1 is a representation of the findings of the study with regard to the types of offense for which the inmates were jailed. There were 7 inmates jailed for homicide and 9 in each of robbery and burglary categories. The information is illustrated in a pie chart to clearly depict the proportion of inmates assigned to each of the categories of offenses. The use of pie enhances visibility of the relationship existing between the variables under study. The type of offense is a qualitative variable and some of the measures of central tendency and variability cannot be obtained. Qualitative data is categorical and non-numerical thus difficult to obtain measures that

Black Panther Organization Essay Example for Free

Black Panther Organization Essay The African American people, living in the United States of America, are one of the minority groups in the country that experience terrible situations wherein they are marginalized. This group of people have been often targeted by acts of violence, racism, bigotry, unfair treatment and other acts of injustice. Every once in a while, there are selected individuals who fought for the cause and the rights of the African American people, individuals like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are familiar names from the black Left. It also included â€Å"radical black theologian James Cone, left-wing black civil rights activist James Forman, left-wing black sociologist Robert Allen, 1960s radical black essayist Julius Lester, and James Boggs, black worker-socialist writer and activist (Mc Cartney 133). † Standing shoulder to shoulder with these individuals who contributed largely to the advancement of the African American cause is one of the very prominent groups that became the vanguard that defended, protected and advanced the cause of the African American people as an organization. And this is the Black Panther. This paper is focused on discussing several important aspects about the Black Panther as a political organization that influenced the society as much as it influenced its individual members, in the process of establishing the social prominence and influence that the group managed to create for itself since its creation and during the time before it declined to power and social clout. The Black Panther History To be able to understand the Black Panther Party better, it is important to know how the organization started, what prompted the formation of the group, how it rose to social prominence, how it managed to recruit more members and grow in numbers, the goals and ideas of the Party and how it eventually affected the society. While there are historians who would talk about the chronological development inside the Black Panther Party to attribute to the beginnings of the party, there are those who will explain the beginnings of the party in different manner. They explain how the party was a result of the efforts of some of the people who believed that it is about time that a group is organized. There is an organized approach towards fighting the social injustice that the African Americans in the country are facing. While other historians point to the date, the founding father of the Party and other data to establish the roots and early beginnings of the Party, others simply refer to the beginnings of the party as more of a collective reaction by the people who cannot take the social injustice and oppression any longer. â€Å"It grew out of the social evils of an unjust, oppressive system (Seale 3). † Some believed that the creation of the Black Panther Party was a product of a necessity. While others believed that the creation of the group was a result of a calculated scheme undertaken by the founder and early leaders of the group. They foresaw the change coming in the national and international social spheres and saw that such a group with the intentions like the Black Panther party has the potential to prosper and be an important social institution (Seale 3). Others merely believed that the birth of the Black Panther party traced its roots on similar vein like equally radical group which broke away from the original nationalist organization and decided that it was best to create a group which is more radical to achieve more concrete actions and results; considering the party as something created after the â€Å"split† that happened in the ranks and in the strategy of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee or the SNCC (Simpson, Yinge 424). â€Å"While it was, at the same time, a very strong sign that a part of the nationalist movement is moving towards radicalizing its actions, its beliefs, its tenets and other aspects of the organization design to accomplish social change (Simpson, Yinge 424). † The Black Panther Party officially became an organization after founders Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale created the organization on October 15, 1966. It started with the name Black Panther Party for Self Defense. This is because the main thrust of the organization was the protection that the African Americans desperately need during the time when most of them believed that they are defenseless from the racist attacks on them. This attack was done by white police officers who came to symbolize the role of the main oppressors in the ideals of the group that would be later known via its shorter name, The Black Panthers Party (Simpson, Yinge 424). The Rise The rise of the Black Panther Party was attributed to the time immediately after the foundation. Most historians noted that the rise of the group to social prominence happened sometime in the late 60’s and in the early 70’s (followed soon after wards by the steep decrease in popularity halfway through the 70s). The rise to prominence was attributed to the efforts, success and concrete actions that the group has undertaken and achieved through the relatively short influential period that the group had. Many people believed in the ideals of the group, especially the ten-point program and the belief of the leaders that there is no reason why people from different racial background can’t get along with each other. This was the idea that the Black Panther and its leadership was trying to put forward. Because of the admirable ideology, many supported the group, allowing the group to rise to fame and prominence especially in cities, states and neighborhoods where Black Panther Party chapters are visible and active (Lazerow, Williams 84). The Black Panther Party was successful in achieving prominence because of its presence in many affairs that made them a household name. Soon, people were already aware of the Black Panther party, especially after numerous incidences with the police and the very active radicalism and activism that the group is not afraid to show in the streets. They were part of the consciousness of the masses, may it be the white or the black. The media and the press contributed to the growth of the Black Panther Party by talking about it in the newspaper, in the television and in the radio (Jones 41). The mass communication tools paired with the word of mouth improved the reputation of the Black Panther party and communicated to the people who they are and what they want to do. This act of reaching out to the people and reaching out to the government through violent and non-violent actions gained nationwide support and catapulted the organization into new and greater heights never experienced before by the Black Panther Party (Jones 41). An important note that serves as proof of the rise of the Black Panther Party in the society is the rise of the position of the organization particularly in the American left wing movement during the height of its social influence. Many believed that there was actually a time that the Black Panther Party was the leading organization that controls the leftists in the country, that the group is actually armed with a high level of clout and influence to go with a high number of Party members including soldiers who are armed and are willing to resort to acts of violence through the use of lethal force to defend its claims and social rights which it believed was, for the longest time, denied to them (Simpson, Yinger 424). â€Å"For about five years, the left wing of the black protest movements was occupied by the Black Panthers. Reference to the period when they were subjects of public attention and controversy may be of value in suggesting some of the consequences of harsh confrontation as a way of trying to increase interracial justice (Simpson, Yinger 424). † Even if the authors believed that the Black Panther Party ruled the American left for half a decade, their influence and role in the civil protest action for the African American rights and privileges extended a few more years before the perceived height of their power and a few years later leading to the decline of the influence of the organization. The Fall But just like any other good thing, the fervor that was the flame of the organization was soon consumed, and just like any other organization, the Black Panther Party was vulnerable to internal strife and external pressure. There are those who believed that a large part of the fall of the group was attributed to the negative publicity that the group had during the time when its founder Huey P. Newton was put under trial after he was apprehended as a suspect for manslaughter. Of course, there was also other internal instability that contributed to the collapse of the organization. With the changes that are happening inside and outside of the party and how the party was responding to it in return, it became clear through the signs that were displayed by the Party and its members that it would not be long before the group completely loses the breadth and depth of public support, social prominence and popularity that it once had, leading to the chapter in the life of the Black Panther party known as their fall from social prominence. One day, the group stopped becoming the leader of the American revolutionary left (Jones 286). Another possible reason why the Black Panthers lost its influence and power and the hold of the sympathy of the masses is because it disintegrated from within and imploded eventually. It was because of the problems that the Black Panther Party has to face internally, particularly the friction that was created after some of the women members asserted more and more power and influence and tried to be independent and authoritarian individuals themselves. It resulted in the subjugation of some of the male members of the Party, a development which is not in line with the thinking and dogma of the Party (Jones 286). â€Å"It is female chauvinism and Black womens complicity in the castration of Black men primarily through the receipt of an alleged economic advantage that destroyed relationships and families in the Party and elsewhere (Jones 286). † What happened was an ironic and odd twist of fate. In the pursuit of equality and justice, the Black Panther Party made it a point that inside the group no, form of injustice would happen. That is why, they did not try to undermine or put the women members in a lower echelon. But this move proved to be one of the sources of confusion because some women had a distracted and distorted view of the essence of women empowerment inside the party, living the Party ideals about women members somewhat differently and counter to what the male Party members expected of them (Jones 286). â€Å"Obviously influenced by the pseudo-historical analysis of Black woman as domineering matriarchs and was seemingly unaware (or unconvinced) of the revised Party rhetoric highlighting the significance of revolutionary comrade sisters to the movement (Jones 286). † Perhaps, the most notable reason for the fall of the Black Panther Party aside from allegations of internal strife, the participation of its members in illegal activities and the negative image it has been generating through continuous acts of violence directed against law enforcement agents some of whom are fellow African Americans is the trial and eventual death of Newton. Newton was considered as a charismatic, intelligent and powerful leader that held the group strongly together during his time. But when he started losing control of the group, the group faltered and failed (Mc Cartney 133). â€Å"Newton was undoubtedly the most forceful, the best-known, and the most ambitious theorist-practitioner of left-wing Black Power, and for these reasons alone his profile is a small-scale representation of the entire Black Power left (Mc Cartney 133). † The Ideas There is a saying that the leader or founder of the group and what he or she stands for greatly describes the ideas and the general ideologies of the group. In the case of the Black Panther Party, understanding the ideas of the groups can be made by understanding its founder Huey P. Newton. Analysts believed that Newton symbolized what the group is all about, including the leanings of the group towards what John T. Mc Cartney explained as counter-communalism or the idea that the civil rights advocates demanded not a separation by the African Americans from the rest of the US, but a change in the system that can improve the lives of the African Americans in the country (Mc Cartney 133). This was one of the important aims of the organization and its founder represented what the group was aiming for. â€Å"In the 1960s, certainly the most visible, if not the most articulate, advocate of Counter-Communalism was Huey P. Newton, the leader of the Black Panther Party (Mc Cartney 133). † The Goals and Aims The main goal and aim of the group is to influence social and political spheres. The leadership provides sufficient and equal attention to the needs of the African American population and not subject this particular minority group in further acts of discrimination and marginalization. The Black Panther Party, like any leftist group, talked about giving the people what they deserve, what they need, what was deprived of them in the past, what they need in the future, pressuring the government to yield to their demands and using the power of the strength of their number as leverage to gain prominence and voice that can help the government hear their demands and act upon these demands efficiently and in a just and satisfying manner (Simpson, Yinge 424). The Black Panther Party, no doubt, was a different group compared to the other groups for African American civil rights advocates that came before. After its time, historians, critics and analysts believe that at some point, the Black Panther Party, despite its reputation for violence and police clashes, also shares some similarities with other groups, organizations and movements in the US that looked after the welfare of African American. One of the similarities that the Black Panther party shared with other groups is the aim which the Party and the other organizations wanted to accomplish (Simpson, Yinge 424). Although there are little differences, all in all, the aim of the Black Panther party was very much similar to the aims of the nationalist movement and groups in the US during the time of the Black Panther Party. â€Å"The aims of the Black Panther were similar to those of other Black Nationalist groups, except perhaps for the explicit demands that the government furnish jobs and decent income for all (Simpson, Yinge 424). † The Members The Black Panther Party is composed of male and female African American sympathizers and activists. They recruited heavily. The group was full in ranks in no time, establishing its presence in areas that included Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and other key cities and states. These same locations are where the group’s newspaper which goes by the same name was printed in large scale and heavily distributed for information dissemination. Like any other organization, the Black Panther assigned individual and group tasks. The duties and responsibilities of each member were, in detail, different from each other but in scope similar since they all worked to achieve one single goal (Lazerow, Williams 37). The higher echelon members of the Black Panther Party membership were the ones responsible for the role of the party as a spokesperson of the African American communities who, prior to the creation of the Black Panther Party, was speechless and was not heard by the local and national leaders. Some of the members of the party were tasked with gathering information about the grievances of the African American communities; while some are tasked in double checking these facts so that they are credible and real (Lazerow, Williams 37). The leaders of the group are the ones who present this information to the government officials who are responsible for the different aspects of the grievances that the African American citizens are laying out for the government to address and take action on. â€Å"Party activists also defined their anti-colonial politics in terms of pushing onto the municipal political agenda the concerns of local residents who needed jobs, better health care, improved schools, and repaired streets (Lazerow, Williams 37). † Contrary to the belief that all Black Panthers did was instigate and involve themselves in violent protests, they also have political maneuvers that included talks with leaders so that reform is achieved. An important characteristic of the Black Panther Party members is its role not just in activism but also in pro-active vigilance. At the time of the rise of the Black Panther party to prominence, the lives of most African American (particularly male) involves violence, sometimes resulting from individual or gang-related violence or even from acts of violence committed by white police officers and law enforcement units (Lazerow, Williams 37). The Black Panther Party tried to answer and remedy this problematic situation by actively moving towards police monitoring of acts of harassment and unjustified physical assault towards African Americans. This is a part of the overall strategy to remove the presence of injustice in the country which is centered among African American minorities and is reflected through acts of wanton violence and unchecked aggression by the white police officers towards African American males (Lazerow, Williams 37). â€Å"The Panther’s famous ‘policing the police’ drew attention to the spatial remove that white Americans enjoyed from the state violence that had come to characterize life in black urban communities (Lazerow, Williams 37). † The members of the Black Panther Party were unafraid to go head-on with the white cops. Their boldness somewhat pushed the white cops back to a more acceptable sense of self control and self regulation. This is an important victory for the Black Panther Party and its members. The Effects they had on Society The Black Panther Party became popular and significant not just because of how the party managed to recruit so many members in a short period of time. More importantly, it became prominent because whether the detractors of the Black Panther Party accept it or not, the organization managed to accomplish something and actually had significant influence in the society especially during the height of its power. It convinced many people to believe and join their cause, which lead to the creation of a Black Panther Party that is filled with many members who are idealists who finally found an organization to which they can affiliate themselves with and actually expect to do something concrete about the current situation of African Americans in the US (Rabinovich, Reinharz 235). Perhaps one of the important social relevance that the Black Panther Party achieved and what other people actually believed they did was the ability to identify important points of concern present inside the society; one of which is the pertinent and relevant information concerning the presence of discrimination in the particular localities where localized Black Panther Party units operate. Wielding credible information, and managing to send this information not just to the authorities who need to do something about it who should do something about it but to the public who needs to know about it and who is inspired and at some point agitated by what they learned from the Black Panther Party, is one of the things that it managed to effectively do especially during the height of its power and social prominence. â€Å"The Black Panthers of Detroit or Chicago had no difficulty in pinning down the exact points at which there is discrimination (Rabinovich, Reinharz 235). † In some ways, what made the Black Panther different is its synthesis of many different aspects that involved the left-leaning movement that it has managed to assemble and establish (Rabinovich, Reinharz 235). The Black Panther has taken key concepts from the past and the future and moved from national to international analysis of social issues that made them a significant group during their time and in the height of the groups power and social influence. â€Å"By reclaiming the tradition of black radicalism that the Cold War had suppressed and linking it to the concrete concerns of black communities, the Party joined the black rights struggle in the United States to a global analysis of capitalism and imperialism (Lazerow, Williams 37). † The Black Panther Today But despite the presence of Black Panther and the task that it set about in accomplishing, oddly, the Black Panther itself as an organization was nonetheless victimized by the same problem that it is trying to solve to have the African Americans be treated equally as how the society treats the white American citizens during its time. Then, and now, the Black Panther experienced the stigma of the African American people which it represented. Proof of which is the fact that the Black Panther as a group was still viewed or presented by the media and the rest of the society in a way that sometimes creates misconceptions about the group. Due in some part because those which talks about the Black Panther, like the media and the historians, somewhat leaned towards white Americans. That is why even now, several African American historians, writers and critics still make it their responsibility to ensure that the contemporary public is correctly informed. IT is because of the belief that there are many anti-Black Panther and anti African American propaganda that circulated in the past which may have influenced the thinking, attitude and perception of the modern day people about the Black Panthers. â€Å"There are a lot of misconceptions about the Black Panther Party. I wanted to write this book so people could have a better insight into the inner workings of the Party, so that people would have a more true understanding of the Black Panther Party what it really does, the kind of people who are in it, their everyday lives, the things that have happened to the Party (Seale, p3). † Conclusion The Black Panther Party will always be an important name in the analysis of the different US-based African American social rights advocacy groups. In retrospect during the height of the influence of the Black Panther Party in the society, it can be noticed that the Black Panthers became a success and earned the sympathy of the people because of what it managed to accomplish, what it managed to integrate in its essence as the group improved and developed through the years, what it managed to include in its collective fight for the cause and need of the African American people in the US. The group touched concrete and critical layers of social concerns especially those which affected the African American people. It managed to balance political dialogue with immediate and simplistic social needs without being vague or general. The group proved critical as well as constructive in their pursuit of answers and in providing solutions that can benefit the African American citizens. â€Å"At the heart of the Panthers’ anti-colonial politics was an analysis of the relationship between urban black communities and the post-war American metropolis and a critique of the concept of liberal free markets in urban property, employment, and housing, on the other (Lazerow, Williams 37). † Works Cited Jones, Charles E. Black Panther Party Reconsidered. Black Classic Press, 1998. Lazerow, Jama and Williams, Yohuru. In Search of the Black Panther Party: New Perspectives on a Revolutionary Movement. Duke University Press, 2006. McCartney, John T. Black Power Ideologies: An Essay in African American Political Thought. Temple University Press, 1993. Rabinovich, Itamar. Israel in the Middle East: Documents and Readings on Society, Politics, and Foreign Relations, Pre-1948 to the Present. Brandeis University Press, 2007. Seale, Bobby. Seize the Time: The Story of the Black Panther Party and Huey P. Newton. Black Classic Press, 1991. Simpson, George Eaton E. , and Yinger, J. M. Racial and Cultural Minorities: An Analysis of Prejudice and Discrimination. Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1985. The Black Panther Organization. 2008. 23 November 2008 http://www. blackpanther. org/.

Passing Of The UK 1832 Reform Act

Passing Of The UK 1832 Reform Act The passing of the 1832 Reform Act (also knows as the Great Reform Act) and the consequent extension of the franchise was due to the culmination of several factors. It did not, in itself, make a great difference at the time but it certainly had an undeniable effect on what was to follow. It was rather the beginning of the satisfaction for reform; a way of opening the way for legislation that went further, than an achievement of this aim. Many MPs who voted for it saw it rather as a way of preventing further future change and avoiding revolution. At the time, only the land-owning class could vote. They represented areas of land as opposed to the actual people within. The lower classes were considered an uneducated rabble; they were seen to be unable to be trusted. Property and wealth determined who was able to vote. This essay will examine how the Act came to be passed and also the ways in which its passing affected British politics in the years to come. The issue of Catholic emancipation was arguably a factor in paving the way for the ability to reform. The Conservative government of the time was deeply against the issue of Catholic emancipation; ideologically, it was concerned with the preservation of tradition. As Robert Blake commented; The Tory party never tired of proclaiming its determination to uphold the traditional institutions of the United Kingdom, the monarchy, the House of Lords and the Protestant establishment, both its property and its privileges.  [1]   This became a problematic position. William Vesey Fitzgerald was obliged to resign as MP and stand for re-election after entering into the position President of the Board of Trade. Daniel O Connell ran against him for the seat of County Clare, and won. Due to his being a Roman Catholic, he could not actually serve if elected. Therefore, the Conservative government had a problem; the opposition of Catholic emancipation was a point of unity for the Tory Party. On the other hand, the Catholic Association could cause significant disruption if no action was taken. Catholic emancipation caused a severe split within the Tory party. It convinced many ultra-Tories to support reform. Eric J. Evans comments that it was in fact an ultra-Tory, the Marquis of Blandford, as opposed to a radical that called for reform regarding the issue of rotten boroughs- he called for the seats of rotten boroughs to be given to larger towns, among other reformations. The ultra-Tories believed that the increased voters would lend support to their opposition of Catholic emancipation.  [2]   Economic conditions also contributed to a desire for reform. The economy had largely been dependent on the war- when Britain went to war against France in 1793. When the war ended in 1815, the country entered into an economic depression due to the lack of demand in peacetime for that which the country had been producing during wartime. In 1829, the harvest failed and resultantly, food prices increased. Radicals used this as an opportunity; William Lovett and Henry Hetherington formed the National Union of the Working classes in April, 1831. The goal was suffrage for all adult males and it campaigned for that.  [3]   A new middle class emerged in England as a result of the Industrial Revolution- this was composed of factory owners and entrepreneurs. This new middle class believed, justifiably, that their inability to vote was unfair as they were creating wealth. Middle class desire for increased representation in the political system was leading to a greater support for reform on their part, and this in turn lead to increased collaboration with the working class. The middle class felt that they deserved more representation in parliament than they currently possessed; industry and commerce were becoming more important and legislation such as the Corn Laws was in the interest of the aristocracy, which controlled parliament, as opposed to that of the middle class. Hence, they desired greater political power in order to do something about this. In 1830, Thomas Attwood formed the Birmingham Political Union due to the awful economic conditions. He founded a General Political Union between the Lower and Middle Classes of the People'.  [4]  Attwoods Union was not the only one of its kind; the creation of others followed in various forms. Their activities -political rallies which were well-attended and organised- indicated that the middle class did indeed desire reform and was prepared to work towards such a goal. The effect of the economic distress; the political unions and the French revolution was to prove to parliament that reform was an unavoidable issue, lest a revolution occur. MP Thomas McAulay said, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦I support this measure, because I am sure that it is our best security against a revolutionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ã‚  [5]   Many politicians came to view reform in this manner; as a means of preventing revolution and greater change to the system at a later point. The reform act, once passed, meant that more populated areas received a more proportional representation. It changed the areas represented by MPs to better reflect the changes in population distribution caused by industrialisation. Middle class males were enfranchised; all householders paying a yearly rental of  £10 and, if they had been resident for a year, lodgers paying  £10 received the vote. This, however, meant that the working class was excluded from the vote. Those living in cities were still not adequately represented and MPs still did not receive a salary- they also had to own land to be able to stand. This brought to an end the alliance between the middle class and the working class. The working class was resentful of this; they were aware that without their pressure, the government would not have felt such an urgent need to reform. Chartism was a movement born of working class resentment at their exclusion from the newly expanded franchise. There were two types; moral force and physical force Chartism. The principle of moral force Chartism was that demonstrating that the working class was respectable and trustworthy (e.g. Chartist churches) was the way to achieve their goals. In contrast, physical force Chartism was the idea of a more forceful, direct manner. That is not to say there were two distinct groups; most viewed the physical force concept as a last resort. The Peoples Charter consisted of six demands: * Institution of a secret ballot. * General elections be held annually. * Members of Parliament not be required to own property. * MPs be paid a salary. * Electoral districts of equal size. * Universal male suffrage. The first meeting specifically organised for Chartism  [6]  took place on Kerstal Moor on 24 September. The message was that universal suffrage, as opposed to direct action, would achieve their aims. Chartism was closely linked to the present state of the economy; if the economy was doing well then demand was low. If it was doing badly, demand was high. Chartism did not last; its high point could be said to be 1848. After a meeting on Kensington common on the 10 April of that year, the Chartists presented a petition to parliament. The procession to bring the petition to the House of Commons was banned, some of the upper class having come to believe the Chartists intended revolution. Many of the signatures on the petition itself were later found to be forgeries. There was still, of course, a demand for reform after the act of 1832. The Great Act did not, in fact, do much to expand the electorate at all. However, it created a precedent- it could be said to have opened the door for further reform. In 1851, The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations took place. Thomas Cook took 165,000 people to attend it. There was a fear that the working class would damage/cause trouble in the city, but the concerns proved to be unfounded. In reality, they demonstrated interest and were peaceful. There was a growth in public libraries and such services- this can be traced from the principles of moral force Chartism. By the 1860s, the general feeling was that the working class had demonstrated sufficient respectability to gain the vote. However, the Liberal/Whig party was divided over the extent to which reform should go. Elements of the aristocracy were unsure, whereas radical members were very keen. The split of the Conservative party had a llowed the Whigs to come in. Disraeli desired to lead the party into power once more; he pushed through reform far more radical than the Liberals had envisioned in an effort to win popular support- as a result, the working class became the majority. This was the 1867 reform act, and enfranchised the urban working class. His was a pragmatic move; he was taking advantage of the Liberals split, and trying to demonstrate the Conservatives had the ability to lead. The factors leading to the passing of the 1832 Reform Act were myriad; for example, the French revolution inspired radicals, the middle class resented their exclusion despite their creation of wealth and also the restriction on the growth of industry and the working class desired power in order to improve their quality of life. However, the effects of it were very limited. It was still deeply restrictive; the working class still did not possess the vote after it. It was this very fact that led to the creation of movements such as Chartism; the reform act set a precedent and the working class campaigned in earnest for universal male suffrage.

Leadership And Service Improvement Management Essay

Leadership And Service Improvement Management Essay The study of leaders and leadership has led to many competing theories which attempt to distill the essence of great leadership into its component parts, to allow others to acquire some of these attributes, and become more effective leaders. The very earliest theories on leadership tended to assume that leaders were born, and that leadership was not a skill, or set of skills that could be acquired. The overall impression was that Great Men had inherited leadership qualities from their ancestors, which would make them effective leaders when placed in positions of authority (Kirkpatrick and Locke 1991). This is not a very helpful way to look at leadership, and does nothing to assist students of leadership in their efforts to become better leaders themselves. It is not, though a great leap from identifying natural leaders to identifying which parts of their character or personality mark them out from others. This underpins the Trait theories of leadership. Trait theory was studied extensively in the mid part of the 20th Century, and had a wide range of results. Kirkpatrick and Locke (1991) explain that trait theory made no assumptions as to the origins of the traits studied, but simply highlighted the differences between leaders and non-leaders. In 1974, Stodgill published the results of his studies of leadership theory, and identified 22 traits and skills which are present to varying degrees in the individuals studied. This did not show how individuals could become better leaders, but, the identification of leadership as a skill has been vital in the subsequent development of leadership training. He himself ultimately concluded that A person does not become a leader by virtue of the possession of some combination of traits. (Stodgill 1948 cited in Levine 2008) McGregor (2005) looked at leadership behaviours as relating to underlying traits or world views. They examined the ways in which managers and leaders approached a task, and tried to understand the motivating factors. McGregror (1960) felt there were two major theories of human motivation which lay behind the actions of the leaders he studied. His theories were labelled X and Y. Theory X assumes that the average human being inherently dislikes work, and therefore must be coerced to perform at the required level. The motivating factors here are extrinsic. Theory Y assumes that work is a natural part of life, as much as is play or rest, and intrinsic motivation is key. This intrinsic motivation can be viewed as an expression of the Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow 1943) The work of McGregor informed the production of methods to map leadership behaviours. Blake and Mouton (1964) plotted concern for production against concern for people. This produces a helpful framework for mapping behaviours, but it is rather passive in form, and seems mainly useful for reflection or critique, to inform future endeavours. It does not necessarily inform leaders of what behaviour is best suited to the group they are working with at a particular time. Action centred leadership was proposed as a leadership model by Adair (1973). His time in the Army and work as a trainer at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst led him to develop a model that considers three domains; Task, Team and Individual. He argues that each domain requires the attention of a leader, but the relative importance of each will vary. The relationship of these domains is represented by a venn diagram: Task needs Team maintenance needs Individual needs This model then details the areas a leader should address in each domain: Task: Practical managerial concerns, for example creating a plan, monitoring performance Team: Facilitating group working by agreeing standards of behaviour, resolving group conflicts etc. Individual: Ensuring individuals are performing as well as possible by supporting through challenges, allocating work according to strengths etc. There is considerable overlap and interaction between each of these domains, and it is argued that attention to each domain is required for a balanced team. The key feature of this model which made such an impact was providing a practical framework which allowed leaders to combine some of the softer skills of leadership with more managerial traits of time management and task focus. Situational / Contingency Theories of Leadership The studies of leadership discussed above have all looked at leaders and leadership behaviour and described them, allowing leaders to analyse their behaviour. The theories above, over time have been developed to include a degree of dynamism, but were initially descriptive exercises. It was the recognition that there was not necessarily on right way of leading that prompted thinking about the possibility of adaptive styles of leadership (Schermerhorn 1997). The study of leadership in different situations and settings, and the observation that the most effective style of leadership changed with respect to situational variables led to situational leadership models. The earliest described was the Contingency Model (Fiedler 1964). This model relies on a self-rated scale to determine a preferred leadership style. Fiedler then studied working conditions, and described them through three variables: Leader-member relations how willing team members trust and will follow a leader Task structure: how well defined a task is, or if it follows a standard procedure Position Power: the extent of the rewards and punishments a leader has available. Through his studies, Fiedler constructed a visual guide to represent his findings about which type of leader was most effective given the situational variables. The model states that leaders with high LPC scores should work with teams where the situation is moderately favourable. The more task focused leaders will be more effective in situations which are either very favourable or unfavourable to the the leader. This model has been studied extensively and has received both criticism (Ashour 1973) support (Strube and Garcia 1981). A major source of controversy in this model is the LPC. One important point to note is that Fiedler felt leaders would find their behaviour difficult to alter, and organisations should therefore pick the correct leader for a given team. This is in contrast to other models which suggest leaders should be adaptable. The Hersey-Blanchard (1969) model of situational leadership looks at a different variable in the team context; the maturity of followers. The underlying assumption is that a leader should adopt a style of leadership which reflects the needs of the team. This is in direct contrast to Fiedlers (1964) assertion that organisations should pick leaders given the favourability of the situation. In this model, a two by two grid which is very similar to the Blake Mouton (1964) Managerial Grid, is used to describe four leadership styles: S1: Telling (low relationship, high task) S2: Selling (high relationship, high task) S3: Participating (high relationship, low task) S4: Delegating (low relationship, low task) There is an accompanying scale which rates the team a leader is concerned with: M1: Low competence, and low commitment M2: Low competence, and high commitment M3: High competence with low/variable commitment M4: High competence and high commitment The M score for maturity of the team members was developed over time, and was later divided to reflect job and psychological maturity (Hersey and Blanchard 1982). Job maturity is the ability or capacity to perform the task in hand. Psychological maturity indicates motivation. The model has received criticism from a theoretical standpoint, and from empirical research. Graeff (1983) claims that the maturity scale is invalid, as it classifies workers who have skill and are unmotivated (M3) as more mature than those who lack skill but are dedicated to a task(M2). He also argues that the additive nature of job and psychological maturity in the model is invalid. He supports this view by suggesting that in tasks where skill requirements are low, motivation has a much greater importance. One study into the model concluded that, because high follower maturity did not obviate the need for supervision, their results lent very little support to the model (Cairns et al 1998). This study though had methodological flaws, a skewed population, and did describe some support for aspect of the SLT model. The practical application of this model relies on the ability of the leader to determine the maturity of their followers, and reflect this in their leadership style. Perhaps the most important aspect of the model is the recognition that leadership styles are not fixed, and leaders can change their approach to suit a given team or individual. In modern healthcare settings, there has been a change in the nature of teams. There is no longer a stable, small, hierarchical team. Instead, teams form and disperse on an almost shift-by-shift basis. To lead effectively in this environment, it is necessary to be adaptable, and be able to support team members to realise their potential. The models described above illustrate that there is no one best way to lead a team. Instead, by appreciating the different situations, individuals and tasks involved, leaders stand a better chance of forming teams which can cope with the varying demands of the modern NHS. Perhaps Goleman (2000, p.4) has argued this most eloquently through his work which revealed that the most effective leaders do not rely on only one leadership style; they use them seamlessly and in different measure depending on the business situation. Service Improvement Methods: The literature describes a large number of service improvement methods which have been applied in some form to healthcare settings. Most service improvement methodologies that have been implemented in healthcare have been adopted from industry, where the driving force is to maximise profits for shareholders. The adoption of industrial techniques for service and quality improvement has often met with a degree of resistance from the medical profession (Moss and Garside 1995) and from the health sector as a whole. This has been attributed to the professional nature of healthcare, which involves large numbers of autonomous, independent practitioners who often place independence of clinical decision making at the heart of their operating values. (Degeling et al 2003) Recently though, there has been a recognition within the medical profession of the need to drive up standards in healthcare, and to focus on overall quality of care, rather than just direct clinical activity. Included in most definitions of quality is efficiency of healthcare delivery. This focus on efficiency is built on the growing recognition that publicly funded healthcare systems need to be accountable for the expenditure they make. (Donabedian 1988) It is in the context of increased demands for efficiency, increasing burden of chronic disease, and ever increasing expectations from the users of the health services that service improvement tools have started to be implemented on a wider scale than ever before. Systematic approaches to service improvement have been in existence for a long time. Taylor published his Principles of Scientific Management in 1911 after many years of employing what are now known as time and motion studies to various industrial processes. His approach was much criticised for giving too much power to managers, and its use was even banned by the American Senate in defence establishments for relying too heavily on command and control leadership (Mullins 2005a). However, his methods produced great improvements in efficiency, and he made an argument about systems which is still valid today: The remedy for this inefficiency lies in systematic management rather than in searching for some unusual or extraordinary man.(Taylor 1911) Total Quality Management This approach to systematic improvement was developed by Deming during his work with Japanese manufacturers in the aftermath of World War II. He was initially concerned with teaching statistical control methods to Japanese manufacturers to improve efficiency. However, he adjusted his teaching to focus on the process, rather than individual performance, and emphasised the need for good management and a collective push for optimisation. He published his recommendations for industry, government and education, which set out his 14 points for management in the seminal work Out of the Crisis (Deming 1986). TQM is more than a technique or set of tools for improvement, and can be described as a way of life for an organisation as a whole, committed to total customer satisfaction through a continuous process of improvement and involvement of people. (Mullins 2005b) TQM has been utilised in healthcare since the early 1990s, and aspects of it are increasingly being employed today. It is often the tools associated with the approach which are used, rather than the wholesale systems change originally described, and this lack of clarity regarding the true nature of what is called TQM has contributed to a lack of clear evidence of benefit. (Øvretveit and Gustafson 2002) Where the whole package of TQM has been implemented, results have been mixed, but there are numerous examples of where certain elements have shown benefit. The most commonly employed techniques derived from TQM are statistical control methods, and the PDSA cycle. Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) Alongside his work on TQM, Deming is credited as being one of the key proponents of the PDSA (or PDCA) cycle. This cycle of learning, implemented as a quality improvement tool had been taught by Shehwart (1939) whilst Deming was working with him. Deming took this knowledge to Japan and it formed part of his work on TQM (Hossain 2008). The cycle reflects Kolbs learning cycle (1973), and is a tool for testing changes, and reacting to the results. It can be seen as either a standalone tool for change, as part of a larger system of change, or as a key part of a philosophy for wide-scale change across an organisation.(Cleghorn and Headrick 1996) The PDSA cycle consists of four parts: Plan: The objective of the test must be defined, and a method of data collection must be incorporated. Do: The planned change to a process is carried out, with concurrent data collection Study: The data is analysed, compared with predicted outcomes, and a summary of learning is produced. Act: The conclusions from the data are utilised, and used to inform the next plan. The underlying rationale for the PDSA cycle lies in systems theory. Systems theory implies that small scale changes within a system can create large results. The PDSA cycle is useful for testing small changes, and reflecting on the effects before either applying them across a whole system, or making further changes (Berwick 1998). When linked together, PDSA cycles can be used to drive up quality. This approach of multiple linked cycles and this approach of multiple linked PDSA cycles is used in the Model for Improvement, the rapid cycle model of change, and the collaborative approach (Langley et al 2009, 1992; Institute for Healthcare Improvement 2003). In contrast with small PDSA schemes within a team or organisation, the collaborative approach uses multiple PDSA cycles within separate organisations, whilst aiming for improvement in a shared area of care: The PDSA model, when used within the model for improvement, or as a chain of cycles within a single team is a clear, simply understood, but powerful tool for implementing change, and improving quality. Its strength lies in its ability to be applied to small scale changes, but achieve significant results. From an organisational point of view, the relatively small amount of resource which is required to test each hypothesis makes this model very attractive. Processes can be studied with little disruption of everyday activity, and if the results are not favourable, learning can continue without significant loss to the organisation. In clinical processes, the PDSA cycle is an excellent tool for testing hypotheses, especially where evidence may be lacking and inaction seems inappropriate, but action without reflection sees un-wise (Berwick 1998) The smaller, more local focus of PDSA cycles, and small resource requirements make this model particularly accessible to staff of all levels, and as the engagement of frontline staff, and in particular doctors has been shown to be a key factor in the success of change in the healthcare setting, this is a major strength. (Greenhalgh et al 2004 and Øvretveit 2005) The incorporation of the PDSA cycle into wider schemes of change management brings additional complexity, and also invites additional problems. There have been varied results in the implementation of the collaborative approach within healthcare as a service improvement tool. Some studies report great success (Monteleoni and Clark 2004; Schonlau et al 2005) while others (Newton et al 2007) found that there were difficulties using the same model. The major difficulties identified were lack of adequate resources, the conceptual difficulties associated with the model, and poor leadership. A recent review concluded that there is currently no evidence about the long term results or cost effectiveness of collaboratives compared with other models. (Øvretveit 2002). Toyota Production System (TPS) / Lean One approach to service improvement which is being applied with growing enthusiasm within the NHS is Lean. Lean thinking and theory emerged from studies of the manufacturing processes at Toyota. The term was first used in the late 1980s and the approach grew in stature after the publication of The Machine that Changed the World (Womack et al 1990). Lean was not originally a single tool or approach, but instead was a philosophy to which all members of an organisation aligned themselves. This whole systems approach is probably now better recognised at the Toyota Production System (Liker 2003). The success of Lean/TPS has led to a proliferation of schemes which fall under the umbrella of Lean thinking but do not necessarily hold to the original principles. The TPS was developed in the 1950s in Japan, and was first published in English in 1977 by Sugimori et al. The system has been studied extensively, but many organisations, despite implementing the principles behind the TPS, have not achieved the efficiencies and quality that Toyota exhibit. (Spear and Bowen 1999). There have been many attempts to reduce the TPS to a method which can be applied in many settings, but as Sutherland and Bennett (2007) state, such a complex process cannot be adequately documented. They suggest that instead, to understand the system, one must learn from mentors, much like a child learns and forms habits from their parents. Liker (2003) sets out 14 principles of the TPS, but for the purposes of this assignment, three will be examined: 1. The thorough elimination of waste (muda) 2. Jidoka or the primacy of quality 3. Kaizen continuous incremental improvement Ohno (1988) identifies 7 wastes (muda) which should be eliminated from any system. These are: Overproduction production of more than is required for immediate use Delay / Waiting any delay between the end of one process, and the start of another. Unnecessary transportation of materials Overprocessing using more energy than required for a given process, or exceeding the agreed specification Excess inventory any raw materials or work in progress in excess of customer requirements. Motion any unnecessary movement of workers, eg. reaching / stretching. Defects any process or work that results in unacceptable goods These wastes have immediate equivalents in most healthcare settings, and underpin a lot of the efforts in healthcare which are labelled as Lean. From these definitions many techniques for identifying waste have been developed. The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement (NHSIII) has developed a series of products known as the Productive Series which use the elimination of waste to improve healthcare. The tools used in the productive series are often taken directly from industry (NHSIII 2007), and include some elements which date back as far as the Scientific Methods described by Taylor (1911). Jidoka is defined by Toyota (2010) as automation with a human touch. When applied to a manufacturing context, this emerges as the principle that a process should continue unless a defect is noted. Once that defect has been detected, work should stop until the problem is solved. This principle ensures in manufacturing that if a machine or worker detects a problem, or a process issue, the line is stopped, a solution introduced and, vitally, incorporated into the standard workflow. In this way, the defect should not arise again. The early detection of defects on a production line, and the empowerment of workers to raise the alarm if defects occur also reduces waste. It is unfortunate that, although many principles of the TPS/Lean system are implemented in healthcare, it is often this concern for detecting problems and creating solutions which are incorporated into standard work which fails to be introduced. One reason cited for this area failing to be implemented is that clinical care c annot stop, in in this respect, clinicians feel methods for producing widgets cannot be applied to the art of healing (Wilson et al 2001). There are examples of where this concept has been introduced, into the healthcare environment, with clear evidence of improvements (Ballà © and Rà ©gnier 2007), but a recent paper argues that more could be done (Grout and Toussaint 2010) Kaizen is the culture of continuous, incremental improvements to a system (Imai 1986). This cultural philosophy of scientific experimentation, conducted at the lowest possible level in the organisation, is held up by Spear and Bowen (1999) as one of the key elements of the success of the TPS, and as a key stumbling block for others who seem unable to replicate Toyotas success. This philosophy, combined with other unwritten rules combine to create a community of scientists, who engage in experimentation to solve problems. These problems are often on a small scale, and the process closely follows the PDSA cycle. When this principle of widespread, incremental change is adopted across an organisation, with recognition of the value of tacit knowledge, it is possible for a learning organisation to emerge (Howells 1996). In conclusion, there are many approaches to leadership and service improvement which are being used in the healthcare setting today. Use of an adaptive model, which allows a leader to change management style depending on the team they are leading, and the task in hand, is most appropriate for leaders of modern medical teams, in a large part due to the very flexible nature of the teams involved. The application of industrial quality improvement techniques to healthcare has great potential, and successful trials have been conducted. However, a common feature discussed in analyses of obstacles to implementation is the engagement of medical professionals. Through the use of effective leadership, and engagement of these key stakeholders, it is possible to lay the foundations for a learning organisation. A learning culture which is open to the possibilities of change through quality improvement strategies will ultimately be the most fertile environment in which to implement change for a be tter quality of care.

Hamlets Horatio - A Man of Thought, Fortinbras - A Man of Action :: comparison compare contrast essays

Hamlet: Horatio - A Man of Thought, Fortinbras - A Man of Action In the play Hamlet, William Shakespeare proposed two kinds of men. Horatio is the character who represents a man of thought. The other kind of man is represented by Fortinbras, a man of action. Hamlet is the character that manages to be both, thought and action. Hamlet failed to avenge his father's death because he was both. According to Shakespeare in the play Hamlet, a man could not succeed if ge was both action and thought. The most evident man of thought in the play was Horatio. Horatio sees the world with the eyes of a scholar and views things in a logical manner. Horatio sees the ghost and Hamlet says " There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy" (1.5.166-168). This reveals Horatio's attitude to the audience. It shows that Horatio only believes in what scholars say. Study is his only purpose I life. He is admired and used by others for his knowledge, The audience becomes aware of this admiration when the soldiers use Horatio the speak with the ghost. Marcellus says "Thou art a scholar; speak to it, Horatio" ( 1.1.42). The soldiers need Horatio because he is an educated man. As a man of thought Horatio has a significant role in helping society. Fortinbras is a man of action. He takes action before he thinks about the consequences of his actions. The king is making use of these characteristics when he says "we have to writ to Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras—Who impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears of his nephew's purpose to suppress his further gait" (1.2.29-32). In this quote the king has stopped Fortinbras' invasion of Denmark. The king was able to do this because Fortinbras didn't consider what would happen if His uncle found out. Another quotation showing Fortinbras' action without thought is made by Hamlet. Hamlet has just learned of the invasion of Poland led by Fortinbras. When Hamlet says "The imminent death of twenty thousand men, that for a fantasy and trick of fame" (44.60-61) he is stating the consequences of Fortinbras' actions. Hamlet is saying that many men will die just so Fortinbras can be famous. Fortinbras is the character who best represents a man of action in this play. The hero of the play, Hamlet, Is a man of both action and thought. The cause of Hamlet's failure is being a man of both. Hamlet is aware that his thinking is getting in the way of his revenge.

Jean-Paul Sartre: Conscience to the World Essay -- Biography Sartre Es

Jean-Paul Sartre: Conscience to the World At the time of his death on the fifteenth of April, 1980, at the age of seventy-four, Jean-Paul Sartre’s greatest literary and philosophical works were twenty-five years in the past. Although the small man existed in the popular mind as the politically inconsistent champion of unpopular causes and had spent the last seven years of his life in relative stagnation, his influence was still great enough to draw a crowd of over fifty thousand people – admirers or otherwise – for his funeral procession. Sartre was eminently quotable, a favorite in the press, because his statements were always controversial. He was the leader of the shortly popular Existential movement in philosophy which turned quickly into a fad for the disillusioned post-World War I generation, so even when the ideas criticized were not the ideas of Sartre’s Existentialism, he still came to the public mind. Sartre was alternately celebrated and vilified, depending on which side of the issu e the speaker or writer was on, and whether or not Sartre had early espoused – and possibly later turned against – the ideals in question. Despite Sartre’s many political and philosophical about-faces, fellow Marxist political philosopher Herbert Marcuse said of him, â€Å"He may not want to be the world’s conscience, but he is.† [Hayman, 458] Poulou Jean-Paul Sartre was born on June 21, 1905, and lost his father a little over a year later. His mother, Anne-Marie was raised uneducated in an educated family and moved back in with her own father, the teacher Karl Schweitzer, uncle of the famous philosopher and missionary, Albert Schweitzer. She promptly lost control of her infant son. Jean-Paul became the immediate favorite of his g... ...eye’s blindness – and he consistently lived his life in connection with his views on freedom. He strived, even while he worried about class struggles, to be an â€Å"authentic man,† the ultimately free man of his early plays. Sartre was precocious, brilliant, controversial, changeable, stubborn, self-involved, arrogant, hated, worshiped, versatile, magnetic, and had an enormous effect on the world he lived in. In short, he was a creator. Bibliography Gerassi, John. Jean-Paul Sartre: Hated Conscience of His Century. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1989. Hayman, Ronald. Sartre: A Biography. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987. Madsen, Axel. Hearts and Minds: The Common Journey of Simone de Beauvoir & Jean-Paul Sartre. New York: Morrow Quill Paperbacks, 1977. Priest, Stephen. Jean-Paul Sartre: Basic Writings. London; New York: Routledge, 2001.

Equality vs. Athletics Essay -- Title IX Sports Women Essays

Equality vs. Athletics In 1929, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. This was a breakthrough for America and an enormous step towards equal opportunities for women everywhere. Being given the right to vote created a sense of long awaited and greatly deserved equality with men. Even though women were given the right to vote, over 70 years ago, the government still has to make a law to ensure that equal treatment is given. Title IX was instated in 1972 to provide women with the same athletic opportunities as men in universities across the United States. While Title IX has helped advance female athletics, there are arguments that it has discriminated against male athletics. Attorney Curt Levey makes a drastically bias argument against Title IX in his article, Title IX’s Dark Side: Sports Gender Quotas. The argument focuses on the pressures of upper level schools complying with Title IX’s proportionality rule, the lack of female interest in intercollegiate athletics, and the bit ter cutting of several men’s teams since Title IX was established. Levey, along with many others opposed to Title IX, seem to think the law is slowly destroying male athletics, which was not what it was intended for and definitely is not the case. Title IX was created in order to provide women with equal opportunities in intercollegiate athletics, and that is exactly what it has done so far and what it will continue to do. Levey’s first problem with Title IX and its attempt to increase women’s athletic opportunities, found in paragraph four, is directed towards the proportionality rule (Levey 626). The proportionality rule is one of three options schools are given to comply with Title IX. This requires high schools, colleges, and u... ...een sitting on the bench for years, and now it’s time for men to â€Å"take one for the team.† Work Cited Bestwick, Dick. â€Å"Title IX’s proportionality rule is patently unfair to men.† Athens Banner-Herald. 2 Feb. 2003. 16 Apr. 2003. Levey, Curt. Title IX’s Dark Side: Sports Gender Quotas. Good Reasons with Contemporary Arguments. Needham Heights: Pearson, 2001.626-627. Rpt. in The Humanist. The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education. Title IX at Thirty: Report Card of Gender Equity. June 2002. The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education. Title IX Athletics Policies: Issues and Data for Education Decision Makers. Aug 27. 2002. The Secretary of Education’s Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. â€Å"Open to All† Title IX at Thirty. Feb 28. 2003. Equality vs. Athletics Essay -- Title IX Sports Women Essays Equality vs. Athletics In 1929, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. This was a breakthrough for America and an enormous step towards equal opportunities for women everywhere. Being given the right to vote created a sense of long awaited and greatly deserved equality with men. Even though women were given the right to vote, over 70 years ago, the government still has to make a law to ensure that equal treatment is given. Title IX was instated in 1972 to provide women with the same athletic opportunities as men in universities across the United States. While Title IX has helped advance female athletics, there are arguments that it has discriminated against male athletics. Attorney Curt Levey makes a drastically bias argument against Title IX in his article, Title IX’s Dark Side: Sports Gender Quotas. The argument focuses on the pressures of upper level schools complying with Title IX’s proportionality rule, the lack of female interest in intercollegiate athletics, and the bit ter cutting of several men’s teams since Title IX was established. Levey, along with many others opposed to Title IX, seem to think the law is slowly destroying male athletics, which was not what it was intended for and definitely is not the case. Title IX was created in order to provide women with equal opportunities in intercollegiate athletics, and that is exactly what it has done so far and what it will continue to do. Levey’s first problem with Title IX and its attempt to increase women’s athletic opportunities, found in paragraph four, is directed towards the proportionality rule (Levey 626). The proportionality rule is one of three options schools are given to comply with Title IX. This requires high schools, colleges, and u... ...een sitting on the bench for years, and now it’s time for men to â€Å"take one for the team.† Work Cited Bestwick, Dick. â€Å"Title IX’s proportionality rule is patently unfair to men.† Athens Banner-Herald. 2 Feb. 2003. 16 Apr. 2003. Levey, Curt. Title IX’s Dark Side: Sports Gender Quotas. Good Reasons with Contemporary Arguments. Needham Heights: Pearson, 2001.626-627. Rpt. in The Humanist. The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education. Title IX at Thirty: Report Card of Gender Equity. June 2002. The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education. Title IX Athletics Policies: Issues and Data for Education Decision Makers. Aug 27. 2002. The Secretary of Education’s Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. â€Å"Open to All† Title IX at Thirty. Feb 28. 2003.

Cleaning Business Plan

COFIELD’S CLEANING SERVICE SONJI MORTON COFIELD, PROPRIETOR September 30, 2011 COFIELD CLEANING SERVICE BUSINESS PLAN SUMMARY Cofield Cleaning Service is a start-up business that provides cleaning services for residential homes. Primary services include floor, window, and bathroom care. The business is seeking $5,900 for equipment, supplies, and advertising. The name and address of the business is: Cofield’s Cleaning Service 600 Hunterdale Road Franklin, VA 23851 Phone: 757-304-9401 Fax: 757-304-9401 Email: [email  protected] com The name and address of the business owner is: Sonji Morton Cofield 600 Hunterdale Road Franklin, VA 23851 MarketThe potential market for Cofield Cleaning Service is 210 households in the hometown area based on her research. The average target customer is 35 to 65 years of age and earns $45,000 or more annually. There are three competitors serving the area. Cofield’s competitive advantage is that it can attract customers with a more pe rsonalized, professional cleaning that is â€Å"Satisfaction Guaranteed. † Organization Plan This business is a sole proprietorship with no employees. The owner will manage the finances and perform the work. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION Nature of the Business Cofield Cleaning Service is an insured, residential cleaning service.It offers cleaning service tailored to its customers’ needs. Most customers will likely request weekly cleaning. There is also a need to offer in-depth cleaning on an as-needed basis. History of the Business * None – this is a start-up business. * Legal Structure of the Business * Sole proprietorship, Sally Sparkle, proprietor. * Past Work Experience * The owner has five years of experience as an employee for Merry Maids, Inc. * Reasons the Business Will Succeed * The belief that the business will succeed is based on the proprietor’s * Knowledge, experience, and determination to succeed. MARKETING PLAN ServicesServices provided include clea ning of floors, windows, cabinets, dishes, laundry, and furniture, and watering of houseplants. This service will save the customer time and energy of doing the work. The customer has the benefit of enjoying a clean and attractive home. The customer also has extra leisure time for entertaining guests, enjoying hobbies, or any other activities. Start-up money will be used for a vacuum cleaner, cleaning supplies, hand-held vacuum, buckets, rags and other miscellaneous supplies. See attached list and bids for equipment. Cofield’s Cleaning Service will provide cleaning supplies used.Ten homes cleaned weekly per month will cost approximately $80 per month (total) for cleaning supplies, which will be purchased from mass merchandisers such as Wal-Mart in Hometown. Driving to and from these homes will cost approximately $30 per month. Cleaning ten homes will take approximately 40 hours per week with an average cleaning time of four hours. In the next two years, Cofield Cleaning Servi ce will expand its services to commercial customers and will hire employees to meet the new demand. Distribution Services will be directly supplied to the end-users in their homes. IndustryThere are many new, larger homes being built in the area. According to the city’s building permits issued each year: * 18 homes of over 3000 square feet were built one year ago. * 21 homes of over 3000 square feet were built two years ago. * According to â€Å"Domestic Details† in Income Opportunities magazine, March 2011, more women were hiring cleaning services to ease the strain of their hectic lifestyles – over 20% of households surveyed had hired a cleaning service, an increase of 5% from the previous year. Customers Cofield targeted customer profile includes working families. The ages range from 35 to 65 years.The average annual income is $45,000 or more. According to census information (see attached), from the population of 5,000 households, 21% of the households earned $45,000 or more. This means there are 1,050 customers who fit Cofield’s targeted profile. If 20% of these households use a cleaning service that means 210 households could be potential customers. Brilliant’s goal is to secure ten customers. It already has three potential customers – see attached letters of intent. An average customer would use Brilliant Cleaning Service once a week for an average cleaning time of four hours. CompetitionCofield Cleaning Service’s main competitors are franchised cleaning services: Molly Maids, Holland Road, Suffolk, VA. Strengths include name recognition and size. It has 20 employees and the largest number of customers. It is insured and the employees are bonded. Weakness is lack of consistency. A customer could have one employee clean their home one week, and have a different employee another week. It charges $60 for a half-day of cleaning. Position in the Marketplace Cofield’s position in the marketplace is mid-ba se residential. Cofields strengths include personal and professional service.Although the franchisers have strong advertising techniques, a sole proprietor has the advantage of offering more personalized service. This service gives Cofield a competitive advantage because most customers prefer the same cleaning person for each cleaning. Cofield’s competitive advantage over Molly Maids is its professionalism. Brilliant is insured and the owner and employees will wear uniforms for a professional image. Because of the owner’s vast knowledge of houseplants, Cofield’s will offer to take care of houseplants as an additional service no one else offers.Image/Packaging See attached bids for all promotional costs. * The business name is Cofields Cleaning Service. * The slogan is: Professional Service By People Who Aim to Please! * The business will be operated out of the owner’s home. * Business cards and flyers will cost approximately $200. * Magnetic car signs wil l cost approximately $160. * Printed bid forms and invoices will cost $40. * Uniforms include black pants and Pink shirt with business name. Uniforms will be provided by U. S. Linen Services for $40 per month, which includes the cleaning of the uniform.Pricing Cofield will charge $45 for a half-day of cleaning. All prices will be quoted per job: by the size, time, and effort involved in cleaning the residence, not by an hourly rate. Brilliant’s fees reflect a fair market rate, and are comparable to fees charged by competitors. Marketing Goals and Objectives To start the business by November (2011) To acquire ten customers by April (2012) To earn $1,200 monthly by June (2012) Marketing Strategy Cofield Cleaning Service will follow the promotion plan below to meet its goals and objectives: Specialists or ConsultantsThe sole proprietor will continue to consult monthly with a business consultant to set up record keeping systems and receive help with monitoring the business. The s ole proprietor will use the services of Liberty Accounting Services for income tax preparation. Record Keeping, Inventory and Finances The sole proprietor will use a manual record keeping system that is a combined cash receipts and cash disbursements journal. The sole proprietor will use ledger sheets to track inventory supplies. The sole proprietor will open a business checking account at BB&T Bank, located in Franklin, VA. Licenses, Permits and Other RegulationsNo licenses or permits are required to operate this business. Cofield’s is not required to get a hazardous waste permit. See attached letter from the State. Sales Tax Cofield will have to collect 6. 5% state sales tax from customers (to be paid to the state) on all services. Cofield does not have to collect a city sales tax. Insurance Cofield Cleaning Service will get the following types of insurance from All-Types of Insurance, located in Hometown, USA – see attached bids: Liberty MutualAuto Insurance: $600 a nnual premium or $200 down and monthly payments of $35 General Liability: $300 annual premiumWorker’s Compensation on owner: $350 annual premium Payment Terms Customer payments will be accepted by cash or check, which are collected at the end of each job. Payment terms will be explained to potential customers before accepting each job. If a customer does not pay at the end of a job, future work will not be done until payment is received. After six months of being in business, Cofield will start accepting credit cards. Hours Open Cofield Cleaning Service will operate Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m. Contingency PlansThere will be one day set aside biweekly-weekly for a make-up day in case of owner illness or emergency. If the owner gets sick, she will reschedule the appointment. If the job cannot wait, the owner will clean those despite illness or will get her sister to fill in on the job. If the owner gets injured on the job, Worker’s Compensation will be available. If the owner is injured, her sister will fill in until the owner can get back to work. If the owner’s car breaks down, she can borrow her mother’s car or take a taxi. If sales are not as anticipated and loan payments cannot be made, owner will get part-time job in the evening.The owner will also look at increasing promotional efforts and reducing expenses, such as uniforms. FINANCIAL PLAN * See two-year, monthly Cash-Flow Projections with List of Assumptions. * There are no Business Financial Statements since this is a start-up business. * See Personal Financial Statement. * See Personal Income and Expense worksheet. START-UP EXPENSES Expense| Cost| VacuumsSupplies and Misc. Business cards/flyersSignsUniformsCleaning suppliesInsuranceAssumed name filingPhone depositWorking capitalTOTAL| 20011020016040408502510825$2,500| Sources| | Owner ContributionLoanTOTAL| 6001,900$2,500|