Work People and Productivity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Work People and Productivity - Essay Example In such a case, the candidates need to ask themselves if they do recognize their profile. It is good to come up with the specific observations that are supportive to the existing culture as well as the exact behaviors to fit the desired one. One needs to show why the preferred culture is desirable ( OCAI, 2014). If striking differences that are large between the preferred and the current cultures exist, then changes are vital. The profile does indicate the direction. For instance taking the example of moving from the hierarchy to clan culture, one needs to show what that exactly means. What has been left out by the hierarchy culture that needs to be filled in by the clan culture, for instance, the need for more concern on workers and how it is necessary? What would that bring? ( OCAI, 2014) The next step is to make a comparison of one’s profile. First is with that of the organization’s sector. See the similarities as well as differences and identify them. See if the work looks more of market oriented than that in other organizations. Are the right people attracted to fit within the culture of the organization? See if the culture does support the organizational goals, challenges met, and the culture needed for success ( OCAI, 2014). The third step is to involve colleagues. Plan a meeting for the team or discuss the profile with them. See if they do recognize the profile and if there is an agreement in on this preferred culture. For development of concrete action, it is good to decide on what is to be done. Key factors for success include coming to agreement on the culture preferred and objectives, senior official’s commitment and the change of mental models, which govern daily behavior (OCAI, 2014). An analysis of the two examples shows great cases especially in defining both cultures and showing what they both represent. The current culture has been well explained to show its weaknesses; that it is discriminating to workers and

An Analysis of Fairies as a Literary Device In Medieval Folklore Essay

An Analysis of Fairies as a Literary Device In Medieval Folklore - Essay Example A number of saints holidays (that happened to coincide with older holidays) help to ease the layperson's transition from pagan beliefs into a more Christian view of the world. These beliefs in the old magic evolved into literary devices when incorporated into folk tales, frequently used to either juxtapose the new and old beliefs, to distinguish between the two, to either reconcile them or to show the superiority of the new religion, as Christianity soon became omnipresent in medieval life. These Christian elements came to be exhibited retroactively through romantic tales of chivalry, for what was once an ethos of "might makes right" soon were thought to exemplify such Christian ethics as the mighty defending the weak, or the application of mercy. The reverence of the Virgin Mary developed into a reverence of all women and the notion of courtly love. However, these patterns spread slowly. To examine these elements in an evolutionary, if not exactly chronological, orderone can focus o n such examples as the lais "Bisclavret" and "Yonic" by Marie de France and the J. R. R. Tolkien translations of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "Sir Orfeo." Marie de France's lais "Bisclavret," or "The Werewolf," approaches the notion of magic through the title character's curse of transforming into a werewolf. A brief summary of the plot describes Bisclavaret's curse, his wife discovering it, and then her subsequent betrayal of her husband in favor of another man which results in Bisclavret being trapped in wolf form. As a wolf, he eventually wins the respect of the king, who allows the wolf to stay at the castle. The wolf is well behaved until he meets is betrayers, at which point his animosity is so great that the court recalls the woman's lost husband. She confesses, Bisclavret is restored and the couple are exiled. In the context of this story, the author holds no implicit distrust of magic: it is viewed as a condition pre-dating the arrival of Christianity (paralleling evils of human nature), and while it proves a cursed inconvenience, it in no way prohibits Bisclavret from acting nobly while in wolf form: "He's never touched anyo ne, / or shown any wickedness, / except to this woman."1 The plot instead focuses on Christian moralizing, i.e. the evils of the wife and knight's betrayal of their lord (thereby breaking the holy covenant of marriage, as wel as the knight's forswearing of fealty to his lord) , and their subsequent punishment. The loophole provided by magic actually provides a more satisfactory retribution than mere Christian conscience would allow, for the Church would undoubtedly promote the notion of mercy, forgiveness and leniency. The couple are allowed this to an extent, as they are merely exiled with no other pronouncement of punishment. But magic allows a more telling retribution: when the wolf attacked the woman, he bit off her nose. Not only is she nose-less for the rest of her life, but several of her daughters were also born without noses, thus continuing the medieval tradition of a flawed character revealing itself in physical defect. While Bisclavret's condition proves the means of his eventual revenge, the father of the title character "Yonec" uses magical transformation for different reasons and with different results. This

Immigration And The Uk Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Immigration And The Uk Economy - Essay Example The only requirement one must have so that they can enjoy the jobseekers allowance is that one must be living in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland for three months immediately before making a claim for Jobseeker’s allowance (Ciupijus, 2011). Considering this, more than 30,000 people from Slovakia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania claim unemployment benefits in the UK, the research revealed. After a person satisfies the test in the UK, then that person can claim Jobseekers Allowance of up to  £ 72.41 ($116) weekly for a single person,  £113.70 for a couple (Hatton & Tani, 2005). The immigrant ends up costing the British taxpayers  £5B a year in tax credits. New figures show almost  £100 million a week is spent on the 415,000 people and cases of unemployed immigrants. Accordingly, there are foreign nationals who work in Britain who are benefitting from the payments a new analysis has revealed. We also have unemployment as anoth er effect of immigration as stipulated above herein. High unemployment rates Most of the immigrants who go to the UK have low skills or professional training while others are skilled (Freeman, 2015). Those that are skilled end up taking jobs of the UK natives who would have taken the jobs but due to lower skills or professional training they were avoided for the jobs. The semi-skilled immigrants are also willing to work at a much lesser pay as compared to their counterparts (Dustmann, Frattini & Preston, 2013).

An Analysis of Fairies as a Literary Device In Medieval Folklore Essay

An Analysis of Fairies as a Literary Device In Medieval Folklore - Essay Example A number of saints holidays (that happened to coincide with older holidays) help to ease the layperson's transition from pagan beliefs into a more Christian view of the world. These beliefs in the old magic evolved into literary devices when incorporated into folk tales, frequently used to either juxtapose the new and old beliefs, to distinguish between the two, to either reconcile them or to show the superiority of the new religion, as Christianity soon became omnipresent in medieval life. These Christian elements came to be exhibited retroactively through romantic tales of chivalry, for what was once an ethos of "might makes right" soon were thought to exemplify such Christian ethics as the mighty defending the weak, or the application of mercy. The reverence of the Virgin Mary developed into a reverence of all women and the notion of courtly love. However, these patterns spread slowly. To examine these elements in an evolutionary, if not exactly chronological, orderone can focus o n such examples as the lais "Bisclavret" and "Yonic" by Marie de France and the J. R. R. Tolkien translations of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "Sir Orfeo." Marie de France's lais "Bisclavret," or "The Werewolf," approaches the notion of magic through the title character's curse of transforming into a werewolf. A brief summary of the plot describes Bisclavaret's curse, his wife discovering it, and then her subsequent betrayal of her husband in favor of another man which results in Bisclavret being trapped in wolf form. As a wolf, he eventually wins the respect of the king, who allows the wolf to stay at the castle. The wolf is well behaved until he meets is betrayers, at which point his animosity is so great that the court recalls the woman's lost husband. She confesses, Bisclavret is restored and the couple are exiled. In the context of this story, the author holds no implicit distrust of magic: it is viewed as a condition pre-dating the arrival of Christianity (paralleling evils of human nature), and while it proves a cursed inconvenience, it in no way prohibits Bisclavret from acting nobly while in wolf form: "He's never touched anyo ne, / or shown any wickedness, / except to this woman."1 The plot instead focuses on Christian moralizing, i.e. the evils of the wife and knight's betrayal of their lord (thereby breaking the holy covenant of marriage, as wel as the knight's forswearing of fealty to his lord) , and their subsequent punishment. The loophole provided by magic actually provides a more satisfactory retribution than mere Christian conscience would allow, for the Church would undoubtedly promote the notion of mercy, forgiveness and leniency. The couple are allowed this to an extent, as they are merely exiled with no other pronouncement of punishment. But magic allows a more telling retribution: when the wolf attacked the woman, he bit off her nose. Not only is she nose-less for the rest of her life, but several of her daughters were also born without noses, thus continuing the medieval tradition of a flawed character revealing itself in physical defect. While Bisclavret's condition proves the means of his eventual revenge, the father of the title character "Yonec" uses magical transformation for different reasons and with different results. This

Hotel & lodging management current event Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Hotel & lodging management current event - Essay Example The balance between technologies, communication, and human touch helps hotels and lodgings to be more competitive. Technology is also used to convert natural resources into simple tools. It has an influence on the use of leisure facility like the class, impurities in the environment and natural resource depletion. The hotel industry and leisure providers are expected to keep up the pace in technology in order for them to make profits and improve customer services. There are many technologies that the hotel industry should keep up with in order to improve service delivery. Technology can also be used in support for guests with disabilities. Regulations are being released and revised to provide support to guests with disabilities. These regulations require hotels and companies to review most aspects of their operations, from distribution to construction to ensure compliance. Hotel management works their best strategies in the quest to provide related and better sources of information and service to guests with disabilities due to increase that is felt as it goes to the distribution which affects the hotel information and transactions. Cloud computing is another system that can be employed by the hotel management to ensure appropriate and efficient data storage, and it is also very secure as compared to other storage methods. It involves the use of online storage systems whereby the hotel management and storage information on a reserved space online using the computer. It is considered as one of the reliable ways to storing records. Mobility is the new face of computing as devices such as tablets and smartphones revolutionize the way we interact with technology. In hotels, tables, mobile phones, smartphones, and laptops have become critical tools on both sides of the check in desk. Therefore, some hotels access its management system on Apple iPad to eliminate manual registration desk

Tour Operations Essay Example for Free

Tour Operations Essay Aim and purpose The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ understanding of the dynamic and challenging world of tour operations and for them to appreciate the variety of tour operators’ products and services. Learners will gain knowledge of how tour operators plan, sell and administer a package holiday programme and will also develop practical skills to plan and cost a package holiday. Unit introduction Every year millions of people turn to tour operators to provide them with holidays to all corners of the world. In this unit learners will explore how tour operators link with different types of travel and tourism organisations to provide a wide range of holiday experiences. They will see that tour operators must respond to legislation and external influences, and also face many challenges in the constantly changing travel and tourism sector. Learners will investigate these challenges and the ways in which tour operators respond to them. Tour operators are at the forefront of the travel and tourism sector, constantly seeking out new destinations and holiday experiences to satisfy the ever-demanding and ever-changing needs of today’s holidaymakers. Different types of tour operators will be identified and learners will examine how they develop an extensive portfolio of products and services to meet differing customer needs. Whatever their size, tour operators must work through the same processes when planning, developing, selling and operating their holiday programmes. These different functions will be examined and time scales identified. Learners will find that tour operators compete in a commercially sensitive environment and they will identify how commercial considerations inform many of the business practices. Practical skills will be developed in the planning and costing of a tour operator’s package holiday, allowing learners to appreciate some of the commercial decisions to be made in this competitive industry. Learning outcomes On completion of this unit a learner should: Understand the tour operations environment Know the range of products and services offered by tour operators for different target markets Know how tour operators plan, sell, administer and operate a package holiday programme Be able to plan and cost a package holiday. Unit content 1 Understand the tour operations environment Links with other component industries: travel agents; transport providers; accommodation providers; providers of ancillary products and services eg insurance, car hire; horizontal and vertical integration Links with trade and regulatory bodies: The Travel Association (ABTA); Federation of Tour Operators (FTO); Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO); UKInbound; Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Legal framework: EU Package Travel Regulations; consumer protection eg Trades Description Act, Consumer Protection Act, Disability Discrimination Act; contract law; licensing eg Air Transport Operators Licence (ATOL) External influences: environmental eg hurricanes, floods; political eg terrorism, strikes. taxes; economic eg currency fluctuations, price of oil; social eg UK demographics, exploitation in host country; technological eg internet, computerised reservation systems Challenges: eg dynamic packaging, distribution channels, integration, budget airlines, maintaining market share, trend towards independent travel, responsible tourism 2 Know the range of products and services offered by tour operators for different target markets Tour operator categories: outbound; inbound; domestic; specialist; mass market Products and services: components of standard package; tailor made; range of destinations; accommodation choices; transport options; ancillary products and services Target market: eg families, couples, solo travellers, specific age groups, special interests, people with specific needs 3 Know how tour operators plan, sell, administer and operate a package holiday programme Planning: research; forecasting; product development; methods of contracting; costing the package; data input; timescales Sell: brochure production; pricing strategies; distribution eg travel agents, internet, direct sell; promotions eg advertising, sales promotions, sponsorship; reservations; commission; late sales Administer: confirmations; rooming lists; passenger manifests; errata; cancellations; amendments; travel itineraries; ticketing Operations: consolidations; load factors; over-bookings; transport operations; duty office; UK and overseas resort liaison; health and safety; emergency situations; crisis management; quality control; customer service (pre-, during and post-holiday); excursion sales Commercial considerations: maximising profitability; links to different planning, selling, administrative and operational functions 4 Be able to plan and cost a package holiday Plan: destination; transport; accommodation; excursions (included, optional); activities; additional services Cost a package holiday: using load factors; mark-up or profit margin; currency conversions; fixed costs; variable costs Assessment and grading criteria In order to pass this unit, the evidence that the learner presents for assessment needs to demonstrate that they can meet all the learning outcomes for the unit. The assessment criteria for a pass grade describe the level of achievement required to pass this unit. Assessment and grading criteria To achieve a pass grade the evidence must show that the learner is able to: To achieve a merit grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass criteria, the learner is able to: M1 discuss the impact of challenges facing tour operators To achieve a distinction grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass and merit criteria, the learner is able to: D1 evaluate the effectiveness of tour operators in responding to challenges facing the sector recommend, with justification, how a selected tour operator could expand its range of products and services for its current target market or adapt its range of products and services to appeal to a new market. P1 explain the tour operations environment and the challenges it faces P2 describe the products and M2 analyse how a selected services provided by different tour operator’s portfolio categories of tour operator of products and services for different target markets meets the needs of its target market(s) D2 P3 outline how tour operators plan, sell, administer and operate a package holiday programme, identifying commercial considerations plan and cost a package holiday for inclusion in a tour operator’s programme [CT 1, CT 2, CT 3, CT 4, CT 5, CT 6]. M3 explain ways of maximising profitability during the different stages of planning, selling, administering and operating a package holiday. P4 PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal, learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrate effective application of the referenced elements of the skills. Key IE – independent enquirers CT – creative thinkers RL – reflective learners TW – team workers SM – self-managers EP – effective participators Essential guidance for tutors Delivery It is likely that learners will have already identified the role of tour operators when examining the structure of the UK travel and tourism sector in Unit 1: Investigating the Travel and Tourism Sector. A simple recap would be useful and this could be achieved by asking learners to produce their own definition of tour operators and a summary of their role within the sector, perhaps producing a diagram that highlights their position within the  structure. Holiday brochures will help learners to identify how tour operators link with other component industries when providing and selling holiday packages. Links with trade and regulatory bodies and the legal framework could be researched in small groups, culminating in short, informal presentations. Vertical and horizontal integration can be a difficult concept for some learners and they will benefit from being given simple definitions, followed by practical tasks using the internet and holiday brochures to research one of the large in tegrated organisations. Findings could be presented in the form of a diagram and could then be compared with one of the integration charts that are produced from time to time by the trade press. Tutors will need to explain how the travel and tourism sector is constantly changing (which is why textbook models of integration are likely to be out of date). Learners will need to read the trade press regularly in order to keep abreast of changes of ownership and takeovers. Tutors could initiate a debate or discussion on the impact of integration to determine whether integration is a good or bad force within the sector, and about the challenges integration creates. Research activities could be developed to examine external influences including environmental, political, economic, social and technological influences. Hurricanes, the credit crunch, unemployment and terrorist activities are just a few occurrences that can present significant challenges for tour operators. A noticeboard could be created in the classroom to display any topical events or issues. Learners need to appreciate that there are hundreds of different tour operators, falling broadly into the categories of outbound, inbound, domestic, mass market and specialist. Learners, in pairs or small groups, could research to identify tour operators within each of the categories, and the range of products and services they offer. The internet is an excellent source of information, as are holiday brochures; however, tutors should discourage indiscriminate collection of holiday brochures. Learners will find that most tour operators have products and services that target different market segments and this will be reflected in some of the accommodation, travel, destination and ancillary services choices provided. Learners need to understand that all tour operators, whether large or small, carry out the same functions when planning, selling, administering and operating the holiday package. Larger tour operators may  have separate departments to carry out a particular function whereas a very small tour operator might have just one person responsible for a range of functions. A practical task could involve learners organising a college trip and relating the activities they carry out to the functions of tour operating. A visit to a large- or mediumsized tour operator would be very beneficial so that learners can see how tour operators work and how the different functions are carried out. Additional tutor input on planning, selling, administration and operations will be required. Activities using case studies can reinforce understanding of aspects such as different methods of contracting, currency considerations and pricing strategies. It is essential that learners develop a sound understanding of all functional areas. Discussions are to be encouraged to help learners appreciate commercial considerations, the difficulties tour operators have in making a profit and to identify ways in which profit can be maximised within the planning, selling, administrative and operational functions. In preparation for assessment, learners will need to practise designing and planning a package. Working in groups to a specific brief, they could practise by planning a college trip. As part of the planning, they would need to consider transport options, type of accommodation and board basis, excursions and activities. Each group could present their proposals to the class and vote on the most interesting proposals. Tutors should explain the terms ‘load factor’, ‘mark up’, ‘profit margin’, ‘fixed costs’ and ‘variable costs’ and then work through simple costing exercises to show how these terms are used. When learners have understood the process for costing a package, exercises should be designed to put this into practice. Tutors may need to devise additional exercises before learners become confident in working with these calculations.

Tartuffe by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Moliere

Tartuffe by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Moliere Tartuffe is a comedy of manners written by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Moliere in 1759 during the enlightenment period of history. In this work, Moliere attacks the hypocrisy and corruption that had gradually crept into some of the old man-made institutions such as the church and the aristocracy. As the plot unfolds, and the struggle between rational and irrational characters develops, Molieres enlightened reasoning becomes visible in the reflection of the folly and absurdity that he builds into the targets of his satire. The contrast between the behaviors that Moliere assigns to his stereotyped characters and the popular perception of these same characters in real life creates a wide gap raising questions in the minds of the reader. This reconciling of fact with fiction causes a rising of tension that is dispelled through laughter. With this in mind, Molieres ideas for fixing things can be learned by examining the opposite attributes of these characters. For instance, the opposite of dis honesty is honesty. The opposite of hypocrisy is integrity, and the opposite of blindly accepting the percepts of demagogues is free thinking. Thus, Molieres advocating of honesty, integrity and freedom of thought in the church and upper classes of society qualifies him to be counted among the leaders of the enlightenment movement in the eighteenth century. In Act I, Scene 1 of Tartuffe, Madame Pernelle is visiting her son Orgons home when she becomes irritated at the household members and visitors for not paying enough attention and respect to her. It is at this time that Dorine, Maryanes ladies-maid, further angers Madame Pernelle over comments she makes about Tartuffe, Orgons house guest. Madame Pernelle defends Tartuffe, Well, mark my words, your souls would fare far better if you obeyed his precepts to the letter. Dorine replies, You see him as a saint. Im far less awed; In fact, I see right through him. Hes a fraud In this exchange, Moliere portrays Dorine as a voice of reason in order for Madame Pernelle to be clearly seen as pompous and irrational. In the end, it becomes obvious that Madame Pernelle would have been wise to take heed to Dorines rational counsel. Another confrontation between the rational and irrational can be followed in Act I, Scene 5 as Cleante tries to talk to Orgon about his misplaced admiration of Tartuffe. Orgon tells Cleante, Oh, had you seen Tartuffe as I first knew him your heart, like mine, would have surrendered to him. Cleante responds, And, while your praise of him is quite sincere, I think that youve been dreadfully deluded. This is one of the major faults that Moliere finds with the aristocracy, blindly following the precepts of another instead of thinking for themselves. Once again, had Orgon listened to Cleantes rational advice, he would have avoided all the trouble that followed. Also, in another conversation in Act V, Scene 2 as Orgon finally discovers the truth about Tartuffe, he tells Cleante, Just think of it: behind that fervent face, a heart so wicked, and a soul so base! I took him in, a hungry beggar, and thenEnough, by God! Im through with pious men: To this statement, Cleante answers, Ah, there you go-extravagant as ever! Why can you not be rational? You never manage to take the middle course, it seems, but jump, instead, between absurd extremes Moliere is presenting a contrast between the shallow, emotionally clouded thinking of the aristocracy and the rational thinking of the enlightened. Cleante is trying to advise Orgon to calm down and use rational thinking to put these upsetting events into proper perspective. If Orgon could do this he would not have gotten himself into such an awful predicament. In Act II, Scene 2, Moliere continues to chip away at the aristocracy by drawing attention to Orgons tyrannical domination of family members, especia lly Maryane. When she tries to resist Orgons decision to have her marry Tartuffe, he states, In short, dear Daughter, I mean to be obeyed, and you must bow to the sound choice Ive made In Elmires interaction with Tartuffe, reason is once again seen triumphing over hypocrisy and deceit. It seems that among the several vices covertly enjoyed by Tartuffe is his lust for the ladies, and one of the services he graciously offers to Orgon is to keep a close eye on his attractive wife, Elmire, to insure her fidelity to him. However, when Orgon announces that he has decided to give the hand of his daughter, Maryane, in marriage to Tartuffe, Elmire intervenes. She attempts unsuccessfully to privately persuade Tartuffe to allow Maryane to marry her original fiancà ©e Valere. During this encounter, Tartuffe makes improper advances toward Elmire saying, In short, I offer you, my dear Elmire, love without scandal, pleasure without fear. Then, after declining this proposal, Elmire tries to reason with him by promising not to tell Orgon about his momentary loss of control, if he would release Maryane from her obligation to marry him. Elmire says, But I shall be discreet about you r lapse, Ill tell my husband nothing about what has occurred if in return, youll give your solemn word to advocate as forcefully as you can the marriage of Valere and Mariane. In the final analysis, it is Tartuffe who with no visible redeeming qualities plays the heavy weight villain. Elmire, being a person of reason, is seen pitted against his irrational and deceitful behavior as he begins to reveal his true colors as a self-serving, pious fraud, and hypocrite to the end. The very idea of Tartuffe, an old fat middle aged man, marring an attractive young woman such as Maryane is absurd to everyone except Orgon and Tartuffe. Elmire fails in her attempt to negotiate with Tartuffe and is forced by the marriage dilemma to formulate a different plan to deal with the situation. This new plan involves Orgon hiding under the table and finally gives Tartuffe enough rope to hang himself or at least expose himself as a con artist to everyone involved including the king himself. If all the irrational characters in Tartuffe had taken the advice of all the rational characters, there would have been no tale to tell. Everyone would have smoothly conducted their business successfully without friction. Considering that events did not move ahead with ease, but did finally work out satisfactorily, it could mean that the irrational characters had accepted and acted upon enough of the advice from the rational characters that a good result was finally achieved in the end with a little luck from the King. Had all the irrational characters taken the advice of all the rational characters there would have been nothing to write. Throughout Tartuffe, Moliere uses satire to champion the cause of reason and chip away at what he perceives to be unnecessary and destructive practices and beliefs that had gradually encrusted many of the old institutions of the day. He pays particular attention to hypocrisy in the established church. He sees avarice and corruption in the way the church exercises massive political power over its members and in the accumulation of great wealth by many church officials. Being a comedy of manners, Moliere also finds the blind trust that the aristocracy seems to place in the old social institutions of the day to be particularly worthy of his biting humor. He feels that each individual was given a mind capable of doing its own thinking, and that mind should be used freely and often to guide his path.