Determining Databases and Data Communications Essay

Getting organized and planning ahead for trade shows is critical to a successful showing. As the marketing assistant for XYZ Consumer Electronics Company, I have a number of tasks to complete for the trade show booth setup. There several ways, in which the equipment, components, shippers and shipments can be categorized, cataloged and tracked. This can be done either by entering the information into a data base to print an itemized report or plug in the information into the respective fields in an Excel Spreadsheet. To determine the best way of managing the trade show booth below is a list of things to keep in mind about the components, equipment, shippers, shipment, and time to assemble the pertinent equipment for display. The first steps in preparing for a trade show would be: †¢Select space and determine size of footprint based on the equipment and components †¢Prepare your budget †¢Determine exhibit needs and objectives †¢Select primary vendors (transportation company, installation/dismantle) †¢Identify promotions and/or give-away items †¢Produce show literature and marketing materials †¢Plan in-booth audio visual programs and presentations/demonstrations The typical fields needed to track the Components would be: †¢The Name of component †¢The quantity of each item †¢ the size of each item or carton †¢ the weight of each pallet or item †¢ how long it takes to unload the components †¢ the length of time needed to set up †¢How long it takes to break down †¢Tools required for each piece The typical fields needed to track the Equipment would be: †¢Quantity of pieces of equipment †¢Which container has each piece of equipment †¢The placement of the piece of equipment once it arrives at the show †¢The cost of each piece of the equipment (in case of damage) Keeping track of the shippers and shipments: †¢The Name of the Shipper †¢The Shippers phone number, address and contact person †¢Tracking number or Pro number †¢What the Travel time and estimated date and time of arrival †¢What the Travel time to and from the location would be †¢The Container Company – Insurance information in case of damage in transit †¢The Quantity of pieces per container †¢The Quantity of containers containing goods (numbering or color coding would be helpful as a reference on an Excel spreadsheet) †¢The Date and time container was loaded Having all of the above listed information, a check list can be created either in a data base or on an excel spread sheet to make sure all of the needful items make it to the trade show. With numerous items, multiple containers and possibly different arrivals of these items a check list would make the process easier. A database system is one option that could be used in this situation, or if one would be more comfortable with a spreadsheet. We all know that a database is a â€Å"self-describing collection of integrated records† (Kroenke, 2012, p. 101). A data base could be useful whereas you can print different reports, store all the information on the components and equipment for you and others to access whether at the trade show or in the office. A database is meant to collect, filter and report data quickly. The information entered into the database can be used to populate spreadsheets, import and export data between word processing and excel. As well as the ability to create reports that take less time and effort then putting together and manually entering an excel spreadsheet. It will enable you to integrate various departments like procurement, finance, traffic and the trade show team members into the process. Database provides up to date information, and the data is in a consistent format (Kavanagh 2002, 7-11). I would choose to use an enterprise database over a personal database. They both have the same functionality and data modifications, but the enterprise database also has additional networking capabilities. The decision support system (DSS) I would chose to work on for this as well as other projects would be ACT!. It works with the daily business tools such as Windows, MS Office, Outlook, Google, Twitter, LinkedIn and has been integrated with our  Quickbooks accounting system. With this accessibility it provides visibility to open quote, payment status, sales orders, purchase orders, a full customer view and th e list goes on. A few of the highlights that are †¢Group Scheduling †¢Group Dashboards and Reports †¢Enhanced Security Settings †¢Advanced Admin Options †¢HTML5-based Mobile Included †¢Hosting Options Available Scenario Two As the manager of a small consulting business, that has some of my employees working from home while others are in the office, it is important that we are able to communicate with each other and to our customers. Technology has provided new tools in the industry that has made it convenient to communicate through video conferencing, voice calls, e mails, and instant messaging. Having half of my employees telecommuting the best option for the company would be to have a WAN. A WAN will allow computers in different locations all to be connected to the network and have the ability to share information. While a LAN, would only be able to share the information with the computers on the network at that specific location. LANWAN Local reachGlobal reach Internal networkInternational network Relatively simpleRelatively complex Simple to InstallProfessional installation required The need and the benefits of having a wireless network for my small business: †¢Convenience – Being able to access your network resources from any location within your wireless network’s coverage area. †¢Mobility. The ability to go online anywhere and with different devices, not being tied to your desk. †¢Easy setup – No string cables, so installation can be easy and cheap. †¢Expandable – Can expand wireless networks with existing equipment. †¢Security – wireless networks provide enhanced security protections. VPN uses a â€Å"virtual† connection through the internet from my company to my telecommuting employee’s. This is helpful to my company’s security because  the data will be encrypted for anyone trying to intercept the information. Reference MIS Essentials, Second Edition, by David M. Kroenke. Published by Prentice Hall. Copyright  © 2012 Shaw RL, Booth A, Sutton AJ, Miller T, Smith JA, Young B, et al. Finding qualitative research: an evaluation of search strategies. BMC Med Res Methodol 2004;4:5

Online Shopping Versus in Store

If a person decides to make the purchases of an item online there are a few facts that should be realized. In the economy that today's society is in savings is a big deal for most. When shopping online the shopper will be required to purchase their items with credit cards. Credit cards can be very convenient a shopper however, they come with payments and interest. When calculated out a shopper can look at 10 percent on purchases made. Knowing this and how long it can take to pay debt off may make a person think twice about the purchases that are made.On average 5,000 dollars will take 10 years to payoff. Once the shopper has ordered the Items shipping will be estimated. One transaction online can cost a person an extra 10 Lars In shipping, followed by at least 10 dollars In a small purchase for Interest on the credit card. The shopper also has the choice to go Into the stores to make the purchases needed. These purchases can be made with a variety of payments including cash, gift car ds as well as credit cards. Most people know how much they are willing to spend on an item and very seldom want to spend more.If a going into a store with cash you are ensured you will not spend more, or incur any hidden fees. When paying with cash it can be asked if a discount is available, a person would be pleasantly surprised at the savings offered. In store shopping offers other means of savings as well, coupons are a big tool that stores supply to have the public come into their establishments. Now if a company like Kohl's for Instance offers additional savings If a credit card Is used, once again the shopper Is saving usually an additional 15 percent.The trick to shopping In stores with credit cards Is to turn around and make the payment right there Is In the store. This would require that the customer had the intention of paying with cash to save money, and in the end this would save a customer even more than thought of in the beginning. More thought should go into why one w ould choose not to shop online versus shopping in the store. Today the country is seeing a lack in jobs, and people needing work. For every purchase a person makes online it is taking more jobs away.Shopping online one does not need a sales clerk, cashier, janitor, supervisor, and manager to make the purchases. All one needs is to have access to the Internet, and fingers. Placing orders online also can take away from local vendors, not Just corporations. If online most likely you will be ordering from companies that purchase teems from overseas, yet again taking money away from the American economy. Now if shopping for electronics Is what a person Is doing corporate shopping will be needed; however, doing It online takes more Jobs away.When thinking about making a purchase for a television most would only think tout want ten Test price Is Tanat can De Taunt. IT ten economy were outing tout a few things would cross the mind of an individual. One big item is if the store wasn't open i t would be an empty building, owner looses money, electric company looses money, and the people that would normally work there are trying to find a Job amongst all the other Americans. Going out shopping in person can offer a great deal of benefits too community. This allows the shopper to purchase locally grown and locally made items.When thinking that corporate gifts are needed for Christmas or birthdays' people can think out of the box and get creative. How many people would want to receive a massage, car wash, oil change? These are all options for in store shopping, thus keeping money in the local economy. Shopping online can also bring up a few worries will the item fit will it match, or will it live up to expectations of the purchaser? When ordering clothing online a errors does not get to try on the clothes, this leaves one hoping it is going to fit correctly and the way it was expected to fit.If a person decides that the bathroom needs to be redecorated and spends four hundr ed dollars online doing this, gets the items in the mail to be upset that it does not match as well to the tile. Problems like this can occur at anytime when the items are not seen in person. In order for a one to be sure that what is wanted is what one gets it is best to use the senses in making the purchase. To use senses in making a purchase being present is required. This would even go for purchasing a television, seeing the efferent screens on will help a shopper to decide which one would be best.If wanting to purchase a new dress trying it on will show rather the look is what is wanted or not. The same theory applies to making purchases for a home, the items can be brought in and placed where it is wanted and then decided upon if it should stay or go back to the store for a replacement. Questions can now be asked knowing the differences on the two forms when deciding which form is best for the shopper. When deciding to make a purchase each person will need to decide what matte rs most, convenience or helping to boost he economy, and staying local with each purchase.

Behavior & Teams

The reading made me realize that group and teams alike have their own purposes. However, I could not help but notice that teams have more advantages as compared to a group. I believe that every teams starts out as a group and after some time they would then on develop into a team. Being a team is necessary if one needs to truly develop and flourish.I realized that people or organizations would have better use of a team than a group especially since in a team there could be no room for someone who does not wish to participate (in contrast to a group wherein a person could just sit around doing nothing at all).The reading also made me realize that in an organization there is both a team and a group. The group should do everything in their power to develop themselves into a team. In a group the individual importance of a person is minimized since Person A could still do Person B’s job even if Person B does not appear in a meeting. In contrast, a team could not operate without one of their members since a team was developed based on their own personal expertise which in turn could better ensure their success.The presence of dependence and independence makes a team something far better and more useful in an organization especially since in a team everyone could meet in the middle and discuss their own ideas which one could not do in a group since only one person has the power to decide (the leader). The reading also made me realize the importance of sensing the needs of others. In professional situations, sensing is very important so that one would be able to gauge the needs of the teams and resolve the conflicts in the process.After sensing what the problems or the issues may be I should then move on to diagnose what is to be done to resolve the issue and I could better do that by opening the issues in the team. By doing a constructive criticism or the like each member of the team could then move on to contribute what is to be done to better the team’ s position. We could also tell each other where one went wrong in order to ascertain that such things would never happen again.This is one of the most successful plans there could be in ensuring the harmony in a team which could address everyone’s need. References: Mackin, D. (2007). The Difference Between A Team And A Group [Electronic Version] from http://www. sideroad. com/Team_Building/difference-between-team-and-group. html. Williams, N. (2000). The Top 10 Key Differences Between a Team of Individuals and a Group of Individuals [Electronic Version] from http://topten. org/public/AE/AE244. html.

Occupational safety and health - legal aspect Assignment

Occupational safety and health - legal aspect - Assignment Example The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is federal law enacted in 1976 and it gives the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) the powers to control solid wastes considered hazardous. The controlling authority over hazardous waste ranges from generation, treatment, transportation, storage to disposal. RCRA does not only involve management of hazardous waste but also nonhazardous solid waste (http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/resource_conservation_and_recovery_act_rcra). Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is a federal law enacted in 1980 to assist in controlling releases of specific hazardous wastes. CERCLA is also known as the Superfund. This law empowers the EPA to respond to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may pose a danger on the environment, welfare and public health. CERCLA also empowers the EPA to compel parties responsible for contaminating the environment to remove the hazardous substance, or reimbur se CERCLA for response and or EPA’s remediation expenditure (http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/lcla.html). The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is a Federal law whose objective is control pesticide distribution, sale and usage. The law requires that all pesticides used in the United States to be registered (Licensed) by EPA (http://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/lfra.html). S. 1166 Protecting America’s Workers Act-Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA-1970) to expand its coverage to federal, state, and local government employees (â€Å"S. 1166—112th †, 2011). The Act gives the Secretary of Labour under specified conditions to cede OSHA-1970 power to another federal agency in accordance with certain occupational standards for such agency’s employees. The Act also increases protection for

Juvenile Justice System in the USA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 1

Juvenile Justice System in the USA - Essay Example This will help in developing best methods of dealing with the resistance process and in creating screening tools for a good decision and for risk management. Â  The main purpose is to evaluate the best rehabilitation and therapeutic methods that we can employ to help the juvenile criminals successfully rejoin the society without repeating the criminal acts. The rehabilitation program put in place in conjunction with therapeutic methods will address the main cause of juveniles indulging in criminal activities. This will involve management of drug and substance abuse regarding the minor in question, giving jobs to the juvenile criminal, providing housing for those with no family to house them, and training them to acquire necessary skills that will enable them to get jobs. In addition to these, the juvenile criminal has presented a chance to interact with peers and family members. Â  This study will examine minors in disorderly behavior over a period of three years with cases in court. The study will involve a sample of 1,119 male lawbreakers who are minors. We will use a growth mixture model and create five groups whose characteristics as age, rebellious history, origin, felonious father, substance use, psychosocial development, and culture. The persistent group is 8.7% while the desisted group is 14.6% of the sample. Some characteristics of rebellious acts will be assessed from the report of many offenders; this means that the groups of offers who desist and those who continue need further concern on what factors really lead to this. During the study, the juvenile criminals will be placed into groups and a set of characteristics on each studied.

Please follow the instructions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Please follow the instructions - Essay Example I have a plan to complete my graduation from Harvard University with a major in Accounting in the June of 2016. I plan to do my internship with Ernst & Young in 2015. This would be a long and detailed internship which would be helpful for me in future. I believe that, good performance during the tenure of internship would help me to get placed in the same company. I want to start my accounting career with a reputable accounting organization. It would provide me good practical exposures and platform related with accounting. During the initial phase of my accounting career, I would like to be an established CFA in future. One of my weaknesses is that I have a lot of patience and this affects the speed of meeting desirable objectives. However my weakness turns to be my strength in critical scenarios where having patience is a must. There are many job opportunities for me in the nearby future due to large friend circle and family contacts. I even plan to join the scholarly group of Harvard University which would give me immense opportunity in the accounting field. In the current market scenario there are many people having accounting major. Hence competition will be not only in university level but even in professional level. On the other hand, CFA as my career goal can be subjected to intense competition. The market belonging to the accounting is highly competitive and an individual can survive in this market if one possesses analytical skills and quantitative orientation. There are various positions in this field and it is not just about tax or audit. In any firm a decent salary is given to accountant professionals such as $40,000 minimum. The diverse accounting fields as per market research are financial accounting, cost accounting, auditing, forensic accounting, managerial accounting, etc. An individual can earn the degree of a CFA and then further study for becoming a

The market capitalism and the economic system of Islam. Similarities Essay

The market capitalism and the economic system of Islam. Similarities and differences - Essay Example Under the market capitalism, the price mechanism remains largely functional to maintain the reins of the market capitalism. The price mechanism is used as a signalling system distributing resources between the different market participants and users. Under the market capitalism, the workers are free to enter and are free to exist and they are at their will to earn and expand their earnings as they wish to. Market capitalism largely also relies on the political authority to develop, provide and regulate the market rules and regulations so that they encompass all related societal costs and benefits. Both systems share that an individual is entitled to keep private property, the provision of social security and economic freedom. However, it is a strikingly interesting that the economic system of Islam only allows the use or control of private property and at the same time strongly discourages applying the concept of ownership. Under the economic system of Islam and Islamic finance which have gained roots in the global finance recently (Asutay 3), the right of ownership is the exclusive prerogative of Almighty Allah and humans are only allowed to establish and exercise the control o f the private property. The economic system of Islam also suggests the state or government is responsible to provide social security to the masses and develop such employment policies so that the masses can easily access to the basic human needs. The market capitalism differs with the economic system of Islam when it comes to the distribution of wealth among the masses. The market capitalism does not believe in fair and equitable distribution of wealth. An individual has unrestricted and unlimited authority to earn and amass money and at the same time claim its full ownership as well. The economic system of Islam differs on this aspect with the market capitalism and opines that the individual is not allowed to keep unlimited wealth as it creates imbalance in the society and the practice s such as hoarding, profiteering, exploitation largely appears. The market capitalism also give right to an individual to keep to exercise the right of the exclusive ownership which is totally against the concept promoted and supported by the economic system of Islam. In the following parts of this paper, first the definition and framework of market capitalism is provided. In which, the basic definition and different aspects of the market capitalism are discussed. Subsequent to that, emergence of market capitalism is highlighted. In this part, the history and evolution of market capitalism is provided. After that, similarities between the economic system of Islam and the market capitalism are provided. Before the conclusion part, difference between the economic system of Islam and the market capitalism are elaborated. Market Capitalism Market capitalism is a system of governance for economic affairs emerged in different setting and continues to evolve over time (Scott 2). The Macmil lan Dictionary of Modern Economics defines it as an economic system in which, property including capital assets, is owned and controlled by the private persons. Under the market capitalism, the price mechanism is utilized as a signalling system allocating resources between the different uses. The extent to which the price mechanism as its fundamental coordinating device instead of command and control, provides that capitalist systems are not similar from one another based on the limit and nature of the governmental interventions and the presence

Business law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 13

Business law - Essay Example In case of a valid contract between two parties, both the parties must be a promisor as well as a promisee. This means that both must gain as well as lose something as a result of the transaction made under the terms of the contract. The consideration is what is exchanged between the contracting parties during the transaction. In the case of a contract for providing some services, consideration for the service provider is the receipt of payment whereas for the client, the consideration is the service rendered by the service provider. Hence, while consideration may be different for the contracting parties, it must flow from both sides by parties acting in the capacity of promisee. Consideration for one party may be in the form of cash while it may be in the form of intangible services or a tangible good for another. Nonetheless, the existence of consideration in one form or the other is essential for a valid contract. It is important for consideration to meet certain requirements before it may be considered as valid consideration. Consideration must not be a past action unless it was done in response to a specific request (Whincup 74). English law does not recognize past consideration as valid (Tonapi 2). In other words, a promise to provide some consideration must be made before it is provided or executed. In the present scenario involving Kris and the claim for damages, the provision of complimentary chocolates is not valid consideration because it was not agreed upon between the parties at the time the agreement for providing chocolate for the wedding cake was made. The complimentary chocolate was provided later as a goodwill gesture and was not an expected part of the contract. Secondly, the consideration must move from the promisee. The consideration should move from both sides but the parties must execute it in the capacity of promisee instead of promisor. Mutuality of agreement is an important element of valid

How Experience of Colonialism Affected Latin American Development And Essay

How Experience of Colonialism Affected Latin American Development And Post-independence - Essay Example This report stresses that Tte wars for independence led to fragmentation of the existing political order, militarization and mobilization of war resources that ultimately continued the civil wars even after independence. The independence was not immediately accompanied by economic and social growth since there were not property rights protection and enough structures that could guarantee trade flows. Haiti was one of the lucrative countries due to exports of sugar and French colonizers forced the country to pay reparations after its independence in 1804 thus shelling out more than 80 percent of the nation’s budget. This paper makes a conclusion that colonisation of Latin America led to different economic, political and social changes such as new languages, Christianity, and new cultures. The colonial period was marked by economic exploitation of raw materials and political oppression of the natives. The Haiti revolution and subsequent French revolution inspired Latin American movements for independence and led to new nations that faced numerous governance challenges due to lack of constitution and struggles for economic success by the elite natives. The post-independence period was marked by export-led economy, military coups, internal conflicts and clamor for political revolution. However, the current Latin American society has integrated in to world markets and is currently experiencing political stability due to democratic governance and social welfare policies.

Review of Ashton Coal Water Management Plan Term Paper

Review of Ashton Coal Water Management Plan - Term Paper Example It is the Department of Primary Industries and Water which typically formulates as well as executes an effectual water management plan. However, it is mandatory for this particular department to sanction an application from a Water Entity for the purpose of taking over the execution of the plan (DPIPWE, n.d.). An effective water management plan possesses certain imperative functions. These functions comprise determining water pricing, complying with financial regulations, conducting perfect water planning along with management, identifying water markets, developing water supply as well as allied services and most importantly advancing appropriate management of water quality. It is the accountability of different water authorities, governmental agencies and water utilities to ensure smoothly execution of an effective plan of water management (NWMS, 2012). An effective water management plan is quite indispensable in order to preserve environmental integrity by forming an appropriate ba lance between various important aspects like sustainable advancement, socio-economic development and healthy along with secured environment (Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 2007). It has been apparently observed that the conception of an effective water management plan is practiced for several years with the intention of fostering sustainable development and healthy environment. The framework associated with the plan of water management has been principally based upon enlarged understanding about environmental complexities and future challenges linked with socio-economic development. According to the frameworks associated with the plan of water planning, it has been viewed that the plan can be applied to different water bodies that encompass rivers, streams, wetlands, aquifers and lakes. Any individual can introduce as well as develop an effective planning related to water management but must follow the frameworks with the intention of fostering socio-economic advancement and sustainable development (Grafton & Hussey, n.d.). In this similar circumstance, it is to be stated that the frameworks linked with effective planning of water management would be reviewed after every five years ensuring that the plan continues to endorse prolonged water management. Specially mentioning, the prime objectives of an effectual planning of water management are to deliver long-term benefits to the community and most significantly to foster sustainable advancement along with socio-economic development. After acquiring a brief idea about the prime intentions of an effectual water management plan, it can broadly be affirmed that the aspect concerning effective planning of water management has broader scope in future targeting towards developing the environment at large (Alberta Environment, n.d.). With this concern, this paper intends to conduct an in-depth review of Water Management Plan relating to Ashton Coal. Moreover, after conducting thorough review of different fa cets contained in the plan, the plan would be passed or not will also be discussed in this paper. A Brief Overview of Ashton Coal Water Management Plan Ashton Coal Operations Pty Limited which is prevalently acknowledged as ACOL is fundamentally regarded as a completely-owned ancillary of Yancoal Australia Limited (Yancoal). It is essentially a coalmine which operates the Ashton Coal Project (ACP) that is located in the

Power and Seduction Essay Example for Free

Power and Seduction Essay The gaze holds the contention of being an almost exclusively male property. Men look at women and women ‘watch themselves’ being looked at (Berger, 1972). This makes men the possessor of the gaze while women become double objects; object of the male gaze and object of their own gaze. 2. Per Wells, what’s the older anthropological definition of fetishism? It is defined as ‘an inanimate object that takes on special powers such as warding off danger and misfortune and is the centre of religious rituals’. 3. Per Wells, why is Freud’s concept of fetishism a controversial one? Freud relied on the male castration anxiety which in a way, coins the fetishist as male, making fetishism as an exclusively male perversion. 4. Per Bakhtin, what’s the difference between ‘carnivalesque’ and ‘classical’ body? Mikhail Bakhtin, a noted literary theorist referred ‘carnivalesque’ as the ‘grotesque’ body. It shows how bodies are linked together in a cycle that continually grows and changes. This representation was however displaced by the ‘classical’ body, the epitome of purity image. It is ‘smooth, orifice-less and self-sufficient’ (Bakhtin, 1984, 29) as it hides the chaos and humour collective to the carnivalesque image. 5. Per Freud, voyeurism and exhibitionism are what forms of looking? Freud identified voyeurism and exhibitionism in children as an auto-erotic looking; the object is the subject’s body. While the adult look is a component of the externally directed sexual drive to ‘objectify’ the other. 6. Per Burgin, what is the function of suture? Suture helps the subject construct or incorporate itself in the discourse. In film for example, the subject would be able to identify the audience and the character thus creating the ‘point of view’ and other photographic techniques to achieve its end. 7. Per Burgin, what is the primary instance of suture in still photography? Example is when the subject ‘identifies’ in a radically selective manner, the attributes of the object surveyed. This ‘selectivity’ is achieved by identifying the camera position and thus creating a conflation between voyeurism and narcissism. 8. Per Burgin, is this identification an either/or process? Yes. This identification is selective. 9. Per Burgin, how is a photograph like a fetish? A photograph freezes a fragment of time. Although one characteristic of fetishism is it separates reality from fantasy, the photograph can still arouse sexual tendencies no matter the disavowal of the perception. 10. Per Burgin, why is it frustrating to look at a photograph for too long? Photographs give us pleasure but after sometime, we would begin to notice the little centrality we have over the object. As the surveyor, it is important for our gaze not to be alienated or else, it will create an aversion. 11. Per Burgin, what recognition produces a tear in the suture process? When the subject recognizes that the object’s gaze belongs to the camera and not to him, the imaginary relationship is torn. 12. Per Burgin, what function does a caption serve? Caption supports the still image the way reverse shots do the trick in the cinema. So, as the surveyor gets alienated, his look will be displaced to the caption that when expires, finds itself returned back to the image. 13. Why does McGrath call modernism a ruse? McGrath called modernism a ruse due to the social suppression of knowledge in the issues of class, race and crucially that of gender. Amidst the modern concept of art as ‘universal’, the feminist art lacked contribution because of its inability to contend with the modern, yet still patriarchal world. 14. Would Weston agree with the terms of McGrath’s critique? Yes, given that Weston lived capturing women’s essence and sensuality and McGrath wrote to advance it, they basically are in the same platform. 15. What must the photographer and the voyeur maintain? They must always maintain a certain degree of distance from the object. This will not only keep the focus and mastery of the photographer but as well prohibit the exercise of other drives towards the object. 16. Per McGrath, how does the act of photographing relieve castration anxiety? The camera and photograph become ‘fetishes’. They both play as pleasurable props that give men the reverence of feeling and maintaining their erection. 17. Per McGrath, how is a photograph like a fetish? Like a fetish, photographs require a disavowal of knowledge. They contain meaning and stand in place of the real object’s absence. 18. Per McGrath, how does a maximum depth of field serve in the construction of a fetish? The maximum depth of field could be established using two techniques; the aperture which gives the sharpest focus, and the printing of the photograph. The first heightens the visual qualities, making it more invoking to touch while the latter’s use of high gloss paper gives it the closest original beauty. 19. Per Freud, what are examples of symbolic topography? Freud claims that things around exist in genital symbolism. Anything that stands represents the male genitalia; landscapes, hills, trees and rocks. With almost the exception of the cigar which, ‘is sometimes just a cigar’. 20. Per McGrath, what do Weston’s framing devices achieve? The cutting of the frame, the literal cutting of the head or the covering of the eyes ensure a more sadistic implication and thus more enjoyment of the nude. Print Source Burgin, V. , (1982). Photo; Power Seduction. Houndmills: Macmillan Education Ltd.

The Role of Consumer Protection Agency and the Judiciary on Consumer Protection Essay Example for Free

The Role of Consumer Protection Agency and the Judiciary on Consumer Protection Essay A consumer can be defined as someone who acquires goods or services for direct use or ownership rather than for resale or use in production and manufacturing. Consumer protection  consists of laws and organizations designed to ensure the rights of consumers as well as fair trade competition and the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. The laws are designed to prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors and may provide additional protection for the weak and those unable to take care of themselves. Consumer protection laws are a form of government  regulation  which aims to protect the rights of  consumers. For example, a government may require businesses to disclose detailed information about products—particularly in areas where safety or public health is an issue, such as food. Consumer protection is linked to the idea of consumer rights (that consumers have various rights as consumers), and to the formation of  consumer organizations, which help consumers make better choices in the marketplace and get help with consumer complaints. Other organizations that promote consumer protection include government organizations and self-regulating business organizations such as consumer protection agencies and organizations, the Federal Trade Commission etc. Consumer interests can also be protected by promoting competition in the markets which directly and indirectly serve consumers, consistent with economic efficiency. In Nigeria, the major Consumer Protection Agency saddled with this responsibility is the Consumer Protection Council (CPC). Consumer Protection Council (CPC)  is a Parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria, supervised by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment. Though established by Act No. 6 of1992, it commenced operations only in 1999, when its institutional framework was put in place. The mandate of CPC is to, among others, eliminate hazardous products from the market, provide speedy redress to consumers complaints, undertake campaigns which would lead to increased consumer awareness, ensure that consumers’ interest receive due consideration at the appropriate forum, and encourage trade, industry and professional associations to develop and enforce in their various fields uality standards designed to safeguard the interest of consumers. While using all legitimate means to eliminate the scourge of consumer rights abuse in the Nigerian market place, it is common knowledge that an uninformed consumer population cannot be effectively protected if they do not know that they have rights, what the rights are, and how the rights could be protected. On the other hand, businesses and organizations also need to be well acquainted with their obligations to consumers. Based on this, the CPC serves to effectively police the market, sensitizing consumers to their rights and responsibilities and at the same time ensuring that businesses are committed to fulfilling their obligations to consumers. This is all in a bid to ensure that the country would become a better consumer-friendly nation. Consumers are entitled to a variety or rights, and the Consumer Protection Council and other consumer protection agencies serve to create awareness of these rights. All of which must be insisted upon, and most of which are stated below: 1. The Right to Satisfaction of Basic Needs: Access to basic goods and services necessary for survival, such as food, water, energy, clothing, shelter, health-care, education and sanitation. Goods and services must meet the standard of quality promised such that there is value for money in the purchase. 2. The Right to Safety: Protection from hazardous products, production processes and services. The Right to Information: Provision of information enabling informed consumer choice as well as protection from misleading or inaccurate advertising and labeling. 4. The Right to Choose: Access to variety of quality products and services at competitive prices. 5. The Right to Redress: Compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods and unsatisfactory public and private services, including the right to adequate legal representation. 6. The Right to Consumer Education: Acquisition of the skills required to be an informed consumer throughout life. 7. The Right to Consumer Representation: Advocacy of consumers interest and the ability to take part in the formulation of economic and other policies affecting consumers i. e. the right to be heard. 8. The Right to a Healthy Environment: Habitation is a place that is safe for present and future generations and which will enhance the quality of their lives. On its own part, the Judiciary is defined as the system of courts of justice in the country, and serves to ensure that all laws regarding consumer protection are enforced and strictly adhered to, and stiff penalties are meted out to defaulters. The laws, terms and conditions regarding consumer protection are reflected in The Consumer Protection Council Act (1992 No 66), where control of key aspects of consumer protection such as sales promotions, advertisements, products and services monitoring and regulation are explicitly stated. For instance, in the case of sales promotions, The Consumer Protection Council Act grants authority to the CPC to verify the genuineness of all sales promotions, ensuring that they are within legal, decent, honest and faithful limits, and ensure their direct supervision. The judiciary metes out penalties to erring parties which could be in the form of suspension for a definite period of time, fines and/or direct prohibition of activity. These, to a large extent are aimed at regulating and controlling the excesses of manufacturers, advertisers and consumers and ensure that all practices concerned are within legal and permissible limits, and is especially necessary in countries such as Nigeria because the global crisis has made ready markets in developed countries to look for emerging markets with a huge population base to dump their products, and Nigeria fits the description of such emerging market. The judiciary, through the enforcement of The Consumer Protection Council Act (1992 No 66), which guides consumer protection, ensures that Nigeria does not become a ready market for unscrupulous foreign countries and companies to dump products and services.

Training and development

Training and development Training and development Human Resource Development (HRD) can be universally recognised as a very effective approach to improve performance within training. Training consists of a variety of experiences that intend to enhance and develop skills and knowledge in order to accomplish organisational objectives, to improve and change organisational aspects within the work place (Bramley 1996; Broad Newstorm 1992). According to Manpower Services Commission (1981) training is a planned process to modify attitude, knowledge, skills, or behaviour through learning experience to achieve effective performance in an activity or range of activities. Its purpose in work situation is to develop the abilities of the individuals and to satisfy the current and future needs of the organisation. In the same way development is a type of progression in which persons may find it more effective when learning through experiences. It is a procedure that helps people make use of the skills and knowledge that their past teachings and training has given them, this helps not only in present jobs but also anything that may come up in the future. It personifies theories and ideas connected with psychological growth, greater immaturity and increased confidence. According to Ivancevich (2004), training and development are processes that provide (or at least try to) a personnel with information and skills they need in order to understand the organisation and its goals. They are designed to help a person continue to make positive contributions in the form of good performance. Training helps personnel do their current work better while development prepares them for the future. Training is an important process to every personnel. It is a systematic process in which an individual is aided to alter his behaviour in a direction that will achieve the organisations goals. Ivancevich (2004) describes the goals of training as training validity, transfer validity, intra-organisational validity, and inter-organisational validity. Training validity determines if the trainees learn skills or acquire knowledge or abilities during training while transfer validity determines if these learned skills or acquired knowledge or abilities result to improvement on job performance. Intra-organisational validity determines if the job performance of a new group of trainees in the same organisation that developed the program comparable to that of the original training groups job performance. Finally, intra-organisational validity determines if the validated training program in one organisation can be applied with successful results in another organisation. Noe (2003) defines training as â€Å"planned effort by a company to facilitate personnel learning of job-related competencies† including knowledge, skills, or behaviours that are critical for successful job performance. Training helps personnel master knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviours emphasised in training programs and to apply them in their day-to-day activities (Noe 2003). As argued by Noe (2003), training is a process which not only needs basic skills, which would be skills that are sufficient enough to perform ones job, but also needs skills at an advanced levels which enables a person to use high technological information and share it with other personnel. This would be perfect in order to gain competitive advantage. A good understanding of the customer and the system is also a key aspect within training. Al of these put together collectively defines intellectual capital. A training initiative which requires generating intellectual capital is a training which goes by the name of high -leverage training. According to Carnevale (1990), high-leverage training, which is linked to strategic business goals and objectives, uses an instructional design process to ensure the effectiveness of training programs, and compares or benchmarks the companys training programs against other companys training programs. According to Richard M. Hodgetts and Fred Luthans (1976), training is a procedure of changing behaviour and attitudes in a way that increases the success of reaching ones targets. According to both theorists culture, customs and work habits of the local people should also be taught in training process. And if all the above mentioned factors along with other factors are considered properly it would boost towards the success of any establishment. Formal training programs are not seen to be enough in accordance to todays fast moving world, this is the thought contributed by the author Hall (2004). A few other things the author believes is that in order to uphold certain standards that are commercial and cost effective, the people should be execution experts. A lot of senior executives believe that budget will stay tight, even after a full economic recovery, and that headcount, time. IT support, and other resources will continue to be in short supply. The opportunity and demand for enterprise-wide initiatives to bring about wholesale change will only increase. If you are a leader of learning, your future and the future of your organisation depends on your ability to make significant initiatives happen despite the challenges of day-to-day work. To acquire this you need to become an execution expert. Todays best-in-class learning professionals operate differently than those who came before them. Their thoughts are focused on 3 areas: business strategy, resources, and execution. (Hall 2004, p65-6). Two different training methods are identified by the authors (Ferris et al, 2006), the first set of training is described as the routine training which is given to all level of working staff. The other set of training however, is a type of training in which political skills is the main and important component of training and development process and is aimed mainly for senior executives. As the work force moves up the chain of command to higher jobs at wider scales, technical capability is less important and political skill takes its place. When the centre for Creative Leadership studied why once-promising executives failed on the job, lack of social effectiveness emerged as a leading cause. The political skill which is mentioned quite a bit, is a type of skill that distinguishes successful and efficient managers from those managers who are inefficient. It is also an ability which merges together social intelligence which facilitates and adjusts to situations where differentiation and changes are of demand. In return this helps in developing and advancing the working conditions. Training and development at individual level:- To identify each persons own knowledge, skills and abilities in order to assess each individual and progress them at the pace According themselves. Psychology theorists e.g. Likert (1961), Mayo (1933) cited by Younglin (2001) entails that employee satisfaction and well being are related to performance, but in those theories they did not explicitly hypothesize about the appropriate level of analysis, for example individuals, groups or organizations. Assessments and one to one meetings allow employees to reflect on their own learning needs in relation to their work aims. It also provides well controlled learning experiences linked to professional and administrative needs, goals and job requirements. Individual levelled training and development is the base and the stepping stone of any needs assessment. All managers have different emphasis on specific needs collaborating with their job description, level of education and intelligence experience and personal choice. Focusing on employees individual needs appraisals makes it easier to compile personal development plans that suit each employee according to their own level of competency. Training and development at organisational level:- It is vital for organisations to focus on peoples capability to foresee, adapt and respond to sudden changes in the environment. Training and development will have to join together it with corporate goals. It must be accurate with what the business leaders are trying to achieve. In order for training to seem more appropriate, its programme will revolve around business related matters for the future. In practice, its achievements will shoulder on developing apparent training objectives from the tactical issues of the business. Effective managers are created in an environment where there is continuity in the learning manner. A high level of experience, expertise and mind power of the internal as well as external trainers is essential, along with their commitment and capability to maintain a healthy relationship committed to management maturity. The method of learning can often engage unlearning certain behaviours and attitudes. certainly, in relation to organisations (Hamel Prahalad 1994, cited in Cole, 2000, p268) found that ‘creating a â€Å" learning organisation† is only half the solution. Just as important is creating an â€Å" unlearning organisation†to create the future, a company must unlearn at least some of its past. According to Cole (2000) training and development of workforce is a concern that is faced by more or less all the establishment. The quantity and excellence of training carried out varies a lot from organisation to organisation. Therefore most of the establishments are adapting systematic approach to the training and development of their employees. Organisations use systematic training cycle to perform a logical sequence of activities commencing within the organisations starting with the training policy, assessment of training needs, carrying out training and evaluations. Cole (2000, p.278) summarises that this training cycle is quite beneficial within an organisation. The systematic approach to training and development arises from the amount of internal and external stress for alteration in the organisation. Firstly in a systematic approach is to develop a policy statement to act as a channel to the organisations intentions regarding the weight and track to be given by to training and development. Secondly initialise a set of roles for those in charge for implementing the policy and thirdly to set up a appropriate structure of training posts and procedures, and to allocate adequate funds to the training establishment. As all the steps are followed with completeness then one can focus on the analysis of training needs, evaluation and review of training carried out. Training policy Establishments mostly deal with a wide range of policies dealing with human resources. Policies are set by the establishments to develop their employees and to monitor their performance by certain training and development programs and courses, conducted internally or externally. According to Cole (2000),training focuses on learning needs and are mainly associated to existing responsibilities and duties which are narrowly linked to short, medium and long term business plans and are seen as an key element of an establishment to prove to its consumers, training and development are the key to success of any organisational goals which indicates the overall plan of an organisation, execution of training and development programs provides a direct link to the organisational goals for those who are accountable for the best possible results. Most of the organisations have a extended tradition of raising their own managers and professionals and providing them with in-house courses according to organisational needs. Some of the organisations rely on external management trainings and courses. Training needs Needs assessment is the process of determining if training is necessary (Noe 2003) and identifying the organisations training needs (Ivancevich 2004) and answering the question of whether training addresses the organisations needs, objectives and problems (Arthur et al. 2003). According to Noe (2003), if the needs assessment phase, the first phase in the instructional design process, is poorly conducted, training will not meet the desired outcome or financial benefit for the company, regardless of the training method and the learning environment. According to Boydell (1985) there are three levels of training needs which are to be studied before putting the programs in to practice. This three-step process consists of organisational analysis, person analysis and task analysis. There are a few factors linked with organisational analysis, such as when given the company resources is the relevant training appropriate, where is training needed in the organisation, which goals can be accomplished through personnel training, and if to determine as to wether or not training can be used to improve a companys success ( Noe 2003, Arthur et al. 2003, Ivancevich 2004). When assessed at an organisational level we must see the general weaknesses the organisation has perceived in its priorities and what would be the prescribed remedy that would be required in alteration of the organisational culture. According to Noe (2003), there are three factors to be considered before choosing training as a solution, these three factors being, the companys strategic direction, managers and peers support for training activities and the training resources available.(Noe 2003) Training to some level should help a company achieve its business strategy. If one was to define a business strategy, it is said that this is an approach which refers to a plan that joins together the companys goal, policies and actions (Meister 2000). Noe (2003) also mentions that â€Å"the strategic role of training influences the frequency and type of training, and how the training function is organised in the company.† (p 42) it is more likely the regularity of training will be higher in companies where training is expected to be a factor in the achievement of the companys business strategies and goals as a post to those companies where in training is done randomly or unplanned. Also it is said that the higher the strategic role of planning, it is more likely that the company will organise the training purpose using a virtual training organisation or corporate university models. (Noe 2003) The managers and peers support for training activities is a critical factor in considering a training programme. To be successful, managers and peers should have a positive attitude in participating a training activity. Furthermore, managers and peers should be willing to provide trainees with information on how they can effectively use knowledge, skill or behaviours learned in the training activity (Bramley 1996). To determine the initiation of a training activity it is essential for the company to have all necessary resources. For example if a company decides to hire a consultant for training purposes it is vital for that consultant to provide a high quality level of training. According to Noe (2003), it is advisable that a company use request for proposal (RFP) because it helps to identify the consultants or vendors who qualify for the criteria. RFP includes the type of service the company is seeking, the type and number of references needed, the number of personnel to be trained, the funding for the project, the follow-up process used to determine the level of satisfaction and service, expected date of completion, and the date when proposals must be received by the company (Noe 2003). Person analysis is a procedure which helps the establishment to identify the personnel and how they need to be trained. The analysis verifies all the necessary personnel readiness for training and development, such as personnel abilities, attitudes, beliefs, and enthusiasm. All these factors are vital for the person to learn from the training activity and apply it to the job. Being ready and fully aware for training also means that the work atmosphere will aid with learning and will not hinder with any kind of performance (Noe 2003). The present abilities (skills, knowledge and attitudes) of each staff member concerned had to be assessed against the higher standards needed to carry out their work satisfactorily and any short falls remedied through training. An indicator of the need for training is poor performance measured by customer complaints, low performance ratings, or on-the-job incidents such as accidents and unsafe behaviour. Job changes are also an indicator of the need for training. Job changes can be improvement of the current level of performances or the need for personnel to complete new tasks. (Noe 2003) According to Rummler and Brache (1996), factors such as, person characteristics, input, output, knowledge, consequences and feedback control personnel performance. Persons qualities are what construct the knowledge, skills and abilities of the personnel. The above mentioned factor of input refers to the directives that enable the personnel to know when, what and how to perform but at the same time also, the resources such as equipment, time or budget contributes also to the performance. Output is the standard according to the personnel of how the job is performed. A consequence is an aspect that gives encouragement to the personnel when they perform well. Feedback is the information the personnel receive while they are performing (Noe 2003). Ivancevich (2004) describes task analysis as the identification of the tasks, knowledge, skills and behaviours that should be covered in a training program. According to Schneier, Guthrie and Olian (1988), there are four steps involved in task analysis. First, select the job or jobs to be analysed. Then, build up a preliminary list of tasks performed on the job. This can be done by interviewing and observing expert personnel and their managers and talking with others who have performed a task analysis. Third, confirm the preliminary list of tasks by asking several questions regarding the tasks a group of subject matter experts in a meeting or through a written survey. Through this, the management can determine which tasks must be included in the training program. Important tasks that are frequently performed and of moderate to high level of difficulty should be included in the training while tasks that are not important and infrequently performed should not be included. However, since there are tasks that are important but are less frequently performed, managers and trainers should determine whether these tasks should be trained for. (Noe 2003) The last step is to identify the knowledge, skills or abilities needed to successfully perform the tasks identified. Similar in identifying the tasks to be trained for, knowledge, skills or abilities necessary can be learned through interviews and questionnaires. It is important to know the level of difficulty in learning knowledge, skills and abilities (Bramley 1996). Ivancevich (2004) points out that these assessment categories are important. However, training assessment should focus on the personnel needs because it is at the individual or group level that training is conducted (Ivancevich 2003, p114). According to Kirkpatrick, there are four ways to determine the personnel needs for training. These are through observation of the personnel, listening to the personnel, asking the supervisors about their personnel needs, and examining the problems the personnel have with regards to their job (Kirkpatrick 1996). Michalak and Yager (1979) further stresses that by doing this, the manager is actually conducting a performance analysis. There are steps in performance analysis. First step is the evaluation of the personnel performance and determining if there is a behaviour discrepancy in the personnel performance. Next, the cost and value of correcting the identified behaviour discrepancy should be determined. Then, determine if the personnel can do the expected job if he wanted to (Ivancevich 2004). Then, establish a standard and communicate this clearly to improve job performance. Then, remove obstacles that might cause behaviour discrepancy. Next, the manager should give the personnel time to practice the skills, knowledge and abilities needed in performing their job. Next, decide if the job should be redesigned. If all else fails, the managers should take matters to the next level and decide whether to transfer the personnel to another department or to terminate his contract. However, performance analysis may result to a problem in the driving force. Corroborations such as reward, punishment, or discipline may be essential to create stimulus for the whole work force. Performance analysis may also lead to recognising a need for training and development. However, some organisations avoid doing training needs assessment. According to Schneier, Guthrie and Olian (1988), the possible reasons for this are lack of information on conducting training needs assessment, management scepticism on the effectiveness of training needs assessment, poor planning and lack of time in doing training needs assessment. But Schneier, Guthrie and Olian (1988) stress that training needs assessment should be done because there are many benefits that result from doing this such as improving the training function, tying in with other personnel/human resource management (P/HRM) programs and improving their efficacy, and increasing legal defensibility. Training Process Though typically the shortest phase in the training process, the training program itself encompasses a myriad of details which must be thought about carefully in order that a program will run smoothly, remain true to its defined objectives, and facilitate the transfer of knowledge. Coordinating the logistics of a training program is a detailed and essential step in planning a successful training program. As Van Wart, Cayer, and Cook (1993, p.235) point out, careful planning results in substantially fewer problems, headaches, and even disasters. Countless items such as facilities, room set-up, scheduling, registration, snacks, name tags, audio-visual needs, correspondence with trainees, social events, and the compilation of training materials must be taken into account to insure a successful program. In addition, it is important to plan in advance how to open and close a training session, to avoid awkward transitions and a poor climate during the session (Nadler Nadler 1994). Another important consideration is the materials and kit which will be used to communicate information to the participants. Handouts, textbooks, manuals, and other visual aids (VanWart, Cayer, Cook 1994) enhance the training environment and give participants tangible records of their training to take away and refer to when a refresher is necessary. There should be plenty of materials for all of the participants and extras for those who may register at the last minute. Equipment should be checked to make sure it is in good working condition prior to the program (Nadler Nadler 1994). And finally, as with most things in life, it never hurts to have a contingency plan. A training program may incorporate many different types of strategies for communicating information and fostering a learning environment. Lectures, group activities, discussions, videos, games, guest speakers, case studies, presentations, panel discussions, outdoor interventions, and hands-on skill training are but a few examples of the variety of methods which exist for use in training situations. Beary (1994) suggests that trainers should use questions in training to serve as icebreakers, determine knowledge levels and attitudes, stimulate discussion, share knowledge, make transitions, and build teams. Harris (1994) puts forth his P.R.A.C.T.I.C.A.L. model for better-than-average presentations which calls for attention to be paid to: Partnerships, Rhetorical questions, the Ability to be spontaneous, Conversational style, Tone of voice, Involvement, Creativity, Acute relevance, and Lucidity. Harris also provides four verbal tools which can be used to vary presentations through language. Analogies, alliteration, plays on words, and rhymes can be useful ways to draw attention to material which may require spicing up. A trainer would certainly want to consider his or her audience before using some of these tools. A group of firemen may not be impressed by rhyming skills, while a group of writers might find it very refreshing. Kaeter (1994) suggests several ways to create a training culture, which, she explains, will enhance the environment and may even help a trainer to deal with the ever-present resistant trainee. Her ideas include: researching the situation in advance, making knowledge relevant to those situations, facilitating rather than lecturing, making a clear link between the person, the job, and the goals of the organisation, not ignoring resistant participants, deflecting attacks by drawing in the group, and being available after training for questions and one-on-one discussions. Given that in almost every training situation, there will be one or two individuals who are resistant to the ideas being presented, (or to the very idea of being at a training program) it is important to create a culture which deals proactively with resisters and allows learning to occur for everyone. In addition to those presented here, there are hundreds of other useful approaches to conducting effective training programs. The important thing to recognise is that each method and strategy has inherent strengths and weaknesses, and that there is not one method or strategy whose use will result consistently in a flawless training program. A combination of methods, strategies, and techniques makes for a rich, diverse, cooperative, and instructive training situation. In any training situation, it is important to appreciate the variety of ways that people learn, and to use techniques, which will meet the needs of a diverse group of learners (Armstrong 1988). While some individuals may learn kinaesthetically, others may be more receptive to visual or auditory techniques. A trainer must design his or her program to incorporate elements which will be useful to all types of learners, also taking into consideration the knowledge, skills, abilities, and motivation that trainees bring to the training situation. (VanWart, Cayer, Cook 1994, p 139) According to Bramley (1996), learning situations should be sequenced so that various styles of learning are integrated into the whole. A useful model, based on adult experiential learning, is the Kolb (1984) cycle of learning (see Figure 2). This model requires that activity in all four stages take place for effective learning to occur. Training which is designed with a variety of learning styles in mind will greatly encourage trainees to incorporate the knowledge into their own way of thinking, and transfer the training into the workplace. After logistics and strategies are determined, the designer must decide the most appropriate method for gathering evaluations and feedback from the participants. This step can be used to identify opportunities for further training, to enhance learning, to identify problems and possible solutions, to assess the impact of the training, and to monitor changes in thinking related to the training (Brinkerhoff Gill 1994). Such information can be obtained through observation of reactions to training programs, through learning reviews provided by participants (Bramley, 1996), or through pre and post-testing of skills, attitudes, and behaviours. In addition, there are a variety of questionnaire types which can be utilised for evaluations. Regardless of the type of questionnaire, which is used, however, it is crucial to gather feedback from as many of the participants as possible, to give them a forum for providing the most honest and detailed feedback possible, and to take future action based on the responses (Kirkpatrick 1996). Another valuable method of gaining feedback from participants is to speak with them individually, perhaps at some point during the program, or in a scheduled meeting or discussion group held shortly after the program takes place. It is vital to remember that changes in attitude do not necessarily equals change in behaviour. While information about attitudes may drop light on trainees immediate reactions and learning, such information alone is not necessarily a good indicator of long term changes in behaviour or overall results of training. As demonstrated by this study, it is important to collect a variety of data at several differing intervals, in order to gain the best understanding of the training and the outcomes of it. Evaluation of Training The final stage of the systematic training process is the evaluation of training. This can be done by comparing the results, especially the benefits, with the objectives of the training program set in the assessment phase (Ivancevich 2004). As mentioned in the introduction chapter, many companies are increasingly concerned if training adds value to organisations and training departments are continuously justifying the effectiveness of training (Phillips 1996; Holton 1995). Preskill (1997) asserts that the most appropriate method to determine the effectiveness of training is through training evaluation. As Jones (2006, p.42) said, â€Å"It is essential for HRD practitioners to use the training evaluation method in order to determine whether an organisation receives a significant return on investment in terms of human resources, time and money.† There are many reasons as to why training evaluation should be done. Evaluation can be a tool for informing the trainees of their progress, modifying and improving programs and instructor performance, and providing evidence to managers that problems and issues have been addressed and solved (Laird 1985). Training effectiveness is also a measure of the training departments credibility (Kirkpatrick 1996). Other benefits brought about by doing training evaluation are increased confidence in the trainers claim, increased legitimacy of the training function in organisations, justification for continued support, valuable feedback for improving training methods (Phillips 1996, Jones 2006). Noe (2003 p98-9) summarises these reasons in the following: to identify the programs strengths and weaknesses; to evaluate whether the content, organisation and administration of the program contribute to learning and the use of training content on the job; to identify which trainees benefited most or least from the program; to gather data to assist in marketing the program to determine the financial benefits and costs of the program; to compare the costs and benefits of training and non-training investments; to compare the costs and benefits of different training programs to know which training program is best to use. As with any other evaluation process, criteria should be established for easier evaluation. Ivancevich (2004, p77) points out the three types of criteria — internal, external, and participants reaction. However, participants reaction can be included in the internal criterion. The internal criteria are concerned with the content of the training program. The external criteria are concerned with the ultimate goal of the program. Many training evaluation models were developed. The most popular of which is Donald Kirkpatricks (1994) four-level evaluation criterion. According to thi

Fast Food Companies Are NOT Responsible For Obesity Essay -- Argumentat

Today, many people eat fast food instead of home made food. The reason is that fast food is fast, cheap and convenient. However, at the same time, fast food is contributing to a big social problem in the U.S., which is obesity, and recently some people are beginning to sue the fast food companies for causing their obesity. Should the fast food companies have responsibility for American's obesity? My answer for this argument is "No". I think that whether people eat fast food or not is an individual choice. There are many people who eat fast food, but aren't obese. They may do some exercises for burning calories, or try not to eat fast food as much as they can, caring for their health. Moreover, some fast food companies serve relatively healthy foods, such as Baja Fresh, Subway and so on. Even though people don't have enough money or time to eat except for fast food, they can choose those fast food shops. Therefore, the responsibility of obesity should be taken by obese people, though fast food companies should also take actions to decrease the number of these people by showing their food's calories, serving healthy food, and giving more choices. As I said before, in the U.S. some people are filing suits against fast food companies for causing their obesity and related sickness. It is clear that fast food is not so good for our health. Fast food contains lots of sodium, fat and cholesterol, and these ingredients make us overweight. Therefore, some people think that the ...

The True Gentlemen of Great Expectations Essay -- Great Expectations

The True Gentlemen of Great Expectations In Victorian society, a gentleman was brought up from birth, molded and manipulated to act, dress, talk, and live as true gentility. Upon reaching adulthood, these gentlemen were expected to conduct themselves as society dictated. What happens, however, when a man of lower social stature wishes to become a gentleman, and suddenly finds himself in a position to do so? He now has the financial standing, but lacks the social etiquette that a "true" gentleman possesses. Whom can he turn to for a role model and guidance? This is exactly the situation Pip is faced with in the novel Great Expectations. When he first arrives in London, aspiring to be a gentleman, Matthew Pocket, Wemmick, and Herbert Pocket provide the best examples of true gentlemen.    Matthew Pocket displays the qualities of a gentleman as a hardworking tutor and a patient husband. Although he does not posses a great deal of wealth, Mr. Pocket houses well-to-do pupils, such as Startop and Drummle, and conducts himself in a gentlemanly manner. His passion for learning and knowledge is fervent, but his perseverance in Pip's education is even greater. Pip comments that, "...he was always so zealous and honorable in fulfilling his compact with me that he made me zealous and honorable in fulfilling my compact with him."(196). Although Pip learned to be hardworking in the forge, Matthew Pocket teaches him to work for the sake of others. Matthew's married life is quite a different story. His wife is so eccentric, adleheadded, and uneducated that he constantly lifts himself up by his hair. His patience with his wife, day in and day out, is extraordinary. For example, Mrs. Pocket doesn't greet Pip with ... ...n loyal.    In order to be able to live as a gentleman, Pip learns from the examples set by Matthew Pocket, Wemmick, and Herbert Pocket. Each contributes his own qualities to shed a different light on how a gentleman conducts himself. All contribute to help Pip become what he is at the end of the book, a true gentleman at last.    Works Cited and Consulted:    Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations. Ed. Edgar Rosenberg. New York: Norton, 1999.    French, A.L   " Imprisonment: The Case of Great Expectations." Discussions of Charles Dickens, 82-92.   William R. Clark, ed.   Boston: D.C. Heath & Co., 1961.    Russell, Frazier.   " 'When I Was A Child'- An Introduction to Great Expectations."   Yahoo Homepage, 1. Penguin Reading Guides, 7 Nov. 2000.     <www.penguinputnam.com/academic/classics/rguides/dickens/frame.html>.   

Scholarly Discourse Paper -- Sociology

In the views of society today children are taught by example. Monkey see, monkey do. The Saturday morning cartoons, parents, the latest video games, teachers, and the media all showed kids that you can be anything you want to be, as long as you set your mind to it. The majority of little girls wanted to be a princess and little boys wanted to be a super hero when they grow up. In reality, the princesses didn’t grow up to be aristocrats and the super heroes are not fighting the cities’ latest crimes. Children are told to use their imagination and creativity, but in todays society their imaginations and life aspirations are refocused by their social class. . Considering the research done by C.H Knoblauch, Johnathan Kozol, and Jean Anyon, the education system specifically prepares each student for his or her future based on their parents’ income level, social class, and zip code. Parents’ income level and where they live directly correlates with what type of education their children will receive. Anyon argues that the students’ curriculum is either modified or enhanced based on the different areas of social class, and parental salary. â€Å"One’s social class, then, is a result of the relationships one has, largely ‘work,’ ‘capital and power,’ and ‘activity’† (Anyon 398). By living in a wealthier neighborhood, the property funds and taxes the residents pay are able to provide more funding to the surrounding schools. When living in a poor and underprivileged neighborhood, the taxes are significantly lower; therefore, the school system is left with a small amount of funding available to them.. The working class students live in the underprivileged neighborhoods. They read textbooks; when it rains water leaks from the ceiling into the ha... ...s. All of those toddlers in tiaras are going to be heartbroken when they are pushed off the throne and onto their hands and knees just like Cinderella. For some reason the pumpkins stay pumpkins even after midnight. As for the cape and tights, the boys would not last more than a minute in a high school without someone calling them a derogatory name. Whatever happened to the cliche saying, ‘dreams really do come true?’ They should probably put a disclaimer on it next time. Work Cited Page Anyon, Jean. "Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work." Journal of Education, Vol. 162, no. 1. Fall 1980. Kozol, Jonathan. â€Å"Still Separate, Still Unequal.† Journal of Education, Vol. 162, no. 1. 2005. Knoblauch, C. H. "Literacy and the Politics of Education." The Right to Literacy. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford, Helene Mà ¶glen, and James Slevin. New York: MLA, 1990.

Environmental Protection Essay

What is your carbon foot print? A carbon footprint has historically been defined by Championne as â€Å"the total sets of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person.†[1] However, calculating the total carbon footprint is impossible due to the large amount of data required and the fact that carbon dioxide can be produced by natural occurrences. It is for this reason that Wright, Kemp, and Williams, writing in the journal Carbon Management, have suggested a more practicable definition: â€Å"A measure of the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions of a defined population, system or activity, considering all relevant sources, sinks and storage within the spatial and temporal boundary of the population, system or activity of interest. Calculated as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) using the relevant 100-year global warming potential (GWP100).†[2] Greenhouse gases can be emitted through transport, land clearance, and the production and consum ption of food, fuels, manufactured goods, materials, wood, roads, buildings, and services.[3] For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted. Most of the carbon footprint emissions for the average U.S. household come from â€Å"indirect† sources, i.e. fuel burned to produce goods far away from the final consumer. These are distinguished from emissions which come from burning fuel directly in one’s car or stove, commonly referred to as â€Å"direct† sources of the consumer’s carbon footprint.[4] The concept name of the carbon footprint originates from ecological footprint,discussion,[5] which was developed by Rees and Wackernagel in the 1990s which estimates the number of â€Å"earths† that would theoretically be required if everyone on the planet consumed resources at the same level as the person calculating their ecological footprint. However, carbon footprints are much more specific than ecological footprints since they measure direct emissions of gasses that cause climate change into the atmosphere. Measuring Carbon Footprints An individual’s, nation’s, or organization’s carbon footprint can be measured by undertaking a GHG emissions assessment or other calculative activities denoted as carbon accounting. Once the size of a carbon footprint is known, a strategy can be devised to reduce it, e.g. by technological developments,  better process and product management, changed Green Public or Private Procurement (GPP), carbon capture, consumption strategies, and others. Several free online carbon footprint calculators exist, with at least one supported by publicly available peer-reviewed data and calculations from the University of California, Berkeley’s CoolClimate Network research consortium.[6][7] These websites ask you to answer some basic questions about your diet, transportation choices, home size, shopping and recreational activities, usage of electricity, heating, and heavy appliances such as dryers and refrigerators, and so on. The website then estimates your carbon footprint based on your answers to these questions. The mitigation of carbon footprints through the development of alternative projects, such as solar or wind energy or reforestation, represents one way of reducing a carbon footprint and is often known as Carbon offsetting. The main influences on carbon footprints include population, economic output, and energy and carbon intensity of the economy.[8] These factors are the main targets of individuals and businesses in order to decrease carbon footprints. Scholars suggest the most effective way to decrease a carbon footprint is to either decrease the amount of energy needed for production or to decrease the dependence on carbon emitting fuels How has engineering changed us? As we enter the twenty-first century, we must embark on a worldwide transition to a more holistic approach to engineering. This will require: (1) a major paradigm shift from control of nature to participation with nature; (2) an awareness of ecosystems, ecosystems services, and the preservation and restoration of natural capital; and (3) a new mindset of the mutual enhancement of nature and humans that embraces the principles of sustainable development, renewable resources management, appropriate technology. During the past several centuries, the successive development of the printing press, wired and wireless communication, and the Internet have enabled the ubiquitous creation, shaping, and sharing of knowledge. One could argue that as a result of these developments, the capacity for universal participation in decisionmaking in politics and other spheres has risen to an unprecedented level, as has the potential for enhancing the quality of life for a broader segment of humankind. Today, a new world of  robust communication lies before us, and it has all been made possible by the talents, skills, and dedicated work of engineers and scientists. How we develop and use this capacity will determine our destiny. The essence of engineering, on the other hand, is integrating all knowledge for some purpose. As society’s â€Å"master integrators,† engineers must provide leadership in the concurrent and interactive processes of innovation and wealth creation. The engineer must be able to work across many different disciplines and fields–and make the connections that will lead to deeper insights, more creative solutions, and getting things done. In a poetic sense, paraphrasing the words of Italo Calvino (1988), the engineer must be adept at correlating exactitude with chaos to bring visions into focus. How can we create a sustainable community? There are many definitions and there are many different ways for communities to attain a more sustainable future. The sustainability of a community depends on creating and maintaining its economic and environmental health, promoting social equity, and fostering broad-based citizen participation in planning and implementation. Communities that engage citizens and institutions to develop sustainability principles and a collective vision for the future and that apply an integrative approach to environmental, economic, and social goals are generally likely to be more successful. Job creation, energy use, housing, transportation, education and health are considered complementary parts of the whole. Since all issues are interconnected they must be addressed as a system. The process includes: †¢ broad and diverse involvement of citizens †¢ the creation of a collective vision for the future †¢ the development of principles of sustainability †¢ an inventory of existing assets and resources and additional assets that would benefit the community †¢ clear, measurable goals †¢ the development of community indicators to evaluate progress †¢ open and transparent communication †¢ early, visible results †¢ celebration of success Sustainability is a process of continuous improvement so communities  constantly evolve and make changes to accomplish their goals. The initiatives and resources on this website have been selected to help you learn about ways to make your community healthier, safer, greener, more livable, and more prosperous. How can renewable energies transform our society? Renewable energy is important because of the benefits it provides. The key benefits are: Environmental Benefits  Renewable energy technologies are clean sources of energy that have a much lower environmental impact than conventional energy technologies. Energy for our children’s children’s children  Renewable energy will not run out. Ever. Other sources of energy are finite and will some day be depleted. Jobs and the Economy  Most renewable energy investments are spent on materials and workmanship to build and maintain the facilities, rather than on costly energy imports. Renewable energy investments are usually spent within the United States, frequently in the same state, and often in the same town. This means your energy dollars stay home to create jobs and fuel local economies, rather than going overseas. Meanwhile, renewable energy technologies developed and built in the United States are being sold overseas, providing a boost to the U.S. trade deficit. Energy Security After the oil supply disruptions of the early 1970s, our nation has increased its dependence on foreign oil supplies instead of decreasing it. This increased dependence impacts more than just our national energy policy. Is it important to create micro energy system or macro system? An energy system may be thought of as an interrelated network of energy sources and stores of energy, connected by transmission and distribution of that energy to where it is needed. The transformation from stores of energy in food to work, and subsequent dissipation of energy is an example of such a system. The starting point of all energy in this â€Å"food chain† or â€Å"energy chain† (considering only the vegetable and cereal part of our food) is the sun.

Psychoanalysis of Mary Karr’s Mother in The Lair’s Club Essay

Mary Karr growing up in 1961, Leechfield, Texas, as gone through a lot of hardships, she describes those of her childhood in her memoir’s of The Lair’s Club. Mary only learns of why her mother, Charlie Marie Karr, has become wavering and potentially hazardous to Mary and nine year old sister, Lecia, towards the end of the novel. All at once Mary talks to her mother, where she revels unknown parts of her past. The story Mary’s mother shares with Mary about trying to regain her children; shows how she slowly lost her mind and how her past has affected her relationships with her children. Because she was so preoccupied with trying to regain her first two children, Tex and Belinda, and cannot succeed in doing so; Mary’s mother comes to realize that this issue has been eating away at her and has driven her to insanity. Mary Karr’s mother in The Lair’s Club is shown to be highly unstable figure in Mary’s life. Mary discovers as an adult that in her parents attic a box of old wedding rings and pictures of unfamiliar children. Once before she had seen these pictures from her grandmother who had said to her that they were her mother’s â€Å"Other† children. When Mary shows her mother what she has found, her mother tries to change the subject completely. Mary brings it up again and her mother decides to finally talk about it with her for the first time. Her mother told her that when she was really young, she got married and had two children. Her husband’s mother did not like Charlie; one day while Charlie was at work her mother-in-law came picked up the children and everything in their apartment. When Charlie came home she was devastated, she went to her parents to ask for help in finding her family. Charlie finds her children after months of searching for them. Charlie went to the house to find her husband and children with a new mother. She tries to take her children back, and realizes that maybe her children would be better off there, for the time being, Charlie says she tries to do the right thing. Where Mary Karr in The Lair’s Club says, â€Å"Then Mother did what seemed at the time the Right Thing, though had she Thought, she may have Thought Twice about how Right the Right Thing would wind up being, for surely it drove her mad† (317). Charlie drives herself to depression, alcoholism, addictions, and even infanticide over this. Trying to rethink the same moment over, playing what she might have been able to do differently ultimately drives her mad. Charlie decides at that moment that the best thing for her to do to get her children back is to get remarried. If she finds someone else to share her life with, they would surely help to get her children back. Charlie gets married to man after man, but many do not want to help her. Finally Charlie marries Peter Karr, who wants to help get Charlie’s children back. But by this time the children are almost grown up and do not want to come move with their mother. Charlie is again distraught with her life and the circumstances that surround her. Charlie revels to Mary that it is only then when her children say they do not want to come back with her, that â€Å"Then it was like a big black hole just swallowing me up. Or like the hole inside me, and had been swallowing me up all those years with out my even noticing. I just collapsed into it† (Karr 318). It is right then when Charlie just snaps into her life long struggle with depression. Peter wants to help his wife as much as he can, he suggest that they should try to have more children. His hopes that if Charlie has more children she will get over the lost of the others. However, after having her two new children, Lecia and Mary, her depression becomes worse and she starts having infanticide. Mary brings up that one incident with her mother, â€Å"And the night she’d stood in our bedroom door with a knife? She’d drunk herself to the bottom of that despair. ‘All the times I’d wasted, marrying fellows. And still I lost those kids. And you and Lecia couldn’t change that. And I’d wound up just as miserable as I started at fifteen. ‘ Killing us had come to seem merciful. In fact, she’d hallucinated we’d been stabbed to death. ‘I saw blood all over you and everything else. Splashed across the walls'† (Karr 318). Charlie was experiencing infanticide, she wanted to kill Mary and Lecia to put them out of any suffering that they might experience. In a hypertext version of Velma Dobson and Bruce D. Sales’ The Science of Infanticide and Mental Illness they write that, â€Å"Over half, fifty six percent, of the filicides were classified as â€Å"altruistic† killings, in which the mother killed the child to relieve the child’s real or potential suffering; for example, from an incurable disease or from the suffering the child would potentially experience following the mother’s suicide. In another twenty four percent of filicide cases, the mother was acutely psychotic at the time of the murder, as indicated by hallucinations. † Where Charlie wanted to protect her children and by being so disturbed by the lost of her previous two she envisioned Mary and Lecia dead so they would not have to endure anguish any more.

Foundation and Empire 1. Search For Magicians

BEL RIOSE†¦ In his relatively short career, Riose earned the title of â€Å"The Last of the Imperials† and earned it well. A study of his campaigns reveals him to be the equal of Peurifoy in strategic ability and his superior perhaps in his ability to handle men. That he was born in the days of the decline of Empire made it all but impossible for him to equal Peurifoy's record as a conqueror. Yet he had his chance when, the first of the Empire's generals to do so, he faced the Foundation squarely†¦ Encyclopedia Galactica *All quotations from the Encyclopedia Galactica here reproduced are taken from the 116th Edition published in 1020 F.E. by the Encyclopedia Galactica Publishing Co., Terminus, with permission of the publishers. Bel Riose traveled without escort, which is not what court etiquette prescribes for the head of a fleet stationed in a yet-sullen stellar system on the Marches of the Galactic Empire. But Bel Riose was young and energetic – energetic enough to be sent as near the end of the universe as possible by an unemotional and calculating court – and curious besides. Strange and improbable tales fancifully-repeated by hundreds and murkily-known to thousands intrigued the last faculty; the possibility of a military venture engaged the other two. The combination was overpowering. He was out of the dowdy ground-car he had appropriated and at the door of the fading mansion that was his destination. He waited. The photonic eye that spanned the doorway was alive, but when the door opened it was by hand. Bel Riose smiled at the old man. â€Å"I am Riose-â€Å" â€Å"I recognize you.† The old man remained stiffly and unsurprised in his place. â€Å"Your business?† Riose withdrew a step in a gesture of submission. â€Å"One of peace. If you are Ducem Barr, I ask the favor of conversation.† Ducem Barr stepped aside and in the interior of the house the walls glowed into life, The general entered into daylight. He touched the wall of the study, then stared at his fingertips. â€Å"You have this on Siwenna?† Barr smiled thinly. â€Å"Not elsewhere, I believe. I keep this in repair myself as well as I can. I must apologize for your wait at the door. The automatic device registers the presence of a visitor but will no longer open the door.† â€Å"Your repairs fall short?† The general's voice was faintly mocking. â€Å"Parts are no longer available. If you will sit, sir. You drink tea?† â€Å"On Siwenna? My good sir, it is socially impossible not to drink it here.† The old patrician retreated noiselessly with a slow bow that was part of the ceremonious legacy left by the aristocracy of the last century's better days. Riose looked after his host's departing figure, and his studied urbanity grew a bit uncertain at the edges. His education had been purely military; his experience likewise. He had, as the cliche‚ has it, faced death many times; but always death of a very familiar and tangible nature, Consequently, there is no inconsistency in the fact that the idolized lion of the Twentieth Fleet felt chilled in the suddenly musty atmosphere of an ancient room. The general recognized the small black-ivroid boxes that lined the shelves to be books. Their titles were unfamiliar. He guessed that the large structure at one end of the room was the receiver that transmuted the books into sight-and-sound on demand. He had never seen one in operation; but he had heard of them. Once he had been told that long before, during the golden ages when the Empire had been co-extensive with the entire Galaxy, nine houses out of every ten had such receivers – and such rows of books. But there were borders to watch now; books were for old men. And half the stories told about the old days were mythical anyway. More than half. The tea arrived, and Riose seated himself. Ducem Barr lifted his cup. â€Å"To your honor.† â€Å"Thank you. To yours.† Ducem Barr said deliberately, â€Å"You are said to be young. Thirty-five?† â€Å"Near enough. Thirty-four.† â€Å"In that case,† said Barr, with soft emphasis, â€Å"I could not begin better than by informing you regretfully that I am not in the possession of love charms, potions, or philtres. Nor am I in the least capable of influencing the favors of any young lady as may appeal to you.† â€Å"I have no need of artificial aids in that respect, sir.† The complacency undeniably present in the general's voice was stirred with amusement. â€Å"Do you receive many requests for such commodities?† â€Å"Enough. Unfortunately, an uninformed public tends to confuse scholarship with magicianry, and love life seems to be that factor which requires the largest quantity of magical tinkering.† â€Å"And so would seem most natural. But I differ. I connect scholarship with nothing but the means of answering difficult questions.† The Siwennian considered somberly, â€Å"You may be as wrong as they!† â€Å"That may turn out or not.† The young general set down his cup in its flaring sheath and it refilled. He dropped the offered flavor-capsule into it with a small splash. â€Å"Tell me then, patrician, who are the magicians? The real ones.† Barr seemed startled at a title long-unused. He said, â€Å"There are no magicians.† â€Å"But people speak of them. Siwenna crawls with the tales of them. There are cults being built about them. There is some strange connection between it and those groups among your countrymen who dream and drivel of ancient days and what they call liberty and autonomy. Eventually the matter might become a danger to the State.† The old man shook his head. â€Å"Why ask me? Do you smell rebellion, with myself at the head?† Riose shrugged, â€Å"Never. Never. Oh, it is not a thought completely ridiculous. Your father was an exile in his day; you yourself a patriot and a chauvinist in yours. It is indelicate in me as a guest to mention it, but my business here requires it. And yet a conspiracy now? I doubt it. Siwenna has had the spirit beat out of it these three generations.† The old man replied with difficulty, â€Å"I shall be as indelicate a host as you a guest. I shall remind you that once a viceroy thought as you did of the spiritless Siwennians. By the orders of that viceroy my father became a fugitive pauper, my brothers martyrs, and my sister a suicide. Yet that viceroy died a death sufficiently horrible at the hands of these same slavish Siwennians.† â€Å"Ah, yes, and there you touch nearly on something I could wish to say. For three years the mysterious death of that viceroy has been no mystery to me. There was a young soldier of his personal guard whose actions were of interest. You were that soldier, but there is no need of details, I think.† Barr was quiet. â€Å"None. What do you propose?† â€Å"That you answer my questions.† â€Å"Not under threats. I am old enough for life not to mean particularly overmuch.† â€Å"My good sir, these are hard times,† said Riose, with meaning, â€Å"and you have children and friends. You have a country for which you have mouthed phrases of love and folly in the past. Come, if I should decide to use force, my aim would not be so poor as to strike you.† Barr said coldly, â€Å"What do you want?† Riose held the empty cup as he spoke. â€Å"Patrician, listen to me. These are days when the most successful soldiers are those whose function is to lead the dress parades that wind through the imperial palace grounds on feast days and to escort the sparkling pleasure ships that carry His Imperial Splendor to the summer planets. I†¦ I am a failure. I am a failure at thirty-four, and I shall stay a failure. Because, you see, I like to fight. â€Å"That's why they sent me here. I'm too troublesome at court. I don't fit in with the etiquette. I offend the dandies and the lord admirals, but I'm too good a leader of ships and men to be disposed of shortly be being marooned in space. So Siwenna is the substitute. It's a frontier world; a rebellious and a barren province. It is far away, far enough away to satisfy all. â€Å"And so I moulder. There are no rebellions to stamp down, and the border viceroys do not revolt lately, at least, not since His Imperial Majesty's late father of glorious memory made an example of Mountel of Paramay.† â€Å"A strong Emperor,† muttered Barr. â€Å"Yes, and we need more of them. He is my master; remember that. These are his interests I guard.† Barr shrugged unconcernedly. â€Å"How does all this relate to the subject?† â€Å"I'll show you in two words. The magicians I've mentioned come from beyond-out there beyond the frontier guards, where the stars are scattered thinly-â€Å" â€Å"‘Where the stars are scattered thinly,†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ quoted Barr, â€Å"‘And the cold of space seeps in.†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ â€Å"Is that poetry?† Riose frowned. Verse seemed frivolous at the moment. â€Å"In any case, they're from the Periphery – from the only quarter where I am free to fight for the glory of the Emperor.† â€Å"And thus serve His Imperial Majesty's interests and satisfy your own love of a good fight.† â€Å"Exactly. But I must know what I fight; and there you can help.† â€Å"How do you know?† Riose nibbled casually at a cakelet. â€Å"Because for three years I have traced every rumor, every myth, every breath concerning the magicians – and of all the library of information I have gathered, only two isolated facts are unanimously agreed upon, and are hence certainly true. The first is that the magicians come from the edge of the Galaxy opposite Siwenna; the second is that your father once met a magician, alive and actual, and spoke with him.† The aged Siwennian stared unblinkingly, and Riose continued, â€Å"You had better tell me what you know-â€Å" Barr said thoughtfully, â€Å"It would be interesting to tell you certain things. It would be a psychohistoric experiment of my own.† â€Å"What kind of experiment?† â€Å"Psychohistoric.† The old man had an unpleasant edge to his smile. Then, crisply, â€Å"You'd better have more tea. I'm going to make a bit of a speech.† He leaned far back into the soft cushions of his chair. The wall-lights had softened to a pink-ivory glow, which mellowed even the soldier's hard profile. Ducem Barr began, â€Å"My own knowledge is the result of two accidents; the accidents of being born the son of my father, and of being born the native of my country. It begins over forty years ago, shortly after the great Massacre, when my father was a fugitive in the forests of the South, while I was a gunner in the viceroy's personal fleet. This same viceroy, by the way, who had ordered the Massacre, and who died such a cruel death thereafter.† Barr smiled grimly, and continued, â€Å"My father was a Patrician of the Empire and a Senator of Siwenna. His name was Onum Barr.† Riose interrupted impatiently, â€Å"I know the circumstances of his exile very well. You needn't elaborate upon it.† The Siwennian ignored him and proceeded without deflection. â€Å"During his exile a wanderer came upon him; a merchant from the edge of the Galaxy; a young man who spoke a strange accent, knew nothing of recent Imperial history, and who was protected by an individual force-shield.† â€Å"An individual force-shield?† Riose glared. â€Å"You speak extravagance. What generator could be powerful enough to condense a shield to the size of a single man? By the Great Galaxy, did he carry five thousand myria-tons of nuclear power-source about with him on a little wheeled gocart?† Barr said quietly, â€Å"This is the magician of whom you hear whispers, stories and myths. The name ‘magician' is not lightly earned. He carried no generator large enough to be seen, but not the heaviest weapon you can carry in your hand would have as much as creased the shield he bore.† â€Å"Is this all the story there is? Are the magicians born of maunderings of an old man broken by suffering and exile?† â€Å"The story of the magicians antedated even my father, sir. And the proof is more concrete. After leaving my father, this merchant that men call a magician visited a Tech-man at the city to which my father had guided him, and there he left a shield-generator of the type he wore. That generator was retrieved by my father after his return from exile upon the execution of the bloody viceroy. It took a long time to find- â€Å"The generator hangs on the wall behind you, sir. It does not work. It never worked but for the first two days; but if you'll look at it, you will see that no one in the Empire ever designed it.† Bel Riose reached for the belt of linked metal that clung to the curved wall. It came away with a little sucking noise as the tiny adhesion-field broke at the touch of his hand. The ellipsoid at the apex of the belt held his attention. It was the size of a walnut. â€Å"This-† he said. â€Å"Was the generator,† nodded Barr. â€Å"But it was the generator. The secret of its workings are beyond discovery now. Sub-electronic investigations have shown it to be fused into a single lump of metal and not all the most careful study of the diffraction patterns have sufficed to distinguish the discrete parts that had existed before fusion.† â€Å"Then your ‘proof' still lingers on the frothy border of words backed by no concrete evidence.† Barr shrugged. â€Å"You have demanded my knowledge of me and threatened its extortion by force. If you choose to meet it with skepticism, what is that to me? Do you want me to stop?† â€Å"Go on!† said the general, harshly. â€Å"I continued my father's researches after he died, and then the second accident I mentioned came to help me, for Siwenna was well known to Hari Seldon.† â€Å"And who is Hari Seldon?† â€Å"Hari Seldon was a scientist of the reign of the Emperor, Daluben IV. He was a psychohistorian; the last and greatest of them all. He once visited Siwenna, when Siwenna was a great commercial center, rich in the arts and sciences.† â€Å"Hmph,† muttered Riose, sourly, â€Å"where is the stagnant planet that does not claim to have been a land of overflowing wealth in older days?† â€Å"The days I speak of are the days of two centuries ago, when the Emperor yet ruled to the uttermost star; when Siwenna was a world of the interior and not a semi-barbarian border province. In those days, Hari Seldon foresaw the decline of Imperial power and the eventual barbarization of the entire Galaxy.† Riose laughed suddenly. â€Å"He foresaw that? Then he foresaw wrong, my good scientist. I suppose you call yourself that. Why, the Empire is more powerful now than it has been in a millennium. Your old eyes are blinded by the cold bleakness of the border. Come to the inner worlds some day; come to the warmth and the wealth of the center.† The old man shook his head somberly. â€Å"Circulation ceases first at the outer edges. It will take a while yet for the decay to reach the heart. That is, the apparent, obvious-to-all decay, as distinct from the inner decay that is an old story of some fifteen centuries.† â€Å"And so this Hari Seldon foresaw a Galaxy of uniform barbarism,† said Riose, good-humoredly. â€Å"And what then, eh?† â€Å"So he established two foundations at the extreme opposing ends of the Galaxy – Foundations of the best, and the youngest, and the strongest, there to breed, grow, and develop. The worlds on which they were placed were chosen carefully; as were the times and the surroundings. All was arranged in such a way that the future as foreseen by the unalterable mathematics of psychohistory would involve their early isolation from the main body of Imperial civilization and their gradual growth into the germs of the Second Galactic Empire – cutting an inevitable barbarian interregnum from thirty thousand years to scarcely a single thousand.† â€Å"And where did you find out all this? You seem to know it in detail.† â€Å"I don't and never did,† said the patrician with composure. â€Å"It is the painful result of the piecing together of certain evidence discovered by my father and a little more found by myself. The basis is flimsy and the superstructure has been romanticized into existence to fill the huge gaps. But I am convinced that it is essentially true.† â€Å"You are easily convinced.† â€Å"Am I? It has taken forty years of research.† â€Å"Hmph. Forty years! I could settle the question in forty days. In fact, I believe I ought to. It would be – different.† â€Å"And how would you do that?† â€Å"In the obvious way. I could become an explorer. I could find this Foundation you speak of and observe with my eyes. You say there are two?† â€Å"The records speak of two. Supporting evidence has been found only for one, which is understandable, for the other is at the extreme end of the long axis of the Galaxy.† â€Å"Well, we'll visit the near one.† The general was on his feet, adjusting his belt. â€Å"You know where to go?† asked Barr. â€Å"In a way. In the records of the last viceroy but one, he whom you murdered so effectively, there are suspicious tales of outer barbarians. In fact, one of his daughters was given in marriage to a barbarian prince. I'll find my way.† He held out a hand. â€Å"I thank you for your hospitality.† Ducem Barr touched the hand with his fingers and bowed formally. â€Å"Your visit was a great honor.† â€Å"As for the information you gave me,† continued Bel Riose, â€Å"I'll know how to thank you for that when I return.† Ducem Barr followed his guest submissively to the outer door and said quietly to the disappearing ground-car, â€Å"And if you return.†