Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Free Essays on Life Of Picasso

Pablo Picasso Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga in 1881. Pablo was the son of a respected art teacher, and due to his father’s influence, young Pablo entered the Academy at Barcelona at age 14. This was where he painted his first great work, â€Å"Girl with Bare Feet†. After two years of schooling, Picasso transferred for advanced tutelage. This did not hold Picasso’s interest, so instead he spent much of his time in cafes and in brothels. Three years later, Picasso won a gold medal for his work, â€Å"Customs of Aragon†. This work was displayed on exhibit in Picasso’s hometown. In 1901, Picasso set up a studio in the northern section of Paris known as Montmartre. Picasso had mastered traditional forms of art by now. However, the works of such artists as Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, Vuillard, which can be noticed, affected him in his works at the time. â€Å"Longchamp† and â€Å"The Blue Room† are good examples of this change in Picasso’s style. Soon after this, Picasso began to develop his own methods. Illness struck Picasso in 1898 and he temporarily retired from the city and rested in the country. Upon his return, Picasso was distressed with modern art and proceeded to use mother’s maiden name. He then underwent a distressing part of his life for the next 4 years (1901-1904) and demonstrated the life of the poor. The next two years following those last four were rather bright and vigorous. Perhaps this was because he realized how his life differed so much from the poor on the streets. This was also a point in Picasso’s life when sculpture and black art intrigued him. His work, â€Å"Two Nudes† reflects this attitude. Cubism soon followed after this. Picasso began experimenting with the many facets of Cubism. Cubism was developed in stages: analytic, synthetic, hermetic, and rococo. These techniques were not only useful in painting but in collages as well. Picasso met Eva Marcelle Humbert, and fell in love with her bu... Free Essays on Life Of Picasso Free Essays on Life Of Picasso Pablo Picasso Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga in 1881. Pablo was the son of a respected art teacher, and due to his father’s influence, young Pablo entered the Academy at Barcelona at age 14. This was where he painted his first great work, â€Å"Girl with Bare Feet†. After two years of schooling, Picasso transferred for advanced tutelage. This did not hold Picasso’s interest, so instead he spent much of his time in cafes and in brothels. Three years later, Picasso won a gold medal for his work, â€Å"Customs of Aragon†. This work was displayed on exhibit in Picasso’s hometown. In 1901, Picasso set up a studio in the northern section of Paris known as Montmartre. Picasso had mastered traditional forms of art by now. However, the works of such artists as Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, Vuillard, which can be noticed, affected him in his works at the time. â€Å"Longchamp† and â€Å"The Blue Room† are good examples of this change in Picasso’s style. Soon after this, Picasso began to develop his own methods. Illness struck Picasso in 1898 and he temporarily retired from the city and rested in the country. Upon his return, Picasso was distressed with modern art and proceeded to use mother’s maiden name. He then underwent a distressing part of his life for the next 4 years (1901-1904) and demonstrated the life of the poor. The next two years following those last four were rather bright and vigorous. Perhaps this was because he realized how his life differed so much from the poor on the streets. This was also a point in Picasso’s life when sculpture and black art intrigued him. His work, â€Å"Two Nudes† reflects this attitude. Cubism soon followed after this. Picasso began experimenting with the many facets of Cubism. Cubism was developed in stages: analytic, synthetic, hermetic, and rococo. These techniques were not only useful in painting but in collages as well. Picasso met Eva Marcelle Humbert, and fell in love with her bu...

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Hiring Trends Show Older Workers in Demand

Hiring Trends Show Older Workers in Demand According to U.S. News and World Report, 70 percent of human resource experts believe older workers have a strong work ethic. Based on the number of adults over the age of 50 who are part of the workforce, this assessment seems accurate. For older Americans seeking employment, the need many companies have for their skills and experience makes finding a job easier. How Have Workforce Age Dynamics Changed?Companies are hiring more workers age 50 and older, and this trend is growing. Even before the Great Recession, mature workers age 65 and older were working than in the past. However, with fluctuations in the economy came a decrease in pension plans and other forms of worker security. This evolution opened the floodgates to older workers since it helped to level hiring practices. The number of older workers increased, and replacing them with workers who have the same level of skill and experience is difficult. A shortage of qualified workers is continuing to grow, and estimates indica te this will continue in the years ahead.Why Older Works Are SoughtAccording to the Society for Human Resource Management, workers over 50 show greater job engagement than younger workers. This is a key ingredient in a company’s growth. Other factors favoring older workers are their experience and skill subset, according to 77 percent of employers questioned. Assembly line workers between the ages of 50 and 65 have increased productivity due to a decrease in errors. Seventy-one percent of employers also said that older workers exhibit greater professionalism, a trait that is highly valued. An AARP study, done in 2015, showed that older workers have lower turnover rates and that company cost to train new workers is decreased.Baby Boomers Are Part of the WorkforceSome older workers are unable to retire due to economic considerations, while some have grown children to support. In addition, some want to stay engaged and feel working is a means to that end. This need has resulted in many workers seeking employment. Getting a job with the growing number of companies who seek older employees means setting up a plan to accomplish that. Since older Americans are computer literate, according to the Pew Research Center, the search for full-time or part-time jobs for seniors is done online. Searching job sites can be time consuming, and developing a job search strategy is important.TheJobNetwork Can HelpOlder workers who wish to search job sites online might be interested in TheJobNetwork’s platform. By setting up a profile listing skills, experience and job preferences, searching is consolidated and takes less time. This job search site lets you look for jobs in your field, and jobs are constantly updated, ensuring that a listed opportunities are available and new jobs are posted on a 24-hour basis. In addition, you can post your resume, listing your education, training and skills, and the platform will search for jobs as they become available that match yo ur qualifications.Matches are ranked according to how closely they match what you want.Searching TheJobNetwork may help the older worker find the type of job he or she is looking for online. Using this platform may help you bring your skills and experience to a company that would benefit from your presence.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Problematic Media Use Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Problematic Media Use - Essay Example Alongside this dynamic shift with regards to how society currently operates, a unique issue has been determined and has been labeled by research as problematic Internet usage e (PIU). As a result of researching this particular exhibition to a more profound degree, the following analysis will consider the article entitled, â€Å"An Evaluation of Two Characterizations of the Relationships Between Problematic Internet Use, Time Spent Using the Internet, and Psychosocial Problems†. It is the hope of this author that such analysis will help to shed a degree of light not only with regards the particular article in question, but also with respect to justifying it with some of the other readings that of engaged during the course of this week. One aspect of PIU that the article does not cover in enough depth is with regards to whether or not PIU is entirely dependent upon the exhibition of psychosocial issues. Although it can be appreciated that PIU is an issue that affects a broader a nd broader subset of current society, the fact of the matter is that determining whether or not this is an issue that should concern broader society is ultimately rooted in what the outcomes and side effects of PIU portend (Tokunaga & Rains, 2010). If it is true that PIU is mutually exclusive and cannot exist without the prevalence of psychosocial issues, then the research itself stands solidly upon the framework of delineating a codependent relationship between these. However, if it is the case that PIU can exist to varying degrees without clear and determinate impacts upon psychosocial interaction, the entire rubric and theses of this particular research is undone. Another shortcoming that is evidenced with regards to the research is whether or not correlation equals causation. Although the researchers lay out a definitively well researched piece with regards to whether or not anxiety, depression, and a litany of other psychosocial ills can result from Internet dependency, the rea der/researcher automatically questions whether or not the weekend exhibition of these could merely be exacerbated by the withdrawal from society and increased usage of the Internet as a means of escapism. Naturally, this particular review and analysis piece is neither the time nor the place to discuss whether or not such an alternative theory is indeed more applicable; however, it is worthwhile to note that accepting the theoretical model put forward by the authors of the research piece lens one to categorically accept several inherent weaknesses of the research. This naturally relates to many of the other topics that have thus far been read during the week’s assigned readings. Specifically, an issue of measurement is brought to light with Gibbs et al in their article, â€Å"First Come love, then comes Google: An investigation of uncertainty reduction strategies and self-disclosure in online dating†. The importance of tackling the measurement issues first are of the ut most importance as they lay the groundwork for any possibility of drawing further inference with regards to the research topic at hand. Ultimately, the issue of self-disclosure, as with any psychosocial issue is of a paramount importance. Other articles that helped to discuss the differing nuances of how technological addiction is playing into the lives of the average

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Performance and Reward Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Performance and Reward Management - Assignment Example The above issue is critically discussed in this paper. Reference is made particularly to the potential decrease of the payroll costs without the corporate plans to be affected. The reward practices, as a tool for supporting employee motivation, are analytically explained because of their high contribution in the increase of payroll costs. Particular emphasis is given on the problematic relations between the reward policies and practices since the above problems can negatively affect the payroll costs of organizations. A series of studies related to the issues under discussion have been studied. It is made clear that the limitation of payroll costs, as a strategic target of firms in different industries, is feasible; however, it is not clear whether the above finding involves in all organizations or whether there are organizations where the limitation of payroll costs is more difficult – especially when the need for increased profits, even in the short term is high and the limi tation of payroll costs would negatively affect such effort. In any case, the decrease of payroll costs should be adopted by all organizations, which are interested in establishing a long-term growth. The use of specific strategies, as indicatively suggested below, could help these firms to be protected from failures in their plans, as a potential consequence of the limitation of payroll costs across their departments. 2. Reward policies – role and forms In everyday business practice, the term ‘reward’ is used instead of the terms ‘salary’ and ‘wages’ (Cowling et al. 1998, p.173). In other words, the particular term is used in order to show all the potential benefits of an employee from his work in a specific organization. Moreover, the term reward can include both the monetary and the non-monetary benefits of employee in the workplace (Cowling et al. 1998, p.173). It should be noted that reward, as described previously, is part of a gre ater framework, the reward system, which has specific structure and rules as explained below. Moreover, in the context described above, reward can affect the payroll system of each organization (which under these terms is considered equal to the reward system). For this reason, the evaluation of the potential limitation of the payroll costs of a particular organization requires the reference to the reward system of the specific organization. The reward system of each organization can be differentiated, in accordance with the organizational culture and goals but also with the resources available for the realization of the relevant plans. In accordance with Armstrong (2007) the reward system established in modern organizations is likely to include a series of policies and practices, as for example: a) a reward strategy including the future plans of the organization regarding the payroll of employees, b) a reward strategy that refers to the terms on which the payment of employees in va rious organizational departments is based – compared to the average salary of employments within the same industrial sector; the particular strategy needs to be based on the relevant provisions of the law – referring both to the type of the reward given to each employee but also to the level of the reward, c) a reward practice referring to the techniques used for estimating the effectiveness of job evaluation techniques – as developed within the local or the international

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Alfred Hitchcock Essay Example for Free

Alfred Hitchcock Essay For every Hitchcock’s story come suspense, drama, terror and exhilarating scope of life’s spectacular event. Alfred Hitchcock who was an English made the word â€Å"mystery and suspense† attached to every story he has to tell. He has been a productive writer, director and an ever mysterious of a man himself ever since he was young man in the 1930’s. His passion for storytelling and direction always catch the ever hungry public for horror, suspense and drama. AH revolutionizes filmmaking with deep mystery and a shady touch. He started writing and filming since the movies was in black and white. Here are some of those who made it to the editors and reviewer’s desk along with the reference. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). An adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and starred by Harrison Ford. Spielberg admits that one of the most significant director that inspired in doing this suspense and adventure film was Alfred Hitchcock. He always quoted Hitchcock in making this movie and telling the media that Hitchcock influenced really inspire him in coming up an adventure film full of action and suspense.   The story goes Archeology Professor Indiana Jones escapes death from poison dart, lots of falling and breaking of bones. A large boulder even nearly pinned him to a pulp. This is just to get an old Indian idol for his collection. He ended up being beaten by Belloq for the prize. Belloq, his old arch enemy is always on his tail and as he is, always determined to fight to the last to any precious thing they can catch. Confronted with many enemies and obstacles he failed to have the idol but instead getting back alive. Back to the university he was told that an old archeological society established by the Nazi was in Cairo for a mission to lay hands on the Ark of the Covenant which Indy assumed is the real resting place of the lost Ark.   The Ark is where the 10 commandments are kept. Indy as an archeologist discovered that the Ark is keeping a powerful energy which if fall in the wrong hands could cause disaster with the world. Being in love with adventures he went away straight to Cairo picking up his girlfriend and friend on his way. Danger is everywhere from Nazi thugs in their every way to poisonous snakes on the Ark’s hiding place. Belloq being bold and daring as Indy was hired by the Nazis to lay their hands on the Ark. Being able to get the Ark, the Nazis hired Belloq to steal the Ark from him. Belloq succeeded again in having the Ark. Together with his friends Indy who is determined with his every action launches another neck-breaking move to get the Ark back and finding himself fighting for his life again especially when he dealt with a giant German thug. The Nazis having the Ark have to drive again to Cairo to make the ritual in opening up the Ark. With the path full booby traps and enemies the Nazis are determined to stop Indy from his track doing all their things to kill him. He however survived and be able to stop the Nazis with their black intention. This movie was now a classic but the director behind it has made history up to our modern world of cinema. Spielberg was hailed as one of the most productive and genius director of all time. And he owes it partly from the influence of Hitchcock and his style (Pallison). In the Mood for Love (2000). The story is based in Hong Kong and the year is 1962. It is a story of love, infidelity and integrity which catapult into betrayal and immorality. Two people met at the wrong place and at the wrong time which made the film more intriguing to watch. Two married couples met and live in a neighborhood and the beginning was a friendship. Having spouses who are always on the run for business have inadvertently discovered that their spouses have a clandestine affair. Ironically the two cheated souls met and work for the same project. Knowing they both have been deceived with their spouses, the two main characters have their very own chance of vengeance. But the vows which they promised were holding them back. In effect the drama of keeping the love back and fighting for their rights of being cheated added to the emotion in this movie. Infidelity is the name of the game and the characters Chow Mo-Wan (Tony Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) were very much convincing and make this drama more heartfelt. Directed by Wong Kar-Wai, who was considered Hong Kong’s cult director is one of the famous directors in Asia and now making a name in the world of directorship.   He admits his literary influences and cinematic skills from the likes of Martin Scorsese to Alfred Hitchcock.   Doing this movie, Director Kar-Wai thought that this is just an easy film thinking that there are only two main characters in the whole film. But realizing that the story relies not only on the main characters but with the details of describing the whole sentiments of the film it was developed into a subtle and one of the most romantic film ever made by an Asian director (Teo). Raising Cain (1992). A psychological thriller that tells the story of a father who seems to be psychologically insane even to the point of torturing his own son for the sake of his own mad experimentation. It is a disturbing film not be recommended to be watched by the innocent mind. Playing as the killer in this movie is John Lithgow who is very effective in this movie brutally torturing and murdering children for the sake of his experiments. Director De Palma has indeed put the proper angle for every scene to put the movie in its incredibly moving and thrilling effect. Although the movie has been rated R by many critics and disturbingly enough for the common people. This movie depicts some of the grossly-event that from time to time happening in our world today. Children are the victims in this movie and that really happens. In reality women are also the main victims because of their vulnerability. Brian de Palma is now on his fifth decade as a director. He is the most visible American director working to such ardent, usually violent and passionate movies. He is critically acclaimed to be one of the most suspenseful and exciting director of all time because of his dedication to art in producing films that are always exciting, intriguing and mockingly curious. He is explicit with every angle in his camera, fluent in the description of movements, and stylish with his combination of elegance and violence. Admittedly getting influenced by Hitchcock, he deliberately put the audience holding their breath and letting a shriek of terror whenever a piece was delivered (Barry). Twilight (19989). Starring Paul Newman who was once a former drunk, a private investigator and a cop who is about to retire. He now lives in with a couple who had a runaway daughter. Harry Ross (Newman) helped in finding and bringing her back but almost died when she accidentally shoot him instead. Bringing her back alive and him wounded, the couple managed to keep him as a bodyguard, a house help, and even a member of the family. Being alone and retired his bonding with the family has grown. Unknowingly, Jack (Gene Hackman) who owns the house has secretive scenarios unknown to the family. When Jack discovered that he is dying of cancer, he asked Harry to deliver a package to a certain woman named Gloria Lamar. Being confident with his friend’s request to simply deliver a package made his world turned upside down. Unfortunately the package was discovered and contained elements that lead to blackmail and murder which involved Jack. The sudden twist of this movie has a gripping and suspenseful events which on first viewing was such so simple and melancholic. In the later part of the movie and understanding all of the twist, the climax of the movie has been revealed. Directed by Robert Benton. Benton was considered one of the most popular and productive film makers of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. His ever changing style in making his film has made him great and it is clearly shown in his films. Together with Newman in making this film they tried to make this movie more like a Hitchcock thriller with the style of other great directors. This film has made it and considered one of the top-earner films of the modern era. Benton has always tried to copy Hitchcock style of suspense and thrilling cinematography and it does not fail in every film he made (Williams). From the best classics that Hitchcock written or directed to the last movies in the last decade of his career Hitchcock has always been firm with his films to produce those hair-raising, thrill getting and full suspense films. He has already made a historical and symbolical symbol to filmmaking which our present film makers are now making his movies and style their reference and guidelines. From the budding director to a movie great filmmaker, Hitchcock would always come up as the â€Å"one† who made filmmaking an entertainment industry. He started his own style in black and white cinematography and silent movie and yet he was able to bring his audience with surprise and terror. Until today there are critics who are hoping to see a trace of Hitchcock’s suspenseful part for every movie they evaluate. In the kingdom of movie industry, people knew him to be a prolific and mysterious writer without the love for popularity and lights on him. For a movie fan who loves his movies he will always be the silent, mysterious man behind those cameras ready to frighten you out of your wits, hold on to your seats and gasp at the sudden flash of a surprise before your eyes. Before you knew it, your eyes are widened with shock and exhilaration envelops you. You are watching a Hitchcock movie and be prepared.. Work Cited Barry. A Fine Suspense Thriller.   (2001). Pallison, Arnauld. Hitchcocks Influences on Spielberg: Raiders of the Lost Ark as Example. 2006. Teo, Stephen, ed. Wong Kar-Wai, Auteur of Time 2005. Williams, Kent. Film Review Twilight. 1998.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Sonic Drive-In Restaurant Essay -- Business Analysis

The fast-food industry is changing everyday. There are new products being introduced in the market and new slogans being created. The companies in the fast-food industry will do their best to make the greater burger, and to make bigger and better fries. Founded in 1953, Sonic has become the largest drive-in chain in the nation. Sonic was founded by Troy Smith, Jr. in Shawnee, Oklahoma. His dream was to own his own business. Sonic Drive-In keeps the 1950s alive through its chain of drive-in restaurants, each complete with speaker-based ordering systems and carhop servers - some on roller skates. Sonics top competitors are McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s. McDonald’s is the leading competitor in the fast-food industry. McDonald’s has the most restaurants with 12,380 locations and has over 364,000 employees. Burger King has 11,350 outlets in 57 countries and territories worldwide. About 75% is located in the United States. Wendy’s is the third largest quick-service hamburger restaurant chain in the world, with more than 6,600 restaurants in North America and international markets. In Exhibit 1, this states the Porters Five Forces Model of Competition of The Restaurant Industry. Threat of new entrants: Because the profit margins are so small, cost is low and anyone can enter into the quick-service restaurant business. Bargaining Power of Buyers: The National Restaurant Association showed that three out of ten customers agreed that food that was prepared at a restaurant or a fast-food restaurant were an important factor in their everyday lives. The survey also stated that â€Å"three out of five customers plan to eat on the premises of quick-service restaurants and seven out of ten said that plan to eat takeout or delivery. (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, pg. 367) Customers buy when they feel it is necessary giving them the upper hand on the industry. Bargaining power of suppliers: In the quick- service restaurant, the suppliers vary. They really do not rely distributors as large restaurants do. Threat of new substitutes: The restaurant industry is segmented into many parts: full service restaurants ($120 billion); quick- service restaurants ($110 billion); away-from-home managed institutions, examples: food services for schools and hospitals ($21 billion); and other food industries ($106 billion). (Marshall Jones, 1999). Rivalry among competi... ...que product differentiation but find ways to reduce cost to stay ahead. There is not a perfect solution in the industry. No one can predict the economic because it is always changing. Sonics specialty menu has allowed the chain to differentiate. Through its increased marketing efforts, Sonic will gain brand recognition and increase its customer base. Works Cited †¢ Hitt, Michael A; Hokisson, Robert E.; Ireland, RD. Strategic Management. 6th Ed., Masson, Ohio: Souht. Wester 2005. †¢ â€Å"Burger King.† Burger King Corporation. http://www.bk.com/ †¢ â€Å"Answer.Com.† Burger King Corporation. http://www.answers .com/burger%20 †¢ â€Å"McDonald’s.† McDonald’s Corporation. http://www.McDonalds.com/ †¢ â€Å"Answer.Com.†McDonald's Corporation. http://www.answers.com/topic/mcdonalds-s †¢ â€Å"Marshall Jones& Co.† Restaurants. http://marshalljones.com/new_page_30.htm †¢ â€Å"Restaurant Business.† Sonic Says Payment Stalls Boosted Gains. http://www.restaurantbiz.com/restaurantbusiness/headlines/articles_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000853253 †¢ â€Å"Wendy’s Restaurant.† Wendy’s International. http://www.wendy’s.com/ †¢ â€Å"Yahoo!† Yahoo. Yahoo! Finance. http://finance.yahoo.com/?u

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Night World : Huntress Chapter 2

The skinhead's face was contorted, his eyes huge. He stared at her, breathing hard like a hurt animal. â€Å"I know,† Jez said. â€Å"You ran fast. You can't figure out how I ran faster.† â€Å"You're-not-human,† the skinhead panted. Except that he threw in a lot of other words, the kind humans liked to use when they were upset. â€Å"You guessed,† Jez said cheerfully, ignoring the obscenities. â€Å"You're not as dumb as you look.† â€Å"What-the hell-are you?† â€Å"Death.† Jez smiled at him. â€Å"Are you going to fight? I hope so.† He fumbled the gun up again. His hands were shaking so hard he could scarcely aim it. â€Å"I think you're out of ammo,† Jez said. â€Å"But anyway a branch would be better. You want me to break one off for you?† He pulled the trigger. The gun just clicked. He looked at it. Jez smiled at him, showing her teeth. She could feel them grow as she went into feeding mode. Her canines lengthening and curving until they were as sharp and delicate and translucent as a cat's. She liked the feel of them lightly indenting her lower lip as she half-opened her mouth. That wasn't the only change. She knew that her eyes were turning to liquid silver and her lips were getting redder and fuller as blood flowed into them in anticipation of feeding. Her whole body was taking on an indefinable charge of energy. The skinhead watched as she became more and more beautiful, more and more inhuman. And then he seemed to fold in on himself. With his back against a tree, he slid down until he was sitting on the ground in the middle of some pale brown oyster fungus. He was staring straight ahead. Jez's gaze was drawn to the double lightning bolt tattooed on his neck. Right. . . there, she thought. The skin seemed reasonably clean, and the smell of blood was enticing. It was running there, rich with adrenaline, in blue veins just under the surface. She was almost intoxicated just thinking about tapping it. Fear was good; it added that extra spice to the taste. Like Sweetarts. This was going to be good†¦. Then she heard a soft broken sound. The skinhead was crying. Not loud bawling. Not blubbering and begging. Just crying like a kid, slow tears trickling down his cheeks as he shook. â€Å"I thought better of you,† Jez said. She shook her hair out, tossed it in contempt. But something inside her seemed to tighten. He didn't say anything. He just stared at her- no, through her-and cried. Jez knew what he was seeing. His own death. â€Å"Oh, come on,† Jez said. â€Å"So you don't want to die. Who does? But you've killed people before. Your gang killed that guy Juan last week. You can dish it out, but you can't take it.† He still didn't say anything. He wasn't pointing the gun at her anymore; he was clutching it with both hands to his chest as if it were a teddy bear or something. Or maybe as if he were going to kill himself to get away from her. The muzzle of the gun was under his chin. The thing inside Jez tightened more. Tightened and twisted until she couldn't breathe. What was wrong with her? He was just a human, and a human of the worst kind. He deserved to die, and not just because she was hungry. But the sound of that crying †¦ It seemed to pull at her. She had a feeling almost of deja vu, as if this had all happened before-but it hadn't. She knew it hadn't. The skinhead spoke at last. â€Å"Do it quick,† he whispered. And Jez's mind was thrown into chaos. With just those words she was suddenly not in the forest anymore. She was falling into nothingness, whirling and spinning, with nothing to grab hold of. She saw pictures in bright, disjointed flashes. Nothing made sense; she was plunging in darkness with scenes unreeling before her helpless eyes. â€Å"Do it quickly,† somebody whispered. A flash and Jez saw who: a woman with dark red hair and delicate, bony shoulders. She had a face like a medieval princess. â€Å"I won't fight you,† the woman said. â€Å"Kill me. But let my daughter live.† Mother†¦ These were her memories. She wanted to see more of her mother-she didn't have any conscious memory of the woman who'd given birth to her. But instead there was another flash. A little girl was huddled in a corner, shaking. The child had flame-bright hair and eyes that were neither silver nor blue. And she was so frightened †¦ Another flash. A tall man running to the child. Turning around, standing in front of her. â€Å"Leave her alone! It's not her fault. She doesn't have to die!† Daddy. Her parents, who'd been killed when she was four. Executed by vampire hunters†¦. Another flash and she saw fighting. Blood. Dark figures struggling with her mother and father. And screaming that wouldn't quite resolve into words. And then one of the dark figures picked up the little girl in the corner and held her up high†¦ and Jez saw that he had fangs. He wasn't a vampire hunter; he was a vampire. And the little girl, whose mouth was open in a wail, had none. All at once, Jez could understand the screaming. â€Å"Kill her! Kill the human! Kill the freak!† They were screaming it about her. Jez came back to herself. She was in Muir Woods, kneeling in the ferns and moss, with the skinhead cowering in front of her. Everything was the same†¦ but everything was different. She felt dazed and terrified. What did it mean? It was just some bizarre hallucination. It had to be. She knew how her parents had died. Her mother had been murdered outright by the vampire hunters. Her father had been mortally wounded, but he'd managed to carry the four-year-old Jez to his brother's house before he died. Uncle Bracken had raised her, and he'd told her the story over and over. But that screaming†¦ It didn't mean anything. It couldn't. She was Jez Redfern, more of a vampire than anyone, even Morgead. Of all the lamia, the vampires who could have children, her family was the most important. Her uncle Bracken was a vampire, and so was his father, and his father's father, all the way back to Hunter Redfern. But her mother†¦ What did she know about her mother's family? Nothing. Uncle Bracken always just said that they'd come from the East Coast. Something inside Jez was trembling. She didn't want to frame the next question, but the words came into her mind anyway, blunt and inescapable. What if her mother had been human? That would make Jez†¦ No. It wasn't possible. It wasn't just that Night World law forbade vampires to fall in love with humans. It was that there was no such thing as a vampire-human hybrid. It couldn't be done; it had never been done in twenty thousand years. Anybody like that would be a freak†¦. The trembling inside her was getting worse. She stood up slowly and only vaguely noticed when the skinhead made a sound of fear. She couldn't focus on him. She was staring between the redwood trees. If it were true †¦ it couldn't be true, but if it were true†¦ she would have to leave everything. Uncle Bracken. The gang. And Morgead. She'd have to leave Morgead. For some reason that made her throat close convulsively. And she would go †¦ where? What kind of a place was there for a half-human half-vampire freak? Nowhere in the Night World. That was certain. The Night People would have to kill any creature like that. The skinhead made another sound, a little whimper. Jez bunked and looked at him. It couldn't be true, but all of a sudden she didn't care about killing him anymore. In fact, she had a feeling like slow horror creeping over her, as if something in her brain was tallying up all the humans she'd hurt and killed over the years. Something was taking over her legs, making her knees rubbery. Something was crushing her chest, making her feel as if she were going to be sick. â€Å"Get out of here,† she whispered to the skinhead. He shut his eyes. When he spoke it was in a kind of moan. â€Å"You'll just chase me.† â€Å"No.† But she understood his fear. She was a huntress. She'd chased so many people. So many humans †¦ Jez shuddered violently and shut her eyes. It was as if she had suddenly seen herself in a mirror and the image was unbearable. It wasn't Jez the proud and fierce and beautiful. It was Jez the murderer. I have to stop the others. The telepathic call she sent out was almost a scream. Everybody! This is Jez. Come to me, right now! Drop what you're doing and come! She knew they'd obey-they were her gang, after all. But none of them except Morgead had enough telepathic power to answer across the distance. What's wrong? he said. Jez stood very still. She couldn't tell him the truth. Morgead hated humans. If he even knew what she suspected†¦ the way he would look at her†¦ He would be sickened. Not to mention that he'd undoubtedly have to kill her. I'll explain later, she told him, feeling numb. I just found out-that it's not safe to feed here. Then she cut the telepathic link short. She was afraid he'd sense too much of what was going on inside her. She stood with her arms wrapped around herself, staring between the trees. Then she glanced at the skinhead, who was still huddled in the sword fern. There was one last thing she had to do with him. Ignoring his wild flinching, she stretched out her hand. Touched him, once, on the forehead with an extended finger. A gentle, precise contact. â€Å"Remember†¦ nothing,† she said. â€Å"Now go.† She felt the power flow out of her, wrapping itself around the skinhead's brain, changing its chemistry, rearranging his thoughts. It was something she was very good at. The skinhead's eyes went blank. Jez didn't watch him as he began to crawl away. All she could think of now was getting to Uncle Bracken. He would answer her questions; he would explain. He would prove to her that none of it was true. He'd make everything all right.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

A reason why international diversification increases

International diversification can be understood as the expansion of a firm Into different countries and geographical regions. This expansion offers firms various advantages like the exploitation of opportunities aboard, economies of scale, sharing of core competencies, and learning. Learning is a key factor of the efficient development of new capabilities. Learning itself is fostered by diverse experiences. This shows the connection to International diversification, hence operating in diverse environments (countries/geographical regions) Increases the Intensity and frequency f events and Ideas to which a firm is exposed.Anyway, it Is questionable whether learning through diverse experiences leads ultimately to capabilities that increase profit of a international diversified firm. To assess this question I am going to emphasize a few arguments that support and contradict this statement. On the one hand, managers and workers who have experiences In diverse environments are more product ive than employees who don't have such experiences. This is mainly because these employees have a broader range of experiences and an spot and solve problems more easily than employees with a narrow view.Furthermore, an organization that operates in several countries has a wide range of subsidiaries from that it can learn. These subsidiaries provide access to a wide range of new ideas and new practices that give rise to innovation and lead to increased technological capabilities. In addition, firms which remain In their domestic country as well as In their mall Industry face similar threats and opportunities and develop ordinary methods to handle them. Thus, they have relatively narrow experiences and heir methods and capabilities also tend to be narrower because they face a limited set of challenges.These limitations won't affect the firm in the short term but I believe that it decreases the performance of the firm in the long run. On the other hand, firms that seek to enter a fore ign market tend to start with cultural close countries at first. As these firms become experienced, they begin to expand in cultural distant markets. Thus, many firms don't face such great learning opportunities because they prefer cultural close countries which are similar to their mom country.Furthermore, firms don't have to be internationally diversified to encounter learning opportunities. It is also possible to learn from foreign suppliers or foreign customers. Therefore, one crucial aspect Is how learning processes are Implemented and lived In organizations. This depends, among other things, on how the firm and its subsidiaries are organized. A firm that leads its subsidiaries/ geographical regions/product divisions as a strategic holding exploits less learning opportunities because it manages its subsidiaries just by financial indicators.In entrant, if a firm manages its subsidiaries as an operative holding it intervenes in the day-to-day business to seize synergies and learn ing opportunities. Hence, cross- border learning has to overcome organizational constrains. That international diversified firms face more possibilities to learn and develop new capabilities that increase profitability but this doesn't imply that they always outperform non international diversified firms. International diversified firms have to create settings that facilitate and nurture cross-border learning to exploit the diverse opportunities they face in foreign countries.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Factors Affecting the Quality of Selection Decision

Factors Affecting the Quality of Selection Decision Introduction Managers are charged with the responsibility of undertaking various managerial roles which include planning, controlling, organizing, directing and staffing. Through staffing, an organization is able to have the right workforce. According to Deb (2007, p.165), the success of an organization is dependent on the quality of its employees.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Factors Affecting the Quality of Selection Decision specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To achieve this, human resource managers are required to undertake comprehensive staffing by considering all the necessary processes. One of these processes is selection which involves choosing candidates who are fit or most suitable to undertake a certain job in the organization (Berman, Bowman West, 2010, p.110). Therefore, for a firm to succeed, the candidates selected must portray a high degree of competence. Currently, the selection process is increasi ngly becoming sophisticated. As a result, employers are adopting testing techniques in addition to interviews in an effort to enhance reliability of the selection decision. However, the selection process and quality of selection decisions is influenced by a number of factors. Despite this, human resource managers are required to ensure that the selection process is effective by integrating the concepts of validity and reliability. For example, in making the selection decision, employers are required to take into account equality and diversity when compiling the shortlist. By short-listing, a firm is able to identify candidates who closely fit the desired personnel (Elearn Limited, 2007, p.73). However, some inconsistencies might arise during the short-listing process leading to a decline in the validity of the selection process. Factors affecting the quality of selection decision There are a number of factors which influence the quality of the selection decision. The first factor is the type of personnel which the organization is searching from the labor market. In their selection process, human resource managers must ensure that they select the right candidates for the right job. According to Elearn Limited (2007, p.32), this plays a vital role in the long term success of a firm irrespective of its size and sector. In addition, this aids in avoiding misplacing candidates (Moore, 2007, p.109). For example, if a firm is seeking a candidate to fill a post in the managerial position, the selection process is likely to be very comprehensive compared to when it is looking for an individual to fill a subordinate position. This arises from the fact that the manager will be required to make decisions on diverse circumstances.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Secondly, the source of human resource coupled with the method used in contacting the candidat es also affects the selection decision. For example, if the firm recruited by advertising, there is a high probability that selection process will be comprehensive. On the other hand other forms of recruitment such as campus recruitment take minimal time (Elearn Limited, 2009, p.1995). Thirdly, the other factor which influences the selection process is the number of candidates who have applied for the job. Personal experience and observation My experience and observation from the selection exercise is that the type of personnel being sought is a key factor that influences the selection process and decision making. This is due to the fact that it influences the personnel selected determines whether the selection process was successful or not. If the position being filled requires more responsibility, then the selection process becomes more complex. This means that the selection strategy varies depending on the nature of the job. One of the ways through which a firm can achieve this i s by undertaking a qualitative analysis on candidates. The analysis should be aimed at evaluating the characteristics and qualities of the personnel required to do the job. During the selection process, a firm should ensure that it establishes a balance between personnel and job requirement. Some of the issues which should be considered include the candidates’ experience, personality orientation and his or her qualification. According to Lundy and Cowling (1996, p.230), it is vital for human resource managers to have sufficient knowledge in order to determine the type of selection instrument to use. As a result, managers should make an effective decision on the type of tools to use when evaluating the candidates’ appropriateness for the job. This is due to the fact that the tools used have an effect on its effectiveness. That is, it determines whether reliability and validity will be attained. Reliability of the instrument used forms the foundation of attaining validit y. When using tests to select the candidates, the human resource manager must ensure that the instrument being used is error free. Depending on the type of personnel being sought, it is important to used different test instruments.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Factors Affecting the Quality of Selection Decision specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The resultant effect is that the reliability of the selection process is enhanced (Gatewood, Feild Barrick, 2008, p. 503). In addition, the instrument being used to select the personnel should be linked with the variables of the candidate and that of the job. Use of comprehensive selection tools such as interviews aids in making effective selection decisions. The resultant effect is that job performance is improved. Colleges and universities form a significant source of labor especially for entry level professions (Jakckson Mathis, 2008, p.208). However, there are a numbe r of factors which can influence college selection. For example, college selections may be expensive. This arises from the fact that the organization might not necessarily require employees with degrees to fill such positions. The resultant effect is that the firm may select candidates who require to be paid at a high rate. Additionally, the firm may experience a high rate of turnover. This is due to the fact that the selected candidates might leave the job in the event that they find it not sufficiently challenging (Mathis Jackson, 2008, p. 208). This means that the reliability of college recruitment is minimal. Additionally, in the event that there is a high supply in the labor market, it is prudent for a firm to consider recruiting from unsolicited resumes. This is due to the fact that it makes the selection process to be cost effective in addition to increasing the probability of shortlisting candidates who are highly qualified. When a firm selects candidates by advertising, th ere is a high probability that the unqualified will also apply for the job. This tends to create a burden for the human resource manager. The resultant effect is that reliability of the selection process is reduced since the firm has to review a large number of resumes (Bohlander Snell, 2010, p.191). If a large number of candidates have applied, a firm is forced to adopt a more comprehensive selection decision. To achieve this, human resource managers should use different filtering points so as to reduce the number of candidates. In the filtering process, the human resource manager examines all the applicants in order to eliminate non-contenders.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These include all the candidates who are unqualified. All the candidates who meet the listed criteria should be short listed. This gives a firm an opportunity to have a large number of candidates to choose from. The resultant effect is that the probability of the firm selecting the most appropriate personnel is increased. During this process, the prospective candidate is acquainted with all the necessary information regarding the firm and the job. On the other hand, the firm obtains information regarding the candidates, skills, experience, education qualification, and salary expectations. This process aids in determining whether the candidate is worthwhile. Candidates who meet the requirements successfully are forwarded to the selection team. These candidates are shortlisted for consideration. The initial interview is conducted so as to further eliminate some candidates. The remaining candidates are further interviewed so as to make a final decision. Conclusion The selection process confirmed the formal knowledge I have acquired on the factors which affect the selection process and decision making. These include the type of candidate being sought, the source of candidates and the number of candidates to be selected. From my observation, it is paramount for human resource managers to consider these factors. This is due to the fact that they affect the reliability and validity of the selection decision adopted hence determining the success or failure of the selection process. Reference List Berman, E., Bowman, J. West, J., 2010. Human resource management in public  service: paradoxes, processes and problems. Los Angeles: Sage Publications. Bohlander, G. Snell, S., 2010. Managing human resources. Mason: South Western Cengage Learning. Deb, T., 2007. Strategic approach to human resource management. New York: Atlantic Publishers. Elearn Limited. 2007. Management extra. Oxford; Elsevier. Elearn Limited. 2009. Recruitment and selection. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Gatew ood, R., Feild, H. Barrick, M., 2008. Human resource selection. Mason, Ohio: Thomson. Lundy, O. Cowling, A., 1996. Strategic human resource management. New York: Routledge. Mathis, R. Jackson, H., 2008. Human resource management. Mason: Thomson Southwestern. Moore, R., 2007. Selecting the right manufacturing improvement tools: what tool?  When? Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Top Choices for Preschool Homeschool Curriculum

Top Choices for Preschool Homeschool Curriculum A preschool curriculum is a course of study  designed for 2- to 5-year-old children. Preschool curriculums include two key features: a set of developmentally-appropriate learning goals and specific  activities through which the child will achieve those goals. Many preschool homeschool curriculums also include approximate timelines for the completion of the activities, which creates structure and helps parents track their childs progress. Because preschool age includes children as young as 2 and as old as 5,  preschool curriculums are designed to serve a wide range  of ages and skill levels. However, the best curriculums  will provide strategies for modifying activities based on your childs childs cognitive, social, and emotional development. How Preschoolers Learn A young child’s primary tool for learning is play.  Play is a well-documented human instinct that enables  children to practice real-life scenarios. Through play-based learning, children hone their problem-solving and social skills,  increase their vocabularies, and become more physically agile.   Preschoolers also learn through hands-on exploration.  Sensory play- using a variety of tools and materials to engage physically with their environment- builds critical thinking abilities and improves  fine  and gross motor skills.   In order to reach their full developmental potential, preschoolers must have time devoted to play and sensory exploration every day. These  active learning experiences are crucial to early childhood development. What to Look for in a Preschool Homeschool Curriculum When researching preschool curriculums, look for programs that teach the following skills through hands-on  learning opportunities:   Language and literacy skills. Reading aloud to your child is essential for the development of language and literacy skills. When  children watch you read, they learn that letters form words, words have meaning, and printed text moves from left to right. Look for a program that includes the quality of children’s literature and encourages reading and story-telling. Although preschoolers don’t need a formal phonics program, you should look for a curriculum that teaches letter sounds and recognition and demonstrates rhyming through stories, poems, and songs. Math skills. Before children can learn arithmetic, they must understand basic mathematical concepts like quantity and comparison.  Look for a preschool curriculum that encourages children to explore  mathematical concepts through hands-on activities. These activities may include  sorting and categorizing, comparing (bigger/smaller, taller/shorter), shapes, patterns,  number recognition, and one-to-one correspondence (understanding that â€Å"two† isn’t just a word but that it represents two objects).   Children should learn the basic colors, which may not seem to be a math skill but is important in sorting and categorizing. They should also begin learning simple time concepts such as morning/night and yesterday/today/tomorrow, along with the days of the week and months of the year. Fine motor skills.  Preschool-aged children  are still honing their fine motor skills. Look for a curriculum that gives them opportunities to work on these skills through activities such as coloring, cutting and pasting, stringing beads, building with blocks or tracing shapes. Top Choices in Preschool Homeschool Curriculum These preschool homeschool curriculums encourage active learning through play and sensory exploration. Each program includes specific hands-on activities that support the development of literacy, math, and fine motor skills. Before Five in a Row: Designed for  children ages 2-4,  Before Five in a Row  is a guide  for learning with your child through quality childrens books. The  first part of the guide is a list of 24 high-quality childrens books accompanied by related activities. Because the guide was originally published in 1997, some of the suggested titles are out of print, but most will be available through your local library or the Five in a Row website. The second section of the curriculum  focuses on making the most of learning moments in everyday life.  There are ideas for turning bath time, bedtime, and trips to the store into engaging educational experiences for your preschooler. WinterPromise: WinterPromise is a Christian, Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum with two distinct options for preschoolers. The  first,  Journeys of Imagination,  is a 36-week read-aloud program featuring classic picture books like  Mike Mulligan,  Corduroy, and various  Little Golden Book titles. The teacher’s guide includes questions to ask your child about each story in order to build their  critical thinking, narration, and listening skills. Parents can use Journeys of Imagination alone or couple it with  I’m Ready to Learn, a 36-week program designed for kids aged 3-5 that teaches specific language and math skills through hands-on activities and themed units. Sonlight: Sonlight’s preschool homeschool curriculum  is a book lover’s dream come true. The literature-based  Christian preschool curriculum  features over a dozen quality children’s books and more than 100 fairy tales and nursery rhymes. The program emphasizes quality family time, so there  is no daily schedule. Instead, families are encouraged to enjoy the books at their own pace and track their progress using trimester-based checklists. The curriculum set also includes pattern blocks, mix-and-match memory games, scissors, crayons, and construction paper so that children can  develop spatial reasoning and fine motor skills through hands-on play. A Year of Playing Skillfully: A Year of Playing Skillfully is a play-based curriculum for children ages 3-7. Based on the book  The Homegrown Preschooler, A Year of Playing Skillfully is a year-long program that parents can use to guide their children through  exploration-based learning. The curriculum offers a list of recommended children’s books to read and field trips to take, as well as plenty of hands-on  activities to promote language and literacy, math skills, science and sensory exploration, arts and music, and motor skill development. BookShark:  BookShark is a literature-based, faith-neutral curriculum. Aimed at children ages 3-5, BookShark features 25 books designed to teach preschoolers about the world around them. The curriculum includes classics such as Winnie the Pooh and The Berenstain Bears  as well as  beloved authors like  Eric Carle and Richard Scarry. The all-subject package  includes hands-on math manipulatives to help your preschooler explore numbers, shapes, and patterns. Children will also learn about plants, animals, the weather, and seasons.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

A ritical Analysis of UK Teaching Standard Essay

A ritical Analysis of UK Teaching Standard - Essay Example The teacher took the initiative of class management and assigned me as a representative. I, therefore, oversaw pupils attainment and outcomes of each stage of the progress. I build on pupils capabilities and prior knowledge of working. Furthermore, the institution empowered a counseling department. The counseling listens to student innate problems (Mills and Niesche, 2014, p. 122). I worked alongside the counseling department to ensure that I generate skills to build working abilities. As well, the institution developed courses related to moral and social behavior as well as, courses related to communication skills. At the end of the semester, the teacher evaluated at the end of the semester. The evaluations improved the understanding of the course in general. The assessment provided a detailed account of how the student was aware of virtues of responsibility, respect, and truthfulness. As a result, I guided the students throughout a professionalization agenda, where positive virtues of education were taken. The teacher heavily involved with the student and the institution hence expanding the overall interactivity level. As well, I welcomed students in a life of academics where interactivity was relatively high. Likewise, I encouraged pupils to take up responsibility and conscientious attitude, it was possible to increase the interactivity level. In summary, the student’s progress depended on the nature of the DEAN department.  The teacher provided the curriculum outline.  

Friday, November 1, 2019

INTRO TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

INTRO TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE - Research Paper Example Risk Principle A critical analysis of risk principle illustrates that intervention techniques should employ behavioral and cognitive evaluation of criminal’s susceptibility of recommitting the crime for identifying the risk factors attached to that criminal accordingly. Hence, through behavioral interventions, the justice system can identify high-risk offenders and thus focus on them accordingly. It is important to note that providing similar treatment to the low-risk offenders can increase their chances of reverting back to criminal behavior in a more aggressive manner (Latessa, 2012). The principle and its related interventions tend to be particularly effective because of its focus on the right segment. Since the susceptibility of high-risk offenders to revert back to criminal behavior is relatively high, this principle helps in designing interventions that would focus on this demographic segment of those who were convicted or been in prison earlier (Crow, 2001). With the he lp of this principle, intensive interventions designed with the help of actuarial-based assessments in instruments focused on curtailing criminogenic needs can be particularly helpful. It is important to note that this identification of high-risk in community settings can help in devising specific interventions that would address community-based needs. According to Travis (2003), a simple example of high risk offenders can be identification of prisoners’ susceptibility of recommitting the crime with the help of federal data as months right after release from prison present the highest risk to public safety. Therefore, it is important that community interventions should focus more on prisoners that have just left the prison. Need Principle Another major principle in ‘what works’ movement is need principle. This principle defines what criminogenic needs e.g. antisocial personality, attitudes and peers, to focus on after identifying high-risk offenders (Braucht, 200 9; Bechtel, 2011). This principle illustrates that prisoners and convicts are already subjected to negative behavior and other unpleasant social factors therefore it is important that reinforcement should be mainly positive (Latessa, 2006). In addition to that, every participant’s needs in intervention programs are relatively unique as compared to others. Therefore, it is important that a high-intensity program is introduced that would last for few months to a year depending on the needs of the offender. Furthermore, these services should occupy â€Å"40 to 70 percent of the offender's time during the course of the program (Petersila, 2004, p. 5). The principle is effective in a sense that it addresses individual needs of the offenders however when examined in the light of overall judicial system, it is difficult to follow as there will be need of large number of professionals that would be required to supervise these services along with programs designed for individuals ins tead of groups. Responsivity Principle The third principle in ‘what works movement is responsivity principle. This principle defines how to engage individuals and employ strategies that would change their overall behavior (Braucht, 2009). Responsivity