Masafi Was Established In 1976 Commerce Essay

Masafi Was Established In 1976 Commerce Essay The assurance of quality is an essential aspect for any organization wherein stringent measures are implemented for the processes as well as the products of the company. The quality standards for the respective industry are constantly being updated in keeping with environmental changes and the availability of the latest facilities on a global scenario. TQM provides the means for analyzing the effectiveness of the current quality control measures implemented by an organization. Subsequently it also enables the identification of the best possible alternatives for achieving the desired quality standards. Consumer satisfaction is one of the main aspects which is given due emphasis while managing quality at the various levels in the organization. This adherence to the preferences of the consumers is termed as consumer defined quality and this plays a crucial role in the establishment of the quality standards as the needs of the consumers have to be incorporated into the quality modules ( Total Quality Management). Moreover, the consumers have their own perspective of quality which may depend on their income levels or other relevant factors. Organizations are faced with the challenge of identifying and analyzing these changes so as to be able to comply with the current trends in quality perception. Another significant component of quality perception is the presence of consumer services and after-sales services which determine the extent to which the quality of the product or service is retained post sales. This also reflects the efforts of the organization to ensure that the consumers are duly communicated about any queries which they may present. Hence it may be deduced that TQM is a highly significant aspect of any organization by means of which it is provided with the means of managing the highly competitive scenario existing today (Total Quality Management). Company Background: Masafi is one of the leading brands in the UAEs FMCG sector and has been identified with being a leader in the growing range of its innovative product offerings. With respect to bottled mineral water, Masafi has been the most sought after brand in the Gulf and the Middle East for more than 35 years. Even since its establishment, Masafi has always maintained strict emphasis on innovation and business excellence while determining its growth strategy. The adherence to high quality global standards has been the primary reason behind the immense success of the organization. This has also enabled the organization to retain its existing consumer groups while generating new consumers in keeping with its wide range of product offerings (Masafi: The Place). Company History: Masafi was established in 1976 with initial investments being made by a paid up capital of $ 5.5 Million. Further investments made by the company have been in line with the communitys benefit with adequate importance being made on the maintenance of relationship with all the stakeholders of the company, including partners and associates. Over the years, the company has been able to establish a highly effective distribution network by means of which it has been able to ensure adequate supply of its products in keeping with the demands generated in the market. It has also strived to keep its equipments and technological infrastructure updated as per current standards and this has enabled the company to always meet the current expectations of the target consumer segments (Masafi). Vision: The vision of Masafi reflects its adherence to offering premium products for the achievement of better living standards (Masafi). Mission: Masafi strives to provide premium utility products by means of continuous innovation and continual product development, and in turn strengthening its leadership in the FMCG sector (Masafi). Strategic Objectives of the Company: Masafi has defined the following strategic objectives with respect to its performance in the FMCG sector: Becoming a leader in the FMCG industry both domestically as well as globally. Generating adequate awareness about the quality of Masafis products and its CSR initiatives. Emphasizing on the expansion of the product range and being a completely FMCG oriented organization. Gaining access into new markets both domestically as well as globally. Maintaining adequate focus on the communication of the product innovations undertaken by the organization (Masafi). SWOT Analysis: The following is the SWOT analysis of Masafi which presents the strength of its internal and external environment: Strengths: The company has a well established brand in the UAE as well as in the GCC region. The current export of Masafis products stand at 30% to 40% of the companys overall trade. Masafi has gained a massive share of 42% in UAEs bottled water sector which has made it a major player in this region. The company has innovated flavored mineral water which provides a completely new product offering to the consumers (Masafi). Weaknesses: The company has not been able to generate preferences towards the brand in the regions of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The product offering is limited in terms of food items. The Masafi brand has a greater degree of association with being a mineral water brand rather than being a comprehensive FMCG company (Masafi). Opportunities: There is a huge scope for the expansion of the companys product offerings in keeping with the immense potential in the global FMCG industry. The company could also enter into strategic alliances with other organizations that are in compliance with the business strategy of the company. There is also a scope for obtaining sponsorships for the companys products which would be helpful in creating greater awareness and exposure of the Masafi brand. The stable and viable economic conditions in the target regions provide the company with significant growth possibilities (Masafi). Threats: The FMCG sector is characterized by the presence of various levels of organizations and this has resulted in the increase in the already high competition in the market. The fixed prices of product lines in the FMCG sector prevents any possible attempts from being undertaken to gain leverage in the market with respect to the pricing strategies of the firms. There is a significant possibility of the company being subjected to negative publicity owing to poor output levels. The presence of substitutes has also provided a significant risk to the performance of Masafis products in the market (Masafi). Competitors of the Company: The competitors of Masafi span though the domestic as well as the global scenario with respect to the FMCG products, especially the bottled water segment. Main Local Competitors (Bottled Water Segment): Al Ain Water Company Arwa Oasis Main Global Competitors (Bottled Water Segment): Nestle Volvic Acqua Panna Aquafina Evian Competitors in Other Product Lines: Frito Lays Lacnor Fine Competitive Strategy: The primary competitive strategy of Masafi is to build strong relationships with the consumers as well as the stakeholders to the company. By ensuring the acquisition of feedback from the consumers, the organization strives to develop and maintain a consumer friendly environment in the company. In this regard, Masafi assures the provision of prompt service to the consumers with the presence of a dedicated staff of sales executives (Masafi). Masafi also makes use of the promotional strategy for the consumers of the companys products so as to maximize the scope of awareness in the market. However the companys decision to diversify into flavored mineral water has been the most effective competitive strategy undertaken by the company in order to introduce innovative products in the market (Masafi). Competitive Advantage: Masafis competitive edge has been defined with the introduction of the flavored mineral water products by the company which has broadened this product line to include a wide variety of flavors including jasmine, strawberry, lemon and peach. Also the adherence to high quality standards, latest equipment and effective consumer relations has been beneficial for Masafi with respect to the definition of its competitive advantage (Masafi). Overview of Current TQM Systems: Masafi has been known to adhere to high quality standards and it implements strict quality controls to ensure that only the best products reach the consumers. The TQM currently being practices at Masafi is as follows: Masafi follows a best practice approach in its quality management efforts. It emphasizes on the identification of potential mistakes before they occur in the process and this is highly beneficial in reducing as well as preventing the presence of errors. As part of these measures, the company emphasizes the use of proper documentation of all the processes along with revision control to maintain the accuracy of the data associated with the processes. Such measures are quintessential in cost savings and implementing overall quality control. For this, the company was awarded the ISO 9001:2008 quality certification on 22nd July, 2008 (Quality). The company strives to ensure that the identification, prioritization and management of environmental risks so as to comply with the global standards for environmental good practice. For this, the company was awarded the 14001:2004 quality certifications (Masafi honored with Environmental Performance Certificate 2011, 2012). Masafi has implemented adequate controls for controlling food safety hazards by ensuring that the levels identified are maintained within the acceptable risk limits. Due to this measure, Masafi has been quality certified with HACCP since 15ht February, 2001 (Quality). With respect to the beverage product lines, the company has assured quality in its products by complying with the NSF beverage quality certification programs. This certification is an international accreditation which is recognized by NSF International (Quality). Masafi is a certified member of the Asia Middle East Bottled Water Association (ABWA) which conducts routine tests on the quality of the products, services and systems in accordance with its own model code, FDA, WHO, Codex Alimentarius Standards, and other applicable national norms (Quality). TQM Principles and Quality Philosophies Adopted: Masafi has exhibited a stark adherence to the philosophies of the three gurus of TQM and this is reflected in the high quality levels that have been achieved by the company. The influence of Deeming is seen in the Companys Quality Philosophies pertaining to its products which bear a significant degree of correlation to the needs and preferences of the consumers. Another area where this influence is seen is in the management of relationships with the shareholders which the company maintains at highly effective levels. The evidence of the adoption of Deemings quality philosophies is the provision of prompt service to the consumers with the presence of a dedicated staff of sales executives. This dedication to the consumers and the importance given to their feedback forms an integral component of the practices adopted by Masafi (Quality Gurus). Source: The above diagram depicts the chain reaction process as propounded by Deeming and this reflects fundamental structure behind the processes being undertaken by Masafi (Quality Gurus). Jurans quality philosophy highlights the inception of the Juran Trilogy which comprises of quality planning, quality control and quality improvements. Masafi has been known to effectively adapt to the environmental changes by integrating its technical as well as non technical framework in keeping with the current developments being made in the environment. Moreover the company focuses largely on the utilization of innovation in the processes as well as its products which is a direct outcome of quality control and planning efforts. An apt example of this is the identification, prioritization and management of environmental risks which is done by Masafi to comply with the global standards for environmental good practice. The introduction of the flavored mineral water products by the company has helped the company to broaden its product offerings and has also enabled the company to reach new consumer segments (U.). Crosby highlighted the nonconformance nature of quality measurement where the assurance of quality in the products and / or services should be maintained at zero. There is no scope for minimal defects in Crosbys philosophy. The company strives to achieve this ambitious quality target but it has not been able to achieve zero defects in its processes (Quality Gurus). Masafi has benefited immensely by the adoption of the philosophies and this can be seen in the fact that it had been acknowledged as the top most brands in the beverage segment and the second most popular brand in the non food FMCG category. This accreditation was received in 2010 which further exemplifies the efforts of the organization to maintain high degree of relevancy with the current best practices and standards. It is the adherence to high quality standards and continual innovation which has enabled the company to become a leader in the FMCG sector in the region (Quality Gurus). The barriers faced by Masafi while implementing TQM was the determination of the quality perception of the consumers which is very difficult to comply with on a frequent basis. Moreover the green initiatives undertaken by the Emirati government requires that the products are made in compliance with environmental protection standards. The companys products make use of plastic for their packaging and the minimization of plastic usage was a significant challenge for the implementation of TQM standards. In order to resolve this challenge, Masafi had to establish new standards for environmental sustainability by initiating recycling campaigns and ensuring minimal wastage of packaging material used for its products (Masafi; Quality Gurus). Leadership Status: Masafis leaders have their own leadership style for leading employees and organization towards the growth of enterprise. The company implemented transformational leadership style wherein the leadership was able to influence its employees for the attainment of goals and nurture them by encouraging positive behaviors by the means of sharing organizational vision. The vision and mission of the company has been effectively communicated to all the stakeholders of the company as well as the employees which has enabled them to maintain the required drive for innovating processes and product developments. By inculcating innovative thinking and aligning the processes in keeping with ecological preservation efforts, Masafi has been able to achieve the desired levels of corporate social responsibility and adoption of sustainable business practices. Then impact of the leadership can also be seen in the continual product developments and incorporation of the change elements of the environment whi ch are undertaken in the company. This is not only beneficial for assuring the maintenance and achievement of high performance levels by the organization in the respective market. The leadership has also enabled the company to manage the stiff competition in the market which is a common occurrence in the hugely populated FMCG sector (Masafi). Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair is the chairman of Masafi and he emphasis on the development of the human resources along with the processes of the organization by means of which high levels of excellence may be achieved by the organization. The product mix is also continually updated in keeping with the changes in consumer preferences and the dynamics of the respective target market. The leadership principles of driving change through innovation and sustainable business practices is in line with the principles defined by quality leadership principles. By adhering to strict control measures and quality levels, Masafi has been able to maintain effective relationships with the consumers and this has enabled them to accurately identify the needs of the consumers which in turn has been beneficial in the identification of the current market trends. Hence the efforts of the leadership undertaken by Masafi are reflective of the principles established by quality leaders (Chairmans Message). Masafis leadership is indicative of the following aspects: There is adequate level of awareness with respect to the roles and professional obligations of the employees and this helps the management to devise better strategies. New trends are identified for enabling the organization to achieve new heights in business excellence. A sense of ownership, accountability and ownership is inculcated in the workforce. Adequate training and development measures are provided to the employees by means of which they are enabled to comply with the constantly changing external as well as internal environment of the organization (Chairmans Message). Employee Involvement Status: Masafi exhibits a high level of employee involvement which has enabled the reduction in long term costs being achieved over environmental cost mechanisms. The involvement has also been beneficial in facilitating consistent, effective and efficient internal operations in the company. This adherence to the environmental standards has also enabled the company to sustain favorable working environment which is quintessential in assuring the presence of the required drive in its human resource. This is reflective of the concepts adopted by Masafi for ensuring a highly motivated workforce. The needs of the employees are duly addressed and the policies as well as the changes are duly communicated to the employees, by means of which the employees are able to dedicate their efforts in alignment with the objectives and vision of the company (Masafi). Masafi has employee strength of 1000 employees who are dedicated completely towards the achievement of the desired levels of achievement. The company continuously conducts an evaluation of the needs of the employees by obtaining feedback from the employees by conducting discussions with the employees. The discussions also enable the employees to express their needs in a better manner and this is highly beneficial in designing training and development modules at the organization (Masafi). Based on the findings obtained in the discussion rounds, the company ensures that the employees are provided with adequate opportunities for undertaking training and development with respect to their roles and responsibilities in the organization. The most appropriate evidence of this measure is the adaptation of the company to environmental changes with enhanced performance levels being achieved after every adaptation. Moreover the involvement of the employees in the green campaigns and initiatives is a direct outcome of the companys consideration for the needs of the employees pertaining to empowerment and involvement in the activities of the organization (Masafi). The companys focus on the needs of the employees has a direct impact on the decision process wherein the employees are encouraged to provide their contribution by means of which a comprehensive outcome may be achieved in an effective manner. Given the short time duration for incorporating the environmental changes into the processes of the company, Masafi ensures that these implementations are done in a highly effective manner so as to prevent the loss of leverage in the highly competitive FMCG market (Masafi: The Place). Customer Satisfaction Status: Being an FMCG company, Masafis consumers comprise of all population levels with specific segments being target separately with the companys consumer oriented offerings. The main emphasis made by the company is in the bottled water segment wherein it has differentiated its target segments on the basis of their requirements. For example, people associated with sports and intense physical activity requires more than just plain water to be provided to them. In keeping with this need, the company has devised vitamin enriched water products so as to provide this consumer segment with the require characteristics that are expected from them from a water product (Masafi). For obtaining consumer feedback, Masafi has implemented various communication mechanisms. By ensuring the acquisition of feedback from the consumers, the organization strives to develop and maintain a consumer friendly environment in the company. In this regard, Masafi assures the provision of prompt service to the consumers with the presence of a dedicated staff of sales executives. Apart from this, the company has also provided a toll free number which can be accessed by consumers 24 x 7 for any enquiries or correspondence which they desire to communicate to the company. This number is displayed on the companys website as well. In keeping with the growing ICT infrastructure and capabilities in the region, the company has established a feedback gateway in the form of an email id which can be used by consumers to communicate with the organization. The customers feedback is obtained with different techniques such as On-Line Survey, Social Media and Feedback Forms. (The copy of the fee dback medium is provided in Appendix A) These feedbacks are highly beneficial in implementing changes in the products so that they may be aligned with the needs and preferences of the consumers. It would also enable the company to eliminate possible bottlenecks in the process which would be beneficial in reducing delivery times and ensuring higher quality levels to be maintained in the companys processes (Masafi). Masafi ensures the acquisition of consumer trends by conducting market analyses and evaluating the feedback obtained from the consumers for ensuring that they are in compliance with current standards and practices. Moreover they evaluate new technologies which can be used in the companys infrastructure (Masafi). ISO Certification: ISO ensures the state of art specification for goods practices, services and products which facilitates effective and efficient working environment to industries. Masafi has been provided with ISO certification in keeping with its processes and products. It has been accredited with the following ISO certifications: ISO 9001:2008 quality certifications awarded on 22nd July, 2008. 14001:2004 quality certifications The steps for obtaining and ISO certification are as follows: Establish Implementation Team Start ISO awareness Programs Provide Training Conduct Initial Status Survey Create a Documented Implementation Plan Develop Quality Management System Documentation Document Control Implementation Internal Quality Audit Management Review Continual Improvement Certification and Registration Pre-Assessment Audit Source: (14 Steps to Implementing ISO 9001 Quality Management System) The following are the benefits gained from ISO 9001 certification: The needs of the consumers are met effectively and in keeping with current standards. Adequate opportunities are provided for increasing revenue generation. Quality of the products / services is enhanced. Customer satisfaction levels with products are increased. It offers adequate possibilities to understand, document and communicate company process. It enhances the development and maintenance of professional culture in the organization and also develops employees morale. The uniformity of organizational operations is enhanced substantially. Emphasis is maintained on the recognition of quality at international level and the achievement of business excellence. It enables cost savings due to minimization of waste, optimization of the resources and increase in the efficiency of the overall processes (Top 10 Reasons Why You Need ISO 9001 Certification). Continuous Process Involvement: Continual process improvement is the key to ensuring the survival of an organization in the competitive market. Products and services change with time in order to successfully meet the needs of the consumers and to be in compliance with the market dynamics. Masafi applies three tools of quality management tools: Six Sigma: The six sigma tool provides the means to minimize errors in the production process by ensuring the existence of 1 defect per million units produced by the company. By using this tool, the company has been able achieve greater market share and has been able to achieve higher quality standards in the products. It is this aspect that has enabled the company to achieve the top most position among the organizations in the FMCG sector. This tool also enabled the introduction and maintenance of green concepts in the production process (Lean Six Sigma: An Overview). The following diagram represents the six sigma process adopted by Masafi: http://csqa.info/files/six-sigma-dmaic.gif Source: http://csqa.info/files/six-sigma-dmaic.gif Statistical Process Control: Statistical Process Control is the quality control method which uses a statistical method for the monitoring and controlling process. These ensure that minimal wastage is incurred in the process. The benefit obtained by the company from this tool can be seen in the recycling efforts of the company by means of which the packaging material of its products are retrieved from the market and reused to prepare new packaging utilities. This has enabled continuous process improvement in keeping with the quality specifications required to be adhered (Introduction to Statistical Process Control Techniques). The following is a representation of the SPC process followed by Masafi: http://www.moresteam.com/toolbox/pics/28.gif Source: http://www.moresteam.com/toolbox/pics/28.gif Total Quality Management Guide: Total Quality Management is a set of practices put in place throughout a company that are geared to ensure the organization consistently meets or exceeds customer requirements. It enables the company to implement quality measures not only in the processes but it are also applied to the management of productivity in the workplace. The benefit of this tool can be seen in the manner in which the human resources are provided with adequate involvement opportunities which not only serve as a viable motivation tool but it also enables better quality to be maintained (Total Quality Management). The following is a representation of the TQM followed by Masafi: http://www.transtutors.com/Uploadfile/CMS_Images/24944_Quality%20Improvement%20Flowchart%20in%20TQM.JPG Source: http://www.transtutors.com/Uploadfile/CMS_Images/24944_Quality%20Improvement%20Flowchart%20in%20TQM.JPG Masafi uses SPC as the quality measurement tool to reduce the wastage of packaging materials and for ensuring optimal utilization of the available resources, and in turn contributing to ecological preservation. It uses statistical methods for the monitoring and controlling process (Introduction to Statistical Process Control Techniques). The barriers faced with respect to the implementation of this tool are: The lack of availability of adequate information on quality is one of the main barriers to the implementation of the tool. The tracking of the packaging material and the extent of recycling of the materials is an exhaustive process marked by the possibility of errors in the data obtained (Introduction to Statistical Process Control Techniques). Conclusion: Masafis adherence to high quality global standards has been the primary reason behind the immense success of the organization. This has also enabled the organization to retain its existing consumer groups while generating new consumers in keeping with its wide range of product offerings. The efforts of the company to continually develop and improve its processes is one of the most significant undertakings of the company to ensure the maintenance of high levels of quality not only in its products but also in its services. Recommendations: Masafi should adopt new programs for the improvement of quality with utilization of existing tools, system, terms and conditions. There should be a provision for the sustenance of an improvement framework for the sustainability of which would inculcate the continuous processes and encourage new ideas. Data collection should be done by an exclusive team developed by the management of the company for ensuring that the quality measures are monitored in an effective manner. Employee participation should be encouraged in order to assure that the productivity levels are maintained relatively high as this would enable high quality standards to be implemented. The quality should also be implemented in the supply chain network so as to ensure faster delivery times of the products to the market. The company should devise new standards when introducing innovative products in the market in keeping with the exact specifications of the product. The company should ensure the maintenance of an unbiased feedback mechanism as these feedbacks are crucial for the improvement process undertaken Masafi. The data collection, evaluation and monitoring system should be automated in order to minimize the incurrence of human errors in the quality verification process. The strategies pertaining to the quality implementations should be revised in such a manner so that the current policies are not drastically affected by it. The company should ensure that the quality inspections are conducted by third part accreditation units as it would reveal a clearer perspective of the scenario.

A Report on Progress on Building of Leisure Centre Proposal

A Report on Progress on Building of Leisure Centre Proposal REPORT ON PROGRESS ON BUILDING OF LEISURE CENTRE PROPOSAL SHERBURY CONFIDENTIAL To: M. Smith, Head of Analysis of Proposals From: N. Rafie, Proposal AnalystDate: 1st May 2015 BACKGROUND There is dissent in the town of Sherbury, Wealdshre County which has been linked to the apparent lack of leisure amenities and facilities in the town itself. Several social issues have been identified such as an increasing crime rate as well as cases of gangs and alcoholism mostly pertaining to teens of Sherbury which has been blamed on the previously kentioned lack of amenities and activities to do in town. As a countermeasure to the social issues and the lack of facilities, Sherbury has decided to start to look at the possibility of building a Leisure Centre. FINDINGS There is a severe lack of leisure amenities and facilities, in particular those that cater to young people and this has been deemed the root cause to the social issues that are becoming apparent in Shersbury. According to police reports there have been an increase in the amount of criminal cases in Sherbury specifically cases involving vandalism and drunk and disorderly behaviour involving the teenage demographic. They have seen an increase of 32% and 24% respectively. It has to be noted that the increase for teen drunk and disorderly behaviour was seen within the last 12 months. There is growing concern with social workers regarding a surge in teenage alcoholism and roaming teenage gangs present at the town centre and housing estates. The social workers attribute these growing social issues to â€Å"boredom derived from little or nothing to do in the evenings. There are only two youth clubs in the town, both of which are oversubscribed. Denial of entry has been met with attempts to disrupt the youth clubs’ activities by older teenagers. The local weekly newspaper, The Sherbury Chronicle has been campaigning for improvements in leisure facilities over these last 6 weeks. The paper has utilised their medium to campaign with scathing editorials with headlines such as â€Å"Council Fuddy-duddies forget their youth. Readers of the Sherbury Chronicle have changed their views regarding the issue have changed from sympathetic to condemnatory due to the correspondence the readers and the paper have which has been labelled as â€Å"Lively†. Town Councillors of Sherbury have been actively canvassing for the building of a leisure centre in order to provide for they consider the town to be sorely lacking amenities. Sherbury Town Councillor James Hillingdon referred to the current situation as a â€Å"shocking state of affairs† pointing out that Sherbury has nothing to offer its young people in the evenings but violent films in its local cinema and alcoholic beverages from its ten central public houses at a recent council meeting. There have been cases of local sports clubs and associations making representation to councillors and to County Hall officials. Some Sherbury sports enthusiasts are travelling thirty miles or more in order to find the amenities that they seek. There are existing sports facilities in Sherbury however they predominantly provide for outdoor sports. There are also sports facilities that are provided for indoor sports in the community hall however this is reportedly over crowded. There have been several activities that have been suggested for inclusion in any future Leisure Centre include table tennis, badminton, basketball, tennis, swimming, judo, karate, volleyball, ten-pin bowling, snooker and billiards, gymnastics and for older members yoga, relaxation classes and keep fit together with a club room for darts dominoes and quieter activities. A rough projection for the building of the leisure centre has been estimated at  £1.8 million Two sites have been identified as suitable for the leisure centre the first at Charles Bowley Recreation Park in Northern Sherbury and the second in Central Sherbury. There are many options available for the funding of the project, increasing council tax in conjunction with securing government grants as well as funding from the Lottery Commission. There are local sports associations that have suggested possible fund raising activities. The Chief Executive of the Council has formed a working party that is made up of representatives from the Planning Department, Architectural Department, Community Liaison office and Spots Advisory Office due to mounting pressure. The working party is tasked with investigating the need for a leisure centre, make projections regarding building and maintenance costs, make suggestion with regard to location and make proposals concerning the types of activities it should house and the layout of various halls and rooms as well as provide a set of recommendations to be submitted to the Council for debate. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS It is safe to say that the root cause of the social issues that are affecting Sherbury is centred on its young people and the lack of amenities and lack of activities which they can expand their energies on. There are facilities and youth clubs in the town that do provide activities for young people however due to their size and lack of facilities it is not enough to provide for all of them. This often leads to conflict between those who are already involved with the clubs and those who are not. This in turn may exacerbate the increasing crime rate as the disruption of club activities may lead to even less people being involved with the clubs. The only activities to do in town such as watching movies and partaking in the consumption of alcohol are contributing even more to the advent of the social issues in Sherbury such as vandalism, gangs and teenage alcoholism. The lack of facilities is not only facilitating the increase of social issues in Sherbury, it is also making it highly inconvenient for many sports enthusiasts who have to travel a considerable distance in order to access facilities that allow them to partake in their sports. This inconvenience can also be considered a loss to the local economy for Sherbury as these potential consumers now bring their business to other towns as well as a loss of the potential to groom local talent in terms of competitive events. All in all I think that Sherbury should proceed with the building of the leisure centre as this would solve many of Sherbury’s current issues. It has to be noted that while it will help deter the effects of the social issues in Sherbury it has to be used in conjunction with other policies as well as understanding that the project will take time and its effects will take time to be seen. So patience will need to be exercised by the Sherbury council as well as its residents. Although the cost of building of the centre is quite high ( £1.8 million) it has to be understood that the social costs will be even higher with crime rates increasing as well as teens turning to alcoholism and gang behaviour, the social repercussions of not doing anything will be higher than the actual financial costs. The provision of activities will enable the youth to expand their energies on activities that are productive and will hopefully help the youth gain a sense of identity from something positive rather than having to end up in a gang or turning to alcohol. Sherbury needs to ensure that they are able to deal with their social issues directly rather than putting all their hopes on the leisure centre to make the issues go away. Sherbury needs to increase security as well as enforce new laws that make sure that the teens will not have access to alcohol too freely. Maybe something along the lines of increasing police patrols in areas that have been frequented by these gangs as well as restricting the public houses from selling alcoholic beverages past a certain time for those who are below the age of 20. The existing youth clubs need to be nurtured and aided further in order to help reduce the effects of social issues. Considering the fact that there are already established Youth Clubs in Sherbury, the council would not have to do any actual work other than maybe fund the clubs in order to increase their capacity to take in new members. By expanding the capacity of the clubs as well as providing them new operating quarters in the new Leisure Centre, the council would be killing two birds with one stone, providing activities for the youth as well as gaining occupants for the centre. Establishing the Leisure Centre will benefit the local sporting community greatly and they understand this with many local sports associations supporting the proposal as well as offering to help fund the project. The council would do well to remember this as the town will benefit greatly should the local sports associations flourish as this will allow the town to produce talent from youth who now have something productive to be involved with. It also has to be considered that the previous situation where Sherbury sports enthusiast were traveling far in order to access sports facilities, the building of the leisure centre may well attract enthusiast from other towns as well. This will help the not just strengthen the sporting community but aid the local economy as well. Out of the two locations, I would suggest the council build it in the Northern Suburbs as a central location, while good for businesses in the area may not have enough space to include all the possible activities that can be provided by the centre as well as not being able to provide enough parking space for users of the centre. (1587 words) 3. a) Opening The opening of an interview is what will set the tone for the rest of the interview, it is in the opening of an interview where the purpose of the interview is made clear therefore. Once the purpose of the interview is made clear the process is made much more easier as all parties will understand why they are there and what it is expected of them. The opening will establish the tone and atmosphere of the interview as well as indicate the level of formality or informality that the interview will take. By setting the tone of the interview, interviewees can be put at ease, or unease according to what the interviewer wants. It is in the opening where the flow of the interview is decided. Questions – In an interview there are two simple rules of thumb, ask the right questions and listen to the answers. An interviewer should prepare the questions that should be asked in order to elicit information from the interviewee that is desirable and therefore making the interview productive. Pacing of the questions should be controlled carefully as important information may be glossed over or leading to the interviewee digressing. As previously mentioned It is paramount for the interviewer to be able to ask the right questions, however it equally as important for the interviewer to ask at the right time. Closure – Closing the interview is as important as opening it, for it is in the closure where all information should be summarised, leading to an easy confirmation of information and determining whether the objectives of the interview have been met. It has to be noted that the position of both parties are clarified at the closure of the interview. Whether a compromise or agreement has been made or not and clear communication of this from both parties will further enable whether further action should be taken and if so, in what form. It is in the closure that decisions should be made only if one or both parties have the authority and information to make it. Follow Up – Once the interview is finished it is important for the interviewer to proceed to assimilate the information gleaned from the interview. The information should be recorded properly in order to build up a record of the interview and the interviewee thus making any future attempts to locate information regarding the interview or interviewee much easier. A decision needs to be made following the interview, and this is easier done once all in formation is assimilated thus any determination of any decision can be made as a result of the interview will be more concise and easily made. Also any actions that were agreed upon during the interview should be followed up on. b) 4.a) Polite – It is important for those working in customer service to be polite to the parties they are dealing with. Staff members need to be able to talk properly with good manners in order for the calling party to leave the conversation feeling as though they were dealt with in the proper manner. Even when a customer calls to complain it is important that the staff members maintain their composure and still be polite therefore diffusing a potentially explosive situation and having the complaining party leave the conversation without any resent and feeling better. Knowledgeable – Staff members need to have information that pertains to the subjects that calling parties will be inquiring about, whether this be young people, fitness, the facilities or the centre itself and other information that can be considered relevant to these subjects. Therefore being able to provide the right information to the inquiring parties and having answered their questions satisfactorily is exactly what they need to be able to do. Because a lot of inquirers will not have the information or even incomplete information therefore rendering them unable to make an informed decision as to whether or not they should or can utilise the facilities that the centre provides. Informative – As a lot of calling parties will be inquiring to many subjects as well as ask for advice, personnel need to be able to answer the calling parties to the best of their abilities. This would mean that the staff members have to know what they are talking about as well as be able to explain properly and clearly therefore understanding that having the calling parties leave with understanding how to utilise the information given by the staff member is just as important as having the inquiring party leave with the right information. Understanding – As a lot of parties calling in will be complaining it is important that the staff be able to listen and understand exactly what the party is calling to complain about. And although the staff themselves may not agree with what the customer is complaining about, that is beside the point, hey need to be able to make the complaining party feel better about the situation, and being understanding will ensure that the staff member be able to choose the right words in order to do so. However, it is also important for the staff member to follow up with these complaints and not just offer empty apologies should the complaints be valid. Loquacious – As the job involves a lot of answering questions and in general talking, the staff members need to be able to talk well. Therefore being able to keep a conversation going while at the same time ensuring that they are answering the inquiries or listening to complaints is a core requirement for the job, this is because while a good listener will have all the right information, someone who is able to talk to the calling parties will help the calling party feel as though as they are being treated well. (503 words) b) 1

lord of the flies :: essays research papers

Lord of the Flies What could be more perfect, than a group of kids alone on a tropical island? Where there are no adults or rules to live by. This would seem to be any child’s dream. This is the setting for William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies. In this novel a group of British boys get stranded on an island, with no sign of people around them except for themselves. At first the boys are prepared have fun and good times. It isn’t long until reality sets in. There are many things to be done. Out of the excitement two boys, Ralph and Jack, emerge as potential leaders. Ralph, who is the more levelheaded of the two, represents the civilized side of human nature. But Jack, who loves adventure and excitement, represents the savage side of human nature. What side of human nature will the boys choose, a civilized society or a savage one?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ralph is a tall and fair-haired boy about twelve years old. Because of his looks athletic abilities, the boys think of him as a natural leader. Jack in the other hand is a bully, who likes to intimate the other boys. Jack is the only one that carries a knife and enjoys using it, when attempting to kill the piglet. Jack is always competing with Ralph for control over the boys. Both boys recognize the need for order on the island. Ralph tries to form a more orderly way of living, by using the knoch as a way to keep order. Any one who had something to say had to wait to get the knoch. In contrast to what Ralph was tiring to do, Jack and his choirboys would enforce the rules buy beating up anyone who disobeyed. Because of their different ideas and principles, the two boys drift apart. Ralph who is more responsible wants the boys to start making shelters for them to live in. In contract Jack’s only concern is to hunt and catch the wild pig. As the novel progress es Ralph continues to try and civilize the boys. As time goes by all Jack is concerned about is the thrill of the hunt. As Jack’s obsession with hunting grows, he dives deeper and deeper into the savage side of human nature. When Jack begins to paint his face with clay. He sees his reflection in the water and he is surprise by the his appetence.

A discussion of the theory that class-based differences in educational

A discussion of the theory that class-based differences in educational achievement are mainly due to familial factors. Throughout the twentieth century, there have been many changes made to the structure of the education system. These include the 1944 Education act which made secondary education compulsory and introduced the tri-partite system of school, though the move to a comprehensive system of schools in the 1960’s, to the introduction of the National Curriculum in 1988. While official statistics have shown that all these measures have served to increase the overall levels of educational attainment (as defined by attainment of qualifications), both official and sociological evidence indicated that class-based inequalities in educational attainment have shown no tendency to decline. It has been suggested that class base differences in educational success are due to home and familial factors: that children from lower social backgrounds are more likely to fail because of what they experience inside the home environment. This approach is based on the belief that those from different social classes have significantly differing home lives. It is possible to split home and family based factors into two categories: material factors and cultural factors. As educational success generally rises with family income, many researches see material deprivation as the major cause of inequality in educational success. Hasley, Heath and Ridge examined the education careers of males, and found that those from higher social backgrounds were much more likely to stay in education past the minimum leaving age than those from working class backgrounds. They pointed out that a major reason for this was the cost of stayin... .... Similarly, Bernstein’s theory of language codes, although regarded as a structuralist explanation of education failure, owes much to primary socialization within the family. It may therefore be argued that family factors are the root cause of other explanation of failure. Finally, it has been suggested that class-based differenced in education attainment are purely to do with the genetic distribution of IQ and therefore family factors (and any other social factors) are irrelevant. In conclusion, there are many different explanations of class-based differences in educational success. However, they are not necessarily isolated, and the factors identified on one theory may be a cause of the factors outlined in another. The reasons for class-based differences may therefore be very complex, and not able to be explained by a single factor in isolation.

Should Marijuana be Legalized? Essay -- Papers Weed Drugs Legalization

Should Marijuana be Legalized? Every 54 seconds, someone in the country is arrested for smoking marijuana. While some see this as a sign of the epidemic proportions of marijuana use in this country and as support for a continued crackdown; others argue that pot arrests are a waste of time and money, and a sign that it’s -- forgive the pun -- high time to legalize marijuana. What do you think: should lighting up a joint, join, beer drinking and puffing tobacco as an inalienable American rights? Supporters of legalized marijuana argue that it should be legalized to protect the greater social good, to prevent government hypocrisy towards recreational drug use, and to protect individual rights of choice. By defining all marijuana use as criminal, they argue, we are clogging courts and already-overburdened prisons, wasting police resources, and needlessly destroying the lives and jobs of otherwise model citizens. By legalizing marijuana, we would not only avoid these problems, we would also be drying up the money that goes to organized crime and drug smugglers through the marijuana market. The government would be able to regulate marijuana, preventing more dangerous substances from being combined with it. The economic benefits of legalization of marijuana would also be substantial. Not only would the government receive revenue from marijuana taxation, farmers would also be able to grow hemp, which was an important source of fiber for rope, cloth, and paper in the United States until sixty years ago. Marijuana, AKA: pot, dope, grass, weed, Mary Jane, reefer, ganja, kaya, and doobie, an illegal drug, is a green or gray mixture of dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. It can be eaten in c... ...ects timing, movements, and coordination. Also, according to a study conducted by Reitbrock and Harder, using pot can affect thinking and judgment, which can mean users may do things they wouldn’t do with a clear head. This can mean unsafe sex or other risky behaviors. We can debate this issue all day long. I don’t feel America is ready to legalize marijuana at this time. Give it some time and some extensive comprehensive studies, and then, maybe, just maybe there could be a place in the medical field for this herb, if it is administrated in a controlled environment. Resources American Council for Drug Education 164 West 74th Street New York, NY 10023 National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) 12 West 21st Street, 7th Floor New York, NY 10010 National Institute on Drug Abuse 6001 Executive Blvd Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9561.

Postpartum Contraception Essay

Postpartum contraceptive methods are those used by breast feeding women before twenty six days after they have given birth. Basing on the NICE guidelines, the advice on how to use these methods should be explained to the patients before their second postpartum week. The breast feeding women are allowed to use the lactational amenorrhoea method but they are not recommended to use the COCP (combined oral contraceptive pills) method by the World Health Organization before the first 42 days postpartum because it’s illegal (outside the license) (WHO, 2006). Below are some of the postpartum contraceptive methods. The contraceptive methods; The combined contraceptive pills (to the breast feeding women) This contraceptive method to breast women brings about some hormonal out comes on the quantity of milk and its quality too. If these pills are taken before 24 weeks postpartum, they affect the baby’s growth. In a previous review of randomized controlled trials held to clarify this case, the review reassured women that hormonal contraceptive method has no strong effects on the baby’s growth. On the other hand, the World Health Organization recommended that, breast feeding mothers before 24 weeks of postpartum should not use the combined contraceptive pills because its use is outside the license (WHO, 2006). Sterilization Basing on the guideline of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it shows that women should be alert about the consequences and the increasing rates at which sterilization fails before the postpartum period (Johnson, Edelman and Jensen, 2003). Lactational Amenorrhoe This method is scientifically proved to be effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies, given to a woman, in less than 24 weeks postpartum. As Johnson, Edelman and Jensen (2003) states, she does not experience virginal bleeding after the first seven weeks postpartum, and if she can fully breast feed the baby day and night. Progestogen injectables If this method is used before 42 days of postpartum, it means, that it has been used illegally by the applicant (outside their license). According to Johnson, Edelman and Jensen, (2003), if injectables are used in the early periods of postpartum, it may result into excessive bleeding. It is therefore, recommended that it should be used after 42 days of breast feeding. This may prolong bleeding if applied when not breast feeding in five days of delivery. Emergency contraceptive method This method is not required before twenty one days postpartum and it can be used even if the woman is breast feeding. The IUD may be used after one month postpartum. Implants and the progestogen only pills It is recommended by World Health Organization that this method should not be applied in the first 42 days postpartum (WHO, 2006). On the other hand, in the United Kingdom, this method is commonly used by women before 42 days postpartum since it is proved that it has no effect on the quantity of breast milk and the fact that it does not affect the growth of the baby during this specified period. The following have to be noted for application of POP As noted by (Guillebaud (1993) if its application is started after the first two weeks, there is need for some additional contraception and need to clarify that the woman is not pregnant. If the woman starts to experience constant menstrual cycles again, she has to begin the applying POP including the period of five days without the necessity for additional barrier methods. For Etonogestrel implants Guillebaud (1993) explains that, this can be applied between the first 21 to 28 days of delivery. If it exceeds from 28 days, there is need to apply additional contraception methods for a week. Barrier methods (condoms, cervical caps and diaphragms); Condoms It has been proved by scientists that condoms are eighty seven percent effective when used without any other protective measure. And said to be ninety eight percent effective if used with another measure of protection (spermicide). Every time you have sex, it is recommended that you use condoms (Guillebaud, 1993). Diaphragm As Guillebaud (1993) explains, scientifically, this method is said to be ninety eight percent effective that is if used correctly. It has to fitted by the doctor and used when having sex. Conclusion From what has been discussed above, there are many postpartum contraceptive choices a breast feeding woman can use like POP, COCP, barrier methods such as condoms, cervical caps and condoms, progestogen only pills, and others. Some women are using the COCP method, for example, women in UK, before the first 42 days postpartum and yet it is not recommended by WHO. We there by strongly conclude that women should be keen when taking postpartum contraceptives for the seek of their healthy and the child they have, it is important that they should follow the recommendations of the World Health regarding postpartum contraceptives. Reference Guillebaud, J (1993): Postpartum Contraception: Unnecessary before three weeks: BMJ, Vol. 307, 6918; p 1558-61 Johnson L, Edelman A, and Jensen J (2003): Patient satisfaction and the impact of written material about postpartum contraceptive decisions: AMJ Obstet Gynecology; Vol. 188, 5, p, 1201-5 WHO (2006): Medical eligibility criteria for contraception: Available online at: www. who. int/reproductive-health/public/mec/mec. pdf

Home Depot Case Essay

1. On the basis of Home Depot’s response to environmentalist issues, describe the attributes (power, legitimacy, urgency) of this stakeholder. Using the Reactive Defensive-Accommodative-Proactive Scale in Chapter 2, assess the company’s strategy and performance with environmental and employee stakeholders. In 1990 Home Depot began to work off a basis of environmental principles. People in the community pushed for the company to become more eco-friendly. These principles help to guide a number of different programs to help minimize the company’s and shopper’s impact on the environment. 2. As a publicly traded corporation, how can Home Depot justify budgeting so much money for philanthropy? What areas other than the environment, disaster relief, affordable housing, and at-risk youth might be appropriate for strategic philanthropy by Home Depot? Home Depot volunteers many hours to help the needy. They contribute money and help with disaster relief efforts. They also contribute money to charities to help the less fortunate. Home Depot can justify budgeting so much money because they do not see it as a loss. They believe they are placing money back into the local community and back into the economy. These actions build trust with customers and stakeholders. 3. Is Home Depot’s recessionary strategy of eliminating debt and halting growth a wise one? What would you recommend to the CEO? In 2007, Home Depot foresaw an economic recession coming. This recession made them pull back money from opening new stores. The basis for pulling their money back was to ensure they would be able to pay their bills without having to borrow money from the government. I wouldn’t recommend the CEO to do anything because I believe they are doing what they can to be economically responsibly for their stakeholders.