The Women of Dreaming in Cuban Essay Example for Free

The Women of Dreaming in Cuban Essay Four characters spanning three generations dominate the storyline of Dreaming in Cuban (Garcia, 1992), four women of the same blood who could not possibly contrast more. Centered on the rise to power of Fidel Castro and the ways in which the members of the family del Pino embraced or rejected la revolucion, Dreaming in Cuban is poignant tale enriched with beautiful language. The matriarch of the family is Celia del Pino, a woman whose passion for the lost love of her youth can be replaced only, but not completely, by her ardor for the socialist ideals Castro brings to the island. Celia stands alone in her patriotic zeal; her lone companero in the family, son Javier, disappears to Czechoslovakia to further the movement there and to hide his politics from his father, Jorge. Celia is, of all her family, the only one suited to bear the torment life brings to them all. She knew before they were born that her daughters, though flesh of her flesh, would be strangers to her. And although she would realize before his death that she had grown to love her husband, it was a different love than the torturous passion she bore for Gustavo, her wayward Spanish lover who disappeared from her life completely when she was just a young woman, not a love to replace but to reside, understandingly, alongside it. Even her zeal for El Lider and the revolution, a cause to which she could devote herself fully as she was never able as a wife and mother, exposed to her that quality which is mostly non-existent among men, a spirit of generosity. She knew that, without it, Cuba would fail (Garcia 114,115). Celia’s daughters are as different as the countries they live in. Lourdes, eldest, whose name her mother at her birth vowed to forget (Garcia 43), would immigrate to America to escape Castro and the revolution, while Felicia would be imprisoned by cruel husband who would nearly destroy her. Lourdes, always her father’s daughter, was fittingly named after the miraculous French locale (Garcia 42). Fitting not because there was anything miraculous about her, but because it reflected the faith Jorge embraced and Celia scorned. By being born a girl, Lourdes denied her mother the chance to escape her marriage and seek out Gustavo in Spain, and it was perhaps due to the consequent shunning that Lourdes’ various attempts at different types of fulfillment are seemingly in vain. Whether by constantly eating, constantly sexually devouring her poor husband, over-mothering her daughter Pilar or harrying the immigrants who are always so briefly in her employ, Lourdes never manages to be fully satisfied with herself or with the world. Even her conversations with her father after his death left her confused and disoriented, as if the solace he sought to bring her only furthered her malcontent. Felicia was also named with portent, though in a much more sinister fashion than her sister. When Celia was in the hospital she met a woman who had murdered her husband by dousing him in gasoline and lighting him on fire. She would later be killed, also by being burned alive. Her name was Felicia; Celia would name her second daughter in memory of her friend. Felicia would grow to marry a man, a merchant marine who was rarely home, and when he was only to abuse his wife and share his venereal diseases. Losing herself in that horrible place that resides choosing between family and family, Felicia would eventually seek to free herself as her namesake had, by burning her husband. Unfortunately for Felicia she did not manage to fully escape the clutches of unreality, and she would even drag her young son Ivanito into its grasp. Pilar is Lourdes’ headstrong, rebellious daughter. Having moved to America with her mother at a very young age, she has a rather idyllic memory of her grandmother and Cuba, but it is what she longs to return to. For her entire life in the U. S. , her mother has sought to repress her, much as she would like to suppress the revolution the took her homeland from her. Much as Lourdes remembers the first words her mother spoke in her presence, Pilar remembers conversations word for word all the way back into her infancy. Pilar’s great understanding of things at such a young age was likely why she did not simply accept things for what they were as many children do. And her refusal to accept the state of things, a feeling all of the other women in her family can readily identify with, would lead to her running away bringing on a whole new world of problems to understand. From generation to generation, the women of the del Pino family are constantly and consistently different. Pilar was born at the beginning of the revolution but would grow up away from it, her mother and aunt were the of the generation targeted by the movement but would ultimately resist it, and only Celia, her grandmother, of the conservative generation mostly likely to scorn socialism would completely embrace it. And so each generation of the family stood alienated; alienated from the others of their own respective generations whose ideals did not match their own, and alienated from their own family members for the same reason and many more. Looking back on one’s own life, it is easy to remember the feeling of the latter, rolling your eyes at your out-dated parents or sighing in exasperation at your rebellious children. But imagine having no peers to turn to, no comrades to share stories and advice with, no empathy anywhere to be found. It is no wonder fulfillment was ever beyond their grasp. If the women of this story share any common ground, it is in their blood and their inability to find peace. And one, quite possibly, could be used to help the other. A great deal of the trials these women face lie in the division amongst them, and if they ever tried to address that, then maybe they wouldn’t have to continually seek answers in pecan sticky buns and Cuban sugar cane fields and Santeria cults. Perhaps that is the solace the spirit of Jorge del Pino is trying to bring; perhaps he is saying, â€Å"You are my family, my blood, my wife, my daughters, my granddaughters. Know that there will be differences. Know that you have made mistakes and will have regrets. Agree to disagree. Forgive one another. Love one another. Move on. † Perhaps that is a little too simplistic. But I recognize something in this story that is all too common among people, a throw-your-hands-up attitude that occurs when life happens and the current feels too strong. People are willing to surrender to one crisis in order to reach the calm waters that bridge the gap to the next. But if you don’t learn how to handle the rapids, what do you do when you reach the waterfall? References Garcia, Cristina. Dreaming in Cuban. New York, Ballantine. 1992.

The Origin of the Work of Art Essay Example for Free

The Origin of the Work of Art Essay In ‘The Origin of the Work of Art’ by German philosopher Martin Heidegger, the essence of the work of art and then the question of the meaning of a thing, are described according to the philosopher’s perspective. This was Heidegger’s first collection of writings on art. The critique had many opponents as well as allies who felt that this was a valuable contribution in making the meaning of art clearer to people. Heidegger states, the work of art â€Å"gives the earth (materials, color, sound, words) the chance to be present as what it really is. As long as the earth is used for something, it is not present as what it truly is. The truth, which the work of art reveals in this way, is a finite truth. It does not consist in a meaning, which lies in the open in an articulated form, but in a meaning, which is fathomless and deep. In its essence it is the strife between world and earth, between rising and sheltering.† (Kockelmans, 1985) However, to understand the statement by Martin Heidegger, â€Å"While truth and art are proper to the essence of reality with equal originality, they must diverge from one another and go counter to one another† (Kockelmans, 1985) one must move deep into the context of art and truth, particularly truth. Truth, according to Friedrich Nietzsche, who influenced Heidegger by a great degree, is presented in a metaphor where he points that â€Å"on the mountains of truth you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow.† (Lamb, 2004) However, the same truth goes though a mode of transference, when he mentions, â€Å"all things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.† (Lamb, 2004) This brings us to a stage where it becomes hard to interpret the application of truth from the perspective of Nietzsche. According to this parameters truth is an element that can be turned and twisted in accordance to occasion or need. Here he mentions that â€Å"all credibility, all good conscience, all evidence of truth come only from the senses†. (Lamb, 2004) However, the vital question is who would verify the justification of sense? Who would ascertain whether the interpretation of truth or the application of sense is modulated towards a betterment or general good? Hitler used Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy of truth for his own goal and turned it against the entire world using this philosophy as a tool of justifying his evil means. Therefore, truth is subjective and in words of Nietzsche himself, â€Å"all truth is simple is that not doubly a lie?† (Lamb, 2004) Thus, truth is an embellishment of justification with almost poetic or artistic application that can be turned and twisted to meet the end purpose. It is true that the rhetorical approach of Friedrich Nietzsche hardly leaves any stone unturned in favor of his argument and it is only after a mass killing of the 20th century did we aver realized the flaw of his theory. The anthropomorphism incorporated in his philosophy diverted a mass section of the human population towards a belief of truth that is difficult to practice and fatal when implemented in practical world. However, it can be ascertained to remark that there is no problem for the society to implement the nature of truth in art forms as it depicts a personal view of the truth. In this context it would be relevant to mention that Marx believed that there is little truth in art as it is only a medium that presents an mirror image of the reality whereas there are enough evident that explains art in a different mode. (Lamb, 2004) Marcuse believes that â€Å"the truth of art lies in the power to break the monopoly of established reality†. (Marcuse, 1995) However according to Wilde â€Å"art never expresses anything but itself.† (Lamb, 2004) Under such parameters, the application of truth in art hardly holds any ground. It is a curious notion to mention that Plato wanted all poets and artists to be sent out of the country because they presented as fractured form of truth. The same is true for the practical and present world. It should be remembered that on a practical ground while somewhere on a greater moral plane we are taught that lying is â€Å"wrong,† the fact is that Western Civilization as James Beniger asserts could be reduced to chaos without lies. The present generation believes that there are certain importance of truth but that truth is juxtaposed with the parameters of lies for the term ‘success’ in this world of market driven economy. From the perspective of a present generation, individual truth is as important as lying, no matter how metaphorical or paradoxical it might sound, thus its needs an explanation. Humans develop their ability to lie at a very early age. The average two-year-old is a liar, perhaps not a proficient and accomplished liar yet, but a liar nonetheless.   By the time, a child is a toddler, the innocence of youth is a myth, and the child has learned that lying is a necessary skill for survival in the world. The children who perfect the art of lying just might grow up to become successful politicians. Caught in a forbidden act, a two-year-old will quickly try to don a look of absolute innocence all while denying the alleged wrongdoing. Lying in children this young makes one wonder if lying is part of the human genetic code. The fact is, children probably are taught to lie by their first teachers- their parents. Brian Martin claims that parents carefully teach children how to lie and just as often lie to them (Martin, 2004). In teaching their children to lie, parents are preparing them to deal with the world. Once children set off for school, they must know how to lie effectively to teachers and classmates. Children who do not become good liars will not develop good interpersonal skills, and they will probably not become highly effective people. Every child needs to know how to explain the missing homework assignment and how to get along with playmates. Well-told lies are the most expedient means to these ends. In the adult world, the most successful people are those who are proficient liars. Businesses would cease to function if proprietors always told the truth. Without lies, there would be no politicians and no governments; the world would descend into anarchy. A good politician knows that people do not really want to hear the truth, especially if the truth is unpleasant; therefore, the best politicians always have ready lies that are always delivered with a caring and earnest expression. These are good lies because they reassure the people that all is well, and that is after all, what people want to hear. Lies are the foundation of democracy, and lies set people free. Be it a genetic trait or one acquired through social interactions, lying is a part of the fabric of civilization and socialization. In addition, this stands for each and every society down the ages of human history not just Western Civilization. Great societies are founded on lies, and the most successful people are the most adept liars. Relationships, businesses, and governments depend on lies. In wider sense, it could well be formulated that lying is a positive sign and approach of intelligence at the same time. (Lamb, 2004) It should be mentioned that as an individual on behalf of the present generation and that on a moral ground the importance of truth remains important. It could be ascertained that this truth should be composed and restored as an element of individual justification. This means that one should be justified in terms of truth to oneself. The human dignity is to be taken into consideration in relation to truth. One must always be true, clarified and justified to the personal self. This is the importance of truth and the value of truth and the rest depends on the survival strategies in the modern world. Thus, truth remains in its position while to survive one need the help of the other side of truth and that is lie. However, from the parameters of art it can be stated â€Å"art is an inherent element in the effort on the part of man to come to genuine self-understanding art works reveal to us what and how beings are. Each artwork opens its own world A world opens itself, the earth shelters and closes; both are present in the artwork. Furthermore, the work does not refer to something else as a sign or a symbol does, but it presents itself in its own Being and invites the beholder to dwell and while with it.† (Kockelmans, 1985) As Heidegger explains further: We note, â€Å"In order for truth to come-to-pass in a work of art, conservation is as essential as invention. Since the fact that truth is at work implies the conserver who is â€Å"startled and whiles in the openness that pervades the art work.† (Kockelmans, 1985) Thus, in defense of art as solitary medium it can be stated that nature is created by itself, while art is the creation of nature. Art knows no death and it is imperishable. As said by Longfellow that art is long and time is fleeting. The spices of nature are born only to die after a certain space of existence. Art continues indefinitely. Austin Dobson assessment of art is expressed in his saying that all passes. Art alone enduring stays to us. The bust outlasts the throne, the coin, Tiberius. Art is never demonstrative; it never catches attention with an exhibitionistic appeal. Obviously, a casual observer scarcely finds anything impressive, a thing of beauty, in it. On the other hand, the eye of a connoisseur never misses it. With his penetrating look and absorbing concern, he explores the innate charm of an object of art. According to the celebrated Latin poet Ovid, art lies in concealing art. If art is the magic of holding back time then artists are the magicians who captivate time in colors and canvases. As time passes by several take birth and perish, but some people with their achievements and contributions leave their footprints on the sands of time. These people remain immortal forever in the pages of history. It has been found that â€Å"the imagination is a necessary part of the creative process, and that somewhere between the imagination and the reality principle; the mind can play on an infinite measure of continuum between these binary opposites. Both imagination and rationality are necessary in order that separation from the here and now may occur without a complete severing with the past.† (Windt, 2004) However, in the juxtaposition of truth and art it can be stated that Art could even be considered something as simple as an action someone has done for a cause or for somebody. If someone holds the door for somebody else, it could be his or her art to be generous and courteous. Even acts of crime can be considered forms of art. In many thieving circles, the method of breaking and entering or robbing places is merely called the Art of Theft. Therefore, one can never really limit art to one thing. Rather, it is a wide arrangement of things. In addition, one can never truly crack down and say that something is only artistic if it is of some particular kind of medium, because somebody else will disagree. Art is anything that anyone does which has a profound effect on somebody or something else. From a simple act of kindness to a masterpiece painting which took years out of somebody’s life? Some art can be considered more complex, and some art can be considered simpler in contrast. However, the fact of the matter is, in the eye of the beholder, art could be anything. So is it possible for us to define what art is or can we really set any realistic guidelines as to what is art and what is not? It is always possible to create guidelines, but it is often considered an art form in itself to break said guidelines. What we can do, however, is center ourselves on the aesthetics of art. However, defining what is aesthetic and what is not can be quite an undertaking. Simply put, something that is aesthetically pleasing is something that appeals to the senses. For instance, flowers give a nice aesthetic sense of smell by offering their pleasant odors. A nicely painted picture can give off a nice aesthetic sight for somebody to enjoy. Often it is difficult to create something aesthetically pleasing, as there are many ways to offend peoples senses. For instance, if you wanted to create a painting to give off an aesthetic feeling of hope, you probably would not use an over abundance of dark colors. Dark colors are often used to show calmness or even more commonly, something sad and depressing. In addition, when painting, if you use wider and more circular strokes with a lighter press on your brush, you will give off more depressing tones and colors. Therefore, it would be more advisable to use lighter colors and more agile handling of the brush. Lighter colors often give off a feeling of warmth and happiness, which is something that you would like to be doing if you would like to create something hopeful. However, to create something that gives off a strong aesthetic presence, you usually must feel some sort of emotional attachment to whatever it is you are working on three. One must have a feeling for whatever it is you are working on. Only then will you truly pour out everything from your heart and mind. When you can accomplish this, you can create something with true aesthetic value. If you can describe your emotions in your artwork, it becomes easier for others to understand what you were trying to do, and more often, give them a stronger emotional sense. In a way, this creates a bond between the artist and the observer, allowing true aesthetic value to be created within a work of art. However, this still does not fully aid us in our quest to find out whether we can define what art is. There are some things, which do not stimulate our emotions as much but may still hold a different aesthetic value. Some of the most common examples of these are mathematical charts and scientific writings. Although they do not hold any intrinsic aesthetic values, they still provide a sense of artwork within the mind. Mathematics helps us to develop our logical minds and to expand our ability to memorize details and think things through. However, as odd as it may sound, even mathematics can help to produce powerful works of art. One of the most profound methods of art within mathematics must be the Golden Ratio. The Golden Ratio is a number, which is defined simply as width being 1.618 times the height of something 4 or approximately one and a half times the height of something. Although unexplained, you can prove it to yourself by viewing pictures of the Greek structure known as the Parthenon that the Golden Ratio is one of the most beautiful artistic forms in existence. The difference in width by length gives a soothing aura and relaxes the entire body when viewed. One of the other valuable aesthetic forms, which have come from math, is the circle. Although we may never truly define what Pi is, it is known that it is the calculation for a perfect circle. Pi is simple defined as an outer diameter 3.14 times the length of the radius of a circle. Circular shapes have always been known to be very pleasing to the eye, and this could help to explain why Roman structures may not be as pleasing as other circular structures. The Romans, for a time, were on top of the world and had to prove it by being correct in everything. This even meant their own calculation of Pi, which, in Roman times, was known to be 3.45. Interestingly enough, when you view Roman buildings with a bird’s eye view, you can notice that they are slightly ovular. This gives an awkward feel to them and helps to explain why Greek architecture has always been slightly more respected than Roman architecture. Even science has a place in the world of common art. For, without science, we would not have many of the methods of designing art as we do now. Paint, for instance, if not developed without science would not be in existence now. Chemistry and metallurgy have been two of the most significant expansions to the world of contemporary art however. Chemistry has helped to develop various substances, which react to different surfaces, and modern chemistry has helped to evolve this even further. Now we have fluorescent paints, synthetic canvases and neon gases to help create bright signs in the sky. Metallurgy has helped in sculpture design and in the design of many modern tools used in art. Many artists are now using welding as a medium for their artistic expression. The fields of science and art seem to go hand in hand when you think of them in this way. Computers in particular have had a profound effect on the development of aesthetic value in art today. Many artists conglomerate around the Internet to share their works of art and receive critiques from various sources to develop their talent further. In fact, there have been many programs developed which help people to develop art on the computer itself. Flash animation is a popular method of electronic art design, which is a conglomeration of various artistic images placed together in a mobile video sequence. Photo editing has been enhanced by several modern software programs, and you can even create unique three-dimensional images with some modern programs. Graphic design has been greatly enhanced by the advent of the modern computer. So many programs and computer platforms have been specifically tailored for Graphic Design that in recent years the industry has had an explosion in growth. Companies everywhere are constantly seeking artists to design their logos, papers, pamphlets and promotional media. However, with so many developments in the field of art, have we become closer to being able to define art in one true sense? Alternatively, rather, have we learned to adapt and respect all forms of art and their inherent values? What might be considered a masterpiece in the past by everyone may only be considered a masterpiece to a small number of people in this modern day. Rather than classifying art in one major group, we should respect all art for its value and its effect on society as a whole. It is debatable that we will ever be able to identify art in the analytical sense, but we will learn new ways to improve our talents and we will constantly gain more resources to spread our art across all reaches of the universe. It does not really matter whether or not we can define art, because art is just an expression. It is a method for human beings to get out their emotions and share them with the rest of the world. It helps to describe what cannot be spoken. A picture is worth a thousand words, but even those thousand words can yet again produce a thousand additional pictures. In addition, in this method of thought, art has an infinite number of possibilities and an infinite number of ways to influence the lives of others.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are no strict guidelines for defining art nor will there ever be. Everything is in the eye of the beholder, but it does not matter. As long as society keeps using art forms and aesthetic values to gain a newfound sense of identity, I think the world will live without being able to define what art is. So do not pursue the field and believe you must define others work, but rather, attempt to find its emotional value and apply it to your own life. Thus, in conclusion, it can be stated that the statement of Martin Heidegger enumerating art is comparatively true and partly wrong. This is because truth cannot be imposed on art in the context of realism but the undefined part of art makes it wrong. This is because if art is not completely defined and if truth is uncertain at many parts, as seen earlier, the relation between the two becomes tentative and vague. Thus, whether art and truth are inseparable or they are in contradiction to each other remains a debatable issue for further arguments in the future. Bibliography: Kockelmans, Joseph J; 1985; Heidegger on Art and Art Works; Springer Lamb, Davis; (2004); Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization on the Strategic Strata; National Book Trust. 2004 Marcuse, Herbert; 1994; The Aesthetic Dimension; Art and its Significance; Suny Press; Martin, Brian. (2003-2004). â€Å"Telling Lies for a Better World?† Social Anarchism 35: 27-39.   Retrieved on 7 April, 2008 from http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/pubs/03sa.html Windt, Gerda van de; (2004); Artistic Imagination: Transforming Sorrow into Beauty Truth and Art; Arts Education – Faculty of Education. Simon Fraser University

Case Study: Hunter Douglas Group

Case Study: Hunter Douglas Group This is a case study report to analyse how Hunter Douglas Group manages its human resource planning and how the activities involved in the human resource planning process contributes to the success, as well as to ensure future success, of this large multi-national organisation in line with its corporate vision, mission, core values, strategic planning and objectives. Human resource planning provides the means to accomplish the desired outcomes of the organisation and achieving objectives by ensuring that the organisation has the right number of quality people available to achieve objectives through strategy implementation. This is based on a close working relationship between the human resource practitioners and line managers in each company (business unit) of its decentralised organisational structure. The human resource practitioners serve as consultants to line managers concerning the people management implications of business objectives and strategies. Line managers, in turn, have the responsibility to respond to the business implication of human resource objectives and strategies. We also see that the environmental and contextual changes present a number of competitive challenges to this organization which requires its human resource management to be involved in helping to create and build new capabilities. The challenges include: Globalisation: the challenge is to move peoples ideas, products and information around the world to meet local needs. Technology: the challenge is to make technology a viable, productive part of the work setting Competition: in order to remain competitive and remain as a market leader, Hunter Douglas is aware of the importance of continuous training of its people. Economics: economic growth or lower interest rates cause the increase in spending and often increase in business opportunities. Changes in the labour market has an impact on the organisations ability to find and keep employees Workforce changes and ability to cope with change: these include resignations, terminations, leave of absences, death, change in employment status and retirement The success of a business is directly linked to the performance of those who work for that business and Hunter Douglas Group is fully aware of this as it believes in the power of learning and providing its employees growth opportunities to develop their skills. Hunter Douglas Group acknowledges that its employees commitment is the key ingredient to the Groups continued growth and success. Hunter Douglas Group prides on the diversity and strength of its corporate culture that empowers its employees to build and run the business like their own businesses. The Hunter Douglas Group acts like a federation of entrepreneurial companies who think globally but act locally. The character and creativity of its 21,000 employees in 169 countries worldwide have built the dynamic and entrepreneurial company that the Group is today. With numerous benefits encouraging wellness and a work-life balance, Hunter Douglas Group regards its employees as its most valuable resource which is the key to the Groups success. Background Corporate Mission and Core Values Corporate Mission: Hunter Douglas is the worlds market leader in manufacturing a wide range of innovative and quality architectural and window covering products. Hunter Douglas provides on-time delivery, reliable and friendly service at a competitive price. Its aim is to offer fulfillment to its staff and to secure a reasonable return to its shareholders. Core Values: Customer Oriented Putting customers first Providing reliable and friendly service. Achieving on-time delivery Innovation Seeking continuous improvement and new ideas to create value to our customers Striving for creative ways of doing our work better Teamwork Working together harmoniously to achieve common goals and objectives Integrity Honouring commitments to customers, staff and organisation Being sincere and truthful Communication Showing respect and understanding for each other Being frank, open and receptive Staff Well-Being Providing continuous training and development Recognising good performance Corporate Structure Board of Directors Hunter Douglas Group has a one-tier corporate structure. Under its Charter, the Board of Directors is responsible for the overall management and control of the Company. The Board is appointed by the shareholders at the annual General Meeting. The Board has four regular meetings per year and additional meetings as required. Board members may not be members of more than five boards of public companies. Independence The Board has six Members, of whom four are independent. It acts collectively by majority resolution. Functions The Board reviews the overall strategy, financial objectives, budgets, acquisi ­tions, divestments, capital expenditures, currency and aluminium hedging, port ­folio composition and returns, results and risks in the Companys business. Audit and Compensation Committees The Board has an Audit and a Compensation Committee, whose members are independent. The Audit Committee reviews the Companys accounts, internal controls and meets with the Companys external Auditors twice a year. The Compensation Committee reviews the Directors and Officers compensation and stock options. Chairman, President CEO Mr. Ralph Sonnenberg is Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer. Officers The Board annually appoints the Officers of the Company: the President, the Co-Presidents, four regionally responsible Vice Presidents, two Staff Vice Presidents and a Corporate Secretary. The Vice Presidents and Corporate Secretary report to the President. Financial Reporting In accordance with the applicable reporting principles, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group. The annual report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group, together with a description of the principal opportunities and risks associated with the expected develop ­ment of the Group. Major Business Processes A business process is a collection of structured, related tasks or activities which produce a specific product or service which serves a particular goal for customers. The main types of business processes observed in this case study report are Management Processes, Operational Processes and Supporting Processes. Management processes: processes which govern the operation of a system in an organisation. Typical management processes include Corporate Governance and Strategic Management. Corporate Governance The Hunter Douglas Group is incorporated in The Netherlands Antilles and has its statutory seat in Curaà §ao. Hunter Douglas is therefore not subject to The Netherlands Corporate Governance Code. However, Hunter Douglas adheres to good Corporate Governance. The Group has the following key internal controls: Conflicts of Interest Policy The Conflicts of Interest Policy is applicable to all key employees covering relations with customers, suppliers and other third parties. Insider Trading Policy The Insider Trading Policy, as prescribed by the Authority Financial Markets (AFM), restricts trading in the Companys shares by Directors, Officers, key employees and related persons. Internal Audit Function Hunter Douglas principal Operating Companies have an Internal Audit Program. Authority Limits Every Manager, including the Regional Vice Presidents, has clearly defined Authority Limits. Whistleblower Policy Hunter Douglas has a Whistleblower Policy in each and every Company within the Group. Compensation Compensation is reviewed by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Company also follows the best practices: Stock options Stock options are granted for five years with vesting starting after two years. Stock It is not the Companys Policy to provide stock at no cost. Loans Loans to Directors, Officers or other employees bear market interest. There is no forgiveness of principal or interest. Investor Relations Hunter Douglas has an Investor Relations Website, regularly issues press releases and holds analysts and investor meetings. Strategic Management Strategic management is a process through which organizations analyse and learn from their internal and external environments, establish strategic direction, create strategies which are intended to move the organisation in that direction and implement those strategies, all in an effort to satisfy stakeholders, as illustrated in the diagram below: External Analysis (External Environment) Strategic Controls Direction Setting: Generate, Allocate Build Develop Vision Evaluate, and relationships Control Mission and Manage Systems Values Select, Resources Design Strategies Structures Measure and Evaluate performance Internal Analysis (Internal Environment) Strategy Formulation Strategy Implementation and Evaluation Hunter Douglas Group has been successful over the long term because the Group has effectively acquired, develop and manage resources and capabilities that provide competitive advantage. The Group has, over the years, achieved strong brand recognition such as the HunterDouglas ® in North America and Asia as well as for Architectural Products worldwide. Luxaflex ® for residential window coverings in the rest of the world. The Hunter Douglas Group, with its 21,000 employees in 169 countries worldwide, takes advantage of its organisational strengths and environmental opportunities. It continues to neutralise or overcome organisational weaknesses and environmental threats by managing its business processes well and applies best practices. Operational processes: processes which constitute the organisations core business and create the primary value stream. Typical operational processes include Purchasing, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Sales. As a highly decentralised organisation, each company in each region within the Hunter Douglas Group manages autonomous operations with minimum interference and maximum accountability, growing their businesses within the groups entrepreneurial environment following the corporate governance, vision, mission and values. Supporting processes: processes that support the organisations core processes. Examples in this category include Accounting, Recruitment, Technical support. Although highly decentralised, each company in each region within the Hunter Douglas Group has to follow an Internal Audit Program when it comes to financial and accounting matters. Recruitment and Human Resource matters are set in line with the business plan and strategies of each company in each region as well as in line with the directions and corporate governance, vision, mission and values of the Group. Business Strategy Porters Generic Strategies Target Scope Advantage Low Cost Product Uniqueness Broad Cost Leadership Differentiation (Industry Wide) Strategy Strategy Narrow Focus Strategy Focus Strategy (Market Segment) (Low Cost) (Differentiation) Hunter Douglas Groups strategy is to grow the market and the Groups market share by continuing to introduce innovative and proprietary new products and by expanding its presence in key geographic markets. It was observed that Hunter Douglas Group has been successful in using the Differentiation Strategy by having the following internal strengths: Access to leading research and development Highly skilled and creative product development team Strong sales teams with the ability to successfully communicate the perceived strengths and benefits of the product. Corporate reputation for quality and innovation Differentiation Strategy A differentiation strategy calls for the development of a product or service that offers unique attributes that are valued by customers and that customers perceive to be better than or different from the products of the competition. The value added by the uniqueness of the product may allow the firm to charge a premium price for it. The firm hopes that the higher price will more than cover the extra costs incurred in offering the unique product. Because of the products unique attributes, if suppliers increase their prices the firm may be able to pass along the costs to its customers who cannot find substitute products easily. The risks associated with a differentiation strategy include imitation by competitors and changes in customers tastes. Generic Strategies and Industry Forces Industry Generic Strategies Force Cost Leadership Differentiation Strategy Focus Strategy Strategy Entry Ability to cut price in Customer loyalty can Focusing develops core Barriers retaliation deters discourage potential competencies that can act potential entrants entrants as an entry barrier Buyer Ability to offer lower Large buyers have less Large buyers have less power Power price to powerful power to negotiate to negotiate because of few buyers because of few close alternatives alternatives Supplier Better insulated from Better able to pass on Suppliers have power Power powerful suppliers supplier price increases because of low volumes, to customers but a differentiation-focused firm is better able to pass on supplier price increases to customers Threats of Can use low price to Customers become Specialised products core Substitutes defend against attached to differentiating competency protect substitutes attributes, reducing against substitutes threats of substitutes Rivalry Better able to Brand loyalty to keep Rivals cannot meet compete on price customers from rivals differentiation-focused customer needs Relationship With External Entities In order to remain successful and continue to expand its market share, Hunter Douglas Group has learned to develop and manage relationships with wide range of organisations, groups and people that have a stake in their business. The emergence of a fiercely competitive global economy means that the companies within the Hunter Douglas Group have to expand their networks of relationships in their region and cooperate with each other to remain competitive. Education Hunter Douglas Singapore team up with the National University of Singapores Department of Architecture to organise the NUS-Hunter Douglas Award for the innovative use of technology in Architecture. Hunter Douglas Group has developed multi-level training and education programs for its fabricators, retail dealers, professional designers and installers. It holds consumer seminars to help prospective buyers under ­stand the importance of window coverings for home fashions and for light control and energy efficiency. It provides training seminars and hands-on workshops for retailers, designers and installers, which includes CD-Roms, videotapes and web-based instructions, through ­out the world. It has created the industrys first and only formal Retail Alliance Program, offering its very best dealers a choice of tiered partnership options that reward their brand loyalty with lucrative business-building benefits, including financial incentives and exclusive products and programs. Through Hunter Douglas Group exclusive partnership with Archiprix International, it builds relationships with the next generation of architects as they begin their careers after college. With Hunter Douglas Groups support, Archiprix organises a biennial international com ­petition for the best graduation projects in architecture. Finalists travel to a host city with hundreds of architects from around the world where an independent jury evaluates the student entries and recognizes the most outstanding work with the Hunter Douglas award. Hunter Douglas Singapore was conferred the Singapore Institute of Architects Friend of Architecture Award in recognition of the companys contribution to Architecture in Singapore and its continuous support for the Singapore Institute of Architects. Its Windows of Opportunity seminar on the use of window fashions in interior design reaches more than 2,500 design school students and designers in major United States markets each year. At the Fashions Institute of Technology in New York and other leading design schools, Hunter Douglas provides design students with industry overviews and a business perspective through teaching opportunities. At the renowned Pratt School of Architecture, Hunter Douglas has sponsored design studio projects that challenge students to envision new and novel ways to integrate its products and materials into architectural structures. Corporate Citizenship Hunter Douglas Group actively supports the com ­munities in which they live, work and do business. Decisions about which causes to support and the form that support takes are made locally by the management in each country. It provides window coverings to hospitals, research centres and healthcare facilities around the world. It supports educational opportu ­nities for the families of its staff and less privileged members of our communities. In the United States and Canada, Hunter Douglas sponsors Habitat for Humanity, donating custom window cover ­ings for the homes Hunter Douglas has built for low-income families since 1993. Hunter Douglas employees have also contributed thousands of hours in sweat equity assisting with the building of these homes at the local level. Hunter Douglas stimulates students awareness of its products and encourage their creativity through competi ­tions in which they are judged upon the innovative application of its products in their design projects. Hunter Greenà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ and Keen on Green are important new company-wide environmental initiatives being undertaken by the Hunter Douglas branded compa ­nies to reduce energy consump ­tion, water usage and its overall carbon-footprint. It also includes an ongoing consumer marketing effort creating increased aware ­ness of Hunter Douglas corporate commit ­ment to the cause as well as the superior energy-saving benefits of its products. The Process of Human Resource Planning in the Organisation Manpower Planning Manpower planning is a process of getting the right number of qualified people into the right job at the right time. It is a system of matching the supply of people internally, who are the existing employees, and externally, potential talents to be hired or searched for, with job openings which the Group expects to have over a given time frame. This planning requires the human resource departments in the Group to prepare an inventory of skills and talents already available as well as coordinating and controlling various activities in the Hunter Douglas Group. Manpower planning involves reviewing current manpower resources, forecasting future requirements and availability as well as taking steps to ensure that the supply of people and skills meets demand. It utilises the concept of planning to visualise how the Hunter Douglas Group can go through the allocation and control of its manpower resources in a better manner. It is also a tool for higher management to equip themselves with the necessary data on its human resources available immediately within the Group and from outside, when the need arises to meet markets demand. Manpower Planning Model Forecast Demand Forecast Supply Considerations: Internally Product/ Service demand Staffing tables Economics Balance Supply and Demand Markov analysis Technology Skills inventories Financial resources/ limitations Recruitment (Shortage) Management inventories Absenteeism/ turnover Full-time Replacement charts Organisational growth Part-time Succession planning Management philosophy Recalls/ transfers Overtime Externally Techniques: Outsourcing Demographic changes Trend analysis Reductions (Surplus) Education of workforce Managerial estimate Terminations Labour mobility Delphi technique Layoffs Government policies Leave without pay Unemployment rate Outplacement Demotions Retirement Factors Economic Competition Government action Organisational Divisional Skills and Historical Data Objectives Department abilities Nature of company Objectives required Skills Inventory Net human resource Types, numbers, requirements Human Resources Negative: Layoff, terminations, resignations, retirement Manpower planning, as observed in the Hunter Douglas Group, consists of the following steps: Identify the Groups objectives and strategies which are stipulated in the business plan and from the strategic planning processes of the companies within the Group. Determine the impact of the organisations objectives on specific organisational units. For this purpose the cascade approach can be used, whereby the organisations long term strategies are translated into the shorter term performance objectives and time schedules per division and department. Define the skills, expertise and total number of employees (demand for human resources) required to achieve the organisation and department objectives by using the different statistical methods and managerial estimates. Perform an analysis of the Groups current human resources. By doing a skills inventory will shed light on the number of current employees in terms of their different competencies, skills, training levels, qualifications, work experience, etc. Determine the additional (net) human resource requirements in light of the Groups current human resources. Develop action plans to meet the anticipated human resource needs which may include a comprehensive succession plan for each department, resultant recruitment strategies, the design and implementation of managerial development and other training programs, making available bursary schemes for current participants who may eventually fill scarce positions, designing compensation packages to attract and retain quality staff. The key activities of Human Resource Management carried out by both line managers and the Human Resource practitioners in the Hunter Douglas Group are: Organisation Organisation structuring: developing an organisation which caters for all the activities required, groups them together in a way which encourages integration and cooperation. Job design and role specification: deciding on the contents of the jobs which involve the employees duties and responsibilities and the relationships that exist between job holders and other employees within the Hunter Douglas Group. Organisational development: stimulating, planning and implementing programmes designed to improve the effectiveness with which the organisation functions and adapts to change. The employment relationship Improving the quality of the employment relationship Creating a climate of trust and self propulsion Developing a more positive psychological contract Achieving a highly committed organisation Resourcing Human resource planning: assessing future people requirements in terms of both numbers and all levels of skill and competence. Formulating and implementing plans to meet those requirements through recruitment, training, development, etc. Recruitment and selection: obtaining the number and type of people the organisation needs Performance management Getting better results from the companies, teams and individuals by measuring and managing performance within agreed frameworks of objectives and competence requirements; assessing and improving performance. Human resource development Organisational and individual learning Skill improvement through systematic approach to training Reward management Job evaluation: assessing the relative size of jobs as a basis of determining internal relativities Pay: developing and administering pay structures and systems Non-financial rewards: providing employees with non-financial rewards e.g. recognition, increased responsibility and opportunity to achieve and grow. Employee benefits: providing benefits in addition to pay which cater for personnel security and personal needs Employee relations Employee relations involving managing and maintaining formal and informal relationships with trade unions and their members Employee involvement and participation which means sharing information with employee and consulting them on matters of mutual interest Communication: creating and transmitting information of interest to employees. Health, safe

Document Quality :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

Document Quality Measuring the rate of reaction, when dilute sodium thiosulphate solution and dilute hydrochloric acid are mixed. Hypothesis: I predict that the higher the concentration of sodium thiosulphate, the faster the rate of reaction. Aim: In this experiment I intend to test the collision theory. My aim is to see if the concentration of sodium thiosulphate will affect the rate of reaction. Introduction: In this experiment I will vary the concentration of sodium thiosulphate to measure the rates of reaction. I will be mixing different concentrations of sodium thiosulphate with hydrochloric acid, the collision theory says the reaction time will alter; this is what I will be testing. The collision theory tells us that the larger the surface area, the faster the reaction. So the higher the concentration the more atoms there are to react. There are 4 things that affect the rate of reaction, concentration, surface area, catalysts and temperature. Concentration can affect the rate of reaction by increasing atoms to collide with each other. The more atoms there are to collide, the faster the rate of reaction. In reactions where gases are involved, if you increase the pressure the particles will move closer together. The smaller the space in the container, collisions are more likely to occur. If the concentration is weaker, this means there are fewer atoms to collide. If an object has a large surface area, the reaction rate will increase as there is more surface area for the atoms to collide. I hypothesis that the more surface area there is the more space there is for the particles to react. Catalysts change the rate of chemical reactions but are not used up in the reaction. Examples of catalysts are enzymes, clay, and hydrogen peroxide. These all speed up certain chemical reactions. Enzymes are found in the human body, they are there to break down food and make digestion time shorter. Enzymes can also be found in washing powder, to break down food stains on clothes. Temperature can affect the rate of reaction to a great extent because particles vibrate more at higher temperatures. The more they vibrate the more chance there is that they will collide with another particle, thus causing the rate of reaction to increase. In a chemical reaction, the reactants collide with each other. Pressure This diagram shows us that the more pressure there is the more likely it is that the particles will collide. High pressure Low pressure More collisions as the particles are closer together Not many collisions Marble in dilute hydrochloric acid This diagram shows us that surface area does have an effect on the rate of reaction. 1 Large marble cube Marble cube split into 6 pieces In the experiment I carry out, I will change the concentration and see

Coke Business Study :: essays research papers

Business Summary Coca Cola is the world's largest producer of soft drink concentrates and syrups, as well as the worlds's largest producer ofjuice and juice-drink products, The company holds a 45% interest in Coca Cola Enterprises, its largest bottler. The Beverages division primarily manufactures soft drink and non-carbonated beverages and syrups, which are sold to independent and company-owned bottling and canning operations, as well as, fountain wholesalers. Brands include Coca-Cola classic ( best selling soft drink in the world), Caffeine free Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke ( sold as Coke light in foreign markets), Cherry Coke, diet Cherry Coke, Fanta, Sprite, diet Sprite, Barq's, Mr. PIBB, Mello Yello, Tab, Fresca, Power Aide, Minute Maid, Fruitopia and other products developed for specific markets, including Georgia ready to drink coffees. The Foods division is the world's largest maker and distributor ofjuice and juice-drink products. Brands include Minute Maid, Five Alive, Bright & Early, Hi-C And Bacardi. History Coke was invented in 1886, by Atlanta pharmacist John S. Pemberton, It was named by Frank- Robinson (Pemberton's bookkeeper), after it's two main ingredients, coca leaves and Kola nuts, In 1891 the company was sold to druggist Asa Candler for $2.300, and by 1895 the soda fountain drink was available in all US states, and expanded to Candia and Mexico by 1898, Candier sold most of the US bottling rights in 1899 to Benjamin Thomas and John Whitehead of Chattanooga for $1.00. With the backing of John Lupton, Thomas and Whitehead developed a regional franchise bottling system, expanding to over 1,000 bottlers within 20 years. The bottlers used the contoured bottle designed by the C.J. Root Glass Company in 1916, In 1916 Candler retired to become Atianta's mayor; his family sold the company to Atlanta banker Ernest Woodruff for $25 million in 1919, that same year Coca-Cola went public. In 1923 Wooddruff appointed his son Robert president. Robert continued as chairman until 1942 and remained influential until his death in 1985 at the age of 95- Robert Woodruffs contribution were in adverting and overseas expansion. During NnrWIl Woodrtiff decreed that every soldier would have access to a 5-cent bottle of Coke. With government assistance Coca-Cola built 64 overseas bottling plants during WKVII. Also during this period the company accepted "Coke" as an official brand name. In 1960 Coca-Cola brought Ntinute Maid and introduced Sprite in 1961, Tab in 1963 and Diet Coke in 1882. In 1981 Woodruff was succeeded by Roberto Goizueta, a Yale educated chemical engineer, who rose through the ranks.

Music is the Only Universal Language Essay -- Exploratory Essays Resea

Music is the Only Universal Language When people think of the term literacy, they most commonly define it as the ability to read and write, in the verbal sense. But there is a wide range of literacy apart from that, which also requires mastering a set of crucial skills. One such example is musical literacy, which is the ability to read, write, or appreciate music. Musical literacy is not all that different from the verbal kind. Leonard G. Ratner, when speaking of 18th and 19th century music, writes "Both language and music had their vocabulary, syntax, and arrangement of formal structures, subsumed under the title Rhetoric" (xiv). In other words, music, like language, is based on its own set of learned rules, and both serve as a form of communication. But what exactly does it mean to be musically literate? One example is the ability to look at a piece of music and know how its components fit together, such as scales, key signatures, crescendos, and other parts. This is known as sight-reading, where people play an unfamiliar piece of music at first glance, because they understand counting and basic underlying principles. But musical literacy also has a wider definition. Listening to a symphony, playing a musical instrument, or even humming along to a song on the radio all show a general understanding of musical principles. Once an individual obtains this understanding, doors are opened. That person can appreciate music on a more complex level, and musical literacy adds to a well-rounded personality and view of the world. Once people actually understand what is going on behind music, they gain a newer appreciation of its sounds. On a personal note, I have played the piano for about 8 years, and it has opened doors for... ...s of ability. Music can be used to express everything from emotions to political opinions. It uniquely soothes us when we are unhappy, and echoes our highest spirits. Simply put, the world would be an emptier place without literacy to translate those feelings into a language that everyone understands. Overall, music is unique by its duality. Different forms are partial to a particular culture or time period, but every form can reach people all over the world and throughout time. To be literate musically is to spread thoughts and expression, and sometimes those musical ideas weigh more heavily than language can. Music serves as a bridge between generations, societies, and opinions, and without literacy, the world would be a much more restrictive place. WORKS CITED Ratner, Leonard G. Classic Music: Expression, form, and Style. London: Schirmer Books, 1980.

Discourse Community

McCarthy relates the classes Dave attended to a foreign country with a language that had to be learned in order to succeed. Dave struggled in his poetry class because he failed to learn the â€Å"foreign† language of the class. In this academic discourse, Dave had to learn to analyze and write essays that will, make [him] say something quite specific about the meaning of a poem (your thesis) and demonstrate how far [he has] progressed In recognizing and dealing with he devices a poet uses to expresses his Insights† (242).Because this was unlike what he had to do in his Freshmen Composition or Biology class, this approach was foreign to him. He was use to summarizing and proving his textual coherence but now he was more focused on new ways of thinking and writing for that class. HIS grades In the poetry class never Improved. The social aspects as well as his coherence Influenced his writing. Dave had a connection to the writing his both of his other classes but not to poe try.He thought that none of the poetry related except for the salary literary devices. He also felt that he was an outsider on the adolescence while his instructor wasn't. He would spend hours writing the essay to fulfill the required Manner and Quality just to have his errors pointed out without any explanation as to why they were wrong. Dave felt that, â€Å"In Poetry, more or less each poem is different, o it's not taught to you.You just have to figure it out from that poem itself and hope Dry. Forsook likes it† (251 This hindered Dive's chance of succeeding in the class. Because he saw that his writing was failing he could've asked to meet with the professor privately to discuss what he was doing wrong. The professor also could've had more guideline lectures and helped the students by pointing out some details in the poem that would've benefited their writing.