Sociological Theories and How They Contribute to Our Understanding of Education

Silverthorn(2012) by Kamelot free essay sample

Remaining in the cutting edge period of Kamelot, their 2012 is the main collection to not highlight previous vocalist Thomas Youngblood. Presently this doeas not detracked anything from the collection, in reality it gives a decent difference in pase when contrasted with a portion of the more seasoned ones. Following a greater amount of the Epica/Ghost Opera styles of Kamelot, this collection incorporates numerous singles too to enable new fans to get into the band like Falling Like the Farenheit, Ashes to Ashes, and Sacrimony. The collection is a pleasant ride front to back particularly with the brief epic simply finishing off the collection. I can see a splendid future for the men of Tampa, Florida. I likewise expect another collection soon in this way, Ill be hanging tight for that. Obviously with the new vocalist there could be a few issues with the fans in view of the amount they thought about Tom, yet to me, this person doesnt sound that vastly different from Tom so I dont precisely observe your issue. We will compose a custom paper test on Silverthorn(2012) by Kamelot or then again any comparative point explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page Its like contrasting Bruce Dickingson and Blaze Bayley, the main distinction is that Blaze has a marginally more profound voice which he uses furthering his potential benefit now and again in X-Factor yet something else, nothing else. Likewise, the band isnt precisely Shakespeare with verses yet tracks like Song For Jolee or Torn are magnificent expressively. Generally speaking, truly outstanding of 2012 and it demonstrates that a little advance can go far. As though I didnt like this band previously, this is one reason why Im glad to be Floridian. 9.5/10. This is the Grim Reaper, closing down.

Leaders Focus Too Much on Changing Policies, and Not Enough on Changing Minds

Leaders Focus Too Much on Changing Policies, and Not Enough on Changing Minds The age of globalization has changed the way  business is done.  Everything is much faster, everyone can have access to any information about the market and the business environment is constantly moving and changing.In order for companies to survive in that kind of environment, they need to be ready to  change  and adapt to the ever-changing market conditions, which doesn’t just require the  ability  to create a better product or find  new ways  of production.All of this is useless if the company doesn’t know how to handle that situation, how to apply that new way of production or to whom to sell that new product.And when their changed policy fails, companies just tend to find another policy and hope it will bring something good, instead of trying not just to change policies, but also try changing minds.In this text, we will try to explain why that is the case, what are the different types of changes company can do, what are the usual results of those changes, what should be done in order for a change to be successfully implemented and how can that affect managers and their relations with other people in the company.TYPES OF CHANGESWe have already noted that the only way to be successful in today’s business is to be able to adapt to the  constantly  changing market conditions.A  study  which was conducted by BCG revealed that around 85% of firms have made some changes in the past 10 years.Another thing which is important to note here is that many of these firms tried to make changes on several fronts.“Why is that important?” â€"  You  may ask.Well, in business, it is crucial to  survive  and every change  brings  risk  with itself. And the best way to fight a risk is to disperse it.That is why every firm tends to make changes in multiple fields at the same time.That way, the firm is protecting itself in case one of the options  meets  failure. If one fails, another might succeed.It is also important to, not just try to invest in several changes at onc e, but those changes should be from a different  category  because sometimes the market conditions do not allow some changes to be made successfully and it that case, it is important to invest in changes of another region of the firm. That said,  there are several types of changes which could be applied in any firm. They can be divided into 2 categories:Overall changes which  concern  the entire firm;Changes  which target specific areas of the firm and the way those areas function.The first group includes activities like changing the business model, executive organization achieving fast financial growth.The idea of these activities is to improve how the company as a complete entity works, by focusing on the  reorganization  of the most important activities in the firm.The second group includes changes which are focused more on improving the specific sectors inside the company.It is associated with activities like research and development, operational and commercial tasks or some sup port functions, like HR.Whenever the firm wants to make some changes, they tend to do a  SWOT  analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,  and  threats) in order to find  what are the most suitable areas which could be changed and improved  and then decide between them and start making the transformation strategy.THE NEW POLICY NO POSITIVE RESULT! WHY?Do you remember  that 85  %  of the firms we mentioned a bit earlier?Would you be surprised if we told you that around 3/4 of those firms do not succeed to achieve their goals by changing their policies?That is a hell of a number!You may ask what were they doing wrong or why they even tried to change themselves.Well, as we’ve already said, it is crucial for the firms to make changes nowadays, because of the fast-changing environment.There is no discussion  there;  it is a must for them.Then the right question isn’t “Why they are trying to change?”, but instead “What are they doing wrong?”.There are  multiple causes, t hat’s for sure.1. Not thinking about the long-term effectsWhen firms want to make some changes, they usually do that because the company’s current performance is probably not so good.But, since humans are usually not known for their patience, then the long-term strategies suffer.The firms are mostly focused on improving their performance and in  return,  they usually expect almost immediate results.Like John Maynard Keynes had said: “In the long run we are all dead”.But we know that is not always the case. Sometimes you need to think wider and have a bigger picture in your mind.That is exactly the problem with some of the changes made in firms.Managers often  just  want to fix the problem as fast as  possible  because they want to see fast results.And adding to that, their salary also depends  on  how well the firm performance is, so that is one of the  reasons  they are mostly focusing on the short run.2. Not changing how employees workWhenever you get a new, more modern TV or any other device, you need to learn how it works, what are the new options, what is different from your old device.It is the same in business. Whenever you, as a firm, change policies or some operational or organizational systems and tasks, the same principle  applies.People need to learn about the new system, adapt and just then try to meet the  company’s  expectations.The problem occurs because firms do not create such  environments, where people can think about what they do, where they can try to be innovative, thus improving the system.Most companies do not encourage their employees to do that, some even try to restrain innovative thinking, despite knowing that it is one of the most important ways for a firm to develop and  rise.3. All for one and one for allWe mentioned that firms often tend to pursue changes in multiple areas in order to minimize the risk of failure, which is completely fine.But the problem can occur when they are looking at each area separately.What is the main goal of these changes? No matter if you just make changes in one area or 6 areas, all of these changes have one same goal to achieve.And that is to improve the company’s overall performance.Then why would you, as a manager, look at just one or 2 aspects of the firm separately and decide for each of them separately?What is meant to be done is to look at the firm as a complete puzzle and its areas as puzzle  pieces.  The puzzle cannot be completed if even one of the pieces is wrong.The firm cannot just do an  analysis  of one sector it wants to change and make a prediction just for that sector and how it would influence the company’s performance.I mean, theoretically, it could, but then it wouldn’t be a very thoughtful company.Instead, the firm should analyze sectors in which it wants to make some changes, then do analysis on how those changes would affect not just the company as a whole, but the other sectors as well, and only then it should decide if the changes in ce rtain sectors would be efficient and effective.WHAT ARE THE CRUCIAL THINGS TO FOCUS ON?We just saw why there  is  a high percentage of the companies who tried to change  something  but didn’t succeed. But there  is  still 1/4 of them who were successful.Let us find what they did right and what  their main focus while making those changes was.The firms we are about to talk about didn’t just focus on changes which could benefit them in  the  short  run.They focused on changes which would create a  long-term  functioning business.According to the research done about  these  companies, we can segregate the six most important things they focused on when they conducted their changes.1. Give your employees a purposeWhen managers want to make changes, they should try to tell other employees what is the nature of those changes, why it is so important to make them and how employees,  who are  bones and  skeleton  of a company can help in that process.That way, employees would know they ar e a part of something important and good, so they would be more reluctant to help in any way they can.By telling employees how they can contribute to the very important cause, managers can share the load of the entire process, which should make it much easier, because when the employees are satisfied and prepared to help their firm, they are more reluctant to accept any changes which could benefit the entire firm.2. Change is a marathon, not a sprintAs the title says: “Change is a marathon, not a sprint”.  That means that results cannot come  overnight, nor can the process of conducting changes be done in a short time.That said,  a firm need to know when it’s a good time to slow down a bit and when it’s a good time to  push  things forward.It is really important not to overload the employees too much, because they still have their work schedule and if they, apart from that, had more additional work, eventually their ability to help with the  changing  process would be lessen ed.3. Adapt and learn new abilitiesWhenever there are changes in any company, it often requires an adaptation and sometimes  knowledge  of a new set of abilities, because some of the regular processes could be changed or refined.The firm has a task to create an environment in which their employees can adapt to that new system and learn new abilities, needed for effective functioning of the entire firm.4. Create a flexible compositionIn order for the people to adapt to changes and learn the new skills, the firm should create an environment where people have some level of autonomy, so they could learn their own ways which could  make  it easier for them to adapt and acquire new skills.The firm can do that by reorganizing its structure so it is more lenient towards its employees.In that kind of environment, employees would be able to try to solve problems on  their own,  learn more about their jobs and even learn more about other people’s jobs, which could be very useful if they need ed to move to do another  work  in the firm.5. Encourage employees to learnIn the more lenient environment mentioned in previous part, employees tend to be more encouraged to think on their own and solving their own problems and by doing that, they can learn a lot of new and useful things.A good company should always encourage its employees to seek more knowledge.Yes, there is always a risk that employee will leave the firm, but the potential benefits  outweigh  that  risk  because that employee can contribute much more to the firm, thus improving its performance.Firms can do that by organizing  special  training  for a specific individual or a group of people, where they could acquire more knowledge and some new skills.6. The built-inteam responsible for the  change  When firms make changes, they tend to change the management team at the same time.Now, the argument about new people being able to look at the problem from a different perspective is valid, but there are a lot of thing s new management team from the outside wouldn’t know.That’s why it is a good thing to build a team inside the company which would serve as a managing body when it comes to  the process of making changes.People from that body would already know what are the strengths and weaknesses the company has and what  opportunities  it can grab to improve its performance.WHY IS HR SO IMPORTANT?The human  resources sector is usually considered as a sector which supports all other sectors and  serves  as a link between the leadership and employees.But, when the firm starts making changes, HR has to become much more, not just because it is an important link with employees, but because it is one of the two crucial factors which contributes to the success of a process of making changes.HR sector has to be there when some important decisions about the changes are made and when the overall transformation strategy is delivered, in order for it to be able to assess and predict what kind of influence it would have on the employees and the way they are doing their jobs.If HR  assumes  the strategy would be ineffective or harmful in any way, it could present it to the board and then a  better  strategy could be created and delivered.That is  why  it is very important for the  HR  sector to be connected and  acquainted  with everything related to the process of making changes.THE EFFECT ON THE LEADERSHIPWhen we talked about the importance of the HR during the process of making changes, we mentioned it is one of the two crucial factors which  contributes  to the success of the process. Well, the other crucial factor is  leadership.Managers and managing boards probably have the toughest job when it comes to this process.They need to be aware of everything, from the minor changes in some specific  sector  to a major change in the organization etc.Apart from that, the  managing  body needs to coordinate all activities related to the process of making changes and make sure that all six of the most important tasks we mentioned above are implemented and used, in order to guarantee  success.Being a leader is not for everyone, so it is crucial to select the right people to lead in order to make, not just the process of making changes, but other activities successful as well. CONCLUSIONYou now know why the change is so important part of every firm. You also know that every change comes with a risk and its own dangers.Success is never guaranteed and the consequences can be lethal to the company.You have seen that a lot of companies who conduct this process of making changes don’t succeed in their efforts, but it is not like that because change is bad.The problems occur when companies do not conduct those changes as they are supposed to, following the important guidelines and including those six important factors we mentioned earlier.But, without the change, the firm wouldn’t be able to survive in today’s ever-changing business environment.Therefore, what  disting uishes  the firms who survive and the ones who don’t is the ability to adapt, evolve and successfully make changes when it is necessary.

Environmental Psychology - 1009 Words

Environmental Psychology Paper Robyn A. Cole August 13, 2012 PSY 460 Edward A. Muhammad, M.S. Environmental Psychology For more than the past ten years, the field of psychology has covered drawn out analysis and delved into the correlation among human beings and the environment. Clayton and Myers state that, â€Å"Recent quantitative assessments of the human impact on nature give a sobering picture: the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment found that about 60% of the earth’s ecosystem services are being used unsustainably† (2009, p. 1). This study has implies that ecological changes affect the revolutionalization in human behavior. The force of continuing environmental changes persistently influence human behavior and the†¦show more content†¦Kahn continues to assert that in the midst of the technology accessible these days, technological nature involving immersive virtual environments, videos and live webcams of nature, and robot animals, initiate the term environmental generational amnesia. Environmental generational amnesia brings to mind that constituent of every generation put together their thought of what is environmentally usual established on the natural world they encountered in early days. With every succeeding generation, the quantity of environmental dilapidation could augment, except every generation believes this ruined situation the same as a usual e ncounter (Kahn, Severson, Ruckert, 2009). Research in the Field of Environmental Psychology It is vital that study and research is implemented hence any theory to restrain in this field of psychology. This research will substantiate the significance of the theory or hypothesis. Research in the field of environmental psychology is imperative, the same as it is for every other science. As said by Clayton Myers (2009), sympathetic human behavior, whether in whole or in part, is in the same way significant. The connection involving human behavior and the environment help psychologists to link the space relating to the multifaceted preferences which a person chooses their existence. Appreciative of the reason aShow MoreRelatedEnvironmental Psychology Essay1559 Words   |  7 PagesPsychology Psychology is the study of how human beings and animals sense, think, learn and know. Psychology is a science based on observations and theories. Modern psychology is the collecting of facts and turning them into psychological theories to explain peoples behavior and sometimes to predict and influence their future behavior. Psychology, in the past, has been assumed to have clear sub-fields (headings). Although there are many differences between the different classifications ofRead MoreThe Effects Of Cosmopolitanism On Environmental Psychology906 Words   |  4 Pagescosmopolitanism on environmental psychology is highly significant. This article is meaningful to me because it shows different culturals and how pro environmental behaviours is beneficial. Being environmentally responsible: Cosmopolitan orientation predicts pro environmental Behaviors. Leung, Angela K.-Y.; Koh, Kelly; Tam, Kim-Pong Journal of environmental psychology, Vol 43, Sep 2015, 79 94.http://dx.doi.org.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.05.011 In the articleRead MoreHow Do We Define Environmental Psychology925 Words   |  4 PagesTo define environmental psychology, one must do so by considering the following four key features: â€Å"interactive approach; interdisciplinary and international; problem-focused, applied field; and diversity of methods† (Steg et. al., 2013, p. 5-6). To sum, interactive behavior is best understood by me as one’s interactions with nature and the effect nature ends up having on one after engagement has occurred. As a child, I grew up in Jackson County Forest in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. As well, withRead MoreA Brief Note On Environmental Psychology Research Methods Essay713 Words   |  3 PagesEnvironmental Psychology Research Methods Summary In this study conducted by Megan J. Bissing-Olsoni, Aarti Iyer, Kelly S. Fielding and Hannes Zacher, a survey/diary design was used to examine the relationship of pro-environmental behavior, employees daily affect, pro-environmental attitude, daily task-related pro-environmental behavior, and daily proactive pro-environmental behavior. There were 56 participants in the study and they were all employed in small businesses. 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Important facts highlighted in the article, the week and strong points of the article and most importantly the impact that the article has on the field of environmental psychology will be discussed in the paper. The first article is the fifth chapter Coping with Stress taken from the book Health psychology, 2nd ed.) written by RichardRead MoreEnvironmental Psychology And Its Effects On The Environment2034 Words   |  9 Pagesof instances air pollution can not be seen with the naked eye, however it can be seen when clouds of particulate matters appear above a city. As disturbing as seeing polluted air is, it is the unseen pollutants that is a greater danger. Environmental psychology tells us that personal manners and behavior have an effect on the environment. By doing research on how we harm our environment, processes may be put in place to off set and limit such behaviors. Bio-fuel, wind energy, solar energy, cleanRead MoreThe Depletion Of Natural Elements Has A Negative Impact On Human Mind?1775 Words   |  8 Pagesnature is crucial for his health care, to overlook the impact of restorative outdoor spaces on human health and psych. Existing research: Access to nature can enhance wellness Research from many quarters, including the fields of healthcare, psychology, design, public health, and other disciplines indicates that access to nature can enhance health and wellness. Annerstedt and Wahrborg (2011) propose three main kinds of public health effects related to nature: short-term recovery from stress or

The Effect of Globalization on Gendered Violence Against...

Nicole Manuel WST 332 Midterm paper February 25th, 2013 Globalization has impacted women and girls’ health. There are economic systems around the world that contribute to the inequality of genders, which so often leads to the devaluing of women and the cheapening of labor. Women and girls around the world face many barriers to health care because of this. They are also faced with many unfortunate circumstances; which put them at increased health risks and mortality. â€Å"Gendered violence occurs within every continent, country, and cultural context, affects the women of all racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic groups, and is the most pervasive, yet least prosecuted, human rights violation worldwide.† (Patti†¦show more content†¦Her husband then went on an exhausting hunt for her and encountered many obstacles along the way. Women often get sold from one pimp to another for reasons such as not cooperating or failing to perform to their ‘standards’. The woman in the film had refuse d to perform certain sexual acts to a customer and was beaten on the spot by him, and then later by her pimp. Women in the sex trafficking industry are at a heightened danger for HIV infection and other STIs because there is an absence of access to healthcare such as contraceptives, safe abortions, and assistance with reproductive issues. These slave owners have no concern for the wellbeing of their workers and cause severe physical as well as psychological damage. Many women try to escape but are rarely successful, and some go to extreme measures and commit suicide. According to the United Nations, â€Å"(t)he most common form of violence experienced by women globally is physical violence inflicted by an intimate partner. On average, at least one in three women is subjected to intimate partner violence in the course of her lifetime.† (Patti Duncan, 352). As this quote states, whose information comes from studies conducted by the Secretary-General, domestic violence is a major issue around the world. This violence has deep and lasting consequences for the victims and is a large cause of disability and death. Health issues like depression, substance abuse, and attemptedShow MoreRelatedNew Forms Of Extreme Vulnerability1878 Words   |  8 PagesGlobalization processes have created new forms of extreme vulnerability that disproportionately impact the welfare of poor women of color living in border cities. As borders have become increasingly permeable and capitalism has transcended national borders, outsourcing labor has become a common practice within transnational corporatism. 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A particular attention will be payed to sexual violence in wars and to the gender dimension that nationalism and political identity acquire in armed conflicts, especially in what Kaldor defined â€Å"new wars† (Chinkin and Kaldor 2013). The same dichotomies applied to the war field pertain also feminist perspectiveRead MoreWomen s Rights : Women And Public Policy2739 Words   |  11 PagesThe half of world’s population is female and women are actively participating in politics across the globe. However, women are still subjected to men in many ways and still face entrenched inequality. Everyone experience the distinct contrast between masculinity and femininity in everyday and patriarchy is too dominant in most societies. The patriarchal system places masculinity above femininity, and men are privileged as a result. Women s rights are increasingly on the rise. For example, SouthRead MoreTravesti Sex Workers in Brazil2660 Words   |  11 Pagesfemininity. All they think of is how they can be like women and look the same. Guided by this notion, they undergo a series of practices to permanently modify their bodies. Travestis they take hormones and use industrial liquid silicon to broaden their hips and buttocks.1 Later, they undertake several plastic surgeries to enlarge their breasts and retouch any masculine facial features. Nonetheless, this group of people understands they will never be women, and they have no intention of following a differentRead MoreLove, Sex and Gender in the World Religions Essay4945 Words   |  20 Pages Two forces which gathered strength in the last half of the twentieth century now dominate the world religions at the beginning of the twenty-first century. The first is the globalization of religions and their resulting encounter with each other, and the second is the need to redefine attitudes toward gender as women have stepped forward to insist that their full humanity be acknowledged in the religious as well as the social realm. In a process begun in the nineteenth century and acceleratedRead MoreA Brief Note On Gender And Climate Change3247 Words   |  13 Pagesvalues, roles and relations that are considered appropriate for men and women. It also shows what is allowed from a man and woman, and these roles and relations increase the rise of gender differences. This is to ensure that women and men can equally influence, benefit and participate from development and activities on the ground. In 2008, Gender and Climate Change is featured as one of the critical emerging issues for women especially across the globe according to the United Nations Commission.Read MoreThe Trafficking Of Sex Trafficking2280 Words   |  10 Pagesconceptions of trafficked women. Likewise the plight of trafficked children is highlighted much more than women, as female victims receive greater attention than males (Brysk 13). Finally, the rhetoric around sex trafficking has proved to be damaging for the majority of sex workers, who are not victims of trafficking. In her piece, â€Å"Debt-Bondage and Trafficking: Don’t Believe the Hype,† Alison Murray cautions against the overemphasis on sex trafficking, warning against the sensationalism often employed

British Airways Supply Chain free essay sample

Operations and Supply Chain Management ESMT Case Study British Airways: A Journey in Procurement Transformation Q1  In the case what are the challenges faced by the procurement group in coming 2 years ahead? There are several challenges the procurement group faced between 2004 and 2006. First of all, keeping up with the success of the past years, especially the cost and performance improvements and also keeping investors happy (constant increase of share price since the beginning of 2003).Secondly, the procurement group was to face challenges when rationalizing the number of suppliers, building cross business conformity to develop a uniform sourcing process, reduce spending and leveraging it. The roll out of additional tools of Ariba’s spend management solution, which was supposed to cover all spend categories was another challenge. Since it in the beginning only consisted of a small group of suppliers extended over the coming month, which might lead to difficulties when trying to increase conformity with preferred suppliers. Those shall be decreased to 2000, which will make it easier to manage them and also to develop proper sourcing strategies. However integrating the different Ariba system tools represented another challenge, and was important to make sure that orders are based on the same agreed terms. Furthermore the procurement group planned to adjust catalogues. The challenges it faced here were to make ordering simpler, support transactions with preferred suppliers, decrease invoice mismatches, speed up approvals and advance requisition accuracy.In addition to this another future challenge was to rollout to overseas operations and subsidiaries. This would mean another reduction in employee headcount in other divisions and could lead again to resistance to change amongst employees. Therefore change management would be an essential tool to tackle this challenge, while the technical part of the roll out should not be a problem. Q2 What were the solutions proposed and how did they address the problems faced? Solutions proposed were to adapt to a generic sourcing process.Initially it consisted of five tollgates. Later it was reduced to three tollgates, because of heavy workload faced by the persons in charge (External Spend Group) during the review process, which would have compromised the high level of efficiency. It supported a more structured, transparent and responsible workflow, purchasing process and cost controlling. It addressed the until then very liberal management of buyers, who sometimes could authorized spending up to ? 1 million without approval by supervisors. Adapting to a new sourcing process also meant to restructure BA’s organizational purchasing process. In order to do so, additional software for transactional purchasing of services and products was introduced. Until then this process took place through very resource intensive methods. At the time the needed software was still about to develop and it took some time to find the right one. This new software from Ariba (Ariba Buyer) was supposed to fill the gap of efficiently (time and cost) purchasing in the procurement process, which existed in this area.It ran on an external Internet platform, which enabled BA to set up working solutions more quickly. With its ability to combine several management capabilities and to centrally manage the aspects of the procurement process the system addressed the problems originating through the earlier mentioned gap. Another problem faced by BA during the implementation of the procurement transformation program was the resistance to this new process and to use of the software in all areas.It was a constant issue since the search for procurement process software and at the same time ongoing job cuts of the â€Å"Future Size and Shape† initiative in the year 2000. Three years later BA started to tackle the problem by showing the advantages of Ariba Buyer, offering support (e. g. call centre for buyers) and training (â€Å"Learning Programme†). A very successful tool became the â€Å"Z-card†. It was a small enough card to be carried around everywhere and explained in pictures and simple language the steps of the new process and strategy. It also explained how this new development fit with the â€Å"Future Size and Shape† initiative. Q3  What indications are there that the changes worked? 1999-2004 In 2003, a rapid increase of strategic procurement processes showed that the implementation of the five tollgates had worked. Also the support services for buyers like the call centre turned out to be a success with over 100 calls per day. The change in procurement strategy and process had also a positive impact on the bottom-line. Procurement savings had steadily increased since the start of the change in 1999.In 2001/2002 the new development lead to savings of about ? 50 million. Just three years later in 2004/2005 it had increased by four times to ? 200 million of savings. With such a development the cost for Ariba Buyer was returned in just five months. Another indication that the changes worked showed rapid increase of orders trough the Ariba Buyer system in the second half of 2003. Several additional benefits indicated that the changes had worked. Such as more transparent spending, which shows a rise in orders processed via Ariba Buyer.This also reduced the amount of suppliers used until then by 63% in 2003. Another increase was recorded in contract compliance, where preferred suppliers started to become part of the daily business, not just reducing off contract spending and resulting in lower prices for goods and services purchased, but also reducing administrative efforts through fewer contracts. With better information on purchasing spend, it was possible to analyse which amount was spend for which supplier and product. This enabled the procurement group to start leveraging purchasing power and therefore save costs in different areas like in-flight catering in the US (15%), ground fuel at the London airports (22%) and crew accommodation in the US (17%). Also internally processing costs have been decreased, with a positive affect on error rates, transaction cost (decreased by 48%) and order-processing time, with most of the orders being transacted electronically. This gives employees more time to concentrate on value-add activities, leading to higher employee productivity. Since the workflow had been optimized less workforce was needed.Therefore BA was able to reduce headcount employed especially in procurement and safe additional costs. Q4  What could have been done differently? The procurement team should have been rigorous about the usage of Ariba Buyer right from the beginning at the implementation of the software. This could have been done by closely monitoring the usage of the software by buy ers, but also by making sure that employees actually know how to use it and what the purpose of the software is. This could have been easily achieved by training workforce and supporting the software right from the beginning as ell. The time taken until reinforcing measures (like in 2003 for tighter NDI controls) was too long. During this time buyers were too greatly empowered with too much freedom about their decision-making. Also the introduction of the tollgates came very late in the process and should have been already in place when the new software was launched. The people in charge should have also been proactive with promoting the procurement transformation programme right from the beginning amongst employees, by introducing the intentions and goals something like the â€Å"Z-card† right at the beginning.This would have decreased resistance against the change. Also one should have thought chosen a different time to introduce the â€Å"Future Size and Shape† initiative, which at the time was just another change and caused additional resistance. The start of this initiative right at the beginning of the procurement transformation programme would have been better. Or one should have waited until people have adjusted to the initial changes and then come up with this scheme.

No child left behind

Introduction As one of the federal government’s most sweeping changes to education in a generation, the No Child Left behind Act (NCLB) was signed into law by President George W. Bush on January 8, 2002. This bill provides nearly $1 billion a year over the next five years to strengthen public schools (FDOE 1).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on No child left behind specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This research paper explores the Act, answering questions that are aimed at gathering sufficient and relevant information within the context of the research topic. Some of the issues covered in include an explanation of the law, the impact of the law and adaptation of various systems to accommodate the law. NCLB Act Abbreviated as NCLB, No Child Left Behind is an Act of Congress in the United States which revolves around the accessibility and quality of education by children in public schools around the cou ntry. Although the bill was ratified by President Obama, it is important to note that it was initially proposed when George W. Bush became the President of the United States (Bagley 1). At the time of its proposal, the bill received an overwhelming majority support in the Congress, probably because of the expected impact it was to have in transforming the education sector. Principally, NCLB encourages reforms, which are based on high standards that are viewed as fundamental requirements of improving the outcomes of the education system. The bill further emphasizes the need of developing basic skills among students in public schools. As a result, states are supposed to have ways of assessing these skills among students in every grade for them to qualify for state funding (Bagley 1). However, the act does not set expected national standards and allows states to set their own standards based on a wide range of factors that may vary from one state to another. Because of the implications of the bill to the entire education system, funding allocation has continuously been rising since 2001. Another important point notable from the bill is its recognition of good performance among students as a proof of the work done by individual teachers in different schools. As a result, Adequate Yearly Progress is essential, especially for those schools around the country that are recognized under title â€Å"I† as defined in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. If a school experience recurring poor results yearly, the act recommends several steps to be implemented in improving the standards of the school to a reasonable level recognized by the state (NEA 1).Advertising Looking for research paper on administrative law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In line with Adequate Yearly Progress, schools which experience poor performance in two years consecutively are considered to be in need of improvement an d are expected to come up with an improvement plan that would run for two years for those subjects which the schools seem not to be teaching well. Additionally, students are given an option of seeking to transfer to another better school as long as the school does exist in his or her district (NEA 1). In the event the school does not realize AYP for the third year, the act recommends that such schools should establish free tutoring programmes with an aim of helping poor-performing students. On the other hand, a â€Å"correction† is recommended for a school that fails to attain the AYP for the fourth year. This action may include overall replacement of teachers, replacement of the existing curriculum and an allowance to have affected students spend more time in class. In extreme and almost impossible case, schools failing for the sixth year are put under reconstruction as provided in the No Child Left Behind Act. In balancing, the bill with its practical applicability, it is t he responsibility of the state to ensure that every school has qualified teachers. Additionally, a â€Å"one high standard† is supposed to be set for all students, and every state is mandated to decide this kind of standard. However, all outlined standards of the education curriculum have to be applied to all students equally around the state (NEA 1). Impact of the Law The law is believed to have a significant impact in the entire education sector. This impact has been felt by both teachers, students, districts and all education stakeholders. The first implication of the No Child Left Behind Bill is increased accountability required of all public schools and teachers around the country (NEA 1). According to the bill, every school must show quantifiable improvement in the performance of students in order to prove its efforts throughout every fiscal year. This is accompanied by measures discussed above that mainly affect non-performing schools and teachers (U.S. Department of E ducation 1). The law further supports reduction of funding in cases where schools do not show any performance progress. The main purpose of this action is to enable teachers and all stakeholders to understand the immense significance of the education system to the nation (U.S. Department of Education 1).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on No child left behind specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Additionally, the law makes it possible to have a link between students’ standards and state academic content. Furthermore, it insists that all schools should establish measuring mechanisms in order to tell the performance of students at every grade starting from the third up to the eighth (U.S. Department of Education 1). Beyond this stage of learning, the performance of students in high schools has to be determined at least once. Another impact is that it allows access of academic information of students by th eir parents through issuance of report cards. These report cards clearly indicate the Adequate Yearly Performance to enable parents to understand the progress of their sons and daughters. In addition, the school is obligated to disclose the professional level of the teacher to the parent to win the confidence of parents. Besides having set standards for schools and teachers around the country, the bill also impacts students in various ways. Unlike in cases where schools denied students opportunities to transfer to another school within the district, the No Child Left Behind bill allows bright students in schools that are unable to meet the Adequate Yearly Progress to transfer to better ones within the district (Bagley 1). Otherwise, schools are supposed to execute performance strategies like free tutoring and increased time, especially for those students who have weak performance standards. Conclusion No Child Education Bill is one of the most praised bills that promise to transform the American education system and make it performance-oriented. By insisting on performance standards, the government acknowledges the need to link resources and performance. In other words, its funding of the public education system has to be reflected through good performance from students through the efforts of schools and teachers. By holding schools and teachers accountable for the performance of students, the law echoes the role of a teacher that goes beyond class work teaching. However, in its continuous implementation, performance measuring parameters have to remain harmonized to promote fair gauging of students’ performance across states. Works Cited Bagley, Jennifer. â€Å"No Child Left Behind.† Education Week. 2004. Web.Advertising Looking for research paper on administrative law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More FDOE. â€Å"No Child Left Behind Act.† Florida Department of Education, 2005. Web. NEA. â€Å"No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).† National Education Association, 2011. Web. U.S. Department of Education. â€Å"Elementary and Secondary Education Act.† U.S. Department of Education, 2011. Web. This research paper on No child left behind was written and submitted by user T0adMen to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. No Child Left Behind Purpose Students with severe disabilities need special education to ensure that â€Å"No Child Left Behind† policy provisions are fulfilled. As a result, educators should use evidence-based instructional strategies to ensure that students with disabilities demonstrate educational progress during yearly assessment as provided in the NCLB educational provisions.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on No Child Left Behind specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The US educational policy requires schools to demonstrate that students in grade 3 through 8 make adequate yearly progress (AYP) towards proficiency in mathematics and literacy. However, demonstrating AYP and evaluating progress on academic content standards for students with disabilities is challenging. Browder and Cooper-Duffy (2003) argue that â€Å"although research is now emerging on states’ alternate assessment practices, many questions remain ab out how best to measure the progress of students with severe disabilities on state academic standards (p. 157). The purpose of this research is to determine evidence-based practices that educators can use to teach students with severe disabilities to enable them show adequate yearly progress (AYP) as well as progress in academic content standards. In addressing the research topic, the authors reviewed numerous literatures with information about the educational needs of students with disabilities. They conducted the study with the intention to identify evidence-based instructional support that students with disabilities need to demonstrate annual progress. Design Throughout the study, the researchers used secondary research strategy to address the research objectives. They evaluated the previous literatures that address various empirical research studies on evidence-based practices for students with severe disabilities in relation to NCLB provisions. To begin with, the authors evalua ted and compared research on skills acquisition for students with disabilities. Second, the researchers evaluated the literature on instructional strategies that promote the students’ adequate annual progress. They discovered that numerous studies exist that demonstrate that students with disabilities can acquire skill through mastering technique (Horner, Carr, Halle, McGee, Odom, Wolery, 2005). Team planning was identified as another core aspect that promotes annual progress for students with disabilities. Finally, the researchers assessed the literature on evidence-based practices that would ensure that students with disabilities achieve learning objectives successfully (Browder Cooper-Duffy, 2003). The findings on evidence-based strategies for teaching students with disabilities were compiled, compared, and the conclusions were derived based on the empirical results.Advertising Looking for book review on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Findings and Conclusions The data from the studies indicated that educators can use evidence-based practices to promote skill acquisition and learning for students with disabilities. The use of instructional support for which scientific evidence has been obtained was found to play an important role in enhancing learning for students with disabilities (Odom, 2005). This study concentrated on two aspects of instructional support namely: how skills are defined and how skills are taught (Browder Cooper-Duffy, 2003). The researchers discovered that defining skills aligned with academic content standards required educators to employ the research foundation available for functional skills. This approach mainly targets skills mastery whereby the targeted skill can include a chained response, a pivotal response, or a single, discrete response. Furthermore, the authors discovered that the yearly process assessment for students with severe disabilities can be attained by focusing on specific responses that are taught to mastery. In addition, it was found that students with disabilities need individualized instruction besides cooperative learning activities to cement their academic understanding, and enable them to meet expectations for yearly progress. The research provides that the use of assistive technology can enable students with disabilities expand their use of symbolic communication that is related to mathematics, science, and reading. The authors also found that the students’ yearly progress can be enhanced through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) (Browder Cooper-Duffy, 2003). Lastly, the study discovered that the instructors can use time delays to teach students with severe disabilities how to arrange objects and match them to the pictures on a communication board for request generation. This was identified as an example of self-instructional strategy that students with disabilities could use to perform f amily routines without assistance (Odom, 2005). The article provides a snapshot of the evidence-based practices for students with severe disabilities in relation to NCLB requirements. The study did not show clearly how the states would define progress for students with severe cognitive disabilities relating to the state standards in academics. Therefore, the research leaves gaps that will need to be studied in the future. Critique This article provides evidence-based strategies for teaching students with disabilities from previous empirical studies. Although the strategies are discussed in depth, it would be better if the researchers conducted primary research to determine the teachers’ experiences and collect raw data for evaluation and analysis.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on No Child Left Behind specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, the evidence-based practices provided in the article could be beneficial and provide a solid foundation for future research on evidence-based practices for students with severe disabilities in relation to NCLB provisions. The article provides that students with severe disabilities can acquire skills in a general educational class through cooperation, but it does not provide insight on evidence-based practices that could apply to students with multiple cognitive disabilities (Browder Cooper-Duffy, 2003). Through this article, educators can identify the evidence based practices they may employ in teaching students with severe disabilities and enhance their learning. I concur with the suggestions that the use of augmentative alternative communication, time delays activities, and assistive technologies are among the evidence-based educational strategies that can promote the instruction of students with severe disabilities. References Browder, M.D., Cooper-Duffy, K. (2003). Evidence-based practices for students with severe disabilities and the requirement for accountability in â€Å"No Child Left Behind†. The Journal of Special Education, 7(3): 157-163. Horner, R. H., Carr, E.G., Halle, J., McGee, G., Odom, S., Wolery, M. (2005). The use of single-subject research to identify evidence-based practice in special education. Exceptional Children, 71(2), 165-179. Odom, S.L. (2005). Research in special education: Scientific methods and evidence-based practices. Exceptional Children, 71(2), 137-148. This book review on No Child Left Behind was written and submitted by user Maximilian Duke to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.