Disaster Management Paper 1.4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Disaster Management Paper 1.4 - Essay Example Security procedures enhance security and the whole preparedness to thwart, react and recover from the underlying acts of catastrophe. Insurance program enables individuals to be put under appropriate insurance life assurance cover in case of any incident. External actions incorporate emergency management office, fire department, police department, emergency medical services, telephone companies and electricity utility. The management office will aids in handling the victims and connecting with the families and diverse offices regarding the emergency (Collins, 2000). Moreover, it will coordinate all the operations of the rescue with all the existing parties. Fire department will aids in putting off the fire within the metropolitan city thus mitigating the underlying situations. It will coordinate all the processes of fire within the city and the kind of the precautions that ought to be taken depending on the type of the fire within the city. Police department will aids in securing the scene to prevent further injuries thus bringing the situation under control. Moreover, it will keep people out of the crime scene and keeping the people at bay from the place of accident. Emergency medical services will aids in offering immediate medication to the people affected to avoid health risks (Collins, 2000). The people involved in the accident will be given first medical attention before taking them to the hospital. The expertise will also handle the situations thereby mitigating health risk. Telephones companies will coordinate will all the operations of the involved parties thus facilitating the entire operation of rescue in time of the accident within the metropolitan

Human Resource Is the Most Important Assest in an Organization Essay Example for Free

Human Resource Is the Most Important Assest in an Organization Essay Human resources are the set of individuals who makes up the workforce of an organization, business sector or an economy. This resource resides in the skill, knowledge and motivation of people and under the right condition it improves in age and experience which no other resources can do. It is therefore considered the most productive resources that can create the longest advantages for an organization. For an organization to sustain and grow they do not only rely on advanced technology, good marketing strategy and other factors etc. In fact, they have to rely on their employee performance, contribution and image. As in most organization, they are mainly human orientated. Thus, without their support and contribution to the business operation, the organization daily business operation will not be functioning well. Christina. P (2009) mentioned that organizational psychology holds that successful organizations do not owe their success solely to market realities and sustainable competitive advantages. Actually, there is a lot more. Successful companies are those that consider their human capital as their most important asset. Facts and figures are the quantitative elements of successful management, yet the qualitative, i.e. the cognitive aspects, are those that actually make or break an organization Here are a few factors that explain how human resource can contribute to an organization to help them meet their future goals and expectations. Firstly, having strategic human resource planning. It is a process that identifies current and future human resources needs for an organization to achieve its goals. Reilly (2003) define human resource planning as: ‘A process in which an organization attempts to estimate the demand for labour and evaluate the size, nature and sources of supply which will be required to meet the demand.’ Without human resource planning, an organization may not be ready and well prepared for the future challenges ahead. Secondly, by having a positive working environment. In order to allow employees to contribute to the organization it is important to create a positive environment for the employees so as to ensure the smooth running of business of an organization. For instance, encouraging employee to go for lunch break on time, taking short breaks in between during working hours if there is too much stress, minimal overtime work. Such work practice will actually motivates employees to contributes more to the organization as they are not overwork or over stress. As mentioned by David.I (2009), â€Å"work environment, employee satisfaction and employee turnover are three distinct concepts that are inseparably linked; workplace environments greatly influence employee satisfaction, which in turn directly affects employee turnover rates. Knowing how to use a positive work environment to increase employee satisfaction and reduce turnover is a key to developing a high-performance workforce.† Thirdly, continuous learning within an organization. It is important for an organization to promote and send their employees of different level to attend workshops and courses. This is to allow employees to have an opportunity to learn new skills and to continue to upgrade themselves regardless of their age. Without the right knowledge or skill in a certain organization, employees may not be able to contribute to the organization more effectively. As mentioned by Robert J.V (2006), â€Å"a learning organization embraces a culture of lifelong learning, enabling all employees to continually acquire and share knowledge. Improvements in product or service quality do not stop when proper training is provided to the employees. Employees need to have the financial, time and content resources available to increase their knowledge.â€Å" Lastly, by having attractive benefits and compensation. Pay and benefits are the most important incentives that organization can offer to employees in exchange for a more productivity and quality contribution to the organization. Employees should also be rewarded when they have accomplished a big assignment for their hard work and efforts to the organization as this attractive benefits and compensation will also help booze the employee morale. At the same time, they will feel appreciated by the organization where they may contribute more to the organization in future. If employees are not satisfied with the level of compensation or benefit, they may not be motivated to work and the level of standard for quality and productivity will definitely be low. As mentioned by Rebecca. L (2012),† when your workers feel you’re looking out for them, they’ll look out for you, too, by producing higher quality work and staying in their jobs longer. Providing good benefits packages—which might include retirement, health care or dental plans—is a tangible way to show employees that you value them and their quality of life. Sure, the rising cost of benefits has made offering an attractive package more difficult for small businesses, but there are still ways to offer competitive packages to recruit and retain the best workers while staying within your budget.† In conclusion, â€Å"Human Resource† is the most important asset of an organization as it plays an important role in every aspect .It is the backbone of an organization, without human resource the organization will not be able to function well and may not succeed in the future challenges.

The Siege by Helen Dunmore - Chapter 17 Essay Example for Free

The Siege by Helen Dunmore Chapter 17 Essay The chapter begins with Anna sharing how she feels about winter and the snow. Anna has always loved the first snowfall of winter. She knows as soon as dawn comes that it’ll be today. The sky remains dark, with a yellow tinge to the clouds. The light has a sharp, raw edge. Everything is waiting, silent and expectant. Snow will come. She thinks the snow will wipe away all mistakes. Light will stream upwards from the immaculate white of the ground. When the first snow falls, Anna always goes to the Summer Garden. There, the noise of the city is muffled, and the park is eerily luminous. Small, naked ­looking sparrows hop from twig to twig, dislodging a powder of snow. The trees are lit up like candelabra by the whiteness they hold in their arms. Underfoot, she hears for the first time the squeak of snow packing into the treads of her boots. She bends down, scoops up a handful of the new snow, throws it up into the air and watches it scatter into powdery fragments as it falls for the second time. And although she’s cold and she ought to get home, she always stays much longer than she means to, because she knows that this feeling won’t come again for another year. The snow will continue to fall, thaw, freeze, turn grey with use, be covered again and again by fresh blizzards. But nothing again will have the freshness, exhilaration and loneliness of the first snowfall. She’s the one thing still warm and alive in a world which is going to sleep. She looks up, into the snow which spirals down the steep funnels of the sky, whirls into her face, lands on her eyelashes and melts into tears. And then she goes back to the apartment, along streets where trams are already thrashing the new, soft snow into slush. Children skid around street ­corners, yelling, their faces blazing crimson. Soon it’ll be time for skis and sledges. And tomorrow, when she wakes, the snow will be thick and crusted with ice. The sun will be out, and all the shadows will be blue. This is how she has welcomed the snow every year of her life. But this year she will not welcome it in that way. The first snow falls on the fourteenth of October, drifting down through the sky and settling on the ruins of shelled houses, on to tank ­traps, machine ­gun nests and heaps of rubble. The snow is silent, but ominous. No one knows, this year, whether it will be an enemy or a friend. The Russian winter defeated Napoleon, people say to one another. Perhaps it will defeat Hitler, too. A ring of siege grips the city. Nothing comes in, nothing goes out. And in the suburbs, within sight, the Germans have dug themselves in. There they stay, hunkered down for winter in deep trenches, behind defended firing ­positions. The Germans have always been good at digging trenches, say older Leningraders who fought in the last war. Luxury trenches, they have, with carpets and chairs and pictures hanging on the walls. There they squat in the outskirts of Leningrad, like wolves at the mouth of a cave. They pour shells on to the city, but they do not advance any farther. This is blockade. swinging their arms. They write letters to their families, saying that they’ll be home soon, when they have won the war. Behind them, unbroken supply lines stretch all the way back to Berlin. The Germans are altering their rolling ­stock to fit Russian railway lines. They have got the harvests of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on hand, and they can wait as long as they have to. An iron ring squeezes around the besieged city, slowly throttling it. Marina and Anna talk about Marina’s roles, and how she played so many roles, one including Cordelia in For My Cordelia. ‘Oh Anna, I played so many roles. I kept it for the stone, not for the inscription. Besides, I never identified with the character. I am much too aggressive. I would have taken Lear by the shoulders and shaken some sense into him. That kind of vanity amounts to madness, don’t you think? All of us are to grovel on the floor declaring our love for our great leader. But of course, you have to find a way into every part.’ Q: How much money do they have left? A: Five Hundred. Q: What is one role that Marina potrayed? A: Cordelia in For My Cordelia

Reckitt Benckiser plc

Reckitt Benckiser plc History In 1814 Jeremiah Colman begins milling flour and mustard in Norwich, UK. Jeremiah then diversifies in the mid-century into starch, wheat flour and laundry blue. Johann A. Benckiser founded Benckiser in 1823 from industrial chemicals. Isaac Reckitt rented and then later bought a starch mill in hull in 1848. He diversified into other household products and became the owner of starch, washing blue and black lead for polishing. After his death his four sons took his place. Then in 1888 Reckitt Sons was first launched on the London Stock Exchange. Reckitt Sons merged with J J Colman to become Reckitt Colman Ltd in 1938 and then finally in 1999 Reckitt Colman plc and Benckiser N.V. merged to become Reckitt Benckiser plc The worlds no. 1 in house hold cleaning. Introduction Reckitt Benckiser plc is a United Kingdom based company which was formed with the merger of Reckitt Colman, plc. and Benckiser N.V. Reckitt Benckiser Inc. manufactures markets and sells household, cleaning and specialty food products in North America. These products include LYSOL ® cleaners and disinfectants, RESOLVE ® cleaners, SPRAYNWASH ® laundry stain removers and FRENCHS ® mustard. Reckitt Benckiser plc is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of cleaning products and a member of the FTSE 100 index of the largest companies traded on the London Stock Exchange. It is headquartered in the town of Slough just to the west of Greater London. Reckitt Benckiser has operations in more than sixty countries and sells its products in more than 180 countries. Turnover for the year to 31 December 2004 was  £ 3,871 million. Profits before tax were  £770 million, and net profits were  £586 million. The company focuses on high margin products and has shown strong growth in earnings per share in recent years. At 31 August 2005, it had a market capitalisation of  £12.4 billion. Vision and Future Strategy According to Reckitt Benckiser, â€Å"We are a truly global company with a consumer- oriented vision, with operations in 60 countries, sales in 180 countries and et revenues in excess of  £4 billion† The vision is to passionately deliver better solutions in household cleaning and health, personal care of the ultimate purpose of creating shareholders value. Reckitt Benckiser has an exciting future where the people and the companys brands can continue to deliver profitable growth to the benefit of employees and shareholders. The main strategy is to focus on household cleaning, to maintain a clear strategy for profitable top line growth, plan and define the program for improved financial returns and to develop a strong focused team. The organisations vision is also to keep delivering better products to consumers that improve their lives at crucial moments and specially to drive sales growth through focus and constant innovation while optimising costs to expand margins and profi ts. Way of working in Reckitt Benckiser is open and direct. Nothing is sacred. Thats the way they have built market leading brands across the world. They challenge each other in an open and direct way, sharing ideas, solutions and best practice. They hire people who recognize the need to beat the competition every time but who understand that the competition doesnt include their colleagues. They look for diverse characters that spark off each other, are creative and generate fresh thinking. Environmental Analysis Reckitt Benckiser is dedicated to running its business in a responsible, environmentally sound and sustainable manner. It is recognized that Reckitts processes and products have both direct and indirect environmental impacts. v Political and Legal Business decisions are also influenced by political and legal forces, which determine the rules by which business is conducted. Political forces play a major role in international markets, where decisions by government can often have profound implications for companies. [David Jobber 2nd Edition] Political action, then, in the form of legislation and less formal directives, can have a profound influence on business conduct. Reckitt and Benckiser perhaps more than any organisation reacts to the political and legal situations. Spread in 60 countries Reckitt and Benckiser has to take care of different policies and government laws in each of the different country. [Policy Reports 2006] The household and health personal care industry is heavily regulated by, inter alia, the European Union, the United States government and individual country governments elsewhere. Ingredients, manufacturing standards, labour standards, product safety, marketing and advertising claims are all subject to d etailed and developing regulation. Reckitt and Benckiser publish its annual financial statements in sterling but conducts business in many foreign currencies. As a result, it is subject to foreign currency exchange risk due to the effects that exchange rate movements have on the translation of the results and the underlying net assets of its foreign subsidiaries. v Ecological Reckitt and Benckiser has a real commitment of running their business in a responsible, environmentally sound and sustainable manner. The strategy is to realise the opportunities and manage the risks that arise from the environmental impacts of the business in order to achieve continuous improvement in our environmental performance and progress towards environmental sustainability. Its is a new project of the business to plant more than two million trees in over 15 square kilometres of new forests and to make more than 8 billion products which will be produces globally from ‘carbon neutral. [Simeon Goldstien 2007] v Technological Reckitt and Benckiser is increasingly building a business that they can be proud of. The products and the business are a force for good in the world. This includes powerful and developing track record on sustainability through initiatives such as the Trees for Change programme on carbon reduction, or the ‘reduce energy and water programme on automatic dishwashing. The business is planning to get more of the recent available technologies in order to improve production methods of the company that will later result into higher sale and our brand will be able to compete other brands available in the market. In 2006 our factory commissioned the Companys first solar panel which is working alongside the highly efficient Combined Heat and Power energy plant. Another plant was setup in South Korea at Reckitt and Benckiser factory iksan. Renewable energy is helping the organization to meet and exceed their target of a 20 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from out manufacturing energy use by 2010. [Accounts : 2006] v Social Reckitt Benckiser recognises its accountability to the community in which it operates and seeks to actively support and enrich these communities. Our community involvement policy sets out the broad principles through which we support community work throughout our operations. Our annual newsletter on our community involvement demonstrates how we are turning these principles into action and making There should be a positive contribution to the societies in which we live and work. Reckitt Benckiser continues to invest over  £1 million per year towards projects that really make a difference to people in the communities in which we operate around the world. As well as the company providing much needed financial support, our people also give unselfishly of their time on a range of projects that assist those who can benefit from some help and support. v Economical The un-audited financial information is prepared in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and on the basis of the IFRS accounting policies that the Directors intend to use in the 2006 annual report. This basis is subject to amendment by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The Directors have chosen not to early adopt International Accounting Standard 34: Interim Financial Reporting (IAS 34). Consequently the financial information in this interim report is not presented in accordance with IAS 34. This consolidated financial information has been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of financial assets and liabilities at fair value through the Group income statement subject to the Groups hedge accounting policies. The results and net assets of the Groups subsidiary in Zimbabwe have been excluded from the consolidated Group results. This is on the basis that the Group does not consider the Zimbabwean business to be a subsidiary due to the loss of power to govern the financial and operating policies of the Zimbabwean business and to the restrictions on remitting funds out of the country. Results for 2005 (half and full year) and 2006 half year, and the balance sheets as at 30 June 2005, 31 December 2005 and 30 June 2006, were insignificant. Risks The Companys new product pipeline may not generate consumer- relevant innovation and improvement to fuel growth and build market shares. There are possibilities that management turnover might significantly increase. Another possibility that information technology systems may be disrupted or may fail, despite the companys disaster recovery processes, interfering with the Companys ability to conduct its business. Customers, mainly large retailers, may decide to de-list the Companys brands, or not participate in the active promotion of the brands through in-store programmes. Product Quality Safety is very essential and failures in product quality controls could potentially lead to damage to the reputation of and trust in the Companys brands. Most product and raw material supply chains present a number of potential reputation risks relating to labour standards, raw material sourcing, and the social, ethical and environmental performance of the third party manufacturers and suppliers. There should be effective recruitment process in order to attract the best from the market. They should introduce compensation program to retain the valued employees by market competitive salary, incentives, bonuses and protective programs. Training programs are very essential in all type of business; they should carry out training to the employees for continuous development of employee skills. Recommendations The following recommendations have been recommended after a thorough analysis of the Environment: Decision making at Reckitt Benckiser should be decentralized. On company platform each department is involved in decisions related to products. For example in case of new product launch, cost department determines the cost of new product, marketing department decides if it can sell the product at the given price. Suppliers are involved if they can provide the raw materials for the new product and distributors are involved to effectively distribute the product. Thus each department is involved but participation of the finance department is fundamental because if the cost calculated for the new product is too high accounting department would give the critical decision of not launching the product no matter how innovative the initial idea was. Conclusion Based on the strength of the business they expect net revenue growth for the full year of around 15% at constant exchange (base  £4,179m) and are upgrading their targeted adjusted net income growth (base  £653m) to 14%, at actual exchange. Net revenues grew 18% (15% constant) to  £2,386m. The underlying business (excluding BHI) grew 8% (6% constant). †¢ BHI contributed net revenues of  £204m. Restructuring costs for the BHI acquisition were  £57m. †¢ Operating profit as reported increased 6% to  £367m. Operating profit before restructuring charges increased 23% to  £424m. †¢ Net income as reported was 3% lower at  £261m. Earnings per share for the period were 1% lower at 35.5 pence. Net income before restructuring increased 13% to  £303m. EPS diluted, before restructuring grew 15% to 41.2p. †¢ Cash generated from operations increased 30% to  £616m. Net borrowings at the half year were  £795m. †¢ The interim dividend will be increased 14% to 20.5 pence per share and the Company is committed to its  £300m share buyback program this year. [Annual Report 2006] List of References Accounts 2006 http://www.reckittbenckiser.com/Sites/annual_report_2006/site/alternate/rb_txt_changeit.html Policy Reports 2006 http://www.reckittbenckiser.com/RBTemplates/CorporateResponsibilityReports.aspx?pageid=262 David Jobber, Principles of Marketing, Second Edition. Business and Human rights http://www.business-humanrights.org/Categories/Individualcompanies/R/ReckittBenckiser Simeon Goldstien 2007 http://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/764320/Reckitt-Benckiser-combat-consumer-carbon-use/ [Word Count: 1,911]

The Civil Rights Movement: We Can All Live in Peace :: Black struggle for civil rights in America

What is the key to understanding? Is it knowing what our predecessors were thinking? Or is simply just trying to put ourselves in their place. Whatever the case may be, understanding our history is vital in the progression of civilization. In an era when color was everything, understanding our history is what makes life in America today-so beautiful.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the time of the Civil Rights Movement, the blacks wanted to be free, but the whites wanted to suppress them. The whites were willing to go to any lengths to campaign their ideas of white supremacy. From research it can be learned, that from that movement, to some - it was more than a movement, it was a war for freedom. â€Å" I lived in a time when the white man was our ruler, but he could not suppress me any longer. I refused to get up for that white man, he and I were not seen as equals from societies eyes, but god gave us both red blood in our veins.† (Rosa Parks: Autobiography pg. 23) Rosa Parks was just one of the many powerful spirits that lit the way for many to freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was probably the most influential during this time period. He touched people of all kinds. Blacks, whites, and people of all races were inspired by the way King could move his audiences. Even John F. Kennedy was seen walking down the street with King listening to a personal sermon. Although Kennedy was only president for a little over one-thousand days before he was assassinated, perhaps the most important of his achievements was his support for civil rights and his effort to move the United States away from racial segregation and toward freedom and equal rights for all Americans. Kennedy and King had the same â€Å"dream†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In an era when color was everything, understanding our history is what makes life in America today-so beautiful. The communication between races was done through many different attempts by both parties. Protests, secret coding, public seminars, speeches, and using the goodness of one’s heart, were just some of the many ways races attempted to communicate. The nation has grown and learned from the men and women that fought for equal rights, and it shows. Interracial couples are getting married each and every day. Blacks and Whites may sit together on the bus in the front or the back.

Kudler Fine Foods Case Study :: Kudler Fine Foods Case Study Analysis

Kudler Fine Foods is an organization that wants to evolve and mature as a company and implement practices that illustrate their growth as a company. One particular practice that Kudler Foods wants to implement is reaching out and contracting to local farmers to gain access to organic foods for sell within all three branches of Kudler Foods (UOP,2008). By implementing such a new system changes will have to be made primarily within the company’s operations management. This paper will discuss the needed changes and alterations that need to occur in order to maintain their efficiency as a company. In addition to the operations management changes, supply chain, quality control tools and performance standards will also be accessed in regards to how they are impacted by the introduction of the sale of organic foods. Operations management is the process an organization uses to obtain the materials or ideas for the product that it provides, the process of transforming them into a prod uct, and the process of providing the final product to a user (Gomez-Meija & Balkin, 2002). Under operations management there are 3 stages that consists of the process that a company typically accesses or follows through with. They include: acquiring inputs, controlling the conversion process, and delivering the output (Gomez-Meija & Balkin, 2002). In the eyes of Kudler Foods, acquiring inputs would be receiving organic foods from local farmers and growers. Acquiring product for Kudler Foods is typically done by purchasing from distribution centers and warehouses. Each of the managers will individually place an order with suppliers using a standard purchase order form based on their department’s needs or wants (UOP, 2008). In terms of price, there is not a standard price for items. Department Managers are just instructed to find the best possible price leaving disparities in costs between each store. With the implementation of organic foods, Kudler Foods should consider setti ng universal accepted prices amongst the stores and local farmers. The managers should still order their products based on their stores supply and demand. A universal or joint ordering system can result in waste or unused products. Organic foods is a special circumstance item because typically especially products such as produce, they have a short shelf-life. Which becomes especially important when purchasing organic foods, which is widely known to be more expensive than non-organic foods (2002) So, it would be best to keep the separate ordering system in place.

History of Home Schooling Essay -- essays papers

History of Home Schooling Before public schools emerged, children were educated in the home by their parents. They were taught arithmetic, practical skills, and to read and write. Some wealthy families preferred hiring a tutor for their children (Koetzsch, 1997). In the 1840s, prominent leaders such as Horace Mann lead a movement to institute public schools in the United States (Thattai, 2001). These reformers argued that public schools would create good citizens, unite society, and prevent crime and poverty. As a result of their efforts, public elementary schools evolved in American society by the end of the 19th century. Massachusetts was the first state to pass a compulsory attendance law, ruling that all children had to attend at least elementary school (Thattai, 2001). By 1918, all states had the compulsory attendance law. Catholics weren’t happy with the public education system, so they instituted private schools (Thattai, 2001). When public institutions emerged, home schooling nearly vanished in the United States (Koetzsch, 1997). Education critics began voicing concerns about public schools in the 1960’s (Hess, 2002). Some of the complaints against public schools included, preaching alien values, failing to adequately educate, and adopting unhealthy approaches to child development (Hess, 2002). Many parents joined the de- schooling movement based on a popular book by John Holt called How Children Learn. John Holt was a professor in Boston, who believed that children are born with the desire to learn and educate themselves. The book states that all children need the following for a successful education; materials, access to the â€Å"real world†, emotional support, freedom to explore, and time to assess idea... ...ws of home schooling in the state of Maryland. The article included a summary of the Maryland education code. Home school facts. (2005). Home Education Magazine, 25. Home Education Magazine is a popular magazine among home school parents and children. It explores all aspects of home schooling. The article that I used for my research paper did not specify and author. Number of home schooled students rises. (2004, August 4). The New York Times, A14. This newspaper article describes the increase of home schooling in the United States through a recent survey. The article does not specify an author. Interview with Brigitte Mankiewicz, home school parent. March 21, 2005. I interviewed Brigitte Mankiewicz about what it is like to be a home school parent. She answered questions regarding the positive and negative aspect of home schooling.