Cost Sheet

We take this opportunity to thank Prof Jayesh Jain for giving us an insight , his valuable advice , timely suggestions and constant support throughout the project. We would also like to thank Mr. Raj Raut who is into the ice-cream business for the valuable information that he shared with us ,which proved to be very helpful while preparing the project ABSTRACT This project report is prepared to study the cost analysis of Amul ice cream and to formulate the cost sheet to find the per unit cost of a single Amul ice cream cup of 100 gm(fruit and nut). Our colleagues uncle also helped us in finding the various cost involved in manufacturing ice cream and we also got information from www. amulicecream. in.OVERVIEW OF ICE-CREAM INDUSTRY History:- The ice cream industry is mainly governed by the prevention of food and adulteration act (PFA)-1954 in India. The ice cream market growth picked up after de-reservation of the sector in 1997. History of Indian ice-cream industry is very old started in un-organized sector and mainly the popular product was kulfi. New technologies and freezers are the main force behind the development. Future is bright for ice-cream industry in India. Production –area:- In rural areas, kulfis / ice creams made by small / cottage industry are popular. The market for organized sector is restricted to large metropolitan cities.In small towns and villages, there are thousands of small players who produce ice- creams / kulfis in their home backyard and cater to the local market. Almost 40% of the ice creams sold in the country are consumed in the western region with Mumbai being the main market, followed by 30% in the north and 20% in the south. Industry Snapshot:- †¢ Market Size – 1200 Crores †¢ Ice Cream market is growing at 26% (yoy) Major players:- 1. Amul – Market Leader with share of 36% 2. HLL – Kwality Walls – 2nd biggest player 3. Mother Diary 4. Arun – Chennai Based Hatsun Agro Product Fe w Brands/ Target Consumers 1. Youth Centric – Chillz 2. Kids – Moo 3. Teenagers – Cornetto 4. Health Conscious – Amul Sugarfree & Pro-Life Future of Ice Cream Market in India:-Ice Cream market will expand with increase in number of malls. Also companies like – HLL has been increasing their ice cream outlets – Swirl. Few years ago consumers use to go out for walk after dinner and use to buy ice creams from hawkers. But now consumer who often visit malls for entertainment prefers to buy ice creams during different times of the day as it is visible upfront and feel like spending Rs. 50 for that tasty chocolate swirl with cake and nuts. As marketers are understanding the different needs of consumers, be it health conscious people- (Amul sugar free and pro-life ice-cream) , kids, youngsters, etc, and are coming up with products specific for them. with portfolio of flavors, consumer today has plethora of options at hand to choose from and therefor e high probability of buying one more scoop of ice cream.Also with increasing wallet size and innovative modern retail formats, it has definitely given a Philip to the ice cream industry in India. About the company Amul [pic] Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation:- Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) is India's largest food products marketing organization. It is a state level apex body of milk cooperatives in Gujarat which aims to provide remunerative returns to the farmers and also serve the interest of consumers by providing quality products which are good value for money. Some statistics about the company:- The Turnover of Amul was Rs. 52. 55 billion in 2007-08. Members: |13 district cooperative milk producers' Union | | |2. 7 million | |No. of Producer Members: | | |No. of Village Societies: |13,141 | |Total Milk handling capacity: |10. 21 million liters per day | |Milk collection (Total – 2007-08): |2. 69 billion liters | |Milk collection (Daily Average 2007-08): |7. million liters | |Milk Drying Capacity: |626 Mts. per day | |Cattle feed manufacturing Capacity: |3090 Mts per day | AMUL –the brand:- Amul -the age old brand brand belongs to (GCMMF). AMUL means â€Å"priceless† in Sanskrit. The brand name â€Å"Amul,† comes from the Sanskrit word â€Å"Amoolya,† and was suggested by a quality control expert in Anand. Today Amul is a symbol of many things. Of high-quality products sold at reasonable prices. Of the genesis of a vast co-operative network.Of the triumph of indigenous technology. Of the marketing savvy of a farmers' organization. And of a proven model for dairy development. Various products under the brand name Amul :- Amul products have been in use in millions of homes since 1946. †¢ Amul Butter, †¢ Amul Milk Powder, †¢ Amul Ghee, †¢ Amul Cheese, †¢ Amul Chocolates, †¢ Amul Shrikhand, †¢ Amul Ice creams, †¢ Nutramul, Amul Milk and †¢ Amulya have made Amul a leading food brand in India. Some facts about the Amul ice cream:- †¢ Amul Ice Cream was launched on 10th March, 1996 in Gujarat. †¢ The portfolio consisted of impulse products like sticks, cones, cups as well as take home packs and institutional/catering packs. In 1997, Amul ice creams entered Mumbai followed by Chennai in 1998 and Kolkata and Delhi in 2002. Nationally it was rolled out across the country in 1999. †¢ Has combated competition like Walls, Mother Dairy and achieved the No 1 position in the country. This position was achieved in 2001 and it has continued to remain at the top.†¢ Today the market share of Amul ice cream is 38% share against the 9% market share of HLL, thus making it 4 times larger than its closest competitor. †¢ Amul’s entry into ice creams is regarded as successful due to the large market share it was able to capture within a short period of time – due to price differential, quality of products an d of course the brand name. Ice cream range:- Royal Treat Range – (Butterscotch, Rajbhog, Malai Kulfi †¢ Nut-o-Mania Range (Kaju Draksh, Kesar Pista Royale, Fruit Bonanza, Roasted Almond) †¢ Royal Treat Range – (Butterscotch, Rajbhog, Malai Kulfi) †¢ Nut-o-Mania Range – (Kaju Draksh, Kesar Pista Royale, Fruit Bonanza, Roasted Almond) †¢ Nature's Treat – (Alphanso Mango, Fresh Litchi, Shahi Anjir, Fresh Strawberry, Black Currant, Santra Mantra, Fresh Pineapple) †¢ Sundae Range- (Mango, Black Currant, Sundae Magic, Double Sundae) †¢ Assorted Treat – (Choco bar, Dollies, Frostik, Ice Candies, Tricone, Choco crunch, Megabite, Cassatta) †¢ Utterly Delicious – (Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, Chocochips, Cake Magic) ost sheet analysis Direct Cost : | Direct materials | | | |To manufacture one ice cream cup below are the components or raw materials required with their unit cost : | Dry Fruits – 3 % Milk â⠂¬â€œ 70% Flavours – 5 % Other ingredients – 4 % Sugar – 16 % Cup – 2 % 1) Direct Labour : There are 17 workers employed in the production of the ice cream and each worker is paid Rs 2000 per month . 2) Direct Costs or expenses :The direct cost includes costs incurred in bringing the raw materials into the factory ie. Carriage inward. The raw materials are purchased every month and costs involved for carriage are Rs 1840. Indirect Costs: 1) Factory Overheads: The Factory Overheads includes the indirect labour, factory rent, insurance and depreciation on machinery, power, factory supervisor’s salary ,packing material, ware house expenses and other factory expenses. †¢ Indirect labour : This includes 3 sweepers whose average salaries are Rs. 1000 each. †¢ Insurance: The total insurance amount is Rs 15000. †¢ Break up of the total insurance amount for Machinery – 1200000 Land – 500000(1000 sq. ft. * Rs. 500 per sq. ft. ) à ¢â‚¬ ¢ Depreciation on machinery : There are 6 machines in the factory ,one machine is used for making ice creams which is Boiler and other are Refrigerators . The cost of Boiler is Rs 300000 and Refrigerators are worth of Rs. 900000. The depreciation method followed is SLM @ 7%. †¢ Power & Fuel: The monthly average cost of power consumption of the factory is Rs 42375. †¢ Supervisor’s salary : The factory has 2 supervisors and salary of each supervisor is Rs 2500. †¢ Cost of maintenance : oiling and cleaning of machinery and other miscellaneous expences for maintainance. 2) Office and administration overheads:-Office and administration overheads include office rent, salary to staff, office and general expenses, printing and stationary, telephone expenses, electricity and lightings †¢ Office rent: The per sq. ft rate of the Office is Rs 18. The area of the factory is 300 sq. ft. †¢ Salary to staff : the office staff has three employees. A peon, clerk a nd an Accountant and the salaries are Rs 800, Rs 2200 and Rs 4000 respectively. †¢ Office and general expenses: This comprise refreshments(tea and snacks). †¢ Telephone Expenses:- Calls made by the staff members. †¢ Electricity and lightings:- It consists of office lighting and air conditioning expenses. 3) Sales and distribution overheads:- Sales Commission : As a part of encouragement for sales people ,they are given commission of 2. 5 % of the total sales done by them.†¢ Discount allowed : To attract retailer to buy the product they are offered a discount of 5% on the selling price. †¢ Salary of salesmen : The company has 5 sales persons and they are paid a salary of Rs 3500 each per month. †¢ Carriage outward: To carry the finished goods to the whole sellers , the transportations charge per unit/product is set as Re 1. 24. Assumptions : †¢ The company produces only one product †¢ All raw materials consumed in production of ice cream †¢ The production and sales units are same. †¢ In Valuation of plant, the rate per square feet has been assumed at Rs. 00. †¢ We gave a discount to retailer on 450000 units on bulk purchase. SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS: The amul ice-creams brand is one of the the top 3 brands . As it’s an Indian brand its popular as a family brand. Its available in all metropolitan cities and is in the reach of middleclass &above middleclass . Its available in many flavours and most of these are Indian flavours –liked by Indians. They are available in various sizes. They are available in reasonable prices. They have launched brands such as sugar free probiotic ice-creams. There are many premium varieties. It’s got good food energy value i. e calories per 100ml-196. 7. WEAKNESS:The durability of amul ice-creams is not really good, it melts very soon. It does not have many outlet centers. Not a famous brand among youngsters who are the main customers of ice-cream. OPPORTUNITI ES: They can come up with new flavours which would be able to attract the youth .They should not restrict themselves to departmental stores infact come with new luxury brands which can be available in hotels and they should come up with their own ice-cream parlours. They should focus more on their advertising and marketing strategies. They should use a strategy similar to what they used in case of butter (Utly butterly girl ). They should come up with offers for purchase of ice-cream in whole market .Offers should run all throughout the year; not only in winters. There should emphasis for special occasions. THREATS : The biggest threat for amul ice-cream industry would be its competitors. Its ranked 3rd in the Indian market . It faces tough competition from the unorganized sector as well. A slight change in the price of the ice-cream would shift its customers to another brand. Foreign players like Baskin- Robbins entering Indian market with new premium brands at feasible prices. [pi c] Bibliography www. amulicecream. in www. google. co. in Annual report of Amul Cost accounting and financial management-Ravi kishore –edition 5 ———————– THREATS OPPORTUNITIES WEAKNESS STRENGTHS

Pricilla and the Wimps Character Reflection

The character of Priscilla in the story â€Å"Priscilla and the Wimps† reveals numerous traits and characteristics which allow one to make assumptions about her as a person outside of the events depicted in the story. The first descriptive aspect of Priscilla as a character would be her physical appearance. We are made aware in the opening of the story that Priscilla stands as a massive individual in the school community and many students are fearful of her based solely on her physical stature.This may be confirmed on account of the fact that she only had one friend, Melvin Detweiler, and was not accepted by many of the other students who attended the school. Priscilla’s size and strength would lead me to believe that she has an athletic background, further shaping my idea her physical appearance. The first aspect of her physical appearance is her clothing, which I presume would be a stereotypical athletic style, such as track pants and a hoodie, some huge sneakers for her massive feet and a windbreaker.Her clothes may also be rather small because of her enormous size. Another way to refer to my ideas of Priscilla’s physical appearance is through her facial features, which may consist of a simple haircut, like a ponytail and possibly some bruises or scars from playing contact sports throughout the years. Another way to classify Priscilla as a character would be through her personality and mental concepts. I envision that she would have a protector-like personality which was demonstrated through her actions towards the end of the story, when Melvin was threatened by the Kobras.This unique disposition includes aspects such as being quietly forceful, original and sensitive while being extremely intuitive about people (Melvin), and concerned for their feelings. I think that Priscilla would also be well-respected for her perseverance in doing the right thing and likely to be individualistic, rather than leading or following. My ideas for Priscil la’s background and outside life will also reveal my illustration of this particular character. As stated before, I picture Priscilla to be involved with sports because of her physical abilities as well as to compensate for her lack of friends.Her lack of friends may also be because she could live in an isolated area where building relationships with other children her age is not possible. Her aggressive behavior revealed in the story may be a cause of belligerent parents or possibly an older brother who has picked on her or played a significant role in her life causing some masculine qualities to be rubbed off on Priscilla. Further exploring my impression of Priscilla, it may similarly benefit my overall image to examine her motivation for specific actions, her sense of humor and habits.The motivation for her actions throughout the circumstances presented in this story could be that she has only one friend and she will do anything to maintain that friendship through protecti on or other means. When Melvin is harassed by the Kobras, she sees them as a threat and deals with it in an aggressive manner to assure that Melvin will continue to see her as a friend, and know that she will have his back. Another possible motivation for Priscilla’s actions may be that she does not want to be seen as weak and wishes to sustain her reputation as the toughest in the school.When confronted by the Kobras, she sees an opportunity to prove to everyone how dangerous she is and reassures that no one will mess with her or Melvin. Priscilla’s sense of humor may also dictate who she is as a character. I consider that Priscilla has a sadist quality about her and finds that when she harms people she does not care for, she gets a sense of accomplishment and humor. This can be demonstrated by her actions at the end of the book when she locks Monk Klutter in her locker and continues to walk away with Melvin.Priscilla’s habits also shape her character, both pos itively and negatively. She may have a bad habit for being overly aggressive or constantly escalating conflicts to violent acts. She correspondingly has good habits, however, which may include standing up for what is right and being a good friend. Overall, my personal image of the character Priscilla is revealed through her actions in the story of â€Å"Priscilla and the Wimps† combined with my own ideas and concepts which I believe apply to this particular character.

A Birthday - Imagery and Symbolism

The imagery used in the first stanza draws on familiar natural objects but can also be read at another level in the light of Rossetti’s knowledge of the Bible. In the second verse, the focus is on artificial objects hung, carved and worked by human hands. Various images in this verse demonstrate an awareness of traditional Christian art, as well as reflecting and celebrating human creativity. A singing bird To a ‘singing bird’ (line 1), vocal expression is as natural as breathing. By speaking of her ‘heart’ in these terms, the speaker indicates that her song forms a natural part of herself and is an overflow of her identity. The image of the singing bird is one which is often used in Romantic poetry. William Wordsworth emphasised the importance of expressing natural feelings when he argued that it was his intention to create a poetry which was a ‘spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings’. (See Literary context gt; Romantic poetry). A watered shoot By having a ‘nest’ in a ‘watered shoot’ (line 2), the speaker suggests that the sustenance upon which she can live and rest has been provided: †¢The word shoot alludes to the first stages of growth of a plant as it emerges from the ground. By describing a shoot as ‘well watered’, the poem conveys ideas of lushness and fertility. However, rather than making a nest in a full grown tree, by making it in a shoot, the singing bird remains in a place of fragility, since it is easy to uproot or destroy a shoot †¢The idea of being watered has biblical connotations. In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, the believers in Jerusalem are encouraged by God’s promise that he will guide them and provide for their needs: The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs †¦ You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 TNIV An apple tree The image of the ‘apple tree / Whose boughs are bent with thickset fruit’ (lines 3-4) would be a familiar sight in an age more in touch with its agricultural roots than today †¢It recalls the imagery in Keats’ Ode to Autumn. This begins by describing fruit ripe and ready on apple trees: Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round he thatch-eves run; To bend with apples the mossd cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; †¢Mention of apples might also lead Rossetti’s readers to think of the accounts of the first humans in the Garden of Eden before the Fall where they lived in perfect peace with nature and one another. It is also likely that Rossetti is alluding to the biblical concept of the Tree of Life. The writer of the Old Testament book Proverbs, declares that those who ‘lay hold’ of this tree ‘will be blessed’ (Proverbs 3:18). Rainbow †¦ halcyon By speaking of her heart as a ‘rainbow shell / That paddles in a halcyon sea’ (lines 5-6), the speaker provides an image of exuberant colour drifting at ease in tranquil waters. †¢According to the Bible, the image of the rainbow refers to the fulfilment of God’s promises, when God helped Noah to escape the flood which wiped out the known world. He then set a rainbow in the sky as a promise that never again would such an event occur (Genesis 19:3) ? It is possible that the speaker perceives that God’s promises are being fulfilled in her life and wants to celebrate this †¢The term ‘halcyon’ comes from the Greek myth of a bird (possibly a kingfisher) which was said to breed about the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea. According to ancient writers, it charmed the wind and waves so that the sea was especially calm during the period. For English readers, the phrase ‘halcyon days’ was associated with ideas of joy, prosperity and tranquillity ? The poem’s speaker uses the image of the halcyon sea to indicate the deep comfort and rest she has found. By ending the first verse with the declaration that her ‘heart is gladder than all these’ (line 7), the speaker indicates that descriptions of the natural world are incapable of fully expressing her exubera nt emotional state. Pathetic fallacy The speaker of A Birthday uses the technique of pathetic fallacy when she gives emotions to the ‘apple tree’ full of fruit and the ‘rainbow shell’. This is the treatment of inanimate objects, such as trees and houses, as if they had human feelings, thought or sensations. The term was invented by critic John Ruskin in 1856 when he wrote that the aim of the pathetic fallacy was ‘to signify any description of inanimate natural objects that ascribes to them human capabilities, sensations and emotions’. The Temple Rossetti draws on the imagery used in the Old Testament to discuss the Temple which symbolised God’s presence with his people. For the Jews in the Old Testament, the Temple was the place where they met with God. A Birthday mentions purple hangings, carved fruit and statues of animals, which all figure in the descriptions of Solomon’s Temple given in 1 Kings 6:14, 1 Kings 6:18, 1 Kings 6:29 and 2 Chronicles 3:14 and 2 Chronicles 3:16. More on the Temple: In the teachings of the early church, recounted in the New Testament, the idea of God’s Temple shifts in meaning. Christians generally understand this Temple to be a model of an individual’s heart, where God communicates with the human soul. This understanding comes from the New Testament teaching that every Christian believer is understood as a temple in which the Holy Spirit can dwell. A Dais The word ‘dais’ (line 9) indicates a raised platform. The speaker seems to envisage a structure built in celebration of the return of her love. The ‘silk and down’ from which it is made are materials of softness and luxury, as well as conveying lightness, which adds to the sense of uplifting that the poem conveys †¢Ã¢â‚¬ËœDais’ is also a word commonly associated with the raised part of a church upon which the altar and communion table are placed. Rossetti attended a high Anglican church (see Religious / philosophical context gt; Tractarianism) which emphasised the significance and symbolism of the structure of the church building and would have undoubtedly made use of a dais. Royalty and nobility The imagery of ‘vair’, ‘purple’, ‘gold’, ‘silver’ and ‘fleur-de-lys’ (line 10) is imagery traditionally associated with royalty and nobility †¢Ã¢â‚¬Ëœvair’ is an expensive fur obtained from a variety of squirrel with a grey back and white belly. It was often used in the 13th and 14th centuries as a trimming or lining for garments and is associated with heraldry †¢The dye used to create purple tones was so expensive it was only available to the rich and therefore, became a colour associated with royalty †¢Precious metals are associated with crowns and other regalia †¢The fleur–de-lys is a heraldic symbol derived from the lily. It was often engraved on the armour of royalty. Birds Following the description of the singing bird in the first verse, the second alludes to representation of doves and peacocks on the dais. †¢Doves are used in the Bible to represent: ? Reconciliation and peace. This arises from the story of Noah, when a dove sent out from the Ark returns with an olive leaf in its beak, signifying that the storm / flood was over (Genesis 8:11) ? The Holy Spirit, as at the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16) †¢The description of ‘peacocks with a hundred eyes’ (line 12) corresponds to a traditional and mythical understanding of the bird as a symbol of all-seeing God. Investigating imagery and symbolism †¢List the imagery the speaker uses throughout the poem ?Why do you think that she moves from describing the natural world to objects that have been man-made? †¢What ambiguous aspects are there in the imagery described? Do you think that the symbolism that is drawn upon adequately reflects the speaker’s joy? ?What images would you use to reflect a state of joy you were feeling? ?Do these images correspond to any in the poem? Themes Self-expression and the natural world A Birthday is concerned with natural and spontaneous expression through song or poetry, beginning with the image of the ‘singing bird’ (l. 1). Poetry provides a natural outlet for the speaker’s emotions. Memory and forgetfulness Memory is a sustaining force in this poem. In A Birthday, the speaker’s joy in the arrival in her love is bound up in the memory of what he means or has meant to her. This hints at the notion that identity is founded upon memory and that self-awareness is constructed by the remembrance of a former self. Earthly life and ‘life after life’ The images of new life in the natural world in A Birthday can be seen to allude to new life after death. Investigating themes †¢List all the allusions to the natural world that the poem makes ? How do these allusions correspond to the speaker’s emotional state? ?What do they reveal about the purpose of the poem? ?What do they reveal about the identity of the speaker?

International Business - Mongolia Research Paper - 1

International Business - Mongolia - Research Paper Example Such a similar scenario may be witnessed in the entire globe at the time of interwar period. Due to which, not only the financial institutions became collapsed but also a political unrest took place in the entire globe that hampered its growth to a significant extent. However, among many others, Mongolia is one of the noteworthy nations, whose political scenario is totally hindered due to the economic turmoil (Kasuya, 2003). This research essay is divided into three phrases mainly highlighting the impacts of interwar in various nations in the entire globe. Along with this, it also describes, the ways by which, the political situation of the nation of Mongolia became disturbed among others. Interwar period is recognized as the time frame within 1919 to 1939. It is time in which the World War I ended and the World War II began. Due to which, it is recognized as one of the vital time frame for the financial institutions as entre change-over is taking place. This is because, it is time, in which the banking institutions of various nations like France, Britain and Mongolia is trying to pull back huge amount of money from stock markets. This is mainly due to the downfall or crash of stock markets. As a result of which, the economic activities of the nation of Mongolia slowed down thereby declining the prosperity of the nation to a significant extent. Along with this, due to lack of financial help from the institutions, the idea of over production and future investment is stopped that hindered the economic progress of the nation of Mongolia to a certain extent. It is mainly due to the presence of economic turmoil or recession in the nation. In addition, due to recession numerous institutions became closed thereby terminating or huge amount of individual. As a result of which, the rate of unemployment and redundancy enhanced thereby declining the level of living standards and economic conditions of the citizens of Mongolia certainly. Moreover, the income

HCM477-0802A-01 Finance in Health Care - Phase 3 Discussion Board Essay

HCM477-0802A-01 Finance in Health Care - Phase 3 Discussion Board - Essay Example Since the involvement of a third party increases the number of healthcare insurance enrolees, the business does not only maximize the utilization of its daily operational expenses but also serves as a good source of word-by mouth public advertisement. As a result, there is a bigger chance for the existence of the health care insurance company to be known by big multi-national companies and several government agencies. A good example of a third party business relationship can be observed when the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration decided to team up with the State Insurance departments. (U.S. Department of Labor, 2008) By doing so, both organizations are able to develop a more efficient way to address the health care needs of the local employees based on the state and federal health benefits laws. Also, since these government agencies are well-known by big- and small business organizations, establishing a good business relationship with them could result to a positive impact over the profitability of the health care insurance company. In line with developing a new marketing campaign on behalf of Fullhealth, the use of television advertisement can be effective in terms of announcing to the public the tie up between Fullhealth and a specific government agency such as the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration. Since many people are watching television at home, Fullhealth should be invest more money on primetime wherein more people are watching the network. Aside from the use of television marketing strategy, Fullhealth could easily make a follow-up marketing campaign by developing a user-friendly website wherein people could easily access upon viewing the television advertisement during their free time. As part of Fullhealth website design, the company could post their competitive advantage as a health insurance company. Basically, the

The Great Migrations of Africa Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Great Migrations of Africa - Essay Example Therefore, Mauch had a vision; he theorized that the Great Zimbabwe monuments had been actually made by Biblical characters visiting from the north. He stated: "I do not think that I am far wrong if I suppose that the ruin on the hill is a copy of Solomon's Temple on Mount Moriah and the building in the plain a copy of the palace where the Queen of Sheba lived during her visit to Solomon." Mauch further stated that a "civilized [read: white] nation must once have lived there." To us nowadays, this seems very far-fetched and the concept of the indigenous people actually building the monuments seems far more likely, but this was not true of most European assumptions during the late 1800s (Manu, 2004). The civilization actually existed around 1100-1450 AD, which was actually when the civilization was at the height of its power (Manu, 2004). There are still modern day settlers in the region, made up of mostly shone-speaking farmers. The civilization is located in south central Africa, which is considered current Zimbabwe, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. The actual site itself sits on a high plateau, over 1000 m (Manu, 2004). This civilization is important for a variety of reasons. First, this site, which includes the Great Enclosure wall, has its very impressive monuments which are only beaten out with impressiveness by the Egyptian pyramids (Manu, 2004). Furthermore, an extensive trading network formed through this region, and during the Medieval period, this was very important. The main focus of trade was on gold, copper, tin, cattle, and cowrie shells. This area was also important politically. For around 350 years, the civilization would be ruled by powerful rulers. The civilization was probably made up of around 18,000 inhabitants (Manu, 2004). In 350 AD Shona-speaking farmers settled in the region. They had migrated into the area to avoid the annoying tsetse flies, which can cause the deaths of not only people, but cattle as well through the disease known as sleeping sickness (Manu, 2004). The flies did not make appearances at such high altitudes, so the farmers were able to farm their cattle. At the end of the 11th century, the civilization began to develop (Manu, 2004). Intensified trading activities helped the civilization to expand. However, the civilization was not to last forever. It was abandoned around 1450 AD for reasons still unknown to historians today (Manu, 2004). There has been much speculation about this. It is known that the people left and started the northern kingdom of Monomotapa, as well as other states. Some historians have speculated that the fall could have been attributed to the population depleting land sources, over-farming, or perhaps a drastic weather change that could have hurt the trade marke t. Still, further research in this area is needed (Manu, 2004). Question Two The Bantu people began to migrate from the Congo or Niger Delta Basin. Their migration is so impressive because it is actually one of the largest ever seen in history. This incredible movement started at around 1000 AD and continued through 1800 AD (Nalubwama, 2009). However, historians are still unsure of why the movements happened in the first place. Therefore, there has been much speculation and theory for how and why this began. One theory given reflected on the concept that overpopulation may have inspired some groups of people to move into a different area, looking for areas and land to farm. Another

Creating a Unit and Assessing Performance Assignment

Creating a Unit and Assessing Performance - Assignment Example This paper will focus on Social studies of Second Graders in Schools in Florida. Social Studies Skills and Concepts Matrix is structured in a manner to help the classroom teacher to assess the essential skills and perceptions of the students throughout the pre K 12 education. This curriculum is clearly constructed so that teachers can understand the introduction, development, mastery and the reinforcement of social studies and language Arts skills in order to ease the planning process. This also facilitates that there is uniform acquisition of these concepts and skills by the students across Florida. The social studies skills and concept matrix has four categories research skills, civil awareness concepts, geographical skills and concepts and social studies skills. The specific skills have been listed for each grade level. The introduction bench mark signifies the corresponding social studies with each skill that is introduced. The social studies skills should be evaluate using other core subjects to determine the overall Performance of the subject. To do this a year table that has been split between every nine weeks of teaching will be effective. It will be categorized with other subjects like language arts, Math, Reading and science. There is a lot of information in Social Studies that the second grade students of the state of Florida can obtain from the pacing guide if properly followed by the teacher. By the first nine weeks, a second grader studying Social Studies should know the responsibilities of a Citizenship, construction and use of simple maps and globes. The second nine weeks should teach on the contributions of American Indians and describing regions, communities and environment. By the third nine weeks the student should know the famous Americans and their contributions. The fourth nine weeks will let them understand barter trade system and holocaust. For ever set of nine weeks the student finishes there are special factors

Art Scavenger Hunt Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Art Scavenger Hunt Analysis - Essay Example The contemporary aboriginal people believe that these rock paintings were made by their ancient spirit ancestors, who are primarily credited with configuring the sacred laws as per which the aboriginal societies have been running and managing their affairs since centuries (Buehler 56). The ancient aborigines used a variety of natural media like water and red ochre to make these rock paintings (Buehler 56). They made these paintings either by blowing the natural pigments from their mouth on a variety of objects or by using brushes made by chewing twigs (Buehler 56). On the basis of whatever information that can be solicited from the contemporary Australian aboriginal people and can be drawn from the research undertaken by the historians and anthropologists, it would be quiet true to say that the painting under consideration and many of the other aboriginal rock paintings like it were primarily made to fulfill some important spiritual and religious purpose in the ancient aboriginal soc ieties (Buehler 57). These paintings were not merely works of art but also carried ample spiritual and religious significance. ... This painting and the other rock paintings like it included within their ambit varied levels of associated with the aboriginal spirituality. Perhaps, just as it is in the later day art galleries, the aborigines drew these paintings on the cave rocks to protect them from the ravages of time, so as to pass them safely to the future generations. The particular rock painting is a worthy example of the prehistoric aboriginal art and depicts apt usage of the principle and elements of design. This rock painting is well balanced in the sense that the artist has used a somewhat leaner figure placed at the edge of the rock surface to balance albeit rotund figure placed at the centre. The painting is evidently that of a couple and the artist has specifically introduced variation in the delineation of two figures in the painting to generate interest and attention. The gradation of the ocher color, being dark in the centre, to being lighter on the peripheral parts gives way to an aerial perspecti ve, which must have got accentuated by the natural light falling on the painting. The discernable horizontal direction of the brush strokes in the painting conveys an aura of calmness and stability. The size of the two figures in the painting is suitably proportionate to the rock surface constituting the background. The corrugated texture of the figures in stark contrast to the smooth rock background is noteworthy. The subject of the painting most probably picked up from the daily life of the ancient aborigines is suitably depicted using horizontal lines and soft tonal contrasts. This painting certainly qualifies to be classified as a masterpiece of the

Ethical Energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Ethical Energy - Essay Example The paper by analyzing the advantages and limitations of renewable energy sources in relation to the other energy sources will provide the Belinean government the best bid, which can be selected and which will be ethically apt. Any organization will mainly be judged by the success it achieves. Judged in the sense, the company will be appreciated, feted, discouraged, hated etc, etc†¦ by the success or the lack of success (failure), they get. In today’s world, the success of a company is mostly correlated with its achievement in the form high profits, maximum market share, etc. Even though this perspective is not at all wrong, the bone of contention is, how a company achieves those positive things. Whether, they achieve through ethical means or by the ways of fraud, illegality, etc? The primary focus of any organization is to give a clean management based on preset ethics. If the management and the employees of the company are ethically perfect, they will exhibit good discipline, hard work and thus high productivity. Companies that do not have proper†¦ ethics procedures risk severe damage to their reputation, criminal/legal action and regulatory penalties. The consequences could include loss of customers, reduced share price (Advice on management). This ethical concept applies to energy companies as well. Countries all over the world are facing energy shortages due to the raising demands brought on by the raising population, raising industrialization or raising commercialization. Because of these energy shortages, countries and various government organizations as well private organizations are exploring various options to tap and collect or produce energy. But the catch is, energy organizations while cornering on the energy options should need to focus more on the ethical aspects, giving equal or more importance than the economical aspects. This is a key aspect for energy companies because the various energy sources

Imaging the Shoulder and Upper Extremity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Imaging the Shoulder and Upper Extremity - Essay Example This can occur in people of all ages and can be a result of a severe fall. Standard radiographs may show the fracture but in cases where vascular injuries are present, more scans around the humerus condyles and humerus head need to be done. Distal radial- The part of radius near the wrist is known as the distal part and so the fracture of the radius is known as distal radial fracture .It is also known as wrist fracture. It occurs when there is a fall on outstretched hands or other accidents. Lateral radiographs in some cases not sufficient to identify the fracture and in some cases fractures are not visible, in such cases intense imaging such as CT scans become handy. Scaphoid fracture- Fracture of any of the scaphoid carpal wrist bones is known as scaphoid fracture. It is a result of any fall where the weight is concentrated solely on the palms. Scaphoid fractures are not easily detected and in 50% cases go unnoticed with X-rays until the fracture has advanced. Even with the help of CT scans and MRI fractures are not identifiable and the diagnosis depends on the doctor’s

The Good Teachers Essay Example for Free

The Good Teachers Essay The desire to throw away youth and to grow up in evident also in ‘The Good Teachers’ as the speaker reveals a list of things she used to do as a child in order to make herself appear older and more mature, ‘You roll the waistband/ of your skirt over and over’, the repetition of the latter phrase demonstrating the action itself, ‘all leg, all/ dumb insolence, smoke-rings.’ Through the continued use of the pronoun, ‘you’, we, as the reader can share in Duffy’s adolescent experience as they are actions universal to all teenagers. Both poems deal with the positive aspects of adolescent experiences, but also with the negative ones as well; in ‘Lanarkshire Girls’ the experience begins uneasy and unpleasant as the speakers recalls how ‘Summer annoyed us†¦ Like a boy with a stick through railings’. This simile is very sensory as it strikes an image in the readers’ head of a boy dragging a stick across railings and the sound it makes is prominent. The bus is trying to exit the rural country as the nature is trying to stop it, making the journey initially difficult, ‘We bent whole treetops/ squeezing through as they rained down twigs.’ This symbolises the transition from adolescence into adulthood and how the girls are struggling to make it. However, when they finally make it out of the country, the tone of the poem changes from annoyance and struggling, to admiration for the city and excitement to be in a new stage of their life and for their new found sense of fre edom. The same is true for the speaker in ‘The Good Teachers’ as Duffy uses the metaphor of ‘a wall you climb’ to describe the transition from adolescent into adulthood. Even in the most positive point of the poem where she expresses her passion and love for both her English teacher and the subject itself is tainted. Her adoration is evident through the repetition of, ‘so much’ and through her actions such as remembering ‘The River’s Tale by Rudyard Kipling by heart’ and by ‘making a poem for’ her teacher. The speaker suggests that even this adolescent experience was tainted as her teacher who she admired is not perfect and her ‘cruel blue’ eye demonstrates this. This symbolises how no adolescent experience is perfect. Both poems end on very different tones and therefore have different outlooks on adolescent experiences. ‘Lanarkshire Girls’ ends with a feeling of excitement as the bus, ‘spilled’ the girls out dreaming themselves up. Whereas, ‘The Good Teachers’ ends on a tone of regret as the speakers finds truth in what her teachers told her that, ‘you’ll be sorry one day’ for not working hard enough and for racing to throw away their childhoods.

Detection of Copy Move Forgery

Detection of Copy Move Forgery J.Reethrose B.E., Dr. J. P. Ananth M.E., Ph.D., Abstract—Digital images are easy to manipulate and edit using some editing software. So it is difficult to identify the duplicate images. Copy-move manipulations are common form of local processing, where parts of an image are copied and reinserted into another part of the same image. The problem of detecting the copy-move forgery describes an efficient and reliable detection and detects duplicate image regions. Most detection algorithm focused on pixel basis. In this paper propose a new approach to detect forgery image such scale, rotate, etc. Keywords—copy-move forgery, SIFT, LSH, RANSAC. INTRODUCTION Copy-move forgery is one of image tampering, were a part of the image is copied and pasted on another part of the same image. This copy-move forgery is easily done by some editing software such as Adobe Photoshop. Normally the human eye does not easily find out the copied region. The regions may be scaling or rotation type of manipulations. The goal of copy-move forgery is detecting duplicate image regions. The most common image manipulation techniques involve the following Removal of objects from the image. Addition of objects in the image. Change the objects appearance in the image. The most common of these three manipulations is removal of undesired objects from the image. Digital image forgery detection techniques are classified into active and passive approaches. In active approach, the digital image requires some pre-processing such as watermark embedding or signature generation at the time of creating the image, which would limit of their application in practice. Moreover, there are millions of digital images in internet without digital signature or watermark. In such scenario active approach could not be used to find the authentication of the image. Unlike the watermark-based and signature-based methods; the passive technology does not need any digital signature generated or watermark embedded in advance. Fig 1.1 Classification of Forgery detection techniques GENERAL DETECTION PROCEDURE Copy move manipulations result in duplicate image regions, which practical forensic analyses examine in terms of robust feature representations of parts of the image. Analyzing the image is very important before the preprocessing. After optional preprocessing (e.g., color to grayscale conversion), the image is transformed to the feature space. Feature representation is finding the duplicate region. There are so many methods used to find the duplicate image such as DCT (Discrete Cousine Transform), DWT (Discrete Wavelet Transform), and PCD (Principal Component Analysis). A set of feature vectors represents local image characteristics and is inspected for similarities in a matching procedure. This is achieved either by splitting the image into small blocks, which are then transformed separately, or by finding salient key points and extracting feature vectors based thereon. The matching procedure is finding the similarity of duplicate image blocks. Some of the matching algorithms are k- d tree, Sorting, Nearest Neighbour Search, and Hashing. Similar feature vectors or their corresponding coordinates in the image plane. False positives in the matching procedure are pruned in a final error reduction step. The error reduction step is finding the duplicate image region. Fig 2.1 General copy move detection pipeline PROPOSED SYSTEM Accordingly, digital image forensics has emerged as a new research field that aims to reveal tampering operations in digital images. A common manipulation in tampering with digital images is known as region duplication, where a continuous portion of pixels is copied and pasted to a different location in the same image. To make convincing forgeries, the duplicated regions are often created with geometrical or illumination adjustments. There are various method used in the existing system. DWT (Discrete Wave Transform) used to reduce dimensionality reduction. But it does not find the rotation and scaling. Lexicographic Sorting and Counting Bloom Filters are also used in the existing system. But it cannot find solution of scaling and rotation. It does not remove the noise. The Zernike moment is easy way to find the copy (-rotate-) move forgery. This method is still weak against scaling or the other tempering based on Affine transform. Existing System has the drawback of computational com plexity and does not find accuracy of the duplicate image regions. In recent years, several methods have been proposed to detect region duplication for the purpose of image forensics. These methods are based on finding pixel blocks that are exact copies of each other in an image. Such methods are most effective for the detection of region copy-move, where a region of pixels is pasted without any change to another location in the image. A common form of digital tampering is Copy-Move forgery, in which a part of the image itself is copied and pasted into another part of the same image to conceal an important object. Because the copied part come from the same image, its important properties, such as noise, Shape, color and texture, will be compatible with the rest of the image and thus will be more difficult to distinguish and detect. In the preprocessing stage the RGB image is converted into grayscale image. Apply SIFT algorithm using to find the keypoints. SIFT Algorithm is used to detect the keypoint localization. Good keypoints and features should represent distinct locations in an image, be efficient to compute and robust to local geometrical distortion, noise, illumination variations and other degradations. Here, present SIFT features detection method to find the duplicate. Specifically, to detect the locations, of potential duplicated regions, we first detect SIFT keypoints in an image. The detected keypoints are matched using hashing algorithm. We can use the matched SIFT keypoints to estimate the affine transform parameters, but the obtained results are inaccurate due to the large number of mismatched keypoints. To find out the unreliable keypoints we use Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) algorithm then use the Affine transform. Finally detect the duplicate region. The following diagram shows the way to find the copy move forgery. Raw image is considered as the forgery image. Normally the raw image is RGB image. That RGB image is converting into gray scale. This is the preprocessing stage. Noise removal also includes the preprocessing stage. The steps involved in proposed method as follows. First step to find out the keypoints using SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform). Find the keypoints then perform the matching keypoints procedure. Matching keypoints is using the Locality Sensitive Hashing (LSH). Matching is easy to find out the hash buckets. This hash is found the similar values or keypoints. Duplicate region is detected after matching. Find the duplicate region using the RANSAC (RANdom SAMple Consensus) algorithm. Fig 3.1 Block diagram of forgery detection A. Finding keypoints In the preprocessing stage the RGB image is converted into grayscale image. Apply SIFT algorithm for finding the keypoints. SIFT algorithm consist of the following stages: Scale-space extrema detection Keypoint localization Orientation assignment Generation of keypoint descriptors Good keypoints and features should represent distinct locations in an image, be efficient to compute and robust to local geometrical distortion, illumination variations, noise and other degradations. Here, to present a new region duplication detection methods based on the image SIFT features. Specifically, to detect the locations, of potential duplicated regions, first detect SIFT keypoints in an image. And compute the SIFT features for such keypoints. To ensure the obtained feature vector invariant to rotation and scaling, the size of the neighborhood is determined by the dominant scale of the keypoint, and all gradients within are aligned with the keypoints dominant orientation dominant orientation. B. Matching keypoints The similar keypoints can be found out using Locality Sensitive Hashing (LSH) technique. Previous year a k-d tree algorithm used to detect the keypoint. This is taken more time search to compute the similar values. Locality Sensitive Hashing easy to detect the similar values. Locality-sensitive hashing(LSH) is a method of performing probabilisticdimension reductionof high-dimensional data. The basic idea is tohashthe input items so that similar items are mapped to the same buckets with high probability (the number of buckets being much smaller than the universe of possible input items). This is different from the conventional hash functions, such as those used incryptographyas in this case the goal is to maximize probability of collision of similar items rather than avoid collisions. C. Duplicate Region RANSAC algorithm used to detect the error. This means SIFT produce the keypoints then Locality Sensitive Hashing used to find the similar keypoints. Locality Sensitive Hashing has the bucket. Each bucket contains the index that index contain the values of keypoints. RANSAC algorithm reduces the error. Instead of RANSAC using the Affine transformation. So it will easily to find out the error of scale, rotation and transformation of copy move forgery detection. CONCLUSION In particular the human eye does not easily find out the copied region. The regions may be scaling or rotation type of manipulations. The goal of copy-move forgery is detecting duplicate image regions. Copy move forgery is difficult to identify the duplicate image region. SIFT is used to detect the keypoints of given image. SIFT is Scale Invariant Feature Transform. So it focused to detect the Scale and transformation. Good keypoints and features should represent distinct locations in an image, be efficient to compute and robust to local geometrical distortion, illumination variations, noise and other degradations. Here, we present a new region duplication detection method based on the image SIFT features. Locality Sensitive Hashing detects the similar keypoints. Finally RANSAC algorithm used to find the duplicate image region. REFERENCE [1] Rohini. R. Maind, Alka Khade, D. K. Chitre â€Å"Robust Image Copy move Forgery Detection† International Journal of Advanced and Innovative Research (IJAIR) ISSN: 2278-7844, Vol. 2, Issue 8, 2013. [2] Yanjun Cao, Tiegang Gao , Li Fan , Qunting Yang â€Å"A robust detection algorithm for copy-move forgery in digital images† Forensic Science International 214 (2012). [3] Reza Oji â€Å"An Automatic Algorithm for Object Recognition and Detection Based On ASIFT Keypoints† Signal Image Processing: An International Journal (SIPIJ) Vol.3, No.5, October 2012. [4] Pradyumna Deshpande, Prashasti Kanikar, â€Å"Pixel Based Digital Image Forgery Detection Techniques† International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) Vol-2, Issue 3, May-June 2012. [5] B.L.Shivakumar, Dr. S.Santhosh Baboo, â€Å"Automated Forensic Method for Copy-Move Forgery Detection based on Harris Interest Points and SIFT Descriptors† International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887) Volume 27– No.3, August 2011 [6] Xunyu Pan and Siwei Lyu,† Detecting Image Region Duplication Using Sift Features† IEEE, ICASSP, Dallas, USA 2010. [7] Seung-Jin Ryu, Min-Jeong Lee, and Heung-Kyu Lee, â€Å"Detection of Copy-Rotate Move Forgery Using Zernike Moments† International Conference on Information Hiding 2010. [8] Saiqa Khan, Arun Kulkarni, â€Å"Reduced Time Complexity for Detection of Copy-Move Forgery Using Discrete Wavelet Transform† International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887) Volume 6– No.7, September 2010. [9] Sevinc Bayram, Husrev Taha Sencar, Nasir Memon, â€Å"An Efficient and Robust Method for Detecting Copy-Move Forgery† International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing – 2009. [10] Tehseen Shahid, Atif Bin Mansoor â€Å"Copy-Move Forgery Detection Algorithm for Digital Images and a New Accuracy Metric† International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, Vol 2, No. 2, November 2009. [11] Aristides gionis, piote indyk, Rajeev motwani â€Å"Similarity search in high dimension via hashing 1999. [12] Prof. Unmukh Datta, Chetna Sharma â€Å"Analysis of Copy-Move Image Forgery Detection† International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Electronics Engineering (IJARCSEE) Volume 2, Issue 8, August 2013 [13] Frank Y. Shih and Yuan Yuan â€Å"A Comparison Study on Copy-Cover Image Forgery Detection† The Open Artificial Intelligence Journal, 2010, 4, 49-54 49

Overview Of The Human Resource Activities Management Essay

Overview Of The Human Resource Activities Management Essay This essay gives an overview of the Human Resource activities in Goldman Sachs Group with particular concern to the challenges faced at the senior management level. In Goldman Sachs, Human resource management is referred to as Human Capital management and during my investigation it was revealed that the Groups HR managers employ the SOFT approach that emphasis the need to gain commitment of employees through involvement and communication. The challenges faced by this division are as a result of the rapid changes occurring in the external business environment and some internal re-structuring adopted regularly to tackle short and long-term un-foreseen circumstances. The Goldman Sachs Group is a global investment banking and securities firm which engages in investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients. Goldman Sachs was founded in 1869 and is headquartered at 200 West Street in the Lower Manhattan area of New York City, with additional offices in major international financial centre. The firm provides mergers and acquisitions advice, underwriting services, asset management, and prime brokerage to its clients, which include corporations, governments and individuals. The firm also engages in proprietary trading and private equity deals, and is a primary dealer in the United States Treasury security market (Goldman Sachs, 2010). According to Leif Edvinsson (2002), the only essential value an enterprise has is the experience, skills, innovativeness and insights of its people; Goldman Sachs believes human resource management plays a critical role in managing the firms most important asset, the people. People are our most valuable asset is a truism which no member of the senior management team would disagree with. The HR division serves the firm globally from locations in the Americas, Europe, India and Asia, and is responsible for a broad range of activities that relates to that outlined by Henry Fayol (1841-1925). Question 1: Business environment is rapidly changing and bringing new challenges to the workplace. What are the challenges face by the HR Manager in your chosen organization and suggest how these can be overcome by effective HR strategies. There is a dynamic shift in the global business environment today and more dramatic change is expected in the next decades especially at senior level (CIPD, 2010). As a result, HR managers at Goldman Sachs must play special roles in dealing with these changes and must develop specific competencies to tackle the effect. These changes include Workplace Diversity, Pay structure, the transfer of work abroad, either to outsourced providers or on a global in-sourcing basis; the e-enablement of many HR process; greater sophistication in the HR information technology, new structures for international HR functions; greater competition for talented staff at all levels of organization; more protracted and strategic talent pipelines. Stuart (2009) wrote in an article that If HR is not yet sufficiently respected in financial services, especially in the Investment banking industry, and then such an important issue, affecting both corporate image and the compensation of senior executives, is unlikely to be delegated to them. I strongly concur with this logic, implying that other senior executives will make the decisions, while HR is left to handle the vast amount of day-to-day paperwork: This is not the case in Goldman Sachs Group. After a careful research into the Human resource activities in Goldman Sachs, this report revealed that there is a well-structured strategy tailored specifically for senior level employees. This is because of their strong concern for long term leadership scheme required for the sustainability of their cooperate strategy. They accept as true that Human Capital management has been the bed-rock of the Organizations success so far (GS leadership Summit, 2009). There is a direct link between the corporate strategy and the HR strategies in Goldman Sachs. As a result, the HR managers in various locations continually strive to hit a balance in the way and manner they deal with executives in the top level (Goldman Sachs, 2010). The HR managers have long wanted to get away from the old reputation of telling line managers what they cannot do, by concentrating on business partnering, change management, leadership development and of course Financial Directors that are also seldom turned on by reconciliations and Internal Audit, but they do it while still remaining strategically relevant (Taylor, 2009). In Goldman Sachs, the HR function is viewed differently according to the organizations sub-divisions; however, the financial crisis has given rise to four key issues that provide HR managers in Goldman Sachs with the chance to demonstrate the value of its expertise and elevate its image and status within the Investment banking industry. These issues are: Leadership selection and development, pay structure, Workplace Diversity, intelligent and efficient downsizing, and the need for new ways to manage, engage and retain staff for higher management positions. Spencer (2009) in a research discovered that these issues are key factor that could affect the future of any organization in the long term hence the need for critical response by the HR managers in Goldman Sachs. Leadership selection and development Establishing a strong pipeline of potential leaders is important for Goldman Sachs future success (Goldman Sachs, 2008). In the financial services industry, organizations have often felt compelled to reward high revenue-generating employees with promotion to management positions, the results have been mixed indeed, it could be argued that the inappropriate selection of managers contributed to the recent crisis. The Goldman Sachs group as a whole is still grappling with this issue, thinking of effective ways to integrate star performers within the management structure without compromising standards. A good retention plan as well as training and development programs for senior executives (as illustrated in the later part of this paper) can help Goldman HR managers tackle this challenge. Pay structure The financial crisis has brought the compensation structure within all divisions in Goldman Sachs back to the drawing board (FT, 2009). There is a widespread feeling that short-term pay deals encouraged risk-taking behavior which, at least in part, contributed to the crisis. As a result, growing pressure from government, media and the general public has resulted in many investment banks rethinking the way they pay their front-line staff. The need for greater transparency, a remodeled financial incentive for risk-taking, and more precise measurement of individual performance is a topic of much debate within Goldman Sachs. At the very least, HR can anticipate heavy involvement in ensuring compliance with newly introduced and very detailed legal and regulatory requirements on pay. Workplace Diversity The future success of Goldman Sachs relies on the ability to manage a diverse body of talent that can bring innovative ideas, perspectives and views to their work. The challenge and problems faced of workplace diversity can be turned into a strategic asset if Goldman Sachs is able to capitalize on this melting pot of diverse talents. With the blend of talents of diverse cultural backgrounds, genders, ages and lifestyles, they can react to business opportunities more rapidly and creatively, especially in the global investment banking industry. Alison (2008) confirmed that this fact must be one of the important corporate goals to accomplish for greater success. More importantly, if Goldman Sachs internal working environment does not support diversity broadly, they risk losing talent to competitors. In order to effectively manage workplace diversity especially at senior level, Cox (1993) suggests that HR Managers at Goldman Sachs needs to change from an ethnocentric view (our way is the best way) to a culturally relative perspective (lets take the best of a variety of ways). This shift in philosophy has to be deep-rooted in the managerial framework of the HR Management in her planning, organizing, leading and controlling of the Groups valued asset Our People. Since pay is no longer a necessarily key motivator, other ways to attract, engage and retain staff need to be emphasized or discovered for long-term benefits. Intelligent downsizing A harsher economic climate has resulted in several Investment banks downsizing their staff level considerably. Goldman Sachs HR managers most consider reshaping the organization so that it can ride the downturn with morale intact, while ensuring that it is prepared to capitalize when the economy recovers, this will present a clear opportunity for HR managers at Goldman Sachs to prove their commercial value. However, at their annual stakeholders conference (2009), doubts were expressed about whether HR has so far managed to stamp its authority on this process. Question 2: Comment on how HR activities contribute to the success of your chosen organization. Use any 2 HRM Models to explain your answer. A number of studies have noted significance of human resource activities in the success or failure of an organization (Terpstra Olson, 1993). Human resource factors form one of the most important areas for success for Goldman Sachs (Castanias Helfat, 1991; Spender, 1993; Lei Hitt, 1995; Conner Prahalad, 1996). Carter, et al. (1994), as well as Nucci (1999) wrote that business continued existence and success is associated to human resource as well as the financial factors at the early start-up phase. A study of new businesses by Bamford, Dean, McDougall (1996) acknowledged acquiring competent human resources was critical for any Business success or failure because HR management (also called Human capital management in Goldman Sachs) influence and may determine how well success can be achieved in a highly competitive global market environment. HR managers at Goldman Sachs employ a model synonymous to the Harvard analytic framework which focuses on the different stakeholders interest that impact on employee behavior and performance. All the successful internal operational activities have been shaped by their Human Resource strategic choices (Goldman Sachs, 2009). Like the Harvard analytical framework, HRM policies at Goldman Sachs are derived from Stakeholders interest and the outcomes which are in-line with the HRM policies produces corresponding Long-term consequences (Organizational effectiveness). These consequently have a direct effect on the Stakeholders interest and several situational factors (Workforce, Business strategies, Management Structure and Culture). Stake holder Interests Shareholders Management Employee Groups HRM policy HR outcomes Long-Term Government choices Consequences Community Employee Commitment Individual Unions influence Compliance well-being Human resource Congruence Organizational flow Cost effectiveness effectiveness Rewards systems Societal well- Work Systems being Situational Factors Workforce Characteristics Business Strategy and conditions Management Philosophy Labor Market Unions Task Technology Law and Societal values Figure 1: Harvard analytical framework adapted from Beer et al (1984) Guest strategic Human Resource management model best summarize the strategies and contributions of Human Resources managers at Goldman Sachs. The model draws a link from the HRM policies (concerning Organizational design, management of change, Recruitment, selection, development and reward systems) to the Human Resource outcomes (strategic integration, commitment and quality) produced by such policies and onto the corresponding Organizational outcomes (High job performance, innovation, Cost effectiveness and competitive advantage). HRM Policies Human Resource Outcomes Organizational Outcomes High Organizational design Job performance Management of change Strategic Integration High Problem-solving Change Recruitment Commitment Innovation selection socialization Appraisal training Flexibility High development Cost Effectiveness Reward systems Quality Low Turnover Absence Grievances Leadership/ Culture/Strategy Figure 2: SHRM model Adapted from Guest (1989) The degree of the overall HR performance at Goldman Sachs is positively associated with success and growth as explained by Fombrun et al (1984). The approaches to employee recruitment and selection are many. The firm often has greater resources to filter potential workers, yet the HR managers have greater insight regarding a potential recruit at the individual level. Regardless of the types of recruitment, tests, interviews, and measures of potential performance, recruitment and selection of the right people for company positions affects the probability of success. Effective recruitment and selection is positively associated with success and growth. Designing and implementing adequate work environments, reward systems, benefits packages (among others) are part of HR function at Goldman Sachs. These are often critical to retain the highest performing quality employees. At Goldman Sachs, difficulties sometimes arise in keeping their best people from accepting posts that are more attractive. This is particularly true in the Investment banking sectors of high demand for particular human capital. Retention of quality employees is positively associated with success and growth. In the same way, Employee Satisfaction is positively associated with success and growth. The Group recorded an increase in profit from 15.6% as of November 28, 2008 to 16.0% In March 27, 2009 and this was linked to the effectiveness of her HR managers with particular concern on the way and manner they managed issues relating to recruitment and selection of the Groups senior executives, established successful retention of quality employees (created high number of high ranked staffs renowned in the investment banking industry), and excellent succession planning strategies. Rewards Selection Performance Appraisal Training Figure 3: Human Resource circle adapted from Fombrun et al (1984) HR managers at Goldman Sachs provide enhancement of human capital by education, training, mentoring and other programs as a means to improving business outcomes. These programs not only increase the skills of employees, but also motivate them and inspire new ideas. There are positive effects in the interrelation between knowledge-structures (such as development and training) with the corporate goal. Employee training and development is positively associated with success and growth. Question 3: What role HR planning plays in your chosen organization? Describe any 3 HR planning Methods that has been used to achieve organizational objectives. In March 27, 2009 Goldman Sachs improved her balance sheet, reporting a Tier 1 ratio of 16.0% (an increase from 15.6% as of November 28, 2008); credit was given to the effectiveness and proactive strategies of her HR managers for successful planning across all divisions of the group (GS summit, 2009). Goldman Sachs HR managers believe that a good planning requires an assessment of present and future needs of the organization compared with present resources and future predicted resources. Effective HR planning has anticipated and mapped out the cost and benefit of their business strategy on the effectiveness of their Human resources (Bott, 2010). These plans have enabled them anticipate the future needs of their Human resource management, and indentify practices that will help them meet those needs. Although, Goldman Sachs corporate strategy guides the HR strategies, their HR plans are highly congruent with their Business strategy (vertical integration). In like manner, the HR strateg ies are cohesive and mutually supportive to all functional departments and divisions across the Group (Horizontal integration). HR planning has contributed immensely to the emulating succession planning at Goldman Sachs (Goldman Sachs, 2009), it has helped to anticipate and prevent chaos within the organization (Smoke detectors), help to resolve employees challenges especially at the senior level, enable an effective Retention plan, and several developmental programs to ensure staff competency (Goldman Sachs treasured asset). It has also helped the group to answer question like; where will the next generation of our managers come from, how they can retain their highly skilled staffs, and what number of staffs they should employ. Several HR planning methods has been employed by HR managers at Goldman Sachs to achieve success in these areas. Some of such planning methods are; Bench Strength Plan; this planning method is more of a targeted succession planning at Goldman Sachs. It emphasizes on the Human capital on reserve that are capable of succeeding a senior executive when they leave. It is currently the least automated talent management procedure within the Group but has also provided the senior executives with global visibility into the talent pipeline and overall bench strength by leveraging dynamic talent pools and advanced analysis of capable staffs that would take over if a senior executive leaves (softscape, 2009). Goldman Sachs Succession planning systems have helped to identify, prepare, and track high potential employees for promotion and advancement. This planning method further reaffirms the fact that the key success factor as stated in the Groups Values is Our People (Goldman Sachs, 2010). Practically, Goldman Sachs examines the capabilities of her employees and follows up their performance and effectiveness from basic roles to leadership qualities. Senior executives are encouraged to select at least three employee of their choice who would be monitored and later given more responsibilities within a division by way of heading smaller departments (see figure 4). These selected employees would then be observed and scrutinized considering several behavioral and professional factors. After a specified period, one out of the three would be groomed specifically for the proposed senior position. Figure 4: Succession planning adapted from Goldman Sachs (2010) Retention Plan; this planning method enables the Goldman Sachs HR managers to identify competent employees who are of great value to the organization and have the capabilities of stepping into senior positions. This category of employees are then developed and mentored through a planned procedure to equip them with the classified ethics of the Group (GS annual conference, 2009). Goldman HR managers also use tools like competitive pay rate, quality training, and continuous development programs as a retention strategy for senior executives. Although Goldman Sachs keeps all vital information regarding their senior executives classified. Effective Retention planning has helped Goldmans HR managers to anticipate unforeseen circumstances that may occur if an employee under grooming decides to leave (Lloyd, 2008). Horizontal Progression plan; as a result of the recent economy down-turn Goldman Sachs has integrated many job positions to shrink cost (FT, 2008). The effect of this change created an un-safe environment for their employees and resulted to under performance across all divisions. As part of the strategic intervention by the HR managers, Horizontal progression plan was introduced to enable job rotation and staffs transfer across the Group (Goldman Sachs, 2009). This created a boost in their employees morale and there was a recorded Tier 1 ratio of 16.0% increase in Balance sheet (an increase from 15.6% as of November 28, 2008). Question 4: Recruitment Selection strategies ensure the deployment of a new human capital in the organization. What Recruitment and Selection strategies are taken in your chosen organization to recruit select senior management staff to enhance organizational performance? Goldman Sachs global business reputation and success begin from the recruitment and selection of competent and talented employees (Lloyd, 2009); this statement forms the bedrock on which GS HR managers build recruitment and selection strategies for senior executives. Fletcher (1996) started that an organizations workforce should match her corporate vision; hence the HR policies for recruitment and selection of senior executives at Goldman Sachs have been tailored to best fit their business goals. There is a clear definition of who is needed and a well defined role and responsibilities of any selected senior executive at all division. A recent report by KPMG (2009) started that in the USA 20 percent of the entire workforce will retire in 2011, in London 60 percent of skilled employers are facing skill shortage already, and the average cost of recruitment and selection process runs into an excess of about  £4800. Recruiting senior staff members is a critical procedure for HR managers at Goldman Sachs, unlike the general recruitment process; Brains are not just enough, there are several stages to determine whether a prospective candidate meet the Goldman Sachs intellectual standards. Prospective employees are identified, assessed and selected on the bases of their work experience and professional recognition within the financial trading, asset management and investment banking industry. Some of the best fit recruitment strategies employed by Goldman Sachs HR managers includes; Employers Branding, In-house search, Head hunters, Employee referral schemes, Professional social networks like LinkedIn (Crawford, 2010) a nd sometimes newspaper advert. Employers Branding Minchington (2005) defines employer brand as the image of an organization as a great place to work in the mind of existing employees and key stakeholders. Simon and Tim (1996) defined it as the package of functional, economic and psychological benefits provided by employment. HR managers at Goldman Sachs use their employer brand in the form of series of messages and images about the company to communicate its culture and value- from the employees point of view during the pre-recruitment phase. They employ this strategy as a strong tool to attract and recruit talented senior executives across the investment banking industry as well as retention strategy for existing senior employees (Goldman, 2009). In-House Exploration Goldman HR managers identify existing employees who have the capabilities and can possibly fill in a vacant senior position when the need arise (Goldman Sachs Tactical recruitment option, 2009). The advantage of this option is that it reduces the cost of going through the rigorous recruitment and selection process for fresh candidates. However, the disadvantage of this strategy is that when a junior employee is identified to fill up a senior position, the position of that employee becomes vacant thereby creating the need for the recruitment of another junior employee to fill in such gap. Head Hunters Traditionally, Headhunter is the industry term for a third-party recruiter, who seeks out possible candidates. Goldman Sachs has got in-house Headhunters who have been employed to network, cultivate relationships with various companies, maintain large databases, purchase company directories or candidate lists, and cold call prospective recruits (GS, 2009). This category of employees is part of the Goldman Sachs HR team and their sole responsibility is to source for possible candidates to fill any senior job role vacancy. Employee referral schemes This is the case where existing Goldman Sachs senior employees suggest potential candidates drawn from their own networks and connections. Goldman Sachs HR managers adopt this strategy very often considering the quality of these existing senior employees and their contribution to the success and standard of the Goldman Sachs Group. Latest CIPD Recruitment and Retention survey  ¬Ã‚ ndings indicates that the percentage of organizations that attract applicants by this method has increased from 38% in 2005 to over 47% in 2010 (CIPD, 2010). Purcell et al (2003) started that the willingness of existing employees to recommend their organization to others is used as a measure of organizational commitment in high performing workplaces. The advantage of employee referral schemes includes reduced recruitment costs, as well as enabling applicants to achieve a more realistic job preview. Professional social network (LinkedIn) Goldman Sachs has a network on LinkedIn a social networking site that is career focused and has got a tremendous reach across geographies. Goldman Sachs HR managers use LinkedIn to post job vacancies especially for senior management roles. Sometimes, the use of LinkedIn search prompts which has a sophisticated algorithm to job match possible candidates may become handy (Goldman, 2010). This strategy is often adopted when the need for a candidate to fill up a vacant role arise rather impromptu. However, the tendency for such situation to arise is slim due to the proactive nature of HR managers at Goldman Sachs. The right selection strategy is as important as any recruitment strategy employed by Goldman Sachs HR managers. The aim is to ensure that candidates are employed based on realistic competency rather than an acclaimed quality usually presented in resumes (Milner, 2009). Goldman selection process aim to quickly, accurately, and efficiently identify the best potential candidate for a vacant position. As a result, Goldman Sachs selects potential senior employee by means of direct telephone interview, board-room presentation and on rare occasions, face-to-face interview. Goldman Sachs HR managers adopt this medium considering the necessity for a fast, efficient and cost effective selection process for any prospective candidate who has been deemed fit for a senior position. Interviewing is the most widely used selection process in Goldman Sachs; where first and second interviews are conducted. Interviews are normally conducted between business hours, which are from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Interviews are ideally scheduled one week in advance, but may not always be possible, therefore negotiation between GS HR representative and prospective senior employee may be necessary. Behavioral interviewing is a common practice at during Goldman selection process, alongside with reference checks and psychometric assessments. It is advised that a combination of these selection methods be utilized to guarantee that the best candidates are screened and to benefit from a reduction in future costs associated with hiring and training, even at the fundamental entry level positions. It is also important to consider compensation and benefits packages in order to retain and attract the best candidates. Question 5: HRD interventions help organization to develop highly competent staff and teams. Describe the use of at least 3 HR training Development methods taken to enhance the competence of the senior management staff in your chosen organization. To a large extent, models of strategic HRD presupposes a rational and linear model of strategy formulation and implementation of process involving objective settings, the analysis of environmental trends and available resources, evaluation of options, and ending with a careful planning of the strategys implementation (Storey, 1991). Hendry (1995) suggested that the ideal HRD strategy should be the one that best fit Goldman Sachs business goals not actually the best practice. Beer and Spector (1989) added that strategic HRD can be viewed as a proactive system-wide intervention which is linked to strategic and cultural changes. Goldman Sachs Business objective Goals and strategies Departmental strategies Finance,Marketing,HRD,HRM,Operations HRD policies HRD plans HRD procedures HRD practices Evaluation Figure 5: Strategy and HRD adapted from (Wilson, 1999) Figure 5 illustrates the contribution of strategic HRD interventions to the training and development of Goldman Sachs human capital at every stage of the organizations strategy breakdown structure. HRD is an essential factor that affects employees capability and performance. It shows that HR development in policies, plans, working procedures, and practices would lead to staff competency. Human resource development focuses on the development of people, enhancing their skills, knowledge, attitudes so that they create value (human capital) for Goldman Sachs business needs. HRD seeks to optimize the human potential readily available across all Goldmans divisions (Shames, 2010). Goldman Sachs believes that human resource development interventions should be proactive rather that reactive (Lloyd, 2009). Employees are frequently groomed to become efficient in their core competency. Like the Japanese Kaizen, training and development is a continuous process in Goldman Sachs; the quality and standard of employees reflects the effectiveness of the HRD strategies employed by HR managers at all divisions of the Group. The training and development methods adopted are; Job rotation: Flexibility within working environment is a breeding-ground for development (Frederic, 2006). Senior executives are obligated to perform different job roles on regular bases as part of Goldman Sachs continuous development plan. This is a proactive strategy that does not only increase employees competency but also ensures that all senior employees can play several roles within the organization to reduce cost. It also creates an avenue for the HR managers to identify who best fit certain roles for efficiency and productivity. Coaching: Although rarely employed at senior level, Coaching at Goldman Sachs explains the development process where a more experienced senior executive (trainer) ensure that the senior employee under development (trainee) is monitored and guided through a well structured on-the-job training program. Usually, the trainer commits the trainee to undertake certain un-familiar responsibilities while he looks out for errors. These errors would be corrected in a manner that wouldnt tarnish the morale of the senior employee under development else the aim for the program would be ruined. This method ensures a close working relationship between the trainer and the trainee. Self-development and Learning: During the GS annual conference in March, 2008, Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd C. Blankfein stated We cannot recruit an employee who doesnt have value for self development. Self development is enhanced by continuous learning and development in a broader perspective increases competency. Goldman Sachs encourages its senior management staffs to improve by constantly challenging them with greater job responsibilities as well as a regular review of working standards. Figure 5 illustrates the model of Goldmans employees continuous learning where they engage in learning opportunities to maintain, or improve, their employability. Figure 6: GS continuous learning structure adapted from (eBusiness Community Model, 2010) Question 6: What role Performance Management plays in achieving higher performance in your chosen organization? M

Mercury :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As you may already know Mercury is the first planet . Which makes it the closest to the sun. It is 57,900,000km ( 36,000,000mi.) Because Mercury is so close to the sun it has extreme temperature differences. Mercury’s surface temperatures range from -180*C to 450*C (-290*F to 840*F). Temperatures that hot can melt iron, and other metals. The dramatic temperature difference on Mercury are not only because it is so close to the sun but, also by Mercury’s surface features. The places that are the coldest on Mercury and at the bottom of the craters and basins. The hottest are the places closest to the sun. The temperature of the side that is farthest away from the sun is allot warmer than scientists thought it would be. Not a whole side but parts of Mercury have never been in sunlight before. This is why scientists thought it would be colder than it really was.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mercury’s surface is much like the moon, they are very colse to being the same size. It has many craters, high multiple ring basins, and many lava flows. They have their similarities and differences. Mercury’s diameter is 4,900 miles wide. Mercury’s largest feature is the Caloris Basin. The Caloris basin is 1,300 Km (800 MI). in diameter. The Caloris Basins floor is full of cliffs and ridges. As you progress to the bottom the cliffs and ledges increase in size. The Caloris Basin was created when it was bombarded with meteorites. The Caloris basin was created by a meteorite that could of been up to 100 km. When the large meteorite hit Mercury it sent shocks through it which produced jumbled hills on the opposite side of Mercury. This process as known as The Caloris Impact. The lava flowed into craters and basins which filled holes and cracks that smoothed out their floors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Like Earth, Mercury has 3 main layers. The Earth’s being the crust, mantle, and core. Earth’s core is made up of molten rock AKA lava. Liquid cores create a magnetic field. Mercury’s three layers are a rocky silicate crust, solid rocky silicate mantle, and a hot liquid iorn-nickle core. The core makes up 75% of its diameter. Scientists did not think that is was possible for the core to be liquid because over the years mercury’s rotation has slowed down dramatically. They thought that it would of been hardened by now. Planets that have a magnetic field that are generated by the rotation of a conductive molten core such as that of Earth and mercury are known as â€Å"The Dynamo Effect†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mercury’s rotation period is 59 earth days long. Mercury :: essays research papers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As you may already know Mercury is the first planet . Which makes it the closest to the sun. It is 57,900,000km ( 36,000,000mi.) Because Mercury is so close to the sun it has extreme temperature differences. Mercury’s surface temperatures range from -180*C to 450*C (-290*F to 840*F). Temperatures that hot can melt iron, and other metals. The dramatic temperature difference on Mercury are not only because it is so close to the sun but, also by Mercury’s surface features. The places that are the coldest on Mercury and at the bottom of the craters and basins. The hottest are the places closest to the sun. The temperature of the side that is farthest away from the sun is allot warmer than scientists thought it would be. Not a whole side but parts of Mercury have never been in sunlight before. This is why scientists thought it would be colder than it really was.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mercury’s surface is much like the moon, they are very colse to being the same size. It has many craters, high multiple ring basins, and many lava flows. They have their similarities and differences. Mercury’s diameter is 4,900 miles wide. Mercury’s largest feature is the Caloris Basin. The Caloris basin is 1,300 Km (800 MI). in diameter. The Caloris Basins floor is full of cliffs and ridges. As you progress to the bottom the cliffs and ledges increase in size. The Caloris Basin was created when it was bombarded with meteorites. The Caloris basin was created by a meteorite that could of been up to 100 km. When the large meteorite hit Mercury it sent shocks through it which produced jumbled hills on the opposite side of Mercury. This process as known as The Caloris Impact. The lava flowed into craters and basins which filled holes and cracks that smoothed out their floors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Like Earth, Mercury has 3 main layers. The Earth’s being the crust, mantle, and core. Earth’s core is made up of molten rock AKA lava. Liquid cores create a magnetic field. Mercury’s three layers are a rocky silicate crust, solid rocky silicate mantle, and a hot liquid iorn-nickle core. The core makes up 75% of its diameter. Scientists did not think that is was possible for the core to be liquid because over the years mercury’s rotation has slowed down dramatically. They thought that it would of been hardened by now. Planets that have a magnetic field that are generated by the rotation of a conductive molten core such as that of Earth and mercury are known as â€Å"The Dynamo Effect†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mercury’s rotation period is 59 earth days long.

Fading Christian Relevancy Exposed by Sallie McFague Essay -- Religion

My first encounter with Sallie McFague’s article was jarring: her eco-feminist metaphorical approach to theology is somewhat unexpected to those unfamiliar with Religious Studies. Yet I suppose I have misjudged much of this field of study by unfairly coming to expect either wholly traditional or wholly radical claims. McFague’s approach, however, seems relatively moderate and reasonable in all its assertions, and its neo-Derridian deconstruction had my inner cultural analyst bursting with excitement. Aching to break away from the patriarchical tyranny of classical Christian theology, she is committed to a drastic reconstruction of traditional Christian dogma. At first I wondered as to her motives: was this deconstruction fueled by a second-wave feminist desire to overthrow patriarchy, or the wishes of a tree-hugging ecologist on a mission to save the natural world (as suggested by her book’s title, Theology for an Ecological, Nuclear Age)? Apparently neither. It is after the first few paragraphs that McFague brings clear relevancy to her writing. She argues that the common interpretation of Jesus’ resurrection serves to negate God’s omnipresence. Traditionally it is understood that the resurrection represents a â€Å"personal, bodily translation into another world† (259) though which one can join the Savior. Thus while awaiting a later holistic reunion with God, one’s earthly, bodily present is in â€Å"between-time†, in limbo, lacking God in space and time. Thus McFague fears such an interpretation for its indirect implications: God, then, is not ‘omnipresent’ – He is only par tially, selectively present. (260) She proposes, then, that the resurrection tale no longer be held as a mythology of transcendence, but rather as a â€Å"promise of G... ...e need for metaphorical theology. The particular appeal of McFague’s style is, then, not necessarily her argument nor her logic: rather it is her open-minded approach to such controversial matters. For as McFague herself would openly admit, â€Å"there are, of course, different understandings on what is ‘better’† (265). Notes: [1] I particular enjoyed McFague’s observation that â€Å"a model is a metaphor with ‘staying power’† (278) as I have often wondered at what point a religious metaphor, such as ‘God as Father’, becomes accepted enough that it becomes used in the vernacular. [2] McFague’s ‘metaphorical theology’ very much reminds me of George Carlin’s attempts to rejuvenate an outdated Jesus in Dogma. McFague, like Carlin’s Cardinal Glick, is trying to ‘re-package’ and ‘sell’ faith (or rather, The â€Å"Buddy Jesus†) by preventing a need, and relevancy, for religion.

I am a part of something Essay -- essays research papers

Have you ever put together a large jigsaw puzzle? When you put away the puzzle, sometimes the pieces get lost or bent. If they do, when you take it back out and try to reassemble it, the puzzle is not complete; the overall picture, however, is still satisfying. In John Donne's "No Man Is an Island," the author similarly says that the inhabitants of the world comprise a team. When the team (the world) loses a player, the team is not complete, but it finds some way to move on without that player. Every player is like a pebble that has been dropped onto a perfectly still pond; the consequence of the impact ripples out from the center. The ripples reach all sides of the pond, in a far-reaching expression of cause and effect. Donne begins his poem by telling the reader that every man is a part of a whole: "No man is an island, entire of its self; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of a main" ("No Man Is An Island" sent. 1). He asserts that no person is entirely by himself. Every person is somehow connected to the world. Regardless of whether he is aware of it, he makes his mark in some way. He sends his own ripples out, his own cause and effect; he is a part of the whole of the world. All beings and all things in the world are to work together as a team for one common goal, such as to co-exist. Every human has some kind of connection with someone or something else. No one is complete with out anything or anyone else, and everyone is a par... I am a part of something Essay -- essays research papers Have you ever put together a large jigsaw puzzle? When you put away the puzzle, sometimes the pieces get lost or bent. If they do, when you take it back out and try to reassemble it, the puzzle is not complete; the overall picture, however, is still satisfying. In John Donne's "No Man Is an Island," the author similarly says that the inhabitants of the world comprise a team. When the team (the world) loses a player, the team is not complete, but it finds some way to move on without that player. Every player is like a pebble that has been dropped onto a perfectly still pond; the consequence of the impact ripples out from the center. The ripples reach all sides of the pond, in a far-reaching expression of cause and effect. Donne begins his poem by telling the reader that every man is a part of a whole: "No man is an island, entire of its self; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of a main" ("No Man Is An Island" sent. 1). He asserts that no person is entirely by himself. Every person is somehow connected to the world. Regardless of whether he is aware of it, he makes his mark in some way. He sends his own ripples out, his own cause and effect; he is a part of the whole of the world. All beings and all things in the world are to work together as a team for one common goal, such as to co-exist. Every human has some kind of connection with someone or something else. No one is complete with out anything or anyone else, and everyone is a par...