Monday, September 30, 2019

Merck & Co. Performance Appraisal System Essay

1) WHY? Brief Background on Merck & Co. Performance Appraisal System The past and existing performance appraisal of Merck & Co. was ineffective to identify and reward performance to a certain extent. Although the company was paying their employees around seven to eight percent more than the average compensation in other large companies, the performance appraisal system did not clearly identified outstanding performance, which caused inequity in rewarding performance and led to unhappiness among the employees, especially the high performers. Compared to the average performers, there was only marginal increase in salary for outstanding performers. Without proper recognition and rewards, the company was at risk of losing its high performers and keeping the worst performers. Core Problems and Its Causal Identification: High Degree of Criterion Deficiency and Criterion Contamination The core problems identified for inequity in performance appraisal was the high degree of Criterion Deficiency and Criterion Contamination in performance appraisal, forced distribution in performance rating and biasness in performance appraisal. There were 3 causal for the core problems. The 3 causal were namely: 1) the company’s absolute performance rating scale, 2) company’s salary determination under the old plan and 3) superiors’ biasness in appraisal. Recommendation Using Core Concepts to Solve the High Degree of Criterion Deficiency and Criterion Contamination The 3 proposed recommendation to address the 3 causal are namely: 1) identifying conceptual criteria through employees’ job analysis to eliminate criterion deficiency and contamination in performance appraisal, 2) employee comparison models (rank-order method) to identify outstanding performers under salary determination and 3) introducing an ongoing assessment to eliminate superior’s biasness. 2) WHAT? Causal 1: Performance Appraisal under the Old Plan (Criterion Deficiency & Criterion Contamination) The Absolute performance rating scale could only rate the individual’s performance independent of the performances of other employees. In my opinion, this individual’s performance rating scale was no longer relevant or sufficient in big company like Merck & Co in the present. From the case, it was noted that an employee was dissatisfied that the company’s performance was average and 83 percent of the employees  were actually exceeding job expectations. This had proven that the performance appraisal system was inaccurate in measuring the employee’s performance. For example, it might be due to the fact that the effectiveness of the company depends on an individual’s performance, that was interdependent on his subordinates, superior and even colleagues in a team context. Thus, an absolute performance rating scale would be ineffective in identifying and rewarding true performance as it had caused a criterion deficiency of excluding the team performance as one of the important criteria for performance appraisal. Causal 2: Salary Determination under the Old Plan (Forced Distribution for Performance Rating) In Merck & Co., the salaries of the employees were determined by a salary line formula comprises of the Hay points system. The employees would then get their actual salary based on their percentage for compa-ratio on the control point. On the surface, this system seems to be structured in rewarding based on merit, but in fact, it was not effective in rewarding outstanding performers. Firstly, an employee’s compa-ratio would always be capped at the maximum of 125 percent. In other words, an employee can only earn a maximum of 25 percent more of the normal 100 percent salary even he had performed exceptionally well in his job. Secondly, consisten t good performers were unable to maintain compa-ratio of 120 percent and above due to the annual revision on the control points. When the control points increased, the compa-ratio of an employee would dropped for most of the time, regarding his performance. Thirdly, an outstanding employee with high compa-ratio would get lower pay increase compared to an employee with average compa-ratio, given the same performance ratings. This salary determination system discouraged outstanding employees to continue to perform as the reward they get out of this system was capped and limited, and similar to what average employees would get for their effort. From the case, one of the employee had actually voiced out that it was demoralizing and demotivating as no matter how hard he work, he will still get the same rating as everyone else and the same 5 percent increase in salary. In addition, as reflected from the case, the vast majority of the employees received 3 or 4 while very few received 1,2 and 5. There was a forced distribution for performance rating. This system had caused criterion deficiency as the determination of the employees’ salary was not clearly assessed on their performance and thus,  making the outstanding performers to feel inequity. Causal 3: No fairness in the Performance Measures (Biasness) There was a significant amount of complaints from the employees on the performance appraisal system as there were no fairness in the performance measures. This was caused by the biasness of the appraiser. The contributory factors of biasness could be vanity, narcissism, laziness and frivolity (Michael, 2007). For vanity, the appraiser would want to give high ratings to his subordinate so as to make his people and department to look good and get good bonuses and other rewards. In the case, an employee who was an appraiser commented that he was unable to rate his people objectively as other directors were giving all their people a rating of 4, and it makes him hard to give his people a rating of less than 4. For narcissism, the appraiser would measure performance using his own point of view. An employee reflected that managers were afraid of giving experienced people a rating of less than 4 but willing to give new people a rating of 3. The managers’ point of view was that experienced employees would get a rating of 4 and above while new employees would get a rating of 3. In the case of laziness, the appraiser measures assumed performance without any thoughts and efforts. This cou ld be related to the case whereby the experienced employees would be rated higher than the newcomers as it was assumed by the appraiser that the experienced employees were better than the newcomers in term of performance. Lastly, for frivolity, the appraiser was not serious in the appraisal and would look for ways to blame others rather than shouldering the responsibility for improving performance. From the case, an employee who performed well was not given a rating of 5 by his supervisor, as his supervisor did not get a 5 for his performance appraisal. It might be due to the supervisor’s self-interest that made him reluctant to give a rating of 5 to his subordinate. These errors of appraisal had caused the performance measures to lose its values and resulted in criterion deficiency and contamination as the appraisers were not doing their appraisal properly. 3) How? Recommendation 1 to address Causal 1: Identify Conceptual Criteria through Employees’ Job Analysis Firstly, the company should use job analysis as the procedure to find the criteria and job performance scope for its employees in order to eliminate criterion deficiency and contamination and increase  criterion relevance. Job analysis would help to identify conceptual criteria such as observable job behaviors and characteristics of the job environment. Based on a relevant set of performance criteria, the management would then be able to measure and reward their employees’ performance effectively and would in turns, accurately reflects the effectiveness of the organization and eliminate cases whereby most of the employees exceeded job expectations when the company was only doing average in performance. Recommendation 2 to address Causal 2: Employee Comparison models (Rank-order method) as the Appraisal Method for Salary Determination Secondly, in order to improve on the way that the company determine the employees’ salary, the management can implement rank-order method as the performance rating for salary determination. In the company’s existing performance appraisal program, the management used forced distribution whereby the vast majority of the employees were given an average ratings and very few employees were given in the high and low ratings. This was reflected in the salary determination for the employees where there were no significant difference in the salary among the employees. It was ineffective to some extent in rewarding the outstanding performers as only a small proportion or percentage of the employees would get high ratings for their performance. Thus, it was recommended for the management to use the rank-order method so as to force the appraiser to p erform detailed analysis on the employees and rank them in order of their performance. Unlike forced distribution, the rank-order method can be motivating for the employees to perform as it objectively identify the worst and outstanding performers without the restriction of the quotas to meet in these two categories. When the salary determination system was paired up with Rank-order Appraisal method, according to the order of employees’ ranking, it can create a distinct gaps in terms of Hay points and Compa-Ratio between poor to average and high performers. Also, the employees in top rankings would get higher ratings in performance appraisal. Based on the salary line formula, rank-order performance rating method would significantly increase the salary gap between average and high performers contributed by the increase in the Hay Points, Compa-Ratio and performance ratings earned by the high performers. Recommendation 3 to address Causal 3: An Ongoing Assessment & Self-Assessment (360 Degrees Feedback) Thirdly, in addition of the  yearly formal performance appraisal, the company can introduce a weekly or monthly ongoing performance assessment and self-assessment to measure its employees’ performance effectively. The ongoing assessment must be objective, job-related and provide appeal process for employees who are not satisfied with the performance rating. With an ongoing assessments put in place, the management would minimize biasness by using and compare a variety of performance evaluations such as 360 degrees feedback that involve multiple appraisers and would also prevent the appraiser to appraise based on their own biasness without any substantial proof on the employees’ performance. The ongoing assessment would promote fairness in performance appraisal. Reference: Case Study 1) Merck & Co., Inc. (A) 2) The 7 Deadly Sins of Performance Measurement and How to Avoid Them

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Childhood Obesity Essay

Obesity in young children is becoming more and more of a problem in today’s society. The effects of this epidemic can be life long, or even fatal. Lack of nutritional education on the nurses’ behalf, theories on pre-birth influences and ignorance to the long term effects of obesity have lead up to being the main problems when dealing with childhood obesity. The causes of this epidemic range from before the child is even born, to the teenage stages. The role of a nurse is to address health problems of a single person, or poor nutritional habits of a family. It is important to involve the family as a whole when addressing a single person about their weight so that they know that they have their family behind them, supporting them through it all. â€Å"The child is embedded within the family system and therefore, it is very difficult for obese children to alter their dietary or physical habits if not supported by their families.† (Rabbitt 731). If a nurse implements these kinds of strategies when addressing the epidemic, a greater impact of importance would be laid upon the person facing their obesity. There are many theories out in the scientific field that have to do with causes in childhood obesity. We hear about poor nutrition and shortfall of exercise, but we might have looked over the mothers role when she is pregnant. Poor eating habits and not enough exercise are both factors that contribute to the theory: The Developmental Over-nutrition Hypothesis. This theory states that the fetus of and overweight mother is more prone to being overweight as a child due to over exposure of free fatty acids and higher levels of glucose (Ding 0353). Research done by Debbie Lawlor and some of her colleagues has proven an association between BMI of parents and children (Ding 0353). With the statistics that come with this research, we are able to identify core problems with family nutrition and eating habits. The fetus of a mother does not have the choice of what they do or do not eat, so it is the mothers’ responsibility to make sure that her baby is fed with proper, healthy foods. The amount of obese children in the United States has tripled since the 1980’s (Childhood Obesity 1). Not only is it the nurses’ and mothers’ job to watch what their child consumes,  but schools play a major role in the epidemic as well. Although schools strongly promote exercise, the food that they are feeding to the children does not help progress their intentions of preventing childhood obesity. When I was in elementary school, we were served fried foods galore. There was never a day that went without some kind of greasy, fatty foods. Convienence also is a major facto when it comes to eating healthy.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Methods in IR Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Methods in IR - Assignment Example minist methodology in international relations research have had low progress, in the past, its inclusion in international relations research was of plausible significance. Power relations are dependent on diverse perspectives including feminist research methods. Feminist methodologies are significant in determining the ontology and epistemology of critical social thinking. This research seeks to address the extent to which Selimovic et al (2012) applie the question of feminist methodology in their research. How does Selimovic et al (2012) use feminist methodology to depict the skills of critical social scientific reasoning in their research? Social research plays a vital and central role in improving the academic field of political science. Research is an academic investigation in a field of knowledge of a researcher’s interest. A research aims at creating a solution to the identified hypothesis. The validity of a hypothesis formulated in the field of international relations is verifiable using qualitative research. It involves a through, comprehensive and structured inquiry using qualitative research methods. The integration of the diverse research methods is of valuable importance in conducting social research. International relations topics are among the diverse social research topics in political research. A well-conducted research in international relations applies impartial reasoning skills, based on premises use research methods. Selimovic et al (2012) use valid qualitative research methods to address the role of women in instilling peace in countries and regions experiencing war and violence. The development of the academic discipline in international relations started notably after the Second World War. Most countries adopted initiatives to enhance the development of research  in international relations. America was among the countries that contributed highly in the development of research in international relations after the end of the war (Jackson

Friday, September 27, 2019

Explain and Evaluate Psychodynamic and Humanistic Approaches Assignment

Explain and Evaluate Psychodynamic and Humanistic Approaches - Assignment Example There are the following categories in this approach: the psychoanalysis, analytical psychotherapy (named after Alfred Adler), Self Psychology (Heinz Kohut) and others (Brief Psychodynamic Therapy). Psychodynamic psychologists claim that human behavior is determined by three different parts of human psyche: id (biological drives), ego and superego. Unconscous is between the last two categories. Basically, the original theory of Sigmund Freud is that the main conflicts in human life were rooted in the human existence itself. These processes exert influence on human behavior subconsciously. The main principle of psychodynamic approach is that unconscious helps people to be better aware of an individual’s needs and behavior. Therefore, human beings are able to follow the way conflicts influence our lives. Another approach of Alderian psychotherapy is directed on people’s ability to overcome their emotions and feelings. It is also possible to direct clients’ striving for the social sphere or another kind of a human activity. Thus, people are able to change their behavior, correct their mistakes, behaviors and feelings. This approach of psychodynamics is based on a constant encouragement of individuals to reach confidence; a feeling of self-protection and self-enhancement and thus they would be able to make essential social contributions. Carl Jung is another representative of psychodynamic approach. His ideas are based on the important role of unconscious in the life of an individual, though he broadened his vision and added issues of mythology, concepts of culture etc. Thus, in accordance with the ideas of Jung, an individual has to achieve harmony of conscious and unconscious. Psychopathology developed by Heinz Kohut refers to the important role of childhood reminiscences in the life of an individual. The formation of a conscious self occurs in the process of projection of childhood’s reminiscences in the adulthood. Real life applicatio n of the theory It should be noted that in the real life this approach is applicable for any individual and this approach is considered to be rather effective. Psychological pathologies and irrational behavior of a client may be effectively treated with the help of psychodynamic approach. Nevertheless, such drawbacks as a lack of individual’s reminiscences from his past may prevent success of the therapy. Research methods Methods of psychodynamic approach are often criticized. Psychologists usually interpret data that support evident facts. Moreover, methods lack objectivity, because can be interpreted in a different manner. Psychodynamic approach is based on theoretical constructs, which are hard to interpret (e.g. unconscious). Still, the main advantage of this approach is its uniqueness in determining irrational human behavior. â€Å"Cure talking† of this approach is effective in irrelevant behavior correction (Chapter 7—Brief Psychodynamic Therapy). Humanist ic approach in psychology Humanistic psychotherapy implies a wide range of various issues related to a patient, such as his mind, body and spirit. The main difference of this approach from other psychological approaches is making an emphasis on subjective meaning and focus on positive change and not on pathology. Moreover, humanists underline the importance of subjective concerns in behavior of an individual. It also implies that each patient has his own abilities of self-healing. Abraham Maslow is the most important

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Research Methods Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Research Methods - Assignment Example There are no responses for the choice not to reveal one’s gender category. Table 2: Age Profile Age Total Percentage 18-21 41 52.6% 22-25 27 34.6% 26-29 5 6.4% 30+ 5 6.4% Statistics Age N Valid 78 Missing 0 Mean 1.67 Std. Deviation .863 Skewness 1.332 Std. Error of Skewness .272 Age Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent Valid 18-21 41 52.6 52.6 52.6 22-25 27 34.6 34.6 87.2 26-29 5 6.4 6.4 93.6 30+ 5 6.4 6.4 100.0 Total 78 100.0 100.0 As to age, there are four age ranges represented, beginning from 18 onwards. The greatest percentage proportion of respondents was that corresponding to 18-21 years of age, comprising slightly higher than 52%. The second-highest number represented was that corresponding to the group between the ages 22-25 years, representing almost 35% of the survey sample. Together, the two groups comprise nearly 90% of the respondents, indicating that the sample respondent group is dominated by the young adults who are still in the process of comple ting their degrees, and/or still have minimal working exposure. Table 3: Ethnicity Profile Ethnicity Total Percentage White 31 39.7% Mixed 1 1.3% Asian 19 24.4% Black 12 15.4% Chinese 8 10.3% MidEast 7 9.0% Statistics Ethnicity N Valid 78 Missing 0 Mean 2.82 Std. Deviation 1.726 Skewness .363 Std. ... ackground) 12 15.4 15.4 80.8 Chinese 8 10.3 10.3 91.0 Middle East or Other Arab State 7 9.0 9.0 100.0 Total 78 100.0 100.0 There are six ethnicities represented in the respondent sample, the largest proportion of which is are White comprised of the British, Irish, or other Caucasian nationals, who comprise nearly 40% of the respondents. Second highest ethnic groups are those of Asian background, and together Whites and Asians represent almost two-thirds of the sample group. The remaining one-third are composed of Blacks with 15%, Chinese with 10%, and Middle-Eastern and Arabs with 9%. There is one respondent who answered that he/she was of mixed ethnicity. Table 4: Skills Self-assessment    Mean SD COV Interpret Maths 2.987 1.533 0.513 NAD Logical 2.962 1.284 0.433 NAD Social 3.321 1.410 0.424 NAD Disputes 3.256 1.372 0.421 NAD Issues 3.128 1.231 0.394 NAD Teamwork 3.141 1.412 0.449 NAD Individual 3.436 1.364 0.409 NAD Alone 3.256 1.333 0.409 NAD Leading 3.372 1.424 0.422 NAD Membe r 3.051 1.422 0.466 NAD Part_Team 3.256 1.472 0.452 NAD SD = standard deviation, COV = coefficient of variation The respondents were asked to agree or disagree with statements which represented their self-assessment of their entrepreneurial skills. Table 4 above provides the summation of all the self-assessed skills, their standard deviation to show the dispersion of the responses given, and the coefficient of variation to give a more stringent description of spread. The interpretation of mean scores is also provided, according to the legend below the table. All the mean scores fall within the range â€Å"Neither Agree nor Disagree† (NAD), although this is not so much due to consensus as much as it is due to the wide variation among the answers (ranging from 1 to 5). The extreme scores

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

About me Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

About me - Essay Example I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in English Language from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria more than two years ago and have been teaching the subject in secondary schools since then. Right from my time in the university, I have nursed the idea to promote and sustain Yoruba language and culture within the shores of Nigeria. No wonder, therefore, that one of my research projects in the university was â€Å"Word Creation Processes In English: A Case Study Of Affixation, Blending And Compounding Involving English And Yoruba Words†. However, the society seems to be having a different perspective; English appears to have a clear cut preference over the Nigerian languages which are labeled ‘vernacular’. Although there are a few who share my school of thoughts, the general societal belief system is non-accommodative, thus the desire to look beyond my society. The ideas I have nurtured passionately for years collapses well into the Fulbright FLTA Program; a program that will not only open up the avenues of refining my English language proficiency and teaching skills, but also power on the opportunity to exchange cultural values with foreign individuals. Interestingly, I have always imagined how exciting it would be to actualize my dream of sharing my cultural roots with total strangers. I liken such to a possible scenario of two young lovers; a perfect avenue to burn passion and express emotions. I remember with nostalgia the days in University seeing foreigners [Europeans or maybe Americans] struggle to study the Yoruba language and culture, yet missed opportunities to have a tete-a-tete with them. Nonetheless, that was then, with a totally different objective to accomplish; obtaini ng a first degree. The opportunity presented in this particular program will be perfect as much. Teaching English language may be very interesting, nothing would be more fulfilling than seeing people [foreigners] appreciate the Yoruba culture and

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

The irrepressible conflict chapter 7 in the imperiled union, by Essay

The irrepressible conflict chapter 7 in the imperiled union, by kenneth stampp(pages 191 to 245) - Essay Example In the social science, historical theories and concepts are criticized by current scholars in search of new knowledge. If new evidence is discovered, scholars critically analyze it in consideration to the past evidence provided. The reason for revisionism is history relies on past distant events, and very little evidence is used in postulating of theories, therefore, when more evidence is found, it call for revision of the earlier theories or critic their explanation to the past event. This essay focuses on the civil war and the views of the revisionist via a Vis Stampp disapproval of them. How and why do revisionists argue that the civil war was a needless or repressible war? The proponent of revisionism argued that the case for a civil was a moral judgment of whether slavery was right or wrong. In addition, the agitators for antislavery had questionable attitudes towards the issues of slavery as political issues. As Steven Douglas argued, slavery was an issue of the southern people , and it did not affect people in the north. Therefore, the issues of slavery were better left to the white in the south to deal with and not engage in an unnecessary war. Moreover, revisionist says that the moral indifference of slavery was not a big issue to fight over it. Men and women are created sane and would solve their differences in a sane manner and avoid unnecessary bloodshed. According to Ulrich Philips, the black people had no problem being slaves because, in their nature, they were submissive, amiable, and light-hearted, imitative, ingratiating, and they were not progressive by the fact that they were Negroes. Philips also argues that the case for the plantation system among the slave was nothing ethical but nostalgia. Therefore, slavery was not a cause for the alarm, to instigate civil war because it had nothing to excite (Stampp 191-245). Another revisionist, Frank L, Owsley says that slavery was a moral issue and was not economic determinism of civilization in the s outh. He says that the issue of slavery has been dragged in the wrong case of the causes of a civil war. Furthermore, Randall believed that the black slave in the south had adapted to bondage without much resistance, and performing their tasks cheerfully. Randall also argues that, the southern slaves were abused, and this amounted to mistreatment, but it was a lenient way of treating slave by their slave owners. Randall says that, in reality the slave’s owners were more enslaved than the black by the set out institutions (Stampp 191-245). Craven brought his assertion that the different between the West and East were much greater than that of the North and South. Craven argues that abolition of slavery hindered the understanding of the effect of slavery to the modern employee –employer relationship. According to Craven, the life American worker today is much like that of the slave. Craven note that, even during the debate of the relevancy of slavery in the south, the pa tient blacks continued with their tasks unconsciously never minding the merits of the system he was working. David Potter in his analysis of revisionism says that, the facts that slave were left to live and even to grow and expand in a new world, was better off than engaging in a war. David concedes that emancipation of four million slaves was of great value, but he says it came at a greater cost. According to David, for every

Monday, September 23, 2019

The Global Warming Phenomenon Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Global Warming Phenomenon - Term Paper Example Furthermore, this increases the risk for flooding in the usual storm-afflicted areas, and the likelihood of drought in locations that get relatively less precipitation. The change in temperature also makes the storm tracks vary, making the weather less predictable. More importantly for humans, increasing temperature will lead to heat-related health incidents, air-quality respiratory illnesses, and low crop yields (Environment Protection Agency). Because of the vast effects of global warming, even the government is being called upon to resolve the issue. A strong effort from the Congress to mandate the polluters to pay for the clean-up of the greenhouse gases they produce is needed to prevent the excessive and unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions as well as to hasten the elimination of the gases. Investments on clean energy industries that use wind and solar power should are now strongly promoted. Households are encouraged to implement energy efficiency practices such as driving hybri d vehicles, reducing electricity use at homes and manufacturing plants with energy-saving machines, and advocating public transportation use, walking and biking (National Energy Information Center). MAN-MADE GLOBAL WARMING Many scientists believe that human activity is the main driving force causing global warming. Many evidences support such claim. It was seen that although the temperature in earth started increasing since the 1800, the most rapid increase has been observed in the recent decades (Environmental Protection Agency), and the increasing amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are blamed for it. Greenhouse gases is a mixture of gaseous compounds such as water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NO2), and aerosols that can fill the atmosphere to prevent infrared radiation from escaping to the space, trapping the heat and increasing the overall temperature of the earth (National Energy Information Center). According to World Meteorological Organ ization, there was almost a 30% increase in the Earth’s atmosphere in a span of two decades. Its concentration increases because the mechanisms that regulate their amounts in the atmosphere become less efficient. For example, in the case of CO2, it is regulated by the carbon cycle. During pre-industrial era, despite the production of CO2 by animals, the atmospheric CO2 remained constant. However, the continuously increasing levels of CO2 were noticed since the advent of industrialization, which emit the gas by biogas burning to power the machineries. Currently, the increased electricity and transportation use, as well as continuing deforestation add onto the CO2 in the atmosphere (World Meteorological Organization). CH4 is emitted from landfills, coal mines, oil and gas operations, and agriculture, all human activities. Similar to CO2, the industrial era marked the increase of CH4. NO2, on the other hand, is released from oceans, by burning fossil fuels, fertilizer use and in dustrial processes. Despite the relatively low amount of increase, its effects are around 300 times greater than equal amounts of CO2, because it also destroys the ozone layer that protects the earth harmful ultraviolet rays. Unfortunately, we cannot prevent the earth from heating up. This

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Womens Roles Then and Now Essay Example for Free

Womens Roles Then and Now Essay Abigail said she was born November 11, 1744 in Weymouth, Massachusetts to the Reverend William and Elizabeth Quincy Smith. She stated that she married John Adams on October 25, 1764 and they moved to Braintree, Massachusetts where she gave birth to six children. She cared for her children at the Braintree home while her husband was an accomplished lawyer. She was left largely alone for ten years during the American Revolution to run the household. Women running a family home were also running a family business. The family homes were centers of production; households often had to produce their own food, clothing, and many of their own supplies. Women were often in charge of coordinating and producing these materials and, thus, were an essential part of keeping the family alive and well. Catherine the Great said that she was born May 2, 1729 in Stettin, Prussia to Christian Augustus and his wife, Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. She said her baptismal name was Sophia Augusta Frederica. In accordance with the custom then prevailing in German princely families, she was educated chiefly by French governesses and tutors. In 1744 she was taken to Russia, to become the fiancà © to the grand duke Peter, the nephew of the empress Elizabeth, and her recognized heir. They married on August 21, 1745 at St. Petersburg. Unlike Abigail, Catherine did not have to do the day to day chores of raising a family and running a home. She had servants to do that job. The historical status for women in general during the 18th century in America changed from the previous years. Married women’s lives revolved to a large extent around managing the household, a role which in many cases included partnership in running farms or home businesses. Even those women whose social standing afforded increased leisure took up spinning and other activities to replace imported goods. They prepared food for militia musters and made cartridges. War, when it came, touched everyone. Abigail stated that she joined her diplomat husband in Europe in 1784 where they spent eight months in Paris. In 1785, she filled the role of wife of the first U.S. minister to the Court of St. James in London. They returned in 1788 to a house known as the â€Å"Old House† in Quincy, Massachusetts which she set about vigorously enlarging and remodeling. When John was elected President of the United States, Abigail continued a formal pattern of entertaining. With the removal of the capital to Washington in 1800, she became the first â€Å"First Lady† to preside over the White House. She told Catherine that she took an active role in politics and policy. She was so politically active; her political opponents came to refer to her as â€Å"Mrs. President†. Catherine said that once she married her husband she set about winning the hearts of the Russian people. She learned the language of the people and made up her mind to do whatever had to be done, and to profess to believe whatever she was required to believe, in order to be qualified to wear the crown. Being raised in the Lutheran faith she declined the religious services of a Protestant pastor, and sent for an orthodox priest who had been appointed to instruct her in the Greek form of Christianity. On June 28th, 1744 she was into the Orthodox Church at Moscow, and was renamed Catherine Alexeyevna. Catherine was emphatically a sovereign and a politician who was in the last resort guided by the reason of state. Her foreign policy was as consistent as it could be considering the forces she had to content against. It was steadily aimed to secure the greatness and the safety of Russia. She stated that she loved her adopted country and had affection for her people. She incorporated Enlightenment ideas into her politics, commissioned art, and created s successful foreign policy. She also expanded the Russian Empire to the Black Sea by defeating the Ottoman Empire in two major wars. Catherine’s empire spanned over three continents: Europe, Asia, and part of North America. It stretched form the Arctic Ocean to the North, the Black Sea to the South, Alaska and the Pacific to the East, and the Baltic Sea to the West. She reformed the system by creating a legislative commission in 1767, introducing a system of local self-government in 1775, and issuing the Charter to the Nobility in 1785. Russia became the largest producer of iron, cast iron and copper. She had more than 200 factories and workshops. Industrial production had doubled the value of domestic and foreign trade tripled. Though she had mounted the throne by a military revolt and entered on great schemes of conquest, she never took an intelligent interest in her army. She neglected it in peace, allowed it to be shamefully administered in war, and could never be made to understand that it was not in her power to improvise generals out of her favorites. Each of the women had opinions on the role women should play in society during their lifetimes. Abigail told Catherine that she was an advocate of married women’s property rights and more opportunities for women, particularly in the field of education. Women, she believed, should not submit to laws not made in their interest, nor should they be content with the simple role of being companions to their husbands. She said that women should educate themselves and thus be recognized for their intellectual capabilities, so they could guide and influence the lives of their children and husbands. Abigail along with her husband believed that slavery was evil and a threat to the American democratic society. Catherine stated that she was kind to her servants, and was very fond of young children. She was rarely angry with people who merely contradicted her or failed to perform their service in her household. Her renowned toleration stopped short of allowing the dissenters to build chapels, and her passion for legislative reform grew cold when she found that she must begin by the emancipation of the serfs. She saw no reason to emancipate the serfs because there would be no one to do the work. Abigail Adams would greatly admire the current roles of women today. Condoleezza Rice, the first African-American woman to become the U.S. Secretary of State advising the leader of the world largest superpower, Hillary Rodham Clinton, a U.S. Senator for the state of New York and then the Secretary of State, and Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Catherine the Great would also greatly admire the current roles of women today. Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India from 1966-1977. This was the highest position in the world’s most populous democracy and was especially significant for Indian women, who had traditionally been subservient to men. Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996, the first female leader of a Moslem country and Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel form 1969-1974. Both Abigail Adams and Catherine the Great would approve of the fact that women have the right to study and become doctors, lawyers, scientists and even politicians. No longer are women confined to the home raising children. Today’s modern woman has a home, works a full time job and takes care of her children and some even decide to continue their education. Women have come a long way since the beginning of time. Reference http://www.bookrags.com/printfriendly/?p=essaysu=2005/5/23/231755/036 http://ezinearticles.com/?How-the-role-of-Women-Has-Changesid=3602156 http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/11/DFBA.html http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/11/DZTZ.html http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/11/MTNG.html http://www.123helpme.com/american-womens-changing-roles-in-society-view.asp?id=15 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?titlr=Abigail_Adamsprintable=yes http://fr.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Catherine_11_de_Russieprintable=yes

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Ansoffs Matrix - Planning fo Growth Essay Example for Free

Ansoffs Matrix Planning fo Growth Essay This well known marketing tool was first published in the Harvard Business Review (1957) in an article called Strategies for Diversification. It is used by marketers who have objectives for growth. Ansoffs matrix offers strategic choices to achieve the objectives. There are four main categories for selection. Ansoffs Product/Market Matrix Market Penetration Here we market our existing products to our existing customers. This means increasing our revenue by, for example, promoting the product, repositioning the brand, and so on. However, the product is not altered and we do not seek any new customers. Market Development Here we market our existing product range in a new market. This means that the product remains the same, but it is marketed to a new audience. Exporting the product, or marketing it in a new region, are examples of market development. Product Development This is a new product to be marketed to our existing customers. Here we develop and innovate new product offerings to replace existing ones. Such products are then marketed to our existing customers. This often happens with the auto markets where existing models are updated or replaced and then marketed to existing customers. Diversification This is where we market completely new products to new customers. There are two types of diversification, namely related and unrelated diversification. Related diversification means that we remain in a market or industry with which we are familiar. For example, a soup manufacturer diversifies into cake manufacture (i.e. the food industry). Unrelated diversification is where we have no previous industry nor market experience. For example a soup manufacturer invests in the rail business. Ansoffs matrix is one of the most well know frameworks for deciding upon strategies for growth.