John Chambers (Cisco CEO) - The Role of Decisiveness and Decision Essay

John Chambers (Cisco CEO) - The Role of Decisiveness and Decision Making - Essay Example In October 2011, Cisco’s total compensation dropped by 8%, while prior in august this year, the net gain had dropped by 36%, despite the fact that it later on rose by just a little edge of 3.3%. Investor esteem creation is one of the most significant systems in an association, and ought to be a need for a CEO; be that as it may, Chambers has flopped colossally. As indicated by Rappaport (2006), administrators ought to consistently settle on choices that target expanding esteem. Also, on occasion, it is smarter to restore the investors money in profit structure, instead of utilizing abundance money in ventures that wind up being dangerous. Along these lines, overabundance money ought to be come back to investors whenever the worth making openings are not accessible. Furthermore, an association should concentrate on the exercises that add to long haul an incentive in the association. Definitiveness is one of the significant characteristics of a fruitful CEO; the demonstration of being resolved is clear in Chambers to such an extent that, in spite of the ascent of Cisco from $1billion to $40 billion followed by the difficulties in 2001, Chambers has kept on holding tight in the company’s initiative. ... contends that the persistent recuperation of Cisco can be credited to the CEO’s administration abilities, as he is known as a viable communicator and inspiration of workers. Writing Review John Chambers, the Cisco’s CEO, has confronted both negative and positive comments concerning his job in the organization. The inability to convince the open that the company’s future income are dependable is one of the current pundits. Chambers supplanted the top-down dynamic procedure with the advisory groups of officials. This methodology required most supervisors to invest their energy in councils; this crazy framework was later on deserted. As indicated by Geothals, Sorenson, and Burns (2004, p.319), the nearness of the right data prompts educated choices, while conclusiveness makes space for ideal activities. By the by, irregularity and inability to satisfy guarantees in a CEO makes a climate of doubt from the representatives and the clients. In this way, an open administ ration style adds to the advancement of trust, improved relational abilities, and listening aptitudes also. Be that as it may, ineffectual correspondence prompts poor cooperation because of absence of coordinated effort, decline in profitability, and significant levels of turnover. Unequivocal chiefs know that their choices may not be powerful; consequently, they leave space for change, and in this way, they don't spare a moment to adjust their choices once they understand that their unique choices are not compelling. This is obvious in Chambers case; for example, when chambers changed the company’s top-down dynamic procedure to manager’s board system, the new methodology demonstrated insufficient as directors invested the vast majority of their energy in panels. Be that as it may, Chambers reexamined changing the system subsequent to finding that it didn't

Charles Manson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Charles Manson - Essay Example At once, she offered him to a server for a pitcher of brew. This server kept him until his uncle recovered him a couple of days after the fact. In 1939, his mom and uncle were tossed behind bars for ransacking a corner store and Manson went to live with another auntie and uncle who were very strict. At the point when his mom was conceded parole three years after the fact, in any case, Manson came back to his mother’s side, where they moved from lodging to inn. Kathleen Maddox was continually endeavoring to dispose of Manson, as she was not a decent mother. In 1947, she endeavored to have him put in a cultivate home, however she was unable to discover one accessible. This prompted Manson being put in Gibault School for Boys, where he remained for ten months before escaping to discover his mom once more. His mom, notwithstanding, dismissed him and he was then all alone. The principal wrongdoing that Manson submitted was the theft of a supermarket. He did this so as to pay for a lodging. A progression of different burglaries followed until he was gotten and sent to an adolescent community. He got away from this adolescent corridor after just a single day and after his recover, he got away from another adolescent lobby four days after the fact. This time, he got away with another kid and both of them submitted a progression of burglaries on their way to the next boy’s uncle’s house. The burglaries and departures proceeded for a considerable length of time, as Manson was sent to various adolescent revolves around the nation, however none of them could hold him. He even was gotten with a taken vehicle that he had used to loot service stations in Utah. It was at these adolescent places that it was presumed that Manson was forcefully standoffish. The first occasion when that Manson was really viewed as a perilous guilty party was directly before a planned parole hearing in 1952 when he held a razorblade to another boy’s throat and sodomized him. After this, he was moved to the Federal Reformatory, which is the place progressively perilous adolescent

Word of the Week! Polymath Richmond Writing

Word of the Week! Polymath Richmond Writing Professor Joe Hoyle, a polymath in the worlds of business and language, sent us todays word.  In terms of usage, polymath functions as both noun and adjective, as in her polymath intellect soon embraced music theory as well as the poetry and aeronautical engineering for which she was famous.  The OED Online gives us a good overview, meaning a person accomplished in many fields of study, but I want to get reflective here. Our word is perfect for that dreamy week following graduation, when many young polymaths have left our ivy-festooned campus (festoon is a good future word of the week, incidentally). My mind, not polymath but very retentive in ways both good and bad, went right to the reading of my childhood. As a youngster, I enjoyed the reprints of the 1930s Pulp novels about Doc Savage, a sort of superhero without superpowers. Doc fought evil with wits and training; from birth his strange father (any father who did this would be locked up today) put his son through a rigorous set of physical and mental challenges that included daily training.   Savage ended up the worlds best polymath. In the words on the back covers of the Bantam editions of the 1970s, he had a protean genius. Yet not all geniuses are polymaths. In fact, synonyms for our word seem scarce. Multi-faceted is fine but a bit broad. Protean is the closest fit. Proteus, a figure from mythology, was many things. He could change forms. So can the intellect of a polymath. Several real polymaths get cited in online lists, but they are certain to   include Leonardo da Vinci. Thomas Jefferson qualifies, but like Doc Savage he really cultivated the fact and image of his broad knowledge.   Poet William Carlos Williams was a physician, but it seems that one needs several, not just two, areas of expertise. I know one living polymath, Fran Wilde, who is both accomplished writer of fantastic literature and a talented coder. She has advanced degrees in Fine Arts and Computer Science, and she draws lovely artwork. Polymath? Yes.   My students enjoy her class visits. The Math in our word is not mathematics. Its from the Greek   µ??? for learning. Naturally, polymaths may have their flaws. Ive yet to discover Frans, but if you know Jeffersons life, you can quickly find his shortcomings. And if you know the books, one thing Doc Savage never figured out was a shirt that could stay un-ripped. The cover above is a rare exception. But thats pulp fiction for you. Have a word or metaphor worth pondering? This blog will continue all summer.  Please nominate a word or metaphor useful in academic writing by e-mailing me (jessid -at- richmond -dot- edu) or leaving a comment below. See all of our Metaphors of the Month  here  and Words of the Week  here. Image courtesy of Jonathan Morris at Flickr.

Epic in A Piligrims Progress by John Bunyan and Heart of...

What is an epic? What does a piece of literature need in order to be considered an epic? An epic is a journey that the protagonist takes in order to find who they are themselves. A Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan and Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad are two pieces of literature in which this appears. However, A Pilgrim’s Progress: Part One is more of a dream journey while Heart of Darkness is an actual physical journey. Both of these novels however follow the standard pattern of an epic in how they are both journey’s in which the person comes to an understanding of themselves which sometimes and sometimes does not end up saving him. A Pilgrim’s Progress: Part One is a novel that follows the structure of an epic in many different ways. For one, as even stated in the novel, Christian’s journey is a dream journey. Another way is how at the beginning of the novel the protagonist Christian has a large burden on his back that he can not take off. Thi s burden causes him to have the conviction that he has many sins and is therefore in need of saving so he goes on a pilgrimage in order to be saved. This follows the epic structure of being a young, naive man who goes on a journey in order to obtain an understanding of himself. Throughout Christian’s journey he faces many challenges but also is helped by various people too. Another part of the epic structure is the young man’s journey through the underworld or hell. This is shown in A Pilgrim’s Progress through Christian’s

Ethnic, Religious And Cultural Practices During Pregnancy

Ethnic, Religious and Cultural practices during Pregnancy: Native Americans vs. Western Culture The United States of America is a global village, a melting pot of various different ethnic and cultural beliefs. We are a land of many colors, traditions, and histories. With this diversity comes many challenges. As a healthcare provider this creates some challenges when working and caring for individuals who may not have the same skin color, language, health practices beliefs and values as our own (Pearson, E., 2011). Regarded as North America’s â€Å"First People†, the Native Americans consisted of hundreds of separate cultures and tribes, each with their own belief systems, social structures, cultural and political practices. Men were generally responsible for hunting, warfare, and interacting with outsiders, therefore, they had more visible public roles. Native American women, on the other hand, were often viewed as the creator of life, through giving birth to children. They managed most of the internal operations of the community such as household chores, engaged in agricultural food production, and child-rearing (Pearson, E. 2011). Some beliefs held by most Natives were the importance of caring for the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of a woman during pregnancy and its effects on the fetus. The Navajo Indians in particular call themselves Dinee, â€Å"the people† and today occupies over 28,800-square-miles reservation in northern Arizona and New Mexico (Barry m. Pritzker).Show MoreRelatedEthnic, Religious And Cultural Practices During Pregnancy1516 Words   |  7 PagesEthnic, Religious and Cultural practices during Pregnancy: Native Americans vs. Western Culture The United States of America is a global village, a melting pot of various different ethnic and cultural beliefs. We are a land of many colors, traditions, and histories. With this diversity comes many challenges. As a healthcare provider this creates some challenges when working and caring for individuals who may not have the same skin color, language, health practices beliefs and values as our own (PearsonRead MoreThe Culture And Values Of Ghana1094 Words   |  5 Pagesestimated to be the closest country to the center of the earth. The capital of Ghana is Accra. A 2012 census in Ghana estimated that the population of Ghana is divided into 75 ethnic groups with females outnumbering males 51% to 49% (Embassy of Ghana and Globescope Inc, 2014). The official language is English; however, each ethnic group has their dialect as a second language. Education levels in Ghana vary with a Literacy rate is estimated at 71.5% of the total population (Embassy of Ghana and GlobescopeRead MoreEs say on Personal Heritage Assessment1520 Words   |  7 Pagesmaintenance, health protection and health restoration. Also this paper will identify health traditions as regards to cultural heritage of the writer, then how the three families interviewed in this paper follow their customs and how important their traditions and practices are to them. Heritage can be described as the degree of which one’s lifestyle reflects his/her tribal culture. Cultural heritage exist in a continuum and a person can possess values both the traditional –living within the norms ofRead MoreInvestment Decisions. Answer: -1524 Words   |  7 Pagesmaintenance, health protection and health restoration. Also this paper will identify health traditions as regards to cultural heritage of the writer, then how the three families interviewed in this paper follow their customs and how important their traditions and practices are to them. Heritage can be described as the degree of which one’s lifestyle reflects his/her tribal culture. Cultural heritage exist in a continuum and a person can possess values both the traditional –living within the norms ofRead MoreCultural Competence Checklist : Personal Reflection Designed By T.d897 Words   |  4 PagesAfter completing the â€Å"cultural competence checklist: personal reflection designed by T.D. Goode† for the first time, I was not surprised by my results. The results were a reflection of my personal understanding how culture impacts holistic care and my continuous need to improve my care. I have strived to become non-judgmental. I work to not let my personal beliefs and values influence my nursing care on decisions. When I practice this philosophy it provides better patient outcomes and promotes anRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Paternalism And Its Impact On The United States1159 Words   |  5 Pages Introduction The forces of globalization, including more affordable travel are leading to increased cultural and ethnic diversity of populations in the Western Hemisphere. It estimated that non-European Americans currently make up a third of the US population and will become the majority by 2080 (Grant Letzring, 2003). Naturally, nurses are for this reason encountering greater diversity in the patients they are responsibleRead MoreResearch on Teen Pregnancy in Los Angeles County1223 Words   |  5 PagesTeen Pregnancy in Los Angeles There is presently much controversy regarding teen pregnancy, considering that many countries in the developed world experience a rise in adolescent pregnancies in spite of the fact that effective programs are installed in these areas. Teen pregnancy has been a major issue in Los Angeles in the recent years, but the fact that state authorities have been actively involved in combating the problem has generated positive results. It is probable that the struggle for abstinenceRead MoreDo Religion, Spirituality And Health Concepts Have Any Relationship?1632 Words   |  7 PagesDo religion, spirituality and health concepts have any relationship? This this the question that comes to mind when measuring influence of religious identity and participation in health and illness responses. A lot of controversies were noted due to lack of consensus when researchers attempted to define and conceptualize religion (Koenig, King Carson, 2012). Online search through publications such as, online di ctionary, CINAHL Plus, E-Journal yielded distinctive, but unrelated results. Merriam-WebsterRead MoreAssessing Cultural Values and Beliefs1033 Words   |  5 PagesThe â€Å"Heritage Assessment Tool† is a guide to help determine cultural, ethnic, and religious heritage. It may be used to assess your own cultural values or the cultural values of other ethno cultural backgrounds. Using this tool will guide the user into making non-stereotyped assumptions about the heritage of a patient. The Heritage Assessment Tool allows the interviewer to gather a deeper understanding of the traditions that make up the health background of certain individuals or groups. ThreeRead MoreDomestic Violence And Its Effects On Victims And Varies1700 Words   |  7 Pagesquiet and attentive to the needs of her partner/spouse and children. It is culturally expected that the females in Hispanic culture bear the responsibility of caring for other family members, often times before caring for them selves. This is a huge cultural barrier in escaping occurrence of domestic violence once it has begun. Their male counterparts take an assertive role as head of the household and are responsible for providing for the family. This power differential places the men at an advantage

Can We Decrease Homlessness Free Essays

Hicks 1 August 16, 2012 Can we decrease homelessness? The essay â€Å"A Modest Proposal† by Jonathan Swift is a brutal satire in which he suggests that the poor families should kill their young children and eat them in order to eliminate the growing number of starving citizens. At this time there was extreme poverty and a wide gap between the poor and the rich, the tenements and the landlords. Throughout the essay Swift uses satire and irony as a way to attack the indifference between classes. We will write a custom essay sample on Can We Decrease Homlessness or any similar topic only for you Order Now Swift is not seriously suggesting cannibalism; he is trying to make known the desperate state of the lower class and the need for a social and moral reform. Although this essay was written in the 1700’s we still have the same issues of homelessness and poverty in today’s modern society. Anna Quindlen Pulitzer Prize award winner author of â€Å"Our Tired, Our Poor, Our Kids,† states â€Å"Today the average homeless woman is younger than ever before, many have been in foster care or in shelters herself and so considers a chaotic childhood the norm† (345). Quindlen talks about the cycle of homelessness and poverty three hundred years after swifts essay. Smith goes to extreme measures to explain his new plan to raise the economic wellbeing of his country. He explains â€Å"what age is too young and what age is too old, in order to eat the Hicks 2 tenants children when they are at their prime juiciness. He also gives a list of suggestions on how to cook them. A young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled, and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout. (350-352). Although he suggests to sell and cook the homeless babies. Swift is trying to point out the fact that reforms that would be practical and beneficial to the people are being overlooked for the convenience of the rich. Melanie Scheller author of â€Å"On The Meaning Of Plumbing And Poverty,† writer for North Carolina Independent Weekly, stateâ€℠¢s â€Å"My family was visibly and undeniably poor. My clothes were obviously hand-me-downs, I got free lunches at school, I went to the health depertment for immunizations† (356). Like swift Schellar emphasizes on what being in poverty and homeless is like. â€Å"It is a melancholy object to those who walk through this great town or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads, and cabin doors, crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags and importuning every passenger for an alms. These mothers, instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in strolling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants† (349). They are trying to get people to understand that not every homeless person has a way to get out and go find work so they can go find work and provide for their families. Hicks 3 Peter Singer author of â€Å"The Singer solution to world Poverty,† an Australian-born philosopher and bioethicist, states â€Å"poverty, hunger, illness, and lack of shelter, these are the things that plague a majority of the people of the world and yet most of us are not even aware of it† (359). He believes that prosperous people should donate all of the money not needed for the basic requirements of life to organizations meant to help those less fortunate that are homeless and/or in poverty. Life swift he is trying to find a way to help those whom need it. Swift says â€Å"with neither house nor clothes to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather, and the most inevitable prospect of entailing the like or greater miseries upon their breed forever† (353). Both Singer and Swift feel the need to help those less fortunate and want other people to know that they can help. The hole meaning is to try and get people to understand that not everyone is as well of as them, that not everyone can just go off and get a job so they can provide for their families and that is why they end up in poverty and homeless. Swift says â€Å" I profess in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich† (353). If Swift was around today I believe he would be a great president for the United States of America and that he would actually make a great difference to those in poverty and homeless. Hicks 4 Works cited Ackley, Katherine Anne. Perspectives on Contemporary issues, 4th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2006. Print. Quindlen, Anne. â€Å"Our Tired, Our Poor, Our Kids. † Ackley 344-346. Scheller, Melanie. â€Å"On The meaning Of Plumbing And Poverty. † Ackley 354-357. Singer, Peter. â€Å"The Singer Solution To World Poverty. † Ackley 358-362. Swift , Jonathen. â€Å" A Modest Proposal. † Ackley 348-353. How to cite Can We Decrease Homlessness, Papers

Physician Adoption of Electronic Health Record †MyAssignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about the Physician Adoption of Electronic Health Record. Answer: Introduction The online My Health Record is a safe and secure mode of the summary of the health information of an individual. This online method has been proposed by the Industry of Health in order to continue a reformation process within the system of healthcare industry. The proposed health record system is issued to help in reducing the problems which exist within the existing system. The online mode of healthcare system could be helpful in sharing the information of the patient with the doctors in order to get proper assistance from the healthcare sector (Faden et al., 2013). With the advancements in the field of healthcare technology, there have been many changes that have taken place within the healthcare industry. Though the technology has advanced to new levels, but still some of the modern medical counters make use of the paper-based methods for recording the information of the patients. Though the use of electronic methods of recording information has many welfares, yet the use of such online methods of health record information is very less. The electronic medical record (EMR) can be a very helpful method for the modern systems in order to save time in cases of critical situations of the patients (Denny et al., 2013). Several problems have been identified with the EMR that includes the lack of improved standards of medication facilities, increased time of provider of facilities, confidentiality related threat and down time for the computers. During cases of down time for computers, the primary threat of accessing the correct information at real time is true. In these cases, the increase in the reliability on computer systems would be helpful in resolving the problem. Another major problem that might arise with the use of EMR is the lack of exact systems for interchanging information. Though several principles are existing for the communication of pure data, but still there is no such improvement in the areas related to the patient symbols and signs. The privacy and security of the patient data is another major area of concern for the EMR systems. Various privacy specialists have listed the potential extortions, which might exploit the information related to the patients (Meeks et al., 2014). The My Health Record system is capable of recording the information of the health of various patients on their online platform. The primary objective of the health record system is to assist as an origin point for the different interpretations of the clinician. This would help in the complete scrutiny of the health of the patient. The preceding records of the treatment of the patients would be stored on the cloud platform. Based on the previous records, the doctors would suggest the best facilities of healthcare for the patients (Charles, Gabriel Furukawa, 2013). The health related information of the patient is being put on the online platform across several locations. These locations might include hospitals and imaging centers. The overview of the My Health Record System would be extremely helpful for various healthcare organizations as they would be able to provide many more benefits. The benefits that would be provided by the My Health Record System would be faster access to medical systems and ease of access to more information related to healthcare systems (Jamoom et al., 2013). The My Health Record System would store and record the entire overview of the health of an individual, summary of an event, discharge summary of the patient and records of medical prescriptions. With the help of My Health Record System, the patient can view the online status of their health information. They would also be able to enter the updated status of their health information, which would be helpful for the doctors to keep a regular check of the health of an individual (Bowman, 2013). Benefits of My Health Record System With the introduction of the My Health Record system of health information, it should be taken into concern about the benefiting factors of an individual from the new digital health technology. Any visit to a healthcare specialist, hospital or other medical facility would be helpful in resulting for the formation of many important information that would be related to the health of an individual. The online health record system will help in providing general accessibility to the summary of the health of an individual. It would also keep a track of the immunizations, medications, allergies of any individual. The system would be also able to share their personal information of their health with their suitable healthcare facilities who are concerned for their health (Li et al., 2014). Another important advantage of the My Health Record system is the ability of Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (ETP). This system would help any individual to download the prescription and show the updated health information of the patient to the healthcare providers. The healthcare providers would be able to give better information of the related disease and hence suggest the proper cure for the disease (Linsky Simon, 2013). This would help in the early detection of any kind of vital disease and thus would help the doctors to provide proper treatment. The My Health Record system would help in increasing the efficiency within the existing system of healthcare. They would be helpful in the reduction of the number of unnecessary tests that would help in reducing the medical services cost, which are obscured on the patients. Conclusion The above report concludes that the My Health Record system would be a major step in the field of healthcare facilities. It could provide many health related benefits to an individual in terms of better facilities of healthcare in comparison with the existing healthcare systems, which are primarily manually based. These functions should be properly implemented as to ensure that the information of the patient would not be viewed by unauthorized users. Hence the new and online mode of healthcare system would be extremely beneficial for the future of people and healthcare sector. References Charles, D., Gabriel, M., Furukawa, M. F. (2013). Adoption of electronic health record systems among US non-federal acute care hospitals: 2008-2012.ONC data brief,9, 1-9. Jamoom, E., Beatty, P., Bercovitz, A., Woodwell, D., Palso, K., Rechtsteiner, E. (2013).Physician adoption of electronic health record systems: United States, 2011. US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Bowman, S. (2013). Impact of electronic health record systems on information integrity: quality and safety implications.Perspectives in Health Information Management,10(Fall). Li, H., Gupta, A., Zhang, J., Sarathy, R. (2014). Examining the decision to use standalone personal health record systems as a trust-enabled fair social contract.Decision Support Systems,57, 376-386. Linsky, A., Simon, S. R. (2013). Medication discrepancies in integrated electronic health records.BMJ Qual Saf,22(2), 103-109. Faden, R. R., Kass, N. E., Goodman, S. N., Pronovost, P., Tunis, S., Beauchamp, T. L. (2013). An ethics framework for a learning health care system: a departure from traditional research ethics and clinical ethics.Hastings Center Report,43(s1). Denny, J. C., Bastarache, L., Ritchie, M. D., Carroll, R. J., Zink, R., Mosley, J. D., ... Basford, M. A. (2013). Systematic comparison of phenome-wide association study of electronic medical record data and genome-wide association study data.Nature biotechnology,31(12), 1102. Meeks, D. W., Smith, M. W., Taylor, L., Sittig, D. F., Scott, J. M., Singh, H. (2014). An analysis of electronic health record-related patient safety concerns.Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association,21(6), 1053-1059.

Ethan Frome Essays (353 words) - Ethan Frome, Zeena, Ethan Lovett

Ethan Frome believe Ethan Frome lost control of his life when his mother died. After his mother's funeral, Ethan did not want to be left alone on the farm, so he asked Zeena to stay with him. At first, Ethan enjoys her company. However, Zeena soon becomes a nuisance to Ethan, and prevents him from becoming an engineer in a large city. After being married a year, Zeena becomes sick herself, and the only time she talks to Ethan is to complain or show her discontent. After Mattie comes to the farm, Ethan does not love Zeena at all. He thinks the only pleasure she has left is to inflict pain on him. Since Zeena is a burden on Ethan, he naturally wants to improve his life. The reason he does not have control of his life is because he is married to Zeena, and he is not brave enough to go away with Mattie. The reason he is married to Zeena is because his mother died. Since Zeena is why Ethan does not have control of his life, and Ethan married her because his mother died, the point in time when Ethan lost control of his life is when his mother died. I believe Ethan could have changed the direction of his life if he had gone away from the farm to marry Mattie. The reason he did not have control of his life was because he was married to Zeena. If he would have married Mattie and left Zeena, he would not have been in the sled accident, and consequently, he would have lived a much happier life with Mattie. The second way Ethan could have changed the direction of his life is if he would have sold the farm and never have married Zeena. This would have saved him many years of problems and unhappiness. He would never have met Mattie, which means he would never have injured himself in the sled accident. If he would have lived in another town besides Starkfield, he might have been an engineer and married a woman who would treat him better than Zeena ever did. Poetry Essays

Battle of Peebles Farm in the Civil War

Battle of Peebles Farm in the Civil War Battle of Peebles Farm - Conflict Dates:   The Battle of Peebles Farm was fought September 30 to October 2, 1864, during the American Civil War and was part of the large Siege of Petersburg. Battle of Peebles Farm - Armies Commanders: Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. GrantMajor General George G. MeadeMajor General Gouverneur K. Warren29,800 men Confederate General Robert E. LeeLieutenant General A.P. Hillapprox. 10,000 Battle of Peebles Farm - Background: Advancing against General Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia in May 1864, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant and Major General George G. Meades Army of the Potomac first engaged the Confederates at the Battle of the Wilderness.  Continuing the fighting through May, Grant and Lee clashed at Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, and Cold Harbor.  Blocked at Cold Harbor, Grant elected to disengage and marched south to cross the James River with the goal of securing the key railroad center of  Petersburg and isolating Richmond.  Beginning their march on June 12, Grant and Meade crossed the river and began pushing towards Petersburg.  They were aided in this effort by elements of Major General Benjamin F. Butlers Army of the James. While Butlers initial assaults against Petersburg commenced on June 9, they failed to break through the Confederate lines.  Joined by Grant and Meade, subsequent attacks on June 15-18 drove the Confederates back but did not carry the city.  Entrenching opposite the enemy, Union forces began the Siege of Petersburg.  Securing his line on the Appomattox River in the north, Grants trenches extended south towards Jerusalem Plank Road.  Analyzing the situation, the Union leader concluded that the best approach would be to move against the Richmond Petersburg, Weldon, and Southside Railroads which supplied Lees army in Petersburg.  As Union troops attempted to move south and west around Petersburg, they fought several engagements including Jerusalem Plank Road (June 21-23) and Globe Tavern (August 18-21).  Additionally, a frontal assault was made against the Confederate works on July 30 at the Battle of the Crater. Battle of Peebles Farm - The Union Plan: Following the fighting in August, Grant and Meade achieved the goal of severing the Weldon Railroad.  This compelled Confederate reinforcements and supplies to disembark to the south at Stony Creek Station and move up Boydton Plank Road to Petersburg.  In late September, Grant directed Butler to mount an attack against Chaffins Farm and New Market Heights on the north side of the James.  As this offensive moved forward, he intended to push Major General Gouverneur K. Warrens V Corps west towards Boydton Plank Road with assistance on the left from Major General John G. Parkes IX Corps.  Additional support would be provided by a division from Major General Winfield S. Hancocks II Corps and a cavalry division led by Brigadier General David Gregg.  It was hoped that Butlers attack would force Lee to weaken his lines south of Petersburg to reinforce the Richmond defenses. Battle of Peebles Farm - Confederate Preparations: Following the loss of the Weldon Railroad, Lee directed that a new line of fortifications be constructed to the south to protect Boydton Plank Road.  While work on these progressed, a temporary line was built along Squirrel Level Road near Peebles Farm.  On September 29, elements of Butlers army succeeded in penetrating the Confederate line and captured Fort Harrison.  Gravely concerned about its loss, Lee began weakening his right below Petersburg to send forces north to re-take the fort.  As result, dismounted cavalry was posted to the Boydton Plank and Squirrel Level lines while those parts of Lieutenant General A.P. Hills Third Corps that remained south of the river were held back as a mobile reserve to deal with any Union incursions.   Battle of Peebles Farm - Warren Advances: On the morning of September 30, Warren and Parke moved forward.  Reaching the Squirrel Level line near Poplar Spring Church around 1:00 PM, Warren paused before directing Brigadier General Charles Griffins division to attack.  Capturing Fort Archer at the southern end of the Confederate line, Griffins men caused the defenders to break and retreat in a rapid fashion.  Having nearly had his corps badly defeated at Globe Tavern the previous month by Confederate counterattacks, Warren paused and directed his men to connect the newly-won position to the Union lines at Globe Tavern.  As a result, V Corps did not resume their advance until after 3:00 PM. Battle of Peebles Farm - The Tide Turns: Responding to crisis along the Squirrel Level Line, Lee recalled Major General Cadmus Wilcoxs division which had been en route to aid in the fighting at Fort Harrison.  The pause in the Union advance led to a gap emerging between V Corps and Parke on the left.  Increasingly isolated, XI Corps worsened their situation when its right division got ahead of the rest of its line.  While in this exposed position, Parkes men came under heavy attack by Major General Henry Heths division and that of the returning Wilcox.  In the fighting, Colonel John I. Curtins brigade was driven west towards the Boydton Plank Line where a large part of it was captured by Confederate cavalry.  The rest of Parkes men fell back before rallying at the Pegram Farm just north of the Squirrel Level Line. Reinforced by some of Griffins men, IX Corps was able to stabilize its lines and turned back the pursuing enemy.  The next day, Heth resumed attacks against the Union lines but was repulsed with relative ease.  These efforts were supported by Major General Wade Hamptons cavalry division which attempted to get in the Union rear.  Covering Parkes flank, Gregg was able to block Hampton.  On October 2, Brigadier General Gershom Motts II Corps came forward and mounted an assault towards the Boydton Plank Line.  Thought it failed to carry the enemys works, it allowed Union forces to construct fortifications close to the Confederate defenses. Battle of Peebles Farm - Aftermath: Union losses in the fighting at the Battle of Peebles Farm numbered 2,889 killed and wounded while Confederate losses totaled 1,239.  Though not decisive, the fighting saw Grant and Meade continue to push their lines south and west towards the Boydton Plank Road.  Additionally, Butlers efforts north of the James succeeded in capturing part of the Confederate defenses.  Fighting would resume above the river on October 7, while Grant waited until later in the month to attempt another effort south of Petersburg.  This would result in the Battle of Boydton Plank Road which opened on October 27.   Selected Sources National Park Service: Battle of Peebles FarmCWSAC Battle Summaries: Battle of Peebles FarmSiege of Petersburg: Battle of Peebles Farm

The Effect of Play on Early Literacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Effect of Play on Early Literacy - Essay Example Research on the relationship between play and literacy emerged as early as 1974, and increased with new insights into the foundations of literacy in the preschool years. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of play in preschool children on early literacy. Further, the theoretical framework provided by Vygotsky and Piaget, and the importance of symbolic play, free play and guided play reinforced by reading from resources rich in vocabulary will be examined. Theoretical Framework for the Play-Literacy Relationship The classic theories of developmental psychologists Piaget and Vygotsky provide strong theoretical frameworks for examining the relationship between play and literacy in early childhood. Piaget’s perspective emphasizes on the value of repeated social pretend play for the acquisition of broad cognitive skills such as symbolic representations and the initiation of literacy skills such as print awareness. Pellegrini and Van Ryzin (2007) state that this approach is based on interactions between individuals and the objects in the physical environment; and has led to the establishment of literacy-enriched play centers as an interventional strategy. Vygotsian theory is based on the role of adults and peers in the acquisition of social literacy practices through play activities. This theory argues that children form literacy concepts and skills through everyday experiences with others including pretend play and bedtime storybook reading. Thus, the young child’s acquisition of literacy is a social, constructive process that begins from early childhood. These classic theories identify behavioral categories apparently shared by play and literacy, including â€Å"pretend transformations, narrative thinking, meta-play talk, and social interaction† (Christie & Roskos, 2009, p.1). On the other hand, they do not explain the dynamics between play and literacy, or the means by which play activity impacts the develo pment of literacy. Learning Through Engagement in Play Activities From birth, children love to learn through play and exploration, which form their primary teachers. In early childhood, mental and physical actions support each other, and learning is a process which engages both the mind and body. It is essential for children to experience life kinesthetically, thereby learning through experiences that utilize all the senses (Dickinson & Tabors, 2001). According to Leong, Bodrova, Hensen & Henninger (1999), play promotes four major skills that are vital for the development of literacy. They include increased ability to learn deliberately with enhancement in cognitive skills, development of symbolic representation, improved oral language, and the introduction of content related literacy skills for play to prepare the way. A valuable aspect of early literacy development is pretend play, which provides extensive opportunities to develop language skills. The amount of time spent by child ren in pretend play corresponds to their performance on language and literacy assessments. Their conversations in the preschool classroom are based on several skills using oral language and print; and the development of these skills is evident by the end of kindergarten (Dickinson & Tabors, 2001). It is clear that play has a great potential for practicing and experimenting

Performance Management Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Performance Management Assignment - Essay Example number of studies hve suggested tht, provided the design nd implementtion of PM re pproprite, it hs the potentil to ffect employee ttitudes in wy tht mkes significnt nd positive contribution to compny performnce. Current pper pper provides criticl nlysis of orgniztionl system of performnce mngement bsing on the findings retrieved nd mterils vilble. I first provide theoreticl overview of the term of performnce mngement, then reserch its ppliction to subsidiry compny, finlly comment on chnges of performnce mngement tht re supposedly needed to be implemented into orgniztionl ctivity. The expression "performnce mngement" ppered in the lte 1980s nd cn be regrded s n extension of "performnce pprisl"-- prctice used to evlute n individul employee's pst performnce. Tody, however, performnce pprisl is considered s one of severl key elements of PM, the others being the communiction of compny strtegy through individul objective setting, links to trining nd development plnning, nd possibly compenstion (Brlow, 2001:501). Despite the fct tht much of the reserch hs been performed within the U.S. context, little reserch hs been crried out on PM in interntionl settings nd even less so in MCMC subsidiries operting in diverse cultures. This derth of reserch mens tht we know little bout the effects of PM on job stisfction mong employees in MCMC where the mjority of the work force re of host-country ntionlity, nd where the host-country's culture my differ substntilly from tht of the MCMC's home country. Moreover, our limited knowledge of the impct of PM on job stisfction is indictive of the pucity of reserch concerning the ttitudes of host-country employees nd especilly of nonmngeril employees in MCMC. It is well known tht employees with negtive ttitudes re likely to perform poorly, cuse disruptions in opertions, nd eventully jeoprdize the vibility of the orgniztion. Furthermore, it hs been documented tht job stisfction is relted to turnover. s Mendonc nd Knungo (2004) hve noted, job stisfction nd turnover re incresing chllenges for MCMC operting in developing countries, whose lbor mrket lcks mngeril nd technicl tlent. Vrious spects of PM hve been studied in both the interntionl nd comprtive contexts. For instnce, scholrs hve ddressed such issues s the impct of ntionl culture on mngement by objectives, differences in mngement style nd performnce pprisl in the United Sttes, Indonesi, Thilnd, nd Mlysi (Zhu, Dowling, 1994:2), nd ntionl culture nd its impct on PM/performnce pprisl in Hong Kong, Tiwn, Singpore, Gret Britin, Jpn, Kore, the United Sttes, Mlysi, the Philippines, Indi, nd Chin. The mjority of these studies, especilly the ones with comprtive ttitudinl dt, hve provided evidence tht culturl differences influence elements of PM nd tht the trnsferbility of PM between countries cnnot be ssumed. However, little interntionl nd comprtive reserch hs exmined ctul effects of PM per se on host-country employees. Consequently, while we know tht MCMCs commonly dopt stndrdized PM policies nd prctices t both their home country nd in overses subsidiries, we do not know wht effect such stndrdized PM hs on host-country employees. The effects of PM hve received greter ttention in domestic settings, but even there the reserch is limited. Most studies hve commonly concentrted on

The application of systems theory

The application of systems theory The Application Of Systems Theory To a Case Study Introduction The following case study will detail an intervention with a 32-year old service user who was referred with a range of presenting issues and needs. It was apparent that a complex array of family, social and agency networks existed, indicating that the focus of any intervention would necessitate the addressing of these various components and their role in the service user’s functioning. It was decided that employing systems theory would be the most efficacious approach in managing the service user’s needs. General systems theory was first proposed by von Bertalanffy (1968) as a universal theory of the organisation of parts into wholes. A system was defined as â€Å"a complex of interacting elements†. Although this paradigm was initially applied to the physical world (mathematics, biochemistry, etc), it was adopted by the therapeutic community in order to formulate an understanding of systems comprising individuals and organisations. Some of the ideas and concepts systems theory has brought to the field include: Families and other social groups are systems having properties which are more than the sum of the properties of their parts. Every system has a boundary, the properties of which are important in understanding how the system works. Changes within systems can occur, or be stimulated, in various ways. Communication and feedback mechanisms between the parts of a system are important in the functioning of the system. Events such as the behaviour of individuals in a family are better understood as examples of circular causality, rather than as being based on linear causality. Systems are made up of subsystems (e.g. parental, marital, siblings) which are themselves parts of larger suprasystems (e.g. extended family, the neighbourhood, hospital). (Beckett, 1973). The service user was a 32-year old male of Afro-Caribbean origins, with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder dating back to his early teens. He had been residing in a semi-secure forensic unit for more than two years and was detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act. In terms of family history, he had been conceived through rape and fostered by distant relatives in Trinidad. Upon the death of his foster mother, his natural mother arranged for him to leave Trinidad and enter the UK. Shortly after this, he became involved with the mental health system and the criminal justice system. Subsequently, his mother had refused all contact with him and would not engage with any of his care. The sole family contact had been his maternal grandmother. A genogram is a useful adjunct within assessment and treatment when utilising systems theory (e.g. Guerin and Pendagast, 1976), in that it gives a concise graphic summary of the composition of the systems surrounding an individual. A genogram depicting DE’s particular systems was prepared and is illustrated in Figure 1. Within the genogram, DE’s familial relationships are illustrated, showing the existing subsystem with his maternal grandmother. Other subsystems include, DE’s relationships with the criminal justice system, mental health services and with myself, his social worker. With regard to using systems theory in my assessment and intervention of DE, this would encompass developing a hypothesis concerning the nature of the relationships DE has with aspects of his system and how this impacts upon his functioning. In addition, circular questioning would be employed to test this hypothesis and promote change (e.g. Selvini Palazzoli, Cechin, Prata and Boscolo, 1980a). Each of DE’s presenting needs will be explored within the context of his wider system and the methodology inherent to systems theory employed in my intervention. Figure 1: A genogram of DE’s case. The Referral DE was a statutory referral which was accompanied by a challenge from his legal representatives to the local authority, claiming that they had failed in their duties towards DE as he was medically fit for discharge and did not need to be detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act. Although discharge from Section 3 was agreed, no plans were presented to the mental health tribunal by the local authority regarding the arrangement of appropriate accommodation. From the perspective of the social worker, plans were therefore required to implement Section 117 and organise appropriate after care and accommodation. In order to do this, it was necessary to identify DE’s wishes and preferences as far as possible, in addition to managing any risk perceived by the multidisciplinary team and the mental health tribunal. A transfer CPA to the community team was organised in order to maintain DE in the community and facilitate his recovery. Adhering to the notion of â€Å"goodness of f it†, inherent to systems theory (Payne, 2002), that is enhancing the match between the individual and their environment, ways of developing, maintaining or strengthening supportive interventions and reducing, challenging or replacing stressful systems were explored. Assessment An assessment of DE’s presenting needs was conducted in order to formulate a hypothesis based upon the information available which would then provide a starting point and guide to subsequent interventions. According to Selvini Palazzoli et al. (1980a), a hypothesis is â€Å"neither true, nor false, but more or less useful†. Therefore, it was important to maintain this stance when considering the circumstances surrounding DE’s case. By seeking information from DE and others within his system, I was able to obtain as many perspectives as possible and construct an understanding, or story, as to how he had come to be â€Å"stuck† and enable him to move in a more helpful direction. Both DE and the multidisciplinary team involved in his care agreed that he required 24 hour residential care, as previous supported accommodation had not been able to facilitate his needs and he had relapsed, leading to his admission to hospital under section. Additional presenting concerns reported by DE included an impoverished family support network and poor finances. Drug and alcohol misuse were also evident, acknowledged by DE and verified by a positive test for cocaine. DE’s keyworker recounted how DE frequently disengaged with him and displayed challenging behaviour, including breaking rules of the care home and absconding. Indicators of relapse described by staff included a preoccupation with insect infestation, delusions of the devil attacking him and homophobic fears of male staff sexually assaulting him. In addition, non-compliance with his care plan was recognised as a precursor to relapse. Using circular questions to derive new information about DE’s situation and the interconnectedness of the system’s components, a pattern emerged which suggested possible indicators of relapse. A principal feature of circularity is the capacity of the therapist to consider feedback from the systems involved and to invite each part of the system to relate their perspectives of other subsystems, thereby metacommunicating (Selvini Palazzoli et al. 1980a; Byng-Hall, 1988; Cecchin, 1987). Further crucial principles of circularity are asking about specific behaviours that occur, rather than feelings or interpretations and ranking behaviours in order to highlight differences (Barker, 1998; Dallos and Draper, 2000). So, for example, DE’s keyworker was asked: â€Å"what does DE do when he breaks the rules in the house†, â€Å"when you believe DE is relapsing, how do you know? What does he say or do?†, â€Å"who is most worried about DE using drugs/alcohol?â € . Similarly, DE was asked such questions as: â€Å"when you abscond from the care home, who is most concerned? †¦ and then who?†, â€Å"when you are worried about the devil attacking you, what do you do?†, â€Å"what would your keyworker say was most important for you to get sorted out?†. A specific use of circular questioning is to define the problem (Bentovim and Bingley Miller, 2002). Hence, members of DE’s system, including his key worker, other multidisciplinary team workers, available family members and DE himself were questioned as to â€Å"what is the problem? What do you think DE/keyworker/etc would say is the problem? Who agrees with DE? Who disagrees? Who is it most a problem for?† etc. Such information served to enrich the hypothesis that was being formulated of DE’s needs. Over time, a systemic hypothesis evolved which incorporated the role of impaired family functioning and an early sense of abandonment by DE’s natural mother combined with the loss of his secondary, foster mother contributing to the development of a schizoaffective disorder. A further contributing factor may have been DE’s move to the UK following his bereavement and the sense of confusion and alienation this may have instilled. A pre-existing vulnerability to his mental health problems may have been activated by DE’s use of drugs and alcohol, possibly his coping mechanism to manage the previously described stressors. In terms of DE’s behaviour within his care home, it would be important to consider physiological factors many of the concerns reported. The literature associated with schizoaffective disorders has suggested that the onset of the illness can produce cognitive deficits, including memory impairment, planning, social judgement and insight (Randolph, Goldberg and Weinberger, in Heilman Valenstein, 1993; James and Murray, 1991). These deficits, combined with the lack of family support and underlying psychological issues, could have resulted in the issues with compliance and rule-breaking reported by the professionals involved in DE’s care. However, within a systemic approach, it is important to consider the dynamic interplay between the individual and the various components of their system when conceptualising the problem. In DE’s case, it appeared that the effects of his drug and alcohol use and of rejection issues had not been fully considered by staff at the care home and therefore the consequences of these had been able to escalate into relapse. Furthermore, it may have been that an over-critical attitude towards DE prevailed within his care home, as has been described in the concept of expressed emotion (Leff, 1994). This has generally been reported as existing within the families of those with schizoaffective disorders and is thought to represent deficits in communication and overinvolvement. The function of the problem is also a vital element within a systemic formulation (Reder and Fredman, 1996; Bilson and Ross, 1999) and in DE’s case his presenting issues appeared to represent both a communication of internal conflicts (loss, abandonment, etc) and as a solution to the problem perceived by him as inappropriate accommodation. Thus, his behaviour could be conceptualised as an attempt to resolve both internal and external discordance. However, clearly DE’s perceived solution only served to escalate and maintain the essential difficulty, that of his lack of engagement with help and disruptive behaviour. Intervention There were various strands to my intervention with DE, within which I attempted to address the issues outlined in the above hypotheses. Initially, the issue of accommodation was addressed. In concordance with a systemic approach, DE’s needs and preferences, as well as opinions derived from members of the multi-disciplinary team, were matched with available accommodation. Three suitable placements were identified which were concomitant with the needs identified in DE’s care plan, that is: 24 hour residential accommodation with staff to supervise his medication, encourage independent living skills and monitor his activities and behaviour to identify relapse indicators. DE’s opinions on the three potential placements were sought and a decision reached on the most suitable. In view of DE’s history of lack of engagement with keyworkers, it was felt that regular meetings with his care co-ordinator would be vital in exploring his concerns and potential barriers t o compliance with his care plan. The use of circular questioning could be usefully extended in such meetings, in reframing DE’s perception of his concerns and enabling him to recognising the effects of his behaviour on himself and others. Specific aspects of DE’s presenting problems were managed by referral to appropriate agencies, thus widening his system of support. For the substance misuse reported he was referred to a drug and alcohol worker. A referral to psychological services was made to address his rejection and bereavement issues. The involvement of DE’s grandmother and uncle was also an integral part of discussing his difficulties and it was postulated that at some point in the future, systemic family therapy might be helpful in providing some cohesion to DE’s family structure and enabling communication with this part of his system. Once the initial concerns had been addressed, my role turned towards care management and a reasonable price for the accommodation was negotiated, along with the development of a comprehensive care plan which was presented to the agency’s funding panel. The funding was agreed and a discharge and transfer of care CPA was arranged. Throughout the ensuing discussions of plans, DE’s opinions were sought. In order to best meet the needs identified and ensure an optimal rehabilitation programme, DE’s care plan incorporated day care activities, psychological and community forensic input. In accordance with the principles of a systems intervention, a non-judgemental stance was maintained throughout (Goldenberg and Goldenberg, 2004) and the notion of partnership was promoted (Dallos and Draper, 2000). Additionally, the strategy of facilitating sustained change whilst not being an expert about the system was adopted (Fleurida, 1986), although this presented certain challenges as will be discussed in the following sections. In terms of implementing DE’s placement, it was agreed that a gradual transfer which allowed him to adjust to the new setting would ameliorate his opportunities for rehabilitation. Therefore, overnight stays and extended stays for a week prior to discharge were arranged. Initially, difficulties were experienced with DE’s compliance with some house rules and I arranged a meeting with DE and the house manager in order to discuss and negotiate these in order to prevent a breakdown of the placement. Once more, circular questions were used to elucidate the problem and identify possible routes for change. For example, DE was asked, â€Å"when you don’t comply with this rule, who is most upset?† and â€Å"what prevents you sticking to the rules?†. The house manager was asked questions such as, â€Å"What does DE do instead of sticking to the rules?† and â€Å"what reasons do you think he has for not complying?†. Consequently, specific barrier s and obstacles were identified and it was possible to negotiate a way in which DE could assert his individuality within the placement setting, whilst behaving in ways which were acceptable to staff and other residents. Thus, the â€Å"fit† between DE and this particular system was enhanced. Review and Ending During my work with DE a dynamic, fluid hypothesis was formed which was based on systemic principles, in that it was circular, addressed relationships, was expressed in terms of what people do and believe rather than what they are and included all members of the system (Reder, 1983). The hypothesis was continually monitored and reframed during the intervention phase, which facilitated change and enabled new perspectives and solutions to be considered. Other parts of DE’s system were also modified by posing circular questions as they allowed the various professionals and agencies involved to consider how helpful or unhelpful the strategies they employed to manage the exigencies of DE’s case were and to gain different perspectives. It is important to note that this approach is distinct from merely providing instruction or information, in that it facilitates change through the process of thinking and reasoning. The initial focus of intervention – to provide appropriate accommodation – was successfully completed. This was rendered smoother by the gradual transition to his new setting. By the end of the intervention, I believe that DE was able to engage in a more useful way with the various components of his system and was more settled in his placement as a result. Reports from the house manager and other professionals also indicated that this was the case. Referrals to other agencies (psychology and drug and alcohol services) which comprised a vital component of the intervention, enabled an expansion of DE’s systems and the meeting of previously unconsidered needs. His progress with these agencies was ongoing. DE’s engagement with community forensic services was valuable in gaining further perspectives into his care. Discussion Within systems theory, the questions themselves form a substantial part of the intervention (Tomm, 1988), as they are believed to lead towards a constructive change in the problematic experiences and behaviours of service users. In addition, questions constitute a much stronger invitation for users to become engaged in a conversation and process than do statements, instructions of information and provides stimulation to think through problems alone, thus promoting autonomy and a sense of personal achievement (Payne, 2002). In continually seeking the views of DE and perspectives from other parts of his system, it was possible to create a clearer picture of the characteristics of the problem and to foster a sense of ownership on the part of DE. That is, because he felt part of the process of change, he would be more likely to feel comfortable with its parameters. A further part of promoting DE’s compliance with his care plan was to use positive connotation, another important principle of systems theory (O’Brian and Bruggen, 1985). Positively connoting DE’s behaviour consisted not only in reinforcing and praising his attempts to change, but also in acknowledging that his problem behaviour was serving to express his dissatisfaction with the situation he was in. An important aspect of intervention therefore was to communicate an understanding of how things had come to be the way they were. Only through doing this was it possible to challenge the existing belief system, suggesting new an d different definitions of relationships. Therefore, by acknowledging the pain of DE’s abandonment by his mother with a referral to a psychologist, it enabled him to explore a different way of interacting with this part of his system. Similarly, by considering the role of drugs and alcohol in mediating his distress and enabling him to cope with his situation, other means of coping were explored. The use of systems theory was congruent with mental health policy guidance for CPA in that it was person focused, involved all relevant agencies and required a recognition of needs in order to facilitate the movement of service users through CPA. The identification of unmet needs in DE’s case, as well as involving multiple agencies was crucial in managing his care effectively. As DE was on enhanced CPA, it was important to consider multiple care needs and to recognise that he was more likely to disengage with care. Once more, a holistic assessment and a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, multi-agency plan which encapsulated his wider system was necessary. Systems theory requires strategic thinking about the possibilities and limitations for change in the different systems affecting the user’s environment, as well as an understanding of the possibilities for intervention in each system (deShazer, 1982; Penn, 1982), therefore considering DE’s behaviour in specific settings and with specific individuals and agencies was a useful strategy. In addition, possessing an understanding of the possibilities for intervention within each system enabled me to think creatively about different courses of action and potential outcomes (Byng_Hall, 1988). Review and Evaluation In general, systems theory was a useful tool in working with DE, in that its principles guided many aspects of the assessment and intervention towards a beneficial outcome. The basic tenets of systems theory, of being respectful of all perspectives and attempting to empower the service user to implement change, are congruent with the CPA model of working. However, the principle of maintaining neutrality (i.e. forging an alignment with all parts of the system) and a non-judgemental, non expert stance (Selvini Palazzoli et al. 1980a; Fleurida, 1986) proved to be more challenging. As DE’s care co-ordinator it could be expected that a greater alliance would be formed with him and also that I would possess, in this role, information and knowledge pertaining to a variety of issues, such as financial assistance available to him. Clearly in this case, I was unable to maintain a non-expert stance. Furthermore, being non-judgemental in relation to all DE’s presenting needs (for e xample, his drug and alcohol misuse) was very difficult and whilst my approach could encompass the evolution of a shared understanding of this behaviour, ultimately the negative impact on DE’s mental health and stability of his placement would need to be acknowledged. Therefore, it could be said that there was a juxtaposition between CPA care management and using systems theory. However, it was possible to separate the two aspects of my role with DE and apply systems theory accordingly. In terms of what I would do differently, I believe that a greater involvement of DE’s family would have been beneficial in order to assist him in constructing a different story or narrative around his history, which would have enriched his and perhaps others’ understanding of why problems were presenting themselves. Applying systems theory to a service user such as DE, who may have the cognitive deficits previously described, raises some important ethical issues. Firstly, regarding the ability to give consent to such an approach being employed and to the seeking of perspectives from other parts of the system, such as family members and other workers. The potentially harmful influence of labels has been described in the literature of systems theory (e.g. Benson, Long and Sporakowski), however the use of labels such as â€Å"schizoaffective† and â€Å"enhanced CPA† would seem unavoidable when working within a multidisciplinary team which necessitates communicating with equivalent language. However, the use of systems theory creates space for thinking about the meaning and impact of these labels and is, therefore, at the very least a valuable and functional adjunct to the repertoire of strategies for managing complex cases. Summary and Conclusion The work carried out with DE attempted to illustrate how individuals function as a part of many systems – they are affected by these systems and they, in turn, affect the systems. I believe that the circular nature of DE’s presenting issues and needs was highlighted effectively and the intervention took into consideration this dynamic interchange and the consequences that changes in one part of a system will have for other parts. Fundamentally, I have learned that many problems arise due to a mismatch between individuals and the systems of which they are a part and the role of a social worker is to enhance the fit between the individual and the systems affecting them. References Barker, P., 1998. Basic Family Therapy, 4th Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Beckett, J.A., 1973. General Systems theory, psychiatry and psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 23, pp. 292-305. Benson, M.J; Long, J.K. and Sporakowski, M.J., 1992. Teaching psychopathology and the DSM-III R from a family systems therapy perspective. Family Relations, 41 (2), pp. 135-140. Bentovim, A. and Bingley Miller, L., 2002. The Assessment of Family Competence, Strengths and Difficulties. London: Pavillion. Bertalanffy, L. von, 1968. General Systems Theory: Foundations, Development, Application. New York: Braziller. Bilson, A. and Ross, S., 1999. A history of systems ideas in social work. In, Social Work Management and Practice. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2nd Edition. Byng-Hall, J., 1988. Scripts and legends in families and family therapy. Family Process, 27, pp. 167-179. Cecchin, G., 1987. Hypothesizing, circularity and neutrality revisited: an invitation to curiosity. Family Process, 26, pp. 405-413. Dallos, R. and Draper, R., 2000. An Introduction to Family Therapy. Buckingham: Open University Press. de Shazer, I., 1982. Patterns of Brief Family Therapy: An Ecosystemic Approach. New York: Guildford Press. Fleurida, C. et al., 1986. The evolution of circular questions. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 12 (2), pp. 112-127. Goldenberg, I. and Goldenberg, H. , 2004. Family Therapy: An Overview, 6th Edition. London: Brooks/Cole. Guerin, P.J. and Pendagast, E.G., 1976. Evaluation of family system and genogram. In, P.J. Guerin, ed. Family Therapy. New York: Gardner Press. James, P. and Murray, R.M., 1991. The genetics of schizophrenia is the genetics of neurodevelopment. British Journal of Psychiatry, 158, pp. 615-623. Leff, J., 1994. Working with the families of schizophrenic patients. British Journal of Psychiatry, 164 (suppl. 23), pp. 71-76. O’Brian, C. and Bruggen, P., 1985. Our personal and professional lives: learning positive connotation and circular questioning. Family Prcess, 24, pp. 311-322. Payne, M., 2002. Systems and Ecological Perspectives. In, Modern Social Work Theory, 3rd Edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Penn, P., 1982. Circular questioning. Family Process, 21, pp. 267-280. Randolph, C., Goldberg, T.E. and Weinberger, D.R., 1993. The neuropsychology of schizophrenia. In, K.M. Heilman and E. Valenstein, eds. Clinical Neuropsychology, 3rd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Reder, P., 1983. Disorganised families and the helping professions: â€Å"Who’s in charge of what?†. Journal of Family Therapy, 5, pp. 23-36. Reder, P. and Fredman, G., 1996. The relationship to help: interacting beliefs about the treatment process. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1 (3), pp. 457-467. Selvini Palazzoli, M.S., Cechin, G., Prata, G. and Boscolo, L., 1980a. Hypothesising-Circularity-Neutrality. Three guidelines for the conductor of the session. Family Process, 19 (1), pp. 3-12. Selvini Palazzoli, M., Boscolo, L., Cecchin, G. and Prata, G., 1980b. The problem of the referring person. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 6, pp. 3-9. Tomm, K., 1988. Interventive interviewing: part III. Intending to ask lineal, circular, strategic or reflexive questions. Family Process, 27, pp. 1-15. Reflective Diary Analysis I applied the theory of psychoanalysis to the practice situation in order to explore underlying issues which had made ME so dependent upon her partner, JM. This appeared appropriate as it would provide an opportunity to gain information about any past experiences which had contributed to her present state, in particular, the nature and origin of her anxieties and fears. Uncovering this information would then inform my practice with ME and JM and provide structure to any intervention. The overall purpose of psychoanalysis derives from the Freudian assumption that psychopathology develops when people remain unaware of their true motivations and fears and they can be restored to healthy functioning only by becoming conscious of what has been repressed (Bower, 2005). Freud believed that the unconscious conflicts he uncovered – in dreams, in memory lapses, in neurotic symptoms – always referred to certain critical events in the individual’s early life. His observations of his patients led him to conclude that all human beings experience a largely similar sequence of significant emotional events in their early lives and that it is this childhood past that shapes their present (Freud, 1905). Although Freud cautioned against the use of psychoanalysis in schizophrenia, as he believed that sufferers of schizophrenia had regressed to a state of â€Å"primary narcissism†, a phase early in the oral stage before the ego has differentiated from the id (Freud, 1905), more contemporary psychoanalysts have adopted a different approach. Primarily followers of Melanie Klein, they have taken the position that the schizoid position, or splitting between â€Å"good† and â€Å"bad† objects, was a normal stage of development and that schizophrenia was the late consequence of not negotiating this stage properly (Salzberger-Wittenberg, 1970). Thus, the flow of unconscious material (e.g. delusions, hallucinations and thought disorder) were actively encouraged, explored and participated in. In ME’s case, a formulation of her presenting issues included the role of specific anxieties and fears. Anxiety has been conceptualised psychodynamically as a state of helplessness and â€Å"psychic pain†, which results from the perceived discrepancies between one’s ideal self (or ego ideal) and one’s actual self (Freud, 1926, cited in Brown and Pedder, 1991). These painful discrepancies cannot then be easily assimilated into our conscious view of ourselves and the world because of the anxiety they arouse and the consequence is a â€Å"defence mechanism† activated to subdue this psychic pain. Using open-ended questions with ME, such as â€Å"how are you feeling?† and allowing her to respond freely revealed a little of her state of mind, ie. â€Å"very low, always tired and very sad†. It was interesting to note ME’s partner, JM’s, explanation of ME’s low mood, â€Å"the weather†, a subject he had mentioned at the outset of the encounter. This may indicate an attempt to avoid, or defend against, speaking of difficult issues and furthermore, may represent his own coping strategy. Further questions to elicit ME’s emotional state included â€Å"has it made a difference?† (regarding the use of anti-depressants) and â€Å"how do you feel about quitting smoking?† An inherent principle of psychoanalysis is the use of transference and countertransference within any clinical encounter (Casement, 1985; Salzberger-Wittenberg, 1970). Transference is the conveyance of past feelings, conflicts and beliefs into present relationships and situations, spe

Management is an art and a science

Management can be defined as the effective and efficient coordination of resources in order to achieve desired objectives. It is the process of planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and controlling resources such as human beings, material, time and money to accomplish organizational mission. All organizations have objectives that are the desired targets that the manager hopes to achieve. The primary purpose of management is to convert resources into results.A resource by itself is nothing, it remains sterile until it is managed to provide the results. A result is the consequence of purposeful activity, which is management. A manager must therefore, plan, organize, direct and coordinate activities to convert the sterile and inert resources into product resources (the desired objectives). Management is therefore, the action of getting things done through people. It means optimizing the use of human and material resources for the attainment of desired objectives. In its effort t o fulfill its functions of planning, organizing, leading and controlling, the field of management has borrowed extensively from different disciplines namely psychology, sociology, mathematics and decision sciences.Management as an art Art refers to the way of doing specific things. It is the skill in conducting any human activity. Art indicate how an object can be achieved. According to George R.Terry 1980 Art is bringing about of a desired through the application of skill. Art is therefore, a skilful application of knowledge which entirely depends on the inherent capacity of a person and is learned from practice and experience. Art is concerned with the understanding of how a particular work can be accomplished. In this sense, management is certainly an art as manager uses his skill, knowledge and experience in solving various problems that arise in the working of his enterprise successful. Earnest Dale ().Management is considered as an art rather than science mainly because manage rial is personal profession and intuitive. Therefore, management is an art, simple because managing requires certain skills which are a personal possession of the managers. In additional, management is an art of getting things done through others in dynamic and mostly non-repetitive situations. The resources of men, machine and money  have to be coordinated against several constraints to achieve given objectives in the most efficient manner. This requires skill.Management as a science Science can be described as a systematical body of knowledge based on proper findings and exact principles and is capable of verification. It is a reservoir of fundamental truths and its findings apply in all the situations. Science is knowledge as of facts and principles; knowledge gained by systematic study or observation and experimentation. The methods used in scientific inquiries are systematic and empirical. Moreover, information can be ordered and analyzed and the result or findings of scienti fic studies are cumulative. Based on this, management is a science because it has developed some systematized knowledge.Like other sciences management has also developed certain principles, laws and generalization which are universal in nature and applicable wherever the efforts of the people are to be coordinated. Managers often use a specific body of knowledge consisting of principles, generalization, approaches and concepts to apply in certain situations. These principles of management have been developed an formulated on the basis of observation, research, analysis and experimentation and also based on the relationship of cause and effect like other sciences. Furthermore, management deals with people and it is very difficult to predict their behavior accurately.Management empirical studies the man and the factors affecting him to understand human behavior in the work place. It is therefore a behavioral science. Managers when faced with managerial problems usually expect that the re is a rational an objective way to determine the correct course of action. Lastly, early management researchers subscribed to the vision of managers as scientists. The scientific management movement was the primary drive of this perspective.The scientific management emphasis on both reducing the inefficiencies and on understanding the psychology of workers, changed managers and employee attitudes towards the practice of management. This is evident with the development of early scientific theories of management such as the classical and scientific management theory by Fredrick Taylor, neo – classical approach, Weber’s Theory of Bureaucracy, behavioural approach and others which emphasized the scientific approach to management.Conclusion In conclusion, management is an art as well as a science. It involves both the elements of art and science. It is considered an art because managing requires application of certain skills and a science because it has an organized body of knowledge which contains certain universal truths. The science provides the knowledge and the art deals with the application of knowledge and skills. According to the American society of mechanical Engineers, management is the art and science of preparing, organizing and directing human efforts to control the forces and utilize the material of nature for the benefit of men. Thus, it has now been accepted that management is both an art and a science.

Gwendolyn Brooks and Edwin Arlington Robinson Essay

Gwendolyn Brooks and Edwin Arlington Robinson are two out of many fine poets that have written inspiration poetry that has had an impact on our country. Gwendolyn Brooks achieved success at an early age. Brooks is best known for her lyrical style of urban poetry, such as the poem â€Å"We Real Cool†. Brooks was the first African-American writer to win the Pulitzer Prize for her poetry with the poem, â€Å"Annie Allen†. Edwin Arlington Robinson was the first person ever to receive the Pulitzer Prize in 1922. Robinson’s poetry did not capture the attention of the public until he was almost 50 years old. President Theodore Roosevelt discovered some of his poetry. He was so impressed that he offers him a clerk position at the New York Customs House. â€Å"We Real Cool† by Gwendolyn Brooks and â€Å"Richard Cory† by Edwin Arlington Robinson demonstration how both authors compare/contrast in their poems as it relate to tragic ending in death, the usage of first person plural, and learning message to the reader. â€Å"We Real Cool† demonstrates how it relates to tragic ending in death, the usage of first person plural, and learning message to the reader. The poem relates to tragic ending in death. These teenagers explain how they engage in activities such as playing pool, drinking, and sinning. Though they believe they have everybody else fooled, they know themselves that the behavior will eventually lead to death. The poem is written in first person plural. It allows the pool players to speak for themselves and not allow the reader to draw their own assumptions. Also â€Å"We Real Cool† sends a learning message to the reader. The message that Brooks sends out is that what seems cool in someone else’s eye, isn’t cool in another, and it can lead to a destructive life. â€Å"Richard Cory† demonstrates how it related to tragic ending in death, the usage of first person plural, and learning message to the reader. The poems relate to tragic ending in death. Richard Cory is very successful in the view of the peers but in his own self judgment, he is inadequate to fulfill his purpose in life. So therefore, he commits suicide. Secondly, first person plural was not used in the poem. The town people are speaking about how they view Richard Cory. They do not know his personal struggles and only see the human side that he shows. They admire him and are quite envious of him. Thirdly, in the poem of â€Å"Richard Cory†, is sending a message that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Just because someone appears happy and wealthy does not mean that they are truly happy with their lifestyles. What one may perceive may be an allusion to the eye. Furthermore, a person must get to know a person to understand the views and thoughts. In conclusion, â€Å"We Real Cool† by Gwendolyn Brooks and â€Å"Richard Cory† by Edwin Arlington Robinson demonstration how both authors compare/contrast in their poems as it relate to tragic ending in death, the usage of first person plural, and learning message to the reader. We observed that â€Å"Richard Cory† is straight forward, direct and has plenty of descriptions unlike the poem â€Å"We Real Cool†, that requires the reader to use their imagination. However, both poems rhyme. Both poems talks about the importance’s of education of how the advantages of staying in school can get you far or how it can hinder your life. Even though both authors were born in different time era, they both share the same struggles and disadvantages.

A Research Project On Christ Calls Us Essay - 985 Words

Research Project Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations, whether that is locally or globally. The problem however is that many Americans especially those aged 16-29 are very hostile/ resistant to the idea of Christianity. With that being said, rhetorically speaking how could an individual like myself reach the 16-29 year olds; those in my age group? Before I begin to tackle on that question, I would like to investigate the notion of how exactly this specific age group is hostile/ resistant to the idea of Christianity. According to David Kinnaman President of The Barnia Group, non- Christians aged 16-29 years old when asked ‘What is your current perception of Christianity?’ 91% said antihomosexual, 87% said judgemental, 85% said hypocritical, 78% said old-fashioned, 75% said too involved in politics, 72% said out of touch with reality, 70% said insensitive to others. In addition 84% of non-Christians who are friends with Christian, only 15% said that the lifestyle of the Christians is not different from their own. In identifying, the truth about Non-Christians, roughly 80% of non-Christians have attended a church for three months in their life and roughly 50% of non-Christians have considered becoming a Christian. Many however, decided against Christianity due to unfavorable circumstances experienced within the church. Furthermore, in regards to what churches can do to reach the lost, Kinnaman stated that â€Å"instead of focusing on flaws, focus onShow MoreRelatedEssay On Arabidopsis Thaliana870 Words   |  4 PagesThe Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at MIT recently published a new study in which the molecular activity of a critical protein is elucidated in depth. A research team at Whitehead used metabolomics technology to accomplish this, analyzing a protein known to be responsible for making plants resistant to herbicide. 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