Somalia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Somalia - Essay Example The global network has on numerous events attempted to build up a just Somali, the latest being the Transition Federal Government(TFG) that was overwhelmed by the Union of Islamic Courts(UIC) in 2006. Similarly as in the past organization, TFG was tormented by extraordinary force battles among the various groups and families that in the end subverted its destinations of democratizing the nation. From that point forward, Somali stays a bombed state described by unstructured standards by Islamic groups and more robbery in the high oceans (Samatar, 1991, p9). So as to change the nation from the present state to a vote based nation, high feeling of energy and patriotism among every Somali family ought to be built up with the goal that they can endure one another and regard the standard of law. As per Laitin (1977, pp26-29), setting up a constitution that has the help of the greater part individuals is a crucial prerequisite for building up popular government in a nation. Similarly signif icant, the constitution ought to be upheld by autonomous and solid institutional system where rule of the land rules over close to home or explicit gatherings.

SHORT LISTENING ASSIGNMENT FORMAT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

SHORT LISTENING ASSIGNMENT FORMAT - Essay Example The soloists follow the request for the piano first, at that point the saxophone which is hindered by the trombone and drums and afterward proceeded till trumpeter dominates. The theme succession toward the end is excellent sweetly as well as outwardly since the artists move their heads to coordinate the music and add to the diversion and delight of the audience members. The soloist I most favored is the saxophone since it was a long piece. It began at a low scope of tone with excellent riffing strategy and cleared the pitch for different soloists to feature their pieces. The marginally low scope of tones in the second arrangement of rehashes is counterbalanced by the sharp trumpets after it. It was a fruitful performance. With everything taken into account the whole melody evoked bliss in me. The fast paced beat nearly looks like swing music and I wanted to move to the tune. The tune of the tune was satisfying just like the independent exhibitions of the artists. This is unquestionably one of those tunes one can’t without any problem

Hooker, Joseph

Hooker, Joseph Hooker, Joseph, 1814â€"79, Union general in the American Civil War, b. Hadley, Mass. After fighting the Seminole and serving in the Mexican War, Hooker resigned from the army in 1853 and was for several years a farmer in California. At the outbreak of the Civil War he became a brigadier general of volunteers. He distinguished himself in subordinate commands in the Peninsular campaign, at the second battle of Bull Run, and in the Antietam campaign, and was made a brigadier general in the regular army in Sept., 1862. After the battle of Fredericksburg , Hooker severely criticized Ambrose Burnside , whom he succeeded (Jan., 1863) in command of the Army of the Potomac. In Apr., 1863, he advanced against Robert E. Lee, but in the resulting battle of Chancellorsville , he failed to justify his nickname of Fighting Joe. Hooker followed Lee closely in the subsequent Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania, but, angered at General Halleck's refusal to send him reinforcements from Harpers Ferry, he asked on June 28, 1863, to be relieved. Hooker ably commanded reinforcements from the East in the Chattanooga campaign , and in 1864 he fought in the Atlanta campaign until General Sherman passed him over as successor to John B. McPherson . See biography by W. H. Hebert (1944). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. See more Encyclopedia articles on: U.S. History: Biographies

Analysis Of The Book , Tuesdays With Morrie, By Mitch Albom

Memoirs are novels that give us a personal insight into the authors life and their story. As readers, our impression is that a personal narrative must be truthful. Despite the readers expectation of truthfulness when approaching the memoir, authors enhance their texts to entertain the audience. Memoirs are perceived to be truthful, the story may be factual, but the author may spread some creative influence into the story to be able to create literary truth. Tuesdays with Morrie is a book about Mitch Albom’s companionship with his college professor, Morrie Schwartz. The memoir details the meeting that Mitch has after years without any contact to his college professor. Author Mitch Albom was a sport journalist before he transitioned to be†¦show more content†¦(Bahar Gholipour, NYMag, 2017). This can be used within memoirs as author may recount a memory, this memory is not appealing enough towards an audience, so they modify the memory to eliminate the contradiction. Within Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch can recount stories Morrie had told him in college. One story was a when Morrie told Mitch a story during one college basketball game in 1979. To the reader this story is second hand information. With all pieces of literature, there are textual features that can be used to help the reader understand the story. Foregrounding and Privileging can be used within memoirs as the author is able to imply personal beliefs onto the reader. Throughout Tuesdays with Morrie, a central idea that is foregrounded is how society has deferred people beliefs to money and power is evident. Mitch uses his own life as an example of how Mitch â€Å"Traded lots of dreams for a bigger pay check† (Mitch Albom, 1997, pg. 33). During his visits to Morrie, Mitch lets Morrie explain his way of life as an example of how we all should live. Morrie says â€Å"Invest in human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you† (Mitch Albom, 1997, pg. 157). Mitch privileges Morrie life and says although Morrie is knocking at deaths door, Morrie is looking at life from â€Å"A healthier place. A more sensible place. and he was about to die† (Mitch Albom, 1 997, pg. 63). Mitch claimed that â€Å"I have one skill,Show MoreRelatedTuesdays with Morrie Essay1074 Words   |  5 Pagesquote by Bob Cameron, discuss how effectively Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie, uses plot and story, character development, point of view, theme, and symbols to convey his mesage. Include your personal thoughts and views, as well as textual references, to support your opinions. In Mitch Albom’s Tuesday’s with Morrie, Albom detailed his personal experiences with his professor Morrie Schwartz. Mitch also expressed how influential Morrie was to his friends, relatives, patients, andRead MoreCritical Analysis Of Tuesdays With Morrie999 Words   |  4 PagesTuesdays with Morrie Synthesis and Analysis Tuesdays with Morrie is a memoir written by Mitch Albom that documents his last thesis with his old college sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz. The story captures the compassion and wisdom that Morrie represents, but as he slowly contracts a disease known as ALS, his time is about to run out. It isn’t until 16 years later when Mitch sees his old professor being interviewed on ABC’s Nightline that this begins to change. Mitch was a student to Morrie SchwartzRead MoreHow Should We Accept Inevitable Progression Of Growing Old And Finally Death? Essay1369 Words   |  6 Pagesis rarely ever talked about unless as part of a classroom or at the end someone’s life. Mitch Albom’s inspiring bestseller brings to light these trials and tribulations of the aging and dying process. Tuesdays with Morrie offers advice for positive living with the aging and dying process through anecdotes and examples from the author’s interview with his elderly and dying professor Morrie Schwartz. Morrie teaches us to face up to the real problem of aging and dying in order to remain youthful inRead More Comparing Mitch Alboms Tuesdays with Morrie and Leo Tolstoys The Death of Ivan Ilych3773 Words   |  16 PagesLove and Death in Mitch Alboms Tuesdays with Morrie and Leo Tolstoys The Death of Ivan Ilych One story is distinctively American in its optimism and characteristic of the 1990s in its tone; the other shows the unmistakable disposition of nineteenth century Russia. The more recent book follows the actual life of a sociology professor at Brandeis University while the other explores a product of Leo Tolstoys imagination. Tuesdays with Morrie and The Death of Ivan Ilych portray two characters

What Critique on Arguments Essay Samples Is - and What it Is Not

What Critique on Arguments Essay Samples Is - and What it Is Not Article critique is the complete important analysis of a report and it isn't only the concise summary. The principal elements of an article critique has to be included also in order to supply a complete academic paper. When reviewing a journal, it's essential that you read the post to come up with an extensive comprehension of the most important agenda and content. Organization The report should be shown in a proper fashion, in accord with its title. When it's an editorial piece or internet article, you can locate a match that applies in your case. It's possible to remember other's point of views to value the guide. Do not neglect to include things like the name of the webpage at the end once you're eager to deliver the author's quote. Based on your field of interest, our article example will provide you a sense of the way to deal with an article review. What the In-Crowd Won't Tell You About Critique on Arguments Essay Samples A critique essay, which is also referred to as an important essay, is a bit of writing where you're supposed to criticize and evaluate some work. A critique of a novel is a sort of college papers that provides a crucial assessment of literary works. Nonetheless, the realism that's embodied is profound. The book is a brief story that's full of meaning. Your introduction functions as a launch your critique. Read our next article if you don't understand the way to use examples of expository essays. The prose is very clear and fluid. The above is almost a cliche, but it's indeed essential to being a fantastic vital essay writer. The chronology of the essay will likewise be enhanced. Therefore, the Kant's argument that mind and body is one particular thing, Descartes believes they're separate. Descartes does not support the concept of organizing and synthesizing experiences so as to have a prior understanding. The author was able to create vivid characters that are very similar to numerous common individuals who have very similar problems in life. What You Don't Know About Critique on Arguments Essay Samples You also have to be in a position to spot and critique opposing positions. A critique isn't the very same as a demonstration that the conclusion of a person's argument is false. Your critique ought to be objective. A scholarly research critique comes with an overview of the very first paragraph. If you are aware of how to compose an article critique, you will readily finish the assignment not based on its complexity and formatting peculiarities. There you want to present a concise overview of the essay with supportive logics. Thus, definition results in essence. The Ultimate Critique on Arguments Essay Samples Trick In truth, it might well be true. Always make certain you craft a rough opinion of the article you have at hand. Besides gaining an in-depth grasp of the selected text, you would have to understand the objective of the text, the target audience and the main reason why it's structured the way it's, to earn a crucial review of the text. What's important is to offer stark evidence for many of your claims. Revising an assignment is critical as it can help to clarify the major point along with ensures the readers' needs are satisfied. In precisely the same time, biases are often resulting from narrow standpoint.

Famous Person whom you would Consider a “typical” American Essay Free Essays

Name a famous person whom you would consider a â€Å"typical† American. What characteristics of this individual do you think make her or him typical? Do you consider these characteristics a stereotype? Why, or why not? I think if I had to choose one typical American it would have to be the ‘typical’ ideal American. I do not think that in today’s society that there is a ‘typical’ American. We will write a custom essay sample on Famous Person whom you would Consider a â€Å"typical† American Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now So if I was going to pick a famous person it would have to one from history, Abe Lincoln, for example. He stood for freedom, equality, and upholding the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; the values our country was founded on. I think that when he was alive he embodied the characteristics of a typical American because he worked hard to provide for his family and fought hard to stand up for what he believed was right for our country. I consider these to be all wonderful characteristics to have but when applied to the ‘typical’ American it does seem to be stereotypical or even a little unfair. It is hard in this day and age to embody all of those things that he did. America is a country made up of so many different people with different backgrounds and cultures that we are truly a melting-pot. I think it is time that we redefine the ‘typical’ American to no definition at all. Everyone who is American is ‘typical’, it is what makes this country so great. Resource: Module 4 of Psychology and Your Life Write a 200- to 300-word summary describing a time when you had to test a theory. This theory may be something you have tested at work, school, or at home. Answer the following questions in your summary: What type of informal research method did you use?   How was your research method similar to research methods used by psychologists? If given another opportunity, what would you have done differently? Describe one ethical issue mentioned in the text that you have encountered. Why is informed consent necessary for ethical research? I work in a hotel and I am in charge of getting the housekeepers organized and  working on an acceptable time line. I noticed that they were taking too long to clean the rooms so that I could rent them out again. I decided to do an informal time-motion type study. I would record how long it took them to do the rooms for about a week. I noticed that on one of the days they had planned to do something after work and their room per hour rate went way up. Rechearchers use similar methods when working in the employment settings to see if they can improve morale and production. I probably would not have done much differently. I started motivating them in different ways to make sure that their room rate went up. The only difference was that when we told them about the study, they seemed to move faster. Next time I will just tell them that we are recording their cleaning times and get the results I want, rather than having to give extra incentives. I do not think that there were any moral issues involved in this test. I guess someone could say that I should have let them known that their performance was being recorded. I would not have found the results I did if I had informed them, and as an employee of a company you should expect your performance to be reviewed. If this were a different type of test I can understand how many people want there to be informed consent especially if there is some sort of invasive testing or something that disrupts your normal life. How to cite Famous Person whom you would Consider a â€Å"typical† American Essay, Essays

Racism and Anti

What People Thought to Have Defeated Long Before Despite the fact that the USA is ruled by the democratic principles and that humanism is nowadays the most respected and appropriate policy towards the racial minorities in the United States, saying that racism is finally over will definitely get some weird looks.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Racism and Anti-Semitism in the United States: The Issues Which Are Yet to Be Solved specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the one hand, over such long period of time that has passed since the African American people were officially recognized to have the same set of rights as the white population of the United States and since the Jewish Diaspora has become an integral part of the USA, one might have expected that both races would have already been accepted in the American culture, social and political life. On the other hand, the facts of harsh reality seem to have proven t hat the racial stereotypes of the African Americans and the Jewish people are still there. Sadly enough, in the present-day United States, both the Jews and the African Americans know for a fact that discrimination is still a threat for them and that they can encounter it not only in the city suburbs, but also in the broad light of the day in the middle of the city. When it comes to defining the factors which have predetermined further development of racial moods in the USA, the problem turns out much more complicated than it seemed. It is worth mentioning, however, that the United States are not the only place where racism has sprung to life after the years of bringing the democratic ideas into life. If considering all the states where racial issues still exist, one must mention such countries as Serbia, Ukraine, Iran, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco (Silverstein, 2012, 130). The above-mentioned does not justify the fact of racism in the USA on any account; however, it shows that the pr oblem has spread much further and, therefore, needs immediate actions to be taken. In addition, while in other countries, the fact of racism and anti-Semitism can be explained by considering the latter a result of xenophobia, in the U. S., where African Americans and Jews have been a great chunk of the population for quite long, the situation needs to be researched to find out the causes of racism and to eliminate them. Thesis statement: the racist issues are still there despite all the efforts Because of the lack of knowledge on the Jewish and African American culture and the existing prejudices concerning the above-mentioned ethnicities, as well as the cultivation of the culture of the white population, which nowadays tends to be the dominant one in the American society, the representatives of the latter displays obvious mistrust and exercises racial profiling towards Jews and African Americans, violating the rights of both ethnicities, encouraging racial discrimination and develo ping anti-Semitist and anti-African American attitudes in the modern United States.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Undertaken Attempts and the Current Score Though, after what has been achieved over 60ies, it seemed that all racial ideas were ripped to shards and that the African American people could exercise their rights in full in the American society, there are recent evidences which show that racism remains the problem of the XXI century just as it used to be in the XIX century. According to the recent evidence, some of the law enforcement groups in the USA â€Å"solely target Mexican restaurants, African Taxi Cab companies, and non-Judeo-Christian places of worship in their efforts to deal with undocumented workers† (Shattel Villalba, 2008, 542). While there is no obvious discrimination of the African American population which can be spotted by the state of ficials and, thus, punished in the appropriate way, the instances of implied racism, i.e., making the choice in favor of a white person for no obvious reason when there is a competition between a white American and an African American, as well as considering African Americans the ones to blame in case of a conflict between the latter and the dominating elements of the American society, etc., are still painfully regular. Speaking of the Jewish immigrants in the USA society, it is necessary to address the fact that, when the first immigrants came to the States, they received rather cold shoulder from the local residents. Even though it seems that an ample amount of time has passed since the rights of the Jewish have been acclaimed and fully restored, one must admit that in the America of the new millennium, the old concerns about anti-Semitism still remain in their places. While one must give credit to all the efforts which have been made to help the Jewish people acculturate and at t he same time to make the residents of the USA accept and respect the rights of the Jewish people, anti-Semitism remains a problem in the USA. Therefore, it must be admitted that the problem of anti-Semitism exists in the modern American society on par with the racial profiling which African American people encounter in the U. S. The arguments of the supporters of the discrimination attitudes are ridiculous and fail on all levels. However, the weird statements of racists do not end in claiming their rights to discriminate against ethnical minorities. To top it all, some people tend to hush the problem down, claiming that it actually does not exist. Hence, sadly enough, it cannot be denied that the racial discrimination still exists and even thrives in the USA of today.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Racism and Anti-Semitism in the United States: The Issues Which Are Yet to Be Solved specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn Mor e It is worth mentioning, however, that the racial issues and the anti-Semitic attitudes did not come out of nowhere – there have been a range of factors which have induced the enmity towards the given ethnic minorities. An Unexpected Discovery. Racism Has Ceased to Exist – Has It not? As it has been mentioned previously, a certain part of the American society tends to white-knight the governmental policies towards providing the ethnical minorities with their rights and freedoms by claiming that the problem of racial profiling is a way too far-fetched statement and that individual instances of a racial slur or conflict do not mean that there is a problem of racism or anti-Semitism. The absurd level which the arguments of anti-Semitism proponents hit can be defined by the fact that the latter accuse Semites of being intolerant towards the people with racial prejudice: Neo-conservative elites in the USA and Western Europe [†¦] define â€Å"Judeophobia† and â€Å"anti-Jewish anti-Semitism† as the hegemonic forms of racism in the West today in order to blame, in a perverse way, Arabs and Muslims and to hide the hegemonic forms of White racism which are now mostly â€Å"anti-Black racism† and â€Å"anti-Arab/Muslim anti-Semitism† (Grosfoguel, 2009, 96) It can be deduced, therefore, that the main argument of the people who defend anti-Semitic attitudes is that the Semitic population of the USA are being too harsh on their opponents. In other words, the Black people and the Jews who argue against their discrimination are intolerant of the racists’ intolerance. Moreover, the discrimination of African Americans is justified by the fact that now America has a Black President (Prickett, 2009), which is rather lame argument – as Grosfoguel (2009) explains, the given fact makes the people supporting racist ideas even more enraged and make them undertake even more racist actions. As for anti-Semitism, the basic argument is that the Holocaust actually never happened (Fischel, 2003, 226). As it has been mentioned, the statements above do not hold any water. If considering the recent events of racial discrimination towards African Americans and Jewish people, it becomes obvious that hushing down the problem will lead to even greater problems in future.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More When There Is Still Some Room for Hope Despite decades of struggling for the rights of the African Americans, as well as years spent by the Jewish community in the United States to prove that their culture should be appreciated and that the stereotypes and prejudices concerning Jews and Jewish faith are completely wrong, it cannot be denied that racism and anti-Semitism are still on the agenda of the modern American society issues. It must be kept in mind that the existing laws and regulations concerning the rights of the ethnical minorities in the USA seem to leap through the cracks, the attitude of the Americans towards the above-mentioned cultures have not changed or made too little progress for the African Americans and the Jewish people to feel comfortable in the American environment. While it is important to address the changes which the American society has undergone and realize that the required freedoms and rights have been granted to each of the ethnicities in question, th ese rights are obviously often violated in the American society, which means that the racism and anti-Semitism are still in their place sand that it will probably take at least another decade to right the wrongs of the modern society. Despite the attempts which have been made to make the USA society more democratic and the fact that both Jewish people and African Americans have the same rights as the rest of the USA citizens have, the violation of these rights occurs on a daily basis, which means that there are a lot of changes to be made to people’s perception of African American and Jewish culture and people, as well as get rid of the stereotypes about the given ethnicities. Once appropriate measures are undertaken and the dominating part of the USA population becomes aware of the racial issues which are nowadays very recent in the United States, the world will be a better place. Hence, it can be concluded that the idea of a complete absence of racial discrimination or anti -Semitism in the American society is absurd. Though the current concern for the treatment of ethnic minorities in the United States is definitely a silver lining, it cannot be denied that the situation demands much more actions to be undertaken. Reference List Fischel, J. R. (2003). The new anti-Semitism. In R. Michael P. Rosen (Eds.),  Dictionary of anti-Semitism (pp. 225-234). Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press. Grosfoguel, R. (2009). Human rights and anti-Semitism after GAZA. Human  Architecture: Journal of the Sociology of Self-Knowledge, 7(2), 89-102. Prickett, S. (2009). Is racism really over in America? Harvard Educational Review,  79(2), 267-268. Shattel, M. M., Villalba, J. (2008). Anti-immigration rhetoric in the USA: Veiled racism? Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 29, 541-543. Silverstein, P. (2012). A new Morocco? Amazigh activism, political pluralism and anti–anti-Semitism. Brown Journal of World Affairs, 8(2), 129-140. This essay on Racism and Anti-Semitism in the United States: The Issues Which Are Yet to Be Solved was written and submitted by user Rosemary Wolfe to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Lucky Luciano essays

Lucky Luciano essays Hes often called the greatest mobster ever to live. Although Lucky Luciano didnt go about it in a legal way he had his mind set on wealth and thats what he went for. Lucky was able to climb the ladder to become the boss of bosses in the mafia world and he took a whole new look at the way he wanted things to be ran. With the help of his childhood friend he would bring the mafia world together and halt the fighting between the main mafia families in America. Through his brilliant mind and his ways of violence he would begin to organize crime in new and radical ways, which would lead to the way organized crime was thought of and seen forever. Charles Lucky Luciano started with an honest job when he was seventeen, he was delivering ladies hats for man named Max Goodman. This all changed though when he met George Scanlon, a popular drug dealer that worked Luckys part of town. Lucky was interested in Scanlons life style and asked if he could work for him. Scanlon decided to give him a chance and Lucky started to deliver heroin in the bands of the hats he was delivering for Goodman. It was making him some easy money, but it wasnt long before it caught up with him. A friend of Luckys who was jealous of his money tipped off the cops and he was arrested outside of a poolroom, a popular hangout for addicts and pushers, and sentenced to a year in Hampton Farms Penitentiary. He was paroled six months later and that was his last arrest for twenty years and his start in the big time (Gosch Bootlegging was very popular during prohibition in 1920, and it made many gangsters a lot of money. Lucky was able to make his way near the top of the bootlegging industry through acquiring many infamous connections like: Guisseppe Doto Joe Adonis, Waxey Gordon, and Arnold Rothstein, the man who fixed the 1918 World Series. With conne ...

Generating Random Numbers in Java

Generating Random Numbers in Java Generating a series of random numbers is one of those common tasks that crop up from time to time. In Java, it can be achieved simply by using the java.util.Random class. The first step, as with the use of any API class, is to put the import statement before the start of your program class: Next, create a Random object: The Random object provides you with a simple random number generator. The methods of the object give the ability to pick random numbers. For example, the nextInt() and nextLong() methods will return a number that is within the range of values (negative and positive) of the int and long data types respectively: The numbers returned will be randomly chosen int and long values: Picking Random Numbers From a Certain Range Normally the random numbers to be generated need to be from a certain range (e.g., between 1 to 40 inclusively). For this purpose, the nextInt() method can also accept an int parameter. It denotes the upper limit for the range of numbers. However, the upper limit number is not included as one of the numbers that can be picked. That might sound confusing but the nextInt() method works from zero upwards. For example: will only pick a random number from 0 to 39 inclusively. To pick from a range that starts with 1, simply add 1 to the result of the nextInt() method. For example, to pick a number between 1 to 40 inclusively add one to the result: If the range starts from a higher number than one you will need to: minus the starting number from the upper limit number and then add one.add the starting number to the result of the nextInt() method. For example, to pick a number from 5 to 35 inclusively, the upper limit number will be 35-5131 and 5 needs to be added to the result: Just How Random Is the Random Class? I should point out that the Random class generates random numbers in a deterministic way. The algorithm that produces the randomness is based on a number called a seed. If the seed number is known then its possible to figure out the numbers that are going to be produced from the algorithm. To prove this Ill use the numbers from the date that Neil Armstrong first stepped on the Moon as my seed number (20th July 1969) :​ No matter who runs this code the sequence of random numbers produced will be: By default the seed number that is used by: is the current time in milliseconds since January 1, 1970. Normally this will produce sufficiently random numbers for most purposes. However, note that two random number generators created within the same millisecond will generate the same random numbers. Also be careful when using the Random class for any application that must have a secure random number generator (e.g., a gambling program). It might be possible to guess the seed number based on the time the application is running. Generally, for applications where the random numbers are absolutely critical, its best to find an alternative to the Random object. For most applications where there just needs to be a certain random element (e.g., dice for a board game) then it works fine.

Domestic partner benefits Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Domestic partner benefits - Essay Example Further requirements were then added for the partners to continue sharing financial obligations and that they  are  over eighteen (Badgett 2006).. A domestic partnership denotes a much that may be or may not be recognized by law as compared to  marriage. According to  Wikipedia, public and private employers in America provide health insurance and other benefits to spouses and same-sex partners of their employees. The employee receiving benefits for his or her spouse may sometimes be forced to pay tax for the benefits. The qualifications for benefits for domestic partners vary from one employer to the next. Different employers have different benchmarks for those that are suitable for these benefits and those that are not. Domestic partner benefits can be categorized into two: same sex partners and opposite sex partners. It is up to employers to determine which  partnership  to include. Some employers only  recognize  same-sex or different-sex couples, while others acce pt both categories. Employers ought to compensate their employees through more than salaries and wages. They should provide benefits such as health insurance. A growing number of employers are now offering domestic partner benefits to gay, lesbians, bisexual and transgender employees and the  partner’s children. These benefits include health benefits (dental,  sight  and medical); retirement benefits (pension plans); bereavement leave; travel assistance; adoption assistance; education and  tuition  assistance and disability and life insurance. Employers  are known  to create their own definitions of domestic partners. This is to  enable  them to know who is eligible for benefits and who is not.  Same sex  unions were usually left out of this consideration. Employers have since begun offering benefits to  same sex  partners. Employers have traditionally offered benefits, such as health insurance, to the spouses and legal dependants of their employees. In 1982, the first  employer  to break ranks and  offer  domestic partner benefits to its  lesbian  and  gay  employees was a New York City weekly  publication  called the Village Voice. Today, the Human Rights Campaign (a nonprofit organization devoted to working for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equal rights) claims that employees who  offer  these benefits stand at more than 2,500. In an effort to promote equality in the workplace, more and more employers are choosing to  offer  benefits to domestic partners. However, these efforts to  bring  more  equality  to the workplace are not without  consequence. Before adopting policies that  afford  domestic partners the same benefits that  are afforded  spouses, employers must carefully consider the benefits and risks to such an  approach (Badgett 2006).. Cost of domestic partner benefits According to Michael E. Hamrick (2009), lack of information has made it difficult to  es timate  the overall  cost  of domestic partner benefits. Some employers believe that the cost for providing benefits for domestic partners is much higher than providing benefits for married couples. An  excellent  example comes from a small group  plan  in California. It paid 17.1% more in the same year for

Phenomenon (McDonalds) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Phenomenon (McDonalds) - Essay Example It is after investigation that he unveiled how lucrative the entity was but took time joining them Ray After investigating while still dealing with the brothers, he found out the entity had the potential of becoming prominent in the region judging from Americans’ attitudes towards eat out joints. Hence, advised them to expand the entity’s presence but they did not know how to do that where he intervened as their agent and establishing first shop in Chicago (1955) (Johansen 82). After six years, Ray managed to buy this entity from the brothers, hence being able to have adequate and complete control meant to keep it in the best track he deemed would ensure success. Hence, during then being extremely strict in managing his array of restaurants together with ensuring the entity fully embraced cleanliness, quality as well as excellence in service, which comprises its key aspects to date. Besides strict operations, his intention was to spearhead numerous establishments not only in US but also globally but using similar standards. According to Johansen (82), the entity by 2012 had approximately 14,000 units in US and over 33,000 globally. This is despite its owner before and after acquisition then experiencing serious health drawbacks that could have deterred him from realizing the current enormous entity’s global debut (Johansen 82). Many including health institutions have resulted to intense debates claiming the entity has significantly contributed to the menace of obesity especially among children (Korthals 33). Hence, leading to other serious health drawbacks whose medical treatments are extremely pricey to the extent some Americans are unable to afford. Those pushing for this debate contend food served by this entity has low nutritional value compared to what the entity has attractively relayed on the products’ labels (Korthals 33). This was evident in both UK and US where the

Besseren lösungen für detaillierte problemfelder

Besseren là ¶sungen fà ¼r detaillierte problemfelder 1 Grundlagen des Benchmarking Benchmarking (BM) ist, in Ergà ¤nzung zum klassischen Unternehmensvergleich, durch das systematische Suchen nach rationellen Vorgehensweisen und besseren Là ¶sungen fà ¼r detaillierte Problemfelder und Prozesse außerhalb der „eigenen Welt bzw. der eigenen Branche gekennzeichnet. Nicht die Unterschiede zu anderen Unternehmen sind beim Benchmarking der Schwerpunkt der Untersuchung, sondern die gezielte Identifikation der besten Praktiken, mit denen à ¼berdurchschnittliche Wettbewerbspotentiale zu erreichen sind. Benchmarking wird entscheidend durch folgende Frage charakterisiert: „Warum machen es andere besser und was kà ¶nnen wir daraus lernen? Der Beweis der Durchfà ¼hrbarkeit neuer Ideen durch ihre tà ¤gliche Anwendung in anderen Unternehmen und die damit verbundene Motivation der eigenen Mitarbeiter ist ein wesentlicher Bestandteil des Benchmarking. Erst der Blick à ¼ber den eigenen Tellerrand ermà ¶glicht Leistungssprà ¼nge um Grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸enordnungen. Damit erweist sich Benchmarking als ein Instrument zur Leistungssteigerung fà ¼r Unternehmen aus allen Branchen und gewinnt unter den Managementtechniken immer mehr an Bedeutung. Die flexiblen Einsatzmà ¶glichkeiten als „Werkzeug um verkrustete Unternehmensstrukturen aufzudecken oder als Instrument zum Aufzeigen der Optimierungsmà ¶glichkeiten von Geschà ¤ftsprozessen bis hin zur Entscheidungsunterstà ¼tzung bei Fragen der strategischen Ausrichtung machen das Benchmarking wertvoll. Benchmarking darf jedoch nicht als das Wundermittel zur Steigerung der eigenen Wettbewerbsfà ¤higkeit verstanden werden, denn insbesondere klein- und mittelgroße Unternehmen haben noch Schwierigkeiten bei der praktischen Umsetzung des Benchmarking. Das Neue des Benchmarking liegt im branchenà ¼bergreifenden Vergleich mit den Besten und dem Setzen von Maßstà ¤ben fà ¼r das eigene Unternehmen. Die Vorgehensweise des Benchmarking integriert dabei vorhandene Managementmethoden und bringt erst durch eine konsequente, ganzheitliche und kontinuierliche Anwendung den gewà ¼nschten Erfolg. Verschiedene Voraussetzungen sind dazu allerdings erforderlich (siehe Abb. 1): 1.1 Definition Benchmarking ist ein kontinuierlicher Prozeß, bei dem Produkte, Dienstleistungen und insbesondere Methoden betrieblicher Funktionen à ¼ber mehrere Unternehmen hinweg verglichen werden. Dabei sollen die Unterschiede zu anderen Unternehmen offengelegt, die Ursachen fà ¼r die Unterschiede und Mà ¶glichkeiten zur Verbesserung ermittelt werden. Der Vergleich findet dabei zu Unternehmen statt, welche die zu untersuchenden Methoden oder Prozesse hervorragend beherrschen. Diese Unternehmen werden dabei oft als „Klassenbeste best in class bezeichnet. (Vgl. Camp 1989, S.19). 1.2 Ziele des Benchmarking Benchmarking ist an erster Stelle ein Zielsetzungsprozeß. Aber, und das ist wichtiger, es ist ein Mittel, die Praktiken, die zum Erreichen neuer Ziele nà ¶tig sind, zu entdecken und zu verstehen. Diese sind wahrscheinlich das wichtigste und grundlegende Resultat des Benchmarking. Neben dem grundsà ¤tzlichen Ziel des Benchmarking, Vorgaben zu setzen, ist der motivierende Wert ebenfalls erheblich. Wenn Bechmarking voll integriert wird in die Verantwortlichkeiten, Arbeitsprozesse und das Vergà ¼tungssystem, wird die Organisation willens und fà ¤hig, sich aus eigenem Antrieb in Richtung realistischer Ziele zu bewegen und existierende Arbeitspraktiken zu à ¤ndern. Sie wird Maßnahmen ergreifen und Verà ¤nderungen herbeifà ¼hren, die sonst hà ¤tten diktiert werden mà ¼ssen. (Vgl. Camp 1994, S. 34). Benchmarking kann sich dabei auf verschiedene Objekte beziehen (siehe Abb.:2) 1.3 Nutzen des Benchmarking Es gibt viele Wege, den Nutzen zu beschreiben, der aus Bechmarking gezogen werden kann. Der wesentliche Vorteil wird abgeleitet von der Erfà ¼llung von Kundenwà ¼nschen, dem Setzen von Zielen, dem Messen der tatsà ¤chlichen Produktività ¤t, dem Erlangen der Wettbewerbsfà ¤higkeit und dem Sicherstellen, daß die besten Praktiken in den Arbeitsprozeß einbezogen sind. Es kann dabei prinzipiell ein direkter und ein indirekter Nutzen identifiziert werden (siehe Abb.: 3 und 4). 1.4 Entwicklung des Benchmarking 1.4.1 Die ersten Benchmarking-Untersuchungen Ganz neu ist der Ansatz des Benchmarking nicht. Zu Beginn dieses Jahrhunderts wurde vom deutschen Milità ¤r die erste bekannte Studie durchgefà ¼hrt. Man hatte erkannt, daß grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸ere Truppenbewegungen sehr zeitaufwendig und kostenintensiv waren. Durch einen Zeitungsbericht erfuhr ein Soldat, daß es in Amerika einen großen Zirkus gibt, der es schaffte, in einer Nacht die Zelte abzubrechen, sà ¤mtliche Gà ¼ter auf die Bahn zu verladen und mit allen Menschen und Tieren per Bahn in die nà ¤chste Stadt aufzubrechen. Diese schier unglaubliche Leistung bewog das Milità ¤r mit einer Gruppe von Experten in die Vereinigten Staaten zu reisen um sich vor Ort ein Bild von diesem Vorgang zu machen. Es zeigte sich, daß der Zirkus neben einer kompetenten Logistikabteilung spezielle Fahrzeuge entwickelt hatte. Mit diesem Wissen konnte, zurà ¼ck in der Heimat, eine signifikante Verbesserung der Truppenbewegung umgesetzt werden. Die Einfà ¼hrung der ersten Fließbà ¤nder in der Automobilindustrie im Jahre 1916 ist ein weiteres Beispiel der frà ¼hen Anwendung von Bechmarking. Inspiriert durch Besuche einer Großschlachterei in Chicago, wo Schweinehà ¤lften an einer Hà ¤ngebahn von Arbeitsplatz zu Arbeitsplatz transportiert wurden, fà ¼hrte Henry Ford das Fließband in der Automobilindustrie ein. Das Kanban-System stellt ebenfalls eine à ¼bertragung eines Prinzips aus einer anderen Branche dar. Durch das Studium der Organisation amerikanischer Supermarktketten und hier insbesondere das Nachfà ¼llen der Regale entwickelte sich bei Toyota das Prinzip der Kanban-Karten, das heute in vielen Brachen Verbreitung gefunden hat. 1.4.2 Die Prà ¤gung des Begriffs durch Xerox Der Begriff Benchmarking wurde von Xerox im Jahr 1979 geprà ¤gt. Zu dieser Zeit stellte Xerox fest, daß die japanische Konkurrenz Kopierer zu einem Preis verkaufte, der unter den Produktionskosten bei Xerox lag. Xerox startete daraufhin im Fertigungsbereich ein marktbezogenes Benchmarking, das sogenannte Competitive Benchmarking. Die auf dem Markt befindlichen Kopierer wurden hinsichtlich Herstellungskosten, Design und anderer Merkmale studiert und analysiert. Aus diesem Vorgehen wurden neue radikale Ziele abgeleitet. Aufgrund des Erfolges in der Fertigung bestimmte das Management 1981, daß Benchmarking von allen Geschà ¤ftsbereichen durchzufà ¼hren sei. Noch im gleichen Jahr wurde ein branchenà ¼bergreifendes Benchmarking-Projekt in den Bereichen Logistik und Distribution durchgefà ¼hrt. Dies lieferte den endgà ¼ltigen Beweis, daß Benchmarking auch auf Geschà ¤ftsprozesse außerhalb der Produktion à ¼bertragbar ist und Benchmarking-Partner nicht aus der gleichen B ranche stammen mà ¼ssen. Besonders bemerkenswert, blickt man auf den Zeitpunkt Ende der 70er, Anfang der 80er Jahre, ist die Betrachtungsweise von Benchmarking als kontinuierlicher Prozeß. Dies ist eines der wesentlichen Probleme der Praxis. Wichtig ist, schon an dieser Stelle festzuhalten: Industrielle Prozesse unterliegen einem steten Wandel. Immer neue Verà ¤nderungen, Verbesserungen mà ¼ssen dokumentiert und eventuell in einen Benchmarking-Prozeß eingebunden werden. Eine einmalige, Im Hauruck-Verfahren durchgezogene Benchmarking-Aktion kann nicht erfolgreich sein. Robert C. Camp, Benchmarking-Projektleiter bei Xerox bemerkt dazu fast lapidar: „Verfahren mà ¼ssen kontinuierlich beobachtet werden, um sicher zu gehen, daß die wirklich besten ihrer Art ermittelt werden. Ausschließlich jene Unternehmen, die Benchmarking diszipliniert betreiben, werden sich hervorragend weiterentwickeln kà ¶nnen. In einer dem stà ¤ndigen Wandel unterworfenen Umwelt ist Selbstgefà ¤lligkeit fatal (Vgl. C amp 1989, S. 10). 1.5 Der Weg zum Benchmarking / Raus aus dem Controlling! Es gibt verschiedene Grà ¼nde weshalb Benchmarking als Hilfsmittel im Management nicht umfassend genutzt wird. Einer davon ist, daß Benchmarking funktional nicht zugeordnet werden kann. Als Basisinstrument hat es genauso eine Daseinsberechtigung in den Beschaffungs- und den Produktionsbereichen wie im strategischen Marketing oder in der Vertriebslogistik. In der Vergangenheit, war in der Betriebswirtschaft eine fortschreitende Trennung der Funktionalbereiche und ihrer Methodik zu verfolgen. Dies dokumentiert sich bis heute an den Lehrstà ¼hlen europà ¤ischer Wirtschaftshochschulen. Zumindest in Europa entdeckten zuerst die Controller das Hilfsmittel Benchmarking. Diese bereits geà ¼bt im Umgang mit einer Vielzahl von technischen Vergleichswerkzeugen erkannten schnell die Chancen, die die Arbeitstechnik erà ¶ffnete. „Benchmarking ist wichtiger Bestandteil des Instrumentenkastens des zunehmend strategisch orientierten Controllers, schreiben dann auch Horvath und Herter (1992, S.7). Sicher ist es sinnvoll, Benchmarking erst einmal im Controlling anzusiedeln. Der Controller kann anregen, kann Hilfestellungen im Umgang mit verschiedenen Werkzeugen geben, dennoch wird er à ¼ber die nachtrà ¤gliche à ¼berprà ¼fung und Vergleichsrechnung, den Denk- und Kreativprozeß des Benchmarking auf der Management-Schiene nicht ersetzen. Anders als beispielsweise im Target Costing, kann das Controlling sinnvolles Benchmarking nur anregen, stimulieren, nicht jedoch konkrete Zielvorgaben bereitstellen, an denen sich die jeweiligen Funktionsbereiche frei orientieren kà ¶nnen. Im Benchmarking geht es um das Vorausdenken, nicht um das Nachrechnen! Das ist die elementare Botschaft! Und dementsprechend kann die Technik im aktuellen Arbeitsprozeß von allen Funktionsbereichen genutzt werden; egal ob das Marketing seine Feldorganisation à ¼berprà ¼ft, die Produktion bestimmte Montageschritte unter die Lupe nimmt, die Beschaffung den Prozeß der Auftragsvergabe nà ¤her beleuchtet. Fà ¼r all diese Aufgabenstellungen genà ¼gt es nicht, einen Controller aus dem Vergleich entwickelte Zielwerte vorgeben zu lassen. Benchmarking ist ein dialogisches Instrument, das die Leistung aller Mitarbeiter aus den Funktionalbereichen beansprucht (Vgl. Rau, 1996, S. 63). 2 Formen des Benchmarking Prinzipiell kà ¶nnen drei Formen des Benchmarking unterschieden werden, die im europà ¤ischen Rahmen Verwendung finden (sieh Abb.: 5). Das Benchmarking von Unternehmen ist bislang am weitesten verbreitet. Hier lernen Unternehmen voneinander, vergleichen Kennzahlen und tauschen sich à ¼ber die Objekte des Benchmarking aus. Beim Benchmarking von Sektoren wird die Leistungsfà ¤higkeit einzelner Sektoren gegenà ¼bergestellt. Ziel ist es, von anderen Sektoren, die nach ausgewà ¤hlten Kriterien besser erscheinen, zu lernen. Das Benchmarking von Rahmenbedingungen gewinnt insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund der Europà ¤ischen Union eine neue Qualità ¤t. Hierbei sollen in Zukunft z.B. politische, gesellschaftliche oder wirtschaftliche Rahmenbedingungen miteinander verglichen werden, so daß ganze Là ¤nder in die Lage versetzt werden voneinander zu lernen. Im folgenden wird das Benchmarking von Unternehmen nà ¤her beleuchtet, das wiederum in die beiden Klassen internes und externes Benchmarking aufgeteilt werden kann. 2.1 Internes Benchmarking Internes Benchmarking stellt die einfachste Form des Benchmarking dar, da es keinerlei Beschrà ¤nkungen von außen zu beachten gibt. Beim internen Benchmarking versuchen Organisationen, von ihren eigenen Strukturen zu lernen. Es werden à ¤hnliche Ablà ¤ufe untersucht und à ¼ber unterschiedliche Bereiche hinweg miteinander verglichen, um detaillierte Informationen à ¼ber das zur Verfà ¼gung stehende Leistungspotential zu erhalten. Beim internen Benchmarking richtet sich der Blick des Management nach innen. Es gilt aktuelle Arbeitsablà ¤ufe und Praktiken objektiv zu erfassen und diese transparent zu machen. Dadurch erhà ¤lt man die nà ¶tigen Details, um die Ressourcen gezielt auf diejenigen Aspekte zu konzentrieren, die einer à ¤nderung bedà ¼rfen. Hà ¤ufig wird ein internes Benchmarking genutzt, um mit der Methode vertraut zu werden und dieses Wissen fà ¼r ein externes Benchmarking zu nutzen. 2.1.1 Unternehmensbezogenes Benchmarking Innerhalb eines Unternehmens ist es mà ¶glich à ¤hnliche Prozesse zu finden, die man vergleichen kann. Diese Prozesse sind gekennzeichnet durch technologische, organisatorische und personelle Einflà ¼sse und richten sich z.B. auf Zweigwerke oder Abteilungen. 2.1.2 Konzernbezogenes Benchmarking Diese Technik wird eingesetzt beim Vergleich von mehreren Werken oder Unternehmensteilen innerhalb eines Konzerns. Es kann hierdurch die beste Praxis innerhalb der Organisation identifiziert werden und ermà ¶glicht so die klare Identifikation von Schwachstellen. Die Vergleichsmà ¶glichkeiten sind im Gegensatz zum unternehmensbezogenen Benchmarking hà ¶her und stellen damit prinzipiell ein grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸eres Potential dar. Konzernbezogenes Benchmarking eignet sich insbesondere fà ¼r eine objektive, fundierte Vorbereitung eines externen Benchmarking, fà ¼r eine Bestandsaufnahme und zur Verbesserung der Mitarbeiterkommunikation und -motivation. 2.2 Externes Benchmarking Benchmarking ist insbesondere eine Technik, um nach außen zu blicken, wobei ein Vergleich der Praktiken des eigenen Unternehmens mit unternehmensexternen Praktiken vorgenommen wird. Vergleich bedeutet, daß eine Grundlinie der à ¤hnlichkeiten vorhanden sein muß. Diese à ¤hnlichkeiten mà ¼ssen vor dem Benchmarking genau identifiziert werden. Erst dann sind ein gà ¼ltiger Vergleich und die Identifizierung von Verbesserungschancen mà ¶glich (Vgl. Mertins, 1993). Eine grà ¼ndliche Vorbereitung hilft, die beim externen Benchmarking hà ¤ufig anzutreffenden Skeptiker produktiv werden zu lassen. 2.2.1 Marktbezogenes Benchmarking Die Konkurrenzanalyse ist als ein Instrument anzusehen, das Informationen à ¼ber die derzeitigen und zukà ¼nftigen Marktaktività ¤ten der Konkurrenz, deren Stà ¤rken und Schwà ¤chen sowie deren mà ¶gliche Reaktionen auf Marktverà ¤nderungen liefert. Sie là ¤ÃƒÅ¸t einen Vergleich mit Unternehmen zu, die die jeweiligen Unternehmensaktività ¤ten in hervorragender Weise beherrschen, blickt jedoch nicht à ¼ber das Umfeld der direkten Konkurrenz hinaus. Mit dem Marktbezogenen Benchmarking ist es mà ¶glich von der Konkurrenz zu lernen, Verbesserungen einzuleiten und die Marktsituation objektiv im Auge zu behalten. Die externen Anstà ¶ÃƒÅ¸e verhindern die Neigung zur Selbstzufriedenheit und Bà ¼rokratisierung, die in allen Organisationen vorkommt und unterstà ¼tzt so die à ¼berzeugung, daß man immer zumindest ein wenig besser werden kann. Ein wesentlicher Unterschied zwischen einer reinen Konkurrenzanalyse und Benchmarking ist darin zu sehen, daß ein unmittelbarer Informationsaustausch zwischen den Unternehmen etabliert und ein gegenseitiger Lernprozeß initiiert wird. Problematisch dabei ist in der Regel die zu à ¼berwindende Verschlossenheit von Konkurrenten untereinander. Der sogenannte Benchmarking-Verhaltenskodex gibt hierzu zwar Verhaltensregeln, in der Praxis ist es jedoch meist schwer das Konstruktive Gesprà ¤ch aufzunehmen. 2.2.2 Branchenbezogenes Benchmarking Branchenbezogenes Benchmarking geht à ¼ber den bloßen Vergleich zweier Firmen hinaus und hat seinen Schwerpunkt in der Suche nach Trends. Es untersucht also die Leistungsfà ¤higkeit einer bestimmten Funktion in branchenweiter Ausprà ¤gung. Dazu ist es notwendig, eine weit grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸ere Gruppe von Unternehmen zu untersuchen, als dies beim konkurrenzbezogenen Benchmarking der Fall ist. Branchenbezogenes Benchmarking sucht nach Trends statt nach Wettbewerbspositionen und dient zur Leistungsanalyse von Subsystemen. Die Grenzen zum konkurrenzbezogenen Benchmarking sind jedoch fließend, so daß es kein klares Differenzierungsmerkmal gibt, wo eine zielgerichtete Studie aufhà ¶rt und die Trendforschung beginnt. Der wesentliche Vorteil des Branchenbezogenen Benchmarking gegenà ¼ber dem marktbezogenen, ist darin zu sehen, daß keine unmittelbare Wettbewerbssituation besteht, da auf anderen Mà ¤rkten agiert wird. Somit gestaltet sich der Informationstransfer meist offener. Da di e Unternehmen aus der gleichen Branche sind, gibt es jedoch beim Vergleich von Prozessen viele à ¤hnliche Merkmale, was fà ¼r ein erfolgreiches Benchmarking unumgà ¤nglich ist. 2.2.3 Branchenunabhà ¤ngiges Benchmarking Der Schlà ¼ssel zum langfristigen Erfolg im Wettbewerb ist nicht Gleichheit, sondern à ¼berlegenheit. Man mà ¶chte die beste Praxis, wie sie gegenwà ¤rtig existiert einholen und dann à ¼berholen. Deshalb richtet sich Benchmarking an den Besten aus. à ¼ber Branchen hinweg wird nach neuen, innovativen Praktiken, unabhà ¤ngig von ihrer Quelle gesucht. Es geht darum, die besten Praktiken zu finden und zu nutzen, um die vorhandenen Praktiken innerhalb der eigenen Organisation innovativ zu verà ¤ndern. Erfolg an externen Kriterien zu definieren, bedeutet eine Vorstellung von Bestleistung zu entwickeln und das Unternehmen auf ein neues Leistungsniveau zu heben. Benchmarking am Klassenbesten beruht auf der à ¼berzeugung, daß der Prozeß der Wertschà ¶pfung à ¼ber viele unterschiedliche Institutionen hinweg auf à ¤hnlichen Merkmalen beruht. Branchenunabhà ¤ngiges Bechmarking ist zwingend Benchmarking von Geschà ¤ftsprozessen. Voraussetzung ist daher eine klare Definition des zu vergleichenden Prozesses. Bereits wà ¤hrend der Definitionsphase erkennt das Projektteam oft erste Schwachpunkte und kann Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung ableiten. Dies wirkt besonders motivierend auf die Beteiligten. 2.3 Zusammenfassender Vergleich In der folgenden Abb.:6 sind die Vor- und Nachteile der Arten des Unternehmens-Benchmarking zusammengefaßt (Vgl. Pieske, 1994). 3 Die Phasen des Benchmarking Der Benchmarking-Prozeß besteht prinzipiell aus fà ¼nf Kernphasen (Abb.: 7). In der tà ¤glichen Benchmarking Praxis kà ¶nnen diese Kernphasen um unternehmensspezifische Schwerpunkte erweitert werden. 3.1 Zielsetzung Ausgangspunkt des Benchmarking ist die Zielsetzungsphase. Hier wird der Fokus des Benchmarking-Projekts festgelegt. Diese Phase ist fà ¼r den gesamten weiteren Prozeß von entscheidender Bedeutung, da Fehler oder mangelnde Sorgfalt das Ergebnis verfà ¤lschen oder unbrauchbar machen. Es ist wichtig, das Management schon in dieser Phase einzubinden, da die sichtbare Unterstà ¼tzung und die aktive Begleitung der Benchmarking Projekte durch das obere Management wà ¤hrend aller Projektphasen ein Schlà ¼sselfaktor fà ¼r das Gelingen des Benchmarkings ist. Jedes Benchmarking-Projekt sollte einem strukturierten und formalisierten Ablauf folgen. Dadurch kà ¶nnen Meilensteine vereinbart und Ergebnisse besser kontrolliert werden. Im à ¼brigen sind Reihenfolge und Inhalte der Prozeßschritte fà ¼r die Beteiligten leichter nachzuvollziehen. Ausgangspunkt fà ¼r die Bestimmung der Benchmarking-Ziele sind die strategischen Ziele des Unternehmens. Diese Ziele werden bei der Festlegung der Benchmarking-Ziele mit eingearbeitet. Sind die Ziele des Benchmarking-Projektes festgelegt, gilt es, das Benchmarking-Objekt genau abzugrenzen und die Benchmarking-Art festzulegen. Der Zielfindungsprozeß, der am besten in Form eines Workshops erfolgt, kann mit Hilfe verschiedener Techniken unterstà ¼tzt werden (sieh Abb.: 8). Bei einem Zielworkshop sollten zwischen vier und zehn Personen beteiligt sein. Dies sind beim Benchmarking Vertreter des Management, die Prozeß-Eigner und zumindest ein Moderator. Zunà ¤chst schreibt jeder Teilnehmer die Ziele des Benchmarking-Projekts auf Moderationskarten, wobei darauf geachtet werden soll, daß jede Karte nur ein Ziel enthà ¤lt, dieses mà ¶glichst prà ¤gnant und verstà ¤ndlich formuliert und gut leserlich geschrieben ist. Fà ¼nf bis sieben Karten pro Teilnehmer sollten in der Regel ausreichen, da sonst zu viele Ziele generiert werden und eine Strukturierung schwerfà ¤llt. Nach einigen Minuten werden vom Moderator bereits die ersten Karten eingesammelt und gemischt, damit nicht klar erkenntlich ist, von wem welches Ziel formuliert wurde. Die eingesammelten Karten werden an einer Moderationstafel fà ¼r alle Teilnehmer sichtbar angepint. Dies dient nicht zuletzt dazu, daß die Teilnehmer die Mà ¶glichkeit haben, in welche Richtung die anderen Teilnehmer denken und daraus Anregungen fà ¼r weitere Ziele bekommen. Nach etwa weiteren zehn Minuten werden die Teilnehmer sofern diese noch vereinzelt Ziele definieren gebeten, die letzten Ziele zu formulieren. Daraufhin werden auch diese Karten eingesammelt, gemischt und angepint. Nachdem alle Karten an der Tafel hà ¤ngen, werden die Ziele vom Moderator langsam vorgelesen und die Teilnehmer werden gebeten, bei Unklarheiten sofort nachzufragen. In solch einem Falle wird der Kartenautor gebeten, kurz das Ziel zu beschreiben und es wird bei Bedarf im Team eine neue Formulierung entwickelt, die auf einer neuen Karte vom Moderator niedergeschrieben wird. Falls sich einzelne Ziele auf mehreren Karten wiederfinden, wird im Diskussionsprozeß die treffendste Zielformulierung ausgewà ¤hlt und die anderen Karten werden verworfen. Bevor eine Karte verworfen wird, muß jedoch in jedem Fall der Autor gefragt werden, ob er damit einverstanden ist. Nach dieser Runde sollten alle Ziele fà ¼r alle Beteiligten klar verstà ¤ndlich sein und es kann mit der Strukturierung begonnen werden. Dazu wird zunà ¤chst das Oberziel identifiziert und an einer separaten Tafel befestigt. Gemeinsam mit den Teilnehmern wird nun eine Zielhierarchie erarbeitet, was in der Regel die schwierigste Phase des Zielworkshops darstellt. Hierbei wird den Teilnehmern nicht nur der Zusammenhang der verschiedenen Ziele deutlich, sondern auch deren Priorisierung (Vgl. Heisig, 1996). 3.2 Interne Analyse Die interne Analyse ist in den meisten Projekten die zeitintensivste Phase des Benchmarking. Nach einer Untersuchung von 3M werden hier ca. 45% der gesamten Projektlaufzeit benà ¶tigt (siehe Abb.: 9). In dieser Phase wird die Grundlage fà ¼r das Verstà ¤ndnis der eigenen Prozesse gelegt und bereits erste Stà ¤rken und Verbesserungspotentiale aufgedeckt. 3.2.1 Geschà ¤ftsprozesse und ihre Beschreibung Unter einem Geschà ¤ftsprozeß ist ein Ablauf zu verstehen, der im allgemeinen Sinn Objekte verarbeitet bzw. transformiert. Die Objekte, die zur Beschreibung der Geschà ¤ftsprozesse eines Unternehmens verwendet werden sind Produkt, Auftrag und Ressource. Produkte sind die konkreten Gà ¼ter und Dienstleistungen, die das Unternehmen an den Kunden liefert bzw. die Materialien, Rohstoffe und Dienstleistungen, die zur Produkt- bzw. Serviceerstellung verwendet werden (Zulieferprodukte). Auftrà ¤ge veranlassen die Durchfà ¼hrung von Aktionen. Grà ¶ÃƒÅ¸ere Unternehmen unterscheiden meistens mehrere Arten von Auftrà ¤gen, z.B. Werkstattauftrà ¤ge, in denen Produkte aus mehreren Kundenauftrà ¤gen, gefertigt werden. Ressourcen sind alle Betriebsmittel, die fà ¼r die Produkt- oder Serviceherstellung benà ¶tigt werden. Dies kà ¶nnen Maschinen, Werkzeuge und Transportmittel, aber auch Personen sein. Auch Informationen kà ¶nnen Ressourcen sein, wenn man beispielsweise an Zeichnungen denkt, in denen angegeben ist, wie ein Produkt zusammengebaut werden soll. Diesen drei Objektarten ist gemeinsam, daß sich ihr Zustand durch die Bearbeitung à ¤ndert. Die Bearbeitung selbst wird durch die Aktion, die vierte Objektart dargestellt. Mit diesen vier Objektarten ist es mà ¶glich, Geschà ¤ftsprozesse einheitlich zu beschreiben. Gerichtete Pfeile geben an, in welcher Reihenfolge Objekte verà ¤ndert werden. 3.2.2 Informationen, die aus einem Geschà ¤ftsprozeßmodell gewonnen werden kà ¶nnen Ein Geschà ¤ftsprozeßmodell kann Ausgangspunkt fà ¼r weitere Untersuchungen, Vergleiche und Verbesserungen sein. Sinnvolle Fragestellungen betreffen die Effizienz der dargestellten Prozesse. Einige Beispiele: Wie oft werden Angebote à ¼berarbeitet? Gilt der dargestellte Ablauf fà ¼r alle Auftragsarten? Welche Durchlaufzeit ergibt sich fà ¼r die einzelnen Phasen eines Geschà ¤ftsprozesses? Lassen sich Ablà ¤ufe parallel durchfà ¼hren? Das Geschà ¤ftsprozeßmodell ist daher Diskussionsgrundlage fà ¼r die Mitglieder des Benchmarking-Teams und trà ¤gt somit bereits zu mehr Transparenz bei. Den Abschluß dieser Phase bildet die Formulierung eines Fragekatalogs. Diese Fragen beziehen sich auf das Gesamtprojekt und seine Einbindung, Teilaspekte bzw. Prozesse, Meßgrà ¶ÃƒÅ¸en sowie die Praktikabilità ¤t von im Rahmen der internen Analyse erkannten Optimierungsmà ¶glichkeiten des Benchmarking-Objekts. Die genaue Definition der Meßgrà ¶ÃƒÅ¸en stellt dabei einen wesentlichen Schritt zur Gewà ¤hrleistung der Vergleichbarkeit dar. Die Benchmarking-Praxis zeigt allerdings, daß gleiche Begriffe nicht nur in verschiedenen Unternehmen, sondern innerhalb eines Unternehmens hà ¤ufig unterschiedlich verstanden werden. Der Fragebogen dient jedoch nicht nur zur Sammlung der Meßgrà ¶ÃƒÅ¸en bei potentiellen Vergleichsunternehmen, sondern là ¤ÃƒÅ¸t die angesprochenen Unternehmen auch erkennen, ob ein Benchmarking mit ihnen sinnvoll erscheint. Bei der Formulierung der Fragen sollte man darauf achten, daß Die Fragen allgemeinverstà ¤ndlich sind Die genaue Definition von Meßgrà ¶ÃƒÅ¸en enthalten ist Der Grund fà ¼r die Erhebung klar wird 3.3 Die Vergleichsphase In dieser Phase stehen die Auswahl von Vergleichsunternehmen und der Vergleich der Objekte, hier die Prozesse, im Vordergrund. Eine besondere Schwierigkeit dieser Phase ist es, Partner zu finden, die bereit sind, sich offen auszutauschen und damit in einen gegenseitigen Lernprozeß einzusteigen. Dies bedeutet, daß der Partner einen vergleichbaren Prozeß bzw. Prozeßabschnitt in seinem Unternehmen etabliert hat, bei diesem Prozeß zumindest in Teilaspekten besser ist und zur Teilnahme bereit ist. Der Auswahlprozeß des geeigneten Partners gliedert sich in eine Generierungs- und eine sich anschließende Selektionsphase. Ziel der Generierungsphase ist es, mà ¶glichst viele unterschiedliche, potentielle Benchmarking-Partner zu finden, wozu prinzipiell verschiedene Vorgehensweisen geeignet sind (siehe Abb.:12) In der Praxis bietet sich immer eine Kombination der unterschiedlichen Methoden an. So werden im Benchmarking-Team Vorschlà ¤ge in Form eines Brainstormings erarbeitet, wà ¤hrend parallel jedes Mitglied aufgefordert ist, à ¼ber die Literatur und à ¼ber Preistrà ¤ger an relevante Informationen zu kommen. Aufgabe der Selektionsphase ist die Verdichtung der vorhandenen Informationen anhand von Bewertungskriterien. Die Selektionsphase stà ¼tzt sich auf die bereits beschriebenen Informationsquellen sowie auf Fragebogenaktionen und Telefoninterviews bei Benchmarking-Partnern. Zu den Bewertungskriterien gehà ¶ren Gà ¼te, Qualità ¤t und Vergleichbarkeit des Benchmarking-Objektes, die Professionalità ¤t des potentiellen Vergleichpartners und eine Gewichtung in Abhà ¤ngigkeit von der Zielsetzung. Weiter ist auch nach Aspekten wie Mà ¶glichkeit, Aufwand und Nutzen der Datenbeschaffung, der à ¼berprà ¼fbarkeit und Interpretationsmà ¶glichkeit der Daten sowie der daraus resultierenden Ergebnisse auszuwà ¤hlen. Wirtschaftliche Parameter und das Image des Partnerunternehmen sind von untergeordneter Bedeutung, sollten aber in der Bewertung berà ¼cksichtigt werden. Nach Abschluß des Selektionsprozesses werden in der Regel acht bis zwà ¶lf Unternehmen zur ersten Kontaktaufnahme ausgew à ¤hlt. Abschließend findet Priorisierung der ausgewà ¤hlten Vergleichsunternehmen statt. Ergebnis ist eine Auflistung der Auswahlpartner in Rangfolge. Sie dient der Reihenfolge der Ansprache von Vergleichsunternehmen. Die Herausforderung wà ¤hrend der Durchfà ¼hrung des eigentlichen Vergleichs besteht darin, den Vergleichsprozeß wirklich zu verstehen, seine Stà ¤rken zu erkennen und die Wirkungszusammenhà ¤nge zu begreifen. Hilfreich dabei sind Kennzahlen, die eine Gegenà ¼berstellung vereinfachen, eine Modellierung, die den Prozeß schnell verstà ¤ndlich macht und ein Fragebogen an den Partner, anhand dessen er sich in die Problematik einarbeiten und fà ¼r den Austausch vorbereiten kann. Der persà ¶nliche Austausch von Informationen ist jedoch durch keine Kennzahlen oder Prozeßmodellierungen zu ersetzen. Gerade beim Zusammentreffen der Benchmarking-Partner, der am besten bei einem der beiden Partner und nicht auf neutralem Boden stattfinden sollte, werden Informationen ausgetauscht, die sich schwer in Worte fassen lassen. Hier findet das eigentliche gegenseitige Lernen statt. Fà ¼r die Prozeßbewertung kà ¶nnen die Leistungsparameter der Prozesse herangezogen werden. Diese mà ¼ssen jedoch relativiert werden, da bei der Gegenà ¼berstellung von Zahlen stets die interne Situation und die Umwelt der Benchmarking-Partner berà ¼cksichtigt werden mà ¼ssen, also die Voraussetzungen und Randbedingungen, unter denen die Ergebnisse erzielt wurden. Nicht die bloßen Zahlen sind zu betrachten, sondern die Geschà ¤ftsprozesse hinter den Zahlen mà ¼ssen verstanden werden. Bezogen auf den eigenen Prozeß muß bestimmt werden, welche Praktiken geeignet sind, die gesetzten Ziele zu erreichen, und welche Mà ¶glichkeiten sich durch die à ¼bertragung ergeben. Dazu sind die Ursachen in den Leistungsunterschieden zu analysieren. Nur wenn die tatsà ¤chlichen Grà ¼nde identifiziert werden, kà ¶nnen à ¼ber den reinen Vergleich hinaus die unterschiedlichen Potentiale der verschiedenen Prozesse aufgedeckt, die Realisierbarkeit bewertet und zukà ¼nftige Entwick lungen vorausgesagt werden. Das Ergebnis der Vergleichsphase ist die Kombination der bezà ¼glich der einzelnen Teilaspekte des Benchmarking-Objektes am besten erachteten Praktiken und Parameter. Man erhà ¤lt bezogen auf den untersuchten Geschà ¤ftsprozeß die bei den verschiedenen Benchmarking-Partnern erkannten besten Praktiken, da kein einzelnes Unternehmen fà ¼r sich in Anspruch nehmen kann, in allen Belangen fà ¼hrend zu sein. 3.4 Ableitung von Maßnahmen Die Aufgabe des Benchmarking-Teams besteht darin, die Resultate aus den Analysen dem Management, den F

Last Sacrifice Chapter Ten

WHEN YOUR BOYFRIEND IS A dream-walker, you pick up a few lessons. One of the most important is that doing physical things in dreams feels exactly like doing them in the real world. Say, like kissing someone. Adrian and I had shared a number of dream- kisses intense enough to spark my body wanting to try a whole lot more. Although I'd never actually attacked someone in a dream, I was willing to bet a punch here would feel just as painful as a real one. Without hesitation, I lunged toward Victor, uncertain as to whether I should sock him or choke him. Both seemed like good ideas. Turned out, I did neither. Before I could reach him, I slammed into an invisible wall–hard. It both blocked me from him and bounced me back at the impact. I stumbled, tried to regain my footing, but instead landed painfully on the ground. Yup–dreams felt just like real life. I glared at Robert, feeling a mix of both anger and uneasiness. I tried to hide that last emotion. â€Å"You're a spirit user with telekinesis?' We'd known that was possible, but it was a skill neither Lissa nor Adrian had mastered yet. I really didn't like the idea that Robert might have the power to throw objects around and create invisible barriers. It was a disadvantage we didn't need. Robert remained enigmatic. â€Å"I control the dream.' Victor was looking down at me with that smug, calculating expression he excelled at. Realizing what an undignified position I was in, I leapt to my feet. I kept a hard stance, my body tense and ready as I wondered if Robert would keep the wall up continuously. â€Å"Are you done with your tantrum?' asked Victor. â€Å"Behaving like a civilized person will make our talk so much more pleasant.' â€Å"I have no interest in talking to you,' I snapped. â€Å"The only thing I'm going to do is hunt you down in the real world and drag you back to the authorities.' â€Å"Charming,' said Victor. â€Å"We can share a cell.' I winced. â€Å"Yes,' he continued. â€Å"I know all about what happened. Poor Tatiana. Such a tragedy. Such a loss.' His mocking, melodramatic tone sparked an alarming idea. â€Å"You †¦ you didn't have anything to do with it, did you?' Victor's escape from prison had triggered a lot of fear and paranoia amongst the Moroi. They'd been convinced he was coming for them all. Knowing the truth about the escape, I'd dismissed such talk and figured he'd simply lie low. Now, remembering how he'd once wanted to start a revolution among the Moroi, I wondered if the queen's murderer actually was the most evil villain we knew. Victor snorted. â€Å"Hardly.' He put his hands behind his back as he paced the room and pretended to study the art. I again wondered how far Robert's shield extended. â€Å"I have much more sophisticated methods to accomplish my goals. I wouldn't stoop to something like that–and neither would you.' I was about to point out that messing with Lissa's mind was hardly sophisticated, but his last words caught my attention. â€Å"You don't think I did it?' He glanced back from where he'd been studying a man with a top hat and cane. â€Å"Of course not. You'd never do anything that required that much foresight. And, if what I've heard about the crime scene is true, you'd never leave that much evidence behind.' There was both an insult and a compliment there. â€Å"Well, thanks for the vote of confidence. I've been worrying about what you'd think.' This earned me a smile, and I crossed my arms over my chest. â€Å"How do you guys even know what's happening at Court? Do you have spies?' â€Å"This sort of thing spreads throughout the Moroi world quickly,' said Victor. â€Å"I'm not that out of touch. I knew about her murder almost as soon as it happened. And about your most impressive escape.' My attention mostly stayed on Victor, but I did cast a quick glance at Robert. He remained silent, and from the blank, distracted look in his eyes, I wondered if he was even aware of what was being said around him. Seeing him always sent a chill down my spine. He was a prominent example of spirit at its worst. â€Å"Why do you care?' I demanded. â€Å"And why the hell are you bothering me in my dreams?' Victor continued his pacing, pausing to run his fingertips along the harp's smooth, wooden surface. â€Å"Because I have a great interest in Moroi politics. And I'd like to know who's responsible for the murder and what their game is.' I smirked. â€Å"Sounds like you're just jealous someone else is pulling the strings besides you for a change. No pun intended.' His hand dropped from the harp, back to his side, and he fixed his sharp eyes on me, eyes the same pale green as Lissa's. â€Å"Your witty commentary isn't going to get you anywhere. You can either let us help you or not.' â€Å"You are the last person I want help from. I don't need it.' â€Å"Yes. Things seem to be going quite well for you, now that you're a hunted fugitive and on the run with a man that many still believe is Strigoi.' Victor gave a calculated pause. â€Å"Of course, I'm sure you don't mind that last part so much. You know, if I found you two, I could probably shoot you and be welcomed back as a hero.' â€Å"Don't bet on it.' Rage burned through me, both at his insinuation and because he'd caused so much trouble for Dimitri and me in the past. With great force of will, I replied in a low, deadly voice: â€Å"I am going to find you. And you probably won't live to see the authorities.' â€Å"We already established murder isn't in your skill set.' Victor sat down in one of the cushioned chairs, making himself comfortable. Robert continued standing, that out-of-it expression still on his face. â€Å"Now, the first thing we need to do is determine why someone would want to kill our late queen. Her abrasive personality is hardly motivation, though I'm sure it didn't hurt. People do things like this for power and advantage, to push their agendas through. From what I hear, Tatiana's most controversial action recently was that age law–yes, that's the one. The one making you scowl at me like that. It stands to reason that her murderer opposed that.' I didn't want to comply with Victor at all. I didn't want a reasonable discussion with him. What I wanted was some indication of where he was in real life, and then, I wanted to take a chance on slamming into that invisible wall again. It'd be worth the risk if I could do some damage. So, I was a bit surprised when I found myself saying, â€Å"Or, whoever did it wanted to push something worse through–something harsher on dhampirs. They thought her decree was too soft.' I admit, catching Victor Dashkov off guard was one of the greatest joys of my life. I had that satisfaction now, seeing his eyebrows rise in astonishment. It wasn't easy proposing something a master schemer like him hadn't already considered. â€Å"Interesting,' he said at last. â€Å"I may have underestimated you, Rose. That's a brilliant deduction on your part.' â€Å"Well, um †¦ it wasn't exactly my deduction.' Victor waited expectantly. Even Robert snapped out of his daze and focused on me. It was creepy. â€Å"It was Tatiana's. I mean, not her deduction. She said it directly–well, that is, the note she left for me did.' Why was I rambling in front of these guys? At least I surprised Victor again. â€Å"Tatiana Ivashkov left you a note with clandestine information? Whatever for?' I bit my lip and turned my attention over to one of the paintings. It showed an elegant Moroi woman with those same jade green eyes most Dashkovs and Dragomirs shared. I suddenly wondered if perhaps Robert had formed this dream in some Dashkov mansion from their childhood. Movement in my periphery made me instantly turn back to the brothers. Victor rose and took a few steps toward me, curiosity and cunning all over him. â€Å"There's more. What else did she tell you? She knew she was in danger. She knew this law was part of it †¦ but it wasn't the only thing, was it?' I remained silent, but a crazy idea began forming in my mind. I was actually considering seeing if Victor could help me. Of course, in retrospect, that wasn't such a crazy notion, considering I'd already busted him out of prison to get his help. â€Å"Tatiana said †¦' Should I say it? Should I give up the secret even Lissa didn't know? If Victor knew there was another Dragomir, he might use that knowledge for one of his schemes. How? I wasn't sure but had long learned to expect the unexpected from him. Yet †¦ Victor knew a lot of Moroi secrets. I would have enjoyed watching him and Abe match wits. And I didn't doubt that a lot of Victor's inside knowledge involved the Dragomirs and Dashkovs. I swallowed. â€Å"Tatiana said that there was another Dragomir. That Lissa's dad had an affair and that if I could find whoever this is, it'll give Lissa her power back on the Council.' When Victor and Robert exchanged shocked looks, I knew my plan had backfired. Victor wasn't going to give me insight. Instead, I'd been the one to just yield valuable information. Damn, damn, damn. He turned his attention back to me, his expression speculative. â€Å"So. Eric Dragomir wasn't the saint he so often played.' I balled my fists. â€Å"Don't slam her dad.' â€Å"Wouldn't dream of it. I liked Eric immensely. But yes †¦ if this is true, then Tatiana is right. Vasilisa technically has family backing, and her liberal views would certainly cause friction on a Council that never seems to change their ways.' He chuckled. â€Å"Yes, I can definitely see that upsetting many people–including a murderer who wants to oppress dhampirs. I imagine he or she wouldn't want this knowledge to get out.' â€Å"Someone already tried to get rid of records linking Lissa's dad to a mistress.' I again spoke without thinking and hated myself for it. I didn't want to give the brothers any more info. I didn't want to play like we were all working together here. â€Å"And let me guess,' said Victor. â€Å"That's what you're trying to do, isn't it? Find this Dragomir bastard.' â€Å"Hey, don't–‘ â€Å"It's just an expression,' he interrupted. â€Å"If I know you two–and I feel confident I do– Vasilisa is desperately trying to clear your name back at Court while you and Belikov are off on a sexually charged adventure to find her brother or sister.' â€Å"You don't know anything about us,' I growled. Sexually charged indeed. He shrugged. â€Å"Your face says it all. And really, it's not a bad idea. Not a great one either, but not bad. Give the Dragomir family a quorum, and you'll have a voice speaking on your behalf on the Council. I don't suppose you have any leads?' â€Å"We're working on it,' I replied evasively. Victor looked at Robert. I knew the two didn't have any psychic communication, but as they exchanged glances, I had a feeling they were both thinking the same thing and confirming with each other. At last, Victor nodded and turned back to me. â€Å"Very well then. We'll help you.' He made it sound like he was reluctantly agreeing to do me a big favor. â€Å"We don't need your help!' â€Å"Of course you do. You're out of your league, Rose. You're wandering into a nest of ugly, complex politics–something you have no experience with. There's no shame in acknowledging that, just as I'm not ashamed to admit that in an irrational, ill-planned fist fight, you would certainly prove superior.' Another backhanded compliment. â€Å"We're doing just fine. We have an Alchemist helping us.' There. That would show him who was out of whose league. And, to my credit, he did look slightly impressed. Slightly. â€Å"Better than I expected. Has your Alchemist come up with a location or any lead yet?' â€Å"She's working on it,' I repeated. He sighed in frustration. â€Å"We're going to need time then, aren't we? Both for Vasilisa to investigate Court and you to start tracking this child.' â€Å"You're the one who acts like you know everything,' I pointed out. â€Å"I figured you'd know something about this.' â€Å"To my chagrin, no.' Victor didn't really sound all that put out. â€Å"But as soon as we get a thread, I assure you, I'll be essential in unraveling it.' He walked over to his brother and patted Robert's arm comfortingly. Robert stared back adoringly. â€Å"We'll visit you again. Let us know when you have something useful, and then we'll meet up with you.' My eyes widened. â€Å"You'll do no such–‘ I hesitated. I'd let Victor escape in Las Vegas. Now he was offering to come to me. Maybe I could repair that mistake and make good on my earlier threat to him. Quickly, I tried to cover my lapse of speech. â€Å"How do I know I can trust you?' â€Å"You can't,' he said bluntly. â€Å"You've got to take it on faith that the enemy of your enemy is your friend.' â€Å"I've always hated that saying. You'll always be my enemy.' I was a bit surprised when Robert suddenly came to life. He glared and stepped forward. â€Å"My brother is a good man, shadow-girl! If you hurt him †¦ if you hurt him, you'll pay. And next time you won't come back. The world of the dead won't give you up a second time.' I knew better than to take the threats of a crazy man seriously, but his last words sent a chill through me. â€Å"Your brother is a psycho–‘ â€Å"Enough, enough.' Victor again gave Robert a reassuring pat on the arm. Still scowling at me, the younger Dashkov brother backed off, but I was willing to bet that invisible wall was back in place. â€Å"This does us no good. We're wasting time–which is something we don't have enough of. We need more. The monarch elections will start any day now, and Tatiana's murderer could have a hand in those if there really was some agenda going on. We need to slow down the elections–not just to thwart the assassin, but also to give all of us time to accomplish our tasks.' I was getting tired of all this. â€Å"Yeah? And how do you propose we do that?' Victor smiled. â€Å"By running Vasilisa as a candidate for queen.' Seeing as this was Victor Dashkov we were dealing with, I really shouldn't have been surprised by anything he said. It was a testament to his level of craziness that he continually caught me unprepared. â€Å"That,' I declared, â€Å"is impossible.' â€Å"Not really,' he replied. I threw my hands up in exasperation. â€Å"Haven't you been paying attention to what we've been talking about? The whole point is to get Lissa full family rights with the Moroi. She can't even vote! How could she run for queen?' â€Å"Actually, the law says she can. According to the way the nomination policy is written, one person from each royal line may run for the monarch position. That's all it says. One person from each line may run. There is no mention of how many people need to be in her family, as there is for her to vote on the Council. She simply needs three nominations–and the law doesn't specify which family they come from.' Victor spoke in such a precise, crisp way that he might as well have been reciting from a legal book. I wondered if he had all the laws memorized. I supposed if you were going to make a career of breaking laws, you might as well know them. â€Å"Whoever wrote that law probably assumed the candidates would have family members. They just didn't bother spelling it out. That's what people will say if Lissa runs. They'll fight it.' â€Å"They can fight it all they want. Those who are denying her a Council spot base it on one line in the law books that mentions another family member. If that's their argument, that every detail must count, then they'll have to do the same for the election laws– which, as I have said, do not mention family backing. That's the beauty of this loophole. Her opponents can't have it both ways.' A smile twisted at Victor's lips, supremely confident. â€Å"I assure you, there is absolutely nothing in the wording that prevents her from doing this.' â€Å"How about her age?' I pointed out. â€Å"The princes and princesses who run are always old.' The title of prince or princess went to a family's oldest member, and traditionally, that was the person who ran for king or queen. The family could decide to nominate someone else more fitting, but even then–to my knowledge–it was always someone older and experienced. â€Å"The only age restriction is full adulthood,' said Victor. â€Å"She's eighteen. She qualifies. The other families have much larger pools to draw from, so naturally, they'd select someone who seemed more experienced. In the Dragomir case? Well, that's not an option, now is it? Besides, young monarchs aren't without precedence. There was a very famous queen–Alexandra–who wasn't much older than Vasilisa. Very well loved, very extraordinary. Her statue is by the Court's church.' I shifted uncomfortably. â€Å"Actually †¦ it's, um, not there anymore. It kind of blew up.' Victor just stared. He'd apparently heard about my escape but not all of the details. â€Å"It's not important,' I said hastily, feeling guilty that I'd been indirectly responsible for blowing up a renowned queen. â€Å"This whole idea about using Lissa is ridiculous.' â€Å"You won't be the only one who thinks so,' Victor said. â€Å"They'll argue. They'll fight. In the end, the law will prevail. They'll have to let her run. She'll go through the tests and probably pass. Then, when voting comes, the laws that govern those procedures reference a family member assisting with the vote.' My head was spinning by now. I felt mentally exhausted listening to all these legal loopholes and technicalities. â€Å"Just come right out and put it in simple language,' I ordered. â€Å"When voting comes, she won't be eligible. She has no family to fulfill the role required at the actual election. In other words, the law says she can run and take the tests. Yet, people can't actually vote for her because she has no family.' â€Å"That's †¦ idiotic.' â€Å"Agreed.' He paused. I don't think either of us ever expected to concur on something. â€Å"Lissa would hate this. She would never, ever want to be queen.' â€Å"Are you not following this?' exclaimed Victor. â€Å"She won't be queen. She can't. It's a badly written law for a situation no one foresaw. It's a mess. And it will bog down the elections so badly that we'll have extra time to find Vasilisa's sibling and find out who really killed Tatiana.' â€Å"Hey! I told you: There's no â€Å"we' here. I'm not going to–‘ Victor and Robert exchanged looks. â€Å"Get Vasilisa nominated,' said Victor abruptly. â€Å"We'll be in touch soon on where to meet you for the Dragomir search.' IT â€Å"Thats not–‘ I woke up. My immediate reaction was to swear, but then, remembering where I was, I kept my expletives inside my own head. I could make out Dimitri's silhouette in the corner, alert and watchful, and didn't want him to know I was awake. Closing my eyes, I shifted into a more comfortable position, hoping for true sleep that would block out the Dashkov brothers and their ridiculous schemes. Lissa running for queen? It was crazy. And yet †¦ it really wasn't much crazier than most of the things I did. Putting that aside, I let my body relax and felt the tug of true sleep start to take me down. Emphasis on start. Because suddenly, I felt another spirit dream materializing around me. Apparently, this was going to be a busy night.

Healthcare Finance - 685 Words

Cinema 101 Monday May 27, 2014 Growing Apart: Distance and Loss in Citizen Kane Citizen Kane (Orson Welles, 1941) is an American drama film that narrates the story of a newspaper magnate who gained worldly success in his life, but he lost connection with people around him during this process. With the help of a series of flashbacks, the film illustrates Kane’s personal life. The film starts with the scene where Kane is on his deathbed and says the word ‘Rosebud’ before dying. A newspaper reporter, Thompson gets intrigued by this word, which becomes the motivation for him to learn about the life of Charles Foster Kane and the significance of the word ‘ Rosebud’. The director, Orson Welles depicts the personal life of Kane beautifully in†¦show more content†¦This shows that she wanted to be happy and not alone solving puzzles. Later in another scene, Susan was seen solving another jig-saw puzzle, when Kane entered the room. This time, the distance between the two was increased as Susan was on the floor near the fireplace a nd Kane went on to sit at a chair further in the room. In this scene also, statues in the room had a presence more than the characters in the film, which again shows the love Kane had grown for material things. The distance Kane was growing with Susan can also be observed from the way Kane disregarded her solving puzzles when compared to himself collecting statues. During the entire sequence, Susan was seen in very expensive and lavish clothing, but she wasn’t happy with that. Also, this did not increase any affection Kane had towards her. Welles used mise-en-scenes to display the importance of statues over people. The camera angles used in this sequence can also be considered to be almost perfect as these conveys the message the director wants to convey totally to any kind of audience. Finally, at the end of the sequence, Kane asks his wife to go out with him for a picnic, which she does but doesn’t seem to be happy with that. The last scene of the sequence shows Kane and Susan sitting next to each other in a car, but both of them do not seem to be excited about going for the picnic as they do not talk to each other. WellesShow MoreRelatedHealthcare System The Role Of Finance1584 Words   |  7 Pages In Healthcare System the role of finance is an important aspect in healthcare. In the financial role of healthcare it involves handling operations such as negotiating contracts, making cash available for expenses such as payroll and cover cost for unexpected expenses. The role of finances also makes it capable for leadership to better make plans for the future, when finances are in order organizations can better equipped to make decisions such as is the organization financial able to expandRead MoreFinances in Healthcare764 Words   |  4 PagesFinances in healthcare HCA340: Managing in Health Human Services Instructor    January 14, 2012 Examine the financial characteristics of health care delivery along with managing costs, revenues, and human resourcesRead MoreHealthcare Utilization And Finance : Organizational System And Quality Leader1082 Words   |  5 Pages Healthcare Utilization and Finance Organizational System and Quality Leader Task 3 Sherline Moise Western Governors University A.1) I choose the Great Britain healthcare system from the given list to compare to the U.S healthcare system. A.2) The united state health care system is the most expensive health care system around the world; this is why about 47 million people are without coverage because they cannot afford it. There many Americans’ who are inRead MoreHealthcare Finance Chapter#9 Answers Essay1221 Words   |  5 PagesFinancial Condition Analysis, Chapter 9 Problems: P 9.1-9.4, 9.8 amp; 9.11 HM 707 Health Management Foundations II Problem 9.1 Find the following values for a lump sum assuming annual compounding: a) The future value of $500 invested at 8 percent for one year: FVN = FV1= PV Ãâ€" (1 +I)N = $500 x (1 + 0.08) = $500 x 1.08 = $540 b) The future value of $500 invested at 8 percent for five years: FVN = FV5= PV Ãâ€" (1 +I)N = $500 x (1 + 0.08)5 = $500 x (1.08)5 = $734.66 c)Read MoreHealthcare Finance1518 Words   |  7 Pagesand accessible health care, the government has stepped in. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The goal of the healthcare reform is to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to all American citizens. This package will cost roughly $940 billion over 10 years to provide expanded insurance coverage, according to Congressional Budget Office. The plan is expected to reduce theRead MoreEssay on Healthcare Finance1236 Words   |  5 PagesHEALTHCARE FINANCE Student name Healthcare Finance course code April 28, 2011 Healthcare Finance Problem 5.1 Break-even analysis helps to plan and control business by showing break-even point, net profit and net loss areas. As it is mentioned in the graph below, on the break-even point cost is equal to revenue which means there is neither loss nor profit at the intersection of sales line and cost line (Frongello). a) As two graphs are provided in the question; the horizontalRead MoreCases in Healthcare Finance4276 Words   |  18 PagesThis is a sample of the instructor resources for Cases in Healthcare Finance, Fourth Edition by Louis Gapenski. This sample contains the case questions, case solutions, instructor model, and PowerPoints for Chapter 4. The complete instructor resources consist of 268 pages of instructor’s notes including case questions and case solutions; instructor model spreadsheets; and 623 PowerPoint slides. If you adopt this text you will be given access to complete materials. To obtain access, e-mail yourRead MoreDifference Between Healthcare Finance Terminology And Business Finance Essay1474 Words   |  6 PagesThe major difference between healthcare finance terminology and business finance terminology is that these terms focus on factors unique to the health services industry. For example, the provision of health services is dominated by not-for-profit or ¬ganizations (such as ours), which are inherently different from investor-owned businesses. Also, the majority of payments made to health ¬care providers for services are not made by patients—the consumers of the services—but rather by some third-partyRead MoreMajor Difference Between Healthcare Finance Terminology And Business Finance Essay1480 Words   |  6 Pages Overview of Healthcare Finance Final Project â€Æ' The major difference between healthcare finance terminology and business finance terminology is that these terms focus on factors unique to the health services industry. For example, the provision of health services is dominated by not-for-profit or ¬ganizations (such as ours), which are inherently different from investor-owned businesses. Also, the majority of payments made to health ¬care providers for services are not made by patients—the consumersRead MoreEssay on Healthcare Finance Chapter 1 and 22348 Words   |  10 Pages1- Question and Answers 1.1 a. What are some of the industries in the healthcare sector? Some of the industries in the healthcare sector are health insurance, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, medical equipment and supplies and health services. Others include education institutions, government and private research agencies. b. What is meant by the term healthcare finance as used in this book? Healthcare finance is a term used in this book to describe accounting and financial management

The Devil Within William Golding s Lord Of The Flies

Lauren Jasper Advanced English 9 Ms. Duthoy 8 October 2016 The Devil Within William Golding s Lord of the Flies is a brilliant novel about a group of schoolboys who find themselves stranded on an island with no adults present. Inevitably two groups form, one by the handsome and responsible Ralph and the other lead by the choir head Jack. Ralph rationalizes the need to survive while Jack becomes obsessive over hunting and controlling the boys. Golding uses symbols to add depth and further explain his theory that humans are inherently evil. He uses figures representing evil, scientific intelligence, and authority. He ties it all together to create a page turning novel. Golding s use of symbols such as the beast, Piggy’s glasses, and the conch, indicates that humans, when detached from society s rules, allow their natural capacity for evil to dictate their existence. The beast symbolizes evil and darkness. The beast is a tangible source of evil on the island. It represents the evil naturally present within everyone. Simon, a Jesus figure in the novel, realizes this before his confrontation with the Lord of the Flies. And while the boys debate over the existence of the beast, Simon tries to share his thoughts. He tells them, Maybe, maybe there is a beast. What I mean is maybe it s only us (Golding 89). In reply the boys start to argue fiercely. Then Jack rebukes Ralph, saying Bollocks to the rules! We re strong we hunt! If there s a beast, we ll hunt it down! We llShow MoreRelated Struggle Between Good and Evil in William Goldings Lord of the Flies1186 Words   |  5 PagesGood and Evil in William Goldings Lord of the Flies   Ã‚  Ã‚   Evil is not an external force controlled by the devil, but rather the potential for evil resides within each person. Man has the potential to exhibit great kindness or to rape and pillage. In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding deals with this evil that exists in the heart of man. With his mastery of such literary tool as structure, syntax, diction, point of view and presentation of character, Golding allows the readerRead MoreSocietal Breakdown On The Island1720 Words   |  7 PagesSocietal breakdown on the island in ‘Lord of the Flies’ is due to the inherent evil of man 3.8: Develop an informed understanding of literature and/or language using critical texts. Hypothesis: Societal breakdown on the island is due to the inherent evil of man Jason Carvalho ‘Lord of the Flies’ is the name of William Golding’s historically famous novel, yet it is more than just a title. It is a kind of statement, a way of mocking the very existences of humanity. Reading this book I cameRead MoreSavagery In Lord Of The Flies1461 Words   |  6 PagesSavagery is exceptionally presented throughout Lord of the Flies written by William Golding. Savagery invites fear into a person’s life, making it difficult to navigate on a normal basis, fear controls the actions of the boys in dramatic ways throughout the novel. The three points in this essay that will be discussed will be the de-evolution of the boys as the novel progresses, the adult presence on the island and the effects that ensue afterwards and how different Jack’s tribe and Ralph’s tribeRead MoreLord Of The Flies Symbolism Analysis1131 Words   |  5 PagesIn Lord of the Flies (LoF) by William Golding, symbols are used to illustrate Golding’s bleak view s of the basic instincts of man. It appears that Golding believes that no matter whom you are or what your life is like, your basic instincts and compulsions are dark, and self-preserving. The majority of this story can be read symbolically whether through the islands structure, the characters if the boys, or the objects occurring within the book. However the symbolism of the conch, the lord of theRead MoreFear of the Unknown Lord of the Flies Essay1260 Words   |  6 PagesFear of the Unknown Lord of the Flies By: Sam Baldwin 2012-05-22 Ms. Reis ENG30S Fear is one of the most powerful emotions that control the way any human being acts in certain circumstances. A distressing emotion aroused by impending evil and pain, whether the threat is real or imagined is described as fear. One of many prominent themes in William Golding s novel, the Lord of the Flies, is Fear of the unknown. From the beginning of the novel, the boys fear what they cannot see, the partsRead MoreLord Of The Flies Critical Analysis1864 Words   |  8 Pages â€Å"This book is terrible, I don t get it, and it doesn t even make sense,† that s what most people would say about The Lord of the Flies. The reason such things are said about the book is because most don t pick up on underlying themes and metaphors William Golding uses to convey the terrifying message of the savageness that lives within all of us. Golding’s style of ambiguity, his character choice, and symbols bring the work together to express a powerful message of self control and awareness Read MoreThe Lord Of The Flies1468 Words   |  6 PagesThe Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of English schoolboys marooned on a tropical island after their plane is shot down during a war. Though the novel is fictional, its exploration of the idea of human evil is at least partly based on Golding’s experience with the real-life violence and brutality of World War II. Free from the rules and structures of civilization and society, the boys on the island in Lord of the Flies descend into savagery. Golding’s experience in World War II had aRead MoreThe Loss Of Innocence By William Golding2100 Words   |  9 Pagesinnocence can evolve into one that benefits them as they start to gain knowledge or have experience; alternatively, it can also lead to a disadvantage, as a result of humans tending to misuse what they achieve through their life. In Lord of the Flies, William Golding displays the central theme of innocence, as a quality that decreases in the boys o ver time as a result of them losing their understanding of society, consequently leading them to act like savages. The loss of innocence is viewed throughRead MoreMask Of Civility In Lord Of The Flies1226 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Is there worse evil than that which goes in the mask of good?† (Alexander) Evil and cruelty often conceal themselves behind the mask of polite civilization. When the mask is removed, the true savagery is revealed. In William Golding s dark novel, Lord of the Flies, humanity’s true savage nature is covered by a mask of civility. The group of boys crash onto a deserted island. And in order to survive, the boys attempt to recreate civilization and designate the conch as a symbol of authority. HoweverRead MoreHow Does Golding Present the Theme of Good Versus Evil in the Novel Lord of the Flies?3069 Words   |  13 PagesHow does Golding present the theme of good versus evil in the novel Lord of the Flies? William Goldings novel Lord of the Flies is at first impression a dramatic adventure story about a group of boys stranded on an island, whilst being evacuated from a war-torn world. However to the perceptive reader a more meaningful level of Goldings Lord of the Flies emerges. The novel is designed as an allegory; to a get a warning across to mankind about what Golding called the Essential sickness