Old Story Time

The story Emma based from the book â€Å"A World of Prose† and published by the author Carolyn Cole is about a woman named Emma who is a very beautiful lady of leisure, she has stepped down from an active social life after giving birth to Dorian in order to spend more time with her daughter Maria. Her husband Jack is a notorious cheater and he is not faithful to Emma. The setting of the story occurs in three places the York Residence, an unknown mall and at the old train station where the death of Emma took place.In the first setting of the story which takes place at the York Residence shows the two friends Maria and Dorian doing activities such as chatting about Dory’s Mother Emma, playing adult games and the support of each other. The moods and the themes displayed in that setting of the story is called Innocence which is epitomized by Dorian, the story is told from her perspective therefore we get a view of the innocence behind her misunderstanding of adult conversat ions and situations.Friendship which is shown in the friendship between Dorian and Maria, which is characterized by playing adult games. In the second setting which takes place at the unnamed mall shows Dory, Maria Mrs Robinson and Emma going to the mall to buy school cloths for Dorian because the summer was ending, while there the two friends Dory and Maria played games in the arcade while Mrs Robinson and Emma was having close conversations about sending both Maria and Dorian to a boarding school and about Emma having another child but Emma denied her because her husband Jack was not ready for Dory.While they were chatting, Dory and Maria wanted to go ice skating at the old train station and Emma decides to send them, the girls got their skates Emma hugged Maria before they left. The moods and themes displayed in that setting is called Love and family Relationship, there are two types of families in the short story, the nuclear and the single family. Dorian’s family is the nuclear family, consisting of mother, father and child. Maria’s family is the single family with her single mother Mrs Robinson.In the third or last setting which takes place at the old station shows Dory and Maria skating with the other kids at the old train station when the two girls caught a glimpse of the lady sitting on the steps wearing a black dress and long whit beads Maria pulled Dorian behind an old boxcar and Dory and Maria realises that it was her when they see their father with her they quickly assume that she was the lady at the train station. Maria belittles Dory quit a lot, and Dory indeed believes Maria to know and understand everything.But the game was over when Emma and Mrs Robinson arrive on the train and Emma experiences the mysterious lady with her husband she sadly sobs as she runs feeling cheated by own husband, she ran waiting to cross Georgia Avenue her husband grabbed her by her arm. She snatched away from him and ran into the street where an oncomi ng vehicle overruns her. The moods and themes displayed in that setting is called Innocence which is from Dory the story is told from her perspective therefore we get a view of the innocence behind her misunderstanding of adult conversations.

Ponzi Scheme

Introduction A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to its investors from their own money or the money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from profit earned by the individual or organization running the operation. Objectives We learn how it started. We learn the key elements in running a Ponzi scheme. We learn how big a Ponzi schemes can get. We learn how a Ponzi scheme falls apart. We learn how to identify and avoid being involved in a Ponzi scheme. Methodology- This topic is from a secondary source. The scheme is named after Charles Ponzi, who became notorious for using the echnique in 1920.Ponzi did not invent the scheme (for example, Charles Dickens' 1844 novel Martin Chuzzlewit and 1857 novel Little Dorrit each described such a scheme), but his operation took in so much money that it was the first to become known throughout the United States. Five Key Elements in running a Ponzi Scheme: 1) The Benefit: A promise that the investment will achi eve an above normal rate of return. The rate of return is often specified. The promised rate of return has to be high enough to be worthwhile to the investor but not so high as to be unbelievable.Madoff, that had a great deal of credibility as he had been in the investment business since 1960. Madoff had also been the chairman of the board of directors of NASDAQ, an American stock exchange. The estimated losses from the Ponzi scheme are in between 34 and 50 billion U. S. dollars. Unravelling / Fallout of a Ponzi scheme -When a Ponzi scheme is not stopped by the authorities, it sooner or later falls apart for one of the following reasons

Languages and Dialects of Spain Essay

With a population of approximately 45 million Spaniards and 3. 5 million immigrants, Spain is a country of contrasts where the richness of its culture blends it up with the variety of languages and dialects used. Being one of the largest economies worldwide, and the second largest country in Europe, Spain is a very appealing destination for tourists as well as for immigrants from around the globe. Almost all Spaniards are used to speaking at least two different languages, but protecting and preserving that right has not been easy for them; Spaniards have had to struggle with war, ignorance, criticism and the governments, in order to preserve and defend what identifies them, and deal with the consequences (some of which are good and some of which are bad) of dealing with this multilingual society they have. Spanish-Town-Guides, 2002-2011) In Spain there are 17th autonomous regions, the official language spoken in each region is Spanish or Castilian, however, there are three other recognized regional languages used throughout the country (Wikipedia contributors, 2011); Catalan (spoken in Catalonia, Valencian Community, and Balearic Islands), Basque (spoken in Basque Country and Navarre), and Galician, (spoken in Galicia) (Wikipedia contributors, 2011). Distributed throughout Spain there are a variety of smaller groups or regions with their own dialects, most of them Latin derivatives (as well as the main languages); Aragonese (spoken in Aragon, Huesca and Zaragoza), Asturian (spoken in Asturias),Calo (known as the language of the gypsies), Valencian and Mallorquin (Both dialects from Catalan and spoken in Valencia and Mallorca), Extremaduran (spoken in Extremadura), Occitan (also considered as a dialect of Catalan) and Gascon (that is considered a dialect of Occitan) (About. com, 2011). Each region? government has put all the efforts to create laws to ensure that people in all regions speak and practice their own language (Council of Europe, 2011); such is the case of Catalonia which is the region where there have been more efforts to preserve language. In Catalonia, there are no places where natives do not know Catalan or any of the dialects from it, and even foreigners living there must deal with this â€Å"handicap† since, in order to find a job, they need to learn to speak Catalan; otherwise, it will be very difficult to get hired, and social life can be limited as well since veryone around uses Catalan to communicate (Abanco, 1998). Spaniards, especially in Catalonia, Basque Country and Galicia have become very protective of their own languages and dialects, since they outright their extinction during Francoist period, which make them fight to ensure their languages remain being an important part, if not the most important part, of their life and their societies (Wikipedia contributors, 2011). Each region, with a language different than Castilian, is an avid defendant of their language; article 3 of the Spanish Constitution (About the Castilian and the other Spaniard languages) states: â€Å"1. Castilian is the official Spanish language of the State. All Spaniards have the duty to know it and the right to use it. †. â€Å"2. The other Spanish languages shall also be official in the respective Self-governing Regions in accordance with their Statutes. † and â€Å"3.  The wealth of the different linguistic modalities of Spain is a cultural heritage which shall be specially respected and protected† (Cortes Generales de Espana, 1978). This decree has helped to repair the damage caused during Francoist period (in which Spain was under the authoritarian dictatorship of Francisco Franco) from 1936 to 1975, when many of the regional languages were almost lost since they were forbidden; an ironic fact since general Franco was born in A Coruna, one of Galicia? s main cities, where Galician is more used than Castilian to communicate (Eric Solsten and Sandra W. Meditz, 1988). When the civil war ended, in 1975, and, in response to the oppression suffered for many years, some regions (especially Catalonia) began their efforts to preserve and enhance their languages. Thanks to those efforts Catalans can be proud to acknowledge that their languages and dialects are the most well-kept, normalized and preserved in the country, their continuous fight since the very end of war and their pride about using their language has giving them the courage to embrace and protect both, their language and their identity in such way that, in Catalonia, Castilian is limited to those who are foreigners and Catalan to natives. Unfortunately, a very different thing has happened in Galicia and Basque Country; since, by the end of war, the governments of both regions were more concerned about political affairs than preserving languages. In Basque Country, the reason for these lack of protectionism towards language was the persecution Basques suffer during the Civil War, they were accused of terrorism whenever they spoke in their own language; they were hunted and killed for this reason, and all of these actions made them a little afraid of protecting language even years after the end of war. Something similar happened in Galicia, where there were no efforts to maintain language after the war. It was years later that governments started to make efforts to preserve and rescue the language and to normalize it and make it mandatory in each school around the region, but the accurate and pure versions of them got lost with time and what new generations speak today is a mixture of old and new words adapted from the original language, but still it is quite far from the original, unaltered version of each language. The dialects in Spain share, in most of the cases, the same origin (most of the times Vulgar Latin), and the same language (for example Valencian is a dialect of Catalan); it can be thought, then, that communication in a language different than Spanish or Castilian is not that hard, and this is true but not entirely; even though these dialects come from the same sources, they differ greatly from each other; for example, in Catalonia, they use Catalan as well as in Val d? Aran; if an Occitan and a Catalan talk to each other, they will understand most of it but some words are very different, and it will take a bit of an effort to fully understand the language from one region to another. Each one of the circumstances explained above, the civil war, the immigration, the language protectionism and the normalization, are reasons to understand why Spaniards have become tolerant with languages and dialects; they have gone a long way in defending their ideals and their identity; all of the Spaniards and immigrants must pay tolerance in return to the rest of the population and accept everybody else? languages. However, not all Spaniards are sympathetic with this language protectionism, Castilian or Spanish speaking regions, such as Madrid are very less tolerant; they do not understand why one country must be separated more for languages than for borders, and this might be a valid premise, but each region has the right to protect what belongs to it. Languages, in one way, have caused separation among regions because, people consider themselves as Catalans, or Valencians, or Basques, or native of any other regions, more than they consider themselves Spaniards, and many regions are currently fighting for their independence (with no positive results so far) since they aim to be free to use their languages and dialects without being criticized and, also, be able to manage their own resources. There are many implications of having one, two or many anguages or dialects spoken in a same country or region, some of them are negative, such as this search for independence that has caused Spaniards to feel divided, not all of them feel part of the same country and many whish they were not part of the same country at all. Another implication is that communication is limited; even when all Spaniards speak Spanish, it is interesting to realize that they have both languages so acquired that they switch from one to the other in just seconds; this happens particularly with old people. As a woman married to a Catalan and having traveled to Catalonia a couple of times, I had the experience of facing this personally, people are so set in â€Å"Catalan-mode† that one minute they are speaking in Spanish, and the next they are speaking in Catalan without even realizing they change back and, in my particular case, I found myself reminding everyone to talk to me in Spanish; it is an awkward situation because you can also feel like an intruder and is tiring to constantly remind everyone to speak in Spanish, and when they did speak in Castilian, it was hard for me to understand them, since it is quite different from the Spanish or Castilian we speak in Costa Rica. Another negative implication is for immigrants; my cousin moved to Barcelona eleven years ago; she got a scholarship to finish her studies in laws at â€Å"Universitat de Barcelona. The first problem she had to face was the fact that all her lessons were taught in Catalan; and being a native Spanish speaker she felt very frustrated and worried, and it took many years for her to be able to understand Catalan (only understand it because she does not speak it); she is now living there and after she finished college it was very hard for her to find a job, once again the problem was the lack of Catalan; it is very challenging for a foreigner to move there since Catalans are so protective of their language that in order to find a job, people must speak Catalan. The last negative implication, from my point of view, is immigration within the country; my mother in-law was born in Galicia; she learned to speak Galician (the very limited kind of Galician that was spoken during the war) when she was little; and, at the age of nine, with almost her entire primary education finished, her family decided to move to Barcelona searching for a better life, where she had to deal with Catalan (even though during war it was forbidden to use it on the streets). The same problem happens with, for example, people with military positions, they move from one place to another during the entire military service, and they drag their families along with them; children are forced to change from one school to another and from one language to another, and this can cause confusion and frustration reflected on the students’ behavior and performance in school. Even when there are so many negative implications or consequences related to all the languages in a society, there are reasons to believe that there are also positive implications and if there are societies with this kind of structure, it is because it works somehow, no matter the problems involved. In contrast to the negative implications mentioned above, there are many other positive implications of being part of a multilingual society, to mention a few, it can be said that, in the particular case of Spain, their citizens have developed the ability to learn new languages very easily; they not only speak their official language (Castilian), they also speak they regional language (both native like) and this has helped them to develop more their listening skills and aptitude towards new languages; children are born and live in environments filled with language stimuli and learn to communicate effectively in more than one language, making things easier for them to acquire another language. Another example of a positive implication is tolerance, the cross-cultural situation Spaniards live has helped them to be more conscious about their differences and to accept everyone? s believes and culture. The continuous use of languages or dialects to interact with each other is another positive implication, since it has made them to be able to switch languages in a conversation without thinking about it; it comes natural to them since being multilingual is not an issue; it is just their reality. Spain is a multilingual society which has faced several obstacles in the way of preserving and keeping their languages and dialects, this protectionism has led to positive, but also negative consequences and implications for its citizens which, day after day deal with it and adjust to this conditions in order to be a part of the society. As challenging as it can be, Spaniards adjust to each situation in order to fit in; but of course there are also rewards involved, they are capable to appreciate and understand (at least most of them) what a long way each region has come to preserve their identity and they can embrace, and be empathetic with the reasons each region has for such protectionism.

Unconventional monetary policies and their impact on the economy Essay

Unconventional monetary policies and their impact on the economy - Essay Example Funding the affected financial institutions resolves this by empowering the banks to lend and the advanced amount can then be invested in the economy towards growth. The policy also ensures stability of financial institutions when the institutions’ liquid base becomes insufficient for operations and therefore improves flow of money despite existing interest rates (International Monetary Fund, 2013). Aggressive liquidity provision defines advancement of finances to financial institutions as a backstop in order to mitigate adverse risks or ultimate failure of financial institutions. Rational run off and lost confidence in financial institutions are some of the concerns that aggressive liquidity provision prevents and both financial institutions and intermediaries are beneficiaries. The policy empowers banks and facilitates lending roles. This then promotes circulation of money and investments into economic growth and strong balance sheets of financial institutions and intermediaries for confidence in the institutions (International Monetary Fund, 2013). This involves operations for strengthening the environment in which financial institutions operates. The policy aims at ensuring stability of asset prices and the institutions’ ability and willingness to lend through elimination of risks. One of the ways of extending support is through purchase of private assets. Assets are used as security for borrowings and their value determine risks in lending as well as lending costs. Assets that securitize mortgages and other loans offer example of the role of the policy. Lost value in the assets means inability of financial institutions to recover their money in cases of default, with subsequent effects of reduced liquidity and triggered stiff measures for lending. High asset values, when the asset is used as security, however, guarantee ability to recover lent

Importance of Organizations Concerned With Elderly Populace Essay

Importance of Organizations Concerned With Elderly Populace - Essay Example Ageing comes with several diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Werner syndrome and renal failure. These conditions should be prevented or treated immediately. Therefore, organizations that deal with ageing populace such as AARP have doctors and nurses who are qualified and competent in old age-related diseases. Â  Their programs cater for fitness activities that include body and mental exercises to prevent related diseases. The elderly populace train in the gym with a qualified trainer competent in old-age exercises, and involve in mental games to jog their brains (Howard, 2012). Â  Examples of elderly games include music therapy, video, digital and computer games (National Council on Aging, 2012). These activities prevent diseases, unify the elderly and keep them busy thus they maintain their health.3. Government benefits most of the elderly populace have stopped working and are dependent individuals who need financial assistance. The organizations have come into aid since th ese individuals may have no family members alive who can aid in the paperwork. The organizations assume this task and solicit the funds for them (National Council on Aging, 2012). The funds are partly given to organizations and partly given to individuals. This is to ensure an efficient program by the organization and financial independence for the elderly. Â  The organizations use the money for shelter, garments, foodstuff, healthcare and other festive activities like world tours for the elderly, which unifies them.

Marketing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 15

Marketing - Assignment Example Online or web based surveys requires little money to complete the process. The person contacting the survey only needs to create a website or have the survey hosted in another website. The surveyor incurs the cost of internet and webhosting or creation of a website. The respondents have to pay internet bill in order to complete the survey. On the other hand, traditional surveys are more expensive, since they need more materials and work. In the traditional survey, an individual need more people to contact the survey. Transport cost is also needed in order to reach the respondents. The online surveys are less expensive than the traditional surveys. Better reach is another benefit of using the web based survey instead of tradition surveys. The web based or online survey enables the surveyor to reach a large number of people. The use of web based survey enables the surveyor to reach more people without contacting additional interview or scheduling complicated field work. The survey is carried online and anybody with access to internet can participate in the survey. On the other hand, the traditional survey does not reach more people. The surveyor needs to carry out more field work in order to reach more people. It is tiresome to meet more people so traditional survey researcher opts for small number of people. The web based survey carried on online platforms enables an individual to reach more people than the traditional survey research. Finally, web based survey enabled the surveyor to have better targeting. Better targeting benefit is enjoyed by the person carrying out the web based or online survey. Over the internet is simple and easy to target people depending on the interests and behavior. In traditional method an individual can only target people in respect to demographics. The use of web based or online survey enables targeting of respondent, while the traditional method does not allow better targeting. The idea of redesigning

Personal reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Personal reflection - Essay Example of group socialization are products of group rules and norms, where norms are more dynamic, hidden, and forceful than rules in influencing groupthink and conflict management. The paper proceeds to definitions of concepts. Group socialization refers to the social process and influences by which new members and old members become used to one another (Galanes, & Adams, 2006, p.153). The phases of group socialization are antecedent, anticipatory, encounter, assimilation, and exit phases. Groupthink refers to the quick way of group thinking mode, as members engage in concurrence or conformity which becomes dominant because of in-group cohesiveness that overrides the evaluation of alternative courses of action (Janis, 1972, p.158). Group rules are statements that guide members on how they may, or, should behave, which may be expressed in writing or informally, such as what happens for group norms (Galanes, & Adams, 2006, p.154). Group norms are unspoken formal rules that peer pressure implements and which affect the actions of group members (Galanes, & Adams, 2006, p.154). Norms also reflect cultural beliefs that are connected to what is considered as acceptab le or unacceptable behaviors (Galanes, & Adams, 2006, p.154). Conflict is defined as the manifested struggles among interdependent members that happen due to differences in perceptions of and implementation of goals and other sources of disagreements (Galanes, & Adams, 2006, p.305). From these definitions, group members, because of their interdependence and because they are human beings with individual and social differences, are bound by group goals, but can be divided by groupthink and conflict. The theory regarding the process of group socialization is criticized next. Group socialization starts with the antecedent phase, where members’ characteristics, listening styles, cultural differences, and feelings about group responsibilities shape throughput and output variables (Galanes, & Adams, 2006, p.154).

The Determinants of Effective Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Determinants of Effective Leadership - Essay Example As the discussion declares effective leaders in an organization are executives who support the optimal performance of a group of subordinates. They are known to add great value to an organization. Highly effective executives who are also known as peak performers are noted to have productivity rates that are 25 to 50 percent higher than their minimally effective or poorly performing counterparts. Highly effective leadership is characterized by productivity, health, relational behaviour, or any combination of these factors, which result in performance at optimal level.This paper highlights that  the main goals of effective leadership are: facilitating organizational goal setting and helping to achieve them, promoting optimal levels of individual motivation, commitment and satisfaction, facilitating effective interactions among individuals within teams, helping employees to set high goals for themselves, and place the organization’s effectiveness above their own self-interests.   The effective leader operates concurrently on the performance as well as the people of the organization or unit. Performance depicts both the process of how things get done, the length of time taken, as well as the outcome of productivity and quality. The aim of performance is productivity and the aim for people is health.  The effective leader operates both successfully, involving both productivity and health.

Compensation and Benefits support Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Compensation and Benefits support - Essay Example The strategic compensation plan of an organization certainly plays an important role to woo competent resource. Competitive price tags will attract experienced employees to come and join the organization. Hence, employees having better qualification and experience can be of great help in meeting the set revenue targets besides establishing the credibility of the organization in the market (Balkin & Gomez†Mejia 157). The strategic compensation plan for employees should be based on pay for performance. How can be a visionary and non-visionary person treated alike? As far as the sales employees are concerned, they should be given commission on their total sales. Reward system in an organization is a source of motivation for the employees to pursue their goals. Thinking of hard working by the employees without hoping for a reward is very difficult (Balkin & Gomez†Mejia 158). Retention of valuable resource amounts a hard nut to crack if it is not supported by the monetary benefits. There is an adage that â€Å"happy laborers work more†. To keep employees of repute for a longer period of time, it is utmost important for HRM to compensate them through increase in salary, promotion and cash performance reward so that they may not jump into other companies for better career prospects. If aforementioned measures are implemented in letter and in spirit, experienced workforce will think twice before going out in searching of another job opportunity (Armstrong 72). Competitive compensation and benefits are the key elements to attract the best talent available in the job market. Further, organizations that offer insurance covered health policy and guaranteed paid vacation are the hotcakes for the lucrative job hunters. It should be the focal point of HRM of any corporate entity in their compensation policy. Mentioned benefits should be linked with the increased profitability of the company and the performance of the employees as well

Current Business Process Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Current Business Process Summary - Essay Example The network configuration has two segments linked by a network bridge (Apollo Group, 2013). administration network set up. The company uses an integrated method to satisfy their network requirement (Apollo Group, 2013). The network configuration is 1000BaseT and every department applies on different standard. For instance, the radiology utilizes 1000 BaseF. On the general idea of the logical network configurations, it is revealed that the hospital utilizes 1000 BaseT applying CAT6 cable to wards, labs, emergency room, and pharmacy. The 1000Base permits existing copper line to be utilized instead of having to re-cable with optical fiber. The 1000BaseT utilizing CAT6 is linked to 1000baseF with single mode fiber by a structure bridge. It provides more cabling strategy to assist a support cable setting up that is inexpensive (Apollo Group, 2013). Company applies 1000BaseT since they already utilize CAT-S wiring so 1000BaseT can be enforced easily. According to network work experts such as Healey (Tyler, 2007), 1000Base-T is intended to function over 4-pair UTP data cable. The 1000baseF is a 1000-Mbps bundle specification for Ethernet interconnection over optical fibers. The Hospital also utilize backbone network configuration of 1000 BaseT. The business process of the company is to expand and the network overview above gives bit the chance to implement such expansion. FPCH is currently opting to expand its functions and is faced with three choices: going communal through an IPO, acquisition or merging with a different hospital. In order for this health facility to make the best choices, the management must compare and contrast the diverse strategies by considering the subsequent: strengths and weaknesses, threats, opportunities and effects of globalization. The strength and opportunity that has been revealed in this paper is the present network capability that gives them advantage and also provides opportunities for

Martin Luther King and the Church Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Martin Luther King and the Church - Essay Example All social groups ranging from the ruling class to the peasant class had a strong reason to accept Luther’s reasons and support him. The princes and kings resented the overarching control of the Church, while the peasants resented the wealth of the Church and revolted against the social, political and religious authorities. It was the context and time that played a huge role in the success of Luther. As reformation spread from Germany throughout Europe, it gave rise to violence, religious struggles, wars and civil unrest. The widespread conflicts involving Catholics killing Protestants, Protestants killing Catholics and the Thirty Years War can certainly not be justified, whatever the reason was, given the bloodshed and other serious consequences. However, Reformation alone cannot be held solely responsible for these wars as even otherwise there would have been political and social struggles leading to wars at that time in Europe. There was an increasing social and political discontent all over Europe. Reformation offered the opportunity to either establish authority or to break away from it. This context should not be ignored while discussing the stormy period in Europe during the Reformation. Such a political and social unrest should be seen as a significant trigger for the wars and civil unrest all over Europe during Reformation. Brutal wars and bloodshed cannot be hailed or celebrated, but without Reformation, Europe would not have undergone significant changes in its political, economic and social institutions. Change is inevitable, and Reformation was one such a change within the Church but one which led to a larger scale conflict and war because of the contemporary socio-political conditions. It was only an opportunity seized by the society of that time, and if it had not been a Reformation, it would have been some other revolution that would have erupted to

Youth is not a Time of Life Essay Example for Free

Youth is not a Time of Life Essay Youth is not a Time of Life it is a State of Mind. It is the temperamental Predominance of courage over timidity. The youth of today are not alien to anyone of us. According to some, the way our youth are faring directly classifies them as a serious problem of society. But I would like to ask these people,that how can modern youth be a problem of society when the same youth is very much a part of society? Something which coexists and relates to our social order is to be called part of the society and so cannot be classified as a problem. The problems, which these unthinking few or many speak of, do not lie in these young people. The problems lie in the ways in which they have been guided or rather misguided. Many would agree that the Western Cultural Invasion has just left our youth clad in torn jeans and T-shirts with their heads up in the way in which they have been brought up. Children should be made to learn to distinguish between right and wrong and this responsibility lies on the shoulders of their elders. Today, an over whelming majority of the population of Pakistan is under privileged. The youth of this population does not have the means to develop and expand their horizons. Hammed in by conservative backgrounds, smothered by immoral values and then left entirely on their own, these youth are being transpired by the society they live in. So it is wrong to make the youth the scapegoat for our own crime neglect. Our youth is an integral part of our society there is no denying that. Without them, there would be no hope left at all for the future. With proper guidance the youth of today can shape up to become the leaders of tomorrow. And to become that, our youth today needs role models more than they need critics. Youth walked slowly ahead of me Leading the way to the Dawn And I followed For the child is father to the man. (Khalil Jibran)

State Bank Of India Marketing Essay

State Bank Of India Marketing Essay The banking industry is highly competitive. The financial services industry has beenaround for hundreds of years and just about everyone who needs banking servicesalready has them. Because of this, banks must attempt to lure clients away fromcompetitor banks. They do this by offering lower financing, preferred rates andinvestment services. The banking sector is in a race to see who can offer both the bestand fastest services. 2.Buyer Power: High With the emergence of larger number of players in the Banking Industry, the switchingcost of the buyer has gone done significantly. The bonus is now on the effectiveness and speed with which the services are provided to the customers. Financial institutions byoffering better exchange rates, more services, and exposure to foreign capital markets -work extremely hard to get high-margin corporate clients. Options in the Auto FinanceSector also give the customers more power to decide upon the kind of financing.Introduction of specialized products for Women and Students etc also show that thebuyer power is high in this Industry. 3.Supplier Power: Low The suppliers of capital do not pose a big threat, but the threat of suppliers takingaway the human resource. If a talented individual is working in a smaller regionalbank, there is the chance that person will be enticed away by bigger banks,investment firms, etc. 4.Threat of New Entrants: Low Starting a bank in a country like India is not as easy as any other industry, but if anew bank is started that is mainly targeted on Niche Segments might pose a threat to SBI. The new entrants from a different country are always discouraged to takepart. BCG MATRIX BCG growth share matrix uses relative market shares and annual rate of market growth as criteria to quick investment decision . It can be subdivided into the following 1.CASHCOWHere mature and successful business that generates excess cash with low investment 2.DOGSlow market share generating very low cash 3.QUESTION MARK?low market share in high grow market requiring substantial market 4.STARfast growing industry with high market share which requires investment CUSTOMER VALUES THE VALUE CHAINIt is a tool for identifying the ways to create more customer values through various activity perform to design. MARKETING PLAN: Institution for advanced learning: To provide state of the art training in financial products to middle level and senior level executives. Internal consultant/change agent:To act as a catalyst for change in attitudes and orientation of banking staff and to provide expertise and consultative support. Feedback supplier:Capture and structure feedback from the trainees and the market. Think tank:To provide expert and informed suggestions, model business suggestions, analysis of market development from a bankers perspective. Research and development:To carry out research on contemporary subjects which are relevant to banks medium and short term operational needs and policies. Overlapping staff training centres:Monitoring and validating staff training centres. Strategies employed by State Bank of India To counter the intense competition from private and foreign banks, SBI carried out amajor Organizational restructuring exercise. The key aspects involved: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Redesigning of Branches. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Technological upgradation (Core  Banking System). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Providing alternate channels. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Focus on a  lean structure.The objective being to increase customer satisfaction convenience, simplifyingprocesses for employees, enhancing SBIs competitiveness in the market and in turn increasing the profitability through higher market share and improved processefficiency. MACRO MICRO ENVIRONMENTS OF SBI: For any decisions there are number of factors which influences the decisions.The factors which influences the decision are also termed as its environment.The environment can be internal,can be controlled by the organisation.Micro specific to industry and is different for different industry and Macro generic in nature and is intented for business environment. Macroenvironment of SBI are:- 1.Demographic 2.Economic 3.Socio-Cultural 4.Natural 5.Technological 6.Political-Legal Micro environment factor closed to business that have a direct impact on its business operation and success.The factors are:- 1.Customers 2.Employees 3.Suppliers 4.Shareholders 5.Media 6.Competitors CONSUMER BUYING BEHAVIOUR: Since SBI has a large number of banking outlets all over the nation, its consumers do transactions to a great extent. MARKETING RESEARCH (SALES FORECASTING): As of August 27 2012,the concensus format amongst 48 polled investment analysts covering SBI advises investors to hold their position in the company. The previous consensus forecast advised that SBI would outperform the market. Share Price Forecast-the 45 analysts offering 12 month price target s for SBI have a median target of 2121 with a high estimate of 2881 pts. BASES AND LEVELS OF SEGMENTATION: Segmentation:To identify groups of buyers within a market place,which are distinguished by varying needs and behaviour. BASES: Geographic:eg:Biometric ATM Demographic:eg:Kisan Credit Card Behavioural:eg:Saving Banks Account Psycographic:Credit Card,Platinum Card,Smart Card,Vishwa Yatra LEVELS:Local Marketing:Tailored to the needs and wants of local customer groups. Mass Marketing:Done through Radio,Television and Newspapers. Niche Marketing:Meant for the elite class(Platinum Cards) Segment Marketing:Recognizes that buyers differ in needs,perceptions and buying behaviour. TARGETING DONE BY SBI: Product Specialization:Car/Auto Loans,Consortium Advances Market Specialization:Home Loans Full Market Specialization:Home Loans,Education Loans POSITIONING: Positioning strategies can be conceived developed in avariety of ways.It can be derived from the object attributes,competition,application,the types of consumers involved,or the characteristics of the product class. Strategies based on:- 1.Customer benefits 2.Pricing 3.Applications 4.Product Process 5.Product Class 6.Cultural Symbols 7.Competitors Some of the Positional Strategies taken by SBI are of the following: 1.Launched new products and services to enhance its image as a customer friendly Bank. 2.SBI has also entered into several alliances and tie-ups with automobile insurance,mutual fund,project finance and medical equipment companies. 3.Marketing initiatives to improve its reach,eg:aggressive marketing through print and television media. QUESTIONNAIRE Name ____________________________________ Occupation ________________________________ Contact Detail ______________________________ Age: Less than 21 22-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 60+ 2. Gender: Male Female 3. Marital Status Single Married Others 4. On which bank you depend for your regular transaction? SBI Allahabad Bank PNB Other Bank, please specify (_______________) 5. Are you aware of the products services provided by SBI? Yes No 6. If yes are you aware of the advance products(Loan Segments) of SBI ? Yes No 7. Which bank you prefer for taking loans ? SBI Allahabad Bank PNB Others, specify(____________) 8. If you prefer SBI for taking loan then what inflence you to take loan from SBI ? _____________________________ _____________________________ 9. Which loan product of SBI have you used ? Home Loan Education Loan Car Loan Personal Loan Other Loans, Specify (_____) 10. What do you feel about the services provided by SBI in advance product ? Bad Satisfactory Good Excellent 11. Which features you like most in loan segments of SBI ? Less paper work Attractive Interest Rate Transparency Simple and Fast processing Flexibility to choose an EMI base loan or an overdraft Longer tenure loan for ease of repayment Specially designed product for self employed Any other feature, specify (______) 11. Mention that account type you are having currently ? _________________________________________ 12. How far are you satisfied with the current services of the bank ? Very satisfied Satisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied 13. The most frequently used service by you is of ________. Banking Outlets Internal Banking Mobile ATM Others 14. Any suggestion you want to give for the betterment of SBI products ? ________________________ ________________________

Impacts of Child Labour in Developing Countries

Impacts of Child Labour in Developing Countries What are the causes and consequences of child labour amongst developing countries The child labour as a social and economic phenomenon has many aspects the most important of which seems to be the low level of financial growth that characterizes several countries which are commonly known as ‘developing.’ This paper illustrates the conditions that created the necessity of the child labour, and at the same time it presents the consequences of this situation as they can be observed through a series of specific facts and other types of empirical evidence that have been collected by the relevant sources of scientific research. The analysis of the problem, as described above, is followed by the presentation of a number of policies, which could help thelimitation of the problem to the most feasible level. The research done on this specific problem has revealed the existence of a high volume of relevant theories as well as of statistical data that have also been used to support the current paper. ÃŽâ„¢. Introduction The problem of the child labour has become a very important subjectof examination and research by the most of the internationalinstitutions especially the last decade. The reason for that is not the absence of this problem in the past but the development of the technology and the communication around the world that gave the opportunity for a series of long-lasting social problems to becomeknown to the international community. The extension and theimportance of the specific problem are severe obstacles towards its elimination. On the other hand, the creation of an international legal framework   asit has been expressed by the establishment of authorized bodies and the signing of a series of orders and Conventions, can considered as an important step towards the achievement of a solution.  Ã‚   We have to notice though that the best possible policy to thatdirection would have to compromise with the existence and the size ofthe problem avoiding to set targets that could not be achieved. Under the current circumstances, the child labour cannot disappear from the scene; it can just be reduced to a certain level (as this one is formulated by the social and financial conditions of each country). The main aim of this paper is to provide a detailed examination of the problem backed with a series of relevant data and other empirical evidence. The analysis of the current situation, as described in Chapter II, begins with the presentation of the background of the problem followed by statistical data and the views stated in the literature regarding the definition and the observation of child labour amongst developing countries. The policies that can be applied for the limitation of the problem are being presented in Chapter III. The investigation of the facts and the needs that created the phenomenon of the child labour cannot be achieved without the use of the literature (Chapter IV) that has been dealt with the specific matter mainly during the last years. The evidence that has been used to identify and interpret the problem,is presented in Chapter V. Finally, Chapter VI contains brief remarks on the problem as they have been extracted from the research done. II. The child labour in the international community – background, definition and areas of children exploitation The period in which child labour appeared as a social reality cannot be defined with accuracy. There are opinions that relate the beginning of the problem with the industrial revolution whereas other ones state that the child labour had first appeared in the nineteenth century. From an investigation that took place in Britain in June 1832, it seems that the phenomenon of child labour was known at that period and referred to children working as laborers mainly to factories butalso to other business activities. The above investigation (as it is analytically presented in Basu, K., 1999, 1088) was supervised by a British Parliamentary Committee and had as main subject the child labour in the United Kingdom at that period. Although Britain was in a rather high rank regarding the child labour – which can be explained by the fact that England was under development at that period of time –other countries that also had a remarkable industrial development likethe Belgium, the USA and the Japan, presented a similar image regardingthe work of children in the multiple sectors of industry (see also K.Basu, 1999, 1088-89). Moreover, the data collected for the measurement of the relevantpractices during the 19th century showed that child labour did notstart declining in Britain and in United States until the second halfof that century (L.F. Lopez-Calva, 2001, 64). The dimensions of the problem of child labour can create an important concern about the level of the life that a lot of children face but also about the financial situation of a large majority of families around the world. According to data collected by the International Labor Organization (ILO), there are approximately 250 million working children aged between 5 and 14, of which at least 120 million are involved in full-time work that is both hazardous and exploitative (seealso T. I. Palley, 2002). Although the so-called ‘developed’ countries have shown samples of tolerance regarding the child labour, the areas that seem to cultivate the problem are those with low level of economic   and industrial growth. In a relevant research made by D.K. Brown (2001) it seems that the major factor for the existence of the problem is the poverty. The capital market failure   of a specific country (as it is expressed tothe every day aspects of life, like the low level of schooling) isconsidered as another important element that co-operates the appearance and the extension of the phenomenon. When speaking for child labour we usually refer to any work by childrenthat interferes with their physical and mental development , i.e. anywork that keeps the child away from ‘childhood related activities’(Chandrasekhar, 1997). The above definition although containing ageneral view of the child labour, it cannot be applied under allcircumstances bearing in mind that a lot of differences may appear inthe context of ‘childhood related activities’ in dependance with the country and the cultural influences. In this case, a more specific description of child labour is considered as necessary. M. Majumdar(2001) divides the child labour into the following categories: a) the household work, b) non-domestic and non-monetary work, c) wage labour and d) commercial sexual exploitation and bonded labour. The child labour can be applied in many areas. As an indicative examplewe can refer to the report of the National Consumers Leage (NCL) which divides the possible areas of child labour into the followingcategories (refering to specific daily activities and regarding thedanger that they include): agriculture (is the most dangerous industryfor the young workers), working alone and late-night work in retail(most deaths of young workers in this industry are robbery-relatedhomicides), construction and work at heights (deaths and serious injuryresult from working at heights 6 feet and above. The most common typesof fatal falls are falls from roofs, ladders and scaffolds or staging),driver/operator of forklifts and tractors (tractor-related accidentsare the most prevalent cause of agricultural fatalities in the U.S.A.),traveling youth crews (defined as youth who are recruited to sellcandy, magazine subscribtions and other items door-to-door or on streetcorners, these youth operate under dangerous conditions and areunsupervised) (Occupational Hazards, Aug2004) III. Policies towards the limitation of the problem A fundamental measure for the limitation of the child labour is thecreation of legislation   that would impose a minimum work age and yearsof compulsory education. Although this solution seems rather in it’sdesigning, in practice it’s quite difficult to operate . The needs ofthe everyday life can often surpass the power of the legal rules, which have been structured usually after the examination and the analysis of specific events and cannot confront the problem to its whole area. One of the main problems that a family usually faces is the change inthe working situation of its (adult) members and the financial pressurethat usually follows. Of course, there is always the solution of funding (especially when the general financial market of a country offers such an option) . However, there are occasions that such an alternative cannot operate either because the country do not afford such a plan or the specific family do not have access to this plan. Under these circumstances, it could still be possible for the householdto tap internal assets. The presence of the father in a household, thepresence of an older person in the household or the capacity of the mother to enter into the market in order to work or proceed to another type of work (in a personal enterprise), all the above can be variables that can support the assets of a family even if the latter is suffered from strong financial difficulties (see also D. K. Brown, 2001, 766). Despite the theoretical character of the legislation, there could beother measures , more applicable   and feasible to be realized. Aneffort that has such a character is the increased spending on books,supplies, buildings and teacher training as it has been pursued by several governments   (D. K. Brown, 772). In cases that the child labour cannot be avoided, there could be somemeasures   to both to protect the children and help them to continuetheir school   (while keep on working). The design of specific schedules that would allow the children to attend school after their work could be proved very helpful towards this direction. Of course, such a plan contains a lot of requirements that need to be met . As an example we could mention the sufficiency of resources (teachers) that could workfor the extra time needed and – at the same time – the existence of afinancial strategy (and of the relevant money) for the payment of these resources. On the other hand, a problem that may arise is the lack ofequipment or capital for the premises of the school to be open forextra hours. And we cannot forget the danger that may be related withthe attendance late at night (especially in the case of the paper – thedeveloping countries). The phenomenon of the child labor has been examined and analyzed to the highest possible point by the use of the observation and theresearch in accordance with the existing legislation and the general rules that have been introduced from several countries aiming to the limitation of the problem. One of the most important studies regarding the child labour is this ofK. Basu and P. H. Van (1998) who tried to find and analyze the causesof this specific problem. After studying the results of the empiricalevidence they came to the conclusion that child labour was notconnected exclusively with external factors (i.e. employers) but it was mostly the result of internal (in the family) decisions and facts.Towards that direction, K. Basu   and P. H. Van examined first the view that child labour has been based on the ‘greed of employers who employthe children and the parents who send the children to work’. The above statement is first examined by the fact that in families, which can afford the non-work of children (i.e. when the income of the parents isconsidered as sufficient), the parents try to avoid sending theirchildren to work. This phenomenon appears even in very poor countries.Under the previous aspect, the child labour is connected with thefinancial situation of the family (usually income of parents) and not the interests of the employers. This assumption of the leading family’srole is also backed, according to K. Basu and P. H. Van, by the analysis of late nineteenth-century cencus data for Philadelphia whichwas made by Claudia Goldin in 1979. According to this analysis, when the income of the father is high the probability that the child will enter the labour market is low and this relation operates in a very tight interaction (the higher the wage of the father, the lower thechance of such a fact to get realized). Another empirical evidence that seems to back the views of K. Basu and P. H. Van comes from a research that was made on this issue (connection between the family’s decision and the child labour) by D. Vincent who studied working-class autobiographies. The results of his study showed that the children when working avoid to blame their parents but they tend to believe that it was the poverty that imposed their participation in the labour market.K. Basu and P. H. Van examined the issue of the role of the family’s decision to the child labour under the assumption that the decision ismade by a parent. They also admit that the results of their study may differ in case that this decision is made by another person (as stated by the theories which ask for the rejection of the ‘unitary model’ of the household). Regarding the role of the family’s decision to the child labour, J. G.Scoville presented a model of the above decision based on the use of mathematical symbols in order to represent the real facts. In his model, there are factors (such as the social or economic class, race,ethnicity, caste or color) that define the family utility function andin this way they can cause important implications to labour market segmentation (J. G. Scoville, 715) Regarding the existence and the extension of the child labour, M.Murshed states that two are the basic issues that need to be examined in order to achieve a comprehensive analysis of the problem. The first issue includes the mechanisms under which the family decides to send a child at work. The second one is the reason for which the employers demand child laborers. In order to explain the first issue, M. Murshed uses the theory ofBecker’s, known as ‘A theory of the Allocation of Time’, which presents a model for studying the household decision-making process. In the above model Becker’s suggests that the decision of the family is based to the needs of the household. Whenever an extra income is consideredas necessary, family decides to send the child at work. In this model both wages of children and adults contribute to family resources. As for the second issue, M. Murshed (179) argues that employer tend to demand child laborers because ‘they are less aware of their rights,less troublesome, more willing to take orders and to do monotonous work without complaining. Another factor is also that children work forlower wages and are not in a labour union because they work illegally’. M. Hazan and B. Berdugo (2002, 811) examined the dynamic evolution of child labour, fertility and human capital in the process of development. Their analysis is based on the following assumptions: a)parents   ‘control their children’s time and allocate it between labourand human capital formation’, b) parents care about the futureearning’s of their children, c) the income that is generated by children is given to parents’ and that d) child ‘rearing is time intensive’. According to their findings, in early stages of development, the economy is in a development trap while child labour is abundant, fertility is high and output per capita is low.   On the other hand, the increase in the wage differential (between parental and childlabour) ‘decreases fertility and child labour and increases children’seducation. As a final result, child labour tends to decrease as the‘household’s dependency on child labour’s income diminishes’. The ‘welfare economics’ approach tries to examine the child labour from the scope of investment and time allocation within the household. According to this theory, the time of the child (the non-leisure one)can be used either for school attendance and/or for work. The family makes a decision for the allocation of the child’s time (i.e. for one of the above mention activities) after the calculation of the difference between the marginal benefit of the child labour (i.e.earnings and saved costs of schooling) and the marginal cost (in terms of foregone return to human capital investment). If the first of the above elements is estimated as having a higher price than the second one, then the family decides the participation of the child to the labour market (see also M. Majumdar, 2001). The decision of the parents regarding the entrance of their children tothe labour market can – under certain circumstances – be unefficient.According to Ballard and Robinson (2000) the above decisions areefficient when the credit market is perfect and the intergenerational altruistic transfers are nonzero. On the other hand, when there are liquidity constraints or the altruistic transfers are at a corner,these decisions are considered as inefficient. A. Bommier and P. Dubois(2004) critically evaluated the views of Ballard and Robinson andargued that the decisions of the parents could be inefficient even ifthe credit markets are perfect and there are altruistic transfers. More specifically, they argued that when parents are not altruistic enough,there is a ‘rotten parents effect’ in which parents ‘rationally sacrifice some childhood utility’ and ‘choose a level of child labour that is inefficiently high’. V. Evidence related with the phenomenon of child labour The child labour has been the subject of a thorough study and research and there are a lot of theories that have been stated in aneffort to define the causes of the specific problem. Towards thisdirection there have been a number of facts or existing situations thathave been used to explain the relation of the child labour with somespecific factors . One of the most known reasons for the existence andthe increase of the problem is the poverty of the household which is related with the general aspect of the modern way of life (as it hasbeen formulated under the influence of the technology) and also the fact that parents when have a low level of income   do not tend to invest in the education of their children in order to achieve a high level of return (education can help to the improvement of the status of life through the increase of the level of consumption). We could also state that the income of the children can help toameliorate the conditions of life of the family and this could be thereason why the children tend to leave the school and work when their family is under severe financial pressure. This is an opinion that tries to explain the child labour through the life circumstances of a child and aims to smooth the negative consequences of the child labour. Although the poverty   is usually presented as the main reason for thechild labour , there are some aspects that need to be taken intoaccount when examining the problem. First of all, we cannot define withaccuracy the financial benefit of a family from a child’s work. Of course, child labour can help to the amelioration of the family’s financial situation, however it is not obvious how much worse off afamily would be if the children were in school. On the other hand, we could not specify the time needed for the economic development to beachieved in order for the child labour to be abolished. More specifically it seems that there is no consistent threshold of economic development, which preceded the decline of child labour to suggest the implied relationship between economic growth and declice of child labour (M. Majumdar). In such a case, the argument about the poverty criterion of child labour can loose its significant content. We should notice that, no matter which is the financial situation of the family,even in cases of exremely low level of living, the participation of thechild to a work that could characterized as ‘hazardous’ cannot bejustified as the protection of the child’s rights are a priority. Moreover, the child labour although can help temporarily to theconfrontation of the poverty – up to a specific point – however, it canalso create the basis for the development of property by generatingpoor people to the next generation. If the child returns to school theyhave more chances to a higher level of earnings in the future or at aleast to a job that will secure their living to certain standards(avoiding the condition of poverty). The combination of these two factors could also create a better investment and a greater security of income for the family by eliminating the obstacles of poverty. The relationship between the poverty and the child labour is not absolutely proved. S.E. Dessy and D. Vencatachellum examined the issue using a sample of 83 countries and found that the coefficient of correlation between the incidence of child labour and the logarithm of gross national product is –0.74. In this way, they were directed to the assumption that child labour declines with economic prosperity, as parents feel relaxed regarding the credit constraints. However, at a next level, they found that there are countries with similar levels of gross domestic product per capita that differ in the percentage of child labour. In fact, some of them report no child labour, where as others report a high level. This assumption is also in accordance withthe view of Anker (2000) who stated that although poverty is positively correlated with child labour, there are also other factors that can reduce the school enrolment rate of a country. Hussain M. and Maskus K.E (2003) used a series of data from 64 countries in the period 1960 – 1980 to investigate a series of testable hypotheses about the causes of child labour. Their research showed that the incidence of child labour is negatively related to parental huma ncapital and education quality, but it is positively correlated with education cost and also that countries with higher amounts of child labour tend to have lower stocks of human capital in the future. They also found that there is a convergence phenomenon between the level and growth of human capital, i.e. the lower the current stock of human capital, the higher is current child-labour use and the fasted is the growth rate of human capital. G. Hazarika and A. S. Bedi (2003), examined the relationship between the schooling costs and the extra household child labour supply and found that these two elements are positively related.   Moreover, the intra-household labour of children engaged in market work evaluated as unresponsive to changes in schooling costs. This happens maybe,according to Hazarika and Bedi because parents tend to consider children’s extra household labour and schooling as substitutes while they view intra household child labour activity differently. But if the parents could evaluate the intra-household child labour as an activity that offers more benefits than just an increase of the household consumption, then it could be a relationship between the intra-household child labour and the schooling costs. As for Pakistan(where this research refers) the intra-household child labour and schooling are not substitutes. We should also mention the importance of social norms and the cultureto the appearance and the extension of the child labour. The above analysis has to be done under different variables for the rural areas as opposite to the urban areas. Children that live in the first environment tend to help to the everyday activities in the farm and asa result, their work under these circumstances is presented as justified and necessary. As for the social norms, their role is considered as very important to the financial growth, as they have to power to influence the economic and social behaviour of the vastmajority of people. The most indicative example of their influence isthe fact that in areas where the work of children is accepted by thepeople, then the decision of a parent to send his child to work can bemuch more easy. Another very important aspect of the child labour is that is usually associated with the child abuse. Under this aspect, the reasons for the participation of the children to the labour market can be found in the demand of employers for cheap laborers and in the existence of selfish parents who do not mind sending their children to work if – in that way– there are more chances for them (parents) to rest. According to K.Basu and P. H. Van, although the child abuse does occur in allsocieties, the phenomenon of the child labour as a mass in most of developing countries is much more related with the poverty that characterises these countries. They refer to the example of England(late eighteenth and early nineteenth century) where parents had to send their children to work because they were obligated from the circumstances (poverty) to do so. VI. Conclusion The existence and the rapid extension of the phenomenon of child labour seems to be connected with the a series of external factors(like the low economic growth or the unadequate social policies of aspecific country) however it can be assumed by the analysis made abovethat it is also directly depended on the child’s ‘close’ social environment, i.e the family. It’s for this reason that the measures taken towards its elimination have to be referred into both these areas. The two sides have to co-operate and act simultaneously in order to confront this very important problem. The ‘solution’ (as it is often presented) of the child labour has to be interpreted under different criteria regarding the specific circumstances that it will have to occur. Although in certain occasions the entrance of the child in the labour market seems to be the only left choice, we have to bear in mind its particular physic and mental weakness (that follows its age) and evaluate the consequences for such a decision. In any case, we have to consider that a workplace that operates normally with the use of adult laborers can have negative effects when the issue refers to a child. Although the problem of the child labour is very important to its nature and its extension, the measures taken to its elimination don’t seem to produce any result. The conflict of interests towards its continuation has a great responsibility to it. And these interests refer to different parties (external and internal as mentioned above).This reality must be admitted and the efforts should be directed to the modification of the existing conditions trying not to confront directly the problem but asking the parties involved to participate to its solution by offering them a satisfactory exchange for their help. References Admassie, A., ‘Explaining the high incidence of child labour inSub-Saharan Africa’, Development Review, Dec2002, vol. 14, issue 2, p.251 Amin, S., Shakil, Quayes, M., Rives, J. M., ‘Poverty and otherdeterminants of child labor in Bangladesh’, Southern Economic Journal,April2004, vol. 70, issue 4, p. 876 Anker, R., ‘The economics of child labor: a framework for measurement’, International Labour Review, 2000, 139, 257-280 Baland, J.M., Robinson, J.A., ‘Is Child Labor Inefficient?’, Journal of Political Economy, 2000, 108, 663-679 Bommier, A., Dubois, P., ‘Rotten parents and child labor’, Journal of Political Economy’, Feb2004, vol. 112, issue 1, p. 240 Brown, D. K., ‘Child labour in Latin America: Policy and evidence’, World Economy, June2001, vol. 24, issue 6 Dessy, S.E., ‘Explaining cross-country differences in policyresponse to child labour’, Canadian Journal of Economics, Feb 2003,vol. 36, issue 1, p.1 Emerson, P. M., Souza, A. P., ‘Is there a child labor trap?Intergenerational persistence of child labor in Brazil’, Economicdevelopment cultural change, Jan2003, vol. 51, issue 2, p. 375 Hazan, M., Berdugo, B., ‘Child labour, fertility and economic growth’, Economic Journal, Oct2002, vol. 112, issue 482, p. 810 Hazarika, Gautam, Bedi, A.S., ‘Schooling costs and child work inrural Pakistan’, Journal of Development Studies, June 2003, vol. 39,issue 5, p. 29 Hussain, M., Maskus, K.E., ‘Child Labour Use and Economic Growth: aneconometric analysis’, World Economy, vol. 26, issue 7, p. 993 Kaushik, B., ‘The economics of child labor’, Scientific American, Oct2003, vol. 289, issue 4, p.84 Kaushik, B., Van P. H., ‘The economics of child labor’, The American economic review, June 1998, vol. 88, no. 3, p. 412-427 Kaushik, B., ‘Child labor: cause, consequence and cure, with remarkson International Labor Standards, Journal of Economic Literature,Sep1999, vol. 37, p. 1083-1119 Latin Trade, ‘Condemned’, Oct2004, vol. 12, issue 10, p.68 Lopez-Calva, ‘Child labor: Myths, theories and facts’, Journal of International Affairs, Fall 2001, vol. 55, issue 1, p. 59 Majumdar, M., ‘Child labour as a human security problem: evidence from India†, Oxford Development Studies, vol. 29, no. 3, 2001 Mattioli, M. C., Sapovadia, V. K., ‘Laws of Labor: core laborstandards and global trade’, Harvard International Review, Summer 2004,vol. 26, issue 2, p. 60 Murshed, M., ‘Unraveling child labor and labor legislation’, Journal of International Affairs, Fall2001, vol. 55, issue 1, p.169 News, The (Mexico), ‘Child labor in Mexico contributes almost 2 billion dollars to economy’, Sep 26, 2001 Occupational Hazards, ‘Group calls for reform of laws governing teen employment’, Aug2004, vol. 66, issue 8, p.15 Palley, T. I., ‘The child labor problem and the need forinternational labor standards’, Journal of Economic Issues, Sep2002,vol. 36, issue 3, p. 601 Payroll Manager’s Report, ‘International retailer is fined for child labor violations’, May 2005, vol. 5, issue 5, p.2 Professional Safety, ‘DOL issues final child labor rules for restaurant, driving roof’, Mar2005, vol. 50, issue 3, p.24 Puskikar, M., Ranjan, R., ‘The Joint Estimation of childparticipation in schooling and employment: comparative evidence fromthree continents’, Oxford Development Studies, Feb2002, vol. 30, issue1, p. 41 Scoville, J. G., ‘Segmentation in the market for child labor: theeconomics of child labor revisited’, American Journal of Economics andSociology, Jul2002, vol. 61, issue 3, p. 713 Xinhua (China), ‘Half Bangladeshi children malnourished: report’, 12/10/2004 Xinhua (China), ‘ISO countries ratify Convention to combat worst forms of child labor: ILO’, 24/5/2004 Xinhua (China), ‘Micro credit program launched to stop child labor in Bangladesh’, 30/10/2003 Xinhua (China), ‘Over 3 million child laborers in Pakistan’, Jul2002 Xinhua (China), ‘Asian countries to co-operate in eliminating child labor’, 3/3/2003 Walsh, M., Sager, I., ‘The world’s workers may catch a break’, Business Week, 14/3/2005, issue 3924, p.12 World IT Report, ‘India to abolish child labour after 2007’, 15/1/2004

Sports in Tibet :: Buddhism Recreation Culture Papers

Sports in Tibet When one hears mention of Tibet certain things initially come to mind, most commonly images of an isolated, peaceful, extremely religious society. One of the last things one would imagine from such a seemingly docile people would be a history deeply entwined with athletic showmanship, yet this actually is the case. Unfortunately most historians overlook this pivotal piece of information when studying the Tibetans’ rich culture and consequently the casual scholar rarely sees this side of the Tibetan people. One of the factors that may have influenced this attitude towards Tibetan sports is that the Dalai Lama has in fact previously banned certain sports citing various religious reasons. This may lead people to believe that the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism, in principal, are against all sport, although in reality many of the Dalai Lamas have been quite the opposite. The banning of certain sports was mainly due to the fear of outside influence corrupting Tibet as o pposed to actual problems with the sports themselves. Tibetans have a strong historical bond with sport and use religion as an excuse to expel foreign authority. Sports have played an integral role in defining the culture of Tibet. They are commonplace at the various religious festivals throughout the year. Oftentimes entire religious festivals are based around traditional athletic sporting events. Sir Charles Bell, an English diplomat who was an intimate of the thirteenth Dalai Lama, witnessed one of these annual festivals noting that, During the concluding days of the ‘Great Prayer’ there were sports of various kinds, gun-firing and arrow-shooting on galloping ponies, a pony race without riders, a foot-race over a 6-mile course, wrestling, and the carrying of a heavy weight. These sports are presided over by two masters of ceremonies, who are chosen from the youngest officials just beginning their career. They are attended by a large staff, including six Maids of Honour chosen from the ladies of Lhasa.[1] Heinrich Harrer, another westerner who found himself immersed in Tibetan culture, witnessed a similar annual festival, this one taking place during the Tibetan New Year.[2] Both of these festivals show the deep connection between religious activities and athletic events. The sporting events not only take place during religiously significant festivals but they are presided over by monks and other religious figures. Sports in Tibet :: Buddhism Recreation Culture Papers Sports in Tibet When one hears mention of Tibet certain things initially come to mind, most commonly images of an isolated, peaceful, extremely religious society. One of the last things one would imagine from such a seemingly docile people would be a history deeply entwined with athletic showmanship, yet this actually is the case. Unfortunately most historians overlook this pivotal piece of information when studying the Tibetans’ rich culture and consequently the casual scholar rarely sees this side of the Tibetan people. One of the factors that may have influenced this attitude towards Tibetan sports is that the Dalai Lama has in fact previously banned certain sports citing various religious reasons. This may lead people to believe that the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism, in principal, are against all sport, although in reality many of the Dalai Lamas have been quite the opposite. The banning of certain sports was mainly due to the fear of outside influence corrupting Tibet as o pposed to actual problems with the sports themselves. Tibetans have a strong historical bond with sport and use religion as an excuse to expel foreign authority. Sports have played an integral role in defining the culture of Tibet. They are commonplace at the various religious festivals throughout the year. Oftentimes entire religious festivals are based around traditional athletic sporting events. Sir Charles Bell, an English diplomat who was an intimate of the thirteenth Dalai Lama, witnessed one of these annual festivals noting that, During the concluding days of the ‘Great Prayer’ there were sports of various kinds, gun-firing and arrow-shooting on galloping ponies, a pony race without riders, a foot-race over a 6-mile course, wrestling, and the carrying of a heavy weight. These sports are presided over by two masters of ceremonies, who are chosen from the youngest officials just beginning their career. They are attended by a large staff, including six Maids of Honour chosen from the ladies of Lhasa.[1] Heinrich Harrer, another westerner who found himself immersed in Tibetan culture, witnessed a similar annual festival, this one taking place during the Tibetan New Year.[2] Both of these festivals show the deep connection between religious activities and athletic events. The sporting events not only take place during religiously significant festivals but they are presided over by monks and other religious figures.

Sparta, not Athens, won the war against Persia Essay -- History

The Greek victory against Persia was largely due to efforts of mainly Athens but also Sparta as well. Athens was responsible for the major turning points of the Persian invasions, while Sparta was responsible for the deciding battle. Miltiades, with his skilful battle strategies, defeated the Persians during their second invasion at Marathon, which gave Athens a confidence boost on their military. During the third invasion, when the Athenians were evacuated to Salamis, Themistocles had devised a plan to trick the Persians which had resulted in Persian army without a supply line. Sparta?s importance had revealed during their sacrifice at Thermopylae and at Plataea, where they provided the most effective part of the army. Athens was an important contributor to the Persian wars. Its tremendous naval power along with their smart and innovative leaders, Miltiades and Themistocles, brought victory in situations which had thought to be impossible. An example of this is the battle at Marathon during the second invasion. The Athenians met the Persian?s large army among the hills, where their cavalry would ineffective, which was their strongest quality. Miltiades, informed by some Ionians that the Persian cavalry was absent, convinced Callimachus to strike. The battle had resulted in a win for Athens, without the help of Sparta and showed the superiority of the Greek hoplites compared to their Persian counterparts. Miltiades, knowing that the Persian?s strongest troops were placed in the middle and absence of cavalry, devised a strategy to encircle their enemy by strengthening their wings. This strategy is what brought victory, and in turn, was a moral victory for the Athens and eradicated the impression that Persians were unbeatable. Th... ...he Persian army, which gave way for the Spartans to shine at Plataea. So without the Athenian naval ships fighting, the war would have been lost as the Greek superior hoplites would have been outweighed by the incredible numbers of the Persians. The war against the Persians was won by both the efforts of Athens and Sparta, but the contribution made by Athens was much more important. The battles at Marathon and Salamis showed that Athens was not second place to Sparta and was capable of holding up their end of the battle. Sparta?s strength and honor as warriors was also an asset as it helped the battle at Plataea run smoothly for the Greeks. However, Athens efforts in the war were much more vital to the victory than Sparta as their victory at Salamis turn the whole war around, which only then gave a chance for Sparta to finally show their ability as fine warriors.

How Communication Affects Relationships Essay

Communication affects relationships at work in a big way. Communicating in a positive manner will give me a very different response to communicating in a negative manner, it is also important that I alter the way i communicate dependant on who I am speaking to as everybody will respond differently to different styles and variations of communication. One of the parts of my job is to communicate with my colleagues. I must insure that as the environment I work in can and often is stressful, that I speak in a calm manner and that I am clear and concise. By doing this I lessen the chance of information that I passed on being misheard or misunderstood and by being calm I have a reassuring effect on my colleagues. When speaking to families of patient I must insure that I an understanding and come across friendly and professional as a good relationship with a patient’s family can have positive effects on the patients because it is important that families understand the patients treatment plan and how they can have positive influence on the patient. I must communicate with the patients in the most effective way possible. As a health Care worker I need to be able to build trust and a good relationship with those I look after. It is important that I use variation of communication skills to relay what I am trying to get across, this will help the patient understand what is be communicated and in turn will help the patient communicate there needs.

Several of the poems from Different Cultures seem to be encouraging people to discover their true selves and their place in society

Several of the poems from different cultures seem to be encouraging people to discover their true selves and their place in society. Love after Love, Hurricane hits England and Search for my Tongue are among those poems. These poems written by different poets encourage people to discover their true selves and their place in society by using many techniques such as interesting word and phrase selection (language), thoughtful imagery to convey messages, using descriptions focussing on sounds and using structure to create an effect. Also, the poets use their own cultural experiences to convey their message especially Hurricane hits England and Search for my Tongue. The three poems are all from different cultures and traditions therefore it is important to look at the cultural context of the poems. Love after Love is a poem wrote by Derek Walcott, much of Walcott's work has explored issues of Caribbean cultural identity. He has remarked, ‘The process of poetry is one of excavation and self- discovery'. Hurricane hits England is a poem written by the Caribbean born writer Grace Nichols, who moved to England in the 1970s and now lives in the coast of Sussex. In 1987, the southern coast of England was hit by hurricane winds, these hurricane winds were rarely experienced in England, in the Caribbean, on the other hand, hurricanes are a regular occurrence and had been part of Grace Nichols' childhood. Concerning the 1987 English hurricane, the poet felt that the voices of the old gods were in the wind, specifically within the Sussex, in fact, for the first time she sensed a closeness to the English landscape like never before, and felt that the Caribbean had come to England. She now feels at home both in Guyana and in England. Search for my Tongue is a poem written by Sujata Bhatt. The poet was born in Gujarat, India, where her ‘mother tongue' or native language was Gujarati. Later, her family lived for some years in the United States, where she learnt English although she now lives in Germany. She wrote Search for my Tongue at a time when she was beginning to worry that she might lose her original language. She has always thought of herself as being in Indian who is outside India. Her mother tongue is, for her, an important link to her family and to her childhood. It is the deepest layer of her identity, she has claimed. The poets use language in their poems to encourage people to discover their true selves and their place in society. Love after love is a poem written in the second person, as if the poet is addressing the reader directly' Writing to ‘you' rather than talking about ‘me' gives the impression that the poet is offering advice to everyone. The poem is full of imperative verbs or commands: ‘sit' (lines 6 and 15), ‘Eat' (line 6), ‘give' (line 8), ‘Take' (line 12), ‘Peel' (line 14) and ‘Feast' (line 15). Derek Walcott is encouraging every reader to go through this process of self discovery, to ‘feast' on the opportunities that one's real self can enjoy, and to ‘sit' and feel comfortable with it. Hurricane Hits England varies its style of language, the first stanza is in the third person whereas the second stanza is in the first person when we ‘hear' the woman's voice. There are some contradictions in the poem. For example, the woman says that the wind is both ‘fearful and reassuring' (line 7), and, at first sight, these two words do not seem to make sense together in what could be called a paradox. This contradiction may be demonstrating that the woman, too, is unsure what her feelings are towards the hurricane, her thoughts are also contradictory. The woman asks many questions between lines 13 and 27, in each of these four questions, the poet is trying to make sense of what is happening. The exclamations towards the end help us to understand how the woman is feeling and contribute to the tone of the poem. She becomes excited, even ecstatic, at the power of the storm and the thoughts it arouses within her, ‘O why is my heart unchained? ‘, (line 27). Questions asked in lines 13 to 27 are answered in the final lines, ‘Come to let me know. That the earth is the earth is the earth'. The poet means that she finally feels at home in England, and that wherever you may find yourself on this planet, you will eventually find peace with your place in society. Search for my tongue uses the word ‘tongue' for many different meanings. The poet, Sujata Bhatt, plays with these different meanings. For example, she imagines that knowing two languages is like having ‘two tongues in your mouth' (line 4) and speaks of her original language as being her ‘mother tongue' (line 5). The poem begins colloquially, using everyday language, but then develops to employing striking imagery and language. The poem begins by appearing to answer a question- ‘You ask me what I mean†¦ ‘ (line1). If you are replying to a question someone has posed, you would use natural speech. However, if you really want to get your message across, you should turn the question back on the questioner- ‘I ask you, what would you do†¦ ‘ (line 3). The poet uses ‘shock tactics' or such striking images to do that. It could be said that if the poem says more or less the same thing twice in two languages, then it might just is well be written in only one language. However, the whole point of the poem would then be lost. The same thing being said in two languages is the key, the poet has ‘two tongues' and she doesn't want to loose one of them. Imaginative imagery is used in all three of the poems to encourage people to discover their true selves and their place in society. In Love after Love the poet uses images of feasting throughout the poem. This is because a meal, especially an intimate one between two people, is an important form of social interaction in which people can get to know each other. Therefore it is natural that the dining room scenario is used for getting to know your true self. This is a very happy poem and presents a particularly positive image of the later years in life, portraying them not as a time of loss, but one of fulfilment and recovery. In Search for my tongue the poet uses the imagery of comparing her tongue with a plant as she develops her ideas. She compares it by using an extended metaphor. You can almost imagine the ‘plant', first in decline, then growing again. This image of the plant is successful because it includes contrasts. Some of the imagery is quite startling, for instance, when she imagines that the ‘mother tongue' might ‘rot and die in her mouth' (lines 12 and 13) as the second foreign language takes over. The lost tongue grows back at night when she dreams in Gujarati, like a plant that appears to have died, but then starts to bud and grow strong again, producing beautiful blossoms. Hurricane Hits England is full of natural imagery, mainly because it is about the effect of the wind on the landscape. For example, ‘trees/ falling heavy as whales' (line 23-24) is effective because the huge trees become like floating sea creatures when the torrential rain that accompanies the hurricane makes the land become almost like sea. There is also a lot of symbolism wrapped up in the imagery, ‘Come to break the frozen lake in me' (line 33). This may indicate that the poet has been ‘frozen' by being away from her own country, so that the arrival of the hurricane can help to ‘break the ice' and allow her to live more comfortably in her new home country. The poets use descriptions focussing on sounds to encourage people to discover their true selves and their place in society. In Love after Love repetition is the device used by the poet in this poem as a sound effect. He repeats some words, or variations of them- ‘mirror' (lines 4 and 14), ‘stranger' (line 7 and 9). ‘love'/ ‘loved'/ ‘love-letters' (lines 7/9/12) and ‘life' (lines 10 and 15). This is the poet's way of emphasising the main stages of the self-discovery process. Hurricane Hits England varies the way it sounds, the first stanza is in the third person whereas the second stanza is in the first person when we ‘hear' the woman's voice. All three poems have their own specific structure, the structures of the poems are organised in orders of ideas in the poem and how they develop. In Love after Love the stanza form is irregular, but most lines are loosely iambic. This means that there is one short unstressed syllable followed by one long stressed syllable. Some of the lines are also quite regular tetrameter- for example, lines 8 and 13. The poem is split into four small sized stanzas whereas Search for my tongue is split into three large stanzas. In the first stanza she tells us how hard it is for her to know two languages and how she has neglected the one she feels most belongs to her. In the second stanza she explains these ideas in Gujarati. In the final stanza she then translates her thoughts for us into English, lines 31-39 meaning something similar to lines 17-30, showing that although her ‘mother tongue' (line 38) dies during the day, it ‘grows back' ( line 31) in her dreams at night, becoming strong and producing ‘blossoms' (line 39). Of all these three poems Hurricane Hits England is the largest. The poem is written in eight stanzas of varying lengths. The lines themselves are also of varying lengths. This irregularity helps us to see how unpredictable the hurricane is, and how unpredictable the woman's thoughts are. The first stanza of the poem is in the third person, as the reader is introduced to the woman, but the majority of it is written in the 1st person. Love after Love, Search for my tongue and Hurricane Hits England are three poems from Different Cultures which encourage people to discover their true selves and their place in society. The poets who wrote the poems do this by, the poetic devices they use, significant use of language and imagery and significant use of style and structure. All of these ideas and style are influenced by the poets' cultural backgrounds.

Human Resources Management and Its Importance Essay

The process of defining HRM leads us to two different definitions. The first definition of HRM is that it is the process of managing people in organizations in a structured and thorough manner. This covers the fields of staffing (hiring people), retention of people, pay and perks setting and management, performance management, change management and taking care of exits from the company to round off the activities. The second definition of HRM encompasses the management of people in organizations from a macro perspective i.e. managing people in the form of a collective relationship between management and employees. This approach focuses on the objectives and outcomes of the HRM function. What this means is that the HR function in contemporary organizations is concerned with the notions of people enabling, people development and a focus on making the â€Å"employment relationship† fulfilling for both the management and employees. Organizational Psychology holds that successful organizations do not owe their success solely to market realities and sustainable competitive advantages. Actually, there is a lot more. Successful companies are those that consider their human capital as their most important asset. Facts and figures are the quantitative elements of successful management, yet the qualitative, i.e. the cognitive aspects, are those that actually make or break an organization. Human Resources Management (HRM) is the strategic management of the employees, who individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the organization. Assuming that the employees of an organization are individuals with own mental maps and perceptions, own goals and own personalities and as such they cannot be perceived as a whole, HRM holds that the organization should be able to employ both individual and group psychology in order to commit employees to the achievement of organizational goals . Aiming to enable the organization to achieve its strategic goals by attracting, retaining and developing employees, HRM functions as the link between the organization and the employees. A company should first become aware of the needs of its employees, and at a later stage, understand and evaluate these needs in order to make its employees perceive their job as a part of their personal life, and not as a routine obligation. To that end, HRM is very crucial for the whole function of an organization because it assists the organization to create loyal employees, who are ready to offer their best. The HRM activities in modern organizations are typically performed in communication with the General Management in an effort to provide a variety of views when a decision must be taken. In that way, decision making is not subject to the individual perceptions of the HR or the General Manager, but it becomes the outcome of strategic consensus. The main goals / responsibilities of HRM are: †¢ To retain low employee turnover rate by inspiring people to work for the company †¢ To attract new employees †¢ To contribute to employee development To achieve these goals, Human Resources Management trains and motivates the employees by communicating ethical policies and socially responsible behaviour to them. In doing so, it plays a significant role in clarifying the organization’s problems and providing solutions, while making employees working more efficiently. On the other hand, challenges do not cease for the HRM. Modern organizations can survive in the dynamic, competitive environment of today only if they capitalize on the full potential of each employee. Unfortunately, many companies have not understood the importance of the human capital in successful operations. The recruitment and selection of the best employees is a very difficult obligation. Even companies that are voted in the top-ten places to work at, often endure long periods of hard work to realize that human element is all an organization should care about. New challenges arise even now for the organization, and it is certain that new challenges will never cease to emerge. Therefore, the use of proper Human Resources techniques is a really powerful way for organizations to overcome these challenges, and to improve not only their quantitative goals but also their organizational culture, and their qualitative, cognitive aspects.

Mentoring and Assessing Essay

Over the last decade the National Health Service (NHS) has continued its drive to optimise health outcomes, reduce health inequalities and conform to nationally agreed best practice in order to provide a more patient centred service. Accordingly, the present culture needed to adapt in a way as to encourage and strengthen clinical leadership and develop a workforce seeking to innovate and continuously improve through learning and research (Department of Health, 2005). Such a projected change within the health service has had a direct impact on nursing careers and nurse education both pre-registration and post-registration and has implications not only for those receiving education but also for those providing education. Through review of nursing education literature, this assignment intends to critically analyse the accountability of mentors in practice, looking at how their role as facilitators of learning and assessment is utilised within my own clinical setting, and how we, as nurses, assess a student’s competence. Furthermore discussions will focus around its impact on pre-registration students, identifying limitations mentors have in applying and reinforcing its importance in current practice. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2008a:p19) define the term ‘Mentor’ as a registrant who has successfully completed an NMC approved mentor preparation programme and becomes responsible and accountable for organising and co-ordinating student learning activities in practice. This includes, supervising students in learning situations and providing constructive feedback, setting realistic learning outcomes and monitoring achievement, assessing total performance including skills, attitudes and behaviours as well as providing evidence and liaising with other colleagues if concerns are identified about the student’s achievement. Literature suggests that using of mentors in clinical placements can assist in the learning process and is it beneficial when a good mentor/student relationship has developed with mutual respect, consistency and partnership (Andrews and Robert 2003, Pulsford 2002). The success of any nursing student within a clinical placement is multi-faceted. This is further enhanced by the complicated nature of education and the perception of competencies to be achieved whether mentee or mentor. The process of moving forward with the knowledge and skill-sets must be supported and nurtured in order to facilitate a standard of care that is deemed safe, competent and most importantly accountable. If as nurses, we are to standardise the learning environment and assessment in practice, then the responsibility and accountability as facilitators of learning is of great importance. The Nursing and Midwifery Council monitor current nursing practice. Its main aim is to protect the public by ensuring that high standards of care are maintained through approving and monitoring the educational programme used to train pre and post-registration nurses (Quinn and Hughes, 2007 p67). Such standards within the nursing profession are set and maintained by documents such as the Code of Professional Conduct (NMC, 2004) and Standards of Proficiency for pre-registration nurses, which need to be met in order to ensure nursing students enter the profession providing safe and effective practice for patients (NMC, 2004). In terms of pre-registration nursing, it has become a crucial role for clinical settings such as my own to ensure that standards of proficiency are met and that student nurses gain a wide variety of experience on clinical placement during their training. The principles behind effective mentoring and effective student learning involve a number of factors, which the NMC incorporates into eight domains that provide standards for supporting learning and assessment in practice (NMC 2008b, Ali and Panther, 2008). These include; establishing effective working relationships, facilitation of learning, assessment and accountability, evaluation of learning, creating and environment for learning, context of practice, evidence-based practice and leadership. This has great implications for mentors as they will assess student’s competence in practice and decide whether they are capable of safe and effective practice (NMC, 2006). Within my own area of clinical practice, consideration of time management, leadership and effective working relationships are deemed particularly important for students to become competent practitioners and enjoy a positive learning experience. Caldwell et al, (2008 p39), suggests that the pressures of clinical commitments and lack of available time effects both the organisation and supervision of students during their clinical placements. Other challenges faced may include inconsistency of nurse educators and performance (Duffy and Hardicre, 2007a p28) and students who do not comply despite support (Duffy and Hardicre, 2007a p 29). Further challenges faced within my own practice a rea and indeed many areas of practice are reluctance to fail a failing student due finding the failing process too challenging or to limited and poor assessment. Studies have shown that students appreciate mentors who are positive and supportive and the relationship that develops between mentor and mentee can be central to the success of the clinical placement (Neary, 2000 and Pulsford et al, 2002). However, it is important to identify that other factors such as, the clinical environment, the complexity of the ward and psychological factors such as anxiety can have an impact on the quality of the student support received together with relationships developed (Andrews and Roberts, 2003, Hand 2006). Whilst mentors face many key professional challenges surrounding the facilitation of learning and assessment within the clinical placement the NMC framework to support students and mentors, by the nature of the document, is not deemed comprehensive enough to consider all aspects of competence assessment (Cassidy, 2009 p46). Research highlights that there are some levels of assessment that remains subjective despite the framework, simply due to the inherent nature of those involved and the variation of the skills to be assessed (Freshwater and Stickley 2004, Clibbens et al 2007). However, further support can be given to the NMC standards to support learning and assessment in practice by documents such as ‘Guidance for mentors or nursing students and midwives; (Royal College of Nursing (RCN), 2007). This toolkit is frequently used in my own practice area as it assists nurses to provide support and strategies. Levett-Jones, Tracy, Lathlean et al (2009, p316) suggest that mentor-mentee relationships are an important influence on students experiences of belongingness and their clinical learning. Notwithstanding, the clinical placement experience accounts for 50% of the pre-registration course, the role of the mentor in facilitating learning and educating is therefore optimised, assessing and supporting learners’ throughout their clinical experience. Neary (2000, p467) in his 1997 study, suggested that students described a mentor as someone to ‘emulate, a person of contact, have a chat with, teacher and guide, assessor and supervisor’. Morton-Cooper and Palmer (2009 p42-43) define the role of a mentor as Advisor, Coach, Counsellor, Guide, Role Model, Sponsor, Teacher and Resource Facilitator. Such essential attributes of the mentors role will enhance the learners’ experience of clinical placement, exert a powerful influence on their thought processes, emotions, behaviour, health and happiness in order to achieve the optimum level of success of experience of learning. Dolan (2003 p141) states that the role of an assessor and facilitator of learning is complicated by the balance and demands of every day duties within the clinical placement, this, in turn leads to the learners’ experience of assessment being fragmented and not prioritised. The supportive role of mentoring is to be objective and unbiased. Quinn and Hughes (2007: p300) note that in assessing the learner, caution should be taken in not feeling that our care is solely to the learner by being generous in assessment and evaluation and conversely not underrating the learner with the perception of the general characteristics of the learner. There is considerable opportunity for the mentor to gain knowledge about the learners’ learning needs, previous experience in order to form strategies to aid further learning, Wallace (2003 p36). Kolb (1985 p38) suggests, knowledge of an individuals’ learning style will enable learning to be effective. If a learning style was identified such as Honey and Mumford’s (1992) which defines learner’s into categories such as Activist, Reflector, theorist and Pragmatist, this might determine how the mentor might choose to teach a skill by either teaching theory first (theorist) or letting the learner experiment (activitist) with a skill first, (Hand, 2006). However, Hand (2006) suggests that only learning which incorporates knowledge and skills will inform practice, and that if there is a lack of knowledge then practice will become unsafe as will lack of skill lead to incompetency. Healthy mentoring relationships often involve some form of accountability and for many, whilst this is great in theory, it remains confusing in practice but makes a healthy contribution to mentoring relationships. Phillip and spratt (2007 p55) suggests that accountability should be based on clear terms, specific goals, objectives and good communication. An open and safe atmosphere will contribute to trust and moves us away from defensive, self-justification or unnecessary self-condemnation attitudes. Accountability should focus on growth, not merely preservation and protection; whilst these are crucial, they can make us more susceptible to failure. Healthy accountability should focus on motivation, helping to visualise growth and take responsibility for modelling and mentoring. Assessment decisions must be evidence based, as mentors, we are accountable for decisions made to either pass, defer or fail a learner, (NMC 2008a:p32). Assessment is defined as the action of evaluating, estimating the nature, ability or quality (Oxford Dictionary 2011). Rust (2002) suggests that assessment includes judgement, which will hold an element of subjectivity; therefore it must be objective, fair and transparent. The mentor is assessing the learners competency which the NMC (2008a) defines as ‘having skills abilities to practice safely and effectively without the need for direct supervision’, this being achieved through periods of clinical experience during the learners’ programme. Practice based assessment is a core method of assessing knowledge, skills and attitudes of students (Wallace, 2003 p 36). Dolan’s study of 2003, (p37) identified that learners’ need to gain the holistic experience of clinical practice in order to achieve some level of competency. The method of assessment must be considered in terms of reliability, validity, acceptability, educational impact, cost effectiveness in order to evaluate the suitability of the assessment itself (Chandratilake et al, 2010). Exposure to a holistic experience gives opportunity for the learner to achieve all aspects of the domains of professional and ethical practice, care delivery, care management and personal and professional development, (NMC, 2004). Assessments may be made by anyone with the clinical placement which could involve the multi-disciplinary team, patients, peers as well as the learners’ self- assessment through reflection, (Gopee 2008:p135). The NMC (2008b) recognise that working with the inter-professional team can offer opportunity for the learner in the formative episodes of assessment. Neary (2000 p474) points out that, skilled practitioners in the clinical setting are dealing with intended and unexpected situations, which will enhance learning and provide opportunity for formative assessment. This illustrates what Quinn and Hughes (2007;p346) describe as an ‘effective’ learning environment in order to develop learning and foster behaviour where the learner may make the most of opportunities for learning and critical judgement. Direct observation is the assessment in which the NMC (2008a) identifies as greater evidence of competency. A formal assessment strategy for direct observation, which is utilised in this author’s clinical setting, is the use of a performance criteria, often Trust wide guidelines and policy, which is a list actions to be demonstrated based on knowledge and skills attained from theory which is evidence based from research and may come from organisations such as the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the Institute for Innovation and Improvement, (Gopee 2008a: p 106-107). When assessing students, it is important to establish four key areas (Hinchliffe, 2009); knowledge skills, performance and motivation. Checklists or performance criteria can service as a useful tool in establishing a level of observational assessment, Quinn ad Hughes (2007). Cassidy (2009 p46) documented that this performance is a list of behaviours which the learner can demonstrate but it does not indicate how well that behaviour was demonstrated. However, this method of using a set criteria to reference against offers, an opportunity to ensure consistency in the mentor’s assessing role in alignment with other mentors’ consistency, otherwise defined by Goppee (2008) as ‘intra- and inter-mentor reliability. Another assessment strategy partly adopted in my own clinical setting is that of continuous assessment. The use of continuous assessment gives the mentor an opportunity to make a cumulative judgement of the learner’s progress and level of knowledge and competence, (Gopee 2008 p40). Neary (2002 p473) suggests that continuous assessment allows the dynamism in the behaviour of the learner in any given situation which may be expected or unexpected. However, Price (2007 p41) suggests that continuous assessment does have its limitations with regards to validity and reliability for numerous reasons including; stress and anxiety for the learner; they may feel that they are constantly being scrutinised by patients, family, relatives and other professionals within the clinical placement. Additionally, Price (2007) notes that at the summative stage of assessment and through the accumulation of information, could influence the assessor to ‘average out’ the learners’ performance leading to an allowance made for weaker performance. To some extent, this author suggests that this strategy of assessment is utilised because the assessor’s role is balanced with dealing with every day duties such as care management and care delivery or liaising with the multi-disciplinary team. However, caution should be taken as this use of assessment may leave the learners’ time fractured and not a priority, (Rutowski, 2007 p40). Indeed, the high demands on day to day role of the assessor nurse was finding by Phillips et al (2000) study which determined that time factor was a dilemma in the assessor making valid or reliable assessments. Another dimension of continuous assessment is self-assessment by the learner. This is what Gopee (2008:p135) suggests is one of the most valuable forms of assessment at the formative stage of learning as it may include informal learning as well as formal learning through the use of reflective diaries. However, while it is recognised as an important part of assessment, Fordham (2005) suggests that the learner may exaggerate or manipulate their evidence of learning which may go unchallenged, especially by a novice mentor, therefore rendering the learning as unreliable. In Neary’s (2000) study, it concluded with a suggestion to a new approach to assessing clinical competence through utilising what she describes as ‘Responsive Assessment’ which offers the learner and mentor opportunity to identify competency through written reports of assessment and judgement within the situational context. This same study suggests that may incorporate views and opinions from other service users including patients and help the assessor and learner identify current learning, acknowledge necessary adjustments and stimulate reflection to aid future learning. From this study, Neary (2000), established that the participating 80 assessors preferred this approach, as it gave flexibility and enabled them to report learning alongside the pre-set academic objectives. This might suggest that this form of assessment might provide support for effective evaluation of learning assessment and judgement. An important aspect of assessment is regular feedback which needs to be organised by the mentor on a regular basis in order to discuss with the learner the outcomes of pre-planned opportunities of learning, discuss situational learning and reflection retrospectively, discuss the learners’ commitment and self-assessment in order to ensure validity of the assessment process, (Wallace 2003). This will also facilitate an opportunity to discuss limitations and remedies such as the difference in aborting assessment as opposed to failing an assessment or whereby it has been identified that the placement has a lack of capacity for certain assessment which can be remedied by arranging with practice educators for clinical experience elsewhere to fulfil this gap, (Price 2007 p41). Failure to discuss and evaluate learning on a regular basis could ultimately result in problems for the learner not being addressed early enough in the placement resulting in mentors’ giving the student the benefit of doubt in certain situations, (Duffy, 2004). The benefactors of competent mentorship are everyone. Government benefits from improved patient care with improved outcomes. The nursing profession benefits as continuity and quality of care is ensured through sound practice founded through supportive and evidence-based learning, thus promoting a better image and greater emphasis on trust. Patients and their families benefit as the mentored nurse provides the best possible care and treatment ensuring best possible outcomes. Achieving standardised, high quality practitioner in student mentoring has long been a priority for the NMC and will continue to do so.