Behavior Modification

Running Head: BEHAVIOR CAN BE MODIFIED BY REWARDS AND REINFORCEMENTS Behavior Modification: Desired Behavior can be Created by Proper Reinforcement Natalie Tamayo CUNY Queens College Abstract This experiment is centered on the notation of Behavior Modification. In this experiment a rat is trained to exhibit a targeted behavior called Roll. The desired goal of the experiment is mold the rat into the behavior of producing rolls whenever the light is turned on.One rat took part in this experiment. There were two precursor behaviors to the desired Roll behavior. One behavior was genital grooming and the other was head tucking. First the behavior of genital grooming was consistently reinforced when exhibited. This behavior, after sometime, led in to the secondary behavior of head tucking. Once the rat began to consistently exhibit the behavior of head tucking the reinforcement for the genital grooming was eliminated.Reinforcements were then only provided for the displayed behavior of head tucking thus encouraging this secondary behavior. When the rat begins head tucking on a fairly often basis this behavior leads into the ultimately desired behavior of rolls. Just as was done with the first precursor behavior, reinforcements were then discontinued for this behavior and were only reintroduced for the behavior of roll. Once the rat had proved that she could consistently roll the last step of this experiment was introduced.This part entailed incorporating the dependant variable of light. Now she would only receive reinforcement when the light was turn on and she rolled. The following hypothesis was supported; desired behaviors can be controlled through proper reinforcement and reward. Method Participants One virtual rat was used in this experiment. She was provided through the Sniffy the virtual rat Pro version 3. 0 CD Rom software. Materials In the virtually simulated world of Sniffy; a cage, a light, a magazine and pellets of food were utilized. Behavior Modification This paper aims analyze what behavior modification is and seeks to provide an insight into the process of behavior modification. It revolves around numerous dimensions of this process which are dependant on numerous theories like conditioning and contiguity. It focuses on behavior modification techniques and provides examples for sufficient understanding of the process.Behavior modification Behavior modification is a term which refers to any process achieved from a certain learning theory which is aimed at changing a person's behavior or the way he or she interacts with the outside world.The specific area of behavior modification which is under focus in this paper is the techniques involved in behavior modification. Secondary research is being used for the collection of data and demonstration of examples. Using the behavioral approach The behavioral approach revolves around three different types of behavioral learning theories which are as follows: Contiguity. The theory of contiguit y suggests that a specific stimulus followed by a particular response tends to be followed by the same response again on reoccurrence.It suggests that the stimulus response connections gain full strength on the first interaction of the connection i. e. contiguity. Repetition neither strengthens nor weakens the connection that has already been developed. Guthrie also based his belief on the law of recency which suggested that an organism would respond to a stimulus in the same way as it responded in the most recent encounter with that stimulus. This idea implied that habits once formed were extremely hard to break. However Guthrie suggested that behavior could be broken i. e.new behavior could be formed on the basis of following techniques: 1. Exhaustion Method: Exhaustion Method/Fatigue Method: suggests one should continue to present the stimulus until an organism is too tired to respond in the habitual way. At this point, either a new response will occur or a new stimulus-response habit will form or the organism will do nothing. 2. Threshold Method: suggests presenting the stimulus so faintly that the organism does not respond to it in the habitual manner. Then gradually increase the intensity of the stimulus so that the organism continues not to respond to it.3. Incompatible Stimulus Method: Present the stimulus when the habitual response can’t occur and will lead to occurrence of incompatible response. Classical conditioning Pavlov in his experiment presented dogs with food and observed the dogs salivary responses to the ringing of bell immediately before food was presented. Initially the dogs didn’t respond unless they were presented the food, however after a certain time the dogs started salivating at hearing the sound of the bell because they had started associating the sound of bell with food.There are two major purposes served by classical conditioning: 1,Conditioning automatic responses for example reducing adrenaline levels in humans wi thout the usage of stimuli that would produce such responses. Secondly for creation of stimuli association. There are two different types of stimuli that can be categorized as secondary stimuli or primary stimuli. Stimuli which result in response without any training are called primary response for example pain and food. Stimulus which leads to a response only after training is called secondary stimulus for example the bell in Pavlov’s case.A trainee has to be taught to like or dislike the secondary stimuli. Application of classical conditioning: Animal trainers use classical conditioning to train animals. Usually dog trainers use a light flicker which flickers at different intervals of time following which the dog is given a treat. Simply flick the light, wait for a moment and then give the dog a treat maybe food. After this has been repeated a few times, one may observe that the animal monitors, stares at the treat or maybe looks at the trainer.This is an indication towards formation of an association. The flickering light then becomes a signal for an upcoming reinforcement. Operant conditioning Operant conditioning results in the creation of an association amongst a specific behavior and a specific consequence. This refers to response stimulus conditioning because it leads to an association development amongst the behavior and its following consequence. Consequences have to be clearly linked to behavior. A reinforce refers to anything which makes an event occur more frequently than usual.An organism tends to repeat behavior when the consequences are positive; these are referred to as reinforcers. Similarly an individual tends to reduce a certain kind of behavior if it leads to unfavorable consequences; these are called punishers. As a result of punishment or reinforcement the following scenarios can prevail: †¢ If something good starts and leads to an increase in behavior it is called positive Reinforcement. †¢ When a good thing is taken aw ay the behavior decreases which is called negative Punishment.†¢ If a bad consequence is presented the behavior will decrease which refers to positive Punishment. †¢ When a bad consequence is reduced the behavior would increase which is known as negative Reinforcement. Behavior modification techniques There are five different categories of activities that revolve around numerous dimensions of behavior modification techniques: Development of a new behavior: For example teaching a child to act in desired ways which he hasn’t exhibited before, successive steps can be rewarded until we have reached or attained the final desired behavior.For example if a child to be taught a certain alphabetical spelling list we can reward the child with candy or a desired toy every time the child learns a spelling. This will eventually lead the child to learn all the constituent words of the list. This process is called SHAPING. According to continuous reinforcement principle to teach a child a new behavior which he has never exhibited an immediate reward should be presented after each correct performance. For example provide a dog with a cookie every time it responds to a stimulus in a desired behavior.The negative reinforcement principle suggests that to increase a child’s performance in particularly desired ways, the trainer should reduce undesirable consequences; this can be done by allowing the trainee to avoid the aversive situation by behaving appropriately. The cueing principle suggests that in order to teach a child to remember how to act at specific times the trainer should arrange for the provision of a cue to the correct performance immediately before the action is expected rather than after its incorrect performance.Strengthen a new behavior: encouraging a child for continuation of performance of a previously established behavior leading to little rewards, gradually requires a longer time period. This refers to decreasing reinforcement principl e. According to variable reinforcement principle, for improvement in a child's performance of a certain tasks the child should be presented with an intermittent reward.For example if a child acts according to the desired manner when sitting on the dining table, providing the child with candy immediately will lead the child to repeat that behavior in future. Maintain an established behavior: according to the substitution principle for changing reinforcers when previously effective rewards are not modifying behavior any longer, the reinforcer should be presented immediately before or immediately after the time the more effective reward is presented.Stop an inappropriate behavior: according to the satiation principle to stop a child from acting in a particular way the child must be allowed to continue the undesired act until it becomes boring and the child gets tired of it. For example if you disapprove of a child’s computer usage patterns and you think it’s leading to ad diction you should try not saying anything and encourage the child to do what he is indulged into and eventually there will be a time when the child will get sick of it and will stop doing so naturally.The extinction principle suggests another way to stop inappropriate behavior i. e. to efficiently eradicate a specific behavior one should create such conditions for the child that he/she receives no rewards following the undesired act. For example if you don’t want your child to talk while eating, every time the child indulges in such activity create such a consequence for him which is extremely undesirable, for example scolding the child. This will eventually lead to extinction of that certain behavioral display.The incompatible alternative principle suggests efficient stopping of a certain behavior in a child can be achieved by rewarding an alternative action, whose simultaneous performance with the undesired act isn’t possible. Modify emotional behavior: the avoidanc e principle states in order for a child to be taught to avoid a certain type of scenario the child should be simultaneously exhibited to the situation that is undesired or any form of its representation and some aversive condition. ConclusionBehavior modification is a technique which has been thoroughly and repeatedly analyzed in numerous experiments. These experiments have proved that following a certain series of modification can lead to a change in the behavior of an organism. References: Dimensions of human behavior by Elizabeth Hutchison, sage Pubns ( March 2003 ) Applied behavior analysis by John O Cooper, William L Heward , Edward R Canda. Prentice Hall (December 2006) An introduction to behavioral endocrinology by Randy J. Nelson, Sinauer associates inc ( March 2003 ) Behavior Modification Running Head: BEHAVIOR CAN BE MODIFIED BY REWARDS AND REINFORCEMENTS Behavior Modification: Desired Behavior can be Created by Proper Reinforcement Natalie Tamayo CUNY Queens College Abstract This experiment is centered on the notation of Behavior Modification. In this experiment a rat is trained to exhibit a targeted behavior called Roll. The desired goal of the experiment is mold the rat into the behavior of producing rolls whenever the light is turned on.One rat took part in this experiment. There were two precursor behaviors to the desired Roll behavior. One behavior was genital grooming and the other was head tucking. First the behavior of genital grooming was consistently reinforced when exhibited. This behavior, after sometime, led in to the secondary behavior of head tucking. Once the rat began to consistently exhibit the behavior of head tucking the reinforcement for the genital grooming was eliminated.Reinforcements were then only provided for the displayed behavior of head tucking thus encouraging this secondary behavior. When the rat begins head tucking on a fairly often basis this behavior leads into the ultimately desired behavior of rolls. Just as was done with the first precursor behavior, reinforcements were then discontinued for this behavior and were only reintroduced for the behavior of roll. Once the rat had proved that she could consistently roll the last step of this experiment was introduced.This part entailed incorporating the dependant variable of light. Now she would only receive reinforcement when the light was turn on and she rolled. The following hypothesis was supported; desired behaviors can be controlled through proper reinforcement and reward. Method Participants One virtual rat was used in this experiment. She was provided through the Sniffy the virtual rat Pro version 3. 0 CD Rom software. Materials In the virtually simulated world of Sniffy; a cage, a light, a magazine and pellets of food were utilized.

Patricia Bath Biography

Patricia Bath, born in 1942, faced many problems dealing with discrimination as she climbed her way to the top in her profession. During her life time she had completed many accomplishments such as, making a safer and more efficient way to help cataract patients. Patricia at an early age had begun to love science because of her mother and her father, who was also the first African American in his profession. As she was pushed by her parents to pursue a successful career, she begun to strive for and use all she had to get to that point in her profession of ophthalmology. In honor of black history month, many students have learned about many happenings that lead up to having this dedication and many people who helped contribute towards it. Patricia Bath from an early age began making decisions to later help her achieve many goals in ophthalmology, which among all others was the Laserphaco Probe. Many problems stood in Patricia’s way as she began to make her first achievements, but many believe that these obstacles just pushed her further (Lindberg, M. D. ). Throughout her life Patricia was the first African-American woman to do many things. She was the first to complete a residency in ophthalmology as an African American. In her department, she was the first female at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute in 1974. Her profession was dealing with those who had cataracts and in 1988 she really contributed in that aspect, she had created the Laserphaco Probe. The Laserphaco Probe is Patricia’s accomplishment that she is most known for. As she began to work on this device, she used it on human cadavers and through many of these tests, she made various modifications (Patricia E. Bath). The Laserphaco Probe then and now uses a laser to more efficiently, effectively, safely, and painlessly remove the cataracts from a person’s eye. Through this she was also the first African-American female doctor to ever receive a patent, much less than in four different countries (Biography Channel). The lasers on this invention vaporized the films on the eye of the patient without doing any or severe damage to the eye itself. Patricia now works as an educator to upcoming ophthalmologists at her new Residency Training Program. Ophthalmology has been her main profession hroughout her life and even after retiring from her original place of work she was elected to the Center’s Honorary staff (Lindberg, M. D. ). As defined by the (Merriam Webster) dictionary her profession is, â€Å"a branch that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. † Another milestone in Bath’s life was that she, â€Å"co-founded the American Institute for the Prevent ion of Blindness, which established that â€Å"eyesight is a basic human right† (Biography Channel). However, to get this far in life education was necessary. Bath went to a variety of colleges ranging from Hunter College to Howard University to Colombia University. Patricia Bath will forever be known as the inventor of a device for cataract surgery, or better known as the Laserphaco Probe. Though facing many obstacles throughout her life Bath overcame them and spun them in her favor to be the first to do many things. To think that this all started with the chemistry set given to her by her mother as a young girl (Biography Channel). Along with her other inspiration she did this, which was the love of humanity and passion for helping others. Bath continues to further help her profession by introducing and inducting new future successors into her field through her training program. Work Cited Page Lindberg, M.D., Donald. â€Å"Patricia Bath.† Changing the Face of Medicine. Harvard Medical School, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 19 Feb 2013. . â€Å"Patricia Bath.† 2013. The Biography Channel website. Feb 20 2013, 01:27 http://www.biography.com/people/patricia-bath-21038525. Patricia E. Bath, MD [email  protected]

Barack Obama Essay Sample

Barack Hussein Obama II. born August 4. 1961. a alumnus of Columbia University and Harvard Law School. is the 44th and current president of the United States. For your information. he is besides the first African American to keep the office. He was a community organiser in Chicago before gaining his jurisprudence grade. He besides worked as civil-rights attorney and instructor before prosecuting a political calling. He was subsequently elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996. functioning from 1997 to 2004. He was elected to the U. S. presidential term in 2008. President Obama continues to ordain policy alterations in response to the issues of wellness attention and economic crisis. Early LifeObama was born on August 4. 1961. at Kapi?olani Maternity A ; Gynecological Hospital ( now Kapi?olani Medical Center for Women and Children ) in Honolulu. Hawaii. and is the firstPresident to hold been born in Hawaii. His female parent. Ann Dunham. was born in Wichita. Kansas. and was of largely English lineage. His male parent. Barack Obama. Sr. . was a Luo from Nyang’oma Kogelo. Kenya. Obama’s parents met in 1960 in a Russian category at the University of Hawai?i at Manoa. where his male parent was a foreign pupil on scholarship. The twosome was married on February 2. 1961 and Barack was born six months subsequently. Obama did non hold a relationship with his male parent as a kid. When his boy was still an baby. Obama Sr. relocated to Massachusetts to go to Harvard University. prosecuting a Ph. D. Barack’s parents officially separated several months subsequently and finally divorced in March 1964. when their boy was 2. In 1965. Obama Sr. returned to Kenya. In 1965. Dunham married Lolo Soetoro. an East–West Center pupil from Indonesia. A twelvemonth subsequently. the household moved to Jakarta. Indonesia. where Barack’s half sister. Maya Soetoro Ng. was born. Several incidents in Indonesia left Dunham afraid for her son’s safety and instruction so. at the age of 10. Barack was sent back to Hawaii to populate with his maternal grandparents. Exceling in School While populating with his grandparents. Obama enrolled in the honored Punahou Academy. stand outing in hoops and graduating with academic awards in 1979. As one of merely three black pupils at the school. Obama became witting of racism and what it meant to be Afro-american. He subsequently described how he struggled to accommodate societal perceptual experiences of his multiracial heritage with his ain sense of ego: â€Å"I began to detect at that place was cipher like me in the Sears. Roebuck Christmas catalog †¦ and that Santa was a white adult male. † he said. â€Å"I went to the bathroom and stood in forepart of the mirror with all my senses and limbs apparently integral. looking the manner I had ever looked. and wondered if something was incorrect with me. † Obama besides struggled with the absence of his male parent. who he saw merely one time more after his parents divorced. when Obama Sr. visited Hawaii for a short clip in 1971. â€Å" [ My male parent ] had left Eden. and nil that my female parent or grandparents told me could rid of that individual. impregnable fact. † he subsequently reflected. â€Å"They couldn’t describe what it might hold been like had he stayed. † After high school. Obama studied at Occidental College in Los Angeles for two old ages. He so transferred to Columbia University in New York. graduating in 1983 with a grade in political scientific discipline. After working in the concern sector for two old ages. Obama moved to Chicago in 1985. There. he worked on the South Side as a community organiser for low-income occupants in the Roseland and the Altgeld Gardens communities Obama honed leading accomplishments as a community militant Barack Obama’s meteorologic rise from the streets of Chicago to the U. S. Senate to winning the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party showcases the alone experiences and accomplishments he has gained in his old ages as an organiser. legislator and community militant. After graduating from Columbia University. Obama worked for a Harlem environmental and consumer protagonism organisation in New York City. In 1985 he was hired in Chicago as a community organiser for $ 10. 000 and a used auto. As a staff member for the Developing Communities Project. Obama worked with churches on the city’s industrial South Side to form workers who had lost their occupations due to the steel factory and mill shuttings. After three old ages in some of the toughest vicinities of Chicago. Obama decided to go to Harvard Law School. assuring to return to these same streets. After being elected the first Afro-american president of the Harvard Law Review. Obama could hold turned his acad emic success into a six-figure occupation with a esteemed jurisprudence house. Alternatively he chose to maintain his promise. He returned to Chicago in 1991 where he joined a little civil rights house and ran a elector enrollment thrust that put 150. 000 new electors on the axial rotations. assisting Bill Clinton carry Illinois in 1992. In 1996 he was elected province senator from his Chicago territory. In the Illinois Legislature. Obama worked with Democrats and Republicans to assist working households get in front by making a province Earned Income Tax Credit. He besides pushed through enlargement of an early childhood instruction plan. He besides played an of import function in outlining bipartizan moralss reform statute law that has made Illinois one of the best provinces in the state for run finance revelation. In 2004 Obama was elected U. S. senator from Illinois. where he has continued to show exceeding leading in facing tough issues. As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. he has strongly supported Virginia Democratic Sen. Jim Webb’s new G. I. Bill that would supply instruction benefits for all veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Showing his ability to make across the aisle. Obama traveled to Russia with Republican Sen. Dick Lugar of Indiana to get down a new coevals of non-proliferation attempts to happen and maintain deathly arms out of the custodies of terrorists around the universe. In his first twelvemonth as senator. Obama scored a 93 per centum evaluation on cardinal legislative issues identified by the UAW. Over his four old ages as senator. he has stood with working households by voting for a rise in the minimal pay. for the Employee Free Choice Act with card-check acknowledgment in brotherhood forming thrusts. and for the right of Medicare to negociate with drug companies to cut costs for seniors. He has besides stood with us to oppose Republican attempts to privatise Social Security. base on balls another â€Å"free† trade pact for Central America ( CAFTA ) and cut Medicaid coverage for the hapless. President Barack Obama and Transformative Leadership Over the past two old ages. we have seen what some have called a transformative presentation of leading. This procedure culminated on January 20th with the startup of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Whether or non you agree with his political relations ( and Prime Business Alert! is unquestionably nonpartizan ) . you have to esteem his journey and appreciate his leading capablenesss. You can besides larn a great trade about effectual leading and sustained. high-ranking public presentation by analyzing his unlikely and meteorologic rise. From low beginnings. holding to predominate over the double â€Å"handicaps† of race and fatherlessness. and overcome two of the most formidable political forces in history ( the Clintons and the Republican Party ) . President Obama showed us that a individual with imaginativeness. finding. and religion could overcome incalculable odds and rise to the highest and most powerful office in the universe. During his full campaigning. he exhibited the leading qualities that led to this landmark accomplishment: * President Obama saw chance where others saw obstructions ; * Saw solutions where others saw jobs ; * Hade assurance when others had uncertainty ;* Had resolve when others wavered ;* Was disciplined when others were slack ;* Stayed composure when others panicked ;* Had hope when others lost religion ;* And. finally. he saw possibility where others saw none President Obama established several indispensable elements in his run. First. he affirmed his leading by doing clear who was in charge. what messages would be communicated. and his committedness to those messages. At the same clip. he was unfastened to thoughts and willing to accommodate when presented with a compelling ground to make so. Second. he set the psychological science of his run. guaranting that it was positive. proactive. and focused. Third. he actively created a civilization of unity. openness. and finding that permeated throughout his run organisation. These specific messages and the manner in which he conveyed them are powerful lessons for you in your leading function at your company. President Obama besides convinced 1000000s of single Americans that they excessively could change their ain personal histories and hereafters. We saw the force of this message in interviews with African-Americans who lived through segregation and the civil-rights motion and in the voices of hope and possibility from immature African-Americans who saw what was one time impossible was now a world and that if he could travel mountains. so could they. And this message reverberated across racial age. gender. and cultural lines. President Obama showed us that. in a universe where the position quo had apparently immoveable inactiveness. alteration could go on. And in a universe that frequently times seems to be whirling out of control. he gave many the bravery to encompass the â€Å"audacity of hope. † This message of possibility and personal authorization from President Obama moved people and caused an unstoppable groundswell of support that propelled him to the Presidency. This same message can authorise your employees to accomplish their ain and your company’s ends and take their public presentation. productiveness. and profitableness to a new degree. President Obama besides showed us that disconnected persons with a common vision could blend into a formidable force. His life and his words inspired 1000000s of antecedently uninvolved Americans to come in the political sphere and stand up for what they believed. But. despite what many people think. inspiration is non his greatest gift. President Obama’s existent strengths are non merely to animate. but besides to inform and transform. He gave people the information and tools they needed to concentrate and direct their inspiration. And so he transformed that inspiration and information into action. By working both low-tech ( boots on the land ) and hi-tech ( the Internet ) means. he created what was surely the most powerful political run in history. As a leader. you can unify your corporate squad in the same manner. First. make a shared vision of what your squad wants to carry through. Making this a collaborative attempt additions â€Å"buy in† and ownership. Second. give your squad the cognition they need to make their occupations separately and jointly to the best of their ability. Third. supply them with the resources to turn their inspiration and information into action. President Obama now faces the most intimidating trial of his leading accomplishments as he attempts to hammer a sense of integrity. where others have tried and failed. in a political civilization that has many political. economic. and cultural cabals. Can he animate. inform. and transform those who have cardinal dissensions with him? To make so. he will hold to marshal all of his singular leading accomplishments. In this clip of crisis. his oratory gifts can animate all Americans to put aside little concerns and work together to get the better of the current challenges at place and abroad. This ability involves bordering dissentious issues in footings that transcend specific political orientations and concentrate on larger cosmopolitan subjects. He began this procedure in his inaugural address when he declared. â€Å"We gather because we have chosen hope over fright. integrity of intent over struggle and strife. † The same sort of divergency of positions can disable a company every bit good. The ability to animate your employees. beat up them around a shared cause. demonstrate regard for all positions. and happen common land is an indispensable accomplishment for supplying leading to a successful company. President Obama’s confident. composure. and commanding presence in these hard times can animate trust that he has America’s best involvements at bosom despite policy differences. His celebrated regard for diverse point of views and willingness to listen to others can besides promote â€Å"buy in† from those less inclined to make so. And his thoughtful and far-reaching responses to issues that impact all Americans can convert even those who might be immune to. at a lower limit. give him a opportunity to turn out himself right. Similarly. a manner of corporate leading that is important. yet empathetic and trusty. can cut down the fires of struggle and promote those with different thoughts to be unfastened to others’ point of views and be willing to happen via media for the good of the person and the company. In the concern universe. there are profound lessons to be learned from analyzing President Obama’s leading capablenesss. By using his accomplishments and schemes to your work. you can make your ain transformative leading experience that can assist you and your company to accomplish its ends. Cultural and political imageObama’s household history. upbringing. and Ivy League instruction differ markedly from those of African American politicians who launched their callings in the sixtiess through engagement in the civil rights motion. Expressing bewilderment over inquiries about whether he is â€Å"black enough† . Obama told an August 2007 meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists that â€Å"we’re still locked in this impression that if you appeal to white folks so there must be something wrong† . Obama acknowledged his vernal image in an October 2007 run address. stating: â€Å"I wouldn’t be here if. clip and once more. the torch had non been passed to a new coevals. † Obama is often referred to as an exceeding speechmaker. During his pre-inauguration passage period and go oning into his presidential term. Obama has delivered a series of hebdomadal Internet picture references. Harmonizing to the Gallup Organization. O bama began his presidential term with a 68 % blessing evaluation before bit by bit worsening for the remainder of the twelvemonth. and finally bottoming out at 41 % in August 2010. a tendency similar to Ronald Reagan’s and Bill Clinton’s first old ages in office. He experienced a little canvass bounciness shortly after the decease of Osama bin Laden. which lasted until around June 2011. when his blessing Numberss dropped back to where they were prior to the operation. Polls show strong support for Obama in other states. and before being elected President he met with outstanding foreign figures including British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Italy’s Democratic Party leader and Mayor of Rome Walter Veltroni. and Gallic President Nicolas Sarkozy. In a February 2009 canvass conducted in Western Europe and the U. S. by Harris Interactive for France 24 and the International Herald Tribune. Obama was rated as the most well-thought-of universe leader. every bit good as the most powerful. In a similar canvass conducted by Harris in May 2009. Obama was rated as the most popular universe leader. every bit good as the one figure most people would trap their hopes on for drawing the universe out of the economic downswing. Obama won Best Spoken Word Al bum Grammy Awards for abridged audiobook versions of Dreams from My Father in February 2006 and for The Audacity of Hope in February 2008. His grant address after the New Hampshire primary was set to music by independent creative persons as the music picture â€Å"Yes We Can† . which was viewed 10 million times on YouTube in its first month and received a Daytime Emmy Award. In December 2008. Time magazine named Obama as its Person of the Year for his historic campaigning and election. which it described as â€Å"the steady March of apparently impossible accomplishments† . On October 9. 2009. the Norse Nobel Committee announced that Obama had won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize â€Å"for his extraordinary attempts to beef up international diplomatic negotiations and cooperation between peoples† . Obama accepted this award in Oslo. Norway on December 10. 2009. with â€Å"deep gratitude and great humbleness. The award drew a mixture of congratulations and unfavorable judgment from universe leaders and media figures. Obama is the 4th U. S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and the 3rd to go a N obel laureate while Challenges and Successs In the 2nd portion of his term as president. Obama has faced a figure of obstructions and scored some triumphs as good. He signed his health-care reform program. known as the Affordable Care Act. into jurisprudence in March 2010. Obama’s program is intended to beef up consumers’ rights and to supply low-cost insurance coverage and greater entree to medical attention. His oppositions. nevertheless. claim that â€Å"Obamacare. † as they have called it. added new costs to the country’s grandiloquent budget and may go against the Fundamental law with its demand for persons to obtain insurance. On the economic forepart. Obama has worked hard to maneuver the state through hard fiscal times. He signed the Budget Control Act of 2011 in attempt to harness in authorities disbursement and forestall the authorities from defaulting on its fiscal duties. The act besides called for the creative activity of a bipartizan commission to seek solutions to the country’s financial issues. but the group failed to make any understanding on how to work out these jobs. Obama has besides handled a figure of military and security issues. In 2011. Obama helped revoke the military policy. known as â€Å"Don’t Ask. Don’t Tell. † that prevented openly cheery military personnels from functioning in the U. S. Armed Forces. He besides gave the green visible radiation to a 2011 covert operation in Pakistan. in which a squad of U. S. Navy SEALs killed ill-famed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Obama made headlines once more in June 2012. when a authorization included in his Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( initiated in 2010 ) was upheld by the U. S. Supreme Court. therefore leting other of import pieces of the jurisprudence to remain integral. The jurisprudence includes free wellness showings for certain citizens. limitations to stringent insurance company policies and permission for citizens under age 26 to be insured under parental programs. among several other commissariats. In a 5-4 determination. the Court voted to continue the authorization under which citizens are required to buy wellness insurance or pay a tax—a chief proviso of Obama’s health-care law—stating that while the authorization is unconstitutional. harmonizing to the Constitution’s commercialism c lause. it falls within Congress’ constitutional power to revenue enhancement. The Supreme Court opinion has been deemed a triumph for Obama. who is approaching the terminal of his first presidental term. Leadership analysis The office of the American presidential term is a multi-faceted business that requires many sorts of leading manners. This hub briefly discusses some of the chapeaus worn by American President Barack Obama over the past four old ages. Largely the article focuses on three wide leading manners including transformational-charismatic. cross-cultural. and contingency-situational leading. Recently. I added the sentiment polls to let you to rate how you think President Obama has faired in these countries and overall. Please experience free to take part. Transformational-charismaticBefore the election. President Barack Obama attracted the attending of American’s and aliens likewise with a apparently magnetic nature. A magnetic leader has an eldritch ability to pull others to his side and travel them to carry through a cause bigger than themselves. A magnetic attack is transformational if it invokes a lasting alteration in the people who embrace the leader’s vision. During his first term. President Obama wooed at least some to his vision by demoing the possible to do a immense difference in both domestic and foreign personal businesss Cross-Cultural-Global Leadership Under the Bush Administration. America’s image lost much of its radiance. This was largely due to a one-sided. ethnocentirc foreign policy espoused by Bush and Cheney. While non taking America’s safety demands for granted. President Obama formulated a more cross-cultural attack to the universe. believing non merely of the US’s involvements but besides the involvements of the other states as good. In the first six months on the occupation. President Obama traveled abroad more than any other president at that point of his disposal and seemed to pay careful attending to cultural norms in the topographic points where he traveled. After his first twelvemonth. the President’s effort to be more compromising to the Middle East. China. and Russia were welcomed by the universe in that he received the Nobel Peace Prize. However. some believe the President’s policies toward the Middle East helped convey about the Arab Spring which resulted in the overthrow of a t least a few pro-American governments. Contingency Leadership During his first few months in office. Mr. Obama non merely displayed culturally sensitive and transformational leading. he responded to assorted state of affairss utilizing different types of leading theoretical accounts. In this manner he modeled what has been described as eventuality leading. When going abroad Obama was compromising. low and disposed to listen before speech production. When he faced the neglecting car industry. he did non soften words but stood tough to name for necessary alterations. This was seen in how he forced GM and Chrysler to accept new MPG criterions and pare down their long-time committedness to NASCAR. Under the heat of the current foreign and economic problems. Obama worked difficult to carry through what he promised understanding that each second he waited may intend a lost place or occupation for another group of citizens. Whether one liked what he did or non. Obama did non shy off from the challenges that faced him when he accepted the occupation as president. Personaility Profile Sarah Moore and Angela Rodgers. pupils at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph. Minn. . did a research undertaking on â€Å"The Personality Profile of President Barack Obama: Leadership Implications† and presented the consequences at the 6th one-year Minnesota Private Colleges Scholars at the Capitol event. Feb. 19. in the State Capitol rotunda. St. Paul. Minn. The profile revealed that Barack Obama is ambitious and confident ; modestly dominant and assertive ; suiting. concerted. and agreeable ; slightly surpassing and congenial ; and comparatively painstaking. The combination of ambitious and suiting forms in Obama’s profile suggests a â€Å"confident conciliator† personality complex. Leaderships with this personality paradigm. though self-confident and ambitious. are characteristically gracious. considerate. and benevolent. They are energetic. capturing. and agreeable. with a particular endowment for settling differences and a penchant for mediation and via media over force or coercion as a scheme for deciding struggle. They are driven chiefly by a demand for accomplishment. but besides have significant association demands and a modest demand for power. The survey offers an through empirical observation based model for expecting Obama’s public presentation as main executive. The undermentioned general anticipations sing Obama’s likely leading manner can be inferred from his personality profile: * Ambitious. self-confident. gracious. considerate * Preference for mediation and via media over force or coercion as a scheme for deciding struggle * High demand for accomplishment ; moderate demand for association ; low demand for power * More matter-of-fact than ideological * More task- than relationship oriented* Likely to move as a strong advocator in his disposal. utilizing his powers of persuasion to progress his policy vision * Preference for garnering information from a assortment of beginnings instead than trusting entirely on advisers and disposal functionaries * In covering with members of Congress. may demo penchant for avoiding unneeded struggle by seeking to stay above the disturbance in heated. extremely dissentious arguments * Preference for jointing and supporting his policies in individual instead than trusting on staff and disposal functionaries to talk for him President Obama’s 14 Leadership Traits01. Bearing02. Courage ( moral and physical bravery )03. Decisiveness04. Dependability05. Endurance06. Enthusiasm07. Enterprise08. Integrity09. Opinion10. Justice11. Knowledge12. Loyalty13. Tact14. Unselfishness He is one of the few US Presidents that was non born into wealth. He will stay an inspiration for immature draw a bead oning leaders. He achieved the Presidency through excellence in leading and those same leading accomplishments will enable him to surpass those that lack such abilities and suitably airt US involvement both internally and abroad.

Alignment of staffing strategy with organizational strategy Essay

Alignment of staffing strategy with organizational strategy - Essay Example Human resource professionals deal with such areas as employee recruitment and selection, performance evaluation, compensation and benefits, professional development, safety and health, forecasting, and labor relations. Some of the challenges today in human resource management are maintaining a diverse workforce, dealing with major technological changes, keeping up with governmental regulations, handling corporate restructuring and downsizing, and formulating strategies essential to personnel management. As a result, many executives have suggested that effective Human Resources (HR) strategies are one of the most important aspects of successfully implementing organizational strategy within the company. For the past decades, there have been profound changes on how the role of the people in business success has been perceived. These changes have promoted the view that people management is important in maximizing organizational capabilities and should be integrated with the strategic aims of the business. One of these notable changes includes the reinvention of the government, which emphasizes on the need for performance measurement, increased efficiency and enhanced political accountability (Osborne and Gaebler, 1992). In the aspect of personnel administration, this change implies the significance of political efficiency and responsiveness as values. Moreover, the reinvention of the government had introduced the need for personnel administrators to work in coordination with other systems, which in turn leads to objective attainment and cost control. Change has brought about many important goals of HRM into view. For An example of which is the significance of labour productivity. Some authors have pointed out that labour productivity should be seen as the major goal of an organisation's labour management (Osterman, 1987). It is the touchstone against which every human resource policy should be evaluated. Thus, in formulating certain HR policies, integrating means that will promote greater productivity or cost-efficacy, should be taken into account. Aside from labour productivity, change has also introduced the need for organisational flexibility. Within this term, the word organisational is used as employers usually seek forms of flexibility that extend beyond, but cover, their employee relations (Streeck, 1987). Within the aspect of organizational flexibility, two related factors should be considered. These are short-run responsiveness and long-run agility. Short-run responsiveness involves financial and numerical flexibility. I t also includes the attempt to employ workers who are multi-skilled or cross-trained. This functional flexibility aids the organisation to maintain lower headcount but cope better with marginal improvements in production processes or product design. Long-run agility on the other hand, is more powerful yet conceptually ambiguous (Dyer and Shafer, 1999). This factor refers to the ability of the firm to learn within an environment that changes rather drastically. Strategic Staffing in an Organization It can be said that human-resource planning is a challenge because the needs of the organization are constantly changing and sometimes do not converge and such challenge can be greater if the Strategic Staffing pool is limited or

Milk Is Not Good For You Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Milk Is Not Good For You - Essay Example In fact, being critical of milk in the United States is akin to attacking motherhood, baseball, or even apple pie. However, this is exactly what this paper seeks to do. Basing on research, on milk, from various journals and using the study results of various experienced doctors, one is best advised to avoid completely milk and milk products. While everyone likes a good, cold ice cream, the effects that it has on one’s health should influence decision-making (DuPuis 22). This paper will seek to explore the documented ill effects of milk and provide reasons for the avoidance of milk at all costs. In the medieval times, in England, parents would fasten the feet of rabbits around the necks of their babies to ward off illness. The doctors also believed that spitting on the wounds of a patient worked since saliva supposedly had healing properties. In fact, history is filled with many health beliefs that are not founded on fact and, to the detriment of society; the myth on milk is a common myth that is the most tenacious (Casabona & Epifanio 33). Milk and milk products are more than a simple drink; they are a cultural phenomenon, which is traceable through the last thousands of years. The myth on milk’s unending benefits is still resonating loud and clear with the average child in the United States consuming at least 104 quarts of milk and milk products (Casabona & Epifanio 33). This myth on milk has spread across the globe, and it has been based on the belief that this drink, rich in calcium and protein is fundamental in support of good overall health and, particularly, the health of bones at all ages (Tremblay & Gilbert 96). This confusion with regards to the benefits of milk, imaginary or not, can be understood as stemming from the fact that milk contains around 300 mg of calcium per cup. However, scientific studies indicate that there are detrimental assortments of health effects, which can be linked directly to the consumption of milk. The most surp rising of these links is that taking milk, in particular milk that has been pasteurized, does not lead to absorption of the present calcium. In fact, making matters even worse, drinking pasteurized milk leads to loss of calcium from the bones, which is ironical (Tremblay & Gilbert 96). Calcium loss from bones happens in several ways. The most serious happens because milk, like all proteins from animals, leads to a drop in blood pH that, in turn, leads to a biological correction (Walker et al 1011). This is because, while calcium is a good neutralizer of acid and the biggest calcium store in the mammalian body is the bones, the calcium that is required by the bones in order to stay healthy is needed to correct the acidification caused by milk. When this calcium is removed from mammalian bones, even after neutralization is through, it leaves the blood through the urine and leads to a net result of a calcium deficit in the body. It is for this reason that countries with low milk consum ption like Japan have relatively lower incidences of fractures afflicting their population. The sad truth, however, is that the majority of healthcare practitioners tend to ignore facts such as these that are proven. This leads to doctors prescribing lots of milk for patients who suffer from osteoporosis, which leads to a worsening of the population’

Designer Babies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Designer Babies - Essay Example The author focuses on attracting and maintaining the audience’s attention. The title of the essay, â€Å"Designer Babies†, can elicit the audience’s interest and maintain it throughout the article as they strive to comprehend the circumstances surrounding the designing of babies. The article is logically organized into introduction, body, and conclusion that are crucial elements of a well-structured essay. The thesis statement is found in the first paragraph where the author argues that some people accept sex selection for children, â€Å"Some people already argue that using that to select the sex of your child is fine, or perhaps for medical reasons† (Sandel Para 1). However, researchers have not addressed other issues such as physical appearance and intelligence. Another feature that makes the article rather captivating constitutes excellent transitions between paragraphs and effective use of rhetoric questions. Paragraph transitions are organized in such a way that they answer questions posed in the previous paragraphs, or pose a question for discussion in the paragraph. Questions are vital in this essay as they help in engaging the reader as the article progresses. The writer does not use numbering in the article, but organizes the essay into varying lengths of paragraphs with smooth transition between paragraphs. Long paragraphs are used to explain the author’s ideas, while short paragraphs at the end of the chapters are used to summarize ideas and giving conclusive solutions to the questions. Sandel refers to historical events when discussing his opinions to support his views. â€Å"What’s the moral of the story of the dark history of eugenics?† The author hooks the readers by effectively posing questions in the arti cle. Sandel effectively apply logos, which appeal to the audience’s logical reasoning (Halmari 6). Sandel begins his essay by investigating the morality in selecting the genes that can be used to shape the

GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS - Essay Example It started when the US sub-prime mortgage market collapsed due to the default on payments. A sub-Prime mortgage is a loan made for homes to borrowers who are not eligible for prime home loans because they either do not have sound credit history or have non at all. For example, people with low incomes, low bank transactions, history of defaults or unemployment, can use these mortgage loans to purchase homes. These loans are generally given out by lenders on higher interest rates, additional fees, penalties for early satisfaction of the loan and other additional costs such as adjustable interest rates (ARM). With such instruments where the borrowers do not have a credit history for the borrowers to base heir decisions on, there is a high risk of default. What was once known as the leader and a strong entity of the economy in 2007, the real estate business took a complete nosedive, which was not expected as the values of houses had not declined since World War 2 and were on a continuous rise after the great depression, and thus, lead to the liquidity crunch in the US market. The mortgage taken by investors had real estate as collateral which eventually lost all its value and hence defaults on payments occurred. The demand for houses increased also during 2001 because the federal government reduced the interest rates, it was the lowest in 2001. This allowed people to invest in more houses and people started buying vacation houses and second homes. The builders continued building more and more houses even after the demand for property started to decrease after a while. The property market became so overvalued that finally the market collapsed, resulting in a rapid decrease in the rates properties and property demands. (University of Iowa, 2008) Many Credit Rating agencies also played a major role in the event. The Mortgage backed securities which were in great demand in the early 2002, continued with the increasing demand and although

GM Food Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

GM Food - Annotated Bibliography Example The statistics therein would provide information to validate such criticisms. In this article, the authors argue for safety of GM foods which they refer to as genetically engineered, GE foods. With a background of what GM foods are and their production, the authors appreciate that genetic modification of crops could pose a threat to human health. However, it refutes that the GE foods in distribution are a threat to human health. The article argues against the traditional approaches of examining safety of GM foods on animals as being impractical and as such recommends modern scientific approaches. Such approaches are used by various agencies in the US responsible for regulation of GM foods hence their safety. This is a useful article to affirm that GM foods in distribution are safe and refute findings from studies on animals being inferred to humans noting that GM foods pose health

Global consideration Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Global consideration Paper - Essay Example Since majority of HRM theories and practices, which are used by global organizations, have instigated from developed countries, most of the growing business organizations while expanding their business in the developing countries choose to use these HRM practices abhorrently while ignoring the primary differences such as socio-cultural constraints. Therefore, while entering into the Indian market, Starbucks must also adapt to HRM concepts and practices that are parallel to the Indian culture by keeping in view the social and cultural factors. These factors are as following; Language issues: Indian middle class population (target market of Starbucks in India) is perhaps a very educated one. Language barriers can almost be neglected in most of the areas since English is generally spoken as well as Hindi1. However, there are some states in India where local languages are given more preference. Gender Issues: India is generally considered as a male dominated society where women are thought off as the sole care-takers inside homes. While attempting to build a homogenous workforce, Starbucks' HRM may face serious gender issues since men generally do not feel comfortable while working under women dominance in India. Religious practices: As discussed earlier, India is a mixture of

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report Analysis Research Paper

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report Analysis - Research Paper Example It is knowledge-based and aims at leveraging its core capabilities or skills so that they may broaden the understanding of the global trends in CSR. Hershey’s strategy, which is founded on the company’s value, is open to changes and focuses on partnerships that are in alignment with their culture, helps the company in advancing their growing global businesses. Hershey’s has also partnered with several companies in the solving issues arising from climate change, resource scarcity and human rights. The company’s management has realized there is a need for them to proactively comprehend and address their neighbor’s issues when doing business with them. Hershey’s has also been making noteworthy progress in the achievement of their CSR goals while building sustainable platforms for ensuring the company’s growth. This has been achieved through the foundation of strong beliefs in the company’s values and distinct heritage. The fundamen tal principles that guide the company’s CSR strategy to success are founded on talent or resource management and responsible sourcing. In managing the company’s CSR strategy, they use talented or experienced teams, an aware or engaged workforce, revitalized business strategies and confectionery products that are world-class. Hershey’s has made an impact on seventy countries in Asia, America and South America through the use of effective marketing, sale, distribution along with manufacturing operations. Finally, the company’s CSR strategies focus on their marketplaces, the environment, workplaces and the community (The Hershey Company, 2011). B. Brief Summary of the Report, Noting Significant Achievements, Actions and Goals. The report provides information on the company’s profile and the strategies of achieving their CSR objectives. It also provides their CSR’s towards the marketplaces, environment, workplaces and the community. The report p rovides that the company’s goals include producing high-quality products or selling them at fair prices and providing work that is meaningful while offering fair wages to their employees. Its other goals include giving back to the communities in their areas of operation and being good stewards of land and the resources obtained from it. The report indicates that the company has been able to launch factories in America, Asia and Latin America to enable them to handle their markets more effectively. They have also achieved success in other operations in the nonmanufacturing sector by opening up administrative offices in other parts of the globe which include Japan, Singapore, Dubai and the Philippines. The company report stipulates that it has also managed to expand their source for raw materials to countries like Nicaragua, Cameroon, Cote d’ivoire, Indonesia and Jamaica. Its reports indicate that the company has been able to gain their customers trust and have also incr eased their research efforts in order to satisfy their customer’s needs more appropriately. In addition, it indicates that the company has been able to satisfy their employees thereby improving on their productivity while providing suitable returns to the investors. These achievements have in turn enabled Hershey’s to closely collaborate with its business partners in finding solutions to the problems that the different

Education Reform Essay Example for Free

Education Reform Essay Introduction 1. How many of you had a senior class with a 100% graduation rate? 90%? 80%? 70%? Less than 70%? I graduated in 1985, tenth in my class. There were 500 kids in my senior class, and all but three of us graduated. That’s over a 99% graduation rate. Yet, we had been told just two years prior that our schools were not doing their jobs, and that we would be the first generation that would not exceed our parents’ generation educationally. What does that say about your generation? Is it your fault? Or your teachers or parents? Is it because of or in spite of education reform? 2. Today I will speak to you about education reform. First, I will discuss a bit of the history of reform, especially in the latter half of the 20th century. Next, I will speak about how the reform of today is actually hurting both students and teachers, and creating problems for future generations. Finally, I will talk about some possible solutions to give teachers more autonomy in teaching and children more joy and interest in learning. 3. I am qualified to speak about this topic because of my own experiences with education reform, the past ten years of extensive research I have done on this subject, and the papers I have written about it. (Transition: Let me begin by giving you a brief history of education reform. ) Body 1. Education reform is nothing new. A look at the history of public schools in the United States shows accountability standards have been around for nearly 200 years. Who is accountable to whom and for what have changed, but the basic premise has been in place a long time. In 1897, Dr. Joseph Mayer Rice began the push for standardized achievement tests to evaluate curriculum and instruction. While unsuccessful at first, by World War I school boards across the nation were using achievement tests in elementary and secondary schools. Accountability was placed on the administrators, superintendents, and the school boards. Until just after the Second World War, schools in modern buildings with sufficient rooms, desks, and textbooks for students, qualified teachers, and indoor plumbing were viewed as good schools. A. With the launch of Sputnik by the Soviets, education standards in America began to change. The upheaval of the 1950s and 1960s gave way to higher standards and the onus of accountability was beginning to shift to teachers. B. In The Schools our Children Deserve: Moving Beyond Traditional Classrooms and â€Å"Tougher Standards†, published in 1999, Alfie Kohn writes that by the end of the 1970s, two thirds of the states had mandated that high school students had to pass minimum competency tests to graduate. C. The 1983 report A Nation at Risk states â€Å"†¦the educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people. What was unimaginable a generation ago has begun to occur—others are matching and surpassing our educational attainments. â€Å" Reforms continued through the 1980s and 1990s, but it wasn’t until the much maligned No Child Left Behind was enacted in 2002 that education reform was once again at the forefront of our attention. (Transition: That brings me to my second point, which deals with the problems with education reform, most especially NCLB) 1. Teachers are being held to tougher and higher standards than ever before, and they are feeling the pressure. Many excellent teachers have either gone to teach at private schools or quit teaching altogether to avoid the demands made on them. Others have done their best to teach students in what has become a decidedly unfriendly environment. Decisions made by people who either have no experience in teaching children, or are so far removed from the public school setting are causing a rift in our educational process and a loss of respect for teachers. Teachers are now held accountable for the test scores and graduation rates of their students. Teachers are an easy target, and teacher bashing is all too common among policy makers. Some parents are also quick to blame the teacher instead of themselves or their child for poor test grades. It is little wonder that some teachers are seeking different jobs. The pressure of being a teacher is tremendous. To be held responsible for that over which they have little or no control is no way to keep current or attract new teachers to the profession. A. In their 2002 book High Stakes: Children, Testing, and Failure in American Schools, Dale and Bonnie Johnson make comparisons between jobs in education and other service-oriented jobs, saying â€Å" Dentists are not held accountable for patients who develop cavities. We do not blame social workers for clients that cannot get jobs. Lawyers are not accountable for clients who end up in prison. † B. A lack of autonomy and decision-making power over structures and procedures that affect their day-to-day work is one of the working conditions that teachers find intolerable. Elaine Garan, in her book In Defense of Our Children: When Politics, Profit, and Education Collide, published in 2004, says that â€Å"Teachers’ control over matters closest to them, such as pedagogy and curriculum content, has diminished because poor test scores lead to increased pressure to teach the standards and a tighter monitoring of teachers’ work. † C. It is not only the teachers who are affected by these standards. Children are also losers in this era of high stakes testing. An article titled High Stakes Testing Has a Negative Impact on Learning by David Berliner and Sharon Nichols in the 2008 book Has No Child Left Behind Been Good for Education? , states â€Å"By restricting the education of young people and substituting for it training to perform well on high stakes examinations, we are turning America into a nation of test-takers,  abandoning our heritage as a nation of thinkers, dreamers, and doers. † (Transition: Now that I’ve spoken about the problems with current education reforms, I’d like to talk about my third point: possible solutions that might allow teachers to be more autonomous and students to learn effectively. ) 1. In my research, I’ve come across a few interesting ideas for education reform. Two ideas that have some merit are learning community schools and child-centered schools. A. Charles Myers and Douglas Simpson write about learning community schools in their 1998 book Re-Creating Schools: Places Where Everyone Learns and Likes It. They say â€Å"When schools are thought of as learning communities, they are cultures rather than physical locations. As cultures, they have a moral purpose, a mission, and a shared set of core values. Their moral purpose is to educate students and their central goal is all students learning at the highest possible levels. † Obviously, these are common missions and goals of all schools, but the difference in learning community cultures, the mission and goal are used more consistently to create better learning for children and teachers alike. B. In his 1993 book, What are we trying to teach them anyway? A Father’s Focus on School Reform, Ronald Pierce advocates for child-centered schools. He writes, â€Å"Child-centered educators believe that each child needs to develop their own commitment to and style of learning, and that can only occur in an environment where the child largely directs his own learning. † In this setting, acquiring knowledge is still important, but not as much as the overall psychological and emotional development of the child. Conclusion 1. In conclusion, today I have spoken to you about the history of education reform, the problems with the current ideas, and some solutions that might make things better for teachers and students. 2. A teacher making $25,000 per year, buying their own classroom supplies, paying bills and possibly supporting a family is under a lot of strain. Add to that the stringent guidelines and the accountability standards of education today and it becomes obvious why so many young people are abandoning the profession or not entering it at all. Veteran teachers with a few years’ experience may make a bit more, but the same stresses are there. The mass firings of teachers, guidance counselors, principals and assistant principals in Rhode Island in February 2010 is an extreme example of the effects of high stakes education reforms. How are teachers supposed to do their jobs when the threat of being fired looms over their heads? We cannot expect our teachers to continue to work in conditions such as these, and we cannot expect our children to become automatons filled with facts that only glean the surface of what there is to learn. Bibliography Fisanick, Christina. Ed. Has No Child Left Behind Been Good for Education? Greenhaven Press. 2008. Print Garan, Elaine M. In Defense of Our Children: When Politics, Profit, and Education Collide. Heinemann, 2004. Print Johnson, Dale D and Bonnie. High Stakes: Children, Testing, and Failure in American Schools. Rowman Littlefield Publishers. 2002. Print Kohn, Alfie. The Schools Our Children Deserve: Moving Beyond Traditional Classrooms and â€Å"Tougher Standards. Houghton Mifflin Company. 1999 Print Myers, Charles and Simpson, Douglas. Re-Creating Schools: Places Where Everyone Learns and Likes it. Corwin Press, Inc. 1998 National Commission on Excellence in Education. A Nation At Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform. April 1993. Pierce, Ronald K. What are we trying to teach them anyway? A Father’s Focus on School Reform. ICS Press. 1993.

Jackson Pollock’s Essay Example for Free

Jackson Pollock’s Essay â€Å"Lavender Mist† is a masterpiece by Jackson Pollock, dated in 1950. This particular painting is considered art because of the subsequent factors. But before we distinguish the art behind his work, let us first come across the life of this magnificent artist. Background information about the artist Paul Jackson Pollock (January 28, 1912 – August 11, 1956) was a prominent American artist and a main vigor in the intangible expressionist association. The youngest of five children, he was born in 1912 in Cody, Wyoming, and grew up in Arizona and California, and his schoolwork was done at Los Angeles Manual Arts High School (Pioch). He then later learned under Thomas Hart Benton at the Art Students League in New York City. In 1945 Jackson wedded Lee Krasner and they resided to what is recently renowned as the â€Å"Pollock-Krasner House and Studio in Springs on Long Island†, where he refined the skill of controlling of own volition with fluid paint. After moving to Springs in New York according to Pioch, he embarked on painting and formed what was shortly termed his â€Å"drip technique†, even though spilling out is a more precise depiction of his technique. The artist’s method of decanting and dribbling paint is considered to be one of the derivations of the label â€Å"action painting†. Nevertheless at the acme of his eminence, he unexpectedly discarded the drip method. Then, Pollocks creations after 1951 were gloomier in shade, frequently just black, and prompted to bring about metaphorical fundamentals, shifting to a more marketable colonnade and there was vast requests from collectors for contemporary canvasses. However, due to this stress, his alcoholism intensified. After besieged with alcoholism his entire existence, Pollocks profession was stopped in mid-sentence when he passed away in an alcohol-linked, particular automobile accident less than a mile from his home on August 11, 1956, at the early age of 44. In the twenty years between his influx in New York City to make an incredible legacy concerning art and his hasty decease, Jackson Pollock had became apparent as the most ground-breaking visual artist in America, who is celebrated for his exceptional corporeal commitment with the achievement of painting (National Gallery of Art). Background information about this particular piece What prompted Jackson Pollock to make such a remarkable artwork are a lot of great people, marvelous places, and things. Strolling over the pastures and coppices near the place called Accabonac Creek which is located at the rear of their land, Pollock brought into being a connection with the environment which inspired him to do his illustrious timeless piece. Lavender Mist aggregates up his most distinctive and full of character painting and presents Pollocks authenticity as an artist. He used the outlines triggered by the severance and marbling of one enamel dampness in an alternative, the minute â€Å"black striations† in the filthy pink, to fabricate a perpetuity of ambiance. (Karmel) As a painting of altercations and catharsis with the inner mayhem that compelled him to paint, it evidently illustrates the effect of Picassos craft, which guided ancient forces into completely fresh creative appearance. The scrawled details and calligraphic features in â€Å"Stenographic Figure† have a flow of awareness superiority that appears to join together the techniques of Picasso and the â€Å"Spanish surrealist Joan Miro†, whom Pollock above all well-liked as stated by Karmel. Pollock momentously appreciated a Miro display at the â€Å"Museum of Modern Art in 1941† and was greatly inspired by the artist. Furthermore, wonderfully coordinated mesh of â€Å"Gothic†, entrenched in strapping dark cambers, demonstrates Bentons lifelong impact on the manner Pollock structured his works of art. It resonates with development and the manipulated incident that Pollock had experienced in practicum classes with Siqueiros, and at this instant used to his specific extremities. He even acquired his special inventive style expanded from Mexican muralists. The muralists’ idea of the original range between archaic and modern backgrounds stimulated Pollocks fervor in creating his craft. Iridescent substance shines with the luminous beam of noontime sun on a deep field in Pollock’s work is similar to what he sees everyday on their meadow. Vibrant with curves and spheres of warm-drenched tints, the painting is an indication to the value of the Long Island scenery as a stirring drive of Pollocks piece in the late 1940s. The composition is demarcated by all-encompassing strokes of trickled and spattered paint; a fine mesh that brushes across and stuffs the whole picture. Pollocks traceries affix the painting with their meandering, assuaged streaks and hurdling black and white components sets up rhythmic harmony. Conceivably the most undeniable substantiation of Pollocks primeval and vibrant attachment in the handiwork of his Lavender Mist is the smudge of his hands in the piece. These handprints not only provide a primal mark of possession and ingenuity, but they also highlights the smoothness of the image, hence pointing out the non-illusionist character of Pollocks painting. Formal elements within the piece The fundamentals of recognized elements are basic units that are shared in the design of Pollock’s Lavender Mist. The formal essentials within his piece are the following. First are lines which are the most vital building block of his work. Pollock used lines to form more intricate shapes and to direct the viewers from a part in the artwork to another. The first look at the picture will mislead an onlooker to see nothing more than a bewildering display of muddled lines and blots. But as one starts to set his eyes deeply in the masterpiece, one will perceive that there is more on the painting than mere lines and specks. Secondly, shapes are formed when these lines are combined to form different kinds of entities. The artist used shapes that are natural, uneven asymmetrical shapes observable in the natural world, and geometric shapes with tough lines and inclinations. The existence of â€Å"tic-tac-toe† grids, suspended figures, and ostensibly arbitrary sketches can be seen in the artwork, which stem from Pollocks declared appeal in being unfastened to the psyche as a spring of originality. Third are forms which are three-dimensional figures with thickness and extent. He included ancient and makeshift forms like orbs, rolls, boxes and pyramids in his piece. Even sections of a imaginary yet indistinct interpretation of the human outline associate Pollocks work with Miros images. Forth are spaces which are regions between and around things, and it can also be seen in Pollock’s Lavender Mist. Diminishing the quantity of gap around the items in Pollock’s artwork affects the way addressees perceive it. Then fifth are colors which distinguish and classify lines, shapes, forms, and space. The black and white streaks in his work have numerous dissimilar tinges of gray. The canvas has also texture in it which is the facade attribute that can be seen and felt. As displayed in the painting, rough, smooth, soft and hard textures blend into one. These textures are often ambiguous with its atmospheric appearance. Though there is no lavender on the painting, encrusted traces of paint engender exquisiteness and sort out of deceptively casual signs. Aside from the abovementioned elements, the following principles of formal analysis are also presented which build on one another. Balance is fashioned in the work of art when textures, colors, forms, or shapes are united pleasantly (Glatstein). In this image, it can be seen how the artist accomplish an impression of balance by spread out the entire streaks in the canvas. Contrast is also used as the quite a few elements of design hold the interest of the audience and steer the watcher’s eyes through the masterpiece. Movement, on another view, is shown as the movement of the work is directed by lines, contrasting shapes and colors. Furthermore, pattern is also brought about by the recurrence of shapes, forms, and textures across the canvas. Together with this, proportion is formed when the dimensions of elements in the painting are pooled cordially. In this work of art, all of the proportions come out unerringly as one would anticipate. And lastly is the assimilation of unity which is created when the principles of analysis are present in an artwork and in synchronization. Some imagery has a absolute sense of unanimity, while some visual painters intentionally keep away from reserved unity to generate a manner of tension and fretfulness. In this painting, the outsized regions of complementary textures, arrangements and tints craft a sense of unity. In any composition, all of these elements and principles are at hand, though some are more palpable than others. When slotting in formal study of art, artists decides on the fundamentals they sense are most stalwartly corresponding to the work they are making. Pollocks audacious intangible Lavender Mist legitimized the union and mastery of opportunity, perception, and control. Role or roles which the artist used when creating this piece Jackson Pollock perceives himself as one with nature. He claims that he belongs to the natural world that is why he has this extensive love of creating his masterpiece. In our day, one has to stride only into the countryside behind Pollocks home to comprehend the irresistible existence of nature in the impenetrable and intertwined surfaces of his painting. Pollock once protected the basis of his craft pronouncing, I am nature. The role of the artist is to produce something that, when looked over by a viewer, calls to mind instinctive way of thinking and emotions. Conclusion Jackson Pollock’s Lavender Mist is considered as an art because of the following reasons. First, the actual artwork is large, nearly 10 feet long and it seems to grab and get hold of a person viewing it, and pull him towards it. Second, what you see in the imagery is nothing like the genuine object. One and all discern that looking at an actual artwork is a lot different from staring at pictures of paintings with no sense. However, there is another rationale why people were so enthused by Lavender Mist, and it has to do with the very idea of art. There are a number of upfront explanations why people construct art. It may possibly be to craft an adornment, to convey a story, to portray or uphold a picture, or to exemplify a thought. Then again, there is another, more insinuating, but far more notable grounds why art is essential to people. The necessity to get into an individual’s self and influence the oblivious feelings is universal. People all complete it to some scale, even if more often than not people are blind to what artists do. That is where art draws closer in. As it is said previously, one of the points of art is to let people to have implicit approach to the inner consciousness. Immense art allows a way to get in touch with the unaware fraction of people’s subsistence, even if people do not grasp what we they are doing. In this meaning, the role of the artist is to produce something that, when looked over by a viewer, calls to mind instinctive way of thinking and emotions. Despite the fact that an Italian playwright disapproves of Pollocks painting as a bedlam, with total need of concord, absolute deficiency of structural orderliness, overall lack of skill, and undeveloped, afresh, paintings such as Lavender Mist collapsed the limitations of art as people are acquainted with it at mid-century. Pollock, in his most excellent work, has indeed the formal elements of art. He had an practically preternatural power over the whole outcome of those retreating pits of paint. In them, the brightness of colors is always right. Nor are they utterly natural; he would time and again touch up the dribble with his brush. The term â€Å"action painting† was made up to depict the system used by Pollock. He often used normal house paint, for the reason that he favored the manner it flowed. When one views the Lavender Mist, one is not agitated by consequential similes, so in effect all of one’s intellectual control is dedicated to feeling. One can open one’s self and absorb in the power and liveliness of the artwork. Needless to say, this merely works if one collaborates with the painter. His occupation is to construct a canvas that is delivered so dexterously that when one views it, what one sees in fact modifies what one feels at an oblivious situation. One’s work is to empty the aware intellect of thoughts and fixed ideas in order to let one’s self to be inclined by what one is viewing. This denotes that, if one is to really recognize the value of a work of art, one must be eager to let one’s self go, to put one’s self in the hands of the painter, so to verbalize, and let him take a person anywhere he desires. Most of the time, this relationship do not succeed, occasionally because the painter is basically not dexterous enough and frequently because the person viewing the artwork does not recognize how to really value it. Now it can be seen why the arrival of Abstract Expressionism was so significant. For the first time in account, painters were crafting intangible art so competently that it was able to go through swiftly and strongly into peoples unconscious. As a result, it is probable to view the record of painting as a lengthy evolutionary procedure, beginning with the sluggish, arduous progress of means and methods. Finally, after centuries of representationalism, the impressionists started to shake off the lengthy boundaries, which led to the advancement of a variety of schools of theoretical art in the 1940s, with Abstract Expressionism, the commencement of a new age of conception and human accomplishment (Hahn), and this must be somehow attributed to the remarkable artist, Paul Jackson Pollock. Works Cited: Glatstein, Jeremy. Formal Visual Analysis: The Elements Principles of Composition. May 31 2007. http://artsedge. kennedy-center. org/content/3902/. Hahn, Harley. Understanding Abstract Art . 2007. May 31 2007. http://www. harley. com/art/abstract-art/. Karmel, Pepe. Jackson Pollock: Interviews, Articles, and Reviews. (1999). National Gallery of Art. 2007. Washington DC. May 31 2007. http://www. nga. gov/feature/pollock/process1. shtm. Pioch, Nicolas. Pollock, Jackson. 2002. May 31 2007. http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/pollock/

Tata CSR Corporate Social Responsibility Tata Group

Tata CSR Corporate Social Responsibility Tata Group Introduction Definition and History of CSR Corporate social responsibility (CSR) means considering the wellbeing of humanity by taking responsibility of the impact of organizations actions on customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, communities and other stakeholders, as well as the surroundings. Organizations have realized that in addition to growing businesses it is also very important to build responsible and sustainable relationships with the large community. Hence, CSR has become increasingly famous in the Indian corporate scenario and is one of the key drivers of CSR. It was in the early 1970s when the term CSR came in to ordinary use after many international corporations were formed, but rarely abbreviated. The term stakeholder means those impacted by organizations activities. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) defined as the principled behavior of a company towards the general public, evident itself in the form of such noble programs initiated by for-profit organizations. Additional motive for this rapid acceptance of CSR is the state of the Indian society. Though India is one of the fastest growing economies, socio-economic issues like poverty, illiteracy, lack of healthcare etc. are still universally present and the government has limited resources to embark upon these challenges. This state of affairs has opened up several areas for businesses to contribute towards social development. CSR is not a latest notion in India. Corporates like the TATA, ITC, Aditya Birla, and Indian Oil Corporation, are few to name who are involved in helping the society ever since their foundation. Several other organizations through donations and charity events have been doing their part for the society. Today, CSR in India has gone ahead of only charity and donations. It is approached in a more organized and structured fashion. It is now considered as an essential part of the corporate strategy. Companies have CSR teams that develop specific policies, strategies and goals for their CSR programs and set aside budgets to sustain them. These programs are based on a clearly defined social philosophy or are closely aligned with the companys business expertise. Employees volunteer their time and contribute their skills, to implement them and are considered as the backbone of these initiatives. Overall development of a community to supporting specific causes like education, environment, healthcare etc. forms part of CSR programs. Organizations like Bharath Petroleum, Maruti Suzuki India, and Hindustan Unilever, adopt villages where they focus on holistic development. They provide better medical and sanitation facilities, build schools and houses, and help the villagers become self-reliant by teaching them vocational and business skills. This is one of the examples of CSR. On the other hand GlaxoSmithKlines CSR programs primarily focus on health and healthy living. They work in tribal villages where they provide medical check-up and treatment, health camps, health awareness programs, etc. They also provide money, medicines and equipment to non-profit organizations that work towards improving health and education in under-served communities. Many CSR initiatives are implemented by corporate in partnership with Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who are well versed in working with the local communities and are experts in tackling specific social problems. SAP India in partnership with Hope Foundation, an NGO that works for the enhancing the poor and the needy throughout India, has been working on short and long-term transformation initiatives for the tsunami victims. Together, they also started The SAP Labs Center of HOPE in Bangalore, which serves as a home for street children, where they provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care and education. Take the following illustration: Companies need to answer to two aspects of their operations: 1. The quality of their management both in terms of people and processes (the inner circle).   2.The nature of, and quantity of their impact on society in the various areas. Outside stakeholders are taking an increasing interest in the activity of the company. Most look to the outer circle what the company has actually done, good or bad, in terms of its products and services, in terms of its impact on the environment and on local communities, or in how it treats and develops its workforce. Out of the various stakeholders, it is financial analysts who are predominantly focused as well as past financial performance on quality of management as an indicator of likely future performance. Why is CSR important? Consumers investors: growing expectation for organisations to behave responsibly Consumer awareness: Green and Ethical consumerism Legislation: HS, EPA, Sustainability, Codes of Practice Globalisation: Adoption of Best Practice, Consumer Legal Acceptance. Business advantages of CSR: Human Resources Recruitment, retention and morale of Staff Risk Management Investment in ethical brand equity Greenwash effect? Brand Differentiation As USP Build brand loyalty Reputation and brand attractiveness Business Development New markets, products and services Resources Management Better management and conservation of strategic assets Stakeholder Management Better internal and external relationships Freedom of operation: reduce government, public, NGO intervention in organisation History of Tata Group In a free enterprise, the community is not just another stakeholder in business but is in fact the very purpose of its existence. Jamsetji N. Tata, Founder, Tata Group The Trusts Vision: Shri Ratan Tatas thoughts, in 1913, on the manner in which the Trusts fund could be used: .. for the advancement of Education, Learning and Industry in all its branches, including education in economy, sanitary science and art, or for the relief of human suffering or for other works of public utility To engage qualified and competent persons to study into matters that pertain to the social, economic or political welfare of the Indian community, the object being to design schemes of a practical nature calculated to promote the well-being of the said community, care being taken that such work is not undertaken from the stereotype point of view but from the point of view of fresh light that is thrown from day to day by the advance of science and philosophy on problems of human well-being Further he also directed that: No experiment and no venture should be aided or undertaken unless the scheme thereof is carefully prepared No institution or organization should be aided of which the accounts are not subject to periodical audits and are not regularly issued and which would not be open to inspection and examination. Industry Profile of the TATA Group The Tata Group comprises 114 operating companies in seven business sectors: Tata Auto Comp Systems Automotive Tata Steel Materials Tata Power Energy Rallis India Chemicals Tata Realty and Infrastructure Service Tata Tea Consumer Products Tata Technologies Information Systems and Communications Globally: The Tata Group has operations in more than 54 countries. The companies export products and services to 120 nations, across six continents. The Tata Group is one of Indias principal and most valued business multinationals, with revenues in 2005-06 of $21.9 billion (Rs 967,229 million), the equivalent of about 2.8 per cent of the countrys GDP, and a market capitalization of $55.1 billion. Tata companys total employee strength is around 2,46,000. Amongst the 28 public listed enterprises of Tata Group are Tata Steel, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors and Tata Tea have a combined market capitalization that is the maximum among Indian business houses in the private sector, and a shareholder base of over 2 million. The five core values of Tata family are integrity, understanding, excellence, unity and responsibility. Purpose of the TATA Group: To improve the quality of life of the societies they serve. The Group brings a unique set of competences through leadership in sectors of national economic significance. This requires them to grow assertively in focused areas of business. Their legacy of returning to society what they earn put forward trust among consumers, employees, shareholders and the community. The TATA represents leadership with trust in a exceptional way. Milestones: 1868 In the mid 19th century, TATA Group was started by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata 1874 The Group entered into textiles by setting up the Central India Spinning, Weaving and Manufacturing Company. 1902 Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Indias first luxury hotel, opened in 1903. 1907 Indias 1st Iron and Steel plant in Jamshedpur is The Tata Iron and Steel Company (now Tata Steel) the plant began its production in 1912. 1968 Indias 1st software Services Company is established as a division of Tata Sons called Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). 1995 Tata QMS institutes the JRD QV Award, modeled on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Value Award of the United States, this laid basis of the Tata Business Excellence Model. 1998 Tata Indica, started by Tata Motors is Indias first indigenously designed and manufactured car. 2000 The first major acquirement of an international brand by an Indian business group was Tata Tea acquiring the Tetley Group, UK 2006 Launched Credit Card In Kolkata, the foundation stone for the Tata Medical Centre was shown. MCA-2, Indias largest e-governance initiative was launched by TCS. For the third time, Tata Steel ranked worlds best steel maker by World Steel Dynamics. US-based Eight O Clock Coffee was acquired by Tata Coffee. Tata Sky satellite television service was launched across the country. 2007 In a wider leap, the Anglo-Dutch steel major Corus has vaulted the former to the fifth position from 56th in global steel production capacity, in the Tata Steels acquisition TATA Singur project MB Kulkarni, General Manager (Construction) of Tata Motors, Our work plans are planned in such a way that whatever are the product target dates, in 2008 rolling of the vehicle will take place. Group Chairman Ratan Tatas dream peoples car will be rolled out by next year. For the factory 700 acres of land will be used and manpower has been planned and organized for the construction. TATAs Corporate Social Responsibility SILVER LININGS The company has streamlined its CSR activities into four major areas: HEALTH EMPLOYABILITY EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT Health: The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being and not merely the absence of infirmity or disease. The health status is usually measured in terms of life expectancy at birth, fertility rate, infant mortality rate, crude birth/death rate. According to the Country Health System Profile, World Health Organization, public health infrastructure in rural India consists of a 3 tier system: A sub centre for every 5,000 population with a male and female worker, A Primary Health Centre (PHC) for every 30,000 population with a medical doctor and other paramedical staff, and A Community Health Centre (CHC) for every 100,000 population with 30 beds and basic specialists. In urban areas, it is 2 tier systems with Urban Health Centre (UHC)/Urban Family Welfare Centre (UFWC) for every 100,000 population followed by general hospital. The existing public health infrastructure is not evenly distributed across the States. Many institutions are not functional due to staff shortage and non-availability of drugs and consumables and essential equipment. As a result of such inadequate public health facilities, it has been estimated that less than 20 percent of the population, which seek OPD services, and less than 45 percent of that which seek indoor patient treatment, avail of such services in public hospitals. A large portion of population seek medical care services from private sector despite the fact that most of these patients do not have the means to make out-of-pocket payments for private health services (National Health Policy 2002). Keeping these figures in mind, the Company has launched several initiatives for improving the health status of community members in the CSR project areas across locations. The initiatives include both preventive as well as curative health care services. In addition, infrastructural development for ensuring a perennial supply of clean drinking water and improved health through better sanitation facilities is also included in the CSR program of the Company. Figures for 2006 : Alignment to Millennium Development Goals Impact in 2007-08 Millennium Development Goals 5: Improve Maternal Health Institution of Village Health Workers established Community members identified and trained for providing basic health care to village communities Antenatal cate and anaemua detection and treatment for 590 women Millennium Development Goals 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases Curative Preventive health services were provided to over 92,390 people through the Companys community health programmes, including immunization drives for polio, measles. Special country-wide programmes were conducted for drivers during service camps. 46,548 drivers availed of the free general health and eye check-up camps and AIDS awareness programmes Employability Employability facts Annually Indias labour force is growing at a rate of 2.5% and employment only by 2.3% Indias workforce is self-employed by 60%. Around 30% are casual workers i.e. they work only when they are able to get jobs and remain unpaid for the rest of the days In the Unorganized sector Approximately, approximately 90% of the labour force is employed, i.e. sectors which do not provide other benefits of employment combined with the social security Organized sector. In addition to the Apprenticeship programmes that are run within the premises of the manufacturing units, as per the Apprenticeship Act 1961, the Company has also initiated several efforts to enhance employability of youth. To upgrade the quality of Industrial Training Institute (ITIs), the company has built public-private partnership with government authorities. In the year 2007-08, the upgradation process has been initiated in four it is, who are equipped with latest machines and tools. To understand the manufacturing processes, the students have been taken on exposure visits and for their faculty, Train the Trainer programmes have been organized. Technical and vocational programmes are run for rural youth from the project areas, like Motor Mechanic Vehicle Trade Course, electrical, welding, a/c refrigeration, computer skills, bee-keeping, etc. Special programmes are also run for women including sewing training, beautician courses, manufacturing food products and utility items and cable harnessing and assembly work. More than 9,000 youth and women have benefited from these programmes across Companys locations. Alignment to Millennium Development Goals Impact in 2007-08 Millennium Development Goals 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger The Company has identified 10 ITIs across the country to upgrade their facilities and enhance the relevance of their programmes to industry needs, as a part of its skill development programme, In 2007-08, four ITIs have been covered. Training in various technical and vocational trades was given to around 1,085 youth from areas adjecent to the Companys plants. Over 350 local youth have been trained in partnership with the government and the social sector, making them employable at the new plant location of Singur. All 18 students of the Company-supported Mechanic Motor Vehicle Trade Course, 2007-08, in association with the Ramakrishna Mission at Sakwar, Thane district, Maharashtra, have been successfully placed at the Companys dealerships. Two students from the previous batch have been facilitated to become entrepreneurs and have opened their own workshop on the Mumbai-Ahemedabad Highway Millennium Development Goals 3: Promote gender equality and empower women To make the women economically independent, around 1,058 women have been trained in utility items, manufacturing food products and, beautician courses, sewing Education The root of poverty often lies in illiteracy. Social infrastructure like education is as important as physical infrastructure, not only for sustaining high growth but also for enhancing welfare. Education Facts About India Less than half of Indias children between the age 6 and 14 go to school A little over one-third of all children who enroll in grade one reach grade eight Children aged 6 14 years do not attend school, the count of which is atleast 35 million 52% of girls in the age group of 5 to 9 years are illiterate 53% of habitation has a primary school 20% of habitation has a secondary school In nearly 60% of schools, not more than one or two teachers are there to teach Classes I to V The reasons for leaving given by 3 in every four drop-outs are need to work to support their families, little interest in studies and high cost of private education Contribution of Tata Motors towards improving education through infrastructural development for promoting schooling among the villagers and through upgradation of educational facilities like building computer laboratories, sports ground, etc. and organising training to teachers programmes to better the quality of education. Alignment to Millennium Development Goals Impact in 2007-08 Millennium Development Goals 1: Achieve universal primary education: From over 25 villages, infrastructure was improved in 13 schools, promoting higher education for 2,000 children. From across 33 schools, Shiksha Prasar Kendra, a Tata Motors society at Jamshedpur, supported 18,000 students of which 7,500 are girls Quality of education improved: In 4 schools Teachers training programme was conducted With participation from over 4,300 students, extra-curricular activities was organised in 31 schools In West Bengal at Beraberi High School, Singur, computer labratory was built 375 students were awarded with scholarships for higher studies Environment Climate Change is the environmental issue facing the world today, which is any long-term significant change in the average weather experienced by a given region. Facts on Environment Reports concluded by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are: Since the mid-20th century most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations. From new estimates of the combined anthropogenic forcing due to greenhouse gases, land surface changes and aerosols, it is likely that human activities have exerted a substantial net warming influence on climate since 1750. Anthropogenic aerosols produce a net negative radiative forcing (cooling influence) with a greater magnitude in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere The IPCC, which represents consensus in the scientific community, defines extremely likely, virtually certain, very likely, and as indicating probabilities greater than 90%, 95%, and 99%, respectively. Tata Group places a special emphasis on environmental and ecological issues in view of the threat to environment. The Groups efforts to preserve and regenerate environment find expression in the slew of projects and programmes it has undertaken in and around its facilities and operations. In this context a focus area for the group is the climate change crisis. Tata Motors beliefs on sustainability have led to a corporate policy that emphasises environment preservation, the Company works on projects that include reducing effluents and emissions, maintaining local ecologies, repairing green cover and improving long term corporate sustainability. Alignment to Millennium Development Goals and Bharat Nirman Target Impact in 2007-08 Millennium Development Goals 7: Ensure environment sustainablity With an 80% survival rate, over 175,242 saplings have been planted. To promote use of environment-friendly practices smokeless chullahs has been constructed. Agricultural training was given to minimize the use of environmentally hazardous methods and materials. Provide awareness camps on environment related issues. Bharat Nirman Target: 10 million hectares of additional irrigarion capacity to be created by 2009 Check dams and community irrigation wells have been constructed at villages near Pune, improved irrigation to augmenting incomes of families. In Jamshedpur, in over 152 acres tree plantation has extensively been carried out and 85 acres of land has been brought under irrigation Other CSR Objectives Sumant Moolgaokar Development Foundation Sumant Moolgaokar Development Foundation (SMDF) has been founded in memory of our ex-chairman Late Shri Sumant Moolgaokar with a view to perpetuate his exemplary work in rural development. Tata Steel has evolved, over the years, an encompassing culture of social responsibility that not only sustains but also enriches the lives of the communities it supports. The companys corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy was inspired by Jamsetji Tatas conviction that, In a free enterprise, the community is not just another stakeholder, but is, in fact, the very purpose of its existence. Tata Steels approach to its business has evolved from this concept and the wealth it has created is continuously returned to the people through its community initiatives. And they are following the saying of their ancestors as: Tata Steel CSR team was to work for the welfare of the socially and economically disadvantaged communities living in and around its areas of operation, including the mines and collieries serving the plant. The basic concept of Tata Steel Parivar originates from the century old Corporate Social Responsibility of the Company, which is aptly defined as: Tata steel believes that the primary purposes of the business is to improve the quality of the life. New Life with a New Hope The Commitment of Tata Steel for improving the quality of life of the displaced families has led to the creation of the Tata Steel Parivar concept and each displaced family will be a member of the Tata Steel Parivar. Over the years, its initiatives have encompassed provision of: Healthcare services, Drinking water, Rain water harvesting, Tribal development, Relief and rehabilitation endeavors, Income and employment generation, Womens health and education, Awareness programmers on the ill-effects of drugs, Alcohol and HIV/AIDS, and Patronage to sports and cultural activities. Achievements of TATA Groups CSR Tata Steels Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives have earned the steel giant the UK trade Investment (UKTI) India Business Award 2009. Besides acquiring businesses around the world, the Tata group now plans to introduce the world to the Tata way of doing business. The group plans to take overseas the Tata trusts and all the community work that it does as part of its international corporate social responsibility. Tatas Endeavour to strengthen the fabric of India has manifested itself in multiple ways. A crucial component of the Tata idea of nation building was, and remains, the creation and sustaining of exceptional institutions of learning, research, knowledge and intellectual capital. It had created a land mark in educational sector and environmental sector, this can be seen as: TATA GROUP is boomining in every sector whether it is business or corporate social responsibility because: TATAS Commitment to the Environment: The Tata ethos places a special emphasis on environmental and ecological issues. Its efforts to preserve and regenerate the environment find expression in the slew of projects and programmers it has undertaken in and around its facilities and operations. A focus area, in this context, is the climate change crisis. Tata companies work on projects that include repairing green cover, reducing effluents and emissions, maintaining local ecologies and improving long term corporate The Tata group has a set of explicit guidelines on environmental and ecological issues, and a broad range of policies aimed at helping Tata companies protect, conserve and restore our natural resources. The Three Pillars of Sustainability 2020 Adapting to New Markets: Internal Sustainability Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group, predicated economic success on putting the community first and investing patiently in social initiatives 140 years ago. Till date, this strategy has enabled Tata to excel in India. A big reason for this is the brand recognition that Tata enjoys in India. However, brand recognition is less of a competitive advantage as Tata expands globally. Many argue that given the current heightened pace of globalization and change in technology, Tatas tenet of investing in long-term social initiatives threatens its short-term competitiveness. The first challenge that Tata must address is to align its existing Corporate Social Responsibility policies, both internal (in regards to the treatment of its workers and green initiative) as well as external (support for surrounding communities) with the customs and challenges of the new markets in which it operates. While Tata created a synergy between Corporate Social Responsibility and profits in India, it must recognize that, going forward, no one-size-fits-all Corporate Social Responsibility strategy exists. In order to facilitate a more effective alignment of local concerns with Tatas global Corporate Social Responsibility efforts, we propose setting up a New Markets Corporate Social Responsibility Committee under the TCCI that will be tasked with collaborating with local executives, as well as civic and governmental leaders to identify and drive social initiatives that will best benefit the communities in the new markets that Tata operates in. As the Tata Groups operations grow physically segregated, it becomes more difficult to align activities with their values and purpose. To ensure this, we propose that the voluntary Tata Index be made mandatory and moved under the TQMS group. To ensure fairness across companies that have different levels of operations within and outside India, the New Markets Corporate Social Responsibility Committee will be responsible for formulating the New Markets Multiplier Factor, which will normalize the Tata Index to a common denominator for all group comp anies. The next 10 years will be vital in the evolution of Tata as a global brand, and these steps will ensure that domestic operations support the continued growth of Tatas global brand and its reflection of leadership in the field of corporate social responsibility. Stepping it up a Notch: Evaluating Product Lifecycle Impact on Society Throughout its history, the Tata group has been considered a poster child of ideal corporate citizenship throughout India. As Tata continues to expand globally, its responsibilities towards its stakeholders investors, employees, and communities are changing. If anything, they are on the rise. Tata must increasingly look beyond its own operations, and consider the impact of its products, both good and bad, on not just the groups direct shareholders, but on the society as a whole. This focus on stakeholders will lead to a sustainable competitive advantage and increased profits both. To this we propose a Product Lifecycle Impact Metric (Exhibit 3). This metric will quantify the projected impact of the Tata Groups products and services over their expected lifetimes. While taking the positive impact of the products and services (such as increased customer productivity, above average fuel mileage, more affordable products etc.) into consideration, this metric will also account for the negative impacts on society (such as increased traffic clogging, environmental effects etc.). While an exact measurement would be impossible to obtain, by working within a structured framework, and with the input of social and civic leaders, Tata could effectively estimate these impacts across their various industries. We are aware that certain businesses or products, though highly profitable, are more prone to have higher negative impacts on society. For instance, while some concerns regarding the Nano have already been mentioned, one would be hard pressed to find many negative lifecycle impacts of the watches manufactured by Titan Industries (besides the manufacturing, shipping, and eventual dispos