Leadership Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Leadership - Assignment Example Groups and Teams The requirement for this heading stipulates drawing from one’s knowledge of group dynamics and performance, to provide an explanation why this sub-section may be ineffective. The course module focusing on lesson 3: groups and teams distinguish between an effective and ineffective group by indicating that â€Å"effective groups are able to grow through each stage of development, whereas ineffective groups can get stuck in the forming, norming or storming stages† (Lesson 3, 5). From the observation of members composing the sub-section, it can be clearly deduced that these members have not been formed together; meaning, their membership in the sub-section occurs at different points in time. One member, Rhea Nordheimer, the computer programmer, has been with the section for 10 years, while Jasmine Sangrina’s appointment as an RMS clerk is her first posting and relatively new. The supervisor, Pierre Dalicaster, is also an old-timer, having had 30 year s experience in the service. The differences in entry point to the group has been a crucial factor in contributing to diversity in personal and professional goals that ultimately lead to missing tasks and project deadlines. As such, the problems manifested indicate inefficiencies in the performing state, apparently burdened with â€Å"distractions or dysfunctional interpersonal conflict† (Lesson 3, 5) and dysfunctional personal and professional goals. Further the performing factors: composition, size, group norms and cohesiveness define differences in crucial elements that influence the groups’ effectiveness and ability to achieve organizational goals. The composition of the members itself indicate diversity in ages (Dalicaster about to retire, Sangrina newly graduate), status, interests, and personal goals. Concurrently, there is the issue of cohesiveness where it is eminent that members do not want to stay together (as James Cockingham expressed that he would rather be back in this previous regiment) and there is a lack of interest for interaction and interpersonal relationships (Cockingham does not interact with other members of the sub-section; Nordheimer is not a warm or approachable person and openly dislikes Cookster or Cockingham; Sangrina is reluctant to ask for help; and Delicaster not trained for the position). All of these factors validate the sub-section’s ineffectiveness as a group. Decision-making To address the need to select a decision-making approach and to provide an explanation how one could use it to identify possible problems and potential solutions for this sub-section’s ineffectiveness, one proposes the military approach where both rational and behavioral approaches (Lesson 1, 7). The scenario indicates that in the capacity of a Section Head, one has been governing operations of the section in a span of only one month, therefore it would be more viable to use the military approach to use the five-model under rational decision approach, in conjunction with behavioral approach, using the information on observation noted in the scenario. The group decision making process where the sub-section supervisor, Delicaster would meet with the group to discuss group problems and to solicit feedback and participation

Explain the causes and results of the punic wars Research Paper - 1

Explain the causes and results of the punic wars - Research Paper Example The Punic Wars are recorded to be one of the greatest clashes recorded in History. In those times, it took place between the two most powerful empires: The Rome and The Carthage. The Punic wars are said to have extended for almost a century, most likely 264-146BC.1 These wars till date are the most profound evidence of struggle for power and one of the most ancient example of security dilemma. With Romans at the peak of expanding their Empire at this time, and the Carthage with their strongest naval force were bound to come across someday cause growth of one of them was a direct threat for another one. The Punic wars were extremely deadly and there was a reason as to why they were kept such an account of. These wars seem to have started the trend of mighty rivalries and wars that go on for years and years. An event that surely put a stamp on the pages of history, the following paper presents an analysis on the Punic wars and the causes of what brought on this event in History and its repercussions. As far as the Punic wars are concerned, nobody expected them to happen, these wars weren’t anticipated. Surprising as it sounds, the scale on which these wars took place are less likely to take place out of the blue. The Romans and Carthaginians were bounded in peace treaties for almost two centuries2. No problems were witnessed by the commoners; hence it was even the more unsettling as to what caused these wars. (First Punic War, 264-241 BC 2013) That lasted until they realized the security dilemma: to strike first or to wait for sudden strike. However, what happened was witnessed by everyone and its suddenness soon disappeared with the enmity that took over. The Punic wars comprised of three conflict periods, the first and second one being the longer ones lasting for seventeen and twenty-three years. 3 The Punic Wars were instigated with the dispute on the island of Sicily

Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 42

Response - Essay Example Here, minerals are also described and this has an implication on the history of human art where minerals were used for painting, architecture and sculpture. The discussion on this passage reflects a lot on the state of knowledge or science in the early Roman period. About knowledge, it reflects how people were able to discover the usefulness of plant minerals in their day-to-day lives including in their architectural works, sculptures as well as painting. The fact that plant minerals could be used in other areas that were not very obvious, is a significant sign a knowledgeable people. On the scientific view, it is evident that the early Romans were already thinking on how useful the plants can be to human being. This majorly shows the application of scientific thought especially in areas such as medicine, horticulture and agriculture. In both the two areas, Beagon tries to relate nature and science, knowledge, culture and art and this comes out nicely when we consider the plants and animal

Introduction to Financial Accounting Research Paper

Introduction to Financial Accounting - Research Paper Example Amount Opening capital 58630 Add: Net profit 38565 Less: drawing (-)24700 Bank overdraft Creditors o/s security guard wages 400 o/s telephone and e-mail 200 o/s website maintenance expenses 375 72495 2380 19670 975 95520 Debtors Cash in hand Freehold premises 60000 Less: depreciation(new) -(3000) Less: depreciation(old) - (18000) Safe 12000 Less: depreciation(new) -(2880) Less: depreciation(old) -(4800) Shop fitting 34000 Less: depreciation(new) -(3400) Less: depreciation(old) -(10200) Closing stock3400 520 390004320 20400 2788095520 Adjustment entries: (1) O/S Security guard wages 400 should be added in the liabilities side. (2) O/S Telephone and e-mail 200 should be added in the liabilities side. (3) 900*5/12= 375 is O/S of the website maintenance expenses should be added in the liabilities side. (4) 60000/20 years= 3000 for year should be deducted as new depreciation and old depreciation should be Deducted from actual cost, therefore 60000- 18000(old) - 3000(new) = 39000. (5) 12000-4800(old) =7200(new depreciation) 2880= 4320.... Coming to the next concern that, the value for your premises seems very low, though you paid more than that of them because the old depreciation is more than the new calculated premises. As we can see it separately below the balance sheet and on the balance sheet, this comes under the Asset side in the Balance Sheet and the new calculated and paid depreciation is very less that the previously calculated and paid one. Therefore, more cost was been paid earlier, which if alone calculated will be very high, that is why the value shown for your premises now are very low. As you have said that, you took  £24700 out of the business for your own personal consumption, this comes on the debit side of trading account as owner’s drawings and subtracted under the liabilities side in the balance sheet. As we know that the owner’s drawing is subtracted from the sum of net profit and opening Capital, and as the amount is not been returned, though it is taken from the profit of the business it is subtracted. In addition, counted as neither a loss or bad debt or a profit and this is why is cannot be written, calculate or charged under the profit statement. The distinction between the fixed asset and the current asset is, fixed asset is been defined as that asset which is been acquired for relatively long periods for carrying on the business of the enterprises. They are not been meant for resale. Land and building, machinery, furniture are some of the important examples of fixed Assets. Sometimes the term â€Å"Block Capital† is also been used for these terms.

Design and Facilities in Curry Leaf Restaurant is the United Kingdoms Assignment

Design and Facilities in Curry Leaf Restaurant is the United Kingdoms Finest Indian Restaurant - Assignment Example These project a beautiful inner view that attracts both locals and visitors making Curry Leaf restaurant the preferred place by many. The restaurant has a main objective of making sure that, it provides not only Indian cuisine but also an Indian environment for its customers. Therefore, the restaurant management has come up with two concepts on how to go about realizing this goal. The first one is that the management proposed to establish an Indian garden with an Indian touch. The management had in mind a place that gives its Indian customers and all its customers a pleasant interaction with the garden’s natural beauty. A garden is referred to as a place to grow the plant and exhibit a variety of plants for ornamental purpose or practical use. However, since the restaurant is located in town and space is limited, a good layout plan is needed to realize a natural Indian garden look. For instance, to come up with a house a professional architect is needed the same case with a garden. In order to realize satisfactory results from a garden, the garden should be designed carefully considering its permanent and se mi-permanent features (Miller et al, 2012). An Indian garden combines the aesthetic Indian beauty, artistry from India and knowledge on growth and development of plants as well as principles of garden maintenance practices. May it be arranging trees, climber, shrubs, or any other flowers, a design is relevant. This is because designs outline the character of an object or a place in serving its sole purpose. The design may either be aesthetic of economic in such a way it attracts only for a purpose (Miller et al, 2012). Therefore, there are a number of fundamental factors to consider. The first one is that the garden layout should be convenient and comfortable to the owner. The second one is that the design should be simple and selective. For example, in this case, the garden is an Indian garden; therefore, the design should be simple where even an American Indian will recognize the Indian touch at a glance.

How does Thomas Hardy create and maintain Essay Example for Free

How does Thomas Hardy create and maintain Essay How does Thomas Hardy create and maintain a sense of mystery and malignant, uncontrollable forces in The withered arm Thomas Hardy creates and maintains mystery and malignant, underlying forces by using symbolic descriptions of the setting, the atmosphere and the strange unguessable plot. Thomas Hardy sets the story in the fictional village of Holmstoke. Holm means home and stoke means fire. This gives two impressions, one of a nice cosy warm story, but it also gives the impression that fire is also connected with bad things like Hell and witchcraft. This makes you start to wonder what the story will be like. Thomas Hardy uses natural settings to contrast with unnatural events or behaviour. The heath is used a lot because of this. He also uses the heath because it helps create atmosphere and because it is outside he also uses the weather to reflect the characters mood. An example of this is when Rhoda and Gertrude cross the heath to see Conjuror Trendle and Rhoda does not want to and would have done anything to escape this enquiry, the weather and the atmosphere reflect her dread of what will happen. The thick clouds made the atmosphere dark and it was only early after noon and the wind howled dismally. Hardy also uses the weather to help him describe the changing of time like at the beginning of a paragraph. All the gossip was going on in winter and by the end of the paragraph its in the spring I think Hardy also uses the changing of the seasons as a sort of metaphor to symbolize the changing of the characters. An example is when Gertrude changes from a very beautiful, perfect, kind and caring girl to a scarred irritable superstitious woman. Hardy also has such large gap in time so the changes in Gertrude are more noticeable. Thomas Hardy also uses characters to help him create mystery and underlying forces especially Rhoda Brook. Rhoda is an outsider and she lives out of the village by herself with her son. Shes a little weird because she never mixes with people. People dont really mix with her because of her sleeping with Lodge and having a baby. People think she is a witch. I think this is because people associate her with Trendle. When Gertrude needed to find Trendle the villagers told her to ask Rhoda and she realized that they thought a sorceress would know the whereabouts of the exorcist. But the mystery really begins when she has her vision and next day Gertrude shows her the mark from the vision which is on her arm. The vision is an important part of the story as it is the start of everything and caused everything. Rhoda can not control what is happening to so it helps maintain the uncontrollable forces which are all through this book. Thomas Hardy uses Conjuror Trendle a lot to help create mystery and uncontrollable forces. Just the fact that conjuror Trendle lives on the heath starts to make the reader feel a sense of mystery because the heath represents the weirdness or the story. Trendle also helps create mystery by doing magic in secret and not openly He did not profess his remedial practises openly and it also helps that he was in disguise. He was disguised as a dealer in furze , turf sharp sand and other local products. He had to be disguised because people in that time were very superstitious. I think Thomas Hardy uses Gertrude to help create a sense of uncontrollable forces, this is because things are happening to her mentally and physically which she has no control over. Also because the things that are happening to her are unexplainable, it helps create and maintain malignant uncontrollable forces. Hardy illustrates this physically when her incredible beauty is which is described as the light under a heap of rose petals becomes ruined and scarred by her withered arm; and mentally when she turns from a very nice person to an irritable, superstitious woman Farmer Lodge is not in the story much but none the less is a very important character, because he is the main reason the whole story happens. He is the center of the love triangle of him Rhoda and Gertrude which is why everything happens. As we dont see him much in the story this makes him more important as it helps add to the mystery. Hardy uses imagery to help the reader mentally see whats happening and also to symbolise things. An example of this at the beginning of the booking the lorn milkmaid Hardy paint us the picture of a lot of milkmaids all sitting together gossiping. This gives the impression that the village is quite a close knit place and that one Rhoda Brooke is all by herself on the side not joining in this gossiping. This gives the impression that she is a sort of outsider which no one wants to be friends with which adds to the mystery. A very important image in the story is the withered arm. It creates mystery because the reader will wonder how it happened and malignant uncontrollable forces because the reader will wonder if Rhoda really is a witch. The main themes of the story are witch craft and passion. The passion is in the love triangle between Farmer Lodge, Gertrude and Rhoda. The witch craft is in the vision Rhoda sees and the physical and mental change in Gertrude. Passion and witch craft are the uncontrollable forces in the withered arm. I think one of the things Hardy is trying to say in this book is that life cant always be explained. Thomas Hardy uses many different languages effects. He uses similes and metaphors, to describe Gertrude her face as comely as a live dolls and her face like the light under a heap of rose petals. Hardy also uses extended imagery when he uses the river outside the executioners house to link him to the village, it stood close to the same stream. He also uses personification in describing the river the waters of which emitted a steady roar. Thomas Hardy shows us which characters are common and which arent by having the common ones use dialect. The only person not to use dialect is Gertrude. Another important factor in creating and maintaining a sense of mystery and malignant uncontrollable forces was the plot. The vision coming true and Rhoda beginning to doubt herself really draws the reader in to the story. I think it was a very effective ending giving no clear answers like yes, Rhoda was a witch or not or no, it was all a coincidence and leaving it up to the reader. That really helps maintain mystery In conclusion I think that by using the characters, settings and a strange plot, Thomas Hardy successfully creates and maintains mystery and malignant forces in the withered arm.

A Case study of j boats

A Case study of j boats Objective: The objective of this essay is to look at the issue of organizational tensions and basics for successful strategy via the case study of J Boats. This essay introduces the case study of J Boats and the key players, details the five forces analysis, looks at resources and capabilities, tensions, the 4 Ps of strategy and finally comes up with the future recommendations to management and strategic risks faced by J Boats. J Boats and Key players: J Boats is Americas most successful and famous boat-builder. Over the period has won many awards. J Boats operates its business in eight countries Argentina, Australia, Italy, France, England, Japan, Brazil and South Africa. Each year, over 100,000 people around the world sailed on one of their boats. It is operated by only five individuals of a single family. Rod who is the founder of J boats made his first boat Ragtime in 1974. Bob is the co-founder of the company and elder brother of Rod and he made the strategy of business. Jeffery, son of Rod became president of the company in 1987. Stuart and Drake sons of Bob became vice-president and sales manager in the same year 1987. Alan, son of Rod became product development manager. In 1993 Drake left his position and Jim (nephew of Rod and Bob) became sales coordinator. Tillotson Pearson International (TPI) is the major supplier of the company. J Boats has a network of 65 independent of dealers around the world . Five Forces Analysis: The five forces analysis provides a useful framework and checklist for analyzing the competition dynamics of any given industry (Simons 2000, pg 19). The five forces that determine the degree and nature of competition in boating industry are: industry 1. Threat of new entrants Easy to set up for example boat manufacturing can take place in home garage. High investment in research and development and product innovation required. J Boats has created professional dealer network distribution. J Boats have a long history of heavy advertising and this has earned brand equity and loyal customers all over the world. 2. Suppliers All the Boats of J boats are building by TPI and this gives supplier, TPI, a lot of bargaining power. On other hand there is mutual agreement between TPI and J Boats where TPI is exclusive manufacture for J boats. 3. Substitutes Large numbers of recreational activities available e.g. skiing, swimming and outdoor sports such soccer etc. 4. Buyers Buyers are price sensitive. Buyers can easily switch to different suppliers. Dealer earn industry standard margin. 5. Industry rivalry High fixed cost increases the firms willingness to discount to utilize capacity, increasing rivalry. Firms Resources and Capabilities: Resource is more broadly defined as strength of the business embodied in the tangible or intangible assets that are tied semi permanently to the firm (Simons 2000, pg 21). Capabilities refer to the special resources and know-how possessed by a firm that gives it competitive advantage in the market place (Simons 2000, pg 23). J Boats has strengths in the major functional areas of a business, such as research and development and marketing and sales. It has ability to respond quickly and effectively to market needs. J Boats capabilities are also created by being first at creating new design- a first mover and locking out competitors. Tension in organization: Organizations are complex entities in which managers must balance a variety of forces (Simons 2000, pg 7). J Boats needs to balance opportunities and attention. It has three projects in production J/160, J/32 and J/100 that absorbs time and money. It is hard for a company to decide which project to continue with for next years. The managers must ration their time and attention wisely. Secondly, J boats are attempting to grow it business however an excessive emphasis on growth can lead to danger without consideration to profitability. J boats need to balance profit, growth and control. J boats need to make strong financial planning. Only when a business is profitable can managers focus on growing the business (Simons 2000, pg 8). The 4Ps of Strategy: These are Perspective Mission, Position in Industry, Patterns of Action and Plans Goal. These are explained below. Mission statement: A mission statement is a formal commitment to stakeholders that the companys strategy incorporates and recognizes their claims on the organization (Hill 2007 p 34). J Boats mission is to become one of Americas most successful and famous boat- builders. Position in Industry: Means what industry position it wants to achieve through its strategies? (Hubbard, Jaynes, Clowes, Winter, Samuel, Pg. 3.7, 2009). J Boats wants to build best performance sailboats, thus creating value by offering quality products. Patterns of Action: To succeed over the long term, managers must keep their eyes focused on customers and competitors and their ears to the ground. They must listen and learn (Simons 2000, pg 37). J Boats is a best performing brand because of product innovation, advanced research and development and networks and relationships with suppliers and buyers. J Boat is very creative and fast moving with a new idea and currently its moving in low cost boat. Plan Goals: Goals are the ends or results that management desires to achieve in implementing the business strategy. Plans and goals can be used to communicate strategies and coordinate actions (Simons 2000, pg 32). From management perspective greater success of company is to handover J Boats successfully to next generation. Recommendation: These are a few recommendations that could support company to perform in more effective and efficient manner in future. These are explained below. Effective planning system: Effective financial planning means the development and implementation of co-ordinate plans for the achievement of a clients overall financial objectives (Leimberg 2007, p 3). J boats need to make strong financial planning. These will tell the J boats that whether the company is running as efficiently as possible or not. It will also help management to analysis cash flow position, further investment objective and goals. Quality and performance: By being the first mover (means first to create a new performance boat design) in the niche product segment ( i.e. quality and performance) alone is not sufficient to ensure this advantage is maintained, and J Boats must continue to innovate in product development, maintain good supplier and dealer network and stay one step ahead of its competitors. Expansion: To create long-term strategic advantage, J Boats really needs to look to expansion options that ensure strong growth and profitability. On this basis, expansion of new low cost boat and different supplier bases will provide a good foundation. Strategic Risk: The process of overseeing the management of all the firms risks is strategic risk management (Hubbard, Jaynes, Clowes, Winter, Samuel, 2009). However, it is vital that the risk attached to any options is carefully considered by J Boats before embarking on these options. They will significantly change the underlying business model of J Boats, increasing the level of complexity and uncertainty associated with revenue streams generated from new products and markets. In order to successfully integrate any expansion into the existing business, J Boats must ensure that risk management becomes an essential component of the business planning cycle. Conclusion: Future growth and development are clearly important factors in the J Boats business model. The development of brands loyalty and consistency of product innovation and expansion into low cost boat is likely to be the way to success. J Boats ensured that one of the Johnstons was represented on the class association executive board to monitor closely any proposed changes in racing rules that might affect specifications and allowable equipment when racing, this a good example of how the company is ensuring its well placed for the future and has strong capabilities that are able to meet the strategic goals of the company. Company should understand running a business on one supplier base is much more risky in term of long future plan thus its vital to have more than one supplier. Finally we recommend J Boats to consider rotation of duties for fear that if misfortune happen to a family member the business will continue in future without major interruption.