Computer science coursework Merit Essay Essay Example for Free

Computer science coursework Merit Essay Essay Record shops, cinemas, radio stations, video rental stores and even libraries are losing customers to the global trend that is OIS (Online Information Sharing the official MPAA and RIAA term for internet piracy). It once used to be a common sight to see small record shops filled with teens picking their favourite artists new records from the well stacked shelves, paying at the desk, discussing music with others and making new discoveries. It was not uncommon for people to buy or rent VHS tapes or sit at home listening to the radio. Piracy of course was alive here, the market for pirate radio, pirate tapes and pirated videos was enormous, the difference between then and today? Equipment. Nearly every person below 40 has a computer in MEDCs and also has the knowledge to share everything they want from their media collection with others. The most significant difference between the days of pirate radio and the days of worldwide networking is that you no longer need to know how it works to do it; millions of parents mindlessly expose their young kids to P2P networks such as KaZaA and LimeWire which are full of adult content, viruses and include open chat programs which might allow sexual predators access to their children. The first consumer P2P (peer-to-peer) network of note (others such as MC2 , Direct Connect and TinyP2P had existed before but were not widely adopted by the average user) called Napster allowed only for the sharing of music files such as WAVE and . mp3 (leading to MPEG 3 becoming the most popular music format in years to come). This was the most organised piracy or the time among teenagers and young adults through the internet but had problems in terms of the danger that faced the user (being caught) in that the centralized nature of the service meant that the server not only listed the files bring shared by members but all of the files passed through it in an effort to prevent the proliferation of malicious programs. This was extremely bad news for the user as Napster now had the IP address of each and every user, an integral flaw which would come back to bite the company and its user base later on before it could change its process and remove the evidence from its servers. Napster had finally made stealing music easy but was considered flawed by many in the IT community who wanted easier methods of sharing software, video and text files and a safer method of sharing music. Audiogalaxy was the first mainstream centralized P2P client that was capable (although not by design) of sharing any kind of file whatsoever, it gained popularity after the downfall of Napster and was the first time that the MPAA took note of file sharing software as connections became more capable of allowing fast download of high quality video. Audiogalaxy only indexed *. mp3 files, the obvious way round this limitation was found quickly: by (for example) naming a *. exe piece of software from tree. exe to tree exe . mp3. This made AG extremely useful for illegal distribution of both legally and illegally purchased data between users with experience in CGI and Batch (CGI parameters had to be edited to share non mp3 files) but was not as popular as eDonkey2000 (another P2P later to become known as eMule) program which did not have the security limitations of previous P2P clients as it was much faster to decentralize and allow open sharing and indexing. Especially in the case of Napster, facilitating thousands of minor crimes led to a series of lawsuits launched by musicians against the company (Metallica, Dr.Dre, Madonna) but received praise from other artists (Radiohead, Dispatch, Editors) for allowing distribution of singles prior to an albums release. Eventually a larger lawsuit was filed against the company which eventually resulted in bankruptcy after a lawsuit (which inadvertently increased the services user numbers) filed by the RIAA resulting in Napster closing down their network and being blocked from selling the company without liquidating assets under Chapter 7 of the US Bankruptcy Act meaning that the company was forced to close. The name was later sold to Swedish pornography company PMG who run it as a paid for service using similar looking software. AudioGalaxy was also sued and shut down as its out of court settlement rendered the service effectively useless and resulted in the services user base abandoning it en masse as a result AG too, opened a pay service to distribute music. In efforts to decentralize and avoid federal prosecution, modern networks designed for file sharing are de-centralized, often encrypted and use proxies to disguise IP addresses, for these reasons modern networks make it much less likely for a user to be discovered and served with a court order or other legal reprimand. A de-centralized system does not have a server which holds the files but instead a server that indexes a list of all available files rather than storing them. Most modern p2p systems also use (as mentioned previously) a process of encryption and proxy servers to make them untraceable. The servers often do not ask uploaders and downloaders of content to register accounts as they have previously done, this prevents user name linking: a process that the CIA reportedly used wherein they would search a napster username through a series of websites trying to gain personal data on a pirate in order to find and prosecute them. Another security feature of modern P2P protocols is the streaming swarm structure which works on a rarest first basis, splitting files into multiple parts and downloading these parts (to be reconstructed into a usable file on the leech (downloading) computer) rather than an actual file. As none of these individual parts is usable as the intended finished product on its own Swedish law allows the redistribution under its own piracy laws for this reason, the most prolific pirating groups are based in the country. One such group is the Swedish pirate political party called Piratbyran, the Piratbyran, (whose motto Pirate and Proud has itself caused problems for the group) this organised group has demanded that (along with the Pirates website piratgruppen. org) pirates be treated fairly by the law of the world as they believe they have the right to appraise things and decide if they are worth purchasing before doing so. For this reason, Piratbyran have set up Kopimi, a copywright alternative (said copyme) which declares others right to use your work as they see fit (this being a more extreme version of many other previously concocted alternatives like creative commons which permit a user the right to use works for non commercial reasons of their choice) for anything at all. The group also used Bram Cohens bit torrent protocol and created the worlds largest tracker a website that indexes all of the files available through the protocol which is called ThePirateBay. com (a. k. a. TPB), this site is distributed in over 20 languages and is currently the most popular tracker for the most advanced, secure and efficient protocol that is commercially available at this time. They are however intending to create their own protocol to remove their reliance in Bram Cohen (the creator) who has recently cut distribution deals with Hollywood film studios and is believed to be considering taking the protocol commercial. Governments across the world are certainly taking note, shown in hundreds of adverts which have only proven ineffective thus far. In the USA and the UK the governments have been running multiple adverts against piracy on legally purchased DVD videos and Blu ray / High Definition DVDs which are fairly useless: the advert assumes You wouldnt steal and lists a series of items before telling you piracy is a crime and showing w young girl getting up from her computer where she is downloading a film and walking out of the door. Most people tend to be offended at the fact that, after legally paying for something, they are forced to watch an advert telling them not to steal. This string of adverts alone has caused a series of parody adverts which take off the script of the original You might steal a book and even inspired a film called Steal this movie. Of course there are also positive sides to the increase in stealing and sharing among internet users, the little guy for example is heard far more than the major executive, companies are embracing the freedom culture and popular bands are pre releasing their albums for free to gain fan support. Sharing is even curing cancer! A largely adopted project ([emailprotected]) launched by a US university is folding protein strings over a massive decentralized network in an effort to discover a cancer cure or prevention in lieu of the supercomputer they would normally require. Those passing records about in the early days probably never saw that coming when they connected their first networks! Back in the early 1980s, piracy (albeit not online) was rife amongst office workers and the computer competent, these early criminals would exchange software through floppy disk and share records between each other. As the 90s started and the first networks were being created within offices, the stealing only increased as files could be copied between computer terminals via cable rather than by hand. Now, with the age of the internet: it is estimated that over 300 million of the worlds population routinely steal information and data over the internet with millions more borrowing DVDs and books from each other, whether or not these people are stealing more or less because of the internet is unquestionable, with our ability to access millions and millions of people we are able to share and steal far more than we previously could have done and this only provides incentive to give and take more than we would normally have done in a spirit of world community that is evoked by groups that exist in this sphere such as piratgruppen and the piratbyran.

Impact of Significant Life Events

Impact of Significant Life Events The transitions imply all of us. The layer of rain of the amendment suppose a question of low level survival for millennia . Then the people evolved an exclusive methods for they get accustomed to changes and surprise . The normal changes can conquered by the education. The considerable change can prove our individuality and mesh left they go of completely supported values, hops. Sometime transition are showed under the diagram. after events of life keys show up to 10-20 period in our spam of life. The transition can be widely divided in two types. These types are, Awaited Transition An awaited transition can be defined as an expectation that the people who waits for the changes. Then they knew the changes that go to past as the childs, marriage or birthing etc Can be Unexpected ( transition ) it will happen with a knowledge. This one, humans dont know the changes that are going to happen. for example : Dismissal, death etc. There are some variables that the following of style of adaptation of the influence is: Culture Religion Social Fund Attitude Individual Behavior the transition more significant than different also, some changes or this Transition are acknowledgeable like at the Awaited if persons are extraordinary a little also the Unexpected Transition persons unconscious turning capably of facing the change. then a transition is more significant. Different responses made to significant life event and transition by individuals Answer 1.2 that the stages of life are the different step along which an individual should happen during all his process of life (more Difficult states 2009) it includes this one: the development or infancy the discovery or years adolescents the establishment or juvenile adulthood the continuation or average adulthood to push back or major Nevertheless, normally aptitude for an individual to cope with the events of life in truth related to the stages of the life of the person. Our individuality presents the approach in another direction. You look at latest most of the time as pessimistic or optimistic, dependent or independent, careful or adventurous, impassive or emotional, passive or aggressive, adept or lead agency; generally, these are the character of cholera congenital, Nevertheless other attribute example the emotion that one or low other / authority becomes visible to the study and in particular to challenge basis different and respect we enter to grow. According Erickson, culture has a tremendous influence in human behavior, it has developed and placed more accents in the outside world that wars and depression 1. Infancy (of the birth to 18 months) Result of development of ego: suspicion against confidence Principal force: wait and I walk 2. The early infancy (it begins Eighteen months to Three years) Effect of development of ego: shame against autonomy Principal force: it goes to, the courage and car control 3. The age of game (from three to five years) Result of development of ego: he blames against initiative Central force: target 1. The school age (from 6 to 12 years) Result of development of ego: inferiority against industry Principal forces: competition and method 2. The adolescence (from 12 to 18 years) Result of development of ego: confusion of role against identity Fundamental forces: loyalty and allegiance 3. The young adulthood (from 18 to 35 years) Result of development of ego: isolation, solidarity and intimacy Principal forces: love and affiliation 4. average adulthood: (from 35 to 65 years) Result of development of ego: me absorption or stagnation against generativamente Critical forces: it worry and production 5. Late adulthood: (from 65 years to death) Result of development of ego: desperation against integrity Essential forces: Knowledge The direction of a particularly difficult depends event the stages of our life. And when we have seen with the various stages of life Erickson, we can or to cope with an important event that the death of a member of our family that he will be joined for our standard of living which can be adapted or insufficient to help us to confront this dramatic event in the Pacific. The young man of 10 is lit more challenge to conquer the death of his father that they are compared by the adult of 57 which has a number of life experiences. Personality is organized and dynamic thu characteristics owned by an individual who determines only that it or its cognitions, the behaviors and the motivations in various situations. I. The Ego More difficult (2009) states that This is the structure of the personality that it treats with the demands of veracity or reality; it is called the executive power of the personality because a use of reasoning makes to take decisions . The II.st The superego It is the judge or the moral branch of the personality that it identifies or door to the spirit if something goes wrong or is correct, it is considered as our conscience. Personality changes of an individual to other because, in a sense, each person is not only and the personality that only simply means that people have different reactions, approaches when they meet the challenges in his life. Group responds to significant life events Williams (1999) explain this the change they are the ordinary series for which each one reacts to startle and to adapt, and to have to go during several stage to get accustomed completely to events keys in our work and person life, loss, damage, divorce or loss of work and new matters, the employment or the substitution radically change our life. The excellent events as well as the scare can destabilize our minds, need that we change drastically ours thoughtfully the world, This one takes more time that most of persons understands, often with a stage of the interior bottomless disaster approximately six months later, until we could stop they go of the past and settle completely to our new reality. These procedures influence every person, most of cultures, after principal events of life. These ten happen to twenty times in the life of the people of the majority. Of being understood and I support these events they can be decisive points and opportunity. Or they can go forward to the severe error of judgment, sadness, breakdown, broken matters, career and sometimes suicide. When we have an individual disaster, or we see others in one, in general we contemplate the immediate situation. If there is exterior sensitive factor these can begin a transition. And the additional enthusiasm, the incredulity, the denial, the suspense, the losing confidence, the confusion and the depression are the primary responses to the transition. The social support is A network of members of the family and friends who gives positive reactions. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Persons that give emotional support. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Honest clashes when you establish a style of life of the resumption. The framework consists of gifts of its success, the reminders you dedicate when and understanding when you are discouraged and injury. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The citizens of his life not that does not accept no excuse of you, but contributes to keep its foot and dedication to progress. . The importance of social support is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ applauded up to continue to sacrifice and the power to create the change. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Motivate to persist jobs in the change. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Support and estimated nostalgia when you are the experience a plateau that they imply the small visible change. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Believe that the difficulties on you and the hard work that you create. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ This will be chase costs means in which you can change its style of life à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ more difficult and longer Work in his work or efforts to be improved. Them  · they turn in more affected and interested into his progress and development. Them  · they become more careful in his efforts to change. More sensitive fact on the time and effort had to do the essential change of his life. Answer 14 Mckibbin and (2008) the state tension, such as the response of entrant to a human being has by force shall exercise, in extreme or the other type of require placed on them. Many things in the work can lead to the tension, and the individual will find some things more stressful that different. The Walsh (2005) stipulates that the concept of the tension popularly has to do with the feeling  » under the pressure , unable to cope with the requirements of the situation. Financial commitments and problems Poor-quality living condition Personal relationship Health problems Excessive work roles/long hours Lack of sleep Lack of rest and relaxation Sources of Stress Prejudice, discrimination and hostility from others The Asbridge and To (2008) it describes that small quantity of the tension can be well for us, but tension of some times increases and get in the way with our health. When someone under tension bodies produces a hormone called the adrenaline. The sudden liberation of the adrenaline in the bloodstream causes several effects in the short term, even a beat of rapid, more rapid heart respiration, dry mouth, wide open eyes, sweaty hands, the need to go to the services and a pale face. These signs of the tension do not last a lot of time when they need the energy. If a stressful situation does not improve, then the person can fall ill. The tension impact in each one especially worries the following of workpeople the potential impact is in workpeople of care Denial Rage Social Retreat Anxiety Depression Insomnia Irritability Depletion Lack of concentration Problems of Health To reduce the tension it is necessary to conquer the things that caused the tension, which is not always easy. Below they are some ways of relieving the tension:  · Change the situation to remove the thing this causing the tension. formation of direction of Time might help to avoid the tension caused by the lack of the time. Emotional expression speaks of or notes down feelings, putting the positive aspect in a list and denials. Assertive formation can go to the source of the problem. skills of Relaxation as therapy of watering, massage, hipnoterapia. Exercise. Medicines prescribidas for GP Therapy to help to organize thoughts to look at a situation differently. game of Role they calculate strategies of adapting themselves practising them first. Others social networks may provide support to individuals experiencing Answer 2.2 According Kubler (1969) there are five fundamental stages in cases of death are denial, anger, the negotiation, depression and finally acceptance. Diagram below describe the time Source: http://www.armchairadvice.co.uk/bereavement/emotional/responses.asp Denial Kubler (1969) states that Denial is a aware or unaware rejection to agree to evidence, truth, and many more, relate to the scenario concerned, Its a resistance mechanism and completely usual, Some people can become locked in this period when dealing with a shocking change that can be ignored, Death of course is not particularly easy to avoid or avoid indefinitely. Anger He further describes that Anger can manifest in different ways People dealing with emotional upset can be angry with themselves, and/or with others, particularly those close to them, knowing this helps keep detached and non-judgemental when experiencing the anger of someone who is very upset. Negotiation Kubler (1969), provides that the tradition of stage negotiator for the people face death can lead to the try to negotiate with any God in whom the individual believes, people turn a volume of the serious minor trauma that it can negotiate or look to place a negotiation, the negotiation rarely that it provides a sustainable exit, mainly if it is a matter of life or death. Depression It is mentioned as preparatory affliction. In a sense it is the process of clothing or the formation led to the consequence although this stage means different things according to which this implies, is a kind of acceptance of the touch accessory. It is usual to feel the sorrow and sadness, fear, suspense, etc. : This shows that the person began to accept at least the reality. Acceptance Kubler (1969) define this stage truly they change according to the state of the person, although largely this is a sign that there is some touching separation and objectivity, the agonizing People can enter this stage a lot of time before the people that they stop, the one who must happen essentially for her own individual stage of deals with the sorrow . The loss is the Unexpected transition normally like a human being for which each one spends this one she organizes the time it will change to the person to the person that one day confronting the loss they need the social support of that time they can come to the normal life. Answer 2.3 External sources of support General Practitioner The people faced the transition some time that he is depressed in this case, they can go to its GP and go to them on the problem you face and GP prescribe anti depressants. The doctor is its first person to consult. The adviser is Adviser the person when you go and to go to someone who has been formed to be a good auditor and help to the conversation of the population on his problem. The adviser can be capable to help him to understand his feelings and thoughts better. Me they help groups where a group of people that they have all transferred to a transition or depression is together to speak and to support another. This can help to feel less when you find another people which has the same classes of feelings as you and also it can show him the means that they have adapted itself. The discovery that you can help and support can help another people to feel better. Psychiatric Disorders specialist that it is the person who deals with serious depressed that he continues during many time. Then it will listen to his problem and will the treatment. Psychiatric Nurse he / she is the people who is his house regularly and conversation with you on the progress and registers all. Answers 3.1 It is the aim of the company to ensure that no present or future employee or applicant for employment receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex,marital status ,disability ,races colour, nationality (including citizenship ) or ethnic be shown to be justifiable. the elimination of any discrimination in employment the promotion of equality of opportunity an also guidance on the steps that need to be taken to ensure that employment practice remain within the law The policy will be implemented ti accordance with appropriate statuary requirement of The equal pay Act 1970 The equal (Amendment) Regulations 1983 The sex discrimination Act 1974 The race relations Act 1976 Recommendation for improving the support available in the organisation for individuals and their social networks significant life event Answer 03, 3 Communication is about the way people reach out to one another. It is an essential part of all relationships, and the ability to communication well with service users, colleagues and other is to basic requirement for doing your job. An also its not just talking-we uses touch, facial experience and body movements when we ploughs communicating with people personally, and there plough many means of written and electronic communication in todays society. It is important that we reads to communicate well even where there plough differences in individuals abilities and methods of communication; you will also need to be able to communication effectively on complex and sensitive issues. Recording information is important and serves much valuable purpose. Record We need to understand the significant of what our and how it is record. Ex-, 1 How to identify the support individuals need 2 Overcoming difficulties in communication 3 How to find out about likely communication problems 4 Communication differences 5 Listening effectively You differ from communication and Actions for this (efficacy of contribution of personnel with experience) 01) Different language 1 Smile 2 they have a friendly expression 3 gestures of Use 4 pictures of Use 5 heat of spectacle and stimulus repeat his words with a smile to verify the understanding 02) Hearing of damage 1) To speak clearly, listen carefully, and answer to what is said to him 2) To remove any distraction and other noises 3) To make sure that any resource to the hearing works 4) Mail of use where assigned 5) Singing of use where assigned. 03) For contribution of Personnel of physical disability 1 They make sure that the surroundings are adapted and accessible 2 they bear in different mind with the production of voice if it is necessary 3 they do not frequent 4 they remember that any corporal language cannot be appropriate 04) For contribution of Personnel Learning disability 1) to judge the appropriate level of the understanding 2) our to answer in the right level 3) To remain patient and to be ready to keep on covering the same ground 4) To be ready to wait and to listen carefully to the response 05) Visual damage 1) to use the touch of being assigned to communicate the worry, the compassion and the interest 2) to use the tone of voice rather that expressions to communicate the humor and the response 3) The contract of an insurance that all the visual communication is transferred in something that can be heard, tape or someone reading

The Business process of the Ferrero organization

The Business process of the Ferrero organization Introduction For my Business Process module of the BA Business Enterprise course I looked into several companies, some small and some large. However, still undecided on which company to pursue, I took a walk to my local shop to buy my two sons a special treat. The shop has a vast array of goodies for children including both chocolate and toys. My two boys both wanted a Kinder Surprise egg as they get both chocolate and a toy. This made me think, I remember Kinder Surprise eggs when I was a small boy and how excited I use to get when I went to the shop to buy one. This made me think, how a product can maintain the reputation, sales and recognition from generation to generation without fading away or being challenged by competitors? With all this in mind I decided to base my project on the Ferrero Company. During the research gathering process I have compiled the following reasons why Ferrero will be an ideal company for my project:- Massive company growth and Globalisation Multi Generational Marketing (Kinder Surprise Egg) Devotion and relationship with all their employees Outstanding contribution to the community Problems the company has faced in the past Strategic advantage over competitors Dedication to their Corporate and Social Responsibility Utilising IT development to enhance distribution Relationship with competitors One of the top ten confectioners in the world This project (Course work 1) will introduce you to the Ferrero Company itself, its fantastic history and I will also talk about its massive global success. I will explain the Organisational structure of the company, the five levels of resources (Strategic, Tangible, Intangible, Unique and Core Competences) and compile a PESTEL report. Ferrero The Beginning Born in 1898, Pietro Ferrero began his career as a pastry maker in Dogliani, Italy. He opened his first pastry shop in Turin but was forced to move to Alba during World War II. Ferrero sought to develop new products in order to overcome the short supply of traditional pastry ingredients. By the end of the war, Ferrero had developed a new spread which combined hazelnuts, cocoa butter and vegetable oil. Ferrero called the paste pasta gianduja which he began selling in 1946. In that year his brother, Giovanni and son, Michele joined the company which had now been incorporated as Ferrero SpA. By the end of 1946 the company had employed more than 50 workers and had approx 200 delivery vans distributing their product around Italy. In their first year sales had topped  £660, Ferrero began contracting farmers to ensure the supply of hazelnuts continued and at the same time improving their quality. 1948 On 4th September 1948 a huge flood had isolated the factory and put its existence in great danger. However, due to the fantastic relationship the family had with all their workers, they all; including Pietro and Giovanni worked solidly for 4 days and 4 nights in order to save the factory. On 2nd March 1949, Pietro Ferrero died aged 51, his brother Giovanni took the Helm. The 50s By the 1950s Ferrero had developed its own efficient distribution network around Italy and opened several depots. By 1954 Ferrero was a household name in Italy. 1956 In 1956 Ferrero opened its first factory abroad in Stadallendorf, Germany. They produced just two products for the German market and both had an extraordinary success. 1957 Giovanni Ferrero died in 1957 and Michele Ferrero took the helm. Michele renewed the production plants in order to boost production through increased technology and sophisticated machinery The 60s Ferrero moved into France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, UK, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland. In 1964 Michele Ferrero created Nutella In 1968 he launched the Kinder Chocolate, especially made for children. The 70s 80s Ferrero USA opened in 1969 followed by Canada, Latin America, South East Asia and Australia. By the 1980s Ferrero was strategically placed in all five continents. In 1985 two new production plants were opened in Southern Italy to help the people devastated by the Irpinia earthquake. The 90s Ferrero developed into Eastern Europe including Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic along with a new plant in Poland. Again in November a terrible flood hit Italy killing many people and damaging the Alba plant. Production was interrupted but just like back in 1948, the employees worked alongside the Ferrero to rebuild the plant and get back on its feet. Some of the employees helping to rebuild the plant had just lost their homes to the flood. In 1997, Michele Ferreros sons Pietro and Giovanni became Chief Executive Officers of Ferrero International. The 2000s In 2006 a new production plant in Canada was opened and by 2009 there was more than 20,000 employees worldwide, over 20 different products and a turnover of more than 6 billion Euros. Business Units Years Production Plants Years Germany 1956 Italy Alba 1946 Belgium 1958 Germany 1956 France 1960 France 1960 Italy 1964 Italy Pozzuolo 1965 United Kingdom 1966 Australia 1974 Switzerland 1966 Ireland 1975 Sweden 1968 Ecuador 1975 Austria 1971 Italy Balvano 1985 Ireland 1975 Italy SantAngelo 1985 Netherlands 1980 Belgium 1989 Spain 1988 Poland 1992 Poland 1992 Argentina 1992 Luxembourg 1993 Brazil 1994 Hungary 1994 Canada 2006 Czech Republic 1994 Cameroon 2006 Russia 1997 India 2007 Ukraine 2003 South Africa 2007 Croatia 2003 Russia 2009 Greece 2005 Repackaging Centre Years Romania 2006 United States 1969 USA 1969 Social Enterprises Years Canada 1974 Cameroon 2004 Australia 1974 South Africa 2005 Puerto Rico 1975 India 2007 Hong Kong 1976 Japan 1978 Argentina 1992 Mexico 1992 Brazil 1994 Sri Lanka 2004 India 2004 South Africa 2004 Turkey 2005 China 2006 Ferreros main competitors are Kraft Foods, Mars and Nestle, however you will see in Course work 2 how integrating with the competitors can be of a huge benefit to all parties and the environment. Success I believe Ferrero is one of the world leaders when it comes to business growth and success, this I have measured by the following means Phenominal amount of Global business units and Production plants Amount of Employees The annual turnover Their ability to develop their own production machinery in order to gain a strategic advantage over competitors Their use of Multi Generational marketing (Kinder Surprise) Their contribution to society and charitable work Annual profit of  £6 billion More than 20 different products From the small pastry shop in 1946, Ferrero has become according to Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/06/world-reputable-companies-leadership-reputation-table.html) the worlds most reputable company as of May 2009. As shown by the history of Ferrero, the growth of the company has been outstanding; this is mainly due to the passion and commitment of its owners and employees as well as the development of its unique brands and its commitment to develop its own production machinery to maintain its strategic edge. Ferrero group dedicate a lot of their time and money into other schemes such as Opera Sociale set up as a group to help and welcome retired employees and give them a sense of belonging. Social Enterprises, Ferreros commitment to enhancing the living conditions and develop the populations in some of the poorest areas in the world. United Kinder of the World, is set up to enhance the health and development of children and young people. Kinder + Sport, developed to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage sports. Since 2007, Kinder + Sport has involved more than 6 million children worldwide in activities in 17 countries. Has you can see Ferreros success isnt just measured by the amount of awards it has won or the amount of profit it has made. I believe the level of success that Ferrero has achieved can be seen on the faces of the people and children that the company aid as well as the commitment by all employees. The company Moto of Work, Create, Donate is a clear target of what the company aims to achieve and clearly they have achieved this, thus successful. Organisational Structure The table below displays the number of employees and how it is subdivided; these figures are taken from the CSR Report 2009, Number of Employees As of 31/08/2009 Workers 12,993 (60%) Employees 6,067 (28%) Executives and Officers 1,724 (8%) Managers 771 (4%) Total 21,555 Type of Contract As of 31/08/2009 Indefinite Contracts 17,460 (81%) Fixed Term Contracts 4,095 (Including seasonal workers 11%, interns 1% and fixed term contracts 7%) Total 21,555 44% of employees are women and 56% are men. 83% of staff are based in Europe The Ferrero Company is based around a Functional Structure with their main Headquarters being in Italy. The Ferrero board will meet and discuss initiatives and business and then forward on their decisions to each Director of each separate sub company i.e. Ferrero Belgium Ferrero Germany. The companies are run in a mirror image scenario, each sub company will have its own HR team, Production team, marketing and purchasing team. However each sub company will run exactly like each other in respect of what product they are producing, how the HR Function is run and where they get their produce. The only difference will come from the marketing team because each country has a different social network and need. The Ferrero Company also works on Standardising inputs and outputs model. Each sub company are standardised to what they produce, how they produce it, how the HR Function is run, where they get their produce and how their staff are trained. Ferrero have endorsed a huge training package for all employees run by the Ferrero Learning Lab which encompasses several training packages to cover all aspects i.e. Managerial, Nutritional and technical. With this standardisation approach, Ferrero have been able to offer exactly what they do national but globally, without any major issues and disparity. PESTEL Analysis FERRERO Pestel Analysis Political Negative Positive With any company dealing globally, the risk of countries becoming unstable and possible war is always going to be a risk to production and distribution worldwide. Ferrero has grown considerably since 1946; this has been possible due to the rapid increase in the European Union, from starting out with 6 members it has now grown to having 27 member states. This growth has allowed for the harmonisation between several countries and its overseas distributions and has allowed for easier expansion through standardised strategies. Ferreros continued support to its Social Responsibilities, mainly that of its support to third world countries has allowed for an excellent relationship and reputation world wide, this has assisted Ferrero with its continued growth throughout these countries. Economic Negative Positive Increase in VAT rate and import costs may have an affect on consumer purchasing and may increase the price on products due to both these increases. Price increase on products may not affect sales due to extremely strong brand reputation with the consumers. Ferrero and Mars have teamed up on a joint distribution initiative, both products will be distributed to the same warehouse and then both distributed out together. This will decrease the distribution costs. Social Negative Positive Sales of confectionary products as a whole decrease during summer months. (see graphs below) Kinder Surprise egg utilises Multi Generational Marketing and has become a collectible item worldwide. Each country produces its own toys in respect to its countries niche at the time. E.g. Super mini Smurf parade issued in Germany. It is a well known fact that more chocolate is sold at Christmas and Easter than any other times and will continue to do so. The reputation institute in New York awarded Ferrero 1st Place as the company with the best overall reputation with the consumer public. Excellent long term relationships with suppliers. Technological Negative Positive Ferrero implemented the SAP Extended warehouse development application which will increase distribution, decrease wastage, increase production, increase distribution timeliness and maximise storage capacities. Ferrero have developed at least 50% of their own production machinery and technology in order to hold a strategic advantage over their competitors. Environmental Negative Positive The prospects of global warming will always be an issue with regards to growing and producing its raw materials i.e. Cocoa, palm oil and sugar cane. Ferrero prides itself on its contribution to protecting the environment and is actively contributing to saving energy and increasing raw material production. The Corporate Social Responsibility report 2009 details all contributions and future projects Ferrero have implemented and are implementing. The 5R recycling project by Ferrero on all packaging it produces helps the environment and the companys reputation. Legal Negative Positive The Kinder Surprise Egg was banned in the USA since 1997 due to the Consumer Product Safety Commission deeming it being a hazard to small children because it may contain a choking hazard. The Egg also falls foul to the US 1938 Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic act which prohibit embedding non-nutritive items in confections. Ferrero counter acted the US Laws by producing and selling the Kinder chocolate without the surprise, this was again a huge success. The Kinder Surprise egg however, is still sold illegally around the US by shops importing them in from other countries. The law as made the Kinder Egg some what a highly sort collectible in the US and as indirectly assisted in the marketing of the egg. This graph below shows the average sales of the Sugar and Chocolate sales throughout the year (calculated in weeks). As mentioned in the PESTEL Report the summer moves takes a clear dip in sales. The graph below shows Ferreros annual turnover in 2006 driven by season. The red line represents the average sale during the year. As you can see 80% of sales were achieved out of the summer months and only 20% during the summer months. Resources Strategic Capabilities Tangible Resources Intangible Resources Unique Resources Core Competencies Produce 50% of its own production machinery and technology Ferrero have production plants and offices worldwide Excellent worldwide reputation Powerful brand name with the Kinder Surprise and TIC TAC mints Kinder surprise has become a collectors item worldwide and will continue to do so The new implementation of the new distribution and warehousing IT software All employees are motivated and made to feel like part of the Ferrero family High level of training provided Developed their own unique product the chocolate and hazelnut paste Cremino Teamed up with Mars to increase distribution speed and cut cost and help cut down CO2 emissions Excellent Training and Human resource management Unique ties with raw material sources worldwide Multi generational marketing Coursework 2 CW2 will be focussing on Ferreros Value chain, Supply chain management, SWOT Analysis and I will be make my own conclusions and recommendations on Ferrero

Michael Jackson :: essays research papers

Michael Jackson is one of my favorite singers. He is very famous, so most of all people in the world know him, at least his name. I began to listen to his songs because I was recommended them by my friend, and I was really attracted by them. I have two reasons why I like him. One of my reasons is that I like his voice and performance as well as his songs, as both "Michael Jackson" and "Jackson Five". Michael Jackson sings songs very well in his particular high-pitched tone as it can be proved by the big hits of his songs, for example, "THRILLER", " BILLIE JEAN" and "MOTOWN 25" etc, and by the many prizes he got, for instance, the first prize of male pop vocalists, of records and of R&B singers on Grammy in 1984. Besides, he entertains us with his sharp dance great performance like " moonwalk". When I listen to his songs in the morning before I go out, I can feel cheerful and powerful. I am a fan of Jackson Five as well. Before he began to sing by himself, he was the main vocalist of Jackson Five. When Michael was eleven years old, their first single CD, "I Want You Back", was released, and it was a very big hit all over the world. Michael was still little and cute, but his voice was very vigorous and rhythmical. His songs make me happy and energetic. Another reasons why I like him is that I am interested in his behaviors. There are always some topics around him. For example, he was under suspicion he treated a little boy cruelly, who was ten years old and Michael's best friend. Michael insisted on his innocence, but he paid 26 million dollars for reconciliation finally. Though he asserted he paid just to settle the commotion, people said he admitted he was guilty. Moreover, it is said that Michael has the longing to be a white, though he said in a TV program he suffered from the disease that pigment in his skin decolorized. When I saw these news, I considered the problems about child-abuse and human race. How does child-abuse hurt the child's heart? His or her hurt will not disappear forever. Which human race is inferior or superior?

A Good Man is Hard To Find: “Good” When Faced With Conflict Essay examp

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, there are eighty-one entries for the small and seemingly simple word, â€Å"good.† The first definition given defines â€Å"good† as an adjective meaning â€Å"of a favorable character or tendency† ("Good"). In this case a â€Å"good person† must be someone who exhibits those qualities of â€Å"favorable character.† In the world of today, a subject of much debate has been the concept of what qualifies a person as a â€Å"good person.† In Flannery O’Connor’s short story, â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find,† the unnamed grandmother struggles to discover an individual with the traits of a â€Å"good person† both in others and ultimately, in herself. This is apparent when the grandmother suddenly repents and her â€Å"good† qualities show when the Misfit has a gun pointed to her head. â€Å"Good† qualities are found in a person if he is faced with a confli ct. Flannery O'Connor uses dark humor, grotesque characters and situations, and religious themes to lead the readers to an epiphany about their faith and their belief in God. Flannery O'Connor uses dark humor and grotesque situations to grasp the reader’s attention. O’Connor was born into a Catholic family in the predominantly Protestant Georgia. She learned shortly after her college education was complete that she suffered from lupus, an autoimmune disease that had killed her father ten years earlier (Meyer). She uses the dark humor and the grotesque characters and situations because she felt that people were actually truer and became â€Å"good† people when faced with conflicting situations. Her characters experience horrific moments that eventually leads to an epiphany. The belief in miracles and the â€Å"good† in people is what all people want to discover in others, but for many ... ...rary Journal 36.1 (2003): 46+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 16 Mar. 2012. "Good." 1a. Merriam-Webster. Online ed. 2012. N. pag. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. Hendricks, T.W. "Flannery O'Connors' 'Spoiled Prophet'." Modern Age 51.3-4 (2009): 202+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 16 Mar. 2012. Meyer, Michael. Introduction. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2012. 362-67. Print. O'Connor, Flannery. "A Good Man is Hard to Find." The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2012. 367-77. Print. Owens, Mitchell. "The Function of Signature in 'A Good Is Hard to Find.'." Studies in Short Fiction 33.1 (Winter 1996): 101-106. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Janet Witalec. Vol. 61. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Literature Resource Center. Web. 16 Mar. 2012.

Opportunity Assessment Essay

Explain the purpose and value of a business plan to a new or existing business. There is a whole host of reasons to justify the preparation of a business plan, not just for business start-up enterprises, but as a model of good practice for established organizations. First, the process of producing a business plan acts as a very efficient method of focusing the ideas of entrepreneurs in terms of defining their objectives and assessing their own abilities to organize and run the business. A business plan also acts as a means of testing the viability of the business proposal before actually committing its proposers to any substantial expenditure or investment. As there are relatively few entrepreneurs who have the resources to be totally self-financing, most are faced at some point in time with the need to raise external finance. The possession of a business plan is crucial to the business’ future; an appointment with the financier or bank manager who is a potential investor or source of loan to discuss a proposal is a bit like an audition in a Hollywood film – if they blow their lines, they blow their chances, or at least, they reduce their prospects of getting the part they want. Written business plans are essential to guide bankers, lenders or investors in understanding and monitoring the financial strength of the business entity. So the most important thing is to prepare the plan thoroughly and to present it in a professional and competent manner. The elements of a business plan is primarily for the benefit of the lending institution and should not be confused with the strategic or detailed operating plans the business may use for internal management purposes. The kind of business plan any banker, lender or investor looks for should provide broad-based financial and organizational information. It should be made available upon submission of the initial credit request and updated periodically thereafter. Financial statements, together with management’s analysis of financial performance, for the past three-year period are especially essential. In addition, the banker, lender or investor will want to see financial performance projections for the coming two or three years. Define the term `micro business` and outline the contribution micro business make to the Australian economy. The term micro business tends to better describe the smallest niche within the small business world. A micro business is, in general, fewer than ten people and includes some unique needs to that space. It typically requires less than US$15,000 in start-up capital, which means that it does not have access to the commercial banking sector because initial loan needs are usually less than US$15,000. In most micro-enterprises, the owner is the sole operator and worker. The capital needs of micro-businesses are too small to be of interest to formal financial markets, yet too large to be covered by the personal means of business starters particularly if they come out of precarious situations. In more cases than not, micro business owners mix personal expenses with business expenses, clouding the company’s functional cost relationships and making ratio analysis very difficult. Typical micro business operators only keep cash records during the year. They present a ‘shoe-box’ of records to their accountants at year end. They only use their accountant to generate a tax return and set of accounts, which might be received six months after the year end. Market niches tend to be defined geographically. Typically, competitive businesses turn over very rapidly, with frequent new entrants to the market, many ownership changes, and a high percentage of bankruptcies and liquidations. Micro business is a key niche to keep in mind in today’s economy and a field that is quickly starting to gain enterprise attention. The economic significance of micro-businesses to the economy of Australia as well as to the global economy is highly acknowledged. This is for the reason that the involvement that micro-businesses create for both employment and the income it produces. Micro-businesses put in $20,193 million to the Australian industry’s GNP and provide work for more than 1/3 of micro-business workers (Khosrowpour 525). Briefly explain the role market research plays in the evaluation of a business opportunity. An entrepreneur must make a commitment to pursuing a business opportunity long before the outcome of that decision is known. How can he know whether the opportunities he is pursuing have a perfect fit with the marketplace, need to be expedited on a rush basis, and are the right decisions to go ahead with? Market research is the answer. Market research is the compilation and examination of any trustworthy information that improves managerial decisions. An entrepreneur needs to do market research to identify and assess an opportunity. Intuition, personal expertise, and passion can take businessmen only so far. Both traditional and nontraditional marketing research can be used to assess opportunity. Research is vital in strategic evaluation if new ideas for diversifying the business are evaluated or tested out. A company entering a new market with a new product is unlikely to know much about that market, and is going to be dependent on good information for decision making for developing sales of the new product and services. The research is likely to reduce the uncertainty about pursuing the diversification opportunity, and to help managers to plan, based on known and defined customer needs. In all practical terms, the application of market research to identify problems and opportunities and to evaluate programs of activity is as important as in other areas of marketing communications. It is the methodical and objective recognition, compilation, study and distribution of information for the intention of supporting business decision-making activities connected to the detection and resolution of business troubles and prospects. Certainly market research plays an important role in business decision making, but ultimate success in markets is determined by many other factors, not least the commitment of the team, the size and mix of marketing budget, and the ability to react to unforeseen problems. Briefly describe the process by which the total cost price of a product or service is established. Pricing, as a process, can simply be defined as setting or adjusting a price charged to a customer in exchange for a good or service. The need for correct pricing decisions has become even more important as global competition has become more intense. Organizations that have been successful in making profitable pricing decisions have been able to raise prices successfully or reduce prices without competitive retaliation. Pricing policy cannot be established in a vacuum. The selling price of the product or service should be consistent with the entrepreneur’s marketing goals, the image he or she is attempting to project, and the perceptions and expectations of the target market. Also, the pricing decision must be viewed as in interactive process in that there is a strong need for cross-functional interaction. It should be clear that effective pricing decisions involve considerations of many factors, and no single model will fit all pricing decisions. While all pricing decisions cannot be made strictly on the general model to be presented in the next paragraph, it does break pricing strategy into a set of manageable stages that are integrated into the overall marketing strategy. Given a product or service designed for a specific target market, the pricing process begins with a clear statement of the pricing objectives. These objectives guide the pricing strategy and should be designed to support the overall marketing strategy. The evaluation of the relationship of product or service to pricing with respect to the distinctiveness, perishability and stage of the life cycle a product/service is in all affect pricing. In addition, marketers need to consider what value the product/service has for customers and how price will influence product/service positioning. The other components of the marketing mix need to be also examined in relation to the pricing component, in order to arrive at a total price. Although the main basis should be the product or service cost, marketers should combine various criteria in setting prices rather than considering only the costs. What is the difference between a projected Profit and Loss Statement and a Projected Cash Flow? Why do you need both? There are several distinctions between projected cash flow and projected profit and loss statement. Although both are only estimates, one difference is that the projected cash flow statement will record budgeted cash receipts from customers, while the projected income statement will show forecast revenue for the period. Further, the projected cash flow statement will record budgeted cash payments to suppliers, while the projected income statement will show forecast of sales, which will reflect opening inventory, plus purchases, less closing inventory. Furthermore, the projected cash flow statement shows the budgeted cash payments for the expenses such as wages, electricity and rates while the projected income statement will record the expenditure expected to be consumed in the period, reflecting any accounts or prepayments. Lastly, the projected cash flow will reflect the cost of purchasing a non-current asset at the expected date of purchase and the proceeds at the date of sale, while the projected income statement will record a depreciation charge for the consumption of the asset and a profit or loss on disposal. The business needs both of these projected statements because they are important tools of financial analysis. Projected cash flow statement, for instance, is a point of comparison for actual cash flow statement so that the firm can find out the variation and take necessary remedial measures. It also helps in overcoming the problem of meeting deficit cash or investment of surplus cash because projected cash flow is usually prepared on the basis of the past year’s experience. Using the cash flow forecast enhances the business’ versatility and allows it to adjust its planning horizon as the business grows. A projected income statement is likewise an invaluable tool. It will help the business estimate its approximate income and expenses in the short term, from months to a few years. It will give a gauge to judge the financial progress of the company. Outline the legal avenues available to an individual to protect intellectual property. Even though it is an intangible term for a theoretical concept, intellectual property is nevertheless completely well-known to practically everybody. While the underpinnings of material property rights are clear, those of intellectual property rights appear clouded. Intellectual property rights have seen perceptible, indeed substantial extensions in the last decade alone. Copyrights, service marks, trademarks and patents are all types of intellectual property, and are avenues for individuals in the United States to protect their intellectual property. The examination of intellectual property law is significant since intellectual property is captivating an escalating implication worldwide. Copyright and trademarks are directly related to the Web, patents less so except if the thing being patented is a new type of technology that affects how the Web is actually used. Trademarks and service marks are used to protect logos, unique elements, phrases, services and official names that have sufficient distinctive character by which the government recognizes the concept as being unique and wholly owned by the individual. At common law, the individual who utilized a symbol or mark to classify a company or manufactured good was sheltered in the employment of the trademark. Service marks protect services rather than products, which is its main difference with trademark, in where the later protects products. Copyright protects everything that goes into a website or in print. It provides the inventor of a work the right to the restricted utilization of that said work for a certain time. Copyright infringement is all too common, often resulting in lawsuits in which individuals receive handsome compensation for having their work ripped off. A patent is a government endowment that bestows an inventor the private right to produce, utilize and put up for sale the invention for a time of twenty years since the time of filing a request for a patent. If a firm produces, utilize and put up for sale a patented blueprint, produce or procedure without the consent of the owner of the patent, it is obligated with the tort of patent infringement. What are the main advantages of operating your business as a company rather than as a sole trader or partnership? Are there any disadvantages? The primary advantage of operating the business as a corporation is protection against liability. The corporation can protect one’s personal assets in the event of a judgment against the business. This is because the corporation’s assets (cash, real estate, securities, accounts payable, etc. ) do not include one’s personal property and assets such as car, house, bank account, and other personal property. One’s personal property is considered separate from the property and assets of the corporation. A second advantage over sole proprietorship or partnership is organization and efficiency. No matter what form the business takes, keeping one’s personal and business finances and assets separate is crucial to the survival of the business. If one’s business and personal finances are intertwined, it will prove difficult and eventually impossible to sort them out to the satisfaction of say, banks and other financial institutions where one may be applying for business loans. A third advantage is savings. There are myriad instances where, as a corporation, one may be able to save on business costs – savings that might otherwise be unavailable to one as a sole proprietor or partnership business. For instance, business equipment amortization IRS allowance and schedules are generally more favorable for corporations than for individuals and partners. Also, financial institutions tend t give more favorable credit and lending rates to corporations as opposed to individuals and partners. The primary disadvantages, on the other hand, are the record-keeping that is required and the fact that corporations are subject to double taxation – the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and if one receives some of those profits as dividends, he/she will be taxed, too. Moreover, the business has to maintain minimal corporate formalities that will take some time and effort, including government regulation of the creation of the corporation, issuance of stock and operations of the organization. The lack of management skills is the cause of 92% of business failure. Does a successful business operator have to be expert or competent in all facets of business management? Long ago in business literature, experts have researched the role of the entrepreneur in firm failure. Managerial deficiencies, inexperience, and inefficiency are consistent themes in the literature explaining business failure. Researchers found that many firm characteristics – particularly decision-based ones – were directly related to the entrepreneurial characteristics. These included lack of insight, inflexibility, and emphasis on technical skills. Additionally, managerial deficiencies and the financial shortcomings of the entrepreneur also contributed to failure. Other researchers have further found support for the case that lack of management expertise along with financial matters was the most common causes of business failure. Some of these researchers pointed to poor management skills as the most frequently identified common theme in business failure. The significance that is placed on management deficiencies as a cause has therefore warranted a closer examination of the specific areas where these deficiencies are greatest. Although this is the case, it is often unfeasible for a business operator to be an expert on all facets of business management. This is the role of consultants; experts that business owners hire too assist in the facilitation of business management processes. The business operator may not possess the expert comprehension of the specialist (such as technology specialist) but it is the business operator who is familiar with the worth and the prospect of expert knowledge. Thus the management expert has specialized knowledge and the business operator has knowledge breadth and it is through the organization that the two kinds of knowledge are united to create wealth. The proven formula for success involves leveraging limited human and financial resources. For example, most business operators lack at least one critical management function, such as a controller or a sales manager. An outside accounting firm, a part-time employee, a channel partner, or a retired person could perform these functions. You have been approached by a person who has identified a business opportunity and who needs some assistance to evaluate it. Outline the advice you would give to such a person? An opportunity is not just an idea. A business opportunity must grow an idea with the potential to develop with the enterprise that has a reasonable chance to succeed. This means that all of the pieces of the puzzle must come together, and in the right order. There should first be the evaluation of external and internal factors that may influence the potential of the business opportunity. External analysis should consider both the general environment, and big picture, and the industry setting in which the venture might do business. Identifying potential affecters in the external environment is definitely worth the effort, but business concepts make sense only if they fit well with the internal potentials of the business. In other words, the entrepreneur’s understanding of potential business opportunities should be combined with insights into what the entrepreneur is able to do. With respect to the chosen sector/industry, learners need to know how to perform a systematic search for new business opportunities as well as how to analyze and evaluate them. There are many different tools identifying opportunities to determine ideas that are worthy of further development, like Drucker’s Seven Sources of Innovative Opportunity, Boston Consulting Group Matrix, GE Planning Grid, 7-S Model and Competitive Strength vs. Market Attractiveness Model. Assessment can be more ‘real world’ if the task of evaluation relates to an idea, plan or proposal with which an individual can identify personally. Determining whether an opportunity is possibly right for a company is not the same as deciding to enter a business, nor is evaluating an opportunity the same as evaluating a business plan. Grabbing a business opportunity is appropriate only after it has been determined that the opportunity itself is both valid and right for the company and the company has a business strategy and plan to which it is prepared to commit. Once a business has become established, it requires sound management systems to operate efficiently. Describe the system you would put in place to operate and control a small business. If the strategic objectives of the business are to be successfully implemented, then first, it is critical to identify the systems that will need to be in place in order to achieve them. The key management systems will typically be those that actively contribute towards the primary goals or profitability of the business. This includes the production functions that manufacture goods for sale and the sales and marketing that sell those goods to the customers. This is all about having the right resources in place to achieve the desired objectives of the business. Without these key systems in place, the strategic development of the business will not work, which is precisely why they must be right before anything can be started. The second stage is to ensure that the support systems are in place. These are the functions that enable the key systems to operate smoothly, such as the purchasing, stores, administration and distribution functions, not forgetting the management systems to organize and coordinate these. The third stage is to ensure that adequate monitoring and control systems are in place both to monitor the expansion of old or the implementation of new systems, and to monitor the efficacy of the whole strategic process and its component parts. In order to implement both the key systems and support systems, it will be necessary to produce an action plan which identifies the critical dates by which each one of these systems must be in place. The action plan should be regarded as a means to an end, as opposed to something that, once set, cannot be changed. Although it sets the guidelines and targets for the process, it must be flexible enough to account for, and respond to, any factors that are beyond the control of the process. The planning procedures must be, like the workings of each of the systems, subject to the same planning and review cycle if they are to function efficiently.

Developing Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Continuing Professional Development ?

Introduction The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has set out at least four domains of competencies for entry to the register in Adult Nursing. In this brief, I will focus on the second domain of communication and interpersonal skills. Communication plays a crucial role in addressing the needs of the patients. Adult nurses are expected to communicate effectively, listen with empathy and advocate for their patients (Department of Health, 2012a, 2012b). Specifically, the Department of Health (Commissioning Board Chief Nursing Officer and DH Chief Nursing Adviser, 2012) has introduced the 6 Cs of nursing, which encompasses compassion in nursing practice. Compassion in care is only possible when patients feel that their nurses understand their feelings and show empathy (Chambers and Ryder, 2009). Communication is essential in helping patients articulate their needs (Hall, 2005). Similarly, poor communication could result to misunderstanding, anxiety for the patients and poor quality of care (Chamb ers and Ryder, 2009). In this brief I will focus on the domain of communication and interpersonal skills since these form the foundation of my relationships with my patients. Developing my competency in this domain would help me identify both verbal and non-verbal messages of the patients and address their needs accordingly. Meanwhile, effective communication is needed when I communicate with my colleagues and other healthcare practitioners. A focus on my communication skills with my patients will be made in this reflective brief. Communicating effectively with my patients and other health and social care professionals would help improve the care received by my patients. Benner’s (1984) stages of clinical competence would be used to underpin my development from novice to competent. Gibb’s (1988) reflective model will be utilised to reflect on my experiences in the last three years from novice to competent. Professional Development from Novice to Competent Level Reflective practice (Gibbs, 1988) allows healthcare practitioners to improve current practice by learning from incidents and one’s own experiences. Pearson et al. (2009) explains that one’s own experiences are another form of evidence in healthcare. With the focus on patient-centred care, the NHS (Department of Health, 2012b) has encouraged evidence-based care when addressing the needs of the patients. I will use Gibbs (1988) model in reflecting on my communication experiences in years 1 to 3. This model starts with a description of an incident followed by analysis, evaluation, conclusion and action plan. An incident during my year 1 exemplifies how I developed my communication and interpersonal skills as a novice. I was assigned to the mental health ward and assisted an elderly patient with dementia who was admitted for pneumonia. During his first day in the hospital, my senior nurse performed a nutritional assessment and informed me that I should assist the patient during feeding time. This was consistent with the Patient Mealtime Initiative (PMI) (NHS, 2007) implemented in our ward. As a student nurse, I would be assist the patient to self-feed and make his environment comfortable and uncluttered. During mealtime, I talked to the patient and informed him that I would assist him in eating his food. He stared at the wall and did not respond. I gently asked him if he was ready to eat. When he turned to me, I informed him that he could now start eating. He only stared at his food and did not seem to understand my instructions. I placed the utensils near his hand so he could grab it and eat. When he did not respond, I asked him if he wanted me to help him eat. After a few minutes, he got his spoon and held it for a few minutes. I began to realise that he did not seem to understand my instructions so I started to place the spoon with food in his mouth and gently touched his chin to remind him to chew his food. My senior nurse passed by and informed that I have to put some pressure on the patient’s chin and make some chewing motions to help remind him that he needs to chew his food. It took me an hour to feed my patient. On reflection, communicating with older patients with dementia could be a challenge. Most of these patients suffer from cognitive impairments, which make it difficult for them to communicate their feelings and concerns (NICE, 2006). A significant number of older patients with dementia who are admitted in hospital wards are underweight (World Health Organization, 2014). Jensen et al. (2010) explain that many of these patients have forgotten how to eat and chew their food while others lack cognitive abilities in understanding instructions on feeding. Hence, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE, 2006) guideline on nutrition for older patients highlights the importance of assisting the patients during feeding. For patients in the advanced stages of dementia, the main aim of nutrition is to maintain hydration and comfort feeding. Meanwhile, some patients could also suffer from swallowing problems, making it more difficult to ingest food (Lin et al., 2010). The hospital ward environment is also new to older patients with dementia and might trigger anxiety and fear (Lin et al., 2010). Since patients are in unfamiliar surroundings with unfamiliar people, they might express their fears and anxieties through aversive behaviours (NICE, 2006). It is shown that nurses react negatively to aversive behaviours of older patients with dementia (Jensen et al., 2010). On reflection, the incident taught me to be more patient and to understand both verbal and non-verbal messages. It took some time for me to realise that I have to feed the patient since he appeared confused. I was also unprepared on how to communicate with an older patient with dementia. As a novice nurse, my feelings and apprehensions are normal and are also shared by other nurses (Cole, 2012; Murray, 2006). Best and Evans (2013) have shown that nurses feel unprepared to communicate and care for older patients with dementia. On reflection, I should continue with my professional develop ment by joining training and seminar on how to communicate with older patients with dementia and address their nutritional needs. When faced with a similar situation in the future, I am better prepared and would not need more supervision from senior nurses on how to communicate with older patients with dementia and address their needs. For instance, I am now aware that these patients have difficulty verbalising their needs and I have to be sensitive of non-verbal cues and interpret aversive behaviour as possible signs of distress, anxiety or fear (Best and Evans, 2013). The second incident occurred during year 2 in my placement in the Urology Department. At this stage, I already considered myself as an advanced beginner (Benner, 1984). I was assigned to care for a 45-year old male patient who was admitted due to testicular pain. I introduced myself to the patient and informed him that I was part of a team that would be caring for him during his hospital admission. I noticed that he was uncomfortable communicating with a student nurse and asked for a more senior nurse. I gently informed him that my senior nurse was supervising other student nurses and he was left to my care. I tried to communicate and noticed that he had difficulty with the English language. I asked him if he needed a language interpreter. Once an interpreter was identified and assisted me with communicating with my patient, I noticed a change in his behaviour. He began to open up and was willing to take his prescribed medications. I slowly understood that he was anxious about his co ndition and wanted a male nurse with the same ethnic background to be his nurse. When he realised that most of the nursing staff are composed of female nurses, he began to accept me as his nurse. On reflection, this incident illustrates the importance of taking into account individual differences and using communication strategies to understand the patient’s needs. Specifically, I became aware that he had difficulty with the English language. The act of getting an interpreter greatly improved our communication. One of the competencies stated under communication states that nurses should be able to use different communication strategies in order to identify and address the patient’s needs (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2010; National Patient Safety Association, 2009). It was apparent that the patient was self-conscious that a female nurse was addressing his needs. It is shown that a patient’s perception about his condition is also influenced by their cultural beliefs and ethnicity (Department of Health, 2012b). He was uncomfortable that a female nurse was providing care when he was suffering from testicular pain. However, the patient shares similar ethnic background as the interpreter and only became comfortable when the interpreter assured him that he could trust me. I realised that patients with different cultural background could be anxious about their treatment and might have difficulty communicating. On evaluation, I felt that I was able to address the immediate language barrier gap by getting an interpreter to help me communicate with the patient. My experiences during my first year in placement with patients who have different ethnic backgrounds and have difficulty expressing themselves in English helped me prepare for this situation. As Benner (1984) stated, nurses develop competency through experiences. I felt that I have improved on my communication skills and have achieved the advanced beginner level during year 2. Being sensitive to the communication needs of my patient is also consistent with the 6 Cs of nursing (Commissioning Board Chief Nursing Officer and DH Chief Nursing Adviser). In this policy paper, nurses are encouraged to show compassion in caring through effective communication. On analysis, I could have improved my communication skills by learning how to communicate with patients with different cultural beliefs about human sexuality. The patient was shy that a female nurse is part of the healthcare team managing his testicular pain. As part of my professional development and action plan, I will participate in training and seminars on how to communicate about health issues, such as testicular pain, that are considered sensitive and may carry some cultural taboo. The third incident happened during year 3, in my placement in the surgical ward for orthopaedic patients. At this stage, my previous experiences in communicating with patients during year 1 and 2 have helped me develop important communication skills. These included recognising non-verbal messages, understanding how culture influences my patients’ perceptions of nurses and the care they receive. Culture plays a crucial role in how patients place meanings on the words and symbols I use when communicating (Funnell et al., 2009). Apart from culture, I realised that the patient’s own perceptions of the illness and pain they are experiencing could also influence the quality of our communication. In the incident, I was assigned to assess the level of post-operative pain of a patient after surgical operation. He was a 32-year old male and was unable to communicate even after four hours of surgery. I tried to communicate with him to help assess his level of pain. Since he could not verbalise his level of pain, I used the visual analogue scale (VAS) to identify the level of pain. On analysis, I felt that I have done the right thing and have fulfilled one of the competencies under the domain of communication. Specifically, the NMC (2010) states that nurses should be able to use different communication strategies to support patient-centred care. The use of the VAS helped the patient articulate his level of pain. The VAS is often used as a tool in healthcare practice when assessing the patient’s level of pain. This tool is reliable and has been validated in different settings (Fadaizadeh et al., 2009). On analysis, my personal experiences in the last three years helped me be come acquainted with current guidelines on pain assessment. It also helped me identify a simple but valid and reliable tool in assessing patient’s level of pain. Pain perception in post-operative patients is highly subjective and could be influenced by several factors (Gagliese and Katz, 2003). These include age, gender, prior pain experience, medications and culture (Lavernia et al., 2011; Grinstein-Cohen et al., 2009; Gagliese and Katz, 2003). Regardless of the factors that influence pain, nurses should be able to assess the patient’s pain accurately and communicate with the patient strategies on how to control pain (Clancy et al., 2005). Hence, communication is crucial in ensuring quality post-operative care. On reflection, I was aware that the patient has difficulty communicating. Hence, choosing a more complex tool in assessing pain could add to more distress and anxiety for the patient (Gagliese and Katz, 2003). I realised that choosing a simple assessment tool helped calm down the patient since I was able to deliver care appropriately. On reflection, I would follow similar procedures in the future. However, I would improve my knowledge on pain assessment by participating in pain education nursing classes in university or in the hospital where I am assigned. This would form part of my continuing professional development and action plan. Abdalrahim et al. (2011) argue that nurses with high knowledge on patient education are more likely to accurately assess patient pain, leading to earlier relief and management of the patient’s pain. However, Francis and Fitzpatrick (2013) express that despite high levels of knowledge on pain management, there are some nurses who have difficulty translating this knowledge into actual practice. One of my roles as a nurse in an orthopaedic surgical ward is to manage post-operative pain of my patients. Failing to manage pain could lead to chronic pain, longer hospital stays and poorer health outcomes (Grinstein-Cohen et al., 2009). I also realised that effective communication with patients is needed to ensure that the patient’s needs are addressed. Conclusion In conclusion, the three incidents portrayed in this reflective brief demonstrate how I evolved as a nurse practitioner from novice to competent. Specifically, my communication skills have developed from year 1 until Year 3. In the first incident, I had difficulty communicating with older patients with dementia. Beginner nurse practitioners have no experience in the situations they find themselves in. This was true in my experience with the older patient with dementia. It was my first time at communicating with a patient with cognitive impairment and feeding him. I lacked confidence in carrying out the task and only improved after several meetings with the client. However, in year 2, my communication skills improved. For instance, I was able to immediately identify the needs of the patients by depending on verbal cues and non-verbal messages of the client. I was able to get an interpreter and communicate with him. However, I also realised that I still need to improve by participating in classes and training on how to communicate effectively with patients with different ethnic background. Finally, in year 3, I was now more competent in communicating with patients. Even when the patient in post-operative care could not communicate, I was aware that he was in pain. I was also able to use an appropriate assessment tool that is consistent with the guidelines in our hospital. I realised that I possess more confidence in communicating with the patient and identifying his needs. 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