The 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, Only passions, Essay - 1

The 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things. Describe one of your passions and - Essay Example Nothing is more interesting or controversial than a political discussion. It could include an across-the-fence chat with a neighbor concerning an upcoming city council vote regarding the installation of speed bumps on area streets or an in-depth analysis of how the Magna Carta was the foundation for the U.S. Constitution. Politics are much more than simply an interesting subject that allows people to casually converse about topics beyond the weather. Politics, whether local, national or global, shapes our lives and the lives of future generations. It is a dividing line that defines ideologies. To really know a person is to know where they stand politically. In addition, it is a measure of a person’s general intellect and level of knowledge. I bring up the subject when on a date or meeting someone that I plan to associate with so as to ascertain the mindset of that person. I am in no way insinuating that an individual who is not interested in politics possesses character flaws but I would rather spend my free time with people of opinion and conviction that are concerned about the greater good. The ‘greater good’ is the goal for all but the means to that end differs to varying degrees. Married couples, old friends and family members seldom completely agree when discussing politics. One should avoid controversial subjects such as religion and politics while in a social setting it has been popularly suggested. I would add, ‘if you cannot control your emotions.’ Politics binds and greatly affects us all. The discussion is essential if local, national and global society is to evolve into the universally shared goal. In addition, the subject is fascinating and, based solely on this fact, worthy of dialogue. My passion for politics drives me to communicate its multidimensional aspects effectively. Politicians seemingly put more importance on

Culture Collision Essay Example for Free

Culture Collision Essay Culture collisions has been both positive negative to those involved such as Columbus and his run in with the Natives Americans, French revolution and the Haitian slaves, and African Imperialism. In any culture, subculture, or family in which belief is valued above thought, and self-surrender is valued above self-expression, and conformity is valued above integrity, those who preserve their self-esteem are likely to be heroic exception. In the culture collisions I learned about most was trying to change others culture and views on life in this eassy I will give more backgrand on the positive and negatives of the collisions of new worlds like Columbus and the new American, Haitia revolution, and Africans new way of life. I start my culture collision with a young sailer by the name of Christopher Columbus and his run in with the Native Americans. Columbus sailed for Spain but was from Itialy. Columbus search was for spices. He thought by sailing west across the Atlantic it would bring a ship to Eastern Asia. His plans made sense, but columbus greatly underestimated earths size, and had no idea that two continents lay in his path. Once columbus got to the new world he call the natives, Indiains thinking he was in Asia. As soon as I arrived in the Indies, on the first Island which I found, I took some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts.(-christopher columbus 1492). After finding out that these people was not what they seem, Columbus and the Natives American made a treaty. The natives were good neighbood they tought Columbus how there lands works, and ways to serve the land. Columbus used this new found world to bring European, Americans, and African cultures together. Not only did he collied the culture he brought foods and animals. Even though the collision had good turn out there was a down fall of this collision with Columbus inhumain way of treating the Natives Americans. In two years, through murder, mutilation, or suicide, half of the 250,000 Indians on Haiti were dead.(-Zinn,). Columbus killed many of the Natives Americans after friending them. After they though him what he needed to know they was not use to him. Even though Columbus collied, the world at what cost was that to all the lifes he took. The next culture collisions was the revolution of Haiti and French,  starting with Napoleon against a free slave named Toussaint LOuverture. Haiti had heared to Enlightenment Thinkers talk of equal rights and thought that they should be intitled to the rights also. Napoleon started out as an Italian general and ended up being one of the greatest historical figures. First, Directors requested Napoleons support while organizing a coup detat. Then, Bonaparte fought Britain in order to benefit France. Lastly, he was called to help creating a new constitution and ended up as the First Consul of France. At home, he ruled using flattery, but also he strongly resisted the opposition. Napoleon is a pro-revolutionist because he denied all the privileges of the aristocracy, created a new constitution, and also established the Napoleonic Code.(-Brainard, 1998-2008)Neapoleon was one of the greatest generals who ever lived. But at the end of the 18th century a self-educated slave with no military training drove napoleon out of Haiti and led his country to indepenence. The remarkable leader of this slave revolt was Toussaint Breda (later called toussaint louverture, and sometimes the black napoleon). Slave revolts from this time normally ended in executions and failure, this time was different.(-Brainard,1998-2008). Toussaint become the leader of the slaves rebellion. He successfully fought the French who were helped by succumbing to yellow fever in large numbers as well as invading Spanish and British( who wanted to take down napoleon for the beheading of the king and queen). After the French Revolution was in the hands of Jacobins, who leaded the Reign of Terror. So Napoleon and LOuverture agree to terms of peace by giving them there indepenence. A few months later louverture was invited to come to a negotiating meeting will full safe conduct. When he got there napoleon betrayed the safe conduct and arrested him, putting him on a ship. Napoleon ordered that louverture be placed in a prison dungeon in the mountains, and murdered by means of cold, starvation, and neglect. Louverture died in prison,(-Brainard, 1998-2008)but others carried on his fight and six months later napoleon gave up his fight. This collisions allowed the indepenence of haiti. In africa, Europeons wanted the copper,ivory, gold, and diamonds the africans held in there mines. African’s used slavery as a part of their everyday life. When the Europeans arrived overseas in Africa they were  intrigued by this idea of slavery. They felt that the African people were used to the hot weather and long and hard working days. They thought of the blacks as inferior as well. They needed people to do their labor in the New World and were sent over in the African Slave Trade (Corretti,1500-1800). Slavery had a different meaning in the New World than it did in Europe. People were considered chattel in the New World. This means that one human was the property of another human. The Europeans needed to find people to keep up with the labor on the plantations in the new world (Corretti, 1500-1800).Europeons capitalists carved up the continents in order to ensure their wealth. Many english, french, and germans travelled to make africans chistian. Europeons inslaved these africans and spilt families apart. Africans resistance to the imperialism. Shaka Zulu led the Zulu people againist the Boers and Brithish. Brilliantly fought off troops for 30 years. In the end Britin control Southen Africa. Yaa Asantewaa led the Asante Kingdom against the British in West Africa. Last battle in series of 100 years of war between Asante and England. Menelik the second led Ethiopia against Europeon colonists. Hired Europeons to teach them how to read and use Europeons weapons. In 1896, Ethiopia smashed the Italians; Ethiopia was never colonized.(-malone,2012) Beside ethiopia, the African Imperialism was a negitive culture collision it had no effects on the world in my eyes just the europeon mading others do there durty work. In conclusion, culture collisions privde to be both positive and negitive. Not one collisions had one with out the other, Columbus didnt decover a New World but brought others together. But then again in his process of doing so he mistreated kind people and almost whiped out the native race. With the Haitian and French Revolution Napoleon ketp the haitain in slaved when he came to power. In the African Imperialism they inslave most of africa because of there industalition and need hard workers for little to no pay after the child labor laws. Well without any of these collisions we wouldnt be living in the kind of world we do now.

UK Childrens Health And Well-being

UK Childrens Health And Well-being Drawing on research and theory critically discuss the effects on young childrens health and wellbeing of being poor in a rich country such as the UK. How can such health inequalities be addressed? The health and wellbeing of children within the UK has become a controversial topic amongst policy makers, due to the major health inequalities surrounding children in the UK. A report submitted by the Department of Health (1980) concludes that on the whole, health within the UK has improved since the introduction of the welfare state; however there is still widespread health inequality which has resulted in a vast number of children living in poverty. Poverty is defined as a circumstance characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter and access to education and information. (United Nations, 1995) Poverty has further been defined in literature in terms of relative and absolute poverty. Relative poverty is where individuals are living in a rich country such as the UK, where there are higher minimum standards which no individual should fall below. These standards should continue to rise as the country expands economically. On a higher scale, the concept of absolute poverty includes anyone deemed to be living below the minimum standards of the above essentials. It is important that individuals do not fall below this standard as it can have devastating consequences. Although poverty has numerous definitions, it must be remembered that child poverty is the poor circumstances experienced throughout the duration of childhood by children and young people . It differs from adult poverty due to the diverse causes and effects. The impact it has on children during childhood can be everlasting. (CHIP, 2004;UNDP, 2004). Social exclusion is where families have limited access to good health, adequate diet, the ability to participate in the community (Smith 1990). In this sense, poverty and social exclusion are directly related, since families living in poverty often do not have access to the above necessities. The health statuses of various groups of people are dependent upon numerous factors, one which is social status. A persons social status is almost directly related to the persons health and social group that they belong to, thus has a potential effect on the health and life chances that one may encounter. Categorically, socio-economic groups in the community vary from the high class to the working class, with geographical location being a primary factor. For example in Britain, those that live in affluent areas are more likely to live a healthier and more productive life than those who live in a deprived location on a low income. The social status element has broadened the gap between communitie s, allowing poverty to continue to dominate the lives of children. Children are vulnerable to deprivation; even when it is only for a short period in their lives. It can still have long term implications on their growth. I aim to critically discuss these effects and look at ways in which health inequalities can be addressed. Childhood is a very vulnerable stage for children, as they are dependent on their parents or guardians to fulfil their needs. Children require basic resources and services to develop mentally, physically and emotionally. To develop into a healthy adult, necessary requirements include educational facilities, vaccinations, healthcare, security, nutrition, clean water, and a supportive environment. Due to their sensitivity during this critical stage of life, children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse (CHIP, 2004: pg. 2). Furthermore, children living in poverty face numerous deprivations of their rights: survival, health and nutrition, education, participation, and protection from harm, exploitation and discrimination. Over 1 billion children are severely deprived of at least one of the essential goods and services they require to survive, grow and develop (UNICEF,2005b: pg. 15) Children growing up in poverty are more likely to experience emotional and behavioural problems both of which have a negative effect on their wellbeing. Additionally most problems encountered throughout childhood continue into the adolescents and adulthood years. Antisocial behaviour can be due to cultural and social factors which can have an immense influence on the individual. Living in inadequate and overcrowded housing conditions on estates which are associated with crime increases these risks. Bronfenbrenners ecological theory suggests that human behavioural development is shaped by ones environment. The theory acknowledges that a child affects as well is affected by the settings in which they spend time in. The time spent by children in negative surroundings will have a detrimental effect on their personal behaviour. He states that as the child develops, the interaction and relationships formed with others around them become more complex, and that this would continue to arise whilst the childs physical and cognitive formation was to grow and mature. A study conducted by Clark in 1996 found that children suffer socially from frequently being re-housed in to more affordable housing. These children felt that they lacked stable friendships and had difficulty forming friendships due to the frequent school changes, schools hence became a place of social deprivation rather than a place where friends could be gained. Moreover, Oppenheim (1996) and Dunn (2000) both argue that chil dren feel excluded because they cannot afford to socialise with their peers leaving them segregated from those around them. Furthermore Smith (1995) indicates that failure to fit in with their peers results in profound effects on childrens behaviour. Blackburn (1991) goes on to argue that poverty affects psychological and behavioural processes which diminish life choices. This can lead to increased feelings of powerlessness and low self esteem as a result. In some cases this can cause the individual to form coping strategies which include alcohol or illegal drugs. Gilman et al (2003) highlights that childhood adversity extensively increases the risk of depression, as well as long term negative effects on childrens health and wellbeing. The health and well-being of children is interrelated to the quality of housing, the appropriateness of the location and affordability. Housing is a key component of both the physical and social environments in which children are exposed to, and plays a direct and indirect role in the achievement of positive development. A study undertaken by the Board of Science 2003 found that stable, safe and secure housing is a fundamental aspect in the healthy development of a child (Board of Science and Education, 2003). Faulty structure and inadequate facilities, for example heating, can cause accidental injuries (English House Condition Survey (EHCS), 1996). Factors affecting the health of children include the cost, quality, occupancy and the stability of the housing, along with the neighbourhood environment in which the child resides. Moreover, affordable accommodation for poverty-stricken families is frequently restricted to housing with substandard physical properties (Dunn, 2000), and is often in surroundings with socio-environmental problems which provide further disadvantages to physical and psychological well-being. Potvin et al (2002) argues that the housing tends to be in specific locations, resulting in segregation of low-income communities, when combined with poor access to employment opportunity, this can lead to socially deprived neighbourhoods. Klitzman et al (2005) confirms that these neighbourhoods are inclined to be unsafe, with limited access to essential facilities and services. This inevitably leaves fewer opportunities for social integration, and also poses health risks to the community, particularly for the vulnerable groups, residing within these environments. Curtis 2004 argues that inadequate housing may further influence individuals health and mental well-being through increasing their level of stress. This can put a tremendous strain on a child, as the child distinguishes the atmosphere within the home as being depressing. He goes on to acknowledge that crowded living conditions can result in easier transmission of infectious diseases i.e. tuberculosis and increases the likelihood of acquiring respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis particularly if family members are smokers. Excessive noise levels also result in sleep deprivation, which can affect the growth and psychological wellbeing of a child, as they may experience tiredness and low energy levels whilst at school, which would lead to poor concentration. Similarly this can also have adverse affects on adults and children alike and lead to negative psychological effects, including aggression, depression, irritability, and frustration with others in the family. This is r eported to contribute to family issues and potential violence. (Curtis, 2004).. The English House Condition Survey confirmed that 1,522,000 UK residences did not meet the mandatory standards set (EHCS, 1996). For many deprived communities, the only housing available is unsatisfactory. The World Health Organisation (WHO) advocates that, during the cold weather, the average room temperature should remain at a constant 18-20C (WHO, 2005). However, in the EHCS survey it was estimated that 40% of the UK population resides in temperatures below these guidelines. 19% of housing in the UK is cold, and damp compared to the 9% recorded in Germany (EHCS, 1996). Despite specific measures adopted by local governments, housing policies continued to remain inadequate in many regions. For example, insulation of properties is a major government initiative at present. This is recognised as a cost effective intervention that could increase room temperatures whilst decreasing fuel costs for poverty-stricken families. However, The Warm Front scheme, which provides funding for insula tion, is not available to pregnant women and young children, unless they are in receipt of specific social security benefits. Despite repeated evidence of the effects of poor housing, and associated lack of heating, public health interventions remain insufficient. Economical accommodation for poorer families can be excessively expensive, and the payment of rent or mortgage costs can result in minimal disposable income for fuel, food and other basic necessities (EHCS, 1996). Obesity is a known health issue associated with poverty; a consequence of low incomes and inexpensive inferior foods, which result in high fat and high salt diets. Consequently, it has been determined that people with serious health issues are more likely to occupy the least health-promoting segment of the housing market, which in turn, aggravates health problems. Children born into poor circumstances also tend to have fewer educational opportunities than children are born into families where parents have been educated, or there is more disposable income available in the household. Hetherington et al (1991) argues that poor parents find it increasingly difficult to provide intellectual, stimulating tools or resources, such as toys, books, and technologically advanced equipment to their children. The complexity of their circumstances also prevents them from increasing the childs opportunity of receiving a pre-school education, giving them the opportunity of a positive foundation which is essential during the critical period of learning and development. Failure to attend pre-school can result in low academic attainment at a later stage. (www.surestart.gov.uk) Furthermore, since many social peer relationships form during the early years, children who do not have these experiences tend to lack confidence and self-esteem (Hetherington et al (1991), When placed within the classroom environment at an older age, these children are more likely to choose to remain segregated rather than participate within class discussion as they feel stigmatised due to the life they lead and have poor confidence when interacting with their peers. They feel that children that live in affluent areas have greater confidence and should be the speakers. In the mid 1990s, there was an extremely high rate of relative child poverty in Europe, and the UK at present still has a high rate of poverty and the worst birth weight in deprived areas in comparison to any other Western European country (Sandwell-Smith, 2003). Therefore in 1999, Prime Minister Tony Blair made a pledge to eradicate child poverty by 2020, halving it by 2010, and making a difference by 25% in 2005. In order to do this, several changes were put into place such as the implementation of a taxation system, changes in benefit eligibility and the way it is paid, the introduction of the tax credits and the investment in childrens services. Around the same time, the Millennium Cohort Study (2000) established that babies being tracked were already showing larger differences in their health status at the age of three, according to their family conditions. Among children in families with income below  £10,000 a year, 4.2% suffered chronic illnesses at this age, compared to ju st 1.7% among wealthy families on over  £52,000. This significant difference highlights the importance of living above the poverty line. Such evidence has paved the way for numerous Government initiatives that attempt to close the gap on health inequalities in the UK. According to the UKs statement to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children in 2002, the UK is restructuring the machinery of government to put the welfare of children and young people at the heart of policies and services, to ensure that childrens and young peoples voices shape the priorities and practices of the government, and to bring together the government, the voluntary sector, businesses, local communities and families with a vision for young people. (United Nations 2002) Ten years on research shows that the government still holds a strong will to tackle child poverty and has always had it on the agenda, and is continuing to be a key aspect in the battle against child poverty. In a response to the recent release of poverty figures, the government insisted that the  £1 billion already committed in this years budget with help to lift a further 250,000 children out of poverty, however they believe an additional  £3 billion will be needed to invest in tax credits and benefits in order to meet the 2010 target set by former prime minister Tony Blair. (End Child Poverty HBAI Report 2008).However in a policy briefing on education and child poverty released in March 2008, The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) condemned the government for not addressing this issue properly and claimed that the educational gap between disadvantaged children and their peers would continue to increase and that part costs incurred should be claimed through local charging police s ( End Child Poverty 2008). Although some of the governments policies and strategies have not achieved their full potential there is still room for improvement with the ideas already formed. This can only take place if there is a major transformation in the way policy makers address the issue and implement strategies. For example the existing tax credits system consists of a working element for parents who are on a low income and a child based element on the number of children under the age of eighteen in full time education. This currently needs to be reviewed and updated; the combined value of child tax credit and child benefit needs to be increased in line with inflation and earnings. The reformation on the administration of tax credits and benefits is also essential as in previous years there has been discrepancies on the amounts paid and the overpayment of these allowances.(www.hmrc.gov.uk) In conjunction with the above, the benefit entitlement system needs to be reassessed for all UK residents irrespective of immigration status as at present those that are not UK nationals are not entitled to specific benefits. Another significant aspect is that the government has made various attempts to work towards creating more jobs, and getting people off benefits into work however; it needs to be that the jobs created are enhanced and beneficial, financially for those that are qualified and have the relevant experience.(www.jobcentre.plus.gov.uk) Conclusion: There is conclusive evidence that living standards and housing conditions are interrelated and poor socio-economic situations during childhood negatively influence the health status once a child reaches adulthood. The exposure of the young to these situations contributes to long-term ill health. This is worsened due to diminished immune systems and the greater exposure to negative environments which they have little or no control over. (Klitzman, et. al., 2005). Insufficient facilities and the overcrowding of properties are very much a major concern with infectious disease, while damp and mould can cause various respiratory problems (Bornehag, et. al., 2005). Nevertheless, the debate around housing and health and wellbeing is inclined to be concerned with the discourse of poverty. (Dunn, 2000). However, looking at research there seems to be much less consideration of the indirect effects of poor housing upon health, such as social exclusion (Curtis, 2004) and depression, and psycho-s ocial effects are repeatedly overlooked. Moreover in recent years, socio-economic determinants of health have returned to policy debates, and housing conditions are, once again, recognized as a critical influence upon public health (Board of Science and Education, 2003). Recent studies have shifted focus in the direction of a broader-ranging perspective with regard to poverty, and health and quality of life, which presents the possibilities of enhanced understandings of the determinants of health status. The General Assembly of the United Nations 1948 states that everyone has the right to a standard of living sufficient for the health and wellbeing of himself and his family. This Includes food, clothing, housing and medical care. As with many health determinants, the quality of housing is directly related to income. Trying to reduce these adverse effects of poor accommodation remains a major challenge. Health inequalities are not reducing in the UK, and the worst health is experienced by those who are most socially and economically deprived (Stanwell-Smith, 2003). As in the nineteenth century, there is a profound need for a rigorous public health reform. Essential to this must be enhanced living standards and prevention of ill health, so as not to become trapped in the inevitable cycle of poverty many children still find themselves in today. Although the government has evidently reaffirmed its commitment to meeting its child poverty targets, and has developed both the organisational competence and the political drive to do so, there still seems to be a vast majority of children living in poverty and it is highly unlikely that the 2010 target is to be met, based on current spending levels. However it is not too late to improve the strategies enforced to provide a healthier future for the children who will be the new generation of the workforce for years to come. Word Count:2992

The Mystery Of Drear House :: essays research papers

Virginia Hamilton. The Mystery of Drear House. Greenwillow Books, 1987. 217pp   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In concluding her series of stories about the Small family, Virginia Hamilton compliments the original plot perfectly in The Mystery of Drear House. The books dark secrets begin to slowly unveil and are brought to end with a surprising friendship.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book is again set around the house of Dies Eddington Drear, in a current year. The surrounding property and underground tunnels on premises play major roles in defining the plot and motive for the characters bizarre actions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The main character in the book was Thomas small; he is a young boy about 12 years old. He is shy and timid but is very mature for his age. He sees things for how they should be, and he often gives too much due to his kind-hearted nature. Thomas best friend is Pesty Darrow a girl his age who lives on the property that borders theirs. The Darrows are a feuding family and believe that there is gold buried on the Small’s land. They feel that it should belong to them and pull many risky stunts to try and find it. Mrs. Darrow is Pestys mother and the key to many secrets of the house and the tunnels that were once apart of the Underground Railroad. Due to her mental illness, she cannot speak and remember things clearly. Thomas’s father has known the location of the gold, and being the good man that he is, arranges for the Darrows to find it. He did this so they could live next to each other without feuding.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe Hamilton was trying to show that stubborn people with different ideas can over come one another’s differences. She shows how kindness and letting someone know that your care, and to be able to let the past go can bring even the worst of enemies together.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book in itself was excellent; I thought it explained and answered many questions and brought the story to a sufficient close. I almost wish it wouldn’t have, the mysteries of the house were quite interesting especially with the relevance to the Underground Railroad and the true history behind it, which she incorporated into the plot.

Executive Shirt Company Essay

Mr. Collier, per your request, I have analyzed Executive Shirt Company’s current production process in addition to evaluating both Mike and Ike’s recommended processes for custom shirt production. Elements considered during this analysis included: Process types, cycle time for the processes, process efficiencies, and costs. Each element is key to identifying the best course of action for Executive Shirt Company, Inc. in regards to the addition of custom shirt production. Process Types Currently Executive Shirt Company uses a batch shop process, where multiple functional areas perform similar tasks. For example: all of the sewing areas are sewing all components of the shirt. This type of process performs well in this production setting due to the fact that one operation isn’t dependent on another to perform its task (outside of the initial cutting phase). More so, one individual’s sewing performance doesn’t hinder another from sewing their batch of shirts. Mike adopted this process type in his proposal for the addition of custom shirt production; however, Ike took a linier concept (more assembly line focused) for his proposal where operations are performed according to the progressive tasks to construct a shirt. For example: the cuff operation cannot be performed until the sleeve operation is completed. Within Ike’s process, each operation is dependent on the prior to complete its task before the next operation can commence. This causes issues when one operation begins to slow, causing idle time. Cycle Time It is important to identify the cycle times for each operation in a specific process (see Appendix A-1), given it will allow us to determine the bottleneck – which defines the throughput for the entire process. For the current shirt production process for Executive Shirt Company, we’ve identified cuff making to be the bottleneck – producing 1 cuff every 30 seconds (see Appendix A-1). This means that each operation can only perform its task at the rate of making a cuff. The same is true when examining Mike’s recommended process. Although Executive Shirt Company will be taking on extra production with custom shirts, Mike’s process integrates the additional shirt production into the current process and utilizes the same number of workers (outside of the cutting process). By doing so, the bottleneck remains the same along with throughput for the entire process. Ike’s process, however, takes one worker from each operation and shifts their focus to producing custom shirts. Although the bottleneck remains cuff making for the regular shirt production, the throughput time increases an additional 15 seconds (see Appendix A-1). So, by removing a body from each process, it takes longer to produce regular shirts vs. Mike’s process. Additionally, by only having one worker for each operation for custom shirt production the throughput time is greatly elevated. In Ike’s process for custom shirts, the bottleneck shifts to making collars – 1 collar is produced every 3.9 minutes (see Appendix A-1). Efficiencies When thinking about efficiencies for a production process, we have to look at how much is being produced vs. how much the process could produce and also how labor is being utilized throughout the process. While cycle time gives us a good base understanding for how effective a process is (lower CT shows the process is lean and will become lower as more automation occurs), capacity and direct labor utilization will give us a more definitive look at process efficiency. For Executive Shirt Company, the current process performs at a capacity utilization of 83% and a direct labor utilization of 67% (see Appendix B-1). This means there is most definitely room for production expansion and that’s what we get with both Mike and Ike’s recommended processes. Mike’s recommendation to take on the extra capacity with only adding one worker (to the cutting operation) is expected to up capacity utilization to 94% while only pushing direct labor utilization to 75%. This means Executive Shirt Company would be producing at max capacity while only increasing direct labor utilization by roughly 8%. Conversely, Ike’s recommendation over indexes on capacity utilization for regular shirt production and greatly underutilizes both capacity and direct labor for the custom shirt production (see Appendix B-1). Costs Bridging off of efficiencies we turned our focus to cost; which is highly determinant on efficiencies of a process. The more effective and efficient the production process is the lower the cost should ultimately be. The direct labor costs per shirt in Executive Shirt Company’s current process is $3.84. With the efficiencies Mike’s proposal brings, it directly affects costs – driving the per unit labor cost down to $3.47. So with the increased production and decrease direct labor costs, Mike’s process should produce additional margin. On the other hand, and although Ike’s process would lower the per unit direct labor costs for the regular shirts (due to decrease workers in this process), the over-indexing production causes overtime work in the regular shirt process and far too little work for those in the custom shirt process (see Appendix B-1). Recommendation Based on our review of the current process and the proposed processes from Mike and Ike, I would have to recommend implementing Mike’s plan. Mike’s plan gives a good balance of production increase and cost savings due to a more efficient process, which in the long run should prove to be profitable.

Developing Your Empowering People (Delegating) Skill Essay

Ricky Lee is the manager of the contracts group of a large regional office supply distributor. His boss, Anne Zumwalt, has asked him to prepare by the end of the month the department’s new procedures manual that will outline the steps followed in negotiating contracts with office products manufacturers who supply the organization’s products. Because Ricky has another major project he’s working on, he went to Anne and asked her if it would be possible to assign the rewriting of the procedures manual to Bill Harmon, one of his employees who’s worked in the contracts group for about three years. Anne said she had no problems with Ricky reassigning the project as long as Bill knew the parameters and the expectations for the completion of the project. Ricky is preparing for his meeting in the morning with Bill regarding this assignment. (Robbins, 2012) Assignment. Prepare a 350- to 1,050-word paper detailing how your team would handle the situation described in the scenario The Facts. Presented here are what I consider to be the facts on this scenario. * Rick Lee is the regional manager for the contract group of a large office supply * Rick Lee Reports to Anne Zumwalt * Anne requested Rick to prepare the new department procedures manual * The deadline for the manual preparation is the end of the month * Bill Harmon works for Rick Lee * Bill Harmon has worked in the contract’s group for about three years * Rick asked Anne if he can delegate the preparing of the new manual to Bill * Anne agreed to have the project to Bill Chain of command Anne Zumwalt Rick Lee Bill Harmon Anne Zumwalt Rick Lee Bill Harmon Rick should consider the following five behaviors when he meets with Bill to discuss the delegation of the project (Robbins, 2012): 1. Clarify the assignment: a. Rick must present to Bill the requirements of the project. That is, to prepare the new department procedures manual that will outline the steps to be followed in negotiating contracts with office products suppliers who supply the organization’s products. b. Rick must specifically indicate to Bill he is delegating this responsibility onto him if Bill is willing to accept the project. c. The time constraint of the project has to be clearly stated. According to the scenario, the project hast to be completed by the end of the month. Rick is ultimate project responsibility for successful completion of the project so he needs time to review the manual the manual and incorporate changes before the manual is completed. d. Rick and Bill have to agree on what the end result should be before Bill accepts the task 2. Specify Employee’s range of discretion: e. Bill project is to prepare the new procedures manual, detailing the steps of the contract negotiation process. It is important Bill is aware to what extent he is authorized to make decisions on the steps to be taken, and the order. Rick must indicate he will have the final say regarding the procedures outlined in the manual, and Bill should consult with him if questions arise while defining the creating the procedures. f. Bill will be taking on responsibilities beyond his current role. Bill will be taking part of the Rick’s responsibilities, so he must be made aware he is only dealing with matters related to the preparation of new manual 3. Allow employee to participate: g. Rick and Anne should discuss with Bill the extent of Bill’s responsibility while working on this project. Rather than informing Bill of the extent of his authority, he must participate in making the agreement of the extent of the authority. If Bill is required to use other resources, to what extent is he authorized to set resource’s utilization priority. 4. Inform others that a delegation has occurred h. Bill is part of the contracts group. Rick must inform the rest of the office that Bill has accepted the responsibility of preparing the new manual. i. Also the suppliers have to be informed of this delegation. It is very likely that Bill will be contacting them in the process of generating the new manual. j. Rick must also notify other managers within the organization who may be involved in the preparation of the new manual. k. The communication to other has to indicate the project, and the extent of the authority Bill has been delegated in order to successfully complete the project. 5. Establish feedback channels: l. Rick must agree with Bill on how the progress of the project will be tracked. In addition to tracking the project progress, Bills performance has to be monitored as well. Periodic meetings should be held between Rick and Bill to discuss the progress of the meeting and Bill’s performance. It is not clear from the scenario how much time is available to complete the project. A brief 5 to 10 minute meeting in the morning every other day could be setup between Bill and Rick to discuss the project. m. At the end of the project Rick should have a close out session with Bill to discuss the entire project. In this session Rick should provide feedback to Bill on his performance, based on the parameters that were defined at the beginning of the project. Bill should be recognized for the success of his work, pointing out those areas where he did a great job. Also Bill should be informed of the areas he needs to improve. References Robbins, Stephen P., Mary Coulter. (2012) Management, 11th Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions, VitalBook file.