Reluctant Fundamentalist and Racism

Reluctant Fundamentalist and Racism Most people across the world think that racism is a topic that is non-existent. As such, they think that racism ceased to be present in America and other parts of the world since people are not under slavery anymore. However, only people who have experienced racism truly know that racism is typically a pervasive feature that is both inferential and overt in the contemporary society. They understand that issues of racism are real and cannot be ignored (Davis 12). People who live in areas that are prone to racism experience discrimination every day at their work, school and neighborhood. As such, they are looked down upon and they fear moving out of their homes to meet with the majority who torment them. By using the issue of race as the means of judging, people tend to generate deep-rooted stereotypes among people. Today, racism has been normalized to the extent that people perceive racism as a non-issue. For instance, in mainstream media such as television, it has become common for f ilmmakers to use racial stereotypes in their programs and yet command big audiences as well as earn huge salaries. This has the implication that the mass media needs to do much before it is considered color blind. In the corporate world, the situation is the same where there are a few blacks and outsiders who are represented in marketing and business departments in organizations. Few minorities such as blacks are employed as agents, concert promoters, retailers, distributors and managers of recording labels in the entertainment industry (Algranati 570). These statistics point to the reality of racism in the contemporary world despite the obvious thinking by most people that it is not in existence. In the book The Reluctant Fundamentalist, the author, Hamid, right from the first page demonstrates how people tend to judge others based on how they dress, their skin color, as well as their mannerisms (Davis 13). It is the behavior of Americans whom he considers racists that shape the at titudes and impressions that Changez has in the United States. Changezs friends, while he is studying at Princeton University, treat him in a respectable manner. However, they still perceive him as being an outsider in America. Later on, as Changez travels to other countries such as the Greece, he experiences subtle forms of racism. This is typified by the fact that even though his colleagues in Greece are not rude and disrespectful to him, they still think that he is an outsider and an exotic â€Å"pet.† Erica, a lady whom he met in Greece, though attracted to him, thinks he is different. Despite his perils, Changez is determined to win Ericas heart by loving her. He is, therefore, deliberate in encouraging Erica as well as her friends to accept him even though he is different. Changez does not yet know who he is and to this extent, he thinks that others do not accept him because they hate him. This paper will examine the theme of racism in The Reluctant Fundamentalist novel and how it affects the characters. In particular, the paper will explore the issue of racism by considering the characters of Chengez and Erica and how they help in illuminating the theme of racism. It will describe their experiences with racism in their won context. This paper will argue that the author has used the characters of Erica and Chengez effectively to demonstrate that the issue racism is real in the society and that the society will need to do more to eliminate the problem. Hamid, in this novel, invites his readers to powerfully but constructively examine the US culture from his perspective of culture. Hamid understands that life in the twenty-first century has rapidly changed and, therefore, people may be ignorant of the critical issues that the twentieth-century individuals had but which the current generation may consider as non-existent but which nevertheless are important. As such, human rights have been upended into constitutions and hence discrimination is criminalized, but only just in books and never anywhere else (Davis 8). For the author, his life depicts that of his main character in the book. The author, like Changez, his twenty-two-old character in the novel, was born in Pakistan. Hamid as a young kid lived in the United States but later traveled back to Pakistan early before he came back to America to pursue his education. To this end, Hamid considers himself as half-American but a New Yorker. He was educated at Princeton and later worked in a leading bank in the United States as a consultant in management. On the other hand, his character entered into the United States when he was enrolled in college. This was the first time that the character interacted with the American culture. Before the September 11 bomb explosion in America, Chengez was only experiencing mild forms of racism while in his day-to-day businesses in America. The attitudes of Americans towards foreigners and especially Muslims changed with the attacks. The World Trade center was bombed by Muslim terrorists and, therefore, most Americans begun to believe that Muslims were terrorists who did not deserve to live in America. They were viewed as criminals and terrorists (Yanow 36). The Americans were not as much concerned about him being around him as it did after the explosions. Being a graduate from one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Changez had hoped that this had epitomized his American dream. Changez had hoped that his life wou ld be characterized by success, status, wealth, and opportunities. Even his accent was already associated with power and wealth and, therefore, considered himself as a New Yorker since he was at the pinnacle of his career. His attraction and romantic relationship that he desired with Erica would crown his successful career as well as his desire to be part of the sophisticated American society. While at the university, Changez tended to give an impression that he was generous and carefree. However, when out of college, he took a three-hour job so as to support his respectable image that he had created among his fellow students. After the attacks, Changez encountered more hostile and overt racism forms in America. This was characterized by the fact that at the airport, he was detained and harassed while being referred to as an Arab even though he was in fact a Pakistani. This was an inferential racism. Inferential racism can be described as the naturalized situations and events that are related to a race, whether fictional or factual. In this case, all the Muslims are thought as Arabs whom Americans thought were all terrorists. There were widespread assumptions that were aimed at discriminating and punishing the Muslims as the Americans believed they were responsible for the attack on World Trade center in New York. It is the idea of racism that shape the common sense of people on how other people should act in the world. As such, racism is taken as a way of explaining and comprehending the world. When people disrupt what others think of themselves and their race, it is more obvious that they will feel the p ain. They will feel some form of discomfort and, therefore, a crisis or a conflict may result. This is typified by the fact that people who are profiled tend to be aggressive seeking their voice to be heard. In the process, they may end up causing conflicts hoping that they would have their voices heard (Yanow 23). He considers the police officers as profoundly unfair and vicious. Therefore, Changez refused to give in during the confrontation. He made things even worse by changing his attitudes and behavior so that it could be obvious that he was a foreigner in manner and appearance. Like most immigrants who were living in the United States during this period, Changez began to be discriminated against. Artificial barriers began to arise so that his opportunities were severely limited. The issues of racial segregation and exclusion were happening even long after several years had passed since the adoption of equal opportunities. It is racism that drives Changez out of the United Stat es and he returns to Pakistan because he could not cope with the mistreatment. Even before the United States became a republic, its society has many instances where people disagreed on the account of racial differences. This resulted into the labor movement emergence, southern plantations as well as the Western expansion. Various groups across the globe have historically encountered specific racial oppression forms. For instance, the blacks were taken as slaves, Native Americans have suffered genocide, and Asians were excluded while Mexicans were colonized. In all these groups, the common denominator was that their fate was associated with historical ideas that others have about the meaning and significance of a race. For a long time, the white view themselves as superior people as compared to the inferior others. They, therefore, wrongly conclude that others should be their subordinates because their culture and organization is superior to that of others. As such, in North America the main source of conflict about race ideology is the idea of â€Å"others† and â€Å"us† (Davis 10). In this case, the white Americans feel that they are better than other races such as the blacks and view others as unfairly competing for the American resources which belong to them. They, therefore, want to push them out of America to their countries. As a result, it is racism and prejudice that lead Chengez to begin his criticism of America despite that he previously loved America. He, therefore, begins to be critical of things and systems in the United States. As he returns home, Changez is a changed person. He is prepared to criticize that same system that belittles and harms his racial and cultural identity. He develops his sense of self when he remembers the consequences of his relationship with Erica. Recently, the preexisting racial boundaries in the United States have been gradually crumbling because they have been threatened by informed and enlightened people (Yanow 18). People are becoming increasing aware that even though they are different, these differences should not be used to judge and discriminate others (Algranati 572). Educated people understand that difference in physical appearances and cultures should never be used to divide people but to unite them. Diversity is celebrated among learned people. Changez’s awakening coincided with the attack on the World Trade Center in the United States. After this attack, new racist incidents against the Muslims were recorded. Typically, before the attack occurred, Chengez never felt conspicuous while interacting with whites in the United States. Only on few instances along the highway did he feel noticeable. However, when the attack occurred, he felt his appearance increase and, therefore, he could be noted easily. As such, while he is walking in shopping malls, and the airports he has to be searched more than his white colleagues. Again, during the same time the FBI began to raid shops, mosques as well as houses seeking to intimidate Muslims and Arabs using derogatory and racist language. He started to feel that the Americans did not deserve to treat other people from a different race in such a demeaning language. He, therefore, made up his mind to start acting like a real Muslim and a Pakistani. He begun to put on a beard so as to symbolize his sense of pride as a Muslim. He was critical of the American culture that prioritizes only economic fundamentalism and which focuses on meritocracy. The American economic system treats employees as clients and business liabilities or assets. Employees existed to increase their productivity so that the business organization could be profitable. He started to challenge his colleages to rethink how they viewed him at work. As he returns to Pakistan, Chengez, just like Hamid, suggests that the society and the workplace ought to create policies that help in resolving conflicts in ways that respect the cultural roots of others and never mock them (Algranati 574). He also observes that the society should not erect boundaries that reinforce racial stereotypes but rather encourage people to transcend the boundaries that racial stereotypes erect (Yanow 11). The society should not be deliberate about erasing the culture of people it considers as minority but help them integrate w ell in their society. In conclusion, Erica is involved in a romantic relationship with Chengez. However, she does not want to be committed to the relationship and, therefore, she wants it to use it so as to reinvent and recreate her previous relationship with an American man, Chris. The plan does not succeed and, therefore, Erica became depressed. When she was admitted to a hospital, she realizes that it was only Changez who, despite being from a different culture, was real. Chengez was making her lose her sanity. Changez, maintains that if people become obsessed with previous things and events, they lose their essence and perspective in life (Yanow 39). In this case, such people miss to understand the beauty of the community that they live in. As Erica was obsessed with the previous dead lover, this experience overrode the present reality, thus threatening her ability to be in other romantic attachments. To overcome the depression it was imperative that Erica agreed to allow this relationship to be intim ate, thus transcending racial boundaries. People must move away from the misconceptions and embrace cultures of other people (Algranati 573). They must embrace diversity in their communities. Therefore, it can be seen clearly that the author has used the characters of Erica and Chengez effectively to demonstrate that the issue racism is real in the society and that the society will need to do more for the issue to come to the end.

Writing Strategies For Students, Proper Modeling Is...

Writing strategy In order to teach essay writing to students, proper modeling is required for essay formats and analysis. A form that teachers can utilize in the classroom is the TEEL (Technique, example, effect, link) model (See Appendix 2.). However, students will work in groups to construct their understanding of textual themes and features that are explored in Life of Pi (Outcomes 2, 5, 12A). Normally, TEEL structures are associated to teacher-centred pedagogy and utilize paper-based learning with limited interaction from teacher to students and collaborations between students, which can deter student motivations in the classroom (Elen et al., 2007; Jones 2007). By using interaction and group-based learning the teacher will be able to†¦show more content†¦Module C: Representation and Text Elective 1: Representing people and politics Module C explores the representations of people and politics through text to consider how texts portray perspectives on politics, â€Å"ideas, events or situations† (BOSTES, 2014, p.20). Using Brave New World (1932) by Aldous Huxley, which is a prose fiction text, students are able to explore how politics and actions can influence society and lives, creating a dystopia that devalues humanity (BOSTES, 2014, p.20). As the book is a study of political agenda, students are also expected to draw attention how certain vocabulary and language features can shape meaning to the text (Outcomes 1, 3, 4 and 7) (BOSTES, 2012). There are also a variety of different interpretations that exist in the text such as the dystopia created by power and lack of freedom as well as the struggle to be free. By exploring this text in an all girls’ school, students are able contrast the representations women in the text such as the control over a woman’s body and sexuality as well as socia l circumstances through Huxley’s early 20th century context. The text is set in London, where society has become industrialized and controlled by a social construct of a â€Å"World State†. This concept provides insight into the ambitions of humans and that politics is so powerful that it can influence the way society acts. There is an obvious dystopia created around the segregation of humanity and the politicalShow MoreRelatedAncient Egypt7342 Words   |  30 PagesAncient Egypt This unit is designed to allow students to explore concepts surrounding Ancient Egypt. Students will explore culture, socio-political and science of Ancient Egypt through reading, writing, mathematic, science and artistic endeavors. 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Just in Time Approach in Inventory Management Free Essays

2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (2 ICBER 2011) PROCEEDING nd nd JUST IN TIME APPROACH IN INVENTORY MANAGEMENT Abdul Talib Bon (Corresponding author) Faculty of Technology Management, Business and Entrepreneurship Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia Tel: +60127665756 E-mail: talibon@gmail. com Anny Garai Faculty of Technology Management, Business and Entrepreneurship Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia Tel: +60137016298 E-mail: anniegarai_87@yahoo. com. We will write a custom essay sample on Just in Time Approach in Inventory Management or any similar topic only for you Order Now y Abstract Quality improvement and costs control are vital to organizations for work performance enhancement and fulfilling customers’ requirement. Inventories that are stored in large amount of quantities will result in waste and space usage. One effective solution is using Just in Time (JIT) concept as a method to reduce costs, improve quality and meet the ever-changing customer needs. The adoption of Just in Time (JIT) concepts seems to be the most effective way to overcome these circumstances. JIT is management philosophy that emphasizes on eliminating waste and increase productivity. The main purpose of this research is to find out whether the implementation of JIT would reduce the inventories at Electronics component industry especially at the parts producing stamping of FCM. This research is done by case study. Therefore the data collection would be using secondary data which is the documentation from FCM itself and also via observation. The data were analyzed by doing the comparison before and after the implementation of JIT using Microsoft words excel. From the analysis that had been done, the implementation of JIT had increased the inventories management at the stamping parts production. As the conclusion, the implementation of JIT in the inventory management at the parts production stamping at Electronics component industry had successfully reduce the inventories level while improving the inventory level. Keywords: Stamping Production, Just in Time, inventory management, electronics component industry. 1. Introduction Globalisation phenomena had created the business without boundaries. Most of the organisation nowadays only focuses in two main elements that can influence the global market, which is customer satisfaction and also the product and services quality. Organisation all around the world need to take the initiative to increase the product quality to satisfy the needs and customer demand that always change besides minimizing the production cost. This initiative is needed to keep the challenge at the market (Canel, et al. , 2000). One of the most effective solutions is with the application of Just in Time (JIT). Application of JIT could involve few important elements at organisation such as production level, marketing level, engineering level and purchasing level. The application of JIT more focuses on management process. Therefore, JIT can be applied at varying process. (Canel, et al. , 2000). JIT is the concept of management that invented specially to avoid waste. This is in order to minimize the waste and increase the productivity (Zhu and Meredith, 1995). JIT is one type of Lean Manufacturing (Yen, 2003). Lean manufacturing is the process to control the production which depends on the demand by the customers. It is also act to reduce waste. The application of Lean Manufacturing can reduce the stock, work space and the production of raw materials. This philosophy can maximize the production (Forza, 1996). At Malaysia context, application of JIT is not popular. According to Simpson, et al. , (1998), JIT had been applied by national automotive firm as a transitory JIT. Transitory of JIT is one of the ad hoc inventory models. This is can give half of the inventory in order to reduce the production 2562 2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (2 ICBER 2011) PROCEEDING nd nd cost beside can make the technology transfer at the international level. This research is made to study the application of Just in Time (JIT) in inventory management at stamping production at Electronics component industry. 1. Background of Study At FCM there is lot type of inventories and this requires a huge space to restore it. Therefore FCM need to prepare an enough space. How ever, this situation requires FCM to overcome the cost of restore. But this is not the really big issues to FCM. What really worries FCM management is the huge batch of inventories. The batch of inventories had caused FCM loss in profit because there is no moving out of the output to customer. Therefore the cases are also not only arises due to this problem. Besides that, in Japanese firm, the concept of keeping the inventory is a big waste in industry. Based on this problem, Heizer J. Render B. (2006), Just in Time (JIT) is the best strategy to increase the operation especially at the inventory management. However, if the raw material cannot be delivered during the production, there would be a big problem. 1. 2 Problem Statement This study is to elaborate the JIT application in inventory management at the stamping production at FCM. The problems that occur in this study are what is the importance of application of JIT in order to influence the inventory management at the stamping production at FCM? 1. Objective In this research, researcher has the stand to achieve the objective so that it could be archived. The objective is to study the application of Just in Time (JIT) in inventory management at Stamping Production at Electronics component industry. 1. 4 Scope Of Study The scope of study is focused at the stamping production at Electronics component industry. The main products of FCM are keyboard and relays. Respondents that invo lved are top management and the staff at stamping production of FCM. Data would be collected through qualitative method and be analysed quantitatively. From this study, the researcher hopes that can help Electronics component industry on the applications of JIT in their operation. The researcher hopes that with this study, it can help Electronics component industry and academician which is up to the upcoming researchers. 2. Literature Review JIT is not the new concept in production sector (Stevenson, 2001). It started during 1920 and being used by Henry Ford at the automation industrial. JIT is one of the Lean Manufacturing that had been introduced by Toyota Motor Corporation to increase the work quality and production. The application of JIT in Lean Production will give good return in production process. These philosophies would make the production even faster and to reduce the inventories stock. 2. 1 Lean Production and Lean Manufacturing Lean Manufacturing first introduced as systematic ways to reduce or terminate the waste. It is the management philosophy that require commitment from responsible person that relate with reduced waste, make the work procedure become smooth and optimize the production (Chase, et al. , 2001). Lean Manufacturing firstly introduced by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Which is involved the inventory management, quality control, industrial relationship, 2563 2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (2 ICBER 2011) PROCEEDING nd nd employee management and relationship between factory and the suppliers (Bowen and Youngdahl, 1998). JIT is one of the elements in Lean Manufacturing meanwhile Lean Production is known as Big JIT. It is the philosophy of management operation that act to terminate the waste in every aspect in production such as industrial relationship, vendor relationship, technology, raw material management and inventories (Chase, et al. 2001). Lean Production can use to reduce time, inventories, space, employees and production cost. 2. 2 Just In Time (JIT) Usually, JIT process being implemented in the organisation that reached the highest application of JIT. Wagner M. S and Silveira- Camargos V , 2009). This is because organisation and the supplier should have a good relationship and believe because when there is demand from factory, the suppliers can supply them on time. The first way to implement JIT is build a good relationship with the suppliers, customers and also sub-contractor to reduce inventory â€Å"buffer† to few hours. According to Canel, et al. , (2000), JIT aims is to reduce time waiting during production process. Therefore, the cost of inventories not only can be minimized but also the time for the production also shortens. JIT concept is not saying about the standardisation or the way of managing but it really focusing on the zero inventories 2. 3 Benefits of Application of Just In Time in Lean Production The application of JIT would give a lot of benefits such as to the producer to increase the quality to fulfil the customer demands and reduce the inventories and built a good relationship with the supplier (Salaheldin, 2005). Positive of JIT application can successfully give benefit to three communities, which is supplier only, purchased only or both. The benefits are, reducing in inventories and time waiting for the inventories, increase the quality and technical support, increase productivity, reduce waste and machine maintenance (Wafa, et al. , 1996). JIT actually help to reduce machine maintenance and at the same time, to make sure the suppliers can produce the inventories on time (Yasin, et al. , 2001). According to Yasin, et al. 2002), the big problem of JIT application is employer issues and the suppliers. Employer issue is about the objection of JIT concept, less supportive of JIT and less of employees. 3. Methodology This study is using action research that is descriptive and makes the research by quantitative. In this study, researcher would use observation and data collection from the result of the observation. 4. Data Analysis 4. 1 Introduction This chapter would discuss and analysis the data that had been collected from FCM. There are four different data that had been provided by the researcher according to the case. For the first case, the researcher would get the standard time during the raw material collected from the rack and the replace at the turn table using forklift. The second case is the machine die setup. Meanwhile the third case is standard time for winding process. The time is counted during the winding process and the material place at the stand before and after the winding process. For the last case, is during packing and deliver the part to the warehouse. This chapter also would discuss about type of test and analysis to the case to make sure that the data is valid and researcher can get a clear vision about the elements of Just in Time (JIT) being implemented by the FCM. 2564 2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (2 ICBER 2011) PROCEEDING nd nd 4. 2 Results of Study In this study, researcher would discuss the results that researcher gets from the study. All the data that had been collected by the researcher would be divided according to the case and according to the flow chart of stamping production refer to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows Standard Time (ST) and Cycle Time (CT) according to the cases that had been studied. ST = 10. 8 min CT = 10 times ST = 480 min ST = 5. 37 min ST = 17 min KES 1 KES 2 KES 3 KES 4 Raw Material Stamping Process Winding Packing Warehouse Figure 1: Stamping Flow Chart 4. 2. 1 Analysis of Case 1 This section would show the data collected from case 1 for the application before and after the part production stamping. In this case 1 (refer Figure 2) the standard time would be the counting from the raw materials from the racks to the turntable using forklift and then the return back of the forklift to the place. Refer from Figure 3 as shown the graphs for before and after the applications of JIT for case 1. ST/CT Raw Material Stamping Process Figure 2: Case 1 2565 2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (2 ICBER 2011) PROCEEDING nd nd Figure 3: Graph Before and After Application of JIT (Case 1) 4. 2. 2 Analysis of Case 2 For case 2, (refer Figure 4) is to reduce the standard time that is using for die setup. Figure 5 showed the graph before and after application of JIT. . ST Stamping Process Figure 4: Case 2 Winding 2566 2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (2 ICBER 2011) PROCEEDING d nd Figure 5: Graph Before and After Application of JIT (Case 2) 4. 2. 3 Analysis Case 3 For case 3, (refer Figure 6) is to reduce standard time for winding process. Figure 7show before and after application of JIT for Case 3. ST Winding Figure 6: Case 3 Packing 2567 2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (2 ICBER 2011) PROCEEDING nd nd Figure 7: Graph Before and After Application of JIT (Case 3) 4. 2. 4 Analysis Case 4 For case 4, (refer Figure 8) is to reduce standard time during packing and deliver to warehouse. Figure 9 show the application of JIT before and after. ST Packing Figure 8: Case 4 Warehouse 2568 2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (2 ICBER 2011) PROCEEDING nd nd Figure 9: Graph Before and After Application JIT (Case 4) 5. Conclusion The purpose of this study is to make sure the application of concept Just In Time (JIT) at Electronics component industry especially at the stamping production. This chapter would discuss about the results of the analysis according to the objective and problem statement. The discussion would focus in certain case at stamping production depend of the results that analyze from before and after the application of JIT. Besides that, this chapter also would discuss the suggestion. After the analysis, application JIT in inventory management at stamping production is depend on the activities below: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) Raw material always in enough quantities. Work in process always at the minimum quantities. Finished good would directly deliver to buyers. Wasting work in process seldom occur. Buffer stocks always at the minimum quantity. Delivering raw material depends on demand only. Space for inventories is small. Time table scheduling is made by the suppliers. Delivering materials is more often and only at small size. 2569 2 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (2 ICBER 2011) PROCEEDING nd nd (x) (xi) (xii) Long term relationship is built between suppliers. Suppliers is advised to use the application of Just in Time (JIT) , and The employers should give the commitment on inventories and quality. Besides that, researcher has little suggestion to the upcoming interested researchers with the concept of Just in Time. The suggestions are: (i) this research only limited at one factory which is Electronics component industry. The next researcher should broaden their scope of study; (ii) Future study on the application of JIT concept especially in the purchasing and engineering level; and further study about the elements associated with JIT. References Bowen, D. E. Youngdahl, W. E. (1998). Lean Service: In Defence of A Production-Line Approach. International Journal of Service Industry Management. 9(3). 207-225. Canel, C. , et al. (2000). Just-in-time Is Not Just for Manufacturing: A Service Perspective. Industrial Management and Data System. 100(2). 51-60 Chase R. B. , et al. (2001). Operations Management for Competitive Advantage. th ed. N. Y. : McGraw-Hill. 394-417. Forza, C. (1996). Work Organization in Lean Production and Traditional Plants: What Are the differences?. International Journal of Operation and Production Management. 16(2). 42-62. Salaheldin, S. I. (2005). JIT Implementation in Egptian Manufacturing Firms: Some Emperical Evidence. International Journal of Operation and Production Manageme nt. 25(4). 354-370. Simpson, M. , et al. (1998). Case Study: Transitory JIT as Proton Cars, Distribution and Logistics Management. 28(2). 121-142. Malaysia. International Journal of Physical Stevenson, G. (2001). Just-in-time: The Reincarnation of Past Theory and Practice. Management Decision. 39(10). 866-879. Wafa, M. A. , et al. (1996). The Impact of Supplier Proximity on JIT Success: An Information Perspective. International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management. 26(4). 23-34. Yasin, M. Y. , et al. (2001). Just-in-time Implementation in the Public Sector. International Journal of Operation and Production Management. 21(9). 1195-1204 Zhu, Z. Meredith, P. H. (1995). Defining Critical Elements in JIT Implementation: A Survey. Industrial Management and Data System. 95(8). 21-28. 2570 How to cite Just in Time Approach in Inventory Management, Essay examples

Antigone vs. the Hunger Games Gender Roles free essay sample

Antigone, a play by Sophocles, is a perfect example of the historical context of gender roles. The contemporary film and book, The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is the complete opposite. It shows the evolution of gender roles from thousands of years ago until now. In Antigone, the women were expected to do as they are told without any question or reluctance. â€Å"Think how much more terrible than these our own death would be if we should go against Creon and do what he had forbidden! We are only women; we cannot fight with men, Antigone! (Ismene 62)While men were able to create laws and for the most part do what they wanted, women were considered weak, unworthy of the privileges given to men, and in need of a man’s protection and should be left under a man’s watchful eye. This was one of the main reasons as to why women did not or could not have what the men had. While Antigone portrays the typical historical look at gender roles, the more contemporary film, The Hunger Games, depicts that as men and women have equal gender roles. â€Å"Our part of District Twelve, McKnight 2 icknamed the Seam is usually crawling with coal miners heading out to the morning shift at this hour. Men and Women with hunched shoulders, swollen knuckles, many who have long since stopped trying to scrub the coal dust out of their broken nails. †(The Hunger Games 4) women and men worked side by side for the tasks provided to them. They also got the same treatment, whether it was complementary or punishment for doing something incorrectly. They also got to work the same hours, which was very different from Antigone. The men and women coal miners worked from early morning to late night. The Antigone play emphasizes the point of women being less capable and less knowledgeable than men. Women may be educated but they are not made for the higher sciences, for philosophy which requires a universal element. Women may have insight, taste and delicacy but they do not possess the ideal. (Hegel’s Ethnics of Recognition 221) This quote implies that women can be educated but they are not, and will not ever, be smart enough for the â€Å"higher sciences†. This was also one reason as to why women weren’t allowed to have a proper schooling education, and again, were not permitted to do many things. Women and men in The Hunger Games are equivalent in their area of knowledge. Chances and consequences are equal in The Hunger Games, however in Antigone, men have better chances at most thing and less harsh consequences. The women of Antigone have less chance but get very high consequences. In Antigone, Creon, the kind, makes and edict, or law, that no one is allowed to bury the traitor, Polyneices, who happens to be Antigone’s brother. Antigone is very aware of the law but goes against it and buries her brother. Her tiny â€Å"crime† was punishable by death. McKnight 3 Women were also stereotyped as being sensitive and emotional creature in need of 24/7 male attention as depicted in Antigone. â€Å"Think how much more terrible than these our own death would be if we should go against Creon and do what he had forbidden! We are only women; we cannot fight with men, Antigone! †(Ismene 62) Contrasting Antigone, excessive stereotypical-like women, in The Hunger Games, some women are expected to shield their true feelings to protect their families. But Ive had a lot of practice at wiping my face clean of emotions and I do this now,†(Collins 40) In society, women are perceived as being overly sensitive and emotional but in The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, when faced with a challenge, Katniss manages to step away from her emotions to protect her family and district. (Gender Roles in The Hunger Game s 1) In The Hunger Games, the gender characteristics are actually switched between the male and female. To be specific, Peeta, the lead male, was perceived as being girly or having some girly traits. Katniss however was seen as an unusually independent and strong woman. This shows the difference of the stereotypical male and female in Antigone as well as modern society. Instead of being weak and in need of male attention, gender roles have evolved to men not being so harsh and over protective and women being stronger and less needy. The men in Antigone would much rather die than to lose a fight or battle to women. â€Å"†¦And no woman shall seduce us. If we must lose, let’s lose to a man at least! Is a woman stronger than we? (Creon 79) if a man lost a battle to a woman, they were seen as weak and pathetic in the historical times. This quote also shows they growing rate of male dominance in this society and women’s decreasing active work in public affairs. Not only were women see as weaker they were also seen as less educational and having less abilities to learn. McKnight 4 Between Antigone and The Hunger Games, the differences in gender roles are clear. In A ntigone, women had fewer rights and were subordinate to any male. These actions truly reflected upon that times actually way of living. It was also the stereotypical â€Å"men are stronger, women need men† society. However, in The Hunger Games, male and female dominance was about the same. Within the district, the men and women had the same jobs and tasks; they both worked within the coal mines, they both worked in stores, they both tended to household duties, they both hunted for food for their families, and last of all, they all (male or female) were chosen equally for the annual hunger games. With these two texts contrasting, it shows the evolution of men and women’s roles in society throughout their lives.

Purpose of the Qatar 2022 Campaign

The campaign for the 2022 world cup bid by Qatar was a substantial step in the football field. World cup events have not been a Middle East affair and the Qatar 2022 campaign aimed at ending this culture. In the past times, the western countries have always shown interest in hosting football world cups leaving out most of the regions in the world.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Purpose of the Qatar 2022 Campaign specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The western countries had the financial capability to host the event, and this was not easy for other regions to attain. In addition, the other regions or nations could not guarantee security for the event especially for the Arab countries. For this reason, Qatar forwarded its bid for the task followed by a crucial campaign that saw them get the opportunity to be world cup hosts. The campaign focused on showing the ability of Arab countries to host the event that has always been for the western countries. The campaign was under the leadership of a committee headed by the son of the current Emir of Qatar- Mohammed bin Hamad. Launch of the Campaign and Participants The committee launched the campaign in November 2009 that was to take place across the country. The campaign was to last till December 2010 when the appointment for the 2022 world cup host was to be announced. The campaign was to take place through different mediums, which included billboards, television adverts, and even radio. The advertisements were to be through out the country together with other Arab countries. Advertising in other Arab countries would help Qatar gain support from the nations. The objective of the world cup bid was to show the capability of Arab countries to host the football event that will reduce the gap between the two regions-Western and Arab. The main content on the advertisements of Qatar 2022 campaign bid was to show the countries resources and materia ls that would enable the country to host the event. Showing the country’s football stadiums and other infrastructure will convince the voters of the country’s capacity. Other advertisements had the Arab people expressing their joy and optimism of their region hosting the event. This would also be a plus in Qatar getting the vote for 2022 world cup hosts. Final Bid Ceremony Her Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin khalifa Al-Thani was in attendance, in the final bid ceremony that would see Qatar manage to be the 2022 world cup hosts. Besides attending the final ceremony, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah took part in the presentation by addressing the members of the FIFA Executive Committee.Advertising Looking for research paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In her speech, HH Sheikha explored the subject of the Middle East hosting the world cup tournament emphasizing that it was the appropriate momen t for the move. Hosting the world cup event in Middle East would change the image of the region such as addressing humanitarian aspects. Other people in attendance in the final bid ceremony included the Qatar 2022 Bid Committee chair and CEO HE Sheikh Mohammed and Hassan Abduallah respectively. Renowned coach Milutinovic Bora addressed the people present together with an Iraqi student Mohammed Nofal. In his speech, the student expressed his optimism on the positive impacts of football sport in the Middle East region. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister Sheikh attended in the final bid ceremony. The ceremony was held at Zurich Exhibition Centre with almost seventy television stations airing the proceedings. The news, during the final bid ceremony, included the bidders’ final presentations to the announcements of the winners. The media also aired the post-announcement press conference that analyzed the outcomes. Bidders for the 2022 FIFA World cup included Australia, Ja pan, Korea Republic, the USA, and Qatar. The ceremony ended with FIFA boss Sepp Blatter announcing Qatar as the winners for the 2022 world cup bid. Traditional Rhetorical Criticism Perspective The above analysis in regards to Qatar’s 2022 world cup bid is intriguing as it enables people to understand the impact of several matters. The campaign for the 2022 bid was a massive one with several stakeholders and countries taking part to ensure that Qatar clinched the position. The major factors behind the success of the bid included an intensive campaign and several speeches by renowned people in the Middle East region. The interesting part of this analysis is the process by which Qatar managed to emerge successful in their 2022 bid for the tournament. The bidding process included other powerful western countries, but, through the intensive campaigns and support from other Middle East countries, the nation won the bid. The best explanation for the above analysis is traditional rhe torical criticism perspective.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Purpose of the Qatar 2022 Campaign specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Rhetorical perspective comprises of ethos, pathos and logos. Having identified that one of the success factors for the bid win is the speeches by several influential people in the Middle East. In turn, it is indispensable to understand that these people used the three pillars that are essential in public speaking. Ethos, pathos, and logos form the basis of every eloquent speaker (Human Rights Watch, 2012). Ethos focuses on the credibility or personality of the speaker while logos refers to the logical argument presented by the speaker. On the other hand, pathos is the emotional connection the speaker has with the audience. Put together the three pillars form persuasive appeals, which a speaker requires while making their speeches and presentations (Thyssen, 2011). Before a s peaker can influence an audience in to accepting any information presented by the speaker, it is essential that he or she proves to be acceptable. On this note, Qatar 2022 bid committee chose the most credible in the region to present their ideas on the bid. Having credible people in the region supporting the Qatar 2022 bid was a plus to the whole event. For instance, Her Highness Mozah Sheikha presented a speech that moved the audience. Sheikha is a smart woman with a congenial personality and she expressed this in her speech at the bid presentation. Sheikha’s credibility was through her vast knowledge of the World Cup games that she applied in the speech to convince the FIFA committee to choose the Middle East nation as the host for the event. It is noteworthy as a speaker that the audience respects, believes, and acknowledges the information presented. The chairman of the 2022 Qatar bid campaign also presented a speech during the presentation ceremony. Sheikh Mohammed†™s speech was extremely vast as he tried to capture the interests of the entire Middle East region. Sheikh exhibited the ethos aspect by speaking about football passion amongst the Arab communities stating the significance of Qatar hosting the event. To support the Qatar choice as the host for the tournament, Sheikh cited once case where the country took less than twenty days to organize the junior World cup in 1995.Advertising Looking for research paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the other hand, pathos handles the aspects of credible arrangement by the speaker that appeals to the audience’s feelings. Emotional connection in communication comes about in various ways including telling of stories and presentation of facts about the subject. The speaker needs to make use of words that evoke feelings from the audience (Kuypers, 2009). Citing Her Highness Sheikha Mozah speech, she gave vast information on the previous world cups that the entire audience moved. Since this was a football bid ceremony, the speakers at the ceremony provided information regarding the sport that showed their interest in the sport. Sheikh Mohammed presented information about Qatar giving credible support to the bid. Past activities the country took in relation to the sport were convincing enough to show that Qatar had the capacity to host the tournament. Finally, a logos focuses on the speaker’s ability to present the audience with a logical argument concerning the subje ct. The message of the speaker should be rational basing on different notable facts, evidence and statistics. The speeches of the different speakers at the event had information on Qatar and the world cup event that was convincing enough. Among the stated facts about Qatar included stadiums and available accommodation for people attending the event (Drout, 2006). The CEO of the Qatar 2022 bid campaign Hassan Al-Thawadi presented this information supporting each statement with recent statistics and financial support. On security issues, the speakers promised the best possible security for everyone in the country before and after the event. Another notable disturbing issue is that of climate as they anticipated hot temperatures, which would be unfavorable for the event. The campaign team presented information on the crucial steps the country will take to ensure favorable weather and climate for everyone in the stadium. From the above analysis of the concepts of traditional perspective , it is almost certain that communication calls for the tree pillars to convince the audience. Employing the three concepts of logos, ethos, and pathos leads to effective communication, hence, yielding positive results. A speaker can back various facts using pictures and visual advertisements that can be instrumental in moving the audience. The use of different speakers will also make communication effective and relevant. The different speakers should present different, convincing information, and avoid repetition. Several insights develop from the concepts of traditional rhetorical perspective that connects with communication. For instance, the expansion of a speech is a result of the concepts of the perspective (Kuypers, 2009). References Drout, M. D. (2006). A way with words writing, rhetoric, and the art of persuasion. Prince Frederick, Md.: Recorded Books. Hesford, W. S., Brueggemann, B. J. (2007). Rhetorical visions: reading and writing in  a visual culture. Upper Saddle Ri ver, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Human Rights Watch. (2012). World Report 2012: Events of 2011. New York: Seven Stories Press. Kuypers, J. A. (2009). Rhetorical criticism: perspectives in action. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. Thyssen, O. (2011). Aesthetic communication. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. This research paper on Purpose of the Qatar 2022 Campaign was written and submitted by user Giovanni Dalton to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Gay Marriages Essays - Same-sex Sexuality, Sexual Orientation, LGBT

Gay Marriages Essays - Same-sex Sexuality, Sexual Orientation, LGBT Gay Marriages For as long as the institution of marriage has been around, so too has the belief that it represents the union of one man and one woman. Now gay men and lesbians are challenging that institution. They believe that their relationships mean the same in their sphere as heterosexual marriages do in our sphere. Homosexuals would like to see their marriages legalized. In 1991 three gay couples filed a lawsuit, in Hawaii, for denying them marriage licenses. They claim that the refusal amounts to gender discrimination, which violates the Equal Rights Amendment. Judge Kevin Chang ruled, in 1996, that same-sex couples have the right to legally marry. This ruling makes Hawaii the first state to recognize that gay and lesbian couples are entitled, by law, to the same privileges as heterosexual married couples (CNN). Under the Full Faith and Credit clause of the Constitution, this also forces all states to recognize these marriages as far as federal benefits are concerned. Congress has approved a bill, the Defense of Marriage Act, that will allow states to decide whether to recognize homosexual marriages. The second part of the bill would define "for federal purposes" as the union of a man and a woman. Under such a definition gay and lesbians, even if they win the right to marry in Hawaii or elsewhere, would not be able to file joint federal tax returns, claim federal pension, or survivor's benefits, or be allowed to file for green card status (Gallagher 21). I don't feel that marriages between gays or lesbians should be given the same status as heterosexual marriages. Since when do gay people think they can broaden the institution of marriage to include themselves? They shouldn't be able to. The institution of marriage is recognized by the church, homosexuality isn't. I don't feel that gay people have given a reason that carries enough weight for the government to legalize same-sex marriage. Should gay people fight for the right to marry? Gay rights activists say absolutely. Gay couples should be afforded the same benefits as heterosexual couples. The legal status of marriage rewards the two individuals with substantial economic and practical advantages. Married couples can file joint tax returns. Social security provides benefits for surviving spouses and their dependents. They can inherit money and property from one another without a will. They are immune from testifying against a spouse, and marriage to an American citizen gives a foreigner the right to residency in the United States. Another advantage would be health insurance provided by employers. These benefits usually include the employee and their spouse. Employers generally will not include a partner who is not married to an employee, whether of the same sex or not. Very few insurance companies will extend benefits to domestic partners' who are not married (OUT/LOOK 234-235). Gay marriages are highly emotional topics in the 90s. Many people feel that gay marriages would show heterosexual people how much two people can love each other even if they are of the same sex. Homosexual relationships are more than just sex with someone of the same gender. Homosexual relationships include feelings and being able to share those feelings with the person you love. "People have become used to the idea of defining gay people solely in terms of sexual acts," says Gregory Herek, a research psychologist at the University of California, Davis. I think many heterosexuals get very nervous when they have to think of gay people in terms of relationships, because it challenges the way they have always thought about gay people. I find it interesting that the same people who condemn homosexuality as being a promiscuous lifestyle also say they're against gay marriage because they wouldn't want to recognize stable gay relationships, says Herek (Gallagher 24). Rep. Barney Frank asks, "How can you argue that a man and woman in love are somehow threatened because two women down the street are also in love?" Later, he put the question in more personal terms. Frank said he respects the marriages of fellow committee members but added, "I don't understand for a minute how I demean them by living with a man" (U.S. House). Most people, when asked the question "What is your opinion of gay relationships?", their first response encompasses sex, promiscuity and AIDS. When asked about heterosexual relationships they generally answer with love, companionship, and families. If same-sex marriage is made legal, the next generation won't think of it as taboo.

Lumbini Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Lumbini - Essay Example It was in the month of May, 642 BC when Maya Devi on her way to Devadaha , her parents home gave birth to Lord Buddha while resting under a sal tree . The nativity scene of Lord Buddha was built by the Malla kings during their rule which lasted from the 11th to the 15th century in the Karnali zone of Nepal . This wonderful work of sculpture which was initiated by the kings of the Naga Dynasty is worshipped not only by the Buddhists but by the Hindus as well. When Lumbini was visited by Ashoka, the Emperor, in 249 BC, it was a prosperous village. The stone pillar with a horse on its top and the four stupas which we come across on our visit to Lumbini was built by him during this period . From the inscription on the Stone Pillar we can also derive the information that it was during this visit that taxes were reduced on the village and it was subjected to only eight parts. (Insoll, 66) However despite being one of the stalwarts in Indian History, Lumbini was subjected to negligence for several centuries till the time a famous German archeologist while traveling around the foothills of the Churiya range discovered the great pillar in the year 1895 . His name was Feuhrer. At a later stage the existence of a Brick temple and a sculpture of sandstone carrying images of Buddha’s birth was found. After further exploration it was found that the temple of Maya Devi was possibly built on one of the Ashokan stupa itself . On the south of this temple is a bathing pool named Puskarni which is considered to be sacred and the pages of history reveal that in this pool Maya Devi took a bath before giving birth

Everett Rogers model Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Everett Rogers model - Article Example Rogers states that a successful behavior trait taking hold for successful companies is to develop business models to assess a strategy. These models provide change models expanding on issues such as "what", that provide a picture of the company now of analysis; and "which", that suggest alternative action paths for the company to take. Both of these models provide information to build a more complete picture of events within the business and options for future development. Managers should make use of these models and many don't. Those that do are more likely to be successful and have the ability to minimize risk of failure. Rogers also states that business managers who do are far more likely to survive. For planners and non-planners there is not a single universal technique that can be applied in all situations. Use of strategic planning models can be a very important behavior trait for successful companies. Companies that do not use strategic planning models usually don't because the model does not offer what the customer wants. It may be inadequate because of its analysis of the relationship between company resources and markets. These result in advice about overall investment decisions rather than about the specifics of how to manage the alternatives in the market/business relationship can be shortsighted, since there are always alternatives in order to gain the maximum competitive advantage. Since change is so an important aspect of business continuity, many models don't necessarily provide assiduous suggestions for what type of change should be considered."An example of modeling one such model in use by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) subdivides their profit centers into four main subdivisions. This breakdown does help in planning for strategic investment matters but it does not assist the planner in identifying a single product development proposal to investigate further from a number of alternatives. The matrix system comprises the following: 1) Stars, which are products generally with negative cash flow 2) Question marks, which are products with generally negative cash flows but with low relative market share in growing markets 3) Dogs, which are products unlikely to be generating substantial positive cash flows due to the fact that they are in slowly growing markets with low relative market shares 4) Cash cows, that are products that generating cash which have high relative market shares and are established in slowly growing markets." (Boston Consulting Group). BCG model like the previous statement in the above paragraph does not define the product enough and does not crea te opportunities to explore alternatives in which to improve profitability or market share.As The Boston Consulting Firm notes, "the growth concept is divided into five separate levels one being dominant, strong, favorable, tenable and weak and relates this to the stages of market development. The stages are embryonic, growing, mature, and aging, which produce a series of strategic guidelines for company development. The market growth concept provides valuable guidance about broad policies, replacing the concept of market attractiveness in the GE matrix with stages of market growth. A PLC (product life cycle) are frameworks for planning. It suggests that specific changes in product policy should

Cyclical, Frictional and Structural Unemployment Statistics Project

Cyclical, Frictional and Structural Unemployment - Statistics Project Example Fifty percent, 10 percent, 30 percent and 10 percent of the total U.S unemployment accounts for unemployed persons due to layoff, those who have already quit their previous jobs, those reentering the labor force and new entrants to the labor force respectively. According to the Bureau of labor statistics, the number of unemployed persons in the U.S stood at 11.7 million while the unemployment rate stood at 7.6 percent in March 2013. This was a decrease from 7.7 percent in the previous month. In March 2013, the unemployment rate for adult males was 6.9 percent, adult females 7.0 percent and youths 24.2 percent. Categorized according to race, the unemployment rate for whites was 6.7 percent, blacks 13.3 percent, Hispanics 9.2 percent and Asians 5.0 percent.   In the same month, the number of persons unemployed for 27 or more weeks, stood at 4.6 million accounting for 39.6 percent of the unemployed. The labor force participation rate reduced by 0.2 percent while the civilian labor for ce reduced by 496,000. The involuntary part-time workers dropped by 350,000 to 7.6 million in March. They are regarded as involuntary part-time workers because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable to find a full-time job. In the same month, employment in the retail sector declined by 24,000 while employment in the health sector, professional and business services increased by 23,000 and 51,000 jobs respectively.The construction industry added 169,000 jobs. Job decline in clothing and accessories stores stood at 15,000, building material and garden supply stores at 10,000 and electronics and appliance stores 6,000. Some sectors in the government such as Postal Service employment fell by 12,000. Compared to previous months, major industries such as mining, manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, information, financial activities, state government, and local government recorded dismal changes in employment. Since 1948, to 2013, the average u nemployment rate has been 5.81 percent. The highest unemployment rate was in 1982 hitting a high of 10.8 and the lowest ever was in 1953 hitting a low of 2.50 percent. Unemployment is defined as the fraction of the total people looking for a job to the total labor force. Since the great depression, the U.S has recorded the highest stretch of the  unemployment rate of above 8 percent. The congressional budget office projects that the unemployment rate will remain above 8 percent until 2014.

Front Office Department Yield Management

Front Office Department Yield Management Chapter 1 Introduction The purpose of this chapter is to give an overview of the Front Office department and the yield management. The term Front Office was introduced in the US, but now used in worldwide. Front Office is divided into sub-departments namely reception, concierge, switchboard, bellboys, reservations and guest relations. Nevertheless, as hotels vary in size and type, some of these sub-departments may not be present. Despite the size or the type of the establishment, the department is in many ways the nerves of the hotel. One reason for this is that the sale of rooms generates more than 50 per cent of revenue and profit of a hotel, thus it is compulsory that Front Office department maximize its sales. For instance it might be through the switchboard, in the process of making reservation over the telephone, by entering the hotel to check-in or to make an inquiry. It clearly depicts that Front Office is a strong marketing tool that generates business for a hotel through guests registration. It i s the center for guest activity. Front Office is in fact a hotel department where guests check-in, request information about services that the hotel provides and at the end of their stay they settle their bills and check-out. The Front Office as well generates profit or revenue indirectly, for other departments such as restaurant bookings and up-selling of the hotel in general. Normally, up-selling is done by the team members to increase profit by offering other services to the guests. When guests inquire about those services then it is an opportunity for the staffs to persuade them to purchase these facilities. It is important that the department sets goals and objectives to be able to manage and control yield management so as to maximize sales revenue. The Front Office should however have its own mission statement for a successful management system. Aim: Planning and evaluating Front Office yield management for a better revenue management and for the success of the department Objectives: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Proposing a solution for an effective communication and how to eliminate all barriers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Understanding the purpose of yield management and how to plan, manage and organize in the Front Office department à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Investigating the link between Front Office Operations and yield management: how it contributes in the department à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Implementing yield management in Front Office department à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Making Front Office department successful in controlling and calculating revenue obtaining from up-selling Problem Statement: There is an increase in communication barriers interdepartmentally concerning sales revenue. Messages are not passed accordingly to right person, to the right place and at the right time. It is noticed that employees are not convince to do up-selling owing to lack of training facilities and procedures. Thus, expectations are not met which results to a low revenue. The fact that there is misunderstanding, conflicts may arise among staffs and supervisors to make decision on how to increase sales. The time scale does not allow the employees to properly plan, organise and implement their task if managers do not set objectives and guidelines. Finally, owing to a miscalculation or a decrease in revenue and sales, it minimizes the profits. In general, team members do not take their planning of task into consideration thus result to ineffective, inefficiently and less productive. Updated information is not usually circulated. Thus, outdated data is given to guests concerning the selling price of the products and services at the hotel. If there has been carelessness, guests get compensation, for instance a dinner free of charge on the beach. In somehow, reducing the revenue and sales. Chapter 2 Front Office department Front Office department is one of the departments within the rooms division. It is the heart center of the hotel and is the most revenue generating. Front Office is a noticeable department in a hotel with the greatest amount of guest contact and highly people orientated. It is designed as the first lasting impression. The front office functions can be divided into six general areas: 1. Reception 2. Guest Relations 3. Bell service 4. Mail and information / Reservation 5. Concierge 6. Cashiers and night auditors Front Office Structure A hotels size and objectives determine the organizational structure of the Front Office. (Abbott,P. and Lewry, S. 1993) A table of Front Office structures is shown below. [Drawing]Front Office Manager [Drawing] Assistant Front Office Manager [Drawing][Drawing][Drawing][Drawing][Drawing][Drawing][Drawing][Text Wrapping Break] [Text Box][Text Box] [Drawing]Reservation Manager [Drawing][Text Box] [Drawing][Drawing][Drawing][Drawing] [Text Box][Text Box][Text Box][Text Box][Text Box] [Drawing] [Text Box] Planning and evaluating operations There are seven management functions that have to be considered when planning and evaluating operations. These points are as follows: 1.Planning 2.Organising 3.Coordinating 4.Staffing 5.Leading 6.Controlling 7.Evaluating Planning Planning is an essential function in the success of different office operations. It is a procedure of setting objectives, developing plans and outlining tasks and schedules to accomplish the goals targeted. An effective strategic planning is done for the contribution of a successful operation and to maintain higher or constant revenue in the Front Office operation. At the stage of planning, the Front Office manager determines the departments goals and objectives. Therefore, the Front Office manager uses these goals as a guide for planning most specific and measurable objectives. Finally, through these goals, the front office manager determines the strategies and procedures to reach these objectives. These aims will thus discuss to the Front Office staffs so as to plan and organise their task efficiently for the success of the department. Organising After setting the objectives, the Front Office manager organised the work to be done through dividing it among Front Office staffs. When organising the tasks, the work is distributed properly and is to be completed in a given period of time. Coordinating Coordination and team spirit are vital. It involves togetherness and using the available resources to attain planned goals. Staffing The right persons and experienced ones are recruited. It is important to introduce training to the employees for a better success of the department. Leading Leading involves supervising, motivating, training, disciplining and setting an example for the Front Office department. Leading is important to maintain the effectiveness of the tasks. Controlling Through controlling, it ensures that the concrete outcomes of operations closely match the plan results. Leading and controlling of task are mostly the duties of the supervisors. Evaluating Through evaluating, it determines the extent to which planed goals and objectives are actually attained. Furthermore, it involves appraising and when necessary reviewing or helping to revise Front Office goals. Moreover, to maintain the successful of the department, every task are planned in advance. The room allocations for arrival of guests are well planned. Before the arrival of guests, the registration card which is a legal form is prepared on the eve of the day as well as concerning the hotel information sheets. The cold towels and the cocktail juice are also prepared in the evening for the arrival of guests on the following day. The departure and arrival check list are prepared one day before. If there are any group arrivals, a planning is done on how to do the check-in. A daily event record is prepared every evening by the Guest Relation Officers; showing all detailed information about arrivals and departures of guests including total guests- in- house. A daily event report is shown in the annex. If there is any early arrival, then, the housekeeping department has to be advised to prepare the room earlier. Establishing room rates The Front Office manager allocates to each room category a rack rate. In fact, the Front Liners are expected to sell rooms at rate unless a guest qualifies for an alternative room rate for example airline rate, commercial rate, group rate, day rate, package plan rate, complimentary rate, cooperate rate, promotional rate, incentive rate or family rate. While establishing room rates management has to consider its operating cost, inflationary factors and competitions. In general, there are three well-known approaches to pricing room: 1)Market condition approach 2)Ruled-of-thumb approach 3)Hubbart formula approach Market condition approach Under this approach management look at comparable hotels in the geographical market to verify the prices charging for the same products. Thus, charge only what the market will accept. In contrary, this approach is endangered to some drawbacks as it does not take into account the value of the property and the strong sales effort to accomplish. Ruled-of-thumb approach In this approach, the rate of a room is à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬1 for each à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬1000 of construction and furnishing cost per room, assuming a 70% occupancy rate. However, this approach does not consider the inflation term, the contribution of other facilities and services towards the hotels desired profitability. The Front Office manager must stay in contact with the General Manager and controller to monitor room rate effectiveness. Hubbart formula approach This approach considers operating costs, desired profits and expected number of rooms sold, that is, demand. Generally, this approach lays emphasis on the factors such as operating expenses, desired Return on Investment (ROI) and income from different departments in the hotel; to establish room rates. This method relies on the Front Office to produce income to cover operating expenses, overhead and ROI for the hotel operation. According to Hubbart formula approach, the procedure of calculating a room rate is shown below: i.Measuring the hotels anticipated profit by multiplying the desired rate of return (ROI) by the holders investment. ii.Measuring pre-tax profits by dividing the anticipated profit by 1 minus hotels tax rate. iii.Measuring fixed charges and management fees. This calculation includes estimating depreciation, interest expense, property taxes, insurances, amortization, building mortgage, land, rent and management fees. iv.Measuring undistributed operating expenses. This includes estimating administrative and general expenses and energy costs. v.Assessing non-room operating department income or loss, that is, Food and Beverages department income or loss, telephone department income or loss. vi.Measuring the required room department income which is the sum of pre-tax profits, operating department losses less other department incomes. vii.Determining the room department revenue which is the required room department income, plus other room department direct expenses of payroll and related expenses. viii.Measuring the average room rate by dividing rooms department revenue by the expected number of rooms to be sold. These methods are guidelines only. Room rates must frequently monitored with regard to market conditions of demand and supply. Furthermore, some more formulae are depicted below: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Doubles sold daily = double occupancy rate x total number of rooms x occupancy% à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Singles sold daily = rooms sold daily number of double rooms sold daily à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Singles sold daily x X + doubles sold daily x (X + Y) = (average room rate) x (total number of rooms sold daily) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Whereby: X = price of singles; Y = price differential between singles and doubles; X+Y = price of doubles. Forecasting Room Availability: Forecasting room availability is to predict the number of rooms available for sale on forthcoming date. The kind of forecasting helps to manage the reservation process, guides the Front Liners for an effective rooms management and is used as occupancy forecast. Therefore, it is useful in attempting and to roster the essential number of staffs for a planned size of a department. In order to predict room availability, the following information is needed à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Number of expected room arrivals/ check-ins à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Number of expected room no-shows à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Number of expected room walk-ins à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Number of expected room stayovers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Number of expected room overstays à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Number of expected room check-outs à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Number of expected room understays The above mentioned information helps the Front Liners to conduct various daily operational ratios. The formulae to calculate No-show percentage, Walk-ins percentage, Overstays percentage and Understays percentage are as follows: i.No-shows percentage = (Number of no-show rooms) divided by (Number of rooms reserved) ii.Walk-ins percentage = (Number of walk-in rooms) divided by (Sum of the number of rooms arrivals) iii.Overstays percentage = (Number of overstay rooms) divided by (Number of expected check-outs) iv.Understays percentage = (Number of understay rooms) divided by (Number of expected check-outs) The predicted number of rooms available for sale for upcoming date can be likely successful by using the formula shown below: Forecasted number of rooms available for sale = Total number of guests rooms -Number of out of order rooms Number of stayovers rooms Number of reserved rooms + Number of no-show rooms + Number of understay rooms Number of overstay rooms Under non-automated and semi-automated systems, total of rooms available for sale forecasts are measured upon demands and needs which vary from three-day to ten-day forecasts. Nevertheless, under fully automated systems, forecasts are done at any instant for imminent period of time. For instance, on opera system, room forecasts are already registered and considered, thus eliminating monotonous labour work and human error margins. Budgeting for Operations Hotels have to prepare annual budgets, which are profit plans that address all revenue sources and expense items for the next calendar year. Furthermore, the hotel annual operating budget represents against which management can evaluate actual outcomes of operations. In the twelve-monthly budget preparation process, close coordination efforts of all management personnel are essential. The annual operation of a hotel budget is generally divided into monthly plans which in turn divided into weekly and even daily plans for a better control over the current consequences. In addition, while preparing the Front Office department annual budget, the Front Office manager has to coordinate with the financial department to estimate only rooms revenue and related direct expenses. The hotel controller and the General Manager, therefore, have to revise this budget. Forecasting room revenue In order to predict room revenue, the Front Office manager considers the historical financial data such as past room revenue, past number of rooms sold, past average daily rate and past occupancy rates. Thus, compare and contrast for a better decision making. Forecasting direct expenses Owing to the fact that the Front Office manager is responsible only for his or her department direct expenses, that is, variable costs; the Front Office manager consult past financial data showing variable costs to room revenue ratios, in order to estimate department expenses. Refining budget plans If ever the external strong factors change considerably, in an unpredicted way, then the actual operating budgeted figures have to be revised. Evaluating Front Office Operations A successful Front Office manager has to continuously evaluate the outcomes of the department activities on a daily, monthly, quarterly and yearly basis. While evaluating, the following items and tools have to be considered: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Daily operations report; for example Room move report à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Occupancy ratios à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Rooms revenue analysis à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Hotel income statement; for example Early breakfast sale à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Rooms division income statement or schedule; for example up-selling of rooms à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Rooms division budgets report à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Operating ratios and ratios standards Daily operations report This report is also known as the managers report, the daily report and the daily revenue report. It encloses a summary of the hotels financial activities during a 24 hour period. In addition, it assists as to reconcile cash, bank accounts and revenue and accounts receivable. Occupancy ratios Occupancy ratios measure the enhancement of the Front Office in selling the hotels guestrooms. Some common ratios that are used in the Front Office department are depicted below: i.Occupancy percentage = (Number of rooms occupied) divided by (Total number of rooms available for sale) ii.Multiple occupancy percentage = (Number of rooms occupied by more than one guest) divided by (Total number of rooms occupied) iii.Average guests per rooms sold = (Total number of guests) divided by (Total number of rooms sold) iv.Average daily rate = (Total rooms revenue) divided by (Total number of rooms sold) v.Average rate per guest = (Total rooms revenue) divided by (Total number of guests) Room revenue analysis One prime report to succeed control over room revenue is the room rate variance report, that is those rooms that have been sold at rates other than their rack rates, for instance, airline rate, corporate or commercial rates and so on Another form is the yield statistics, which is the ratio of the current revenue to the sum of the possible potential revenue if all rooms are sold at rack rates. Formula of Yield statistic is shown below: Yield statistic = (Actual room revenue) divided by (Potential room revenue) Hotel income statement This statement provides vital financial data about the outcomes of hotel operations for a given period of time. Room division income statement The room division income statement also known as a schedule has to be referenced on the hotels income statement. Furthermore, the room division schedule has to be prepared by the hotels financial division not by the hotels Front Office accounting agent, that is, the Night Auditors. Room division budget reports These reports are monthly budget form comparing to current revenue and expenses figures against budgeted amounts depicted both in Euro values and percentage variances. Operating ratios Operating ratios for instance occupancy ratios, yield statisticsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ assist managers in evaluating the success of the Front Office operations. In addition, for the ratios to be meaningful they should be compared against proper standards such as prior periods, competitors or budgeted ratios. Front Office Operations A need for communication exists to communicate with other managers and staffs working other shifts. The reservation area is the sales department of the Front Office, thus a revenue center for the department in the sense that reservations determine on occupancy levels. The Front desk staffs must compulsory alert the guests when their credit limit is exceeding. Lastly, the Front Office staff should take the check-out as an opportunity to offer the guest supplementary services; for example, proposing the guest to book a room in the hotel for the future. (Vallen, J.J. 1985) Night audit, reception and Guest Relation are an essential element of Front Office department and claimed to be revenue generating department. The Guest Relation Officers have to convince the guests to accept upgrades. (Jones, C and Paul, V. 1993). There has to be a control process system to monitor the performance objectives targeted. Furthermore, the Front Office controls its cash or revenue sales. Interdepartmental Communication The Front Office staffs cooperate with all departments of the hotel including marketing and sales, housekeeping, food and beverage, banquet, controller, maintenance, security and human resources. Each department has a different kind of communication with the Front liners. These departments view the Front Office as a communication connection in providing guest services. The Front Office is a clearinghouse for communication activities. Marketing and Sales department The marketing and sales department depends on the Front Office to provide data on guest histories or concerning guests prior visit. The guest history is a valuable resource for marketing and sales as it uses the guest registration information to target marketing campaigns, develop promotions, prepare mailing labels and select appropriate advertising media. Housekeeping department Communications between the Front Office and the Housekeeping department is vital as it revolves around room status. Team members of the Housekeeping department provide a room status report to the Front Office department. Thus, follow-up can be done easily through this report. Food and Beverage department There are handovers which are used to communicate a charge to a guests account. It is essential that the Food and Beverage department communicates with the Front Office department to know the meal plan of the guests. This is to charge the guests accordingly prior to their meal plan they paid for. Through interdepartmental communication, information is spread out to all the departments so as to communicate effectively for an enhancement situation of the hotel and to increase revenue. It is also essential for a better planning of work. Intradepartmental communication Communication within the department is essential for a better planning of work. After planning the goals and objectives for the success of the Front Office operation, it is important that all the Front Liners work together and communicate effectively to deliver a proper task. Through effective communication, the Front Liners may achieve their aims and increase their revenue in the operations. The team spirits and understanding are the prime factors to be considered for the enhancement of the Front Office department. There has to be an interaction between the Front Office manager, the supervisors and the Front Liners so as to determine the root of the problem and therefore find solutions to remedy the situations. Interdepartmental exchange of information is crucial to attain goals and objectives. Barriers resulting to a decrease in sales revenue Decrease in sales revenue leads to unsuccessful operations of the hotel. There is lack of co-operation between departments which results to barriers of communication. A decrease in arrival of tourists results to a negative outcome concerning a raise in revenue. That is, a low demand leads to low revenue for instance, a decrease in room sales, products and services revenue. The problem root comes primarily from the reservation department. There may be barriers in departments such as Financial department, Food and Beverage department and housekeeping department relating to sales. For instance, if a guest has an Half Board voucher and that on the opera system it is All-inclusive it creates confusion to the departments concerned. The All-inclusive minibar and that of the Half Board is completely different. If the Housekeeping, Food and Beverage and Financial departments are not advised or change the guests meal plan on the system by the Front Liners, may create loss in revenue. Lack of t raining procedures concerning up-selling will not increase sales revenue. The lack of skills does not convince the employees to make upselling. There may as well conflicts in different tariffs charged to guests for example; a Front Liner may charge a guest Rs 200 instead of à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬200 resulting to a huge decrease in sales revenue. Ways to remedy the barriers relating to a decrease in sales revenue Through effective communication, there may be an increase in sales revenue and a successful department. It is important to maximize rates when demand is high but if demand is low, special promotional package has to offer to guests to increase the demand. The Front Office manager has to well-trained the Front Liners to understand the meaning of yield management and how to increase sales or ensure sales revenue. The Front Office management has to set objectives to increase sales revenue and thus discuss with various departments of the hotel. Through these strategies, there is co-operation among the departments for successful revenue generated. Front Liners have to communicate effectively and efficiently to departments such as Food and Beverage, Financial and Housekeeping concerning the guests meal plan. Training allows team members to be successful in delivering good sales techniques. It is vital that each department provides training facilities and procedures to the employees so as to learn the methods to increase the sales revenue. The employees should be product knowledgeable; thus promote more profits and the staffs have to attentive when taking payment from guests. Questions have to be asked properly concerning the booking for accommodation and meal plan when guest reserved a room. It is important to keep a record concerning the financial transactions so as the Financial department may evaluate the ways to remedy the barriers relating to a decrease in sales revenue. Its not always easy and often takes a lot of determination. But making an effort to remove the obstacles tangible and intangible that stand in our way, can be the key to building relationship that really works by Eric Garner Yield Management Yield Management is a demand forecasting technique used to maximize room revenue that the hotel industry borrowed from the airlines. It is based on the economics of supply and demand, which means that price rise when demand is strong and drop when demand is weak. Thus, the purpose of yield management is to increase profitability. Yield management allocates the right type of aptitude to the right customer at the right price so as to maximize revenue or yield per available room. (Kimes, S.E, 1989) Yield management will monitor reservations and based on previous trends. Existing demand determines the number and type of rooms to sell at what price to obtain the maximum revenue. The yield management program will monitor the demand and supply and recommend the number and type of rooms to sell for a given day including the price for which to sell each room. Planning sales revenue The Front Office plays a vital role in promoting sales and the Front Office manager has to develop and implement a plan to the utmost to increase sales opportunities to the Front Office agents. This plan focus on areas of promotions, developing objectives and procedures, incentive programs, training program for staffs, budgets and tracking systems for employee feedback and profitability. Moreover, planning yield management includes setting up objectives, evaluating alternatives, drawing up budgets and developing an evaluation tool for feedback. The plan has to be discussed with the General Manager, department managers and Front Liners from different department to attain goals and objectives. The team members have to ensure that the profitable plan is accordingly developed. According to Narula, (Feb 1987), some goals were provided to the Front Office employees to increase sales. The following are depicted below à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Sell rooms to the guests who have not make prior reservations. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Upgrade is to be made to the guests so as to boost the customers to purchase higher priced product or service; to those guests having former reservations. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Maintain the record of the rooms. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Convey information about the product facilities available in the premises for sale, for instance, Food and Beverage and other facilities. The objective of the Font Office employees is to sell all facilities and benefits available at the hotel. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ensure that the maximum revenue is generated from the sale of rooms by prominent a stability between overbooking and a full house. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Achieve guest feedback Planning can only be started if there an increase of communication between Front Liners and Marketing and Sales department. It is essential to formulate an effective marketing strategy when there is a change in the market conditions. The eventual goal of a sales-oriented Front Office is to increase revenue from room sales, Food and Beverage sales and sales in various departments. The Front Office and other departments of the hotel have to plan on how much to increase revenue to accomplish the objectives set. Before decision making, several questions have to ask for a better planning of revenue management. Each moment new objectives has to plan for future months to generate revenue. When developing and implementing a program to increase sales activities, the Front Office manager along with other department managers and employees, have to identify products and services to promote. A list of services and products to be promoted is shown in the annex. Evaluating sales Yield management in Front Office Operations The Front Office team members have to determine which concepts to produce in order to increase sales re

The Character of Yolanda Garcia in How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Acce

The Character of Yolanda Garcia in How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents and !Yo!  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Julia Alvarez develops the character of Yolanda Garcia in some different and similar ways in her two books How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents and its sequel !Yo!. The reasons for the differences in the two characterizations of Yolanda is that there is almost no continuity concerning her character in the two books-meaning that all the specific details of Yolanda's life given to the reader in the first book are different (not continued nor elaborated upon) in the sequel. It was almost like reading about two different characters that just happened to have the same family and happen to have immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic. For example, in the first book Yolanda goes to graduate school, becomes a teacher, and only shows interest in writing poetry. She also marries a man named John after having fallen in love with a young man named Rudy in college. In the second book Yolanda does not go to graduate school, in fact, she almost does not get her b achelor's degree because she elopes with a young man named Darryl Dubois. She does become a teacher, but she publishes mainly prose-short stories and novels-not poetry. Whereas, the similarity in the two different characterizations of Yolanda is that she is definitely assimilated to American culture, yet her Old World values and lifestyle also influence her.    In both books it is clear that Yolanda has successfully assimilated to American culture. Unlike her parents-first generation immigrants-who never gain a complete mastery of the English language, Yolanda masters the language and excels in school. In the second book, one of her college professors has the f... ...Old World roots and that its traditional values still have a significant impact on her. Yolanda must continually reconnect with her Old World roots to fulfill her destiny of passing on her family's heritage/story to future generations.    Works Cited Primary Sources Alvarez, Julia. How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents. New York: Plume, 1991. - - - . !Yo!. New York: Plume, 1997. Secondary Sources Alvarez, Julia. Something to Declare: Essays. New York: Plume, 1998. Barak, Julie. "'Turning and Turning in the Widening Gyre': A Second Coming into Language in Julia Alvarez's How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents," MELUS Spring (1998), http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m2278/1_23/53501904/print.jhtml. Accessed 04/07/2001. The Author Project. "Julia Alvarez." http://ahs.aps.edu/authorproject/juliaalvarez.html. Accessed 04/07/2001.