Machiavelli’s The Prince Essay

In Machiavelli’s The Prince, he dove into how a ruler could defense his position once he arrives at the top. One of the numerous methods of how to make sure about a prince’s position is triumph by criminal goodness. In victory by criminal uprightness, Michiavelli said that a ruler makes sure about his position when he arrives at the top since it requires some investment and a great deal of difficult work to thrive. So to ensure nobody removes their position, the sovereign smashes his rivals and procures regard from the individuals however much as could reasonably be expected. The sovereign likewise makes less trade offs with their partners, attempting to remain solitary since he accepts he is more adequate and more grounded than the others. A sovereign should likewise realize how to change orders. This may cause ruin since individuals who profited the old request may restrict the ruler yet he should have the ability to compel the individuals to keep supporting him despite the fact that they are as of now thinking again. So for what reason does this persevere despite the fact that each lawmaker and each resident who thinks judiciously realizes this is corrupt. We people are normally determined by our yearn for influence, notoriety and fortune. We put aside virtues and moral qualities just to extinguish our personal matters. Legislators follow up on it since they realize this is the most effortless approach to dispense with a danger. This is a lasting thing so when a foe stops to exist, he’s for all time gone from the opposition and this gives the other government official a genuine feelings of serenity since he realizes that he will win without a doubt on the off chance that he has no rival. Residents don't follow up on this since first, residents that have a place with the lower class are apprehensive. How might they conflict with somebody so amazing that this individual could take their existence with only a snap of their fingers? The range and degree of influence of this sort of government official is unclear that it may reach out to having the advantage and authority over hoodlums and we never realize what he will do just to protect his influence, acclaim and fortune. Second, most residents who think about an inappropriate doings of this lawmaker is paid and given a ton of encouragements for their help and quiet. As I stated, we people are normally determined by our craving by fortune. For individuals who don't work and put stock in picking up cash from a genuine activity, this is the most helpful method of procuring cash since they don’t need to do anything besides tay quiet, get a couple of things done for the legislator and compose the politician’s name on their polling form each time he runs for a seat. There is likewise the way that when neighborhood residents bolster this legislator, they are more made sure about and all around ensured. Individuals who attempt to conflict with these nearby residents would as of now feel undermine already on the grounds that the legislator will back them up in part of their arrangement for the mystery of the politician’s messy work. This is one of the most indecent acts acted in governmental issues, however one that by one way or another we can never dispose of.

Influence Tactics Essays - Social Psychology, Human Behavior, Belief

Impact Tactics Mr. Hick has endeavored in this article Influence Tactics to aggregate the different techniques individuals use in affecting others into eight fundamental bunches. These bunches are 1) reason, 2) alliance, 3) kind disposition, 4) bartering, 5) emphaticness, 6) more significant position authority, 7) assents and 8) image the executives. In spite of the fact that there are many techniques individuals use to get their direction, most can fall under the heading of one of these bunches. Reason is viewed as one of the most well known methods for impacting others. It is regularly utilized couple with different techniques. With reason, we bid to another person utilizing rationale, information or data to help our activities. It ought to be clarified to the next individual this is in actuality what we are doing. On the off chance that we attempt to reason utilizing a mystery motivation it can prompt doubt. I have attempted when guiding shows to prevail upon individuals reasonably. At the point when I set aside the effort to make my inspirations understood and persuade others to see my side I am, a bigger number of times than not, content with the outcomes. Individuals in theater are regularly more sensitive than your normal individual. I have thought that it was successful to rub them toward my thoughts. I would interface Coalition and Higher Authority together. The previous is enrolling the guide of your partners and supporters to promote your solicitations, while the later uses more significant level specialists to back you in affecting others. Both can work yet I feel alliance is increasingly compelling. It gives the extra advantage of affecting other people who are not under your power. I have utilized this strategy. Individuals are frequently better persuaded by a partner or by the intensity of a gathering. It expels the entire difficult daily schedule of battling against something in light of the fact that someone or other needs you to. Another strategy which functions admirably, in any event when working with subordinates, is Bargaining. For whatever length of time that the two sides feel theyve been dealt with reasonably, it ordinarily creates incredible outcomes. We, as people, need to feel like we have an opinion valued by anyone. In the event that we enter a deal, we feel committed to create. Alongside this comes Friendliness. It also can be of extraordinary use in getting what you need from others. The most significant thing is to be earnest. Individuals see through bogus conduct and won't trust you on the off chance that they see it. On the harder side of things we can utilize Assertiveness and Sanctions. These can be successful in the event that you are forthcoming with your subordinates. Utilizing this strategy as a manipulative gadget will just prompt hatred. Approvals are in some cases like dealing. In the event that you do this conduct you will be remunerated/rebuffed. The last impact strategy is Symbol Management. Numerous corporate societies get wanted conduct from workers by enrolling this apparatus. Imagery can be compelling. We frequently do as we see. Appropriate good examples, strategies, maxims and positive activities at a firm will frequently bring wanted outcomes. Indeed, even in my vocation, when I have made an air of difficult work and commitment for our motivation, I have seen incredible outcomes. I figure the most significant thing we should do when we utilize any of these strategies is to keep our motivation clear and fluctuate the manners in which we approach getting individuals do what we need. Impact doesn't need to be a negative occasion. Business

How to Keep Negativity out of Your Marriage

How to Keep Negativity out of Your Marriage Relationships Spouses & Partners Marital Problems Print How to Keep Negativity out of Your Marriage By Sheri Stritof Sheri Stritof has written about marriage and relationships for 20 years. Shes the co-author of The Everything Great Marriage Book. Learn about our editorial policy Sheri Stritof Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD on February 01, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments.   Learn about our Medical Review Board Carly Snyder, MD on February 01, 2020 Martin Siepmann/Stockbyte/Getty Images More in Relationships Spouses & Partners Marital Problems LGBTQ Violence and Abuse Negativity can come in the form of cynicism, criticism, whining, attacking, pessimism, discontent, perfectionism, and hyperintensity. All of these behaviors can push people away, including your spouse. Dr. John Gottman, the founder of The Gottman Institute who has been doing research on relationships since the 1970s, points out that there is a magic relationship ratio of negative and positive reactions.?? In an article about Gottmans findings, Kyle Benson writes, That magic ratio is 5 to 1. This means that for every negative interaction during conflict, a stable and happy marriage has five (or more) positive interactions.?? What does that mean for your relationship? Can your marriage survive a high degree of negativity? Can someone overcome a negative outlook on life? These are good questions that many couples are faced with. Are You Naturally Negative? If you are concerned that you have a negative personality or lean that way, ask yourself the following questions.Do you find yourself in a bad mood on a regular basis? Do you dwell on bad things or painful memories?Are you critical of everyone in your life? Do you look at incidents and events from a negative perspective?Are you a perfectionist? If someone says, Good Morning, do you wonder whats good about it?Are you quick to say No and rarely say Yes to requests from your partner or kids?If you answer yes to most of these questions, your negative personality could have a harmful impact on your relationship. Change Your Pattern of Negativity If you are chronically negative, you can change your pattern of negative thinking. However, you have to want to make this change and no one can do it for you. Here are some things you can do to be more positive:?? Eat healthy foods.Be more accepting.Get enough sleep.Be willing to forgive both yourself and your partner.Practice mindfulness.Exercise.Do something each day that makes you smile. Keep this simple like listening to a favorite song, spending time on a creative hobby, watching a funny video, or taking a bubble bath.When you feel a negative response entering your mind, question it. Force yourself to think of something positive instead.Volunteer your time and do something for others.Stay in contact with positive people.Remind yourself of things you are thankful for.Honestly compliment your spouse whenever an appropriate opportunity, such as successfully  completing a difficult work project, presents itself.  Be open to seeking professional help. The Best Online Marriage Counseling Programs Help Your Negative Spouse If you are in a relationship with someone who has a negative personality, you are not responsible for making them feel better. However, here are some things you can do to help your partner be more positive:?? Do not take the negativity personally.Remember that the negativity is their problem, not yours.If your partner rejects your offers of help, dont overreact.Spend time with positive people. You could likely use some time off from the negativity at home.Invite your spouse to take a walk or do some fun activity with you at least once a week.Acknowledge your partners positive accomplishments.Encourage your partner to try new things.Dont be afraid to say Enough! and change the subject to something more positive.Be open to seeking professional help. Turn the Negative Into Positives Overall, keep in mind the advice of Dr. Gottman: for every negative create five positives. It can be a challenge at times and no relationship or marriage is perfect. However, having fun, being open to communication, and enjoying each other are some of the keys to a healthy and happy marriage. Do your best and try to counteract any negativity you experience. You may be surprised at the effect it has on both of you over time.

The Importance Of A Credit Risk Management - 973 Words

These are general factors which are important in process of controlling credit risk management by the banking industries from all over the world. Proper consideration of these factors in for the proper credit risk management process is very essential. Thus the study of these factors is always helpful for the banks. 2.2.1.1 Importance of proper policy for risk management in banks While looking at the events of financial crisis of the various countries it can be said that misunderstanding of the development of the risk factors from their roots and failure to formulate appropriate policies to tackle those risk may lead to the rise of highly unfavourable consequences (Hilbers, Otker-Robe, Pazarbasioglu, Johnsen, 2005). McNaughton and Barltrop (1992) states that well formulated credit policies of the banks will provide the base to act according to the certain standards and parameters to avoid unnecessary risks during business expansion. These policies plays prominent role in all stages of credit from proper appraisal of credit facilities by the credit officers to evaluation of those facilities by board, management and risk auditors. 2.2.1.2. Various factors for safe lending process needed to be applied by banks The business of any bank is providing loans. Thus there are various factors which are extremely necessary to be taken into deep consideration before providing credit facilities to the client. These factors are more important while providing realShow MoreRelatedRole of Financial Statements in Decision Making1634 Words   |  7 PagesTOPIC: ASESSMENT OF CREDIT RISK IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT THE ABSTRACT This proposal study explores financial credit risk assessment. This is an important issue because there is currently no standardized method used by financial institutions for the assessment of credit risk. 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And suggests that Risk Management for Islamic banks include three basic components: Establishing Appropriate Risk Management Environment and Sound Policies a nd ProceduresRead MoreDifferent Theories Of The Credit Risk Management1732 Words   |  7 Pagesprimarily discuss the different theories of the credit risk management .The first chapter will be divided into two parts; the first part will be the theoritical review of the credit risk management. The second part will be studying the importance of credit riskmanagement within an organization; we will see credit risk functions and effectiveness. The purpose of the chapter is to understand in the best way possible the credit risk management and its importance within a bank. The theoretical framework orRead MoreFinancial Management Systems Are Of Great Importance To1584 Words   |  7 PagesFinancial management systems are of great importance to business success. There are many reasons why most firms plunge into financial disaster. Some of these factors include loss of market share, excess debt, management problems and technology changes (Kierulff Peterson, 2009). Specifically, the successful management of working capital is crucial to the success of a business and their survivals to a great extend due to economic volatility. The pace at which new firms are established and the desireRead MoreIt was said that:Good risk management requires good ethics; and good ethics require good risk900 Words   |  4 PagesIt was said that:Good risk management requires good ethics; and good ethics require good risk management. Do you know the reason that good risk management and good ethics should work together? The report will begin with the definitions of these two fields. Firstly, Risk management is a process to make decisions which plan to minimize the business losses on an organization, and reduce the number or size of these losses. For ethics, it seems like a standard aiming to comply with certain rules orRead MoreThe New Science Of Winning Book1733 Words   |  7 PagesIn the New Science of Winning book, (Davenport Harris, 2007, p.7) analytics is defined as â€Å"the extensive use of data, statistical and quantitative analysis, explanatory and predictive models, and fact-based management to drive decisions and actions.† [1]. To be successful in today’s competition, my current employer, DLL Financial Solutions Partner (DLL), is competing on analytics and fully aligned its core strategies to be supported by extensive statistical and computer based decisions. DLL isRead MoreEnterprise Risk Management ( Erm )1726 Words   |  7 PagesEnterprise Risk Management (ERM) is the ability to identify, manage and/or mitigate risks th at can affect the overall business operations down to the day to day operations of an organization (Hampton, J., 2009). 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Risk management should be a continuous and developing process which runs throughout the organization‟s strategy and the implementationRead MoreRole of Bank Capital1375 Words   |  6 Pagesequal with the amount of risks assumed and hold enough to weather severe and considerably long financial storms. Roles of Bank Capital Banks are susceptible to many forms of systematic risk which at times can evolve into industrial crisis. The risks they face include credit risk, market risk, business risk and interest rate risk to name a few. And bank capital plays an essential role in the absorption of losses related to these risks. Credit Risk Credit risk is the risk that an obligator willRead MoreImportance of Risk Management1157 Words   |  5 PagesMGD426 Risk Management Overview A risk is, consequently, a hazard that can derail an organization from accomplishing a business process, project, or any activity that is vital to a company’s sustenance. There are different classifications of risks: financial, operational, infrastructure, human capital, and marketing risks. These risks embody subcategories of risks that can negatively affect the company. Leverage, receivables, and investments are risks can hinder the financial situations of a

An Adult Returning to School Essay Samples - Is it a Scam?

An Adult Returning to School Essay Samples - Is it a Scam? The function of education in society may not be underestimated in any manner. A society that doesn't uphold education is regarded as a society free of vision and moral standing. In addition to its growing cultural and ethnic diversity, State University is turning into a master at developing a niche for each student. Another component of his success has been his capacity to assemble a really strong board. Tidying Is not a hard task. Has up-to-date abilities and the capability to learn new abilities and procedures easily. In the modern learning environment, the procedure is entirely online and better part of the process is all about writing. Superior luck and resource-rich communities aren't evenly distributed. It was quite easy to realize how far behind one could get if you didn't get the job done together with other folks. Not everybody can afford superior education, and that's why some folks elect to join the institution's scholarship program. There are several alternatives and things to aid you in getting your degree, so begin working on that now. You also need to speak to your school about the expenses of getting your degree and the way you are able to make an application for financial aid. Many adults considering their alternatives to return to college are concerned they will not meet the requirements for financial aid. You're advised to consult someone in the financial aid office of the institution in which you intend to study for assistance in submitting an application for a grant that will meet your needs. Go home and do what you want to do in order to grieve. In the event that you were downsized, permit the admissions officers know. Students may get this grant for as much as 12 semesters, but must finish the FAFSA and other requirements to keep eligibility every year. Take a look at the campus you need to attend to see whether you feel you would feel comfortable there and see whether you are able to speak to other mature students already attending. Students with disabilities may use the funds to obtain assistive devices to permit them to access classes or another equipment required to finish their study programs. Going to school today is quite pricey and not all people have the luxery I do. Simply take the opportunity to thoroughly research each school prior to applying. When you're in high school, it's definite that you're expected to do a few write-ups and projects which require pen and paper. School was generally an enjoyable place to attend for everybody. As soon as it's helpful to obtain a minumum of one letter from a professor, it may not be possible to get hold of your old professors. Be sure to pick a person who is supportive of your choice to come back to school, as well someone who has good writing abilities. Chris has finally begun to devote a bit more time on himself, learning how to paint and reading. When you're going back to college, you will require support from your family members. What is Actually Happening with an Adult Returning to School Essay Samples Also, an expected client might use matter from this kind of essay. Most companies supply you with the very first part of a Sample essay. There are a couple significant reasons for why it is preferable to type out sources word for word in your research in place of only take notes. It is essential that one ought to synchronize and structure the entire process of writing a book so there is an appropriate plan of action to follow and the content doesn't go haywire. It's simple to point out an essay that's been written solely for the interest of it. You are likely to be offered an essay on nearly every subject for a specific price. An excellent essay is one which leaves a long-lasting impression. Viewing a Sample essay and considering the matter of plagiarism is extremely important.

Placement Three †Critical reflection Free Essays

string(113) " plans could lead to an improved self-image and a greater likelihood that they will reach their treatment goals\." Introduction According to Doel (2010) social work placements provide not just the opportunity for practice learning, ‘they are about a wider philosophy, linking practice to academic learning, research and continuing professional development’ (p4). Consequently, placement forms an integral part of the journey of Social Work Education. My third and final placement has been within the Social work team on Thames ward, River House, Bethlem Royal Hospital which is a Medium Secure Psychiatric facility providing treatment and rehabilitation for 15 male, mentally disordered offenders with a diagnosis of mental illness and or personality disorders. We will write a custom essay sample on Placement Three – Critical reflection or any similar topic only for you Order Now Through this critical reflection on my placement I will be looking at my learning in areas such as law and policy, risk, linking theory to practice, communication and multi-professional working which have all formed an integral part of my placement. Moreover, I will also be exploring my learning and personal development in areas such as anti-discriminatory practice, reflective practice and the role of supervision in my development throughout placement. Having successfully completed all of my academic modules as well as two practice placements I felt somewhat better prepared for this placement than I did with my first. I felt that I had grown as a professional and now possessed proven practical skills. Moreover, I felt more confident in my ability to work with service users; linking social work theories and values to my practice. However, having no experience of working with this service user group I felt slightly anxious about my placement, especially as it was within a Secure Unit and that I would be working with purely male service users. This was not helped by my first visit to River House, the high perimeter fences and strict security procedures led to me feeling that I was entering a prison as opposed to a hospital environment. Upon reflection I felt that my anxiety was largely due to my negative preconceptions about mental illness especially my belief that mentally ill people are violent, unpredictable, and dangerous. These views were not only a result of a lack of knowledge about mental illness and personality disorders but also about the influence of negative media and cultural stereotypes that I had grown up with. I realised that these views were something that I would need to continually be aware of throughout this placement so as to work in an anti discriminatory manner (Unit 19). According to Thompson (2006) good practice is anti-discriminatory; therefore, being aware of avoiding assumptions which are discriminatory or oppressive can contribute positively to empowerment of service users. Mullen (2000) highlights that forensic mental health involves the assessment and treatment of those who are both mentally disordered and whose behaviour has led, or could lead, to offending (p309). Additionally, McInerny (2004) highlights that although secure hospitals are not prisons it is important that the relationship between security and therapy is properly managed. Through working as part of the clinical team I came to understand that the role of the unit is the treatment and rehabilitation of the patients with a large focus on risk management and care planning. I initially found it challenging to not look at patients from a purely medical perspective, for example by immediately attributing patient’s offending as a consequence of their mental illness. I benefited from a teaching session with the Clinical psychiatrist who clarified that mental illness does not cause patients to commit crimes rather, the propensity to commit a criminal offence is demographically determined . Additionally, I learnt that certain mental illnesses gave patients the propensity to commit particular crimes for example that there is a link between personality disorders and antisocial behaviours. Discrimination and empowerment Although patients were transferred on and off the ward throughout my placement I noted that there were disproportionate amount of black African and Caribbean men on the ward. As the placement progressed I noted that that throughout River house black and ethnic minority men formed a large proportion of the patients. A number of studies including one by Harrison (2002) have found that in comparison African-Caribbean men are more likely to be admitted to psychiatric hospitals, diagnosed with schizophrenia and sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Additionally a 2008 mental health services census found that that overall rates of detention were higher than average among the black Caribbean and black African men by 20 to 36 per cent (Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection 2008). According to Harrison (2002) negative attitudes towards mental distress can be compounded by other forms of discrimination such as race for example the belief that black men are more likely to be violent t han their white counterparts. The majority of staff on the ward including myself and my practice teacher were from black and ethnic minority groups and I initially wondered whether the patients took this as a positive and empowering factor in that they could identify with the nurses and social worker. Conversely, whether given that those who could be said to hold the ‘real decision making power’ such as the psychiatrist were white, additionally the majority of the ethnic minority staff were female, I wondered whether the patients felt disempowered by this. However as the placement developed it emerged that all professionals on the ward worked in unison and that decisions were always made by the multi professional team as a whole (Unit 17). I felt that this projected a message to the patients that none of the professional worked in isolation; as such they could attribute respect to us all as part of their care team. I found that that there was a good level of patient involvement in their own care pla ns as wells patients’ views being taken into consideration in decision making processes. Consequently I felt that this helped to empower the patients to a degree (Unit 5, Unit 7). Chinman et al (1999) contends participation treatment planning can also be empowering, in addition, that people with severe mental illness being able to actively participate in designing their own treatment plans could lead to an improved self-image and a greater likelihood that they will reach their treatment goals. You read "Placement Three – Critical reflection" in category "Essay examples" However, authors such as Rosenfeld and Turkheimer (1995) and Linhorst et al (2002) argue, the severity of mental illness can be the main barrier to empowerment as some patients may lack the full capacity to process information, weigh choices and make informed decisions about their treatment. Furthermore, there is a danger that some patients especially those who have been in-patients for extended periods of time, may have become institutionalised or dependant on mental health services and as such do not ever have a fully desire to engage in and progress through patient recovery pathways. According to Golightley (2004) social workers need to work in unison with medical and other health professionals whilst remaining at the forefront of processes that include and empower services users. As a result I found that it was important to develop as good of a relationship as I could with each of the patients I worked with (Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 5). According to Mason (2011) â€Å"Relationships are recognised as an integral and influential component of the therapeutic process and highly influential within service users’ care and treatment. This is even more important due to the power imbalance exists between patients and professionals† The patients on the ward engage in many therapeutic activities including groups such as understanding mental illness, index related work, substance misuse. Although patients may find it empowering to engage in therapeutic activities and groups as these would aid their recovery and rehabilitation; this for me raised questions about the power that professionals hold over the patient as well as the genuine nature of the patient’s engagement. That is because patients engagement in such activities directly correlated with the amount of progress they made towards discharge. Authors such as Lowry (1998) argue that within forensic mental health settings, patients are contained in an environment which automatically restricts choice, and autonomy. Consequently, the focus has tended to be on ‘compliance’ rather than active service user ‘engagement’ in therapeutic interventions. Rogers et al (1997), defined empowerment as â€Å"the connection between a sense of personal competence, a desire for and a willingness to take action in the public domain’’. Through my time on the ward I directly empowered patients in a number of ways (Unit 2, Unit3, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 10). This includes ensuring I incorporated their views in my assessments and allowed them to read my assessments and raise any concerns that they had before the final drafts were submitted (Unit 3, Unit 11, Unit 14, Unit 16 ). Moreover I ensured I gained their consent to gather information about them from their family or other services. I ensured that I provided patients informed choice over how they handle their finances as some patients’ finances were managed by their family. Additionally, I did some specific work supporting a patient to re-establish contact with his sister where he had previously no contact with any family members. I also supported another patient to make an informed decision about his relinquishing the tenancy of his flat. Although these patients have no choice about being in hospital I found that being able to make such decisions and take corresponding actions was very empowering for them. This is supported by Jones Meleis (1993) who contend that empowerment is both process and outcome, which encompass people’s rights, strengths and abilities, implying competence or the development of potential. Linking theory to practice Being in a hospital environment there was undoubted a large emphasis on the medical model in which mental health is looked at in relation to illness and illness management. However, especially where a patient was due to be discharged great emphasis was placed on the social model which included the understanding that social exclusion and stigma could present as ‘the greatest barrier to social inclusion and recovery’ for the patients (Social Exclusion Unit 2004). This is because of society’s negative perceptions about people with mental health problems can lead to them being stigmatised, labelled as being violent, and dangerous. Although at the beginning I held some of these views, working closer with the patients on my ward, as well as spending time in community hostels and community mental health teams, I came to see how difficult it is for our patients to reintegrate back into society and the anxiety that this caused them prior to discharge (Unit 19). This is bec ause they not only suffered from a mental illness but the fact that they had also been through the criminal justice system, leading to them possibly suffering discriminated on multiply grounds. Thus with regards to my role I found that the social model in addition to the dominant medical model formed the underlying rationale for the work I did. Through conducting various assessments I was able to gain a better appreciation for the need to take a multi-faceted approach in working with patients and as such developed my ability to link social work theories to practice. According to Golightly (2008) the likely cause of mental disorder is a complex interaction between a range of factors; encompassing biological, psychological and social factors (p36). Consequently, mental health should always be addressed from a perspective that ‘reflects the understanding that human beings are biological, psychological and social creatures all at the same time’ (Dombeck and Wells-Moran, 2006, p52) (Unit18). Using Collingwood’s (2005) model I noted that I used theories such as systems theory, theories on attachment and loss, as well as a biological and psychological models to inform my practice and assessments. A systemic approach takes the view that an individual is best understood through assessing the interactions within their family, community and wider socio-political environments (Payne 1997, p123). This is important especially as the majority of our patients fit within a particular demographic that being males from ethnic minority backgrounds many of who have experienced disadvantaged upbringings and disruptive family backgrounds. This is also the reason why theories relating to attachment and loss are pertinent in informing assessments. Biological and psychological models provide an important basis for the formation of understanding, treating and managing mental illness and personality disorders. Through this placement I have learnt that it is important to combine knowled ge from these theoretical perspectives in order to produce a comprehensive assessment (Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 6). As well as theories which are used to inform practice there are also theories which are used to intervene, these include biological and psychological models through the use of medication and both group and individual therapies. I found that I largely took a person centred approach in working with the patient’s especially in the assessment process in that I strove to identify what was important to the patient from their own perspective and strove to find appropriate solutions (Brewis, 2007, p.4) (Unit 18) . In doing so, I also used task centred practice. According to Howe (1987 p82) in task centred practice, problems are defined as identifiable pieces of behaviour, goals are set and mutually agreed with service users, involvement proceeds by way of small sequential, manageable steps. Payne (1997) argues that task centred work aims for collaboration between worker and client to target problems where the goal is to utilise, extend and consolidate the service user’s strengt h and abilities (p.108). However Doel (1994) argues that although this would not be an equal partnership, in the sense that powers roles and responsibilities would differ, however, true partnership is open about these differences as ‘partnership should be based on a common understanding of the reason for doing the work’ (p30). For example after undertaking an assessment of a patient I would give them the assessment to read within a given time frame and ask them to make note of any errors or questions that they had about their assessment. As with my first placement I learnt that the process of assessment is an intervention within itself in that I was able to challenge patients to think about their overall progress as well as specific inappropriate behaviours, but also to look into their insight into their mental illnesses and index offences (Unit 9). Underpinning my use of theories are the social work values, in this placement there was a heavy focus on anti-discriminatory practice, advocacy and empowerment (Unit 19). Moreover, I learnt that as a professional I was also a resource in that I was able to communicate patient needs and concerns to the clinical team, advocate for and provide information to the patients where necessary (Unit 10). I felt that as the placement progressed and my knowledge in areas such as the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007) and awareness of support services and agencies increased, I was able to provide a better service to the patients. Emotional intelligence During both my first and second placements I developed a greater understanding of the term ‘emotional intelligence’ as developed by Salovey and Mayer (1990). Emotional intelligence is about being an aware of my own emotions and the need to not only manage but also to reflect upon them so as to see how they might affect my interactions with patients and ultimately how they impact upon my assessments (Unit 18, Unit 20). According to Howe (2009) emotional intelligence can have an affects on behaviour, I found that this was important to note as from the onset of this placement I was aware that I held negative stereotypes about mental illness and as such was concerned as to how this would affect the way that I worked. According to Taylor and White (2000) ‘the assumptions we have about social problems and the people who experience these problems have ethical and practical consequences’ (cited in D’Cruz, Gillingham and Melendez (2007). I found that as the pl acement progressed and as I gained greater knowledge and understanding of mental illness and personality disorders I was able to overcome some of my fears and prejudices. However, due to the nature of the work I always remained aware of the potential risks and the need to manage this risk by for example carrying my ASCOM alarm at all times whilst on the ward, ensuring I sat close to exits and alarms when alone with patients in the interviews rooms etc. (Unit 13). I felt that my ability to manage and reflect upon my own emotions and those of others was tested during this placement especially on one occasion when I felt caught in an ongoing issue between a challenging patient and his family (Unit 20). In this instance in as much as I could understand the family’s concern about the patient, who was spending his money erratically, I tried to impart on the family the many difficulties I was faced with in working with the patient. However it soon emerged that, as I continued to liaise with the patient and his family, both parties were challenging to work with. This was due not only to the patient’s perception that decisions were being made about him without his involvement but also the families concerns that the patient was being allowed to spend his money despite there being a ward policy in place allowing only ?40 weekly. In this situation I found it difficult to manage the patients emotions (especially as he was quite unwell at tim es became verbally aggressive), those of the family as well as my own and had to turn to the multi disciplinary care team to help me to deal with the situation (Unit 17). My ability to manage and contain the emotions of others was also tested whilst shadowing my Practice Teacher in her capacity as an Approved Mental Health Professional. In this instance a decision was made to assess a man under section 2, Mental Health Act, (1983, amended in 2007), who was felt to be suffering from a mental disorder. The police were called due to the fact that he had assaulted one of the assessing psychiatrists and he needed to be safely conveyed to hospital to minimise further risk to others. I found the whole experience quite difficult to handle emotionally, especially as I spent the majority of the assessment with his mother who became quite very distressed at seeing her son being taking away by police even if it was to hospital for treatment. I found remaining calm and professional in this instance very difficult in that dealing with the emotions his mother as well as the chaotic manor of the situation was quite overwhelming. Upon reflection I feel that this situa tion highlighted some of my initial reservations about working with mentally ill service users but it also highlighted to me the impact that mental illness can have on the families of the patients. The situation also highlighted that I needed to continue to build my emotional resolve as I would undoubtedly experience more distressing situations in my role as a qualified social work practitioner (Unit 20). Legislation Similar to my first placement I quickly learnt how legal and policy requirements direct practice, with the Mental Health Act (1983) as amended by the Mental health Act (2007) being the main legal instrument in use in this setting. The Mental Health Act (1983) covers the detention of people who are deemed to be a risk to themselves or others. The Act sets out the legal framework for the care and treatment of mentally disordered persons, by providing the legislation under which people suffering from a mental disorder can be detained in hospital to have their disorder assessed or treated against their wishes (Unit 18). The Act gives powers for Crown or Magistrates Courts to remand an accused person to hospital either for treatment or for a report on their mental disorder. It also provides powers for a Court to make a hospital order for the detention in hospital of a person convicted of an offence who requires treatment and care; this is done on the basis of two medical recommendations. A restriction order under section 41 may be imposed at the same time which places restrictions on movement and discharge of a patient detained under section a 37 hospital treatment order; all movement is then subject to agreement from the Ministry of Justice this is necessary to minimise risk to the public. Moreover, the Act also contains powers to transfer prisoners to hospital for treatment of a mental disorder under section 48/49. Patients may apply to Mental Health Review Tribunals (First Tier Tribunals) who consider whether the conditions for continued detention are still present and have the power to order a conditional or absolute discharge. Patients can also apply to the Hospital Managers to review their case. Throughout this placement I was continually developing an understanding of the application of the Mental Health Act (Unit 18). I became especially interested in the effect of section 41, I found it interesting that for some patients this provided impetus for them to w ork towards their own recovery and discharge by engaging fully in their care plans, through partaking in therapeutic groups, not using illicit substances, or posing as management problems in order to evidence to the Ministry of justice that their overall risks had decreased. However others appeared content to remain in hospital and were not actively working towards their discharged. This led to me considering whether some patients had become dependent on institutional care. Risk In my first placement in a Children’s Services safeguarding team I found the concept of ‘risk’ difficult to fully understand. I found it difficult to identify risk and as such address how it could be minimised and managed. In my second placement work with The AIDS Support Organisation in Uganda, risk was an obvious concept to appreciate. Throughout this placement I feel that I have really developed a greater understanding of the concept of risk and as such I have gained greater confidence in the identification of risk and assessment of how it can be managed (Unit 9, Unit 12, Unit 13). According to Scott (1977) ‘risk’ is defined by an assessment of a particular behaviour, the potential damage or likely harm from that behaviour and the probability that it will occur and under what circumstances. Moreover, following research on mental illness and violent behaviour Mossman (1994) argues that past behaviour can be used as the best predictor of future behav iour. I was able to use this knowledge whilst working with the patients on a daily basis but crucially I used this knowledge to inform my assessments so as to be able to identify and assess risks posed by the patients using past and present behaviours. Mullen (2000) argues that mental health services have a responsibility to do all that they can to provide appropriate care and support to those mentally disordered people with the aim to identify and manage risks before they manifest in violence. Throughout this placement I have had to be conscious of ‘risk’ on a daily basis, I have learnt that in as much as the patients could pose a risk to themselves as well as others, their mental illness also leaves them vulnerable and at risk of harm themselves (Unit 12). Rehabilitation Throughout this placement risk was strongly linked with the concept of rehabilitation. As with everything else on this placement I found that rehabilitation was a multi faceted exercise that involved a variety of professionals, treatments and approaches. This includes medication for the treatment and management of the symptoms of mental health, therapies such as art and relaxation, groups to improve social functioning and provide patients with greater insight not only into mental illness but also issues such as substance misuse. A theory that I found that was used whenever the term ‘rehabilitation’ was mentioned was the ‘Recovery Model’. The Recovery Model is an approach to the treatment of mental illness that emphasizes and supports an individual’s potential for recovery. Recovery is seen as a personal journey as opposed to a destination that may involve developing hope, a secure base and sense of self, supportive relationships, empowerment, social i nclusion, coping skills, and meaning (Jacobson and Greenley (2001). Due to the complexities of need presented by service users within the setting of the medium secure unit, it is important that a range of approaches and treatments is taken in order to aid recovery. As I have previously stated this includes therapeutic group-work such as the managing mental health group which I co-facilitated (Unit 8). I learnt the importance of constantly reviewing the therapies and services that are provided to the patients in order to measure their effectiveness for example in the group I facilitated at the end of the group sessions I was involved in writing individual patient evaluations where I looked at each patients’ engagement to see what they were gaining from the process (Unit 15). This is important as authors like Heinzel (2000) argue that it cannot be forgotten that groups although therapeutic they are also cost effective as they allow for the delivery of relevant support to a larg er number of patients at the same time, consequently reviewing their performance is of grave importance. Social work also played a role in this by ensuring that patients’ social needs were met through liaising and facilitating visits from family and friends and ensuring patients were receiving the correct benefits etc. This was more important for patients that were due to be discharged as I was involved in looking for appropriate accommodation and daytime occupation for patients all of which are fundamental part of rehabilitating patients back into the community. Moreover, I learnt that giving patients leave from the ward and hospital premises was also important in allowing them to become reintegrated back into society. According to Mullen (2000) rehabilitation is a preventative process as striving to decrease the risk posed by an individual is not only beneficial for others but also for the individual themselves in enabling them to move closer to living safely in the community. The focus on treatment, care and rehabilitation highlighted to me that despite being a secure environ ment unlike prison, the aim is not to confine and contain offenders as punishment but rather to treat and provide care. Part of rehabilitation involves being reintroduced back into the community, I was involved in an in numbers referrals to hostels as well as accompanying patients to their assessment visits. Also when the facilitation of a move into a community hostel placement broke down, I was also involved in gaining new funding for a new placement as well as completing the referral to the new provider in a short space of time (Unit 4, Unit 15). Multi-professional working Risk management, rehabilitation and care planning are all heavily reliant on effective multi professional working (Unit 17). A great example of this that I took part in during placement was the Care Programme approach (CPA). Section 117 of the Mental Health Act (1983) places a duty on health and social services to provide after care to patients detained under the Act. The CPA was originally developed as a response to poor after care services in mental health services and provides a framework for care coordination and resource allocation. Consequently, CPA is essential to providing seamless care for service users. Within this framework multi-disciplinary working is seen as the main vehicle for the assessment, planning, organising, delivering and monitoring of services (Wix and Humphreys 2005). This is because the CPA focuses on both the health and social care needs of the patient with the aim to ensure that service users have access to the full range of community support they need in order to promote their recovery and integration (Unit 5, Unit 7, Unit 14, Unit 16, Unit 17). Consequently, I have learnt that multi-disciplinary work and multi-agency working plays a central role in producing comprehensive assessments and care plans (Unit 11). According to Wigfall and Moss (2001), multi-agency work is ‘about bring various professions together to understand a particular problem, in this sense they afford different perspectives on issues at hand’ (p71 cited in Walker (2008) p13). Unlike my first placement I felt a greater part of the multi professional team and that the professionals were able to work in unison for the benefit of the patients. Supervision Supervision formed an integral part of this placement. According to Noble and Irwin (2009) supervision is underpinned by a shared commitment to fostering a learning-centred partnership and that this learning partnership becomes an essential component of professional development. Similar to my first placement I found this statement to be true as supervision enabled me develop reflective as well as reflexive practice (Unit 18, Unit 19, Unit 21). However, due to the unfamiliar nature of this placement setting, supervision became even more important as â€Å"a bridge across the education-practice gap† (Tsui, 2005) in that it was in supervision that I received teaching around mental illnesses and other related areas such as law. This was especially important as unlike my first placement where I had already undertaken an entire academic module on assessment in Children and Families, I had not received as much focused learning on mental health. Consequently, supervision became a valu able tool in not only increasing my knowledge in this area but also for my overall professional development (Unit 18). Supervision also enabled me to think about research and best practice guidance and to work towards incorporating evidence-based methods into my practice. Through supervision I felt that I was able to develop what Urdang (2010) refers to as ‘centred and stable professional self’ (p.525) ensuring that I did not become overly-involved with the patients but maintained professional boundaries, keeping in mind risk and safety procedures whilst maintain a good working relationship with patients. Moreover I was able to work toward promoting values of best Social Work Practice, especially ensuring that I worked in a holistic manner as authors such as Kadushin (1990) argue that ‘the myth of sameness can result in oppression’. Additionally, Thompson (2009) argues that â€Å"treating everybody the same’ simply has the effect of reinforcing exis ting inequalities’ (p.140). That was very important to bare in mind as the patients had been already labelled and categorized as ‘mentally ill offenders’, I had to work to ensure that I treated them all as individuals. Additionally, supervision provided the opportunity to think about the ethical issues that were raised in working with the patients for example balancing my own feelings about some of the clients’ offences and ensuring that this did not impact on the working relationship I had with them (Unit 20). Thompson (2009) highlights that such considerations are important because of the tension that balancing care and control creates in such a working environment. Conclusion Reaching the end of this placement has allowed me to reflect back on my personal and professional progress not only in this placement but also throughout my studies as a whole. I feel that this placement has afforded me greater understanding and knowledge of mental illness and has made me less anxiety about working with mentally ill people in the future. In my first placement I identified a future learning goal as increasing my capacity to manage stress as well as prioritising my work so as to be more effective. I felt that I was able to achieve this more within this placement than before and I can attribute that to the great amount of support I received not only from my practice teacher but from the entire multi-professional team on Thames ward. This placement has also provided me with the opportunity to work with groups of individuals in order to achieve positive change; I was able to refine my skills in presenting information and engaging individuals in group discussions and debates. I felt that overall I found it easier having already completed two placements to link theory and academic learning to my practice and felt that this was demonstrated in the assessments that I undertook as well as my direct work with patients (Unit 3). Unlike the first placement I felt a greater sense that I was part of a multi professional team and felt that I had greater involvement in the decision making processes including Hospital Managers meetings and Mental Health Review Tribunals. In as much as I learnt a lot on this placement I have identified some future learning needs. Although, this placement was not as emotive as my first placement I feel that I will need to continue to develop my emotional resilience and ability to manage stress and stressful situations including dealing with difficult clients and their families. I feel that as I go on to practice as a qualified social worker I will need to continually strive to be a reflective and reflexive practitioner, I will need to continue to use evidence based practices and promote best social work practice. Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed this placement; I feel that my practice teacher provided me with interesting and varied learning opportunities which enabled me to get a comprehensive understanding and experience of forensic mental health social work. I felt that I was able to form positive working relationships with staff and patients as reflected in my service user and colleague feedback; I hope that I made a positive contribution to the team and also to the patients. References 1.Brewis, R. (2007) A Voice and A Choice: self-directed support by people with mental health needs, a discussion paper http://www.in-control.org.uk/media/6235/a%20voice%20and%20a%20choice%20.pdf Chinman MJ, Allende M, Weingarten J, Tworkowski S, Davidson L (1999). A Road To Collaborative Treatment Planning And Provider Perspectives. Journal Of Behavioral Health Services And Research, 26:211–218 Collingwood P. (2005) ‘Integrating theory and Practice, the three stage theory framework’ Journal of Practice Teaching in Health and Social Work. Vol 6, No 1, p 6-23 Commission For Healthcare Audit And Inspection (2008). Count Me, Results Of The 2008 National Census Of Inpatients In Mental Health And Learning Disability Services In England And Wales London: Commission For Healthcare Audit And Inspection. D’Cruz, H., Gillingham, P. Melendez, S. (2007). Reflexivity, its meanings and relevance for social work: A critical review of the literature. British Journal of Social Work, 37, 73-90. Doel, M. (1994) Task Centred Work in Hanvey, C. and Philpot T. (Eds.) Practising Social Work London Routledge pp. 22-34 Doel, M. (2010], Social Work Placements: A Traveller’s Guide, London: Routledge Dombeck, M. and Wells-Moran, J. (2006) The Bio-Psycho-Social Model available online at http://www.centersite.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=docid=9709cn=353 accessed 13/06/2011. Golightley M (2004) Social Work And Mental Health, Learning Matters, Exeter Golightly, M, (2008) Social Work and Mental Health, (3rd edition), Learning Matters, Exeter. Harrison, G., 2002, ‘Ethnic Minorities And The Mental Health Act’, The British Journal Of Psychiatry (2002) 180: 198-199 Heinzel, R. (2000). Outpatient psychoanalytic individual and group psychotherapy in a nationwide follow-up study in Germany. Group Analysis, 33. Howe, D (2009) The Emotionally Intelligent Social Worker. Basingstoke Howe, D. (1987) An Introduction to Social Work Theory. Aldershot, Wildwood House. 15. Jacobson, N. and Greenley, D. (2001). ‘What Is RecoveryA Conceptual Model and Explication, Psychiatric Services, 52, pp 482-485. 16. Jones P.S and Meleis A.L (1993). Health Is Empowerment. Advances In Nursing Science, 15:1–14 17. Kadushin, A (1990) The Social Work Interview, New York: Columbia University Press Linhorst D.M, Hamilton G, Young E, Eckert A (2002). Opportunities And Barriers To Empowering People With Severe Mental Illness Through Participation In Treatment Planning. Social Work, 47:425–434 Lowry (1998), Issues Of Non-Compliance In Mental Health. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 28: 280–287 Mason, Kathryn And Adler, Joanna R. (2011) Factors That Influence Engagement In Therapeutic Group-Work Within A High Security Hospital Environment: Male Service User Perspectives. British Journal Of Forensic Practice Mcinerny, T. Minne, C. (2004). Principles Of Treatment For Mentally Disordered Offenders. Criminal Behaviour Mental Health, 14 Suppl 1, S43-S47. Milner, J. and O’Byrne, P. (2002). Assessment in Social Work . Basingstoke: Palgrave. Mossman, D. (1994) Assessing Predictions of Violence: Being Accurate about Accuracy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62 (4) 783-792. Mullen, P.E, (2000) Forensic Mental Health The British Journal Of Psychiatry 176: 307-311 Noble, C. Irwin, J. (2009). Social work supervision: An exploration of the current challenges in a rapidly changing social, economic, and political environment. Journal of Social Work, 9 (3), 345-358 Payne, M. (1997) Modern Social Work Theory, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan Publications, Rogers SE, Chamberlin J, Langer EM, Crean T (1997). A Consumer Constructed Scale To Measure Empowerment Among Users Of Mental Health Services. Psychiatric Services, 48:1042–1047 Rosenfeld B.D, Turkheimer E.N (1995). Modelling Psychiatric Patients’ Treatment Decision Making. Law And Human Behavior, 19:389–405 Scott, P. D. (1977) Assessing dangerousness in criminals. British Journal of Psychiatry, 131, 127–142 Social Exclusion Unit (2004) Mental Health And Social Exclusion. London: Office of The Deputy Prime Minister. Thompson, N (2009) Understanding Social Work, Basingstoke: Palgrave Thompson, N. (2006) Anti Discriminatory Practice (4th Edition) Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan. Tsui, Ming-sum (2005). Social Work Supervision: Contexts and Concepts. New Deli: Sage Urdang, E (2010) ‘Awareness of self – a critical tool,’ Social Work Education, vol 29:5 pp.523-538 Walker, G. (2008) Working Together for Children: A Critical Introduction to Multi-Agency Working. London: Continuum International Publishing Group Wix S Humphreys M, S. (2005) eds. Multidisciplinary Working in Forensic Mental Health Care.) Oxford: Elsevier Science Zastrow, C. (2009). Introduction To Social Work And Social Welfare: Empowering People: Cengage Learning. How to cite Placement Three – Critical reflection, Essay examples

Plot Twist Essay Example

Plot Twist Essay A plot twist is a change in the expected direction or outcome of the plot of a film, television series, video game, novel, comic or other fictional work. It is a common practice in narration used to keep the interest of an audience, usually surprising them with a revelation. Some twists are foreshadowed and can thus be predicted by many viewers/readers, whereas others are a complete shock. When a plot twist happens near the end of a story, especially if it changes ones view of the preceding events, it is known as a twist ending. Revealing the existence of a plot twist often spoils a movie, since the majority of the movie generally builds up to the plot twist. A device used to undermine the expectations of the audience is the false protagonist. It involves presenting a character at the start of the film as the main character, but then disposing of this character, usually killing them. It is a red herring. Example of a plot twist An early example of the murder mystery genre[1] with multiple twists[2] was the Arabian Nights tale The Three Apples. It begins with a fisherman discovering a locked chest. The first twist occurs when the chest is broken open and the dead body is found inside. The initial search for the murderer fails, and a twist occurs when two men appear, separately claiming to be the murderer. A complex chain of events finally reveal the murderer to be the investigators own slave. We will write a custom essay sample on Plot Twist specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Plot Twist specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Plot Twist specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer A flashing arrow is a metaphorical audiovisual cue used in films to bring some object or situation that will be referred later, or otherwise used in the advancement of plot, to the attention of the viewers. The device is not introduced into the plot or the dialogue, but is something peripheral; however made obvious (hence the name) by a particular camera shot or background music. An example of this device is a camera close-up in a horror movie that suggests information like danger from an unlocked door. A literal flashing arrow was used in the 1981 film Student Bodies to mock this cliched use. [1] The use of flashing arrows and that particular joke were both mentioned in Everything Bad is Good for You, where the authors says works that have little use of this and require figuring things out yourself have a more deductive viewer base. Another example of a literal flashing arrow can be seen in the Ouran High School Host Club. This device is used several times throughout the anime—for instance in the first episode, a flashing arrow and high-pitched beeping oise indicate a vase that a character breaks later on in that scene. Red herring is an idiomatic expression referring to the rhetorical or literary tactic of diverting attention away from an item of significance. [1] For example, in mystery fiction, where the identity of a criminal is being sought, an innocent party may be purposefully cast in a guilty light by the author through the employment of deceptive clues, false emphas is, loaded words or other descriptive tricks of the trade. The readers suspicions are thus misdirected, allowing the true culprit to go (temporarily at least) undetected. A false protagonist is another example of a red herring. In the  comic book  fan community, the apparent death and subsequent return of a long-running character is often called a  comic book death. While death is a serious subject, a comic book death is generally not taken seriously and is rarely permanent or meaningful. At least three comic book deaths are well known. The first two are the 1980 death of  Jean Grey  in Marvels  Dark Phoenix Saga  and that ofSuperman  in  DCs highly-publicized 1993  Death of Superman  storyline. There is one major distinction between the two, however whereas it was never intended that Supermans death be permanent, and that he would return to life at the conclusion of the story,[3]  Jeans passing (one of many temporary deaths among the  X-Men) was written as the true and permanent death of the character,[citation needed]  only to beretconned  a few years later to facilitate her return. In more recent history, the death of  Captain America  made real-world headlines in early 2007[4]  when he met his apparent end, but Steve Rogers returned in  Captain America: Reborn  in late 2009. Usually more subtle, foreshadowing works on the symbolic level. For example, if a character must break up a schoolyard fight among some boys, it might symbolically foreshadow the family squabbles that will become the central conflict of the story. Other times, it is seemingly inconsequential, with the goal of having the audience be surprised by the storys climax and yet find it justified. If a character learns that a certain man was a regular at the diner where her mother worked many years before, it helps to justify the events later in which she learns that the man is her biological father. If foreshadowing is not done carefully, the common experiences of life can make the foreshadowing too obvious and allow the audience to predict the outcome of the story. Example: a character behaves in an odd and erratic fashion and complains continuously of a  headache, then later is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Foreshadowing can also be used dishonestly in a mystery, where a series of events which points to a conclusion is later found to be composed of unlikely coincidences which have been dishonestly added to the story by the author in an artificial way, with the sole purpose of drawing the audience into an incorrect expectation. In such cases, the audience feels manipulated, and the story may be less satisfying.

The Effects of IT Outsourcing on Retail Companies

The Effects of IT Outsourcing on Retail Companies Introduction Information technology has changed the business processes tremendously. This technological revolution has transformed organizations and businesses such that transactions can be initiated and executed within the shortest span of time. The introduction of the Internet further contributed to the revolution with remote sites able to connect over the Internet and exchanging data, information, and currency.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on The Effects of IT Outsourcing on Retail Companies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The businesses that pioneered information technology quickly included this technology in their business processes. These developed into showcase models in information technology. The cost of implementing these technologies increased over time. As such an opportunity gave itself in which information technology service providers would offer tailored and business-oriented services to willing bu sinesses at a fee. This option was considered against the rising costs of setting up an IT department. It is this process of outsourcing that has taken the information technology age to the next level. Outsourcing has enabled businesses in need of technologically knowledgeable processes but lack the technical and human capacity to outsource such services and processes to technological experts at a stipulated cost (Pinnington and Woolcook 1999; Stakes 1995). Outsourcing has opened up frontiers in IT standardization, especially in the business world where these businesses can acquire IT services from third party organizations and as such benchmark their processes to the global standards. This study is specifically going to address the effects of information technology outsourcing among retail businesses in the United Kingdom. Background and research problem definition IT outsourcing has been around before the turn of the century. Indeed as more businesses discovered the need and advan tages of including IT in their business processing, information technology became the most expensive form of technology then. However, in this a business opportunity arose where information technology astute organizations would lend out their technology by outsourcing to those businesses and organizations that had need then.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is during this period that businesses such as the British Steel turned to Gap Gemini to outsource their central management service (CMS) unit. British Steel has a workforce of about 50,000 with a turnover of more than 7000 million UK pounds (Brown and Wilson 2005; Linder, Cole and Jacobson, 2002). This company runs a central management services unit to provide exceptional IT support for the company’s finance, payroll, and human resources. CMS also covers some processes within the company’s ope rational system. The British Steel case study is indicative that IT has brought with it special organizational need to ensure facility management. On acquiring new systems through business re-engineering, organizations often realize that they are not able to optimize these systems and therefore have minimal benefit. This is mainly caused by resistive organizational culture that offers little room for change to take place within the organization. Such organizations or businesses turn to outsource such processes to ensure to ensure the processes are carried out professionally and at exceptional standards because IT has a global scope. Therefore, British Steel just like many retail businesses in the United Kingdom turned to Cap Gemini a world class IT Company that the steel manufacturer outsourced about one third of its processes covered within their CMS. British Steel intention to outsource was to gain competitive advantage by maintaining high quality standards with more tahn 99% for key indicators, establish perpetual improvement programs even through the British Steel business improvement program; ensuring a smooth transition of IT responsibilities with minimal disruption to the existing IT system, and safeguarding the interests of its workforce. Several years down the line, the British Steel management intimate that it is about the right IT that can help a company gain competitive advantage in the global market and to this company, outsourcing was the key. Research Questions The British Steel case is just one among the many cases that has experienced the benefits of, IT outsourcing considered a vital undertaking and has vast influence on the economies of countries over the world (Sullivan and Steven 2003).Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on The Effects of IT Outsourcing on Retail Companies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Retail businesses form an important stratum of the general business eco nomy. Retail businesses must have the capability to support evolutionary business processes as the customer needs continue to change. It is this flexibility that can enable such businesses to remain competitive. However, these technology changes come at a high cost of implementation. Faced with such a dilemma, retail businesses will undoubtedly resort to outsourcing to maintain competitive advantage. This research proposal therefore aims at studying the effects of outsourcing in IT and their effects on retail companies, especially in the UK. In so doing, the research will be guided the following main research questions: What are the factors that lead to IT outsourcing among retail companies? What are the effects of IT outsourcing among retail companies? What is the general trend among retail companies in the UK as concerns IT outsourcing? Upon answering the above research questions, a conclusion could be made on the relationship between IT outsourcing and retail companies (De Vaus 2002). Recommendations will also be made after this study on the emerging retail business trends in the UK poised to benefit from IT outsourcing to establish competitive advantage. Research Objectives Based on the research questions, the research objectives can be derived. As stated earlier, the main aim of this research is to establish what effect IT outsourcing has on retail companies in the UK (Bryman and Bell 2007). This research focuses at clearly identifying the IT outsourcing processes with reference to retail business and how the two are related. This implies that the research objectives will include:- To determine reasons IT outsourcing is gaining attention among retail companies. To determine typical effects of IT outsourcing among retail companies in the UK. To determine the general IT outsourcing trends among retail companies in the UK. Literature review IT outsourcing continues to draw much attention from many scholars, academicians, professionals, and business exper ts. This has resulted in a continuous expanding knowledge base focusing on outsourcing and its effects on business processes. However, a review of most of these articles reveals that even though writers differ in some instances, the fact still remains that IT outsourcing has had a significant impact on retail companies all over the world (Jack 2009). This impact affects countries’ economies in many ways. In the article; How Outsourcing Affects the U.S. Economy, Hasan (2008) agrees that indeed outsourcing has brought with it a mixture of effects.Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Some of the effects according to the articles have been beneficial, especially to retail business. The author notes that the dynamitic advantage that outsourcing brings with it has benefited retail industry because of cheap imports and subsequently stronger exports. It has also saved money for these companies. Gordijn (2002) concurs that the outsourcing process is currently considered as a positive contributor to any country’s economy. Research has shown that service jobs generate less income as compared to manufacturing jobs. In fact, the latter are considered as those responsible for creating the wealth in any nation. On the contrary, service jobs consume this wealth. Research findings further indicate that more businesses are currently depending on IT to gain the needed competitive edge. However, it is also true that information technology implementation, especially for a business critical process has a high price tag. As such, IT outsourcing puts the country’s econ omy on the line (Stern and El-Ansary 1992). The trend is not any different with retail companies that must adhere to the state of economy. The outsourcing practice can apply to nearly all types of business. This process is preferred by most business experts because it is considered cost effective. It has been statistically proven that outsourcing can result into reduced costs by between 50 and 60%. For instance, companies in Europe outsource up to $19 trillion spent on a daily basis on processes like sales and administration. Nevertheless, in Futurist (2011) review of literature, he states, â€Å"despite outsourcing being cost-effective, efficient, productive and strategic, it is also condemned as evil, money-grabbing, destructive, ruthless, exploiting the poor, destroying communities and nations† (Futurist 2011, p. 1). Futurist (2011) further asserts that outsourcing has compromised low-cost nations. This is evident with the increased migration from the high-earning nations to the compromised ones. This has led to labour shortages. China and India are a perfect example in this context (Outsource mag, 2011). These two nations, especially China, are experiencing close to 100% salary inflation, and India has been hit by an acute shortage of corporate leadership as a result of large-scale outsourcing. Some of the typical business processes that qualify to be outsourced to IT- oriented companies are those involving electronic data interchange (EDI). According to Fernie (1999), sending financial information is a vital undertaking for any business. However, the process is considered very sensitive. Retail companies continue to focus on electronic automation of such processes as invoicing, order processing dispatch, and other routine processes. Such processes will definitely require EDI to simplify trading cycles and accelerate transactions. However, based on the sensitive nature of the data and information handled by the EDI systems, the cost of their impleme ntation remains high and beyond the reach of many retail companies in the UK and around the world. According to Pinnington and Woolcook (1999) electronic commerce that fundamentally relies on EDI is quickly becoming standard based. Accordingly companies such as Microgen UK are seeing an opportunity to provide the EDI functions to small and medium enterprises who cannot afford to implement EDI full-scale. With companies such as Microgen UK, these retail companies have an opportunity to outsource their EDI processes and therefore compete effectively on the global market. Generally, there is much literature on the outsourcing process and the effect and benefits to the business or organization. However, little is available in this domain, especially related to the effects of IT outsourcing among retail companies within the United Kingdom (Linder, Cole and Jacobson, 2002). This research focuses on this area of study and intends to draw vital conclusions that can be used by professionals, academicians, and businesspeople. Theoretical framework Theories are usually developed to try to predict certain happenings. These happenings may include events of behaviour. A theoretical framework of the study here will include a structure capable of holding a theory during the research. The study here is about the effects of IT outsourcing among retail companies in the UK. The research problem addresses IT outsourcing among retail companies in the UK. The purpose of this research is to relate IT outsourcing to retail businesses in the UK and highlight the effects of outsourcing on retail businesses. The theoretical framework here will represent a theory that can be used as a basis for conducting the research. This research is likely to build a theory in line with the objective of this research. The researcher will use inductive reasoning to address the research problem the effects of IT outsourcing among retail companies in the UK. The research proposal will focus on all variabl e involved in the relationship between IT outsourcing and retail companies (Halvey and Melby, 2005). Based on the literature review it has been established that the two are interconnected and affect each other. The research proposal therefore aims at determining the link between them. The variables will also be vital in determining statistical relationship between IT outsourcing and the performance of retail companies (Eriksson and Kovalainen 2008). Research methods and sampling techniques to be used Collection, sampling, and analyzing of data should be done methodically and with much keenness (Veal 2005). There are a number of research approaches proposed for this study. In the article; The Research Process, Bouma (2004) states that the researcher during the inductive approach makes specific observations from the collected data and arrives at a new theory by observation and hypotheses (Stakes 1995; Yin 2008). The deductive approach starts by reviewing and gathering theory, collecti ng data, and drawing conclusions. However, these two research approaches are not mutually exclusive; hence a research study may have elements of both (Hamel 2000). This research will also take a quantitative research approach. In this approach the problem t be addressed will require an in depth explanation (Saunders 2009). Additionally, this approach will identify the variables within the problem and establish a correlation between these variables. This research is mainly literature-based where the researcher is intending â€Å"to rely on scholarly evidence to justify the research problem† (Saunders 2009, p. 58). There will be a deliberate attempt to address the inadequate knowledge that exists in this field of research. The research approach will also attempt to quantify the data collected. According to Kumar (2005), the quantitative approach examines and interprets data quantifiable, measurable, and finite. Acquiring quantitative data can be by experimentation, testing, and calculation. The results from this approach are usually displayed in a statistical format (Neuman 2006). Data analysis techniques to be used During this research the data collection strategy to be used will include transcription of the interview responses and field notes. These data will be categorized after open coding that includes an analysis of each interview question described as an item on term approach. Cross analysis as a data analysis technique is used for this research and will ensure that the process is analytically exhausted. The study must also be calibrated for credibility. The data on evaluation should be credible. Credibility involves truthfulness and value of the data. The proposed study will use triangulation where multiple data sources are considered. This enhances the data’s validity. Data validity and reliability Validity measures the extent to which an instrument used in data collection gives a true picture of what has been measured. Validity also refer s to the accuracy and meaningfulness of inferences derived from research data. Validity describes the degree to which the findings retrieved from a research are reflective of the concept under study. Structuring the interviews including the items selected for the interview schedule must be closely related to the variables under investigation for the instrument under consideration to qualify (Saunders 2009). The instruments used for this research study will be further evaluated as the study makes use of construct validity. This means that the instruments used will be constructed as suitable as possible to evaluate the theoretical concepts under study. As described earlier the effectiveness of the sampling process will work in conjunction with a sampling technique like snowball sampling at some point. The instruments used here will be constructed by the researcher with reference to the research objectives and under the supervision of a number of experts. Expected outcomes and research contributions The research will proceed on using the quantitative approach in which case the researcher will gather data using data collection instruments such as questionnaires and interviews. The researcher will also carry out document inspections and observations to identify data accurately that is pertinent to the study. The resulting data will be indicative of the fact that IT outsourcing has had various effects on retail companies in the UK. Ultimately, the outcome of this research is will determine that IT outsourcing is increasingly becoming a necessity for all retail business organizations that intend to harness the present technological advancement to their advantage. As such, target respondents will include retail business owners, scholars, government officials, and consumers. Based on the research questions practical and accountable the results are likely to be authoritative and can be used to develop a hypothesis and assist in decision making (Fink 2003). The hypothesi s of the research is based on factual literature views from previous researches. Similarly, the literature review will help give facts about the problem as it appears in different contexts and the various measures put in place and basing on the outcomes from these measures, the researcher will make recommendations (Collis and Hussy, 2009). Ethical issues and research limitations Most research studies have limitations and in this case, the following are the limitations and ethical issues expected in this research: The research will â€Å"quote some facts from secondary sources† (Saunders 2009, p. 256). There are high chances that the gathered information may be biased or outdated. Some vital information to help answer the researcher’s questions might not be made available because of limited research on the topic. Similarly, the study will heavily rely on the information collected from respondents. Therefore, selfish or biased response may affect the results of the whole project rendering it inaccurate. Due to financial constraint coupled with limited time, all effects of IT outsourcing on retail companies might not be adequately brought to light. The complexity of the whole process of theoretical study brings with it many processes that can lead to some aspects of the topics being forgotten. However, I will address this by being very careful to ensure that every aspect in the research questions and aims are adequately addressed (Neelankavil 2007). The limitation of using a descriptive survey research method is that a large descriptive survey may give superficial results. Alternatively, a small-scale descriptive survey with an emphasis on â€Å"qualitative† or â€Å"rich† detail has the limitation as poor generalization. Such small surveys are difficult to know how far the results can be applied elsewhere. The research may also suffer time constraints due to delayed approval by targeted study sample population, especially organization s. Project plan The research proposal includes a number of key activities. It is important that each of these activities is carried out comprehensively. From the methodology and research design, the project can follow the plan highlighted in the table below. Key activities for the project plan Setting up of the research questions and objectives (this includes deciding on the hypotheses of the expected results). Appropriately prepare the research instruments. This includes setting up the required mechanisms to facilitate research proposal such as recording materials and so forth. Paying a pre-visit to sights of the research. This will help in estimating various variables of the proposal like the expected budget as well as time scheduling. Reviewing the study objectives and questions based on the pre-visit findings. Carrying out the study and collecting data through the various methodologies highlighted. The collected data should be sampled and grouped for analysis and te sting the hypotheses to answer the research questions. Making conclusions and recommendations based on the research findings with reference to the literature reviews. Recording and present the research results. Reference List Bouma, G.D., 2004. The Research Process. 5th ed. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Brown, D. and Wilson, S., 2005. The black book of outsourcing: How to manage the changes, challenges, and opportunities. New York: Wiley. Bryman, A. and Bell, E., 2007. Business Research Methods. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Collis, J. and Hussy, R., 2009. Business Research: A practical Guide for Undergraduate Postgraduate Students. 3rd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. De Vaus, D., 2002. Surveys in Social Research. 5th ed. Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen and Unwin. Eriksson, P. and Kovalainen, A., 2008. Qualitative Methods in Business Research. Los Angeles: Sage. Fernie, J. 1999. Outsourcing distribution in UK retailing. Journal for Business Logist ics, 21(2), pp. 83–95. Fink, A., 2003. The Survey Kit. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publication. Futurist, K., 2011. The Future of Outsourcing Impact on Jobs. Journal on High Growth Economy, Web. Gordijn, J., 2002. Value-based Requirements Engineering Exploring Innovative e- Commerce Ideas. Amsterdam: Vrije Universiteit. Hamel, G., 2000. Leading the revolution. Oxford: UK Oxford University Press. Hasan, A., 2008. How Outsourcing Affects the U.S. Economy! Directory Journal,  Web. Halvey, J and Melby, M., 2005. IT Outsourcing transactions: Process, strategies,  and contracts. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley. Jack, W., 2009. The Almanac of American Employers: Market Research. New York: New York Publishers. Kumar, R., 2005. Research Methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. 2nd ed. London: SAGE. Linder, J., Cole, M, and Jacobson, A., 2002. Business transformation through outsourcing. Strategy Leadership, 30(4), pp. 23-28. Neelankavil, J.P., 2007. International Business R esearch. New York: M.E.Sharpe. Neuman, W.L., 2006. Social Research Methods - Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. 6th ed. Boston: Pearson A B. Outsource mag, 2011. Separating retail and investment banking: the impact on outsourcing arrangements. Finance and accounting Journal, Web. Pinnington, A, and Woolcook, P., 1999. How far is IS/IT outsourcing enabling new organizational structure and competences? International Journal of Information  Management, 15(5), pp. 353-365. Saunders , M., 2009. Research methods for business students. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall. Stakes, R., 1995. The art of case study research. Thousand Oaks: Sage Inc. Stern, L. and El-Ansary, A., 1992. Marketing Channels. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall. Sullivan, A. and Steven, M., 2003. Economics: Principles in action. New York: Pearson Prentice Hall. Veal, A.J., 2005. Business Research Methods: A Managerial Approach. 2nd ed. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Addison Wesley. Yin, R., 2008. Case stud y research: Design and methods (Applied social research methods). 4th ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Inc.

Asking Questions in English

Asking Questions in English Learning how to ask questions is essential in any language. In English, the most common questions  are known as wh words because they begin with those two letters: where, when, why, what, and who. They can function as adverbs, adjectives, pronouns, or other parts of speech, and are used  ask for specific information.   Who Use this word  to ask questions about people. In this example, who serves as a direct object. Who do you like? Who has he decided to hire for the job? In other instances, who serves as the subject. In this case, the sentence structure is similar to that of positive sentences. Who studies Russian? Who would like to take a vacation? In formal  English,   the word whom will replace who as the direct object of a preposition. To whom should I address this letter? For whom is this present? What Use  this word to ask about things or actions in object questions. What does he do  at  weekends? What do you like to eat for dessert? By adding the word like to the sentence, you can ask for physical descriptions about people, things, and places. What type of car do you like? What is Mary like? When Use this word to ask questions about time-related events, specific or general. When do you like going out? When does the bus leave? Where This word is used to ask about location. Where do you live? Where did you go on vacation? How This word can be combined with  adjectives to ask questions about specific characteristics, qualities  and  quantities.   How tall are you? How much does it cost? How many friends do you have? Which When paired with a noun, this word is used when choosing between a number of items. Which book did you buy? Which kind of apple do you prefer? Which type of computer takes this plug? Using Prepositions A number of wh questions can combine with prepositions, typically at the end of the question. Some of the most common combinations are: who ... forwho ... withwhere ... towhere ... fromwhat ... for ( why)what ... in Note how these word pairings are used in the following example. Who are you working for? Where are they going to? What did he buy that for? You can also use these pairings to ask follow-up questions as part of a larger conversation. Jennifer is writing a new article. Who for? Shes writing it for Jane magazine. Tips When more general  verbs  such as do and go are used, its common to use a more specific verb in the reply. Why did he do it? He wanted to get a raise. Questions with  why are often replied to using because as in the following example. Why are you working so hard? Because I need to finish this project soon. These questions are often replied to using the imperative (to do). In this case, the clause with because is understood to be included in the answer. Why are they coming next week? To make a presentation. (Because they are going to make a presentation.) Test Your Knowledge Now that youve had a chance to review, its time to challenge yourself with a quiz. Provide the missing question words. The answers follow this test. ____ is the weather like in July?____ much is the chocolate?____ boy won the race last week?____ did you get up this morning?____ team won the World Cup in 2002?____ does Janet live?____  long does the concert last?____ food do you like?____ does it take to get to New York from Albany?____ does the movie begin this evening?To  ____  do you report at work?____ is your favorite actor?____ house does he live in?____ is Jack like?____  does the building look like?____ does she study English with?____ do the people in your country go for vacation?____ do you play tennis?____ sports do you play?____ is your doctors appointment next week? Answers WhatHowWhichWhat time / WhenWhichWhereHowWhat kind of / What type ofHow longWhat time / whenWhom - formal English WhoWhichWhatWhatWhoWhereHow often / WhenWhich / How manyWhat time / When

Buying house is better than renting an apartment Term Paper

Buying house is better than renting an apartment - Term Paper Example Moreover, the residents do not have to worry about moving from one rented apartment to another, if the landlord decides to sell it or rent it out to someone else. Buying a house is also a favourable option due to the current economic situation. The dip in the property price has enabled many people to invest in a house, which is a far better option than renting an apartment. Keywords: buying, house, renting, apartment, property, investment, mortgage. Buying a House is the Winning Choice Did you know that you can purchase a house for $100k and have a mortgage of $900.00 dollars, which is less than average rent? According to World Time News Report, the national average two-bedroom fair market rent is â€Å"$928 a month† (2009). During the same year, the median sales price for those homes was $223,800; while the average sales price was $257,500, which is roughly about $800 per month. (Wyndham Capital Mortgage, Inc., 2009) This comparison of the average monthly rent and the average monthly instalment, in case of buying a house explains why buying a house is the winning choice. Buying a house is a long term investment; it gives financial security and a sense of ownership. Home ownership is not an easy task though; yet it is extremely beneficial in the long run in a number of ways. The current situation in real estate market gives one an optimum chance to invest in a house as, â€Å"home prices have fallen approximately 10% year-over-year in most markets...† (Lynn, 2009, p.5) Home ownership provides an investing advantage. Every payment one makes towards the mortgage, guarantees ownership. Any major updates or changes that one desires to make to the property will increase the value of the house. Under normal circumstances, home resale values tend to increase over the years. According to statistics provided by U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, homes that were sold for $90k in 1990 are now worth about $150k; despite the fact that in 2005, th ose homes where at about $250k. (2011) It is a relatively easier way to buy a house by paying only 5% or as less as 3% down-payment of the total price. If a person has an FHA loan, which are secured and protected by the government, then buying a house becomes an easy process. This way, a person can get a slow-start and gain ownership. On the contrary, renting an apartment requires at least $3000 upfront- which is a lot of money! In other words, a house that is worth $100k can be purchased with $5000 down-payment and a monthly mortgage of about $950. However, the same house shall be rented for approximately $1200, exclusive of the initial deposit. Thus, buying a house is a viable option, particularly in the current economic situation and the state of the real estate market. Buying a house is considered as an opportunity to make profit out of the oscillating prices of the real estate market. A person can even get a chance to sell out the house if a potential buyer offers a higher pric e than the actual price at which it was bought. Thus, it proves to be a sound financial investment as contrasted with renting an apartment. Buying a house also gives a sense of financial security as one is aware of the fact that he/she shall have to pay the same amount of monthly mortgage for the nest thirty years. This is of high significance, as it allows the home owner to plan his savings and expenses, accordingly. On the