MANAGEMENT RESEARCH REPORT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 8250 words

MANAGEMENT RESEARCH REPORT - Essay Example 2010) Additionally the number of customers and potential customers who visited the shop floor and the website of the company have decreased as seen in the table below. Table 2: CUSTOMERS/WEBSITE VISITORS FOR CAPITAL 04 LTD. YEAR SHOPFLOOR CUSTOMERS WEBSITE VISITORS 2005 1,000,000 45,000 2006 800,000 37,500 2007 650,000 25,000 2008 250,000 20,000 2009 100,000 10,000 2010 20,000 3,000 (Source: Capital 04 Ltd. Data 2010.) The evidences given in the tables above are clear manifestation of the financial instability and poor growth in Capital 04 Limited, which this report sorts to reverse as a way forward for the company. The main issue in this case is the analysis of the financial issues in the company including analysing the reasons behind the aspect. Scope of Report The report would try to analyse the reasons behind the poor financial state and performance of the company. It would also try to investigate the possible reasons that may have led to Capital 04 becoming unprofitable. This wo uld include analysing the business model of the company and would try to find any gaps in the business model that may have led to this situation. The study would include analysis of data from secondary as well as primary sources in an attempt to find a solution for the organisation that would help it to maintain sustainability and remain viable for the next course of time. The primary research would involve a comprehensive analysis of the issues faced by the company from various perspectives. What is more, the report would ultimately present a set of credible recommendations that would help the company to get back to profitability and maintain market sustainability. Constraints The project would... The research affirms that over the past few decades, the consumer perceptions have greatly altered in terms of their beliefs and needs. The patience level with which to wait to be served or be satisfied with the product has reduced. With the advancement in technology we have to come to expect complete deliver and that too in time. This change in dynamics of customer thinking has led to a transformation in the whole procedure from the preparation of the product, through retailing and finally to the consumers. This has transformed the whole supply chain deriving from costs to service requirements along with the customer and retailer change. The retail business has been a line a work that has greatly contributed to increasing the efficiency and productivity of consumer products as well as the service sector. It happens to be one of the largest established businesses in terms of number of establishments and employees in United States of America. Other than USA, the retail sector also hap pens to be a major entity contributing to the economies of other nations as well. The last decade however, has caused a major flux in the retail business environment. There are two sides of this scenario; on one side the hike in the private labels and promotions have contributed to increasing the power of the retailers. On the other side however, the increase in the number of discounters and warehouses have taken a major toll on the traditional retailers and has also increased the competitiveness in the industry.

Professional Development For Strategical Managers

Professional Development For Strategical Managers According to Guskey (2000) as a consultant of AB management consultant if I want to do my best and if I want to expand my organization consistently I have both skills personal and professional because as per my point of view both skills are complimentary and which can help my organization and I will achieve my organizational goal. With the help of these skills I can contribute to the development of my employees. In this assignment I want to evaluate both professional and personal skills required to meet both organizational and own goals and objectives and also I want to take action on implementation of my goal and objective. I want to determine short, medium and long term goals and also analyse strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore I have to analyze which skill is helpful for our organization: Professional or Personal skill. Lucey (2005) mentions that Personal and Professional Skills form part of Human Resource Management, which is the most important and vital aspect in an organization. The globalization of the business world has caused organizations to compete against one another for their survival. In this regards, the management in terms of strategy, planning and policies play a tremendous and crucial role. Moreover I have to analyze which skill is helpful for our organization: Professional or Personal. According to Mullins (2002), to be a good consultant a person must develop strong personal skills so as to maintain a proper balance between work and pleasure. Professional skills are those skills that help a person manage his/her professional or work life in a more apt way. Professional skills are those skills on how to set and achieve objectives of the business, negotiate conflicts, maintain ethics at workplace and program planning. TASK-1 BE ABLE TO ASSESS PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE STRATEGIC GOALS 1.1:- USE APPROPRIATE METHODS TO EVALUATE PERSONAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE STRATEGIC GOALS There are some methods to evaluate personal skills required to achieve strategic goals in personal and professional life for example: Hard work/ Dedication: According to Guest (2000) hard work and dedication are two traits of managers. The people who find success become managers and are the ones who are looked to for help. If I want to become a successful consultant of AB Management then I have to put myself out to help other people. Finding success is easier if a distributor is able to find a manager who is willing to take the time and effort to help him do well in the business until he can become a leader in the company. According to Lucey (2005) regardless of whether or not a manager is found to help, however, the distributor himself must be willing to work hard and have the dedication to keep trying until the dream is fulfilled. Every employer wants an employee who is hard worker and they expect form employee to keep it at it until they solve the problem and get the job done. Stress Management: According to stress Guest D (2000) this is very crucial management skill because mentally stress is really not good for any human being or any manager in organization. According to stress management also play big role when we are on managerial level. for example in AB management there are many employees and they have different kind of problems in their life so as a manager I have to sort it out everything and dont have to depress that I got big problem what can I do? I have to sort it out problem and give its solution in particular manner. Stress is a nervous system reaction of our body towards certain stimulus. Guest D (2000) mention that this nervous system reaction could be easily viewed as an unconscious preparation of the body for a certain activity, like for instance releasing adrenaline chemicals onto our muscles whenever we feel alarmed, for example triggering auto response duck and adrenaline rush quickness on the muscles as we hear and process a gunfire shot; or else shutti ng down some of our pain receptors while were in a fight. The problem with stress response is that it also triggers psychologically. Anxiety of approaching deadlines, nervousness over the outcome of a completing project, surmounting unpaid bills, or the nervous anticipation of any event, any situation thats going to happen in the near future may trigger stress response. Over time, these repeated stress experiences can severely deplete energy which could be used for other health functions like digesting meals, functioning body defence system, and such. TIME MANAGEMENT: Evans (2008) claims that for effective management and leadership skill it is very important to manage time if any manger or employee fails to manage time they are never go ahead in their life. Source: http://reviews.in.88db.com/index.php/leisure/casual-entertainment This figure shows that how to use time effectively in this competitive world because time is very important. Time management there are two kinds of people first who have no time they are too busy with their life so they cannot change schedule for learn something which is useful for their organization and the other people in time management are those who have ability to take new challenges in market they get time from their busy schedule and attend workshop. What they got the knowledge from workshop or what they learnt from the trainer they directly implement those ideas and skill to the employees so it can be easy for employee to do their task. Prioritising Work Tasks: According to Mullins (2000) there is no question that all employers desire employee who will arrive at work every day on time and ready to work and who will take responsibility for their action. One thing is the fact that dependable, responsible, contributor committed to excellence and success. Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure. A test is considered reliable if we get the same result repeatedly. For example, if a test is designed to measure a trait such as introversion, then each time the test is administered to a subject, the results should be approximately the same. Unfortunately, it is impossible to calculate reliability exactly, but there several different ways to estimate reliability. 1.2 APPLY TECHNIQUES TO ASSESS THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF ORGANISATION: Techniques to assess the professional skills which required to support the strategic direction of organisation is very necessary in this assignment. There are some techniques which are very important to assess the professional skills. Mentoring: Mentoring is also contributing in the achieving goal or objective of an organisation it is a way of overcoming many problems. According to Boxhall (2003) a mentor is someone who can advise and guide us in our carrier. He or she has a number of roles as an appraiser, a supporter, a communicator and a superior and his subordinates and if it is unlikely that a manager can carry these functions. A good mentor has coaching skills is trustworthy respected and is free from major distractions either within or outside the workplace, without a mentor reflection is also not also very productive experience. It can be a bit like looking for piglet. As a Consultant of AB management I can spend time thinking without arriving at a conclusion, it helps of course if I have structure to my thinking, in mentoring the questions are what is happening has happened? What brought this about? What went well and what did not go well? How can the situation be improved? What might we learn form the situation tha t might influence future action? Coaching: Guskey (2000) point out that all human beings are born with a dream, which are there goals in their life. Attaining a goal is not that easy and hence there is a need for a clear and correct path for the easy attaining the goals. This easy attaining of the path can be achieved with the help of a coach and coaching. And so it is said that coaching is the practice of giving sufficient direction, instruction and training to a person or a group people, so as to achieve some goals or even in developing specific skills. Though coaching is a system of providing training, the method of coaching differs from person to person, aim or goals to be attained, and the areas needed. Still there are some common methods in coaching. They are essential part of an effective coaching. Leadership: Guskey (2000) suggested leadership is a key skill, and its one that can make a huge difference to anyones career. At work, problems are at the centre of what many people do every day. As a consultant of AB management either solving a problem for a client internal or external, supporting those who are solving problems, or discovering new leadership skill. The problems we face can be large or small, simple or complex, and easy or difficult to solve. Regardless of the nature of the problems, a fundamental part of every managers role is finding ways to solve and lead them. So, being a confident leader is really important to our success. Much of that confidence comes from having a good process to use when approaching a problem lead. With one, we can solve problems quickly and effectively. Without one, our solutions may be ineffective, or well get stuck and do nothing, with sometimes painful consequences TASK-2 BE ABLE TO CONDUCT A SKILLS AUDIT TO IDENTIFY LEARNING SYTLE 2.1 CARRY OUT SKILLS TO EVALUATE THE STRATEGIC SKILLS NEEDED TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE LEADERSHIP USING PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS, PSYCHOMETRIC TEST AND SWAG ANALYSIS: There are few skills which evaluate the strategic skills needed to meet the current and future leadership. Communication Skill: According to Douglas (2005) Good verbal and written communication skills are one of the basic management skills. If we will notice some of the good leaders, we would realize that they all had good oratory or written skills. A leader always knows what he wants to say and when he should say it. So as a consultant of AB management I should have a great sense of timing along with communication skills. I should also know how to convey certain messages subtly so that the work is done in an expected and speculated manner. A manager should understand that he is a liaison between the staff and the higher authority and should be able to put the issues effectively in front of both the parties. In that case, he may need to have good diplomacy and negotiation skills that are extremely important. Decision Making: As a good consultant of AB management I also need to have good decision making judgment and ability. Douglas (2005) opined that only decision making power is not enough. A manager should know how to execute his powers for the betterment of the staff and the company. A manager has to go through many stressful situations that are full with moral and ethical dilemma and so he must possess good judgment and analytical ability. This would help him take the right decision. A manager should involve his staff taking major decisions. He must remember that imposing authority or decisions is not leadership in its true sense. APPENDIX B-Skills Audit and SWAG analysis Development Goals-Strengths, Weaknesses, Aspirations and Goals (SWAG) Strength: practical and realistic Like to learn new things, techniques Work autonomously By setting goals, I always try to accomplish it by hard work Like to take chance in experimentation Always come up with new ideas. Weaknesses: Not involved in basic speculation or philosophy Sometimes Impatient Take action without caution Do the tasks without any people Aspirations: Utilization of college services like live campus, technological equipment and library facilities etc. Preparation of time logs during workshops Practical knowledge about meeting, presentation in lecture Group activities in class Goals: Problem solving. Satisfaction. Independent in my work. 2.2 APPLY APPROPRIATE TECHNIQUES TO IDENTIFY PREFERRED LEARNING STYLE: In this assignment it is very important to prefer learning style which is really very important. According Peter Honey and Alan Mumford (2010) also identified another type of learning style preference. They maintained that by identifying preferred style, we could try and apply it to learning new things. Most of us have elements of more than one learning style, so we should think about our strongest and our weakest style to identify how we learn. If we are able to use our natural style, we are likely to find learning much easier and quicker. The four categories Honey and Mumford identified are, Activists, reflector, theorist and pragmatists. According to Neil and Morgan (2003) activists like to be involved in new experiences s as a consultant of AB management I have tend to be open minded and enthusiastic about new ideas but get bored with actual implementation. However, enjoy getting their sleeves rolled up and doing things. It can be impulsive, tending to act first and consider the consequences afterwards. Activists enjoy working in terms but do tend to control the attention. Activists learn most when Involved in new experiences, problems and opportunities Interacting with others in business games, team tasks, role playing Thrown in at the deep end with a difficult task Chairing meetings, leading discussions Activists learn least when Simply listening to lectures or long explanations Reading, writing or thinking by themselves Absorbing and understanding data Precisely following detail instructions The VARK model is a sensory model that is an extension of the earlier neurolingusistic model. The acronym VARK stands for Visual, Aural, Read or write and Kineststhetic. Fleming defines learning style as an individuals characteristics and preferred ways of gathering, organizing and thinking about information. VARK is in the category of instructional preference because it deals with perceptual molds, or senses. It does not address are test and smell. The VARK inventory provides metrics in each of the four perceptual modes, with individuals having preferences for anywhere from one to all four. There are also differences in learning approaches for the four VARK Learning Styles. Visual learners prefer maps, charts, graphs, diagrams, brochures, flow charts, highlighters, different colors, pictures, word pictures, and different spatial arrangements. Aural learners like to explain new ideas to others, discuss topics with other students and their teachers, use a tape recorder, attend lectures and discussion groups, and use stories and jokes. Read/Write learners prefer lists, essays, reports, textbooks, definitions, printed handouts, readings, manuals, Web pages, and taking notes. Kinesthetic learners like field trips, trial and error, doing things to understand them, laboratories, recipes and solutions to problems, hands-on approaches, using their senses, and collections of samples. TASK-3 BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT A PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 3.1 CONSTRUCT A PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN USING SMART OBJECTIVES THAT MEETS LEAERSHIP DEVELOPMENT REQUIRED SKILLS AUDIT: Specific:- In this objective my task has to be specific according my skills which satisfaction levels in the learning resources provided by the department. Reduce the amount of time it takes to respond to academic departmental requests for information. Specific means that the objective is concrete, detailed, focused and well defined. The program states a specific outcome, or a precise objective to be accomplished. The outcome is stated in numbers, percentages, frequency, reach, scientific outcome, etc. Measurable:- In each and every task planning should be measurable and achievable. If the objective is measurable, it means that the measurement source is identified and we are able to track the actions as we progress towards the objective. Measurement is the standard used for comparison. For example, what financial independence means to me may be totally different compared to what is means for you. As its so often said if you cant measure it, you cant manage it! Its important to have measures that will encourage and motivate you on the way as you see the change occurring, this may require interim measures. Measurements go a long way to help us to know when we have achieved our objective. Aims:- In this objective to improve personal development skills for leadership in every task aims should be clear and understandable. If you have an aim which is not achievable according the situation and circumstances for that you are not able to use a particular smart objective. Realistic:- Objectives must be realistic Objectives that are achievable, may not be realistic. However, realistic does not mean easy. Realistic means that you have the resources to get it done. The achievement of an objective requires resources, such as, skills, money, equipment, etc. to the task required to achieve the objective. Timed:- Time-bound means setting deadlines for the achievement of the objective. Deadlines need to be both achievable and realistic. If you dont set a time you will reduce the motivation and urgency required to execute the tasks. Timeframes create the necessary urgency and prompts action. Furthermore when I talk about the personal development plan, according to Boxall Purcell (2001) I have to think about myself that what are my weaknesses? What are my strengths? In which area I have to develop? Which can I do best for my organization? For example when we discuss about weaknesses if I have lack of confidence or if I am short-tempered then I have to improve on these areas. In strength aspect if according to Boxall Purcell (2001) if I have good communication power that its good for my personal development. I have to also think about what is my long and short term goal for my organization. For example nowadays consultancy sectors are very competitive in a market so how can I get good profit from all these challenges. Appendix D- Individual Development Plan Name:à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Departmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Period coveredà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Objectives/SMART Goals What do I want to be able to do by the end of the period? What do I want/need to learn What will I do to achieve this? What will my success criteria be? Target dates for completion Personal or organisational What do I want/need to learn What will I do to achieve this? What will my success criteria be? Target dates for completion Personal or organisational 3.2 USE SUITABLE METHODS TO ASSESS THE OUTCOMES OF A PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AGAINST PERSONAL WORK OBJECTIVES: According to Guest (2000) in the process, staff members also set personal developmental goals that will increase their ability to contribute to the success of AB Management. The accomplishment of these goals also provides a foundation for career success whether in AB Management or elsewhere, so they ought to be motivated and excited about achieving these goals. Neil and Morgan (2003) point out that performance Management, with the professional development plan process for goal setting and communication, will ensure that we are developing a superior workforce. The only factor that constrains our growth is our ability to hire a superior workforce. Why not grow that talent from within my organization as well? Set some realistic goals for myself. According to these goals must be Kotler, P and Armstrong, G (2001) something we truly wish to experience. Something that will motivate us if we do not set motivating goals then the chances of we are not being able to overcome obstacles when we encounter them increases. Take action. Kotler and Armstrong (2001) mention that once we set our motivating goals, now it is time to begin to take action to move closer to them. Without action we cannot expect to achieve anything different in our life. Be open to opportunities. as we begin to set our goals we will begin to notice opportunities that come our way. According to Lucey (2005) after all what we give our attention to will continue to grow. Always be open to the opportunities; and do not be afraid to take action. When we do take action if do not be afraid to change our course if something does not work out the way we expect it to. Sometimes we must be willing to take detours to reach our destinations. Celebrate our success. We all require acknowledgment for our successes. Foot, M. Hook C., (2006) mention that if we do not receive acknowledgment; we can become discouraged and quit working towards our goals. So we must learn how to celebrate every little success. Even if we are the only one who notices it. Start a success journal. Mullins J. (2002) mentions that one of the things I was taught when I began my personal development journey. One of the most important things to do is to begin writing down all our successes throughout the day. 3.3. EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF OWN LEARNING AGAINST THE ACHIEVEMENT OF STRATEGIC GOALS It is very important to evaluate the impact of own learning against the achievement of strategic goals because Strategic goals are statements of what we wish to achieve over the period of the strategic plan e.g. over the next year, five years, ten years. They reflect the analysis we do that starts with creating a vision, a role statement and a mission statement, and then analysis of our environment, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Leadership Skill: As a consultant of AB Management leadership skill is very necessary when I play a role of consultant. When a consultant has not this kind of leadership skill then he or she is not able to control or handle their employees. So leadership skill is very important in large or small organisation. Neil and Morgan believe that it is a critical management skill, is the ability to motivate a group of people towards a common goal. A leader is like a man who handle whole the team or we can say he handle group of people all have same goal. Guskey T. (2000), Its not easy task because a leader should so many right to do and he must have capability to follow whole group for common goal. A leader some time by born or some time he become leader with experience and with work. According to as a leader in my company I have to do leadership and lead all my staff for a common goal and its a good, excellent customer service. As a consultant I need to have proper management styles in managing different oper ations. My management styles should be autocratic and democratic so I can make my all decisions perfect and in time which is useful to my organization. Professional Skill: Professional skill is as important same like Personal skill. According to Docstoc (2010) in professional skill counselling and mentoring to support staff with their own learning and development requirement, coaching skills, multitasking, leadership skills, theories of leadership, management styles, continuing self-development meet requirements for industry sector professional bodies, leading and meeting, delivering effective presentations. If a consultant have only personal skill but not a professional skill then it is very tough to survive in a market. So a consultant must have both skills personal as well as professional skill. This skill is very important in this assignment because this assignment is about advanced professional development and if a person plays a role of consultant in AB Management he or she must have this skill. Self Development: In self development If anyone works as a consultant they must have good knowledge of market that can be helpful to expand my organization because if I have to data of other companies and I do whatever organization is running its not good for me and my organization. As a consultant have leading and chairing meetings. If as a consultant if I have no leadership power then he cant achieve his goal. So he has to arrange monthly meeting and discuss about what we are what we got what we want to achieve everything he has to manage in this task. Foot and Hook (1999) as a consultant he must have effective presentation skill because a consultant has to give monthly assignment to their employee for example as a consultant of AB Management I have to give monthly assignment to my employee that what they have done last month what are criteria that we have to improve ourselves. How much the budget provided by our employer and what we have already achieved, So employee get the knowledge of their perf ormance and next time they dont made same mistake what they made before. CONCLUSION: This assignment is about the personal and professional skills which is required in personal and professional life. In this assignment I also mentioned the techniques to assess the professional skills required to support the organisation. I also carry out the skill audit evaluate the strategic skills needed to meet the current and future requirements using persona swot analysis. This assignment I have to develop myself as a professional consultant so I used many techniques and methods to improve the personal and professional development plan. personal skill not professional skill or in the other hand if I have only professional skill and not personal skill then it is not good combination of management I must have these both skill. Personal and professional skill includes numerous benefits with an underlying philosophy that emphasizes the achievement of competitive advantage through the efforts of people. I conclude in this assignment that each and every organization they must have kno wledge of personal and professional skill which is really very useful personally and professionally. Every organization has some particular goal and the most common goal of any commercial firm or organization is profit. In this assignment first of all I have to manage myself as a manager because if I am not manage myself then I cannot manage entire organization, it means I have to find out what are my strength what are my weaknesses

Borderline Personality Disorder :: essays research papers

Why Are Women Diagnosed With Borderline Personality Disorder More Than Men? Borderline Personality Disorder is diagnosed predominantly in females. There is approximately a 3:1 female to male gender ratio for this disorder. Theories of why Borderline Personality Disorder occurs more often in women -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sexual abuse, which is common in childhood histories of borderline patients, happens more often to women than men. - Women experience more inconsistent and invalidating messages in this society. -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Women are more vulnerable to BPD because they are socialized to be more dependent on others and more sensitive to rejection. -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Clinicians tend to be biased. Studies have shown that mental health professionals tend to diagnose BPD more often in women than in men, even when patient profiles are identical except for the gender of the patient. -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Men seek psychiatric help less often. -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Men are more likely to be treated only for their alcoholism or substance abuse; their borderline symptoms go unnoticed because BPD is assumed to be a women’s disorder. -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Female borderlines are in the mental health system; male borderlines are in jail. (www.bpdcentral.com) Skodol, A. & Bender, D (2003) have also addressed several theories as to the gender bias with this diagnosis. Their research on gender bias in borderline personality disorder indicates that: -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The elevated base rate of women in clinical settings may be one of the reasons why clinicians perceive more women to have BPD. -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Women and men present with different symptoms patterns, such as the criterion of identity disturbance, which tends to be significantly more common among women. -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Female patients tend to receive unwarranted diagnoses of BPD more often when the clinician is a women, which suggests less acceptance of borderline-like traits and behaviors in women by women. -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sampling bias in research -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Biological differences in which men show more aggression and externalizing behavior patterns and women show more behavioral inhibition and internalizing. -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sociocultural differences Johnson, DM., Shea M.

Sexual Selection of African Cichlids

Sexual selection: it is part of natural selection. Sexual selection acts on an organism's ability to obtain or successfully couple with a mate. Selection makes many organisms go to extreme lengths in order to find a mate such as: peacocks need to develop a beautiful tail, elephant seals fight over territories†¦. Sexual selection is often powerful enough to produce features that are harmful to the individual’s survival. For example, extravagant and colorful tail feathers or fins are likely to attract predators as well as interested members of the opposite sex. In nature females always invest more energy into producing offspring than males invest, and as a result in most species females are a limiting resource that male have to compete for. In most cases it is the females who have a relatively larger investment in producing each offspring and in contrast sperm are cheaper than eggs. There is such a large production of sperm that a single male can easily fertilize all of female's eggs. So clearly female will not produce more offspring by mating with more than one male since her eggs are the limiting factor where in contrast a male is capable of fathering more offspring if he mates with several females. Generally, a male's potential reproductive success is limited by the number of females he mates with, whereas a female's potential reproductive success is limited by how many eggs she can produce. This results in sexual selection, in which males compete with each other, and females become choosy in which males to mate with. As a result of being heterogamy, males are fundamentally less likely to stick to one female, and females are fundamentally selective when it comes down to selecting a mate. Sexual selection takes two major forms one is called intersexual selection and one is called intrasexual selection. intersexal selection is simply males competing with each other to be chosen by females. Intrasexual selection means that members of the less limited sex which are always males compete aggressively among themselves for access to the limiting sex the female. The limiting sex is the sex which has the higher parental investment, which therefore faces the most pressure to make a good mate decision. In his essay Emlen comes up with few hypotheses as to why or how natural selection may have shaped patterns of horn evolution in such a way as to generate divergence in horn morphology, change from one type to another. First we need to understand the benefit of having a particular horn type and how they’re used. One thing he presents is that eetles live underground, in the same cylindrical tunnel no matter if it’s in the hot desserts or tropical area, but male have to keep the tunnels defended against other males trying to invade it therefore horns have defensive and weaponry use. Next important idea that is brought up in his essay is the cost of having certain horns. At this point we don’t care about the benefit or function of the horns, the only thing matters is its trade-offs. The main reason for that is the growth and siz e of beetle horn can stunt the relative size of other morphological structures such as antenna, wings, and eyes. The first identified trade off was that males who possessed long horns also had small eyes. Based on his research he found a correlation between where the horn is located and the adjacent structure to it. After breeding beetles for multiple generations he realized that horns that grow on the center or front of the head affect the size of the antenna, horns that grow on the thorax affect the size of the wing, and finally horns that grow on the base of the head affect the eyes.

Information Literacy for Open Distance Learners Essay

â€Å"Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.† ―Margaret Mead. In this fast moving world education is has become an essential things in human life. And today the technology has evolved so much that information is just a touch away. Narrowing down the technology development to the education nowadays, the students face challenges due to the movement of the technology and communication. The competition has become closer whereby they need to prove themselves to the world especially the distance learners. To ensure they are doing so, the study skills and information literacy applied thorough out their education is essential. Study skills are the abilities that are used by students for learning. It  will help the student to identify their weakness and to brush up on the weakness so as to progress on their learning. Being said so; first the students need to identify the study skills to be applied which will be discussed further below. On the other hand, information literacy also a crucial point for this 21st century. Broadly defined, information literacy is a set of abilities whereby person recognizes when information is needed and how to reach out to the information. This has become important since nowadays there are abundance of information choices – print, image, sound and spatial. It is exactly the opposite of lack of information – one having too much information. The pitfalls and the current information environment by students has been clearly described by Lorie Roth: â€Å"With the explosion of information generated and stored, the unregulated sprawl of the Internet, the shift from a print- to an image-based culture, the development of sound and video archives, and the ease of seemingly infinite reproduction of words and pictures through electronic media, the pitfalls for college students have multiplied geometrically. There is so much information, so much of it of doubtful quality, so accessible through so many different platforms† (Roth, 1999, p. 42). 2.0 Skills Required i. Management Skills Prospective graduates must possess management skills. Through these skills, employers will assess whether the graduate is able to arrange something that will be entrusted to him. In fact, the employer will also ensure that graduates are able to either do the work efficiently and productively, to guarantee the quality of work as well as at the desired level. In these management skills, very important thing also is time management. The ability to manage well, especially in deciding to do the work that needs to be given priority and focus should be resolved over time will also be taken into account by the employer. Good management skills are a bonus for an organization that not only have employees who are able and efficient in  doing their assignment, but also to guarantee the production of quality work, but is capable of satisfying customers. ii. Information Technology Skill Information technology (IT) has changed the way we work (economic aspects), communication (social aspects), and thinking (psychological aspects). Although Malaysia has not yet reached the status of information society, we are already feeling the heat and turbulence of the Information Age. We cannot master the technology with the push of a computer button. We need to have the skills to access the information. Information literacy is a skill to do such things as identify and locate sources of information from reliable sources. After that, we need to assess the quality and organizing information correctly and to use that information effectively. One should understand the nature of information on various subjects or disciplines. Awareness of the existence of various types of reference sources and uses must be known. There are some good study skills and information literacy skill is to be learned by students in order to succeed in education. Those are time management skills and managing real tasks and responsibilities that the extent of distance learning students can use these skills to be discussed in class and team learning. And the third is the skill of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in line with current technology, distance education students have mastered the skills to learn independently through ICT. And the last is the skill of making reference to expand knowledge in a particular subject. iii. Leadership Skills In addition, leadership skills are also needed by future graduates. The success of a business or a rise and fall is based on leadership. This criterion is also very important to be dominated by undergraduates, as one of the few important skills to master. While future graduates will not continue to hold the highest office when venturing in the field of  employment, but they have shown potential as a leader, which can carry a given, next perform the task because of its leadership will be evaluated by the employer. They should also be able to demonstrate the potential to motivate and give impetus to a colleague who will be working with them soon. What is most important in this is the attitude of the leadership, graduates will need to know about the next assignment received perform assigned tasks, judge assignment deadlines and show leadership by giving good examples to others or other colleagues. Leadership skills have actually nurtured while studying at the university among prospect ive graduates, either directly or indirectly. iv. Manipulating Information Skills Manipulating information is one aspect of the main skills. In this case, students are not only able to identify the information to be sought after, but also able to collect, manage and manipulate the information so that the information can be used to meet the needs of learning. These skills must be mastered students so that students can obtain additional information on their studies. This is because students can not solely rely on the information provided by teachers. When students master the skills of information, meaning that students were able to identify learning resources, methods and techniques to get the information either through reference books, reference dictionary or reference through internet sources. Finally, learn how to master the skills either with or without the presence of the teacher, students are able to maximize efforts and optimize the acquisition of knowledge. At the same time, the acquisition of skills can help students learn how to use time effectively. Not only are students able to identify weaknesses and strengths in their own learning process and try to resolve it, but more importantly the students are able to make effective independent learning appropriate to emphasize aspects of lifelong learning by the Ministry of Education. v. Team working skills And skills that must be mastered by graduates and employers is desired Teamwork Skills. Competition is happening in the world job market among prospective graduates who have graduated over the years, resulting in many students who are difficult to get a job. Should the prospective graduates should use the situation to try to collect as many of the skills that should be used after the expiration learn later. Teamwork skills are different than individual work. Teamwork is required, working with more people, but in a group. Commitment is required in teamwork. One has to show he is a player in the team, as well as able and capable to manage and be representative of the responsibilities assigned. In addition, working in a team also demanded that someone be able and be able to build positive relationships with colleagues, as well as to help achieve the goals and objectives of the work undertaken, but also can improve the quality of work. Furthermore, the problems in employment impacts of each process are complex in nature and will involve a number of parts and systems. So logically, problem solving such cases is beyond the ability of the individual. Therefore, it is important for graduates to be able to master the skills of teamwork, so that they can do the job if asked to manage a business group. Disclosure provided or learned in the course of practical sessions should be used by undergraduates, for this practical session they will be exposed to the experience of teamwork and building relationships with others, the colleague. vi. Managing Stress Online courses may not necessarily increase or reduce your stress just because it is delivered online. We must consider our own sources of education-related stress when choosing to take online course. Online course might be suitable for those feel high stress from giving in-class presentations, where it can save them from the stress. However if using lap top and related technology makes you experience excessive stress, students might need to reconsider taking a course online, since most online courses rely exclusively on computer technology. Some strategies for managing course-related stress include: Knowing the deadline: Students need to know their course deadlines and also other important events occurring elsewhere in their life while you are enrolled in the course. Plan ahead. The students need to plan and do their course related activities ahead if they foresee their time being consumed by non course activity. With the technological resources, students should ask for help resources, and have them at hand when you are working on your coursework. Always keep in touch with their instructor. If at all they fall behind, should work together with the instructor to get back on track. vii. Balancing Responsibilities and Setting Priorities For successful online learning experience one has to able to balance the responsibility. Setting priority is the best benefit from online education. The students have to find out what is expected from them at the beginning of the course and plan ahead. Certainly one will have more things to fulfill than they have the time to complete them. During this time students need to determine which course activity is important and focus on those. They should not hesitate to ask for advice from their instructor. viii. Using Search Engines Even though library and catalogue can provide direction and access to scholarly information, the Web itself is a storehouse for billions of documents. For reasons outlined below, one needs to look into information in books and journals first since they go through quality control measures before they are published. However the can also reveal thousands of potentially useful information that’s related to the research.oHhhhesdkkmHO 3.0 Suggestions Based on the skills needed by future graduates as found above, it is necessary for the future graduates themselves, with existing initiatives, in order to increase the equipment inside have those skills. In addition, the parties responsible as government bodies and educational institutions, low  or high to take steps and initiatives in order to prepare future graduates to face the challenges of globalization to compete career search, even comparable to the skilled manpower there are out there as well as expressed by other universities. Generally, prospective graduates and responsible parties should emphasize mastery Soft skills among student, because this skill is the inclusion of aspects of generic skills, the skills that are indispensable aspect in the globalized world of work. Compensation should be for future graduates to assess and meet the needs of an increasingly demanding job market. Furthermore, the technology changes at this time are very fast. Firstly, to carry out the plan of study that requires a schedule that is constantly reviewing and maintaining the schedule to follow in implementing the planning sorted by priority and keep a checklist of completed and outstanding tasks, for example in the information technology era high at the present time there are many options to make a study schedule effective as using a â€Å"smart phone† now has an application â€Å"Android† to schedule a lesson in the mobile phones of students, so students can create a memorial for the study of the set so much time in order to have students study schedule on the phone. Next, not all distance education students proficient in the use of ICT computer, internet portals and institutions. Therefore, students can pursue distance learning courses in ICT for control over the use of ICT. Most of these courses are always offered and can also learn on your own in the Internet network or buy the book for self-study. And the last suggestion is, not all students can master the skill of making a very important reference in learning, the intention is that the institution should give awareness to students of distance learning and briefed the importance of study skills are the skills which make reference to the success of a distance learning student said. Conclusion All the above mentioned skills are important for online learners. It will make the online learning effective. Early preparation is important and also  active participation in online learning such as forum. In general online learning needs the use if latest technology in order for the students to complete their studies. There are certain difficulties faced by students in using the technology such as virus, technical issues, internet traffic and henceforth. Therefore, the online learners do have the freedom to arrange their study by their own and which method to follow. This requires them to have all the skills that is stated above for them to continue the studies and achieve their goals. (Words : 2166) References Available Online : http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/how-students-develop-online-learning-skills Available Online : http://www.ucc.vt.edu/academic_support_students/online_study_skills_workshops/ Available Online : http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2012/01/13/4-time-management-tips-for-online-students Available Online : http://www.military.com/education/keys-to-success/study-skills-for-the-online-adult-learner.html

Humber bridge essays

Humber bridge essays Firstly, in this trip, I learned some basis theory from the talk that provided by the consultant, who is working for maintenance the Humber Bridge. He showed some slides how the engineers design the bridge in order to prevent some natural disaster such as earthquake, typhoon and so on. Secondly, he showed some history information of this bridge to us. For instance, the figure of vehicles, how much is the toll and However, Humber Bridge is built by private company so that they set up a toll in order to recover their capital which they had spent for built the Humber bridge. Thirdly, he also showed some slides about the different elevations of the bridge. From those diagram, I knew why are the engineers designed the bridge like that outlook. They got some information by consulting from different environmental experts. Then, they used that information to design a bridge which can prevent the disaster. Those are the picture that the consultant showed to us. After the briefing, we had to take a look around the Humber Bridge. We went into the tower of the bridge and saw the structure of the bridge. Also, we saw the cables which joined from one side to the other side. And that cables have a total length which can around the world about 2.5 times. And each of the cable is made by 200 little cables. After I saw those cables, I felt that build a bridge is not an easy job. Building a bridge, the engineers have to calculate the force and load for the bridge. On the other hand, the environment experts also have to calculate the change of weather and topography. However, the engineers joined that information together in order to build a safety and useful bridge for public to use. I through this trip was held very successful since we can learn something from the real objects rather than learn the theory only. Moreover, this kind of trip has inc ...

Odile Decq, French Architect for the 21st Century

Odile Decq, French Architect for the 21st Century Odile Decq (born July 18, 1955, in Laval, east of Brittany in France) and Benoà ®t Cornette have been called architectures first rock and roll couple. Attired in Gothic black, Decqs nontraditional personal appearance fit well with the couples curious delight in architectural experimentation with space, metals, and glass. After Cornette was killed in a 1998 automobile accident, Decq continued their rebellious architecture and urban planning business. On her own, Decq continues to win awards and commissions, proving to the world that she was always an equal partner and a talent in her own right. Plus shes kept the funky look and black attire all these years. Decq earned a Diploma in Architecture from the Ecole dArchitecture de Paris-La Villette UP6 (1978) and a Diploma in Urbanism and Planning from Institut dÉtudes Politiques de Paris (1979). She practiced in Paris alone and then in 1985 in partnership with Benoà ®t Cornette. After Cornettes death, Decq ran Odile Decq Benoà ®t Cornette Architectes-Urbanistes (ODBC Architects) for the next 15 years, rebranding herself in 2013 as Studio Odile Decq. Since 1992, Decq has maintained a relationship with Ecole Spà ©ciale dArchitecture in Paris as a teacher and director. In 2014, Decq was not intimidated to launch a new school of architecture. Called Confluence Institute for Innovation and Creative Strategies in Architecture and located in Lyon, France, the architecture program is built around the intersection of five thematic fields: neurosciences, new technologies, social action, visual art, and physics. The Confluence program, melding old and new topics of study, is a curriculum by and for the 21st century. Confluence is also an urban development project of Lyon, France, where the rivers Rhone and Saone join. Above and beyond all of the architecture designed and built by Odile Decq, the Confluence Institute may become her legacy. Decq claims to have no particular influence or master, but she does appreciate architects and their works, including Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe. She says ...they were inventing what they called the free plan, and I was interested in this idea and how you pass through a plan without having different articulated space.... Particular buildings that have influenced her thinking include Convent of La Tourette (Lyon France) by Le CorbusierLa Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, Spain) by Antoni Gaudà ­A concrete tower at the Jewish Museum (Berlin, Germany) by Daniel Libeskind Sometimes I am just impressed by buildings, and I am jealous about ideas expressed through these structures. Source of quotation: Odile Decq Interview, designboom, january 22, 2011 [Accessed July 14, 2013] Selected Architecture: 1990: Banque Populaire de lOuest (BPO) administration building, Rennes, France (ODBC)2004: L. Museum in Neuhaus, Austria2010: MACRO Museum of Contemporary Art, new wing, Rome, Italy2011: Phantom Restaurant, first restaurant in Garniers Paris Opà ©ra House2012: FRAC Bretagne, Museum for Contemporary Art, Les Fonds Rà ©gionaux dArt Contemporain (FRAC), Bretagne, France2015: Saint-Ange Residence, Seyssins, France2015: Confluence Institute School of Architecture, Lyon, France2016: Le Cargo, Paris In Her Own Words: I try to explain to young women that practicing architecture is really complicated and its very hard, but its possible. I discovered early on that to be an architect you have to have a little bit of talent and a maximum of determination and not focus on the complications.- A conversation with: Odile Decq, Architectural Record, June 2013,  © 2013 McGraw Hill Financial. All Rights Reserved. [Accessed July 9, 2013] Architecture, in a certain sense, is a war. Its a tough profession where you always have to fight. You have to have great stamina. I kept going because I started working as a team with Benoà ®t who helped, supported and pushed me to go my own way. He treated me as an equal, strengthened my own resolve to assert myself, follow my own inclination and be as I wanted to be. I also tell students and repeat at conferences that you need a good dose of recklessness to go down the road of architecture because if you are too aware of the difficulties the profession entails, you might never begin. You have to keep fighting but without really knowing what the fight is. Very often this recklessness is considered folly. Thats wrong; its pure recklessness – something that is socially acceptable for men, but not yet for women.- Interview with Odile Decq by Alessandra Orlandoni, The Plan Magazine, October 7 2005[theplan.it/J/index.php?optioncom_contentviewarticleid675%3Ainte%0Arvista-a-odile- decq-Itemid141langen accessed July 14, 2013] ...stay curious all your life. To discover, to think that the world is nourishing you, and not only architecture, but the world and society around you is nourishing you, so you have to be curious. You have to always be curious about what will happen in the world later, and to be hungry for life, and to enjoy even when its hard work....you have to be able to take risks. I want you to be courageous. I want you to have ideas, to take a position....- Odile Decq Interview, designboom, january 22, 2011 [Accessed July 14, 2013] Learn More: Odile Decq Benoà ®t Cornette by Clare Melhuish, Phaidon, 1998Architecture in France by Philip Jodidio, 2006 Additional Sources: Studio Odile Decq website at www.odiledecq.com/; RIBA International Fellows 2007 Citation, Odile Decq, RIBA website; Odile Decq Benoà ®t Cornette - ODBC : Architects by adrian welch / isabelle lomholt at e-architect; ODILE DECQ, BENOIT CORNETTE, Architectes, Urbanistes, Euran Global Culture Networks; Designer Bio, Beijing International Design Triennial 2011 [Websites accessed July 14, 2013]