Thursday, January 9, 2020
The Bear Came Over the Mountain by Alice Munro
Alice Munro (b. 1931) is a Canadian writer who focuses almost exclusively on short stories. She has received numerous literary awards, including the 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature and the 2009 Man Booker Prize. Munros stories, nearly all of which are set in small-town Canada, feature everyday people navigating ordinary life. But the stories themselves are anything but ordinary. Munros precise, unflinching observations unmask her characters in a way that is simultaneously uncomfortable and reassuringââ¬âuncomfortable because Munros x-ray vision feels as if it could easily unmask the reader as well as the characters, but reassuring because Munroââ¬â¢s writing passes so little judgment. It is hard to come away from these stories of ordinary lives without feeling as if youve learned something about your own. The Bear Came Over the Mountainà was originally published in the December 27, 1999, edition of The New Yorker. The magazine has made the complete story available for free online.à In 2006, the story was adapted into a film titled, directed by Sarah Polley.à Plot Grant and Fiona have been married for forty-five years. When Fiona shows signs of deteriorating memory, they realizeà she needs to live in a nursing home. During her first 30 days thereââ¬âduring which Grant is not permitted to visitââ¬âFiona seems to forget her marriage to Grant and develops a strong attachment to a resident named Aubrey. Aubrey is only in residence temporarily, while his wife takes a much-needed holiday. When the wife returns and Aubrey leaves the nursing home, Fiona is devastated. The nurses tell Grant that she will probably forget Aubrey soon, but she continues to grieve and waste away. Grant tracks down Aubreys wife, Marian, and tries to convince her to move Aubrey permanently to the facility. She cannot afford to do so without selling her house, which she initially refuses to do. By the end of the story, presumably through a romantic connection, he makes with Marian, Grant is able to bring Aubrey back to Fiona. But by this point, Fiona seems not to remember Aubrey but rather to have renewed affection for Grant. What Bear? What Mountain? You are probably familiar with some version of the folk/childrens song The Bear Came Over the Mountain.à There are variations of the specific lyrics, but the gist of the song is always the same: the bear goes over the mountain, and what he sees when he gets there is the other side of the mountain. So what does this have to do with Munros story? One thing to consider is the irony created by using a light-hearted childrens song as the title for a story about aging. Its a nonsense song, innocent and amusing. Its funny because, of course, the bear saw the other side of the mountain. What else would he see? The jokes on the bear, not on the singer of the song. The bears the one who did all that work, perhaps hoping for a more exciting and less predictable reward than the one he inevitably got. But when you juxtapose this childhood song with a story about aging, the inevitability seems less humorous and more oppressive. There is nothing to be seen except on the other side of the mountain. Its all downhill from here, not so much in the sense of being easy as in the sense of deterioration, and theres nothing innocent or amusing about it. In this reading, it doesnt really matter who the bear is. Sooner or later, the bear is all of us. But perhaps youre the kind of reader who needs the bear to represent a specific character in the story. If so, I think the best case can be made for Grant. It is clear that Grant has been repeatedly unfaithful to Fiona throughout their marriage, though he has never considered leaving her. Ironically, his effort to save her by bringing Aubrey back and putting an end to her grieving is accomplished through yet another infidelity, this time with Marian. In this sense, the other side of the mountain looks a lot like the first side. Cameà or Wentà Over the Mountain? When the story opens, Fiona and Grant are young university students who have agreed to get married, but the decision almost seems to be on a whim. He thought maybe she was joking when she proposed to him,à Munro writes. And indeed, Fionas proposal does sound only half-serious. Shouting over the waves at the beach, she asks Grant, Do you think it would be fun if we got married? A new section begins with the fourth paragraph, and the wind-blown, wave-crashing, youthful exuberance of the opening section has been replaced by a calmer sense of ordinary concerns (Fiona is trying to wipe away a smudge on the kitchen floor). Its clear that some time has passed between the first and second sections, but the first time I read this story and learned that Fiona was already seventy years old, I still felt a jolt of surprise.à It seemed that her youthââ¬âand their entire marriageââ¬âhad been dispensed with too unceremoniously. Then I assumed that the sections would alternate. Wed read about the carefree younger lives, then the older lives, then back again, and it would all be sweet and balanced and wonderful. Except that isnt what happens. What happens is that the rest of the story focuses on the nursing home, with occasional flashbacks to Grants infidelities or to Fionas earliest signs of memory loss. The bulk of the story, then, takes place on the figurative other side of the mountain. And this is the critical difference between cameà and wentà in the title of the song. Though I believe wentà is a more common version of the song, Munro chose came.à Wentà implies that the bear is going away from us, which leaves us, as readers, safe on the side of youth. But cameà is the opposite. Cameà suggests that were already on the other side; in fact, Munro has made sure of it. All that we can seeââ¬âall that Munro will allow us to seeââ¬âis the other side of the mountain.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Aging Essay 17 - 1127 Words
First I will talk about the physical changes in early adulthood. Developmentalists look at adult physical functioning and begin to ask questions about loss or decline of function. There are two types of aging primary aging and social aging. Primary aging is age related physical changes that have biological basis. Social aging is age related changes due to environmental influences, poor health, habits or disease. Adults in there 20s and 30s have more muscle tissue; maximum bone calcium; more brain mass; better eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell; greater oxygen capacity; and a more proficient immune system. The early adult is stronger, faster and better able to pick up from exercise or adapt to changing conditions. In earlyâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦First my father as a young girl growing up he was in good health and condition but as he got older and did not take care of himself his physical and health condition decline which is social aging. My father ate all the wrong food and gain weight which caused his knees to give out to the point where today he can not walk. My father also is 55 years old so on top his social aging he is also has his older adult decline. My mom and her cognitive changes have had a major decline. My mom when I was younger would remember a lot of things, dates and events. My mom now will tell you something or give you something and she would not remember. My mom is 56 years old so I feel that the text is correct when they say that with age you physical and cognitive functions decline. The most surprising insight that I learned during my reading were that there were two different types of aging. Before I read chapter 13 I did not know that there were types of aging. After reading this chapter I learned that aging could be brought on by an environment I would not have ever thought this was a factor. After learning about it I could see how an environment could age a person. A person who is in an environment of poverty, violence and crime could age faster because of stress and always having to look over their shoulder. Worry about were their next meal will come from. All this stress could lead to poor health. If there is too much stress you can get high blood pressure and many otherShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Functions of Stereotypes in Propaganda1220 Words à |à 5 Pagesthe greatest number of people. Stereotypes and propaganda are like peanut butter and jam, when put together stereotypes function very well in propaganda. This essay will look at the relationship b etween stereotypes and propaganda, how stereotypes function in propaganda and how well they function in propaganda tactics. In other words, this essay will look at how stereotypes function in propaganda. History has shown that stereotypes and propaganda have an exceptionally close relationship. PropagandaRead MoreThe Elderly Essay1084 Words à |à 5 Pagesborn. Wilbert is a gentleman who must combat multiple ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. These are merely from secondary aging which encompass changes that are due to illness, health habits, and other individual differences that have expedited his degeneration physically. -ageism -senescence -secondary aging He is part of the one-third of elderly people who have hypertension. His blood vessels, veins, and arteries are suffering tremendously because they haveRead MoreThe Future Of Videogames And How Will They Affect Us829 Words à |à 4 Pages Jesus Delgado Computers/ Technology Mr. Robertson/ Ms. Merilus 6th grade Bell Gardens Intermediate 5841 Live Oak St., Bell Gardens, CA 90201 (562) 927-1319 Abstract The subject of the following essay is on videogame engineering. This essay investigates the future of videogames and how will they affect us. There is research on cons of videogames, the present and the future of videogames, the advantages, how videogames beneficial. Although many people say videogames are bad for childrenRead MoreApplying An Undergraduate Degree At A Respected University1484 Words à |à 6 PagesCanada is a lengthy process that is also difficult because of the tasks that are associated with this career. However, I aspire of becoming a lawyer as I am able to protect citizens from any injustices alongside the power of the law. To start off my essay, I plan to discuss an overview of my desired occupation, placement in work sectors, and the industry it classifies in as well as the social implications. Firstly, I will outline an overview of a lawyer by including job descriptions, skills and abilitiesRead MoreCloning: The Story and Impact of Dolly the Sheep762 Words à |à 3 Pagesshock waves through the world when the news was released 7 months after her birth. Like Hank Greely said ââ¬Å"Dolly was not, in fact, the harbinger of armies of human clones, though the news coverage might have led credulous readers to think so. In this essay you will learn how Dolly was created, about her life, and the scientific advances she set in motion. Dolly the sheep was through a process called ââ¬Å"Somatic Nuclear Transfer.â⬠To perform this process you need many steps. First youRead MoreGerontology : Aging And Old Age2049 Words à |à 9 PagesThe study of aging and old age is referred to as Gerontology (Stuart- Hamilton, 2011, p. 1). The study of Gerontology is concerned with the changes, which affect older adults (Stuart- Hamilton, 2011, p. 1). The main role of Gerontology is to not only explain the aging process, but to also improve older adults lives and experiences (Stuart- Hamilton, 2011, p. 18). Gerontology is interdisciplinary and there are three main disciplines, which are considered to be the essential foundations of the studyRead MoreEssay on Late Adulthood Sexuality1429 Words à |à 6 Pagespeople prefer not to think about. That is until time flies and they, themselves, are approaching late adulthood. One day, hopefully, weââ¬â¢ll all be 65 years of age or older and wondering if we can st ill enjoy sexual experiences into late adulthood? This essay will delve into the personal issues of the people in late adulthood and their sex lives. It will also discuss some of the common problems that people in the late adulthood stage may encounter with sex and how they cope with those problems. DiscussionRead MoreMy Mother Is My Friend928 Words à |à 4 Pagesme, nevertheless, my mother is my inspiration. With 20 years of experience that has still not changed. My mother grew up in Indianola, Mississippi with 17 other brothers and sisters. She lived in a house that was built by her father, my grandfather, and while they didn t receive everything, it was enough for her to survive. While she was aging with her other siblings, she learned many things in her life.Janet grew up with the morals of honesty, hard work, and family first. She then passed theseRead MoreChallenges Facing Human Resource Professionals1609 Words à |à 7 Pageshas faced a growing number of challenges in responding to the needs of the contemporary workforce and attempting to win ââ¬Å"The War for Talentâ⬠. These include globalisation, increasing workplace diversity, technological change and an aging workforce among others. This essay will attempt to show that the three most pressing concerns the Human Resources Professional faces today in satisfying the needs of the contemporary workforce; are those of addressing skill gaps, ensuring employee wellbeing and adapting Read MoreDo Teenagers Place Too Much Importance On Their Appearance?1175 Words à |à 5 Pagespressured to look good. Media, social and peer pressures influence the way teens see themselves. Teenagers are bombed with the mediaââ¬â¢s advertisements on daily bases. In fact, the average teen sees 400 to 600 advertisements per day, and by the time she/he is 17 years old, she/he has received over 250,000 commercial messages through the media (Body Image and Advertising, 2008) Studies prove that media can have a negative impact on self-image. TV, movies, magazines and the internet all bombard teens with images
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Compare the Road Not Taken I Used to Live Here Once Essays
Compare/Contrast Two Literary Works Sara M. Suarez ENG 125 Professor Andrea Moak September 3, 2012 The two literary works that I chose to compare and contrast for this paper are I Used to Live Here by Jean Rhys and The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. Symbolism of the journey is in both of these written works and I feel that it makes them both stronger and more appealing to the reader. When pieces of literature are able to touch a reader and make them feel alive I think that the author is doing a fantastic job getting his message across. In The Road Not Taken, I feel like Robert Frost is trying to play with each individual reader a little. By naming this poem The Road Not Taken I think it is a metaphor for our everydayâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. I know that I can relate to this poem on a day to day basis, either in a good way or in a bad way. A sigh for me can be good or bad, either I did or did not do my homework or assignment that is due. That sigh can represent guilt or relief, depending on whether I turned in my work or not. I Used to Live Here by Jean Rhys is about a young girl who is standing on the bank of the river and remembering her life. In this short story she is describing her journey back to her house and remembering everything in the exact detail that it happened, especially the stepping stone that caused her death. She refers to the last stepping stone as ââ¬Ëunsafeââ¬â¢. After reading this I came to the conclusion that she has been dead for quite some time now. Her spirit had finally just risen and decided it was time to go back home. When she was taking her usual route back home she was saying the scenery was different to her, everything was wider and glassier. Over time a town can change due to impr ovements needed, and at some point everything is bound to change. As she arrives to her home she notices children, she tries calling out to them but they cannot hear her. As she gets closer, one of the kids mention that suddenly it is cold and they go into their home. That is the exact moment she finally notices that she is dead. This short story is a great example of realizing what is there, even though it isnââ¬â¢t clearShow MoreRelatedRobert Frost 3 Poem Comparison Essay1236 Words à |à 5 Pagesââ¬Å"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Eveningâ⬠, ââ¬Å"Birchesâ⬠, and ââ¬Å"The Road Not Takenâ⬠Robert Frost was an American poet that first became known after publishing a book in England. He soon came to be one of the best-known and loved American poets ever. He often wrote of the outdoors and the three poems that I will compare are of that ââ¬Å"outdoorsâ⬠type. There are several likenesses and differences in these poems. They each have their own meaning; each represent a separate thing and each tell a different storyRead More Robert Frost - A Comparisson Of 3 Poems Essay1242 Words à |à 5 PagesComparing Frostââ¬â¢s amp;quot;Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Eveningamp;quot;, amp;quot;Birchesamp;quot;, and amp;quot;The Road Not takenamp;quot; Robert Frost was an American poet that first became known after publishing a book in England. He soon came to be one of the best-known and loved American poets ever. He often wrote of the outdoors and the three poems that I will compare are of that amp;quot;outdoorsyamp;quot; type. There are several likenesses and differences in these poems. They each haveRead MoreLiterature Compare and Contrast1948 Words à |à 8 PagesLiterature Compare and Contrast ENG 125: Introduction to Literature Instructor: December 19, 2011 Literature Compare and Contrast Stories and poems are both constructed differently and have their own meaning behind them. The authors have underlying messages that they are attempting to convey to the reader using their own characterization, style, setting and rhythm that is essentially used in for the purposes of the narrative. The wonderful thing about poems and stories is that they are createdRead MoreA Powder Day2378 Words à |à 10 Pagestechniques or terms used to write literature. All literature uses some type of tone, a point-of-view, and symbols. This tools for writing help tell the story by giving the reader the emotions, perspective and the hidden messages, making the story come alive to reader and in captivating the reader into the story itself. Others use different terms to help tell their story for poems, rhythm is used often. While in short stories and dramas, foreshadowing and metaphors are used to help tell the storyRead MoreWhatââ¬â¢S So Great About America?. In The Essay ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢S So1471 Words à |à 6 PagesDââ¬â¢Souza, the India born author shares his experience while living in America. Dââ¬â¢Souza first starts his essay saying ââ¬Å"Here is a country where everything worksâ⬠(Dââ¬â¢Souza 237-238), everything from the highway sign to properly working public toilets. He also emphasized how overwhelmed an immigrant can find themselves while visiting a supermarket for the first time. Dââ¬â¢Souza then compares America to most countries today that does not have the most basic of health care products like deodorant which ââ¬Å"is unavailableRead MoreTexting While Driving1688 Words à |à 7 Pagesbanned when behind the wheel of a car! How can one focus on driving if their attention is diverted to the phone to try and read a text message, or to try to send a text message? When the eyes are focused down on the phone, they have to be taken off the road. This leaves plenty of time for the driver to swerve off course just enough to hit a pedestrian, or fail to take notice to a red light or approaching car. This distracted driver could hit an innocent bystander walking down the side walk, runRead More Analysis of Shawshank Redemption Essay1719 Words à |à 7 Pagessome convicts, once they conform, lose the ability to survive beyond the barbed wire and iron bars. As a character puts it, ââ¬ËThese [prison] walls are funny. First you hate them, then you get used to them, then you start to depend on them.ââ¬â¢ The director shows us to what extent prisoners can be made to ââ¬Ëdepend on themââ¬â¢. The two episodes that I will analyse are examples of two different ââ¬Ëpathsââ¬â¢ prisoners can take once released from prison. One is to survive and live their lifeRead MoreDescriptive Essay : Home Sweet Home1013 Words à |à 5 Pagessafe our trip to Lebanon will be, I decided to pack and go in June 2013. I wanted my kids to know where we came from, to meet my family, and to know their culture. Unfortunately, there comes a time when you realize that you have to carry your country in your heart and look for another safe ââ¬Å"home sweet home.â⬠We finally arrived after a long, 13-hour flight. After 6 years of being in the United States, we were finally home. I couldnââ¬â¢t find words to describe how I felt when we reached Beirut. TheRead MoreFear Essay1615 Words à |à 7 PagesWhat is fear? Is fear just a protective mechanism our brain creates when we encounter a problem? Would an example of fear be that I am afraid my essay is going to be exactly like everybody elses? ââ¬Å"Fear is the brains way of saying that their is something for you to overcome.(Rachel Huber)â⬠I believe in this quote Ms.Huber is trying to explain that when we encounter a problem we become so worried that we are not going to do well at the task at hand that we begin to fear the obstacle. Though at timesRead MoreSavings and Budgeting1580 Words à |à 7 PagesAshdane Beckford School: Glenmuir High, 10 Glenmuir Road, May pen P.O Clarendon. School number: 986-2372 986-2538 986-6355 Students number: (1876)431-5521 I Ashdane Beckford DO NOT have a family member employed at the FSC or Junior Achievement Jamaica. When I was first assigned this project which is in the form of an essay, I thought about two things before drawing any further conclusions:
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Consequences of Technology Free Essays
Matt Unick Prof. Rhone 11/15/12 ENG 101 Consequences of technology The most significant event in history has been argued by many scholars through the years. The industrial revolution, the renaissance, or even the Neolithic revolution all have been the top choices. We will write a custom essay sample on Consequences of Technology or any similar topic only for you Order Now One event that doesnââ¬â¢t get as much attention is the event that is happening in the world today. The world is going through a technology surge unlike ever before. It is an increasing advancement in technology with every passing day; some might look back at it as a modern day renaissance. The increasing advancements of todayââ¬â¢s world has the potential benefits of creating a perfect modern society of; no illness, easily accessible transportation, and maximum efficiency. The potential of technology in todayââ¬â¢s world were unrealistic thoughts a few decades ago. Though the positives of technology can lead to extraordinary opportunities the reliance on it will be the destruction of humanity. The negative aspects of technological advancements includes the extinction of simple survival instincts, technology is gradually making humans dumber, and creating an unhealthy increase in human beings. Technology is improving our everyday lifestyles and the efficiency of life itself, but relying on technology proves to be negative. The world has limited resources which means limited resources to fill our electricity. Without electricity most of the technology that is relied on will be useless. There will be no more ââ¬Ëgoogle itââ¬â¢ to provide information at any given moment. Simple activities used to survive hundreds of years ago are long forgotten. The processes of farming, hunting, gathering, finding natural medicine, and domesticating animals are now unknown to the common man. In Julia Davies article she discusses how dangerous it has become to rely on technology. ââ¬Å"A year ago there was an explosion in Shrewsbury that knocked out the hospitalââ¬â¢s power for several hours. Some of the electrical equipment did not work. The only people who did not panic were the older healthcare professionals because we were able to use ââ¬ËLook, Listen, Feelââ¬â¢ and knew what was happening with our patients. â⬠(Davies) She argues that professionals in the medical field donââ¬â¢t know how to take care of patients without the technology thatââ¬â¢s given to them. Technology is extremely beneficial but Julia shows that relying on it proves it can be costly. Evidence also shows that technology has also been making us dumber. Search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo have given us the power to grasp a world of information at any given moment. With the information at the tips of our fingers society as a whole should be moving towards a new stage of intellect; however it seems that the human mind is regressing. Nicholas G. Carr, the writer of the article ââ¬Å"Is Google making us stupider? â⬠argues the effects of the internet. Carr states the short term memory is stronger than before, yet the long term memory is slowly getting worse. The capacity to concentrate is being weakened through regular internet usage. ââ¬Å"The faster we surf across the Webââ¬âthe more links we click and pages we viewââ¬âthe more opportunities Google and other companies gain to collect information about us and to feed us advertisements. â⬠Carr argues that the internetââ¬â¢s goal is to get users to move from link to link because it creates more capital for the company through advertisements. The last thing these companies want is to encourage leisurely reading or slow, concentrated thought. Itââ¬â¢s in their economic interest to drive us to distraction. â⬠(Carr) This proves that our attention span is getting worse because of greedy companies wanting people to move from site to site as fast as possible. Using the internet has formed thinking differently and the thinking thatââ¬â¢s used in how we use the internet is now being brought into society. Critical thinking has been forgotten, the internet has changed how the mind works. Information isnââ¬â¢t absorbed, analyzed, or applied it is used only when needed, slowly making the human race dumber. Advancements in the medical field have increased within this technology surge era. The life expectancy for humans has changed a century ago from 50 years of age to around 76 years of age according to ââ¬Å"Life expectancy by age, 1850-2004â⬠. Research in the medical field only continues to grow; for example the field of cloning has the potential to discover the cures to diseases such as diabetes, Parkinsonââ¬â¢s, Alzheimerââ¬â¢s, and potentially more. Human Cloning) Technology proves to be beneficial for human life expectancy. However, the longer humans live the more populated the world gets, which is negative towards human health. Professor Guillebaud argues in Steve Connors article ââ¬Å"There is no way that a population of nine billion ââ¬â the UNââ¬â¢s medium forecast for 2050 ââ¬â can meet its energy needs without unacceptable damage t o the planet and a great deal of human misery. â⬠(Connor) Overpopulation is inevitable, it happens to every species. Unlike every species though, the human race has the power to control overpopulation. Increasing advancements in technology will only speed up the rate of overpopulation. In an overpopulated world water and other resources to survive will become scarce. Guillebaud also states ââ¬Å"Unless we reduce the human population humanely through family planning, nature will do it for us through violence, epidemics or starvation. ââ¬Å"(Connor) People will be struggling to survive and they will eventually turn to necessary means to prevail. Technology isnââ¬â¢t going away, but limiting it can define our survival. This means to not misuse the advancements in society that are given. Technology has extraordinary potential to improve efficiency in the world. It has to be taken in consideration what advancements in technology would be positive and negative for the world. The way technology has been used and the way it continues to be used will be the reason for the destruction of humanity. Work Cited. Carr, Nicholas. ââ¬Å"Is google making us stupid? The Atlantic July/August 2008: Web. Nov. 12, 2012 Connor, Steve. ââ¬Å"Overpopulation ââ¬Ëis main threat to planetââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ The Independent Jan. 7, 2006: Web. Nov. 24, 2012 David, Julia. ââ¬Å"Over-reliance on technology is bad news for care. â⬠Nursing Standard 25. 3 Sep 22-Sep 28, 2010: Web. Nov. 12, 2012 ââ¬Å"Human Cloningâ⬠Kiplinger Washington editors 80. 1 Jan. 3, 2003: Web. Nov. 18, 2012 ââ¬Å"Life Expectancy by Age, 1850ââ¬â2004â⬠Inf ormation Please. Pearson Education, Inc. 2007. Web. Nov. 15, 2012 How to cite Consequences of Technology, Essay examples
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Essay on the Life of a Student free essay sample
I never really grasped the concept and the depth of that meaning until tenth grade year in high school. Since I can remember my mother floated between President and Vice President of the p TTS from elementary all the way on up to high school. Members of the PATS decided to create a scholarship based on need and academic achievement but more important we wanted to make a difference and a Statement. As a voting member and a student I felt that it was incumbent upon me to inject my beliefs and ideas not the process. What came to life was the Fords High School PATS Scholarship Fund. Yes, was then elected to be the honorary speaker that evening to introduce the start of the scholarship. For the first couple of years we awarded two scholarships in the amount of SSL 000. 00 for some very outstanding students. A year later in collaboration, with the Fords Alumnus, we went from a couple thousand to forty thousand in scholarships given to students who were accepted at our top universities in the State of Michigan. We will write a custom essay sample on Essay on the Life of a Student or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the year after, we gave away fifteen thousand in scholarships which solidified the value of a decent education and the bringing together of a community. Since then, the Fords High School PATS has grown in numbers, from the parents on down to the students. More important than the recognition, and the money raised, it is the passion and potential that this organization has given the young men and women at Fords High. I really hope that I had an influence that would allow for someone to carry on the same acts.
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Workforce Diversity and Human Resource Management
Abstract At present, employers have acknowledged that employeesââ¬â¢ satisfaction is essential for companyââ¬â¢s development. The present paper dwells upon the latest findings in the field of human resource management. It is reported that workforce diversity is beneficial for employeesââ¬â¢ productivity.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Workforce Diversity and Human Resource Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, it is also important to remember that workforce diversity can cause certain constraints which should be taken into account when working out the necessary technique. Fortunately, when paying attention to possible negative effects of diversity, it contributes to enhancing of creativity and competitiveness among personnel. Admittedly, creativity and competitiveness are two important features which help a company to be successful in the competitive business world. Introduction The histo ry of the concept of workforce development dates back to ancient times. Of course, the modern concept of work force differs greatly from that of people living in times of slavery. At present employers who are preoccupied with their companiesââ¬â¢ prosperity pay much attention to their workforce. It is now accepted that comfortable environment created for an employee will make the latter more productive and creative. Admittedly, company which hires productive and creative employees benefit. Thus, nowadays many scholars try to find many ways to motivate personnel. The latest finding in this field is concerned with diversity in the workplace. It has been proved by many researches that it ââ¬Å"creates an energy that can rarely exist in an environment of uniformityâ⬠(Sujansky 10). Admittedly, this energy is beneficial for reaching business goals, so employers should make use of the latest discoveries in the field. It is accepted that employeesââ¬â¢ satisfaction is important The new concept of the importance of employees for the sake of companyââ¬â¢s benefits dates back to 1980s when UK researchers claimed that there were ââ¬Å"direct links between job satisfaction and job performanceâ⬠(Ferris 1). Thus, scholars started researching this link from different perspectives.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Eventually, everyone agreed that employeesââ¬â¢ satisfaction enables companies hire ââ¬Å"reliable and competent employeesâ⬠which was ââ¬Å"a key component in developing an effective and sustainable competitive advantageâ⬠(Kickul 320). Admittedly, productive and competitive employees are eager to take up new assignments and fulfill them as soon as possible. More so, such employees are not seeking new working places, but are concentrated on their tasks. According to Sujansky it is very important to keep employees in the c ompany, because the loss of employees can lead to the loss of customers (9). On one hand, the employee is often the personification of the companyââ¬â¢s image, so stability in workforce means stability in the company. In other words, customers will not trust a company where employees do not want to remain for a long time. On the other hand, customers often follow employees who they trust. Besides, when an employee leaves it means that the company will have to waste time and money to educate a new employee (Sujansky 10). Admittedly, all these losses are unacceptable in the modern highly competitive business environment where stability means a lot for companies. The research in the field of effective strategies to reach employeesââ¬â¢ satisfaction from work It goes without saying that apart from discovering the reasons of the importance of employeesââ¬â¢ satisfaction scholars were trying to work out ways of motivating personnel, though many scholars believe that more research is necessary (Sharma and Kaur 13). Thus, scholars singled out numerous strategies to improve the business environment within the company. For instance, Risher points out that several strategies aimed at different types of employees can be found (34). He claims that these strategies do not require a lot of financing, and even simple performance measuring and providing new problems to solve will motivate employees to like being at work (Risher 35). High-involvement work practices are also reported to be very effective (Konrad 11). These practices presuppose that employees participate in the process of decision making and this is a very good factor which influences employeesââ¬â¢ satisfaction (Konrad 12).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Workforce Diversity and Human Resource Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is also necessary to add that scholars stress the exclusive role of the climate within the company (Chuang and Liao 153). It is necessary to add that Chuang and Liao regard the climate in terms of employees and clients relationship, claiming that the creation of the appropriate climate is beneficial for both clients and employees (194). Many researchers focus on existing companies and try to develop effective strategies on the basis of these companiesââ¬â¢ experience. For instance, Holland et al. analyzed the experience of more than thousand human resources professionals from numerous Australian companies and found that the majority of these companies pay little or no attention to improving fruitful environment for employees (247). Admittedly, scholars have worked out many techniques and methods to improve working environments. It has been also acknowledged that each company should use the mix of suggested strategies since there are few universal concepts which could be appropriate for all types of companies. However, recently scholars have found one of such universal concepts. Reportedly, workforce diversity positively influences the environment within the company and its competitiveness in the business environment. Diversity in the workforce is beneficial for companies In the first place, it is necessary to define the term. Thus, ââ¬Å"employee diversity is the degree to which individuals perceive similarity between themselves and coworkersâ⬠(Ash 223). Thus, diversity touches upon such individualââ¬â¢s characteristics as gender, age, ethnicity, religion, etc. This kind of diversity is reported to be effective in terms of internal business environment. It is possible to point out that diversity is not something that is yet to be reached. The globalization and the development of competitive workforce have brought diversity in the workforce in the majority of countries. In fact, there are certain studies which dwell upon possible problems which companies with diverse workforce can face and how to overcome these constraints. For instance, Ash depicts certain challenges that companies may face in terms of workforce diversity. Thus, people pertaining to different cultures may find it difficult to communicate and co-operate in a proper way (Ash 225).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Americans and Chinese employees have different style of work and communicating their idea, more assertive Americans can dominate over more timid Chinese employees and this will undoubtedly result in poor performance of a team and entire company (Ash 225). Admittedly, apart from ethnic and cultural differences, age issues can also emerge in diverse company. Lowe et al. points out a number of problems which companies face when four generations work in one company (43). Younger people are more energetic and require more benefits from employer, while older employees are more thoughtful and substantial while making decisions. Of course, these peculiarities also cause many conflicts in the workplace. Thus, it is also essential to prevent emerging of some issues associated with diversity. It is possible to implement training of personnel, and make sure that all diverse teams are guided by a person who is aware of possible problems and knows the way to overcome them. Admittedly, if to take into account these differences and be ready for certain constraints, diversity in workforce will be beneficial. As far as creativity is concerned, workforce diversity contributes to the development of new ideas (Ash 225). People can find the most effective solutions if they view the problem from different perspectives. In a diverse environment people having different cultural (and other types of) background generate more ideas, than homogeneous teams (Ash 225). Apart from creativity diversity in workplace also influences competitiveness. Employees try to self-develop and work harder to be better (or not worse) than other members of the team. The spirit of competition can be fruitful for achieving business goals of the company. Of course, it is important to keep friendly atmosphere. More so, the majority of scholars stress that the fulfillment of tasks should be fun (Lowe et al. 51). It is essential to turn routine tasks into some engaging activities which require cooperation from ev ery employee. Conclusion On balance, workforce diversity is one of the most influential factors which affect employeesââ¬â¢ productivity. Despite possible negative effects which can be effectively overcome, diversity should be regarded as a great background for companiesââ¬â¢ development and improvement. It is important to state that apart from using strategies concerning workforce diversity it is necessary to exploit many other effective techniques and methods of employeesââ¬â¢ motivation. Fortunately, scholars have worked out numerous strategies which employers are free to use. Thus, the existing paradigm ââ¬Å"employees should be satisfied for companyââ¬â¢s sakeâ⬠can be easily realized if employers and human resource professionals incorporate certain strategy, based on the scope of effective techniques, for certain companies. Annotated Bibliography Holland, P, Sheehan, C, De Cieri, H 2007, ââ¬ËAttracting and retaining talent: exploring human resources devel opment trends in Australiaââ¬â¢, Human Resource Development International, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 247-262. Holland et al. suggest that nowadays it is essential to create favorable environment for employees. The authors provide a literature review which considers the latest research in the field. Holland et al. in their own research are focused on Australian organizations. Reportedly, the major concern of HR managers of companies is recruitment and selection. Whereas important activities aimed at skill development, team building and training are ignored. The authors conclude that this tendency should be changed since appropriate environment for employees will result in profits for companies. Sujansky, JG 2007, ââ¬ËMake Your Corporate Grass the Greenest: 16 Cost-Effective Ways to a Culture That Keeps Your Keepersââ¬â¢, Journal for Quality Participation, 30, 3, pp. 9-12. The article by Sujansky dwells upon the importance of the appropriate environment for employees. The author p oints out that it is essential for an employer to keep the employees ââ¬Å"happyâ⬠since they are the bridge between the company and customers. When employees start searching for new places of work, customers can also be lost for the company. Apart from this Sujansky suggests sixteen effective ways of keeping employees motivated and productive without financial motivation. Sujanskyââ¬â¢s 16 tips are easy to follow and, thus, they can be helpful for any employer. Works Cited Ash, Steven R. ââ¬Å"Why Should Small Businesses Care about Employee Diversity?: Five Areas of Research That Influence Organizational Results.â⬠Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship 20.3 (2007): 223-232. Chuang, Chih-Hsun, and Hui Liao. ââ¬Å"Strategic Human Resource Management in Service Context: Taking Care of Business by Taking Care of Employees and Customers.â⬠Personnel Psychology 63.1 (2010): 153-196. Ferris, Stephen M. ââ¬Å"â⬠Our Most Valuable Resource Is Our.â⬠: How to Help Employees Believe in a Slogan.â⬠Ivey Business Journal Online Mar.-Apr. 2006: 1-7. Holland, Peter, Sheehan, Cathy, De Cieri, Helen. ââ¬Å"Attracting and retaining talent: exploring human resources development trends in Australia.â⬠Human Resource Development International 10.3 (2007): 247-262. Kickul, Jill. ââ¬Å"Promises Made, Promises Broken: An Exploration of Employee Attraction and Retention Practices in Small Business.â⬠Journal of Small Business Management 39.4 (2001): 320. Konrad, Alison M. ââ¬Å"Engaging Employees through High-involvement Work Practices.â⬠Ivey Business Journal Online Mar.-Apr. 2006: 11-14. Lowe, Debra, Kenneth J. Levitt, and Terry Wilson. ââ¬Å"Solutions for Retaining Generation Y Employees in the Workplace.â⬠Business Renaissance Quarterly 3.3 (2008): 43-51. Risher, Howard. ââ¬Å"Tapping Unused Employee Capabilities: How to Create a High Performance Environment by Changing the Work Paradigm and Taking a Radically D ifferent Approach to Train the Next Generation of Managers and Supervisors.â⬠The Public Manager 32.2 (2003): 34-39. Sharma, Manoj K., and Gurvinder Kaur. ââ¬Å"Employee Empowerment: a Conceptual Analysis.â⬠Journal of Global Business Issues 2.2 (2008): 7-13. Sujansky, Joanne G. ââ¬Å"Make Your Corporate Grass the Greenest: 16 Cost-Effective Ways to a Culture That Keeps Your Keepers.â⬠Journal for Quality Participation 30.3 (2007): 9-12. This essay on Workforce Diversity and Human Resource Management was written and submitted by user Kayson Reed to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Honeywell Case Summary Essays
Honeywell Case Summary Essays Honeywell Case Summary Essay Honeywell Case Summary Essay Honeywell, Inc. and Integrated Risk ManagementThe finance committe of Honeywell, Inc. must decide whether to approve a new type of risk management contract or not. This new risk management program is to provide combined protection against Honeywellââ¬â¢s currency translation risk along with all traditionally-insured global risks, in a multiyear, insurance-based, integrated risk management program. The committees vote would depend upon whether the anticipated cost savings of the program could be realized, and whether the coverage it offered was adequate. According to the Exhibits, Honeywell had suffered some risks and volatility. New risk management seemed to be on demand for stabilization. The case study suggests the comparison of the traditional and newly suggested risk management method and the changing points. Also it explains how those things may be valuable.Honeywellââ¬â¢s new risk management basically suggested ââ¬Ëintegrationââ¬â¢. Specifically, new risk management suggested 2.5-year insurance-based contract that covered all traditionally insured global risks and currency translation risk (in other words, treasury-based integrated program with trigger option). While traditional risk management tools are a mixture of separate insurances and options, the proposed contract is an insurance with an annual aggregate retention of $30 million with the option. The old policy is repeated annually while the proposed contract is in a 2.5-year period. Additionally, the premium is cheaper than the traditional risk management as through ââ¬Ëportfolio effectââ¬â¢.According to the simulating results exhibit 9, we can find that the standard deviation of total cost of risk for the proposed program is $3,819,568 while the one for the existing program is 15,793,879. The proposed program can reduce the total risk of the firm if the simulating results are real. To add, the simulated results also show that the estimates annual premium savings is about 20%.Thus , it is real challenge
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