My personal Workplace Observation Paper Essay

A great deal can be learned about an organization by analyzing and exploring the various aspects of an organizational observation. Currently I am employed at This ‘nÂ’ That, a discount retail store, which focuses on providing customers with quality products at a below market price. Organizational diversity, dress and language, and communication flow are all factors that influence my organizations culture. There are several factors that shape diversity in my workplace. Diversity can be a beneficial attribute or can cause dilemmas in the workplace. At This ‘nÂ’ That all the various factors of diversity are present, embraced and accepted. All of our staff at This ‘nÂ’ That has value for one another and are seen as equals. This allows for unproblematic diversity in our workplace. The main factors that create diversity in my workplace are age, race, and religion. My organization has employees from the age of 19 years old to the oldest of 67 years. I have yet to see that gap in age cause any conflict, if anything the age difference allows for constructive criticism and encourages growth as an organization. Race and religion allow for different view points which help form our workplace in an optimistic way. Diversity is about learning from others who are different (Schmidle, 2009). Diversity is dignity and respect for all, and about establishing settings and practices that encourage learning from others and capture the advantage of diverse perspectives. Dress and language is very critical to the perception and professionalism of the workplace. I do not feel that my workplaceÂ’s dress and language give off the professionalism that our organization is looking for. Our employees are permitted to wear whatever they desire. Some employees choose to wear sweat pants and shirts with sayings on them that could be offensive to some customers. I have witnessed several of our staff using offensive language when speaking to customers and during conversations between themselves. Customers who witness this offensive language may feel insulted and could lead to loss of customers. Attracting and retaining customers in a workplace culture is one that values and prioritizes respectful dress and language. Good workplace communication is vital to the success of any organization.  Communication is key to a strong business relationship; this can be the relationship between customers and employees. Communication at This ‘nÂ’ That consist of telephone calls, word of mouth, and a bulletin board for postings on needed information. The way our workplace communicates internally could be modernized, but has shown, thus far, to be efficient for our organization. Although internal communication has been successful, it is external communication that some of our employees lack. The ability to get a message across effectively is the public face of a business. Listening has shown to be an underdeveloped skill for some of our managers and employees, as customers are not getting the information and liaison they desire. Some of our managers complain about various things our customers do, for example: unremitting complaints regarding not putting stuff back in its place. These complaints lead to pessimistic attitudes amongst themselves, towards customers and other employees, which can also affect how communication flows to customers. The performance of my workplace can be improved by a combination of useful communication skills, which can be provided through training. Improving my workplaces communication skills will permit us to establish better working relations. Poor workplace communication skills will have harmful effects on our business relations and may result in decreased productivity. Organizational culture is the personality of the organization. Culture contains the assumptions, ethics, and norms of organizations members and their behaviors. Members of an organization quickly come to sense the particular culture of an organization. An organization’s culture develops to help it cope with its environment. Today, organizational leaders are confronted with various complex issues throughout their attempt to achieve organizational success. An organizations success will depend, to a vast degree, upon understanding organizational culture. References Schmidle, D. (2009). Catherwood Library. Cornell University. Retrieved May 26, 2009, from http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/library/research/subjectGuides/workplaceDiversity.htm

House-guest

To be a house-guest there are many responsibilities such as schedule which, a perfect house-guest would call ahead that they are coming and commit to the time they are arriving and leaving. Guests should know how long to stay at someone else's place and not stay too long to make the person who owns the house annoyed of them. Another responsibility Is that a guest should come with gifts to show appreciation. The gift does not have to be something expensive, just to show that you aspect them that they are letting you stay at their house.Guests should respect the host and not tell them that something of their house or taste sucks. Guests should make the host feel good by telling them how beautiful their house is. Meals is another responsibility house-guests should know that they should not always depend on the host to make them food all the times. Guests should at least offer for help to make the meals or even make meal themselves to show their generosity.Privacy is a gig responsibility because the host could be still working and the guest would be on holiday that they are staying at the hosts home. The guest should respect the fact that the host Is not on a holiday and do things them self or even help the host out by having food ready for them before they come back home. Appreciation Is Important for a house-guest because that would show the host they liked being there and that they actually took the time to appreciate the stay this way the host would even invite the guests back.

“Without Freedom it is Impossible to Make Moral Choice” Discuss

Kant, a soft determinist, said that in order to make a moral decision we must have freedom. Kant believed that the ability to make moral decisions lay within the existence of freedom; stating that if we are not free to make our own decisions those decisions could not be moral as we were never free to make that decision in the first place. Kant thought that a person could be blamed for an action if they could have acted differently; for example if a person’s family is held at gunpoint and they are forced to open a safe they cannot be blamed as they did not have a choice.If we are to have free will we must have the ability to make a decision that is unhindered; Kant believed that we must have free will if we are to be help morally responsible for our actions, if God did not give us free will then our decisions cannot be considered immoral or moral as we would have had to act in the way we did. Thus we cannot be held responsible; a good moral action cannot be praised as you had n o other option, whilst an immoral action cannot be punished as once again there was no free choice.John Locke who was also a soft determinist as he believed that morality and the ability to make moral decisions developed throughout your lives. Locke believed that the mind was a tabula rosa, a blank slate that is shaped and filled by the person’s life experience and that ultimately creates a person’s morality. However the sensory data that creates this moral framework within the mind is already determined; therefore using Locke’s idea freedom is not required in order to make a moral decision it is the determined experiences you live through that create your morality and result in you making immoral or moral decisions.Another soft determinist was David Hume who believed in a limited form of free will, he ultimately believed that nature was in control of human destiny. That freedom was also subject-based, meaning that you are free to make a moral decision and free to follow through with that action. He went on to argue that determined events create human free will and that each individual is free to respond in their own way to those determined events; the morality of the choice the person makes is down to them.Hume believed that nothing occurred by chance or luck but we do have the free will, even if limited, to make our own decisions A libertarian would state that human’s decisions and actions are strictly uncaused; that no choices we make are determined and that we are completely free to make our own choices, these can either be moral or immoral, thus we are completely responsible. Libertarianism is incompatible with determinism, this is because they believe determinism is incorrect as everyone is free to all act differently in the exact same event, not all of humans would act morally in such an event.Kant would have been against Libertarianism because despite being a compatibilist Kant thought that some actions were determined. Othe rs believe that it is not necessary to be required to accept responsibility for your actions thus there is no need to be free in order to make moral decisions. Hard determinism also covers the problem of free will and moral decision making; one of the most famous hard determinists is Clarence Darrow. Darrow was a defence lawyer who in the trial of Leob and Leopold used hard determinism to suggest that we are not free thus we cannot make moral decisions.In the trial Darrow blamed their actions upon the way the two were brought up thus were predetermined to murder Robert Franks; their upbringing determined how they would make moral decisions in the future. This means that using Darrow’s idea Leob and Leopold did not have free will and thus could not make a moral choice; their predestination meant that they would only make an immoral decision. Ted Honderich was another hard determinist who approached the idea of free will using the physics as his base; using the Aristotelian ide a that nothing occurs without a cause.Honderich believed that events within the universe are determined and humans act in response to those events and are therefore not responsible for their actions. Using this belief one would argue that moral decisions cannot be made as there is no freedom to do so, everything is already determined beforehand. Saint Augustine was a religious determinist who believed that humanity required God’s help to do good; this is granted by God to humans, therefore God determines who will be saved and who will not. This is known as predestination; there irrelevance of our actions whether moral or immoral as God has already chosen those who shall be saved.John Calvin argued that people have no free will in regard to moral decision making; stating that God makes his choice about who to save, therefore does not look at a person and recognise them as good. Calvin stated that people only do good because God made them that way and placed them in an environm ent that would only make them do good. Logically Calvin concluded that if we have no control over our actions due to being made to act in a certain way, we cannot be considered responsible for them, thus we cannot make a moral decision as the decision and way we act was already determined by God.

Reporting for the Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reporting for the Media - Essay Example state if extension was granted and the revised Submission Date)    I declare that the work contained in this assignment is my own, except where acknowledgement of sources is made. I authorise the University to test any work submitted by me, using text comparison software, for instances of plagiarism. I understand this will involve the University or its contractor copying my work and storing it on a database to be used in future to test work submitted by others. I understand that I can obtain further information on this matter at http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/learningconnection/student/studying/integrity.asp Note: The attachment of this statement on any electronically submitted assignments will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed statement. Sign (or type name): Vandiappan Thevar Date:14th Feb 2011 Contents Page Part A: Practical Exercise 3 i) News Story 3 ii) â€Å"On-Air† Report 6 Part B: Discussion Paper 8 Appendices 10 Part A: Practical Exercise i) News Sto ry Stanley â€Å"Artgerm†, the Ultramodern Artist Staff reporter: Mr Vandiappan Thevar Finding true talent that can transform the world of media and entertainment is difficult to find. In our recent interview1 with Stanley â€Å"Artgerm† Lau, from Imaginary Friends Studios (I.F.S), new and truly defined talent was found. Our interview took place in the studios in Singapore, a place that is now growing into the arts center of the world and is providing new and innovative support for artists and creative individuals alike. Lau is one of the most well – known cartoonists and comic drawers for Imaginary Friends Studios. His exposure from this company is one that is based on the growing trends in Asia that the community continues to support. Lau prides himself with his artistic approach to comics as well as his interest in creativity that is able to give a message to others who are interested in the up and coming entertainment of the next generation. . Mr. Lau autogr aphing his art piece Lau pointed out that regional artists are community oriented, available to help and are interested in the comics and cartoon field. It is this mentality that allowed him to change from being an artist as a passion to turning it into a career field. This is one option that most would have not recognized 20 years ago, but with young innovators such as Lau, there is a new set of opportunities available to grow into an artist that becomes more than a hobby. Lau stated that the community and opportunity to develop into a career is what has helped to inspire him to move forward with drawing and to feel pushed into bettering his art. He also noted that his creativity is one that he has linked to his desire to make his own discoveries of the outer world and the ability to create symbolism and creativity, while defining innovation through his ideas. This is one of the ways in which the cartoons are able to present new ideas that create trends and new ideals with creativi ty. Even though Lau has noted that there is continuous support from the community, there is also recognition that comics and cartoons create a diverse set of responses from individuals as well as growing competition in the field. The continuing competition is one that makes the critics stronger, specifically in areas such as Singapore. However, there isn’

Organisation and Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Organisation and Management - Essay Example Now the imperative point to understand here is the fact that learning can not only be at the highest level, rather the knowledge management can even take place at the middle cadre and the special trainings help at doing their best as far as the lower level management is concerned. An organization which can learn can understand what are its responsibilities with regards to the society, the environment, its stakeholders and customers, its functions and different processes which have to be looked down up at with a legal and ethical perspective. This means that the organization emancipates its working methodologies in line with its already set values and moral principles. Moreover, it knows what are its obligations and compulsions towards all the above-mentioned. The organization is always willing and eager to learn from its mistakes, ready to bring in newer and fresh processes within its folds and always encouraging its stakeholders and employees to invest more money and time, respectively. Managing an organization is also an important function which comes under the learning principles. It has case studies and best case scenarios to look up to whenever there is a problem or trouble at hand and it knows who the right person is to contact whenever there is some discrepancy within the system. Add to that the organization tries to keep its contacts, no matter in which capacity they are, at a maximal point and always keeps on increasing so as to become a socially active player within the relevant industry. The management aspect also stems from the fact that its knowledge base is intact and knows what is required of it. This knowledge base has the role of continuously improving the systems and working methodologies. It also has the best available middle management employees who know the technical basis of running the organization and whose potential can largely benefit the sound workings of the company. Thus it is very

Research in public policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Research in public policy - Essay Example The first can be an assessment of the situation based on scientific method of investigation. The second method can be based on observation wherein the person does not make use of systematic process to make a generalization. In real life, there are other ways to find solutions to problems. Sometimes, even gut feel or intuition is used as a method in finding answers to queries. In some areas in the east, people rely on the wisdom of old people to answer most of the complex problems in life. To summarize the above definitions, research then is a method of inquiry for the purpose of obtaining facts in response to questions raised (Bautista, 1998). Bautista further added that research differs from other modes of knowing in the sensed that it is a systematic process of gaining information or knowledge. It is more that intuition, gut feel or tradition. 3) It is precise. Research usually aims at estimating the exact count of the event that has occurred or may yet occur. Statistics are helpful since the thrust is to quantify the incidence of the event being observed. However, there are instances when accuracy is not possible, especially if the objective of the research is mainly to characterize what is happening and not really to determine the frequency of the event. 6) Observations are usually undertaken under controlled conditions. ... 3) It is precise. Research usually aims at estimating the exact count of the event that has occurred or may yet occur. Statistics are helpful since the thrust is to quantify the incidence of the event being observed. However, there are instances when accuracy is not possible, especially if the objective of the research is mainly to characterize what is happening and not really to determine the frequency of the event. 4) Observations are recorded. Research necessitates the documentation of observations with the aid of instruments such as questionnaires, tape recorders for interviews, and many more. 5) Observation follows the rule of objectivity. Observations must not be influenced by personal preferences, prejudices, biases, attitudes, and feelings. 6) Observations are usually undertaken under controlled conditions. Researchers aspire to eliminate other factors or variables that might intrude into the observation of the major factors of variables that are being investigated. PURPOSES AND USES OF RESEARCH Any research, if correctly designed and undertaken, will build knowledge because it represents an objective investigation of facts about a certain subject (http://www.ryerson.ca/mjoppe/ResearchProcess/WhyConductResearch.htm). Research gathers facts that help people such as policy makers make decisions. A research becomes significant when it is used to show the interrelatedness of a variety of concepts and not simply describes how events take place. Research then is both fact-finding and theory building. According to Cresswell (994), "a theory is an interrelated set of constructs (or variables) formed into propositions or hypotheses that specify the relationship among variables (typically in terms of magnitude or direction). The

Capital Budgeting Process Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Capital Budgeting Process - Assignment Example The foremost reason for going public is to raise additional capital by issuing shares to the general investing public. This means other funding sources such as internally generated profits or financing through bank loans had been considered and set aside in favor of an IPO. Owners of private companies will now have to contend with the fact that they will lose some control by the issuance of new shares but they have other compensation in return for doing it such as new funds for expansion (new products and new markets), increased liquidity for the current shareholders by creating an active market for the stock to trade and change hands, the stock itself can become a valuable currency to fund new acquisitions (some mergers are made using company stock instead of cash payment), increase employee motivation through stock options to compensate good performance and in general enhance a companys reputation via a well-executed IPO process from start to end. Preparations are made long before the actual IPO itself and it involves three main participants: the issuing firm, the underwriter and the public. The initial public offering can become a difficult and contentious issue if not handled properly because of the conflicting claims and interests of the three main parties mentioned. An important factor that determines if an IPO is successful is correct timing. As they say, timing is everything, from setting an ideal price range that maximizes the funds that will be generated to the market's reception of the offering. If a decision had been made to go through with the IPO, there are two considerations to be made regarding correct timing: firstly is the stage of the firm's development.