Staff in the roasting plants are highly Essay Example for Free

Staff in the roasting plants are highly Essay Whether working as a part-time employee, full-time employee, or supplier, Starbucks is one of the best companies to work for. Their dedication to their product and the employees speaks for themselves in their numbers. Sales for 2004 totalled, in millions, are $5, 294. 2, which represents a 29. 9 percent increase over 2003 (Murry 2005). Starbucks carries very little debt, which makes it an even stronger company. It was also sitting on $380 million in cash in the summer of 2004 (Rosato 2004). As Rosata said, â€Å"Starbucks, with little long-term debt and about $380 million in cash, has a stellar balance sheet. † The company finances their new outlets from their own cash reserves (Rosato 2004 p. 124). Not only does Starbucks say their employees are their most important asset, they go out of their way to show it. Background With more than 8,500 coffee shops spanning 30 different countries, Starbucks Corporation, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is the largest specialty coffee retailer in the world (Murray 2005). Howard Schultz first joined the Starbucks team in 1982 after visiting them on a business trip as a supplier for kitchen equipment. He knew that he wanted to be part of Starbucks at the beginning, and spent the next year talking with the current owners before joining (Thompson et al. 2006). After spending time in Europe and seeing the upbeat and trendy market for coffee houses in Milan, he developed a vision of North Americans sitting in a Starbucks, drinking a speciality coffee and reading a paper or chatting among friends. His ideas however, were not shared by the other members of Starbucks who did not want to enter into the restaurant business, and were happy with being a retailer of speciality coffee (Thompson et al. 2006). Everything Starbucks does is designed to enhance the quality and ambience of the great smell and taste of their coffee. From the farms to the brewing of the coffee, and every process in between, set standards and values that have been put in place by top management to ensure quality and consistence (Thompson et al. 2006). Until recently, every Starbucks store was completely owned by the parent corporation. Schultz did not believe that franchising the stores will allow Starbucks to control the quality and customer service that Starbucks had built their clientele around (Thompson et al. 2006). As of 2003, Starbucks currently has approximately 2700 stores within the US and internationally which are licensed and pay royalties. These agreements allowed Starbucks to enter into market areas such as hotels and university campuses which were not previously attainable (Thompson at al. 2006). The prevailing leadership style seems to be one of allowing autonomy to managers and collaboration insofar as managers, or at least some managers, seeking input from employees. Product Starbucks has always taken pride in their quality of their products. Quality starts right at the potential farming locations where Starbucks purchases their beans. Scheduled visits are maintained to insure that the highest quality of bean is sent to their roasting facilities (Thompson et al. 2006). Staff in the roasting plants are highly trained and able to identify quality by the colour and sound of the roasted beans. Automated roasting systems, and high-tech testing equipment ensures that the beans meet the highest standard, with entire batches of product thrown out which do no pass quality testing (Thompson et al. 2006). Starbucks has also mastered the transportation of their coffee by packaging in a vacuum-sealed container, with a one-way valve that allows gasses to escape, but prevents air and moisture from getting in. This has help increase the shelf life of the product (Thompson et al. 2006). The company consistently looks for ways to improve quality of their product and service. For example, Starbucks innovated a prepaid card, which customers can load with $5 to $500 (Cardline 2004). The card can be automatically refilled on a monthly basis from the customer’s debit or charge card. In October 2004, there was $1 billion on 35 million customer cards (Cardline 2004). Starbucks also began offering a gift card in 2004, which can also be reloaded automatically with a minimum of $20 per month (Cardline 2004). Customers listen to previews of musical selections and the store burns a CD with the selections. The music is from new, promising artists (Starbucks Mixes Mochas 2004). Currently Starbucks coffee and be purchased at selected grocery and department stores. From the beginning, Starbucks had offered a mail-order catalogue, targeted at customers who had moved away from the Seattle area, and wanted to continue enjoying the product. In 2003 the program was discontinued with the drop in sales and the ability to purchase the products at most supermarkets. (Thompson et al. 2006). Globalization Currently Starbucks has over 12,000 stores, with more than 3000 of those outside of the United States. Although issues have been brought up with concerns of stores opening up in China, they now boast over 400 stores in that country alone, making it one of their largest non-US markets. With a goat set for over 40,000 stores in the near future, they plan on focusing their expansion into countries such as India, Russia, China, Brazil, and Egypt (Starbucks to Doubles North America Stores 2006) With their social and conscious efforts for individual countries, Starbucks has a simple system for expanding into new territories which is not change anything, or as little as possible. The main focus is to be able to walk into one of their stores, and not know where you are by looking at it. Although there are some cultural difference with certain products that do not sell well in other countries, to them it is all just coffee (Yunker 2006). Staff Development The corporate principles have not changed since its foundation, and everyone is expected to live by them. Management fads are attractive to companies because they tend to offer quick solutions, inflated results, easy implementation, and use flashy buzzwords to sell the idea. They tend to die off quickly when an organization tries to implement one, which makes them easy to identify from a useful management tool (Miller Hartwick 2002). Authors and analysts consistently report the company actually does live by their principles every day (Stopper 2004). Not only are employees reminded of the principles daily, there is a hotline for employees to report any violations of the principles. The fist two principles are: Provide a great work environment and treat each other with respect and dignity, and Embrace diversity as an essential component in the way we do business (Stopper 2004). Loyalty Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Starbucks is the loyalty of its employees. Analysts report the average annual turnover rate for quick-service restaurants is 200 percent; at Starbucks, the turnover rate for employees is 80 percent and for managers, 20 percent (Weber 2005). This is a definite reflection of the company’s attitudes towards actual treatment of employees. Employees are called â€Å"partners,† which sends a hidden message of autonomy and respect (Weber 2005). Schultz had a belief that if you took care of all your employees that they would take care of you. When negotiating with the insurance carrier to include part time employees, Schultz belief is philosophy strong, â€Å"More than half of our retail sales force is part-time workers. That tells me that the majority of our customers are coming into contact with part-timers. How we treat our people is directly related to how we treat our customers and to the quality of our product. Its inarguable that our part-timers are key to the companys success. † (Rothman 1993). Compensation In 1987, Starbucks became the first company to offer part-time employees the same benefits package as is offered to full-time employees, and they offer spousal benefits to same-sex couples as well as opposite-sex couples (Weber 2005). The company pays approximately 75 percent of the health care premiums. Other benefits include a free pound of coffee each week and a stock option plan where employees can purchase stock at 85% of the market price (Weber 2005). They begin with a wage that is above the minimum wage, and although the company will not divulge its salary and benefits scale, and employee in Boston reported a salary beginning at $8 per hour, where minimum wage is $6. 25, and one is San Francisco began at $8. 62, where minimum wage is $8. 50 per hour (Weber 2005). Training The company has a strong and comprehensive 24-hour orientation training program for new employees. Company executives attribute their ability to grow fast to having a stable workforce. Store managers and assistant managers go through a 10-week management training program (Weber 2005). Employee training goes far beyond basic coffee making skills. It includes customer service, brewing the â€Å"perfect cup†, learning how to specialize customer orders, and important housekeeping skills. At the end of the training, employees will know how to properly pronounce the different names, take personal responsibility in the cleanliness of the stores, and will able to sell customers home espresso machines (Thompson at al. 2006). Although many companies in a similar business would find this amount of training extensive and too costly, Starbucks has the advantage of a low turnover rate which allows for this large amount of training. Staff who are better trained are likely to be more satisfied and remain at a job, then those who are not (Anthony et al. 2005) Managers also received extensive training lasting 8 to 12 weeks long. Not only did their training include areas of store operation, procedures, and information systems, but more importantly how to manage people. The training given by other store and regional managers was designed to train a new manager to understand the value, culture and social responsibility that Starbucks considered part of their corporate culture (Thompson Gamble 1997) Conflicts in Staffing Starbucks is not without challenges. Managers in both California and Florida sued the company for overtime pay, claiming they were performing duties not related to management. The company settled the lawsuit in California, not agreeing they really owed the money to the managers but to avoid prolonged litigation (Ouchi 2005). Furthermore, as with all non-unionized companies, the union has attempted to invade the company to get a foothold in Starbucks on a regular basis (Holmes 2005). In June 2005, Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) filed a complaint alleging the company used illegal tactics to keep employees in new Starbucks from joining the union. The employees of the Starbucks located at 36th and Madison Ave. in Manhattan formed their own union in 2004, which is independent and not recognized by any other organization or agency. The leader of this union says it has won higher starting wages at their store as well as â€Å"recognition of repetitive stress injuries† (Holmes 2005). Culture and Social Responsibility Problems aside, it would seem that Starbucks treats its employees a whole lot better than other companies in the same industry, e. g. , how many offer full benefits to part-times employees? The company has a dramatically lower turnover rate than other companies, which suggests employees feel that they are being treated fairly. The corporation has shown the culture at Starbucks, which is one of support and open communication, respect and values. On September 11, the company closed all stores across the country to allow employees to be home with their families (Blassingame 2002). They established crisis management teams, frequent communications to all employees via email, counselling was made available to all employees, upper management flew from Seattle to New York, and they extended their benefits to employees who served in the military (Blassingame 2002). Diversity at Starbucks is without question. The company is not only supportive of gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, it goes much further to â€Å"diversity of opinion, age, cultural experiences, family status, and sexual orientation† (Nagae 2005). They practice what they preach. The company has a very strong social responsibility division and give back to all communities in which they are located (Starbucks 2005). Farmers in developing nations that supply Starbucks with their beans are insured long-term agreements, and sufficient payments that provide a higher level of living standards, and guarantees of financial security (Thompson et al. 2006). Environmental Responsibility As a partner of Conservation International, Starbucks has promoted coffee cultivation methods that protect a healthy environment (Thompson et al. 2006). Farmers do no use pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals and clean ground water is used to protect ecosystems. Farming techniques are also used that develop higher yields in smaller fields that help protect against soil erosion on mountainsides (Thompson et al. 2006). Within the corporation, Starbucks has an Environmental Committee, and a Green Store Task Force which looks at ways to minimize waste, conserve energy, and assist with local environmental efforts (Thompson et al. 2006). Customers are also offered a 10 cent discount off coffee purchases for supplying their own mug (Thompson et al. 2006). Starbucks environment policies also extend to suppliers who are encouraged to use energy-efficient products and eliminate unnecessary packaging. (Thompson et al. 2006). Although it is widely considered in business that profits and the environment are considered to be separate from each other, and caring for one often means hurting the other, Starbucks seems to look at the long-term aspect of this issue. Conclusion Customer service is a top priority for Starbucks, and they understand that proper training, low turnover rates, employee empowerment, and employee satisfaction are all key factors in providing customers the service desired. Not only have they created the staff development model, but the corporate culture has been developed to fully promote a strong working relationship between management and employees, giving the employees the empowerment to provide unsatisfied customers with a free coupon for a coffee no matter what the issue (Thompson et al. 2006). Starbucks has been able to build a brand name that is recognizable around the world which represents quality, style, and customer care. Despite some short fallings in some of Starbuck’s financial decisions, many companies should look at how Starbucks treat their staff, their suppliers and the environment, and make it their vision to develop a business model around the same values. Their growth throughout the United States, and internationally has been unstoppable since the start, which is all due to the belief that every dollar you spend on your employees shows up on the bottom line (Rothman 1993). The company is growing and there seems to be no stopping it. It just expands dramatically each year and it is offering new services and products to keep the consumer coming back. Their belief in employee benefits and strong labour-management has lead to turnover rate that is far superior to those other companies in the same category as Starbucks. The company quickly realized that the financial cost of employee turnover far outweighs the extra cost of benefits. Combined with solid negotiations with insurance providers, and a younger, healthier work force, Starbucks is able to provide viable coverage at minimal costs (Rothman 1993). The advantage that Starbucks has over their competitor is that the value of their employee has existed from the very beginning of the company, unlike others that try to follow management trends and fads. What makes Starbucks truly different than most companies, and the â€Å"Best Company to Work For† is their belief in doing what they preach. Many other company have stated similar values, developed equally in-depth training modules, put social and economic responsibilities in their mission statements, and state that their â€Å"employees are their greatest resource. † While these companies use these terms and goals only at face value, and do not make the commitment to follow through on their promise for a better company, they in fact neither have the commitment nor the desire to implement a positive work environment which they can be proud of. Very few companies can equate the cost of additional support and training for their employees to the company’s bottom line. More importantly, although such things at additional training have a high short-term cost, they typically have long-term benefits with financial gains. Bibliography Anthony, W. , Kacmar M. , Perrewe, P. 2005, Human Resource Management: A Strategic Approach. Thomson Corp. Mason, OH Blassingame, K. 2002. ‘Starbucks displays HR values after tragedy. ’ Employee Benefit News, February 2002. Available from: http://www. benefitnews. com/work/detail. cfm? id=2433 [December 6, 2006] Cardline. 2004. ‘Starbucks Card will have $1 Billion in Balances This Month’ Available from: www. cardforum. com [December 6, 2006] Holmes, S. 2005 â€Å"A bitter Aroma at Starbucks,† Business Week, June 62005 Miller, D. , Hartwick, J. 2002 ‘Spotting Management Fads,’ Harvard Business Review. October 2002 Vol. 80 Issue 10, p26 Murray, B. 2005, Starbucks Coporation. Hoover’s Inc. , Austin Nagae, P. 2005. ‘How General Counsel Support Their CEOs Diversity Efforts,’ Diversity and the Bar. May/June 2005 Ouchi, M. S. 2005. ‘Starbucks told to turn in names in overtime-pay lawsuit,’ The Seattle Times, May 13, 2005-08-27 Rosato, D. 2004. ‘When it Pays to Pay up’. Money Magazine, August 1, 2004, p124 Rothman, M. 1993 ‘Into the Black: How Starbuck’s comprehensive employee-benefits package adds to its bottom line,’ Inc Magazine, Jan 1993. Available from: www. inc. com/magazine/19930101/3340. html. Starbucks Corporation. 2005. Available from: www. starbucks. com [December 6, 2006] Starbucks to Double North America Sales 2006. Available From: MSNBC October 5, 2006 Stopper, W. 2004. ‘Establishing and maintaining the trust of your employees,’ Human Resource Planning, June 2004, p21 Tan, J. 2005. ‘Starbucks to Open 1800 Stores in 2006,’ Insis, August 2, 2005. Available from: www. ebizasialink. com/news. asp? ArticleID=3765SID=48 Techweb, 2004. ‘Starbucks Mixes Mochas and Music with CD Burning Service’ Available From: www. techweb. com [December 6, 2006] Thompson, A. , Gamble J. 1997. ‘Starbucks Corporation’ McGraw-Hill Available from: www. mhhe. com/business/management/thompson/11e/case/starbucks-2. html Thompson, A. ,Gamble J. , Strickland A. J. 2006. Strategy: Winning in the Marketplace. McGraw-Hill, New York Weber, G. 2005. ‘Preserving the Counter Culture,’ Workforce Management, February 2005, p28 Yunker, J. 2006. ‘Starbucks CEO on Globalization: Don’t Go Changing,’ Business Globalization Available From www. globalbydesign. com/2006/12/03/starbucks-ceo-on-globalization-dont-go-changing [December 6, 2006]

Why Did The Soviet Union Not Invade Poland History Essay

Why Did The Soviet Union Not Invade Poland History Essay This essay will primarily analyse the factors that prevented the Soviet Union from intervening in Poland in 1981, when faced with political opposition by the Solidarity movement. There are four main reasons as to why the USSR decided against the invasion of Poland: StanisÅ‚aw Kanias involvement in the decision making process, the USAs pressure on the Soviet government, domestic factors affecting the Soviet Union and Wojciech Jaruzelskis successes in crushing the opposition. When combined, these factors worked as obstacles to the Soviet Unions decision to invade Poland. The Polish crisis officially burst onto the scene in August 1980. Under the leadership of Lech Walesa, some 10 million poles joined the solidarity movement which immediately set off alarm bells for the communist government in charge. Solidarity was an umbrella organisation which consisted of political and social organisations that wanted a change in the state of affairs in Poland. Solidarity aimed to hold the regime to its communistic promises of government by the people and less work for more pay. Furthermore it demanded free elections and called for a referendum on the replacement of the communist government. Solidarity was so influential that it was allowed to register as a political organisation which encroached on the monopoly of power that the communist government had normally enjoyed. The sheer numbers in Solidaritys ranks and position of relative power it held as a political opposition group caused panic in the Moscow Kremlin. The Soviet military reserves were called up and w arships were sent to ports in Poland. Furthermore a special commission was set up by the Kremlin headed by Mikhail Susolov to investigate the roots of the crisis as well as a remedy to tame the uprising. This background to the Polish crisis gives a solid foundation upon which analysis can take place as to why the invasion of Poland did not take place. StanisÅ‚aw Kania played a crucial role in delaying the intervention till a time when the Polish government had proved itself incapable of handling the political opposition. In the early days of 1981 the Soviet Union had drawn up plans for military intervention in Poland. Soviet, East German and Czechoslovak troops would enter Poland, with 18 divisions remaining in close proximity to the city. The short but effective campaign was set to crush the solidarity movement and restore the communist governments supremacy in Poland. This campaign would have no doubt been complete humiliation for the Polish regime and its leaders, who would be viewed by the rest of the world and, Warsaw pact member alike, as a government incapable of controlling its own people. Furthermore this intervention would have left the Polish government with few supporters and a huge loss of faith from the general population. Kania, being a member of the ruling class in Poland, was determined not to let this h appen and thus played a vital role in delaying the Soviet intervention. On December the 5th during the Moscow summit Kania addressed Brezhnev and fellow Warsaw pact leaders of the critical condition of administrative affairs in his country. He acknowledged the threat that Solidarity posed to communist power in Poland however he emphasized that intervention was not the answer. He stated, If there were to be an intervention there would no doubt be a national uprisingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ which would leave socialist ideas swimming in blood. His open and truthful manner of addressing his countries problems gained the confidence of Leonid Brezhnev. At the end of the summit Brezhnev concluded that the intervention would be postponed in order to give Polish officials a chance to regain the confidence of the public and tame the political opposition. Hence Kanias influence proved a crucial obstacle to the Soviet intervention of Poland in 1981. The USA used its influence as the other global hegemony to great effect in deterring the Soviet Union from invading Poland. The USAs constant threats to the Soviet Union, under the Carter administration, leading up to 1980 are often seen as rather inadequate. Upon hearing that the Soviet Union planned to intervene in Poland, Jimmy Carter put out a press release stating that non intervention of Poland would have clear benefits for the USSR and US- Soviet relations. The Carter administration also had an informant within the Polish borders, who updated them on all Soviet military advancements. When informed of the Warsaw Pacts build up of troops around the Polish border, Carter promptly disclosed the information to the press and the Solidarity movement, thus denying the invaders the element of surprise. Although these threats and actions did have some effect on the Soviet decision making process, they were more useful as a foundation upon which the Reagan administration were able to bui ld their own intimidating tactics. Upon its inauguration into office the Regan administration stated that Soviet intervention in Poland would have dire consequences on US- Soviet relations and strongly advised them to stay out of Polish affairs. Furthermore Reagan emphasised that if Polish forces were to intervene in Poland it would be a, Polish matter in which the US would stay out. Rather than just target threats at the Soviet Union, the USA also provided economic incentive to make the Polish crisis a solely Polish affair. Regan ordered the rescheduling of Polands enormous debt to its creditors in order to enable a relatively peaceful political solution, as opposed to a violent military one. This debt postponement meant that the Polish regime could not focus more resources towards crushing the political uprising thus giving Soviet officials a major reason to leave the Polish crisis to Polish officials. Reagans tactics worked in intimidating the Soviet Union; the Soviet Union would ultimately factor in US relations as a big reason to stay out of Poland. The state of domestic affairs and the importance of public opinion are quite naturally seen as the biggest reasons for the Soviet decision to not intervene in Poland. In the 1980s Soviet leaders had a new found sensitivity towards public opinion. In order to continue the spread of communism, especially in the third world, the Soviet Union needed to portray itself as a progressive nation with the peoples best interest at heart. The Polish crisis had cropped up at a time when the USSR was engaged in a failing war in Afghanistan, with a faltering economy based on deteriorating terms of trade and the dà ©tente having all but ended. Yuri Andropov addressed the politburo on the 10th of December stating that it was an enormous risk to go into Poland that would most likely end in catastrophe. He stated that the USSRs priorities had changed since the 1950s and that they no longer needed Poland to maintain their influence. In addition he addressed the economic and political sanctions that the West would surely impose upon them which would prove an even greater strain on the already waning Soviet economy. On the other hand public opinion was of great importance to both the USA and the USSR and whichever side was deemed to be winning the battle would no doubt be in a better position to influence world affairs. Andropov addressed this point as well by clearly stating, that an invasion in Poland was out of the question because, World public opinion will condemn us [USSR]. These claims by Andropov were well found because the USSR was at a crossroads where they needed to focus on their own countries interests above all others. Ultimately the communist regime being replaced by Solidarity would have only proved a small obstacle for the USSR. The USSRs position of power and influence would have been enough to prevent the downfall of communism in Poland to be mirrored in the rest of the empire. In bordering East Germany and Czechoslovakia the polish crisis was received with relat ively neutral opinions. Their firmly rooted conservative regimes did not fear their respective populations to follow suit. This was mainly due to the fact that the populations of the two countries looked down on Poland for their massive debt and economic backwardness. If a large scale war were to have broken out between communism and capitalism, the USSR would have had no trouble in marching through Poland and reclaiming it and thus the leaders of the politburo concluded that there would be no immediate intervention in Poland. In making this decision Brezhnev remarked, Okay we wont go in, although if severe problems occur we would. Hence in this way the Soviet Union proved to be more concerned with long term western pressure and world public opinion than short term loss of a Warsaw pact member. Jaruzelskis success in imposing martial law is, in my opinion, the most crucial reason as to why the Soviet Union did not invade Poland in 1981. In the final weeks of 1981 it seemed as though the Soviet Unions decision not to invade Poland rested solely on the success of martial law in Poland. In the early days of December Jaruzelski held a conference directed towards Solidarity and other opposition groups where he said, If Polish forces do not manage to break resistance by Solidarity they [the public] could expect other countries to introduce armed forces in Poland. On December the 12th, the night prior to the proclamation of martial law, Warsaw Pact forces in neighbouring countries were put on alert in the case of a large scale public uprising that the Polish authorities would be unable to manage. The imposition of martial law on December 13th 1981 caught Solidarity and other opposition groups off guard. All political organisations, such as solidarity, were banned, a curfew was put in place and all telephone and postal mail were subject to censorship. The initial resistance to martial law proved to be weak and no match to Jaruzelskis military patrols that roamed the streets. Over 90 people were killed in the initial uprising which showed that Jaruzelski was liable to resort to extreme brutality in order to ensure that the nation was once again firmly under the grip of the communist regime. Furthermore in order to further hamper the opposition, all known solidarity members were rounded up for interrogation and Lech Walesa, Solidaritys leader, amongst other opposition leaders was arrested. Jaruzelskis tactics were working in the mere weeks after martial law was imposed. Special military courts were set up which had an outstandingly high rate of conviction. Jaruzelski instilled fear within the population to the magnitude that they refused to go on strike because they were likely to lose their jobs and be detained without trial. Underground Solidarity leaders att empted to rally the population to go on strike at their places of work, in response to this water tanks and armoured cars were sent to large factories and mills to combat any opposition. An underground Solidarity leader said, It was too much to ask of workersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ without specific strategy it was unfair to ask workers to risk their jobs. The public began to fear assembling in opposition to the government because they feared the over used police brutality and were no longer certain about receiving a free and fair trial. Lack of strong and organised opposition put Soviet intervention in Poland out of the question. Brezhnev no longer saw the need to intervene in a country where the communist regime had seemed to, at least temporarily, have the public and opposition under control. In the early 1990s Jaruzelski gave an interview to justify his proclamation of martial law in Poland, where he stated that martial law was the lesser evil in the given scenario. Had he not imposed it the Warsaw pact forces would have inevitably invaded the country. Thus the success of martial law stands as the biggest reason for Soviet non-intervention of Poland in 1981. The four main reasons that stood in the way of the Soviet Union intervening in Poland, all have their respective merits. However it is in the last two reasons, internal problems in the Soviet Union and Jaruzelskis success in crushing the opposition, that stand out as the most crucial. Had Solidarity taken power in 1981, all obstacles preventing the USSR from invading Poland would have vanished and an army would have ultimately been sent into Poland. However in my opinion Jaruzelskis success in imposing martial law was the only factor that gave the Soviet Union a finality about their decision to not invade Poland and must thus stand as the main point of analysis when considering the given question.

Good Use: What is it Good For? :: Teaching Writing Education

Good Use: What is it Good For? I sit here at my computer surrounded by writings about good use. They are beside me, in front of me, next to me. I have read them all many times and I still wonder if I have figured out an answer to "What is good use and what is it good for"? Good use is something that I feel is ingrained in us from kindergarten on. We are taught the proper way to write and the proper way to talk. It distinguishes the educated from the uneducated. Oh, we may try to say that good use does not matter, but we notice when 'bad use' is evident. We see words that are misspelled and sentences that make no sense at all. We hear words used totally out of context or mispronounced. We try not to be judgmental, but, in the back of our minds, there is a little gnome whispering little opinionated thoughts about the ignorance before us. Okay! Okay! I can see everyone getting defensive on that last comment. But if we are honest with ourselves, it is true. We talked in class about good use being a class distinction. There is no avoiding it. Of course, there are the extremes. The example of Niles from 'Frazier' is the utmost extreme in constant good use. Or is it? Maybe it is just an example of class. But Frazier would be of the same class as his brother and he does not speak in such extremes. This is very sad. Now I am arguing with myself in this paper. I think I have triggered an idea, though - Niles is not an example of good use. He is using a dialect that he is comfortable with, that is not common among us. It makes us think of good use because it is so formal. The dialect does consist of good use, but it is not the epitome of it. Frazier and even his Dad speak in ways that would constitute good use. You do not have to use formal english to be considered using good use. Now it may sound like I am getting away from the class distinction, but I don't think that I am. I think the class still shows up, especially in people who have not had a chance at an education. Then there is a definite lack of good use, as we know it.

Sitting Bull Exile to Canada :: American America History

Sitting Bull Exile to Canada Many things influenced Sitting Bull's decision to cross the border into Canada. After Custer's defeat at Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull had to live life in fear. He fought on the defensive for years. Sitting Bull and his followers fled from the onslaught of American howitzers. He then was able to find sanctuary in the White Grandmother's Country, north of the international boundary. "Most of the band drifted back in the next few years; Sitting Bull himself was to return in 1881 to end his exile" (Andrist 298)). They faced unknown obstacles, and challenges, all for a chance to live the way they wanted to. When times were bad they looked to the Canadians for assistance. When they could not help Sitting Bull struggle ended and asylum. Canada was no longer an option for Sitting Bulls starving people. For Sitting Bull and his people "the winter of 1876-77 was a winter of despair. "Soldiers occupied the hunting grounds and kept the war going even when the snow fell and the temperature plunged"(Utley 174). Sitting Bulls options for the survival his people were being held in the hands of the soldiers surrounding his winter encampment. Who could at any time " burst into their village, shoot down the people, and destroy their homes and food supplies"(Utley 174). Sitting Bull disliked the alternative of an unconditional surrender, which was out of the question. This surrender would have cost Sitting Bull and his people their guns, and horses. This was unreasonable for people who relied on these valuable tools in almost every aspect in their lives. In April of 1877 the Miniconjoous, Sans Arcs, Hunkpaps, and others of equal prominence conviened a council at Beaver Creek. Spotted Eagle and Sitting Bull would make speeches advocating continuing the war against the white man. They would eventually realize them necessity to act in the best interest of the people. Sitting Bull stood firm in his way of life, as a hunter. Around this time Crazy Horse made his decision to surrender. On May 6, Crazy horse surrendered at the Red Cloud agency in Robinson Nebraska. The group which consisted of 889 people, surrendered "12,00 ponies and 117 arms"(Utley182). Sitting Bull faced new uncertainty in Canada. He had traveled to this country before "following Buffalo or seeking Slotas to trade with" (Utley184). He also knew from experience the contrast between the Grandmother (Canada) and the Great Father of the United States.

Healthcare Disparity In Different Race Health And Social Care Essay

The United States health care system has been found to endure from different defects runing from the mode in which the insurance screen works, to the mode in which persons in different races are treated. Furthermore, the US over the old ages has been badly affected by the favoritism in different degrees based on age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, to call but a few. In add-on, many people have been denied wellness attention, or have had their medical intervention withheld due to their cultural position, or gender orientation. Therefore, as a consequence a figure of studies have been conducted in order to come up with an efficient system of extinguishing these jobs. Therefore, in this research, the research wishes to explain that disparities in heath attention do really be, but even though they tend to be elusive, there are assorted schemes which when employed good could take to decreased degrees of disparities, and increased quality of health care. Concepts and Definition of Health care disparities Healthcare Disparities: these relates to the differences, which exists sing the quality of the health care that is given to persons of different races, different ethnicities, socioeconomic groups, every bit good as sexual orientation ( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010 ) . Hence, different groupings in society receive different values in footings of quality, of the health care services. In add-on, health care disparities has been regarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration as the differences that emerge out of the assorted population categorizations in footings of the manifestation of disease, wellness wakes, every bit good as the degree to which people entree health care services ( Goldberg, Hayes, and Huntley, 2004 ) . Research Questions The research aims at accomplishing replies to the undermentioned inquiries: What is the nature of disparities in the United States? What are the prevailing disparities in the bringing of health care services? What is the impact of personal features on the quality of and entree to healthcare? What are the cardinal means to extinguishing disparities that exist in the health care service? Research Aims The general aim for the research is to happen ways of extinguishing healthcare disparities in the United States Specific aims are, To happen out the assorted signifiers of disparities in health care To happen out the jobs the quality of health care disparities in the United States To happen out the greatly affected persons in footings of health care disparities Research Hypothesis * Null Hypothesis It is merely through a combined attempt that the prevalent wellness attention disparities could be eliminated * Alternate Hypothesis Health attention disparities can non be eliminated even through combined attempts. Significance/Purpose of survey The United States comprises of different groups of people both coming from different countries of the universe. All these persons quest for high-quality wellness attention services, which have been discovered to exhibit differential results in relation to different races. Therefore, this research is cardinal owing to the fact that the proviso of efficient wellness attention is a demand for every one in the United States, like any other portion of the universe. Minorities suffer due to these jobs. Restrictions of the survey This survey is limited to secondary stuffs which have already been published therefore no original beginnings used. It is farther limited to the informations collected in the US even though cognition of other parts of the universe have been critical to the development of this research Healthcare Disparities in different Race Disparity relates to the state of affairs characterized by the absence of equity in footings of one ‘s ranking, age, every bit good as grade ; it really indicate to unfairness, divergency, incompatibility every bit good as difference ( AHRQ, 2003 ) . In add-on, there is a close nexus between disparity in the health care services and equity. However, a figure of differences do be at the single degree. This includes the response of less medicine because of the degree at which the disease under consideration is has reached. It could besides be because of one ‘s ain pick to have medicine ; due to systemic barriers towards the attainment of the necessary medicine ; it could be because of both factors, which have been outlined above ( AHRQ, 2003 ) . Furthermore, a requirement for the designation of disparities is the expected quality of service to be attained by patients ( AHRQ, 2003 ) . However, the health care disparity that has been presented by the AHRQ operates under the premise that its quality of effectivity has been scientifically proven, by a professional justification that it can be provided to all the patients ( AHRQ, 2003 ) . Consequently, all patients have a right to quality health care, but in order for that to be attained, they need to hold entree to it. However, persons ‘ entree to healthcare exhibits changing dimensions as respects to the chance to have proper and effectual attention. Unfortunately, health care professionals have non yet attained conclusive determinations sing the appropriate agencies of achieving quality uplifting. Furthermore, different races exhibit different characteristics under consideration depending on the racial, cultural, geographic, every bit good as socioeconomic groups, and de pending on the cogency of the measuring tool. Besides, persons have changing behaviours as a consequence of linguistic communication barriers, cultural beliefs, differences in the preference to quest for a timely health care, every bit good as the degree to which persons believe in the health care practicians ( AHRQ, 2003 ) . On the other manus, even though persons quest for health care services, they might be constrained by a figure of factors, including, but non limited to, persons ‘ capacity to afford health care, one ‘s geographical location, the manner in which health care services is delivered, the attitude of the medical practician, every bit good as the degree of uncertainness exhibited by persons ( AHRQ, 2003 ) . In add-on, there are assorted persons involved in the health care proviso model. And these persons have changing mentality on the mode in which duty is to be divided runing from the single degree, the private, every bit good as the public sectors degree. Hence, this facet possesses a strong challenge on the procedure of placing the proper class of action from the parties that are involved. Furthermore, the differences that exist in footings of quality of health care service to persons are non changeless but instead changing. Furthermore, differences, whether little or large, do non connote the urgency of the health care disparity. Hence, harmonizing to the Agency for Health Research Quality even a smaller disparity could connote an implicit in pressing demand to be addressed ( AHRQ, 2003 ) . Well, a desperate demand to understand the impact of the features of single patients on the quality of health care emerges. In add-on, it is really beyond doubt that persons differ in footings of race, ethnicity, instruction, location, income, every bit good as age, to call but a few. Harmonizing to the Agency for Health Research Quality study, it has been proofed that there is prevailing inequality in the quality of health care in the United States based on specific groups and specific fortunes ( AHRQ, 2003 ) . In add-on, one needs to understand the implicit in grounds for disparities, countries where disparities take topographic point, every bit good as the mode in which these disparities take topographic point. Therefore, disparities have been found to impact minorities more that whites ; that is, minorities such as African Americans, Asiatic Americans, Native Americans, every bit good as Latinos ( Goldberg, Hayes, and Huntley, 2004 ) . Furthermore, Goldberg, Hayes, and Huntley, who continue to admit the overpowering impact of disparities more on minorities with immense incidences of drawn-out diseases, greater rate of mortality, in add-on to hapless results in footings of wellness ( p.4 ) , have besides truly repeat this avowal. For case, malignant neoplastic disease has been rated among the African Americans to be 10 % more compared to incidences of it among the white population in the United States ( American Public Health Association, 2004 ) . Besides, a related incident has besides been identified in relation to the impact O diabetes on big African Americans every bit good as Latinos, who are seen to be twice hazardous than Whites ( American Public Health Association, 2004 ) . Therefor e, as it has been statistically observed, minorities stand to lose every bit far as healthcare disparity is concerned. This concern is farther cited in instances of cardiovascular unwellnesss, infant mortalities, every bit good as in instances of HIV/AIDS, whereby the minorities have been found to see increased incidences of the jobs under this consideration than Whites ( Goldberg, Hayes, and Huntley, 2004, p.5 ) . Harmonizing to Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation, many treatments have been in advancement sing the drift for wellness disparities in line with cultural every bit good as racial groupings ( 1999 ) . Nevertheless, a consensus that unites all parties concerned in assorted arguments about wellness disparities includes three major countries. Chiefly, one are relates to the environmental every bit good as socioeconomic characteristics of the assorted cultural every bit good as racial categorizations ( Goldberg, Hayes, and Huntley, 2004, p.6 ) . In add-on to this is the understanding that people populating in hapless societal conditions, exhibit a higher hazard of obtaining hapless quality health care ; the same applies to hapless economic status persons ( Goldberg, Hayes, and Huntley, 2004, p.6 ) . Secondly, some categorizations of people meet up with assorted barriers in their due pursuit to entree wellness attention proviso system ( Goldberg, Hayes, and Huntley, 2004, p.6 ) . Third, it h as besides been cited out that different cultural every bit good as racial categorization groups do obtain different quality of wellness attention based on their racial and cultural beginning ( Goldberg, Hayes, and Huntley, 2004, p.7 ) . However, put aside the aforesaid causes of disparities, the most of import demand is to hold an overview of the effects that these disparities have on the affected persons, both in footings of entree, every bit good as in footings of the quality of wellness attention attained. The same applies to ethnicity every bit good as racial disparities, in which there has been enormous research on over the old ages. Therefore, it is of import to observe that the information sing socio-economic wellness disparities is less outstanding comparison to the 1 on ethnicity and racial groups ( Isaacs, Stephen, and Steven, 2004, p.1137 ) . What causes disparities in the degree of entree to wellness attention? There are a figure of factors that lead to disparities in the entree persons have towards wellness attention, they include, but non limited to, the followers ; unequal coverage in footings of insurance. In this instance, it has been found out that people who lack entree to insurance services end up proroguing their entree to medical services. They are besides likely to disregard medical attention, or utilize medical specialty without holding to travel for prescription, a scenario that has been observed more on minorities than on Whites ( Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 2003 ) . Another cause of disparity in entree to wellness attention consequences from the insufficiency of a steady beginning of attention, which means persons fail to entree attention, or visit physicians less frequently, or neglect to entree drug prescription ; this incident has been observed more on minorities that on Whites ( Fr yer, Dovey, and Green, 2000 ) . Next, minorities tend to hold unequal entree to wellness attention, compared to Whites, based on their insufficiency to fiscal resources ( Commonwealth fund, 1999 ) . This is because single with greater entree to fiscal resources are Whites, and non minorities, though some minorities excessively have fiscal gift. In add-on, legal barriers play important function in finding persons with entree to healthcare. This is because public insurance bundles tend to be limited merely to persons who have been in the United States for more than five old ages, and those who have non are denied Medicaid coverage ( Goldberg, Hayes, and Huntley, 2004, p.10 ) . Therefore, immigrants are more deprived than citizens are, therefore possessing higher degrees of disparities are. Nevertheless, minorities besides seem to be limited in their entree to wellness attention due to structural barriers, such as unequal transit installations, every bit good as the failure to run into up with assignments to physician s, therefore decreasing the preparedness of minorities to obtain necessary health care ( AHRQ, 2003 ) . Furthermore, the wellness attention work force, harmonizing to statistics comprise of 4 % African American doctors, and 5 % Latino doctors, which implies that there is a unequal diverseness in these cultural groupings compared to the Whites who are dominant ; hence whites provide services, while minorities tend to be patients ( Goldberg, Hayes, and Huntley, 2003, p.13 ) . Therefore, other factors include age, knowledge refering wellness attention, linguistic communication barriers, every bit good as the low figure of wellness attention suppliers. However, what causes disparities in the quality of wellness attention? The requirement for effectual intervention, every bit good as wellness attention is proper communicating between the supplier and the patient. In add-on, a proper communicating channel surpasses race, because a bad communicating can do an wrong diagnosing, incorrect medicine, every bit good as misunderstanding of wellness attention supplier instructions. In add-on, the gravitation of linguistic communication barrier in the United States tend to impact non-English talkers compared to English talkers who will hold a clear appreciation of direction. The same applies to communications between patients and attention suppliers, in which instance the former tend to be influenced by their cultural beliefs refering Western medical specialty ( Goldberg, Hayes, Huntley, 2004, p.14 ) . There are some instances where favoritism hinders the proviso of quality wellness attention. Most of these instances consequences from an unconscious or witting disparity in the intervention of different services to different persons based on their race and ethnicity. For case, some serious operations might non be easy performed on minorities, but a figure of research workers still tend to mention an underlying demand to detect more accounts on the mode in which determinations are made by physicians. This owes to the fact that in some instances, some groups of diseases are based on cultural backgrounds that are non taken into consideration in the procedure of decision-making ( Smedley, and Nelson, 2002 ) . Research Design and Methods This is an exploratory survey, which analyses the assorted surveies that have been conducted by bookmans and professionals in this field of healthcare disparity. The chief grounds for taking exploratory survey is due to the restriction that exists in footings of clip every bit good as money. Second, this research comes because of legion researches done on the country and wants to happen out the result of these researches. Furthermore, the research explores the assorted instance surveies that have been conducted in this field of wellness attention. Besides, it besides emphasizes on papers analysis of the assorted historical every bit good as modern-day, public records, studies, authorities stuffs every bit good as sentiments. Hence, the usage of secondary informations analysis has been observed to have throughout the greater part of this research. The research is besides structured in a mode that ab initio an debut lays footing for the apprehension of the constructs that relate to wellness attention disparities in the United States. Consequently, the research inquiries are presented, and the chief drift for transporting out this research, including its relevancy. Decision and Recommendation From the above treatments, it is really apparent that wellness attention disparities do be, and that it is rather elusive to extinguish them. However, it is really of import to take into consideration all factors such as medical, societal, economic, every bit good as political issues that could be employed in order to accomplish the Obama aim that relates to the attainment of low-cost, high-quality system of wellness attention bringing ( Collen, 2010, p.93 ) . Therefore, in order to accomplish this end, the research recommends that all relevant plans that are to be designed in order to cut down disparities should be evaluated extensively so that any defect is dealt with consequently. In add-on, the wellness attention work force should be balanced in a mode that both the minority and bulks are good represented. Likewise, wellness attention disparities should be eliminated with increased entree to services to all racial and cultural groups ( McDonough, Gibbs, Scott-Harris, Kronebusch, Navarro, and Taylor, 2004 ) . Consequently, all the relevant people in the wellness attention system should be inclined towards the publicity of the quality of wellness attention proviso to the minorities. Elsewhere, this research recommends the betterment of both organisation every bit good as adjustment services so that an ambiance of repose exists between the patients and the medical practicians concerned. Sing cultural disparities and discriminatory attitudes, people should be encouraged to follow themselves to understanding other civilizations in order to heighten their degree of tolerance in add-on to increased grasp of other civilizations and beliefs ( Brach & A ; Fraser, 200 ) . Finally, because one of the greatest jobs that affect minorities is linguistic communication barriers, therefore the proviso of translators in order to provide for foreign every bit good as those with hearing damage should be given support from the authorities. Finally, the inquiry of wellness attention disparity has been addressed in item both in footings of its nature, and in footings of the assorted ways, that disparity manifests itself in the wellness attention sector. Finally, the research worker p roceeded to supplying reasoned recommendations and decisions sing the affair under consideration.

Oliver Twist the novel Essay

In Oliver Twist, the novel, Dickens uses a variety of language techniques to show how villainous Bill Sikes is. The vocabulary he uses is course and elementary. That, with the use of short, sharp sentences gives a fierce thuggish effect. In the film, Bill Sikes is calm in his words however with brutal with his actions. In the film adaptation he is also presented with a delicate, more human side rather than being pot rayed as a monster all the time, like in the novel. This is helped with the non-diegetic sound, to help create and eerie and tense atmosphere. In the novel, Dickens describes him as a ‘Robber, Housekeeper’ these negative words add to his person as wanting to be the alpha-male. The language Sikes uses is not thought out properly. He says whatever comes into his head and this is why he is always quick to reply. In the film, even though Nancy explains herself, he hits her, and only after hitting her he realises what he has done. In conclusion, the way that Bill Sikes is presented as a villain in both the original novel by Charles Dickens and the BBC film adaptation are quite different. The villainy and the traits of Bill Sikes are portrayed by the language used by Charles Dickens which is short and sharp for fast paced action. The interactions of Bill Sikes with the other characters in the scene and chapter in which Bill Sikes completely ignores Fagin’s warnings and is very brutal to Nancy. Furthermore his villainy is also enhanced by the author’s and the film maker’s craft and use of various devices such as non-diegetic music and how Bill Sikes is called various names in the novel and finally his presentation of a villain is also based upon how he treats Nancy and how he reacts to his surroundings. In the novel he is presented to far more villainous than he is in the BBC film adaptation as in the adaptation there is remorse and regret over Nancy’s death.

Analysis of the Painting Hermia and LYsander by John Simmons

Intro: In the painting of â€Å"Hermia and Lysander† by John Simmons, it portrays the scene in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream when Hermia and Lysander are in the forest, and Lysander persistently invites Hermia to sleep with him in the cold, dark forest. The love of Hermia and Lysander is reciprocated but remains uncertain and quite mysterious at times. When Hermia says no to the convincing and authoritative Lysander, she is left with no choice but to abide to her morals. However, she is worried whether her words would upset the persuasive Lysander or not. Simmons depicts the strong emotion of love tribulations, dominance to male figures, and a blur between the two worlds intermixing the sensible and fanciful realms to portray the lover’s relationship. Tribulations of Love: When love is put through trials and tribulations, love prevails in A Midsummer Nights Dream. However, each character encounters their own situations where they feel uncertain or even doubtful of each other’s company. The light from the luminous moon is shining brightly illuminating Lysander and Hermia, almost to shine a spotlight on the runaway lovers. The Greek god, Diana, is associated with the moon, evil, and nature. Two interpretation can be understood from the moon shining on them. Simmons is trying to emulate how dangerous, unsure, and mysterious love is. The lovers are surrounded with an owl that has glistening yellow sharp eyes, and a rabbit with glowing eyes. The glowing eyes give a nightmare

Au lieu de - French Expression

Expression: Au lieu de Pronunciation: [oh lyeu deu] Meaning: instead of Literal translation: in the place of Register: normal Notes The French expression au lieu de can be translated by instead of or rather than, not to mention the French-English blend in lieu of. However, note the difference in pronunciation: in French, lieu is pronounced [lyeu] (click the sound file above), whereas in American English its pronounced [loo]. Examples Au lieu de can be used in front of an infinitive, a noun, or a demonstrative pronoun:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Je vais à ©crire une lettre au lieu de leur tà ©là ©phoner.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Im going to write a letter rather than calling them.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Viens maider au lieu de rester là   à   ne rien faire  !   Ã‚  Ã‚  Come help me instead of just sitting there! When it precedes a subordinate clause, the expression becomes au lieu que (and requires the subjunctive). However, this usage is somewhat archaic; if at all possible, you should reword the sentence to use au lieu de infinitive.     Ã‚   Au lieu que tout le monde prenne sa voiture, allons-y ensemble. Instead of everyone taking his or her own car, lets all go together. More French Expressions Expressions with à  Most common French phrasesFrench expressions used in English