Databases essays

Databases essays The database consists of characters or a group of characters that form a field. A related group of fields creates a record. The records are combined to form a file. The files are grouped to form a database. Databases can contain only characters or can also include images, sound, and movies to form a multimedia database. Businesses need data so that it is available, modifiable, and controllable. Data files can be organized in a sequentially, direct, or indexed file. The data must be kept up to date and correct. To do this a data validation process must be used. The advantage of data files is that they are easy to use. The disadvantages are that when multiple data files are required for the business a lot of duplication of data and effort is involved; this is where databases comes to play. The database consolidates the different data files into one database and is managed with database management software. The database is a collection of data and relationships in the stored data. Throu gh the relationships established in the database the updating of the database normally requires single entries for one field or record. The database will then update the other databases within the whole database based on that input. This is the primary advantage of the database method of managing data. The greatest disadvantage of database software is the cost of the software and the need for a more powerful computer with larger storage, both primary and secondary, to store the data. Another disadvantage is that the database is stored altogether on one disk, if that disk is damaged or destroyed all data is lost. The final disadvantage is that systems utilizing this system can be complex to develop. Database relationships can be one-to-one, one-to-many or many-to-many. The most common type of database in use today is the relational database utilizing one of the relationships. The relational database requires the use of a primary key that uniquely identifies ...

Substituting Baking Powder and Baking Soda

Substituting Baking Powder and Baking Soda Holiday baking can be more of a challenge if you discover all your baking soda got used up for baking soda volcanoes and invisible ink. If you have baking powder, it will save you a trip to the store because you can use it in place of baking soda. If your problem is being out of baking powder, you can make your own using baking soda and cream of tartar. Heres how to make the substitutions: Using Baking Powder Instead of Baking Soda You need to use 2 to 3 times more baking powder than baking soda. The extra ingredients in the baking powder will have an effect on the taste of whatever you are making, but this isnt necessarily bad.Ideally, triple the amount of baking soda to equal the amount of baking powder. So, if the recipe called for 1 tsp baking soda, you would use 3 tsp baking powder.Another option is to  use twice the amount of baking powder as baking soda (add 2 tsp of baking powder if the recipe calls for 1 tsp baking soda), then omit the salt (which adds flavor but also affects rising in some recipes). Making Baking Powder You need baking soda and cream of tartar to make baking powder.Mix 2 parts cream of tartar with 1 part baking soda. For example, mix 2 tsp cream of tartar with 1 tsp baking soda.Use the amount of baking powder called for by the recipe. No matter how much homemade baking powder you made, if the recipe calls for 1-1/2 tsp, add exactly 1-1/2 tsp of your mixture.Cream of tartar is used to increase the acidity of a mixture. So, you cant switch baking soda for baking powder. You can switch baking powder for baking soda, just expect the flavor to change a little. If you interested in understanding more about cooking chemistry, you may be interested to learn why copper bowls are better for whipping egg whites or the real reason eating a big turkey dinner makes you feel like taking a nap.

The Outcome of Employee Involvement and Participation Essay

The Outcome of Employee Involvement and Participation - Essay Example The utilization of this management philosophy is proved to positively impact a business organization. First, it has been demonstrated that giving employees the chance to participate in the decision making of business organizations directly and significantly contributes to their job satisfaction. As human beings, employees have this innate desire to enhance their self-worth. Without their participation and involvement, employees are left with the feeling that they are no more than the equipment that the company uses. With these sentiments, employees began to feel dissatisfied with their job, leading to human resource problems like absenteeism and low labor productivity. Thus, employee involvement and participation is a motivational factor that enhances the satisfaction of employees. Employee satisfaction has a positive implication for a firm. For one, employee satisfaction brought about by employee involvement is instrumental in achieving the goals of the company. John Purcell has emphasized that the firm’s human resource should be taken as strategic partners. Employee involvement can be used in order to tap the creativity and skill of the workforce and strategically align according to the goals of the business organization. If the employees are satisfied with their jobs, then doing this will be less tedious. The end result will be higher organizational performance leading to higher profitability. Employee involvement in the decision making of the company gives them the feeling of belongingness to the organization. This also makes them able to identify themselves with the company. They feel that their efforts can strongly contribute to the attainment of organizational success.  

Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Research - Essay Example Therefore the count of blue shirts sold against other colors would be annualized and average taken with the same equation for all other variables.. Median divides the sets of data in half and places half above the median and half below the median while mode pertains to the score that occurs more frequently in a set of data. In each case an entire set of data can be summarized with a single value. There are also three main formulas for the measure of variability and they are Range, Variance and Standard Deviation. Through these measures we can tell how much the data in each set varies. Range measures the distance between the highest and lowest values and gives us an idea of the width of our data set. This is popular although it does not show were the data is grouped in the set. The total amount of variability is taken into account with Variance. To assess the difference in data sets a point needs to be found to which each observation can be compared. As mean takes in every observation in its calculation it would be the best point of comparison. Standard Deviation calculates the square root of a variance. It gives a good measure of variance and shows the average distance each observation is from the

GPS System Essay Example for Free

GPS System Essay The United State for Department of defense is the one that come up with Global Positioning System (GPS). It is a satellite navigation system which is build up by 24 satellites which are networked. It was initially intended for military application for the department of United States and around 1980s the system was allowed to be used by people who are even not in the military arena. A GPS receiver usually calculates its position by knowing the time when the signals are being sent by the GPS satellite to the atmosphere. The first satellite navigation system which was used by the united state navy was taken in to test by the year 1960. They did it by the use of constellation of five satellites. At this time the system was unable to place accurate clock and they come up with a new satellite called Timation satellite. This satellite was able to accurately calculate the clock and provide a good time when the signal was sent. The GPS system is powered by the use of solar and they still have batteries to be used in case of eclipse. How it works The GPS satellites go round the earth two times a day and in the process it transmits signal information to the ground. On the other sides the GPS receiver acquires this information and calculates the user’s the proper location. GPS system has over the years been developed and it has become more accurate as compared to some years back. When it comes to time keeping you will find that most clocks are synchronized to be able to move well with universal time where the clock is set in to GPS time. GPS System in our case In our case the GPS system can actually be useful to the NYC subway and bus system. The NYC subway will position post along the road and trail as well where bus stops and train are situated respectively. At each stage of the station where those boards containing instruction are elevated in a strategic position such that every body can see it as well as read it. It should use signs that each and every passer is able to interprets or provide avoice which is being heard by all the passengers. The signal signs can be inform of arrows showing the direction in which the train or bus is moving along with the time when the bus will be approaching. NYC subway being a central system for receiving the signal and transferring them to the required destination effectively, then passengers will be able to know when the bus is approaching. May be it can show the time and give a notice, so that, passengers can as well prepare themselves for a board. NYC subway should closely monitor the system to avoid the occurrence of differences by the passengers on which and when to board the bus. They can be able to control the system by making sure that each and every step leading to arrival of signal is properly coordinated by the bus management. People are now able to access the directions on where their destination is situated by even the click of the mouse, where one can Google and find the solution. Transit is well coordinated within the NYC and makes it easy and encourages more people to use the GPS system as a result of its efficacy. Conclusion By the use of GPS System there can be less confusion in the bus station in town of New York because every bus will come at a required time and the passengers for that specific bus will have been arrived. There exists a program where no delays are made to people who want to travel to their destination at the time when they have planned earlier. Over the years GPS system has been improved and tested for better results especially by the NYC subways where is has been a great help to the transport system. Many companies are now developing the idea of using the DPS system over the world due to its efficiency and safe time. Reference Michael . R, 2002, the precision revolution: GPS and the future of aerial warfare, naval institute press.

The Power Struggle in Vladimir Nabokovs Lolita :: Nabokov Lolita Essays

The Power Struggle in Lolita      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to literary theories and the theories of Fredrich Nietzsche, human beings have an unquenchable urge for power and will use "ethics," and everything else, in order to increase their authority. In Nabokov's Lolita, we see how Humbert controls Lolita in the beginning stages of their relationship but eventually finds himself going mad because of her deceitful ways and the control she has over his sexual desires.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The novel introduces HumbertHumbert, a man with charm and the dignity of being a teacher in Paris. Yet, we instantly find he is a sexually disturbed man, lusting for young, prepubescent girls. His perversions are obvious--we can tell from his journal--and the ideas are highly obsessive with the topic of young girls. His mind is always on his first true love, his young Annabel, who died a short time after his first sexual encounter with her. Humbert says, "I see Annabel in such general terms as: 'honey-colored skin,' 'thin arms,' 'brown bobbed hair,' 'long lashes,' 'big bright mouth' (11). This, in fact, becomes his outline for a nymphet, or a girl between the ages of 9 and 14. One who meets his strict criteria is to become a gem in his eyes, yet treated with the same objectivity as a whore. He considers them all sexual objects for his enjoyment because he is a man who wishes to dominate these girls at such a young age.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Using Nietzsche's theories on power and dominance over others, we can see that Humbert is a man who meets his criterion of someone driven on obtaining the control and respect of those who can be easily manipulated. In a theory entitled "The Superman," he writes:      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The strong man must rid himself of all idea that it is disgraceful to yield to his acute and ever-present yearning for still more strength. There must be an abandonment of the old slave-morality and a transvaluation of moral values. The will to power must be emancipated from the bonds of that system of ethics which brands it with infamy. (Mencken 105)      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nietzsche sees someone with total power as one with no regard for anyone other than himself.

Paleolithic life

Paleolithic rock art: People left their hunting records, drawings of their culture and experiences on cave walls with bright colors, some of which have been preserved up to today. Also, Paleolithic people made small statues or carvings out of stone, of figures such as Venus figures. In addition, although It may seem Like art to modern world, they used stone tools to hunt and gather. 1.Venus figurines : In places all over the world, from Europe to Russia, figurines of women have been found, They were carved out of stone, antlers, and deferent trials, but similar in shape, a figure of a women with exaggerated figures. They suggest ancient societies having or worshipping a women goddess, as well as indicating that there may have been communication across lands. 1. Dermatome: In Paleolithic Australia, there were aboriginal people called the Dermatome. They had complex and developed stories on the world, as well as rituals which included their people got to their current location.Their ou tlook on life was based on historical events that took place; all nature was a sense of mirror image to their past events. Also, they had communication with various other groups/isosceles over a large area of land, exchanging tools, drugs, cultures, and ornaments. 1. Clevis culture: The Clevis people were bands of people scattered all over North America. They were considered one of the first people of America, mostly killing large animals such as bison and mammoth, living along mostly water. Some artifacts suggest that although they were distributed far apart, they may have had some form of communication between the people. . Managerial extinction: It was the extinction of large animals, such as the mammoth, some species of horses, and camels. Many experts' theory is that the extinction was caused by change in climate; when the Ice Age ended, temperatures rose and humidity fell. Others say that the Clevis people might have hunted the animals down to extinction, which eventually lead to the wipe out of themselves. 1. Stationeries migrations: The migrations of the Stationeries speaking people were one of the last migrations to take place In the human history. As It was mostly migrating along the pacific ocean, they used canoes for transportation.The result was migration to the Philippines, Madagascar, Hawaii and etc. Contrast to the other gyrations, since it was waterborne and hunting – gathering would not be available on the Journey, these people were already living In an agricultural environment before they migrated. 1. â€Å"The original affluent society: Because many of the Paleolithic people were living basic necessities. Different to what we think today, Paleolithic societies seldom had more freedom and leisure time as they worked less than the hours required for farming and maintaining a flock of sheep. . Shamans: Paleolithic people had cultures where they had ‘ceremonial' spaces, connecting them , or separating them from their ordinary life . These ceremonies/ rituals were usually held in deep caves. Although there were no full time religious leaders of specialists, there were shamans who were believed to be skilled with dealing the spirit world. 1. Paleolithic settling down: Changes begun? Began? To take place mostly as the ice age began to end. Tools became smaller and more precise, people began to collect wild grains which led to surplus in food.Also, some tribes/societies settled down and started to store and preserve goods, which led to even more surplus in food. As food abundance occurred, populations rose and villages grew as well. Up until then, most truckers in society had been fair and equal, but the surplus and diversion of Jobs led to inequality. 1 . End of the last Ice Age: As Ice Age came to an end and climates warmed, Paleolithic life changed to Neolithic life ( meaning new stone age). Populations grew, villages settled down, and humans began to change nature, selecting what they needed.Coincided with th e migration of homo sapiens, this eventually led to the Agricultural Revolution. 2. â€Å"Broad spectrum diet†: Living as hunter gatherers for thousands of years, people eventually gained knowledge about the nutrition they needed in order to survive healthily. Somewhat similar to modern times, people learned to eat both big and small animals, the various uses of plants, and so on. Although the â€Å"broad spectrum diet† was not particularly developed in the Neolithic era, it became useful for future reference.Furthermore, researchers suspect that this led to the gender roles, as women were more of the gatherers, they had more knowledge about diets and nutrition, which led them to farm in an agriculture society. 1. Fertile Crescent : The fertile crescent is modern day southwest Asia (Iraq, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Turkey). The land had abundance in the species of plants and animals, which were mostly easy to domesticate. A period of dry and cold weather led to hardship in farming/gathering plants, which eventually was the turning point to agriculture when people started to domesticate animals.Although the fertile crescent was a packed area at first, later people began to scatter as population increased and soil erosion occurred due to over farming. 1 . Testing : Testing is a pre- genetically modified ancestor of corn ( with a lot less cob than we know it), it is a form of mountain grass that was grown in the Americas. Testing was like the cereals of the fertile crescent, except it had less nutrients. Therefore, it became more altered by humans to provide all the protein. Theory that gradually, through plants and animals' migrations, farming spread out to other areas.Opposing to the other theory where humans were the main cause for the expansion of agriculture, diffusion suggested that it was more of an indirect act. 1 . Bantu migration: The Bantu speaking people migrated east and south within Africa. Along with themselves, they migrated with the act of agriculture, their cattle, ironwork, and culture such as languages. Because they were one of the primary Neolithic people, with their migration came diseases to those who had never been in intact with domesticated animals, driving out natives, and killing them. A similar migration would be the Australians'. . Peoples of Australia : Not everyone was keen on the change in lifestyles, Australia went back to hunting- gathering after being introduced to agriculture. Some reasons for that might have been the fact that the area was simply not suitable for agriculture, or that the land was naturally plentiful agriculture would actually be less beneficial. 1 . Banjo: In China, there was an agricultural organization settlement called Banjo. They grew rice, pigs, and dogs. Also, they lived in houses, had storage for surplus food, kept an area for either social or military activity.They revealed to modern researchers the use of pots and textiles; the remains shows that they produced dish es, pots, cloth and textiles. 1 . â€Å"Secondary products revolution† : As people became familiar with domestication, they found more uses for 1 . Pastoral societies: In regions where farming was less beneficial than herding or domesticating animals, societies relied on pasturing/herding/or nomads to sustain their lives. Areas such as the arctic tundra, grasslands and deserts were lands where people were more dependent on the animals, which differed by the region.Although not all of the pastoral societies were against the agricultural people, there are references, like the bible, which indicate conflict between the two. 1 . â€Å"Catafalque† : Catalytically is an early civilization in southern Turkey. People lived in dirt houses, which were stacked on top of the dead. There were no roads in this village, instead people tended to walk on roofs, and entered the houses through them. Unlike most Neolithic villages where some form of discrimination or social statuses exist ed, Catafalque barely had any, and had less gender roles than others.Although women were more related to agriculture and men to hunting. 1 . â€Å"Stateless societies†: Stateless societies were cultures or societies that were familiar with formal organizations, however, they chose not to select politics. However, they were in contact with neighboring societies, including their religious practices amongst the ruling. Inherited, however, they could rarely dictate over the village. Instead, they trusted their followers [villagers. They also held a religious status, leading important rituals and ceremonies. Organizing the village, the chief maintained his status.

Erin Brockovich

Abstract Leadership style has a substantial impact on the operations of any business. This essay examines the movie Erin Brokovich (2000) in an effort to identify the strengths and weaknesses associated with the transactional and transformational forms of leadership.The literature examined in this study illustrated the concept that successful leadership is a combination of components that rests on many separate traits. This study will be of value to any person studying leadership theory. 1 Introduction Leadership is a fundamental issue that impacts performance and resolution on every level. The film Erin Brokovich (2000) depicts a single mother that takes on a corporation in an effort to illustrate the company’s misdeeds. Examining the role of both Ms Brokovich and her attorney Ed Masry as the plot of the story develops demonstrates the wide array of influence that the differing styles of leadership had both on the case at hand and further proceedings based on similar circumstances. The area of transformational leadership, or the proactive approach employed by Ms Brokovich will be examined in order to identify the benefits and detriments of the straight forward approach (Gardner and Laskin, 2013). The next segment will be an analysis of Ed Masry’s transactional leadership approach, or leading through reactive measures, which in turn will lead to an illustration of effectiveness (Gardner et al, 2013). With a brief comparison illustrating the differences and values of e ach method this essay will close with an evaluation of impact. In the end this essay will have considered the transactional and transformational forms of leadership with the stated goal of illustrating the benefits and detriments associated with each approach. 2 Leadership Hughes (2009) defines leadership as the capacity to influence others to a specific goal or objective. During this process of leadership, there are several different methods that are cited to produce solid results, which in turn produce identifiable management trends (Abrahamson and Eisenman, 2008). Smircich and Morgan (1982) argue that certain styles of leadership emphasize the right or obligation of one person to provide direction for others. In every case the style of leadership utilized makes a significant impact on the company or project (Peters and Austin, 1985). This essay focuses on the transformational and the transactional forms of leadership as demonstrated in the movie Erin Brokovich (2000).2.1 Transformational LeadershipGhandi asserted â€Å"We are all, first and foremost, human beings and we must relate to one another on that naked basis.† (Gardner, 2013:266). This description is one method of illustrating the visionary elements that comprise the transformational form of leadership. Transformational leadership is defined by the capacity of the individual to not only engage with the issues at hand, but convince others around them that there is a genuine cause for continued effort (Northouse, 2004). Yet, this style of leadership can fall into a overconfidence trap (Russo, Schoemaker & Russo, 1990). Some researchers identify elements of this approach as a form of Charismatic leadership that is fraught with potential harm to the company (Ouimet, 2010). As with the main character, Erin Brokovich, her qualities of women leadership exude confidence and unwavering ambition, serves to provide those around her with a sense of purpose and direction (Gardner, 2013). Further her aspect of altruism helps her to reach out to others (Ouimet, 2010). N ot only has the leadership created a potential future but this person has provided a reason for the effort (Northouse, 2004). This sense of purpose is credited with driving the agenda for any project under this form of leadership. As with Ms Brokovich the character, the transactional leader brings a form of intuition and basic enthusiasm to the table, which in turn fuels the entire effort (Schoemaker, Krupp, Howland, 2013). There is no sense during the movie of a form of servant leadership; Ms Brokovich was centre on her goals, excluding any diversions (Schoemaker et al, 2013). Coupled with the gender gap that Ms Brokovich contends with throughout the movie, there is a real sense of her having to fight for every single effort (Virick and Greer, 2012). However there is a perception that there is no correct situational leadership style leading to success, it is a combination of factors coupled with Ms Brokovich personal drive (Virick et al, 2012). A distinct detriment involved with the transformational approach outlined by Golemans (2013) leadership theory as clearly demonstrated by Erin Brokovich, was the headstrong opinionated statement of ideals regardless of the surroundings. As was the case when Ms Brokovich spoke her mind in the courtroom and lost her accident claim, there is very real potential to harm an on-going effort with a poorly founded assertion. Yet, there cannot be a turning away from a potential issue through the advent of fearing failure (McCullough, 2008). Ms Brokovich clearly illustrates that by clarifying the basic elements of the initial client’s case, the medical records, that the uncovering of the past association of the water company held clear need for investigation. As in the model Simon (1959) outlined there is a rational model that allows for the person to choose the best alternative. The uncovering of these links led to a transformation of the case from a routine operation to a case that yi elded substantial gain and reparations for every party involved. As the Ann Brown (1996) evidence demonstrated knowledge is critical for progress. The process of critical thinking directly leads to higher forms of literacy and argumentation as well as sophistication (Brown, 1996). Transformational leaders have the capacity to invoke charisma and personal attributes in order to attain their goal (Goleman, 2000). Utilizing at least some feminine wiles, Ms Brokovich was able to convince the keeper of the county water records to not only allow her unfettered access, but extended her every personal nicety possible. This quality of contact and ability to connect with those involved most closely with the case provided further opportunities for this form transformational leadership to play a pivotal role (Goleman, 2013). It was the personal outreach of Ms Brokovich that enabled the initial claimants to realize the connection between the water company and the sicknesses that that family was experiencing. The stimulation that Ms Brokovich provided allowed t he pieces of the puzzle to come together in such a manner that the truth could emerge (Gardner, 2013). This demonstration of continued research and determination is a critical element of the transformational approach to leadership. Others cite the high instances of failure due to the lack of support offered to potential leaders during crises (Lawerence, 2013). There is an innate instinct to choose a successful leader, and a person that does not consistently show wise decision making can rapidly lose their following. A transformational leader will possess the capacity to encourage the group to action (Gardner, 2013). This is a critical component any operation, the ability to bring the clients to focused action. As Ms Brokovich discovered, it was necessary to enlist nearly every one of the potential claimants in order for the claim to go forward against the water company. It was her personal connection, intuition and knowledge of the situation that enabled the lawyers to create a case that would be capable of winning in court (Gardner, 2013). Yet, depending too much on these personal relationships can become a detriment in the event the core person or knowledge is lost or corrupted (Golemman, 2013). Despite the fact that Ms Brokovich possessed the capacity of personally remembering each and every element of each and every case, there was the real potential for oversight, which is a substantial weakness of the transformational approach to leadership (Northouse, 2004). Finally, the transformational leadership approach is cited for inspiring the long term effort (Gardner, 2013). Yet, when it fails others describe this form leadership as wreaking tremendous consequences on any underlying company (Northouse, 2004). Following the initial success Ms Brokovich inspired those around her to seek out others in similar situations, thus creating a long term effort to correct the illegal acts of large corporations. In a very real way, it was the leadership style of Ms Brokovich that first identified, then researched and then made possible the settlement against the water company. Lacking such a person playing this key role, there would never have been an awareness of the issue and many families and individuals would be worse off. In this case, transformational leadership, while showing some weakness, supplied the impetus for positive resolution and personal success.2.2 Transactional LeadershipTransactional leadership is an approach that emphasizes the role of reward in the effort to produce results (Bolman, 2013). Resting on the twin concepts of reward contingent on effort and stability of the status quo, the transactional form of leadership provides incentives to the employee workforce. The very first example of this style of leadership employing the reward element is the day Ms Brokovich forces her way onto Mr Masry’s staff. With the act of offering her a job as a form of reward for her perseverance and ambition, the transactional leadership style of Mr Masry was illustrated (Gardner, 2013). Despite his initial reluctance to give her a position, he was led to the act by the actions of Ms Brokovich. Further, this element allowed Mr Masry the luxury of maintaining the status quo at work, providing another illustration of the transactional philosophy at work (Avolio and Yammarino, 2002). Trying very hard to maintain a business that operates smoothly Mr Masry is very concerned with reducing any outbursts or unsightly scenes at the workplace. Avilo et al (2002) outlines the argument that the only truly effective form of leadership rests in the combination of the transformation and transactional format. Others cite the highly unstable nature of the transformational style and cite instances that misinformation and lack of information has led to failure on the part of companies employing these methods (Gardner, 2013). The literature supports the contention that the transactional form of leadership is effective and adaptable, capable of being utilized in nearly any environment (Avilo et al, 2002). Yet, the Chhokar, Brodbeck and House (2007) literature disputes this assertion assigning the transactional approach to be best used only by temporary management during transitional phases. The next example of the transactional form of leadership espoused by Mr Masry rests in the firing of Ms Brokovich following her initial foray into research. The managerial approach in this instance equated the actions of Ms Brokovich with the deliberate abandonment of duty, thereby resulting in termination (Chhokar et al, 2007). This reaction was in direct response to the attendant attitudes of the other employees in the office as well as a direct effort to maintain tranquillity in the work place. The role of the transactional leader is to determine what is in the best interests of the company and provide the best employee centred solution (Northouse, 2004). Again, this action on the part of Mr Masry was a direct reward of the actions perceived to be taken by Ms Brokovich, which in turn led to a direct reprisal. The transactional leadership approach does not individualize employees, but seeks to treat each person the same, thereby equalling the work place (Northouse, 2004). With the actions of Mr Masry directly fuelling Ms Brokovich outrage, there was a very real sense of motivation in her decision to re-join the team after Mr Masry sought out her help. The transactional approach in this case dictated that Mr Masry ensure that Ms Brokovich was properly motivated to work with the team, despite her sometimes outspoken manner (Wheatley, 2004). This transactional style is repeated throughout the movie as Mr Masry’s preferred form of management. From the instant that Ms Brokovich is taken back onto the staff at the law firm, there is the sense of pay for performance being demonstrated by being given a rental car and a raise (Gardner, 2013). This acknowledgement of value in the work that Ms Brokovich was conducting was reflected in the reward of better pay and position at the work place. As the movie continued to demonstrate the building case against the water company the transactional style of leadership of Mr Masry continued to show. With the move to bring in a partner firm to defray the cost, Mr Masry was utilizing the transactional approach to maintain the status quo (Bograd, 1995). By attempting to have the meeting at a time when he was aware that Ms Brokovich would be gone, only supports the approach by illustrating the desire to maintain a low profile, confrontation free work place (Gardner, 2013). Yet, this approach could easily have overlooked the case at hand by focusing on maintaining day to day ordinary operations (Goleman, 2013). It was Mr Masry’s wish to maintain an ethical countenance and make the situation better for Ms Brokovich that served to provide the opportunity for this case to emerge (Mendonca and Kanungo, 2007). His sense of corporate responsibility, or the need to be accountable for his actions that caused him to take that action (Gol eman, 2013). Finally, the transactional form of leadership espoused by Mr Masry was best exemplified by the overpayment of funds to Ms Brokovich. It was the determination of management that the job provided by Ms Brokovich was worthy of an increase in pay, thereby providing correct remuneration for effort (Gardner, 2013). This final demonstration of transactional philosophy clearly illustrates the strength of proper management. Yet, a clear liability rests in the opportunity for management to neglect to adequately reward the employee, thereby detracting from the fundamental effort (Northouse, 2004). 3 Conclusion The movie Erin Brokovich (2000) provided a clear illustration of leadership in the form of Ms Brokovich’s transformational approach as well as Mr Masry’s transactional view. Both methods have been credited with providing sound and reasonable provisions for both companies and individuals. Yet, the opportunity for weakness due to the individual personality detriments found in the transformational approach can hinder development of any idea or concept significantly. Further, the transformational approach rests largely on the assurance that the leadership has the correct information as well as the appropriate know-how. Lacking a clear strategy can doom any project to failure. In comparison the transactional approach has the potential to overlook possible opportunities in the quest to maintain office stability. Relying on the actions of others to provide impetus for progress can limit the overall capacity for a business to succeed. The literature in this analysis supports the approach that a combination of the transformational and transactional approaches is the best method of overall leadership. Leading by providing vision, yet rewarding the industriousness of the employee base has the potential to build a long lasting organization that will have the innate capacity to meet any goal. Much like the movie Erin Brokovich (2000) illustrated, with proper leadership, vision and determination even the biggest well-funded organization must submit to the rule of law. 4 References Abrahamson, E. and Eisenman, M. 2008. Employee-management techniques: transient fads or trending fashionsAdministrative Science Quarterly, 53 (4), pp. 719–744. Avolio, B. J. and Yammarino, F. J. 2002. Transformational and charismatic leadership. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science. Bograd, H. 1995. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 24 (3), pp. 269–271. Bolman, L. G. 2013. Reframing organizations. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Brown, A. and Campione, J. C. 1996. Psychological theory and the design of innovative learning environments. Berkeley, CA: University of California. Chhokar, J. S., Brodbeck, F. C. and House, R. J. 2007. Culture and leadership across the world. Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Gardner, H. and Laskin, E. 2013. Leading minds. New York, NY: BasicBooks. Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R. E. and Mckee, A. 2013. Primal leadership. Goleman (2000), Leadership that gets results, Harvard Business Review Hughes, R. 2009. Time for leadership development interventions in the public health nutrition workforce. Public health nutrition, 12 (08), pp. 1029–1029. Lawrence (2013), Developing Leaders in a VUCA Environment, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Mendonca, M. and Kanungo, R. N. 2007. Ethical leadership. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open University Press. McCullough 2008. Timeless Leadership: The great leadership lessons don’t change, Harvard Business Review Northouse, P. G. 2004. Leadership. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage. Ouimet, G. 2010. Dynamics of narcissistic leadership in organizations: Towards an integrated research model. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 25 (7), pp. 713–726. Peters, T. J. and Austin, N. 1985. A passion for excellence. The leadership difference. Price, T. L. 2008. Leadership ethics. Leadership, 1 pp. 1–2008. Russo, J. E., Schoemaker, P. J., & Russo, E. J. 1990. Decision traps: Ten barriers to brilliant decision-making and how to overcome them. Simon & Schuster. Schoemaker, Krupp, Howland 2013. Strategic Leadership: The Essential Skills, Harvard Business Review Simon, H. A. 1959. Theories of decision-making in economics and behavioral science. The American economic review, 49(3), 253-283 Smircich, L., Morgan, G. and Others. 1982. Leadership: The management of meaning. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 18 (3), pp. 257–273. Virick, M. and Greer, C. R. 2012. Gender diversity in leadership succession: Preparing for the future. Human Resource Management, 51 (4), pp. 575–600. Wheatley, M. J. 2004. Leadership and the new science. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Erin Brockovich Film Review: Erin Brockovich This film was based on a true story of an unemployed single mother, Erin Brockovich, who is just trying to get by. After a stream of bad luck, she finally convinces a lawyer to give her a job as a file clerk at his firm. Although no one took her all too seriously at work because of her lack of experience and â€Å"trashy† ensemble, she soon changes their perception of her when she begins to investigate a suspicious pro bono real estate case involving the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.After relentless prying she finds out that PG&E was secretly trying to buy land from local residents in order to cover up the damages done in the area. Come to find out, they had been contaminating an entire neighborhood’s water supply with a deadly toxin called hexavalent chromium and not telling anyone. Erin Brockovich is by far the most interesting model of leadership in this movie but when you consider mainstream leadership qualities, she is not our usual c ontender.What makes her so rare is that she hardly fits our cookie cutter impression of a leadership type individual. She was out of work, had three children, single, had two divorces, and no real employment skills. Yet, she had other hidden qualities that surfaced when the opportunity arose, which made her the ultimate transformational leader. Her independence, consistency, and inquisitiveness were the driving factors that ultimately won a 330 million dollar lawsuit against a multi billion-dollar corporation.In the film, Erin reveals how leadership can come from the most unusual of backgrounds and experiences. Although Erin was a great leader in the film, I feel as though it was more or less situational and all leaders could not practice leadership in the way depicted in this movie. Like discussed in class, leaders can blossom from unexpected places. Some people are better at one thing than others and vice versa. Every opportunity to step forth is situational and should be analyzed in this way.A single person cannot be the best at everything and must step down and let others take the reigns as well. Apart from being accepted at work, another challenge Erin had to overcome was getting her voice heard and convincing people that she was right and that there was some under the table things happening right before their eyes. Here, Erin emerged as a leader and was not afraid to back down from what she believed in and fought for the families affected by the contaminated water like they were her own.She handled these challenges with determination and courage. The leadership elements communication, commitment, courage, consideration, and competence were relevant throughout the movie. It took a great deal of communication and courage in order for Erin to finally get her point across because at first she did not have any credibility and no one really took her seriously assumed that she had a lack of competence with law. She was forced to make them believe otherwise, and she ended up being successful with this.Her commitment to the project and consideration of the families involved was tremendous. Her commitment was one of her strongest elements and I believe this was what made her so powerful in this case. Her courage of conviction was unmatched, and her leadership qualities really shined through with these elements. What I took away from this movie was motivation. If you have the heart and desire to do something, then anything is possible. Even when you may not have the background or experience in the matter, emergent leaders can develop from anywhere.As a leader, I feel as though it is important to communicate and let your passion show through because people want to know that their leaders believe in what they are doing. Erin was an exceptional example of leadership because at first she did not seem like our typical leader. However, it was the situation that was presented that gave her the will to transform into exactly the type of leader that t hose families needed, and in the end Erin helped solidify a victory with the lawsuit.

Holding High Standards... The Power of Disaffirming

Holding High Standards... The Power of Disaffirming If you manage other people and you hold high standards for work product, you probably have encountered a situation or two where you have had to tell someone they did not do a good enough job. How do you feel when you face this type of situation? Do you feel bad about it afterward? Or do you feel empowered and like you made a positive difference in the world? I grew up thinking that if I corrected someone or disaffirmed them, I was being mean and overly critical. I still did it, but I felt self-critical more than anything else and made myself wrong for hurting others. I’ve been spending the better part of the last year becoming more comfortable with my opinions and with expressing them, even if I know someone might feel hurt. As the owner of a company who cares greatly about the quality of the work we put out, I have many opportunities to be honest with people about their writing. â€Å"Behind the scenes† at the Essay Expert, I work with a team of subcontractors and review their work before it goes out to a client. Sometimes the first drafts that come to me do not meet my standards. And The Essay Expert’s clients count on my high standards. Last week, I faced two situations that inspired me to write about the power of disaffirmation in creating results and even cultivating relationships. In one, I received a draft of a LinkedIn summary from one of my writers that I felt didn’t hit the mark. There was time for me to have a quick call with him and steer him in the right direction. I told him what didn’t work about what he wrote and gave him some different ideas of how to approach the project. The second draft was brilliant and here’s what the client, who lives in Switzerland, had to say: â€Å"Thank you so much for sending the draft. I cannot put my first reaction into words (not even in German) in the very best meaning of the word!† If I had been shy about issuing corrections, I would not have had such a happy client. Because I disaffirmed the writer, he learned about how to write for a new type of client and both of us got to feel great about the client’s response. In another situation, an editor took 5 hours to edit a document that would have taken me 3. Not only that, but she sent it to me an hour late and failed to correct some glaring errors in the document. I spent 2 hours editing the document before sending it to the client- 1 hour more than I would have spent if I had edited it myself. Again, my disaffirming power sprang into action. I very directly told her about the problems I saw and what I was prepared to pay her for her work. We ultimately reached an agreement and parted amicably. Sometimes when I work with someone on a project like a law school admissions essay, the applicant tells me not to hold back with my criticism. I laugh when they make this request – I have no problem telling it like I see it! But when it comes to critiquing in a managerial role, I’ve historically had a more difficult time. The greatest part about these two recent experiences to me is that I felt strong and good about myself even though I had criticized people I am managing. I’ve been learning a lot about stepping into a managerial role in a powerful way. Sometimes disaffirmation can hurt both the recipient and me- but what hurts more is compromising on what I know is right, or on the quality of the work my business produces. Ultimately I am somewhat of a mama bear, willing to growl a bit in order to provide a top product to my clients. I will take strong action, give direct feedback, and use the power of disaffirmation if that’s what it takes to run a successful and well-respected business. If you are in a managerial position, how do you express your criticism? How do you handle it when someone fails to come through in the way you expect? Are you willing to talk straight to people? And how do you feel when you don’t? And what’s the bigger goal that inspires you to take the actions you take?

Biography of Willa Cather, American Author

Biography of Willa Cather, American Author Willa Cather (born Wilella Sibert Cather; December 7, 1873–April 24, 1947) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer who gained acclaim for her novels capturing the American pioneer experience. Fast Facts: Willa Cather Born:  December 7, 1873 in Back Creek Valley, Virginia, USADied:  April 24, 1947 in New York City, New York, USAOccupation:  Author and journalistEducation: University of Nebraska–LincolnSelected Works: My ntonia (1918), O Pioneers! (1913), Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927), One of Ours (1922)Key Accomplishment: 1923 Pulitzer Prize for One of OursFamous Quote:  There are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before. (from O Pioneers!) Early Life on the Prairie Willa Cather was born on the farm of her maternal grandmother, Rachel Boak, in the poor farming region of Back Creek Valley, Virginia, on December 7, 1873. The oldest of seven children, she was the daughter of Charles Cather and Mary Cather (nà ©e Boak). Despite the Cather family having spent several generations in Virginia, Charles moved his family to the Nebraska frontier when Willa was nine years old. After spending about eighteen months attempting to farm in the community of Catherton, the Cathers moved into the town of Red Cloud. Charles opened a business for real estate and insurance, and the children, including Willa, were able to attend formal school for the first time. Many of the figures in Willa’s early life would appear in fictionalized form in her later novels: most notably her grandmother Rachel Boak, but also her parents and her friend and neighbor Marjorie Anderson. As a girl, Willa found herself fascinated by the frontier environment and its people. She developed a lifelong passion for the land and befriended a wide array of the area’s residents. Her curiosity and interest in literature and language led her to forge connections with immigrant families in her community, especially older women who remembered the â€Å"Old World† and who delighted in telling young Willa their stories. Another of her friends and mentors was the local doctor, Robert Damerell, under whose guidance she decided to pursue science and medicine. Student, Teacher, Journalist Willa attended the University of Nebraska, where her career plans took an unexpected turn. During her freshman year, her English professor submitted an essay she had written on Thomas Carlyle to the Nebraska State Journal, which published it. Seeing her name in print had a huge impact on the young student, and she shifted her aspirations immediately towards becoming a professional writer. While at the University of Nebraska, Willa immersed herself in the world of writing, particularly journalism, although she also penned short stories. She became the editor of the university’s student newspaper while also contributing to the Journal and to the Lincoln Courier as a theatre critic and columnist. Quickly, she gained a reputation for her strong opinions and sharp, intelligent columns, as well as for her dressing in masculine fashions and using â€Å"William† as a nickname. In 1894, she graduated with her B.A. in English. In 1896, Willa accepted a position in Pittsburgh as writer and managing editor for Home Monthly, a women’s magazine. She continued to write for the Journal and the Pittsburgh Leader, mostly as a theatre critic, while running Home Monthly. During this period, her love for the arts brought her in contact with Pittsburgh socialite Isabelle McClung, who became her lifelong friend. After a few years of journalism, Willa stepped into the role of teacher. Fom 1901 to 1906, she taught English, Latin, and, in one case, algebra at nearby high schools. During this time, she began publishing: first a book of poetry, April Twilights, in 1903, and then a short story collection, The Troll Garden, in 1905. These caught the eye of S.S. McClure, who, in 1906, invited Willa to join the staff of McClure’s Magazine in New York City. Literary Success in New York City Willa was extremely successful at McClure’s. She ghostwrote a notable biography of Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy, which was credited to researcher Georgine Milmine and published in several installments around 1907. Her position as managing editor earned her prestige and the admiration of McClure himself, but it also meant that she had significantly less time to work on her own writing. On the advice of her mentor Sarah Orne Jewett, Willa left the magazine business in 1911 to focus on fiction. Although she no longer worked for McClure’s, her relationship with the publication continued. In 1912, the magazine published, in serial, her first novel, Alexander’s Bridge. The novel was well-reviewed (although Willa herself would, later in life, consider it a more derivative work than her later novels). Her next three novels cemented her legacy. Her â€Å"Prairie Trilogy† consisted of O Pioneers! (published in 1913), The Song of the Lark (1915), and My ntonia  (1918). These three novels centered on the pioneer experience, drawing on her childhood experiences of life in Nebraska, the immigrant communities she loved there, and her passion for the untamed land. The novels included some autobiographical elements, and all three were celebrated by critics and audiences alike. These novels shaped her reputation as a writer who used plain but beautiful language to write thoroughly American romantic literature. Dissatisfied with her publisher’s lack of support for her novels, Willa began publishing short stories with Knopf in 1920. She would eventually publish sixteen works with them, including her 1923 novel One Of Them, which won the 1923 Pulitzer Prize for the Novel. A subsequent book, 1925’s Death Comes for the Archbishop, also enjoyed a long legacy. At this point in her career, Willa’s novels were beginning to move away from epic, romantic tales of the American prairie to stories that leaned into the disillusionment of the post-World War I era. Later Years As the 1930s rolled around, literary critics soured on Willa’s books, criticizing them for being too nostalgic and not contemporary enough. She continued to publish, but at a much slower pace than before. During this time, she received honorary degrees from Yale, Princeton, and Berkeley. Her personal life also began to take a toll. Her mother and the two brothers with whom she was closest all passed away, as did Isabelle McClung. The bright spot was Edith Lewis, the editor who was her closest companion from the early 1900s until her death. Scholars are divided as to whether or not the relationship was romantic or platonic; Willa, a deeply private person, destroyed many personal papers, so there is no certain evidence either way, but scholars of queer theory have often interpreted her works through the lens of this partnership. Willa’s personal life remained something she kept closely guarded, even after her death. Willa despaired over the coming conflicts of World War II, and she began to have issues with an inflamed tendon in her writing hand. Her final novel, Sapphira and the Slave Girl, was published in 1940 and marked a significantly darker tone than her previous works. In 1944, the National Institute of Arts and Letters awarded her the gold medal for fiction as a mark of her lifetime of literary achievement. In her final years, her health began to decline, and on April 24, 1947, Willa Cather died of a cerebral hemorrhage in New York City. Legacy Willa Cather left behind a canon that was both plainspoken and elegant, accessible and deeply nuanced. Her portrayals of immigrants and women (and of immigrant women) have been at the center of much modern scholarship. With a style that encompassed sweeping epics along with realistic depictions of frontier life, Willa Cather’s writings have become iconic pieces of the literary canon, both in America and worldwide. Sources Ahearn, Amy. Willa Cather: A Longer Biographical Sketch. Willa Cather Archive, https://cather.unl.edu/life.longbio.html.Smiley, Jane. Willa Cather, Pioneer. The Paris Review, 27 February 2018, https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/02/27/willa-cather-pioneer.Woodress, James.  Willa Cather: A Literary Life. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1987.

What is the Cold War (1917-1991) Discuss its cultural, economic, Essay

What is the Cold War (1917-1991) Discuss its cultural, economic, political, religious, and social dimensions - Essay Example between the two power blocs, which led to an international power struggle with both parties vying for control and dominance, exploiting every chance for expansion anywhere in the world. This supremacy battle led to the Cold War, which was a state of military and political tension after World War II between the Western bloc and the Eastern bloc. This paper discusses how the cold war shaped the socio-political and economic landscape of the U.S. As the cold war came to dominance, most of American policies toward the rest of the world, attitudes about immigration and immigration policies began to change. â€Å"The increasing prevalence of an internationalist ideology led to the passage and implementation of the Displaced Persons Acts of 1948 and 1950, which brought more than 400,000 European refugees into the US...†( McLaughlin & Mary, 15). By the early 1960s, calls to reform U.S immigration policy had increased, majorly because of the growing strength of the civil rights movement. The focus of civil rights movement was the importance of equal treatment regardless of nationality or race; this led many to view the quota system that was in place since 1920 as backward and discriminatory. The Congress debated and eventually passed the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965(McLaughlin & Mary, 76).This Act greatly changed the face of the American population. The US has been involved in many wars with different objectives and results. However, one thing stands out from the wars that the U.S has been involved in, that is, the wars have served as crusades of political instruments. The only war that was exception to these objectives was the Korean and Vietnam wars. The war was a cold war-era proxy war that started in November 1955 and lasted for 20 years. The war had far-reaching consequences for the US. Many lives were lost; â€Å"†¦.US lost more than 58,000 soldiers while more than 150,000 soldiers were wounded† (Hosch, 43). These harsh consequences led the Congress to