Monday, January 27, 2020

Plan to Develop Business Communication Skills

Plan to Develop Business Communication Skills Design ways to improve appropriateness Appropriateness reflects tact or politeness and is defined as â€Å"the voidance of violating social or interpersonal norms, rules, or expectation (Kova, 1997). Communication competence may be achieved by choosing the most appropriate channel, and the one that will be effective or accomplish one’s goal (Kova, 1997). The chosen channel may be an effective way to achieve the goal, yet it may not have a required degree of social presence or richness. The perceived appropriateness and effectiveness of five communication channels were design to improve communication within Simplicity Pastry such as meeting, conference, workshops, email, and video conferences (Kova, 1997). Workshops: One of the most pressing issues within Simplicity Pastry is the need to improve communication interpersonal skills (Kova, 1997). Effective communication skills are a core competency at all levels especially senior management team, department teams, sales force, and customer service. Workshop can be use to improve simplicity communication level among employee (Kova, 1997). Simplicity Pastry Company will offer interactive workshops customized for their clients that address their specific and unique issues. While this workshop is part of the communications solution, the other part of the solution rests with the participants. If they want to become more effective in interpersonal communication, they must be willing to work and not just during the workshop, but after the workshop. The workshops goal should be at the center of all planning. Creative exercises will get everyone relaxed and involved, and dont forget to follow up afterward: Although it can be scary to hear what pe ople really thought of all your hard work, it will only improve the next event and the business. The workshop will train staffs and enhance their knowledge and skills in communication. Conferences: An annual conference will bring together agents, specialists and REC staff for informal networking, program planning and formal educational opportunities that meet the organization’s and individual’s needs (Kova, 1997). Conferences provide time for annual program planning work. Simplicity Pastry will have a good amount of time to work on their program plans and update information listed on their website. The conference will also provide an annual education experience related to the mission of Simplicity Pastry the and thus comply with federal requirements for annual educational in-service (Kova, 1997). Meetings: The purpose of the all-staff meetings is to continue to enhance and promote two-way communication among all staff in order to highlight and provide information regarding organizational wide objectives, values and ideals (Kova, 1997). The primary benefits of getting together once or twice a year helps to maintain and build community among staff. Other benefits of meetings are: To improve communication and employee relations between all division groups within Simplicity Pastry, opportunities to celebrate successes and provide recognition to deserving and committed staff and it is an ideal time to solicit staff input on future organizational development activities (Kova, 1997). Meeting helps to boost productivity of businesses because it give the staff opportunities to voice their opinion, resolve issues before conflict arise and so forth. E-mails: Electronic mail (e-mail), by its very design is suited to serve as one of the most practical communication mediums available. It can be used for all communication inside the organization if employed properly (Kova, 1997). Sending and Receiving e-mail to and from Simplicity Pastry will be a very simple task (if employees can manage the typing). Simple tasks like acknowledging receipt of e-mail and responding quickly can make communication through e-mail very efficient (Kova, 1997). However Simplicity can make e-mail easier for all it stakeholders by putting mechanism into place such as: setup auto responders to indicate that our e-mail client has indeed received the mail read e-mail, act appropriately, set ourselves time-limits to respond to/comment on e-mail request to be removed from a communication list which we are not involved in (the process or the communication), to avoid false perception to the rest use e-mail to backup conversation or communication of any other sort Video conferencing: A video conference is a faster way to communicate with stakeholders of Simplicity Pastry. In case of any emergencies or long distance for example an investor cannot make it to a meeting base on certain circumstances a video conference call would be suitable to conduct the meeting without any missing information (Kova, 1997). Journeying to distant location to engage in face-to-face interactions with customers, partners, and colleagues is a time-honored business ritual but can be eliminated by communicating over video. With vast improvements in quality, availability, and ease of use, and with the ability to interact and share content in high definition, today’s video conferencing is as close to â€Å"being there† as one can get without actually making the trip. Travel reduction is the easiest expense to calculate when determining ROI of a video conferencing investment within Simplicity Pastry. Implement improvements to ensure greater integration of systems of communication in that organization Simplicity Pastry wants to ensure that they achieve full integration and usage of video throughout your organization. Although there are clear tangible benefits to the usage of video, some employees will require additional encouragement and training to integrate video into their working lives. Through key learning from customers steps were identified to help achieve success in the implementation of video conferencing system within Simplicity Pastry. Simplicity Pastry will need to Securing Executive Sponsorship once Simplicity Pastry has made the decision to purchase video communications and installed the equipment, it is essential that Simplicity Pastry secure an Executive Sponsor to invest in the technology. Training is a vital in any organization therefore Simplicity Pastry should ensure that employees feel comfortable enough with video to start using it as soon as it is deployed and keep using it. A great way to expose Simplicity Pastry staff to video is to hold Open Days or organize a 30 minute training session for all employees, walking them through the basics of placing a call. The implementation of Workshops will help to motivate staff. This is a great way for Simplicity staff to gain knowledge and information that will be beneficially to both the company and stakeholders. On the other hand conference and meeting is a great way to get feedback from staff. As this show how important their opinion are to the business success. Meeting will also give a fast respond to questions ask as well as reaching consolvement without or before conflict arises. Meeting also encourages collaboration and engagement of staff. This makes staff feels involve in decision making. By implementing all the improvements, Simplicity Pastry will enjoy a range of benefits such as increase in employee productivity, increase productivity of the business, measurable return on investment for stakeholders, improve brand image, build strong relationship among staff, management and suppliers and so forth. Create a personal plan to improve own communication skills Before the researcher starts to create a personal plan to improve own communication skills the researcher must understand the two aspects of simplicity pastry. These aspects are the context which is the environment which the researcher works both internally and externally, and finally the content which is the role of the researcher within Simplicity Pastry. The researcher must also know the PEST FACTORS which will affect the organization externally The content in which the researcher works was that the researcher has to know the polices and rules and regulation of simplicity pastry in order to carry out the task given. While the context in which the researcher works was to identified the factors that will affect Simplicity Pastry externally by doing an environmental scan. The factors that affect Simplicity Pastry are Political factor which deal with government laws and regulation of the country that all business has to adhere to. For example when the government raises taxes on food product this will affect Simplicity Pastry because it will only force them to raise the price of their product and consumer may complain and seek other alternative. With that said Simplicity Pastry will not get the chance to sell their product as they feel necessary because of the laws and regulation of the country. An economic factor that may affect Simplicity Pastry is that base on the recession crisis that Jamaica is facing Simplicity will feel the effect of it strongly. Not just that but with the devaluation of the Jamaica dollars people are complaining about finding food to support themselves and that there is no job in the country. Social factors that might affect Simplicity Pastry Through an analysis of customers and potential customers, their changes in attitudes, lifestyles and opinions, were discovered that the classic wedding cake is a tradition of the past and is still trending in the 21century however the research as shown that the cupcake industry is a growing empire to replace old traditions. Technology factors this factor can affect Simplicity in the most dramatic way. Technology is what is trending in the 21 century, therefore technology is use to communicate with customers and employees, and even suppliers. Technology is essential to any organization because it’s a way o f communicating to the audiences. Five major strategic goals of Simplicity Pastry are as follows: Increase profits and reduce expenses: Simplicity Pastry has been spending a certain amount for office supplies, insurance premiums, rent and other expenses which why simplicity needs to cut back on spending. Increase Productivity: building relationship with employees will motivates them to work hard. Offer employees 40 percent of their daily wage for each sick or personal day they dont take because giving back will let them know that they are apart of the organization and that their work in appreciated. Simplicity pastry can also implement training program for staff. Add a wellness program to keep employees healthy and working. Create a Brand: Its critical for Simplicity pastry to be different from the competitor. A catchy slogan or flashy ad or promotion wont do it. Therefore simplicity needs to position their product as one that provides benefits to their specific target market. Knowing as much as you can about your customers is key to attracting them. Increase product line and create new products: in the new 10 year simplicity pastry want to see itself making more product to satisfied it consumers Gain competitive advantage over competitor: simplicity see it being the Jamaica’s number one pastry business in the eyes of all. Provide quality service to customer. Eight (8) competences requirements needs of Simplicity Pastry are as follows. Managerial Competencies: good leadership skill are require to simplicity pastry Coordination: things put in place Problem solving: staff who can solve problem Integrity: trust Decision- making: precise and accurate Good time management: good time management is needed to accomplish the goals of simplicity pastry as this will decided on the time the goals are achieve Effective communication: this is needed so that staff don’t misinterpret the message Smart objectives: simplicity pastry needs objectives that are specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and timely. The personal skills are skills that one learn while growth up. However those skills can be put into practices and make good use of them these skill are needed within an organization to make good decision and to help solve problem that the organization is facing, but according to an employee of Pastry Passion Personal skills is the ability to manage personal reactions to responsibilities and challenges in work and life. This involves managing your time (time management) and adapting to changing situations. While on the other hand professional skills are Skills needed to achieve organization. These skills are needed to overcome obstacles within simplicity pastry.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Earthquakes :: essays research papers

Earthquakes are one of the most damaging natural disasters known to man. They have been known to destroy entire cities in their total time of 2 to 3 minutes. Most people do not know that earthquakes are common through out the entire world; they are just more powerful in places such as California and small countries in South America. The definition of earthquake is â€Å" a series of vibrations induced in the earth's crust by the abrupt rupture and rebound of rocks in which elastic strain has been slowly accumulating† according to Infoseek.com.. As a consequence of continental plate movement, the Earth's surface near active faults deforms before, during and after earthquakes. Similarly, the ground surface near active volcanoes also deforms as a consequence of eruptions and volcano evolution. Crystal deformation can be observed as relative movement of points on the Earth's surface, ground tilt, ground strain, and fault slip (creep). There are five primary regions in California where continuing crustal deformation and associated seismicity indicate the most serious earthquake or volcanic hazard. Monitoring in these regions allows researchers to understand the source and characteristics of this hazard so they can attempt to minimize its effects. A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock. Faults allow the blocks to move relative to each other. This movement may occur rapidly, in the form of an earthquake - or may occur slowly, in the form of creep. Faults may range in length from a few millimeters to thousands of kilometers. Most faults produce repeated displacements over geologic time. During an earthquake, the rock on one side of the fault suddenly slips with respect to the other. The fault surface can be horizontal or vertical or some arbitrary angle in between. Earth scientists use the angle of the fault with respect to the surface (known as the dip) and the direction of slip along the fault to classify faults.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

The Caribbean Language Situation

Topic: The Caribbean language situation. The Caribbean language situation is rather multifaceted thus there is a lot of controversy surrounding it. This topic in the course is an interesting one because it has enriched my understanding of what the language situation is in Jamaica and other neighbouring islands as well as its impact on education. According to Kathryn Shields (1989), two ways in which Standard English in Jamaica is defined are through the traditional metropolitan norms and the educated Jamaicans.She identifies that the discrepancies found in defining Standard English in Jamaica often times go undocumented. However, this should not be as teachers would want to use it as they hope to monitor the factors to which their students are exposed by paralleling the discrepancy model with the acceptable model. As a result of this, I do agree with the idea of teachers using Creole to teach students different aspects of the target language. This is because many students in Jamaica enter the classroom speaking Creole or a mixture of Creole and English.Often times this reflects the social background of the students as a result the teacher becomes a facilitator and accommodate these language varieties, thus, introducing Standard English which seems foreign to them may make them feel uncomfortable. Therefore, it would be wise to immerse them into the target language by taking them from the known to the unknown. Shields uses the educated Jamaicans as she identifies features that comprise the de facto model of English for the learner in Jamaica, subsequently presenting evidence of a new form of English in Jamaica.Additionally, she compares the pre-independence and post-independence eras of Jamaican language history. In the pre-independence era she regards the language as ‘mish mash’ and the language was referred to by the blanket term Jamaican English, which hides the difference between standard and non-standard as well as Creole, thus, making the desc ription of the language vague. In the post-independence era the concept of Creole being inferior seeps over although there have been several revisions of attitudes to the language.This is true as years after independence Creole speakers are still looked at and regarded as deep rural residences who have not been exposed to Standard English. In addition, many people including Creole speakers see Creole as a bad language and so should not be used in schools. It is seen as a waste of time to study or understand as it interferes with the learning of the target language. In some Jamaican schools especially city schools, teachers are not allowed to speak Creole and students are forced to speak the target language.I am in disagreement with the negative attitude that still exists against Creole in this day and age as to me Creole has evolved into a unique language that identifies us as Caribbean people as well as our respective territories. Fortunately, not all Caribbean countries are still showing prejudice against Creole as in Haiti; French Creole has been legitimately accepted as an official language. Another salient aspect of the language situation in Jamaica and the Caribbean is the fact that children from varying backgrounds are expected to communicate in a language they cannot write or speak.Therefore, a child from a Jamaican Creole speaking background is expected to write in Standard English and understand the language of educational books written in the target language. According to Shields, the Ministry of Education endorses the notion that adoptive speakers of the target language will have problems speaking the language but by reading, modelling and practice one will be able to write it. However they are not totally trying to eliminate the idea that one should be able to speak the target language as this is also an important factor in communicating globally.This is evident in many schools where some students are able to write to an extent in the target langu age but whenever they are to speak the language they develop severe pronunciation and grammatical problems. The implication this has for myself and other teachers is to approach our class as a teacher of a ‘foreign’ language and use effective strategies and suitable models that will provide students with all the reading, writing and speaking practice necessary to become good users of the target language.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Power, Ideology, and Terror in the Atomic Age Worksheet

Power, Ideology, and Terror in the Atomic Age Worksheet The Cold War Answer each of the following questions in a single paragraph: 1. What role did atomic weapons play in the Cold War? Summarize nuclear developments from 1945 to 1991. After the Second World War, United States and the Soviet Union entered into a Cold War that lasted more the 40 years because both sides had Atomic Weapons that were aimed at each other with each side fearing and dreading what a Hot War would cause if Atomic Weapons were used. Nuclear developments from 1945-1991 (Cold War Period) were atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 1945) to the signing of the Non-Proliferation Treaty by all 5 major Super Powers (United States, Great†¦show more content†¦The United States briefly supported the Taliban, hoping it would restore order in the war-ravaged country after Soviet war in Afghanistan. Taliban movement traces its origin to the Pakistani-trained mujahideen in northern Pakistan during Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. What were the unintended consequences for the United States of Taliban rule in Afghanistan? The Taliban is known for having provided safe haven to al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden, as well as for its rigid interpretation of Islamic law, under which it publicly executed criminals and outlawed the education of women. Though the group has been out of power for several years, it remains resilient in the region and operates parallel governance structures aimed at undermining the U.S.-backed central government. Was the conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors a part of the Cold War, a religious or ethnic clash, or a conflict between good and evil? Defend your answer. Territory regarded by the Jewish people as their homeland is also regarded by the Arab movement as belonging to the Palestinian Arabs. The conflict between Palestinian Jews and Arabs emerged in the early 20th century during the 1920 Nebi Musa riots, ending into a full scale civil war in 1947 and expanding to all Arab League countries with the creation of the modern State of Israel in May 1948. The conflict, which started as a political and nationalist conflict over