Improving the Effectiveness of Sex Education in Schools Essays -- Sexu

The question is no longer should sex education be taught, but rather how should it be taught. Over 93% of all public high schools currently offer courses on sexuality or HIV. More than 510 junior and senior high schools have school-linked health clinics, and more than 300 schools make condoms available on campus. The question now is, are these programs effective, and if not, how can we make them better? Kids need the right information to help protect them-selves. The US has more than double the teenager's pregnancy rate of any western industrialized country. Teenagers have the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) of any age group, with one in four young people contracting an STD by the age of 21. STD's, including HIV, can damage teenagers' health and reproductive ability. And there is still no cure for AIDS. HIV infection is increasing most rapidly among young people. One in four new infections in the US occurs in people younger than 22. In 1994, 417 new AIDS cases were diagnosed among 13-19 year olds, and 2,684 new cases among 20-24 year olds. Since infection may occurs up to 10 years before and AIDS diagnosis, most of those people were infected with HIV either as adolescents or pre-adolescents. Knowledge alone is not enough to change behaviors. Programs that rely mainly on conveying information about sex or moral precepts-how the body's sexual system functions, what teens should and shouldn't do-have failed. However, programs that focuses on helping teenagers to change their behavior-using role-playing, games, and exercises that strengthen social skills-have shown signs of success. In the US, controversy over what message should be given to children has disadvantaged sex education programs in s... ...nd practice in communication, negotiation, and refusal skills. Although sex education programs in schools have been around for many years, most programs have not been nearly as effective as hoped. Schools across the country need to take a rigorous look at their programs, and begin to implement more innovative programs that have been proven effective. Educators, parents, and policy-makers should avoid emotional misconceptions about sex education; based on the rates of unwanted pregnancies and STDs including HIV among teenagers, we can no longer ignore the need for both education on how to postpone sexual involvement, and how to protect one self when sexually active. A comprehensive risk prevention strategy uses multiple elements to protect as many of those at risk of pregnancy and STD/HIV infection as possible. Our children deserve the best education they can get.

Writings in Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw :: Henry James Turn Screw Essays

Writings in Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw Leon Edel, in his biography of Henry James, tells of an instance after Alice James’ death when Henry James discovered a collection of letters he had written to her.   James, aware that researchers would be all too interested in the details revealed in the correspondences to his sister, destroyed them.   Writers who gain notoriety within their own lifetime become aware that every written word will be inspected. James knew that documents relating to an author can be important to prove intention in the author’s work, as well as to look at personal relationships, friendships, or simply to acquire the details of a specific event.   He was fully informed that letters can reveal as much or as little as he chose to let them.   This knowledge explains why he used papers, diaries, notes, documents, plans, letters, manuscripts, wills, messages, decrees, telegrams, and other written communications as tools to advance his stories. For ease of reading, I will call these, coll ectively,   "writings." The frequency with which James utilizes these writings is surprising.   A few examples of these in his texts are: the telegrams from In the Cage, the messages and papers in The Aspern Papers, the letters (obviously) from A Bundle of Letters,   and the diary from The Visits.   Evaluation of these writings, within James’s literature has, until now, been ignored.   Within The Turn of the Screw, especially, writings tell a story about their own lives and deaths, about their readers, intended and unintended, and give clues to James’s own intentions and the intentions of the authors of the writings.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Many valid questions about these letters have been left unanswered by previous scholarship on this work.   For example, what do these writings in The Turn of the Screw reveal about the traumas at Bly?   What can they tell us about the past, about the ghosts, and about their unnatural deaths?   How does James use the story as a letter to his readers with other letters inside it, to characters in the text?   What can they reveal about their authors, and ours?   What do they say about their readers?   How do these letters hide each other, and the secret of their own importance?   Ã‚  Ã‚   Turn’s similitude to The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allen Poe is explicit.   Poe and James use the same device: they hide secrets, in a letter, by placing that letter in an obvious place.

Kevin Rayburs Run :: essays research papers

1968, Six o'clock in the morningThe Olympic village was quiet in its lazy sleep, but Kevin Reybur was already awake, and ready to run. The easy 8-mile morning workout was only a part of the blonde-haired phenomenon's training schedule. Later in the afternoon he would suffer through fifteen miles of pace-work and intervals on the golf cart paths and quiet streets of the peaceful suburbs of Mexico City.Despite his short legs and strong upper body -unusual characteristics for a distance runner- Kevin was really a man born to run. His specialty was the 5000 meter event. By breaking the Southeastern High School Conference record in his junior year, and setting the national record in his senior year, Kevin had the attention of all of the college scouts and was offered full scholarships to many Universities. He chose to attend D.W. Daniel University because they had the best coach in the country; the one man capable of guiding him to the top. Kevin was confident that he would not only beat the best, but also be the best.With no idea of what he would major in, his reality was different from most of his university fellows: he wanted to win, and that is the only thought that consumed his mind and soul. Kevin's performance in collegiate meets got him an invitation to the Olympic Trials, and by winning the trials he earned a spot on the 1968 Olympic team. Just to represent the country in the summer Olympics in Mexico City was never his ambition. He had to win."It's six in the frickin' morning Kevin! Where the hell are you going in this rain?" his roommate Bert cursed." The gold is waiting for me and I can't lose time listening to your complaints, just because it's wet outside. I have to work hard to make up for my lack of pure talent." Kevin replied."Hurghf..." Bert sighed and pushed his head deep into his pillow, as he would do every morning for the two weeks of the 17th modern Olympic Games.Kevin went out in to the bitter morning rain, which quickly soaked through his lucky golden running cap, and covered his head, which was full of thoughts only of the rhythmic pattering of his feet and of the long empty streets ahead. He did not even notice that his toes were wet and blistered. His shoes, well worn from many punishing miles, no longer had the cushioning or fit that he needed.

Communication and Hr

4DEP (HR) Developing Yourself as an Effective Human Resources Practitioner By Susanne Collier 7th November 2011 Activity 1 Today Human Resources (HR) is at the centre of business performance. HR professionals have an important role to play in driving decisions that enable their organisations to thrive in both the short and the longer term. Where in the past the function delivered the fundamentals that underpinned the employee lifecycle (such as recruitment, induction and salary administration) supporting organisation performance is now the theme running through HR’s work. The CIPD have introduced the HR Profession Map which sets out what HR practitioners need to know, do and deliver at all stages in their career. The Map is structured around ten professional areas of HR activity and it focuses on the knowledge, activities and behaviours required in the profession today. The first two professional areas, Strategy, insights and solutions (uses deep understanding of the business – activities, strategies and plans and underlying drivers of and barriers to sustainable performance, and needs of customers and employees – and unique insights to drive business performance through the creation and delivery of HR strategy and solutions) and Leading and managing the HR function (leads and manages a fit for purpose HR function, with a strong track record of operational excellence and a deep understanding of the organisation requirements. Ensures that the function has the right capability, capacity, and organisation design, and that HR employees are fully engaged, work collaboratively and possess a deep understanding of organisation and the drivers that create value). These are central to understanding the organisation and delivering an HR function that delivers success. There are eight behaviours shown on the HR Map that identify in detail how professionals need to carry out their activities and make a contribution to organisational success. Please see Appendix 1 for description of the eight behaviours. The behaviours have been clustered into the following groups: Each professional area and behaviour is described at four bands of professional competence, the bands range from those entering the profession at band one, to those that are leading it, at band four. I currently work as an Office Manager for Miller Heiman Inc at their EMEA headquarters in Milton Keynes. As part of my remit I have to ensure that the delivery of Human Resources (HR) service and information to leaders, managers and staff within the organisation is accurate, efficient, timely and cost-effective and that HR data is managed professionally as I am the first point of contact for all HR-related queries. I have therefore chosen to look at the Service Delivery and Information professional area at Band One, as I believe this is most relevant to my current role. There are eight activities, eleven skills and three behaviours that apply to band one within this professional area, please see Appendix 2. Within my role the behaviours detailed with the respective activity and knowledge are Collaborative, Driven to Deliver, Personally Credible, Curious, Role Model and Courage to Challenge. Collaborative Build appropriate professional, friendly and accessible relationships with employees, line managers, directors and network of suppliers. Driven to Deliver * Assist in the recruitment process – i. e. liaise with recruitment agencies, set up interviews and issue relevant correspondence. * Administer HR-related documentation, such as offer letters, contracts of employment, leavers' and pensions information. * Provide relevant documentation as requested for example employee handbooks, latest policy updates, sickness forms. * Provide data for and prepare management nformation reports, mainly around absence management. * Ensure the relevant HR databases are up to date, accurate and comply with relevant legislation. * Administer Childcare Voucher Scheme, liaising with employees and external providers. Personally Credible * Provide support and advice to employees and line managers, explaining policies and procedures in a timely and effective manner, including maternity, paternity, adoption, parental leave and health ; safety processes and queries regarding benefit and pay issues. * Assist in the development of HR procedures and policies. Take responsibility for own work. * Communicate well both in writing and verbally. * Use own initiative. * Have the ability to work accurately with attention to detail. Curious * Take part in teams meetings, events and training as required. * Have the flexibility and willingness to learn. * Constantly review suppliers for a cost/quality/se rvice comparison. * Good understanding of HR policies and procedures, health ; safety and basic understanding of employment legislation. * Attend Employment Law updates on a regular basis to keep abreast of changes in legislation. Role Model * Be resilient and able to work in an organisation that is undergoing change due to development and growth. * Use tact and diplomacy, being sensitive and respectful to others. * Contribute to the development and implementation of the overall ethos/work/aims of Miller Heiman. * Appreciate and understand the need of confidentiality in dealing with all HR and training issues. * Work in accordance with current policies and procedures. * Appreciate that projects need to be completed, methodical approach with an ability to work under pressure. Courage to Challenge Feedback and look at any changes that are needed in our current practices and implement. * Constantly review personal development plan in line with organisational objectives. Activity 2 HR Customers The HR department has many internal and external customers to serve, including employees, their managers, directors and legal and regulatory agencies. The needs of which may sometimes be in conflict. Below are the main cust omers I have to deal within my role on a daily basis and an example of a few of their needs: Directors| Line Managers| Staff/Peers| Latest Legislations UpdatesManagement Reporting| Appraisal DocumentationPolicy DocumentationHealth ; Safety issues| Payroll QueriesBenefit Entitlement QueriesSickness Forms| A need conflict may arise if for example a director has requested an absence report analysis for a disciplinary meeting be produced for the following day but unexpectedly a line manager has advised you of a potentially serious health and safety issue. Both needs are important to the person requesting them, and I would therefore look at the needs individually to assess their priority and risk to the business if they were not dealt with as a matter of urgency. The absence report could be to assist the director with looking into an individuals time keeping as part of a disciplinary, which is important as this could affect the way forward with the hearing, but the health and safety issue could be a greater risk to the business and/or individual at that precise moment in time so a risk assessment would need to be carried out immediately and then a decision could be made whether action was needed immediately and would therefore then take priority over the absence report. Communication Methods Communication Method| Advantages| Disadvantages| Electronic (Email)| * Quick * Log receipt * Complete * Can send large documentation * Cost advantages| * Eliminate Equal Opportunities due to lack of access * No tone * No relationship * Could be misconstrued | Written (Printed Material)| * Meets legal requirements * Clear audit trail * Provides reference * More in depth detail| * Lack of face to face contact * Unsecure * Slow * Expensive| Verbal(Telephone/Face to Face)| * Checking of understanding * Personal * Immediate| * Trepidation * Language * Lengthy * Lack of control * Cost of calls| Effective communication as explained by Albert Mehrabian in his communication model found that spoken words account for only 7% of what a listener perceives, the remaining 93% of what a listener comprehends originates from the speaker’s body language and tone employed in the delivery of the words. Building and Maintaining Effective Service Building Relationships – It is important to develop a positive attitude, be less judgmental and more accepting of others. Gather Improve Your Communication Skills,  listen carefully and focus on the speaker's message. This will allow you to respond appropriately and avoid misunderstandings. Resolve conflicts early. Treat ALL colleagues with respect and always be courteous and professional. Be open and honest about your feelings and allow others to do the same. Understand and accept personal or cultural differences. Dealing with Difficult Customers and Resolving their Complaints – Listen to the customer and thank them for bringing the problem to your attention. Sincerely convey to the customer your apology for the way the situation has made them feel, but avoiding blame and determine what the customer is seeking as a solution. Once this is established seek to agree on the solution and take quick action to resolve and follow up to ensure the customer is completely satisfied. Meeting time and Budget Constraints – Set goal and deadline expectations at the outset. Prioritise workload and delegate if there is an opportunity too if time is restricted. Research and compare costings to ensure the best value is gained without compromising quality. Must ensure the regular updates are provided. Continuous Improvement – To ensure high levels of customer satisfaction, it is important for HR to continually measure and monitor the needs of its various customers, determine how well it is meeting those needs and identify any areas that represent gaps, this could be done in the form of an annual employee survey, issuing feedback forms for completion or requesting short feedback via email as well as looking at your PDP plan at your annual review and at regular intervals throughout the year. BIBLIOGRAPHY CIPD HR Profession Map http://www. cipd. co. uk/cipd-hr-profession/hr-profession-map/explore-map. aspx (28 Oct 2011) Albert Mehrabian Communication Model http://www. vestedoutsourcing. com/the-psychology-of-outsourcing-part-4-albert-mehrabian-and-comminication/ (31 October 2011) APPENDIX Appendix 18 Behaviours Description Appendix 2Service & Delivery and Information Professional Area Description

Ib Business Steeple Analysis –

Every country has its own legislations however in the course of achieving their aims and objectives, businesses face challenges from both within and outside of their organizations. Those internal and external opportunities and risks will effect a firm’s gradual performance, therefore to analyze these factors and understand them to carry out effective decisions we use something called the STEEPLE analysis. STEEPLE analyses and examines the context in which the authority operates.Identifies key issues that exists (or are emerging) in the internal and external environment, by suggests how these will or may impact on the future strategy and resources. The factors are identified in these 7 areas: Social: Factors that include cultural aspects and include health consciousness that represents opportunities and threats to a business. They include aspects like income distribution, demographics, labor/social mobility, poverty levels e. t. c. For example Multiculturalism has led to a majo r boom in the trade of exports from different cultural backgrounds.Starbucks is known as a respectable employer and a business that values the workforce. They were even mentioned in the ‘Fortune Top 100 companies to work for’ in 2005. Technology: The efficiency of spending on technological advancements that may benefit or become a problem to the company. For example the new technological advancements can hinder the development of the business because of the high costs that are put into advancing the technology can interfere with the performance of the business.Hong Kong consumers are mostly capable in using computer based platforms because of highly technologically savvy population the consumers tend to look at the factor of convenience to their advantage. Therefore Starbucks has an opportunity to start a platform that will essentially provide to this need of consuming the wide public. Economic: The economic state of where the business operates is defined by inflation, unemployment, economic growth and international trade.Not only are there these four variables that determines the state of the economy but the consumer and business confidence level also determines the state of the economy that they are operating in. For example the actions of rival firms can alter performances of businesses. Hong Kong has faced a considerable flow of traffic involving tourist and travelers present in Hong Kong. A lot of mainlanders and travelers from neighboring regions have started swarming in Hong Kong due to the opening of Disneyland in 2002.The large rise of the number of consumers available in Hong Kong, whom are mostly very well off have therefore raise the consumer confidence overall. External environment: The factors that may effect any business activity and issues that should be addressed in any business strategy carried out. They include business strategies like the potential cost and benefits of a joint venture, marketing planning (like threats from othe r rival businesses), business propositions (whether to further expand the business internationally or not). Starbucks company has the opportunity to expand its global operations.Starbucks has already created branches located all globally. There are just as many Starbucks available in Hong Kong have opened over 60 new shops by the end of 2005. New markets for coffee such as India and the around the Pacific rims are beginning to emerge. Political: Government legislations like employment law, consumer protection rights, copyrights and trademark and regulations used as boundaries for the business to operate within. For example the Hong Kong government’s minimum wage policy that sets a boundary for all businesses to operate within.As Hong Kong (HKSAR) has been under the rule of mainland China for several years after the handover by the British government. Nevertheless it has business friendly laws in the land. These liberties allow Starbuck Coffee Company to be capable of operatin g internationally in Hong Kong. However it has to follow the general legislations and regulations imposed by the HK government. Legal: The government imposes various rules and regulations to ensure the protection of the general public from the negative aspects of businesses. These legislations are normally to protect consumers, competing firms, employees, the social environment e. . c. Ethics: The moral principle that should be considered during decision making in a business. For example, what is the right thing to do and what is the wrong thing to do. Minimum wage is morally right because there are people that work for the least amount of wage possible where you can not even afford a meal for a day. For those that are in need, minimum wage is morally right. Starbucks as an organization has strong ethical view and an ethical mission statement with strong ethical values as follows, ‘Starbucks is committed to a role of environmental leadership in all facts of our businessâ€℠¢.

Learning Team Reflection Essay

Training Plan Implementing an effective training plan is necessary in order for a company to be successful. A structured training plan for Landslide Limousines will ensure employees are aware of the company’s objectives and goals. According to Bradley Stonefield, the training plan for Landslide Limousine will entail three key components a set of needs assessment, types of training methods, and training evaluations strategies. Training offers reliable information and skill to an employee about the company’s prospects and procedures. Properly trained employees contribute to a company’s achievement of goals and ultimate success. Each team member chose topics to evaluate and research effectively and apply there relevance towards the team discussion. Our first communication with Bradley Stonefield informed Atwood and Allen that he wishes to hire 25 employees and have a location in Austin, Texas. The second conversation with Mr. Stonefield led to information regarding the annual net revenue of negative $50,000 in his first year and a growth prediction of 5% over a couple of years. Most recently, Atwood and Allen has learned that Mr. Stonefield predicts that his annual employee turnover rate will be 10%, and his concern on cost for the training plan. The needs assessment constitutes several aspects revolving around the daily operations, individual employees, environment, organizational and demographical information of a business. Operational Analysis Designing an operational plan for the Landslide Limousine service determines the efficiency of various aspects within the small business operation. The  process usually begins with a period of observations, the group of individuals performing the analysis watches and takes detailed notes on a day-to-day operation of the limousine business in the initial stage. Logical reasoning methods assist in compiling the information used in the process with various mathematical models and statistical analysis. Operational analysis aims to determine whether each area of the organization is contributing effectively to overall performance and the furthering of company strategy. Using the operational analysis to ensure that the business Mr. Bradley wants to start should align appropriately with the company’s strategic plan. By examining the current performance of the operational portion of an investment, and then measuring that against an established set of performance parameters and goals, operational analysis within the business can reveal the company’s strengths and weaknesses as well as any opportunities for improvement with the individuals he may want to hire for future employment. With all the detailed information our team gathered in order to best serve and provide the right information for this business, by conducting an operational analysis, this should seek to examine a number of functional areas within the business; including strategic planning, customer results, and business results, financial performance, and quality of innovation. Now, the objective process should principally be to reassess existing processes and determine how objectives improve, how costs minimized and even, on occasion, eliminating a task. Operational analysis can be a relatively simple process for the company and meaningful in assisting a new business venture. Through a few manageable steps in the process, Landslide Limousine needs to assess their productivity and possibly reallocate investments to ensure activities within the company are in line with the small business company’s strategy. Studies prove that establishing a schedule benefits the completion of the process. This process may outline the timeline and resources necessary for completing the operational analysis. Outline strategies and methods accordingly and adhere to them during the process. Collect information to provide key insights into actual performance in comparison with strategic planning and performance goals. Complete an analysis gap to identify and report performance, cost and benefits based on an analysis of the actual performance data. Demographic Analysis According to Bradley Stonefield, the demographic analysis that needs to be address is a specific population to describe the small business and its characteristics, such as income level, background checks, driving records, location and salaries. A demographic analysis is useful in a business plan, to describe the population where the business is located. Income level data is a good indicator of residents’ spending power. Income positively correlates with retail expenditures in many product categories. During market evaluation, retailers look at the median or average household income, and seek a minimum number of households within a certain income range prior to establishing a business or setting prices. Another common practice is to analyze the distribution of household incomes. Different businesses may avoid extremely high or low-income areas. Some specialty fashion stores target incomes above $100,000. Background checks often requested by employers for job candidates during e mployment screening, especially on candidates seeking a position that require high security or trust. Traditionally, background checks administered by a government agency for a nominal fee, but maybe administered by private companies. Background checks can be expensive depending on the information requested. Results of a background check typically include past employment verification, credit history, Driving history for a small business aspect and criminal history. Mr. Stonefield is interested in locating a limousine company within the Austin, TX area. A small business is unlikely to dominate any particular market in a city. However, strategic use of location-based marketing can make you a viral hit in your suburb or street and this may be all it takes to double the turnover in the limousine business. Location-based services can provide the company with information about how many people check in for a certain area or business, which has checked in most often and how many people have used an offer of this kind of service. This kind of information can be very useful in assessing the success of the company’s location-based marketing program. The average wage for a Limousine Driver is $12.85 per hour in the state of Texas in 2011. People in this job generally do not have more than 20 years’ experience. Pay for this job rises steadily for more experienced workers, but goes down significantly for the few employees with more than 20 years’ experience. Limo drivers have limited career advancement  opportunities. Some acquire supervisory or management positions, while others train new drivers or receive preferred shifts. Moving into a dispatching or managerial role is another choice for experienced limo drivers. Organizational Analysis Organizational Analysis for this company is a means of measuring how the small business will do and how to identify ways to improve the company in order to ensure success into the future of the company. A strategic way in preparing this aspect is to use the SWOT analysis. This stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. These factors make up the bulk of the way the study and be analyzed and can give a in great details a pretty good indication of how Landslide Limousine will do and how it could be expected to do move forward in the future in making profits. The results of the analysis will help Mr. Stonefield be able to make good decisions and improve any efficiencies while without making any major changes. Strengths within Landslide services are usually the starting point for this company. Internal/external factors should include a stable workforce, methods and simple strategies are a way to mainstream the total aspects of all local business within the area is which this is a key aspect. Weaknesses can come from all different locations and can be widespread. This may include aging facilities, possible inexperienced/unprofessional drivers, outdated equipment, purchasing of quality vehicles fleets, price/packages, and areas of specialties. Opportunities should include new market creations, consumer based locations, overhead, and debts. Now, threats could possibly take on another aspect within the business. These can range just from local communities services to government products/services to the rules and regulations. Individual Analysis Certain ideals manifest in behaviors of individual members and affect group dynamics. Task functions include behaviors such as identifying tasks, coordinating, clarifying and summarizing. Individual Analysis based off different levels and/or services provided by the limousine service help to decipher if business needs are met. This type of analysis can be based off a wide stream of studies in business. This specific analysis can have more disadvantages than advantages needed in order to find ways to being a  business. Learning how to work effectively in a group situation is the key to success in many professions in business. Learning key ways to get the business from crawl, walk, run phase is another way employees have the advantage of learning how the aspects of business work in the community. Environmental Analysis This analysis scan can help assist in understanding the broader context in which individuals are operating in. By investing time, identifying key trends and environmental factors to obtain information for small business within the regions in which we want to base our business and all the studies that are included. Some small businesses and organizations frequently choose to review the external factors in the process, but it is important to consider the internal environment factors. These may include looking at the organization’s internal capacities and resources, and projecting how to change in the future to meet the organization objectives. Another useful component to the analysis phase is to survey external customers in the local area and ensure all aspects of the locations are covered. Challenges observed and/or anticipated, or missed opportunities, and even basis such as how others described your individual work to get the process started may have a short-time or long-term effect. Environmental analysis uses a series of ranks and assessments in evaluating employee performance, customer satisfaction, and overhead coat are all similar factors during the first phase of the analysis. Training Methods Appropriate training is liable to have a positive or negative affect on important issues in business. How a company conducts, training is a critical decision that every business has to make consciously. All features involved in effective training should be considered, such as, time, cost, training environment, and training cost. The delivery of the training is pertinent. If the delivery of the information is confusing to employees, the training does not occur properly and is a waste of time, resources, and capital (Ongoing Training: A Method for Success, 2012). Various approaches to training are utilized and implemented. Types of Media Considering the impression Landslide Limousines anticipates on making, Atwood  and Allen Consulting recommends technology-based training. Technology-based learning may prove to be beneficial. Basic methods of learning through technology include interactive videos utilizing a computer in combination with a digital video (DVD). Web-based training programs or internet-streamed videos such as â€Å"YouTube† videos are increasing, popular tools among training methods. The aforementioned method is valuable in illustrating scenarios that the trainer would like to emphasize. These methods are conducive within a large group of people. Learning Principles When opting to use technology-based learning, companies must ensure accessibility for employees. Learning principles, considered laws of learning, are discovered, tested, and benefit practical situations (Naval education and Training, 2010). The trainer must possess the capability of applying the principles while instructing. Most importantly, the trainer needs to be clear on the objectives of the training, and relate it to the work environment. There are three types of learners: visual, hearing and hands-on. Atwood and Allen Consulting recommend that Landslide Limousine combine the training methods and perform more interactive learning experiences that will accommodate the three types of learners. Using what the military medicine has called for years â€Å"See one, do one, teach one† (Naval education and Training, 2010). The trainer will teach the skill so the employees can see it, then the employees will demonstrate their knowledge displaying their proficiency, finally the employee will teach a new employee. Those that teach, learn. Trainers will be inclined to become familiar with the material, recall it accurately, and apply it effectively. This method is cost effective in the sense that when there is a time one employee must carry out the tasks of another, therefore causing no interruptions in business. This method works best for companies that are just beginning. Training for learning skills or fact The required training conducted is for skill and fact. The training enhances knowledge of skills that enforce relevant facts, in reference to training. Effectiveness of Methods The effectiveness of the methods of instructions can be verified by how the employee perform their duties, by employee’s questionnaires and/or testing,  and by comments done by the trainers themselves (Naval Education and Training, 2010). The effectiveness of these methods displayed through the performance of the employees. Training Evaluation Strategies Evaluation on training is of utmost importance. Here is where a business learns of training that works versus training that is of no use to the organization. In order to evaluate specific training, addressing certain questions alleviate concerns of risk in that course of training. Potential questions are: Did the trainees learn a specific skill, knowledge or performance? Did change occur and was it related to the training? Are the changes positively reflecting in productivity and to achieving organization goals? Will these changes occur with a different set of trainees using the same training criteria? (Chapter 8, 2013) Typically, training is a trial and error system. What may work for one individual may not necessarily pertain to another type of learner. As mentioned previously, people learn in different manners. Some need visual aesthetics to increase their ability to comprehend the training. While others’ need a more tactile experience and participate in the training. This is not an entirely new concept and has developed over the last decade to include the use of technology to enhance learning. The same can be said for training and evaluation strategies. The idea behind training evaluation is to recognize the criteria of the training are met within the company. Using pretests to determine a suitable new hire reassures current employees that the individual grasps the goals and concepts of the business. An example of a pretest is as simple as an application, a resume or orientation. All of this information allows management to decipher an individual based on experiences. Once training is underway, management will monitor and observe the associates reactions and the trainer’s methods of approach. This segment is extremely important considering the trainer. If the trainer does not connect with the class or leads them astray and off topic, the training becomes worthless and consumes the organization’s time and money. The trainer’s obligation shall remain cost effective to the company and stay on task to complete the training in a time efficient manner. Aside from management monitoring and observing, feedback is equally important, and can  come from employees, supervisors, managers, and customers. Collecting feedback for an organization is conducted a number of ways. Suggestion boxes placed randomly around the business provide anonymous suggestions from individuals employed in the organization or from customers who believe change is necessary. Feedback is also collected verbally either in a group of employees or individual basis. Sending surveys to clients containing pertinent information to the limousine service allows them to feel connected to the business and builds trust. The implementation of the feedback is the most important aspect to changing the current operational standards of the business. Manager’s need to rise above the concept of â€Å"if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.† Business evolution is constant and technology increases daily allowing change to happen more frequently, and not because â€Å"it’s broken,† but because a new element has become known and can be a useful tool in training. References Email from Traci: Performance Management Plan. (2015). Retrieved from University of Phoenix: https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/Materials/IP/curriculum/sb/HRM531/assignments/week5/intro.asp Naval education and Training. (2010). Personal Qualification Standards for Master Training Specialist. NAVEDTRA 43100-7C Ch. 1. Retrieved from Naval education and Training website Ongoing Training: A Method for Success. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.lctmag.com/operations/article/41017/ongoing-training-a-method-for-success http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533041.htm http://education-portal.com/articles/Salary_and_Career_Info_for_a_Limo_Driver.html http://www.studymode.com/essays/Individual-Analysis-Of-Working-In-a-712116.html

Life of Pi analysis Essay

Life of Pi â€Å"Life of Pi† written by Yann Martel is an incredibly philosophical novel that tells the story of survival. Pi Patel, a young Indian boy, is faced against the impossible when his familys boat is shipwrecked and he is left stranded in a lifeboat with an interesting and potentially harmful group of animals: a zebra, an orangutan, a vicious hyena, and the magnificent Richard Parker, a Bengal tiger with a human like name. Throughout the novel, due to his situation of being stranded, Pi had to take drastic measures in order to survive. Part of his need to survive resulted in Pi giving up his egetarian ways. Slowly throughout the book, readers witness the transformation from Pi’s civil eating habits to an animalistic devouring of food . His transformation of eating habits leaves readers to question how, after reaching such a gruesome point, is Pi able to return to the life he lived pre-shipwreck, and return to his old eating habits as if nothing happened? In the beginning of the novel, it is quickly established that Pi was vegetarian. With being so close to the zoo keeping industry allowed Pi to develop a love and understanding for animals that many carnivorous eaters don’t. His religion of Hinduism also played a part in Pi’s original eating habits. The strictness in his diet made it hard for Pi to, at first, get accustomed to life on the sea. Imagine going from eating a strict vegetarian diet to being required to eat anything in plain sight Just to survive. Pi’s first scene where he breaks his vegetarian diets occurred a days after the shipwreck. After realizing that the sea is full of edible life forms, Pi makes an executive decision and decides that, in order to survive, he must eat food that would defy his vegetarian ways. After unsuccessfully using a leather hoe as bait for fish, Pi is interrupted by a school of flying fish. Luckily for P’, some of the fish fall into the boat, making them readily available for Pi and Richard Parker to eat. Being the animal that he is, Richard Parker does not hesitate to eat his portion of the fish. However the same does not go for P’. Eating the fish meant doing what he considered to be the unthinkable. Pi â€Å"proceeded with great deliberation† (182) and â€Å"unwrapped the fish carefully’ (182). It was apparent that killing the fish went against all of Pi’s morals because â€Å"the closer the fish was to appearing, the more afraid and isgusted† (182) he became. Pi’s contemplated a lot before making his decision because â€Å"a lifetime of peaceful vegetarianism stood between and the willful beheading of a fish† (183). After deciding that the best way to kill the fish was to break its neck, Pi had â€Å"tears flowing down his cheeks† (183). The simple killing of a fish left Pi in an emotional state. Now instead of an innocent sixteen year old boy, Pi was a killer and guilty of taking a life away. In other words, Pi now â€Å"had blood on [his] hands† (183). Despite Pi’s utter disgust and emotional breakdown, he continued to fish using the dead fish’s head as bait. As a result, Pi was able to attract the attention of a hungry Dorado bird. Once Pi realized that he had his next victim, he began to reel it in. However, the Dorado bird was not going to go down without a fight. Although it was a struggle for Pi to reel in the distressed bird, â€Å"killing it was no problem† (185). Pi beat the bird vigorously witha atc et n n . Unlike the tisn, Pi nad no issues witn killing the Dorado. He maintained emotionally stable and didn’t really care whether or not the bird suffered while it was being beaten. At this point in the novel, readers begin to see how Pi’s eating habits are transformed. In such a short time, Pi went from â€Å"weeping over the muffled killing of a flying fish to gleefully bludgeoning to death of a Dorado† (185). This is proof to the believe that â€Å"a person can get used to anything† (185) regardless of what it is. In Pi’s case, he got accustomed to killing. As time passes by, Pi’s eating habits only become more brutal. After discovering the simplicity in catching turtle, Pi began to eat them. More specifically, Pi butchered the turtles and drank the â€Å"sweet lassi† (212) that would spurt from the turtle’s neck. Not only did turtles become Pi’s â€Å"favorite dish† (212), but it also ate everything that urtles had to offer, whether it be their liver, heart, lungs, flesh, or intestine. Pi’s methods for killing the turtles and his behavior when eating the turtles showed how Pi was slowly transforming into a version of Richard Parker. His eating habits were becoming animalistic and they continued to worsen as Pi spent more time stranded out in the Pacific. In addition to ravenously eating his prey, Pi’s mood began to reflect the amount of food he ingested. Once Pi’s rations were gone, â€Å"anything was good to eat† (213). Instead of using his morals and sense of reasoning, Pi would Just eat nything he could find, regardless of the taste. Even Richard Parker’s feces caused Pi’s mouth to water. Pi’s need for food numbed his mind from making reasonable decisions. In Pi’s mind, everything was edible, much like how animals perceive everything to be edible. On top of atrociously killing turtles, Pi began to kill small sharks that would swim by the lifeboat. Instead of fishing for these sharks, Pi would â€Å"catch [the sharks] with [his] bare hands† (219) and eat their flesh. This sort of behavior Pi demonstrated further proves how his eating habits resemble those of Richard Parker. Whenever Pi would throw the tiger its ortion of the prey, Richard Parker would â€Å"attack immediately’ (219) by striking the animal with his forepaws. Similarly, Pi is beginning to â€Å"attack† his prey with his hands, and then devour it. Pi also reached a point where he, himself, realized how his eating habits resembled Richard Parker’s. He became known of â€Å"how low [he] had sunk† when he compared his eating to the tiger’s. Both ate their food with a â€Å"noisy, frantic, unchewing wolfing-down† (225) nature. Even though at that point of Pi’s journey he seemed to have become a completely new individual, Pi still had some of his morals intact. When Pi became temporarily blind, a French cook boarded the lifeboat and began to talk to him. At the time, Pi thought that he was talking to Richard Parker. Pi and the cook discussed food, and the cooks view on food caused Pi to feel â€Å"sick† (245). Unbeknown to Pi, the cook was actually a cannibal and had every intention to eat Pl. Luckily for P’, Richard Parker was there to save him by killing the French cook. However, although Pi was sickened by the thought of eating another human being, Pi’s actions following the death of the cook showed how hunger truly numbed his mind from remembering his morals and his vegetarian ways. After â€Å"catch[ing] one of [the cooks] arms with the gaff’ (256), Pi used the Frenchman’s body part as bait. Pi’s extreme need for food also drove him to eat some the man’s flesh. Although the amount ot tlesn Pi ate was small and went â€Å"nearly unnoticed† (2 still ate the flesh of another human. That by definition is cannibalism. For Pi to go to such an extreme Just to satisfy his hunger confirms that he was willing to do anything to survive, even if it meant disregarding all of his religious and moral believes. Even if it meant that he had to become an animal, Pi was willing to do anything to survive. In the end, despite the food Pi was exposed to while stranded in the ocean, Pi did return to his peaceful life as a vegetarian. When the interviewer went to hear Pi’s incredible story, the interviewer made note of the fact that Pi was an â€Å"excellent cook† (25). Pi happily made the interviewer some vegetarian tacos and zesty macaroni and cheese. It would seem as if Pi never viciously slaughtered turtles or sharks, or had eaten the flesh of another human being. It was as if Pi had forgotten the horrid things that happened on the lifeboat. However, that was the case. Those memories were forever mprinted in Pi’s memory, but Pi was able to move past the killings and continue with the lifestyle that truly made him happy and comfortable before his misfortunes. As Pi stated before, â€Å"a person can get used to anything†. In regards to his eating habits, once Pi returned back to normal civilization, he became accustomed to the habits he had before the shipwreck.