Rethinking Leadership In The Learning Organization Essays

Rethinking Leadership In The Learning Organization A proclamation by a CEO that we are going to become a learning organization will likely be met with collective eye rolling and wonderings of, What workshop did he attend last week? Indeed, many employees are so accustomed to these management initiatives-of-the-month that seeing any results from such a managerial decree is extremely unlikely. Another of the main barriers to creating a learning organization, Senge says, is the difference between compliance and commitment. The employees are loath to accept change that starts at the top of the managerial hierarchy. A value is a value only if voluntarily chosen. We cannot force others to learn. Since it is really the individuals that comprise a learning organization, there is no substitute for a personal desire to learn. Decisions made by managers can also have the effect of paradoxically moving an organization backwards. Downsizing can lead to increased competitiveness, which is a hindrance to productivity. Competitiveness can also undermine collaborative efforts and thereby affect a companys economic prosperity. Senge defines three leadership types that he says are essential to building a learning organization: 1. Local line leaders. These are leaders who undertake meaningful experiments to test whether new learning capabilities actually lead to improved business results. 2. Executive leaders. They provide support for line leaders, develop learning infrastructures, and lead by example in the gradual process of evolving the norms and behaviors of a learning culture. 3. Internal networkers. These are individuals who can move freely about the organization to find those who are predisposed to bringing about change, to help out in organizational experiments, and to aid in the diffusion of new learning. None of the issues prevalent in businesses today will be resolved by a hierarchical management system. To bring about change, we must explore new ideas in leadership based on new leadership principles. Senges five disciplines have interested me since the start of this course. Their applications in our educational system could be profound. The largest barrier that todays schools, adult or otherwise, face is the tacit acceptance that what is now cannot be changed. It is this mental model that we must break down before real change can be affected. By recognizing the needs of adults in a learning environment, many, if not all, of the principles of the learning organization can be applied to the hierarchical organization of the administration in our schools. The barriers discussed in this article are no different from the barriers faced by school administrators. People who are not committed to change will not buy into any new idea. Change cannot be mandated. It must come from within the organization. Education

War Crimes essays

War Crimes essays A war crime is any of various crimes, such as genocide or the mistreatment of prisoners of war, committed during a war and considered in violation of the conventions of warfare. War crimes are constantly being committed during war and something has to be done. There have been too many instances where these sorts of criminals have gotten away. Victims of war have gotten little or no justice at all, we have to come up with a solution so that there will be a way to punish these hanas crimes. To commit a war crime you have to break one of the two main principles, which are: "The principle of necessity and the principle of humanity." What the first principle means is that you can kill the enemy only when it is completely necessary. The second principle states that you should cause no unnecessary suffering to your enemy. These two principles are the two fundamental principles and have become highly detailed. The most important laws that have come out of the two main principles are that prisoners of war have rights and should never be executed or wounded after they have surrendered. That you are not allowed to take hostages, and that you can't starve non-combatants. People who are sick, wounded should be cared for. Innocent civilians property should be spared, and civilians should have nothing stolen from them. You must treat all noncombatants humanely and equally. These laws seem to be just and should be easily followed, but during times of war these laws are rarely followed. In times of war military soldiers do things that are sickening; they kill innocent people, rape women, torture people because they are of a different race or religion. These crimes are inhumane and something has to be done to make sure these crimes stop. After World War 2 you would have thought that genocide or ethnic cleansing wouldn't be happening, but it still is. The war in Kosovo has resembled the same things that the Nazi's did during WW2. ...

Planning Proposal Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Planning Proposal - Research Paper Example UMUC University is the learning facility for non-traditional students (including militants, federal government members and working adults). As the facility is the employer for about 2 thousand people in USA, the loss of revenue caused by decline in enrolments has a negative impact on the employees who face lay-offs and already enrolled students who receive the services provided by the staff of the campus. Taking this into account, I would like to draw your attention to this problem and offer to work on the solution as soon as possible as the students currently studying it the facility feel its negative effect on themselves having problems with receiving needed services. To my thinking, the possible solution is that the campus administration should address the government with the request to create some alternative source of funding so that there is no need to lay the staff off. Probably, it would be possible to establish some additional paid courses that would attract more students. Moreover, it is crucial to enhance and widen UMUC marketing campaign to attract more students and increase the number of

Intelligent Systems Assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Intelligent Systems Assignment - Coursework Example The neural networks aid in the relationship of parameters of the tumor with the profile of temperature over the breast model. There is a comparison of the obtained relationship to the one obtained by an element software (Bradbury 2007). There is a possibility of determining the parameters of the cancer with a five and ten percent random noise. With ten percent noise, the estimation accuracy deteriorates for tumors which are deep-seated. INTRODUCTION Breast cancer in women is common making it an international concern. Every year about two hundred thousand new cases are reported. There is estimation that more than one million women are not aware that they have the cancer (Bradbury 2007). Infrared imaging is one of the conventional ways that were used in the detection of the cancer. Abnormal skin temperatures may be used as an indication of benign tumors and cancer. The objective of the neural networks is to develop a methodology to be used in the estimation of different parameters of t he cancerous tumor (Kings 1996). The report relate to breast cancer and the different neural networks used in the methodology estimation. Demonstration of the methodology is done by the use of a simple model, in the illustration of the details and the involved procedures. Various conditions of the cancerous tumor were used to illustrate the neural networks generality (Millburn 2000). The diagnosis of breast cancer is a significant medical problem in the real world. An important class of medical science problems involves the disease diagnosis. This is based on various performed tests upon the patient (Rockville 2008). When there is an involvement of several tests, the final diagnosis may be obtained in a difficult manner, even for experts in the medical field. This has given an increase, over a few most recent decades, to diagnostic computerized tools (Hill 2012). This are intended to help the physician in reaching a sensible conclusion out of data confusion. Much research has been d one on medical diagnosis of the cancer. A learning algorithm combines annealing logarithmic simulated with perceptron algorithm and an accuracy of almost one hundred percent is reported (Hagan 1996). Breast cancer is commonest cancer type in women. Men can also get breast cancer, but this accounts for a much lesser percentage of all diagnosed cases of breast cancer (Hill 2012). Atleast one in every eight women develops cancer once in her lifetime, that is, if they live upto the age of eighty five. More than a half of women diagnosed with breast cancer are fifty years and older. The majority of the rest are between thirty nine and forty years of age. Breast cancer can easily be treated if detected at an early stage (Hagan 1996). It can be treated successfully before it spreads out all over the body. Nine out of ten women diagnosed with cancer, live a minimum of an extra five years if their cancer is detected early enough. Once the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it becomes difficult to completely treat it (Rockville 2008). The disease can be controlled using certain method of treatment if it has already spread to other parts of the body. Initially, breast cancer develops in the breast tissue, in the milk ducts and in the glands (Hunt 2008). This cancer type is still considered breast cancer, even if its discovery comes after

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson - Essay Example The story reveals the misguided beliefs of the villagers and their specific customs. The day, in which the lottery was conducted, Mr. Summers, an old man in the village, gives guidance for the villagers. He arrives in the village square carrying a black wooden box with slips of paper in it and Mr. Graves, a young man in the town, follows Mr. Summer, carrying a three- legged stool. People keep a distance from the box and the reader can see that the villagers show their willingness as well as their hesitations towards the rituals. Amelia Tibbet observes that â€Å"Basically, the story revolves around the misguided belief that if the villagers sacrifice one of their own to what readers are led to believe is a Rain God, then they will have good crops the next year† (Tibbett). The villagers believe that if they fail to follow the tradition of the lottery, they will face some tough consequences like starvation, poverty and drought. Before the lottery is conducted, various lists had to be made, such as the heads of households, heads of eminent families, and the members of each family. The old man keeps and classifies all the details and begins the lottery. From the words of the old citizens in the town, the reader can see that there had been a ritual solute which the officials of the lottery used to practice. They had addressed each and every person who come up and draw from the box. Examining the procedures, the reader can see â€Å"there had been a recital of some sort, performed by the official of the lottery, a perfunctory, tuneless chant that had been rattled off duly each year† (Jackson). After the drawing, the winner is stoned to death by the villagers, and their activity exposes their superstition and brutality. Here, the modern reader may feel the situation as absolutely ironic because they have positive expectations

Definition Of A Product Life Cycle Marketing Essay

Definition Of A Product Life Cycle Marketing Essay A product is anything which is capable of satisfying customers needs. Product includes both physical or tangible products (mobile,car, type writer, computer, bike) and intangible products or services (health care, banking, insurance). Definition of a Product Life Cycle define what a product life cycle is: It is the period of time over which an item is developed, brought to market and eventually removed from the market. OR The stages through which a product develops over time is called Product Life Cycle (PLC). OR The product life cycle is MARKETING CONCEPT that describes the way the revenues from the sale of a product behave over time. Stages of a Product Life Cycle The product life cycle is broken down into four phases: Introduction Growth Maturity Decline The Product Life Cycle (PLC) Curve plc, product life cycle curve For all products, the life cycle is drawn is the form of a mount shaped curve. The starting of the curve marks the introduction stage; the slope indicates growth stage; top of the curve signifies maturity; and the graph ends in the decline stage. Theory of PLC: Biological Life Cycle Versus Product Life Cycle The concept of Product Life Cycle is based on biological life cycle. For instance, when a seed is planted (introduction); it begins to pullulate (growth); it shoot out flowers and leaves (maturity); and after a defined period of time, it starts to shrink and eventually die out (decline). Human beings also pass through the same phases of introduction, growth, maturity and decline in their lives. The same theory applies to a product. When a new product is launched in the market, it starts gaining customers; then it stabilizes and becomes mature; then after some time, it is taken over by the introduction of better and superior competitors therefore, it is withdrawn or harvested from the market. Benefits of Using a Product Life Cycle for Revenue MARKETING managers consider product life cycle as an important measure of sales revenues. As you can see it from the figure, the slope of the curve denotes the sales of a particular product. The more the slope then more the sales. When a product is introduced in the market, the sales are negligible. Due to marketing promotion efforts, the demand of product starts to rise and as a result some revenue is generated. When more and more customers begin to buy the product, the revenues of the product reaches to maximum; this stage is called maturity. A product can stay in maturity for several weeks, months or years depending on the external and internal market conditions and resources. Finally, when a product better in features and functions is launched by a competitor into the market, the sales starts to decline; in some cases, companies have to disengage their products or services. Product Life Cycle Management (Marketing)/ PLCM Product life cycle management (or PLCM) is the succession of strategies used by business management as a product goes through its developmental life cycle. The conditions involving the promotion and sales of a product, involving market saturation and advertising vary over time and must be managed as it moves through the different stages of succession. What is Marketing Mix? A marketing mix is a pre-planned assortment of all those controllable elements which are involved in the planning of a products marketing. they include the following 4Ps Product (often substituted by Presentation) Price Place Promotion These four elements are adjusted until the correct combination is reached befitting the requirements of a products customers, while generating optimum income. How to Create a Product Life Cycle First Stage Introducing the Product : Brand Building For the product life cycle to begin, the product must be launched in the market. This is done after target market is identified and ensured that the need for your product or service exists. At this stage, sales will be very low because customers are not really aware about the product and its benefits. Generating Demand: Promotion, Advertising, Marketing The cost of advertising and initial distribution is very high as companies intend to create awareness of the product and target early adopters. The goal is to build market and generate demand. Stage 1 Marketing Mix Implications You need to have a fair idea of marketing mix implications for each stage. Product Products are very less in number Price Some companies keep the price to high so as to cover their costs whereas others tend to keep it low so as to attract more and more early adopters. Distribution Initially, the distribution is done selectively Promotion Creation of awareness is the only goal of the promotion Growth Watch how the product is establishing market and making profit in comparison to the competitors. Maintain the focus on the promotion efforts. Notice how slowly or rapidly the product is gaining customers and generating profits. More and more retailers will be interested in carrying your product. Remember the goal of growth phase is to increase sales and gain customer preference. Second Stage Stage 2 Marketing Mix Implications Product Improvement of the product quality. Price If the demand of the product is high, price is maintained at high level whereas; if you want to target additional customer segments, reduce the price. Distribution To intensify distribution, discounts are offered to the retailers. Promotion Improved the promotional efforts. Maturity You will observe that your product has met market saturation. Eventually, there will be a marked increase in sales and it will become a challenge for the marketing and sales team to maintain the market share as new competitors would be penetrating into the market. Increase promotional efforts and offer more discount to the retailers in order that they give your more shelf space than competitors. The goal of maturity stage is to extend product life cycle while maintaining market share. Third Stage Stage 3 Marketing Mix Implications Product Product is differentiated from those of competitors Price Maximum possible reduction in prices to be made Distribution Retain existing distributors by offering discounts as well as searching for more channels of distribution Promotion Intensive promotion efforts in order to establish brand loyality Decline Carry out amarketing analysis or a survey to find out how customers perceive the product currently. If the interest and demand is low, think of ways to take the product back to profit making position. Possible ways could be the creation of new target segment and making modifications in the product. The goal of decline stage is either to maintain the product or discontinue it. Fourth Stage Stage 4 Marketing Mix Implications Product Fewer products left in the product line. Price If the product is to be maintained, the prices are retained. In case of termination, prices are reduced to liquidate inventory. Distribution Channels are phased out gradually. Promotion Advertising expenditure reaches a minimum level Examples of Product Life Cycle (PLC) Set out below are some suggested examples of products that are currently at different stages of the product life-cycle: INTRODUCTION GROWTH MATURITY DECLINE Third generation mobile phones Portable DVD Players Personal Computers Typewriters E-conferencing Email Faxes Handwritten letters All-in-one racing skin-suits Breathable synthetic fabrics Cotton t-shirts Shell Suits iris-based personal identity cards Smart cards Credit cards Cheque books Popular Cases of Product Life Cycles Pepsi Product Life Cycle Development Coca Cola Product Life Cycle Development Kellogs Product Life Cycle Development Apple Product Life Cycle Development Nokia Product Life Cycle Development

Medical Beneifits Of Animal Testing :: essays research papers

Argument Essay Where would we be Without Animal Testing? Is the use of animals in research justified? Should animal experimentation be permitted? Should these animals be liberated? A logical person would say the benefits justify the research. Without animal testing, products would be based on theory. No one would want to use something, which may damage eyes, be poisonous, cancerous, and cause birth defects. Animals used in testing are not from the endangered species list; also many of the types of animals used are killed each year by rat or mouse traps, animal control, exterminators, and animal shelters. Animal testing reaps great benefits such as finding effective drugs to combat disease, improve surgical procedures, and make products safe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When someone goes to the store and buys a product, or is prescribed medication, they don’t have to worry if the product is safe to use nor should they. The entire human race benefits from animal research. â€Å"Without animal research, medical science would come to a total standstill†(O’Neil 210). It is not as if Scientist and researchers just sit in their labs all day and torture animals for fun. Not to mention animal use is being reduced as much as possible, â€Å"most scientist are glad to use alternative test because they are usually faster and cheaper than test on animals†(Yount 72). However, â€Å"you cannot study kidney transplantation or diarrhea or high bloodpressure on a computer screen†(O’Neil 212). Besides, â€Å"Animal research has led to vaccines against diptheria, rabies, tuberculosis, polio, measles, mumps, cholera, whooping cough, and rubella. It has meant eradication of smallpox, effective treatment for diabetes and control of infection with powerful antibiotics. The cardiac pacemaker, microsurgery to reattach severed limbs, and heart, kidney, lung, liver and other transplants are all possible because of animal research†(O’Neil 210).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In short animal testing saves lives. Animal testing helps find causes, and cures of disease, genetic defects, birth defects, and abnormalities.