On Writing in America: The Politics, Criticism, and Fiction of William Dean Howells :: Essays Papers

On Writing in America: The Politics, Criticism, and Fiction of William Dean Howells Upon hearing of an event which has become known as "The Haymarket Incident," a violent outbreak that involved strikers at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company on May 4, 1886, William Dean Howells felt provoked to respond.1 Whatever personal motives this highly publicized incident sparked in Howells, who was successful novelist and influential critic of the literature and social issues of his time, the strike and subsequent executions of seven of the protesters involved had a trenchant effect on this respected man of letters. Howells illustrated his remorse for what he understood as a profound legal injustice in a letter he wrote to a friend shortly before the hanging of the Haymarket protesters: "It blackens my life. I feel the horror and the shame of the crime which the law is about to commit against justice."2 Howells' assertions in regard to the case were at the time radical and not widely supported; they contradicted the views of the majority of the American media, who chose to back big business and to disregard details that to Howells marked the trial as corrupt. Howells' views challenged a general sentiment in the press against working class protesters, who, like the workers involved in the Haymarket Incident, demanded certain rights in the workplace and proposed an eight-hour work day.3 It had become a trend in the media to back the employers rather than the employed, in the name of the free market, before the Haymarket "riots." For example, several years before the incident at Haymarket, the Chicago Tribune had characterized a group of railroad workers involved in a similar incident as "the scum and filth of the city." Three days later, commenting on the organizers of the same uprising, the Tribune contended that "Capitalism would offer any sum to see the leaders...strung up to a tel egraph pole."4 Howells was known for his radical political views, views which often questioned the effectiveness of a capitalist society, and it is not surprising that he subsequently supported the Haymarket laborers. Howells' socialistic views no doubt sprung in part from his readings of Tolstoy, especially from the Russian novelist's writings on the notion of "Christian Socialism." Howells once wrote, "Tolstoi [sic] gave me the heart to hope that the world may yet be made over in the image of Him who died for it,...(that) men shall come into their own,.

Employee Volunteer Program Essay

Employee volunteer program is a major part of the Corporate Citizenship profile that has become an intrinsic agenda of many successful companies, who understand the value of community service and are ready to contribute their resources in its various forms to such gesture. This is because the importance of employee development is overwhelming: it extends to the company, the employee and the community in which the program is launched. This concept of employee volunteer program describes a situation a company sets a mission statement and proposes goals with a view to contributing to the community in which they live, by getting their employee involved in charity, giving, and community services. These seeming philanthropic activities are targeted at a particular community, usually that which the company serves with its products and services. This agenda is an indispensable program for excellent companies: it is important because it contributes to the Corporate Citizenship Outlook of the company which is promoted among the members of such community. A detailed look at the benefits of the plan has made intelligent company leaders and boards to incorporate it into their company’s mission statement. Really, the importance of corporate social responsibility can not be overemphasized. The benefits are enormous: it is a win-win situation for all. The employees, if well incorporated into the agenda, are strengthened in human relationships, and there is increased employee loyalty. Loyalty is fast promoted when the program recognizes, acknowledges and duly appreciates employee contribution to the company. The company social image is promoted because of such programs. It increases its ability to penetrate the society, and convince it of its products or services; it also makes the organization ‘ a good corporate citizen’. Communities benefit directly from the program: there is associated development. A section of the society is improved through the charity, giving and other forms the program could have taken. Everyone smiles home. And this impact makes the community another marketable centre for the organization, and an extension of its advertising unit. Its benefits outweigh its costs. However, those are also very important as it makes a decision to incorporate such a balanced one: the financial implications are enormous since it is usually a charity parade. This is one of the major costs that the company battles with. It is only with effective communication that employees see the need for it; otherwise, it won’t achieve it set goals. This implies that companies should be ready to create a viable structure for it, fund such and promote it even to the employees that would be involved. Since it is a volunteer, it stands the risk of non-compliance if this structure and communication are not in place. However, employee volunteer program promotes the Company, its employee and the community served. It is a good agenda for a corporate social responsibility.

Litreature Review on Banking Essay

It was emphasized that the use of computers changes the processing, storage, retrieval and communication of financial information and may affect the accounting and internal control systems employed by a bank. The potential for human errors in the development, maintenance and execution of computer Information Systems may be greater than in manual systems, due to level of details inherent in these activities. Through audit reviews, a thorough look and understanding of IS in bank can be seen. The audit of IS would provide us general understanding of IS in bank, managing authentication of users, access control, data security, data integrity, audit 14 2. Literature Study and Analysis logs, testing, accounting entries, data migration, network and RDBMS security, business continuity and disaster recovery plans, hacking, identification of transaction for substantative checking, use of reports generated by system and documentation. The paper titled â€Å"Application of IT in Banking† by K. S. Rajashekara (2004), talked about impact analysis of IT on banking. The problem of doing proper impact analysis is due to difficulty of measuring output accurately when the quality of service is changing as a result of such factors as convenience, speed, and lower risk. Through IT, banks anticipate reduction in operating costs through such efficiencies as the streamlining back office processing and elimination of error-prone manual input of data. Owing to IT, bank can offer new products and services. Banks are able to develop and implement sophisticated risk, information management system and techniques with more powerful data storage and analysis technologies. IT has positively affected the stakeholders of bank like management, employees, and customers. Vasant Godse (2005) in paper titled â€Å"Technology: An Impact Analysis† talked about role of Information Technology in banking. Banks faced the enormous task of re-orienting their technology infrastructure towards such interactive decision support and information gathering tools, much different from transaction processing and final accounting. The impact of technology could be on relationship with information technology providers, organizational aspects, banker-customer relationship, control and supervisory aspects, new concepts and processes, which help in further gaining competitive advantage. 15 2. Literature Study and Analysis A paper titled â€Å"Information Orientation: People, Technology and the bottom line† by Donald A. Marchand, William J. Kettinger, John D. Rollins (2000), stressed upon the effective usage of information for business performance. It was stressed that IT improved business performance only if combined with competent information management and the right behaviors and values. The research was applied on banks. Banks were evaluated on three broad scales i. e. IT Practices (including IT practices for Operational support, IT for Business-process support, IT for Innovation support, IT for Managerial support); Information Management Practices (Sensing information, Collecting information, Organizing information, Processing information, Maintaining information); Information behaviours and values (Information Integrity, formality, control, sharing, transparency, proactiveness). Companies that incorporated a people-centric, rather than merely techno-centric, view of information use and that are good at all three information capabilities would improve their business performance. A paper titled â€Å"Understanding the impact of IT-based coordination on the performance of Information-intensive firms: A Gestalt approach in Banking Industry† by Yannis A. Pollalis (2003), moved towards the development of such an explanatory and predictive model of IT-based performance by distinguishing coordination) three that types impact of the organizational performance systems of integration (or nformation-intensive organizations: Technological Integration (i. e. the integration of various IT components such as data, applications telecommunications, and systems); Functional integration ( i. e. , the coordination of responsibilities and roles 16 2. Literature Study and Analysis across a firm’s value-chain activities between corporate and IT planning activities); a nd Strategic integration (i. e. effective decision-making at all levels, increased productivity and better return on investment). The organizations with coordinated elements (i. e. strategy, structure, and technology) will be more successful than uncoordinated ones. Banks were chosen as the context for the empirical phase of the study because of their high information intensity and their focus on customer service and cost management. The research indicated the existence of successful and unsuccessful patterns of integration, that is, certain combinations of technological, functional, and strategic integration might lead to better or worse performance. Strategic and Technological integration were found to be most important elements of success, which indicated the importance of consistency between echnological and strategic infrastructure. The paper titled â€Å"Learnings from Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Implementation in a Bank† by M. P. Gupta and Sonal Shukla (2004) attempted to highlight the learnings from CRM implementation in the banking sector. CRM systems were particularly relevant to ret ail financial services companies, allowing much of the management of the customer relationship to be automated with the objective of maximizing the profitability of individual customer relationships while minimizing the cost of managing those relationships. The study was supported by a case study of CRM systems in a major Japanese Bank—Bank of Mitsubishi and also a field survey of scenario in Indian banking sector. The various issues examined included organizational information, the CRM strategy, strategic changes resulting from CRM 17 2. Literature Study and Analysis implementation, implementation priorities for the banks and the factors indicating the performance after CRM implementation. The study revealed that CRM was gradually picking up and was definitely considered as a viable proposition by banks in improving services to their customers. One of the major challenges experienced during implementing CRM was resistance to change. To get CRM to work, high commitment was required in those who were implementing it. The paper titled â€Å"Impact of Information Technology on the Indian Banking Sector† by Harmeen K. Soch and H. S. Sandhu (2003) emphasized that impact of IT on banking was so radical that it would be a key determinant of success or failure in the industry, a key determinant of whether banks as a recognizable grouping continue to exist, and a key determinant of the differentiation between competitors in financial services.

Communication Skills in the Workplace

Communication Skills in the Workplace Introduction The high rate of globalization has led to increment in the volume of international trade. One of the industries that have benefited from this growth is the freight industry in Singapore (AGI Freight 1). AGI Freight is one of the firms that operate within Singapore’s freight industry. Over the years it has been in operation, the firm has managed to attain substantial success within the local and the international market.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Communication Skills in the Workplace specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To attain its profit maximization objective, the firm is committed at entering in new markets. One of the factors that has contributed towards the firm’s success is its effectiveness in providing personalizes service to customers (AGI Freight 1). To improve its operational efficiency, the firm is intends to hire a sales manager. The successful candidate will be require d to possess adequate skill and knowledge with regard to the freight industry. Upon selection, the candidate will be required to start working immediately. Rationale In the course of executing his or her duty, the sales manager will be charged with the responsibility of building optimal rapport between the firm and its clients. The sales manager will also be required to attend to clients’ enquiries in order to satisfactorily meet their needs. Moreover, the sales manager will be required to develop effective sales report and work as a team. Consequently, it is essential for the selected candidate to possess effective communication skills. According to (McIntosh Luecke 5) poor workplace communication is one of the major issues that organization’s management teams have to address. This arises from the fact that it can adversely affect an organization’s success both in the short run and the long run. Currently, the sales environment has become very competitive. The effectiveness with which an organization grows, meets or exceeds its sales targets determines its profitability and hence its long term survival. Consequently, the sales managers should possess optimal communication skills in order to ensure a high level of coordination within the sales team (Woods 34). The sales manager should ensure that information that can contribute toward increment in the firm’s sales revenue is effectively communicated to the sales team. This aids in establishment of a high level of goal congruence between team members (Havaldar Cavale 31).Advertising Looking for assessment on business communication? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The workplace environment is increasingly becoming culturally diverse. One of the factors promoting this workplace transformation is the high rate of globalization (Dwyer 121). Consequently, there is a high probability that the sales manager selected will b e required to work with a team that is culturally diverse. In order to succeed in such an environment, the sales manager will be required to appreciate the communication difference amongst the team members. One of the ways through which the manager can achieve this is by developing a comprehensive understanding of the differences in cultural values and norms amongst team members. Conclusion The analysis above illustrates that communication skills is an important element that firms’ management teams should take into account in their quest to develop a strong workforce. One of the factors explaining the importance of communication skills in the workplace is the high rate of transformation within organizations’ workforces. The high rate of globalization has made organizations’ workforces to be culturally diverse. Organizations are increasingly adopting the concept of teamwork in order to promote their operational effectiveness. Working in such an environment requir es one to possess effective communication skills in order to ensure effective collaboration. Additionally, organizations are increasingly venturing into the international market in order to maximize their profitability. However, their success in the international market is dependent on the communication skills of its workforce. AGI Freight: Sales executive/sales manager 2013. Web. https://www.jobstreet.com.sg/jobs/2012/2/default/20/2925238.htm?fr=R Dwyer, Judith. Communication for business and the professions, French Forest: Pearson Australia, 2013, Print.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Communication Skills in the Workplace specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Havaldar, Krishna and C. Vasant. Sales and distribution management: text and cases, New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print. McIntosh, Perry and L. Richard. Interpersonal communication skills in the workplace, New York: American Management Association, 200 8. Print. Woods, Julia. Communication in our lives, Belmont, Calif: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.

7 British English Writing Resources

7 British English Writing Resources 7 British English Writing Resources 7 British English Writing Resources By Mark Nichol This site is intended primarily for writers of American English, though much of the information is also applicable to people who write English in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. However, I recently received a request for recommendations about writing and editing guides that focus on British English. Here are seven authoritative volumes, all originating at either of England’s two most renowned universities, to help them. 1. Butcher’s Copy-editing: The Cambridge Handbook for Editors, Copy-editors, and Proofreaders As the title and subtitle indicate, this volume is directed more toward the editorial process than the writing stage, with guidance about production issues, including dealing with technology. 2. Cambridge Grammar of English: A Comprehensive Guide Oxford University, which owns the rest of this list, has an equivalent book, Oxford Modern English Grammar. Both texts emphasize descriptive, not prescriptive, grammar and include some discussions of American English 3. New Hart’s Rules: The Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors The British English equivalent of The Chicago Manual of Style is the preeminent resource for resolving style issues such as hyphenation and punctuation, formatting for bibliographies, indexes, and notes, and usage (both British English and American English). 4. New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors: The Essential A–Z Guide to the Written Word This usage handbook has extended entries for many words, including proper nouns, and provides guidance about spelling, capitalization, and hyphenation and information about cultural or historical significance. 5. New Oxford Spelling Dictionary: The Writers’ and Editors’ Guide to Spelling and Word Division This companion to the volume mentioned in the previous item is a simple spelling and word-break guide. 6. New Oxford Style Manual This volume is a compilation of New Hart’s Rules and the New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors 7. Oxford A-Z of Grammar and Punctuation This alphabetically organized guide discusses parts of speech and particular words, including questions of usage. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Book Reviews category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:4 Types of Gerunds and Gerund Phrases11 Writing Exercises to Inspire You and Strengthen Your WritingHow to Send Tactful Emails from a Technical Support Desk

Leadership Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Leadership Philosophy - Essay Example The effective leader is a person who has already developed a leadership philosophy which includes the core values that he holds to be important. The modern effective leader imbues these values into every action he or she takes so that the people around see him or her as an example that should be emulated. The incorporation of the leader’s own values into his or her own life means that the leader has effectively chosen the right direction in life. Not every person has the strength required to determine his or her direction and to stick to it in life as challenges arrive. The leader is effectively a person who has chosen a path and chooses to persevere on this path no matter what obstacles appear. In choosing the path, the leader has to sacrifice a number of things in life to set his or her priorities in the right order. Only this method of setting personal values allows a true leader to gain a direction that other people can emulate.

Human resource management policies implemented by Watsons Engine Assignment

Human resource management policies implemented by Watsons Engine Components - Assignment Example However there are factors which resist effective management of human resource. In this study, theoretical frameworks have also been incorporated to better analyze HRM policies and functions. A critical perspective for human resource management helps in determining the need for strategic HR planning to enhance company performance. The report will even highlight certain recommendations for Watsons at the end which can be implemented to reduce problems observed within the organization. Various approaches of human resource management are outlined in this study and each of them has a significant impact on workforce productivity. Human resource management is an organizational function structured to maximize employee performance. The major objective of this function is to meet objectives of employer. Management of human resource is related to developing systems and policies for effectively managing workforce in an organization. The units and departments of HR are responsible for employee re cruitment, performance appraisal, training and development and even rewarding. HR is associated with industrial relations, or rather balancing governmental laws and collective bargaining regulations with organizational practices. In 20th century, human relations movement framed the concept of human resource management. Researchers worked on this concept and stated that strategic management of workforce can create competitive advantage for a business.