Volcanoes Risks and Benefits Essay Example for Free

Volcanoes Risks and Benefits Essay The term volcano can either mean the vent from which magma erupts to the surface, or it can refer to the landform created by the solidified lava and fragmental volcanic debris that accumulate near the vent. One could say, for example, that large lava flows are erupted from Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, the world volcano here signifies a vent. Volcanoes are not the realm of any single scientific discipline. Rather they require study from many scientists from several specialties: Geophysicist and Geochemist to probe the deep roots of volcano; Geologist to decipher prehistoric volcanic activity; Biologist to learn how life became established and evolve in barren volcanic islands; and meteorologist to determine the effects of volcanic dust and gases on the atmosphere, weather and climate. Volcanoes affect humankind in many ways. Their destructiveness is awesome, but risk involved can be reduced by assessing volcanic hazards and forecasting volcanic eruptions. Body Volcanoes Risks and benefits  Definition First of all, we should know what a volcano is. Volcano is an opening in the earth’s surface. Through this opening has come rock so hot that it is in a liquid or gaseous state. This melted rock deep in the earth is called magma. Philosophers once thought that volcanic eruptions came from the burning of natural fuels. Sir Charles Lyell and his associates later showed the volcanic mountains were piled up from the products of their own eruptions For hundreds of years, volcanoes have struck terror and wonder into the heart of man. In ancient time, they even moved man into worship. The word volcano comes from Volcanus, the name of the Roman god of fire. The name was first used for volcano, one of the Lipari Islands in the Mediterranean Sea where the god was thought to live. Kinds of Volcano Volcanoes are commonly classified as active, dormant and extinct. The distinction between the categories is not very clear and consequently any classification based on this criterion and is highly arbitrary. The separation of dormant and extinct volcanoes is particularly difficult. A volcano may lie quiet many hundreds of years and then awaken, often violently. Some volcanoes are constantly active . Izalco in El Salvador, and Stromboli in the Mediterranean Sea, erupt so regularly that they have been compared to light houses. Those that are quiet, but have not been dead for us to know when they will break out again are called dormant volcanoes. Volcanoes that have been remained quiet since the beginning of recorded history and probably will not erupt are called extinct volcanoes. Other volcanoes can be called intermittent because, they erupt fairly at regular periods. Many of these erupt in cycles, with the length of cycle being fixed by the amount of time needed to make enough heat to produce eruption. Types of eruption In classification schemes based on character of eruption, volcanic activity and volcanic areas are commonly divided into six major order of increasing degree of explosiveness: (1) Icelandic, (2) Hawaiian, (3) Strombolian, (4) Vucanian, (5) Pelean and (6) Plinian. The Icelandic type of eruption is characterized by effusion of basaltic lave that flow from long parallel fissures. Such outpouring build lave patterns. The least violent type of eruption is termed Hawaiian and is characterized by extensive lava flows from central vents or fissures and occasionally accompanied by lava ountains. Strombolian eruption is characterized by moderately fluid lava flows, usually accompanied by violent lava-fountaining that produces and abundance of volcanic bombs and cinders. Vulcanian eruptions are characterized by viscous lava that form short, thick lava flows around vents; very viscous or solid fragment of lava are violently ejected from these vents. Pelean eruptions are similar to vulcanian eruptions but have even more viscous lava; domes from over the vents, and ash flows commonly accompany the dome fountais. Plinian eruptions, also known as Vesuvian eruptions, are volcanic eruptions marked by their similarity to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 (as described in a letter written by Pliny the Younger, and which killed his uncle Pliny the Elder). Plinian eruptions are marked by columns of gas and volcanic ash extending high into the stratosphere, a high layer of the atmosphere. The key characteristics are ejection of large amount of pumice and very powerful continuous gas blast eruptions. Risks Volcanoes release volcanic hazards that may cause the life of human kind to be in danger. These volcanic hazards are Pyroclastic Density Currents (pyroclastic flows and surges), Lahars, Structural Collapse: Debris flow-Avalanches, Dome Collapse and the formation of pyroclastic flows and surges, Lava flows, Tephra fall and ballistic projectiles, volcanic gas, Tsunamis and Volcanic Lightning Pyroclastic density currents are are gravity-driven, rapidly moving, ground-hugging mixtures of rock fragments and hot gases. This mixture forms a dense fluid that moves along the ground with an upper part that is less dense as particles fall toward the ground. The behavior of the fluid depends upon the solids concentration relative to the amount of hot gases. High concentration density flows are called pyroclastic flows and are essentially nonturbulent and confined to valleys. Low concentration density flows are called pyroclastic surges which can expand over hill and valley like hurricanes. Temperatures may be as hot as 900 degrees Celsius, or as cold as steam. Pyroclastic flows and surges are potentially highly destructive owing to their mass, high temperature, high velocity and great mobility. Deadly effects include asphyxiation, burial, incineration and crushing from impacts. Many people and the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were destroyed in 79 AD from an erupion of Mount Vesuvius; 29,000 people were destroyed by pyroclastic surges at St. Pierre, Martinique in 1902; 2000 died at Chichonal Volcano in southern Mexico in 1982 from pyroclastic surges. The only effective method of risk mitigation is evacuation prior to such eruptions from areas likely to be affected by pyroclastic density currents. Lahars are part of the family of debris flows that are fluids composed of mixtures of water and particles of all sizes from clay-size to gigantic boulders. The abundance of solid matter carries the water, unlike watery floods where water carries the fragments. Debris flows have the viscous consistency of wet concrete, and there is a complete transition to watery floods. Lahars are composed of volcanic particles and originate directly or indirectly from volcanic action. Lahars can form by hot pyroclastic surges or flows entering watershed systems or flowing over snow and ice, by eruptions through crater lakes, by heavy rains on loose volcanic debris that is, any process by which volcanic particles can become saturated by water and move downs lopes. They can move with velocities as low as 1. m/s to as great as 40 m/s on steep slopes (1 m/s = 2. 55 miles per hour). They are known to have travelled as far as 300 km (1 km = 0. 63 miles). Lahars have destroyed many villages and lives living on Indonesian volcanoes because most people live in valleys where lahars flow. The 21,000 lives lost at Armero, Colombia, were from a lahar that formed during the eruption of Nevado Del Ruiz in 1985. It was generated by melt water from the interaction of pyroclastic surges with snow and ice, from a very small eruption. Lahars can transform into regular floods as they become increasingly diluted with water downstream. This phenomenon was first discovered at Mount St. Helens where hot pyroclastic surges transformed to lahars, which further transformed to hyper concentrated stream flow and then to normal stream-flow turbulence. The eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980 started with a relatively small volcanic earthquake that caused collapse of the north side of the volcano because it was over steepened and therefore unstable. When the landslide occurred, it decreased the pressure on the pressurized interior of the volcano which expanded explosively to form a lateral blast that devastated the countryside north of the volcano. Most of the debris flow avalanche was diverted down the North Fork Toutle River, but some moved directly northward over a 300 meter ridge and down into the next valley. Since the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, dozens of volcanoes that have given rise to avalanches have been discovered. For example, 40 avalanches exceeding 1 Km3 in volume, and 22 with a volume of less than 1 km3, are now known from the Quaternary alone, and 17 historic volcanic avalanches have been identified. The hilly topography north of Mount Shasta in northern California is now known to be the result of a have debris-flow avalanche. Some are known to extend up to 85 km from their sources and to cover tens to more than 1000 km2 in area. Lava flows rarely threaten human life because lava usually moves slowly a few centimeters per hour for silicic flows to several km/hour for basaltic flows. An exceptionally fast flow at Mt. Nyiragongo, Zaire (30-100 km/hour) overwhelmed about 300 people. Major hazards of lava flows burying, crushing, covering, burning everything in their path. Sometimes lava melts ice and snow to cause floods and lahars. Lava flows can dam rivers to form lakes that might overflow and break their dams causing floods. Methods for controlling paths of lava flows: (1) construct barriers and diversion channels, (2) cool advancing front with water, (3) disruption of source or advancing front of lava flow by explosives. Tephra consists of pyroclastic fragments of any size and origin. It is a synonym for pyroclastic material. Tephra ranges in size from ash (2 mm) to lapilli (2-64 mm) to blocks and bombs (64 mm). Densities vary greatly, from that of pumice (0. 5) to solid pieces of lava with density about 3. 0. Blocks from basement material may exceed 3. 0. Material may be juvenile (formed of magma involved in the eruption) or accidental (derived from pre-existing rock). Tephra fall and ballistic projectiles endanger life and property by (1) the force of impact of falling fragments, but this occurs only close to an eruption, (2) loss of agricultural lands if burial is greater than 10 cm depth, (3) producing suspensions of fine-grained particles in air and water which clogs filters and vents of motors, human lungs, industrial machines, and nuclear power plants, and (4) carrying of noxious gases, acids, salts, and, close to the vent, heat. Burial by tephra can collapse roofs of buildings, break power and communication lines and damage or kill vegetation. Even thin (2 cm) falls of ash can damage such critical facilities as hospitals, electric-generating plants, pumping stations, storm sewers and surface-drainage systems and sewage treatment plants, and short circuit electric-transmission facilities, telephone lines, radio and television transmitters. When dispersed widely over a drainage basin, tephra can change rainfall/runoff relationships. Low permeability of fine ash deposits leads to increased runoff, accelerated erosion, stream-channel changes and hazardous floods. In contrast, thick, coarse-grained deposits closed to the source can increase infiltration capacity and essentially eliminate surface runoff. Many of the hazards of tephra falls can be mitigated with proper planning and preparation. This includes clearing tephra from roofs as it accumulates, designing roofs with steep slopes, strengthening roofs and walls, designing filters for machinery, wearing respirators or wet clothes over the mouth and nose because tephra can contain harmful gases adsorbed on the particles as acid aerosols and salt particles. Magma is molten rock containing dissolved gases that are released to the atmosphere during an eruption and while the magma lies close to the surface from hydrothermal systems. The most abundant volcanic gas is water vapor; other important gases are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, and fluorine. The gases are transported away from vents as acid aerosols, as compounds adsorbed on tephra and as microscopic salt particles. Sulfur compounds, chlorine and fluorine react with water to form poisonous acids damaging to the eyes, skin and respiratory systems of animals even in very small concentrations. The acids can destroy vegetation, fabrics and metals. Atmospheric veils of dust or acid aerosols caused by large-volume explosive eruptions can affect regional or global climate. Most volcanic gases are noxious and smell bad, but they can cause mass fatalities. A rare case of mass deaths by volcanic gases in 1986 at Lake Nyos, in Cameroon, West Africa. Tons of carbon dioxide spilled out of Lake Nyos, and flowed silently down a canyon and through 3 villages occupied by 1700 people. They and 3000 cattle died instantly from lack of oxygen. Carbon dioxide emissions are now being monitored at Mammoth Mountain, California. A tsunami is a long-period sea wave or wave train generated by a sudden displacement of water. Tsunamis travel at very high speeds through deep water as low broad waves and build to great heights as they approach the shallow bottom of shores. Most are caused by fault displacements on the sea floor, but many have been caused by volcanic action. The eruption of Krakatau in 1883 produced tsunamis that killed 36,000 people. The pyroclastic flow generated by this eruption displaced the water that initiated the tsunamis.

The United States Relations With Pakistan And India Politics Essay

The United States Relations With Pakistan And India Politics Essay Realism has made the United States building its policies toward South Asia. Since the end of Cold War, the United States and India actively improving relations with each other, meanwhile the importance of Pakistan and the United States declined. Since the Kashmir incidence between India and Pakistan, both countries remain in tension and conflict. When the United States administrations decided to focus its partnership toward India, it resulted on the growing distance relationship between the United States with Pakistan, but the September 11 attacks suddenly restored Pakistan strategic importance to Washington. With the new strategies, the United States has to balance its policies toward India and Pakistan. ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK Realism has been the dominant theory of foreign affairs since the concept of international relations theory.  [1]  The universal goals of realism are security and power, with the key concept of power and interest. Realism assumes that its key concept of interest defined as power is an objective category which is universally valid, but it does not endow that concept with a meaning that is fixed once and for all. The idea of interest is indeed of the essence of politics and is unaffected by the circumstances of time and place.  [2]   The United States realists would focus on strengthening security ties in Asia and work to establish clearer threshold with the growing power Chinas leadership. The United States administration has moved in this direction, as represented by the strategic partnership with India and the recent pivot to Asia.  [3]  Realists stated that there is no eternal friend or eternal enemy, only eternal national interest. The U.S. eternal interest is to preclude a hostile power from dominating Europe or Asia. In order to maintain that interest the United States built a global alliance system to contain the Soviet Union during the Cold War era, and wanted India, the dominant state in South Asia to join it.  [4]   THE UNITED STATES RELATIONS WITH PAKISTAN AND INDIA In a security alliance since 2004 and strategic partners since 2006, the United States and Pakistan for decades experienced major shifts in the nature and tone of their relations. In the post-9/11 period, assisting in the creation of a more stable, democratic, and prosperous Pakistan actively combating religious militancy has been among the most important U.S. foreign policy efforts. Vital U.S. interests are seen to be at stake in its engagement with Pakistan related to regional and global terrorism; efforts to stabilize neighboring Afghanistan; nuclear weapons proliferation; links between Pakistan and indigenous American terrorism; Pakistan-India tensions and conflict; democratization and human rights protection; and economic development. As a haven for numerous terrorist groups, and as the worlds most rapid proliferator of nuclear weapons, Pakistan presents a combination that places it at the top of many governments international security agendas.  [5]   India, the regions dominant actor with more than one billion citizens, is often characterized as a major power and partner of the United States and counterbalance for Chinas growing power. Washington and New Delhi have since 2004 been pursuing a strategic partnership based on shared values such as democracy, pluralism, and rule of law. Numerous economic, security, and global initiatives, including plans for full civilian nuclear energy cooperation is underway. This latter initiative, launched by President Bush in July 2005 and provisionally endorsed by the 109th Congress in 2006 (P.L. 109-401, the Hyde Act), would reverse three decades of U.S. nonproliferation policy. It requires, among other steps, a Joint Resolution of Approval by Congress. Also in 2005, the United States and India signed a ten-year defense framework agreement that calls for expanding bilateral security cooperation. Since 2002, the two countries have engaged in numerous combined military exercises. Major U.S. arms sales to India are planned.  [6]   Further U.S. interest in South Asia focuses on ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan rooted in unfinished business from the 1947 Partition, competing claims to the Kashmir region, and, in more recent years, cross-border terrorism in both Kashmir and major Indian cities. In the interests of regional stability, the United States strongly encourages an ongoing India-Pakistan peace initiative and remains concerned about the potential for conflict over Kashmir sovereignty to cause open hostilities between these two nuclear-armed countries. Both India and Pakistan have resisted external pressure to sign the major nonproliferation nuclear weapon treaties. In 1998, the two countries conducted nuclear tests that evoked international condemnation. Proliferation-related restrictions on U.S. aid were triggered, and then later lifted through congressional-executive cooperation from 1998 to 2000. Remaining sanctions on India and Pakistan were removed in late 2001.  [7]   THE UNITED STATES POLICIES TOWARD PAKISTAN Most of the United States policies in Pakistan emphasize a security-oriented approach that could risk derailing trends by eliciting even stronger anti-American nationalism among the Pakistani people.  [8]  The policies are as follows: Pressure counterterrorism on Pakistan. In May 2012, The Security of State Clinton requested more Pakistan efforts to clear its territory of terrorist sanctuaries. U.S. officials remained acutely concerned about the apparent impunity with which Pakistan-based extremist and militant groups are able to act.  [9]   Weaken U.S. Pakistan relationship to strengthen U.S. India relationship. This issue made Pakistan more reliant on its partnership with China, also in response to this issue, Pakistan actively improved its nuclear weapons. Leahy amendment provisions by withholding train and equip funding for several Pakistani army units.  [10]   According to the U.S. Department of State, the overall human rights situation in Pakistan remains poor, and that lack of government accountability remains a pervasive problem; abuses often go unpunished, fostering a culture of impunity.  [11]   Foreign assistance and coalition support reimbursement.  [12]   Pakistan is among the leading recipients of U.S. aid in the post-9/11 period, having been appropriated about $24 billion in assistance and military reimbursements since 2001. By the end of 2011, the U.S. Congress had appropriated more than $8.3 billion in development and humanitarian aid, and nearly $7 billion for security-related programs over ten years.  [13]   THE UNITED STATES POLICIES TOWARD INDIA The United States experienced challenges in maintaining its relations with India to manage disagreements on five potentially divisive strategic issues: Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy, China policy, arms control, climate change, and high-technology cooperation. The Obamas administration policies adopted to solve the issues listed as follows: Deploy 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan should reassure those Indians who view the fight there as a test of U.S. staying power in South Asia.  [14]   Devote increasing time and energy to cultivate the U.S.-Chinese relationship. Indians are asking whether Washington envisions a role for India in maintaining a balance of power in Asia, or whether the Obama administration views India as tangential to U.S. priorities there.  [15]   Renew U.S. efforts to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). If China wants to do so, too, India will be pressured to follow suit, even it is unlikely.  [16]   India is the worlds fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Both Washington and New Delhi support investment in green technologies, but internationally mandated and monitored emissions reductions are political problem in India, where they are often seen as a drag on growth and an affront to Indian sovereignty.  [17]   The United States emphasis on national security export controls and intellectual property protection has excessively restricted licenses and transfers.  [18]   India remained on the U.S. Special 301 Priority Watch List in 2011 for failing to provide an adequate level of IPR protection or enforcement, or market access for persons relying on intellectual property protection.  [19]  Moreover, since 1998, a number of Indian entities have been subjected to case-by-case licensing requirements and appear on the U.S. export control Entity List of foreign end users involved in weapons proliferation activities.  [20]   RECOMMENDATION The U.S. military aid has done little to stem Islamist militancy in Pakistan and may even hinder that countrys economic and political development. For that reason, Indonesia should voice its disagreement to this policy. The United States policy should have been targeting effective nonmilitary aid, perhaps especially that which would strengthen Pakistans civil society such as nonproliferation, governance, economic growth, and also support Pakistan initiatives that could promote its regional stability. The United States and India share important interests: both seek to restore global growth, protect the global commons, enhance global energy security, and ensure a balance of power in Asia. Indonesia administration could recommend enhancing the level of transparency in their relationship. Closer cooperation such as on counterterrorism would mean closer coordination on developments regarding Pakistan as well. They must therefore increase the scope, quality, and intensity of their cooperation at every level. Some of other United States policies in the South Asia are based on Washington strategic interest, but if Obamas policies able to ease the tension between India and Pakistan; Indonesia administration might support them, having acknowledge that the war can lead to nuclear war. CONCLUSION History shows that the relations between The United States with India and Pakistan have been based strictly on military and economic support.  [21]  Strategic interest has been the most important factor for U.S. policy toward South Asia. The policy has been a part of a U.S strategy to prevent external power from dominating Asia. From the U.S. perspective, the Soviet Union was that power in the Cold War era, and China emerges as the most likely candidate for the power in the post-Cold War era. The United States failed to change India and Pakistan nuclear policy and decided to lift part of the sanctions. President George Bush administration at first treated India as a focus of relations in South Asia, but the September 11th attacks restored Pakistans importance to the United States. In order to win the support of India and Pakistan for anti-terrorism, the United States lifted all the sanctions against them, provided Pakistan with loans and strengthened military cooperation with Pakistan. Due to terrorist actions in India, tensions between India and Pakistan repeatedly flared up. The United States had to step in, to evade the escalations that might become war, or even more nuclear war. But the United States is unable to help solve the Kashmir dispute. As long as the United States still see China as the threat to its global power, they will treat India as its partner in South Asia. As long as the anti-terrorist campaign continues and the Afghanistans conditions established, the United States will need Pakistans cooperation; hence the United States will try to maintain its current policies toward India and Pakistan.

Core Business Strategy Of Thomas Cook

Core Business Strategy Of Thomas Cook If one looks up the most famous names in travel, he is sure to come across Thomas Cook. 1841 marked the inception of this international travel company. Gradually growing from humble settings Cook came up with one of a kind company dedicated to making the whole world accessible for Britons. Today Thomas Cook is a very big name with several brands under it. It has an airline by the name Thomas Cook Airlines equipped with 44 aircrafts which fly worldwide. It has a variety of financial services as well which includes Thomas Cooks passport and credit card. The current form of Thomas Cook is the result of a merger which took place between Thomas Cook and My Travel. The company is working and controlling all its operations to stay on the top. Thomas cook works in different areas, including UK and Ireland, continental Europe, northern Europe, North America and Germany. The most number of passengers are catered are in Continental Europe and the count reaches up to 7.5 million. Thomas Cook Group has a portfolio full of travel brands that are leading the market currently. Thomas Cook strives hard on offering the most optimum quality products and services to their stakeholder. They never let the shareholder value to decrease. Customers: As all the leading organizations understand the importance of their customers so does Thomas Cook and hence they constantly look for the feedback from their customers once they have availed their services. There are questionnaires and all other sorts of feedback techniques that facilitate the analysis of each individual service that they give. Then accordingly they make the improvements and the changes necessary. Employees: With a very vast experience Thomas Cook is the excelling brand in travel. If you are looking reliability, flexibility and value for money, Thomas Cook is the company you are looking for. What is the factor that makes them unbeatable? It ultimately comes down to the people that work for the organization. Thomas Cook has over 34,000 employees worldwide, and this organization knows how to choose the best and then retain them. Investors: Investors are the one of the main asset that the any organization relishes besides good customers. Thomas Cook has its set of loyal investors and to keep them happy it ensures open communication with all the shareholders. This exchange of concerns is done inside an investor relations framework and is a very structured one so as to leave no room for mistakes. There are formal presentations held to inform them of the financial conditions annually and quarterly, different sorts of trading statement. There are also other more regular meetings between the top management and the investors. The product: If the core product of the company is effective that becomes the foundation for its success. Hence Thomas Cook invests a lot of time and resources to ensure that everything goes right. Making the right product is the main element that adds to the value for customers as well. For this purpose Thomas Cook has made a specialized team which has the sole purpose of assuring the quality and keeping tabs on product performance and keeps all the managers updated with regard to any potential problem. The cardinal measures that the company adopts are Punctuality, ensuring flights are on time. Information handling Taking customer services very seriously so as to minimize the number of complaints The questionnaires filled by customer, getting them catered from a third party. Thomas Cooks Code of Conduct: Thomas cook has a strong set of values. There is a set of five values that all the employees share and it defines what the company stands for and it operates. These five values hold great importance for everyone that works in Thomas Cook because the employees believe that it is their persistence with these values which is causing their maintained success. It also facilitates their effective customer services which of course can make or kill any organization. They have an interesting way of referring to these values. It is said once you follow these values, youll be PROUD to put on your Thomas Cook badge. The five PROUD values are: Pioneering our future; In Thomas Cook the culture that is encouraged is of improvement. Nobody should fear taking on ownership and enhancing every opportunity that is thrown their way. Learning from their past mistakes and making the future most profitable is also one of their virtue. At Thomas Cook employees believe that they cant stay stagnant, they have to keep innovating to stay one stay one step ahead of all the copy cats. Results orientated; The success of any organization or individual as a matter of fact depends upon the achievement of the preset goals and aims. So is the notion embraced by Thomas Cook, it becomes the driving force for attaining their goals, working for betterment and raising the stakes every time. Flexibility is a virtue that is encouraged and taking responsibility is greatly appreciated. Obsessed with customer service: Customer is the king, this rule is incorporated in every companys mission statement. When you are catering to the masses and are depending on them for your revenues, it will be very dumb to not give due importance, respect to them. Thomas cook is always working on making their service better. Their main focus is their customers and hence they take their feedback very seriously, readily solving the problems that the customers come across. Thomas cook tries to ensure such standards of service which will make the customers keep coming back. United as one team; companies who have no harmony get ripped apart in no time. Team has a very significant meaning, Together Everyone Achieves More. At Thomas Cook everyone has clear perspectives on their team work. For them it is about being able to communicate effectively, giving each other the boost as they are moving towards the same goal, respecting each others views and ideas. Jealousy and bullying are the demerits that eat up a progressive organization. Driving robust decisions; one bad decision at the worst time can turn an organization upside down, on the other hand if an astute decision is thought of and is executed at the right time can change the whole situation for the organization for good. For Thomas Cook employees understand they have to be objective, scour all the options and then coming up with the best choice. Picking the most easy and safe option might get you through for some years but in this competitive world one has to constantly be on his toes to sustain. The bigger the risk, the better is the result. Thomas Cook also believes in concepts like Diversity, Equal Employment Opportunity, and protected class and so on so forth. It has worked on a system that assures the efficient inculcation of such norms. In Thomas Cook the range of dimensions making a distinction in people is considered to be an asset. Normally that does not happen. Companies readily fall victim to notions like glass ceiling, glass walls and reverse discrimination. But Thomas Cook endorses and promotes the diversity that its people bring in. To not fall victim to certain discriminatory policies it has adopted a staunch management and efficient policies that would ease and ensure their support for all their employees. Thomas cook acclaims to have treated everyone fairly so far by basing their evaluation on solely individual virtues and capabilities considered against the business needs. They have created in itself an ideal system, and to keep every thing running smooth strict actions are taken against any type of discrimination that arises due to factors like nationality, ethnicity, sexual origin, age, religious beliefs, race color or any sort of physical disability. Not only does Thomas Cook provide equal employment opportunities for everyone but it helps its existing and potential employees in all possible ways. The main asset that they flaunt for Thomas Cook is their hard working employees. Firstly anyone can apply for any job in Thomas Cook if he/she is qualified. There is no discrimination is the recruiting process. Once a candidate is taken aboard he/she is trained for 7 days, polishing their skills and then they are off to work. Once the contract is over, Thomas Cook does not dispose off his loyal employees. They find ways to keep the talent within the organization by changing their positions and other means. Thomas Cook values loyalty by employees and customers. There is a culture of deep trust among all the employees, and this trust is transferred to customer which adds to their loyalty. Privacy policy: In this present era when internet has become equally essential as breathing for us, we dont care what information we are giving up. No matter how personal it is, we think it is not visible by other and even if it is so what. Some websites sell your information to organizations like CSI and so on as well. But we dont realize the price that we pay for all the free information that we are getting with just one click is jeopardizing our identity. For Thomas Cook it is of grave importance that the customers information is not leaked anywhere. One part of their imparted trust is reflected in this privacy policy as well. Also Thomas Cook does not discriminate against ex offenders. If the person comes clean with his crime in earlier stages of the recruitment process, he wont be necessarily barred from working in the organization. Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is provided by the company. And the person is then evaluated on the position he is opting for and the nature of the offence he has committed and then coming with the best for the company as well as the candidate. But to be considered the interested candidate should be straight to the company with regard to his crime record. Company has a strict policy of withdrawing any one who tries to hide this fact. At the same time it assures fair treatment to all. Conclusion: Code of conduct helps organizations with their recognition. Every company has it own way of dealing with its code of conduct. Some succeed in finding their and some fail. To conclude it all Thomas Cook has a strong code of conduct. It has some conspicuous set of rules and procedures that it follows. From this persistence the culture that evolves leads to success all the way. The organization works for the benefit of its stakeholders and cherishes the trust, loyalty they get in return. Thomas Cooks Corporate Social Responsibility: CSR is a crucial element for any organization. It augments to the goodwill of the company. The conventional definition of CSR would a type of corporate self initiation inculcated in a business model, but Thomas Cook has its own definition. For them CSR is working towards the goal of curtailing the negative and adding to their positive carbon footprint in reference to social, environmental and the economic factors. This they believe would be able to ensure a pro longed existence of their business and the resources they are dependant on. They have an extensive CSR team, which works around the clock to ensure that they come up with some strategies that facilitate their objective of making a difference in this world. The sustainability team is the one who takes the aim of administrating and conveying the consequences of their social and environmental actions. This is the team that has to incorporate Corporate Social Responsibility into their routine business culture. Thomas Cooks CSR structure: As pressed upon again and again CSR is a very cardinal concern for the board. It is not just a random body put only in papers to gain goodwill. It has a proper structure, a proper committee called Health, safety and environmental committee headed by Roger Burnell, which keeps an eye on all the operating companies. This committee is liable for keeping tabs on the risks related to environment, forming and implying policies as well. There have been many changes in the structure of the organization down the road to ensure effective and efficient administration of health and wellbeing of customer as well as the employees. Thomas Cooks CSR partners: To enhance the efficiency and impact of CSR there are several number of partners that Thomas Cook works with. The travel foundation: Thomas Cook is working with a charity called Travel Foundation to help discover useful ways to build up and put into practice liable travel. This activity is helping Thomas Cook sticking to new responsible policies. Enable holidays: They have been in partnership with Enable Holidays and became the cardinal tour operator to sell holidays to people with impaired mobility. Enable Holidays is an organization which works to facilitate the travel wheelchair user and their surroundings. As Thomas Cook is a pioneer in the travel industry so it is taking this opportunity to help. WRAP: Also in relation with WRAP which helps Thomas Cook with the recycling of paper. Expanding your horizon: Even if the company is working very efficiently on CSR all the goals cannot be achieved without the help from stakeholders. If the company is very staunch with values like CSR it can easily transfer them to customers, employees and suppliers. Sometimes unexpectedly it is these other elements that make the most if the impact. At Thomas Cook much effort is pressed upon updating the employees about CSR, why is it essential for the society and for the business. By making them realize the crucial importance the customers also take part. Thomas Cook also informs them ways of how they can contribute. Also Thomas Cook incorporates supply chain in their CSR as well. For this purpose they work with suppliers to attain the maintenance standards crucial for industrys long lasting success and future. Thomas Cook believes that the social and the environmental impacts are related to the places they serve in and the suppliers that they cater to in those areas. Among these the most important are the ones which make available accommodations. The organization provides the suppliers with all the information needed. It makes sure to impart education on maintenance and endorse their usage of Travelife Sustainability System (one stop online resources for travel businesses. From the very beginning Thomas Cook has been working with FTO to build up a supply chain management scheme that assures the organization that their suppliers are well equipped with good health, safety and environmental standards which are in accordance with companys policies. Conclusion: After all this discussion we reach the conclusion that Corporate Social Responsibility is an element that no organization can afford to ignore. All companies strive hard to enhance their corporate social responsibility teams in order to excel in it. Thomas Cook also realizes the importance of giving something back to the society and the environment. It has taken many steps from its inception and is still working on it. This is a two way thing; on one hand Thomas Cook solves corporate social responsibility issues internally. And on the other hand it depends on collaborations with other companies, fund raisers, charities. Referencing: Thomas Cook official website, 2009. Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2009 [online] (Updated December 2009) Available at: http://production.investis.com/tcg/csr/employees/oview/ [Accessed 10 March, 2011]. Business and Human Rights resource centre, 2009. New adventures in ethical travel (Online) (Updated 25 March, 2011) Available at: http://www.business-humanrights.org/Categories/Individualcompanies/N/NeilsonTravelpartofThomasCook (Accessed on 11 March, 2011)

General Electrics Quality Gamble Essay -- GCSE Business Six Sigma Cou

General Electric's Quality Gamble The Implementation of Six Sigma General Electric (GE) is among the most profitable companies and, according to Fortune magazine, the most admired. It stock is the most highly valued in the world. Some critics would argue, if it's not broke, why fix it? Jack Welch, CEO of GE, believes in the "infinite capacity to improve everything." Why does a company that has experienced so much success recently invests over a billion dollars in a quality initiative? Increased competition has GE adopting the attitude that businesses that stand still become obsolete as businesses that continue to grow pass them by. Also by implementing Six Sigma, GE is preparing itself for future profitability opportunities. Finally, research indicated a need for improvement in the way GE does business. GE had been straining for years to increase operating margin and six sigma is a way to do that. What is Six Sigma? Six sigma, the mother of all quality efforts, can mean different things to different organizations. The Six Sigma Academy defines it as tactics and tools to improve profitability through focusing on improving the sigma capability of an organization's processes. GE defines six sigma as first as a management philosophy; a never ending to competitive leadership by satisfying customer requirements profitability. Second they define it as a measurement system; a measure of a processes inherent ability to meet customer requirements. In general six sigma is a statistical non-financial performance measurement at which you should design, operate, and control every process in your company in such a way that none of yield more than 3.4 defects per million units of output. Six Sigma is a tool that measures in a clear, accurate, mathematical terms how good or bad their quality levels are, how much they can improve, and what progress they are making along the journey. On a global perspective, companies that have not begun their quality journey are around one or two sigma. The worldwide average is around three sigma. The majority of the companies utilizing six sigma in India are at a low two sigma. An average domestic company is at three sigma, while a good company is at three and a half. Today GE is around three and a half with goals of reaching six sigma by the year 2000. Companies operating at three to four sigma lo... ...reduced cycle times, increased productivity, improved capacity and output, decreased work-in-progress, and improved process flow. Companies operating at 3 to 4 sigma generally loses up to 10-15% of their total revenue due to defects, on the contrast a company that operates at 6 sigma generally loses less than 10%. Six Sigma stars Motorola has reported savings of $2 billion over 10 years of implementation while GE shaved off 750 million of cost in 1998. In 1999, GE has projected a 1.5 billion in savings due to Six Sigma, and if they reach their goal of six sigma in the year 2000 they will add between 8 to 12 added to the bottom line. In conclusion, GE has decided to ride Six Sigma into the next century. The year 2000 is the deadline for reaching Six Sigma, which is also around the time its CEO Jack Welch plans to retire. If GE's quality gamble pays off, Jack Welch will go out a winner, leaving behind his most admired company on top. Reference "The Enigma of Six Sigma." (1999, May). Business Today. Online Romeo, Mary. Six Sigma Quality. GE Capital FMP Conference, Stamford, 1999. Curran, John. "GE CAPITAL: JACK WELCH'S SECRET WEAPON." Fortune July 1999.

Percy Bysshe Shelleys Ozymandias Essay -- Ozymandias Essays

Percy Bysshe Shelley's Ozymandias      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In "Ozymandias," Percy Bysshe Shelley uses a ruined statue of Ramses II to illustrate the negative aspects of the sublime.   Edmund Burke identified as sublime "the experience of contemplating enormous heights and depths but also the experience of being isolated from other humans" (Ferguson 339).   Both of these themes figure prominently in "Ozymandias."      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The poem opens with a mysterious "traveler from an antique land" (1) describing the demolished statue of Ozymandias (Ramses II).   The traveler serves as the human consciousness required to give force to the ideas of the destructiveness of nature and the annihilation of mankind.   Because the human mind can attribute destructiveness to nature, nature needs humans for it to be perceived as destructive and to continue to be destructive (Ferguson 339).   As Shelley does not state specifically how the statue was destroyed, and given its remote location, on might assume its destruction was due to an act of nature.   The legs of the statue are described as "vast" (2), while the ruins are a "colossal Wreck" (13); both descriptions refer to the concept of the sublime as awe-inspiring and terrifying.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The "vast and trunkless legs of stone" (2), along with the pedestal, are the only parts of the statue left standing; "near them, on the sand/half sunk, a shattered visage lies" (3 - 4).   The "shattered visage" might be seen as a form of depersonalization, an illustration that mortals are insignificant and powerless when compared to nature.   Even though Ozymandias is a king, he is nothing in the eyes ... ...ether a warning against excessive pride, a discussion of the negative sublime, or allusion to an unhappy marriage, the fact remains that this poem is an excellent piece worthy of inclusion in the canon of British literature.   The imagery in the poem, as well as its accessibility, make it readily enjoyable by any reader.       Works Cited    Ferguson, Frances.   "Shelley's 'Mont Blanc':   What the Mountain Said."   Romantic Poetry.   Ed. Karl Kroeber and Gene W. Ruoff.   New Brunswick:   Rutgers UP, 1993.    "Percy Bysshe Shelley."   The Norton Anthology of English Literature.   Ed. M.H. Abrams.   New York:   W.W. Norton and Company, 2000.   698 - 701.    Shelley, Percy Bysshe.   "Ozymandias." .The Norton Anthology of English Literature.   Ed. M.H. Abrams.   New York:   W.W. Norton and Company, 2000.   725 - 6.

Education †Teacher Essay

Discussion of aim of education is a function of the philosophy of education or ‘educational theory’. The aim of education – in the fullest and deepest sense of the word – is in keeping with the nature of the human personality or ‘human nature’. Human nature is defined in terms of the cultivation and development of perceptive intelligence based on experience i. e. ‘creative intelligence’. Creative intelligence or ‘intuition’ combines reason of understanding with wisdom of compassion†¦ depends on human ‘awakening’ or ‘enlightenment’†¦. aim of education is to cultivate creative intelligence required for adaptation to changes in the social environment i. e. ‘adaptability’. Life is very complex and complicated. But an aim in life can make the complex life simple and purposeful. Aims give us direction to work and without aim, destination, or objective life becomes incomplete and haphazard. Individual has different interests, attitudes and needs. Every individual wants to achieve certain goals in life. But a clear-cut aim makes the road of life easy. Educational aims are varied. They have their different role in different fields. Some specific aims are listed below: (i) Knowledge Aim: The aim of education is the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes. It helps to adjust properly in one’s own environment. Knowledge helps the man to overcome the nature and satisfy human wants. It links the teacher and taught with social situation. It helps with certain skills to live in a society as human being and civilized one. Philosophers and educationists of the world believe in knowledge. It is the valuable asset of life, which helps the individual to overcome misery and problems of life. (ii) Vocational Aim: Knowledge aim of education is narrow by nature. The theoretical knowledge will never meet our basic needs of life. We need bread and butter to fill up our belly. We can get it if education is vocationalised. Gandhiji realized it in 1937 when he introduced Basic Education. Vocational aim develops the social efficiency of the individual. It reduces mental tension after completion of education. Those who are lower, intelligence in vocational education or training are a blessing for them. Realizing this aspect. Indian Education Commission (1964-66) introduces work-experience in the curriculum. (iii) Character Building Aim: The Indian concept of education believes in self-realization. Self-realization is possible through moral education. So the individual should cultivate moral virtues or values which constitute character. Swami Vivekananda said, â€Å"We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on one’s own feet. † (iv) Complete-Living Aim: The individual has various aspects to be developed. Every aspect of the personality is reflected in various activities to be performed. Education should help the individual to fulfill the various needs and necessities of life like self-preservation, fulfilling necessities of life, rearing and bearing of children, performing civic responsibilities and utilizing his leisure time properly. Firstly, the individual must know the art of self-preservation. Secondly, education should enable to him to earn his living. Thirdly, he should know how to take care of his own children. Lastly, he must have the idea how to utilize the leisure hours properly in a profiting manner. (v) Harmonious: Development of the personality aim- Gandhiji said, â€Å"By education, I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man-body, mind and spirit. † The meaning itself indicates to develop all-round aspects of individual-physical, intellectual, social and spiritual. All these aspects of the individual should be harmoniously developed. True education is development of 3H’s instead of 3R’s. The development of Head, Heart and hand of an individual makes him happy. (vi) Democratic Aim of Education: One of the important aims and objective of education suggested by Secondary Education Commission (1952-54) is to develop the democratic citizenship. India is a democratic country. Even citizen must have to realize the duties and responsibilities carefully. So the aim of education is to train carefully the future citizens. Training should be provided to develop the following qualities of the individual. (i) Capacity for clear thinking (ii) Receptivity of new idea (iii) Clarity in speech and writing (iv) True patriotism Further the democratic aim of education develop vocational efficiency, personality and leadership quality. Indian Education Commission (1964-66) under the chairmanship of Dr. D. S. Kothari suggested the following as the aims of education in a democratic set-up. (i) Increasing productivity (ii) Developing social and national integrity (iii) Making education modernized and (iv) Cultivating of social, moral and spiritual values. Each individual teacher has an opinion about what the aim of education should be, not only in their own classroom but also in school in general. Many issues occur when differing opinions about the purpose of education collide. It is important to recognize that other people, including many of your coworkers, administrators, and your students’ parents might have a different point of view concerning what education should be all about. Following is a list of different aims of education that individuals might espouse. 1. Knowledge to Get By. This old school belief holds that school is important in providing students with the knowledge they need to get by in their day-to-day lives. They need to know how to read, write, and do arithmetic. Even though these core topics form the foundation of a student’s education, most educators today would probably not agree that this should be the extent of a student’s school career. 2. Knowledge of Subject Matter Being Taught The purpose of education to some teachers is to impart knowledge about the subject matter they are teaching without much thought to other classes. When taken to the extreme, these teachers focus on their own subject matter as being more important than what students are learning in other classes. For example, teachers who are unwilling to compromise their own subject matter for the good of the students can cause problems for the school at large. When the school I taught at tried to implement senior projects, we got push back from a couple of teachers who were not willing to change their lessons to include cross curricular activities. 3. Desire to Create Thoughtful Citizens. This might be considered another old school belief. However, this is held by many individuals, especially within the larger community. Students will some day be a part of a community and need the skills and mores to exist within that society as thoughtful citizens. For example, they will need to be able to vote in presidential elections. 4. To Gain Self Esteem and Confidence While the self esteem movement often gets ridiculed, we do want our students to feel confident about their learning abilities. The problem comes in with inflated self esteem not based on reality. However, this is often cited as an aim of the educational system. 5. To Learn How to Learn Learning how to learn is one of the key elements of education. Schools need to teach students how to find information they will need once they leave school. Therefore, the specific subject matter being taught is not as important for future personal success as is the ability for students to understand how to find answers for any questions and problems that might arise. 6. Lifelong Habits for Work. Many of the lessons that schools teach are necessary for success in their students’ future lives. As adults, they will need to be able to get to work on time, dress and behave appropriately, and get their work done in a timely manner. These lessons are reinforced on a daily basis in schools around the nation. Some individuals see this as one of the main reasons for sending students to school. 7. To Teach Students How to Live Finally, some individuals look at school in a more holistic manner. They see it as the means towards right living for the rest of their lives. Not only do students learn information in their individual subjects, but they also learn life lessons in and out of class. As previously explained, proper work etiquette is reinforced in the classroom. Further, students have to learn how to deal with others in a cooperative manner. Finally, they learn about how to learn information they might need in the future. In fact, one of the things that many business leaders cite as being necessary for future workers is the ability to work as part of a team and problem solve.

Malungay Powder Essay

Malunggay Powder, A Solution for Nutritional Diffeciencies I. Background of the study Health awareness is the prime investment, ingenuity is the investor’s joining effort, and wellness is the net gain. Most people think that adapting a healthy and well conditioned life is expensive and difficult to achieve. The significance is just how one resourcefully utilizes the cheap, the natural abundance of nature, and the untiring quest to alternatives and remedies. Malunggay is a kind of vegetables that is enrich with vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are needed for optimum health. The importance of this vegetable particularly its leaves serve as a food supplement, Malunggay touted as â€Å"All- around miracle tree or Nature’s medicine cabinet† contains a wide variety of nutrients in high amounts. This powderized form vegetable add nutrition to our deficient diet due to modern food preparation, lack of family food budget, and busy lifestyles that make it hard to prepare a healthy and balanced diet food. It acts as an inexpensive insurance against nutritional deficiencies. II. Significance of the Study This study will promote awareness on the relevance of serving vegetable meals, soup, bread, dessert, shakes, juices and mixes with Malunggay powder. It encourages households to plant Malunggay in their backyards for personal consumption. Furthermore, it supports the Department of Agriculture on their program of propagating vegetable garden e. g. Malunggay and other nutritional vegetables as a revenue-generating industry? under its biotechnology program where it currently enjoys wide array of Malunggay and other vegetable based products manufactured in the Philippines and being sold in local and international markets. Finally, it inspires people to study and research all the benefits of vegetables and other agricultural products. II. Scope and Limitations of the Study The study focused on the specifications of how to procure the major quality ingredients, the Malunggay leaves and conscientiously observe the proper preparation and storage of the produce product. It took a month to got the final result of the research work using the method of experimentation. As Malunggay leaves is readily cultivated in the backyard and easily harvested. The study undergo three (3) repeated experimentations to come up with the reliable and factual results. Firstly, the outcome of the Malunggay leaves harvested at noontime when the sun is intense. Secondly, the primary ingredient, malunggay leaves will be hang outside with moderate exposure to sunlight. And lastly, the recommended procedure wherein the malunggay leaves is harvested in early morning was followed closely to yield the desired result. III. Methodology In acquiring the study of Malunggay powder, constant research was done. Facts were gain from books and computer resources. The abundance of the said vegetables which most of the time left out wilted encouraged our curious mind, thus this investigatory and research was done. The accessibility and availability of this Malunggay vegetable inspired us, the Biology Group 1 of II- Zatti where an actual and continuous propagation was made to ensure freshness of harvest during the several process of experimentation. The materials used in this study were (1. ) 3 Bundle of Malunggay leaves (approximately 1 kilo) (2. ) clothes pin (3. ) mortar and pestle or blender (grinder) (4. ) Brown paper bag or empty box with wide opening (5. ) sealed container or ziplock The preparation or procedures of Malunggay powder were as follows