Informational Interview Essay

Owner of Nutra-Planet, Sam Hong, is a respected, hardworking man that gave me advice that will be very useful in the future. Nutra-Planet is an online supplement store that has been growingly rapidly the past few years. I met with Mr. Hong for about twenty minutes, and discussed things such as: the education needed to work in his business, his job setting, required skills, and many other things. I chose Mr. Hong because I have been a customer with his business for a few years, and his warehouse/office is in my home town. He was a very polite man, and he said that he always enjoys the chance to share his knowledge with people. I interviewed him at his main office and I dressed business casual. I really learned an abundance about owning your own business, and it gave me an idea of what I needed to do if I decided to own my own store. Education Needed The first question to Mr. Hong was the type of education needed, not just to work there, but to actually have an opportunity to advance. He told me that he is interested in someone who knows both the business aspect and the supplement knowledge aspect of running the business. In order to pursue this path, I would be more successful finding a major supplement chain like his that has opportunities for advancement. My major now is marketing, and he said that will definitely help me in the future. I need to know the business aspects if I want to run day to day operations. Job Setting My next question for Mr. Hong was the type of job setting that his business offered. He said that his main goal was to make his customers’ experience a pleasurable one, and that the environment was a major factor in making that successful. From the casual, friendly atmosphere to the layout of the online store and warehouse, all things need to come together to make the customer want to come back, and tell all their friends about it also. This requires a knowledgeable staff that is helpful to everyone, and a friendly personality is as important to him as the experience an employer brings with him. Required Skills When I asked Mr. Hong about the skills that were required to be hired in an upper-level position in this business, he told me there were two different avenues to advance through; the business aspect or the customer relations aspects. He said that it is crucial for his employees to work well with other employees, and be able to take criticism and advice. Although I am majoring in business, I would still love to work hands on with customers. Aside from the obvious skills of knowing about supplements, Jay said the single most important skill he looks for is â€Å"people† skills. The personality to interact with others and assure them that you know what you are talking about when it comes to supplements. Conclusion The interview with Mr. Hong went very well, and he was said that he was happy that he could answer my questions. He emphasized that it is very important to stay in school and make sure that I graduate, because if I ever need any loans or anything it will help out tremendously if I have a good background and a degree. I will make sure that I interview more people in the future because I believe that it is a huge help to talk to someone face to face instead of reading stuff online.

How does the viscousity Essay

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow when acted upon by an external force such as a pressure differential or gravity. Viscosity is a general property of all fluids, which includes both liquids and gases. It describes the internal friction of a moving fluid. A fluid with large viscosity resists motion because its molecular makeup gives it a lot of internal friction. A fluid with low viscosity flows easily because its molecular makeup results in very little friction when it is in motion. The viscosity affects the size of liquid particles, increasing the viscosity tends to increase the size of liquid particles, which then increases their gravitational settling rates. The viscosity of a liquid changes with temperature, as the temperature increases the viscosity decreases as the intermolecular forces weaken. Energy added to the system in the form of heat increases the kinetic energy of the molecules, with higher kinetic energy, the molecules are able to overcome the intermolecular attraction resulting in a less viscous liquid. If a ball bearing is dropped through liquid it very quickly reaches its terminal velocity, when it reaches terminal velocity it should then be going at a constant speed. Stokes Law can be used to calculate the viscosity of a liquid. The formula for Stokes Law is:- vt = Terminal Velocity r = Radius ( = Density of the ball bearing d = Density of the liquid m = Viscosity Density of the ball bearing- Density of Liquid Volume = 4/3(r3 Depending on the velocity of the ball bearing, the motion of the liquid is different. These diagrams show the liquid molecules movement around the ball bearing when it is dropped. At low velocities the liquid flows in a streamlined pattern, which is called laminar motion, as shown in the top diagram. When the velocity is high the liquid flows in a much more complicated way called turbulent motion. When a liquid is travelling in a pipe as in our experiment, the transition from laminar to turbulent motion depends on the diameter of the pipe and ball bearing in comparison to each other, and the velocity, density and viscosity of the liquid. It is more likely to be turbulent when the diameter of the pipe is larger, and the velocity and density of the liquid is higher, and therefore has a lower viscosity. Prediction I predict that as the temperature increases the viscosity decreases due to the intermolecular forces weakening as a result of the temperature increase. This is because the kinetic energy of the molecules is increasing as the heat energy is transferred. The higher the kinetic energy, the more molecules are able to weaken the intermolecular attraction and so this results in a less viscous liquid. Apparatus 100ml measuring cylinder, 125ml of honey, a steel ball, a magnet, 2 decimal scale, micrometer screw gauge, thermometer Plan Before starting the constants will be taken, which are- Terminal velocity, vt, = Distance Time. Gravity, g, = 9. 81 seconds Radius of the ball bearing, r, = 0. 284 x 10 -2 Distance travelled, d, = 0. 226 m Density of the ball bearing- Density of the liquid- The radius of the ball bearing will be measured using a micrometer screw gage. A stop clock will be used to measure the time so the terminal velocity can be calculated. A balance to two decimal places will be used to measure the mass of the ball bearing so the density can be calculated. A measuring cylinder will be used to find the volume of the liquid so the density of it can be found. A thermometer will be used to find the temperature of the liquid and of the water bath. Then a tube will be put onto a tray, glycerine at a temperature of 20 i C will then be poured into it. Two marks will be made a fixed distance from each other to represent d. A ball bearing will then be dropped down it and the time taken to fall between the two points will be taken. If possible a light gate will be used to measure the time so that inaccuracies will be minimised when making the calculations. A range of temperatures up to 80 i C will be done with each one being repeated three times for accuracy. The liquid will be heated in a water bath so the temperature can be as exact as possible. Results Distance the ball bearing drops- 0. 22m Gravity- 9. 81 m/s2 Radius of Ball Bearing- 0. 284 x 10-2 m Mass of Ball Bearing- 0. 105 x 10-2 kg Diameter of Ball Bearing- 0. 568 x 10-1 m Mass of Liquid- 0. 25kg Volume of Liquid- 0. 2 x 10-3 m3 Volume of Ball Bearing- 4/3( x (0. 284 x 10-2)3 = 9. 59 x 10-8mi Density of Ball Bearing- kg/mi Density of Liquid- Rearranging Stokes Law we obtain- kg/m/s Temperature (i C) Time Taken (secs) Average time taken (secs) Average Velocity m/s Viscosity kg/m/s 25 1. 82 1. 86 0. 118 144. 6 1. 88 1. 88 43 1. 11 1. 05 0. 210 81. 2 1. 01 1. 04 61 0. 29 0. 31 0. 710 24. 0 0. 23 0. 41 Graph Conclusion. As the temperature got higher the ball bearing fell through the liquid faster. This is because as the temperature increases the intermolecular forces get weaker so there is less friction against the ball bearing. The results comply with my theory and prediction that as the temperature increases the intermolecular forces weaken, because the kinetic energy of the molecules increases and so the viscosity decreases. Both of the graphs are straight lines with no anomalous results, which suggests that the experiment was conducted consistently. Any errors present are most likely to have been systematic and not detectable in this experiment. Evaluation The graphs show that the experiment was reasonably successful, as there are no anomalous results and they are both straight lines. The method worked well, though when timing there would have been some error because a person was timing, if the experiment was to be made more accurate a light gate could be used so the accuracy of timing would be greatly improved and less prone to human error. Also it was not easy to keep the temperature of the water constant and so it decreased in the middle of doing some of the experiment so some accuracy would have been lost there. Another source of error is the acceleration that occurs between the ball being dropped and it hitting the liquid. If the experiment was to be extended, the size of the ball bearing could be varied and the temperature kept constant, this could eliminate the problem of it accelerating before it hit the liquid, to see how it affects the time it takes for the ball to fall down. The diameter of the tube could be varied to and the size of the ball bearing and temperature could be kept constant instead.

The Cons of Marijuana Usage

The legalization of marijuana is one of the most highly debated about subjects facing Americans today. Advocates of legalization use two major arguments in their effort to have marijuana legalized. First, which is by far the biggest argument is that marijuana has a significant medical use. The second argument is that marijuana does not cause harm to those that smoke it. Both of these arguments can be easily discounted by the numerous studies that have been done on the effects of marijuana both medicinal and recreational. In the following paragraphs we will explore the hard facts of marijuana that will discount the validity of the previously mentioned arguments as well as some common fallacies. I will focus first on the medical fallacy. There currently exists a great debate concerning smoking marijuana as a medicine. Many well-intentioned leaders and members of the public have been led misled by the well-financed and organized pro-drug legalization lobby into believing there is merit to their argument that smoking marijuana is a safe and effective medicine. A review of the scientific research, expert medical testimony, and government agency findings shows this to be erroneous. There is no justification for using marijuana as a medicine. The movement to legitimize smoking marijuana as a medicine is not encouraged by the Federal Food and Drug Administration, health and medical associations, or medical experts; but instead by groups such as the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and the Drug Policy Foundation (DPF). These organizations have little medical expertise and favor various forms of legalizing illicit drugs. The studies cited by the marijuana advocates have been found to be unscientific, poorly researched, and involved pharmaceutical THC, not marijuana. An advocate that claimed he was an expert, testified at the 1987 federal hearings to reschedule marijuana, was in fact a wellness counselor at a health spa who admitted under oath to using every illegal mind-altering drug he ever studied. Another â€Å"expert† admitted he had not kept up with new medical or scientific information on marijuana for over 18 years. Another doctor claimed there was voluminous medical research on the effectiveness of marijuana but under oath, when asked to cite the number of the studies, he replied, â€Å"I would doubt very few. † The fact is that there is not one reliable scientific study that shows smoking marijuana to be a safe and effective drug. The majority of the marijuana advocates’ â€Å"evidence† comes from unscientific, non-scrutinized or analyzed anecdotal statements from people with a variety of illnesses. It is unknown whether these individuals used marijuana prior to their illness or are using marijuana in combination with other medicines. It is also unknown whether they have had recent medical examinations, are justifying their use of marijuana, experiencing a placebo effect, or experiencing the intoxicating effect of smoking marijuana. The main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana (THC) is already legally available in pharmaceutical capsule form by prescription from medical doctors. This drug, Marinol, is less often prescribed because of the potential adverse effects, and there are more effective new medicines currently available. Marinol differs from the crude plant marijuana because it consists of one pure, well-studied, FDA-approved pharmaceutical in stable known dosages. Marijuana is an unstable mixture of over 400 chemicals including many toxic psychoactive chemicals, which are largely unstudied and appear in uncontrolled strengths. The manufacturers of Marinol, Roxane Laboratories Incorporated, do not agree with the pro-marijuana advocates that THC is safe and harmless. In the Physician’s Desk Reference, a good portion of the description of Marinol includes warnings about the adverse effects. Seriously, doesn t common sense dictate that it is not good medical practice to allow a substance to be used as a medicine if that product is ingested by smoking, not FDA-approved, made up of hundreds of different chemicals, and self-prescribed and administered by the patient. The federal government, over the last 20 years involving a number of administrations from both political parties, has determined that smoking marijuana has no redeeming medicinal value, and is in fact harmful to health. These governmental agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, and the U. S. Public Health Service. Their latest finding, as recently as 1994, was affirmed in a decision by the U. S. Court of Appeals in Washington, DC Since the pro-marijuana lobby has been unsuccessful in dealing with the federal government, they have targeted state and local governments to legitimize smoking marijuana as a medicine. A careful examination of their legislative and/or ballot proposals reveals they are written to effectively neutralize the enforcement of most marijuana laws. Crude, intoxicating marijuana under their proposals would be easier to obtain and use than even the most harmless, low-level prescription drug. Major medical and health organizations, as well as the vast majority of nationally recognized expert medical doctors, scientists and researchers, have not accepted smoking marijuana as a safe and effective medicine. These organizations include: the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, National Sclerosis Association, the American Glaucoma Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, National Eye Institute, National Cancer Institute, National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Dental Research, and the National Institute on Allergy and Infectious Diseases. There are thousands of studies available documenting the harmful physical and psychological effects of smoking marijuana. The harmful consequences include but are not limited to premature cancer, addiction, coordination and perception impairment, a number of mental disorders including depression, hostility and increased aggressiveness, general apathy, memory loss, reproductive disabilities, impairment to the immune system, numerous airway injuries, and other general problems associated with intoxication. So far I have shown why marijuana should be disregarded as medicinal now I intend to discount some more common fallacies that marijuana advocates like to throw around as well as the argument that marijuana causes no harm to the smoker. First, advocates for marijuana like to say laws against alcohol and drugs don t work so why have them. They often use prohibition in the early 1900 s as an example. Even though prohibition was unpopular and only in effect for about fourteen years, it did impact the use of alcohol. Alcohol use, alcohol-related deaths, and admissions to hospitals for other alcohol related illnesses were all reduced approximately 50 percent. Also, contrary to what you hear, there’s no evidence of a big increase in crime. That probably makes for good gangster movies, but little else. Prohibition was rescinded because alcohol historically had been part of our lives, and the majority didn t support prohibition. Drugs, on the other hand, have not been part of our everyday lives, and over 80 percent of Americans favor drug prohibition A second fallacy is that legalizing marijuana would reduce the number of crimes and would free up prison space for more violent offenders. First of all there are 12 million arrests made annually out of which 1 million are for drug violations, of these only 12 percent are sentenced to prison. Most of the criminals that are locked up already have rap sheets a mile long for different crimes anyways. Now if we legalize marijuana the arrests would stop because of the change in the criminal code but the criminals wouldn t change their behavior and become law-abiding citizens. They will continue to commit crimes to pay rent, buy cars, go to concerts, buy clothes, eat, and buy legal drugs. Thirdly, most advocates like to use the Netherlands as an example of marijuana being legalized and not having any problems. The Netherlands has begun experiencing a variety of problems including a rise in crime, welfare, unemployment, and addicts from other countries migrating there to indulge their drug appetites. A fourth common fallacy is that if we legalize marijuana we would save at least 20 billion dollars annually that is now used towards law enforcement. What this fallacy assumes is that there would be no governmental costs associated with distribution, regulation, and control of legal drugs. Using alcohol as a model, we know these costs can be substantial. Knowing government, there is very little they do that is cost effective. In 1965, when we started Medicare, Congress projected that it would cost this country $12 billion by 1990. The actual costs that year were $110 billion. In 1968 food stamps cost $173 million annually, and now, less than 30 years later, the price tag is $24 billion. And, finally the greatest fallacy that marijuana does not harm the user. The fact remains that marijuana and hashish are intoxicating substances that make the user high. The degree of mental and physical impairment depends on the amount and strength of marijuana smoked. There is a substantial difference between the 2 to 5 percent THC weed of the ’70s and the 10 to 20 percent THC in today’s weed. There is a definite reason why the higher grade is more desirable and expensive, and that’s simply because it gives the user a more powerful high. Studies show marijuana can and often does cause apathy, diminishes mental capacity, causes difficulty in concentrating, decline in performance, and lost motivation. Thousands of studies also show marijuana use adversely affects the brain, reproduction process, immune system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and remains in the body for extended periods of time. In addition, marijuana use often impairs normal thought processes, distorts reality, reduces self-control, and releases inhibitions, all of which increase the chance of harmful and criminal behavior. Many times the user is unaware he or she is being affected unless told by others. A Stanford Medical School study showed pilots to be impaired 24 hours after smoking one joint, even though they felt they were functioning normally. In conclusion, the bottom line is, whenever persons are under the influence, they pose a threat to themselves and others. We don’t need more intoxicated people on our streets, at public events, or driving on our highways. Traffic fatality studies clearly demonstrate a disproportionate number of deaths caused by drivers under the influence of marijuana. Why would we want to make a substance like that legal, inexpensive and readily available to satisfy he desires of a few who already choose to violate our laws? Haven’t the advocates learned anything from our experience with drunkenness?

Economic cost of illegal migration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Economic cost of illegal migration - Essay Example This statistics clearly mentions the height of immigration and its effect on the Americans. Surely, Mexican's will be benefited, if the immigration is allowed into United States because another research states that after export and oil sales, money sent by legal and illegal immigrants working in US is one of the largest revenue streams ('Economic Costs of Legal and Illegal Immigration'). World economic welfare will be severely affected as the nation which donates good amount towards welfare will have to divert its fund towards those immigrants. Economic welfare in the context of immigrants is to provide economic stability and growth to all the legal and illegal immigrants. 2) Monetary Union is a union between countries that use the same currency which is managed by one common central bank (Grauve, 113). Following are the monetary unions which are currently functioning: b) Brunei - Singapore Monetary Union: The currency under operation is Singapore dollar which is utilized by Brunei and Malaysia. Under tripartite arrangement, the currency of one country was circulated in other country (Kee Jin, 2). c) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation: The SAARC was established in 1985 integrating common currency of 'Rupee' among South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. d) The United States: This monetary union was formed with the congregation of 13 original US colonies utilizing US dollar as the common currency. e) Central American Monetary Union Council - Established in 1964 by the central banks of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicargua in order to promote the coordination of credit and exchange policies and the countries deal in dollar f) Eastern Caribbean Central Bank: The union was created in 1983 managing EC dollar for eight Caribbean countries. g) West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU): WAEMU was formed in 1994 with the congregation of eight countries sharing CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) Franc as a common currency. h) Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CAEMC): Was formed with six countries sharing CFA (Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale)Franc as common currency among them (Monetary Unions [Current and Future]). 3) Both, the products of Borden and General Foods are targeted younger generation. The Lady Borden ice cream and cheese has been created to provide them a glimpse of United States culture, their tastes and preference through the packing of cheese whereas the chewing gum ad campaign is made for French citizens which is visible in the ad campaign wherein most of the ads are shot at beach places. France has good number of beaches and the chewing gum spreads the message of refreshness through Hollywood chewing gum. 4) The services provided by IMF and World Bank are public goods as both the organizations deal in urban and rural development, financial assistance and other development programmes aimed at poverty alleviation. The services provi

Marketing Mangement 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing Mangement 3 - Essay Example Habitual: This book can be sold to people who like reading about their hobbies, that is cooking and gardening. For this segment, the book can be sold at original price with little more gardening or cooking tips added, so that these people won't think about buying the low price edition of the product. This segment can be effective reached by through advertising on TV channels which caters to the needs of these types of individuals, magazines or any other means which may reach them. Geographic: This book will be more effective for people living in these geographical areas where natural factors are conducive for farming or gardening. These people can be effectively reached by holding certain PR activities where they are told that their land is quite fertile and the book may help them well. Unemployed: This book will touch the aspirations of unemployed people as they have limited income to feed their family. This book will guide them of the techniques of feeding their families on low income and they will be attracted towards the book. This segment can be effectively reached by advertising in job search centers, job search magazine etc.

History about Elizabethan theatre Research Paper

History about Elizabethan theatre - Research Paper Example Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, Sir Philip Sidney and William Shakespeare were a major influence on the progression of the Elizabethan Theater. William Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies influenced the primary theoretical performances during their era. It is, therefore, imperative to assert that Elizabethan Theater exemplifies England’s structural, historical and theatre production principles that were shaped to a large extent by the influence of William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare’s limelight debut as a famous playwright was largely influenced by the death of Christopher Marlowe who was also influential in the molding of early theaters. At this time, he was famous for the play â€Å"Henry VI†. In 1954, when â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† and â€Å"Love’s Labour’s Lost† were performed, he became an icon in the theatre performance (Lee, 1898). Shakespeare influenced the Elizabethan Theater by determining the theme of the plays, drama and other performance as well as the role of different people in the theatre. During his time, playwrights, actors, and theaters owners acquired a new status of upper classmen in England, they got acknowledgment and rose higher in the society. Shakespeare lay the foundation for performance entertainment where comedies and tragedies were intertwined as more people were shifting from just wanting to watch comedies alone. The popularity of comedy and tragedy during Shakespeares er a led to a distinction between the two through a differentiation in their writing. Tragedy writers were guided by Aristotle’s definition of tragedy where a hero or heroine would be brought down by forces under their own control, but fate or through hubris. However, Romeo, Macbeth and Timon did not seem to adhere to this definition. Comedy was inspired by Plautus and Terence Roman "New Comedy". As such, comedies were happy tales about family affairs, domestic troubles and love but avoided politics (Arnold, 1989).

American Gov3 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

American Gov3 - Research Paper Example These duties and responsibilities extend to all fifty states and other lands under U.S. supervision, such as Puerto Rico2. In addition to this, the FDA is responsible for various regulatory functions, such as monitoring and controlling electronic product radiation and tobacco products. This agency promotes public health by maintaining and releasing current information, based on scientific study and testing, on the various products and substances under its domain, so that citizen consumers have accurate information with which to improve their health. In addition, the FDA promotes the advancement of public health by safely and effectively speeding innovations within affected industries3. As the FDA is required to maintain certain safety standards in each are under its supervision, it can often come under pressure by government officials, corporations, and private businesses. The speed and efficiency of testing, the amount of regulation required in term so proper labeling, and other aspects of product regulation may be viewed as too harsh or too lenient by various standards. As a result, the agency is under constant pressure from producers and consumers

The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children Essay

The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children - Essay Example Violence creeps quietly and firmly into living rooms via television and its contents. This source misguides its viewers in adopting unrealistic and cinematic use of violence in real life situations in homesteads and outside. Viewers invariably have the entire family and perhaps none of the family members escape this all pervasive and negative influence. Children, with impressionable and tender psyches, are increasingly witnessing real-life violence, either in their homes, streets, schools, work places and almost everywhere. This violence has not only assumed epidemic proportions but is a sad and painful reflection on our society when recipients of violence are children, particularly in domestic environment. An environment which is otherwise supposed to protect and nurture young ones instead works to leave deep scars of hostile violence. To top it all provocations may be extremely trivial. This state of affair constitutes both a public health and moral/philosophical crises. The United States (US) has the highest homicide rate in the world. The US homicide rate for young men is 73 times greater than that observed in comparable industrialized nations. Largely uncontrolled proliferation of guns and other lethal weapons is linked directly, for one, to the increased homicide rates among children and for two, to the numbers of violent incidents that children may witness. On an average each day in the US, 9 children are murdered, guns wound 30 children, and 307 children are arrested for violent crimes.

Briefly explicate the overall thesis's of Robert Kuttner's, Everything Essay

Briefly explicate the overall thesis's of Robert Kuttner's, Everything for Sale, and Daniel Bell's, The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism, AND DO SO WITH EQUAL FOCUS - Essay Example In summary, Kuttner demonstrates that there are notable differences between how markets operate in any business set up viewed theoretically and the real performance in practice. The writer notes that there are means that there are a number of unforeseen occurrences that take place in the market (Seligman 87). Most of the economists apply many theories in planning businesses, but as the author writes, there are other factors. Perfect markets are hard to realize and efforts to realize them may cause other problems to the society, for example, interfere with democratic rights of people. Everything for Sale focuses on a number of flawed markets such as labor, health care and finance. The objective of the book is to notify the community on the need for a democratic government control in matters of the economy. Daniel Bell was an American sociologist renowned for his editorial work and promotion of industrialism in USA (Lizardo 222). Bell incorporates his skills in combining his social skills and political ideas in his writings. Bell wrote the book, â€Å"The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism†, in 1976 (Lizardo 223). It demonstrates how the customs brought about by capitalism harms personal satisfaction and the factors that led to capitalism in business. Bell’s thesis makes use of sociology, psychological and theoretical skills in economics. Author’s focus is the cooperation of people in applying Rawl’s maximin idea in satisfaction of minimum lifestyle rather than maximum lifestyle, which is capital consuming (Lizardo 233). At the time of writing of this book, there was minimal technological advancement hence less capital advancement in business. Despite low technological advancement, Bell seems to have an eye on improvements in technology and its impact on capitalism in business. The rising diversity in cultural practices of different people affects the progress in business. In the first thesis, Kuttner looks at the

Risk management process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Risk management process - Essay Example This paper gives a critical analysis of a diagrammatic representation of the steps of risk management. This is achieved in conjunction with a detailed evaluation of the journal article â€Å"Understanding Risk Management in Small 7 Steps† (Mazareanu, 2011). Figure 1 below presents the 6 major steps in risk management. Nonetheless the article â€Å"Understanding Risk Management in Small 7 Steps† breaks down the steps of risk management process into seven small steps. It is however notable that the journal article describes the major areas in risk management sufficiently in scope (Mazareanu, 2011). In accordance to Fig 1 above, the process of risk management begins with the assessment of risk. Mazareanu (2011), in the journal article, describes this stage as the assessment of vulnerabilities. Nonetheless this translates to the same meaning. Therefore the risk management process begins with the assessment of both internal and external factors which makes individuals or organizations vulnerable to risk. In the assessment of risk, it is necessary to consider the assets that are at stake and the level of vulnerability that they are exposed to incase of a disaster, accident or failure (Burnaby & Hass, 2009). The diagram shows that after the assessment of risk, the process of risk management is followed by the development of goals and objectives of the management process. These goals and objectives acts as a roadmap against which the processes of risk management are measured (LAbbate, 2008). Fig 1 illustrates various considerations in the design of objectives and goals of the risk management process. Firstly, policy issues must be considered because they have a direct effect on the implementation of the risk management processes and project. Secondly, the standards for cleanup are designed. These are the guidelines which limit the extent to which risks are

Should cigarette smoking be banned Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Should cigarette smoking be banned - Essay Example More than 18% of US adults smoke cigarettes, translating to approximately 42 million people and the number could be higher if underage smokers are put into consideration (Ostermann 35). Cigarette smoking is legal in the US, notwithstanding the fact that it is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. This paper is a critical evaluation on why cigarette smoking should be banned. Cigarette smoking should be banned because it is harmful for the smoker’s health as well as that of those close to them. Cigarettes contain approximately 4000 harmful chemicals, some of which are carcinogens, meaning they can lead to development of cancer in smokers. Statistics indicate that more than 400000 people, in US, lose their lives every year due to smoking related illnesses, including cancer (Chen 44). When one inhales smoke from a burning cigarette, it gets into the lungs where chemicals are absorbed and distributed to other parts of the human body. The chemicals damage the DNA structures in different organs leading to abnormal cell growth and multiplication, which over time develop into cancer. Lung cancer is the leading consequence of cigarette smoking, followed by others such as; mouth cancer, kidney cancer and larynx cancer among others. Research shows that deaths arising from smoking related complications are far much higher than those resulting from abuse of a lcohol, road accidents and illegal substances, such as cocaine and heroin, as well as HIV/AIDS (Ostermann 68). Apart from cancer, studies show that regular smoking results to the depositing of chemicals in the blood vessels, which lead to blockage and interference in the blood flow. This means that the supply of oxygen to the brain, lower limbs as well as other important organs is inhibited. Consequently, the person suffers conditions such as dementia, impotence, high blood pressure, deterioration of the heart among others, which reduce the quality of life for the person involved. If a person

Newspaper article about possible war with Iraq Essay Example for Free

Newspaper article about possible war with Iraq Essay The newspaper article I have written is about the possible war in Iraq which expressed my opinion. It is an article that is totally against war and is to inform the readers the main objections by persuading them that it is right not to have another war. Im sure I am not the only one opposed to war in Iraq! The newspaper was aimed at teenagers and students alike. I felt that it was much easier to aim at this age group because I am a student myself so its like talking to your friends instead of addressing for example an older generation. The main points I want to get across were the American push for war in Iraq is illegal without UN backing, the Iraqi people have suffered enough, and the last thing they would want is another war. In this article, I am sometimes asking the reader a rhetorical question. Questions like Why would the training be so intense if there wasnt a war? It seems a bit obvious answer of yes because there were around 150,000 soldiers in the region at the time. As you read throughout, it seems like I ask the readers some question. I ask these questions because I want them to think about certain topics like America. For this topic I asked Would you believe them? when I was referring to America is saying Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. The article was aimed for teenagers and students so most of the articles language was easy to read and understand. The sentences were short and words were basic because if I put it too technical, they might not carry on reading it. I am a teenager myself so writing something aimed at them was easier than if I was writing for say a middle aged audience. You could say that it is more of a tabloid newspaper than a broad sheet one, this article is free and would be handed out to students who could pick them up from the college library maybe? The main theme for this article is against another war in Iraq so this is why I used in big and bold letter that reads out Dont attack Iraq! I did this so that it can catch the readers attention too. For example if they walked past and saw the title, they would be more likely to pick it up and see what it is about! In order not to confuse the reader, I have split the article in sections, the main article is about Iraq but some of the other sections include other threats, real reason etc. This layout makes it more easy to read and easier to understand than if I put everything under one subtitle. Plus I want people to know that behind the scenes America is trying something which they may not know so this layout would suit me getting that message across. When I did the first draft and got it handed back, I realised I made some mistakes with me going off the point. The main point was not to attack Iraq but I sometimes talked about other countries. This might have confused the readers and one more thing is that on the title it reads Making you be heard but this isnt true as I am expressing my own personal opinions so I changed that title to Getting the Point Across instead. The article improved much from the first draft I did, the sentences were longer and had around 1600 for the last one which was way over the limit so now I have nearly halved it. I also made it more newspaper like because the last design I had lacked an attractive heading. The structure of this article was made to set out more like a newspaper as possible. I gave the newspaper a big title along the top, the writing was all in columns, some relevant pictures were included and so were the dates and price. I gave the reasons not to attack in bullet points at the beginning and rounded it all up with a conclusion which was called Real Reasons. The pictures used were there to make the newspaper look more colourful instead of having just text in there. One of the pictures was some soldiers but you could only see their shadows with rifles in the arms which look un-welcoming, another is a picture of Osama Bin Laden. He is the most wanted man on Earth and a lot of people recognise him so the article would stand out more. Word count: 772 without header and footer

Impacts of Public Art on Society

Impacts of Public Art on Society Introduction Art is wholly subjective. Ten people may have ten different interpretations of one single work of art. On the most basic of levels they could love it, hate it or be indifferent to it. On a more informed level they may read different information from it, and ask different questions as to its artistic value. Human behaviour, by the literal meaning of it, is equally as subjective. Each individual has human traits that are based on personal experience. However, group dynamics can be quantified objectively using controlled research methods. For this essay I shall examine how art is used to encourage certain changes in human behaviour, both mentally and physically. This dissertation aims to understand how art affects the behaviour of an individual and the associated effects of the environment on the development of character of an individual as a person. Taking into consideration that art and human behaviour are subjective I intend to research, review, analyse and interpret how organisations have utilised one for the outcome of the other. I shall look at how public buildings, whose main purpose and function are not to display art, have embraced shapes and colours in order to guide the emotional and physical state of its patrons. During the analysis I shall be examining the different theories of experts in this argument. I will be considering the artistic viewpoint and the scientific approach as well as a cultural and philosophical perspective. In my conclusion I hope to have ascertained enough information from my research to confidently state my opinions on how art, in the simplistic terms of shape and colour, has been used to project a subliminal, psychological impact on the people that come into contact with it. Objective The main question I am asking in this essay is whether artistic forms, be it painting, sculpture, shape or colour, has an impact on people and their behaviour in an environment that is not necessarily expected to display art. This question will enable me to research the impact of public art in buildings such as hospitals, schools, libraries and other public locations where steps have been taken to introduce art outside the confines of a museum or gallery. Therefore the objective of this dissertation would be to create an environment that would be beneficial to pupils, patients, clients and even the entire community. Literature Review The connotations of colour and human behaviour, specifically mood, have been understood and utilised for millennia. During the Vedic Age in India (1500BC – 600BC) there was a conceptual belief that colour could represent different emotions, one such concept proposes that: there are three interwoven mental states which are; energy, inertia and clarity and that we all fluctuate between degrees of these states. These three qualities are given colours Energy is symbolised by red, inertia by black or dark blue and clarity is light and colourless. (McDonagh 2003: 170). Considering that this is not a new subject there is a wide selection of literature available on this particular subject. I am attempting to focus my essay on the four most relevant subjects that encompass the whole of my research: Connotation of Colour throughout history; Psychology and Physiology of Human Behaviour (in controlled environments); Public Art in alternative locations (not museums or galleries); and Philosophy of Pragmatism in Art. My literature review will be made up from a combination of books, journals, research studies and interviews. Due to the overlapping nature of this essay I shall be focusing on a wide aspect of subject matter including art history, architecture, philosophy, psychology and sociology. I have accumulated around fifty sources for this essay and have systematically narrowed them down to include only the information that is relevant to my purposes. Having read through the information I have discovered that what started as a simple question has unearthed a number of different theories and interpretations; including opinions that were contrary to my original beliefs; thu s forcing me to truly take on an objective view of my work. Using critical analysis of the literature I intend to produce a well argued, objective essay that shall help me answer my original question. During my research into the above subjects I found a number of published authors, sociologist, psychologists and artists who are experts in their particular field. It was both assuring and eye-opening to read and interpret their views and as such I believe they shaped my approach to writing this essay. I found some more important to my research than others, and these included the following: Malcolm Miles writing about public art in cities in his book ‘Art, Space and the City: Public Art and Urban Futures’; Alexander Schauss’ study on the affect of colour in a controlled; Carolyn Bloomer writing about the interpretation of colour in her book ‘Principles of Visual Perception’; psychologist Tony Cassidy and his research into colour tests in his book ‘Environmental Psychology: Behaviour and Experience in Context’; pragmatist John Dewey and his early twentieth century theories on the conception of art as a means of improving life; and author C hristopher Day in his work on how colours can improve daily living in his book ‘Environment and Children: Passive Lessons from the Everyday Environment’. Methodology The methodology I am using in this essay will predominantly be data-analysis from previously researched case studies, journals and published works. I shall, however, use data-gathering in my essay wherever possible; be it from interviews with art curators, members of the public or my own observation. I have chosen to analyse previous work and research on my subject matters due to the wealth of information available. Where I believe that vital information or data is missing I have decided to collate it myself. I believe this will allow my essay to objectively interpret cited work but also to include subjective and personal opinions on a range of subjects. After all, art and human nature are subjective topics. A questionnaire that aims to investigate what works and what does not work and whether art serves a specific purpose will be given to participants. Within the time constraints to complete this dissertation, a questionnaire is useful for this kind of investigation as it can reach more people. Observation is considered too time-consuming, taking too long to be meaningful. Other factors that need to be taken into consideration include obtaining/seeking permission/consent from the head teachers of the schools or directors of the hospitals to carry out the investigation. A letter to the school or hospital to obtain their approval and consent for the investigation will be written, in addition to a letter to the parents of the pupils who are under the age of 16 for their consent and approval for their son/daughter to take part in the investigation. Human Research Ethics (Ethical issues) Due to the nature of this essay I shall be examining, amongst other findings, how human behaviour can change in relation to the environment that they are in. Because this deals with the mental and physical state of an individual I understand that I am in a position of trust, and as such any data will be gathered in strict confidence. However, because a large percentage of my findings are from data that has already been gathered I do not find myself in a position where my research ethics are questioned. I understand that if I was to delve further into the research on human behaviour patterns I would need to pay close attention to confidentiality and care towards any participants in my research; especially if I was to recreate the ‘Baker-Miller Pink’ test, in which individuals who have just been arrested are place in a pink holding cell and their mental and physical state is measured. It would also be of utmost importance to deal with any participants in prison or mental h ealth facilities with integrity and diplomacy. Analysis and Interpretation – Connotations of Colour In the search for an ideal environment that would benefit people who come into contact with it I believe that the first place to look is in the past, and understand how history has harnessed colour as a means of expressing emotion. The idea of colour may seem like a simple concept but, depending on your particular viewpoint, it can prove to mean many different things. In the world of physics colour is determined by the wavelength of light; to a physiologist and psychologist colour is perceived by neural responses in the eye and brain; to the sociologist it is linked with our own culture and to the artist it is an expressive creation. The basic premise of colour, that is, the colour that we can make ourselves, is that it is made up of three primary colours; red, blue and yellow: Primary colours are ones that cannot be made by mixing other colours. (Morris 2006: 56). When the primary colours are mixed they create the secondary colours: The secondary colours are orange, green and violet . They are produced by mixing two primary colours. (Morris 2006: 56). Finally there are the tertiary colours; these are created by mixing any primary colour with its adjacent secondary colour produces a tertiary colour (Morris 2006: 56) and include combination colours such as orange-yellow and blue-green. The full spectrum of colour is possible by mixing colours in relation to the desired outcome, like adding ingredients to a recipe. The origins of humans recreating colour can be traced back to primitive cave paintings, examples in Europe date back 32,000 years. Although primitive by today’s standards, these depictions of wild animals by the hunter-gatherers were exquisitely painted on the rock surface using red and yellow ochre, hematite, manganese oxide and charcoal. Even though the use of reds and yellows was mainly due to the materials available to them, the colourful imagery could be described as abstract insomuch that the actual animals were not as vividly coloured as t he artwork portrayed. Interestingly the two colours used are primary colours. As mentioned previously the ancient Indian cultures believed that different colours signified separate mental states. The Egyptians also used colours to connote different meaning in that they â€Å"originated the idea of red fiends or red devils, the origin of the Christian image of a red Satan. In later dynasties, words with evil connotations were written in papyri in red ink. (Eiseman 2000: 35). Red is a colour that is perhaps the most powerful hue and its meaning around the world has always symbolised energy and life; the word ‘red’ in many different languages is derived from the word for ‘blood’. However, different cultures interpret colours in different ways; like the Egyptians before them, the Japanese saw red as the colour of demons and devils, yet in the Middle East that imagery was not apparent: During the early Kamakura period, about AD 1200, Japanese artist Jigoku Soshi painted his ‘Hell Scroll’ with frightening red demons chasing to rmented victims; while to Persians and Turks, as reflected in their magnificent carpets, red symbolizes happiness and joy. (Eiseman 2000: 32). In the West our cultural understanding of semiotics has conditioned us to add extra information to data that we can see. In the UK red is seen as the colour of danger; a red light means stop, a red traffic sign is a warning. Because red is such a vibrant colour, and the fact that is the first primary colour of the spectrum of light, it holds an unrivalled importance in the way it used in the natural and man-made world: Reds are generally regarded as stimulating and exciting. (Miller 1997: 104). In terms of human physiological reaction to the colour red, it is thought to speed up heart and respiration rates and to raise blood pressure, and [is] associated with strength, passion, and the colour of blood and fire. (Bloomer 1976: 120). Red has always been seen as the colour of power and energy; this has been demonstrated in the socio-political ar ena by the Communist movement; so much so that during the McCarthy Communist witch-hunts in 1950s American, the phrase ‘Better Dead than Red’ was echoed around the country. The phrase is a strong indicator of how powerful the word ‘red’ truly was. Only three letters long, it embodied all that was ‘un-American’ in the world, promoting fear and a Cold War that lasted over forty years, yet when include with two other colours it symbolized undying patriotism: ‘red, white and blue’. Looking at another primary colour, blue, it is interesting to see how different cultures perceive this particular colour to that of red. In the modern West the most simple, almost child-like reading of the two colours is ‘hot’ and ‘cold’. However, throughout history the reproduction of the colour blue has meant more than just a signifier for cold water. In ancient Egypt the colour was used to connote loyalty and virtue: these identifications with the hue go as far back as 1340BC to the Egyptian civilization and the reign of King Tut. (Bleicher 2004: 37). However, whereas the Egyptians considered blue to be a symbol of truth, the Cherokee tribes and the Japanese see it differently: to the Cherokee, blue is a symbol of defeat. In Japanese theatre, blue is the colour for villains. (Hullfish Fowler 2003: 28). In Western culture the colour blue was not widely used until the Church began to paint religious figures, notably the clothing of Virgin Mary, with a pigm ent extracted from a blue gem stone, lapis lazuli. This religious link led the colour to symbolise â€Å"piety, truth and goodness† (Bleicher 2004: 37). Today blues are considered: â€Å"calming, restful, serene, cool, comfortable, sober, and contemplative. (Miller 1997: 104) and are thought to reduce blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rates. (Bloomer 1976: 120). Navy blue, a dark blue, is still used in the clothing of the business world to promote a feeling of truth and honesty. Blue is perceived as being a neutral colour in so much that it is the colour of the sea and, unlike land, is not owned by tyrannical, or democratic, rule. It also symbolises a form of depression, as in ‘feeling blue’ and can connote coldness, or even something that is beyond the boundaries of acceptable behaviour, that is, blue language or blue movie. The final primary colour, yellow, has always held an integral part of any man-made creation. It is the colour of the sun; the shining star that gives energy to the planet. The ancient civilizations used the yellow as a symbol of their beliefs and religion: As a colour sacred to the Chinese and important to the Egyptians and Greeks, yellow gradually became a symbol of power. (Walker 2002: 24) In many indigenous tribes the colour yellow bore the deepest religious meaning, in south America the Aztecs believed yellow was the colour of life and food and the Mayans celebrated the colour as one that had the power to bring daily life: â€Å"The Mayas of Yucatan assigned it to the dawn and the east. (Brinton 2004: 237). However, the fact that yellow was so important to the ancient civilizations was detrimental to the beliefs of the early Christians, and yellow began to become associated with negativity: Yellow has been associated with deceit, cowardice, and jealousy† (Walker 2002: 24). In certain parts of Africa yellow is associated with love â€Å"because its the colour of honey. (Kaldera Schwartzstein 2002: 21). Gold is a softer shade of yellow and therefore seems to shed any of its negative images, but perhaps this is because the connotations are so intrinsically linked with wealth. Today yellow is considered sunny, cheerful, and high spirited, the happiest of all colours. (Miller 1997: 105) and it is also seen as being an expansive colour, one which appears to spread out as well as to advance† (Swirnoff 1988: 38). Throughout history yellow will always be seen as a bright, force-giving colour. This is perhaps due to the very child-like imagery of the sun; give almost any child a yellow crayon and ask them to draw the sky and in the corner of the picture appears a bright yellow orb with rays of sunshine emitting from it. The negative connotations seem to be rooted in cultural and religious differences, even racism. Chinese and Japanese people were often referred to as ‘yellow’ by an ignorant West. This was fundamentally based on the complexion of the skin; however, early Chinese rulers were called yellow emperors due to the power imagery of the colour, and the importance of the Yellow River. Obviously the primary colours are not the only colours that civilization has encapsulated in culture, religion or art; the secondary and tertiary colours are just as important. Unfortunately I do not have the space to describe every single colour but feel that some important ones need to be mentioned. Green is a very popular word in that its connotation seems to be of more value than its denotation. Like ‘red’ was in the 1950s, the word ‘green’ means far more than a colour. Green is an ecological, economical and political word that covers anything from Amazonian rainforests, nuclear power stations, recycling and political parties. In wooded and forested areas of the planet green is the background colour, in cityscapes green is what the majority of people miss; ‘the grass is always greener’ is a Western saying that strikes home in this situation, as in things are always better on the other side of the fence, country or world. If looking at a glob e of the planet the two main colours are blue (water) and green (land). Green can be considered neutral, but at the same time it means jealousy; a human trait that has shaped our political world for millennia. This duality allows green to be both warm and cool; it contains both the calming presence of blueness and the energy of yellowness. (Miller 1997: 104). Green can be the bridge between the natural and man-made world: Low saturation greens can serve as a transition between architecture and nature. (Kaufman Dahl 1992: 130). The combination of red and blue creates purple, a hue that can evoke delicacy and richness or appear unsettling and degenerate.† (Miller 1997: 105). Purple is a very regal colour and is often worn by royalty and world leaders during ceremonies; the leading figures in the Roman senate would proudly display purple within the design of their togas. Purple is cold colour and can connote physical harm such as a bruise or visible veins. Yet the pretentiousness of the colour is by far its strongest meaning and is considered dignified, exclusive, but lonely, mournful, or pompous. (Mahnke Mahnke 1993: 13). Orange is the mix of red and yellow, the two energetic primary colours. From a geological perspective this is the combination of lava and the sun. Historically orange has always had connotations of heat, energy and intensity; mainly rooted from its representation of the flames from a fire, and the warming embers of man-made safety. Perhaps it is this safety that affords the colour to be neither good nor bad: Orange has always suffered something of an identity crisis. It has spent its history playing second fiddle to red, and occasionally to gold. (Varley 1980: 194). It is hard to think of an example where orange is used as imagery: It has virtually no negative associations, neither emotionally or culturally†¦ and its emphatically positive meanings are few. (Varley 1980: 194). Even though technically black and white are not colours, but the result of an object reflecting or absorbing light wavelengths, they form an important role in the world around us. Things are labelled in the most simplistic terms of being either black or white; it is a situation where there can be no middle ground, it is right or wrong, yes or no. Cultural and political education enables us to know that this is very rarely the case, and using a similar analogy: there is no black and white, only different shades of grey. What black tends to imply is nothingness, a void. In contrast white is pure, enlightenment and goodness. In terms of race using black as a prefix seemed to connote the opposite, making the word derogatory; black magic, black arts and black mark. The connotations of colour are complex and centred on diverse cultural meanings from different civilizations around the world. The meaning of a word can change over the course of history. The language surrounding colour is so advanced that even on the most basic of levels one person could identify a certain shade of colour positively, yet another could read it negatively. With this in mind I can move on to how art and colour is used to study the complexities of human behaviour. Psychology and Physiology of Human Behaviour (in controlled environments) The next logical step in my search for the most beneficial environment is to use the above information on colour and relate it to scientific study, predominantly in the areas of psychology and physiology. The simplest and most common definition of psychology is that it is the scientific study of behaviour, in other words psychology is â€Å"the science that makes use of behavioural and other evidence to understand the internal processes leading people and members of other species to behave in the ways that they do. (Eysenck 2000: 3). Physiology and in particular human physiology: â€Å"studies the functions and activities of living human bodies and their components (Torshin 2007: 11). In this essay I shall use physiology to study human responses such as heart rate, blood pressure and the effects of tension. As mentioned at the beginning of this essay most of my data has been gathered from previous studies. I intend to investigate how mood and emotion can be measured, and ultimately influenced. Mood states were not always welcomed by the scientific community; the behavioural and cognitive paradigms so prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s often tended to devalue the significance of moods. Frequently, mood and effect went without mention in prominent analyses of behaviour (Zajonc 1980). However, this devaluation has changed in recent times and most behavioural analyses today include significant affective components (Tomkins 1981). Mood is clearly a bio-psychological process that involves the whole individual. In other words, mood would not occur without biochemical, psycho physiological and cognitive components, as well as subjective reactions: â€Å"Implicit assumption that mood is nothing more than a response caused by cognitive, physiological and biochemical events. Thus, subjective feelings are regarded as the last process.† (Thayer 1989: 5). It is my opinion that subjective feelin gs interact together to affect the mood of the individual. Mood is related to emotion, but when the term ‘mood’ is used, it usually implies a longer course of time, which is probably the central distinction between the two. In 1965 the Nowlis Mood Adjective Check List (MACL), a statistical method to define and analyse mood, was introduced that consisted of 33 adjectives selected from a large pool of emotion and mood terms. The subjects are asked to check each item that applies to their mood state of the day (Frijda 1986: 181). I have prepared and sent out questionnaires to subjects that ask them to disclose if they believe they have an emotional response from specific colours. It is the psychological and physiological response to colours that I believe is most beneficial to my research. In 1978 Professor Alexander Schauss of the American Institute for Biosocial Research in Tacoma, Washington set up a scientific experiment to study the effects that colour had on human behaviour. Working from initial ideas he had read in published work by Swiss psychiatrist Max Luscher, Schauss found that concentrating on a certain shade of pink (originally labelled P-618) after physical exercise lowered his heart rate, pulse and respiration as compared to other colours (Schauss 1981: 1). With the assistance of the United States Naval Correctional Centre in Seattle, Schauss was able to begin his study. Schauss renamed the colour to ‘Baker-Miller pink’ in dedication to the two officers at the centre, Commander Miller and CWO Baker. The walls and ceiling of one of the admission cells was painted in Baker-Miller pink (figure 1), while the remaining cells were left untouched. Newly confined prisoners were systematically admitted to the cell and observed for fifteen minutes du ring which no incidents of erratic behaviour were recorded (Eiseman 2000: 40). This research continued for 156 consecutive days, beginning on 1 March 1979. The results during this period were reported to the United States Navy’s Bureau of Naval Personnel, Law Enforcement and Corrections Division, Washington, D.C., stating: Since initiation of this procedure on March 1, 1979, there have been no incidents of erratic or hostile behavior daring the initial phase of confinement. (Schauss 1981: 1). The data from this study showed that after only a period of fifteen minutes exposed to the Baker-Miller pink, detainees were not demonstrating any violent or aggressive behaviour. This calming effect could actually continue for up to thirty minutes after the subject had been removed from the cell. So successful was Schauss’ experiment that he took it to a county sheriff’s office in California where he noted that its effectiveness was increased within a smaller space; the sm aller the cell the less chance of violent behaviour. (Schauss 1981: 1). The Baker-Miller pink has been used widely in detention facilities: â€Å"The use of this colour in juvenile correctional centres, psychiatric hospitals and its testing under laboratory conditions with students confirms its effect in suppressing violent and aggressive behaviour. (Cassidy 1997: 84) In 1988 an experiment was set up to determine the effects of colour in the office workplace in relation to the mood of its workers. Professors Nancy Kwallek, Carol Lewis and A.S. Robbins of the University of Texas assessed the effects of a red, green and white office environment on worker production and mood. It was predicted that those who worked in the red office would find it a more tense environment and would make more errors.† (Miller 1997: 104). It was also expected that the subjects working in the green office would perform better than those in the red office. The white office was included as a comparison as it is the most common colour for an office working environment. The white office was expected to provide results that were better than red, but worse than green. In actuality the results told a different story. The workers in the red office actually made fewer errors than those in the white or green offices, even though they found the colour â€Å"distracting. (Mill er 1997: 104). The research team found that subjects working in the white office made more errors than those working in the red or the green office. On a personal level the subjects stated their preference to working in the white environment, considering it a â€Å"more appropriate colour for an office than either red or green.† (Miller 1997: 104). However, in response to this test, Ainsworth, Simpson and Cassell in their study, Effects of Three Colours in an Office Interior on Mood and Performance in 1993 found no effect of colour on performance or emotion. (Cassidy 1997: 85). Their hypothesis led them to believe that the warm colour, red, would induce high arousal and activity, whereas blue will induce feelings of low arousal. However, their results did not support their hypothesis. They concluded that the reason for error was in their methods, not in their actual hypothesis. If the data gathering was flawed then we must omit their findings and focus on the original test. T he red office environment produced the least amount of mistakes, whereas the white office was the preferred colour of the subjects. What these two studies show is the importance of colour and how human behaviour reacts to it. The science behind this is complex and an understanding of how a human ‘sees’ colour is vital. Colour exists everywhere there is light. Sir Isaac Newton, analysing the rays of the sun, detected that all the different colours, except extreme purple are contained in light. The brain responds to it instinctively and unconsciously. As Schauss demonstrated, the colours within our immediate environment affect our mood and ultimately our behaviour. This behaviour is individually subjective but reactions to colour combinations can be predicted with startling accuracy: â€Å"Science has always recognised the link between colour combinations and mood or behaviour. (Conway 2004: 76). The exact science of how we see colour is due to how the various wavelengths of light strike our eyes in different ways, affecting our senses: â€Å"Within the eye, the retina converts these waves into elect rical impulses, allowing the brain to decode this visual information. This information is passed to the hypothalamus, the part of the brain governing our endocrine system producing hormones, and hormones affect our mood. (Conway 2004: 76). In other words the eye must operate with light for the brain to interpret colour: Everything we see is coloured. Nothing visible is free of colour. This has profound consequences, for colour affects the autonomic nervous system, muscle tension, cortical activity, enzymatic and hormonal secretions. (Day 2007: 115). With this in mind it is important to quantify how different colours affect our behaviour, both mentally and physically. Our cultural and historical upbringing will play a part in how we react to certain colour schemes. In simplistic terms it could be argued that warm colours such as reds, oranges and yellows will incite an active response, exciting the subject; whereas cooler colours such as blues and greens will calm and quieten them. In fact it has been argued that the power of colour placement is a science and should not be left to the uneducated: So powerfully do they influence mood, and such potential do their relationships have for harmony or discord, spirit-uplifting beauty or teeth-gritting ugliness, that colours are too important just to leave to fashion or dramatic whim. (Day 2007: 116). But how does colour affect human behaviour? In the Schauss experiment one colour managed to pacify, it even lowered pulse and heart rates of its subjects. This goes one step further than th e subject merely relating to the notion of seeing a soft colour. One theory is that we do not only ‘see’ with our eyes, but we indirectly see with the glands that produce hormones in our brains; the pineal gland, a gland that produces melatonin, a hormone that may weakly modulate wake and sleep patterns: Although a person may not be able to differentiate colour, transmitters in the eyes pick up information from visible radiant energy sources and transmit that energy to the hypothalamus, and the pineal and pituitary glands. So it may be possible to see with your glands. (Eiseman 2000: 40). This theory is one that Schauss promotes in his Baker-Miller study: â€Å"One possibility includes the existence of a hormone (e.g. thyrotropin-releasing hormones, TRH, thyroliberin) acting as a neurotransmitter to the hypo-thalamus or pineal gland. This could in turn effect other cells in the adrenal medulla, supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system, and the turberoinfundibular cells of the hypothalamus.† (Schauss 1981: 1). What these theories allow is the possibility that in a controlled environment, clever use of colour can and will affect the psychological and physiological behaviour of targeted subjects, albeit in a basic premise of colour application. Moods are influential, but they not always control behaviour, the tenden

Organisation structure of the bakhresa group of companies

Organisation structure of the bakhresa group of companies Identify the strand of organisation structure and innovation approach used by the Bakhresa Group. Is it organic or mechanistic structure followed by the Bakhresa Group? Among the two which one is more suitable to innovation and why? How can Bakhresa Group manage the tension between the need for creativity and efficiency? Discuss the main organisational characteristics that facilitate the innovation process in the Bakhresa Group. Explain the key individual roles within the innovation process and the activities they perform in the Bakhresa Group. How did Bakhresa Group establish innovative environment that propagates the virtuous circle of innovation? Explain its features. This is a case study analysis report of the Bakhresa Group of companies of Tanzania, with special focus of its innovation management that led it to achieve a remarkable growth and market leadership in the country and beyond. Bakhresa Group is one of the leading Industrial Houses in Tanzania, East Africa. Started in a humble manner with a small restaurant in the Port City of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in mid-seventies, it has now emerged as a respected business group in the Region. The Group has its operations spread in Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia and most recently in Mozambique. Plans are in place to spread its wings to other countries. The group now boasts of a turnover of more than Three Hundred Million United Sates Dollars and is a proud employer of more than two thousand employees associated directly. There are several companies under its umbrella and have investments mainly in Food and Beverage Sector, Packaging, Logistics and Real Estate. The study will analyse the role of organisation structure, the organisational characteristics in general and individual roles that propagate and facilitate innovative environment within the Bakhresa group and how successfully they have managed it. The analysis is based on the hand-out information about the group prepared for this purpose, as well as the Bakhresa Group website (2010). Most of the concepts and theories that precedes each item of analysis are based on the textbook by Paul Trott-Innovation Management and New product Development -4th Edition (2008); others textbooks and websites have been used to complement the mentioned references. This report starts by providing background information about the group, regarding its organisations; products and services in section one. To be followed by five sections one for each analysis item, that is; organisation structure and innovation, managing the tension between the need for efficiency and creativity, organisational characteristics that facilitate innovation, the key individual roles within the innovation process and establishing an innovative environment that propagate virtuous circle. BACKGROUND BAKHRESA GROUP OF COMPANIES TANZANIA Bakhresa Group is composed of Said Salim Bakhresa Co.s, Bakhresa Food Products ltd and large collection of other companies of various industries such as transport and logistics and real-estate. The group started in 1980s and ever since it has steadily been expanding its borders from Tanzania to the neighbouring countries and has been gaining a lot of market force over time. The group currently operates in the Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Mozambique, Zambia and Zanzibar Mission To increase and sustain the living standards of Africans by providing them with essential products and services of global quality at affordable prices. To exceed customers expectations through innovation and harnessing technology. Vision To be one of the internationally respected and professionally managed companies in the African Continent. To spread our wings to the other parts of the globe. Their values include passion for success, commitment to stakeholders and employees as well as mutual trust and social responsibility. Figure 1. Subsidiaries companies under Bakhresa Group Source (Bakhresa.com 2010) In the Bakhresa Group, the organization is treated as an instrument for achieving established goals, in which the members of the organization are made to serve these goals and rewards are given to motivate them. The organization structure contributes to the dominance of the technology-push model of innovation. On the one hand Bakhresa Group requires stability and static routines to accomplish the daily tasks efficiently and quickly and on the other hand, Bakhresa Group also needs to develop new ideas and new products to be competitive in future and it needs to nurture a creative environment where ideas can be tested and developed. The channel of communication is highly structured, there is restricted information flow, and operating styles are uniform and restricted. Authority for decision is based on formal line management position and the management is reluctant to adapt to changing circumstances. The management of the Bakhresa Group is committed to long-term growth rather than short-term profit and the organization is willing to invest in the long-term development of technology and is aware of its threats and opportunities. The Bakhresa Group engages commercial scanner, gatekeeper and project leader and sponsor to facilitate the innovation process. The Bakhresa Group, given the importance of innovation, has spent enormous sums of money trying to develop an environment that fosters innovation. The Bakhresa Group is aware of developing a reputation for innovation which helps propagate a virtuous circle that reinforces Groups abilities. The Bakhresa Group has established companies dealing with variety of products from manufacturing of Food and Beverage Sector, Packaging, Logistics and Real Estate and has become a market leader because of innovation and entrepreneurship. Figure 2 below shows a variety of products/ services offered by the Bakhresa group. Source (Bakhresa.com 2010) The new and different product added to the list of achievements marks the creativeness abilities and adds to value, and enhance the competitive edge of the company. For example, the launching of state of the art packaging industries for food and beverage products as well as the technological advancement on the telecommunication via satellites. 1. ORGANIZATION STRUCTURES AND INNOVATION Identify the strand of organisation structure and innovation approach used by the Bakhresa Group. Is it organic or mechanistic structure followed by the Bakhresa Group? Among the two which one is more suitable to innovation and why? Organizational Structures Organizational structure refers to the way that an organization arranges people and jobs so that its work can be performed and its goals can be met. When a work group is very small and face-to-face communication is frequent, formal structure may be unnecessary, but in a larger organization decisions have to be made about the delegation of various tasks. Thus, procedures are established that assign responsibilities for various functions. It is these decisions that determine the organizational structure. In an organization of any size or complexity, employees responsibilities typically are defined by what they do, who they report to, and for managers, who reports to them. (Referenceforbusiness 2010) Innovation Innovation is the act of developing a new process or product and introducing it to the market. It is essentially an entrepreneurial act, whether it takes place in a start-up firm, a large organization, a not-for-profit, or a public-sector agency. Innovation means change: sometimes radical change, such as the development of the computer, and sometimes incremental change, such as the modification of existing computer software (Referenceforbusiness 2010) Innovation is the act of introducing something new or doing something in a different way. Innovation in business differs from creativity in that the latter is generally associated with the generation of new ideas. In contrast, innovation refers to taking those new ideas and actually implementing them in the marketplace. Thus, creativity is simply one element of the innovation process through which new ideas lead to new products, procedures, or services. Business scholars often attribute company success to innovation. Because of growing  international competition,  innovation became even more vital for companies toward the end of the 20th century (Referenceforbusiness 2010) Organizational Structures and Innovation The structure of an organization is the sum total of ways in which it divides its labour into distinct tasks and then achieves coordination among them. One of the problems is recognizing that different groups within an organization behave differently and interact with different parts of the wider external environment. None the less, there have been numerous useful studies exploring the link between the organizational structure and innovative performance. (Trott 2008) Organizational structures can be sorted between organic and mechanistic. Organizational cultural also plays a big role when implementing change. Some resistance forces we are likely to encounter are within our organization. Once the organizational structure and cultural attribute is determined then the designing process can begin. Organic and mechanistic are on different ends of the spectrum. In contingency theory, the term organic structure is used to describe an organizational structure that is designed to promote flexibility so that employees can initiate change and adapt quickly to changing conditions (George Jones, 2005, p. 508). This flexible structure is more like a team environment in which all the employees are able to handle any of the tasks. In contingency theory, the term mechanistic structure is used to describe an organizational structure that is designed to induce employees to behave in predictable, accountable ways (George Jones, 2005, p. 508). All of the employees working in a mechanistic structure have assigned duties that they must perform and are prohibited to take on additional duties unless they are told so by management.(associated content 2010) Through their Theory of Mechanistic and Organic Systems, Tom Burns and G.M. Stalker (1961) have provided a way to understand which organization forms fit to specific circumstances of change or stability. In their highly influential work The Management of Innovation, they provide the following characteristics of Mechanic vs. Organic Systems: Mechanistic vs Organic Organization Structure Mechanistic Organization Form   / Management System Organic Organization Form   / Management System Appropriate Conditions Stable Changing Distribution of tasks Specialized differentiation of functional tasks into which the problems and tasks facing a concern as a whole are broken down Contributive nature of special knowledge and experience to the common task of the concern Nature of Individual task The abstract nature of each individual task, which is pursued with techniques and purposes more or less distinct from those of the concern as a whole: i.e., the functionaries tend to pursue the technical improvements of means, rather than the accomplishment of the ends of the concern The realistic nature of the individual task, which is seen as set by the total situation of the concern Who (re)defines tasks The reconciliation, for each level in the hierarchy, of these distinct performances by the immediate superiors, who are also, in turn, responsible for seeing that each is relevant in his own special part of the main task The adjustment and continual redefinition of individual tasks through interaction with others Task scope The precise definition of rights and obligations and technical methods attached to each functional role The shedding of responsibility as a limited field of rights, obligations and methods (problems may not be posted upwards, downwards or sideways as being someone elses responsibility) How is task conformance ensured The translation of rights and obligations and methods into the responsibilities of a functional position The spread of commitment to the concern beyond any technical definition Structure of control, authority and communication Hierarchic, Contractual Network, Presumed Community of Interest Locating of knowledge Reinforcement of the hierarchic structure by the location of knowledge of actualities exclusively at the top of the hierarchy, where the final reconciliation of distinct tasks and assessment of relevance is made Omniscience no longer imputed to the head of the concern; knowledge about the technical or commercial nature of the here and now may be located anywhere in the network Communication between members of concern Vertical; i.e., between superior and subordinate Lateral; i.e., between people of different rank, resembling consultation rather than command Governance for operations and working behavior Instructions and decisions issued by superiors Information and advice rather than instructions and decisions Values Insistence on loyalty to the concern and obedience to superiors as a condition of membership Commitment to the concerns task and to the technological ethos of material progress and expansion is more highly valued than loyalty and obedience Prestige Greater importance and prestige attaching to internal (local) than to general (cosmopolitan) knowledge, experience, and skill Importance and prestige attach to affiliations and expertise valid in the industrial and technical and commercial milieux external to the firm It is evident that among the two organisation structures, the Organic one is more suitable for promoting and fostering innovation within an organization as it encourages creativity; has values of Commitment to the concerns task and to the technological ethos of material progress and expansion that mostly requires creativeness and new innovations; allow free flow of communication and flexibility and adaptation to changing circumstances; The Bakhresa group seems to follow the Mechanistic organization structure, because their channel of communication is highly structured, there is restricted information flow, and operating styles are uniform and restricted. Authority for decision is based on formal line management position and the management is reluctant to adapt to changing circumstances. Mechanistic organization structure tends to offer a less suitable environment for managing the creativity and the innovation process. Because of its degree of formalisation, centralisation, Size and complexity of its organisation, Formalisation There is some evidence of an inverse relationship between formalization and innovation. That is an increase in formalization of procedures will result in a disease in innovative activity. Complexity Where these are several different type of professional groups are working in an organization, it would represent a complex organization Centralisation It refers to the decision making activity and the location of power within an organization. In a decentralized organization fewer levels of hierarchy are usually required: This tends to lead to more responsive decision making closer to the action. Organisational Size A small business with fewer employees differs significantly on terms of resources from an organization which is big size is a proxy variable for more meaningful dimensions such as economic and organization resources, including number of employees. (Trott 2010) MANAGEMENT TEAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS STRUCTURE Chairman, Bakhresa Group of Companies SAID SALIM AWADH BAKHRESA is the founding father and the Chairman of the Bakhresa Group Of Companies. He is a well-known industrialist in the mainland of Tanzania and island of Zanzibar. With a humble beginning as a small restaurateur in seventies, he created the business empire within a span of three decades. He is the mastermind behind the success of all the businesses within the group. His vision and excellent managerial skills contributed to the growth of this group to great heights. Executive Director of SS Bakhresa Co. ltd MOHAMED SAID BAKHRESA is the Managing Director of Bakhresa Grain Milling (Uganda) Limited and is the Executive Director Of Said Salim Bakhresa Company Limited. He is also holding Director-Ship in most of the Group Companies. Mr Mohamed is a graduate in finance, law and accounting from Southbank University, United Kingdom. He is a well-known industrialist in Uganda and Tanzania and is successfully managing Bakhresa Grain Milling (Uganda) Limited, which is the largest wheat milling industry in Uganda. Mr Mohamed is also actively involved in the policy decision making process of the Bakhresa Group Of Companies. Managing Director of Bakhresa Grain Milling ltd ABUBAKAR SAID SALIM BAKHRESA is the Managing Director of Bakhresa Grain Milling (Malawi) Limited and Bakhresa Grain Milling (Mozambique) Limitada. He also acts as Executive Director of Said Salim Bakhresa Co. Ltd. Mr. Abubakar has done his B.Sc in Business Administration, majoring in Finance from Georgetown University, Washington D.C., USA. He is primarily involved in the wheat milling businesses of the Group and looks after the wheat procurement for the Group. Executive Director of Logistic Division of Bakhressa Group OMAR SAID SALIM BAKHRESA, a Mechanical Engineer, is the Executive Director in charge of the Logisitic Division of Said Salim Bakhresa Co Ltd. He has over a decade of experience in logistics transportation industry. Managing Director of Bakhresa Food Products Ltd YUSUF SAID SALIM BAKHRESA is the Managing Director of Bakhresa Food Products Limited and is holding Director-Ship in other Group Companies. He is actively involved in the day to day operations of Bakhresa Food Products, which is based in Tanzania and is successfully managing its operations. Senior Management Each Group Company/Division is professionally managed by a full complement of local/expatriate managers having expertise in their respective fields. Regardless of the mechanistic structure in use by the Bakhresa Group, its great achievements are obviously due to its continuous innovation in new products and new markets. One can conclude that due to the large size and complexity organisation of the Group as a whole, it is necessary to apply the centralisation and formalisation. But the style of operations and management at the subsidiary companies level may be allowing certain flexibility that is promoting creativity and innovation. 2. MANAGING THE TENSION BETWEEN THE NEED FOR CREATIVITY AND EFFICIENCY How can Bakhresa Group manage the tension between the need for creativity and efficiency? The Dilemma of Innovation Management Within virtually all organizations there is a fundamental tension between the need for stability and the need for creativity. On the one hand, companies require stability and static routines to accomplish daily tasks efficiently and quickly. This enables the organization to compete today. For example processing of millions of cheques by banks every day or delivery of food and beverage products by multiples to their retail outlets all over the country by the Bakhresa Food Products Ltd, demands high levels of efficiency and control. On the other hand, companies also need to develop new ideas and new products to be competitive in the future. Hence they need to nurture a creative environment where ideas can be tested and developed. This poses one of the most fundamental problems for management today. That is managing the tension between the need for creativity and efficiency. Efficiency gains The efficient day to day operations within an organization require stable routines which can be achieved in stable and controlled environments The development of new products/services requires creativity and room to try out new ideas this is achieved in a loose and flexible environment Creativity gains Take any medium to large company and examine its operations and activities. Every company has to ensure that their products are carefully manufactured to precise specifications and that they are delivered for customers on time day after day. In this hectic, repetitive and highly organized environment, the need to squeeze out any slack or inefficiencies is crucial to ensure a firms costs are lower than their competitors. However the long-term economic growth is dependent on the ability of firms to make improvements to products and manufacturing processes. This means that the firms need to make room for creativity and innovation, that is, allow slack in the system. Here then is the dilemma: how do firms try to reduce costs and slack to improve competitiveness on the one hand and then try to provide slack for innovation on the other? The firm has to do balancing: The firm needs to ensure there is a constant pressure to drive down costs and improve efficiency in its operations. At the sa me time it needs to provide room for new product development and improvements to be made the most obvious way forward is to separate production from R D. However there are many improvements and innovations that arise out of the operations of the firm. On the one hand Bakhresa Group requires stability and static routines to accomplish the daily tasks efficiently and quickly and on the other hand, Bakhresa Group also needs to develop new ideas and new products to be competitive in future and it needs to nurture a creative environment where ideas can be tested and developed. The Bakhresa group has shown that it can effectively manage this tension by the way it has been producing new and innovative products, while also managing to efficiently distribute its food products throughout the region. The diversification of the industry by entering into new businesses that support or complement existing businesses, such as manufacturing of packaging products by the Omar Packaging industries, as well as diversification of product range in the juice factories; at the same time the Group timely deliveries through its wide distribution network and logistic system shows that the Bakhresa Group well manages the tension between the need for need for creativity and efficiency. The group can do better management of this tension by ensuring that there is just enough slack at the subsidiaries or functional organisational level to foster creativity, but have stringent control at the higher management level of the Group to maintain its efficiency. Because this higher management which is the board of director of the group is the one that oversees the cross functional collaboration and integration of the various units that collaborate or complement each other in achieving its missions. For example the need to have frequent ferries to Zanzibar, so that fresh breads and ice-cream could be delivered on time. 3. ORGANISATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT FACILITATE THE INNOVATION PROCESS Discuss the main organisational characteristics that facilitate the innovation process in the Bakhresa Group Organizational Characteristics that Facilitate the Innovation Process The innovation process is complex in nature as it involves the relationship between the stimulus, capacity and performance of such innovation. This complex relationship need to be nurtured by favourable characteristics of the organisation such as growth orientation, vigilance, commitment to technology, acceptance of risk, cross functional cooperation, receptivity, slack, adaptability and diverse range of skills. Growth Orientation This is characterized by a commitment to long-term growth rather than short-term profit. Not all companies first and foremost objective is growth. Some companies are established merely to exploit a short-term opportunity, other companies would like to maintain the company at its existing size: the objective of innovative companies is to grow the business the actively plan for the long-term. Vigilance It is characterized by the ability of the organization to be aware of its threats and opportunities. Vigilance requires continual external scanning e.g. within the marketing function the activity would form part of market research and competitor analysis. Collecting valuable information is one thing, but relaying it to the necessary individuals and acting on it are two necessary associated requirements. An open communication system will help facilitate this Commitment to Technology It is characterized by the willingness to invest in the long-term development of technology. Most innovative firms exhibit patience in permitting ideas to geminate and develop overtime. These needs to be accompanied by a commitment to resources in terms of intellectual input without a long-term approach it would be extremely difficult for the company to attract good scientists. Acceptance of risk Acceptance of risk is characterized by the willingness to include risky opportunities in a balanced portfolio. It means the willingness to consider carefully risky opportunities. Ability to take calculated risks and include them in a balanced portfolio of projects. Cross-functional Cooperation It is characterized by mutual respect among individuals and a willingness to work together across functions. Inter-departmental conflict is a well-documented barrier to innovation. Often conflict has been observed between marketing and RD functions as the two groups often have very different interests. Receptivity: It is characterized by the ability to be aware of, to identify and take effective advantage of externally developed technology. Most technology based innovations involve a combination of several different technologies. It would be unusual for all the technology to be developed in house. That is why business are witnessing an increasing number of joint ventures and alliances. Slack It is characterized by an ability to manage the innovation dilemma and provide room for creativity while organizations place a great emphasis on the need for efficiency, there is also a need for a certain amount of slack to allow individuals room to think, experiment, discuss ideas and be creative. Adaptability: It is characterized by a readiness to accept change. The development of new product innovations will invariably lead to disruptions to established organizational activities. Major or radical innovations may result in significant changes, although the two are not necessarily linked. The organization must be ready to accept change in the way it manages its internal activities. Otherwise proposed innovations would be stifled due to a reluctance to alter existing ways of working or to learn new techniques. Diverse Range of Skills: It is characterized by a combination of specialization and diversity of knowledge and skills organizations require individuals of a hybrid nature who are able to understand a variety of technical subjects and facilitate the transfer of knowledge within the company. It is the ability of the organization to manage this diversity of knowledge skills effectively that lies at the heart of the innovation process. The management of the Bakhresa Group is committed to long-term growth rather than short-term profit and the organization is willing to invest in the long-term development of technology and is aware of its threats and opportunities. The Bakhresa group is heavily investing in its profitable companies such as those of grain mills, by purchasing newer and higher capacity plants, as well as by expanding into new markets abroad. They have bought and renovated grain mills in Malawi, and build a new one in Uganda and Rwanda. Bakhresa group is vigilant on its environment, and has been able to capture emerging opportunities of privatisation programmes in Tanzania and elsewhere (Malawi) to start businesses. Has been able to capture the interest of International financing partners to start a business at the port of Nacala in Mozambique. The group is investing in latest technologies across all the industries its operating, it has purchased new plants and mills from Italy and Sweden, it has ordered brand new ferry boats from Australia. Its communication company SatAfrik ltd is utilising latest satellite, GPS and GSM technologies; and it effectively support its transport and logistics companies. The group has strong Cross-functional Cooperation; because most of the companies were established with a view to integrate with the existing companies and businesses. Packaging company was established to support grain mills and food products, transport and logistics companies to run efficient distribution and supplies Bakhresa group has good receptivity of technologies developed in other areas such as Europe and Australia. It provides some amount of slack for creativity behaviour although it does not easily adapt to changing environment. The group shows the diverse range of skills from its top management to the other members of functional areas. It has business management experts, engineers, logistics, marketing and great sales force. 4. KEY INDIVIDUAL ROLES WITHIN THE INNOVATION PROCESS Explain the key individual roles within the innovation process and the activities they perform in the Bakhresa Group The Role of the individual in the innovation Process Innovation process is essentially a people process and that organizational structure, formal decision making processes, delegation of authority and other formal aspects of a so-called well-run company are not necessary conditions for successful technological innovation. The study of Rubenstein has revealed that certain individuals had fulfilled a variety of roles that had contributed to successful technological innovation. (Trott 2010) GATEKEEPERS These people collect and channel information about changes in the technical environment. They stay current with events and ideas through personal contacts, professional meetings, and news media. When gatekeepers find relevant information, they send it to the appropriate person or unit for follow up. IDEA GENERATORS This role involves analysis of information about new technologies, products, or procedures in order to yield a new idea for the company. The fresh idea may be innovative solution to an existing problem in product or business development or the identification of a new marketplace opportunity. CHAMPIONS Champions advocate and push for the new idea. This role involves obtaining and applying the resources and staff to demonstrate the ideas feasibility. Champions are concerned about results, not risk, and do not spend time studying the consequences of failure. Their mission is to remove obstacles. PROJECT MANAGERS Someone has to draw up schedules and budgets; arrange periodic information session and status reports; coordinate labour,