Monday, September 16, 2019
Operations Strategy and Sustainability Essay
LensCrafters operations strategy is to provide high quality eye care services to customers throughout the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. LensCrafters is known for the ability to perform eye exams, prescribing sunglasses and eyeglasses, and production of the glasses on the premises for each customer. To maintain economic sustainability, LensCrafters goal in 1983, was to be the only optical eye care retailer to guarantee eyeglasses in less than an hour. Now, after 30 years, LensCrafters is considered one of the leading optical retailers known for their impeccable customer service, excellent products and some of the biggest names such as Armani, Coach, and Prada in frames (LensCrafters, 2014). They show a high degree of commitment to performance excellence by continually providing their customers with new technologies to improve eye care, customize prescriptions, and assist their customers in selecting the right frames. LensCrafters also offers expert care for their customers with proficient optometry doctors at every store. Through resource management they manage their assets effectively and efficiently being able to ââ¬Å"Give the gift of sightâ⬠to millions of people all over the world through their OneSight charitable organization where they partner with local communities to provide permanent access to affordable eye care and eyewear in both the developed and developing world. Included in their sustainability initiatives they piloted a self-sustaining vision center in a school located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Cincinnati, Ohio. In doing this, LensCrafters has put vision care right where people need it. In this school, getting an eye exam is as easy as walking down the hall instead of missing half a day of class or, for parents, missing half a day of work. Another way of maintain economicà sustainability is that LensCrafters love eyes and care about the people behind them. LensCraftersââ¬â¢ customer benefit package includes providing goods and services that meet the needs of individual customers. They have conveniently located branches, professional employees, the latest eye-exam equipment and eyewear accessories to meet the different tastes of their loyal customers. LensCrafters portray their commitment through honest care for their customerââ¬â¢s eyes and constantly are determined to improve the experiences of their customers. LensCrafters associates receive training in personalized service to ensure their customerââ¬â¢s experience is valued. LensCrafters will continue to put their customers first to maintain their competitiveness and customer loyalty. For social sustainability, LensCrafters have their branches conveniently located in highly populated areas like shopping malls. This ensures that they reach their target market faster. The stores designed with economically to provide the best customers service from the initial exam to the final fitting of the glasses. They have on-site fully equipped laboratory with the latest machinery and encourage their employees to interact with their customers in the eye-exam rooms and ââ¬Å"fitting stationsâ⬠(Collier & Evans, 2013). The walls of their stores have the certificates and degrees of their optometrists and technicians demonstrating to the customers that competent staff is serving them. Communication is consistent between the customer and staff throughout their eye care purchase. Operations Management and Challenges The operations management at LensCrafters has a strategy that staff follows in order to provide their customers with high quality service and products. LensCrafters requires their employees to possess the required skills and knowledge for optimal work productivity by utilizing their time with the customers effectively and efficiently. Laboratory technicians have the needed certifications for their line of work and all other employees undergo training before and during their period of employment. The employees at LensCrafters offer unsurpassed services because they are well motivated with rewards and employment recognitions from the operations management team. One of the challenges of that face operations management at LensCrafters is the changing of customer expectations. Many want designer frames that they have seen on other people this could be a discontinued style or requireà additional time to acquire the glasses. Another challenge is changing technology. The operations management at LensCrafters stays aware of the newest technologies and takes the time to research the equipment to determine if it would make a substantial change in their work processes and customer service. Value Chain The value chain at LensCrafters begins with the gaining the customer through preproduction services such as the Customer Benefit Package that includes providing goods and services that meet or exceed the needs of individual customers. LensCrafters also provide their customers with impeccable customer service, excellent products and some of the biggest names such as Armani, Coach, and Prada in frames (LensCrafters, 2014). LensCrafters accepts vision plans from numerous insurance companies that major companies offer to their employees. If customers do not have insurance, LensCrafters can set up a payment plan with the customer. LensCrafters offers promotions such as buy one pair of glasses and get the second one-half off. Following the preproduction phase is the primary production processes. Once the customer makes the decision to come into LensCrafters, the employees provide high-quality services. Once the eye exam is completed, an associate helps the customer select the frames that they like the best. The associate accompanies the customer to the appropriate station for their frames and selects various frames in all shapes and colors. An associate will capture pictures of the customer in their selected frames using LensCrafters own ââ¬Å"myLookâ⬠camera application LensCrafters, 2014). Once this is completed, the associate and customer compare the photos side-by-side. Once the customer has selected the frames, the associate gives the customerââ¬â¢s prescription and frame selection to the lab to create the customized glasses. Value is created with the customer by the high quality customer service, customized prescription glasses, and convenient location. Once the glasses are ready for the customer to pick up, the customer comes in and the associate shows them the glasses. The associate adjusts the frames to fit the contours of the customerââ¬â¢s face. Then the associate attaches LensCrafters unique ââ¬Å"FitSensorâ⬠(LensCrafters, 2014) that creates clear guide points for the AccuFit Digital Measurement System. The FitSensor software measures the location of the customerââ¬â¢s pupils and spacing of their eyes relative toà their frames. Using these measurements, the associate is able to determine the best placement of the customerââ¬â¢s eyeglasses with five times the precision of manual eyeglass measurements. Performance Measurements Performance measurements that can be used to measure LensCraftersââ¬â¢ service-delivery system design include business location and servicescape. Location is imperative when it comes to accessing the target market. LensCrafters has branches in the most convenient places for the sake of their customers. LensCraftersââ¬â¢ needs to ensure that they are located near their customers to continually increase their sales and strengthen customer relations. Every LensCrafters has the same or similar store layout, job design, services technology figures and delivery services. LensCrafters has up-to-date technology in their equipment in laboratories, technicians, optometrists, eye examination areas and fitting station. A service process leads to an outcome which results in the customer being either happy or unhappy with the service experience. It is the role of ââ¬Ëdeliveryââ¬â¢ to ensure that the expected service outcome is received by the customer. The service delivery design for LensCrafters includes facility location and layout making the customer experience more efficient, and keeping in step with the newest technology, including designing their own technologies to make the experience at LensCrafters unique. The servicescape of LensCrafters is designed to provide the customer with the sense of quality and professionalism. The store layout is open and uncluttered. It store is carpeted and has professional frame display areas for men, women, and children. Modern furniture adorns the retail area and up-to-date equipment is seen in the laboratory. The store is brightly lit to attract attention to the display cases. The store display cases, eye examination area, and fitting stations are placed in the areas where the customers and service providers inter-act frequently. Types of Technology Technology allows LensCrafters to stay committed to providing innovative eyewear technology. They have developed several new technologies of their own with their AccuFit Digital Measurement System that takes measurements to fit the eyeglasses to the customerââ¬â¢s face. They also developed the LensSimulator that allows customers to view and compare a broad variety ofà lens choices. Another unique technological advancement of LensCrafters is the ââ¬Å"myLookâ⬠camera application that allows the customer to seem themselves in several pairs of frames to see which looks best on their faces. LensCrafters provide their customers with unique and innovative technologies that give them an edge over their competition and keeps the competition anticipating the next innovative process. References Collier, D. A., & Evans, J. R. (2013). OM4. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Print. Lenscrafters (2014). Retrieved May 5, 2014 from http://www.luxottica.com/en/retail-brands/lenscrafters LensCrafters (2012). About LensCrafters. Retrieved May 5, 2014 from http://www.lenscrafters.com/eyeglasses/7/about/company-history-about-lenscrafters LensCrafters (2014). Eyeglasses. Retrieved May 7, 2014 from http://www.lenscrafters.com/lc-us/eyeglasses LensCrafters Eyes a Central Vision with PCMSââ¬â¢ Retail Solution (2010). Retrieved May 7, 2014 from http://www.pcmsdatafit.com/files/casestudy/PCMS_and_Lenscrafters_Case_Study_(US).pdf
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Ecotourism in Kenya Essay
Kenya is a landlocked country in the continent of South Africa. It is surrounded by five countries. Kenya is a popular destination for tourists travelling to Africa as it offers tourists camel safaris, trekking, game fishing, white water rafting, ballooning, diving, wind surfing and donkey safaris. The major ecotourist attraction in Africa is one of the 40 national parks in Kenya that offer an insight into the lives of animals and their habitat. Unfortunately, 70% of national parks and game reserves are on pastoral lands, particularly Masai land. Ecotourism is a major contributor to Kenyaââ¬â¢s economy. There are 55 000 people employed in the wildlife industry alone. And the wildlife market generates half of the countryââ¬â¢s foreign exchange earnings. Therefore, the wildlife market is the biggest contributor to Kenyaââ¬â¢s foreign economy. Ecotourism has had both positive and negative impacts on the wildlife environment, people and economy of Kenya. The economy, the livelihood of the people, and the maintenance of the ecosystem have had positive impacts on Kenya. Kenyaââ¬â¢s foreign exchange earnings are from tourism and 80% of the tourist market is drawn from wildlife. Also, the Masai herders who inhabit bush land north of Mt Kenya have allocated 8 765 hectares of their land, (which teems with elephants, zebras, giraffes, wild cats) for wildlife conservations. The revenue from tourist lodge tours then go back to the community which is used for children scholarships, maintenance, development and general income. Therefore, the above have had a sustainable impact on tourism. Ecotourism also promotes sustainability of the wildlife. In Kenya, a living elephant is worth around $14 375 for every year of its life whilst the ivory from an elephant is worth about $1000. Each elephants herd earns as much as $610 000 each year. This promotes the maintenance of the elephants, minimises poaching and ensures protection of wildlife as well as livelihood for the people. Another area, the Serengeti Plains, is famous for the migration of wildlife. The national park attracts large numbers of tourists, who are attracted to the large migration of wilder beasts, cats and zebras. This experience encourages travel to the area and highlights an appreciationà for the ecosystem. In all these encounters, education is a characteristic of the various tours. There have also been some negative impacts that have affected the environment, the indigenous population and tourists. Some of these include pollution, habitat destruction, littering and armed banditry. An example of this is the indigenous people of Masai Mara. The Masai Mara tribe have lived in harmony with the animals for over four centuries. However, when the game parks were created they were forced to move without compensation. Revenue from this park have not flowed proportionality to the tribes. These negative effects have created a lot of conflict for the Masai Mara tribe. As documented above, ecotourism is vital for the economy, lifestyle and on going maintenance of wildlife in Kenya. What is required is a balanced approach to sustainability of ecotourism. Ecotourism in Kenya and in any location of the world should have minimum impact on the indigenous culture, a steady income stream and reduction on land degradation and wildlife destruction. The revenue of tourism should support the lives of the grass root people and enable them to have suitable standards of living. This will encourage their commitments to programs as they will see the benefits of their co-operation. The specific initiatives that should be looked at include an increase in tour prices during peak season as it will generate an even flow of tourists each year. Non-motorised vehicles, such as microlight flights and hot air balloons should be used for tourists to explore the wildlife as they create no pollution. Also, the management of parks need to be cared for by promoting campaigns and raising awareness to all tourists about the effects of littering and pollution of the fragile ecosystem. Kenya needs sustainable ecotourism for its survival on the economy. Kenya needs to develop strategies that will have minimal effects on social, cultural and the ecological environment. If the initiatives above are followed, it will ensure that the future generation of the world will still be able to enjoy one of the last undisturbed natural environments.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
PHP vs. ASP Scripting Software Research Paper Essay
ABSTRACT This paper examines the differences between the ASP (Active Server Pages) and PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) scripting languages. Both ASP and PHP are scripting languages that can be used to create dynamic web pages which are capable of interacting and exchanging information with databases. ASP is a Microsoft product, and is used with Internet Information Server (IIS) which runs on Microsoft Servers. PHP was originally designed by Rasmus Lerdorf, and was later modified by various people. As a parsing language, PHP can run both on Unix and Linux servers, and also has a version that runs on an NT server. This paper also discusses the differences in cost, speed, integration of features, speed, additional costs, base language, database connectivity and Platform Compatibility between both languages. This paper also presents some suggestions offer recommendations as to when one of these languages should be preferred over the other, and how efficiency can be maximized in the usage of each of these scripting languages Introduction à à à à à à à à à à à à ASP and PHP are both website design scripting languages that are processed by backend severs like Apache Server and Windows OS. Apache Server is usually used for PHP and a Windows OS with IIS Server is used to process ASP scripted websites. PHP processed website scripts can also be processed by UNIX OS backend servers, while Window OS IIS backend servers are used to process ASP scripts. ASP.NET is part of the .NET Framework and is the core technology for developing web applications and XML Web Services. ASP.NET is a compiled, .NET-based environment; you can author applications in any .NET compatible language, including Visual Basic .NET, C#, and JScript .NET. Additionally, the entire .NET Framework is available to any ASP.NET application. Developers can easily access the benefits of these technologies, which include the managed common language runtime environment, type safety, inheritance, and so on. .NET developers write Web Parts using Visual Studio.NET 2003. The Web Part Framework is the basis for extensibility in Windows SharePoint Services. It allows developers to write custom components that plug into the SharePoint infrastructure by encapsulating web services and enterprise data as Web Parts. Web Part Pages are special ASP.NET pages which are the building blocks of a Windows SharePoint Services based data driven web site. Web page authors can use Microsoft FrontPage 2003 to leverage Windows SharePoint Services and use the Web Part Framework to easily build data driven web sites using a library of readily available web parts. Microsoft FrontPage 2003 integrates closely with Windows SharePoint Services and is the easiest and the most powerful web site design tool that enables creation of a new category of collaborative, scalable, data driven web sites. (http://www.sharepointcustomization.com/resources/whitepapers/webpartdocs/wp_asp_net.doc) à à à à à à à à à à à PHP and ASP are the two best web technologies in use today. In their own ways, they have created trust and market for their product and development environment, although many people are of the opinion that PHP is an all around better choice than ASP. à à à à à à à à à à à According to Anstey, ââ¬Å"PHP belongs to a free software community and open source general purpose software which is very easy to use and correct its bugs from the community of developers around the world.â⬠(Anstey 2003). ASP runs on an IIS server and is a free component with the Microsoft windows operating system. ASP offers various useful features like type safety, inheritance, and a managed common language runtime environment. à à à à à à à à à à à In a broad sense, PHP is scripting Language, while ASP.NET is a Designing Tool. Also, PHP contains mainly scripting tabs, with a minimum number of controls being used, while ASP.Net has a lot of controls to the designing process. à à à à à à à à à à ASP.NET is a unified Web development platform that provides services necessary for developers to build enterprise-class Web applications. ASP.NET provides programming model and infrastructure for more secure, scalable, and stable applications. ASP.NET is a compiled, .NET based web environment developed in .NET compatible languages like Visual Basic .NET, C#, JScript.NET, etc. Additionally, the entire .NET Framework is available to any ASP.NET application. Developers can easily access the benefits of this technology, which includes the managed common language runtime environment, type safety, and inheritance. à à à à à à à à à à à à From many views and perspectives, PHP is an overall better choice than ASP. Although both ASP and PHP are languages used to build Dynamic Web sites that can interact with Databases and exchange information. ASP (Active Server Pages) is from Microsoft and is used with IIS (Internet Information Server) that runs on Microsoft Servers. PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor) is from Rasmus Lerdorf, who originally designed this parsing language which was later modified by different people. It runs on Unix and Linux servers and it also has an NT server version. (Pires, Halstatt 2005. ASP vs. PHP. Retrieved 18, February 2008 from http://www.webpronews.com/expertarticles/2005/12/22/asp-vs-php) à à à à à à à à à à à The foundation of all Web applications is that they deliver dynamic content over a protocol which by model is stateless. Most of the ASP.NET developments fall in client-server architecture programming model. Minimal points to be considered for a typical web application modeled as client-server architecture are given below. User interface and client environment (Page layout). Data verification, transfer and store. Security. Scalability, reliability and availability of the application. Optimized resource utilization and performance. Handling unpleasant instances gracefully. Navigation. à à à à à à à à à à à PHP traces back to the development of Perl and C which emerged quite successfully as a result of the contribution of the various programmers around the globe and as a result of its being an open community. The various versions came out successfully through 1997 to 2004 where the features were added and successfully taken up to cater to the development paradigm of the large scale of internet users. à à à à à à à à à à à ASP came handy with Windows 95 with the features of IIS server installed. It was an established standard which takes into account the various databases into consideration and is based on the COM model. The various differences among PHP and ASP make sure that all to a good extent the feature are compiled and carries enough advantage to understand the loopholes and make sure that all the various utilities are enforced well. Differences between PHP and ASP à à à à à à à à à à à PHP and ASP depict a large array of differences in the form of various factors. Some differences between ASP and PHP include differences in cost, speed, integration of features, speed, additional costs, base language, database connectivity and Platform Compatibility. Cost à à à à à à à à à à à à As PHP is not singly owned by any individual or an organization, it does not require purchase before use. ââ¬Å"PHP uses a database technology named MySQL for back-end support. MySQL is also available free of cost.â⬠(DuBois, 2002). The hosting and deployment of PHP webpages into the Linux server is quite affordable and can be done with ease. à à à à à à à à à à à à ââ¬Å"ASP is synchronized with the Microsoft Windows operating system and comes along with it, thereby bearing the cost of the operating system.â⬠(Glass 2004) Moreover, hosting ASP pages over the internet is expensive and features like email, file uploading and other features are quite expensive at the same time. PHP is free, but ASP is not free. If you want to use ASP, you have to use IIS, and if you want to use IIS, you have to buy Windows. Traditionally, the cost of Windows has been high. Microsoft has been aggressively trying to reduce this factor but theyââ¬â¢re hardly going to give Windows away for free. The cost of running an ASP-based website implies a full Windows server platform; development costs are higher, software licenses are expensive and speed, security and flexibility are all sacrificed. (Anstey, M 2003) à à à à à à à à à à à à To run ASP programs, one needs IIS installed on a Windows platform server, which is not free. PHP programs can run on Linux, which is free. Even the connectivity of the database is expensive in the case of ASP as MS-SQL is a Microsoft product that needs to be purchased. PHP generally uses MySQL, which is freely available. à à à à à à à à à à à Many of the tools used in PHP are free of charge and a lot of PHP code can be found in open source forums, because PHP is open source. ââ¬Å"PHP also has inbuilt features like ftp, email from a web page and even encryption mechanisms but such features are not built into ASP, which requires some additional components. Therefore additional costs might be incurred for such components.â⬠(Pires, Halstatt 2005. ASP vs. PHP. Retrieved 18, February 2008 from http://www.webpronews.com/expertarticles/2005/12/22/asp-vs-php) Speed à à à à à à à à à à à In terms of speed, PHP is faster than ASP, because when the speed of PHP and ASP are compared, PHP would have the upper hand. ââ¬Å"This is due to the fact that PHP code runs faster than ASP. Also, ASP is built on COM based architecture, which is an overhead for the server, whereas PHP code runs in its own memory space.â⬠(Pires, Halstatt 2005. ASP vs. PHP. Retrieved 18, February 2008 from http://www.webpronews.com/expertarticles/2005/12/22/asp-vs-php) Integration with operating environments and databases à à à à à à à à à à à à PHP makes sure that all the operating environments are taken care to its fullest capability and is compatible with Windows, UNIX, Linux, Solaris and others. Its platform dependency format makes sure that all the various compatibility with operating environments makes it quite viable in nature. PHP integrates with the databases like MySQL and others in a great fashion. ââ¬Å"ASP on the other hand is compatible with Windows only and makes sure that Microsoft oriented databases like MSSQL server would be well integrated with it. For other database platforms it requires to download various libraries and components for integration and workability.â⬠(Hull, 2002) Performance à à à à à à à à à à à à PHP is an interpreted language and make sure that the interpreted nature makes it fast for getting the customization done. The memory requirement of the PHP pages is quite optimizable and runs very fast with the greater understanding of the various features. Database connections of PHP are also quite flexible and make sure that all the various database functionality like stability, transactions, replication, triggers and stored procedures are handled quite well (Merrall, 2000). à à à à à à à à à à à à ASP on the other hand is a compiled language and the software glitches are quite often not corrected or take a long time to get it done. The compiled nature makes sure that all the various factors like throughput and response time is quite low for the hosted pages. Its exclusivity with Microsoft windows operating system makes it platform independent with regard to various hosting and access problems. PHP offers the best integration of speed and performance, and ensures that all the various promises are met for catering to the web development. ASP is most suitable with the Microsoft platform and makes sure that all the features are captured and managed for the various services. (Zhang, 1999). Base Language à à à à à à à à à à ASP has a type of syntax that resembles Visual Basic, and is closely related to Microsoft products. In contrast, PHP is based on the C++ language, and the syntax used for PHP looks a lot like C/C++ programming syntax. ââ¬Å"C/C++ is still considered the best programming language by many programmers and people who love this language would surely feel more comfortable with the syntax of PHP.â⬠(Pires, Halstatt 2005. ASP vs. PHP. Retrieved 18, February 2008 from http://www.webpronews.com/expertarticles/2005/12/22/asp-vs-php) Enhanced capabilities and compatibility à à à à à à à à à à à à à à These include file transfer programs and utilities, compression of data, uploading of files, integration of XML an MD5, encryption techniques and email facilities are not included in ASP, even if it does it requires the support of large third party packages installed, which are very easily integrated in PHP. PHP.net (2008) mentions that complex functions like dynamic images, IMAP, SNMP, dynamic flash, PDF, native access to Oracle, Ovrimos, Postgre, Sybase, mSql, MSSQL, Ingres, Interbase and Informix databases, LDAP, and sockets and many others are easily integrated with PHP, ââ¬Å"however it would create a big problem with its integration with ASP. PHP is compatible with various web servers for its functioning however ASP requires it to be easily integrated with only IIS and PWSâ⬠as explained by Pires (2005). à à à à à à à à à à à PHP programs can run on various platforms like Linux, Unix, Windows and Solaris whereas ASP is mainly associated with Windows platforms. However, ASP can run on a Linux platform with ASP-Apache installed on the server. PHP is based on C++ language and the syntax used in PHP is quite similar to C/C++. C/C++ is still considered the best programming language by many programmers and people who love this language would surely feel more comfortable with the syntax of PHP. ASP on the other hand has a more Visual Basic kind of syntax that again is closely related to only Microsoft products. So, it depends on the individual, and which language he or she is comfortable with. à à à à à à à à à à For Database connectivity, PHP is being extremely flexible, and can connect to various databases, the most popular being MySQL. ASP mainly uses MS-SQL for databases. Conclusion à à à à à à à à à à à à Although both ASP and PHP are good web server end languages for web development, there are some differences between them that should be considered to ensure that factors like cost, installation, performance, and compatibility issues are economized to the full extent. Both languages have advantages specific to various users. Some would argue that both languages have their own importance, and usage of either ASP or PHP depends on the userââ¬â¢s requirements, the language and the platform in use. ââ¬Å"If a user is looking for some e-commerce application development then ASP is probably the ideal choice. This does not mean that PHP cannot provide e-commerce solutions, but a lot of people tend to choose ASP in such instances.â⬠(Pires, Halstatt 2005). If we talk about developing a discussion board then ASP is equally capable but some people feel that the best discussion boards are developed using PHP. à à à à à à à à à à à à While PHP offers the best integration of speed and performance, and ensures that most web development requirements are met, ASP is most suitable with the Microsoft platform, and enables features to be captured and managed for various services. References Anstey, Marty (2003). PHP vs ASP. Retrieved 19, February 2008 from à à à à à à à à à à à à http://marty.anstey.ca/programming/php/articles/ An Architectural Introduction to Web Parts and ASP.NET A Microsoftà ® Office FrontPageà ® à à à à à à à à à à 2003 White Paper. (Retreived from à à à http://www.sharepointcustomization.com/resources/whitepapers/webpartdocs/wp_asp_net.doc Argence d Ricardo (2008). Web Hosting, PHP vs AS.P. Retrieved 18, February 2008 from à à à à à à à à à à à http://articles.topofhosting.com/web-hosting-php-asp.php DuBois, Paul (2002). MySQL Cookbook. Oââ¬â¢Reilly, October 2002. Glass, Michael (2004). Beginning PHP, Apache, Hull, Sean (2002). PHP vs. ASP.NET Redux. Retrieved 18, February 2008 from à à à à à à à à à à http://www.oracle.com/technology/pub/columns/hull_php2.html Merrall, Graeme (2000). PHP/MySQL Tutorial MySQLà ® Web Development. Wiley Publicizing sons. ISBN: 0-7645-5744-0. PHP.net (2008). See: http://www.php.net/manual/en Pires, Halstatt (2005). ASP vs. PHP. Retrieved 18, February 2008 from à à à à à à à à à à http://www.webpronews.com/expertarticles/2005/12/22/asp-vs-php Zhang, Ying (1999). Web Database Step-by-Step Guide.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Case study of fostering team in nuneaton
Case study of fostering team in nuneaton The background to your involvement I am currently on placement with the fostering team in Nuneaton which has in excess of seventy five carers in and around the Nuneaton/Bedworth area. The fostering team consists of 4 full time social workers, whose role encompasses assessment work along with supervisory responsibility of foster carers in line with the Department for Children, Schools and Families ââ¬ËWorking Together to Safeguard Childrenââ¬â¢ March 2010 which ââ¬Å"sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to save and promote the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004â⬠( (DCSF, March 2010) and to identify placements for children being accommodated under various sections of the Children Act 1989. While on placement I shadowed a social worker involved in supporting 14 yr old Philipââ¬â¢s foster carers to deal with particular behavioural issues that had led to his placement breaking down. The foster carers have 3 foster children currently in their care, Phillip 14, James 15 and David 16. The 2 foster carers Mike 49 and Jane 46 live in a 4 bedroom house in Hinckley. Philip had left the house and was refusing to return, stating that his foster carers did not like him and that he wanted to live on his own. Bed and breakfast accommodation was arranged for him for a few days while the situation was re-assessed and a meeting with the foster carers arranged. Fundamental to all relationships and particularly the interaction between Philip and his mother, Philip and his foster carers and social worker and foster carers, communication is a central component. Analysing how effective communication plays a vital part in this clientââ¬â¢s circumstances will form the basis of this discussion. Good communication skills are a principle component of effective social work practice. They include active, attentive and empathetic listening, recognition of verbal and non verbal co mmunication and general formal and informal interview techniques, as Payne has suggested, the application of communication theory gives ââ¬Å"practical help in controlling and understanding relationships and interactions with clients and a technology of interviewing and interpersonal skillsâ⬠(Payne, 2005, pg 178). Over recent year the children looked after by foster carers have included an increasing proportion of distressed adolescences along with the disruption rate for these placements as being high (Farmer et al 2003). One of the aims of the fostering social worker is to conduct detailed assessments of parenting approaches and strategies used by the foster carers looking after a teenager in a long term placement and how these strategies can change and develop during the course of the placement. Research has been conducted into fostering task with adolescents by Farmer et al (2004), found that they were concerns about the behaviour and well being of children when they move into a new placements. The findings in this case study highlighted a number of factors that contributed to the breakdown in the relationship with the foster carers and Philip and finally the placement. In this situation I had found out the Philipââ¬â¢s social worker had not communicated the nature and context of behavioural issues associated with him to the foster carerââ¬â¢s social worker so that foster carers could have been better informed.
Kodak Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words
Kodak - Case Study Example Besides, the Company has been creating differentiated value offerings in new growth markets, waiting to be revolutionized. The Companyââ¬â¢s four selected growth products include consumer inkjet in CDG division, and commercial inkjet, workflow software and services, and packaging solutions in GCG division (Kodak Annual Report, 2010). The Companyââ¬â¢s business strategy is aligned with performance-Based compensation. The component of compensation of the Companyââ¬â¢s Named Executive Officersââ¬â¢ yearly target overall direct compensation is variable and based on performance and equity price rise, which can go to the limit of 69% to 87% (162) (Kodak Annual Report, 2010). Market competition has been one of the big pressures, creating risky situations on Kodakââ¬â¢s income, total profits, and its market share as well. Market is quite powerful and highly competitive. Market for new products lacks the leverage that old players have from the scale of distributors. Besides, Kodak faces price competition on global front, affecting Kodakââ¬â¢s functional and financial position from product pricing and across the industry pricing pressures. Therefore, Kodak is highly under pressure to reduce prices to remain in the market although it is affecting the companyââ¬â¢s overall profit levels and income (Kodak Annual Report, 2010). Kodak business model in 2010 was focused on primary growth strategy, which was negatively impacted because of competitive pricing and increasing commodity costs in relatively mature product categories, such as Prepress Solutions, Digital Capture and Devices, and Entertainment Imaging. Goals for 2011 were aimed at Kodak business model in 2010 was focused on primary growth strategy, which was negatively impacted because of competitive pricing and increasing commodity costs in relatively mature product categories, such as Prepress Solutions, Digital Capture and Devices, and Entertainment Imaging. Goals for 2011 were aimed at The Company has
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Describe the services currently delivered by this organisation Essay
Describe the services currently delivered by this organisation - Essay Example Police is inclusive of a wide range of activities, which ensure the lawful existence of citizens, without any discrepancies in the society due to negligence over unlawful occurrences. They include not only the activities related to safety and security, but also those related to improving the overall quality of life. Commercial Agents Unit: They provide licenses and authority to security officers and personnel to carry firearms and batons, to control situations that need immediate attention and swift action. This way, inflammatory situations are averted and controlled. However, it is not always that licenses are issued for these purposes. Only select applicants, matching the criterion required are provided with the equipment and the right to carry forward the application of those, in select circumstances. Community Diversity: A society that is pluralist and is a heterogeneous mixture of varied communities requires a strong security service, to recognise and upkeep the diversity. In providing this safety, it is imperative to avoid hurting the sentiments of certain groups. The Western Australia Police recognises this diversity and maintains this diversity, by providing equal protection for all and sundry, especially the senior citizens, without any form of discrimination or dilution of authority. Classifications: The Western Australia Police are classified under varied types to provide all-round services of protection and safety. Mounted Police, who are mounted on trained horses are one fo the fastest detectors and providers of security to the citizens. Next, the Air Wing Police operate via helicopters and aircrafts. They have two units and are extremely efficient operators of the Police Department. Further, the
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
How closely management and leadership are connected for maintaining Essay
How closely management and leadership are connected for maintaining the normal flow of an organization - Essay Example The concepts management and leadership differ greatly in terms of organising people, but the two are closely linked as they both maintain the normal flow of the organization. They entail setting what needs to be acted upon, mobilize individuals to achieve a certain goal, and lastly ensure that individuals perform their duties. Leadership is often about setting a direction for individuals to follow, but on a complementary perspective management directs these individuals based on established principles or values. As stated by Lopez (2014) leadership involves realizing potential in oneself and others. Above all, managing has planning and budgeting, this means that managers create appropriate plans that will contribute to the success of the organization, and leaders ensure that they direct their followers to the right direction that will enable them to work towards achieving the goals of the organization. In addition, while managing deals with organizing and staffing to help in achieving organizational goals, this is as clarified by Ratcliffe (2013) ââ¬Å"â⬠¦ management is a set of processes that keep an organization functioningâ⬠. On the same note, leading is all about aligning individuals in a more effective manner in order to achieve the goals of the organization, this indicate how these two concepts aims at maintaining the normal flow of the organization. Furthermore, management and leadership are linked in ensuring that organizational activities flow normally is based on the nature of their functions. For instance, a leader creates the organizational vision and it is the managerââ¬â¢s duty to accomplish it (Gillikin, no date). Management is about establishing specific functions and assigning them to specific individuals. Moreover, it involves leading and regulating individuals and assisting them to move toward a common purpose in coordination. As clarified by Maccoby (2000 pp.57-59) ââ¬Å"The functions of management include
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