LGBT Policy in the US

LGBT Policy in the US Frida Montoya Advocating Gay and Lesbian Rights As the diverse societies within America alter over time so do the laws of the country, either supporting or declining the growth of such changes. A relevant turn within society can be found in the growing support towards gay and lesbian rights, citizens argue that the advance of equal right in the LGTB community is something that should be pushed for but, to what extent will they go to gain the support of the government? The government can be said to have mixed feeling about the LGBT community having the Democratic Party pushing forward with it and the Republican Party arguing that the concept of the LGBT community is immoral and an alienation of human nature. The simple fact that the movement is active signifies as a sign of just how far America has come to exercise the true meaning of equal rights amongst its citizens, looking past race, sexual orientation, disabilities and many other factors. Despites the many supporters hate groups have begun forming in attempt to halt the inevitable change of equal rights for all. †¦Republican Party’s position that marriage should be limited to a man and a woman†¦ We would condemn anyone who vilifies the LGBT community with demonizing rhetoric and falsehoods. And that’s exactly what Perkins and Lane routinely do. Perkins, who heads the Family Research Council, has repeatedly portrayed LGBT people as perverted. He’s called the â€Å"It Gets Better† campaign – designed to give LGBT students hope for a better tomorrow – â€Å"disgusting† and a â€Å"concerted effort† to â€Å"recruit† children into the gay â€Å"lifestyle.† Lane is head of the American Renewal Project, funded by the virulently anti-LGBT American Family Association (AFA). The AFA’s chief spokesman, Bryan Fischer, has said that â€Å"[h]omosexuality gave us Adolph Hitler and homosexuals in the military gave us the Brown Shirts, the Nazi war machine and six million dead Jews.† (Cohen, Richard). As the excerpt states there’s a clear disapproval of the LGTB community, for personal or political reasons. The push for Equality is more than simply the mere acceptance of the group its self, their rights have to be equally protected under the law which is where the situation can get tricky. Even the politicians are utilizing certain content to benefit their overall voting ranks by making the LGTB community look bad. Like in the case of Brian Edwards and Tom Privitere. â€Å"The married couple can’t stand the thought of LGBT youth seeing a mailer that uses their cherished engagement photo to attack a politician for supporting same-sex civil unions. The photo, which shows the couple kissing, was misappropriated by an anti-LGBT hate group for use in the mailer attacking Colorado state Sen. Jean White. Bold words on a red background were added to the picture: â€Å"State Senator Jean White’s idea of ‘Family Values?†(SPLC Sues Anti-gay Hate Group over Defilement of Couple’s Engagement Photo). The laws pertaining Lesbians, gays, transgender and bi individuals are not equally represented if even given through all the states making it difficult for citizens who fall within the LGBT category to have their rights fully protected. For instance, a current case where the acknowledgment of a marriage was purposely overseen in a death certificate in Alabama because the couple, Paul Hard and David Fancher, was gay.â€Å"The SPLC announced a federal lawsuit today challenging these laws. The lawsuit, filed on Hard’s behalf in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, seeks to overturn the state’s Marriage Protection Act, a 1998 law that bans the recognition of same-sex marriages from other states, and the Sanctity of Marriage Amendment, which enshrined this ban in the constitution in 2005†( SPLC Challenges Alabama’s Unconstitutional Marriage Protection Act and Sanctity of Marriage Amendment). Certain groups that are against same sex marria ge argue that marriage should only be for those that fall within the guidelines of religious beliefs, meaning not gay people but marriage recognition can imply much more. In the case of Tracey Cooper-Harris who happened to be a disabled U.S. Army veteran, and her wife, Maggie their marriage kept them from being able to get the benefits that other veterans and their wife’s were provided with. The court declared the Title 38 sections unconstitutional, finding there is no military purpose that could justify discriminating against veterans with same-sex spouses. It also found that Title 38 is not rationally related to the military’s commitment to caring for veteran families. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA in a separate case earlier this year. Because of the court’s ruling on Title 38, Tracey and Maggie are now eligible for a number of benefits, including additional disability compensation and the right to be buried together in a state or national veterans cemetery. These benefits, and many others, are routinely provided to heterosexual married veterans and their spouses. (SPLC Lawsuit Ends with Landmark Ruling That Is First to Decide Same-sex Spouses Rights to Benefits). The recognition of equal marriage in every aspect is something that the LGTB community is striding for, it is not just a legal document it is a right that comes along with many other aspects that are still yet to be approved by the government. However not all issues originate because the state itself denies a LGTB individual their rights but from discrimination that more than likely exceeds to an abusive level. Discrimination tends to be very common in the life of a LGTB individual. If for instance done in a school should be overseen by an adult of faculty member who would naturally step in and put a stop to it but in the case of some this is not the situation and the discrimination rises from other students to adults. SPLC filed a federal civil rights lawsuit that seeks to enforce Destin’s civil rights and force the district to address the mistreatment of Destin and other lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender students. The suit, filed in December, asserts the district has violated Destin’s rights under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.â€Å"District officials who are entrusted with the safety and education of all students not only ignored, dismissed and even blamed victims for the abusive behavior of faculty and other students, they also participated in discriminatory acts,† said Anjali Nair, SPLC staff attorney. â€Å"Destin has been humiliated and tortured. Our suit seeks justice for her and other students who were mistreated, as well as reforms that will prevent this from happening again.†(SPLC Files Suit to Stop Anti-LGBT Harassment by Students and Faculty in Mississippi’s Moss Point Scho ol District). The non-supportive part of the community has and will continue to alienate individuals that take part in the LGTB group even if it is simply to support the cause. Despite this, young supporters are uprising all through the United States figuring out ways to improve certain issues that tend to attack the LGTB groups in schools. One of these is bullying an issue that was addresses by Hannah Bradley and her classmates. â€Å"†¦the students wore name tags stating their orientation. But Bradley and other students were censored by school officials who forced them to remove their tags. The SPLC today demanded in a letter to Jefferson County High School in Dandridge, Tenn., that school officials stop this censorship and warned they face a possible federal lawsuit on Bradley’s behalf†( Citing Free Speech Rights, SPLC Demands Tennessee High School Stop Censoring Students). Alienation can only go so far but it has gotten to the point where a thing such as Conversion Therapy w as created. Conversion Therapy is basically a â€Å"treatment† that is guaranteed to convert any individual that fall within the LGTB category. It is then with situations such as these that the government can and will step in. â€Å"A ruling by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upholds California’s ban on conversion therapy for minors, a discredited practice that claims to â€Å"cure† people of being gay, is another sign of the collapse of the conversion therapy industry, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center†¦ Science proves that it doesn’t work. It harms kids, and it tears families apart† (Appeals Court Ruling in California Is Another Sign of Conversion Therapy Industrys Collapse). The fact that the government its self recognizes that some of these actions are inhumane, not just to a certain minority, but to the United States as a whole can say a lot about the direction in which we are headed to. LGTB rights will no longer be overlooked for the issues of its upbringing have already been addressed by the government several times indirectly encouraging the community to continue to advocate for those right and also giving certain individuals the confidence they need to state their case to the judicial branch pertaining their rights. As more and more people push for this cause the LGTB community will gradually continue to gain more rights for it will be brought to the attention of the government. Today, by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA),the U.S. Senate took a historic step toward ending this outrage†¦ It simply prohibits employers from using a worker’s sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for hiring, firing, promotion, or compensation. It means that LGBT people will be afforded the same workplace protections already in place regarding race, religion, gender, national origin and disability†¦But employers in 29 states can still lawfully discriminate because of sexual orientation, and in 33 states they can discriminate because of gender identity†¦Over the last few years, we’ve passed milestone after milestone on the road to equality for LGBT people – among them, the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. (Senate Passage of ENDA Is Important Step toward Dignity and Fairness for LGBT People). Overall, it is accurate to say that the LGTB community will continue to grow both in members and supporters making it nearly impossible for the government to devolve and go back to the way things had previously been. The need for equality will gradually be overseen from every point by the government until one day; hopefully we can all say that we do indeed have equal rights that are protected by the constitution of the United States of America. Work Cited Cohen, Richard. A Tent Too Large: The Republican Party and Anti-LGBT Bigotry. Southern Poverty Law Center. 8 Aug. 2014. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/a-tent-too-large-the-republican-party-and-anti-lgbt-bigotry>. SPLC Challenges Alabama’s Unconstitutional Marriage Protection Act and Sanctity of Marriage Amendment. Southern Poverty Law Center. 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 16 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-challenges-alabama-s-unconstitutional-marriage-protection-act-and-sanctity-of>. SPLC Files Suit to Stop Anti-LGBT Harassment by Students and Faculty in Mississippi’s Moss Point School District. Southern Poverty Law Center. 17 Dec. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-files-suit-to-stop-anti-lgbt-harassment-by-students-and-faculty-in-mississipp>. Appeals Court Ruling in California Is Another Sign of Conversion Therapy Industrys Collapse. Southern Poverty Law Center. 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/appeals-court-ruling-in-california-is-another-sign-of-conversion-therapy-industrys>. Senate Passage of ENDA Is Important Step toward Dignity and Fairness for LGBT People. Southern Poverty Law Center. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/senate-passage-of-enda-is-important-step-toward-dignity-and-fairness-for-lgbt-peop>. SPLC Lawsuit Ends with Landmark Ruling That Is First to Decide Same-sex Spouses Rights to Benefits. Southern Poverty Law Center. 30 Aug. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-lawsuit-ends-with-landmark-ruling-that-is-first-to-decide-same-sex-spouses-ri>. Citing Free Speech Rights, SPLC Demands Tennessee High School Stop Censoring Students. Southern Povery Law Center. 18 Oct. 2012. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/citing-free-speech-rights-splc-demands-tennessee-high-school-stop-censoring-studen>. SPLC Sues Anti-gay Hate Group over Defilement of Couple’s Engagement Photo. Southern Poverty Law Center. 26 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-sues-anti-gay-hate-group-over-defilement-of-couple-s-engagement-photo>.

Alfred Hitchcocks Psycho :: Film Films Movie Movies Psycho Essays

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho has been commended for forming the archetypical basis of all horror films that followed its 1960 release. The mass appeal that Psycho has maintained for over three decades can undoubtedly be attributed to its universality. In Psycho, Hitchcock allows the audience to become a subjective character within the plot to enhance the film's psychological effects for an audience that is forced to recognise its own neurosis and psychological inadequacies as it is compelled to identify, for varying lengths of time, with the contrasting personalities of the film's main characters. Hitchcock conveys an intensifying theme in Psycho, that bases itself on the unending subconscious battle between good and evil that exists in everyone through the audience's subjective participation and implicit character parallels.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Psycho begins with a view of a city that is arbitrarily identified along with an exact date and time. The camera, seemingly at random, chooses first one of the many buildings and then one of the many windows to explore before the audience is introduced to Marion and Sam. Hitchcock's use of random selection creates a sense of normalcy for the audience. The fact that the city and room were arbitrarily identified impresses upon the audience that their own lives could randomly be applied to the events that are about to follow.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the opening sequence of Psycho, Hitchcock succeeds in capturing the audience's initial senses of awareness and suspicion while allowing it to identify with Marion's helpless situation. The audience's sympathy toward Marion is heightened with the introduction of Cassidy whose crude boasting encourages the audience's dislike of his character. Cassidy's blatant statement that all unhappiness can be bought away with money, provokes the audience to form a justification for Marion's theft of his forty thousand dollars. As Marion begins her journey, the audience is drawn farther into the depths of what is disturbingly abnormal behaviour although it is compelled to identify and sympathize with her actions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is with Marion's character that Hitchcock first introduces the notion of a split personality to the audience. Throughout the first part of the film, Marion's reflection is often noted in several mirrors and windows. Hitchcock is therefore able to create a voyeuristic sensation within the audience as it can visualise the effects of any situation through Marion's conscious mind. In the car dealership, for example, Marion enters the secluded bathroom in order to have privacy while counting her money. Hitchcock, however, with upper camera angles and the convenient placing of a mirror is able to convey the sense of an ever lingering conscious mind that makes privacy impossible. Hitchcock brings

Introduction Chapter

Key Terms and Concepts (1-24) 1. Denudation is the total effect of all actions (weathering, mass wasting, and erosion) that lower the surface of the continents. 2. Weathering- the physical and chemical disintegration of rock that is exposed to the atmosphere. Mass-wasting- the short-distance down slope movement of weathered rock under the direct influence of gravity; also called mass movement. Erosion- detachment, removal, and transportation of fragmented rock material. 3.Openings in the surface and near- urface bedrock are frequently microscopic, but they may also be large enough to be conspicuous and are sometimes huge. In any case, they occur in vast numbers and provide avenues along which weathering agents can attack the bedrock and break it apart. Subsurface weathering is initiated along these openings, which can be penetrated by such weathering agents such as water, air, and plant roots. As time passes, the weathering effects spread from the immediate vicinity of the openings i nto the denser rock beyond. . Joints are cracks that develop in bedrock due to tress, but in which there is no appreciable movement parallel to the walls of the joint. Faults are breaks in bedrock along which there is relative displacement of the walls of the crack. 5. Master Joints are Joints that run for great distances through a bedrock structure. Master Joints play a role in topographic development by functioning as a plane of weakness, a plane more susceptible to weathering and erosion than the rock around it. 6.Mechanical weathering is the physical disintegration of rock material without any change in its chemical composition; also alled physical weathering. Chemical weathering is the chemical decomposition of rock by the alteration of rock-forming minerals. 7. Frost wedging is the fragmentation of rock due to expansion of water that freezes into ice within rock openings. 8. Salt wedging is the rock disintegration caused by the crystallization of salts from evaporating water. 9. Exfoliation is the weathering process in which curved layers peel off bedrock in sheets.This process commonly occurs in granite and related intrusive rocks after overlying rock has been removed, allowing the body to expand slightly. An exfoliation dome is a large rock mass with a surface confguration that consists of imperfect curves punctured by several partially fractured shells of the surface layers (due to exfoliation). 10. Oxidation is the chemical union of oxygen atoms with atoms from various metallic elements to form new products, which are usually more voluminous, softer, and more easily eroded than the original compounds.When iron-bearing minerals react with oxygen (become oxidized), iron oxide is produced. This reaction, probably the most common oxidation in the lithosphere, is called rusting. 1 . Hydrolysis- a chemical union of water with another substance to produce a new compound that is nearly always softer and weaker than the original. Carbonation- a process in whi ch carbon dioxide in water reacts with carbonate rocks to produce a very soluble product (calcium bicarbonate), which can readily be removed by runoff or percolation, and which can also be deposited in crystalline from if the water is evaporated. 2. Biological weathering is rock biological weathering is lichens. Lichens are primitive organisms that consist of algae and fungi living as a single unit. Typically they live on bare rock, bare soil, or tree bark. They draw minerals from the rock by ion exchange, and this leaching can weaken the rock. 13. Differential weathering is the process whereby different rocks or parts of the same rock weather and/or erode at different rates. 14. The steepest angle that can be assumed by loose fragments on a slope without downslope movement is called the angle of repose.This angle, which varies with the nature and internal cohesion of the material, represents a fine balance between the pull of gravity and the cohesion and friction of the rock materi al. If additional material ccumulates on a debris pile lying on a slope that is near the angle of repose, the newly added material may upset the balance and may cause all of part of the material to slide downward. 15. Rockfall (fall) is the mass wasting process in which weathered rock drops to the foot ofa cliff or steep slope. 16. Talus (scree) are pieces of weathered rock, of various sizes, that fall directly downslope.Sometimes the fragments accumulate relatively uniformly along the base of the slope, in which case the resultant landform is called a talus slope or talus apron. 17. A talus cone is a sloping, cone-shaped heap of dislodged talus. This cone pattern is commonplace because most steep bedrock slopes and cliffs are seamed by vertical ravines and gullies that funnel the falling rock fragments into piles directly beneath the ravines, usually producing a series of talus cones side by side along the base of the slope or cliff. 18. A rock glacier is an accumulated talus mass that moves slowly but distinctly downslope under its own weight. 9. Landslides do not require the lubricating effects of water or clay, although the presence of water may contribute to the action; many slides are triggered by rains that add weight to already overloaded slopes. Landslides may be activated by other stimuli as well, most notably by earthquakes. 20. A slump is different from other kinds of landslides because it is a slope collapse slide with rotation along a curved sliding plane. 21. A landslide is a general term for a type of slope failure involving an instantaneous collapse of a slope and movement along a generally flat sliding plane.A mudflow is a rapid, downslope movement of a dense mixture of weathered rock and water through or within a valley. 22. Earthflow is the mass wasting process in which a portion of a water- saturated slope moves a short distance downhill. A debris flow is a stream-like flow of dense, muddy water heavily laden with sediments of various size s; a mudflow containing large boulders. 23. A soil creep is the slowest and least perceptible form of mass wasting, which consists of a very gradual downhill movement of soil and regolith.Soil creeps happen slower than a snail can move, and they usually can be prevented if falling towards a house/building. 24. Solifluction is a special form of soil creep in tundra areas; associated with summer thawing of the near-surface portion of permafrost, causing the wet, heavy surface material to sag slowly downslope. Study Questions (1-5) 1. It is possible for weathering to take place beneath the surface of bedrock because of things such as Joints within the rock. If the Joints are deep enough, the weathering will take place underneath certain parts of the rock.There are many types of a whole, not Just the surface. 2. Chemical weathering is more effective in humid climates than in arid climates because arid climates do not have water. Humid climates have higher amounts of water and higher tem peratures so chemical weathering happens faster. 3. There is a direct relationship between gravity and ass wasting. Any mass moves in the direction of the vector sum of all the forces acting on it, with acceleration numerically equal to the magnitude of the sum of the forces divided by its mass.On or near the Earth's surface, gravity is always one of the forces. 4. Clay reacts to water by expanding, and when it dries, it contracts. Some clay does it so small that it's barely noticeable, some clay does it so much that you can very easily see it happen right in front of your eyes. If these clays are in a crack between rock, or in a layer beneath rock, or basically any place that the clay is omehow packed between two hard rocks, and it gets wet, then it will expand, and put force on the two rock layers.Then it will dry, and â€Å"pull† the layer or Joint into a weaker state. If this happens over a long enough time, then it will break the rock that is in the weaker position. 5. R ainfall can expedite mass wasting because when there is more water in the objects that are falling, the objects (falling rocks) become heavier, therefore the process is speeded up. The more rainfall there is, the more water will be accumulated and the heavier the falling rocks will be.

History of American Economic Growth in the 20th Century

History of American Economic Growth in the 20th Century As the American economy matured in the 20th century, the freewheeling business mogul lost luster as an American ideal. The crucial change came with the emergence of the corporation, which appeared first in the railroad industry. Other industries soon followed. Business barons were being replaced by technocrats, high-salaried managers who became the heads of corporations. By the start of the 20th century, the era of the industrialist and the robber baron was coming to a close. It was not so much that these influential and wealthy entrepreneurs (who generally personally owned majority and controlling stakes in their industry) disappeared, but rather that they were replaced with corporations.  The rise of the corporation triggered, in turn, the rise of an organized labor movement that served as a countervailing force to the power and influence of business. The Changing Face of the Early American Corporation The largest early 20th-century corporations were much larger and more complicated than the commercial enterprises that came before. To maintain profitability in a changing economic climate, American companies in industries as diverse as oil refining to whiskey distilling began to emerge in the late 19th century. These new corporations, or trusts, were exploiting a strategy known as horizontal combination, which granted those corporations the ability to limit production in order to raise prices and maintain profitability. But these corporations regularly ran into legal trouble as violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Some companies took another route, employing a strategy of vertical integration. Instead of maintaining prices through control of the production supply as in horizontal strategies, vertical strategies relied on obtaining control in all aspects of the supply chain required to produce their product, which gave these corporations more control over their costs. With more control over costs came more stable and protected profitability for the corporation. With the development of these more complicated corporations came the need for new management strategies. Though the highly centralized management of previous eras did not entirely disappear, these new organizations gave rise to more decentralized decision-making through divisions. While still overseen by central leadership, divisional corporate executives would eventually be given more responsibility for business decisions and leadership in their own piece of the corporation. By the 1950s, this multi-divisional organizational structure became the growing norm for large corporations, which generally moved corporations away from reliance on high-profile executives and solidified the fall of the business barons of the past.  Ã‚   The Technological Revolution of the 1980s and 1990s The technological revolution of the 1980s and 1990s,  however, brought a new entrepreneurial culture that echoed the age of tycoons. For instance, Bill Gates, the head of Microsoft, built an immense fortune developing and selling computer software. Gates carved out an empire so profitable that by the late 1990s, his company was taken into court and accused of intimidating rivals and creating a monopoly by the U.S. Justice Departments antitrust division. But Gates also established a charitable foundation that quickly became the largest of its kind. Most American business leaders of today do not lead the high-profile life of Gates. They differ greatly from the tycoons of the past. While they direct the fate of corporations, they also serve on boards of charities and schools. They are concerned about the state of the national economy and Americas relationship with other nations, and they are likely to fly to Washington to confer with government officials. While they undoubtedly influe nce the government, they do not control it - as some tycoons in the Gilded Age believed they did.

Personal Selling and Sales Management Essay Example

Personal Selling and Sales Management Essay Example Personal Selling and Sales Management Essay Personal Selling and Sales Management Essay Global Perspective INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS ARE GLAMOROUS, RIGHT? Some challenges associated with an international assignment include job security, readjustment upon return to the U. S. and adjustment to other cultures. Given these kinds of problems, is that international sales position being offered to we as attractive as it looks? Will it really help wer career? Particularly in relationship cultures such as China, relationship marketing, built on effective communications between the seller and buyer, focuses on building long-term alliances rather than treating each sale as a one-time event. Designing the Sales Force Based on analyses of current and potential customers, the selling environment, competition, and the firms resources and capabilities, decisions must be made regarding the numbers, characteristics, and assignments of sales personnel. Distribution strategies will often vary from country to country. Some markets may require a direct sales force, whereas others may not. How customers are approached can differ as well. Once decisions have been made about how many expatriates, local nationals, or third=country nationals a particular market requires, then more intricate aspects of design can be undertaken, such as territory allocation and customer call plans. Recruiting Marketing and Sales Personnel Expatriates Virtual Expatriates Local Nationals Third Country Nationals Host Country Restrictions Expatriates The largest personnel requirement abroad for most companies is the sales force. The number of companies relying on expatriate personnel is declining as the volume of world trade increases and as more companies use locals to fill marketing positions. However, when products are highly technical, or when selling requires an extensive background of information and applications, an expatriate sales force remains the best choice. The chief disadvantages of an expatriate sales force are the high cost, cultural and legal barriers, and the limited number of high-caliber personnel willing to live abroad for extended periods. Virtual Expatriates The Internet and other advances in communications technologies, along with the growing reluctance of executives to move abroad, are creating a new breed of expatriate, the virtual one. Virtual expatriates manage operations in other countries but dont move there. Local Nationals The historical preference for expatriate managers and salespeople from the home country is giving way to a preference for local nationals. At the sales level, the picture is clearly biased in favor of the locals because they transcend both cultural and legal barriers. They are also familiar with distribution systems and referral networks. The main disadvantage of hiring local nationals is the tendency of headquarters personnel to ignore their advice. Another key disadvantage can be their lack of availability. In many countries, sales positions are viewed negatively. Third Country Nationals Third-country nationals (TCNs), are expatriates from their own countries working for a foreign company in a third country. Host Country Restrictions The host governments attitudes toward foreign workers often complicate selecting expatriate U. S. nationals over locals. Concerns about foreign corporate domination, local unemployment, and other issues cause some countries to restrict the number of non-nationals allowed to work within the ountry. Selecting Sales and Marketing Personnel To select personnel for international marketing positions effectively, management must define precisely what is expected of its people. Effective executives and salespeople, regardless of what foreign country they are operating in, share certain personal characteristics, skills, and orientations such as maturity, emotional stability, breadth of knowledge, positive o utlook, flexibility, cultural empathy, energetic, and enjoy travel. Selection mistakes are costly. When an expatriate assignment does not work out, hundreds of thousands of dollars are wasted in expenses and lost time. Mew evidence indicates that a managers culture affects personnel decisions. Training for International Marketing The nature of a training program depends largely on both the home culture of the sales person and the culture of the business system in the foreign market. Continual training may be more important in foreign markets than in domestic ones because of the lack of routine contact with the parent company and its marketing personnel. One aspect of training is frequently overlooked: Home-office personnel dealing with international marketing operations need training designed to make them responsive to the needs of the foreign operations. The Internet now makes some kinds of sales training much more efficient. Motivating Sales Personnel Motivation is especially complicated because the firm is dealing with different cultures, different sources, and different philosophies. Because cultural differences affect the motivational patterns of a sales force, a manager must be extremely sensitive to the personal behavior patterns of employees. Individual incentives that work effectively in the United States can fail completely in other cultures. Communications are also important in maintaining high levels of motivation; foreign managers need to know that the home office is interested in their operations. Because promotion and the opportunity to improve status are important motivators, a company needs to make clear the opportunities for growth within the firm. In one study, sales representatives in comparable Japanese and American sales organizations were asked to allocate 100 points across an array of potential rewards from work. As shown in Exhibit 17. 4, the results were surprisingly similar. The Sales People Were Asked to: ‘Distribute 100 Points among the Rewards in Terms of their Importance to You. ’ SOURCE: R. Bruce Money and John L. Graham, â€Å"Salesperson Performance,Pay, and Job Satisfaction: Tests of a Model Using Data Collected in the U. S. and Japan,† Journal of International Business Studies, 1999. Designing Compensation Systems For Expatriates Developing an equitable and functional compensation plan that combines balance, consistent motivation, and flexibility is extremely challenging in international operations. Fringe benefits play a major role in many countries. Pay can be a significant factor in making it difficult for a person to be repatriated. Often those returning home realize they have been making considerably more money with a lower cost of living in the overseas market; returning to the home country means a cut in pay and a cut in standard of living. In general, short-term assignments involve payments of overseas premiums (sometimes called separation allowances if the family does not go along), all excess expenses, and allowances for tax differentials. Besides rewarding an individuals contribution to the firm, a compensation program can be used effectively to recruit, develop, motivate, or retain personnel. For a Global Sales Force – The Do’s Compensation plans of American companies vary substantially around the globe, reflecting the economic and cultural differences in the diverse markets served. Some experts feel compensation plans in Japan and Southern Europe are most different from the standard U. S. approach. Those same experts believe that generally compensation schemes around the world are becoming more similar to the U. S. systems with its emphasis on commissions based on individual performance. Global Similarity to U. S. Compensations Plans SOURCE: David G. Schick and David J. Cichelli, â€Å"Developing Incentive Compensation Strategies in a Global Sales Environment,† ACA Journal, Autumn 1996. The Dos for designing compensation systems for a global sales force: Do involve representatives from key countries. Do allow local managers to decide the mix between base and incentive pay. Do use consistent performance measures (results paid for) and emphasis on each measure. Do allow local countries flexibility in implementations. Do use consistent communication and training themes worldwide. The Donts for designing compensation systems for a global sales force: Dont design the plan centrally and dictate to local offices. Dont create a similar framework for jobs with different responsibilities. Dont require consistency on every performance measure within the incentive plan. Dont assume cultural diffe rences can be managed through the incentive plan. Dont proceed without the support of senior sales executives worldwide. A compensation Blueprint: How IBM Pays 140,000 Sales Executives Worldwide Beginning in the late 1990s IBM rolled out what is perhaps the most global approach to compensating a worldwide sales force. The main features of that plan, which applies to 140,000 sales executives in 165 countries, are presented in Exhibit 17. 6. SOURCE: Michele Marchetti and Antonio Langemi, â€Å"Gamble,† Sales and Marketing Management, July 1996, p. 65-69. Evaluating and Controlling Sales Representatives In the U. S. , emphasis is placed on individual performance, which can easily be measured by sales revenues generated. In many countries evaluation is more complex where teamwork is favored over individual effort. The primary control tool used by American sales managers is the incentive system. In other countries, corporate control and frequent interactions with peers and supervisors are the means of motivation and control. Preparing U. S. Personnel for Foreign Assignments Foreign assignments typically cost from 150-400 percent of the annual base salary. This cost increases if the expatriate returns home before completing the scheduled assignment. The planning process must begin prior to the selection of those going abroad and extend to their specific assignments after returning home. Overcoming Reluctance to Accept a Foreign Assignment Concerns for career and family are the most frequently mentioned reasons for a manager to refuse a foreign assignment. The most important career-related reservation is the fear that a two- or three-year absence will adversely affect opportunities for advancement. Concern for family may interfere with many accepting an assignment abroad. Initially, most potential candidates are worried about uprooting a family and settling into a strange environment. Questions about the education of the children, isolation from family and friends, proper health care, and, in some countries, the potential for violence reflect the misgivings a family faces when relocating to a foreign country. Reducing the Rate of Early Returns Once the employee and family accept the assignment abroad, the next problem is keeping them there for the assigned time. One researcher estimated that 75 percent of families sent to a foreign post experience adjustment problems with children or have marital discord. Before going abroad, cross-cultural training should be provided for families as well as the employee. Once the family is abroad, some companies even provide a local ombudsman (someone experienced in the country) to whom members can take their problems and get immediate assistance. Successful Expartiate Preparation Returnees should know where they are going and what they will be doing next month and several years ahead. A report on what MNCs are doing to improve the reentry process suggests five steps: 1. Commit to reassigning expatriates to meaningful positions. 2. Create a mentor program. Mentors are typically senior executives who monitor company activities, keep the expatriate informed on company activities, and act as liaison between the expatriate and various headquarters departments. 3. Offer a written job guarantee stating what the company is obligated to do for the expatriate on return. 4. Keep the expatriate in touch with headquarters through periodic briefings and headquarters visits. 5. Prepare the expatriate and family for repatriation once a return date is set. Developing Cultural Awareness Most expatriate failures are cause by lack of an understanding of cultural differences and their effect on management skills. Good cultural skills can be learned and developed. Cultural skills provide the individual with the ability to relate to a different culture even when the individual is unfamiliar with the details of that particular culture. The Changing Profile of the Global Manager Fewer companies today limit their search for senior-level executive talent to their home countries. Some companies believe that it is important to have international assignments early in a persons career, and international training is an integral part of their entry-level development programs. Many companies are active in making the foreign experience an integrated part of a successful corporate career. Foreign Language Skills Many believe that learning a language improves cultural understanding and business relationships. Many believe that to be taken seriously in the business community, the expatriate must be at least conversational in the host language. Many companies are making stronger efforts to recruit people who are bilingual or multilingual. Summary The companys sales force is on the front line of a marketing organization. The role of marketers in both domestic and foreign markets along with the composition of international managerial and sales forces is rapidly changing. The recent emphasis on using local personnel operating in their own lands has highlighted the importance of adapting U. S. managerial techniques to local needs. The development of an effective marketing organization calls for careful recruiting, selecting, training, motivating, and compensating o f expatriate personnel and their families. The most practical method of maintaining an efficient international sales and marketing force is careful, concerted planning at all stages of career development. An effective international sales force constitutes one of the international marketers greatest concerns. The companys sales force represents the major alternative method of organizing a company for foreign distribution and, as such, is on the front line of a marketing organization. The role of marketers in both domestic and foreign markets is rapidly changing, along with the composition of international managerial and sales forces. Such forces have many unique requirements that are being filled by expatriates, locals, third-country nationals, or a combination of the three. In recent years, the pattern of development has been to place more emphasis on local personnel operating in their own lands. This, in turn, has highlighted the importance of adapting U. S. managerial techniques to local needs. The development of an effective marketing organization calls for careful recruiting, selecting, training, motivating, and compensating of expatriate personnel and their families to ensure maximization of a companys return on its personnel expenditures. The most practical method of maintaining an efficient international sales and marketing force is careful, concerted planning at all stages of career development. Bibliography: International Marketing, Cateora P. R. , Graham J. L. , 12th ed, pp 500-525. Michele Marchetti and Antonio Langemi, â€Å"Gamble,† Sales and Marketing Management, July 1996, p. 65-69. David G. Schick and David J. Cichelli, â€Å"Developing Incentive Compensation Strategies in a Global Sales Environment,† ACA Journal, Autumn 1996.

Check Assignment Criteria for the question Essay

Check Assignment Criteria for the question - Essay Example In July 2007, Makers (UK) Ltd (Makers) placed an order for the delivery of Uponor and compression adapters from BSS Group Plc (BSS), which would be used for plumbing. One month later, Makers tendered an additional request for more goods from the supplier. BSS continued with quotation for and supply of the additional merchandise including their internally made brand valve instead of a specified Uponor valve. The buyer then closed one of its Uponor tubes with an Uponor brand adaptor and a BSS valve. The buyer later noticed that the Uponor adaptor was incompatible with the BSS valve, a development that severely affected the plumbing work as part of refurbishment of a public residence in Cambridge4. The incompatible adaptor and valve were fitted anyway, but within a few hours of operation, the valve collapsed under pressure, causing a devastating flood to the lower floors of the building. The issue that was brought before the judges for determination was whether the supplier had violated the implied term in the transaction relative to the items’ fitness for purpose as provided for in section 14(3) of the Sale of Goods Act 1979. Citing section 14(3) of the Sale of Goods Act 1979, the buyer argued that the BSS valves did not meet the required threshold of fitness for purpose because they were not compatible for the function that they were required5. The claimant contended that it was incumbent upon BSS to know the function of the items6. In deliberating BSS’ case, the Appellate Court held that the defendant was deemed to have violated section 14 (3) of the legislation because he disregarded the information which the buyer had made clear to him. Legally parties to a contract must act on either express or implicit information about an item’s condition of fitness for sale. A seller who proceeds to sell an item is deemed to have considered the item’s fit for use for a particular

Situational Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Situational Leadership - Essay Example Leadership, management, power and authority are all closely related terms and sometimes are difficult to separate and understand individually. A leader is someone who exercises influence over others. In a group, it is the performances of those acts which help the group achieve its preferred outcomes. (Cartwright & Zander, 1968)A view holds that leaders are people oriented and their main task is to inspire people. Their primary functional output is a change (Veal, 2004) and their capabilities are assessed in terms of controlling the process of this change. That is to mould and control change to suit project's objectives. Bryman (1986) offers somewhat similar views when he opines that leadership is," the creation of a vision about a desired future state which seeks to enmesh all members of an organisation in its net".Whereas managers are task and process oriented and their main task is to organize such tasks and processes. Management's main output is task done in target time at target cost. In plain language Management is assigned the task of producing and maintaining a degree of predictability & order (Veal, 2004). Leadership on the other hand assumes the function of producing change under a constantly updated schemata of direction and vision. Leadership is the process of motivating others to work to meet specific goals and objectives. Leadership is deliberately causing people-driven actions in a planned fashion for the purpose of accomplishing the leader's agenda. Qualities of a Good Leader Subsequent to identification of role of leadership in project management it is clear that leadership physically comprises of an individual or set of individuals acting on common concert and vision. A set of qualities are generally stated in support of good leadership. Such qualities helps in execution of the agenda of leadership as defined above. These qualities are stated below corresponding to their importance in an information system project: (a) A project leader must have the capability to nurture and develop a vision and a concrete sense of direction in which to lead the team on. He must make the entire team convinced of his stance of an inspired shared vision. At least he should be able to convey his vision to critical members of the project team. "Visionary leaders enable people to feel they have a real stake in the project. They empower people to experience the vision on their own (Barry, Top). Bennis explains about the leaders that "They offer people opportunities to create their own vision, to explore what the vision will mean to their jobs and lives, and to envision their future as part of the vision for the organization," (Bennis, 1997). (b) A project leader is expected to have high level of problem solving skills (Barry, Top). He may share problem-solving responsibilities with the team .As Kouzes says that a leader must have a "fresh, creative response to here-and-now opportunities," and not much concern with how others have performed them. (Kouzes, 1987).Thus he would be capable of giving new solutions to complicated problems and lead in dead