Social Networks in Modern Business

Introduction In recent past, social networking has been on the rise. Many companies and individuals have embraced use of social networks because of their many benefits. For example, companies are using social networks to interact with customers.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Social Networks in Modern Business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Many companies have successfully used social networks to improve their understanding of the modern marketplace (Jue and Kassotakis 45). For example, Del Monte uses social networks to reach out to its customers in a process referred to as customer intimacy (Rainer and Ceglieski 160). The company has developed three platforms to facilitate communication and interaction with customers. Social networks are beneficial to both individuals and companies. However, they have several disadvantages that limit their reliability and efficiency. Disadvantages include exposure of dat a to security risks, possible reduction in employee performance, reduced ability to monitor employees, and reduced organizational efficiency and productivity. Advantages of social networks Social networks have many advantages that have resulted in increased demand and use. They provide information, enable businesses do things in new and more efficient ways, facilitate communication, and enhance collaboration (Jue and Kassotakis 55). Common social media tools that organizations and individuals use include Twitter, Facebook, blogs, MySpace, and others that allow free interaction with customers. Social intranets area common aspect of communication in many organizations. Many organizations sue them as a tool for internal communication.Advertising Looking for assessment on business communication? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Social networks transform computers into reliable and efficient sources of information. As such, individu als can access information from numerous sources on the internet. On the other hand, companies and individuals can conduct research because adequate information is available on different topics and disciplines (Haigh 77). Availability of adequate and relevant information has transformed ways in which organizations conduct business. Reliability of social networks is the main reason why many organizations choose them as primary sources of information. In addition, retrieval of information is fast and cost-effective (Haigh 78). In olden days, organizations hired research companies to collect information from customers. However, with advent of social networks, organizations collect first hand information from customers through social networking services such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Another advantage of social networks is that they facilitate communication (Rainer and Ceglieski 167). They promote communication channels such as chat rooms, emails, call centres, and voice messag es that reduce costs of operations. A study conducted on more than 290 organizations located in America, Asia, and Europe found out that more than half of them rely on use of social intranets for communication within the organization (Rainer and Ceglieski 169). Among them, the most common social networking tool used was instant messaging. It was used by 77 percent of surveyed organizations. Other commonly used tools included streaming audio and video.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Social Networks in Modern Business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, the study found out that even though many organizations use social networking tools for internal communication, their use among employees is still poor. In many organizations, social media is used to facilitate communication between employees, and team members. It has been used for top-down communication between employees and management. For example, bl ogging promotes communication between employees and managers in organizations that have large teams of employees (Rainer and Ceglieski 169). One advantage of use of social networks is because many of them do not compromise privacy. In addition, communication between employees and managers promotes effective organizational dialogue between different levels in an organization (Jue and Kassotakis 58). Another advantage of using social networks for communication in organizations is enhancement of relationships and efficiency. It is easy for employees to give their ideas, opinions, and feedback regarding any organizational mater without fear of victimization by supervisors or managers (Haigh 81). For example, during a crisis, communication between different levels of an organization is quick and effective in solving the crisis. Social networks support new ways of conducting business (Rainer and Ceglieski 160). For example, they support new ways of marketing and advertising, supply chain management, customer service, and human resource management.Advertising Looking for assessment on business communication? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More New methods of conducting business enable organizations and businesses develop competitive advantage strategies that enhance survival in the highly volatile and uncertain modern business environment (Haigh 41). For example, many organizations save a lot of money that was traditionally used to advertise products by using social networks. Instead of conducting expensive marketing and advertisement, organizations rely on social networks to share experiences with customer on certain products introduced in the market (Haigh 44). In addition, customers share information regarding products and companies on social networks. This serves as an efficient marketing strategy for many organizations. On the other hand, many organizations use social networks to build their corporate images. For example, organizations use twitter to share short messages with customers on their corporate social responsibility activities and projects (Jue and Kassotakis 61). These messages improve the images of organi zations thus attracting and more customers and investors. In addition, they have introduced a new business paradigm that is necessary in the social media era. Companies and organizations that were little known have become famous in many areas because of use of social networks. They facilitate use of new communication methods, new ways of developing relationships between managers and employees, and facilitate new ways of solving organizational problems and challenges. Many organizations embrace use of social networks because they promote open communication, strong relationships, and transparency among employees and employers (Jue and Kassotakis 63). Finally, social networks facilitate collaboration between employees in achievement of organizational goal and objectives (Rainer and Ceglieski 168). Social networks have made collaboration between virtual teams easy. Teams in different locations can conduct virtual meetings and perform certain tasks together. This has contributed to cost reduction and proper use of time by organizations (Rainer and Ceglieski 168). For example, social networks facilitate crowd sourcing, which is a new concept that has improved efficiency and productivity of many organizations. Disadvantages of social networks Social networks have disadvantages that limit their reliability and usefulness. They include feelings of isolation from other employees, lack of socialization, reduced chances of promotion at the workplace, and exposure of data to online fraudsters (Golden 48). Many organizations conduct many business activities on social networks. Activities such as research, marketing, human resource management, and recruitment are now conducted through social networks. Therefore, employees spend a lot of time online interacting with customers and potential employees. This has reduced physical interaction and as a result created a feeling of isolation in employees (Dahln, Lange, and Smith 83). It is important for employees to feel that they ar e part of an organization and corporate culture. However, social network have widened the gap and facilitated development of isolated work environments that have affected employees adversely. There is no physical contact between employees and customers or potential employees. This has reduced socialization because many activities and tasks are executed virtually. Socialization between employees is one of the most important aspect of improving employee performance and productivity. However, social networks promote virtual socialization that does not offer benefits of social interaction. In traditional marketing, employees interacted physically with customers. This was a very effective way of convincing customers because employees could use emotions to connect with customers (Dahln, Lange, and Smith 85). In contrast, social networks do not facilitate emotional connection between employees and customers, which is an important marketing strategy (Haigh 47). Even though successful, use o f social networks has reduced effectiveness s of certain organizational activities. Use of social networks has reduced employee monitoring. Therefore, it is difficult for an employer to promote an employee because social networks do not facilitate measurement of employee performance. In addition, employees may lose certain benefits and be subject to lower remuneration (Dahln, Lange, and Smith 84). This is because social networks have made execution of tasks easier and faster. For example, employees do not need to travel or make phone calls to convince customers to buy their products. These activities are conducted online through social networks. Employee monitoring is important in order to measure employee performance and productivity, parameters that are used to promote and demote employees (Dahln, Lange, and Smith 88). However, these activities have become difficult with advent of social networks in organizations because managers cannot monitor employees virtually. Another disadva ntage of social networks is threat to data security. Sustained use of social networks exposes an organization’s data to risk of compromise (Golden 50). With absence of fraudsters on the internet, companies risk losing data that could be used to compromise their operations. Many rival organizations hire fraudsters to obtain data illegally form companies that rely on social networks to perform organizational activities. For example, marketing and strategic data of organizations may be obtained from social networks during interaction between managers and employees. In most cases, data and useful information is compromised in cases where competition is stiff between organizations or companies. Certain organizations hack into databases of other organizations and obtain information that helps them gain competitive advantage in the market. In addition, information on customer and marketing strategies could be used to compete with companies that dominate certain markets. Use of socia l networks makes it difficult for employers to monitor employees (Dahln, Lange, and Smith 86). This may lead to poor performance and low productivity. In addition, cost of purchasing, installing, and maintaining technological gadgets is high. Additional costs arise from training employees on ways of using social networks effectively in order to achieve organizational goals and objectives in desired ways (Dahln, Lange, and Smith 87). Conclusion Social networking has introduced new business concepts in the field of communication that have benefited organizations and individuals. Social networks are used for communication and information retrieval. In addition, they allow organizations do business in new ways. They present cost-effective ways of doing business such as cheap marketing and advertisement. Organizations save a lot of money by avoiding traditional methods of marketing and advertisement by focusing on marketing and advertising using tools availed by social networks. However, they have disadvantages too. They contribute to low employee performance, increase costs of operations, create a feeling of isolation in employees, and expose organizations’ data to online fraudsters. For example, rival companies hack into each other’s databases and gain access to useful information that enables them gain competitive advantage over each other. Works Cited Dahln, Micael, Lange, Fredrik, and Smith Terry. Marketing Communications: A Brand  Narrative Approach. New York: John Wiley Sons, 2007. Print. Golden, Michelle. Social Media Strategies for Professionals and Their Firms: The Guide  to Establishing Credibility and Accelerating Relationships. New York: John Wiley Sons, 2010. Print. Haigh, Paul. Social Network Websites: Their Benefits and Risks. New York: Optimus Education eBooks, 2009. Print. Jue, Arthur, and Kassotakis Mary. Social Media at Work: How Networking Tools Propel  Organizational Performance. New York: John Wiley Sons, 2003. Print. R ainer, Robert, and Ceglieski Casey. Introduction to Information Systems: Enabling  and Transforming Business. New York: John Wiley Sons, 2010. Print. This assessment on Social Networks in Modern Business was written and submitted by user K1nsey to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Computer Monitoring

In today’s U.S. firms, three quarters (77.7%) of employees are monitored by on site surveillances by their employers. It is a way of keeping the company informed of its employees’ activities at work. New technologies make it possible for employers to monitor many aspects of their employees’ jobs. Unless a company policy specifically states otherwise, employers may listen, watch and read most of their employees’ workplace communications through telephones, computer terminals, electronic and voice mail systems, and Internet connections products. One way of monitoring employees is through the telephone. Employers may monitor calls with employees and customers for quality assurance purposes. In some states, employers are required by law to inform employees that their conversations are being recorded or monitored. This can be done by putting a beep tone on the line or playing a recorded message that would indicate that their conversations are being monitored. Under Federal Law, employers are not allowed to monitor employees’ personal calls. Employers can also obtain a record of your phone calls through a device called a pen register which allows them to see a list of phone numbers dialed by your extension and the length of each call you make. Another way of monitoring employees is through computer terminals. Your terminal may be the employer’s window into your workplace. There are several types of computer monitoring. One common type of computer monitoring is through the use of computer software that enables them to see what is on the employees’ screen. Employers can also see what is stored in the employees’ terminal and hard disks. Another method involves word-processing and data entry jobs that can be monitored by their keystroke. This can indicate to managers if their employers are above or below the standard number of keystrokes expected. Another computer monitoring technique allows the employers to keep... Free Essays on Computer Monitoring Free Essays on Computer Monitoring In today’s U.S. firms, three quarters (77.7%) of employees are monitored by on site surveillances by their employers. It is a way of keeping the company informed of its employees’ activities at work. New technologies make it possible for employers to monitor many aspects of their employees’ jobs. Unless a company policy specifically states otherwise, employers may listen, watch and read most of their employees’ workplace communications through telephones, computer terminals, electronic and voice mail systems, and Internet connections products. One way of monitoring employees is through the telephone. Employers may monitor calls with employees and customers for quality assurance purposes. In some states, employers are required by law to inform employees that their conversations are being recorded or monitored. This can be done by putting a beep tone on the line or playing a recorded message that would indicate that their conversations are being monitored. Under Federal Law, employers are not allowed to monitor employees’ personal calls. Employers can also obtain a record of your phone calls through a device called a pen register which allows them to see a list of phone numbers dialed by your extension and the length of each call you make. Another way of monitoring employees is through computer terminals. Your terminal may be the employer’s window into your workplace. There are several types of computer monitoring. One common type of computer monitoring is through the use of computer software that enables them to see what is on the employees’ screen. Employers can also see what is stored in the employees’ terminal and hard disks. Another method involves word-processing and data entry jobs that can be monitored by their keystroke. This can indicate to managers if their employers are above or below the standard number of keystrokes expected. Another computer monitoring technique allows the employers to keep...

Black Women in Novels

Describes compares racist misogynist mistreatment of black women in Wallace Thurmans The Blacker the Berry, Zora Neale Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye. This study will analyze the images of black women as presented in three novels, Wallace Thurmans The Blacker the Berry, Zora Neale Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God, and Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye. The study will focus on what the female characters think of themselves and what society thinks of them (and black male characters) in terms of their skin color. This consideration will include the differences between dark- and light-skinned characters in terms of their interpersonal and social experiences. The thesis of the study will be that, despite these differences, the overall messages of the three novels is that it is a tragedy that human beings are judged according to their skin color, and it is an even greater tragedy when people are judged by the members of their own race because of skin color.

Basic Network Technology, Structure, and Protocols Research Paper

Basic Network Technology, Structure, and Protocols - Research Paper Example In Tutorial 1 described that every networked computer is connected to a DNS and a router that it has the physical (MAC) address of. In case of unknown MAC, ARP request can be broadcasted to which only the targeted devices respond with their MACs. On entering a website address in browser, the computer contacts the DNS, which responds with the logical (IP) address of the website. In case, a DNS doesn’t have it, it forwards the request to another DNS server higher in the hierarchy. The IP address is passed down to the requesting computer. Once IP is known, a TCP segment destined for port 80 containing HTTP_GET request is formed. The website’s IP address is appended to it forming an IP packet. This IP packet is forwarded to the router’s MAC to be delivered to the website server. On receiving, the server removes IP tags, extracts the HTTP_GET request from the TCP segment and replies with a new TCP segment containing requested content e.g. text, audio, video, etc. Afte r attaching IP of requesting computer, it forwards the IP packet to local router’s MAC. Routers have routing tables that indicate where to forward next. When packet arrives at destination, IP headers are removed and requested content is extracted from the TCP segment. It is forwarded to port 80, and displayed in the browser.

Education In Texas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Education In Texas - Essay Example However, due to the enforcement of accountability system has successfully created various educational changes in the state. As a result, a clear improvement has been observed in high-poverty schools with a gradual increase in students’ academic achievements. The paper critically analyzes different reforms and evolution of public education in Texas over the years in a detailed manner, which was implemented to meet the needs of state’s diverse population. These educational reforms revolve around the improvement of the State’s educational goals, to promote accountability in order to attain achievements by the students and to improve the efficiency of public schools. Background of Public School Education in Texas: Education in Texas holds an eminent position. People in Texas are highly concerned about the education of their children. The Texas Declaration of Independence (1836) has pointed out the many errors committed by the Mexican government in establishing a uniform educational policy within the state. For the first time in 1840, the very first Anglo-American public school law was enforced in Texas which was aimed to support public school in each county. Soon after the law was passed, another step was taken by the state government in 1845. In the state constitution of 1845, it has been mentioned that the state government would give away one-tenth of the annual state tax revenue in the support and development of the public schools. During the same year, another school law was enforced by the state government. ... Public education in Texas has remained in continuous evolution. It faced another change after the Civil war and Reconstruction, when the new constitution of the new state in 1876, granted 45 million acres of public land in the support of public schools and passed the instructions that the revenue generated from the new Permanent School Fund would be put in bonds. However, again in 1884, the law for public school was rewritten. Many amendments were made in the Permanent School Funds Program (Source: TEA). The Current Situation of Public School Education in Texas: Recently, different laws have been introduced in the state which gave liberty to all and every city and town to develop and administer their own schools. As a result, different independent schools in various districts have been established. During 1900, there were 526 districts in which the high schools were given the primary status in public school education. But recently, it has been estimated that there are around 1039 ind ependent schools in Texas State. In 1911, another law was passed for the betterment and development of the rural high school education. This law revolved around giving support to the teachers by the state in their salaries and expansion of rural schools in the districts (Gene Preuss). With the passage of time, a remarkable improvement in the education was observed. However in late 1939, the first-term Texan Governor W. Lee O’ Daniel highlighted many problems that were faced by the public schools especially in rural areas. He termed those problems as, â€Å"inequalities of opportunities in public school system (Gene Preuss).† According to his studies and research, rural schools were faced with

The Madding Crowd Essay Example for Free

The Madding Crowd Essay Thomas Hardy suggests that in the mid-ninteenth century women were limited in their choice of jobs. Factory work was available in some areas but this meant working long, tiresome hours. They could also work for the rich, but for very little money. The term used for a woman who makes dresses is a seamstress. They spent their lives sewing for the rich ladies who wore smart dresses. In Far From the Madding Crowd the main character Bathsheba is the proud owner of her inherited farm. She has maids, farm workers and shepherds working for her. She spends long hours of the day working in fields. She is a fortunate woman, very popular among the men but who clearly is unsure about life /love. Her character is affluent and enjoys a privileged lifestyle. In Wessex where the book was set it is very traditional, old fashioned (even some parts are today). The rural setting makes it relate to what the scenery was like, and enhances the atmosphere. At the time this book was written, health standards were very poor and there was no birth control. Illness was common, and people often had to cope for themselves. A woman was considered lucky if she was rich enough to employ a maid to care for her. There were no injections to prevent people against tetanus, common among farm workers. (It occurs when dirt is passed through a wound with a risk of getting paralysed) Nowadays we have modern medicine and equipment and highly trained doctors. Unlike men, woman had many limitations. If a party/ festival was being held all the women were obliged to leave the room, while the men drank. But Hardy shows a different stereotype to the one most women were accustomed to at that time- Bathsheba, instead of leaving the room quietly and without protestation, she leaves indignantly, having complained to her husband about the amount of alcohol that was offered- dont give it to them. This shows she was more independent than other women of her day. Women were expected to cook mostly and were frequently bossed around by their husbands (male domination) this has held a topic of sexism to woman today. In the Victorian times, women were expected to dress respectively. Evan if a woman showed a small amount of her ankle it was though of as blasphemous and unpleasant! Woman wore long dresses, bonnets and covered their arms up. Obviously a rich person would have a more fancy-detailed dress than a poor person. People though that woman were not equal to men because men were stronger and protector. Women were quoted as feeble and timid. Woman could vote very little and there was very little education for them. One thing I picked up on was that in the book when Troy was performing in the circus among the other men, there were no woman performing. This was against the rules and the circus would have needed strong performers, which were not, in their eyes woman. The workhouse was a place in which many poor/old people ended their days. But the workhouse was also for young people too. Fanny was one who died in the workhouse after giving birth. People would work and pray throughout the day. They had a regime but they were also allowed to relax and have free time to do what they wanted. It was thought that religion would help the poor to overcome their laziness, fecklessness and drunkenness. Even school lessons for children revolved around the Bible. There were foundation orphanages for children where they were treated with great care. This option was for woman who could not look after their children or were ill/having problems etc. This option would have done Fanny help, if she hadnt had died. From reading the book, and observing the film I have seen in depth that life then, is extremely different from today and what woman could and couldnt do. Men could do far more and seemed to get more out of life than woman. Troy was often seen doing much more than Bathsehba?

Can TV be a Good Teacher? :: Television Education Media Essays

Can TV be a Good Teacher? Many people today blame television and media in general when something bad happens, for example shootings in the schools. However, should television take all the blame for effects and changes in American youth? Television shows crimes and killing, but television can also teach young children how to behave in the right way. Television can not influenced all of us, but it can definitely influence young children, who are, â€Å"curious and easily influenced. They tend to mimic and repeat what they hear and see on television without knowing of right and wrong† (Simmons 149). These influences depend on what kinds of shows children are watching. Parents are the one controlling theirs children, but without parental supervision children will watch what pleases them; that is were the problem lies. For example, if a child is watching a movies that contain violent acts, that can have some bad side effects. One of these effects can be carelessness. The child can become less worried about others and what is going to happen to them; they may not recognize it as violence. A study by Cullingford reports, â€Å"when people were shown killings and then heavily prompted, most did not think of it as violence. The frightening truth was that ‘objectionable content’ had become so acceptable that it was invisible† (Simmons 150). The other effect can be violent behavior. Child may want to become violent, because then they will be â€Å"feared† by every one, just like the people that they see in television. Berkowitz concluded, from his experiment, â€Å" television violence does arouse aggressive behavior, especially if viewers believes that aggression is justified† (Simons 150). Another effect can be revenge. This is probably the biggest message that violent movies are sending to children. In almost all of the movies we see people killing one another just to avenge someone that was either killed or harmed by a â€Å"bad buy,† or they themselves were harmed. This may influence children that have been humiliated in schools or molested. At some point, they may explode with rage to get revenge for what had happened to them. On the other hand, if a child is watching educational channels consisting of historic programs or other kind of educational programs, the child can be influenced in several good ways. First, the child can become smarter. If a child is watching educational programs, they will definitely learn something. Can TV be a Good Teacher? :: Television Education Media Essays Can TV be a Good Teacher? Many people today blame television and media in general when something bad happens, for example shootings in the schools. However, should television take all the blame for effects and changes in American youth? Television shows crimes and killing, but television can also teach young children how to behave in the right way. Television can not influenced all of us, but it can definitely influence young children, who are, â€Å"curious and easily influenced. They tend to mimic and repeat what they hear and see on television without knowing of right and wrong† (Simmons 149). These influences depend on what kinds of shows children are watching. Parents are the one controlling theirs children, but without parental supervision children will watch what pleases them; that is were the problem lies. For example, if a child is watching a movies that contain violent acts, that can have some bad side effects. One of these effects can be carelessness. The child can become less worried about others and what is going to happen to them; they may not recognize it as violence. A study by Cullingford reports, â€Å"when people were shown killings and then heavily prompted, most did not think of it as violence. The frightening truth was that ‘objectionable content’ had become so acceptable that it was invisible† (Simmons 150). The other effect can be violent behavior. Child may want to become violent, because then they will be â€Å"feared† by every one, just like the people that they see in television. Berkowitz concluded, from his experiment, â€Å" television violence does arouse aggressive behavior, especially if viewers believes that aggression is justified† (Simons 150). Another effect can be revenge. This is probably the biggest message that violent movies are sending to children. In almost all of the movies we see people killing one another just to avenge someone that was either killed or harmed by a â€Å"bad buy,† or they themselves were harmed. This may influence children that have been humiliated in schools or molested. At some point, they may explode with rage to get revenge for what had happened to them. On the other hand, if a child is watching educational channels consisting of historic programs or other kind of educational programs, the child can be influenced in several good ways. First, the child can become smarter. If a child is watching educational programs, they will definitely learn something.

The Hunters: Phantom Chapter 31

Knowing he couldn't perform the ritual on an empty stomach, Stefan hunted down several squirrels in Mrs. Flowers's backyard, then returned to the boardinghouse's garage. Meredith had parked Mrs. Flowers's antique Ford out in the drive, and there was more than enough room to set up everything they needed for the banishment ritual. Stefan cocked his head at a skittering noise in the shadows and identified the fast-beating heart of a little mouse. The atmosphere might not be a comfortable one, but the spaciousness of the room and its cement floor meant it would be an excel ent place to work the spel . â€Å"Hand me the tape measure, please,† Alaric said from his sprawled position in the middle of the garage floor. â€Å"I need to get this line just the right length.† Mrs. Flowers had dug up a box of multicolored chalk from somewhere in the boardinghouse, and Alaric had the book propped open and was careful y copying the circles, arcane symbols, parabolas, and el ipses from its pages onto the smooth cement. Stefan gave him the tool and watched as he measured careful y from the innermost circle to a row of strange runes near the outermost edge of his drawing. â€Å"It's important that everything be precise,† Alaric said, frowning and doublechecking the ends of the measuring tape. â€Å"The smal est error could lead to us accidental y setting this thing loose in Fel ‘s Church.† â€Å"But isn't it loose already?† asked Stefan. â€Å"No,† Alaric explained. â€Å"This ritual wil al ow the phantom to appear in its corporeal form, which is far more dangerous than the insubstantial thing it is now.† â€Å"Then you'd better get this right,† Stefan agreed grimly. â€Å"If this al goes as planned, the phantom wil be trapped in the innermost circle,† Alaric said, pointing. â€Å"We'l be at the outermost edge, over there past the runes. We ought to be safe out there.† He looked up and gave Stefan a rueful grin. â€Å"I hope. I'm afraid I've never done any kind of summoning in real life before, although I've read a lot about it.† Terrific, Stefan thought, but he returned Alaric's smile without comment. The man was doing the best he could. Al they could do was hope it would be enough to save Elena and the others. Meredith and Mrs. Flowers entered the garage, each carrying a plastic shopping bag. Celia trailed behind them. â€Å"Holy water,† Meredith said, lifting a plant mister out of her bag to show him. â€Å"It doesn't work on vampires,† Stefan reminded her. â€Å"We're not summoning a vampire,† she replied, and went off to mist the outer spaces in the diagram, careful not to disturb the chalk lines. Alaric stood and started very cautiously hopping out of the huge multicolored diagram, clutching the book in one hand. â€Å"I think we're about ready,† he said. Mrs. Flowers looked at Stefan. â€Å"We need the others,† she said. â€Å"Everyone affected by the phantom's powers has to be here.† â€Å"I'l help you carry them down,† Alaric offered. â€Å"Not necessary,† Stefan told him, and headed upstairs alone. Standing by the side of the bed in the little rose-andcream bedroom, he looked down at Elena, Matt, and Bonnie. None of them had moved since he had placed Matt there. He sighed and gathered Elena in his arms first. After a moment, he also picked up her pil ow and a blanket. At least he could try to make her comfortable. A few minutes later al three of the sleepers were lying in the front of the garage, wel outside the diagram, their heads supported by pil ows. â€Å"Now what?† Stefan asked. â€Å"Now we each choose a candle,† Mrs. Flowers said, opening her plastic bag. â€Å"One that you feel represents you in color. According to the book, they real y should be handdipped and special y scented, but this wil just have to do. I won't pick one myself,† Mrs. Flowers said, handing the bag to Stefan. â€Å"The phantom hasn't focused its powers on me, and I don't remember being jealous of anyone since 1943.† â€Å"What happened in 1943?† asked Meredith curiously. â€Å"I lost the Little Miss Fel ‘s Church crown to Nancy Sue Baker,† Mrs. Flowers answered. When Meredith gaped at her, she threw her hands up in the air. â€Å"Even I was a child once, you know. I was strikingly adorable, with Shirley Temple curls, and my mother liked to dress me in fril s and show me off.† Putting the astounding image of Mrs. Flowers in Shirley Temple curls out of his mind, Stefan poked through the assortment of candles and chose a dark blue one. It seemed right to him somehow. â€Å"We need candles for the others, too,† he said. Careful y, he chose a golden one for Elena and a pink one for Bonnie. â€Å"Are you just going by their hair colors?† asked Meredith. â€Å"You're such a guy.† â€Å"You know these are the right colors for them, though,† Stefan argued. â€Å"Besides, Bonnie's hair is red, not pink.† Meredith nodded grudgingly. â€Å"I guess you're right. White for Matt, though.† â€Å"Real y?† Stefan asked. He didn't know what he would have chosen for Matt. American-flag patterned, maybe, if they had had it. â€Å"He's the purest person I know,† Meredith said softly. Alaric raised an eyebrow at her and she elbowed him. â€Å"Pure in spirit, I mean. What you see is what you get with Matt, and he's good and truehearted al the way through.† â€Å"I suppose so,† said Stefan, and he watched without comment as Meredith chose a dark brown candle for herself. Alaric shuffled through the bag and picked a dark green candle, and Celia selected one of pale lavender. Mrs. Flowers took the bag with the remaining candles and stashed it on a high shelf near the garage doors, between a bag of potting soil and what looked like an old-fashioned kerosene lantern. They al sat down on the garage floor in a semicircle, outside the diagram, facing toward the empty inner circle, holding their unlit candles. The sleepers lay behind them, and Meredith held Bonnie's candle in her lap as wel as her own; Stefan took Elena's, and Alaric Matt's. â€Å"Now we anoint them with our blood,† Alaric said. They al looked at him, and he shrugged defensively. â€Å"It's what the book says.† Meredith removed a smal pocketknife from her bag, cut her finger, and quickly, matter-of-factly, smeared a stripe of blood from the top to the bottom of her brown candle, then passed the knife to Alaric along with a little bottle of disinfectant. One by one, the others fol owed her lead. â€Å"This is real y unsanitary,† Celia said, wincing, but she fol owed through. Stefan was very aware of the smel of human blood in such an enclosed space. Even though he'd just fed, his canines prickled in an automatic response. Meredith picked up the candles and walked to their sleeping friends, crossing from one to the next and raising their hands to make a swift cut and wipe their blood against their candles. Not one of them even flinched. When she had finished, Meredith redistributed the sleepers' candles and returned to her spot. Alaric began to read, in Latin, the first words of the spel . After a few sentences, he hesitated at a word and Stefan silently took the grimoire. Smoothly he picked up where Alaric had left off. The words flowed off his tongue, the feel of the Latin on his lips reminding him of hours spent with his childhood tutor hundreds of years ago, and of a period when he lived in a monastery in England during the early days of his struggle with vampirism. When the time came, he snapped his fingers and, with a touch of Power, his candle lit itself. He handed it to Meredith, who dripped a little of the melted wax onto the garage floor at the edge of the diagram and stuck the candle there. One by one, at the appropriate points in the ritual, he lit a candle and she placed it, until there was a little row of multicolored candles bravely burning between them and the chalk outlines of the diagram. Stefan read on. Suddenly the pages of the book began to flutter. A cold, unnatural wind rose inside the closed garage, and the flames of the candles flickered wildly and then blew out. Two candles fel over. Meredith's long hair whipped around her face. â€Å"This isn't supposed to happen,† Alaric shouted. But Stefan just squinted his eyes against the gale and read on. The pitch-blackness and the unpleasant sensation of fal ing lasted for only a moment, and then Elena landed jarringly on both feet and staggered forward, clutching Matt's and Bonnie's hands. They were in a dim octagonal room lined with doors. A single piece of furniture sat in the center. Behind the lone desk lounged a tanned, beautiful, amazingly muscular, bare-chested vampire with a long, spiraling mane of bronze hair fal ing past his shoulders. Instantly Elena knew where she was. â€Å"We're here.† She gasped. â€Å"The Gatehouse!† Sage leaped to his feet on the other side of the desk, his face almost comical y surprised. â€Å"Elena?† he exclaimed. â€Å"Bonnie? Matt? What's going on? Qu'est-ce qui arrive?† Usual y, Elena would have been relieved to see Sage, who had always been kind and helpful to her, but she had to get to Damon. She knew where he must be. She could almost hear him cal ing to her. She strode across the empty room with barely a glance at the startled gatekeeper, pul ing Matt and Bonnie along with her. â€Å"Sorry, Sage,† she said as she reached the door she wanted. â€Å"We've got to find Damon.† â€Å"Damon?† he said. â€Å"He's back again?† and then they passed through, ignoring Sage's shouts of â€Å"Stop! Arretezvous!† The door closed behind them, and they found themselves in a landscape of ash. Nothing grew here, and there were no landmarks. Harsh winds had blown the fine black ash into shifting hil s and val eys. As they watched, a strong gust caught at the light top layer of ash and sent it flying in a cloud that soon settled into new shapes. Below the lighter ash, they could see swamps of wet, muddy ash. Nearby was an ash-choked pool of stil water. Nothing but ash and mud, except for an occasional scorched and blackened bit of wood. Above them was a twilit sky in which hung a huge planet and two great moons, one a swirling bluish white, the other silvery. â€Å"Where are we?† said Matt, gaping up at the sky. â€Å"Once this was a world – a moon, technical y – that was shaded by a huge tree,† Elena told him, walking steadily forward. â€Å"Until I destroyed it. This is where Damon died.† She felt rather than saw Matt and Bonnie exchange a glance. â€Å"But, uh, then he came back, right? You saw him in Fel ‘s Church the other night, didn't you?† Matt said hesitantly. â€Å"Why are we here now?† â€Å"I know that Damon's close,† Elena said impatiently. â€Å"I can feel him. He's come back here. Maybe this is where he began his search for the phantom.† They kept walking. Soon they were not so much walking as wading through black ash that stuck to their legs in nasty thick clumps. The mud underneath the ash clung to their shoes, releasing them at each step with a wet sucking sound. They were almost there. She could feel it. Elena picked up the pace, and the others, stil linked to her, hurried to keep up. The ash was thicker and deeper here because they were approaching where the trunk had been, the very center of this world. Elena remembered it exploding, shooting up into the sky like a rocket, disintegrating as it went. Damon's body had lain underneath and had been completely buried in the fal ing ash. Elena stopped. There was a thick, drifting pile of ash that looked like it would be at least as high as her waist in places. She thought she could see where Damon had awoken – the ash was disturbed and caved in, as if someone had tunneled out of one of the deeper drifts. But there was no one around except themselves. A cold wind blew up a spray of ash, and Bonnie coughed. Elena, kneedeep in cold, sticky ash, dropped Bonnie's hand and wrapped her arms around herself. â€Å"He's not here,† she said blankly. â€Å"I was so sure he would be here.† â€Å"He must be somewhere else, then,† said Matt logical y. â€Å"I'm sure he's fighting the phantom, like you said he was going to. The Dark Dimension's a big place.† Bonnie shivered and huddled closer to Matt, her brown eyes huge and ful of pathos, like a hungry puppy's. â€Å"Can we go home now? Please? Sage can send us back again, can't he?† â€Å"I just don't understand,† Elena said, staring at the empty space where the great trunk of the tree had once been. â€Å"I just knew he would be here. I could practical y hear him cal ing me.† Just then a low, musical laugh cut through the silence. It was a beautiful sound, but there was something chil y and alien about it, something that made Elena shudder. â€Å"Elena,† Bonnie whispered, her eyes wide. â€Å"That's the thing I heard before the fog took me.† They turned. Behind them stood a woman. A woman-shaped being, anyway, Elena amended quickly. This was no woman. And, like its laugh, this woman-shaped being was beautiful, but frightening. She – it – was huge, more than one and a half times the size of a human, but perfectly proportioned, and it looked like it was made of ice and mist in blues and greens like the purest glacier, its eyes were clear with just a touch of pale green. As they watched, its solid, icytranslucent hips and legs shifted and blurred, changing to a swirl of mist. A long wave of blue-green hair drifted behind it, its shape like a gradual y roiling cloud. It smiled at Elena, and its sharp teeth shone like silvery icicles. There was something in its chest, though, that wasn't ice, something solid and roundish and dark, dark red. Elena saw al of this in an instant before her attention was ful y riveted on what hung from the ice-woman-thing's outstretched hand. â€Å"Damon.† She gasped. The ice-woman was holding him casual y around the neck, ignoring his struggles as he dangled in the air. It held him so easily that he looked like a toy. The black-clad vampire swung out with his leg, kicking at the ice-woman's side, but his foot simply passed through mist. â€Å"Elena,† Damon said in a choked, thin voice. The ice-woman – the phantom – cocked its head to one side and looked at Damon, then squeezed his neck a little tighter. â€Å"I don't need to breathe, you†¦ idiot phantom,† he gasped defiantly. The phantom's smile widened and it said in a sweet, cold voice, like crystals chiming together, â€Å"But your head can pop off, can't it? That'l do just as wel .† It shook him a little, and then transferred its smile to Elena, Bonnie, and Matt. Elena instinctively stepped back as the glacier-cold eyes found her. â€Å"Welcome,† the phantom said to her in a tone of pleasure, as though they were old friends. â€Å"I've found you and your friends so refreshing, al your little jealousies. Each of you with your own special flavor of envy. You've got an awful lot of problems, don't you? I haven't felt so strong or so wel -nourished for mil ennia.† Its face became thoughtful, and it began to shake Damon gently up and down. He was making a guttural choking noise now, and tears of pain ran down his face. â€Å"But you real y should have stayed where I put you,† the phantom continued, its voice a little colder, and it swung Damon casual y in a great arc through the air. He wheezed and pul ed at its huge hand. Was it even true that he didn't need to breathe? Elena didn't know. Damon wasn't above lying about it if he had a reason, or even for no reason except to annoy his opponent. â€Å"Stop it!† Elena shouted. The phantom laughed again, genuinely amused. â€Å"Go ahead and make me, little one.† Its grip tightened around Damon's throat and he shuddered. Then his eyes rol ed back until Elena could see only the ghastly, red-veined whites of his eyes, and he went limp.

Dysexecutive Syndrome

Dysexecutive Syndrome occurs when there is a loss of executive brain function. The term was first coined by Alan Baddeley and may result from physical trauma such as a blow to the head, a stroke or other internal trauma. Executive brain function, which includes insight, judgment, planning and initiative, makes it possible for humans to successfully manage the problems of everyday life. These functions allow individuals to carefully navigate day to day activities, make certain decisions, while evaluating the outcome, and plan accordingly.Loss of executive function occurs as a result of brain disease, injury, intellectual disability or psychiatric disorders. The loss of executive function may be permanent as a result of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, schizophrenia or massive head injury. Temporary loss may result from delirium, physical illness or intoxication. While the syndrome manifests itself in various ways, it is mainly apparent from the â€Å"afflicted person’s pr ior personality, life experiences and intellect†(Royal Hobart Hospital Department of Health and Human Services ).Dysexecutive Syndrome was once thought to be associated with frontal lobe syndrome. However, researchers have come to realize that this syndrome may occur as a result of impairment to other parts of the brain and not just the frontal lobe. Symptoms of Dysexecutive Syndrome may fall into three different categories: cognitive, emotional and behavioral. Symptoms include loss of memory which causes the individual to lose track of conversations, have trouble interacting socially and following a story-line.Therefore it is very difficult for a person suffering from this syndrome to carry on with simple tasks that were once the norm for them such as reading and maintaining simple conversations. It is also very common for individuals with this syndrome to lose problem-solving skills and lack good judgment which are essential for daily activities, communication with others an d general behavior. The lack of insight leads to a loss of social skills such as normal speech and how to behave in social and group settings.Due to their loss of cognitive reasoning, they may also react aggressively or appear stubborn and self-centered. They have little or no control over their reactions to frustration or their lack of understanding. They have forgotten how to control their behavior and have no sense of what is acceptable in certain social situations. It is also common for patients suffering from this syndrome to have disturbed sleep patterns. They also have the tendency to become resistant and aggressive when others try to provide care as they are unable to recognize or fathom what is happening to them.Many times, the person with this illness does not realize that they have a problem therefore they are unable to do anything to rectify it. There is no cure for Dysexecutive Syndrome, however, therapy is available that helps the patient to cope. In order to assist so meone experiencing Dysexecutive Syndrome, the caretaker should encourage conversation while focusing on familiar, reminiscent and here and now contextual information. These conversations should take place in a quiet place where there are no distractions. Large group conversations should be avoided as this may confuse and frustrate the patient.The caretaker should also give orientating information regularly throughout the conversation, providing gentle reminders about the conversation topic and explaining things clearly and simply. They should ensure that the patient understands the conversation and take care to repeat and simplify if necessary. The caretaker should also aim to provide structure for the patient by trying to keep the same daily routine where possible. They should point out problems gently and tactfully and encourage the patient to write important things down.Assist the patient by providing memory and orientation aids such as a clock, diary, calendar, timetable, notebo ok, photo album, etc. And avoid asking complex questions which require good understanding and memory. With the loss of the ability to perform simple, everyday tasks, patients experience a loss of self-esteem and self-worth. This may contribute to frustration, boredom and aggression. To avoid this, caretakers or loved ones should be sure to involve them in the activities that they are still able to do.Encourage responsibility and contribution to the household in order to reinforce their importance. Engage them in diversional, recreational and functional activities. It would also help to write out activities so they are able to read and follow steps. It is difficult for both a patient and a loved one dealing with this illness. Since the patient is experiencing a loss of cognitive reasoning, it is up to the caretaker or loved one to recognize the symptoms and assist the patient with regular day to day functions.It is the caretaker’s responsibility to try and uplift or maintain t he patient’s self-confidence while assisting them with navigating the normal issues of day to day life and activities. While it is never easy on anyone involved, there are strategies that can alleviate the situation. Recognizing the symptoms of this syndrome is the first step in helping everyone to cope. Reference Alderman, N. , Burgess, P. , Emsile, H. , Evans, J. J. , & Wilson, B. A. ,(1996). Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) by Barbara A. Wilson, Jonathan J.Evans, Hazel Emsile, Nick Alderman and Paul Burgess. Retrieved from http://www. dwp. gov. uk/docs/no2-sum-03-test-review-2. pdf Dysexecutive Syndrome. (2012). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from http://www. britannica. com/EBchecked/topic/1432238/dysexecutive-syndrome Royal Hobart Hospital Department of Health and Human Services. (n. d. ). Retrieved October 29, 2012, from http://www. dhhs. tas. gov. au/search? queries_all_query=www. dhhs. tas. gov. au%2FDysexecutiveSyndr ome¤t_result_page=1&results_per_page=10&submitted_search_category=&mode

The Raven Essays - Literature, Fiction, Poetry By Edgar Allan Poe

The Raven Essays - Literature, Fiction, Poetry By Edgar Allan Poe The Raven The Raven Once upon a midnite dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary. Edgar Allen Poe, The Raven, This poem is mainly about his wife dying and her being sick and his depression and anger. Nameless here forevermore, Only this and nothing more, Darkness there and nothing more, Tis the wind and nothing more. While I nodded nearly napping suddenly there came a tapping as pf sp,epme gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door, some visitor, he muttered tapping at my chamber door. Wondering , fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before, the silence was unbroken and the only word spoken was the whispered word Lenore and that he whispered back and then echo came back Lenore merely that and nothing more. Open then came the shutter, with a flutter, and there stood a Raven of the saintly days of yore, and there it stood perched above my chamber door, Raven wondering from the Nightly shore tell me what the lordly name is on the nights Plutonian shore, his response, quote the raven nevermore Then the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censor swung by seraphim whose foot falls tinkled on the hard floor. Wretch he cried, respite the memories of Lenore this kind nepenthe and forget his lost Lenore. Thing of evil, bird of devil, tell his soul with sorrow laden if within the distant Aidenn it shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore. And the raven never flitting still is sitting just above my chamber door, and his eyes have all the seeming of demons that is dreaming and the lamp light over him streaming throws his shadow on the floor, and my soul from out of that shadow that lies floating on the floor, shall be lifted-nevermore.

Electronic Monitoring System Implementation Case Study

Electronic Monitoring System Implementation - Case Study Example I have been appointed as the consultant and my responsibility is to carry out a research-oriented study for management Board of an organization, for the implementation of the electronic monitoring system for the better management and handling of the employee’s activities and daily tasks on the job. This report will provide a deep insight into the overall organizational implementation new electronic monitoring system. Companies desire to be persuading their personnel are carrying out a first-class job; on the other hand, employees don't desire their every trip or sneeze to the water-cooler logged. That's the fundamental conflict or clash of office observation (Workplace? 2009). Up-to-date technologies put together it feasible for organizations to view numerous activities of their worker’s occupation, predominantly on computer terminals, telephones in the course of voice mail, electronic as well as when workers are making use of the Internet. This sort of monitoring is practically unregulated. As a result, except business strategy purposely position otherwise, our company can listen, observe as well as read the majority of our place of work communications (Workplace? 2009). From the perspective of workers, electronic monitoring through companies engages considerable isolation distress. Electronic monitoring allows an organization to check what staff is performing on the duty as well as investigation of worker communications, encompassing Internet activity and e-mail, frequently confining as well as evaluation of communications that workers judge privately. Since electronic monitoring as well comprises utilize of computer forensics, a comparatively innovative discipline as well as a significant progression in the wider areas of computer evidence and electronic monitoring (King, 2009). There are numerous business reasons for organizations to electronically monitor employees in the place of work encompassing the judgment of employee’s effectiveness, defending organization’s property from mistreatment, as well as making sure and fulfilment through the place of work  strategies.

Human Resource Management in a Business Context Essay - 1

Human Resource Management in a Business Context - Essay Example This essay focuses on the discussion of the racial discrimination in police, that is one of the problems affected human relations and work productivity. The most insidious prejudices are negative attitudes directed toward groups of people. They take the form of assumptions or generalizations about all or most members of a particular group. This kind of in-group versus out-group hostility that disrupts work unit interactions and subverts organization effectiveness. The behaviors, customs, and values of out-group people are labeled strange or weird. Verbal misunderstandings are frequently the beginning of problems between culturally different police officers. Most police officers fear things and people who are different and they often verbally strike out or physically lash out in an aggressive manner to protect themselves. Aggressive discourse occurs as dominant-group members verbalize negative feelings toward minority-group members, and vice versa. The researcher states that effective communication and diversity training initiatives are the main methods, which help to eliminate racial envy and ethnic differences in police. The absence of positive conversations about particular minorities can usually be correlated to the absence or underrepresentation of these individuals in the workplaces in question. In conclusion, the researcher mentiones that racial discrimination is unlawful and illegal, so police administration should take corrective actions to avoid further dissemination and victimization of racial minorities.