Uncertainty reduction theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Uncertainty reduction theory - Essay Example lationship has been made certain and they seem to be engaging in verbal discussion probably disclosing information about self and reciprocating each other’s feelings based on how they are looking at each other. The film the Twilight is about a young man who is a vampire and a young lady who are schoolmates. The man distances himself from others and does not consider himself likeable to anyone. The young woman however sees something different in him that she likes and hence tries to find out more about him as well as seek courage and opportunity to be close to him. The Twilight is the best film to explain the concept of uncertainty reduction theory. Bella observes Edward from a far in the cafeteria trying to figure him out and wanting to know about him and why he seems mysterious. This is the passive strategy phase where there is simply observation of the person in an environment that seems natural. Bella goes further and starts asking fellow students about Edward in a bid to find out more about him and this is the active strategy phase. The fact that they take the class is an added advantage to the fact finding mission. Finally the opportunity to talk to him comes when Edward is made Bella’s Biology partners and they get to talk. This is the interactive strategy phase of the theory (Littlejohn and Foss 52). The talk reduces the uncertainties Bella had about Edward as she gets to know him better through verbal output as they talk and non-verbal warmth as either party shows signs of willingness to be more than lab partners. They self-disclose information about each other while communicating and they start reciprocating their feelings towards each other once the liking and similarity phase has passed and they have formed a relation even though it has its own share of complications (Knapp and Vangelisti, 64). The uncertainty reduction theory has helped explain my relationship with my best friend fort the last four years. I saw her when she moved into my

Improving Structure and Links for User Navigation Session

Improving Structure and Links for User Navigation Session Improving Structure and Links for Analysis of User Navigation Sessions Bhagyashri Biranje, Priti Harpale, Dushyant Singh, Meenal Jadhav, Sindhu M.R. ABSTRACT In this paper, we are designing a well-structured website to facilitate effective user navigation to relink webpages to improve navigability using user navigation data. We will completely reorganized new structure of a website, which can be highly unpredictable. It will also illustrate how to improve a website without introducing substantial changes. Here specifically, we are using a data mining algorithm to improve the user navigation on a website while minimizing alterations to its current structure. We will also test the model on large synthetic data sets to demonstrate that it scales up very well. Key words: Website design, user navigation, web mining, data mining algorithm. Corresponding Authors: Meenal Jadhav, Sindhu M.R. INTRODUCTION Nowadays, the more use of internet provides people more knowledge and information in detail. Number of users of internet is increasing day by day. For a user finding desired information is not always easy. Therefore, designing effective websites is not easy. Even though there are high profile websites, if they are unable to view the desired information, then users will ignore these websites. Ratings will be down. Less numbers of users will be the visitors [1]. There are so many examples of user navigation. The restaurant services such as making reservations, processing orders, and delivering meals generally requires waiters to input customer information and then transmit orders to the kitchen for menu preparation. When the customer pays the bill, the amount due is calculated by the cashier. Although this procedure is simple, it may significantly increase the waiters’ workload and even cause errors in menu ordering or in prioritizing customers, especially when the number of customers suddenly increases during busy hours, which can serious degrade overall service quality. Websites are having difficulties in searching and locating the target pages, because of poor website design. To design a website, developers should understand how to construct a website, which is different from previous website structure. This will be useful in such cases where users were unable to search or locate the desired information. So, to avoid such problems is not easy while creating a website. Because web developers may or may not have proper understanding of user’s preferences and they organize pages on their own preferences of their own judgments. Therefore to fulfill the user’s need, the webpages should be organized in such a way that it should be match with user’s preferences [2]. The success of any organization of web site will be determined largely by how well site’s information architecture matches users’ expectations. A logical, consistently named site organization allows users to make successful predictions about where to find things. Various methods of organizing and displaying information permit users to extend their knowledge from familiar pages to unfamiliar ones. If a developer misleads users with a structure that is neither logical nor predictable, or constantly uses different or ambiguous terms to describe site features, users will be frustrated by the difficulties of getting around and understanding what you have to offer [3]. Developer don’t want user’s mental model of web site to look like fig.1. Fig.1 Confusing links are made by a developer. Don’t make such a confusing web of links. Designers aren’t the only ones who make models of sites. Users try to imagine the site structure as well, and successful information architecture will help the user build a firm and predictable mental model of your site [3]. EXISTING SYSTEM If existing site has more than a few dozen pages, your users will expect web search options to find content in the site. In a larger site, with maybe hundreds or thousands of pages of content, web search is the only efficient means to locate particular content pages or to find all pages that mention a keyword or search phrase. For example, as with popular books at the library or the hit songs on iTunes, content usage on large web sites is a classic â€Å"long-tail† phenomenon [3]: a few items get 80 percent of the attention, and the rest get dramatically less traffic. As the user’s needs get more specific than a browser interface can handle, search engines are the means to find content out there in the long tail where it might otherwise remain undiscovered (fig. 2). Fig.2 The â€Å"long tail† of web search. Large sites are just too large to depend solely on browsing. Heavily used pages are likely to appear on browsing menus pages. Website Structure: In this project, the website structure consists of three components: layout templates, URL patterns, and linkage structure. Layout Template Most web pages consist of HTML elements like table, menu, button, image, and input box. The layout of a web page describes what HTML elements are included in the page, as well as how these elements are visually distributed in page rendering. Essentially, a page layout is represented by a so called DOM (Document Object Model) tree. In this project, a layout template is considered as a group of pages which have very similar layouts (DOM trees) [3]. In a website, pages are generated based on distinguishable templates according to their functions. That is to say, visually similar pages usually have same function. In this way, user can easily identify a page’s function at a glance. (b) (c) Fig. 3 Typical layout templates from the ASP.NET Forums [3]. Following are several typical layout templates identified from the ASP.NET Forums [3]. Their functions are to show a) a list of discussion thread, b) a list of thread posts, and c) user profile, respectively. They are designed to show: a) a list of discussion thread, b) a list of thread posts, and c) user profile, respectively. URL Pattern A URL pattern is a generalization of a group of URLs sharing similar syntactic format. In general, a URL pattern can be represented with a regular expression.Following we show some example URL patterns discovered, again,from the ASP.NET Forums [2]. List-of-thread pages ^http://forums.asp.net/d+.aspx$ ^http://forums.asp.net/d+.aspx?PageIndex=d+forumoptions=d+:d+:d+::$ List-of-post pages ^http://forums.asp.net/t/d+.aspx$ ^http://forums.asp.net/t/d+.aspx?PageIndex=d+$ ^http://forums.asp.net/p/d+/d+.aspx$ ^http://forums.asp.net/ThreadNavigation.aspx?PostID=d+NavType=(Previous|Next)$ User profile pages ^http://forums.asp.net/user/Profile.aspx?UserID=d+$ ^http://forums.asp.net/members/[^/?]*$ Itis noticed that one layout templates can have more than one related URL pattern. For example,a bookseller website usually designs one template to show a list of books,andprovidesdifferent query parameters to generate such a list. Various query parameters in this scenario will lead to different URL patterns, but the search results are shown with the same template. Another common case is duplicate pages, i.e., pages with the same content (and very likely the same layout)but different URLs [3]. Link Structure Based on the layout templates and URL patterns, we can construct a directed graph to represent the website organization structure. That is, each layout template is considered as a node in a graph, and two nodes are linked if there are hyperlinks between the pages belonging to the two nodes. The link direction is the same as the related hyperlinks.And each link is characterized with the URL pattern of the corresponding hyperlink URLs. Again, it should be noticed thatthere could be multiple links from one node to another if the corresponding hyperlinks have more than one URL pattern. Fig. 2 gives an illustrative example ofthe sub-graph constructed based on the layout templates and URL patterns above. Fig.4 An illustrative sub link-graph for the ASP.NET Forums [3]. PROPOSED SYSTEM In our proposed system, we have two main modules- Client and Server. 1] Module 1: Client Fig.5 Client Client has two functions: Browse Website Submit User Experience User or client used to browse the website. The client browses the website. The information of user such as history, time of visiting website, links etc. is known as user’s experience. It is then submitted to server. 2] Module 2: Server Fig.6 Server We are using tomcat apache as a Server. Client and Server are connected through network using Servlet. Server is used to store activity log of all user’s based on session in the database. Using Data Mining algorithm this database, website can be restructured to provide better, easier and faster interfaces. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE Fig. 7 Architecture In this architecture, there are two modules, client and server. Client browses the website and submits its experience to the server. Then data is stored into the database. Data mining algorithm is applied to get improved website structure. It improves a website rather than reorganizes it hence is suitable for website maintenance on a progressive basis. This model is very effective to real-world websites. It optimally solves large-sized problems in a few seconds in most cases on a desktop. Data Mining Algorithm: The Data mining algorithm we are using is K-Means. The Algorithm K-means (Mac Queen, 1967) is one of the simplest unsupervised learning algorithms that solve the well known clustering problem. The procedure follows a simple and easy way to classify a given data set through a certain number of clusters (assume k clusters) fixed a priority [4, 5]. The algorithm is composed of the following steps: 1. Place K points into the space represented by the objects that are being clustered. These points represent initial group centroids. 2. Assign each object to the group that has the closest centroid. 3. When all objects have been assigned, recalculate the positions of the K centroids. 4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the centroids no longer move. This produces a separation of the objects into groups from which the metric to be minimized can be calculated. CONCLUSION This model is useful for static websites and not suitable for websites that purely uses dynamic pages or have volatile contents. Using Data mining algorithm we will improve the navigation effectiveness of a website with minimal changes to its current structure. It will improve a website rather than reorganizes it. Most complex web sites share aspects of all three types of information structures. Site hierarchy is created largely with standard navigational links within the site, but topical links embedded within the content create a web like mesh of associative links that transcends the usual navigation and site structure. Except in sites that rigorously enforce a sequence of pages, users are likely to traverse your site in a free-form web like manner, jumping across regions in the information architecture, just as they would skip through chapters in a reference book. So, it will be the clearer and more concrete our site organization is, the easier it is for users to jump freely from place to place without feeling lost (fig. 7). Fig.8 Optimized path [3] We will structure sites as hierarchies, but users seldom use them that way. A clear information structure allows the user to move freely and confidently through our site. References [1] Min Chen and Young U. Ryu,† Facilitating Effective User Navigation through Website Structure Improvement†, IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, Vol. 25, No. 3, March 2013. [2] G. N. Shinde and Inamdar S.A.,† Web Data Mining Using An Intelligent Information System Design†, G. N. Shinde,Inamdar S.A, Int. J. Comp. Tech. Appl., Vol 2 (2), 280-283. [3] Patric J Lynch and Sarah Horton, â€Å"Website Style Guide 3rd Edition† [4] J. B. MacQueen (1967): Some Methods for classification and Analysis of Multivariate Observations, Proceedings of 5-th Berkeley Symposium on Mathematical Statistics and Probability, Berkeley, University of California Press, 1:281-297 [5] Brian T. Luke: â€Å"K-Means Clustering†

Jurassic Park :: essays research papers

Jurassic Park is a book about the cloning of dinosaurs and they are used as the park entertainment on an island. In this park where dinosaurs are the attraction, not every thing will go as planed. Reading this book will teach someone how Michael Crichton feels about biological science and the cloning of extinct animals. There are things that caused the park to be unsuccessful. Dr. Malcom and Dennis Nedry where two of the parks problems, and the other was the nature of the animals. Dr. Malcom uses the chaos theory to predict the collapse of the park. In the beginning of the book Malcom is introduced to the story. One of the first things Dr. Malcom talks about is the chaos theory. In the first conversation with him in the book Malcom said "Theory tells me that the island will quickly proceed to behave in unpredictable fashion"(Crichton 76). What Malcom means by this is that without even visiting the park he can say that it will fail. Dr. Malcom is a problem in the story because convinces other people that Jurassic Park is a bad idea. Dennis Nedry is the computer expert at Jurassic Park. He deals with all the problems in the parks computer system. Nedry works in the control room with Arnold. Arnold didn’t care much for Nedry when he said "That idiot Nedry turned off the security systems"(Crichton 177). Arnold said this after Dennis Nedry had put a bug in the computer system that shut almost every thing down in Jurassic Park. Nedry is a problem because he has full control of the park from his desk. He being a computer expert can cause any computer system problem he wants. Nature is the biggest problem Jurassic Park has at becoming successful. As stated by Dr. Malcom in the book, he said "Life will find a way"(Crichton ). He meant that the dinosaurs will find a way to live the way they want. This is something that scientists didn’t think about when they brought dinosaurs back to life.

Countries trade products Essay

In the world market, countries trade products they wouldn’t be able to produce on their own. Countries like Cuba specializes in cigar production, Japan in electronics, and Russia in rocket technology. However, even if a country has an absolute advantage in producing all goods, they still will benefit from trade. Many economic factors are involved with trade. Among the major factors are opportunity costs, comparative advantage, specialization and finally trade. Opportunity cost is defined as the value of the best alternative forgone when an item or activity is chosen. In other words, opportunity cost is the cost of choice. For example: the opportunity cost of producing a car is the time that could’ve been used to produce something else, say paper. For a country (country A) that has an absolute advantage ( the ability to produce something using fewer resources than other producers use ) in producing both cars and paper, the opportunity cost of producing say, 1 car is the production of 3 tons of paper. Thus, what product a country chooses to specialize on must be chosen so as to produce as much as possible while suffering as little opportunity cost as possible. Which goods the country should specialize on should be monitored by the law of comparative advantage, which states that: the country with the lowest opportunity cost of producing a particular good should specialize in producing that good. By specializing on a certain good, a country lowers the opportunity cost of that good by forgoing production of other goods. For example: Say country A has an absolute advantage in producing cars as well as paper, and the opportunity cost of producing 1 car is 3 tons of paper. Country B however, produces 1 car at an opportunity cost of 6 tons of paper. If these two countries specialized according to comparative advantage, country A produces 2 cars whilst country B produces 12 tons of paper. Therefore, country B should concentrate on solely producing paper and hand over the job of car production entirely to country A. To gain the maximum benefits of specialization among countries, countries should trade their products with products from other countries. In the example above, the total output of cars and paper has increased as a result  of specialization. But exactly how much should both countries trade to gain the highest possible benefits? By trading 1 car for 4 tons of paper, country A will gain 1 ton of paper while country B gains 2 tons of paper. Hence, both countries gain more paper by trade without increasing their resources. Country A Country B Cars Paper (tons) Cars Paper (tons) Without trade: Production and consumption 1 3 1 6 With Trade: Production 2 0 0 12 Trade Gives 1 Gets 4 Gets 1 Gives 4 Consumption 1 4 1 8 Gains from Trade: Increase in Consumption None +1 ton None +2 tons In conclusion, all the economic factors mentioned combined with trade allows benefits even to a country that has the ability to produce goods while using fewer resources than other countries.

Developmental Competencies And Challenges For Late Adulthood

IntroductionLate adulthood is the term describing the period in an individual’s life beginning at ages sixty or seventy and ending in death. This life period is one of continuing change and adjustment in physical and psychological realms.Major concepts and distinctive features of various social rolesSocializationThe family is the first social institution for the children. They are taught how to fit into the community and the various social institutions. The children learn the society’s social values and culture. This in the long run helps in creating a cultural identity for the children (Russell, 2004).EducationChildren start their education the moment they are born. This includes both formal and informal. They are taught basic survival skills such as speech, interaction and hygiene. They later proceed to formal schools where they expand their knowledge on a wide variety of areas which later ends up in career specialization.DisciplineThe child is taught respect, and per forming of household chores. This helps them to grow into mature and responsible adults. Discipline should be taught with compassion, reason and patience without argument, yelling and spanking. The parents should learn to respect the children’s growing independence in order to build self esteem.ProtectionThe family offers protection and security to the children. They should be made to feel safe both within the home and without. They should be protected from any form of physical or psychological abuse.ClothingClothing is one of the basic needs that the family provides alongside food and shelter. Children should be provided with adequate and the right clothing depending on the environment.Nutrition and food securityIt is the responsibility of the family to provide nutritional requirements for the children. They should always ensure that the meals are balanced and meet the various needs of the children.ShelterThe family provides a warm and secure place for the children’s development. It should protect the children from any harsh environmental conditions that may affect their development.Emotional stabilityThe family should satisfy the child’s emotional needs thus enhancing their emotional stability. The parents and children should become friends. The parents should create an atmosphere where the children can confide in them.HealthThe family should ensure the children are healthy through proper nutrition and medication.Contribution and influence of social roles and how they influence individuals and families in the situationIn our case study, the social roles above are not adequately met due to various inadequacies on the part of the grandparents.The grandchildren’s socialization needs were not fully met. The grandparents generally had little interest in developing the children into a whole person. There was distance between them mainly due to the generation gap.There grandchildren’s education was also inhibited. This is because the grandparents did not value formal education so much since they did not have any of it themselves. They had limited resources since they are not working. They were therefore unable to give their grandchildren good quality education.The grandparents were found to be lax in terms of instilling discipline in their grandchildren. They did not have the necessary energy to follow up on their grandchildren’s activities.The grandparents were frail and sickly and could not offer enough protection to their grandchildren. There were various cases of attacks on their homestead.Clothing is one of the basic needs that the family provides alongside food and shelter. This was mainly due to financial constraints since the grandparents weFood and nutrition needs of the grandchildren were not adequately taken care of due to limited resources of the grandchildren. They were also not very keen to ensure a balanced diet.The grandchildren’s medical needs were not given to their due seriou sness since the grandparents had to take care of their own.The large age difference made it hard for the grandchildren and the grandparents to form a bond necessary in a normal family setting. The grandchildren could therefore not confide in their grandparents and share their emotional needs (Gilbert and Kristin, 2005)ReferencesRussell, R. (2004). Social Networks Among Elderly Men Caregivers; Journal of Men’s   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Studies 13(1): 121Gilbert, R. & Kristin C. (2005): When Strength Can’t Last a Lifetime: Vocational Challenges of Male Workers in Early and Middle Adulthood. Men and Masculinities, 7(4), April, pp. 424-433.Spector-Mersel, G. (2006). Never-aging Stories: Western Hegemonic Masculinity Scripts. Journal of Gender Studies, Volume 15, Number 1, March, pp. 67-82.

Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation Company Overview Sony Corporation (Sony) is one of the leading electronics manufacturing and distribution Companies in the world. The company deals with the design, development, manufacture, and sale of products such as communication products, televisions, video and audio products among other electronic components (Stdtler, 2011). Apart for this entity, it also offers insurance services through its subsidiaries in Japan. Other business operations include advertising agency and network services.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Sony Corporation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company’s operations fall under six reportable segments. They include networked Products and Services; Music; Consumer Products and Devices; Pictures; Financial Services and others. It also operates its subsidiaries across 200 countries inEurope, North America as well as Asia. The Company’s headquarters is in Tokyo, Japan. Its major industry competitors include Dell, Creative technologies, LG, Samsung, Fujifilm Holdings, Philips, Pioneer Corporations, Hitachi, and Casio Computers (Stdtler, 2011). How Internal and External factors may affect the firm The internal factors are those whose origin and control are within the capacity of the firm. They include strengths and weaknesses. The strengths within Sony shall be material assets that will boost its performance if well administered. This firm may achieve strategic objectives through utilization of its strengths. On the other hand, external factors entail those influences that emanate from outside the firm. They come as opportunities and threats. Threats are harmful hence; they will impair on Sony’s growth objectives. Such threats may come in form of strong brands, imitation, and changing customer needs. On the other hand, opportunities are external factors that the business can utilize in achieving its objectives. Threats also fall under the ext ernal fundamentals that could damage performance of Sony Corporation (Jalan, 2004). Analysis of the company using this tool would be beneficial in diagnosing the external and internal environments in which Sony operates. As such, the information can steer growth and progress within the limits of its goals and aims. EFE Matrix It relates the firm’s performance ratings relative to a laid down aggregate score. The tool employs a factor approach is its analysis of the external opportunities as well as threats in which numerous factors relevant to the firm are established. Allocation of weights depends on the magnitude of their influence on the firm’s performance in order to develop their relative weights (Stdtler, 2011). The weights may take ratio or percentage form. No OPPORTUNITIES WEIGHTS RATINGS WEIGHTED 1 Maintenance of leadership in prices 0.10 3 0.3 2 Creativity and Innovation 0.25 3 0.75 3 Strong IT base in the industry 0.1 4 0.4 4 Wide Network and globa l Presence 0.1 4 0.4 5 Strategic Outsourcing and marketing 0.1 4 0.4 6 The capacity to develop Quality products 0.15 3 0.45 THREATS 1 Price wars 0.05 4 0.2 2 Product imitation 0.05 2 0.1 3 Strong and competitive brand in the industry 0.05 4 0.2 4 Changing consumer needs 0.05 3 0.15 TOTAL 1.00 3.35 The above analysis of 3.35 aggregate weight score in Sony’s EFE Matrix indicates that it is responding well in respect of its threats and opportunities in the electronics industry.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The analysis depicts the external environment in which Sony operates, and how it is doing relative to the industry participants (Jalan, 2004). It is therefore, important to note that strategic efficiency has capitalized on the opportunities presented by both environments. On the other hand, the company has done well in monitor ing and dealing with the threats that may deter its progress. The ratings used above for individual factors are calibrated on the scale of 1to 4. The total maximum score obtainable by any industry participant is four. The weights and ratings employed in the EFE Matrix demonstrate the effectiveness of a Company’s strategic framework (Jalan, 2004). Below is the interpretation of the weighted scores in order to show the outcome of the performance obtained by Sony. 4 = Excellent Response to factors; 3 = Above Average; Average Response and 1 = Poor Response. Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix (IFE Matrix) No INTERNAL STREGTHS WEIGHTS RATINGS WEIGHTED 1 Customer relationship 0.10 3 0.3 2 Production Adaptability 0.10 3 0.30 3 Leadership in Technology 0.10 4 0.40 4 Reliability of products 0.10 3 0.30 5 Leading Supply chain 0.10 4 0.40 6 Financial ratios 0.15 3 0.45 INTERNAL WEAKNESSES 1 Weak management 0.15 2 0.30 2 Little Diversification 0.10 3 0.30 3 Commu nication loops 0.10 3 0.30 TOTAL 1.00 3.05 The IFE Matrix is an audit tool of an organization. This strategic management tool helps the management to evaluate a company’s internal environment in relation to its threats and strengths. This tool summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of Sony Company in order to observe its performance from the internal space (Stdtler, 2011). The methodological approach used in the design of the IFE is similar to that used in EFE. The difference between the two is that IFE deals with the internal factor analysis whereas EFE examines the performance of a firm with regard to external. Sony’s weighted score of 3.05 represents an average performance and response to its internal factors influencing its operations. It shows a well strategically managed position in a bid to capitalize on the prevailing strengths while at the same time cushioning itself against its weaknesses (Jalan, 2004). Interpretation of the weightsAdvertising We will write a custom case study sample on Sony Corporation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More 4 = Excellent Response to factors; 3 = Above Average; Average Response and 1 = Poor Response. SWOT Analysis Strengths Sony has the capacity to develop a high-quality product portfolio for its customers. historical results and record show that the company is reputable in the market Advanced and technological capacities capable of handling multiplicity of product lines present Sony with a rare opportunity for success. The company engineers have the knowledge of the previous failures and are capable of making up for the lost glory. The competitiveness of the company is good compared to its market rivals The ability to expand its market share and produce a wide range of products Weaknesses Prevailing price wars in the industry are a major undoing to Sony. The company has enjoyed the confidence of being a price leader the recent past, but the emergen cy of strategic price wars poses a potential threat (Jalan, 2004). Minimal diversification in its product portfolio is a critical scenario that may hamper Sony’s strategic growth. Retarded growth of its sales depicts a great slow down in its expansion plans. The management of the company seems to have no proper strategic management plan to forge the business ahead. Lack of proper formula of communication within the functional departmental network has led to reduced productivity. Opportunities Its originality and creativity is an essential asset for its potential growth. Its reputation may pose a significant platform for its progress. Its customer led pricing strategies aimed at winning market loyalty is a huge milestone opportunity presented to it (Jalan, 2004). Its technological strength may render its expansion plans possible in order to capture other income streams. Strong and robust supply chain- marketing and advertising departments have stepped up their strategies to create new market niches for its expanding product portfolio through strategic partnerships with leading chain suppliers. Threats Competitors- The industry is rife with competitors who are equally powerful. They are market participants with strong brands, and they include Samsung, Fujifilm, and LG among others. Market surveys and researches indicate that imitation of its products is on the increase. This product proliferation poses a huge threat on the originality of products and customer loyalty developed over many years. This trend occasioned by the emergence of new and cheaper technologies from the Asian region whose proponents have interfered with the brand (Jalan, 2004). Lack of adequate and comprehensive strategy implies that most of its rivals are doing better because their product penetration is doing well. Summary of SWOT matrix (Analysis) STREGNGTHS WEAKNESSES Production capacity and adaptability Stiff competition from strong brands on the market Financial ratios Price wars Leadership in technology Little diversification Price leadership Lack of strategic communication plan Excellent customer service OPPORTUNITIES THREATS Wide market Coverage and global presence Price wars Maintenance of low price leadership Changing needs of the consumer Supply Chain Presence of other strong brands (Samsung, LG) Creativity and innovation Product Imitation (Chinese Electronic industry) Emerging markets Conclusion The SWOT analysis above demonstrates how Sony has been able to nurture is ability to gain a competitive advantage in the market. Although weaknesses and threats are inevitably present, their effects have remained detrimental due to capitalization on opportunities and strengths inherent within the firm. Some of the significant factors greatly responsible for this milestone include a robust and sustainable technology, price leadership, and innovation. References Jalan, P. K. 2004). Industrial sector reforms in globalization era. New Delhi: Sarup Sons. Stdtler, R. (2011). Strategy Coursework – Sony Corporation. Norderstedt: GRIN Verlag.

Communication Plan of Blu E

Communication Plan of Blu E A communication plan refers to a road map that is aimed at passing messages to the audience. The communication plan is an extremely vital tool when dealing with a novel product. This is because it influences the public relations management, corporate affairs, human resources, and marketing. Therefore, Blu E- Cig will spend adequate time planning the approach that will be used to ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Communication Plan of Blu E- Cig specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A communication plan will be necessary to ensure the successful launch of Blu E- cigarette in the German (domestic) and United Kingdom (universal) markets. This paper aims at discussing the principal factors in managing and developing a successful marketing communication plan, advertising and promotion programs that will be used, and technology trends that will assist in marketing the new product. Ke y Factors in Managing and Developing an Effective Marketing Communications Plan A marketing communication is one of the components of the marketing mix. It is imperative for the company to acquire knowledge on how personal selling, public relations, direct marketing, and advertising will be used to inform the potential customers about the product’s existence and the value it will bring to them (Kotler Keller, 2006). Moreover, the marketing department should be aware that the communication process has nine elements, which will be handled appropriately to ensure that the potential customers’ tendencies of recall, distortion, and selective attention are managed properly. The first step towards the development of an effective communication plan will be having a clear goal why the plan is necessary. Measurement will also be carried out in the beginning. The marketing department will define what will be assessed and how this will be achieved. The communication plan will be executed in a consistent and disciplined manner. Moreover, the messages will be specific to the target market and appropriate for the various delivery channels. Promotion and Advertising Programs Blu E-cigarette will be advertised through the use of public relations and sales promotion. Sales promotion will involve a wide array of short- term enticement strategies. These will purpose at promoting the trade, markets, and the sales force at the company.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More More funds will be dedicated towards sales promotions. Strategic tools such as point-of-sale, demonstrations, displays, tie-in promotions, product warranties, free trials, patronage rewards, prizes, premiums, price packs, cash refund offers, coupons, and samples will be used (Kotler Keller, 2006). The internet will be used mostly when advertising the new product. There will be the use of branded chat rooms, sponsored websites, advertorials, and banners. Moreover, print advertisements such as direct mail, newsletters, magazines, and newspapers (Bourlakis Weightman, 2009). Technology Trends The company will have a keen interest to understand the customers’ and competitors’ opinions regarding the new product. Therefore, the company will engage in communication through the use of Wikipedia, Twitter, Facebook, pod casts, newsgroups, search engine results, and blogs. The company will use buzz monitoring tools such as Google Reader, YackTrack, Social Mention, YouTube, BoardReader, and Serph. Knowing these opinions is important since they influence customers’ behaviors and attitudes. Therefore, products will be fashioned to meet the clients’ needs. Conclusion To ensure that Blu E- cigarettes are marketed effectively in Germany and United Kingdom, several factors will be considered when managing and developing the communication plan. In additi on, the company will use a wide array of marketing and promotion strategies. Technological trends will be vital in learning about the consumers’ behaviors and attitudes. References Bourlakis, M., Weightman, P. (2009). Food Supply Chain Management. London: John Wiley Sons. Kotler, P., Keller, K. L. (2006). Marketing management (12th ed.). New York: The University of Phoenix.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Communication Plan of Blu E- Cig specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

African American Inventors - Patent Holders Index P

African American Inventors - Patent Holders Index P Black history inventors are listed alphabetically: use the A to Z index bar to navigate and select or just browse the many listings. Each listing has the name of the black inventor followed by the patent number(s) which is the unique number assigned to an invention when a patent is issued, the date the patent was issued, and a description of the invention as written by the inventor. If available, links are provided to in-depth articles, biographies, illustrations and photos on each individual inventor or patent. How to submit to the database. O Pace to Pickett, Pinn to Purvis Q Harold Pace #5712899, 1/27/1998, Mobile location reporting apparatus and methods Lionel F Page #2,170,032, 8/22/1939, Auxiliary circulating device for automobile heaters Alice H Parker #1,325,905, 12/23/1919, Heating furnace John Percial Parker #304,552, 9/2/1884, Follower-screw for tobacco presses#318,285, 5/19/1885, Portable screw-press James A Parsons Jr. #1,728,360, 9/17/1929, Iron alloy#1,819,479, 8/13/1931, Method of making silicon iron compounds#1,972,103, 9/4/1934, Process for treating silicon alloy castings#2,200,208, 5/7/1940, Corrosion-resisting ferrous alloy Moses Payne #394,388, 12/11/1888, Horseshoe Robert A Pelham #807,685, 12/19/1905, Pasting device#NA, 1913, Tallying machine John Perry Jr. #3,284,239, 11/8/1966, Biochemical fuel cell (co-inventor Herbert F Hunger) Frank R Perryman #468,038, 2/2/1892, Caterers tray table Charles A Peterson #3,391,903, 7/9/1968, Power generating apparatus Henry Peterson #402,189, 2/30/1889, Attachment for lawn mowers William Henry Phelps #579,242, 3/23/1897, Apparatus for washing vehicles Anthony Phills #5,136,787, 10/3/1991, Ruler template for computer keyboard John F Pickering #643,975, 2/20/1900, Air ship Henry Pickett #152,511, 7/30/1874, Improvement in scaffolds O Pace to Pickett, Pinn to Purvis, Q Traverse B Pinn #231,355, 8/17/1880, File holder William D Polite #1,218,458, 3/6/1917, Gun Austin J Polk #558,103, 4/14/1896, Bicycle support Jessie T Pope #2,409,791, 10/22/1946, Croquignole iron James Hall Porter #3,534,528, 10/20/1970, Gas well sulfur removal by diffusion through polymeric membranes Alfred G B Prather #3,715,011, 2/6/1973, Gravity escape means Frank Rodger Prince #3,637,743, 1/25/1972, Production of 2-pyrrolidones Abraham Pugsley #433,306, 7/29/1890, Blind stop#433,819, 8/5/1890, Shutter worker Samuel Pugsley #357,787, 2/15/1887, Gate latch John E Purdy #405,117, 6/11/1889, Folding chair, (co-inventor Daniel A. Sadgwar) #570,337, 10/27/1896, Device for sharpening edged tools#609,367, 8/16/1898, Device for sharpening edged tools#630,106, 8/1/1899, Device for sharpening edged tools William H Purdy #D 24,228, 4/23/1895, Spoon design (co-inventor Leonard C. Peters) Willam B Purvis #256,856, 4/25/1882, Fastener for bag#273,149, 2/27/1883, Hand stamp#293,353, 2/12/1884, Paper bag machine#419,065, 1/7/1890, Fountain pen#420,099, 1/28/1890, Paper bag machine#519,291, 5/1/1894, Electric railway#539,542, 5/21/1895, Magnetic car balancing device#588,176, 8/17/1897, Electrical railway system Continue black history database Q

Innovation and Change Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Innovation and Change - Assignment Example 7) and he argued that entrepreneurs are those who perform and carry out new combinations by finding and taking opportunities to be seized to create new products or service and to establish a new marketable contribution to the economy (McDaniel, 2002, p. 57). Innovation is one of the most vital constituents in advancing living standard and wealth creation. Innovation may occur from different guises, but the roles played by both large scale and small to medium sized enterprises in creating innovation and translating the same to useful needs and wants to be met by customers in the market are undeniably critical. Since Schumpeter argued that entrepreneur is an innovator in 1950s, many researchers investigated the relationship between innovation and performance and examined whether small to medium or large scale enterprises are better at innovating than the other (Gronum, Verreynne and Kastelle, 2012, p. 257). The importance of Small and Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) as drivers for econ omic development and for improved social wellbeing has been increasingly acknowledged. Moreover, innovation capacity is a critical requirement for the survival of SMEs (Wolf, Kaudela-Baum, Meissner, 2011, p. 242) mainly because better entrepreneurs are those who are good at innovating and therefore they are found to be successful. This piece of research paper investigates the argument that small to medium sized enterprises are better at innovating than large scale businesses and examines how successful are SMEs in innovating their goods or services. In order to analyze and critically evaluate the argument, this paper explains the meaning and conceptual framework of SMEs, addresses their role in the economy and explains why they are considered as important in terms of its contribution to innovation. Small and medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute the vast majority of all businesses in almost all the countries and they play a very central role in the economy. SMEs are the major sources of entrepreneurial skills, innovation and employment that in turn help the economy grow further. Analoui and Karami (2003, p. 25) defined SMEs as one that has only a small share of its concerned market and is managed in a personalized way by its owner or part-owner, but not through a medium of an elaborate management system. SMEs are not sufficiently large to get access to the capital market for publically issuing of securities. Researchers used different constructs such as annual sales, number of employees, value added, value of assets, annual profits etc to define and explain SMEs. Out of these constructs, number of employees and annual sales are most often used to delimit the category of SMEs. For most researchers, a small to medium sized firm is one that employs no more than 250 persons and is having annual sales of not more than ?50 million (Analoui and Karami, 2003, p. 26). According to OECD, SMEs are non-subsidiary and independ ent firms that employ less than a given number of people. The most frequent upper

Leadership and organisation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Leadership and organisation - Essay Example It will focus how and when change takes place within an organization, and how leaders adopt with it, deal with it and what are the consequences while dealing with the change. The essay will discuss the basic skills of leadership such as the ability to inspire others, have effective communication skills, is enthusiastic and inspirational. The importance of these skills would assist the leaders to manage the change. The main objective of this paper is not only to review the concepts of leadership on theoretical notions but to also elaborate the application of these theories with the real case study examples. Leadership is an influence of people including leaders and followers who aim the actual changes and outcomes that reflect their shared drives. It reflects upon the changes and purposes being shared by the people (Daft 2008, p.4). Leadership involves the four vital factors including leader, followers, communication and situation that help to acquire the positive within an institute. Every leader should have personal responsibility and honesty towards the followers and organization, besides leader should have the mentality to accept changes and sharing purpose with the followers (Clark 2010). According to Daft definition leadership entails forming change, and not only being dependent upon the traditional concepts. This change directs to achieve the end-results that leader and the follower both desires. It helps to influence and motivate the leader and the follower to attain the mutual vision (Daft 2008, p.194). Organizational change is considered as an approach of bringing change in terms of transition within the team or organization in the current phase to the desired phase. There are different types of organizational change for which leaders are responsible including mission changes, strategic changes, operational changes technological changes, behavioral changes among the workforce (Boje 2000). Leaders are highly

Strategic management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 10

Strategic management - Essay Example These three important statements serve as a track or guideline and assist each and every individual to work in a way that not only conforms to what organization is intended to do and has stated, but also leads toward successful completion of tasks in a distinctive way. Before getting into the discussion of strategic development it is important to understand the meaning of strategy. According to Dobson et al (2004), it is about achieving competitive advantage through distinctiveness- delivering a unique value addition to the customers, and having a clear view of how to position yourself uniquely in your industry. In order to make the concept clear I will shed light on Red Bull; a famous energy drink on which a lot of work was done in order to tactically develop proper and advantageous market strategies. To tailor this product according to the diverse needs of individuals, they positioned the drink as an energy drink coupled with adventurous advertisements and sponsorship of famous sports known as formula 1 (F1). Whenever an organization plans to make any strategy, it needs to carry out an analysis in a way that not only takes into account the strength and weaknesses of the organization but also the environmental factors that might act as a stimulator or may hinder their performance (Joyce and Woods 2001). This analysis is very much useful and is mandatory to be carried out. Red Bull saw growth potential in western markets and launched their product by making changes in the old THAI product. However, while launching their product they had to face few limitations as well. There was a huge criticism regarding the Red Bull energy drink in terms of its ingredients. When the product was first launched it took about 3 years for the approval of its sales in Austria, however, Hungary became its first foreign market in 1992. The exotic nature of its ingredients was one of the reasons

Lost Boys of Sudan, my long journal, education is my mother and father Essay

Lost Boys of Sudan, my long journal, education is my mother and father - Essay Example They traveled through the Saharan Desert in Sudan searching for the United Nations camps. Many lost their lives during this journey, but those who made it actually recollect this event in their lives as a highly maturing experience that has shaped them in to extremely resilient individuals. Life for these young children before the outbreak of war was nothing out of the ordinary; the villages that these children belonged to largely consisted of cattle farmers, therefore from a young age, the boys had been grazing cattle. With the outbreak of war, many young girls and boy were raped, killed or taken to the north to be sold as slaves. Coming from ordinary villages, there did have small schools in the village but even so, literacy was not that common and many children largely help their parent graze the cattle. After the war, their ordinary lives were completely toppled over and devastated by the violence. Santino Atem Deng was one of the boy who survived the post-independence massacre; one can even refer to him as ‘one of the Lost Boys’. Since his agonizing journey through his war-ravaged country ended, he was rehabilitated by the SPLP (Sudan People’s Liberation Party). ... Deng epitomizes a man who was reformed by education and by becoming a literate and learned man, he was able to cast the demons of his past aside and turn a new leaf. Deng was able to bring this change in his life by getting proper education that truly delivered him from suffering and gave him a new life. (Deng 71-71) He has become a model for Sudanese youth to strive hard to get proper education, because education is the only thing that saves them and their countrymen from the destruction of war and pave way for a more civilized society. The lost boys of Sudan had come a long way from their home country and often their journey is nothing short of time travel, as they all suffered a massive cultural shock and faced many hardships to get themselves accustomed to the modern society. The documentary film titled â€Å"The Lost Boys of Sudan† highlights the struggles of these men and their views of this new land where they were taking refuge in. They all had high hopes out of Americ a, when they were coming here to seek asylum. America has indeed come a long way when it comes to the establishment of stable and modern social structures. Compared to the people living in other countries, who may experience a cultural-shock or in other words, the individuals may experience a significant amount distress or anxiety, when it comes to acclimatizing oneself to that culture, since the values are too different and modern from their own. Therefore, this anxiety was one of the biggest hurdles in the path of the Lost Boys. They often thought that they were coming to a country where the ‘streets are paved with gold’; however after arriving in the United States, they realized it wasn’t a country

Technological Changes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Technological Changes - Essay Example In the next ten years, the impact of the internet technology is expected to influence companies especially in developing and emerging economies where its benefits still remains unharnessed. The internet technology is projected to facilitate more and more transactions online among business parties and even individual consumers (Kotler and Armstrong 2002). The snail mail will be eliminated and be replaced by electronic mails as more efficient means of communication. More purchases transaction between retailers and buyers will also be observed. Because of these improvements in the market which is facilitated by the increasing internet literacy, D Package Express will be handling less mails or smaller packages containing mails to customers and business. However, with more global purchases facilitated by the internet technology, mail packaging and supplies will be used in order to ship packages globally. As customers constantly seek products through online transaction, they connect with more suppliers which can provide them with more valuable products. As emerging countries will also shop online, D Package Express will also be given the chance to expand its horizons with the possibility of opening up new outlets in these locations in the future.

Personal Philosophy of Meaning and Value Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Personal Philosophy of Meaning and Value - Essay Example My approach towards meaning and value is one of a significant one since I understand that everything happens for a reason and it is this meaning which is embedded within the reason that needs to be found out. What this will eventually do is to provide more rationale for things that will shape up in the future as well as provide me a sense of understanding for similar things that keep on happening around me at different times of the day. In this paper, I will outline what I consider as meaningful from life, from a strictly personal viewpoint and what I look for in life as far as my personal thinking and mindset are concerned. Also, I would check upon my personal life instances and my professional growth patterns and more so the same whilst now in the role of an IT project manager. I have devised a personal action plan that outlines the manner in which I have advocated my philosophy within the domains of this paper and this action plan aims to give an idea of what I think would be the right course of action as to go about doing things from an ethically correct professional sphere. I believe that we were put on this earth to bring some kind of glory or joy to the ‘One’ who put us here. Whether this is an all-powerful God, an uninvolved Creator or some sort of ‘alien’ life form I will not discuss here. Just suffice it to say that the same is some sort of a more powerful being which probably takes at least some interest in the actions of those that He has created or placed here on this Earth.

Technological Changes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Technological Changes - Essay Example In the next ten years, the impact of the internet technology is expected to influence companies especially in developing and emerging economies where its benefits still remains unharnessed. The internet technology is projected to facilitate more and more transactions online among business parties and even individual consumers (Kotler and Armstrong 2002). The snail mail will be eliminated and be replaced by electronic mails as more efficient means of communication. More purchases transaction between retailers and buyers will also be observed. Because of these improvements in the market which is facilitated by the increasing internet literacy, D Package Express will be handling less mails or smaller packages containing mails to customers and business. However, with more global purchases facilitated by the internet technology, mail packaging and supplies will be used in order to ship packages globally. As customers constantly seek products through online transaction, they connect with more suppliers which can provide them with more valuable products. As emerging countries will also shop online, D Package Express will also be given the chance to expand its horizons with the possibility of opening up new outlets in these locations in the future.

My experience as a mechanical engineer and my thoughts and how to Assignment

My experience as a mechanical engineer and my thoughts and how to handle the career - Assignment Example But that happens to be just the first step. The field of Mechanical Engineering is so diverse and dynamic with the rapid advancement of technology that one constantly needs to upgrade one’s skills as a Mechanical Engineer. Strengths As a Mechanical Engineer, one gets to work in a variety of settings. This not only builds knowledge but also expands one’s social network with other professionals from his/her field. As a licensed professional Mechanical Engineer, one can review the design drawings and has the authority to sign them off. One gets the opportunity to supervise and manage a diverse team. With experience, a Mechanical Engineer gets more and more skilled and independent. Becoming a Professional Engineer enables one to establish one’s own design and consultancy firm. Weaknesses Mechanical Engineering is a very vast field comprising numerous subjects. Although the knowledge is infinite, yet one’s ability to learn and really master an area of Mechanica l Engineering is limited by a number of constraints including time, type and nature of job, and responsibilities outside the work. Once I entered my professional career as a Mechanical Engineer after getting my degree, my skills developed in a specific field of Mechanical Engineering. ... One can have ten years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer and yet be no different than a fresh university graduate if one switches to an area of Mechanical Engineering that one has not had a prior experience in. Opportunities One thing that I love about Mechanical Engineering is that the scope of this field of engineering is very large. Mechanical Engineers have opportunities waiting for them in every part of the world in general and in the advanced countries in particular. The technological advancement is an opportunity to enhance one’s engineering skills. The contemporary organizations encourage innovation as a means to find the solutions of problems. The changes that have taken place in the curriculum of Mechanical Engineering are another opportunity. Computerized training is an essential part of the latest curriculum of Mechanical Engineering in a vast majority of the engineering colleges around the world. Competence in the use of softwares and their knowledge is what provides the Mechanical Engineers with an edge in the market in the present age. Challenges The field of Mechanical Engineering is quite dynamic. The pace of technological advancement has increased over the past few decades. Many industries are employing latest technology using complex systems. A major threat in the field of Mechanical Engineering is collapse of the motor vehicle industries that has created a void in the employment opportunities for the Mechanical Engineers. In addition to that, the global financial crisis that started in 2008 has posed numerous challenges to the engineering fraternity. Many Mechanical Engineers have lost their jobs as a result of downsizing attempts made by their companies which has lowered the morale of the engineers. The

Procesos Industriales y de Servicio

Procesos Industriales y de Servicio Cadena de valor: es un modelo teà ³rico que permite describir el desarrollo de las actividades de una organizacià ³n empresarial, descrito y popularizado por Michael E. Porter. La cadena de valor categoriza las actividades que producen valor aà ±adido en una organizacià ³n en dos tipos: las actividades primarias y las actividades de apoyo o auxiliares. Las actividades primarias se refieren a la creacià ³n fà ­sica del producto, su venta y el servicio posventa, y pueden tambià ©n a su vez, diferenciarse en sub-actividades. El modelo de la cadena de valor distingue cinco actividades primarias: Logà ­stica interna: comprende operaciones de recepcià ³n, almacenamiento y distribucià ³n de las materias primas. Operaciones (produccià ³n): recepcià ³n de las materias primas para transformarlas en el producto final. Logà ­stica externa: almacenamiento de los productos terminados y distribucià ³n del producto al consumidor. Marketing y Ventas: actividades con las cuales se da a conocer el producto. Servicio: de post-venta o mantenimiento, agrupa las actividades destinadas a mantener o realizar el valor del producto, mediante la aplicacià ³n de garantà ­as. Las actividades primarias està ¡n apoyadas o auxiliadas por las tambià ©n denominadas actividades secundarias: Infraestructura de la organizacià ³n: actividades que prestan apoyo a toda la empresa, como la planificacià ³n, contabilidad y las finanzas. Direccià ³n de recursos humanos: bà ºsqueda, contratacià ³n y motivacià ³n del personal. Desarrollo de tecnologà ­a, investigacià ³n y desarrollo: obtencià ³n, mejora y gestià ³n de la tecnologà ­a. Abastecimiento (compras): proceso de compra de los materiales. Para cada actividad de valor aà ±adido han de ser identificados los generadores de costes y valor 2. Identificacià ³n y priorizacià ³n de macroprocesos Las empresas y sus divisiones autà ³nomas dirigen sus asuntos principales por medio de grandes sistemas de uso repetido que son intrà ­nsecamente multifuncionales llamados macroprocesos. La mayorà ­a de los macroprosesos son procesos empresariales que tienen sus papeles dentro del concepto de sacar nuevos productos, procesar los pedidos de los clientes, cobrar, contratar empleados, entre otros. Los macroprocesos reciben informacià ³n de los proveedores, procesan esta informacià ³n, producen productos concretos y sirven esos productos a los clientes, externos e internos. El procesamiento realizado concuerda con la definicià ³n de proceso: serie sistemà ¡tica de acciones dirigidas al logro de un objetivo. Cuando las empresas crecen los macroprosesos se vuelven muy numerosos. Un macroproceso consiste en muchos segmentos llamados microprocesos. Cada uno se lleva a cabo dentro de una unidad organizativa funcional que, con frecuencia, està ¡ presidida por un supervisor de primera là ­nea. En resumen, los macroprocesos son aquellos que tienen mà ¡s de un proceso. 3. Diagramas de relacià ³n, interdisciplinarios y de flujo. Las herramientas que permiten visualizar mejor las rutas hacia el cambio son: los diagramas de relacià ³n, de proceso y de flujo. Los diagramas ayudan a dar visibilidad a trabajo. Ayudan a documentar las rutas que se emplean para satisfacer al cliente. El anà ¡lisis de estos diagramas permiten aumentar identificar acciones de mejora o cambio como: reducir tiempo de ciclo, disminuir defectos, bajar costos, medir desempeà ±os, reducir nà ºmero de pasos que no proporcionan valor agregado, etc. Se convierten en requisitos previos e importantes para tener à ©xito en el rediseà ±o estructural, reingenierà ­a o benchmarking. Diagrama de relacià ³n: Indica las interrelaciones o và ­nculos existentes entre los clientes y proveedores en las distintas partes de la organizacià ³n. Visià ³n global que describe las interacciones entre las principales funciones de la empresa. Es una imagen de las conexiones de entrada y salida (clientes y proveedores) entre las partes de una organizacià ³n, como las funciones, departamentos, divisiones o à ¡reas Diagrama de procesos interdisciplinarios: Muestran la forma en que los principales procesos atraviesan los là ­mites de varias funciones. Revela quà © ocurre en el interior y muestra la secuencia de pasos de los procesos productivos, entradas y salidas. Ilustran la forma de hacer el trabajo en las organizaciones, las trayectorias que siguen los insumos al ser transformados en resultados que los clientes valoran. Flujogramas: Herramienta mà ¡s conocida para ilustrar procesos productivos. Para definir, documentar y analizar procesos, con nivel alto de detalle. Un flujograma es la representacià ³n grà ¡fica de las secuencias de pasos que integran un proceso.   Mientras mà ¡s informacià ³n se incorpore serà ¡ de mà ¡s utilidad. Existen tres mà ©todos bà ¡sicos para recolectar la informacià ³n necesaria para crear un diagrama: Auto generacià ³n. Cuando se domina completamente el proceso. Entrevistas personalizadas. Con proveedores, operarios y clientes del proceso. Validacià ³n. Entrevista en grupo. Participacià ³n conjunta de todas las personas relevantes e involucradas, para la creacià ³n y validacià ³n del diagrama. El criterio mà ¡s importante para seleccionar el proceso es el impacto que tiene sobre el valor que percibe el cliente. Seleccionar los procesos que realizan las mà ¡ximas contribuciones al cliente como clase mundial y alta competitividad. Existen Otros criterios como la reduccià ³n de costos, reduccià ³n de tiempo de ciclo o respuesta, minimizar o eliminar defectos, cuellos de botella, tecnologà ­a obsoleta, etc. 4. Descripcià ³n de procesos Informacià ³n bà ¡sica (encabezado) Nombre del proceso Responsable o dueà ±o del proceso Cliente (persona, à ¡rea, depto. o empresa) Inicio Final Fecha en la cual se hace la descripcià ³n del proceso. Versià ³n Quià ©n lo elaborà ³ Quià ©n lo autorizà ³ Observaciones   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Elementos que constituyen la descripcià ³n del proceso ENTRADAS ACTIVIDADES RESPONSABLE SALIDAS Documentos o productos Accià ³n que se realiza con los elementos de entrada para producir las salidas. Deben de expresarse con verbos activos Personas o personas que ejecutan la accià ³n. Documentos o productos. FORMATO PARA DESCRIPCIÓN DE PROCESOS CRà TICOS IDENTIFICADOS A continuacià ³n se presenta el formato para que cada persona describa el proceso indicado. NOMBRE DEL PROCESO_________________________________________ DUEÑO DEL PROCESO__________________________________________ INICIO DEL PROCESO: __________________________________________ FINALIZACIÓN DEL PROCESO: __________________________________ CLIENTE_______________________________________________________ FECHA_____________________VERSIÓN: __________________________ ENTRADAS ACTIVIDADES RESPONSABLE SALIDAS Elaborado por:_______________________  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Aprobado por: _____________________ Fecha: _______________   Circulacià ³n: ______________________________________ 5. Rediseà ±o y validacià ³n de proceso Para ser competitivos deberà ­amos de abandonar las viejas ideas acerca de cà ³mo se debà ­a organizar   y dirigir un negocio. La reingenierà ­a significa volver a empezar, arrancando de cero. En esencia, la idea està ¡ en el pensamiento discontinuo. La identificacià ³n y el abandono de reglas anticuadas y de supuestos fundamentales que sustentan las operaciones o procesos corrientes. La reingenierà ­a es la revisià ³n fundamental   y el rediseà ±o radical de los procesos para alcanzar mejoras espectaculares en medidas crà ­ticas y contemporà ¡neas de rendimiento, tales como costos, calidad, servicio y rapidez. METODOLOGà A I: FASE I Filosofà ­a empresarial: Visià ³n, Misià ³n y Valores. Definir la empresa (productos o servicios, competencia, estructura, etc.) Identificacià ³n de procesos Clasificacià ³n de procesos crà ­ticos (cadena de valor) Diagrama de interrelaciones de procesos crà ­ticos FASE II Mapeo de procesos crà ­ticos. Recursos, documentos, apoyo e indicadores de eficiencia   y eficacia. Descripcià ³n de procesos crà ­ticos. Construccià ³n de diagramas de los procesos crà ­ticos.  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   FASE III Validacià ³n de los procesos. Complementar los procesos con medidas importantes dependiendo del tipo de proceso (tiempo, distancia, satisfaccià ³n.) Anà ¡lisis de Valor Agregado. Eliminar lo no necesario y que no agregue valor. Tratar de mejorar las necesarias que no agregan valor en cuanto a la dimensià ³n clave. FASE IV Analizar y rediseà ±ar los procesos. Cuantificar las mejoras. Validar el nuevo proceso Programar su implementacià ³n. Proyectar los beneficios Seguimiento y evaluacià ³n. Mejora de los procesos. METODOLOGIA II: PREPARACIÓN: 1.1 Reconocer la necesidad 1.2 Desarrollar consenso ejecutivo 1.3 Capacitar al equipo 1.4 Planificar el cambio IDENTIFICACIÓN: 2.1 Modelar clientes 2.2 Definir y medir rendimiento 2.3 Definir entidades 2.4 Modelar procesos 2.5 Identificar actividades 2.6 Extender modelo de proceso 2.7 Correlacionar organizacià ³n 2.8 Correlacionar recursos 2.9 Fijar prioridades de procesos VISIÓN: 3.1 Entender estructura del proceso 3.2 Entender el flujo del proceso 3.3 Identificar actividades de valor agregado 3.4 Referenciar rendimiento 3.5 Determinar impulsores del rendimiento 3.6 Calcular oportunidad 3.7 Visualizar el ideal (externo) 3.8 Visualizar el ideal (interno) 3.9 Integrar visiones 3.10 Definir subdivisiones SOLUCIÓN: Diseà ±o tà ©cnico 4 A1. Modelar relaciones de entidades 4 A2. Reexaminar conexiones de los procesos 4 A3. Instrumentar e informar 4 A4. Consolidar interfaces e informacià ³n 4 A5. Redefinir alternativas 4 A6. Reubicar y reprogramar controles 4 A7. Modularizar 4 A8. Especificar implantacià ³n 4 A9. Aplicar tecnologà ­a 4 A10. Planificar implementacià ³n SOLUCIÓN: Diseà ±o Social 4 B1. Facultar a empleados que tienen contacto con clientes 4 B2. Identificar grupos de caracterà ­sticas de cargos 4 B3. Definir cargos / equipos 4 B4. Definir necesidades de destrezas y personal 4 B5. Especificar la estructura gerencial 4 B6. Rediseà ±ar fronteras organizacionales 4 B7. Especificar cambios de cargos 4 B8. Diseà ±ar planes de carreras 4 B9. Definir organizacià ³n de transicià ³n 4 B10. Diseà ±ar programa de gestià ³n del cambio 4 B11. Diseà ±ar incentivos 4 B12. Planificar implementacià ³n TRANSFORMACIÓN: 5.1 Completar diseà ±o del sistema 5.2 Ejecutar diseà ±o tà ©cnico 5.3 Desarrollar planes de prueba y de introduccià ³n 5.4 Evaluar al personal 5.5 Construir sistema 5.6 Capacitar al personal 5.7 Hacer prueba piloto del nuevo proceso 5.8 Refinamiento y transicià ³n 5.9 Mejora continua ESTRUCTURA Là ­der. Alto ejecutivo que autoriza y motiva el esfuerzo total de la reingenierà ­a. Actuar como visionario y motivador, ideando, exponiendo la visià ³n del tipo de organizacià ³n que desea crear, comunica a todo el personal el sentido y propà ³sito. Debe tener autoridad sobre los recursos necesarios. Ser un autà ©ntico là ­der, vigoroso, emprendedor, convencido y conocedor. Dueà ±o del proceso. Gerente responsable de un proceso especà ­fico y del esfuerzo. Tiene la responsabilidad de rediseà ±ar su proceso. Debe acomodarse al cambio y ser sereno ante la adversidad. Motiva, inspira y asesoras a los equipos. Equipo. Grupo de individuos dedicados a rediseà ±ar un proceso, lo diagnostican, supervisan y ejecutan. Producir ideas y planes para convertirlos en realidades. Capacitarse, inventar y descubrir, creatividad y sà ­ntesis. Comità © Directivo. Cuerpo formulador de polà ­ticas, desarrollan estrategias y supervisan el progreso. Priorizan, asignan recursos y resuelven conflictos. Zar. Individuo responsable de desarrollar tà ©cnicas e instrumentos y de lograr sinergia. Capacita y apoya; coordina las actividades. 6. Herramientas para la optimizacià ³n de procesos PROCESO HERRAMIENTAS 1. Identificar problemas para resolver y proyectos de mejora. à ¼ Recoleccià ³n de datos à ¼ Tormenta de ideas à ¼ Principio de Pareto 2. Investigar las verdaderas causas del problema y/o factores para un proyecto. à ¼ Grà ¡ficas e histogramas à ¼ Listas de verificacià ³n à ¼ Tormenta de ideas à ¼ Diagrama causa efecto à ¼ Principio de Pareto à ¼ Anà ¡lisis de registro de produccià ³n o inspeccià ³n. 3. Determinar las mejores opciones o soluciones. à ¼ Principio de Pareto à ¼ Tormenta de ideas 4. Aplicar y evaluar las soluciones. à ¼ Recoleccià ³n de datos à ¼ Listas de verificacià ³n à ¼ Grà ¡ficas e histogramas 5. Tomar acciones para evitar que el problema se repita o asegurar que el proyecto sea exitoso. à ¼ Conceptos modernos de control à ¼ Modelos de planeacià ³n. 6. Presentacià ³n a la Gerencia. à ¼ Presentacià ³n profesional con la participacià ³n de todos los involucrados. RECOLECCIÓN DE DATOS Consiste en la recopilacià ³n de datos en forma acumulativa y sistemà ¡tica que se efectà ºa sobre determinada situacià ³n (equipo, proceso, procedimiento, actitud u otros) en formatos adecuados como reportes, hojas de trabajo o formas claras y durante un perà ­odo de tiempo, que està ©n directa o indirectamente relacionados con la calidad y el servicio. Procedimiento: a) Plantear claramente los objetivos del proyecto o del problema a resolver b) Analizar cada caso para definir quà © se va a medir u observar c) Registrar y ordenar todos los datos obtenidos d) Relacionarlos de manera que puedan proporcionar informacià ³n confiable e) Procesar la informacià ³n obtenida y validarla con los expertos en el tema f) Ordenar los datos de acuerdo con el grado de importancia o impacto g) Seleccionar la informacià ³n relevante a la solucià ³n del problema o al à ©xito del proyecto. TORMENTA DE IDEAS Es una tà ©cnica que consiste en dar oportunidad a todos los miembros de un equipo de trabajo, para opinar y sugerir con relacià ³n a un determinado proyecto o problema. Procedimiento: a) Se coloca el grupo frente a un rotafolio en forma circular. b) Nombrar a la persona que escribirà ¡ las ideas c) Se inicia el aporte de ideas uno por uno de acuerdo con la direccià ³n de las agujas del reloj. d) Cada idea es registrada en el rotafolio por la persona designada e) No se permite interrumpir o censurar al expositor de turno f) Las ideas se van desarrollando por està ­mulo de las ideas de los otros g) Se da por finalizada esta fase, cuando todos hallan agotado sus ideas del tema en cuestià ³n. h) Anà ¡lisis y reflexiones: cada quià ©n analiza la lista de ideas generadas, se permiten las preguntas para aclaraciones, se descartan las ideas descabelladas o no posibles, se utiliza alguna tà ©cnica adecuada para ordenarlas de acuerdo con la importancia que el grupo   considere adecuada. PRINCIPIO DE PARETO En todo fenà ³meno que resulte como consecuencia de la intervencià ³n de varias causas o factores ordenados de mayor a menor, segà ºn sea su importancia, se encontrarà ¡ que un nà ºmero pequeà ±o de causas, que encabeza la lista, contribuye a la mayor parte del efecto; mientras que el grupo restante, contribuye a una pequeà ±a parte del efecto.    CAUSAS  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   EFECTO Pocos Vitales  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Muchos Triviales Grà ¡fica de Pareto: Es una grà ¡fica presentada por barras verticales en forma descendente, correspondiente a la priorizacià ³n dada por el principio de Pareto o regla 80/20. Procedimiento: a) Identificar el efecto que nos interesa analizar (proyecto o problema crà ­tico) b) Hacer lista de todas las posibles causas que contribuyen al efecto (tormenta de ideas), si es posible se puede de una vez cuantificar el impacto. c) Ordenar dichas causas basadas en su contribucià ³n de mayor a menor, con su peso cuantitativo real o por medio del porcentaje. d) Graficar en forma de barras para identificar los pocos vitales y los muchos triviales. DIAGRAMA CAUSA EFECTO O DE ISHIKAWA. Es una herramienta para el anà ¡lisis de causa efecto, utilizada para determinar acciones o soluciones a problemas identificados a travà ©s de un anà ¡lisis de Pareto. Este diagrama de Ishikawa se traza con una espina dorsal o là ­nea central que constituye e camino a la cabeza que es donde colocamos el efecto (proyecto o problema a resolver), hacia la cual se dirigen las espinas que està ¡n constituidas por las causas y sub-causas. Tà ©cnica de las 5M ´s: En las empresas se utiliza esta clasificacià ³n de causas, que aunque no es obligatoria, incluye la clasificacià ³n de causas en cinco categorà ­as, que la experiencia muestra que son prà ¡cticas y nos ayuda a ordenar la informacià ³n de una forma bastante simple. Las categorà ­as especà ­ficas son: à ¼ Mano de obra à ¼ Mà ©todos y procedimientos à ¼ Materiales à ¼ Maquinaria y equipo à ¼ Medio ambiente. Procedimiento: a) Definir el problema o situacià ³n a realizar. Normalmente derivado del anà ¡lisis de Pareto. b) Dibuje un cuadro o rectà ¡ngulo al lado derecho de la hoja o superficie en la cual va a construir el diagrama y escriba dentro del cuadro el problema o efecto. c) Dibuje una flecha horizontal de izquierda a derecha que llegue al cuadro dibujado d) Dibuje las espinas, cinco si decide utilizar las 5M ´s, rotulando cada una con las categorà ­as. e) Coloque cada una de las causas de acuerdo con su naturaleza en la categorà ­a que considere adecuada.  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Utilice previamente la tormenta de ideas. f) Al terminar de la clasificacià ³n en el diagrama, determine las causas mà ¡s importantes para definir una accià ³n concreta. Mano de Obra  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Mà ©todos y Procedimientos Maquinaria y  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Materiales  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Medio ambiente Equipo CAUSAS EFECTO GRà FICAS ESTADà STICAS, HISTOGRAMA Las grà ¡ficas son representaciones de algà ºn fenà ³meno o evento cualquiera a travà ©s de figuras, sà ­mbolos, là ­neas, dibujos, etc   Al mismo tiempo, son herramientas de comunicacià ³n que permiten expresar de una forma muy clara, simple y efectiva lo que nos nà ºmeros muestran confusamente u ocultan. Procedimiento: a) Ordenar los datos en un formato adecuado para el efecto. b) Decidir quà © tipo de grà ¡fica serà ¡ à ºtil y verificar si se cuenta con los datos necesarios para construirla. c) Construir la grà ¡fica de acuerdo con los datos trazando en los casos que se necesiten los ejes horizontal (X) y vertical (X). d) Asigne la escala mà ¡s adecuada, buscando la proporcionalidad mà ¡s adecuada para el tipo de grà ¡fica que se construirà ¡. e) Dibuje a mano o con la ayuda de la computadora la grà ¡fica especà ­fica. f) Una puntos, correlacione variables, utilice porcentajes, etc.   dependiendo de si es una grà ¡fica de barras (verticales u horizontales), grà ¡fica de pastel o circular, un diagrama de dispersià ³n, una grà ¡fica de Pareto, un histograma, una grà ¡fica de control, etc. PRESENTACIÓN A LA GERENCIA Tambià ©n se denomina presentacià ³n de proyectos y es una de las actividades mà ¡s importantes y provechosas para los equipos, ya que todos tendrà ¡n la oportunidad de exponer frente a la gerencia. Consiste en presentar todo lo que se ha trabajado desde la tormenta de ideas para identificacià ³n de problemas o proyectos, hasta el planteamiento final de la solucià ³n, en la cual todos los integrantes de un equipo han aportado ideas, creatividad, trabajo y han colaborado para alcanzar el à ©xito. Procedimiento: Antes de la presentacià ³n: a) El equipo de trabajo debe prepararse y ordenar la presentacià ³n de su proyecto para que sea claro y preciso. b) Organizar, estableciendo un orden là ³gico de temas y asignarlos de tal manera que todos participen en la presentacià ³n.   c) Practicar la presentacià ³n para enmendar errores y cumplir con el tiempo designado. d) Preparar todos los detalles necesarios con anticipacià ³n, para evitar contratiempos. e) Asegurarse que en el lugar de la presentacià ³n donde se va a realizar està © bien acomodada y que se cuente con todos los recursos necesarios. f) Asegurarse que sean invitados y que asistan todas las personas que son vitales para la presentacià ³n. 7. Justo a tiempo Es una filosofà ­a industrial, que considera la reduccià ³n o eliminacià ³n de todo lo que implique desperdicio en las actividades de compras, fabricacià ³n, distribucià ³n y apoyo a la fabricacià ³n (actividades de oficina) en un negocio. El desperdicio se concibe como todo aquello que sea distinto de los recursos mà ­nimos absolutos de materiales, mà ¡quinas y mano de obra necesarios para agregar valor al producto. Justo a tiempo (JAT) implica producir sà ³lo exactamente lo necesario para cumplir las metas pedidas por el cliente, es decir producir el mà ­nimo nà ºmero de unidades en las menores cantidades posibles y en el à ºltimo momento posible, eliminando la necesidad de almacenaje, ya que las existencias mà ­nimas y suficientes llegan justo a tiempo para reponer las que acaban de utilizarse y la eliminacià ³n de el inventario de producto terminado. Para que el JAT sea efectivo es necesario desarrollar una cultura de intervencià ³n de las personas, de trabajo en equipo, de involucramiento de las personas con las tareas que realiza, de compromiso o lealtad de los colaboradores con los objetivos de la empresa, para que el JAT funcione. APLICACIONES Produccià ³n o procesos de produccià ³n. n Utilizar mà ¡quinas de mà ºltiples propà ³sitos, en las que fà ¡cilmente se pueda pasar de la produccià ³n de un componente a otro. n Aplicar las tà ©cnicas de grupos o celdas, donde las series de componentes se puedan producir juntas, esto permite reducir los perà ­odos de planificacià ³n. n Trazar un esquema en U, en el cual los materiales se colocan en un costado de la U, y los productos terminados en el otro costado, permitiendo la reduccià ³n del movimiento del material. n Utilizar à ³rdenes de compra generales , que autoricen a un proveedor a suministrar una cierta cantidad de material durante un perà ­odo de tiempo, esto evita las à ³rdenes individuales, ahorrando tiempo y esfuerzo. Reduciendo los costos operativos. Niveles de inventario reducidos n Utilizar un sistema para hacer que los materiales fluyan de acuerdo con los requerimientos de produccià ³n / trabajo, conocido tambià ©n como sistema de afluencia antes de un sistema de almacenado. Mejoramiento del control de calidad n Insistir en los detalles de calidad de los proveedores o fuentes. n Adoptar un sistema de control de calidad total, comenzando con la calidad de los artà ­culos suministrados por el proveedor, poniendo à ©nfasis en la calidad en la là ­nea de produccià ³n de los artà ­culos manufacturados y en la calidad del servicio que presta el colaborador. Mejoramiento de la calidad y la fiabilidad. n Diseà ±ar calidad y fiabilidad en el producto. Utilizar tà ©cnicas de ingenierà ­a del valor, diseà ±o para la fabricacià ³n y diseà ±o para el montaje. El objetivo es eliminar el descarte y todos los defectos, para que los clientes reciban una calidad superior con menos reparaciones de garantà ­a. Flexibilidad del producto. n La menor cantidad de trabajo en proceso permite una mayor capacidad para responder rà ¡pido a los cambios en las demandas del consumidor para diferentes artà ­culos. Responsabilidad en la distribucià ³n. n Al utilizar el sistema de afluencia y el control de calidad total permite dar una mejor respuesta a los clientes, en cuanto a una distribucià ³n puntual de productos y de servicios de calidad. Utilizacià ³n de los activos. n Reducir la inversià ³n de capital. n Al reducir los inventarios y contar con un manejo mà ¡s eficiente, se requieren menos activos para los procesos actuales. Esto permite reducir los gastos operativos de las instalaciones actuales o brinda mà ¡s espacio para la expansià ³n del negocio. Utilizacià ³n del personal n Promover la capacitacià ³n cruzada del personal para trabajar en diferentes à ¡reas de produccià ³n. Los empleados familiarizados con el proceso contribuyen al mejoramiento continuo; pues poseen mà ¡s sentido de propiedad con respecto al producto o servicio. Minimizacià ³n de los costes: n Reducir el inventario. n Reducir el desperdicio de material y el desaprovechamiento de la mano de obra debido a los defectos. n Establecer cuotas de trabajo simplificadas que significan menores costes por primas. n Reducir los costes mediante el mejoramiento del mantenimiento preventivo. n Simplificar los procesos administrativos para reducir el trabajo por empleado. FASES FASE 1: Definir el porquà © El porquà © de aplicar el JAT es convertir la produccià ³n de la empresa en un arma estratà ©gica y no sà ³lo para bajar costos. En esta fase hay dos pasos: 1. Concientizacià ³n: Las directivas tendrà ¡n que formarse una idea clara del JAT a fin de generar tres visiones del futuro relacionadas entre sà ­: n Visià ³n del Proceso Fà ­sico -ver a la empresa dentro de 3 a 5 aà ±os, en su proceso fabril, flujo de materiales, compras, distribucià ³n, etc. n Visià ³n del Clima Organizacional -Se debe tener un fuerte liderazgo del presidente, una à ©tica en toda la empresa que propicie la innovacià ³n y haga sentir a los empleados que su aporte es importante, trabajo en equipo y cooperacià ³n entre departamentos, personas que està ©n acordes con los requerimientos del cargo y que se sientan motivadas a contribuir al mejoramiento de su empresa. n Visià ³n del Mercado -Ver posibles oportunidades en el mercado para adelantarse a la competencia. 2. Formular Estrategia de Produccià ³n/Mercado: Dicha estrategia debe ser comprensible para todos. Un nivel se referirà ¡ al crecimiento y expansià ³n otro nivel a responsabilidades de los cargos y otro a estabilidad de los cargos. FASE 2: Creacià ³n de la Estructura En la organizacià ³n entran en juego cuatro protagonistas clave:   n El comità © directivo: Encabezado por un alto ejecutivo, el gerente de planta, representantes de gerencia medias, supervisores y empleados comunes. n Un facilitador: Persona accesible y de confianza, su funcià ³n es que el esfuerzo JAT sigua su marcha y que se alcancen los objetivos a corto y largo plazo. n Los grupos encargados de proyectos: Son los encargados del proyecto piloto, de la implantacià ³n del JAT   proyecto por proyecto. Formado por miembros de administracià ³n superior intermedia y los empleados de la fà ¡brica que pondrà ¡n en prà ¡ctica   los cambios n Los jefes de los grupos de proyectos: Son administradores del grupo y el enlace con el comità © directivo. FASE 3: Puesta en Marcha del Plan  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Comprende tres pasos: 1. Proyectos piloto e implantacià ³n proyecto por proyecto: se establecen ciertas tà ©cnicas JAT, como agilizacià ³n del alistamiento, las celdas de maquinaria, y los sistemas de halar. Otros proyectos pilotos girarà ­an en torno a à ¡reas externas de oportunidad, tales como compras JAT. 2. Educar: Capacitar al personal para que adquieran las habilidades necesarias para llevar a cabo el JAT. 3. Cambiar Sistemas y Normas. Para que se amolden a los principios del JAT. 8. Kaizen Kaizen es un sistema enfocado en la mejora continua de toda la empresa y sus componentes, de manera armà ³nica y proactiva. El Kaizen surgià ³ en el Japà ³n como resultado de sus imperiosas necesidades de superarse a si misma de forma tal de poder alcanzar a las potencias industriales de occidente y asà ­ ganar el sustento para una gran poblacià ³n que vive en un paà ­s de escaso tamaà ±o y recursos. Hacer posible la mejora continua y lograr de tal forma los mas altos niveles en una serie de factores requirià ³ aparte de constancia y disciplina, la puesta en marcha de cinco sistemas fundamentales: 1. Control de calidad total / Gerencia de Calidad Total En su desarrollo inicial, hacà ­a à ©nfasis en el control del proceso de calidad. Esto ha evolucionado hasta convertirse en un sistema que abarca todos los aspectos de la gerencia, y ahora se conoce como gerencia de calidad total (TQM). La gestià ³n de calidad total es una manera de mejorar constantemente la performance en todos los niveles operativos, en cada à ¡rea funcional de una organizacià ³n, utilizando todos los recursos humanos y de capital disponibles. El mejoramiento està ¡ orientado a alcanzar metas amplias, como los costes, la calidad, la participacià ³n en el mercado, los proyectos y el crecimiento. en la aplicacià ³n de mà ©todos cuantitativos y recursos humanos para mejorar el material y los servicios suministrados a una organizacià ³n, los procesos dentro de la organizacià ³n, y la respuesta a las necesidades del consumidor en el presente y en el futuro. La gestià ³n de calidad total integra los mà ©todos de administracià ³n fundamentales con los esfuerzos de perfeccionamiento existentes y los recursos tà ©cnicos en un enfoque corregido, orientado al mejoramiento c

Rhetorical Analysis of Artifact: The Ballot or the Bullet Essay

Rhetorical Analysis of Artifact: The Ballot or the Bullet Speech Given by Malcolm X I. Introduction: Though almost half a century has passed, the Civil Rights Movement remains one freshly imprinted in not only the history books of US schools but also in the minds of countless Americans. Albeit, American society has come quite a ways in the acceptance of the individual - regardless of sex, age, creed or ethnicity - prejudices of different sorts are still to be found throughout every one of the united states of America. The Civil Rights Movement fought to overcome the racial inequalities inherent and ingrained in the minds of America's citizens and the government which they oversaw; it was one of the most important eras in the history of the United States of America and for that reason, its leaders and their words are widely studied, remembered and, frequently, revered. One such case of this remembrance is that of Malcolm X's speech "The Ballot or the Bullet." Generally viewed as one of the top ten most significant speeches in American history, one must wonder at what factors have contributed to the speech's longevity and implied importance. For one, the speech was given during the height of this movement and by a greatly influential leader of the time. Yet the speech contains merits all its own that allow it to remain powerful long after its orator has ceased to be. For one, the artifact is filled with forcible and compelling language that would provoke some sort of feeling in anyone who reads it. Furthermore, it utilizes a broad spectrum of rhetorical devices which keep the audience captivated and interested. Howev... ...ing at a table doesn't make you a diner, unless you eat some of what's on that plate." Thus, Malcolm X uses his speech to unify the Negroes on two fronts: in the sense that they must stand together against the suppression of the whites and that they must endure their "non-Americanism" amongst the company of one another. Yet, as soon as he has done this, Malcolm X turns to make, what might seem, a paradoxical and fairly non-artistic case as for why the black populace is indeed American. He begins by introducing the non-artistic proof that black Americans were originally slaves, working for the profit of the white man. In this sense, he then uses an enthymeme to equate the United State's current state of wealth to the work of those long-dead slaves; the blacks are therefore responsible for the US being a rich nation.

Is Monogamy the Best Form of Marriage? Essay -- essays papers

Is Monogamy the Best Form of Marriage? In the United States, marriage is a commitment two people make for the rest of their lives. The average American marriage lasts seven years. Well over half of all marriages end in divorce (Francouer, 72). Statistics in the infidelity have rose fifty percent since the 1970s and is rising all the time. The divorce count in this country is now up to one out of every three-marriage end in divorce. Serial polygamy is a common lifestyle for those who are divorced and then become remarried. The relationship between a husband and wife should be sacred and trustworthy. Without the trust and honesty there is no marriage. Monogamy is the loving, sharing, and devoting one's self to another person for the rest of their life. Monogamy should be the most important aspect in a marriage. The Western Religious leaders and moralists believe only one spouse for life is the highest form of marriage. Some of the most "primitive" peoples are strictly monogamous in their ideals, while some "highly advanced" cultures have moved away from the stri...

Nurse Shortage Approaches Essay

When nurses are forced to work with high nurse to patient ratios, patients can develop a variety of infections, get injured, and can lead to death. Often at times patients are discharged home too soon without adequate education about how to manage their illness or injury (Raquel & Sean, 2011). Because of patients being discharged to soon, this causes them to return back to the hospital often sicker than they were before. Increase in rate of admissions, transfers, and discharges on hospital unit’s raises nurses’ workload. When nurses have fewer patients, they are able to provide high quality care (Raquel & Sean, 2011). A quantitative research was done based on knowledge of unit’s attribute and shift by shift nurse staffing levels. The researchers inspected 43 units of medical and surgical patient’s mortality in an infamous magnet hospital here in United States. The units and shifts staffing data from 2003 to 2006 were obtained and consolidated with patient data resulting in 3.2 million unit shifts for 197961 patients. The outcome of two staffing variables were scrutinize using a shift unit level: understaffing actual registered nurses staffing eight hours or more below target staffing levels generated by a patient classification system and high turnover which means unit admissions, transfers and discharges exceeds mean day shift by one standard deviation. Patient survival rate was analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression models with adjustment for clients, unit and shifts risk covariates was practiced. The risk adjust mortality was evaluated to staffing and turnover within the first 5 to 30 days after admission and during previous shifts. The result was dangerous ratios (Raquel & Sean, 2011). The result shows that each shift and unit that where understaffed by 4 to 7% and also has high turnover the risk of patient’s death increases by 2 to 5%. The authors also pointed out that low acuity patient on units that are understaffed, the risk of death is 4 to 12% and with high turnover the risk of death is 7 to 15% (Raquel & Sean, 2011). The strength of the study is that the researcher was able to analyzed  patients in the units, staffing, shifts levels and turnover. The authors pointed out that the limitation in the study is that the patient sample was not identical; some confounding of staffing decision with patient clinical conditions and differentials in staffing could have influence the study. The authors elaborated that the findings in this study is consistent with previous association between registered nurse coverage and lower hospital mortality rate, (Raquel & Sean, 2011). Contrast and Compare Nursing Leaders Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) and 40 other healthcare groups of organizations and leaders are helping to find solutions on the war of nurse shortage. The affiliation designed a website, made advertising movements and secured media footage (Sigma Theta Tau International). These measures were being done as a way to entice young people to enter the nursing profession. The advertisement measures also helped to spread the word to the public of the drastic need for nurses. STTI has risen over $1 million dollars to help towards the campaign of nurse shortage. The campaign continues to receive new coverage nationwide to raise awareness of the nurse shortage (Sigma Theta Tau International). Johnson & Johnson and The Honor Society of Nursing worked together and contribute $20 million a year towards campaign to scale down on nurse shortage. The goal of Johnson & Johnson and The Honor Society campaign is to attract people to work in hospitals and extended care facilities (Sigma Theta Tau International). August 1, 2002 the former president Bush, signed Nurse Reinvestment Act. The Nurse Reinvestment Act is intended to alleviate the nursing shortage by offering incentives with tuition reimbursements. The Nurse Reinvestment Act details five main functions: Scholarship for future nursing students with loan reimbursement programs. Public business announcement to entice people to enroll in nursing programs (ANA 2015). Career advancements programs for workers that would like to further their profession. Awarding grants to administrators for magnet programs. More focus on gerontology programs by offering grants for long-term care training. Fast track staffing reimbursement programs for those who decide to teach nursing curriculum (ANA 2015). Contrast and Compare Nursing Managers Mangers can help decrease nurse shortage by increasing the staff morale on the units. New nurses often feel intimidated; some are giving tough assignments that they may need help with. As a manger overlooking is essential to make sure the work load is evenly distributed (ANA 2014). Management by Walking around (MBWA) is a manger that is always on the move making their rounds. When making rounds focus on what the staff is doing, offer help if needed, interact with the family members and the staff. This type of manger is in long-term care facilities. By making rounds you can ensure that all staff is being treated fairly, you are able to see what works and does not work (ANA 2014). My Personal and Professional Leadership Style As a nursing leader I prefer Transformational Leadership style. With transformational leadership the focus is on motivating and constructing relationships among the staff, so that the same mission and vision can be obtained. Transformational are good communicators, they use their charm to get people to see the perspective on situations. Praise and encouragement is often used by transformational leaders, I am also a great problem solver both at work and at home. As a nurse manager my approach would be to continue community with the staff and encourage the staff through humanizing nursing theory. A good manager will treat their employees with a holistic approach. It is not every day that the workers are working up to 100%; they could be having a personal problem. Continue to be assertive when needed, confront and deal with conflicts as they arise. When you treat your employees with respect, dignity, and allow autonomy they will be willing to work hard at their jobs. Summary Hospitals used both per diem nurses and traveling nurses who sign short-term contracts to fill individual shifts and accommodate short-term staffing needs arising from staff vacations or medical leaves. Some hospitals used internal staffing agencies or float pools. The downsides to these strategies include high cost and decreased quality of care. Hospitals looking for more long term strategies are investing more in nurse education, lower nurse to patient ratios or limiting volume of patients so not to overload available staff. Hospitals are also partnering with nursing schools  in an effort to grow population of new nurses and possibly secure contracts with students who attend clinical at their facilities. Nursing shortage can lead to increase patient harm and decrease in access to quality care. The nursing shortage is not a quick fix, but acknowledgment of the problem is a beginning to a solution. It is imperative that health care facilities staff their units properly so that the patients will receive quality care that they deserve. Understaffed and high turnover shifts increase the risk of death. References American Nurses Association (ANA 2014). Nursing leadership, management and leadership style. Retrieved on April 22, 2015 from. http://www.aanac.org/docs/white-papers/2013-nursing-leadership—management-leadership-styles.pdf?sfvrsn=4 American Nurses Association (ANA 2015). Nurse reinvestment act background. Retrieved on April 22, 2015 from. http://www.nursingworld.org/NurseReinvestmentAct.aspx Raquel, M., & Sean, C. (2011). Staffing with nurse understaffing and high patient churn linked to heightened inpatient mortality risk in a single site study. Evidence based nursing, Vol. 14, p122-123. Retrieved on April 22, 2015 from. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ebn.2011.100052 Sigma Theta Tau International (1199-2015). Honor Society of Nursing. Facts on the nursing shortage in North America. Retrieved on April 22, 2015, from. http://www.nursingsociety.org/Pages/default.aspx