Nano Technology in Oil Industry Essay

Introduction Nanotech applications & Nanoparticles have been successfully used in drilling mud for the Last 40-50 years. Recently the other disciplines of the oil industry, such as exploration, primary and assisted production, monitoring, refining and distribution, are approaching nanotechnologies due to its immense Potential for Confronting challenges, performance improvement & cost. Especially in ultra-deep water and artic environments, Severe reservoir conditions (high-temperature and high-pressure formations), nonconventional resources of energy,Heavy oils, tight gas, tar sandsreservoirs) Present nanotech applications in oil industry: Most of the major oil and service companies, such as BP, ConocoPhillips, Shell, Total and Schlumberger.done research in exploiting nanotechnologies to improve oil and gas production. Developing subsurface micro- and nanosensors that could be injected in oil and gas wellbores & identification of nanotech potentialities applied to EOR issues. Recent published results speak about Single-Walled-Carbon-Nano Tube (SWNT) / Silica nanohybrids, active at the fluid interface, if delivered at the O/W interface, would react and modify the oil properties to increase oil mobilization, hence oil recovery. Researchers ars analysing the potential benefits derived by the application of nanomaterials, nanofluids and nanomembranes in oil industry. Sensors: Nanomaterials are unparallelled tools for the development of sensors and imaging-contrast agents due to the significant alterations in their optical, magnetic and electrical properties, along with their ability to form (electrically and/or geometrical ly) percolated structures at low volume fractions. Such nanomaterials, when combined with smart fluids, can be used as extremely sensitive down hole sensors for temperature, pressure and stress even under extreme conditions. The ultimate evolution of instruments for oil prospects is perceived to be nanorobots, which should really provide an effective mapping of the reservoir. Nanorobots still remain a dream,shared by the medical and oil sectors. But advances in nanosensors miniaturization are becoming a reality. Coatings: A corrosion-resistant material solution represented by nanometric thin films  and composites with nanostructured fillers are in the advanced stage. corrosion-resistant materials are the â€Å"just ready to happen † nanotechnology-based applications,due to its relatively low risk, high effectiveness and low complexity. Nanocoated, wear-resistant probes, made of tungsten carbide or boron nitride, enhance the life span and efficiency of the drilling systems. The same applies to the nano-layered corrosion inhibitors in pipes or tanks, which creates a permanent molecular coating on the surface of metals, eliminating corrosion. Nanofluids and nanomaterials for drilling and completion : Nanotechnology has opened the development of smart fluids† for drilling, production and stimulation applications. Nanofluids and nano-based additives exhibit major advancement by enhanced drilling by adding benefits like wettability alteration, improved drag reduction and sand consolidation. A specialized petroleum laboratory has developed an advanced fluid mixed with nanosized particles and superfine powder that significantly improves the drilling speed and can eliminate formation damage in near wellbore zone. With the synthesis of a new breed of elastomeric composites filled with carbon nanotubes or other strongly anisotropic nano-objects, a stronger, tougher and more rugged drilling tools and apparatus will be manufactured in future. These tools will ensure a significant weight reduction and facilitate self-sensing elements to be interrogated for the real-time monitoring of the most critical parts. Another important technique in the development of super-hard materials is the use of nanostructured dispersed-hardened materials .First generation of nanotech applications for improving hydraulic fracturing are represented by BakerHughes’s nanostructured metal composites, combined by magnesium, aluminium and other alloys, which offer both strength at lower weight and the ability to â€Å"dissolve† away under certain conditions. Another example is the proppant produced by Oxane Materials, constituted by nano-structured ceramic material which is as strong as but lighter as ceramic proppant. A possible solution for mitigating fines, by nanocrystals for treating hydraulic fracture proppant packs to fix formation fines. Nanotechnology application for reservoir monitoring & for enhanced oil recovery Nanomembranes: A new generation of lightweight and strong nanomembranes is being developed and employed, Which will remarkably enhance  the exploitation of tight gas by providing efficient methods for removing impurities, separating gas streams and enabling GTL production. Nanoporous and nanoparticulate materials are also quite encouraging to manage the Health, Safety, Environmental, risks arise due to presence of CO2 and H2S in hydrocarbon mixtures. Nanotechnology application for reservoir monitoring The petroleum sector and the medical visualize the dream of a nanosensor able to provide in-situ information about the systems under analysis. The most complicated and Complex challenge faced by oil industry is that it requires strong technical improvements in injected nano sensors into the reservoir, to face placement and recovery, protection in harsh environments , 3-D location, sensors powering and data storage & retrieving. For example, the quantity of oil present in a reservoir could be assessed based on the amount of material lost or retained during the travel time, or the extreme conditions (temperature, pressure, salinity gradient) at which the nanoparticles were exposed and for how long, could be determined. The idea can be to pump nano-sensors in the reservoir periodically so as to regularly monitor changes in the well/field conditions.In turn, this could result in enhanced production efficiency. Several possible applications and exploitation schemes are currently under study with nano-devices injected into a reservoir. A novel paramagnetic nanoparticles into proppant structures together with these smart proppant could help in mapping the fracture efficiency using detectable contrast agents. Further nanoparticles could preferably segregate into different fluid portions, hence providing enhanced characterization of the reservoir and, fianlly , improved oil recovery,due to their miniscule dimensions, increased surface area and high mobility. Nanotechnology application for enhanced oil recovery: The greatest challenge at present is the possibility of increasing the efficiency of hydrocarbon production, both by improving the current EOR methodologies and by developing alternative technologies. The current researches indicate the new generation nano-agents should modify the properties of the injected fluid, in terms of viscosity, density, thermal conductivity and specific heat and modify the fluid-rock interaction properties, .The use of two different types of polysilicon nanoparticles (one nanometer-scale) in oil fields  improves wettability, to enhance water injection and improve oil recovery. The application of paramagnetic nanoparticles for EOR , possess a unique combination of fluidity and capability to interact with a magnetic field. The addition of a surfactant would greatly reduce the interfacial tension in waterwet reservoirs due to the presence of a dipole moment.The reservoir fluid molecules align, thus reducing the resistance to flow. ConocoPhillips, aims at creating a new class of polymer-type nanoparticles that can be incorporated with EOR injection fluids to improve hydrocarbon recovery by penetrating small pore throats without being trapped and hence the a mount of expensive injection can be decreased. The University of Alaska Fairbanks investigated The possibility of improving gas injection for the Alaska North Slope heavy oil recovery. Metal nanoparticles. reduce the viscosity of the heavy oil. Using super critical CO2 and Viscosity ReducingInjectant (VRI) saturated by nanoparticles, exploit the thermal properties of nanoparticles for improved heat transfer to heavy oil; explore the effects of Poly Di Methyl Siloxane and metal nanoparticles on density and viscosity for reducing mobility and viscous fingering Phenomena . When dealing with extremely low permeability reservoirs, conventional approaches to water flooding cannot provide recovery factors greater than 0.2. This is mainly due to capillary forces which are very strong in narrow pore channels. With low-permeability reservoir rocks, the level of purity and filtration of injected water is one of the most important issues for a significant oil recovery. With rocks characterized by a permeability of 0.1 ÃŽ ¼m2 the recovery factor deviates from an average of 0.4 by less than 10% if particulates in injected water are smaller than 200 nm. Nevertheless, with a rock permeability of 0.05 ÃŽ ¼m2 the recovery factor is dramatically approaching zero with the same particle ssize. A traditional water flooding technique is obviously unproductive in this latter case, unless water is filtered and purified of particulates down to at least 100 nm. Innovative water nano-filters are to be specially designed both to ensure uniform pore throats and the ability to recovery tens of billions of tons of oil. Some feel that oil is essentially a nanoliquid, with asphaltenes being the dominant part, flowing in a micro and often nanoscopic environment (i.e., the porous media). According to that,it seems justifiable to consider most of the oil and gas production technologies, reservoir treatments and  stimulation as nanotechnologies. Under this point of view, current petroleum science is relying on the study and control of physical chemical phenomena occurring at the nanometer scale and the ability to correctly model the reservoir flow plays an important role. However, a suitable tool to reliably describe coupled phenomena is still missing. The present approach being discussed is, for creating nanorobots to monitor individual pores and channels and hydrocarbon flow, exchange information and identify zones which intensify the extraction or the injection of water. CONCLUSION: Nanotechnology Application to the oil industry has an immense potential & benefits. Some applications are already available,while others could come from Complementing the solutions developed for the biomedical, automotive, aerospace, chemical and, textile Industries. Well drilling, fracturing and cementing as well as new generation membranes for gas separation already rely on nanotech solutions. At present efforts are being made to design nano-sensors for reservoir characterization and monitoring and to produce nano-fluids for improving EOR processes. Promising results have been obtained from laboratory experiment, but field tests are still in progress..The future of nanotechnology applications is remarkable.

Personal Classroom Management Plan Essay

My personal philosophy of classroom management of a preschool or elementary school settings that it requires several things first, of all you have to have patience, determination, and motivation. You have to be flexible, careful in planning, and being very consistence. You have to be prepared and ready to manage your classroom from day one. Classroom does not come well-managed you have to mold yourself and your assistant to help your classroom be well-managed. I present myself as a democratic model because it helps you with the parents, and the community beside the students that everyone gets involve to help make the school and the students safe and keep them under control. This is when I would use Wong’s Model because it helps you manage your classroom from the very first day of school. This would help me prepared myself for  what’s to come and how I would implement my lessons and rules for the classroom as well as the students. You come up with a technique to teach the kids and go over it repeatedly. Especially the ages that I teach because they are young from ages 2 1/2to 4 years old so, you will have to implement it more than once. I would also use the Win-Win Discipline as well, because if you have students in you classroom that is constantly gives you problems or have trouble listen you cause this method to help meet the deeper needs of the students and respond to the causes of misbehavior in addition to eliminating interruption in the classroom. I want to help my students not call them out or label them as a problem child or student. This is just a portion of my philosophy to help me manage my classroom in a better why. These resources were very helpful and I hope to use it in my classroom to get a positive feedback. EDU – 450 Classroom Procedures Program of Study: Early Childhood Education Procedure 1: Entering the Classroom Objective: To create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning the moment class begins. When procedure will be introduced, modeled, and practiced and its frequency: Teacher will introduce the procedure on the first day of school. Teacher will model the procedure at the beginning of class for the first week of school. Students will practice this procedure a few times the first day until satisfactory. Teacher and students will repeat when reinforcement is needed or when new students join the class. Assessment and Feedback: Teacher will watch for the students that follow the steps correctly and will positively reinforce the students. Procedure Steps or Activity: 1. Walk in quietly (entering a new zone) 2. Put things away (backpack, coats) 3. Ask to go to a center (blocks, housekeeping) etc.  ——————————————————————————————– Procedure 2: Preparing for Circle time Objective: To optimize time for instruction and create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. When procedure will be introduced, modeled, and practiced and its frequency: Teacher will introduced the procedure the first day of school. Teacher will model the procedure at the beginning of circle time for the first week of school. Teacher will practice the procedure the first couple of days until satisfied. Teacher and students will repeat when reinforcement is needed and as we get new students. Assessment and Feedback: Teacher will watch for the students that follow the steps correctly and will positively reinforce the students. For the students that is not doing it correctly, teacher will redirect them into doing so. Procedure Steps or Activity: 1. Teacher will turn off light to let them know how much time they have until clean up. 2. When the time is up, Teacher will clap hands twice. 3. Teacher will inform the students that it is clean up time. 4. Teacher will sing a song (It’s time to put the toys away). 5. When students are done cleaning, they will go to the carpet quietly. —————————————————————————— ————– Procedure 3: Fire Drill Objective: The students will already know what to do during a fire drill. When procedure will be introduced, modeled, and practiced and its frequency: Teacher will introduce the procedure on the first day of school. Teacher will model the procedure at the beginning of class for the first week of school. Teacher and students will repeat when reinforcement is needed or when new students join the class. Assessment and Feedback: Teacher will watch for students that follow the steps correctly and will positively reinforce the students. Procedure Steps or Activity: 1. Teacher will sound a bell alarming the students that it is a fire drill. 2. The students will line up quickly at the exit door. 3. Teacher will gather all the necessary items. 4. Teacher will lead the students out to safety on the emergency exit. 5. Teacher will do a head count on students. 6. Teacher and students will stay in the safety zone until someone comes and let them know it is all clear and safe to go back into the building. ——————————————————————————————– Procedure 4: Preparing for Recess Objective: To optimize time for instruction, and the students would know what to do during recess time. When procedure will be introduced, modeled, and practiced and its frequency: Teacher will introduce the procedure on the first day of school. Teacher will model the procedure at the time of recess for the first week of school. Students will practice this procedure a few times the first week of school until satisfactory. Teacher and students will repeat when reinforcement is needed or when new students join the class. Assessment and Feedback: Teacher will watch for the students that follow the steps correctly and will positively reinforce the students. Procedure Steps or Activity: 1. Teacher will turn the light off alarming the students how much time they have until cleaning up the centers. 2. When the time has come, the teacher will clap her hands three times. 3. Students will begin to clean up their centers. 4. Once students are done, they sit on the carpet. 5. Teacher will call on students one by one to put on coats. 6. When it is time, teacher has the students to line up to go outside. ——————————————————————————————– Procedure 5: Preparing for Lunch Objective: To optimize time for instruction, and the students would know what to do during lunch time. When procedure will be introduced, modeled, and practiced and its frequency: Teacher will introduce the procedure the first day of school. Teacher will model the procedure before lunch time for the first week of school. Teacher  will practiced the procedure a few times the first day until satisfactory. Teacher and students will repeat when reinforcement is needed or when new students join the class. Assessment and Feedback: Teacher will watch for students that follow the steps correctly and will positively reinforce the students. Procedure Steps or Activity: 1. Students comes in from outside, they take off their coats. 2. Students are then to sit down on the rug. 3. Teacher will call 3 to 4 students over to wash their hands. 4. Students are to return to rug. 5. Teacher will call students to table when lunch is ready. Rules and Consequences Part One: 1. Come to class prepared and ready to work. 2. Have a winning attitude. 3. Everyone deserves respect. 4. Use kind words at all times. 5. Do your very best. 6. Have fun while you learn. The consequences for every action is that for the first, offence is the students will get a verbal warning and I will talk with them about there behavior, the students will know that we do not tolerate that type of behavior. Second offence is that I would call their parents to have a parent teacher conference to speak with them about their child behavior in the classroom. Create a plan on what we can do together as a team so it would not happen again. Third offence is that the students will be sent to the office and probably would be suspended for a day out of school. If it  is the third offence and they forget their homework I would call the student parents and explain the situation of their child and would have the student take 10-15 minutes from recess time to make their work up. As a teacher will let the students know what type of behavior that I tolerate in my classroom on the very first day. I will print out a copy of the rules for the students to put in their agenda, and one for the parents to keep at home. Once we have practiced the rules for the classroom, I would have the students to recite it aloud once a week to earn extra points. Communication I would communicate with my parents through newsletter. Through a newsletter the parent will know what their child is doing weekly. The newsletter will have the lesson that we would learn for the week, any important announcements, and what important meetings or announcement that is up coming. I would also communicate with the parents through phone by letting them know each week how their child is doing, what they have accomplished so far, and if they need help in any subject. Finally, I would communicate with my parents through email, because every parent do not have a phone, so if they have a computer they can also see what their child is doing and what we have cover so far. I will have a tutorial set up for parents that need help with different lesson to be able to help their child be successful and excel further in their education. Student Engagement Strategies The teacher must use varied viewpoints, theory ways of knowing, and methods of inquiry in teaching subject matter concepts. First, one way the teacher can engage strategies is to simply the lesson for the students and give them an opportunity to help find themselves as well as the answer. Second, you can use comics and graphic novels to engage young boys more than girls, into reading. Images are powerful, so young boys are very interested in it. The teachers can develop a complex discussion from a simple idea and help stimulate student’s critical thinking. Finally, teachers must engage students in generating knowledge and testing hypotheses according to the methods of inquiry and standards of evidence used in the discipline. I would use this image when I am teaching circle time or morning session. This  is teaching the students there ABC’s, days of the week, and colors with shapes, just to name a few. I would use this image when I want the students to ask questions quietly and not all at one time talking over each other. I would post this in my circle time area reminding them what to do when they have a questions to ask. Professionalism To be professional with each of the following: with students, parents, co – workers and administrators is to be able to multi task. Inspire the trust of your clients of your students and parents. First, impression from the first day of school year is very important. Dress like a professional. Teachers should arrive at work looking the part. Always be on time, if you arrive 10 to 15 minutes before work is being on time. You will have time to prepare and go over your lesson before your class starts. Follow procedures and the protocol expected at your school. Professionals embrace the corporate identity and values and model these for the clients in this case, the children they teach. Take charge of your classroom, you have to let the students know from the very first day of school what you want from them and the rules and consequences for their actions. Take pride in the process and product. Professionally presented to your supervisor your notes and handouts. Never miss a dead line, try to be on time with your assignments, and do not way until the very last minute. Treat your colleagues and supervisors with respect. Model respect for authority for your students and gaining their respect will be much easier for you. Be passionate, positive, and enthusiastic about your work. A professional teacher will not create negativity in a staff room or engage in mindless gossip and the spreading of dissent. Take interest in every child. To better you get to know your students, the more influence you have on your students the better their attitude will be toward your subject and on their lives. Consult parents, having them involve  with you for the support of the students and the school the better it will be. Support your colleagues and school management walk the talk. Put the needs of the institution above your own. You are one person in a group of professionals who share a common goal and vision. In dealing with my strengths of my students and parents, we need to be passionate, open – minded, and honest. You have to let parents know in anyway that you are there for them. You get the parents involve with the students education and as what they have questions about. As for co- workers, you just be respectful to one another. Keep the gossip to yourself and stay away from negativity. For administrators you have to be professional at all times, by dressing appropriate, being on time, have and open- mind. The area that I can improve in is being more open- minded, by letting my students be more involved in help planning the lesson and activity in the classroom. Let the parents be more involved by asking questions for example: what would they like to see more from their students in the classroom settings. Set up computer tutorial classes for the parents that do not know how to work the computer. The importance of being professional is a multi-task, because you have to be professional in many different ways, dress appropriate have people person skills, be polite, be a quick thinker and have individuals that are able to demonstrate professional attitude both in the office and in the field.

HEALTH LAW AND ETHICS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

HEALTH LAW AND ETHICS - Essay Example h traditional organization in the system leaves a question mark to many people since a lot has changed as far as labor systems, technology and introduction of new scientific inventions. Most Americans are well alert of the many hardship with the current national health care system compared to a decade ago. Lack of access to inexpensive health insurance and the rising of health care is of prodigious concern to many American citizens (Kronenfeld 70). Unlike before, any working families fear getting sick or injured since they cannot afford basic health care or health insurance (Kronenfeld 59). Many individuals get turned away from insurance firms because of pre - existing medical conditions or illnesses. Others lose their health insurance after they change their jobs or get laid off from work. The cost of health care and health insurance is rising at a rate faster than inflation and wages. According to a study by Kaiser Family Foundation, carried out from 2000 to 2006, wages increased 3.8%, the general inflation rate increased 3.5%, while health care premiums increased 86% (Kronenfeld 46). Most of the uninsured comprise of working Americans who cannot manage to afford the health insurance cost. It is evident that these health hardships faced today did not exist in the earlier

Globalisation and International Relations Essay

Globalisation and International Relations - Essay Example Considering theoretical perspectives, Anievas (2005) discusses theories of IR and goes into the detail pf Habermasian social theory to understand the practical implications of such a theory considering discourse ethics and communicative action. Anievas suggests that the contradictory nature of international relations and its relation to globalisation perspectives could be understood within the Habermasian context and the constructivist approaches to IR also have more socially oriented applications of the Habermasian framework (Anievas, 2005). Habermas emphasized on the importance of the public sphere, and the need for a political community transcending nation state on ethnic and cultural similarities for a community based on equal rights and democracy. Thus the Habermasian framework could be applied within socialisation perspectives to explain globalisation as a phenomenon which transcends cultural or ethnic boundaries for equality at all levels. Discussing on the role of foreign pol icy practised by the global powers, as the United States, Mabee (2004) suggests that the US foreign policy is defined and explained in terms of imperialism and the notion of an empire. Mabee points out that the US as an empire probably conveys deeper meaning to the process of foreign policy and US domination than the concept of US as an imperial republic. According to Mabee, the notion of imperialism would suggest the dynamics of power and coercion that seem to be a part of an anarchic international system. Imperialism and globalisation has a direct relationship with certain interpretations of globalisation being focused on the influence or hegemony of one culture especially western culture on the other more oriental cultures (Mabee, 2004). There are other theoretical alternatives, such as the constructivist approach to globalisation, and Palan (2004) suggests that constructivism in international relations has a string link with

Hershy's Strategic Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hershy's Strategic Planning - Essay Example This promotional strategy was the biggest marketing activity of the company which became one of its strongest core competencies. Other major competencies include its purchase of British candy maker Cadbury Schweppes PLC’s US business in 1988 and many other candy, pasta and ice-cream manufacturers in the United States. Continuous new product developments other than chocolate through acquisition of different confectionery product manufacturers in US have become its major core competency as well as a competitive advantage. Hershey has maintained the leadership position in the global chocolate industry through effective brand presence in sixty countries in the world. It has 43% market share in the chocolate market and 18% market share in the non chocolate candy market. The company is globally recognized by top brands like Hershey itself, Kisses, Kit Kat, Reese’s, Almond Joy, Twizzlers, York and Jolly Rancher. Hershey’s has retained 30% market in the global confection ery market that is near about double of its nearest competitor. Hershey’s has the opportunity to expand its areas of core competencies in other areas of its business which are: strong distribution channel through franchises, efficient management, product quality and many impressive brands. These can become its competitive advantage. The company exports its product to most of its foreign markets. So, it can manufacture in different countries to cut down the cost of distribution mainly to reduce the price which might be one of the competitive advantages to compete with the domestic brands of each foreign market. The Hershey’s brand is well popular for its quality and it needs to concentrate on low fat and calories product and also sugar free candies so as to attract a particular demographic segment of customers who do not enjoy chocolate because of health consciousness (Zhang, 2001, p.26). 2. Internal strategies The company’s internal strategies lie in different a reas of its business, like innovation in the product quality with respect to change in lifestyle and food consumption habits of the worldwide consumers. Also, an important strategy would be environmental free packaging as a way of taking on effective social responsibilities. ‘Hershey’s’ needs to concentrate on the quality differentiation of the existing products with respect to competitors’ product rather than focusing on the product differentiation. The brand has a market presence in more than sixty different markets in the world but they have to consider the similar taste and preference of the consumers. It needs to differentiate taste and preference with respect to consumer’s choice of each different location so that it can compete with the local players in foreign markets. Apart from categorizing product by geographic segmentation it also needs to concentrate on producing low fat and sugar free products to extend its target to a different segmen t of people who do not like chocolate and other confectionary product for health considerations. Most of the Hershey’s products have packaging that is not environmental friendly. The packaging is also one of the major criteria for the food products especially for the confectionary products. Although the brand have attractive packaging which is essential for promotion as well as being a quality indicator but they also need to

Voc wk9 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Voc wk9 - Essay Example The idea of recycling the different steps at different times in a persons life makes sense. The counselor must understand that coming out is an added feature that must be taken into consideration when counseling GLBT individuals. When racial identity is added to the GLBT experience, the counselor must take into consideration to multicultural issues of race that come into play. This would entail the counselor having some multicultural competence. As an example, Arredondo et al (!996, as cited in Capuzzi and Stauffer, 2006) suggest that a counselor must focus on the individuals worldview so they understand the "effects of racism and discrimination" (p. 424) on an individuals decision making. This means that a counselor must understand all of a clients needs when they are GBLT and have a visible racial group. Bowman, S.L. and Evans, G.L. (2006). Career counseling with visibly recognizable racial and ethnic minority groups in Capuzzi, D., and Stauffer, M.D. Career counseling: Foundations, perspectives and applications. 421-444. Whitcomb, D.H., Wettersten, K.B., and Stolz, L.C. (2006). Career counseling with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender clients in Capuzzi, D., and Stauffer, M.D. (2006) Career counseling: Foundations, perspectives and applications. 386-420. The two case studies I chose to compare are Marisol, a 41-year old lesbian and Hallie, a 58 year old transsexual. These two women have other issues that would create challenges in their career choices such as age and gender. In both examples the women are relatively new in defining their sexual identity. Marisol came out three years ago. In her case, her partner is a high profile lawyer who has been out longer. Marisol is wrestling with going public to help her partner versus staying in the closet for her job and her children. Hallie is wrestling with discontinuing her work as a drag queen which does not pay as much

What is strategic human resource management and what is HR's role in Essay

What is strategic human resource management and what is HR's role in strategic management planning process - Essay Example Strategic HRM even includes the process of making strategy related choices and the development of priorities of different strategies. In basic terms, Strategic HRM revolves around the amalgamation of the strategy of both the company and the human resources so that HR strategies result in the attainment and implementation of the company’s strategy. It is more commonly practiced that the human resources department plays a major role in the implementation of the strategic plan. On the other hand some organization do consider HR’s role as an important one in the development of the strategic plan. While devising a strategic plan an organization needs to perform an internal assessment in various areas of the organization including the human resource aspect of the organization. The organization even performs an external assessment in relation to human resource management. While performing an external assessment an organization needs to focus on whether there are opportunities and threats related to human resources (Bernardin 116). For example: an external analysis may reveal that there is a threat to the organization because of shortage of laborers who can work on process of manufacturing denim clothes. The external assessment may even help in identifying opportunities such as an increase in number employees being laid off an d these employees have the ability to handle denim manufacturing processes. After conducting the external assessment, the organization turns to conducting an internal assessment in the context of human resources. For example: a denim manufacturing organization identifies that there is an increase in demand for denim. In relation to that opportunity the organization may conduct an internal assessment regarding whether the organization has the required human resources who are capable of handling denim manufacturing processes such as sewing. If

Research Essay Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Essay - Research Paper Example Opium is a danger that is rottening the economical and social development of the country and also is destroying the future generation of the world. The Afghanistan was once notorious for its opium cultivation .However recently this business has weakened due to the international fight upon them by western power and destabilizing faced by the Taliban regime. It could be accounted that, the illiteracy and poverty in this nation are the main culprits which intimidate people to indulge in drug cultivation and trafficking. In the website Bryskine writes that :â€Å"According to the survey on drug use in Afghanistan by the UNODC, there are nearly 50,000 heroin users in the country as a whole, and an additional 150,000 who use opium†(Bryskine). Another disturbing fact is the wide use of drug prevalent among the people of opium trading communities. The young people as well as middle aged men are not educated, skilled and advanced to take up a normal job and they ignorantly remain engag ed in the ecstasy of the opium consumption Drugs effect on the people and society. It is seen that numerous amount of people including children and women are taking the escort of drugs to forget the pain and poverty they face in their daily life. In a news article writer Nelson states that: â€Å"United Nations survey begun this month is widely expected to show that at least 1 in 12 people in Afghanistan abuses drugs double the number in the last survey four years ago†(Nelson). The women, who are much suppressed in their social interaction, develop the habit of drug abusing inside the secrecy of mud compounded walls. The soaring number of drug use in Afghan region also aggravated violence and domestic atrocities among men and youngsters .They remain in the intoxication of opium, and refrain from attending schools or potential professions opportunities. They smoke opium which is cheap in their region and beg for money which is an easy method to sustain them. According to the w riter Kelly: â€Å"Conditions are ripe for drug use in Afghanistan: the country is swelled by the return of refugees from Pakistan and Iran, where opium use is endemic† (Kelly).The widespread abundance of the opium has alleviated the number of drug abusers all around the opium cultivating regions of Afghanistan. Seemingly, there are millions of drug addicts in Afghanistan and the government instead of taking care of this population is thriving on the business of opium. The number of drug addicts of the country is only increasing with nobody to educate this poor people about the ill effects of opium use. It is even observed that ,women even sell their babies in search of the drug which is a pathetic plight for humanity Force behind drug trafficking in Afghan Currently Afghanistan is the largest drug producing country in the world. In an article the writer Carpenter mentions that:â€Å" The 2010 Afghanistan opium survey, which United Nation have recently released have revealed that the country’s opium production have decline 48% over the past year†(Carpenter) The opium plants are grown in the lands of tribal war land lords and these landlords are the part of Afghan government .This opium cultivation has taken the place of cottage industry in

How would woman be effected if Roe v. Wade was over turned Essay

How would woman be effected if Roe v. Wade was over turned - Essay Example According to the online dictionary, abortion refers to a premature or miscarriage, that does not result into giving birth. Abortion was legal in most states before 1880, when it was banned in most states except when the life of the woman was in danger, due to medical complications. Abortion was illegal up to 1973, during this time, anti-abortion movements were largely influenced by efforts to make sure women remained in their traditional roles and as a backlash on birth control movement. During the 1880s, abortion was legal in thirty states and illegal in some twenty states (Leslie, 2000). Banning of abortion was implemented under the Comstock laws, which prohibited allocation on birth control information. The banning of abortion at this time was influenced by fears that the population of new immigrants could surpass that of Native Americans. The technology available at that time was backward, including the medical industry. â€Å"Back alley† abortions blossomed even when it w as illegal. Access to abortion facilities depended on race, economic status and someone’s place of residence. Women, especially the poor were subjected to shame and fear due to criminalization of the act. Some of the poor methods of abortion which were performed mostly on poor women involved administration of strong chemicals and insertion of needles and other equipment into the vagina. Unsafe abortions led to contraction of infections and led to numerous deaths witnessed during that period. No exact figures are available to know the actual number of victims, however many women were treated of complications resulting from such botched abortions (Leslie, 2000). Even before abortion was legalized, some experienced and well trained physicians began offering abortion services, even with the risk of imprisonment and loss of their medical licenses. Women who wanted to undergo abortion obtained the information through word of mouth. Making abortion a crime did not reduce the number of abortions, it is estimated that the number of abortion in a year shot up to one and a half million every year. Between the year 1967 and 1973, some states began to liberalize the practice. As we can see, it is right to agree with Lesley Reagan that abortion has been a part of us since the eighteenth century, despite the moral and philosophical arguments it brings. The supreme case decision in Roe v. Wade, in 1973, paved way for women to perform safer and legal abortions with experienced medical doctors. Prior to this different states allowed abortions under different circumstances, for example, in 1967, the state of Colorado legalized abortion in the cases of incest , rape or if the pregnancy would put the physical health of the mother in danger. This law made away with all this restrictions. The Supreme Court ruled that the Texas law abolishing abortion except when the life of the mother was in danger, to be criminal. This was ruled on the basis that carrying out an abortion fal ls under the right to privacy. This piece of legislation removed restrictions on the first trimester of pregnancy placed by different states, only allowed restrictions during later stages of the pregnancy. This decision was celebrated, but some especially the Catholic Church and other conservative churches were against the decision. It is at this time that terms such as â€Å"pro-life† and â€Å"pro-choice† emerged. The terms mean basically imposing restrictions to be imposed to criminalize abortion, and removing

Catharine Beecher and Charlotte Perking Gilman Essay Example for Free

Catharine Beecher and Charlotte Perking Gilman Essay In the article â€Å"Catharine Beecher and Charlotte Perking Gilman: Architects of female power† the author attempts to compare and contrast the convictions and beliefs of Charlotte Gilman and, her great-aunt, Catharine Beecher. One of the most important factors that is seen repeatedly in the article, is the concept that the environment encompassing the home is the center of all commerce for a woman. This thought process continues to build and establishes the idea that what begins in the home continues to radiate out into the lives of the woman and her family. Each female author further attempted to define the roles of a woman directly corresponding with the roles beginning in a woman’s private life and extending into the public life. Although Catharine Beecher and Charlotte Gilman had completely different interpretations of this ideology, the fact that the foundation of the argument was the same purports that the concept, regardless of interpretation, could have some basis on reality. The author of this article, Valerie Gill, very thoroughly cites from not only Catharine Beecher’s books â€Å"A Treatise on Domestic Economy† and â€Å"American Woman’s Home,† but also from Charlotte Gilman’s book â€Å"Moving the Mountain† and several of her lectures and articles including an article titled â€Å"Applepieville.† Gill (1998) states, that â€Å"Like Catharine Beecher, Gilman links the role of the women to the general health of the social system; the dependent and isolated situation of women in their homes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 2). Gill (1998) goes on to further state that â€Å"In spite of their different strategies for defining and locating women, however, Beecher and Gilman share an interest in the topography of female experience† and that â€Å"Both writers conceptualize the identity of women in spatial as well as socioeconomic terms, assuming that the fulfillment of their own sex can be quite literally mapped o ut.† (p. 2). The article then moves into much greater detail, analyzing each woman’s many forms of printed material. The extent and degree of information and detail written in this article about each represented author and their contributing works can ultimately be  seen as one of the articles main strengths. However, although this article gives a vast amount of information on the women’s opinions and beliefs the article at times seems disassembled and erratic. The flow of the article is somewhat hard to follow, and without an increased measure of concentration, the ability of the reader to comprehend and decipher whom the author is speaking of can be lost. Also, with the extensive amounts of information and detail that each female author contributes to the argument, readers are bombarded with data to interpret and distinguish upon. With the author of the article not decisively choosing the strongest points of argument from each author, the information becomes overwhelming and possibly confusing at times. The article â€Å"Catharine Beecher and Charlotte Perking Gilman: Architects of female power† attempts to give readers two different perspectives of a woman’s role in her home and how this affects her presence in society. Readers are given a multitude of supporting facts from both women’s interpretations on the topic. This fact, in certain circumstances, proves to be not only a strength of the article but also a weakness. Regardless of how each woman author interpreted these ideals, the simple fact remains clear that each assumed the role and presence of a woman becomes clearly defined as beginning in the home. References Gill, V. (1998). â€Å"Catharine Beecher and Charlotte Perking Gilman: Architects of female power†. Journal of American Culture, 21 (2). Retrieved from http://ctcdns02.ctcd.edu:2122/search/multiSearch.do;jsessionid=F6C4B68D9202464AFE8BAF1AC27987B8

Largest Companies Listed On The Bursa Malaysia Commerce Essay

Largest Companies Listed On The Bursa Malaysia Commerce Essay YTL Corporation Berhad is one of the largest companies listed on the Bursa Malaysia, and together with its six listed entities has a combined Market Capitalization of about RM 34.3 million as at 30 September 2010, the company has a total asset of over RM45 billion. The major business carries out by YTL Corporation included power generation, construction contracting, property development, hotel development and management, cement manufacturing, supply of water, treatment and disposal of waste water, and incubating and advisory services for internet businesses. [ Francis Yeoh, YTL Corporation Berhad ] Products and Services YTL Cement Berhad supplies cement products and concrete products, quarry products and provision of related services to the constructions sector. YTL Cement is Malaysias largest producer of ready-mixed concrete, through its subsidiary Buildcon Concrete Sdn Bhd C.I Readymix Sdn Bhd. The company currently operates more than 50 batching plants throughout Peninsular Malaysia. [ Mr. TG TAN, YTL Cement Berhad ] YTL Cement Berhad is also the 2nd largest cement plant in Malaysia, with cement production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum in Pahang; 3.4 million tonnes per annum in Perak; and a Clinker and Blast Furnace Slag Grinding Plants at Westport, Klang, and Pasir Gudang, Johor, each of 500,000 m/t per annum capacity. [ YTL Cement Berhad ] YTL Corporation also have a lots of luxury hotel in different country. Besides, YTL Corporation also carries out property development activities. YTL has built up excellent and high quality of buildings such as condominiums with attractive and inn ovative designs. Channels of distribution This is defined as an intermediate chain; each chain is passed down to the next organizations product, that we finally reach the consumer or end user. This process is known as the distribution chain or channel. Starting from the beginning, the YTL Company has only supplies the cement manufacturing to the entire buyer. When the YTL Company gets the profit back, they have enough capital, and then the company starts to expand their business structure. They start to supply generation, construction contracting, property development, hotel development and management, cement manufacturing, supply of water, treatment and disposal of waste water, and incubating and advisory services for internet businesses. [ Francis Yeoh, YTL Corporation Berhad ] They sell this product to Tenaga National Berhad(TNB), hotel, building industry, hardware store and customer. This can keep their products on the market flow and visibility. Level of Technology Used YTL Cement is the largest ready-mixed concrete company in Malaysia, with over 500 mixers. YTL Cement owns over 70 batching plants and a fleet of 700 cement trucks, operating throughout Malaysia. [ YTL Corporation Berhad ] YTL Corporation undertakes IT and e-commerce technology in their business. Organization Structure YTL Corporation is managed by an experienced Board with a wide and varied range of expertise. This broad full of skills and experience can ensure that the YTL Corporation is under the guidance of an accountable and competent Board. The Directors recognise the key role they play in charting the strategic direction, development and control of the YTL Corp Group and have adopted the six primary responsibilities as listed in the Code, which facilitate the discharge of the Boards stewardship responsibilities. The Board currently has thirteen Directors comprising nine executive members and four non-executive members. The positions of the Executive Chairman and the Managing Director are held by separate members of the Board. The Executive Chairman is primarily responsible for the orderly conduct and working of the Board, while the Managing Director oversees the running of the business day by day, implementation of Board policies and making of operational decisions. The Managing Director and the Executive Directors are accountable to the Board for the profitable operation and development of the YTL Corporation, consistent with the primary aim of enhancing long-term shareholder value. The presence of Independent Non-Executive Directors brings an additional element of balance to the Board and these Independent Non-Executive Directors have the experience to carry sufficient weight in the Boards decisions. The differing roles of Executive and Non-Executive Directors are delineated, both having fiduciary duties towards the shareholders of the company. Executive Directors have a direct responsibility for business operations whereas Non-Executive Directors have the necessary skill and experience to bring an independent judgement to bear on issues of strategy, performance and resources brought before the Board. The Executive Directors are responsible for the YTL Corporation operations and for ensuring that strategies proposed by management are fully discussed and examined, and take account of the long term interests of shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and the many communities in which the YTL Corporation conducts its business. Mission YTL Company mission is to earn high returns by investing in high growth, knowledge intensive companies that leverage on new technologies and then enhance the value of these investments by using its internal and external resources. It aims to be a provider of smart capital, which includes financial capital as well as real world knowledge capital, to eliminate many of the risks associated with new technology investments, be they technical, financial or operational. [ YTL e-Solutions Berhad ] Strengths The strengths of YTL Company are when at a limited resources period time, YTL Company can supply the amount quantity of products to customer. This is because when that time building start work come together many way and then make the resources lesser, at that time YTL Company got place to store the resources and supply to every customer. Weaknesses The weakness of the YTL Company is divided into many part of enterprise development, so by the controlling maybe have some small mistake. Like when a place for develop, many worker are calling to over time the work and will give extra bonus, but the way is some of the worker want to save more the money send back to their family, so that them eat less of food when the working time, and when got any over time chances them will fight of it. This problem makes them will over stress their body and not enough time for rest and this will cause of any dangerous accident. Innovation The first company to introduce turnkey construction into Malaysia. The first Malaysian company to use non-resource local financing to finance a high-speed rail project. The first Asian company to issue a Zero-Coupon Euro-bond. First Independent Power Producer in Malaysia. The first non-Japanese Asian company to list on the Tokyo Exchange in year 1996. Awards YTL is one of Malaysias best managed companies; YTL Corporation has won numerous awards and come out tops in numerous surveys over the years, including awards form The Far Eastern Economic Review, Asia Week, CIO Asia and many others awards. YTL Corporations most recent accolades came from Finance Asia magazine, when it was highlighted under the categories Most Committed to Corporate Governance. Best Financial Management and Best Managed Company. Planning Planning can best be defined as looking ahead and chalking out future courses of action to be followed. It is a preparatory step. It is a systematic activity which determines when, how and who is going to perform a specific job. Planning is a detailed programme regarding future courses of action. It is rightly said Well plan is half done. Therefore planning takes into consideration available and prospective human and physical resources of the organization so as to get effective coordination, contribution and perfect adjustment. It is the basic management function which includes formulation of one or more detailed plans to achieve optimum balance of needs or demands with the available resources. [ Ads by Google ] Someone has said before, Planning is a mental predisposition to do things in orderly way, to think before acting and to act in the light of facts rather than guesses. Planning is deciding best alternative among others to perform different managerial functions in order to achieve predetermined goals. [ Ads by Google ] Planning is deciding in advance on what to do, how to do and who to do it. Planning bridge covers the gap between where we want to go. It makes possible things occur which would not otherwise occur. In todays highly competitive business environment, budget-oriented planning or forecast-based planning methods are insufficient for a large corporation to survive and prosper. The firm must engage in strategic planning that clearly defines objectives and assesses both the internal and external situation to formulate strategy, implement the strategy, evaluate the progress, and make adjustments where necessary to stay on track. [ Bradford, Robert W., Duncan, Peter J., Tarcy, Brian ] YTL Corporations strategy of offering World Class Products and Services at Competitive Prices extends across the range of its business activities, and is perhaps the single most important factor underpinning its success today in enhancing shareholder value. That is because YTL Corporation using the right way of the strategy planning process. A simplified strategic planning process is shown by the following diagram: This process is most applicable to strategic management at the business unit level of the organization. For large corporations, strategy at the corporate level is most concerned with managing a portfolio of business. For example, corporate level strategy involves decisions about which business units are to grow, resource allocation among the business units, taking advantage of synergies among the business units, and mergers and acquisitions. In the process outlined here, company or firm will be used to denote a single-business firm or a single business unit of a diversified firm. [ NetMBA, Business Knowledge Center ] YTL Corporation follows the step by step then only can reach until now is one of the largest companies listed on the Bursa Malaysia. The company has many assets, for example hotel, resorts, building, and etc. Mission- Companys mission is to reason as a company. The delegation is often manifested in the form of mission statement, convey a sense of mission and project staff clients corporate image. In the strategy formulation process, the mission statement sets the direction of where the company should go. YTLs mission is to earn high returns by investing in high growth, knowledge intensive companies that leverage on new technologies and provide the affordable to become one of the world-class quality products and services. Now our company is following by the mission and almost wants to overstep the mission already. YTL Group Managing Director Tan Sri Dato (Dr) Francis Yeoh Sock Ping said that before. Objectives- Objectives is a specific goal, which the organization seeks to reach, for example, a profit growth target. The goal should be challenging, but achievable. They should also be measurable, so that companies can monitor their progress and make necessary corrections. YTL over the last 15 years already contributed directly to its success in achieving a compounded annual growth rate in Pre-tax profits of 55%. This can shown that the company also done in this part very well and is not every company can done it as well, it because need to put more heart on the company and fight the target only can get it well. Situation Analysis- Once the firm has specified its objectives, it begins with its current situation to devise a strategic plan to reach those objectives. Changes in the external environment often present new opportunities and new ways to reach the objectives. An environmental scan is performed to identify the available opportunities. The firm also must know its own capabilities and limitations in order to select the opportunities that it can pursue with a higher probability of success. The situation analysis therefore involves an analysis of both the external and internal environment. [ NetMBA, Business Knowledge Center ] A situation analysis can generate a large amount of information, much of which is not particularly relevant to strategy formulation. To make the information more manageable, it sometimes is useful to categorize the internal factors of the firm as strengths and weakness, and the external environmental factors as opportunities and threats. [ NetMBA, Business Knowledge Center ] YTL Company aspect the analysis in the industry in which the firm operates or is considering operating. It devised the five forces framework that is use for industry analysis. The five forces include barriers to entry, customers, suppliers, substitute product, and rivalry among competing firm. Strategy Formulation- Once a clear picture of the firm and its environment is in the hand, specific strategic alternatives can be developed. While different firms have different alternatives depending on their situation, there also exist generic strategies that can be applied across a wide range of firm. We identified the cost leadership, differentiation, and focus as the three generic strategies that may be considered when defining strategic alternatives. [ NetMBA, Business Knowledge Center ]We implementing a combination of these strategies for a given product; rather, he argued that only one of the generic strategy alternatives should be pursued. So, the YTL Company got more strong power to build up faster than other company and become a big company. Implementation- The strategy likely will be expressed in high-level conceptual terms and priorities. For effective implementation, it needs to be translated into more detailed policies that can be understood at the functional level of the organization. The expression of the strategy in terms of functional policies also serves to highlight any practical issues that might not have been visible at a higher level. [ NetMBA, Business Knowledge Center ] The strategy of YTL Company is translated into few specific policies for functional areas such as: marketing, research and development, procurement, production, human resources, information systems and etc. Control- Once implemented, the results of the strategy need to be measured an evaluated, with changes made as required to keep the plan on track. Control systems should be developed and implemented to facilitate this monitoring. Standards of performance are set, the actual performance measured, and appropriate action taken to ensure success. [ NetMBA, Business Knowledge Center ] By the way the theory and the YTL Company theory are similar same, step by step from mission until the end of the controlling step. Organizing Organization is one of the management functions, such as planning. It is a function of the synchronization and human, material and financial resources, the combination occurred. All three resources are very important to get results. Therefore, the organization features help to achieve results that are actually important for the operation concerned. According to Chester Barnard, Organizing is a function by which the concern is able to define the role positions, the jobs related and the co- ordination between authority and responsibility. Therefore, managers always want to get organized results. Organizing function has four following steps. First is identification of activities. All activities must be conducted in a question for the first time that. For example, the preparation of the accounts, make sales, record keeping, quality control, inventory control, etc. All these activities are grouped and classified as a unit. Second is departmentally organizing the activities. In this step, managers are trying to bind to the departments and units or similar groups and related activities. This is divided into separate units and department to the entire organization is called departmentation. In the third steps is classifying the authority. Once the departments have made, Managers like the power and scope of the category managers. This gives a kind of management positions in the rank of the level of activity is called. Senior management to policy formulation, the lower the supervision and management of mid-level to the foremans supervision and management. Clarify a problem in the introduction of the power efficiency of the help. This helps in achieving the operating efficiency of a concern. This helps to avoid the time, money, energy waste, to avoid duplication or overlapping of efforts, which helped smooth the introduction of the work concerned. And the last step is co-ordination between authority and responsibility. Relations are based on different groups in order to achieve organizational goals toward smooth interaction. Everyone knows by his authority, he or she know they have to take orders and to whom they must report to them. A clear organizational structure is developed and all staff is made aware of this. When it comes to business leaders, the most important aspect is the management of the organization functions. In fact, the correct implementation of the organizational functions of management can make a business success or failure. Absence of sound system, involving the management of organizational functions, the companies can easily end up belly up and bleeding red. Unfortunately, many business owners do not spend enough time to consider the organizations management functions. In addition, when it comes to business planning and the like, little time is spent on an overview of the organization, taking into account management features. This is crucial, a business management training and well versed in the functions of various organizations. Historically, these types of concepts taught in colleges and universities. However, to a large degree, many universities have abandoned at least to some extent, the training organization like the focus. Management organizations function of the level of many business enterprises. First, the organizations management function addresses the way the person with the organization to interact, who reports to whom, organization charts, lines of authority. All of these are personnel management and organizational functions of management within the organization takes that fall on. Financial planning and budgetary considerations also belong to the organizations general management topics. Managers need the plug and the company employed by them during the budget out familiar. They need to understand the business of spending and budget priorities in order to fully understand how to allocate company resources to ensure the maximum profit at the end. Internet also does provide a number of organizations looking for more management functions, and how it is any enterprises overall business model of an important part of the useful information for anyone interested. Now we talks about the important of organisation. The people who organized organization are much better than the disorganized individuals. The same is true the organized sector or enterprise. Managers who can master this enjoyment of the organization function more smoothly in the management of the term of office location. For example, the construction enterprise organizations must do to ensure the smooth progress of the project a lot. Subcontractors, construction managers and building materials must be received by organizations for each. Scheduling before the arrival of supplies, the development of a carpenter, is counterproductive, and showing a lack of organization. In the current situation, there is a specific order to the project, which is in any other projects the true situation. Manager who has a staff organized to follow it and the organizations and the fight. Managers who take seriously functions of the organization to consistently update their plans will therefore be successful in the workplace. Organizing is always occurs continuously. Organization is most managers daily, weekly, annual task. In todays fast-paced business world, things change rapidly, the change occurred. Managers must remember that it was the composition of the flow, never change. Flexible management the ability to change course and even when necessary to meet customer needs. Change is inevitable. For the frequent changes of business experience, the organization function is essential. Such as adding new jobs or eliminate some of the organizational change process can change the level and structure of the organizations business. By the way, our research of YTL Company has indicates that organization itself consists of three basic building blocks. They are Job Positions, Activities, and Systems. The growth of the organization is how to organize the development and how they relate to people of each of these subunits to form an organic whole understanding. Job Positions The YTL Company divides the job positions into four types, which is Structure, Authority, and Distribution of tasks, Right people and Training. Structure The first thing consider is the structure of jobs in the company is correct for todays business and plans for the tomorrow. Therefore, it is worth doing an analysis of whether the structure and YTL Company contains the right makeup and balance of job positions on it. Authority Second, YTL Company examine whether each job position in the company is matched by a level of authority for the person in that job to carry out the tasks contained within the job. In addition, the person filling the job needs to clearly know whom he or she is to report to. [ Roy Posner, Growth Online ] Distribution of Tasks Third, need to check whether the work tasks are assigned to that position in all right task. Some tasks may not be included in the work, or some tasks may need to be added to the job, or some people may only need to be assigned to another job. Therefore, the contents of each job in the company of the company is also worthy of detailed analysis. Right People, Training Fourth, the job positions in YTL Company are proper allocation, as well as office tasks is to maximize the efficiency of individual positions need filled with the right people, and training to the work of each person. Activities Jobs, activities can be continuously improved throughout the organization as well. Each improvement to an activity releases fresh energy and makes the organization more effective. [ Roy Posner, Growth Online ] YTL this high-tech manufacturing companies are reviewing their product development activities in order to maximize product and service speed to market, and their efficiency and product quality and service. Therefore, thorough analysis activities, while enabling companies to more efficiently and releasing tremendous energy and prosperity. Systems An organization is determined by the degree of productivity and regular physical activity routine systematic, standard operating procedures for the opening. Systemization doesnt just make activities work more efficient; it makes people more relaxed and cheerful at work because the activities almost take care of themselves. In fact, the happiest people are often in companies that have turned most or all activities in the company into corresponding systems. [ Roy Posner, Growth Online ] There are some systems in the YTL Company as computerized bookkeeping, email, sales tracking, sales analysis, manufacturing, credit checking and etc. And then there are the existing systems. YTL Company upgraded the efficiency to the next level. Compare to the theories of YTL, it is almost the same. YTL company manager organize the company organizing structure and the job position of the employees in the company. Besides, the manager also concern about the authority and system in the company. Leading Leading is the topic of motivating employees is extremely important to managers and supervisors. To motivate employees, we must start motivating ourselves first. If you are enthusiastic about your job, it is much easier for others to be too. In addition, if doing to take care of worker and their work well, will have more clearly how other people do is their point of view. You can make their day or break their day. As a manager, you are the most powerful factor in employees motivation and morale. Your impact on employee motivation is immeasurable. By the words, the body language and expression on face, the telegraph opinion of their value of the people employ. You must take the lead first. Use simple powerful motivational words to demonstrate that you value people by saying please and thank you and you are doing a good job you can make their day positive employee motivation and morale. Start the day right. Since, walk tall and confidently. Walk around your workplace and greet people. Share the goods and expectations for the day. Let the employees know that today is going to be a great day. Of start with you, you can make their day. For employee motivation, you must make sure people know what you expect. As a manager, you must have clearly state down the work objectives, members needed, report dear lines and the requirements so that the employees do not received a different manage. Make sure get the feedback from the employees so will know he or she understand what is the need. Share the goals and reasons for doing the task and project. Have a task or project by the middle of change, why change needs to tell people, tell them you know. They want to know when they complete a project, and when you are disappointed in their results. They need as soon as possible after the event this information. They need to work with you to make sure that they produce a positive outcome the next time. Set up a daily or weekly schedule to check and make sure the feedback happens. This is an effective tool in building employee motivation and morale. As a manger you can continue learning and trying out new ideas for employee motivation. Use whatever access you have to education and training. Have an internal trainer or seek classes from an outside consultant, a training company or a university. Most people want to learn and grow their skill at work. No matter what their reasons are: a promotion, different work, a new position or a leadership role employee appreciates your help. Encourage experimentation and taking reasonable risk to develop employee skill. That each persons performance development plan and implementation plan to ensure that you need to help them. Hold regular meeting to share information, gain ideas for improvement and train new policies. Hold focus groups to gather input before implementing policies that affect employees. To effectively lead a work group, department or unit, you must take responsibility for your actions, the actions of the people you lead and the accomplishment of the goals that are yours. [ Sus an M. Heathfield, About.Com ] Show commitment by following through on your promises. To motivate the employees, we start with good people, lay out rules communicate and reward them with good pay and bonuses to those who deserve them. Today, people must understand why they are working hard. Every individual in an organization is motivated by something different from each other. On motivating people, you are got to engage their minds and their hearts. For example, by excitement or by having productive ideas to make others feel involved. Motivation is the art of setting people to do what you want to do because they want to do it. Everybody wants to be somebody. The thing you as a manager have to do is to give them confidence as much as you can. Whether you, you are for personal reasons, but the bottom line is that almost everyone working for the money. Whatever you can it: compensation, salary, houses, benefit or remuneration, money pays by bills. Of provide housing, gives children clothing and food, send them to college and eventually retirement. Therefore, equity interests and pay is the cornerstone of a successful company, the commitment to recruit and retain workers. To attract the best employees, you need to pay more than your average paying counterpart in the market place. Show commitment by following through on your promise. Follow up on mines and review project regularly to make sure you have done all you can keep an eye on projects so that you can head off problems. As a manager, in order for you to motivate your employees you must have positive mental attitude. Condition your mind to reject negative attitude to channel your mental energy. A commitment to positive attitude will bring about that relaxed countenance that many successful leaders exhibit. Show disciplined to your employee by setting a good example. Always arrive early for appointments. This shows that you are disciplined and respect other peoples time. Strength and courage on the face of adversity is a must. Be determined to face it off when facing with any troubles or problems. People will respect you more if you show courage. The leading challenges are to help individuals identify potential area of development and to measure the effectives. It is also ones ability to deal with daily environment demands and pressure and helps predict ones success in life including professional and personal pursuits. It also helps us to understand the connection between emotion and ones abilities to lead. Leaders execute a vision by motivating, umpiring, listening, guiding, and persuading others. The challenges in leading are that we can proactively build up relationship with a wide network of people. To continually articulating our vision and influencing our employees. As a leader, we can umpire ourselves and others and also creating a culture that sustain urgency in making the vision a reality. We can also continually looking for new ideas, developing, motivating, embracing change and welcoming opportunity. Combined with comprehensive pressures and the constant need to adapt and change the demands to strong leadership at every level of an organization one eventual to its strategic alignment, effectives and success. In YTL Corporation, the manager led or motivates their employees in the company to achieve some plan or let their staff perform in certain tasks. Besides, the manager also led to the morale and behavior of the staffs. YTL Corporation aims to make the staffs having a high morale and good efficient while working in the company. So that, the company only can perform well because of the good relationship between subordinates and staff. Other than that, YTL Corporation led the company to achieve their company mission and vision. By facing any challenges and problem, the manager will find a new idea or certain ways to solve the problem or having confidence to fight with the challenges given. Compare to the concepts and theories, YTL company manager concern more about the performance of the employees in the company. Same as the way of leading, the manager led to make the staff be in high morale and good attitude. So, the manager can led their employees to achieve certain objectives in the company. Controlling Finally, we come to the last management process and functions. The final activity manager perform is controlling. Manager should monitor activities to ensure that they are accomplished as planned. After estimating the future conditions and circumstances of his company, making decisions b

Psychosocially Therapeutic Aspects of The Old Man and the Sea by Heming

Psychosocially Therapeutic Aspects of The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway This exceptional story should be used as a therapeutic aid for hopeless and depressed people who needed a powerful force for continuing struggles of life against fate. They should say as the boy Manolin, "I'll bring the luck by myself." In the story the old man tells us "It is silly not to hope...besides I believe it is a sin." Hemingway draws a distinction between two different types of success: outer-material and inner-spiritual. While the old man lacks the former, the importance of this lack is eclipsed by his possession of the later. He teaches all people the triumph of indefatigable spirit over exhaustible resources. Hemingway's hero as a perfectionist man tells us: To be a man is to behave with honor and dignity, not to succumb to suffering, to accept one's duties without complaint, and most importantly to have maximum self-control. At the end of the story he mentions, "A man is not made for defeat...a man can be destroyed but not defeated." The book finishes with this symbolic sentence: "The old man was dreaming about lions." It is a psychological analysis of Hemingway famous story that we have used it as a psychotherapeutic aid for hopeless and depressed people and also psychological victims of war in a more comprehensive therapeutic plan. The first sentence of the book announces itself as Hemingway's: "He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish" . The words are plain, and the structure, two tightly-worded independent clauses conjoined by a simple conjunction, is ordinary, traits which characterize Hemingway's literary style. Santiago is the protagonist of the novella. He is an old fisherman in Cuba who, when we meet him at the beginning of the book, has not caught anything for eighty-four days. The novella follows Santiago's quest for the great catch that will save his career. Santiago endures a great struggle with a uncommonly large and noble marlin only to lose the fish to rapacious sharks on his way back to land. Despite this loss, Santiago ends the novel with his spirit undefeated. Some have said that Santiago represents Hemingway himself, searching for his next great book, an Everyman, heroic in the face of human tragedy, or the Oedipal male unconscious trying to slay his fat... ...session of the later. One way to describe Santiago's story is as a triumph of indefatigable spirit over exhaustible material resources. As noted above, the characteristics of such a spirit are those of heroism and manhood. That Santiago can end the novella undefeated after steadily losing his hard-earned, most valuable possession is a testament to the privileging of inner success over outer success. Triumph over crushing adversity is the heart of heroism, and in order for Santiago the fisherman to be a heroic emblem for humankind, his tribulations must be monumental. Triumph, though, is never final. Hemingway vision of heroism is Sisyphean, requiring continuous labor for quintessentially ephemeral ends. What the hero does is to face adversity with dignity and grace, hence Hemingway's Neo-Stoic emphasis on self-control and the other facets of his idea of manhood. What we achieve or fail at externally is not as significant to heroism as the comporting ourselves with inner nobility. As Santiago says, "Man is not made for defeat....A man can be destroyed but not defeated" . Works Cited: Hemingway, Ernest (1952). The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.

Genetic Engineering is Unethical Essay -- Genetic Engineering is Immora

â€Å"Just as the success of a corporate body in making money need not set the human condition ahead, neither does every scientific advance automatically make our lives more meaningful'; (Wald 45). These words were spoken by a Nobel Prize winning biologist and Harvard professor, George Wald, in a lecture given in 1976 on the Dangers of Genetic Engineering. This quotation states that incredible inventions, such as genetic engineering, are not always beneficial to society. Genetic engineering is â€Å"altering the genetic material of cells and/or organisms in order to make them capable of making new substances or performing new functions'; (Wald 45). It is also one of the top controversial issues of the 20th century (Epstein 1). Many believe that continuing to provide genetically constructed inventions in this world is ethical, which means that these inventions conform to one’s moral standards (Epstein 5). Others argue that such inventions as human clones, which are geneticall y constructed humans, and other genetically created figures, are wrong and should be stopped (Epstein 5). Overwhelming textual evidence proves that genetic engineering is not beneficial to society. Accordingly, genetic engineering is unethical and therefore should be stopped. One reason why genetic engineering should cease is because genetic engineering disrupts society’s moral values and causes society to act out in destructive ways. An online survey done by Time Magazine in 1997, found that 11% of those who were interviewed believe that if clones are created in the future, the genetically created humans will only be good for â€Å"target practice'; (Epstein 2). Another survey by the same magazine was conducted and found that 50% of those who were questioned believe that clones should be treated as lower beings and should not be given the same rights as unaltered humans (Epstein 2). Furthermore, a similar survey, completed by MacLeans Magazine in 1993, reported that 11% of those interviewed confirmed that if technology was able to change defects within their unborn child, they would not hesitate in changing the child’s genes in order for the child to be born â€Å"normal'; (Epstein 3). The choice to create one’s own child will have many believe that the better the genes, the better the child. These statistics, without a doubt, reveal that genetic engineering will be harmful to society if certain means... ...g'; (Bereano 18). One would think that people would have control over their own genes; however, that does not seem to be the case. Therefore, the rights to one’s own identity will be abolished if human genes can be selected; thus, genetic engineering should be stopped, for it is unethical. Genetic engineering should be eradicated due to the fact that it is immoral. It is proven that such inventions as genetic engineering can negatively affect society and cause rash and inappropriate behavior. Also, genetic engineering involves altering nature’s balance, which is not the job of scientists, or society. Finally, genetic engineering can destroy one’s sense of individuality and spoil God’s plan of making all people unique. Because of these reasons, genetic engineering should be stopped. It is a bad science making a dangerous alliance with a bad business. Works Cited Bereano, Phillip L. â€Å"Body and Soul: the Price of Biotech.'; Seattle Times. 20 Aug. 2005: 18-20. Epstein, Ron. Ethical Dangers of Genetic Engineering.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (http://online.sfsu.edu/~ron/gedanger.htm) (February 26, 2000). Wald, George. The Case Against Genetic Engineering. New Jersey: Englewood  Cliffs, 2006.

Porcupines :: essays research papers

Porcupines African Crested Porcupines Order: rodent. A porcupine's habitat and range: forests, deserts, and grasslands of North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Porcupines can weigh from 2 to 60 pounds depending on the species. A prickly coat of needle-sharp quills is the porcupine's best defense. Ordinarily the quills lay flat. But if an enemy approaches the porcupine will raise the quills and spread them, usually deterring the enemy. If the animal is not deterred the quills may lodge in the enemy's flesh when the porcupine brushes against the animal. New quills grow in to relace the lost ones. The porcupine cannot throw its quills. There are two groups of porcupines. They differ in habits and appearance. The porcupines of the Americas also climb trees. Some have been seen using their tails to hold on to branches. In the winter the North American porcupine eats evergreen needles and bark. When spring arrives they feed on leaves, buds, stems, and fruit. Depending on the species, the gestation period is from 2 to 7 months, bearing 1 to 4 young. The life span of captive porcupines can be as much as 20 years. The Future of the Porcupine They are nearsighted, have a deep red shine to their eyes, and four toes on each front foot and five toes on each hind foot. Porkies are the second-largest rodent in Wisconsin after the North American beaver. They can weigh 30 pounds or more in summer but their weight drops dramatically during the lean months of winter. Porcupines live in the northern two-thirds of the state in a territory that extends in a V-shape from about the Ellsworth area in Pierce County down to Wisconsin Dells and back up toward Green Bay. Porcupines, like most rodents, are vegetarians. Their winter diet consists of conifer needles, buds and the bark of pines, hemlock, maples and birch. How these critters survive on foods with a protein content of only two to three percent is truly amazing. Porcupines are sloppy eaters who drop a lot of greener y that provides a welcome snack for white-tailed deer during deep snows. If you spot a small pile of freshly-snipped branches on a winter walk, it's likely porcupines are nearby. Their winter dens are easy to find -- just follow your eyes and nose. Porcupines winter in caves and hollow logs. They travel the same paths every day.

Blood Promise Chapter Eighteen

Unsurprisingly, I woke up with a headache. For a few addled seconds, I had no idea what had happened or where I was. As drowsiness wore off, the events on the street came slamming back to me. I sat upright, all of my defenses kicking into action, despite the slight wooziness in my head. Time to figure out where I was now. I sat up on an enormous bed in a darkened room. No-not just a room. More like a suite or a studio. I'd thought the hotel in Saint Petersburg was opulent, but this blew it away. The half of the studio I sat in contained the bed and usual bedroom accessories: a dresser, nightstands, etc. The other half looked like a living room area, with a couch and a television. Shelves were built into the walls, all of them filled with books. Off to my right was a short hall with a door at the end. Probably a bathroom. On my other side was a large picture window, tinted, as Moroi windows often were. This one had more tint than any I'd ever seen. It was almost solid black, nearly impossible to see through. Only the fact that I could differentiate the sky from the horizon-after a fair amount of squinting-let me know it was daytime out there. I slid off the bed, my senses on high alert as I tried to assess my danger. My stomach felt fine; there were no Strigoi in the area. That didn't necessarily rule out some other person, however. I couldn't take anything for granted-doing so was what had gotten me in trouble on the street. There was no time to ponder that, though. Not quite yet. If I did, my resolve here was going to falter. Sliding off the bed, I reached into my coat pocket for the stake. Gone, of course. I saw nothing else nearby that would pass as a weapon, meaning I'd have to rely on my own body to do my fighting. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a light switch on the wall. I flipped it on and froze, waiting to see what-or who-the overhead lights would unveil. Nothing unusual. No one else. Immediately, I did the first obvious thing and checked the door. It was locked, as I'd expected, and the only way of opening it was a numeric keypad. Plus, it was heavy and made of what looked like steel. It reminded me of a fire door. There was no getting past it, so I turned back around to continue my exploration. It was actually kind of ironic. A lot of my classes had gone over detailed ways of checking out a place. I'd always hated those; I'd wanted to learn about fighting. Now it appeared those lessons that had seemed useless at the time had real purpose. The light had brought the suite's objects into sharper relief. The bed was covered in an ivory satin duvet, filled to maximum fluffiness with down. Creeping over to the living room, I saw that the TV was nice-really nice. Large-screen plasma. It looked brand-new. The couches were nice too, covered in matte green leather. It was an unusual color choice for leather, but it worked. All of the furniture in the place-tables, desk, dresser was made of a smooth, polished black wood. In a corner of the living room, I saw a small refrigerator. Kneeling down, I opened it up to find bottled water and juice, assorted fruits, and bags of perfectly cut cheeses. On top of the refrigerator was more snack-type food: nuts, crackers, and some type of glazed pastry. My stomach growled at the sight of it, but no way was I going to eat anything in this place. The bathroom was done in the same style as the rest of the studio. The shower and large Jacuzzi tub were made of black polished marble, and little soaps and shampoos lined the counter. A larger mirror hung over the sink, except†¦ it wasn't actually hanging. It was embedded so tightly into the wall that there was absolutely no way it could be removed. The material was strange too. It looked more like reflective metal than glass. At first I thought that was strange, until I raced back out to the main room and looked around. There was absolutely nothing here that could be turned into a weapon. The TV was too big to move or break, short of cracking the screen, which looked like it was made of some high-tech plastic. There was no glass in any of the tables. The shelves were embedded. The bottles in the refrigerator were all plastic. And the window†¦ I ran over to it, feeling along its edges. Like the mirror, it was fitted perfectly into the wall. There were no panes. It was one smooth piece. Squinting again, I finally got a detailed view of my outer surroundings and saw†¦ nothing. The land appeared to be rolling plains, with only a few scattered trees. It reminded me of the wilderness I'd traveled while going to Baia. I was no longer in Novosibirsk, apparently. And peering down, I saw that I was fairly high up. Fourth floor, maybe. Whatever it was, it was too high to jump without breaking a limb. Still, I had to take some sort of action. I couldn't just sit here. I picked up the desk's chair and slammed it into the window-and achieved little effect on either the chair or the glass. â€Å"Jesus Christ,† I muttered. I tried three more times and still had no luck. It was like they were both made of steel. Maybe the glass was some kind of bulletproof industrial strength stuff. And the chair†¦ well, hell if I knew. It was all one piece of wood and showed no signs of splintering, even after what I'd just put it through. But since I'd spent my whole life doing things that weren't that reasonable, I kept trying to break the glass. I was on my fifth try when my stomach warned me of a Strigoi's approach. Spinning around, I kept a hold of the chair and charged the door. It opened, and I slammed into the intruder, with the chair's legs pointing out. It was Dimitri. Those same conflicted feelings I'd felt on the street returned to me, love mingled with terror. This time, I pushed through the love, not flinching in my attack. Not that it did much good. Hitting him was like hitting the window. He shoved me back, and I staggered, still holding onto the chair. I kept my balance and charged once more. This time, when we collided, he grabbed a hold of the chair and ripped it from my hands. He then tossed it into the wall, like it weighed nothing. Without that meager weapon, it was back to relying on my own body's strength. I'd been doing it for the last couple of weeks with our Strigoi questioning; this should have been the same. Of course, I'd had four other people then as backup. And none of those Strigoi had been Dimitri. Even as a dhampir, he'd been hard to beat. Now he was just as skilled-only faster and stronger. He also knew all my moves, seeing as he'd taught them to me. It was almost impossible to surprise him. But just like with the window, I couldn't stay inactive. I was trapped in a room-the fact that it was a big, luxurious room didn't matter-with a Strigoi. A Strigoi. That's what I had to keep telling myself. There was a Strigoi in here. Not Dimitri. Everything I'd told Denis and the others applied here. Be smart. Be vigilant. Defend yourself. â€Å"Rose,† he said, deflecting one of my kicks effortlessly. â€Å"You're wasting time. Stop.† Oh, that voice. Dimitri's voice. The voice I heard when I fell asleep at night, the voice that had once told me he loved me†¦ No! It's not him. Dimitri is gone. This is a monster. Desperately, I tried to think of how I could win here. I even thought of the ghosts I'd summoned on the road. Mark had said I could do that in moments of wild emotion and that they'd fight for me. This was as wild as emotion could get, yet I couldn't seem to call them. I honestly had no clue how I'd done it before, and all the wishing in the world couldn't make it happen now. Damn. What good were terrifying powers if I couldn't use them to my advantage? Instead, I pulled the DVD player off its shelf, cords ripping from the wall. It wasn't much of a weapon, but I was desperate now. I heard a strange, primal battle scream, and some distant part of me realized I was making it. Again, I ran at Dimitri, swinging the DVD player as hard as I could. It probably would have hurt a little-if it had hit him. It didn't. He intercepted it again, taking it from me, and throwing it down. It smashed to pieces on the floor. In the same motion, he grabbed a hold of my arms to stop me from hitting or reaching for something else. His grip was hard, like it could break my bones, but I kept struggling. He tried reason again. â€Å"I'm not going to hurt you. Roza, please stop.† Roza. The old nickname. The name he'd first called me when we'd fallen prey to Victor's lust charm, both of us wrapped naked in each other's arms †¦ This isn't the Dimitri you knew. My hands were incapacitated, so I struck out with my legs and feet as best I could. It didn't do much. Without full use of the rest of my body for balance, I had no force to throw into my kicks. For his part, he looked more annoyed than truly concerned or angry. With a loud sigh, he grabbed me by the shoulders and flipped me around, pressing me against the wall and immobilizing me with the full force of his body. I struggled a little but was as pinned as the Strigoi had been when the others and I had gone hunting. The universe had a sick sense of humor. â€Å"Stop fighting me.† His breath was warm against my neck, his body right up against mine. I knew his mouth was only a couple inches away. â€Å"I'm not going to hurt you.† I gave another fruitless shove. My breath was coming in ragged gasps, and my head injury throbbed. â€Å"You'll have to understand if I have a hard time believing that.† â€Å"If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead. Now, if you're going to keep fighting, I'll have to tie you up. If you stop, I'll let you stay unrestrained.† â€Å"Aren't you afraid I'll escape?† â€Å"No.† His voice was perfectly calm, and chills ran down my spine. â€Å"I am not.† We stood like that for almost a minute, deadlocked. My mind raced. It was true that he probably would have killed me already if that were his intent, yet that gave me no reason to believe I was even remotely safe. Nonetheless, we were at a draw in this fight. Okay, draw wasn't entirely accurate. I was at a draw. He was toying with me. My head was throbbing where his blow had landed, and this pointless fighting would only take a further toll. I had to regain my strength in order to find a way to escape-if I lived that long. I also needed to stop thinking about how close our bodies were. After our months of being so careful not to touch, this much contact was heady. I relaxed in his hold. â€Å"Okay.† He hesitated before letting me go, probably wondering if he could trust me. The whole moment reminded me of when we'd been together in the little cabin on the periphery of the Academy's grounds. I'd been raging and upset, brimming with spirit's darkness. Dimitri had held me down then, too, and talked me out of that horrible state. We had kissed, then his hands had lifted my shirt, and-no, no. Not here. I couldn't think about that here. Dimitri finally eased up, releasing me from the wall. I turned around, and all my instincts wanted to lash out and attack him again. Sternly, I reminded myself to bide my time so that I could gain more strength and information. Even though he'd let me go, he hadn't moved away. We were only a foot apart. Against my better judgment, I found myself taking him in again, like I had on the street. How could he be the same and yet so different? I tried my best not to focus on the similarities-his hair, the difference in our heights, the shape of his face. Instead, I concentrated on the Strigoi features, the red in his eyes and pallor of his skin. I was so fixated on my task that it took me a moment to realize he wasn't saying anything either. He was studying me intently, like his eyes could look right through me. I shivered. It almost-almost!-seemed as though I captivated him the same way he captivated me. That was impossible, though. Strigoi didn't possess those kinds of emotions, and besides, the thought of him still having any affection for me was probably just wishful thinking on my part. His face had always been hard to read, and now it was overlaid with a mask of cunning and coldness that made it truly impossible to know what was on his mind. â€Å"Why did you come here?† he asked at last. â€Å"Because you hit me on the head and dragged me here.† If I was going to die, I was going to go in true Rose style. The old Dimitri would have cracked a smile or given an exasperated sigh. This one remained impassive. â€Å"That's not what I meant, and you know it. Why are you here?† His voice was low and dangerous. I'd thought Abe was scary, but there was no competition at all. Even Zmey would have backed off. â€Å"In Siberia? I came to find you.† â€Å"I came here to get away from you.† I was so shocked that I said something utterly ridiculous. â€Å"Why? Because I might kill you?† The look he gave me showed that he thought that was indeed a ridiculous thing to say. â€Å"No. So we wouldn't be in this situation. Now we are, and the choice is inevitable.† I wasn't entirely sure what this situation was. â€Å"Well, you can let me go if you want to avoid it.† He stepped away and walked toward the living room without looking back at me. I was tempted to try to do a sneak attack on him, but something told me I'd probably only make it about four feet before getting backhanded. He sat down in one of the luxurious leather armchairs, folding his six-foot-seven frame up as gracefully as he'd always done. God, why did he have to be so contradictory? He had the old Dimitri's habits mixed with those of a monster. I stayed where I was, huddled against the wall. â€Å"Not possible anymore. Not after seeing you now†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Again, he studied me. It felt strange. Part of me responded with excitement to the intensity of his gaze, loving the way he surveyed my body from head to toe. The other part of me felt dirty, like slime or muck was oozing over my skin as he studied me. â€Å"You're still as beautiful as I remember, Roza. Not that I should have expected anything different.† I didn't know what to say to that. I'd never really had a conversation with a Strigoi, short of trading a few insults and threats in the midst of a fight. The nearest I'd come was when I'd been held captive by Isaiah. I actually had been tied up then, and most of the talking had been about him killing me. This†¦ well, it wasn't like that, but it was still definitely creepy. I crossed my arms over my chest and backed up against the wall. It was the closest I could come to some semblance of a defense. He tilted his head, watching me carefully. A shadow fell across his face in such a way that it made the red in his eyes hard to see. Instead, they looked dark. Just like they used to, endless and wonderful, filled with love and bravery†¦ â€Å"You can sit down,† he said. â€Å"I'm fine over here.† â€Å"Is there anything else you want?† â€Å"For you to let me go?† For a moment, I thought I saw a bit of that old wryness in his face, the kind he'd get when I made jokes. Studying him, I decided I'd imagined it. â€Å"No, Roza. I meant, do you need anything here? Different food? Books? Entertainment?† I stared incredulously. â€Å"You make it sound like some sort of luxury hotel!† â€Å"It is, to a certain extent. I can speak to Galina, and she'll get you anything you wish.† â€Å"Galina?† Dimitri's lips turned up in a smile. Well, kind of. I think his thoughts were fond, but the smile conveyed none of that. It was chilling, dark, and full of secrets. Only my refusal to show weakness before him stopped me from cringing. â€Å"Galina is my old instructor, back from when I was in school.† â€Å"She's Strigoi?† â€Å"Yes. She was awakened several years ago, in a fight in Prague. She's relatively young for a Strigoi, but she's risen in power. All of this is hers.† Dimitri gestured around us. â€Å"And you live with her?† I asked, curious in spite of myself. I wondered exactly what kind of relationship they had, and to my surprise, I felt†¦ jealous. Not that I had reason to. He was a Strigoi, beyond me now. And it wouldn't be the first time a teacher and student had gotten together†¦ â€Å"I work for her. She was another reason I returned here when I was awakened. I knew she was Strigoi, and I wanted her guidance.† â€Å"And you wanted to get away from me. That was the other reason, right?† His only answer was a nod of his head. No elaboration. â€Å"Where are we? We're far from Novosibirsk, right?† â€Å"Yes. Galina's estate is outside the city.† â€Å"How far?† That smile twisted a little. â€Å"I know what you're doing, and I'm not going to give you that sort of information.† â€Å"Then what are you doing?† I demanded, all of my pent-up fear bursting out as anger. â€Å"Why are you holding me here? Kill me or let me go. And if you're going to just lock me up and torture me with mind games or whatever, then I really would rather you kill me.† â€Å"Brave words.† He stood up and began pacing once more. â€Å"I almost believe you.† â€Å"They're true,† I replied defiantly. â€Å"I came here to kill you. And if I can't do that, then I'd rather die.† â€Å"You failed, you know. On the street.† â€Å"Yeah. I kind of figured that out when I woke up here.† Dimitri made an abrupt turn and was suddenly standing in front of me, moving with that lightning-fast Strigoi speed. My Strigoi-nausea had never gone away, but the more time I spent with him, the more it faded to a low-level sort of background noise that I could more or less ignore. â€Å"I'm a little disappointed. You're so good, Rose. So very, very good. You and your friends going around and taking down Strigoi caused quite a stir, you know. Some Strigoi were even afraid.† â€Å"But not you?† â€Å"When I heard it was you†¦ hmm.† He turned thoughtful, eyes narrowing. â€Å"No. I was curious. Wary. If anyone could have killed me, it would have been you. But like I said, you hesitated. It was your ultimate test of my lessons, and you failed.† I kept my face blank. Inside, I was still beating myself up over that moment of weakness on the street. â€Å"I won't hesitate next time.† â€Å"There won't be a next time. And anyway, as disappointed as I am in you, I'm still glad to be alive, of course.† â€Å"You aren't alive,† I said through gritted teeth. God, he was so, so close to me again. Even with the changes to his face, the lean and muscled body was the same. â€Å"You're dead. Unnatural. You told me a long time ago you'd rather die than be like this. That's why I'm going to kill you.† â€Å"You're only saying that because you don't know any better. I didn't either back then.† â€Å"Look, I meant what I said. I'm not playing your game. If I can't get out of here, then just kill me, okay?† Without warning, he reached out and ran his fingers along the side of my face. I gasped. His hand was ice cold, but the way he touched me†¦ again, it was the same. Exactly the same as I remembered. How was this possible? So similar†¦ yet so different. All of a sudden, another of his lessons came to mind, about how Strigoi could seem so, so like those you'd once known. It was why it was so easy to hesitate. â€Å"Killing you†¦ well, it's not that simple,† he said. His voice dropped to a low whisper again, like a snake slithering against my skin. â€Å"There's a third option. I could awaken you.† I froze and stopped breathing altogether. â€Å"No.† It was the only thing I could say. My brain couldn't come up with anything more complex, nothing witty or clever. His words were too terrifying to even begin to ponder. â€Å"No.† â€Å"You don't know what it's like. It's†¦ amazing. Transcendent. All your senses are alive; the world is more alive-â€Å" â€Å"Yeah, but you're dead.† â€Å"Am I?† He caught hold of my hand and placed it over his chest. In it, I could feel a steady beating. My eyes widened. â€Å"My heart beats. I'm breathing.† â€Å"Yeah, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I tried desperately to think of everything I'd ever been taught about Strigoi. â€Å"It's not really being alive. It's†¦ it's dark magic reanimating you. It's an illusion of life.† â€Å"It's better than life.† Both of his hands moved up and cupped my face. His heartbeat might have been steady, but mine was racing. â€Å"It's like being a god, Rose. Strength. Speed. Able to perceive the world in ways you could never imagine. And†¦ immortality. We could be together forever.† Once, that was all I'd ever wanted. And deep inside of me, some part still wished for that, wished desperately to be with him for all time. Yet†¦ it wouldn't be the way I wanted it. It wouldn't be like it used to be. This would be something different. Something wrong. I swallowed. â€Å"No†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I could barely hear my own voice, barely even form the words with him touching me like that. His fingertips were so light and gentle. â€Å"We can't be.† â€Å"We could.† One of his fingers trailed down the side of my chin and came to rest on the artery in my neck. â€Å"I could do it quickly. There'd be no pain. It'd be done before you even knew it.† He was probably right. If you were forced to become Strigoi, you had the blood drained from you. Then a Strigoi would usually cut himself and bring that blood to your lips. Somehow, I imagined I'd pass out before I was even half-drained. Together forever. The world blurred a little. I don't know if it was because of my head trauma or the terror coursing through my body. I had envisioned a hundred scenarios when I set out after Dimitri. Becoming a Strigoi hadn't been one of them. Death-his or mine-had been the only thought consuming me, which had been stupid on my part. My sluggish thoughts were interrupted when the door suddenly opened. Dimitri turned, shoving me away hard so that he stood protectively in front of me. Two people entered, shutting the door before I could even consider running for it. One of the newcomers was a Strigoi, a guy. The other was a human woman carrying a tray, her head bowed down. I recognized the Strigoi immediately. It was hard not to; his face haunted my dreams. Blond hair, about the length of Dimitri's, hung over the side of a face that looked like he'd been in his early twenties when he turned. He had apparently seen Lissa and me when we were younger, but I had only seen him twice before. Once had been when I fought him on the Academy's grounds. The other time was when I'd encountered him in the cave that other Strigoi were using as a hangout. He was the one who had bitten and turned Dimitri. The guy barely spared me a glance and instead turned the full force of his anger on Dimitri. â€Å"What the hell is going on?† I had no trouble understanding him. He was American. â€Å"You're keeping some pet up here?† â€Å"It's none of your concern, Nathan.† Dimitri's voice was ice. Earlier, I'd thought he conveyed no emotion in his words. Now I realized it was just more difficult to detect. There was a clear challenge in his voice now, a warning for this other guy to back off. â€Å"Galina gave me permission.† Nathan's eyes drifted from Dimitri to me. His anger turned to shock. â€Å"Her?† Dimitri shifted slightly, putting himself directly in front of me now. Some rebellious part wanted to snap that I didn't need a Strigoi's protection, except†¦ well, I kind of did. â€Å"She was at the school in Montana†¦ We fought†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His lips curled back, showing his fangs. â€Å"I would have tasted her blood if that fire-using Moroi brat hadn't been around.† â€Å"This doesn't have anything to do with you,† replied Dimitri. Nathan's red eyes were wide and eager. â€Å"Are you kidding? She can lead us to the Dragomir girl! If we finish that line off, our names will be legendary. How long are you going to keep her?† â€Å"Get out,† growled Dimitri. â€Å"That's not a request.† Nathan pointed at me. â€Å"She's valuable. If you're going to keep her around as some blood whore plaything, at least share. Then, we'll get the information and finish her.† Dimitri took a step forward. â€Å"Get out of here. If you lay a hand on her, I will destroy you. I will rip your head off with my bare hands and watch it burn in the sun.† Nathan's fury grew. â€Å"Galina won't allow you to play house with this girl. Even you don't have that much favor.† â€Å"Don't make me tell you to leave again. I'm not in a patient mood today.† Nathan said nothing, and the two Strigoi stood there in a staring match. I knew Strigoi strength and power were partially related to age. Nathan had obviously been turned first. I didn't know by how much, but watching them, I got the feeling that Dimitri might be stronger or that it was at least a very, very even match. I could have sworn I saw a glimpse of fear in Nathan's red eyes, but he turned away before I could get a good look. â€Å"This isn't over,† he snapped, moving toward the door. â€Å"I'm talking to Galina.† He left, and for a moment, nobody moved or spoke. Then Dimitri looked at the human woman and said something in Russian. She'd been standing there, frozen. Leaning over, she carefully placed her tray on the coffee table by the couch. She lifted a silver lid up, revealing a plate of pepperoni pizza loaded with cheese. Under any other circumstances, someone bringing me pizza in a Strigoi home would have been ludicrous and funny. Now, in the wake of Dimitri's threat to turn me Strigoi and Nathan's desire to use me to get to Lissa, nothing was funny. Even Rose Hathaway had limits when it came to making jokes. Next to the pizza was a huge brownie, thick with frosting. Food I loved, as Dimitri well knew. â€Å"Lunch,† he said. â€Å"Not poisoned.† Everything on the tray looked amazing, but I shook my head. â€Å"I'm not going to eat.† He arched an eyebrow. â€Å"Do you want something else?† â€Å"I don't want anything else because I'm not going to eat anything at all. If you aren't going to kill me, then I'll do it myself.† It was occurring to me that the suite's lack of weapons was probably for my own protection as much as theirs. â€Å"By starving to death?† There was dark amusement in his eyes. â€Å"I'll awaken you long before then.† â€Å"Why aren't you just doing it now?† â€Å"Because I'd rather wait for you to be willing.† Man, he really did sound like Abe, except that breaking one's kneecaps seemed kind of soft-core in comparison. â€Å"You're going to be waiting a long time,† I said. Dimitri laughed out loud then. His laughter had been rare as a dhampir, and hearing it had always thrilled me. Now it no longer had that rich warmth that had wrapped all around me. It was cold and menacing. â€Å"We'll see.† And before I could form a reply, he moved in front of me again. His hand snaked behind my neck, shoving me against him, and he tilted my face up, pressing his lips against mine. They were as cold as the rest of his skin†¦ and yet there was something warm in there, too. Some voice in me screamed that this was sick and horrible†¦ but at the same time, I lost track of the world around me as we kissed and could almost pretend we were back together in the cabin. He pulled away as quickly as he'd moved in, leaving me gasping and wide-eyed. Casually, like nothing had happened, he gestured to the woman. â€Å"This is Inna.† She looked up at the sound of her name, and I saw she was no older than me. â€Å"She works for Galina too and will check in on you. If you need anything, let her know. She doesn't speak much English, but she'll figure it out.† He said something else to her, and she meekly followed him to the door. â€Å"Where are you going?† I asked. â€Å"I have things to do. Besides, you need time to think.† â€Å"There's nothing to think about.† I forced as much defiance into my words as I could. It must not have sounded very fierce, though, because all my speech earned me was one mocking smile before he left with Inna, leaving me alone in my luxurious prison.