Critique Of Marquis s Argument Against Abortion - 1438 Words

A Critique of Marquis’s Argument Against Abortion Alice Lee Word Count: 1392 In Marquis’s Why Abortion is Immoral, Marquis presents his argument against abortion. The basic idea behind the argument is that, abortion is seriously morally wrong because it is the act of killing a human being with the right to live life. Additionally, abortion is seriously morally wrong in Marquis’s claim because it deprives a being of its future – a future that has the potential to be as worthy and as great as that of an human being – while he explains that the wrongfulness of murdering a fetus is superior to any excuse with a few exceptions. My aim in this paper is to show that the argument fails. In section I, I present the argument and explain the motive, reasoning, and purpose behind the various premises of Marquis. In section II, I present my further evaluation and critique of Marquis’s argument. Lastly, in section III, I will address the several objections that may be brought upon against my thoughts and criticisms. I. Marquis’s Argument In presentation of Marquis’s Argument: â€Å"Abortion, except perhaps in rare instances, is seriously wrong [and] all humans, whatever their race, gender, religion or age, have the right to life.† (Marquis, 754-756). A more detailed version can be outlined as follows: (B1) The unborn are beings with â€Å"futures like ours.† (FLOs) (B2) It is morally impermissible to end the life of something with a future like ours. (B3) So, having an abortion isShow MoreRelatedThe Is An Immoral Act1640 Words   |  7 PagesThomson and Don Marquis wrote two of the most influential articles about it. Thomson wote† A defense of abortiona† and Marquis wrote:†Why Abortion Is Immoral†..an importante issue is ‘Unwanted Pragnency† . In a family where everyone is working full time, another baby is not an option so the mother decides to terminate the pregnancy.. Is this choice morall or immoral.? Marquis argues that a fetus is considered a human from the moment of conservation. If the mother performs the abortion, then she isRead MoreSummary and Critique of Don Maquis- Anti-Abortion Argument2015 Words   |  9 PagesSummary and Critique of Don Maquis- Anti-Abortion Argument The key element of Don Marquis argument is in the effort to distinguish the difference between abortion and contraception in order to provide a clear argument against abortion, aside from extreme cases. Without conflicting with the interest of the general public by being forced to suggest contraception is ethically wrong as well. When he compiles his argument he begins by providing the argument for a ‘pro-choice’ approach which makes theRead MoreA Philosophical Analysis Of Assisted Suicide Essay1518 Words   |  7 Pagesvoluntarily ending one s life has always been a topic of much debate. This essay will be split into two joint parts. Firstly, I will identify and analyze two major ethical issues of the death with dignity debate, while looking at the contrasting viewpoints of Aristotle and Immanuel Kant. Secondly, I will reflect and critique on the issue of assisted suicide from a fairly personal standpoint. I. Analyzing the Death with Dignity Debate There are many different major ethical arguments that might be intertwinedRead MoreA Modern Controversy: the Case of George Tiller Essay8892 Words   |  36 Pageswomen in need of help. For two decades, Dr Tiller spent his life looking over his shoulder. He had become a lightning rod for anti-abortion activists and in 1993 survived an attempt on his life. He rarely talked about his work for fear of attacks against himself or his family. Dr Tillers clinic was one of three in the US that offered what are known as late-term abortions. WHAT IS LATE TERM?Late term mostly centres on the notion of the viability of the foetus - this is widely interpreted as when

Tender Methodology Report For Building -Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss about the Tender Methodology Report For Building. Answer: Goals The goal of the project is to provide a suitable, permanent and purpose-built premise for DMHDS. This will facilitate the Studys vision of promoting research about human health, behavior and development(DMHDRU, 2017). It has been specially designed by prioritizing the needs of the Study members(University of Otago, 2017). The building will help in protecting Study members identities. It has a private entrance and parking that will keep disguised identities of the Study members returning to the university after several years of study in various parts of the world. This project has numerous potential constraints and risks. Some of these are discussed below Constraints Design constraints these are factors that limit potential design options for the project. They include performance requirements, the budget, completion date, site conditions, available technology, labor, materials and plant, neighboring buildings or properties, etc. Technical constraints these are usually processes that may affect execution of construction activities, especially those related to building standards and practicality of construction methods used. Economic constraints these constraints are the ones related to budget of the project, how resources are located and overall cash flow. Management constraints these are constraints related to how the project is managed in terms of resource allocation, working practices, safety procedures, requirements for overtime, working shift patterns, materials delivery, etc.(Enshassi Mos, 2008) Legal constraints these are constraints related to the need for all construction processes and activities to conform to specific regulations and standards(Kinnaresh, 2013). They include safety requirements, environmental requirements, employment law, etc. Environmental constraints these are factors related to geographical location, hazardous materials, traffic, geological features, noise, air pollution, preservation of wildlife, etc.(Mirzaei Mabin, 2014) Social constraints these are factors that can be caused by opposing, personal or conflict of interests in the project from the public or other organizations. They are usually escalated by media pressure and public concern. Third parties this is another category of constraints that are caused by views of third parties, who are not involved in day-to-day activities of the project. Risks Financial risks these are very common risks in construction projects and can be caused by price fluctuations, inflation, payment delays, design changes or variations that increase cost and local taxes. Technical risks these are risks that can be caused by incomplete design, insufficient site exploration, inappropriate design specifications, uncertainty on availability and sources of construction materials and labour, changes in project requirements or scope, design omissions or errors, etc.(Menard, 2017) Logistical risks these are risks that can be caused by insufficient or unavailability of appropriate transportation facilities and unavailability of construction resources, such as construction equipment, labour, fuel, spare parts, etc.(Ehsan, Alam, Mirza, Ishaque, (n.d.)). These risks can cause huge project losses and delays. Legal risks these are law-related risks and can be caused by late contract payment or extras, delayed dispute resolution, contractor insolvency, negotiation of change order, etc. Environmental risks these are risks that can be caused by natural disasters and unfavorable weather conditions that can delay construction process(Jayasudha Vidivelli, 2016). These risks are usually overlooked by contractors who are now familiar with local weather conditions and can result into huge losses and delays. Management risks these are risks caused by inappropriate allocation and utilization of resources, poor planning, poor work supervision, poor pay, untimely delivery of materials, insufficient skilled employees, and inappropriate assigning of roles and responsibilities, among others(Rezakhani, 2012). Socio-political risks these are risks resulting from requirements to meet specific codes and regulations where the project is being implemented. Main elements of permanent works Some elements of permanent works of the building are: Substructure The substructure of the building will be made up of a strip foundation. The strip foundation will be constructed below the ground. Its main function is to transmit dead and live loads from the superstructure to the ground. The substructure will mainly be constructed using concrete, steel reinforcement and concrete blocks. Envelope The building will have a tight envelope to enhance thermal insulation. Some of the elements of the envelope include: exterior walls, roof, floors, external doors and fenestrations (windows, clerestories and skylights)(Autodesk, 2017). The envelope has been designed such that it provides a comfortable indoor environment and minimizes the amount of energy consumed by the building. External walls are made of concrete blocks with fiber cement sheets on the outside surface. The concrete blocks have been specifically used to provide insulation. The floor is made of concrete slab of high-mass. The roof is light to absorb more natural light. In general, the envelope has been designed to perform the following functions: control functions, support functions, finish functions and distribution functions(Lemieux Totten, 2016). Interior The interior of the building comprises of the following components: columns, beams, curtail wall, internal partitioning and stairs. The columns are reinforced concreted square columns. Beams used are I-steel beams. The curtain walls of the building are aluminium-framed with fiber cement in-fills. The framing has been attached to the structure of the building but it does not support loads from the roof or floor(Vigener Brown, 2016). The curtail walls are opaque to provide the necessary privacy in the building. Internal partitioning of the building has been made using reinforced concrete. The stairs of the building are made of reinforced concrete. Building services Below are the major building services: Electrical services Their main purpose is to ensure that the building is properly and adequately supplied with electricity. They entail design and installation of concealed electrical conduits, electrical cables, distribution board, electrical panel, power sockets, lighting fixtures (internal, external and emergency lights) and the entire wiring process. The services include how normal, emergency and standby power is supplied and distributed in the building. They also include installation of necessary data, telephone, video and audio equipment. Mechanical services Their main purpose is to ensure that the building is supplied with adequate water, fresh air and that the occupants are safe from fire hazards. They include heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) to control thermal comfort of the building; site drainage to ensure that waste water is properly removed from the building; plumbing that ensures appropriate distribution of water in the building; rainwater harvesting and management system; fire protection that includes laying of water supply pipes, fire alarm system, automatic fire detection systems, sprinkler system, smoke detectors, etc.; exhaust fans; acoustic insulation; and chillers. Building operation services Their main purpose is to ensure that the building is able to serve its intended purpose in the best way possible. They comprise of various services within the building, including walkways, parking, food services (such as refrigeration), automated lighting, environmental controls and energy management systems, among others. To ensure safety, components of these services must be purchased from certified manufacturers and suppliers, and their installation done by qualified MEP professionals or subcontractors. The installation should be done in accordance with design layouts. To avoid rework, all the services shall be considered and included in the design layouts of the building. This means that each building service will be clearly included and the exact position where to be install shall be specified. Installation of each service shall also be done through continuous consultation with each subcontractor. In other words, each subcontractor will inform the other about the work or services they are about to install to ensure that they do not interfere with the work of others. Last but not least, construction of all building services shall be supervised closely to ensure that it is done in accordance with the required engineering standards and design layouts. Types of bracing elements Some of the various types of bracing elements used to provide lateral stability are: Diagonal bracing There are two types of diagonal bracing: single diagonal bracing and double diagonal bracing. Single diagonal bracing is a bracing element where one rod, tube or pipe is fixed transversely in a rectangular or square structural frame(Jagadish Doshi, 2013). Double diagonal bracing, also known as X-bracing(Star Buildings Systems, 2017), is a bracing element where a building is braced by rods, tubes or pipes arranged diagonally across each other, making an X(Jesumi Rajendran, 2013). Figure 1 and 2 below are schematic diagrams of single and diagonal bracings. Figure 1: Single diagonal bracing(Designing Buildings Ltd, 2017) Figure 2: Double diagonal bracing(Designing Buildings Ltd, 2017) V-bracing In this system, two diagonal bracing members extend from the two corners of a top horizontal member and meet at the centre of the lower horizontal member, making a V-shape as shown in Figure 3 below. Figure 3: V-bracing(Designing Buildings Ltd, 2017) Inverted V-bracing This is also referred to as chevron bracing. It is where two diagonal bracing members extend from corners of a bottom horizontal member and meet at the centre of the top horizontal member(Eghtesadi, Nourzadeh, Bargi, 2011), making an inverted V as shown in Figure 4 below. Figure 4: Inverted V-bracing(Designing Buildings Ltd, 2017) K-bracing This is a bracing element where bracing members meet at mid-height of columns, as shown in Figure 5 below. It is more flexible in terms of allowing openings such as doors and windows. It also causes the least floor beams bending. This bracing system is not recommended in seismic prone areas due to possibility of the column failing when the brace buckles are subjected to compression. Figure 5: K-bracing element(Designing Buildings Ltd, 2017) Eccentric bracing This is bracing element that is commonly used in buildings found in seismic prone areas. It resembles inverted V-bracing but instead of its bracing components meeting at the apex, they leave some space between them as shown in Figure 6 below. Figure 6: Eccentric bracing element(Siddiqi Hameed, 2014) The bracing elements used on the proposed building is eccentric bracing and inverted V-bracing. These bracing elements provide significant resistance to lateral loads and space for necessary openings, such as doors and windows. Options for structural frames Structural frames for the building can be made using different materials. These include: precast concrete, in-situ concrete, structural steel and structural timber. Each of these materials has its own pros and cons. They vary in terms of strength, cost, speed of construction, safety, availability, design possibilities and environmental impact, among others. Some of the comparisons of these materials are as shown in Table 1 below Table 1: Comparison of structural precast concrete, in-situ concrete, steel and timber frames Pre-cast concrete In-situ concrete Structural steel Structural timber Materials used It is mainly made up of cement, aggregates, sand, water and additives It comprises of cement, aggregates, sand, water and additives (some can contain reinforcement fiber) It comprises of steel material It is pieces of wood Timing requirements It can be stored for a long period of time before use as long as the storage space contain the right conditions Must be used immediately after being prepared Can be stored for long periods before use, as long as it is treated and stored properly Has high construction time especially cross-laminated timber (CLT)(International Timber, 2015) Can be stored for long periods before use provided it is treated, preserved and stored properly Site constraints Requires minimal skill to erect It can be stored in open space but not for so long before use Requires a large storage space since it cannot be stored in piles It cannot be prepared in rainy conditions It cannot be stored after preparation hence must be used immediately It has more wastes It has to be stored in a covered structure to avoid damage by rain and chemical attack Requires fewer workers thus reducing construction cost(McGar, 2015). It must be stored indoors or in a covered storage area to protect it against moisture, insects, moulds, bacteria, etc.(WA Steel Sales, 2016) Handling it is easy and does not need any special equipment It can be stockpiled thus saving space on site Transport constraints It is relatively heavy depending on size It does not have special transportation requirements It is usually heavy depending on quantity Since it is prepared on site and used immediately, it can be transported using any type of container, including wheelbarrows, dumpers, buckets, etc. It is the lightest hence easier to transport Has to be transported in bunches using trucks During transportation, it must be secured properly to prevent injuring road users It is lighter than concrete but heavier than steel, but generally easy to transport It is usually transported in trucks and must be covered in case of rain Fire rating High fire rating High fire rating Moderate fire rating because it can melt and soften when exposed to very high temperature Low fire rating thus it requires extra fireproofing treatments Flexibility to make changes It cannot be changed It is only flexible when being poured or placed Cannot be changed after setting Easy to make changes as it can be cut and welded quickly during construction Easy to make changes Two types of cladding systems Cladding systems are different types of panels made from different materials and installed so as to cover the exterior of a building to protect it from weather effects and also enhance its aesthetic appeal(AFS International, 2016). Besides protecting the buildings exterior, cladding systems also protect its interior from elements of harsh weather(Team WFM, 2017). Cladding systems directly influence construction cost of the building and value of the property after construction. The two types of cladding systems discussed here are: timber cladding and fiber cement cladding. Timber cladding is one of the commonest types of cladding. It is suitable for all styles of buildings and come in panels, shingles or boards(Gibson, 2010). It usually gives the building a natural look and elegance. It is suitable for both exteriors and interiors(Team WFM, 2017). Fiber cement cladding comprises of sheets installed on the exteriors of the building. The sheets are made of compressed cement, sand and ce llular fiber. Timber cladding system Fiber cement cladding system Materials used It is made of pieces of wood that are usually fabricated in factories. The timber claddings come in form of boards. It is made of cement, sand and cellular fiber. It is manufactured in factories and comes in form of sheets. Timing requirements Wood can be stored for a long time before use as long as it is protected against attacks, including extreme weather conditions, bacteria, insects, etc. But if there is no proper storage facility on site, timber cladding boards or panels must be used immediately. It is resistant to majority of external attacks, including extreme heat, rain, chemicals, insects and bacteria. For this reason, it can be stored for longer periods before installation. Installation sequence It is lighter than fiber cement thus installation can be quick After being delivered on site, the timber is cut into desired sizes and stored for a few days to allow time for acclimatization and shrinking before installation Timber battens are nailed on the external wall (if the wall is uneven and in bad condition) or else a strong adhesive can be used The timber cladding boards are vacuumed and wiped to remove dirt then two coats of chosen finish are applied on all sides. A third coat is usually applied after fixing the boards(Metsa Wood, 2016). A small hole is drilled in the board then it is fixed on the wall by driving a pin through the hole The next board is placed in its positioned and pinned. This continues until the whole wall has been cladded All pin holes are then filled with a color-matching wood filler(Homebase, 2017) It is usually heavy thus the uncut sheets must be carried by at least two people It is fragile and so should be handled with care during installation or else it can break Before installation, the fiber cement sheets are cut in the right sizes using metal hand shears or mechanized saw The surface of wall is also prepared using sand paper or other tools to make it smooth and remove dirt To install, the sheet flush is held by one person against the studwork as the other person nails it in place Besides nailing, the sheets can also be by screwing them in place or using hook fixings Weather-proofing principles It is vulnerable to weather conditions including rain and extreme heat and so it must be specially treated or painted to enhance its resistance to some weather conditions UV protection oil and other treatments can be used to reduce its vulnerability to weather conditions Thermal modification is another approach of enhancing weather-proof properties of timber cladding(Brinsmead, 2016) It is resistant to extreme weather conditions such as rain, frost, snow and wind(Hardie, 2012) Fire properties It is highly flammable although flame retardants can be used to make it less flammable(TDCA, 2016) Over 90% of the product is inflammable material, which makes it resistant to fire(United Home Experts, 2017) Durability It is susceptible to damage caused by weather conditions, insects, bacteria, etc., which reduces its durability Durability of timber cladding largely depends on how it is maintained. If properly maintained, it can last for a number of years Special treatment can also be used during manufacturing to increase its durability(DoItYourself, (n.d.)) It has high resistance to impact making it withstand physical damages. Since the product is made of cement, it is resistant to rot and insect attack It is resistant to color fading, cracking, rotting and warping, making it more durable Its durability can be increased by repainting, which is usually done after 10 to 15 years(Savannah Roofing Experts, 2016) Fiber cement sheets usually have 10-year warranties that cover basic defects like peeling and cracking. Their typical lifespan is 40 years and above(Self-Build.co.uk, 2015) High durability of fiber cement cladding makes it suitable for use in areas prone to geotechnical or seismic movement(Reardorn, 2013). Maintenance requirements It has moderate maintenance needs, which usually entail regular staining or painting so as to protect it against elements and maintain its natural attractiveness(Wakeling, (n.d.)). It also requires regular treatment to protect it against insects, bacteria and moulds. It has very low maintenance needs if compared with timber cladding. The only maintenance required is repainting or reapplying caulk on the edges of the fiber cement sheets in case they start rotting(Allura USA, 2015). Based on the two cladding systems, fiber cement is recommended for this project. Both cladding systems are suitable but fiber cement is more durable, fireproof, weatherproof and low cost. The fact that it has very minimal maintenance needs means that its total cost over the entire lifespan is low. Additionally, fiber cement is among the contemporary cladding systems with versatile design options hence it will give the building a remarkable look and comfortable indoor environment. Types of suspended floor systems The two types of suspended floor systems discussed are: suspended concrete floor system and suspended timber flow system Suspended concrete floor system this is a type of flooring system that is made of concrete slab, beams or planks suspended from the bearing walls. Two or more edges of a suspended concrete floor is usually supported on columns, beams or walls, which also carry the self-weight of the floor(The Concrete Society, 2016). It can be made of pre-cast concrete, in-situ concrete or reinforced concrete. Figure 7: Schematic diagram of suspended concrete floor system(Supreme Concrete, 2017) Suspended timber floor system this is a type of flooring system made of timber joists that are suspended from the bearing walls and covered with high quality panels of groove and tongue or floor boards. This floor system have spaces below them. These spaces area ventilated by air from the outside of external wall through air bricks and their internal wall have gaps that facilitate flow of air across the building and below the floors so that moisture is not allowed to accumulate in the timber, which could otherwise cause moulds and fungal attack(PracticalDIY.com, 2017). Figure 8 below is a schematic diagram showing various parts of a suspended timber floor system Figure 8: Schematic diagram of a suspended timber floor system(DIY Network, 2017) Comparisons of these two types of suspended floor systems are provided in Table 2 below Table 2: Comparisons of suspended timber and suspended concrete floor systems Suspended timber floor system Suspended concrete floor system Materials used It is mainly made of timber joists that are joined with nails, iron loops, plates, etc. The timber joists can be fixed directly in the superstructure wall or supported using metal joist hangers. The general materials used to make a suspended timber floor include: damp-proof course, support walling blocks, air vents, polythene membrane, floor joists, nails, insulation sheets, water-resistant decking(Snell, 2015). It is mainly made of concrete (cement, sand and aggregates). In some cases, it may contain reinforcement fiber. The general materials used to make a suspended concrete floor include: adaptor vents, air bricks, floor blocks, floor beams, air vents, insulation sheets, membrane, insulation sheets, mesh reinforcement, infill pre-cast blocks, T-beam and premix screed. Installation sequence The first thing to do is to make sure that concrete floor that is set to receive the suspended timber floor systems weight is of adequate strength. Sleeper walls are erected at the suitable layout of the design and are honey combed to ensure sufficient ventilation(5KC, 2009). Damp proof course is applied at suitable level Wall plates are placed appropriately on the damp proof course, on top of sleeper walls Floor joists are placed at the predetermined intervals on top of the wall plates The floor boards are placed across the timber joists then nailed appropriately The process ends by installing vents in external walls off the building so as to provide adequate ventilation to the timber. This will ensure proper fresh air circulation and keep the timber dry thus preventing decay(Flynn, 2013). The first thing is to ensure that pre-cast concrete beams or pre-cast concrete planks and concrete blocks to be used are available on site. The contractor must ensure that the floor system installed to the designed layout placing any detail carefully to avoid mistakes and rework Once the beams are delivered on site, they are offloaded and stacked on timbers The beams are lifted, using a crane, and lowered in the right positions After ensuring that the beams are centrally located, pre-cast concrete blocks are placed between beams. Mortar bed is placed for the end slip pre-cast concrete block Closure slip pre-cast concrete blocks are then cut so as to suit the pre-determined centres then mortar is placed to the end blocks to close the slop After installing th pre-cast concrete blocks, the entire floor is grouted using 1:3 cement to coarse sand mix to create a homogenous structure(Travis Perkins, 2015). But before grouting, the floor is cleaned thoroughly and wetted so as to ensure that the seal is effective(Cemex, 2017). Air vents are also installed below the floor to provide adequate ventilation and prevent dampness problems(i-brick.com, 2012) Timing requirements Suspended timber floor does not have any need to hurry during installation. As long as the timber joists to be used are stored properly, the contractor or homeowner can choose when to install the floor. This floor system can be installed quickly and in any weather condition, provided the contractor has the skill However, speed of installation is usually reduced by the need to cut the timber joists into desired sizes Since this floor system is constructed using pre-cast concrete beams and blocks, it takes very little time. Once the pre-cast concrete beams and blocks are delivered on site, the contractor or homeowner can install them at any time. Remember that the pre-cast beams and blocks will have been made in the desired shapes and sizes, so no cutting on site. This helps in reducing installation time Cost implications Depending on the availability of timber, the total cost of installing a suspended timber floor is usually lower than that of suspended concrete floor(Rock, 2016). However, this floor system deteriorate quickly and easily when exposed to moisture, insects, moulds or physical damage. In such situations, the suspended floor stars forming creaks and squeaks(Pilkington, 2017). This increases their overall maintenance costs. The total cost of installing a suspended concrete floor is usually slightly higher than that of a suspended timber floor system. However, suspended concrete floor has little maintenance requirements due to their weatherproof properties and durability. This reduces their overall maintenance costs. So suspended concrete floor has low overall cost throughout its entire lifespan. It is also worth noting that the cost of installation varies depending on the type of suspended concrete floor finishes(Riha, (n.d.)). From the comparisons of the two types of suspended floor systems, the recommended system for the project is suspended concrete floor system. This system is easy and quick to install, it has unlimited design options, provides unique finishes, has low maintenance costs, and its overall lifecycle cost is lower than that of suspended timber floor system. Principles of passive fire design and factors to consider Design principles Some of the key principles of passive fire design are: Design of passive fire must be done as part of the buildings architectural design. In other words, design of passive fire system has to be integrated in the buildings architectural design to ensure that it is well-matched with the entire building components. Passive fire system must include blast and fire resistant walls, windows and doors. These elements must meet the minimum blast and fire resistance ratings in the area where the building is constructed and specific requirements of the building. Building materials used should be fire-resistant and thermal barriers to reduce spreading of fire and insulate other components against heat. For example, structural frame should be made of fire-resistance materials like concrete or treated timber or steel(Newman, 2016). The passive fire system designed must be able to contain and reduce spread of flames and fire in case of a fire outbreak in the building(Wolters Kluwer, 2012). This can be achieved by ensuring that the building is divided into various compartments, each with a specific purpose. This means that the walls, windows and doors should help in sealing various compartments of the building effectively and prevent fire from spreading throughout the building. In case of fire and before it starts spreading, the passive fire system should enable occupants of the building to evacuate effectively, quickly and safely. To achieve this, the passive fire system has to contain the fire for a particular period to facilitate evacuation and also extinguishing the fire. Partitioning walls of the building should be designed to run continuously from the ground floor to top floor so as to create an uninterrupted barrier to fire. If the partitions, ceilings or floors have any openings, they must be as small as possible to reduce spread of fire. These openings should also be protected so as to enhance fire resistance. Compartmentation, which includes firewalls, fire barriers (such as fire-rated ceilings, floors and walls), smoke barriers and fire partitions, should be used to control spread of fire within the building and also facilitate safe egress(Aker, 2008). These components should also be structurally stable to retain the buildings structural frame even if the building burns. Cavities in ceilings and walls, and other openings found around conduits, pipework and service ducts should be fire-protected in areas where they penetrate or pass across partitioning boundaries. All ducting, including air conditioning, should have fire dampers in areas where they pass through partitioning boundaries in order to regulate spread of smoke and fire(Fire Protection Association, 2009). The fire-resisting ducts used should also be tested to ensure that they comply with the appropriate building standards requirements. There should be fire dampers at various locations where pipes/conduits pass through the floor, wall or ceiling so as to reduce spread of fire and smoke. The building should also be designed with a roof venting. This system helps in removing hot gases and smoke from the building, which limits spread of smoke and fire thus enhancing firefighting. It is also the role of a passive fire system to maintain structural integrity of the building in case of fire outbreak(Bok, 2016). This means that the system has to contain the fire to reduce the risk of damaging the building or its collapse. The fire protection system must be included in the buildings fire safety design plan to ensure that it works together with other fire safety systems, such as active fire protection systems. Factors to consider when designing and constructing passive fire systems The following are some of the factors that should be considered when designing and constructing passive fire systems: Potential risks passive fire protection systems should be designed and constructed based on findings of a quantitative risk analysis. The analysis helps in identifying potential risks and suitable approaches or eliminating or mitigating them. Stakeholder involvement it is important to involve all stakeholders of the project in the design and construction of passive fire protection systems. This allows stakeholders to give their opinions on best practices and also to understand their roles and how they are expected to participate in ensuring that the systems are properly designed and constructed. Materials used designers of passive fire protection systems should choose materials carefully to ensure that they meet the threshold of containing fire and smoke, and stopping them from spreading. Legislation it is also important to ensure that the passive fire protection system is designed and constructed in accordance with the engineering codes and standards of the area where the building is being constructed. Partitions maximum floor areas if the potential fire risk within a planned partition is greater, the floor area should be less than the typical sizes. Enclosure of these floors should also be made of high-rated fire-resisting materials. Storage for hazardous materials if the building has any hazardous or explosive materials, they must be stored in separate storage facilities. The facilities should be made of thick concrete walls and padlocked doors facing away from occupants (to the open air) but which can be easily accessed by firefighters. Unprotected openings fire resisting walls should not have any unprotected openings Fire escapes their width should be at least 1m or wider so as to accommodate more people in case of a fire outbreak(Stewart, 2016). Fire doors they should seal automatically when temperatures get very hot, otherwise they have to remain open facing the fire escapes. Expertise this is another crucial design and construction factor for consideration. It is very important to ensure that passive fire protection systems are designed and constructed by qualified personnel. References: 5KC. (2009, April 5). Suspended timber floors and their construction. Retrieved from 5KC Limited: https://www.5kc.co.uk/suspended-timber-floors-and-their-construction AFS International. (2016). Cladding systems. Retrieved from Architectural Facade Solutions: https://architectural-facade-solutions.com/architectural-cladding-systems-facade/ Aker, J. (2008, April 1). The basics of passive fire protection . Retrieved from https://www.buildings.com/article-details/articleid/5851/title/the-basics-of-passive-fire-protection- Allura USA. (2015, November 23). 23 benefits of fiber cement siding for builders, contractors, and homeowners. Retrieved from Allura USA: https://www.allurausa.com/blog/benefits-of-fiber-cement-siding Autodesk. (2017). Building envelope. Retrieved from Autodesk Inc.: https://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/building-envelope Bok, P. (2016, September 26). The principles of passive fire protection. Retrieved from Van Dam: https://blog.van-dam.nl/principles-of-passive-fire-protection Brinsmead, N. (2016, March 24). Timber cladding. Retrieved from Homebuilding Renovating: https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/timber-cladding/ Cemex. (2017). Beam and block floor - installation guidelines. Retrieved from Cemex: https://www.cemex.co.uk/floor-installation-guide.aspx Designing Buildings Ltd. (2017, July 17). Braced frame structures. Retrieved from Designing Buildings Wiki: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Braced_frame_structures DIY Network. (2017). Floor construction methods. Retrieved from DIY Network: https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/floors/floor-construction-methods-pictures DMHDRU. (2017). About us. Retrieved from University of Otago: https://dunedinstudy.otago.ac.nz/about-us DMHDRU. (2017, March 8). Dunedin Study new home officially opened. Retrieved from University of Otago: https://dunedinstudy.otago.ac.nz/news-and-events/article/54 DoItYourself. ((n.d.)). Advantages of timber cladding. Retrieved from DoItYourself.com: https://www.doityourself.com/stry/advantages-of-timber-cladding Eghtesadi, S., Nourzadeh, D., Bargi, K. (2011). Comparative study on different types of bracing systems in steel structures. International Confernce on Modeling Simulation (pp. 1863-1867). Paris: World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology. Ehsan, N., Alam, M., Mirza, E., Ishaque, A. ((n.d.)). Risk management in construction industry. Retrieved from Meeting.edu.cn: https://www.meeting.edu.cn/meeting/UploadPapers/1282726331593.pdf Enshassi, A., Mos, J. (2008). Risk management in building projects: owners perspective. The Islamic University Journal, 95-123. Fire Protection Association. (2009). Design guide for the protection of buildings, food processing factories 1: design principles. Paris: Fire Protection Association. Flynn, C. (2013). Suspended timber floor. Retrieved from Construction Studies Q1: www.constructionstudiesq1.weebly.com/suspended-timber-floor.html Gibson, C. (2010, July 9). Types of cladding. Retrieved from Home Improvement Pages: https://www.homeimprovementpages.com.au/article/types_of_cladding Hardie, P. (2012, October 11). Top 4 benefits of fiber cement siding. Retrieved from Eco Vision Sustainable Learning Center: https://ecovisionslc.org/top-4-benefits-of-fiber-cement-siding/ Homebase. (2017). How to put up cladding. Retrieved from Homebase: https://www.homebase.co.uk/en/static/how-to-put-up-cladding i-brick.com. (2012). How to - install a block and beam floor. Retrieved from i-brick.com. International Timber. (2015, July 30). 5 reasons timber is superior to steel and brick. Retrieved from International Timber: https://www.internationaltimber.com/news/timber/5-reasons-timber-is-superior-to-steel-and-brick Jagadish, J., Doshi, T. (2013). A study on bracing systems on high rise steel structures. International Journal of Engineering Research Technology, 1672-1676. Jayasudha, K., Vidivelli, B. (2016). Analysis of major risks in construction projects. ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences , 6943-6950. Jesumi, A., Rajendran, M. (2013). Optimal bracing system for steel toowers. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications, 729-732. Kinnaresh, P. (2013). A study on risk assessment and its management in India. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 64-67. Lemieux, D., Totten, P. (2016, May 10). Building envelope design. Retrieved from Whole Building Design Guide: https://www.wbdg.org/systems-specifications/building-envelope-design-guide/wall-systems McAvinue, S. (2017, January 26). Dunedin Study welcomed to new home. Retrieved from Otago Daily News: https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dunedin-study-welcomed-new-home McGar, J. (2015, February 26). Timber vs steel vs concrete structures. Retrieved from Sourceable: https://sourceable.net/timber-vs-steel-vs-concrete-structures/ Menard, S. (2017, March 2). The types of risks in construction projects. Retrieved from eSUB: https://esub.com/the-types-of-risks-in-construction-projects-to-watch-out-for/ Metsa Wood. (2016). Softwood cladding fixing instructions. Retrieved from Metsa Wood: https://www.metsawood.com/uk/Products/exterior-cladding/softwood-exterior-cladding/Pages/Softwood-cladding-fixing-instructions.aspx# Mirzaei, M., Mabin, V. (2014). Exploring constraints in projects: a construction industry case study. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington. Newman, R. (2016, September 2). Designing for passive fire protection in buildings. Retrieved from International Fire Protection: https://ifpmag.mdmpublishing.com/designing-for-passive-fire-protection-in-buildings/ Pilkington, S. (2017, January 19). Concrete vs timber floors. Retrieved from BTL Property Services Ltd: https://www.btlpropertyltd.co.uk/blog/build/concrete-vs-timber-floors/ PracticalDIY.com. (2017). Different types of ground floor suspended flooring. Retrieved from PracticalDIY.com: https://www.practicaldiy.com/general-building/flooring/suspended-timber-flooring.php Reardorn, C. (2013). Cladding systems. Retrieved from YourHome: https://www.yourhome.gov.au/materials/cladding-systems Rezakhani, P. (2012, March 30). Classifying key risk factors in construction projects. Retrieved from Kyungpook National University: https://www.bipcons.ce.tuiasi.ro/Archive/292.pdf Riha, J. ((n.d.)). The pros and cons of concrete flooring. Retrieved from DIY Network: https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/floors/the-pros-and-cons-of-concrete-flooring Rock, I. (2016, June 27). How to choose a floor structure. Retrieved from Homebuilding Renovating: https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/floor-structure-guide/ Savannah Roofing Experts. (2016, September 27). Advantages and disadvantages of fiber cement siding. Retrieved from Savannah Roofing Experts: https://www.savannahroofingexperts.com/advantages-disadvantages-fiber-cement-siding/ Self-Build.co.uk. (2015, May). Fibre-cement cladding explained. Retrieved from Self-Build.co.uk: https://www.self-build.co.uk/fibre-cement-cladding-explained Siddiqi, Z., Hameed, R. A. (2014). Comparison of different bracing systems for tall buildings. Pak. J. Eng. Appl. Sci., 17-26. Snell, D. (2015, December 22). Comparing ground floor structure costs. Retrieved from Homebuilding Renovating: https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/comparing-floor-structure-costs/ Star Buildings Systems. (2017). Bracing elements 101. Retrieved from Star Buildings Systems: https://blog.starbuildings.com/bracing-elements-101/ Stewart, R. (2016, December 18). Factors designers should consider when designing a fire protection system. Retrieved from LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/factors-designers-should-consider-when-designing-fire-roy-stuart Supreme Concrete. (2017). Suspended beam block floor. Retrieved from Supreme Concrete: https://www.supremeconcrete.co.uk/general/suspended-beam-and-block-floors/ TDCA. (2016). Benefits of exterior timber cladding. Retrieved from Timber Decking and Cladding Association : https://www.tdca.org.uk/timber-cladding/benefits-of-exterior-timber-cladding/ Team WFM. (2017, January 16). Different types of cladding material. Retrieved from WFM : https://www.wfm.co.in/cladding-materials-types/ The Concrete Society. (2016). Suspended floors. Retrieved from The Concrete Society: https://www.concrete.org.uk/fingertips-nuggets.asp?cmd=displayid=245 Travis Perkins. (2015). Ground floor - block beam. Retrieved from Sustainable Building Solutions: https://www.sustainablebuildingsolutions.co.uk/solution-data-sheets/ground-floor-block-beam United Home Experts. (2017). The pros and cons of fiber cement board siding. Retrieved from United Home Experts: https://www.unitedhomeexperts.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-fiber-cement-board-siding/ University of Otago. (2017, January 25). Brand new premises for world-famous Dunedin longitudinal study. Retrieved from University of Otago: https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/otago633973.html Vigener, N., Brown, M. (2016, May 10). Curtain walls. Retrieved from Whoe Building Design Guide: https://www.wbdg.org/systems-specifications/building-envelope-design-guide/fenestration-systems/curtain-walls WA Steel Sales. (2016, August 25). Should you choose a concrete, timber or steel structure? Retrieved from WA Steel Sales: https://www.wasteel.com.au/should-you-choose-a-concrete-timber-or-steel-structure/ Wakeling, B. ((n.d.)). The disadvantages of timber cladding. Retrieved from eHow: https://www.ehow.com/list_6881691_disadvantages-timber-cladding.html Wolters Kluwer. (2012, November 15). Fire protection considerations in new premises. Retrieved from Wolters Kluwer: https://app.croneri.co.uk/feature-articles/fire-protection-considerations-new-premises?product=21

Songs Lost Sister Essays - Chinese Women, Women In China

Song's Lost Sister Cathy Songs poem Lost Sister explores the lives of two generations of Chinese women. One generation chooses to leave China and begin a new life in America. the other chose to remain in China and experience her culture the way it was meant to be. This is a comparison of the two generations of women and how they are linked by culture and seperated by lifestyle. In China, women were put in subservient positions to society. They were quiet, obedient creatures who gathered patience. Song speaks of how women learned to provide for their families, as they were learning to stretch the family rice. Women were expected to serve a purpose and be seen and not heard. The following generation chose to go to America and lead a very different kind of life. American culture is vastly different from that of China and women are given the opportunity to experience freedom as a a first class citizen. This collective is described as a sister across the ocean, who relinquished her name, giving the reader the impression that this generation was rebelliously rejecting her culture, diluting jade green with the blue of the Pacific. However, these women were both losing and gaining by their choices. Chinese women who chose to remain in China traded freedom for their culture. They were afraid to leave the familiarity of their lives thee for an uncertain future in America Had they gone to America, they would have lost the opportunity to experience Chinese culture firsthand. They lose the freedom that the next generation would have and gained the experience of living in their native culture ane accepting it as a way of life. These women were admirable because of their strength to choose their culture and family over anything else. Their dedication is at a level close to monks and saints. They were able to find harmony in their lives because it was all they ever knew. The women who chose to go to America led a very different life. They were able to be free of Chinese expectations of women. they did not have to learn to walk in shoes the size of teacups, without breaking. Song indicates that In America, there are many roads and women can stride along with men. These women were able to experience life as people who were equal to men in society's eyes. If they had stayed in China they never would have had the chance to experience something other then their native culture. Song emphasizes the life of these women in America to point this out. She describes the sad loss of culture in America, the meager provisions and sentiments of once belonging and the possibilites, the loneliness, can strangulate like jungle vines. She refers to how these women speak Chinese, when in America people are making claims you don't understand. She offers a pale, stereotypical view on the extent of Chinese culture in America, where Americans are tapping into your communicat ion systems of laundry lines and restaurant chains. They lost the cultural experience that the previous generation was able to have and gained freedom. These women were admirable because of a different kind of strength. It takes a certain combination of dertermination and stubbornness to choose to flee their homeland. These women were, in fact, a very rebellious generation. Jade is referred to over and over in Song's poem. She states that even the peasants named their first daughters Jade. She uses a jade link to symbolized women who were born into Chinese culture, specifically handcuffed to the wrist of the generation of Chinese-American women. Song almost berates this generation, claiming that they need China and lost their culture in the unremitting space of your rebellion. She also states how neither generation left any footprints, as one was footless and the other left an ocean in between. These two generations of women were different and the same. They both had the strength to choose a way of life that suited them. they were bound together by their culture but they differed in lifestyle, and teir choices shaped their own lives and the lives of Chinese women who came after them. Bibliography Song, Cathy. Lost Sister. Poetry Essays

Leader Research Paper Sir Richard Branson

Leader Research Paper Sir Richard Branson Introduction Strong leadership is necessary if an organization is to achieve its goal of higher performance and increased productivity. For this reason, effective leadership is rightfully regarded as a critical factor in the success of all organizations.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Leader Research Paper: Sir Richard Branson specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There exist many leadership styles and their effectiveness depends on the particular business environment as well as the personal traits and values of the individual leader (Bartlett Goshal, 2000). One individual who has emerged as a successful leader is the Virgin groups CEO, Richard Branson. He has built himself a reputation by being a successful entrepreneur who has founded many profitable groups of companies. This paper will set out to review the leadership styles used by Branson. Specifically, the paper will analyze his dominant leadership styles and cite specific behaviors that have been critical to the success of Branson. Specific behavior by Branson that would ensure a students future life success will be highlighted. A review of behaviors from Branson that leaders should avoid will also be made. A brief biography on Richard Branson Richard Branson is an English business entrepreneur who is most renowned for founding the Virgin Group of companies. He was born in 1950 and although an underachiever in school, he had great practical intelligence and possessed numerous creative abilities. Richard Branson began his business career while studying at Stowe, an exclusive private boys school. His first venture which was a magazine called Student which became a success.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This motivated Branson to abandon school and pursue his business interests in 1968. His magazine attracted significant rea dership due to its elective style and its venture into subjects that were not addressed by the well established magazines. The next venture undertaken by Branson was mail order records and this venture was chosen since it required no up-front investment and no working capital which made it ideal for Branson who had little money at his disposal. The name Virgin Records was chosen for this commercial entity. The success of the retail store led to expansion into record publishing with great financial success for the company. A fundamental notion held by Branson is that small is beautiful and as such, when a unit grows too large it is split apart. Virgin Atlantic Airways which is Bransons grand jewel was founded in 1984 following a proposal by a Californian lawyer for Branson to start an intercontinental cut-price airline. Unlike the previous ventures, the airline business required a lot of capital and by 1985, the financial needs of the airline were creating a cash squeeze for Virgin ( Kets de Vries, 1998). This led to the Virgin Group going public so as to gain the needed capital. However, Branson was unhappy with the public status of his company and in 1987; he bought out external shareholders and therefore made Virgin a private company again.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Leader Research Paper: Sir Richard Branson specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More By the early 1990s, the airline had become the centerpiece of Bransons interests and the capital needs of the airline made it necessary for him to acquire more capital. The capital was to be acquired by selective divestment. Specifically, Branson sold Virgin Music (which was his most profitable business) for close to $1 billion and then used the money to support new business ventures and also to expand the airline. Virgin Atlantic gained a competitive edge over the more established airlines because of its reduced prices and the superior and innovativ e customer services. Kets de Vries (1998) notes that the airline was able to offer its business class travelers amenities that exceeded those offered to first class passengers by its competitors therefore making it appealing to many travelers. Virgin airline showed innovation in customer service and for this, the airline has won numerous awards and experienced significant success on the global market. Even so, the Airline has had to constantly compete with major airlines most notably of which are British Airways. The company has relied on Bransons innovativeness to remain profitable in the tough airline industry and therefore defend its strategic position.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Branson’s Dominant Leadership Style Transformational Leader Richard Branson engages in transformational leadership where the leader â€Å"looks for potential motives in followers, seeks to satisfy higher needs, and engages the full person of the follower (Burns 1978, p.173). The most distinctive attribute of transformational leaders is that they demonstrate significant consideration of follower’s needs. Branson strongly believes in the importance of his staff as is elaborated by his maxim staff first, customers second, and shareholders third†. Kets de Vries (1998) reveals that Branson strongly believes in this concept and to him, people are the greatest asset that his business empire has. In an interview with CNBC Business (2007), Branson reveals that his leadership approach entails motivating people and looking for the best in them while at the same time keeping criticism at a minimal. Branson demonstrates his transformational style by granting his employees op portunities to exhibit great personal and professional growth. For example, when a company becomes too big, he splits it up and promotes the assistant managers of the original company into becoming heads of the new company. All employees are therefore motivated to set aside their own self-interest and work collectively to achieve organizational goals since this will help them to achieve even higher goals (London, 2002). Such a policy gives employees an opportunity to experience professional growth and it also makes the employees work harder in the hope that they will get the opportunity to be promoted or even head their own company. Branson expects his followers to achieve more than their initial personal goals and empowers them to be successful. When speaking about his staff, Branson states that Virgin staff are not mere hired hands; they are not managerial pawns in some gigantic chess game. They are entrepreneurs in their own right (Dearlove, 2010, p.104).considering the current e conomic environment, his statement addresses one of the most fundamental issues, which is success. A common goal which Branson has set for his employees is that they should aim to expand into bigger markets and gain higher loyalty among customers. Dearlove (2010) reveals that these goals are well articulated to all employees and everybody involved is expected to provide the best services to the customers and look for opportunities to expand the business. This approach works and Virgin workers are constantly coming up with proposals which Branson reviews and then follows up on if they have merit. Charismatic Leader Branson has also set himself apart as a charismatic leader. Kunstler (2008) suggests that Branson has been successful in his role as the figurehead of Virgin group, that he has grown to be more important than the brand itself. This thought is further supported by Dearlove (2010) who declares that a charismatic leader should have ample ability to sell a vision of trust, tra nquilly and dedication to a prescribed cause to all employees. Through his character, Branson has not only proved to his employees that integrity and dedication lead to success, but also, a sense of belonging and purpose. Such, virtues promote commitment, all the while propelling the belief that as employees, people have it in them to make a significant difference. A charismatic leader creates an environment that is conducive for the followers to exercise creativity and take some risks without fear of consequences. Branson encourages his staff to be innovative and creativity is rewarded in the organization, which makes the employees more likely to innovate and try new approaches. The business consultant Don Cruickshank deduced that Virgin is structured around its energetic chairman whose enthusiasm has led to the continued success of the company (Dearlove, 2010). Branson is charismatic since he shows a lot of enthusiasm and self-confidence which makes it possible for him to influenc e his followers. He is therefore able to motivate his followers to do more than they normally do and make personal sacrifices for the good of the organization. The charismatic leaders is also a visionary who is willing to take risks in order to achieve his vision while at the same time remaining sensitive to how the vision meets followers needs. The success of Virgin Airlines and Virgin mobile is largely attributed to the charisma exuded by Richard Branson. Dyck and Neubert (2008) assert that Branson used his power of personality and ability to communicate a compelling vision in order to lead his followers to take risks and achieve great success in the airline and wireless industries. Branson is the reason why Virgin is one of the worlds most recognized brands. It is as a result of his charisma that he is able to attract investors who supply the majority of the capital for his new ventures. Dearlove (2010) admits that over the years, Bransons personal reputation has been the most ef fective tool of recruiting the best staff for Virgin group. He states that many of the companys most able managers were drawn by what they had seen and heard about the way Branson runs his business. Branson is really good at motivating others and passing on his confidence and belief that every new project will succeed and by doing this, he acts as a catalyst for the development and success of new business ventures. When he set up Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Branson was going head to head with big airlines such as British Airways which held a huge market share (Kets de Vries, 1998). However, he was able to convince his staff that they could compete favorably against these giants and emerge victorious. Based on his personal convictions that they would succeed, he was able to inspire his followers to work hard and realize his high expectations. Specific Behavior that is Important to Branson’s Success Branson is well known for his risk taking attitude and his believe that one can s ucceed even in the face of numerous odds. This quality has been the reason behind the numerous success experienced by the Virgin group. One of the riskiest business ventures Branson undertook was by entering into the railway business in the late 1990s. He took over some segments of Britains railway network which was old and inefficient. By making use of technological advances, Branson was able to increase the efficiency of the railway network and hence make the railway more appealing to customers. While Virgin Trains has not achieved the monumental success that Virgin Atlantic has, it has made some progress in spite of the negative outcomes that many analysts predicted (Dearlove, 2010). The visibility of Virgin Groups products is greatly enhanced by Bransons genius at promoting his company. He does this through daring personal exploits which help him to get the attention of extensive media coverage. For example, Shavinina (2006) records that Branson has broken a number of world reco rds by crossing the Atlantic in a hot air balloon and also by boat. His latest exploit has been in successfully kite-surfing across the English Channel and therefore becoming the oldest person to do so. His flamboyant nature also generates a lot of free publicity for his companies. For example, to avoid incurring the huge costs required to advertise the new airline in the mainstream media in 1984, Branson appeared in a World War 1 flying outfit to celebrate the first flight of the newly formed Virgin Atlantic. Branson takes advantage of investment opportunities even when the competition seems high. He has also shown that one should not be intimidated by the bigger players in the market and he has proved that one can succeed â€Å"despite the odds†. For example, Branson has launched products such as Virgin Cola in a market that is dominated by the two major soft drink giants; Coca Cola and Pepsi (Dearlove, 2010). Another behavior that has led to Bransons success is that he alw ays stays in touch with Virgin customers and employees. He is therefore aware of their perception of the current commodities offered by Virgin and can gain valuable information on new needs. Sosik and Dinger (2007) state that Branson spends significant amount of time looking into complaints made by customers as well as reading and responding to suggestions made by his employees. Which behavior described, would ensure student’s future life success? Branson emphasizes on the importance of innovation among his followers. This is a behavior that can be beneficial in my future since for an organization to survive in today’s business environment, one has to expand the horizon beyond personal goals and focus more on progression, which can only be accomplished by innovation (Katsioloudes Hadjidakis, 2007). A leader should therefore foster creativity and innovation among his followers instead of having followers who only follow orders. Branson’s view in this case is ind icative of a dominant leadership style, which demands for strategic empowerment in a bid to improve self-worth among employees. Branson also demonstrates concern for the welfare of his employees and he constantly states that they are the most important asset of the organization. Alimo-Metcalfe ALban-Metcalfe (2001) reveal that the transformational leader gives priority to his followers needs which leads to the followers having a lot of respect and admiration for their leader. Delegation is another behavior by Branson that can ensure a student’s future life success. Branson takes a back seat in the running of Virgin and lets his employees engage in the day to day running of the company with little interruption. He declares that he finds the most talented people and then gives them the space to do their job. Virgin Atlantic Airways is the exception in Bransons hands off approach and he devotes a lot of time and attention to the airline. Dearlove (2010) states that such an appr oach is necessary when one is heading as many companies as Branson does since it would be unrealistic for him to involve himself in the operations of all the companies. As a student, I would want to emulate this behavior by entrusting some tasks to my followers. An effective leader should be skilled at allocating tasks and responsibilities to different followers based on their strengths. In some instances, delegation will require more than simply giving up some of the responsibilities; it may entail relinquishing of power to others. Behaviors from Richard Branson that leaders should avoid A behavior from Branson that leaders should avoid is taking too much risk in a bid to achieve goals and assuming that positive attitude and enthusiasm will lead to success. Dearlove (2010) notes that Branson rarely makes use of market research when taking up a venture; instead, he relies on his instincts as to what the customers want. He believes in risking it all to achieve his goals and maintains a positive attitude to each project he undertakes (Dyck Neubert, 2008) state that. Branson is known for making major risks in a bid to achieve his goals. This risk taking has led to some significant failures by Branson. For example, a number of his online retailing companies that were established during the dot.com bubble were failures making it necessary for the ventures to be abandoned. His venture in vodka and computers were also failures. While the Virgin Group of companies can afford to make a few unsuccessful ventures without dire repercussions, most leaders do not have the same luxury and one failure may break the company. Leaders should therefore avoid unnecessary risks in order to ensure the survivability and future success of their organizations. Branson has a reputation of acting at record-breaking speed when a new opportunity presents itself. He disregards bureaucracy and does not use time consulting with middle managers about the feasibility of his latest ideas. This impulsive approach to new ventures may be detrimental to the well being of a small or middle sized organization. Another behavior that leaders should avoid is overemphasizing personal charisma. As it is, Virgin is heavily reliant on Branson as the charismatic leader. Branson has grown to be more important than the brand and there is concern as to the future of the group since it will be very hard to find a worthwhile successor to him. Den Hartog et al. (1999) warn that charismatic leaders may have a negative impact on the future of a company as is the case with Virgin. Leaders should therefore ensure that they put they do not jeopardize the future prospects of the company. Conclusion This paper set out to review the Bransons dominant leadership styles and access the manner in which his behavior can ensure a students future life success. It has been noted that Branson began utilizing his entrepreneurial capabilities at the early age of 17 and has continued to develop many companies w ith great success. The paper has noted that Branson’s dominant leadership styles are transformational and charismatic. It has been articulated that Branson creates a challenging and exciting environment in which his followers can exercise their creativity and innovation instead of following him blindly wherever he leaders. The paper has also underscored the fact that creativity is a major driving force behind all operations by Branson and he seeks to impart the same spirit to his followers. The empowering attitude that Branson emphasizes leads to greater performance being obtained from his staff and this causes the organization to excel. This paper has come out with a number of lessons that can be learnt from Branson’s leadership styles. By putting these lessons into practice, one can become an effective leader and therefore become an asset to the organization. References Alimo-Metcalfe, B. ALban-Metcalfe, R. (2001). The Development of a new transformational Leadershi p questionnaire. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 74, 1-27, 2001. Bartlett, C.A. Goshal, S. (2000). Going global lesson from late movers. Harvard Business Review 78 (2):132-142. CNBC Business (2007). Richard Branson: Simon Hobbs meets the Virgin Group founder. Web. Dearlove, D. (2010). The Unauthorized Guide to Doing Business the Richard Branson Way: 10 Secrets of the Worlds Greatest Brand Builder. NY: John Wiley Sons. Den Hartog, D. N., House, R. J., Hanges, P. J., Ruiz-Quintanilla, S. A., Dorfman, P.W., Abdalla, I. A., et al. (1999). Culture specific and cross-culturally generalizable implicit leadership theories: Are attributes of charismatic/transformational leadership universally endorsed? Leadership Quarterly, 10(1), 219-256. Dyck, B. Neubert, M. (2008). Management: Current Practices and New Directions. Boston: Cengage Learning. Katsioloudes, M.I. Hadjidakis, S. (2007) International business: a global perspective, NY: Butterworth-Heinemann. Kets de Vr ies, M. F. R. (1998). Charisma in action: The transformational abilities of Virgins Richard Branson and AABs Percy Barnevik. Organizational Dynamics, 26 (2), 6-21. Kunstler, B. (2008). Leadership in the Era of the Human Singularity: New Demands, New Skills, New Response. The Proteus Monograph Series, 2(4), 1-93. London, M. (2002). Leadership Development: Paths to Self-Insight and Professional Growth. NY: Routledge. Shavinina, L. V. (2006). Micro-social factors in the development of entrepreneurial giftedness: the case of Richard Branson, High Ability Studies, 17 (2), 225–235. Sosik, J.J. Dinger, S.L. (2007). Relationships between leadership style and vision content: The moderating role of need for social approval, self-monitoring, and need for social power. The Leadership Quarterly, 18(1), 134–153.

American Corporations and Internet Pornography Essay Exploratory Es

In this essay, we shall consider the so-called "reputable" mainstream American companies that are reaping huge profits from Internet porn, as well as related considerations. Â   Marriott, Westin, and Hilton are known for their pornographic video deliveries to paying rooms, a practice which Omni Hotels discontinued when confronted by the American Family Association. On the other hand, Internet porn companies like Yahoo! In its x-rated Geocities sites, was not intimidated by AFA's threats. Instead, it took US Attorney General Ashcroft's strong action to intimidate Yahoo! into only a partial-withdrawal from Internet porn. However, Yahoo! Still retains marginally pornographic material on websites. Â   ATT is the biggest American company that has accommodated itself to the pornography boom. Its cable division, ATT Broadband, distributes to subscribers the explicit porn channel, The Hot Network; and this has unfortunate repercussions in the world of Internet pornography. In the spring of 2001, an interfaith coalition of relig...

Module 8 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Module 8 - Research Paper Example fuel consumption, this behaviour is different from what is observed in other countries, like the United States, where cost saving and practicality surpass brand names. This information is essential in determining the brand of cars the will make the greatest sales in china. This attraction to brand names goes hand in hand with how the consumer’s view the manufacturers’ image. Another factor in the determination of the brand is the opinion of the user’s friends. This plays a significant role in the choice of car that they will make. The use of the internet is also growing rapidly among the population, with this comes the growth of e-commerce. Monitoring the users’ preferences on products could also provide good information in determining the marketing strategy to improve on sales (Hague & Peter, 2002). The selection of field workers would comprise of a group of a certain age group and preferably from different cultures (Martin and Tamara, 2005). The training of field workers would involve, giving them guidelines to what questions to ask the consumers, the use of questionnaires to gather data and analysis of this data. The training would also show the fieldworkers how to use the analysed data to generate and compile reports about the research. The supervision would involve the use of guidelines is followed strictly, and the fieldworkers use questionnaires effectively. In the analysis, of the overall customer satisfaction, the frequency distribution indicated that the bigger percentage was satisfied with their dell computers; this came with 95.4 of the percentage interviewed. In the following question, of referring dell to a friend, 81.7% of the interviewees agreed that they would recommend it to a friend or relative. The next question was asking the interviewees the probability of making a dell purchase if they were buying a computer. The frequency was distributed towards the positive with a large percentage of 96.2 saying that they would make the choice

Artist michelangelo biography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Artist michelangelo biography - Essay Example There, Michelangelo learned the technique of panel painting for a few months. He was supposed to stay there for not less than three years, but an extraordinary opportunity opened to him. At the recommendation of Ghirlandaio, he moved into the house of Florentine ruler Lorenzo the Magnificent. One of the powerful Medici family, where he studied classical sculpture in the Medici gardens. This is a great time for Michelangelo; his experience with the Medici group, permit him access to the social elite of Florence, which allowed him to learn under the respected sculptor Bertoldo di Giovanni, Donatellos pupil, and introducing him to prominent poets, Humanists and scholars . Piero de Medici initiates Michelangelo to the Augustinian friars from the Church of Saint Spirit in Florence, who was hosting the young talent within their convent. He was given a special permission to learn cadavers for insight into anatomy, through the introduction to corpses he had an adverse effect on his health. These combined factors laid the basis for what would become Michelangelos unique style: a muscular concept and reality combined with a touching beauty. As a sign of appreciation to the friars, Michelangelo made a wooden Crucifix, which is still inside the Church of Saint Spirit. Slightly before the Medici family were banished from Florence, Michelangelo moved to Bologna hosted by Gianfranco Aldrovandi and then to Venice, where he continued his studies of literature and sculpture practice. He returned to Florence in 1495 where he begun the work as a sculptor, modeling his style after masterpieces of classical antiquity, In 1496, Michelangelo moved to Rome as a result of the famous Sleeping Cupid affair which had made him a reputation. He hoped to find new donors for his creations. He started modeling a marble Bacchus, under the patronage of the banker Jacopo Galli. On August 27, 1498 Michelangelo signed his first break through