McDonalds Benefits Plan

McDonalds Benefits Plan Executive Summary The key to excellent business performance lies in the well being of an organization’s human resource component. McDonald’s, one of the leading retail fast food chains in the world promotes its employees welfare by providing numerous benefit packages that aim at protecting the employee’s health, social welfare, and financial security.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on McDonald’s Benefits Plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The corporation which was founded by Ray Kroc in the mid 20th century has managed to continuously deliver exceptional growth over the years despite the challenges facing the fast food industry in the modern economy. This outstanding performance can be attributed to the company’s improved customer service and extensive marketing which saw a 3.8% sales increment in 2009. To further improve its performance in the coming years, McDonald’s shou ld focus more on employee’s welfare by providing a benefit package that motivates the existing pool of experienced labor and discourages high rates of employee turn over. Currently, McDonald’s offers a wide range of benefits to its permanent employees. The corporation’s benefit program constitutes health and protection benefits which include medical plan, vision supplement, dental plan, spending accounts, short and long term disability, life and accidental death insurance, and travel accident insurance. In addition, the company provides a wide range of enhancement benefits which include vacations and holidays, sabbatical program, short Fridays and leave of absence, adoption assistance, education assistance, free internet discount program, and international fitness club network among others. Further, McDonald’s provides retirement benefits to its employees through profit sharing and savings, Mc$ave, McDirect shares, credit union, and financial planning ser vices. However, McDonald’s offers a limited range of employee benefits to its part time employees working directly in the restaurants despite the risky nature of their work.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Further, the company’s plan to drop its employees’ health plan has faced a lot of criticisms in the media which may damage the image of the company among employees and consumers. In response to this, McDonald should review its benefit plan scheme to incorporate an extensive benefit package for restaurant crew. It should also utilize its financial resources efficiently in order to obtain adequate revenue to maintain its employees’ health care plan and meet the required regulations. In anticipation of revenue increment in the coming year, McDonald’s should invest more on its human resource by increasing the range of benefit cover age. However, if McDonald’s anticipates reduction in sales in the coming year, the company should focus more on maintaining health care and retirement benefits and restrict employee eligibility for recreational benefits. Mc Donald’s Background Information In the late 40s, two brothers, Dick and McDonald were seeking to improve performance in their little restaurant located in California. In response to this, the two brothers introduced self service, redid their menu, increased their production rates, and reduced their prices making them more competitive. As a result, the company enjoyed remarkable success in the following years which prompted establishment of franchises to further increase its market. McDonald’s restaurant success story caught the interest of Ray Kroc, a 52 year old sales man who became their exclusive franchising agent for the entire United States. In 1961, Kroc eventually acquired McDonald’s and this not only freed him from McDonaldâ₠¬â„¢s initial restrictive agreement but also enhanced his ability to pursue growth in McDonald’s and the fast food industry at large. McDonald’s continuous growth saw the take off of fast food industry in United States and later took the world by storm. Ray Kroc emphasized on maintenance of cleanliness, quality standards, improved service, and value in all McDonald’s franchises which led to improvement in customer service in the rapidly growing fast food restaurant industry.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on McDonald’s Benefits Plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In 1965, McDonald’s issued its shares to the public which consequently transformed in into a public corporation and a year later, it was listed in the New York’s stock exchange. The subsequent years were followed by increase in the number of restaurants and sales such that by 1970, the corporation had approximately 1600 restaurants located across all the states US and reported sales of $587 (McDonald’s 2011). After achieving wide spread growth across United States, McDonald’s further sought to expand into international markets to further increase its market base. The first McDonald’s restaurant to be established outside US was in Canada after which the company ventured into the European, Australian market, and Asian Market. Currently, McDonald’s is among the leading food service retailers in the fast food industry and has established more than thirty two thousand restaurants, which are spread across 117 countries (McDonald’s 2011). With more than 75% of its restaurants being franchised, the company has provided opportunities for other businessmen to contribute to the success of the company and has provided employment to over 1.7 million people world wide (McDonald’s 2011). McDonald’s continues to improve its performance by continuously improvin g customer service and promoting entrepreneurial spirit among the employees, suppliers, and operators (McDonald’s 2011). In addition to its unique customer service, McDonald’s impressive performance in the industry can be attributed to personal and professional integrity whereby the company seeks employee trust by being dependable, ethical and truthful (McDonald’s 2011).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition, the company promotes good governance among its leaders and shows commitment to the same through annual reviews and monitoring which creates room for adjustment and continuous improvement. According to McDonald’s (2011), good governance within the organization is the journey through which the company promotes integrity in its interaction with all the relevant stakeholders. McDonald’s Employee Benefit In the past, McDonald’s paid most of its employees the minimum wage. However, the current labor shortages have forced the price of wages to increase. Benefits such as health insurance and sick leaves were lacking in most franchises in US (Leidner 1993) and lack of tangible benefits was especially evident among restaurant crews most of whom are students and part time workers. This resulted in very high employee turn over rates such that in 1984, the employee turn over rate average 153% and the rates increased in 1985 to 205% (Leidner, 2003). Today, Mc Don ald’s strives to employ and maintain a competent pool of human resource capable of meeting and overcoming the challenges facing the fast food industry. In order to achieve this, the company ensures that it awards flexible schedules and competitive payment packages for its part time employees working as restaurant crew. The restaurant crew benefits comprise of 24 hour nurse line access, free or discounted meals, and flexible hours. In addition, these employees may be awarded other benefits eligible to permanent employees but these are subject to specific requirements and restrictions. McDonald’s benefit program attracts, retains, and engages competent personnel capable of promoting achievement of the company’s objectives. The company’s employees at corporate, divisional, and regional offices are awarded benefits which are classified under four categories; health and protection, pay and rewards, investing in the future, and balancing between work and life ( McDonald’s 2011). Health and Protection While many companies in the first food industry do not offer health coverage for their employees, McDonald’s provides medical plans for its workers at 10,500 US locations most of which are franchised (McDonald’s 2011). The medical programs provide different options depending on employees needs. These plans incorporate a prescription drug program, preventive care, annual physical exams, child care and immunization as well as unlimited life time benefit maximum (McDonald’s 2011). The cost of medical plan varies according to plan and number of people being covered. For mini-med plans, a single worker can pay up to $14 per week for an annual plan worth $ 2000 or $ 32 per week for coverage up to 10000 a year. As of March 2009, the basic McCrew plan cost the employee less than $56 dollars a month, employees plus 1 at slightly over $117 per month, and the employee plus family at under $180 per month (McDonald’s 2011 ). In the same time period, the mid 5 McCrew medical plan cost the employee $97 per month, employee plus 1 at $117 per month, while employee plus family cost under $320 per month (McDonald’s 2011). Employees enrolled in either of McDonald’s medical plans may choose a vision supplement plan which covers a wide range of visual services such as eye glasses and contact lens replacement program. In addition, the company provides a dental plan which enables its employees to access dental services from the dentists of their choice. McDonald’s provides flexible spending accounts for its employees which enable them to set aside pre tax income to pay for health care and day care expenses. Employees may set aside up to $5600 in health care spending account and up to $5000 in the day care spending account (McDonald’s 2011). This enables the employees to comfortably cater for costs uncovered or partially covered by the medical plan. The company also offers short and l ong term disability coverage to its staff at no cost. The short term disability plan provides benefits to employees who are incapable of working for ten consecutive days while the long term disability coverage covers 60% of employees base salary while he is disabled (McDonald’s 2011). Employee and dependent life insurance is twice the employee’s base salary and is provided to McDonald’s employees at no cost. However, the employees can choose to acquire additional life insurance to cater for spouse and other dependents at his/her own cost. The company also provides accidental and dismemberment insurance cover which benefits employees’ dependents upon accidental death of the employee and is equal to twice the employee’s base salary. Further, the travel and business travel accident cover provides travel accident coverage of twice an employee’s base salary at no cost to employees. Depending on employee’s position, the coverage amounts to either $100000 or $200000 and incorporates travel accident coverage (McDonald’s 2011). Retirement Benefit Plans McDonald’s acknowledges the need for its employees to invest in the future in these economically challenging times. Consequently, the company offers savings and money management programs which assist employees in planning for the future. The profit sharing and savings plan allows the employees to save up to 50% of their pay on tax deferred basis in 401(k) (McDonald’s 2011). The company contributes $3 for every $1 contributed by eligible employees of the first 1% of their contribution and a further $1 for each $1 contributed by employees on the next 4% of their contribution. In addition, eligible employees are also entitled to a discretionary profit sharing match of 0% to 4% which is based on their contribution (McDonald’s 2011). In addition, McDonald has established other investment packages such as Mc$ave which is a money market fund where empl oyees invest part of their income in the prime reserve fund, McDirect shares which allows employees to buy customer shares and reinvest dividends in the company, Credit Union where McDonald’s employees enjoy services through corporate America Family Credit Union, and financial planning services which facilitates employees access to professional financial planning services through Ameriprise Financial or Merrill Lynch (McDonald’s 2011) Balancing Employees Work and Life In order to achieve maximum output from the human resource component, McDonald’s seeks to assist its employees in striking a balance between work and life outside the work place by providing a wide range of benefit packages designed to help employees maintain this balance. The company offers paid vacations for corporate, region, division office and restaurant management employees (McDonald’s 2011). The vacation period depends on the duration in which an employee has worked for McDonaldâ€⠄¢s. Moreover, the company offers nine paid holidays to its full time eligible employees. McDonald’s seeks to reduce the amount of time spent in the office by its employees by providing anniversary splash, sabbatical program, short Fridays, and leave absence (McDonald’s 2011). In attempt to break the monotony associated with specialization and routine work, McDonald’s develops alternative work strategies where permanent employees have the option of flexible time or compressed work week while part time employees have the option of adopting the part time schedule or job sharing (McDonald’s 2011). McDonald seeks to promote the social welfare in its human resource by offering child adoption assistance of up to $ 2500 per child to its employees. The company further seeks to promote improved child care among its employees by providing them with opportunities for discounted tuition. For instance, McDonald’s has agreements with three national care provider s; child time learning center, Knowledge learning center, and La Petite Academy which offer 10% discount on tuition for McDonald’s employees (McDonald’s 2011). In addition, eligible employees willing to further their studies may receive financial assistance from the company. McDonald’s established the matching gift program which encourage employees to support NGOs, employee resource connection program which enables employees to manage their lives outside the office, international fitness club network where workers acquire fitness information and discounts on fitness equipment, auto and home insurance program which helps employees to purchase insurance through MetLife Auto and Home Insurance Program, and beyond work which is a free internet discount program for recreational products and services (McDonald’s 2011). Recommendations The fast food industry has gained world wide popularity due to its ability to provide quick service and inexpensive food to cons umers. In the US market where McDonald’s has its most number of restaurants, the fast food industry has continued to grow with its market value being estimated at $ 51 billion in 2007 (Albala Allen, 2007). This growth can be attributed to emergence of a culture which favors longer work days and dual-income families. Despite the remarkable growth in the industry, McDonald has been a major target of the ongoing criticism regarding the quality of food served in fast food restaurants as well as its health care plan (Albala Allen, 2007). For instance, McDonald’s Bigger Big Mac was said to contain an entire day’s recommended allowance of saturated sales. In addition, the company’s plan to drop the health care plan for nearly 30,000 workers due to the new requirements of health overhaul has received a lot of criticism from the media, employees, and consumers (Adamy, 2010). Health issues and numerous litigation law suits have significantly reduced sales revenue at McDonald’s. McDonald’s has been on the spotlight regarding its labor practices (Albala Allen, 2007) The restaurant crew is dominated by young teenagers, immigrants, elderly, and handicapped (Albala Allen, 2007) and the working conditions are unsafe due to restaurants’ proximity to highways hence increased cases of armed robbery. Consequently, most workers in McDonald’s occupy their jobs for less than a year which leads to constant loss of experienced labor. Despite the challenges facing the fast food industry, McDonald’s managed to deliver exceptional growth in 2009. Its sales revenue and market share continued to increase giving it a competitive edge over other fast food companies. McDonald’s should use its superior financial performance to improve working conditions in the company. Employment on any level should be permanent and based on individual qualification upon which benefits such as those awarded to full time employees should be awarded to restaurant crew employees. Restaurant crew should be provided with health benefits and accidental insurance cover to protect them against the risks associated with their work. McDonald should provide enhancement and investment benefits to part time workers in order to motivate them to work permanently for the company and to make them feel like they are part of McDonald’ team. The company should further seek to improve its image as an employer by ensuring provision of benefit plans to employees in the franchises. Analysis of Benefit Package While Anticipating Revenue Increment and Revenue Reduction If McDonald’s expects an increment in revenue in the next year, the company should invest heavily on employees by providing them with a wide range of benefit packages to further motivate them. The company should increase employer contribution in the retirement benefit package and should introduce awards and recognition for exceptional performers. In addition, re creational benefits should be increased and the company should seek to contribute more to employees’ social welfare. Further, McDonald’s should seek to meet the 2011 requirement by the department of health and human service which requires McDonald’s to spend 80-85% of its premiums on medical expenses rather than overhead expenses in its mini-med plan (Adamy, 2010). If McDonald’s expects revenue reduction in the subsequent years, the company should seek to reduce its spending on employees benefits by reducing its contribution to recreational benefits package. The company may discourage such benefits through restricting eligible members by demanding improvement in a performance for employee to be awarded holiday and vocational benefits. McDonald’s may also increase employee contribution in the recreational benefits and drop some of the recreational benefits. Therefore, upon revenue reduction anticipation, the company should reduce the amount spent on employees’ benefits by the company but it should be careful not to send negative signals and discourage employees in McDonald’s. Reference List Adamy, J. (2010). Federal Agency Flexible on Mcdonald’s Plan. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704789404575524502131067836 Albala, K., Allen, J. G. (2007). The Business of Food: Encyclopedia of Food and Drink Industries. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group. Leidner, R. (1993). Fast Food, Fast Talk: Service Work and Routinization of Everyday Life. London: University of California Press. McDonald’s (2011). Company’s official website, McDonald’s corporation. Retrieved from https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us.html

3 Ways to Prepare for Layoffs (Just in Case)

3 Ways to Prepare for Layoffs (Just in Case) Your company is in upheaval. Rumors are flying. The big merger is just a few weeks away and the word of the day is restructuring. While it’s always best to keep your head in uncertain situations, even if you think your job is safe, it never hurts to be prepared.Here are three things you can do now to keep yourself from being blindsided when lay-off time comes around.1. Reach out to your networkAccept the worst in advance and do something about it. Get in touch with former bosses and colleagues. Put the phone tree into action. Explain what’s happening and what you might be looking for, and ask for help. Chances are, someone you’ve impressed in the past will be willing to put your name forward in the right situation. Or, if you’re uncomfortable asking for help, ask for advice. People will be happy to give it, and will still be made aware of your situation; should anything come up, you’d come to mind. Friends and family are also a valuable support syst em, and can often come through in a pinch.2. Plan how youll present your situationAt this point, a lay-off could be part of your career narrative, whether you’d like it to or not. Start figuring out how to work it into your elevator pitch. Come out swinging. Explain the situation clearly and with confidence, and then find a way to make lemonade. Demonstrate that you know your value, in spite of the difficult situation, and that you’re already working constructively to overcome it. That kind of pluck can go a long way with a hiring manager.3. Give yourself a makeoverMake sure your cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio are all fully updated and in perfect order. Make sure these valuable networking tools are doing exactly what you want them to, and telling the story you want them to tell. Consider making yourself a new set of business cards if you think you’ll soon be on the market.The point is to prepare for the worst, but remain optimistic that it will al l turn out for the best.3 Steps to Prepare for a Potential Layoff

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis - Essay Example The populations most at risk are those suffering from acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency, from acute renal insufficiency of any severity due to the hepato-renal syndrome, and those patients in the peri-operative liver transplantation period. For all of these patients it is recommended that health care professionals simply avoid the use of GBCA; the only exception being when it is determined that the diagnostic information to be obtained is absolutely necessary and unavailable through the use of non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, as a precautionary measure, it is recommended that health care professionals conduct a screening for all patients for a renal dysfunction by either obtaining a history or carrying out laboratory tests. These screening measures are fundamentally precautionary, however, because "the risk, if any, for developing NSF among patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency or normal renal function is unknown" (Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents, 2007).

The measurement of arterial and blood pressure Lab Report

The measurement of arterial and blood pressure - Lab Report Example Korotkoff sounds: A sound heard during the measurement of blood pressure by a sphygmomanometer. The pressure differences created in the cuff results in the turbulence of blood flow which leads to the audible sound known as first Korotkoff sound. Korotkoff sounds can be classified into five types. First heard when the pressure in the cuff is equal to the systolic pressure, second and third can be described as murmurs and tapping sounds respectively. Fourth sound is heard at 10mm above diastolic pressure while the last Korotkoff sound is heard at the precise diastolic pressure.Oscillometric principle: Another method of measuring blood pressure. It makes use of the same instrument but in addition, uses a transducer which gives the oscillation readings of the blood flow. As the pressure in the cuff varies with simultaneous expansion and contraction of brachial artery an oscillation is produced.Hypertension: A medical phenomenon indicating an increased systemic blood pressure. Normal bloo d pressure is described as ≠¤ 120 systolic and ≠¤ 80 diastolic. Generally, it is classified as primary and secondary hypertension with primary meaning with no apparent cause.  Ã‚  iv) S1 and S2 heart sounds are produced due to the closure of valves in the heart namely the atrioventricular valves and the semilunar valves. On the other hand, Korotkoff sounds are produced when the pressure in the cuff varies and creates turbulence for the blood flowing through the brachial artery. This the need to differentiate between the two.

Costco Wholesale in 2012 Essay Example for Free

Costco Wholesale in 2012 Essay Analysis and Evaluation Since the inception of Costco in 1983, one of its drawbacks is, they have 4,000 selections of merchandise compared to their competitors. In addition, customers can only purchase merchandises in bulk. Consumers who shop at Costco do not have the choice to pick up one single item, for instance a can of soup. Although Costco prices are low and the consumers get more for their money, more consumers are wasting food because they no longer have the big families. Costco needs to look at the demographics and re-evaluate their business model, as this could be detrimental to the company. In today’s society, more families are getting divorce and are becoming single parents. The big families are almost none existent; therefore, most consumers do not need to purchase in bulk. Many consumers want to have choices when it comes to the amount of food they purchase. One may say there are other shopping establishments a consumer may visit to get exactly what they want; however, that is beside the point. Giving consumers the choice to purchase individual merchandise will not only bring in more business but also an increase in cash flow, which will also increase profits for Costco. On the other hand, Costco competitors such as Wal-Mart stocked up 40,000 to 150, 000 items for shoppers to choose from and Sam’s Club have over 16,000 items. Sam’s Club have the treasure-hunt items but tend to be less upscale and carry lower price tags than those of Costco. Both Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club give shoppers more choices than Costco even though Costco offers a cheaper price on their merchandise. Costco spends very little in advertisements and they totally rely on their name and word of mouth by their customers. Compared to Sam’s Club they spent about $50 million annually advertising and direct mail promotions. Furthermore, Costco does not have a Public Relation department, which is not good business practice, even though they have been around for years and they are doing well financially. However, there are many opportunities for one of its competitor to come in take away their market share. Costco does not attract people who are below the poverty line; they cater to the business consumer and urbanites that have an annual income of $100,000; therefore, people who are impoverish cannot afford the membership fees and bulk purchase. In addition, Costco membership fee is more expensive compared to Sam’s Club. Recommendation Costco needs to improve the variety of choices by giving the consumer more than 4,000 items to choose from while their competitors are actually giving customers what they want. Costco needs to take into consideration the economy; people have lost their jobs and the recession, as customers are looking for cheaper prices and ways to saving money. Furthermore, if Costco does not come up with new and innovative strategies to entice low income and single household family to their establishment they are giving their competitors the upper hand. Costco should also focus on the advertisement because number of its rivals is already doing intense advertisement. In today’s global and technological world, many businesses are being aggressive and are taking advantage of investing heavily on the marketing. Costco cannot continue to use the concept of sitting back and waiting for their customers to spread the word by mouth. Costco needs to move in the direction of the 21st century by being more proactive by utilizing technology and a PR department for marketing purposes. It is true that company like Costco are doing good in economic downturn but competitors like Sam’s club is outperforming Costco in pricing which could be biggest threats to the Costco even though Costco keeps relatively branded and qualitative product than that of Sam’s Club The Five Forces Model of Competition Substitutes Strong threat Good substitutes everywhere Price not significantly higher Comparable product features More variety of features Low switching cost Potential new entrants Low threat Small pool entry candidates High barriers to entry Expanding market Attractive profits Buyers Weak bargaining power Some switching cost Large membership base Costco has the best value Suppliers Weak bargaining power Many suppliers Low switching cost Many substitutes exist Large quantities are needed Competing sellers Fierce Competition Costco is on top Quality is slightly better Buyer demand is growing Buyers switching cost is low SWOT Strength| Weakness| Low product and services†¢ Strong brand†¢ Excellent merchandise†¢ Exceptional employees†¢ 54 million members†¢ Economics of scale†¢ Efficiency| James Sinegal is 79†¢ Maintain high wages†¢ 42% higher than Sam’s Club†¢ Comparatively less attractive store layout for luxury items†¢Ã‚  Declining or inconsistent profit margins†¢ Primary focus on business customers rather than individual customers| Opportunities| Threat| Recession- Easier to find bargain luxury-items- Increased popularity of Costco†¢ Expanding foreign markets- Europe- China India †¢ Positive image in terms of employees pay and social responsibility†¢ Increasing brand awareness| Fierce competition†¢Costco cannot attract people who are below poverty line due to its membership fees and bulk purchase†¢High competition from Sam’s Club and BJ†¢Political problems in other countries| References Thomspson, A. A., Peteraf, M. A., Gamble, J. E., Strickland III, A. (2012). Crafting Executing Strategy (19th ed.). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill/Irvin.

My Philosophy of Teaching Essay -- Philosophy of Education Teachers Es

Philosophy of Education I believe that teachers have one of the most important and rewarding jobs in this country. Their primary job is to prepare young people for the future. This is why I want to become a teacher. I want to help young people grow and learn, while having fun in the process. In this paper, I am going to share my philosophy and the goals that I hope to achieve and use in my career. I am going to give my beliefs and thoughts on knowledge, the purpose of education, why my chosen field (science) is important and the best methods to use to teach this field, my principles, and the steps and processes I will take in order to become the best teacher I can for my students. I believe that all children have the ability to learn and succeed in school with the possible exception of those that have serious physical or mental handicaps. I don’t think there are such things as bad students, just unmotivated ones, and/or those who are a little bit slower at getting the most out of a given subject. Different students learn by different methods and at different paces. As a teacher I have to be ready for anything. Through personal experience, I have seen that knowledge is both relative and absolute. This couldn’t be more evident than in my field of which is science. The world around us contains several examples of relative and absolute knowledge. An example of absolute knowledge would be our understanding of gravity. The fact that what goes up must come down, unless acted on by an outside force, is constant. An example of relative knowledge would be chemistry. As technology continues to improve we are finding new elements in our world and more information about existing ele... ...g about my field, but I hope to learn as much as I can throughout my career. I feel that it is important to pass on to my students the most recent developments in my field. I really want to become a teacher for several reasons. I love working with young people, especially teenagers. I want to be more than a teacher. I want to be their friend, someone that will always listen to their problems, and help them the best that I can both in and out of the classroom. I want to be an influence on them and leave a positive impact on their lives. Kids are our future, and I want the future to be full of good things. I have experienced these types of teachers myself, along with some very bad ones. I have developed a liking for science from teachers who have set a good example and shown concern. I want to make that difference in my student’s lives as well.

The Dork Continent Book Review

Upon hearing the title of the book, one might assume that it will focus on the decolonization of Africa. Africa is known as the â€Å"dark continent† because it remained a mystery to European explorers for an extensive amount of time. Instead, Mark Mazower's Dark Continent: Europe's Twentieth Century, focuses on Europe in the 20th century, as the title notes, and provides a historical and political analysis of the modern European state from the end of the First World War up until the time of publishing the book in 1988.Mazower, a young British author and historian, has taught at the University of Sussex and Princeton, and is a prize-winning author for his book Inside Hitler's Greece: The Experience of Occupation, 1941-1944. The principal thesis of Dark Continent is that the victorious reign of democracy in Europe was not predestined, but emerged significantly from the endless struggle between ethnic groups and nations, as well as three rival theologies- Nazism, Communism, and Democracy.Mazower's thesis suggests that democracy is not the essential preferred method of political organization, even when empires were falling and nations reorganizing after the devastation of World War I. Of the three ideologies, Mazower concludes that Communism was the closest to being satisfactory in both theory and practice. The book begins with the discussion of the rise and fall of democracy. The struggle between the three ideologies was at the core of European twentieth century history.Preceding the the first World War, Europe only had three republics; by the end of 1918 there were thirteen. Even so, democracy was unable to secure itself during inter-war years. Liberalism was â€Å"short-lived† and â€Å"democratic values disappeared as political polarization brought much of Europe to the verge of civil war. Mazower notes that in 1930, Weimar's Chancellor Hermann Muller warned that â€Å"a democracy without democrats is an internal and external danger†; but the founders of post-war constitutionalism had not given much thought to the matter.For many conservatives, the problem with democracy was simply due to â€Å"the power it gave the masses in the supposed incompatibility of democracy and authority. † The conservatives also feared that democracy â€Å"placed too much stress on rights and not enough on duties. † According to Mazower, the collapse of liberal democracy was the result of its focus on process rather than on results. In Mazower's view, Russian liberals â€Å"assume mistakenly that a deep rooted social crisis could be solved by offering ‘the people' constitutional liberties†(23).The consequence was that, at the end of the 20s was that the new nations that came about after the Versailles peace treaties came to be ruled by authoritarian regimes rather than democratic governments. The emergence of fascist and communist leaders with policies regarding state control of resources was unavoidable. For th e citizens that were tired of the war and failed attempts of democracy, men like Stalin, Hitler, Lenin, and Mussolini provided new hope for a stabilization in Europe.The pursuits of fascists like Hitler and Mussolini and the lesser in Eastern European nations may be reprehensible, Mazower admits, but it is at least comprehensible. What these dictators were doing was little different from what their predecessors in England, France, Russia, and even Belgium had done for the past half century: culminating European imperial expansion that began in the 1870s. By the late 1930s, it was evident that liberal democracy had lost its reign in Europe. Hitler's New Order appeared to be Europe's future. Mazower argues that even in December 1919 Lenin saw that â€Å"both terror and the Cheka [are] †¦ ndispensable† tools to maintain the permanent dictatorship of the bourgeois. Furthermore, â€Å"the scientific term ‘dictatorship', means nothing more or less than authority untramm eled by any laws, absolutely unrestricted by any rules whatever and based directly on force† (page 24). With that said, Mazower notes that â€Å"communism turned out to be the last, and perhaps highest stage of imperialism. Mazower does an exceptional job at giving his view of Hitler. I found this to be a successful way of supporting his thesis. What I found to be odd was the way he described the works of Hitler.I would assume that he would clearly show his disapproval of the matter, rather he seems to approach the issue lightly. Mazower makes an attempt to make us see that Hitler's belief that Germany's destiny depended on the geographic replacement of Slavs in Ukraine. Moreover, Mazower suggests that â€Å"the Second World War did not start because of diplomatic misunderstanding or confusion, nor even because of Hitler's deceit or duplicity. Rather it started because Hitler's opponents realized they were faced with â€Å"a clash of two worlds†-Berlin and London(82). What I did like about the book was the fact that Mazower explained the cause of communism's fall really well. I was a bit confused before of exactly what events sparked the fall, but I was surely aware and understood fully after reading this thoughtful book. As mentioned before, I found that Mazower seemed to praise Hitler's actions, suggesting that he was not part of the cause for World War II, but puts the blame on Hitler's opponents. It makes me question what side of the field Mazower is playing. Nevertheless, the book was a great read and provided an exuberant amount of historical background in Europe.

K-12 term paper Essay

INTRODUCTION Because of the Philippine education system continuous aims for higher education, the pronouncement of the K-12 program for more excellent undergraduates in the elementary and secondary level has been proposed. According to them, this is for the benefit of not only the Filipino youth but all the Filipinos in the Philippines. K12 educational systems are additional years to secondary level. This means that the present four years in high school will be called Junior High School and additional two years as senior High Schools. The model, which is being proposed , is K-6-4-2 where K means Kindergarten (5 years old), 6 means six years in elementary (6 to 11 years old), 4 means four years in Junior High School (12 to 15 years old) and 2 means two years in Senior High School (16 to 17 years old). (DepEd. n.d) The K-12 model is an educational system for basic and secondary education patterned after the United States,Canada, and some parts of Australia. The current basic education system is also an archetype of American schooling but with a 10-year cycle. DepEd’s stands for the adaptation of the K-12 program is due to the low achievement scores and poor quality of basic education to the present school setup. The administration asserts that with the implementation of such program, the problem of unemployment in the country will be resolved. In as much as employment in the Philippines is concerned, the K12 education also responds to the fact that most countries in the world already have the same plan in the ir educational institutions. see more:disadvantages of k to 12 With this, the standards of these countries go a notch higher than what the country has, thus, creating an expansion in the global competency. (DepEd, 2010) â€Å"We need to add two years to our basic education. Those who can afford pay up to fourteen years of schooling before university. Thus, their children are getting into the best universities and the best jobs after graduation. I want at least 12 years for our public school children to give them an even chance at succeeding.† (Aquino III, 2011)† It is said that the enhanced K12 program is the most drastic and controversial program of the Aquino administration. K-12 has been met with criticism from youth and student groups, teachers, parents and the academic  community. The DepEd, for its part, appears determined to enact the program with its proposed budget catering mostly to preparing the grounds for its eventual implementation. Thus, This term paper will discuss the advantages and advantages of k+12 program for a more better understanding of the Filipinos. Chapter 2 BODY â€Å"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.†(Mandela,2010). This quote states that education develops our world to more powerful. This is one of a reason why others want the K+12 program on the Philippines. Some are not in favor of this because they say that it is not the longer education is the solution and it is the improving of quality of education. Some say that K+12 in the Philippines is not necessary while I as a student agree for this program. Since its implementation, which started with the Pre-School program just this school year 2011-2012, many still doubt its benefit for the Filipino youth and the Filipino people as a whole. It is apparent that the Department of Education is not yet ready for the full implementation of the K-12 Program in the coming school year 2016-2017.An estimated P45 billion is needed to finance the additional Grade 11 of the students which includes the additional teachers, classrooms and textbooks.Many are suspicious of the value of the said program with all the inadequacies that surround its subsidy and many are not in favor of its implementation. So let us cite the advantages and disadvantages of the K-12 program or the additional 2 years to Basic Education. ADVANTAGES To Individuals and Families 1. Students will be able to get sufficient instructional time to do subject- related tasks which makes them more prepared and well- trained on that subject area. On the other hand, if we remain on the old system, Filipino students would continually get low achievement scores. For instance, international test results revealed that we often come at the tail end in  the exams compared to other countries. 2. The graduates of this program will be more prepared to enter the labor force. As we all noticed, high school graduates of the current curriculum are not yet employable for the reason that they are not yet competent and well – equipped with the skills needed in the workplaces. In addition, most high school graduates are not yet reaching the legal age of 18. With the new curriculum, senior high school students can choose a field that they are good at and that they are interested in. As a result, they will be equipped with the skills needed for a specific job even without a college degree. At the age of 18, the age when they graduate from high school, they will be employable and competitive already. Thus, adding up to the nation’s manpower. 3. Graduates will be prepared for higher education. Due to an enhanced curriculum that will provide relevant content and attuned with the changing needs of the times, basic education will ensure sufficient mastery of core subjects to its graduates such that graduates may opt to pursue higher education if they choose to. 4. Graduates will be able to earn higher wages and/or better prepared to start their own business. There is a strong correlation between educational attainment and wage structure and studies specific to the Philippine setting show that an additional year of schooling increases earnings by 7.5%. This should also allow greater access to higher education for self-supporting students 5. Filipino graduates will be automatically recognized as professionals abroad because we are following the international education standard as practiced by all nations. There will be no need to study again and spend more money in order to qualify to their standards. With this, Filipino professionals who aspire to work abroad will not find a hard time in getting jobs in line with their chosen field and will be able to help their families more in the Philippines as well as the country’s economy with their remittances, property buying, and creation of businesses. For the Society and Economy 6. The economy will experience accelerated growth in the long run. The objective of the K+12 programs is to improve quality of basic education. Several studies have shown that the improvements in the quality of education will increase GDP growth by as much as 2%. Studies in the UK, India and US show that additional years of schooling also have positive overall impact on  society 7. The Philippine education system will be at par with international standards. K+12 will facilitate mutual recognition of Filipino graduates and professionals following the Washington Accord and the Bologna Accord. 8. A better educated society provides a sound foundation for long-term socioeconomic development. The Enhanced K+12 Basic Education system will contribute to the development of emotionally and intellectually mature individuals capable of pursuing productive employment or entrepreneurship or higher education disciplines. (Cruz,2010) DISADVANTAGES 1. Parents have to shell out more money (for transportation and food) for education of their children 2. The government does not have the money to pay for two more years of free education, since it does not even have the money to fully support today’s ten years. DepEd must first solve the lack of classroom, furniture and equipment, qualified teachers, and error- free textbooks 3. Filipinos right now are accepted in prestigious graduate schools in the world, even with only ten years of basic education 4. As far as the curriculum is concerned, DepEd should fix the current subjects instead of adding new ones. The problem is the content, not the length, of basic education. As an editorial put it, we need to have better education, not more education 5. A high School diploma will not get anybody anywhere, because business firms will not hire fresh high school graduates 6. Every family dreams of having a child graduate from college 7. While students are stuck in Grade 11 and 12, colleges and universities will have no freshmen for two years. This will spell financial disaster for many private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) 8. The drop-out rate will increase because of the two extra years. (Cruz, 2010) The additional two years in basic education may not be the only solution to the quality of the educational system. Quality may also depend on the curriculum, the quality of educators and the facilities provided for by the school campuses. With the continuing increase in school tuition, the upgrade on quality education should have already been included. The additional two years will only be to the advantage of the schools and will only make education a more lucrative business. The question remains. Will the new system assure graduates of employment after graduation? If not, the DepEd should instead enhance what we already have and not add to the burden of education. (Malou, 2010) K-12 will give more job opportunities to high school graduates. It will make more globally competitive Filipino students and it will maximize their time on choosing their career base on their ability. (Jennifer, 2011) It’s a given fact that the Aquino administration has good intentions in implementing this K-12 plan. But no matter how good these intentions are, there would still be parts of the society who would give them a hard time making this education amendment. Sadly, the Philippine education system is far behind other countries’. If this K-12 plan would push through, help the concerned parties have that optimism that this would bring our education system a few notches higher. Make everybody realize that yes, we do have quality education here and we are able to produce skillful, well-rounded, and competent young citizens. Chapter 3 CONCLUSION With all the issues that the K-12 Program is facing, it is important that we Filipinos keep faith in our ability to find solutions despite various constraints. It is a timely move of our government to come up with such a reform. Filipinos are known to be competitive in the international community. While this may be true, our current education system hinders us in becoming more competitive among other countries. The K- 12 education plan offers a great solution to that problem. However, it is undeniable that there seems to be problems arising as we implement the program such as lack of government budget, classrooms and school supplies as well as the teachers. But, if we focus on the long- term effect of K- 12, we can conclude that it is very beneficial to us Filipinos. It has the best intentions and that is for the enhancement of the youth, making them locally and globally competitive. Therefore, we must have the strong will in supporting K- 12 Educational Plan for the betterment of our education system and economy. Remember, if we want change in our society, we must start it with our education system. Parents must not think of the financial crisis it might bring their family but must focus on the positive outcome it would  bring their children. There is no impossible when we Filipinos persevere. Setbacks cannot be avoided, but these are not insurmountable dilemmas that innovative Filipinos cannot overcome. If the students will give their all in their studies and competent teachers will equip them with the necessary instructions, then surely, the program will succeed together with realization of all its aims. Change is inevitable, and t he change for the better must be accepted and be supported rather than opposed. TABLE OF CONTENTS I: Introduction II: Body III: Conclusion

Jane Bitzi Johnson Miller candidacy and election campaign.

Jane Bitzi Johnson Miller candidacy and election campaign. Jane â€Å"Bitzi† Johnson Miller is running for election in Texas and she is considered to be a worthy opponent. Her chances of winning are rather high as she is a republican and is the granddaughter of former governor Joe â€Å"Big Daddy† Johnson.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Jane â€Å"Bitzi† Johnson Miller candidacy and election campaign. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As she was born in Texas and lived all her life there, she is very well aware of the matter of things and political atmosphere that is present in Texas. She is divorced and is a mother of two children. This is an important point because it means that she has great managerial skills since she is able to control and raise two children, being a single parent. The fact that she had a software company in Dallas in 1993, and was able to raise $2.5 million by selling it to â€Å"Dell†, proves that she knows how to organize and develop a company. These skills are very much needed in running Texas and can prove to be extremely beneficial in her campaign. She has shown to be very patriotic and is determined to create best conditions possible for her fellow Americans. Cultural and Regional Support Jane Miller will meet different support in parts of Texas according to people’s values and beliefs. From previous elections it is possible to assume that the northern part of Texas will support Jane because their preferences are republican. The southern counties are mostly democratic, so she is bound to meet some opposition there. As the majority of Texas has previously elected republican candidates, there should not be any doubt or worry that she will be successful in her campaign. The South part borders with Mexico and this can be problematic because the Hispanic population has somewhat shifted their views from republican to democratic (Stiles, 2010). This is due to a more lenient immigration p olicy that democrats have been offering in the past election campaign. It would prove beneficial for Jane Miller to include a reform or policy change that addresses the issue. If she is able to have the support of people with Mexican background, she will greatly increase her chances of winning the election. At the same time, it is important she stays true to her republican beliefs and does not get involved in the immigration issue too deep. This could be detrimental to the rest of Texans’ views and they could become disappointed with Miller. She must stay very culture oriented because Americans value their heritage and unique origins. The fact that she has lived in Texas for a long time will help her in determining cultural specifics and traditional preferences. Demographic Support The North East part of Texas is most populated, so the amount of votes will greatly exceed those of the South and West. As Texas is a second largest state, the amount of people living in the indust rial area is significantly higher (Nagengast, 2009). The determination should focus on communicating to people who want to get involved with the developing regions.Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More People who are looking for employment could also be targeted, as the mostly populated area of Texas has well established corporations and businesses. Another possible avenue could target construction and western parts of Texas because infrastructure is much needed in some areas and housing can sometimes become problematic, especially in the present economy. Most likely, white and Hispanic population of Texas will have biggest participation numbers and support. This will be due to the American beliefs in freedom and human rights and Hispanic population is very much interested in the benefits that can be offered for implementation and adaptation, as well as future development within the American society. Campaign Themes The campaign will focus on three particular themes- education, employment and development of heritage sites and programs. As Education is one of the key goals of the modern world, the school system, as well as higher educational institutions must be supported. Primary focus should be on schools, as this is where children will determine their future goals and ambitions. The school system must provide a high variability of courses and information, so that students are able to try different fields and choose one that best suits their talents, skills and interests. As schools have higher stress level because children are younger and are not as determined as older students, teacher could be promised an increase in salary or benefits. A higher budget could be offered for better equipment and materials. For colleges and universities a better loan system and payoff management could be beneficial for graduates. Contracts with businesses and corpor ations could present part time employment during studies and right after graduation. The younger generation should be targeted because the future lies with modern technologies and further advances in sciences. Employment is the second theme of the campaign and is also very important. The target audience for this division should be older population, as people who are newcomers to the country or those who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis will be looking for employment. Areas with lower social class should be a priority, as people are struggling there and it is often hard to get involved in a certain profession. Social programs that are linked to businesses could be beneficial, as people will be at least partly employment, with a potential for future hiring. Development and support of heritage sites and programs is the third theme and will target people of all cultural backgrounds. A large portion of society rests on people’s beliefs and traditions and is directly linked to their interests and professions.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Jane â€Å"Bitzi† Johnson Miller candidacy and election campaign. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More When people are involved in something they like doing and which is close to their native background, they will produce higher output. This part of campaign will target all ethnic groups, including Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Latinos, African-Americans and any other groups that are present in the region. Local public centers and better funding to social programs will get people involved in their community and strengthen people’s morals. Win or Lose? According to the article titled â€Å"Texas Governors Race Goes National as Parties Eye Long-Term Gains† there is some concern that people might have democratic views. The key to targeting both republicans and democrats is to try and unite the interests. Prev ious elections have shown that â€Å"Perry was leading White by 46 percent to 39 percent, with 8 percent undecided† (Khan par. 2). This proves that people’s views are starting to merge and so, a strategy that can satisfy interests of the two groups will be increasingly successful. Another article, â€Å"Texas governor candidates Bill White, Rick Perry clash over schools† shows that people are very much concerned with the education question (Stutz, 2010). As this is one of the themes that will be a major focus of the campaign, it should yield positive results. A very significant topic is discussed in an article titled â€Å"Has a Democrat Got a Chance of Becoming Governor of Texas?† and is very much related to the issue at hand. According to mentioned statistics, the republicans are in greater lead over democrats and thus, they should be the primary focus of the campaign (Hylton, 2010). People’s views do not change overnight and usually, voters stic k to something that has been checked by time and proved to be successful for the majority. Considering all of the above, Jane Miller has a very high chance of winning the election. Rumors If there were reports of the opponents’ domestic violence it would be important to examine the circumstances. If they are substantiated and proven, people should know about it. No one has the right to violate rights, freedoms and personal safety of another person. The population of Texas has the right to know such significant information about their candidates, as this can very much reflect in the way they will govern. If they are aggressive and unable to control their emotions and actions, they can be an unreliable leader who will act on a whim and not in the interests of the public. In case the matter is just a rumor and has no proof, it would be unwise to mention and make an issue at the campaign, as people might think that the candidate is blowing things out of proportion. Such person wo uld be an unwanted governor because they will base their knowledge on every rumor and this will lead to actions based on lies and unvalidated material. References Hylton, H. (2010). Has a democrat got a chance of becoming governor of Texas? Web.Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Khan, H. (2010). Texas governors race goes national as parties eye long-term gains. Web. Nagengast, C. (2009). Almanac of American demographics. Bloomington, United States: Colin Nagengast. Stiles, M. (2010). Texas governors race maps. Web. Stutz, T. (2010). Texas governor candidates Bill White, Rick Perry clash over schools. Web.

Linguistic Register and Code Switching

Linguistic Register and Code Switching Linguistic Register and Code Switching Linguistic Register and Code Switching By Mark Nichol â€Å"Linguistic register† refers to the concept of adapting one’s use of language to conform to standards or traditions in a given professional or social situation, and writers and editors will benefit from recognizing the distinction between registers. The five general categories follow: Intimate register is the highly informal language used among family members and close friends, and may include private vocabulary known only to two people or a small group, as well as nonverbal cues exclusive to the pair or group. Casual register is the informal language of a broader but still well-defined social group, and includes slang, elliptical and elided sentences, and frequent interruption. Consultative register is moderately formal language that marks a mentor-protege or expert-novice relationship, such as that between a doctor and a patient or a teacher and a student. Formal register is language spoken between strangers or in a technical context. Frozen register is ritualistic or traditional, as in religious ceremonies or legal proceedings. Various registers, therefore, are distinguished by not only by sophistication of vocabulary but also by complexity and regularity of grammar and syntax. It is vital to note, however, that register is associated not with the speaker or writer but with the professional or social environment; a person can conceivably, within a given day, communicate in each of the five linguistic registers in assorted interpersonal interactions. A related term is diatype, which means â€Å"language distinguished by the professional or social purpose,† and is often distinct from dialect, which means â€Å"language spoken by an individual or a group,† though a particular form of language may qualify for both definitions. The three factors in diatype are field, or subject matter; mode, or the form of communication (written, spoken, and so on); and tenor, or the participants and their professional or social relationships. Mode is further defined by the degree of preparation whether the communication is improvised or prepared, or somewhere in between and by the rhetorical purpose, including expository, narrative, or persuasive. Another term relevant to linguistic register is code-switching, which varies in meaning but for our purposes refers to flexibility in adhering to a register within or between communications. One of the most noticeable examples of code-switching in U.S. urban areas is the divergent use by black people of standard American English and Black English (appropriately, known in a more formal register as African American Vernacular English). The difference between speech among adolescents and their conversations with parents and other authority figures is also code-switching. Writers and editors must be at least subconsciously aware of linguistic register. In fiction, a given character may necessarily shift among several, if not all, degrees in a given story, and the character’s fidelity to the appropriate register in each situation will in part determine the writer’s success. Nonfiction also relies on attention to linguistic register, in that a topic for one article or essay may require consultative register, while another may call for casual or formal register and the writer must sometimes consider whether code-switching within one piece is an appropriate strategy. (You get my drift?) This discussion does not suggest that writers and editors must dispassionately analyze writing for technical adherence to linguistic register in order to succeed. But wordsmiths who recognize the distinctions will be more successful in facilitating communication in both informational and creative prose. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Synonyms for â€Å"Leader†Does "Mr" Take a Period?One Scissor?

Discussion Question Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 25

Discussion Question - Assignment Example These are optional and vary depending on the terms agreed between the employee and the insurance company or bank. Employers have to be aware of the amount they are required to withhold from each employee. According to the Internal Revenue Service (2015), employers determine the amount to withhold based on the employee’s earnings and the information in the employee’s W-4 form (Internal Revenue Service, para 5). The W-4 form is also referred to as the Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate. It specifies the person’s marital status and the withholding allowances they have, thus determining the amount to be withheld by the employer. The most common reason a company can choose to buy back bonds before their maturity period is due to declining interest rates because bond prices are usually inversely proportional to interest rates. The company may or may not benefit from this action depending on the terms agreed in the bond’s indenture. For instance, the company can pay outstanding debts with a lower rate coupon issue after redeeming the bond. However, if the call price is very high, the company may be at a disadvantage; as they may be forced to pay more than if they waited for the bond to

Site study report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Site study report - Research Paper Example The company subcontracted to supply furniture was a Chinese firm called xxxx. We got to learn that the main reason the owner of the restaurant wanted it renovated and refurbished was so that it would look more attractive to customers. According to the owner of the restaurant, the restaurant looked dull, the floor looked old, the furniture were outdated and did not afford customers the kind of comfort that they deserved. By changing the outlook of the restaurant, it would look like it has been rebranded without having to change its name. The plan that had been developed by the construction company for the renovation of the site was a 2-D drawing made to scale. The floor plan outlined the arrangement of the restaurant in terms of furniture, and fixtures. It was quite evident that the new arrangement of the restaurant would be significantly different from the old one. Apart from the floor plan, the company had a 3-D model of what the restaurant would look like once it was completed and fully furnished. Instead of the old blue color, the restaurant would have a bright pinkish color. The floor would be finished using floor differently colored tiles in replacement of the concrete floor. According to the 3-D plan, the restaurant would have a reflected ceiling and that would host several colored lights. In the old plan, the ceiling was plain and only had one or two lights centrally located in every room of the restaurant. In place of the high energy white bulbs, the restaurant would be fitted with energy saving bulbs of different colors. The old partition that divided one of the sitting areas into two was demolished in line with the new plan. It was evident that the contractor made the final product look like it appeared on the space plan and 3d computer model. We learnt that the restaurant was to have a lively, almost natural theme and so many of the furniture would be made of natural materials such as bamboo and wood. The restaurant’s furniture were mainly of Chinese style to match the culture of the target customers. One of the things I got to ask related to the production of the plan and 3D- model. The plan had been developed by the contractor in consultation with the owner of the restaurant. While the space plan had been drawn using AutoCAD software before being printed, the 3D-model had been done using Autodesk Homestyler. It is worth noting that the use of software in modern design has many advantages as it saves the designers a lot of time and energy, allows for greater accuracy, and makes it easy to make changes to plans in case of need. I asked the supervisor to outline the process involved in satisfying a customer’s need with respect to construction and interior design. He stated that the process involved several stages that began with the customer providing a brief of his/her requirements or specifying their needs. Based on the specifications, a designer will ask the customer questions regarding how the facility will be used, how many people it should accommodate, and what the customer hopes to achieve from the work among other questions. Based on this information, a team of designers will engage in research before coming up with a creative design and technical drawings, with the customer’s budget in mind. It is at this point that different software are used to come up with the plans, models and renderings. The customer is then shown the design for approval. If the