Decreasing Newspaper Readership -- Journalism Journalistic Essays

Decreasing Newspaper Readership Newspapers are nothing without readers: no argument here. â€Å"They are the reason we produce the paper in the first place,† Noah Bombard, editor of The Beacon in Acton, said. Many newspapers across the country have had yearly decreases in readership and circulation numbers for years. These decreases have added up causing newspaper editors to worry. â€Å"We’ve lost 5,000 subscribers in the last decade. That’s not unusual,† James H. Smith, executive editor, The Record-Journal in Meriden, Conn., said. Ten years ago, the Record-Journal’s subscribers totaled 30,000; today the paper has 25,000, Smith said. The bad news doesn’t seem to be ending for newspapers. Research conducted in the area of readership is only echoing what newspapers have known all along: newspapers are losing readers. â€Å"Nationwide newspaper circulation peaked in the 1970s,† David Solomon, editor of The Telegraph, Nashua, N.H, said. Studies conducted of American newspapers today show that readership is traveling down a continuously steady downward spiral. According to the recent â€Å"The State of the News Media 2005† report by the Project for Excellence in Journalism: â€Å"‘Newspaper circulation is in decline,’ the inaugural edition of this report declared a year ago†¦it's clear that things are worse than people thought.† The problem is newspapers can’t afford to lose readers because they are nothing without their readers. â€Å"Without readers, a paper would have no value, no audience, no purpose,† Solomon said. When newspapers lose readers they also lose advertising. Without advertising, newspapers lose their greatest source of income and papers have no way of paying the high costs of production. And without a product newspapers are not... ... of topics,† â€Å"The State of the News Media 2005† said. And not everyone is ditching the newspaper for the screen. There are still some readers who consider newspapers the only source for news. â€Å"There is evidence that more people are reading the newspaper at work or in settings like coffee shops and waiting rooms and that the demographic groups newspapers have a harder time reaching, like women and young people, are well represented among occasional readers of this kind,† â€Å"The State of the News Media 2005† said. â€Å"I’m not convinced people are reading on the Internet. Baby-boomers, I think, they’re the ones still reading the actual paper and they’re the majority. It’s just not an efficient way of reading the paper,† Van Wormer said. â€Å"They should research how a paper feels. It’s like fine bookkeeping. That will keep the newspaper above other media,† Van Wormer said.

Solutions to Global Poverty

There are different solutions to Global Poverty nowadays. Foreign aid is considered one of the most effective because it helps in pioneering new ideas for development and solves the budgeting problem that might ruin even the brightest project. There is considerable scope for improving on the current level of foreign aid, around $120 billion per annum. Another solution is tax recovery. Multinational corporations and wealthy elites minimize tax burdens so that poor countries are denied tax revenues from each of these sources exceeding in aggregate the current level of foreign aid. Besides this, investment in the rural economy always pays off. Rewards of economic growth are to be spent on payments for the poor and for immunisation. Of equal importance to local communities and individual households is greater power to control their own affairs.  Control Key and Word – Text and Graphics. An infusion of accountability through democracy and individual rights creates the environment in which governments come under pressure to end wasteful practices and corruption. However the removal of agricultural subsidies that protect American and European farmers is needed to create a favorable atmosphere for the real business competition to take place. A fundamental reordering of priorities is the surest remedy for the poor, as indeed it may be for all of us in search of a sustainable future. Plenty of issues call for fundamental reform of global governance. Undoubtedly, some other sectors where developing countries struggle for treatment are trade, investment, intellectual property rights, climate change and energy. It’s a well-known fact that Brazil, China and Vietnam are countries with the greatest success in poverty reduction. Only their governments control key sectors of their economies and show little inclination to relax those restrictions on human rights and democratic freedom. That’s why we need to find another solution of this consequential issue.

Jane Elliott Essay

This was one of the most inspirational and educational documentaries that I have ever personally watched. A third grade teacher, Jane Elliott divides her class by blue and brown eyes to teach about discrimination and how it affects people in our society. People in society are taught many things in their lifetime, but when it is experienced first handedly they have a different perspective about it. When speaking with the class about Brotherhood week and what it meant I was shocked when Jane Elliott asked the class â€Å"If there was anyone that we did not treat like a brother† the classes first instant response was black people. There was no hesitation in answering this question. They even used the word â€Å"Nigger†. This is a prime example of how prominent discrimination was at that time, and it is just as prominent in our society today. African Americans currently score lower than European Americans on vocabulary, reading, and mathematics tests, as well as on tests that claim to measure scholastic aptitude and intelligence. This gap appears before children enter kindergarten, and it persists into adulthood. It has narrowed since 1970, but the typical American black still scores below 75 percent of American whites on most standardized tests. On some tests the typical American black scores below more than 85 percent of whites (Jencks, 1998). African Americans scoring lower on test could possibly be the results of discrimination. Jane Elliott proved this point in her documentary. On both days, children who were designated as inferior took on the look and behavior of genuinely inferior students, performing poorly on tests and other work. I feel that this experiment would be beneficial and should be performed in our school systems to help children experience discrimination, and the feelings of demoralization on a first Page 2 hand basis by using the same method Jane Elliott used by segregating children by eye color. I believe if this experiment was performed in schools today that there would be positive effects, such as improvements in student attitudes, elevated general testing scores, higher standardized test scores and less racial fighting between students. â€Å"A Class Divided† is a documentary that I feel everyone should view no matter what race or ethnicity a person might  be. Whether we realize it or not, everyone is prone to some form of discrimination and prejudice. The United States is such a diverse country, so most Americans are not part of the dominant group; therefore due to being a minority, we undergo a feeling of inferiority. This documentary presents us with a different view on the color of someone’s skin. After viewing this, a person will hopefully be less likely to focus on the differences they have with other people and see people all as equals. This topic was of great interest to me due to the fact that I witness discrimination many times a day. Even I, as a white American woman, who is married to someone of a different nationality, faces discrimination. This documentary will help those who do not face discrimination and prejudice in their everyday life, realize what it is like to be on the other end. I believe that racism, discrimination and prejudice are more explained through sociological theories. This does not make it acceptable, but it gives better understanding. Scapegoat theory, holds that prejudice springs from frustration among people who are themselves disadvantage (Dollard et al., 1939). The culture theory, some prejudice is found in everyone (Macionis, pg 281) This was proven by Bogardus (1925, 1967; Elsner, & McFaul, 1977) with the social distance studies that found that people felt much more social distance from some categories than from others (Macionis, pg 279). The conflict theory, this theory relates Page 3 to today’s society. Shelby Steele (1990) explained that minorities themselves encourage race consciousness in order to win power and privileges. She also stated that this strategy may bring short-term gains, that such thinking often sparks backlash from whites or others who oppose special treatment on the basis of race or ethnicity. I believe that there is a lot of hostility and discrimination in society today between white and blacks due to the conflict theory.

How to Write a Presentation in Shakespeare Studies

How to Write a Presentation in Shakespeare Studies Wondering how to write a powerful presentation in Shakespeare Studies? Writing college-level papers and oral academic presentations can be tricky because these tasks require strong writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills. To help you cope with your coursework assignments, we offer here a lot of full guides to all writing assignments out there. In this article, you will find useful recommendations on writing an impressive presentation about Shakespeare and his literary works. Keep reading to learn how to find a good topic, structure your presentation, write a draft, and edit and proofread it. Besides, we will provide you with a great list of 15 interesting topics for your inspiration. What Is a Presentation in Shakespeare Studies? William Shakespeare is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the world literature and his works have profoundly shaped our modern notions of human identity. Shakespeare Studies is an interesting course that gives students a unique opportunity to study plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries and develop an appreciative understanding of his contribution to theatrical and literary history and his influence on the English language. Writing a presentation about Shakespeare and his works can be really challenging, taking into account his unique status in Western literature and his effect on literate cultures across the globe. Many people think that Shakespeare was a literary genius who wrote the best poetry and the best prose in English and brought to life a cast of unforgettable characters like Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Prince Hamlet, King Lear and more. A presentation in Shakespeare studies can be focused on careful and detailed analysis of specific characters, themes, and linguistic patterns in one of his plays. You need to provide a strong argument on your topic and you don’t have to read secondary literature for such presentations. Instead, you are required to analyze Shakespeare’s texts and support your claims with quotations. How to Choose a Topic for a Presentation in Shakespeare Studies You should choose a unique topic that can capture your audience’s attention and will allow them to learn something new. Shakespeare wrote about important themes such as love, life, death, magic, revenge, murder, jealousy, grief, mystery, and more so you can devote your presentation to one of these immortal themes or analyze a specific play – its characters, themes, scenes, speech, literary devices, etc. You can also write about Shakespeare’s plays in relation to the cultural and social context, analyze his influence on theater, explore his impact on the English language or examine his contribution to Renaissance. Here are some interesting topic ideas. Feel free to use them for making your presentations: Key Themes in The Merchant Of Venice; Shakespeare and the Globe Theater; Analyze how Shakespeare Uses Language and Rhetoric; Supernatural Elements in Shakespeare’s Plays; Gender Issues in Shakespeare’s Works; Dramatization of Religious Ideas and Issues in Plays of Shakespeare; Explore Conflicts Between Children and Their Parents in Works of Shakespeare; Shakespeare’s Views on Love and Marriage; Idea of Revenge in Plays of Shakespeare; Role of Fool in Shakespeare’s Tragedies and Comedies; Analyze a Film Version of King Lear; Discuss Shakespeare Play Themes; Explore Shakespeare’s Contribution to English Literature; Explain Why Shakespeare is Still Popular Today; Philosophical Issues in Hamlet. Plan Your Presentation in Shakespeare Studies A key to success of your presentation in Shakespeare Studies is careful planning that involves determining your objectives and strategically choosing appropriate information. Besides, every presentation needs a clear message which helps you communicate your ideas more effectively and achieve more than just delivering certain information. First of all, you need to determine the scope of your talk. Academic presentations are limited to 10-20 minutes so you should think about the amount of information you will be able to deliver in such a short period of time. Keep in mind that you will need time to introduce your topic and to conclude your presentation so you are unlikely to be able to cover more than 4 points. You should identify the key message of your presentation and then determine the main points that support your message. The next step is to structure the content of your presentation in Shakespeare Studies. Oral presentation should be clear and logical so you should avoid complex structures and focus on the need to develop a convincing argument. It’s critical to build your arguments on the previous points and avoid large jumps in sequences. At this stage, you should also choose supporting information – some factual data, examples and appropriate quotations from Shakespeare’s texts. You may plan to present supporting information in imaginative ways using pictures or video segments. To make the most impact, your presentation in Shakespeare’s studies needs a carefully defined structure. The structure of oral presentation is similar to essay structure and includes 3 essential parts: A welcoming introduction which provides details about the talk; Main body that presents main points in a logical sequence; Conclusion that summarizes the content and highlights the significance of your talk. Let’s talk about each part of the presentation in detail. Create an Engaging Introduction The goal of an introduction is to engage your audience, introduce the topic, and outline the key points you will be discussing during your presentation. So, what are the key elements of successful introduction? You may use the following structure: Greet the audience and introduce yourself even if they know you; Tell them what will be discussed: ‘I’ m going to talk about †¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢; Explain how you are going to treat your topic: ‘I will be examining texts and comparing †¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢; Provide necessary background information and explain the key terms. When planning your introduction, think about incorporating media – a photograph, a picture, a video clip because visual images can invoke a quick emotional response and help you get your audience’s attention. Besides, you can also use such techniques as telling a story that connects the topic of your presentation to your audience’s experience, asking a thought-provocative question, beginning with a surprising fact, etc. For example, you may start your presentation like this: ‘Did you know that the word â€Å"unreal† first appeared in Macbeth? Scholars have found that Shakespeare made up about 1,700 new words which still live in the modern English language. So even if you have never seen any of Shakespeare’s plays, you have used at least one of the words or phrases he invented.’ Another way to engage your audience is to ask them to respond to your questions or tell about their experiences related to your presentation topic. Write Coherent Body Paragraphs In this part of your presentation, you need to provide support to your key message, discussing each of the main points in a clear and logical order. That’s why first, you need to decide what organizational structure you will use – a chronological order, order of importance, comparison-and contrast or theme structure etc. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to introduce your claim. Then explain it and add clarity to your argument with supporting information – facts, examples from Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, quotations. Supporting information adds color to your talk but you should use it sparingly in order not to overburden your audience and distract them. It’s important to provide clear link statements to show how your main points, examples, and explanations fit together. Transitions help your listeners navigate through the presentation. Use linking statements to highlight your key points, introduce supporting evidence, and emphasize the most important information. You can use such phrases as: I will begin by discussing †¦ Another point is †¦ Turning to the next point †¦ I would like to move on to †¦ Plan to use visual aids to illustrate your main points and engage the interest of your audience. Use the principle ‘show, don’t tell’. Consider using photographs, illustrations, and videos to bring a historical event to life or help your audience connect with a particular person. Create Convincing Conclusion In the conclusion, you need to summarize the key points you have discussed in your presentation. Don’t present any new information here. Your goal here is to leave your listeners with something to think about. First, you should signpost that you have reached the end of your presentation, for example, like this: I’d like to finish by †¦ In conclusion †¦ Remind your audience about the topic and the purpose of your presentation and restate your main points: In this talk, I wanted to analyze †¦ We have discussed †¦ I believe it’s now clear that †¦ Last, thank your audience for their attention and invite them to ask questions. Revise and Edit Your Presentation in Shakespeare Studies The first draft of your presentation is unlikely to be perfect. In fact, no one is able to produce the best stuff when they first get started. That’s why revision, when you look at the big picture, is a critical step in the writing process. It gives you a good chance to look at what you have written and find out if it’s really worth saying and if you managed to communicate what you wanted to say. Be ready to write multiple drafts and go through multiple revisions before you can move on to the editing and proofreading stage. Revision of your draft may mean making changes in the shape and reasoning. You may need to delete or add sentences and paragraphs or shift them around. First, you should check the focus of your presentation and make sure that you stay on the track through the entire paper. Make sure that your thesis statement is clear and that you support it with appropriate points; Then check the organization and your paragraphs. All main points should be presented in the logical order, with transitions which will move your audience smoothly from one point to the next; Check the content of your presentation to find out if the supporting information is relevant and persuasive and if there are any ideas that need further development. Now move on to the sentence level and edit your draft: Read your presentation sentence by sentence and make sure that their meaning is clear to your audience and they don’t sound dull; Cut out extra words to avoid wordiness and use thesaurus and a good dictionary to ensure that you use the precise words; Check your sentence variety and try to use different sentence patterns; Check for comma splices, sentence fragments, and verb errors and fix them. Eliminate spelling and punctuation mistakes. Working with Visual Aids The purpose of using visual aids is to enhance what you are saying and to help your audience remember your message. But you should use them wisely because they can also distract your audience from your talk. Keep in mind that slides should just support you in your presentation so you should never use them as a read-aloud script for your speech. If you want to communicate complex information in the visual way, you can make handouts and distribute them when you finish your presentation. Here are some tips on making effective PowerPoint slides: Create slides that will provide a few keywords, important data, and relevant images to enhance and emphasize your points. Include only necessary information; Make your slides simple and don’t write in full sentences. Use bullet points instead. Limit punctuation and remember: the fewer words, the better; Use simple sans-serif fonts consistently on all slides. Choose a font style and size that your audience will be able to read from a distance; Be consistent with using contrasting colors for text and background; Use only high-quality photos and graphics to make your presentation visually appealing; Limit the number of slides and use one slide per minute. We have discussed essential aspects of making effective presentations in Shakespeare Studies and offered you practical strategies for structuring your presentation, developing a logical argument, and using visual aids. We hope that our tips will help you create powerful presentations and make them memorable to your audience.

Smart Goals Management Essay Sample

Smart Goals Management Essay Sample Smart Goals Management Essay Example Smart Goals Management Essay Example This paper explores the issue of goal-setting and in particular SMART technique. Although there are many interpretations and variations of this acronym, originally it states that any goal should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. This work examines Larrie Rouillard’s, John Lawler’s, Lois J. Zachary’s, Edwin A. Locke’s, Gary P. Latham’s researches in goal-setting and suggests that SMART technique is rather new and actual tool in goal-setting, but it cannot be applied to any situation. That is why it is important to analyze the situation before targeting. SMART Technique Each person in his life should not only have goals, but strive to achieve them. If a person has no clear goals or does not try to achieve them, he loses the meaning of life. So claimed sages in antique times, and now almost all modern psychologists tend to support this judgment. In any job, goals-setting is also very important. Even if the goal is to increase sales efficiency it is important to understand how, what and why it is done. Awareness of company’s or personal needs and desires will enable the choice of a shorter and more efficient way to achieve the desired result. Goals are important because they serve as a roadmap guiding and moving in the direction to desirable way of life. Goals help turn ideas into action and dreams into reality. Having goals does not mean it is impossible to live in the moment. It simply means that there is a developed plan to see beyond it. Thinking beyond today gives greater control over human destiny. Goals should not be limited to careers and education. It is necessary to set goals for every area of life (Mack, 2007, p. 164). It is necessary to specify a goal to know where you want to move and what your direction is. Uncertain goals lead to uncertain results. One of the main tasks of management is to establish objectives for the organization as a whole system to determine the reason of its foundation, operation and development. Targeting is a starting point in the work of the manager, which is very valuable in marketing, management and life. Each management objects’ life cycle begins with the stage of creation, which primarily determines the goals and objectives of the organization, its specialization, size, resources, markets of products or services, etc. Firstly, it is necessary to establish the mission which is the overall objective of the company, expressing the reason for its existence. It usually specifies the status of the company, declares its working principles, the real intentions of its leaders, defines the most important characteristics of the organization. There are many definitions of a goal This term is concerned by many authors from the point of view of psychology or marketing. In most cases, these definitions bear the same meaning but are expressed in different words. According to Rouillard (2003), â€Å"a goal is a specific and measurable accomplishment to be achieved within a specified time and under specific cost constraints† (p. 4). There are two types of goals: long-term goals (from 1 to 10 years or more) and short-term goals (from one month to one year). Short-term goals should comply with long-term ones and help to achieve them. Science of management has not developed any universal rules applied in the formulation of the goal. Thus, researchers define several criteria which make goal-setting easier, more accurate and achievable. SMART Criteria Although it is often attributed to Drucker, the acronym SMART for objectives is not specifically mentioned in The Practice of Management, though the emphasis on specificity in SMART terms is clearly part of the approach (Lawler Bilson, 2010, p. 85). The first known use of the term was mentioned in November 1981 in the Management Review by George T. Doran, who is commonly believed to be the creator of this tool of targeting. This technique can be easily understood. According to the SMART criteria, any goal should meet five criteria that are encrypted in the acronym SMART in order to be easier or more achievable. However, its exact content is rather indefinite. Over thirty years of the technique’s existence dozens variations of it were created; there even appeared additional letters (SMAART, SMARTER). The list below shows the original transcript of the acronym letters and the later variations. S specific (later also: sustainable, stretching, significant, simple, even small) M measurable (later also: meaningful, manageable, motivational) A attainable (later also: appropriate, achievable, acceptable, agreed, assignable, ambitious, attractive) R relevant (later also: resourced, realistic, resonant, rewarding) T – time-bound (later also: timed, time-framed, time-oriented, time-based, timetabled, timely, trackable, time limited, tangible) Any goal should match each SMART criterion. If the goal does not match at least one of them, it is set incorrectly. In this case either it is not possible to reach the goal, or the result will be not the one desired. To set the goal, it is necessary to specify it according to the criteria in a written form. The golden rule of management says, what is not written does not exist. It is highly important to write goals and objectives because it gives the person a chance to read, reread, absorb them, and observe his progress (Wilson Dobson, 2008, p. 4). Poorly written objectives fail to convey any management commitment to achieve particular results, and they provide little guidance for defining meaningful measures to assess performance (Poister, 2008, p. 63). Formulating SMART goals is an iterative process that requires time and good conversation. It usually begins with discussion of a fairly broad statement of intent and moves from the general to the more specific and focused. Ideally, it is necessary to sharpen the focus of the goal and articulate it in a written form (Zachary Fischler, 2009). Specific Goals Setting a goal, it is necessary to ask the question about what you want to get as a result of its implementation? Why is exactly this criterion so important? It is needed to form the view of the intended result in mind. In case of setting a goal for employee, it is necessary to put original image of the result into his mind. During the presentation of the goal, the employee forms his own idea of the result. Finally, it may happen that the manager and the employee imagine the same goal in different ways. To avoid this, feedback is needed; it is necessary to check whether the employee understood his task. That is to achieve a clear understanding from the answer to the question what the result of the goal implementation should be. Strive to leave as few default issues as possible. Otherwise, the risk of not achieving what is planned increases, especially in the new and unusual situations. Measurable Goals Measurability of goals presupposes criteria (meters), which determine whether the goal is achieved and to what extent. If there are no meters, it becomes very difficult to evaluate the results of the work and monitor the process fairly. Examples of the criteria, which can be used to measure the goal: Percentages, ratios (this criterion is applicable to situations in which there is an opportunity to plan and analyze recurring events; for example, if the goal is to increase sales, the increase of sales by 30 percent serves as a meter); External standards (this criterion is applicable in cases when it is necessary to get a feedback; for example, if the goal is to improve service, positive review of the customer serves as a criterion for its implementation) ; Frequency of an event (for example, a sales manager’s job is successful if every second (third, fifth) client comes back to him for service again); Averages (this meter can be used when there is no need for a breakthrough in work performance and the only need is to provide stability and maintain the quality of the work, for example, three (five, ten) sales representative’s visits of stores monthly); Time (for a definite period it is necessary to achieve definite results; for example, the goal is to increase sales by 30 % over 6 months); Prohibitions (some actions are prohibited, and disobedience is followed by punishment; this is a specific criterion, but sometimes it can be used successfully; for example, the goal is to reduce delays when the criterion for each delay is fine) ; Compliance with corporate standards (every organization develops its own standards, the eligibility criteria is to do the job as it is accepted in the company); Approval of the leaders (this means that the manager of the company should approve an employee’s ideas or projects; it can be a subjective opinion, but if the employee at the time of targeting knows that this criterion of evaluation is used in the situation, he will strive to satisfy his manager; for example, if the task is to draft marketing activities not later than January 20, the criterion here is to get the manager’s approval). There is also another approach to measure goals However, it is more applicable for personal goals than company goals (for example, if the person wants to learn a foreign language). Grade from 1 to 10 how close you are now to your goal (what is your level in a foreign language now). Grade from 1 to 10 how much do you aspire to get when the goal is achieved (what level do you want to have). Determine how you will get to know about your achievements (for example, whether you can write in a foreign language without a dictionary or communicate with foreigners). Achievable Goal When setting goals, the manager should consider professional opportunities and personal qualities of the employees. The manager needs to answer the question about how to keep the balance between tiresome work and achievable result. The goals adjustment mechanism is helpful here. It states the necessity to set goals appropriate to the employee’s experience and individual characteristics. At the same time, the employee should not be underestimated, and the intense rhythm of work should be kept. In situations where it is necessary to improve the overall performance of the team, there should be used different approaches to the employee with good results and the employee who barely fulfills existing norms. This strategy is also applicable to new employees and employees who have been working for the company for a long time. A more accurate interpretation of the word â€Å"achievable† in relation to the context of the goal may be â€Å"individually achievable†. This mea ns that goal should always challenge worker, bring him out of the comfort zone and immerse him into the development zone while maintaining his aspire to self-actualization by making some efforts. It is always necessary to challenge workers because such achievements motivate them, but it is also necessary not to make goals too stretching because it demotivates employees (Yemm, 2012). High or hard goals are motivating because they require one to attain more in order to be satisfied with low or easy goals. Feelings of success in the workplace occur to the extent that people see that they are able to grow and meet job challenges by pursuing and attaining goals that are important and meaningful (Locke Latham, 2006, p.265-268). It seems appropriate to distinguish several types of employees in the company: Skilled worker, ambitious â€Å"star†; Skilled worker, enterprising, moderately ambitious; Skilled worker, adherent of stability, routine; Longtime employee, passive, diffident; New employee who has just come into the company. Depending on the type of the employee, it is necessary to use different approaches to make company goals attainable. The second option is setting the goal, which provides the improvement of effectiveness a half closer to the limit of possibilities. Such a problem is pertinent for those team members who have a long experience of successfully coping with their problems, but do not look for novelty and do not tend to stand out. Although, the goal to increase labor productivity may cause some resistance from the employee, it is doable because of his competence. The third option of goals adjustment mechanism application targets to improve performance of the work significantly and get closer to the limit of possibilities. Experienced and enterprising employees who aspire to career development with their desire to achieve more are ready to work harder and achieve better results. Finally, the fourth option is setting the goal above the limit of possibilities. As it is already possible to conclude, such a targeting is applicable to the most ambitious and successful team members. These employees have high results, but in order to remain on the first place they also need to develop, solve more difficult problems in comparison with the ones they have already solved. Thus, given the experience and individual personality traits, it is possible to set goals to the employees, which will stimulate their intensive work and development. Relevant Goal This is the next criterion of setting SMART goals. Reflecting on whether the task is significant, it is necessary to answer the question why the employee must perform this task (why it is important for the goals of the company). In formulating personal goals, it is necessary to determine in advance, what is its purpose. It is necessary simply to know the answer to one question: â€Å"Why?†. Another question to validate and correct formulation of the objectives is â€Å"What for?† Here is an example: a person sets a goal he wants to make X-sum of money. He should immediately ask himself the question â€Å"Why?† The answer is â€Å"Then I buy something!† â€Å"Why?† – â€Å"To do something else† And so on. At the end of the chain, there should be approximately the following answer: â€Å"Because this will make me happy†. If this is what will make you happy, then you are on the right track. Otherwise, if at the end of the chain you have plunged into uncertainty, it was the wrong personal goal. Time-bound Goal Date or the exact period of performance is one of the main components of the goal. It can be either a fixed date or it may cover a certain period of time. Goal works like a train. It must have clearly established departure time, arrival time and duration of the way. This temporary restriction helps to focus on the goal at a given time or even earlier. Goals without deadlines or time schedule which often appear to be vulnerable to everyday crises are possible in any company. Setting deadline is very important for motivation. It defines how much time is available and if there is any flexibility (Richman, 2011, p. 66). Depending on the time of their achievement, goals can be divided into long-term goals and short-term goals: Long-term goals are the objectives that person sets for the end of the year, for four or five years from now, or even for a lifetime. However, there are times when long term goals can seem awfully far in the future. Short-term goals also known as proximal goals, can be set for an hour from now, or for the end of the day, week, month. By accomplishing daily, weekly, and monthly goals, person moves closer to long-range academic, career and personal goals (Van Blerkom, 2011, p. 36). SMART Technique Application Even though SMART technique is very useful tool in targeting, it is important to understand that this is not the universal tool, and it cannot be applied to any situation and any company. The following criteria determine whether the SMART technique is useful in the situation: Dates of goals achievement should be actual. Long-term planning for SMART technique does not make sense in a rapidly changing situation where the goals lose their actuality before they are achieved. There are some situations when not a particular result, but a movement in a particular direction is important. In this case, the SMART technique cannot be fully applied. The technique involves making efforts to achieve the goal. If any actions are not planned, the effectiveness of the methodology is low. Spontaneous planning is pertinent to some people. After clarifying the meaning of the acronym SMART, it should be noted that in 1996 Edwin Locke from the University of Maryland published the results of his research on goal setting and motivation. This study involved more than 40,000 people from eight countries from children to scientists. Some of the results of this study are the following: The more difficult the goal is, the greater pleasure the person achieving it gets. The more specific the goal is, the easier it is to regulate activities. Objectives which are both specific and difficult determine the best efforts used to achieve them. The person makes better progress when he is convinced that the goal is important and achievable. Goal-setting is most useful when there is feedback indicating progress toward goals. Goal-setting mediates the impact of previous experience on subsequent action. Targets stimulate planning. People have more difficulties in achieving the goals if they have no experience or training, or if they are under extreme pressure, especially time limitation. Targets influence personality. Targets are the standards to measure the feeling of satisfaction. In order to gain a complete understanding of SMART goals, it is necessary to use them in practice. This includes setting both personal and company goals, which will help to determine efficiency or inefficiency of the technique.

Biography of Maj. John Andre, Who Aided Benedict Arnold

Biography of Maj. John Andre, Who Aided Benedict Arnold Major John Andre (May 2, 1750–Oct. 2, 1780) was a British intelligence officer during the American Revolution. In 1779, he assumed oversight of secret intelligence for the British army and opened contact with American traitor Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold. Andre was later captured, convicted, and hanged as a spy. Fast Facts: Major John Andre ï » ¿Known For: Handler for infamous American traitor Major General Benedict ArnoldBorn: May 2, 1750 in London, EnglandParents: Antione Andre, Marie Louise GirardotDied: Oct. 2, 1780 in Tappan, New YorkNotable Quote: As I suffer in the defense of my country, I must consider this hour as the most glorious of my life. Early Life and Education John Andre was born May 2, 1750, in London, England, the son of Huguenot parents. His father Antione was a Swiss-born merchant, while his mother Marie Louise hailed from Paris. Though initially educated in Britain, he was later sent to Geneva for schooling. A strong student, he was known for his charisma, skill at languages, and artistic ability. Returning to England in 1767, he was intrigued by the military but lacked the means to purchase a commission in the army. Two years later, he had to enter business following his fathers death. During this period, Andre met Honora Sneyd through his friend Anna Seward. They became engaged but delayed a wedding until he had built his fortune. Over time, their feelings cooled and the engagement was terminated. Having accumulated some money, Andre revisited his desire for an army career. In 1771, he purchased a lieutenants commission and was sent to the University of Gà ¶ttingen in Germany to study military engineering. After two years, he was ordered to join the 23rd Regiment of Foot (Welsh Regiment of Fusiliers). American Revolution Andre reached Philadelphia and moved north via Boston to his unit in Canada. With the April 1775 outbreak of the American Revolution, Andres regiment moved south to occupy Fort Saint-Jean in Quebec province. In September, the fort was attacked by American forces under Brig. Gen. Richard Montgomery. After a 45-day siege, the garrison surrendered. Andre was captured and sent south to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he lived with the family of Caleb Cope in a loose house arrest until freed in a prisoner exchange in late 1776. Rapid Rise During his time with the Copes, he gave art lessons and compiled a memoir regarding his experiences in the Colonies. Upon his release, he presented this memoir to  Gen. Sir William Howe, commander of British forces in North America. Impressed by the young officer, Howe promoted him to captain on Jan. 18, 1777, and recommended him as an aide to Maj. Gen. Charles Grey. He saw service with Grey at the Battle of Brandywine, Paoli Massacre, and Battle of Germantown. That winter, as the American army endured hardships at Valley Forge, Andre enjoyed the British occupation of Philadelphia. Living in Benjamin Franklins house, which he later looted, he was a favorite of the citys Loyalist families and entertained numerous ladies, including Peggy Shippen. In May 1778, he planned an elaborate party for Howe before his return to Britain. That summer, the new commander, Gen. Sir Henry Clinton, abandoned Philadelphia and returned to New York. Moving with the army, Andre participated in the Battle of Monmouth on June 28. New Role After raids in New Jersey and Massachusetts later that year, Grey returned to Britain. Because of his conduct, Andre was promoted to major and made adjutant-general of the British Army in America, reporting to Clinton. In April 1779, his portfolio was expanded to include overseeing the British intelligence network in North America. A month later, Andre received word from American Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold that he wished to defect. Arnold had married Shippen, who used her prior relationship with Andre to open communication. A secret correspondence ensued in which Arnold asked for equal rank and pay in the British Army in exchange for his loyalty. While he negotiated with Andre and Clinton regarding compensation, Arnold provided a variety of intelligence. That fall, communications broke off when the British balked at Arnolds demands. Sailing south with Clinton late that year, Andre took part in the operations against Charleston, South Carolina, in early 1780. Returning to New York that spring, Andre resumed contact with Arnold, who was to take command of the fortress at West Point in August. They began corresponding regarding a price for Arnolds defection and the surrender of West Point to the British. On Sept. 20, Andre sailed up the Hudson River aboard HMS Vulture to meet with Arnold. Concerned about his aides safety, Clinton instructed Andre to remain vigilant and in uniform at all times. Reaching the rendezvous point, Andre slipped ashore on the night of Sept. 21 and met Arnold in the woods near Stony Point, New York.  Arnold took Andre to the house of Joshua Hett Smith to complete the deal. Talking through the night, Arnold agreed to sell his loyalty and West Point for 20,000 pounds. Trapped Dawn arrived before the deal was completed and American troops fired on the Vulture, forcing it to retreat down the river. Trapped behind American lines, Andre had to return to New York by land.  He expressed concern about taking this route to Arnold, who provided Andre with civilian clothes and a pass for getting through American lines. He also gave Andre papers detailing West Points defenses. Smith was to accompany him for most of the journey. Using the name John Anderson, Andre rode south with Smith. They encountered little difficulty through the day, though Andre decided that wearing his British uniform was dangerous and donned the civilian clothes.   Captured That evening, Andre and Smith encountered a detachment of New York militia, who implored the two to spend the evening with them.  Though Andre wanted to press on, Smith felt it prudent to accept the offer.  Continuing their ride the next morning, Smith left Andre at the Croton River. Entering neutral territory between the two armies, Andre felt comfortable until around 9 a.m., when he was stopped near Tarrytown, New York, by three American militiamen. Questioned by John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart, and David Williams, Andre was tricked into revealing that he was a British officer. After being arrested, he denied the charge and offered Arnolds pass. But the militiamen searched him and found in his stocking the West Point papers. Attempts to bribe the men failed. He was taken to North Castle, New York, where he was presented to Lt. Col. John Jameson. Failing to grasp the situation, Jameson reported Andres capture to Arnold. Jameson was blocked from sending Andre north by American intelligence chief Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, who ordered him held and forwarded the captured documents to Gen. George Washington, who was en route to West Point from Connecticut. Taken to American headquarters at Tappan, New York, Andre was imprisoned in a local tavern. The arrival of Jamesons letter tipped Arnold that he had been compromised and allowed him to escape capture shortly before Washingtons arrival and join the British. Trial and Death Having been captured behind the lines under a false name wearing civilian clothes, Andre was immediately considered a spy. Tallmadge, a friend of executed American spy Nathan Hale, informed Andre that he expected he would hang. Held in Tappan, Andre was exceptionally polite and charmed many Continental officers including the Marquis de Lafayette and Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton. Though the rules of war would have allowed for Andres immediate execution, Washington moved deliberately as he investigated the scope of Arnolds betrayal. To try Andre, he convened a board of officers headed by Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene with notables such as Lafayette, Lord Stirling, Brig. Gen. Henry Knox, Baron Friedrich von Steuben, and Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair. At trial, Andre claimed that he had been unwillingly trapped behind American lines and as a prisoner of war was entitled to attempt escape in civilian clothes. These arguments were dismissed. On Sept. 29, he was found guilty of being a spy behind American lines under a feigned name and in a disguised habit and sentenced to hang. Though he wished to save his favorite aide, Clinton was unwilling to meet Washingtons demand to release Arnold in exchange. Andre was hanged on Oct. 2, 1780. His body, initially buried under the gallows, was re-interred in 1821 in Londons Westminster Abbey at the Duke of Yorks behest. Legacy For many, even on the American side, Andre left a legacy of honor. Although his request for execution by firing squad considered a more honorable death than hanging, was rejected, according to lore he placed the noose around his own neck. Americans were taken by his charm and intellect. Washington referred to him as being more unfortunate than criminal, an accomplished man, and a gallant officer. Hamilton wrote, â€Å"Never perhaps did any man suffer death with more justice, or deserve it less. Across the Atlantic, Andres monument in Westminster Abby bears a mourning figure of Britannia that is inscribed, in part, to a man universally Beloved and esteemed by the Army in which he served and lamented even by his FOES.

Algebra Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Algebra Project - Essay Example Leonardo Fibonacci (1170-1250) had also shown that the ratio of neighboring Fibonacci Numbers tends to Golden Ratio. (Knott) The Ratio of neighboring Fibonacci Numbers tends to Golden Ratio. The Fibonacci Numbers are 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233... And their successive ratios (ignoring 0) are 2/1= 2, 3/2=1.5, 5/3=1.666..., 8/5=1.6, 13/8=1.625 and son on. (Freitag) Golden Rectangle (above figure) is geometrical figure that is commonly associated with Golden Ratio. The sides of Golden Rectangle are in proportion to the Golden Ratio and it is the most pleasing rectangle to the eye. It is said that and any geometrical shape that has the Golden Ratio in it is the most pleasing to look. Knott, Ron. â€Å"The Golden section ratio: Phi†. 4 November 2007. University of Surrey-Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. 24 November 2007 Freitag, Mark. â€Å"Phi: That Golden Number†. The University of Georgia-The Department of Mathematics and Science Education. 24 November 2007