A Quality Management Case Study Defects Essay

Quality Control is developing evaluation schemes to ensure products are designed and produced to meet or exceed customer requirements. Any unit of production not meeting the standard is immediately eliminated. Researchers apply the Pareto principle implying that very few quality defects account for the larger quality losses. Pareto diagrams allow us to separate vital few factors that cause majority defects from the less contributing factors. Resources are then used to correct these factors and optimum quality standard is achieved. This study examines for defects found during final inspection of printed circuit before they are integrated into the next higher assembly. Manufacturing process followed standards such as MIL-Q. It’s a standard written by the government used even by commercial enterprises. Whenever we have a defect cited, a discrepancy report (DR) is generated. The DR record keeps track of when what defect was detected by whom and where. It also stores information about what action was taken to restore quality unit. Defects are classified as types (In this study, there are 31). These broad categories are further sub categorized. In nutshell, this effort of planning quality is the essence is Quality Assurance. Using the online DR system, Managers analyze defects. First, Managers find out the correlation between inspections and defects. Pearson’s coefficient is a valuable indicator of that. Secondly, Managers analyze the ratio of defects to no. of inspections per week. To crack the whip on detailed data of actual defects, Pareto analysis (Quality Control measure) is performed. Significantly, it shows percentage of defects caused by the key defect types. Working groups are formed to drill down on the last few vital factors to suggest corrective actions and completely eliminate defects. New drawings, procedures are designed and applied to achieve highest quality. During the highest problem period in this study, no. of inspections went down drastically. One reason could be that the work completed was less (because of more defects) and so the number of inspections went down. But the repaired boards needed to be inspected. Inexperienced operators could be the other reason. This leaves a lot of work yet to be done in this field. This study however does benefit quality management efforts. Although, this case is specific to the airline industry, the approaches described here can be usefully applied to any project. Maintaining quality is a very crucial task and any project management must seriously focus on it. Harvard Business Review

Haier’s Strategy for Global Success Essay

In 1920s China, a small factory opened in Qingdao, Shandong province, to manufacture refrigerators. Though the Qingdao factory survived for more than sixty years, by the early 1980s, poor management and heavy debt nearly forced it to declare bankruptcy. At the same time, the opening of the Chinese economy to the international market saw an influx of foreign companies seeking investment opportunities. One such company was Liebherr Haushaltergà ¤te (Liebherr), a leading German appliance maker. Liebherr saw a burgeoning market for appliances, and proposed a partnership with the Qingdao factory, in which Liebherr’s technology and manufacturing know-how would be sold to the factory. In 1984, Qingdao Refrigerator Co. Ltd. was born out of this partnership. However, technology alone was not enough to rescue the company. That same year, CEO Zhang Ruimin, then the assistant manager of Qingdao city’s household appliance division, arrived, bringing with him management techniques adopted from Japan and the West, with a focus on building a strong brand name founded on quality products. Mr. Ruimin’s techniques were successful, and by 1991 the company had turned a considerable profit and diversified into other household appliances such as freezers, microwaves and air conditioners. Recognizing that the company’s name was no longer synonymous with its products and had a poor reputation from its prior history, Mr. Ruimin decided to take a new name. The company adopted an abbreviation of the phonetic spelling of Liebherr – written as Lieberhaier – to become the Haier Group Corporation (Haier). This name change marked the birth of a new brand name and the revitalization of the company’s image. Capitalizing on its new management and brand, Haier transformed itself into the second largest home appliance company in the world, and the number one such company in China. By 2010, Haier designed, manufactured and marketed over 15,000 products in 96 categories sold in over 100 countries throughout the world. Branding The beginning of Haier’s brand strategy is the stuff of corporate legend. In 1985, one of the company’s customers brought back a refrigerator (still a rare luxury item in China at the time) because it did not work. Mr. Ruimin and the customer went through all the company’s available stock of refrigerators until they finally found a working model. Of the 400 or so finished refrigerators in the factory at the time, 76 were found to not be in working order. In response, he called his employees together and ordered that all of the dud refrigerators be lined up on the factory floor. He then gave sledgehammers to the workers and ordered them to smash the refrigerators. Mr. Ruimin is reported to have told the workers: ‘Destroy them! If we pass these 76 refrigerators for sale, we will be continuing a mistake that has all but bankrupted our company.† This event brought the importance of quality products to everyone in the company, and Mr. Ruimin stressed to them that quality products linked to a strong brand name were essential to the company’s survival. With this new commitment to quality, the installation of new equipment and the transfer of manufacturing know-how from Liebherr, sales rose 83% in two years. With the company’s reputation increasing, the name change to Haier created a new brand synonymous with quality cutting-edge technology that would inspire customer confidence and do away with any negative sentiments associated with the company’s former name. Developing new products backed by intellectual property rights (IPRs) such as patents ensured that the brand’s success would continue and it would maintain a competitive edge. The company and its customers also took pride in the ability of the Haier brand to successfully compete with more established international competitors. Haier knew that its brand was its most valuable resource, with brand image at the core of its business identity and strategy, therefore its early branding strategy was to build a strong, leading national brand name. Throughout the 1990s, the company realized its vision, and made multiple acquisitions to diversify its product portfolio and the company brand quickly become ubiquitous throughout China. With its position in China profitable and secure, Haier embarked on a global branding strategy. This strategy aims to position the company as a local brand in different world markets in conjunction with enhanced product competitiveness and strong corporate operations. The company focuses on localizing the design, manufacturing and sales processes, so it can truly become a â€Å"local† brand. The company is close to achieving its goal in important markets such as the United States and Europe, in which it has local production facilities. Its products are available in twelve of the top fifteen chain stores in Europe and in ten of the leading chain stores in the United States. Research and Development Since the company’s restructuring in the early 1980s, innovating new quality products has been of central importance to its goal of building a globally recognized brand name. Haier and its subsidiary companies constantly focus on innovating new products through research and development (R&D). One such technology the company’s R&D efforts developed is its â€Å"Safe Care† technology, which it applies to appliances such as water heaters. Safe Care monitors wiring and electrical components of the appliance and gives a warning should any electricity leakage pose a risk to the consumer. This technology was introduced at the 66th International Electrotechnical Commission Conference in 2002, and products equipped with Safe Care went on sale in 2006. This is just one example of Haier’s innovative capabilities through its R&D efforts. The R&D department is also responsible for developing all of the computer software that runs its products such as Safe Care, and this is an essential part of the company’s R&D strategy. Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks Haier’s innovation and expansion has led it to be the owner of over 6,000 patents and over 500 software copyrights worldwide. To maintain its competitive edge, the company ensures that it secures protection for all of its intellectual property (IP). Haier is an avid user of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system, and has made over twenty PCT applications. Because the company endeavors to build a global brand, trademarks are also an essential aspect of its IP strategy. As such, Haier has registered a trademark for its company name under the international Madrid system. It has also made trademark registrations for its name in the United States with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and in Europe with the Trademark and Designs Registration Office of the European Union (OHIM). Commercialization Haier designs, produces and markets its products through its global network and business framework. As of 2010, Haier had fifteen industrial complexes, thirty overseas production factories and bases, eight design centers and over 58,000 sales agents worldwide. In the domestic market, Haier focuses on four leading product categories: refrigerators, refrigerating cabinets, air conditioners and washing machines. Haier also has a significant consumer electronics division. For international markets, Haier has adopted a unique strategy to penetrate difficult markets such as the United States and Europe. When it first entered the market in the United States, it identified two potentially lucrative yet underdeveloped niche markets – that of small sized refrigerators for dorm rooms, hotels, and the like; and electric wine cellars. Haier’s imports of these appliances, coupled with a strong design and development team, helped the company rapidly develop its brand, and by 2000 it was a major player in both product markets. The success of Haier in such niche markets has allowed its brand name to become well known, which encouraged the company to target the higher-end full size refrigerator market in the United States. To do so, the company built its first manufacturing plant in the United States in Camden, South Carolina in 1999. In line with the company’s goal of making its brand name â€Å"local† in international markets, this initiative was a resounding success. Haier has since undertaken similar initiatives in other markets such as the European Union and the Middle East. Business Results Haier’s focus on building a strong brand has brought it from the brink of bankruptcy to one of the most successful appliance companies in the world. By 2010 the company had over 50,000 worldwide employees. It enjoyed an annual growth rate of 68% between 1984 and 2005, with revenue in 2005 totaling 103.4 billion Chinese Renminbi (RMB). The company enjoys a 40% market share for household appliances in China and has successfully entered difficult markets such as the United States, and it is now the world’s number two refrigerator manufacturer, only second to Whirlpool. Despite the economic slump in 2008, Haier profits increased nearly 20% that year and enjoyed net profits of RMB 768 million. In 2004, Haier acquired a controlling stake in Haier-CCT Holdings, a joint venture which was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that same year. Haier’s international success and well known brand name led to the company becoming an official sponsor for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Success Built on the Shoulders of Branding Key to any company’s success is its brand, and strong brands allow a company to not only grow domestically but also internationally. Haier rode the wave of its strong domestic brand to enter new markets and expand into a fast growing multinational corporation. In March 2009, the Financial Times recognized Haier’s success when it ranked it among the Top 10 Chinese World-class Brands. Through protecting its IP and brand names with trademarks, Haier has built up a powerful asset that has transformed the company and brought global recognition for its brand and products.

Striking the best deal: a closer look at negotiation

Negotiation styles must be dynamic and flexible; they ought to be adapted based on the context in which they shall be utilized. These styles may either be competitve or collaborative, depending on the extent to which the individual considers himself and the person he is negotiating with. The following scenario has been relayed for purposes of reflecting on my negotiation style and on the tangible means through which I can improve it.Negotiation has been overlooked as an important management competency / skill as it was limited to the confines of the conflict – resolution phase. This skill whose aim to is to minimize differences between parties, can also be effectively used as a tool for information-sharing, influencing and building or strengthening relationships. This tool is most helpful where the environment promotes openness in communication, particularly in the sharing of information and involvement of everyone in the decision-making in the organization.DiscussionThis pape r begins with a thorough discussion of the context in which the negotiation tool place. I have worked as a Human Resources Manager for a Battery Manufacturing company for two years now. After a careful review of my performance, I believe that my salary raise has been way overdue. There were several things which I had to adequately prepare prior to my negotiation with my boss. First, I had to gather as much objective / emprical evidence to back up my case.This meant going through my performance reviews, and seeing the achievements and the merits which I have accomplished for the past two years. I had to make sure that my claims were backed up by verifiable critical incidents. That is, my evidence must be as objective as possible so as to gain credence and strike up a reasonable bargain with my superior. My objective for the negotiation session was to convince my superior that I add value to the enterprise and therefor deserve a raise that will make my recent promotion worthwhile.I th en proceeded to schedule a meeting with my boss and went through the process of negotiating for a salary raise. I began the discussion with asking him about how he evaluated my performance for the past two years. He said that he thought my performance was exemplary and that I excelled more compared to the other managers of the department. I thanked him for his compliments and proceeded by giving a summary of my achievements within the past two years. I supported each of my traits with critical incidents. I ensured support for both technical exerptise and soft skills.I also gave a brief rundown of the training sessions which I have attended which demonstrated by authentic intent to improve myself further. I then showed my boss the strategic map of my company which illustrates the different strategic objectives of the organization, from the various perspectives of our Balanced Scorecard, encompassing financials, customer, best business practice, business development, and learning and growth. I again pointed out how the effective performance of my role is able to contribute to each of the strategic thrusts across these perspectives. He seemed to be convinced of the value of my role and my drive to excel.I then articulated my belief and feeling that my salary increase has been long overdue. He responded by saying that currently, the company has some financial considerations which has compelled him to be be very careful in giving raises lest we go beyond our operating budget. I responded by expressing empathy over his concern; â€Å"yes I understand the situation, Sir†. Since reason appealed more to my boss more than feelings, I decided to further rationalize the need for me to have a raise.I said that based on benchmark data, I feel that my pay is below the industry average when compared to parallel positions in other companies. I showed him the data. With salaries which are uncompetitive, I put forth that we will surely lose critical talent. I have also ad ded that with the addition of one more child to my family, I pragmatically need more financial resources more than ever. He seemed to agree with my arguments and yet he still maintained that the company was currently experiencing financial constraints which I must be able to consider. Again, I have expressed empathy of the situation.I then proceeded by asking him about his ideas about my proposition. This discussion was very important since both parties were engaged in the brainstorming and decision making process. He again reiterated the fact that the company then was experiencing certain financial constraints. After proposing severla alternatives, he agreed on a ‘conditional’ raise. First, I would have to show consistency in my performance within the next six months, exhibiting the same level of excellence and results orientation in my work.He said that the financial figures would have shown a turnaround by that time. I then reassured him that I am willing to compromi se and that I thought that the proposal was reasonable. I volunteered to summarize the discussion, and reiterated that I was expecting a 20% raise in my basic salary after an interim performance review, six months from the time of our discussion.. He finally agreed. Finally, for clarity of the agreements between us, I have volunteered to document all that was agreed upon so that we could sign for documentation purposes. He has also agreed with this proposal. I then proceeded to doing the minutes of the session and to have him concur to all that was stated in the document.There were several things which I have learned from myself from this experience on negotiation. First, it may be beneficial and reasonable to exhibit assertiveness when it is due. Had I not decided to muster all my courage to negotiate with my salary increase, I would not have gotten his word – also, considering the organization’s conservative position when it comes to giving out raises. I have also re alized that it is always beneficial to use key principles that ensure the smooth interpersonal relationship between two parties during the negotiation process.First, I have ensured to maintain or enhance his self-esteem despite being somehow frustrated with the fact that I have not received a raise for such a long time. I have expressed to him that I still felt motivated and driven in my work despite the lack of that hygiene factor – pay. Whenever there were instances wherein it appeared he lacked management skill, I always ‘balanced’ it off with a positive trait. This was to ensure that antagonism would not develop as a reaction from him. I found this very effective and critical in the process of negotiation.Next, I have also practiced the use of empathy. I always assured him that I understood the tight financial position that the company was experiencing then. I also assured him that I understood why he was not able to recommend a raise for me within 2 yearsâ⠂¬â„¢ time when he explained that the company was still in financial rehabilitation. Another effective technique was to engage him in brainstorming for ideas. If the idea solely came from me, he would surely not have buy-in with it and would tend to antagonize it. On the contrary, since he was part of the process of thinking of the best alternative for resolving the situation, he remained amiable and accepting throughout the whole process. This facilitated the discussion and made us arrive at a mutually beneficial option.There were also several things which I have learned about my superior following that session. I have realized that he was a very rational person, who bases his decisions on empirical data. He wanted support for all that was said. I feel that this was reasonable and has helped encourage objectivity from both parties. I came to the session prepared with all the necessary documents to support my arguments, knowing that he will be more appreciative given all these †˜evidence’. In effect, the sense of subjectivity from both parties is diminished which also helped maintain that atmosphere of amiability. I then realized from the experience that it is very important for a manager to be psychologically prepared before going through any negotiation or bargaining process.This experience was quite different from the parties whom I have negotiated with in the past. One difference was the personality of the party whom I was negotiating with – my superior was highly objective and was willing to negotiate. Such willingness and objectivity are very important. There were parties in the past who appear to be very antagonistic to begin with, and were not willing to compromise. In effect, the session was simply about manipulation and getting the other party to agree to what one wants.This is a wrong assumption, and is marked by close-mindedness. Another difference which I have noted was the willingness of my boss to reach a reasonable compromise . He listened to my arguments and assessed if they held water. If they did, he acknowledged them and were open to them. He also considered the financial constraints of the company and had to adjust his proposition so that both parties may benefit.It should also be noted that in the process of negotiation, managerial-level bargaining is controlled by the organization in such a way that the company’s interest is placed at top priority, unshadowed by the personal interest of the manager (Ramundo, 1992). The effectivity of the negotiation is also seen in the prevalence of the organizational interest as negotiation can be exploited to serve the manager’s or negotiator’s personal objectives. In the future, I would proceed by researching not only about the profile and the ways of my superior per se, but also of other factors which may influence the bargain.For instance, I was not able to take into consideration the fact that the company was then experiencing financial constraints at that time. A profound knowledge of all the factors that may affect the negotiation process is critical, so that the alternative reached after the process is one that is realistic and that does not put undue pressure on either party.ConclusionThe competency of negotiation is a must for every manager. As a business leader, the ability to communicate with persuasion, presenting an idea and coming up with options in order to reach an agreement between parties is a well-known, yet unmastered competency. Studies have shown that this skill has been linked to Emotional Intelligence. Ergo, being a good negotiator entails possessing a high EQ. But like any other skill, the researcher believes that negotiation can be developed through training, concepts, knowledge of the techniques and practice. I have learned from the experience that it is important to exhibit assertiveness and effective interpersonal techniques during the negotiation process. Moreover, it may also be helpful t o ‘size up’ the party you are bargaining with to be able to use the most suitable bargaining techniques.I have realized, too, that more than convincing or influencing decisions, negotiating is also about developing and maintaining relationships. In the field of business, this is one of, if not the most important aspects in surviving in its tough arena. The negotiating table is a staple in the life cycle of business – from the start of the partnership, to term modifications until the end of the business relationship.When one speaks about the skill or process of negotiation, it is usually associated with business deals, bargaining or conflict resolution. However, little did most people know that it is also one form of influencing which is aimed at achieving win-win outcomes (Manning & Robertson, 2004).   It was also described as the process wherein parties meet having different objectives and / or values basing from their motives or interests.The end product of s uch process is to at least minimize the conflicting differences, so as to reach a mutual agreement. In the experience which I have just related, I was willing to compromise in having a raise, but within a time frame proposed by my boss. If I had insisted on what I wanted and was not willing to delay gratification, this could have possibly breeded antagonism and would have pre-empted the smooth closure of the negotiation process.Though the definition may sound too theoretical, managers are very aware of its practical power in the lifeblood of businesses in all industries. It is through negotiation that the business is opened up for partnership, whether it is for dealers, suppliers or customers. For issues that may be surrounding the deal or service, the negotiating table is the venue for smoothing out these issues and maintaining the business relationship. And in the final stages of the business partnership, remaining issues or options on the business are discussed in the process. Fo llowing these circumstances, conflict can readily emerge in the process due to the premise of persuading another party to be performing an action or agree to an idea which may be quite disagreeable for some reason.More specific examples of negotiation can be seen in the following: Managers do negotiation with union contracts (Walton & Mackenzie, 1965), resource prices and allocations, delivery schedules, promotions, compensation packages (Lax & Sebenius, 1986; Murninghan, 1992), and a myriad of other aspects of organizational outcomes ( Wall & Blum, 1991).This was further emphasized by Mintzberg (1993), pointing out that negotiation was identified as a primary managerial role, particularly in decision-making. Ramundo (1992) postulated that almost two-third of the managerial function is devoted to dialogues in all levels within the organization even if this was not primarily considered in orthodox writings on management. Over the years, organization-based negotiations have not only i ncreased in frequency, but also has become more critically complex.Wall & Blum (1992) observed that it has likewise put on a more ambiguous and changeable which could be attributed to the interdependencies between organizations brought by the globalization and the trend of diminishing boundaries. In addition, they also cited the cross-cultural differences brought by international business as well as the current pack of employees who are well-educated possessing knowledge of expert caliber.Thus, as a manager, I feel that negotiation ought to be a core competency, since in the organizational setting, there are many conflicts where negotiation may be useful. Through a thorough knowledge and practice of negotiation techniques, these situations may be handled with greater ease.ReferencesLax, D.L. & Sebenius, J.K. (1986). The manager as negotiator: Bargaining for cooperation and competitive gain. New York: Free PressWall, J.A. & Blum, M.W. (1991). Negotiations. Journal of Management, 17, 273-303Ramundo, B.R. (1994). The Bargaining Manager: Enhancing Organizational Results Through Negotiation. Westport, CT: Quorum BooksMintzberg, H. (1973). The nature of managerial work. New York: Harper and RowWalton, R.E. &   McKersie, R.B. (1965). A behavioral theory of labor negotiations: an analysis of a social interaction system. Ithaca, NY: BLRManning, T. & Robertson, B. (2004). Influencing, negotiating skills and conflict-handling: some additional research and reflections. Industrial and Commermcial Training, 36, 104 Striking the best deal: a closer look at negotiation IntroductionNegotiation styles must be dynamic and flexible; they ought to be adapted based on the context in which they shall be utilized. These styles may either be competitve or collaborative, depending on the extent to which the individual considers himself and the person he is negotiating with. The following scenario has been relayed for purposes of reflecting on my negotiation style and on the tangible means through which I can improve it.Negotiation has been overlooked as an important management competency / skill as it was limited to the confines of the conflict – resolution phase. This skill whose aim to is to minimize differences between parties, can also be effectively used as a tool for information-sharing, influencing and building or strengthening relationships. This tool is most helpful where the environment promotes openness in communication, particularly in the sharing of information and involvement of everyone in the decision-making in the organization.Discuss ionThis paper begins with a thorough discussion of the context in which the negotiation tool place. I have worked as a Human Resources Manager for a Battery Manufacturing company for two years now. After a careful review of my performance, I believe that my salary raise has been way overdue. There were several things which I had to adequately prepare prior to my negotiation with my boss. First, I had to gather as much objective / emprical evidence to back up my case. This meant going through my performance reviews, and seeing the achievements and the merits which I have accomplished for the past two years. I had to make sure that my claims were backed up by verifiable critical incidents. That is, my evidence must be as objective as possible so as to gain credence and strike up a reasonable bargain with my superior. My objective for the negotiation session was to convince my superior that I add value to the enterprise and therefor deserve a raise that will make my recent promotion wo rthwhile.I then proceeded to schedule a meeting with my boss and went through the process of negotiating for a salary raise. I began the discussion with asking him about how he evaluated my performance for the past two years. He said that he thought my performance was exemplary and that I excelled more compared to the other managers of the department. I thanked him for his compliments and proceeded by giving a summary of my achievements within the past two years. I supported each of my traits with critical incidents. I ensured support for both technical exerptise and soft skills. I also gave a brief rundown of the training sessions which I have attended which demonstrated by authentic intent to improve myself further.I then showed my boss the strategic map of my company which illustrates the different strategic objectives of the organization, from the various perspectives of our Balanced Scorecard, encompassing financials, customer, best business practice, business development, and learning and growth. I again pointed out how the effective performance of my role is able to contribute to each of the strategic thrusts across these perspectives. He seemed to be convinced of the value of my role and my drive to excel. I then articulated my belief and feeling that my salary increase has been long overdue.He responded by saying that currently, the company has some financial considerations which has compelled him to be be very careful in giving raises lest we go beyond our operating budget. I responded by expressing empathy over his concern; â€Å"yes I understand the situation, Sir†. Since reason appealed more to my boss more than feelings, I decided to further rationalize the need for me to have a raise. I said that based on benchmark data, I feel that my pay is below the industry average when compared to parallel positions in other companies.I showed him the data. With salaries which are uncompetitive, I put forth that we will surely lose critical talent. I have also added that with the addition of one more child to my family, I pragmatically need more financial resources more than ever. He seemed to agree with my arguments and yet he still maintained that the company was currently experiencing financial constraints which I must be able to consider. Again, I have expressed empathy of the situation.I then proceeded by asking him about his ideas about my proposition. This discussion was very important since both parties were engaged in the brainstorming and decision making process. He again reiterated the fact that the company then was experiencing certain financial constraints. After proposing severla alternatives, he agreed on a ‘conditional’ raise. First, I would have to show consistency in my performance within the next six months, exhibiting the same level of excellence and results orientation in my work. He said that the financial figures would have shown a turnaround by that time.I then reassured him that I am willin g to compromise and that I thought that the proposal was reasonable. I volunteered to summarize the discussion, and reiterated that I was expecting a 20% raise in my basic salary after an interim performance review, six months from the time of our discussion.. He finally agreed. Finally, for clarity of the agreements between us, I have volunteered to document all that was agreed upon so that we could sign for documentation purposes. He has also agreed with this proposal. I then proceeded to doing the minutes of the session and to have him concur to all that was stated in the document.There were several things which I have learned from myself from this experience on negotiation. First, it may be beneficial and reasonable to exhibit assertiveness when it is due. Had I not decided to muster all my courage to negotiate with my salary increase, I would not have gotten his word – also, considering the organization’s conservative position when it comes to giving out raises. I have also realized that it is always beneficial to use key principles that ensure the smooth interpersonal relationship between two parties during the negotiation process.First, I have ensured to maintain or enhance his self-esteem despite being somehow frustrated with the fact that I have not received a raise for such a long time. I have expressed to him that I still felt motivated and driven in my work despite the lack of that hygiene factor – pay. Whenever there were instances wherein it appeared he lacked management skill, I always ‘balanced’ it off with a positive trait. This was to ensure that antagonism would not develop as a reaction from him. I found this very effective and critical in the process of negotiation. Next, I have also practiced the use of empathy.I always assured him that I understood the tight financial position that the company was experiencing then. I also assured him that I understood why he was not able to recommend a raise for me with in 2 years’ time when he explained that the company was still in financial rehabilitation. Another effective technique was to engage him in brainstorming for ideas. If the idea solely came from me, he would surely not have buy-in with it and would tend to antagonize it. On the contrary, since he was part of the process of thinking of the best alternative for resolving the situation, he remained amiable and accepting throughout the whole process. This facilitated the discussion and made us arrive at a mutually beneficial option.There were also several things which I have learned about my superior following that session. I have realized that he was a very rational person, who bases his decisions on empirical data. He wanted support for all that was said. I feel that this was reasonable and has helped encourage objectivity from both parties. I came to the session prepared with all the necessary documents to support my arguments, knowing that he will be more appreciative given al l these ‘evidence’. In effect, the sense of subjectivity from both parties is diminished which also helped maintain that atmosphere of amiability. I then realized from the experience that it is very important for a manager to be psychologically prepared before going through any negotiation or bargaining process.This experience was quite different from the parties whom I have negotiated with in the past. One difference was the personality of the party whom I was negotiating with – my superior was highly objective and was willing to negotiate. Such willingness and objectivity are very important. There were parties in the past who appear to be very antagonistic to begin with, and were not willing to compromise. In effect, the session was simply about manipulation and getting the other party to agree to what one wants. This is a wrong assumption, and is marked by close-mindedness. Another difference which I have noted was the willingness of my boss to reach a reasona ble compromise. He listened to my arguments and assessed if they held water. If they did, he acknowledged them and were open to them. He also considered the financial constraints of the company and had to adjust his proposition so that both parties may benefit.It should also be noted that in the process of negotiation, managerial-level bargaining is controlled by the organization in such a way that the company’s interest is placed at top priority, unshadowed by the personal interest of the manager (Ramundo, 1992). The effectivity of the negotiation is also seen in the prevalence of the organizational interest as negotiation can be exploited to serve the manager’s or negotiator’s personal objectives. In the future, I would proceed by researching not only about the profile and the ways of my superior per se, but also of other factors which may influence the bargain. For instance, I was not able to take into consideration the fact that the company was then experien cing financial constraints at that time. A profound knowledge of all the factors that may affect the negotiation process is critical, so that the alternative reached after the process is one that is realistic and that does not put undue pressure on either party.ConclusionThe competency of negotiation is a must for every manager. As a business leader, the ability to communicate with persuasion, presenting an idea and coming up with options in order to reach an agreement between parties is a well-known, yet unmastered competency. Studies have shown that this skill has been linked to Emotional Intelligence. Ergo, being a good negotiator entails possessing a high EQ. But like any other skill, the researcher believes that negotiation can be developed through training, concepts, knowledge of the techniques and practice. I have learned from the experience that it is important to exhibit assertiveness and effective interpersonal techniques during the negotiation process. Moreover, it may al so be helpful to ‘size up’ the party you are bargaining with to be able to use the most suitable bargaining techniques.I have realized, too, that more than convincing or influencing decisions, negotiating is also about developing and maintaining relationships. In the field of business, this is one of, if not the most important aspects in surviving in its tough arena. The negotiating table is a staple in the life cycle of business – from the start of the partnership, to term modifications until the end of the business relationship.When one speaks about the skill or process of negotiation, it is usually associated with business deals, bargaining or conflict resolution. However, little did most people know that it is also one form of influencing which is aimed at achieving win-win outcomes (Manning & Robertson, 2004).   It was also described as the process wherein parties meet having different objectives and / or values basing from their motives or interests. The end product of such process is to at least minimize the conflicting differences, so as to reach a mutual agreement. In the experience which I have just related, I was willing to compromise in having a raise, but within a time frame proposed by my boss. If I had insisted on what I wanted and was not willing to delay gratification, this could have possibly breeded antagonism and would have pre-empted the smooth closure of the negotiation process.Though the definition may sound too theoretical, managers are very aware of its practical power in the lifeblood of businesses in all industries. It is through negotiation that the business is opened up for partnership, whether it is for dealers, suppliers or customers. For issues that may be surrounding the deal or service, the negotiating table is the venue for smoothing out these issues and maintaining the business relationship. And in the final stages of the business partnership, remaining issues or options on the business are discussed in the process. Following these circumstances, conflict can readily emerge in the process due to the premise of persuading another party to be performing an action or agree to an idea which may be quite disagreeable for some reason.More specific examples of negotiation can be seen in the following: Managers do negotiation with union contracts (Walton & Mackenzie, 1965), resource prices and allocations, delivery schedules, promotions, compensation packages (Lax & Sebenius, 1986; Murninghan, 1992), and a myriad of other aspects of organizational outcomes ( Wall & Blum, 1991).This was further emphasized by Mintzberg (1993), pointing out that negotiation was identified as a primary managerial role, particularly in decision-making. Ramundo (1992) postulated that almost two-third of the managerial function is devoted to dialogues in all levels within the organization even if this was not primarily considered in orthodox writings on management. Over the years, organization-based negotiations have not only increased in frequency, but also has become more critically complex. Wall & Blum (1992) observed that it has likewise put on a more ambiguous and changeable which could be attributed to the interdependencies between organizations brought by the globalization and the trend of diminishing boundaries. In addition, they also cited the cross-cultural differences brought by international business as well as the current pack of employees who are well-educated possessing knowledge of expert caliber.Thus, as a manager, I feel that negotiation ought to be a core competency, since in the organizational setting, there are many conflicts where negotiation may be useful. Through a thorough knowledge and practice of negotiation techniques, these situations may be handled with greater ease.ReferencesLax, D.L. & Sebenius, J.K. (1986). The manager as negotiator: Bargaining for cooperation and competitive gain. New York: Free PressWall, J.A. & Blum, M.W. (1991). Negotiations. Journal of Management, 17, 273-303Ramundo, B.R. (1994). The Bargaining Manager: Enhancing Organizational Results Through Negotiation. Westport, CT: Quorum BooksMintzberg, H. (1973). The nature of managerial work. New York: Harper and RowWalton, R.E. &   McKersie, R.B. (1965). A behavioral theory of labor negotiations: an analysis of a social interaction system. Ithaca, NY: BLRManning, T. & Robertson, B. (2004). Influencing, negotiating skills and conflict-handling: some additional research and reflections. Industrial and Commermcial Training, 36, 104

Two short answers Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Two short answers - Assignment Example in 2421 according to place values where digit ‘1’ is in ones place whereas the ‘2’ beside it falls in the tens place the next ‘4’ and ‘2’ toward the left are each in hundreds and thousands places, respectively. Then to come up with a scientific notation, the child must note first that the decimal point in that order lies at the right side of the digit bearing the ones place and he or she should move it as many times as until the point reaches the spot between the two leftmost digits which, in this case, are 2 and 4. Consequently, that should make 2.421 then the child must be instructed that the number of times the decimal point is moved would be power of ten that goes with 2.421. Since the point has been moved three times from right to left as indicated, therefore the scientific notation of 2421 ought to be 2.421 x 103 (Banfill). One point would be for the clients to keep track of the list of medications provided by the physician, noting that the more prescribed medicines or drugs taken, the more likely that food and drug interactions would occur. Besides this and the risk factors that include age, gender, medical history, and body composition, a client must understand how drugs alone are acquired by the human body. Second point is to bear in mind that, like food, drug is broken down into useful form through dissolution in the stomach and travels via the bloodstream upon absorption into sites where it needs to operate and perform its repairing action once it has obtained body response or signals. The most important point to consider is the knowledge of the stages in which food may potentially interfere with drug work such as during the process of substance absorption so that when this happens, drug tends to function less effectively. Equivalently, food may also affect the efficiency of drug when food nutrien ts and chemicals react to the drug first yielding new products that may work differently compared to the original components of the medical

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Medicare Teen Dental Essay

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Medicare Teen Dental Plan and if you consider this to be good public health policy - Essay Example This paper shall now discuss the different advantages and disadvantages of the Medical Dental Teen Plan. It shall also discuss whether or not the policy is a good public health program. This paper is being conducted in the hope of establishing a more analytical understanding of the Medical Dental Teen Plan of Australia. The Medical Dental Teen Plan of Australia is advantageous for the teenagers because their dental health services are now more affordable – no matter their station in life. Dental benefits for teenagers in Australia are supported by the government for up to $157 per calendar year for each teenager (Department of Health and Ageing, 2010). This includes a preventative dental assessment from a dentist who is accredited by Medicare Australia. Services from dental therapists and dental hygienists can also be availed by the teenagers with the supervision of the dentist (Department of Health and Ageing, 2010). Every year, there are about 1.3 million teenage Australians who are benefitted by the Medicare Teen Dental Plan. Moreover, even if the teenagers would opt for the services of their private dentist, they can still claim the benefit from the Medicare. In another option, the dentist can also claim the benefit directly from Medicare Australia for the services he would render to the teenager (Department of Health and Ageing, 2010). The Medicare Dental Teen Plan also gives an opportunity for those who are chronically ill to be managed by their general practitioner under the Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC) (Medicare Australia, 2010). This helps ensure that those who are chronically ill can still avail of medical and dental services despite the futility of the care which may be rendered to them. The Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people can also benefit much from the Medical Dental Teen Plan. Many of those suffering from dental diseases belong to the aboriginal

Urban economic perspective of Cape Town Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Urban economic perspective of Cape Town - Essay Example History claims that the city was founded by the Dutch East India Company and had served as the supply station of the Dutch ships which used to sail to the east like, in India. The city has a vast land area of about 948 sq miles. Apart from being the legislative capital of South Africa, the country is also the provincial capital of the region. As recorded in 2011, the population strength of Cape Town was 3740025. The rate of urbanization in the country has also risen by about 37.5% . The gross employment rate of the city is about 76%. The average monthly income of about 47% of them in the city is R.3200. 78% of the individuals in the city live in formal form of dwellings. The city has good access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The infant mortality rate of the city is about 33.2% . The crude death of the city was about 6014, as estimated in 2011. Gold mining is an important industry of the city. South Africa including the city of Cape Town is rich in terms of many natural resources like, coal, iron ore, gold, platinum and copper. Apart from gold mining, the region is also famous for various other types of industrial segments like, iron, steel and food processing. The city is also rich in natural resources like, cotton and wheat. Carrying forward an elaborate history with it, the city has undertaken vast changes to b uild and enhance its urbanization perspectives over the time. (â€Å"Natural resources and economy†). Economic Perspectives of the City The City of Cape Town is rich in terms of natural resources. These resources which are available in the city often serve as raw materials for the major industries of the country. Moreover, the gross demand of gold in the global market is increasing with time. This has been beneficial for the city of Cape Town as it possesses the core competence over gold reserves in the world. The city is also rich in terms of agricultural resources and animal husbandry. The available rich natural resources of the city are the underlying factor that holds the city together and sustains it. Theory of agglomeration in urban economy explains that when business industries are clustered together, the cost of production of each firm becomes low. This is because clustered firms often experience economies of scale in production. This is either due to common multiple suppliers or division of labor or specialization of work. Cost Quantity of output produced (Source: Authors Creation) It is due to the above factors that the gross quantity of output raises and simultaneously, the cost of production falls for economies in production. The extent of urban agglomeration rate in Cape Town is 690 (km^2). This good agglomeration rate of Cape Town has helped the city to improve its income thresholds. The annual growth rate of the city from 2005 to 2009 was 4.06%. The city has competitive advantage over manufacturing and extraction, film, media, health and medical services. The formal economy of the city provides about 64% of employment opportunities to the labor force in South Africa. The good degree of agglomeration, core competences and natural resources come together to help the city to become a prominent business location in the contemporary world. Growth Factors

Global Operations managenment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Global Operations managenment - Essay Example In order to address this issue, PPQ Parts should uphold a decent relationship with every stakeholder of the country and do not engage into any activity which cause impairment to the reputation and goodwill of PPQ Parts. 1. The foremost economic issue for PPQ Parts would of exchange rate fluctuations. These adverse movements in foreign exchange rate can harm the company’s profits. So in order to mitigate this risk, PPQ Parts should implement a reasonable hedging strategy to combat this foreign exchange currency risk. 2. Another economic issue that the company might have to face is the level of inflation in the foreign country. Due to inflation, the cost of goods sold of PPQ Parts may increase resulting in lower profits. So in order to avoid this situation, PPQ Parts should estimate the reasonable demand of the PPQ Parts’ products and contract with the suppliers to fix the rates of materials for future

E-marketing Communications Plan for IBB Assignment

E-marketing Communications Plan for IBB - Assignment Example Hence, if we work through this new channel, it can make our work far faster and better than it used to be. Many Companies have moved away from big advertising expenditures that used to be a huge part of their marketing programs and have instead poured money into less expensive PR/Social Media programs. This digital media enabled the long-term partnership with consumers and also provided cost-effective solutions. Companies switching to new media are the latest trend and respond to the need of the market since most consumers prefer online channels these days. Indeed, online media are gaining popularity and consumers easily trust them. Today, content is created, consumed, commented on, collaborated over and circulated at an ever-accelerating pace through the social media, search engines, and digital content. Companies have to move quickly to identify, learn from and engage in conversations that are related to their brands. They need to communicate using channels preferred by an increasi ngly selective audience. So, it has been decided to launch a full flash digital marketing campaign using different mediums. I will closely work with digital marketing agencies to ensure media relations campaigns dovetail with blogger relations and other social media PR strategies, as well as wider marketing and communications initiatives. We work â€Å"with our clients to identify and track the most influential and relevant industry analysts and work out strategies for engaging with them. â€Å" (http://triercompany.com/services/analyst-relations/) For a new website launch, we will work for reputation management strategies, as well as communications services that meet our goals and objectives. We will take the time to understand our unique culture and challenges, which will help us come up with marketing strategies that will give us ultimate success. We will get the services of those agencies which specialize in helping clients build corporate visibility through high-profile media relations. We will also engage several crisis management experts, experienced in handling communications around a wide range of issues. During a campaign, the nationwide network of highly experienced social media mavens will target both consumers and influences. The services that we will explore include research, a brand category identification, message composition, ID maintenance, campaign development, execution and reporting. Methodology Since the world economy is influenced by globalization processes, the total business environment has dramatically changed of late. Competition is no more limited to a single market place, it has also expanded internationally. The technological advancement today creates competitive advantages in every industry and sector. Importantly, digital marketing is on boom and many businesses are shifting their budget to this new form of marketing. Before working on any report, it is vitally important to do a research. In particular, researchers have to ens ure they understand the topic right, and then they need to gather data and craft it in a fine report, which should be understandable in the context of its target market. In other words, researchers carry out a research and transform the facts that they have obtained in a sequence, so that readers can easily understand the idea and the situation described in the report.  

Individual Project and Presentation (3,000 words 50%) A student Essay

Individual Project and Presentation (3,000 words 50%) A student negotiated project and structure interview on a specialism of t - Essay Example It is the contemporary reality that ICTs or Information Communication Technologies have entered all spheres of our life. As a teacher of ICT, the practitioner finds himself using it more and more every day. In the context of formal education, ICT is recommended to be used by children from their earliest years. Siraj-Blatchford & Siraj-Blatchford (2000) position that since the early age children ought to be finding out as well as identifying the uses of ICT in everyday life. Computers along with programming toys are recommended for use to support learning. Use of play will provide a well-structured foundation for the later use of applications. In other words, the priority of modern education is to integrate ICT across the curriculum. The term ICT is used in modern education when one speaks about digital literacy. While the first associations with this term are the Internet, mobile phones, computers, Facebook, television, games, and Twitter, in education a few scholarly definitions are used. Specifically, Hague (2010), who says that ‘digital literacy’ is a confusing term, provides the following definition: digital literacy constitutes â€Å"critical and creative and cultural practices that allow one to understand and share the meaning and knowledge in different modes and formats through various forms of engagement with technology and media† (Hague 2010, 6). ... Indeed, Eshet-Alkalai (2002) says that the term’s indistinct use leads to ambiguity as well as misunderstanding, low-quality communication, and development of misconceptions. It is noted that a certain inconsistency exists between the supporters of the view that digital literacy is majorly about technical skills and those who support the view that digital literacy is about focus on both cognitive and socio-emotional aspects of functioning in an extensively digital environment. Hence, one of the research questions in this paper is â€Å"Is digital literacy more than just using a computer?† Two other questions are: â€Å"Is digital literacy covered in enough depth in the setting?† and â€Å"Should digital literacy lessons be taught earlier?† First of all, let us critically analyse views on the problem of the nature of digital literacy and its major components in available academic sources. The very concept of digital literacy, the term that is widely used to day, was introduced by Gilster (1997) back in 1997. Gilster (ibid) provided a generic explanation of digital literacy rather than a list of competencies and skills that defined digital literacy. In his view, digital literacy is simply an ability to comprehend and utilize information from a range of various sources, i.e. a sort of literacy typical for the digital age. Needless to say, the definition was quite broad, but it evidently opened the door to interpretations by different authors. While the term had been used before, it was Gilster (1997) and then Eshet (2002) that contemplated digital literacy as a broader concept. Specifically, Gilster (1997) explicitly observes that digital literacy is all about mastering ideas rather than

What are the limits and possibilities of critique in the context of Essay

What are the limits and possibilities of critique in the context of postmodern thought and culture - Essay Example Human culture and its eventual adoption the postmodernism in rejection of the modernism is highly recognizable in variant extents of life. Critiquing of the respective visual arts facilitates the improvement of the cultures and expounding of differing section of their application2. On the other hand, postmodernism entails the social inclined art aimed at capturing of the aesthetic, morally upright nurturing and advancement of the society as an envisaged section of the historical long civilization3. Post modernism is recurrently invoked when the artists sculpture their expertise through practicing of relevant options in their respective fields. Post modernism offers outstanding approach in enabling of criticism of art, thus questions the conspicuous values and comprehensible institutions for modernity4. The start of postmodern activities dates back to before 1960’s as active politicization intensified the liberalization and freedom process of other various sectors due to the fe lt inability of the modernism to capture and solve the existent humanitarian problems. From then onwards the main inherent components of modernism had been rationality, individualism, objectivity, truth; and were hence replaced by postmodernism features of the western contemporary and global society. From the video, ‘Is Bad art for bad people?’ the looks by Jake Chapman on astonishing and perturbing images of the alleged epitome of the postmodern traits is very much disturbing5. An audience notes that, post modernism conveys on a lot of contents of modernism thus rejecting the spirituality and the base backings of the benefits of arts. The documentary has no deeply placed meaning but extends on beyond the modern art by amplifying its ability to avail insight6. The documentary exhibits how the post modernism thought attempts to snub the apparent autonomy from the arts. From the documentary, the documentary featuring Terry Richardson, he feels that while other dislikes hi s works, he admires them a lot. He proceed on saying that, â€Å"good†¦ you are obviously effecting them†¦I want people to walk away and think about them... for them to be haunted.† Postmodern thought relates to postmodernism which refers to a an interlinked frame of ideas that assumed a recognition as a structured academic discipline in 1980s. The definition of the postmodernism is quite an obstacle due to variant avenues it receives its application in the society. This includes the art, music, literature, fashions, communications, sociology and technology7. Effectively, the intrinsic path of assuming triumphant path in attempts to acquire the approved meaning for the post modern thought is through acknowledging that post modernism is a model of motion or change towards modernism an hence it’s the essential center from which postmodernism assumes its initialization. The initial facet of this model of thinking is aesthetic motion vastly labeled as modernism. The boundaries of critiquing the post modernism highly underlies on the assumptions of the scientific objectives, the endeavors in explanation of the contemporary realities8. As for arts, the reality is in mankind is not mirrored from the general comprehension of it;

Analyzing a Pricing Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analyzing a Pricing Strategy - Essay Example The company chosen here for the pricing strategy analysis is â€Å"Givenchy† which is a world renowned firm for perfumes and luxury goods. This company has maintained its market value and product quality since years and their pricing strategy is well balanced with their customer demand and need. The customers are the life of any business and their needs and demands are evaluated by studying the market segmentation and their value attribution. The Company’s pricing strategy is entirely formulated with the aim of delivering highly qualitative products which can be identified as the status symbol of wealthy people. The company has different product line as perfumes, clothes, jewellery and other fashion accessories. The company has a phenomenal product value among the world wide consumers and for the very same reason it does not compromise much on its pricing. This is because the price of the product is which conveys the consumers about the value and quality of the product. Market segment is a sub set of consumer market, which caters to the profitability of a firm. A company creates value for a market segment by adding advantages and benefits to their products in accordance with customer tastes. Givenchy is an international firm which manufactures branded goods and luxury items and hence its customers are mainly aristocrats and wealthy population. Here the value for products is given by attributing quality and uniqueness to product they sell. This is because the wealthy consumers look primarily for a product which is of outstanding quality with extra – ordinary features. Givenchy being a renowned luxury brand creates value for their product in the international market by establishing their brand image, quality consistency and status symbol quotient. In order to create product value in their market segment, the company makes use of various endorsements, promotional offers, discounts and advertisement campaigns. The endorsement of Givenchy products are done by international celebrities who are considered as fashion icons and divas. This ensures the consumers that the Givenchy product lines are highly in vogue and have the characteristics of unique designer wear. Moreover, advertisement is considered as the potential means of creating brand image and value among market segments. Givenchy employs top rated models for their products launch and as their brand ambassadors. This delivers the consumers a message that the pr oduct is of exquisite standard and flamboyance. Additionally, the sophisticated company website and services offered, re-instates their product value and brand image among its consumers worldwide. 2. Does the company use different price offerings for different market segments? Describe these and evaluate how effective they are. A. â€Å"Givenchy† being an international brand has well planned strategies to absorb effectively into the global market. The pricing strategy of a company is based on a market research performed by the company in different market segments. A company keeps in mind, the demand for a particular product, competitor’s price, purchasing power of the customers and the good will of the product to formulate a viable pricing strategy for their products. Even though, Givenchy has wide market segments around the globe, there price offerings are

Mother Tongue Essay Example for Free

Mother Tongue Essay Today we live in a society that is often called a salad bowl. It is called a salad bowl because it consists of various different people from various different backgrounds. We all live together in a society, but we still retain our own distinct flavors which helps to contribute to the richness and diversity of society. Unfortunately, today we also live in a society in which some of these groups are marginalized and looked down upon by others. Hence, often times as individuals we feel the need to compromise the way in which we communicate our ideas so that we can appeal to the views of the majority. Two authors explore how their attempt to compromise almost caused them to become detached from their roots. In Mother Tongue, by Amy Tan, Tan talks about growing up as a young child in America and learning the English language. She speaks about growing up as a writer and her mothers imperfect diction which had a major influence on her. On the other hand, In her essay, Censoring Myself, Betty Shamieh talks about being an American playwright and having to censor herself because of how her work was viewed. Both authors explore the influence that their background had on their ability to express themselves. As individuals we should not be afraid to express ourselves because of our differences, rather we should use our differences and show how our distinctions make us very unique. Firstly, In Mother Tongue, Tan talks about how her mothers limited English diction skewered her perception of her mother. Tan mentions how, Like others, I have described it to people as broken or fractured English (Tan 273). This shows how Tan viewed her mothers English speaking abilities. She describes it as if her mother spoke damaged English, which needed to be mended or repaired. For Tan it was imperative that she spoke proper English and used proper diction, thus she was ashamed of her mothers English. Tan fell under the impression that her mothers English speaking abilities reflected the quality of what she had to say. Since her mother expressed her words in an imperfect manner, tan believed that her thoughts were also imperfect (Tan 274). Her perception was also supported by how people in society responded to her mother. Tan states that people in  department stores, banks, and restaurants would not take her mother seriously. They would provide her bad service, pretend not to understand her, or act as if they were mute (Tan 274). This further contributed to Tans feeling of embarrassment and shame towards her mother. Tan also describes an incident in which her mother went to the hospital and was told that the hospital had misplaced her CAT scan. The hospital did not show any remorse for losing the scan, nor did they assure her that they would locate it, that is until her mother had Tan speak to the hospital (Tan 275). As a reader this shows us how language is perceived and the role that it plays in the lives of individuals. For Tan it was imperative that she was able to blend in and be like others, so that she wouldnt be ridiculed. Luckily, she was able to realize the positive influence that her mothers diction bought her. Furthermore, Tans mother teaches her to think in a different manner than the other children in her school. Tan states that her developing language skills were influenced by her family and in this case her mother, hence it affected her results on achievement tests. Since her mother taught her to think differently she was unable to perform as well in English as she did in math and science. Later Tan realizes the value of this different systematic way of thinking and it contributes to her rebellious nature towards her teachers who suggested shed be much better in engineering, accounting, or anything else than English, since she was of Asian descent. She decided to challenge this stereotype, and thanks to her mother became a writer, who didnt write using challenging diction that required a lot of thought, but rather diction that could be read and understood by audiences such as her mother. This is the reason she starts writing about her mother: â€Å"I wanted to capture what language ability tests can never reveal: her intent, her passion, her imagery, the rhythms of her speech, and the nature of her thoughts† (Tan 277). She acknowledged the richness that her mothers heritage provided her and then she decided her first reader and critic should be her mother. Overall this taught Tan that she didnt need to compromise to the high caliber and complexity of the English language, but rather she could express her thoughts in a simplistic, yet effective way which could be understood by everyone. In her essay, Censoring Myself, Betty Shamieh talks about being an American playwright and having to censor herself because of how her work was viewed by others. She states: I have been censored in many ways. But I think the most overt example of censorship I have yet faced is my experience with a project called the Brave New World Festival (Shamieh 294). For the Festival she wrote a monologue about being the sister of a suicide bomber in mourning because she was unable to prevent his vicious act of terrorism. Her approach towards writing this play was to promote anti-terrorism, but due to the harsh tragedy of 9/11 she felt that there would be some potential backlash. When she was asked to perform her monologue at the Brave New World Festival, she was very skeptical of being criticized, thus she asked a famous actress named Marisa Tomei to act in the play (Shamieh 295). Post 9/11, president Bush let it be known on national television that he thinks citizens better watch what they say (Shamieh 294). This shows the amount of tolerance that was granted towards individual expression post 9/11, where anything that was said could be viewed in light of terrorism. As an Arab American Shamieh acknowledged that her work would be a source of criticism, but she felt the need to express her view and in doing so had to compromise so that she could get her play preformed. Moreover, Shamiehs play was ridiculed for its content, so being afraid of losing her spot in the festival she produced another piece that could be preformed. This shows the censorship she faced with her work and her need to compromise her writing so that it would appeal to the majority. Shamieh states that: Arab American artist are largely faceless in this country and I felt that, by dropping out, I would be helping those who are trying to keep it that way (Shamieh 295). This portrays Shamiehs want to express her views and to represent the Arab community, whos voices were neglected. Essentially she was trying to give a voice to the voice less. She later presents a story about an Arab-American girl who ends up on a hijacked plane and talks the hijackers out of their plans. Once again her intent was to promote anti-racism, but in a humorous way, yet her new play was not only censored, but this time completely taken out of the festival. This shows the ability individuals had in being ab le to express their ideas. Being an  Arab American, Shamieh had the right to express her views, yet despite this, her work was viewed under a wrong light and taken out of the play. This taught Shamieh that as individuals we will often face censorship for many reasons, whether it may because of our race, ethnicity, gender, sex, etc. For Shamieh, this experience taught her to write about the things she cared about, the things that represented who she was. She acknowledged that she was censoring herself by not producing a play about the Palestinian experience, which was a huge part of who she was (Shamieh 296). As individuals we will often face criticism from others, but the important thing is to express our voices so that we can communicate our ideas and portray ourselves under a proper light. Hence, often times as individuals we feel the need to compromise the way in which we communicate our ideas so that we can appeal to the views of the majority. Authors Betty Shamieh and Amy Tan were both subjected to trying appeal to others. They both explore how they found themselves and attempt to tell readers to express their individuality. As American citizens, majority of us come from different backgrounds which gives us a broader perspective. We should try not to forget our roots and neither should we become entrenched in trying to appeal to others who see us under a different light. We as individual bring about diversity and cultural richness to America, hence we should not be afraid to communicate our ideas in a manner that represents who we are. When we constantly feel the need to compromise we often lose our identities and our own unique individuality. We are discrete individuals and we should utilize our differences, rather than trying to hide or forget them. If we do not s tand up and express our perspectives then others will express them for us. So, thus we need to communicate our ideas in an effective manner, while still retaining our original flavors in the salad bowl. Works Cited 1) Neweib, Janice. Mother Tongue by Amy Tan. The Mercury Reader: A Custom Publication. New York: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2011. 271-277. Print. 2) Silverman, Jonathan, and Dean Rader. Censoring Myself by Betty Shamieh. The World Is a Text: Writing, Reading, and Thinking about Visual and Popular Culture. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2011. 294-296. Print.

Tradition and the Individual Talent Analysis

Tradition and the Individual Talent Analysis Tradition and the Individual Talent was originally published across two instalments of the Egoist in 1919 and later, in 1920, became part of T.S. Eliots full length book of essays on poetry and criticism, The Sacred Wood. Literary modernism is visible throughout the essay in the self-consciousness Eliot writes of with regards to writing poetry. The Waste Land, like much literature of the modernist era breaks away from traditional ways of writing and uses Eliots own understanding of tradition, literary allusion, in a unique way. This essay will be focusing on the arguments made by Eliot, with regards to literary tradition, in Tradition and the Individual Talent and how The Waste Land relates to those arguments. Eliot begins Tradition and the Individual Talent by arguing it is the poets treatment of their position within the historic context of literature that demonstrates talent. The essay asserts that the poet should use their knowledge of the writers of the past to influence their work. He states that we shall often find that not only the best, but the most individual part of his work may be those in which the dead poets, his ancestors, assert their immortality most vigorously. Eliot explains that to write with tradition in mind does not mean imitating, as this would lead to repetition and novelty is better than repetition. He defines tradition as something only to be gained by the labour of knowing literature of the past and by being critically aware of what techniques and content is of value. The poet should be aware of the simultaneous order of literary tradition, dating back to the classics. Tradition is the accumulated wisdom and experience of literature through the ages and is, according to Eliot, essential for great achievements within poetry. Eliot argues that no writer or piece of literature has value or significance when isolated from the literary cannon. In order to judge a work of art or literature it must be compared to works of the past. He believes that tradition is constantly changing due to adding new work to the literary cannon. He suggests that the author should conform to literary tradition and be informed by the past, but that by doing so the work of the author modifies the work they have been informed by. It is important for the poet to be aware of their own position within the present but also their relevance in relation to literature of the past. The modern author adds meaning to the traditional text by incorporating its influence into their work. Eliot acknowledges that the new work of art, when original, modifies the literary tradition in a small way. The relationship between past and present is not one-way, the present can alter the past, just as the past informs the present. Eliot then acknowledges that knowledge of the past as a whole would be impossible. In order to gain a good sense of tradition one must critically examine the past, focusing on works of art that are considered to be of high value. He explains that the definition of a sense of tradition is to be critically aware of trends and techniques which became typical of a particular age, movement or even author, and to have the ability to recognise deviation from this. An author with a good sense of tradition should also be aware that the main literary trends do not come, solely, from the most recognised poets, but they must be aware of trends set by poets of lesser recognition. Although the work of present poets is compared and contrasted to poets of the past, it does not determine whether the work of the present is better than the work of the past. Standards and principles are recognised to have changed. The comparison is made in order to analyse the new work, creating a deeper understanding of the text. It is only through this comparison the traditional and the individual elements can be determined. Eliot claims that art never improves. He argues that, despite changes in thinking, great writers such as Shakespeare and Homer remain relevant. He recognises that artists work with different materials and their art is a product of different eras, therefore it would be impossible to measure a qualitative improvement in any school of art. Eliot is aware that questions will be asked about the great level of knowledge that would be required of any one poet in order to meet his understanding of tradition. The essay will be criticised on the basis that there are great poets who did not have the level of education that Eliot is claiming is required. Eliot goes on to argue that it should be the duty of every poet to build their knowledge of the past for the duration of their career. He believes that it is knowledge of tradition that encourages and strengthens the poets ability to write great work. Eliot recognises that, at the start of a poets career, individuality will assert itself, but he notes that it is the sign of an immature poet and that as they continue to write one should lose the sense of the poets personality within the work they create. The poet should become objective with maturity. This therefore makes it irrelevant who wrote the poem under analysis, the relevance lies in the poems delivery of literary tradition. Eliot notes the necessity of the poet experiencing new situations and emotions without any changes being visible in their poetic voice. He states the more perfect the artist, the more completely separate in him will be the man who suffers and the mind which creates. He notes that the personality of the poet should not be expressed in their work but should remain unchanged by external factors. Eliot expresses that poetry may be formed from singular or various feelings, emotions or a combination of the two. He argues that poetry is in fact the organisation of emotions and feelings rather than inspiration. He believes that the quality of the poetry is not determined by the intensity of feelings or emotions but the intensity of the process of creating and ordering those feelings as part of poetic composition. The more pressure involved in the creative process the better the quality of the end product. Eliot goes on to note the difference between personal emotions of the poet and the emotion of poetry itself. While personal emotions may be simple, the expression of these emotions may be complex. While it is not the role of the poet to express new emotions, the poet should express ordinary emotions in new ways. Eliot then goes on to reject Wordsworths theory of poetry that is has its origin in emotions recollected in tranquillity. He believes that the composition of poetry does not require emotion, recollection or tranquillity, but that original poetry results from concentration on experiences. He also argues that this concentration should not be deliberate but passive. Poetry should be an escape from the poet, not a reflection of them. Eliot is not denying the poet personality but is declaring that the impersonality required to create good poetry can only be achieved when the poet surrenders themselves to the poetry they create. In part three of the essay, Eliot concludes that the poet is only capable of surrendering themselves to their work if they have acquired a good sense of tradition. And he is not likely to know what is to be done unless he lives in what is not merely the present, but the present moment of the past, unless he is conscious, not of what is dead, but of what is already living. By this he means that the poet should be conscious not only of their position within the literary cannon of the past but also where they belong in the literature of the present and how their poetry is relevant as a statement of the world in which it is created. The arguments made by Eliot suggest he is of the didactic school of poetic literary theory, believing that poetry should educate as well as entertain. Tradition and the Individual Talent sets out rules to be a great poet. Although he does not go to the extreme of being a neo-Classical critic, his theories do bear some resembalance in that he speaks of the classics being as relevant to poetry now as ever. This suggests that Eliot believes alluding to classical poets can improve the quality of the poetry. While Tradition and the Individual Talent does argue for originality it does so in a way that relies upon literature of the past. This still fits with the understanding of literary modernity as suggested by Ezra Pounds statement Make it new as, rather than making something completely original, Eliot is suggesting you take the traditional and make that new by attributing new meanings to what has been expressed. Eliot does not allow for the expression of new emotions. The arguments Eliot makes for the absence of the individuals experiences within their poetry is limiting the originality and uniqueness of poetry. While Eliot allows for originality in the way in which poets react and respond to the literary and historic tradition, he limits free expression of the self. Whilst the poet often takes influence from the past there should be unlimited freedom for expressing new ideas and emotions relating to the new material and the world in which they live. The ideas expressed in Tradition and the Individual discourages poets who are less well educated and therefore could discourage naturally talented poets from creating truly unique poems. Overall the essay is flawed not in the expression of Eliots arguments but in the rigidity of rules he places on a creative process, which should be free from rules and allowing for complete creative freedom. In Tradition and the Individual Talent, Eliot stated that the most individual parts of [the authors] work may be those in which the dead poetsassert their immortality most vigorously. When placing this alongside his argument that the experienced and mature poets converse with literary tradition in their work, it is hardly surprising that The Waste Land is full of literary allusions. The way Eliot alludes to literary tradition is in itself a source of originality, fitting with his arguments, however, emotions, personality and the personal experience of T.S. Eliot are disguised within The Waste Land. These aspects become clear when studied from a biographical perspective. The Waste Land is often read as an attempt to put the ideas of Tradition and the Individual Talent into practice, but the remaining part of this essay will focus on how Eliot fails to separate his personal experiences from the creative process. The Waste Land was written in 1922 during a period when T. S. Eliot was under orders from his physician to take three months rest. It is generally believed that this was due to a nervous breakdown. As a result of this Eliot was treated for neurasthenia[1] under the care of Dr. Vittoz in Lausanne, Switzerland. Because the majority of The Waste Land was composed during the period of Eliots treatment, the poem can be viewed as representative of Eliots psychological condition and his healing. It is due to this that Eliots emotions and personality are visible in the themes, structure, language and even grammar of the poem. This is something which Tradition and the Individual Talent claims should be absent in the work of a great poet. It is perhaps due to Eliots belief that poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality there have been relatively few critics to study Eliots poetry alongside biographical examinations of the poet. Lyndall Gordon states that the more that is known of Eliots biographical life the clearer it seems that the impersonal faà §ade of his poetry-the multiple faces and voices-masks an often quite literal reworking of personal experience.[2] Eliot claimed that Tiresias is the most important personage in the poem, uniting all the rest it is therefore likely that Tiresias, as the main consciousness of The Waste Land, represents Eliot in his struggle to gain brain control. Tiresias fits Vittozs understanding of the neurasthenic as living very little in the present and his thoughts always turn to the past or the future.[3] Tiresias figured in this sense can be understood as throbbing between two lives (l. 218) where the lives represent the two different aspects of his mind, the conscious and the subjective. Tiresias can be assigned the role of the characterisation of Eliots illness as the positive driving force of inspiration within the poem. Eliot himself wrote on the theory of the impact of illness on art in a positive light: it is a commonplace that some forms of illness are extremely favourable, not only to religious illumination, but to artistic and literary composition.[4] Eliot took a rest break in Margate in October 1921 which proved unsuccessful: On Margate Sands. I can connect Nothing with Nothing. (l. 300-302) This demonstrates the symptom of hopelessness. There are no connections to be found between the speakers thoughts. The conscious and subjective aspects of the mind are unable to communicate with one another. There are multiple references in the poem to blindness, deafness, muteness and difficulties with the sensation of touch. Vittoz has stated that the neurasthenic often looks without seeing and listen[s] without hearing (p. 44). The narrator, whether it is considered to be Tiresias, Eliot or another refers to all of these issues: I could not Speak, and my eyes failed, I was neither Living nor dead, and I knew nothing, Looking into the heart of the light, the silence.'(l. 38-41) It is the neurasthenic condition that could be preventing the speaker from connecting emotions to senses which results in further hopelessness. This is followed by a quotation from Tristran and Isolde, Oed und leer das Meer (Desolate and empty the sea) which again furthers the state of despair associated with neurasthenia. Along with the narrator and Tiresias there appears to be another character who, as Vittoz would describe, looks without seeing and listen[s] without hearing: My nerves a bad to-night. Yes, bad. Stay with me. Speak to me. Why do you never speak. Speak. What are you thinking of? What thinking? What? I never know what you are thinking. Think. (l. 110-113) The reference to nerves in line 110 should be attributed to insomnia, another symptom of neurasthenia. This furthers the argument that Eliots neurasthenia has impacted the poem greatly. Here we also see a lack of control in Eliots writing, he writes the question Why do you never speak without a question mark and the incomplete sentence What thinking? There is a severe lack of control in the poem so any semblance of narrative becomes blurred along with the sense of time, characters and their voices. The poem does seem to progress towards a sense of peace. It is in this way that it can be understood as Eliots process of recovery. In order to progress from this state of confusion Eliot must go through Vittozs therapy in order to reach the point of shantih. Vitozz wrote that several times a day the patient should repeat ideas of calm three times, this can explain the closing line Shantishantishanti (l. 434). In the manuscript version this movement can also be seen from the poem beginning with the horror, the horror to ending with the words still and quiet. In What the Thunder Said the tone of the poem begins to find its direction, or demonstrates the narrator approaching brain control. DA Damyata: The boat responded Gaily, the hand expert with sail and oar The sea was calm, your heart would have responded Gaily, when invited, beating obedient To controlling hands (l. 418-423) At this point in the poem Eliot is approaching a point of recovery. The poem has moved from the uncontrolled nature of neurasthenia to a calmer state of mind thanks to controlling hands. When linked to Vittozs technique of placing his hands on his patients temple in order to feel brain activity this passage is clearly in appreciation of his therapy. He spent time in the mountains recovering the symptoms of insomnia, hopelessness and confusion, In the mountains, there you feel free./I read, much of the night, and go south in winter (l. 17-18). These repeated references to symptoms, treatments and Eliots own experience of recovery certainly suggest neurasthenia is central to The Waste Land. This argument does not dispute the understanding of The Waste Land as a reflection on modern society. T.S. Eliots neurasthenia was a product of the financially focused post World War Britain in which he lived. The Waste Land can be seen as reflective of the sensibility of the time in Britain, struggling between the wars and trying to gain control, the poem could therefore be understood as diagnosing the society in which he lived. Whichever interpretation one believes, The Waste Land was composed as a result of T.S. Eliots mental health problems, whether it be an awareness of neurasthenia in order to diagnose society with or the expression of his internal struggle. This is clear through the fragmented nature of the text. The unannounced changes in speaker, time and location are as a result of Eliots mental state and yet have been studied in great depth without considering the biographical aspects of the context of the poem. The reason for neglecting this way of reading the text is lik ely to be a result of Eliots own arguments in Tradition and the Individual Talent, that The emotion of art is impersonal. The emotion of The Waste Land however is very personal to the poet, T.S. Eliot. [1] The symptoms of neurasthenia were notoriously vague-they included headaches, noises in the ear, bad dreams, insomnia, flushing, and fidgetiness, flying neuralgia, spinal irritation, impotence and hopelessness. Gold, M. K. 2000. The Expert Hand and the Obedient Heart: Dr. Vittoz, TS Eliot, and the Therapeutic Possibilities of The Waste Land. Journal of Modern Literature, 23 (3), pp. 519533. [2]Lyndall Gordon, Eliots Early Years (Oxford University Press, 1977), p. 2. [3] Roger Vittoz, Treatment of Neurasthenia by Means of Brain Control, trans H.B. Brooke (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1921). P. 19. [4] Eliot, T. S. and Kermode, F. 1975. Selected prose of T.S. Eliot. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. pP. 237.

Consensus and Conflict Theory in Society

Consensus and Conflict Theory in Society Marxism and Functionalism can certainly be defined as classical sociology and both have had a significant impact upon contemporary understanding of culture. Neither perspective is the preserve of a sole theorist. They are multifaceted and extensive in scope. Thus, due to the limits of this study, this essay shall concentrate on but a few of the theoretical points, namely consensus and conflict because, as I hope to prove, these provide and incredibly useful framework for the analysis of contemporary culture In Leviathan Thomas Hobbes notes that man in the state of nature is inexorably engaged in a war of all against all. Reason dictates that one’s life is, â€Å"Solitary, poor, nasty brutish and short,† (Hobbes in Parsons p90) where man’s interests conflict so greatly. How humanity solved this problem of conflict of interest, the creation of society, was the study of Emile Durkheim, the French sociologist who first developed the Functionalist perspective. â€Å"In his (Durkheim’s) criticism of the utilitarian (Hobbes) conception of contractual relations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦he insists that a vital part is played by a system of binding rules embodied in the institution of a contract.† (Parsons p376) The functionalist perspective was further advanced by Talcott Parsons. â€Å"The concept of order is located predominantly at the level of the social system itself and the cultural system becomes a mechanism of the functioning of the social system.† (Savage p146) The normative order, for Parsons, is the key ingredient that retains social order in society. Norms, which can be regarded as moral standards, regulate action and interaction. Norms are coercive, to break them invites sanctions from social estrangement to capital correction and punishment. Individuals are forced to cooperate and act in predictable ways, or face the consequences. Norms are external to individuals, laws and the like, but also internalised through socialisation, children’s schooling being a very important normative learning area. The normative order, that produces acquiescence in individuals to the order, Is the staple of Parson’s consensus theory. â€Å"Society therefore is a self equilib rating system: order is always maintained without major changes in society. In the end, the system functions.† (Jorgenson p285) A perfect example of how the system functions is Durkheim’s concept of Anomie in his study of suicide. Anomie is, â€Å"precisely the state of disorganisation where the holds of norms over individual conduct has broken down.† (Parsons p377) A possible outcome of this kind of break down is suicide. Norms so permeate society that personal equilibrium, individual’s thoughts and actions, is permeated too, as governed by norms as social interaction and law. â€Å"A persons will is constrained by the application of sanctions.† (Parsons p379) If an individual breaks one of the norms of society, then society will sanction them to discourage other such deviant behaviour through the threat of punishment. In the case of Durkheim’s suicide study, the sanction imposed when an individual commits suicide is the social stigma that then attaches itself to their family accompanied by the threat, in Christian countries for instance, of religious punishment burning in hell. In Erving Goffman‘s view of society, â€Å"The key factor is the maintenance of a single definition of the situation, this definition having to be expressed, and this expression sustained in the face of a multitude of potential disruption.† (Goffman p246) For Goffman actors meet on the field of interaction under a metaphorical flag of truce, working together to attempt the smoothest possible interaction with the best possible outcome for both sides. â€Å"The maintenance of this surface of agreement, this veneer of consensus, is facilitated by each participant concealing his own wants behind statements which assert values to which everyone present feels obliged to give lip service.† (Goffman p20-21) The definition of a given situation may well only be a veneer, a pretence, lies may be suspected even known but, as long as they are not revealed, then definition of the situation is maintained. Goffman’s language, the use of the word consensus, shows his theoretical links to the Functionalist perspective, in particular Parson’s consensus theory. The reason that lies may not be exposed is because it would be against a societal norm to do so. Thus norms regulate interaction providing a consensus. For Goffman the individual acts in different roles that are governed by norms, suppressing and sacrificing certain drives, needs or wants in order to maintain the definition of the situation, to maintain the consensus. As the definition of the situation allows individual acts of interaction to maintain cohesion and momentum, so the normative order governs those definitions, allowing the juggernaut of society to roll ever on. This classical thread, from Durkheim to Goffman via Parsons is incredibly important for the understanding of contemporary culture. That there is a normative order and how it regulates human action is critical for any understanding of society. The minitatude of Goffman’s analysis, explaining the exigencies of social interaction, the tiny details, has proved both popular and crucial in contemporary sociology. The Marxist tradition, starting with Karl Marx and Frederich Engels, has many issues with the functionalist consensus view of society. â€Å"The state is by no means a power imposed on society from without; just as little is it ‘the reality of the moral idea,’ ‘the image and the reality of reason.’† (Engels in Hechter p180) The Marxist tradition has many issues with what it considers a utopian explanation of power in social order. The state, the embodiment and, in many cases producer, of societal norms is felt to be the inevitable consequence of a society ripe with irreconcilable antagonisms largely manifesting in class conflict. â€Å"A power, apparently standing above society, has become necessary to moderate the conflict and keep it within the bounds of ‘order’.† (Engels in Hechter p180) This power, this normative order of the state is alienating and another tool for the ruling class to maintain its position of dominance over th e working classes. As with most Marxist theory, the power that maintains social order is not fostering cooperation but coercion. We have already seen that punitive punishment is meted out to norm breakers. Where Parsons sees this as a tool for society to remain cohesive and function relatively smoothly, Engels sees a repressive state apparatus designed to keep the proletariat in its place through sanctions. Where Functionalism describes consensus, Marxism defines conflict, class conflict. The normative order is ideology in all the very worst senses of the word. â€Å"A dominant power may legitimate itself by promoting beliefs and values congenial to it; naturalising and universalising such beliefs so as to render them self-evident and apparently inevitable.† (Easthope p5-6) Appearing as truth, immovable, certain, ideology controls the class conflict always in favour of the ruling class, the bourgeoisie. The most pertinent criticism of Functionalist theory by Marxism is that it explains the inequalities of the system as functional. That the proletariat are poor is for the good of the system, the society. Marxism refuses to accept this. The system is unfair and unequal because those in charge, through ideology, keep in that way, protecting their interests. â€Å"Children also learn the rules of good behaviour, i.e. the attitude that should be observed by every agent in the divisio n of labour, according to the job he is ‘destined for’: rules of morality, civic and professional conscience, which actually means rules of respect for the socio-technical division of labour and ultimately the rules of order established by class domination.† (Althusser p127) The Marxist tradition, and in particular the concepts of ideology, are hugely important to contemporary Feminist understandings of society. â€Å"The univocity of sex, the internal coherence of gender, and the binary framework for both sex and gender are considered throughout as regulatory fictions that consolidate and naturalise convergent power regimes of masculine and heterosexual oppression.† (Butler p44) The pervasive and domineering regimes in Marxism and Feminism are, essentially, controlled by the same rich and powerful men. The importance of feminist sociology in contemporary society is its understanding of, and explanation for, the universality of female subjugation. It is considered not enough that women are dominated by men because it is functional, for the best of the system. It is illogical to conclude, as the functionalist tradition can be accused, of assuming that it is functional to effectively marginalise the contribution of one half of the population of man kind. Just as it is illogical to assume that it is functional to marginalise the proletariat, who constitute a majority of humanity. The Marxist tradition, and the feminist, emphasise the conflict in society, along gender and class lines, and demand sociological attention be paid. Moreover they identify the place where much of this conflict occurs, the ideological order, the self same normative order that the functionalist tradition regards so highly. No sociological study of contemporary society would be worth attempting without some attempt to explain gender, class and other inequalities beyond the assumption that they are ‘for the best,’ of the system. In conclusion society continues. Always has and always will till humanity is extinguished. In no way could society continue without some form of consensus, some shared values or norms. To be without such rules we would exist in the state of nature, in anarchy and thus we would not exist for very long. Yet within those rules there is great scope for conflict. Functionalism, in its more ‘pure’ form of Durkheim and Parsons, and in the more unique observations of Goffman, help explain that consensus that is so essential to avoid anarchy. Marxism, the pure of Marx and Engels, the adaptation of Feminism, show how that consensus becomes corrupted and a tool for one section of society to dominate another. Society continues. With conflict and consensus. Contemporary society can not be understood without appreciating why and how conflict and consensus occur. Functionalism and Marxism both illuminate those aspects, both show how society continues. Bibliography Althusser, Louis, 1971. For Lenin Western printing services Ltd. Butler, Judith, 1999. Gender trouble. Routledge Easthope, Antony, 1991. Literary into cultural studies. Routledge Goffman, E, 1990. The presentation of the self in everyday life. Penguin Michael Hechter Theories of social order published by Stanford University press 2003 Nik Jorgenson Sociology an interactive approach Harper Collins 1997 Parsons, Talcott, 1937 The structure of social action. Free press. Stephen Savage The theories of Talcott parsons pub by Macmillan 1981