Saturday, May 23, 2020

Classic Quotes From Stand-Up Comic Jim Gaffigan

Jim Gaffigans comic timing is impeccable. He knows how to tickle your funny bone. Self-deprecating humor never fails to elicit laughs, and  Gaffigans a master at it.   This Indiana native who got a big lift from late-night host David Letterman in 1993 has several trademarks. Besides his self-deprecation, he also regularly voices the internal monologue of his audience and makes constant jokes about food and strawberry blond hair. Hes one funny guy. Here are some samples. Food Pie can’t compete with cake. Put candles in a cake, it’s a birthday cake. Put candles in a pie, and somebody’s drunk in the kitchen. We’re never satisfied when it comes to food. You know what’d be good on this burger? A ham sandwich. Instead of a bun, let’s use two doughnuts. That way we can have it for breakfast. Look out McGriddle. Here comes the doughnut-ham-hamburger! There is the vegetarian Hot Pocket for those of us who dont want to eat meat  but would still like diarrhea. Im a big eater. I mean, a lot of my stand-up is about food, and you write about what you know, and thats the only thing I know. I dont know anything else. Whenever Im out of town for at least a week, I feel like I should write a postcard or something, but you can be a genius, you try and write a postcard you come across like a moron anyway: This citys got big buildings. I like food. Bye. Self-Deprecation Actually, the reason I look like this is because my father was from Sweden and my mother was  Elton John. The only advantage to wearing glasses is that you can do that dramatic removal. But in  Indiana, its not like New York where everyones like, Were from New York and were the best or Were from Texas and we like things big; its more like Were from Indiana and were gonna move. I love how New York is so multicultural. I wish I was ethnic. Im nothing. Because if youre Hispanic and you get angry, people are like, Hes got a Latin temper! If youre a white guy and you get angry, people are like, That guys a jerk. My whole comic persona is that of a guy who explores the id: I romanticize gluttony, I romanticize laziness, and people identify with that. Everything Else I come from a very big family ... nine parents. Ever wonder what people got Jesus for Christmas? Its like, Oh great, socks. You know Im dying for your sins, right? Yeah, but thanks for the socks! Theyll go great with my sandals. What am I, German? I was watching the Animal Planet. Did you know that the male seahorse has the baby? Why dont they just call that one the female? Whenever you are single, all you see are couples, but whenever you are a couple, all you see are hookers.

Monday, May 18, 2020

A Man For All Seasons, And Elia Kazan s On The Waterfront

Only fools follow their standard of personal integrity. Discuss. Values and morals are often instilled in people as they grow up, but the extent to which one chooses to follow these principles can be greatly swayed by how strong their sense of personal integrity is. As individuals are exposed to an array of varying perspectives and multiple values, one s own certainty about the interpretation or application of a particular principle may lessen, opening up the possibility of accepting an alternative position. Robert Bolt’s play, ‘A Man For All Seasons’, and Elia Kazan’s ‘On the Waterfront’, we see that integrity is impossible without a conscience guided by long reflection upon the inner character of justice. Bolt’s ethical protagonist†¦show more content†¦Bolt’s lead character is a man of strict moral righteousness; he never once wavered, which consequently leads to his fall from grace and untimely death. More is not setting out to be a hero or martyr. He is a lawyer and sees the law as a way to live peacefully in the world. From his choices, it is evidently clear that More is no simple common man. He treads the road that only a few mortals would dare travel down to. His critics see his morality as impractical but for More, his conscience is the only thing â€Å"(he) believes to be true†. As a man of virtue, More stands alone in the play. Surrounded by a cast of seemingly weak and basic characters, More’s morality is even more manifest. Such characters as Richard Rich and the Common Man demonstrate how most normal individuals will be guided by their needs, not their consciences. Rich is intoxicated with avarice and believes that materialistic items s uch as clothes and money will gain him the respect and power that he ‘rightly deserves’. More conversely knows well that respect and admiration cannot be brought and that the integrity of men is to be measured by conduct and not their satisfaction of hubris. It is obvious that More understands the nuance of every political move, as he mentions what would happen if Wolsey falls. He conveys his competence by his careful handling of events. Because of his intellectual prowess, More has managed to keep the people he cares around him safe by using the words of the law ‘in

Monday, May 11, 2020

Ralph Waldo Emerson And His Impact On American Literature

2016 Ralph Waldo Emerson and his impact on American Literature Up until the 1800’s American Literature was mostly focused around the stories that told American History, and of poems that were written in America with a European writing style. No one ever wrote about the cultures in the Middle East or Asia. Instead it was focused around what had happened over here. However, an American author named Ralph Waldo Emerson would change what America wrote about. Influenced by western Culture Ralph Waldo Emerson was a striking author and speaker who impacted the Transcendentalist. Emerson was born on May 25, 1803 in Boston Massachusetts (Ralph, Waldo Emerson). He was the son of Ruth Haskins a strong Anglican, and William Emerson who was a strong liberal (The New Encyclopedia Britannica pg.473). On May 12 1811 William Emerson died of stomach cancer (Myerson). This left Ruth to care for her eight children with little money (Myerson). Luckily Ralph Emerson was able to attend Boston Latin School in 1812, and graduated in 1817 (Myerson). Right after he graduated from school, he went to Harvard at the age of fourteen (Ralph, Waldo Emerson). During this time, he started to keep a daily journal in 1820 (Myerson). This journal was one of the first writings he did in his life. A year later he graduated from Harvard, and started to teach at a young ladies school in 1822 (Myerson). In 1825, he went back to Harvard to study theology and divinity (Myerson). Later that year he became the ministerShow MoreRelated Ralph Waldo Emerson Essay1326 Words   |  6 PagesRalph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on May 25, 1803 in Boston, Massachusetts. Early in his life, Emerson followed in the footsteps of his father and became minister, but this ended in 1832 when he felt he could no longer serve as a minister in good conscience. He experienced doubts about the Christian church and its doctrine. These reservations were temporarily alleviated by his brief association with Unitarianism, but soon Emerson became discontent with even their decidedlyRead MoreEssay on The Influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson995 Words   |  4 PagesChris Schlegel 6/18/08 English 245 American Literature I Dr. Calendar Primary Source Paper The Influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson is considered by many as one of the most respected and widely known authors in the history of American literature. From his famous book â€Å"Nature†, to his various essays, poems and lectures, Emerson’s collection of works maintain an authentic diverse style that separated him from other authors. The confidenceRead MoreThe Philosophy of Transcendentalism Essay1292 Words   |  6 Pagesnature and God while making the possibility of social change a reality. Ralph Waldo Emerson was the leading American transcendentalist whose theories were a primary influence in transcendentalist thought and writing. Through the knowledge and direction of Ralph Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau also became leading scholars of their time by means of their influence on early American intellectual history and literature. â€Å"Transcendentalists were influenced by romanticism, particularlyRead MoreRalph Waldo Emerson s Nature1364 Words   |  6 PagesRalph Waldo Emerson s Nature This paper discusses four literary elements in Ralph Waldo Emerson s work, entitled Nature. It is an essay that attempts to make people establish a deeper bond with nature and accept it for what it is. Men continually becomes busy with daily lives because of modern advancements and increasing number of endeavors. In the process, they tend to ignore nature and forget giving back to it by being ungrateful of its generosity. Various perspectives were discussed inRead More The American Renaissance Essay1168 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Renaissance period, circa 1876-1917, heralded a new sense of nationalism with a pride linking to a spirit akin to Greek democracy, the rule of Roman law, and a cultural and educational reform movement often referred to as Renaissance humanism. This American nationalism focused on the expression of modernism, technology, and academic classicism. Renaissance technological advancements include wire cables supporting the Brooklyn Bridge in the State of New York, along with cultural advancementsRead MoreTranscendentalism, Realism, Naturalism, And Existentialism- Shaped The Advancement Of American Literature1486 Words   |  6 Pagesshaped the advancement of American literature. They were considered to be theoretical and political philosophies which held important positions in the development of modern literature. The original authors, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, Lawrence Sargent Hall, and Jerome David Salinger, presented works inspiring new perspectives and social outlooks upon reality and it’s offerings. Through characterizing the progress of the philosophies, the development of American literature is explained. TranscendentalismRead MoreThe Emergence Of Self Concept1489 Words   |  6 PagesThe Emergence of Self Throughout our history the idea of self has developed and proved to be a dominant concept that Americans have come to understand. Not defined or found in lineage, religion, or history, the concept of self is defined by a collection of values. These values and principles are rooted in individualism, self-actualization, and self-reliance where people are able to fulfill their own destiny and believe in the promise that through ward work and determination life can be differentRead MoreWhat Do People Have Know About Ralph Waldo Emerson1424 Words   |  6 Pagesdo people already know about Ralph Waldo Emerson that has not been already researched? Regarding his place in the history of American Literature, he was a rather regarded man, especially in the beginning of the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. He is often described as â€Å"†¦the writer with whom numerous other significant writers of the time sought to come to terms† (211). If students wanted to complete research about him, they should not just read his work, they should immerse themselvesRead MoreEnvironmental Movements in the United States Essay1019 Words   |  5 Pagescourse of history, Americans have repeatedly confronted oppression, both foreign and national, through various wars and rights movements. Unfortunately, when it comes to environmental issues the average American has grown increasingly complacent. With a renewed urgency, government is working to combat global warming, but lacks the necessary social backing. This social support could be supplied through a new environmental movement that differs from past efforts. Throughout American history there haveRead More The Use of Symbols in Adrienne Richs Poem, Aunt Jennifers Tigers818 Words   |  4 Pagesan important value in the United States that most people are not willing to give up. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a writer who lived in the 1800s, reminded Americans of their rights of liberty at a time when many people started to conform to established norms. H e voiced his opinions about the loss of freedom and invited society to realize that they were relinquishing their rights. Years later, his views still had an impact on citizens. Adrienne Rich, a poet of the mid-1900s, also found her autonomy a necessity

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Wife of Baths Reflexive Contradiction for Sexual...

The Wife of Baths Reflexive Contradiction for Sexual Equality in the Canterbury Tales The Wife of Bath has been described and depicted as an independent proto-feminist who long ago led the charge for sexual equality. Chaucers visionary protagonist was a refreshing and modern look at womens rights in the fifteenth century. She spends much of her prologue breaking down stereotypical barriers that have confined women of her time to passive and subservient roles in her society. As a result, her prologue, if standing alone, can be noted as one of the great calls for female independence in historical literature. But upon viewing her works as a whole, her section of the General Prologue, her prologue and her tale, it is well noted that†¦show more content†¦He then strikes back in a most unchivalrous and demeaning response. This knyght answerde, allas! and weylawey! / I woot right wel that swich was my biheste. / For goddes love, as chees a newe requeste! / Taak al my good, and lat my body go, (1064-7). To supposedly be living by a code of honor, the knights sharp words are an attempt to break out of his bond. I only emphasize them to express the sheer lack of respect and appreciativeness he has for his savior. After she humbly replies that all she wants is his love above all the wealth in the world, he starkly fires back in shock, My love . . . Nay my dampnacioun! (1073). He continues to spout off lines of rejection; digging himself into a deeper hole with the woman he has already sworn indirectly to marry. The story continues with a description of the sadness around the day of the marriage, all the while opposing the Wifes former views that a womens value lies less in her appearance and more in her performance in bed, that beauty is hardly an important factor in determining a womans value. Yet, the knight strongly rejects her merely on her lack of beauty. Whether the hag is simply desperate or confused is undetermined, but she gives in to the kni ghts lack of supposedly ingrained chivalry by letting him off with a light lecture on true nobility. Her quaint address is surmised by the simple statement, I shal fufille youre worldly

New Jersey Revenue Reform Free Essays

In his State of the State speech, Governor Corzine identified five broad areas of revenue reform in New Jersey, i.e., pensions and benefits, shared services, debt reduction, modernization of the tax structure, and sustainability. We will write a custom essay sample on New Jersey Revenue Reform or any similar topic only for you Order Now    The centerpiece of the direct property tax relief is the tax credits in the form of 20%, 15%, and 10%, depending on the amount of income per household.   Governor Corzine was explicit about this in his speech. He was equally explicit in stating that for the tax credit system to work, there must be a solid, concrete source of funding.   For this, he pointed out the sales tax revenues and the redirected homestead rebates will supply the first influx of financing.   As for the succeeding years, the balance is proposed to come from the following: 1) cost savings achieved through regular and independent auditing by a new, nonpolitical state comptroller; 2) consolidations and shared services; 3) collective bargaining on pension and health benefits; 4) asset monetization designed to reduce the state’s credit card payments and provide the capacity to make capital investments in the future of the state; and 5) 4% cap on the increase in the property tax levy, claimed to be the key for sustainability of the tax credit system.   Each of these is supposed to contribute to the sustainability of the reform program, with the cap and the credit working off each other to attain the goal. Reacting to the speech, Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce stated that â€Å"sadly, after five years of Democrat control, the state of our state has never been worse.   The toxic mix of high property taxes, public corruption, a mountain of debt, wasteful state spending and anti-economic growth policies are making New Jersey unaffordable for middle class families† (The Associated Press 2007). Superficially, Governor Corzine’s recommendations seem to be nothing more than political grandstanding, since all 120 legislative seats are slated for elections this year.   Clunn (2006) points out that in 2005, State House representatives promised to enact real property tax reforms by year-end of 2006, with no results.   The recommendations of the State House were effectively countered by the Governor’s apparent desire to negotiate benefits reforms rather than make tax cuts, something that the State House representatives endeavored to get approved for five months. Corzine’s actions since his election have lead to the creation of a blogspot on the internet, called NJ Fiscal Folly, where citizens voice out their criticisms against the Governor.   Many individuals reacted negatively to the raising of sales taxes from 6% to 7%, the refusal of essential state spending reforms, and the addition of $270 Million to the Governor’s already significant pork (NJ Fiscal Folly 2006). For the bloggers, â€Å"any talk about setting aside a portion of the tax increase is simply blather, nothing more than lipstick on the pig† (NJ Fiscal Folly 2006).   More so when paired with the proposed alternative budget for 2007, which involved barely any spending cuts, save for a lower contribution to the pension system, and the Governor’s threat to shut down state government unless the legislature approves his proposed budget (NJ Fiscal Folly 2006).   The sales tax increase was supposed to supply $1.2 Billion in revenues for the government. There are a few people, however, that are trying to look past the politics and are objectively assessing whether or not the proposals are actually feasible or if they will produce the desired results.   Senator Gormley, a Republican, thinks that the speech given by the Governor gave a â€Å"matter-of-fact outline of what needs to be done†, but it remains to be seen whether or not it will be done (Rispoli 2007), since talk of revenue reform has been just that, talk, for the past half a decade, with New Jersey’s property tax reliance at double the nationwide rate.   Hester (2007) reports that legislators are hoping to have the new tax system of property tax credits in place before the bills go out this summer, which are checks mailed to homeowners as tax relief. Others reacted more constructively to the Governor’s empowered speech, such as William G. Dressel, Jr. Executive Director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.   Dressel (2006) applauded some of the proposed reforms while rejecting others, but stated that the recommendations will â€Å"generally help to limit future pension and benefits costs.† After a preliminary analysis of the proposed recommendations, Dressel (2006) pointed out that there are certain things lacking therein which the special session needs to provide for, such as the burdensome relationship between the real property tax payers and the members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System, and the enforcement of the moratorium on new benefits.   Dressel (2006) rejected outright the proposal to ban dual elective office holding and the tying a portion of property tax relief funding to adherence with the Efficiency Commission. He also commented that with respect to the original recommendation by the governor on shared services, there seemed to be a deviation in the course being taken by the special session.   He pointed out that thus far, there were no recommendations on debt reduction and no specific provisions for sustainability, and that the proposals to modernize the tax system were deficient in supplying a funding source for the changes sought, specifically the tax credit system reducing residential property taxes by 20%. Hester (2007) reports that this 20% cut would require $2 Billion per annum and be funded by money previously allocated for property tax rebates and sales tax revenue, with the government relying on the previous year’s excess sales tax revenue to serve as initial funding, but with the need to find $400 Million more each year to fund the tax cut past the current year. Caslander (2007) opines that with the proposed changes, New Jersey would be better of changing its name from the Garden State to the â€Å"Tax Capital†.   Treating the proposals as being analogous to â€Å"finding free cheese in a mouse trap†, Caslander (2007) believes that the solutions will alleviate the problem only for a short term, but that the problem will remain, and in effect, the current proposed solutions will only end up compounding the problem, because the solution involves granting tax relief now but providing for its funding later. Rebovich (2006), after the first special session, commented that perhaps an ideal real property tax reform program would involve an extension of the sales tax, an increase in income tax rates, and savings from benefit reductions, as in effect, the burden would be shared or distributed among different people, and the effects on business and the economy would not be so harsh. Considering that the Governor’s state of the state speech cannot be expected to expound completely the mechanics of the proposed reform, that could perhaps account for the lack of details as to how the proposed changes will work.   At first glance, the proposals seem to conform to Rebovich’s picture of what would be an ideal real property tax reform program to alleviate the current situation in New Jersey.   Both public and private sectors are affected, and it seems that the burden is spread out.   However, there are still many things that need to be addressed. For example, how exactly will the tax credit system work?   How much will it take to develop the system and install it in place of the current system?   How will the new system be funded in order to be put in place?   These questions are as important as determining where the funding for the credits themselves will be taken.   Without concrete plans for the working and implementation of the credit system, it will definitely not work, and the reforms desired will not be attained. Also, what will be the cost of implementing a new system of auditing?   And what guarantee is there that the new state comptroller will be, as he is described â€Å"nonpolitical†?   What about consolidation and shared services?   The Governor stated that this area needs some review, but there must be a specific set of rules or criteria to help determine which areas or branches should be consolidated, and which should remain independent, as well as which particular services should be shared.    As for reduction of pension and health benefits, is there potential liability on the part of the state for those who claim a vested right to the value of the benefits they receive, especially with respect to pension and retirement benefits of those who have been receiving them for years?   Spreading the burden of paying for the proposed reforms is a good idea, but is it just?   What if the state ends up spending more because of litigation?   Then the expenses would merely be redirected elsewhere, but the burden would still be heavy for a lot of people.   The idea of banning dual elective office holding is a good idea, whatever curtailing effects it might seem to have on the right of suffrage of the electorate. Public office is a public trust, and from the person in office should be expected no less than the duty of utmost fidelity and loyalty to the people he represents.   The tendency in holding dual offices is that the efforts of the public officer will be divided, and the quality of his services might be diminished.   As for Dressel’s arguments against the Efficiency Commission, perhaps a set of rules to govern the proceedings and determinations made by the Commission, as well as a mode of appeal or review of its determinations, would be enough of a safeguard against the danger of subjectivity pointed out. Objectively, the recommendations given are feasible, but more work needs to be put in fine tuning the plans and executing them.   The cooperation of everyone is needed; instead of blindly criticizing, constructive comments and active participation can make the proposals for reform work. Reference List: Dressel Jr., William G. Legislators Haven’t Gone Far Enough For Taxpayers. 23 November 2006. 12 January 2006. ;http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006611230369; Hester J., Tom.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Corzine: Time is Now For Property Relief.† Courier Post Online.   9 January 2007. 12 January 2007. ;http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070109/NEWS01; The Associated Press. Reaction to Corzine’s Speech. 9 January 2007. 12 January 2007. ;http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770109023; Rispoli, Michael. â€Å"Corzine Reiterates Need For Pension, Health Care System Reforms.† Courier Post Online. 9 January 2007. 12 January 2007. ;http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070109/NEWS01; Hester Jr., Tom. â€Å"Democrats See New Deadline for Tax Reform, Hope System Will be in Place Before Bills Go Out This Summer.† Daily Record. 11 January 2007. 12 january 2007. ;http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007601110373; Caslander, Thomas Paine. â€Å"New Jersey Should Change Its Nickname from the Garden State to the ‘Tax Capital’†.   10 January 2007. 12 January 2007.   ;http://www.thedailyjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701100329; Clunn, Nicholas. â€Å"Hopes For Tax Reform Crashed and Burned.† Courier Post Online. 27 December 2006. 12 January 2006. ;http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061227/NEWS01/612270446/-1/ARCHIVES; Blogger. NJ Fiscal Folly. 8 July 2006. 12 January 2007. ;http://njfiscalfolly.blogspot.com/; Rebovich, David P. Political Interests and Economic Reality Clash at Special Session. 2 August 2006. 12 January 2007. ;http://politics.nexcess.net/rebovich/2006/08/political_interests_and_econom.html; How to cite New Jersey Revenue Reform, Essay examples

Renaissance Food Essay Example For Students

Renaissance Food Essay You are the owner of a large ship. You sail around the world and trade goodswith other countries. A French investor has agreed to pay for your next trip ifyou can bring back a profit and, hopefully, goods that he can sell to localmerchants. If for any reason you do not return with a profit, he has the rightto back out of the deal, and youll be stuck paying for everything. Before yousail from your homeport in Lisbon, Portugal, you will need to make severalimportant decisions about how to prepare for your journey and what route totake. If you succeed, you will be extremely wealthy and will cement yourreputation as a spice trader, ensuring that more rich investors come your way. But if you fail, you may go bankrupt and lose your ship, not to mention ruinyour reputation. Food and spices of the Renaissance were the fruit of explorerslabor. Through exploration and trade, bizarre and exotic foods native to newlyfound territories became commonly traded goods. In addition new ways were foundto use already common staples, and the number of spices went from a few to a fewhundred. The Renaissance was a time of great discovery, and new foods were oneof them. During the Renaissance, different regions of Europe had foods that weremore common to them and less common to other areas. Around the coast fish wasthe food of choice. Herring and cod were prevalent in the north, and in thesouth sardines, anchovies, and tuna were among the more commonly consumed fish1. On the other hand cattle and other domestic animals were more common aroundinland regions. Cows, sheep, and goats were among the most commonly raiseddomestic animals. As meat most of these animals were eaten when they were youngas veal, lamb, and kid2. Of the all the foods that were common throughout all ofEurope bread and grain were by far the most common. Peasants and aristocratsalike consumed bread. The rich ate white bread made of refined wheat flour3. Where as the poor ate darker breads and flat bread because they were muchcheaper4. In England biscuits became very popular. Grains, such as polenta andoats were also a universally consumed staple. Of all the many foods during theRenaissance foods of the bread group were among the most common. They were notonly very cheap but were very healthy. The making of bread was highly regulatedduring the renaissance5. At first, rules were imposed upon bakers from thehigher authorities. Grouping the bakers together was simply a more efficient wayof ensuring that they followed the rules. As local economies developed, however,these organizations began to go off on their own. Groups began to formulatetheir own regulations to better profit from their status in the public diet. Some forms of public health regulations have undoubtedly been around since thestart of urbanization. For bakers, the easiest rules to impose were thoseregarding bread weights and prices. Requirements on bread prices, quality,weight, and freshness have been documented to well before even the renaissance6. Generally, however, regulations were enforced at the local level. Standardsvaried from town to town according to grain availability and tastes. Forexample, the Winchester Assize of 1203 stated that white bread made in ourcity of Winchester shall weigh thirty shillings, but black bread sixty-fiveshillings7. The most widespread regulation was the Assize ofBread. This English law made in 1266 attempted to standardize the variouslocal policies8. The Assize directed bakers to make a common weight of breadknown as a penny loaf. However, the loaf could vary in weight, and thus price,according to the type of flour used. the white loaf was made from the finestwhite flour available. The wheaten loaf was coarser, and weighedhalf as much. household loaves were approximately double the weightof white loaves, made from unbolted flour9. Although the assize of bread made agood attempt, bread weights were inconsistently based on the going local rate ofgrain, and weights differed throughout the countr y. The Judgment of the Pillarywas a law spelling out procedures to investigate and punish offenders10. Intimes of famine or grain shortages, authorities had the power to takeover bakers and force them to operate at below-market rates11. Bakers inthis situation were not allowed to raise prices even though their ingredientswere more expensive. Sometimes bread was simply taken from them to feed thetown. For example, famine threatened northwest England in 1479.12 The localbakers were ordered to work for free and sell their bread at a very low cost. .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 , .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 .postImageUrl , .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 , .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14:hover , .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14:visited , .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14:active { border:0!important; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14:active , .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14 .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua701a3880f8b00b8b9a196dd75536c14:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Lewis Carrol EssayThose who refused were imprisoned and other townsfolk were recruited to bake intheir place. Similar regulations were common throughout Europe. Because breadweights were generally tied to grain prices, bakers were often forbidden to sellor mill grain.13 This supposedly would discourage baker fraud. Obviously abakers life was not easy. The work was hard, the hours terrible, and the lawsnumerous and constantly changing. Bakers fought back by organizing themselvesinto guilds, to limit the markets and increase their profits. As towns developedand organized, bakers did too. Bakers guilds flourished because they benefitedboth parties: towns ensured a more reliab le source of bread for the public, andbakers could try to limit the competition. However, bread was simple enough thatguilds did not last once the people gained easy access to flour and ovens. Fortheir time, though, bakers guilds were a very efficient way to produce one ofthe most important parts of the renaissance diet. The most prevalent drinkthroughout all of Europe during this time was alcohol. This was because manypeople did not dare to drink the water for fear of contamination. So insteadthey fermented the water with different combinations of fruits and barleys tocreate various wines and liquors. Around the area France grape juice from thegrapes of the French vineyards were fermented to create wine.14 This was one ofthe most widespread drinks throughout Europe. In the north and around Englandthe Vikings, and English men used barley, honey, and cider to create beers, andales.15 This was one of the other very popular drinks during the time. Harderdrinks such as whiskey and brand y were also consumed however they were lesspopular. As strange as it may sound, only peasants ate fruits and vegetables. Many doctors went as far as warning people not to eat vegetables. This isbecause many vegetables and berries were thought to be poisonous. However fruitsmade up the largest portions of peasants diets, because if they were found theywere free.16 Most of the spices that were used in Europe were imported from thePhilippines and India. However spices were very expensive for a long time therewas no known all water route to the West. So instead the spices had to changehands as much as 5 or 6 times. Indian spice farmers would grow the spices. Theywould then sell them to Arabs who would travel across the land by camel to thewest edge off the Mediterranean where they would in turn sell them to theEuropean merchants. This long line of middlemen came to an end, though, in 1498when the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama discovered the first all water routeto India.17 The discovery of an all water route to India allowed EuropeanMerchants to deal directly with Indian spice dealers. This made spices cheaperthroughout all of Europe. However, the elimination of Arab middlemen createdmuch uproar throughout the Middle East. Although most men did not have to worryabout them, the trek for men passing through these areas became very dangerous,and attacks on caravans became much more common.18 Explorers brought backcountless new foods and spices from territories that they found. Columbus wasthe first European other than the Norsemen to make it to the New World. When hecame back he brought with him: Potatoes, tomatoes, corn, and squash from thenorth, and peppers, and beans from the Caribbean and South America.19 Amongother commonly traded goods from the New World were cocoa, sugar, and tobacco. The many spices that were found by various explorers formed the backbone of theAmerican slave trade.20 From Africa explorers brought back many foods such asbananas, dates, and mangoes. Although sea trade was less dangerous than tradeby land it still had its share of perils. The seas were swarming with piratesjust waiting to ransack merchant ships. Also, the Dutch who would stop atnothing to prevent merchants from other countries from getting spices throughthe Indian ocean routes that were predominately controlled by them.21 The worstperil of all, though, was the sea itself. At any given moment a giant wave couldsnap a boat in half like a toy. Together these perils helped to increase theprice of imported foods and spices. Of all the spices the one most loved bypeople not only during the renaissance, but also throughout all time is sugar. .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 , .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 .postImageUrl , .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 , .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10:hover , .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10:visited , .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10:active { border:0!important; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10:active , .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10 .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc26b5fed112b763fba1bd5638bcaab10:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Catcher In The Rye Literary Analysis EssayToday sugar can be found on all corners of the globe. This is because during therenaissance sugar was such a hot commodity that if an explorer found a newterritory that did not have native sugar they would plant sugar canes on theland.22 Desserts were common during the renaissance, but only to the upperclass. The price of sugar was simply too high for the lower class Europeans toafford a lot of it. The dominant desserts throughout all of Europe were tarts.23Tarts are pastries that consist of a light flaky crust with sweet, but slightlybitter fruit filling. Although desserts were eaten at various times, they weregenerally served onl y during special occasions. When people think of theexplosion of culture that happened during the short 300-year period known as theRenaissance they usually think of art. Food and spices are generally overlookedas one of the great advances that happened during the renaissance, but theadvances that happened during this short period are just as great if not greaterthan the advances that happened in any of the other areas.

Friday, May 1, 2020

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning - Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning. Answer: Introduction: Workforce planning is the strategic alignment of the organizations workforce with that of organizational needs and goals. It is a continual process where the main purpose is to ensure that all organizational, legislative and regulation objectives are achieved through the implementation of the workforce development strategy. The important components of workforce planning includes analyzing the strength of current workforce, identifying immediate and future needs of workforce and implementing strategic steps to fulfill unmet needs of employees. The importance and benefits of workforce planning is that the process ensures getting the right number of people with rights skills in the organization. This eventually has an impact on organizational mission, budget planning and strengthening workforce competencies[1].The main purpose of this report is to understand the important components of workforce planning and analyze the impact of different internal and external factors on workforce plan . The importance of contingency plan is also discussed to overcome challenges during the workforce development process. Workforce planning consists of staffing and scheduling decisions to determine the number and types of employees to be hired or dismissed in an organization. The process initiates with the development of mission, vision and business objectives of the organization and assessment of the number of workforce and skills needed to fulfill different objectives. This process of forecasting helps organization to achieve balance between supply and demands and find our better strategies for agility and value of business. The human resource professionals plays a crucial role in forecasting the type of talent needed in organization and developing recruitment strategies accordingly[2]. For example, when a new company is going to start business, they engage in workforce planning by setting different roles required from top to bottom in an organization to accomplish business objectives. In addition, already established companies engage in maintaining employment stability. This is necessary because of changes in skills mix due to technological advancement and other issues in business. For example, in the health care industry, the main deployment of health care staffs with requisite skill is critical for efficient service delivery in the area of cost, quality as well as quantity. Failure to deploy enough staffs often leads to shortage of clinical staff or oversupply. Shortage of staffs is associated with many negative outcomes such as burnout and medical error, whereas oversupply leads to economic efficiencies in the health care organization[3]. Hence, human resource planning is address pitfalls and promotes efficiency in business. Leadership development: Leaders also play an important role in human resource planning. They are involved in making progression plan for important positions, developing skills of existing employees, mentoring them and assigning employees into different projects. Mentoring role is mainly given to senior employees to maintain and develop the talents and skills of employees. Although young graduates come to business organization with academic knowledge and zeal, they lack the skills understand specific business or corporate dynamic[4]. Hence, mentors support new employees to overcome challenges in job on a daily basis and learn new tactics to overcome certain challenges in the job. Both leadership and workforce development are an important component that decides the success of business organization. Training for leaders and workforce development is effective when leaders and employee develop the required competencies to achieve desired business objectives. A strong focus on training and development is also beneficial in complementing talent acquisition strategy. Well trained leaders and employees eventually support the organization to gain a competitive edge[5]. However, there are many challenges in the process of training and development process which may hamper the purpose of training. There is a need to evaluate the impact and success of training to ensure time and investment is done in the right area to get the right results. A research done on impact of training and development of employees on employee performance in the telecom sector has revealed that performance of employees improved and proper training method also increased the satisfaction level of em ployees. Barriers in participation in training program is seen when employees are not aware about the benefits of training and development. In such cases, there is a need to raise awareness among workforce regarding the importance and benefits of training[6]. Recruitment and retention activities are the cornerstone of workforce planning and employment. Some of the common recruitment strategies include conducting job analysis, identifying key competencies for different job position, developing recruitment criteria and systematic process for recruitment. With the advent of technology and the digital revolution, business environment has become very unpredictable. In such situation, it has become most important for top business companies to recruit the right talent who can evolve in their role due to changes in business environment. Different organizations prepare their own human resource strategy and recruitment strategy is aligned with them to source diverse human resource into the organization[7]. The main aim of recruitment strategy is to select right recruitment sources and selection of the right websites promotes dissemination of the job vacancies to desired candidates. After the recruitment process, the most tricky and challenging process is the retention of talent in organization. Companies introduce bonus scheme and continual professional development initiative to ensure that human resource could be retained and most promising employees follow the path towards more responsible roles[8]. The specific process of recruitment and employee retention in specific industry can also be understood from example of specific industry. Walmart is the leading retail giant of U.S. and the HR management of Walmart manages recruitment needs using different methods suitable to different position in their organization. As it is mainly a retail business chain, certain retail specific criteria is also incorporated in the selection process. In addition, their optimal strategy for employee rete ntion includes an evolving compensation program, career development and employee relations management. This ensures that not just the skills, but also the morale and motivation of employees in workplace is improved[9]. Through this strategy, Walmart is capable of maintaining adequate human resource to manage current retail operations and future global expansion. Designating the contingent workforce: Apart from regular employees, business companies focus on developing contingent workforce to get assistance during short-term or seasonal project. The recruitment strategy for contingent workforce is to get specialized skill set and talent who can serve in the organization for a part-time basis. Although this is a new concept in workforce planning, however there is a rise in the contingent workers in both profit and non-profit sectors to provide more flexibility in the job. There are numerous benefits of a contingent workforce for business organization. Firstly, it leads to cost savings as employers pay only for the work and the time given by employees, they do not have to cover holiday pay, health insurance and other allowance into the employees salary package. It also promotes productivity in business as only those contingent workers are hired who have the necessary skills to handle specific task and no training arrangement is needed for them[10]. These workers are also very goal d riven and productive within their roles. In the context of high performance work systems, contingent workforce contributes to both numerical flexibility and access to new knowledge[11]. The strategic workforce planning of business organizations are dependent on organizations strategic plan, external factors affecting workforce changes and demand for workforce maintenance internally. The external factors that influence workforce demographics include: Workforce demographics: In the business organization, workforce demographics changes after older generation retires and the newer baby boomer generations enter the workforce. As the new generation is highly influence and dependent on internet and digital technology, the human resource management need to make dramatic changes in their workforce strategies. For example, earlier, Companies would post job vacancies in newspaper or email to attract new talents, however digital devices and social media site is highly used by HR professionals to recruit new employees into the job. Hence, with changing workforce demographics, the process of hiring as well as types of compensation package has changed[12]. Currently, competitive organizations are creating value with digital HR as the current generation is hooked to tablet or smartphones. Partners and suppliers: The availability of appropriate partners and suppliers also affects the demand and supply of the company and eventually the recruiting efforts needed in business companies. The importance of demand and supply data in recruitment strategy is that it provides insights about job seekers and exact number of employees needed considering the availability of suppliers and production level[13]. Political and regulatory environment: The recruitment and retention of talent in companies is challenged by different government regulation. For example, introduction of new workplace standards by the governments creates the pressure to align the work process and workplace design according to the new law. New regulatory changes in workplace standards results in changes in all areas of HR department starting from hiring, training, compensation and employee development initiative[14]. Revenue and budget estimation: The recruitment drive in any organization requires a lot of time as well as investment. The cost involved in recruitment may vary according to the mode of recruitment, method of advertising job vacancies and the benefits provided to workers. Hence, recruiting budget is fixed on the basis of overall revenue and complete budget in other areas of the business. Organizational structure determines the type of employee and talents needed in organization. Some companies have a divisional structure where different departments in critical for business, whereas some have a functional structure where employees with specialized skills are required. Hence, based on organizational structure and workflow process, the HR department has to change the desired candidate profile and recruitment process. Company culture is defined as the shared assumptions and norms present in work environment that reflect the beliefs of the company. A positive culture is one where all employees was comfortable and have no disagreement regarding any work related behavior. In such culture, employees and leaders share their behavior and work towards common goal. There is sense of unity in such organizations. However, there are other organizations too in which conflict and resentment in common due to disagreement between leaders and the employee. Hence, based on the type of culture, methods of workforce planning and employee development strategies change. Culture is mainly linked with recruitment because culture has an impact on employee attraction, selection as well as retention strategies[15]. Example, companies like Qantas have a good brand image and employers are easily attracted in such companies requiring little advertising and recruitment efforts. However, in a company which is struggling with th e work culture, it is a tedious task to attract as well as retain new talents. Considering the high flexibility and unpredictability of business organization, it has become vital for the HR department to focus on employee retention strategy. This is necessary to retain exception employees who deliver the right performance in complex situations. Recruiting the desired candidate is a time consuming process, hence retention strategy is important to save money as well as time. After an employee leaves, the HR has to start the process of recruiting and training the new joinee again which is a loss to the organization[16]. Hence, competitive organization always put lot of efforts to retain those employees who contribute significantly to the success of the organization. Some of the effective strategies that top organizations have implemented to retain employees and minimize turnover are as follows: Training employees: The process of training reinforces sense of value in employees and their motivation and satisfaction towards work is increased. The focus on training employees to develop their capabilities, skills and knowledge optimizes employees potential and improve their work performance. This in turn acts as major source of competitive advantage for business organization. Most business firms incorporate training employees in their long-term workforce planning so that the workforce builds new skills and develop the confidence to cope with uncertain situations in business. Both the organization as well as the employee benefits from the training process. The employee develops the perception that the organization is willing to provide career development opportunities to them and they in turn gives their best effort to achieve key business objectives[17]. Hence, training is an important necessity for the retention of skilful workforce. Rewards and recognition: One study points out that rewards also has a positive impact on job satisfaction and employee retention levels. Different sectors struggle to balance high turnover rate and skill shortage often affects their business. This is common in the public health sector and employee retention is a challenge because of the competition factors. Most health care organization fails to match the salary with their competitors and end up losing the skilful health care personnel. In such situation, efficient reward strategies act as a good solution for retaining the core employees of the organization. Reward system mainly in the form of salary has a good impact on leaving intention of employees and employees in such organization tend to remain longer in the organization. Rewards have a direct impact on job satisfaction level and this eventually has an impact on employee retention[18]. Hence, during workforce planning, the HR department develop strategic retention plans to reta in skilled labors in workplace. Coaching and feedback: The senior employees role in providing coaching and feedback to new employees also ensures that they remain aligned to the goals of the company and do not focus on taking alternative career routes. Leaders support the new employees to adapt to their careers. The coaching and feedback session also provides training and development opportunities to employees which in turn strengthens the retention goal of business firm. The supervisors support and formal developmental process minimize voluntary turnover rates, reduces the intention to leave, increase productivity and retain a more committed and satisfied staffs. Career discussion along with mentoring and coaching also develop career adaptability skills in workforce[19]. Need for contingency plan Currently, business organization has to deal with many unusual events such as rise in competition, changing demand of consumers and sudden drop in sales. In such situation, it becomes extremely important for competitive organizations to recover from unusual events. The need for contingency plan is seen in such situations so that business managers plan in advance to protect their resources and maintain profitability in business[20]. For example, a big retail giant like Walmart also experienced a period of downturn when their sales dropped in 2016. The main reason for this unusual event was that Walmart was facing challenges in completely transforming their stores to the internet age. In such situation, their contingency plan was to prepare for the complete transformation of their brick and mortar store to online stores[21]. Such strategy was essential to retain back the past dominance in retail sector. In an effort to execute contingency plans too, contingent workforce acts a major so urce of advantage. These workers are hired specially to engage in specialized work. In the context of Walmart, they have engaged several IT staffs to provide online options for sale to their customers. The features of the contingency plan may differ according to different industrial context. The success of contingency planning is dependent on the risk assessment process. In case of the real need for implementing such plans, all employees are made aware about the need for implementing such plans. The time schedule for each activities and the delegation of key roles for each employees is decided to maintain smooth running of the contingency plan. This process is important in the context of workforce planning to build resilience skills. The unusual event at the Medin Corporation, a supplier of the sterilization case and accessory products for medical device markets also gives effective example of the need for contingency planning. Medin businesss was affected after the Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey and in response to this, the company developed a crisis contingency plan by making arrangement for grants. This helped to prevent the downtime that resulted in the disasters[22]. Similar type of contingency plan is also made by competitive business organization to main their sales and profitability. Impact of industrial relations In the process of strategic alignment of human resource with business objectives, the industrial relation practices also determine employee performance and engagement in work. Industry relation practices are related to the workplace climate and system of practices enabling effective work performance. Some of the effective industrial relations practices in favor of employees include developing competitive succession plan, training program and performance appraisals system for employees. Employee specific industrial relation is seen when training or safety committee focus on addressing all grievances of employees. Trade unions and employers pay much attention to skill upgradation of workers to cope with challenges in business due to technological advancement and globalization[23]. Conclusion The report summarized the importance of human resource planning for achieving business objective and maintains competitive edge in business. This is a systematic process consisting of several components all which together helps to get the right employees with right skills sets for the success of business. The discussion on the important aspects of workforce planning has mainly revealed that it starts with the process of assessment of skills and position needed in organization and this identification complements the process of recruitment, selection and retention of employees. Despite the development of clear visions and objectives in business organization, currently companies are struggling to retain their position in specific industrial sector due to changes in external and internal environment of business. The relevant external and internal factors affecting business and employee performance has been discussed and it mainly implies that the challenges for business leader has mainly increased due to the introduction of new technology and digital revolution in the world. To overcome unusual events in business, development of accurate contingency plans can provide good advantage to business and HR department should pay special emphasis on retention strategies to motivate employees to stay in the job and contribute to team success. Reference Armstrong M, Taylor S. Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. Kogan Page Publishers; 2014 Apr 3. De Bruecker P, Van den Bergh J, Belin J, Demeulemeester E. Workforce planning incorporating skills: State of the art. European Journal of Operational Research. 2015 May 16;243(1):1-6. Lopes MA, Almeida S, Almada-Lobo B. Handling healthcare workforce planning with care: where do we stand?. Human resources for health. 2015 May 24;13(1):38. Ladegard G, Gjerde S. Leadership coaching, leader role-efficacy, and trust in subordinates. A mixed methods study assessing leadership coaching as a leadership development tool. The Leadership Quarterly. 2014 Aug 31;25(4):631-46. Wilson JP. 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