Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Analysis Of The Book The Night Angel By Walter Moers

As I sat in one of the booths at a coffee shop, I brainstormed about what book to read for this final project. I contemplated a few I would like to re-read, there is the gunslinger series by Steven King, but some of the books in the series are better than others, and I hate â€Å"The Dark Tower† book where Oy dies. I deliberated about reading Rumo again by Walter Moers, but that book is lengthy. Ultimately, I decided to re-read the first book of the Night Angel series written by Brent Weeks. I concluded that it would be best to use the first book in the series. Since the story line is so intricate, if I attempted to use the second or third books, I would spend too much time explaining backstory. After, I drove home and brewed a large pot of Starbucks Pikes Place Coffee. I selected comfortable attire to wear, and poured myself a giant mug of coffee. Took the book off the shelf, and curled up with a soft, fuzzy blanket in my favorite spot. From my favorite leather chair situated in front of the fireplace in my living room, I opened the book and became engulfed in the rich world the author created. I had never heard of this author, nevertheless, the book captured my attention in the first chapter. I simply inhaled the rest of the trilogy. The main character is Azoth, he is a member of the guild called the Black Dragons. His guild is a group of orphans who lives in the slums, called the Warrens. Survival for Azoth is precarious, and he is tired of being terrified of a malicious,

Monday, December 16, 2019

South Asia and Management of Energy Security  Free Essays

INTERNATIONAL-RELATIONS ARTICLE ASSIGNMENT=1 SOUTH ASIA AND MANAGEMENT OF ENERGY SECURITY 3/27/2013 SUBMITTED BY FAIZAN-ALI BBA-7C * Introduction: The article named south Asia and management of energy security has been written by a well known associate professor of international relations miss DR MUSARRAT JABEEN Quetta university Baluchistan. The writer herself a very competent and well known to her subject of specialization with the great exposure of international systems and relations also read one other books of her by the name of legacy of china which is one of her successful stories and proof of her good thought of school. After now introducing the writer I would like to introduce the under attention article of the writer which is south Asia and management of energy security. We will write a custom essay sample on South Asia and Management of Energy Security   or any similar topic only for you Order Now Summary (major points): in the article the writer talked about many things and tried to focus on the fact that energy security hinges on the demand and supply systems in terms of energy management. She used a word of hinge in her sentence which is the demonstration of a beautiful making of preposition by writer which means a joining device on which a lid or door turns when it opens. When comes to the major and focal points of an article I would like to firstly translate the meaning of energy security which means that smooth and reliable transaction and movement of energy between supply and demand systems of energy. The emergence of supply and demand is from the economic world and as per my understanding with these terms I conclude that there should not be a supply and demand gap in the systems of energy otherwise I will create a question on the security of energy which is the smooth transaction of energy. Importantly major points for supply and demand are rolled under three dimensions: * Dependency * Certainty * Affordability As energy is the most important security for all the nations and states because a great sense of competition exists among nations for energy security as energy is one of the basic requirements for economic development and economic growth. There are some important factors in the given articles which are responsible for the increase in demand * High rate of population * Stress caused by economic growth * Economic dualism * Structural transformation * Physical capital formation This study basically focuses on the supply and demand systems crossing south Asia at the confluence of central Asia and Middle East south Asia has specific energy security issues. One of the growing demands of energy is that china is becoming the world’s biggest economic power very soon in future due to china needs the cost is kept on increasing specially in south Asia. The region specially discussed in this article is south Asia in which Pakistan is included which would be the route and supplier of energy very soon in future but this might not take place very soon because of our energy crisis at national level. India which is only the supplier and Afghanistan which is the route of energy can also create political barriers to other states of south Asia especially for Iran who is the biggest supplier of energy among south Asia countries. U. s Europe and china’s interest has made some political environment in south Asia. As oil is one of the most important ingredients of energy so U. S who is the only power of world wants to control all pricing management of oil especially in Gulf States? In view of geographical location PAKSITAN has a great importance for all because we have gawaddar port we have Karachi port and we have so many other routes which actually links with the boundaries of AGHANISTAN INDIA IRAN and across the river to the Gulf States. The writer has taken up some important qualifications about PAKSITAN which in my point of view are very important. * Pakistan is located at the confluence of central middle and south Asia. In short Pakistan is the heart of Asia. * Pakistan has the ability to grow at the level of above 8% GDP. * Pakistan has catered for the central Asia trade with south Asia and the rest of world. Challenges: In South Asia, the demand for infrastructure, and particularly electricity, is growing rapidly. Improved electricity supply is a key to sustaining economic growth and improving social services. †¢ Electricity is still not available to about half of the region’s 1. 5 billion population, especially in rural areas, which adverse ly affects the efforts to reduce poverty and create better opportunities for all. †¢ The lack of access to modern forms of energy prolongs the widespread traditional use of biomass, with adverse environmental and health impact. Electricity services to the connected customers, whether to businesses or households, are often unreliable and of poor quality, coupled with high technical and commercial losses and poor commercial performance of service providers. †¢ Advancing electricity sector reforms, aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of electricity service, commercial viability of electricity industry, institutional and governance arrangements, accountability of service providers, and investment climate is critical to ensure sustained growth of the sector and optimal development and use of energy resources. National energy systems are autarchic, with weak or nonexistent interconnections. There is little cross-border trade in electricity, with the exception of India- Bhutan trade, and none in natural gas. * Critical analysis: South Asia’s energy security dilemma is one of the signal challenges of the 21st century, critical to the economic future of almost two billion people and the political future of one of the world s most volatile regions. Now for the critical analysis as per my reading and understanding with the article I would like to mention some strengths and weaknesses and also the things which are covered and which are not covered. In south Asia energy management china India Pakistan Afghanistan are the majors countries for supply and routes specially in south Asia so they have a great interest of international community specially from the super power U. S. America wanted a full control on all movements and managements of energy specially on oil and also the resources of all these big countries of Asia. china is more powerful among all other Asian states because they are using there resources very efficiently and effectively. Here I can give an example of small dams of water as reserves in china which are 1 lakh in quantity as per rough idea which is the security of many other energy production systems. While talking about Pakistan, Baluchistan which is the biggest area in view of resources and energy generation is now under the strong influence by international forces to get management by others. In view of strengths it is an accepted fact a stronger Pakistan will deal strongly with the regional challenges. The construction of deep sea port at GAWADAR is just one component of the greater gawadar plan. here is a strong link of network of Karachi with Baluchistan by roads. Management of regional interest can play an important role in the management of energy in south Asia. As Pakistan is the hub of transportation for all so there should be a unity and strong faith of friendship among the countries of south Asia. The policy of recasting regional interstate relations on the basis of trade will directly lead to the prosperity of the whole region. Regionally there are so many projects are running among the Pakistan Iran India china srilanka etc. ne of the greatest example is the agreement of gas pipeline between Pakistan and Iran which is the proof of interstate relationships. This agreement is unacceptable for the international actors like America. when going internationally we should all act alike under some laws and policies for the benefit of whole Asia because it has to be understand by all that our continent is very rich in many things like geographical location resources natural climate fertile land etc. everybody should look east towards each other because to the west only fake faces and promises are made for their own national interest. Conclusion: finally at the end I would like to say that this is our bad luck among south Asia countries that we all are affiliated with other international channels for some interest and we are less behind in developing relations among each other . Due to which when there is an increase in the security of energy happens in any country the other feels insecurity like when India made nuclear tests it was a worried time for Pakistan because instead of having a relationship of friendship we are enemy of each other which is the biggest drawback in our continent. he task of global reforms has to be an inclusive one,addresing the concerns and needs of the states located in the heartland of Asia. All the tensions should be solved by dialogues and by cooperation’s. There should be two management policies one at regional level and one should be on international level. The gap is increasing between supply and demand of energy because of inelasticity. East and Southeast Asian states are facing severe and increasing energy security challenges. Regional economies are generally poor in natural resources, trade-dependent, and energy-intensive in character. Regional energy demands, especially for natural gas and fuels derived from crude oil, continue to escalate. Simultaneously, indigenous production of oil and gas has been for the large part either declining. This divergence between energy demands and domestic supplies has led to increasing reliance among East and Southeast Asian states on foreign sources of supply, including energy imports that are predominantly delivered by sea. Recommendation: * Create awareness programs for states on their issues, like economic, social and legal issues, to strengthen them, on government level and civil society organization. * Need comprehensive legislation to ensure the states’ right and their protection. * Promote/Start debates and address the issues of states with governments. —————-*————————————–*—————————*————————— How to cite South Asia and Management of Energy Security  , Essay examples

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Hospitality Management Itau Bank

Question: Prepare a report for Itau Bank at post graduate level? Answer: Introduction Being a manager at job is entrusted with significant level of roles and responsibilities that need to be carried out. The role of managers in any organisation is mainly to perform the management of organisational tasks in a manner that ensures the attainment of desired goals and objectives. Managers is known for managing organisations operations, and in performing such management, he/she is required to apply the most appropriate management style so that better overall management can be achieved. The manager has the ability to perform efficient communication with the subordinates so as to manage them in achieving organisational tasks and goals. The manager is also responsible for maintaining a smooth organisational culture that supports the entire working conditions. The role of managers in respect to a restaurant business is significantly higher because it is the managers ability that determines the performance of front level staff of the organisation, and ultimately results into the satisfaction of final consumers. There are various important abilities and skills that must be possessed by a restaurant manager in performing the management of the entire business in an efficient manner (Analoui and Karami, 2003). This report is aimed at profiling my situation when I would become the restaurant manager. The report highlights about the reason for which I am the best person fitted for the job of Restaurant Manager. In order to explain why I would be the best person for the job of Restaurant manager, this report details about the management styles that I would apply after becoming a restaurant manager, the communication process and also performs a SWOT analysis of my development as manager. Finally, the motivational techniques that I will apply will also be assessed in particular. Part A: Investigating Principles and Practices of Management Behaviour 1: Managerial Styles Type and Their Application under Different Circumstances: There are different types of managerial styles available that could be applied in performing the management of a restaurant. The most important types of managerial styles are categorised as autocratic, paternalistic, democratic and laissez faire leadership style. An analysis indicates that autocratic managerial styles involves the decision making process being performed by the managers without involving others, whereas paternalistic style managers also takes control with them but they have a favourable attitude towards their employees. The democratic style encourages participation by employees and encourages the employees to participate in the decision making process whereas laissez faire style allows complete decision making authority to employees. I would like to apply democratic management style which allows my staff members to contribute positively in the decision making process, but the final decision will be taken by me. This will allow me complete control of my role in the organisation (Cole, 2003). 2: Characteristics that Makes a Good Leader: A leader posses significant characteristics that makes him/her different from others. An analysis indicates that the best possible leadership characteristics include honesty, ability to lead from the front and guide or direct subordinates in performing in an efficient manner, ability to delegate, good communication skills and abilities, good sense of humour, decision making abilities, confidence, commitment, creativity, positive attitude, ability to inspire etc. These characteristics make a good leader, and I also posses many of these characteristics which makes me a good candidate for this restaurant manager profile (Top 10 Qualities That Make A Great Leader, 2012). 3: Communication Process: It is highly essential that the communication process should be highly efficient in performing the management of a restaurant. This is mainly because any kinds of mismatch among different restaurant staff would result into customer dissatisfaction. The communication process can be carried out in two ways such as formal and informal communication. I would rather encourage formal communication within the staff members when they are serving the final consumers. However, the communication within staffs, and with the kitchen personnel would be encouraged in informal way so that an appropriate coordination between staffs themselves could be accomplished and ultimately, improved delivery of services to customers (Nielsen, 2008). 4: Organisational Culture and its Impact: The culture of an organisation basically indicates about the overall working environment that is prevalent within it. The culture of an organisation is an important determining factor with respect to the performance of organisational activities and process. A culture can be supportive to employees or it can be restrictive to them depending on the organisational policies and procedures. The role of culture is significantly important in respect to the restaurant business because a positive culture of sharing and better coordination across members is essential. A restaurant business is highly efficient from the efficiency of service personnel and it is therefore essential that a culture promoting efficiency within restaurant business should be achieved. A culture of higher coordination is essential because the final consumers can be provided with good quality food and services from having a direct level of coordination across members. Thus, the front line staff and the back end staff should establish better coordination, and the culture of the organisation should permit them in establishing it. The positive impact of culture is that it will result into efficient performance of organisational processes and ultimately, timely delivery of quality services to final consumers. However, its negative impact is that it will result into lack of efficient relations between employees, and ultimately ends up with consumer dissatisfaction (Hooper, Kaplan and Boone, 2010). Part B: Analyse Own Potential as a Manager 1: Skills needed as a Restaurant Manager: As a restaurant manager, there are various major types of skills and abilities that are needed to me. As for instance, the most significant is the communication skill because I need to interact with the staffs on regular basis in enhancing the overall service levels to final consumers. I would also need to interact with prospective customers in order to satisfy them, and this requires good communication skills. Conflict management skill is also essential because there are higher chances that conflicts would emerge in the process. As a result, it is essential that conflict management abilities should be possessed by me so that I could better manager such situations. I also require good relationship building abilities because there are various customers with whom I need to maintain positive level of relations in order to achieve repeat customers to the business (Guzzo and Salas, 1995). Thus, the relationship building ability is quite essential to me in achieving improved level of growth and success of the restaurant. Employee management is also crucial to me because I need to perform the management of 15 staffs in the restaurant and good level of employee management ability would allow me in managing them appropriately in achieving my goals and responsibilities. I would also need better time management ability because in the service business, it is essential that timely performance of activities should be ensured. By timely delivering quality foods to the customers, they could be made satisfied with its services. These are some of the basic skills and abilities that are needed in efficiently performing the management of the restaurant business (Runde and Flanagan, 2008). Thus, in relation to the skills as identified, I would also require certain skills to further develop in me because there are certain skills that are already possessed by me, but certain other require further level of improvements. 2: SWOT Analysis: This section analyses my skills and abilities in particular through the application of SWOT analytical tool. As a manager, my strength is my stronger ability to manage people in particular and I have good knowledge of the ways in which restaurant business operates. This particular factor would also likely to contribute in a positive way towards performing the management of the restaurant business in a positive way. However, with respect to the weaknesses are concerned, the major weakness is mainly the lower level of ability in handling conflicting situations. I also lack adequate level of experience as a manager which would affect by ability in efficiently carrying over the current managerial profile at the restaurant. Apart from these strengths and weaknesses, there are certain major opportunities and threats that are also likely to be faced by me. As for instance, the main opportunity to me is mainly the chances of achieving higher growth levels and I could become the senior level manager by performing well in the restaurant. However, the threats are mainly in the form of competition whereby others are desperately seeking for the senior level management position across the restaurant (Cole, 2003). Thus, the SWOT analysis above indicates my development over the next 5 years as good, as there would be good opportunities available to me to climb up the ladder to a senior most position in the restaurant. However, I would like to learn new skills and abilities so that I can be a positive contributor to the overall growth and development of the restaurant business in particular. 3: Prioritisation of Work and Objectives: It is highly essential that I need to prioritise certain major areas that could allow me in achieving higher growth and success levels. As for instance, it is essential that important activities need to be ranked at top most priority and I would go for prioritising my goals by way of analysing the areas that are mostly important to me, and essential to performing my role as a manager. This would help in achieving incremental development with respect to my skills and abilities. As a result of this, I would be able to perform my roles and responsibilities in a better way. I would also interact with the supervisor on a regular basis, as this would allow me in remaining updated with respect to the areas that require higher level of attention on my part. The objectives would be set by interacting with the supervisor and these objectives would be in relation to enhancing my overall effectiveness in performing my role as manager across restaurant (M ital, 2007). Part C: Roles and Responsibilities of Manager in the Context of Service Industry 1: Motivational Techniques: Employee motivation is highly essential in order to perform their efficient management in achieving organisational goals. It is essential that employees should be provided with additional incentives and support so that maximum overall efforts from them could be accomplished. In this relation, there are various important motivational techniques and strategies that could be applied in handling employees in a positive manner. Some of the important motivational techniques that could be applied are job design, rewards to employees, employee participation etc. These motivational techniques could be applied for the purpose of satisfying employees and thereby in achieving higher level of commitment from them in accomplishing organisational goals. I would also make use of these motivational techniques and strategies in order to enhance the performance levels of my employees (Kotler, 2009). As for instance, the motivational technique of job redesign will be applied in the form of job rotation whereby the front line staff would be changed on periodic basis in order to make them understand the importance of different roles across the organisation. This would result into better performance of their own roles across different important areas. In addition to this, the motivational technique of rewards management would also be applied by way of rewarding the best performer. The reward strategy would include both the financial and non-financial rewards aimed at achieving higher success levels. As a result, there would be the consideration of both the financial rewards as well as non financial rewards in achieving positive level of motivation within employees to contribute their maximum efforts in achieving organisational goals. Employee participation is also an important way in which employees could be motivated, and this particular strategy will also be applied. As identified above, there is collaborative effort needed from all the employees of the organisation in performing the management of restaurants. This could be positively accomplished by way of encouraging employee participation within the employees working across the restaurant. They would be provided with a platform whereby they could work together and interact with each other in order to accomplish the organisational goals in a positive way (Kim, 2002). In these ways, different motivational techniques would be considered in performing the motivation of employees in the given restaurant chain. 2: Product/Service Knowledge: In performing the management of restaurant business, knowledge concerning the product/service is essential. The restaurant business would comprise of products and services and it essential that being a product manager, focus should be towards enhancing the overall customer service by properly arranging the service delivery process to customers. With respect to product varieties, the role of manager is crucial, as he/she needs to design the various categories of products and services that would be included within the product category of the business. Thus, I need to have sufficient knowledge of the menu that can be run over my restaurant. This will enable me in efficiently managing the needs and requirements of my customers. Apart from the knowledge about product, the knowledge about services is also essential. In respect to service business, the role of front line personnel is significantly higher, as they interact with the customers and meet out their r equirements positively. Thus, I would need to keep a track with the ways in which services are being delivered to the final consumers (Lussier and Achua, 2009). As a manager, I would be needed to rationalise the decisions and this would be accomplished by me by way of focusing more towards the adapting a participatory approach in particular. I would rather focus on including the employees so that a participatory approach would allow me in taking efficient and rational decisions in particular. In these ways, I would aimed at performing my role in an efficient manner and disburse all my responsibilities as being a corporate manager. Conclusion In this report, a critical assessment has been carried out in respect to my role manager in the restaurant, and as a part of analysis, there are different important areas of analysis that have been carried out. The analysis has indicated about different managerial styles that could be applied by me in performing the management of employees across the restaurant. The characteristics of good leader are applied and my role in performing the communication is also assessed. It has been analysed that the role of organisational culture is important in creating a positive environment across the restaurant and this could be positively applied in achieving higher level of efficiency in my performance. The analysis has indicated that there are various important skills that are needed in order to ensure that I could perform the efficient management of my role as a restaurant manager. The SWOT analysis has carried out which indicated the ways in which I could leverage the opportunities available to me in the next five years. In order to perform the management of the organisation, I need to have good knowledge about the products and services as offered by the restaurant. The application of appropriate motivational strategies is also essential in performing the efficient management of employees across the organisation.