Organisational Behaviour Resit Assignment Essay

Organisational Behaviour Resit Assignment - Essay Example Managers as planners would be charged with the duty of establishing the organisation’s objectives and determining what needs to be achieved and setting the timelines. This calls for sensitivity to the environment of operation and appropriate decision making skills. While this function would be handled by top management in large corporate organisations, owners handle it in smaller firms. Discussion To explain this managerial function, Xerox Corporation provides an appropriate example. The history of this copier and printing equipment firm dates back to the 1930s with the first xerographic image being made in the US. The firm grew over years by merging with other similar firms with the 1960s marking the climax of its growth. Between 1960 and 1965, the corporation’s revenues grew from $37 million to $268 million (Dragolea & Cotirlea 2009). In the 1980s, the firm faced intense competition from its competitors from Japan and the US with its market share dropping from 86% to 17% between 1974 and 1984. This was largely attributed to the lack of strategic direction from the management. In order to return to profitability, the management sought to understand the operations of its rivals so as to adopt some of the best practices. The firm sought to implement competitive benchmarking after the study which was found to be ineffective because most of the copier companies in the market did not use most of those recommended operations. As such, through studying a supplier of outdoor clothing and sporting products, L. L. Bean, the firm implemented functional benchmarking. This saw the company spring back with customer satisfaction for Xerox’s printing copier systems rising by 39% and 38% respectively. Customer complaints were cut by over 60% with sales process recording 40% improvement. This success was a result of effectively planned turn-around strategy. Indeed, Xerox identified its weaknesses which made it uncompetitive in the market shared with its US and Japanese rivals. Its market share had greatly dropped and it therefore sought to recapture its status as a market leader in copier business. With this vision in mind, the next task for the chief executive, David Kearns was to determine how to get to that position as suggested by scholars defining planning (DuBrin 2009; Sims 2002). The chief executive crafted a program referred to as Leadership Through Quality that would see the firm mine information on what makes its rivals more effective and how they would adopt some of the identified best practices. Data on the operations of Xerox’s rivals was collected through mining information from relevant databases, trade journals and magazines, use of questionnaires and engagement of consultants (Dragolea & Cotirlea 2009). This was followed by a well planned strategy to see the firm regain its quality leadership in the market. Analysis According to DuBrin (2009), planning could be said to be either strategic or operational. The au thor differentiates strategic planning as top level management engagement with the input of other members of an organisation from operational planning as one that relates to everyday operations of a unit or the whole organisation. The planning that saw

Cloud Computing Essay Example for Free

Cloud Computing Essay How did Ericsson benefit from Amazon Web Services (AWS)? According to Amazon’s Web Service website, it gives users the option to run just about everything using their service applications. By incorporating cloud computing, users are able to cut variable costs to a more attractive scale for the business by eliminating costly administrative and hardware fees. Due to remote access, Ericsson was able to immediately take advantage of AWS’s benefits since the infrastructure was already up and running. Demands change quickly and it’s important for a company to be able to adjust accordingly. By using the cloud system, Ericsson was able to employ software updates and new applications quickly and more effectively. AWS services hundreds of thousands of customers in more than 190 countries, making their global infrastructure far more expansive than competitors; this allowed Ericsson to have data centers in various parts of the world. According to information provided in the case study, Ericsson chose AWS because they felt it was â€Å"the most integrated public cloud provider in the Rightscale Cloud Management Platform (Rightscale)†. Amazon EC2, Amazon S3, and RightScale Amazon EC2 The AWS website describes Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) as a web service that provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud, making web-scale computing easier for developers. It also allows you to quickly scale capacity up and down if and when your computing requirements change. Because this system works on a â€Å"pay-as-you-go† method, you only pay for the capacity you use which is a great option from an economic stand point. Amazon S3 Amazon S3 is described quite simply on the AWS website—storage for the Internet. It makes a developer’s job easier by providing for more convenient Web-scale computing. It gives them access to the same high quality infrastructure that Amazon uses to run its global network. With Amazon S3, one can store any amount data, anywhere, and have total access to it at any time via the web. The main purpose of this service is to â€Å"maximize benefits of scale and pass them on to developers† (AWS Website, 2012). RightScale RightScale is your bridge between applications and your cloud infrastructure. It allows for easy deployment and management of apps across not only   public clouds, but private and hybrid ones as well. RightScale configures efficiently and also provides organizations with better overall command of the cloud computing infrastructure and applications. Server management is an important aspect of using the cloud, and with this service, the company can scale and monitor more effectively, enhancing control. Organizations view the portability of RightScale as a huge incentive because it provides for greater flexibility and less restriction in a sense of provider options. Security Concerns How to Cope With Them Naturally, with any cloud-based service, there are lots of security concerns, including but not limited to, recovery issues, who has access to sensitive information, and data location. Recovery Issues In the event that the organization loses information or experiences a tragic situation, the vendor who is sponsoring the cloud-based service should have a detailed and easily executable plan in place to resolve the issue and make the process of recovery as painless as possible. It’s also important that both parties agree to the terms beforehand to avoid any unnecessary disagreements and issues. User Access When an organization opts to use cloud-based computing, they release a level of control, to a certain degree. The vendor controls the cloud and their employees may have access to the client’s information. It’s vital that the client organization seek clarity on exactly who has that access and their credentials—level of expertise, exact job title and company responsibility, etc. Data Location The client organization wants to make sure they at least know what country the cloud system they are using is located in. There are some cases where the organization has no clue where the cloud they are utilizing is based and that could potentially be a problem. One way to ease concern would be for the client to suggest specific locations and ensure that company privacy will not be breached. One suggestion to cope with the afore mentioned security concerns would be a method called the â€Å"layered approach†. The good thing about this option is it not only offers protection for not only the organization, but the vendor as well. The multi-level technique makes for a layered defense model that keeps the company from totally relying on one option. Level one—physical security—would focus on monitoring the actual facility that houses servers and other sensitive equipment. Level two—network security—would ensure around-the-clock monitoring of the network by well trained personnel. Level three—intrusion detection—would control the traffic that enters and leaves the network, making sure that any possible intrusion would be detected immediately and handled accordingly. Level four—firewall management—these should be custom fitted for the organization. These are commonly used with organizations and provide that added cushion in the level of security. And finally, Level five—data encryption—should be maintained inside and outside the cloud. Because the information that is transmitted over the cloud is so sensitive, maintain a high level of security is extremely important. This is mainly the vendor’s responsibility; however, the client organization can absolutely make suggestions and requirements that personally cater to their needs. Scalability, Reliability, and Cost Issues Associated with Cloud Computing Organizations can easily capitalize on economies of scale and majorly cut costs because virtualization is the main vehicle for cloud-based computing. The need to purchase and maintain hardware and spend funds on administrative costs is basically eliminated. The mobility of the cloud network allows for total access of large amounts of data anywhere, anytime and companies find that to be a very attractive incentive. The only issue that may arise is network reliability—yes, the problem with data storage is limited and inexpensive; however, the probability of outages is unavoidable with this option. Cloud computing can become very expensive to install and get running; however, the fact that companies only pay for services they use is great! Eliminating the need to maintain subscriptions and licenses saves the company tons of money and makes running the infrastructure considerably more convenient. It is clear that the benefits outweigh the possible issues that may arise. Bibliography Ericsson Case Study. 2011. http://aws.amazon.com/solutions/case-studies/ericsson/ Security Techniques for Protecting Data in Cloud Computing. 2012. http://www.kaspersky.com/images/european_cup_2012_march5_Venkata%20Sravan%20Kumar%20Maddineni-10-141650.pdf Understanding Layered Security and Defense in Depth. 2008. http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/security/understanding-layered-security-and-defense-in-depth/703

A Study of Winter Poetry Essay -- Environment, Winter, Spring

I chose to study winter poetry because I often focus on the cold and harsh conditions, rather than the beauty present. These poems are excellent in making one see past the bleakness, and toward the magnificence of the dazzling light. The beginnings of both â€Å"Winter† and â€Å"The Winter’s Spring† mention the loneliness and coldness of winter. This helps the audience find common ground with the poet, since it is easier to see winter as ugly rather than beautiful. In â€Å"The Winter’s Spring†, â€Å"The winter comes; I walk alone† (1), asks the audience to follow as no one, but the author believes the in the beauty of winter. â€Å"I want no bird to sing† (2) sounds hostile and reclusive, and is reinforced as the author claims to keep his heart his own. Already, the audience views the author as a cold and unloved being. Instead, the following stanzas contrast with the first, and winter is compared to spring. Nature imagery, like â€Å"the foliage of the woods† (25) and a white dove’s caring wing are likened to winter. In the poem, the foliage covering the bare trees is the snow, as is the white dove’s wing gently covering everything.  "The Winter’s Spring† also uses words that create a heavenly image, like the â€Å"Christmas rose† (also known as the Lenten rose), â€Å"white†, â€Å"piercing light†, â€Å"dazzled†, and â€Å"white dove† (7,16, 17,22). This contrasts with the audience’s initials views of a lonely and hostile winter, instead suggesting winter emulates the look of heaven. Likewise, the poem â€Å"Winter† starts with a violent mood, filled with negative connotations: â€Å"Clouded with snow/ The cold winds blow,/ and shrill on leafless bough/ The robin with its burning breast/ Alone sings now† (1-5). There is sensory and sound imagery of a cold snowstorm, and of a bird singing... ...ly to â€Å"Winter†, except that the negative connotations are confined to the first three lines out of thirty, rather than over a third of the poem. Thus, a far greater amount of the poem is used in praise of winter and the remainder is the author gushing over the beauty of winter, by using it as a metaphor to spring. He never wants spring to come, because the winter’s spring is better. Examples include the â€Å"snow-white meadows† and the â€Å"White Easter of the year in bud† (18,27), with meadows, Easter and flower buds all commonly associated with spring and rebirth, not winter. The recurring and repetitive comparisons in this poem effectively assert the magnificence of winter. Both of these poems effectively persuade the audience, by first acknowledging the ugliness of winter, but then using common and varied devices like contrast and imagery to praise winter’s beauty.

Experience That Has Significantly Shaped Your Life

26 July 2005 – A usual day at junior college when I was day dreaming through another lecture. In the background I could hear heavy rains lashing down. The skies were remarkably dark for even a monsoon day in Mumbai. I checked my clock there were just another 15 minutes to the lecture. After the lecture, I and my friend Sahil left for Matunga station to take a local train home. Now my college is about 15 miles from where I stay and we usually travelled by the local trains to and fro. As expected, the trains were delayed because of the monsoons.More than an hour and there were still no trains. Finally there was announcement that the trains have been cancelled indefinitely till the water clears out. We panicked and tried getting a cab to no avail. Buses were stuck due to water logging on the road. The situation worsened as cell phone network went down. We could not connect to anyone for help neither could we assure them for our safety. It was utter chaos. There were thousands of people on road walking their way through the water. We had the option of walking back the entire way of home.But it was extremely unsafe due to open manhole covers which would be invisible over the accumulated water. We were scared and clueless on what we should do during such a disaster. College was the safest place that we knew of nearby. College had no electricity and there was water to the knee level. It was extremely dark and the winds with thunderstorms gave it a spooky eerie feeling. There were others like us who had taken shelter in the college. Some were crying and some others were consoling them.It was heart touching to see humanity in such drastic times. Some arranged for food from what was left in the canteen. Some got candles from the college store room. Ordinary people turned into unexpected Samaritans by helping complete strangers endangering their lives in process. The next day was not as sunny and bright I as I had liked it to be. The rain had reduced. The water lev el had receded. I and Sahil decided to start on the way home. It was a memorable journey in itself. The water had not receded enough for trains and buses to start.We had to walk a few miles, climb behind a lorry for another few and use a rubber dinghy to ferry for remaining some. Finally we reached our respective homes. I cried as I hugged my mother. The experience changed my life in so many ways. I learned to respect â€Å"Mother nature† and devastation caused from her wrath. It strengthened my love for family and friends and it gave meaning to the feeling â€Å"we cannot do this alone†. Many people lost lives, loved ones and belongings. I started appreciating what little God has given me. I felt lucky to have survived such tough times.

An Analyses of “When the Saints Go Marching in”

Kevin Fickel MUSC 105. 003 An Analysis of â€Å"When the Saints Go Marching In† The origins of â€Å"When the Saints† have never been fully explained in modern times. It was originally written as a Negro Spiritual hymn sometime near the beginning of the twentieth century. On written music, composers usually notate it as a traditional piece, but the identity of the original author remains up for debate.Some sources claim that the original lyrics of â€Å"When the Saints† were penned by Katherine Pervis and put to music by James Black in 1896, but many scholars today believe that Pervis and Black’s composition was a completely different piece of music due to it being titled â€Å"When the Saints Are Marching In†. Regardless, the original lyrics contain many spiritual references, particularly to heaven and the coming of God’s kingdom.In one of the verses, the author writes â€Å"Oh when the trumpet sounds its call, oh when the trumpet sounds it s call, I want to be in that number, when the trumpet sounds its call,† which is a reference to a passage in the book of Revelations, located in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The passage describes the sounding of seven trumpets by angels of heaven. Each trumpet brings about a specific catastrophic event upon the world below, which is filled with those who were not taken in to heaven at the onset of the world’s end.Other references to things such as â€Å"†¦the moon turns red with blood†¦ † and â€Å"†¦when the new world is revealed†¦Ã¢â‚¬  are tied in with the end of days described in Revelations, which the author describes a desire to avoid by being in heaven. Though the original lyrics describe dark and unfortunate events, today â€Å"When the Saints† has a positive connotation attached to it. When it is performed in modern times, it is at a much faster tempo and the melody swings at an infectiously catchy pace.This chan ge started probably due to a trend that originated in New Orleans that consisted of inserting a verse that discussed how a former friend or relative had died, moved away, or was estranged from them and how they desired to see them again, often in the next life (i. e. heaven). In one of the earliest know recordings of â€Å"When the Saints†, the blues artist Barbeque Bob sings â€Å"†¦I had a dear old mother, she’s gone on to heaven I know, I promised the Lord I’d meet her, when the Saints go marching in†¦. The belief that a one will be able to reunite with all of their loved ones who have passed away before them, coupled with an image of heaven as eternal paradise for a soul instills hope in an individual. Taking this into account may explain the prevalence of bands performing â€Å"When the Saints† in New Orleans funeral marches. It may be that in the culture of New Orleans a funeral is not only a place for mourning the dead, but also a time t o celebrate the deceased’s passing into eternal paradise.Thus, â€Å"When the Saints† began a transformation from a solemn hymn to an upbeat funeral piece and then to one of the most famous jazz songs of all time. This transformation is quite staggering. When the song was first written, there was no recording technology that enabled its original form to be preserved. Barbeque Bob performed the earliest recording of â€Å"When the Saints† in the early twentieth century. His rendition is performed on acoustic guitar and has a very resigned tempo with the overall tone of the piece being one that fosters reflection.This style was probably representative of the standard way to play the piece at the time and most likely remained so until Louis Armstrong recorded his rendition of â€Å"When the Saints† in the format that most people recognize. Armstrong played â€Å"When the Saints† at a much faster tempo than Barbeque Bob and with a more upbeat and fun t one and with a full band featuring trombones, drums, a string bass, trumpet, clarinet, and several other instruments. Armstrong’s rendition ushered in the more common rendition of â€Å"When the Saints† that emulates his fast tempo and upbeat tone.Armstrong also created a way of playing â€Å"When the Saints† that allowed for passages of improvisation, a mainstay in jazz music. The strophic form of the verses and running bass allows for other instruments to take turns improvising before returning to the original melody. However, this also caused â€Å"When the Saints† to become a more secular piece as it lost its previously sacred themes and lyrics. In a duet between Louis Armstrong and Danny Kaye, the lyrics previously talking about the end of days and joining with others in heaven are replaced with a series of clever puns of the names of famous classical composers.This shows the shift of â€Å"When the Saints† from a sacred hymn intended to inspi re to a song intended to entertain. Instead of being played in church sanctuaries, it mostly is performed at concerts by ensembles not affiliated with any particular church. In listening to different recordings of this timeless piece that I myself have performed a few times in my life, I was most surprised to learn that â€Å"When the Saints† was not always an upbeat jazz piece. Hearing the evolution of this song through the various recordings was very interesting. I can say that I have a newfound interest in this piece that was not there before.

Iomega Zip Drives essays

Iomega Zip Drives essays Iomega offers a wide range of zip drives which include the USB Port drives, parallel Port drives, SCSI port drives, and Internal drives. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of the four mentioned. Like any other item you wish to purchase you should know what you needs are before you purchase a zip drive, so that you may purchase the right unit. The external models connect with either the USB port, the parallel port or the SCSI port. They may only be used with the port that they are designed for. The SCSI is a type of interface or port for connecting peripheral devices, such as hard drives, CD-ROMs, scanners and Zip drives. It stands for small computer system interface and is pronounced "skuzzy." SCSI is the standard interface on almost all Apple computers, with the exception of some very early Mac models and the more recent iMac. PCs can also be equipped to use SCSI devices, but this requires the installation of a SCSI card. USB is a type of interface for connecting peripheral devices to a computer and it stands for Universal Serial Bus. Then the parallel port is the commonly known as the printer port. The internal model connects via ATAPI. The ATAPI is a type of interface used to connect additional hardware devices to a computer. ATAPI stands for Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface. This is an internal interface that is commonly used to connect devices such as CD-ROMs, hard drives, tape drives and of course, Zip drives. The USB zip drives have many advantages. One it is easy to connect, just plug it in, connect the USB cable to the computer, and install the IomegaWareâ„ ¢ software. It's also portable and allows hot swapping. USB offer several advantages over the parallel port. The data transfer rates are faster. And, while the parallel port accepts only two devices at a time, the , USB port is designed to handle over one hundred chained devices! The USB port is not as fast as the SCSI interfac...

Installing a Hard Drive essays

Installing a Hard Drive essays Installing a IDE or EIDE hard drive on a Pentium computer To install a hard drive in your computer you must have a decent knowledge of Computers and know what basic commands do. I wouldnt recommend a beginner trying to install a hard drive. These instructions are meant for intermediates or above. Before you start you should have already bought your hard drive. You will need a Phillips screw driver, your Windows CD, and the manual that came with your computer. Before you get ready to install your new hard drive. Unpack the drive you just bought and make sure the hard drive, cables, manual, and diskette are there. We will begin by removing the four screws that hold the computer cover to the frame of the computer. The easiest way to identify which screws to take out is to see which screws are covering the painted edge of the cover. Other screws, which you don't want to take out, hold the power supply which could harm the computer. Once the screws are taken out, the cover may still be hard to slide out. Use both hands, on each side of the cover Now find the hard drive it should be in the second slot starting from the top. Remember the drive should be about 3 1/2 inches in width, 6 inches long, and an inch in height. Usually the hard drive is a silver and black color. After finding the drive, make sure you remove any static carried in your body by touching something metal before touching the insides of the computer. Now you will find two cables; these are ribbon cables that connect the drive to the computer. You will also find a power cable; it has four separate wires connected to plastic connectors on each end. To remove the cables, you just pull straight out. This shouldnt take a lot of pressure, but just be sure pull the cables by the plastic connectors and not by the wires. Remove ...