Benedict’s Rule

â€Å"Benedict’s Rule†, a document that supposedly details the way a true Christian must behave to actually be a true Christian, and not a mere Sunday churchgoer, is a curious text. It is aimed mostly at those who wish to dedicate their whole lives to God, written mostly for monks. However, it is often taken to be a guide to how all Christians should behave despite the fact that there are quite a few things that differ rather drastically from what the Bible says. It is my opinion, thus, that this text cannot be used as a correct interpretation of God’s vision for Christians.Before beginning dealing with both this text and the Bible, I must note that the Bible contains controversial information. Sometimes the tales are of humans that strove hard and failed, and their failure – when taken literally and not as a lesson – can serve as a bad example. Other times, tales are shown to demonstrate how not to do, and there aren’t very many instances th at there are direct commandments towards humanity. That is why I have decided to use one particular section of the Bible – the Sermon on the Mount, as it is a depiction of Christ speaking directly and clearly to the people to show what he wants of them.It is a condensation of the Bible in many ways. And, as we shall see in direct comparison, what the Bible says are the direct words of God do not comply even closely what St. Benedict wants of the people. First of all, the text explicitly shows a bias towards monks. Even though it was written for monasteries, the author does not seem to accept any other kind of worshipper. Only those who are monks are actually pleasing to God – or, at least, such an expression I garnered from reading the text.And, even then, traveling monks, those, who have no stable monastery are frowned upon deeply and insinuated with all sorts of sins (â€Å"Always roving and never settled, they indulge their passions and the cravings of their appeti te, and are in every way worse than the Sarabaites. † BR, chapter 1). Elitism, however, is one of the things Christian doctrine rises against the most. Christianity is not the religion of some Elite, it is the religion of the many, and it is for everyone, who will take the time and trouble to know God.Any person can do it, and there is no need to lead a special, â€Å"especially righteous† life in a monastery. No, indeed, a true Christian is a man of the higher world, a man of heaven, who descends unto the Earth to aid those in need of guidance here. Someone might protest on this one that monasteries are of great value. I do not underestimate the importance of monasteries in the great work that is Christianity – scholars and keepers of lore are as valued in the Christian tradition as in any other. However, neither are they the most important.The most important is the average, everyday person, who has his or her own relationship with Deity. The aim of Christianity was never to create an elite, it was to have everyone transmute into an elite. This requires not monasteries as places of seclusion – a monk may not even eat outside of a monastery, as chapter 51 of Benedict’s rule states – but as schools admitting all those who wish to learn truly! A division between believers is not only unnecessary, but also harmful to the cause, and teaching it to the people who would be teachers is just plain evil, if an unintended one.Second, as we can see in Benedict’s rule, he depicts things such as humility, silence, and et cetera as being rather, well, showy. For instance, humility: Benedict shows that humility is to be spoken of out loud, at least in the middle degrees of it. This is not humility, but the opposite, exaltation. Even the he mentions greater humility later on; it still does not seem to be the most important. Formal observance seems to take precedence over the simple and honest, if at times clumsy, task of living a good life, shows seem to be more important than honest service.Monasteries are supposed to be quiet and devoted to their given tasks, not showing off their â€Å"more-humble-than-thou-art†. This is devoutly un-Christian. The Bible says, however, that things such as worship should be kept in secret – and not because of a fear of nosy neighbors, either! The mysteries of God are simple, yet, when occulted, they gain great power for the transformation of the one that works with these mysteries. However, as with any occult knowledge, when revealed, it becomes absolutely useless and even false.Like decorations out of a good drama, when brought to daylight, they are nothing but fool’s gold – and the alchemical transmutation of fool’s gold into real gold only occurs in solitude and darkness, only after a person has sought his on way to God and fought his own battles on it. One might oppose me in that monasteries are there to leave the lights within this darkness, for the lone traveler and neophyte to use. Monasteries are supposed to lead the exemplary life, one for which the average believer should strive. Yet how much of an example is it, if it is impossible to follow because of the elitism?A true teaching goes out to the students of this teaching, it does not attempt to shroud knowledge in baubles. Yes, showing an exemplary life originally was one of their functions – however, such things must be done very carefully, and never massively. Yes, certain shreds of enlightenment, certain way markers can be transplanted from one person to another; and a basic education is never a bad thing. However, usually such things are not given in monasteries. They are not careful enough, not competent enough, and too massive for their own good – and, even if they were good enough, what truth about God was ever learned in a classroom?It and the teacher in it can aid in pinpointing the way, not be the Truth itself. Added to the usuall y reclusive and yet arrogant life of the monasteries, what comes of it is more an indoctrination than anything else. And this leads us to the next un-Christian thing I found in Benedict’s Rule. Benedict speaks much of obedience. (â€Å"As soon as anything hath been commanded by the Superior they permit no delay in the execution, as if the matter had been commanded by God Himself. â€Å", chapter 5) However, he speaks of obedience to humans, not to God.He says that those high up in the Church are God’s chosen for this work, and should be obeyed as God would be obeyed, for they are always vessels for His will. We shall not even get into the whole discussion of where saying that the Church hierarchs lack the basic gift of God – Free Will – leads. Omitting that, we shall focus on the fact that everything is, in its own way, a test from God. If subscribing to the theodicy of the fact that evil exists as a tool for our learning and growth, the fallacies of an other can also be regarded in this respect.Preaching blind obedience, when one of the basics of Christianity is â€Å"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. † (Matthew 7:2)? The process of seeking has always involved thinking for oneself, separating the wheat from the chaff, deciphering the Holy Book that is Life and Christ itself – not merely obeying those who are also on this search, and may be going down a wrong alleyway, for to be human is to err! Christianity is a religion that is supposed to grant freedom, not to suffocate it within the throngs of hierarchy.In Benedict’s Rule there is much emphasis on formality. When prayers are to be said, how gifts are supposed to be given, and so on. (â€Å"CHAPTER XVI How the Work of God Is to Be Performed during the Day†, et cetera). The proper procedure for communion with God is quite important, that no one can deny, however, it is not by chance that the Sermon on the Mount focuses upon the inner motivations (â€Å"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court;† Matthew 5:22) and not on the outer manifestation.One might say that an outer manifestation, such as the keeping of formalities, is important as well. After all, is it not by ceremony that we recognize and identify? Is it not the symbol that shows us the way? Is it not the atmosphere that is created with these symbols and formalities that first teaches us the essence of religion, is within them not the spirit of Christianity itself? Yes, and I do not mean to contradict that in any kind of way. However, as a word written on a page can never replace the object itself, so the symbols of religion should not become the core of religion, and this should be remembered.Christianity, when it first arose, was a religion of personal experience. It was something that you felt and worked with, and it – and its outer expression s – was individual for every believer. Everyone was his own judge, in the end. Any outer rules that came into existence for Christianity, though important, were secondary, not primary. The code of conduct is a useful thing, however, it – if the monks to whom it is addressed are good monks – has no value whatsoever. It would be valuable for those striving to be monks, for complete novices, but not for those who have done the inner work.For, if one heeds the Bible, which frowns even upon evil thoughts, good actions should follow. The formalities are a necessary subsequence to real inner faith. What would be good is advice on wisdom, on how to make decisions, and not on the formalities. Tradition is important and beautiful, but not to this extent. It should not become dogma, accepted on faith as Gospel – and as too many would want it to be. As we can see, the text †Benedict’s Rule†, if read with care, can be seen as even contradicting the Bible.Such is the price of human folly; such is the price of people attempting to judge the inner world by outer laws. Not a gentle mingling, growing into each other, which is done within every true individual’s hearts – but a forcible mashing together of the two things that should be one, yet are now separate. This task, to be done, must include letting go of the reins of society and entrusting the process within the hands of an individual human and God, though this is very difficult.Christianity is not supposed to force this relationship, as Benedict states, with punishments (â€Å"At the day hours, however, whoever doth not arrive for the Work of God after the verse and the Gloria of the first psalm, which is said after the verse, let him stand in the last place, according to the rule which we stated above; and let him not attempt to join the choir of the chanters until he hath made satisfaction, unless, perchance, the Abbot's permission hath given him leave to do so, with the understanding that he atone the fault afterwards† chapter 43).However, it is supposed to gently show those who made a mistake that it was a mistake. As Socrates said, â€Å"There is not one person that would do evil if they knew it was evil. † This is true, and Christianity’s function is to enlighten the people, to aid them in stopping making mistakes. How many times could a teacher force someone to learn? None. But a teacher who awakens within his pupils not fear, but a desire to learn, will succeed in being a good teacher. Benedict, though he tries valiantly, fails this difficult task.

Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa Essay

The sub-Saharan Africa has been recognized internationally for the poverty which has taken a longer duration. This long duration of poverty in the Sub-Saharan, has been existing as a result of various issues, among which is the low sources of income. The persistence poverty has led to the people poor health status as well as poor living standards among other basic necessities. Various limitations have enhanced a continuous poverty in the world, and to be more specific in Sub-Saharan Africa, and causing problems in trials to help the situation. Among these limitations is critical threshold which involves the financial sources and savings of the Sub-Saharan countries, the dysfunctional institutions, and neighborhood effects, among others. All these limitations equally participate in the persistence poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa lies on the bottom when compared to other continent in terms of wealth, and this has been influenced a lot by the Africa’s low national savings. The national savings are determined by the domestic finance, and the effects of domestic finances have direct impact on national savings. Sub-Saharan Africa has low national savings because of their domestic finance is too little to support a good capital for individual workers in the Sub-Saharan Africa. This is because the workforce is high compared to the savings, thus creating a gap between the amount necessary to sustain the workers and the available amount. This has contributed a lot in the persistence of the poverty, because their has been an increase in the sources of labor, thus distributing the available low capital to the many workers leads to workers getting very little, and this has led also to the depreciation of capital. Efforts to solve this has been made by reducing the number of skilled workers and increasing their capital in terms of salary, but it has not been able to help, because when few people work, it means many people will have no source of capital, thus relying on the small working population, which increases the ratio of dependants and consuming a lot of the capital gained from the salaries, thus leaving nothing to be saved. This shows that the poverty traps can be over jumped in education if various individuals increases scales in cost of education in relating to skills premiums and household income. Poor economy in Sub-Saharan countries has been influenced a lot by the minimal education attainment. According to statistics, the dependant’s ratio in Sub-Saharan Africa is high around 0. 9 dependants per individual worker, with 88 percent of the dependants being young children with the age of less than fifteen years. The labor force growth has also been limited by the HIV and AIDS epidemic which has being continuously affecting the Sub-Saharan Africa, thus lowering the number of the skilled workers in the continent, who are expected to be providing labor for the continent. The low domestic savings has been evidenced by the ratio between Gross national savings and Gross national income, and this was 17% according to 2003 estimate by the World Bank. When these Sub-Saharan Africa countries are compared with the middle low income countries, the Sub Saharan African countries position lies behind all other because their net national savings is low, as a result of depreciation of their fixed capital, due to low investments and lack of replacement of the capital stock, thus continuous aging of the stock which enhances the depreciation of the stock’s value. According to the table below, it is clear that the national savings of Sub-Saharan countries in Africa is small to sustain the net increase in capital stock As a result of the poverty, the people in Sub-Saharan countries have dedicated the small income to the primary basic need, and especially consumption for their survival. This means that these people give consumption a priority, and since nothing is left after consumption, they end up not having anything to save. This explains why it’s hard for the sub-Saharan countries continue being inside the poverty traps. Many people in the Sub-Saharan Africa do not have investment opportunities, bearing in mind that an investment has the ability to create its own savings; this becomes inapplicable to these people because the investments which are expected to create the savings are not available. For example after an interview to a Kenyan, one of the Sub-Saharan citizens, around twenty percent of the Kenyan citizens have a title deed, showing that the remaining eighty percent have no ownership to land. Despite the fact that land is one of the major investment which many industrialized and developed countries account on, in their case, very few people own lands thus they cannot have any savings from land. (Pollin 2002). This means that there are low savings, savings are major sources of loans and sources of starting capital, thus in the case of Sub-Saharan countries, it is very hard to put capital into accumulation, due to lack of starting capital. Unlike the East Asian countries which have low income, the Sub-Saharan countries lack long term investments which can continuously produce new sources of savings and actual savings. Despite the East Asian’s low income, they have long term productive investments which help in sourcing savings, thus promoting both domestic and national savings which eradicates poverty, leaving a minimal need of foreign aids. The Sub-Saharan growth has been varying, thus causing growth instability. Only few of the Sub-Saharan countries had a standard growth rate, lower than the aggregate growth rate of the total countries. This instability has resulted from poor trade within and across the continent, due to lack of trade goods. The Sub-Saharan weather has a role in determining the agricultural output, since many of the countries rely on farming as a major source of income, and the variable weather in the countries has affecting agriculture greatly which has led to growth instability and the chronic poverty. Institutions lack finances they cannot monetize or mobilize domestic savings. As at 2003, the Banking sector credit was seventy three percent when expressed as a ration of GPD, compared to forty three percent in the low income countries. The table below gives the statistics which clearly shows that the productive private investment are rarely financed in Sub-Saharan countries and these investments need to be financed well to ensure that they have a positive impact on both domestic and national savings. Many trials have been made to stop the poverty in the Sub-Saharan Africa, whereby the strategies have always based eradication of poverty on the need for greater ambitions of the affected people, development of growth oriented strategies and a greater accumulation of long term capital. With this then growth can be increased, domestic savings as well as national savings. The trials have being hindered by an ideological mindset monetary policy and restrictive fiscal as these go contrary to the rapid economic growth that is necessary in Africa. This has been as a result of lack of any usable theory on how to promote a process which can sustain itself in relation to capital accumulation. This is because with a source of rapid capital that can be accumulated rapidly, then the Sub-Saharan countries to be able to involve in domestic and national savings as well as financing the private sectors as a result of savings amplification and financial liberalization which can decrease the poverty experienced in these countries. The poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa can be minimized by implementing strategies and policies to ensure that the growth rate in stabilized, ensuring that domestic resources are mobilized in a way that they can accelerate to thus accumulating capital, and balancing the ratio between capital and total output. To achieve this the public investment need to be put into working to ensure that public revenue are increased and to offer loans which maximizes the productive capacity of the economic, with a development which is long term. Tax policy should also ensure that the public revenue is in a rate that can enhance self-sustaining process proper revenue laws. The countries in Sub-Saharan countries are very low compared to industrialized countries, showing the reason for continuous low income and poor growth. The financial policy is necessary in mobilization of domestic savings. The policy ensures that the savings and external private financing are changed into long term investments which can easily and flexibly produce enhancing a continuous domestic and national savings. Monetary policies help in determining and regulating the inflation rates. The low rates are good for economic growth while high rates interfere with the interest of the poor thus limiting economic growth. However to eradicate poverty from the Sub-Saharan Africa, an average rate is more appropriate because very low rate slows the economic development while limiting employment, and very high rates can also have a negative impact on the poor countries economy. The poverty traps in the Sub-Saharan countries can be over jumped if all the above can be done, because a mass investment will definitely increase the Sub-Saharan productivity. (Bauer. 2000). This is because, the productivity will raise the output and this decreases the cost of each unit produced thus this can easily start up a chain which can positively reinforce the investment while reducing the costs. This clearly shows that to overcome poverty in Sub-Saharan countries each individual has to work hard, either individually as groups to ensure that the poverty is eradiated, since poverty never entraps anybody, but with no efforts to work against it, the Sub-Saharan countries can persistently live in it. Hard work is necessary not only to overcome poverty but also to maintain wealth since being lazy encourages poverty trapping. Dysfunctional institutions are developed as a result of the forces from politics and or the social interaction of various people in society or communities. These can entrap the people in the pockets of poverty. In Sub-Saharan countries, the poverty is influenced a lot by these institutions which make inequality in power and wealth. This is because these institution directly shapes the countries economy and since most of these institution in Sub-Saharan Africa have facilitated in the insecurity of the property rights. These institutions include public schools and public goods. The poor property rights in Sub-Saharan countries have led to the low income and subsequent low income, thus persistently poor citizens. These institutions are involved with unequal divisions of products of social activities. Individuals on these countries are expected to adhere to the institutions status, and in most of the population of these individuals they refuse to rely on the status. The institutions enhance self enforcing conventions but it becomes very difficult for the poor people to have a control and to monitor the necessary collective action to shift the population in these countries from the state of inequality to equality. This is the reason why you will see that despite the fact that some countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa are rich in wealth, the amount of savings in the country will not be used to help the poor countries from their worst state, but rather the income will continue to yield more and more for the rich countries. The poor ends up becoming poorer while get richer. On the other hand, some of the institutions in the poor Sub-Saharan Africa have corrupt institutions which are either social or political institution. (De Soto2002.) To sort out the inequality issues, both collective actions are necessary to enhance motivation of every individual in the country against the traps of poverty. This collective action can be motivated using good public institutions, and thus if the Sub-Saharan countries can effectively make use of these institutions, in a collective action of each citizen in the poor countries, then the inequality levels can be minimized and shifted to equality whereby all members can easily over jump the traps of poverty. In Sub-Saharan countries, the better off countries like South Africa and Nigeria among others can help a lot in eradicating the chronic poverty in the region if they can engage in cross countries equality promotion because their income is higher than the other countries thus equality can be achieved by collectively acting against inequality and poverty in general. In Sub-Saharan countries there is high inequality, where by instead of saving, the income wealth is wastefully consumed. Some countries also in the Sub-Saharan Africa are major net creditors, besides being heavily indebted. Boyce and Ndikumana 2000). The government of the country acts as a net debtor with the country being net creditor, meaning that some of these country end up investing their wealth outside the continent, thus not taking any role in eradicating of poverty in their own continent, but leading other countries in the continent to more and worse poverty status. An example to clarify this is dated back between the year 1970 and 1996, when a cumulative capital flight of around twenty five of Sub-Saharan countries was US$28. billion which was 1. 6 the continents total stock of external debts The social customs have played a role in the persistent of the poverty in Sub-Saharan countries. This is because the social customs are set by the society for every individual in the society to follow, without questioning. This means that despite the fact that a certain custom in the country can have an impact in the poverty persistence; all individual ought to without failure. This has encouraged poverty persistence giving no room to eradicate poverty. If anybody tends to deviate from the custom to enhance generation of income, he or she might never get the freedom to be in the society or to relate with other people in the society, and in many cases, the people who go against the social customs are regarded as outcasts in the society. This is usually associated with many disadvantages in the society, thus many people will prefer moving as per the custom for their safety. These traditional institutions have effects in the market place of many Sub-Saharan countries, and this has facilitated the persistent poverty in the region. The Neighborhood effects limit the poverty eradication in Sub-Saharan Africa. These effects include the aspirations role models or the network within various families and communities in the country. (Lal 2002). This is because the Sub-Saharan countries cost various individuals who differ in terms of social economic environment, thus various beliefs and preferences. Various social economic groups have different influence and this leads to various outcomes. Persistent inequality continuous to exist as a result of role model influence peer effect and other group related factors. Bauer 2000). When various groups of children grow up in any society, they usually grow up getting aspiration from their role models either in education or development. However in cases where there are no role models who exist in the neighborhood then the developing generation develops up with poor aspiration and for example there is a lack of role model in business and economics, then the developing generation e nd to have poor market, and labor aspirations, and this definitely causes poor income sources as well as poor labor production thus poverty. The poor aspirations are then transmitted to subsequent generation, causing persistent poverty in the region. The cycle gets repeat on and on because these children grow to form new neighborhood with each generation and this explains why the poverty becomes persistent. Groups influences determines individual outcome, various policies need to be established to ensure that charters are developed as well as magnet schools. These policies should be incorporated into public policies in order to enhance opportunity equality concentrated poverty undermines the community’s processes, thus explaining the reasons why poverty continuously get reproduced in a society. Poverty traps thus are the results of various factors such as economy production scales, political and economic institutions whose work is poor, the incomplete financial markets and the social customs. Due to the factors complexity and diversity, it’s thus hard to policy which can work against the chronic poverty. To help this various policies are to be involved, though designing them becomes a challenge. Various conventional methods have been used to measure the poverty traps. These models include: growth model, where we have the Solow model and AK model. The growth accounting in these models is not accurate, and the National income accounts data over estimates the Africa’s actual savings. Despite the fact that low technology and low savings have led to low levels of development, the conventional models used to determine this are neither accurate, nor consistent. It therefore means that despite the fact that various individuals may put a lot of effort to ensure that they are out of the poverty traps, a lot holds them back, thus they cannot individually jump over these traps, unless they collectively unite and act. This becomes a challenge since other factors within the countries and communities blocks the individuals.

Critically review the key decisions I have taken as Planning Manager Essay

Critically review the key decisions I have taken as Planning Manager and assess theimpack on our Thai Day Sap Business plan - Essay Example Most of the treatments that are been used in the outlets of Thai Spa business are based on the western style of treatment. The materials used for providing the services are completely organic and are obtained from the Harnn Products Co. Ltd. which is the biggest spa service provider and also the largest producer of organic products in Thailand. It also has got its services in other locations as well in western countries except UK and other Asia countries. The use of naturally products in for spa and message will provide a lot of competitive advantage to the company over the other spa service companies. With the increasing demand among the people of UK for the service of Spa and message, the company has got a huge opportunity in this market to grow at a good pace. People try to find leisure time, they need relaxation and also look to minimise their stress level which is increasing at a fast rate because of the work pressure, family pressure etc. They look to get some of the spa and massage business services where they can get some relief and relax without spending much time of their life towards it. The biggest advantage of Thai Spa business in the UK market is that its facility of providing herbal and holistic service of treatments to the customers at a quick time and also at affordable prices. This type of herbal treatment and user of organic products for healing purpose in the unique point for the company as it is one of its type in the market and the other spa business are not into providing completely organic treatment to the customers. This service will also meet the demand o f the customers of getting the service at a quick pace so that they can meet up to the requirements of fast lifestyle of the customers. The business will be able to provide quality service and also at a quick time to the customers and get a good competitive advantage over others. The task of the plan manager

Benjamin Franklin and his contribution to US Essay

Benjamin Franklin and his contribution to US - Essay Example He is favourably considered by many historians as a person who valued personal freedom and fought to see the wishes of the people prevail. This paper is dedicated to the analysis of the contributions of Benjamin Franklin to the country he played a role in founding. Fire was very a dangerous threat to Philadelphians therefore Benjamin Franklin created the Union Fire Company in 1736 to remedy the situation. The company became one of the first volunteer firefighting companies in the United States of America. In 1752, Benjamin created the Philadelphia Contribution for Insurance against Loss by Fire to help those who often suffered irreversible economic loss because of fire damages (Brands 83). Those who had insurance policies were lucky because they could not be wiped out financially by fire damages. In London Benjamin opposed the Stamp Act but failed to prevent its passage. Consequently, he made a political miscalculation by recommending a friend of his to the post of stamp distributor for Pennsylvania. This act annoyed the Pennsylvanians and they threatened to destroy his home in Philadelphia because they believed he had been supporting the measure that they were against all along. However, Benjamin soon realized the extent to which the colonies were resistant to the Stamp Act and gave a testimony before the House of Commons that led to its repeal as noted by Brands (56). In his testimony he said that the Americans would not pay taxes if the Stamp Act was adopted. This made Benjamin the leading American spokesman for American interests in England. He wrote famous essays on behalf of the colonies and was appointed by as an agent of many other colonies to the crown. In 1773, Benjamin wrote two essays that were his most celebrated pro American satirical writings. His essays were An Edict by the King of Prussia and Rules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One (Houston 312). After the return of Benjamin to Pennsylvania, in 1963, the western frontier

Identify three of the course learning outcomes that you will apply to Essay

Identify three of the course learning outcomes that you will apply to achieve your personal and professional goals and provide a - Essay Example Ethical values are also important factor for the effective leadership. The paper also demonstrates the effective application of personal leadership perspectives. Learning outcomes are the educational aims and objectives. The learning outcomes are the skills and goals that a learner achieves after a period of specified and supported study. At the end of the course program student can reliably demonstrate his skills. University of Warwick (2004) categories the learning specifications into four categories: Subject knowledge and understandings Subject specific skills are practical skills, practice of which is integral to the course, e.g. laboratory skills, language skills and counseling skills. Cognitive skills, intellectual skills such as an understanding methodologies, synthesis, evaluation or ability in critical analysis. Key skills are skills that are readily transferable to employment in other contexts, such as written and oral communication, working within a team, problem solving, numeric and IT skills. The learning outcomes broadly specify the: needs of the learner, needs of the society, learner knowledge about the particular subject. During my studies, under the supervision of my teachers/instructors the personal skills I acquire are: Ability to work in team, Effective communication, Ability to solve problem. As a student of business administration my professional skills are related to the business planning and management. The basic course learning outcomes of my studies which help me in my profession are: I will be able to 1. Explain the important terminology, theories, principles, concepts and analytical techniques used in leadership. 2. Apply the known terminology, theories, principles, concepts and analytical techniques used in leadership when analyzing complex and complicated managerial situations 3. Effectively synthesize important terminology, theories, principles, concepts and analytical techniques used in leadership when solving the sophisticated p roblems in complex managerial solution. These outcomes help me to achieve my personal and professional goals successfully in my field. Now I highlight one by one on the benefits of these outcomes Primary leadership theories for profit and non-profit organizations There are number of leadership theories which fall into following categories: 1. Trait theory of leadership. 2. Behavioral theory of leadership 3. Contingency theory of leadership. 4. Transformation theory of leadership 5. Invitational theory of leadership. 6. Transactional theory of leadership. 1. Trait theory of leadership. Early trait theories argued that the leadership qualities are innate and instinctive qualities. You either have these qualities or not. These are inherited Like Great man theory. Early studies assumed that leaders are born not made. But now trait theory refers to the external behavior, particular personality and behavioral characteristics much depending on the internal beliefs and thinking power of a l eader. Their main examples are: self-assurance, self-confidence, feelings and good decision making skills. Traits are the key features of the leadership. Edwin Ghiselli (1971) identified six traits for an effective leadership. These are: supervisory ability, need for occupational achievement, intelligence, decisiveness,

Geographical Information System Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Geographical Information System - Research Paper Example GIS supports spatial analysis and modeling within the discipline of geography (e.g. location, proximity and spatial distribution), so that it becomes a vital tool for modern geography. (Molenaar, 1992) The data that will be used for this project for the project is available for an upland area of North-eastern United States. This area chosen for analysis and the beginner ski school is known as Browns Pond in the United States. Upon completion of the analysis the ed to use appropriate GIS will be used for such an analysis. The first problem that had to be analyzed was locating a Beginners' Ski School and finding the best location for a ski school catering for young children. The beginners ski mountain will have a consistent grade within a given ability level to provide an interesting ski experience for beginners. Comfortable Carrying Capacity (CCC) is defined as an optimal level of utilization for the ski area (the number of visitors that can be accommodated at any given time) which guarantees a pleasant recreational experience, while at the same time preserving the quality of the environment. The accurate estimation of the CCC of a mountain is a complex issue and is the single most important planning criterion for the beginners ski maintain. Given proper identification of the mountain's true capacity, all other related skier service facilities can be planned, such as base lodge seating, mountain restaurant requirements, sanitary facilities, parking, and other skier services. The CCC figure is based on a comparison of the uphill hourly capacity of the lift system to the downhill capacity of the trail (beginners) system, taking into account the typical amount of vertical terrain desired by skiers of beginner ability. Particular consideration should be given to the relationship of the base area to the beginner mountain facilities. Upon arrival at the ski area, skiers should be able to move directly from parking or other arrival points, through ticketing or rental locations, to the base of the lifts. Walking distance and vertical differential between the base area facilities and lifts should be minimized in an effort to move skiers directly onto the mountain. Vehicle, pedestrian, and skier circulation should be coordinated to create a safe and pleasant base area environment. The beginner skiers will not drive themselves to the mountain so this premise applies to their parents or whoever is supplying transportation to the beginning skier. The mountain master planning process emphasizes the importance of balancing recreational facility development. The size of the skier service functions must be adequate for the CCC of the mountain. The true capacity of the overall ski area is determined by the lowest of the limiting factors. The limiting factor of the ski area can either be trail capacity, lift capacity, support facility capacity, or parking capacity. The future development of a ski area should be designed and coordinated to maintain a balance between skier demand, ski area capacity (lifts and trails), and the supporting equipment and facilities (e.g., grooming machines, day lodge services and facilities, utility infrastructure, access, and parking). GIS calculations using an ArcView should be used to assess the following: Top Elevation - This is the elevation

Quantitative Analysis for Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Quantitative Analysis for Finance - Essay Example b) The variable TOTREVFRAN has been computed according to its definition specified and being included in the adjoining .sav file. The scatter diagram associated with the trend that the variable takes over time has been depicted in the graph below. c) Financial data computed at current time implies those which are not corrected for the rate of inflation, in contrast to real data which indeed are corrected for inflation, prevailing at a certain base year. The real variable REALREVFRAN has been computed by correcting TOTREVFRAN for inflation with the base year 2005 (= 100). The formula being used is, d) The variable TRADEUKFRAN, aiming to figure out openness to trade of UK towards France, has been computed in the adjoining .sav file by means of the method being specified. Hence, the method of calculation involved is, e) The Harmonised Index of Consumer Price is a method of figuring out the extent of inflation and prevailing in an economy. It is commonly used by the European Central Bank to calculate the degree of price stability of the entire European Union. The method of computation is through estimating the weighted averages of the price indices of all nations underlying EU and who have adopted the Euro, at any given point of time (OECD, 2003, p. 77). f) Stepwise method of regression separates the factors which turn out to be insignificant from those that are significant in explaining a predictor, so as to yield the most effective regression model ultimately. Regressing REALREVFRAN against TRADEUKFRAN, STERPEREURO, HICPTRANSPORT, HICPRECCULT, HICPHOTELREST, HICPALL and REALGDPFRAN, in a stepwise method, yielded the following regression model – The values in parentheses are the estimated levels of significance of the parameters. Though the slopes corresponding to HICPTRAN and REALGDPFRAN are found to be significant even at a 99% confidence interval, the same is not true for the other