ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction In my point of view, the course was very useful for me. I learned how to enhance my personal communication skills and how to become a successful leader in order to inspire and motivate others. To understand personal communication better, we were assigned to perform group work and analyze the case study of Spree Cruise Lines. My group included five people. During the work, we respected each other and values each other’s contributions. My part of the work was to answer the question concerning communication with media. Namely, it was stated that the main goal of the communication is to inform media with appropriate and truthful information about the incident (O’Sullivan, 2004, p. 1). The conversation with the media was expected to be concise, elaborated, and respectful so that media feel the responsibility as well as the awareness of the company to secure customers and the reputation. Main Body I found it helpful and important to use visionary and affiliative styles of communication in the group. I think that visionary communication stimulates people to share goals and dreams. It helps to integrate and bring team members together to achieve high results. The affiliative style supposes some extent of influence on others. Moreover, affiliative communication strengthens connections and creates harmony so that every group member might express his or her opinion without being mistreated. I realized that the correct and friendly connection is essential in personal communication and that I can create such an environment. Speaking of the personality profiles, I understood that there are plenty of characters as well as behaviors. Barrett (2011) claims that “knowing the characteristics of different personality types on the teams can contribute to the ability to lead and manage the team members” (p. 262). It promotes knowing diversities and understanding them. What is more, it is significant to integrate with others effectively to achieve the initial purpose. Consequently, in the case someone disagreed with my idea, I was willing to listen to his views. My group members also tried to grow in leadership and communication in the group experience. I tried to respond to their leadership with respect and discuss their ideas but not to reject or to make fun of them. It should also be stressed that I tried to motivate others, develop their ideas, and implement them in the project. As a result, we had no team conflicts. Our communication was like a dialogue, exchange of ideas, knowledge, emotions, and behavior patterns, during which we generated the common view of the situation. I understood that our group developed particular culture formed as a result of communication interacting in a particular manner, where everyone feels comfortable. Thus, the communication in our group acted as a social phenomenon of the binder and the exchange of information among its members as well as a range of features aimed at both maintaining relationships and the common goal accomplishment. Conclusion To sum up, I learned how to organize personal communication
Internal Evaluation, this is the “SW” of the SWOT analysis. Every organization has strengths and weaknesses. Give an example of a company you know or read up on who did not really develop their strength or deal with key weaknesses “SWOT analysis is a tool for auditing an organization and its environment” (marketingteacher.com, 2011, para 4). SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (marketingteacher.com, 2011). Strengths are positive internal factors that affect a business. On the other hand, weaknesses are negative internal factors that affect a business. For that reason, an organization uses its strengths and weaknesses to perform an internal evaluation. One of General Motors’ main strengths is its worldwide presence. Nonetheless, General Motors has not been able to exploit this strength. For instance, although Toyota has been crippled by the tsunami, General Motors has not been able to re-establish its dominance. In addition, General Motors is yet to work on some of its weaknesses. For instance, the company is still producing gas-guzzlers such as the hummer despite the demand shifting to fuel-efficient cars. Is it possible for a company or business unit to follow a cost leadership strategy and a differentiation strategy simultaneously? Why or why not? Use an example in your answer to illustrate your position Attaining a sustainable competitive advantage over other firms is one of the main challenges of a firm’s marketing strategy (Riley, 2012). When a business offers greater value through lower prices or greater benefits that justify higher prices for goods and services, it is said to have a competitive advantage over its competitors (Riley, 2012). A business uses four strategies to achieve a competitive advantage. These strategies include cost leadership, differentiation leadership, cost focus, and differentiation focus (Riley, 2012). A business tries to acquire a competitive advantage in a large market or industry segment through differentiation and cost leadership strategies. However, it is impossible for a firm to use cost leadership and differentiation strategies concurrently. The objective of cost leadership is to offer standard products at the lowest possible price (Riley, 2012). Therefore, goods and services offered in the cost leadership strategy have little differentiation. On the other hand, a differentiation strategy aims at selling differentiated goods at high prices (Riley, 2012). For that reason, the two strategies are not compatible. For instance, Apple cannot produce sophisticated iPhones and sell them at throw-away prices. You are in charge of an organization (Profit, Non-Profit, volunteer, defense) of your choice. Describe the controls you would want to review to determine if the organization and the individuals are moving in the correct direction. List the top three measurement controls you would want to see According to McNamara (n.d.), a business must review some of its controls to determine whether it is moving in the right direction or not. Management controls, therefore, constrain groups or individuals within an organization to certain actions in order to achieve
Use of the Panama Canal Strategically located between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, the Panama Canal offers a cheaper, efficient, and safer route for maritime transport across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Panama Canal poses significant advantages to international maritime transport, especially between North American and South American countries. Before its development, sea merchants from North America’s East Coast used to travel around South America to reach America’s west coast. They equally had to sail through dangerous waters to reach their destination. Such risks meant that international maritime transport was expensive and time-consuming. However, with the development of the Panama Canal in 1914, the length of time needed to sail across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans reduced by half (Haskin 2012). Similarly, the risks posed by sailing through dangerous transport routes disappeared. Now, the Panama Canal is a key transport route for international traders who operate between South America and North America. Several types of cargo pass through the Panama Canal yearly. Most of this cargo includes foodstuff, fuel, and building materials (among other products). Across both ends of the Panama Canal transit route, 2009 estimates showed traders shipping 116,283 tons of cargo from destinations along the Atlantic Ocean to other destinations along the Pacific Ocean (Knudson 2012, p. 3). Conversely, traders transported about 81,713 tons of cargo from destinations along the Pacific Ocean to destinations along the Atlantic Ocean (Knudson 2012, p. 3). The use of the Panama Canal as a key transport route in international maritime travel cannot be underestimated because the Panama Canal Authority claims that sea traffic through the canal accounts for about 5% of all international maritime travels (Currie 2012, p. 400). Ownership of the Panama Canal rotated among the French, United States, and the Panama government. However, since the Panama government gained control of the Island in 1999, the government has used the canal as a major revenue source. Panama’s president once said that he intended to use revenue from the canal to transition his country to a first-world country (DIANE 2012). Analysts estimate operations from the Panama Canal generates more than $650 million annually (Gros 2004, p. 322). The Panama government charges every ship about $35,000. Observers say that this figure may even double or quadruple in the future as the volume of international trade increases (Gros 2004). Since the Panama government secures all the revenues collected from the Panama Canal, the canal is a key revenue generation source as well. Impact of Canal Expansion on the Size of Vessels Using the Canal The Panama Canal Authority estimates that the expansion of the Panama Canal will bring a new set of locks to increase the facility’s operation capacity by almost double. In detail, the expansion of the canal allows for the passage of more and bigger ships. The largest ship to pass through the cana
Introduction Hot-Mix asphalt (HMA) and Portland cement concrete (PCC) are some of the main materials used in road construction. They are typically used together in constructing a composite pavement system, with a layer of HMA placed over a layer of PCC, which sports considerably better results when compared to traditional paving techniques (NASEM, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the two materials based on their properties, requirements, production, and the use in road construction. Material Properties HMA is a combination of stone, sand, and gravel mixed with asphalt cement, which is made from oil (NASEM, 2013). The material is cheap, while sporting high parameters in stability, durability, flexibility, impermeability and fatigue resistance. However, as asphalt ages, it becomes more brittle and likely to suffer damage from the physical wear-and-tear as well as the elements (NASEM, 2013). PCC, on the other hand, as the name suggests, is made from concrete, mortar, stucco, and grout. It is much less flexible than asphalt and offers much greater durability and resistance at the cost of having very little flexibility (NASEM, 2013). Requirements When used in construction of roads, the materials have different performance requirements. The asphalt layer is expected to have sufficient thickness and strength to carry out the traffic load, prevent water penetration, have a smooth surface that is resistant to wear, distortion, and deterioration, and support the wheel load from the pavement surface, equally distributing it along the substratum (NASEM, 2013). PCC shares many of these requirements, with additional care being placed into making sure the cement stratum does not have any empty spots along the layer as well as greater quality demands for the material itself (NASEM, 2013). Mixing different cements or using caked cement is not allowed. Production HMA is typically made at a temperature of about 300-330 degrees Fahrenheit, though there are types of HMA that could be mixed at lower temperatures (NASEM, 2013). These are usually referred to as warm-mix or cold-mix asphalts. The materials are extracted from open mines, whereas the oil residue – from oil distillation. The components are mixed together and bound by hot liquid asphalt, which is then transported in trucks towards the construction site. Portland cement, on the other hand, is baked in a kiln at about 2600-2700 F, baked to form clinkers, which are then ground up and mixed with gypsum. The materials are also mined in open pits (NASEM, 2013). Construction Techniques HMA is laid on site using a specialized machine that mixes up and heats the material components together. After the layer has been placed and is still hot, it needs to be smoothened with a heavy roller and compressed to exclude any pockets of air forming underneath and creating a pot
Introduction As Barlow (1990) provides, SIS exercise should align with SIS objectives for the realisation of business strategic goals. IS has enabled coordination and management and lack of experience and resources required to ensure implementation pose challenges to a company planning to operate globally. Additionally, overall success of an integrated business objective is stated by Pant and Hsu (1995) to “depend upon the organisation structure, the level of IT experience within the company and the availability of information resources” (p.17). This therefore implies that IS is indeed a management function and requires the integration of both impact and aligned views of innovative and competitive intelligence of an organisation. It has also increased the realisation of IS application to a firm’s strategic activities enabling efficiency while improving business performances. When applied correctly, information technology can serve as a competitive intelligence in business operations. Technology-enabled business solutions have facilitated globalisation of business operations through retail and wholesale transactions such as global banking. Web-based electronic banking solutions on the other hand have eliminated time and distance barriers by attracting worldwide markets. As a control and coordinative function, IT has facilitated financial and human resources services increasing the global nature of interdependent to information system which in turn enhances business strategy. Strat
Military in Egypt The military department of Egypt is the biggest on the continent of Africa. It is also among the biggest militaries in the world. It has been offering military help and training to some African countries as well as others from the Arab world. Despite the fact that the country is not a member of NATO, it has been supportive of the dialogue proceedings of NATO. It is among the strongest militaries in Africa whose strength can only be compared to that of Israel. The military in Egypt is accorded a lot of power and enjoys great independence. It has great influence in business as witnessed through its involvement in road construction programs, resort management and involvement in the business of essential goods. Information concerning the military such as the number of soldiers or its budgetary allocation is held in secret and is not revealed to the public (Bowker 52). Bureaucracy in Egypt is associated with numerous achievements such as the Agrarian reforms and construction of the Suez Canal. However, at some point the bureaucracy became a burden instead of enhancing development efforts. The military in Egypt plays an important role of defending the country in times of war. Recruitment in the military is also a way of creating employment. The military in Egypt does not interfere with democracy but rather promotes it. It works well with other forces in the country in promoting democracy. Political Parties in Egypt The first political party in Egypt was The National Democratic Party which came into place in 1977. While the country was still under British rule, the political parties were limited in their operations. This situation changed when the country attained independence and enacted a new constitution that gave the political parties more power. The country attained its independence in 1922 and adopted a new constitution which increased the power of the political parties. The governance of the country also turned into a democratic one before it faced further interference from foreign powers. After 1953, one party rule was adopted in Egypt but the situation changed later and the country currently runs on a multi party system. The parties associated with the politics of Egypt are formed on the basis of certain principles. For instance, the members of the parties should not exhibit partiality regarding sex, religion, place of birth, race or creed. The National Union, The Arab S
Based on a movie by David lean the book “Pillars of Wisdom” is a reflection of a British soldier, Lawrence of Arabia experiences when he worked with the rebel forces as a liaison officer during the revolt by the Arabs against the Ottoman Turks between 1916 and 1918. According to the story, just before the World War one, Lawrence as a British official had begun his scholarly work in which he focused on the seven great cities in the Middle East. The consequent event was a break out of wars between the Arabs and the Turks. He then claimed to have spoilt the manuscript containing his work. The war broke in a location called Wadi Rum also known as the valley of the moon. The location of this place is cut into the granite and sandstorm rock at 60 km south east of Akaba. This wadi is the largest in the city of Jordan with the name originating from an Aromatic meaning “elevated” or “high”. The Arabs continued with their revolt against the Ottoman Turks with the situation worsening and everywhere as depicted there blood and murder. Some of the Englishmen are heard claiming that they feel that the consequence of the revolt against the Turks would be to allow England, in its fight with Germany, to also defeat Turkey. Since they knew the nature, power and the Arabic-speaking people country, they felt that the concern of such a rebellion would be good. This is what made Britain to support the rebellion by enhancing the Arabs rebellion against the Turks. Due to its natural strength, it was not easy to capture the port of Akaba from the inland. It is the devotion the British troops had to Feisal of Auda Abu Tayi that gave them hope of enrolling sufficient tribesmen from the desert in the east so as to enhance their strength. Lawrence of Arabia and his colleagues Auda and Nassir decided to be part of the struggle. Even though Fiesal had been the leader of the public, his support of the “sejh” made Lawrence not comfortable with the issue of the northern expedition. As depicted, it seems accepting the situation was the only way to be victorious in the ongoing battle. The British troops then were successful in tricking the Turks allowing them to access the Akaba with wonderful fortune. By the end of 1917, Allenby’s troop was ready to ambush the Turks through a general attack along his whole front. Lawrence and his Arabs were in a passion to do the same in their side, but as he claims, he was afraid of acting without deliberating upon it first. As an alternative, he designed the operation of cutting the railway along the Yarmuk valley so that they would make the Turkish troops to retreat. It was very unfortunate that this measure failed. After Jerusalem was captured, Allenby assigned Lawrence and his colleague a limited objective so as to seek his emancipation. At
We live in the age of globalization. Within an average American household, one can find goods produced in China, India, Germany, France, Thailand, England, and many other countries thousands of kilometers away from the USA. At the same time, many US products find their buyers in Europe and Asia. Globalization touches all aspects of our lives – we have free access to information from all over the world. The labor markets of rich countries are overflowing with migrants from poorer parts of the world wanting to make a living. Even the goods themselves are often produced and assembled in different places. The whims of global trade are motivated by many factors, ranging from simple supply and demand to political atmosphere and economic benefits of certain locations. This became possible with the advances in technology, transportation, and communication, which enabled large companies to control their expansive logistics chains from the comfort of their offices. However, it was not always like this. The roots of globalization can be found in ancient history when caravans filled with silks and spices braved long and dangerous journeys to deliver their goods from China to the markets of Byzantium (Antunes and Fatah-Black 19). The purpose of this paper is to analyze the historical tendencies towards globalization in the 8th and 9th century and compare them with globalization trends happening nowadays. The first contact between the West and the East happened in the year 325 BCE, when armies of Alexander the Great, after conquering the Persian Empire, managed to come in contact with India. Gerosia, the city where Alexander the Great and Chandragupta signed the peace treaty between Macedonia and India, became the very first link in a route that connected the Mediterranean Sea, Persia, and Southern Asia ((Antunes and Fatah-Black 34). However, at that time, prospects for trade were slim due to distances and imperfections in naval technology. The foundation for the famous Silk Road, which would become one of the most famous trade routes many centuries later, appeared only in the 1st century CE, in order to facilitate trade between China and India. Active trade with Europe did not happen until the rise of the Song Dynasty in China, which brought the country to a new level of economic, cultural, and technological development (Antunes and Fatah-Black 42). This provided an incentive for the medieval economy and successfully linked China and Europe by land and by sea. In order to understand the significance of the Silk Road, one must first imagine the state of European trade in the 9th-10th centuries. In the Medieval period, the majority of available commodities were produced domestically. Even within the borders of the same country, traveling between cities on horse took days, and sometimes even weeks. Traveling by water was quicker, but required ships and was associated with danger. This limited trade a great deal, as trading common goods was not profitable