6 traits of great managers

6 traits of great managers Want to be boss at being a boss? It’s not as simple as just being a good listener and making sure everyone shows up on time. Truly great managers attract the best workers. If you’re good at being in charge, you  hold onto star employees and advance their careers right along with yours. Managing is not an easy skill, but it is possible to build. Even if you think you’re pretty great already, take a look at these tips and see whether you can improve in any particular area. Your employees will thank you, and so will your boss.1. Have your employees’ backs.Bad bosses throw their employees under the bus. Don’t be that boss. When your team exists within a bubble of trust and has faith in its leader, all the members will want to work together to meet professional goals. Show off your employees’ successes and provide cover for them when you need to. When you build an environment of respect, your job will be so much easier.2. Be generous with your t ime.Even if you see the people who report to you directly all the time in the hall or during casual drop-ins, it’s still important to devote some of your weekly schedule to one-on-one meetings with your team. Even just 15-30 minutes of dedicated check-in time per person lets your employees know you’re there to address concerns and check in on their progress.3. Give productive feedback.Giving feedback is important, but go out of your way to make sure you give great feedback. Don’t just tell someone they did a â€Å"great job,† tell them why what they did was so great. If you receive work that’s sub-par, speak up- don’t just hope things improve the next time. Constructive criticism along the way for the small stuff helps employees reach their professional goals. When your employees know you’re invested in them doing well, they’ll step up their game for every task.4. Empower employees to reach for the stars.Push your team to do st ellar work (and letting them know you think they’re capable of it)- don’t let them settle for merely okay. Not only will this lead to results you and your team can flaunt, but it also will instill confidence that makes employees want to go above and beyond all the time. Expect top notch work, and people will adjust to meet your expectations.5. Build trust.Having a genuine relationship with your employees is a great thing. You definitely don’t have to be too casual and buddy-buddy- your style can remain strictly professional and still be built on trust. Create a rapport so people feel they can come to you with problems and mistakes- or great ideas! Don’t wall yourself off in some boss turret and forget to build relationships with the people you’re tasked to lead.6. Stay humble.Remember, even if you’ve climbed high up on the ladder you’re still paying your dues. You’re still learning too- about your industry and about the art of managing people. Don’t just sit back on your laurels. Figure out how your team can help you learn and build your career, and then help them in return.

Primary School Children's Knowledge And Awareness Of Food Essay

Primary School Children's Knowledge And Awareness Of Food - Essay Example A Nation-wide Public Health Issue: According to Purely Nutrition (n.d.), 27.7% of children under 11 years of age are in the overweight or obese category. On average young people eat less than the recommended 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day and 20% of young people do not eat any fruit in a typical week. Further 58% of children between 7 and 10 years of age spend less than an hour per day participating in moderately intense activities. This is a nation-wide public health issue and a target has been set to reverse the year-on-year increase in obesity for children under 11 years of age by 2010. Historical Review: Local authorities have been under a duty to provide school meals since the Provision of Meals Act 1906 which resulted from the rejection of 60% of recruits for the Boer War due to ill health resulting from poor nutrition (Spear, 2007). School meals became mandatory in 1944 during rationing in the Second World War. However, in 1980 the Education Act allowed local authorities to tender provision out. This resulted in a price war with the nutritional value being the first victim (Spear, 2007). Nelson et al (2005) point out that a major incentive was saving money. In 1980 expenditure on school meals were approximately  £400 million. By 2005 13% of schools had no kitchen facilities at all, having dismantled them. According to Flintoff (2005),  £154m was lopped off the school meals budget since 1994. Government Action: The issue of poor diet and obesity in young people came to the public’s attention following celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s 2005 television series - Jamie’s School Dinners - indicating that the average spend on school dinners was  £0.37 which is a dismal amount given that lunchtime makes an important contribution to the nutrition of primary school children in England. (Flintoff, 2005).  

Critical Design Issues in the Contemporary World Essay

Critical Design Issues in the Contemporary World - Essay Example Research has demarcated means to market products not merely as solutions to actual problems but as panaceas to human desire. Consumers are â€Å"convinced† through sizable marketing efforts to acquire certain products to enhance their lifestyles. In this scenario the designer must produce objects that seem aesthetically either appealing or appalling to grab the consumer’s attention. (Dorst and Dijkhuis 1995) Functionality in design is fast receding. In comparison various designers from the past balanced both form and functionality. Architecture, film making, literature, performing arts all reflected an intertwined state of balance between form and functionality that was often hard to decipher. Form has been encouraged in recent years in preference to functionality. A designer ought to be truly independent of commercial influences to exploit their true creative potential. The dominance of the commercial influence on design has rendered design incapable of displaying more subtle tones of thought and reflection. Most products today are designed with a consideration to use and throw away as desired. This in turn encourages the commercial design of products that are more or less disposable. It is debateable is consumer’s demands push such behaviour or if business tendencies to spur consumption spur such tendencies. However what is apparent is that design has been tainted largely with commercial influences that have modified its original precepts. Another competing influence on design strategies is economics. Economical design strategies have shot to the fore front following the eighties and the nineties when advances in manufacturing strategies meant that designs could be optimised further to save material and machine costs. (Simon 1996) Large scale manufacturing operations encourage designers to optimise both the use of material as well as to optimise the manufacturing techniques in use. Such a strategy ensures that the produced design is provi ding desired functionality at low costs to the manufacturer. This aids the business operation to maximise profitability by reducing base costs while keeping profit margins higher. Economic considerations have clearly impacted the length and breadth of the design industry whether the automobile industry is considered or whether fashion design is considered. The base contention is nearly always the same to cut base costs through the optimised use of materials and processes. Often designers produce designs that are then optimised by engineers or other manufacturing experts to remove what could be considered essential design features such as curves, tricky surfaces and the like. This ensures that the design is simplified for manufacturing. (Faste 2001) Similarly clothing designs are modified too such as using different pigments for achieving dimmer or otherwise different colours etc. Overall, economics serve as a major influence on design methods and the affected design domain includes all forms and manners of designs. Large influences on design in the contemporary world stems from globalisation of cultures, societies, ideas and ultimately design influences. The fusion of various cultural influences has produced individuals that are well aware of local values and traditions just as they are well aware of design influences in another part of the world. For example, Japanese designs were known the world over for their subtle and precise character. The

Business Essays Entrepreneurship Pancake Cereal

Business Essays Entrepreneurship Pancake Cereal Entrepreneurship Pancake Cereal Business Model / Mos Pancake and Cereal Bar Introduction Entrepreneurship is a thriving activity in the United States, as well as globally. Increasing numbers of people are deciding to implement their dreams of business ownership. There are between three and five million entrepreneurial business ventures undertaken annually within the United States. Eighty-four percent of those starting a new business venture are first-time entrepreneurs (Zimmerer Scarborough, 2005). This â€Å"adventuresome spirit† is having a significant impact on the national economy and the business environment, as well as playing a significant role in the health of the global economy. These businesses have introduced many new products and services, provided new technological innovations, increased job opportunities, and more importantly, provided their founders with a means to do something they enjoy; however, 64% of small businesses fail within six years (Zimmerer Scarborough, 2005). A business model that offers an interdisciplinary roadmap will provide first-time entrepreneurs with a stronger foundation for initial success. In a recent study, Ernst Young reported that â€Å"78 percent of influential Americans believe that entrepreneurship will be the defining trend of this century† (Zimmerer Scarborough, 2005, p. 2). Downsizing and massive layoffs by many of the country’s largest organizations have created a large population of entrepreneurs with extensive management experience and years left of productive work. The notion of job security has all but disappeared; and as a result, starting a new business is no longer perceived as particularly risky. In light of this favorable environment for entrepreneurial activity, the success of a new business venture, Mo’s Pancake and Cereal Bar (MPCB), located in the vibrant and historical downtown district of Grapevine, Texas, seems particularly promising. Elements of several relevant disciplines will play a vital role in the success or failure of this particular venture. By taking advantage of the perspectives of these particular disciplines, it should be possible to integrate their insights in order to create a viable business plan that will result in the ultimate success of Mo’s Pancake and Cereal Bar (Repko, 2005). There are a wide range of disciplines that could contribute to the creation of a successful business plan for MPCB. Some of these disciplines include architecture, business administration, education, history, political science, sociology, and urban planning and development. Three disciplines have been identified as those making the greatest contribution: urban planning and development, architecture and the subfield of interior design, and business with an emphasis on small business management. An understanding of urban planning and development will be necessary to ensure a business plan that is that is in keeping with the overall goals and the long-term development plans of the city of Grapevine. Urban planning and development plays a key role in understanding patterns of growth and its resulting economic implications (McCarthy, 2007). The ownership and management of MPCB must understand the significance of community goals and the importance of these goals on the ultimate success of MPCB. As an organization, MPCB should develop strong ties with city government and take an active part in promoting its development. One way it can do this is by taking part in such activities as Main Street Days, Grapefest, and various holiday festivities held annually in the city of Grapevine. The design of the physical location of MPCB will require a working knowledge of architecture and interior design (Killory Davids, 2007). The Historical Society of the city of Grapevine will need to be consulted in order to design a facility that is in keeping with city ordinances and the overall historical flavor of downtown Grapevine. The interior design of MPCB must combine a reflection of historical Grapevine and at the same time a â€Å"unique breakfast experience.† These unique parameters will require competent design capabilities and a certain level of architectural expertise. A study of small business management within the discipline of business will provide the foundation upon which to develop a specific business model. This model will include four basic parts: the description of the business, marketing, finances, and management. Each section will provide a detailed analysis in sufficient detail to enable a financing institution to determine the viability and potential success of MPCB. This business model will also describe the corporate mission statement and identify those factors considered to be the keys to success (Bachler, 2007). Another primary function of the business plan will be to convey the overall concept of MPCB, which will be the creation of a â€Å"unique breakfast experience.† It must be evident to someone reading the plan that MPCB offers a unique and different dining experience. The construction of a detailed business model will also provide a roadmap and sense of direction to the management of MPCB, thus facilitating a greater chance for the ultimate success of the business. The goal of this endeavor is to take an interdisciplinary approach to developing a business model that will result in the ultimate success of Mo’s Pancake and Cereal Bar. The research method used will primarily involve a thorough search for applicable information within the relevant disciplines and the collection and assimilation of pertinent data from peer-reviewed sources. This data will provide the basis for statistical analysis needed to determine its value and contribution to the plan. The marketing and sales experience of the owner/managers will also play a critical role in the development of the plan. An interdisciplinary approach to this entrepreneurial venture should facilitate a holistic understanding of the best method of designing a comprehensive business plan through the identification of the benefits of community interaction and the construction of a complementary physical location. Through the integration of relevant disciplinary insights and the creation of a new approach, Mo’s Pancake and Cereal Bar should have a much greater chance for financial success and long-term stability (Repko, 2005). Background As mentioned in the introduction, entrepreneurship is a fast-growing phenomenon that is having a broad impact on the U.S. economy, as well as the global economy. Therefore, the impact of small business failure can be tremendous. Reducing the percentage of small business failures annually within the United States could significantly affect the livelihood of many Americans. The question becomes, â€Å"What is the best way to reduce the incidence of small business failure?† It is well-known in the business community that a strong ego is a prerequisite for the creation of a successful business; however, it can also be a major cause of business failure. Too often entrepreneurs allow their knowledge of their products and services to prevent them from seeking advice and performing the self-evaluations necessary for success. Business owners must continually be on the lookout for the warning signs of falling into the â€Å"ego trap† (see Figure 1, Malone, 2004). Leaders must learn to retain their confidence in themselves, while at the same time remembering that they do not know it all (Malone, 2004). Being willing to learn from others, and by choosing to familiarize oneself with successful small business models within a particular industry, many major mistakes could be avoided. Reducing the failure rate of first-time entrepreneurs will greatly affect the livelihood of residents living within individual communities. In the city of Grapevine, for example, city planners have successfully provided an environment that is conducive to entrepreneurial success. According to a 2007 economic update (City of Grapevine, 2006), Grapevine is considered to be one of the most vibrant communities in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. Decreasing property taxes in Grapevine play a large role in increasing the attraction of small businesses. One of the reasons for decreasing property taxes is the attraction of such large-scale businesses as the Grapevine Mills Mall, the Gaylord Texan Convention Center, and the Great Wolf Lodge; which produce increased tourism traffic resulting in increased area business revenues. These industries are credited with triggering continued growth within Grapevine’s small business sector for the last few years (see Figure 2, City of Grapevine, 2006). This success translates into a vibrant local economy and lower tax rates for area residents. It is evident; therefore, that urban planning plays a large role in reducing the failure rate of first-time entrepreneurs. The premise of this paper is that an interdisciplinary approach to creating a small business model could conceivably lead to the greater likelihood of success for a first-time entrepreneur. By comparing and contrasting the perspectives of the three most relevant disciplines: urban planning and development, architecture, and business; areas of overlap should reveal common ground from which to develop an integrative and viable business model for MPCB leading to the ultimate goal of first-time entrepreneurial success. This means of discovery, an interdisciplinary approach, becomes a unique way of addressing and solving a real-world problem (Repko, 2004). When implementing this approach, the discipline of urban planning and development becomes the umbrella under which the design of the location of MPCB and its’ comprehensive business plan becomes a reality. Understanding the overall parameters set forth by the city of Grapevine is critical to developing a plan that enhances the city’s goals and objectives and ultimately results in the opportunity of success for MPCB. By researching the guidelines for successful urban development, the basic strategy upon which to build a successful business model can be developed. With urban development providing the foundation, the second phase of actual construction of a complimentary facility can begin. Understanding basic architectural concepts and the limits of design should result in a physical location that is harmonious with its surroundings and appealing to potential customers. That appeal is critical to the ultimate success of MPCB since one of the primary goals of this business is the creation of â€Å"a unique dining experience.† That concept will not only include the physical location and the interior design, but the menu as well. The research and effective use of applicable architectural design elements provides another avenue to the ultimate goal of first-time entrepreneurial success. The third element of the plan is the thorough research of proven business principles leading to the construction of the actual business model. Research of successful business models within the food service industry should provide guidance and direction. A comprehensive and thorough â€Å"roadmap† based on those proven business principles should greatly enhance the opportunity for first-time success. This business model should be very detailed and cover every aspect of small business operation. The executive summary, corporate mission statement and keys to success will provide the background information required to facilitate the attainment of financing necessary to begin operations. Tremendous emphasis will be placed on the management and training of employees. Proper training and development is critical to the success of any business, particularly small businesses. Effective employee training and proper motivation techniques are particularly critical in businesses such as MPCB where customer contact is of utmost importance. The small size of MPCB will allow management to have a closer working relationship with each employee and therefore a better understanding of individual training needs. Additionally, training is more easily designed around the corporate objectives of a smaller organization (Blanchard Thacker, 2007). The primary indicator of the success of this interdisciplinary approach will ultimately be the track record of MPCB. By understanding the disciplinary perspectives of the three most relevant disciplines and integrating their insights (Repko, 2005), the goal is to discover the key to first-time entrepreneurial success. References Urban Planning and Development Diamond, J. (2007). Managing the city. London; New York: Routledge. City of Grapevine (2006). 2007 Economic Update. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from http://www.ci.grapevine.tx.us/IndividualDepartments/EconomicDevelopment/tabid/ 95/Default.aspx McCarthy, J. (2007). Partnership, collaborative planning and urban regeneration. Aldershot, England; Burlington, VT: Ashgate. Ofori-Amoah, B. (2007). Beyond the metropolis: Urban geography as if small cities mattered. Lanham, MD: University Press of America. Architecture and Interior Design Killory, C. Davids, R. (2007). Details in contemporary architecture. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. Kolleny, J. (2002). Seven outstanding finalists prove that good design pays. Architectural Record, 190(11), 112. P Pearson, C. (2005). Making the scene. Architectural Record, 193(11), 141. P Ryder, B. (2007). New restaurant design/Bethan Ryder. London: Laurence King. Business/Small Business Management Bachler, C. (2007). Plan of attack. Home Business Magazine, 14(5), 28-82. P Blanchard, P. Thacker, J. (2007). Effective training: Systems, strategies, and practices. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Malone, M. (2004). The small business ego trap. Business Horizons, 47(4), 17-22. Price, B. (2007). Five fatal flaws falter small business. Broker Magazine, 9(9), 10-12. P Zimmerer, T. Scarborough, N. (2005). Essentials of entrepreneurship and smallbusiness management. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Other Sources Repko, A. (2005). Interdisciplinary practice: A student guide to research and writing. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing

Public vs Private Healthcare

As a first generation Canadian, due to the on-going debate about a possible public-private healthcare interface, I have become very familiar with the meaning of public vs private healthcare. In a socialist type government healthcare services are provided, funded and regulated by the government, which constitutes as a public healthcare system. On the other hand, entrepreneur-run (profit-based) clinics and hospitals that are privately owned would be considered part of a private healthcare sect.As a Canadian I have experienced the benefits of a relatively efficient public healthcare system. When comparing this to our neighbor’s healthcare system, statistics have shown that although the majority of services provided in the U. S. are through the private healthcare sect, the US seems to spend much more on maintaining this system per capita than Canada.Somehow indicating that a government regulated system might be run a little more efficiently. Furthermore, from personal experience I have learned that a public health care system also provides access to everyone.It eliminates discrimination according to an individual’s income and class, when you are a patient you are treated with the same level of care whether you live in a million-dollar condo or in government housing. This in my opinion promotes equality and unification amongst Canadian citizens.I believe that with the government spending at stake the health of Canadians is more closely monitored. For instance, statistics provide that smoking leads to many health issues that in the end cause the government quite a bit of spending, this intern has encouraged many campaigns against smoking.For example, in Australia (another country with a publicly run healthcare system) persons born after a certain year will not be legally allowed to purchase cigarettes. Although in the opinion of some people, this is against human rights, in my personal opinion I think it is for the greater good of the future health of A ustralians. Something that Canadians should consider implementing along with the graphic anti-smoking packaging and very direct television-ads that are currently being used.Although, there are many advantages to public healthcare, we must not ignore  the disadvantages to a completely publicly run health care system. Considering that healthcare spending is dependent on taxes and the allocation of funding is at the mercy of government officials, we are faced with issues such as ‘Cut Backs’.Recently, the Canadian government has decided to reduce healthcare funding to the provinces, this has been reflected in increased wait times (which are already unacceptably long) and increased the number of services not covered by provincial healthcare.This along with the comparison of much lower funding for innovation and cutting edge research that has been apparent in the U. S. due to private sect interest and investment, has been motivation enough to drive some of our striving and driven physicians to move down south to further advance their careers.With the options of private funding and investment, the quality of private clinics can be much higher than what we receive at publicly funded clinic. On the other hand, where funding is not sufficient the quality can be quite low which shows an inconsistent range that cannot be regulated.Despite this irregular pattern, another advantage to having a private healthcare option is provided and allowing those who would rather not wait and pay for their services to do so and keep this spending in Canada. Therefore, with these clear advantages and disadvantages of both a publicly and privately run healthcare system, there is room for debate.I believe that is the reason the Canadian government is considering a public-private healthcare interface to reap the possible benefits of both systems. This of course will bring along with it the problems that have to be considered before a transition is made.

In “Tree At My Window” by Robert Frost Essay

In â€Å"Tree At My Window,† Robert Frost addresses a tree growing outside of his bedroom window with these words: â€Å"But tree†¦You have seen me when I slept, †¦ I was taken and swept / And all but lost. / That day she put our heads together, / Fate had her imagination about her, / Your head so much concerned with outer, / Mine with inner, weather.† In these lines Frost conveys several emotions and themes that infiltrate many of his works. These common themes include darkness, nighttime, isolation, inner turmoil and the premonition of death. It is through these recurring images that we are able to glimpse into Robert Frost’s life, and see how greatly his life effected his poetry. Robert Frost endured many emotional hardships in his life. Some of the most significant and tragic, are the many deaths in his immediate family. By the time Frost was 27, he had lost both of his parents, his son Elliott, as well as his grandfather, the man who had served as a surrogate father to him after the death of his own father when he was only 11. By the time Frost was 62, he was forced to commit his sister Jeanie to a mental hospital. He had also lost three more of his seven children (one to a miscarriage), as well as his wife Elinor, the love of his life. Five years later, his son Carol committed suicide. â€Å"Spring Pools† is a reflection on Frost’s inner emotions in dealing with the deaths of his children. The â€Å"pools, that though in forests, still reflect / The total sky almost without defect,† are his children. He speaks of their innocence, and the fact that they are too young to know the imperfections of the world, too young to be jaded, or even scared of their forthcoming death. The poem is entitled â€Å"Spring Pools,† however; it does not give an illusion of Spring in the traditional senses of newness, rejuvenation, joy & rebirth. Rather the term â€Å"spring† is used in the title in much the same way as the term â€Å"Spring lamb,† an animal whose only purpose behind being born is to be slaughtered at the end of the season. The trees and roots are symbolic of both death and God. He implores the â€Å"trees that have it in their pent-up buds / to darken nature† to â€Å"think  twice before they use their powers / To blot out and sweep away / These flowery waters.† He is literally begging God to reconsider when bringing death upon his children, yet he knows that he is not the force controlling the situation. He knows that his children â€Å"will like the flowers beside them soon be gone.† The fresh pools, â€Å"from snow that melted only yesterday,† are spoke of with a touch of nostalgic innocence. Frost puts both himself and Elinor, in the poem as, â€Å"a flower beside [the pools].† In referring to the â€Å"pools† as â€Å"flowery waters,† he is not only showing the parental bond between the â€Å"pools† and the â€Å"flower[s] beside them,† but also intensifying the image that the â€Å"pools† are soft, young and innocent. He speaks of their premature death, â€Å"not out by any brook or river, / But up by roots to bring dark foliage on† with deep-rooted feelings of loss brought on by his own personal tragedy. â€Å"Spring Pools† contains within its lines the themes of darkness, sadness, and inevitable death. It shows Frost’s struggle to control occurrences in his life that are virtually insuperable. At the end of the poem, he slowly comes to terms with the uncertainty of life, and he begins to resolve his feelings of contempt for the collective world. Frost is rarely satisfied or resolved with his choices, however he is accepting of his future uncertainties. At the end of most of Frost’s poems, he has generally resolved or come to terms with his emotional and mental turmoil. Many of his works share these same inner conflicts, such as his poem â€Å"The Road Not Taken.† Frost uses â€Å"The Road Not Taken† as poem as a metaphor for the mass amount of travelling that he was doing in the period of his life in which it was written. Between 1909-1915, Frost and his family relocated their home twelve times. They lived in several places on America’s East Coast, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and the Virginia-North Carolina border, as well as England, Gloucestershire, and then back to New York. It was during this time of transporting his family back to America that Frost wrote â€Å"The Road Not Taken.† In â€Å"The Road Not Taken,† Frost speaks of â€Å"Two roads†¦in a yellow wood† and  the decision that he must make in choosing one path over the other. He â€Å"looked down one as far as I could / To where it bent in the undergrowth†¦Then took the other, as just as fair,† and scrutinized its possibilities and potential in comparison to the first road. He eventually comes to a decision, deciding to â€Å"[keep] the first for another day! / Yet knowing how way leads on to way, / I doubted if I should ever come back.† But is he satisfied with his decision? Of course not! â€Å"I shall be telling this with a sigh / Somewhere ages and ages hence: / Two roads diverged in a wood and I – / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.† He is not satisfied with his decision, as is made apparent when he says that he will be â€Å"telling this with a sigh† somewhere in the future. However, one does not have to be satisfied with their decision to accept it. Choosing the â€Å"road less traveled by† â€Å"has made all the difference† in his life, but Frost does not specify that his choice was the one that produced the best possible outcomes in his life. Many of Frost’s poems concern his future and making decisions that will effect the rest of his life. The poem â€Å"An Old Man’s Night† was first published at the same time as â€Å"The Road Not Taken.† It was a time of great unsettlement, both mentally and physically for Frost. Frost was travelling from one city to another trying to establish his roots. His poetry was being received quite well, but his personal life was in a disheveled state. Elinor was becoming ill due to a weak heart and she suffered a miscarriage. Frost feared for her life, as well as fearing the loneliness that seemed to be inevitably looming in his future. He had suffered quite a substantial amount of grief and heartache, and he was terrified of the thought of getting old by himself. He had been known to hear voices in his head as a child, however, Frost remained adamant that these voices had disappeared when he entered adulthood. Most critics, however, agree that Frost refused to admit that the voices still occupied his mind in order to avoid ridicule or institutionalization. The old man in â€Å"An Old Man’s Winter Night,† can be construed to be Frost himself when he states ambiguously, â€Å"All out of doors looked darkly in at him / Through the ‘thin frost’.† The man is old and alone, not able to  remember his reasoning and decisions. He goes into his cellar, but â€Å"what kept him from remembering what it was / that brought him to the creaking room was age. / He stood with barrels round him – at a loss.† The stillness of the house is obvious in the amplification of common noises. He â€Å"scared the cellar under him / In clomping in here†¦and scared the outer night / Which has its sounds, familiar, like the roar / Of trees, and crack of branches, common things. / But nothing so like beating on a box.† Frost feels that without anyone around him in his life, his life would become insignificant, a â€Å"light he [would be] to no one but himself.† He identifies with the darkness, calling the moon â€Å"as better than the sun in any case / For such a charge.† He is able however, to find peace and sleep in the darkness that envelops him. â€Å"The log that shifted with a jolt / Once in the stove disturbed him and he shifted, / And eased his heavy breathing, but still slept.† Although he is not content, he is beginning to accept that this may be a potential outcome of his life. The final lines convey his fear of the future when he says, â€Å"One aged man – one man – can’t keep a house†¦or if he can†¦It’s thus he does it of a winter night.† The darkness and mystery that couple with nighttime are key players in many of Frost’s metaphors. He often uses a winter night as his setting, and most commonly, the speaker is either travelling or walking out in the cold. Frost himself was rumored to be afraid of the dark, but he was also known for taking long walks in the dark. This was a straightforward way of confronting his fears by staring the darkness in the face and standing up to the nighttime that terrified him. After years of this practice, Frost found himself not only comfortable and at ease in the darkness, but he found also that the nighttime was where he became the most content and free from anxiety. Frost was a very contemplative man, and he used his work to convey his inner thoughts and fears. In â€Å"Good Hours,† Robert Frost writes about a late evening walk down a winter lane. The rhyme scheme of this poem is a simple A, A, B, B pattern and is broken down into four stanzas of four lines each. The speaker walks in pensive silence, having â€Å"no one at all with whom to talk.† As he walks down  the winter lane, he personifies the inanimate objects that surround him, and gives light and life to the surroundings that fill the bleak night. The main unification in this poem comes from the recurring themes of darkness, amplification of sound and stillness, and the speaker’s inescapable loneliness. The speaker is feeling isolation from the world around him, and he cannot escape that feeling no matter how hard he tries to disillusion himself that his life follows the same course as the lives of the people that he sees in the cottage windows. The night is lonely and the speaker tells of â€Å"cottages in a row / Up to their shining eyes in snow.† How can a cottage have eyes, the organs of vision, if it does not possess the sense of sight? But to the speaker, the cottages are enormously alive, and the windows are the eyes from which he can see into the cottage’s soul. Eyes themselves do not literally â€Å"shine,† but in this instance, it is literally true to say that the eyes of the cottage were â€Å"shining† from the light within. The inside of the cottages are full of people performing various activities, and although the speaker is not included in the actions of their lives, he feels as though he is a part of it all, â€Å"I thought I had the folk within: / I had the sound of a violin.† The speaker catches a â€Å"glimpse† from behind a veil of â€Å"curtain laces† â€Å"youthful forms and youthful faces.† (This too, can be construed as an image of his children, partially veiled by a shroud of death). He allows himself to become an integral part of the background scenery to such an extent that it satisfies him and keeps his mind occupied. Notice that he never once mentions the bitter cold that should accompany a snowy winter evening. Although he has no human companion with him, the speaker has â€Å"such company outward bound,† that he continues to walk deep into the night until â€Å"there were no cottages found.† He has been in such deep thought that he has not realized that he has reached the end of the town. He turns and realizing that he has been out such a long time and that it is getting very late, â€Å"I saw no window but that was black,† he heads back toward his home. He crosses  the â€Å"slumbering village street† with his â€Å"creaking feet,† a paradox since the street cannot actually rest or sleep because it is not living. An inanimate object does not need sleep or rest, however, when he â€Å"disturbs† the street’s â€Å"slumber,† he feels it is â€Å"like profanation.† He is disrespecting the street and putting it to an improper use at this time of night, â€Å"at ten o’clock of a winter eve,† when everything else in t he town is at rest and still. The street is empty except for one last wanderer still traversing down a lonely lane. Frost deals with recurring themes of darkness, loneliness, death, and uncertainty. Through these themes, Frost reveals himself in candid form. He was a natural born worrier who often got nervous stomachaches. These occurrences became so frequent that eventually they drove him to quit school for several years. He had fears of abandonment in his childhood, which lead to feelings of isolation in adulthood. Both of these projections can be seen in lines from â€Å"Desert Places.† â€Å"I am too absent-spirited to count; / The loneliness includes me unawares.† Frost writes, â€Å"They cannot scare me with their empty spaces / between stars†¦I have it in me so much nearer home / To scare myself with my own desert places.† By making the parallel between Frost’s life and his poetry, we are able to clearly see how his life experiences shaped his poetry. These experiences gave birth to some of his greatest works, and from these works we see the man behind the poetry. We see a man who dealt with more heartbreak, hardships and sorrow than most should have to endure. We see a man who put more effort and soul into his work, than many will ever attempt. And we see a man whose works have inspired many, and will continue to do so for generations to come.

Essay about Innovative Widgets- Customer Service Plan

About Innovative Widgets. At Innovative Widgets we are the number leading widgets producer in Australia. Established in 1952, widgets are used as components for a wide variety of machinery, including domestic and industrial machinery. All our widgets are functional, well designed and manufactured to the his highest quality standards. Customers across Australia look to us to provide high quality products at competitive prices. This is a family owned company with the sons and daughters of the founder forming the board of directors. We operate from one main factory which include several different sections. These sections including a stores area for the raw materials used to make the widgets, a machine shop for producing the widgets,†¦show more content†¦The RATER system is a great place to start. RATER stands for: Responsibility Delivery on promises. Assurance Inspiring trust and confidence in our customers. Tangibles Representing the product physically. Empathy Treating customers as individuals. Response Being willing to help wherever possible. Customer feedback – obtaining customer feedback is essential to the company. Without keeping up to date with our customers, we cant be sure that we are meeting their expectations. We will send out surveys via emails and post. Also we will send out regular brochures updating our customers of any changes that may benefit/effect them. We will also call our major customers regularly to see if there is anywhere we need to improve. Handling complaints – the procedure for the handling complaints are; Who is responsible? In order for Innovative Widgets to run efficiently different sectors of staff take care of different parts of the business. Here is an example for who is responsible for what. Board of Directors – are responsible for overseeing the activities of Innovative Widgets so that the company meets the expectations of our founder. Purchasing – are responsible for purchasing our materials need to produce our widgets. They will ensure that we have the best possible deal from a reliable company. Sales – are responsible for the advertising of our product. They will represent Innovative Widgets and present our products to potentialShow MoreRelatedInnovative Widgets Customer Service Plan1059 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Innovative Widgets customer service plan Vision †¢ This is a statement of how you envision customer services being delivered in the future In five years’ time, Innovative Widgets will be the leader in customer service satisfaction, providing timely, responsive service with integrity, simplicity and a passion for excellence, while meeting or exceeding the customer’s expectations. Mission statement †¢ This defines what a company will do to achieve its vision. It may include the company’sRead MoreInnovative Widgets Customer Service Plan1104 Words   |  5 PagesInnovative Widgets customer service plan Vision †¢ This is a statement of how you envision customer services being delivered in the future In five years’ time, Innovative Widgets will be the leader in customer service satisfaction, providing timely, responsive service with integrity, simplicity and a passion for excellence, while meeting or exceeding the customer’s expectations. Mission statement †¢ This defines what a company will do to achieve its vision. It may include the company’sRead MoreInnovative Widget Customer Service Plan5878 Words   |  24 PagesMonitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan Cap-Net International Network for Capacity Building in Sustainable Water Management November 2009 The purpose of this document is to improve learning from the Cap-Net programme, ensure adequate monitoring of the project and assist our partner networks monitor their own activities. 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