District Sales Manager Essay Example for Free

District Sales Manager Essay The principle error Maureen made was underestimating how significant company culture could impact decision-making at every responsibility level. Even though Quaker had strict functional reporting lines, the organization supported an informal culture based on friendliness and openness. Most importantly, Quaker’s ethos required a high degree of influence by persuasion and charisma—not formal authority. Secondly, the communication vehicle that Maureen chose to carry and deliver her proposed plan was ill suited for interconnecting the plan and expectations. Instead of going with the organization’s pattern of utilizing personal relationships, teamwork, and the openness to express opinions and feedback, Maureen sent a memo directly to the titanium extrusion sales representatives. In the memo, she simply gave a rationale for making the change. In response, a District Sales Manager (DSM) called Maureen to ask for a more detailed explanation for the change due to its arbitrary nature. Therefore, Maureen presented her findings to the DSMs in a yearly sales meeting in the presence of the VP of Marketing. †¢Lack of empowerment from authority: Although Maureen’s plan obtained approval from her boss, Hugh Salk, there was never a statement from the VP of Sales to his subordinates (district sales managers and sales representatives) supporting the proposal. As seen in Exhibit 2, Lawrence Israel, the VP of Sales has direct power over DSMs. †¢Company’s hiring practices: Maureen was hired at a managerial position because she had a very attractive professional background that made her a highly desirable candidate for her role. However, this was not in line with the company culture that encouraged internal promotions rather than external hiring at a managerial level (‘Typically, managers who joined Quaker from other steel or metal producers found the company a confusing and frustrating place in which to work. For this and this other reasons, most of Quaker’s managerial positions were filled from within’, p2). †¢Ã¢â‚¬Å"Responsibility lines† structure: Due to the company’s growth, many managers and at times whole divisions were responsible to other departments even though there was not a preset hierarchy that linked them. This situation complicated to a certain extent the relationship between the product management groups and the sales force as can be inferred from the fact that the titanium DSM in Chicago had to report to two bosses (p5). †¢Sales force’s lack of adaptation: Sales representatives were assigned to accounts based on experience and usually had tough time cracking big accounts. This was in part due to lack of backing from the technical support services and sometimes from the RD labs as the larger accounts were more technically complex. It was also because there were no additional economical benefits to work on bigger accounts, thus harder work was not compensated in any manner (‘The Chicago DSM explained that a modest cash bonus existed, but that he did not use it, believing it had little effect’, p6). Hence, the only motivation for the sales people was closing a successful deal and working directly with customers which was frequent with small accounts. †¢Lack of relationship and communication: Maureen spent so much time analyzing the sales time simulations; therefore, she did not spend enough time getting to know other team members on the field. These circumstances did not favor building â€Å"trust† with the sales personnel and this lack of participation within the decision-making process hindered effective results (‘In response to the memo, one of the titanium DSMs called her to say that he had received several complaints from his salespeople about its arbitrary nature’, p8).

Africas War Against Terror :: History

Africa's War Against Terror African people in their persistent efforts to claim their place on the global stage is faced with paradoxes and challenges, the global stage where Africans are persistently marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable. The first step in Africans claiming their place in the global stage is shedding all manifestations of inferiority and self-doubt and refuse to accept that their benchmarks, to measure their success, are set by others. This is precisely what the NEPAD Peer Review Mechanism is about. The NEPAD Peer Review Mechanism is about the idea that Africans should have the courage to be their own severe judges about what is right and wrong in the continent. The NEPAD Peer Review Mechanism being the fruit of the African Union act contains the specific objectives of "Respect for democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law and good governance." Among its Objectives, it states that it will: †¢ "Promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance; and, †¢ "Promote and protect human and peoples' rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other relevant human rights instruments." There are some powerful voices though in the global stage who welcome NEPAD Peer Review Mechanism as an overdue effort of African people to take responsibility for solving their problems. They proclaim that this is precisely how support for Africa's struggle to exercise her right to self-determination should be expressed. However, the support is on the condition that Africans do what they dictate to them. In other words they unequivocally declare that Africans are free to enjoy the right to determine their future destiny but they want to dictate what that future destiny to be. They present themselves as the greatest champions of democracy and development in Africa. They some how, though vaguely that African leaders cannot be trusted to promote and entrench democracy and development in Africa. In the Biblical Gospel according to St Matthew, it is said that Jesus Christ saw Simon Peter and his brother Andrew fishing in the Sea of Galilee. And He said to them: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Perhaps taking a cue from this, some people in the world have appointed themselves as "fishers of corrupt men". The continent of Africa is the sea in which they have chosen to exercise their fishing craft. From everything they say, it is clear that they know it as a matter of fact that they are bound to return from their African fishing expeditions with huge catches of corrupt men (and women).

The Koran

It is said that the Koran (or Quran) was delivered by Allah to Muhammad. Much like the Bible is to Christians; the Koran delivers to Muslims guidance on how to live a virtuous life, as well as being a historical text of events in the area, and those which occurred around the Prophet Muhammad. It is said that to understand the differences between the Muslim sects, it is relevant to delve into Islamic history. â€Å"Some basic issues within Islam today, such as the strife between Sunni and Shia Muslims began at this time and better understanding of how the disputes began is needed.† (Biedzynski, 2005). Theological scholars will often discuss the correlation of different religions within texts and history, but it is evident within the Suras of the Koran, that not only were Jews and Christians recognized, but many biblical names are also mentioned, including Jesus, Moses and Mary. In fact, the Koran recognizes many similar figures for the same reasons Christianity and Judaism does , which perhaps serves as a further example on the connection all three religions have in recounting historical events.The fundamentals of Islam are perhaps best explored through the principles governed by the Five Pillars of Islam. Essentially these are: a profession of faith, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and charity. In order for a Muslim to be considered for heaven, and their place with Allah, it is vital for them to adhere to the Five Pillars. The first, Shahadah, or tenet of Islam, is often recited in prayer, and is an affirmation made that Mohammad is the Prophet of Allah, and there is only Allah. Arguably, this is an important pillar, and fundamentally the foundation of all Islamic practices.The second pillar, or Salat, is not only the act of praying five times a day, but is also regarded in death, and an act of purification of the spirit, as mentioned in Sura 87, â€Å"prosperous indeed is he who purifies himself recollects the name of his Lord and performs prayers† (l ines 14-15). There is no division in prayer, only unity:â€Å"The words of the prayer are, essentially, those of Surat Al-Fatihah and other parts of the Quran chosen by the devotee. Thus our prayers become Allah’s words. The prayers in the form of the Friday prayer are also a weekly lesson in human equality and community solidarity† (Ayoub, 116).Zakat, or almsgiving is the Third Pillar of Islam. It is the form of charity that is practiced not only during Ramadan, but annually. The concept is to ease economic stress on the less fortunate, and is considered as an act of the virtuous who â€Å"have faith in the unseen, observe regular worship, and give alms of that which we have bestowed upon them† (2:3). The concept begins with the notion that everything belongs to Allah, and people are merely looking after it – from this earth to financial success. As is often said of charity beginning at home, the concept of zakat also starts at home, and closest friends and relations, before branching out into the community, or as stated in the Koran, â€Å"they thus give food for love of Him to the destitute, orphan, and captive† (76:8).Whilst zakat and charity is made during Ramadan, the holy month is best observed through fasting. It is the forth Pillar of Islam, and is a similar notion in remembering those less fortunate around us. It is also a significant month, historically:â€Å"Fasting, however, has a crucial significance for Muslims. It was during the month of Ramadan that Allah granted victory to Muslims over the Makkan associators in the Battle of Badr† (p125).It was also during Ramadan, that the Koran was given to Muhammad, as noted in Sura 2. During Ramadan, it is significant that Muslims remain pure, and abstain from sexual intercourse, ill tempers or bad language. They also fast from sunrise to dusk, and offer charity to their community and family.The final Pillar of Islam is the Hajj, a pilgrimage which should be made at least once in a lifetime by every Muslim. The journey involves a pilgrimage to Mecca, and the Ka’ba built there. Historically, the pilgrimage reminds Muslims of Ibrahim, and retracing of the steps he made. Rituals within the Hajj also retrace Hajar’s search for water in the barren mountains. Sura 3 speaks of how it is an ‘obligation’ for people to perform the pilgrimage, and also details how Muhammad made his first Hajj. Pilgrims who complete the annual Hajj are considered to be ‘reborn’, and able to start anew. It is considered a cleansing, but is also historically poignant:â€Å"During the Hajj important religious and political movements were born, momentous decisions and ideas were taken and exchanged, and crucial calls to jihad in the way of Allah and against oppression, tyranny and wrong were proclaimed. The Hajj is our teacher, our social and political guide, and a source of blessing in our lives† (p129).There are many things w ithin Islam that are considered taboo, the consumption of pork and the act of suicide are two of them. Such things are called â€Å"haram†, and are labeled as forbidden acts that detract from the fundamentals of Islam. Pork is forbidden, quite simply because it is considered unclean. The Koran matter-of-factly states, â€Å"He has forbidden for you only carrion and blood and swine-flesh and that which has been immolated in the name of any other than Allah; but he who is driven thereto, neither craving nor transgressing† (16:114-115).As for suicide, Muhammad speaks of an eternity in what can be considered Hell. People, who committed suicide, would spend their days reliving the experience. â€Å"He who commits suicide by throttling shall keep on throttling himself in the Hell Fire (forever) and he who commits suicide by stabbing himself shall keep on stabbing himself in the Hell-Fire† (Sahih Bukhari 2.446). It is with this in mind, that the concept of Jihad should be explored.Jihad in itself is war (and defense) on the behalf of Islam. It is something that was often declared against those who cause ill towards a community, or as subtle as protecting a community against non-Muslims, or cleansing the soul of ill-thought and sin. In recent times, it has been extorted and abused by violence. The main aim of jihad in society is to eradicate wrongdoing and oppression (Ayoub, 191). Jihad is therefore an affirmation through action to Allah and Islam, as considered in Sura 47, â€Å"if you lend support to Allah, he shall grant you support and firmly strengthen your steps† (47:7). Jihads could involve absolving sin through study of the Koran, or sacred texts; and even through the act of the Hajj, to cleanse through action. Jihad, as it is portrayed today, is only one form, and often times not fully considered under Islamic Law.Islamic Law is what governs Muslim society, and understandably, it adheres to what appears in the Koran. Suras 4 and 5 outline measures that should be undertaken through accidental death, murder and stealing. Concepts such as compensation or blood-money, for example, are paid out to the family of one accidentally killed. Stealing, was dealt as a stark punishment, however, with a thief losing the hand they used to steal with: â€Å"And the male thief and the female thief, cut off their hand as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allah. And Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise† (5:38).The Koran, and specifically Islam’s relationship with Christianity and Judaism, outlines the historical relevance to the connections the religion has with them. It does not dispute their existence, or indeed significant people within both religious texts, rather it is almost reliant on them:â€Å"The Qu’ran sees itself not only as depending on the Torah and Gospel for its own claim to authenticity, but also as ‘confirming’ the truth which they cont ain while at the same time superceding them. [..] We need to interpret our scriptures in ways that promote a meaningful dialogue which will lead to a true fellowship of faith† (98-99)Many Muslims today acknowledge resemblances in religious practices, or are often comforted to find similarities. The same can be said vice-versa, though as more people from Judaic and Muslim background learn that not only do their scriptures acknowledge each other, but have similarities in prayer: â€Å"Men and women sit separately. Services can be led by any male member of the community. In mosques, as in synagogues, Orthodox or not, there are no human symbols of God† (Hirschfield, 2006).It should also be considered, that many within Judaism and Islam need only look within their own verses to see the similarities- or as noted by a filmmaker keen to see open-dialogue, â€Å"educated by Muslims about the 99 names for God and the stories of Muhammad, Ms. Broyde-Sharone tries, in turn, to edu cate Jews about Islam. It is not a hateful monolith, she emphasizes. It is diverse just as Judaism is diverse† (Hirschfield, 2006).The same can be argued for the appearance of Jesus within the Koran, and the religious ‘divide’ between the Bible and the Koran. Many Suras speak of not only him, but of Mary as well. â€Å"A verse in the Quran says, â€Å"Behold! The angels said, ‘O Mary! God gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and in (the company of) those nearest to God.'†Ã¢â‚¬ (Oakland Tribune, 2003).The foundation of Islam not only lies within the text of the Koran, but also within each individual Muslim and their interpretations of the text. Whilst Muslim countries and communities seem to have differing opinions on the taboo of suicide, or the overwhelming support of a ‘jihad’, the Pillars of Islam remain intact as a guiding frame of th e religion. Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam and practitioners are influenced by their own communities, history and political leaders, so it is perhaps no surprise that all three monolithic religions look to each other for validation.ReferencesMuslim musings on Jesus, Bible(s) and Dan BrownOakland Tribune. Jun 23, 2006. FindArticles.com. 25 Sep. 2007. (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20060623/ai_n16507597 )Ayoub, M. M., Islam: Faith and PracticeThe Open Press, Islamic Book Trust 2001.Biedzynski, J. Historical Atlas of Islam.Journal of Third World Studies. Fall 2005.Hirschfield, R. God and Allah need to talk: L.A. filmmaker spearheads Jewish-Muslim dialogue.National Catholic Reporter. Oct 6, 2006. FindArticles.com. 25 Sep. 2007. (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_43_42/ai_n17093198 )

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay - 3817 Words

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal Alcohol Syndrome... is the name given to a group of physical and mental birth defects that are the direct result of a womans drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a series of mental and physical birth defects that can include mental retardation, growth deficiencies, central nervous system dysfunction, craniofacial abnormalities and behavioral maladjustments. Fetal Alcohol Effect is a less severe set of the same symptoms. All communities nationwide, and especially high-risk women in their childbearing years, need better information about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy. But most health care providers are unfamiliar with and untrained in the issues of substance abuse†¦show more content†¦The institutional and medical costs for one child with FAS are $1.4 million over a lifetime. What babies are at risk for FAS and FAE? Whenever a mother drinks, her baby is at risk for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effect. When a pregnant women drinks alcohol, her baby does too. It is not clear whether there is a threshold amount of alcohol that must be consumed before damage to the baby occurs. There is also no proof that small amounts of alcohol are safe. Is there a cure for FAS? There is no cure for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Once the damage is done, it cannot be undone. However, FAS is the only cause of birth defects that can be completely prevented. How can FAS be prevented? The easiest way for a woman to prevent FAS is to not drink during pregnancy. Communities, schools, and concerned individuals can help to prevent FAS/FAE, through education and intervention. ** According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2.6 million young people do not know that a person can die of an overdose of alcohol.20 Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person drinks a large quantity of alcohol in a short amount of time. ** The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream is called the blood alcohol concentration or BAC. BAC is measured in percentages. For examples, a BAC of 0.10 percent means that a person has 1 part alcohol perShow MoreRelatedFetal Alcohol Syndrome942 Words   |  4 Pages Fetal Alcohol Syndrome According to Seaver, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is birth defects causing learning, and behavioral problems in individuals whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. This disorder is very serious, yet it is recognized as one of the most preventable. This causes major issues, when something so serious could be prevented but is not. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a problem because it leaves a permanent effect on the unborn child, but some solutions could be educating women andRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome1466 Words   |  6 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome â€Å"If women didn’t drink anymore during pregnancy, there would never be another baby born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effect† (McCuen 33). This is a very powerful statement. It is also a very simple cure for an alarmingly high birth defect that all women have the power to stop. â€Å"Every year more than 40,000 American children are born with defects because their mother drank alcohol while pregnant â€Å" (McCuen 34). That is 1 to 3 per 1,000 live birthsRead MoreThe Disorder Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome1018 Words   |  5 Pagesthe the disorder Fetal Alcohol Syndrome .This paper will aim to discuss what the disorder is ,it s history how it is diagnosed and the treatment and prevention of this disorder. Taking a sip a int hip Introduction :Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing(Bible-Judges 13:7).It has been known throughout history that the effects of alcohol use in pregnancyRead MoreEssay on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome1390 Words   |  6 Pageslead to many severe abnormalities in the growing fetus. More specifically, a disorder that will be explored in this essay is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS); caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Since the alcohol is consumed in such a developing stage of the fetus, it can potentially cause many different complications in the unborn child. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome could easily be prevented with more awareness to the issue and its defining characteristics, how it affects the fetus during growthRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1707 Words   |  7 Pagesof prenatal alcohol exposure (Lupton, 2003). This number will only continue to grow if the risk of drinking alcohol while pregnant i s not brought to the people’s attention. When the mother takes a drink of alcohol, so does the fetus, which will cause physical and behavioral problems after birth. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is completely preventable and irreversible. FAS awareness and prevention is important; expectant mothers need to know the background information about the syndrome, some commonRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1699 Words   |  7 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a condition affecting children born to women who drink heavily during pregnancy. There are three criteria used to describe the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and to make a diagnosis of FAS. The first of these is a pattern of facial anomalies, these features include: #61558; Small eye openings #61558; Flat cheekbones #61558; Flattened groove between nose and upper lip #61558; Thin upper lip These characteristicsRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1096 Words   |  5 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a mental and physical birth defect. It occurs when a pregnant women consumes high levels of alcohol during her pregnancy. The effects of FAS can be traumatic in some cases, and in others children were slightly affected by exposure to alcohol. FAS has a wide range of effects on the fetus and infant, retarded growth, under developed facial features, slow cognitive development, and many more. The evidence of cases is overwhelming, yet in some societies it is still anRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1522 Words   |  7 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a disorder that can happen to children whose mothers drank sufficient amounts of alcohol sometime throughout their pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a condition classified in a group called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and is the most known and severe of the group. FAS, depending on the factors such as location, population and race studied is considered one of the leading known causes of mental retardation and birth defects, with 0.2 – 1.5 out of every 1Read MoreEssay on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome2703 Words   |  11 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of mental, physical, and behavioral defects that may develop in the unborn child when its mother drinks during pregnancy. These defects occur primarily during the first trimester when the teratogenic effects of the alcohol have the greatest effect on the developing organs. The symptoms associated with FAS have been observed for many centuries, but it was not until 1968 that Lemoine and his associates formally described theseRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1100 Words   |  5 Pagesyou want your child to have FAS? Read on and I believe you will come to the same conclusion as I have about FAS. FAS doesn’t sound so bad, but in reality it is. FAS means Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. FAS is a combination of physical and mental defects first evident at a baby’s birth. FAS is a direct result of a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy. These defects continue through out the child’s life. One in five hundred children are born with FAS. Your baby is at risk no matter how much liquor you