Definition and Examples of Allusion

The definition of allusion is a brief, usually indirect reference to another person, place, or event—real or fictional. Its use is a shortcut way of bringing extra meaning, clarity, or further explanation of an idea by referencing something that the audience already understands. Allusions may be historical, mythological, literary, pop cultural, or even personal. They can show up in literature, movies, television, comic books, video games, and ordinary conversations. Key Takeaways: Allusions An allusion is a reference to something else.A well-chosen allusion can pack a lot of meaning into very few words.The context of the reference needs to be understood by the audience, or not all of your meaning will be conveyed. The Oxford Dictionary of Reference and Allusion explains the techniques use this way: It is often possible to pack more meaning into a well-chosen allusion than into a roughly equivalent descriptive term from the general language either because an allusion can carry some of the  connotations  of the whole story from which it is drawn, or because an individuals name can be associated with more than one characteristic. (Introduction Oxford Dictionary of Reference and Allusion, 3rd ed., edited by Andrew Delahunty and Sheila Dignen. Oxford University Press, 2010). An allusion is more subtle than a metaphor or simile, as a comparison. As a verb, the word is allude  and as an adjective, allusive. It is also known as an echo or a reference. Allusion in Literature Poetry often contains allusion, as every word in a poem carries lots of weight, so a simple allusive phrase in a poem can bring forth many additional layers of meaning. Prose and drama can carry allusions too. Rich sources of allusions include the literary works of Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, and George Orwell (among many others). Literary works can refer to other works to make a point (like Shakespearean characters referring to Greek myths or common superstitions of the time), or pop culture can make allusions to famous literature. Call someone a Shylock or a Romeo, and youre referring to Shakespeare. Use the phrase catch-22 to describe a paradoxical situation, and youre actually referring to a novel by Joseph Heller, whether you realize it or not.  If someone refers to an Adonis or an odyssey, those are Greek allusions. If you talk about taking the road less traveled, youre alluding to a Robert Frost poem. Biblical Allusions Biblical allusions are everywhere because theyre so widely understood. Anytime anyone speaks of Noah, a flood, an ark, Moses, a prodigal son returning, money-changers, Adam and Eve, a snake (or serpent), Eden, or David conquering Goliath—those are all biblical allusions.   Warren Buffet was once quoted as saying, I violated the Noah rule: predicting rain doesnt count; building arks does. Allusion in Political Speech Politicians make allusions all the time. Anytime you hear versions of anyone speaking softly or carrying a big stick, or having a big stick policy that person is alluding to Theodore Roosevelts views on foreign policy or his breaking up monopolies. Another phrase often alluded to is one from John F. Kennedys inaugural address, ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. Senator Obamas call to ask not just what our government can do for us, but what we can do for ourselves had an even more direct connection to the inaugural address of the first G.I. Generation president of the United States. (Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais, Millennial Makeover. Rutgers University Press, 2008) Or Abraham Lincoln—anytime people are counting in scores, theyre likely alluding to the Gettysburg Address, which starts four score and seven years ago. The location of Martin Luther King Jr.s I have a dream speech being by the Lincoln Memorial was no accident but an allusion. Also, widely used allusions to famous quotes  include the U.S. Constitutions We the people or the Declaration of Independences unalienable rights. Allusion in Pop Culture and Memes Pop culture allusions have a shorter shelf life, to be sure, but things that start out on social media do on occasion become part of the mass consciousness. For example, if you hear something referred to as a challenge, it could likely be referring to doing something seen in a video online—either to raise money for charity, as in the ice-bucket challenge that raised money for ALS, or something thats dangerous, like kids attempting to eat laundry detergent pods.   Memes that follow big news stories are also allusions. Following the news of the latter challenge, social media saw lots of memes making fun of the idiocy of anyone whod even think of eating laundry soap, like Back in my day, we had our mouths washed out with soap as punishment. It doesnt mention the pod challenge directly but alludes to it.   Comic books have become reference points in the most popular and the most esoteric fiction and art. Everyone understands a Superman allusion or a Batman joke.  (Gerard Jones,  Men of Tomorrow, Basic Books, 2005)

Our Ladys role in the Ballad of the White Horse - 700 Words

1. Our Ladys role in the Ballad of the White Horse as portrayed in books I, II, and VII. King Alfred of Wessex, ruler of southern England in ninth-century, is the main character in G.K. Chestertons compelling poem, The Ballad of the White Horse. During a time when the pagan Danes threaten to destroy the societal values Western Europeans had spent centuries building, Alfred, his chiefs, and his Christian armies receive inspiration to continue the battle for Christendom from Our Lady. For though Alfred and his armies strive to win the earthly battle with the Danes, they must also overcome the spiritual battle: abandoning the attitudes of doubt and despair, in order that they might trust in God for the strength Alfreds†¦show more content†¦Chesterton, The Ballad of the White Horse, Seton Literary Classics, Front Royal, Virginia. 2011. (I:137-145) all subsequent references will be parenthesized in the text. reveals herself to him through the nature on the island, which becomes m ore and more beautiful before his eyes. As she stands by the river in the tall grass before him, Alfred observes that the â€Å"very colors of her coat [are] better than good news,† and proceeds to question her on the outcome of his conflict with the Danes. Our Lady, however, warns Alfred that Christians must not attempt to predict their future as the pagans do. In contrast, those who are strengthened by the Blood of Christ are to whatever danger lies before them. Furthermore, she gives him no optimistic view of the future, and, in fact, declares that the â€Å"sky shall grow darker yet,† and the â€Å"sea rise higher.† And, although she gives him no hope of earthly victory, she does remind him that the gates of heaven are open to all; that anyone can look forward to eternal happiness with God. Henceforth, a newly transformed Alfred adopts a new attitude in place of the sorrow and despair he encountered earlier. Now filled with unfounded joy and a faith in the a bsence of hope, he is intent on winning the spiritual battle, even if he never defeats the Danes. Despair and hopelessness are

Egamova transfigered night Free Essays

The time of first World War, a young enthusiastic man enlists as a volunteer gunner in the artillery as he has reached an impasse and sees war as a remedy. In a bar he comes across his fellow soldier, a surgeon lieutenant for whom war is an impasse, as he is trying to avoid sober realization of detrimental consequences of his civic duty by getting drunk. A lot of problems can be observed in the passage, but the most evident and tricking one is the irretrievable effect the brutality and gore of the war produces on human psychic, which comes as a quite contradictory fact since the narrator presumes that the war saved his life. We will write a custom essay sample on Egamova transfigered night or any similar topic only for you Order Now To provide a profound feeling of that horrible days routine life the author inflates his text with parallel constructions, simple sentences and abundant use of lexical units representing negative connotation; these are (morbid despair, impasse, ferocious concentration, detest, etc. ) so it becomes clear that a war is by no means a remedy which the narrator was so desperately trying to find. What is more, when analyzing George’s discourse a reader realizes the ambiguous nature of a war as his character is quite dual – despite all the redundancy of negative description of his appearance (ill-looking, ugly, fairly drunk, hunched over) and the absolute hopelessness in his talk (l want to go somewhere cold and dark, God preserve me from sanity) George still possessed of sinners energy which indicates to the fact that he has something background to fight or and that gives him this very kind of energy to overcome all the harsher, brutality and intoxication of that odious war. In the light of all this, any reader must not be influenced only by the superficial sense of the text, but go deeper to reveal the genuine authors message, inasmuch as any war is not merely a succession of human dying but also a glorious ground of evoking patriotism and marvelous bases for tear-jerking love stories. How to cite Egamova transfigered night, Papers

Native Americans Essay Summary Example For Students

Native Americans Essay Summary Many times throughout history, specific events occur that explain why the existence of Native Americans are necessary for the Spanish and English colonists to survive. The Native Americans were like parents to the Spanish and English colonists. As a newborn baby is introduced to the new world, alike, the Spanish and English were introduced to a New World in which the Natives were already a part of. Their inhabitance of the land dates back to many thousands of years ago where they inhabited all regions of the Americas. When the Europeans arrived the Natives gave the colonists knowledge about the land. At times the Natives cared for them and supplied them with food and various other things. They also provided work for the colonists whether the Natives were slaves, servants or allied forces. Economically, the Natives were needed very much for anything the colonists would export to Europe. Throughout history, the colonists dependency on the Natives was clearly shown and the how the colon ists exploited the Natives in every possible way was also clear. We will write a custom essay on Native Americans Summary specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now What the colonists needed most from the Natives was their knowledge of the land. Because the Natives lived in the Americas for thousands of years, they are familiar with the area and they know how to work with it. For example, when Cortez landed on the Mexican shores on 1519, he used the Aztecs for their gold. When he found out where the Aztecs were getting their gold from, he simply destroyed them after he used them for their knowledge. Spanish colonists also had to learn a lot from the Pima, Pueblo and Papagos to be able to continue their farming in the very dry Southwest. Another tribes knowledge the colonists needed for survival was the Hohokam. The Hohokam built and maintained the first irrigation system in America, channeling river water many miles to desert fields of maize, beans, squash, tobacco, and cotton. The Hohokams knowledge of the dry lands and irrigation was passed on to later tribes, which was ultimately acquired by the colonists. This type of knowledge is essential to survival of the colonists because you could imagine what would happen to these farmers when they are left in a desert with no assistance, they would die! Thus, the knowledge of the land that the Natives had was critical to the survival of the colonists. Yet, with all the knowledge they provided, it still wasnt enough. Not only were the colonists dependent on the knowledge the Natives provided, but they also needed their care and their supplies. At times, the colonists reached the shores of the New World and met harsh conditions that they were not prepared for, yet the Natives have adapted to. At times like these, the Natives would care for this unknown kind. For example, in 1608 when 144 people were sent to Chesapeake to begin the first permanent English colony (Jamestown) and the colonists survived the first year only with Powhatans material assistance.They were unable to support themselves. The same incident occurred on the island of Roanoke when the colony there, Was incapable of supporting itself†¦ the tribe leader did the hospitable thing. Another example where the Natives did the hospitable thing for the colonists was at Plymouth when the Natives fed and cared for the Pilgrims. The previous examples prove the Natives were needed for the colonists survival. Almost all of the English co lonies in the beginning would have perished if it werent for the Natives. The Natives are also responsible for Supplying the first European colonists in the south with rich harvests from their extensive fields . Its hard to believe that with all the violence that goes on between the two cultures, that the Natives would actually give their own addiction of tobacco to the colonists. The Natives taught the colonists how to grow these plants and they used the Natives fertile, mild soil around the Mississippian River. As well as that, English colonists on the northeast shores of the U.S. farmed maize on the same land and fished in the same waters as the Algonquian tribe. There is an unending amount of examples of where the Natives provided care, supplies and life for the colonists. If the Natives were not there to provide these things, the colonists would not survive. .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd , .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd .postImageUrl , .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd , .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd:hover , .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd:visited , .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd:active { border:0!important; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd:active , .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ufe667d80555762265c9f86b164e897fd:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: What Is Premarital Sex EssayWork was another reason why the Natives were necessary to the survival of the colonists. Work can include of two different things: 1. Slaves or servants or 2. Being an ally in combat. Cortez (coming back into the picture) actually commits to using both types of work. When he reaches the shores of Mexico, he forms allies with the tribes neighboring the Aztecs, which were in check by the Aztecs. Obviously, these tribes want to bring down the Aztecs because of, The many native peoples who lives under Aztec oppression . Thus, the allied forces of the Spanish and the Natives will overthrow the Aztecs. On top of that, Cortez will use the leftover Nati ves as slaves to work on the mines and fields or as servants. Also, in the Spanish New World Empire, There they supervised Indian or African workers in mining, ranching, or agriculture. The Spanish New World Empire and Cortez definitely show that some form of Native slavery or Native servants was used. If the Natives were not available to mine the gold, plow the fields and do all other sorts of jobs, the goals of the New World would either be delayed for a long period of time or perish. Therefore, the survival of the colonists depended on the existence of the working Natives. Lastly, the Natives were needed for the economic survival of the colonists. In Europe, things were not going very well economically. There was a shortage of resources and much conflict that messes up the whole matter. Well, in the New World there are abundant resources and many people can trade with the Natives as well as using their agriculture. For example, the Intercontinental Exchange. The export of goods from the New World to Europe was immense and it was very good for the European economy. Precious metals and Miracle Crops provided abundant food sources that went a long way outward ending the persistent problem of famine in Europe. The type of trade and exporting that was occurring in the New World was very good for Europe and the Natives were behind it all. The Natives provided the tobacco growing knowledge, land and resources. The Natives provided the work that went into mining out precious metals such as gold and silver. And in the end, the colonists benefit from it, but n ot without the Natives. In conclusion, the Natives were necessary for the survival of the Spanish and English colonists for four main reasons. They had knowledge of the land and this helped them greatly. Where to grow what and how to grow it, more importantly according to the weather. Although the Natives were massacred every time at the end, the hospitality and supply for food and agriculture they provided for the colonists was definitely a factor for their survival. Theyre work as slaves, servants or allies was another reason as to the colonists survival. Lastly, the Natives were necessary to the economical survival of the colonists. Where they create the goods to export back to Europe. These reasons clearly identify what the colonists purpose was to the New World (Mercantilism) and that it is impossible for the colonists to be able to achieve their goal without the aid of Native Americans.

Nikes Cheap Labor

Based on the presented Nike’s Cheap Labor article by Tim Glenn, several ethical issues stand out. Among them is the failure of Nike Shoe Company to uphold the values of what is right and wrong in the society. It was unethical for Nike to allow various unethical practices to be carried out by its subcontractors.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Nike’s Cheap Labor specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Since the products of all its subcontractors bear its name, Nike should have clearly spelt out its ethical code of conducts to its contractors. According to Berle and Means (1932, p.1), ethics go beyond what the government can control to behavior regulation. The contract awarded to Earnest and Young to ensure inspection of ethical code of conduct in its contracting companies seems to have failed. Various unethical practices were evident in its subcontractor firms. Nike was at fault for unethical labor pra ctices. The first evidence of this fault is that Nike closed and shifted its factories in the United States to Asian countries where there is cheap labor. Although the company does not involve itself in direct production, it is aware of the unethical undertakings by its subcontractors. Secondly, since the products of these subcontractors belong to Nike and that they bear its name, it should have eliminated these unethical practices. Ignoring such unethical practices on employees who make its brands will amount to employees’ enslavement (Kingsolver, 2008). The media has a duty to educate masses (workers for this case) about their rights. According to Chomsky (1989), one of the roles of media is to educate the employees on business ethics. In this case, the media in Asia and other places where Nike has its factories should enlighten workers. Workers should know that they have the right to good working conditions, work at will, not to be sexually harassed, good housing and food, and even a good pay. Media should air employee education programs. The second role that the media can play is exposing unethical acts of such companies as Nike.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Since most of the companies will do everything to ensure that their image is not soiled, Nike would act quickly to restore employees’ ethics. Media should publicize unethical acts such as firing of employees advocating for better terms by force, sexual harassment, poor housing, poor pay, and forced overtime. This airing will expose the other side of the source of the famous Nike’s products. Chomsky (1989) asserts that airing of unethical acts of a company enlightens the public and employees. The major consequence of the mistreatment of workers by contractors and subcontractor of Nike in Asia is the development of a bad image. Although Nike spends a lot of money in e ndorsing celebrities to make up its image, this brand will gradually be soiled. If the company can afford to pay about $250 to athletes in endorsement, it should spend more in creating a good image. Brand means everything to a company since it creates a feeling of either attachment or lack of attachment to a company. It makes employees, investors, financiers, customers, and communities desire and or detest being associated with the company. When media exposes the variety of unethical acts that the company engages in, its public stakeholders will develop a negative image about it (Chomsky 1989). No one would like to collaborate with inhuman companies. No investor would like to be part of a company that physically abuses its employees and or does not pay them their dues. Customers of the company are also likely to leave its products and turn to other apparel industries because they will always attribute the company’s products to its unethical practices. No one would like to buy products of a company that cannot compensate workers who had accidents in the course of producing its goods.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Nike’s Cheap Labor specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Many potential employees will also shun working for a company due to its bad image (Schneider et al. 2003, p.836). This case means that a poor brand will deny Nike Company the talents and creative minds that are likely to go to its competitors. The competitor will produce high quality goods. As a manager, I would take the most effective action in image restoration. The first step will be allowing open and efficient communication among the company, its contractors, and employees. In fact, Parker (2005, p.17) affirms that development of formal ethics and its communication is essential in today’s business world. I would establish structures that will allow open communication. There is a clear communication cut between employees and Nike as a company. By ensuring that there are good communication paths, employees will regain confidence in the company. According to Guest (2007, p.52), employees should be allowed to air their grievances and or join trade unions without being sacked or punished. Communication will also ensure that employees are enlightened about their rights and the code of conduct of the company. To boost communication, I will provide suggestion boxes, hotlines, and emails for them to use in case their supervisors or contractors are in breach of the ethical code of conduct. This strategy will also enable clear punishment of the contractors if they breach it. The second tactic that would save the image of Nike Company is advertising, which is paid for to create public attention to certain goods and services.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More I would use media (both print and electronic platforms) to advertise the strategic changes that the company has undertaken to ensure employee satisfaction and product quality improvement through the common catchy phrase that, if a business treats its workforce well, they will in turn treat clients well. The changes in employee relations would be aired on media. Schneider et al. (2003, p.836) assert that employee satisfaction makes potential employees aspire to join a company in the future. In addition, it will make Nike’s customer change their perception of the company from bad to good. Media has the ability not only to tell people what to think about but also how to think about a certain idea. With frequent positive exposure of the changes in the company, people will not only think about Nike but also tuned to think about it positively. Conclusion Nike Cheap Labor article by Tim Glenn is an epitome of the many organizations that strive to reap much not only on the expense of its workforce but also on their own expense. Mistreating of employees by not giving them their due wages, denying them motivations, and not involving them in key decision-making process comprise some of the unethical issues that companies like Nike are practicing. Kingsolver (2008, p.268) says that all unethical business practices amount to slavery. Such ways like poor payment of employees, dismissal from duties without protocol, unpaid overtime, sexual harassment of women, and avoiding paying workers’ benefits are unethical. Therefore, media should come in to publicize these malpractices in an effort to curb them by exposing their implications not only to the employees but also to the victim companies. References Berle, A Means, G 1932, The Modern Corporation and Private Property, Transaction Publishers, New Jersey. Chomsky, N 1989, Necessary Illusions: Thought Control in Democratic Societies, Pluto Press, London. Guest, D 2007, HRM and performance: Can Partnership Address the Ethical Dilemmas?, Macklin Campbell, Pennington. Kingsolver, A 2008, Capitalism. Encyclopedia of Race and Racism, Macmillan, Detroit. Parker, M 2005, For Business Ethics: A Critical Text, Routledge, London. Schneider, B, Hanges, P, Smith, D, Salvaggio, A 2003, ‘Which Comes First: Employee Attitudes or Organizational Financial and Market Performance?’, Journal of Applied Psychology, vol. 88 no. 1, pp. 836–51. This case study on Nike’s Cheap Labor was written and submitted by user 3-D Man to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Interrelationship Between Hospitality And Travel Organisations Tourism Essay Essays

Interrelationship Between Hospitality And Travel Organisations Tourism Essay Essays Interrelationship Between Hospitality And Travel Organisations Tourism Essay Essay Interrelationship Between Hospitality And Travel Organisations Tourism Essay Essay The cordial reception sector is one of the most important service suppliers for the international travel and touristry industry. It includes all concerns which accommodate tourers and travelers when going to other finishs. They are an built-in portion of the overall experience, and must populate up to the criterions which are expected by patronages and those which are set by the industry. Modern web sites such as Trip Advisor besides set criterions based on people s ratings of their personal experiences. These ratings are viewed by possible clients from all over the universe, and can act upon their pick of hotel, motel, or any other adjustment supplier or catering constitution. Task 1- Investigate the cordial reception sector. Adjustment suppliers Hotels By and large, when tourers arrive at their concluding finish their chief involvement is to look into into their hotel room and unwind, particularly after hours of travel. It is hence important that invitees are treated with extreme attention, as they may be tired and perchance irritated after their trip. Hotels within the Euro zone typically keep 1-5 star evaluations which depend on the quality, graduated table, and the figure of comfortss and services which are offered. Hotel evaluations outside the EU are non limited to five stars, such as the extremist epicurean 7 star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Adjustment is a cardinal constituent in bundle vacations. Tourists may choose for budget bundles which include basic 1 to 3 star adjustment, whilst others may choose for higher priced bundles offering 4 to 5 star adjustment. When choosing for epicurean adjustment, invitees may pass a good proportion of their clip at the hotel or resort to do full usage of the comfortss which are being offered. Guests would anticipate to be pampered throughout their stay, peculiarly for the monetary value being paid. If jobs are encountered, they would anticipate a rapid response and immediate action to be taken. 5 star constitutions normally offer 24 hr receptionist and concierge services, gentleman parking for invitees who have rented their ain autos, every bit good as 24 hr amah, care, and room service. One would besides anticipate to hold an in-room mini saloon and safe, personal attention merchandises, high velocity Wi-Fi entree, wash services, gym, watering place and a concern Centre, to call a few. 4 and 3 star hotels offer more of a comfy atmosphere than a epicurean one, whilst 2 and 1 star hotels offer basic, yet clean adjustment, and are more suitable for people who aim to pass most of their clip out-of-doorss. Suites are simple, but include a color telecasting, and an en suite bathroom. In general nevertheless, as the star evaluation lessenings, the installations and services besides decrease in figure, and perchance in quality. Although there may be certain hiccoughs in the services rendered due to human variableness, cleanliness can non endure the same destiny. Strict wellness ordinances should be abided by and enforced by wellness governments on a regular footing to guarantee that hotel operators are giving adequate importance to cleanliness. Cleanliness is so of import that Trip Advisor features it as one of the chief classs which can be rated together with service, location, suites, sleep quality and value for money. Guests can besides endorse up their cleanliness claims with blunt exposures. However, hotel comfortss and services frequently do differ from state to state, every bit good as from trade name to trade name, even within the same finish. As with all companies, it is finally up to the people running the constitutions to populate up to their star evaluations, or more suitably in today s markets, exceed them. Motels and invitee houses A motel is basically a little hotel which is specifically designed for expressway travelers. They originated in the United States when motor trips were going the norm. After a twenty-four hours of traveling, people needed a convenient topographic point to pass the dark before acquiring back on the route. Presently, one of the most popular motel ironss is Motel 6, which has more than 1000 constitutions in North America and Canada, and is run by the international Accor Hotels group. Similarly to motels, invitee houses besides provide a comparatively low-cost alternate to other adjustment. However, unlike motels, guesthouses offer adjustment on a bed and breakfast footing, where the house proprietors would fix a simple homemade breakfast for their invitees. Some travelers specifically opt for themed guesthouses, such as those which are said to be haunted. Camping Parkss, caravanning and Lodges Camping Parkss and Lodges give people the chance to bask nature and the out-of-doorss, an activity which is going progressively rare as people surround themselves with engineering. Caravans and household sized motor vehicles are most normally used by groups of friends or household members for bivouacing trips. Sir oliver lodges are typically found in wooded countries, mountain scopes, or ski resorts, and vary in quality, runing from comparatively basic to more upscale adjustment. They may take the signifier of a group of cabins with common installations or as lone cabins with dedicated installations, which are all popular options for household trips, or romantic pickups. Self-catering flats Self providing flats have become popular as they offer greater flexibleness, even though there is frequently the demand to cook and clean. They besides offer more of a homely atmosphere than motels or hotels as they consist of a kitchen, populating room, and dining country. Renting an flat may really good salvage clients money, particularly if they plan to pass most of the clip out-of-doorss. The high paying tourer may lease a epicurean Villa for a few yearss and engage their ain pantryman, whilst the mean household may make up ones mind to cook for themselves and bask passing their difficult earned money elsewhere. Cruise ships Cruise ships originally catered for the wealthy, nevertheless as costs were lowered and new concern schemes were created, they are now more low-cost to the mean income earner. Companies normally offer long-haul to short-haul sails, some of which are all inclusive and others such as easyCruise which requires frequenters to pay as they go. One would normally happen a huge choice of high quality nutrients on board, largely in buffet signifier. Providing suppliers Catering is cardinal to the success of the touristry and cordial reception industries. It is so of import that providing mercantile establishments can be found in topographic points runing from metropolis Centres and hotels to boats, trains and air hoses. Restaurants The bill of fare, music, atmosphere and pricing are the most important factors in finding which eating house to take. There are eating houses which cater for different demands, runing from low-cost takeawaies to high category and sole constitutions. Restaurants form an built-in portion of a tourer s vacation, some of whom would see the same eating house twenty-four hours after twenty-four hours if it is to their liking, whilst others may make up ones mind to see a different eating house each twenty-four hours. Chain eating houses offer tourists a sense of fiscal security. Tourists know that McDonalds in Portugal will offer the same merchandises as McDonalds in the United Kingdom. On the other manus, when it comes to non-chain eating houses it tends to be less simple. Tourists would frequently see eating houses based on recommendations made by the staff at the concierge of their hotel, from locals, or Trip adviser. Generally one would normally happen providing constitutions to accommodate all gustatory sensations and pockets. If a finish receives high, medium, and low Spenders, so there must be constitutions which cater specifically for them. The top eating houses in the universe are normally Michelin accredited, which is perchance the most olympian of all international eating house awards. A eating house can get a upper limit of three Michelin stars, intending that it is about immaculate in footings of service, nutrient quality and the overall atmosphere. Cafe Cafes used to specialize in hot drinks such as teas and javas. However, they have developed to a great extent since so and now offer a assortment of bites and nutrient offerings. As cafes addition in popularity, they tend to add more to their bill of fare to increase their client base. Cafes are going so popular that McDonalds now has its really ain McCafe, which was established to perchance vie with the likes of Starbucks or other international coffeehouse. Outside catering Cordial reception caterers are of great importance for major events such as conferences, after parties and exhibitions, which attract people from all over the universe. It is up to the organizers to guarantee that all of the participants are prepared to jointly present an unforgettable and alone experience. 5 star hotels are normally chosen for big events as they can afford to strike better balances between quality and monetary value than other lower rated hotels or providing constitutions. Theaters, cinemasand shopping composites. Traveling to the film or theater is frequently non finish without a bite or a drink. It has become usage to hold something to eat or imbibe when watching your front-runner movie or drama. Most films have their really ain bite bars, which serve drinks and bites such as Zea mays evertas and nachos. In Portugal for case, the major shopping composites such as Vasco Da Gama, Colombo shopping Centre, and Cascais Shopping in the Lisbon country have their ain film in-house. Located right following to the film entrances one would happen infinite catering constitutions runing from coffeehouse to ticket dining. Motorway service station Motorway service Stationss throughout the universe offer dining options for expressway travelers, most of which have simple coffeehouse which besides offer bites. However, some expressway service Stationss do offer constitutions such as McDonalds for case. Motorway eating houses have proven vastly popular, particularly for people going long distances on major main roads. Rail and ferry catering Railway riders normally have limited or no catering amenities onboard. Costss will doubtless be high and the scope of points available for ingestion would be limited due to the deficiency of infinite on board. Ferries on the other manus are much larger and have a batch more infinite to comfortably sit frequenters. A figure of dining countries can be provided onboard, nevertheless coffeehouse and bite bars are still the most executable. In-flight catering Space on an aircraft is even more limited, so repasts are normally reduced to two sorts of dishes on rider planes. AirMalta for case has for the past several old ages licensed Corinthia Hotels International as their official supplier of in-flight nutrient. Food parts are frequently little and specially packed to protect the nutrient from force per unit area buildup. The repasts are pre-heated and stored in little compartments in the kitchen country of the aircraft. First category circulars do sometimes hold the option to choose their ain repast, but these services are evidently reflected in the high menus. Task 2- Explain the interrelatedness between cordial reception, and travel and touristry administrations Hospitality administrations are some of the most of import service suppliers to the travel and touristry industry. Whether for leisure or for concern, people do pass a important sum of clip at their hotel, peculiarly if it is of a luxury position. Guests would intelligibly desire to harvest the benefits offered by their hotel, peculiarly for the premium monetary values paid. Package vacations The function of cordial reception in bundle vacations is really important. Hotels which are included in bundle vacations finally depend on the monetary value paid for the bundle. If person opts for a budget bundle, so one would non anticipate 5 star adjustment, but more realistically some signifier of 3 star or perchance 4 star adjustment. Popular vacation bundles are frequently aggregate purchased, so clients would profit from good hotel rates and air hose ticket monetary values. Hotels besides have particular understandings with single travel agents, offering particular rates to their companies in return for a guaranteed flow of clients from their terminal. Customers may choose for adjustment on room merely footing, bed and breakfast, half board, or more seldom, full board footing. Travel agent representatives on a regular basis check up on their clients at their hotel to guarantee that they are holding a pleasant clip. They besides discuss any jobs that they have been sing throughout the continuance of their stay, and acquire them sorted consequently. All inclusive bundles are besides available but do non offer clients the flexibleness of other bundles. Such bundles would include everything that is needed for the whole stay such as repasts, drinks, hotel, Tourss, and all other demands. Customers who opt for these bundles would normally pass most of their clip within the resort as most of their activities would be based at that place. Aviation The Airline industry s success depends really much on adjustment handiness. Airlines may lose out on concern if hotels are at full capacity. This is a serious job for air hoses winging to little finishs such as Malta, as there have been cases where all hotels on the island were to the full booked. Major air hoses must therefore analyse state of affairss sing bed handiness, and take flight times and yearss consequently. Cordial reception is besides present onboard air hoses in the signifier of catering, every bit good as kiping agreements. Budget air hoses offer nutrient and drinks at excess cost, whilst higher category air hoses frequently offer all inclusive nutrient and drinks, even to those paying for economic system seating. Some extremist epicurean air hoses even have lean backing seats which turn into beds, every bit good as Ag service dining and a centrally located saloon, where clients can take what to eat and imbibe. Business travel Business people specifically opt for hotels which are equipped with the necessary installations to work comfortably. They search for hotels with concern Centres, Wifi or overseas telegram cyberspace entree, meeting suites and conference countries, every bit good as other services such as 24 hr wash and dry cleansing. They may besides seek to suit in some clip for leisure, peculiarly in between meetings, where they would either spend clip by the pool, at the watering place, or out and about. However, due to the nature of concern travel this is non ever possible. The same goes for providing constitutions. Business people opt for some of the best eating houses in order to affect concern associates or clients. They make usage of the money supplied to them by their companies, so they can afford to take high category eating houses to attach to their luxury adjustment. Globalization has brought about a turning demand for concern related travel, and this will doubtless turn even further as finishs become more affiliated. Budget air hoses have besides made concern travel a batch more low-cost to companies, nevertheless, some companies believe that winging concern category would maintain their repute integral. Business category was basically developed for concern people who required infinite to work. Emerging finishs such as India and China are going hot spots for concern travel, and international companies from around the universe are interested in puting up subdivisions at that place. Their industries are turning faster than any other, and certain companies do non wish to lose out on any chances to increase their market portion and profitableness. Conferences and exhibitions Conferences and exhibitions are besides important for national and international travel and touristry industries. For case, between the 29th of August and the 4th of September, Malta welcomed its largest of all time conference, hosting 5000 delegates who were invited to the annual Oriflame conference, each of which stayed at 4 and 5 star hotels. In entire, 8 million Euros were injected into the local economic system, largely through adjustment costs. Outside caterers, chiefly from hotels, were chosen to fix nutrient for all of the delegates. Conference attendants are frequently hosted at the hotel at which the event is taking topographic point. Exhibitions offer consumers the possibility to see merchandises or services before buying them. The International Tourism Bourse ( ITB ) is an international exhibition which attracts exhibitioners from around the universe. Companies, administrations and NTOs showcase their new offerings and constructs to other people from the field. Such events attract 1000s of people from around the universe, profiting legion hotels in the events margin. Visitor attractive forces A visitant attractive force is anything which gets people speaking or that is of involvement to visitants, tourers and others. Attractions may take the signifier of manmade creative activities such as museums and subject Parkss, or natural attractive forces such as natural Parkss. On the other manus, some sites happen to be of involvement to people merely because of the activities taking topographic point at that place, and non because the existent topographic point hosting the event is of any involvement. Subject Parkss are perchance the most popular visitant attractive forces, jointly seeing 1000000s of visitants on a annual footing. Disneyland happens to be one of the universe s most popular flagship attractive forces, and can be found in the United States, France, Japan and China. Most theme Parkss house their ain eating houses and coffeehouse, where households can bask a repast and so acquire back to holding merriment. However, Disneyland Paris goes a few stairss farther by holding two hotels at the resort, which frequently feature in bundle vacations and are vastly popular. Task3- Describe integrating within the cordial reception industry Integration foremost gained popularity in the 1900 s, when concerns focused on making economic systems of graduated table, through which they were able to profit from lower operating costs. When companies provide their ain merchandises or services through in-house attempts, outsourcing is no longer required, hence salvaging the company money in the long tally. Through such integrating companies are besides able to increase their planetary presence and increase their market portion. Vertical integrating Vertical integrating is a procedure through which a company buys another company in the distribution concatenation, or enters a amalgamation understanding. This is chiefly done to maximize profitableness and benefit from lower operating costs. It is traditionally characterised by forward, backwards and sidelong integrating. One of the most followed and good documented episodes of perpendicular integrating was that of the Carnegie Steel fabricating company in the United States. It had complete control over the distribution concatenation including the Fe mines, steel Millss, railwaies, coal mines and the ovens required to organize the steel. The company placed economic systems of graduated table at the top of its docket, and even focused on holding people trained internally instead than using foreigners. Barriers to entry will develop, restricting competition in the market place. Companies may derive control of providers such as adjustment and transit suppliers to farther bound possible competition. If monopolistic behavior develops through broad graduated table integrating, authorities bureaus will interfere and put limitations because competition is cardinal for bettering quality in the services industry. Forward perpendicular integrating is a procedure through which a company merges with another company farther along in the distribution concatenation. For case, a hotel concatenation may make up ones mind to purchase its ain travel bureau or circuit operator in order to spread out into other markets. Hotels frequently strike understandings with travel agents and circuit operators, supplying particular room rates and offers for clients brought to them. Backward Vertical integrating is when a company purchases one of its providers and makes proper usage of its inputs for the benefit of the administration. A circuit operator may buy an air hose company or a hotel, as they are both providers of services which are important to the bundle industry. TUI AG has over the class of its development created the TUI Hotels and Resorts trade name, which owns and runs hotel trade names such as Robinson, Magic life, Iberotel, Grecotel, Riu and Grupotel, numbering 243 hotels around the universe. It has late embarked on an wholly new undertaking for the company, the first TUI branded hotel. The TUI Hotel Kaluga has 136 luxury suites and 74 flats, and is targeted specifically at concern people. Lateral integrating on the other manus requires the amalgamation of two administrations which may hold indirectly related merchandises and services ; nevertheless they need non be in direct competition with one another. The three types of perpendicular integrating give a sum-up of possible schemes which may be adopted as companies frequently make usage of different discrepancies of these schemes. Horizontal integrating Horizontal integrating is of import for companies which want to spread out their client base, benefit from economic systems of graduated table and above all, maximise profitableness. It occurs when a company purchases or merges with a company at the same phase of the distribution concatenation. A fitting illustration of this occurred last August when Hilton hotels international purchased a hotel at the Walt Disney World Resort for ˆ92,202,465. Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen late formed a pool for the production of their 107, C1 and Aygo cars, which are all based on the same shared platform, engines and hardware. The three companies shared their cognition and resources to accomplish a common end. Although this illustration is non straight related to the cordial reception industry, these autos have helped auto rental companies increase their gross revenues by a important border in Europe because tourers find them low-cost to lease, environmentally friendly, dependable, and merriment to drive. Horizontal integrating can besides be complementary in nature as opposed to competitory. Airlines frequently work closely with hotel ironss, harvesting some of the benefits which are offered by amalgamations without the existent hazards. Such relationships are seeable in the pick of air hoses made by hotels for their air hose stat mis schemes. Airlines gather informations from hotels to seek and do their flight agendas correspond with adjustment handiness ; nevertheless this is non ever possible due to the dynamism and complexness of the cordial reception and travel industries. To avoid letdown, the bulk of tourers book their adjustment beforehand to guarantee that they have their suites available upon reaching. Deductions of integrating on the cordial reception sector. Branding A Brand name entirely may raise up certain feelings or emotions related to personal experiences with the trade name. As with all industries, the success of the touristry industry depends on the stigmatization techniques adopted by all the key participants, and how good they can present their messages to aim markets. It is important that clients are able to tie in themselves with such trade names, and frailty versa. Trade names frequently aim to do their loyal clients see their merchandises or services as an extension of their personality or character. For case, if a group of concern people check in to the Sheraton Pine Cliffs hotel in the Algarve, they would anticipate the same check-in processs, concern comfortss and munificent luxuries as any other Sheraton hotel. Anything different for the money paid would frequently be unacceptable. Merely like Sheraton, Westin besides belongs to Starwood Hotels and Resorts. It is an upscale trade name which caters for all kinds of clients who are after epicurean adjustment. It has top category comfortss for concern people, and all the luxuries that twosomes would anticipate for that romantic pickup. It besides happens to be the most household oriented trade name within the Starwood group, offering installations where kids can play under changeless supervising. The life squad at the Westin Dragonara Resort in Malta frequently organises activities during the twenty-four hours, such as Sony drama station tourneies for adolescents, or synergistic games and other merriment activities for kids. Westin hotels around the universe besides have a kids s check-in point at response to do them experience every bit of import as their accompanying grownups. All of the above constructs are an built-in portion of the company s stigmatization scheme. Coupled with other factors, kids may utilize their positive experiences to act upon their parents into sing that same hotel clip and clip once more. Market control and integrating between larger administrations Some of the UK s major circuit operators have purchased hotels overseas to increase their planetary presence and profitableness. By making so, they are able to command their hotel rates to their advantage, perchance conveying more low-cost bundles to their clients whilst increasing their gross revenues. Although this sort of activity is good to the company, it can be damaging to smaller companies in the industry. Integration between big administrations doubtless poses a menace to smaller administrations, and it is inevitable that employees and their households will endure as the larger administrations take over. Although frequently unfortunate, travel and touristry basically depends on the endurance of the fittest, the companies which are able to offer the best balance between quality, measure and value for money. In certain cases, the growing of the Internet is restricting the potency of forward integrating, peculiarly when it comes to vacation bundles. It has thrown some travel agents out of concern, as they did non hold the necessary financess to switch their physical operations to practical platforms. The morning of dynamic packaging was besides a major menace to these companies, so much so that UK circuit operators are in the procedure of shuting down retail mercantile establishments to concentrate more on cyberspace merchandising. Although possible clients will profit from lower costs over the cyberspace, this can present a grave menace to society as 1000s of people may endure from unemployment. Direct merchandising over the cyberspace is widely employed by hotels that have their ain online booking systems. This makes the reserves process a batch simpler, cheaper, and less clip devouring for possible invitees, every bit good as for hotels. However, a reserves squad is still required for those engagements which are made straight with the hotel over the phone or at the forepart desk. Some people feel more comfy doing physical payments because they may non wish to supply their personal inside informations over the cyberspace. Or they may merely bask the human interaction. Increased globalization After a company expands successfully in its finish of beginning, abroad markets are frequently following in line. Globalization is the consequence of a aggregation of enlargements, which can be analysed from an internal and external position. A company will confront internal globalization whereby its employees from around the universe will develop relationships with one another. External globalization is when squad members interact with clients from all over the universe. Social networking web sites besides allow for such communicating to happen. Companies frequently create their ain histories on web sites such as Facebook and Twitter, through which squad members and loyal clients from around the universe can fall in in and prosecute in treatments. Globalization has besides made manner for a drastic decrease in trade barriers, peculiarly within the European Union. EU states frequently benefit from lower priced merchandises and services when trade occurs within the Euro zone. This benefits adjustment and providing suppliers to a great extent, peculiarly when buying in majority. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is doubtless one of the most powerful international hotel and leisure ironss. It has had enormous success through its integrating undertakings over the last old ages. In the twelvemonth 2005 it acquired the Le Meridien trade name and its full portfolio, which amounted to 130 hotels and resorts internationally. This acquisition has increased Starwood s client base to a great extent with extremist smart belongingss in Africa, Europe, the Middle East every bit good as the Asian Pacific, and many more to come. Starwood s preferable invitee programme has besides benefitted Le Meridien s loyal invitees as they have entree to over 700 finishs as a consequence of the coup detat. Mr. Steven J. Heyer, who at the clip occupied the place of CEO at Starwood, believed that the acquisition of Le Meridien was a really exciting development for the Starwood trade name. Le Meridien hotels are located in finishs where Starwood had small to no presence prior to the coup detat. The Le Meridien trade name provided the company with another exciting undertaking to attach to their recent Aloft hotel trade name. Since Starwood s coup detat, The Le Meridien trade name has been come oning steadily with widespread betterments in grosss and growing. Le Meridien Balluta in Malta happens to be one of Malta s top five 5 stars belongingss, and it is steadily working its manner up. It began operations in the twelvemonth 2004, merely one twelvemonth prior to the trade name s coup detat by Starwood. Impacts of integrating Economies of graduated table and market portion Operating costs can be reduced significantly when companies integrate. If a circuit operator takes over a hotel, the cost associated with investing would be high, nevertheless the benefits reaped by offering a wider assortment of merchandises or services can be seen instantly. In this instance, integrating would let the circuit operator to cut down its dependence on other adjustment suppliers as most operations can be taken attention of within company parametric quantities. The more reputable hotels the circuit operator is willing and able to put in, the more good it will be from an operating cost base point. The circuit operator may take down the costs of its bundles and pass the benefits onto the consumers. With the right schemes in topographic point, market portion will increase and profitableness will be maximised. Through horizontal integrating, companies can widen their bing client base, whilst through perpendicular integrating companies can come in new markets and pull an wholly different client base. Standardization Standardization is a complex and clip devouring procedure, peculiarly in an industry which involves so many variables. Automated procedures can most surely be standardised, nevertheless it is a batch more hard to standardize the human component, albeit non being impossible. For case, McDonald s eating houses throughout the universe have had their procedures standardised. Whichever finish one visits, the processs which employees follow are close indistinguishable, and the same goes for the nutrient. The company tends to be extremely efficient, clip oriented, predictable and commanding over its procedures and work force. Standardization can be possible in hotels, nevertheless it is limited. The manner in which a telephone operator answers the phone can be standardised, and so can the manner in which invitees are greeted upon check-in. Variability will ever be an issue, as the different sections within a company are run by different forces, who each have their ain criterions and ways of covering with state of affairss. Quality It is non guaranteed that quality will better through integrating. As ever, it depends on how variable the human component is. If a hotel is taken over by another, it does non intend that the new proprietor will hold a better attack towards bettering quality. Employees may non acquire along with their new foremans because they believe that the attack being adopted towards bettering quality is non executable or practical, hence doing the hazard of mistake greater. It is hence important that the direction of any administration does non choose for a rigorous top-down bureaucratism. Management must listen to what employees have to state because they are the people who are in changeless contact with clients, and they know precisely what clients are anticipating from the administration. Hotels within the same hotel concatenation besides face such jobs, even though it is at the top of their docket to offer quality services throughout. General decision Catering and adjustment suppliers keep the travel and touristry industry alive as few people would hold the inducement to go if there are non any nice topographic points to eat and kip. There are hotels and eating houses which cater for different mark markets. Business people may necessitate a concern oriented hotel which offers all of the necessary comfortss for concern communications, whilst a household may choose for a resort puting where they can pass most of their clip relaxing by the pool. The different hotel star evaluations provide possible invitees with an array of adjustment suppliers to accommodate their pockets. If they do non wish to remain at a hotel, they may so choose for a motel whish offers standard adjustment at really low rates, a invitee house which offers a homely scene and place cooked repasts, or a Lodge, where invitees can loosen up and profit from the fresh outdoor air. The cordial reception industry must work hand-in-hand with the travel and touristry industry to supply tourers with a seamless experience, where all constituents must be carefully planned to offer the best value for money. It is when such coactions fail that people will take other administrations, or worse, other finishs. It is hence in the best involvement of any administration that communicating between join forcesing parties is clear and precise. Integration is inevitable for some administrations which aim to spread out their concerns. It gives them control over suppliers at different or the same phases of the distribution concatenation, with the purpose of increasing market portion, cut downing operating costs, bettering quality and maximizing profitableness. Companies integrate as it is frequently less hazardous than get downing up new companies, as most systems would already be in topographic point. It will besides take clip for people to develop a sense of trust for a company that has merely started up. ______________________________________________________________________________

International Business Organisation Management Report Essay

International Business Organisation Management Report - Essay Example The Bunnings Group Ltd is Australia and New Zealand's leading retailer of home and garden improvement products and is also a major supplier of building products. Its home building section especially targets small - medium builders. It became a public company in 1952 and in 1994 Wesfarmers acquired it. (Bunnings Warehouse Property Trust - BWPT website, 2006). The trust was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) in September 1998. The BWPT properties are on long-term leased to Bunnings Pty Ltd. typically for a period of 10 - 15 years. (BWPT History Overview 2006) 2001 was the year of extensive growth for Bunnings as Wesfarmers took over Howard Smith Ltd, which resulted in Bunnings fully integrating Howard Smith's Australia and New Zealand's BBC hardware operations known as Hardwarehouse, BBC and Benchmark. The Bunnings brand was to replace all three previous brands (Wesfarmers website 2006). Bunning's is in the pursuit of sustainability within their operations by striving to making the operations socially responsible, environmentally aware and economically viable. Bunnings took shape in 1886 when Arthur & Robert arrived in Perth, WA from London and soon won a government building contract and soon founded the group of companies known as Bunnings Bros Pty Ltd. The company has since seen many milestones. In 1952, Bunnings became a public company and expanded into retail. In 1994 Wesfarmers Ltd., one of Australia's largest public companies acquired Bunnings and Wesfarmers has given an able leadership and direction to the company. All the departments and divisions are being managed very professionally with. Organisational Structure Bunnings is structured around a team-based belief in providing the best service alongside the widest range of home improvements at the lowest prices. On a company level, they are structured to pursue sustainability in all its departments and through all their supplier relationships. A manager is manages the trust which in turn is run by a board of directors. These directors and management control the general everyday activities of the business. The management chain goes down to the state manager followed by the regional manager and then individual store managers. A store manager controls the business which has his/her group of employees broken into teams depending on their department or specialty. For example, there may be up to 5 different teams, with a team leader in control of the employees of that team. The team leader has an important role as he/she has to manage and motivate the employees. Each Bunning's store has a strong emphasis on teamwork and each employee is valued in the business. A key factor that all team leaders have at every Bunnings warehouse stores is that they have "reward power". This is where they have the ability as a manager to give or withhold tangible and intangible rewards such as pay rises, bonuses and verbal praise. As a result members of the organisation are more motivated to perform at a higher level; managers will have a highly motivated workforce as efforts are appreciated. This is a fine example of the 'path goal theory' model. Bunnings Encourages empowerment by expanding employee's tasks and responsibilities, giving employees authority to take decisions, be responsible for their outcomes, improve quality, and cuts costs - and provide feedback

Dolphins are human Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Dolphins are human - Term Paper Example This is in regard to scientific evidence which supports the caring of dolphins. White’s philosophy revolves around the life of dolphins, their biological make up, intelligence capability, and the scientific research that has been conducted to support the argument that dolphins are persons. This means that just as human beings have rights so do dolphins. Through scientific experiments that have been conducted by researches, both the scientists and philosophers try to discover whether dolphins portray the same character as that demanded of a person. Personhood in this case is associated with the combination of multiple traits essential for human beings. Human beings have been known to possess certain unique qualities and characters which greatly differentiate them from other animals. For instance, human beings have the ability to speak, express, and construct ideas (Dolphins deserve same rights as humans). This lacks among major animals. In this essence, the main question to add ress is whether dolphins can attain the status of personhood. White in his book identified the main features that are essential for one to attain the status of personhood. Among the traits he established were intelligence, awareness, ability to recognize people, controlled behavior, the ability to construct ideas and concepts and emotional self-consciousness. This demonstrated that he was more concerned with the status of dolphins as persons (White 198). The issue of self awareness and consciousness justifies the idea that dolphins are humans and should be treated like persons. Due to this, they have a right to life and should not be submitted to servitude or captivity. Scientists discovered that dolphins are among the most intelligent non-humans through experiments conducted which established that dolphins have higher brain capacity coming second after humans. They are in a position to clearly understand and analyze concepts. Their intelligence is also associated with the ability t o handle difficult tasks which other animals are incapable of. It has been proven by scientists that dolphins are able to do things which are beyond human understanding. For instance, it was noted among the earlier sailors that they were very helpful to sailors who lost their way. They normally maintain a very close relationship with human beings and they are also capable of communicating their feelings to human beings. Their biological senses make them more advanced than human beings. They also have the ability to sense danger from afar and in this case have their unique ways of dealing with challenges. The ability to cure ailments is attributed to supernatural forces and doctors in major societies. In this regard, dolphins have been established to possess a supernatural power of curing ailments. This has made it difficult for humans to understand their true nature. It is estimated that dolphins take great care of one another especially when one is injured or killed. Once in Icelan d, fishermen could be directed on where to place their nets by dolphins and they were able to also communicate their needs and how they felt to others. It was observed that they are also were capable of recognizing themselves in the mirror and research has proved that they are able to focus and think about the future (Camosy 99). Dolphins should be considered persons as they have a combination of different traits which enhances this argument on the reason why they should be

Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Psychology - Essay Example In that context the recent usage of scare tactics by some sections of the corporate world, media and politicians is an apt example of the usage of psychology knowledge and knowhow to influence public opinion and approach. The Health Debate It is a known fact that the healthcare is an issue of debate in the current American politics. The Obama administration wants to reform the healthcare system. However, there do exist people in the American political and corporate life who do not want these reforms to succeed. These people want the American people to oppose the healthcare reforms. These people are using the psychological weapon of scare tactics to make the people afraid of reforms and thereby oppose them (NPR, 2009). They are spreading the word that the reforms will make the healthcare system like the way it was during the Great Depression, when only the rich afforded medical care (NPR, 2009). In fact the opponents of health reforms are going as far as to claim that the system that these reforms will create will be somewhat like the health system existing in the communist countries. Some of them have gone as far as to say that the proposed reforms intend to convert the American democracy into a communist system. Thereby, by associating healthcare reforms with something bad that happened in the past or something that people hate and are scared of, these people are trying to scare the masses about the present reforms. This may cause some people to oppose the reforms (NPR, 2009). To put it simply, the opponents of healthcare reforms are using scare tactics. Psychological Importance The psychological importance of the media event under consideration is that it clearly shows the exploitation of psychological tactics by a section of the American politics, corporate life and media to scare people regarding the proposed health reforms and to make them go against the proposed reforms. The psychological weapon used by these opponents of the health reforms to subvert pub lic opinion is popularly known as the scare tactics. Scare Tactics Scare tactics is a psychological weapon that has been used by people since ages. It is based on the simple fact that fear is the most common human emotion. The human brain tends to remember the things or incidents that cause fear. In future when a person comes across a thing or incident that reminds him of the past incident that caused fear, the person responds to this stimulus by getting scared (Goleman, 1996). Suppose a person at some time in one’s life came across a poisonous snake and got scared. Then at some other time in the future the same person came across a rope lying in the dark. That person’s brain may associate that rope with the snake and may cause him to get scared, irrespective of the fact that the rope is not the snake. The use of this psychological phenomenon to achieve results in politics and social life is commonly known as scare tactics. Scientific Explanation of Scare Tactics The p art of the brain that stores the facts pertaining to past incidents and objects is the hippocampus. In contrast the part of the brain that stores the emotions associated with the past incidents and objects is called amygdale. For example if a person comes across a car accident, it is the hippocampus that stores the facts associated with the accident like the stretch of road on which the accident

Incentives For Blue And White Collar Workers

Incentives For Blue And White Collar Workers The term incentive has been used both in the restricted sense of participation and in the widest sense of financial motivation. The concept of incentive implies increased willingness or motivation to work and not the capacity to work. It refers to all the plans that provide extra pay for extra performance in addition to regular wages for a job. Under this programme, the income of an individual, a small group, a plant work-force or all the employees of a firm are partially or wholly related to some measure of productive output. Wage incentives are extra financial motivation. They are designed to stimulate human effort by rewarding the person, over and above the time-rated remuneration, for -improvements in the present or targeted results. Basically, the wage incentive implies a system of payment under which the amount payable to a person is linked with his output. Such a payment may also be called payment by results. MEANING AND DEFINITION Incentives are monetary benefits paid to workmen in recognition of their outstanding performance. An incentive scheme is a plan or programmes to motivate individual or group performance. An incentive programme is most frequently built on monetary rewards (incentive pay or monetary bonus), but may also include a variety of non-monetary rewards or prizes. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) refers to incentives as payment by results but it is appropriate to call them incentive systems of payment emphasising the point of motivation that is the imparting of incentives to workers for higher production and productivity. Unlike wages and salaries which are relatively fixed, incentives generally vary from individual to individual, and from period to period for the same individual. CLASSIFICATION OF INCENTIVES Incentives can be classified into: (i) direct compensation, and (ii) indirect compensation. Direct compensation includes the basic salary or wage that the individual is entitled to for his job, overtime-work and holiday premium, bonuses based on performance, profit sharing and opportunities to purchase stock options, etc. Indirect compensation includes protection programmes (insurance plans, pensions), pay for time not worked, services and perquisites. Also incentives may broadly be classified into monetary and non-monetary. Monetary incentives have an important contribution to make within the total motivation pattern. They provide extra-financial motivation, by rewarding the worker over and above his regular remuneration for performing more than the targeted work. Some of the financial motivations are overtime wages, higher basic wages, incentive bonus, merit increments, suggestion rewards; various allowances, promotion and fringe benefits. Some of the non-financial incentives are good human relations, self-respect, recognition, status, sense of belonging, appreciation, higher responsibility, greater authority, job satisfaction, improved working conditions, greater leisure, etc. All these motivate workers to raise their productivity. ILO classifies incentive schemes into four categories: (i) schemes in which earnings vary in proportion to output, (ii) schemes where earnings vary proportionately less than output, (iii) schemes where earnings vary proportionately more than output, and (iv) schemes where earnings differ at different levels of output. Incentives have also been classified into individual, group and organisation-wide. In an individual incentive plan, the rewards of incentives are based solely on individual performance. It is the extra compensation paid to an individual over a specified amount for his production effort. Such a system is feasible only where an individual can increase the quantity and quality of his output by his own individual efforts and where his output can be measured. The payment is normally on a monthly basis, though in a few cases it may be quarterly or other convenient periods. The standards of performance have been set by a qualified industrial engineering analyst, using technically sound work measurement procedures. The rewards under this plan are almost always immediate, that is, paid daily or weekly. The advantages of individual wage incentive plans are relatively obvious and straightforward. First and foremost, the individual incentive plan rewards the individual for his or her production. The more the worker produces, the more the worker earns. Second, the individual incentives appeal to the basic need for money found in most people. Almost everyone will work harder, up to a point, when there is a justifiable reason to believe that increased productivity will bring about a personal gain. Although individual wage incentives have advantages, there are also limitations. Individual wage incentives work best with jobs that are primarily operator-controlled. They may also lead to labour problems. Incentives, because they reward production levels, can lead to quality problems. Safeguards must be taken to ensure that quality is not sacrificed for quantity. It is the output of the group rather than that of each individual member of the group that can be measured most conveniently or accurately. Group or area incentive schemes provide for the payment of a bonus either equally or proportionately to individuals within a group or area. The bonus is related to the output achieved over an agreed standard or to the time saved on the job the difference between allowed time and actual time. Such schemes may be most appropriate: (a) where people have to work together and team work has to be encouraged; and (b) where high levels of production depend a great deal on the co-operation existing among a team of workers as compared with the individual efforts of team members. Group bonuses are calculated on the basis of the output of the team and are divided among the members either equally or in specified proportions, with more being given to skilled employees than to those who are unskilled. Group incentives are usually applied to small teams and the rewards are based on the performance of the entire group. The bonuses are often much larger than individual wage incentives. Group incentiv e plans, since they evaluate overall performance, are applicable to a wide variety of tasks. Sometimes, however, they are applied to all workers of a department or even of a whole undertaking. One of the disadvantages of group incentive plan is that there is a possibility of ignoring the individual performance as the rewards are based on group performance. In large groups it is often inevitable that there will be slackers who can disrupt the functioning of the whole group. Some of the advantages of group incentive plans are: Better co-operation among workers Less supervision Reduced incidence of absenteeism Reduced clerical work Shorter training time. The disadvantages of group incentive plans are: An efficient worker may be penalised for the inefficiency of the other members in the group The incentive may not be strong enough to serve its purpose Rivalry among the members of the group defeats the very purpose of team work and cooperation. The organisation-wide incentive system involves co-operation and collective effort of the employees and management in order to accomplish broader organisational objectives, such as: (i) to reduce labour, material and supply costs; (ii) to decrease turnover and absenteeism; (iii) to strengthen employee loyalty to the company; (iv) to promote harmonious labour management relations. One of the aspects of the scheme is profit-sharing under which an employee receives a share of the profit fixed in advance under an agreement freely entered into. Some of the advantages of such a scheme are: (i) it inculcates in employees a sense of economic discipline as regards wage costs and productivity; (ii) it engenders improved communication and increased sense of participation; (iii) it is relatively simple and its cost of administration is low; and (iv) it is non-inflationary, if properly devised. MERITS AND DEMERITS Everything has its merits and demerits. In the same way incentive has also some advantages and disadvantages. MERITS 1. Motivation: The primary advantage of incentives is the inducement and motivation of workers for higher efficiency and greater output. It may not be difficult to get people for fixed wages and salaries. 2. Removes fear of Insecurity: With fixed remuneration, it is difficult to motivate workers to give better performance. Fixed remuneration removes fear of insecurity in the minds of employees. 3. Improves Standard of Living: Earnings of employees would be enhanced due to incentives. There are instances where incentive earnings exceed two to three times that of the time rated wages or salaries. Increased earnings would enable the employees to improve their standard of living. 4. Increase in Productivity: There will be reduction in the total as well as per unit of cost of production through incentives. Productivity would increase resulting in greater number of units produced for given inputs. This would bring down the total and unit cost of production. The production capacity is also likely to increase. The other advantages of incentive payments are: reduced supervision, better utilisation of equipment, reduced scrap; reduced lost time, reduced absenteeism and turnover and increased output. Furthermore, systems of payment by results would, if accompanied by organisation and work measurement, enable firms to estimate labour costs more accurately, than under the system of payment by time. This would facilitate the application of cost control techniques like standard costing and budgetary control. On the other hand, systems of payment by results may have disadvantages. There is a tendency for the quality of products to deteriorate unless steps are taken to ensure maintenance of quality through checking and inspection. This involves added expenses. Difficulties may arise over the introduction of new machines or methods. Workers may oppose such introduction for fear that new piece of bonus rates set may yield lower earnings; or when new machines or methods are introduced, they may slacken their rate of work. Another disadvantage is that jealousies may arise among workers because some are able to earn more than others. One of the greatest difficulties with the incentive systems is in the setting of piece or bonus rates. Rate fixing involves delicate problems of judgment in which there is always a risk of error. If rates are set too low, workers are bound to be dissatisfied and will be under pressure to work very hard. If rates are set too high, workers may slacken their efforts at times and employers may not take recourse to revision of rates because the earnings are too high. Difficulty also arises in determining standard performance. Many organisations follow a safe route to fix the standards which is usually the average of past years performance. Past performance may not be the ideal basis for fixing production norms. Most of the problems of financial incentives arise either from the inadequacies of the particular system or from incorrect application and insufficient control. In western countries, as also in India, it has now been realised that economic gain has ceased to be a source of motivation and that greater emphasis should be placed on non- economic factors. Many empirical researchers have shown that monetary incentives alone do not bring about the desired motivation. PRE-REQUIS1TES OF EFFECTIVE INCENTIVE SCHEME All things considered, it may be concluded that in many industries or undertakings and for a large group of operations, well designed systems of payment by results shall yield advantages to all concerned. Many of these advantages will be realised provided sufficient safeguards are provided. Such pre-requisites are: The co-operation of workers in the implementation of an incentive scheme is essential. In particular, workers co-operation is necessary wherein: (a) the methods followed in measuring the results or output upon which payment is based; (b) the methods followed in setting wage rates for different classes of work; and (c) appropriate safeguards concerning earnings, job security and settlement of disputes over piece-work rates and allotted time. The scheme must be based on scientific work measurement. The standards set must be realistic and must motivate workers to put in better performance. Workers must be provided with necessary tools, equipments and materials so as to enable them reach their standards. Indirect workers, such as foremen, supervisors, charge hands, helpers, crane operators, canteen staff, store keepers, and clerical staff should also be covered by the incentive schemes. There should be management commitment to the cost and time necessary to administer incentive schemes properly, and these must be carefully assessed before go on an incentive programme. There is greater need for planning. Many incentive schemes, started hurriedly, planned carelessly, and implemented indifferently have failed and have created more problems for the organisation than they have tried to solve. INCENTIVE SYSTEMS Some of major incentive systems are as follows: 1. The Halsey System: This system which was developed by F.A. Halsey. He provides this system for the fixation of a standard time for the completion of the task. For the work done in correct time or more, the actual time rate is paid. Thus, the minimum wage is guaranteed even if the output falls below the standard. If the job is completed in less than the standard time, the worker receives a bonus payment at his time rate for a specific percentage of the time saved. This percentage may vary anywhere from 30 percent to 70 percent, but usually it is fixed at 50 percent (the other 50 percent going to the share of employer). Thus, if a worker does the work in 6 hours against that of 10 hours standard, he gets bonus after 6 hours plus 50 percent of 4 hours, i.e., 2 hours, as bonus. The other 50 percent (2 hours) is shared by the employer. Bonus= Â ½ of Time Saved/ Time Taken* Daily Wage 2. The Rowan System: Under this system also a standard time is allowed for a job, and bonus is similarly paid for any time saved. This plan differs from the Halsey plan only in regard to the determination of the bonus. In all other respects, the two are the same. The premium is calculated on the basis of the proportion which the time saved bears at standard time. Thus, if a worker does work in 6 hours against the 10-hour standard, the wage payable is 6 hours wages plus 40 percent of the wages as bonus. Bonus= Â ½ of Time Saved/ Time Allowed *Time Taken* Hourly Rate 3. The Bedaux Point System: Under this system, the standard time set is divided into a number of points at the rate of one minute per point. The bonus is calculated at 75 percent of the points earned in excess of 60 per hour. Thus, if the standard time is 10 hours and if the worker completes the job in 7 hours and if his hourly rate is 0.96 money units, the standard number of points for completing the job is 600 points. The worker thus earns 600 points in 7 hours. His bonus, therefore, will be 75 percent of 180 x 0.96/60 which is equal to 2.16 money units. If a worker does not reach the standard, he is paid at his time rate. This system is really more than the incentive system, since it enables the management to record the output of any worker of the department in units which show at once if the production is up to the standard the management desires. 4. The Taylor Differential Piece-rate System: This system was introduced by Taylor with two objectives. First, is to give sufficient incentive to workmen to induce them to produce up to their full capacity and Second, to remove the fear of wage cut. There is one rate for those who reach the standard; they are given a higher rate to enable them to get the bonus. The other is the lower rate for those who are below the standard; so that the hope of receiving a higher rate may serve as an incentive to come up to the standard. Workers are expected to do certain units of work within a certain period of time. This standard is determined on the basis of time and motion studies. Such scientific determination assumes that the standard fixed is not unduly high and is within the easy reach of workers. A proper determination of the standard depend the success of the scheme. This system is designed to encourage the especially efficient worker with a higher rate of payment and to penalise the ineff icient by a lower rate of payment. In practice, this plan is seldom used now. 5. Premium and Task Bonuses: It has been devised by Gantt and is the only one that pays a bonus percentage multiplied by the standard time. Under this system, fixed time rate are guaranteed. Output standards and time standards are established for the performance of each job. Workers completing the job within the standard time or in less time receive wages for the standard time plus a bonus which ranges from 20 percent to 50 percent of the time allowed and not time saved. When a worker fails to turn out the required quantity of a product, he simply gets his time rate without any bonus. Its fairness and practical value depends on the reasonableness of the standard fixed and the wages which workers of average ability can earn without having to work at excessive speed and becoming unduly fatigued. 6. The Profit-sharing System: The profit-sharing scheme is based on the same principle as the group system where incentive is related to the collective effort of the group. It is a system freely entered into under which an employer gives to his employees a share the net profits of the enterprise, fixed in advance, in addition to their wages. The essential features of profit-sharing are: (a) that the arrangement is voluntary but based on an agreement between employer and employee; (b) that the amount to be distributed amongst the participants depend upon the profits earned by the enterprise; and (c) that the, proportion of the profits to be distributed is determined well in advance. The aims of profit-sharing plans are: (i) to promote increased effort and output; (ii) to share some gains in the productivity of the firm; (iii) to secure employee co-operation and to achieve industrial harmony; and (d) to strengthen unity of interest and employee loyalty to organisational objectives. The profit-sharing scheme is comparatively easy and less expensive to adopt. In some cases, these schemes have become successful resulting in increased production at a lower cost. There are cases where they have not made any significant contribution towards improving the overall efficiency of the company. To be effective, profit-sharing schemes should be based on the considerations of profitability of industrial units, computation of surplus profit for distribution on an average basis, and fair return on capital invested in an enterprise. It should not be treated as a substitute for adequate wages but provide something extra to the participants. Full support and co-operation of the union is to be obtained in implementing such a scheme. Since the Second World War, profit-sharing has generally grown in importance, especially in those countries which have adopted legislative measures promoting or requiring its use. Thus, in the late 1970s, approximately 310,000 profit- sharing plans were in operation in the United States covering about 9 million wage-earners, or roughly 10 percent of the employed labour force. Mandatory profit-sharing schemes have been introduced in a number of developing countries. Some voluntarily introduced profit-sharing schemes have continued in the United Kingdom for 40 or 50 years. 7. The Scanlon Plan: It is a plant-wide incentive scheme developed by Joseph Scanlon of the United Steelworkers of America in 1927. The basic concept underlying the Scanlon Plan is that efficiency depends upon plant-wide co-operation. The purpose of this incentive plan is to develop teamwork. It has two main aspects: (a) adopting a measure for increased productivity; and (b) sharing the gain accrued from that increased productivity. The objective of the plan is to devise the formula which will most adequately reflect the prospective efforts of workers and management as a whole. The bonus formula is devised to fit the particular operating conditions of the plant. Some of the salient features of the plan are: (a) it encourages group work; (b) there is high flexibility in the generation of decisions and execution of the plan; (c) it integrates the companys objectives with group activity; (d) it involves all the workers in the exercise and they make their maximum personal contribution to the process of production. Earnest Dale has described four degrees of co-operation between labour and management in the Scanlon Plan, namely: (a) information co-operation by gathering information; (b) advisory co-operation through the process of consultation; (c) constructive co-operation by making suggestions for improvement; and (d) joint union-management decision making. Although there have been remarkable successes with the Scanlon Plan, not all applications have worked. Most of the successful applications have been in relatively small plants, one hundred employees or less. The Scanlon Plan seeks to provide the highest order of incentives to the workers by inviting them to offer suggestions and to share decisions with the management for improving productivity and moulding work incentives. 8. The Rucker Plan: The philosophy of the Rucker Plan is similar to the Scanlon Plan, but the bonus computed is based on a more sophisticated basis. There are two major differences between the two plans. The standard under the Rucker Plan is based upon a careful study of accounting records and is not considered bargainable. While the Scanlon Plan rewards only savings in labour costs, the Rucker Plan offers incentives for savings in other areas as well. 9. Merit Rating: Method may be made of merit rating as a form of wage incentive. It presupposes that the workers in a given grade or occupation differ in their efficiency at work in the undertaking. Merit rating is a method of attempting to give recognition to the best Workers by systematic objective standards. Various qualities are listed, such as skill, efficiency, reliability, initiative, care in avoiding accidents, adaptability, co-operation with other workers, and regularity of attendance. Points or gradings are given for each of these qualities, and workers who reach a high level receive an addition to the normal rate of pay for the job. Rating may be done for each year, and workers who had been receiving merit pay may lose a part or whole of it if they do not maintain their rating. Merit rating is usually applied to time- workers, especially in occupations where opportunities for promotion are less. Merit rating should not be confused with job evaluation. Job evaluation is an attempt to measure the worth of the job, irrespective of who does it, while merit rating is an attempt to measure the performance of the individual. WAGE INCENTIVE PLANS Wage incentive plans may be discussed as (i) plans for blue-collar workers (ii) plans for white-collar workers and (iii) plans for managerial personnel. Each of these categories of employees have separate and distinct needs and hence specific tailor- made incentive plans have to be devised to meet their requirements. Therefore, correct measurement of performance for the purpose of incentive payment is very important. The four critical performance indices are: (a) the standard index (b) the reference index (c) the base index and (d) the incentive index. Various wage incentive schemes are formulated on the basis of these indices. 1. INCENTIVE PLANS FOR BLUE COLLAR WORKERS: Short-term incentive plans for blue collar workers may be broadly classified into three categories: (a) Plans under which the rate of extra incentive is in proportion to the extra output; (b) Plans under which the extra incentive is proportionately at a lower rate than the increase in output; (c) Plans under which the rate of incentives is proportionately higher than the rate of increase in output. Every employer wants his workman to do the maximum work they are capable of doing. On the other hand, there is a feeling among the workers that an increasing effort benefits only the employer even when they are employed on a piece-rate basis. The result is that they never produce to their full capacity, and, in most cases, put in the minimum necessary work. This feeling on the part of workers may be removed either through fear or through expectation of gain, it has been found that fear can never produce the desired effect, but a hope of earning a bonus does induce them to work harder and produce more. Incentive plans are, therefore, known as premium plans because they offer a premium for outstanding performance. All bonus or premium plans relate to two factors: one, they set a standard time for the completion of a definite output or piece of work for a fixed wage; two, the fixing of rate of percentage by which bonus would be earned by a worker over and above his set wage, if the standard time is saved or the standard output is exceeded. Indirect workers such as crane operators, charge hands, canteen staff, helpers, security staff, employees in purchasing, sales and accounts, and maintenance staff also deserve incentives at par with direct workers. Such payments are desirable to avoid dissatisfaction and dissension among the workers in a plant. The payment of bonus to indirect workers, however poses a serious problem because the output of many of them cannot be accurately measured. For example, it is extremely difficult to measure the output of maintenance staff, canteen employees, or security personnel, though it is possible to assess the performance of inspectors, sweepers and packers. Much management therefore, prefers to apply a merit rating system to indirect workers, which rewards these workers for other qualities, in addition to their output. 2. INCENTIVE PLANS FOR WHITE COLLAR EMPLOYEES/SALESMEN: The salesmen are usually given incentives in the form of sales commissions. One study reported that almost 75 % of the organisations surveyed paid salesmen on some type of incentive basis. This is due to three factors: (i) the unsupervised nature of most sales work; (ii) tradition in the market; and (iii) the assumption that incentives are needed to motivate salesmen. There are several incentive plans for sales staff each appropriate for different markets, products, but all plans are basically variations of three types of plans: straight salary, straight commission, and combination plans. The straight salary method is not an incentive plan; the salesman is simply paid on weekly, monthly, or on yearly basis. The advantages of this method are that: (i) the salesmen know in advance what their income will be; and (ii) the expenditure on salesmen is known beforehand. The disadvantages are: (i) this method tend to shift salesman emphasis to just making the sale rather than prospecting and cultivating long-term customer; and (iii) pay is not related to results. This lack of relationship reduces salesmens performance. Under the straight commission, the salesmen are paid on the basis of sales effected i.e., they are paid for results and only for results. Therefore, high performance salesmen are generally attracted. But the disadvantages are: (i) salesmen focus on making a sale on high volume items and as a result cultivating dedicated customers and working to push hard-to-sell items are often neglected; (ii) salesmen tend to .be less company-oriented and more money-oriented, and the company has less control over them; (iii) salesmens income generally fluctuates widely. Under the combination method of salary and commission, salesmen not only get a fixed salary but also a commission in proportion to the sales effected. The advantages of this method are: (i) since salesmen are assured of minimum earnings, they are relieved of financial worries; (ii) the company has more control over its salesmen, as there is sizable salary component in most combination plans. But the main disadvantage is that salary is not related to performance; only incentive value of money is being traded off for its security value. Incentives for Management Employees: In many organisations, the managers are paid bonus. There are two types of bonus plans: one determined by formula (i.e. some criteria like increased sales) and the other determined by some discretion used in allocation of bonus (i.e., paid on more or less permanent basis). The bonus plans are generally reviewed annually to make them more effective. For top level management, bonuses are generally tied to overall corporate results. The size of bonus is much higher for top level executives and lower for the lower level executives. At the top management level, incentive payments are mostly in the form of bonuses which are usually a percentage of base salary that depends upon the level of performance and company profits. Mostly bonuses are paid in cash but in some cases the company may use stock plans that offer the executive the companys stock at a fixed purchase price. Such plans are designed to encourage ownership in the company and indirectly serve as an incentive for good work and represent a form of saving. In the manufacturing and retailing fields, where year-to-year results are largely a reflection of management performance, it is common for executive and managerial personnel to be compensated partly in the form of a base salary and partly in the form of a year-end bonus. The decision of whether to install an incentive bonus plan for executives and, if so, what kind of plan to install should be made appropriately. On the one hand, a bonus is a more immediate and flexible form of compensation than salary and thus has greater motivational potential. On the other hand, the bonus plan that is poorly conceived or administered can have a negative motivational impact. If a bonus plan seems appropriate, careful attention should be paid to what kind of plan would be most effective. WORKING OF INCENTIVE SCHEMES Incentive schemes are regarded as beneficial to both employers and workers. They are accepted as a sound technique for the achievement of greater productivity and good performance. The main advantage of any wage incentive scheme is that for a little expenditure of capital, there can be sizable gains in productivity; the gestation period is also small. The workers chase the supervisors for material, tools, etc., instead of supervisors chasing the workers. The experience gained in India and in other countries indicates that wage incentives have resulted in raising productivity, increasing output and earnings, reducing direct labour costs, and curtailing absenteeism. Despite certain merits of incentive schemes, their actual working is not quite happy. Some critics point out that the output of modern industry does not depend so much on individual human effort as on the capacity of machines and on good organisation. The most effective incentive, they claim, is a combination of good regular wages, good working conditions, and good human relations. There is a tendency for the quality of the products to deteriorate unless steps are taken to ensure the maintenance of quality through a stricter system of checking and inspection. Their application in some cases has not only failed to increase production over a period of time but has caused an actual reduction in employee productivity. One company, for instance, found that a substantial increase in pay through wage incentive systems merely resulted in higher absenteeism, restricted output and lower work standards. Some studie