Deception Point Page 56

â€Å"He's breaking the law,† Gabrielle said. Isn't he? â€Å"Or so Marjorie Tench would have you believe. Candidates accept behind-the-scenes donations all the time from big corporations. It may not be pretty, but it's not necessarily illegal. In fact, most legal issues deal not with where the money comes from but how the candidate chooses to spend it.† Gabrielle hesitated, feeling uncertain now. â€Å"Gabs, the White House played you this afternoon. They tried to turn you against your candidate, and so far you've called their bluff. If I were looking for someone to trust, I think I'd stick with Sexton before jumping ship to someone like Marjorie Tench.† Yolanda's phone rang. She answered, nodding, uh-huh-ing, taking notes. â€Å"Interesting,† she finally said. â€Å"I'll be right there. Thanks.† Yolanda hung up and turned with an arched brow. â€Å"Gabs, sounds like you're off the hook. Just as I predicted.† â€Å"What's going on?† â€Å"I don't have a specific yet, but I can tell you this much-the president's press conference has nothing to do with sex scandals or campaign finance.† Gabrielle felt a flash of hope and wanted badly to believe her. â€Å"How do you know that?† â€Å"Someone on the inside just leaked that the press conference is NASA-related.† Gabrielle sat up suddenly. â€Å"NASA?† Yolanda winked. â€Å"This could be your lucky night. My bet is President Herney is feeling so much pressure from Senator Sexton that he's decided the White House has no choice but to pull the plug on the International Space Station. That explains all the global media coverage.† A press conference killing the space station? Gabrielle could not imagine. Yolanda stood up. â€Å"That Tench attack this afternoon? It was probably just a last-ditch effort to get a foothold over Sexton before the President had to go public with the bad news. Nothing like a sex scandal to take the attention away from another presidential flop. Anyhow, Gabs, I've got work to do. My advice to you-get yourself a cup of coffee, sit right here, turn on my television, and ride this out like the rest of us. We've got twenty minutes until show time, and I'm telling you, there is no way the President is going Dumpster-diving tonight. He's got the whole world watching. Whatever he has to say carries some serious weight.† She gave a reassuring wink. â€Å"Now give me the envelope.† â€Å"What?† Yolanda held out a demanding hand. â€Å"These pictures are getting locked in my desk until this is over. I want to be sure you don't do something idiotic.† Reluctantly, Gabrielle handed over the envelope. Yolanda locked the photos carefully in a desk drawer and pocketed the keys. â€Å"You'll thank me, Gabs. I swear it.† She playfully ruffled Gabrielle's hair on her way out. â€Å"Sit tight. I think good news is on the way.† Gabrielle sat alone in the glass cubicle and tried to let Yolanda's upbeat attitude lift her mood. All Gabrielle could think of, though, was the self-satisfied smirk on the face of Marjorie Tench this afternoon. Gabrielle could not imagine what the President was about to tell the world, but it was definitely not going to be good news for Senator Sexton. 65 Rachel Sexton felt like she was being burned alive. It's raining fire! She tried to open her eyes, but all she could make out were foggy shapes and blinding lights. It was raining all around her. Scalding hot rain. Pounding down on her bare skin. She was lying on her side and could feel hot tiles beneath her body. She curled more tightly into the fetal position, trying to protect herself from the scalding liquid falling from above. She smelled chemicals. Chlorine, maybe. She tried to crawl away, but she could not. Powerful hands pressed down on her shoulders, holding her down. Let me go! I'm burning! Instinctively, she again fought to escape, and again she was rebuffed, the strong hands clamping down. â€Å"Stay where you are,† a man's voice said. The accent was American. Professional. â€Å"It will be over soon.† What will be over? Rachel wondered. The pain? My life? She tried to focus her vision. The lights in this place were harsh. She sensed the room was small. Cramped. Low ceilings. â€Å"I'm burning!† Rachel's scream was a whisper. â€Å"You're fine,† the voice said. â€Å"This water is lukewarm. Trust me.† Rachel realized she was mostly undressed, wearing only her soaked underwear. No embarrassment registered; her mind was filled with too many other questions. The memories were coming back now in a torrent. The ice shelf. The GPR. The attack. Who? Where am I? She tried to put the pieces together, but her mind felt torpid, like a set of clogged gears. From out of the muddled confusion came a single thought: Michael and Corky†¦ where are they? Rachel tried to focus her bleary vision but saw only the men standing over her. They were all dressed in the same blue jumpsuits. She wanted to speak, but her mouth refused to formulate a single word. The burning sensation in her skin was now giving way to sudden deep waves of aching that rolled through the muscles like seismic tremors. â€Å"Let it happen,† the man over her said. â€Å"The blood needs to flow back into your musculature.† He spoke like a doctor. â€Å"Try to move your limbs as much as you can.† The pain racking Rachel's body felt as if every muscle was being beaten with a hammer. She lay there on the tile, her chest contracting, and she could barely breathe. â€Å"Move your legs and arms,† the man insisted. â€Å"No matter what it feels like.† Rachel tried. Each movement felt like a knife being thrust into her joints. The jets of water grew hotter again. The scalding was back. The crushing pain went on. At the precise instant she thought she could not withstand another moment, Rachel felt someone giving her an injection. The pain seemed to subside quickly, less and less violent, releasing. The tremors slowed. She felt herself breathing again. A new sensation was spreading through her body now, the eerie bite of pins and needles. Everywhere-stabbing-sharper and sharper. Millions of tiny needle-point jabs, intensifying whenever she moved. She tried to hold motionless, but the water jets continued to buffet her. The man above her was holding her arms, moving them. God that hurts! Rachel was too weak to fight. Tears of exhaustion and pain poured down her face. She shut her eyes hard, blocking out the world. Finally, the pins and needles began to dissipate. The rain from above stopped. When Rachel opened her eyes, her vision was clearer. It was then that she saw them. Corky and Tolland lay nearby, quivering, half-naked and soaked. From the looks of anguish on their faces, Rachel sensed that they had just endured similar experiences. Michael Tolland's brown eyes were bloodshot and glassy. When he saw Rachel, he managed a weak smile, his blue lips trembling. Rachel tried to sit up, to take in their bizarre surroundings. The three of them were lying in a trembling twist of half-naked limbs on the floor of a tiny shower room. 66 Strong arms lifted her. Rachel felt the powerful strangers drying her body and wrapping her in blankets. She was being placed on a medical bed of some sort and vigorously massaged on her arms, legs, and feet. Another injection in her arm. â€Å"Adrenaline,† someone said. Rachel felt the drug coursing through her veins like a life force, invigorating her muscles. Although she still felt an icy hollowness tight like a drum in her gut, Rachel sensed the blood slowly returning to her limbs. Back from the dead. She tried to focus her vision. Tolland and Corky were lying nearby, shivering in blankets as the men massaged their bodies and gave them injections as well. Rachel had no doubt that this mysterious assemblage of men had just saved their lives. Many of them were soaking wet, apparently having jumped into the showers fully clothed to help. Who they were or how they had gotten to Rachel and the others in time was beyond her. It made no difference at the moment. We're alive.

Mortar Mixes Using Different Concentration Of MGSO4 Environmental Sciences Essay

1.0 General: Mortar mix is a combination of cement and sand that is used to keep together building type blocks. On adding H2O it becomes a feasible paste that sets difficult. It is used with stuffs like bricks and rocks to do paseos and walls. Mortar was originally made of clay or clay. There is grounds of the usage of howitzer in civilizations around the universe. Persian and Babylonian constructions used howitzer from about 2900 BC on. The earliest Egyptian pyramids used the clay or clay combination, while ulterior edifices used gypsum or calcium hydroxide. Mortar can besides be used for the fix of masonry when the original howitzer has washed off. Modern howitzers are typically made from a mixture of sand, a binder such as cement or calcium hydroxide, and H2O. Cement fabrication is related with a batch of environmental jeopardies and has impacts at all phases of the procedure. These include emanations of airborne pollution in the signifier of dust, gases, noise and quiver when runing machinery and during blaring in preies, and harm to countryside from quarrying, heavy metal emanations in the during the high-temperature calcination procedure of limestone and clay minerals and the ingestion of a immense sum of fuel. Most cement kilns today use coal and crude oil coke as primary fuels, and to a lesser extent natural gas and fuel oil. For the turning population of the universe, the demand for lodging and electricity is besides increasing consequently. For lodging and other installations, the building industry is turning at a really fast gait with of all time increasing demand for cement. To carry through the demand of electricity for such population in India up to 2004 the electricity coevals was about 1,12,058 MW, 65-70 % of which is thermic ( largely coal based ) . Further, harmonizing to an estimation 100,000 MW capacity or more would be required in the following 10 twelvemonth. Concrete is a composite stuff composed of harsh farinaceous stuff ( the sum or filler ) embedded in a difficult matrix of stuff ( the cement or binder ) that fills the infinite between the sum atoms and gums them together. We can besides see concrete as a composite stuff that consists basically a binding medium which particles or fragments of sums are embedded. The simplest representation of concrete is:Concrete = Filler + Binder.There are many different sorts of concrete. For illustration, Portland cement concrete, asphalt concrete, and epoxy concrete. In concrete building, the Portland cement concrete is utilized the most. Therefore, the term concrete normally refers to Portland cement concrete. Admixtures are stuffs other than sum ( all right and coarse ) , H2O, fiber and cement, which are added into concrete batch instantly before or during blending. Use of Admixtures has become a common pattern in modern concrete. Chemical alloies can modify the scene and indurating feature of cement paste by act uponing the rate of cement hydration. Water-reducing alloy can plasticise fresh concrete mixtures by cut downing surface tenseness of H2O, air-entraining alloies can better the lastingness of concrete, and mineral alloies such as pozzolana ( stuffs incorporating reactive silicon oxide ) can cut down thermic snap. 1.1. Mortar: A edifice stuff made by blending calcium hydroxide, cement or plaster of Paris with sand, H2O and sometimes with other stuffs, used in masonry for fall ining rocks, bricks, etc. besides for stick oning. 1.1.1 Gypsum howitzer: The Egyptians used gypsum howitzers in the building of the pyramids. More late, this type of howitzer was used to reconstruct much of the metropolis of Paris, which gave its name to the Gypsum, sometimes called Plaster of Paris, as a consequence of the natural gypsum sedimentations found under the territory of Monmartre. Some of this gypsum bonded masonry still exists in the older parts of Paris. More late, an imported external render, based on Gypsum, originally developed in France, was imported into the United Kingdom. However, after a short period of clip and a bad history of failures this was withdrawn from the market. In add-on to this recent job, it is known that many of the bing historic homes in Paris, that were originally built with gypsum howitzer and have non been restored, suffered severely from moistness and impairment. As a consequence of these inauspicious experiences, and partially originating from the theoretical position that they do non organize hydrates that are stable in presence of H2O, gypsum howitzers are, hence, non used today and non recommended for external work. 1.1.2 Lime Mortars: The Egyptians used lime howitzers, with literature on this topic dating back 2000 old ages. Lime howitzers are believed to indurate and derive strength by the vaporization of H2O and the soaking up of C dioxide from the ambiance. This consequences in the gradual transition of calcium hydroxide into Ca carbonate. This mechanism is theoretically right, but takes a really long clip to bring forth any meaningful strength. 1.1.3 Calcium oxide: The calcium hydroxide is produced, by and large by firing mineral natural stuffs ; dwelling of Ca chiefly but Mg based calcium hydroxides besides exist. Magnesium based calcium hydroxides are non nevertheless used for howitzer in the United Kingdom or Ireland and will non be considered farther in this text. In the United Kingdom, the natural stuffs that are burnt in the kiln to bring forth calcium hydroxide are chalk or limestone, but in theory any chalky feedstock could be used. In some states, shells, corals and other beginnings of Ca are besides used satisfactorily. When the natural stuff, which is fundamentally composing of Ca carbonate, is heated to about 950oC, the combined C dioxide is driven off in the signifier of gas, to ensue in Ca oxide or calcium oxide remaining. 1.1.4 Hydrated calcium hydroxide: Calcium oxide is non used straight in howitzer, but it is foremost reacted with H2O to bring forth Ca hydrated oxide, known as â€Å" quenched † or â€Å" hydrated † calcium hydroxide and in this signifier it is ready to be added in a howitzer mix. However, it is formed that pure Ca hydrated oxide howitzers, though being capable of indurating and strength development, in world it reacts highly easy. Hence, it require a period of possibly 100 old ages for a howitzer articulation to carbonate or indurate to a deepness of possibly 6 to 10 millimeter ( carbonation is the transition of Ca hydrated oxide to calcium carbonate ) . The ancient craftsmen realized this, and knew that a really pure calcium hydroxide was really inferior to one that had some drosss. 1.1.5 Hydraulic calcium hydroxide: When cement is manufactured, calcium hydroxide is burnt in a kiln with clay, to supply a cementing compound that reacts with H2O to bring forth a hard-boiled hydrate. It can be seen that the presence of clay drosss produces efficaciously weak cement. This deficiency of understanding besides leads to an erroneous reading of the belongingss of lime howitzers. Some modern builders and specifies ascribe a whole overplus of good belongingss to â€Å" lime † howitzers, based chiefly on their observations of the long life of historic constructions, without recognizing precisely what type of lime howitzers they do necessitate for their usage. Many successful and long lasting constructions that they believe to incorporate lime howitzers are based on hydraulic calcium hydroxide. In world this is weak and rough cement, when compared to the purer hydrated calcium hydroxides that are produced today. It will be seen that usage of the latter stuff will non bring forth a howitzer with a great trade of strength or lastingness, as the carbonation procedure returns so easy and produces comparatively low strength development. Due to the apparent long permanent nature of hydraulic calcium hydroxide based howitzers, in recent old ages some specifiers have once more been qualifying them, unaware of the manner in which they were produced originally, and in the belief that similar stuffs are readily available today. It is non the instance that hydraulic calcium hydroxides are readily available in the UK today as merely one little works in Dorset produces commercial measures. Some hydraulic calcium hydroxides are imported from Italy and France but whilst these may be echt, a figure are formulated utilizing mixtures of Portland cement, calcium hydroxide and air entraining agent and are therefore non hydraulic calcium hydroxides at all, but instead masonry cements. Study suggests wherever historic calcium hydroxides are referred to these are hydraulic calcium hydroxide in world and non hydrated calcium hydroxide. There are legion illustrations of lasting constructions made with mortar one such illustration of U.K. is illustration Hadrian ‘s wall still which has monolithic restored countries of original stuffs. The Tower of London, some 900 old ages old, provides farther grounds of the lastingness of masonry stuffs and historic calcium hydroxide howitzer. 1.1.6 Ash calcium hydroxide howitzer: The possible pozzolanic belongingss of ash or other stuff incorporating reactive silicon oxides have been known since Roman times. There are many misconceptions and its inappropriate specification. Early bricks were fired at low temperatures and the attendant merchandise was rather extremely reactive in the presence of free calcium hydroxide. However, modern bricks are fired at a much higher temperature and are non about every bit reactive, as earlier one. Therefore a great trade of confusion exists, related to the specification of stuffs which can give a true image of historic features and hence go forthing behind a possible beginning. Therefore, any specification for a lime howitzer to be used in concurrence with land brick dust should be critically questioned. In contrast to the state of affairs with brick dust, the usage of ash in ash calcium hydroxide howitzers has been widespread and more successful, but non to state that these mixes should truly be specified today. After industrial revolution widespread handiness of furnace ashes, ash calcium hydroxide or black ash howitzers are used by common adult male. These stuffs are frequently criticized today, chiefly because of their drosss, taking to lastingness jobs. There is grounds of usage of these stuffs in pit work built around the beginning and center of the 20th century caused corrosion of the wall ties, but it is ill-defined whether or non many of these ties would hold corroded in any event regardless of the type of howitzer used. Many constructions exist today besides where old ash calcium hydroxide howitzers are still lasting. Ash lime howitzers were still used good into the center of the 20th century in those parts of the state where ash was widely available. 1.1.7 Cement: calcium hydroxide: sand howitzers: Development of â€Å" modern † Portland cements, the potency for masonry building. This is attributable rapid rate which enabled building work. The early limes antecedently used produced acceptable working belongingss for the Masons. The rate of strength addition was low, particularly in cold conditions conditions. This meant that even a high quality calcium hydroxide, with a good ultimate strength, could turn out really debatable for winter use. Indeed it is likely that the bulk of masonry building proceed small during the winter months. The handiness of the new Portland cements changed this state of affairs and enabledConstruction to transport on throughout the twelvemonth, with the obvious exclusion of periods of really terrible winter conditions with heavy precipitations or stop deading temperatures. However, a job arose with these new stuffs. With the calcium hydroxides, which they antecedently worked with, mix proportions of between one portion binder to two or two and a half parts sand ( 1:2 and 1:2 ) were used by the Masons. These mix proportions produced a mix with acceptable working belongingss. The usage of such high binder contents with cements resulted in a howitzer was excessively strong for the units for which it was being applied. Use of these stuffs for reconstructing the earlier work suffered from some short comings.Solution to this job was to utilize both calcium hydroxide and cement as a binder, with the calcium hydroxide and cement together organizing the proportions of one portion of binder to two and a half or three of sand.Today, howitzers are widely used in most continents, preponderantly in Europe, North America, Australasia and Asia. 1.1.8 Masonry cement howitzers: Use of Masonry cement howitzer in a cement plant is an alternate construct of blending together cement and calcium hydroxide on site or to obtain a blend of the belongingss of howitzer which is neither excessively strong nor excessively weak. Recent research work has shown that limestone may besides supply an enhanced strength development in the medium and long term because of a slow continuance of the cement hydration/strength development procedure. In United Kingdom masonry cement is utilized as mixtures of Portland cement and crushed rock, wherever in North America, the tradition has been to utilize mixtures of Portland cement and hydrated calcium hydroxide, together with air entrainment. This construct has late been adopted by one of the UK cement plant and has now been incorporated into the Code of Practice BS 5628. 1.2. Coal: Coal occupies an of import place in the Indian energy sector since India has huge militias of thermic class coal. Coal is the most abundant and widely dispersed dodo energy resource in the universe. Among the entire power generated yearly in India, approximately 70 % is produced by thermic power workss. The bulk of thermic power workss ( about 84 % ) are running on coal with 70 billion dozenss of coal modesty, while the staying 13 % tally on gas and 3 % on oil. About 112 million dozenss of fly ash is generated yearly in India by thermic power workss as a byproduct of coal burning. Fly ash is a burnt and powdery derived function of inorganic mineral affair that generates during the burning of powdered coal in the thermic power works. The burned ash of the coal contains largely silica, alumina, Ca and Fe as the major chemical components. Depending on the combustion temperature of coal, the mineral stages in crystalline to non-crystalline constructions such as vitreous silica ( SiO2 ) , mullite ( 3Al2O3.2H2O ) , hematite ( Fe2O3 ) , magnetite ( Fe3O4 ) , wustite ( FeO ) , metallic Fe, orthoclase ( K2O Al2O3.6SiO2 ) and fused silicates normally occur in the burned coal ash. Silica and alumina history for approximately 75 to 95 % in the ash. The categorization of thermic works fly ash is considered based on reactive Ca oxide content as class-F ( less than 10 % ) and class-C ( more than 10 % ) . Fly ash quality depends on coal type, coal atom choiceness, per centum of ash in coal, burning technique, air/fuel ratio, and boiler type. Indian fly ash belongs to class-F. The Ca bearing silicon oxide and silicate minerals of ash occur either in crystalline or non-crystalline constructions and are hydraulic in nature ; they easy reacts with H2O or hydrated lime and develops pozzolanic belongings. But the crystalline mineral stages of vitreous silica and mullite nowadays in the ash are stable constructions of silicon oxide and silicates, and are non-hydraulic in n ature. Normally the fly ash contains these two mineral stages as the major components. Therefore, the use of fly ash in building industry as sums or replacing of cement mostly depends on the mineral construction and pozzolanic belongings. Fly ash is loosely an aluminium-silicate type of mineral rich in aluminum oxide and silicon oxide. 1.2.1.Worldwide Scenario of fly ash Use: Indian coals have really high ash content. The fly ash content of coal used by thermic power workss in India varies between 25 and 45 % . A big sum of fly ash is generated by thermic power workss, doing several disposal related jobs. In malice of enterprises taken by the authorities, several non-governmental and research and development organisations for fly ash use, the degree of fly ash use in the state was estimated to be less than 10 % anterior to 1996-97.On the Global degree, less than 25 % of the entire one-year fly ash produced is utilised. However, in many states like Germany, Belgium and Netherlands more than 95 % of the entire fly ash produced was reportedly used during 1996. Likewise United Kingdom 50 % fly ash was utilized during 1998, whereas the use by the China during 1995 was about 32 % and 40 % , severally. European states are taking in use of fly ash. In Canada a batch of research work has been done in the country of high volume fly ash concrete and they are efficaciously utilizing fly ash since last two decennaries. Japan is besides front smuggler in use of fly ash in Asia. The use of fly ash by twelvemonth stoping 2001-2002 is given below: Germany & A ; Netherlands: 100 % Belgique: 90 % Japan: 67 % India: 13 % 1.2.2. Leaching Behaviour of fly ash: In India, surveies have been carried out toward direction of fly ash disposal and use. Fly ash is utilized in cement and building. But, the rate of production is greater than ingestion. The fresh fly ash is disposed into keeping pools, lagunas, landfills and slagheaps. Disposal of immense sums of fly ash in landfills, and surface impoundings or its reuse in building stuffs is of environmental concern. LeachingA is the motion of contaminations, such as water-soluble pesticides or fertilisers, carried by H2O downward through permeable dirts. Most pesticides adsorb to dirty atoms ( particularly clay ) become immobile and do non leach. The destiny of nomadic pesticides, nevertheless, can be thought of as a race between the assorted debasement procedures and leaching to groundwater. During conveyance, disposal, and storage stages, fly ash is subjected to leaching and portion of the unwanted constituents in the ashes may foul both land and surface Waterss. Fly ash can be leached in higher concentrations than imbibing H2O criterions and can do taint in imbibing H2O beginnings. Fly ash contains trace sums of toxic metals that may hold negative effects on human wellness and on workss. Disposal of fly ash in surface H2O beginnings disrupts aquatic life, whereas toxic metals leached contaminate belowground H2O resources. Therefore, it is of import to analyze the leaching behavior of fly ash. In India, so far non much accent has been given to utilize coal ash as backfill stuff in underground/ unfastened dramatis personae mines and to foretell its subsequent consequence on land H2O quality. One of the chief jobs in disposing of large measures of coal ash is the possible leaching of different pollutants. A thorough probe sing leaching of trace/heavy metals from different fly ashes is required to cognize the impact of leached hint metals from fly ash to land H2O every bit good as surface H2O. In the present survey, short term and long term leaching survey has been carried out on fly ash from Panipat Thermal Power works, Haryana. An effort has been taken to analyze the leaching behaviour of fly ash as per the internationally recognized process laid down inCEN/TS 14405. 1.3. Objective of Work: The chief aim of the present research work is twofold. The first 1 is to utilize the fly ash as cost effectual replacement of dearly-won building stuffs and 2nd 1 is to happen out the optimal workability and public presentation of howitzer mix with fly ash in inauspicious commixture and hardening conditions. A typical research programme formulated for the survey is shown in Table 1 & A ; 2. In the capital metropolis of Delhi, the sanctum River Yamuna is the chief beginning of H2O. The usage of natural Yamuna H2O for building proposes is how far good and, if non, how much impact it put on the overall public presentation of howitzer regular hexahedrons in the similar commixture and bring arounding status with that of the normal DJB H2O supplied for imbibing intents has been attempted for comparing. In add-on to the above, leaching column survey on fly ash collected from NTPC, Panipat has besides been performed for appraisal of likely leaching of hint elements as per standard process laid down in European Standard CEN/TS 14405.Table 1.1: Research on howitzer mixes utilizing Yamuna H2O with different concentration of MgSO4 for blending and DJBW & A ; YW with different concentration of MgSO4 for bring arounding of howitzer regular hexahedrons.Mortar mixes utilizing different concentration of MgSO4 in Yamuna H2OYamuna H2O4 % MgSO48 % MgSO412 % MgSO416 % MgSO4Water quality for hardening of howitzer regular hexahedronsNormal DJB H2OYamuna H2O4 % MgSO4DJB Water8 % MgSO4 DJB Water12 % MgSO4 DJB WaterDetailed periodic surveies for physical, chemical and mineralogical surveies of H2O and concrete7 yearss7 yearss7 yearss7 yearss7 yearss28 yearss28 yearss28 yearss28 yearss28 yearss56 yearss56 yearss56 yearss56 yearss56 yearss90 yearss90 yearss90 yearss90 yearss90 yearss365 yearss365 yearss365 yearss365 yearss365 yearssTable 1.2: Research on howitzer mixes utilizing 35 % Yamuna H2O with different concentration of MgSO4 for blending and DJBW & A ; YW with different concentration of MgSO4 for bring arounding of howitzer regular hexahedrons.Mortar mixes utilizing 35 % fly ash with different concentration of MgSO4 in Yamuna H2ODJB H2O4 % MgSO48 % MgSO412 % MgSO416 % MgSO4Water quality for hardening of howitzer regular hexahedronsNormal DJB H2ONormal Yamuna H2O4 % MgSO4DJB Water8 % MgSO4 DJB Water12 % MgSO4 DJB WaterDetailed periodic surveies for physical, chemical a nd mineralogical surveies of H2O and concrete7 yearss7 yearss7 yearss7 yearss7 yearss28 yearss28 yearss28 yearss28 yearss28 yearss56 yearss56 yearss56 yearss56 yearss56 yearss90 yearss90 yearss90 yearss90 yearss90 yearss365 yearss365 yearss365 yearss365 yearss365 yearssDue to the increasing demand of energy, the rate of production of fly ash is besides increasing. The use of fly ash in cement or building industry is non in synchronism with the immense sum of its production. The safe disposal of fly ash is a topic of concern as fly ash poses risky jobs to the environment in many ways.The fresh fly ash is disposed into keeping pools, lagunas, landfills and scoria tonss. Fly ash can pollute the surface H2O, dirt and besides the land H2O due to the leaching of unwanted constituents. Fly ash can be leached in higher concentrations than the prescribed bounds of codifications for imbibing H2O criterions and can do taint in imbibing H2O beginnings. Fly ash contains trace sums of toxic metal s that may hold negative effects on human wellness and on workss. Disposal of fly ash in surface H2O beginnings disrupts aquatic life, whereas toxic metals leached contaminate belowground H2O resources. Therefore, it is of import to analyze the leaching behavior of fly ash. 1.4. Organization of Work: Chapter-1 includes debut of fly ash and Mortar, Classification of Mortar, worldwide scenario of concrete and wing ash use for environmental friendly constructive fabrication and aim of present work how we better usage with fly ash so that it can assist us in civil technology and besides better the quality of environment. Chapter-2 Literature reappraisal related to concrete and wing ash with accent on usage of fly ashas a replacing stuff of cement and effects of alteration in physical and chemical conditions on public presentation of concrete and howitzer. Chapter-3 Material and methods includes analysis of fly ash and OPC and H2O quality analysis in conformity with national and international codifications commissariats and casting of regular hexahedrons. Chapter-4 Collection and calculation of informations and treatment on trial consequences. Chapter-5 Conclusion includes the result of whole experiments and suggestions based on result for farther survey.

Analysis of the Standard Enthalpy of Combustion for Alcohols Essay

Aim: To investigate the standard enthalpy change of combustion for 5 consecutive alcohols in the alcohol homologous series, methanol, ethanol, propan-1-ol, butan-1-ol and pentan-1-ol, by using a calorimetric method to calculate the heat gained by the 100cm3 water in the experiment, and thus the heat lost by the alcohol lamp at standard temperature and pressure (298 K and 101.3 kPa). Background Knowledge: Alcohols are organic compounds containing Oxygen, Hydrogen and Carbon. The alcohols are a homologous series containing the functional –OH group. As we move down the homologous series of alcohols, the number of Carbon atoms increase. Each alcohol molecule differs by –CH2; a single Carbon atom and two Hydrogen atoms. Combustion is the oxidation of carbon compounds by oxygen in air to form CO2 and H2O. Combustion produces heat as well as carbon dioxide and water. The enthalpy change of combustion is the enthalpy change that occurs when 1 mole of a fuel is burned completely in oxygen. When alcohol undergoes complete combustion it produces carbon dioxide and water as products, and energy is released. The standard enthalpy of combustion of an alcohol (à ¢H °comb) is the enthalpy change when one mole of an alcohol completely reacts with oxygen under standard thermodynamic conditions (temperature of 25 °C and pressure of 101.3 kPa). The standard enthalpy change of combustion of alcohols varies depending on their molecular size. The greater the number of carbons, the higher the standard enthalpy of combustion, as there is the presence of more bonds. The larger the alcohol molecule, the more bonds will be broken and formed, and therefore more heat will be produced. Using experiments, the standard enthalpy of combustion of an alcohol can be found, buy first finding the heat released during the reaction using the equation Heat=mass of water Ãâ€"specific heat capacity of water Ãâ€"rise in temperature of water Note: The specific heat capacity of water is 4.18 Jg-1 °C-1. and then finding the number of moles of alcohol burnt, and dividing the heat by this number. Equipment: 1. 250 cm3 Conical flask 2. 100 cm3  ± 0.08 cm3 pipette 3. Loggerpro thermometer 4. 5 x different consecutive alcohol spirit burners (eg. methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and pentanol) 5. Stand 6. 2 x clamps 7. Scales 8. 1500 cm3 distilled water 9. Heat proof mat 10. Matches Method: 1. Connect the temperature sensor to the datalogger. Connect the datalogger to the computer. Ensure the datalogging software is loaded and set to record the temperature of the sensor. Set the sampling rate to 1 sample per second for 210 seconds. 2. Using the pipette, pipette 100 cm3 distilled water into the conical flask. 3. Set up the stand, and clamp the conical flask 25 cm from the table. Also clamp the temperature probe 30 cm from the table, so that it is submerged in the distilled water but not in contact with the conical flask walls. 4. Weigh the alcohol lamp (including its cap) using the scales and record the mass. 5. Place alcohol lamp directly under the conical flask on a heat proof mat. 6. Click ‘collect’ on datalogger to start recording the temperature. After 30 seconds, light the alcohol lamp. 7. When the datalogger reaches 210 seconds immediately extinguish the flame by replacing the cap. ‘Store the latest run’ in loggerpro. 8. Re-weigh the alcohol lamp (including cap) as soon as possible after extinguishing the lamp. 9. Repeat steps 2 – 8 with the same alcohol to obtain trail 2, and trial 3 results. 10. Repeat steps 2 – 9 for 4 other consecutive alcohols. 11. Calculate the average change in mass of each alcohol and calculate the change in temperature of water for each trial. 12. Calculate energy absorbed by this using q=mcà ¢T then calculate à ¢H °comb=qn 13. Plot the graph of à ¢H °combversus number of carbons in alcohol. Apparatus: temperature probe datalogger device 5 cm 25 cm alcohol lamp loggerpro collector on computer heatproof mat 100 cm3 distilled water conical flask clamp clamp Variables: 1. Independent The alcohol used to heat water will be changed, however all alcohols will be primary. The range of alcohols will be 5 consecutive alcohols from the homologous series; methanol, ethanol, propan-1-ol, butan-1-ol, pentan-1-ol. 1. Dependent The change in temperature of the 100cm3 distilled water when heated by an alcohol lamp. 1. Measure the initial temperature and final temperature using loggerpro. The change in temperature can be calculated by: ΔT=T(final)-T(initial) 1. Controlled Finding the à ¢H using à ¢H °comb=qn Controlled Variables How is it controlled? Effect on experiment if uncontrolled Type of liquid Using only distilled water for all trials throughout the experiment. Different liquids could result in a difference in the strength of attractive forces between particles, meaning a different specific heat capacity which would affect the calculation of energy gain to water using the equation q=mcà ¢T, and thus an incorrect enthalpy change value. Volume of liquid used Measure 100cm3 of distilled water by using 100 cm3  ± 0.08 cm3 graduated pipette for each trial. If the volume was not exactly 100 cm3 it would directly affect the mass of the water which will affect the q=mcà ¢T value and thus the à ¢H value. Material glassware Use the same brand and materials of a conical flask for all trials. Different materials have different conductivity and may absorb more heat from the alcohol lamp, affecting the overall heat absorbed by the distilled water. Using the same material and brand of conical flask ensures that this is the same for each experiment. Temperature of surroundings For standard enthalpy of combustion, the temperature must be 25 °C however in a classroom this is hard to control, so for each experiment the temperature will stay constant at 19 °C. If the surrounding temperature was to be changing, the distilled water could be losing more, or gaining more heat energy from the surroundings, directly affecting the temperature change and therefore, q=mcà ¢T and the à ¢H value. Distance between the conical flask and alcohol lamp A clamp will be set at a distance of 25 cm from the table, and this the flask will sit at the same height each trial. If the distance changes, the heat lost to the surroundings varies and the heat that reaches the bottom of the calorimeter also varies. This will lead to a difference in rise in temperature of water (à ¢T), and therefore an incorrect calculation for q=mcà ¢T and à ¢H value. Pressure of surroundings For standard enthalpy of combustion the pressure must be 1 atm, however in a classroom this is hard to obtain, so all experiments will be done in a room with the same pressure. Might influence the vapour pressure point, which will affect the q=mcà ¢T value, and thus the à ¢H. Duration of heating The water will be headed for 180 seconds. This ensures that all experiments have the same time to heat the water which directly effects the change in temperature and thus the q=mcà ¢T calculation and the à ¢H value. References: http://gandhijkt.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/chemistry-sample-lab-report.pdf http://www.ausetute.com.au/heatcomb.html http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/chemistry/chemical-energetics/revise-it/enthalpy-changes

Youth and Juvenile Justice Draft Submission Research Paper

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Jet Blue Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Jet Blue Case Study - Essay Example In this case, it is necessary to analyze human resource strategies, policies and practices directed toward the provision of best services within the airline industry. The following paper will examine and make an analysis of resource strategies, policies, and practices and their relation to one of the well-known low-cost U.S. carriers, JetBlue Airways. In terms of hiring practices, JetBlue follows the Equal Employment Opportunities laws through its Corporation Affirmative Action Policy, which impedes any ways of discrimination and harassment against any candidate, employee, suppliers, and customer. As one of the key company’s values, Caring and Integrity in following EEO rules is doubtless (O’reill & Hoffer Gittell, 2001). According to the Corporation Code of Conduct (2014), JetBlue respects individuals in a non-discriminatory manner and without regard on race, gender identity, sexual orientation and religion, age, citizenship, disabilities and such status as veteran. These are all the regulations of the company based on such laws as Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Americans with Disabilities and Rehabilitation Act of 2008 and Fair Labor Standards Act of 1958 (EEO Laws, n.d.). The process of recruitment should be aimed to not only filling with certain organizational gaps, but be focused on searching for specific skills and experiences of people to build an organization. The recruitment process at JetBlue, according to O’reilly and Hoffer Gittell (2001), is the most important thing as it means to search for those who would fit company values. For internal sources, employees are at the highest concern within the company, as they know the requirements of various positions and are able to take full responsibility on such knowing and desire to hold a new job. JetBlue motivates talented crewmembers in different ways, developing its reputation for special treating of

Classify and categorize various careers in hospitality field Essay

Classify and categorize various careers in hospitality field - Essay Example The current global economy based on integration and free trade is expected to further transform growth in the industry. With rising economic integration through globalization, careers in hospitality have increasingly provided flexibility in the country of operation, especially in chains of hospitality firms which exist in various countries. Chuang has pointed out that following the development of hotel industry, the bar for skilled personnel has gone up substantially (14). The industry arguably experiences the greatest diversity of knowledge assets compared to other professions. Careers in the hospitality industry can be classified into: food and beverage handling, front office management, housekeeping, sales and promotion, accounting, maintenance among others (Ladkin and Weber 385). The current world has witnessed a sharp increase in business activity, resulting to more business and holiday travels, hence more careers in the sector. Eligibility The eligibility for various careers in the hospitality industry ranges from diploma certificates higher learning institutions to university degrees (Chuang 15). Depending on the nature of the organization, Hotel and Restaurant management, Casino management, Cruise Ship Hotel Management, Airline Catering and Cabin Services, Administration and catering for health facilities and education or training institutions, Hotel and Tourism, Lodges, and Guest Houses are some of the avenues that can be exploited by those keen on pursuing a career in the hospitality industry. Trained persons may also open businesses for self-employment in order to realize their economic dreams. Generally, Zahari et al (69) have pointed out that careers in the hospitality industry can be grouped in to several categories namely: Operations, Customer Care, Cuisine services, Bookkeeping, Maintenance, Sales and Promotion, Security, and House-keeping. General Operations A General Manager is usually responsible for the coordination and management of human r esources, financial management, service provision, and projection of the company image through the front office, and quality control (Zahari et al 78-91). Depending on the nature and size of the organization, general managers often have subordinate managers working in various departments to complement their effort. Front Office careers Chuang has noted that front office is the nerve center of all operations in the service-based hospitality industry (14). Important operations such as receiving the visitors, making reservations for rooms and conference halls, managing correspondence and processing bills as well as maintaining records of the services rendered to guests are usually processed at the department (Chuang 16). In most cases, the front office manager is often in charge of the supervision and co-ordination of the processes. Subordinates to the front office manager may include an Assistant Manager, front office executive, lobby manager, information staff, receptionist, bell cap tain, and doorman among others. The responsibilities of these staffs may vary from one facility to another. House Keeping careers According to Zhong, Couch and Blum (10), house-keepers are usually charged with ensuring that the facility, the rooms, the hallways, bars, the restaurants, and the compounds among other places are kept tidy. House-keeping careers mainly involve ensuring the comfort of the

Geotechnical Properties & Construction Methods Coursework

Geotechnical Properties & Construction Methods - Coursework Example At this stage, Engineer will be collecting data from Geological survey, topographic maps, photogeology (aerial) , digital data, borehole records, national survey, mining records in order to understand the geology, compressive soils, drift thickness, landslides, soluble rocks, made ground, etc.†¦ The main importance of the desk study is to understand the geological condition of the site in order to analyse its implication during any stage of the planned engineering activity. This means that for a difficult ground condition, either the foundation design has to be adequate or a reduction of the actual superstructure loads has to be considered. In the given site, the points below can be listed as evidence of desk study as an element of site investigation: Borehole data: the presence of made ground and building debris with patches of old oil spillages; this has been found at a thickness of 1m above the ground level. Soft silt up to a depth of 10m then compacted sand and gravel at 18m . This is the exact composition of the soil beneath and will allow for adequate selection of foundation design. Knowing that up to a depth of1m below the ground level, the soil has almost no strength. This layer will have no importance in the overall bearing capacity of the soil. The Borehole data will enable Engineers to be aware of possible soil contamination of the top soil, weak soil up to a depth of 10m and that strong strata can be seen only after 18m below the ground level. One can argue that Strip foundation; defined as shallow foundation (Maheshwari, 2009) will never be ideal for this type of soil. Topographic map. For the considered site, a topographic map has been obtained. This gives the large-scale detail as well as the relief of the site. It consists of measuring the ground level with respect to a benchmark (Mellow, 2010). On map has shown latitude, which is the level of a given point on site with respect to the ground level. For the fact that two points of the same si te are not always at the same level with respect to the sea level, while a building requires a level terrain, topographic map will be important to give the ground profile, and enable engineers to quantity earthwork; this is the volume of cutting and filling in order to level the site before construction begins. Ground water table: as an element of the site investigation, the desk study will give enable to locate the ground water. For the proposed site, this is 1.5m below the ground level. McLean and Rible (1985) explained that the water table is a very important factor influencing the overall strength of the soil. In an undrained condition, where the water pressure has been taken into account, the total strength of the soil is much higher than the drained condition, without water; keeping in mind that the latter will give the actual strength parameters of the soil. Overestimating the strength of the soil can lead to structural failure as the foundation will not be under-designed the refore will not be able to support the imposed load from the superstructure. Also, as the required construction has taken into account a basement, deep excavation will be required. Knowing the ground water level, will be very important for the fact that, if it is above the required depth of excavation, flooding will occur and the exaction, representing the working environment will be against the health and safety. It can be seen that the desk study wi

Quantitative Research Methods- The Influence of Accent on Person Essay

Quantitative Research Methods- The Influence of Accent on Person Perception - Essay Example Design Questionnaire rating scale was used to conduct the experiment. It gave the participants a guide of what should have been evaluated based on the recorded instruction. Accent is the independent variable, while Competence, and Social Attractiveness ratings are the dependent variables. Methods The experiment was participated by ___ people. They were selected through ____. The participants were asked to listen to a voice recording, and afterwards they rated what they have heard according to the questionnaire given. The influence of accent in a person’s perception had been the topic of many Psychologists, and the results varied from various experiments conducted in England. â€Å"Lambert (1967) has shown in many cultures that regional dialect is a significant cue in assessing personality from voices† (Giles 1971:280). On the other hand, Strongman & Woosley were able to mention that â€Å"Many experiments have demonstrated that personality cannot be judged reliably by just listening to a voice (cf. Kramer, 1963)† (1967:164). â€Å"Most investigations in this field have been concerned with a comparison majority and minority groups. They invariably find that both types of group hold common stereotypes; pro-majority and anti-minority (e.g. Lambert et al., 1960 with English and French Canadians; Steckler, 1957 with Whites and Negroes; Adelson, 1953 with Gentiles and Jews.)† (1967:164). â€Å"Many impression-formation researchers turned their attention to the mental representations that people formed from the information they acquired about a person, and how they later used these representations both to recall this information and to judge the person it describes† (Budesheim et al. 1992:4). According to Reid and Wyer Jr. â€Å"†¦it takes into account the impact of stereotypes at several different stages of information processing, from the initial attention to and interpretation of information about a person to the generation of an overt response. Moreover, it

Paul in Contemporary Perspective (Topic B8) Essay

Paul in Contemporary Perspective (Topic B8) - Essay Example Such a mode of theologizing indicates a definite duplicity, actually a divided mindset in Paul’s ‘application’ and understanding of Scripture (Stanley 1993). There are further spiritual components which mention prophetic vows, while other components deal only with the material features of life, and moral conduct. This essay will discuss the assumption that Paul’s theologizing is an outcome of interaction between Scriptures of Israel and contemporary issues in his individual communities. While several of the more contemporary studies focus mainly on the clear references of Scripture by Paul, others find organizations of particular sections of Scriptures as the central arrangement of one specific epistle or parts of it (Gorman 2004). In spite of the differences of these scholarships, they appear to share to some extent a view of the connection of the Scriptures and Paul which highlights the and in this expression in a manner that builds some gap between the two elements, the Scriptures and Paul, instead of merging them (Gorman 2004). Though stressing the value of the Scriptures for Paul, the connection is portrayed as one between two different elements: there is the Scriptures of Israel on the one hand and there is Paul and the gospel he is declaring on the other hand (Campbell 2006). T he Scriptures are distinguished as providing support, providing the language, providing evidence documents for Paul’s Christian premises in his epistles (Campbell 2006). Paul is believed as ‘applying’ the Scriptures as a kind of prize to serve his own intention. In contrast, several scholars argued that the Scriptures are the symbolic dimension within which Paul inhabits, within which he is entrenched in his life and ideas prior to and following his call (Kern 1998). Hence he is viewed as thinking, acting and living from

Term Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 5

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Developing Language Skills Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

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Becoming A Woman And Accepting It Essay Example for Free

Becoming A Woman And Accepting It Essay Becoming A Woman 1 At first reading, Elizabeth Bishop’s â€Å"In The Waiting Room† is a world full of wonderful imagery. I did not care what it meant, I just enjoyed the way she described what she saw in the National Geographic while waiting in a dentist’s room. I can perfectly see in my mind when she wrote about â€Å"the inside of a volcano, black, and full of ashes; then it was spilling over in rivulets of fire †¦ Babies with pointed heads wound round and round with string† (Bishop, 1977). The second reading, I began to wonder what she meant with â€Å"But I felt: you are an I, you are an Elizabeth, you are one of them †¦ Why should I be my aunt, or me, or anyone? † I thought maybe she has an identity crisis or something like that so I reread it again. This time, the phrase â€Å"I said to myself: three days and youll be seven years old† stuck on my mind. And that’s when everything clicked. I felt that with her seventh birthday coming on (for me, this is an idiom for a woman’s rite of passage like her eighteenth birthday or another significant event), Elizabeth feels she’s finally becoming a woman. When I say becoming a woman, it’s the transition from being a carefree girl to an adult female with responsibilities. She’s quite agitated by it, not quite sure if she could be like her aunt and the rest of the adults. Elizabeth is anxious and is not ready to become a woman, but whether she likes it or not, she’s a woman already. Thus, she said, â€Å"I knew that nothing stranger had ever happened, that nothing stranger could ever happen. † After questioning how she became a woman, Elizabeth finally accepted that she is one. In the end of the poem she said, â€Å"The War was on. † If you were a kid, a teenager, or someone who doesn’t care for responsibilities, a war is not something you’d think about. But Elizabeth now does think about it. She has finally accepted she is a woman with responsibilities, still scared about it but willing to face whatever that might come her way. Well, at least, that’s how I see it ? Becoming A Woman 3 Reference Bishop, Elizabeth. (1977). Geography III. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.

The Role Of Efficient Market Hypothesis

The Role Of Efficient Market Hypothesis Corporate finance provides the skills which Spry Plc needs to identify and select as corporate strategies that add value to the firm such as investments. Throughout this paper, capital market and efficient market hypothesis has been discussed critically to evaluate Spry Plcs market position; then possible finance sources has been discussed to obtain finances, and lastly cost of capital and its consequence on large companies has been assessed (Lo, Mamaysky and Wang, 2000); (Lakonishok, Schleifer and Vishny, 1994). Capital markets are the place where Spry Plc can meet investor who has finance to offers for long term. This finance may be equity finance involving the issue of new ordinary share or debt finance from a wide range of loans and debts securities. Capitals market is also a place where investors buy and sells company and government securities (Grossman, Sanford and Stiglitz, 1980); (Campbell, 1987); (Lakonishok, and Smidt, 1988). Capital markets are divided by two parts: primary market and secondary market. primary market help the companies to issues new securities to the new or existing shareholders by marking a public issue or right issues. This can help company perform better to influence shareholders that the company is willing to be stronger over the time both financially and operationally (Lo, Mamaysky and Wang, 2000); (Shiller, 1981); (Keim, and Stambaugh, 1986). Secondary market is the market in which previously issued securities are traded. An active secondary market after the Initial Public Offering (IPO) provides the pre-IPO shareholders with a chance to convert some of their wealth into cash makes it easier for the Spry Plc to raise additional capital later and makes it easier for the company to use their stock to acquire other companies. This is to ensure Spry Plc stock will trade in an active secondary market before they incur the high costs of an IPO (Fama, Eugene and French, 1988); (Campbell and Shiller, 1988). The Role and Importance of Capital Market The primary role and importance of the capital market is to raise long term funds for corporation while providing a platform for the trading of securities. This is to protect increment of the market share and price of securities to protect their investments in future (Lo, Mamaysky and Wang, 2000) (DeBondt, Werner and Thaler, 1995). Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) asserts that financial markets are efficient or that prices on traded assets such as share and fixed interest securities are already reflect all known information. In can state that the companies may expect that they can develop more efficient market, more random the cycle of price changes generated by such a market and the most efficient market of all is one in which price changes are completely random and changeable (Fama, Eugene and French, 1988); (Lakonishok, Schleifer and Vishny, 1994); (Keim, and Stambaugh, 1986). The role and importance of Efficient Market Hypothesis Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) information is defined as anything which may affect the share price that is not known in present and appears randomly in the future. The role of EMH is how Spry Plc mangers consist of analyzing and investing appropriately based on an investors tax consideration and risk profiles (Ariel, 1990); (Poterba, and Summers, 1988) (Cooper, Dimitrov and Rau, 2001); (Roll, and Shiller, 1992). EMH will not consistently outperform the market by using any information that the market already know except through luck. The share prices may not determine to future stock performance example the market may not know about an events which will lead to lower profits. This can not be controlled by anyone when the share prices will be changing depending on the markets (Grossman, Sanford and Stiglitz, 1980); (DeBondt, Werner and Thaler, 1995); (Fluck, Burton and Quandt, 1997). Weak form of Efficient Market Hypothesis In this stage all past market prices and data are fully reflected in the price of securities and stock. It is based on information about event shaping the Spry Plc may not fully replicate in price. This state that future price movements are determined entirely by information not contained in the price series (Fama, Eugene and French, 1988); (Lakonishok, and Smidt, 1988). Semi-strong form of EMH This form emphasize that all publicly available information is fully reflected in securities prices. This implies that neither fundamental analysis nor technical analysis techniques will be able to reliably produce excess return (Campbell, 1987) (DeBondt, Werner and Thaler, 1995). Strong form of EMH This states that all information is fully reflected in securities price. A markets need to exist where investor can not consistently earn excess return over a long period of time (Cooper, Dimitrov and Rau, 2001). Sources in Finance Corporate finance is an area of finance dealing with financial decision makes and the tools and analysis used to make those decision. Organization must ensure that the company are making good finance decision and all decision made are profitable for the organization (Poterba, and Summers, 1988); (Keim, and Stambaugh, 1986). Sources of finance are divided into external finance and internal finance. One example of internal finance is retained earnings which are known as company profit. Another internal sources is often overlooked is the saving generated by more efficient management of working capital. This states that the company has sufficient cash savings in accounts to pay off all the debts owned as bank overdraft, trade creditors, and other debts (Campbell and Shiller, 1988); (Lakonishok, Schleifer and Vishny, 1994). External finance is available which can be split broadly into debt and equity finance. External finance comes from outsource to invest and will pay-off based on terms agreed with interest (Ariel, 1990). Equity Finance Share capital is issued by capital and converted into small units become share of the companies. Shareholder is the person who is holding the company share. There are two types of share normally issues by company: ordinary share and preference share capital (Cooper, Dimitrov and Rau, 2001); (Keim, and Stambaugh, 1986). Ordinary Shares Capital Ordinary share is important source of raising long term capital by Spry Plc. It represents the ownership of a company. Ordinary share capital will not get the fixed dividend but shareholder will get the basic interests from the company. Ordinary shareholders have the power to vote for the rights and they have the right to choose managing directors (Shiller, 1981); (Fluck, Burton and Quandt, 1997); (Rasches, 2001). The important merits of raising funds through issuing ordinary share are as follows (Samuelson, 1965); (Odean, 1999): There will not be a mandatory burden for the company to pay dividend to equity shareholders yearly. Ordinary shareholders have the right and power to vote who will be in the management committee of the company. Ordinary share issue can be time consuming and it is considered risky. Company has less control over the management as it is decided by shareholders (Ariel, 1990); (Roll, and Shiller, 1992). Preference Shares Capital Preference shareholders enjoy a superior position over equity shareholders in two ways. Preference shareholder will receive a fixed rate of dividend out of net profits of the company before any dividend is declared for ordinary shareholders. Preference shareholders do not have any vote rights (Fama, Eugene and French, 1988) (DeBondt, Werner and Thaler, 1995). The merits of preference share as follows (Basu, 1983): Preference share is a safety share to invest and company will provide a reasonably steady income in the form of fixed rate of return. Shareholder does not have the right and power to vote for management. Preference share often is not able to raise enough fund desired by the company (Ball, 1978). Retained Earning A company generally does not distribute all its earnings amongst the shareholders as dividends. This is the profits which show in the financial statement how much the organization gains for a year and can be retained in business for future use (Grossman, Sanford and Stiglitz, 1980) (Cooper, Dimitrov and Rau, 2001). The merits of retained earning as a source of finance is as follows (Samuelson, 1965); (Odean, 1999): As the funds are generated internally, there are greater choices and flexibility available. It may lead to increase in the market price of the equity shares of a company Retained earning will not held the organization to use the capital wisely. Misuse is often occurred in this policy (Campbell, 1987); (Roll, and Shiller, 1992). Debt Finance Bank loan Bank provides funds for different purpose as well as for different time periods. For example, if Spry Plc borrows money from the bank with good understanding there can be different type of repayment like extended period, overdraft, term loans etc. though the borrower is required to provide some security assets of the firm before a loan is authorized by a commercial bank (Campbell and Shiller, 1988); (DeBondt, Werner and Thaler, 1995); (Keim, and Stambaugh, 1986). The merits of raising funds from a commercial bank are as follows (Keim, 1983): Banks provide funds when companies are in need and timely. Loan amount can be increased according to business needs and can be repaid in advance when funds are not needed. Bank often requires mortgage of assets in order to approve loan. Sometimes it takes too many formalities which take time (Ariel, 1990); (Cooper, Dimitrov and Rau, 2001); (Nicholson, 1960). Debentures Debentures are an important tool for raising long term debt capital. A company can raise funds through issue of debentures which bear a fixed rate of interest. The debenture issued by a company is an acknowledgment that the company has borrowed a certain amount of money from public, which promises to repay at a future date with interest (Lo, Mamaysky and Wang, 2000); (Lakonishok, Schleifer and Vishny, 1994). . The merits of raising funds through debentures are given as follows (French, 1980): The issue of debentures is suitable in the situation when the sales and earnings are relatively stable. As debentures do not carry voting rights, financing through debentures does not affect organizational control of equity shareholders on management. Issuing debentures is risky when company business market is not good and incurs losses because debenture amount must be paid regardless of company gains profit or losing business (Fama, Eugene and French, 1988); (Cooper, Dimitrov and Rau, 2001). Cost of Capital When investors provide a corporation with funding they expect the company to generate an appropriate return on those funds. From the companys perception, investors expects return is a cost of using the funds and it is called as cost of capital. A variety of factor influence a companys cost of capital. The cost of capital is also a key factor in choosing the mixture of debts and equity used to finance the company and is a critical element in business decision (Cooper, Dimitrov and Rau, 2001); (Keim, and Stambaugh, 1986). Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) The cost of capital used to analyze capital budgeting decision is a weighted average of the components cost. Therefore, Spry Plc managers should strive to make the company more valuable and that value of a company is determined by the size, timing and risk of free cash flow (FCF). A companys value is the present value of its FCFs, discount at the WACC (Shiller, 1981). The formula of Weighted Average Cost of Capital as follows: Value = FCF 1 + FCF 2 (1+WACC) (1+WACC) 2 Cost of Equity Companies can raise common equity in two ways there are (Fama,1970): Directly by issuing share. Indirectly by retained earnings. Mature company issue new share of common stock. In fact if there are less than 2 percent of all new corporate funds come from the external equity market because of high floatation cost, investors perceived issuing equity as a negative signal with respect to the true value of the companys stock. An increase in the supply of stock will put weight on the stock price, forcing the company to sell the new stock at a lower price than existing, before the new issue was announced (Campbell and Shiller, 1988) (Lakonishok, Schleifer and Vishny, 1994); (Nicholson, 1960). Rate of return (rs) is investors expectation to earn that return by simply buying the stock of the company. Therefore, rs are the cost of common equity raise internally by reinvesting earning (Poterba, and Summers, 1988); (Cooper, Dimitrov and Rau, 2001). Whereas debts and proffered stock are contractual obligations that have easily determined cost, is more difficult to estimate rs. There are few methods to compute such as Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), Discount Cash Flow (DCF) and others. CAPM approach is to estimate the risk free rate, estimate the current expect market risk premium, estimate the stocks beta coefficient and substitute the preceding values into the CAMP equation to estimate required rate return on the stock (Ariel, 1990); (DeBondt, Werner and Thaler, 1995); (Jensen, 1968). Ks = Krf + à ¯Ã‚ Ã‚ ¢ (Km Krf) Cost of Debt Cost of Debts determines the rate of return debts holders required to pay. Companies use both fixed and floating rate debt straight and convertible debts and debt with sinking and without sinking funds and each form has a somewhat different cost. Therefore, Spry Plc should know at the start of the planning period, the exact types and amounts of debt that will be used during the period. The types used will depend on the specific assets to be financed and on capital market condition as they develop over time. The relevant cost is the marginal cost of new debt to be raised during planning period. The after tax cost of capital is used to calculate the WACC (Lo, Mamaysky and Wang, 2000); (Nicholson, 1960). After tax component cost of debt = Interest rate Tax Saving = rd r d T = rd (1-T) Market value of equity and debt The formulation of market value of equity and debts as below: Market value of common equity (Market value common equity + market value of debt + Markey value of preference equity) In this stage, market value use to compute how much company share values at the market. The market value for equity is let publicly traded company is simply the price per share multiplied by the number of share outstanding. It can state market value of equity is similar to trade in ordinary share in market. The market value of debts similar to the company traded bonds. Most companies have a large banks loan. Therefore, this is one of the debts company holds. Preferred stock holders are fixed to gain the dividend by the company and percentages term is based on net profit for the years. The cost of common equity is usually determined using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (Grossman, Sanford and Stiglitz, 1980); (Fluck, Burton and Quandt, 1997). The formula to compute it is WACC = Weight of Preferred Equity * Cost of Preferred Equity + Weight of Common Equity * Cost of Common Equity + Weight of Debt * Cost of Debt * (1 Tax rate) Importance of cost of capital Considered as the opportunity cost, cost of capital is the minimum return required by an investor. On the other hand, for shareholders cost of capital is the dividend rate they expect to gain along with the gain on values of chares. Besides, for loan holders, cost of capital is the rate of interest for the loan provided. So company must perform well to maintain all returns effectively; other wise this finance providers will sale or transfer their funds to others with better rate or return (Fama, Eugene and French, 1988); (Keim, and Stambaugh, 1986). Capital Structures A company can obtain a long term financing in the form of equity, debts or some combination. The firms mixture of debt and equity is called as capital structure. The capital structure decision includes a companys choice of target capital structure, average maturity of its debts and specific source of financing it chooses at any particular time (Ariel, 1990); (Cooper, Dimitrov and Rau, 2001); (Jensen, 1968). Traditional Approach Traditional approach defined as an optimal capital structure. This is to compute how much the firms total value leverage for the year. When the investor is to invest their money in the company with a higher risk they may get higher interest and income. But when shareholder perceived higher risk and cost of equity is raise to the point at the level, the cost of debt will be more expensive than equity. So the company need to pay more interest and will bust to them when operate (Campbell, 1987); (Lakonishok, Schleifer and Vishny, 1994). Miller and Modigliani (I) Miller and Modigliani (I) [MM] first analyze that leverage is the value of any firm is established by capitalizing its expected net operating income (EBIT) at a constant rate that is based on the companys risk. The first proposition establishes that under certain conditions, a firms debt-equity ratio does not affect its market value. This developed a trade off theory of capital structure. It show that dents is useful because interest is tax deductible but also that dents bring with it costs associated with actual or potential bankruptcy. The optimal capital structure strikes a balance between the tax benefits of debts and the cost associated with bankruptcy (Lo, Mamaysky and Wang, 2000); (DeBondt, Werner and Thaler, 1995). Miller and Modigliani (II) The second proposition establishes that a firms leverage has no effect on its weighted average cost of capital provided the cost of equity capital is a linear function of the debt-equity ratio. This stage is showing that under some conditions, the optimal capital structure can be complete debt finance due to the preferential treatment of debt relative to equity in a tax code. MM (II) is to determine that the expected return of portfolio equal with WACC of expected return of the securities in the portfolio. This proves that Proposition II is more flexible compute compare with MM (I) for the company because signaling models use financial decisions to reveal information to make decision (Grossman, Sanford and Stiglitz, 1980); (Poterba, and Summers, 1988); (Keim, and Stambaugh, 1986). Implications of cost of capital on capital structure Using cost of capital on capital structures bring the implications that the firm must earn a minimum rate of return to cover the cost of generating funds for investments if the firm wish public to buy bonds and stocks (Campbell and Shiller, 1988); (Lakonishok, Schleifer and Vishny, 1994). Conclusion Achieving the goal of corporate finance required that any corporate investment is financed appropriately. Investment in a new market may have risk which is very often unknown. Therefore, management must identify and aware of the risk and plans accordingly with financing mix and impact the valuation to reduce capital structure that results in maximum value (Fama, Eugene and French, 1988); (Fluck, Burton and Quandt, 1997).

Team Performance within Marks and Spencer

Team Performance within Marks and Spencer Performance management is a systematic process which improves performance of organization by developing the performance of individuals and teams. It is a strategy of getting better results from the organization, teams and individuals by understanding and managing performance within an agreed framework where goals are planned, standards and required competence are clearly defined. Strategic performance management is a process for establishing mutual understanding about what is to be achieved, and for managing and developing people in a way that makes it possible to achieve the goals in the short and longer term. It deals with broader issues of the organization. It is a tool to evaluate how the business is performing. Line management plays a key role in strategic performance Management who drive and fully owned this as per corporate governance regulation. I like to quote some other definitions as below, Performance management is: The development of individuals with competence and commitment, working towards the achievement of shared meaningful objectives within an organisation which supports and encourages their achievement (Lockett, 1) Performance management is: the process of Directing and supporting employees to work as effectively and efficiently as possible in line with the needs of the organisation (Walters, 3) Performance management is a strategic and integrated approach to delivering sustained success to organisations by improving the performance of the people who work in them and by developing the capabilities of teams and individual contributors (Armstrong and Baron, 4) Be able to set performance targets to meet strategic objectives. Links between team performance and Strategic objectives. Team performance is directly related to companys strategic objectives. Organisation consists of number of people who works collectively to achieve common objective of the company which is profitability, thus if team performs well whole company will perform well. Every member of a team is assigned with specific day to day tasks which he/she is expected to do well and contribute fully for team collective output. Within team tasks are divided and resources are shared, they are interlinked and work with in cycle so, if one member doesnt finish his / her task in time it may slow down a whole next chain which can lead to slow down performance of a team as a whole. Slow progress may result loss of potential opportunities existed in the market and result in loss revenue which goes directly against the strategic objective of the company. Therefore, it is vital that each member of staff is chosen on the merit of job requirement and are fully equipped to perform his/her tasks with given time period. Team is judged on the basis of result they deliver. In Marks and Spenser each role is aligned with specific duties as per job description, over all aim is clearly defined, each member of staff is expected to deliver best customer services and are assigned with specific day to day tasks which ultimately lead to achieve organisational objectives such as monthly sales targets. Greater the team performance is the better chances are to meet organisational objectives. This proves that team performance is directly related meeting strategic organisational objectives. The principle is everyone will be working together to contribute to corporate profits. 1.2) Tools and technique available to set team performance targets There are many performance improvement models and tools available to set team performance targets, decision makers choose any model which best suits companys needs and assist its process. Ive listed below some which are most commonly used, Balance Scorecard: A multi-dimensional framework for managing strategy by linking objectives, initiatives, targets and performance measures across key corporate perspectives. Business Process Reengineering: An approach to review and redesign organisational processes in order to achieve improved performance in terms of cost, quality of service and timeliness EFQM Excellence Model: Organisational improvement framework for assessing strengths and areas for improvement across the spectrum of an organisations activities. Investors in People: National standard for improving organisational performance by training and developing people to achieve organisational goals. ISO9001 Quality System: Global standard and approach for quality management systems. The standard focuses on the management of processes and documentation in order to meet customer needs and expectations. Six Sigma: A disciplined methodology for process improvement that deploys a wide set of tools based on rigorous data analysis to identify sources of variation in performance and ways of reducing them Management by Objectives: It is a process where objectives are agreed with in organization so management and employees understands what they are in the organization. It is driven by objectives. Evidence over the past five years suggests that the use of the various improvement models and tools has been variable with equally variable impact. The aim of the review is to raise awareness and understanding of some of the more popular performance improvement models and tools available to organisations and to share learning in their use to date. It is hoped that the review will enable authorities to make more informed choices on the use of appropriate approaches or tools if appropriate to use them at all. MS uses investor in Business model and invest vast amount of its resources on training and coaching to improve people skills to contribute more professionally and provide best customer services. There is a full time coaching staffs assigned for each shift whose duty is to be on the floor and assist instantly where ever any member needs assistance or to ensure the customer services is at its best. Every contribution adds to achieve corporate profit. 1.3) Value of Strategic Performance tools to measure future team performance Managing employee or system performance assist the effective delivery of strategic and operational goals. It saves time, assist to measure the output, it improves business results. It helps to check if efforts are in right direction and are serving the purpose of the organization rather wasting time. Companies are using integrated software to record employees contributions that assist them to measure, analyze and enhance employees output. This brings direct or indirect benefits to the companies. Direct Financial Gains Maximizes sales Minimizes costs Avoid any overruns Comply with the organizational Goals Speedy implementation of any changes in strategic or operational goals. Marks and Spencer (MS) took a great advantage by implementing and constant reviewing and adapting right strategic performance tool which best suits its need and manage to turn its portfolio from making loss to producing profit since 2006 onwards, since then they are managing to keep company in profit despite tough market condition like recession hit economy where buying capacity is at its low. Be able to agree team performance targets to contribute to meeting strategic objectives 2.1) How to determine required performance targets with in teams against current performance The term KPI has become one of the most popular terms in business development and management. In theory it provides a series of measures against which internal managers and external investors can judge the business and how it is likely to perform over the medium and long term. Different organisations need to monitor different aspects of their environment, there are many monitoring modules, and Ive chosen to list some of them below, Product/ service Competitive analysis Customer satisfaction Marketing management Personnel management IT management Contingency planning For each monitoring module, one can then establish what the current level of performance is in a measurable and understandable way. This is the current performance. From industry sources, the benchmark level can normally be introduced (getting to benchmarks is often a difficult process and one requiring a mixture of low cunning and/or sophisticated analysis). Then a target level of achievement can be entered. Let us take an example of customer satisfaction module in Marks and Spencer. Customer Satisfaction; Current Benchmark Target 60% 90% 100% A mystery shopper also visits twice monthly and assessed each store. If they are maintaining standards and providing best customer care which MS is renowned for and then award score. Each store is expected to score 100%. The KPI is central to a number of other elements in the planning platform which provides the Basis for answering the three crucial planning questions: Where are we? Where do we want to be (and when)? How are we going to get there cost effectively? The most rapid way to establish the KPI within any set of monitoring information is to work through the three criteria in sequence. Is the control information key to success of the organisation? Can we measure it and influence it? Does it provide leading edge indications of future developments? In MS when a new member of staff joins the company, proper induction is conducted, his role is fully briefed to him / her in detail and all key performance indicator markers (KPIs) are agreed with in one to one meeting with Manager. First three months are considered as probationary period where staff is expected to learn and demonstrate all basic qualities which are required at this role. There is a standard Career path and Job titles are self explanatory, so with in probationary period staff is provided with a title as trainee customer assistance. After successful completion of probationary period the staffs is promoted to qualified customer assistant. Next level is to become section coordinator which leads to become section Manager at next level. 2.2) need to encourage individual commitment to team performance in achievement of organisational goals. The overall aim of performance management is to establish a high-performance culture in which individuals and teams take responsibility for the continuous improvement of business processes and for their own skills and contributions within a framework provided by effective leadership. This stage refers to working to ensure the performance objectives are achieved. Identify development needs and support it with professional training one need. When performance objectives are agreed, line managers will need to plan how to achieve expected level of performance. Provide all support and resources which he/she may need to undertake specific day to day tasks. For any new role Introduce comprehensive induction and probation period is to assess employees performance and assess their need. All employees should be motivated to work effectively and efficiently. This applies to all including one who has been working for same post for over the years. The essentials of effective performance management includes, Appreciate its purpose Clarity in process cycle and how individual can best contribute in it. Recognition of responsibilities Prioritizing task Effective communication and feedback Suggesting ways to meeting individuals targets. Rewarding employees MS always encourages staffs and provide full support to increase performance. Staffs are rewarded with bonuses and reward vouchers based on feedback from customer as well as from mystery shoppers. Managers work closely with staff on the floor and assist them wherever required. Career path is designed to encourage employees to perform at their best which ensured their professional growth. It is highlighted that without every ones individual performance and contribution over all success of organization is not possible. 2.3) Application of delegation, mentoring and coaching to the achievement of the organisational objectives Mentoring is a popular tool of personal development and type of training which is long standing. It refers to support, advice and guidance of most experienced person with in organisation to new or inexperience person for his personal development which brings benefits to organisation. It is essentially a supportive form of development. It focuses on helping an individual manage their career and improve skills. Personal issues can be discussed more productively unlike in coaching where the emphasis is on performance at work. Mentoring activities have both organisational and individual goals. Coaching refers to developing persons skills to improve job performance in order to achieve of organisational objectives. It is generally short term more organised and time bounded with regular meetings. Coach needs to be qualified or experienced with formal occupational role. It focuses on development of work related and more specific issues or immediate goals. MS has kept a specific role as a coaching member who preset on the floor and helps staff with their day to day activities and trains them wherever required. Mangers also work on the floor with team and use mentoring wherever they feel necessary. Mangers also delegate work with in team and seeing them through with successful completion while paying attention to manage other tasks. All this leads to team success which ultimately help to achieve strategic objectives i.e. Best store lay out and customer service which brings more sale and help corporate profit. 2.4) evaluate a team performance plan A Team Performance Plan is a detailed plan used to: Identify the desired performance levels of the team Identify how these performance levels will be achieved Provide guidance and direction to the team Measure progress towards the desired performance levels Although there are no strict rules as to the format of a Team Performance Plan they normally contain the following information: Specific goals for team development Performance measures Actions required to achieve goals An indication of how long goals will take to achieve The Team Performance Plan should align with the organizations overall objectives. This can be achieved by: 1. Aligning the Team Performance Plan with the Team Purpose 2. Aligning the Team Purpose with the organizations objectives Team Performance Plans might include the following types of goals: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Goals to improve team competency Team building goals One of the most fundamental purposes of performance management is to align individual and organizational objectives. This means that everything people do at work leads to outcomes that further the achievement of the basis of performance management 7 organizational goals. Individuals and teams are provided with the opportunity to formulate their own goals within the framework provided by the defined overall purpose, strategy and values of the organization. Objectives should be agreed, not set, and this agreement should be reached through the open dialogues that take place between managers and individuals throughout the year. In other words, this needs to be seen as a partnership in which responsibility is shared and mutual expectations are defined. MS set KPI for each member for staff as per their role, lets take an example of customer assistant who is assigned with following objectives, Quantitative objectives include date rotation of all products which help to bring down daily waste ratio and ultimately help to increase profitability of store. Staffs is expected to keep a close eye on inventory to ensure products are available at all the time which help to achieve weekly sale targets of the store. Qualitative objectives includes all products are tagged with correct price and place in a right position which is legal requirement and standard of MS. Staffs are expected to ensure customer safety is paramount. If there is any spillage on the floor it should be cleared quickly and any slippery floor is sign posted to aware customer with any possible hazards. Staff need to ensure the Environment is clean and customer friendly. Staffs are fully aware of product position and its description to answer and satisfy customer query if any. Be able to monitor actions and activities defined to improve team performance 3.1) Process for monitoring team performance and initiate changes where necessary Performance management provides better management control; it is flexible and responsive to their needs. It facilitates to comply with companies legal requirement. It also helps out in Audit. Workers know the criteria they will be appraised against. Goals are pre-defined. All businesses, whatever sector they are in, will have plans, aims and objectives. In some cases these can be very sophisticated but in some small businesses very modest. Whatever they are a business will need to monitor its performance in relation to these goals. Following are different ways of monitoring team performances, Meet with Team Conduct weekly or bi-weekly meetings with team leaders to review issues, share experiences, and resolve problems and concerns. Make sure that team leaders hold similar meetings with their team members, and that identified issues are recorded, communicated, and followed through to closure. Communication: effective communication may require nothing more than routine, informal, interaction among the team. Recognize Success Positive reinforcement is a key element of effective team building. This can be as simple as a few words of praise or public recognition, or nomination for a more formal rewards and recognition, such as Impact. Monitor Team Morale On a small project, management by walking around will be sufficient to assess team morale. On a project with multiple subprojects and/or a distributed team, more formal techniques such as team surveys may be used to identify problem areas that require corrective action. Conduct Team Performance Reviews Make sure that the process defined in the Employee Performance and Development Program is followed to provide regular, constructive feedback on each persons performance on the project. Reviews should occur at the end of each major phase, whenever the team member or his/her team leader is about to leave the project, at the end of the project, or on a minimum six-monthly basis. Lets take an example of Marks and Spencer where manager walk around on the floor every hour or so and observe each members performance against their agreed daily tasks, if needed they provide direction to member by prioritizing tasks. I like to pick Mckinsey 7-S Model to define a broad view of what contributes to performance effectiveness. McKinseys 7-S frame work In 1981 Richard Pascale and Anthony Athos started investigating success of Japanese industry, in the same time Tom Peters and Robert Waterman were exploring what made company excellent. The Seven S model was born at a meeting in 1978 between these four authors it was taken up by global management company called McKinseys, since then it is known as their 7- S model. It is used to organise a company in holistic and effective way. Shared Values This is interconnected centre of McKinneys model which describes what organisation stands for and what it believes in. Strategy It is a plan division of available resources over the period of time to achieve identified goals. Skills It refers to core competence of company workforce and their distinctive capabilities. Staff Number and type of staff members with in organisation Style Refers to Management style and how they act to achieve companys goal. Systems A procedure, process and routines which explain how the work should be conducted, financial system, MIS, performance appraisals and recruitment process etc. Structure The way Management structure is outlines, its hierarchy, i.e. centralised or de centralised, a matrix etc. 3.2) Evaluate team performance against agreed objectives Performance reviews are conducted by filling up appraisal forms with set of question in relation to KPIs set out and previously agreed with employees in one to one meeting. The outcome of review performance determine what action are required to ensure improve performance and future tasks are met. Any training required should be planned and resources are allocated in budget. Reasonable steps are taken to rectify problem if any. Excellent performance should be rewarded with bonus etc and it is assured to employees that their feedback/comments are valuable and their efforts are recognised. Any capability issue should be taken with care. Any underachievement should be dealt with as per companys policy guidelines and employee should be engaged in way where all efforts are made to provide enough support to staff to increase their output in order to achieve their targets. Manager should use all methods to increase staff performance that includes flexible hours, sharing of work load, providi ng new pattern of work, independent occupational advice, additional training and support. Marks and Spenser (MS) pays great attention to outcome of performance review, a copy of each review is attached with employees personal file. Any recommendations for training needs are scheduled at earliest opportunity. Any under performer is dealt with as per companys standard guidelines. 3.3) evaluate the impact of the team performance in contributing to meeting strategic objectives The out put of appraisal confirms if member has been able to meet his KPIs, if yes how should you rate them as that rating has a direct reflection of his/her contribution to companies objectives, if employees does well he is rewarded with incentives i.e. bonus payment as well as salary increase if he falls behind he is dealt with as per companies policy. In Marks and Spenser up until last year all employees were rewarded with Bonus payments because MS did well against its budget as well as its forecast. It was evaluated that this can not be achieved with out a great hard work team members had put it. 4) Be able to apply influencing and persuading skills to the dynamic and politics of personal interactions 4.1) determine influencing and persuading methodologies to gain the commitment of individuals to a course of action Market research shows that organization that invests and care about motivation of staff generally performs better. Organization is tasked with developing individuals and rewarding and retaining those who perform well. Organisations have a vested interest in finding out if the incentive schemes that they implement are resulting in the desired behavior from individuals. I like to highlight below the link between incentives and employee motivation. Paying for performance Advocates of pay for performance systems argue that good systems motivate employees towards achievements that support corporate goals and strategies. Rewarding the right behaviour By rewarding staff for their right behaviour motivates them to make the good performance consistently or make every effort to deliver best services all the time. Incentives and staff performance Incentives are very much welcomed by staff weather its time off or free drinks or bonus payments it motivate them to achieve higher goals or achieve excellent performance. The rewards usually relate to the achievement of certain goals, either personal, team or organisational, or a combination of all. In addition, the critical success factors are: 1. To keep the scheme simple 2. Participants should be able to calculate their incentive 3. Payouts should be meaningful 4. Targets are set in month 1 and goal posts are not moved during the incentive period Incentives do not work well in isolation from other management practices. Rather, they are further supported by other elements such as good working conditions, performance management, performance appraisals, and training opportunities. Weak administration and processes will inhibit its effectiveness. There are three contributing factors for performance motivation. Money Social recognition Performance feedback. Traditional Motivational Models and persuading methodologies to gain the commitment of individuals to a course of action Maslows hierarchy of needs Each of us is motivated by needs. Our most basic needs are inborn, having evolved over tens of thousands of years. Abraham Maslows Hierarchy of Needs helps to explain how these needs motivate us all. Maslows Hierarchy of Needs states that we must satisfy each need in turn, starting with the first, which deals with the most obvious needs for survival itself. Only when the lower order needs of physical and emotional well-being are satisfied are we concerned with the higher order needs of influence and personal development. Conversely, if the things that satisfy our lower order needs are swept away, we are no longer concerned about the maintenance of our higher order needs. Source (http://www.businessballs.com/maslow.htm) Douglas McGregor theory x y Theory x (authoritarian management style) The average person dislikes work and will avoid it he/she can. Therefore most people must be forced with the threat of punishment to work towards organisational objectives. The average person prefers to be directed; to avoid responsibility; is relatively UN ambitious, and wants security above all else. Theory y (participative management style) Effort in work is as natural as work and play. People will apply self-control and self-direction in the pursuit of organisational objectives, without external control or the threat of punishment. Commitment to objectives is a function of rewards associated with their achievement. People usually accept and often seek responsibility. The capacity to use a high degree of imagination, ingenuity and creativity in solving organisational problems is widely, not narrowly, distributed in the population. In industry the intellectual potential of the average person is only partly utilised. Tools for teaching, understanding and evaluating xy theory factors There are a number of fundamental concepts that underpin the Excellence Model that are reflected in the criteria and sub criteria of the framework. These concepts are: 1. Results orientation 2. Customer focus 3. Leadership and constancy of purpose 4. Management by processes and facts 5. People development and involvement 6. Continuous learning 7. Innovation and improvement 8. Partnership development 9. Public responsibility. Source (http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregor.htm) Frederick Hertzberg theory Herzbergs research used a pioneering approach, based on open questioning and very few assumptions, to gather and analyse details of critical incidents as recalled by the survey respondents. Herzbergs research identified that true motivators were other completely different factors, notably: achievement recognition work itself responsibility advancement In MS Bonus payments, rewards vouchers are used to gain individuals commitment which has been very successful. In addition names are posted on notice boards who ever achieve best customer services award of the month to recognise their employees effort. This also motivate other employees to work extra hard and be no 1 next time. Promotions are also awarded to persuade employees to take more responsibilities and face fresh challenges in order to progress on professional career. 4.2) discuss the impact of individual dynamics, interest and organizational politics on securing the commitment of individuals to a course of action. The approaches and tools vary. However all aim to address one or more of the following objectives, with the ultimate aim of improving performance: 1. Help understand what customers need; 2. Help organisations and employees become more results orientated; 3. Improve the quality of service to customers by improving processes or practices; 4. Provide a structured approach to strategic management; 5. Create links between individual, service and corporate objectives; 6. Translate strategy in to performance measures and targets and in doing so rationalise performance information; 7. Help demonstrate individual staff contribution to organisational objectives and create ownership of performance by staff involvement in the improvement process; 8. Identify strengths and areas for improvement; 9. Aid internal and external communication. Marks and Spenser selected Mary Gober method as chosen service style in order to enhance its reputation, improve sales and business results, and make employee and customer proud of Marks and Spenser. Through employees efforts, this service style became a part of MSs very nature, character which never fades away. It acts as a powerful force, consistently delivering great service every time customer interacts. The method really helped changing individuals behaviour throughout the chains of store. It emphasised that employees should be positive, take ownership and responsibility, be respectful and be determined from the minute they say Hello to customer to the minute say Goodbye, everything In Between and Beyond. This makes a dramatic, powerful impact on the customer and leaves a feel good impression. Summary The study of strategic performance management gives us the knowledge that how managers achieve the organization overall long term goal. The study of SPM is all about the need for finding common ground between strategy management and operations management. While strategy management seeks to make strategy relevant to employees day-to-day responsibilities, operations management seeks strategic context for implementation and improvement projects. This assignment give us an idea and understanding to find out the gap between management strategy, management accounting, and strategic human resource management to analyze the link between organizational strategy and systems of planning and control.