How to Create a Character Profile the Ultimate Guide (with Template)

How to Create a Character Profile the Ultimate Guide (with Template) How to Create a Character Profile: the Ultimate Guide (with Template) Ask any great novelist and they’ll likely tell you that good writing starts with good characters. But sharp character development is also one of the toughest hills to climb, especially if you’ve struggled to think through those tried-and-true questions that keep you up at night:Are my characters convincing?Do my characters have depth?How do I make sure my character has an arc?If you’re having these doubts, you might want to turn to the age-old solution: a character profile. In this post, we take you through all the steps of creating a character profile requires - and give you a character template that you can use with any story you’re writing.Why create a character profile?What’s the point of filling out a character template? I never end up using all the information in my story, anyway! That’s true. In fact, you shouldn’t try to pack every character detail into your novel. Only use what's relevant to the actual story - otherwise you risk turning off readers with the dreaded "info dump."But the author always needs to understand their characters like the back of their hands. In Creating Unforgettable Characters: A Practical Guide to Character Development, Linda Seger compares the depth of a character to an iceberg. The audience will only see a fraction (maybe 10%) of all that the writer knows about their character. But the remaining 90% is what makes characters actually feel well-drawn, flawed, and real - as though they could live outside of the book itself.Those are the kinds of characters our character questionnaire is here to help you write.PRO-TIP:  If you're still in the beginning stages of building a character and need a name, this character name generator may come in handy.So what makes a good character profile?There are a lot of character questionnaires out there - some are good. Then there's the character template that asks you, â€Å"If your character was a color, what color would they be?†On ce you start answering those kinds of questions in a character template, you might be dealing with overkill. It won’t move the needle at all when it comes to character development.A better character profile is one that actually helps you build a holistic picture of your character in the context of your story. With this in mind, we built a character profile worksheet in three parts. If you treat a person like an apple, they’re going to have three layers of depth: the â€Å"skin,† the â€Å"flesh,† and the â€Å"core.† (Otherwise known as their physical appearance, backstory, and psychology.) That’s how this character template is structured - and if you have a particular area that you’d like to hone, you can skip to it below. Otherwise, this questionnaire will start with the eagle eye’s view of your character. And if you'd like to download it nicely formatted for you already in a PDF format, feel free to do so below! Ready? Let’s begin.PART 1: The Outer Layer, or Physical Appearance PART 2: The Flesh, or Backstory PART 3: The Core, or PsychologyPart 1: The Outer LayerTo be able to identify a criminal, detectives build a painstakingly thorough file of said criminal’s physical characteristics.That’s the goal of this section, which covers the â€Å"skin† of your character: everything from their outer appearance to the way that they speak. Think of it as a kind of offender profile - one that can help you spot your character in the middle of a crowded Times Square.ðŸ“â€" THE BASICSNameAgePlace of birthCurrent locationNationalityEducationOccupationIncome👀 PHYSICAL APPEARANCEWhat's their:eye color?hair style?build?Do they have any distinguishing features (tattoos, scars, birthmarks)?What's their preferred outfit?Do they wear glasses?  Ã°Å¸â€˜â€œWhat accessories are ALWAYS associated with them (cane, pipe, necklace, etc.)?  Ã°Å¸Å'‚What's their usual level of grooming?DisheveledSmart, very put togetherUntidy but cleanOther?Do they have any distinguishing â€Å" tics† and mannerisms?What's their health like? Do they suffer from chronic illnesses?  Ã°Å¸  ¥Describe their handwriting (sloppy, neat, careful, unintelligible).  Ã¢Å" How do they walk?  Ã°Å¸â€˜ £Confident, powerful stridesLazy strollFast, walks at a clipDistracted, eyes on the groundOther?💠¬ SPEECH AND COMMUNICATIONHow do they talk (rapid, slow, measured, drawl, etc.)?What's the style of their speech (elevated, educated, peppered with slang, etc.)?Do they have an accent?Posture:Stiff, militarySlouchingCasual and relaxed‘Turtle,’ tiredOther?Do they gesture?Only when agitated or eagerDoesn’t gestureCompulsive â€Å"hand-talker†Controlled, only to make a pointOther? If so, explain:How much eye contact that they like to make (direct, shifty, etc.)?What's their preferred curse word?What's their catchphrase?Any speech impediments?What are any distinguishing speech â€Å"tics†?What's their laugh like? What do they tend to find funny?D escribe their smile?How emotive are they? Do they wear their emotions on their sleeve? How easily can others to read them?They have a resting _____ face.Bitch 😒Angel 😇Neutral 😠Other?Part 2: The FleshCharacters don’t exist in a vacuum - they’re a product of their environment.This section in the character template dives a bit deeper into your character and covers their â€Å"flesh†: the people, circumstances, and formative influences that filled them out and made them who they are today. It’s the springboard to your character’s biography.⠏ ª THE PASTWhat's the name of their hometown?  Ã°Å¸  ¡What type of childhood did they have (sheltered, neglected, etc.)?Describe their education?  Ã°Å¸  Were they involved in organizations and clubs at school?Sports âš ½Debate ðŸâ€" £Gay / Straight AllianceModel UNDrama 🎠­Other? If so, explain:At graduation, they were named Most Likely To ___________ in the yearbook.  Ã° ŸŽ“Jobs (if applicable)? What would their rà ©sumà © look like?  Ã°Å¸â€™ ¼What was their dream job as a child? Why?Who were their role models growing up? Describe them.  Ã°Å¸â€˜ ¨Ã¢â‚¬ Ã°Å¸â€˜ ¦What's their greatest regret?What were their hobbies growing up?  Ã¢â€º ³Favorite place to be as a child?What's their earliest memory?What's their saddest memory?What's their happiest memory?What's their clearest memory?What are their skeletons in the closet?  Ã°Å¸â€™â‚¬If they could change one thing from their past, what would it be? Why?  Ã¢  ³Describe the major turning points or â€Å"life beats† in childhood.What are three adjectives to describe them as a child?What advice would they give to their younger self?List their criminal record.   👠ª FAMILYFather  Ã°Å¸â€˜ ¨Age (if living)OccupationBriefly describe their relationship with your characterMother  Ã°Å¸â€˜ ©Age (if living)OccupationBriefly describe their relationship with your characterSiblings👠§How many?What are their names and ages?Briefly describe their relationship(s) with your characterChildren  Ã°Å¸â€˜ ¶(if applicable)Age (if living)OccupationBriefly describe their relationship with your characterExtended family  Ã°Å¸â€˜ ´GrandparentsUncles and auntsCousinsOtherWhat's their family's economic status?  Ã°Å¸â€™ °How often do they see their family in a year?ðŸ’Å" EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPSWho are their closest friends? Describe them.Who are their other significant friends?  Ã°Å¸â€˜â€¹Enemies? Describe them.  Ã°Å¸Ëœ ¡How are they perceived by:strangers in the street?acquaintances at a work function?colleagues in the office?authority figures?friends in their friend circles?children?the opposite sex?extended family?What social media platfo rms are they on?TwitterTumblrFacebookRedditInstagramSnapchatOther? If so, explain.How would they use their social media platforms?How would they fill out an online dating profile for themselves?  Ã¢Å" ¨What’s their role in a group dynamic?  Ã°Å¸â€™ ¡LeaderJokerParentHype manMoochOther? If so, explain.Who do they depend on for:practical advice?mentoringa wingman?emotional support?moral support?How quickly do they respond to emails?  Ã°Å¸â€œ ¨What do they want from a relationship?Who would be their ideal partner?  Ã°Å¸â€™â€"Who is their significant other? Describe them.  Ã°Å¸â€™â€¢How many people would attend their funeral?Part 3: The CoreWe’ve come now to the â€Å"core†: who your character is deep down.This section in the character profile worksheet covers the â€Å"heart† of your character. If a backstory shapes a dynamic character, this will define them. More importantly, it will help inform the two most important points leading up to your nov el: the character’s story goal and story motivation.💠­ PSYCHOLOGYWhat do they do on rainy days?Are they:Street-smart or book-smartAn optimist or pessimistIntroverted or ExtrovertedWhat is their favorite sound?  Ã°Å¸â€Å Favorite place in the world?  Ã°Å¸Å'ŽWhat secrets do they keep? What are they most afraid of people finding out?  Ã°Å¸â€â€™What do they want the most?  Ã°Å¸â€ What's their biggest flaw?What's their biggest strength?What's their biggest fear?What is their biggest accomplishment?  Ã°Å¸â€œË†What is their idea of perfect happiness?What's their favorite quote?  Ã°Å¸â€˜Å'Do they want to be remembered? What for?  Ã¢Å'Å¡How do they approach:power?ambition?love?change?What is the one object or possession that they would rescue from their burning home?  Ã°Å¸â€ ¥What (or who) bores them?  Ã°Å¸â€™ ¤What makes them angry?  Ã°Å¸â€™ ¢What do they look for in a person?How strong is their moral compass? When, specifically, are they willing to co mpromise their morals?List the last 10 books they read.  Ã°Å¸â€œÅ¡Which fictional world would they most wish to visit?If they didn’t have to sleep, what would they do with the extra time?What are their pet peeves?  Ã¢Å¡  If they won the lottery, what would they do?Describe the character’s bucket list at the ages of 15, 20, 30, and 40.List the 10 songs that would occupy their All-Time Most Played playlist on Spotify.  Ã°Å¸Å½ µWhat is the best compliment that someone ever paid them?In an elevator, do they push the elevator button more than once?  Ã°Å¸Å¡ ªWhat would they want their tombstone to say?🔠® THE PRESENT AND FUTUREWhat is their story goal? (answer in a single paragraph)Story motivation (answer in a single paragraph)In other words: what does your character want in the story? Why do they want it? Every other answer in the character template builds up to this. This is critical information to know because it’ll make up the unshakable foundation - and raison d'à ªtre - for your story. Whenever you feel like your story is straying off course, go straight back to your character’s story goal and motivation.And if you lose physical sight of this character template, don’t sweat because we made it a portable resource for you.The Ultimate Character Profile TemplateThis downloadable character profile template will come as a fillable PDF file. Simply save it on to your computer and start typing in the text boxes to start developing your character.Additional resourcesIf you’re in an interrogatory mood and want even more questions outside of this character template, we’ve got your back. Here are some more famous tests with which to quiz your character - and a character questionnaire or two for your further perusal!The Proust QuestionnaireWhat it is: A set of questions popularized by Marcel Proust that digs into an individual’s personality.Some sample questions:What do you regard as the lowest dep th of misery?What is the trait you most deplore in others?On what occasion do you lie?Arthur Aron’s Intimacy TestWhat it is: A questionnaire of 36 questions that the New York Times in 2015 said would break down emotional barriers and accelerate intimacy between two strangers.Some sample questions:Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself your life, the future, or anything else, what would you want to know?The Book of QuestionsWhat it is: A series of questions by Gregory Stock that was initially published in 1987. (Note: you can find a PDF of 300+ questions here.)Some sample questions:At a meal, your friends start belittling a common acquaintance. If you felt their criticisms were unjustified, would you defend the person?Are you able to separate sex from love?When you make a big sacrifice, do you tell people about it or keep it to yourself? What would you never willingly sacrifice? Your life? Your health? Your integrity? Your dreams?Vault’s 101 Behavioral QuestionsWhat it is: A set of 101 interview questions from career site, Vault.Some sample questions:Where do you see yourself in ten years? Twenty years?Tell me about yourself in 30 seconds.Tell me about a time you had to break a promise. What was the situation and how did you handle it?If you're looking to hone your characters even further, here are seven of the best character development exercises. Keep an open mind as you work through every question and you'll be on your way to creating well-drawn, interesting characters in no time at all.Have you used a character profile or a character questionnaire to develop your characters before? Do you have any dependable character questions that our questionnaire lacks? Tell us in the comments below!

How to write the perfect interview thank you note

How to write the perfect interview thank you note Someone wise once said, â€Å"Saying thanks costs nothing but gives everything.† If you’re a jobseeker who’s currently going through the interview process, it can also help you to gain everything, especially that coveted position. Sending a job interview thank you note within 24 hours of a meeting isn’t just good manners; it can be the act that ultimately secures you the role. Not only do follow-up notes serve to remind hiring managers of your exchange, but they also show prospective employers that you really want the job and that you’re the sort of polite, committed individual they want in their workforce. In other words, follow-up notes are a must-do, and with National Thank You Note Day coming up soon on December 26th, now is a particularly good time to start thinking about how best to express gratitude in a letter or email. Because to really have an impact, you need to go beyond simply saying, â€Å"Thanks for your time†. Let’s loo k at how to craft post-interview correspondence that sets you apart from the competition.1. Lay the groundwork.You should ideally write a personalized job interview thank you note to every individual who set aside time to meet with you – if there were five people on the interview panel, best practice would dictate that you craft five separate letters. To make this easier for yourself, try to get each person’s business card at the end of the interview, or if this isn’t possible, ask your main contact for the other interviewers’ full names and email addresses before you leave.2. Make your â€Å"thank you† sincere and specific.It’s important that your issue of thanks feels genuine and not like something you’re just checking off a list. To make it sound sincere, don’t stop at â€Å"Thanks for meeting with me today.† Rather, pick out and mention one or two specific things you truly appreciated about the exchange. Maybe the in terviewer went out of their way to make you feel relaxed. Maybe they patiently answered all of your questions at the close of the interview. By calling out these particulars, you show that you noticed, and place value on, the effort they invested in the conversation.3. Reference a unique, memory-jogging detail.Hiring managers typically interview a bunch of candidates for a single vacancy, and they’ll likely receive a heap of thank you notes, too. So, when your letter appears in their inbox, they might not immediately recall who you are. Remind them by making reference to a part of the discussion that was (most likely) unique to you. For example, perhaps you discovered that you share a favorite author or attended the same university. Or maybe you found yourselves chatting about an exciting new industry development for a solid 10 minutes. Allude to this in your job interview thank you note to make sure that your face pops into the recipient’s mind when they’re rea ding it.4. Show that you were really listening.Employers want to hire someone who can hit the ground running – someone who really understands what the company needs and what would be required of them as an employee. In most interviews, hiring managers will cover these sorts of details. Show that you were paying attention, and that you genuinely care about the position, by speaking to a few of the key points that the interviewer shared with you. Illustrate that you’re familiar with the goals and challenges that the organization is currently facing, and then go one step further by highlighting how your skills and experience position you well to help them achieve their objectives.5. Reiterate your interest in the position.In the same way that you might leave a meet-up wondering what the interviewers think of you, they might walk away wondering how you feel about the role, now that you’ve learned more details. Use your job interview thank you note to reassure prospe ctive employers that you’re still enthusiastic about the position. Express your genuine interest by pulling out specifics about the role and company that really appeal to you, but be careful not to overdo it.6. Invite a response.Close your note by encouraging the recipient to contact you if they have additional questions or need extra documentation from you in order to make a decision. You could also politely request interview feedback. This way, interviewers will be pressed to follow up, and you’ll (ideally) keep the lines of communication open and your name top of mind.7. Pay attention to formatting and tone.In today’s digital age, it’s absolutely fine to send your job interview thank you note in email form (unless the company you’re applying to is old-school, in which case a handwritten letter would be better). Either way, make sure the tone and language you use is professional, and format the note like you would a formal business letter, with a ppropriate opening and closing salutations. Remember to proofread for spelling and grammatical errors, and finally, keep the note as a whole succinct – while hiring managers will appreciate a â€Å"thank you,† they probably won’t take kindly to having to wade through an epic story.LiveCareer  offers assistance to jobseekers at every step of the journey. Access free  resume templates  and  resume examples, plus a free  resume builder  and advice on how to answer  interview questions  of all stripes.

Trade in Energy and Energy Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Trade in Energy and Energy Security - Essay Example Furthermore, it is his or her legal obligation to maintain the safety and welfare of the patient. During the sixties, several issues emerged, which concentrated on questioning and challenging the standard traditions and values of society. One such issue was that of patients, who was in permanent vegetative state. The question arose whether a doctor had the right to withdraw from treating such patients without the consent of the guardians? Persistent vegetative state is considered to be that state of human mind, in which the patient is in coma and has advanced towards â€Å"the condition of partial arousal†1. The term was introduced and developed in the seventies by Jennet and Plum. The aim of this paper is to analyze the legal charges against a doctor, who had refused to treat a patient, who had been in a vegetative state for more than three years, in the lights of broad and diverse academic resources. Overview As mentioned earlier, persistent vegetative state is that conditio n, in which the human brain is severely damaged and the patient is in coma, followed by gradual movement towards â€Å"the state of wakefulness without detectable awareness†2 . ... The expression vegetable is has been used in order to define the existing condition of the human mind. Research suggests that a patient suffering from PVS can live for a very long period and therefore, he or she is not suffering from a fatal disease. On basis of ethics, philosophy and morality, the expression seeks to confront and dispute the daily beliefs and ideals of human society and the meaning of being alive6. Moreover, it clashes with the perspectives of individuality and personality. Patients suffering from this condition are stuck in a zone and thus, they do not have the ability to connect with their surroundings. Moreover, their existing state of mind does not allow them to communicate with their loved ones. From legal perspective, the term persistent vegetative state has not been defined extensively. Research suggests that the courts in United Kingdom â€Å"have required petitions before termination of life support that demonstrate that any recovery of cognitive functions above a vegetative state is assessed as impossible by authoritative medical opinion†7. In certain instances, it has been suggested that these patients must be given the authority to die peacefully because of their wakeful unconscious condition. This issue has led to several legal dilemmas and therefore, it has become essential to legally define the concept of PVS. As mentioned earlier, there is no legal definition for PVS. During the eighties, the Commission for Study of Legal and Ethical Problems in Medicine and Behavioral Research officially recognized the definition of persistent vegetative state, given by Jennett and Plum.8 The Commission attempted to

Clinical Link Learning Activities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Clinical Link Learning Activities - Essay Example The department of health stresses the importance of assessments that covers social, environmental, psychological, cultural, spiritual, financial and physical (Department of Health, 2008). The assessment is geared towards giving priority and preference to patient needs. Effective record sharing and maintenance minimize duplication and repetition. It is necessary that all life care practitioners and support groups to acquire the necessary expertise and experience in order to contribute in enhancing quality care. Evaluating the process of preparing cancer patients in their journey Diagnosis of cancer and Treatment plan agreed The cancer patient should undergo this assessment since cancer illness is progressive and incurable but can be managed to ensure the patient leaves a quality life. The planned active treatment and assessment occurs at a key point at around the time of diagnosis. This is after several test detected cancer in its early stages. The planned treatment scheduled periodic clinic session with the patient for active treatment and assessment. The team of consultants included a Doctor and a clinical Nurse Specialist who are charged with responsibility to treat and assess the patient. The competence and experience of the team is important in ensuring quality assessment and treatment (Department of Health, 2009). ... The plan included an initial assessment by a Clinical Nurse Specialist but also provided for engagement of a Surgical Ward Sister. The professional assessors have the requisite knowledge and competence to conduct the assessment (McMullan, 2003 pp.285). The plan had not provided for self-assessment was not provided in the plan but I thing it can play an important part in identifying patient’s preferences (Robert, 1982 pp. 81). The assessor describes the process and details of assessment to the patient and seeks consent since the process should be between patient and professional. Consent seeking is important not only for purposes of preference but also on the bases of clinical ethics (Greene, 2005 pp. 61). The plan provided for several assessment contents namely: Background information and assessment preferences It is recorded from the patient care record and captures details such as name, date of birth, gender, religion, occupation, dependants, allergies, diet, hospital consul tant and next of kin. The preferences include date of last evaluation with copies, know the needs identified and actions taken. This is laudable since it will ensure continuation and avoid duplication. Information on key points, date, assessor name and site of assessment are also planned for inclusion. Address consent for assessment and presence of carer or family member. These last two are very important since the former address the notion of patient need while the later include participation of the next important person beside the life care professional (Cassileth, 1980 pp. 834). Physical well being The session entails description of the problems that include cause, intensity, duration and rate of change. The effects of the

How Literature Displays Positive Character Trait Through Characters Essay Example for Free

How Literature Displays Positive Character Trait Through Characters Essay Traits Through Its Characters It is known that a piece of writing can do more than tell a story, but can also portray indirect ideas to the reader. A narrative piece is able to show positive traits, presented through its characters. Literature can display a variety of positive attributes, through different characters, and situations. This is demonstrated in the story, â€Å"The Blue Bead,† through Sibia’s acts of selflessness, and again in the text â€Å"Long, Long, After School,† through Miss Tretheway’s acts of kind-heartedness. In the story â€Å"The Blue Bead,† an example of how literature shows positive raits through its characters, is composed by Sibia’s displays of selflessness when saving a woman from an attacking crocodile. In the text, the narrator states, â€Å"Sometimes it had seemed difficult to cross these stones, especially with the big gap†¦ But now she came on wings†¦ and in a moment, she was beside the shrieking woman (pg. 61). † This shows selflessness because Sibia, usually hesitant on the slippery stones, flies across them making rapid footing decisions, throwing herself towards to woman being attacked, aware of the fact that if she falls, she could harm herself severely. Another piece of evidence is shown when the narrator states, â€Å"Its eyes rolled on to Sibia. One slap of the tail could kill her. (pg. 61). † This shows selflessness because the young girl willingly put her life at risk, to save one that was not her own. Through the young girl’s displays of selflessness, one can see how the text, â€Å"The Blue Bead† portrays a positive trait through Sibia. Throughout the text, â€Å"Long, Long After School,† Miss Tretheway shows kind- heartedness through acts presented in the story. An illustration of this is when a flashback occurs, back to when Miss Tretheway states, â€Å"Why, Marilyn, Wes’s hands re much cleaner than yours. Maybe Wes doesn’t like to get his hands dirty†¦ (pg. 114). † This shows kind-heartedness because though Miss Tretheway is Wes’ teacher, she stood up for him when his classmate insulted him in front of his peers. Another illustration of how Miss Tretheway shows ki nd-heartedness is when a character states, â€Å"She gave me a whole quart, just as soon as she found out that hers would match. † This shows kind-heartedness because one was willing to give up blood, an element that signifies life, almost immediately to save someone who with the woman shared a student-teacher relationship. Through the acts of kind- heartedness displayed through the story, â€Å"Long, Long, After School† shows that literature shows positive attributes through its characters. A piece of writing can portray positive traits through its developed characters. Sibia shows selflessness through her acts of saving the woman being attacked by the crocodile, putting one’s own life at risk. Miss Tretheway displays kind-heartedness by standing up for a student, and giving the aforementioned student a much needed blood transfusion. These examples show that positive traits can be demonstrated through characters presented in literature.

Essay --

I grew up on the fairy tales of my parents’ youth. As I was listening to the amount of interesting and superb adventures they were going through, I could not understand why I was so afraid and at the same time so excited to hear about all those escapades. It is only after a while that I apprehended that technology has hindered all our outdoors activities by being introduced prior. With the new widgets we utilize to exercise, communicate from home, and communicate outside the house, we are being very sensible to the physical and mental strength we are predisposed to have. Nowadays, children of technology have a new method of exercising. These children go to the gymnasium to exercise rather than train in nature. Girls’ exercise due to the desire of maintaing their body weight and shape. As boys, they only exercise in order not to lose their muscles. As a child who was raised in this era, I can affirm that none of the children are fond of the gym; it has become a boring routine. The cause behind it is that children no longer have the time to adventure their selves in new sports due to the massive amount they spent on gadgets. Another horrible disease that killed our outdoors sports is the electronic gadgets parents purchase to their children, such as PlayStation and Wii. As confirmed in Campbell (2011) children develop weaker and are unable to perform some physical tasks due to sport technology - practicing sports in front of the television by using a remote that monitor the activity one does. Wii and PlayStation games are virtual sports amusemen t that makes children active. But these entertainments are not at accurate and offspring do not lose use their muscles as much as previous generation and therefore do not gain the strengt... ...riends. When I am out with my friends most of the times I watch my friends pop off the conversation, text, smile, then pop back in. From experience I can confirm that people are more comfortable talking with others through the net because the net blocks one’s visual. In addition, since we spent most of our time on gadgets, we do not bother writing in a correct form, in a way or another, we lose the correct writing approach. If all my era was initiated later to technology, we would be able to have more social skills, would rely less on technology be more creative when it comes to outgoing life. Now that everything has been facilitated for us, we do not use our skills to go and reach out to someone, we use one of the multiple ways of technology. We are losing the ability of thinking. We would have been more interesting and be much stronger and capable than we are.

Change the Culture of an Organisation Essay

The culture of an organization can be defined by the ‘way they do things’, this means the way they make decisions, operate and how they choose and achieve their objectives. As culture is a set of values and practices, changing it may be difficult and a long process, especially if the change is organized by a new chief executive. Changing the culture of an organization may not be easy especially if the new chief executive does not fully understand the previous culture and therefore does not embrace it in the change. This lack of knowledge may result in an inappropriate culture being chosen that could limit the company’s performance as productivity reduces. An example of a badly imposed culture can been seen with the Chrysler and Damier-Benz merge in 1998. Damier-Benz imposed their traditional and structured German culture on the free-spirited American car company Chrysler. The extremely different cultures created tension that later affected their efficiency as decision-making took longer and the workforce were not happy. The inappropriate culture resulted in a loss of $1.5 billon by 2006. In 2011, the new chief executive of Tesco, Phillip Clarke, also made a cultural change which proved unsuccessful. He proposed a strategy to change Tesco’s brand image to be known for â€Å"highly valued brands† as opposed to their cheaper â€Å"Value† products. The decrease in popular promotion deals such as vouchers and meal deals reduced their sales revenue and share value which fell by 15% by the end of 2011. This suggests that Clarke failed to identify Tesco’s main source of competitively. Therefore, both examples show that cultural changes may be difficult as the new chief executives lack knowledge and experience in the company. Culture change also takes a long time, especially as traditions and values are set. A prime example of this is with Sony. Sony is a Japan-based company who prides themselves in adopting a traditional Japanese business culture. Examples of their culture can be seen with their clear line of authority and their strong belief in respect. However, Sony’s reducing performance and the fast changing world alarmed the new chief executive, Howard Stringer, to change the culture to one that embraces change. Although proposals to change the culture were made in 2007, Sony’s culture has still not fully transformed which is reflected in their still low competitively. Therefore, it may still take some time for Sony to fully embrace an innovative culture as their Japanese culture has largely influenced the organization. It also took a long time for Marks & Spencer to introduce higher levels of technology, such as a stock control system, as they are said to have a ‘backward culture’. This is because they don’t embrace change and are led by system and procedures. These examples provide evidence that change in a business’s culture may not be done quickly as the organization is accustomed to the previous culture. However, changing a company’s culture can be easy if the new chief executive conducts the change in an appropriate manner. As culture change will have a direct impact on stakeholders, it is important for the new chief executive to inform all stakeholders of the changes and to also encourage feedback. The loss of the innovative leader of Apple, Steve Jobbs created much anxiety about the new CEO Tim Cook. Stakeholders feared Cook would change the company and reject all Jobbs practices especially as the two leaders have different personalities. The media worsened the situation with continuous negative press coverage which resulted in a decrease in consumer confidence as well as Apple’s share price. Although Jobbs had planned to make some strategic changes to the company’s practices, he reassured stakeholders by stating that â€Å"Apple will not change†. He also identified these new strategies and their benefits in a press release which justified his decisions and satisfied stakeholders. The newfound trust of stakeholders will enable Apple’s cultural change to be easier and happen more quickly. In view of the above, I believe that it is not easy to change the culture of a business, as the current practices are custom to the organization; this also suggests that the change will be quite a process and therefore won’t be done quickly. This situation is worsened as the chief executive is new and won’t have the necessary knowledge and understanding of the business to enable a smooth and quick transition. However, the ability for the new chief executive to change the business’s culture quickly and easily is highly dependant upon the reaction of the stakeholders. For example, BP’s customers may react positively as the new culture will increase the company’s responsiveness to customers. Shareholders may also react positively as the increase of innovation should increase BP’s competitive advantage which could increase the company’s value and share price. However, the increase in innovation may pose a threat the employees as management will expect higher quality and the need for more qualified personnel may be necessary. Therefore, support from stakeholders will encourage an easier and quickly transformation whereas negativity will not. The skills of the workforce is also important as if they are innovative the cultural change will happen faster. However, Sony is in a creative industry and their strategy to increase innovation still took a long time. This suggests that attitudes and beliefs of the workforce are also important. An easy change is also depend upon the new executives approach, is it forceful or flexible? Damier-Benz’s forceful approach result in a large amount of tension that slowed the change and resulted in a financial loss.

Is Child Behavior Better or Worse Today Than It Was Years Ago Essay

Parents determine the behavior of their children. If a parent is willing to take the time and work at being consistent,children benefit. If you say â€Å"no†,it must mean†no†. It may mean that as a parent, you must get off that sofa and physically STOP a child from misbehaving; even requiring the child to remain in a â€Å"time out† location for inappropriate behavior. Parents who try to discipline their children by just telling them to stop a behavior, are not teaching the children respect authority, nor are they helping the child to become a responsible adult. Having said that, there seems to be a greater number of parents who are unwilling to spend the time and effort necessary to properly teach their children how to behave, resulting in a greater number of children who miss behave. Family life compared to a hundred years ago is on the decline. Everyone moves at a fast pace these days. My Father and Mother are working to maintain the home, while my sisters and my brother are left to their own devices and there isn’t a coming together to sit down and communicate on some level. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day. Technology has advanced so much compared to a hundred years ago, that we are well on our way to fuel less cars and robotic companions. Yet, with advanced technology comes the added responsibilities to maintain and seek out other avenues for even far move advanced technologies to help support the life styles we have come accustomed to. Is this then better than before when we were thankful just to have light and running water in the house? Education is by far better today than a hundred years ago! The fields of learning have been opened up to boys and girls equally to seek out far greater possibilities than were even imaginable a hundred years ago. Yet, with this privilege of learning has came a decline in our education system. The lack of adequate teachers, the high rise in disrespect for authority, just the lack of caring whether you learn or not has affected our education system. A hundred years ago the thought of a higher education was just a dream for most. If you acquired a fifth grade reading level you were doing good. Learning was a privilege, and yet today we cast an education around as if it were an article of clothing. While there has been such great strides in our would today compared to a hundred years ago, we have missed out on the carefree, thankfulness, and appreciation of the things and others around us. We take for granted what we hoped to have or even imagined we could have years ago. But now in this generation child behavior is much worse than it was years ago. Disrespect for authority figures. The fault lies with the parents to be sure. We are told to cater to our childrens emotional â€Å"needs† and that coperal puminshment is bad for them. Children require constant training, patience and love – most of todays parents are too busy or selfish to make this kind of investment. If children are allowed to control and manipulate their parents as in the description above, the parent will be helpless to teach that child anything. Oh! I agree! its worse. This is a prime example of a child rearing gone wrong: and the sad thing is it’s all too common these days. Children are not raised to respect anything or anyone, and they suffer no consequences. If these children are our future, we are in trouble. -Beating Death Structure-setting a strong foundation for a successful future. any expert will tell you that every child needs structure to flourish- especially teens. As parents today we face an even greater challenge because of working parents, more activities and mobility of kids and teens, communication devices and networking websites. The purpose of the Parent Teen /Child Behavior contracts is to create a structure that eliminates gray areas, creates new habits, and helps create a peaceful home with more contentment and less chaos. Parent Contracts behavior charts and behavior contracts were design for parents with children or teens who need a little guidance with rules, respect,and boundaries. We created the parent child contracts in an easy to use format and anyone can download the file to a MAC or PC computer. The parent teen agreements can be printed and filled out easily. The parent contract elements are displayed on different pages so you can use any parent child agreement you’d like or throw away a certain behavior contract that don’t need to be used in your home with your youth. The teen /child behavior contracts were developed by troubled teen industry experts. This included professionals who have worked with defiant youth and used successful behavior modifacation tools including their own teen behavior contracts (home contracts). As we have updated the behavior charts and behavior contract templates we have consulted with some of the most experiences parent coaches and licensed and therapist to create the best parent teen child contracts.

The Dangers of Genetic Engineering essays

The Dangers of Genetic Engineering essays Chances are you have already eaten genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Look at the ingredient list on any packaged food in your cupboard. Any food with ingredients from corn, soy, canola, or cottonseed is likely to be made with GMOs. Thousands of products on supermarket shelves are made with GMOs. There are already over 50 million acres of GMO crops growing in the U.S. These foods contain genetic material that has never before been part of the human diet, from crops that have not evolved in any natural environment. Genetic engineering is not traditional breeding. A genetically modified organism is a plant, animal or microorganism that is created by means that overcome natural boundaries. Genetic engineering can involve crossing species which could not cross in nature. For example, genes from a fish have been inserted into strawberries and tomatoes. It can also involve putting chemicals into food. Almost all GMOs grown today are in one of two varieties: "insect resistant" and "herbicide tolerant" crops. The crop produces an insect toxin as it grows, in every cell of the plant throughout the entire growing season. When you eat GMO insect resistant corn you are eating a pesticide. Despite these alarmingly unnatural modifications, you won't find "genetically engineered" on the label of any of these products. The industry doesn't want you to know that it has embarked on an experiment unique in human history, an experiment that doctors and scientists around the world are warning may not be safe. One area of concern is biological pollution. While chemical pollution has been the scourge of the 20th century, biological pollution from GMO crops poses even more hazards as we enter the new millennium. Unlike chemicals that are released into the environment, GMOs are living beings that will reproduce and spread uncontrollably, with no possibility of containment or clean-up. Another consequence of GMOs is the increased use o...

Accelerative Integrated Method (AIM) for Teaching

Accelerative Integrated Method (AIM) for Teaching The foreign language teaching methodology known as Accelerative Integrated Method (AIM) uses gestures, music, dance, and theater to help students learn a foreign language. The method is most frequently used with children and has been met with a lot of success.The basic premise of AIM is that students learn and remember better when they do something that goes along with the words they are saying. For example, when the students say regard (in French meaning to look), they hold their hands in front of their eyes in the shape of binoculars. This gesture approach includes defined gestures for hundreds of essential French words, known as pared down language. The gestures are then combined with theater, storytelling, dance, and music to help students remember and use the language.Teachers have found great success with this integrative approach to language learning; in fact, some students achieve results comparable to those programs that use full immersion teaching methods, even when the AIM -educated students only study the language for a few hours a week. Many classrooms have found that children often feel comfortable expressing themselves in the new language from the first lesson. By participating in many different kinds of activities in the target language, students learn to think and write creatively. Students are also encouraged and given the opportunity to practice oral communication in the language theyre learning.   AIM is particularly well-suited for children, but it could be adapted for older students.Accelerative Integrated Method was developed by French teacher Wendy Maxwell. In 1999, she won the Canadian Prime Ministers Award for Teaching Excellence and, in 2004, won The H.H. Stern award from the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers. Both of these prestigious awards are given to educators who show great innovation in the classroom.

Debt crisis in europe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Debt crisis in europe - Essay Example In October 2009, the beginning of the global financial crisis in addition to Greece public debt admittance, glimmered shock throughout global markets as the full extent of Euro zone debt levels occurred (3). This paper will analyze the causes of this debt crisis, possibility of its persistence, its implications as well as some mitigation measures to curb the crisis. In May 2010, Greece became the first EU country to get assistance from EU and the IMF worth 110billion Euros. Some of the Greece greatest matters that have continuously led to debt crisis have been its high level of public debts and its augmented budget shortfalls. In the year 2001, Greece already had a public debt beyond 100% of GDP, when it was joining the Euro. The adoption of the euro currency facilitated more approving terms for the refinancing of government debt, and the augmented GDP growth. However, Greece faced certain limitations, for instance impossibility to diminish the currency due to being members of the euro zone, and the lack of aggressiveness of its economy partially because of over hiring and overpayment in the public domain (Minescu, 99). In Italy, the global recession tightly shook trade activities, credit as well as trade confidence. The global decrease in demand reduced Italy’s sales overseas, constricting Italy’s private expenditure and productivity. In addition, the country’s joblessness rate persists to be the lowest amongst Europe’s debt-ridden nations. However, terror of adverse market reactions has restricted Italy’s capability to use economic policy to encourage its economy. By the year 2010, the general public debt increased to approximately 116.7% of GDP (Sandoval et al, 7). In Ireland, the global financial crisis hit the country in a very different way from the other affected countries. In Ireland, there was no compound plagiarism or the shadow banking systems. In the past decade, Ireland became a country of property developers and that is the only