How to Perform Competitor Analysis

How to Perform Competitor Analysis Competitor analysis is an important element of corporate strategy. Unfortunately, the majority of companies or firms do not perform this kind of analysis as systematically as it is necessary.Consequently, conventional environmental scanning puts many such establishments at risk of hazardous competitive blindspots owing to their lacking in healthy competitor analysis (CA).Knowledge of how to carry out this analysis properly will help you devise strategies to seize market share from your competitors. © Shutterstock.com | gstThis article discusses 1) who are your competitors and should you analyze all of them?, 2) steps in competitor analysis, and 3) website competitor analysis.WHO ARE YOUR COMPETITORS AND SHOULD YOU ANALYZE ALL OF THEM?First, you should be able to differentiate between your direct and indirect competitors. A direct competitor is any business or firm that is trying to sell a product that is a substitute for or alike to your business’s or firm’s product in the same geographic area. Indirect competitors are those businesses or firms marketing substitute or dissimilar products when compared to your product or service. McDonald’s and Burger King are examples of direct competitors. An example of indirect competitors would be an eyeglass manufacturer competing with the manufacturer of contact lenses.It is worth noting that even if a business has similar goods and distribution channels, they will not be a direct competitor for you at present if they are functionin g in different market segments from yours. Having said that, it is essential that you monitor that firm’s business activities just in case they have a plan to enter your market segment, just like you may plan to enter theirs.In some situations, you may have to analyze all your competitors, while in others, you don’t. For example in concentrated markets (where it is quite easy to name all the competitors), you’ll have only a handful of rivals. If such is the case for your good or service, you should carry out a competitor analysis for each competitor. Examples of concentrated markets are the automobile industry and steel industry.If your market has many competitors (fragmented markets), it may not be practical to analyze all of them. In that case, it makes sense to follow the old 80/20 rule. In such markets, it is most likely that 80 percent of the entire market revenue is contributed by just 20 percent of the competition. Thus, it is this 20 percent that you would have to conc entrate your market analyses on.Strategy 101 Session 4: Competitive Analysis STEPS IN COMPETITOR ANALYSISIdentify your competitionThe first and most obvious step is to determine who your competition is (direct and indirect) and whether to analyze some or all of the competition, based on the information provided above.Create criteria for comparisonCriteria can be formed from the main success factors in your industry and/or factors that are applicable for your business or particular assignment. Some examples of critical success factors that can form the basis for comparison are effective marketing, efficient manufacturing, strong distribution network, and brand reputation.Collect competitive dataSelect the top companies for each area you wish to compare. These companies can be your domestic or foreign direct competitors or even companies from some other industry. The companies from another industry can be latent competitors who might forwards- or backwards-enter into your market, par allel competitors with substitute or replacement products or services, or out-of-industry businesses which you do not compete with but who are still top in some areas of comparison just like Wal-mart excels in logistics. You can collect information from such sources as press articles, annual reports, advertising, trade associations, reference books and other employees.Analyze competitive dataSee how each company measures up for each factor based on the competitive data you have gathered.Establish what your competitive position isCompare the performance of your competitors to yours based on the criteria you fixed in the first step and the data you gathered accordingly. You can use an apples-to-apples format to determine the degree of gap between your company and the best company (ies) for specific criteria or benchmarks. Don’t hesitate to estimate results, as precise measures are by a large disproportionately hard to get and frequently do not contribute considerable value to the st udy.Come up with programs or strategies to soar above the competitionThink up actions and programs to satisfy or beat the competition on the basis of a plan created to better those areas that seem to have potential for compliment. You can choose from different approaches ranging from just trying harder to imitating the best-in-class, surpassing the competition with technology or innovation from outside the industry or modifying industry rules.Execute those programs or strategiesImplement the strategies or programs you have decided on by fixing specific improvement goals and deadlines and by coming up with a monitoring process to evaluate and revise the analysis over time. This would also become the foundation for revision, monitoring and recalibration of measurements for benchmarking studies that are carried out in the future.WEBSITE COMPETITOR ANALYSISBefore you get started with performing a website competitor analysis, you need to be sure about the keywords you’re targeting. Thi s is very important. Having said that, it is possible that you would discover plenty of new and money-generating keywords in your competitive analysis. Business competitors have already been discussed. With respect to SEO, your key competitors should be those with top Google rankings (appearing on the first or second page) for your top keywords.To record your analysis, you can use a spreadsheet with the names of the competitors listed horizontally and different measures of comparison listed vertically down the side. If you want, you can pen an accompanying document to provide a narrative for the analysis. This may be beneficial provided the documents are brief, and you concentrate only on the key points. Otherwise, there would just be too much to read.Some suggested areas of comparison with respect to your competitors’ websites:Top ranking keywordsSearch volume for keywordsSERP position for groups of ranking keywordsHow many location-specific keywords are thereHow many long-tail a nd short-tail keywords are therePosition of ads on search engines for the top-ranking keywordsSEO structureIf you feel that your competitors and you have the same kind and quality of content and add and update content with the same degree of frequency as you, the area in which they have an edge over you may be SEO structure. So, when carrying out a competitive analysis on the kind of content your competitors are producing, it would be helpful to also have a look at the SEO architecture of that content. Analyze how your competitors are utilizing their keywords and whether they are incorporating these keywords in the page title, H1 tags, internal links, URL architecture and/or image alt text. Also check keyword density (how many times a specific keyword appears on a single page).Don’t just analyze the content’s SEO structure, but also the kinds of keywords your competitors are making use of. In doing so, in addition to searching for keywords with higher search volumes, also look f or those with lower search volumes. These kinds of keywords are usually long-tail keywords and therefore more specific. Knowing what your competitors’ keywords are will also help you come up with additional keywords that your business can start targeting.Traffic and backlink analysisCompare the reach, traffic volume and popularity of your rivals’ websites. With respect to backlink analysis, check for things such as anchor text and the number and source of your competitor’s backlinks. Such an analysis could trigger backlink ideas for your business. If your analysis reveals any popular sites (which you were not aware of) from which your competitors are getting backlinks, you can consider contacting the webmaster of such well-liked sites to find out if you too can get backlinks from them.ContentStudying the content your competitors are bringing out will help you find out the kind of changes you can make to outperform your competitors. One thing you can do is find out the kind(s) of content your competitors are concentrating on. Some of the different types of content are blog posts, e-books, whitepapers, podcasts, visual content, feature articles, case studies, webinars, FAQs, news, buyer guides, slides/power points, press releases and videos. After this, you can find out about the quality of that content and how it compares to your content. Also check out the topics they often discuss and the frequency with which they update existing content or bring out new content whether for their web pages or blogs or some other form of content. Is there anything that they’re doing differently from you? For example, if your competitors are blogging more often than you, that could be one of the reasons why they’re getting more traffic. When increasing blog frequency, make sure you don’t compromise on quality.Other content associated criteria for competitor analysis include language and grammar, headings, images, navigation, videos, text to HTML ratio of content, wh ether there are promotional offers, and number of ads on the website.Social media aspectsIt is becoming increasingly essential for companies to have a social media presence. Social media sites enable companies to communicate with fans and users. In addition, you can share your content on these sites. With respect to competitive analysis, you need to find out how your competitors are utilizing social media and incorporating it into their marketing. Do your competitors have a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube or Pinterest? In addition, you need to check out aspects such as the kind of information they are posting, whether they have followers, and if yes, the number. If your competitors have a considerable number of followers, find out what it is about their social media activity that is leading to this, and try to learn from it.Website usabilitySearch engines such as Google attach considerable importance to websites with rich user experience. If your competitor s’ websites contain aspects of usability that influence their search ranking positively or negatively, usability may be a smart benchmark for your site to enhance it. You can specifically consider these elements of usability â€" page load time, URL structure, user-friendly navigation, typography,  cross-browser compatibility, call-to-action features, custom 404 pages, on-site trust elements and broken links. Some Tools that HelpKeyword SpyKeyword Spy is a fantastic tool to know which pages or websites are ranking for your selected keywords or phrases. To get this information, you just have to go to the Organic Competitors tab. There you will get the list of the top 10 sites ranking for a phrase or keyword. If you take or upgrade to a paid account, you’ll get a complete list of competitors. With the help of this tool, you can also know all the keywords for which those individual websites are getting high rankings. Armed with this knowledge, you can consider using these keywords i n your SEO strategy if relevant.Open Site ExplorerWith this Moz tool, you can compare a maximum of 5 websites for relevant metrics. With a free account, you are permitted three searches daily. More searches call for a Moz account to log in and access the tool. Some of the key metrics that you can get with this tool are: domain authority, page authority, total links, how many domains (separate websites) link to you straight from their websites, and social media metrics such as Facebook likes, Facebook shares and Google +1 which have a positive correlation with rankings. Another useful information available is: just discovered links, anchor text frequently used on a page or site, and top pages on a specific domain.Note that page and domain authority will be relative. The authority of your website is a factor that should help you decide whether or not to compete against a specific site. For example, if your website’s domain authority is 30, you would probably desire to compete with s ites having an authority below 30 or at least near to 30.AlexaAlexa is a great tool for traffic estimations. These estimations along with bounce rate provide a reasonable indicator of how a particular website compares in popularity to others. You can get a Country and Global based website rank in addition to demographics data around a website.Marketing GraderHubSpot’s Marketing Grader measures your website for measurable factors pertaining to SEO, social media, and blogging, providing you with an overall score for your website URL.SEO Tools for ExcelThis Excel add-on can help you determine what it is that distinguishes one webpage from those that rank the best. It easily assembles a diversity of elements for a swift comparison. To find out information around a specific keyword phrase, you must first look for the phrase in Google to see which are the top 10 results. Add the URLs to compare the off and on page factors for each. In addition, for a comprehensive data analysis, a numbe r of data points can be brought into Excel with the help of this add-on.QuickSproutThis free website analyzer enables you to see the things you are doing right and wrong with respect to social media and SEO. One example of a social media report is the Page Per Shares Network graph that gives you a list of the most popular of your website URLs and the number of shares for them on Google Plus, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest. You can read more about this tool here.Simply MeasuredThis tool gives you access to some wonderful free social media reports. Two of these reports are discussed here:Facebook Competitive Analysis Report â€" This report provides a first level look at your Facebook presence with respect to engagement and content. It enables you to perform a competitive study of 10 Facebook pages, including yours having below 250,000 likes for the last two weeks. Top Content Breakdown and Engagement Comparison are just some of the highlights that can be drawn from the repo rt.Twitter Follower Report â€" This report gives you a general idea of a Twitter account you enter including location and distribution of followers. It can carry out an audience comparison for your brands vs. the industry. It will also reveal to you the most influential followers for the account you specified with their Klout score and most talked about topics.Keep in mind that a competitor analysis is never a one-time thing. On the contrary, it is an ongoing process. New players can appear anytime; your rivals could change quickly, or the economy could go up or down at any time. Depending on the particular market you are functioning in, the frequency of analysis required could be once in two months or once every year.

One Model Of Co Teaching Is Station Teaching - 992 Words

One model of co-teaching is station teaching. This is done when both teachers have shared responsibility for a lesson and are giving the less at the same time typically in the same classroom. Students are asked to move around the room in groups to each station after a set period of time so that they may receive all of the lessons presented at each station. One major advantage of this particular co-teaching method is that it involves both teachers so that responsibility for lesson planning and delivery is shared between the two giving both teachers ownership of the lesson. This can ensure that one teacher does not feel as if they are â€Å"in charge† while the other is seen as not as important or, in most cases, just the special education teacher. Another advantage is that it allows for students to hear multiple lessons in one day rather than just one whole class lesson so more content is being delivered to the students. This model could also help with discipline because students are sitting with teachers at two of the stations if not more depending on the number of teachers in the room. However, station teaching also has pitfalls. One key disadvantage is that students will have to transition repeatedly which may cause issues or may become loud. This would have to be carefully rehearsed and students would have to become fami liarized with this model of co-teaching. Also, pacing may be difficult because different teachers have different styles. The stations would need toShow MoreRelatedBenefits Of Co Teaching For Students With Special Education1189 Words   |  5 PagesIntegrated Co-teaching is two or more teachers delivering instruction at the same time in the same physical space to a heterogeneous group of students (Friend and Cook, 2004). A student with special needs has the right to a free and appropriate public education. This is mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA 2004). This law also states that a student should be educated in their least restrict environment. Ideally, this would be the general education classroom. Co-teaching was designedRead MoreCo Teaching : A Service Delivery Model916 Words   |  4 PagesCo-teaching is a service delivery model in which two educators-one typically a general education teacher and one a special education teacher or other specialist-com bine their expertise to jointly teach a heterogeneous group of students, some of whom have disabilities or other special needs, in a single classroom for part or all of the school day (Friend, 2011). Co-teaching can be thought as a marriage, it can be beautiful and inspiring to watch, but can be scary and not always work out. There areRead MoreCo Teaching : An Illustration Of The Complexity Of Collaboration1188 Words   |  5 PagesIn the article Co-Teaching: An Illustration of the Complexity of Collaboration in Special Education, Collaborative teaching is â€Å"the sharing of instruction by a general education teacher and a special education teacher or another specialist in a general education class that includes students with disabilities (Friend, Cook, Hurley-Chamberlain Shamberger, 2010).† Students learn from two or more people who may have different ways of thinking or teaching. Co-teachers distribute the responsibilitiesRead MoreTeaching For Too Long English As A Se cond Language2258 Words   |  10 PagesEnglish Second Language (ESL) co teaching model look like in a general education classroom and what is the impact on ELL student achievement? Priority one is to establish the meaning of co-teaching and then establish what it is not. According to Honingsfeld Dove (2008) co teaching was a traditional collaboration between the general education teacher and the special education teacher. Susan Cushman (2004) describes co teaching as a shared responsibility for teaching students in an assigned classroomRead MoreModels Professional Behavior That Reflects Honesty, Integrity, And Respect1504 Words   |  7 Pages9I: models professional behavior that reflects honesty, integrity, personal responsibility, confidentiality, altruism and respect. 5L: develops a variety of clear, accurate presentations and representations of concepts, using alternative explanations to assist students’ understanding and presenting diverse perspectives to encourage critical and creative thinking. 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Granted, because of the range of disabilities affecting people, this will look different for all individuals. In choosing a topic, the researcher decided to examine the idea of differentiation by looking at it through the lens of special education. All learners come to school at different levels, therefore differentiation of content, processRead MoreEssay on The Benefits of Co-Teaching1867 Words   |  8 Pagesresources. One of the areas in which collaboration is becoming more popular is co-teaching in special education, where special education teachers and general education teachers share the planning and instruction responsibilities for inclusion classrooms (Friend Cook, 2010). As academic standards for the education of students with disabilities are held to the same standards as their typical peers due to the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the co-teaching mo delRead MoreCollaborative Teaching And Inclusive Education1495 Words   |  6 Pagesinnovative teaching approaches and techniques developed these days to facilitate learners with special needs. Focusing to expand their learning outcomes I have decided to choose Collaborative Teaching and Inclusive Education as the most effective evidence-based strategy. As a matter of fact, the understandings and mastering of the strategies are crucial before applying it in a classroom. These strategies are a beautiful blend to be used together and an efficient form to elevate collaborative teaching throughRead MorePartial Inclusion In Special Education1543 Words   |  7 Pagesmade up of many parts, so is that cell: Partial Inclusion is not just one big idea but many little ideas working together to create something new and beautiful. The present argument in the world of Special Education is whether Full Inclusion or Partial Inclusion is better, and who each will benefit. Full Inclusion is when a ll students--students with special needs and general education students--are placed together in a classroom one-hundred percent of the time. Partial Inclusion is when both types of

The Arguments Surrounding Media Bias Essay - 1336 Words

Whether it is through a newspaper, television, magazines or talk radio, people will always communicate through some type of medium. Now, whether or not the mediums are tainted with bias is a question of beliefs. Some people argue that journalism today is rather fair and balanced, while others would vehemently oppose that view by saying that bias is definitely prevalent in news media and other mediums today. In some instances, there lies the belief that the fairness doctrine should be reestablished in order to mend the problem of bias; however, many would strenuously fight that by arguing that such an act would destroy the freedom of the press guaranteed under the first amendment. Another argument surrounding this issue is the expectation†¦show more content†¦But in today’s market, with hundreds of choices in programming, such regulations are irrelevant, and nearly impossible to enforce† (Sears par.8). Sears then goes on to say that the Fairness Doctrine is count erproductive and that the FCC actually found that it discouraged free speech. This was because instead of trying to give each side â€Å"equal time†, station owners began dropping politically-based programming altogether (Sears par.9). The policy was abolished in 1987 by the FCC as a result (Sears, par 9). Until the 1980s, the control of the media was in the hands of the national government. From then, the control shifted to private outlets and by the 1990’s, there were more than fifty multinational companies who controlled it (â€Å"Mass Media†). Today, only about six major companies control the larger fraction of media in America (Williams, Par. 1). Norman Solomon wrote in the New Political Science Journal that most reporters and editors work for just a few huge companies. These journalists and editors are on the payroll for â€Å"mega-media institutions†, of which, only about six exist (Solomon 297). 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Bois) Du Bois’s conception of the â€Å"problem of the color line† is an apt diagnosis for the problems about racialized identities of his time and is still applicable for the Twenty-first century. Du Bois’s â€Å"problem of the color line† can be seen operating in the dominant media coverage of recentRead MoreThe Jury System Should Be Scrapped For Criminal Trials1244 Words   |  5 Pagesinvestigations and research, it can be proposed â€Å"the jury system should be scraped for criminal trials in NSW†. As jurors are incapable of apprehensively comprehending evidence and are vulnerable to being biased by their personal prejudices and excessive media publicity. Correspondingly, many fall victim of escaping trials due to their elongated processes. Conversely, many dispu te in contradiction suggesting juries reflect democratic regimes and ensure the most appropriate verdict is reached as they contemplateRead MoreFeminism, By Debra Baker Beck Essay1660 Words   |  7 Pageswomen are still supporting and fighting for their rights and equality. The article, â€Å"The â€Å"F† Word: How the Media Frame Feminism† by Debra Baker Beck, takes the stance that through the years, the term â€Å"feminism† has been wrongly consumed by negative connotations because of people who misunderstand the intent of feminism. She strives to establish a more placid perspective of feminists in the media. In Cathy Young’s article â€Å"Feminists Treat Men Badly. It’s Bad For Feminism† the blame for the skewed definitionRead MoreU.s. National Security And Foreign Policy1427 Words   |  6 Pagesacademic books, congressional documents, and scholarly articles will be used to strengthen the argument that the ramifications of whistleblow ing and espionage in the Information Age have heightened the potential for damage to U.S. foreign relations and national security. The infamous cases of Aldrich Ames and Edward Snowden have been highly publicized and extensively researched by the intelligence community, media, and academics alike. Consequently, a plethora of articles, biographies, and documentariesRead MoreTake This Internship and Shove It by Anya Kamenetz867 Words   |  4 Pagesis currently a staff writer employed by Fast Company magazine in Brooklyn, New York and writes for Tribune Media. At the time â€Å"Take This Internship and Shove It† was written, she was employed as a column writer for Village Voice (DIYU). There is definitely a bias in this article which was discovered through research and inference. 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Doctor Free Essays

In order to keep the sand dunes at Scrofula/Wanda economically sustainable there are several strategies that had to be done so they wouldn’t be destroyed in the near future. Since there were an increasing number of people going to Scrofula to use the sand dunes, the council, state and commonwealth had the act quick to save the sand dunes. The strategies that were used for sand dune management in the Scrofula area include dune reverberation, polymers covering, walkways, and fencing. We will write a custom essay sample on Doctor or any similar topic only for you Order Now Dune Reverberation has been used in the Scrofula/Wanda area for the management of sand dunes because it removes weeds and harmful materials which may affect the condition of the sand dunes. By controlling noxious and environmental weeds, irrigating the planting areas, planting recommended dune species and installing wind protection fences, removing bitumen and other debris from the dunes and access roads, replacing the fences, the dunes can be reverberated so that they may main in a stable condition for future generations. The second strategy is to install a network of paths and barriers to prevent people from shifting the sand dunes. Surfers often check the conditions of the beach by looking over them at the dunes. They run up to the top of them so they can get a view of where there are good waves or not. In summer, an astonishing number of surfers will flock to the beach. The result of those people all running up the dune would cause displacement of the sand and weakening of the dunes. To solve the need for people to travel around the beach, the council has installed walkways to provide a path around the area which doesn’t involve people walking or treading on the sand dunes. The dunes have been fenced off in case any people wonder off and don’t walk on the pathways. On top of that, board and chain stairs have been put put in to protect the sloped areas of the beach which may be vulnerable to deformation. Finally, polymers has been laid over areas of bare sand to stop sand blowing†¦ How to cite Doctor, Papers

Victorian Poetry C Essay Example For Students

Victorian Poetry C Essay How does Arnold depict the Victorian crisis in his poems? Or, What picture of contemporary society do you find in Arnolds poetry? Or, Discuss Arnold as a Victorian poet with reference to the poems that you have read. ***/According to Arnold, poetry is the criticism of life. Discuss. *** 7. How does Arnold represent Oxford in his poetry? ** 8. Discuss Thirsty as an elegy. *** 9. Critically analyze the melancholic/elegiac note in the poetry of Arnold. ** 10. Describe Christina Rosettes treatment of women, sex and femininity in Goblin 1 1 . Comment on Rosettes use of symbols in her poem Goblin Market Question: Discuss Browning as a poet of optimism. Answer: Browning was aware of and concerned with the contemn Victorian arising from the gradual fading out of the older spiritual lights in the By Animal-Ads new rigid but more positive age. But he was an optimist. His optimism instinctive and clear. The social turmoil of the Victorian era could not disturb Borrowings and serenity. He was not affected by the temper of his age. It had n the firmness and hard foundation of Browning faith. He had a buy With the onward rush of the tide of his belief, all the disbelief woo away. We will write a custom essay on Victorian Poetry C specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now He had a temperamental optimism. His optimism includes b microcosmic world (I. E. This world) and microcosmic world (I. E. Fate ODL Lippy Lippie Lippy asserts: This world is no blot for us, Nor blank -it means intensely, and means good. Browning never questioned the propriety and goodness of creation divine plan. For him, all pain as well as Joy is right; all combine in life should only remember that man is a cup mould by God and He wine from it: Thou, heavens consummate cup, what needs thou with earths wheel? Browning believes not because there is problem in two beliefs but is a like a serpent. The more the serpent coils, the more its head SST Browning thinks that the more there are doubts, the more firmly a to his faith. Disbelief is a kind of challenge and man should face, n compromise with that challenge. For him optimism is such when on pessimism: sit Welcome each rebuff That turns earths smoothness rough; Learn, nor account the pang; dare, never grudge the throe. Browning thinks, man is struggling to achieve the ideal. He always sees life as a Joyful battle, the imperfections of this world, being remedied, under the dispensations of an all-loving God, by the perfection of the next. In fact, Borrowings faith and hope in the triumph of goodness was genuine and unflinching. His optimism is very powerful and unshaken: Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, Sleep to wake. Browning had a strong faith in God and his benevolence. He attained an impossible thing by his faith. His wife Elizabeth Barrett had become invalid. But Browning courageously went away with her to Italy, and later, she was cured of her disease. This reinforced his faith in God. He believed in the immortality of soul. For him, death was the entrance to a new life. And this philosophy formed the foundation of Browning optimism. Question: Comment on Arnolds spiritual quest in his poetry. Answer: In his poetry, Arnold makes a strong spiritual quest. Because. The luminous world around him was a waste land, sprawling in all its hideousness. To Arnold, for the superficial progress and outward show, every man became crippled and incomplete, groping in the darkness of the night, crying for light and hope. They need to restore their spiritual faith: The sea of faith Was once, too at the full, and round earths shore Lay like the folds off bright girdle furled. But that sea of faith has now been withdrawn owing to the unfavorable atmosphere f the skepticism that has engulfed the world. But now I only hear Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar. Arnolds spiritual quest becomes more expressive in his poem The Scholar Gipsy. The Scholar Gipsy had an ideal life of deep contemplation in the pursuit of truth. The Victorians had a fickle life of enjoyment. Wh ile the Victorians had been caught in fatigue, doubts, uncertainties and aimlessness, the scholar gipsy had a serene, resourceful mind. While the Victorians suffered from frustration, and despair for their sick hurry and its divided aims, he was always cheerful and thoughtful as ell. The Victorians ran after diverse objects and suffer from numerous frustrations. In grief and despair man leads his life, without ever the glow or Joy of life, the peace of mind. Actually, in The Scholar Gipsy the tragedy and pathos of mans life in the universe is pathetically depicted: For whom each year we see Breeds new beginnings, disappointments new; Who hesitate and falter life away, And lose tomorrow the ground won today. The minds of the modern people are so much oppressed and burdened with the feverish hurry and confused aims that the poet calls upon the scholar gipsy to avoid owing into contact with the people of the present generation. Unlike the Victorians, the scholar gipsy never deviated from spiritual quest which was his only one aim: Thou hats one aim, one business, one desire. Thou whitest for the spark from heaven. In his poem, Thirsty also, we find Arnolds spiritual quest. The poem ends with Arnolds hope of gaining spiritual illumination and he invites his friend, Slough to roam on and on: Why faintest thou? I wandered till I died. Roam on! The light we sought is shining still. Thus we see that Arnold was more concerned with spiritual thoughts and values in fife. To him, an ideal life is the life of spiritual quest. To solve the religious crisis of Victorian people, he made an intense spiritual quest. Question: Discuss Tennyson as the most representative poet of the Victorian age in the light of Victorian Compromise. Answer:- Tennyson is a scintillating star in the literary sky of the Victorian era. He is the typical Victorian poet voicing in his poetry the hopes and aspirations, the doubts and skepticism, the refined culture and the religious liberalism of the age. The Victorian age was essentially an age of peace and prosperity. The old fire of evolutionary enthusiasm had been quenched and the Victorian people longed for a life settled order, stability and peace. Tennyson in his poem Lockstep Hall expresses the ideas of the liberals of his time who proposed to spread the gospel of peace: Till, the war-drum throbbed no longer and the battle-flags were furled In the Parliament of man, the Federation of the world. The poem also expresses the Victorian spirit of democracy when the poet says, Men, my brothers, men the workers, ever reaping something new. Again, the poem depicts the Victorian craze for science and scientific achievements of future mime: For I dip into the future, far as human eye could see, Saw the vision of the world and all the wonder that would be. Politically the Victorian was striking a compromise between aristocracy and democracy. Tennyson presents this compromising spirit of the age in his poetry. Again, the Victorians took pride in their nation and national glories. In Tennyson poetry the sense of national pride and glory is well sounded when he says in Lockstep Hall, Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathy. In the Victorian age there was a conflict between science and religion. Tennyson ought a compromise between this two to revive the frustrating spirit of the Victorians. He welcomed the scientific advances and at the same time did not deny the necessity of religion. In The Lotus-Eaters, we find that the Victorians are in great despair and are trying to evade their social responsibility. The Victorians ask, Death is the end of life; ay why Should life all labor be? Tennyson tries to soothe the bleeding heart of the Victorians and revive their active spirit in his Ulysses. Ulysses thirst for knowledge and experience shows that he is a Victorian l can not rest from travel; Ill drink Life to the lees. Ulysses thinks it is very dull to pause, and make an end. He wants To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield. In fine, we can say that Tennyson is the mouthpiece of the Victorians. His poetry contains all the essential features of Victorian life and his curious sensitiveness to the tendencies of his age makes him the organ voice of his age. QuestionDiscuss Tennyson as a poet of nature. Or, Discuss Tennyson treatment of imagery/pictorial quality in his poems. .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 , .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 .postImageUrl , .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 , .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047:hover , .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047:visited , .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047:active { border:0!important; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047:active , .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047 .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4ae79c59253031e3ab8d8d85fdbe3047:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The similarities and dissimilarities between the Prioresse and the Wife Bath EssayAnswer: Tennyson is not a poet of nature, but no poem of his is without a natural aground. He does not worship nature devotionally but he loves it physically, he utilizes nature his best. Tennyson is somewhat like Keats for his pictorial quality but is much different because he can not rest content with sensuous beauties of nature only. Nature in Tennyson poetry serves as the background for human action. There is no communication between the two, but nature comes inevitably when he deals with human affairs. In The Lots Eaters, the lots-land exactly parallels the mental landscape of the marine rs as well as of the poet. The scenes and surroundings of the Hitachi land are made to symbolize the inner feelings of the companions of Ulysses, a land In which it seemed always afternoon All round the coast the languid air did swoon Breathing like one that hath a weary dream. It is a land where the temper of life, the motions of things have been slowed down, here the sun lingers in the west, the energy and vitality of the waves are diminished, the snow does not melt away; here all things always seemed the same, as if they had eaten like the people, lots like narcotics which caused their drowsiness and languor. Tennyson had a scientific perception of nature. His observation of nature lacks imagination; he describes it with minute precision and exactness of a scientist. The starry heavens are arched over his poetic consciousness. Frequent are the references to the constellations and none is more beautiful than in Lockstep Hall: Many a night from yonder ivied casement, ere I went to rest, Did I look on great Orion sloping slowly to the west. Many a night I saw the Pleiades, rising thro the mellow shade, Glitter like a swarm of fire-flies tangled in a silver braid. In Tennyson poetry nature reflects human sentiments and emotions and that she choices or is sorrow-stricken in accordance with the mood of a Joyous or sorrowful man. Tennyson nature descriptions are quite in accord with the trend of the time he lived in. The Victorians did not believe so much in the flight of fancy or imagination as in recognition. Tennyson is usually vivid, precise and interesting in his natural portrayals. But he does not soar high like Wordsmith. In conclusion, we can say that Tennyson, in spite of the agitation and the crisis of the Victorian era, had keen eyes and ear open to nature. He unfolds and upholds the glories of nature. In Tennyson, nature generates a deep poetic sensibility which makes him a distinguished poet of nature. Question: Write a note on Borrowings attitude to art and life as revealed in his poems. Or, Write a short essay on Browning philosophy of life. :- In almost all the poems of Browning, there is the touch of Renaissance Answer spirit and following the Renaissance, art has taken a vital place in his poems. His concept of art is mixed with his concept of life. Browning was greatly concerned with the artists life his problems, his relation to the world and society, and his once with ethics and religion. Some poems of Browning are called art poems and they are My Last Duchess, Andrea Del Sartor and Far Lippy Lippie. Andrea Del Sartor is, in one aspect, a discussion of what constitutes failure in art. Andrea is rather a feeble creature. He is fully aware of his wifes making love with her cousin to whom she frequently gives money to enable him to pay off his debts. But this awareness does not dampen his passion for her. His life and art match the grey twilight which slivers the landscape outside the window, A common greenness silvers everything All in a twilight. Andresens art is deprived of positive greatness because it lacks the spiritual power that comes from striving, in art as in life. He realizes the basic drawback in himself. He has no lofty aim to strive for. It is only noble aspiration that inspires one to spiritual exaltation: Ah, but a mans reach should exceed his grasp, Or whats Heaven for? Andresens art has no divine passion like Rafael. .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc , .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc .postImageUrl , .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc , .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc:hover , .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc:visited , .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc:active { border:0!important; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc:active , .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1ca73411a3556a57f8147ee67b17aedc:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Exploring the work of a poet EssayHe is faultless in execution, but devoid of noble purpose in life or in art. So he cries out But all the play, the insight and the stretch Out of me! Out of me! Borrowings own view on art and life is explicit in his Far Lippy Lippie. Lippy disagreed with the priors view of art that the artists work has not to be merely realistic, but should depict soul and that the body was to be painted only to the extent to which it helped in showing the soul. The prior instructed Far Lippy Lippie-? Paint the soul, never mind the legs and arms! But Borrowings conception is that an artist should paint the realities of nature and bring to the peoples att ention things which often go unnoticed. Art is meant to heighten our interest in the beauty of things. Thus the painters vision helps others to appreciate everything created by God. Even he says that nobler things painted realistically would be more effective than the priors sermons in making people conscious of God. The world has a deep meaning and it is right to enjoy it, because God has created it: This worlds no blot for us Nor blank -it means intensely and means good. Far Lippy Lippies aim in life is to understand the significance of this world and present it in his paintings. In conclusion, Browning holds the artist in high esteem, as they symbolize mankind and are the voice of humanity. Browning, even portrays artists as the conscience of an age. Question: Discuss Arnold as a Victorian poet or a poet of Victorian Circumscription unrestrictive conflict. Answer:Arnold, a poet of Victorian conflict, is regarded one of the leading representative poets of the Victorian age. What A rnold felt was that, as civilization advanced, culture declined. The luminous world around him was a waste land, sprawling in all its hideousness. To Arnold, for the superficial progress and outward show, every man became crippled and incomplete, groping in the darkness of the night, crying for light and hope. People living in the darkness of ignorance struggle and fight aimlessly : And we are here on a darling plain Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, Where ignorant armies clash by night. (Dover Beach) Actually, the poem Dover Beach represents the vision of the tragic and alienated condition of man. It records the loss of religious faith in the Victorian age. Arnold focuses the fact that there had been a time when faith like a sea flooded the human world with living spirit. The poet says, The sea of faith Here land is human life which is barren and naked shingles signify doubts and skepticism tormenting the Victorian life. The poet also hears the eternal note of sadness in the sea which he thinks the sadness of human life. Similarly Arnolds The Scholar Gipsy had an ideal life of deep contemplation in the pursuit of truth. The Victorians had a fickle life of enjoyment. While the Victorians had been caught in fatigue, doubts, uncertainties and aimlessness, the scholar gipsy had a serene, resourceful mind. While the Victorians suffered from frustration, and despair for their sick hurry and its divided aims, he was always cheerful and thoughtful as well. Actually, in The Scholar Gipsy the tragedy and pathos of mans life in the universe is pathetically depicted: life. To him, an ideal life is the life of spiritual quest. Arnold sees the spiritual crisis in Victorian life, which clearly shows his position as a poet of Victorian conflict. Question: Discuss Tennyson use of myths and legends to express the problem and ideas of his own age. Answer: A close survey of the poetry of Tennyson will reveal the fact that the source of his many poems have been taken from Greek mythology. Indeed like Keats, he was fond of writing poetry on Greek legends. But while Keats turned to Greek legends for their beauty mainly, Tennyson turned to them for their moral implication. Lotus Eater is based on ancient myth showing the despair found in the minds of the Victorian people. In their homeward Journey from Troy, Ulysses and his sailors came to a strange land. It was the land of lotus eaters. Here the inhabitants gave Ulysses and his comrades lotus to eat and those who tasted it forgot their homes and wished to remain there for ever. Considering the end of human life and some other natural phenomenon their apathy for work became stronger. They thought that if death is the inevitable end of life where lies the fun of living and striving Death is the end of life; ah, why Should life all labor be? Let us alone. They thought that all labor is meaningless. A ceaseless battle against evil brings no happiness. Why should man be the victim of hard work and bitter sorrow when all things in nature are enjoying rest? The poem has got almost a universal appeal since all of us experience this mood when we get very tired of life. It is the tired spirit of all men on earth calling for rest and peace. Again, through the poem Tennyson expresses the mind of the pessimist Vi ctorians who find life meaningless. Ulysses is another poem which is based on Greek myth of legendary hero Ulysses. Almost after an absence of twenty years, Ulysses comes back to his own land, Ithaca. But he has an indomitable spirit of knowledge; he has an insatiable thirst for it. In fact, Tennyson tries to soothe the bleeding heart of the Victorians and revive their active spirit in his Ulysses. Ulysses thirst for knowledge and experience shows that he is a Victorian l can not rest from travel; Ill drink Thus, in conclusion, we can say that in all the legendary poems of Tennyson there is a philosophical significance. Here we have the classical wine in a Tennyson bottle. The Greek soul of the story is reborn with a new light and appeal. Question: Discuss Arnolds Thirsty as an elegy/as a pastoral elegy. Answer: Thirsty is almost unique in English literature and can be compared with Millions Lucidly or Shelley Adonis. Thirsty is a pastoral elegy written on the model of Theocratic, Boon and Mooches. Arnold is particularly grateful to Mooches for the treatment of the poem. Thirsty is Slough and Arnold represents himself as a shepherd, Cordon by name.

Cultural Diversity in Hotel Industry

Cultural Diversity in Hotel Industry Introduction Increasing globalisation of service industry has made it difficult to manage the growing culturally diverse workforce. Managing a multicultural workforce, either within a global corporation or small business unit is usually very demanding for managers. The concept of managing diversity acknowledges that in a workplace, there is normally diverse population of workers.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cultural Diversity in Hotel Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The diversity is brought about by the differences in gender, age, race/ethnicity, language, personality, cultural background and even working style. It is based on the principle that harmonizing these differences creates an optimum working environment where every employee feels valued and is therefore ready to utilise his or her talents to the maximum in achieving the goals of the organisation. Current Situation Today there is increasing foc us on how best to manage cultural diversity in hotel industry or service organizations as diversity among the workforce increases due to globalization. According to Bakalis, Joiner and Leveson (2009, 378) managing cultural diversity refers to the holistic recognition by the leaders of the organisation that cultural diversity continues to increase in the workforce and therefore they have to be more proficient while acting in response to the changes that come with it. According to D’Netto and Sohal (1999, 530), managing cultural diversity at an organizational level means striving to encourage as well as to uphold a culturally heterogeneous workforce to achieve its full potential by providing an equitable and supportive working environment. Managing cultural diversity is very important and beneficial to service and hospitality industry. Effective management of cultural diversity enables these organizations to benefit from the knowledge, business experience; cultural as well as l inguistic skills that workers come with to the organisation. Managing cultural diversity within the workforce enables development of organizational values and ethics and also enhances people’s management practices. It improves customer care thereby increasing the market share of the hospitality companies. Esentually the clients on this business are usually travellers from different parts on the world, therefore making the need for cultural appreciation specifically and important subject. Besides, the greatest resource that is industry has is the workers. They interact with clients directly and as part of servicescape since their dressing, presentation, talking is all a reflection of the company.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Therefore well mannered workers who appreciate cultural diversity are likely to offer the best services. An organisation that effecti vely manages its workforce is able to keep up with best practices that attract and retain talent. In addition, it helps enhance healthy competition within the workforce. Theories of Culture and Cultural Diversity in a Workplace The Business Case for Diversity Theory The theory relates to how hotels utilize the cultural diversity in their workforce. The proponents believe that if a workforce comprises of multicultural employees, but the management does not fully take advantage of the wealth of experience, then it cannot maximize the benefits that come with cultural diversity. It states that in a global market place, an organisation that employs a multicultural workforce in terms of gender, different generations, and ethnically/racially diverse persons among others; is in a better position of understanding the demographics of its marketplace. This gives it an upper hand in the marketplace over other companies with limited cultural diversity among the workforce. The theory also suggest s that a company that truly supports its workforce diversity has the capacity to improve its performance, achieve employee satisfaction as well as retention (Ãâ€"zbilgin Tatli 2008, 42). Social Identity Theory Proponents of Social identity theory are of the view that cooperation within as well as between work groups are determined by the demographic distinctiveness of the members of each team in relation to their immediate cultural environment. It suggests that an increase in workforce diversity is a major cause of negative consequences since it may lead to decreased job satisfaction and low performance. The proponents of the theory believe that social groups in the workplace tend to compete with each other for favour, material as well as social resources. This theory is not applicable in services industry. When the workers fight because of diversity, they are likely to treat clients from different culture with prejudice. This is bad for business. This creates a situation of confl ict instead of cooperation among the cultural groups. According to Haslam and Turner (2001, 26) studies on inter-group relationships have shown that conflicts usually occur whenever members of different cultural groups meet or assigned a joint task.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cultural Diversity in Hotel Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to the theory, you can always predict that people will show a favourable bias towards members of their cultural group and they will believe that they are in conflict with members of another cultural group. Based on this fact, the workers therefore need to be trained on working with people from different culture and treat them as equals without any implied discrimination. Barrier to interaction and integration must be addressed. Social Network Theory Social network theory discusses the relationship among individuals in a specific environment such as in the hotel industry. Most members of a network provide useful information to other members while others provide emotional, social, financial and even moral support and these resources can greatly market a service industry. In the hotel and hospitality sector, a good reputation plays a big role as well as interdependence. The structure and the shape of the networks put in place in an organisation have important implications for policy-making as well as implementation. Managers are able to know where to finds resources they need and how to get it. This is because they have contacts of the people who can provide such services through networks. Relationships as well as networks can therefore be used to promote change initiatives in a company. Social networks in a company can help the management discover the unique skills as well as talents among workers which can bring organizational change (Haslam Turner 2001, 28). Issues Associated With Diversity in the Workplace Cultural diversity in the work place is normally associated with creative and optimum job performance which translates into positive job outcomes; however, this only occurs when it is effectively managed. There are several issues that occur in hotel and other hospitality workplaces today as they are increasingly becoming multicultural. These include harassment, discrimination against persons who are employed and even those seeking for employment based on gender, background, race/ethnicity and religion. Prejudice usually occurs in task distribution, promotions, rewards, decision making and accessibility to communication networks. Differences in language within a workplace can also create communication problems. Differences in cultural backgrounds affect the perception of employees towards new ideas, concepts and technology. The way employees perceive the company’s stance on diversity management is also very important.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Management Strategy Kundu (2001) proposes three strategies for managing cultural differences that exist in workplaces. He says that both managers and employees can decide to ignore the cultural differences or the organisation can minimize the cultural differences and lastly, the organisation can manage the cultural difference. Managers of hospitality businesses therefore adopt creative ways of managing the cultural diversity that exist in the workplace. They establish policies and practices that explore the benefits of diversity in workplace. Implementing Written Cultural Diversity Policy Addressing cultural diversity matters should be a priority concern for managers of organisations. The management of a company must have a documented diversity management policy since diversity has sometimes proved to be a problem and not an opportunity. In most cases, managers majorly focus on managing gender diversity as a result the hospitality and hotel industry employs a considerable number of women. Support, Commitment and Employee Perception Perceptions and reactions of employees towards the company determine the effectiveness of the workforce. The management needs to understand the nature as well as the outcomes of perceptions of workers about their organisation’s diversity management. Employees usually view the organisation’s climate and commitment to diversity management as directly related to the performance of the organisation and their job satisfaction (Hicks-Clarke Iles 2000, 329). According to Hicks-Clarke and Iles (2000, 329) studies have shown that employees who perceive that the cultural diversity in their workplace is supported and encouraged are likely to develop positive attitude towards the company. They begin to feel that their job is secure and they also see the possibility of developing their career in the organisation. On the contrary, employees who feel that they are not valued in the company due to their race/ethnicity tend to perceiv e that this would negatively affect their performance, job as well as their career. They would therefore opt to move elsewhere. Organizational support as well as commitment is highly related to employee retention meaning that these can enable employers retain talented employees from diverse cultural backgrounds (Sippola 2007, 256). Employees always want to be sure whether the organisation values their contributions or not. They also want to be certain about the employer’s concern on their well-being. It is therefore important to provide rewards for increased and excellent job performance. There should be favourable opportunities for incentives, supportive supervision as well as procedural justice (Bakalis, Joiner Leveson 2009, 381). Actions taken by the company in support of or against an issue should be sincere. These initiatives and actions increase employees’ commitment to the company. Retaining culturally diverse employees has been a major concern of most employer s. This implies that the management has to constantly carry out organizational audit to establish the employees’ perception towards the company to determine the direction of the firm in relation to its workforce. Survey results would help make the necessary changes which are intended to motivate the workers and enhance job satisfaction among the workforce in order to achieve retention of culturally diverse and talented workers. According to Bakalis, Joiner and Leveson (2009, 379) the nature of diversity in a workplace has an influence on performance. When the management appreciate diversity among its workers, a culture of appreciating diversity is built. The will in turn appreciate each more and therefore work together as a team despite cultural differences. The outcome is that the customers from different background will as be received and treated with utmost grandeur. This is what service industry is all about, treating client better so that they feel value for money servic e and that their culture is also recognised elsewhere. Inclusion and support of minority culture-groups In managing a multicultural workforce, it is important that the minority culture-group members within the organisation be integrated in all the informal networks. Access to these informal networks is important especially considering the significance of language on the flow of communication processes as well as in the development of individual networks in the workplace (Lindholm 1997, 14). They should also be allowed access to formal communication networks. Language problems could be a major source of frustration and dissatisfaction as one feels like an outsider. Open communications can reduce the negative impacts of cultural diversity on group activities and processes. However, multilingual workers are better suited to be the employees of a hotel and hospitality company. This way, the employees can integrate much better in that they are likely to understand the values, attitudes a nd general welfare at least two culture. This can form web of interconnectivity and integration that the outcome would be as if the organization is one big community with understand. Such appreciation of different traditions and culture is extended to clients and this gives greater satisfaction. The company should also ensure that migrants are represented on recruitment as well as promotion panels. These initiatives increase accessibility to formal networks in an organisation and also help initiate formal networking in the company. Besides, they should also enjoy the organizational support for their diversity. This is only possible if the organisation put in place structures that totally discourage discrimination, prejudice as well as intercultural conflicts in the workplace. All the various cultural groups in the workplace should be represented and encouraged to uphold respect and to always value learning from each other. Kundu (2001) stresses on cross-cultural training and sensiti zing of employees on the outcomes of discrimination and biases in diverse working population. Cross-cultural training helps employees of an organisation live and work harmoniously in another culture. Communication of performance standards The service industry players should establish and also communicate clearly the performance standards to employees. The performance standards should be based on important competencies which are relevant to each job. The workers should also be trained on how to provide feedback on identified undesirable conduct that the firm wishes to change or desirable behaviour that it wants to encourage. Conclusion Managing a multicultural workforce has become one of the most demanding tasks for most managers in service industry. Cultural diversity is projected to increase with the increasing globalization. Most organizations are putting in place structures and practices that could help attract and retain culturally diverse workforce. Hotel industry is developing cultural diversity policies and implementing new practices. Effective management of diversity in the workplace is seen to be profitable to a hotel services in ways like better services, job satisfaction and reduced worker turnover. Different theories seem to have varied views about cultural diversity in the hotel industry although most theories seem to support cultural diversity. Cultural diversity comes with different issues and problems that have to be effectively handled by organizations. Cultural diversity can cause discrimination, conflicts and communication problems. It is therefore important for hotel industry to develop cultural diversity policy and to govern it and help understand employees’ perception diversity and how the specific hotel service company deals with it. In addition, it is important to include the minority culture-groups into every activity of the company. Reference List Bakalis, S., Joiner, T., A., Leveson, L., 2008, Managing Cultural Diversity And Perceived Organizational: Evidence From Australia. International Journal of Manpower, 30 (4): 377-392. New Delhi: Emarald Group Publishing Limited. D’netto, B., Sohal, A., S., 1999, Human Resource Practices and Workforce Diversity: An Empirical Assessment. International Journal of Manpower, 20 (8): 530-47. New Delhi: Emerald Publishers. Haslam, S., A., Turner, J., C., 2001, Social Identity, Organizations and Leadership. In M. Turner (Ed.), Groups At Work: Theory And Research (Pp. 25-65). London: Lawrence Erlbaum. Hicks-Clarke, D., Iles, P., 2000, Climate for Diversity and Its Effects on Career and Organizational Attitudes and Perceptions. Personnel Review, 29 (3): 324-45. London: Emerald Publishing Limited. Kundu, S., C., 2001, Managing Cross-Cultural Diversity: A Challenge For Present And Future Organizations. Delhi Business Review, 2 (2). New Delhi: University Of Hartford. Lindholm, E., 1997, Culturally Related Problems In Steering Of Foreign Subsidiaries: Subsidiary Ope rations Of Finnish Companies In Spain. Master’s Thesis, Helsinki School of Business Administration, Helsinki. Ãâ€"zbilgin, M., F., Tatli, A., 2008, Global Diversity Management: An Evidence Based Approach. London: Palgrave Macmillian. P. 42. Sippola, A., 2007, Developing Culturally Diverse Organizations: A Participative and Empowerment-Based Method. Women in Management Review, 22 (4): 253-73. New Delhi: Emerald Publishing Limited.

Cargo Vessel Size Classifications

Cargo Vessel Size Classifications Cargo shipping is a low margin business model that requires vessels to be fully loaded in order to sustain profitable operations. When a ship is in the design phase it is almost always structured in a specific classification of naval architecture and built to serve a specific route or purpose. Vessels that are built to pass through specific bottlenecks while carrying the maximum amount of cargo are termed â€Å"-max†. For example, a freighter designed to pass through the Panama Canal are called Panamax. This means that the ship will fit into a minimum bounding box that matches the dimensions of the smallest locks in the canal. A bounding box is measured in three dimensions and includes areas under water and above the ship in addition to maximum length and width. In a maritime specific case, the dimensions of the bounding box have some different but still familiar names. Draft is the measurement from the surface of the water to the bottom. The beam is the width of a vessel at its’ widest point. Length is measured as the overall length of a ship but in some cases, maximum dimensions might consider the length at the waterline which can differ significantly from length overall (LOA) because of the Deadrise of the hull. The final measurement is Air Draft which is the measure of the maximum height above the waterline of any structure on the ship. Other terms you will see are Gross Tonnage (GT) and Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) and while many perceive this as a measure of weight it is actually described best as a measure of the volume of the vessel’s hull. Weight only factors in when an equivalent weight of water displaced by the hull needs to be expressed. Now let’s get to the definitions. Ship Size Definitions Most of these definitions pertain to cargo vessels but they can be applied to any kind of ship. Military and cruise ships can also be classified under these definitions but the most common usage concerns cargo ships. Aframax- This classification almost always refers to an oil tanker although it is occasionally applied to other bulk commodities. These vessels serve oil producing areas with limited port resources or where man-made canals lead to terminals that load raw petroleum products. The size limitations in this class are few. The main restriction is the beam of a vessel which in this case cannot exceed 32.3 Meters or 106 feet. The tonnage of this type of vessel is approximately 120,000 DWT. Capesize- Here is one of the instances where the naming scheme is different but the concept is the same. A Capesize class of ship is limited by the depth of the Suez Canal which is currently 62 feet or about 19 meters. The soft geology of the region has allowed the canal to be dredged to a greater depth since it was first built and it possible the canal will be dredged again in the future so this classification may change its maximum draft limit. Capesize vessels are large bulk carriers and tankers that get their name from the route they must take to bypass the Suez Canal. This route takes the past the Cape of Good Hope in Africa or Cape Horn off of South America depending on the final destination of the ship. The displacement of these vessels can range from 150,000 to as much as 400,000 DWT. Chinamax- Chinamax is a little bit different since it is determined by the size of port facilities rather than physical obstructions. This term is not only applied to ships but also to port facilities themselves. Ports that can accommodate these very large vessels are referred to as Chinamax compatible. These ports do not necessarily need to be anywhere near China they only need to meet the draft requirements of dry bulk carriers in the 350,000 to 400,000 DWT range while not exceeding 24 meters or 79 feet of draft, 65 meters or 213 feet of beam, and 360 meters 1,180 feet of overall length. Malaccamax- Here is another situation for naval architects where the main restriction is draft of the vessel. The Strait of Malacca has a depth of 25 meters or 82 feet so ships of this class must not exceed this depth at the lowest point of the tidal cycle. Vessels serving this route can gain capacity in the design phase by increasing beam and length at the waterline in order to carry a greater capacity in a limited draft situation. Panamax- This class is the most commonly recognized to most people since it refers to the Panama Canal which is quite famous in its own right. The current size limitations are 294 meters or 965 feet in length, 32 meters or 106 feet of beam, 12 meters or 39.5 feet of draft, and 58 meters or 190 feet of air draft so vessels can fit under the Bridge of the Americas. The canal opened in 1914 and by 1930 there were already plans to enlarge the locks to pass larger vessels. In 2014 a third larger set of locks will begin operations and define a new class of vessels called New Panamax. New Panamax has size limitations of 366 meters or 1200 feet in overall length, 49 meters or about 160 feet of beam, and a draft of 15 meters or 50 feet. The air draft will remain the same under the Bridge of the Americas which is now the main limiting factor for large vessels passing through the canal. Seawaymax- This class of vessels is designed to achieve the maximum size for passage through the Saint Lawrence Seaway inbound or outbound from the Great Lakes system. The locks of the Seaway are the limiting factor and can receive ships no larger than 225.5 meters or 740 feet of overall length, about 24 meters or 78 feet of beam, about 8 meters or 26 feet of draft, and an air draft of 35.5 meters or 116 feet above the water. Larger vessels operate on the lakes but they are unable to reach the sea because of the bottleneck at the locks. Supermax, Handymax- Once again this is a class of ships that is not restricted by a specific set of locks or bridges but instead, it refers to cargo capacity and the ability to use ports. Ports are often designated to be Supermax or Handymax compatible. Supermax as you probably guessed is the largest of the vessels with a size of around 50,000 to 60,000 DWT and can be as long as 200 meters or 656 feet. Handymax vessels are slightly smaller and have a displacement of 40,000 to 50,000 DWT. These ships are usually at least 150 meters or 492 feet. Suezmax- The Suez Canal’s dimensions are the limiting factor for ship size in this case. Since there are no locks along the one hundred plus miles of the canal the only limitations are draft and air draft. The canal has a useful draft of 19 meters or 62 feet and vessels are limited by the height of the Suez Canal Bridge which has a clearance of 68 meters or 223 feet.