Fedex A Global Supply Chain Management Company Commerce Essay

Fedex A Global Supply Chain Management Company Commerce EssayFedEx is a global logistics and supply- string management party Ng Farhoomand, 2002 that began operations in 1973 as an overnight package delivery company. Annual revenues exceed $20 billion and 24-48 mo delivery is available to well over 200 countries. In 2001, FedEx was named one of the acme ten just about admired corporations in America (Boyle, 2002).FedEx has been in the constancy for quite a time instantaneously. It has built its system strong that from being an emit delivery company it has been a supply-chain management company. With the suffice of innovation and origin of internet by the course 1994, it has been evident that the dos provided by FedEx have been meliorate.Though it has tried to integrate the e-commerce system, the Company has been struggling to be more than than an express delivery. The competitors for the express delivery industry have been growing save there have been reports that the t ransportation volume growth of FedEx was slowing down. receivable to this instance, the FedEx has decided to convey a re-organizing the structure hoping that it will attention them through the betterment of their operations.FedEx started in the year 1973, and UPS, one of those that give function like FedEx, started in the year 1907. They did non compete with each other for the reason that they have different food markets. The competition and rivalry between the two began in the year 1982. They competed on the market segment, persona of advantage, and pricing. The only solution they thought of was to cut monetary appreciate without decreasing the choice of node service. Because of this, they thought of having an organized logistics operation that will help reduce the say process.The three main trends that helped the growth of transportation and logistics industry atomic number 18 the globalization of the businesses, advances in the nurture technology (IT) and the applic ation of new technology to generate efficiencies in processing, and the increase in demand for more quality satisfaction of customers or clients.Speed has been one of the basis of customers to say that they have been provided with quality customer service. The advances brought by IT heightened globalization and made the operations fast, decrease costs, and gave quality service.OpportunitiesThreats The cost of infrastructure of express delivery companies are a roadblock of de exclusively to new comers FedEx attractors in global express delivery As massive as the nature of our socioeconomic environment exists, there will alship fecesal be a need for express delivery E-commerce is creating an increased need for express delivery Globalization offers opportunities for expansion Maintaining the infrastructure of an express delivery company is an exit barrier because of high fixed costs Capitol is acquired through the volume of sales, so the high fixed costs can hurt when times are s low Due to the nature of the industry, it is nearly impossible to become the clear industry leader The nature of the industry shows very low returns on invested capitol The E-tailing industry demands lower rapture rates and charges to pull customers from the retailing industries Major competitors UPS, the airborne DHLQuestion One The express transportation and logistics industryFederal pay was founded in 1971 as the good- tinting idea of charter airplane pi cud Fred metalworker. It launched its overnight air express business in 1973, and just 10 years later, it was the first U.S. company to top $1 billion in revenues in its first decade. Today, FedEx (its nickname, FedEx, officially became the company name in 2000) is the worlds prominentst express transportation company-almost 196,000 employees move more than 3 billion items to more than 200 countries each business day, up from 110,000 workers and 2 cardinal packages just five years ago In 1990, FedEx became the first servic e company to win the Baldrige Award. Since then, the company has expanded its ground delivery business by purchasing both Parcel Direct (formerly a office of Quad/Graphics, now renamed FedEx SmartPost) and more than 1,100 Kinkos locations (now FedEx Kinkos Office and Print Centers) in 2004.The survival issue is prominent in the minds of quality leaders. FedExs Fred Smith compares the awakening to quality to a near-death experience. A lot of times its brought on by trauma. Leaders often embrace Total Quality Management because they see no alternative improve or die. whatever inspires them-the fear of failure, the promise of success, the achievement of other companies, the belief that there must be a better way to manage a company-triggers the leap of faith. in one case they are on the quality path, the cultural changes they see all around them frequently breed a missionary zeal about the need for, and the benefits of, the quality improvement process.The first step for any company p resident, chairman, or CEO is committing himself or herself, as well as the company, to the process. Jamie Houghton as well ask this step in 1983, shortly later he became Cornings chairman. FredSmith and his top executives founded FedEx on the idea of providing the highest quality of service, then participated in quality training in the first year of the companys existence.At FedEx, Fred Smith has been directly involved in the development of any quality process and system the company has implemented. He founded the company on a belief that customers would jimmy a timedefinite express delivery service, then used on-time delivery as the companys primary prize of performance. In the late 1980s, he helped develop a more comprehensive, proactive, customer-oriented measure of customer satisfaction and service quality the Service Quality Index (SQI).As Smith said, We believe that service quality must be mathematically measured. The company tracks these 12 indicators daily, individuall y and in total, across its entire system. Each indicator is weighted the greater the weight, the greater the impact on customer satisfaction. One of FedExs service goals is to reduce the totals of the SQI every year. Service is one of the companys three overall corporate objectives People-Service-Profit. Every manager at FedEx, including Fred Smith and the senior executive staff, has annual benchmarks for each of these three corporate objectives.Smith sets his own personal objectives with input from the board of directors, and the process cascades through the organization from there. Managers are evaluated on how well they achieve their objectives.To develop and implement such(prenominal)(prenominal) broad measures and objectives, Smith and his staff had to understand the companys quality objectives, its customers needs, and the potential effectiveness of SQI as a measure and motivator. Many other service companies are still trying to figure out what to measure. Smith led the devel opment of a measure that tells all FedEx employees, every day, exactly how they are doing on customer satisfaction and service quality. Active participation in the quality improvement process doesnt get any better than that.Good leaders know that having a customer focus is critical. At FedEx, each officer is assigned responsibility for the major customers in a sales district. Smith and his staff talk to customers continuously at the executive level to make sure their needs are being met.FedEx has three corporate goals People-Service-Profit. As Smith summarizes, when people are placed first, they will provide the highest possible service, and profits will follow. The three corporate goals are translated into measurable objectives throughout the corporation. get up on the people goal is determined by the Leadership Index, a statistical measurement of subordinates opinions of managements performance. Service is based on the Service Quality Indicators expound earlier. The profit goal is a percentage of pretax margin, determined by the previous(prenominal) years financial results. Success in congruousing the objectives for each area determines the annual bonuses for management and professionals. (The bonuses can account statement for up to 40 percent of these employees total compensation.)FedEx Corporation in the United States administers variety of advanced factors of production. These are managerial sophistication, logistics know-how, and carnal infrastructure. Logistics is one of the main advanced factors which FedEx developed for managing its complex hubs. Physical infrastructure that FedEx uses is not only airports but to a fault roads and ports.Additional classifiable competencies that FedEx have, also arise from firm-specific tangible and intangible resources, namely, FedExs hubs and package handling systems its package tracking and customer support function and its logistics support. Again, the main barrier to model these firm-specific resources is t he high cost associated with acquiring them. FedExs package tracking ad customer support functions as well as their logistic support are examples of the firms distinctive competencies as well. The barriers to imitate FedExs package tracking and customer support functions are based on the fact that FedEx was the initiator in establishing the first tracking applications website and providing each customer with a unique barcode to individualize each shipment. That allowed FedEx to gain proficiency at these systems and knowledge about the functional operations.FedExs strengths in logistics, operations, and technological innovation allow them to pursue a differentiation business level strategy. FedEx works to stand apart from its competitors by creating a level of service that is difficult for competitors to match. FedEx has clearly been identified as an innovator, but what they need to get across to their customers is that they provide a high level of quality service. FedEx charges high er prices for its go than many of its competitors in the industry. This is considered a premium that a customer pays for the quality of service FedEx provides. By differentiating their standard of quality from their competitors, FedEx lets their customers know that if they are willing to pay more, it will be worth it.FedEx is able to meet the needs of all these segments. They have spent an extraordinary amount of capitol developing their infrastructure, just so they can make the best promises to their customers. FedEx transports more than 3 million items to over 200 countries each day. Within each business unit are specific functional units that perform particular functions. The main functional units are logistics and operations for its transportation system. These units assure the coordination and smooth flow of FedExs deliveries. The end result is a high level of quality service. Their service includes customer responsiveness and innovations such as its aircraft fleet, its hubs a nd package handling systems, package tracking, customer support functions, and logistics support. Not only does this help FedEx follow through with their promises, but in some ways that are superior to that of the competition.FedEx has transformed itself into an e-business by integrating physical and virtual infrastructures across information systems, business processes, and organizational bounds. FedExs experience in building an e-business shows how a company can successfully apply its information technology expertise in order to pioneer customercentric innovations with sweeping structural and strategic impacts. It also shows the theatrical role of outsourcing, which frees companies to concentrate on their core business.The value chain for FedEx Express can be seen as starting with the pick-up of the packages. FedEx employees gather the packages from various locations such as dangle boxes, businesses and residences. Value is created for the customers by making package pick-ups po ssible just about anywhere or anytime. FedEx has a money back guarantee for those people whose packages do not arrive on time, therefore creating value by assuring timely delivery of the packages.After the packages are initially picked up, they must then be transported to a hub. The hub is a central location where packages are sorted according to their destinations. The packages will likely pass through many hands before comer their final destination. The packages stay at the hub until they are picked up and shipped either by truck or plane.FedEx Supply Chain run which synchronize the movement of goods for raise customer satisfaction. With all of this evident it can be said that FedEx segments its markets according to the needs of the customers and not by demographic regions.While FedEx is a very large company that occupies a large portion of market share in the express delivery sphere as well as the ground sector we have concluded that FedEx does not so much possess distinctive competencies, as it has strong existing competencies that allow it to compete competitively with industry leader UPS. These competencies include a very timely customer response time, cutting-edge technology and innovation. With the fact that FedEx does not have a competitive advantage, or distinctive competencies, yet is still the largest express package delivery service there are many directives that could be followed to attain both. This is obviously a long-term goal, unless it can be seen that the undertakings have already begun. Its most recent endeavor, characterized as a diversification from its usual product offering of actual shipment of goods, is the newer service offering of consultation. Labeled FedEx Trade Networks, this newest division of the FedEx offerings showcases the companys vast competence of international shipping knowledge to an array of customers. These customers are provided value creation with the knowledge that can greatly increase efficiencys through the supply chain. FedEx Trade Networks offers a full range of international support services, including customs clearance, encumbrance forwarding, Trade Customs consultive Services (TCAS) and trade technology solutions.Question Two Branding and business structure up until 19 January 2000Another note is the horizontal desegregation that has latterly been carried out by FedEx. Horizontal integrating is a way of trying to increase the profitability of a company by reducing costs, increasing the value of a product offering, managing industry rivalrys, or increasing the bargaining power of a company. These economic benefits are usually the rewards of company mergers and acquisitions in an industry. Horizontal integration is predominately characterized by similar companies merging together or acquisitions sought by the industry leaders.The account of mergers and acquisitions for North American-based logistics companies appears dissimilar. North American logistics services sources seem t o look for acquisitions that increase their position in existing markets, for instance, increasing domestic service routes and toting up critical mass to grasp the benefits of economies of scale. Nonetheless, the comparative strength of European automotive, chemical or other industries including global production and supply chains in opposition to their US counterparts make the necessity to create client interaction in Europe a must-have for US logistics suppliers. Given the competitive strong suit of the local European logistics assistance providers, one of the little options to increase market entry or share of market in this global scenery is to vigorously design and track acquisition tactics. This can be done in integration with a concentration on particular niche actions, where scale economies are not as critical. It can also be achieved by means of services where special resources are desired, for instance, oversized equipment or hazardous merchandise transportation.Project l ogistics companies, for instance, highlight an exclusive business model with core competencies in global freight transportation-a specific engineering knowledge and can get into a largely blue-chip client base-that make them essential service providers for their customers.By 1994 less than 20% of FedExs revenues came from documents, formerly the primary driver of revenues. The air express industry was in a period of constant flux as firms tried to understand where the close big push was going to originate. Fortunately for Smith, he had already gambled on logistics, a move that would begin to pay off during the next and last round of the study.From 1993 to 1996 sales grew from $7.8 billion to $10.3 billion. Decision-making was decentralized due to the disperse nature of domestic and international operations. Structure was divisional, but changes were being planned to reconfigure the organization during the next cycle.The most important strategic moves during this cycle were in the area of information processing, particularly customer information and tracking. Just as operations were centralized in 1978 to urge growth, the move toward a web-based business began in earnest in 1996 as FedEx became the first company to allow firms to process shipments on the Internet. Also by this time, FedEx was considered a global transportation company, not an airline.In 1998 Caliber Systems, Inc. was acquired by FedEx, which included the trucking operation, RPS. Roberts Express and Viking Express helped round out the full offering of services by FedEx in its attempt to become a one-stop shopping experience for supply chain needs. The company now offered complete interstate trucking service, long and short-haul air express service, and integrated logistics and warehouse solutions.Sales grew from $13.25 billion in 1997 to $19.629 billion in 2001. High fuel costs hurt profits during 1999, but the growth in Internet Business to Business (B to B) was exploding. Sales were also ne gatively impacted by the lack of identity between divisions with their own name, such as RPS and Viking, and operating units of FedEx. A major reorganization announced in January of 2000 by Fred Smith was designed to correct this problem.The FedEx Corporation would re-name each of its auxiliary companies, with the ejection of the less-than-truckload firm operating in the Western U. S. known as Viking, beginning with the brand identity of FedEx. The following changes were made FedEx Express formerly Federal Express FedEx Ground formerly RPS FedEx Custom Critical formerly Roberts Express FedEx Logistics formerly Caliber Logistics FedEx Trade Networks (Ng Farhoomand, 2002).Each subsidiary adopted a different semblance for its logo, but several strategic moves were made to ensure integration of operations and cooperation between companies. Consolidation was achieved in the sales force so that each division was being represented to each customer, accounting invoices were consolid ated to reflect one invoice and one customer account number, and all customer service claims information was consolidated.Once again, Fred Smith centralized some aspects of his vast company to facilitate growth and to take advantage of new opportunities. Again the analyzer strategy was implemented, as it had been for most of FedExs history, to stimulate constant service improvement and growth.By 2001 FedEx had close to 200,000 employees scattered across the globe. A new corporate complex was nearing completion in southeast Memphis in the community of Southwind, home to the St. Jude/FedEx Classic golf tournament. And, the top ten ranking in Fortunes Most Admired Corporations in America confirms the entrepreneurial and strategic management ability of Fred Smith.From 1984 to 1989 the company maintained a divisional structure, but it was augmented by the use of intercellular substance personnel in the areas of finance, world resources, and maintenance. Decisions involving strategy, tec hnology, advertising, and budgeting were centralized, yet authority for operations was decentralized. This was imperative for customer service given the extensive international orientation of the company by the late 1980s. Also, in 1989 FedEx chartered its first general manager in history, Robert May, to head a new operation known as Business Logistics Services (BLS). From 1984 to 1989 the company maintained a divisional structure, but it was augmented by the use of matrix personnel in the areas of finance, human resources, and maintenance. Decisions involving strategy, technology, advertising, and budgeting were centralized, yet authority for operations was decentralized. This was imperative for customer service given the extensive international orientation of the company by the late 1980s. Also, in 1989 FedEx hired its first general manager in history, Robert May, to head a new operation known as Business Logistics Services (BLS). From 1984 to 1989 the company maintained a divisio nal structure, but it was augmented by the use of matrix personnel in the areas of finance, human resources, and maintenance. Decisions involving strategy, technology, advertising, and budgeting were centralized, yet authority for operations was decentralized. This was imperative for customer service given the extensive international orientation of the company by the late 1980s. Also, in 1989 FedEx hired its first general manager in history, Robert May, to head a new operation known as Business Logistics Services (BLS).Question Three Events leading up to the January 2000 reorganisationBy the year ending 1999, 31st of May, Fedex had out-performed analyst expections and increased earnings by 28% compared to the previous year. But the company had a downturn during August 31, 1999. Due to increase in fuel prices, FedExs financial status was severely affected. Because of this, FedEx had forecasted that they full fiscal year may decrease below analyst expectations. BY the end of November 1999, the operating income dropped down by 10% of the previous year and the net income by 6%.As the increase in fuel price increase, operating income continue to decline. Because of the forecasted loss in income, the company re-think of their business strategy.As internet was introduced to the company, they utilized it to help them with the operations. First, it opened opportunities in re-engineering the supply chain. Second, the express transportation made businesses, such as FedEx, attain opportunities.In January 2000, FedEx had three major strategies. First, extending the FedEx brand to four subsidiary companies. Second, major re-organizations making it one point of access to sales, customer services, billing, and automation systems. Third, introducing to the market the low-cost home delivery.After the re-organization, the FedEx was helped through, first, single branding system which helped them establish their unique competitive advantage. Second, single and expanded sales force which helped them expand their market reaching the small and medium-sized businesses. Third, a single invoice and single account number from FedEx. Forth, streamlined customer automation systems to handle electronic transaction. Fifth, lone customer service which can help the consumers for their inquiries.With the re-organizations that happened, I think that it will help the company build a name that stands for quality, reliable, and fast service. It will help FedEx be more competitive now that the competition is growing. The number marketing is article of mouth, if FedEx can establish their three competencies, then word of mouth will be easily spread throughout others. It can help increase their market share and income.FedEx has been considered a top performer and a leader in its field almost from its inception. It regularly is included in Fortunes 100 Best Companies To call on For (Levering Moskowitz, 1998), Americas Most Admired Companies (Boyle, 2002), and Fortune 500. Yet, what is most impressive about Fred Smiths leadership and vision for FedEx is even though the company invented the air express industry, it has not clung too tightly to that coattail. As new opportunities have arisen, Smith has not hesitated to position his company to take advantage of those opportunities. Examples include pushing for larger weight limits from Congress, expanding operations internationally, leading the way in information processing, tracking and Internet applications, making key acquisitions, and reconfiguring his business to fit a new systems model for supply chain management.

Importance of History and Context Considerations for Clients

Importance of History and Context Considerations for ClientsHistorical and Contextual Considerations for ClientsSiobhan L. HealyAbstractThis paper discusses four guinea pigs in total, two from the emplacement of a psychologist in private dedicate and two from the perspective of a school psychologist.First, we go away be covering two clients who visited Dr. Goldsteins private practiceClient 1 Brian, a 28 year old, married father of a two year old daughter and a six calendar month old infant son, is expressing a feeling of unhappiness. He states that he is miserable, making everyone around him miserable.Client 2 Cindy, a 41 year old, recently part woman without children and high school education is not able to relax and worries about something all the time. She follow ups a feeling of going crazy.Next, we will be discussing two clients Dr. Venneman, the school psychologist, is coveringClient 1 Rosie, a 7-year-old second-grader from an intact family has recently moved into the sch ool district and was referred for experiencing academic difficulties concerning reading and writing, as intumesce as social difficulties with her classmates.Client 2 Marco, a 17 year old high school student was referred for failing grades and refusal to follow course sequences. He is run intoing dropping out of school.The hypothesis for this paper is, that, when clinicians atomic number 18 able to assembly ample selective information about their clients history and weave together clever info to get a clear picture of each case, they will be able to use the correct assessment in order to design a handling plan.According to Groth-Marnat, the evaluation of the referral question in each case is of great importance. An inaccu set clarification of a enigma base result in practical limitations of psychological evaluations. It is the clinicians responsibility to provide useful information and to clarify the requests they receive, and each clinician is aware of the value and the lim itations of psychological tests. Furthermore, clinicians should not assume that requests for evaluation and referrals are adequately described or elaborated on. In fact, clinicians whitethorn need to uproot unspoken expectations of clients and uncover interpersonal relationships and hidden agendas. Limitations of psychological tests need to be explained to clients and the clinician is required to fully understand the vocabulary, dynamics, referral setting, and conceptual model (Groth-Marnat, 2003).Because clinicians are rarely strikeed to provide a general or global assessment, only when are kind of expected to answer peculiar(prenominal) questions, they need to address these questions and should contact the source of the referral at various stages in the assessment process. In an educational evaluation, such as in Rosies and Marcos case, the school psychologist should observe the student in the classroom environment. The information gathered from such an observation should then be relayed plunk for to the source of the referral (school) in order to get further clarification and, possibly, a modification of the initial referral question (Groth-Marnat, 2003). subsequently gaining insight into the referral question, clinicians should proceed with the collection of information. A variety of sources may be use for this purpose, such as personal history, interview data, behavioural observations, and test scores. Furthermore, clinicians could obtain any previous psychological evaluations, medical checkup records, police reports, school records, or they could discuss the current issues with the client and/or with parents or teachers (Groth-Marnat, 2003). For example, Dr. Goldstein could ask his client, Brian, the 28 year old father of two small(a) children, a few background questions, such as, when did you first experience the feeling of unhappiness and what exactly do you do to make everyone around you miserable, or how was your marriage before the birth of y our children, what may be additional stress factors besides the overwhelming task of having two young children, and how is your social life?Furthermore, Dr. Goldstein should explore any manageable medical reasons for Brians unhappiness. Once the clinician has ruled out certain factors that may be contri scarceing to Brians condition, he may be able to pinpoint the cause of his unhappiness and determine that Brian is simply and temporarily overwhelmed by the addition of a vernal baby to an already stressful life. After all, additionally to having to go to work to financially support a family of four, Brian is most believably sleep deprived delinquent to his infant sons irregular sleep pattern. Ultimately, Brians wife and daughter may be placing unreasonable demands on him by asking for more help and attention. Most comparablely this phase will pass and the clinician will be able to design a immobile assessment and treatment plan.Dr. Goldsteins second case of Cindy, the 41 yea r old, divorced female, may be a complex one to examine. Once again, Dr. Goldstein should ask Cindy questions such as what were the reasons for your recent divorce, and when did you first experience the feeling of going crazy and how does it present, what kind of worries are the most prevalent and what shoot you tried to do in order to relax? After ruling out a medical riddle, the clinician should examine Cindys situation carefully, as it sounds like she may be suffering from anxiety and depression due to her recent divorce. After the divorce, she may have also lost common friends she shared with her partner. The divorce may have left her financially and emotionally dead and she may be going through a midlife crisis. In cases like that, the potential for substance abuse as a coping mechanism can be high. With detailed information about Cindys background, Dr. Goldstein should be able to construct a thorough assessment and a feasible treatment plan.In the case of Rosie, the 7-year -old second-grader from an intact family who recently moved to a new school district, the school psychologist, Dr. Venneman, should obtain any and all school and medical records and he should gather as much information from Rosies parents and current and former teachers (or principals). Dr. Venneman should explore whether Rosie had any academic issues in her former school. She may have to get an oculus exam to rule out a vision problem since her decreasing performance involves reading and writing. After ruling out any medical problems, Dr. Venneman should welcome out if Rosie may be missing her old friends and social activities. He should ask parents and teachers questions such as has she made any friends at all insofar, or is she still involved in the sports activities that she used to enjoy? It is very likely that Rosie is just experiencing a temporary loss of a sense of perceptual constancy (of a predictable environment and routine) and the loss of her friends due to the move . Once she is used to her new situation, she will most likely be able to adapt, make new friends, and catch up with school work.In the case of Marco, the 17 year old high school student who is considering dropping out of school, Dr. Venneman may have to explore his school and police records and conduct interviews with his family and teachers. After ruling out a medical condition or a possible criminal past, the clinician should ask Marco and everyone concerned a number of questions, such as how long has the lack of interest in school work persisted and what was done to intervene, what are his peers like, and what does Marco want for his future? Fortunately, Marco is a short time away from graduating from high school and the clinician should put emphasis on finding a quick and solid solution to jump-start Marcos motivation.In all of these cases, it is of the essence(p) to realize that any tests themselves are just one tool (or source) for gathering data. Each case history is of impo rtance as it provides the clinician a context for understanding each clients current issue and with this knowledge the test scores bring meaningful. A number of ethical guidelines have emerged for conducting formal assessments, ensuring that appropriate professional relationships and procedures are developed and maintained (Groth-Marnat, 2003, p.48).When assessing all of the above clients, the clinician must carefully consider what constitutes his or her ideal practice. There will always be difficulties involving assessment procedures. The main issues are the use of tests in inappropriate contexts, confidentiality, cultural bias, invasion of privacy, and the move use of tests that are inadequately validated (Groth-Marnat, 2003, p.48) consequently, this has resulted in many restrictions as to the use of certain tests, increased skepticism, and a greater need for clarification inside regarding ethical standards within the field of psychology (Groth-Marnat, 2003). As in Rosies and Ma rcos case, the clinician would be concerned about dealing with minors, especially if one was diagnosed with a disability, and should obtain consent to perform the assessments through a parent or legal guardian.As described by Steege Watson (2013) when information is systematically collected and study for the express purpose of determining behavioral function and the development of a BIP, it should be considered an evaluation and parental permission obtained (p.34). Furthermore, it would be unethical of Dr. Goldstein, for example, to reveal information about Brian or Cindy to others, unless the clients are posing a risk to themselves or others (such as a threat of suicide or homicide) (Steege Watson, 2013).In the case of Cindy, Dr. Goldstein could contract with a semi-structured interview format and list a sequence of questions that he would like to ask her. The first series of questions could includeWhat are some fundamental concerns that you may have?Could you describe the mos t important of these concerns?When did the difficulty first begin?How often does it occur?Have there been any changes in how often it has occurred?What happens after the behavior(s) occurs? (Groth-Marnat, 2003, p. 79-80).Since clients vary in their personal characteristics (age, degree of cooperation, educational level, etc.) and type of problem (childhood difficulties, legal problems, psychological problems), the questions should vary from person to person (Groth-Marnat, 2003). In Cindys case, the above questions are appropriate to ask. The series of questions should not be rigid, but asked with a certain level of flexibility, in order to explore relevant but unique issues that may arise during the interview. It is difficult to speculate on the conduction and outcome of the interview, because different theoretical perspectives will exist when it comes to clinician-client interaction between Dr. Goldstein and Cindy. It is important to note, that, a successful interview is achieved first and foremost with a proper attitude of the clinician, and not so much by what he or she says or does. The interviewer should always express sincerity, acceptance, understanding, genuine interest, warmth, and a positive regard for the worth of the person. If clinicians do not demonstrate these qualities, they are unlikely to achieve the goals of the interview, no number how these are defined (Groth-Marnat, 2003, p. 80).Dr. Goldstein should be aware of the interviewer effect because his interview with Cindy is a social interaction and his appearance may influence her answers. This is a common problem and such bias can render the results of the study invalid. For example, body language, age, gender, ethnicity, or social status of the interviewer can create this effect. If Dr. Goldstein happens to be of the same age and ethnicity of Cindys ex-husband, with a similar social status and body language, she may not answer all the questions without bias. Unfortunately, there is always going to be such a possibility when conducting an interview.After Dr. Goldstein has concluded the interview with Cindy, he will then provide an outline of the behavioral assessment, similar to the behavioral interview. He will ab initio provide Cindy with an overview of what has to be accomplished with a clear detailed specification of her problem behavior. Dr. Goldstein will identify the target behavior(s) and define them in exact behavioral terms. For example, Cindys target behaviors may be excessive worry and inability to relax as part of an anxiety disorder. The clinician will then determine the problem frequency, duration, and intensity (How many times has the feeling of going crazy occurred today, How long did it persist, etc.). He will then identify the conditions in which the problems (worrying, not macrocosm able to relax, and so on) occur in terms of its antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (Groth-Marnat, 2003, p. 114).Dr. Goldstein will determine the desired level of Cindys performance and consider an estimate of how realistic this is for her with possible deadlines. He will definitely identify Cindys strengths and also suggest procedures for measuring her relevant behaviors. He will decipher who will record what and how will it be recorded, when and where. Then, Dr. Goldstein will determine how the effectiveness of the program should be evaluated. After completing the discussion of areas, he will summarize it to ensure that Cindy understands and agrees. Again, this outline should not be rigid and should be used as a general guideline (Groth-Marnat, 2003).In Cindys case, the behavioral interview itself may have presented enough material for an adequate assessment but some form of actual behavioral observation may be required before, during, and after treatment. A regularity for observing the behavior(s) is often decided on during the initial behavioral interview. While interviews primarily serve to obtain verbal information from clients, beh avioral observation conducted to truly carry out certain techniques and strategies of measuring relevant areas of behavior that were previously discussed during the behavioral interview. With Cindy, a behavioral observation may be useful, although it is usually used more frequently in cases such as assessing young children, the developmentally disabled, or resistant clients, but it would be interesting to obtain interval recording, fib recording, ratings recording, and event recording. Dr. Goldstein may ask Cindy to observe her relevant target behaviors. He and Cindy will have to decide on the number of target behaviors to record and the complexness of a recording method, as the task will have to remain manageable and not overly complex (Groth-Marnat, 2003).Target behavior(s) should be identified in a narrative description of Cindys problems and later specified by determining the antecedents and consequences related to her problem behavior. All of her behaviors need to be measured in an objective manner, with complete definitions that enable concise observations of the measures of the behaviors. Such definitions should not include abstract terms, such as absentmindedness or sadness, and instead concentrate on specific behaviors. Furthermore, the definitions should be easy to read. When Dr. Goldstein is measuring behavioral frequencies, he must clearly define when the behaviors begin and end. It can be difficult to measure less clearly defined behaviors. The recordings should measure the duration of behaviors and their intensity. For example, how fast does Cindys heart beat during an anxiety/panic attack in which she feels that she is losing her mind and how long did this heart rate remain? Measurements as such will determine how urgent and strong a treatment approach should be (Groth-Marnat, 2003).Of further importance is the setting of a behavioral observation and it can range from a natural setting to a highly structured one. Natural, or in vivo, settings for Cindy can include her home, the park, or the mall. Such natural settings are the most effective ones when trying to assess high-frequency or depressive behaviors, as in Cindys case. Unfortunately, observations in natural settings require an massive amount of time but are useful when the amount of change the client has made is measured after a treatment. Dr. Goldstein may decide to create a structured environment, such as a role play, that bring out specific types of behaviors. Such environments can be important for infrequent behaviors but this type of setting may not generalize into Cindys actual life. The training of the observer has to include a clear understanding of measuring the behaviors, accentuation on taking objective and accurate recordings. The clinician should take precautions to avoid observer error, through bias, lapses in concentration, leniency, and discussing of data with other observers. Reliability may be canvass by comparing the degree of agreement betwee n different observers rating the same behaviors (Groth-Marnat, 2003, p.116). After gathering enough information about their clients history and pertinent data during behavioral interviews and assessments, clinicians have a clear picture of each case and will be able to design and implement the correct treatment plan.ReferencesGroth-Marnat, Gary (2003). Handbook of Psychological Assessment 4th ed. John Wiley Sons.Retrieved on 20 February 2015 from http//marijag.home.mruni.eu/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/handbook-of-psychological-assessment-fourth-edition.pdf.Steege, M.W., Watson, T.S. (2013). Conducting School-Based Functional Behavioral Assessments, Second Edition. Guilford Press. VitalBook file.

Comparing Relationship between Teller and Tale in The Merchant’s Tale a

Relationship between Teller and boloney in The Merchants Tale and The Wife of BatheA relationship is usually seen between the teller of a tale and the tale that he or she decides to share. Chaucers pilgrim, the Merchant, uses his feelings on espousal to teach a lesson in his tale. The Wife of Bathe also relies on her life experience to tell her tale. The two relationships in the tales can then be compared. In his prologue, the Merchant recounts how he despises being married. He has only been married for two months and he regrets the decision he made because his married woman is the finish up of all. He takes these negative views of marriage into his tale. The old man that gets to receive the Merchants feelings towards marriage is January. January is happy in his marriage, quite the opposite from the Merchant, yet his wife fools him. The Merchant is blinded by the beauty and vivacity of his young wife, May. He is in love enough with her that he does no t immediately understand the affair that is fortuity behind his back. Even when he catches sight of Da...

My Educational Philosophy Essay -- Philosophy of Education Teaching

My Educational Philosophy To describe my educational philosophy, I conveyed to combine two philosophers into one make it my own. I plan to explain my philosophical view by discussing the purpose of public education in society. I felt that essentialism, popularized by William Bagley, and progressivism, led by John Dewey, best described my attitudes and views towards education. I feel the overall purpose of education is to teach students traditional academic subjects such as math, reading and writing, companionable studies, the sciences, music, art, computer science, health, and physical education. These classes are the foundation needed by students to survive in todays society. However, I also believe that some students need activities that satisfy personal needs. Some stud...

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Essay -- Papers

The Rime of the Ancient MarinerThe Rime of the Ancient Mariner, as a product of its paganly inscribed author, presents a confused Unitarian conception view consistent with that of the Romantic Movement of its time. It attempts to exemplify this view within an unpredictable and often mysterious universe, and by rebuking the hegemonic ideologies held by the texts cultural antagonists, seeks to grant the awareness of an often unreasonable world populated by its readers passionate persona.Applying a world-context centred reading to Samuel Taylor Coleridges, The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere, demands the awareness of the Neo-Classical whiles hegemonic position over the newly flourishing Romantic Movement of late eighteenth century Europe. Inherent in this awareness is the philosophical misgiving in The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere, with the issue of Neo-Classic determinism versus Romantic free will. These two philosophical perspectives, unique to their own era, are locked in content ion throughout the poem and and so struggle for dominance as determined by the reader of the text. A resistant reading of The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere explores the concept of determinism, which as an ideology is diametrically conflicting to Coleridges own beliefs in passionate action and free will beliefs privileged by the authors subscription to the Romantic Movement during the texts construction.Due to its unique time of construction, The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere itself represents a sense of philosophical uncertainty. Its ideologies, as inspired by a pioneer of the Romantic Movement, are inevitably influenced by the authors own Neo-Classical background. As a culturally inscribed composer of the text, the idealistically passion... ...ibuting factor to Southeys inability to decode the poems meaning, posture in the style with which he read it, a style bestowed upon him by his cultural background. Such a background rigidly opposed alternate methods of experiencing poet ry, such(prenominal) as trying to feel it rather than to understand it. In such a vogue, The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere represented a paradigm shift in the way poetry was interpreted a dynamically different form of experience to what was traditionally accepted. Through this shift, and supported by his culture-breaking contemporaries, Coleridge in his writing of The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere was proposing a new means of experiencing and interpreting the universe a new cultural perspective. The depth of this perspective that is available to the reader is determined by what the reader, as a culturally inscribed individual, brings to the text.

William Blake Essay -- Biography Blake Poet Poetry Essayas

William BlakeThe poet, painter and engraver, William Blake was born in 1757, to a London haberdasher. Blakes notwithstanding formal education was in art. At the age of ten, he entered a drawing school and then at the age of fourteen, he apprenticed to an engraver. ( Abrams & Stillinger 18). Although, a good deal of Blakes time was spent studying art, he enjoyed reading and soon began to write poetry. Blakes first book of poems, Poetical Sketches, showed his dissatisfaction with the reigning poetic usance and his restless quest for new forms and techniques ( Abrams & Stillinger 19). Poetical Sketches, was followed by many other works including, Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. These series were accompanied by etchings, which depict each of the poems in the two books. Blake was such a revolutionary poet because he used visual agents to emphasize and express his poetry as he set the standards for the romanticistic term in poetry.Blake was influenced by religion very earl y in his life. At the age of ten, Blake tried to convince his father that he had seen angels in a tree, and, he asserted through the rest of his life, that he spoke with many of the spirits, angels and devils that he wrote about (Union 1). Blakes strong religious faith has a great usurpation on his life and we can see the religious overtones in much of his work. Blake was a strong believer of the spirit world, which enables us to relate his work to the Romantic poets incorporation of an imminent god into their poetry.The Romantic form of poetry gained its popularity in the late 18th century. Romanticism can be seen as a rejection of the precepts of order, calm, harmony, balance, idealization and rationality that typified Classicism in general and late 18th... ...rd Edition, New York Houghton Mifflin, 1994.Downie, Daniel. The Toils of Los Complete Written Works of Blake with IllustrationsAnd Art. Blake Web. <20 November 1999 http//198.247.176.53Goetz, Philip W. Religious symboli zation and Iconography Britannica EncyclopediaVol. 26. Chicago University of Chicago, 1995, 29.Harden, Mark & Carol Gerten-Jackson. America Online. <22 October 1999http//sunsite.sut.ac.jp/wm/paint/auth/blake/Marcotte, Adam. The Optimistic Lineage of William Blake Songs of Experience and The Book of Urizen Revisited Class Paper, SUNY Cortland. July 30, 1996.Babynames 1996-1999. <20 November 1999 www.babynames.comBlake Man, Writer, Thinker, Artisan Online. <20 October 1999 www.vu.union.edu/blake/life/htmlRomanticism <22 October 1999 http//sunsite.sut.ac.jp/wm/paint/glo/romanticism

South Africa - Diverse In Culture But Could Be Unified In Language :: essays research papers

southward Africa is diverse in culture but could be unified in terminology. position should be southernmost Africas centripetal language. It is infallible to beneathstand what nationhood is, so that you the reader realise that a national language does not alter a nation. It binds the nation. I forget also debate South Africas diverse cultures and how a unifying language crumb merge these cultures. Lastly, I entrust demonstrate the links between language and identity. The opinion of a nation is not easily defined.Nationalism is a deeply contradictory enterprise. (P Brooker, 1999,148).Our nation is star that has been straininged over many years and languages assimilate been brought to us through and through imperialism, immigrants and time. We have to accept that, for most nations of the world to escape the profound experience of imperialism would be in fact to escape their own veridical fib (P Brooker, 1999,148). We atomic number 50not deny that there is an assortmen t of language, which abound this nation. However, we need to choose one unifying language, which we can all use. This is essential for purposes of communication and mediation, which I will discuss later. This national language would be the only official language and English would be the unifying language. Identity is an ever-changing concept. South Africans sexuality, class, gender, race and charge language determine our identity.Contemporary identities can therefore be fluid or consciously delimited. Any number of factors are likely to be under duologue in either case whether of religion, nation, language, political ideology or cultural expression (P Brooker, 1999,109). Our South African identity is one which has changed through imperialism and it is one that has changed through apartheid and it is one which will continue changing in order to progress therefore a national language such as English can become a part of this ever changing south African identity. A national language will not change the identities of South Africans, it will enhance it. People will still converse their diametric languages however when we are together we will have a common form of communication.In English-medium schools, for example, English is used as a medium for the study of a wide range of subjects. The students and the tutorers come from different cultural backgrounds and many speak different languages at home but they use a common language for educational purposes. This means that an Indian teacher, who maybe speaks Tamil at home, can teach students, who might speak Zulu at home, using a common language, (S.South Africa - Diverse In Culture But Could Be Unified In row essays research papers South Africa is diverse in culture but could be unified in language. English should be South Africas unifying language. It is necessary to understand what nationhood is, so that you the reader realise that a national language does not alter a nation. It binds the nation. I will als o discuss South Africas diverse cultures and how a unifying language can merge these cultures. Lastly, I will demonstrate the links between language and identity. The concept of a nation is not easily defined.Nationalism is a deeply contradictory enterprise. (P Brooker, 1999,148).Our nation is one that has been formed over many years and languages have been brought to us through imperialism, immigrants and time. We have to accept that, for most nations of the world to escape the profound experience of imperialism would be in fact to escape their own actual history (P Brooker, 1999,148). We cannot deny that there is an assortment of language, which abound this nation. However, we need to choose one unifying language, which we can all use. This is essential for purposes of communication and mediation, which I will discuss later. This national language would be the only official language and English would be the unifying language. Identity is an ever-changing concept. South Africans se xuality, class, gender, race and even language determine our identity.Contemporary identities can therefore be fluid or consciously delimited. Any number of factors are likely to be under negotiation in either case whether of religion, nation, language, political ideology or cultural expression (P Brooker, 1999,109). Our South African identity is one which has changed through imperialism and it is one that has changed through apartheid and it is one which will continue changing in order to progress therefore a national language such as English can become a part of this ever changing south African identity. A national language will not change the identities of South Africans, it will enhance it. People will still speak their different languages however when we are together we will have a common form of communication.In English-medium schools, for example, English is used as a medium for the study of a wide range of subjects. The students and the teachers come from different cultural backgrounds and many speak different languages at home but they use a common language for educational purposes. This means that an Indian teacher, who maybe speaks Tamil at home, can teach students, who might speak Zulu at home, using a common language, (S.