The Industrial Revolution And The World s Dominant...

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the 1780’s. It was a transition from a predominantly agrarian economy to an industrial production, which resulted in the transformation of an agrarian society into an industrial one. The Industrial Revolution took place in different countries at various times, but in general, it can be assumed that the period of these changes started from the second half of the XVIII century through the second quarter of the XIX century. A characteristic feature of the Industrial Revolution was the rapid growth of the productive forces on the basis of large-scale machine industry and the adoption of capitalism as the world s dominant economic system. The transition to progressive scientific methods of large-scale agricultural production demanded substantial enlargement of sown areas, which in turn led to a rapid increase in yield and productivity of the agricultural labor. As sanitation and hygiene improved, populations started to grow, which led to larger industries and the movement to cities. Although many individuals were moving to the cities for work, a majority of people stayed in the countryside. The Industrial Revolution was the greatest economical and technological revolution of all time. New means of industrial productions were created, which resulted in a new economy and altered the way individuals worked. With industrialization came many social and cultural changes that came out to be either positive or negative. Even though theShow MoreRelatedThe First Humans Were Hunter Gatherers907 Words   |  4 Pagesconsistent lifestyle centered on agriculture. As a result class or rank based societies were formed. The dominant government and society in European was the feudal system where land was granted for service. After a thousand years the feudal system was replaced by capitalism an economic and political system. 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Quotes for Zorba the Greek Free Essays

Journal Entry #1 Quote: â€Å"the only way to save yourself is to endeavor to save others? † Page: 5 In life there are times when people cannot only focus on themselves. In order to move on, and fulfill life’s destiny you must help those that surround you. One cannot truly understand who they are and why they were brought to earth unless they consider helping those around them. We will write a custom essay sample on Quotes for Zorba the Greek or any similar topic only for you Order Now Helping others teaches you to become more understanding patient, and sympathetic toward others. You initially free yourself of any conflict between others and help them as well. Journal Entry #2 Quote: â€Å"I’d believe in God, and I’d believe in the devil, too† Page: 54 God is considered a supernatural creator and overseer of the universe, while the devil is considered a powerful entity and the epitome of all things evil. Life is never completely perfect; there will always be a glimpse of evil. In order to believe in God you have to believe there is a devil. When I first saw these words I was taken a back; how can one believe in God yet still follow the devil. I then realized that though the God and Devil are completely opposites they both combine to make on just like the yin and yang. Journal Entry #3 Quote: â€Å"I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness† Page: 80 Today in the 21st century we are easily amused by what money can buy us even if it costs a fortune. Yet when you take a break from all the money spending and spend time with friends, nature, and family it is easy to see that you can find happiness everywhere especially the smallest things. You do not have to be economically viable in order to find happiness. Journal Entry # 4 Quote: â€Å"Woe to him who wants to please others! † Page: 182 Today in the 21st century we would read this quote as ‘warning to him who wants to please others. ’ Too often does one get teased upon for helping those in need. This quote further proves that when one person tries to please everyone they get overwhelmed with despair. Another way to read this is that when you constantly try to please others you never help yourself or make yourself happy so you continuously thrust sadness upon yourself. Journal Entry # 5 Quote: â€Å"That’s the road to take; find the absolute rhythm and following it with absolute trust. † Page: 233 As teenagers we are always told that everyone has a talent, when we grow older everyone tells us to pick a job that will support you financially. Sometimes ones talent will not support you financially such as an artist, photographer, or dancer. Yet this quote tells us to find our talent find something we like to do and stick with it. In other words go with your gut feeling. Zorba the Greek Poem: Narrator’s perspective Night had fallen, The sky was pitch – black. Thinking to myself It’s over. God is no longer with us. Laying down in a bunk next to a man, Once a complete stranger is now considered family. I was afraid of finding myself alone one evening I lay down in my new bed, reflecting on my new life. I remember the books and how they comforted me, I remember my precious Friend. Never shall I forget the last moment we shared. Whenever I happened to dream of a better world I imagined myself in the hands of my friend surrounded by life. Awakened from such a beautiful lie, I tell myself don’t let your self be overcome by lies. To believe meant I was weak. Everyday I knew an adventure was waiting for me. The nights were unbearable. Every night was filled with silence. Silence that broke my heart. Night. It was my time to think, To think of my books and my friend. To think of Zorba, and our spontaneous friendship. Most of all to think of what I will become. Night had fallen The sky was pitch – black Laying in a bunk next to a man, Thinking to myself. I am no longer who I used to be. I am no longer the awkward bookworm. How to cite Quotes for Zorba the Greek, Papers

Information security management

Introduction As Ullman (1983) explains, â€Å"security management is a broad field of management related to asset management, physical security and human resource safety functions†. The author further explains that security management plays a significant role in identifying a business’ assets and developments, as well as how they can be protected to ensure long-term development of a business is protected.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information security management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As Hong et al. (2003) cautions, â€Å"security management is core to ensuring very long-phrase sustainability of any company, and the need for people educated in this field is developing each and every day†. As far as human security is concerned, â€Å"employers have an obligation to shield the people within the workplace, and the measures delivered must offer workers in all sectors of the econo mic climate with the information and knowledge to tackle and control possibly hazardous occasions† (Hong et al., 2003). When it comes to information, every business today is faced with a test of coping with constantly changing information systems, threats and needs. â€Å"Businesses that have been around for a long time have had to adjust from ledger cards to keeping up with large volumes of information generated in the digital â€Å" (Awad Hassan, 2004). The speeds at which information flows in and out of a business today is makes information systems more complex and hard to keep up with. Awad Hassan (2004) further explain that â€Å"as we move rapidly into the future, leaders face the challenge of being effective in a global knowledge environment†. One way through which their effectiveness is tested is through investing in research, acquiring information from the markets when it is still relevant, and ensuring that information security is prioritized in a business . Today, the information entrusted to organizations by their clients is too detailed and sensitive. For example, banks and insurance companies require a customer to provide sensitive information such as birth dates, physical location, and other family members’ information, just to mention a few.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The situation leaves customers extremely vulnerable and at the mercy of the business’ ability to protect the information. It is therefore paramount that these business exercise sufficient care in managing and using their clients’ information. It is also notable that â€Å"leaders have to undertake the responsibility of helping their organizations cope with the challenges they face from expanding knowledge and information systems† (Cronin, 2009). Information security management enables a business to collect, represent, disbur se and use information in a safe and trustworthy manner. Information security further covers the process by which data is collected, converted to information and finally utilized in a business. â€Å"In a world overloaded with information, there is a need for emphasis on not just more information security, but actionable intelligence that is capable of guiding decisions in its security† (Beccerra-Fernandez, Avelino Rajiv, 2004). Developing an information security management strategy in any business requires a comprehensive understanding of what objectives the business intends to achieve from the process. It is also through a clear understanding of how the business intends to meet these objectives (Cronin, 2009). Information security in any business should be developed through formulating actions designed to meet its objectives. It should further be through implementing suitable timescales and progress assessment techniques. This ensures that a business is able to monitor and measure progress, as well as identify those systems that are working and those that are simply wasting its resources. When implementing information security strategies, it is crucial for a business to understand that over-reliance on one information security model can pose significant risks for a business.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information security management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For the big businesses such as multinationals, conventional security strategies may lead to stagnation and neglect in dynamics of change. Issues must be addresses as they come and a business must be willing to be flexible enough when new threats arise. â€Å"Strategy formulation may involve identifying how the business can leverage its information security strategies, the best approaches, and how to prioritize† (Cunningham Fried, 2002). For businesses that deal with huge amounts of information, the entire process must be guided by the company’s current information security needs. However, this does not mean that long term information security needs should be ignored. A business’ mission, vision and strategic objectives must serve as constant guidelines to strategy formulation. There are several areas that must be considered fundamental for the success of information security. As identified by Solms (2005), â€Å"they include top management support, unfiltered access to information, information security management teams and resources, and professional knowledge on how to implement safety strategies†. Management tools Managing information security requires adequate research and preparation. Several steps are followed to ensure the two are addressed comprehensively. Information classification It is important for a business to classify its information to avoid overwhelming amounts of data and information. Information can be classified according to how often it is use d, its influence on business operations, level of sensitivity and its ease of access. By doing this, complexity of systems put in place to ensure its protection can be increased or reduced depending with what class information is in. Furthermore, planning and design of strategies is made easier. Classifying information also ensures that information is only accessed when it is needed. Putting all information in the same database means that the database is visited more frequently and by more people. This is one way to protect data and information by ensuring it is only accessed by a few people, and when it is needed.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Risk assessment Risk assessment involves analyzing possible attacks into a business database and their effects on a business. It is not possible for a business to protect its information if there is no clear information on what or who it is protecting the information against. For example, a business must identify information that may sabotage the uniqueness of its products and services in a market, and ensure that it is out of reach to anyone considered as competition. Its clients’ personal information must be out of reach to anyone who is not authorized to access it. Risk assessment further allows a business put in place stand-by and control measures that it can use to address an attack if it occurs. This in many ways could reduce the damage caused by a damage. Risk analysis The first step towards effective safety management is identification of risks and threats. Analyzing risks facing a business allows it to adequately prepare for attacks and challenges. It provokes prepar edness for any possible attacks. Risk analysis involves calculating the implications of a perceived threat. Implications could include financial loses, reputation damage and strained relationships between employees and employers, just to mention a few. Risk analysis should be a continuous process carried out consistently to allow a business prepare for new threats. Information Security management options Accepting The first step towards managing information security is accepting that a security problem exists. Acceptance provokes an analysis of just how big a security threat is in a situation. Acceptance puts the management on alert that something needs to be done. This way, it is possible for information security to be prioritized as the company does its planning and programming of activities. Information security management requires early preparation and planning, as well as effective budgeting. When a business identifies and accepts potential threats to its information security, these elements are easily incorporated in the company’s system and schedule. Transfer Information security threats can be easily transferred from one location or area of business to another. Examples of such threats include those arising from equipments and portable materials such as data cables. Another way of transferring security threats is through insurance. This way, any financial liabilities arising from information security matters are transferred from the business to the insurer. Businesses prone to information security challenges employ this method to protect themselves from heavy financial burdens. Reduce Another significant information security management options is reducing the threats. This happens through consistent inspection and investigation of areas where threats are likely to occur. Reducing information security threats further occur when businesses invest in detection systems. In businesses where threats are mostly from external attacks, reduction can be a chieved through restricted entry to the facilities. It can also be done by ensuring that people getting into and out of the facility are screened and checked. Eliminate Elimination has been identified as the best information security management option. Its saves a business troubles that arise from disasters and crises common in information security related disasters. It is paramount for a business to ensure that it prioritizes elimination in its information security management strategies. Elimination is many times not easy as there are new information security challenges facing any business each day. Businesses can achieve elimination using several procedures: Detect Installing detection systems helps a business deal with a threat before it materializes into a full-blown security disaster. Latest technological innovations have made it easy for businesses to achieve this. Inside a business, using controls is a common method of arresting security and safety problems before they occur. In the external areas of the business, using surveillance cameras and other technologies allow a business to detect threats such as cable interference easily. Detection also occurs by enrolling investigative services where suspicion occurs. Many governments have put in place measures that allow businesses access to professional security advice and services. Deny Denying attackers a way to get through to a business’ system is the most cost effective elimination strategy. All information security strategies should be aimed at minimizing access to a business information, especially to anyone who cannot be trusted with it. Business do this using different tools such as administrator passwords and having employees seek authorization before accessing sensitive information, among others. Delay Having systems that delay damage in case of an attack allows a business time to react. Depending with the nature of the situation, the amount of threat facing a business may be considerably r educed in such a situation. Delaying damage can be done using control systems that send signals to operates in case of threats or automatically shuts down a company’s operations systems before the damage spreads to the key areas of a database. In today’s world, creative innovations allow business to purchase and implement custom made solutions that may detect specific threats common to some areas of the business. For example, the IT department can install systems that send notification messages to every user in the company in the face of a probable virus threat. The department can also have warning messages sent to them anytime unauthorized users try to access certain information. Users of certain systems can have limited attempts to enter the correct password, after which the system shuts itself down or locks itself. Managing security at a data warehouse Some business have information warehouses such as specific rooms where sensitive information is stored. It is possi ble to have some information being only accessible in one specific room or location in a company. Depending with the nature of business, a company can have control rooms where operations are managed from. The security of such locations is critical. It can be managed using regular security measures used to protect physical locations. These measures include; Using simple and sophisticated locks Having local and monitored alarms Installing appropriate barriers for unauthorized personnel Use of security lighting Having authorized personnel use access control cards to monitor traffic in and out of the facility Improve communication capability between users and security teams Having armed security on stand-by in case of breakages Role of management Cunningham Fried (2002) argue that â€Å"while protecting the human element of information security may seem obvious, it clearly is not†. Many organizations are still below the level expected of them as far as information security is concerned. â€Å"In fact, most businesses do little than pay lip-service to it-spending more time and money on free coffee for employees than on educating those employees on information security practices that help mitigate the insider threat† (Brockman Turtle, 2003). The author further explains that any businesses trying to save money by cutting the cost of training on information security are taking a big and foolish risk. As information security threats grow in complexity, it is every business’ responsibility to ensure that their employees’ level of knowledge on the same is developed. Since there is always a human element in every information security threat, businesses need to realize that no single safety system is foolproof. Therefore, there should always be a clear road-map initiating different information security programs to suit different threats. Role of employees As Solms (2005) explains, â€Å"many employees in today’s workforce are not awa re that they play an important role in their organization’s information security†. Lack of awareness on their role in the matter may lead to actions which put a business under high risk of insecurity attacks. Cronin (2009) further explains that â€Å"employees engage in risky behavior on the internet, open unsolicited e-mail attachments, carelessly divulge proprietary information, introduce wireless risks to corporate networks, and neglect to consider security in their daily routines†. All these activities could put expose a business to security threats, and expose sensitive information. While much of the attention is given to high profile information security challenges such as viruses and hacking, the greatest risks arise from employees and other insiders. Major information security challenges occur not because systems have failed, but because people entrusted with the information failed. It is evident in many cases that the success of an organization and the s afety of its information, is dependent on how ordinary people with access to the information comply with the set safety measures. Unfortunately in many businesses, information managers are answerable for breaches committed by employees on their watch. This does not protect a business from information insecurity, since many times the damage is already done before the managers can realize it. â€Å"It is important to note that the human factor is typically the most critical variable in information security systems and even the best policies can be rendered completely ineffective if the people involved do not take responsibility for safeguarding the information they control† (Hong Et al., 2003). Experts in this area reveal that only 25% of information security breaches are planned and executed by outsiders. The remaining 75% of the cases are inside jobs and many times they are not intentional or planned. Insecure habits such writing password on sticker pads or forwarding informa tion to a home computer can expose an organization into major risks. Some employees are too polite to challenge visitors who invade their workspace, or fellow employees who have no authority to access information on their computers. An ignorant employee who opens spam emails and attached documents without verifying their sources may paralyze an organization’s information systems for days, and even cost it a lot of money. Today, threats grow exponentially as information systems become more and more complex. Therefore, ignoring the employee element of information security may be the most dangerous and costly mistake a business can make. Having employees that do not recognize their role information security may also be the biggest inhibition to achieving maximum information security. It is paramount that an organization trains its employees on all parameters of information security, and ensures that their level of information is constantly updated. Awareness training Awareness t raining must be equally balanced between corporate security and information technology (IT). Most organizations still regard information security as an issue that should be entirely left to the information technology department. â€Å"Unfortunately, businesses are leaving themselves open to security breaches because their information security awareness training is woefully inadequate† (Cronin, 2009). Since training employees and equipping them for proper information management it is not an easy task, it should not be left to one department. Instead, organizations need to ensure that the IT department is fully supported by the corporate security department. Experts in this field argue that the best way to ensure maximum information safety is having responsible and accountable end-users. This is only achievable through a complete change of corporate culture. Furthermore, a business must have the capacity and ability to manage the behavior of the end-users, especially those with access to key information. Unfortunately, the IT department is not good at these functions. The department primarily focuses on ensuring critical information systems are in place and running effectively. The IT department in many businesses lacks the appropriate communication skills to influence an organizational culture. Instead, they are more focused in ensuring that technical aspects of information management are working. For this reason, the corporate security managers should be more involved in influencing an organization’s culture. As Awad Hassan (2004) explain, â€Å"one of the chief strengths of corporate security managers is that they’re inter-personally involved with the employees†. Therefore, they are more equipped and experienced to manage personnel security as far as information is concerned. This includes making sure that every employee is well aware of their role in protecting a business from avoidable risks. It makes more sense for them to init iate a culture that fosters awareness and responsibility as information security is concerned. Programs initiated must create awareness of risks and reinforce well formulated policies. Furthermore, the corporate security is department is able to communicate important information security details in less technical language that would be easily be understood by employees at all levels. To ensure responsibility, both the corporate and IT departments must be able to explain why security breaches occur when they do. Therefore, it is both the departments’ responsibility to ensure that every employee is aware of possible threats before they happen. Educating employees ahead of time makes them more sensitive and will easily notice and report threats before they become harmful. Such a measure will save a business a lot of time and money spent on fixing the problem. Information security policies and procedures Businesses all over the globe spend billions of dollars each year to ensure that their information systems are well protected. But while the measures taken are important, security issues most arise from the most neglected aspect of information security-employees. More than 75% of security breaches occur as a result of employees who are either not conversant with a company’s security policies and procedures, or are ignorant of them. In an era where huge amounts of information can be sent with the click of a mouse, it is imperative that those with access to any sort of information know how to handle it well. As technological innovations get more and more complex, it imperative for businesses to secure their information starting from inside. Information portability has further made it easier for data thieves. Vital information can be smuggled out of a company’s data warehouse through extremely small devices such as flash disks or through emails. Wireless systems have further made it easier for one to transfer information from one point to another without hassle. This leaves organizations in extremely vulnerable situations, with the only hope being a corporate culture that encourages discipline and loyalty. It is important for a business to set up strict penalties for employees who breach security measures in a company. This is done through policies and procedures that define an employee’s roles and responsibilities. They should further outline tough measures and penalties for offenders. It is important for employees to understand the consequences of engaging in unacceptable behavior when dealing with information. However, security policies and procedures will not be very helpful if employees are not willing to abide by them. Developing a culture of discipline ensures that employees are cautious not to jeopardize vital information in a business. Awareness programs should focus on educating employees on how costly small mistakes can be and how it affects them as stakeholders. It is only through continuous transformatio n of attitude and exposure to training will policies and procedures help a company develop information security. Employees have the ability to transform the state of a company’s security by maintaining caution when handling information. As Solms (2005) argues â€Å" without implementing an effective awareness program an information security policy is more or less useless. The best policy in the world will fail if the people who are affected by it most don’t know the rationale behind it†. An organization’s biggest asset is a culture that promotes positive behavior in all aspects of its operation. Other measures that can be used to encourage positive behavior include rewarding diligent employees and encouraging communication between employees and the management. Management buy-in Cronin (2009) explains that â€Å"the first and most crucial step in developing an effective security awareness program is getting top management buy-in†. It is very crucial to get management on board for any important strategy to work. However, it is notable in many organizations that getting the management to understand the weight and significance of information security is not easy. This is because it may appear too technical and even abstract for people in other area of profession other than IT. Information security in many organizations is viewed as a matter of fixing computer infrastructure and ensuring latest technology systems. Managers who do not understand that it is much more than this may end up spending a lot of money on expensive infrastructure and yet still remain extremely vulnerable to information security threats. It is also notable that many managers do not view information security as a worth investment since on its own, it may not appear to have financial returns to a business. It is viewed as an investment with little chance for financial returns. However, what many managers don’t realize is that neglecting information secu rity may cost a business all other returns it is making. The long-term success of a business is highly dependent on how well its reputation, trademarks, copyrights and innovations are protected. As explained earlier, trying to cost cut by investing too little in information security may end up being the riskiest and most foolish decision any business can arrive at. It is also important to know where investments are required. By simply investing in the tangible elements of information security such as computers and software may not be very fruitful without working on other relevant areas. To ensure management understands the relevance of information security, they should be constantly reminded of certain issues; Downtime It is important for managers to be talked to about the millions of dollars it could take to recover if suffers from an information attack. Depending with the information lost, the whole business may be paralyzed for a while as it tries to get a database up. It may co st the the business a lot of money to instal new information systems, since the existing once might be too risky after they have been broken into. Reputation management Building a reputation for a business is an expensive and long-term affair. However, all the efforts put into ensuring a positive reputation may go down the drain if as a result of leaked information. Information security breaches many times leave a negative impression and competitive losses at the market. Managing the damage may end up being an extremely expensive affair for a business. A good example is a big corporation which requires to send over 200,000 letters to their clients explaining why their credit information has been exposed. For example, a bank may need to recall credit cards from customers after their numbers have been stolen. Managers need to be constantly reminded of such outcomes to take information security programs and initiatives seriously. Competitive disadvantage Information security breach lea ves a business exposed to its competitors. The trade secrets that give it a competitive advantage become easily accessible. Information such as a business’ marketing plans or future products will lead to loss of revenues and a widespread damage to profits. Since more than half the breaches arise from inside a business, it is important for the management to invest in ensuring that information security is managed from inside out. Legal liability Each day we hear of cases where businesses are facing legal challenges arising from wrongly leaked or exposed information. Clients in a business expect that management should be able to keep their information safe and confidential. Most business contracts obligate a business to keep a client’s information safe and take responsibility when it fails to do so. As a result, many businesses have found themselves in trouble when those terms are not adhered to. The situation is especially worse when stolen information is used against a client or used against their will and wish to for other purposes other than why they gave the information in the first place. When information is stolen from a company, it is almost impossible to prove in a court of law that the company took all the necessary measures to protect the information because if that was the case, then it wouldn’t be stolen in the first place. This leaves the business entirely responsible for any damages arising from information theft or leakage. It is important for managers to realize the magnitude of challenges that may arise from having to battle legal challenges every often due to under-investment in a company’s information security system. Behavior based information security models It is important to realize that an employee’s behavior does not have to be malicious to expose a company into information security threats. Innocent behaviors such as leaving computers on in the presence of a visitor, sharing a password with a colleague , willingness to answer innocent questions by social engineers, and laptop loss can result in very dire consequences. All these gateways to information insecurity have people as a common aspect. Therefore, bringing information safety message as home as possible is mandatory. Behavioral based security management are designed towards ensuring that every stakeholder is doing their best and playing their role in protecting the company’s assets. Every stakeholder must accept responsibility as a part of the enterprise, and as a beneficiary of the success of a business. As Brockman Turtle (2003) argue, â€Å"behavior-based awareness capitalizes on these elemental human dynamics, bridging the chasm of risk by instilling in every employee the empowerment to affect change and create value through awareness action†. From these realities, it evident that if a business can change its stakeholders behavior to suit that of a responsible culture, information security can be achieved more easily and cheaply. Behavior based information security models require a lot of investment in awareness an knowledge development. All stakeholders must be well equipped with proper knowledge on how to minimize chances of exposing a company to risks and threats. For example, if suppliers have gate access cards, they should avoid attempts to use them somewhere else, and report to the company as soon as it is lost or stolen. Employees’ attitude towards security measures should not be cavalier. Working spaces should be fully protected and sources of information such as computers and files guarded at all times. This will only happen if naivete towards information risks is eliminated in a business. The effectiveness of behavior based information security models can be maximized through these practices; Convincing employees and other stakeholders that security breaches harm not only the business, but also individual stakeholders. Employees could reduce their jobs and extreme i nformation security attacks could even lead to business shutdown. Constantly reinforcing strong security programs and integrating creativity to avoid monotonous routine that could see employee easily get casual with them. Ensuring programs put in place appeal to the issues considered important by employees and other stakeholders Continuous awareness programs through research, training and education Reinforcing positive attitude towards measures taken by a business through articulated programs that are easily applicable in employees’ day-to-day activities. Use of technical languages and approaches leaves a large number of people who may not understand the language out. It further discourages interest in subjects related to information security. Motivating employees, management and other stakeholders to put into use the information and knowledge they acquire through training and awareness programs Ensuring that everyone’s job description addresses the need to protect a c ompany’s assets which include information Helping create constant awareness Cunningham Fried (2002) explain that â€Å"only through constant exposure to appropriate awareness training can employees transition from the greatest risk to the greatest asset†. Continuous exposure can be achieved through the following methods; Use attractive posters Employees should be reached and reminded about information security at all times. Placing attractive posters around their work place, at the company’s entrance, around water coolers and other strategic positions ensures that they are constantly reminded of the importance of information security. A constant reminder further reiterates the significance and importance of the issue to the company. Create pop-up windows that feature information security Using such tools enables a business keep its employees aware of the constant threats facing the business as far as protecting information is concerned. Such pop-ups can also b e used to remind employees of important points covered during a past training event. It can further be used to remind them what to do in case they are faced with a risk to lose information from their machines. The pop-ups should lead the employees to the company’s security department of web page to allow them communicate a problem when it occurs or seek clarification on issues that may not be very clear. Publish information security articles in the company’s newsletters These is way for businesses to reach more than its employees. By having as many people read about information security as possible, companies will help each other fight the problem. A company that does not do regular trainings on the subject can benefit from having its employees read about such issues from other sources such as other companies’ newsletters. Newsletters provide a big space to explain details that may not be covered in small posters in a more comprehensive manner. A company can use real-life stories in its newsletters to catch the attention of its stakeholders and explain the relevance of information security. Using audio and visual aids These include using videos to pass messages that leave a long-lasting impression in the head of the viewer. â€Å"Such aids are effective in emphasizing various aspects of security such as how to defend against â€Å"social engineers† attacks† (Solms, 2005). These can be placed in social places such as the cafeteria. Conclusion Security management in an organization plays a significant role in its level of success. Perhaps nobody could put it better than Solms (2005) who explains that â€Å"the safest organizations are those that have figured out how to change the culture of the company so that everybody’s job is part of security†. As explained earlier, today businesses are faced with a hard task of managing overwhelming amounts of information coming in everyday. Information security management ena bles a business to collect, represent, disburse and use information in a safe and trustworthy manner. The benefits of information security management for any business are enormous. It provides businesses with a capacity to protect itself from constant threats larking in the markets. Big organizations such as multinationals need effective and modern strategies in their information management systems to ensure security, reliability and reputation management. In this case, information management is crucial in ensuring protection and minimized costs of recovering and managing damages. The most effective approach when managing information security is having a corporate culture that encourages responsibility. While much of the attention is given to high profile information security challenges such as viruses and hacking, the greatest risks arise from employees and other insiders. Major information security challenges occur not because systems have failed, but because people entrusted with the information failed. It is evident in many cases that the success of an organization and the safety of its information, is dependent on how ordinary people with access to the information comply with the set safety measures. Another approach in managing information security include identifying and understanding a business’ capabilities and resources. These are not restricted to but include corporate resources such as basic inputs and organizational capabilities. Expertise in the area is key for a business to stay ahead of possible threats. This calls for hiring and retaining the best talent in the IT field. Due to increased complexity in information management, it is important for a business to have a team that has capacity to keep up with new updates and solutions to information security. A business also has to identify its financial capacity its capacity to acquire and utilize resources. The strategies formulated for any organization must connect with the bottom line and nurture it with relevant knowledge on how improvements can be made. Steps for designing information security strategies for any business must include clarifying its business strategy, identifying its unique information activities, identifying available resources required to implement their strategies, and putting in place measures that allow it to detect threats before they become real dangers to it. It is also important for a business to â€Å"prioritize information security components that align with available needs and resources, and decide on how the business will access the lacking resources† (Beccerra-Fernandez, Avelino Rajiv, 2004) In order for any corporation to develop an efficient information security strategy, these recommendations, among others will be applicable: Design strategic and tactical information management initiatives Conduct a comprehensive company needs analysis to identify key issues in Information security Identify key staff needs that require urg ent attention to support information security Based on the above recommendations, develop a strategy to address the needs Identified Reference list Awad, E.M. Hassan, G.(2004). Knowledge management. Pearson Prentice Hall. Beccerra-Fernandez, I., Avelino, G. Rajiv, S. (2004). Knowledge management: Challenges, solutions and technologies. Pearson: Prentice Hall. Brockman, P. Turtle, H.J. (2003). â€Å"A barrier option framework for corporate security valuation†. Journal of Financial Economics, 67(3), 511-529. Cronin, O. (2009). â€Å"Information assurance: A survey of current practice†. International Journal of Information Management, 14(3), 204-222. Cunningham, R. Fried, D. (2002). Adaptable Real-Time Information Assurance. Aerospace, 6 (4), 2678-2682. Hong, K.S. Et al. (2003). â€Å"An integrated system theory of information security management†. Information Management Computer Security, 11(5), 243-248. Solms, S.H. (2005). Information security governance-Co mpliance management vs. operational management. Computers Security. 24(6), 443-447. Ullman, R.H. (1983). â€Å"Redefining security†. International Security, 8(1), 129-153. This essay on Information security management was written and submitted by user Myah R. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Information Security Management Introduction Information is critical to the functioning of every organization. It defines its operations and activities. The concept of security management is thus elusive and focuses on organizational security. Organizations have remained active in terms of acquisition of information management systems.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information Security Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These systems are meant to aid organizations in securing their information. This paper discusses the concept of information security basing on the case. The paper looks into the practice of information management and security taking into account the ethical and legal matters which surround information security and management. At the initial stages of operation, most information is saved within an organization. This is backed by the argument that there are fewer transactions at this period. As firms expand their operat ions to include many external players, the concept of preserving and securing information becomes elusive. The issue of information security management in Stratified Custom Manufacturing began to be addressed when the company entered and successfully implemented an initial public offer. This denoted that the firm was officially entering the public trading environment, hence exposing itself to competitors. Most current organizations have information management departments which help in preserving and controlling the flow of information within and without the organization. Companies embracing the use of information and communication technology in discharging organizational functions are often prone to security risks. Information security is thus a great concern for these companies.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Information security is critical in safeguarding company data. I nformation security entails the safeguarding of company information from the external environment as well as technological faults or threats. A substantial number of legal and ethical issues touch the implementation of information security by companies (Whitman Mattord, 2011). According to Information Systems Audit and Control Association (2010), information security is a detailed management issue that calls for managerial attention. Stratified Custom Manufacturing established a broader information management security department. The security team of the company is focused on several aspects of information security. This is reflected in the top security management team positions. The company has other security managers under control of the senior. There are a manager in charge of administrative security, a technical security manager and a security and compliance manager, among the others. In addition to this, the company has a broad policy framework for information management. This forms the ground on which department draws the guidance on information security management. Policies in security management in organizations seek to guide and set limitation to the level of information sharing in an organization. Information belonging to organizations is secured and limited to viewing only by accredited entities.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information Security Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Policies on information security stipulate on the way information is shared within and without the organization. A violation regarding the access and the use of company information is easily identified, so the necessary steps will be taken to deal with it. Those identified breachings of the information security rules are punished in different ways. One of the means used to punish information security offenders is by denying them privileges to access and use the information belonging to the o rganization. This takes place in different ways, for example, by barring such people from accessing information devices. The other way of punishment is deactivation of access details of the individual to retrieve or view the company information. In some cases, information security offenders are prosecuted and forced to pay fines or compensation for the damage caused to the company (Whitman Mattord, 2011). In most cases, assessment of the risk caused is done before the users are punished. Information security management is complicated by the growing patterns and trends of management that encourage the sharing of information between different organizations. With the prevailing trends and use of information technology, it is difficult to secure organizational information. Piece of legislation on information security management also varies making it difficult for organizations to formulate policies on information security (Straub, 2008).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Ethical issues also touch the managerial practice of security management. The main issue in information security management is the level to which organizations conceal their information. Companies are encouraged to share information and access more external sources (Whitman Mattord, 2011). The information helps organizations in improving strategic management practices. They get to know the tactics of management that are used by other organizations performing well in the market. Competition between organizations is open. They are encouraged to practice positive competition as they work on improving the service delivery to their customers. Therefore, the open release and sharing of information is one of the methods of open competition. The other point on ethics and information security is that firms are required to improve their relations with employees. Building healthy relationships and motivating work environment enhance information security in organizations. This step has proved t o be more effective than other methods (Whitman Mattord, 2012). Conclusion The responsibility for information security has become an organizational matter more than a concern of legislative bodies. Organizations need to actively participate in and work on improving their systems by making them less prone to information leakage. The model of information security management taken by Stratified Custom Manufacturing is a desired step in ensuring that the company information is secure. References Information Systems Audit and Control Association.(2010). Certified Information Security Manager review manual 2011. Rolling Meadows, IL: ISACA. Straub, D. W. (2008). Information security: Policy, processes and practices. Armonk, NY [u.a.: Sharpe. Whitman, M. E., Mattord, H. J. (2011). Readings and cases in information security: Law and ethics. Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning. Whitman, M. E., Mattord, H. J. (2012). Principles of information security. Boston, MA: Course Technolo gy. This essay on Information Security Management was written and submitted by user Elise Walker to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Pride and Prejudice Study Guide

'Pride and Prejudice' Study Guide Pride and Prejudice is a novel by Jane Austen that satirizes issues of marriage and social class. It follows the relationship between the quick-to-judge Elizabeth Bennet and the haughty Mr. Darcy as both learn to mend their errors in judgment and look beyond markers of social status. First published in 1813, the bitingly funny romantic comedy has endured as both a popular favorite and a literary classic. Fast Facts: Pride and Prejudice Author: Jane AustenPublisher: Thomas Egerton, WhitehallYear Published: 1813Genre: Comedy of mannersType of Work: NovelOriginal Language: EnglishThemes: Love, marriage, pride, social class, wealth, prejudiceCharacters: Elizabeth Bennet, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jane Bennet, Charles Bingley, George Wickham, Lydia Bennet, William CollinsNotable Adaptations: 1940 film, 1995 television miniseries (BBC), 2005 filmFun Fact: Researchers named a pheromone in male mice that attracts females â€Å"Darcin† after Mr. Darcy. Plot Summary Pride and Prejudice opens with the Bennet familys reaction to a bit of social news: the nearby Netherfield house has been leased to Mr. Bingley, a wealthy and single young man. Mrs. Bennet expresses the belief that Bingley will fall in love with one of her daughters. Her prediction proves true at the neighborhood ball, where Bingley and the sweet eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, fall in love at first sight. At the same ball, the strong-willed second daughter Elizabeth Bennet finds herself the object of disdain from Bingley’s arrogant, antisocial friend Darcy. Caroline Bingley and Mr. Darcy convince Mr. Bingley of Jane’s disinterest and separate the couple. Elizabeth’s distaste for Darcy only grows when she befriends Wickham, a young militiaman who claims that Darcy ruined his livelihood out of spite. Darcy expresses interest in Elizabeth, but Elizabeth harshly rejects Darcy’s self-absorbed proposal of marriage. The truth soon unravels. It is revealed that Wickham spent all the money Darcy’s father left him and then tried to seduce Darcy’s younger sister. During a trip with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth visits Darcy’s estate, Pemberley, where she begins to view Darcy in a better light. Her positive impression of Darcy grows when she learns that he has secretly used his own money to convince Wickham to marry, rather than abandon, her sister Lydia Bennet. Darcys aunt, Lady Catherine, demands that Darcy marry her daughter, but her plan backfires and instead leads to Darcy and Elizabeth finding their romantic happiness alongside a reunited Jane and Bingley. Major Characters Elizabeth Bennet. The second of the five Bennet daughters, Elizabeth (â€Å"Lizzy†) is the story’s protagonist. Playful and intelligent, she prizes her ability to make judgments quickly. Her journey of self-discovery is at the heart of the story, as she learns how to discern the truth beneath first impressions. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Mr. Darcy is a haughty and wealthy landowner who snubs Elizabeth when they first meet. He is proud of his social status and is frustrated with his own attraction to Elizabeth but, like her, he learns to overcome his previous judgments to come to a truer perspective. Jane Bennet. The sweet, pretty eldest Bennet daughter. She falls in love with Charles Bingley, Her kind, nonjudgmental nature leads her to overlook Caroline Bingley’s malice until it is almost too late. Charles Bingley. Polite, open-hearted, and a little naà ¯ve, Bingley is a close friend of Darcy. He is easily influenced by Darcy’s opinions. He falls in love with Jane but is persuaded away from her, although he learns the truth in time to make amends. George Wickham. An outwardly charming soldier, Wickham’s pleasant demeanor hides a selfish, manipulative core. Though he presents himself as a victim of Darcy’s pride, he is revealed to be the problem himself. He continues his bad behavior by seducing young Lydia Bennet. Major Themes Love and Marriage. The novel focuses on the obstacles to, and the reasons for, romantic love. Most notably, it satirizes expectations about marriages of convenience and suggests that genuine compatibility and attraction- as well as honesty and respect- are the foundations of the best matches. Characters who try to subvert this thesis are the targets of the book’s biting satire. Pride. In the novel, uncontrolled pride is one of the biggest obstacles to the characters’ happiness. In particular, pride based on notions of class and status is framed as ridiculous and unfounded in real values. Prejudice. Making judgments about others can be useful, but not when those judgments are formed erroneously or quickly. The novel posits that overly confident prejudice must be overcome and tempered before the characters can reach happiness. Social Status. Austen famously satirizes the manners and obsessions of class distinctions. While none of the characters are socially mobile in the modern sense, obsessions with status are presented as foolish and arrogant. Wealth and inheritance do matter, though, as evidenced by Mr. Collins’ presence as Mr. Bennet’s heir. Literary Style Austen’s writing is famous for one particular literary device: free indirect discourse. Free indirect discourse is the technique of writing thoughts that seem to come from an individual characters mind, without shifting into first-person narration or using action tags such as she thought. This device gives readers access to inner thoughts and helps to solidify the characters’ unique voices. The novel was written in the Romantic period of literature, which was at its peak in the first half of the 19th century. The movement, which was a reaction against the onslaught of industrialism and rationalism, emphasized individuals and their emotions. Austen’s work fits into this framework to a degree, as it emphasizes decidedly non-industrial contexts and focuses primarily on the emotional lives of richly drawn individual characters. About the Author Born in 1775, Jane Austen is best known for her sharp observations of a small social circle: country gentry, with a few lower-tier military families in the mix. Her work prized the inner lives of women, featuring complicated characters who were flawed yet likable and whose internal conflicts were as important as their romantic entanglements. Austen shied away from over-sentimentality, preferring instead to mix heartfelt emotions with a helping of pointed wit.

What’s a Good ACT Score for 2018

What’s a Good ACT Score for 2018 SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Planning to take the ACT in the 2017-18 school year? In addition to studying for the test, you'll need to know what score to aim for. What is a good ACT score for 2018? What's a good score for each section? Has the definition of a good ACT score changed over time? We’ll start by looking at what are considered good ACT scores for 2018 using the average score and percentiles. After, we'll go over how to set an ACT goal score and then examine historical ACT score data to see whether the definition of good ACT scores has changed in recent years. What Is a Good ACT Score for 2018 Overall? First off, what is a good ACT score for 2018, broadly speaking? We can answer this question by looking at the average ACT score for 2018and the national ACT score percentilesfor 2018.Both averages and percentiles can be used to see how your ACT score stacks up against those of other test takers. This data is important to know since colleges regularly compare applicants' test scores during the admissions process. So what are percentiles exactly? In short, percentiles tell you what percentage of test takers you scored higher than, either on the test as a whole or a particular section. Thus, the higher your ACT percentile is, the better your ACT performance will be (compared with other test takers). But before we can answer the question, "What is a good ACT score for 2018?" we need to review how the ACT scoring system actually works. The ACT uses a scoring scale of 1-36, both overall and for each of its four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. (There’s also an optional Writing section, whose score- which uses a scale of 2-12- doesnot factor into your composite ACT score.) Now, let’s look at some data: according to ACT, Inc., the average ACT score for 2018 is 20.9.In general, any score above average can be considered "good," any score below average can be considered "poor," and any score at or right around average can be considered "OK." The higher your score is above the average, the better your score (and the higher your percentile) will be. Similarly, the lower your score is below the average, the worse your score will look to schools. Here are the ACT score percentiles for 2018 and what they say about your performance: Percentile* English Math Reading Science Composite 90th (excellent) 29-30 28 31 27-28 28 75th (good) 24 24 25 24 24 50th (OK) 20 19 20 20 20 25th (poor) 14-15 16 16 16-17 16 10th (very poor) 11 14 13 13 13 Source: ACT.org *For percentiles not reported in official data, estimated ACT scores/ranges have been given. In this chart, we can see that to get a good ACT score for 2018, you’ll typically need to aim for at least the 75th percentile, or 24-25, on each section. If you’re aiming for a particularly high ACT score in the top 10 percent, you’ll have to get at least 28-30 on each section (coming out to a composite score of 28).Interestingly, this total score is a whole 8 points below 36, a perfect ACT score. In other words, to get an excellent ACT score, you don’t even need to break 30! On the opposite side are the poor scores, which are anything (significantly) below average.For example, a 10th percentile ACT composite score is 13, meaning that any score in the range of 1-13 is a pretty low score. Therefore, you’ll definitely want to do better than this on the test before you send ACT scores to schools. But what does all of this data mean for you specifically? Keep reading to learn how you can use this information to set a personal ACT goal score for 2018. What Is a Good 2018 ACT Score for You? While all of these 2018 ACT score percentiles and averages are helpful to know, they don’t tell you what a good ACT score for you is in particular. Ultimately, what's more important than hitting a certain percentile is getting an ACT score that's high enough to get you accepted to your chosen schools. This â€Å"goal† score can vary depending on the schools you’re applying to.For example, for someone applying to Caltech, a good ACT score would be something close to a perfect 36. However, for someone applying to Mississippi State, a good ACT score would be a lot lower, around 27. As you can see, your ACT goal score isn't always going to be the same as someone else’s- this is OK! Not everyone applies to the same schools, so there’s really no point in comparing your goal score with those of your friends or classmates. All you need to know is that this score is your ideal score. If you can hit it, you significantly raise your chances of getting accepted to your top schools.But how do you find your ACT goal score? How to Set an ACT Goal Score for 2018 Setting an ACT goal score is a pretty simple process. Follow the three steps below to get started! Step 1: Make a Chart A chart helps you easily visualize what kinds of ACT scores your schools look for in applicants. Write the names of the schools you’re applying to in the leftmost column. Then, write the headings â€Å"25th Percentile ACT Score† and â€Å"75th Percentile ACT Score† horizontally across the top. (We'll explain more about what these headings mean in the next step.) Here's an example for reference: School 25th Percentile ACT Score 75th Percentile ACT Score Northeastern Boston College NYU Brandeis Brandeis University (John Phelan/Wikimedia) Step 2: Find ACT Score Info for Your Schools Now, it’s time to start filling out your chart. The easiest way to find ACT score info for your schools is to search â€Å"[School Name] PrepScholar† on Google. Click the link to your school’s â€Å"Admission Requirements† page in our database. Once on this page, scroll down until you get to your school's ACT score info. Here’s an example of an Admission Requirements page for Northeastern University: In the ACT score info section, look for the 25th and 75th percentile ACT scores for your school. These are located directly under the "school competitiveness" graphic. In the screenshot above, you can see that Northeastern's 25th and 75th percentile scores are 31 and 34, respectively. But why these percentiles? What do they mean? The 25th and 75th percentiles for a school are the middle 50 percent, or average range, of ACT scores for admitted applicants.These percentiles tell you precisely what kinds of scores successful students have had when applying to your school. If you can’t find your school in our database, search online for â€Å"[School Name] 25th 75th percentile ACT† or â€Å"[School Name] average ACT score.† Try to look for links to your school’s official website so you can verify that the info you find is accurate. Let’s take a look at our sample chart again, now with each school's ACT scores filled out: School 25th Percentile ACT Score 75th Percentile ACT Score Northeastern 31 34 Boston College 30 33 NYU 28 32 Brandeis 29 33 Step 3: Find Your Goal Score Now that you’ve got all of the info you need, it’s time to use your chart to find your ACT goal score. Look for the highest 75th percentile score in your chart. In our example, the highest score is 34 (for Northeastern). This score will be your goal score, as it’s the one most likely to get you accepted to all of the schools in your chart. Since your composite ACT score is the average of your four section scores, you can use your goal score to estimate what score to aim for on each section.For example, if your goal score is 28, you'll know to roughly aim for 28 on the four sections, too (so that the average of them, or your composite score, comes out to 28). That being said, if you're stronger at certain sections or topics, you might want to aim for higher scores on those sections and lower scores on the others. For instance, if your goal score is 30 and you're really good at math but not so great at reading, you could aim forsomething like 32 on Math and 28 on Reading (instead of 30 on both sections). In this case, you'll still be able to hit your goal score- you're just using a different combination of section scores to get there. How Have Good ACT Scores Changed Over Time? We now know what a good ACT score for 2018 is, both overall and for you specifically. But how has the definition of a good ACT score changed over the years? Has it changed dramatically, or has it generally stayed the same? To answer these questions, let’s look at some data. The following table shows the average ACT scores for the past decade: Average ACT Scores 2007-2017 Year English Math Reading Science Composite 2007 20.7 21.0 21.5 21.0 21.2 2008 20.6 21.0 21.4 20.8 21.1 2009 20.6 21.0 21.4 20.9 21.1 2010 20.5 21.0 21.3 20.9 21.0 2011 20.6 21.1 21.3 20.9 21.1 2012 20.5 21.1 21.3 20.9 21.1 2013 20.2 20.9 21.1 20.7 20.9 2014 20.3 20.9 21.3 20.8 21.0 2015 20.4 20.8 21.4 20.9 21.0 2016 20.1 20.6 21.3 20.8 20.8 2017 20.3 20.7 21.4 21.0 21.0 Sources: ACT 2017 National Profile Report, ACT 2012 National Profile Report, ACT 2011 National Profile Report As this chart indicates, average ACT scores clearly haven’t shifted much over time. The biggest change in points in any column is just 0.6 points, which isn’t a huge difference in the grand scheme of ACT scoring.Thus, we can say that ACT averages have stayed fairly consistent over time and are likely to continue to do so based on these trends. What about percentiles, though? Above, we used percentiles to show what good, OK, and poor ACT scores look like. But have the scores associated with these percentiles changed over time? Below are ACT composite scores and their corresponding 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles for the past decade: ACT Score Percentiles 2007-2017 Year 75th Percentile 50th Percentile 25th Percentile 2007 25 21 17 2008 25 21 17 2009 25 21 17 2010 25 21 17 2011 25 21 17 2012 25 21 17 2013 25 21 17 2014 25 21 17 2015 25 21 17 2016 25 20 16 2017 25 20 17 Like the first chart, we can see that changes over the years are extremely minimal. The 75th percentile score stays at 25 the entire decade, while the 50th and 25th percentile scores exhibit only a nominal change of 1 point starting in 2016. It's safe to say, then, that the definition of a â€Å"good† (or an â€Å"OK† or â€Å"poor†) ACT score has stayed relatively stable over the past decade. The fact that ACT scores and their percentiles don't change much is helpful to know if you want to compare a more recent ACT score with an older one. For example, if you wanted to compare your 2017 ACT score with your older sister’s 2012 ACT score, you can easily do this using percentiles- without having to takeinto account test years or dates. Recap: So What’s a Good ACT Score for 2018? There are a couple of ways to determine what good ACT scores for 2018 are. One way is to look at averages and percentiles. According to the most recent data, the average composite ACT score is 20.9. In general, any score at or around average is OK, any score higher than average(75th percentile)is good, and any score lower than average(25th percentile) is poor. Because the definition of a good ACT score hasn’t changed much in the past decade, you can easily compare scores across the years without having to adjust for test dates or testing years. In the end, though, a good 2018 ACT score for you depends not on averages or percentiles but on the schools you wish to attend. This ideal score is your ACT goal score, and it’s the one most likely to get you into all of the schools you’re applying to.Hit this score and you'll give yourself your best chance at getting into the college of your dreams! What’s Next? Still got questions about what constitutes a good ACT score? Check out our in-depth guide to good, excellent, and poor ACT scores. Need help getting started on your ACT prep? Follow our guide to developing a foolproof ACT study plan, and get expert tips on the best ACT test dates. Looking for ACT tips to improve your score and help you hit your goal?Our guide offers a compilation of the best ACT tricks and advice out there! Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses. We also have expert instructors who can grade every one of your practice ACT essays, giving feedback on how to improve your score. Check out our 5-day free trial:

Eassy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Eassy - Essay Example The best way through which a manager can be able to know the areas that they are strong in is through feedback analysis. Within a short period of about three years, this simple method can always show a manageable areas in which they are strong and those in which they are weak. With knowledge of one’s strength a manager should seek to improve their strength in order to maximize their productivity. A manager should also be aware of the ways through which their intellectual arrogance can lead to ignorance something that can be very costly to the business they run. People usually have different ways of doing things. It is important for a manager to know exactly how they usually work. The way in which people work is usually highly influenced by their personalities. However, the good thing is that a person can always change the way they work (Drucker, 1999). People might not be able to completely change the way they work, but they can be able to slightly modify the manner in which they work. A manager should be able to be aware of their own values. For instance, there are people who easily gain knowledge through listening while the other would easily gain knowledge through reading. People are rarely able to be good in getting knowledge through both means. This implies that a manager who does not know where their values are might end up opting for the wrong methods. With the lack of understanding of one’s values it is clearly evident that the manager will never be able to reach their full potential. However, a manager with the full knowledge of their values can always know those things that complement their values and bring out the best from them (Mintzberg, 1975). With full knowledge of oneself a manager can be able to know exactly where they belong. Some managers usually find themselves not being able to perform as expected of them. This is not always because they are incapable of performing, but because

What is meant by Project Planning and why we need a detailed project Essay

What is meant by Project Planning and why we need a detailed project plan for every project - Essay Example The present study would focus on project planning as an essential part of project management. It refers to the use of specialised tools such as Gantt Charts in order to plan and monitor the progress of a project. The use of project planning ensures that the project environment is stewarded continuously so that any known and unknown risks are monitored and dealt with in order to optimise the project cost and schedule. Typically, project planning begins with the definition of project scope. This ensures that fitting methods are determined in order to take the project to completion. Once project scope is well defined, the next step is to define activity structure. The various tasks required to execute the project are listed down as activities and the estimated time for these activities is listed down. These activities are grouped together and the resulting structure is known as the work breakdown structure (WBS). The WBS provides a fitting insight to how various tasks and activities are fitted together in terms of their dependencies on each other. Generally, the WBS tasks and activities are defined through the use of an activity network diagram. This tool allows the determination of the critical path which in turn provides information regarding: - all activities and tasks needed to complete the project that are arranged within a WBS; - the duration of time required to complete these activities and tasks; - the various kinds of dependencies between various tasks and activities. ... This optimisation is carried out in order to comply with the overall project goals and objectives. This process is known as resource levelling and it is carried out to ensure that all activities and tasks are carried out with the optimal use of resources and time. When resource levelling is carried out, the formed plan is known as the baseline. As the project proceeds, the baseline is used to compare the status of physical activities on ground with the agreed objectives. Generally, the baseline is used throughout the entire project life to both monitor and steward progress. The process used to compare actual progress to the baseline is better known as earned value management (Fleming, 2005). The major inputs required for the project-planning phase include the concept proposal as well as the project charter while the outputs are the project requirements, the project management plan and the project schedule. These inputs and outputs are used in tandem and may be revised as the project proceeds. Most projects that are executed are unique in nature and so entail unique requirements. This requires that projects are planned individually and executed accordingly including any changes that may be required as the project proceeds. 2. Need for Project Planning Planning is required for all sorts of processes that have economic value in order to ensure that these processes are competitive. The lack of planning lends credence to the fact that execution would be inefficient and would cost more than usual. In addition, projects are generally unique by their intrinsic design so that the tasks and activities are differentiated from one project to the other. When projects are being