Oswestry Mutual Insurance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Oswestry Mutual Insurance - Essay Example In 1991, the company decision-making process was highly centralized. The growth experienced by OMI in the mid to late 1980's and the need to become more responsive to the dynamics of the industry, top management decided to change the operating structure. In 1991, they reorganized into 6 sectional-regional profit centers. The branch offices remained at 68, each branch office reports to a specific sectional profit centre and sectional office. The sectional office is responsible for approving all policies written and claims filed through both branch offices and the independent agents located in that region. The head office's is suppose to establish overall corporate policy and provide support to 6 sectional offices. The head office in Oswestry and the sectional offices were organized on a functional basis. The functional units in all locations are: Premium Audit, Underwriting, Sales, Claims/Losses, Finance, Human Resources, Loss Monitoring and Support. However, even though the operational structure was decentralized, most of the information services still remain centralized in the head office, which includes related planning, control, budget authority and decision- making stays at the head office. Computers were used, at first, for financial and statistical report production: standard MIS reports included, profit/loss, operations, claim data, loss ratios, and marketing information. In the 1980's, it became painfully obvious to OMI that the companies method of processing policy and claim data needed a major overhaul. John Robson, at the time, director of Information Systems called for a serious review of information service operations. He wanted to know what data was being collected, processed, and how the information was being used by every department and branch office. In 1991, a committee was established. Representatives came from Information Systems, and the major functional area user groups. They studied current information system problems, determined future requirements, and developed specifications for new systems to meet their needs. The project was completed in 1993, implemented was: an automated policy-writing system which would issue policies, cancellations, changes and renewals, marketing and financial reports were regularly prepared, directly from the data already entered into the policy writing and claim system, an automated claim input system which automatically issue claims cheques, online retrieval of policyholder information became possible at all branch offices, online retrieval of claim information became possible at all branch offices Overall Process To Implement Change The new systems were not perfect, but was a great improvement. When a new application for insurance was received by the Underwriting department in a sectional office, relevant data was entered by a sectional office by a PPD clerk over a telephone line link into the company's large IBM 3090 central mainframe located in Oswestry. Data would then be processed in overnight batch mode to produce a policy which could be printed in multiple copies the next day in Oswestry, and on a remote printer in the sectional office. Also, an online policy-holder file would also be available the next day for retrieval on the sectional office terminal which was also connected to the 3090 in Oswestry. Prior to the systems development, work that took place between 1991-1993 and before, the establishment of the sectional offices, handling personal policy information was a semi-automated clerical

Primary Analysis of The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X Research Paper - 1

Primary Analysis of The Ballot or the Bullet by Malcolm X - Research Paper Example Nation of Islam was an organization which tried to establish a separate state for African American Muslims and therefore it opposed many of the policies of the civil rights movement1. The intentions of civil rights movement were not for breaking the country, but for regaining the civil rights of the oppressed African American community. Malcolm was attracted by the ideologies of the leaders of civil right movement and he separated himself from Nation of Islam, before delivering his famous speech "The Ballot or the Bullet". Even though he supported Black Nationalism in principle, he never advocated the argument for a separate state for Muslim African American people. He always believed that it is better to fight for justice without sacrificing the interests of America as a country. In other words, he never advocated the efforts to destabilize America even though his community struggled to achieve equality in American social life. At the same time many people believe that Malcolm was actually trying to prepare black community for a bloody war with the dominant white community with the help of this speech. In their opinion, even though he appeared to be distanced himself from the constraints of religion, his actual intentions were mysterious. He tried to ridicule the activities of some of the former black and white Christian leaders like Martin Luther King, Clayton Powell, and Reverend Galamison, Billy Graham etc. Moreover, he asked his community to use their voting rights judiciously and take weapons for self-defense purpose. This paper analyses whether the dimensions of the public speech "The Ballot or the Bullet" made by Malcolm X, were culturally/communally motivated or socially motivated. â€Å"Although Im still a Muslim, Im not here tonight to discuss my religion. Im not here to try and change your religion† (Malcolm). Malcolm has realised the importance of achieving unity among African

Relection on Total knee replacement surgery Research Paper

Relection on Total knee replacement surgery - Research Paper Example After the knee is open, a four-step procedure is undertaken to have the knee completely replaced with metallic components, some plastic spacers and button, to enhance the normal functionality of the knee joints. The first step of the knee replacement surgery entails the removal of the damaged knee components, where the damaged knee cartilage on the surface of both tibia and fibula are removed, together with some reasonable amount of the underlying bone (Scuderi & Tria, 2002). This marks the preparation of the knee, for a total replacement, since the already damaged components are removed and the knee is now ready to take a replacement. This step is followed by positioning the metal implants. Here, the components of the knee; the cartilage and the bone surface, are now replaced with some metal components that recreate the surface of the joint (Bellemans, Ries & Victor, 2005). During this replacement, the metal components, which have been prepared to suit the natural knee components, a re either cemented or pressed to fit into the remaining bone component. The next step that follows the positioning of the metal implants is the resurfacing of the patella (the knee cap), which requires the knee cup to be cut and then resurfaced with a plastic button, which will not collide with the metallic implants that have been implanted on the knee (Scuderi & Tria, 2002). However, as explained by the surgeon, depending on the case and extent of the knee damage, the knee cap might not be resurfaced. The final step of the Total knee replacement surgery is to place the spacers. This step entails putting some medical-grade plastic spacers between the metal components that have been implanted on the knee, to create a smooth gliding surface (Bellemans, Ries & Victor, 2005). My feeling during the procedure was that the patient may fail to function fully after the knee is replaced, because the operation was being undertaken for a 70 year old woman. I also felt that the Total knee replac ement surgery was not a very complex sort of operation, although it required a high degree of concentration and precision, lest the metal implantations done on the knee fails to fit accurately and thus lead to more knee problems. The lesson that I learnt from the Total knee replacement surgery procedure is that; it is a surgical procedure that is compatible with all ages. Additionally I learnt that the Total knee replacement surgery is not uniformly done to all people, and that some aspects of the procedure depends on the patient, their situation, and the extent to which their knee is damaged either through injury or arthritis. While the Total knee replacement surgery basically follows a four-step procedure, I realized that the final step of the surgical procedure, referred to as spacer insertion, is not a mandatory or universal step in the Total knee replacement surgery, since it can be omitted for some patients. Another invaluable lesson that I learn regarding the Total knee repla cement surgery is that; the medical history of the patient is fundamental in determining their qualification for the procedure. This is because, the medical history helps the surgeon to assess the strength of the patient

Human Resource Development studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Human Resource Development studies - Essay Example This essay will discuss how boundaries between organisations are increasingly becoming fluid across a diverse range of networks and the implications that these network forms have on the maintenance and development of skills for individuals and organisations. Reasons for diversification of networks The thinning of the boundaries between organisations has to a large extent been caused by the diversification of organisations, this has seen most of the organisations increase their product diversity to minimise risks and increase their capability to take advantage of opportunities in the market (Johnson, 2010, p65). In addition, organisations have also diversified their markets in several regions in order to reach a larger client base. These processes of diversification have caused major shifts in the way the companies conduct their operations (Hill & Jones, 2007, p85). In the case of concentric diversification where organisations are concerned with increasing the scope of their products through the adding related goods and services, integration of different skills has been a necessity; this is to increase the strategic fit in the running of the organisations (Gu?Nther, 2007, p152). The related products that an organisation includes in its operation depends on the field that it operates in, for instance, organisations that offer services in the service industries are likely to add to their products other services that compliment their operations or those that add value to the initially existing services. For instance, a company that has a conservancy for wild animals or that is manages a game reserve is more likely to diversify its operation to include offering travelling packages for tourists who visit their facility. In addition, it may wish to own a hotel within the conservancy where the tourists can stay when they are visiting the region, this would encourage more tourists to visit the conservancy or the game reserve. Still to increase the visibility of the orga nisation to possible tourists, the organisation is likely to acquire an advertising firm. This diversification in operations of a service company would require that the workers especially in the management levels to acquire new skills to enable them run the organisation efficiently and effectively. Diversification in organisations that deal in goods is more likely to be extensive and complex than for the organisations that are in the service industry, this makes the workers in the goods producing organisations more affected by the organisation’s operations in different networks (Toxvaerd, 2010, p72). Most of the organisations that have their final products in form of goods require a lot of technological and management expertise, this is because in the production of goods, there are a lot of stages that are involved before the goods are ready to be taken to the market (Gregory & Cooper, 2009, p111). These stages include; procurement and transportation of raw materials, the pro cessing of raw materials that may involve several stages, quality assurance checks, packaging and branding of the product, warehousing search and transportation

Painful Ankle Medical Treatment Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Painful Ankle Medical Treatment - Case Study Example Medications: The patient has been on analgesics broad-spectrum antibiotics regimen that ended three days ago; provided at the clinic. No other medication currently.Allergies: The client has a specific protein food allergies, cannot eat eggs. There is no known drug allergies.Immunisation: Tetanus injection immediately after the cut (one week ago) scheduled for a repeat (booster) in three weeks’ time (Greaves and Johnson 2002, p.38).SH: the patient is married, living with the wife and two children. He is a farmer while his wife owns a grocery shop. Does not smoke but occasionally takes alcohol.His hobbies include reading, listening to music and tending the flowers.O/E: Stable general outlook. Not sick-looking. NAD on examination of the head, Neck, back, chest. Hands.Left foot: The ankle joint is swollen. The patient reports painful joint and cannot walk well.ROM: ROM: Active: Flexion- Cannot flex the ankle due to pain on anterior aspect Extension- full range; with minimal pain o n movementAbduction- painful Adduction- painfulMedial Rotation- painful Passive: Flexion- full range; with pain on anterior aspect the ankleExtension- full range; painful Abduction- full range; painfulMedial Rotation- painfulResistive: Flexion-with intense pain on anterior aspect of ankleExtension- painful Abduction- painfulMedial Rotation- painfulImpression: Ankle sprain

Los Angeles International Airport Risk Assesment Essay

Los Angeles International Airport Risk Assesment - Essay Example Risk assessment varies from interpretation of data based on numerous and regular occurrences or vents to the approximation of the probability of very atypical events, amalgamated in each scenario with the measurement of exposure to risk. Setting of the target needs forecasting of the exposure, extent of risk, and tolerable and viability of the policies and mitigations for risk reductions, to spot targets which hits a balance between achievability, challenge and public and political suitability. STEP ONE: THREAT IDENTIFICATION AND RATING LAX Terrorist threat Identification and rating Airport terrorism risk assessment and analysis is not conducted in a vacuum. This kind of risk is usually assessed and analyzed as a way to control or buy down risk over duration via developing certain measures and mitigations across the airport facilities. Presently, majority of the world known airports LAX included are at increasing risk from both internal and external terror attack due to their securit y arrangement. Presently, despite the improved security at LAX, it still remains one of the centers of targets by the terrorist attack, owing to the fact that it has sustained more alarming incidences than any other airport in the United States. This implies that counterterrorism still remains a top concern for the LAX safety management. In 1974, a terrorist organized a bomb in the LAX airport terminating the lives of three and severely injuring eight people. The mitigation for any terror attack at LAX is therefore, a very a fundamental concept which must not be wished away and must be supported by all the employees within the LAX working environment or footprint. LAWA management is charged with responsibilities of operating, capital improving and provision of security at the airport. Given the ongoing massive construction, competing demands of managing the airport and the renovation of other terminals to expand its international terminals, there is a conviction that the security of the airport is wanting, making it to be very vulnerable for threat attack. In addition, intelligence associated with aviation is not institutionally passing all public safety agencies of LAX on a constant basis. This means that as a pre-mitigation measure, there should be consistent intelligence sharing of the information between public safety agency, local laws enforcement and US intelligence committee. Improvement of relationships and collaboration between these three bodies whereby they provide one other with crucial intelligent information based on the evolving terrorism threats, both in the US and abroad is very critical for the general safety of the airport. Explosive Blast armaments According to LAX terrorism threat identification, two parameters are applied to describe the explosive blast plan threat: the size of the weapon determined in equal pounds of TNT (trinitrotoluene) and the stand-off. The stand-off is defined by the distance calculated from the charge’s cent re of gravity to the component of interest which in this case is the LAX and its surrounding. Table 1.1 Showing Explosive Evacuation Distance Threat Description Explosive Substance1 With respect to TNT equivalent LAX Evacuation Distance2 Open-air Evacuation Distance3 Semitrailer 27,214kg 480m 2,136m Moving van 13,608kg 377m 1980m Small Moving van 4,537kg 265m 1144m Cargo van 1,815kg 196m 838m Sedom 454kg 122m 536m Compact Sedom 229kg 98m 456m Briefcase Bomb 22kg 47m 566m Suicide Vest 9kg 33m 415m Suicide Belt 4.5kg 26m 330m

Technical Communication Essay Example for Free

Technical Communication Essay Chapter 1. Introduction to Technical Communication. Communication is the exchange of thoughts, message or information, as by speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behavior. Derived from the Latin word â€Å"communis†, meaning to share. Communication requires a sender, a message, and a recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender’s intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast distance in time and space. Communication requires that the communicating parties share an area of communicative commonality. The communication process is complete once the receiver has understood the message of the sender. Technical Communication would mean a communication specific to the sender and the recipient and both would be from the same field of knowledge. This communication may not be understood by any others in the sense that the messages passed across are in a language that can be understood by persons from once field of knowledge. Here the importance subset of such a communication. Technical Communication is the flow or exchange of information within people or group of people sharing a common platform of similar knowledge or people from the same field with or without the technical knowledge. Means of Communication 1. Verbal Communication: Spoken and pictorial languages can be described as a system of symbols (sometimes as known lexemes) and the grammars (rules) by which the symbols are manipulated. The word â€Å"language† also refers to common properties of languages. Language learning normally occurs most intensively during human childhood. Most of the thousands of human languages use patterns of sound or gestures for symbols which enable communication with others around them. Languages seem to share certain properties although many of these include exceptions. There is no defined line between a language and a dialect. Constructed languages such as Esperanto, programming languages and various mathematical formalisms are not necessarily restricted to the properties shared by human languages. Communication should also include the display of text, Braille, tactile communication, large print, accessible multimedia, as well as written and plain language, human –reader, augmentative and alternative modes, means and formats of communication, including accessible information and communication technology. Manipulative Communications are intentional and unintentional ways of manipulating words, gestures, etc. to â€Å"get what we want â€Å", by demeaning, discounting, attacking or ignoring instead of respectful interaction. Sarcasm, criticism, rudeness and swearing are examples. 2. Non Verbal Communication: A variety of verbal and non-verbal means of communicating exists such as body language, eye contact, sign language. Nonverbal communication describes the process of conveying meaning in the form of non – word messages. Research shows that the majority of our communication includes chronemics (use of time) , haptics (using the sense of touch),gesture, body language or posture; facial expression and eye contact, object communication such as clothing , hairstyles, architecture, symbols infographics, and tone of voice as well as through an aggregate of the above. Speech also contains nonverbal elements known as paralanguage. These include voice lesson quality, emotion and speaking style as well as prosodic features such as rhythm, intonation and stress. Likewise, written texts include nonverbal elements such as handwriting style, spatial arrangement of words and the use of emoticons to convey emotional expression in pictorial form. 3Oral communication: Oral communication, while primarily referring to spoken verbal communication, can also employ visual aids and non verbal elements to support the discussion, and aspects of interpersonal communication. As a type of face-to face communication, body language and choice tonality play a significant role, and may have communication also garners immediate feedback. Historic Stages in Written Communication: 1. Pictograms in the form of stone graphics hence immobile. 2. Written form on papyrus, paper, clay tablets. Introduction of common alphabets and also the invention of printing in the 15th century made the written form a very strong means. 3. Transfer of information through controlled waves and electronic signals. Effective Communication All communication, intentional or unintentional, has some effect. This effect may not be always in communicator’s favor or as desired by him or her. Communication that produces the desired effect or result is effective communication. It results in what the communicator wants. Effective communication generates the desired effect, maintain effect increase effect. Effective communication serves its purpose for which it was planned or designed. The purpose could be to generate action, inform, create understanding or communicate a certain idea/point etc. Effective communication also ensures that message distortion does not take place during the communication process.