Monday, August 24, 2020

To what extend does Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation Essay - 1

What exactly broaden joints Commission International (JCI) Accreditation norms improves human services facilities(2) - Essay Example Logical enquiry or research includes a progression of steps that starts with characterizing the issues through legitimate examinations utilizing a logical methodology and devise techniques to arrive at an appropriate arrangement. Specialists have isolated this procedure of logical research under eight sub-divisions. The primary trademark is reason, which suggests that each specialist ought to have a particular reason for undertaking the examination. This is the underlying advance that would empower the analyst to discover reasonable answers and techniques to take care of the issue. The following significant necessity is thoroughness by which analysts should be mindful and circumspect during the exploration procedure so as to maintain a strategic distance from any mistakes or inclination that may influence the final products. The following prerequisite is testability by which a theory ought to be exposed to appropriate testing forms after assortment of the necessary information. Follo wing the testing procedure the specialist ought to likewise guarantee that the outcomes acquired are replicable each time the exploration is led under comparative conditions as this will guarantee that the speculation is reproducible. The following prerequisite for any examination is accuracy and certainty. Accuracy guarantees that the outcomes got from the examination are pertinent to the speculation made and the certainty levels uncover the degree to which the outcomes are right. Notwithstanding the above variables, each specialist should be objective in their exploration by which any abstract or passionate inclination ought to be killed and the investigation translation ought to be founded on the information alone. Another significant prerequisite is speculation of the investigation by which the examination could be applied to any setting. At long last the investigation ought to likewise be easy to perform and see as opposed to complex.(Sekaran, 2003). The accompanying section st arts with the meaning of the examination issue and afterward portrays the reason for this investigation, following which the examination targets are itemized and thus the examination setting is depicted. The exploration strategy that incorporates the testing strategies is clarified and the kinds of information to be utilized, information assortment and examination are then investigated. The commitment of the examination is depicted at long last. The technique utilized in the examination is telephonic meeting and utilization of an official staff survey with the IMC staff individuals. The IMC has gone into a concurrence with the JCI, which has made it the main clinic in Gulf to be associated with the acclaimed association directly from the origin of a venture. 3.2 Research issue Following the usage of the JCI guidelines inside the TQM division, a few assembling enterprises have demonstrated stamped improvement in quality in various segments the nation over. Given this expansion in qua lity improvement, the administration business, particularly the social insurance industry has demonstrated enthusiasm for executing this idea inside its domain. The Saudi wellbeing division, both open and private, faces an assortment of general difficulties, for example, asset allotment and different moves identified with its inclination, for example, the nature of administrations gave, cost control and clinical mistakes. Considering the

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Investment management Speech or Presentation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Venture the executives - Speech or Presentation Example Cost of development stock is higher in proportion with its procuring while the cost of significant worth stock is underestimated than dependent on quality of its crucial. Consequently, contrast can be dictated by the P/E proportions. This can likewise be estimated utilizing the proportion of book an incentive to advertise esteem. Development firms’ BV/MV proportion is lower which alludes high development though esteem firms have higher BV/MV proportion. This proportion additionally gets sway from profit paid by firms as development firms deliver less or no profit and reinvest which gives speculators capital gratefulness advantage. Worth stock delivers higher profit. Level of cost of value and pace of profit for resources which are part of DDM influences BV/MV proportion. Worth stocks have significant expense of value which builds its proportion alongside hazard. Development stocks have higher pace of profit for resources as well as/high development that brings down its proportion. The two stocks can be valuable for financial specialists dependent on their hazard hunger and bring needs back. Financial specialists searching for persistent stream of salary will be less redirected to development stocks. Worth stocks are put motel in desire for revision in their deal cost in future. These proportions can likewise change with change in profit procedure; expanding profit diminishes development would get BV/MV proportion expanded or the other way around. Essentially, revision in cost of significant worth stock that expands its cost would diminish its BV/MV proportion. Thus, these are time based estimates characterizing speculation procedures. A portfolio will have the two stocks so as to get advantage of broadening (Hagin, 2004). MLH organization with beta of 0.5 and a profit yield of 12% p.a. can be proclaimed as worth stock as it has higher profit. Beta of MLH Company decides its cost getting less development force than by and large market. Additionally beta is utilized in characterizing required pace of return resources which builds its numerator of DDM prompting moderately higher

Friday, July 24, 2020

How to Handle Criticism With Social Anxiety Disorder

How to Handle Criticism With Social Anxiety Disorder Social Anxiety Disorder Coping Print Handling Criticism With Social Anxiety Disorder By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder and 7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety. Learn about our editorial policy Arlin Cuncic Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on June 28, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on November 21, 2019 Social Anxiety Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Ekaterina Beznosova / EyeEm / Getty Images People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are irrationally fearful of criticism and rejection. You may worry constantly that others are thinking negatively about you or that they do not like you.   The main focus of cognitive therapy is to convince you that your fears are unfoundedâ€"and that people are much less critical and rejecting than you expect. However, some of the time, you will experience criticism and rejection, and it is important to be able to cope. Assertive Defense of the Self In a newsletter published by the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy, anxiety expert Dr. Christine Padesky described a unique treatment approach for SAD. Padesky argued that the traditional focus of cognitive therapy only takes care of half of the problem for people who suffer from SAD. One of the main causes of anxiety is the overestimation of danger. For example, people with panic disorder are afraid of physical symptoms because they mean the start of a heart attack.  People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are afraid that they will be judged negatively because of their anxiety in social situations.   Cognitive therapy shows you how your fears may be unfoundedâ€"that people are not as judgmental as you think. However, sometimes people will be judgmental. If you are not prepared to cope with judgment and rejection, then you will still be afraid that social and performance situations could end badly. Padesky describes a way to increase coping skills by exposing the person with SAD to harsh judgment during role-playing in therapy sessions. Through this process, you are able to increase your self-confidence and learn how to better cope with criticism and rejection. How to Practice Assertive Defense of the Self Padesky describes the typical steps that would be taken during therapy to increase confidence. Although this process is best done with a therapist, it is also possible to work on these steps on your own. Below is a description of how to work on this as a self-help project. Step 1. Identify automatic thoughts  you have about critical things that other people might say about you. Make a list of all of the possible things that you might hear. Step 2. Create a list of responses. This step, called the assertive defense of the self, involves coming up with a confident and assertive reaction to each of the possible criticisms. Below is an example of how this might look: Critical Thought: You are shaking. Is there something wrong with you? Assertive Response: My hands are shaking because I am anxious. Some people are afraid of heights; I get anxious when I am around people. It doesnt make me any different than anybody else. In fact, a lot of people have this fear. Its just that nobody talks about it. During therapy, Padesky would role play with the client. As the therapist, she would play a critical role, and ask her client to come back with assertive responses. She argues that this in-therapy practice is important because, in real life, actual overt criticism is few and far between. Sample Role-Playing Session In the article, she describes what the final session of role-playing might look like: Therapist: Youre shaking. Is something wrong? Client: Not really. Im just anxious, thats all. Therapist: Why are you anxious? Client: I get anxious in social situations. Therapist: YOU DO? Whats wrong? Are you crazy or something? Client: No, Im not crazy. I have social anxiety. Therapist: Social anxiety? Sounds crazy to me! Client: Maybe you arent familiar with it. But its quite common. It doesnt mean Im crazy. Therapist: You may not think so. But I think youre pretty weird if you shake like this. Client: I can understand how it might seem weird if youre not familiar with it. But Im not crazy. Therapist: I dont know. I think you must be nuts. Client: Im sorry you dont understand. But Im not nuts. When this role-play eventually takes place, the person with social anxiety usually reports feeling irritated by the critical voice rather than shamed by it. Silence Your Inner Critic One way to practice this process on your own is to argue against the critical voice that is already in your head. Do this first at home when you are not in social or performance situations until you are able to easily defend yourself against your criticisms. Then, once you feel in control, try practicing in real-life situations, imagining the critical voice of others. You might even try exaggerating your symptoms or seeking out rejection, just so that you can practice your coping skills. Padesky suggests having your hands shake in front of you while making eye contact, or deliberately asking a neighbor over for coffee who is obviously too busy to talk with you. The goal of this process is to develop a more confident and assertive way of coping with potential rejection and negative judgment. By exposing yourself to criticism and rejection, you will learn that you can cope.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Motivational Interviewing as a Treatment for Substance Abuse

Motivational Interviewing as a Treatment for Substance Abuse Introduction Motivational interviewing is an evidenced-based counseling approach that health care providers can use to help patients adhere to treatment recommendations. It emphasizes using a directive, patient-centered style of interaction to promote behavioral change by helping patients explore and resolve ambivalence (Levensky et al., 2007). Motivational interviewing is a highly individualized therapeutic approach that is client centered and encourages clients to explore the reasons for any maladaptive behavior and then make changes. However, it is also a directed form of therapy, so that the counselor takes a more active role than in some forms of client-centered therapy. However, it is not a confrontational form of therapy; rather than engaging in hostile interactions with clients, the counselor takes an empathic approach and helps the client identify areas of ambivalence and make plans to change those areas. In this way, motivational interviewing can be considered a goal-directed therapy b ecause it is not sufficient for the clients to gain understanding; they are also meant to make changes based on what they find. Furthermore, while the counselor may take a passive role in some therapeutic approaches, the counselor is more active in motivational interviewing. The counselors job is to encourage the client to make changes. Motivational interviewing has been used in a variety of different areasShow MoreRelatedSubstance Abuse Among The Elderly1668 Words   |  7 Pagesmisuse alcohol, prescription drugs, or other substances (Bartel, Blow, Brockmann, 2005). In turn, substance abuse among the elder is generating major health concerns and a rapid need for prevention methods. Substance abuse among the elderly is a concealed epidemic in the United States. Alcohol and substance abuse often go unnoticed, unreported, and therefore, untreated in the elderly (Wagenaar, Mickus, Wilson, 2001). It is estimated that substance abuse issues among America’s elder population willRead MoreBenefits Of Self Efficacy High While Recovery From An Addiction1479 Words   |  6 Pagesrecovery path to knock them completely off course and they will use this as justification to return to alcohol or drug abuse. This is why it is important that people keep their self-efficacy high while recovery from an addiction. Commitment to abstinence, a motivational construct, is a strong predictor of reductions in drug and alcohol use. Level of commitment to abstinence at treatment end predicts sustained abstinence, a requirement for recovery ( Laudet, A. B., Stanick). Abstinence is the bestRead MoreThe Applications Of Motivational Interviewing And Cognitive Behavioral Therapy977 Words   |  4 Pagesapplications of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy for individuals with unhealthy substance use disorders encompass a diversity of interventions that accentuate diverse targets. Miller and Rolnick (1991), defined motivational interviewing as a ‘directive, client-centred counselling style for eliciting behaviour change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence’. As McHugh, Hearon and Otto (2010), characterizes cognitive behavioural therapy as ‘heterogeneous treatment elements†¦Read MoreAddiction Problems And The Field Of Addiction Treatment E ssay920 Words   |  4 Pagesunderstand their clients with addiction problems and motivate them to change. This model is one of the most widely used models within the field of addiction treatment initially developed to describe the process of adopting any healthy behavior. Motivational interviewing shares much in common with the trans-theoretical or Stages of Change Model of behavior change. Although not universally endorsed, the trans-theoretical model holds that at any given time, a person is at a particular stage in relationRead MoreThe Homelessness And Substance Abuse1436 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: DIVERSITY​1 Diversity: Homelessness and substance abuse Centell Brown Kelley Peterson SW- 751 Perspectives/Chemical Dependency Professor R. Chaisson, PhD., LCSW, BACS Southern University at New Orleans December 10, 2014 Abstract ​Homelessness and substance abuse are often two problems that continue to be linked together. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (2011), research conducted in the past five years indicates thatRead MoreCognitive Behavioral Therapy For Substance Abuse1574 Words   |  7 PagesSubstance abuse consists of an individual exhibiting dysfunctional behavior as a result of consuming psychoactive substances that eventually culminate in adverse consequences. According to the 2013, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 24.6 million Americans over the age of 12 were current illicit drug users; moreover, 136.9 million Americans were current alcohol users, which is more than half (52.2%) of the American population (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationRead MoreDrug Abuse And Its Effect On Society Essay1167 Words   |  5 Pageschemical substance applied into treating, diagnosing and preventing one from disease infections o r a substance that is used by a person to enhance his or her physical and mental state in the perceived effect. Drugs used for different purposes and their effect depend on which cause for usage. It causes both positive and negative consequences directly to the user and in the long-run it affects the whole society or community. Drug addiction is the activity of uncontrollable dependence on a substance by theRead MoreMotivational Interviews : Motivational Interviewing2027 Words   |  9 PagesMotivational interviewing is a practice wherein conveying acceptance of your client, you become an aid in the process of change. Motivational interviewing fosters Carl Rogers optimistic and humanistic theories; around ones competences for employing free choice and shifting through a course of self-actualization. The therapeutic relationship for both Motivational Interviewers and Rogerians’ is a democratic partnership. The concept of Motivational Interviewing (MI) progressed from the exp erienceRead MoreSubstance Abuse Paper1198 Words   |  5 PagesSubstance abuse is one of the most common comorbid conditions among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (Schwartz et al., 2007). Previous studies have shown that nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis were the most frequently used substances in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, followed by cocaine and amphetamine. Individuals with substance use disorders have negative long-term outcomes and poorer overall quality of life. Researchers suggest that substance abuse complicates individuals withRead MoreObserving Group Observation Paper1605 Words   |  7 Pagescommunity mental health center held provided through an adult outpatient mental health program. The group I observed for this session was a counseling style group for adult outpatient mental health clients dealing with co-occurring disorders titled â€Å"Substance Abuse Recovery†. This is a closed group of about twenty members in size which is held at th e public library in a closed conference room. I was informed the group is held weekly on Thursday at the same time each week at this location for a duration of

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Essay Themes in Night by Elie Wiesel - 1265 Words

THemes 1.) Man’s inhumanity to man Removal of human looks that defined who they are * Same uniform * Cut hair to remove individuality. * â€Å"In a few seconds we had ceased to be men† 37 * â€Å"I became A-7713. From then on, I had no other name†42 The harshness of the camp quickly transformed them into selfish indifferent people * â€Å"I had not even blinked, only yesterday I would have dug my nails into the criminals flesh† 39 * â€Å"you’re killing your father†101 * â€Å"The old man mumbled something, groaned and died. Nobody cared† 101 * â€Å"I shall never forgive myself. Nor shall I forgive the world for having pushed me against the wall, for having turned me into a stranger, for having awakened in me the basest, most†¦show more content†¦Without love or mercy. I was nothing but ashes now† 68 * â€Å"But as soon as he felt the first chinks in his faith, he lost all incentive to fight and opened the door to death† 77 * â€Å"I have more faith in Hitler than anybody else. He alone has kept his promises, all his promises to the Jewish people.† 81 * â€Å" I suffer hell in my soul and in my flesh†¦ how can anybody believe in this God of mercy† 3.) Kindness in adversity Helping each other out in times of need * Elie’s father made sure Elie didn’t â€Å"fall asleep forever† in the snow despite his exhaustion. Pg 88 * The French girl risked her life by saying to Elie in almost perfect German, â€Å"don’t cry. Keep your anger, your hate, for another day, for later. The day will come but not now†¦ wait. Clench your teeth and wait† * â€Å"Elie even gave his dying father extra rations, despite being told to â€Å"stop giving your ration of bread and soup too your old father... in fact you should be getting his rations.† * Working through the struggles together see father son relationships Elie and father * â€Å"No. You’re eighteen†¦ Not fifty. You’re forty. Dou you hear?Show MoreRelatedTheme Of Faith In Night By Elie Wiesel801 Words   |  4 Pagesit back. In Night by Elie Wiesel the main theme of the entire book is the human living condition. The quality of human life is overwhelming because humans have the potential to make amazing discoveries that help all humans. Elie Wiesel endures some of the most cruel living conditions known to mankind. This essay explains the themes of chapter one, chapter four, chapter eight in Night by Elie Wiesel. Nothing is lost if faith is still present. In Night by Elie Wiesel, the main theme of chapter oneRead MoreTheme Of Identity In Night By Elie Wiesel1398 Words   |  6 Pagesknown throughout the world of Eliezer Wiesel. His eye-opening story is one of millions born from the Holocaust. Elie’s identity, for which he is known by, is written out word for word his memoir, Night. Throughout his journey, Elie’s voice drifts from that of an innocent teen intrigued with the teachings of his religion to that of a soul blackened by a theoretical evil consuming that of the Nazis and Hitler’s Germany. Elie Wiesels memoir, Night, examines the theme of identity through the continuousRead MoreThe Theme In Literature In Night By Elie Wiesel736 Words   |  3 PagesThe theme in literature is the lesson you learn from what you have read. You learn a lesson from everything you experience in life and everything that you read has a purpose to teach you something. Sometimes the lesso n comes from what other people have experienced, such as in the book Night by Elie Wiesel. Other times the theme comes from what other people have learned, heard, or even read about, such as in the book The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Not only do you see themes in books but also in newspaperRead MoreThe Theme of Darkness in Night by Elie Wiesel1514 Words   |  7 PagesOften, the theme of a novel extends into a deeper significance than what is first apparent on the surface. In the novel Night by Elie Wiesel, the theme of night and darkness is prevalent throughout the story and is used as a primary tool to convey symbolism, foreshadowing, and the hopeless defeat felt by prisoners of Holocaust concentration camps. Religion, the various occurring crucial nights, and the many instances of foreshadowing and symbolism clearly demonstrate how the reoccurring theme of nightRead MoreThe Theme Of Peer Pressure In Night By Elie Wiesel855 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the book Night it leads us on a path of what it was like being in the concentration camps during the Holocaust. The people in the camps such as the Jews were treated as if they were prisoners. They barely were fed, and were worked until their bodies couldnt work anymore. The times in Auschwitz were mentally and physically draining to the 1.3 million that were held in the camp. Not only did this act happen in this point of time of the Holocaust. It recently has happened in our daily societyRead MoreTheme Of Father And Son Relationships In Night By Elie Wiesel1212 Words   |  5 PagesOne of the major themes that can be found in Night, by Elie Wiesel, is one of father/son relationships. To quote a father from the book, Stein, â€Å"The only thing that keeps me alive is knowing that Reizel and the little ones are still alive.† Not all father/son relationships are as good however. Another part of the book reads, â€Å"I once saw. . . a boy of thirteen, beat his father for not making his bed properly. As the old man quietly wept, the boy was yelling, ‘If you don’t stop crying instantly, IRead MoreAnalysis Of Elie Wiesel s Auschwitz 1153 Words   |  5 PagesAuthor Elie Wiesel writes about his suffering, and doesn’t fail to include many themes, including will power and survival. Night takes place during 1940’s, which is when the genocide of the Jews occurred. The main character, Elie (also the author), shares his experience in concentration camps. He and his father underwent all sorts of misery, from starvation, to hard labor, death marches, and plenty more. Having the opportunity to share his experience, the author emphasizes certain topics. Elie WieselRead MoreElie Wiesel Night Reflection794 Words   |  4 PagesElie Wiesel was born in the Romanian town of Sighet. His parents came from Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish families. Both of hi parents died in the Nazi concentration camps, as did his younger sister; his two elder sister survived. After the war , Wiesel went an Orphanage in France, studies at the Sorbonne, and became a journalist. The name of the book is call the Night. It were written in the 1955-1958. It also were written from South America, France. The book was published in Argentina, France. TheRead MoreExamples Of Dehumanization In The Book Night1183 Words   |  5 Pagesbook, Night, by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, provides an overview of Elie’s experiences during the Holocaust, and there were a multitude of ways that Elie and his inmates were dehumanized. It all started in 1944, when Elie and his family were deported from their home in Sighet and taken to the Auschwitz concentration camp. When they arrived, they had to leave their possessions on the train and went into the concentration camp where all of his family except his father were murdered. Elie and hisRead MoreElie Wiesel s The Holocaust1315 Words   |  6 PagesWorld War II. The memoir, Night by Elie Wiesel is based on Wiesel’s experien ces in concentration camps, in order to give readers an insight of someone who was a victim of the Holocaust. The young narrator, Elie Wiesel, faces countless struggles for survival among the horrors of the Holocaust. In the memoir, Eliezer, the passionately, devoted boy with a benevolent family, is taken from his home and sent to a concentration camp. Through their unstable and dangerous journey, Elie is detached from his mother

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Customer Service and Order Processors Free Essays

The Human Side of Management Assignment Repairing Jobs That Fail to Satisfy Learning Goals Companies often divide up work as a way to improve efficiency, but specialisation can lead to negative consequences. DrainFlow is a company that has effectively used specialisation to reduce costs relative to its competitors’ costs for years, but rising customer complaints suggest the firm’s strong position may be slipping. After reading the case, you will suggest some ways it can create more interesting work for employees. We will write a custom essay sample on Customer Service and Order Processors or any similar topic only for you Order Now You will also tackle the problem of finding people who are qualified and ready to perform the multiple responsibilities required in these jobs. Major Topic Areas Job design Job satisfaction Personality Emotional labour The Scenario DrainFlow is a large residential and commercial plumbing  maintenance firm that operates around the United Kingdom. It has been a major player in residential plumbing  for decades, and its familiar rhyming motto, â€Å"When  Your Drain Won’t Go, Call DrainFlow,† has been plastered  on billboards since the 1940s. Leigh Reynaldo has been a regional manager at DrainFlow for about 2 years. She used to work for a newer  competing chain, Lightning Plumber, that has been  drawing more and more customers from DrainFlow. Although  her job at DrainFlow pays more, Leigh is not happy  with the way things are going. She has noticed the work environment  is not as vital or energetic as the environment  she saw at Lightning. Leigh thinks the problem is that employees are not motivated  to provide the type of customer service Lightning  Plumber employees offer. She recently sent surveys  to customers to collect information about performance,  and the data confirmed her fears. Although 60 percent  of respondents said they were satisfied with their experience  and would use DrainFlow again, 40 percent felt  their experience was not good, and 30 percent said they  would use a competitor the next time they had a plumbing problem. Leigh is wondering whether DrainFlow’s job design  might be contributing to its problems in retaining customers. DrainFlow has about 2,000 employees in four  basic job categories: plumbers, plumber’s assistants, order  processors, and billing representatives. This structure  is designed to keep costs as low as possible. Plumbers make very high wages, whereas plumber’s assistants  make about one-quarter of what a licensed  plumber makes. Using plumber’s assistants is therefore  a very cost-effective strategy that has enabled DrainFlow  to easily undercut the competition when it comes to  price. Order processors make even less than assistants  but about the same as billing processors. All work is very  specialised, but employees are often dependent on another  job category to perform at their most efficient  level. Like most plumbing companies, DrainFlow gets  business mostly from the Yellow Pages and the Internet. Customers either call in to describe a plumbing problem  or submit an online request for plumbing services,  receiving a return call with information within 24 hours. In either case, DrainFlow’s order processors listen to the  customer’s description of the problem to determine  whether a plumber or a plumber’s assistant should  make the service call. The job is then assigned accordingly,  and a service provider goes to the location. When  the job has been completed, via mobile phone, a billing representative  relays the fee to SHR034-6, 12-13 he service rep, who presents  a bill to the customer for payment. Billing representatives  can take customers’ credit card payments by phone  or e-mail an invoice for online payment. The Problem Although specialisation does cut costs significantly, Leigh  is worried about customer dissatisfaction. According to  her survey, about 25 percent of customer contacts  ended in no service call beca use customers were confused  by the diagnostic questions the order processors  asked and because the order processors did not have  sufficient knowledge or skill to explain the situation. That means fully one in four people who call DrainFlow  to hire a plumber are worse than dissatisfied: they  are not customers at all! The remaining 75 percent of calls that did end in a customer service encounter resulted  in other problems. The most frequent complaints Leigh found in the customer  surveys were about response time and cost, especially  when the wrong person was sent to a job. A  plumber’s assistant cannot complete a more technically  complicated job. The appointment has to be rescheduled,  and the customer’s time and the staff’s time have  been wasted. The resulting delay often caused customers  in these situations to decline further contact  with DrainFlow—many of them decided to go with  Lightning Plumber. â€Å"When I arrive at a job I can’t take care of,† says  plumber’s assistant Jim Larson, â€Å"the customer gets  annoyed. They thought they were getting a licensed  plumber, since they were calling for a plumber. Telling  them they have to have someone else come out doesn’t  go over well. †Ã‚   On the other hand, when a plumber responds to a  job easily handled by a plumber’s assistant, the customer  is still charged at the plumber’s higher pay rate. Licensed plumber Luis Berger also does not like being in  the position of giving customers bad news. â€Å"If I get  called out to do something like snake a drain, the customer  isn’t expecting a hefty bill. I’m caught in a difficult situation—I don’t set the rates or make the  appointments, but I’m the one who gets it from the customer. †Ã‚  Plumbers also resent being sent to do such simple  work. Obi Ani is one of DrainFlow’s order processors. She is frustrated too when the wrong person is sent  to a job but feels she and the other order processors are  doing the best they can. We have a survey we’re supposed  to follow with the calls to find out what the problem  is and who needs to take the job,† she explains. â€Å"The  customers don’t know that we have a standard form, so  they think we can answer all their questions. Most of us  don’t know any more about plumbing than the calle r. If  they don’t use the terms on the survey, we don’t understand  what they’re talking about. A plumber would, but  we’re not plumbers; we just take the calls. † Customer service issues also involve the billing representatives. They are the ones who have to keep contacting  customers about payment. It’s not my fault the  wrong guy was sent,† says Elisabeth King. â€Å"If two guys  went out, that’s two trips. If a plumber did the work, you  pay plumber rates. Some of these customers don’t get  that I didn’t take their first call, and so I get yelled at. †Ã‚  The billing representatives also complain that they see  only the tail end of the process, so they don’t know what  the original call entailed. The job is fairly impersonal,  and much of the work is recording customer complaints. Remember—40 percent of customers are not satisfied,  and it is the billing representativ es who take the  brunt of their negative reactions on the phone. As you can probably tell, all employees have to engage  in emotional labour, as described in your textbook,  and many lack the skills or personality traits to complete  the customer interaction component of their jobs. They  are not trained to provide customer service, and they see  their work mostly in technical, or mechanical, terms. Quite a few are actually anxious about speaking directly  with customers. The office staff (order processors and  billing representatives) realise customer service is part  of their job, but they also find dealing with negative  feedback from customers and co-workers stressful. Two years ago, a management consulting  company was hired to survey DrainFlow worker attitudes. The results showed they were less satisfied than  workers in other comparable jobs. The following table  provides a breakdown of respondent satisfaction levels  across a number of categories:  Ã‚  Ã‚   SHR034-6, 12-13 DrainFlow Plumbers DrainFlow Plumber Assistants DrainFlow Office Workers Average Plumber Average Office Worker I am satisfied with the work I am asked to do. 3. 7 2. 5 2. 5 4. 3 3. 5 I am satisfied with my working conditions. 3. 8 2. 4 3. 7 4. 1 4. 2 I am satisfied with my interactions with o-workers. 3. 5 3. 2 2. 7 3. 8 3. 9 I am satisfied with my interactions with my supervisor 2. 5 2. 3 2. 2 3. 5 3. 4 The information about average plumbers and average  office workers is taken from the management consulting  company’s records of other companies. They  are not exactly surprising, given some of the complaints DrainFlow employees have made. Top managemen t is  worried about these results, but they have not been able  to formulate a solution. The traditional DrainFlow culture  has been focused on cost containment, and the  Ã¢â‚¬Å"soft areas† like employee satisfaction has not been a major  issue. The Proposed Solution The company is in trouble, and as revenues shrink and  the cost savings that were supposed to be achieved by  dividing up work fail to materialise, a change seems to  be in order. Leigh is proposing using cash rewards to improve performance  among employees. She thinks if employees  were paid based on work outcomes, they would work harder  to satisfy customers. Because it is not easy to measure  how satisfied people are with the initial call-in, Leigh  would like to give the order processors a small reward  for every 20 calls successfully completed. For the hands-on  work, she would like to have each billing representative  collect information about customer satisfaction for each  completed call. If no complaints are made and the job  is handled promptly, a moderate cash reward would be  given to the plumber or plumber’s assistant. If the customer  indicates real satisfaction with the service, a  larger cash reward would be provided. Leigh also wants to find people who are a better fit with  the company’s new goals. Current hiring procedure relies  on unstructured interviews with each location’s general manager, and little consistency is found in the way  these managers choose employees. Most lack training in  customer service and organisational behaviour. Leigh thinks  it would be better if hiring methods were standardised  across all branches in her region to help managers identify  recruits who can actually succeed in the job. Your Assignment Your task is to prepare a persuasive report for Leigh on the potential  effectiveness of her cash reward and structured interview  programmes. Make certain it is in the form of a  professional business document that you would give  to an experienced manager at this level of a fairly large  corporation. Leigh is very smart when it comes to managing  finances and running a plumbing business, but she  will not necessarily know about the organisational behaviour  principles you are describing. As any new  proposals must be passed through top management,  you should also address their concerns about cost containment. You will need to make a strong evidence-based  financial case that changing the management style will  benefit the company. When you write, make sure you touch on the following  points:  Ã‚   SHR034-6, 12-13 1. Although it is clear employees are not especially satisfied  with their work, do you think this is a reason  for concern? Does research suggest satisfied workers  are actually better at their jobs? Are any other behavioural  outcomes associated with job satisfaction? 2. Using job characteristics theory, explain why the  present system of job design may be contributing to  employee dissatisfaction. Describe some ways you  could help employees feel more satisfied with their  work by redesigning their jobs. 3. Leigh has a somewhat vague idea about how to implement  the cash rewards system. Describe some of the  specific ways you would make the reward system  work better, based on the case. 4. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using  financial incentives in a program of this nature. What, if any, potential problems might arise if people  are given money for achieving customer satisfaction  goals? What other types of incentives might  be considered? 5. Create a specific plan to assess whether the reward  system is working. What are the dependent variables  that should change if the system works? How will  you go about measuring success? How to cite Customer Service and Order Processors, Essay examples

Monday, April 27, 2020

Smart Drugs in College

The pressure to achieve success in college can be intense, so much so that as many as one-third of post-secondary students have tried smart drug use as a way to increase focus and improve achievement. Also known as study drugs, these performance-enhancing pharmaceuticals are medications that are prescribed for conditions such as ADHD but used illegally by others for their cognitive stimulating effects. It may seem innocuous enough – like drinking an extra cup of coffee – to use medication that is deemed safe for ADHD sufferers, but if you or someone you know is considering trying smart drugs to help with school work, there are important factors to consider first. For an individual to be prescribed a stimulant medication, they must be diagnosed with a condition that warrants its use as well as be assessed as healthy enough to withstand the side effects, which are numerous. Simply stated, the benefits must outweigh the risks. If untreated, ADHD is severe enough it can result in high-risk impulsive and inattentive behaviors, which render the side effects of stimulant medication worthwhile. If, however, you are taking this medication to get better grades, the potential side effects cannot be ignored. They include anxiety, increased blood pressure, headache, nausea, weight loss, insomnia, cardiac disruptions, bowel irregularities and impotence, and if used long term, can result in addiction, psychosis and heart problems. Under a doctor’s supervision, the effects of prescribed stimulant medication have been observed for several decades and found to have a reasonable amount of safety and efficacy. However, even with a doctor’s guidance, many individuals suffer side effects severe enough to necessitate cessation of use. College students without prescriptions are not receiving proper medical advice (such as relating to dosage and drug interactions) and instead get their meds from unregulated websites or campus dealers, many of whom are fellow students with prescriptions who set their own prices. Also worth noting is that the full effects of long-term stimulant use in the developing brain are not known. College students who are considering study drug use should be aware that their brains are not completely developed until they are in their mid-twenties, and as such, they may be at greater risk than adult consumers of this medication. Ironically, smart drugs can cause memory problems, which can prompt continued use and lead to dependency. This is because our brains need sleep in order to consolidate new information and stimulant medications interfere with proper sleep. This may seem like an advantage to a student who needs to stay up late to study but can cause information retrieval problems later, either while the student is at school or has joined the workforce in their credentialed occupation. Stimulant medication only works while you’re using it, which increases the likelihood of dependence. The off-label use of stimulant medication is second only to marijuana in campus illicit drug use. Many legitimately diagnosed ADHD sufferers receive unsolicited offers to purchase their medication illegally. The high prevalence of smart drug use makes it seem benign, and there even seems to be a media bias in its favor with 95 percent of articles written condoning the practice while only slightly more than half mention the considerable risk factors. However, there are drawbacks to taking any medication, and study drugs are no exception, requiring a careful assessment of the risks before their use is attempted. ​Are you noticing an uptake in smart drug uses on campus? What are your thoughts on the topic?

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Easy Baking Powder Substitution for Cooking

Easy Baking Powder Substitution for Cooking Are you doing any baking? If you find yourself having only baking soda and a recipe that calls for baking powder, or vice versa, do you know enough about cooking chemistry to make a substitution? All you need is a bit of cooking chemistry to save the day. Using Baking Powder When the Recipe Calls for Baking Soda You can substitute baking powder in place of baking soda, though you will need a bit more baking powder, because it contains additional ingredients. If the recipe calls for baking soda, use 2-4 times more baking powder. So, if the recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, use at least 1 teaspoon baking powder. Another suggestion is to replace an acidic liquid in the recipe with a non-acidic one. For example, if you are doing a substitution and the recipe calls for buttermilk, youll get better results if you change to regular milk. Using Baking Soda When the Recipe Calls for Baking Powder You cant directly substitute baking soda if you are out of baking powder. However, you can make your own baking powder, using two parts cream of tartar and one part baking soda. It can get a bit tricky to get the measurements right if you only need 1 teaspoon of baking powder, so what you might want to do is mix up a small batch of homemade baking powder and save the rest for later (stored in a sealed container to keep moisture away). Mix together 1 teaspoon baking soda with 2 teaspoons cream of tartar. Then measure the amount of baking powder that you need from that mixture. Another variation on this recipe is to mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon corn starch, and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar. This yields 1 teaspoon of baking powder, which also acts as a double-acting baking powder. Youll get the best results with this version if you use 1 teaspoon of the homemade baking powder for every 1 cup of flour in the recipe. If you use homemade baking powder, be sure to bake your recipe right away after mixing the ingredients. There are commercial baking powders that will allow you to let a recipe sit for a while before baking, but its generally a good plan to start heating the food immediately, since the reaction that causes baked goods to rise starts as soon as the wet ingredients are added. Notes About Baking Substitutions Substituting leavening agents such as baking powder and baking soda doesnt usually have a huge impact on flavor because these ingredients are present in fairly small amounts. However, you might notice a flavor or texture difference. It wont necessarily be bad. In fact, you might discover a new favorite recipe!

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Itch vs. Scratch

Itch vs. Scratch Itch vs. Scratch Itch vs. Scratch By Maeve Maddox Confusion as to whether to use scratch or itch is evident on the web. For example, the video of a cat scratching its own back has the label, â€Å"Cat itches his own back.† A pet care site features the question, â€Å"If a dog is uncontrollably itching an area to the point of bleeding, what can you do to stop it?† Some people are concerned enough about the difference between scratch and itch as to ask about it at answering sites: Can itch be used as a verb? My girlfriend and I have been going rounds about this. She says you can itch an itch, but I say you scratch an itch. Ive read its a transitive verb, whatever that is. Let’s start with â€Å"whatever a transitive verb is.† A transitive verb takes an object. That means the action of a verb has a receiver. In the sentence, The man sang a song, the action is â€Å"sang† and the receiver is â€Å"a song.† Many verbs can be transitive or intransitive, depending upon whether or not there is a receiver of the action. In the sentence, The man sang, the action is â€Å"sang,† but there is no receiver. The verb is intransitive. The verb itch can be used transitively or intransitively, but saying â€Å"I’m itching these bites on my arm† is not standard usage. So, if a person can’t â€Å"itch something,† when is itch transitive? Itch is transitive when something itches a person: The label in this tee shirt itches the back of my neck. As a noun, itch means the feeling on the skin that produces the urge to scratch. Used figuratively, itch means desire: She has an itch to travel. He has an itch for power. The verb scratch has more than one meaning, but the one that goes with itch is this one: scratch: transitive verb. to rub or scrape lightly with the finger-nails or claws to relieve itching. In standard English, itch can be used as a transitive verb, but not by the person who itches. So, scratch that itch, and cut out the T-shirt labels that itch your neck. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:What Does [sic] Mean?Time Words: Era, Epoch, and EonWhat the Heck are "Peeps"?

Saturday, February 15, 2020

What Happened to Coca Cola Companys challenges of Coca Cola Case Study

What Happened to Coca Cola Companys challenges of Coca Cola - Case Study Example Many challenges and company’s fiasco are caused by intolerant policy of the company directed on racial, gender or religious discrimination against its employees. On the example of Coca Cola failures on the basis of racial discrimination issues, it is clearly seen that careful and equitable attitude to all employees is a guarantee of the company’s success and a protection against company’s failures. What about diversity, Coke? A famous lawsuit in 1999, which accused the company of racial discrimination against black employees, even after a challenging resolution, resulted in further racial persecutions in the company (What Happened to Coca Cola? p. 264). It would be better for Coca Cola to prevent incidents of racial discrimination at work, because the major part of potential clients is ethnic minorities. Accoring to Joe Solmonese, President, Human Rights Campaign, â€Å"The Coca-Cola Company is a model employer for diversity and inclusion within its own work for ce and as a member of the larger business community. Its leadership on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in the workplace is not only reflected in its long-standing achievement of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index, but in its principled support of anti-discrimination legislation that would protect every worker in the United States from being judged on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity† (Creating an inclusive workplace). ... In reality, it was evident that Coca Cola appreciated ethnic minorities as their customers and not employees. The Task Force underlined that it was relevant to evaluate career opportunities for white employees with career opportunities for black employees. In spite of the fact that the company hired a third of employees from ethnic minorities, top positions of the company were taken by white employees. It would be relevant to promote to the higher rank positions black employees and in such a way, other employees would realize that they have a real chance to occupy a better position in the company. That is why the majority of plaintiffs did not miss their chance and joined other plaintiffs in the famous lawsuit of 1999. People felt like having a real opportunity to renovate just and tolerant policy at workplace. Unfortunately, their hard struggle did not lead to a complete success. The issues of diversity are still believed to be invented by managers in the company. There is no proof or evidence that there are many examples of career promotion among black employees in the Coca Cola Company. Consequently, the fact that black employees felt indignant and cooperated in the name of equitable attitude at work may be justified. In accordance with Parker, steps made by black employees (plaintiffs) could be explained with regards to Parker’s triangle â€Å"The Emotional Connection of Distinguishing Differences and conflict†. He explains that emotions of black employees were hurt and they had no other way out, but to join to other claimants and to fight against racial discrimination in the company. Conclusion Thus, we can claim that Coca Cola made fake attempts to reach diversity in the company. In the majority of cases managers were just saying some words describing

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Database security risks Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Database security risks - Term Paper Example Also, this research will outline the main problems with the database privacy and security. Data and information are precious assets for any organization or business. â€Å"Information refers to data that has been improved and structured by processing and purposeful intelligence† (Whitten, Bentley, & Dittman, 2000, p. 45). Here, data refers to a basic explanation of events, things, persons, processes, and transactions that are collected, categorized, and stored, however they are not structured to convert any definite meeting. Data items include figures, numeric, alphanumeric, sounds, or images. A database encompasses data and information that are organized for retrieval (Turban, Leidner, McLean, & Wetherbe, 2005, p. 51) and (Laudon & Laudon, 1999, p. 7). According to (Stair & Reynolds, 2003), a database consists of organized collection of data and information. A database can include data and information on, workers, clients, inventory, sales information, competitors, online dealings, and so on (Stair & Reynolds, 2003, p. 17). A database is a most valuable asset for any organization which is necessary to run the business. Therefore, security of this asset is very necessary. Security consists of the guidelines, activities, and actions used to stop unlawful access or modification, theft, and physical damage to database (Laudon & Laudon, 1999, p. 502). Privacy refers to right of organizations and individuals to forbid or incarcerate the compilation and utilization of information about them. In addition, few years ago, information privacy was straightforward to maintain because information was stored in different locations, for instance, each business had its own acknowledgment files, and each government agency maintained detached records, doctors kept their own patient files. However, presently, huge databases store this data online. A large amount of this data is private and secret and should be reachable only to permitted users (Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat,

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Culture Essay -- Sociology, Hofstede

Hofstede (1997) defined culture as the â€Å"collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from others† (p. 6). He referred to mental programming in order to explain patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting. Cultural manifestation is identified as symbols, heroes, rituals, and values as a learned programming that is dependent on a social environment. Values represented the deepest manifestations of culture and are considered culture’s building blocks (Hofstede, 1980). One well-known paradigm Hofstede introduced is called cultural dimensions that include four independent cultural dimensions: power distance, individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, and uncertainty avoidance. After further research, he developed the fifth dimension known as long-term/short-term orientation (Hofstede, 2001). The following section will discuss five of the dimensions to identify the cultural differences between the United States, India, and Thailand. Power Distance The power distance index â€Å"is the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions accept and expect that power is distributed unequally† (Itim International, 2009). It is a fundamental structure endorsed by the societies’ followers and leaders in areas such as social status, wealth, and sources of power. A high power distance society embraces people with power. Powerful people are expected to have privileges, openly show their status and wealth, and are perceived to be good. On the other hand, a low power distance society embraces uniformity and minimizes inequalities. Those who hold more power in these societies attempt to look less powerful than they are (Albers-Miller & Gelb, 1996). Hofstede’... ...tinuous, ANOVA is the most appropriate method of analysis. Research Question The research question proposed there would be differences in levels of organizational dissent between India, Thailand, and the U.S. The ANOVA revealed significant differences in levels of dissent between the three groups. The means and standard deviations are displayed in Table 2. Overall, Americans are the most likely to express articulated dissent, with Thais being the less least likely: F(4, 1446) = 5.10, ï  ¨2 = .01, p Discussion The results revealed significant differences between Americans, Indians and Thais regarding the expression of dissent.

Friday, January 17, 2020

Grendel Character Analysis

Grendel character analysis Terrorizing a town for 12 years Grendel kills countless men and woman in the epic of Beowulf. Banished to an underwater dwelling when descendants of Cain were banished and killed, many warriors faced him but few survived. Many have herd of Grendel and his tale of horror, but who is Grendel? Grendel is seen by other people in Beowulf as a monster and a fiend even before his name is mentioned the narrator refers to him as a â€Å"powerful monster, living down in the darkness† (line 1). But the most common thing that comes to mind when most people think of Grendel is fear, it’s what Herot did was fear him.The final opinion I gathered was one of respect, for Beowulf fights Grendel with no weapon or clothes because Grendel doesn’t either showing respect when they do battle. In Beowulf and Grendel, Beowulf shows how he respects him when he does not kill his son after defeating his mother in the cave also in the last scene he creates a memoria l for him in rocks on the beach before going back to his home. In the thirteenth warrior the only feeling I feel they have is fear towards the wendels. The battle between Grendel and Beowulf is one of the last actions he does before he runs home to his cave with no arm to die there.While it is so similar to the first night he came to town â€Å"then when darkness had dropped Grendel went up to Herot. † (Lines 30-32), and also so similar to the hundreds of times he did this before in Herot. Grendel also took and smashed and carried 30 men to his lair beneath the lake he lives â€Å"snatched up thirty men, smashes them unknowingly in their beds and ran out with their bodies† (lines 46-47) showing he has little remorse for life, he is very angry with the people and how strong he is carrying so many people at once.At Grendel’s main traits though he is described as the decedent of Cain on lines 19 to 21, other traits such as human weapons cannot hurt him, and how int elligent he must be to know to go at night and to be quiet while they sleep to not wake them and to not yet get defeated before Beowulf. Also you can sense that he is angered only by jealousy because he cannot participate in the fun being had in the hall by where he lives, and the first time he went to Herot it was not to kill but only to see what the warriors did â€Å"wondering what the warriors would do in the hall when their drinking was one† (lines 33-35) it only turned into a massacre then he had the taste he couldn’t quench, â€Å"no crime would ever be enough, no savage assault would ever quench his lust for evil† (lines 51-53). In Grendel and Beowulf one of his main traits is that he is only mean to those who do wrong to him or his family, also it shows his massive strength when he snaps the warriors neck in the fight scene in the battle in thee mead hall.Grendel stays alive for so long I feel due to his intelligence, showing it by only coming out in th e night in both the book and both movies, also in Beowulf and Grendel, he hides when he hears Beowulf moving in the hall the first time he comes, also later in the movie he talks. In the thirteenth warrior thee wedels are smart enough to use the torches to scare the people and ride horses, and one of the biggest is that they use the bear pelts to make them look more scary and collect bodies after battle to not show there secret. In Beowulf and Grendel the movie he uses his intelligence to only target the one who smashed his father’s skull.The book shows him as having a developed intelligence when he only comes at night time and he always leaves before morning comes to get back to his cave. Above, we explore deep into the character Grendel an epic villain in the story of Beowulf, where he terrorizes Herot for 12 years with his mighty power and intelligence and jealousy, Until Beowulf comes and finally slays him for Herot. I feel that Grendel is a relatable character, showing h ow he is so consumed by jealousy and his actions are so immature and it seems like he does not know better I kind of felt sorry for him through the story.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Biography of Prince Albert, Husband of Queen Victoria

Prince Albert (August 26, 1819—December 13, 1861) was a German prince who married Britains Queen Victoria and helped spark an era of technological innovation as well as personal style. Albert initially was seen by the British as an interloper in British society, but his intelligence, interest in inventions, and capability in diplomatic affairs made him a respected figure. Albert, who eventually held the title prince consort, died in 1861 at age 42, leaving Victoria a widow whose trademark attire became the black of mourning. Fast Facts: Prince Albert Known For: Husband of Queen Victoria, statesmanAlso Known As: Francis Albert Augustus Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Saxe-Coburg-GothaBorn: August 26, 1819 in Rosenau, GermanyParents: Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgDied: December 13, 1861 in Windsor,  Berkshire, EnglandEducation: University of BonnSpouse: Queen VictoriaChildren: Victoria Adelaide Mary, Albert Edward, Alice Maud Mary, Alfred Ernest Albert, Helena Augusta Victoria, Louise Caroline Alberta, Arthur William Patrick, Leopold George Duncan, Beatrice Mary VictoriaNotable Quote: I am only the husband, and not the master in the house. Early Life Albert was born on Aug. 26, 1819, in Rosenau, Germany. He was the second son of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Luise Pauline Charlotte Friederike Auguste, Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, and was greatly influenced by his uncle Leopold, who became king of Belgium in 1831. As a teenager, Albert traveled to Britain and met Princess Victoria, who was his first cousin and nearly his age. They were friendly but Victoria was not impressed with the young Albert, who was shy and awkward. He attended the University of Bonn in Germany. The British were interested in finding a suitable husband for the young princess who was to ascend to the throne. British political tradition decreed that a monarch could not marry a commoner, and the British pool of appropriate candidates was small, so Victorias future husband would have to come from European royalty. A flirtation with Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich, heir to the Russian throne, was heartfelt and mutual, but marriage was deemed strategically, politically, and geographically impossible, so matchmakers looked elsewhere. Alberts relatives on the continent, including King Leopold of Belgium, essentially steered the young man toward becoming Victorias husband. In 1839, two years after Victoria became queen, Albert returned to England. She proposed marriage and he accepted. Marriage Queen Victoria married Albert on February 10, 1840, at St. James Palace in London. At first, the British public and the aristocracy thought little of Albert. While he was born of European royalty, his family was not wealthy or powerful. He was often portrayed as someone marrying for prestige or money. Albert was quite intelligent, however, and was devoted to helping his wife serve as monarch. Over time he became an indispensable aide to the queen, advising her on political and diplomatic affairs. Victoria and Albert had nine children, and by all accounts, their marriage was very happy. They loved being together, sometimes sketching or listening to music. The royal family was portrayed as the ideal family, and setting an example for the British public was considered a major part of their role. Albert also contributed to a tradition familiar to Americans. His German family brought trees into the house at Christmas, and he introduced that tradition to Britain. The Christmas tree at Windsor Castle created a fashion in Britain that was carried across the ocean. Career In their early years of marriage, Albert was frustrated that Victoria didnt assign him tasks that he felt were up to his abilities. He wrote to a friend that he was only the husband, not the master in the house. Albert busied himself with his interests in music and hunting, but he eventually became involved in serious matters of statesmanship. In 1848, when much of Europe was shaken by the revolutionary movement, Albert cautioned that the rights of working people had to be seriously considered. He was a progressive voice at a crucial time. Thanks to Alberts interest in technology, he was the main force behind the Great Exhibition of 1851, a grand show of science and inventions held at a stunning new edifice in London, the Crystal Palace. The exhibition, intended to showcase how society was being changed for the better by science and technology, was a great success. Throughout the 1850s, Albert was often deeply involved in the affairs of state. He was known for clashing with Lord Palmerston, a highly influential British politician who served as foreign minister and also prime minister. In the mid-1850s, when Albert cautioned against the Crimean War against Russia, some in Britain accused him of being pro-Russian. While Albert was influential, for the first 15 years of his marriage he did not receive a royal title from Parliament. Victoria was disturbed that her husbands rank was not clearly defined. In 1857, the official title of prince consort was finally bestowed upon Albert by Queen Victoria. Death In late 1861, Albert was stricken with typhoid fever, a serious disease but not usually a fatal one. His habit of working long hours may have weakened him, and he suffered greatly from the disease. Hopes for his recovery dimmed, and he died on Dec. 13, 1861. His death came as a shock to the British public, especially as he was only 42 years old. On his deathbed, Albert was involved in helping to lower tensions with the United States over an incident at sea. An American naval vessel had stopped a British ship, the Trent, and seized two emissaries from the Confederate government during the early stages of the American Civil War. Some in Britain took the American naval action as a grave insult and wanted to go to war with the U.S. Albert viewed the United States as a nation friendly to Britain and helped steer the British government from what surely would have been a pointless war. The death of her husband devastated Queen Victoria. Her grief seemed excessive even to people of her own time. Victoria lived as a widow for 40 years  and was always seen wearing black, which helped create her image as a sullen, remote figure. Indeed, the term Victorian often implies a seriousness that is in part due to Victorias image as someone in deep grief. Legacy There is no question that Victoria deeply loved Albert. After his death, he was honored by being entombed in an elaborate mausoleum at Frogmore House, not far from Windsor Castle. After her death, Victoria was entombed beside him. After his death, he became better known for his statesmanship and his service to Queen Victoria. The Royal Albert Hall in London was named in honor of Prince Albert, and his name is also affixed to Londons Victoria and Albert Museum. A bridge crossing the Thames, which Albert suggested building in 1860, is also named in his honor. Sources Albert, Prince Consort: British Prince. Encyclopedia Brittanica.Prince Albert Biography. Biography.comLove Before Prince Albert: Queen Victorias Suitors. History Extra.