Communication Skills Essay

Communication Skills Essay Communication Skills Essay Analyze Communication John Spear BUS 600: Management Communication with Technology Tools Dr. Erick Aguilar December 02, 2014 Analyze Communication Communication skills is the transmitting, receiving, and processing of information. The better the communication skill the more likely the message will be interpreted better. To analyze my current communication skills I took the Queendom Communication skill test and scored 62%. My results indicate that I am fairly adept at interpreting other people’s words and actions and seeing things from their perspective - although the rare misunderstanding may occur. Overall however, I seem to realize that empathy is an essential part of good interpersonal skills and therefore, will do my best to place myself in other people’s shoes in order to better understand them. For the most part, I can sense what others are thinking and will likely adjust my behavior accordingly if a person I am conversing with seems confused or perhaps uncomfortable. There may be the occasional time when I pay more attention to the message I am sending rather than how it’s received. With some time an d experience, you’ll likely be able to improve your insight even more.(Queendom) The quiz will give me great insight on how to improve my communication skills. The quiz indicated that my weakest area was my assertiveness. The way to improve this would be to have more self confidence in the message or information I am delivering. The part of the quiz I scored the highest in was insightfulness. This part shows that I am self confident when communicating my opinion about information or a situation. Communication gaps often happen when the message that is being delivered is not being received and understood by the receiver. One of the communication gaps I often experience come from a person not being able to see a situation as I see it. Personal differences can cause a breakdown in communication amongst people. In my personal job experiences, I have seen communication gaps because of the diversity of the workplace including ethnicity, gender, age, etc. Because I realize the communication gap I’m experiencing, I find myself often trying to listen more attentively before responding in conversations so that I am able to make sure I have a good understanding. I’ve noticed that this opens my mind to new ideas, opinions and insights of others, therefore bridging the gap in my communication skills and interpersonal relationships. I believe that I would benefit greatly from additional training in communicating empathy and sensitivity as well as working on my non-verbal communication. In my current position as an accounts receivable representative, I often have to express understanding to our

10 Job Resources for Students You Shouldnt Miss

10 Job Resources for Students You Shouldnt Miss Looking for work as a college student can feel like a job in and of itself. Luckily, there are a number of new resources you can use to track down the job you need to get through school or even the job that can serve as a springboard for your career. Here well take a closer look at the ten best resources for job hunting while youre still in school or as you make the transition from student to full time employee. CollegeRecruiter The College Recruiter website offers more than just a place to check out new jobs in emerging career fields. They also offer help with continuing education credits and ways for employers to find recent graduates who can breathe new life into a field or simply bring a fresh perspective to a company. If youre still not sure your major will be your lifes work, College Recruiter can help with career aptitude tests and details on the best places to work. Once you find the job you want, College Recruiter helps with building your resume and tips for those more difficult interview questions as well. College Magazine – Find an Internship Internships have come under some heavy fire and criticism lately but the fact remains – if you want to get your foot in the door, an internship is your best bet. This is especially true for markets that are especially competitive, including the creative arts and multimedia focused careers. College Magazines resource offers up a streaming view of internships with clients like O Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Reboot and the CIA. Campus Riot The team at Surviving College knows that making it through your university years is more than just being able to get good grades and (hopefully) land your dream job. Surviving College offers help and advice on everything from whether or not store loyalty cards are worth the trouble for students to tips on the best ways to find and connect with ideal companies and internships to how to start a small business before youve even graduated. Career Thoughts Career Thoughts caters to both students and those already in the working world. Their approach is simple – if youre not in a job you love, youre not in the right job. Their helpful advice centers mostly around resume building and interview skills. They also offer advice on the best ways to search for companies that are hiring or on how to spot opportunities even the company itself hasnt considered. Finding a need and proposing a solution can help you stand out from other candidates and could even allow you to create your own position within a company. Job Stock Jon Stock is the go to place for freelancers of nearly every variety. Their feed of avaialble freelance positions is regularly updated and features a wide variety of available freelance projects in areas like programming, database management, content writing, blogging, graphic design and data entry. Unlike many other freelance job websites, you can search by company rating, rate of pay and location. Intern Queen If youve never seriously considered an internship or dont know if its the right thing for you, Intern Queen can help you make some sense of it all. The Intern Queen offers more than just an updated listing of some of the most interesting internships around – she also offers real world advice on how to find, land and survive your first internship without losing your mind. Her friendly, easy to follow and easy to relate to blog can help new interns adjust to the rigors of an all work, no pay lifestyle while offering keen insights that even seasoned interns will appreciate. Career Shifters Much like your major, your chosen career field can change as you grow and develop your own set of priorities, passions and talents. Career Shifters knows that the path to complete job satisfaction isnt always straightforward and they offer help on finding a different job, a new career or a whole new path from education to the ultimate dream job. They offer advice from people who have switched gears at various points in their life and offer helpful tips, job leads and food for thought. Lindsey Pollak Lindsey Pollak is the author of Getting from College to Career: Your Essential Guide to Succeeding in the Real World and is also a LinkedIn Ambassador and keynote speaker. Basically, she knows a thing or three about using your college years as a stepping stone to your dream job. Her blog – and the entire website – can help students, recent graduates and young professionals find the resources, tips and tricks they need to succeed. Resume Companion Resumes have changed over the past few years. There was a time when simply spelling out your achievements and highlighting your education was enough to put yourself at the head of the pack but these days youll need to go that extra mile to get noticed. While there are plenty of websites, self-help books and blogs with tips on creating an eye-catching resume, Resume Companion offers a sense of humor alongside new and creative ways to stand out from the pack. With resumes for iconic characters like Batman to tongue in cheek satire, their website provides the ideal place to blow off some steam and get a few new ideas for your resume. CareerCast In terms of a one-stop job website, CareerCast offers a wealth of information, leads and help with landing a full time career, part time job or freelance work. So how do they stand out from the sea of job websites? They offer specific searches for niche fields, including Construction Disability Diversity Energy Green HealthCare Nursing Trucking Veteran With a combination of old school advice, an easily searchable database of jobs and help in targeting specific and niche industries, CareerCast stands out from the rest and will help you to do the same.

Bx3082 part2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6750 words

Bx3082 part2 - Essay Example The main barriers to entry are represented by the legislative requirements as per the Appellation dorigine contrà ´là ©e and the relevant business requirements. These issues will be addressed according to the requirements, and in conjunction with the Invest in France Agency, which will add valuable insight and assistance to establishing within the Burgundy region. The selected geographical location of operations stand to benefit in terms of reduced distribution costs by virtue of the existing location and infrastructure, whilst the staggered approach to location and facility development alleviates mass capital cash flow and enables the suitable implementation over the defined period. The selection of the Premier and Grand Cru farms, together with a professional winemaker and team, allow the company to produce a differentiated high quality Pinot Noir wine that can be marketed to the discerning individual and upper class establishments, ensuring the brand positioning within the competitive wine

Pricing Strategy River Side Cafe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pricing Strategy River Side Cafe - Essay Example This gives River Side Cafe a distinct competitive advantage over its competitors as its unique Mexican style attracts and retains coffee and tea lovers at its premises. Therefore, the premium pricing strategy is the best strategy for River Side Cafe to adopt because it is also a new entrant into the market with the hope of maximizing its revenues especially in the first stages of the cafe’s product life cycle (Smith, 2011). River Side Cafe is a new player in the tea and coffee industry. As such, it has to curve out a name for itself in the beverages service industry in order to attract and retain loyal customers. However, it faces stiff competition from established industry players who already have reputable brand names and command a large share of the market. These include the likes of Tchibo, Nestle, Wal-Mart and Starbucks. These companies have a wide capital outlay to expand and promote their business thereby remaining relevant in the market over a long period. Therefore, River Side Cafe has to establish its own competitive advantages in order to enter this strongly guarded beverages market. Owing to its unique features in brewing and serving coffee and tea, the cafe also incorporates a pricing strategy in order to penetrate the market further (Jensen, 2013). Premium pricing is the best pricing strategy for the cafe to use in entering the beverages business under such competitive markets. This strat egy gives the cafe class, style and prestige as well as promoting its clients’ base through word of mouth references. Being a new kid in the block and charging high prices for their products and services attracts high-end consumers as well as establish a reputable

To Kill a Mockingbird Racial Differences Essay Essay Example for Free

To Kill a Mockingbird Racial Differences Essay Essay In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the main themes of racism and social inequality are caused by cultural differences. The book demonstrates the struggles associated with the cultural differences in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1940s. The cultural differences are based on the social classes and hierarchy in Maycomb. At the top of the hierarchy are the relatively well-off Finches, with regular townspeople below them. Then there are farmers like the Cunninghams, and then the poor white people like Ewells and finally the blacks. Examples of cultural differences, which cause problems for the inhabitants of Maycomb, come from almost every character. Cultural differences today are profoundly different from those 70 years ago. Racism is not as prevalent and social inequality is almost nonexistent. The first instance of social inequality comes on Scout’s first day of school. When Walter Cunningham denies Miss Caroline when she offers him a quarter for lunch, Scout must explain that Cunninghams never take what they can’t pay back. Also a very dirty Burris Ewell curses at Miss Caroline. This reflects the social hierarchy of Maycomb by showing how the Cunninghams and the Ewells poorest white people in the county. Another example of social inequality is Dolphus Raymond’s problems. The inhabitants of Maycomb see Dolphus as an outcast because he married a black woman. Marrying someone of a different race was extremely uncommon at the time. The biggest example of racism and social inequality was Tom Robinson’s trial. Bob Ewell blames Tom Robinson for the â€Å"rape† of his daughter because it would be the most believable story if a black man did it. In the courthouse there is a separate balcony for black people. Tom Robinson was also convicted guilty even after Atticus gives the jury uncontestable evidence proving otherwise. This is the nadir of racism in the county and shows how the county feels towards blacks. Cultural difference not only cause conflict between blacks and whites but also between white people themselves. Atticus and the rest of Maycomb County are at odds because he defends Tom Robinson while everybody else feels that Tom is guilty. This causes many problems for him and his family too.

Interior Design Considerations for Retirement Homes :: Place Descriptive Essays

Interior Design Considerations for Retirement Homes At the Waterford, you'll find the freedom to create the lifestyle you've always wanted. Each morning you'll awake to a colorful palette of possibilities from which to paint your day. Enjoy the quiet, muted tones of solitude in your spacious apartment, knowing friends and an attentive staff are close by. You'll always have a wealth of things to do right at your fingertips keeping you as active as you want to be. The Waterford proudly presents a staff of experienced, detail-oriented professionals at your service. From our executive director to our culinary chef, to our housekeepers and wait staff, you'll find warm and friendly people truly concerned about you. The Waterford offers you flexibility and options so you can paint your days with the colors of life (A Place for Mom, 2002). With an environment that seems so appealing, why is there such a negative stigma placed on retirement homes/communities or nursing homes? The idea of spending our retirement in a nursing home is perceived by our society as the most undesirable of options. Three out of one hundred Americans over the age of 65 suffer from depression (National Institute of Mental Health, 2000). A study done at the University of Rhode Island reported that 11% of the residents in the nursing homes examined were suffering from depression (Brown, Lapane, & Luisi, 2002). Another study done at Columbia University reported that 44.2% of the nursing home residents tested showed some symptom of depression with 14.4% of the residents experiencing serious depression (Teresi, Abrams, Holmes, Ramirez, & Eimicke, 2001). Why is the depression rate among the elderly almost four times greater among those living in nursing homes? It could be the work of chance in that many of the residents in nursing homes already have a mental health problem that has made them unable to provide for themselves. Having prior difficulties could make these residents more susceptible to the normal adjustment problems that come along with relocating to a new living environment. Or perhaps it is because the environments nursing homes create are not specifically geared towards the needs of the elderly. With about 5% of people over 65 living in nursing homes this is a serious problem, whether the resident is healthy or not, that should be demanding more attention (Hoyer, Rybash, & Roodin, 1999). There are many factors that could contribute to depression among the aging including illness, loss of close family members, or financial problems.

Aligning Elementary School to Middle School Curriculum Essay

There has been an upsurge in curriculum alignment actions among educational institutions in an attempt to reinforce the efficiency and effectiveness of instructions and assessment programs (Marsh & Willis, 2003). The need to eliminate the differences in both learning and teaching has compelled leaders in educational settings to examine the concepts and skills taught in educational institutions (Marsh & Willis, 2003). Also, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program of 2002 justifies the significance of curriculum alignment activities (Clarke, Kayona, Ruebling & Stow, 2006). In curriculum development, there are three essential areas that need great considerations. One, the curriculum document needs to â€Å"give direction, focus, and accountability in the learning environment. (Clarke, Kayona, Ruebling & Stow, 2006). Two, the curriculum document should be revised on a regular basis by at least two educational leaders and three; student outcomes that recognize what the learners acquire prior to graduation should align with the standards set by the state. According to Clarke, Kayona, Ruebling & Stow, (2006) many educational institutions have not yet integrated successfully the essentials standards within their curriculum nor maintained a written document to guide instruction. Again, the important role of leaders in educational setting to develop and implement curriculum is evident with the alignment of taught, written and tested curriculum. Clarke, Kayona, Ruebling & Stow, 2006) also affirms that the lack of curriculum alignment can result to lower achievement where educators teach contents that is not part of the curriculum document and nor is it part of assessment material. This dissertation will analyze the curriculum articulation and alignment between elementary school and middle school social studies, specifically, fourth and seventh grade. Inclusive of this dissertation will be a plan to improve curriculum articulation and alignment between elementary school and middle school social studies as well as improve the academic progression of student and the consistency of the curriculum. Summary of Original Analysis The curriculum for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction is a standards-based design that lays emphasis on the student’s ability. The curriculum is divided by subject, grade level and standard. It explains the core contents for each subject with proficiency descriptors. The curriculum document is relevant to the mission of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction as well as the objectives for the subjects. The Social Studies curriculum document for North Dakota Department of Public Instruction has five major themes for both elementary school and middle school as well as benchmark expectations in each category. The main ideas and academic expectations are the same for both schools. The design of subject matter for adjoining educational stages includes concepts, skills, understandings, and the core content useful in assessment. The curriculum documents of North Dakota Department of Public Instruction for the elementary and middle school comprise vertical alignment between the adjoining educational levels. The concepts, skills and understandings become more complicated amid the two educational levels. Therefore, learners should understand the concepts and skills of the elementary school before learning the concepts and skills of middle school. The concentration of the elementary school is narrower than that of middle school. The curriculum documents of both elementary and middle school do not exhibit horizontal alignment. Improvement of curriculum alignment, student progression and curriculum consistency Curriculum alignment is necessary to guarantee harmony between the curriculum’s intentions and the instruction of the curriculum by testing what is taught. In effect, there is little or no space left for differences in curriculum implementation. The educational leaders thereafter, assess educators by the degree in which the learners meet the set standards through standardized examination (Marsh & Willis, 2003). The vertical alignment links subjects that express a relationship and a particular order and then match the curriculum to the particular order. In this, students will gain vital knowledge prior to the next subject. The alignment aids in material reinforcement and offers teachers knowledge in relation to students’ ability. In addition, Melvin (2007 notes that vertical alignment enhances learning for students as well as communication between teachers at various educational levels. Horizontal alignment transversely brings together curriculum objectives between subjects. Horizontal alignment benefits learners in that learning transmits to new situation where students realize the significance of the knowledge gained (Wraga, 1999). The social studies curriculum within the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction between elementary and middle school, puts emphasis on standards and outlines objectives needed by students to learn. So as to improve curriculum alignment, it is necessary for curriculum at adjoining educational levels to lay emphasis on these objectives at every appropriate occurrence but not only within a particular grade. Glatthorns (1999) suggests it is important that the curriculum contain objectives for constant development, which can center on learning as well as testing when probable. Again, the curriculum should include enhancement units for all learners. Educators can then assess the standards and align the taught, written and tested curriculum. By gathering the acknowledged state standards and applying resourcefulness, tutors can develop unit which, will be interesting to the students. Teachers’ flexibility can also be put in play where the curriculum can be adjusted to meet the requirements and capability of the learners. In this strategy, educators align the written curriculum with the tested curriculum and the taught curriculum with the written one. As they implement the curriculum, In addition, teachers can include objectives for ongoing development and enhancement units. This process will allow learners to achieve high grades on tests while the ongoing students will have units of study that are comprehensive and thus will get their interest (Glatthorn, 1999). The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction maintains a standards-based curriculum that contains list of fundamental details and abilities at the lower end of Bloom’s Taxonomy, with no intention for connecting the fundamental details into more important outcomes of learning. Marsh and Willis (2003) contends that the progression that has been mandated by state would then be trussed by practical and fundamental knowledge with minimal consideration of lasting learning competency that is necessary to life as well as other areas of learning. A curriculum that lays out the necessity to address all students and concentrates on cognition development at a higher-level whilst keeping the standards-based curriculum is the most suitable to put into practice for the two adjoining educational stages (Wraga, 1999). A combined curriculum that is integrated, inclusive and student centered with holistic and multicultural aspects will enhance curriculum alignment both horizontally and vertically. In addition, this kind of curriculum will enhance learners’ academic progression and assist in curriculum consistency. Wraga (1999) admits that the standards-based curriculum must contain curriculum alignment of a larger curriculum that ensures lifelong learning. A curriculum that contains intrapersonal improvement encourages the learners to discuss learning and associate in relation to the learners’ life. Teaching and nurturing social skills through the curriculum allows cooperation of learners with other individuals, builds conflict resolution skills, and assists in team building. The curriculum within the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction shall integrate multicultural aspect so as to align the curriculum with the today’s society. Learners will get to value diverse culture and as a result develop communication among cultures. An all grade inclusive curriculum which is also adaptive is valuable to all learners; it will offer equal learning opportunities to students with disabilities as well as allow all students to embrace diversity among individuals. A student-centered curriculum focuses on the learners but not the curriculum materials, content to be covered or written goals. When there is implementation of a standards-based curriculum in association with a combined curriculum and high-stakes testing, students are assured of quality education. Layton & Lock (2007) asserts that student assessments are vital and in an effort to assist in academic progression of student educators should build tests that assess student learning correctly and adjust tests for the at-risk learners. Educators can unearth better ways of evaluating test results so as to identify learning needs of students and revise instruction. In addition this plan integrates authentic assessment. Authentic assessment demands the relevance and integration of skills vital to solve complicated problems and allows enhanced substantiation of the students’ ability to prosper in all situations. Learners have a chance to explain themselves allowing teachers to better understand the learning process and get instant feedback for learners. Furthermore, the application of authentic assessment sets up teacher collaboration and collegiality as well as expands the reflection and inquiry by the teacher. Conclusion Curriculum alignment involves matching a curriculum’s content to the use of tests so as to assess the learning of student (Marsh & Willis, 2003). Curriculum alignment calls for educational institutions to ensure consistence in the objectives, guides, textbooks, and tests that make up the curriculum (Marsh & Willis, 2003). Leaders in educational settings determine academic achievement through standard testing as a means to find out what happens in schools. Institutions of education emphasize effectiveness through increasing academic achievement where they term decline in academic achievement as a problem in the quality of the curriculum. Thus, aligning the intended curriculum with the taught curriculum seems to resolve this problem (Marsh & Willis, 2003). By integrating the previous aspects into the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction curriculum, a more significant learning experience can be achieved by both educators and students. Lastly, curriculum alignment will be seen, student academic progression as well as curriculum consistency will improve (Marsh & Willis, 2003). References Alexson, R. G. & Kemnitz, C. P. (2004): Curriculum articulation and transitioning student success: Where are we going wrong and what lessons have we learned? Educational Research Quarterly, Retrieved from ProQuest Education Journals database. Accessed on September 26, 2007 Biessman, J. B. (2006): An examination of curriculum articulation in Wisconsin high school and post-secondary introductory biology courses. Retrieved from ProQuest Digital Dissertations database. Accessed on September 25, 2007. Carnoy, M. (2005): Have state accountability and high-stakes test influenced student progression rates in high school? Educational Measurement, Issues and Practice, 24. Retrieved from ProQuest database. Accessed on September 26, 2007. Clarke, N. A. , Kayona, F. , Stow, S. , Ruebling (2006): Developing standards-based curricula and assessments: Lessons learned from the field. Retrieved from EBSCO host database. Accessed on September 26, 2007, Cumming, J. J. & Maxwell, G. S. (1999): Contextualizing authentic assessment. Assessment in Education, 6. Retrieved from ProQuest database. Accessed on September 26, 2007 Hodgkinson, H. (2000). Educational demographics: What teachers should know. Educational Leadership. John, B. (2003): Curriculum audits: achieving alignment for student success. Education Today. Retrieved from CBCA Complete database. Accessed on September 26, 2007. Odden, A. (2000): The costs of sustaining educational change through comprehensive school reform. Ornstein, A. C. & Levine, D. U. (1990): School effectiveness and reform: Guidelines for action. Porter, A. C. (2005): Getting the Content of Instruction Right. Retrieved from CBCA Complete database. Accessed on September 25, 2007 Layton, C. A. & Lock, R. H. (2007): Use authentic assessment techniques to fulfill the promise of no child left behind. Intervention in School and Clinic. Retrieved from ProQuest database. Accessed on September 25, 2007 Marsh, C. J. , & Willis, G. (2003): Curriculum: Alternative approaches, ongoing issues, 3rd edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Wraga, W. G. (1999). The educational and political implications of curriculum alignment and standards-based reform. Journal of Curriculum and Supervision. Retrieved from ProQuest database. Accessed on September 25, 2007 Young, M. L. (2004): High-stakes assessment and school accountability: A multicase study describing and comparing the best practices of five K–6 elementary schools that have demonstrated significant increases in student achievement as measured by the norm-referenced SAT-9 assessment and the Academic Performance Index of California. Retrieved from ProQuest Digital Dissertations database. Accessed on September 25, 2007