Unions and Compensation in Major League Baseball

Unions and Compensation in Major League Baseball Baseball as a game in the U.S. traces its origins back to the year 1978, when the game had no formal rules and special equipments. Although the game at this time was â€Å"crude† due to lack of rules, proper organization and representation, this never prevented its spreading because of its popularity that was spreading fast among the American citizens. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Unions and Compensation in Major League Baseball specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More By late 1860’s there was calls for need to professionalize the game; something that contributed to its development into a national game. Due to many complications that were arising due to the uncontrolled rate at which the game was expanding, there was need for formation of a national body that was to govern the game; hence the formation of the National Association of Baseball players (NABBP). Although not all clubs joined the organization, at least those that joined it made it to grow as a national organization that managed baseball activities. With time due to diversification of the game, there has been many major transformations and re-organization of the game, hence its present status as a well-known and respected game. For example, although previously individuals had tried to professionalize the game, there efforts achieved less due to many divisions and wrangles that existed. In many ways, this managerial wrangles and divisions were the main contributors or major building blocks of the currently existing baseball developments. For example, the managerial wrangles led to the formation of the USA Baseball in 1978; an organization mandated with the role of governing the game in the U.S. this organization closely collaborates with the U.S. Olympic committee in trying to improve the quality of the game. It achieves this through promoting of several activities that include major tournaments, minor and major leagues. Majority of participants in these activities are either high school students or individual who have embraced the game as their professional activity. This organization has led to the success of the game, because it has enabled the team to win a number of medals both in national and international tournaments (History of Baseball, (n.d.), p.1). This paper will discuss concepts of the unionization of professional baseball, impacts of the unionization of the game to players, managers and the game in general. It will further discuss the roles played by the baseball unions as concerns player remuneration and compensation; primarily on factors that determine player compensations.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More History of Professional Baseball Unions Prior to 1871, baseball had no organized professional management bodies, but rather the game followed informal procedures an d rules. In addition, because of the informal organization of the game, there were no special playing equipments and standards, which players and teams were to meet. Although this was the case, it never lasted for long with the formation of the National Association of professional Baseball players in 1871. The government mandated this organization with the overall role of controlling the game, organizing tournaments, and dealing with problems that arose in during the game or among different participants and stakeholders. Although this was a professional body, which in common scenarios is supposed to be well organized and structured, NABBP lacked the required structural organization, something that made it hard for it to control player’s affairs (Baseball Labor History, 1997, Para. 1-2) . This is because many players had no single clubs they could identify themselves with, because they kept on moving from one to another in for search â€Å"greener pastures†. This nev er lasted for long, because later on in 1876 under the leadership of Hulbert, the National League of Professional Baseball Players came to existence. The primary aim of this organization was to control the unrestrained movements of players across different teams with no formal procedures. In addition, William’s another aim was to ensure that, club managers had major control over these teams and not as the case was previously where players had all the freedom of doing whatever they wished. Many changes came as a result of the formation of this organization, an example being the selection of five best players to join major clubs that managements decided at the termination of each playing period. The managements named this the â€Å"reserve Clause†, something that contributed to the introduction of contractual terms. Contractual terms in many ways came with many limitations on players in that, there freedom was now limited because of denial of transfer rights. In additio n, previously players could negotiate their payment terms, however with the introduction of this clause, such rights were limited to players, instead the team owner had the rights of deciding the remuneration and benefit amounts. On the other hand, these introduced a new concept of contract renewing, whereby clubs could â€Å"sell’ their players to other clubs in exchange for money although players were unwilling to join such clubs. The whole idea of baseball players’ remuneration underwent many changes as time advanced because the quality of the game was deteriorating; a factor that resulted due to low motivational levels in players because, clubs denied then chances of joining clubs of their choices. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Unions and Compensation in Major League Baseball specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition, the introduction of the salary cap by one baseball club proprietor; Goodwi ll Spalding led to increased wrangles in baseball management. This is because each club player was to receive approximately $2500 annually, an amount that was far below what was appropriate. Many individuals received this with mixed reactions, hence causing the formation of another baseball union called Brotherhood Professional Baseball Players. This organization came into being because majority of individual felt that club owners were overexploiting players hence, misusing their talent. This received a revolt from club owners, because they too felt isolated and despised by simple players whom they could control. This prompted them to react back by imposing some uniform fees on players (Baseball Labor History, 1997, Para. 4). Although this league helped to fight for players’ rights, it never lasted for long because of the opposition that it faced from club owners; primarily Spalding, hence the re-adoption of the previous reserve clause. Many players opposed this clause becau se it constrained their rights, something that led to the filing of a court case in early 1920’s, which the baseball won. This marked the onset of the many cases that followed due to wrangles between baseball players and club owners; a factor that primarily contributed to the call for reformulation of the baseball antitrust law. This calls yielded little because, the overexploitation continued for some time, hence making players to consider the option of forming a giant baseball organization to defend their rights. In addition, the fact that players had problems with club owners as concerns pension plans also contributed greatly to the call for the formation of a grand organization that was to foresee the articulation of players’ rights. Although most baseball leader’s efforts gained little, the fight to unionize baseball never stopped because as time advanced many other individuals and players came up with initiatives whose main mandate was to fight for baseba ll players rights. For example, in early 1990’s through collaboration with other baseball stakeholders, baseball players formed the Player’s Protective Association (PPA). This organization’s main mandate was to fight for players’ remuneration rights and enhancement of playing conditions. Later on in 1912, through collaboration with other bodies that fought for other sport players’ rights, baseball players came up with the Fraternity of Professional Baseball Players; an organization that also was to fight for their rights. Little success of these organizations never stopped players from struggling for representation, because in 1946 they formed another body that was to articulate their rights called the American Baseball Guild (Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), 2010, p.1).Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Still up to mid the 19th century these formed organizations had achieved little as concerned the abolishing or restructuring of the reserve clause. It is important to note here that, the major reason why the players wanted to eliminate or change the reserve clause is because, it had tied players to specific clubs hence, denying them transfer rights to clubs they longed to move to. The little achievement by previously formed baseball unions was not a demoralizing factor to players. This is because although the fruits from such organizations were less, in 1965 players re-organized themselves in order to develop proper strategies of putting forward their grief. Their struggle for recognition made then to seek help from external sources; hence the appointing of Marvin Miller as their leader. This marked the onset of a major transformation in terms of baseball unions because the appointment later turned out to be success factor because of his representational skills. Players appointed h im because they believed that Marvin had the power of influencing the government and negotiating with club owners on players’ rights. The concept of miller leading the players association received many oppositions from club owners, whereby their struggles to eliminate him from this leadership position were fruitless. Miller fought to ensure the union had enough funds to manage its affairs. To achieve this, he came up with the concept of a licensing plan that was to ensure that all baseball players were registered and accepted members of a specific representational organization. In addition, he came up with a tutoring and mentoring programs, whose main aim was to ensuring players expressed their grief with solidarity, hence the need to abolish differences that existed amongst them. His efforts gained many fruits for example, in 1968 through his leadership and using his influencing power, the union won a case that led to the formulation and signing of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the sports sector. This agreement was one of its kinds in this industry because; it prompted most club managements to increase players’ salary to $10,000 (MLBPA, 2010, Para. 5). His struggle to see respect of players’ rights never stopped here, because in 1970 through negotiations with club owners and other stakeholders, players received arbitration rights, when it came to handling of players’ problems. Granting of arbitration rights marked the onset of many achievements that followed as concerned baseball players’ rights. It is necessary to note here that, Miller’s achievements not only enhanced the respect of baseball players, but rather it had impacts in all sports sectors; hence, the accordance of respect to professional sport. Throughout Miller’s reign much happened in the sports world, in terms of developments and respect of players’ rights. His great achievements included the introduction of licenses in spo rts, improvement of contractual terms, and adoption of correct pension schemes by organizations. In addition, his struggle to increase the unions saw the expansion of the union to international standards, something that unions and individual feel even today. This is because currently, MLBPA is one of the most prominent and powerful sports organizations in not only America, but also globally (Korr, 2003, p.1). The concept of the reserve clause received much opposition and faced many court challenges, whereby finally under arbitration the concept of free agency came into being. This abolished the monopoly enjoyed by many clubs in that, it helped to abolish the continuous tendencies of clubs renewing players’ contracts without their consent. MLBPA has undergone many changes, and has seen many leaders come an go, whereby some of the leaders who have seen the union sail through changing hard times include Ken Moffet (after miller) and Fehr. Other developments after Miller’s achievement include increase in revenue amounts, restricting of the free agent market that made club owners enjoy the monopoly as concerned the signing of new contracts. This in any ways has contributed to compensation of players for their rights abused by club owners, for example in 1990; players received $280 million from club owners. Achievement of these has never been smooth in that, it had to involve unrests and boycotts from players for example the 232-day boycott in 1994 to 1995. This in many ways enhanced negotiation standards and agreements rates, something that was very clear during the 2002 signing of a new sort contract (MLBPA, 2010, p.1). Impacts of the Unionization on Players, owners and the Baseball Game In common practice, the main aim of all players’ organizations is to fight and a ensure team managements and club owners respect all player rights. The case has not been different in MLBPA; owing to the many struggles, it has undergone to achieve its present status, primarily because of the much turmoil, which it had to undergo in the past. For example to achieve its present status, the union had to organize many strikes and work boycotts. In addition, in some instances it had to file court cases, whereby it lost and won some. On the other hand, where the court cases failed, arbitration had to prevail, hence the current achievements of the union. Although the quality of the game has had a major boost, players have benefited most because of the freedom that abolishing of the reserve clause granted them. Currently baseball players have employment rights, a scenario that contrasts to what existed previously where, club owners enjoyed the monopoly of controlling all baseball activities. Under Miller’s leadership, club owners granted players collective bargaining opportunities through agreements signed between the two parties; players and club owners. Such like developments have contributed to the currently earned good salaries by b aseball players, as compared to the past when their salary was little to sustain a good living (Goodman, 2000, p.1). In addition, players have arbitration rights, something that is a major boost to the formalities of solving players’ problems. These rights have achieved a lot for example, in 1989, players benefited from a damage compensation that amounted to $ 38 million. In addition through this arbitration rights, player have received other benefits either in form of salaries or compensations from club owners incase something in cases where problems occur during playing time. Currently players have information access rights, something that the club owners tried to constrain during early times when there existed many contending issues between the two parties. Apart from material gains, the unionization of baseball has created strong baseball teams whose solidarity has brought many achievements, which has contributed to talent exploitation hence the coming up of many stars fo r example, Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa (MLBPA, 2010, p.1). On the other hand, the unionization has contributed greatly to the increasing bargaining power of players. MLBPA represents all players’ grievances in court and to baseball club owners. Hence, due the nature of the power they posses, they have helped baseball players to express their grievance hence, bettering their negotiating terms. Although the unionization of professional baseball has contributed a lot to players’ well-being, to some extent it has contributed to the downfall of players who never participated in the strike. This is because to the union the young players’ act of not joining others in the strike deviated from the union’s rules hence, the only way of punishing them is by denying them union memberships. This has greatly contributed to talent wastage, because they are not entitled to benefit from any deals by the union (Kendrick, 2010, p.1). To club owners, considering the amount of fines resulting from compensations, management of most baseball teams have little to celebrate for, because these compensations are major sources of looses. Baseball unions from time to time have challenged any management orientation club owners adopt; any time they feel, such changes are violating player’s rights. In many ways, this has made management hard in that, from time to time there are policy changes, something that costs club owners substantial amounts of money. Although the above is the case as concerns managements, at least the same has helped to shape management practices of teams. This is because currently, clubs give players the required respect and recognition, something that was rare previously during the reign of Albert Spalding as a club owner. The game has received a major boost in terms of quality and standards. Previously, the â€Å"reserve clause† and the contractual terms was a major demoralizing factor because, players could not afford to play for their dream teams. With the formation of MLPBA, club managers adopted better managerial policies that saw the change of contractual terms hence, guaranteeing players their individual freedoms. On the other hand, previously there were much segregation in terms of players in specific baseball teams, whereby there existed clear divisions between the whites and black Americans. This led to the formation of the Negro League Baseball Players Association. However, due to unionization such segregations have vanished because of equal representation. This in many ways has contributed to the development of the game to international standards, because every registered player has equal chances of exhibiting their expertise as far as the game is concerned (Negro League Baseball Players Association, 2007, p.1). Factors that Determine Player Compensation Packages in Baseball Currently, professional sport has undergone many transformations in terms of diversification, hence making the entire fi eld a multifaceted field. Depending on one’s competence in terms of playing skills and how much fans like one, one becomes a good marketing tool of clubs they belong. Majority of organizations adopt the incentive plan, for most management considers it the most appropriate mechanism of encouraging performance. The same is not different when it comes to professional sports, because for players to maintain high playing standards, club managements have to adopt the same measures. The overall role of determining the remuneration packages of baseball players rests with the Major League Baseball players Union. The league achieves its mandate by employing the use of collective bargaining agreements. Depending whether a player is in the national league or in the American league, the remuneration packages vary accordingly. In addition, negotiation also forms the foundation of any remuneration package a player receives hence, the importance of unions as main negotiators (Manzano, 2006 , p.1). Any baseball player is entitled to a specific minimum salary. In addition, to the minimum salary, clubs add other performance related monetary benefits; depending on terms of agreements. For a player to have arbitration rights, they have to be in the league for a minimum of three years, whereby contractual renewal terms determine the amount of salary that a player earns. After the third year; when the clubs are renewing contracts, the salary varies depending also on the new contractual terms. Generally, a player’s remuneration package depends on achievements; in terms of game quality and the representing union’s agents during negotiations (Miller, 2000, pp. 87-88). Roles of Unions to Player Compensation The remuneration packages of baseball players in most cases depend primarily on the strength of the negotiator(s). Players on their own cannot afford to negotiate good contractual terms hence, the need for representation by agent provided by unions where they be long. This is the case, because sometimes working conditions may be unfavorable or their may exist many contending issue under consideration. In addition, because majority of players have little knowledge about the nature of benefits they should receive from their clubs, special representation by union agents ensures club managers do not take advantage over them. This ensures club owners award players good remuneration packages through the process of structuring the wage benefits (Milkovich Newman, 2007, pp. 94-97). Although one may argue that, contractual terms are clear hence, no need for one to be represented by a union member, it is necessary for individuals to remember that, contractual term are alterable before one signs a contract. Hence, the use of an agent guarantees improved contractual terms, which translates to better benefits. In addition, unions’ representation can act as a security measure because many changes can occur in terms of skill demand and competiti on (Milkovich Newman, 2007, p. 504). Therefore, to ensure there is job security and assurance of continuous gaining, it is important for players to have representation from a union, it being a corporate and registered body, hence has rights to defend an individual in case something wrong happens in the course of the game. Conclusion In conclusion, baseball unionization has undergone a major transformation process. This is because a comparison between the past and present quality and standards of the game clearly shows that, the game has undergone an evolution. The evolution is in terms of managerial qualities, policy developments, and changes in the general practice of the game. Reference List Baseball labor History. (1997). An old fashioned game with old fashioned traditions. Retrieved from http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CLASS/am483_97/projects/brady/labor.html Goodman, A. (2000). Sports Law History: the role of Marvin Miller. Retrieved from sportslawnews.com/archive/history/Marvin Miller.htm History of Baseball. (n.d.). Baseball. Retrieved from rpi.edu/~fiscap/history_files/hisproj1.htm Kendrick, S. (2010). 1994-95 effects are felt, at least on video games. About Baseball. Retrieved from http://baseball.about.com/b/2010/02/03/1994-95-strike-effects-are-still-felt-at-least-on-video-games.htm Korr, C. (2003). Baseball union. Dictionary of American History. Retrieved from encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401800383.html Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). MLBPA information. MLBPA Players. Retrieved from http://mlbplayers.mlb.com/pa/info/ Manzano, C. (2006). The business of baseball: how do players earn such Big salaries. Law Offices of Catalina L. Manzano. Retrieved from http://manzanolaw.com/articles/baseball.html Milkovich, G., Newman, J. (2007). Compensation (9th e.d.). New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin Publishers. Miller, P. (2000). A theoretical and empirical comparison of free agent and Arbitration-eligible salaries negotiated in major league baseball . Southern Economic Journal, 67(1), 87-104. Retrieved from jstor.org/pss/1061614 Negro League Baseball Players Association. History of Major Negro Leagues Association. NLPBA. Retrieved from nlbpa.com/history.html

How to Ask for Information - ESL Education

How to Ask for Information - ESL Education There are a number of formulas used when asking for information in English. Here are some of the most common: Could you tell me...?Do you know...?Do you happen to know...?Id like to know...Could you find out...?Im interested in...Im looking for.. These two forms are used for asking for information on the telephone: Im calling to find out...Im calling about... After you study these constructions, take the asking for information quiz to check your understanding. More English Functions DisagreeingContrasting IdeasMaking ComplaintsAsking for InformationGiving AdviceGuessingBeing Imprecise or VagueSaying No NicelyShowing PreferencesMaking SuggestionsOffering HelpGiving WarningDemanding Explanations Construction Formula Question Word Example Finish Could you tell me when the next train leaves? Do you know how much that vase costs? Do you happen to know where Tom lives? Id like to know what you think about the new project. Could you tell me when the next train leaves? Could you find out when she is going to arrive? Formula Gerund (-ing) Example Finish Im interested in buying a boat Formula Noun Example Finish Im looking for information on holidays in Spain. Formula used only on the telphone Question Word Example Finish Im calling to find out... if flight AZ098 will leave on time today. Formula used only on the telphone Noun Example Finish Im calling about... the offer published in todays newspaper.

5 questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

5 questions - Essay Example Next to cell migration is cell differentiation that begins with gene expression, wherein previously dormant genes undergo activation, and which ends up with the cell producing a certain protein. Neuroblasts, at this point, turn into particular types of neurons. After cell differentiation is cell maturation, which happens 20 weeks after conception and continues after birth. It takes place through dendritic and axonal growth. Maturing neurons build dendrites to give surface area for synapses with other cells and to expand their axons to proper targets, which will launch synapse formation. Axonal growth relies on a particular process, which begins with the growth cone at the end of the axon. As these growth cones branch out, they create shoots or filopodia that, after they reach certain targets, other filopodia follow them. Next to cell maturation is synaptogenesis, or the creation of synaptic connections. Synapses reach 1014 or 100,000 trillion. After synaptogenesis is cell death and synaptic pruning. The brain chisels out unneeded neurons and prunes synapses. Neural Darwinism explains that the brain removes excess neurons through competition among them. Neurons die because target cells create neurotrophic factors that axon terminals absorb and which create messages that seem to tell some neurons to die in a programmed process called apoptosis. The last stage of brain development is myelogenesis or production of myelin. Myelination demonstrates cerebral maturation. Light energy travels through the pupil and into the light-sensitive surface of the eye called the retina. This activates the photoreceptor cells on the retina, which results to the creation of people’s visual worlds. The photoreceptor cells and neurons generate visual precision and enable people to see different colors, including dimness and brightness. Photoreceptors change light energy to chemical energy, which activates neural

Ebay cultural analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ebay cultural analysis - Essay Example These elements that define the culture of an organization are not constant, they change with time and it is the change of these elements that define culture change and hence the reputation and direction of the company. There are several cultural changes that have been initiated in EBay since its inception and these changes have resulted to a number of implications. The first cultural change initiated by the company was not localized to the company but to the whole world. The company changed the way the world does business. It initiated transitions from buying and selling physical commodities to a wide extension of commodities that include diverse services. The company also revolutionized the payments methods in business transactions y introducing paperless cash transfers such as PayPal (Griffin 2012, p 79). This is an online payment method that allows buyers and sellers to purchase and sell commodities online without handling cash. This has not only improved the efficiency of carryin g out business transactions, but it has also enhanced security in business. The company has also initiated a communication culture between its employees and its customers. In the early days of the inception of the company, there had been poor communication strategies and many customers filled the company’s website with messages filled with dissatisfaction. Therefore, the company introduced a strong culture of communication by creating several interfaces and platforms of communication between the company and its employees (Ashkanasy 2011, p 82). The company also included the use of social media and channels in its communication culture with its employees and this assertion is attributed to the rapid changes in the levels of technology in the world. The other culture change that has been observed in the company is its responsiveness to its shareholders. The company initiated a mechanism that will ensure that all the concerns of their shareholders are met within the shortest tim e possible (Bevan & Wengrow 2010, p 18). The company changed its buyer and seller cultures a great deal by adding the aspect of shareholders involvement so as to include them in its short term and long term development plans. All the above described cultural changes that took place in EBay had a number of implications that accompanied them and the business environment as a whole. These were both positive and negative implications as will be described below. Taking a look at some of the positive implications that impacted the organization was increase in the number of products. This in return led to increase in the number of sales and consequently, increase revenue collection (Halal 2005, p 59). This was extremely significant as it led to overall increase in overall business turnover. All these continued to provide more energy in terms of financial resource to stir up the organization in the quest of attaining their set goals and objectives. In addition to this, there was improvement of interpersonal relationship between the staff, both junior and senior managerial staff. The flow of information significantly improved as a result of these cultural changes and as a result business could be carried out in a well orderly fashion and thus led to increase in quality of service. The customer is always the determining factor in any business entity. Therefore, by the organization having the capability offer quality services and goods,

Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being, how does the theme Thesis

Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being, how does the theme of politics function in the novel - Thesis Example The direct mentioning of politics is first found in the beginning of the novel, when Tomas and Tereza discuss the possibility of immigrating to Switzerland after the entry of Soviet army to Czechoslovakia in August 1968. Tomas is seen to have received an offer for a job from the Swiss hospital, and Tereza urges him to leave Czechoslovakia, despite his initial misgivings about the feasibility of such a step (Kundera 26-28). The novel’s depiction of the character’s reaction to Soviet occupation is telling; Tereza spends a lot of time in the street, filming possible abuses of Soviet troops on camera, and even getting arrested by the Soviet officer, while Tomas contemplates the emigration to Switzerland. It is inferred that Czechs received the news of Soviet troops’ entry to their country with both fear and ridicule: while the citizens of Prague clearly felt indignation over the effective arrest of Dubcek and other reformist leaders of Czechoslovak CP, they are at th e same time fearful of the possible consequences of rebellious attitude. Even while the streets are decorated with â€Å"thousands of hand-painted bearing ironic texts† sharply critical of Brezhnev and Soviet army (Kundera 28), and Kundera remarks that the atmosphere in the city was that of â€Å"a drunken carnival of hate† (28). ... e is described in the symbolic tones: he is portrayed as a â€Å"devastated† man, â€Å"stuttering and gasping for breath†, and Kundera compares his state of mind to that of Czechoslovakia in general, observing that henceforth, the country would â€Å"gasp for air like Alexander Dubcek† (Kundera 28). This might indicate that Kundera and his characters viewed the defeat of the Prague Spring as a beginning of the â€Å"workaday humiliation† (28) for their country. Nonetheless, Tomas and Tereza did not live for too much time in Zurich. Tereza’s inability to live through the life abroad and her feeling of the burden she was for Tomas in the new circumstances made her decide to return to Prague, despite the continuing presence of foreign troops there (Kundera 31). This event shook Tomas greatly. He found out that he missed Tereza and, despite his reluctance, Tomas decided to follow her and return to Prague. His dialogue with Genevan doctor reveals that T omas believed that, even though this decision is a hard one, given the political circumstances, he should make it (Kundera 35). While Tomas returns to Czechoslovakia, he sees â€Å"columns of Russian tanks† (Kundera 36), and actually hesitates, mulling over whether his decision to return to Prague is totally justified. However, he still feels compassion for Tereza and cannot bear that she should live in Prague alone, while he resides in Zurich, and so he returns and meets Tereza in their flat, while seemingly losing all enthusiasm about his return (Kundera 36). The second important allusion to political problems in the novel is found in the beginning of Part 2 (â€Å"Soul and Body†), when the author presents an account of early life of Tereza. He mentions that Tereza’s father, â€Å"the most manly of men† (Kundera 45), was

Alternate Assessments w9 esol Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Alternate Assessments w9 esol - Essay Example In this paper, we shall discuss alternative assessments like portfolios and K-W-L charts that are being frequently used and have gained tremendous success in the ESL classrooms. Learner Portfolios are one of the most common alternative assessments that are being used widely in the ESL classrooms nowadays. A portfolio refers to a compilation of a student’s work which can include such items as notes from learner/teachers discussions, learner’s writing samples, reports on books read, learner’s reflection on their development, and statistics from performance based appraisals, and scores of commercial tests. Portfolios are a holistic, student centered and performance based approach of assessment. This method of assessment is tremendously beneficial to all the students especially the ESL students since portfolios focus on students’ strengths rather than their weaknesses. Moreover, it provides room to the ESL students to display more than what they are tested for. In this way, students are encouraged to work more efficiently and display their best work. They provide prospects for students to look upon who they are as learners, writers a nd people. In addition, portfolios enhance the communication between the teacher and the students, the teacher and the parents, and the school administrators as well. However, these portfolios are very time consuming and don’t give quantifying outcomes which only commercially available tests can provide. Moreover, these alternative assessments may not meet eligibility necessities in career training programs, or higher level classes of ESL learners. Therefore, it is important for ESL programs to use a combination of commercial based and performance based assessments to test the language proficiency of ESL learners (Burt &Keenan, 1995). As far as native English speaking students in the classroom are concerned, portfolios are fair to them. All the students, irrespective of

The Responsible Leader and Manager Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

The Responsible Leader and Manager - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that Debenhams, headquartered in London, is an international retailer of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, gifts, electrical goods and furniture. The company operates more than 240 stores both directly and under franchise. Its management team is made up of managers located in different stores. They include Helen Tully, who manages the operations, commerce and customer focused retail business in London, Chris Halstead, the stores development and projects manager in London, Soleta Oliver, the commercial and stores services manager in London, Andrew Parnell, the operations and visual merchandising manager in Redhill and Shahin Rahnama, who is a store manager in Iran As a team, the managers coordinate the company’s operations with a focus on satisfying customers and the community and maximising profits. The manner in which stakeholders are treated and managed is a crucial component in the revenue generation and success of a corporate outfit. It is the managers’ duty to ensure that stakeholders’ interests are met for the sake of creating beneficial relationships for business continuity. Some of the stakeholders of Debenhams are the customers, employees and corporate shareholders. Customers form the core purpose of any business’ existence. Employees bridge the gap between the company’s operations, products and services, and the customers. Schroder PLC, in its corporate shareholding capacity, has 202.9 million shares, representing a 16 percent shareholding. The managers integrate their personal values with corporate values to lay strategies to manage the unique needs and interests of each group of stakeholder. The managers at Debenhams understand that their customer base, running into millions, works hard to earn and afford their purchases. They know that quality products alone, without personal attention and appreciation, do not represent full value for customers ’ money. They are motivated by the virtue of customer satisfaction to improve their services. They aim to be responsible and active participants in their communities of operation, which are basically made up of their customers. As a corporate entity, the company supports both national and local charities towards the well being of their customers.