Leadership Activity Free Essays

II. Reality Check Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership Activity or any similar topic only for you Order Now com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To pinpoint actual leadership behavior and to set behavior goals How the author has used this exercise:   I have had success using this exercise as a pre- workshop self-inquiry activity. I have also used it as a homework assignment. Its strength lies in the fact that it paints a picture of actual behavior and then helps the leader see how he or she can redistribute behavior. Activity Description: * Have the participants think about what they actually do on a daily basis. Then ask them to draw generalizations about how they spend their leadership time. Each participant completes the Leadership Behavior Chart below (In blue font). * You can follow up with full group or small group discussion. The central question is this: Is your leadership behavior out of sync with the way that you feel an effective leader should be spending his or her energy? Think about your daily interaction with the people who you lead. Generally speaking, determine the actual behaviors that define that interaction. Using the list of behaviors below, determine the amount of time (in percentages) that you generally spend on each behavior. Then in the second column, determine what you feel would be ideal distribution of time (in percentages). Behavior | Percentage of time spent on each behavior | Ideally the percentage of time you would devote to each behavior | Informing |    |    | Directing |    |    | Clarifying or Justifying |    |    | Persuading |    |    | Collaborating |    |    | Brainstorming or Envisioning |    |    | Reflecting (Quiet Time for Thinking) |    |    | Observing |    |    | Disciplining |    |    | Resolving interpersonal conflicts |    |    | Praising and/or encouraging |    |    | Follow Up Questions 1. Is there a gap between how you should spend your energy and how you actually spend it? 2. Are there some behaviors that are taking up too much of your leadership time? Why? 3. Are there some strategies that you can employ that would move you closer to your ideal distribution of behavior? Options:   A. Some groups may want to calculate behavior totals to see how their peers are spending their energy. B. From the third column it is easy to move into a discussion about â€Å"ideal† leader distribution of energy. C. You may also use this same format with both meeting and team interaction. Added thoughts or considerations: Since this activity helps participants see what they are actually doing, it helps them translate leadership theory into real behavior. Once participants review their charts it is easier for them to design strategies to align their leadership behavior. –Return to Top– III. Your Leadership Calendar Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To extend leadership learning beyond the workshop. How the author has used this exercise:   This exercise is a good follow up or homework activity. Activity Description: Ask the participants to mark twelve different days on their calendar spread out over four or six months. At the end of each marked day, participants should write down some leadership behavior (either positive or negative) that they exercised during that day. Each behavior should be followed by a reaction statement that answers two questions: â€Å"How did I feel about my action or behavior? †Ã‚   and   â€Å"How does this action or behavior jive with what I know about leadership best practices? Options:   On each marked day, the participant can send his or her personal leadership comments to a selected partner from the original workshop. This is a good method for accountability and feedback. Added thoughts or considerations: I almost always use the strategy in the Options section above. When people leave the workshop, they get caught up in daily mainten ance and frequently don’t get around to doing the follow up exercises. By having them contact a selected partner from the workshop, it puts a little pressure on them to follow through. –Return to Top– IV. Leadership Dance Card Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To encourage participants to talk to one another about specific leadership best practices How the author has used this exercise:   Very simply, I use this activity to get participants to share best practices. This format will work with almost any professional topic. Activity Description: Each leader has his or her own style of leadership. Some styles will work for you while others won’t. In this activity participants mix with the full group and sign up the names of three other participants on their â€Å"interview dance card. †Ã‚   Then during a set period of time (this may be done over an extended break or even a lunch period) participants seek out their â€Å"dance partners† to conduct a short leadership interview. They ask each other a set of questions provided by the facilitator and record the responses. Below are some leadership interview questions that I have used in this activity: 1. How do you motivate your reports? 2. How do you keep your reports meaningfully informed? 3. How do you maintain your team’s focus on specific goals? 4. How do you set, clarify, and hold your reports accountable to   your expectations? 5. How do you recognize successful work? Note: you may want to restrict each interview to one or two questions depending on the amount of time you want to devote to this activity. When the full group reconvenes, the facilitator asks participants to share leadership tips and strategies that they picked up in their interviews. The facilitator may want to make a master list of these to pass out later. Options:   Have the group brainstorm for interview questions to be used in the interviews. Added thoughts or considerations: This activity serves many purposes: it gets the participants moving around, it connects people, and it is an efficient strategy to share best practices. –Return to Top– V. Center Stage Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To visualize different leadership styles How the author has used this exercise:   If the group is comfortable with one another, a role playing activity can have some impact. I have used this activity to set up my   information about leadership styles. However, this same format can be used with a variety of different topics. Activity Description: Ask for four volunteers. One volunteer plays the role of a   team member who recently has missed meetings or arrived late. The other three volunteers each play the role of a different kind of leader. To save time I usually give the leader volunteers a personality trait from which they can create their persona: the by-the-book leader, the self-absorbed leader, the paternalistic leader, the softy, the blamer, the lecturer, the know-it-all, etc. Allow the volunteers to have some time to think about their role. Gather the full group in a circle and place two chairs in the middle. In turn, have each leader confront the team member. Explain the situation to the group before the role playing begins: Loren, the late team member, has not only been missing meetings or arriving late, he has also appeared to be very tired and disjointed. Some team members have suggested that Loren’s wife is ill, but others say the situation is rooted with Loren himself. As a leader, what is a good way to handle Loren? After all three scenarios have been played out, ask the full group to comment on the different leadership approaches—What worked? What could the leaders have done differently? How would the â€Å"ideal† leader handle this situation? This activity is a good spring board to exploring different leadership styles. Options:   You may want to have the full group identify three different role playing situations. Added thoughts or considerations: I try to check with some of the participants before the workshop begins to see if the group would be comfortable or willing to engage in a role playing activity. -Return to Top– VI. Leaders you Admire Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To seek leadership characteristics through personal experience How the author has used this exercise:   I ha ve found stories to be a powerful way for participants to connect to the workshop subject matter. Generally people like to tell and hear stories. Activity Description: Divide the group into small groups. Ask participants to share a story about the best or most influential leader that they have encountered. After each story, identify leadership characteristics by asking the question: â€Å"What was it that made this person such an effective leader? †   Then as a group, identify the traits that all the leaders seemed to share. All groups then write the shared traits on a white board. You can use this traits list as a springboard to explore more about what makes a good leader. Options:   You can ask the groups to share stories about the worst leaders they have encountered. You will get some dandy stories. Added thoughts or considerations: I like to insert an activity like this into a workshop when participants are starting to run a little low on energy. A good story swap frequently revives energy. Be sure not to drag this activity out too long. Encourage the participants to include details in their leadership examples. –Return to Top– VII. Leadership Swap Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To exchange leadership ideas and build participant rapport How the author has used this exercise:   Sometimes it is helpful to allow the participants to have some time just to swap leadership examples. In short they have some time to portray their own leadership style by giving examples. Activity Description: This activity is a structured leadership example exchange. Divide the group into groups of three. From the list of â€Å"situations† below, instruct the groups to take turns giving examples of something they have done or witnessed. Leadership Situations * A creative twist on a situation or issue. * A clever improvisation–â€Å"dancing on your feet† * A pleasant surprise * An Aha moment * Something that generated a great deal of excitement * A conflict resolved * A breakthrough insight or solution * A really tough situation * A blindside experience * A moving (emotional) situation Options:   You may want the groups to identify their own Leadership Situations Added thoughts or considerations: Remember that this is a set up activity, so don’t let it go on too long. How to cite Leadership Activity, Papers

Leadership Activity Free Essays

II. Reality Check Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership Activity or any similar topic only for you Order Now com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To pinpoint actual leadership behavior and to set behavior goals How the author has used this exercise:   I have had success using this exercise as a pre- workshop self-inquiry activity. I have also used it as a homework assignment. Its strength lies in the fact that it paints a picture of actual behavior and then helps the leader see how he or she can redistribute behavior. Activity Description: * Have the participants think about what they actually do on a daily basis. Then ask them to draw generalizations about how they spend their leadership time. Each participant completes the Leadership Behavior Chart below (In blue font). * You can follow up with full group or small group discussion. The central question is this: Is your leadership behavior out of sync with the way that you feel an effective leader should be spending his or her energy? Think about your daily interaction with the people who you lead. Generally speaking, determine the actual behaviors that define that interaction. Using the list of behaviors below, determine the amount of time (in percentages) that you generally spend on each behavior. Then in the second column, determine what you feel would be ideal distribution of time (in percentages). Behavior | Percentage of time spent on each behavior | Ideally the percentage of time you would devote to each behavior | Informing |    |    | Directing |    |    | Clarifying or Justifying |    |    | Persuading |    |    | Collaborating |    |    | Brainstorming or Envisioning |    |    | Reflecting (Quiet Time for Thinking) |    |    | Observing |    |    | Disciplining |    |    | Resolving interpersonal conflicts |    |    | Praising and/or encouraging |    |    | Follow Up Questions 1. Is there a gap between how you should spend your energy and how you actually spend it? 2. Are there some behaviors that are taking up too much of your leadership time? Why? 3. Are there some strategies that you can employ that would move you closer to your ideal distribution of behavior? Options:   A. Some groups may want to calculate behavior totals to see how their peers are spending their energy. B. From the third column it is easy to move into a discussion about â€Å"ideal† leader distribution of energy. C. You may also use this same format with both meeting and team interaction. Added thoughts or considerations: Since this activity helps participants see what they are actually doing, it helps them translate leadership theory into real behavior. Once participants review their charts it is easier for them to design strategies to align their leadership behavior. –Return to Top– III. Your Leadership Calendar Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To extend leadership learning beyond the workshop. How the author has used this exercise:   This exercise is a good follow up or homework activity. Activity Description: Ask the participants to mark twelve different days on their calendar spread out over four or six months. At the end of each marked day, participants should write down some leadership behavior (either positive or negative) that they exercised during that day. Each behavior should be followed by a reaction statement that answers two questions: â€Å"How did I feel about my action or behavior? †Ã‚   and   â€Å"How does this action or behavior jive with what I know about leadership best practices? Options:   On each marked day, the participant can send his or her personal leadership comments to a selected partner from the original workshop. This is a good method for accountability and feedback. Added thoughts or considerations: I almost always use the strategy in the Options section above. When people leave the workshop, they get caught up in daily mainten ance and frequently don’t get around to doing the follow up exercises. By having them contact a selected partner from the workshop, it puts a little pressure on them to follow through. –Return to Top– IV. Leadership Dance Card Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To encourage participants to talk to one another about specific leadership best practices How the author has used this exercise:   Very simply, I use this activity to get participants to share best practices. This format will work with almost any professional topic. Activity Description: Each leader has his or her own style of leadership. Some styles will work for you while others won’t. In this activity participants mix with the full group and sign up the names of three other participants on their â€Å"interview dance card. †Ã‚   Then during a set period of time (this may be done over an extended break or even a lunch period) participants seek out their â€Å"dance partners† to conduct a short leadership interview. They ask each other a set of questions provided by the facilitator and record the responses. Below are some leadership interview questions that I have used in this activity: 1. How do you motivate your reports? 2. How do you keep your reports meaningfully informed? 3. How do you maintain your team’s focus on specific goals? 4. How do you set, clarify, and hold your reports accountable to   your expectations? 5. How do you recognize successful work? Note: you may want to restrict each interview to one or two questions depending on the amount of time you want to devote to this activity. When the full group reconvenes, the facilitator asks participants to share leadership tips and strategies that they picked up in their interviews. The facilitator may want to make a master list of these to pass out later. Options:   Have the group brainstorm for interview questions to be used in the interviews. Added thoughts or considerations: This activity serves many purposes: it gets the participants moving around, it connects people, and it is an efficient strategy to share best practices. –Return to Top– V. Center Stage Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To visualize different leadership styles How the author has used this exercise:   If the group is comfortable with one another, a role playing activity can have some impact. I have used this activity to set up my   information about leadership styles. However, this same format can be used with a variety of different topics. Activity Description: Ask for four volunteers. One volunteer plays the role of a   team member who recently has missed meetings or arrived late. The other three volunteers each play the role of a different kind of leader. To save time I usually give the leader volunteers a personality trait from which they can create their persona: the by-the-book leader, the self-absorbed leader, the paternalistic leader, the softy, the blamer, the lecturer, the know-it-all, etc. Allow the volunteers to have some time to think about their role. Gather the full group in a circle and place two chairs in the middle. In turn, have each leader confront the team member. Explain the situation to the group before the role playing begins: Loren, the late team member, has not only been missing meetings or arriving late, he has also appeared to be very tired and disjointed. Some team members have suggested that Loren’s wife is ill, but others say the situation is rooted with Loren himself. As a leader, what is a good way to handle Loren? After all three scenarios have been played out, ask the full group to comment on the different leadership approaches—What worked? What could the leaders have done differently? How would the â€Å"ideal† leader handle this situation? This activity is a good spring board to exploring different leadership styles. Options:   You may want to have the full group identify three different role playing situations. Added thoughts or considerations: I try to check with some of the participants before the workshop begins to see if the group would be comfortable or willing to engage in a role playing activity. -Return to Top– VI. Leaders you Admire Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To seek leadership characteristics through personal experience How the author has used this exercise:   I ha ve found stories to be a powerful way for participants to connect to the workshop subject matter. Generally people like to tell and hear stories. Activity Description: Divide the group into small groups. Ask participants to share a story about the best or most influential leader that they have encountered. After each story, identify leadership characteristics by asking the question: â€Å"What was it that made this person such an effective leader? †   Then as a group, identify the traits that all the leaders seemed to share. All groups then write the shared traits on a white board. You can use this traits list as a springboard to explore more about what makes a good leader. Options:   You can ask the groups to share stories about the worst leaders they have encountered. You will get some dandy stories. Added thoughts or considerations: I like to insert an activity like this into a workshop when participants are starting to run a little low on energy. A good story swap frequently revives energy. Be sure not to drag this activity out too long. Encourage the participants to include details in their leadership examples. –Return to Top– VII. Leadership Swap Author: Tom Siebold is a writer and consultant in Minneapolis. He is also co-owner of Collegegrazing. com–a site to help college bound teens to learn more about what they need and want in a college. Objective (s): To exchange leadership ideas and build participant rapport How the author has used this exercise:   Sometimes it is helpful to allow the participants to have some time just to swap leadership examples. In short they have some time to portray their own leadership style by giving examples. Activity Description: This activity is a structured leadership example exchange. Divide the group into groups of three. From the list of â€Å"situations† below, instruct the groups to take turns giving examples of something they have done or witnessed. Leadership Situations * A creative twist on a situation or issue. * A clever improvisation–â€Å"dancing on your feet† * A pleasant surprise * An Aha moment * Something that generated a great deal of excitement * A conflict resolved * A breakthrough insight or solution * A really tough situation * A blindside experience * A moving (emotional) situation Options:   You may want the groups to identify their own Leadership Situations Added thoughts or considerations: Remember that this is a set up activity, so don’t let it go on too long. How to cite Leadership Activity, Papers

Malaysia Car Industry Essay Example For Students

Malaysia Car Industry Essay 1.0MALAYSIA CAR INDUSTRY1.1 BackgroundMalaysia is one of the smaller Southeast Asian markets for motor vehicle production and sales and ranks behind South Korea, the Peoples Republic of China, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia. Since 1985, when the first made-in-Malaysia car, Proton rolled off the production line, it have been spearheading Malaysias ambitious plan to become one of the worlds most advanced industrial societies by the year 2020. To date over one million Protons have been sold in 51 countries throughout the world. By contrast, Malaysias motor vehicle industry actually remains heavily protected with import duties ranging from 140 to 300 percent on cars, and very high local content requirements. Malaysia also maintains an import ban on motor vehicles from Israel and South Africa. These protectionism clause in large has made Proton to became the number one best selling passenger car in Malaysia. It has also maintained a huge market share of over 50% since 1987 from it infancy beginnings in 1985. 1.2 Market Review Year 1998Position Makes Sales UnitShare1Proton ( EON )6759549.5%2Kancil3892128.5%3Proton ( USPD )1989414.6% 4Honda4100 3.0%5Toyota1930 1.4%6Nissan1407 1.0% 7Mercedes Benz1160 0.9%8BMW 672 0.5%9Volvo 422 0.3% 10Peugeot 350 0.3%Total Passenger Car136451100%1.3 The Proton StoryIn 1983, the Malaysian government formed Proton (Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional) a 70/30 joint venture between the Malaysian government and Mitsubishi. Assembly of its first national car, the Proton SAGA, began in 1985. The SAGA contained 70 percent local content in the beginning, with plans to increase this eventually to 90-95 percent. Currently the Proton is between 60 and 62 percent local content according to GSP criteria. Product Launch 1985 Proton SAGA 1.3 and 1.5 litre 1992 Proton ISWARA 1.3 and 1.5 litre 1993 Proton WIRA 1.5 and 1.6 litre 1994 Proton SATRIA 1.3 and 1.6 litre 1995 Proton PERDANA 2.0 litreProton WIRA 1.3, 1.8 litre and 2.0 diesel ( new generation ) 1996 Proton TIARA 1.1 lit re 1997 Proton PUTRA 1.8 DOHC 1998 Proton SATRIA GTi 16VProton PERDANA V61.4 EON ( Proton Leading Car Distributor )EON, a member of the DRB-Hicom Group, was established on 16 May 1984 as the sole distributor of Proton cars. On 1 September 1985, it marketed the first Proton Saga, and thenceforth there was no looking back. As the leading distributor for Proton cars in Malaysia, it has also became one of the nations fastest emerging group. Sales volume increased rapidly from 7,494 units in 1985 to 140,968 units in 1997, averaging an annual growth rate of 18.7 per cent. For the financial year ended 31st December 1998, the group recorded a turnover of RM 3.95 billion with a pretax profit of RM 101.6 million. 2.0 CHANGES IN THE CAR INDUSTRYIn Malaysia, for the last 10 years, the car industry was practically taken over by Proton brand. Of the vehicles sold annually, 70 percent are Proton sales. Some 25 other manufacturers compete for the remaining 30 percent. The previous best selling car like Nissan Sunny was totally wipe out almost overnight since Proton huge takeover in market sales more than 10 years ago. Over the next decade, the Malaysian Proton vehicle market is expected to increase close to 90 percent from 230,000 units at present to approximately 375,000 units in the year 2000. 3.0 HOW PROTON REMAIN NO.13.1 Marketing-Mix StrategiesThe most basic marketing-mix tool as in Product, Proton offers unquestionably the best warranty package of any manufacturer. The most important part being the power train warranty, which guarantees the engine and transmission assemblies against failure for six years. The next most aggressive marketing-mix tool in Proton sales is Promotion and Place. Proton through EON as distributor has been able to undertake to communicate effectively and promotes its product to the target market. It has set up communication and promotion programs extensively consisting of advertising, sales promotion, public relations, and direct and online marketing. The very first promotion Proton used was to organized the car naming contest, and it was from here that a certain brand belonging patriotism towards Proton SAGA name was instill among Malaysian. The government itself also relentlessly pursue the promotion of Proton car on a nation wide scale with the Prime Minister launching almost every new model category in the Proton car lineage. This itself has been widely covered in all major newspaper for the benefit of market brand awareness. As in recently the Prime Minister as a prime mover in promoting Proton cars have launched numerous world events namely, the World Cup Golf 99, and Le Tour De Langkawi, awarding a Proton car to its winner. The recent achievement of Malaysian athletes who had set and broken records in Kuala Lumpur 98XVI Commonwealth Games was also not forgotten, as the athletes were each awarded a Proton PERDANA. Besides this Proton through its marketing arm EON, have also been sponsoring world events to promote the car namely, FIFA/Coca Cola IXth World Youth Club, 34th International Youth Skill Olympics, Motor Rallying Activities and the Malaysia Thomas Cup team to restore the badminton glory. These intensive promotions especially at world functions have nevertheless promoted Proton cars to a vast majority of people in Malaysia as well as overseas. Hate Crimes EssayThe Proton was supposed to be an affordable car for the average Malaysian. With its entry into the Malaysian market more than 10 years ago, within a few months taxes on foreign low cost cars (like the fantastic Sunny Extra) was increased putting it out of reach of most Malaysians. It became the best selling cars ever due to unfair advantage. Not that it was of high quality, it does not meet the minimum standards required by, say UK, Australia. When one looks at the broader picture, Proton is a miserable failure. It has made cars less affordable for the average Malaysian. It has given the Malaysian consumer less choice when buying a new car. It has made EON, a non-company prior to the existence of Proton, THE most powerful car dealership in Malaysia, despite consistent complaints of poor customer service. And, as you say, it has given Malaysians a poorer quality car than they could have bought for the same money before the import tariffs were imposed. The justificat ion for the protections that Proton enjoys is called the infant industry argument. Simply said, as a new industry Proton needs an extra edge to compete against imports. Tariffs on imported cars increase their prices making Proton cars more price attractive. Nevertheless, tariff on imports should be gradually lowered to keep Proton awake. Now that Proton is so very popular and such a great car, the government still cant afford to take off the tariffs on other cars. If people have already realized that the PROTON is a good car (as claimed), then it does not need to be protected. It is past the fledgling stage and now must learn to stand on its own feet. Let EON enter a free marketplaceIf it is truly good, it will survive, otherwise it will DIE. This will not happen until 2003. when the Asian Free Trade Area (AFTA) takes full effect. 5.0MARKETING ANALYSIS5.1 SWOT AnalysisStrength Identified1. Well-trained sales/service force conformance to the needs of customers. 2. Wide distribution centres. 3. Efficient production reduces the cost and reasonable price to give value to the product. Weaknesses Identified 1. Long delivery schedules. 2. Customer claims. Opportunities Identified1. Effective distribution. 2. Lower to Medium class cliente market share. 3. Currently monopoly of trade. 4. Marketing communication. 5. Variety models to attract customers. Threats Identified1. AFTA . in the year 2003. 6.0CONCLUSION I believe 90% of Proton buyers choose Proton over the imports because of price. Once you lift the tariff as it will be in 2003, you 1) loose the cash flow from the tariff 2) loose tremendous market share for the Proton. Therefore, the car market industry which has been monopolize by Proton will certainly change in the next 3 years to come. No doubt, anyone could live with a Proton (lived with one for over 5 years), but I dont think its manys dream car except for the the price feature. Proton future may go on but it certainly will not be the No. 1 car after the year 2003. When AFTA is in force (in the year 2003), most of the other car prices will also be down. AFTA pushes for liberation of trade in the region through the elimination of intra-regional tariffs and the elimination of non-tariff barriers. Then Proton will have to compete with the same equal concept for market share. It is popular because it is the cheapest car in Malaysia. It is the cheapest after they impos e 300% tax on import cars. Proton marketing strategy is generally built upon this low price distinctive difference to maintain as No. 1.

Utilitarian Ethics in Philosophy

Introduction Ethics is an important aspect of humanity that distinguishes people from animals. However, an analysis of multiple issues related to the subject of ethics may raise uncertainty and confusion. Deciding what is right or wrong is not clear-cut. Thus, several philosophers developed several frameworks from which one could understand the subject of ethics.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Utilitarian Ethics in Philosophy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As a result, the principle of utilitarianism falls among the most important frameworks in which one can apply ethics. Utilitarianism is both a practical and a logical approach of viewing the subject of ethics. This paper defends the principle of utilitarianism as an important perspective to use when applying ethics. A utilitarian views a right or a wrong action from a practical threshold, which holds that if some acts bring benefits to most people, they may be considered as the right ones, while if some deeds result in negative outcomes to the majority, they are meant to be wrong (Hammond 38). One can clearly see that utilitarian ethic is both practical and simple in use, when compared to other types of ethics (Hammond 40). Other types of ethics, such as virtual ethics, are obviously ambiguous in several respects (Hammond 43). For instance, people hold different and sometimes opposite views on ethics (Hammond 48). Consider, for example, the issue of euthanasia. While some people think that it is absolutely wrong to take away somebody’s life, others believe in the opposite calling it â€Å"good death†. Since it gives a person an opportunity to determine according to one’s views if such an action can bring good to people, utilitarian ethics eliminates ambiguities that originate with other types of ethics (Hammond 35). Another important argument for the application of utilitarian ethics lies in its capacity to avoid a need to determine an absolutely right or wrong principle, which is often unattainable in fact (Hammond 45). The vanity of attempting to classify an action as right or wrong is evident (Hammond 31). Governing laws in several countries recognize the room for giving exceptions to some offences depending on circumstances. For example, some countries that do not allow abortions make exceptions for the unique circumstances, when the unborn child can kill the mother; due to such a threat, a doctor can do abortion.Advertising Looking for essay on ethics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Likewise, soldiers should apply utilitarian ethics in the battlefield; otherwise they will face the guilt of murder of another person (Hammond 50). The examples above are just a few among a database of utilitarian moral principles that shape laws and guide the general life of the society (Hammond 42). In some cases, everyone should adopt utilitarian et hics in his/her daily activities. Besides, utilitarian ethics gives a clear framework for deciding on an important choice when faced with a dilemma. Such a case is especially true for leaders, or those in positions that lay heavy responsibilities with them. Consider an army commander who is to make a decision if it is necessary to use an annihilating force against an enemy that poses a potential threat to the country (Hammond 50). When such a commander applies utilitarian ethics to evaluate his/her decision, he/she will need to consider if utter annihilation of the enemy force will lead to more benefits for his/her nation and the world; thus, a person will have a clear platform on which the one can base his/her moral actions (Hammond 56). Importantly, utilitarian ethics brings a sense of responsibility to people and can build an honest personality as well. It allows to judge morals from a perspective that does not consider the benefits that such an action will bring to people. A per son who applies deontological or virtual ethics may practice a type of morality that has an origin in one’s childhood or environmental background. Often, such an influence does not take into account the dynamics the one is facing. Such a direction can limit the choices and make individual practice right morals. Since a utilitarian considers the issue at hand, he/she bases his/her decisions on his/her sense of responsibility and honesty, while applying his/her ethics. Some philosophers point out an unclear line between happiness and sadness as an inherent weakness in utilitarian ethics (Hammond 41). Since pleasure depends on multiple factors, which include culture, beliefs and psychology, it is sometimes difficult to decide whether an action will benefit most people. Here, the utilitarian perspective stands that while people may disagree on several components of advantage or disadvantage, it is clear that some actions may bring a degree of general comfort and enhance well-bein g of most people. For example, an action that will reduce poverty within the society is generally acceptable as a right action in the perspective of utilitarianism. However, as it clear from western societies, reducing poverty, although it eliminates some form of suffering, does not itself guarantee a construction of happy society. The society then concentrates on the other needs, which determine its overall state of satisfaction with life.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Utilitarian Ethics in Philosophy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Still, one cannot blame an initiative of solving the issue of poverty for the emerging needs of a wealthy society. One should not stop to dream of a society free of violence and crime because managing such an issue can lead to more challenges (and needs) for future societies. Moreover, one cannot stop attempting to decide on an action that can potentially be advantageous to the l argest segment of the population simply because the society may evolve new needs (Hammond 39). The lack of a universal set of moral standards in utilitarian ethics may create concern for some philosophers (Hammond 57). Since moral decisions are often left at the discretion of people (or small parties) to decide what is potentially good for the major part of the community, there is a potential risk to make wrong choices. Still, it is unfair to judge utilitarianism from such a perspective since other type of ethics, such as deontological ethics, falls in a similar category. Even a supporter of virtual ethics will admit that he/she often regrets for some moral decisions he/she has made. Similarly, when making a decision, one cannot remain absolutely certain that whatever he/she does will benefit the largest segment of the community (Hammond 47). However, since such a person makes moral decisions based on his/her own view, one cannot avoid bias and an opportunity to be wrong due to oneà ¢â‚¬â„¢s limitations and lack of knowledge. Conclusion The issue of ethics needs an evaluation that considers crucial dynamics in our society. Here, the conflicting ethical values within communities and the unique nature of situations that require individuals to make moral decisions are the specific factors that one needs to consider when reviewing ethics. Besides, varying cultural, religious, educational and social dynamics within countries make it difficult to develop universal ethics (Hammond 50). Utilitarian ethics provides a foundation for addressing the above mentioned trends that arise in society. When applying utilitarian ethics, the most important consideration, which is a common interest for everyone, is the benefit it may give to the general population (Hammond 42). Works Cited Hammond, Peter. Consequentiality Theory and Utilitarian Ethics. California: Stanford University Press, 2000. Print This essay on Utilitarian Ethics in Philosophy was written and submitted by user Francisco Talley to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

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Consider war. I never really thought deeply about war, until it affected my family. With my husband currently deployed, the war in Iraq has brought up almost every question C. Wright Mills discussed in The Sociological Imagination. All the wars the United States has fought in have created personal problems regarding moral issues that relate to what you believe. The war we are currently fighting, although many say it is not a war, has placed moral strains on many soldiers and their families. These men and women have voluntarily enlisted in the military, but many did so before war took place, they never dreamed they would be leaving their families to travel to the other side of the world to defend our country, from Iraq. Many questions have been addressed about the legitimacy of the war in Iraq, and rightfully so. Why are we fighting the enemy, in their country? Why did we invade Afghanistan, several times? At one point, there were no more targets to bomb in Afghanistan; the r ubble was being bombed to dust. I honestly do not see the point in these attacks, over and over again, then after the attacks we are offering them supplies and food. If I were being bombed repeatedly by the United States, I would be extremely leery of the â€Å"free† food they were offering me. I think that many of the soldiers who deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan have the same question running through their minds, how do I survive this fighting, am I fighting for the right thing, or even, is the US here for the right reason? What exactly is the US fighting for? From my husband’s point of view, the United States is in Iraq for the right reasons, whatever they may be. He say’s if we do not fight them in their own country, they will be here destroying our country. News flash: They already have! I have seen many pictures of the children in Iraq thanking our US soldiers for what they are doing over there. What I don’t see is the children, here in th.. . Free Essays on Consider War Free Essays on Consider War Consider war. I never really thought deeply about war, until it affected my family. With my husband currently deployed, the war in Iraq has brought up almost every question C. Wright Mills discussed in The Sociological Imagination. All the wars the United States has fought in have created personal problems regarding moral issues that relate to what you believe. The war we are currently fighting, although many say it is not a war, has placed moral strains on many soldiers and their families. These men and women have voluntarily enlisted in the military, but many did so before war took place, they never dreamed they would be leaving their families to travel to the other side of the world to defend our country, from Iraq. Many questions have been addressed about the legitimacy of the war in Iraq, and rightfully so. Why are we fighting the enemy, in their country? Why did we invade Afghanistan, several times? At one point, there were no more targets to bomb in Afghanistan; the r ubble was being bombed to dust. I honestly do not see the point in these attacks, over and over again, then after the attacks we are offering them supplies and food. If I were being bombed repeatedly by the United States, I would be extremely leery of the â€Å"free† food they were offering me. I think that many of the soldiers who deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan have the same question running through their minds, how do I survive this fighting, am I fighting for the right thing, or even, is the US here for the right reason? What exactly is the US fighting for? From my husband’s point of view, the United States is in Iraq for the right reasons, whatever they may be. He say’s if we do not fight them in their own country, they will be here destroying our country. News flash: They already have! I have seen many pictures of the children in Iraq thanking our US soldiers for what they are doing over there. What I don’t see is the children, here in th.. .

Project Appraisal is Not an Exact Science. Critically Discuss Various Essay

Project Appraisal is Not an Exact Science. Critically Discuss Various Project Appraisal Techniques - Essay Example klist Model 7 Multi weighted scoring Models 8 Limitation of Multi weighted scoring Models 9 Conclusion 9 References 11 Introduction Project assessment is the combination of both the project evaluation and appraisal. Project appraisal concerns itself with advance assessment to determine whether the project is worth the investment channeled to it (Siriwardena 2011, p.205). After a company has carried out cost benefit analysis of a project, then it is in a position to decide on whether the project is to be implemented or rejected. Researchers have not yet identified the best techniques for project worth estimation. However, project appraisal techniques can help in deciding whether to accept or reject a project. The techniques can be broadly classified into three. The categories are such as, discounted, non-discounted and non-financial techniques. ... Over decades, NPV criticism has been based on its failure in considering the option of the managerial team of abandoning or extending a project. Thus, the NPV technique undermines the cash flow of a project true NPV (Pinches 1994, Van horne 1995). Through investment and financial interaction, decisions have been made by various expertises and NPV method has been adjusted. In that case, the new NPV equals to the NPV sum to equity and financial impacts present value (Myers 1974, Luehrman 1997). The major reason why net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) provides recommendations that are conflicting is as a result of inherent reinvestment hypothesis based on NPV and IRR (Solomon 1956, Rensaw 1957). On the contrary, it is argued that, in IRR or NPV methodology, there exists no reinvestment rate implicit assumption (Dudley 1972, Biedleman 1984). Nevertheless, the authors write that, it is significant to come up with reinvestment rate explicit assumption when choosing be tween two or more competing projects. In recent years, a net present value generalized formula has been developed (Beaves 1998, 2003). The new formula accounts explicitly for projects reinvestment cash flows. In addition to that, rate of return is overall considered. However, the new formula is based on the assumption that, cash flows (net) experienced after null time get financed positively by inflows of cash flows (net). The inflow should occur subsequently to cash outflows time zero but before cash outflow next period. In summary, total initial outlay of a project largely depends on outlay net cash expected regardless the financing source. Net present value is considered more superior than internal rate of return (IRR). NPV utilizes reinvestment rate

Smith and Marx in Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

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