Gold’s Gym Essay

Gold’s gym has been the authority in fitness since 1965 dating back to the original Gold’s Gym in Venice, California. It was the place for serious fitness. Thereafter, Gold’s Gym quickly became known as â€Å"The Mecca of bodybuilding†. In 1977, Gold’s Gym received international attention when it was featured in the movie ‘Pumping Iron’ that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. Today, Gold’s Gym has expanded its fitness profile to offer all of the latest equipment and services, including group exercise, personal training, cardiovascular equipment, spinning and yoga, while maintaining its core weight training tradition. With 3.5 million members worldwide, Gold’s Gym continues to change lives by helping people achieve their individual potential. Mission Statement: â€Å"To enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve, through our fitness philosophy, facilities, programs, and products; and to instill in the lives of people everywhere the value of health and fitness.† We are committed to exceeding our members’ fitness goals by utilizing our rich history established over the last 42 years of superior training, information, support and guidance provided by the largest and the best fitness organization in the world. â€Å"Service excellence is our golden rule.† Vision: To inspire, support, and lead every member in their effort toward a healthy, productive, and fun life, and to provide a safe, fun, energetic, rewarding, and fair working environment. We are the inspiration and the leadership that will guide the Wenatchee Valley to be the fittest community in America. We are the Customer Care benchmark. We are passionate about helping others. We are a great company for which to work.   Core Values: Respect – Have regard for others’ beliefs and viewpoints. Candor – Speak openly and honestly. Integrity – Don’t â€Å"act† as though you have values – Be your values. If you really don’t care about other people, PLEASE don’t work here. Learning and Knowledge Sharing – Intellectual capital is our most valuable treasure. Share what you learn and be open to learn from others. Teamwork – This isn’t about you or me. It is about us. Make everyone around you look good. Humility – We are all equally important†¦.and equally unimportant. Accountability – True accountability is the process of constantly asking yourself; â€Å"what else can I do to make things better?† While it may have started out as a humble hard core training gym, Gold’s Gym has grown into a fitness empire. So does big mean bad? Or can corporate gyms still be a good place for independently minded personal trainers? With hundreds of locations across the world, the mega fitness employers of hour fitness, Bally Total Fitness and Gold’s gym are going to be tempting places where personal trainers can get almost guaranteed employment. The Personal Training Job Board is packed with entry level jobs. Gold’s Gym International, Inc. is an international chain of co-ed fitness centers commonly referred to as â€Å"gyms†. Each gym features a wide array of exercise equipment, group exercise classes and personal trainers to assist clients. Its headquarters are in Irving, Texas Today, Gold’s Gym claims to be the largest chain of co-ed gyms in the world, with more than 750 locations in 42 states and 30 countries. Gold’s Gym has a membership of more than three and a half million, split almost equally between male and female patrons. Gold’s Gym locations are equipped with cardiovascular and strength training equipment and offer group exercise classes such as group cycling, Pilates, Latin dance yoga and stretching through the company GGX (Gold’s Group Exercise) program. Many gyms also offer basketball, swimming pools and boxing studios. Gold’s Gym is privately owned. It was acquired from its previous owner, private equity firm Brockway Moran & Partners, by Robert Rowling’s TRT Holdings in 2004 for approximately $158 million. Brockway Moran had acquired the company in 1999. The current chief corporate officers include President and CEO Jim Snow, David Fowler as senior divisional vice president, and Aaron Watkins as senior vice president of finance and accounting. Average Gold’s Gym Salaries: As of May 30, 2012, the average salary for gold’s gym jobs is $41,000 USD. Average gold’s gym salaries can vary greatly due to company, location, industry, experience and benefits. This salary was calculated using the average salary for all jobs with the term â€Å"gold’s gym† anywhere in the job listing. Jobs: Employees must be at least 18 years of age. Gold’s Gym is an equal opportunity employer who recognizes the value of having a diverse workforce. It seeks and encourages qualified applicants regardless of gender, ethnicity, or other cultural or physical characteristics. Fitness Sales Manager Our Sales Managers are responsible for consistent improvement of club sales and operations through effective planning, implementation, use and exercise of independent judgment and discretion in determining how to best maximize profits, contain costs, and hold club employees accountable. Personal Training Sales Manager Personal Training Sales Managers are responsible for selling training packages for our certified personal training staff and holding Personal Training Sales Counselors and Personal Trainers accountable. Fitness Sales Counselor A Membership Sales Counselor will actively pursue enrollment of new members through self-generated and Company-sponsored programs, promotions and referrals. This includes establishing and maintaining lead boxes; calling on new businesses for corporate accounts, obtain leads from existing members, give club tours and membership presentations, utilize computer programs to track appointments and sales. Personal Training Sales Counselor A Personal Training Sales Counselor will actively pursue enrollment of new members into Gold’s Gym Pro Results Personal Training packages by providing introductory training assessments, and utilizing computer programs to track appointments and sales. Operations Manager The job of our Operations Managers is to ensure that our members receive exceptional service from a happy, friendly staff in a clean and well-maintained facility. Operations Managers hire, train, and supervise all fitness, babysitting and janitorial staff, resolve all membership issues, update past due accounts, manage payroll and supplies budget, and uphold company standards Club Staff The job of our club staff is to meet, greet and check-in members and guests of Gold’s Gym, provide excellent customer service and update member’s account information using various computer applications and be assertive, enthusiastic and punctual. Group Fitness (Aerobics) Group Fitness Trainers are enthusiastic, professional, motivated, experienced individuals who enjoy teaching group fitness. They have experience in teaching one or several of the following formats: Cycling, Step, Latin, Hip Hop, light weight dumbbells, Kick box Cardio, Aqua, Mat Pilates and yoga. Personal Trainer The main responsibility of our Personal Trainers is to design and implement programs for our personal training clients. They are expected to treat all clients in a professional and compassionate manner and be prepared to advise clients of what to do during their â€Å"off day† when they are exercising on their own. In general, the trainer position requires you to be a positive fitness role model for all our clients and club members Building Maintenance The Building Maintenance personnel must have experience in at least one of the following specialties: wood floor refinishing, tile work, HVAC, painting, CPO, plumbing, electrical. Janitor The Janitor maintains the cleanliness and beauty of the club by cleaning the locker rooms, mopping floors, emptying trash containers, wiping off counters, cleaning equipment, cleaning mirrors and windows, etc. Equipment Technician The Equipment Technician must have a solid experience troubleshooting electrical, electromechanical and mechanical systems. Job Descriptions Tasks: Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, voice mail systems, and personal computers. Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages. Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer. Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints. Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail. Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities. Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports. Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters. Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments. Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests . Greets each member and guests promptly, enthusiastically and with a smile to create a friendly positive entrance into the gym. Says â€Å"Hello† to all incoming guests and says â€Å"Good-bye† to all outgoing guests. Provides security and control to the front door area of the facility. Checks each member into the gym using the proper check-in procedures. Monitor check-ins to identify delinquent accounts and notifies Gym Operations Supervisor. Register all guests into the gym using proper registration procedures. Ensures that guests and appointments are directed to the appropriate fitness consultant in a prompt, professional manner. Answers phone by the third ring in a professional and courteous manner and uses proper phone greeting techniques. Addresses callers’ requests and/or takes appropriate messages. Registers all telephone inquiries in the TI register in the Master Production Binder and transfers the call to the appropriate Fitness Consultants. Responsible for following up on telephone inquiries to ensure that the appointment was booked properly. Responds immediately to member requests, inquiries and concerns. Maintain neat appearance and wear proper uniform attire with nametag while on duty. Distributes keys, towels and other materials as needed. Reserves time/makes appointments for tanning, special classes or other activities sponsored by the gym. Tools: Franking or postage machines — Postage machines Photocopiers — Photocopying equipment Scanners — Data input scanners Computers — Laptop and Desktop computer Technology: Accounting software — Billing software; Bookkeeping software; Intuit QuickBooks software Data base user interface and query software — Alpha Software Alpha Five; IBM Check Processing Control System CPSC; Microsoft Access; St. Paul Travelers e-CARMA Document management software — Filing system software; Records management software; Transcription system software Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel Word processing software — Microsoft Word Knowledge: Clerical —Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology. Customer and Personal Service — Providing customer and personal services; including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Accounting Principles — Understanding of basic accounting principles and cash processing procedures. Skills: Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively. Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Time Management — Managing one’s own time and the time of others. Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people. Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Abilities: Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern, according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). Work Activities: Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. Requirements: Education This occupation requires a high school diploma. Related Experience Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public. Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Job Zone Examples These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, physical therapist aides, salespersons (retail), and tellers. Tasks: Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement. Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines. Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness. Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants’ capabilities and limitations. Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion. Evaluate individuals’ abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements. Monitor participants’ progress and adapt programs as needed. Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment. Provide students with information and resources regarding nutrition, weight control, and lifestyle issues. Administer emergency first aid, wrap injuries, treat minor chronic disabilities, or refer injured persons to physicians. Tools: Balance beams — Balance boards; Balance disks Exercise balls — Medicine balls; Weighted exercise balls Fitness weights — Fitness jog belts; Free weights; Water ankle weights; Weighted swim vests Microphones Technology: Calendar and scheduling software — Appointment scheduling software; Contemporary Web Plus Appointment-Plus Data base user interface and query software — BioEx Systems Exercise Expert; DietMaster Systems DietMaster Medical software — BioEx Systems Nutrition Maker Plus Project management software — BioEx Systems Fitness Maker; Get Physical! Software Personal Trainer Pro; Natural Fitness Concepts The Trainers Edge; Vesteon Software Personal Trainer-PDA Knowledge: Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. Skills: Instructing — Teaching others how to do something. Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people. Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively. Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods. Monitoring — Monitoring individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions. Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Abilities: Gross Body Coordination — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion. Stamina — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath. Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without ‘giving out’ or fatiguing. Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretches, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs. Dynamic Strength — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue. Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects. Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Work Activities: Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. Requirements: Education Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate’s degree. Related Experience Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Job Zone Examples These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents. Sales Manager Tasks: Manage, hire, train and develop sales staff. Generates sales leads through company’s sponsored events while coordinating with the regional marketing function locally. Oversees lead generation for sales team through Company’s sponsored (walk-ins) and employee sponsored (outreach and promotions). Motivate sales staff and monitor their production levels by using the established protocols and sales system programs. Hold daily production meeting with sales team. Establish and maintain the standard company protocol for sales tours and price presentation. Maintain and direct training & development of the gym sales staff. Establish and maintain an active referral system with the sales team. Establish and maintain a lead box/lead bowl system and monitor on a monthly basis. Develop and retain corporate client relationships through the sales team on a monthly basis. Audit sales team on a monthly basis. Maintain acceptable level of personal sales production. Submit monthly game plan for training, promotions and department meetings to General Manager and Area Manager. Create, implement and promote special events for the gym with regional marketing to generate new member sales. Answers phone by the third ring in a professional and courteous manner and uses proper phone greeting techniques. Addresses callers’ requests and/or takes appropriate messages. Registers all telephone inquiries in the TI register in the Master Production Binder and transfers the call to the appropriate Fitness Consultants. Responsible for following up on telephone inquiries to ensure that the appointment was booked properly. Responds immediately to member requests, inquiries and concerns. Maintain neat appearance and wear proper uniform attire with nametag while on duty. Distributes keys, towels and other materials as needed. Technology: Calendar and scheduling software — Contact management software; Scheduling software Customer relationship management CRM software — Eden Sales Manager; FrontRange Solutions Goldmine software; Salesforce.com Salesforce CRM; Vanguard Software Vanguard Sales Manager Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software; Microsoft Access Electronic mail software — Email software; IBM Lotus Notes; Microsoft Outlook Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel Knowledge: Sales and Marketing — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Personnel and Human Resources — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems. Economics and Accounting — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data. Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. Skills: Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively. Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions. Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people. Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job. Abilities: Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Work Activities: Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions. Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources; in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. Requirements: Education Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor’s degree, but some do not. College degree preferred. High school diploma and some college courses completed is required Fitness certifications. Related Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. Previous experience in the fitness area as manager or sales head. Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Internal sales training at the fitness center. Job Zone Examples Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and special agents. Job Evaluation – Point Method Analysis Defining Compensable Factors 1. Effort: earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something through the exertion of physical or mental power. 2. Skill: ability and capacity acquired through deliberate, systematic, and sustained effort to smoothly and adaptively carryout complex activities or job functions involving ideas (cognitive skills), things (technical skills), and/or people (interpersonal skills) 3. Contact with Others: reaching out to or being in touch with another person, business or entity. For example, a salesperson may contact another person or business for a potential sale. 4. Complexity of Duties: Condition of having many diverse and autonomous but interrelated and interdependent components or parts linked through many dense interconnections. 5. Decision Making: Degree to which judgment is required to address typical problems associated with the position, and the impact that these decisions will have on the business Effort This factor evaluates physical and mental requirements of the job. It considers the amount of detail work, diversity of tasks, deadline pressures, and emergency situations. Degree Description of Characteristics 1 Minimal effort required (e.g., tasks are simple and routine, and use well-defined procedures) 2 Limited effort required (e.g., tasks are simple but varied, with some limitations set by standard practices and procedures) 3 Moderate effort required (e.g., tasks have some variation and complexity,with work governed only by broad instructions and objectives) 4 Substantial effort required (e.g., tasks are highly varied and complex, involving analysis and evaluation of many complex and important factors) 5 Extreme effort required (e.g., tasks are highly varied and extremely complex, involving analysis and evaluation of many complex and important factors) Skills This factor evaluates the ability to exercise cognitive skills, technical skills, and/or interpersonal skills. Degree Description of Characteristics 1 Little skill required (e.g. use of reading and writing, adding and subtracting; following of instructions, computer literacy and proper speech, with basic health and fitness skills) 2 Limited skill required (e.g. use of simple use of formulas and formulation of schedules; operation of equipment and machines; checking of reports, forms, records, and comparable data, with fitness training skills) 3 Moderate skill required (e.g. use of different methods of analysis; interpretation of data, equivalent to 1 to 3 years’ applied training in a particular or specialized occupation with fitness training skills) 4 Substantial skill required (e.g. use of advance methods of analysis and interpretation, all varieties of measuring instruments, equivalent to complete accredited apprenticeship in a recognized occupation; or equivalent to a 2-year health, nutrition or fitness college education and skills) 5 Extreme skill required (e.g. use of higher application of principles and the performance of related practical operations, together with a comprehensive knowledge of the theories and practices, health, fitness, management and other related fields. Equivalent to completing 4 years of health, nutrition or fitness college or university education and skills) Contact with Others This factor evaluates personal interaction with others outside direct reporting relationships (e.g. employees from other departments, customers, vendors/suppliers, the general public, etc.) and the degree to which the employee works with or through other people to achieve organization goals. It includes internal and external contacts and evaluates the frequency of the contact, the nature of the contact (informational vs. influencing), and the degree of impact the contact has on the organization. Degree Description of Characteristics Has little or no interaction with others (less than 20% of work time) and contact is internal, limited to co-workers and the direct supervisor for the purpose of supplying or obtaining information on routine matters. (Seeking and exchanging information, engaging others in conversation, and responding to questions) 2 Has moderate interaction with others (21% to 50% of work time) and contact is internal with other departments and superiors in other areas, for the purpose of supplying or obtaining information, but may require some influencing skills, tact and discretion. (Interpreting and explaining information, outlining alternative actions, and or gaining information from others) 3 Has frequent interaction with others (more than 51% or work time) and contact is both internal and external to the organization, for the purpose of supplying or obtaining information, and may require minimal influencing skills, tact and discretion. (Interpreting and explaining information, outlining alternative actions, and gaining information from others) 4 Contact is both internal and external to the organization, for the purposes of influencing and persuading in order to carry out company policy or goals. Requires communication skills, tact, discretion, persuasion, and an awareness of dynamics and organization goals with respect to external contacts (customers, suppliers, government entities, the community, or others) to gain cooperation. (Convincing other people, resolving disagreements, leading group activities, making presentations, or counselling) 5 Contact is both internal and external to the organization, primarily with top management levels, for the purposes of influencing and persuading in order to carry out company goals. Requires an awareness of strategy and timing. May involve difficult or sensitive negotiations requiring considerable tact, discretion, communication skills, and persuasiveness. (Formal or informal negotiations, resolution of complex situations, formalized debates or presentations) Complexity of Duties This factor evaluates the complexity of duties with regards to the degree of independent action, standardized job duties, exercise of judgement, job decisions, exercise of discretion, resourcefulness, or creativity in devising methods, procedures, services or products. Degree Description of Characteristics Little Judgement: Understands and follows simple instructions. 2 Some Judgement: Follows detailed instructions and standard procedures to perform repetitive or routine duties. 3 Simple Analytical Judgement: Plans and performs varied duties requiring an extensive knowledge of a particular field. Uses a wide range of procedures. 4 Complex Analytical Judgement: Plans and performs a wide variety of duties requiring a broad knowledge of company policies and procedures in addition to extensive knowledge of a particular field. 5 Advanced Analytical Judgement: Plans and performs difficult work without set precedent or procedures. Involves highly technical or involved projects that have new or constantly changing problems. Decision Making This factor evaluates the thought process of selecting a logical choice from the available options. When trying to make a good decision, a person must weigh the positives and negatives of each option, and consider all the alternatives. For effective decision-making, a person must be able to forecast the outcome of each option as well, and based on all these items, determine which option is the best for that particular situation. Degree Description of Characteristics Requires few decisions and duties are usually very standardized. 2 Exercises judgement to analyze facts or conditions to determine what action should be taken using standard practices. 3 Requires minor decision making. Requires outstanding judgement and initiative to deal with complex factors not easily evaluated. Makes decisions based on precedent and company policies. 5 Ingenuity and exceptional judgement necessary to deal with not easily evaluated factors and to interpret results. Makes decisions that involve a great deal of responsibility. Job Description for Customer Service Representative/Front Desk Processes orders, prepares correspondence, and fulfills customer needs to ensure customer satisfaction. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and 0-3 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Customer Service Representative I – U.S. National Averages The median expected salary for a typical Customer Service Representative I in the United States is $30,380. This basic market pricing report was prepared using our Certified Compensation Professionals’ analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies. Additional Information: O’net Source: Median wages (2011) $13.07 hourly, $27,190 annual Job Description for Fitness Instructor Coordinates all fitness programs for a facility. Organizes and instructs exercise classes for all fitness levels. Ensures that all participants are properly trained on the use of the facility’s exercise equipment. Responsible for making sure that the exercise area and equipment are safe and clean. May require a bachelor’s degree in area of specialty and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. Typically reports to a supervisor. Source: HR Reported data as of June 2012 The median expected salary for a typical Fitness Instructor in the United States is $47,240. This basic market pricing report was prepared using our Certified Compensation Professionals’ analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies. Job Description for Sales Ensures the maximum effectiveness of the sales force by developing and implementing training programs. Designs and delivers training sessions on company products, business practices, and other topics as needed. Monitors and reports on the effectiveness of training programs and may conduct initial needs analysis. Requires a bachelor’s degree in a related area and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Directs and oversees an organization’s sales policies, objectives, and initiatives. Sets short- and long-term sales strategies and evaluates effectiveness of current sales programs. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Conclusion Recent industry compensation surveys state that employees remain in their jobs for 1 year or more. Though employee motivation is strongly derived from an individual’s passion for his or her work, compensation plays a major role in satisfaction and retention. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, fitness instructor’s average salary is $20.25 per hour, while rates for specialty instructors, yoga/Pilates instructors, group fitness instructors and personal trainers range from $23.75 to $30.50 per hour, on average. Knowing how fitness jobs are positioned within the wider employment market can help keep the industry competitive. However, with increasing numbers of career fitness professionals, progressive salary changes within the industry are perhaps equally important. Gold’s Gym follows a lag policy and although it has remained in the industry for the past decades, it is still one of the most criticized gyms in America unfavorable reviews. Reference: http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/personal-trainer-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm http://www.careerbliss.com/salary/golds-gym-salaries-284979/ http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-9061.00#AdditionalInformation http://swb.salary.com/salarywizard http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-gold’s+gym http://www.lafitness.com/pages/employment.aspx http://www1.salary.com/Personal-Trainer-salary.html http://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/LA-Fitness-Salaries-E12445.htm

Business communication review Essay

Introduction A group of friends and I have decided to make a small business known as ‘Beyond The Scoop’. I have now been asked to create a detailed report on the different type of communication. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION Video Conferencing image00.png Video conferencing is widely being used as the rise of technology is improving. Video conferencing is basically a direct video interface in which both people can see and hear each other. It is used in large cooperation as it requires a lot of money to acquire the equipment for video conferencing. HSBC have recently been using Video Conferencing as they have a range of banks all around the world. They use video conferencing in order to talk about propositions and other matters without the need of travelling. Video Conferencing will reduce a great deal of expense as people no longer need travel to far distances to meet. This means people would be more flexible to communicate to other people with the comfort of talking from their own home. On the other hand, video conferencing requires a lot of money for it to run properly. Since you need high internet speed to have a stable video conference and high internet speed require more money. Furthermore, the equipment itself and can add up to the thousands and there is no guarantee for a stable connection as internet providers have peak times in which most people’s connection are low. Additionally, when speaking on video conferencing it is hard to determine on whose turn is it talk and can cause a lot of frustration. Purpose The purpose of video conferencing is to discuss and explain about issues. Emailimage01.png Email has taken a big role nowadays and is now surpassing the need for letters. It is commonly used throughout the world from teenagers to big cooperate businesses. The basic function of email is a message sent electronically. One business which uses email would be ‘Amazon’. Amazon sends email to customers informing customers about their products as well as delivery information. This is a great advantage as people don’t have to wait a long period of time to get information in comparison to the average memo. Since a person simply needs to login to their email and the message will appear. You also have the advantage of knowing whether or not a person has read the message and if they have received it. This great advantage in case an employee states he did not receive information from another colleague a person can easily just login to their email and check. Email also eliminates the need for using paper and this is great advantage as it is environmentally friendly and it could be used for something else. An email is also superior when it comes to receiving a message in comparison to a letter. This is because an email can be sent to a person in a few seconds whereas a letter may a take a few days. In addition, sending an email is usually free where as you have to pay for sending a letter. While email has many advantages it also has a few disadvantages. For example, it requires internet access to work and if the internet is down an email could not be sent. In addition, emails also have the ability to send virus along with the email and could endanger the computer receiving it. Also, people tend to get a lot of spam and phishing which could lead to the user being victim to giving financial information. Purpose The purpose of an email is usually to inform colleagues about task as well as key information. It can also be used to explain task and what are the requirements for each tasks. Website image02.png Website have become so important to the extent where some businesses simply use them rather than having an actual building to sell their products for example ‘Woolworths’. Woolworths have all the products on their website and they also provide free delivery. Having a website means manufactures can sell products without the need of maintaining a store which can be highly expensive. Furthermore, some people are restricted to stay at home and going on a website is easy as you only require a computer and internet access to access a website. A website also has the advantage of easily being updated. For example if a company like ‘Argos’ had a new product it could easily update that on their website. Moreover, a website is also able to present information in various forms for example; sound, images, videos and written information. These features are relatively cheap and be acquired or made easily. However, a website is not perfect for example it has the flaws of requiring internet access. As internet access is not always available to customer, customers cannot always access the website. Furthermore, some users have difficulties navigating through website because they are not great with computers. Some websites may also contain inappropriate images or have inappropriate adverts which might not be suitable for some users. It may have some offensive images which could lead to law suits. Purpose The purpose of a website is usually to persuade people into buying their products. It can also be used to inform readers on prices and contact details. SPOKEN Face to Face Face to face communication has reduced in the past few years as technology such as telephones, social networking websites and video conferencing has came out. One company which use face to face is ‘PC Worlds’. PC World use face to face during meetings to discuss important issues. Face to Face communication still has many advantages. One advantage is that you don’t need to rely on internet or any signals to be able to talk. Moreover, you are more likely to tell if a person is lying when you are talking face to face. Whereas, via email someone can be discrete and can easily lie and it would be hard to identify since you cannot see their facial expression. Via face to face you are also able to use facial expressions and body language to get your point across e.g. to be serious, persuasive or happy.image03.png The disadvantages are that you have to be at a close distance to be able to talk and if you are not then you might have to pay travel cost to be able close enough to be able to talk. Moreover, face to face communication requires time as you would have to talk to several people for confirmation that they are available and you would also need to organise a place and time which would suit and this would take a large portion of time to organise. Purpose The purpose of face o face communication can be to inform, explain, entertain and describe. Radioimage04.png Radio is regularly used to promote businesses as they are listened to by a vast amount of people. For example a company called ‘Capital’ are a radio company which advertise a few companies on their channel. Radio communications have the advantage of being widely listened as a lot of people listen to radio regularly during the morning. It is also a fact that radio communication has increasing more in comparison to other communication. This means there is wider audience to talk to. It is also significantly cheaper to use radio communication in comparison to television communication. Radio communication has now recently been available on most phones and cars and this means an even rider range of audience. The disadvantages are that it is only able to provide vocal communication and not visual communication. This means if a business was to advertise their products it would be hard to make a decent advertisement on radio as you would only hear about the product. Furthermore, radio communication tends not to have strong signals and a person can easily encounter interruptions in comparison to an internet connection. Purpose Radio communication is usually to entertain as most channels tend to provide music to listen to as well as interesting discussions. It can be used to inform as some radio stations provide information about the weather and other information. PRINT Postersimage05.png Posters are information and images on paper which are stuck on buildings. They are used by small business and sometimes big businesses to advertise their business. For example ‘GPU’ use posters as they have quite unique designs and are very effective. Posters have the advantage of being cheap. It is very simple to make a poster however for it to be effective it must have vibrant colours to ensure it makes contact with people when they walk by. You can also make several copies and it would attract a large audience. Due to the fact it is very cheap it does have several disadvantages. One would be that a poster can be placed a top of your poster. Or someone could damage your poster. Furthermore, people usually walk by and don’t often look out for posters unless it is really eye catching. Purpose Posters are often used to entertain readers and intrigue readers with vibrant colours and outstanding images. It also is used to inform reader on key information. Letters Letters are used in most businesses for example ‘HSBC’ give letters informing their clients about their bank information every month. Letters have been used for a long portion of time however they are slowly being replace by email. Letters have the advantage of not needing internet connection as well as the fact you can’t get viruses from them. Furthermore, you can send products to the recipient for example ‘free samples’ where as you are unable to do via email. image06.png The disadvantage of letters is that it is a waste of trees and contributes to global warming. It also takes a significantly longer portion of time to receive in comparison to an email or a fax. In addition, it also requires money in order to send a letter whereas emailing is free as well as instant. Purpose The purpose of a letter is used to inform and explain to people on particular information. It can also be used to convey personal opinions. Memorandumimage07.png Memos were often used before emails. Schools such as Swanlea use memos to inform other teachers on some tasks. The advantages of memos is that it has the ability to remind employees on small matters which they must do. The disadvantages are that a memo can simply be lost and it may not get to the receiver. Moreover, a person can deny that they were asked to do a task on the memo since there won’t be any proof that the sender sent a memo in the first place. Whereas in an email there is sold proof that you have sent an email and recently you can now tell if a person has read your email. Purpose A memo is used to inform people about certain task and are often are used as reminders so people don’t forget. In conclusion, I have realised it would be best to use; posters, leaflets, emails and a website. This is because posters can be done by our own personnel as one person is expertly

Debate Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Debate - Coursework Example The debate that has been taking place for several years in the case of international trade is whether free trade should be encouraged or nations should adopt trade policies. Free trade is more beneficial for a nation than adoption of trade protection policies because free trade leads to increase in exports of developing regions and it even leads betterment of the living standards of people living in developing nations. Body Restrictions on trade levied by governments in order to protect local organizations should be removed since such restrictions harm local organizations and free trade assists local organizations in development and increases exports. According to Vernon, organizations first develop a good or service for their own domestic region and later when the product becomes highly popular, they tend to develop these products in other nations that are equally developed as compared to the host nations, later when the competition between the same products produced by developed na tions elevate, the manufacturers tend to start producing the same product in under developed or developing nations (PENG, 2009, p.156). Goods are mostly produced at lower cost in developing regions, due to this, citizens and businesses of developed regions purchase the same goods from developing regions. For example: the photocopier machine was first produced in the region of United States and they used to export them to developed regions such as Japan and Western side of Europe, later due to increase in demand, these photocopiers were even produced in these developed regions with the assistance of joint ventures between host nation organizations and organizations in United States (Steers, 2006,p.37). Later the photocopier was even produced by competing organizations in Japan and Western Europe which leads to a decline in imports of US produced photocopiers. Due to this, organizations in developed nations started looking towards producing photocopiers in developing nations in order to reduce production cost. When photocopiers started being manufactured in developing nations, organizations in developed nations started importing them from developing nations. Free trade can assist in solving the economic issue of scarcity for both developing and developed nations; due to this it should be promoted. Certain nations have abundant amount of certain resources and skills, while other nations may experience a scarcity of those resources and skills. The comparative advantage theory of Ricardo states that nations should produce more of those goods for which they have more resources and can produce them in an efficient manner (PENG, 2009, p.152). If one nation experiences scarcity of certain resources and cannot produce certain goods and services in an efficient manner, they will end up experiencing a shortage of those goods and those goods will no longer be in the reach of all of the citizens of a nation and will only be accessible to those who have more money. A major b enefit of free trade is that it leads to decrease in prices of goods and services for consumers and goods become easily accessible. Due to this nations should concentrate on producing more of those goods that they can produce efficiently and exchange them with

My First Day In College Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My First Day In College - Essay Example The essay "My First Day In College" talks about the experience we can get from our first day in college. The author by his example tells what good experience the college gives a person to be successful in his life. I gladly anticipated the day because of the social title that I would gain for joining the university because most of my peers derived little pleasure from academic achievements and rarely qualified for and attained university education. I would be one of the few youths in the locality to join the university, the highest recognized academic institution. My feelings were however mixed with the anxiety of freedom from parental control and separation from my friends, people that had become very close to my life and with whom I had shared my weakness for social support. My younger sister, then in elementary school, particularly noted my unstable state and teased me for behaving like a little child. It was finally my reporting day and I had to take the step into my new life. I had packed all my belongings the previous night and was ready to bid my family goodbye. Leaving home was, however, a painful experience and I broke into tears, of pain and isolation, for fear of never seeing my family again. Even my mother’s consolation that they would occasionally visit me or that I was free to visit them over the weekends would not ease my overwhelming pain. She then drove me to college, in her favorite car, and I could feel the transition in my life as we passed the city center into the college’s main campus.

Business School Networking Refelction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business School Networking Refelction - Essay Example I conducted my research prior to attending the simulation. I checked the websites about networking simulations. I also managed to play one of the online networking simulations prior to this one. This helped me prepare well before the actual test. I wrote my weaknesses from the prior simulation and tried to work on them before we went for the class simulation. During the conversation I was able to interact with Mr. Schiff managing Director of BIDCO Company. He told me that networking is not about whom you are but what people say you are. Our tutor Mr. Tom also told me that networking is critical and building relationships is the catalyst for a successful business. In addition to this, my friend Claire told me that if I was to succeed I would need to continually connect with new people and cultivate emerging relationships and leverage my network. I took all these conversations as very important. During this time I built my confidence and gained courage in the field of business. In the end I learnt that networking is all about cultivating a win-win situation by accelerating professional development and seeking new career

West indians Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

West indians - Essay Example Following the arrival of the white man, numerous African black people were shipped over to work as slaves on sugar plantations on the islands and now make up a large proportion of the population. It is estimated that there are about 36 million people living in the West Indies today, most of African heritage. This is impacted by lower infant mortality rates with increased access to health care and other services. It is also estimated that millions of people have moved from the West Indies to the United States and other parts of the world. According to the article â€Å"West Indies† (2008), at least one million Cubans have moved into the United States with equally high numbers of Puerto Ricans and other West Indians also pursuing greater job opportunities and educations for their children. Most of these people speak Spanish, but this is not the only language spoken. Other languages spoken in high density include French and English, including a creole version of these languages. Dutch is spoken on some of the islands and Hindi and Urdu can still be heard on Trinidad and Tobago (West Indies, 2008). More than half of the West Indian peoples live in urban areas and live lives that are relatively comparable to the lives of people living in urbanized areas anywhere. However, the islands are not overly abundant in their own resources, so farming plays a large role in their economy. The climate is very warm for most of the year, so clothing is generally light and loose with hats, with wide shade-giving brims, playing a significant role in fashion. Perhaps because of the heavy slave-influenced past, their attitudes toward marriage, family structure and religion are somewhat different from what is found in the Protestant-influenced United States to the north. There are four types of family organization within West Indian families, each of which is centered around different religious ideals. The Christian family follows the

Impact of interest rates on the typical consumer in the economy Essay

Impact of interest rates on the typical consumer in the economy - Essay Example Many people work hard in order to fulfill their aspirations of owning their dream home or buying a brand new car. To afford these, numerous consumers resort to borrowing from financial institutions such as banks, which impose interest rate on the said loans. When interest rates go up, the cost of borrowing increases. This means that should they decide to push through with purchasing the house or car this period their monthly amortization would be relatively higher. If the amortization amount goes beyond the consumer's budget, he/she may decide to defer buying the new house or car. With this, it becomes evident that interest rate uptrend complicates borrowing decisions since consumers become confronted with the uncertainty if the said trend would prevail in the long term. As such, consumers usually suspend purchasing big-ticket items when interest rates climb. This may potentially lead to a contraction in the housing or automobile markets as well as in other industries. On the contrary, an interest rate downtrend easily translates to a boom in the housing market and various industries for big-ticket items. A low interest rate environment augurs well with consumers, as they are encouraged to borrow in financing their purchases. This condition fuels consumption spending since consumers are driven by the relatively lower interest payments they would be potentially servicing every month. Cost of Loans/Mortgages For those who are currently servicing debt payments under adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs), jump in interest rates entail ballooning monthly payments. Given this, an upward movement in interest rate puts the period of full ownership of a house further over the horizon. This may even lead to payment default or property foreclosures for homeowners on tight budgets who may be having a hard time affording rising mortgage payments. In this regard, increase in interest rates creates a dent on income which results in lower spending of consumers. However, on the upside, should interest rates go down then there maybe a downward adjustment on consumers' monthly payments. As a result, they are left with more disposable income which they could allot for other purchases. Credit Card Purchases Not only does an interest rate movement affect consumer spending for big-ticket items but also for ordinary expenditures such as groceries, utility bills and other household items among others. Since there are a considerable number of consumers who purchase using their credit cards, an increase in interest rates may lead to an uptick in credit card rates and the amount consumers have to pay for monthly credit card charges. With this, consumers who are not so liquid, i.e. those who do not have ample cash on hand, may cut back on credit purchases. In the same way, consumers may perceive that lower credit card rates make them better off as they are able to derive "savings" from what they would have paid when rates were much higher. This goads them to spend more to take advantage of low rates. Savings Incentive Apart from spending, interest rates also affect consumer savings. With higher interest rates, consumers have greater incentive to save because their deposits may earn higher interest income. However, a low interest rate regime brings about disincentive to save. When interest rates slide, so does the

Disscussion question Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Disscussion question - Assignment Example Effecting of sanctions and embargoes might do more harm than beneficial to a country for this reason; it should be done carefully after assessment of the possible aftermaths. America at one point had an embargo on almost all commodities excluding oil; this was because oil is one of their economies’ driving forces. The other strategy is through innovations which drive towards sustainable growth and quality jobs. Based on the idea that US economy is reliant on fossil fuels, it is tremendously valuable for the US government to protect consumers and businesses against harmful price shocks. Lovett, Eckes & Brinkman (2004) further explains that it has been the government’s role to assure continuous supply of strategic materials such as oil. For a long time, the U.S has left this task to the national defense stockpile which ensures that materials needed are available in time of war and this meant leaving it to the free market to guarantee supply for the industrial economy. In order to trim down US dependence on doubtful sources of supply of strategic materials need to be based on a combination of approaches (Lovett, Eckes, & Brinkman 2004). Through planned purchasing and procurement, the state ensures availability of strategic materials. When it is done by professional, it is termed as supply management. This makes sure that there is a constant supply of the strategic materials needed to the state and in a reasonable time so that there are no cases of deficit (Lovett, Eckes, & Brinkman (2004). As many would believe, US policy should be aiming at increasing trade. It is fascinating to note that, not all Americans are happy with the policy makers as the majorly dwell on business importance coupled with overwhelming goodwill that incorporate other priorities. Eckes (2000) argues that for a long time, now majority of American have been supporting the trade policy as they believe that it will improve trade. For instance, in 2001, poll

Post Modern Society Essay Example for Free

Post Modern Society Essay Social change is the central focus in most of the founding thinkers of sociologys work. This social change is based on the conceptualization of history as an evolution. According to these sociologists, a modern society arises as a result of the inevitable consequence of the growth of knowledge and understanding especially in the field of science and rationality. However, there are no clear indications on when a society can be viewed as having moved from one stage of modernity to the next. A characteristic of the present society which is astonishing does not lie in its level of industrialization but on its level of integration across various cultures. (Holmes, Hughes Julian 34) Social integration is a phenomenon that has received much popularity in the last decade. The entire human race has achieved a level of cultural cohesion that has not been realized before. The traditional cultural boundaries are slowly dissolving and a new universal culture is emerging. The differences in religion, color, ideology, tradition and perception are slowly merging. The society is adopting a general culture which is characterized by a uniformity in norms, values and beliefs. In all the six continents, there is a growing trend in information technology which perpetuates cultural diffusion. Today, individuals of diverse cultural background can easily interact through such mediums like the internet. Efficiency in the transport system has resulted in more people coming into contact with each other. However, it has been difficult to classify this current trend owing to its multifaceted nature. Such terms like modern, postmodern, global and cosmopolitan have been used frequently to describe this current trend. Even though all these terms may be used to describe some of its characteristics, in most cases, their use is normally interchanged. We may not be very far from the truth should we adopt to refer to the current human population as belonging to the same society and cultural orientation. In its actual definition, society can be termed as an interacting group of people with a common sense of identity and culture, living within a particular geographical region. Giddens 2)With this regard, I will consider the planet earth a geographical region. Sociologist have drawn together a number of elements that characterize a modern society. These elements are dominant in the contemporary world and they include the rise of science, the decline of religion, industrialization, mass communication, bureaucracy, division of labor, urbanization and an increasing comprehension of the various aspects of the human life. However, these characteristics fail to capture the complete picture this time. Bureaucracy was a 17th Century invention. Industrialization even though a characteristic of this society does not really distinguish it from the 18th Century ages and therefore cannot be a distinct factor in classifying this society. We also cannot say that we are experiencing the rise of science. We are actually in the midst of science. In other words, this society cannot be described by these elements that sociologists stated. Thus, we are living at a time of transition mainly characterized by a change of perception towards life. This change of perception is a universal element which has passed through every society consciously or unconsciously. The human society is living at the age of post modernism. (Hall and McGrew 13) In the present society, there is a general belief that no single universally agreed upon principle of belief and organization exists. Even though there is remarkable progress in science, there is a general position that it has failed to give explanation and control to various aspects of the society. Another characteristic of this time which is an element of post modernism is the fragmentation of academic disciplines. There is no single paradigm which explains the human condition in the society. Post modernism itself means different things to different thinkers. Being a relatively current theory of society, various sociologists remark that it is an attempt to falsify sociologys founding fathers work. As a theory of society, its basic premise is that social history has progressed in a way that the founders of sociology did not conceptualize. The founders of sociology held the view that history may end with industrialization while actually it has progressed by it. However, this progress has led to confusion about the nature and the subsequent direction of the society. The founding fathers could not conceptualize the current system which is characterized by the rise of relativity and the decline of absolute truth. With an increase in interactions coupled with the breaking of cultural and social barriers, the present society has lost purpose and direction. Post modernity best describe this time because the society has developed an attitude in which there are no certain truths about the world. This has led to modification and subsequent incorporation of various ideologies across all cultures. With regard to art, there exists a universality in appreciation and expression across all cultures. Different artistic styles are coordinated and incorporated in a single element thereby building a unique cultural system which integrates different elements in various cultural practices into one. For instance, music is a blend of various tunes from different regions, the construction of buildings follow popular designs and more different races work towards the same goals. The society has moved from state characterized by industrialization and urbanization to a state of human integration and purpose. The representation of society through multifaceted and diverse cultures has made the world to be a powerful yet confused in its understanding of life. This is the society that we live in today. The concept of post modernity is a recent one which was introduced in the arts and architecture. Today, it has spread across the various aspects of life and is yet to be accepted as the general name for this period in the history of the human society. The development of the post modern society traces its roots on the historical processes of the great transformation and modernity. Its existence in our world today cannot be denied. The period which was marked by the processes of industrialization and the expansion of capitalism saw the beginning of an era of modernity. (Krieken, Habibis, Smith, Hutchins, Haralambos, Holborn 65). This era continued through the last century and today, we are experiencing a change in the human society. The accumulation of the process of change has resulted into this period which can justifiably be termed post modernism. The society has evolved to the extent that new conceptions and structures are developing that are bound to replace the existing ones. As much as we may refer to it as global, cosmopolitan or multicultural society, one apparent thing is that it has evolved from the society that existed prior to the invention of advanced information technology. This can only be referred to as a post modern society.

High Needs School Teacher Application Essay Essay Example for Free

High Needs School Teacher Application Essay Essay As a human with a certain compassion for those who are less fortunate than myself, I believe it is my innate responsibility to ensure that low-income school children receive the same educational benefits through my methodology of teaching. My past experiences in the field of education such as a piano teacher, a Spanish tutor, and childcare food program representative demonstrates my love for aiding children in every capacity. The fact that the school is high need only makes my commitment more substantial. I have also completed 12 units of early childhood development at Pattern University in Los Angeles, California in preparation for any situational concerns that may arise in coping with students who are of low-income communities. It is without a doubt that I am ready for the challenges that may face me in the quest to provide educational support and attention for every individual student under my auspice within the high needs school. Also, I will always ensure that all the needs of each student are met at my best ability through the use of observational techniques, setting goals for each student to achieve and executing a reward system for exceptional achievement. I believe that certain qualities I possess such as attentiveness, great communication skills as I speak three languages—Spanish, English and Korean, which makes me a great commodity or assistance for many low-income area schools as the area may be diverse. Explain how a skill or ability that you possess will help you ensure high academic achievement for all students and provide an example of how you have effectively demonstrated this skill or ability in the past. The counseling skills I obtained from working as an administrative assistant at the Student Assistant Center gives me a keener understanding of how to communicate effectively in the enhancement of academic achievements for all students. My intentions are to help these students make the daily transition from hardship at home to a serene enjoyable environment where the focus will be solely on the acquisition of knowledge. I will implement conflict resolution initiatives in an effort to promote rules and regulations if a situation arises contrary to the policies of the school and the classroom. I am also committing myself to providing additional help to ensure that my students perform to the best of their ability. While working in the capacity of Spanish tutor at Beverly high school, my dedication to promoting excellence was exemplified by taking the time to assist students with their grammar skills, composition, and reading—all essential elements in effective ways of communication whether writing or speaking. Although, it took great diligence, it was worth working because of the benefits the student would receive as a result of enhancing these skills. Briefly describe a professional, personal or academic challenge you have overcome. What steps did you take to address the challenge, and how will that experience contribute to your success as a Teaching Fellow? As an administrative assistant at the Student Assistance Center at Los Angeles City College, I encountered many students who lacked the knowledge in the process of applying appropriately to be admitted into college. They were often overwhelmed with anxiety and fear due to the intricate process of applying to college. I became their support system as I assisted them in the application process. Although I was not directly connected with these students, they felt a dependency towards me because of their unfamiliarity with what they needed to do to successfully submit their college application. To address this particular challenge though would seem simple in the eyes of many, I sat and reviewed all the requirements needed for the process and assisted them with whatever questions and answers they required to be addressed. There were still many limitations as I could not go beyond just assisting them but as policy I was unable to write their application as that would be an unethical method of assistance and completely inappropriate. It is quite obvious that I do not support any unethical means to any given situation. If there are rules and regulations to be upheld, I will always adhere to them, as that is my duty as a Teaching Fellow. Teachers must always be guided by their own discretion as well as I intend to do. This is an important factor because any misguided situation can become a major issue. As a Teaching Fellow, I will allow my past experiences to complement my future successes in the educational field by learning from mistakes in an effort to achieve a high standard of expectations necessary for great achievement for my students as well.