The Personal Statement Instruction Essay Example for Free

The Personal Statement Instruction Essay Question 1 Focus: Academic Preparation Question: What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the field developed and describe any experience you have had in the field such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities and what you have gained from your involvement. My early academic requirements such as grammar school and middle school years were spent studying in China. I never wavered in my commitment to do my best academically because in China, if you do not have good grades in school, your future would not be bright. My middle school education was finished in the United States. After, I went on to attend four years of high school.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   After High School, I enrolled in general courses at Pasadena City College. I am an average student with average grades but a burning passion to learn and draw. I joined various school activities that allow me to hone my architectural skills. I have almost completed all the general courses that I have to take. I am hoping to be able to attend more advanced classes and hone my skills further at your university. I am a very patient person who has the determination to succeed in the field that I have chosen. I have been developing my portfolio of architectural designs over a number of years now. I have also been an active member of various clubs and organizations in Pasadena City College where my design skills are often put to good use. Question 2 Focus: Potential to Contribute Question: Tell us about a talent, experience, contribution or personal quality you will bring to the University of California. *   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I am a friendly person by nature. This is why I would like to be an active participant in school events and politics. I was raised with strong convictions and beliefs about life peoples rights. It is my wish to help the world become united in friendship. I would like to develop my leadership abilities by joining school civic groups and the student council. The school has a large campus and there is always work to be done. I would like to make sure that the student body is always an active participant in the programs that the school has designed to help build character and confidence in a person. College is the happiest time in a students life. I fully intend to enjoy my campus life to the fullest and bring my closest friends and classmates along for the life-changing ride. During my first few weeks at the new school, I expect that I will be joining social activities that will help me blend in with the student body.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I want to join in the civic efforts of the university. I would like to join Habitat for Humanity and help build homes in various parts of the United States. I will continue attending workshops and seminars as well that relate to fine arts and architectural designing. I believe that these seminars help me towards gaining a better understanding of the work that I want to do in the future. I am a highly imaginative person. I always want to be kept abreast of the latest design trends and future concepts. So I will want to spend every spare moment I have gaining the knowledge that I will need. I would like to start an architecture organization on campus. The main objective of this club will be to gather the architecture students and even those students who are not enrolled in architecture but have a love for design and concepts and give them an avenue in which to have a free exchange of ideas. We can have weekend outings where in we can tour the city and visit various architectural landmarks. Perhaps even attend seminars as a group as well. I have had encouraging feedback from the seminar and workshop conductors. They give me the courage and will to go on and see this dream through to the end. I know that the line of study I have chosen is in an area where one has to always be up to date and thinking ahead. This is why I will excel in this field. I am a highly imaginative person and I believe my concepts are far ahead of its time. I have a very keen interest in urban design and architecture. It is my ambition to become a highly competent and popular urban designer or architect known for excellence worldwide. Question 3 Focus: Open-Ended Question Question: Is there anything you would like us to know about you or your academic record that you have not had the opportunity to describe elsewhere in this application? *   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I am Dong Chen. I am currently enrolled as an architectural student at Pasadena City College. I have been living in the United States for a large number of years now. I came to the United States by way of China where I was born and partially raised. My parents value education highly even though they themselves are not university graduates. My brother and I will be the first two in our family to graduate with college degrees.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   My family moved to the United States when I was still an adolescent. They have political reasons for the move. Mother and father wanted my brother and I to have a good future so they insisted on us going to good schools They were able to afford our education, a simple apartment and some amenities in life for the family. Mother works as a rank and file employee at a printing factory while father works a chef.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   My brother is based in San Diego. He has already finished college. He attended university classes at the University of California San Diego. He graduated with a major in Computer Science. He is currently completing his Masters Degree as a student in Cal-State-San Diego.   He is my role model and I always pattern my life after his.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Once I become a student at this university, I will make sure that the chance that has been given to me will not be wasted. I will strive to excel in my field and make sure that I am always at the service of the school and the student body. I can be an adviser to the new Chinese students who are still adjusting to their new life in the USA.

Stereotypes of gender and female employment

Stereotypes of gender and female employment Gender stereotypes are associated with the phenomenon of female employment in specific job types. This paper in general looks at the nature of stereotyping. Many researchers have documented this issue in their works and hence this paper goes a mile to look at this phenomenon of stereotyping in countries of Africa, Asia and South Africa. It surveys the relevant materials documented on this topic. This presentation will look at the reviews of existing measures on gender stereotyping. This presentation goes a mile further to detail the dynamic concept of gender stereotyping and tries to suggest measures brought in by developing countries can be accommodated. Lastly these presentation analyses the aspect of stereotyping of occupations in the developing countries. Documented evidence of gender stereotyping has been done with many writers and researchers all of them giving vital reasons as to why discussion of occupational segregation on labor market at large. This has been done by many including Hakim (1979), Elia (1988), Anker (1998) and Reskin Hartmann (1986) Occupational isolation occurs when different people participate in different kinds of occupations and there exists rigidity in the mobility of groups or people from one occupation to another. This presentation looks majorly at such occupational segregation which occurs along gender lines. We often find occupations which are termed male or female specific. Women and male workers have been divided and consideration for jobs in each gender group is segregated. Female candidates are not considered for male prioritized jobs and the same for the women. Less demanding and less paying jobs are left for women while men compete for the well paying through which the issue of gender isolation is widely brought out. This kind of segregation reduces efficiency and this is the point where gender stereotyping is evident. Women are concluded in thoughts to be house wife and many still have the generalization that women will still transfer the way they work in the house to the job place. This has lead to differential in wage payment forcing women to be paid in the lower rated jobs while men are paid heavily in the state of high income jobs. Thus, we view a subtle difference between segregation and stereotyping. Occupational segregation exists when men and women are differently distributed across occupations to a degree greater than is consistent with their overall shares of employment, irrespective of the nature of job allocation. Stereotyping is the phenomenon when the occupational segregation persists, maintains itself, and for a period of time continues to enrich itself fully between people. It is a concept that keeps on changing and full of life as compared to segregation which is static in a way. Stereotyping prohibits people to continue doing a job in the same group without changing a vice that has left female workers in a low class as compared to their counterparts. At this point the women remain in a poor state whereas men continue to prosper by advancing in other fields that require resources or opportunities that result out of occupation of such high cadre in the society. A consensus has been yielded that globalization policies in developing countries have devalued the traditional set up of female work which include agriculture in particular agro based and small scale production. This has displaced women form this form of occupation to certain newly created job types. Facts prove also that women specific income and development projects do not receive the same funding of resources and attention hence leading to the concentration of women in marginal economic sectors. For sure concentration of women laborers has risen in ill paid and low skilled jobs living their counterparts in much higher paying jobs. Experiences from East European transition economies also reveal the fact that there is preponderance of over-employment of female labor force in certain employments. These are the jobs with longer working hours, shorter retirement rates, and lower wages. International labor organization studies on women in the labor market disclose the occupational segre gation and the employment problem of the women in transition economies. Absorption of female workers is high in the informal sector activities in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Statistics from South American nations like Brazil, Jamaica and many others show that female laborers are strenuous in low-skilled job groups (Vickers, 1991). Displacement from original spheres of activities for both genders have combined with increasing concentration of female labor in marginal activities like being employed in minimal works at the tail end of the production process in companies. Through this globalization has brought in indirect form of occupational segregation into gender types The simplest measure of occupational segregation has been the sex ratio of the workers employed in the various occupations. If there exists q occupations indicated by x. Mx and Fx indicate respectively the number of male and female workers in the xth occupation, then Sx = Fx/ Mx indicate occupational segregation ratios. Higher Sx means that the particular occupation x has more concentration of females relative to males. Degrees of gender segregation has been defined in order of ascendance of the measure =Sx. Higher values and lower values of the indicator helps to categorize the occupations as exclusively men (EXM), mainly men (M), mixed (MF), mainly women (F) and exclusively women (EXF). This gauge has been used by many researchers successfully (Reskin Hartmann, 1986) to approximate the extent of segregation in different nations across occupations and also across jobs. Occupations are defined as aggregates over the cluster of jobs belonging to the occupation. Empirical data has sh own that occupational segregation can smoothen out the extent of segregation across job types. So sometimes segregation across job types reveal the segregation across occupations. Whatever may be the extent of desegregation, this measure of segregation suffers from the absence of relativity as this does not measure relative concentration of females compared to males in the occupations. Several other models are available but all with an objective to illustrate discrimination against gender. Occupational isolation is thus the main precondition for existence and generation of gender stereotyping. Since it is difficult to get together similar data of worldwide distribution of occupational gender distribution, the work of identifying the emerging stereotype work zones worldwide still remains. However, one can get a feel of the trouble from the data laid done in tables below. The practical figures regarding earnings differential of female and male workers can be taken to be an indication of occupational segregation. This problem is an unrelenting one and also a developing one mostly in the developing countries and the transition economies. The process of globalization has also brought in new occupations and job types in the third world countries. This vice itself as a reinforcing process to create gender stereotypes. There is need to identify areas of existing and emerging stereotypes so that necessary actions can be taken to prevent such labor market rigidity.

History Of Taj Hotel Tourism Essay

History Of Taj Hotel Tourism Essay The Company was incorporated in 1902 and it opened its first hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace Tower, Mumbai, in 1903. The Company then undertook major expansion of The Taj Mahal Palace Tower, Mumbai by constructing an adjacent tower block and increasing the number of rooms from 225 to 565 rooms. From the 1970s to the present day, the Taj Group has played an important role in launching several of Indias key tourist destinations, working in close association with the Indian Government. The Taj Group has a philosophy of service excellence which entails providing consistently high levels of personalized service and innovative means of improving service quality. The Taj Group has been active in converting former royal palaces in India into world class luxury hotels such as the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur and Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. In 1974, the Taj Group opened Indias first international five star deluxe beach resort, the Fort Aguada Beach Resort in Goa. In 1980, the Taj Group took its first step internationally by opening its first hotel outside India In 1984, the Taj Group acquired under a license agreement each of The Taj West End, Bangalore. During the 1990s, the Taj Group continued to expand its geographic and market coverage in India. In 2000, the launch of the 56 acre Taj Exotica, Goa and the Taj Hari Mahal in Jodhpur were completed. In 2003, the Company celebrated the centenary of the opening of its Flagship hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace Tower, Mumbai. In 2005 the Company acquired on lease The Pierre, a renowned hotel in New York City, to enter the luxury end of the developed hotel markets internationally . Introduction Of Taj Hotel The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries are collectively known as Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and is recognised as one of Asias largest and finest hotel company. Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Mr. Jamsetji N. Tata, the company opened its first property, The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Bombay in 1903. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, completed its centenary year in 2003. Taj Hotels Resort and Palaces comprises more than 60 hotels in 45 locations across India with an additional 15 international hotels in the Malaysia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. Spanning the length and breadth of the country, gracing important industrial towns and cities, beaches, hill stations, historical and pilgrim centres and wildlife destinations, each Taj hotel offers the luxury of service, the apogee of Indian hospitality, vantage locations, modern amenities and business facilities. Service Segmentation By Taj Hotel IHCL operate in the luxury, premium, mid-market and value segments of the market through the following: Taj (luxury full-service hotels, resorts and palaces) is our flagship brand for the worlds most discerning travelers seeking authentic experiences given that luxury is a way of life to which they are accustomed. Spanning world-renowned landmarks, modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts, authentic Rajput palaces and rustic safari lodges, each Taj hotel reinterprets the tradition of hospitality in a refreshingly modern way to create unique experiences and lifelong memories. Taj also encompasses a unique set of iconic properties rooted in history and tradition that deliver truly unforgettable experiences Taj Exotica is our resort and spa brand found in the most exotic and relaxing locales of the world. The properties are defined by the privacy and intimacy they provide. The hotels are clearly differentiated by their product philosophy and service design. They are centered around high end accommodation, intimacy and an environment that allows its guest unrivalled comfort and privacy. Taj Safaris are wildlife lodges that allow travelers to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Indian jungle amidst luxurious surroundings. They offer Indias first and only wildlife luxury lodge circuit. Taj Safaris provide guests with the ultimate, interpretive, wild life experience based on a proven sustainable ecotourism model. Upper Upscale Hotels (full-service hotels and resorts) provide a new generation of travelers a contemporary and creative hospitality experience that matches their work-hard play-hard lifestyles. Stylish interiors, innovative cuisine, hip bars, and a focus on technology set these properties apart. The Gateway Hotel (upscale/mid-market full service hotels and resorts) is a pan-India network of hotels and resorts that offers business and leisure travelers a hotel designed, keeping the modern nomad in mind. At the Gateway Hotel, we believe in keeping things simple. This is why, our hotels are divided into 7 simple zones- Stay, Hangout, Meet, Work, Workout, Unwind and Explore. Ginger (economy hotels) is IHCLs revolutionary concept in hospitality for the value segment. Intelligently designed facilities, consistency and affordability are hallmarks of this brand targeted at travelers who value simplicity and self-service. Taj Hotels also promise a whole new experience of tranquillity and total wellness, through Jiva Spas a unique concept, which brings together the wisdom and heritage of the Asian and Indian Philosophy of Wellness and Well-being. Rooted in ancient Indian healing knowledge, Jiva Spas derive inspiration and spirit from the holistic concept of living. There is a rich basket of fresh and unique experiences under the Jiva Spa umbrella of offering, Yoga and Meditation, mastered and disseminated by accomplished practitioners, authentic Ayurveda, and unique Taj signature treatments. Royal traditions of wellness in service experiences, holistic treatments involving body therapies, enlivening and meaningful rituals and ceremonies and unique natural products blended by hand, come together to offer a truly calming experience. Taj Air, a luxury private jet operation with state-of-the-art Falcon 2000 aircrafts designed by Dassault Aviation, France; and Taj Yachts, two 3-bedroom luxury yachts which can be used by guests in Mumbai and Kochi, in Kerala. Taj Sats Air Catering Ltd., the largest airline catering service in South Asia, as a joint venture with Singapore Airport Terminal Services, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSBILITY As a part of Tatas; Indias premier business house; we; at Taj Hotels, have always believed in society and environment being integral stakeholders in our business along with our shareholders, customers, vendors and others. We promote corporate citizenship through our strategic public-private partnerships which encourage building livelihoods of less-advantaged youth and women. The causes we promote include reducing malnutrition, promoting indigenous artisans and craftsmen and enhancing employability of identified target groups by sharing our core competencies as a leading hospitality company. We encourage training and development of differently able youth. We at Taj have the unique scope and opportunity to develop raw potential into a skilled workforce that is immediately employable by various players in the industry. A majority of our community projects are focused around extending our key strengths in food production, kitchen management, housekeeping, customer service and spas to promote economic empowerment of candidates from vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds. We are fully committed to the cause of building a sustainable environment by reducing the impact of our daily operations on the environment and improving operational efficiencies, resource conservation, reuse and recycling of key resources. Vision The Taj Group of Hotels commits itself to the overall improvement of the ecological environment, which we are all a part of. We recognize that we are not owners but caretakers of the Planet and owe it to our children and future generations of humankind. It is our endeavour not only to conserve and protect but also to renew and regenerate the environment in which we live and operate.Our commitment encompasses all actions related to our products, services, associates, partners, vendors and communities.We will partner and engage with our environment through EARTH: Environmental Awareness and Renewal at Taj Hotels. For us EARTH is not a program, nor a process; it is a way of life. EARTH( Enviornment Activities) In an endeavour to reinstate its vision and efforts to boost sustainable tourism, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces presented EARTH (Environment Awareness Renewal at Taj Hotels) this year. Implementing schemes such as the Gangroti Glacier Clean-Up Expedition, as well as designated Earth rooms, which minimise environmental impact, Taj is one of Asias largest group of hotels to commit to energy conservation and environmental management. EARTH has received certification from Green Globe, the only worldwide environmental certification program for travel and tourism. The Taj began a century ago with a single landmark The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai. Today, the various Taj hotels, in all their variety and historical richness, are recognised internationally as the symbols of true Indian hospitality. The Companys history is integral to Indias emergence into the global business and leisure travel community; and looking to the future, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is well positioned to meet the increase in travel activity with the rapid expansion of the Indian economy. Taj Hotels has joined the internationally-recognised Green Globe benchmarking and certification system as an extension of its existing environmental policies. Taj Hotels has long recognised that as a leader it has an important contribution to make and a responsibility to demonstrate to others how they can be part of the fight against climate change. Corporate Governance Taj has been practicing good Corporate Governance even before Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) made it a mandatory requirement from 2001. Out of more than 5000 companies listed with the Bombay Stock Exchange the Company is categorized as an A Group Company which group comprises only 200 companies and the criteria for selection is based on Market Capitalisation, Liquidity, Industry Representation, Listed History and track record of Compliance. Being a TATA group Company, the Company goes beyond the mandatory requirements of Corporate Governance and conducts business in a fair and transparent manner. It maintains good investor relationships and endeavors to deliver to investor consistent quality services. Customer facilities Taj Hotel Exotica Resort Spa Maldives, is an exclusive, private and romantic island resort lush with tropical plants and encircled by clear blue waters of one of the largest lagoons of the Maldives. Taj Hotel Exotica Resort Spa Maldives spreads idyllically along a pristine beach and the serene lagoon. The award-winning resort, now re-launched, seamlessly extends the magic of the islands blessed natural beauty in its design even as it offers the finest contemporary luxuries and services. Taj Hotel Exotica Resort Spa Maldives offers 59 Rooms and 3 Suites. All the rooms are completely refurbished and redesigned. 90% of the accommodation is built over water and 10% is on the beach front. The rooms offer infinite views of the Indian Ocean. Taj Spa, an authentic Indian spa, offers a range of signature wellness experiences. A choice of gourmet cuisine, water sports, and recreation make for a complete and exclusive destination. Room Facilities Air Conditioned Satellite Television International Direct Dial Telephone Private Bathroom Hairdryers Mini Bar Safe Deposit Box 24 Hour Room Service Coffee/Tea Making Fac High Speed Internet Access Coffee/Tea Making Facilities Hotel Facilities Travel Desk Doctor On Call Laundry Service Concierge Desk Luggage Storage 24 Hour Front Desk Postal/Parcel Service Currency Exchange Counter Baby Sitting Service(On Request) Airport Shuttle Service(On Request) Dining Entertainment 24 Degress Equator Bar In Villa Dining The Deep End Sports Leisure Spa Water Sports Fitness Centre Billiards/Snooker Tables Meeting Facilities Business Centre SWOT Analysis Strengths:- The group has enormous power and strengths, which ma kes it the best and competitive, some of them are: It consists of 57 properties in 40 locations across India and 18 international hotels. Its stylish variety of hotels like; Taj exotica, Taj safari, The gateway hotels, Ginger hotels, Jivas spa etc. Its effective and efficient management techniques and staff. Its brand name. The presence of Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces in various countries like United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Dubai, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Russia and the United States of America. Securing management contracts at Palm Island, Jumeirah in Dubai,Saraya Islands in Ras Al Khaimah, Aldar Group in Abu Dhabi, UAE Langkawi in Malaysia and Thimpu in Bhutan. The various initiatives taken like; rollout of CustomerFeedback System, Tata Business Excellence Model, IT initiatives, Ginger hotels etc. Weakness Taj hotels being such a big brand, has a lot of advantages but every big company faces some odds and so does Taj. Some of its weakness; Its hard to maintain such a huge chain of subsidiaries and there are more chances of mishaps in management. Its huge competitors like Oberoi, Leela, Oriental, ITC etc are also providing same facilities and thus it becomes a weakness for Taj hotels. Its very costly for the Indians to afford the tariffs and service charges set by Taj hotels. Thus, they loose a major part of their market share. They need a lot of investment. As Taj hotels is a popular group, it is always in the eyes of the terrorists, as taj has already faced such an incident. Therefore, it proves to be a weakness some times, to be so popular. Opportunities The Group is poised strategically to take advantage of the following situation: In the backdrop of a healthy economy having its positive fallouts on the Tourism Sector leading to rapid growth in markets in India, South Asia and key gateway cities in source-market destinations. Rapid expansion in both International and Domestic destinations, with top-of-the-line Luxury, Leisure and Business properties. Meeting growing demand in the budget and mid-market segments. Extending the product portfolio into related offerings viz. luxury residences, wildlife lodges and health spas. Threats The threats identified by the Group are related mainly to the markets in which the Group operates and general factors related to the tourism industry. Significant among these are: Cheaper international airfares, increasing affordability of travel to International destinations, especially South East Asia, Europe and Australia. Growing presence of international hospitality chains competing in the Luxury and Business segments, to meet excess demand situation. Appreciating Indian Rupee vis-à  -vis the US Dollar, resulting in lower realisation on foreign exchange earnings. Slowdown of international demand resulting in reduction of revenues. Future Strategies Urban Sanctuaries Luxury Weekends from the Taj City Escapes Island Escapes Rejuvenate with Jiva Christmas and New Year breaks Some more developments in progress are: TAJ opens its 5th hotel in Bangalore Taj Coromandel presents ANISE No Room for the Ordinary advertising campaign Taj Residency Bangalore unveils Jiva Spa Heritage Nature Walk At The Taj West End, Bangalore Bhairo,The Stunning New Rooftop Restaurant At Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur Intoxicating Bhutanese Bath At Taj Tashi, Thimphu, Bhutan Two More Taj Safari Lodges Will Open In 2009 Taj Values PEOPLE DIVERSITY, INTEGRITY RESPECT PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE EXCEED EXPECTATIONS INNOVATION SENSE OF URGENCY ACCOUNTABILITY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY JOY AT WORK People are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We respect diversity of people, ideas, cultures and honor the value of individuals in a team. We believe in perfection to achieve excellence. We continuously improve processes to surpass global benchmarks. We succeed by exceeding expectations of all stakeholders and protecting the interest of our shareholders and playing by the rules. We encourage innovation, embrace change and support growth through knowledge and learning. We accept responsibility and deliver on promises with a sense of urgency and agility. We commit to improve the quality of life of the communities we serve and our concern for the environment by returning to society what we earn We recognize and respect each other in all interactions and set the example for our guests, business associates and colleagues. We encourage a fair environment that supports equal opportunity to attract, develop and retain the best talent and endeavor to have fun too. Taj Promises At the Taj Group, our commitment to service excellence is rooted in our two guiding principles called the Four Steps of Service and the Taj People Philosophy. One of our key priorities is to empower our people to deliver on our legacy of impeccable service. Four Steps of Service: 1. A warm and sincere welcome. Use the guest name, whenever possible. 2. Fulfill guest needs and provide anticipatory service. 3. Defect free products and services. 4. Fond farewell using the guest name, whenever possible. Taj People Philosophy The Taj People Philosophy displays our commitment to and belief in our people. We see Talent Management as the most important sustainable competitive advantage in the future. You are an important member of the Taj family. We endeavor to select, retain and compensate the best talent in the industry. We reward and recognize quality customer care based upon individual and team performance. We commit to providing you with opportunities for continuous learning and development. We abide by fair and just policies that ensure your well-being and that of your family, the community and the environment. We commit to regular and formal channels of communication, which nurture openness and transparency. We strongly believe that you are the Taj. Key Initiatives Ginger Hotels IHCL is in the process of rolling out its Smart Basics hotels, under the brand name Ginger. The first prototype has been launched in June 2004 in Bangalore, with roll out being planned in a number of cities and towns subsequently. These hotels will cater to the economy or value for moneysegment and being predominantly domestic clientele based, are far less prone to fluctuations than the luxury and upscale segments. In the long run, this segment will help in derisking the current revenue stream of the company. Brand Architecture IHCL is in the process of clearly defining the product and service standards in order to have consistency across properties under each brand. This will help in further enhancing the brand value of Taj. Product Upgradation IHCL continues to invest in renovation and relaunch of key / brand defining properties. In the last financial year IHCL upgraded rooms at the Taj Mahal Palace Tower, Mumbai and Taj West End, Bangalore The lobby and public areas of Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur and Rambagh Palace, Jaipur were also renovated to provide a luxurious sense of arrival. The Sea Lounge and Harbour Bar at Taj Mahal Palace Tower, Mumbai was relaunched, while a new Vietnamese restaurant Blue Ginger was opened in Taj West End, Bangalore The renovated products and the new outlets were very well received in the market. The renovated rooms at Taj Mahal Palace Tower, Mumbai and Taj West End, Bangalore have emerged as the price leaders in the respective cities. In the coming year IHCL intends to open a number of FB outlets by celebrity Chefs with international cuisine. In the upscale segment, the properties are being relaunched to be at par with international level upscale hotels. The rooms at Taj President, Mumbai, Ta j Residency, Bangalore, Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur and Taj Holiday Village, Goa are being renovated and relaunched. Service Excellence In the last few years IHCL has undertaken a number of steps to significantly enhance service levels to be in line with the best in class. IHCL has constantly benchmarked itself with the key international luxury chains and strived to raise the bar. IHCLs service excellence philosophy, has at its core, delivery through our people, processes and culture. IHCL has taken a number of steps to provide highly personalized service to the discerning customer, including butler services in its luxury properties. In order to take care of the entire stay experience, IHCL has also completely revamped its Concierge services. The Centers of Excellence have been strengthened considerably to train staff to meet the exacting standards of a truly luxury hotel. Tata Business Excellence Model (TBEM) will play a significant role in raising the bar of service provided. The TBEM has been rolled out in all the three hotel divisions and will be rolled out to the international properties also. Tata Business Excellence Model (TBEM) In order to intensify the drive for Business Excellence, IHCL conducted Internal Assessments based on the Tata Business Excellence Model for Luxury, Leisure, Business SBUs as well as for Taj SATS Air Catering Limited. The Luxury Division has also applied for External Assessment, which is to be facilitated by Tata Quality Management Services. Based on the External Assessment (2003) feedback report and the feedback from the Internal Assessment, action plans to improve processes which finally impact the overall organizational effectiveness, have been drawn out and worked upon. Some of the key initiatives deployed across key hotels of the Taj group in the year 2003-04 are: Rollout of the Customer Feedback System The CFS was launched in November 2003 and has taken root in 30 hotels across Taj group. It is the primary and sole customer feedback system of the group. Till date, the system has clocked around 12,000 pieces of customer feedback. The feedback from all sources gets recorded and aggregated and analyzed to improve the service quality in areas of concern at each of the hotels. Feedback is not restricted to only guest difficulties (complaints) but also consists of compliments and suggestions. The feedback would ultimately be used for product planning as well. IT initiatives From a situation in 1999 where there was limited IT application, Taj group has today achieved domestic leadership in deploying IT to leverage its competencies and is rapidly approaching benchmarks set by international highly regarded chains. The first three phases of implementation of the IT strategy included putting in place the physical infrastructure across the Taj Group and getting customer relationship applications to ride on this physical infrastructure, with a view to enhancing customer services through customer information and recognition systems and better inventory management. Some of the key IT initiatives being under taken by IHCL are Orion, a comprehensive back office system, implementing Revenue Management system, Interactive TV Systems and National Call Center. Competition A Tata company shall fully strive for the establishment and support of a competitive, open market economy in India and abroad, and shall cooperate in efforts to promote the progressive and judicious liberalisation of trade and investment by a country. Specifically, a Tata company shall not engage in activities that generate or support the formation of monopolies, dominant market positions, cartels and similar unfair trade practices. A Tata company shall market its products and services on its own merits and shall not make unfair and misleading statements about competitors products and services. Any collection of competitive information shall be made only in the normal course of business and shall be obtained only through legally permitted sources and means. Direct Competitors: 1. Oberoi Hotels 2. Oriental Hotels 3. ITC Welcomgroup 4. Hotel Leela etc. Potential Target market : The upper class of the society is targeted. i.e. the richer people in the society. Their fares or tariffs are high as the luxuries provided by them are also standard and 5-star. Thus, this is in context to the Indian branches of Taj Hotels. STRATEGY: Taj group has used the Taj name for all its operations to leverage the brand equity commanded by the name Taj. Taj brand is playing an increasing role of driving revenues Taj group plans to add around 12 Hotels in the next 3 years . Taj facilitates the expansion to other segment by endorsing the sub-brands with their parents brand names. MARKETING STRATEGY A higher emphasis was placed on the business segment as the profits are higher (this market being less price-sensitive) as compared to the luxury segment. There was a proliferation of the Taj Presidency hotels not only in new cities, but also smaller towns. The action plan is more opportunities, adding to and complementing the brand. INNOVATIVE MARKETING SERVICES: STAY A BIT LONGER- If a customer book 2 nights or 3 with Taj hotels, then they surprise to customer with a complimentary nights stay at select hotels. EARLY BIRD OFFER- Say at any of Taj properties ranging from modern business hotels to idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, 10 days in advance and avail the Early Bird Rate to enjoy savings of 20% over our Best Available Rate (BAR). SUITE SURPRISES Book between 1-4 nights in Taj Suites and enjoy a free nights stay. Luxury at the Taj isnt only about indulgences, but advantages. Book 1, 2, 3 or 4 nights in our majestic Suites, featuring impeccable interiors and classic style, and enjoy a complimentary nights stay. TAJ SAFARIS are wildlife lodges that allow travelers to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Indian jungle amidst luxurious surroundings. They offer Indias first and only wildlife luxury lodge circuit. Taj Safaris provide guests with the ultimate, interpretive, wild life experience based on a proven sustainable ecotourism model. TAJ AIR, a luxury private jet operation with state-of-the-art Falcon 2000 aircrafts designed by Dassault Aviation, France; and Taj Yachts, two 3-bedroom luxury yachts which can be used by guests in Mumbai and Kochi, in Kerala. BUSINESS EDGE At the Taj, business is not just unconventional, but valuable. Alongside the quintessential fusion of business and pleasure, you will also enjoy unbelievable savings and benefits on our traditional hospitality and exceptional service that are sure to leave you pleasantly surprised.   Breakfast for two (single/double same rate) Hotel Credit of Rs 2000/- per stay against FB, laundry, or spa (where spa services are available) KEY SUCCESS FACTORS Technology related:-Used of advance technology in hotel premises. Manufacturing- related: High utilization of fixed assets. Quality control know-how. Serving customer according to their specification. Distribution-related: Presence of hotel chain at various places. A strong network. Marketing related: Breadth of product line and product selection. Personalized customer services. A well-known and well-respected brand name.

Covert Control in Jane Smileys A Thousand Acres Essay -- Smiley Thous

Covert Control in A Thousand Acres Though there are instances of overt control and destruction performed by the patriarchy upon both women and nature, the most pervasive forms the Apollonian controlling impulse takes, are covert. What Ginny says about Larry, also goes for the system of which he is the ultimate signifier: "I feel like there's treacherous undercurrents all the time. I think I'm standing on solid ground, but then I discover that there's something moving underneath it, shifting from place to place."(104). The most striking example of this, is of course the secret of the incest. But throughout the novel, there is an interplay of social imperatives and individual expression, a power struggle of discourses. This struggle is hidden under a shiny hard surface maintained by patriarchal control, as when Jess left for Canada to avoid the draft and "slipped into the category of the unmentionable" (6), or in Ty's own desires having to be "camouflaged with smiles and hopes and patience" until he becomes his own mask; "casting no shadow, radiating no heat" (306). As signified by the motif of the tiles, and its many metaphoric implications, the community that Ginny lives in, especially her family, is ruled by a network of masks concealing the real motivations of people. For Ginny, this is even internalized into her understanding of her own body as layered with meaning: I seemed, on the surface, to be continually talking to myself, giving myself instructions or admonishments, asking myself what I really wanted, making comparisons, busily working my rational faculties over every aspect of Jess and my feelings for him as if there were actually something to decide. Beneath this voice, flowing more sweetly, was t... ... semiotic, even that has been contaminated by the poison of Apollonian control. This covert control -in farming, capitalism, and discourse- is part and parcel of the land and its people, and it always has been: "You [Ty, but by implication everybody in this system] see this grand history, but I see blows. I see taking what you want because you want it, then making something up that justifies what you did. I see getting others to pay the price, then covering up and forgetting what the price was. Do I think Daddy came up with beating and fucking us on his own?[...] No. I think he had lessons, and those lesons were part of the package, along with the land and the lust to run things exactly the way he wanted to no matter what, poisoning the water and destroying the topsoil and buying bigger and bigger machinery..." (342-343) Destroying the poison jar may be futile. Covert Control in Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres Essay -- Smiley Thous Covert Control in A Thousand Acres Though there are instances of overt control and destruction performed by the patriarchy upon both women and nature, the most pervasive forms the Apollonian controlling impulse takes, are covert. What Ginny says about Larry, also goes for the system of which he is the ultimate signifier: "I feel like there's treacherous undercurrents all the time. I think I'm standing on solid ground, but then I discover that there's something moving underneath it, shifting from place to place."(104). The most striking example of this, is of course the secret of the incest. But throughout the novel, there is an interplay of social imperatives and individual expression, a power struggle of discourses. This struggle is hidden under a shiny hard surface maintained by patriarchal control, as when Jess left for Canada to avoid the draft and "slipped into the category of the unmentionable" (6), or in Ty's own desires having to be "camouflaged with smiles and hopes and patience" until he becomes his own mask; "casting no shadow, radiating no heat" (306). As signified by the motif of the tiles, and its many metaphoric implications, the community that Ginny lives in, especially her family, is ruled by a network of masks concealing the real motivations of people. For Ginny, this is even internalized into her understanding of her own body as layered with meaning: I seemed, on the surface, to be continually talking to myself, giving myself instructions or admonishments, asking myself what I really wanted, making comparisons, busily working my rational faculties over every aspect of Jess and my feelings for him as if there were actually something to decide. Beneath this voice, flowing more sweetly, was t... ... semiotic, even that has been contaminated by the poison of Apollonian control. This covert control -in farming, capitalism, and discourse- is part and parcel of the land and its people, and it always has been: "You [Ty, but by implication everybody in this system] see this grand history, but I see blows. I see taking what you want because you want it, then making something up that justifies what you did. I see getting others to pay the price, then covering up and forgetting what the price was. Do I think Daddy came up with beating and fucking us on his own?[...] No. I think he had lessons, and those lesons were part of the package, along with the land and the lust to run things exactly the way he wanted to no matter what, poisoning the water and destroying the topsoil and buying bigger and bigger machinery..." (342-343) Destroying the poison jar may be futile.

Comparison Of Judaism And Christianity :: essays research papers

There are many substantial and vital distinctions between Judaism and Christianity. Of course there are many similarities, primarily because Christianity emerged from Judaism. However, the emergence was not a direct line. Christianity broke from Judaism, forming a new religion, so it is misleading, however comfortable the thought might be, to believe that the two religions are essentially the same, or to see Christianity as the natural continuation of Judaism. Judaism's central belief is that the people of all religions are children of God, and therefore equal before God. All people have God's love, mercy, and help. In particular, Judaism does not require that a person convert to Judaism in order to achieve salvation. The only requirement for that, as understood by Jewish people, is to be ethical. While Judaism accepts the worth of all people regardless of religion, it also allows people who are not Jewish but who voluntarily wish to join the Jewish people to do so. GodJudaism insists on a notion of monotheism, the idea that there is one God. As Judaism understands this idea, God cannot be made up of parts, even if those parts are mysteriously united. The Christian notion of trinitarianism is that God is made up of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Such a view, even if called monotheistic because the three parts are, by divine mystery, only one God, is incompatible with the Jewish view that such a division is not possible. The Jewish revolutionary idea is that God is one. This idea allows for God's unity and uniqueness as a creative force. Thus, for Jewish people, God is the creator of all that we like and all that we don't. There is no evil force with an ability to create equal to God's. Judaism sees Christianity's trinitarianism as a weakening of the idea of God's oneness. Jewish people don't have a set group of beliefs about the nature of God; therefore, there is considerable, and approved, debate within Judaism about God. However, all mainstream Jewish groups reject the idea of God's having three parts. Indeed, many Jewish people see an attempt to divide God as a partial throwback, or compromise with, the pagan conception of many gods. The Jewish View of JesusTo Christians, the central tenet of their religion is the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, part of the trinity, the savior of souls who is the messiah.

A job or profession Essay

There are six domains in the content model starting with† worker characteristics† which talks about the abilities, enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance, also the occupational interest, the preference of work environments and also work values and work styles what is more important to you at work and how exactly you enjoy and feel more comfortable doing your job. â€Å"Worker requirements† which involves basic skill and cross-functional skill, basic skills are skill you already should know, and cross- functional are skills you tend to learn from moving from job to job. Knowledge and education are also needed in worker requirements knowledge is what you know of the job and education is any prior knowledge you already had coming in. â€Å"Experience requirements† involves experience and training, licensing and basic and cross- functional skills, which is everything needed for you to get started on the right track with your job, basic and functional skills to help you in your everyday life and also in your work environment, also licensing and training are requirements because jobs need to know that you are legit and know what you are doing. â€Å"Occupation specific information† also involves tools to help with your job and also technology as in machinery equipment, things to make your job a less of a hassle. â€Å"Workforce characteristics†, variables that define and describe the general characteristics of occupations that may influence occupational requirements. â€Å"Occupational requirements† a comprehensive set of variables or detailed elements that describe what various occupations require. There are many careers in career cluster but there is one that really interests me which is teaching the reason for this is because teaching has always been a dream of mine simply because I would love to influence a child’s life in a good way. For good teachers, teaching is a vocation rather than a job something they can’t refuse. Teaching is a call to service; a way to change the world. There’s so much potential in a classroom. Teaching is the profession that makes all other professions possible. There are a lot of great reasons to teach and none of them are better than the others. The reasons why you want to teach depend on your personality and beliefs. Some teachers want to make a difference and some people love working with children or adolescence and some people want to make a big contribution to society. As long as you’re intentions are good and you’re not going into teaching for the wrong reasons, you should pursue your passion and desire to become the teacher with all the right reason .You could be that teacher that influence a kid to be anything from a hero to the president of the united states because lets be totally honest kids look up to teachers and you setting a good example could do so much for children . Teachers do more than make a small difference, they touch their students’ lives forever. I want to teach because I want to make a difference in the world. A lot of teachers want to teach because they have the power to do good things for their students. Students do more than learn academic things from teachers, they learn about morals and ethics, they learn about confidence and self-esteem, and they learn what having someone who cares about them is like. I want to teach because students deserve a teacher who really cares about them and wants them to do their best. A lot of people want to teach because of the rewards that come with teaching like pay and vacations. I want to teach because I love working with students and being a part of their lives. I care about the youth of the world, and I want to help them learn and prosper in any way I can. I also want to teach because I honestly can’t see myself doing anything else with my life than teaching. As reported in yahoo the salary for teachers in Texas can vary on location, experience and whether or not they have a master’s degree. In Lubbock, teachers employed by the Lubbock Independent School District in 2011 earn a starting salary of $37,750 if they have a bachelor’s degree. If they have a master’s degree, their salary begins at $39,250. An LISD teacher with 20 years of experience, but only a bachelor’s degree, will earn $48,635 per year, this is how much I could expect to earn. Another job I have always been interested in is being a personal trainer simply because you get to motivate and help people get physically fit. Some reasons may be to help people become healthier or let athletes maximize their performances; other reasons may include sharing with others the gift of health or it could be that you just like hanging around the gym and want to make some money in the process. There is no â€Å"wrong† reason, just as there is no single â€Å"right† way to train people. I feel the best part about being a personal trainer is having the opportunity to transform not only my client’s body, but their mind as well. Being a personal trainer means being there for my client through the good and the bad, answering emails and being on-call if a client has questions from muscle soreness to protein powder. I chose this profession merely on the basis of having a healthy physique, to train people and inspire them to be aware of health and not only that but to have a great body too has been something I would love to teach. When you market yourself to potential clients, you subtly make them a promise that you’ll get them looking and feeling how they’ve always dreamed of. Some of them expect you to hand them results, barely making an effort in the gym, my job is to push them to the limits and make them earn their results. These results are all the right reasons to pick this profession. Salary for a trainer is ranging from 20-100 dollars a hour per person. One main job I would love to be is a doctor I just wish I would be smart enough to peruse that career. Becoming a doctor is no easy task. Just getting into medical school is a daunting task let alone the amount of studying, time spent in residency and the grueling hours one spends training. I personally have many reasons why I want to become a doctor. Yes my first answer is I want to help people, and yes it is true that you can help people in many ways but I think a doctor provides the most direct and critical type of help. I mean how many times have you been in pain and you’ve gone to see your doctor and after he’s treated you, you want to just get up and hug him. The healing power of a doctor is almost godly. I don’t think any other profession is more appreciated than a doctor because of that fact. We as humans seek help and relieve from pain and suffering when we are going through such a time and the most critical pain and suffering is physical pain and when that pain is relieved we are most grateful. This is why I would also enjoy being a doctor; there is no greater gift you can give. Annual salary of a doctor is, depending on the area in the U.S.A. the average yearly salary of a doctor is around $120,000-$160,000. What I have learned from these careers and what u has put into conclusion in my own mind is that no matter what career you are looking for, the annual salary will not make you happy, what will make you happy is how much you will enjoy the job. Enjoying your job is the main part of being happy in life; having a job you enjoy waking up to every day will make your life so much less complicated. Which is why I no longer look at the pay of jobs , but end up asking myself would I enjoy this?

High School Education Essay

Education is perhaps the most important endeavor a person can attempt in their life. Studies show those who have a post high school degree of some kind will earn considerably more during their working years than those who don’t. Therefore the many young adults who don’t have a high school degree will be crippled in becoming successful in our workforce. In today’s society this has become a major problem in creating a better country as a whole. The ‘hard times’ that many people may have could be prevented by more preparation and education for the future simply because more education leads to greater success. Our schooling system needs to be confronted in providing a better education so that our children will bloom and create a better, more intelligent nation than today. Dropping out of high school puts people in a extenuating circumstance for the rest of their life. Without a high school education it basically cripples you in achieving success for yourself in the future. This widespread of dropouts and failures not only effects themselves but also the world around them by decreasing economic growth. â€Å"Conclusions shows that economic growth is directly related to education in each country. Investing in education rapidly grows economies and raises the average level of employment. † (Breton) Though many classes may seem inapplicable to the work force or a future career, there are skills developed such as group work, critical thinking, and exposure to disciplines that one would not otherwise study offers the potential for personal growth not found in everyday life and experience. This personal growth that is developed only through school proves that everyone must have a high school education. To create a better workforce and way of life I propose to enact federal policies and requirements for our schooling system. These policies would include more financial aid, and imply less inflexibility for high school students. â€Å"The federal role in education is limited. Because of the Tenth amendment, most education policy is decided at the state and local levels. † (Policy Overview) Changing from state to federal would be the first part of my solution. With the change in rule there would also be the policies enacted to ensure a better education. More financial aid would go to the school and students to provide a better education. From this financial you can expect higher teacher salaries, more teaching jobs, and a better learning environment. Implying less inflexibility for high school students could be many things. One would be having no states test to graduate, and instead have comprehensive exams by the school to test the knowledge and skills of their students. Also have the school to use teachers and counselors to be more involved in each students life for the struggles they may be having concerning necessities and school. Our high school education system is clearing not working and needs to be refined. The amount of people being able graduate needs to improve so that our nation as a whole can grow. By using my solution to this problem you can see a much better education system. The State role would be changed, and there would be a completely different education system to ensure everyone people graduate from high school. There would be no student failures, and dropouts from the policies enacted by a federal not state rule. From this you can see higher graduation rates leading to more economic growth for our country. â€Å"America found its growth hormone after the Second World War in the incredible educational success of the GI Bill. †(Bencini) Studies in education have proven that more education and reform leads to economic success and growth. My proposal to this problem would reform and create our society better as a whole, and make a more intelligent or sufficient world than today. Education is perhaps the most important endeavor a person can attempt, and dropping out of high school puts people in a extenuating circumstance for the rest of their life. This leads to less economic growth and higher unemployment rates that deprave our economy. To create a better workforce and way of life I propose to enact federal policies and requirements for our schooling system. This include more financial aid, and more inflexibility towards our school systems. We need to call for our politicians to improve our schooling system because the cause and effects of students not completing school leads to failure and less success. From more education leads to greater success so the key role in our nations future is our youths education. Works Cited