Explaining Your Essay Topic

Explaining Your Essay TopicIf you're a high school senior, then you may not be aware of the different types of explanation essay topics that are being used. Each topic is given a different meaning in different contexts. In the following paragraphs, we'll go over some of the more common examples that are used.The history question. In many cases, a history essay will focus on the past events and individuals who have impacted the current community. Often, this will be a case where an individual will be interviewed. Other time, it's a case where the interviewer will find himself or herself in the shoes of the historical figure who was interviewed.Social issues. Social issues can sometimes take the form of a debate between two individuals, much like the debate between politicians. Students will often use a social issue essay to address controversial social issues. A popular example is the gay marriage debate. In other cases, students might be assigned to write about domestic violence, rel igion, or stereotypes.Multicultural issues. Multiculturalism is a very hot topic nowadays. A student could be asked to write about a whole range of social issues which fall under the broader umbrella of multiculturalism. Examples of these topics include immigration, the plight of the black man, and issues relating to the welfare of minorities.Religious upbringing. In many cases, a student will be asked to write about a person who has experienced a religious upbringing. This could be a case where a Christian teen is questioned about his or her beliefs. Also, a Jewish teen might be asked about his or her beliefs.Research question. Another one of the more common forms of explanation essay topics is the research question. This is often a case where an interviewer finds himself or herself in the shoes of the person who's being interviewed. Another possible variation of this kind of essay is the person who has the research question. These questions might involve the person's background, t heir education, or perhaps something as simple as a short story.These are just a few examples of explanation essay topics. Each topic has its own characteristics that need to be considered when writing an essay.

Disruption of Identity

American identity is an issue that has attracted serious debates in social, economic and political spheres. In the USA, naturalization is one of the mechanisms of acquiring citizenship. In this case, a person born in another territory that is not part of the U.S is granted citizenship through successful application.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Disruption of Identity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One of the challenges that most immigrants in America have had to grapple with over the years is identity crisis and the social cultural issues associated with it. This paper discusses how identity affects American immigrants. Since the American society is based on an immigrant heritage, the origin and identity of the Americans is commonly linked with a dedication to an ideology and recognition of primary values rather than common ancestry and history. Identity refers to the unique traits belonging to any particula r person, or shared by all affiliates of a given social unit or group. A person’s identity occurs when he or she identifies with a considerable others such as family members and society. This implies that American immigrants have to adopt new values and practices in order to fit into that society. At present, it is not easy to define an American since the country has witnessed a great change in the composition of its inhabitants. It is evident that immigration and multiculturalism are instrumental in shaping the American identity. Many individuals see multiculturalism as one of the mechanisms of creating the â€Å"American mosaic† that accommodates the distinctive cultural heritage of various ethnic units, some of whom try to safeguard their indigenous languages and ways of life. In other words, a person can be an American and still maintain his or her racial and ethnic identities. Some Americans have adopted the concept of multiculturalism and formal learning institut ions further promote it. For instance, the curricula of both primary and secondary learning institutions in America promote the understanding and appreciation of cultural multiplicity by exposing learners to various social and cultural practices.Advertising Looking for essay on ethnicity studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, critics of multiculturalism aver that it creates tension in the American society because it encourages the existence many cultural practices, which might jeopardize the unity of the Americans. Thus, critics of multiculturalism perceive America as a â€Å"melting pot† in which various individuals emigrating from various nations can easily be assimilated and accommodated. Many surveys indicate that majority of the American population support the â€Å"melting pot† postulation, which encourages American immigrants to embrace the American traditions and language. Majority of Americans are confident that the government and economic systems promote democracy and equality in the American society. However, as new American immigrants embrace new social cultural practices, they gradually abandon their cultural heritage and eventually lose their original identity. For instance, the initial Hispanic immigrants adopted American English and way of life and the same has been witnessed over the years among the American immigrants. Language is an indispensible tool for propagating social cultural practices in different societies worldwide. For example, it is through language that people get to understand their origin, migration and development through time and space. As American immigrants begin to speak English, they gradually lose their identity because they learn the American lifestyle through language and they feel that by speaking English they are being modernized. Consequently, many American immigrants end up losing their identities in the process of being Americanized . This essay on Disruption of Identity was written and submitted by user Amy Mcpherson to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Small business management To build or buy

Small business management To build or buy Introduction This article examines strategic planning process of purchasing an existing coffee business in Miami. We have based the business concept on News Cafà ©, which demonstrates affordability, growth, and comfort at the Ocean Drive of Miami Beach. New Cafà © is a 24-hour business with a great menu that consists of both national and international coffee and desserts. It has a great oceanfront view. However, the place experiences service lackluster during high tourists’ seasons. Business Concept Strategy Starbucks introduced coffee business to the US and coffee has become a common feature of Americans as millions of them consume coffee daily. These people are willing to spend money on quality coffee.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Small business management: To build or buy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Specialty coffee has become a growing coffee business in Miami as News Cafà © shows (Mona ghan and Huffaker, 1995). Market conditions such as recession and slow economic growths have not affected coffee consumption in Miami or the US. In fact, specialty coffee sales have increased. In addition, no coffee house closed due to recession unlike in other industries. News Cafà © and other coffee outlets serve quality coffee in Miami. However, most of these coffee outlets look like ‘fast food restaurants’ because of their services. Now Miami coffee consumers have increased, and their preferences for coffee and other products have grown. As a result, many consumers need fresh coffee, varieties, and coffee with health benefits. This means that there is a niche in the coffee market of Miami. Coffee consumers want fresh, high-end, quality, and health coffee served in high volumes and in a warm and conducive atmosphere. A new coffee business in Miami can meet these needs and fill the niche in the market. The business should provide high quality coffee products in upsca le locations of Miami. The location must also provide a mixed clientele base in order to ensure that the business has high-levels of activities throughout the session. Develop or Purchase Based on the performance of News Cafà ©, it is necessary to purchase an existing coffee business than developing a new one. The existing coffee business in Miami has existing customers, a stream of revenues, existing employees, recognized business name, and working business policies and procedures (Joseph, Nekoranec and Steffens, 1992). Purchasing an existing coffee business in Miami shall enable the investor to avoid risks associated with start-ups. Business pundits claim that nearly 80 percent of start-ups do not last for more than two years. In addition, start-ups may also lack adequate cash flows, which may affect their working capital. New businesses have financing and setup challenges. An investor who opts for an existing business with history avoids challenges associated with a new business that lacks a record of accomplishment. Therefore, the process of developing a new coffee business in Miami should be through purchasing an existing business. Still, it also eliminates a daunting task of finding capital for a new business.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Start-ups also undergo creation challenges. There are business procedures and policies, which the new business owner would not like in an existing. However, the new owner may make changes that fit his new business concept. The purchasing party can easily locate what areas or policies of the existing business need changes. The investor may also decide to overhaul all aspects of the business, but eventually gains from identifying factors that do not favor the business. Such existing business already has stability required to start operation. In addition, the interested party can rely on hist orical sales records in order to make sales projection. The new owner can realize immediate returns after the purchase. Any business for sale usually has a fair price. Furthermore, purchasing an existing business may not require all the capitals needed when buying a new business. The owner can make down payment and pay the rest of the debt in installment by using the generated cash flows from the business. A new start-up does not provide this advantage. Still, sellers also offer favorable financing terms for such existing businesses. This may be due to income tax reasons, enhance profitability of the business, and get a net for existing loans. A seller who may carry back any part of sales price indicates that he has confidence in the future performance of the business even under new management. Form of Ownership Aspiring entrepreneur has various forms of business ownership and can select the one that matches his business financial position. For this new coffee shop venture in Miami, we have settled on limited liability company (LLC). LLC has a hybrid structure that will provide the new owner with limited liability features of corporation, offer tax efficiency and eliminates cases of double taxation, and operational flexibility of a partnership business. However, this form of business ownership is complex and formal that a general partnership ownership. Business Plan Executive Summary This new coffee shop venture borrows the concept of News Cafà © in Miami, but shall be in upscale areas, provide high quality coffee, efficiency, and 24-hour services. The owner can introduce other partners or run it independently (McDonald, 2007).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Small business management: To build or buy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Financing shall be from the owner’s capital. The owner shall fund the rest with income generated from returns. After reviewing the operation of N ews Cafà ©, the new coffee business shall rely on the News Cafà © model for expansion to other areas of Miami. Mission The new coffee business goal is to be the coffee shop of choice in Miami for upscale consumers, tourists, students and the local business community by offering high quality coffee and coffee products. The business intends to be profitable with more than 20 percent returns annually. The business also intends to support local environmental initiatives at the beach and supports coffee farmers too. Objectives Make the new business highly attractive place for coffee consumers in Miami Make sales of $750,000 in the first fiscal year, $1 million for the second year, and $ 1.3 million for the third fiscal year Achieve over 20 percent net profit after the third year Start expansion within six months after opening Support community, coffee farmers, and conservation efforts Key to Success High quality coffee products Upscale markets with mix customer base Targets on tour ists, affluent population, students, working community, and pedestrians Well-trained staff Aggressive and continuous marketing Sales of coffee and related products for multiple revenue sources Provide online sales services in the Web Company SummaryAdvertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The business shall provide unique coffee to its consumers. Variety: the coffee shop shall have different varieties of coffee not found in Miami Location: the coffee shop shall occupy upscale environments with attractive views next to busy streets, shopping complex, tourists’ destinations, and entertainment locations The coffee shop shall expand within six months after successful takeover Ownership The coffee shop shall be LLC Products The coffee shop shall offer high quality: Coffee varieties Tea Juice Gift items Chocolate Bottled water Soft drinks Snacks Pricing of these products shall favor both high-end and low-end consumers. Market Analysis Summary The new venture shall launch a new coffee business by purchasing an existing business in a receptive and a growing market. America coffee consumers are increasing. The business shall consider: Affluent and popular locations Areas with tourists activities throughout the year Student locations Low media costs Busy streets Popular beach areas Market Segmentation The customer base in Miami shall consist of various customer segments: High-end local residents Local community business people Tourists Students Pedestrians and travelers These segments of consumers are strong and provide mixed benefits. They can provide consistent business and cash flows throughout the fiscal year. The business will also benefit from high tourist seasons during summer breaks when students break for their long holidays. Still, the other segments of the market shall be available throughout the year. Figure 1: Target Market Segments for the New Coffee Shop Competitors Competition consists of international, regional, and local coffee shops. Starbucks News Cafà © Cafà © Demetrio Joffrey’s Coffee and Restaurant Versailles Mercedes Coffee Shop Romeos Cafà © Greenstreet Cafà © These competitors have grown ever since their inception. In addition, no single chain of coffee shop has failed in Miami in the last 20 years . Marketing Strategy The new coffee shop shall rely on word of mouth, local media, and social media as marketing strategies in order to reduce costs of media promotions. The aim of the marketing campaign is to establish profitability for fast and continued growth of the business. The marketing strategy shall position the coffee shop as the only place that offers high quality coffee products in Miami Beach. Assumptions The market requires high quality coffee products There is a need for conducive environment Consumers want affordable luxuries Coffee market is stable Competitive Edge The business competitive edge in comparison to competitors includes: High quality products with great tastes Best locations in busy streets, areas with tourists’ presence throughout the year High-end locations Favorable prices to both high-end and low-end consumers Superior ambience 24-hour operation Varieties of products for various segments of the market Internet online sales The business sh ould have more than 20 shops within the next five years. However, this will depend on the financial performance of the purchased business. The managers must track all daily activities in order to provide clear perspectives for expansion. Web Plan Summary The coffee shop will have an established Web site from the previous business owner. The established Web site of the business guarantees the new owner high traffic from existing customers. The Web site shall act as a tool of marketing and offer online sales services. Management Profile Owner Chief finance officer Marketing head Operation manager Financial Plan Achieve sales growth of 15 percent annually Adequate cash flows Profit margins of 20 to 25 percent Marketing budget shall be five percent of the annual budget The profits shall fund expansion strategies Figure 2: Monthly sales by products Figure 3: Yearly sales by products References Joseph, R., Nekoranec, A., and Steffens, C. (1992). How To Buy a Business. New York, NY: Kaplan Publishing. McDonald, M. (2007). Marketing plans: how to prepare them, how to use them. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann. Monaghan, J., and Huffaker, J. (1995). ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business . New York: Wiley.

Economics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

Economics - Assignment Example Merger and Acquisitions includes the target company; this is the company which has attracted attention from the acquiring company. The process of acquisition is sometimes hostile and in other times friendly. Therefore, a hostile takeover is when the board of directors objects to acquisitions of a given company based on their analysis that the process might lead to loss of share value of the shareholders. Moreover, friendly transactions define the acquisition that has been endorsed by the company board of directors as a profitable exercise for the company to engage in (Gaughan 1996). Merger and acquisitions take various forms horizontal merger to the vertical merger and to conglomerate merger. Horizontal merger involves the buyout of the company in the same industry. This is mostly done to a competitor firm that threat to share a large percentage of the bigger company market share and thus reduce their capability of maximizing on profit (Berk &DeMarzo 2011). Therefore, horizontal merger increases the customer base of the acquiring firm and this guarantee that such an adventure will lead to high shareholder value. An example of a horizontal merger is the buyout of Lucasfilm in 2012 by Walt Disney Company. Moreover, the acquiring company engages in vertical merger. This is the acquisition of industries in the same production line ad producer of raw material or customer to the end products. Vertical merger is an essential exercise that ensures that the company controls the supply of its raw material and avoids the disruption that may be compromised by other firms in their pursuit of profit maximization. Vertical integration also serves to ensure that customers are not exploited by other companies that may be involved in the distribution of company products. In this case, the producing company may acquire control over distribution companies to engage with its customers (Standard and Poor’s 2003). In addition, vertical merger is done to unlock

Final Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Final - Assignment Example The power of media, as a source of credibility, is a tool of political persuasion. The linkage between politics and media has not been explored extensively with a little research connecting the two. It is important to research on the extent to which persuasion in news media depends on the viewers and listeners attitudes towards the news media as an association. One source confirms that people who trusted the media were susceptible to agenda settings from media information. Other studies show that people tend to adopt the position of media hosts, especially where the host is trustworthy and knowledgeable (Wasserstrom 25). During the political campaigns, media houses carry out pre-polling surveys and provide statistics to the public. In some cases, media gives factual results and in some cases non- factual. Politicians’ incentives lead them to favor information sources they can control and try to reduce the influence of sources affiliated with rival political factions or with no faction (Wasserstrom 34). This is done to counteract negative publicity as portrayed by rival politicians in the same race for a political seat. As a way of influencing the public’s behavior on the main Election Day, the majority of the public adopts the media’s story and votes for or against the particular candidate. In examining press freedom, media houses are allowed by law to filter the information they share with public to suit a particular interest so long as the interest is not meant to cause violence or harm to the public. Professional journalism is the only way to ensure credibility in the media to gain public trust. An attempt to understand media freedom introduces media pluralism, which a few people would oppose in principle. The media have allowed access to a broad range of cultural expressions and political views, which constitute the fundamental policies of the media policy which directly link media with democracy (Wasserstrom 54). This views that media pluralism as a political, theoretical, or empirical approach, which is believed to embody the central conflicts in modern thinking about the societal role of media. Religion contributes in the creation of the collective consciousness of the faithful, which builds strong religious bonds among the Christians. Religion has its own established institutional frameworks which immensely contribute in the enactment of laws and maintenance of peace and order in a nation. Moreover, the religious institutions influence the economic status of nations given that the church and society are inseparable. Religion also plays a role in the rehabilitation programs of errant members of society, hence enhancing peace and order in the society. This results in reduction of crime rate and increase in economic activities. This results from the small scale entrepreneurship and farming done by the rehabilitated criminals. Education contributes to proficient communication, which influences the socialization of citizens in politics. For instance, verbal communication is sufficient in communication, hence communication through writing is also emphasized. This is because communicating verbally enhances stressing of points and it is more lively compared to the written communication. The average people realize that communication through writing enables people to appreciate social interactions. In addition, the latter provides a record of events, thus in case there is a need for information reference can be made easily to the documented written document. The majority of people

The Concept Of Collaborative Working Social Work Essay

The Concept Of Collaborative Working Social Work Essay Collaboration is a interprofessional process of communication and decision making that enables shared knowledge and skills in health care providers to synergistically influence the ways service user/patient care and the broader community health services are provided (Way et al, 2002). The development of collaborative working will necessarily entail close interprofessional working (Wilson et al., 2008). According to Wilson et al, (2008) and Hughes, Hemmingway Smith, (2005) interprofessional and collaborative working describes considering the service user in a holistic way, and the benefits to the service user that different organisations, such as Social Workers (SW), Occupational Therapists (OT) and District Nurse (DN) and other health professionals can bring working together can achieve. These definitions describe collaborative working as the act of people working together toward common goals. Integrated working involves putting the service user at the centre of decision making to m eet their needs and improve their lives (Dept of Health, 2009). This paper will focus first see why health care students learn about working together then reviewing government policy and how this can be applied in a Social Care context, then on influencing factors on the outcomes of collaborative working references within the professional literature, and finally, reviewing evidence on collaborative practice in health and social care. Learning to work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies is a clear expectation of social worker in the prescribed curriculum for the new Social Work Degree (DoH 2002). The reasons are plain: à ¢-  Service users want social workers who can collaborate effectively with others to obtain and provide services (Audit Commission 2002) à ¢-  Collaboration is central in implementing strategies for effective care and protection of children and of vulnerable adultsas underlined, respectively, by the recent report of the Victoria Climbià © Inquiry (Laming 2003) and the earlier No Secrets policies (DoH 2000) à ¢-  Effective collaboration between staff at the front-line is also a crucial ingredient in delivering the Governments broader goals of partnership between services (Whittington 2003). Experience is growing of what is involved in learning for collaborative practice. This experience promises valuable information for Social Work Degree providers and others developing learning opportunities but has not been systematically researched in UK social work programmes for a decade (Whittington 1992; Whittington et al 1994). The providers of Diploma in Social Work programmes (DipSW) represented an untapped source of directly transferable experience in this area of learning and were therefore chosen as the focus of the study. Making collaborative practice a reality in institutions requires an understanding of the essential elements, persistent and continuing efforts, and rigorous evaluation of outcomes. Satisfaction, quality, and cost effectiveness are essential factors on two dimensions: outcomes for patient care providers; and outcomes for patients. Ultimately, collaborative practice can be recognized by demonstrated effective communication patterns, achievement of enhanced patient care outcomes, and efficient and effective support services in place. If these criteria are not met, collaborative practice is a myth and not a reality in your institution. Simms LM, Dalston JW, Roberts PW. Collaborative practice: myth or reality? Hosp Health Serv Adm. 1984 Nov-Dec;29(6):36-48. PubMed PMID: 10268659. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed Health care students are thought about collaboration so that they can see the unique contribution that each professional can bring to the provision of care in a truly holistic way. Learning about working together can help prevent the development of negative stereotypes, which can inhabit interprofessional collaboration. (Tunstall-Pedoe et al 2003) Health care students can link theory they have leant with practice and bring added value of successful collaborative practice. (www.facuity.londondeanery.ac.uk) Learning collaborative practice with other professionals is the core expectation in social work education both qualifying and post grad. Effective collaboration and interaction can directly influence a SU treatment, in a positive way, and the opposite can be said about ineffective collaboration that can have severe ramifications, which has been cited in numerous public inquiries. Professionals should also share information about SUs to keep themselves and their colleagues safe from harm. Working together to safeguard children states that training on safeguarding children and young people should be embedded within a wider framework of commitment to inter and multi-agency working at strategic and operational levels underpinned by shared goals, planning processes and values. The Children Act 1989 recognised that the identification and investigation of child abuse, together with the protection and support of victims and their families, requires multi-agency collaboration. Caring for People (DH, 1989) stated that successful collaboration required a clear, mutual understanding by every agency of each others responsibilities and powers, in order to make plain how and with whom collaboration should be secured. It is evident from the above that Government has been actively promoting collaborative working, and this is reflected in professional literature. Hence, the policy climate and legislative backdrop were established to facilitate inter-agency and intra-agency collaborati on. The stated aim has been to create high quality, needs-led, co-ordinated services that maximised choice for the service user (Payne, 1995). Political pressure in recent years has focused attention on interprofessional collaboration in SW (Pollard, Sellman Senior, 2005) and when viewed as a good thing, it is worthwhile to critically examine its benefits and drawbacks just what is so good about it. (Leathard, 2003). Interprofessional collaboration benefits the service user by the use of complementary skills, shared knowledge, resources and possibility better job satisfaction. Soon after the new Labour government in 1997 gave a powerful new impetus to the concept of collaboration and partnership between health professionals and services, they recognised this and there was a plethora of social policy initiatives official on collaborative working published. A clear indication of this can be found in NHS Plan (DH, 2000), Modernising the Social Services (DH, 1998a). Policies concentrat ed on agency structures and better joint working. This was nothing new, since the 1970s there has been a growing emphasis on multiagency working. 1974 saw the first big press involvement in the death of a child (Maria Coldwell) and they questioned why professionals were not able to protect children who they had identified as most at risk. The pendulum of threat to children then swung too much the other way and the thresholds for interventions were significantly lowered, which culminated with the Cleveland Inquiry of 1988 when children were removed from their families when there was little concrete evidence of harm (Butler-Sloss, 1988), with too much emphasis put on the medical opinion. An equilibrium was needed for a collaborative work ethic to share knowledge and skills and Munro (2010) states that other service agencies cannot and should not replace SWs, but there is a requirement for agencies to engage professionally about children, young people and families on their caseloads. T he Children Act 2004 (Dept of Health, 2004) and associated government guidance, introduced following the Public Inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbià © in 2000, including Every Child Matters (Dept of Health, 2003), were written to stress the importance of interprofessional and multiagency working and to help improve it. The failure to collaborate effectively was highlighted as one of many missed opportunities by the inquiry into the tragic death of Victoria Climbià © (Laming, 2003) and Baby Peter (Munro, 2009). There is an assumption that shared information is information understood problems with information sharing and effective commination are cited again and again in public enquiry reports Rose and Barnes 2008; Brandon et al, 2008). These problems can simply be about very practical issues, such as delays in information shearing, lost messages, names and addresses that are incorrectly recorded (Laming 2003 cited in Ten pitfalls and how to avoid them 2010) An explicit aim was to motivate the contribution of multiagency working. By 1997 Labour had been re elected and rolled out a number of studies into collaboration. These studies revealed the many complexities and obstacles to collaborative working (Weinstein, 2003). The main drivers of the governments health and social care policies were partnership, collaboration and multi-disciplinary working. One of the areas covered by Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010 (Dept of Health, 2010) stated that organisations and agencies should work together to recognise and manage any individual who presents a risk of harm to children. The Children Act 1989 (Dept of Health, 1989) requires multi-agency collaboration to help indentify and investigate any cases of child abuse, and the protection and support of victims and their families. It should be remembered that everyone brings their piece of expertise/ knowledge to help build the jigsaw (Working Together 2010) and to assess the service user i n a holistic way. Although the merits of collaboration have rarely been disputed, the risk of conflict between the professional groups remains. Some of the barriers to collaboration are different resource allocation systems, different accountability structures, professional tribalism, pace of change and spending constraints The disadvantages are if commissioning was led by health, an over-emphasis on health care needs, and inequities between patients from different practices There are challenges in terms of professional and personal resistance to change; it is difficult to change entrenched attitudes even through inter-professional education. Sometimes professionals disagree about the causes of and the solutions to problems, they may have different objectives because of different paradigms (Pierson M, 2010). There are also several concerns for SWs which include not knowing which assessments to use, appearing to be different or work differently from others in the team, not being taken seriously or listened to by colleagues and not having sufficient time or resources because of budget constraints (Warren, 2007). Some of the reasoning for this pessimistic mood is feelings of inequality and rivalries, the relative status and power of professionals, professional identity and territory. Different patterns of accountability and discretion between professionals, are all contributing factors to these feelings (Hudson, 2002). Thompson (2009) suggests that instead of the SW being viewed as the expert with all the answers to the problems, they should step back and look at what other professionals can contribute. Collaborative working offers a way forward, in which the SW works with everyone involved with the clients; carers, voluntary workers and other professional staff, to maximise the resources, thus giving an opportunity for making progress and affording the service user the best possible care. Weinstein, et al, (2003) stated that although there are problems with collaborative working, the potential positive outcomes out-weight the negatives. There could be a more integrated, timely and coherent response to the many complex human problems, fewer visits, better record keeping and transfer of information, and some reduction of risk; therefore the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. If SWs work in silos, working in a vacuum, they are unlikely to maximise their impact (Brodie, 2008). It is important to use collaboration and an interprofessional/multi agency working culture in Social Work in order that the most vulnerable service users receive the best possible assessments of their needs. The advantages are better understanding of the constraints of each agency and system overall, shared information on local needs, reduction in duplication of assessments, better planning, avoiding the blame culture when problems occurred and accessing social care via health less stigmatising. Greater knowledge of the SWs roles and responsibilities by other health care professionals will ensure that the SWs role is not substituted in assessment of the service users circumstances and needs (Munro, 2010). The Munro Report (2010) also states that if everyone holds a piece of the jigsaw a full picture is impossible until every piece is put together. Working together to Safeguard Children states a multi-professional approach is required to ensure collaboration among all involved, which may include ambulance staff, AE department staff, coroners officers, police, GPs, health visitors, school nurses, community childrens nurses, midwives, paediatricians, palliative or end of life care staff, mental health professionals, substance misuse workers, hospital bereavement staff, voluntary agencies, coroners, pathologists, forensic medical examiners, local authority childrens social care, YOTs, probation, schools, prison staff where a child has died in custody and any others who may find themselves with a contribution to make in individual cases (for example, fire fighters or faith leaders). In a study by Carpenter et al (2003) concerning the impact on staff of providing integrated care in multi-disciplinary mental health teams in the North of England, the most positive results were found in areas where services were fully integrated. There is much evidence to suggest that collaboration represents an ethical method of practice where differences are respected, but used creatively to find solutions to complex problems. In essence the service user should be cared for in a holistic approach and to achieve this collaboration is the answer. (1516) Professor Munro askes Some local areas have introduced social work-led, multi-agency locality teams to help inform best next steps in respect of a child or young person, including whether a formal child protection intervention is needed. Do you think this is useful? Do you have evidence of it working well? What are the practical implications of this approach? (http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/01/04/116046/munro-asks-frontline-workers-what-needs-to-change.htm)

Key Business Issues Relating to Best Value Management

The â€Å"Key Business Issues Relating to Best Value Management and Strategic Development in the Housing/Regeneration Industry & New Business and Asset Management† are inclusive of what is termed â€Å"Best Value†. In the Housing Industry the 4Cs of best value are applied to every review. The four â€Å"Cs† are: (1) Challenging why and how a service is being provided; (2) comparing performance with the performance of others in the industry; (3) embrace of fair competition as a means of securing efficient and effective services; (4) consulting with local taxpayers, customers and the wider business community. Under the Best Value standard, local authorities have a duty to make arrangements to â€Å"secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.† (What is Best Value?, 2006) Best Value is defined as â€Å"providing local people what they want, when they want it, at a price they are willing and able to pay. It's also about being imaginative in how local needs are met.† (What is Best Value?, 2006) Other principles of Best Value are stated to include: Being accountable to local people. They have to listen to and consult the people they are there to serve. They have to report regularly on what they have achieved and what they are planning. Looking to continuously improve. Sometimes this will come through many small changes, sometimes through larger changes when the existing service is fundamentally challenged. Setting targets and publicly reporting achievement against them. Cutting across departmental boundaries, rather than just looking at services individually. Councils can also work with other local agencies to tackle issues beyond the reach of a single service and need co-operative working with partner bodies. Developing partnerships with the private sector, with communities and agencies, and between authorities. These partnerships will be able to review services jointly, develop local plans, acting together to achieve local outcomes, and provide services in some cases. Being open about service delivery. Councils shouldn't assume that they should deliver activities if other more efficient and effective means are available. This is not to say however that authorities must contract their services out – what matters is what works best for delivering services to the community, so an open mind is needed. (What is Best Value?, 2006) PART A – Critical Review of the Existing Key Business Issues Related to Best Value Management and Strategic Development in the Housing Management, Regeneration, New business and Asset Management Industry. In the assessment of DHA the comments provided by the inspecting agency were in the areas of the following which require improvement: (1)Effective Financial and Corporate Governance; (2)Asset management, including repairs and response management; (3)Reinvestment in Current Stock to meet the Decent Home Standards; (4)Poor procurement and project management systems; (7)High levels of social behavior and poor neighborhood communities. According to the standards of ‘Best Practice' in this industry accountability to the local people is considered critical. It is necessary that Dante Housing Association ‘listen' to the residents; it is critical that Dante Housing Association ‘consult' with the residents; and it is critical that Dante Housing Association ‘report' on a ‘regular basis' to the residents and inform them what plans are in process. All of these actions herein stated fall directly in line with numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, and are associated with number 7 of the problem areas that must be focused on in the six months allotted for Dante Housing Association, hereafter referred to as DHA to make the necessary changes and improvements. In fact, the continuous view toward improvement is necessary to be instituted into the principles and practices of DHA so it is important that this perspective and standard be initiated into all aspects of improvement toward which this report is focused. The regular reporting and accounting publicly is critical as well in the process of instituting ‘Best Value' standards for DHA because to meet the goals that are set for DHA is not enough, because without reporting of these goals and their achievement publicly then the public will not be aware of what DHA is doing and may assume that DHA is doing nothing. DHA must institute a principle of collaboration across boundaries both within and outside of DHA in order to attain the best prices, gain the cooperation and assistance of other agencies position to offer such assistance because so many times the changes that are needed are bigger than DHA has the capacity to provide single-handedly. This leads to the next issue which is the need for DHA to establish partnerships and cooperative efforts with other companies in both the public and private sector and for the reasons as just stated. Finally, DHA must agree to consider options available in services delivery and if outsourcing some of these delivery of services might mean savings, efficiency and effectiveness then DHA must prepare itself to make the necessary changes to deliver services in the most effective and efficient manner possible.