Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Do Carpenter Bees Sting

Carpenter bees can be aggressive, and nobody likes getting stung by a bee. But before you reach for a can of bug spray, you should know that its very unlikely youll be stung by one. Males Dont Sting Male carpenter bees, which are the ones with all the bluster, do not sting at all. Males dont even have a sting (or stinger, as most people tend to call it), so try as they might, they cant hurt you. All the male carpenter bee can do is bump into you. Females Do Female carpenter bees do have a sting and are capable of stinging you. A female will defend herself if she feels threatened, but shes not threatened that easily. If youre swatting at her with a newspaper or waving your hands frantically to scare her off, then yes, you might get stung. But stay calm and leave her alone, and shell do the same. Beneficial Pollinators Carpenter bees are beneficial pollinators that do more good than harm. They do occasionally nest in places people dont want them to live, such as decks or porches, so you may need to take control measures at times.

Monday, December 23, 2019

A Report On Zie Energy - 1414 Words

Zie Energy is one of the biggest retail businesses. It has acquired the Port Energy and William Energy retail business. It has shown significant growth in this business in last 15years. Due to growth in customers and increase in business processes It is facing different challenges but getting opportunities to grow further also. Need of technological advancement and integration has become prime priority of Zie Energy since 2012 when they first launched its Retail Transformation Project, which is still in stage of planning due to certain technical and logistical challenges. Now the management has decided to implement a new system and business processes to make sure that the transition from old separate systems to one integrated system is†¦show more content†¦Therefore the needs and wants of customers are at prime level. Their satisfaction is our basic objective. Our customer service consultants should be well-trained to understand customers’ issues and help them to get solutions on the go with in no time without giving them more hassle. Australian Business Law: which includes Trade Practices Act and State Consumer Legislation are also assisting by protecting employees and customers rights at the same time these laws protects business operators. Contract Law is also guarding the rights and obligations of consumers and business operators. Australian Consumer Law: the Australian consumer law (ACL) is a national law which cover consumer protection and fair trading. It applies to all Australian businesses and in each state and territory. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: The ACCC is promoting competition and fair trade in Australian markets to benefit not only consumers and community but businesses also. They make sure that the consumers and businesses follow the Australian competition, fair trading and consumer protection laws. National Consumer Credit Protection Act: Australian national consumer credit protection act laws are protecting consumers at higher level. These laws cover home loans, personal loans, credit cards, consumer leases, pre-arranged over drafts and line of creditShow MoreRelatedInformation Of A Zie Energy Company Essay763 Words   |  4 PagesThis report provides the information of a Zie Energy company which is based on energy distribution. In this report we discussed the challenges in call centre operators which are acquired by the inconsistency in Data collection and processes. Introduction: The Zie Energy Company is based on energy distribution. It is one of the largest energy retailers in Australia. The growth of the company has brought with both opportunities and challenges. Inconsistency in data collection and processes createdRead MoreRetail Based Energy Distribution Company1224 Words   |  5 PagesZie is retail-based energy Distribution Company based in Melbourne. The retail business has grown significantly in the past 15 years. Basically, it is customer service business. In the last two years his customers increased by 1.6 million. Zie lunched its retail transformation project in 2012 which is customer relationship management process and system .This project highlight major commitment to customers. In 2004, 500000 customers in South Australia and Tasmania were transferred. Initial performanceRead MoreCompany Analysis : Zie Energy2218 Words   |  9 PagesZie Energy is an energy company headquartered in Melbourne. Its significant growth in the past 15 years are mainly based on acquisitions and their customer base has been grown strongly. Acquisitions of the Port Energy and William Energy retail company have enhanced Zie’s customer base up to 1.6 million customers in the past two years resulting in Zie Australia’s one of the largest energy company. Since Zie encountered inconsistent data collection and process problems, Retail Transformation projectRead MoreThe Energy Is Fast Growing Customer Base Since Past 15 Years Essay1770 Words   |  8 PagesIn This Case Study They shows the Zie Energy is Fast Growing Companyin customer base since past 15 years. In the past 2 years, Zie customer base increased by 1.6 million and become a largest retailer. After they got challenges for call center operators who often needed to resolve customer enquires regarding gas, electercity,or solar bills. So, in 2012 they launched the retail transformation Project. This Project is very helpful for customer because it helps to find out the each customer detailsRead MoreIgbo Dictionary129408 Words   |  518 Pages1904 Ganot published an English, Ibo and French dictionary, based on the Onitsha dialect, and in 1907 Zappa published a French-Igbo dictionary based on a Western Igbo dialect. Northcote W. Thomas devoted four of the six volumes of his Anthropological report on the Ibo-speaking peoples of Nigeria to language, three of them being essentially lexicographic. Part II (1913) consists of an English-Ibo and Ibo-English dictionary, based on the Awka and Onitï€ ¬sha dialects. It has a rather complex and non-phonemic

Sunday, December 15, 2019

A Critical Analysis of the Procurement Policy for a Local Government Free Essays

string(92) " professionals in order to maintain high standards across the profession \(Loppacher et al\." Executive Summary This paper analyses the recent changes to the procurement strategy of Leeds City Council and how such changes are comparable to the procurement strategy of Staffordshire County Council. Important parameters of the procurement strategy of Leeds City Council are discussed, such as category management, whole lifecycle approach, skills and capacity of procurement professionals, and openness and transparency. These dimensions are compared to the principles and objectives listed in Staffordshire County Council’s procurement strategy. We will write a custom essay sample on A Critical Analysis of the Procurement Policy for a Local Government or any similar topic only for you Order Now In addition, the paper provides recommendations to improve procurement practices available at Leeds City Council. Eventually, a tender specification sheet is provided to invite bids from private players to run the woodhouse car park in front of the University. Key performance indicators to evaluate tenders are included. Introduction Leeds City Council has made certain changes to its procurement strategy recently. The council emphasised specific elements indicating the importance placed on ensuring high quality procurement services. Such elements refer to category management, whole lifecycle approach, skills and capacity of procurement professionals, and openness and transparency (Leeds City Council Procurement Strategy 2013). These dimensions are similar to the principles and objectives set in Staffordshire County Council’s procurement strategy. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyse the recent changes to the procurement strategy of Leeds City Council and how they compare to Staffordshire County Council’s procurement strategy. Leeds City Council’s Procurement Strategy Compared to the Procurement Strategy of Staffordshire County Council Leeds City Council demonstrates a primary objective to improve outcomes and value for money obtained from a wide range of goods and services it purchases. Therefore, the council’s procurement strategy is based on essential principles to include whole lifecycle approach, accountability to the public, openness and transparency (Hawkins et al. 2011). The strategy indicates the council’s concerns to rely on expertise in the field as well as utilise relevant examples of adequate practices maintained at local and national levels. The common expectation presented with the enforcement of the council’s new strategy is to realise its full potential within two years. The council extensively supports not only its ambitions but also the ambitions of its partners in the process of delivering quality outcomes for service users (Leeds City Council Procurement Strategy 2013). A relevant part of Leeds City Council’s procurement strategy is the adoption of a category managem ent approach, where procurement professionals tend to group together related purchasing. Such approach is entirely focused on exploring variances in buying needs and provider offerings (Iyer and Pazgal 2008). In this way, the council is concerned with maintaining high quality of services along with savings. Similarly, the procurement strategy of Staffordshire County Council presents diverse orientation in terms of proper identification of the goods and services purchased by activity and function. Staffordshire County Council also states the importance of achieving value for money. Another recent change to the procurement strategy of Leeds City Council is associated with the adoption of a whole lifecycle approach. It is essential to point out that such approach starts from ongoing evaluation of buying needs as well as analysing different options. In fact, the mentioned approach receives optimal application through careful preparation and procurement (Niezen and Weller 2006). Mobilising the council’s resources is a significant priority to the professionals responsible for the implementation of the procurement strategy. Such principle corresponds to Staffordshire County Council’s strategy of relying on the voice of all people of Staffordshire on specific issues that matter to them (Staffordshire County Council 2014). This shows a strong sense of collaboration with residents and communities in order to identify proper solutions to any emerging problems. Staffordshire County Council places importance on leading and influencing as well as sharing knowl edge with representatives from the public sector in Staffordshire (Kennekae 2012). Early engagement is crucial in maintaining savings and improvements that further reflect in transformational changes in the council’s procurement strategy. The whole lifecycle approach adopted by Leeds City Council regarding its procurement strategy assumes that service delivery should not be compromised. Other significant dimensions of this approach relate to contact management and exit which contribute to achieving extensive value for many. In addition, the recent changes observed in the procurement strategy of Leeds City Council and that of Staffordshire County Council reflect the importance of the skills and capacity of procurement professionals. They are mostly responsible for ensuring the maintenance of a relevant procurement process based on supporting the council’s business continuity needs (Niezen and Weller 2006). The latter is extensively manifested in the procurement strategy of Staffordshire County Council. Procurement professionals structure arrangements with key providers in an attempt to manage the risks pertaining to the process of supplying goods and services. Thus, professionals in the respective field are expected to set high quality processes through cross-functional strategic activities that are evident in both Leeds City Council and Staffordshire County Council (Loppacher et al. 2006). Leeds City Council’s procurement strategy considers the significance of employing common principles a nd rules which are properly designed to correspond to the needs of all included categories. Emphasis is on reflecting the needs of the specific service areas along with stakeholder needs. This recent change in the procurement strategy of Leeds City Council is in line with ensuring quality outcomes (Leeds City Council Procurement Strategy 2013). Such procurement strategy is comparable to the one of Staffordshire County Council due to the process of aligning delivery of goods and services with the corporate needs identified by Staffordshire County Council (Staffordshire County Council 2014). The respective council utilises the expertise of procurement professionals to ensure social values outcomes as well as sufficient savings achieved through a balanced scorecard used for procurement. The focus on the skills and capacity of procurement professionals is among the improved areas of Leeds City Council’s procurement strategy. Having skilled and experienced staff is important in delivering high quality outcomes to local communities. Moreover, Leeds City Council manifests its responsibility to support the development and training of procurement professionals in order to maintain high standards across the profession (Loppacher et al. You read "A Critical Analysis of the Procurement Policy for a Local Government" in category "Essay examples" 2006). There is a solid sense of accountability evident in the practice of each procurement professional working at Leeds City Council. In comparison, Staffordshire County Council emphasises the capacity of its procurement staff in terms of providing legal training packages. This indicates an ongoing process of developing the knowledge and expertise of all professionals involved in the procurement practice (Arora et al. 2007). In this way, procurement professionals can work together with other experts in the field to implement the specific objectives listed in the procurement strategy of both Leeds City Council and Staffordshire County Council. One of the observable recent changes in the procurement strategy of Leeds City Council is that the central procurement function is projected to serve as a flexible source of excellence and thus is accountable for providing a substantial source of expertise. Procurement professionals working in Leeds City Council and Staffordshire County Council are extensively trained to demonstrate ownership and accountability to the public in their respective communities (Kennekae 2012). Elements of structured governance and assurance make Leeds City Council’s procurement strategy rather effective. However, the procurement strategy of Staffordshire County Council is oriented towards indicating a ‘customer of choice’ model of delivering services. This implies that procurement professionals working in Staffordshire County Council are responsible for the creation of greater visibility of the council’s requirements for goods, services and provider performance (Staffordshire C ounty Council 2014). Therefore, professionals are determined to ensure proper communications and organising skills that help them in the establishment and implementation of linkage. Similarly, procurement professionals in Leeds City Council are devoted to research good practice documents and toolkits while trying to reinforce their skills and capacity. Furthermore, the procurement strategy of Leeds City Council is comparable to the one of Staffordshire County Council in the aspect of openness and transparency. Both councils indicate an ambition of being open and transparent which reflects in providing visible contracts as well as constantly updated management information (Kim and Netessine 2012). Leeds City Council places importance on presenting clear and accessible tender processes and documentation. Openness and transparency ensure the formation of a positive relationship between the council and its procurement partners. Likewise, such aspects are closely linked with instilling confidence in the public regarding the adopted procurement approach (McLean 2008). In comparison, the procurement strategy implemented by Staffordshire County Council indicates its staff’s commitment to ensure compliance and probity which may be associated with the principles of openness and transparency manifested by Leeds City Council. Recommendations The recent changes to the procurement strategy of Leeds City Council indicate that the respective council’s approach is comparable to the strategy of Staffordshire County Council. Yet certain recommendations are listed below to achieve further improvements in Leeds City Council’s procurement strategy: Procurement professionals should work on creating an inclusive procurement strategy in which smaller providers are presented with an opportunity to participate (McLean 2008); The council should constantly research and update its available procurement tools to guarantee competitively established standards in the field; The council should consider the removal of unnecessary restrictions which would allow the institution to evaluate suppliers in an objective manner rather than focus on limiting business criteria such as revenue (Loppacher et al. 2006); Professionals need to demonstrate sensitivity to financing issues to include established payment policies; It is fundamental to indicate potential hidden costs in terms of providing clear information on the actual insurance, liability as well as regulatory requirements; this practice would allow innovative suppliers to compete (Hawkins et al. 2011) Conclusion The paper indicated an analysis of Leeds City Council’s procurement strategy with special focus on its recent changes and how they are comparable to the procurement strategy outlined by Staffordshire County Council (Leeds City Council Procurement Strategy 2013). Thus, significant aspects of both procurement strategies have been discussed in order to identify the focus of procurement professionals working in the two councils. Certain aspects of the two procurement strategies were found similar especially with regards to category management and lifecycle approach. Moreover, the efforts of procurement professionals are equally important to the work of either Leeds City Council or Staffordshire County Council (Staffordshire County Council 2014). In this way, the paper ensured adequate arguments about the effectiveness of the procurement strategies adopted by these institutions. Tender Specification Sheet Leeds City Council is seeking tenders from various private providers for the maintenance and operation of the woodhouse car park in front of the University. The intention is that the car park will operate as a proper public amenity. There are certain standards of services that will be followed. The respective parking services are set at prices identified at proper market levels. Prices are competitive in order to encourage visitor parking regarding close distance to local businesses. Discouraging the practice of day-long parking is essential for the maintenance of the woodhouse car park. The park will be open 24 hours a day, seven days/ week. Personal security will be ensured to customers and visitors. They need to feel secure in the identified car park area. The integration of area security is a priority to the Council. All tenderers are invited to submit their applications by providing the following documentation: -Financial Proposal for a period of 3 years; -Details on the percentage of the turnover expected to be paid annually to the Council; -Evidence indicating previous experience in the area of car park projects; -Providing details of the resources available to complete the project; In order to evaluate the bids from the private players, it is important to provide a set of key performance indicators that will be consistently used (Iyer and Pazgal 2008). The first performance indicator is that the selected tender should provide the best value for money at reasonable cost. This may result from balancing cost and quality. Another key performance indicator that will be used to assess the bids is that of prequalification. Such indicator is implemented to make sure that only those who meet specific criteria will be considered for inclusion to bid (Loppacher et al. 2006). In addition, prequalification is associated with responses to a set of questions provided by the Council. Major questions should include elements of quality, capacity to supply and financial competence. The indicator of open and flexible communication is fundamental as no private player should be given preference. Even though meetings with tenderers who have placed their bids may be necessary at a cer tain point, they should take place solely for clarifying specific aspects regarding the tender (Hawkins et al. 2011). It is important to use recognised channels of communication in order to avoid confusion of private players or any misunderstanding of presented information. References Arora, P., Garg, A. K. and Vaidya, S. C. (2007), ‘Efficacy of Integrating Corporate Social Responsibility and Procurement Strategy’, South Asian Journal of Management, Vol. 14(1) pp105-119 Hawkins, T., Gravier, M. and Powley, E. (2011), ‘Public versus Private Sector Procurement Ethics and Strategy: What Each Sector Can Learn from the Other’, Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 103(4) pp567-586 Iyer, G. and Pazgal, A. (2008), ‘Procurement Bidding with Restrictions’, Quantitative Marketing Economics, Vol. 6(2) pp177-204 Kennekae, L. (2012), ‘Procurement Strategies to Serve the Public Good,’ International Trade Forum, 2 pp11-111 Kim, S. H. and Netessine, S. (2011), ‘Collaborative Cost Reduction and Component Procurement under Information Asymmetry’, INSEAD Working Papers Collections, 33 pp1-40 Leeds City Council Procurement Strategy (2013), Leeds City Council [Online]. Available at: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/docs/Procurement%20Strategy%20V1.0%20PUBLISH%2030.09.2013.pdf [Accessed: 29 April 2014]. Loppacher, J. S., Luchi, R., Cagliano, R. and Spina, G. (2006), ‘Global Sourcing and Procurement Strategy: A Model of Interrelated Decisions’, Supply Chain Forum: International Journal, Vol. 7(1) pp34-46 McLean, S. (2008), ‘Choice in Government Software Procurement: A Winning Strategy’, Journal of Public Procurement, Vol.8(1) pp70-97 Niezen, C. and Weller, W. (2006), ‘Procurement as Strategy’, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 84(9) pp22-24 Staffordshire County Council (2014), Staffordshire Procurement [Online]. Available at: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/business/procurement/homepage.aspx [Accessed: 29 April 2014]. How to cite A Critical Analysis of the Procurement Policy for a Local Government, Essay examples

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Arthur Miller wrote the play Essay Example For Students

Arthur Miller wrote the play Essay At the beginning of this extract Miller has the court set out and ready to spring a dramatic effect as he has the basis for it already set up with the accusations of Mary Warren that Abigail and the girls are feigning spirits in order to carry out slander campaigns led by jealousy and envy towards the accused. Danforth begins the extract in the most powerful position in the courtroom; he is in control and he is asking the questions with little interruption from others residing in the court. Miller cleverly rotates this position of power full circle around the room during this extract as the power shifts onto Abigail when she diverts the courts attention from herself onto Mary Warren by claiming that she is sending her spirit onto her and the girls then over to Proctor when he accuses Abigail of leading a whores vengeance after admitting to the crime of lechery. The power of the room ultimately falls into the hands of Elizabeth when she is asked if whether to her knowledge John was an adulterer. After her denial of this the power shifts all the way back round to Danforth and his accusations of Proctors lying and attempted contempt of the court, completing a full circle. This is a very clever dramatic effect which Miller also uses throughout the play in different scenes such as the scene of Elizabeths arrest in the Proctor household where the power shifts between her, John Proctor and Reverend Hale. The language inside the courthouse changes almost with every different characters involvement in the scene. Danforth being in the highest position judging over the case is keen to keep the language in a formal tone throughout the proceeding, mainly speaking to ask questions of and to the accuser or accused. Parris however is constantly interrupting Danforths speech in order to make accusations or comment which put pressure on Proctor or Mary Warren, for example when he asks Mary Warren to faint in front of the court to prove that she was faking the spirits in court previously; Now there are no spirits attacking her, for none in this room is accused of witchcraft. So let her turn herself cold now, let her pretend she is attacked now, let her faint. Faint This immediately puts unnecessary pressure on Mary Warren to please the court, something that she is unable to do. Mary Warrens language is very simple and short. She does not want to be involved in this affair and it seems she is not willing to partake in these games that Parris and Danforth are giving her the central role in, because she is terrified and bewildered at the whole ordeal which has put her under enormous pressure to say the correct things in order to save herself and Proctor, we can link this to the McCarthyism of the 1950s, the basis of which Arthur Miller wrote the play, The Crucible and how vulnerable those people who were accused of communism were and that McCarthy and other members of HUAC could play on this vulnerability in order for them to name others who they expected to be communists.