Nudibranch Species, Behavior, and Diet

Enchanting to both divers and scientists, colorful nudibranchs (pronounced nooda-bronk and including Nudibranchia, suborders Aeolidida and Doridacea) inhabit the sea floors of oceans all over the world. The unattractively named sea slug comes in a fantastic array of shapes and neon-bright colors that they themselves cannot see. Fast Facts: Nudibranchs (Sea Slugs) Scientific Name: Nudibranchia, suborders Aeolidida and DoridaceaCommon Name: Sea slugBasic Animal Group: InvertebrateSize: Microscopic to 1.5 feet longWeight: Up to just over 3 poundsLifespan: A few weeks to a year  Diet:  CarnivoreHabitat: On seafloors all over the world, between 30 and 6,500 feet below the water surfacePopulation: UnknownConservation Status: Not Evaluated Description Nudibranchs are mollusks in the class Gastropoda, which includes snails, slugs, limpets, and sea hairs. Many gastropods have a shell. Nudibranchs have a shell in their larval stage, but it disappears in the adult form. Gastropods also have a foot and all young gastropods undergo a process called ​​torsion in their larval stage. In this process, the entire top of their body twists 180 degrees on their foot. This results in the placement of the gills and anus above the head, and adults that are asymmetrical in form. The word nudibranch comes from the Latin word nudus (naked) and Greek brankhia (gills), in reference to the gills or gill-like appendages which protrude from the backs of many nudibranchs. They also may have tentacles on their heads that help them smell, taste, and get around. A pair of tentacles called rhinophores on the nudibranchs head have scent receptors that allow the nudibranch to smell its food or other nudibranchs. Because the rhinophores stick out and can be a target for hungry fish, most nudibranchs have the ability to withdraw the rhinophores and hide them in a pocket in their skin if the nudibranch senses danger. Amin Benhameurlaine  / Getty Images Species There are over 3,000 species of nudibranchs, and new species are still being discovered. They range in size from microscopic to over a foot and a half long  and can weigh up to just over 3 pounds. If youve seen one nudibranch, you havent seen them all. They come in an astonishingly wide variety of colors and shapes—many have brightly colored stripes or spots and flamboyant appendages on their head and back. Some species are transparent and/or bio-luminescent, like the Phylliroe. Nudibranchs thrive in an enormous variety of underwater environments, from shallow, temperate, and tropic reefs to Antarctica and even hydrothermal vents. cbpix/Getty Images Suborders Two main suborders of nudibranchs are dorid nudibranchs (Doridacea) and aeolid nudibranchs (Aeolidida). Dorid nudibranchs, like the Limacia cockerelli, breathe through gills that are on their posterior (back) end. Aeolid nudibranchs have cerata  or finger-like appendages that cover their back. The cerata can be a variety of shapes—thread-like, club-shaped, clustered, or branched. They have multiple functions, including breathing, digestion, and defense. Habitat and Distribution Nudibranchs are found in all the worlds oceans, from cold water to warm water. You might find nudibranchs in your local tide pool, while snorkeling or diving on a tropical coral reef, or even in some of the coldest parts of the ocean or in thermal vents. They live on or near the sea floor and have been identified at depths between 30 and 6,500 feet below the ocean surface. Diet Most Nudibranchs eat using a radula, a toothed structure that they use to scrape off prey from the rocks they cling to; some suck out the prey after predigesting its tissue with selected enzymes, rather like a wasp. They are carnivorous, so that prey includes sponges, coral, anemones, hydroids, barnacles, fish eggs, sea slugs, and other nudibranchs. Nudibranchs are picky eaters—individual species or families of nudibranchs may eat only one kind of prey. Nudibranchs get their bright colors from the food they eat. These colors may be used for camouflage or to warn predators of the poison that lies within. The Spanish shawl nudibranch (Flabellina iodinea) feeds on a species of hydroid called Eudendrium ramosum, which possesses a pigment called astaxanthin that gives the nudibranch its brilliant purple, orange, and red coloration. Some nudibranchs, like the Blue Dragon, create their own food by eating coral with algae. The nudibranch absorbs the algaes chloroplasts (zooxanthellae) into the cerata, which acquire nutrients by photosynthesis using the sun to sustain the nudibranch for months. Others have evolved other ways of farming zooxanthellae, housing them in their digestive gland. Behavior The sea slugs can see light and dark, but not their own brilliant coloration, so the colors are not intended to attract mates. With their limited vision, their sense of the world is obtained through their rhinophores (on top of the head) and oral tentacles (near the mouth). Not all nudibranchs are colorful; some use defensive camouflage to match the vegetation and hide, some can change their colors to fit, some hide their bright colors only to bring them out to warn off predators. Nudibranchs move on a flat, broad muscle called a foot, which leaves a slimy trail. While most are found on the ocean floor, some can swim short distances in the water column by flexing their muscles. Some even swim upside down. Aeolid nudibranchs can use their cerata for defense. Some of their prey such as Portuguese man-of-wars have a specialized cell in their tentacles called nematocysts that contain a barbed or venomous coiled thread. Nudibranchs eat the nematocysts and store them in the nudibranchs cerata where they can be used late to sting predators. Dorid nudibranchs make their own toxins or absorb toxins them from their food and release those into the water when needed. Despite the unsavory or toxic taste they can present to their non-human predators, most nudibranchs are harmless to humans, except those like Glaucus atlanticus which consumes nematocytes and so may consider you a predator and sting. Reproduction and Offspring Nudibranchs are hermaphrodites, meaning that they have reproductive organs of both sexes. Because they cant move too far, too fast and are solitary in nature, its important for them to be able to reproduce if the situation presents itself. Having both sexes means that they can mate with any adult that happens to pass by. Nudibranchs lay masses of spiral-shaped or coiled eggs, which are for the most part left on their own. The eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae which eventually settle onto the ocean bottom as adults. Only one species of nudibranch, the Pteraeolidia ianthina, exhibits parental care by guarding the newly-laid egg masses. Nudibranchs and Humans Scientists study nudibranchs because of their complex chemical makeup and adaptations. They have rare or novel chemical compounds which possess anti-microbial and anti-parasitic traits which may aid in the fight against cancer.   Studies of nudibranch DNA also offer assistance in tracking ocean conditions relative to climate change. Threats These beautiful animals dont live very long; some live up to a year, but some only for a few weeks. The global population of nudibranchs is currently unassessed—researchers are still discovering new ones each year—but field observations such as that conducted by Endangered Species International suggest that many species are becoming rare, due to water pollution, degradation, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline associated with global warming.   Sources Bertsch, Hans. Nudibranchs: Sea Slugs With Verve. The Slug Site, 2004.Cheney, Karen L. and Nerida G. Wilson. Quick Guide: Nudibranchs. Current Biology Magazine 28.R4–R5, January 8, 2018.Epstein, Hannah E, et al. Reading between the Lines: Revealing Cryptic Species Diversity and Colour Patterns in Hypselodoris Nudibranchs (Mollusca: Heterobranchia: Chromodorididae).  Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.zly048 (2018).King, Rachael. Is It a Worm? A Snail? No...Its a Nudibranch!. Southeast Regional Taxonomic Center, Marine Resources Research Institute, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.Knowlton, Nancy. Citizens of the Sea: Wondrous Creatures From the Census of Marine Life. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 2010.Lewis, Ricki. Celebrating National Sea Slug Day. PLOS Blogs: Diverse Perspectives on Science and Medicine, November 1, 2018.Nudibranchs and other sea slugs. New Heaven Reef Conservation Program, 2016.

Breast Cancer Is Not Just A Disease That Strikes At Women

Debbie Wasserman Schultz stated that, â€Å"Breast cancer is not just a disease that strikes at women. It strikes at the very heart of who we are as women: how others perceive us, how we perceive ourselves, how we live, work and raise our families-or whether we do these things at all.† 1.3 million women will be diagnosed every year over the next 20 years, and the culprit, breast cancer, will kill 11 million of those women. Breast cancer can be a very deadly disease, but it can also be one of the easiest cancers to get rid of if men and women take the right precautions. Many different methods are used to find and cure breast cancer. Different stages and types of breast cancer are unique to each and every person. Breast cancer is a rising concern and affects many people in different ways, but with the right knowledge and awareness lives can be saved. Breast cancer is a very common disease in women. Simply stated, cancer that forms in the breast cells is breast cancer. Breast ca ncer appears when the breast cells start growing and dividing too fast. The cells begin dividing faster then the normal cells and a lump or mass is formed (Breast Cancer). Some of these tumors, though, are benign; these tumors are not cancerous and do not spread throughout the body. Other tumors are malignant; they are cancerous and able to spread throughout the body (Braddock 3-4). What causes breast cancer is not clear, but there are many risk factors that can lead to breast cancer. Being a female andShow MoreRelatedBreast Cancer : A Dangerous Type Of Cancer1502 Words   |  7 PagesMost people know breast cancer is a dangerous type of cancer that affects both men and women. 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The Role Of Supervisor Subordinate Guanxi In The China

THE ROLE OF SUPERVISOR SUBORDINATE GUANXI IN THE WORKPLACE IN CHINA Guanxi literally signifies relationships, put up with any kind of liaison. In the Chinese industry, on the other hand, it is also tacit as the network of relations along with different parties that lend a hand jointly and assisting each other (Ostrowski et al 2002). The Chinese businessmens way of thinking is greatly one of You scratch my back, Ill scratch ones. In core, this boils down to trading supports, which are anticipated to do on a regular basis and of your own free will (Guanxi and Guanxixue 2010). So, it is a significant notion to be aware of if one is to work efficiently in Chinese civilization. In spite of business experiences in ones home nation, in China it is the precise Guanxi that creates all the variation to make sure that business will be flourishing (Douglas 1998). By receiving the right Guanxi, the organization minimizes the risks, frustrations, and disappointments when doing production in China. Frequently it is by obtaining the accurate Guanxi with the pertinent authorities that will verify the aggressive repute of an association ultimately in China. And furthermore, the expected threats, blockades, and arrangements you will meet in China will be lessened when you have the accurate Guanxi network running for you. That is why the accurate Guanxi is very important to all flourishing business tactic in China. Though budding and development the Guanxi in China isShow MoreRelatedThe Role Of Supervisor Subordinate Guanxi In The Chinese Workplace2501 Words   |  10 Pagesï » ¿THE ROLE OF SUPERVISOR SUBORDINATE GUANXI IN THE WORKPLACE IN CHINA Wong et al. (2003) illustrate subordinate supervisor guanxi as the connection among a subordinate and their direct supervisor, and this description has the sense of social relations based on common interest and advantage. Guanxi is moreover described as a quality liaison that verifies the proper conduct and action to one another. 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Parenting As A Blended Family - 1718 Words

Parenting in A Blended Family The family dynamics in Max Apple’s â€Å"Stepdaughters† and Amy Tan’s â€Å"A Pair of Tickets† displays some of the issues that parents, stepparents and teenagers may or may not experience. A mother’s relationship with her children has a very unique connection, especially when it comes our daughters. Being a mother or stepmother is a problematical and rewarding experience: nevertheless, a mother’s love is unconditional. How do you except someone for his or her choices on being different? Is it easier for a step-parent to see things more clearly that the biological parent? Every family has its issues. When it’s a blended family with mothers, fathers, stepchildren and other family member, those issues can become more complex to understand. There are so many aspects that make the core of a family. For example, from different lifestyles, religion, to positive and negative reinforcement from our parents to rais ing respectable teenagers. 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Biodiversity at Risk Due to Urbanization Free Essays

Forestry â€Å"Indo-Burma Forests† Forests, some of the most essential ecosystems in the world, house about forty to seventy-five percent all plants and animals globally. Unfortunately, the amount of biodiversity in forests is severely at risk due to the increasing deforestation over the past four decades. It is estimated in the biological community that approximately 50,000 species are completely wiped out annually as a result of arbitration, land clearance, logging, and other human techniques. We will write a custom essay sample on Biodiversity at Risk Due to Urbanization or any similar topic only for you Order Now Dry. Edward Wilson, a Harvard professor, predicts that half of all of earth’s species could be extinct in about 50 years, unless the deforestation rate decreases. In 2011, Conservation International (also known as C’) conducted a study of the top ten most endangered forests in the world (half of them located Asia-Pacific Region). Of the ten, the Indo-Burma forests were deemed the number one most endangered forest. Encompassing approximately 2,373,000 km, the forests spreads from eastern India to Southern china. The Indo- Burma forests are considered to be one of 34 â€Å"biodiversity hotshots,† a term coined y Norman Myers (a British biologist), which is a biographic landscape characterized by outstanding levels of habitat loss and plant endemics. Over ninety- five percent of the region’s forests have been destroyed, which leaves only about five percent of the original forest area still standing; therefore, the Indo-Burma forests are the most vulnerable forests globally. The Indo-Burma forests are positioned in the midst of floodplains, lakes, and rivers. These various waterways give off life and prosperity, allowing richness in biodiversity as well as resources. This region is home oh number of the largest freshwater fish, bird, and turtle species. There is also, an assortment of ecosystems embodied in this hotshot, comprising of dry evergreen, wet evergreen, and deciduous forests. There are also several patches of woodlands and scrubbings on karts limestone ridges, some in costal lands as well as dispersed heath forests. Additionally, a broad range of distinct, restricted vegetation developments, including seasonally flooded grasslands, lowland floodplain swamps, and mangroves. This vast biological diversity is a result of topographical interaction, soil hegemonies, climate change, and seasonal rainfall patterns. The plant species are abundantly diverse with 13,500 vascular plants estimated with about half of them being endemic. The flora of forests range from a variety of ginger and orchids (over 1,000 different orchid species found in Thailand alone) to tropical hardwood trees including Disintegrations (teak) and Dipterous (which happens to be commercially valuable). The animal species are even more widespread as Indo-Burma is continually unmasking biological treasures. In the last twelve years, [the following] six age mammals have been discovered: The Salsa, the Inmate Mountain, the Large- Antlered Mountain, the Leaf Deer, the Grey Swanked Doug, and the Inmate Rabbit. There are approximately 430 mammal species residing in the region; over seventy species and seven types are endemic. Over 280 amphibian species are found in the hotshot, but there is not high level of endemics outside of the genus level. The region has noteworthy freshwater fish creatures; there are over 1,260 recognized species (about 10% of the world’s total freshwater fish). There are more than 1,260 bird species with over 60 being endemic. The floodplain wetlands and the rivers are absolutely essential for bird species conservation since population numbers have declined due to human expansion and hunting. The reptile population is one of the more prevalent species of the region. Almost 520 species of reptile reside there which more than 200 species being endemic and twelve genera. This Indo-Burma hotshot carries perhaps the largest assortment of freshwater turtles globally; there are exactly 53 species (57 including tortoises), signifying 20% of the world’s species. A popular species is the Chitchatted, a striped narrow-headed turtle with a soft-shell, which can grow up to about 120 centimeters. These species are decreases in number as well, mostly due to the overexploitation on behalf of wildlife trade. Of the 22 non- marine turtle species that are endangered, almost half of them are found in the Indo- Burma region. Other prominent reptiles include the Ellipsis butterfly lizard, the Chinese crocodile lizard, and the Siamese crocodile. Humans have greatly impacted life for the animals, however, and the overall environment. Indo-Burma was actually one of the primary lands used by humans in the development of agriculture; Hereford, fire has been used more and more over the years to clear out land needed to fit agricultural needs and other human demands. As demand for agricultural goods has skyrocketed over the past years due to population and market expansion, forest destruction became widespread. Huge areas of lowland forests soon became replaced with tree plantations (oil palm, teak, and rubber), while hill forests and Montana were threatened by sugarcane, coffee, tea, and vegetable crop plantations. In addition to plantations, forests become endangered by mining for ores and gems, firewood collection, charcoal production, and logging. The marine ecosystem simultaneously became under great pressure in many areas due to development. Draining for the cultivation of wet rice has damaged freshwater wetlands and floodplain swamps (mainly in Vietnam, Thailand, and Manner). The damming of rivers have also become way more prevalent in efforts to generate electricity and maximize water storage to support the economic growth of the country as well as for exportation of goods and services to bordering countries to increase foreign exchange income; regrettably, damming a river not only converts that small body of eater into a large pond, but it decreases the oxygen content and overall temperature, as well as in amplifies water turbidity down the river and river-bed erosion. The operational measures of the reservoir has resulted in sporadic or frequent flooding of sandbanks, stretches of channel assortment, sandbars, and other territory that is generally uncovered during dry season [severely impacting turtle species and nesting birds]. Mangroves in the region have been transformed to aquaculture ponds, while mudflats have been comprehensively afforested with mangrove or shed by piles of nets, which greatly effects their significance as a feeding habitat for migrating birds and other specimen. Furthermore, ecosystems of sand dunes are in severe danger due to forestation, and overfeeding along with excessive use of [destructive] fishing methods have produced a considerable problem with both the offshore and coastal aquatic ecosystems. Being that only 5% of natural habitats are left in a pristine state and 10%-25% of damaged land due to habitat loss and exploitation of resources, something had to be done to decrease the probability of omelet extinction of the forests. In the Indo-Burma hotshot, protected area structures have become the foundation of government conservation program. There is officially 236,000 km of land protected, representing nearly ten percent of the original amount of vegetation in the region. Conversely, only 132,000 km (almost six percent) is in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (CNN) protected area categories one to four. Together, the countries of Lower Mekong (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Ala P. D. R. ) have above 13 percent f their territory contained by an arrangement of protected areas. A fine approach to ensuring that the system of protected areas effectively preserves representative biodiversity is by securing the species that face the greatest danger of extinction globally. Endangered species worldwide are shielded best by targeting preservation investment to the sites in which they are prevalent; these areas are known as â€Å"key biodiversity areas† (Kbps). More efforts towards the conservation of the Indo-Burma forests are currently in the making and there are many organizations and individuals that are eager to contribute. How to cite Biodiversity at Risk Due to Urbanization, Papers

Challenges and Strategies Improving Performance

Question: Discuss about the Challenges and Strategies for Improving Performance. Answer: Introduction The human resource management plays the most significant role in an organisation. Managing diversity is one of the most essential responsibilities that have to be maintained by the human resource management (Stone, 2013). When people from different background gather together to perform the organisational functionalities, the diversity becomes the major concerns for the management. CERA, one of the renowned multinational companies, sells the sanitaryware, faucets, wellness, tiles, and bathroom accessories. This multinational company deals with the associates who belong to the diversified cultural background. Therefore, the human resource management of CERA requires concentrating on the welfare of the people who are aligned together to accomplish the business goals. It is sometimes noticed that due to the cultural diversity, the employees face the significant challenges to cope with the other associates (Martn Alczar, Miguel Romero Fernndez Snchez Gardey, 2013). Moreover, the differences in work attribute, languages, and cultural values are sometimes creating the situational crisis. On the other hand, the collaboration of the diverse cultural beliefs helps in introducing the innovative business procedures that are essential for sustaining the organisational position (Ulrich, 2013). The study will provide the detailed analysis of the roles and responsibilities of human resource management for managing diversity at the workplace. Rationale of Business Diversity Management in CERA The case study provides the information about the specific issues that the company have been facing with their workforces. It is noted that in order to bring more innovations in the business process, the leaders have decided to keep the focus on the effective human resource management practices. It is suggested that if the company can concentrate on selecting and recruiting the right people, it would be beneficial for the company to bring more innovations (Cheruvelil et al., 2014). When the efficient workers would assimilate together, the collaboration of their different innovative business procedures would add values to the business functionalities. However, undertaking such initiative is not easy since there is the question of diversity management. Company is much focused on recruiting the suitable, smarter, and right people. Therefore, there is the question if the other people are left behind. The management is concerned about the diverse group that can perform well and accomplish the business goals. The selection and recruitment process will be sensitive to the individual differences (Agrawal, 2012). The process is somewhat ignoring the reinforcements of homogeneity. The gender diversification is thus considered as the major issue in such contexts. However, the human resource management needs to pay the attention on such diversification issues occurred in the business environment. The study will thus discuss the significance of the gender diversification at workplace. Moreover, the study will shed lights on resolving the issues specified in the case study. The efficient human resource management practices will be much helpful in mitigating the probable risks that may occur due to the workplace diversification. Justification of the Rationale The company is much interested in accomplishing the business goals with the proper innovation process in this current competitive business scenario. The management team has recognised that the human resource management practices need more improvisations in the selection and recruitment process. While recruiting people, the management is much concerned about the diverse group of people who can help the management to accomplish the organisational goals (D'Netto et al., 2014). However, if the company needs to bring more innovations in the business process, it will be better to focus on merits and capabilities. The case study highlights that the management is focusing on the diverse group, size, and business size. The company is trying to improve the selection and recruitment process based on the merits and suitability to the business goals. However, the company needs to keep the concentration on providing the equal opportunities to other employees as well. The employees need to receive proper training that can enhance their knowledge and lead them towards success (Ali, Ng Kulik, 2014). Experiences and efficiency of the employees is also necessary in such cases. However, focusing on this argument, it is necessary to explore the conceptual analysis of diversity management. Necessity of Diversity Management in Organisational Performance The multinational companies are associated with the people who belong to diversified cultural and demographic background. Workforce diversity is essential for managing the diversified scenario within an organisation. The workplace diversity has become one of the integral parts in this current globalised business market (Barak, 2013). The establishment of the workplace diversity helps in managing the interpersonal skills among the associated people from different cultural and demographic background. Moreover, it is also noticed that the diversity management helps in bringing more innovations in the business procedures. The innovative knowledge of the employees helps in gaining more profitability in this competitive scenario. However, the workplaces even face several conflicts due to the differences in the work cultures. The human resource management plays the most significant role in managing the workplace diversity and resolving the emerging conflicts. Impact of Gender Diversity Each of the workplace needs to consider the equal rights provided to both the males and female employees. Gender diversity is one of the major concerns that create the significant impacts on the organisational functionalities (Strachan, French Burgess, 2014). It is evident that gender diversity helps in enhancing the overall organisational performance. It is noted that the females have the greater analytical skills and coordinating capabilities, which help in shaping the values of the organisation (Christensen Schneider, 2015). Moreover, the experience candidates can understand the business process more significantly. Mark French has decided to employ the candidates who can bring more innovations to the organisational process. The findings derived from McKinseys Global Institute study indicate that the lack of gender diversity is greater likelihood of below par performance in many countries like UK, US, Canada, and Latin America (Hbswk.hbs.edu, 2016). In fact, it is suggested that the companies, which are promoting the gender diversity is more successful in this current time. Model of Diversity Management at Workplace Many of the workplaces face issues with the diversity management process. It is noted that the organisations need to pay attention on several concerned areas in the diversified scenario (Alvesson, Krreman Sullivan, 2015). The diversity model is thus developed to identify those areas of concerns. The issues are described further: Acceptance and Commitments of the Organisation The initial stage for the organisation is to identify the determined goals and the commitments of achieving those objectives. The top management the company decides the goals for structuring the business functionalities (De Cieri Kramar, 2014). Moreover, the top management needs to maintain the responsibility to communicate the goals with the associated members. The supportive sand ethical manner of the management is also much essential for describing diversity within the workplace. It generates the idea about the commitment level of the associated employees to promote the diversity at the workplace. Understanding the concept of diversity and attributes of the sub-populations The next step is suggesting the training and development procedures for spreading awareness among the associated members. It is one of the most effective ways of promoting workplace diversity (D'Netto et al., 2014). The members need to gain knowledge about the race, gender culture, and ethnicity. In addition to this, they need to know about working with the people who are from diverse background. Therefore, the training and development session would be much useful. This awareness training requires some of the useful techniques that will be effective enough to generate the ideas about the participants experiences. Work Style and Motivation The management needs to pay the attention towards motivating the employees and making them committed towards their works. In this current scenario, the business functionalities have undergone the drastic changes (Harvey Allard, 2015). The employees need proper guidance and motivation to adopt the changing scenario. Hence, the management requires concentrating on the proper employee welfare process that will be beneficial enough in accomplishing the business goals. Workplace Diversification in the 21st Century In this modernised world, the demands of the customers are changing drastically. Therefore, the companies are forced to adopt diversified method of business operations that can satisfy the needs and demands of the customers. The top management of the company needs to restructure the business functionalities accordingly (Doherty, 2015). The emergence of the multinational companies is also gathering the people from diverse cultural and demographic background. The employees from diversified cultural background are working together to meet the organisational goals. Many of the expatriates bring the innovative skills to strengthen the organisational position in this 21st century (Guillaume et al., 2015). Therefore, it is necessary to establish the workplace diversity, which introduces the innovative ideas for the long-term sustainability. It is important to note that the effective human resource management practices and enormous supports from the top management is essential for establishi ng this workplace diversity. Diversity Management Policies The article, Human Resource Diversity Management Practices is identifying the approaches of HR management towards maintaining the workplace diversity (Kramar et al., 2014). In order to establish the workplace diversity, the Australian business departments have introduced an approach named logistic compliance (Kramar et al., 2014). This initiative does not refer that the diversity management is a method of achieving competitive advantage. It is noted that the manufacturing companies in Australia has not provided the essential importance to the workplace diversity aspects. For example, the issues with the absenteeism, workplace ethics, and low turnover rate are not properly addressed. Therefore, it is essential to concentrate on the beneficial policies that are establishing workplace diversity within an organisational scenario (Podsiadlowski et al., 2013). However, there are some of the necessary areas that the human resource management needs to pay the attention on and these areas are described further: The human resource planning on selection and recruitment process In the human resource planning, the recruitment and selection process is interconnected. It is to be indicated that the human resource management planning is the integral part of structuring the organisational functionalities. Selecting the right people for the company is the major motto for each of the organisations (De Cieri Kramar, 2014). However, before recruiting the candidates, it is necessary for the human resource management to understand the needs and requirements of the business. The identification of the requirement helps in recognising the suitability and the eligibility of the people for performing the organisational activities (Barak, 2013). Therefore, it is essential for the human resource management to restructure the organisational practices and associate the eligible people to accomplish the business goals. Applying the Policies in the Organisation Some of the human resource management practices are effective enough in applying the policies in the organisation. The various internal sources of recruitment process are needed to be taken into consideration. For example, the employee referral, internal job posting, and promotions help in internal recruitment procedures. On the other hand, campus recruitment, public employment, direct application, and employment exchanges are some of the external recruitment process that the company can utilise (Strachan, French Burgess, 2014). The positive brand image establishes the business reputation in a significant way. It helps the candidates to apply for the job through the facilities of walk-in-interview process (Christensen Schneider, 2015). Following such methods, the human resource management can implement the better recruitment and selection process for the company. However, this description of the workplace diversification would be helpful enough in presenting the suitable arguments for Mark French. Recommendations for Mark French The above description is focusing on the detailed analysis based on the importance of workplace diversity. It has already mentioned that the management of CERA is planning to bring more innovations in the business process. Therefore, it is necessary to select and recruit the right people for the business. However, after recognising the necessity of the gender diversification and the merit based skills, it can be suggested that Mr. Mark French requires concentrating on the recruitment and selection process more precisely. If the company would be able to conduct the behavioural survey among the candidates, it would be beneficial enough in understanding the suitability of the candidate in performing the tasks. Therefore, it can be argued that merit based recruitment is not enough to bring innovations. The improvement of the recruitment quality, establishment of the proper infrastructure and association of the knowledgeable people are also required to facilitate the innovative business f unctions. If the company can fulfil such standardised recruitment and selection process, it would be beneficial to establish the workplace diversity and bring more innovative approaches. Conclusion The study is focusing on the diversity management in CERA. It is noted that Mr. Mark French is concentrating on improving the human resource management practices. the major focus was in selecting and recruiting the right people from the diverse group. However, the conceptual analysis of workplace diversity is highlighting that merit based recruitment is not enough to bring innovations to the business process. It is essential to improve the selection and recruitment standards for the candidates. Therefore, the study identifies the necessity of workplace diversity by focusing mainly on gender diversity. After recognising the importance, it can be concluded that the improvisation of the recruitment and selection process can be facilitated by providing the proper standards of employee recruitment process. The human resource management needs to bring improvements in their internal and external recruitment process more specifically. References Agrawal, V. (2012). Managing the diversified team: challenges and strategies for improving performance.Team Performance Management: An International Journal,18(7/8), 384-400. Ali, M., Ng, Y. L., Kulik, C. T. (2014). Board age and gender diversity: A test of competing linear and curvilinear predictions.Journal of Business Ethics,125(3), 497-512. Alvesson, M., Krreman, D., Sullivan, K. (2015). Professional service firms and identity.The Oxford Handbook of Professional Service Firms, 403. Barak, M. E. M. (2013).Managing diversity: Toward a globally inclusive workplace. Sage Publications. Cheruvelil, K. S., Soranno, P. A., Weathers, K. C., Hanson, P. C., Goring, S. J., Filstrup, C. T., Read, E. K. (2014). Creating and maintaining high?performing collaborative research teams: the importance of diversity and interpersonal skills.Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment,12(1), 31-38. Christensen, K., Schneider, B. (Eds.). (2015).Workplace flexibility: Realigning 20th-century jobs for a 21st-century workforce. Cornell University Press. De Cieri, H., Kramar, R. (2014).Human resource management in Australia: Strategy, people, performance. McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Limited. D'Netto, B., Shen, J., Chelliah, J., Monga, M. (2014). Human resource diversity management practices in the Australian manufacturing sector.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,25(9), 1243-1266. Doherty, R. (2015). Getting social with recruitment.Strategic HR review,9(6), 11-15. Guillaume, Y. R., Dawson, J. F., Otaye?Ebede, L., Woods, S. A., West, M. A. (2015). Harnessing demographic differences in organizations: What moderates the effects of workplace diversity?.Journal of Organizational Behavior. Harvey, C. P., Allard, M. (2015).Understanding and managing diversity. Pearson. Hbswk.hbs.edu, 2016. Why Does Gender Diversity Improve Financial Performance?. [online] HBS Working Knowledge. Available at: https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/why-does-lack-of-gender-diversity-hurt-performance?cid=spmailing-12393206-WK%20Newsletter%2011-4-2015%20%281%29-November%2004,%202015 [Accessed 10 Jan. 2017]. Karamessini, M., Rubery, J. (2013).Women and austerity: the economic crisis and the future for gender equality(Vol. 11). Routledge. Kramar, R., Bartram, T., De Cieri, H., Noe, R., Hollenbeck, J., Gerhart, B., Wright, P. (2014).Human resource management in Australia Strategy, people, performance(5th ed.). North Ryde: McGraw-Hill. Martn Alczar, F., Miguel Romero Fernndez, P., Snchez Gardey, G. (2013). Workforce diversity in strategic human resource management models: A critical review of the literature and implications for future research.Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal,20(1), 39-49. Podsiadlowski, A., Grschke, D., Kogler, M., Springer, C., Van Der Zee, K. (2013). Managing a culturally diverse workforce: Diversity perspectives in organizations.International Journal of Intercultural Relations,37(2), 159-175. Stone, R. J. (2013).Managing human resources. John Wiley and Sons. Strachan, G., French, E., Burgess, J. (2014). Equal access to the opportunities available? Equity and diversity laws and policies in Australia.International Handbook on Equality and Diversity Management at Work: Country Perspectives on Diversity and Equal Treatment, 2nd edn. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 13-34. Tyson, S. (2014).Essentials of human resource management. Routledge. Ulrich, D. (2013).Human resource champions: The next agenda for adding value and delivering results. Harvard Business Press.

Strategy for Envisioned Future

Question: Discuss about the Strategy for Envisioned Future. Answer: Organizational Structure The company follows an interaction model for their organizational structure. The company has a chief executive who looks after the entire operation of the company followed by coordinators in all the departments who are at the top level. The administrative directors, human resource manager, chief operator and the chief officer related to finance control all the operations at the middle level of the organization, which is followed by general managers at each of the departments. The lower level employees of the company consist of team members and the managers of the factories (Paula, 2014). Since the company uses this model, the flow of information is restricted to the superiors of each level. For example, the employees cannot directly share their concern with the chief executive officer of the company directly. It has to pass through a number of people in between before it reaches the ears of the top management. The various departments in the company consist of admin and HR department, finance department, operations department and consultation department. The organization is centralized where the staffs has to report online in the head office. The head office looks after all the informations and the necessary changes that need to be passed down to the various stores in the company (Nanayakkara et al., 2013). Organization Purpose The name Pak n Save has originated because of the practices they undertake with respect to the cost-saving tactics where the customers can pack the groceries in cardboard boxes. The company provides the cardboard boxes so that the products can be shipped to the store or to the supermarkets. Plastic bags are also available, which can be purchased for 10 cents from the North Island stores. The cost of plastic bags is 5 cents for the customers in South Island stores. The customers are encouraged to buy plastic bags that will last longer or they can carry their own bags while coming to store to purchase products (Isberg Pitta, 2013). The stores are located on the aisles of the supermarkets with practically no design to attract the customers. The products that are extra in the stores are not displayed on the shelves instead; they are kept on the top of the shelves in the pallets in which the products arrived in the shop. In this way, the floor space can be increased, which helps in the retail purpose. The products that are delivered to the stores come from the Foodstuffs distributor who has been a long-time supplier to the company (Milner, 2013). The stores of the company buy goods in excess, which means that the stores do not offer different varieties of goods to the customers. Thus, the choice of customers is very limited and has to be within the range of goods that are offered by the company. Some of the stores have the self-scanning system where the customers do not have to wait in line with the trolleys. Thus helps in reducing the time of checkout making the workplace very efficient (Day, Pearce Pearson, 2015). Policies and Procedures The company collects personal information from the customers on a regular basis, which enables the company to provide better services by sorting out the grievances of the customers. The company collects the personal information from the customers as it helps the company to provide an appropriate username and password to the customer to avail the website of the company. It helps the company to provide further assistance to the customers through the website. It informs the customers about the competitions and the promotions that will take place in the stores of the company on a regular basis, which will help in retaining the customer base. The company also provides additional information to its customers about the products and the services so that it helps in raising the interests of the customers (QC Smith, 2015). The company ensures that the personal information of the customers will not be disclosed to any other organization except when it will be an absolute necessity. The information can be disclosed with prior permission of the customer to the Foodstuffs North Island and South Island Limited who are the major suppliers of the company. They can disclose the information to the third parties if they find that the parties are in good faith and has been instructed by the law. The company will take permission from the customers by either sending them a mail or a text requesting their actions and interests. If the customer does not want the information to be shared then the customer needs to either reply to the mail or send a text to the company informing them about the same (Carter et al., 2013). Legal compliance The company ensures that every endeavor that it undertakes is done with accurate information and sometimes errors may occur in the process. In the same way, Foodstuffs who is the main supplier of the materials to the company is not liable for any loss that may arise directly or indirectly from the advice, information or omission or the negligence that may occur in the website of the company. The contents that are available in the website of the company are copyrighted and patented even if it is not mentioned on the site. The website is owned and operated by Pak n Save Supermarkets Limited (Devi et al., 2014). The site allows the customers to gather extra information about the stores, products, services, competitions and various promotions that the company undertakes to retain and expand the customer base. Apart from this, the company is not liable if the customers misuse the site for any other purpose (Randall, 2014). The company controls the accessibility of the website strictly and they can restrict the access of any customer without informing them on a prior notice. The company sees to it that the site is kept free from viruses and from unauthorized access as they do not want any discrepancies that may arise from the misuse of the website (Devi et al., 2014). The information on the site will be accurate and up to date in all respects related to the products and services of the company. The special offers that the company will offer will be available on the site on a prior notice so that the customers are informed about the promotions when the stocks are available in the stores. The laws of New Zealand govern the website and the courts have the exclusive rights to decide on the contents of the site (Al-Humam, 2015). Health and safety compliance Pak n Save takes in to account the health and safety of the employees within the organization. It is seen that the company has been involved with WorkSafe New Zealand to provide better working conditions for the employees and educate them to improve their skills in the workplace (Hours, 2015). This has seen an increase in the participation of the employees. The company has coordinated with the government agencies to enforce the tools that provide safety to the workers. The company has seen to it that the risks related to the certain jobs in the department is minimized and the employees have gained knowledge in mitigating the risk factor within the organization through proper training provided by the company. The employees can now understand and identify the risks and eliminates before any further hazards take place (Keddell, 2014). Risk Management Organization such as Pak n Save has to deal with a lot of risk in their operation and as a part of their business. The most significant risk that the organization has to face is the competition that exists in the market. The main competitors to the organization are Countdown and New World. The organization has to keep up with the market trends in order to stay ahead from its competitors. Since the organization mainly deals with food, there is also a risk of food contamination, which might lead to a strict action from the department of food and health of the country (Kaplan Mikes, 2012). The company needs to innovate and find out pioneering new ways to stay ahead of the competition. It needs to find out new strategy to bring in fresher and healthier alternatives to attract more customers. The other risk that the company faces is the contamination and mishandling of food items. The company can employ staff members to look after the hygiene factor in the packing and prepping of the foo d items. Installing CCTVs inside the office premises and a strict monitoring might help the company to achieve a proper hygiene standard (Lam, 2014). Sustainability The company has reduced their waste by 10.4 percent that is around 16.5 tons each year by nominating an efficient team that caters to monitoring of the waste and recycling of the waste materials. The company has installed recycling bins all around the office and store area so that the paper and plastic waste can be recycled. These bins are then emptied at a particular location from where the commercial recycling providers collect the waste and dispose it. From the point of view of conserving energy, the company has replaced all the 50 watt bulbs with 35 watts to reduce the consumption of energy. This has resulted in saving of approximately 2,000 kWh that is equivalent to $270 each year (Alkon et al., 2013). Two strategy options: Inclusion of organic food items: Organic food items are in high demand today due to increase in health consciousness among the people of New Zealand. The store should sell organic buns, pizzas and other food items at affordable prices. Organic food being more expensive compared to the conventional food will attract the affluent consumers. Thus, the retail chain will be able to cater to both the rich and the middle class and earn huge revenue. Expansion: New Zealand being a part of the rich economy of Australia attracts foreign retail chains. These retail chains compete with PAK'nSAVE for market penetration. These supermarket chains owing to their vast international market base and funds can distribute their costs and risk over a huge revenue base ("Aldi sticks to Australia - Business - NZ Herald News", 2017). Thus, they can offer goods at lower prices and yet earn higher profits. PAK'nSAVE should also expand beyond the boundaries of New Zealand and explore the profitable markets of Asia, Europe and America. The supermarket should promote its goods and services in its new markets to create a profitable consumer base (Volpe, 2013). Changes implemented in the Strategy The two strategies stated above for PAK'nSAVE will require the supermarket chain to chain and accelerate its structures, processes, resources and its marketing mix to cater to the international market and a global consumer base. Structure: The centralized organizational structure of the retail chain follows the interaction model. The chief executive who directs the midlevel departments of operations, administration, human resource and finance leads the company. The lowest rung contains the store managers and their teams. The lowest stratum people cannot approach or communicate with the upper level directly. Expansion into new markets will demand more decentralization and more empowerment of the store staffs to decide products as per the market requirements. The chain should also set up a department who will deal with the organic food items and their marketing(Alexander, 2015). Processes: PAK'nSAVE should change its mode of operations to adapt to the expansion into organic food items and exploring new markets. The company has a centralized line of command, which does not empower the store managers and sales staffs to take decisions though they have more knowledge about the buyers choice. Expansion will expose the supermarket chain to different macroeconomic factors and consumer bases with choices ways apart. PAK'nSAVE can follow the model of the British supermarket chain Aldi and allow the sales staff more power to decide on the offerings. This will help the company to cater to consumers better, which will earn more revenue (Minh, 2015). Resources: PAK'nSAVE should expand its operations into the foreign markets. This requires it to develop its organizational structure, technology, modes of operations, human resource and so on to suit the new increased needs so as not to strain its existing resources. The company should use the resources the host countries to produce its goods, which will lower its cost of operations. The company needs to acquire resources from the local markets and set up a global supply chain to accede to quality resources at affordable prices. Any other changes in the organization-new offices: PAK'nSAVE needs to enter new market by exporting its goods to those markets. Then in order to strengthen its position it must enter into joint venture with the companies in the market or establish subsidiary companies. It will require the company to expand its infrastructure into the new host country to ensure long-term business and profit. The company can follow the model of Marks Spencer to enter foreign market ("Welcome to Marks Spencer" 2017). Justification of the Strategies Plausibility: Since the strategy includes two parts: inclusion of organic food items in the menu and overseas expansion of business, it has be seen and judged whether these two options are plausible or not. The inclusion of organic food items in the menu of the company is important in the day and age of today as the majority of the population in this world today is health conscious and thus is inclined more intently on the healthier and fresher alternatives of food. The benefits of organic foods on health are widespread over the internet letting the people know about the goodness of the foods (Yang, Kueng Hong, 2015). Thus, if the organization wants to be popular and earn more profits, then it must focus its attention on the inclusion of organic food items. Overseas expansion is another strategy that can surely bring in a flood of profits to the organization. In this world of extreme competition where every company is trying hard to topple one another in the rat race of competition, it has become extremely important to find out different market options to expand the business in. Overseas expansion gives the business a chance to explore a market, which can give the business a new opportunity to gain revenues and popularity at the same time. It is seen that generally, markets that are not yet explored by similar business present a fantastic scope to spread out the business and achieve maximum profit and revenue (Chu, KrishnaKumar Khosla, 2014). Feasibility: The two strategies as discussed in the above paragraphs have to be checked for feasibility as without being feasible, these strategies can have no effects (Lockwood Walton, 2013). The availability of resources is an important factor in implementing the strategies. To implement the strategy of introducing organic food items in the menu, resources that are needed are: a good plan to implement the strategy, the professionals in the required sector who can look after the steps that can monitor the procedure of inclusion of organic food items in the menu. The risk involved in this strategy is the improper inclusion of the organic food items and also the contamination of the saleable products. Since the organic food items are without any preservatives or pesticides, it has to be sold fresh. Therefore, there is a high chance of contamination through the food items, which might pose a threat for the company (Dora et al., 2013). The strategy that needs to be developed, requires to consider t his point before any planning and execution of the same. Next, is the strategy of expansion. Expansion requires a lot of planning and careful execution in order to be successful. The expansion of the business requires proper analyzing and systematically carrying out the plan for successful expansion. For an expansion, a proper review of the target market, analysis of the demand of the product in the target market, the analysis of the bargaining capacity of the consumer, the bargaining capacity of the suppliers and the environmental and the governmental factors that govern the decision and the strategy of expansion of the business. Expansion of business is an integral part of business since it is essential for the development and growth of business (Verbeke, 2013). Pak n Save is an organization, which mainly deal with food items and present the customers with different options for choosing and has a simplistic approach to the customers to cut cost and attract the consumers with low pricing. It often loses out to other competitors due to the lack of the glamour that is present in other stores. It can therefore implement steps to bring in the glamour quotient by introducing various methods to renovate the stores and thus increasing the aesthetic value of the stores, which can lead to attracting more consumers (McGrath, 2013). Expansion Strategy The company needs to expand its business operation so that the people across the globe can purchase products from these outlets. This will result in maximizing the profits of the company. The global expansion will lead the company to explore different kinds of market, which will help in competing with different types of brand. Since, the company allows goods to be bought at a cheaper price, the focus of the expansion needs to be on the developing countries. This will ensure that the company earns good returns on their investment because these markets will favor the company as they provide many benefits and perquisites to the customers. This will result in the success and popularity of the company in these countries. 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