Family Counseling Approach - 5020 Words

Running head: THE ISSUE OF CHOICE The Issue of Choice: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Melissa Trask Liberty University May 12, 2010 Abstract Counseling has been in existence from the beginning of time. From Jethro to Freud, therapists and philosophers have been seeking insight into the core of human nature and cognitions. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy(CBT) recognizes that faulty cognitions and beliefs affect the behaviors of individuals. One method of cognitive-behavior therapy, reality therapy, incorporates the concepts of free choice and personal responsibility that are taught both in Scripture and Dr. William Glasser’s choice theory. Other aspects of CBT, such as cognitive restructuring and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy†¦show more content†¦Development By the end of the 1970 s, a group of therapists began to recognize the way in which cognitive factors such as attitudes, expectations, and beliefs affect an individual’s behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been a welcomed treatment method in the marriage and family therapy community, as it focusing on interactions between coup les and family members. Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck are reported to be the first to recognize the impact that faulty cognitions have on relationships. Ellis’ A-B-C theory of dysfunctional behavior presents an idea that the activating events (A) are not to be blamed for upsetting consequences (C) in a person’s life, but rather the unrealistic beliefs (B) they hold about their experiences. In terms of family therapy, Ellis would argue that the disarray that takes place in couple’s marriage is not due to the act of arguing, but the beliefs each partner holds about the argument or other destructive behaviors. A run-of-the mill argument may be blown out of proportion if one half of a couple believes that he/she is worthless as a result (Goldenberg Goldenberg, 2008). CBT is founded on the ideas of cognitive psychology and behavior therapy. Numerous perspectives in the psychology world have contributed to the development of this treatment method. Adlerian concept s can be seen in the CBT ideas of schemas and individual perceptions. Gestalt perspectives are also utilized asShow MoreRelatedFamily Counseling Approach: Narrative Counseling3210 Words   |  13 Pagesand several facets of this approach including poststrucuralism, deconstructionism, self-narratives, cultural narratives, therapeutic conversations, ceremonies, letters and leagues. A personal integration of faith in this family counseling approach is presented and discussed also in this paper. NARUMI AMADOR’S FAMILY CONSELING APPROACH Introduction Narrative therapy is found under the Social Construction Model. Using the Narrative approach, the therapist will not beRead MoreThe Experiential Approach to Family Counseling3201 Words   |  13 Pagesï » ¿The Experiential Approach to Family Counseling Part 1 The experiential therapeutic model has become widely regarded as an acceptable approach to family therapy. This methodology contrasts with more traditional, Freudian-derived methods of talk-therapy. Although the exact definition of experiential therapy differs slightly from one professional to another (this paper delineates some of the differences between the varying definitions) the consensus stipulates that experiential therapy is more activeRead MoreFamily System Theory And Its Approach On Family Counseling Essay1998 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction Family therapy provides for family members a means of improving communication and resolving conflict. This form of therapy attempts to determine individual’s behavior by closely examining one’s interactions with their family of origin, as well as current family. This interactive analysis is conducted to examine the patterns of behavior during familial interactions to determine dysfunctional behavior that challenge family cohesiveness. Family member behavior, if negative can perpetuateRead MoreEssay on Structural Approach to Family Counseling3687 Words   |  15 PagesStructural Approach to Family Counseling Beverly Manning COUN 601 – Marriage and Family Counseling I Liberty University July 5, 2013 ABST RACT Families are always growing and changing. They are considered living systems made up of many components. If families can’t adjust to change, the capability of the family and its individual members can be compromised. Structural family therapy (SFT) is a therapeutic approach that identifies that families have a lot of strengthsRead MoreFamily Counseling Approach - Narrative Therapy Essay2804 Words   |  12 PagesFamily Counseling Approach – Narrative Therapy Kristi Sabbides Moos Liberty University Marriage and Family Counseling I May 13, 2011 Dr. Suhad Sadik, Instructor Abstract Narrative therapy focuses on helping clients gain access to preferred story lines about their lives and identities and takes the place of previous negative and self-defeating narratives about themselves. An overview of the Social Construction Model, Narrative Therapy, is presented, as wellRead Moreâ€Å"the Strengths and Weakness of Adlerian Therapy805 Words   |  4 Pagesemphasis on social interests, the family dynamic, and ones influence based on early memories in life. Adler also placed emphasis on the order of one’s birth within the family such as whether one was the first, second, last, or only child born. His approach was centered on such subjects as lifestyle, beliefs and fictions, psychological environment and a person’s approach toward there striving for completeness and wholeness. With the goals of Adlerian counseling revolving around helping people developRead MoreHistory And Roles Of The Counseling Profession1173 Words   |  5 PagesMany counseling professions have been cultivated out of a gap in traditional subjects. Psychology is a great example of how a subject can develop into multiple branches like sociology or philosophy or counseling. Counseling in particular is a relatively new branch compared to the other social sciences and had a complex history on its path to becoming a respectable career. Despite its humble beginnings, individuals still benefit from counseling. Counseling specifications allow a multi-team approachRead MoreA Questionnaire for a Child and Family Development Specialist900 Words   |  4 PagesChild and Family Development Specialist Questions Review the primary arguments in favor of each position presented in the following question: Is the American Family in a state of decline or simply changing? Those who would assert that the American family is in a state of decline likely do so from a highly moralistic standpoint. This is often the assessment offered by social hygiene critics who perceive divorce, gay marriage, single parenting and step parenting as divergent from traditional conceptionsRead MoreSummary Therapists Integration Of Religion And Spirituality921 Words   |  4 PagesIn this article, there were a 26 survey conducted with 5,579 therapists with the integration of religion and spirituality in counseling. In the study, most therapist consider spirituality through their lives, but does not infrequently participate in religious activities. In the study, it was founded that marriage therapists consider more spirituality during their counseling session than other therapists, and marriage therapists is more likely to participate in a religious practice than other therapistsRead MoreThe Effects Of Social Interest On Children764 Words   |  4 Pagesconclusions based o n family information, and ways to compensate, children gain their own independence and information to help them cope with the world around them (Henderson Thompson, 2011). Adler also focused on the importance of social interest, and that parents should teach their children about social interest in order to contribute to others and society (Henderson Thompson, 2011). In the Adlerian approach, the family constellation is important because it looks at the family dynamics and the

Hercules The Sea Cultural Hero Of Hercules - 1708 Words

â€Å"Both brutish and resourceful, blessed and cursed by the gods, noble and insanely violent† was the Mediterranean cultural hero of Hercules (Lopez-Ruiz 257). As a character and hero, Hercules was a contradiction. Throughout the hero’s life, he constantly juxtaposed himself through his conflicting qualities and narrative. Neither moral nor immoral was the prodigious Hercules. The story of this champion’s life was full of enigmas; Hercules was not a god however not quite a mortal either. This constant combat of one or the other not only made Hercules, the famous Greco-Roman hero but also caused him suffering and joy. Despite his status as a demigod, neither human nor god saw him as a unified figure of neither divine nor earthly but a intricate unification of them both. His supposed existence is the personification of the human condition of paradox in regards to emotions, physicality, sexuality, and morality. For all of Hercules’ heroic battles that protect the world, he committed various acts of immoral wrongs. This heroic man was both noble, yet amoral. He â€Å"was praised and admired...but his violence and the transgressive nature of his heroism were also an issue† that regularly caused pain for those around him (Papadopoulou 258). Occasionally through the fault of his own, however, repeatedly through the unwelcome influence of his hated enemy, Hera, Hercules committed crimes that killed people dear to him and dear to others. As a child, while being taught in the musical arts,Show MoreRelatedHercules in Popular Culture1719 Words   |  7 PagesHercules For my research paper I chose to explore and analyze instances of the great Greek/Roman hero, Heracles (Hercules), appearing in popular culture and the effect his myths had on early civilizations. Considered by most to be the greatest of the Greek folk heroes, Hercules was the embodiment of masculinity and physical power. The word â€Å"herculean† literally translates into â€Å"having enormous strength, courage, or size† (dictionary.com.) Since their inception, the myths and legends of HerculesRead MoreAthena: The Goddess of War and Skill907 Words   |  4 Pagesstatue of bearded Hercules† †¢ Artifact type: Sculpture †¢ Material: Marble †¢ Date: Roman Flavian Period: 68-98 A.D. †¢ Artist: Unknown †¢ Provenance: Unknown Hercules is famous for having great strength and persistence as a mortal. Here we see a very muscular sculpture of a man, which is not rare for most Greek Gods, but it is a small hint as to who it may be. He is often illustrated wearing the pelt of a lion or a lion’s head helmet and this sculpture does in fact show Hercules wearing a lion’sRead MoreGreek Mythology And The Mythology1154 Words   |  5 Pagesof punishment. Tale of love often involve incest, or the seduction or rape of a mortal women by a male god, resulting in a heroic offspring. The second type in the tales of punishment which involves the appropriation or invention of some important cultural artifact. The stories both generally suggest that relationships between gods and mortals are something to avoid; even consenting relationships rarely have happy endings. GREEK GODS Apollo Apollo was the son of Leto and Zeus. He was born on theRead MoreGreek Mythology8088 Words   |  33 Pages  Stories   about  the  gods  varied  by  geographic  location:  A  god  might  have  one  set  of  characteristics  in  one  city   or  region  and  quite  different  characteristics  elsewhere.   II   PRINCIPAL  FIGURES  IN  GREEK  MYTHOLOGY Poseidon,  Ruler  of  the  Sea   Ruler  of  the  sea  and  brother  of  Zeus,  Poseidon  was  one  of  the  Olympian  gods  of  Greek  mythology.  He  is  usually   represented  in  Greek  art  wielding  a  fishing  spear  known  as  a  trident.  In  this  large  bronze  statue  from  about  460  bc,   Poseidon  seems  poised  to  strike  with  his  tridentRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s The Odyssey 2311 Words   |  10 Pages Odysseus plan worked; however, he later discovers a prophecy indicating that Troy s walls would never fall without the help of Philoctetes s magical bow – a weapon that once belonged to Hercules. As the play opens, Odysseus has therefore returned to the island – along with Neoptolemus – in order to retrieve the bow. This plan would allow Odysseus to leave Philoctetes in his exile while still getting what he wanted. However, Neoptolemus views Odysseus plan as simple treachery and revealsRead MoreEssay on Antony and Cleopatra1655 Words   |  7 Pagesonetime outpost of Rome, England was greatly influenced by Roman genealogy-ancestors that were god-like (Mars), superhuman (Hercules), fearless warriors (Pompey) who flourished in a patriarchal society (ancient 4). I would like to discuss how Shakespeare uses these characteristics in his Roman tragedy Antony and Cleopatra, as a means to express sixteenth century Englands cultural upheavals, one of which was the transformation of masculinity defined in terms of power to masculinity rooted in humanismRead MoreParallel Greek Myths Essay examples1896 Words   |  8 PagesHe told her that her future would be full of hardships but she must go to Egypt where Zeus would restore her to her original form. Io finally swam across the sea, later named the Ionian Sea after her, and reached Egypt. The was changed back into a woman and bore Zeus son, Eaphus, who was the ancestor of the Greek hero Hercules. Hercules later ended up freeing Prometheus from his rock. Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalytical theories on the unconscious mind, which is where he believed mythRead MoreThe Representation Of Idealism : The Greco Romans1843 Words   |  8 PagesThe Representation of Idealism The Greco-Romans originated in circa 2000 BCE and lasted until 476 CE, a culture that thrived for over two millenia. It began and flourished in and around the Mediterranean Sea for many years. As the population continued to grow, the civilization gradually grew to India, Israel and even North Africa with military conquests and imperial forces. The Greco Roman civilization remained the hub of culture during the classical era and its influence can be seen even today inRead MoreEssay on Life, Death, and the Heroic Archetype2880 Words   |  12 Pageschaotic world in which he lives. In the popular culture of America we can find many reflections of the heroic figure; in writing, in the graphic art of comic books, and most certainly in the aftermath of September 11th, heroes are ever present. Our cultural champions speak to our collective need to make sense of the nonsensical and to establish order in both our external and internal worlds. Indeed it is through the internal world of the p syche and the lens of psychological thought that we may gainRead MoreAlexander the Great Essay13163 Words   |  53 Pagesvery protective of Alexander. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the largest temples ever built by the Greeks, circa 550 B.C. According to tradition, Olympias ancestor was the mythical hero of the Iliad - Achilles, while his father, Philip II of Macedon, was said to descend from the Zeus son - Hercules. The legend of Alexander of Macedon begins even before his birth. Alexanders parents, King Philip II of Macedon and Myrtali - the Princess of Epirus, later known as Olympias - were in their

Strategies Teaching Effective Presentation -Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Strategies Teaching Effective Presentation? Answer: Introducation My area of strength is my ability to deal with numbers and doing fast calculations. I am really effective with math problems and this also has enhanced my logical reasoning. Areas in which I need improvement I need to improve my communication skills. I am fluent in one on one conversations but I have a stage fear and hence I find it difficult to present my views in front of large group. Facing a big audience makes me nervous and even if I am prepared I find it difficult to confidently express my views. One thing to improve in this area In order to improve in this area I should prepare presentations and start delivering to my friends and family members who can give me an honest feedback (Burns, 2017). Making the above change would result in By practicing in front of my friends, I would gain confidence and improve upon my weaknesses as recommended by my friends. Effect of not improving this area If I do not improve my communication and presentation skills, it would adversely affect my professional life. Not improving my communication skills will firstly make it difficult for me to clear my interview. Secondly, in a workplace, people are often asked to deliver presentations and communicate with many stakeholders of the business (Nave, 2014). References Nave, S., 2014. Communication in the Workplace. Burns, C., 2017. Activities and Strategies for Teaching Effective Presentation Skills. InConference Proceedings. The Future of Education(p. 369). Libreria universitaria. It Edizioni.

Revenue Management of Selected Hotels †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Revenue Management of Selected Hotels. Answer: Introduction: The city Hobart is selected for selected in this paper of revenue management due to several reasons. Hobart city has experienced 70% growth in number of nights stayed by the visitors. This is equal to 32% of the visitors night resided within the state by the international and national visitors (Abrate and Viglia 2016). Moreover, revenue management of the selected hotels in Hobart is considered for the reason that it also experienced 72% growth in visitors nights. Moreover, the hotels also experienced growth in accommodation supply and growth in demand. Over the past few years, number of rooms and available and accommodation stock has increased by 20%. In addition, this city is also deemed to be suitable for evaluation as due to the seasonal nature of the hotel industry, Hobart city is attaining increased capacity with yearly average occupancy rate of 76%. In addition, at the time of economic uncertainty, Hobart city served as only capital city to indicate growth in revenue from hotel s recording 3.4% growth in comparison to -8.2% national averages (Akan, Ata and Dana 2015). Hobart city is deemed to follow appropriate revenue management as the city has grown at an average of 70 rooms each year for over the past seven years. Lbis Style Hobart, Hadleys Orient Hotel and Wrest Point hotels are considered as the competitor set of the selected Best Western Hobart Hotel for numerous reasons. Numerous categories of hotels are observed to be present in the Hobart region in Australia (Arenoe, van der Rest and Kattuman 2015). These hotels are quite different from one another considering the areas of services and quality provided by them. Conversely, there are some aspects that remain common between the selected hotel and the competitor hotels due to which these are selected in the current paper. The hotel that is selected in this paper belongs to a five star category. This is the reason; the selected hotel is put into comparison with its rivals that falls within the category of either four or five star hotels. There are many other criteria relied on which the competitive set is chosen that includes location, type, brand and ADR (Bayoumi et al. 2013). All among the selected competitor hotels belong to full-service category that has attached restaurants, lounge services and meeting spaces which offers them a competitive edge in comparison to other hotels in the region. In consideration to these aspects the hotels those are chosen as competitors within the region include Lbis Style Hobart, Hadleys Orient Hotel, Wrest Point hotels and Best Western Hobart. Book figures and the occupancy forecast of the hotel are carried out through analyzing its selected competitors room rates along with their service benefits. On the book (OTB) rate of the hotels are selected based on analyzing the group trends and patterns that is quite distinct from the regular demand. These OTB figures are gathered from analyzing number of reservations and pick-ups. Forecasting of occupancy rate is conducted through analyzing previous forecast for that period (Board and Skrzypacz 2016). The major factor that was focused on while carrying out occupancy forecast is through setting rate strategies for each day within the booking window along with allowing tactical decisions in departmental level. OTB figures are derived based on the consideration that, it along with forecast can provide a group rate along with ceiling with respect to room capacity. Forecasting was conducted on daily basis in order to decide the occupancy forecast figures as every day indicates a new situation for optimization. Occupancy forecast for all the selected hotels was conducted based on the number of anticipated room arrivals, number of estimated room stopovers and number of anticipated room no-shows (Crossan 2014). Occupancy forecast of the selected hotels is calculated based on anticipated room arrivals and anticipated room overstays. The forecast is a vital driver of revenue management optimization initiative. The hotels forecast at a detailed manner in case actual benefits are available from revenue optimization. Taking into consideration the competitor hotels namely Lbis Style Hobart, Hadleys Orient Hotel and Wrest Point in the market, Best Western Hobart Hotel is deemed to perform in a better manner (Ferguson and Smith 2014). This is for the reason that Best Western Hobart Hotel has set the highest sell rate for each day in comparison to its competitors with high occupancy rate as per the forecast. Such forecast indicates that because of high sell and occupancy rate, the hotel is deemed to contribute on the highest revenue in comparison to other competitor hotels. Moreover, the hotel is forecasted to perform well enough to provide tough competition to its selected hotels based on instant revenue status overview, everyday based budget comparison along with daily performance index (Ivanov 2014). Best Western Hobart Hotel is also observed to have high occupancy rate and increased number of rooms that provides it with high competitive advantages over other hotels. In addition, it is observed from the revenue management forecast that the food and beverages section focuses on optimizing the profits and revenue. Room revenues are deemed to be the major aspect of attaining increased total revenues. Considering the ADR (Average daily rate) it is gathered that productivity of the hotels is assessed relied on occupancy rate of the hotels and ADR is quite high for Best Western Hobart Hotel. Target consumer segment for Lbis Style Hobart, Hadleys Orient Hotel and Wrest Point hotels are selected considering certain attributes like age, gender, education level, residential area and household income (Kimes and Ho 2017). Target market of these hotels includes ambassadors of architecture along with gallery and gourmet blazers. The target market of ambassadors of architecture includes young, newly married, university graduates and the honeymoon travelers. These target consumers seek luxury services and entertainment within their budget. Travel plans of these target consumers encompass spending time together, getting involved in quality walking sightseeing tours along with following passion of visiting places in Hobart. Target consumer segment that falls under gallery and gourmet blazers are the ones those are greatly interested in visiting art galleries in Hobart and are particularly fond of museums (Kimes 2016). Moreover, the target market segment of the selected hotels belongs to the age group of 25 to 60 years and is focused on feeling entitled to luxurious experiences. Most of these consumers have a professional career with income over $100,000. As the target consumers greatly enjoy regional foods, they tend to be very interested in globally renowned restaurants within the city. Moreover, the target market segment for the selected hotels includes couples belonging to the profile of upper-middle age; they decide to avoid waling long distances or climbing stairs. This target market prefers taxicabs or any other public transport for travelling to touring spots in Hobart. These people also tend to consider certain guided tours to the destinations all through Tasmania. Revenue management measures that can be taken by the selected hotel in a scenario that the demand happens to be slower than the anticipated are described below: Yield management can turn out to be a technique that can be used in order to increase the room revenues. This revenue management process can turn out to be an efficient performance measure. This is for the reason that this includes occupancy percentage along with average everyday rate in a specific statistic which is yield statistic (Masiero, Pan and Heo 2016). Discount allocation can serve as another measure of revenue maximization in case of slow demand. In account to such measure, increasing the available product mix at discounted or lower rates and extending time can increase revenue over the time. In addition, increasing discounts revealed on room features might increase revenue for the hotel. The price sensitive group of consumers needs to be displaced and appropriate mix of target market must be estimated in low demand for offering maximum room rates. Revenue Management Measure in Higher Demand than Anticipated Revenue management measures that can be taken by the selected hotel if the demand is higher than anticipated are explained under: To deal with increasing demand, most appropriate revenue management activity is to reduce room bookings through selling hotel rooms at high rates. This strategy of revenue management can facilitate in enhancing profitability of the selected hotel. Room rates must be increased in order to elevate the rate in high demand in case the demand is high than supply (Vulcano and Weil 2014). In high demand, the hotel can stop selling rooms at discounted rates and should also ensure decreased length of stay of consumers. In addition, the hotel must also consider that whether a drastic increase in room rates can act as an effective business practice. Discounted packages must not be provided to consumers those have agreed to pay more. In high demand, staffing levels must be checked including front desk, ancillary venues and the outlets. The front desk must be today staffed that will be able to address the needs of high demand and increasing average room rate that can increase revenue. References Abrate, G. and Viglia, G., 2016. Strategic and tactical price decisions in hotel revenue management.Tourism Management,55, pp.123-132. Akan, M., Ata, B. and Dana, J.D., 2015. Revenue management by sequential screening.Journal of Economic Theory,159, pp.728-774. Arenoe, B., van der Rest, J.P.I. and Kattuman, P., 2015. Game theoretic pricing models in hotel revenue management: An equilibrium choice-based conjoint analysis approach.Tourism Management,51, pp.96-102. Bayoumi, A.E.M., Saleh, M., Atiya, A.F. and Aziz, H.A., 2013. Dynamic pricing for hotel revenue management using price multipliers.Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management,12(3), pp.271-285. Board, S. and Skrzypacz, A., 2016. Revenue management with forward-looking buyers.Journal of Political Economy,124(4), pp.1046-1087. Crossan, M., 2014. Hotel revenue management: Principles and practices. Ferguson, M. and Smith, S., 2014. The changing landscape of hotel revenue management and the role of the hotel revenue manager.Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management,13(3), pp.224-232. Ivanov, S.H., 2014. Hotel revenue management: From theory to practice.Browser Download This Paper. Kimes, S.E. and Ho, J., 2017. Revenue management in luxury hotels.Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, pp.1-5. Kimes, S.E., 2016. The evolution of hotel revenue management.Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management,15(3-4), pp.247-251. Masiero, L., Pan, B. and Heo, C.Y., 2016. Asymmetric preference in hotel room choice and implications on revenue management.International Journal of Hospitality Management,56, pp.18-27. Vulcano, G. and Weil, A., 2014.Joint optimization of virtual capacities and bid-prices for revenue management. Working Paper.

Integrating Building Information Management (BIM) into Construction Supply Chain Management

Introduction Traditionally, construction of a given facility is largely based on two dimensional architectural plans. In the past, there were a myriad of challenges that accompanied this kind of construction. With the rapid growth in the construction industry, there have emerged systems that make the process of construction fast and efficient.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Integrating Building Information Management (BIM) into Construction Supply Chain Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some of the processes that were made part of the construction industry include building information modelling (BIM). Adoption of the process in the mainstream construction supply chain management has improved the industry. The current paper revolves around this adoption. The writer starts by putting construction supply chain management into perspective. Construction Supply Chain Management Numerous suggestions are put forward in attempts to define the concept ‘construction supply chain management’ (herein referred to as CSCM). Bennet (2011, p. 34), for instance, opines that the concept describes a venture that aims at maximising the utilisation of all aspects related to supply and manufacturing in the correct quantity. In the same vein, Hardin (2009, p. 69) defines construction supply chain management as a series of events in an organisation. The events are part of the whole production process, starting with the inception of the facility and all materials involved, to the end users and products delivered at the last phase. Harden attempts to describe the concept as the process that brings together the construction personnel, as well as direct and indirect stakeholders involved in the chain.Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Different constructors like Hardin (2009, p. 47) opine that several factors are involved up the whole process of construction supply chain management in the field of construction. The initial stage involves the desire of the client to initiate a structure. Various orders follow suit in an attempt to meet the needs of the client. The orders include design, construction, maintenance, repair and, finally, demolition of the facility. In the current competitive world, construction, as a market, has increased considerably. A lot of challenges have emerged in attempts to cope with the rising demand for construction services. Bennet (2011, p. 29) contends that there is need to incorporate various factors in the field of construction. The construction process includes the integration of building information management into supply management. Building Information Modelling According to Eastman (2011, p. 14), BIM is a scenario that encompasses the virtual representation of physical information. The process comprises of all functions in a given facility, from conception to the last phase of the lifecycle. BIM is used by many stakeholders in the construction industry as a source of knowledge to make decisions regarding the performance of the facility during its entire life cycle. Eastman (2011, p. 30) opines that, traditionally, physical and functional representation was achieved through two-dimensional planning. As such, it was difficult to come up with various validation activities, making construction a tedious and challenging venture, especially when erecting complex structures.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Integrating Building Information Management (BIM) into Construction Supply Chain Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, with the introduction of BIM, the construction activities can go beyond the three dimensional planning. Before elaborating much on the use of BIM, the author of this paper will describe the concept o f construction supply chain management in general. The author will highlight the impacts of technology on construction supply chain management. Various aspects of the same will also be put into perspective. Use of Technology in Construction Supply Chain Management Many researchers agree that the impacts of technology on the construction supply chain management are remarkable. Cooperation Research Centre for Construction and Innovation [CRC] 2007, p. 59) supports these sentiments by contending that the value of technology has reduced the number of cycles involved in the construction process. â€Å"Integration† is an important phrase in this concept. To this end, such scholars as Bryrd Turner (2011, pp. 170-73) concur that the process requires the merging of a multitude of operations to achieve the intended outcome as far as construction supply chain management is concerned. As aforementioned in this paper, competition poses a challenge to this industry, especially if the corr ect channels are omitted from inception to demolition stage. As suggested by Bryrd Turner (2011, p. 74), technology is an added advantage in the construction industry. It is a strategy that can see the industry through a competitive world (Eastman Teicholz 2008).Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Mismanagement of materials poses a threat to the entire process of implementing the actual project. CRC (2007, p. 61) argues that the whole process brings together a number of participants, each carrying out different activities aimed at achieving the end goal. As such, complex interactions, as well as interfaces, are experienced in the entire project. Bryrd Turner (2011, p. 169) appreciates the complexity of the construction process and recommends for integration, as opposed to carrying out the process independently. Carrying out the process independently will render the whole construction undertaking inefficient. With regard to technology itself, Al-Mudimigh Ahmed (2004, pp. 309-311) argue that the gap between the construction process and supply chain management is wide. The reason is the large number of stakeholders that play a role throughout the process. They termed the phenomenon as a form of deficiency in supply chain management, which affects the industry, especially in th e modern era. Deficiencies in Supply Chain Management The environment within which the construction projects are implemented keeps changing with regard to supply chain management. In addition, clients need extra unique services to meet their targets and to remain influential in their operations. The process is characterised by information gaps as the project advances (Dean 2007, p. 88). According to Jernigan (2007, p.103), the tools used in construction are limited to the ‘distribution nature’ of the operations. Recent developments have seen the introduction of various gadgets perceived to solve major problems in the construction industry. One of the new developments in the industry is the introduction of BIM, which was mentioned earlier in this paper. The author will now focus on BIM as an instrument used in improving construction supply chain management processes. Benefits of BIM to the Overall Executive Manager The CSCM process is faced with a lot of challenges due t o the ‘distribution’ nature of its processes. Technological interventions to solve the stagnation of the process are required. BIM, as a technological tool, has solved various issues as far as CSCM is concerned. In his book Building Information Modelling, Dean (2007, p. 106) argues that with the help of BIM, all activities pertaining to CSCM flow efficiently. The integration of the system into the mainstream construction process is highly celebrated by stakeholders in the industry. For instance, in the past, the industry was struggling to promote the use of two and three dimensional plans. However, with technological innovation, constructions can move from one dimensional plan to the other with ease (Eastman 2011, p. 58). In the past, detecting clashes within the CSCM posed a challenge to the engineers. With the introduction of BIM, effective teams are modelled and made part of the supply chain. Complex designs are tackled with ease. The concepts of a given construction are presented in a digital form. Levy (2011, pp. 309-310) describes the process as a ‘virtual representation of design’. It is at this point that possible challenges are analysed before the project is implemented (Woo 2006). BIM is preferred for its ability to limit expenses incurred by the client, especially with regard to those activities that do not add value to the process. Druck (2011, p. 104) opines that integration of BIM into the process helps by maximising production. It is argued that the success of a supply chain is determined by the value of production. In this case, production capacity is acknowledged in construction cycles (Leite 2011, pp. 605-606). According to Leite (2011, pp. 607-608), BIM provides the constructors with an avenue to exploit the contents of the design itself. The exploitation helps in distributing supply chain processes throughout the entire construction. For instance, tendering and procurement are effectively managed with the use BIM t echnology. BIM provides the clients with adequate information as far as costs are concerned. Clients demand for updated information, as well as accountability, throughout the whole project. BIM provides stakeholders with an avenue to track down all the procured items by ensuring that all processes follow a laid down order without deviating from the norm (Levy 2011, p. 318). With the help of a virtual model of the project, clients can make conclusions and determine the approach to be adopted in the whole process. Project Control According to Jernigan (2007, p. 81), project control encompasses the utilisation of resources to accomplish given goals. Generally, a project is a short- lived process, which is described by Jernigan as time-constrained. As such, operations during the construction period are handled carefully to meet the required targets. The difference between construction projects and other forms of business is the temporal nature of the former. In this case, special consid erations are made with regard to the use of BIM in an attempt to analyse the process. In practice, the use of BIM ensures all the resources procured at various stages are utilised according to plan. To this end, effective management strategies are paramount to enhance the quality of the whole process. However, the constrained nature of the project is a challenge to the managers in the sense that there are stipulated goals that need to be achieved. According to Yezioro (2008, pp. 612-6130), there are three major project control requirements. The requirements touch on the scope, time schedule, and the allocated resources with regard to the project. All these factors call for a controlled project operation. As far as BIM is concerned, project control is achieved by establishing a ‘harmonistic’ environment that guarantees effective cost management. Project control indicates the costs incurred at various stages of the construction process. The project control accounts for al l activities accomplished. It helps in highlighting any possible unwanted costs that may be incurred (Kymmell 2008, p. 18). Another important aspect in project control is the use of multiple accounting systems (Kiziltas Leite 2009, p. 62). The systems are used together to avoid additional data between the processes. The use of multiple accounting systems minimises time wastage and helps in the elimination of minor errors. Yezioro (2008, p. 91) opines that project control is a very fundamental procedure in the CSCM. A lot of information is gathered in a construction site, which is important in managing daily activities on the site. Information gathered touches on amount of hours worked and nature of equipments needed on the site. Production analysis and project control are important to avoid wastage of material and time. There are other areas in the construction process that benefit from project control. They include time management, accounting, and resource tracking. Cost Reduction in CSCM using BIM Many clients and construction personnel appreciate the importance of BIM in averting over- expenditure in all phases of the project’s life cycle. Experts in construction management like Weygant (2011, p. 109) opine that the reason why information is integrated into the construction process is to establish a platform that allows for the effective management of life cycle costs. With the use of BIM platform, Weygant agrees that all information contained in the virtual system is utilised to the maximum. It helps to avoid unnecessary expenditure during the entire cycle of the project. According to CRC (2007, p. 118), innovation related to the establishment of BIM in the construction industry has led to significant reduction in costs. For instance, energy costs and swift maintenance response are calculated to make sure unnecessary expenditures are avoided. Under normal circumstances, risk management calls for preparedness. However, with the use of BIM, disastrou s risks are analysed in the virtual system and potential sources minimised. Challenges Associated with the Use of BIM There are several challenges experienced when BIM is used. The author of this paper acknowledges the increasing popularity of BIM with regard to its use in CSCM across the market. Technology needed to support the use of BIM is rapidly growing, making the innovation more popular. However, in spite of all this, several challenges have befallen the use of BIM. For instance, such scholars as Krygiel (2008, p. 71) identify three categories of technical challenges associated with the use of BIM. The first revolves around interoperability. To this end, Krygiel (2008) is of the view that the use of BIM is not extensive enough to generate defined data. It leads to stagnation or errors in the process. The other challenge as explained by Kymmell (2008, p. 11) revolves around the need to optimise project control and allocate inputs to meet the stipulated objectives. Some inputs will address the needs of various stages ineffectively, leading to stagnation of processes. Project control helps by summarising all sequences to avoid stagnation. Another major challenge experienced when using BIM is the inability to compute digital or virtual data generated. Inability to compute such data has created a myriad of problems, leading to over-expenditure or deviation from the designed objectives as far as the project cycle is concerned (Krygiel 2008, p. 119). Integration of BIM into the Construction Project Life Cycle Integration of BIM into the construction project cycle is a fundamental aspect in the construction industry. According to Smith (2009, p. 201), the integration has allowed for a transitional process that has seen the reduction in the number of challenges encountered in the industry. In the past, information from the architect, such as digital data, was not shared with the contractors. As a result, a lot of discrepancies were noted throughout the stages. A pplication of BIM in delivering and presenting data in various stages has created a concession between different stakeholders. The development is unlike in the early years when each stage was implemented independently. According to Underwood (2009, p. 93), integration creates a link between the processes associated with initiation of information, assessing, and simulation. The life cycle of CSCM contains a wealth of information that is correctly managed with the application of BIM software. Various models are evident in the construction lifecycle. They include, among others, design, production, commissioning, operational, and demolition models. Each model provides guidelines that help in taking the project from one phase to the other. Smith (2009, p.183) affirms that design model is conceptualised in such a way that it takes the project into the production model. On its part, the building model is linked to all operations pertaining to maintenance. Up to this point, the writer has n oted several aspects related to the adoption of BIM in the construction industry. The writer has explained the importance of adopting the BIM software in all life cycles. All the cycles in the life of the project are related to each other. Discussion and Conclusions The adoption of BIM with regard to CSCM is gaining ground in the construction industry. The use of BIM enhances the management of projects in the construction industry. Adopting BIM in the industry has improved the efficiency of all the operations in the lifecycle. In addition, the adoption allows for predictability as far as the future of the project is concerned. Predictability helps in identifying potential challenges, all the way from the design stage to the demolition stage (Kymmell 2008, p. 139). The use of BIM enhances cooperation among stakeholders at all stages of the CSCM. Effective collaboration in the lifecycle of the construction project improves time management, increases profits, helps in cost reduction, a nd strengthens relationships between different parties. The adoption and use of BIM technology can prove problematic in cases where data ownership is in dispute. For instance, data created using BIM is highly disputed with regard to the actual owner of the design. It can extend to disputes over property, a phenomenon that is mainly associated with BIM. The use of BIM has created a paradigm shift in the CSCM arena. The shift has encouraged the participation of all stakeholders from inception to demolition stage. The participation has created an environment conducive for all individuals working at different stages of the process. In the past, different stakeholders had their roles misplaced. In addition, it was hard to specify the roles of all stakeholders involved at the various stages of the project. Lack of specificity led to role conflicts in the industry. Before the introduction of BIM, it was difficult to share information between the contractors, especially during the initial s tages of project implementation. Information generated by the digital architects and the contractors was not shared with other stakeholders, posing a challenge to the entire cycle. Errors were made, reducing the performance of construction workers. Sharing of information has increased the success of CSCM processes, thanks to BIM. References Al-Mudimigh, Z Ahmed, A 2004, ‘Extending the concept of technology infrastructure: exploratory analysis of a construct’, Information Technology Systems, vol. 17 no.1, pp. 309-320. Bennet, F 2011, ‘Using information technology in the management of supply chain: the effective management of value chains’, Supply Chain Managements, vol. 87 no. 3, pp. 167-208. Bryrd, A Turner, A 2011, Measuring the flexibility of information Construction, Mast Build, London. Cooperation Research Centre for Construction Innovation 2007, Adopting BIM for facilities management: solutions for managing the Sydney Opera House, Free Press, Brisban e. Dean, R 2007, Building information modelling (BIM), Department of Building Science, Auburn University, Boston. Druck, A 2011, Working definition: integrated project delivery, McGraw Hill Construction, London. Eastman, C Teicholz, P 2008, BIM handbook: a guide to building information modelling for owner’s manager’s designers, Wiley Press, London. Eastman, C 2011, BIM handbook: A guide to building information modelling for owners, managers, designers, engineers, and contractors, Hoboken, New Jersey. Hardin, B 2009, BIM and construction management: proven tools methods and workflows, Sybex Press, Texas. Jernigan, F 2007, BIG bim little bim, 4Site Press, London. Kiziltas, S Leite, F 2009, Interoperable methodologies and techniques in CAD: CAD and GIS integration, Auerbach Publications, New York. Krygiel, E 2008, Green BIM: successful sustainable design with building information modeling, Sybex, New York. Kymmell, W 2008, Building information modelling: planning and ma naging construction projects with 4D CAD and simulations, McGraw-Hill Professional, London. Leite, F 2011, ‘Analysis of modelling effort and impact of different levels of detail in building information models’, Automation in Construction, vol. 20 no. 5, pp. 601–609. Levy, F 2011, BIM in small-scale sustainable design, Wiley Press, London. Smith, D 2009, Building information modelling: a strategic implementation guide for architects engineers constructors and real estate asset managers, Wiley Press, London. Underwood, J 2009, Handbook of research on building information modelling and construction informatics: concepts and technologies, Information Science Publishing, London. Weygant, R 2011, BIM content development: standards strategies and best practices, Wiley, London. Woo, J 2006, BIM (Building Information Modelling) and pedagogical challenges, Sage, London. Yezioro, A 2008, ‘An applied artificial intelligence approach towards assessing building performan ce simulation tools’, Energy and Buildings, vol. 40 no. 3, pp. 612-700. This coursework on Integrating Building Information Management (BIM) into Construction Supply Chain Management was written and submitted by user Brendon Love 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.

Research Findings Report Does speeding up the Music Tempo increase Task Performance

Research Findings Report Does speeding up the Music Tempo increase Task Performance Running head: Research Findings Report Customer Inserts His/her NameAdvertising We will write a custom report sample on Research Findings Report: Does speeding up the Music Tempo increase Task Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Customer Inserts Grade Course Customer Inserts Tutor’s Name 10th June 2011 Outline Abstract Introduction Method Participants Materials and Measures Procedure Description of the Experimental music Completing the Mazes Questionnaires Results Discussion Limitations of the Study Abstract Findings from previous research have established that various features of music have profound effects on human behavior particularly the mood and endurance in exercise and sports domains. This research aims at determining how music tempo affects human performance in specific tasks. To examine this concept, the current study, involved 28 participants grouped into two categories, the experimental group with 15 participants and the control group with 13 participants, who were required to complete three mazes before filling out questionnaires. The experimental group listened to fast music while the control group only listened to low tempo music. The results showed that the control group, on average, completed the mazes at a significantly lesser time than the experimental group. This indicates a correlation between the effects of music upon the subjects’ lives and task performance. These findings have potential implications for labor force in enhancing labor productivity and sports psychology and training. Understanding how the tempo of music affects the speed of performing a task is not only helpful in keeping work schedules but also increasing physical productivity.Advertising Looking for report on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Introduction The effect of music upon human behavior has aroused much in terest in psychology. Most of previous researches centered on aspects of human behavior such as mood, emotional responses, and personal preferences. Edworthy and Warring (2006), established that faster music elicits happier responses and can influence the mood (p. 597). In contrast, slower music or lyrics produce unhappier emotional responses. Music, therefore, elicits emotional responses, which in turn influence the human perception of speed. These emotional responses perhaps relate to people’s perception of time and speed. Webster and Weird established that people who listen to faster music, have much happier moods, thought they talked faster and conversation subjects progressed much faster than people who listened to slower music (2005, p. 196 ). Since listening to music alters the mental states that influence human activity, various structural aspects of music can also alter the physical speed. The effect of music on athlete’s performance offers important insights on the influence of music on speed and endurance. Most athletes listen to music during workouts and prior to competitions as a motivational tool that makes them work harder. Music tends to distract one’s attention from the present task, which makes the individual less focused on the physical activity (Crust, Clough, 2006, p. 191). Diverting attention to music leaves no room to focus on tension or pain produced by the exercise. Consequently, the perception about the exertion or complexity of the task is lower. This increases the people’s endurance as well as efforts in performing tasks. Music, therefore, increases endurance making people to work harder though subconsciously. The high efforts expended, when people are listening to music, speeds up the completion of the specific task. However, much of the previous studies do not show how different music tempos influence speed of a physical or mental activity. This research uses a combination of slow and fast tempo music w to investigate people’s speed when performing specific tasks. The purpose of this study is to examine how the different music tempos affect the levels of human activity with other factors such as habits held constant. This research will test the following hypotheses: Firstly, music with fast tempo will lead to fast completion of the mazes. From the literature review, fast music elicits happier emotional responses, which improves the speed of task performance. Secondly, the research will test the alternative hypothesis that a faster tempo will make a participant stressed out, perform the task poorly, and as a result, take longer to complete the task.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Research Findings Report: Does speeding up the Music Tempo increase Task Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Method Participants This study involved 28 male and female college students. The participants were grouped into two categories; experimental and control groups. The grouping was random, that is, there was no specific criterion used to place the participants into either of the group. The research involved manipulating the tempo of music using a classical piano piece called Chopin’s love with the experimental group listening to high tempo music as they completed three mazes. The control group listened to the piece of music only at the original tempo. Materials and Measures This study involved 28 participants divided into two groups. There was a provision of sheets of paper to each of them upon sitting down. The papers contained instructions on how to complete the three mazes. The instructions demanded that the participants had to inform the timekeeper before starting and after completing a maze. The participants were required to complete three mazes while listening to music of varied tempo. They recorded their respective times of completing each maze. After the exercise, the participant s were required to complete a questionnaire to provide information regarding their experience during the exercise. Procedure Description of Experimental Music: The music selection used involved a classical piano piece known as Chopin’s love as composed by Nakamura Yuriko. The control group listened to the piece of music at the original tempo, BPM of 108.42 according to mix Meister BPM analyzer. For the experimental group, researcher increased the tempo of the same piece of music to 185 BPM using a Garage Band program. The two groups listened to the piece of music at a constant volume from an apple Mac laptop through large headphones covering their entire ears. Completing the mazes: Once the seated, the 28 participants had to read a sheet of paper containing instructions about the exercise. The research then grouped them into two categories: the control group (n=13), who only listened to the piece of music at the original tempo and the experimental group (n=15), who listened t o the music at a higher tempo at 185 BPM.Advertising Looking for report on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The two groups were to put onto the headphones and once the music begins playing, count five seconds aloud. The two groups listened to the music through headphones. Once the music started playing, the participants counted loudly for five seconds before informing the timekeeper to start timing. After finishing each maze, the participants were required to shout â€Å"STOP† and again count five seconds before proceeding to complete the next maze. The procedure required the participants to repeat these instructions until they completed the three mazes. Questionnaire: After completing the mazes, participants were then asked to fill out a Questionnaire with questions about the role of music in their lives, their experience during the maze completing exercise, their familiarity with the music played and whether they have any hearing impairments. This aimed at determining whether the impact music had on the participant’s lives correlated with the effect the piece of music had on the participant’s speed in completing the maze. The researcher recorded all the respective data. Results The analysis of the results focused on the hypothesis that fast tempo music elicits positive emotional responses that would make the participant to complete the maze faster. Table below records the mean of the participant’s maze completion time (in seconds) and the standard deviation (SD) for the two groups (the experimental and control groups); Mean = Summation of the time taken to fill the mazes/Sample size Standard deviation=√∑ (each value-mean)2/Sample size Maze Completion time (seconds) Mean (M) Standard Deviation (SD) Fast Tempo (Experimental group) 52.1703 13.57 Low Tempo (Control group) 55.50 18.86 Table 1: Means for control and Experimental groups The preliminary results indicated that the questionnaire items had less effect on the speed at which either group completed the maze. The table 1 shows the means and the standard deviatio ns for each treatment. The results conformed to the hypothesis that high tempo music the participants making them to complete the mazes faster than their counterparts subjected to low tempo music do. On average, the participants in the experimental group completed the mazes 3.34seconds faster compared to the participants in the control group. Because the participants in the experimental group completed the mazes much faster compared to participants in the control group, the results were consistent with the first hypothesis. To understand the results of maze completion, the research sought to find out if there is any correlation between the questionnaire items and the speed of completing the mazes. Overall, no participant reported having any hearing impairment, six participants never listened to music while working, and five rarely listened to music, 12 sometimes, five usually with no participant always listening to music when working. These results indicated that the participantâ₠¬â„¢s previous music life or habit had no significant effects on the participant’s speed of completing the mazes. Discussion The major purpose of this study was to find out whether the music tempo has an effect on the speed of task performance. Previous research had established that music elicits emotional responses. These emotional responses then influence the perception of speed, which makes people to perceive that an action progresses faster when subjected to fast tempo music (Edworthy, Warring, 2006, p. 604). In addition, previous research has shown that music influences the efforts that people put into a task, particularly sporting activities (Crust, Clough, 2006, p.194). Based on this evidence, the present study hypothesized that the high music tempo would make people complete involving tasks such as maze completion much faster than in conditions of low tempo music., the results obtained were consistent with the hypothesis but supported the alternative hypothesis that high music tempo makes people perform involving tasks at a much faster rate. The experimental group, on average, completed the maze at a faster rate compared to the control group under conditions of low tempo music. From these results, it is justifiable to conclude that fast tempo music stimulates physical and mental activity when performing specific tasks, which increases the speed of performing the task. This research also aimed at identifying the specific characteristics that predict the extent that the effects of music tempo had on people. However, the items, which included the music life of the participants, hearing impairments and the music genre that participants frequently listened to, did not correlate with the speed of completing the maze. This indicates the inapplicability of these items in prediction of the speed of completing performing tasks. Although the items tested in the questionnaire had less overall impact on the participant’s speed, the lack of hearing i mpairment among the subjects suggests clearly that speed correlated with music tempo. This design of this study aimed to explore the relationship between music tempo and cognitive speed. Usually, when many factors are involved, it is difficult to find results without any external influences. However, this research overcame these obstacles by using a common activity (maze completion) and a piece of music popular among the participants. The intention of the questionnaires items was for better interpretation of the results obtained from the two groups. The findings of this research that high tempo music has a distractive effect, allow for further investigation into the role music plays in enhancing human performance in competitive situations such as athletics or sports. Further research is essential to find out why and how music tempo influences human performance. Limitations of the Study One limitation of this study was that few participants participated in the research, which made it difficult to collect a large amount of data for each treatment. Another limitation of this study was that the participants could not have known the purpose of this study and consequently provided wrongful information when filling out the questionnaires. Future research should explore the effect of both music synchrony and lyrics on the speed of human performance, particularly in physical activities. References Crust, L., Clough, P. (2006). The influence of rhythm and personality in the endurance Response to motivational asynchronous music. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24, 191-196. Edworthy, J., Warring, H. (2006). The effects of music tempo and loudness level on Treadmill exercise. Ergonomics, 49, 597-604.

Advantages of Economic Growth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Advantages of Economic Growth - Essay Example It, therefore, includes all the goods and services manufactured in the country for sale (McCartney, 2015). Considering the recent economic growth in the UK, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown that the economy of UK grew by 2.6% last year. It is the swift pace since 2007, increasing from 1.7% in 2013. It is also shown that the economy grew by 0.5% in the last three months in 2014. It represented a slow in growth from 0.7% shown in the earlier three months (Office for National Statistics, 2015). Economic growth has shown to have various benefits to a country experiencing it. Countries such as UK, US, and other western countries are currently enjoying the benefits ripped from the high rate of economic growth. Various benefits are seen in countries experiencing economic growth. These benefits include: higher incomes, decreased unemployment, decreased borrowing by the government, improved services to the public, environmental protection and investment. Economic growth is a drive towards high rate of employment. Firms and business producing more outputs usually have the need of bringing more people into their premises. They bring in many people to work thus increasing the population of the employed (Belfield, Cribb, Hood & Joyce, 2014). This kind of benefit has been observed in the UK in the recent years. The unemployment rate in the UK has been shown to have fallen again with the wage growth hitting nearly four-year high as shown by the official figures. The population of peopl e that have been reported to be out of work in February and April reduced by 43,000 to 1.81 million (Lea, 2015). The rate of jobless remained steady at 5.5%, the minimum level as from August. Wage rises have shown to have grown at a faster rate as from August 2011, increasing 2.7% both with and without bonuses.