Understanding Poetry By Robert Penn Warren And Cleanth Brooks

As defined by Robert Penn Warren and Cleanth Brooks in his book ‘Understanding Poetry’ published in 1978, â€Å"poetry is a kind of saying. It is a kind that many people, until they become well acquainted with it, feel is rather peculiar and even useless. They feel this way for two reasons: the â€Å"way of saying† and the â€Å"nature of the said.† As for the way of saying, the strongly marked rhythms, the frequent appearance of rhyme, and the figurative language may seem odd and distracting; and as for the â€Å"nature of the said,† it generally contains neither a good, suspenseful story nor obviously useful information. Poetry, in short, may seem both unnatural and irrelevant. Yet poetry has existed from the time of the emergence of the human race from shadowy prehistory and has survived, in one form or another, in every society since that time. When we realize this, we may be inclined to consider the possibility that poetry only seems unnatural and irrelevant. We may even decide, on reflection, that it does spring from deep human impulses and does fulfill human needs. Probably its most obvious feature is its strongly marked rhythm. Rhythm is we know, the repetition of time of a perceptible pattern. Poetry, focuses on the feelings and attitudes in such a context, and not on the actions or ideas as such. Poetry is a response to, and an evaluation of our experience of the objective, bustling world and our ideas about it. â€Å"In the book, ‘A Poetry Handbook,’ written by Mary Oliver and

Consultation and Advocacy free essay sample

A collaboration of works was examined to answer the following questions. How do you see yourself related to advocacy or consultation as you become a professional within your area of specialization? Within your own definition, do you see consultation and advocacy similar or different? How does advocacy benefit the care provided for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families related to the specific specialty area that you plan to practice? Within the context of the examined works institutional and social barriers were also addressed. In an effort to further relate advocacy to the area of focus a hypothetical situation was created that tied in advocacy, consultation and collaboration. It is important to understand the role we have as advocates of social change and how that affects the individuals we serve. Counselors are encouraged to consider the role that their profession plays within the dominant culture to reconcile the role of healer with that of social change agent and to advocate for systematic change on behalf of clients (Moe, Perera-Diltz, Sepulveda, 2010). Advocacy for both clients and for the profession is essential for the future of counseling (Myers, Sweeny, White, 2002). A national plan for advocacy is needed; the effectiveness of this plan depends on professional identity, promoting a positive self image, and effective interprofessional collaboration (Myers et al. , 2002). The need for professional advocacy can be traced in the history of mental health counseling, dating back to the 1700’s when the advocacy for persons’ with mental illness emerged as a moral issue (Myers et al. , 2002). Mental illness expands across the board and includes various levels of intensity and includes dual diagnosed individuals. Prout and Strohmer (1998) note that persons with mental retardation often have been served in the mental retardation, developmental disability, and rehabilitation service delivery systems. However, when their problems extend into the mental health area, there appear to be some difficulties accessing the full range of services (p. 115). It has been a common occurrence that when a dual diagnosed patient is brought to the hospital in crisis they are often diverted or sent home without being properly assessed by the on call psychiatrist due to the simple fact that the psychiatrist is unable to distinguish if the presenting issues are related to the patients’ cognitive disability or their mental health disorder. This is where advocacy comes into play for our dually diagnosed clients. When mental health agencies are made aware of clients that are in crisis and can benefits from a respite from their residential setting, the mental health agency can advocate and collaborate with the treating hospital to provide crisis intervention. Myers et al. (2002) indicates that within any given setting the needs of clients can best be met through collaboration efforts of all professionals. Merriam-Webster defines advocacy as supporting a cause or proposal. Advocacy and consultation plays two diverse roles in the counseling field and serves two distinct purposes for clients and can be utilized simultaneously to achieve one desired goal. In other words, advocacy and consultation should be used together to optimize the successful outcome for any vulnerable client. According to Moe, Perera-Diltz, and Sepulveda (2010) scholars have identified that consultation and advocacy share conceptual grounding in modes of practice that encourage counselors to act outside of the counselor/client interaction. Practice such as collaboration with multiple groups may promote marginalization of vulnerable community members are used by advocates to achieve desired goals (Moe et al. , 2010). According to Knight and Oliver (2007) recent policy has emphasized the need for advocacy services for children and young people, developments that have gone hand-in hand with greater levels of participation of young people in decision making. Advocacy for young people is especially important, as they are a particular vulnerable group and have, traditionally, been even more excluded from decision making about matters affecting their lives. In today’s culture we readily accept the role of nurturer and protector of all vulnerable individuals and we may not understand how that might in fact be harming the individuals even at a young age. Society traditionally sees disabled children as being passive, vulnerable and in need of protection and that makes advocating for disabled children particularly challenging (Knight and Oliver, 2007). Many disabled children and young people are not used to being asked for their views and may not think that what they have to say is important (p. 423) Advocates must be cognizant that most children and adolescents have guardians and/or parents and have been taught at a young age that their opinion does not matter. Further more most if not all children and adolescents have been raised in a society where their parents and guardians have the ultimate say and the clients as minor have no rights. Looking at the lives of individuals down the line as they reach adult hood a common theme emerges. Stanley and Vahe (2012) established that advocacy in the mental health system promotes that advocacy strives to return decision-making authority to consumers and thus to empower them to play a more central role in their own care, treatment, rehabilitation, and life choices. Although not intended as treatment, advocacy may have therapeutic effects. It may reduce the barriers to fulfillment of consumers’ own goals for recovery and enable solutions to problems of everyday life. Advocacy also may reduce stigma that impairs consumers’ ability to improve their own life circumstances (p. 115). Moe, Perera-Diltz, and Sepulveda (2010) suggest that a practice mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was established to facilitate the equitable and effective services to individuals with disabilities by way of behavioral consultation and the use of functional behavioral analysis and assessments to promote empowerment of clients. Consider the case of a developmentally disabled adult whose behaviors have become increasingly problematic in his residential and day program setting. Michael is a 68 year old Caucasian male born with Down syndrome who resides in a group home setting and attends a day time activities program. Michael’s state appointed support coordinator reached out to the mental health agency, which is treating Michael for Bi Polar disorder. The state support coordinator requested the mental health agency complete a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) since Michael’s behaviors have increasingly worsened and medication changes have been unsuccessful. Michael’s support coordinator advises that Michael has been increasingly obsessive, aggressive towards group home staff, and been arrested twice for his aggressive nature and threats in the community. In this case, the mental health counselor along with Michael’s assigned case worker collaborated to complete a case review which will be utilized for the mental health agency to review the case and provide feed back and possible new interventions aside from medications. Following the case review, the mental health counselor will conduct interviews with the client’s guardian, group home provider, and day program provider to obtain a clear idea of the target behaviors, antecedents, and desired replacement behaviors in order to complete the FBA. Once all interviews are completed and the FBA is finalized it will be reviewed with Michael’s team consisting of state support coordinator, guardian, group home staff and day program staff. Interventions will be addressed and the team will be advised and trained on how to implement the interventions recommended in the FBA. In this scenario, it is evident that the mental health counselor requires a strong sense of professional identity to be an effective advocate for the client. The client is in need of strong supports that are capable of collaborating and consulting on his behalf in order for his treatment to be successful. The main goal for Michael’s team is to ensure his safety and keep him out of jail. Walsh and Bricout (1997) point out that family members and professionals can advocate for change in treatment of people with mental illness in jail. For some younger adults, jails have served as sites for containing deviant behaviors that in many cases are more reflective of mental illness than of criminality. Jails are not well-suited to the care of people with mental illness because they were not designed to serve that function. Problems associated with serious mental illness in jails include increased suicide risk, the need for extra staff attention, the disruption of normal jail activities, the potential for violence, and abuse by other inmates. Without proper care such people may experience a resurgence of symptoms and become less able to function in the community after release (P. 420-421). As Advocates it is fundamentally important to note as Walsh and Bricout (1997) suggested that mental health professionals must ensure that families and people with mental illness receive appropriate services during and after incarceration.

Billy Budd, Sailor essays

Billy Budd, Sailor essays Herman Melvilles Billy Budd, Sailor is evidently an extremely divisive text when one considers the amount of dissension and disagreement it has generated critically. The criticism has essentially focused around what could be called the dichotomy of acceptance vs. resistance. On the one hand we can read the story as accepting the slaughter of Billy Budd as the necessary ends of justice. We can read Veres condemnation as a necessary military action performed in the name of preserving the political order on board the Bellipotent. On the other hand, we can read the story ironically as a Melvillian doctrine of resistance. Supporters on this pole of the debate argue that Billy Budds execution is the greatest example of injustice. They argue that the execution is a testament of denunciation, deploring the shallow political order of a paranoid military regime. I do not wish to argue either side of this debate. I have pointed it out to illustrate that Billy Budd, Sailor is a text about princ iples of right conduct, or at least this view is held by critics. Is Veres conduct right or wrong? This is the basic question at stake. In this sense it is a text about moral values and ethical conduct. However, considering that Billy Budd, Sailor is an ethical text, what I find most curious about it is the mysterious absence of the emotion guilt. Here we have a story about two murders. Billy obviously kills Claggart and Vere (Although it is indirect, ultimately the decision is his) kills Budd. Neither of these murderers shows the emotion of guilt in the form of remorse. For a narrative which tries so hard to situate the reader in an ethical and moral position of choosing interpretations, isnt it somewhat ironic that the characters themselves dont exhibit that which would seem to be the most ethical and moral of emotions following the taking of a persons life? Where is the guilt? This is the question I have sought and fou...

Sexuality with the Disability

Sexuality with the Disability Introduction Disabled people have different needs from the rest of the people in the society. Both their habitual and educational needs are changing from what is conventionally known regarding the daily living culture such as the way in which people are dressed and groomed. This is also true when it comes to the vocational and social duties.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Sexuality with the Disability specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More From research, the crux of the matter in this broad focus is mainly sexuality and the rights that the disabled have with respect to the sexual education and sexual expression. Other members of the society have stereotypical perspectives concerning those with disabilities. Such beliefs are not necessarily true though they are amazingly part of both the young and the elderly in society! This is specifically in relation to sexual behavior. The aim of this essay is to explore the a ttitudes that the society has regarding the sexuality of disabled people, the latest impediments faced by people with disabilities as pertaining sexuality and the way it affects sexual functioning. Overview It is within the last twenty years that researchers and other professionals began engaging and conducting studies on subjects that entail sex education and sexual expression among the disabled. Prior to this time, most researchers had confined themselves to the sexual dysfunction suffered by most heterosexual white men. Such impairment was as a result of injuries especially on the spinal cord. Currently, the research still borders on both the medical and rehabilitative aspects. It concentrates on the sexuality of women with disabilities and that of other disabled individuals. However, the focus of this research is still on the heterosexual majority. In the recent years, research in this area has been taking a sociopolitical dimension (Shuttleworth, 2007, p. 2). As other people wi thin the community, we are increasingly being informed of the human rights that the disabled are supposed to enjoy, given that it affects them socially, physically and mentally. Like the rest of the society, the disabled have different levels of potential with regard to reproduction, sexual response and sexual interest. It is imperative to note that like other societal members, people with disabilities have needs such as the need for affection, good interpersonal relationships and love. Studies show that even those with disabilities emanating spinal injuries, experience sexual arousal (Stolov Clowers, 2000, p. 79).Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Despite the fact that the world around us has started showing interest in the sexual needs of the disabled, a lot is yet to be done. Understanding the current attitudes that the society holds towards the sexual needs of t he disabled will be helpful in both imparting and inculcating positive attitudes that the society has towards them. The latest change in attitude is causing most Americans to respond reluctantly, to the realization that people with inabilities are also sexual beings who are wired with the need for sexual gratification, love and intimacy. Attitudes on Sexuality of people with disabilities The perceptions of most people in the society regarding the disabled, in light of sexuality, are often narrow-minded. They think that this category of people is not sexual in nature. The misinformed society, therefore, end up concluding that the only people who should have sex are the physically fit. The general perception is that people with disabilities are not supposed to be sexually active. This belief is held by both the young and the aged in the society, and is known to the disabled (Marini, Glover-Graf Millington, 2011, p. 57). It is a taboo to think of sex among the disabled and denying the fact that it exists has never nullified it. According to some studies, by the society not granting a meaningful sex life to the disabled, it is tantamount to withholding them their deserved basic human rights (Carroll, 2006, p. 479). The disabled that are in need of a sexual relationship do not just express it as disapproval to the popular notion that they are not sexual beings. The issues here are more practical. Prior to having a relationship, couples ought to meet. Either poverty or transport can bar the disabled from going out for purposes of socialization. In most cases, the institutional world encompassing the disabled appears to be insensitive to their need for sex and relationships. Lack of privacy is an issue for the disabled who reside in care institutions. Staff members may get into their bedrooms without notice. Relatives become overprotective for some disabled folks who stay at home. For the disabled that receive their spouses’ care, maintaining sexual mystique is not easy since their significant other has to dress, bathe or assist them to the wash rooms. Conducting a satisfactory sexual relationship is therefore challenging due to the absence of the required choice and control that goes with it.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Sexuality with the Disability specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, this makes it difficult for the disabled to have responsible sexual relationships. The disabled thus end up being marginalized and alienated, as a result of these attitudes. They also internalize the same attitudes held by the society towards them. Barriers faced by the disabled, with respect to sexuality In their dealing with sexuality matters, the disabled encounter several hurdles. First, they have a problem accessing information related to their personal situations, on suitable expression of sexuality, and required skills in sexual communication. Besides lacking a ccess to accurate information, they receive misinformation on sexuality, as a way of discouraging their interest. Second, they lack privacy in expressing themselves sexually. This is especially for those residing in institutional settings. With shared accommodation, it is difficult for them to express themselves sexually due to lack of privacy. These conditions may therefore cause people to engage in sexual behavior that is inappropriate. Consequently, the society then begins to put stereotypes on them. Third, women with disabilities encounter both sexual and physical abuse. This is because they are perceived as victims who may not be able to report such abuse. In most cases, crisis centers, police stations and other shelters are often inaccessible. In cases where they are present, officers doubt the women’s credibility judged from their state of health and competence (Smith, 1999, p.153). In addition, people with disabilities are viewed by some members of the society as bein g asexual. The stereotype began long time ago and could be witnessed in health institutions. Here, disabled adolescents were carelessly placed in hospitals to receive medical attention. Both boys and girls could be hospitalized in adjoining beds. Furthermore, due to their physical conditions, majority of the disabled are not free to move from place to place. Most are confined in their relatives’ homes or in other health care centers. Therefore, they have limited opportunities to move around, in a bid to establish meaningful relationships. This is opposed to the nondisabled individuals who have the freedom to go to different places where they can socialize and establish relationships that matter.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Reference list Carroll, J.L. (2006), Sexuality now: Embracing Diversity. Belmont, U.S: Cengage Learning. Marini, I, Glover-Graf, N.M. Millington, M.J. (2011), Psychosocial Aspects of Disability:Â  Insider Perspectives and Counselling Strategies, NY: Springer. Shuttleworth, R. (2007). Sexuality Research and Social Policy: Journal of NSRC. Introduction to Special issue: Critical Research and Policy Debates in Disability and Sexuality Studies. May 2007. Vol. 4, No. 1 Smith, M.B. (1999), The Reader’s Companion to U.S Women’s History, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Stolov, W.C. Clowers, M.R. (2000), Handbook of Severe Disability:Â  A Text for Rehabilitation Counsellors, Other Vocational Practitioners, and Allied Health Professionals, Washington DC: DIANE Publishing.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) - Essay Example This, through my lasting experience and interaction with various GIS software, I believe can be achieved at relatively low cost than expected. Using the GIS information in transportation, I believe can be of great help to city planning and organization. In respect to this, I can assure you the effective use of the following GIS applications in doing the following activities with the aim of restoring order and cost in the city. The GIS tool can be used in spatial analysis to locate areas of preference for various development activities at relatively lower costs compared to the other software. High costs are often incurred while constructing bridges, railway lines and roads within the city and beyond, especially when other tools are used in designing these channels. However, using GIS, we can analysis the spatial characteristics of the regions to be bypassed by these projects for reduced cost of construction. For instance, it is easier to design the routes for road, railways and water pipes construction by developing different elevation models on the GIS software. Assessing and accurately analyzing this data can then help us in coming up with the correct route for construction with minimum costs involved. In order to illustrate this using an example, it is often very difficult to construct roads and railway lines where the process has to involve cutting through a mountain or in a region with rugged terrain. in such Cases, many culverts and bridges, have to be constructed as these increases the costs of construction. By overlaying the elevation data on the GIS software, we can easily locate the various points to be avoided by the project, calculate the relative distance and costs involved and compare the results for better decision making before the actual process. This aids in proper planning and management of funds are hence very

Review on Data impediments to empirical work on health insurance Article

Review on Data impediments to empirical work on health insurance markets paper - Article Example it is found out that majority of the publicly available sources of data, that is commonly used by researchers are to carry out their study on the health insurance market shares, is unreliable. These data sources are said to portray great variability over the years and are relative to both a rational prior and to the inconsistency demonstrated in the health sectors discharge data. These data sources assume merger activities from specialized and from high professional findings. Their unreliability to the studying competition in the health insurance sector is revealed in their character to omit significant components of the market. Such omitted components may include the self-insured health plans. The article considers the private insurance industry that plays a more significant role in the health care sector in the United States. A large number of individuals in U.S purchase private insurance plans. Another significant number of individuals are covered through Medicaid while they are still enrolled in the private plans. The article compared the elderly people in U.S to the nonelderly. It was revealed that majority of the nonelderly individuals opt for the private insurance plans while 95 % of the elderly people are enrolled to the Medicare. Although a few numbers of the nonelderly are enrolled to the Medicaid, they are also found to have enrolled into the private plans. Only a quarter of the elderly people opt for the private insurance plans (Leemore et al. 11). According to this paper, the antitrust analysts and researchers cannot generate an accurate empirical analysis of competition in the health insurance industry through the use of a readily available market share data. These differences in shares and the concentration reported within different data sources would force researchers to choose among the competing data sets. The doubtfully high unpredictability within the data sets suggests

The importance of caterpillar inc in mining

The importance of caterpillar inc in mining Caterpillar Inc is the largest maker of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines in the world (Caterpillar Inc, 2010, p.1). It was started in 1925, and is based in Peoria, Illinois. Its operations are divided into three segments: machinery, engines, and financial business segments (Businessweek, 2010). With a global footprint, Caterpillar Inc.s product line boasts of more than 300 products, manufactured in twenty three countries (Caterpillar Inc, 2010). In the sections that follow, an internal analysis of the firm is carried out and its distinctive capabilities and core competencies evaluated. Its corporate, functional, and competitive strategies are also analyzed. Distinctive capabilities: The resource-based view of the firm asserts that an organizations resources and capabilities underpin the bedrock upon which the firms competitive advantage and strategy is based. While resources refer to the productive assets owned by the firm (Saloner, Shepard, and Podolny, 2008, p.12), capabilities refer to what the firm can do (Saloner, Shepard, and Podolny, 2008, p.12). Three types of resources have been identified: tangible resources, intangible resources, and human resources. As far as Caterpillar Inc is concerned, these are discussed below: Tangible Resources: Financial Resources: Caterpillar has a strong and healthy cash flow position. Net cash flows have increased from $592,000 in 2007 to $1,614,000 in 2008 and $2,131,000 in 2009 (Yahoo Finance, 2010). It enjoys strong market capitalization, which stands at $39.8 billion compared to only $6.29 billion for its closest competitor and the industry average of $1.71 billion. Its operating margins as well as price earnings ratio are well above the industry average (Yahoo Finance, 2010). Caterpillars sales revenues, profits, and other financial indicators have shown a consistent improvement over the years. For instance, sales revenues have risen from $30.3bn in 2004 to $51.3bn by 2008, surpassing the firms 2010 target of $50bn with two years to go. Over the same period, profits have risen from $2bn to $3.6bn. Other financial ratios have also witnessed a strong climb-up (Annual Report). The firm also boasts of an investment-grade credit rating as well as easy access to the capital (Caterpillar I nc, 2009). Marketing Resources: Caterpillar Inc has a marketing and distribution system that spans the entire globe. Additionally, it holds the market leadership position in the construction and mining industries as well as in the construction of natural gas, diesel, and industrial engines (Caterpillar Inc, 2009). With the broadest global footprint in the industry, it is very well diversified in terms of geographical spread and derives only 33% of its revenues in the US market. With over 300 products in its product line, its product base can be described as broad and well diversified which can help cushion it against downturns in specific product areas. Its customer service can also be described as superior, given that the firm offers among others quality assurance underpinned by a three year warranty, as well as fixed rate long-term financing tailored to specific customer needs (Caterpillar Inc, 2009). Physical Resources: Caterpillar Inc boasts of hi-tech manufacturing facilities spread in at least twenty three countries, and geared towards production in thirteen different industries. Under the Caterpillar Production System (CPS), it has a world class manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution system that are closely aligned with the flexible manufacturing philosophy (Caterpilar Inc, 2009). Intangible Resources: Technology: the number of patents which Caterpillar Inc has received has continued to increase year after successive year. By 2010, it had 620 patents. This is in line with its expenditure on RD which has grown from just $928 million in 2004 to $1.73bn by 2008 (Caterpillar Inc, 2009). Reputation: the market leader in the construction and mining industries and in the natural gas, industrial, and diesel engine industries, Caterpillar enjoys strong brand recognition as well as a strong reputation for machines distinguished by their specialist expertise, durability, design, as well as dealer and service excellence. According to Saloner, Shepard, and Podolny (2008, p.12), resources by themselves cannot give a firm a competitive advantage but must be blended together to give the firm capabilities. Based on the inventory of Caterpillar Inc.s resources presented above, the firms capabilities can be given as follows: strong financial position which also gives the firm a high ability to finance innovation (RD) and working capital requirements, raise credit financing to expand its operations or investments, as well as the ability to finance its customers and dealers purchases over the long run. Strong innovation capabilities as evidenced by the increasing number of patents it holds and the sustained investment in RD activities. Supply chain efficiencies (flexibility, cost effectiveness, etc) as evidenced by its Caterpillar Production System (CPS). Strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities as evidenced by its global configuration of production, supply, and distribution facilities. Strong marketing capabilities as defined by its market leadership position, broad product portfolio (over 300 products in thirteen different industries), its strong brand recognition and reputation, and superior customer service and excellence. Selznick (1990) coined the term distinctive competences / capabilities to describe those things which the organization does extremely well relative to its marketplace rivals. In the case of Caterpillar Inc, its distinctive capabilities can be said to include: its innovation and financial capabilities as well as its well-diversified product base and geographical spread. Core competencies: Prahalad and Hamel (1990) define core competencies as those capabilities which are central to an organizations achievement of a sustainable competitive advantage. For the capability to be termed as a core competence, it has to meet four criteria as spelled out by the VRIO framework. It must be valuable, rare, inimitable, and the organization must be sufficiently organized to exploit it. While Caterpillar Inc has a very broad product line and wide geographical spread, this can be easily replicated by its rivals through a deliberate strategy of market development and product diversification. Its supply chain capabilities can also be easily replicated through undertaking demand and supply chain integration activities such as maintaining low inventory levels and adopting flexible manufacturing systems. Its main core competencies therefore are its innovation capabilities, its superior financial position, and its superior customer service. Strategy: Strategy formulation has been described as taking place at three levels: the corporate level, business level, and the functional level. Robbins and Coulter (2005) identify three types of corporate strategies. These include growth, retrenchment, and stability strategies. Traditionally, Caterpillar has pursued the growth strategy which involves aggressively expanding into new markets and introducing new products so that by 2008 it had more than 300 products. Apart from its domestic US market, it has spread to most countries in Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe and Middle East, and Latin America. However, prompted by the increasingly cyclical nature of the industries across which it operates as well as the recent global economic recession, the firm put brakes on its growth strategy and pursued a retrenchment strategy instead. This was characterized by cost reduction initiatives, closure of underperforming business units, and employee layoffs (Caterpillar Inc, 2009). According to its annual report, the firms trough planning initiative has involved: Scaling down the number of its employees by more than 20,000, through voluntary as well as forced layoffs. Additionally, the firm has done away with many contingent workers (that is, temporary, agency, and contract employees). Reducing working hours as well as closing some plants temporarily in many of its global facilities. In some areas, the firm has introduced shorter working weeks. The firm has also undertaken various measures to optimize its supply chain management. These include reduction of inventories (which is expected to lead to lower inventory carrying costs), forging closer relationships with key suppliers, and the alignment of its logistical processes to conform to its flexible manufacturing system dubbed the Caterpillar Production System (CPS). It has drastically reduced compensation levels for its employees and managers, in some instances by as much as half. This is expected to drive cost savings. According to Robbins and Coulter (2005), firms which pursue the corporate strategy of growth have various strategic alternatives at their disposal. These include: concentration, vertical integration, horizontal integration, and diversification strategies. Of the four strategies, Caterpillar Inc has primarily made use of the diversification and horizontal integration strategies. Diversification involves expanding the firms scope of operations into other industries and product lines and this can be seen in the firms expansion to over 300 products and in thirteen industries. The horizontal integration strategy involves merging operations with other players in the same industry with a view of enhancing the firms competitive thrust and lowering competition in the industry. In the case of Caterpillar, this is evidenced by: Combination of its operations with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1965 in the Japanese market; joint venture with Navistar International Corporation which led to the creation of a new entity known as NC2 Global LLC in 2009; and a joint venture agreement with China Yuchai Machinery Co. Ltd in 2009 (Businessweek, 2010). The Ansoff Matrix has further identified the strategies which can be pursued by a firm deploying the corporate strategy of growth as: product development, market development, diversification, and market penetration strategies (Mercer, 1996). The firm has predominantly made use of the product development strategy which involves the introduction of new products for existing markets. Cases in point include the introduction by the company of next generation mining trucks, the first ever electric drive tracks in the industry, as well as the innovation of the revolutionary cat 175 engine (Caterpillar Inc, 2009). The market development strategy is also evident in the firms strategic posture, especially in its forays into more countries through geographic expansion. Some of the countries recently ventured into by Caterpillar include Saudi Arabia and India (Caterpillar Inc, 2009). At the business level, three main strategies have been identified. These include the overall low cost leadership strategy, the differentiation strategy, and the niche / focus strategy. The niche strategy has further been distinguished as either a differentiated niche strategy or focused low cost strategy. Additionally, an organization may follow a stuck in the middle approach where it simultaneously pursues two or more of these strategies (Porter, 1998). Of the three generic strategies, Caterpillar Inc can be described as following the generic strategy of differentiation. As its annual report (Caterpillar, 2009) attests, this strategy is based on two of its core competencies: its innovation capabilities and superior customer service. Functional level strategies are strategies which are implemented at the functional level in order to support the business level and ultimately, the corporate level strategies (Robbins and Coulter, 2005). For example, as far as the human resource is concerned, the firm continues to put a lot of emphasis on the training and development of its personnel. In 2008 for example, it spent up to $60 million in training and development initiatives. By ensuring that its employees are well trained and developed, the firm can see to it that creativity and innovation is fostered and that the staff are in a position to deliver exceptional levels of customer service. Its customer service strategy for example has involved offering three year warranties, and long term financing for customers and dealers (Caterpillar Inc, 2009). Its manufacturing strategy has involved upgrading of its facilities. For example, in 2008, the firm spent up to $2.4 billion in initiatives aimed at modernizing its manufacturing infrastructure. Other functional level strategies include ensuring costs are kept within manageable levels while maintaining high quality standards through initiatives such as the Six Sigma program, and ensuring that the organization is aligned with emerging market needs (Caterpillar Inc, 2009).