The Co Operative Bank Commerce Essay

The Co Operative Bank Commerce Essay The co operative bank is the oldest democratic and ethical bank of UK . For over 150 years the bank has been a democratic bank , never losing its edge on its democratic stature . It would be very interesting to know about the work culture of such a big democratic bank . The co operative bank is also a secular bank . The employees not just consist of catholics but also people from other religions . For example the treasury of the co operative bank is Rajesh Bhatia who is a hindu . So people from diverse religions are working together to form one big bank that is co operative bank . The bank tries to maintain a very friendly environment for its employees . All the employees are given a chance to suggest their views but there is a process in which these views are analysed . This process takes place in stages . If some worker has any new idea then hw will tell it to the manager . The manager will first look into the idea then he will analyse it and decide the category of the idea . W hether the idea is related to Mars or retailing or the general insurance . After categorising the idea the manager will then send it to the head of that respective area . They take a look at that idea and in turn send it to the acting CEO . The CEO will forward it to the board of directors and then the decision will be taken . All important decisions are taken in this same manner or stages . It might take a little time but the process is a full proof procedure . The workers never refer to the manager as Sir . They always call him by his name . The employees feel very good working in the co operative bank . The co operative bank has been rated as one of Britains top employers 2012 by http://www.britainstopemployers.co.uk . A lot of aspects have been considered in this research before coming to the conclusion that this bank has outstanding working conditions . The outstanding working conditions include commitment to social goals , ability to mix profits with principles , rejuvenatin g a much loved brand , pioneering fair trade sales in UK and commitment to ethical finance . Britains top employers 2012 first made close assessments with the HR division of The co operative bank . Here all the critical areas of the HR department were assessed such as primary benefits , secondary benefits , working conditions , training and career opportunities . A review is then taken . The review is thoroughly taken from the answers of actual participants only and then ratings are given . The co operative bank achieved positive ratings and reviews in almost all the sectors of assessments . Source: Rabobank WORKING STARTEGY Even though The co operative bank is an ethical bank but they do charge interests . Because every organization needs funds to keep working . One great advantage of the The co operative group is that they are not just operating in banks but also in food retails , housing , farming and education . So the profits from all the sectors are utilized thoroughly and they try to distribute it equally . Last year profits of around 50 million pounds were earned and about 40% of the profits were distributed to members , staff and community groups . One of the important business strategies of The co operative bank is providing memberships . Membership is what makes The co operative bank different from other businesses because The co operative bank is run by its members and the bank gives a chance to its members to say how the company needs to be run . When one becomes a member then he will get a membership card . So everytime a member buys something from The co operative then they can use t heir membership card . By doing this they earn points . Twice a year , the points that the member has earned are turned into cash and given to him as a share of the profits . It is very easy to become a member and there are lots of deals , discounts and money saving offers for the members to enjoy . Not only can one choose from the outstanding financial products of The co operative bank but by simply doing the day to day banking as a member , he can increase his share of profits as well. On current accounts , for every 10 pounds held on an average in a co operative bank , one can earn 1 point . For mortgages , for every 40 pounds outstanding on a Co operative bank or Britannia mortgage , one can earn 1 point . For loans , for every 10 pounds outstanding on a Co operative bank or smile loan , one can earn 1 point . For Savings accounts , every 20 pounds held in a Co operative bank , smile or Britannia savings account , one can earn 1 point . For Car/home/pet insurance , for hol ding an annual Co operative insurance policy , one can earn upto 250 points . For credit card , every 10 pounds held on or borrowed on Co operative bank or smile credit cards , one can earn 1 point . According to http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk , one of the most important and profitable startegies for The co operative bank was to merge with Britannia on 1st August 2009 . This merger aimed at providing better profit for the share holders and also creating new employment opportunities . This new business was successful in achieving more than 70 billion pounds of assets , nine million customers , more than 12,000 employees , more than 300 branches and 20 corporate banking centres . The Co operative now comprises of The co operative bank including smile and The Britannia business , The co operative insurance and The co operative investments . ANALYSIS Let us do a SWOT analysis on The co operative bank . According to David Jobber , a SWOT analysis is a structured approach to evaluating the strategic position of a business by identifying its strengths , weaknesses , opportunities and threats . Strengths According to the article The Co-operative : How to measure its strength , The co operative has an advantage of the internet bank Smile. This Smile has become a very successful form of internet banking in the recent years . It has increased the demand of The co operative bank very much . Smile is a very famous and efficient provider of pensions and insurance . The profits of The co operative banks boomed to 73.4 million pounds in the first half of 2008 . According to http://www.co-operative.coop , the core banking platforms of the bank has been upgraded by introducing some of the most modern computing systems which are very fast and efficient . So this has also improved customer servicing effectively and thus increased customer satisfaction and improving their experience . During the merger with Britannia branded branches , these technological improvements gave customers near four fold increase in outlets to conduct their banking . Weaknesses According to The Cooperative Banking Model: Performance and Opportunities by Hans Groeneveld , now a days the members find it difficult to manage the organisation due to the increased complexity of the organisation in which the management group consists of dedicated professionals . It has also been found out that the membership process makes the decision making very slow and also prevents innovation and adjustments to new developments . (Hans Groeneveld , 2011) Opportunities The co operative bank provides opportunities to further ones career and also to build one from the scratch . The bank provides job opportunities at its head office in Manchester and also at other branches . The company is maintaining a separate portal for registration for jobs . The bank also provides a lot of credit facilities to the customers if they want to start a new venture . Threats The evolution of large scale foreign and unknown markets could endanger the traditional heart of The co operative bank . Recently The co operative bank has started taking a lot of risks involving high profit investments . In one of the move of the bank , it announced plans to transfer work out of North Staffordshire . This move would almost leave jobs of 65 employees under threat . Apparently this move is being made for greater financial control and tougher regulatory requirements. STRENGTHS 1 High customer satisfaction 2 Rising market shares , dense branch networks 3 Stable profits , high rating , low funding costs 4 Relatively unaffected by credit crisis 5 Contribution to stability and diversity in financial systems WEAKNESSES 1 Become more complex 2 Difficult to manage due to complexity 3 Membership process makes decision making slow 4 Slow innovation OPPORTUNITIES 1 Further ones career 2 Help in new venture 3 Financial advice 4 Good credit facilities THREATS 1 threats from large scale foreign and unknown markets 2 Increase in risks by The co operative bank 3 The move to leave out North Staffordshire Now let us look at some macroenvironmental aspects of The co operative bank . These include political , economic , ecological , social and technological aspects . Political As it has been explained in the hierarchy of The co operative bank , it is a democratic bank . Economic The co operative bank has been one of the most successful banks of uk in recent times . It has tried to maintain its economy throughout . This can be found out by comparing their financial performance between 2010 and 2011 as per http://www.co-operative.coop/corporate/Press/Press-releases/Headline-news/Results-2011/ Financial performance 2011 2010 % change Gross sales  £13.3bn  £13.1bn +1.0% Group operating profit  £585m    £582m +0.5% Profit before tax and member payments (equivalent to the pre-tax profit of a plc)  £373m  £396m -5.8% Net borrowings  £1.49bn  £1.44bn +3.3% Ecological According to A co-operative green economy by Pat Conaty , protecting the environment is one of the very important aspects of The co operative . These include reducing the gross green house gas emissions by 35 % by 2017 , producing around 25% of electricity using renewable sources of energy , setting up a head office that will set new standards in sustainable design , construction and operation . Thus they are also concerned with the safety of the environment . Social Inspite of so much competition and other foreign forces , concerne have been made to maintain the ethical standards of The co operative bank . The bank has been quiet successful in this approach . The fact that it won so many accolades proves it . Some of the awards that it won in 2011 include winner of the Observers Ethical Business Award; first place in Business in the Communitys Climate Change Award and Platinum Plus in their Corporate Responsibility Index; a leading ranking in the Sunday Times Best Green Companies List; and winner of The Financial Times award for Europes Most Sustainable Bank. Technological The bank went through massive technological renovation recently and has upgraded itself with all new systems . The banks call centre has been very efficient in helping the people with difficulties . Smile has been one of the top internet banking .

Funds for the arts Essay

In a world that thrives on science, the neglect of the arts is somewhat uncommon. What is baffling though is that the arts could have societal contributions as well. Some would find it hard to agree especially when some of the people had been driven to think that the scientific breakthroughs would be sufficient enough for their existence. Governments would readily shed some funds for the scientific pursuits but were reluctant to shell out some for the arts. It is in my belief then that the artistic pursuit should be recognized as important. But if the government were to just shell out some funds for the arts that would reflect the majority of the people then this should be thought twice. The diversity in people would be reason enough for the government to rethink their position. This diversity would not help in pinpointing what the majority really wants. Besides, it was said that the government funding could lead the arts to become passive (Radbourn). If people were to focus more on the majority then the artistic input would not be an artistic input at all but an input for the government’s satisfaction. The government should fund the arts but they should not give out rigid demands that only the voice of the majority would be reflected. Funding the arts could have considerable outcomes. Arts could affect the educational system since it would help learning become more interesting, it could also preserve the culture, it could have economic benefits (arts plus industry), and many more (â€Å"Arts Funding†). The rigid demand for the majority then could not help portray other ideas that may become essential and/or helpful in the near future. It would seem that funding the arts with such rigid demand for reflecting only the majority of the people would mean that the hidden motives are for the profit that the art would bring. Most artists frown upon those who would use their creativity and label it art for the benefit of the fame and money that they will receive. In fact, it will only be an exhaustive task where its sincerity is highly questionable. Works Cited â€Å"Arts Funding†. 2002. August 22 2007. . Radbourn, Jennifer. â€Å"How Government Funding of the Arts Kills Leadership and Creativity†. August 22 2007. .

The Effects of Child Abuse

Trust issues Need for instant gratification II. Behavioral effects Problems in school Making friends Getting along with others understanding school work B. Engaging in drug/ alcohol abuse Trying drugs Drinking Partying C. Suited D. Eating disorders Anorexia Bulimia Binging E. Criminal behavior Vandalism Prostitution F. Abusing others Physically Psychologically Sexually Ill. Physical effects Insomnia/ nightmare Startled easily Racing heartbeat Aches and pains Fatigue Difficulty concentrating Edginess or agitation Muscle tension Nelson 1 Psychological abuse is considered to be verbal abuse, extreme punishment, irruption, and lack of affection.Psychological abuse is not only one of the most common types of child abuse, but it is also considered to be one of the most hurtful. The question is-?what effects does psychological abuse have on children? There are many consequences of psychological abuse, and most if not all of these effects are long term. Children can be emotionally affected b y psychological abuse. One emotional effect of psychological abuse could be low self esteem. A child with low self esteem brought on by this abuse may have sensitivity to criticism, bouts of hostility, trihedral from society, and excessive preoccupation with personal problems.These children may also suffer from depression. This depression may include a general sadness, an increase or decrease in appetite, feelings of fatigue, and thoughts of suicide. The abuse may also cause a child to become anxious which includes a general feeling of sickness, detachment, an inability to think clearly, and a constant fear of death. All of this can make a child aggressive. This can lead to a child physically or verbally attacking other which can cause injury to those people or to the hill itself. Children that are aggressive may also have personality disorders.Some common personality symptoms a child may have are stormy relationships, social isolation, trust issues, and demand for instant gratifica tion. A child's behavior can also be affected by psychological abuse. Psychological abuse may cause a child to have problems in school. Some of the problems these children may have are making new friends, getting along with others, and understanding their school work. These children also tend to go to parties and engage in drugs and alcohol. Some of the hillier may only try the drugs and alcohol once-?others may become hooked on the drugs or become alcoholics for the rest of their lives.Many of these children may commit suicide. Others may have eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, or binging. They are also involved in various criminal behaviors such as vandalism, drugs or alcohol, and prostitution. Because these children have known nothing but abuse their entire lives, they tend to be abusers themselves. They may verbally, physically, psychologically, or even sexually abuse others as they grow. Psychologically abused children also suffer from various physical effects of the abus e. Some of these physical effects may include insomnia.Whenever they do sleep they end up having intense nightmares. A child may also be easily startled which may cause him or her to have a racing heartbeat. Some other effects may be fatigue, difficulties concentrating, edginess or agitation, and muscle tension-?causing aches and pains. Psychological abuse is very hurtful and harmful to children. It greatly affects who they are as a person. The effects of this abuse are intense. It affects children emotionally and physically, and can also affect their behavior and personality.

Attachment Theory As A Framework For Understanding...

Researchers have begun to use attachment theory, as a framework for understanding interpersonal and emotional outcomes of adults. Attachment theory also creates, an understanding of how parent relationships, affects a child’s early physiological development throughout adult-hood. In the past, research done on father -child relationships, has generally, focused on the attachment the child develops, when the father is absent in the child’s early stages of development. In my research, I found recent studies, performed on father-child relationships, and how secure attachment bonds are developed, when the father is not only present, but positively active in the child’s life. The active presence of a father during the first years of a child’s life are important in the development of the child’s social skills. This topic was specifically close to heart, because my father was an absent alcoholic drug addict for the first ten years of my life. He has been s ober now for nine years, and I wonder how his absence and sobriety have affect my attachment bonds and social skills. Attachment theory is the concept of the development, of a psychological and emotional bond, that creates a secure or insecure attachment to a caregiver. Attachment bonds are very important, in regards to personal development. Formulated by John Bowlby in the sixties, he discovered that a child’s development depends significantly, on the strong attachment they form with a caregiver. Functions of Bowlby’s attachmentShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Attachment Theory1421 Words   |  6 Pagesclose relationship theory that are studied in social psychology but one of the main theory is attachment theory. This theory not only provides a framework for understanding emotional reactions in infants but also in love, loneliness, and grief in adults. In adults there are attachment styles that are a type of working model that explains certain behaviors that are developed at infancy and childhood. An infant requires two basic attitudes during their earliest interactions with adults. Th e first is anRead MoreAnalysis Of Bartholomew Quot ; An Adult Attachment Model1378 Words   |  6 Pages Bartholomew Horowitz (1991) developed an adult attachment model conceptualized through the understanding that a person’s image of the self and the other is dichotomized as positive or negative. Through this framework they developed four dimensions, that range from a combination of understanding the self as worthy of love or not and seeing other people as trustworthy or unreliable. This paper will focus on one dimension, dismissive attachment, and how the behaviors, thoughts, and feelings associatedRead MoreThe Relationship Between Adult Attachment Classification and Symptoms of Depression1652 Words   |  7 Pagesrelationship between adult attachment classification and symptoms of depression. By assessing adult attachment classifications in this study it is proposed it will identify individuals at risk to depressive symptoms and help in gaining a better understanding of the types of treatment interventions that may be most effective given an individual’s attachment s tyle. One hundred undergraduate students will complete two online questionnaires each, with one on adult attachment and one on depressionRead MoreRationale Statement : The Development And Implementation Of The Curriculum1639 Words   |  7 Pagesnumber of children attending child care centres has continuously increasing, it is the responsibility of the early childhood educators to provide a nurturing, high quality learning environment to the infants and toddlers. The Early Years Learning Framework [EYLF] (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [DEEWR], 2008) values that each child is an individual and calls for learning that is based on children’s strengths, individual preferences and family/cultural context. For thisRead MoreCommunication Theories : Comm 4910 Final Report2049 Words   |  9 PagesKara Patrick COMM 4910 Final Paper Communication Theories: COMM 4910 Final Report In 1980, S.F. Scudder proposed that all living beings existing on the planet communicate in some way, even plants. We need to communicate to survive. My paper discusses various communication theories that relate to things that I observed or experienced over the course of my internship. During my internship, I worked under the supervision of the preschool director of Watkinsville First Baptist Church. The preschoolRead MoreAttachment Theory Is A Close Secure Lasting Bond Between An Infant / Child And A Care Provider2299 Words   |  10 PagesAttachment theory in developmental terms Attachment theory in developmental terms is a close secure lasting bond that occurs between an infant/child and a care provider. This is a deep connection that starts to develop from the time of conception and continues on to flourish and establish itself in the early years of the child’s life. Bowlby, (1998) suggests that a child does need to develop a foundation with at least one primary care provider for their social and emotional development. Young InfantsRead MorePsychodybamic Counseling2011 Words   |  9 PagesPsychodynamic Counseling Lec 2: * Psychodynamic therapy (insight-oriented therapy) focuses unconscious processes in behavior * Goal is client’s self awareness and understanding influence of the past on the present * 4 schools of psychoanalytic theory * Freudian (Sigmund Freud) * Sexual and aggressive energies in the ID (unconscious) are controlled by Ego (bridge between ID and Reality) * Ego Psychology * Enhancing ego functions according to demands of realityRead MoreEssay on Basic Concepts in Attachment Theory2804 Words   |  12 PagesBasic Concepts in Attachment Theory Attachment theory is the joint work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (Ainsworth Bowlby, 1991 ). Drawing on concepts from ethology, cybernetics, information processing, developmental psychology, and psychoanalysts, John Bowlby formulated the basic tenets of the theory. He thereby revolutionized our thinking about a child’s tie to the mother and its disruption through separation, deprivation, and bereavement. Mary Ainsworth’s innovative methodology not onlyRead MoreLifespan Developmental Psychology: An Overview4022 Words   |  16 Pagescognitive and biological needs and views. Behaviors and actions of an individual are part of socio-emotional development that a person reflects while performing an activity. Lifespan development theory is basically an amalgamation of various theories designed after thorough evaluation of human behavior at various stages of ones life. Starting from psychodynamic and attachment theories till social learning theories, they all give an insight about the development of an individuals behavior. In order to understandRead MoreThe Phenomenon Of Enmeshment Between A Mother And Her Child1885 Words   |  8 Pagesthe theories of Erik Erikson and John Bowlby as a framework of understanding. It will conclude by providing a brief overview of some ways enmeshment can adversely influence the child across the lifespan. Enmeshment is a term first coined by Family Systems theorist Salvador Minuchin. According to Minuchin, enmeshment is a relational structure in which there is a distortion of psychological boundaries, making autonomy very difficult to accomplish. In enmeshed relationships, interpersonal differentiation