Fortune 500 Companies And Communication Systems And Strategies Business Essay

Fortune 500 Companies And Communication Systems And Strategies Business Essay This paper will compare six Fortune 500 companies in their ability to communicate and their current strategies: Nike, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, Walgreens and Home Depot. Nike has been successful with the new communication system known as Polycom ® SpectraLink 8000 Wireless Telephones. Microsoft has just launched their new communication system known as Lync 2013 and has not had the opportunity to evaluate the performance analysis yet. Wal-Mart has been praised for their successful communication systems as well as their ability to enhance continuously to benefit both the business and employees. Coca-Cola is attempting to align their business goals with their supply chain goals to enhance productivity and also diminish current communication barriers. Walgreens has been successful in maintaining traditional communication systems of regular newsletters and other printed communications. Home Depot uses different types of communication systems to communicate with their employees and their customers such as a business satellite network by reaching out to their customers using social media. Communication systems and strategies are essential to the success of a business and the economy. Knowing how important communication systems and strategies are, we have decided to evaluate a few companies in regards to their ethical systems. This evaluation will focus on six Fortune 500 companies, Walgreens, Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, Nike, and Microsoft. This process will include general information about each company focusing primarily on their communication systems and strategies, and how it is put into practice within the company. This paper will also compare and contrast these companies and assess a conclusion on how effective or ineffective each company operates using their communication systems and strategies. The first company that we will discuss is Walgreens. Walgreens is a company that understands than typical illogical organization can and will face challenges within a company. Thus, they have chosen to continue to push the envelope of traditional drugstore retailing that seems to be working so well for them. According to an article on Walgreens website, this traditional growth strategy focuses on three areas of opportunity that puts them in a position for achieving long-term growth. Those areas are as follows: Delivering a complete Well Experience by transforming the customer experience across all of the companys touch points, channels and formats; Transforming the role community pharmacy plays in health care by offering unparalleled access to innovative, high quality and affordable health-and-wellness services; and Creating an unprecedented and efficient global platform through its strategic partnership with Alliance Boots GmbH. However, Walgreens is also focusing on their environmental sustainability. They are doing this by working on implementing a few other strategies in the future. These strategies differ depending on the location. They include geothermal energy systems, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, using electrical vehicle charging stations, and running on solar power. In terms of communication, Walgreens uses technology to enhance their communication systems. They do not have a specific name for their system but its incorporation plays a major role in the company. Therefore, they created a variety of corporate communications. These communications includes press releases, white papers, marketing materials, web site content, company correspondence, and sales presentations. And even though these forms of communication are the usual forms that companies use, they are consistent with Walgreens traditional stance. Most importantly, these various means of communications work for Walgreens and enables the company to communicate effectively and directly to their customers and employees. Overall, the communication system and strategies that Walgreens use are what allows the company to continue to grow and forge ahead. They are a successful company because of their traditional stance but willingness to adapt their strategies when needed in order to maintain customer satisfaction. Walgreens strives to be a company that lives up to their mission: To be the most trusted, convenient multichannel provider and advisor of innovative pharmacy, health and wellness solutions, and consumer goods and services in communities across America. A destination where health and happiness come together to help people get well, stay well and live well. Keeping that in mind, Walgreens communications and strategies have led them to become a successful company amongst other top fortune 500 companies in their industries. Home Depot has a dynamic way of how they use their communication system to communicate information to their employees and to the homeowners and the small business owners the server. Founded in 1978, the Home Depot since then has morphed from an up and coming business into a dominant do it yourself fortune 500 company. Debuting on the NASDAQ in1981, Home Depot crossed over to the New York Stock Exchange in 1984. The owners Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank developed a business satellite network in 1990 in an experiment to see if they were able to broadcast live meetings to all of their stores. This idea became a huge success. The satellite network helped for management to connect to the Home Depot employees and boost morale within their stores. Home Depot also invests heavily into their work force. They allow their employees to get the necessary training they need, which helps the employee feel more comfortable with their knowledge of the store and its items. Training increases employees morale which leads to communication lines being open from the employee to his manager because the employees feel that the company wants them to succeed. Just a couple of years ago in 2011, Home Depots Vice President of corporate communications Brad Shaw, launched Home Depots first social media page. With a lot of competitors reaching out to customers using social media, Home Depot uses social media to talk about current sales they may be having, and also to sale their products. Using Facebook for an example, customers who are friends with the Home Depot Facebook page can share certain items they have used that they feel was a great buy from the Home Depot. After the customer has shared the item, everyone who is friends with the customer will see that post on his time line exposing people to Home Depot products. This is why social media targeting and communication is so critical. If only one customer can share a product they like with their friends, out of all of their friends one is bound to also like it which would start the cycle illustrated above all over again. Coca Cola is more complex in their communication systems. The beverage retail giant operates more mechanically but keeps direct communication with the distribution supply chain to maintain quality products. The top brand in consumer beverages is the Coca-Cola Company in the current marketplace. Cokes global supply chain is a vastly complex network of plants, bottlers, warehouses and customers, along with multiple product lines following multiple supply chains with differing objectives. The Coca Cola Company is the worlds largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. The company operates a franchised distribution system dating from 1889 where the Coca-Cola Company only produces syrup concentrate which is then sold to various bottlers throughout the world who hold an exclusive territory (Valluri, 2010). Coca-Cola is the manufacturer and distributor of its own products. Most of the supply chain is automated to create quick and efficient products. The product is not final until the distribution process, where they add the carbonated water and other required ingredients to make the final product. All production is done in-house and final products are distributed all across the globe. A major setback Coca-Cola is currently working on resolving is the aligning the company objectives with the supply chain strategies. In fact, the Coca Cola Company does not actually produce soda. The company produces the concentrate or syrup, and then sends it to the distributors. The distributors add the carbonated water and all other ingredients to make the final product. The process to create each beverage is extremely mechanized in order to achieve quick and efficient production (Valluri, 2010). Therefore, communications regarding quality standards are directly communicated throughout the supply chain. In November, 2010, Coca-Cola rolled out a new supply chain strategy by combining SAP Business Objects with ITCs Supply Chain Performance Management. The implementation completed in cooperation with SAP Consulting has been rolled out across the North American region and is a key milestone for Coca-Cola, allowing it to effectively align supply chain goals with business goals, providing visibility into end-to-end supply chain processes to help drive process consistency (Hochfelder, 2011). Coke established a set of supply chain guiding principles it wanted implemented: Focus on metrics needing no manual intervention Focus on metrics to drive profit consistency and metric consistency across the supply chain Focus on industry standards that are not Coke specific Develop a robust system for reporting hierarchies that change when business changes Aligning the company goals with the supply chain goals will ultimately make the business more successful by providing the accurate information throughout the company. Coca-Cola remains the top beverage retailer concluding the success of the new communication strategy. Unlike Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart is less complex in their communication systems. Wal-Mart is one of the largest public corporations and retailers in the world. What could make a corporation so successful? First, there has to be a business plan in which an effective strategy is applied to. This creates a basis on which everyone understands what direction the company is going towards. Communication systems are used to disperse the information through different channels. Whether its from a manager to an employee or the company to the consumer, communication is a very important factor of success. One variable for Wal-Marts successful communication strategy was the implementation of their satellite communication system. The 24-million dollar satellite was established in 1987, which at the time, was the worlds largest private satellite communication system. This network allowed multiple communications between all levels of the company: distributors, headquarters, stores, and suppliers. The main idea for implementing the satellite is to provide a quick ordering with their key suppliers. Also, it was used within the company to help communication from managers from different stores and to get direct feedback. The satellite has also been implemented for customer satisfaction. On November 17, 1999, Wal-Mart broadcasted an exclusive concert by Garth Brooks via satellite to all of the locations. While being a major communication resource for the company, the satellite system cut costs by saving time and effort, resulting with consumers morale is boosted, card transactions are processe d quicker, and the overall shopping experience is more efficient. Next, Wal-Mart works with over 200 companies worldwide. They are determined to make sure that communication between each and every company is amazing. Wal-Mart has asked multiple companies to move or place a main office in the Northwest Arkansas area. This creates an easy communication from the Wal-Mart Home Office and the other companies employees. It also creates a face to face environment for communication. Forcing companies to move their offices to Arkansas has opened the field for residents in Arkansas to obtain jobs there. Just imagine each company that Wal-Mart has brought into Arkansas has about fifty or more employees. That could be thousands jobs offering for residents. The key thing is to make sure that companies working with them are on the same path as them. Wal-Mart has become a company that is looking more into being environmentally friendly and work force. They have gone so far to ask companies to make sure that everything from the labels are environmentally friendly and that the people making them are in good working environment. For example, Bud Light is a beer company and Wal-Mart would examine their product by the beer, bottle, bottle cap, box, and the label. Having explained the importance of a successful company is to make sure that if you are working with other companies that they are on the same pathway as you are. Last, it is very critical that Wal-Mart develops a good communication system within the headquarters and stores. Inside the headquarters, there are televisions located all around the building. The televisions are constantly on and the management team goes over key points and the current goals for each department. Every Saturday, there is an open executive board meeting. They are open for every associate to bring their suggestions in and bring in famous people. In each department, they are required to do a weekly meeting, produce a goal list and suggestion list on something that they can improve on. The main communication goal is to make sure that each store is doing their part. The Northwest Arkansass stores are inspected monthly and changing the layouts to see what would work best. Worldwide, members of the management team are travelling to inspect stores unexpectedly to make sure that each stores are doing their duties twenty-four seven. The latest advancement to Wal-Mart in their communication system is to help the associates more. They have implemented on hiring more than 300 human resources managers to work world-wide to make sure that the training needed is done correctly and policies are implemented correctly. They have created an ethic hotline to help employees anonymously discuss any issues and to make sure each issues are dealt with correctly. Due to high critics, they have implemented that the senior management are connected to issues on the spot and have a section on their daily updates about anything about Wal-Mart coming out. The senior management team will deal with each issue and will now speak out more, so that the world will understand the issue and how the company is dealing with it. This new communication is issued to help increase the employees satisfaction and the overall recruiting process. The Nike Distribution center in Memphis, Tennessee had a dilemma: they had to figure out a way to improve communications within the one million square foot facility. The center was relying on an overhead PA system to contact employees. The center restricted their phones to only inbound calls. There was no reliable communication and it was delayed at best. The company needed a way to eliminate the seven minute walk from administration to the warehoused each time a call was received. In 2002, a solution to the problem was reached. Nike implemented a system using Polycoms SpectraLink 8000 Wireless Telephones. This system not only eliminated the constant running around or PA system intercom, it also worked off of the warehouses existing Wi-Fi, eradicating the need for an outside service. Where the old system of cat and mouse was very expensive, Polycoms SpectraLink 8000 was very cost effective. It allowed for the communication between management and employees quickly, efficiently, and easily, and increased their productivity tremendously. Senior Telecommunication Technician Carol McSparrin quoted, Employees are able to communicate with one another so much more quickly. Thats the benefit we were looking for all along. Now, employees dont need to have cell phones and pagers, so we do see a cost benefit. Plus, we are using the same Wi-Fi network we have in place for our handheld scanners and other mobile data applications. But most importantly, we have our employees working more efficiently. Nike successfully launched a new system within their folds with the use of the Polycom SpectraLink 8000 Wireless phone system that practically remade the way they communicated with each other. The new system allows employees to directly communicate with the right person every time without having to stop production, allowing the business to be more efficient. Microsoft, however, is just now launching a new communication system known as Lync 2013 which is said to be more successful than the previous system. Microsofts communication system is Lync 2013. The system was introduced less than a month ago, so it is too soon to tell how Lync 2013 will perform. Lync 2013 users can connect to anyone anywhere using Skype which enables hundreds of millions of people to interact across international borders making expenses less. The basic name of the system is the unified communications system. Microsoft developed this system. Apparently they were not happy with the other systems that were out there so they wrote their own. Lync can be integrated with other systems without large outlays of capital. This allows other companies to compare Lync to other communication systems and weigh the pros and cons of Lync to see if it would be beneficial to them. Microsofts communication strategy is to provide rich, presence-based, person-centric tools that make communications easier and productive; next is to integrate IP-based communications modalities including e-mail, instant messaging (IM), VoIP-telephony, SMS, and audio/video/web conferencing into a seamless and intuitive experience next is to make communications available on PCs, phones and innovative mobile devices, at work/home/on-the-road, on federated enterprise-consumer networks, and as on-premise and hosted service solutions. To enable communications from within everyday applications Microsoft Office, portals, line of business (LOB) applications, etc. To make available information, agent software,, and services, to improve connectivity with relevant parties despite the overload of incoming communications. To lower TCO for communications solutions by leveraging existing IT infrastructure to enhance manageability and security; and to provide interfaces and APIs that enable partner s to extend Microsoft core offerings. Microsofts UC strategy is primarily targeted at its enterprise customer base. Similarities All of the companies implemented their new systems to try and alleviate communication problems within each company. All of the companies had issues that weighed heavily on the production side of the company, and all of them implemented solid plans to improve their communications, and all of them implemented the systems to expand both their data bases and consumer contacts. The improvements that the companies made will have a great impact on Differences All of the companies were different types of companies. We researched a retail store, a software giant, a mega hardware store, a legendary soft drink company, a megawatt shoe company, and a pharmaceutical mogul. Obviously, the needs for all of the companies were different. Each used a system unique to their business needs. For example, Nike needed better communication in order to contact employees, so wireless phones were their solution; however, Microsoft needed a system to connect all different types of communications, so it developed Lync. The consumer base or the data base would not be the same as it would be had these all been the same type of company. Each company has different standards, and each company managed a successful communications strategy launch for their companies. Companies ability to communicate can have a direct impact on the quantity and quality of service. Without communication, nothing can move forward, only backward. Implementing systems of communication allows each company to both move forward and allow rapid adaptation to any changes it encounters. Each company lives up to their mission statements, and tries to stick to their traditions. The hopes to keep their companies strong, and promote fairness and excellence have become a part of each and every company. They have developed strategies that allow for the growth and prosperity of their respective companies. Each company may have applied their system differently, but each and every one of them has worked extremely hard toward a common goal: You, the consumer.

Music History: Renaissance Era

The Renaissance was the great age of vocal polyphony, music consisting of a number of equally important voice parts all woven together to create a complex tapestry of overlapping melodies and beautiful harmonies. In religious music, the primary compositional forms were the Mass and the motet, while in secular music they were the French chanson, or song (for three or four voices), and the Italian madrigal. Instrumental music was not, for the most part, as formalized during the Renaissance as it would later become. Instruments were used in varying combinations to accompany singers (in both religious and secular music), to provide music for private entertainment and dancing, and to provide festive or ceremonial music for towns and royal courts. Principal instruments of the period included the lute, organ, and harpsichord, viols, recorders shawms (double-reed precursors of the oboe), cruhorns (also double-reed instruments), trombones and trumpets (Gangwere). Among the most important composers of the Renaissance were Guillaume Dufay, of the so-called Burgundian school, centered at the court of the dukes of Burgundy in Dijon France and Johannes Ockeghem, Jacob Obrecht, Josquin des Prez, and later, Orlando di Lasoo of the Flemish school (Pen). The Mass The unvarying structure of the mass, the constancy of the text, and the solemnity of function were not conducive to musical experimentation in mass composition. Flemish masses still used the cantus firmus techniques of the earlier Burgundian masters. In the hands of exceptional composers such as Giovanni da Palestrina the mass was a highly devotional and serene expression of the liturgy, perfectly suited to the austerity demanded by the Counter Reformation. Palestrina’s flexible arched melodic lines, his studied use of consonance and dissonance, and his beautifully constructed harmonic sonorities became the model for generations of counterpoint teachers (Hoffman). The Motet The early motet (from the French word meaning â€Å"word†) frequently contained different texts in various languages for each voice parts. Complexities of word setting and tone painting were simply not an important aspect of the music for early motet composers. As the humanism began to exert its influence, composers grew more attentive to text setting. The single text was the motivating force for the motet. Each section of music was presented as a separate musical episode that attempted to highlight the clarity of the text as well as to convey the emotional impact of the words. This style of sensitive text representation came to be known as music reservata. Composers developed specific techniques for the musica reservata style. Second, the natural speech rhythm was matched by melodic rhythm so that the words were correctly accented. Third, syllabic treatment of text and expressive figures were used to portray the message of the text (Hoffman). The Chanson Chansons were three-voice secular works in which the music closely mirrored the meaning of the French poetic text. The text, usually an expression of love, was in rondeau form with a two-line refrain (A B a A a b A B). Although they may have been performed entirely by voices, the usual presentation probably featured a solo voice on the top (superius) line with the bottom two polyphonic lines played by instruments (Hoffman). Other musics such as chorale, anthem, psalm settings, frottola and madrigal are legacies of Renaissance period. It was only during the Renaissance that musicians begun to recognize the idiomatic potential of instruments and consequently began composing in particular genres intended for instrumental rather than choral performance (Pen). Works Cited Gangwere, Blanche. Music History During the Renaissance Period, 1520-1550: A Documented Chronology. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004. Hoffman, Miles. The Npr Classical Music Companion: An Essential Guide for Enlightened Listening. Houghton Mifflin Books, 2005. Pen, Ronald. Introduction to Music. McGraw-Hill Professional, 1992.   

Counselling Model

â€Å"Evaluate the claim that Person Centred Therapy offers the therapist all that he/she will need to treat clients†. Word Count 2,508 During this essay I will present my findings as I view them. I am relatively new to counselling, this hinders my current experience and limits my opinions about therapy and what methodologies are more or less effective when offering therapy to clients.So, based on text book theories (only at this stage), I will present my findings about client centered therapy and incorporate a number of different methodologies that have assisted me to decipher the answer to this core question, and understanding how affective client centered therapy is as an approach. The research is informative and thought provoking. It certainly raises questions of how clients were viewed and treated in the past, right into the here and now. My task is to explore the above title, possibly uncovering a rather more complex theory than one may first assume.Initially I explored the world of psychotherapy to provide me with an insight and greater understanding on this subject, also identify the influences and changes that has occurred in a relatively short space of time in this developing area of psychology. As stated by Saunders (2002: pg 14). â€Å"From centuries-old ancient philosophies and cultures, through to current ideas in our own white European culture. A summary of the more recent landmarks would go back around 100 years to the work of Sigmund Freud†.Freud was a physician and the creator of many theories, primarily focussed on psychoanalysis. His work was from clinically derived experiences that were based on feedback from his patients during therapy. This gave birth to the ‘psychodynamic approach’ which stemmed from Freud’s collection of theories. Freud and his colleagues were psychologists who were treating their patients for depression or anxiety related disorders. Although shunned by the medical profession until late r in his career, Freud continued to shape and mould psychology as it is recognised today.Highly influential and extremely passionate professional men introduced their approaches into delivering the different theories/techniques, all of which have influenced and set the tone for the philosophy of psychology today. Definition of psychology, this was derived from the Latin it’s described in two parts, 1. â€Å"Psyche† meaning: Breathe, Sprit, Soul. 2. â€Å"Ology† meaning: Study of the mind. (Modern Latin, (Oxford dictionary 2000: pg, 652). Psychology emerged from Biology and philosophy, today it is closely linked with other disciplines including sociology, medicine, linguistics and anthropology.My main focus for study is Carl Rogers’s 1902-1987 (Rogerian approach). Counselling has emerged into a sophisticated therapy, thanks to Rogers’s intention to move towards supporting the client with a non-judgemental, kind and empathetic approach. Rogers develo ped his theories and debated about the vital skills required when a therapist engages with the client. Rogers not only theorised on mental illness he was also highly influential when developing other areas of therapies which I will explain further on.Rogers was resolute in his beliefs that the client’s success was based purely on his six core elements all blended together for an effective outcome. As the founder of client centered therapy Rogers was passionate about his ideas. The methodology he used was from a humanistic view and his techniques have made a huge impact into a world of psychology and psychotherapy. In 1942 the term ‘Non-Directive Therapy’ was born but changed nine years later by Rogers who preferred to use the term Client Centered Therapy.Other leading psychotherapy approaches were introduced from Albert Ellis (1913-2007), an American psychologist who instigated the ‘Cognitive approach’ known as Rational Emotional Behaviour Therapy (R EBT) that theorised that as people our thoughts control and depict our feelings it’s a directive therapy that is solution based. Whereas, Gerard Egan, founder of the ‘Integrative approaches’, claims to use whatever technique is appropriate according to the clients issues and is described as ‘middle of the road’ school of thought.From the beginning it was Rogers’s intention to provide a radical alternative to the then current â€Å"psychodynamic and behavioural† approaches. Psychotherapy was a vast unexplored area that was waiting for a new and different alternative which Rogers’s brought about. Psychiatrists are first and foremost medical practitioners who work from an established ‘Medical Model of Mental Illness’ Used by psychiatrists and mental health professionals to describe the full range of human psychological distress and disturbances. and according to Saunders ‘no more than a system of naming things (e. g. the term ‘neurosis’, [Literally meaning an infection of the nerves] is just a list of symptoms it actually explains nothing)†pg106. This was a long established method used when applying a treatment plan in which there was limited flexibility and had deep rooted entrenched guidelines. During the 1960’s Rogers began to use the principles of his approach into other areas such as education, management, group work and resolving conflict.Many years ago all treatments/ therapies were all encased under one label ‘medical treatment’ and in the early years psychotherapy would only be carried out in a ‘clinical environment’ where people were classified as ‘patients’ that need treatment to cure their illness. Counselling on the other hand can be viewed as both medical and educational. Rogers had to use the term ‘counselling’ as a requirement enforced by the American medical profession. The term counselling is deem ed suitable to use ‘if not causing medical disturbances but only deep issues in the mind’ (Saunders, (2002) pg107).Rogers conscientiously and gradually over time merged counselling/psychotherapy cohesively together. It is now virtually impossible to distinguish the differences between the two. The purpose of client centered therapy is to encourage the client to bring about their own self-awareness of their feelings. It is a nurturing process that functions without the counsellor/therapist suggesting or advising how to bring about change. It is not a solution based therapy. The therapist’s role when delivering this approach is to offer a safe and relaxed environment, where the atmosphere creates an aura of empathy, acceptance and no judgements.As stated by (Saunders 2006) â€Å"The unconditional positive regard element of this condition is not the same as ‘liking’ or ‘being nice to’ the client† pg 60. UPR is practised in client cen tered therapy no matter what the client chooses to disclose. This is achieved by the therapist reflecting and paraphrasing back to the client their inner feelings. The process will encourage positive feelings to facilitate in lifting the clients inner-self in this safe non-threatening environment. The aim is to encourage negativity to rise and bring about self-awareness for the client to explore their reasons for being in treatment.Carl Rogers assumed that all human beings, if given the right opportunity, are basically good and will strive towards goodness as their main goal. Secondly that the client’s experiences are unique only to themselves, and finally he felt that the client’s internal instincts would guide them into reaching their full potential resulting in self-actualization thus, creating self-healing as a ‘fully functioning individual’. Rogers states in his actualizing theory that â€Å"all human beings are drawn towards their natural tendencyâ €™, as we are more than just growth and survival†.Individuals need to understand their value and growth. All humanistic psychologists are focused on the person as a whole, where as the cognitive approach identifies ‘parts of the being’. Cognitive and behavioural approaches focus on irrational beliefs, effect feelings and are responsible for creating the behaviour. Rogers specified that we are instinctive ‘organismic’ individuals with the capacity of self-healing that involves psychological healing. Due to one’s self-doubt and an ingrained belief system (an instilled program since childhood) instils these self-defeating ideas into our psyche.Thus, creating a belief system of feeling scrutinized and judged. Person centered psychology is more interested in the clients own perception of their distress. We feel as individuals that our own beliefs are accurate and fail to recognize that these thought processes were planted by others (our primary carers and peers), through incidents and learnt behaviour. Client centered therapy is collaborative, it’s a guide to facilitate the client to seek out their own self-realization, which for some will be viewed as an advantage, it offers a free range approach to explore inner feelings, for both therapist and client.Client centered therapy encourages growth and its aim is in convert immaturity into maturity, this is vital for progress and healing. Rogers approach when implemented correctly should bring about activating the self-healing process he believes is found in each one of us as. Another well-known figure is Maslow who designed ‘A model’ shaped as a pyramid called the ‘Hierarchy of needs’ ‘Humanistic approach’ this is used in many areas of therapy including education and training in the work place.When Maslow’s basic core conditions are applied in a respectful, non-threatening manner they enable the client to direct the process of their phronesis (through their wisdom). Maslow’s theory consists of a five-step process, starting from the bottom and only raising to the next level by attaining that level of needs. Starting from a person’s basic physiological human need of survival require water, food and shelter. Stepping up again to the next level will accommodate the person’s requirement of personal safety and protection from danger and the emotional need for security.Raising again up to the third level it covers a person’s social needs that involve the need for acceptance by peers and friendship. Level four covers the need for self-respect and self-esteem. A person requires the emotional need for status and self-confidence, finally reaching the tip of the pyramid, is the need to reach and realise one’s own potential of self-actualisation. As stated in the chrysalis work book (module one: pg9), â€Å"Maslow believed that everyone is born with the potential to self-actuali se and that, given a good environment, this can be achieved†.He classified this as reaching a ‘peak experience’ which can be experiencing joy and unimaginable happiness. Rogers stressed the importance of his â€Å"six key conditions being both â€Å"Necessary and Sufficient† for therapeutic change to take place† as quoted by Saunders, P. (2006:9). The therapist and client have to have a genuine relationship based on a two way psychological connection. Rogers felt that if the client felt the slightest hint that this was not the case the counselling would be flawed from the onset. The client feels vulnerable and anxious and views themselves as needing assistance.The therapist needs to be balanced and healthy minded about their own residing issues and have dealt with their own issues during their training. As Rogers’s states, it is vital that the therapist â€Å"can accurately be himself in the relationship†. A fundamental requirement of C lient centered therapy specifies that the therapist actually feels a genuine regard towards the client. Rogers terms this as an ‘unconditional positive regard’ (UPR) an empathetic approach. The therapist needs to be authentic, transparent and a willingness to be open with self-disclosure.Rogers specifies that the client must be completely listened to without any interruption from the therapist, who should demonstrate that they have fully understood with a genuine regard to support the client. To support the number of approaches, Chrysalis designed ‘A Model’ (TIME) an acronym Temporal, Interventional, Multi- model, Empathy. This effective tool offers guidance when selecting an appropriate approach to be practiced accordingly with the formatted structure as a set of rules in which to be guided by. This is a profoundly simple tool that has been designed as a multi-model (it fits all).The TIME model’s function is to mix and match the client’s issu e/s, personality and suitability by selecting the appropriate treatment plan. Temporal meaning time, Interventional involves using other holistic therapies to run alongside these approached , which may assist with the cognitive side of the person for example using hypnotherapy by communicating with the subconscious, where positive suggestions and affirmations may be placed to replace the negative beliefs that are blocking/hindering progress. The client may relax enough to allow their own phronesis (practical instinctive wisdom) to appear.Multi Model is combining or selecting the different approaches from a variety of therapeutic sources. Chrysalis encourages the therapist to explore all approaches and form a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to an individual. The last area to discuss is empathy, all therapy is empathetic, and it would be impossible to implement without it. As suggested in Saunders primer (2006) â€Å"†¦ being empathetic is to perceive the internal frame of reference of another with accuracy, and with the emotional components and meanings†¦Ã¢â‚¬ pg 66.Empathy and communication is therefore essential. Disadvantages for some clients, if offering client centered therapy could be bring about discontentment, as it involves a long duration of time, (from the client’s perspective) they may not wish to attend numerous sessions, they may be unable to remain focused, affecting their motivation and stop attending. Client centered therapy may place too much pressure on the client if they themselves require direction and solutions to their predicament. Results are hard to gage thus, questioning its impact as a structured ystem. Client centered therapy may be seen as far too simple and the whole approach could be misunderstood thus, affecting its effectiveness. I like the feel of client centred therapy, for me it offers a kind, gentle and dignified treatment. The client may develop from this approach, however I can only surmise that as client centered therapy permits self-exploration, holistically healing the individual; it will not be suitable for all clients, as the question suggests but it is certainly suitable for dealing with the here and now and promotes self development.These modern times have seen a shift in emphasis with the medical approaches. The public are open to embrace different holistic therapies. Today the opportunities for people to try out new ideas and concepts are more readily available than ever before. Psychotherapy and counselling has flourished into a general acceptance. Some General practitioners promote counselling as a way forward rather than the patients only being offered powerful invasive drugs viewed with caution and some considered as highly addictive and not addressing the root of the client’s issue/s.I am in no doubt that through time and as this course progresses my perspective will change for the better. I have already started to question how I converse with peo ple on a one to one level. Questioning my ability to actually actively listen and observe my approach towards empathy & being non-judgemental. Feedback in class and group work will further contribute to these interpersonal skills in order to become a competent therapist.How I can/will deal with total honesty towards a client, under whatever circumstances, regardless of the client’s issue/s are certainly challenging tasks ahead of me. I am looking forward to practising the models and theories available. I understand that not every model or approach is suitable to every client and experience will help in my development for the good of the client. I am appreciative and thrilled to be living in today’s times, where opportunity and options are the norm for the majority of people.Today as a culture we not only require change but we encourage progress in the holistic world of therapies. REFERENCES: Rogers, C. (1951). Client Centered Therapy. UK: Constable & Robinson Ltd publi sher. Sanders, P. (2002). First Steps in Counselling. A Students’ companion for basic introductory courses Third edition, UK: Ross-on-Wye, Saunders, P. Franklin, A. Wilkins, P. (2009). Next Steps in Counselling Practise. Second edition, UK: Ross-on-Wye, PCCS Books. Saunders, P (2006). The Person-Centered Counselling Primer. UK: Ross-on-Wye, PCCS Books. Counselling Model â€Å"Evaluate the claim that Person Centred Therapy offers the therapist all that he/she will need to treat clients†. Word Count 2,508 During this essay I will present my findings as I view them. I am relatively new to counselling, this hinders my current experience and limits my opinions about therapy and what methodologies are more or less effective when offering therapy to clients.So, based on text book theories (only at this stage), I will present my findings about client centered therapy and incorporate a number of different methodologies that have assisted me to decipher the answer to this core question, and understanding how affective client centered therapy is as an approach. The research is informative and thought provoking. It certainly raises questions of how clients were viewed and treated in the past, right into the here and now. My task is to explore the above title, possibly uncovering a rather more complex theory than one may first assume.Initially I explored the world of psychotherapy to provide me with an insight and greater understanding on this subject, also identify the influences and changes that has occurred in a relatively short space of time in this developing area of psychology. As stated by Saunders (2002: pg 14). â€Å"From centuries-old ancient philosophies and cultures, through to current ideas in our own white European culture. A summary of the more recent landmarks would go back around 100 years to the work of Sigmund Freud†.Freud was a physician and the creator of many theories, primarily focussed on psychoanalysis. His work was from clinically derived experiences that were based on feedback from his patients during therapy. This gave birth to the ‘psychodynamic approach’ which stemmed from Freud’s collection of theories. Freud and his colleagues were psychologists who were treating their patients for depression or anxiety related disorders. Although shunned by the medical profession until late r in his career, Freud continued to shape and mould psychology as it is recognised today.Highly influential and extremely passionate professional men introduced their approaches into delivering the different theories/techniques, all of which have influenced and set the tone for the philosophy of psychology today. Definition of psychology, this was derived from the Latin it’s described in two parts, 1. â€Å"Psyche† meaning: Breathe, Sprit, Soul. 2. â€Å"Ology† meaning: Study of the mind. (Modern Latin, (Oxford dictionary 2000: pg, 652). Psychology emerged from Biology and philosophy, today it is closely linked with other disciplines including sociology, medicine, linguistics and anthropology.My main focus for study is Carl Rogers’s 1902-1987 (Rogerian approach). Counselling has emerged into a sophisticated therapy, thanks to Rogers’s intention to move towards supporting the client with a non-judgemental, kind and empathetic approach. Rogers develo ped his theories and debated about the vital skills required when a therapist engages with the client. Rogers not only theorised on mental illness he was also highly influential when developing other areas of therapies which I will explain further on.Rogers was resolute in his beliefs that the client’s success was based purely on his six core elements all blended together for an effective outcome. As the founder of client centered therapy Rogers was passionate about his ideas. The methodology he used was from a humanistic view and his techniques have made a huge impact into a world of psychology and psychotherapy. In 1942 the term ‘Non-Directive Therapy’ was born but changed nine years later by Rogers who preferred to use the term Client Centered Therapy.Other leading psychotherapy approaches were introduced from Albert Ellis (1913-2007), an American psychologist who instigated the ‘Cognitive approach’ known as Rational Emotional Behaviour Therapy (R EBT) that theorised that as people our thoughts control and depict our feelings it’s a directive therapy that is solution based. Whereas, Gerard Egan, founder of the ‘Integrative approaches’, claims to use whatever technique is appropriate according to the clients issues and is described as ‘middle of the road’ school of thought.From the beginning it was Rogers’s intention to provide a radical alternative to the then current â€Å"psychodynamic and behavioural† approaches. Psychotherapy was a vast unexplored area that was waiting for a new and different alternative which Rogers’s brought about. Psychiatrists are first and foremost medical practitioners who work from an established ‘Medical Model of Mental Illness’ Used by psychiatrists and mental health professionals to describe the full range of human psychological distress and disturbances. and according to Saunders ‘no more than a system of naming things (e. g. the term ‘neurosis’, [Literally meaning an infection of the nerves] is just a list of symptoms it actually explains nothing)†pg106. This was a long established method used when applying a treatment plan in which there was limited flexibility and had deep rooted entrenched guidelines. During the 1960’s Rogers began to use the principles of his approach into other areas such as education, management, group work and resolving conflict.Many years ago all treatments/ therapies were all encased under one label ‘medical treatment’ and in the early years psychotherapy would only be carried out in a ‘clinical environment’ where people were classified as ‘patients’ that need treatment to cure their illness. Counselling on the other hand can be viewed as both medical and educational. Rogers had to use the term ‘counselling’ as a requirement enforced by the American medical profession. The term counselling is deem ed suitable to use ‘if not causing medical disturbances but only deep issues in the mind’ (Saunders, (2002) pg107).Rogers conscientiously and gradually over time merged counselling/psychotherapy cohesively together. It is now virtually impossible to distinguish the differences between the two. The purpose of client centered therapy is to encourage the client to bring about their own self-awareness of their feelings. It is a nurturing process that functions without the counsellor/therapist suggesting or advising how to bring about change. It is not a solution based therapy. The therapist’s role when delivering this approach is to offer a safe and relaxed environment, where the atmosphere creates an aura of empathy, acceptance and no judgements.As stated by (Saunders 2006) â€Å"The unconditional positive regard element of this condition is not the same as ‘liking’ or ‘being nice to’ the client† pg 60. UPR is practised in client cen tered therapy no matter what the client chooses to disclose. This is achieved by the therapist reflecting and paraphrasing back to the client their inner feelings. The process will encourage positive feelings to facilitate in lifting the clients inner-self in this safe non-threatening environment. The aim is to encourage negativity to rise and bring about self-awareness for the client to explore their reasons for being in treatment.Carl Rogers assumed that all human beings, if given the right opportunity, are basically good and will strive towards goodness as their main goal. Secondly that the client’s experiences are unique only to themselves, and finally he felt that the client’s internal instincts would guide them into reaching their full potential resulting in self-actualization thus, creating self-healing as a ‘fully functioning individual’. Rogers states in his actualizing theory that â€Å"all human beings are drawn towards their natural tendencyâ €™, as we are more than just growth and survival†.Individuals need to understand their value and growth. All humanistic psychologists are focused on the person as a whole, where as the cognitive approach identifies ‘parts of the being’. Cognitive and behavioural approaches focus on irrational beliefs, effect feelings and are responsible for creating the behaviour. Rogers specified that we are instinctive ‘organismic’ individuals with the capacity of self-healing that involves psychological healing. Due to one’s self-doubt and an ingrained belief system (an instilled program since childhood) instils these self-defeating ideas into our psyche.Thus, creating a belief system of feeling scrutinized and judged. Person centered psychology is more interested in the clients own perception of their distress. We feel as individuals that our own beliefs are accurate and fail to recognize that these thought processes were planted by others (our primary carers and peers), through incidents and learnt behaviour. Client centered therapy is collaborative, it’s a guide to facilitate the client to seek out their own self-realization, which for some will be viewed as an advantage, it offers a free range approach to explore inner feelings, for both therapist and client.Client centered therapy encourages growth and its aim is in convert immaturity into maturity, this is vital for progress and healing. Rogers approach when implemented correctly should bring about activating the self-healing process he believes is found in each one of us as. Another well-known figure is Maslow who designed ‘A model’ shaped as a pyramid called the ‘Hierarchy of needs’ ‘Humanistic approach’ this is used in many areas of therapy including education and training in the work place.When Maslow’s basic core conditions are applied in a respectful, non-threatening manner they enable the client to direct the process of their phronesis (through their wisdom). Maslow’s theory consists of a five-step process, starting from the bottom and only raising to the next level by attaining that level of needs. Starting from a person’s basic physiological human need of survival require water, food and shelter. Stepping up again to the next level will accommodate the person’s requirement of personal safety and protection from danger and the emotional need for security.Raising again up to the third level it covers a person’s social needs that involve the need for acceptance by peers and friendship. Level four covers the need for self-respect and self-esteem. A person requires the emotional need for status and self-confidence, finally reaching the tip of the pyramid, is the need to reach and realise one’s own potential of self-actualisation. As stated in the chrysalis work book (module one: pg9), â€Å"Maslow believed that everyone is born with the potential to self-actuali se and that, given a good environment, this can be achieved†.He classified this as reaching a ‘peak experience’ which can be experiencing joy and unimaginable happiness. Rogers stressed the importance of his â€Å"six key conditions being both â€Å"Necessary and Sufficient† for therapeutic change to take place† as quoted by Saunders, P. (2006:9). The therapist and client have to have a genuine relationship based on a two way psychological connection. Rogers felt that if the client felt the slightest hint that this was not the case the counselling would be flawed from the onset. The client feels vulnerable and anxious and views themselves as needing assistance.The therapist needs to be balanced and healthy minded about their own residing issues and have dealt with their own issues during their training. As Rogers’s states, it is vital that the therapist â€Å"can accurately be himself in the relationship†. A fundamental requirement of C lient centered therapy specifies that the therapist actually feels a genuine regard towards the client. Rogers terms this as an ‘unconditional positive regard’ (UPR) an empathetic approach. The therapist needs to be authentic, transparent and a willingness to be open with self-disclosure.Rogers specifies that the client must be completely listened to without any interruption from the therapist, who should demonstrate that they have fully understood with a genuine regard to support the client. To support the number of approaches, Chrysalis designed ‘A Model’ (TIME) an acronym Temporal, Interventional, Multi- model, Empathy. This effective tool offers guidance when selecting an appropriate approach to be practiced accordingly with the formatted structure as a set of rules in which to be guided by. This is a profoundly simple tool that has been designed as a multi-model (it fits all).The TIME model’s function is to mix and match the client’s issu e/s, personality and suitability by selecting the appropriate treatment plan. Temporal meaning time, Interventional involves using other holistic therapies to run alongside these approached , which may assist with the cognitive side of the person for example using hypnotherapy by communicating with the subconscious, where positive suggestions and affirmations may be placed to replace the negative beliefs that are blocking/hindering progress. The client may relax enough to allow their own phronesis (practical instinctive wisdom) to appear.Multi Model is combining or selecting the different approaches from a variety of therapeutic sources. Chrysalis encourages the therapist to explore all approaches and form a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to an individual. The last area to discuss is empathy, all therapy is empathetic, and it would be impossible to implement without it. As suggested in Saunders primer (2006) â€Å"†¦ being empathetic is to perceive the internal frame of reference of another with accuracy, and with the emotional components and meanings†¦Ã¢â‚¬ pg 66.Empathy and communication is therefore essential. Disadvantages for some clients, if offering client centered therapy could be bring about discontentment, as it involves a long duration of time, (from the client’s perspective) they may not wish to attend numerous sessions, they may be unable to remain focused, affecting their motivation and stop attending. Client centered therapy may place too much pressure on the client if they themselves require direction and solutions to their predicament. Results are hard to gage thus, questioning its impact as a structured ystem. Client centered therapy may be seen as far too simple and the whole approach could be misunderstood thus, affecting its effectiveness. I like the feel of client centred therapy, for me it offers a kind, gentle and dignified treatment. The client may develop from this approach, however I can only surmise that as client centered therapy permits self-exploration, holistically healing the individual; it will not be suitable for all clients, as the question suggests but it is certainly suitable for dealing with the here and now and promotes self development.These modern times have seen a shift in emphasis with the medical approaches. The public are open to embrace different holistic therapies. Today the opportunities for people to try out new ideas and concepts are more readily available than ever before. Psychotherapy and counselling has flourished into a general acceptance. Some General practitioners promote counselling as a way forward rather than the patients only being offered powerful invasive drugs viewed with caution and some considered as highly addictive and not addressing the root of the client’s issue/s.I am in no doubt that through time and as this course progresses my perspective will change for the better. I have already started to question how I converse with peo ple on a one to one level. Questioning my ability to actually actively listen and observe my approach towards empathy & being non-judgemental. Feedback in class and group work will further contribute to these interpersonal skills in order to become a competent therapist.How I can/will deal with total honesty towards a client, under whatever circumstances, regardless of the client’s issue/s are certainly challenging tasks ahead of me. I am looking forward to practising the models and theories available. I understand that not every model or approach is suitable to every client and experience will help in my development for the good of the client. I am appreciative and thrilled to be living in today’s times, where opportunity and options are the norm for the majority of people.Today as a culture we not only require change but we encourage progress in the holistic world of therapies. REFERENCES: Rogers, C. (1951). Client Centered Therapy. UK: Constable & Robinson Ltd publi sher. Sanders, P. (2002). First Steps in Counselling. A Students’ companion for basic introductory courses Third edition, UK: Ross-on-Wye, Saunders, P. Franklin, A. Wilkins, P. (2009). Next Steps in Counselling Practise. Second edition, UK: Ross-on-Wye, PCCS Books. Saunders, P (2006). The Person-Centered Counselling Primer. UK: Ross-on-Wye, PCCS Books.

My Experience Of My Life - 1925 Words

Hearing, â€Å" You have now earned your wings,† was a proud moment for my sister, my mom, and I. I will tell you how this moment happened. I fell asleep somewhere around 1:30 a.m. It felt as if the instant I fell asleep I was woken back up. It was 3:30 a.m. and I had to get up and drive myself and my mom to the airport. I dazed off, and my eyes drifted shut as I drove the long, sleepy drive to St. Paul. I didn’t know what to expect going on a trip to Utah because I had only flown to Florida before. We took a shuttle to the airport from the parking ramp and I lead my mom through the airport to the plane. We flew into Houston, Texas for a layover flight. We missed our boarding for our flight so we had to sit in the Houston airport for about 3†¦show more content†¦It was just as hot without all the humidity, which was nice. Our shuttle finally arrived and we had to wait for more passengers. Of course the next thing that happened was that the passenger we had to wait for was a mom with her crying baby. We then drove to our hotel, in the packed shuttle bus, with the baby screaming in our ears, ugh! We got into our hotel and it was a nice place. We didn’t know of anything to do there so we just went out to the pool and sat there for a while. I got bored after awhile so I asked my mom if we could walk around. We were only a few blocks from the main street so, we headed off that way. One of the most amazing sights, was when I turned that corner onto main street all you can see is mountains, and the foothills behind it. I thought it was the coolest thing ever, looking straight down the street and seeing the vast green mountains towering over everything.I wanted to see some places we could possibly eat at, and since we had the time I also wanted to get as close to the mountains as I could get. So my mom and I took off walking towards the mountains. After about 20 minutes of walking my mom was getting sick of it and wanted to turn around. I was on a mission to keep getting closer so my mom stopped and sat down on a bench. I told her I was going to keep walking and I would meet her back there. I took off walking again, and I’m super glad that I did, because the SLC city hallShow MoreRelatedMy Experience In My Life742 Words   |  3 Pagesone has a perfect life or even a perfect family. At times I have experienced what losing someone or something that meant so much to me. I always wondered to myself about why these situations happen to me, which also led me to put myself in a depression stage. My father was diagnosed with liver cancer and infection in his stomach area in March 2015. As he was in and out of the hospital. First, Growing up I never had a good life but I was lucky to have both of my parents in my life. 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