DINING ROOM MANAGEMENT Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

DINING ROOM MANAGEMENT - Assignment Example In the preparation of a concept theme of a restaurant involves several considerations (Ignacio 54). This paper will attempt to prepare a concept theme for a restaurant that does not avail quick service to its customers. This restaurant, however, avails all the other types of services. When establishing a restaurant business, it is essential to make a decision regarding the operational strategy. The owner should have a clear idea about the restaurant even before moving forward. The plans for the new restaurant will automatically be composed of the established type of service. The restaurant will possibly be within the fundamental categories of services such as fine dining, full-service restaurants, fat-casual restaurant, and casual restaurant. Unlike other restaurants, this restaurant will not include the quick service option. First, this restaurant will have the characteristics of full-service restaurants. These are the type of restaurants where there is an encapsulation of the idea of moving out to have a meal though that is old-fashioned. These types of restaurants will invite their guests to be seated around the tables while the attendants or servers take the full order of the guests and serve them the foods and the drinks (Huiskamp 489). This restaurant will typically have the establishments of fine dining and partly casual eateries. The employees will include hosts and hostesses, bartenders and servers. It is aimed that the restaurant gains the perceived value with beautiful and unique dà ©cor, special dishes, and renowned chefs. Being a full-service restaurant, it will also encompass casual dining. This will imply that the restaurant will be typically affordable and mostly meant to satisfy the needs of families. It will be offering a full-service table, but the food, service and dà ©cor will be less remarkable than the fine dining

Helios Solar Farm Project Scope Construction Essay

Helios Solar Farm Project Scope Construction Essay The purpose of this scope statement is to define, document, approve, and control the scope of a 100MW Solar Energy Plant Project of Phoenix Group. The appointed project team shall plan, execute, control, and close the project according to this document. Overview of the project Project Name: Helios Solar Farm Nature: 100MW Photovoltaic Power Plant Location: Greece Time: 5 years after project initiation date Cost: 400,000,000.00 Euro The renewable energy sector has experienced significant growth in recent years fuelled by EU energy policy, technological innovation, and rising fossil fuel prices. On April 25, 2007, the Hellenic Regulatory Energy Authority (REA) issued a National Program for the Development of Power Stations in Greece, which state that by the end of 2010, 21% of Electric Energy consumed must be from Renewable Energy sources as per commitments to EU Strategic Development. Encouraged by the policy and the continuous investment return and low operating risk nature of Solar Power Project, the Phoenix Group decide to establish a 100MW Photovoltaic Power Plant named Phoenix Solar Energy Plant in Greece. Project Scope The Helios Solar Farm will be a ground-based very large scale photovoltaic power plant consisting of 10 inter-connected solar farms, each capable of producing 10 MW of electricity within a margin of 5%. Once completed, it shall cater for the electricity needs of over 1,500,000 solar panels which can annually generate 100,000 MWh electricity to fulfill the needs of approx. 30,000 family homes, and save around 50,000 Tones CO2 per year. Project Objectives To design and to construct the Photovoltaic Power Plant. To be profitable not only for the shareholders but also the final users. To have efficient communication and organization through all the project development. Dismantle the entire complex at the life cycles end (35 years after construction). Capitalize on any technological breakthroughs take place during the design/build and construction phase of the project within the fields of Architecture, Engineering, Sociology and Business. The initial planning budget for this project is 400,000,000.00 Euro Project Requirements: Provide Project Management services throughout the projects life-cycle. Provide maintenance services for a period of 35 years after finishing construction. Define business units for the performance of the project as logistics, purchasing, engineering, marketing, accounting and finance and so on. Determine the policies for the project development as the foundation. Acquire funding, sponsorships and strategic partnerships by means of Business Development. Environment research. To set up logistical routes to enhance effective and low cost material transportation. Planning for overall the project such as materials, human resources, etc. Quality controls. Project Assumptions: Stable long term investment return. Improve quality of life. Worlds biggest photovoltaic power plant. Long term benefits for economy and environment. Project Constraints: A negative position in the public ´s mind as activism, monopolies, traditionalist ideology, corruption. Mega Project scale. A risk of snowball effect when small problem might occurred but without been detected because the magnitude of the project. Lack of material or skilled labor. Global economic situation. Lack of sponsor and/or client commitment. Supply Chain shortfalls. Limited Logistics capacity of selected location. Project Deliverables: 100MW Photovoltaic Power Plant delivered 5 years following Project Initiation. Connection to main power grid. To provide sustainable facilities according to Eco- friendly policies. Conformance to relevant Standards, Codes of Practice (CoP), HAZMAT and Health and Safety guidelines. Plant decommissioning at the end of the projected life cycle. Provide Operation and Maintenance (OM) Manuals. Project Acceptance Criteria: The Project will be delivered within the agreed time and budget Everything has to be test and should fulfill the highest quality standards according to the established criteria. Paperwork should be submitted at delivery time. Periodical Auditing/Quality checks carried out in regular intervals throughout the Project. Reports and status progress should be delivered in the team meetings. Semi-independent operational status for each division to ensure flexibility. Divisions should operate according to project needs and requirements but have to adhere to the following constraints: Project Organization Structure Project Management Provide Project Services throughout the projects life cycle. Conduct Risk Assessment on a quarterly basis. Provide Time and Cost management services. Implement QMS Perform QA in accordance with implemented QMS. Supply Chain Division All tasks should be accomplished and performed according to the shipment policies and products specifications. Freight quotes agreements and contracts should be specify at the beginning of the project for the project duration, price increases should be regulated with a matrix and % limits in order to overpass the budget. Constant supervision and tracking transportation performance in order to avoid delayed material. To hire a customs agencies in order to fulfill the import regulations and to prevent extra costs. Warehouse forecast and cycle counts. Customs and taxes verification completed before the imports. Engineering Design and Build according to current Eurocode Codes and Standards, amend if necessary. Complete Pilot project prior to initiation of the Design Phase. Provide full set of drawings. Technical Specifications should adhere to current Eurocode Codes and Standards. Use of green materials and techniques where applicable. Risk analysis Compile Health and Safety Manuals. Provide decommission plan in compliance with current Hazmat Codes and Standards. Human Resources Personnel salaries should conform to current international treaties and regulations, with annual readjustments. Roles and responsibility description documentation should have done before starting the project. Detailed HRM will be performed by each Division semi-autonomously. Detailed and clear Union agreements should be signed and documented before starting the construction or hiring according to current laws and regulations. Conflict resolution always has to be guided by the established policies. Business Development Budgets and reports has to be accurate and be done by using the latest information and reliable data including external factors like tax rates, possible changes in taxes or any other variable covering a range of 12 to 15 years within reasonable forecasting capabilities.. Liaison duties following project initiation phase up to 3 years before completion to ensure political and public support, forming of strategic alliances/partnerships in inter-governmental and international organization level. Perform a Feasibility Study prior to initiation of Design Phase. Publicity campaign strongly oriented into the positive positioning. Contra-marketing plan in order to fight negative public opinion. Initial Work Breakdown Structure Politic statement Purpose Provide guidance for planning and handling negotiations with land owners and authorities in concern of Helios Solar Farm project. Scope This statement provides guidance for purchasing/leasing land, communication with public authority. Land Purchasing/Leasing Policy All activities involve purchasing and/or leasing of land during the project life cycle shall be reported to the project Management Board and must be conducted in accordance with the following procedure: I. An application and a report containing the complete details of the land (location, environment, legal owner, value, term of use, applicable laws or regulations, and etc.) must be filed and submitted to the Management Board by the Project Manager. II. If the application is approved by the Management Board, the board will grant an operating budget as state in the application to the Project Team, and will have authority to make expenditures within that budget. The project manager will be charged with the responsibility of preparing and executing legal agreement with land owner(s), and ensuring appraisal of land selected in terms of cost and suitability. III. The Management Board has right to deny an application, and the denied application shall not be submitted again. IV. While dealing and negotiating with the landowner and any relevant third party, the project team shall bear in mind the matter of confidential of the project. Public Communication Policy While communicating with any public authority, the project team shall keep in mind that: I. All external communication shall be documented. II. Communication shall be effective and efficient. III. Develop sustaining effective relationships with authorities. IV. Promote company image and reputation. V. All communications that may influence the project must be reported to the Project Manager. Environment statements Purpose: State the environmental objectives of the Helios Solar Farm Project. Scope: This statement provides a guidance to manage the environment throughout the Project Life Cycle. . Environmental Policy: I. The Project Manager shall educate, train and motivate staff to conduct their activities in an environmentally responsible manner. II. All activities in the project shall conform to most international environmental regulations and standards. III. Conduct an environmental impact assessment of each project phase, and act accordingly. Quality Policy Phoenix Group is committed to uphold the following quality statements: Achieve or exceed customer expectations. Maintain and expand employee competencies. Strive for constant improvement. Take all necessary steps to achieve project goals. Probable quality issues during the course of the project Quality involves everyone and all activities in the projects, any mistake or constrain can affect the whole project quality. Examples of lack of quality are: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Lack of skilled labor. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Mistake in management process. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Low quality material. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Delay in product delivery. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Customer requirement not fulfilled. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Installation shortfalls à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Capacity limits of harbor in selected location. Cause-and-effect Diagram Quality criteria of the project Customer Satisfaction: Customer and stakeholders requirements are fulfilled. Product and service quality data collection processes are well established. Business planning criteria: The project planning process is well established. All plans are reviewed regularly for progress and corrective actions taken when necessary. The business planning process includes managing the linkage to other areas of the value delivery chain. The vision and planned strategic are achieved. Business results are achieved as a result of good business planning. Management criteria: Project objectives, goals and schedules are clearly defined. There is a good data collection, analysis and understanding of root cause. Alternative solutions are reviewed and results have been achieved. Reviews are standardized and future plans are made. Key processes or activities are monitored and controlled. The key processes or activities are managed systematically. The project performance method has routinely been improved and documented Employee development criteria: Project and quality team are well managed. Employee training programs are implemented and sustained. Employees are empowered to make decisions and proposals. Quality audits system Follow the instruction of ISO 10011-1 Standard for Planning and Performing Quality Audits, we suggest similar project in the future shall follow the procedures listed below to perform the quality audit to improve its quality: Prepare an audit plan, this should be prepared by the audit manager and approved by the customer before the audit begins. The plan will define the objectives and scope of the audit, explain how long each phase of the audit will take, specify where and when the audit will be carried out.  It will also introduce the lead auditor and his team members, identify the quality elements, the groups and areas that will be audited, list the documents and records that will be studied and the people who are responsible for quality and whose areas and functions will be audited. The plan has to explain when meetings will be held with auditees senior management, and clarify who will get the final audit  report and when it will be ready. (ISO 10011-1) Perform the audit plan. This step starts with having an open meeting with the auditees senior management to introduce the audit team and the audit plan, confirm that the auditee is ready to support the audit process.  Then, the auditors have to Prepare audit working papers, such as quality management checklists and forms for record observations and collect evidence.   The evidence can be collected by interviewing personnel, reading documents, reviewing manuals, studying records, reading reports, scanning files, analyzing data, observing activities and examining conditions. Evidence shall be confirmed by more objective means.   Clues can be found through investigate evidences; the auditors must study the evidence and  document their observations; key nonconformities which are supported by the evidence and cross-referenced to the standards that are being violated must be listed. Auditors must draw conclusions about how  well the quality system is applying its policies and ach ieving  its objectives, and discuss evidence, observations, conclusions, recommendations, and nonconformities with senior managers of auditee before they prepare a final audit report.   (ISO 10011-1) Prepare the final audit report. The audit report should be dated  and signed by the lead auditor. This report should include the detailed audit plan, a review of the collected evidence, a discussion of the conclusions that were drawn, a list of the nonconformities that were identified, a judgment about how well the quality system  complies with all quality system requirements, and an assessment of the quality systems ability to achieve   quality objectives and apply the quality system policy.   The final report shall be sent to the client by lead auditor, and the client should send it to the auditee. (ISO 10011-1) The final step is to take remedial actions to correct or prevent nonconformities; and  a follow-up audits should be scheduled in order to verify that corrective and preventive actions were taken. (ISO 10011-1)

The Change of Wang Lungs Attitude Essay example -- essays research pa

Though Wang Lung has his had a concubine. He persists on keeping the land and did not want to sell it even though his family was starving. He has more bad points than his good points. Now I will explain why Wang Lung is a bad man. Money was a main factor in Wang Lung's attitude which changed completely many times because of his wealth. At the beginning of the story Wang Lung is a poor farmer who always thinks carefully about how he spends his money. As he was a poor farmer, Wang Lung was filled with fear when he first approaches the House of Hwang to collect O-Lan . On his second visit, Wang Lung is already prospering from his crops. This behavior is in contrast to the beginning of the plot, where he is reluctant to drink tea because it is expensive. When O-Lan asks Wang Lung if she should put tea leaves in his father's hot water, he would have liked to say, "`Certainly there must be tea leaves. Do you think we are beggars?'†. However, he does not want O-Lan to think that they are poor, so instead he makes an excuse, "`Tea? No no it makes my cough worse.'". These two incidents i...

Organic Foods: Is It Worth It? Essay

Organic foods cost more than regular food, but are they worth it? Is it really better for your health? And are they really more nutritious? Should you buy organic food even though you are a student and has very little money? These are all questions that have probably passed through your mind now that you no longer have your parents to go grocery shopping and cook for you. But because there are no research that can prove that eating organic is healthier, and there is no research that shows that eating regular food is just as healthy, no real answer for your question exists. However, there are some articles like Alex Berger’s â€Å"Organic Foods are a Healthier Alternative† and Nancy Sprague’s â€Å"Counterpoint: Organic Food is Unnecessary and the Current Food Supply is Safe† that can help you make a decision. Alex Berger, the writer of â€Å"Organic Foods are a Healthier Alternative†, however, believes that eating organic food is not only beneficial to one’s health; organic foods also have many other benefits. He says, â€Å"Organic foods tend to be richer in nutrients, perhaps because they are grown in soil with more complex micronutrients. †[1] Gerber then continues to say that organic foods have more than just health and nutritional benefits; it also has environmental benefits and social stability. [2] Berger views organic foods as a friend. Although, they are expensive, they are much healthier, provide much more nutrition, and they also help the environment. The benefits of organic foods outweigh the negativities that were never mentioned in his article. Berber’s argument is truly persuasive. His words makes the reader feel moved to believe that organic food is healthy, such as â€Å"agricultural chemicals may pose a greater risk to some individual. †[3] His threat makes the reader feel scared that eating normal, processed food can harm them, which will lead readers to feel that organic food is the healthier option. Although Berger seems to be a very reliable source, Berger is just a writer with no scientific background except for a PhD in Anthropology, a degree that doesn’t have anything to do with nutrition. This makes him seem to be a rather unreliable source for nutritional advice. Another writer, Nancy Sprague, thinks otherwise. She believes that the food supply that we have now is safe as it is. Organic food is an unnecessary luxury that is expensive and there is no guarantee that it is healthier. She says, â€Å"When food is defined as organic, it simply means that the producer has employed an approved organic food production system—the producer is not guaranteeing the safety or quality of the product. By being misled into believing that buying organic guarantees food safety, consumers are sometimes more likely to be harmed by an organic food than by one purchased from a commercial supplier. †[4]. Sprague views organic food as a luxurious item that she doesn’t need. She argues that there are no research that can prove organic food is healthier. Instead, research have shown that organic food has as many bacteria, vitamins, and etc. as processed food. [5] Sprague’s method of writing easily persuades her readers. Her choice of words scares readers into believing that the organic industry’s goal is to fool their consumers. For example, she says, â€Å"Organic raw mulch is outlawed by many farm bureaus because it is likely to carry pathogens and infectious potential†. In one sentence, Sprague overrides the other sides’ argument that organic food is safer, and points out that instead of being safe, organic food is more likely to carry infectious bacteria. This scares readers into wondering whether or not the organic food industry is lying; and forces readers to think, have I been a fool for trusting the companies’ advertisements all this time? Sprague’s writing style of inflicting fear and doubt into the reader makes readers feel that she is a knowledgeable source. This in turn develops her credibility as an author in nutrition. However, before trusting Sprague completely, readers have to realize that her opinions are very one-sided and they should question their trust in all of her information. Both sides have points that make their side very convincing, both sides have research that proves their points, and both sides have important things to say. However, in the end it is still up you, as the reader, to decide what you want in your food. It is up to you to decide if you want junk food, healthy food, and/ or organic food. But, you have to choose wisely because food has the power to decide your future. Food affects everything from your weight, to your health, and many times it even has the ability to affect your person as a whole. Today, you might be eating a cheeseburger, but tomorrow you might be in the hospital emergency room with a heart attack. This is why a few bad food choices can put your education and, maybe one day, even your life in imminent danger. Overall, what goes into our food is so important that both sides of the argument agree that the government has and needs regulations that force both regular food processors and organic farmers to meet; and that the EPA has and needs their standards to rise continuously to improve our food source. Both authors believe what you put into your mouth is an important issue. But, their beliefs are not enough to change the world. In the end, their belief systems are not the most important thing because you are the one who chooses what you eat. You are the one who has to find the answer. So, please tell me, who are you and which side of the food debate are you on? Bibliography Berger, Adam. â€Å"Point: Organic Foods are a Healthier Alternative. † Points of View Reference Center: EBSCOhost. August 2009. (accessed June 14, 2010). Lindner, Larry. â€Å"Organically Grown Food: Is it Really a Better Choice?. † Environment Complete: EBSCOhost. May 2002. (accessed June 14, 2010). Peterson, Elizabeth. â€Å"Organic Foods: To Buy or Not To Buy?. † Environment Complete: EBSCOhost. October 2004. (accessed June 14, 2010). Sprague, Nancy. â€Å"Counterpoint: Organic Food is Unnecessary & the Current Food Supply is Safe. † Points of View Reference Center: EBSCOhost. 2009. (accessed June 14, 2010). [1] Adam Berger, â€Å"Point: Organic Foods are a Healthier Alternative,† Points of View: Organic Food (August 2009): 2. Points of View Reference Center, EBSCOhost (accessed June 14, 2010). [2] Adam Berger, â€Å"Point: Organic Foods are a Healthier Alternative,† Points of View: Organic Food (August 2009) [3] Ibid. 2. [4] Nancy Sprague, â€Å"Counterpoint: Organic Food is Unnecessary & the Current Food Supply is Safe,† (2009): 3, Points of View Reference Center: EBSCOhost (accessed June 14, 2010). [5] Ibid.

Tennessee Valley Authority

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was the first large regional planning agency created by the United States Government in May of 1933. The TVA was one of the most innovative and significant ideas of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to help tackle the economic, social, and political problems in the Tennessee Valley, a region with no economic growth and was heavily impacted before and after the Great Depression. The TVA is a federally owned corporation that provided a series of environmental regulations and resource management to help stabilize and generate economic growth in the Tennessee Valley. The regulation includes: flood control, fertilizer manufacturing, electrical generation, and economic development. The TVA was a significant economic development agency and a regulator during the time. This paper will provide the history and the foundation of the TVA and the essential significance of it to help construct and developed economic and political achievement from regionally to nationally. Tennessee Valley The Tennessee Valley was one of the most impoverished and poor areas of the United States. This region was one of the hardest hit regions after the Great Depression. Much of the land had been farmed too hard for too long, which erodes and depleted the soil (Ezzell). Crop productions had fallen along with farm incomes. Sadly, this region showed no economic growth before and after the Great Depression. Due to this reason the government had established the Tennessee Valley Authority. Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1930s When President Franklin Delano Roosevelt won the election of 1932, he pledged himself to the American people for a â€Å"New Deal†. This order of central economic agenda and economic stimulus plan includes the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). On March 1933, Congress and President Roosevelt passed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act to aim for reforestation and the proper use of the marginal lands in the Tennessee Valley (Ezzell). The TVA regulated proper forest, controlled forest fires, and to boost environmental habitats for wildlife. It also promised to improve navigability on the Tennessee River, as well as providing flood controls (U-S-History. com). The most significant transformation during the 1930s was electricity generated by the Tennessee Valley Authority dams. Due to electricity, farmers were more productive and sufficient. Modern devices also made farming much more sufficient and prolific. Electricity also inspired and drew in industries into the Tennessee Valley region. This provided the jobs necessary for those in needs and created even more jobs. Many privately owned power companies in the Tennessee Valley were either bought by the federal government or went out of business because they could not compete with the TVA during the time. There were also Government regulations that were put into effect to prevent competition with the TVA. Controversies There were many economic libertarians who believed the government should not be involved in the electricity generation business. Libertarians fear that government intervention and possession would result to the misuse of hydroelectric sites. The TVA was one of the first federal hydropower organizations. The TVA encountered many setbacks and failures and was involved in many controversies. In the case of Ashwander vs. Tennessee Valley Authority, the court distinguished that regulating commerce among the states includes regulation of streams and that controlling floods is required for keeping streams navigable, and is therefore, considered constitutional (Badger). Directions of the TVA The TVA was presided over by three-member board who held differing ideas about the direction of the TVA (U-S-History. com). A man by the name of Arthur Morgan believed in social planning. His view on the TVA was that it was an opportunity to establish a relationship between government and privately owned businesses. Another man by the name of Harcourt Morgan believed and supported the elimination of poverty and the unemployment of the Tennessee Valley and that it should be the representation for national and regional development. David Lilienthal was a promoter of public power who wanted the TVA to compete directly with the private power interests. There were major conflicts between the three men until March 1938 when President Roosevelt dismissed Morgan for his public criticism of the TVA (U-S-History. com). Dams The first major construction ever built by the Tennessee Valley Authority was the Norris Dam. Named after Senator George W Norris for his creativity and inventiveness. The dam is a hydroelectric and flood control structure located on the Clinch River in Tennessee. The dam was constructed in the 1930s to initiate and establish economic growth to the region and to control the unrestrained flooding that had long afflicted the Tennessee Valley. TVA constructed a total of sixteen dams and steam plant between 1933 and 1944 (Ezzell). Due to the massive constructions the employment reached approximately 28,000 workers. This impacted significantly in the Tennessee Valley region and provided immediate economic growth. Economic Development of the TVA and the Significant Changes By the 1960s, the Tennessee Valley region experienced a significant economic growth. The overall environment of the region was in better shape. This means that farms and forests were extremely in good conditions. The TVA had delivered efficient generating units into service. The electric rates were among the nation’s lowest (Ezzell). Due to the unprecedented growth, the TVA had aimed for a different direction. The TVA began building nuclear plants as a new source of economic power (Ezzell). However, due to the increase of cost in electricity and fuel and the decrease in demand and construction cost rising in the early 1970s, the TVA shut down several nuclear plants. The TVA started to become more productive and efficient while cutting costs. By the late 1980s, TVA had replaced its variable power rates with a fixed rate that lasted for a long period of time. TVA in the 1990s to present day Like many other power industries that are moving towards restructuring, the TVA prepared for competition. The TVA set an agenda to meet the energy needs of the Tennessee Valley. The company cut back on operation costs by nearly a billion dollars every year, it reduced its workforce, stopped building nuclear plants, and generated full capacity of its plants (Edsforth). There were many significant changes for power industries that the TVA had to prove itself to the public. The TVA had to prove its responsibility, efficiency, and reliability. (Edsforth) Conclusion Before and after the Great Depression, the Tennessee Valley was proven to be an impoverished region with high unemployment rates and low standards of living. During the election of 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt won by a landslide, defeating Herbert Hoover. He had pledged himself to the American people for a â€Å"New Deal†. Within the structure of the New Deal was the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). This was one of FDR’s most innovative and successful programs up to this day. The TVA established environmental regulations and resource management. TVA had impacted many aspects of American politics and economics. The TVA definitely established economic growth and nurtured it through providing jobs. The TVA held its strategy to its solution even as the issues changes over the years. It also had changed the lives of farmers because farming became much more productive and efficient due to its modernized devices. The electricity-generated dams attracted many industries into the region of the Tennessee Valley, providing the jobs for those needed. Up to today, the TVA had proved to be a very stable and successful government operated organization. The power system continues to operate with an astonishing level of reliability and dependability. TVA continues to strengthen its position as a leader in energy and environmental issues.