Timberlands Model Essay Example for Free

Timberlands Model Essay 1a) How would you characterize Timberlands exercise of its corporate power in society? Timberland uses its corporate power in society not only to make a profit, but to help others. It is a rarity for a company to go as far as Timberland has gone to make a huge difference in society. Whether participating in its City Year to Service program that serves its communities; or becoming carbon neutral, Timberland has paved the way and reflects a company that not only cares about its communities, but also cares about the environment. 1b) Is Timberland engaging multiple stakeholders in its business operations? If so how? Yes. Timberland’s Chief EarthKeeper and CEO Jeff Swartz, hosts regular stakeholder engagement calls to inform, inspire, and engage others about Timberlands corporate initiatives. They allow stakeholders to dialogue in a public forum. Past calls have covered topics such as corporate climate strategies, responsible sourcing, eco labeling, community greening, and the current state of corporate responsibilities. 2a) Has Timberland balanced its economic and social responsibilities through its various programs, such as the Path to Service program and sustainability goals? Yes, Timberland planned to build 15 community gardens worldwide and refurbish 80 playgrounds by 2009, utilizing the more than 76,000 employee volunteer service hours. The company contributes 2% of its pre-taxed income annually and makes grants to many non-profit organizations, including many of those it aids through its service projects. They advocated an ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2010, meaning they would eliminate or offset its own carbon footprint by reducing emissions at its facilities and this can be seen in its Ontario, CA distribution center where 60 percent of its power is generated through installation of new solar panels. The solar installation reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 480,000 pounds annually. In the Dominican Republic plant, Timberland installed a wind turbine and solar heating panels to provide approximately 30,000 kilowatt-hours of clean renewable energy each year. 2b) Are the companys programs examples of enlightened self-interest? Yes, because Timberland considers what they call earthkeeping, common sense. Earthkeeping allows them to make their products by using recycled materials and also allows them to use renewable energy in their facilities. Earthkeeping is second nature to them. Their belief is that earthkeeping will help them create and sell better gear for customers to enjoy the outdoors and to protect the outdoors by being environmentally responsible. 3. What impact do you think that the current economic recession may have on Timberlands social programs? With the recession, most companies are cutting back on company-sponsored programs to stay profitable. There is no doubt that this has affected the Timberland Corporation as well. However, as the article noted, with 95% of employee participation in the companys sponsored program, if the company could no longer sponsor the program, greater than 50% would most likely stay. 4. How would you improve Timberlands corporate social responsibility program? Timberlands corporate social responsibility program, although great, could improve by involving its shareholders in its green efforts. Timberland could promise dividends if its green-goals are met quarterly. This would give its shareholders a vested interest in ensuring Timberland continues its corporate social responsibility programs. Update: Even after the economic slowdown in 2007 through 2009, Jeffrey Swartz has continued to look for ways to not only improve the communities his company affects, but also to improve the company. He has turned his monitoring inward on his factories and launched improvement programs that have improved working conditions for his employees. As he stated in Timberlands 2009 Earthkeeper Report, The results from our remediation efforts also support our belief that going beyond monitoring and beyond factory walls is critical to addressing workers’ needs. The article also mentions that they have eliminated high-risk issues from some of their footwear sourcing channels and seen their business partners increase their scores on Timberlands Code of Conduct assessments which help measure working condition improvements. References Retrieved from http://www.timberland.com

Limits to Growth in Elite Sport :: Sports Sport Athletics Essays

Limits to Growth in Elite Sport ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the ethical implications and problems in elite sport as it gets closer to the human performance limit. Modern elite sport must be viewed on the background of the idea of systematic progress. The Olympic motto, 'citius, altius, fortius'-faster, higher, stronger-gives a precise concentration of this idea. Modern sport is also influenced by the liberal idea of a free market where actors can perform, compete and be rewarded according to performance. However, one may ask why and how athletes are willing to risk their health and even their life on the free market of sport when they do the extreme: push limits, break records, set new standards, develop new events. This paper discusses what may be the result as sport moves toward the limits of human performance. The ethical focus on the development of the elite sport should not be restricted to the individual athlete, but should also include the various systems that make up elite spor t. Other actors, like coaches, leaders, sponsors, medical personnel, service people, etc., are taking part in the same development. One problem in the modern context is that society is divided into different moral sectors. What is accepted in entertainment or art may not be accepted in sport. It is suggested that we should develop a common ethic for all performance-centered activities like music, painting, science and research, acrobatics and stunts, acting, top politics and business. Or one could include all situations and events where people are put under extreme stress and have to perform well, like during expeditions, in idealistic humanitarian work, during hazards, and catastrophes. At the same time, one should not develop a sort of elite ethic. We need a new ethic that defines the ethical tolerance level in elite sport and that also points to some of the possibilities for development of both character and virtues under extreme pressure. Introduction The Olympic motto  «citius, altius, fortius » - faster, higher, stronger - gives a precise concentrate of the strong belief in eternal progress. To break barriers, to push limits, is very important and central in elite sport; to be the first under 10 seconds on 100 meter sprint for men, the first under 4 minutes in one English mile, the first over 6 meter in pole-vaulting or the first over 9 meter in long jump, and so on.

Irony in ‘a Gospel According to Mark’

Irony in ‘A Gospel according to Mark’ How would you feel accepting somebody into your family and allowing them to preach to you when they are not a religious believer themselves? As we learn more in Jorge Luis Borges story ‘The Gospel according to Mark’ we find a unique message that there exists some greater power in the universe that punishes those that do preach what they do not believe. Borges uses irony in a setting to realize the importance of knowing what you teach and the potential, yet extreme dangers of not doing so.In 1914 his family moved to Switzerland, where he studied at the College de Geneve. The family travelled widely in Europe, including stays in Spain. On his return to Argentina in 1921, Borges began publishing his poems and essays in surrealist literary journals. His work was translated and published widely in the United States and in Europe. Borges himself was fluent in several languages. Borges dedicated his final work, Los Conjurados ( The Conspirators), to the city of Geneva, Switzerland, and it was there, in 1986, that he chose to die (para 2).Early in the story we get an idea for the character of Espinosa. Borges says â€Å"We may describe him for now as no different to any of the many young men of Buenos Aires, with no particular traits worthy of note other than an almost unlimited kindness and an oratorical faculty that had earned him several prizes from the English school in Ramos Mejia† (186). Espinosa is introduced as a skilled speaker, non-confrontational, who is thirty-three years old. Borges describes him as having â€Å"no traits worthier of note than the gift for public speaking†¦ e didn't like to argue† (186). Jesus was renowned for his powerful sermons, peaceful nature, and most of the information available about him starts when he is in his thirties. However, the similarities in personality end there, because unlike Jesus, Espinosa is a freethinker, at least in name, who prefers city living. As we get deeper into the story ’A gospel according to mark’ Borges continually relates stories and similarity’s in the events that leave a clear indication of Jesus and the Bible.Borges tells the readers ,Espinosa is â€Å"thirty-three† with â€Å"an almost unlimited kindness and a capacity for public speaking,† (187) making him comparable to Christ at the age of His Crucifixion, who had gained followers with his kindness and charisma. Also, Espinosa, who is stranded indoors with the Gutres family after a large flood that is reminiscent of the Biblical account of Noah’s Ark. Espinosa is once more comparable to Christ when he cures a pet goat with â€Å"pills,† an act which resembles magic to the rural family.By creating this resemblance to Jesus, Borges manages to keep us thinking how good Espinosa is being towards the Gutres and therefore doesn’t give us an opportunity to think of the events that later take place . This is all a part of creating the Irony of the story. Borges uses irony to create and intriguing story. As we are becoming more familiar with the story and the character of Espinosa we believe things are moving smoothly between him and the Gutres family. This shows when Borges characterizes the Gutres as Christ’s followers and writes, â€Å"as if lost without [Espinosa,] liked following him from room to room†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (186).From this we can see how they have become almost reliant on Espinosa and how much of an impact he has had on them. This is where we start to learn the key irony of the story. Espinosa is not religious and only prays before bed because of a promise he had made to his mother. This is ironic in itself as it makes the Christ figure of the story not religious, causing the reader to believe it strange later when Espinosa begins to read to the Gutres from the Bible. Borges sets the scene later for the even greater irony than to be expected.As readers we e xpect Espinosa to die of a metaphorical crucifixion, we are taken back to how precise the death of Christ is. The Gutres take the story seriously and don’t see it as the story it is but as if it is orders from their Christ figure. When they later on crucify their Christ, this reveals the greater irony of the story which is the man who calls himself a â€Å"free thinker† (187) and is almost ignorant towards religion is actually seen as the Christ figure essentially leading himself and instructing his own death by the Gutres.The lesson that is opened to Espinosa’s eyes at the end of the story as he realizes what is happening is also one taught to the reader. Both Espinosa and the reader realize, through the ironic situations of the story, the importance of knowing what you teach and the potential, yet extreme, dangers of not doing so. Works Cited Barnet, Sylvan, William Burto & William E. Cain. eds. An Introduction to Literature. 16th ed. New York: Pearson, 2011. Print Last name, initial of first name. Title of the article in italics. 24 Feb 2013. Date published. Placed it was published. Web. URL.

The Power Of The Human Brain - 1278 Words

Expectations Motivate The human mind has the ultimate power and limitless potential to create results, aspiration, and knowledge. As Swami Vivekananda said, â€Å"We are responsible for what we are and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves.† The power of the human brain is what one wants it to be. Society expects a great deal from individuals, but this is only a motivator. The influence of society and personal experiences both cause people to gain further intelligence from power of one’s brain. Individuals must utilize the power of their own brain to further advance themselves in life. Most often, people aspire to advance themselves in life through the influence of societal expectations. Society influences us to gain higher intelligence partly because of the rapid development of the education system and a higher dependence on academic proficiency. Throughout many years, the education system is rapidly advancing. While the education system is advancing, so are the expectations of student development. In the 1700’s, only young boys were allowed into the education system to prepare for Ivy League colleges. With fewer schools, students during this time did not receive a proper education. This issue caused society to not expect as much from young men and women. During this time, education was not prominent for individuals. From this predicament, a main problem arose. The illiteracy rate became a lasting problem until the 2000’s. For men in theShow MoreRelatedThe Po wer of the Human Brain Essays842 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Humans have been considered the highest form of living things on earth . This is not attributed to the fact that the human body is strong or agile , because there are multiple animals that possess strength and agility far beyond the imagination of humans . The main characteristic that distinguishes humans from all other organisms is the brain . 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