Graduation Speech: Dont Let Them Crush Your Dreams :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Twelve years ago we started a journey. Today marks the end of that journey, and the beginning of another. For some, the road getting here was smooth. For others, the road was rough. But today, we leave all of those rough times behind us. We all set a goal, and now we have all achieved it. We have succeeded. Those of us who have made it here tonight have passed an immensely crucial milestone in our lives. From this point on our lives are entirely up to us. We have the power to become whatever we want, and to do anything we want to. Remember that every day, every hour, and every second which passes is what you make of it. From our last four years at Stanwood High, we have learned some sensible lessons. The first of which is that for every action we take, there will be consequences, good and bad. The discipline we encountered from the hands of the administrators was often swift and resolute. Secondly, we have all had friendships which weren't cemented in stone. In the future, don't be fooled by "pretend friends" as they tend to take advantage of you. In the famous words of our high school principal, Mr. Smith, "Don't bring drugs or alcohol to Stanwood High School." Drugs and alcohol will only get you in trouble. In the days ahead, we will encounter obstacles which must be hurdled. Do not succumb to these roadblocks and do not be fooled by detours. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always remember that if you make a decision by yourself, you are solely responsible for the outcome. And one last word of wisdom, people will always try to stand in the way of your dreams. Whether it's your cruel boss, or a jealous person, you must learn to get past them, or else they will always try to bring you down.

Ethical Decisions Essay

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a salesman, Joe Smith, uses the common good approach to make an ethical decision in making a possible uniform sale between UWEAR and Peninsula Hotels, Bill Batesman, CEO. Joe Smith has been reprimanded the year before when he signed the contract with Peninsula Hotels because the price he offered was so low. He has to bid so low because his competitor THREADS4U was a very shrewd bidder (Virtual Classroom-CTUO). This year the competitor, THREADS4U has offered Bill Batesman a 10% less bid than Joe Smith, UWEAR. Bill and Joe have also gained a personal friendship as they have done business with each other. Bill is considering to take the discounted bid with THREADS4U and Joe is desperate to save the contract with Peninsula Hotels. The contract with Peninsula Hotels is over 50% of Joe’s sale’s territory. He needs to gain approval from the management team with UWEAR to discuss the negotiations allowed (Virtual Classroom-CTUO). Who are the stakeholders in this situation? Stakeholders are those individuals, group or organization that has interest or concern in an organization. They can affect or be affected by the organization’s actions, objectives and policies. Not all stakeholders are equal. A company’s customers are entitled to fair trading practices, but they are not entitled to some consideration as the company’s employees (Business Dictionary, 2013). The stakeholders involved within this sales contract between Joe Smith and Bill Batesman are Joe Smith, salesman, management team, and employees of UWEAR. What are the responsibilities of each stakeholder to the company? Joe’s responsibility as a sales person is to secure business which adds to the company’s viability. The management team is to take the income for the business and insure profitability so employees can be retained and for shareholders to receive dividends (Clawson 2012). Employees have the responsibility of completing tasks assigned to insure quality and viability for the company. Four ethical responsibilities for each stakeholder. Joe’s ethical responsibility is to represent the company with a professional and ethical attitude. He is to make an ethical business decision based on the common good for viability of the company. He should use the common good ethical theory as a basis for all a sales decisions, as each sale affects the entire community of the UWEAR. He has a responsibility to share all necessary items that could factor the sale in a positive or negative manner (MUSE, 2010). The management team of UWEAR has the responsibility to organize the policies for all ethical decisions made by all employees. They should set projections to meet budgeted revenues to run the company. They are responsible to control expenditures for the company to reach projected profit (Watkins and MUSE). The management team has an ethical decision to work to peak performance to meet the ethical goals for the company. The employees are responsible for completing the task assigned to see that the company is profitable. They are to meet their job description according to the company’s standards. They are to represent the company with a professional and ethical attitude, as well. Employees need to realize all they do is for the common good of the company. Responses of Stakeholders Each stakeholder should respond with keeping the common good theory as a focus to obtain the goals as a team. Joe needs to understand ethics are about making choices that may not always feel good or seem like they benefit you, but are the right choices to make. They are the choices that are examples of model citizens and examples of the golden rules (Curry). His decision involves the entire business of UWEAR as all employees are looking at possible cuts and layoffs due to economic strains after a merger between UWEAR and PALEDENIM. The management team should respond as having the main focus of making profit for the company to meet the day to day expenses needed to run the company. As the employees should be concern by making sure the tasks assigned to make the product/items sold by UWEAR is presentable with quality for Joe to sale, as well as, the customer service provided after the sales contract is obtained. Joe’s proposal and support for proposalJoe needs to propose to the management team after merging with PALEDENIM there are additional items of a different quality he could offer to Peninsula Hotels and still be able to offer a reasonable quote. He needs to support his proposal by showing a list of additional items compared to last year’s contract UWEAR now offers at a lower cost, but feels Bill Batesman would be satisfied with the quality of uniform and product. He can inform them he has spent quality amount of time getting to know Bill since the contract is 50% part of his sales region. Spending this quality time with him has opened opportunities to discuss items further and you feel Bill would see the items as a positive means to and could show him how he could save. He could also, look at the turn-around-time of how the time of purchase compared to competitors meeting the same time of delivery, etc. Joe needs to demonstrate how a lower price could open other doors for new business which would could mean he would expand just by making an offer to Peninsula Hotels. Conclusion Joe, the management team, and employees of UWEAR need to build a program in how to deliver a common good as a team using ethical decisions. Each member of UWEAR needs to be aware of the policies of the company and meet the requirements within each department so profit can be the main goal for the company. If all parties have the common goal of profitability, in reality means quality of product and service, as well, even though it is managed by the management team Joe could obtain sales beyond Peninsula Hotels. Peninsula Hotels may be offered a lower price, but could mean Joe Smith needs to obtain additional clients to meet the profit goal set by management of UWEAR. The new merger could be what the public is looking for, but the company needs to have a reputable client to build a quality reputation for UWEAR. References Business Dictionary, 2013. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/stakeholder.html. Web Finance, Inc. Clawson, James G. (2012). Level three leadership: getting below the surface. (5th ed.). One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. Curry, Myron. Business Ethics Article: Ethics in the Workplace. http://www.business-arketing.com/article-businessethics.php My Unique Student Experience, M.U.S.E. (2010). Theories and Ethics. Approaches to Ethical Decision Making. Colorado Technical University Online. https://campus.ctuonline.edu/ courses/INTD670-X/p1/hub1/9206.pdf. Career Education Corporation. My Unique Student Experience, M.U.S.E. (2010). Theories and Ethics. Manager as a Leader. Colorado Technical University Online. https://campus.ctuonline.edu/courses/INTD670-X/p1/hub1/9206.pdf. Career Education Corporation. Virtual Classroom, 2013. INTD670-1303B-03, Leadership and Ethical Decision Making. Dr. Edward Goold. Colorado Technical University Online. Watkins, Michael D. (2009). Harvard Business Review: How Managers Become Leaders. June, 2012. Vol. 90 (6). pp 64-72.

Thermal Properties of Glass Transition

Fiber reinforced polymer composites are often used as structural components that are exposed to extremely high or low heats. These applications include: Automotive engine componentsAerospace and military productsElectronic and circuit board componentsOil and gas equipment The thermal performance of an FRP composite will be a direct result of the resin matrix and the curing process. Isophthalic, vinyl ester, and epoxy resins generally have very good thermal performance properties. While orthophthalic resins most often exhibit poor thermal performance properties. Additionally, the same resin can have vastly different properties, depending on the curing process, curing temperature, and time cured. For example, many epoxy resins require a post-cure to help reach the highest thermal performance characteristics. A post-cure is the method of adding temperature for a duration of time to a composite after the resin matrix has already cured through the thermosetting chemical reaction. A post cure can help align and organize the polymer molecules, further increasing structural and thermal properties. Tg - The Glass Transition Temperature FRP composites can be used in structural applications that require elevated temperatures, however, at higher temperatures, the composite can lose modulus properties. Meaning, the polymer can soften and become less stiff. The loss of modulus is gradual at lower temperatures, however, each polymer resin matrix will have a temperature that when reached, the composite will transition from a glassy state to a rubbery state. This transition is called the glass transition temperature or Tg. (Commonly referred to in conversation as T sub g). When designing a composite for a structural application, it is important to make sure the FRP composites Tg will be higher than the temperature it might ever be exposed to. Even in non-structural applications, the Tg is important as the composite can change cosmetically if the Tg is exceeded. Tg is most commonly measured using two different methods: DSC - Differential Scanning Calorimetry This is a chemical analysis which detects energy absorption. A polymer requires a certain amount of energy to transition states, much like water requires a certain temperature to transition to steam. DMA - Dynamic Mechanical Analysis This method physically measures stiffness as heat is applied, when a rapid decrease in modulus properties occurs, the Tg has been reached. Although both methods of testing the Tg of a polymer composite are accurate, it is important to use the same method when comparing one composite or polymer matrix to another. This reduces variables and provides a more accurate comparison.