Organisations for information technology professionals

Executive Summary:Whether we like it or non we are all impacted by branding, from the apparels we wear to what we eat, thrust and consume. Although we are familiar with corporate stigmatization and selling, personal stigmatization is a technique where you concentrate on the accomplishments and attributes that make you stand out from the remainder of your equals. In his book â€Å" 7 Habits of extremely effectual people † , Stephen R Covey uses a powerful visual image exercising, where readers are asked to visualize themselves at the funeral of a friend merely to detect that it is their ain funeral. He asks readers to believe about what they would desire their household, friends, co-workers and community to state about them at their funeral ( Covey, 1999 ) . I believe that by concentrating on the properties discovered through this exercising I will hold a greater apprehension of my ain personal trade name and besides detect the values at the nucleus of my ain ego. In my assignment I have reviewed literature and articles to place the stairss which could be followed to better personal stigmatization and have so applied these to my ain personal place. I besides circulated a questionnaire to measure consciousness of trade names and to measure my equal ‘s perceptual experience of the trade name â€Å" Paul Delaney † . By concentrating on the perceptual experiences of others, I will place any premises I have about my ain personal trade name and assist happen countries necessitating betterment. As a director taking a squad of nine employees, I must develop a different accomplishment set to accomplish success. This assignment will assist to place accomplishments, personal properties and features that can be developed to heighten my repute and standing amongst my equals.Table of ContentssIntroduction 1 What is personal stigmatization? 1 What is Brand Equity? 2 What are the 4 types of capital and how do they associate to me? 3 How can I better my ain personal trade name? 5 Make a Personal Brand Statement 5 Make a Personal Mission Statement 5 Update my sketch 6 Use the â€Å" 5 twelvemonth sketch † technique 6 Join administrations for Information Technology professionals 10 Develop my web of contacts 10 Continue Charity Work 11 Choose an appropriate Leadership Style 12 Develop the 7 wonts of extremely effectual people 14 Personal Branding Survey 17 Introduction 17 Part 1 – Brand Recognition 18 Part 2 – Brand Reputation 19 Part 3 – Appraisal of trade name â€Å" Paul Delaney † 20 Decision 26 Bibliography 31 Appendix 1: Survey on Personal Branding and perceptual experiences of the writer 32 Appendix 2: My Current Resume 43 Appendix 3: My 5 Year Resume 45 Appendix 4: Agenda for the coming hebdomad 47IntroductionWhat is personal stigmatization?Ad and selling has a important impact on our personal picks from the apparels we wear to the nutrient that we consume. We are invariably having messages from advertizements to carry us to purchase their merchandise over that of a rival. To make this, selling companies strive to tie in their trade name with the values which they believe their client base is interested in ( e.g. doing a merchandise more environmentally friendly etc. ) . Personal stigmatization is a small different in that you are the merchandise being advertised. However, it has many similarities to corporate stigmatization – you want to be associated with the values that you believe do your trade name distinctive ( e.g. strong analytical accomplishments etc. ) . Harmonizing to William Arruda, personal stigmatization is â€Å" cognizing what ‘s reliable to you, distinguishing from your equals and relevant and obliging to your mark audience, and utilizing that to make your ends † ( Martin, 2009 ) . By concentrating on what differentiates you from your equals, you can better your trade name equity.What is Brand Equity?In his article â€Å" Developing your Personal Brand Equity † , Alan Vitberg ( Vitberg, 2010 ) said that personal trade name equity consists of ; The intangible value persons have in footings of ability to act upon others by leveraging their experience, expertness and repute. The relationships they have built and maintained. The touchable value they bring in footings of part to their employer. To better your personal trade name, Vitberg recommends that each individual should get down by replying one inquiry â€Å" What makes you different and why should people care? † and utilize this to construct a personal trade name statement.What are the 4 types of capital and how do they associate to me?In her book â€Å" Pierre Bordieu and Cultural Theory † , Bridget Fowler refers to 4 types of capital ( Fowler, 1997 ) ;Social CapitalSocial capital relates to the sum of influence and the figure of relationships I have within the web of people I know either socially or professionally. The suggestion is that by increasing the figure of people in my web that I can trust on them to back up me in times of problem ( e.g. such as assisting to happen me a occupation if I am made redundant ) . In bend, I can utilize my web to back up others from my web ( e.g. I found occupation chances for my brother when he was made redundant ) . To increase my web, I have joined the online professional web â€Å" LinkedIn † . I now have over 50 connexions with other professionals with whom I have come into contact. I have besides joined the popular societal networking â€Å" Facebook † to increase my societal web.Symbolic CapitalSymbolic capital relates to the grade of repute and honor that I have within my professional and personal life. Respondents in the study completed as portion of this assignment rated me extremely in footings of honestness and trustiness. This is really positive acknowledgment from my equals and one that I am really proud to detect. The 2nd most often identified property that respondents gave in the study was that I was reliable and dependable. Again, this is positive in that it can be argued that holding a repute for being reliable and dependable consequences in higher symbolic capital.Cultural CapitalCultural capital is hard to mensurate, although I have achieved success in the country of educational makings. I was awarded a 1st category honor in my undergraduate grade which distinguishes me from the others in my twelvemonth as merely a smattering of alumnuss achieved this degree of making. Besides, in take parting in the MSc in Business Management in NUI Maynooth I am distinguishing myself from my equals in that lone 3 of the other directors in EBS IT have achieved/are seeking to accomplish a Masters degree making.Economic CapitalThis facet of Bourdieu ‘s theory relates to ownership of stocks, portions and by and large any pecuniary wagess. I do non have any stocks or portions, but late bought my ain pl ace. I besides have a figure of modest investings.How can I better my ain personal trade name?Make a Personal Brand StatementBased on an article by Alan Vitberg ( Vitberg, 2010 ) , I have created a personal trade name statement. Having a personal trade name statement will assist me to concentrate on the properties and features that define how I want to be perceived. â€Å" I am a diligent and trusty undertaking director with a repute for attending to item and holding strong job work outing accomplishments. I have more than 5 old ages experience in taking a squad of IT professionals from multiple subjects, in presenting successful undertakings for a fiscal services company on clip and within budget † .Make a Personal Mission StatementIn his book â€Å" 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peoples † ( Covey, 1999 ) , Covey suggests that should concentrate on what you want to be ( character ) and to make ( parts and accomplishments ) and on the values or rule upon which being and making are based. I have besides drawn from the study in Appendix 1, to detect the properties and accomplishments which I associated with to assist construct this mission statement. By on a regular basis reexamining this mission statement, I hope that it will assist me to maintain focused on the character and values that I deem to be of import. I want to be successful at place foremost, so in my calling, I want to be known for being honest and trustworthy, I want to be known as a just and understanding foreman who can actuate employees, I want to be known for presenting high quality undertakings – on clip and within budget, I want to be seen as more of a risk-taker, I want to be more outgoing and run into more people.Update my sketchLike many people, it has been some clip since I have updated my sketch. To be honest, the last clip I updated my sketch was in 1998 when looking for my current occupation. I will make my ain sketch ( refer to Appendix 2 ) with a focal point on what I have achieved in my calling.Use the â€Å" 5 twelvemonth sketch † techniqueI have followed the â€Å" 5 twelvemonth sketch † stairss as outlined in an article by Dennis and Ruth Laker in the Journal of Management Education ( Laker and Laker, 2007 ) . In this article they suggest that mapping out where you are now against where you want to be in 5 old ages will forestall calling impetus. As quoted in Laker & A ; Laker, Jack Welsh, CEO of General Electric said â€Å" Manage your fate, or person else will † . I believe this quotation mark means that each of us should be proactive and pull off our ain calling to guarantee we achieve what we want to accomplish, be this publicity, work life balance or self betterment.Measure 1 – Make a Current SketchThis measure is complete ; delight mention to Appendix 2 – My Current Resume.Measure 2 – Make a Resume for 5 old ages in the hereafterIn this measure I focused on what I would wish my sketch to look like in 5 old ages clip. It includes extra educational accreditations, rank in professional organic structures, occupation rubrics and voluntary activities. Within Appendix 3, I have completed a 5 twelvemonth sketch as outlined in this measure. In their article, Laker & A ; Laker suggest that I should get down this measure by inquiring myself a figure of inquiries as set out below ;Question: What do I desire to make in 5 old ages?I would wish a farther 5 old ages experience as an IT Manager along with another 3 old ages as a Senior IT Manager, be that within my current administration or elsewhere.Question: Who has served as your manager? Who would you wish in the following 5 old ages?I have been coached in the field of undertaking direction and proficient expertness by several IT directors. In the coming old ages, I would wish to concentrate on People Management and Financial Management.Question: What farther instruction programs do you hold?I plan on finishing my MSc in Business Management and would wish to prosecute a making in Compliance. Conformity is a growing country in concern and I believe holding a making in this country would farther distinguish me from my equals.Question: What professional administrations would y ou fall in?Having late joined the Irish Computer Society, I would wish to go to some of their seminars and presentations to construct my apprehension in the field of engineering.Question: What country/county do you desire to populate in?Having late bought a place in the town of Maynooth I will probably stay here for the following 5 old ages, nevertheless in the longer term I would wish to populate in the countryside someplace around Maynooth.Question: What personal involvements will you hold in the following 5 old ages?I would wish to better my public speech production accomplishments and besides to increase my work in the community. I would wish to take part in a community service ( such as Tidy Towns or running a occupants association ) .Measure 3 – Identify Short Term and Long Term GoalsBased on the difference between my current sketch and my 5 twelvemonth sketch, my short term ends are ; Get married Complete my MSc in Business Management Derive a farther 5 old ages experience as an IT Manager Seek functions with my current employer that will let me to develop my people direction and fiscal direction accomplishments My longer term ends are ; To volunteer for community strategies such as Maynooth Tidy Towns To volunteer for the occupants association for my country Enrol in the Compliance Officer of Ireland classMeasure 4 – Create an Action PlanIn 12 months clip – get married ( in May 2011 ) , develop my people direction accomplishments, develop my fiscal direction accomplishments, seek employer part towards finishing my Masters, In 24 months clip – Seek employer part for Compliance makings, develop my public speech production accomplishments In 36 months clip – participate in community strategies such as Maynooth Tidy Towns, participate in my local occupants association In 48 months clip – Measure my sketch and accomplishment set against industry criterions. In 60 months clip – Seek chances to be appointed a senior director.Measure 5 – Reappraisal my action program on a regular basisIn measure 5, you are urged to regularly reexamine your Action Plan and your 5 twelvemonth sketch to do certain you are on mark and if non, to set the program as necessary. I plan to put aside clip one time a month to reexamine my sketch, 5 twelvemonth sketch and action program to guarantee all is in order.Join administrations for Information Technology professionalsThe PriceWaterhouseCoopers â€Å" Personal Branding Week † e-book ( PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 2010 ) suggests that you should fall in industry associations to link with other people in your country of expertness. As portion of this assignment I joined the Irish Computer Society ( ICS ) . The ICS is an association of Irish computing machine and engineering professionals that seeks to advance industry criterions and developments. The ICS tally seminars and give presentations which will assist to develop my cognition and apprehension in the field of calculating. I will endeavor to go to as many of these seminars as possible.Develop my web of contactsThe PriceWaterhouseCoopers â€Å" Personal Branding Week † e-book ( PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 2010 ) suggests that you should make an on-line profile on the professional networking site, LinkedIn. You can happen my profile on the undermentioned nexus: hypertext transfer protocol: //ie.linkedin.com/pub/paul-delaney/10/b90/58a I have accumulated 55 professional contacts over the past 3 old ages. I have updated my professional experience and have entered resume information. As I meet new contacts, I add them to my web and maintain in touch to guarantee our relationship stays current and up to day of the month. As yet I have non used this web site to use for occupations or to seek applications for places that become available, although I can see that this will go a larger portion of the web site over the coming old ages. I besides have an online profile on societal networking site â€Å" facebook † and â€Å" Twitter † . I merely began utilizing these sites when I began the MSc in Business Management in NUI Maynooth. I besides plan to take part in my local occupants association and volunteering my clip in community strategies. This will heighten my local repute and help my calling by demoing I take my societal duty earnestly.Continue Charity WorkThe company I work for, EBS Building Society, has a strong repute of working with charities. Recently members of the IT squad participated in the Movember run to bring forth financess for male prostate malignant neoplastic disease research. I was portion of an international run to â€Å" alter the face of work forces ‘s wellness † by turning a mustache for charity. The EBS Movember squad raised over a‚ ¬21,500, doing us the squad with the highest contributions in Ireland. This is something I will go on to back up in the hereafter.Choose an appropriate Leadership StyleIn his book, â€Å" Leadership and the One Minute Manager † , Henry Houser recommends that directors should orient their leadings manner depending on the person wi th whom they are covering ( Houser, 1985 ) . To make this, he recommends that all employees should be graded harmonizing to their competency with the undertaking and their committedness to the occupation.DegreePhaseDevelopment LevelD4 High Competence / High Commitment Developed D3 High Competence / Variable Commitment D2 Some Competence / Low Commitment D1 Low Competence / High Commitment Developing To help me in my function as a director, I have mapped each employee who reports to me against this theoretical account detailing the employee phase of development and the appropriate leading manner to utilize when covering with them.EmployeeDegreePhaseLeadership StyleJohn D2 Some Competence/Low Committedness Coaching/Direct and Support Martina D2 Some Competence/Low Committedness Coaching/Direct and Support Tom D1/D2 Low Competence/High Committedness Directing/Structure, Control and Supervise Ant D3/D4 High Competence/Variable Committedness Supporting/Praise, Listen and Facilitate Gareth D2/D3 Some Competence/Low Committedness Coaching/Direct and Support Eamonn D2/D3 Some Competence/Low Committedness Coaching/Direct and Support Sheila D3/D2 High Competence/Variable Committedness Supporting/Praise, Listen and Facilitate Jenny D3 High Competence/Variable Committedness Supporting/Praise, Listen and Facilitate Colm D3/D4 High Competence/Variable Committedness Supporting/Praise, Listen and FacilitateDevelop the 7 wonts of extremely effectual peopleIn his book â€Å" 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peoples † ( Covey, 1999 ) Stephen R Covey suggests that to be effectual we must follow the following 7 wonts. By going more effectual, I can better my repute and heighten my calling. Although there is a batch of information within the book, I have sought to condense the information into specific action points that I can follow to guarantee I become more effectual ;Habit # 1 – Beryllium proactiveIn this wont, Covey reminds us that we all have the power to command our responses to a stimulation. We decide how we are traveling to respond to hard state of affairss, in fact Covey states that â€Å" our most hard experiences become the melting pots that forge our character and develop the internal powers, the freedom to manage hard fortunes in the hereafter and inspire others to make so every bit good † . Covey suggests that we should take the enterprise and go proactive in our linguistic communication and actions. For illustration, when you encounter a hard state of affairs do n't state â€Å" I ca n't make that because†¦ † alternatively seek utilizing â€Å" What else could I make to decide this state of affairs † . Using this technique with the people who work with me will better their motive and authorise them to do their ain determinations.Habit # 2 – Begin with the terminal in headAlthough this measure has been covered elsewhere in this assignment, in brief Covey suggests that we should take a minute to see the impact of our actions before taking them. By concentrating on the terminal province that we have in head, we can guarantee that we achieve success. The writer recommends a simple exercising where you conceive of yourself at your ain funeral and place the features you would desire to be remembered for. He so suggests that we should utilize the end product from that exercising to make a personal mission statement.Habit # 3 – Put first things foremostHabit # 3 relates to the things you could make ( that you are n't making now ) that if you did on a regular footing, would do a enormous positive difference on your personal or professional life. One cardinal facet of Habit # 3 is Time Management. Covey suggests that we should organize undertakings and put to death them around precedences.UrgentNot UrgentImportantICrisiss, Problems & A ; Deadlines2Prevention, Relationship BuildingNot Important3Breaks, Some phone calls, electronic mails, meetings4Trivia, clip wastrels & A ; pleasant activities Covey besides suggests that you should construct a agenda of undertakings and that you should take a few proceedingss every twenty-four hours to reexamine your agenda. Within Appendix 4, I have built a agenda for the coming hebdomad. Habit # 4, Think win-win means to come up with solutions to jobs that are reciprocally good. In this circumstance everyone if happy with the determination and is committed to its success. Habit # 5, Seek foremost to understand, so to be understood is where we should seek to understand the job before seeking to decide it. Our inclination is to hotfoot to a solution as we feel force per unit area to decide the job, but it is of import to listen carefully to all sides of the job. Merely so will you decide the issue decently and guarantee that it does non return once more, therefore blowing more of your clip. Habit # 6, Synergise, can be summed up in one statement – â€Å" two caputs are better than one † . You should pool the corporate cognition of all interested parties. The sum sum of everyone ‘s engagement is greater than the sum of each persons input. Everyone solves jobs otherwise and if facilitated right they can come up with successful declarations to jobs. Habit # 7, Sharpen the proverb, is where we should do clip for Physical, Mental, Social/Emotional and Spiritual reclamation. The thought is that we should do clip each twenty-four hours to reexamine what we are making and take a balanced attack. Possibly our clip is non being put to effectual usage? Possibly there is an easier manner to present on your undertakings?Personal Branding SurveyIntroductionThe study was constructed in three parts ; Part 1 relates to trade name acknowledgment where I asked respondents to place five good known trade names and personalities. Part 2 was about trade name repute, where I asked respondents if they believed that six personalities that have had good publicised jobs could retrieve their reputes. Part 3 was about the trade name â€Å" Paul Delaney † where I asked respondents about their perceptual experience of me. Mention to Appendix 1 for farther item.Part 1 – Trade name RecognitionIn the study I asked respondents if they could place 5 trade names and personalities from images provided. For inquiry # 1, 91 % of respondents right identified Oprah Winfrey as the personality in the image. For inquiry # 2, merely 18 % of respondents right identified Tommy Hilfiger as the personality in the image. However for inquiry # 3, 45 % respondents right identified the Tommy Hilfiger logo from the image provided. This is despite the study being printed in black and white so the coloring material of the logo was non seeable, and besides the â€Å" Tommy Hilfiger † give voicing being removed. -All respondents identified Coca Cola as the trade name in inquiry # 4 – despite the diction in the logo being in Chinese instead than English. About half of all respondents identified Louis Vuitton as the trade name of pocketbooks in inquiry # 5.Part 2 – Brand ReputationIn portion two of the study, I investigated if respondents believed that the personalities in inquiry could retrieve their repute following the jobs they encountered in recent old ages. Interestingly, a big figure of the personalities have been accused of rip offing on their spouses but were judged otherwise by respondents as to whether they could retrieve their repute. 91 % of respondents believed that Ronan Keating could retrieve his repute, but merely 40 % believed that Ashley Cole would make similarly.Part 3 – Appraisal of trade name â€Å" Paul Delaney †Appraisal of Paul Delaney ‘s accomplishment setIn portion three of the study, I sought to look into how my co-workers perceived my accomplishment set based on visual aspect, frequence of squad and single meetings, listening accomplishments, feedback on public presentation, trust to cover with a grudge, motive, undertaking direction, communicating and deputation accomplishments. From the study I discovered that the overall perceptual experience of my co-workers is good, nevertheless the three countries necessitating most betterment are ; Frequency of Individual Meetings with employees ; Motivational Skills Deputation SkillsProperties associated with Paul DelaneyThe undermentioned seven properties were identified by respondents as those which they would most tie in with Paul Delaney. The highest consequences were returned for Honesty/Trustworthiness and Dependability/Reliability. To me, these are really positive consequences as these are values which essential to my ain personal trade name. From the responses I can see that I have a repute for being organised, but that this mark is non every bit high as I would wish. I will better this country of my professional development over the approaching months.Properties non associated with Paul DelaneyIn contrast to the properties associated with me, I asked respondents to place the properties which they would non tie in with me. My hope was that respondents would place properties which would non be in line with my values. However, of the 6 highest properties identified by respondents, the lone point I would wish to better is that of risk-taking. It is interesting that 70 % of respondents do non tie in me with being a hazard taker.Skills associated with Paul DelaneyWhen asked to place accomplishments that they believed best described me, respondents identified the following 8 highest hiting accomplishments ; I am really happy with the consequences above. A big portion of my occupation is pull offing undertakings, placing jobs and executing analysis.Skills non associated with Paul DelaneyWhen asked to place accomplishments which would non depict me, respondents identified the undermentioned accomplishments ; I am disappointed with some of the consequences above. It is clear that I need to develop my accomplishments in the countries of Coaching and Establishing thought leading. Although other accomplishments are lower than these, I believe that concentrating on bettering my public presentation in these countries will take to a stronger professional image.Role of Paul Delaney in a squad undertakingThe highest per centum of respondents, 55 % , identified the function of â€Å" Project Manager † as the function which I would be in if I were take parting in a group undertaking. This is a positive response as my current calling is mostly focused on being a undertaking director.DecisionIn decision, I have found the exercisings performed as portion of this assignment to be really good to my ain personal growing and in bend to my ain trade name. Making a mission statement and personal trade name statement has helped me to concentrate on the properties that I would desire to be associated w ith. I believe that by increasing my web through LinkedIn and fall ining the Irish Computer Society I will be exposed to new and exciting challenges that will farther develop my accomplishments and increase my visibleness in the computer science and fiscal services industries. From the study conducted I discovered a figure of countries which I would wish to better. I believe that by concentrating on these countries I can better my repute and develop the repute of employees describing to me. I believe that I can turn to the countries necessitating betterment by following the stairss outlined below, although it remains to be seen if they will be successful: Increase the frequence of Individual Meetings with employees Although the 73 % of respondents to my inquiry â€Å" Do you believe that one to one meetings are held often plenty? † were happy with the figure of single meetings, there was a important spread in single responses. I will place the employees that feel they would profit from extra meetings and guarantee that clip is allocated to this Non-urgent, but of import undertaking. Better my Motivational Skills In his book, â€Å" Introducing Organization Behaviour & A ; Management † ( Knights and Willmott, 2010 ) , Knights & A ; Willmott refer to Locke and Latham ‘s theory that claims by puting different public presentation ends I can actuate employees and acquire the persons to execute better. I will try to utilize SMART aims ( Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time edge ) when puting aims. Locke and Latham ‘s theory is based on 4 wide propositions ; Difficult ends lead to higher public presentation The higher the end the higher the public presentation. Praise, feedback or engagement in determination devising makes a difference to what people Goal-setting can besides increase the attempt people make to detect ways of run intoing a end. Better my Delegation Skills In the study, 75 % of respondents were happy with my deputation accomplishments, nevertheless this means that 25 % of employees were non happy. In his book â€Å" Delegating Authority † , Andrew Schwartz ( Schwartz, 1992 ) recommends that when deputing a director should guarantee: Meaningfulness – to guarantee the undertaking is seen as of import, valuable and worthwhile. Responsibility – to guarantee employee takes personal duty and understands that they are accountable for their public presentation on the undertaking. Knowledge of consequences – directors must give feedback on public presentation. Increase my Organisation accomplishments When asked to place 6 properties of Paul Delaney, merely 27 % of respondents identified me as being organised. By utilizing the techniques discovered in Covey ‘s â€Å" 7 Habits of Highly Successful People † ( Covey, 1999 ) I believe that I can heighten my administration accomplishments which in bend will better my repute ( e.g. more frequent squad and single meetings ) . Take more hazards 70 % of respondents identified that Paul Delaney is non known as a Risk-taker. Initially I was happy with this as I am non a risk-taker. However I believe that an component of risk-taking is necessary to be a good director. I will endeavor to take appropriate hazards and to believe of alternate solutions to jobs. I believe that this type of attack to job work outing would promote employees to seek alternate solutions that might be more successful than traditional attacks. Adopt a Coaching attack to employees In their book â€Å" Peopleware, Productive undertakings and squads † ( DeMarco and Lister, 1999 ) , DeMarco and Lister recommend that directors should promote peer-coaching. The suggestion is that you should place a â€Å" instructor † and â€Å" scholar † for a undertaking and set into gesture the transportation of cognition. Over clip, the functions of â€Å" instructor † and â€Å" scholar † will reassign amongst the squad with an overall betterment in public presentation. In fact, this procedure could be done without employees even being cognizant of the coaching being done. Establish thought leading In their book â€Å" Successful Directors Handbook † ( Davis et al. , 1996 ) Davis et al.make some suggestions on how to act upon others. Some of their suggestions are that a director should ; Increase your leading impact – for illustration, ever present yourself to new groups and persons, be steadfast and direct when saying outlooks etc. This is besides recommended in PriceWaterhouseCoopers â€Å" Personal Branding Week † ( PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 2010 ) Better your leading by inquiring for feeback. This is besides recommended in PriceWaterhouseCoopers â€Å" Personal Branding Week † ( PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 2010 ) Become more self-asserting – be prepared to do your point even if others might differ. This is besides recommended in PriceWaterhouseCoopers â€Å" Personal Branding Week † ( PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 2010 ) Fix your arguement taking the place of the other parties into history. Communicate and clear up your vision, show enthusiasm. Influence the determinations of upper direction – be clear about how your suggestion will profit the administration, if the impact of an thought on your country is negative, allow the senior direction know. Better my Communication Skills In his book â€Å" Communication and Knowledge Sharing at Work † ( Cullen, 2008 ) , John Cullen suggests that directors should foremost understand their communicating manner. To make this Cullen outlines a simple exercising to follow. Having completed this exercising I discovered that I am a Directive Communicator ; I meet marks that have been decided by others by using a strong manner of communicating that is chiefly focused on doing certain that instructions are clearly understood and implemented. This communicating manner is appropriate for my current function, nevertheless for publicity I would necessitate to develop a â€Å" Promotional Communicator † manner whereby I would develop the schemes for my section, instead than being an implementor. EndBibliographyAppendix 1: Survey on Personal Branding and perceptual experiences of the writerAbout the respondent ; Are you†¦ ? _ Staff _ Manager _ Other_ Female_ MaleQuestion # 1 – Can you name this well known personality?Answer # 1:Question # 2 – Can you name this well known personality?Answer # 2:Question # 3 – Can you name this well known trade name?Answer # 3:Question # 4 – Can you name this well known trade name?Answer # 4:Question # 5 – Who makes these celebrated bags?Answer # 5:Question # 6 – For each of the undermentioned personalities, do you believe their repute is recoverable or non?_ Recoverable _ Not _ I do n't cognize who this is _ Recoverable _ Not _ I do n't cognize who this is _ Recoverable _ Not _ I do n't cognize who this is _ Recoverable _ Not _ I do n't cognize who this is _ Recoverable _ Not _ I do n't cognize who this is _ Recoverable _ Not _ I do n't cognize who this isQuestionnaire about Paul:Deputation SkillsHow would you rate Paul ‘s deputation accomplishments? ( Poor ) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 ( Excellent )Communication SkillsHow would you rate Paul ‘s communicating accomplishments? ( Poor ) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 ( Excellent )Project Management SkillsHow would you rate Paul ‘s undertaking direction accomplishments? ( Poor ) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 ( Excellent )How would you rate Paul ‘s motivational accomplishments?( Poor ) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 ( Excellent )Would you rate your trust in Paul to cover with a grudge?( Poor ) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 ( Excellent )How would you rate Paul ‘s feedback on your public presentation?( Poor ) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 ( Excellent )Listening SkillsHow would you rate Paul ‘s listening accomplishments? ( Poor ) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 ( Excellent )Team MeetingsDo you believe Team Meetings are held often plenty? ( excessively infrequently ) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 ( frequent plenty )Individual MeetingsDo you believe that one to one meetings are held often plenty? ( excessively infrequently ) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 ( frequent plenty )AppearanceHow would you rate Paul ‘s visual aspect? ( Poor ) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 ( Excellent )Which 6 of these properties would you most associate with Paul?_ Accomplished _ Ambitious _ Bright _ Colourful _ Connected _ Curious _ Spoting _ Easygoing _ Entrepreneurial _ Formal _ Happy _ Inspiring _ Introverted _ Loyal _ Optimistic _ Persuasive _ Positive _ Quirky _ Risk-taking _ Self-motivated _ Sophisticated _ Endeavoring _ Visionary _ Accurate _ Assertive _ Capturing _ Community-oriented _ Conservative _ Reliable _ Dramatic _ Energetic _ Ethical _ Funny _ Healthy _ Intelligent _ Inventive _ Methodical _ Organised _ Physically Fit _ Precise _ Refined _ Sassy _ Shy _ Spirited _ Successful _ Wise _ Adaptive _ Big ( personality ) _ Cheerful _ Competitive _ Converting _ Devoted _ Driven _ Enterprising _ Extroverted _ Generous _ Honest _ Interested _ Sympathetic _ Modest _ Surpassing _ Picky _ Pro-active _ Reliable _ Savvy _ Sincere _ Religious _ Supportive _ Worldly _ Adventurous _ Bold _ Collaborative _ Confident _ Creative _ Diplomatic _ Dynamic _ Enthusiastic _ Flexible _ Giving _ Humble _ International _ Loving _ Motivating _ Passionate _ Political _ Quick Witted _ Religious _ Self assured _ Socially witting _ Strategic _ TrustworthyWhich 6 of these properties would you NOT tie in with Paul?_ Accomplished _ Ambitious _ Bright _ Colourful _ Connected _ Curious _ Spoting _ Easygoing _ Entrepreneurial _ Formal _ Happy _ Inspiring _ Introverted _ Loyal _ Optimistic _ Persuasive _ Positive _ Quirky _ Risk-taking _ Self-motivated _ Sophisticated _ Endeavoring _ Visionary _ Accurate _ Assertive _ Capturing _ Community-oriented _ Conservative _ Reliable _ Dramatic _ Energetic _ Ethical _ Funny _ Healthy _ Intelligent _ Inventive _ Methodical _ Organised _ Physically Fit _ Precise _ Refined _ Sassy _ Shy _ Spirited _ Successful _ Wise _ Adaptive _ Big ( personality ) _ Cheerful _ Competitive _ Converting _ Devoted _ Driven _ Enterprising _ Extroverted _ Generous _ Honest _ Interested _ Sympathetic _ Modest _ Surpassing _ Picky _ Pro-active _ Reliable _ Savvy _ Sincere _ Religious _ Supportive _ Worldly _ Adventurous _ Bold _ Collaborative _ Confident _ Creative _ Diplomatic _ Dynamic _ Enthusiastic _ Flexible _ Giving _ Humble _ International _ Loving _ Motivating _ Passionate _ Political _ Quick Witted _ Religious _ Self assured _ Socially witting _ Strategic _ TrustworthyWhich 6 of these accomplishments would outdo describe Paul ‘s accomplishments?_ Analysing figures _ Building consensus _ Reding _ Delegating _ Developing thoughts _ Establishing thought-leadership _ Turning professionally _ Inspiring others _ Investigating _ Managing struggle _ Pull offing people _ Measuring success _ Motivating _ Performing analysis _ Public speech production _ Researching _ Sing the inside informations _ Sourcing talent/funds _ Thinking internationally/globally _ Writing studies _ Brainstorming _ Coaching _ Making _ Delivering quantifiable consequences _ Empowering _ Facilitating groups _ Identifying jobs _ Interviewing _ Learning _ Pull offing crises _ Pull offing undertakings _ Interceding _ Negociating _ Showing _ Associating to others/building relationships _ Runing meetings _ Selling _ Teaching _ TrainingWhich 6 of these accomplishments would NOT depict Paul ‘s accomplishments?_ Analysing figures _ Building consensus _ Reding _ Delegating _ Developing thoughts _ Establishing thought-leadership _ Turning professionally _ Inspiring others _ Investigating _ Managing struggle _ Pull offing people _ Measuring success _ Motivating _ Performing analysis _ Public speech production _ Researching _ Sing the inside informations _ Sourcing talent/funds _ Thinking internationally/globally _ Writing studies _ Brainstorming _ Coaching _ Making _ Delivering quantifiable consequences _ Empowering _ Facilitating groups _ Identifying jobs _ Interviewing _ Learning _ Pull offing crises _ Pull offing undertakings _ Interceding _ Negociating _ Showing _ Associating to others/building relationships _ Runing meetings _ Selling _ Teaching _ TrainingIf Paul was take parting in a squad undertaking, in which of the undermentioned functions would he be in?_ Administrator – manages administrative undertakings, responds to inquiries, keeps squad members up to day of the month _ Care giver – ensures that all members of the squad are happy and cared for _ Creator – comes up with originative thoughts for what to make and how to make it _ Doer – takes a part of the undertaking and executes it _ Facilitator – orchestrates the group, assisting it to accomplish its end _ Leader – creates a vision, assembles the squad, takes charge, assigns undertakings, steps progress _ Motivator – inspires others to be their best and successful members of the squad _ Project Manager – manages all facets of the undertaking ( budget, people, agenda etc. )Beginning: ( Reach_Communications_Consulting, 2009 )End OF APPENDIX ONEAppendix 2: My Current ResumeName: Paul Delaney Address: 20 The Drive, Newtown Hall, Maynooth, Co. Kildare LinkedIn: hypertext transfer protocol: //ie.linkedin.com/pub/paul-delaney/10/b90/58a electronic mail: delaney_p @ hotmail.com Telephone: 086 834 7529Experience:IT Manager – East by south Building Society, December 2007 – PresentIn December 2007 I was appointed to the function of IT Manager with duty for all front-end loaning systems. I am presently working with a squad of 9 developers and concern analysts on a assortment of system alterations to EBS place loan inception systems and branch Teller systems. My function involves pull offing undertakings, people and presenting effectual proficient aid to users throughout the society. Interesting Function: I was IT Project Manager for a major system upgrade to our place loan systems to provide for hazard based pricing which involved a important sum of system alteration and a budget of over a‚ ¬1 million. Skills: Prince II, Project Management, Business Analysis, Systems Analysis, People Management. Technical Skills: Ocular Basic, IBM Business Process Modeller, Websphere, Flex.Team Leader – EBS Building Society, August 1998 – December 2007I joined EBS Building Society in August 1998 and have worked in a assortment of different functions, including developer, systems analyst and IT undertaking director. Before being appointed director, I was team leader on a squad of 5 developers, focused on back uping, upgrading and keeping the end-to-end place loan inception system. Interesting Functions: I was a cardinal concern analyst on a undertaking to wholly rewrite our subdivision based place loan application system. Skills: Team Leadership, IT Project Management, Business Analysis, Systems Analysis. Technical Skills: Ocular Basic Development, Codebase databases.Education:MSc. in Business Management, Part clip, NUI Maynooth 2010 – 2012I am presently take parting in a two twelvemonth portion clip Masterss plan in NUI Maynooth and am due to finish the class in August 2012. This plan is for non-business alumnuss wishing to prosecute a calling in concern and direction. We are covering topics such as Strategic Management, Society and Ethics, Financial direction and Pull offing people and squads.BSc. In Calculating Science, Part clip, Griffith College Dublin, 1997 – 2001I achieved a 1st category honours degree from Griffith College Dublin in 2001. This grade focused on the proficient facets of calculating scientific discipline and gave me a sound foundation in computing machine scheduling and systems analysis.British Computer Society, Certificate in Project Management, 2003In 2003 I was awarded a Merit in Project Management from the British Computer Society ( BCS ) . This certification is based on industry criterions of undertaking direction ( Prince II ) .Avocations and InterestsPlaying golf and horticultureProfessional AccreditationsMember of the Irish Computer Society.Mentions:David Yeates, Head of IT, EBS Building Society Tom Doherty, Ex Head of IT, EBS Building Society, Currently Practice Director, Ergo Software Services End OF APPENDIX TWOAppendix 3: My 5 Year ResumeName: Paul Delaney Address: 20 The Drive, Newtown Hall, Maynooth, Co. Kildare LinkedIn: hypertext transfer protocol: //ie.linkedin.com/pub/paul-delaney/10/b90/58a electronic mail: delaney_p @ hotmail.com Telephone: 086 834 7529Experience:Senior IT Manager – East by south Building Society, December 2016 – PresentIn December 2016 I was appointed to the function of Senior IT Manager with duty for all front-end loaning systems. I am presently working with a squad of 20 developers and concern analysts on a assortment of system alterations to EBS place loan inception systems and branch Teller systems. My function involves developing strategic thought in the country of IT and implementing big multi-million euro alteration programmes for the society. Interesting Function: I was Programme Manager for a major alteration in scheme for the society affecting legion concern and IT streams. Skills: Prince II, Project Management, Business Analysis, Systems Analysis, People Management.IT Manager – East by south Building Society, December 2007 – PresentIn December 2007 I was appointed to the function of IT Manager with duty for all front-end loaning systems. I am presently working with a squad of 9 developers and concern analysts on a assortment of system alterations to EBS place loan inception systems and branch Teller systems. My function involves pull offing undertakings, people and presenting effectual proficient aid to users throughout the society. Interesting Function: I was IT Project Manager for a major system upgrade to our place loan systems to provide for hazard based pricing which involved a important sum of system alteration and a budget of over a‚ ¬1 million. Skills: Prince II, Project Management, Business Analysis, Systems Analysis, People Management. Technical Skills: Ocular Basic, IBM Business Process Modeller, Websphere, Flex.Education:Certificate in Compliance, Institute of Bankers, 2012 – PresentI am presently prosecuting a making as a Compliance Officer from the Institute of Bankers. Achieving this making will give me a sound foundation in all countries of Conformity.MSc. in Business Management, Part clip, NUI Maynooth, Sept 2010 – Aug 2012I late completed a two twelvemonth portion clip Masterss plan in NUI Maynooth and am due to finish the class in August 2012. This plan was for non-business alumnuss wishing to prosecute a calling in concern and direction. We covered topics such as Strategic Management, Society and Ethics, Financial direction and Pull offing people and squads.BSc. In Calculating Science, Part clip, Griffith College Dublin, 1997 – 2001I achieved a 1st category honours degree from Griffith College Dublin in 2001. This grade focused on the proficient facets of calculating scientific discip line and gave me a sound foundation in computing machine scheduling and systems analysis.British Computer Society, Certificate in Project Management, 2003In 2003 I was awarded a Merit in Project Management from the British Computer Society ( BCS ) . This certification is based on industry criterions of undertaking direction ( Prince II ) .Avocations and InterestsPlaying golf and horticulture Chairman of Newtown Hall Residents Association Member – Maynooth Tidy Towns AssociationProfessional AccreditationsMember of the Irish Computer Society.

Legal Imperatives for Affordable Housing Delivery in Nigeria Essay

Shelter or housing is one of the most basic of human needs; it ranked second only to food in the hierarchy of human needs. [1] It is fundamental to human survival and an essential component in the advancement of the quality of life of the citizenry. [2] Housing provides shelter for man in order for him to actualize his real potentials in life and contributes to the growth of the world economy. 3] The provision of housing is therefore sine qua non to the growth of man and development of the nation. Effective housing delivery involves many actors and segments of the state apparatus, including the building materials sector, financial sector, real estate sector, energy and infrastructural development sectors and the environmental planning sector amongst others; it therefore requires effective partnership, collaboration and information sharing among different sectors of the economy. To fulfill the need for affordable housing in Nigeria, a multi-faceted approach that transcends the legal, social, economics, religious and cultural interfaces and traits must be put in place at any given time. The task of this paper is to examine the legal initiatives required to facilitate the delivery of affordable housing units to the generality of Nigerians irrespective of class, race or gender. This is with a view at pointing out the inhibitors to smooth housing delivery and proffering practical and workable solution to the identified problems. To achieve this end the paper examines the concept of housing within the legal and statutory framework; it forays into the provisions of the Land Use Act, Planning Laws, Title Registration Laws, Property Tax Legislations and Infrastructural Laws amongst others; and submits that there is need for review of most of these legislations before any meaningful progress can be made in the provision of affordable housing to Nigerians. Concept of Housing. Quoting from the provisions of the new national housing policy document; [4] ‘Housing is defined as the process of providing safe, comfortable, attractive, functional affordable and identifiable shelter in a proper setting within a neighbourhood, supported by continuous maintenance of the built environment for the daily living activities of individuals/families within the community while reflecting their socio-economic, cultural aspirations and preferences. From this definition, housing is not only a shelter, but includes safety of the neighborhood; comfortable and functional dwelling, supported by continuous maintenance of the environment and planning; all reflecting the socio-economic, cultural aspirations and preferences of members of the society. Thus, the legal initiatives for the delivery of housing as conceptualized above requires not only the legal parameters concerning land, but extends to town planning laws, Tenancy and Rent control law, property tax law, energy law, water law, environmental law, compulsory acquisition and compensation laws amongst others. Each of these laws is now treated seriatim as hereunder. Land law. Land is to housing as what a woman is to a pregnancy. The conception, gestation and delivery of housing can only come to fruition with the availability of secured land and proper land management. Land midwifes housing delivery in myriad of ways; Land is the superstructure on which the dreams and aspirations of provision of housing is founded. [5] Land supports the production and delivery of housing through the provision of the much needed finance for its construction. As one of the main factors of production, land provides capital formation and collateral for bank advances towards the construction of the much needed- houses. It is thus obvious that the dream of a vibrant, efficient and effective mortgage system (financial reforms) will remain a mirage in the absence of a viable and reliable land management system. [6] The land management policy of a State also impacts directly on the output and supply of some of the basic raw materials in the construction industry including housing. 7] Such materials as sand, gravel, granite, laterite and even cement are subject to the extant land use management policy of the state. Thus, the Land use policy and management of the State has a direct impact and consequences not only on the quantum and quality of the State housing stock, but also fundamentally on the economic wellbeing of the citizen and the state, particularly in developing countries where there is heavy reliance on land and its resources for sustenance. 8] The question of who owns the land, what tenure operates over the land, security of tenure, compensation for compulsory acquisition of property rights are fundamental questions of enquiry in this exercise. Given the foregoing scenario, an examination of the current law regulating the use and management of land cannot but be a prerequisite to the successive delivery of housing units. The current law on the subject is principally the Land Use Act; others are Registration Laws, Registration of Title Laws etc. To ensure an efficient and effective housing delivery, there is a fundamental need for a secured land title and security of tenure; for where there is no security of title and tenure the development of mortgage system and formal land market will be adversely affected, to the detriment of the growth of the housing sector. The land Use Act, as presently constituted does not seem to provide the necessary secured tenure to fast track the delivery of the expected houses. The Land Use Act, founded on hybrid recommendation,[9] undulates between land nationalization and the protection of private property rights. 10] Its wavering posture has given rise to multiple interpretations as to its policy thrust and directives. Questions arise as to what is the quantum of interest obtainable under the Act,[11] are there equal property rights in every citizen under the Act,[12] what is the proprietary value of the Certificate of Occupancy issued under the Act,[13]how secured is private property rights under the Act in view of the Governor’s power of revocation[14] and paltry compensation payable thereon? 15] How much protection does the Act offer potential mortgagees in the creation, perfection and realization of the mortgage transactions? [16] How far the Land Use Act has addressed the problems of land speculation, land grabbing and incessant land dispute and urban slum? [17] Apart from these, the over concentration of power of land management in an individual rather than institution; the dichotomy in land rights and land administration under the Act and the ouster of courts’ jurisdiction in the determination of dispute and compensation issues are areas of concerns. These and many others are impediments to successful delivery of housing as such state of policy confusion and legal inconsistency only breeds fear, distrust and doubts in the heart of would be investors and property developers alike. The Land Use Act should be amended to address these contentious issues bedeviling the smooth delivery of adequate and affordable housing to the masses. For once, the Act should take a categorical stance on who owns the land; state or individual? To many this may seem obvious,[18] but not when one realizes that while the tenure of some citizen is finite and determinable,[19] others are infinite;[20] whilst some pay taxes and rents on their land, others do not. [21] The Act should declare state ownership of land so that the transition provisions of more than 35years old in the Act[22] can be extinguished and laid to rest and occupiers can be compensated for the revocation of their rights over bare land in as much as they paid to obtain the land from the state. With such categorical posture the issue of inequality in land rights as presently obtainable under the Act will become a thing of the past; every citizen will now have equal determinable interest in land. With state ownership of land, the proprietary value of Certificate of Occupancy is enhanced since it will now become a land title document instead of the current position as document evidencing title to land. 23] Still on the Act, the provision relating to consent requirement[24] should be removed with respect to mortgages in order to streamline the laborious process of mortgage creation, perfection and realization under the Act. Presently a mortgagee must ensure that there is Governor’s consent to any mortgage transaction and must also obtain the Governor’s consent when exercising its power of sale under the mortgage deed, otherwise the transaction is void. 25] Also, the provision excluding the mortgagee from the definition of a holder/occupier[26] for the purpose of payment of compensation should be reviewed to facilitate the enforcement and realization of the mortgage transactions. With the amendment in place, the primary mortgage institutions (PMIs) will be able to take the full benefit of the loan window provided for in the National Housing Fund Act[27] to secure their investment with a block of mortgages over the properties being developed. Aside the amendment of the Act to accommodate smooth mortgage transactions, the Act should also provide explicit procedure for revocation of right of occupancy, such as pre-revocation notices, filing of objections and access to the courts for adjudication on quantum of compensation payable upon revocation. The present situation whereby one only reads about revocation in the newspapers; and whereat it is done with military fiat, falls short of international best practices obtainable in more civilized climes. 28] To avoid conflict between State grant and a grant made by the local government, the reviewed Act should abolish the dichotomy e xisting between the State and local government over land administration in the State. This will ensure a uniform source of authority and streamline land administration in the state thus fostering land management reliability and efficiency, all geared towards boosting investor’s confidence in the system and seamless production and delivery of ho using units. Mortgage law Mortgage transaction is a species of secured credit transaction that provides investment funds for business enterprises. With respect to housing, the term means a transaction in which a mortgage, deed of trust, purchase money security interest arising under an installment sales contract, or equivalent consensual security interest is created or retained against the consumer’s dwelling to finance the acquisition or initial construction of such dwelling. [29] It is the bedrock and the superstructure for housing finance. Its functionality is exhibited when it is appreciated that it gives assurance for the repayment of the loan advanced for the construction of houses. Statutorily, the primary mortgage institutions (PMIs) established under the law[30] are required to secure the loans obtained from the federal mortgage banks/national housing funds with a first legal mortgage over the block of properties funded by the loan. In the same vein, individuals are expected to execute a first legal mortgage over the property financed by the funds sourced from the PMIs. Mortgage is so fundamental to mass and social housing developments to the extent that without it housing development will suffer from dearth of block of funds and will have to rely on individual savings and financial support from friends and relatives. But what is the state of our law on mortgages? With few exceptions, our law on mortgages is still founded on the received English laws of the 19th century; which has been discarded in England almost a century ago. Our law on the subject does not reflect the realities of our time. We still convey in fee simple or tail when such proprietary interest does not exist in our statute books. Our mortgage enforcement procedures are still tangled in the webs of the common law and archaic statutory provisions. The rights of the mortgagee to freely realize his investment is hampered by our laws[31] and courts. [32] There is the need to review our laws on the subject of mortgage. The Property and Conveyancing Act[33] needs repealing and a new law on mortgages to reflect the current trend in the area to fast-track mortgage transactions be promulgated. The new law should reflect the quantum of proprietary interest available under our law, streamline the process for the enforcement of mortgagees’ powers of sale and foreclosures and do away with the need for a re-conveyance deed in mortgages amongst others. The right of the mortgagor to create successive legal mortgagees over the same property; be protected from negative amortization clauses and collateral mortgage contracts should be explored under the new law. The new law should harmonize the provisions of existing legislations in the areas and harness them to achieve the goal of providing robust financial base to for social housing. The provisions of the Land Use Act, Registration of Title Laws, National Housing Fund Act, Pension Act, Federal Mortgage Bank Act, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Act, Primary Mortgages Institution Act and other laws relating thereto should be examined in this wise. The provisions of the Property and Conveyancing Law,[34] the current law on Mortgages in UK and the Lagos State Mortgage and Property Law[35] are also recommended as templates for the review of the old Act. Land Registration Law. Land registration can be best described as a species of machinery for assisting a purchaser or mortgagee in his inquiries as to his vendor’s or mortgagor’s title previously to completing his dealing, and for securing his own position afterwards. [36] Documentation and registration of all dealings and transactions involving land is at the heart of ensuring record keeping, facilitating land searches, tracing and priority in land transactions, which go a long way at establishing certainty, predictability and efficiency in land transactions including mortgages. A vibrant storage and retrieval land information system enhances transparency in land dealings and is immeasurable as a factor aiding speedy settlement of land disputes. A good land registration system is therefore core to efficient land administration and consequently the delivery of housing in a state. Currently in Nigeria, it is the prerogative of the state to determine, design and operate its own land information recording system. This is as a result of the constitutional arrangement which empowers the states to legislate on the subject atter. [37] The current regime has given rise to multiplicity of laws and diverse administrative procedures in the process of storing and retrieving land information system in the country to the detriment of investors, mortgagees and real estate developers alike. A times the requirements for land registrations/title registration varies from state to state not because laws are different but simply on issue of practice and procedures to be adopted including charges/levies imposed on the parties. 38] In the time past there used to be a uniform land information recording and retrieval system in the country; the Land Instrument Registration Act[39] 1924 which later became state laws[40] with the coming into effect of the 1954 federal constitution. The law is still extant in most of the states of the federation, but the practice has remained diverse. There is therefore a need to streamline the practice and procedure for recording and registration of land dealings and evolve a uniform system that will not only breed seamless land registration process but also boost investors’ confidence in the process. Towards this end, the existing mechanisms and procedure for regularization and registration must be reoriented and reorganized to achieve greater effectiveness, reliability and economy. Since market efficiency depends very much on the availability of reliable information that can be used to check genuineness of titles before purchase and to trace records of land transfers at any point in time, efforts should be geared towards making registration compulsory for all land dealing. Government should compel the conversion of all existing titles on land to a certificate of occupancy within a stipulated time. Such policy would foster the development of a uniform land title in the system, which in turn would engender certainty, reliability and security of land title deeds. [41] Such scheme will also obviate the need to keep dual land title documents over a piece of land[42] and thus stem the tide of land frauds that are rampant in our urban centres.

Women are Better Listeners Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Women are Better Listeners - Essay Example Though the use of a scanning technique known as magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the study has shown that there is a major difference between the neural activity of men and women who were listening to someone who was reading aloud. This paper will discuss aspects that show that the results that women are better listeners than men are true. In the current society, more women have joined the corporate world. Despite numerous limitations, organizations that are led by women perform better than those that are led by men. This is because a good leader must listen to the rest of the subordinates. As a result, women leaders are able to listen to the grievances of the rest of the employees. Therefore, they are able to understand their concern and connect closely with them. Consequently, the employees feel motivated to work in the organization. This plays a significant role in enabling the company to achieve the set objectives. This is because, through effective leadership, they feel that they are an integral part of the organization. On the other hand, women are able to easily implement an open office policy. This enables the employees to communicate directly to the top office without the use of the intermediaries. This makes it easy for the leader to intervene on issues that are affecting the performance of the workforce. Th is is achieved through listening keenly and understanding the issue in depth thereby, making it easy for them to come up with effective solutions. This is unlike their men counterparts who are quick to make judgments even before listening to all parties that are in a dispute. Therefore, employees who are led by men tend to fear opening up because the man can react even before listening to both sides of the story.

The Great Depression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

The Great Depression - Essay Example As opposed to the belief of Keynes, Hayek had the belief that in order to recover from a booming crash the solution was not just adequate spending but also a return to the sustainable production at the same time. The production that had been purged by distortions in the boom era due to the availability of easy money needed to return to the level of sustainable levels so as to recover financially. The theory of Hayek was dismissed as many held the belief that he tried to liquidate labor, stocks and the farmers. However, it seems that the Hayek was right due to the fact that after there has been unsustainable boom period it is really required to liquidate the thinks so that the distortions can be removed. For instance, after the financial crisis of 2008, the recipe for straightforward revival would be to liquidate all the assets which led to the subprime bubble due to the easy monetary policy. In short, Keynes gave a recovery that seems painless for the economy by giving the economy ex tra money. The believers of Hayek’s theory understand that there is no painless recovery option that is available for recovering from an unsustainable boom. The only way an economy can recover from such a period is to try and avoid the boom itself. In light of the great depression, the two economists Keynes and Hayek held different views and options that could be used by the economy to recover from the recession. The views of the two economists differ substantially and offer different explanations for the cause of the economic crisis.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio - Essay Example He was born on September 29, 1571. By the time he was eleven, he became an orphan and he became an apprentice to Simone Petersano of Milan. When he was seventeen, he went to Rome to work for more artists. For five years, he jumped from one employment to the other, as an apprentice for other painters with less than impressive talents. In 1595, he sold a painting to Cardinal Francesco del Monte. Caravaggio was now under the wings of the church and enjoyed the protection of the cardinal, complete with board and lodging, plus pension in the house of the cardinal. He was now a commissioned artist and is quite famous. His works are very realistic and this appealed to the people in that era. His clients were mostly the religious but despite the spiritual deprivations Caravaggio had when he was growing up, he delivered his art quite well. He must have had at least forty works made for Del Monte. The realism and the play of light started showing in his paintings styles. One must take note that this happened in the Baroque period. Baroque art is heavily influenced by religion, specifically, the Roman Catholic religion. It also reflects the tensions between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. In the early fifteenth century, the Roman Catholic Church answered the Protestant Reformation movement with Counter Reformation and used art to influence its faithful followers. The light play in light and shadow, as well as the use of realism and portrayal of everyday life was the main schemes of this movement. This is why Caravaggio became successful in this era, as he was supported by the clergy. As there was emphasis on realism and the everyday life, Caravaggio employed laborers as models for his paintings of saints. This act was taken as an offense by the public but he never had a shortage of commissions (but this movement about representing religion in paintings faded, as Baroque as an art movement emphasized daily living and realism). He

THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM Vs. THE EUROPEAN EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-K Essay

THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM Vs. THE EUROPEAN EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-K to 12 GRADE ONLY - Essay Example Contrast to this, the American education system has a division between the elementary school and secondary school. The elementary school involves nine years of study while secondary school involves four years of study (Well, 2010). Another difference comes in the number of days of schooling. In Europe, it is required that students attend 237 school days while in America; schooling days are required to be 170. The hours that students spend in class in a day also differs. In Belgium, students spend an average of eight hours in school while in America students spend a whole day in school (Emily, 2014). Additionally, the education system of Europe and America differs in the time that one goes to college. In German, students have to choose between vocational training schools and academic preparatory and a tender age of ten. However, this is not the case with America because students do not have to choose between the two schools. The education system of America gives an opportunity for anyone who has finished high school to either join college or the university depending on their performance in high school (Well, 2010). The ways in which private schools are handled in both continents differ. In Europe, most of the private schools that have been put in place are religious while in America, private schools belong to individuals, practitioners, institution or to an organization (Emily, 2014). In addition, the government is involved in the payment of private schools in Europe which is not the case in America. In Europe, the government helps in paying a larger part of fees for students in private schools depending on the location. The government pays 80% in Austria and Denmark, 85% in Norway and 70% in Hungary. However, this is not the case in America because parents of students are the ones who pay for all the fees if their children are in private schools. The number of students who attend higher education also differs

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Financial Accounting has become increasingly standardised and harmonized across organizations in different industries, while Management Accounting continues to be highly variable - Essay Example The following paragraphs will explain in detail why there MUST be a compulsory implementation of harmonized accounting standards in financial accounting (Leuz, Pfaff, and Hopwood 3). Both approaches reflect the different purpose and role of financial and management accounting to the extent that is required for quality decision making activities. The users of financial statements will need the latest copy of the balance sheet to determine the total amount of assets that the company owns. The assets are the resources of the company. The assets include both the current as well as the non -current assets. Current assets include cash, receivables from customers and subsidiaries, inventory end, office supplies, office equipment, land, buildings, factory equipment and other assets. Likewise, the users of the financial statements are interested to get a copy of the latest balance sheet in order to know the total liabilities or payables of the company. The liabilities include both the current liabilities and long term liabilities. In addition, the users of the financial statements need the balance sheet in order to determine the total stockholders equity section. Further, the users of the financial statements need the latest copy with the possibility of obtaining the prior year or years financial statements to determine how much the company has generated in terms of sales and cost of sales. This data is found in the income statement. the income statement shows the total amount of gross profit, administrative and marketing expenses. Likewise, the users of the financial statements will need the statement of cash flows to determine where the cash inflows and cash outflows had gone to during the accounting period. Usually, the accounting period covers a twelve month period. Further, the following discussion of the Enron scandal will give a deeper reflection of the different different purpose and role of financial accounting to the extent that is required for quality

Diabetes-Impaired Wound Healing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Diabetes-Impaired Wound Healing - Research Paper Example Therefore, the main objective of this study will to find the best method wound care for patients with diabetes between natural wound care and traditional wound care. Even though the two methods were known to be effective, the natural wound care as indicated in the paper is more effective in treating the condition. In future, there is need for researchers to undertake more studies and properly store the information in order to make it accessible and useful. Diabetes has emerged as a serious metabolic disease that is affecting individuals from all geographic, racial and ethnic origin. With its level at the increase globally, burden from this costly disease is felt by the developed as well as emerging economies. One of the notable countries that have high cases of diabetes is India. For example, in 2013, more than 65 million adults were affected by the disease in India. This number is projected to increase to 109 million if the government does not take major steps to curb new cases of t he disease. Some of the notable risk factors for type 2 diabetes in the case of India include positive family history of diabetes, presence of hypertension, having more than 35 years, upper body adiposity, recent weight gain, gestational diabetes and sedentary lifestyle (Ramachandran 2014). Warning signs of diabetes include unexplained weight loss, irritability, frequent fatigue, dry mouth, itching, reactive hypoglycemia, decreased vision, delayed would healing, impotence or erectile dysfunction among others (Allison et al 2014).

Washingtons Farewell Address Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Washingtons Farewell Address - Article Example From this study it is clear that Washington said that he was never really qualified to be the president of such a huge nation and everything he had achieved during his tenure was because of the support of the public. Washington's primary focus in his farewell address was on the unity of the states and the people. He stressed that the country would only succeed and survive if all the states of the country remain united. He warned the American Public that the safety and prosperity of the nation would always be threatened by domestic as well as foreign elements and unity is their only weapon against these enemies of the nation.This paper outlines that Washing also emphasized on the negativities of sectionalism and voiced his concerns over the creation of political parties. His warning was particularly targeted at the creation of Jefferson's Democratic - Republican Party. He acknowledges the healthy role political parties can play in promoting democracy but he advises them not to create disunity. These political parties can promote democracy and freedom in a totalitarian environment but that does not always happen. He points out that the creation of too many political parties can promote disunity and hamper the functioning of the government.  A large part of Washington's farewell address is dedicated to the discussion of foreign policies and their impact on the nation.  Washington advised that the foreign policy should be one which promotes 'peace' and harmony.... The Country should always prefer peace over war and fighting on behalf of a friendly nation on an unjust cause would only harm the goodwill of the country and should always be avoided. He is against the formation of permanent foreign political alliances. He argues that permanent alliances especially with the European countries would not be in the best interests of the country. He opines that trade relationships should be promoted without forming political alliances. This would allow the government to remain neutral on the political issues and to have more focus in the internal affairs of the country which would consequently result in prosperity. He shows his support for the newly formed constitutional government. He believes that it is the right of the people to have a say in the functioning of the government but this should only be done through the constitutional amendments. If the American public is against the policies and working of the government, they should turn to constitutio nal amendments rather than rebellion or revolution. This would ensure the proper political and economic functioning of the country. He warns that manipulating the amendments with the intention to overthrow the government could prove detrimental for the country and any constitutional amendment should be made when it is deemed absolutely necessary and after adequate consideration. He also dedicates a small part of his address to talk about religion, education and morality. In his address, he says that moral values play an important role in maintaining justice and public happiness and that morality is interlinked with the religion. And since religion and morality protect and talk about safeguard of live, honour and property, they are important for the public prosperity. He has also

The Chosen - Historic Events Essay Example for Free

The Chosen Historic Events Essay Chaim Potok uses historic events to help shape the plot of The Chosen and create conflicts and challenges for the characters to overcome. Specifically, the Holocaust and the Zionist movement create a feeling of aversion between the Malters and the Saunders by setting the Malters reform Jewish, Zionist beliefs against those of the Hasidic, anti-Zionist Saunders. In the end of The Chosen, after the strength of Reuven and Dannys friendship has been thoroughly tested, their bond emerges just as healthy as it was prior to their estrangement. The characters reactions to these events shape the entire second half of The Chosen. When the news of the intense Nazi persecution of the Jews reaches New York, the Malters and the Saunders are intensely disturbed. While David Malter is reading an account of the terror of the Holocaust, Reuven sees him break down and weep like a child(180). Reb Saunders shows his grief when he sighs, How the world makes us suffer(181). Danny and Reuven are also tense and distraught(181) after an original feeling of shock. Although both families initial reactions are identical, their solutions to the persecution of the Hebrews are radically different. Differences in ideology between the two families of The Chosen cause conflict between the two patriarchs and their sons. The Hasidic viewpoint, which is shared by Danny and Reb Saunders, is that everything that happens on Earth is the result of Gods will. Therefore, the Holocaust is what God wanted. Reb Saunders believes that there is nothing they can do but accept the will of God(181) and that no human intervention is necessary or even tolerable. Conversely, David and Reuven Malter believe that the Jewish people cannot wait for God(182), and that they must replace the treasures [the Jewish people] have lost(182). David Malter is not as sure that the future rests solely in Gods hands as Reb Saunders is and says, If we do not rebuild Jewry in America, we will die as a people(182). The Malters share a more widely accepted view that they live in a world that can be changed for better or for worse by peoples thoughts and actions. Therefore, the Malters believe that people must either speak and act against injustices or expect the worst for the world and its populace. The ideas of David, Reuven and other reform Jews sparked new interest in the notion of a Hebrew state in Palestine. Zionism was an idea with a long history, but it starts to involve the characters of The Chosen and picks up intensity after the Holocaust. Zionists, such as the Malters, believe that a Hebrew state in their ancient promised land, now Palestine, should be reestablished as a haven for the worlds Jews to live without persecution. Reb Saunders and other anti-Zionists believe that reestablishing Israel before the Messiah is sent from God would be against His will. Reuvens father becomes very active in the Zionist movement and works endlessly to help the Zionist cause. David Malter becomes physically sick from working so hard and has his third cold in five months(201). After David gives a speech at the Madison Square Garden in favor of Zionism, Reb puts a ban on any interaction between the Saunders and Malters. Reuven and Dannys friendship is seriously jeopardized when Reb Saunders orders Danny not to see [Reuven], talk to [him], listen to [him], or be found within four feet of [him](217). Reuven understandably feels a violent rage at Reb Saunders blindness (218) and that his blindness on the issue of Zionism had finally shattered [Reuven and Dannys] friendship(218). Mr. Malter, who is more understanding of others views, tries to vindicate Reb Saunders on a small level by telling Reuven, The fanaticism of men like Reb Saunders kept us alive for two thousand years of exile(219). Reb Saunderss fanaticism is demonstrated when even after the United Nations decides to make Israel a state, his anti-Zionist league denounced the United Nations vote, ordered Jews to ignore it, called the state a desecration of the name of God, and announced that the league planned to fight its recognition by the government of the United States (227). Meanwhile, Danny and Reuven are still not allowed to speak to each other. When Reuven sees Danny in the hallway, Dannys eyes spoke the words that his lips couldnt(228). After an ex-student of a local yeshiva is killed in the bloodshed taking place in Israel, Reb Saunders and his anti-Zionist followers stop their protest. Later, at Dannys sisters wedding, Reb Saunders finally breaks down the barrier between the Saunders and the Malters he had so vigorously constructed by inviting Reuven over for Shabbat. Eventually, Reuven and Dannys friendship becomes just as strong as before their separation, exhibiting that their bond could outlast the reign of a harsh dictatorial father like Reb Saunders. Danny Saunders is visibly delighted by the reintroduction of Reuven and his friendship when he smiled hesitantly, his blue eyes bright and shining (244). Danny and Reuvens triumph over Reb Saunderss severe exile of the Malters can be interpreted as a metaphor for freedom prevailing. The growth of characters and the events in the second half of The Chosen are determined by their reactions to the Holocaust and to the Zionist movement. After having been separated because of differences in opinion, Reuven and Danny realize that their friendship is stronger than any political or religious differences they may have. David Malter and Reb Saunders, although very different, end up accomplishing the same task in raising fine young men who grow to cherish their own independent system of beliefs.

Children and War Essay Example for Free

Children and War Essay How do children experience war and what coping assistance do they need from adults? What can we do to raise children in war torn times. According to a report by the London based International Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, an estimated 300,000 children in more than 80 countries are participating in armed conflict. I personally feel that children experience war because adults bring them into this conflict. Professor Henninger mentioned in his post, â€Å"Culture plays a big part,† in how children around the world experience war. Children are seen as innocent and many times are used as undetectable threats in war zones because who would suspect that a child is carrying a bomb or other various weapon devices such as hand-grenades and high powered guns. According to my research on this topic, children are used to having a safe haven and during war safety cannot be a permanent item, which is what children will need. The class text mentions that children’s memory is affected by not so pleasant images of being around a war zone, children can become desensitized to violence which could cause children to display violent behavior; reasoning on moral issues are affected, plus numerous other issues such as anxiety and depression are items children experience during war. It is unfortunate during war time in various areas, young girls can become victims of rape and often young girls are used as â€Å"Soldiers wives† in various foreign countries (Garbarino, Kostelny Dubrow 1998), where they are made to live in slavery and care for the soldiers every need, which includes intimate needs. This is why some of these young girls become pregnant and are then often time abandoned while the solider finds a new young female victim. Research has shown that once these young girls have babies, they seen as outcast and cannot return back to their regular family unit, due to most family members have been killed due to war zones. Young female and male children both experience major disruption to their family unit. I have seen on new reports where children became instant orphans and most likely saw their parent or parents murdered during war and then the child is left to care for themselves or many times they may have to care for other siblings. Young males may lose their fathers permanently due to war and this loss may place this young man as the â€Å"Head of household†, where their maturity level is not consistent (Weisenmiller) with taking over such as important role for the family. Coping Assistance for Children of War How children will experience war is also based on how the adults around them handle the situation. For example, if the parent is able to be with the child by offering comfort during such a climatic time and by being upfront with the child or children of what is happening, this will help ease the anxiety caused by war. The United Nations in the past held special sessions on how to deter the affects of war on children who live in war zones on a worldwide level. Special curriculums have been set-up in many war torn countries to allow children to either discuss, draw, or play act events that occurred to them during war, so they share their story and not hold things in, which could cause more stress in their young life. Assistant for children involved financial backing, which many times under developed countries do not have the mean, so international help organizations cans step in and provide the children with the physical and psychological help they would need to recover. Children need coping assistance that will help provide their basic everyday needs such as food, shelter, reassurance of safety and assistance with social development. Social programs such a UNICEF, Salvation Army, Red Cross, along with family, friends and the community will help children cope during times of war. When a child is raised in war torn times, they need to feel valued and make them become part of the community again by assisting in keeping them in school, healthy, have food and water available. Children need truthful information provided to them during war times because it is very important that they have an understanding of what is happening around them. Overall, support from parents, the community, friendly nations is important in helping to raise children during war time, and also help the child keep a sense of childhood when war issues arise. References: Berk, Laura E. (2009), Child Development Eight Edition. Pearson Education Clements, Paul T, Jr., PhD,R.N., C.S. (2001). Terrorism in America: How do we tell the children? Journal of Psychosocial Nursing Mental Health Services, 39(11), 8-10. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/225547648?accountid=828 Garbarino, J., Kostelny, K., Dubrow, N. (1998). No place to be a child: Growing up in a war zone. Jossey-Bass Weisenmiller, M. (2007, May 11). Health: Trauma haunts children in war zones. Global Information Network. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/457557903?accountid=8289

Perovskite Electrocatalyst for CO2 Reduction Design

Perovskite Electrocatalyst for CO2 Reduction Design Theoretical design of efficient perovskite electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction Summary This project aims to engineer perovskite materials as efficient electrocatalysts for CO2 to fuel conversion. Perovskite are appealing candidates because of their wide ranging and complex electronic structures. There is a scope to break some of the limitations of metallic catalysts to come up with new efficient electro catalyst. The endless varieties of electronic properties oxides’ show are truly astounding. We would like to search this large materials space systematically for possible catalyst with improved activity for CO2 reduction. However, they should also be active, stable and conductive at relevant potentials to meet application targets. Identification and establishment of design principles for efficient oxide catalyst for CO2 reduction will mark the scientific part of this project. Efforts to be made for predicting molecular pathway of CO2 reduction reactions and develop unified search criterion like descriptors regarding these reactions. Then this knowledge to be appl ied for high throughput computational search for best perovskite electrocatalysts. In this project we plan to utilize the latest simulation methodologies developed based on density functional theory (DFT) towards understanding the molecular mechanism of CO2 to fuel conversion on oxide surfaces. Further on, we will explore kinetic barriers using nudged elastic band (NEB) method to come up with possible efficient electro catalyst. Introduction and perspective on impact Global energy consumption will increase manifold in a few decades as larger fraction of world population achieves higher quality of life. This demand could be met from fossil fuels, particularly coal. However, in recent time, carbon dioxide level in the air has reached the highest (>400 ppm) of the last 20 million years, causing radical and largely unpredictable changes in the environment. Thus to maintain sustainability for human kind, it will require invention, development, and deployment of carbon-neutral energy production at a scale larger than, the entire energy supply in modern civilization. To support high penetration of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power it would require a commensurate increase in energy storage capacity to integrate them into the electrical power grid. This is to facilitate reliability in power delivery by smoothing out the large fluctuations. Electrochemical conversion of CO2 and H2O into liquid fuels is the holy grail where high density renewable energy storage and CO2 capture meet each other. However, no electro-catalyst known to man can catalyse this reaction efficiently. Copper (Cu) is the only metal with considerable activity, but its efficiency and selectivity for liquid fuels are far too low for practical use. Ruthenium dioxide can convert CO2 to methanol at a low overpotential, however, the process is rather unselective and ruthenium is extremely scarce. It is of utmost importance to discover efficient electro catalyst with low over potential, high faraday efficiency and most importantly, made of earth abundant elements. Recent success obtained in photo electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 on SrTiO3 surfaces and electrocatalytic reduction of the same on Lanthanum Strontium Cuprate perovskite leads us towards selecting oxides especially perovskite as the most promising class of materials to study. The potential phase space of (mixed metal at A and B site) perovskite materials is very large, thus experimentally testing all compounds is not practically feasible, but has to be narrowed down through computational screening. Simulation science has taken up a key role in development of new energy materials in the last couple of years, through computation of materials properties, which are difficult to measure experimentally. Development in computer power has enabled large-scale materials screening and design at atomistic scale. Within catalyst design, simulations can identify restrictions on catalyst activity and selectivity caused by scaling laws, and these laws enable efficient prediction of activity or selectivity for possible new catalysts. Background Hori did seminal work on electrochemical reduction of CO2 on pure metals. Cu is the only metal that does not desorb CO and can uniquely reduce CO2 to significant quantities of hydrocarbons (mainly CH4 and C2H4). Reduction of CO2 on Cu is accompanied with a very high over-potential that hinders this reaction from being energy efficient. Recently, a mechanism that explains coppers unique ability in reducing CO2 to hydrocarbons and the origin of the high over-potential for the reduction of CO2 was identified by DFT calculations in conjunction with computational hydrogen electrode (CHE) model. Since electrochemical CO2 reduction to methane is an eight electron-proton transfer step that has seven intermediates, finding the best catalyst in principle demands understanding of a seven-dimensional molecule surface interaction space. Fortunately, the binding energies of carbon bounded species and oxygen bounded species scale with the binding energies of CO and OH, respectively. These correlati ons reduce the dimensionality to two binding energies but make it difficult to change the binding energies independently. Based on different reaction pathways and scaling relations Peterson and co-workers constructed volcano plots for different metals. It was shown that regardless of the reaction pathway, changing the metal surface marginally changes the over-potential. This helped to move the focus on other class of catalysts e,g, rutile oxides (Ru/Ir/Ti) can catalyze the conversion of CO2 to alcohols. However, very little is known about the reduction of CO2 to alcohols on oxide electrocatalysts. As the binding energies of OH/CO vary much widely on oxides than metals, it is possible to have different pathways and thermodynamic limiting steps on oxide surfaces than metallic ones. That makes template based computational search much more challenging, at the same time opening up possibilities of adsorbate-surface binding energies away from the established scaling laws. In general, there are three criteria that should be fulfilled by a newly proposed catalyst material: The catalyst should have high selectivity towards desired product It should have high energy efficiency, i.e. low reduction over-potential It should be stable at potentials of interest so that the activity does not degrade over time It should have sufficient electronic/polaronic conductivity Research plan For the thermodynamic pathway of the reactions, computational hydrogen electrode model will be followed to calculate the potential dependent reaction free energies from density functional theory based calculations using BEEF-vdW functional and PAW method as implemented in VASP. Corrections for zero point energy, heat capacity, entropic contribution and other energy correction for free molecules will be taken into account. Usage of BEEF-vdW functional will enable the estimation of errors in first principles calculations and describe proper long range van der Waals interaction between adsorbates and surfaces. Statistical tools will be used to calculate corrections from vibrational modes of the adsorbates. In addition, to describe correctly the electronic structure of late transition and rare-earth metals, Hubbard U correction method will be employed as and when required. To know atomic structure of the catalyst surface, which is key to these calculations, potential dependent surface Po urbaix diagrams will be constructed. Kinetic barriers for individual reaction steps will be searched with the climbing image nudged elastic band (CI-NEB) method. This method lets us find saddle points and minimum energy paths between two atomic configurations and works by optimizing a number of intermediate images along the reaction path. Using this methodology to study CO2 reduction over a handful of well-known perovskite materials, we will be able to establish activity descriptors for favorable catalysts. Through Brà ¸nsted–Evans–Polanyi relation between the activation energy and the reaction energy extends scaling laws to kinetic barriers as well. Using thermodynamic and kinetic scaling laws, it will be feasible to define most critical descriptors of the many electron reactions. These descriptors along with selectivity based parameters (e.g. suppressed hydrogen evolution) will be used to screen through a really large phase space of perovskite structures constructed in a 2x2x2 supercell (40 atoms) by using a large number of different elements in A/B or anion site as well as vacancies which are common in many perovskite materials. Significant fraction of these hypothetical structures will be discarded through simple rules like oxidation number sum, Goldstein’s rule and Valence Bond models. In th e screening process, the stability of possible structures are assessed using an accurate scheme of comparing the total energy of each compound to a pool of reference systems using a linear programming algorithm, to determine whether the material is stable or not. The further level of screening will include looking for materials with small or no bandgap using GLLB-sc functional. This is a crude approximation for screening purpose. For few selected structures, other conduction mechanism such as quantum tunneling or polaron hopping will be studied in more detail using Marcus theory for polaron hopping and non-equilibrium Green function based transport modelling. Even with the large reduction in search space through simple rule based screening, it will be impossible to perform DFT calculation for all of the possible structure. A genetic algorithm based search will enable us to effectively get the fittest candidates with existing computational resources. The parameters for the fit function will be similar as discussed above. Concepts of mutation and crossover will be used for quick searching. The project will be carried out in collaboration with experimentalist from DTU Energy Conversion (Prof. Nini Pryds and his group) and DTU Physics (Prof. Ib Chorkendorff and group). This will enable rapid experimental validation of predicted materials as effective CO2 reduction electrocatalyst. Work package and milestones WP1: Establish reaction mechanism (Jan 2015 – Aug 2015) 1.1 Calculate atomistic structure of SrTiO3 and NaNbO3 (100) and (110) surfaces from surface Pourbaix diagram 1.2 Study wide variety adsorbates to confirm reaction pathway to alkane and alcohols 1.3 Estimate kinetic barriers for the reaction paths WP2: Search for Descriptor (Sept 2015 – Feb 2016) 2.1 Calculate thermodynamic and kinetic barrier for CO2 reduction reactions for larger number (~50) of well-known perovskite. 2.2 Study these barriers for identifying best descriptors for the reactions 2.3 Do micro-kinetic modelling of the system considering different final products both carbonaceous and hydrogen based of the descriptors of reactions, to define region of selectivity and low over-potential requirement. WP2: High throughput computing based catalyst search and validation (Mar 2015 – Dec 2016) 3.1 Setup Computational infrastructure (e.g. software framework working in unison) required for screening methodology over billions of structures. The layers in the screening (rule based and calculation based) as well as the genetic algorithm based evolutionary search tool has to work in tandem. 3.2 Perform the large scale search for optimum binding energies, kinetic barrier, conductivity and selectivity through GA based exploration of the phase space. The fit criterion for a specific product to be defined based on the results of the micro-kinetic modelling. 3.3 Synthesize and run experiments for measuring activity of a handful of selected candidates for different end products Resource requirement The scale of the computational search and complexity requires tier0 type supercomputing infrastructure. I expect to be able to use ~8 million cpu hours in the DTU HPC resource – NIFLHEIM. Applications have also been made for another 20 million cpu hours under the European supercomputing program – PRACE. Scientific dissemination The fundamental insight developed, catalyst predicted and validated throughout this project will generate utmost interest in the catalysis for sustainable energy field internationally. Thus findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals with a high visibility. Such publications can be expected during 4Q of 2015 and 2016. Preliminary results will be presented at relevant conferences within the fields of electrocatalysis, computational electrochemistry and surface science. Besides contributing to fundamental insight the project is focused on specific catalyst design and it is therefore an objective that one or more patents will be filed for at the end of the period.