BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

FINAL ISP ACCEPTABLE COLLATERAL DAMAGE* YesSadly They Are Serious

*COLLATERAL DAMAGE OCCURS WHEN SOMETHING INCIDENTAL (ENVIRONMENT OR HUMAN) TO THE INTENDED TARGET (MINERALS) IS DAMAGED DURING MINERAL EXTRACTION

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010

I heard on the radio this morning (Wednesday, June 6, 2012) that environmental damage, no matter how severe or life altering, is a necessary and acceptable cost to mining gold (Barrick Gold surpasses a billion dollar profit for first quarter) or any other mineral or profit making deposits. All mining operations (area mining, open pit mining, contour mining, auger mining, and mountaintop removal) have a disruptive effect on the environment. Mining can severely erode the soil or reduce its fertility; pollute waters or drain underground water reserves; scar or altar the landscape; damage roads, homes, and other structures; and destroy wildlife. The dust and particles from mining roads, stockpiles, and lands disturbed by mining are a significant source of air pollution. The Mechanics of Strip Mining All surface or strip mining first removes the overlying vegetation, soil and underground rock layers in order to expose and extract minerals (gold, coal, etc) from an underground seam or deposit. Responsible surface mining attempts to limit the side effects of this removal through several basic steps: 1. First, the surface vegetation (trees, bushes, etc.) under which the coal seam lies is scalped or removed. 2. Next, the operator removes the topsoil, usually by bulldozers or scrapers and loaders. The operator either stockpiles the topsoil for later use or spreads it over an area that already has been mined. 3. The exposed overburden is then usually drilled and blasted, and removed by bulldozers, shovels, bucket wheel excavators, or draglines, depending on the amount of overburden and the type of mining. 4. After removing the overburden, the exposed coal seam is usually fractured by blasting. 5. The operator then loads the fractured coal onto trucks or conveyor belts and hauls it away. 6. Next, the operator dumps the overburden or spoil that was removed during the mining process on a previously mined area and then grades and compacts it. (Special handling may be necessary if any of the overburden contains toxic materials, such as acid or alkaline producing materials.) 7. Any excess overburden that remains after the mined area is completely backfilled (Eastern mines generally have substantial excess spoil) is deposited in a fill. 8. Finally, the operator redistributes the topsoil and seeds and re-vegetate the mined area. While these basic steps are relatively consistent, the environmental impacts of the five main techniques vary significantly.

Final ISP

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Your Task:

1.

Is to create a letter inviting me, (Mr. Mantin), to review and mark your final project. There should be 3 paragraphs: i. The invitation ii. Highlight your project III. Thanking me for this and that and if I should have any questions, etc give your contact information. (Cell, E-Mail, etc)

2. Is to create a report. It must include all of the following:

A topic Go research and report on Mining and the Environment FIND YOUR OWN ARTICLE Your article must be summarized
and the original article must be passed in as part of your report

Must be more than 5 pages in length Report must be personalized, use the full power of Microsoft word, (colour, different font sizes, graphics, textboxes, and whatever it takes to make your report work) and not just a regurgitation of some internet articles. Think, reflect, cast your mind to the future, then do Must be in good format, (see and use as a guide the handout Formatting a Report.): (a) (b) (c) Title page Index More than 5 pages of information Conclusion (minimum 1 page) Bibliography

(D)
(e)

Both letter and report must be in good form when passed in upon completion.

3. 4.
Timeline Guide:

You will present your reportPowerPoint. Provide slides and notes Create a powerful, thought-provoking poster

There are four (4) parts to this activity: 1. Letter (1 day) 2. Title Page, Table of Contents, Report and MLA Bibliography (4 days) 3. PowerPoint Presentation (3 days) Individual Presentation (use full power of PPT) Submission of slides and note pages Organization and Creativity (5 days)

4. Poster

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It is important that you manage your time well in order to complete the parts of the assignment. Please also pay close attention to submission requirements such as document type, format and layouts. Room 107 is open most days in the morning from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and at lunch so that you have additional time to complete this work. Remember that all activity work should be done in the school so that problems can be addressed. Make sure that you ask your teacher questions and get clarification on any aspect of the assignment that you do not understand. He is not to do it for you. Do not wait until the last moment for assistance. Make sure that you also submit your rubrics so that your work can be evaluated. Your final submission must be in good report form: clean, neat and business professional in appearance.

DUE DATE:

START OF MORATORIUM WEEK IN JUNE

PRESENTATIONS WILL BE HEARD DURING MORATORIUM WEEK

STRESS AT WORK
How to Reduce and Manage Job and Workplace Stress
In this difficult economy, you may find it harder than ever to cope with challenges on the job. Both the stress we take with us when we go to work and the stress that awaits us on the job are on the rise and employers, managers, and workers all feel the added pressure. While some stress is a normal part of life, excessive stress interferes with your productivity and reduces your physical and emotional health, so its important to find ways to keep it under control. Fortunately, there is a lot that you can do to manage and reduce stress at work.

Coping With Work Stress in Todays Uncertain Climate:

For workers everywhere, the troubled economy may feel like an emotional roller coaster. "Layoffs" and "budget cuts" have become bywords in the workplace, and the result is increased fear, uncertainty, and higher levels of stress. Since job and workplace stress grow in times of economic crisis, its important to learn new and better ways of coping with the pressure. The ability to manage stress in the workplace can make the difference between success or failure on the job. Your emotions are contagious, and stress has an impact on the quality of your interactions with others. The better you are at managing your own stress, the more you'll positively affect those around you and the less other people's stress will negatively affect you.

You can learn how to manage job stress

There are a variety of steps you can take to reduce both your overall stress levels and the stress you find on the job and in the workplace. These include:

Taking responsibility for improving your physical and emotional well-being. Avoiding pitfalls by identifying knee jerk habits and negative attitudes that add to the stress you experience at work. Learning better communication skills to ease and improve your relationships with management and coworkers.

Warning signs of excessive stress at work

When people feel overwhelmed, they lose confidence and become irritable or withdrawn, making them less productive and effective and their work less rewarding. If the warning signs of work stress go unattended, they can lead to bigger problems. Beyond interfering with job performance and satisfaction, chronic or intense stress can also lead to physical and emotional health problems.

Signs and symptoms of excessive job and workplace stress

Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed Apathy, loss of interest in work. Problems sleeping Fatigue, Trouble concentrating

Muscle tension orheadaches Stomach problems Social withdrawal Loss of sex drive Using alcohol or drugs to cope

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Common causes of excessive workplace stress

Fear of layoffs Increased demands for overtime due to staff cutbacks Pressure to perform to meet rising expectations but with no increase in job satisfaction Pressure to work at optimum levels all the time!

Reducing job stress by taking care of yourself

When stress on the job is interfering with your ability to work, care for yourself, or manage your personal life, its time to take action. Start by paying attention to your physical and emotional health. When your own needs are taken care of, youre stronger and more resilient to stress. The better you feel, the better equipped youll be to manage work stress without becoming overwhelmed. Taking care of yourself doesnt require a total lifestyle overhaul. Even small things can lift your mood, increase your energy, and make you feel like youre back in the drivers seat. Take things one step at a time, and as you make more positive lifestyle choices, youll soon notice a noticeable difference in your stress level, both at home at work.

Get moving
Aerobic exercise perspiring -is an effective anti-anxiety treatment lifting mood, increasing energy, sharpening focus and relaxing mind and body. For maximum stress relief, try to get at least 30 minutes of hear pounding activity on most days but activity can be broken up into two or three short segments. For more information, see Making Exercise Fun.

Make food choices that keep you going and make you feel good
Eating small but frequent meals throughout the day maintains an even level of blood sugar in your body. Low blood sugar makes you feel anxious and irritable. On the other hand, eating too much can make you lethargic. To learn more about food that have a calming effect, lift your mood and make you feel good, see Tips for a Healthy Diet.

Drink alcohol in moderation and avoid nicotine

Alcohol temporarily reduces anxiety and worry, but too much can cause anxiety as it wears off. Drinking to relieve job stress can also start you on a path to alcohol abuse and dependence. Similarly, smoking when you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed may seem calming, but nicotine is a powerful stimulant leading to higher, not lower, levels of anxiety.

Get enough sleep

Stress and worry can cause insomnia. But lack of sleep also leaves you vulnerable to stress. When you're sleep deprived, your ability to handle stress is compromised. When you're well-rested, it's much easier to keep your emotional balance, a key factor in coping with job and workplace stress. For more information, see Tips for a Good Night's Sleep.

Reducing job stress by prioritizing and organizing

When job and workplace stress surrounds you, you cant ignore it, but there are simple steps you can take to regain control over yourself and the situation. Your growing sense of self-control will also be perceived by others as the strength it is, leading to better relationships at work. Here are some suggestions for reducing job stress by prioritizing and organizing your responsibilities.

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Time management tips for reducing job stress

Create a balanced schedule. Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. All work and no play is a recipe for burnout. Try to find a balance between work and family life, social activities and solitary pursuits, daily responsibilities and downtime. Dont over-commit yourself. Avoid scheduling things back-to-back or trying to fit too much into one day. All too often, we underestimate how long things will take. If you've got too much on your plate, distinguish between the "shoulds" and the "musts." Drop tasks that aren't truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely. Try to leave earlier in the morning. Even 10-15 minutes can make the difference between frantically rushing to your desk and having time to ease into your day. Dont add to your stress levels by running late. Plan regular breaks. Make sure to take short breaks throughout the day to sit back and clear your mind. Also try to get away from your desk for lunch. Stepping away from work to briefly relax and recharge will help you be more, not less, productive.

Task management tips for reducing job stress

Prioritize tasks. Make a list of tasks you have to do, and tackle them in order of importance. Do the highpriority items first. If you have something particularly unpleasant to do, get it over with early. The rest of your day will be more pleasant as a result. Break projects into small steps. If a large project seems overwhelming, make a step-by-step plan. Focus on one manageable step at a time, rather than taking on everything at once. Delegate responsibility. You dont have to do it all yourself, whether at home, school, or on the job. If other people can take care of the task, why not let them? Let go of the desire to control or oversee every little step. Youll be letting go of unnecessary stress in the process.

Reducing workplace stress by improving emotional intelligence

Even if youre in a job where the environment has grown increasingly stressful, you can retain a large measure of self-control and self-confidence by understanding and practicing emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage and use your emotions in positive and constructive ways. It's about communicating with others in ways that draw people to you, overcome differences, repair wounded feelings, and defuse tension and stress.

Emotional intelligence in the workplace:

Emotional intelligence in the workplace has four major components:

Self-awareness The ability to recognize your emotions and their impact while using gut feelings to guide your decisions. Self-management The ability to control your emotions and behaviour and adapt to changing circumstances. Social awareness The ability to sense, understand, and react to other's emotions and feel comfortable socially.

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Relationship management The ability to inspire, influence, and connect to others and manage conflict.

Reducing stress in the workplace with emotional intelligence

The more emotional intelligence you have, the more stress you can avoid in the workplace. Fortunately, emotional intelligence is not something were born with; its something we can learn and develop. To learn how to increase your emotional intelligence, read Five Key Skills for Raising Your Emotional Intelligence. The skill set that enables you to acquire these capabilities can be learned but requires the development of emotional and nonverbal ways of communicating that include:

Learning to recognize your particular stress response and become familiar with sensual cues that can rapidly calm and energize you. Staying connected to your internal emotional experience so you can appropriately manage your own emotions. Knowing what you are feeling will not only add to your self confidence and improve your self control but enhance your understanding of others and help you build more satisfying relationships. Learning to recognize and effectively use the nonverbal cues that make up 95-98% of your communication process including eye contact, facial expression, tone of voice, posture , gesture and touch. Its not what you say but how you say it that impacts others for better or worse. Developing the capacity to meet challenges with humor. There is no better stress buster than a hardy laugh and nothing reduces stress quicker in the workplace than mutually shared humor. But, if the laugh is at someone elses expense, you may end up with more rather than less stress. Learning to navigate conflict by becoming a good listener and someone who can face conflict fearlessly with the expectation that differences resolved will strengthen the relationship.

Reducing workplace stress by breaking bad habits

As you learn to manage your job stress and improve your work relationships, youll have more control over your ability to think clearly and act appropriately. You will be able to break habits that add to your stress at work and youll even be able to change negative ways of thinking about things that only add to your stress.

Eliminate self-defeating behaviours

Many of us make job stress worse with patterns of thought or behaviour that keep us from relieving pressure on ourselves. If you can turn around these self-defeating habits, youll find employer-imposed stress easier to handle.

Resist perfectionism. No project, situation, or decision is ever perfect, and you put undue stress on yourself by trying to do everything perfectly. When you set unrealistic goals for yourself or try to do too much, youre setting yourself up to fall short. Do your best, and youll do fine. Clean up your act. If youre always running late, set your clocks and watches fast and give yourself extra time. If your desk is a mess, file and throw away the clutter; just knowing where everything is saves time and cuts stress. Make to-do lists and cross off

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items as you accomplish them. Plan your day and stick to the schedule youll feel less overwhelmed.

Flip your negative thinking. If you see the downside of every situation and interaction, youll find yourself drained of energy and motivation. Try to think positively about your work, avoid negativethinking co-workers, and pat yourself on the back about small accomplishments, even if no one else does.

Find Ways to Dispel Stress

Get time away. If you feel stress building, take a break. Walk away from the situation. Take a stroll around the block, sit on a park bench, or spend a few minutes meditating. Exercise does wonders for the psyche. But even just finding a quiet place and listening to your iPod can reduce stress. Talk it out. Sometimes the best stress-reducer is simply sharing your stress with someone close to you. The act of talking it out and getting support and empathy from someone else is often an excellent way of blowing off steam and reducing stress. Cultivate allies at work. Just knowing you have one or more co-workers who are willing to assist you in times of stress will reduce your stress level. Just remember to reciprocate and help them when they are in need. Find humor in the situation. When you or the people around you start taking things too seriously, find a way to break through with laughter. Share a joke or funny story.

Adapted from Quintessential Careers

What managers or employers can do to reduce stress at work

It's in a manager's best interest to keep stress levels in the workplace to a minimum. Managers must act as positive role models, especially in times of high stress. All of the tips mentioned in this article are twice as important for managers to follow. If someone that we admire remains calm, it is much easier to remain calm ourselves and vice versa! There are also organizational changes that managers and employers can make to reduce workplace stress.

Improve communication

Share information with employees to reduce uncertainty about their jobs and futures. Clearly define employees roles and responsibilities. Make communication friendly and efficient, not mean-spirited or petty.

Consult your employees

Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their jobs. Consult employees about scheduling and work rules. Be sure the workload is suitable to employees abilities and resources; avoid unrealistic deadlines. Show that individual workers are valued.

Offer rewards and incentives

Praise good work performance verbally and institutionally. Provide opportunities for career development. Promote an entrepreneurial work climate that gives employees more control over their work. Provide opportunities for social interaction among employees. Establish a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. Make management actions consistent with organizational values.

Cultivate a friendly social climate