A Significant Method of Mediating Conflicts among Multiple Parties

A Significant Method of Mediating Conflicts among Multiple Parties A Significant Method of Mediating Conflicts among Multiple Parties Abstract Since time immemorial, disputes occurred among different parties from various settings. People apply several method of resolving their disputes or conflicts. The disputes may appear either formal or informal. However, the method of conflict resolution selected in any kind of conflict resolution process largely affects how fast or slow a solution is obtained. Hence, in most conflict resolution processes, most individuals opt for mediation as a means of reaching a reasonable agreement. Thus, mediation refers to a process of resolving or intervening between two or more conflicting parties. In addition, it involves a third neutral party who takes no sides and only works with the facts presented by the conflicting parties to come to an acceptable conclusion. The aim of mediation includes bringing peace and understanding between the conflicting parties. Moreover, whatever agreement occurs at the end of the mediation process should suit the interests of either parties in one way or another. At least, each party should feel well accommodated by the final decision (Dyer, 2000). There exist different types of mediation that occur in the event of a certain conflict. The type of mediation selected by any mediator should occur relevant to the problem at hand. This tends to ease the entire process. One method of conflict resolution includes the facilitative mediation. In this type of mediation, resolutions come mainly from the disputing individuals rather than the mediator. In most cases, the mediator occurred as an uninformed party. This happened to avoid his or her indulgence in deciding a possible solution for the parties. In ancient times, this appeared as the sole method of resolving conflicts and there existed no attorneys. In this process, the mediator interrogates the parties at length. He or she ensures that the full interests of each individual are placed on the table. In addition, the mediation occurs in the presence of all the conflicting parties. Furthermore, the mediator possesses no hand in giving outcomes or judgments during the whole process. Another method of mediation includes the evaluative mediation In this type of mediation, settlement of disputes occurs in the presence of a judge or an attorney. The parties meet with the attorneys at different times in the whole process. Here, the role of the mediator who includes the attorney involves giving both informal and formal results of the conflict. In addition, he or she possesses an upper hand in deciding for the parties on the best way of coming to a lucrative conclusion. Moreover, the mediation occurs based on the legal rights of each individual. This method of mediation pays less attention to the interests or desires of the conflicting parties. It only works on legal grounds, different from the facilitative method where the interests of each party get aired out. In addition, in evaluative mediation, the parties meet with the attorney on separate occasions. The attorney involved in any mediation gets chosen with the help of the judge (Hope, 2009). Another type of mediation includes the transformative mediation. This occurs as the most current type of mediation among the three. It possesses some similar features with the facilitative mediation. In the transformative mediation process, the mediator works on empowering and transforming the individuals in question. Moreover, he or she ensures that the parties understand one anothers interests and well-being in the whole process. Before a conclusion occurs, the mediator ensures that a high level of understanding exists amongst the parties. Furthermore, different from the evaluative mediation, the parties involved in the conflict meet in a joint meeting with the mediator. This allows each party to air out their interests and problems in the presence of all the other members. The mediator also gets the opportunity of working with them in a better way. All the above-mentioned methods of mediating in conflicts possess different advantages and disadvantages. In transformative and facilitative methods of mediation, the benefit occurs that the conflicting individuals are empowered. Each party end up feeling accommodated in the whole processes. However, this method may take a longer duration in the process of reaching a lucrative agreement. Moreover, since the decisions come entirely from the parties, some of these decisions may appear bias. Thus, the process may not lead to a general solution to the problem. On the other hand, evaluative mediation helps the parties in getting either a solution or an answer to their problem. In addition, this process involves legal procedures where the legal rights of each party get considered at every point of the process. One disadvantage of this method includes the fact that the mediator makes all the decisions in the whole mediation process and this may lead to a false or incorrect solution to the problem. In a case, where multiple parties conflict happens as in the case of a jointly owned firm, the best method of mediation would be the evaluative way. In this case, an attorney or judge in separate meetings would hear the conflicting parties. The reason why this method occurs as the best one includes the fact that it involves legal procedures. In addition to that, since this case appears immensely complicated and sensitive, a central neutral party is required to oversee the way forward to attaining a solution. An attorney chosen by the judge for this particular case would suggest informal and formal recommendations concerning the outcome of the case (Spence Brogan, 2007). A conflict refers to a state of misunderstanding between two or more parties In conflicts, most people apply measures that suit their individual interests in the process of finding a solution. Therefore, it occurs fundamental to choose a lucrative method of solving the problem. Mediation occurs as the best way to find a solution for two or more conflicting parties. The type of mediation procedures may appear either formal or informal based on the nature of the case. In other cases, as the one mentioned in this essay, both formal and informal procedures may appear. The reason why the evaluative method of resolving this case occurs crucial includes the fact that the solution does not arise from either parties. In this case, each part requires a hearing of their individual interests. In addition, all the parties faced immense losses with the collapse of the firm. Thus, giving an open room for individual opinions would only drug the case. Hence, cause delays in reaching a solution. This method involves legal processes since the jury is involved in each process. Once the problems encounter a hearing and evaluation by the judge, an appropriate attorney is selected to handle the entire mediation process. He or she either works entirely on finding solutions or answers to the problem. Moreover, this method evades bias since the process puts into consideration the legal rights of each individual. This method appears as an effective way of solving the companys problem since it takes the shortest time possible to reach a conclusion. Each member together with their individual attorney meets the mediator in separate meetings. In case of a contradiction, the mediators bring all the members together to weigh out options, still putting into consideration their legal rights. The method of mediation that gets chosen in any case should suit the problem at hand. The duration taken to reach a conclusion entirely depends on the method of mediation used. Another factor that may largely affect the mediation process includes the effectiveness of the mediator. At times, an uninformed mediator may not possess the ability to help the parties in reaching a conclusion. Moreover, this may lead to a prolonged process of mediation. Thus, most people aspiring to mediate in conflicts should pursue the necessary training in order to sharpen their knowledge in this field (Berger, 2006). Another reason as to why training appears as a fundamental factor for mediators includes the fact that a mediation process involves strong feelings. As such, a mediator may require the rightful skill on how to handle these feelings in the process of mediation. In addition, further training in the same field occurs crucial since there is no limit to the kinds of conflicts that a mediator may need to deal with at any given time. In conclusion, mediation refers to a process of intervening between two or more conflicting parties in order to reach a lucrative solution. In mediation, a third neutral party occurs to help in finding a peaceful conclusion to the problem. There exist three main types of mediation used in conflict resolution. Each type of mediation applies the particular types conflicts. The three main types of mediation include evaluative mediation, transformative mediation and facilitative mediation. Transformative and evaluative kinds of mediation possess similar characteristics in that both of them involve the conflicting parties in reaching a conclusion. The evaluative method of mediation involves legal actions where the conflicting parties employ an attorney each to help in finding a solution. In addition, the mediator in this case considers the legal rights of each individual and helps them achieve either solutions or answers to their problems (Hope, 2009). For the case that occurred in the essay, where a conflict occurred among multiple owners of a firm, the best method of mediation would be the evaluative method. This method occurs crucial due to the sensitivity of the case, thus, legal procedures should be implemented in order to avoid cases of bias or prolonged cases.

George W. Bush Biography

George W. Bush Biography George Bushs Childhood and Education: Born on July 6, 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut, George W. Bush is the oldest son of George H. W. and Barbara Pierce Bush. He grew up in Texas from the age of two. He came from a familial political tradition as his grandfather, Prescott Bush, was a U.S. Senator, and his father was the forty-first president. Bush attended Phillips Academy in Massachusetts and then went on to Yale, graduating in 1968. He considered himself an average student. After serving in the National Guard, he went to Harvard Business School. Family Ties: Bush has three brothers and one sister: Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy respectively. On November 5, 1977, Bush married Laura Welch. Together they had twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara.   Career Before the Presidency: After graduating from Yale, Bush spent a little less than six years in the Texas Air National Guard. He left the military to go to Harvard Business School. After getting his MBA, he started working in the oil industry in Texas. He helped his father campaign for the presidency in 1988. Then in 1989, he purchased part of the Texas Rangers baseball team. From 1995-2000, Bush served as the Governor of Texas. Becoming the President: The 2000 election was highly contentious. Bush ran against Democratic President  Bill Clintons vice president, Al Gore. The popular vote was won by Gore-Lieberman who carried 543,816 votes. However, the electoral vote was won by Bush-Cheney by 5 votes. In the end, they carried 371 electoral votes, one more than is necessary to win the election. The last time the president won the electoral vote without winning the popular vote was in 1888. Because of the controversy over the recount in Florida, the Gore campaign sued to have a manual recount. It went to the US Supreme Court and it was decided that the count in Florida was accurate. Therefore, Bush became President.   2004 Election: George Bush ran for reelection against Senator John Kerry. The election centered on how each would deal with terrorism and the war in Iraq. In the end, Bush won a little over 50% of the popular vote and 286 out of 538 electoral votes. Events and Accomplishments of George Bush’s Presidency: Bush took office in March 2001 and by September 11, 2001, the whole world was focused on New York City and the Pentagon with the attacks by Al-Qaeda operatives that resulted in the deaths of over 2,900 people. This event changed Bushs presidency forever. Bush ordered the invasion of Afghanistan and the overthrow of the Taliban which had been harboring Al-Qaeda training camps.In a very controversial move, Bush also declared war on Saddam Hussein and Iraq for the fear that they were hiding Weapons of Mass Destruction. America went to war with a coalition of twenty countries to enforce UN disarmament resolutions. It was later determined that he was not stockpiling them within the country. US forces took Baghdad and occupied Iraq. Hussein was captured in 2003.   An important education act passed while Bush was president was the No Child Left Behind Act meant to improve public schools. He found an unlikely partner to push forward the bill in Democrat Ted Kennedy. On January 14, 2004 the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded killing all on board. In the wake of this, Bush announced a new plan for NASA and space exploration including sending people back to the moon by 2018. Events that occurred at the end of his term that had no real resolution included continuing hostilities between Palestine and Israel, worldwide terrorism, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and issues surrounding illegal immigrants in America.   Career After the Presidency:   Since leaving the presidency George W. Bush withdrew from a time from public life, focusing on painting. He avoided partisan politics, making sure not to comment on President Barack Obamas decisions. He has written a memoir. He has also teamed up with President BIll Clinton to help victims of Haiti after the Haitian earthquake in 2010.

Grover Cleveland's Illegitimate Child Scanal Essay

Grover Cleveland's Illegitimate Child Scanal - Essay Example Hunter was a film-making staffer in his office. A comparison between the handling of the Cleveland’s case and the latter two cases reveals the significant transformation of America from a classical society that attempted to suppress such scandals to an open one in which guilty perpetrators are willing to admit their past mistakes publicly and show a sense of responsibility. This paper explores the impacts Cleveland’s illegitimate child scandal and the public response to such cases. Challenges of fighting sex scandals The US is better off in terms of surviving such scandals among political leaders (Wiid, Pitt and Engstrom 138). This is partly because the women, particularly those whose husbands have been caught up in these lies, are living testimonies of the historical female abuse in marriage relationships. In light of the long-standing challenges facing women, most of them tend to see child scandals as normal. As such, the problem has become so widespread among the pol itical elite that surviving them is relatively easy; especially once the media has directed extensive media coverage to other important issues affecting the society (Feschuk 85). Chotiner (5) has pointed out that prominent politicians have been at the forefront of these scandals, people who command huge following and admiration from the public. In light of this, these scandals have been misconstrued to mean private life events that have very little, if any bearing on the quality of services that the public is entitled to. This lack of concern on the part of the American public not only shows hypocrisy, it has resulted in repeated cases of child scandals by key leaders in the country (Berinsky et al 177). The repetitiveness of such cases affecting elected leaders has earned them some level of acceptance within the public domain, since forcing such leaders out of office has not been as easy as handling the conduct of the bureaucracy within government circles. Part of the issues that h ave aggravated such scandals by making the American public have a less serious approach to weeding out the perpetrators from public service is the effectiveness of some of the individuals in discharging their mandate (Chotiner 6). Most Americans would rather have an honest, apologetic political leader whose name has been tarnished by a child scandal, with an exemplary performance record to remain in office for the rest of his or her term than spend more time and resources replacing him. America survived Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, partly on this reasoning (Greenberg 52). Barring guilty would-be leaders from office Despite the virtual failure to bring all pre-existing holders of political offices to book over sex and illegitimate child scandals, most of the guilty would-be leaders have been successfully barred from holding public office. Senator John Edwards was a potential candidate for the vice-President of the United States five years ago, but was forced to abandon the race (Wiid, P itt, and Engstrom 141).  The leader’s ‘love child’ affair dented his image and leadership qualities when he misled his wife, and the country about the issue. Former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford was forced to call it quits in 2011 over a similar scandal.  His vocations in Argentina, it later emerged, were a scandal in which he admitted to using public funds to entertain his mistress. However, he has

Overview and Discuss the Current Trends in Web Development Essay

Overview and Discuss the Current Trends in Web Development - Essay Example It is predicted that there would be larger demands for single websites that would be capable of supporting both desktop computers as well as mobile instruments. For years, there have been websites serving for the computers and the mobiles separately. However, with recent development it is expected that there would be uniformity in the web designs enabling them to serve both for the computers and the mobile devices. At the same time, there would be greater need for security since simplified sign up processes would be involved in the further web developments. It is also predicted that customization of content of marketing would be supported through big data in the recent developments of the web (Scaglione, 2013). Mobiles are the latest trends in use. Considering the new developments in the web, it is predicted and expected that several simple sites would be developed through designs that are heavy in texture. Responsive and adaptive sites would be in an increase. The current trends are expected to mature in the near future. A new world would be entered into with the development of new and powerful browsers and HTML5, CSS3, and jQueries. These trends have been more focused in the recent times considering the fact that the mobile devices have become highly advanced easily available for use by individuals. Two major developments that are expected to largely influence the development of the web in the recent times and in the future are: Shift of companies to the SaaS and cloud model, and to the personalization and depending on technological intelligence for behavior of the user as well as the device; Development of the applications of the mobile devices (Scaglione, 2013). The year 2012 was expected to encounter certain hardships in terms of the economic difficulties and the web industry was found to struggle through such hardships as it tried to develop through censorship, indigenous applications, and the technology that was not only rapid in its nature but also frag mented. However the predictions for the year 2013 reflect change in the designs and hence shift to newer designs and development. Thus usage of the devices, as well as adjustments of the consumption of the web is considered for shifts to new developments (Grannell, 2013). Open source tools and applications have been obtained to be highly beneficial for web development as they are capable of being used as alternatives for web designs considering the budgets for such development in the present times. There are several open source applications that are free and also have features that may be compared to the ones offered by expensive web designs. Thus, this enables a web designer to have all the necessary tools and applications without much expenditure (Jones, 2009). The present study would discuss on some of the open sources web development tools that include HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, AngularJS, ASP.Net, jQuery, AJAX, Web Content Management Systems, WebApps, WYSIWYG, and Search Engine O ptimizations. The study would also have an overview on some of the closed sources as

London Ambulance Service Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

London Ambulance Service - Essay Example There are seventy ambulances, which serves the entire region of London. The trust is under the jurisdiction of the NHS. The NHS board meets after a period of two months to deliberate on the way forward for the trust. The board consists of a non-executive chairperson, five executive directors, and seven non-executive directors making thirteen board members. The LAS has a long history that dates way back in the 1960’s. The trust has weathered hard times to become one of the most reputable ambulance services in the world. Its formation was facilitated by the 1946 National Health services Act, which provided that ambulances were to be availed to any individual that required their services. Nine ambulance services merged in London and formed the LAS in 1965. Adjustments were made by the NHS, which resulted to the moving of LAS from the Local Government to South West Thames Regional Health Authority. It would later become a NHS trust in 1996 when the authority of South West Thames Regional Health Authority was eliminated (London Ambulance Service 2014). The operations of LAS cover a distance of up to 620 square miles. The region of operation ranges from Enfield to the north to Purley to the south while on the western is Heathrow and Upminster to the east. Seventy ambulance stations are spread across the entire region with four main headquarters at Waterloo road, Pocock Street, Loman street, Fielden House, and Bow. The trust provides an array of medical emergencies, which includes; provision of emergency responses, response to less serious calls, providing a clean environment for patient service, they do take patients for hospital appointments, they deal with major incidences, they help in finding hospital beds while making the experience of the patient to count. The services provided by London Ambulance Services stands out as a merit good. A merit good is one that the market underprovides and the forces therein do not affect the

Interview of a Presbyterian Church Member Essay Example for Free

Interview of a Presbyterian Church Member Essay The Presbyterian Church was founded during the 16th century during the Protest Reformation. Much of the teachings and philosophies began with John Calvin (1509-1564). Currently, the Presbyterian Church (USA), is based in Louisville, Kentucky and has about 2. 4 million members belonging to 11,100 congregations. The church also has about 14,000 ordained and active ministers. The Presbyterian Church belongs to the Presbyterian family of Churches which also includes the Reformed churches synonymous with the Calvinist tradition. In the U. S. A. , the first church was organized in 1706 and the first general assembly in 1789. The church as it stands today was the result of the reunification of the two main branches of the Presbyterian Church separated since the Civil War. The church has membership in all fifty states and Puerto Rico. 1) What sacraments do you celebrate? What rituals do you perform? Our church primarily believes in two sacraments – the sacrament of baptism and the sacrament of communion. These are the only sacraments mentioned in the Bible. The only rituals performed are baptism for newborns and for those who newly converted to the Presbyterian Church’ faith. We have no rituals, other than attending a Sunday service performed by a minister in the church structure by congregation. We celebrate our faith through singing oftentimes accompanied by the choir and a sermon delivered by the minister. 2) What are some of your most common traditions? The Presbyterian Church still practices what was started and rooted in the Bible’s teachings. We do have a general assembly that outlines our mission and goals for specific activities that the church members will undertake for a specified period of time. We abide by the decisions passed during the general assembly. We do missions inside and outside the country, more specifically in East Asia, Africa and other continents – wherever our mandates take us. We basically do preaching, teaching and healing – following Christ when he advocated for the poor, the hungry and the oppressed. 3) What beliefs distinguish your denomination from others? The Presbyterian Church (U. S. A. ) is distinctly a confessional and a connectional church, distinguished by the representation of elders-laymen and laywomen-in its government. Our church is also distinct in adhering to a separate religious thought known as Reformed Theology and a more â€Å"democratic† and representational church leadership that is now known as the General Assembly. 4) How was your church founded? Approximately twenty years after martin Luther King posted his list of 95 grievances on a Roman Catholic Church door in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517, a French/Swiss theologian name John Calvin refined the reformers’ manner and way of thinking about God and humankind’s relationship with God. This refined way of thinking became the basis for the foundation of the Presbyterian Church. 5) Who is the head of your church? The General Assembly meets and outlines the specific activities and guidelines for all its congregations to follow. The General Assembly consists of elders chosen by the people. The word Presbyterian means â€Å"elder† in Greek. The chosen elders exercise leadership, government, discipline and have responsibilities for the duration of the congregation. The body of elders elected to govern a particular congregation is called a session. According to the Book of Order G-6. 0302: â€Å"When elected commissioners to higher governing bodies, elders participate and vote with the same authority as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and they are eligible for any office†¦The session is the smallest, most local governing body. The other governing bodies are presbyteries, which are composed of several churches; synods, which are composed of several presbyteries; and the General Assembly, which represents the entire denomination. Elders and ministers who serve on these governing bodies are also called presbyters. † 6) What is the role of women in your church? The Presbyterian Church adheres to the equal sharing of servitude as well as leadership to women. Women can serve as elders, deacons and head of committees. The first ordination women elders occurred in 1962 and the first ordained women ministers began as early as 1965. 7) Have you been a life-long member of your church? If you converted, can you tell me why? I was born to conservative Catholic parents. I was baptized as a Catholic but while in College, I joined a social service organization that provides services to the marginalized people in the rural areas. That was when I met a friend who introduced me to the Presbyterian way of â€Å"reformed thinking†. From then on, I closely read the Bible and everything that was taught to me since I was born, like John Calvin, I began to question. More discussions with my friend made me a convert. 8) What happens during a typical worship service? There are similarities and differences between a Catholic service and the Presbyterian worship service. The Catholic Church has prescribed a set of ceremony that begins when a priest would enter the church with his assistants or what we call altar boys. There is a set book of sermon that the priest goes over. There is also a time for communion. But in the Presbyterian Church worship service; there is more open discussion of the scriptures. The minister can provide insights and there is a more joyful environment to worship God and his teachings. The ambience is so much different. Presbyterian Church members sing their praise to God. There is no â€Å"nagging† ceremony and no confessional to attend to before partaking of the â€Å"Body of Christ†. A Sunday worship is determined by the pastor, and the session, the church’s governing body. It usually includes a combination of prayer, music, Bible reading and a sermon based upon scripture. There is also a personal response and offering and community concerns are shared as part of the worship process. 9) Do you believe those from other faiths can have salvation, or go to heaven? Yes, it is possible. John Calvin believed in predestination. We chose God because he chose us first. Hence, we cannot judge who among us will be saved or who will go to heaven because that is a judgment reserved for God only. He alone knows who will be saved. 10) What are your views of the afterlife? I believe that there is life after death but only by the grace of God and through faith. 11) How does your faith interpret the Bible? For Presbyterians, the Bible is the means by which we, as Christians can come to understand the presence of God since the beginning of time. By understanding and learning the scriptures, we can then know of God’s love, eternal goodness and constant forgiveness of our sins. 12) How often does the church call upon you to pray? How often do you pray each day? The church exhorts church members and believers to pray as much as we can – either by praying aloud, in community with others or as much as we need to. It basically depends how much an individual’s needs. 13) What does the Presbyterian seal mean or symbolize? The church seal is the symbol of the church heritage, identity and its mission. The symbols embedded in the seal are the cross, Scripture, dove and the flames. The more prominent symbol in the seal is the cross. It represents the love of God through Jesus Christ, through his sacrifice and resurrection. 14) What are your views on abortion, alcohol, and capital punishment? The 217th General Assembly of the church clarified the position on problem pregnancies and abortion. The position paper basically states that the matter of abortion is ultimately the woman’s decision. The church though appeals to all members of the church to surround problematic women contemplating decision on a problematic pregnancy with love and support. The church clarified further that on matters of health concerns that is complicated by pregnancy; they encourage the safe delivery of both the mother and the child (during late term pregnancies). With regards alcohol consumption, the general assembly of the church â€Å"does not advocate the prohibition of alcohol, a policy which would appear to attribute the entire problem to alcohol itself. Responsible and non-problematic uses of alcohol have been part of human experience and the Judeo-Christian heritage since the beginning of recorded history†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ; however, the church advocates voluntary abstinence from alcohol consumption. With regards the issue of capital punishment, the most recent statement in 1985 reaffirmed the church’s position on its continuing opposition to capital punishment. 15) What are your views on sin and do you believe that God punishes humans for sins they commit? Humans are born to err and sin. But the God that I know is not vengeful. God is a forgiving God that bestows forgiveness even to those who err in their ways. The repercussions of our actions or sins on earth are enough punishment for us humans. As a conclusion give a paragraph reflection of the denomination as well as a contrast/ comparison between this denomination and Catholicism. In conclusion, the Presbyterian Church as â€Å"refined† by the studies of John Calvin deviated and differed from the Catholic Church in a lot of ways. These are as follows: 1. Presbyterians do not have a single head of Church. We do not have a pope. We have a congregation or assembly of elders whom our communities of members have chosen. 2. We do confessions by ourselves and believe that through the grace of God, and through submission of our confessions to God, we are forgiven. The Catholic Church requires confession of an individual to a priest. 3. Women are treated as equals and can be equally ordained as ministers and chosen as an elder. 4. The interpretation of the Bible is not â€Å"mystically† interpreted but through careful analysis and through scholarly studies. 5. Prayer and worship is done either individually or in community with other Presbyterian Church members – in joyful celebration of the grace and love of God. Works Cited: [1] Presbyterian Church website (USA) http://www.pcusa.org/

Gain Sharing :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Gain Sharing Employers are often faced with the challenge of looking for ways to boost productivity and profitability while at the same time, motivating employees to accomplish organizational goals. For many employers, variable pay plans have risen to meet this challenge. A variable pay plan ties pay increases to increased performance and productivity. One of the more popular group variable pay plans is called gain sharing. Under gain sharing pay programs, both the employer and the employee benefit from increased productivity. Therefore, gain sharing has often been referred to as a win-win pay program since it is an incentive strategy that ties pay to productivity. Gain sharing is a type of incentive plan designed to increase productivity by linking pay directly to specific improvements in a company’s performance. Gain sharing is used primarily when quantitative levels of production are important measures of business success. Gains are shared with unit/department employees on a monthly, qu arterly, semiannual or annual basis according to some predetermined formula calculated on the value of gains of production over labor and other costs. The plan lets employees reap some of the rewards of their efforts through teamwork and cooperation and by working smarter and harder. Gain sharing plans offer the following:  · Directly ties pay to some important measure of company performance  · Results in productivity improvements when installed  · Appropriate for all groups of employees  · Improves communications and teamwork among employees  · Increases employee awareness of "the big picture"  · Improves job satisfaction and employee relations  · Increases employee participation through involvement in the system Gain sharing pay programs have the following disadvantages:  · Time consuming to design, implement and administer  · Requires employee orientation, education and training  · Accurate and timely production and cost data must be available  · If not already in place, gain sharing requires a shift to participative management and employee involvement Once you decide to add a gain sharing plan to your company you must pick the type of plan you wish to implement into your company. The following is a description of different types of plans a company could implement. A Value Added Plan is the cost of materials and services is subtracted from sales to determine a value added figure. Employee costs are then compared to this figure to arrive at a value added index. This index is compared to value added for future periods to determine if there has been an improvement in productivity. To the extent that employee costs are less than would be the case by applying a value added index to a value added, there is a productivity gain to be shared.