Fidelity Investments partnership with schools Case Study - 2

Fidelity Investments partnership with schools - Case Study Example One of the benefits accruing from Fidelity Investments’ partnership with Citizen Schools is the improvement of its employees’ team building skills. Another benefit is that the partnership enabled majority of Fidelity employees who participated in the apprenticeship exercise to improve their public speaking, communication, and presentation skills. Through participation in the program, both the employees and the entire Fidelity Investments Company got fulfillment for influencing vulnerable students positively. The partnership helped Fidelity Investments employees develop and others to sharpen their leadership skills. It was beneficial for some Fidelity executives to sit in the schools’ top decision-making body, the leadership board (Discussion Case: Fidelity Investments’ Partnership with Citizen Schools 424). Lastly, offering apprenticeship services for the areas in which they were experts made Fidelity employees feel relevant in the real life and might have helped them reflect on how much they knew. A risk with this partnership is the overworking of Fidelity employees or disruption of work schedules. Fidelity employees could be overworked because they worked both in their company and in the Citizen Schools teaching. Work schedule might have needed modification in order to accommodate time for Fidelity employees to teach at Citizen Schools. The two-way flow of benefits between Fidelity Investments and Citizen Schools is one of the things that qualify the partnership as an example of strategic philanthropy. This is because the partnership helped improve Fidelity employees’ skills while benefitting Citizen Schools with labor from these employees. Secondly, the partnership helped build higher profiles for both Citizen Schools and Fidelity Investments.  

The person who taught me a lot Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The person who taught me a lot - Essay Example Responsibility to oneself and the environment ensures that one sustainably utilizes the available resources. Responsibility entails being wary of one’s roles and responsibilities and undertaking them to the expected levels. In whatever capacity one operates, there would be tasks that would be expected of such a person to undertake. Most of the times, there would be standards against which the execution of such tasks and observation of the given responsibilities would be benchmarked. At least attaining the set standards gives one acclamation from those directly impacted or even from oneself. Of importance to note here is the fact that being responsible saves one the cost of having to correct the negative impact of not observing such responsibilities. This, I learnt, is one way of saving resources in life. For example, if five pens are to take me through an academic year successfully, responsible use of these pens would see me complete the year successfully with the provision fo r any loses being my savings for the year. Savings mark the beginning of entrepreneurship according to my brother. It was through his personal savings that he got a considerable portion of his initial capital injection into the consultancy business. Thus, responsibility ensures proper utilization of the available resources. Another important lesson learnt is that informed career choices open one up to tap into the available opportunities. From the interview, I appreciated that a majority of us choose careers because of the life we see professionals in various fields live or because of the way the media depicts these careers. This is a misleading approach to making career choices since what we see could not necessarily be what it appears to be. To appropriately choose a career, it would be important to note down the activities that interest one in life. These activities would point towards the duties of specific careers. From these specific careers, it would be important to conduct r esearch from credible sources including occupational outlook handbooks from the relevant government agencies. These sources give information on the requirements of the selected careers, the roles involved and even the salary ranges. With this information, one would understand what subjects to major in and even what different opportunities would be available for the various educational levels. Furthermore, it gives information on related careers which could be more satisfactory than the initially prospected career. Finally, having established in life, transformational leadership plays a critical role in motivating the performance of followers. My elder brother referred to the argument by Bass and Riggio (127) on transformational leadership causing a strong employee connection to an organization. Steve Jobs, the founder of the famous Apple Inc., provides an appropriate example of a transformational leader. Apple became a global brand in information and communication technology because Jobs made the vision of the organization known to the employees and involved the employees in the company’s decision making. This made employees connect to the vision that Jobs had for Apple, hence making the organization post the tremendous success it has over years. In a similar manner, the organizations that I would lead, no matter how small, would require

Vacation at the Lake Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Vacation at the Lake - Essay Example If a person asks for a relationship of a notion of an ideal vacation, it would be everything that the lake has to provide. To take a walk along the sandy beach made up of wood cautiously arranged to safeguard the delicate shoreline, and have a feeling of the soaked and moist and soft between the toes is better than any treatment or massage for anyone’s soles. In addition, chipmunks and small squirrels play tag through the tall trees, moving from one tree to another while revealing their annoyance at one another with little squeaks and chirps. Also, the deer of the bushes come with their young ones and let them run all over until they are tired, and watch over them cautiously in case humans make any move that is deemed hostile by them. It is largely a family vacation, where numerous recognizable faces congregate in the summertime to get pleasure from these components, and many more inside the lake. The chilly waters of the lake also offer something that can be enjoyed by everyo ne. Whether it is for the young ones having fun at the shallow end with the small fish pinching at their small feet so long as they can stand it, or it is for the older people resting on the docks, making their feet just soaked adequately to have a pleasant feeling of the refreshing temperature. However, teenagers and people in their twenties prefer the more adventurous side of the lake which has turbulent waves and the promise of a chaotic event of any form. There is nothing which can match the excitement felt after a pleasant jet skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing experience in the fierce conditions. Normally, the lunch period is spent out on the relaxed side of the lake, swimming and taking in the sun until the legs and arms refuse to function adequately. People engage in activities that please them the most in the afternoon, some continue with the wild antics of the earlier period while others go sailing. Also, others remain in-shore and take part in a friendly match of water volle yball.  

Promotion of Effective Communication †Workbook Essay Example for Free

Promotion of Effective Communication – Workbook Essay Question  1 Look at your company’s policies and procedures on completing records and maintaining effective communication, what is your role? Answer: I browsed and read my organisation’s policy regarding the service user’s rights and those legislations which promotes equality, diversity, and discrimination. a. Each service user has a right to information regarding their care service that does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnic origin, creed, colour, religion, political affiliation, disability or impairments, marital status, parenthood, sexual gender or sexual orientation. b. Each service user has the right of access to their personal care records and to comment on them accordingly. Service users have the right to appoint an advocate to make their wishes and preferences known if they are unable to do so. c. Each service user has the right to be assured that no personal or confidential information concerning their affairs will be disclosed to a third party without their express permission. d. Each service user has the right to communicate using their preferred methods of communication and language. When completing records and reports look through your staff hand book or induction pack you were given at work and explain any rules and regulations or policies you need to follow when completing records and reports at work some of which might include: †¢ Records should be completed as soon as possible after the event †¢ Details should be accurate †¢ Details should be relevant †¢ Details should be legible †¢ Details should clearly indicate if it is a fact, opinion or hearsay. Opinions are acceptable as long as it is clearly stated as such. †¢ Always record as little as possible but detailed and as much as necessary. 2, 3, 10, 11 Describe ways that you provide support to individuals to communicate their needs. How might your communication alter with different individuals ? What aids might be used to support effective communication ? Answer: To support individuals and key people to communicate their needs you will need to: a. Arrange the individual’s environment to facilitate effective communication and promote understanding. This can be done by ensuring privacy going into a quiet room, if the area is noisy because of the volume of a radio or television it needs to be reduced. Poor lighting in the room needs to be changed and some more that you can think of. b. As a care worker you need to check that the individual have the appropriate support to communicate their views. This could be making sure the individual who uses glasses and an hearing aid is supported by making sure the glasses is at client’s reach or that hearing aids is switched on and working properly. c. Appropriate styles and methods of communication should be used with respect to the individual. Such as: Active listening – showing be gestures that you are listening, sitting or standing half turned away gives the message that you are not listening. Responding appropriately – nodding your head.  Good body language and maintaining eye contact – Leaning forwards can be used effectively when you want to emphasize your interest or support. The methods that can be used to communicate effectively are: a. Support equality and diversity †¢ This can be done by using appropriate language that the service user understands also using the appropriate register of language, for instance not using phrases that could be referred to as jargon. Another method is to use the appropriate way of speaking within a speech community. For instance communicating with young people may mean using their style of language e.g. whats up with you, hello mate. †¢ Provision of communication aids and use of non-verbal communication if service user has hearing or vision impairments or learning and physical disabilities. b. Are effective when dealing with, and challenging discrimination †¢ Working with key people demands that you communicate in a language that they understand and also using simple words. For example the use of clinical words that is not commonly understood would not be necessary if you know they are not familiar with them. †¢ Sometimes we come across people who cannot understand us for one reason or the other instead of ignoring them it would be helpful to source a skilled interpreter but we still need to make effort to communicate with the person by learning some of the ways of communication or a few useful words from their language. The methods to support individuals to communicate are: Ensure environment is suitable (lighting, noise background) Provide interpreter if necessaryAllow sufficient time for individuals to understand the content of communication. Use relevant aids for communication (e.g. cards, symbols, hearing aids, large print) Provide advocate to speak for a service user Ensure written material is in suitable formats or language. Specific aids that may be used to support effective communication : Aided communication is communication supported or replaced by materials or equipment. There are simple materials or equipment used everyday such as a pen and paper to write messages, alphabet charts, pictures or symbols or photographs. Communication aids can be categorized into 3 broad groups: Symbolic Aids This is commonly the use of signs and symbols, it requires individuals to undertake a form of training on the correct forming of signs used and types of symbols: †¢ British Sign Language used as a communication aid for individual with hearing loss. †¢ Makaton used as an aid to support speech and not intended to replace it. †¢ Picture Exchange communication systems (PEC) This aid helps individuals to be independent as they able to exchange a picture for what they want from a compiled album of pictures. †¢ Deaf Blind manual alphabets Slightly modified version of the BSL. Finger- spelling alphabet is used. Technical Aids †¢ Talking microwaves usually for individuals with sight loss †¢ Computers which read out the text on the screen. †¢ Light writer this is a portable device into which the individual types in what they would want to say. Human Aids †¢ Interpreter is a person who supports the communication between two people who do not have the same language. This also includes the sign language. †¢ Translator is a person who changes the written word into an easier format for the individual to read. This could be into Braille or symbols. †¢ Advocate This is someone who speaks on behalf of an individual when they are not able to do so. 4, 5, 19 In relation to the promotion of effective communication, give examples of what you do to maintain the following laws and guidelines: a) Data Protection Act b) Access to Health Records Act c) The General Social Care Council Code of Conduct d) Standard 37 National Minimum Standards for Care Homes e) Caldicott Report Answer: a) To maintain Data Protection Act it is necessary to complete the records as soon as possible after the event and always record as little as possible but detailed and as much as necessary; to make sure that the details are accurate, relevant and legible and that they clearly indicate if it’s a fact, opinion or hearsay. Another important thing is that opinions are acceptable as long as it is clearly stated as such. The information shared by the individuals must be confidential to ensure data protection. In case that the information suggests that the client is under risk, the consent of the individual needs to be obtained before passing the information to an appropriate member of the staff, and even when the consent is not given it becomes important to report. b) To maintain the Access to Health Records Act I have to make sure that the records are accurate, legibly written, shareable so that the information can be used to provide individuals with the support and care required. The  members of a care team are fully informed of new developments and changes in a client’s care plan and the evidence of the actions taken in specific circumstances are available if the need arises. I can access information and records about an individual by: talking to the service user, accessing previous records after permission has been sought from the appropriate person, talking to colleagues who know the individual, to family members or to other professionals c) To maintain The General Social Care Council Code of Conduct, as a social care worker, I must establish and ensure the confidence of service users and carers. This includes: communicating in an appropriate, open, accurate and straightforward way; respecting confidential information and clearly explaining agency policies about confidentiality to service users and carers. I must be accountable for the quality of my work, I have to maintain clear and accurate records required by procedures established for my work. 6,7 Where can you find out about an individuals communication and language needs, information about communication and language skills to improve your practice ? Answer: I can find out about an individuals communication and language needs by asking my manager or the service user, discussing with other care workers who know the individual, talking to family members, to a speech therapist or other professionals for advice, exploring the internet or consulting a library for more information. In order to improve my practice, I can find out about information, communication and language skills by asking my supervisor or manager, or colleagues who have confronted with similar cases. I can also consult the case notes of the individual, or relevant documents provided by the organization that will help me learn how to communicate effectively – for example the induction manuals, search for information via the internet or specialist organizations for the particular condition, attend relevant training courses to communication, supervision and appraisal sessions. 9  What factors may affect communication skills, abilities and behaviour of an individual ? How may they react as a result of these factors? Answer: Factors that can affect communication skills, abilities and behaviour of an individual are: Physical Impairments visual and hearing Language barriers accents, different language Cognitive or sensory impairments learning difficulties, memory loss, Illness – dementia, stroke Environmental problems – poor lighting, noisy environments If this happens, the individual in question becomes withdrawn from others around them, isolated from others. This may affect his self-esteem and self-confidence negatively. That individual may also become confused, angry and frustrated. 12  If you were trying to have a conversation with an individual how would you arrange the environment and position yourself to communicate effectively? Answer: First of all, I have to make sure that there isn’t any background noise that could make the communication difficult. Then, another important step to achieve effective communication with individuals is arranging the environment to aid communication. Here are some factors that can hinder or disturb good communication: Poor lighting, because individuals with poor sight are unable to see you Background noise from the radio, other individuals, TV and so on Obstacles between me, the care worker, and the individual, for example furniture and household items Insufficient distance to keep appropriate space within me and the individual to avoid encroaching or invading on their personal space 13, 14  Describe some conflicts that might occur as a result of communication difficulties. How would you deal with these conflicts? Answer: Some of the conflicts that might occur as a result of communication difficulties are: individuals can become frustrated and isolated when the  communication between themselves and their workers is encountering problems. These problems or dilemmas are sometimes the result of: a difference in the language spoken by the service user and the worker the service user has visual impairments or hearing difficulties the individual might have a physical illness or disability either physical disability or learning disability. There are many ways to solve the conflicts that might occur. It depends on the nature of the problem. For example, for: †¢ Language differences: If there are conflicts due to language differences, then an interpreter will be appropriate for any serious discussions or communications. Efforts should be made to learn a few important words to communicate with the individual or teach the individual some words in the workers language if they are willing to facilitate communication. Non verbal communication will be an effective method in solving this kind of conflict. †¢ Hearing difficulties: Individual with hearing difficulties need to be assisted to ensure their hearing aids are working and fitted properly. It would be necessary that a worker will assist the individual to clean the equipment, change the batteries when appropriate. Workers will also need to give the client the appropriate space and communication pace that would make communication effective. If the need arises words can be written down for clarity. The use of signs and telecommunication services such as type talk service are very useful. †¢ Visual difficulties: Individual with visual difficulties need to be provided with glasses or contact lenses so they can observe non verbal communication. This will prevent misunderstandings during communication with people. †¢ Physical disabilities: Communications with individuals in this category will be according to the type of physical disability or illness. If the illness has affected the individual’s ability to speak and understand, for instance a stroke then the use of short, simple sentences, gestures, writing and drawing or using flash cards, the use of closed questions which only need yes or no should be useful. †¢ Some illness do not affect the clients understanding, so there is no need to speak slowly but will need to be patient to receive a response as the client might have difficulty with their speech e.g. stroke. †¢ Learning disabilities: The method of communication will depend on the level of the disability. I will need to communicate at the pace and space suitable for the client. Physical contacts are of an advantage to be used along with  verbal communication. †¢ Cultural differences: People have different cultural backgrounds, therefore it is necessary to find out from the individuals their communication preferences or alternatively check their care plan records or ask people such as their family, f riends, colleagues or key people who have worked with them. 15, 16  When communicating difficult, sensitive or complex messages, how might your style of communication alter? What type of environment would be most appropriate for this sort of communication ? Answer: Communicating with individuals who are distressed or upset due to bereavement this could be sensitive, complex or difficult. In this situation, I will ask if the person would want to discuss any concerns with me or maybe another person of their choice. I can use non verbal communication while been a good listener such as making good eye contact with the individual as she talks, which will depict that I’m willing to listen. If the client is displaying a behaviour that dictates that they are able to put others or themselves at risk, then I might need to involve the attention of appropriate members of the care team. For this sort of communication, the environment must be comfortable and appropriate. I would come across times when I need to discuss matters with individuals that are referred to as sensitive issues. If an individual needs to discuss his personal needs with me, I have to ensure that he feels comfortable and encouraged to communicate these issues. On the other hand, I might want to discuss with the service user about their changing needs such as diet, incontinence, mobility and so on. Communicating bad news, like a bereavement of a spouse or close person to the individual will also require certain communication skills. The things that should take into account are: †¢ Remember individuals have a right to their privacy, therefore the immediate environment should be arranged to ensure privacy. For example a client’s bedroom or apartament should be free from visitors at the time. †¢ Individual’s preferred method of communication should be made available. †¢ Communication should be made at the pace of the individual, giving enough time for both of us to understand the content of the communication. †¢ Observe and respond appropriately to reactions fromà ‚  individuals. 17  Who do you need to gain permission from to access records and why ? Answer: I need to gain permission of my manager or client to access records. Accessing information will help me to improve my practice and also my responsibility. Within the organization there should be relevant documents to access information or if I work with individuals in their own home the care plan should contain useful information. 18  Define the following words: a) Fact b) Opinion c) Judgement Why is it important that you aware of the difference of these words when reporting and recording information about individuals ? Answer: a) A fact is a true statement that cannot be disputed, knowledge or information based on real occurrences; something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed. b) An opinion is a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty- it is the result of emotion or interpretation of facts, a subjective statement or thought about an issue or topic. An opinion may be supported by an argument, although people may draw opposing opinions from the same set of facts. c) A judgement is a cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions. Judgments are also personal and developed from experience; they differ from person to person. For example, if a client is dying and all the symptoms and signs show the evidence, reports and records should show these facts. On the other hand if the client only refused to talk, people might have different opinions and judgments to explain the reason. Records and reports will need to be verified to deduce the correct and most suitable reason. It is important to aware of the difference of these words when reporting and recording information about individuals because I have the responsabiliy to provide seamless services for individuals, and this thing can be done only if the  information is correct, precise.

Irish Stereotypes Essay -- Ireland Stereotype Irish Culture Essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Irish people have been on the receiving end of many racial stereotypes. When they migrated to America because of lack of jobs, poor living conditions, and many other reasons they were treated as the lowest member of the social class. They were given jobs that were thought to be too unsafe for blacks to carry out because the loss of a slave was an out of pocket expense (Kinsella, 2002). But The Irish were not only discriminated against in America, but in their own country as well, and England. And in the book written by Frank McCourt, he really focuses on the Irish stereotypes. But did it affect Frank when he was growing up, and why were the Irish discriminated so much by the use of these stereotypes?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When Irish families immigrated to the United States because there were no j...

Raymond case

Does this vary between regional broker/dealers and warehouses? Why? Why do some pay front money and others don't? Why Isn't front money paid to Independent contractors? NAS. The guidance of an investment professional is essential to successful financial planning. Financial advisors play a vital role in helping individual investors reach their financial goals. Advisors can help the clients make informed decisions by understanding the client's goals, recommend solutions and make sure that the client's portfolio stays on track.Yes, it varies between regional brokers/dealers and roughhouses. Financial Advisors In Warehouses offered Investment advice and charged commissions on a trade of between 1% and 2. 5%, depending on products sold. They have access to wide variety of products to deal with as they are a part of a warehouse. Financial Advisors in regional broker/dealers offered little in the way of advice and charged significantly lower commissions. The products and the assets that th ey manage is relatively low. Firms that recruit from other competitor firms pay front money to attract Flanagan advisors to work for their firms.In some cases, even inexperienced but potential candidates too are given front money to lure them to their firm. However, certain firms like Merrill Lynch prefer to hire fresh new financial advisors and train them rather than pay front money which costs a lot. Independent contractors are not paid any front money as they are given mostly an independent charge on the assets they manage and the products they buy and sell. Indeed it is like running their own business under a bigger umbrella and one does not get paid front money to run his own business. . How does RUG make sure the â€Å"right† FAST end up in RAJA vs.. ROSS? Which FAST would be the right targets for Quasi? How would you make sure that they select the Quasi option? Who would not be right for Quasi? How would you make sure they don't select Quasi? NAS. RUG made sure that th e right Fast end up In RAJA from Its recruitment process which focuses on different pool of candidates when compared with ROSS. RAJA recruitment process happens completely In a decentralized way with branch managers taking the responsibility for filling the positions.RAJA typically hires senior hires from a rigorous who wish to have more control in terms of products and services they offer to clients which was not possible in their career stint with warehouses. Here the focus would be on hiring FAST from Warehouses as they are used to the rules and regulations, sales culture. Also there is a financial penalty established If a FAA wish to leave RAJA for ROSS. ROSS recruitment process follows a different approach. They advertise in trade magazines and also take referrals from existing ROSS Fast about the brokers at other firms and follow up on these leads for recruiting.ROSS look for FAST ho are self-driven. Apart from the technical analysis job, they look for people who have an incli nation towards entrepreneurship. They will have the option to make strategies, decide on staff, hiring, etc. It is more like an individual business. The FAST of ROSS can be given an option to select the Quasi option without any restrictions as the probability of them Joining is less and also if someone from ROSS is keen on Joining Quasi they should be welcome as ROSS is a riskier business and should be handled by people with self-belief.The Fast from RAJA can be allowed to elect the Quasi option with some limitations as it is not advisable to disturb the present system which is in place and also as we have a large potential recruits to lure with this scheme from the whorehouses who neither wishes to become an independent broker/dealer nor like to stick to their current Job profile. The portion of candidates from whorehouses forms the apt targets for Quasi. We can make sure that the above targeted candidates Join the Quasi option by giving them all the benefits that a full time emplo yee gets and if required providing front money without heeling out too much money.The top producers of RAJA and RAJA are not right for Quasi as it affects these branches. We can make sure that they don't select Quasi only by interacting and get to know first about what they think of such a scheme. If some of the top producers show interest then they can be counseled and can remind them of their contributions in their current role and how they are chosen as top producers in the domain. We can transparently let them know of what the firm is planning for the top producers and what is in store for their career in the current vertical.

Leed Certification Essay

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is both a professional certification in sustainable building practices, and a grading scale on a structure’s environmental impact and sustainability (USGBC, 2008). A LEED certified professional is recognized as having completed the required course of curriculum in LEED and has successfully passed the LEED Certification exam. This allows a LEED certified professional to be able to work with colleagues of the construction industry in all aspects of a project to develop a LEED certified structure. Using LEED ensures a structure to be designed and built with the utmost attention to detail to assure that the structure is as environmentally friendly as possible. LEED Rating Systems exist for every area of the construction industry and range from the interior finishes of commercial buildings right down to resource consumption and health risks of residential structures (USGBC, 2008). The LEED certification exam covers the entirety of the LEED AP Handbook as well as several industry standard construction practices. The exam and handbook together will run almost $700 for a non- USGBC member to take and nearly $600 for members of both the USGBC and GBCI to take (GreenBuild, 2008). The exam is very rigorous and the study time required to take the exam is substantial. Most people take about 2 months of 20 a week study time to prepare for the exam (GBCI, 2008). Contrary to popular belief, becoming LEED Certified is not something that a person achieves, but it is the building that achieves it. The process of LEED certification has five different categories that insure that the build is a â€Å"green† building. There are five categories that are taken into account when building a LEED certified structure. They are sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. This means that if all of these categories are met the building will be considered Green. It sounds easy, but is not that simple because there are different stages of being certified. The building is then, as the USGBC website says: â€Å"LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. All certified projects receive a LEED plaque, which is the nationally recognized symbol demonstrating that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work. † (GBCI, 2008). The way that professionals achieve the ability to certify building is through attending LEED specific classes that are offered on the USGBC website. The USGBC’s website provides many different ways to become an accredited LEED professional. The first way is through online courses that are self-paced learning. The second way is through in house seminars. The online option offers three different classes to help increase an individual’s knowledge. The first course is the 100 level, awareness. This course is highly recommended for anyone who wants to take the more advanced 200 or 300 level courses. This course introduces a person to the principles of Green building and also serves as a base in which the person is able to build off of. The next Level of LEED certification is the 200 level, Understanding. In this level the person begins to take courses that deepen their knowledge of LEED and Green building. The first course on this level is the Essentials of LEED Professional Accreditation. This course was developed for people getting ready to take the LEED Accredited Professional exam. The next two just help the person understand Green building even more. They are LEED for Homes Program Review and LEED for General Contractors/Construction Managers. The third and final level, 300 Level: Application & Implementation offers several courses that offer courses that make the student apply their knowledge to real life situations and it challenges them to apply what they learned in the 200 level (GBCI, 2008). There are many different benefits that you can achieve by being having a LEED Certification. It proves to many people that you have achieved your environmental goals. Having a LEED Certification means that you have many government incentives, marketing benefits, and increased property values, which can help, boost the presses interest in your current project. Building green can also greatly reduce the cost to construction managers and tenants (USGBC, 2008). There are four different levels of certification that you can achieve. These are: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each level has its own special incentives to it. To gain a higher ranking you must accumulate credits. To accumulate credits you must have certain standards in your projects that benefit the environment. These consist of sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality (GBCI, 2008). Green Buildings can help the earth in so many ways. Being certified means that you build more environmentally friendly, which means that building green friendly can reduce the negative effect buildings and operations have on the environment. Also green building greatly decreases the chances of fire, explosions, spills or splashes. Building green also reduces health problems such as allergies. Finally, if you’re building green it calls for green cleaning. This means that the products used in cleaning these green buildings are also very environmentally safe. For example a stain on a carpet is taken care of with a mild cleaner. This not only protects the environment but can also help protect the furnishings in the long run (USGBC, 2008). Commissioning is a prerequisite of the LEED process. Commissioning involves an outside team of individuals that is not part of the design and construction team. The area of responsibility is to ensure compliance of â€Å"fundamental building elements and systems† with the LEED guidelines. The estimate commissioning cost is to be in the range of 0. 5 percent to three percent of construction costs (DCD, 2008). LEED has certain requirements on architects and engineers because these designers must assess how a project could best attain certification and prepare the design and specifications to reflect these additional requirements. In either case, participating in the LEED process adds time and effort to the design and specification phase of a project. The estimate is that traditional design costs range from eight to twelve percent of construction costs, and then the additional design costs for green buildings are in the range of 0. 4 percent to 0. 6 percent of the total construction cost. A significant weigh down of the LEED system is the need to document compliance with the various criteria in order to submit a package to the GBC for review and a decision on certification. This requires the establishment of a tracking and reporting system, which is often performed by a LEED consultant, rather than the design and construction team itself, and the tracking down of information that otherwise is not standard practice in specifying or sourcing systems and materials. The estimate of documentation and application fees as a percentage of total construction costs were found to be; the costs averaged 0. 7 percent of construction costs with a range from 0. 05 percent for a very large project to 3. 8 percent for a very small one (DCD, 2008). Where is LEED certification taking the construction industry? So far, businesses and governments worldwide are taking advantage of going green and looking into LEED. Several LEED certified buildings have already been built, but the future for green buildings is just now getting started. The past decade in green building has been a revolution in the construction industry and has no indication of a slow down. With numerous grants available for LEED projects by Governments and green organizations, LEED certified buildings are becoming more realistic and within reasonable costs to construct. We are just in the dawning of the â€Å"green age† and things are just starting to catch on with LEED. With new technologies, techniques, and equipment being invented all of the time, going green is becoming easier faster (Botelho, 2007). As for the future of the LEED industry, Governments are now starting to place requirements on construction projects to comply with their green specifications. Sometime in the future, every building constructed will have to meet Government specified codes that pertain to LEED. All of this is for the benefit of the environment and aims towards a better and healthier Earth (Botelho, 2007). In conclusion, LEED is taking the industry in a new direction and could someday be the standard for building any structure. Most professionals support the idea and there should be a take-off for green building in the near future. As for the cost, it ends up paying for itself over a period of time. LEED is proving more and more reasons why the construction industry needs to start adapting to the green future.