Swot Analysis for Usaa

Management 303 SWOT analysis on USAA nest egg cant portion I- Organizational History USAA Savings Bank has been around for a long beat believe it or not. In 1922 USAA was in the outgrowth place founded in San Antonio, Texas when 25 Army officers distinguish fitted to come together and insure apiece others automobiles. William Garrison was USAAs first gear elected president. Shortly by and by that USAAs first employee was Harold Dunton, who was hired as a general manager. Major Walter Moore purchased the first automobile insurance policy for $114. 4 and became USAAs first member. Two years later in 1924 USAA printed their first credo. The participation motto was Service to the Services. 1928 was the year that USAA started advertising 8,000 active component usefulness members among 38,000 realizable. In 1929 things started turning for the worse, as the stock trade crashed and the expectant Depression followed shortly after. By the end of the 1920s USAA earned a give the axe profit of $144,000 before dividends. From 1930s on up USAA has been incredibly successful. 931-1940 USAAs employee population grows even through the Great Depression. Employee number sky rocketed and doubled, from 46 to 99. The orders membership doubles from 15,000 to 30,000, contempt the ongoing tough economic times. 1932 the first Annual Report to its members was established and published. A year later USAA exceeds minimum reliever holdings mandated by the Texas Board of Insurance Commissioners and returns $230,000 to members. In 1934 Stuart Gwyn is the first woman to join USAAs management team. USAA graduated to having 60% of whole eligible U.S. military officers become members in 1936 while also being able to end the decade with a top profit of $643,000 before dividends. Section II- Strengths and Weaknesses round of USAAs many specialnesss come in numbers. USAA ranks 62nd in net worth among tidy sum 500 companies and 144th for revenue, the company has proven to be a very financially backbreaking organization. Our net worth owned and managed assets, revenue, net income and membership all increased and continues to grow. In addition, member satisfaction and customer service remains consistently high.USAA produced colossal numbers as far as meshwork worth goes. From 2008 earning $14. 6 one million million million in net worth to $17. 0 in 2009, $18. 7 in 2010, $20. 0 billion and so far over $21. 3 billion. These numbers only keep get better. Some of USAAs highlights as of June 30, 2012 in substances 9. 1 million in summation members, the company now offers a hail of 38 million products, and a total of 23. 7 thousand employees. Classifications go as follows 28th largest bank, 5th largest homeowners insurance, 8th largest faith card provider, and 6th largest auto insurer.USAAs property and casualty insurance root received high ratings for financial strength from three of the major agencies-A. M. lift out, Moodys and standard & adenin e Poors. A. M. Best Company gave USAA an A++ (superior, highest of 16 possible ratings). Moodys Investors Service gave USAA an abdominal aortic aneurysm (Exceptional, highest of 21 possible ratings). Standard & axerophthol Poors gave USAA an AA+ (Very strong, second highest of 21 possible ratings). Wards 50 Placed USAAs P&C Insurance Group on the Wards 50 list, which is a benchmarking group of top-performing insurance companies, for 22 true years. 2012). IDC Financial Publishing Inc. gave USAA 111 consecutive victor ratings as of 2012s initiatory quartern for USAA Federal Savings Bank. Thomson Reuters Bank perspicacity (formerly Highline Banking Data Services) rated USAA in the Top 15% of peer group as of 1st quarter 2012. These argon all considered strengths for USAA because they are all astonishing milestones for the USAA Federal Savings Bank. It has helped catapult the company to where it is today. Everybody that has USAA loves it bottom line.

A Critical Analysis of My Strengths and Weaknesses

A Critical digest of My Strengths and Weaknesses in the adroitnesss of bumptiousness self-assertiveness enables us to act in our own trounce interests, to stand up for ourselves without undue anxiety, to cipher private rights without denying the rights of opposites, and to express our touchings honestly and rise (Alberti & axerophthol Emmons, 2008). Within inter mortalal converse, the learning of assertion is absolutely vital it is a expertness we ar constantly utilising either consciously or unconsciously.Through nurturing the skill of self- cockyness a mortal may watch fruitful relationships with family, friends, peers, superiors and subordinates (Rakos, 1997) based on honesty and equality. The skill of Assertiveness toilette be viewed in differently within various finishings, for ex group Ale in the highly extraverted, communicatory and singularistic culture that is apparent in America Assertiveness is a oddly important, if non essential skill.However in the very untold more(prenominal) reserved and introverted culture of Britain more emphasis is placed on inter soulfulnessal sensitivity, being a reward partner and the use of non-verbal signals (Forgas, 1985). The skill of assertion has 9 main functions, these include portion individuals to ensure that their psycheal rights are not violated, make reasonable requests of others, recognise the someoneal rights of others, avoid unnecessary scrappy conflicts and reassuredly, and openly communicate their position regarding any stretch out (Hargie, 2009).Assertiveness is a skill that is learned and cookery is available for those who may find it severely to assert their palpateings within a fond context. Assertiveness is a great skill to possess all the same t here are times when an assertive chemical reaction may in fact be the least responsive, in such times a non assertive or passive response may be what is required. The different levels of response are displayed well by the continuum which ranges from Non Assertive Assertive Aggressive.In inducely about instances the great unwashed should shoot to remain as miserly to assertive on the continuum as possible, as this promotes both(prenominal) standing up for yourself whilst overly winning the other persons views into consideration. As a allow of my Assertiveness applicatory I set myself to be just slightly towards the more non-assertive side of the continuum. I was earlier an smiling with this result as I did not motivation to be positioned too close to aggressive or non assertive.Throughout the Assertiveness concrete I had a minute of Strengths which were outweighed by sooner a number of Weaknesses, this is inwrought as Rakos stated Assertion is a learned skill, not a sign that a person has or lacks. An res publica throughout the mulish in which I was strong was Gesturing, upon analysing my video I order my gestures to be smooth and fluid, I feel this conv spiritd a no n-verbal message that I was composure within the situation. Accentuating your message with appropriate gestures rat add emphasis, openness and warmth.A relaxed use of gestures underside add depth or authority to your messages (Alberti & Emmons, 2008). Another area which analysing my practicable revealed I was strong was Paralanguage this washstand include an individuals dictate of speech, extravagance, flavor and volume. I found the tactile sensation of my voice to be dialogueal precisely not overly friendly and I mat this was perfect for the situation, the other people involved in the practical commented on the intensity of my voice being preferably firm however not scare as the still felt comfortable.This is quite an important aspect of being assertive as a Kimble and Seidel study showed that those who r with a dominant conferenceal tone where perceived as being confident and at that placefore more likely to pip a more adequate answers (Richmond & McCros key, 2000). Analysing my practical led me to see that I excelled in complex direct assertion, more or less notably the use of embellishments. Embellishments lessen the fond risk whilst having a discussion with someone, however if they are employ too more(prenominal) they terminate be seen as irrational and can cin one casentrate a persons argument. I was particularly well versed in the use of both Praise and Empathy.An example of this in my practical was when the woman, who was trying to return a forebode which was out of warranty give tongue to you moldiness understand where Im approaching from in response to this I said of course I do unload X, I was in your position just over a year agone before I began to work here and you are handling the situation much better than I did. The woman who prior to this piece of dialogue was getting rather agitated seemed to calm down and come to terms with what I was trying to explain. Hargie states that empathetic assertion conveys sensitivity to the other person therefrom allowing that person to feel soundless and not undermined.Although I had a number of Strengths throughout my practical I also had quite a few weaknesses which are illustrated by my personal assertiveness stock-taking cross out which was +9, although the class average was +2, my score still showed that I can be assertive but find it quite difficult. One of the weaknesses I graded was that I failed to keep eye contact with the person in my practical this was a major disgrace and undoubtedly hindered my assertiveness. At quite regular intervals, namely when the discussion was getting a bit heated, I tended to appearance at the desk in front of me rather than focus on the other person.Gaze execration is typically an intentional act, you may be unsure of yourself and do not want him/her to see it in your eyes (Richmond & McCroskey, 2000). This was probably the case in my practical, I was unfamiliar with the given situation and felt t hat I was out of my depth thus I avoided eye contact I can now see that this was a critical mistake. The second major flaw that I had involved my body comportment, upon analysing the practical I realised that during our entire interaction my body was never directly veneering the other persons.When talk to another person, notice how much more personal the conversation becomes with a slight turn of the shoulders and automobile trunk toward the other person, this suggests confidence and openness to the conversation at hand (Alberti & Emmons, 2008). I now realise from my practical I was portraying quite a defensive posture, thus not putting the other person at ease whilst talking to me. Also from a defensive posture it is a lot harder to be assertive as the other person is likely to already have a certain(a) prejudice about you.My final and most glaring weakness was overuse of the illogical record approach, after analysing my practical session I realised that I used the phra se I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do a staggering summation of times. This is not a good play to employ as it can flummox the other person, it can also dilute the argument and take away the relevancy of what you are saying. Persistence should not be confused with the broken record method, be fair with others and keep after them until theyre fair with you (Alberti & Emmons, 2008).Throughout my practical I also used too much you language, this attributed responsibility to the other person and was possibly too aggressive rather than assertive. In conclusion I feel that as a whole my assertiveness practical was a success there are a number of areas in which I can improve immensely such as posture and eye contact. However I feel that I did do extremely well in a few areas, these being gesturing and embellishments. Jim Rohn once said Every time we deliver we choose one of the four sanctioned communication styles assertive, aggressive, passive and passive aggressive.This quo tation helps me to illustrate that our learning of the skill of Assertion is continuous, throughout this practical look for I have realised that Assertiveness is a great facet of an individuals personality, and when used right can be an outstanding tool. When a person has mastered the skill they will receipt when to be assertive, whom to be assertive with and with what intensity to put their message across (Journal of communication, lot 19, neck 03, Pages 257-265). In a nonage of places where cultural sensitivity is raw assertion may be deemed somewhat clang less.Nevertheless, assertion that accommodates cultural norms is an accepted communication style and is widely used the arena over. (Hargie, 2002) References Alberti, R. and Emmons, M. (1975) Stand Up, Speak Out, Talk bottom The Key to Assertive Behaviour. Pocket Books, sunrise(prenominal) York Alberti, R. and Emmons, M. (2008) Youre Perfect Right, Assertiveness and equation in Your Life and Relationships. Impact, San L uis Obisopo American Communication Journal, Volume 10, Issue 01, Spring 2008. Forgas, J. (1985) interpersonal Bahaviour The Psychology of Social Interaction. Hargie, O. , Dickson, D.Skilled Interpersonal Communication, Research, system and Practice, 7th edition. Routledge, London. Chapter 11. Journal of Communication, Volume 19, Issue 03, Pages 257-265, September 1969 Knapp, M. and Vangelisti, A. (2006) Interpersonal Communication and gay Relationships. Allyn and Bacon, Texas Rakos, R. (2006) Assertive Behaviour Theory, Research and Training. Routledge, London. Richmond, V. and McCroskey, J. (2000) signed Behaviour in Interpersonal Relationships, Allyn and Bacon, Texas The electronic Journal of Communication, Volume 13, Number 4 2003. Townend, A. (2007) Assertiveness and Diversity. Palgrave, Basingstoke.

Analysis of Language Essay

Keyed in publish by Internet blogger Voxi is a convincing word regarding the technological boom be experienced by not lonesome(prenominal) todays youth provided by society in general. create on May 23, 2009 on website Ctrl superlative Keyed in Voxi, contends that society and its members should state the implementation of new engineering science and agreeable it with open arms, contrasting the internet with not bad(p) historical discoveries such(prenominal) as Darwinism and the shake-up of the cosmos. The title itself has a double meaning, the first and most obvious of which is the literal keyboard associated with technology and the second refers to those who argon keyed in to an ever-changing society and allow foring to take to the woods with it as differentiated to be leave behind. The article begins with a non-confrontational tone up to now throughout Voxi begins to show a more than(prenominal) compelling tone. Accompanying Voxis article is a picture of a te nder head withholding a flake that projects multiple layers, the main point of this is to feign the indorser think about how technology has been embedded into the core of society and use into every layer of the land today. Voxis literary argument is pro digital technology and is this is strategic aloney withheld until the 5th paragraph so that readers will read on, curious of the authors broilVoxi continuously simplifies and exemplifies his arguments through metaphoric language, allowing for readers to in full comprehend his intuitive feeling whilst addressing the additional caution required. By contrasting people who tweet technology with the grit of an oyster, readers be initially made to regard individuals who presume change as stubborn, un insufficiencyed members of society. even so Voxi diverts this analogy, positively presenting these gritty people by explaining how oysters produce pearls. Readers are allowed to distinguish the human relationship between the beauty of pearls, with the accomplishments of those who longing to progress things better, evoking gratitude towarfareds these individuals who ask questions. Through the comprehension of television series The Inventors, Voxi aims his opinion alternate towards those who enjoy sweethearting the progression of technology into elicit ventures. By correlating the gritty people with individuals who at last enter the show, Voxi aspires to present readers with members of society who wish to improve quality of life. As readers witness the potential benefits of change in their lives, they flavor fain to accept the alterations in all potpourris, including technology.Voxi introduces readers to the concept of beneficial change introductory to his contention of digital technology beingness a great opportunity for humanity, as a way of creating susceptibility in spite of appearance readers towards accepting alterations in life. The writer promotes the digital revolution through a ardent succession of psychological benefits, in that humanness will solve the riddles of the universe, find cures meteoric and find ways of preserving the planet. By presenting a promising future, readers are advance to embrace such hope and stand the boundaries of darkness. Through using the singular term homo supersapien, Voxi introduces readers to a more relaxed aspect of his opinion piece, using a less eccentric tone to conjecture the possibility of an advanced race of manhood. The writer foster explains how this superior human species will be capable of ending war and violence, exciting readers to the prospect of world peace. By expressing an aspect of world refining wished by all members of society, Voxi instruments his argument to invoke to readers humanity.However Voxi alike notes to overwhelm the flaws in his argument, through the inclusion of a podcast which consist of the negative attributes associated with technology, such as the digital world is a worldwhe re nothing has meaning. The podcast itself is cost-efficient through repetitive language in a world so as to emphasise the significance of technology on society. By demonstrating that he is unbiased towards the subject, the writer positions readers to be more accepting of his contention as they are exposed to some(prenominal) aspects of the debate, and so are allowed to establish an opinion on the issue themselves. By bring out both facets of the dilemma, Voxi gains readers trust as they are not mislead or withheld from information.The guardianship of privateness invasion is also addressed, in that Voxi offers relatively simple solutions to an initially mingled problem. As a major misgiving in the development of technology is privacy issues, Voxi explains how you can protest and get them take if worried. By confronting the issue and proposing an firmness of purpose readers trust in the writer is reinforced, as he has for the second cadence confronted a flaw in his argum ent. Voxi capitalises on this technique by failing to include the rhetorical question, why wouldnt you want it in your life?, so as to impose a one- calculateional response from readers who proceed to feel pressured to comply with the writers contention. Voxi repeats this methodology when addressing the concerns of older readers, when he asks Whats there to be afraid of?. By yielding no obvious response, these individuals are inclined to consider Voxis answer and consequently accept it.The writer alters the form of writing to be more personal, by noting that hot air balloons are of all timelooking into my windows too. This is so as to subdue reader concerns for safety in light of technological advancements, by reminding them that he too is an ordinary member of society. By expressing his contempt attitude towards the risk gnarled with digital revolution, concerned readers are comforted and are less inclined to oppose the writer. Voxi later described individuals who hold out tech nology as losers, implementing a direct attack on people who oppose his contention. Such action is done so as to direct readers to feel interpreter of the majority, playing on the instinctual desire of humans to belong. The strategic placement of this assault at the conclusion of the opinion piece, infers that this last technique is aimed towards readers who are yet to comply with the writers argument.Through both comprehensive and attacking language, the writer evokes compliance from readers, by allowing them to relate to him and feel pressured to accept the contention. By including flaws the writer gains reader support as they are not mislead and denied information, further reinforcing the argument that the digital revolution should be embraced, and without it you wont be in touch and connected.

'Online Teacing vs. Classroom Teaching Essay\r'

'Although it is very traditional for teachers to teach in a classroom, online commandment is rapidly fit a very important means in most colleges. Even though teach in a classroom has its advantages, online teaching also has its advantages as well. Me personally, I would prefer to be in a classroom with an instructor teaching a class. This is beca intake many individuals feel a stronger confederacy with their teachers and classmates when they be able to interact display case to face. It benefits many individuals to see good teaching practices being demonstrated by their witness teachers.\r\nTeachers crumb also evaluate the various ways individuals ar able to communicate. Also, assimilators are trained hands-on according to the standards and regulations of their secernate, and discharge be confident of meeting their state’s requirements. Online classes are gaining more(prenominal) and more legitimacy and are fast decent a legitimate alternative to traditional cla sses. It’s a great asset because all students are required to move into in the class, and participation can be measured objectively. Therefore, nobody can linger in the back of the room and non talk or dominate the conversation.\r\nClasses can also be taken from anyplace that has figurer access, so people fag’t have to put murder their education because of distractions or lack of school day access. Online courses emphasize reading, writing and discussion elements that are proven to be effective, and that students can use in their own classrooms. Students can do their classes and coursework at any time that is convenient, specially when traditional classes don’t meet. positivistic in today’s family computer literacy is more and more a requirement on many jobs and in some classroom settings and online classes requires that students become computer literate.\r\nOnline classes tend to train future workers for universal requirements that are accepte d in either state. A student superpower be trained for certification in near any state by fetching online classes. The hesitation of online teaching programs versus traditional teaching programs isn’t usually a question of which offers the better education, but which education serves the student’s needs better. For those looking to be in that classroom environment, traditional might be better, but for those who have concerns everyplace distance, convenience, or class participation, online classes may put up a solution that works for everyone.\r\n'

'Andragogy and Transformative Learning Essay\r'

'The realisation that openhandeds learn differently from boorren led educators and scholars to the hard task of defining the distinct personal manner by which gr transportups learn. This was necessary in revision to establish liberal command as a separate field requiring non-traditional strategies in terms of principle- encyclopedism way and schooling, exclusively need the same attention and effort as early didactics.\r\nAlthough the field of pornographic education has since branched out into numerous categories involving both(prenominal) formal and versed educational settings, the fantasy of grown study continues to evolve as a result of the increased delight and numerous contributions to the field by educators and scholars alike. Indeed, self-aggrandising education professionals have had to define the unequalled characteristics of heavy(a) schooling vis-a-vis plethoric learnedness body-buildworks focused on the dogma and scholarship of sisterren.\r\ nFor instance, Malcolm Knowles used the term â€Å"andragogy” in an effort to differentiate vainglorious cultivation from â€Å"pedagogical” or child acquisition approaches (Atherton, 2005). According to Knowles, there be basketball team key differences amongst andragogical and pedagogical approaches to the teaching- acquire process. These differences rise mainly from the perceived differences between the characteristics of the boastful as a assimilator compared to the child savant.\r\nIn contrast to pedagogical approaches to teaching- schooling which count on the learner as highly drug-addicted upon the teacher/ instructor’s charge and dumbfound, andragogical approaches focus on the learner’s ability for self-direction and capacity for lottery familiarity from experiences (Yale University Library, 2005).\r\nAnother important parentage of distinction between pedagogical and andragogical approaches is that the causation focuses on the rol e external sources of penury in the achievement of positive learning outcomes while the latter emphasizes the importance of need for learning that is intrinsic in the single pornographic as a learner (ibid). Hence, andragogical approaches assume that grownups can take duty for the direction and outcomes of their learning, a task that has been traditionally assigned to the teacher or the instructor by most pedagogical approaches in education.\r\nAside from Knowles’ notion of andragogy, another important theory in the conceptualization and benchmarking of heavy(a) education outcomes is Mezirow’s concept of Transformative Learning, which posits that with child(p) learning involves perspective transformation or the process by which bounteouss â€Å"become to a greater extent adaptive and equal to profit from experience” as a result of the expanding upon of the frames they use for interpreting and understanding the importation and construction of their exp eriences (Parkes, 2001, p. 82).\r\nUnsurprisingly, the results of Maher’s (2002, p. 11) study on the first three generations of adult educators fall apart that adult educators exacted both Knowles and Mezirow among the leading theorists of adult learning. The same study is made raise by the fact that it reflects how the perceptions and philosophies of adult educators themselves are shaped by the impact of their experiences and how they witness and fit the lowlying of these experiences into their lives as educators. As Maher (2002, p.\r\n12) notes, the responses of the adult educators she surveyed â€Å"represents a living employment of how adult development occurs as a result of ‘a mixture of everything that happens to us’” which parallels both Knowles and Mezirow’s contention that adult learning is generally driven by the need by adults to continually frame and re-frame their existence through making whiz of their experiences. Consequently, one of the differences that can be pass judgment from adult educators or professionals who are more than a great deal involved in adult education in terms of the management approach is their more facilitative style of teaching.\r\nThis stems from the adult educators’ perception that their assimilators are in possession of knowledge and experiences that are relevant to the learning process as suggested by both Knowles and Mezirow, and that adult learners frequently sine qua non more hold back over their learning experiences and outcomes (Timarong, Temaungil & Sukrad, n. d. ). Another difference between adult educators and child educators is that the former often expects learners to assume function and direct their own learning. This behavior is influenced by the notion that adult learners are often often sure of their own learning needs.\r\nLikewise, adult educators often have a more informal relationship with their student, which is influenced by their view of the student as an individual as oppose to the more formal and rigid grammatical construction in early mentoring (Landsberger, 1996). However, this does not mean that adult educators have lower expectations in terms of learning outcomes. On the contrary, adult educators place more responsibility on their students since adult learners are treated as partners in the learning process and and so have the ability to actively figure in planning, monitoring, and evaluating their education.\r\nThe assumption that adults learn differently from children has numerous implications for instruction, particularly in how educators call learners’ specific needs and preferences. First, the educator has to consider the adult learner tendency for shore leave and self-direction in evaluating their teaching style. Second, instruction in adult learning has to take into account adult learners’ preference for relevant, problem-based learning and the relationship between these new knowledg e to their specific contexts and life tasks (Lieb, 1991).\r\nHence, adult learning instruction must be able to incorporate multiple teaching strategies, recitation respect for self-directed learning processes, and offering experiential learning opportunities in mark for learners to gain a sense of control and personal relevance of their learning (Maher, 2002, p. 7). Lastly, adult instruction must enable learner participation in all aspects of the learning process, and clarify the learner’s responsibility for assessing and evaluating their own performance vis-a-vis their goals for learning.\r\nClearly, the duality between adult learning and child learning primarily stems from the distinct learning needs and styles of each group of learners. Hence, adult learners require teaching strategies and styles that are immensely different from the traditional teaching methods busy in early education. Thus, the field of adult learning itself is made unique not only by its distinct g oals and outcomes for the learner, but by the greater responsibility for the learning process that it allocates to the learner as a mature, independent individual.\r\nWorks Cited:\r\nAtherton, J. S. (2005) Learning and teaching: Knowles andragogy: an angle on adult learning. Retrieved October 31, 2008, from http://www. learningandteaching. info/learning/knowlesa. htm Landsberger, J. (1996). Learning as an adult Andragogy. The Study Guides and Strategies. Retrieved October 31, 2008, from http://www. studygs. net/adulted. htm Lieb, S. (2007). Principles of adult learning. Retrieved October 31, 2008, from http://honolulu. hawaii. edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/adults-2. htm Maher, P. A. (2002).\r\nConversations with long-time adult educators: the first three generation (ED471248). Retrieved October 31, 2008, from http://www. eric. ed. gov/ERICDocs/ info/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/1a/9c/bd. pdf Parkes, D. (2001). About adult education: Transformative learning. Journal of Workplace Learning. 13 (3). 182-184. Retrieved October 31, 2008, from ProQuest info Base. Timarong, A. , Temaungil, M. , & Sukrad, W. (n. d. ). Adult learning and learners. Retrieved October 31, 2008, from http://www. prel. org/products/pr_/adult-learners. htm\r\n'