Most major tourist destinations have conference centers that act as an avenue for drawing in new visitors and interested investments. The type of conferences will determine the success of a diligent conference schedule. Beyond putting a city on the map it also helps brand an area to the rest of the world who come to know the genre of a place. Even though almost all conferences are beneficial the ones that support local industries have multiple advantages.
Consider why conference locations are chosen. One isn't going to offer a conference on palm tree conservation in Northern Alaska unless they discovered a way to grow it in wet and cold soil. Therefore, conferences should be related to the local competencies and businesses to create the greatest impact. People want to come to what San Diego has to offer.
To do this well means that leaders must understand the local economy and try and highlight those conferences that will spur local economic growth. For example biotech, technology, higher education, conservation, green technology, water, and the military are a few that would work locally. Others that relate to core competencies are also possible.
Conferences offer an opportunity for people to shake hands and to pass out cards. It is where industry leaders make contacts and learn about emerging technologies. Small and large businesses show what they have to offer and share ideas for future development. Making sure that San Diego attracts those conferences that have the most benefits can be helpful in the long-run.
Getting those people to stay in San Diego for a while offers multiple layers of benefits. They stay and spend money locally but also meet local industry leaders. Once they leave with some new ideas they have an incentive to come back to San Diego to capitalize on some of the contacts they have made. Sometimes this might be a new product, partnership, investment, or shared services agreement.
The blog discusses current affairs and development of national economic and social health through unique idea generation. Consider the blog a type of thought experiment where ideas are generated to be pondered but should never be considered definitive as a final conclusion. It is just a pathway to understanding and one may equally reject as accept ideas as theoretical dribble. New perspectives, new opportunities, for a new generation. “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”—Thomas Jefferson
Monday, August 31, 2015
The Benefits of Dining Like Our Ancestors-Fish!
You stand on a rock in a stream and look out over the horizon at the miles upon miles of clear tree tops. Looking back at the water you notice the swirls of sand that indicate a moving fish. With a quick pluck of the fingers and an outward scoop you fling a breeding bass onto the shore. Our ancestors knew the benefits of eating fish an perfected the art of fishing first by using their hands, and then tools and boats.
The good news is you don't need to stand out in the wild with your buckskin trousers and hatchet to get the same benefits. Not that there isn't something about doing that and I must admit growing up in the U.P. of Michigan I got pretty good at plucking fish out of shallow streams. More difficult than you think because you got to find the right spot, angle, shadow, and river bend to make it work.
Today most people buy their fish at the supper market and it still holds all the great benefits it did for our ancestors. The American Heart Association recommends that we eat at least two servings a week. It has been known to reduce the risk of heart disease, help inflammation, balance weight loss, improves brain function and reduce risks of cancer.
Fish comes in man different forms and varieties. Particularly popular right now is sushi which has all the advantages of fresh fish. There is also baked, boiled an grilled. Most restaurants offer a large selection of fish. Consider swapping out some of the meat you have become accustomed with to fish to better protect your body from diseases.
The good news is you don't need to stand out in the wild with your buckskin trousers and hatchet to get the same benefits. Not that there isn't something about doing that and I must admit growing up in the U.P. of Michigan I got pretty good at plucking fish out of shallow streams. More difficult than you think because you got to find the right spot, angle, shadow, and river bend to make it work.
Today most people buy their fish at the supper market and it still holds all the great benefits it did for our ancestors. The American Heart Association recommends that we eat at least two servings a week. It has been known to reduce the risk of heart disease, help inflammation, balance weight loss, improves brain function and reduce risks of cancer.
Fish comes in man different forms and varieties. Particularly popular right now is sushi which has all the advantages of fresh fish. There is also baked, boiled an grilled. Most restaurants offer a large selection of fish. Consider swapping out some of the meat you have become accustomed with to fish to better protect your body from diseases.
Ideation Through Teamwork
Innovative teams have value on the market. They are able to adapt and react to complex, turbulent and ever changing environments faster than others (Andres, et. al. 2015). Their ability to understand problems and create novel solutions makes them more adaptable than other teams that are focus on more rigidly defined methods.
Innovation Team Characteristics:
-Education/Experience: It is difficult for teams to understand problems unless they have education, experience or both with the subject in question.
-Diversity of Backgrounds: Understanding the subject can come from multiple industries and backgrounds that help in creating unique solutions.
-Egalitarian Approaches: Team members will need to feel like valued members and able to express their opinions.
-Creative Mindset: Participants should have artistic, scientific, creative, and expressive backgrounds to think about issues in new ways.
-Scientific Approach: Are able to investigate and explore an issue scientifically to come to important conclusions.
-Business Experience: Has enough business experience to know which ideas and products can result in profit.
Andres, M. et. al. (2015). Could innovation teams provide the necessary flexibility to compete in the current context? Cuadernos de Gestion, 15 (1).
Advanced Employee Disciplinary Processes
Policies can be good or bad but are generally processes and modes of handling situations when they arise. All organizations have policies and procedures that help them understand and guide work behaviors. In most cases the punishments are punitive by nature and should be used with great care to ensure the end result is positive. It is necessary to have a human element and checks/balances to ensure decisions are accurate and based on sound logic.
The most common disciplinary method is progressive by nature and includes threats of termination that can be less effective than structured achievements in meeting goals (Miller, 2014). There are times when the standard punish all that come across the managers desk doesn't work. The approach is counter intuitive and can sometimes lead to lost capital.
There is no such thing as perfect policies and procedures as they consistently run a course and don't often include a value judgement. Ensuring appropriate checks and balances along with human intervention can make a difference in the eventual outcome. Without that intervention the organization could be hurting itself in the long run.
I worked in labor relations for a number of years and I could not count the amount of times an angry manager came with spotty evidence of poor performance and demanded either termination or heavy discipline. Their anger and behaviors were based more in their perception and personality than in any employee violation.
When both sides of the argument was heard and a little time in understanding the "facts" of the case was invested it was the managers who needed discipline. Training was weak, policies were enforced subjectively, there were multiple complaints, turn over was high, customer satisfaction was low, and despite all this the manager continued to rant and rave.
We know that employees can be wrong and in most cases a good dose of discipline is helpful; but it isn't always helpful. If the employee was following what was expected by the culture of a department, manager's poor direction, did what was logical based on the training available, and sought to do his/her job, punishment is counter intuitive and destructive.
Unfortunately the "hot shot" manager sometimes continues down his/her path with all the executive support they need because they know how to play the metrics game. This is where they look good on paper but inadvertently rip the fabric of the department apart. People lose trust, leave, and move into defensive mode. The managers incessant need to be right and in control takes its toll.
A few years later and it becomes apparent how poor the manager actually was. All the skill, knowledge, and resources lost on poor management and improper applications of policies & procedures. X should not always result in Y. High performance disciplinary processes should always seek to understanding first, apply discipline when appropriate, seek routes to positively reinforce positive behavior, and make human judgement calls when the policies don't work.
Miller, L. (2014). Its time to rebrand progressive discipline to structured achievements. The Journal of Medical Practice Management, 29 (5).
The most common disciplinary method is progressive by nature and includes threats of termination that can be less effective than structured achievements in meeting goals (Miller, 2014). There are times when the standard punish all that come across the managers desk doesn't work. The approach is counter intuitive and can sometimes lead to lost capital.
There is no such thing as perfect policies and procedures as they consistently run a course and don't often include a value judgement. Ensuring appropriate checks and balances along with human intervention can make a difference in the eventual outcome. Without that intervention the organization could be hurting itself in the long run.
I worked in labor relations for a number of years and I could not count the amount of times an angry manager came with spotty evidence of poor performance and demanded either termination or heavy discipline. Their anger and behaviors were based more in their perception and personality than in any employee violation.
When both sides of the argument was heard and a little time in understanding the "facts" of the case was invested it was the managers who needed discipline. Training was weak, policies were enforced subjectively, there were multiple complaints, turn over was high, customer satisfaction was low, and despite all this the manager continued to rant and rave.
We know that employees can be wrong and in most cases a good dose of discipline is helpful; but it isn't always helpful. If the employee was following what was expected by the culture of a department, manager's poor direction, did what was logical based on the training available, and sought to do his/her job, punishment is counter intuitive and destructive.
Unfortunately the "hot shot" manager sometimes continues down his/her path with all the executive support they need because they know how to play the metrics game. This is where they look good on paper but inadvertently rip the fabric of the department apart. People lose trust, leave, and move into defensive mode. The managers incessant need to be right and in control takes its toll.
A few years later and it becomes apparent how poor the manager actually was. All the skill, knowledge, and resources lost on poor management and improper applications of policies & procedures. X should not always result in Y. High performance disciplinary processes should always seek to understanding first, apply discipline when appropriate, seek routes to positively reinforce positive behavior, and make human judgement calls when the policies don't work.
Miller, L. (2014). Its time to rebrand progressive discipline to structured achievements. The Journal of Medical Practice Management, 29 (5).
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Getting Into Biking
Biking is something we did when we were young and then we threw that bike the minute we got a car. From that point on we may have biked a few times a year for fun. If you were an outdoor enthusiast you might have biked the trails on a regular basis.
In some places bikes are not that popular. For example, a bike crowd always existed around universities in Michigan and some of the recreational areas but not much elseware. Places like Detroit are making biking popular again.
States like California have year round biking; depending on where you live. They also have more designated bike trails making the use of bikes more practical. A culture of biking emerges.
The difference between the two places is that biking in one area is mostly recreational because of the seasons while the other area it is both recreational and a practical form of transportation. It is augmented by strong public transportation, ride share, bike lanes and small stores.
In some places bikes are not that popular. For example, a bike crowd always existed around universities in Michigan and some of the recreational areas but not much elseware. Places like Detroit are making biking popular again.
States like California have year round biking; depending on where you live. They also have more designated bike trails making the use of bikes more practical. A culture of biking emerges.
The difference between the two places is that biking in one area is mostly recreational because of the seasons while the other area it is both recreational and a practical form of transportation. It is augmented by strong public transportation, ride share, bike lanes and small stores.
Digging Your Corporation Out of a Hole!
Corporations move through cycles that include start up all the way through its death stage. Typically the death stage occurs when a company can no invest in itself, make payroll or other expenses, and must either liquidate, sell-out, or simply close down. Digging out of a corporate hole sometimes requires taking drastic and immediate changes.
One of the most advantageous methods is to remove all low performing sectors and go directly to your main revenue sources. This is only beneficial if such revenue sources not only serve immediate cash flow needs but also have the propensity to grow. This could include short and long-term cash flow production. Remove or prune the rest.
Once the income streams have been developed based upon the strategic goals of the company it is necessary to streamline. This means that all excess operations that don't add value to the organization must be removed. That value should include the needs of the most important stakeholders. Review all department and positions to ensure they fit properly in this framework.
Transforming companies is not easy. However, with diligence and foresight it is possible to take those businesses with solid market relevant offerings and transform them into high performing businesses. Sometimes this requires a change in marketing, change in strategy, change in products or personnel. Digging your company out of a hole is not easy but is necessary.
One of the most advantageous methods is to remove all low performing sectors and go directly to your main revenue sources. This is only beneficial if such revenue sources not only serve immediate cash flow needs but also have the propensity to grow. This could include short and long-term cash flow production. Remove or prune the rest.
Once the income streams have been developed based upon the strategic goals of the company it is necessary to streamline. This means that all excess operations that don't add value to the organization must be removed. That value should include the needs of the most important stakeholders. Review all department and positions to ensure they fit properly in this framework.
Transforming companies is not easy. However, with diligence and foresight it is possible to take those businesses with solid market relevant offerings and transform them into high performing businesses. Sometimes this requires a change in marketing, change in strategy, change in products or personnel. Digging your company out of a hole is not easy but is necessary.
Early Morning Beaching
Early mornings are the best time to attend the beach. It takes some time to figure this out as the most popular times are around noon and after when the younger crowd finally wakes up. True beach goers start early and get the choice spots.
You can tell a seasoned beach goer by the vans loaded with chairs, surf boards, canoes, and grills. They get their stuff right next to both the water and the grass making their commute easy. You might even find the restrooms within short distance.
Starting early also offers some other benefits. Some of the restaurants have specials on breakfast burritos. It doesnt take much time to bring your vehicle to the beach, unload the bikes and go to breakfast. Make sure you grab your coffee.
Formal and Informal Communication Networks
Communication can take two basic forms in terms of formal or informal. Formal communication occurs within the workplace and informal occurs among our personal connections. Both are important for understanding, integrating and using information successfully. To truly understand a situation often requires listening to both channels of the said and the unsaid.
Formal Communication: Formal communication is official communication that helps the company make official statements. It may also include formally designed communication channels that help an organization, unit or team understand what is going on. Well designed communication channels will consider the speed of information and the reliability of the channels used to reach members.
-Official statements
-Memos
-Email
-Phone
-Alerts
-Company meetings
Informal Communication: Informal communication occurs organically in the population and encompasses everything that isn't formal. These are the conversations that occur over the water cooler and backrooms. It is the type of communication that is based more on trust and friendship than a formal channel.
-Personal emails
-Personal text
-After the meeting conversation
-Casual discussion
-Parties and social events
Formal Communication: Formal communication is official communication that helps the company make official statements. It may also include formally designed communication channels that help an organization, unit or team understand what is going on. Well designed communication channels will consider the speed of information and the reliability of the channels used to reach members.
-Official statements
-Memos
-Phone
-Alerts
-Company meetings
Informal Communication: Informal communication occurs organically in the population and encompasses everything that isn't formal. These are the conversations that occur over the water cooler and backrooms. It is the type of communication that is based more on trust and friendship than a formal channel.
-Personal emails
-Personal text
-After the meeting conversation
-Casual discussion
-Parties and social events
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Encouraging the Military's Innovation Initiatives
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, a physicist by trade, announced at a visit to Camp Pendleton a new Defense Innovation Unit Experimental, or DIUx. The Pentagon's innovation outpost will make its way to Silicon Valley to scout for new advancements to see how they could be applied to the military. Keeping an eye out for emerging innovations means staying connected to the scientific scene.
Companies continuously seek new technologies and ideas to invest in. Sometimes they buy those technologies outright while at other times they invest directly into the business. The military isn't that much different but typically has to rely on well established products and pricey contracts to make new equipment available. The process of developing something new takes years and costs much more than in the civilian world constituting a long-term risk.
An advantage the military had was that they could buy in bulk and resell older models to make up some of the money. Contracts with the military were lucrative and people sought them out at inflated prices. However, with today's new emerging threats technological development will be much faster and this requires the military to be more connected to whats happening on the ground. They need to get emerging products quickly before someone else scoops them up.
This requires a team of creative people who are highly educated and can understand quickly how new things work. They should be able to understand unique ideas to see if they are worth exploring for greater applicability to the military. The type of people they are looking for are open minded, scientific, creative, and can envision the utility of ideas.
To get this technology before it is fully developed requires interconnection with the community of builders and creators. They will need to integrate and mesh themselves into this scene and know who the players are and where to get information. They will need to be willing to follow up on rumors and chase down leads on new technology to get in contact with developers. That relationship can only happen with like minded innovators who understand how creative people think.
Companies continuously seek new technologies and ideas to invest in. Sometimes they buy those technologies outright while at other times they invest directly into the business. The military isn't that much different but typically has to rely on well established products and pricey contracts to make new equipment available. The process of developing something new takes years and costs much more than in the civilian world constituting a long-term risk.
An advantage the military had was that they could buy in bulk and resell older models to make up some of the money. Contracts with the military were lucrative and people sought them out at inflated prices. However, with today's new emerging threats technological development will be much faster and this requires the military to be more connected to whats happening on the ground. They need to get emerging products quickly before someone else scoops them up.
This requires a team of creative people who are highly educated and can understand quickly how new things work. They should be able to understand unique ideas to see if they are worth exploring for greater applicability to the military. The type of people they are looking for are open minded, scientific, creative, and can envision the utility of ideas.
To get this technology before it is fully developed requires interconnection with the community of builders and creators. They will need to integrate and mesh themselves into this scene and know who the players are and where to get information. They will need to be willing to follow up on rumors and chase down leads on new technology to get in contact with developers. That relationship can only happen with like minded innovators who understand how creative people think.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Values or Duty?
It has been said that personality is stable over one's lifetime. By the age of seven we will maintain the same outlook on life unless something drastic has happened. Character comes with internal personality and values while duty is a promise to uphold a certain value system. To uphold a duty when no reward is forthcoming is a deeper value system based into the way the person sees themselves. Are we driven by values or duty?
Consider a person with character who seeks to live life with meaning and ensure they treat people with justice and kindness. They have character and are capable of making tough decisions because they believe life is more than the fulfillment of one's own needs. Not that their needs are not important, but that there is a greater meaning to it all that transcends self.
A person who believes in duty is willing to put in play certain actions in order to fulfill a promise they made to someone or a personal promise they made to themselves. Duties are often socially oriented and are sworn as an oath in front of other people. People are expected to live by the duties they proclaim. When that social environment changes those duties often disappear.
We know that duties are sometimes left unfulfilled and not all people have values. Their character is such that if it doesn't benefit them they have no use for it. A duty to them is only as good as the temporary euphoria praise provides and the financial benefits one receives. If no one is watching those duties are quickly discarded for something that is more advantageous to the situation they find themselves in.
The type of person who keeps their duties and oaths even long after no one is looking or can hold them accountable is the type of person who has developed character. Their character runs deep into their value systems and they have incorporated those beliefs into their self-image. Without their core values they know they would be drowned into a world of being the same as everyone else.
Consider a person with character who seeks to live life with meaning and ensure they treat people with justice and kindness. They have character and are capable of making tough decisions because they believe life is more than the fulfillment of one's own needs. Not that their needs are not important, but that there is a greater meaning to it all that transcends self.
A person who believes in duty is willing to put in play certain actions in order to fulfill a promise they made to someone or a personal promise they made to themselves. Duties are often socially oriented and are sworn as an oath in front of other people. People are expected to live by the duties they proclaim. When that social environment changes those duties often disappear.
We know that duties are sometimes left unfulfilled and not all people have values. Their character is such that if it doesn't benefit them they have no use for it. A duty to them is only as good as the temporary euphoria praise provides and the financial benefits one receives. If no one is watching those duties are quickly discarded for something that is more advantageous to the situation they find themselves in.
The type of person who keeps their duties and oaths even long after no one is looking or can hold them accountable is the type of person who has developed character. Their character runs deep into their value systems and they have incorporated those beliefs into their self-image. Without their core values they know they would be drowned into a world of being the same as everyone else.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Emerging Online University Models
Online education is as credible as traditional education and is growing every year. Despite heavy regulation and the desire to support traditional models it is suspected that most universities will offer online classes to augment their expensive infrastructure. As online models change and adjust to meet multiple stakeholders and regulatory shifts one has to wonder about stronger emerging models.
Models come and go but those that are likely to make it might transform higher education models as to provide what stakeholders need while still capitalizing on the efficiencies virtual colleges provide. Their biggest challenge is not their quality, as based in research, but their credibility as defined by a few bad actors and lots of protectionist language.
That doesn't mean things will be this way forever. As traditional colleges adopt online techniques and online research supports the virtual model that image will change. The lines between virtual and traditional will be blurred as each seeks to mimic the benefits of the other. Eventually online leaders and elite schools will emerge creating new demographic markets.
Online schools will also start producing research with public appeal. They may be partnering with other universities for the hard sciences but will be engaging in lots of different types of research on their own. Professors, whether working out of an office, or in their homes, will be conducting investigatory studies and publishing their findings.
Regulation will also change. It will come down hard like a hammer so that people can make political blowing about how they are doing something about the bad actors. As regulation moves into overkill mode it will also damage their traditional stakeholders and slow down Americas competitive position in higher education leading to the pendulum shifting back in the other direction.
Ultimately, the good that can come out of regulatory gaming is that some online institutions will transform their models to meet new requirements and will come out stronger when the pendulum does swing back. They will master both playing fields and be even more competitive than their traditional counterparts. They can beat the metrics game while providing a superior product that has wide appeal not only to Americans but also the international community.
Models come and go but those that are likely to make it might transform higher education models as to provide what stakeholders need while still capitalizing on the efficiencies virtual colleges provide. Their biggest challenge is not their quality, as based in research, but their credibility as defined by a few bad actors and lots of protectionist language.
That doesn't mean things will be this way forever. As traditional colleges adopt online techniques and online research supports the virtual model that image will change. The lines between virtual and traditional will be blurred as each seeks to mimic the benefits of the other. Eventually online leaders and elite schools will emerge creating new demographic markets.
Online schools will also start producing research with public appeal. They may be partnering with other universities for the hard sciences but will be engaging in lots of different types of research on their own. Professors, whether working out of an office, or in their homes, will be conducting investigatory studies and publishing their findings.
Regulation will also change. It will come down hard like a hammer so that people can make political blowing about how they are doing something about the bad actors. As regulation moves into overkill mode it will also damage their traditional stakeholders and slow down Americas competitive position in higher education leading to the pendulum shifting back in the other direction.
Ultimately, the good that can come out of regulatory gaming is that some online institutions will transform their models to meet new requirements and will come out stronger when the pendulum does swing back. They will master both playing fields and be even more competitive than their traditional counterparts. They can beat the metrics game while providing a superior product that has wide appeal not only to Americans but also the international community.
China at the Crossroads of Reform
China is at the crossroads between a path that goes left and one that goes right. To the left is political stability that pulls from the bag of old fashion communist economic policy while to the right is a path that forces Chinese businesses to be compete without as much government support. The process of reform will become more apparent as time moves forward. Recent market corrections are an opportunity for Chinese businesses to reach out to American companies for collaborative partnerships that expand both economies.
Both mentalities come with some risks. Communist approaches provide for control and stability but ultimately lead the country to less wealth and growth. Something closer to communism with capitalistic overtones has been used to try and manage parts of the economy through one lens and other parts of the society through another. Until now officials were able to keep the balance.
The Chinese leadership had a solid strategy for the past couple decades and their ability to raise their position from market followers to market leaders. Their primary advantage was the cheapness of their labor and abundance of resources. They had a hungry population willing to work hard do what it takes to succeed. Labor mixed with modern manufacturing led the day.
That situation is changing and countries have found parity in manufacturing thereby damaging the fundamentals of the Chinese economy. The same policies that helped push the economy forward through centralized control are the same policies that led to today's market correction. How they approach this issue will determine China's future its long-term stability in an international market.
America on the other hand is growing and appears to be on solid financial footing. Protecting American intellectual property rights, investment opportunities, and fair cross-border trading policies will connect the two economies closer and bring greater stability for both. Chinese-American partnerships will need fair Chinese policies that protect the interests of both parties while ensuring international partnerships have an open regulatory environment to succeed.
Both mentalities come with some risks. Communist approaches provide for control and stability but ultimately lead the country to less wealth and growth. Something closer to communism with capitalistic overtones has been used to try and manage parts of the economy through one lens and other parts of the society through another. Until now officials were able to keep the balance.
The Chinese leadership had a solid strategy for the past couple decades and their ability to raise their position from market followers to market leaders. Their primary advantage was the cheapness of their labor and abundance of resources. They had a hungry population willing to work hard do what it takes to succeed. Labor mixed with modern manufacturing led the day.
That situation is changing and countries have found parity in manufacturing thereby damaging the fundamentals of the Chinese economy. The same policies that helped push the economy forward through centralized control are the same policies that led to today's market correction. How they approach this issue will determine China's future its long-term stability in an international market.
America on the other hand is growing and appears to be on solid financial footing. Protecting American intellectual property rights, investment opportunities, and fair cross-border trading policies will connect the two economies closer and bring greater stability for both. Chinese-American partnerships will need fair Chinese policies that protect the interests of both parties while ensuring international partnerships have an open regulatory environment to succeed.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
The Lines of Bureaucracy-Models of Inefficiency
Bureaucracy can be difficult to deal with. Waiting in lines, filling out large forms, waiting weeks for a response, and trekking down to some physical location can be pretty tough. Where we experience bureaucracy we generally feel annoyed and sometimes devalued as a person. The modern conveniences of this century sometimes feel absent when large clunky operations grip with white knuckles to ineffective models. Those organizations that don't change eventually are buried in history.
You know you are standing in one when everything looks worn out, old, and dilapidated. Bureaucracy breeds incompetence and stakeholder indifference that manifests in general customer annoyance. Bureaucracy become inefficient because it 1. ignores the legitimate complaints, 2. monitors the wrong things, 3. delays decision making, and has 4. biased oversight (Prendergast, 2003)
Bureaucracies have many layers of management but are ultimately separated from the needs of their stakeholders. Their operations are often inefficient and costly leading to incentives for additional waste and inefficiencies. The effectiveness is weak and the outcomes are poor. One of the only benefits it provides is control based upon rigid rules and policies.
These types of businesses can be found anywhere but often are found more in government than anywhere else. Even though we know poorly management branches cost taxpayers a fortune to continue to run inefficiently it is possessed in seeking resources to feed its needs. These resources become wasted in programs that don't work and within the operational inefficiencies embedded in layered management and bloated departments.
There are ways to improve bureaucracies by borrowing from modern business techniques. The advantages of continuous updating and improving help to ensure that ultimately stakeholder needs are being met. In government bureaucracies politicians and government decision-makers have a responsibility to ensure that their oversight is using tax payer money in the most efficient manner as possible through increasing departmental performance. Bureaucracies in the business world have nearly all been wiped out by more efficient models.
Prendergast, C. (2003). The Limits of Bureaucratic Efficiency. Journal of Political Economy, 111 (5).
You know you are standing in one when everything looks worn out, old, and dilapidated. Bureaucracy breeds incompetence and stakeholder indifference that manifests in general customer annoyance. Bureaucracy become inefficient because it 1. ignores the legitimate complaints, 2. monitors the wrong things, 3. delays decision making, and has 4. biased oversight (Prendergast, 2003)
Bureaucracies have many layers of management but are ultimately separated from the needs of their stakeholders. Their operations are often inefficient and costly leading to incentives for additional waste and inefficiencies. The effectiveness is weak and the outcomes are poor. One of the only benefits it provides is control based upon rigid rules and policies.
These types of businesses can be found anywhere but often are found more in government than anywhere else. Even though we know poorly management branches cost taxpayers a fortune to continue to run inefficiently it is possessed in seeking resources to feed its needs. These resources become wasted in programs that don't work and within the operational inefficiencies embedded in layered management and bloated departments.
There are ways to improve bureaucracies by borrowing from modern business techniques. The advantages of continuous updating and improving help to ensure that ultimately stakeholder needs are being met. In government bureaucracies politicians and government decision-makers have a responsibility to ensure that their oversight is using tax payer money in the most efficient manner as possible through increasing departmental performance. Bureaucracies in the business world have nearly all been wiped out by more efficient models.
Prendergast, C. (2003). The Limits of Bureaucratic Efficiency. Journal of Political Economy, 111 (5).
Customer Service Failure and Recovery
One of the worst things a business can do is lose trust and credibility with their customers. It happens all the time and it can lead to a lifetime of lost sales. Each customer should be treated with respect and poor customer service shows that the customer not only not important but also artificially inflates the need of the company and/or the employee. When service "slip ups" occur a faster recovery is necessary to keep the revenue stream.
Customers are spending their money and time and desire to be treated with respect. As purchases are either based in their self-perceptions or needs poor customer service leads directly to a sting of the ego. It is kind of hard to get them to make additional purchases if that ego sting destroys the excitement and enthusiasm of buying the product in the first place.
It is important to understand that a single service mistake can damage the impression of the entire business. Perhaps they had great customer service throughout the entire process but it was the last person on the phone that did the absolute wrong thing. In this case, all of the great care the customer received went out the window.
People don't differentiate between an individual and the organization. A single rude interaction with a company worker represents the entire organization in the mind of a paying customer. The best way to enrage someone is to devalue them and their worth. Providing perfect customer service delivery every time is important for retaining business and earning big dollars.
Recruitment and training are essential for customer service delivery development. Without the right kind of personality coming in training will do little to change their perception of themselves versus others. Once you hire the right kind of personality it is necessary to train them on how to handle customers and how to fix problems. Customers want an immediate solution to calm the nerves and will stew about problems the longer they fester under a lack of representative conciseness.
Customers are spending their money and time and desire to be treated with respect. As purchases are either based in their self-perceptions or needs poor customer service leads directly to a sting of the ego. It is kind of hard to get them to make additional purchases if that ego sting destroys the excitement and enthusiasm of buying the product in the first place.
It is important to understand that a single service mistake can damage the impression of the entire business. Perhaps they had great customer service throughout the entire process but it was the last person on the phone that did the absolute wrong thing. In this case, all of the great care the customer received went out the window.
People don't differentiate between an individual and the organization. A single rude interaction with a company worker represents the entire organization in the mind of a paying customer. The best way to enrage someone is to devalue them and their worth. Providing perfect customer service delivery every time is important for retaining business and earning big dollars.
Recruitment and training are essential for customer service delivery development. Without the right kind of personality coming in training will do little to change their perception of themselves versus others. Once you hire the right kind of personality it is necessary to train them on how to handle customers and how to fix problems. Customers want an immediate solution to calm the nerves and will stew about problems the longer they fester under a lack of representative conciseness.
Using Green to Create Functional Workplaces
Green is an eco conscious color that can tell a lot about a business and their working environment. Plants have many purposes that include workplace aesthetics as well as psychological comfort to workers. In a world where packing people into cubicles and personal space is declining it is important to enhance the aesthetics of the workplace to reduce stress and improve productivity.
According to a Public Health Report regular contact to nature can promote workplace health and reduce stress (Largo-Wight, et. al. (2011). People are biologically and psychologically designed to be around and in nature. As workplaces become more compact and corporate we are less connected to our natural history and this can produce anxiety.
There is little doubt that fundamental changes in society has produced large changes. There are simply more people, more things to do, more distractions, less time, and more pressures. Yet there is no reason to remove nature from our surroundings. That is the last thing we want to do.
Companies can consider the benefits of using plants to create aesthetically pleasing businesses that look rich and well manicured. Boring corners can be spruced up with a potted plant and windows can be dressed up with flowers. Solid interior design should include some greenery and well placed foliage.
It isn't all about how it looks. Using plants, pictures, and other nature connecting aesthetics can improve performance. When people are stressed and feel like they want to bail out of the workplace they are not likely to perform at their highest. Reducing stress and increasing performance through aesthetic adjustments can be beneficial in the long run.
Largo-Wight E; Chen WW; Dodd V; Weiler R, Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C.: 1974) [Public Health Rep], ISSN: 0033-3549, 2011 May-Jun; Vol. 126 Suppl 1, pp. 124-30; Publisher: Association of Schools of Public Health; PMID: 21563720;
According to a Public Health Report regular contact to nature can promote workplace health and reduce stress (Largo-Wight, et. al. (2011). People are biologically and psychologically designed to be around and in nature. As workplaces become more compact and corporate we are less connected to our natural history and this can produce anxiety.
There is little doubt that fundamental changes in society has produced large changes. There are simply more people, more things to do, more distractions, less time, and more pressures. Yet there is no reason to remove nature from our surroundings. That is the last thing we want to do.
Companies can consider the benefits of using plants to create aesthetically pleasing businesses that look rich and well manicured. Boring corners can be spruced up with a potted plant and windows can be dressed up with flowers. Solid interior design should include some greenery and well placed foliage.
It isn't all about how it looks. Using plants, pictures, and other nature connecting aesthetics can improve performance. When people are stressed and feel like they want to bail out of the workplace they are not likely to perform at their highest. Reducing stress and increasing performance through aesthetic adjustments can be beneficial in the long run.
Largo-Wight E; Chen WW; Dodd V; Weiler R, Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C.: 1974) [Public Health Rep], ISSN: 0033-3549, 2011 May-Jun; Vol. 126 Suppl 1, pp. 124-30; Publisher: Association of Schools of Public Health; PMID: 21563720;
Making the Most of Your Time
Time is a limited commodity. We have choices between time and projects. Without some level of guidance in our lives and goals we can be wasting time on things that are not important to us, our companies, or society. Knowing what you want to accomplish and putting together some goals helps in aligning your time appropriately.
You define goals in your daily life and you can define goals for your career. Career goals are accomplished through your work. Ensuring that you understand your job and what is needed to succeed can be helpful in obtaining your career goals.
On any given day we have work to do that is both tedious and time consuming. We might procrastinate on that work hoping that it will magically disappear. Instead of being proactive we start wasting time on less important projects an activities that do not help our career or our goals.
Take a few moments and think about what is important to you. This could be anything that includes money, family, recreation, travel, etc... Then think about what is needed to obtain those things. You will need to know how much time and effort is needed.
In the work place your goals should align to the needs of the organization. If your organization requires a certain sales quota, or other activity to succeed, the majority of your time should be spent there. Other types of maintenance work may be necessary but should be minimized as much as possible.
You define goals in your daily life and you can define goals for your career. Career goals are accomplished through your work. Ensuring that you understand your job and what is needed to succeed can be helpful in obtaining your career goals.
On any given day we have work to do that is both tedious and time consuming. We might procrastinate on that work hoping that it will magically disappear. Instead of being proactive we start wasting time on less important projects an activities that do not help our career or our goals.
Take a few moments and think about what is important to you. This could be anything that includes money, family, recreation, travel, etc... Then think about what is needed to obtain those things. You will need to know how much time and effort is needed.
In the work place your goals should align to the needs of the organization. If your organization requires a certain sales quota, or other activity to succeed, the majority of your time should be spent there. Other types of maintenance work may be necessary but should be minimized as much as possible.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Factors that Influence Veteran Tansition from Military Service to Higher Education
Transition from military life to higher education can be a difficult one. People make assumptions all the time of veterans and their difficulties. Coming from high organized and often dangerous environment veterans understanding of the world is very different than that of the traditional college student. They were forced to grow up quick and college becomes another major hurdle for them.
In university life, people are expected to be free thinkers. This may not be the case in everyday life, workplaces, or social circles but in our university work we are expected to think for ourselves. Military personnel were not expected to be free thinkers and the idea could be alien to certain members of the enlisted ranks. Their lives revolve around what is termed Total Institution.
Total Institution means that the person lives under authority, works in a batch of others, formal rules, and a general exclusion of knowledge over decisions (Goffman, 1961). The person lives within a collective of others that requires working as part of a unit and following commands without questioning the bigger picture.
Students are the opposite. They are expected to question their environment, decisions, and choices. People are fed knowledge regardless of whether or not they have the capacity to understand or take responsibility over that knowledge. Students often learn to be responsible only to themselves and take care of their own needs unlike the military where one is expected to sacrifice.
Military veterans moving into higher education often experience difficulties in task cohesion, structure, anxiety, experiences and social cohesion (Naphan & Elliot, 2015). Getting military students together into a group can be helpful. Both virtual and/or physical groups can help veterans rely on each other and work through adjustments. They can share resources and work together on projects.
Goffman, E. (1961). Asylums: Essays on the social situation of mental patients and other inmates. New York, NY: Anchor Books.
Naphan, D. & Elliont, M. (2015). Role Exit from the Military: Student Veterans' Perceptions of Transitioning from the U.S. Military to Higher Education. The Qualitative Report, 20 (2)
In university life, people are expected to be free thinkers. This may not be the case in everyday life, workplaces, or social circles but in our university work we are expected to think for ourselves. Military personnel were not expected to be free thinkers and the idea could be alien to certain members of the enlisted ranks. Their lives revolve around what is termed Total Institution.
Total Institution means that the person lives under authority, works in a batch of others, formal rules, and a general exclusion of knowledge over decisions (Goffman, 1961). The person lives within a collective of others that requires working as part of a unit and following commands without questioning the bigger picture.
Students are the opposite. They are expected to question their environment, decisions, and choices. People are fed knowledge regardless of whether or not they have the capacity to understand or take responsibility over that knowledge. Students often learn to be responsible only to themselves and take care of their own needs unlike the military where one is expected to sacrifice.
Military veterans moving into higher education often experience difficulties in task cohesion, structure, anxiety, experiences and social cohesion (Naphan & Elliot, 2015). Getting military students together into a group can be helpful. Both virtual and/or physical groups can help veterans rely on each other and work through adjustments. They can share resources and work together on projects.
Goffman, E. (1961). Asylums: Essays on the social situation of mental patients and other inmates. New York, NY: Anchor Books.
Naphan, D. & Elliont, M. (2015). Role Exit from the Military: Student Veterans' Perceptions of Transitioning from the U.S. Military to Higher Education. The Qualitative Report, 20 (2)
Monday, August 24, 2015
Dealing with Disgruntled Students-Feedback, Tips and Tone
Students can get upset when their expectations are not met. The very nature of giving feedback and pushing others to grow can be difficult in a higher education setting where fragile egos can be broken. Giving accurate feedback can break perceptions of perfection leading to frustration and anger as the next step for some students. Showing them how to improve and communicating in a way that lessens their fear can be difficult.
It is important to provide accurate feedback to ensure that the student not only is getting a high quality education but they are also given an avenue for channeling their frustrations. If there isn't adequate feedback the professor becomes the target of student frustration as the student seeks to avoid responsibility for poor work.
It is often easier to blame others than it is to blame ourselves. When we blame others we have no need to change, grow, or develop. Emotionally we are "off the hook" as all of the problems are the direct result of the professors grading. Over time students may find themselves unable to compete in a bigger market.
Beyond simply providing accurate feedback and methods for improving professors should also learn how to communicate in a way that empowers the student to take control over their education. Positive tone and demeanor can help students palate the feedback but also feel as though they can master the skills needed to succeed.
Frustration is a natural part of learning, blaming others is easy to do, but growing takes courage. Professors are not only administrators of classrooms but also administrators of student growth. Through providing solid feedback, tips for improvement, and a positive tone in communication they can bridge the natural gaps between a knowledge seeker and a knowledge provider.
It is important to provide accurate feedback to ensure that the student not only is getting a high quality education but they are also given an avenue for channeling their frustrations. If there isn't adequate feedback the professor becomes the target of student frustration as the student seeks to avoid responsibility for poor work.
It is often easier to blame others than it is to blame ourselves. When we blame others we have no need to change, grow, or develop. Emotionally we are "off the hook" as all of the problems are the direct result of the professors grading. Over time students may find themselves unable to compete in a bigger market.
Beyond simply providing accurate feedback and methods for improving professors should also learn how to communicate in a way that empowers the student to take control over their education. Positive tone and demeanor can help students palate the feedback but also feel as though they can master the skills needed to succeed.
Frustration is a natural part of learning, blaming others is easy to do, but growing takes courage. Professors are not only administrators of classrooms but also administrators of student growth. Through providing solid feedback, tips for improvement, and a positive tone in communication they can bridge the natural gaps between a knowledge seeker and a knowledge provider.
Organizations with a Purpose
Organizations with a purpose are more likely to succeed than those who don't. When organizations think beyond their current position they can aspire to higher forms of performance and attract top talent that ensures their goals are met. When organizations become a collection of process and procedures without a higher order function they begin to decline in performance and relevance.
Successful organizations should have a purpose that draws people to a shared vision. A purpose should be "brief, clear, and realistic, and it also should convey a representative picture of the future while enabling and appealing to employees, customers, and the broader community
Schultz, 2014)." The purpose becomes the overriding goal that people can believe in.
Example 1: The purpose of a recycling center may be to create a greener community. They way the do this is by getting the community involved in recycling, putting out bins, and incentivising returns. The center's daily operations are designed to support its purpose. If its purpose was to only make money it would lose stakeholder support.
Example 2: The purpose of the Justice Department is to create a safer community through the accurate dispensing of justice. The process of arresting, trying, and convicting offenders is only one of the many functions that can help in achieving its purpose. If the operations begin to be more important than its purpose, it will lose community support.
The purpose gives the organization something to strive toward. This greater vision helps to ensure that its daily operations align with a better future outcome. The purpose guides daily decision-making and helps to chart strategic plans to achieve its purpose.
When policies & procedures become the main purpose the organization is doomed to eventual failure. Daily operations are its most important function and reconfirm itself creating a closed system that will become more irrelevant each year. People within the organization have no vision and begin to cannibalize the system.
In the first example the manager of a recycling center may use the size of his paycheck and the size of his department as a reference of performance while in the second example an officer might look at the amount of arrests made as a metric of performance. The functions supersede its vision and become more of a resource for personal gain than fulfillment of a greater cause.
Successful organizations have a purpose that makes its way into a clearly articulated vision that people can follow and believe in. Stakeholder vision is stronger as interested parties support the overall purpose of the organization and encourage ever improving operations to achieve that purpose. Employees can take pride in the work they do and maintain their motivation beyond the monetary benefits they may gain.
Schultz, J. (2014). Framing the Organization’s Purpose with Its Ultimate Goals in Mind. Global Business & Organizational Excellence, 33 (3).
Successful organizations should have a purpose that draws people to a shared vision. A purpose should be "brief, clear, and realistic, and it also should convey a representative picture of the future while enabling and appealing to employees, customers, and the broader community
Schultz, 2014)." The purpose becomes the overriding goal that people can believe in.
Example 1: The purpose of a recycling center may be to create a greener community. They way the do this is by getting the community involved in recycling, putting out bins, and incentivising returns. The center's daily operations are designed to support its purpose. If its purpose was to only make money it would lose stakeholder support.
Example 2: The purpose of the Justice Department is to create a safer community through the accurate dispensing of justice. The process of arresting, trying, and convicting offenders is only one of the many functions that can help in achieving its purpose. If the operations begin to be more important than its purpose, it will lose community support.
The purpose gives the organization something to strive toward. This greater vision helps to ensure that its daily operations align with a better future outcome. The purpose guides daily decision-making and helps to chart strategic plans to achieve its purpose.
When policies & procedures become the main purpose the organization is doomed to eventual failure. Daily operations are its most important function and reconfirm itself creating a closed system that will become more irrelevant each year. People within the organization have no vision and begin to cannibalize the system.
In the first example the manager of a recycling center may use the size of his paycheck and the size of his department as a reference of performance while in the second example an officer might look at the amount of arrests made as a metric of performance. The functions supersede its vision and become more of a resource for personal gain than fulfillment of a greater cause.
Successful organizations have a purpose that makes its way into a clearly articulated vision that people can follow and believe in. Stakeholder vision is stronger as interested parties support the overall purpose of the organization and encourage ever improving operations to achieve that purpose. Employees can take pride in the work they do and maintain their motivation beyond the monetary benefits they may gain.
Schultz, J. (2014). Framing the Organization’s Purpose with Its Ultimate Goals in Mind. Global Business & Organizational Excellence, 33 (3).
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Chula Vista Harborfest
I went down to Chula Vista's Harbor Fest over the weekend and explored the sites. Warm weather, lots of games, food, ocean view, music, and good fun. The event was free and drew a Bayside Park. I spent a few hours there and then biked around the area for an hour or so. Great bike trails on the main road but almost none along the bay. That is a shame because it would be beautiful. http://www.cvharborfest.com/
Friday, August 21, 2015
Power Negotiations Through Coercion or Inspiration
Negotiations are a natural part of life. Most of us do it without conscious awareness. We negotiate with our partners, friends, co-workers, mechanic, children and just about everyone else. Power is still a major factor in all negotiations but is not always the deciding factor. The type of power used will often determine how the negotiations will run but doesn't always determine the outcomes.
There are two main types of power; coercive and non-coercive. Coercive power is often used in power over situations while non-coercive power is used in power with situations. One seeks to create power over individuals through negative consequences while the other creates power with people through inspiration.
Coercive Power: If you don't do this I will do this! A reward and punishment system. For example, someone who is physically bigger than you or who has a weapon could simply force you do do something physically. It may even take the form of formal power where your boss tells you to do something and the consequences of not doing it are not worth it.
Non-coercive Power:Non-coercive power is based in the ability to get people to believe in what you are doing and follow your lead. For example, information helps people make better decisions while force might ensure enough sustaining power to get a job done. People follow because they believe in the vision and power is used appropriately to make things happen.
It is possible to approach each problem with coercive or non-coercive power. Culturally we believe heavily in the coercive method but sometimes it is counterproductive. As a general approach, non-coercive power leads to better decisions, open debate that is akin to democracy, knowledge sharing, and more collaborators. Coercive power should be used when no other option is available and parties refuse to negotiate in good faith.
Negotiations can use coercive or non-coercive power to come to a resolution. The general process of negotiating is non-coercive but people still reserve the right to strike or walk out of negotiations. The ballistic approach sometimes works but may also be counterproductive if the other side simply cuts their loses and begins to find alternative strategies to minimize the long-term power of their opponent. Non-coercive power seeks to find a balance where both parties agree making a longer-term arrangement.
There are two main types of power; coercive and non-coercive. Coercive power is often used in power over situations while non-coercive power is used in power with situations. One seeks to create power over individuals through negative consequences while the other creates power with people through inspiration.
Coercive Power: If you don't do this I will do this! A reward and punishment system. For example, someone who is physically bigger than you or who has a weapon could simply force you do do something physically. It may even take the form of formal power where your boss tells you to do something and the consequences of not doing it are not worth it.
Non-coercive Power:Non-coercive power is based in the ability to get people to believe in what you are doing and follow your lead. For example, information helps people make better decisions while force might ensure enough sustaining power to get a job done. People follow because they believe in the vision and power is used appropriately to make things happen.
It is possible to approach each problem with coercive or non-coercive power. Culturally we believe heavily in the coercive method but sometimes it is counterproductive. As a general approach, non-coercive power leads to better decisions, open debate that is akin to democracy, knowledge sharing, and more collaborators. Coercive power should be used when no other option is available and parties refuse to negotiate in good faith.
Negotiations can use coercive or non-coercive power to come to a resolution. The general process of negotiating is non-coercive but people still reserve the right to strike or walk out of negotiations. The ballistic approach sometimes works but may also be counterproductive if the other side simply cuts their loses and begins to find alternative strategies to minimize the long-term power of their opponent. Non-coercive power seeks to find a balance where both parties agree making a longer-term arrangement.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
When Free Trade Agreements can Help San Diego's Economy Bear Fruit
Trade Deals can be or not be beneficial depending on their design and the economic environment in which they are enacted. An article entitled Trans-Pacific trade pact benefits San Diego by Jerry Sanders in San Diego Union-Tribune does a pretty good job outlining the benefits of a trade deal and its potential impact on the San Diego Economy. The level benefits of any trade agreement rests on a few things that San Diego must have to maximize its opportunities.
When Businesses Crave Access to New Markets: Local businesses must want new markets. Opening up the international market affords an opportunity to sell more products, create more revenue, expand operations and hire more people. There must be a growing need to find new markets.
When We are More Competitive than Other Locations: One of the reasons why countries use tariffs is to protect their weaker businesses and encourage them to grow to a competitive positions. China is great at this. If San Diego Business are developed, can produce a market-driven product, and have a working business model they can compete on the international market.
When We Need Access to New Resources: Innovation produces new products that need cheaper resources for mass production. Trade agreements can provide access to new resources at prices not found locally therefore making the products more competitive. Growing countries need resources to feed their business expansion plans.
When the Agreement is a Net Plus for the Economy: The numbers are important in this case. Economics and number crunchers will need to determine whether or not we will expand or shrink our economy under an agreement. Some places will be losers while others will be winners.
When Local Technology and Skills are High: If locals have unique skills that have demand on the international market and access to the technology to produce the next generation products such trade agreements make sense. The area itself must be competitive and unique when compared to other places.
When Local Universities Draw Talent and Innovation: Local universities draw talent and innovation from other places. Graduates settle in the area when jobs are plentiful further feeding intellectual capital needs. Universities create new products and ideas for market consumption.
When Investment Will Match New Opportunities: When the market shifts due to new trade agreements it is an opportune time for hubs to market their investment opportunities. New resources, expansion, and new intellectual knowledge draws new investments. Investment sources should be expanded.
When Local Government Can Manage to an International Community: Local government and its effectiveness in understanding and managing across genders, races, origins, and localities depends on its developmental level. Government includes policing, services, policies and the intellectual abilities of people in power. Diverse populations and people from other places will want to trust the government to be fair and transparent in decisions and the information leading to those decisions.
When the Business Community Can Work Together: When the local business community can work together to maximize their opportunities and expand the economic engine. This includes marketing the area, partnership in government, encouraging investments, pushing for pro-business policies, and better management of the region.
When Businesses Crave Access to New Markets: Local businesses must want new markets. Opening up the international market affords an opportunity to sell more products, create more revenue, expand operations and hire more people. There must be a growing need to find new markets.
When We are More Competitive than Other Locations: One of the reasons why countries use tariffs is to protect their weaker businesses and encourage them to grow to a competitive positions. China is great at this. If San Diego Business are developed, can produce a market-driven product, and have a working business model they can compete on the international market.
When We Need Access to New Resources: Innovation produces new products that need cheaper resources for mass production. Trade agreements can provide access to new resources at prices not found locally therefore making the products more competitive. Growing countries need resources to feed their business expansion plans.
When the Agreement is a Net Plus for the Economy: The numbers are important in this case. Economics and number crunchers will need to determine whether or not we will expand or shrink our economy under an agreement. Some places will be losers while others will be winners.
When Local Technology and Skills are High: If locals have unique skills that have demand on the international market and access to the technology to produce the next generation products such trade agreements make sense. The area itself must be competitive and unique when compared to other places.
When Local Universities Draw Talent and Innovation: Local universities draw talent and innovation from other places. Graduates settle in the area when jobs are plentiful further feeding intellectual capital needs. Universities create new products and ideas for market consumption.
When Investment Will Match New Opportunities: When the market shifts due to new trade agreements it is an opportune time for hubs to market their investment opportunities. New resources, expansion, and new intellectual knowledge draws new investments. Investment sources should be expanded.
When Local Government Can Manage to an International Community: Local government and its effectiveness in understanding and managing across genders, races, origins, and localities depends on its developmental level. Government includes policing, services, policies and the intellectual abilities of people in power. Diverse populations and people from other places will want to trust the government to be fair and transparent in decisions and the information leading to those decisions.
When the Business Community Can Work Together: When the local business community can work together to maximize their opportunities and expand the economic engine. This includes marketing the area, partnership in government, encouraging investments, pushing for pro-business policies, and better management of the region.
Image and Impression in Sales and Business
In sales image and impression are everything. How people perceive the business person determines whether or not they trust them and if they should make a purchase. In business this impression is also important as people judge each other within the first few minutes of meeting. It is these first impression images you have to worry about as they will last a long time. Enhancing your impression is important for sowing the deal.
It may or may not be fair to be judged quickly by a first impression. Unfortunately, this is they way in which most people's brains work. They simply take a quick look and assessment, compare that to their experiences, and make a judgement. Changing that judgement is very difficult so improving your first impression is important for business success.
Considering that we are a little mentally lazy we go with impressions because they are quick heuristics. A person wearing a Rolex and driving a Mercedes will certainly look more financially secure than someone driving a Timex and a Ford Escort. As we have learned from books like the Millionaire Next Door it is the later who may be on the better financial track and have a bigger bank account.
Regardless, first impressions can make or break the deal. This is especially true if the two business partners don't know each other well or have limited time and resources to dig further into the character of the person. Those who know how to dress and present themselves will naturally do much better than those who don't.
Dress up for work. Wear a suit, tie, black/brown shoes, and appropriate shirt with color. If you work in a casual environment then clash casual and professional to upgrade without going too far. Shine your shoes and make sure you have the right watch. Get a hair cut and think about upgrading your car. The rest....well....no one knows the difference.
It may or may not be fair to be judged quickly by a first impression. Unfortunately, this is they way in which most people's brains work. They simply take a quick look and assessment, compare that to their experiences, and make a judgement. Changing that judgement is very difficult so improving your first impression is important for business success.
Considering that we are a little mentally lazy we go with impressions because they are quick heuristics. A person wearing a Rolex and driving a Mercedes will certainly look more financially secure than someone driving a Timex and a Ford Escort. As we have learned from books like the Millionaire Next Door it is the later who may be on the better financial track and have a bigger bank account.
Regardless, first impressions can make or break the deal. This is especially true if the two business partners don't know each other well or have limited time and resources to dig further into the character of the person. Those who know how to dress and present themselves will naturally do much better than those who don't.
Dress up for work. Wear a suit, tie, black/brown shoes, and appropriate shirt with color. If you work in a casual environment then clash casual and professional to upgrade without going too far. Shine your shoes and make sure you have the right watch. Get a hair cut and think about upgrading your car. The rest....well....no one knows the difference.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Playing Sports to Get in Shape
Sports are a great way to keep you interested in your fitness goals. The type of sport depends on your interest and what you want to accomplish. If you don't know what type of sport you should play then go ahead and explore. The different muscles and activities will likely push your body to change quickly.
Repetitive exercise is not only not good for you but it can get boring. We see how quickly people get redundant when they start a fitness routine and then quit within a few weeks or months do to lack of interest and life distractions. Mixing traditional exercises with sports can help alleviate this boredom.
Let us say you are on a hardcore workout routine. You go to the gym and mix in your cardio and weights. Your workouts are stagnant and don't seem to give you a well rounded fitness. This is when augmenting your gym work with sports can be helpful.
The type of sport is less important than playing. If you want to mimic sprinting join soccer, basketball or volley ball. If you are trying to gain coordination and upper body strength try boxing. If you want to lose weight and have fun then downhill sill or surf. The options are up to you.
Exercise doesn't need to be stressful or full of all the things we project onto it. This is in your head. Exercise can be social, fun, relaxing, or intense. The type of exercise you choose should complement your personality. Try and do things you find fun and enjoy doing them more.
Repetitive exercise is not only not good for you but it can get boring. We see how quickly people get redundant when they start a fitness routine and then quit within a few weeks or months do to lack of interest and life distractions. Mixing traditional exercises with sports can help alleviate this boredom.
Let us say you are on a hardcore workout routine. You go to the gym and mix in your cardio and weights. Your workouts are stagnant and don't seem to give you a well rounded fitness. This is when augmenting your gym work with sports can be helpful.
The type of sport is less important than playing. If you want to mimic sprinting join soccer, basketball or volley ball. If you are trying to gain coordination and upper body strength try boxing. If you want to lose weight and have fun then downhill sill or surf. The options are up to you.
Exercise doesn't need to be stressful or full of all the things we project onto it. This is in your head. Exercise can be social, fun, relaxing, or intense. The type of exercise you choose should complement your personality. Try and do things you find fun and enjoy doing them more.
Ethnic Shopping Communities
I have been in San Diego for a couple of years and am still dumbfounded by the amount of diversity the area holds. This includes people from nearly all corners of the world. There are shopping places for Italians, Asians, Mexicans, Arabs, and just about every other ethnic group. Besides giving people ethnic food I find it interesting that each culture seems to have their own emphasis.
Shopping for some time in the area I learned that some markets have great butcheries at discount prices. Others might have fruit that is cheaper than anywhere else in town. A few places are great for cereal. What I noticed about the 99 Ranch Market is that they have a huge seafood and spice selection.
Most of the writing is in Chinese (at least I think) but they do offer subtitles. Kind of neat place if you want to check out some of the foods they have and pick up a few things for supper. It is a full service store that includes just about everything you will need for your refrigerator.
Just behind the market are other ethic stores making the immediate area a great shopping place for ethnic Asian food and products. I just got hooked on seaweed as a great snack. I am still looking for dried squid which I had as a teenager but haven't been able to find since. Check out the place, eat at one of their local restaurants, and go shopping before going home.
99 Ranch Market
Shopping for some time in the area I learned that some markets have great butcheries at discount prices. Others might have fruit that is cheaper than anywhere else in town. A few places are great for cereal. What I noticed about the 99 Ranch Market is that they have a huge seafood and spice selection.
Most of the writing is in Chinese (at least I think) but they do offer subtitles. Kind of neat place if you want to check out some of the foods they have and pick up a few things for supper. It is a full service store that includes just about everything you will need for your refrigerator.
Just behind the market are other ethic stores making the immediate area a great shopping place for ethnic Asian food and products. I just got hooked on seaweed as a great snack. I am still looking for dried squid which I had as a teenager but haven't been able to find since. Check out the place, eat at one of their local restaurants, and go shopping before going home.
99 Ranch Market
7330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111
http://www.99ranch.com/stores/san-diego-california
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Fostering Emotional Intelligence in Business Students
Emotional Intelligence (EI) has become popular as a
determining factor of success over the recent past. The process of
understanding one’s emotions, how they sit on issues, and resolve issues is
important for moving forward to higher levels of management. The era of the
emotionally infant boss throwing a temper tantrum to get people motivated no
longer pushes people to the highest levels of performance. Developing emotional
intelligence in business students can raise executive functioning.
No doubt business is stressful and that stress
impacts every aspect of the working and non-working spheres of our life. EI is
so powerful that it influences performance, leadership, physical, and mental
health (Humphrey, 2013). It is one of those fundamental skills that reaches
into every part of our life.
EI can impact how we manage employees, interact with
business partners, make deals and handle the daily frustrations within the
workplace. When confronting major business challenges the emotional intelligent
person will not only be able to deal with this frustration but still encourage people
to overcome obstacles without losing control.
It is such an important skill for graduates that it
is beneficial to start teaching emotional intelligence in college. How this is
not easy as there are multiple layers of knowledge that range from definition
to personal insight. Yet the process of understanding how to communicate,
understanding oneself, and knowing how emotional intelligence influences our
lives can be beneficial.
Better management of one’s emotions and what they
mean also impacts how we relate with others and influence them in the business
world. People trust a person who has an even keel personality and seems to
bring forth trust by their words and demeanor. People with high EI can work
through the ups and downs of life to achieve their objectives. Students who can master their own EI are an emotional asset to an organization and have the staying power to manage for long periods of time.
Humphrey, R. (2013). The benefits of emotional intelligence and
empathy to entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship
Research Journal, 3 (3).
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