It is hot outside and it doesn't matter if you live on the coast or inland. For those who live in the deserts the weather is going to be miserable all the way through Monday evening. If you enjoy hot water whether than you have nothing to complain about, but if you are addicted to the mid 70's there might gripe. For those who want something to do in this oven called Global Warming here are a few ideas.
1. Go to the beach.
2. Go to shopping in the air conditioning.
3. Hit a matinee.
4. Visit the library.
5. Take a boat tour.
6. Museums love visitors.
7. Spend time with your family.
8. Watch TV.
9. Get an iced coffee and browse the internet at your local cafe.
10. Play sports indoors.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Leadership on the Brink
Leadership is not for the faint of heart. Great followers rarely make great leaders and those that think they are leaders often fail under the most difficult situations. Leadership moves beyond puffy self concepts and social perceptions and hits the core of a person's soul. Great leaders come from within and are not associated with rank, wealth or position.
If we think about histories great civic and military leaders almost all of them came from moderate to humble backgrounds. Few would have mustered the strength if they lived in the lap of luxury and didn't need to strive and work to accomplish their goals. Great leadership may have innate skills but is definitely forged through the fire of life.
Leaders may come from anywhere. Notable leaders seem to have the trait of creating changes out of no where. It was their time. Research has shown that in difficult situations emerging leaders strive for excellence, team-build, have a vision, have purpose, are sincere, are caring/empathetic, self-sacrificing, and have self-efficacy (Bangari, 2014).
They know they can't do it on their own and will need to tap deep to find the courage and strength to chase down a problem. As they gain momentum people will gravitate toward their cause and build momentum. As more people get involve the vision begins to change people's thoughts and actions creating a new way of looking at the world.
Where the average person thinks about their own needs the leader things beyond their biological urges to tackle bigger problems. They realize there is a more important game at stake and they have a responsibility to take the reins and do something about it. When they do come forward they can make big changes.
Sometimes they do not tap into their sources until pressured to do so. This pressure could come from a combat situation, a failing company, or any other high pressure situation. The specific situation is less important than the actual motivators that push underdogs to perform. These forces come together in different ways to create an environment where higher performance is likely.
If we think about histories great civic and military leaders almost all of them came from moderate to humble backgrounds. Few would have mustered the strength if they lived in the lap of luxury and didn't need to strive and work to accomplish their goals. Great leadership may have innate skills but is definitely forged through the fire of life.
Leaders may come from anywhere. Notable leaders seem to have the trait of creating changes out of no where. It was their time. Research has shown that in difficult situations emerging leaders strive for excellence, team-build, have a vision, have purpose, are sincere, are caring/empathetic, self-sacrificing, and have self-efficacy (Bangari, 2014).
They know they can't do it on their own and will need to tap deep to find the courage and strength to chase down a problem. As they gain momentum people will gravitate toward their cause and build momentum. As more people get involve the vision begins to change people's thoughts and actions creating a new way of looking at the world.
Where the average person thinks about their own needs the leader things beyond their biological urges to tackle bigger problems. They realize there is a more important game at stake and they have a responsibility to take the reins and do something about it. When they do come forward they can make big changes.
Sometimes they do not tap into their sources until pressured to do so. This pressure could come from a combat situation, a failing company, or any other high pressure situation. The specific situation is less important than the actual motivators that push underdogs to perform. These forces come together in different ways to create an environment where higher performance is likely.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Helping Students Apply Business Theory
Business theory is an important part of higher level college. Graduate schools churn out graduates that will hopefully have the skills needed to rise to executive status where significant decision making power is concentrated. In today's world, company decision-making requires a higher level of analysis and application of theoretical principles to real life scenarios.
Abstraction is not easy for students. Students find it easier to see, touch, and smell the items they are working with. Models and theory require the ability to think creatively and abstractly. You can't touch it so you must envision it within your head. This requires the ability to create images and associations to formulate a picture of what is going on.
Models are created to explain some event that is occurring in our environment. If an experiment produces a positive outcome it is possible to start creating theories that apply to similar situations. The model is used over and over to either support or deny a theory lending or taking credibility over time.
For example, a researcher develops a model that could potentially improve productivity and successfully applied that model to solve a problem. Another company sees what is happening and applies that model again successfully. Eventually a theory develops that can be used to explain and predict outcomes.
Applying theory is important for executives. They will face unforeseen problems and will need to use their strategic thinking skills to solve them. How does one create a strategy if they can't research what other companies are doing, find new solutions, and apply those solutions? If they cant do this their utility as an executive are limited.
Graduate school is sowing the seeds that will make it possible for graduates to be high end users of existing theory by knowing how to apply models to their workplace. Teaching application of abstract ideas to concrete situations is helpful in showing students how to use modern knowledge to solve practical businesses dilemmas. If a school does this well their graduated will have market demand as companies seek employees with the capacity for higher performance.
Abstraction is not easy for students. Students find it easier to see, touch, and smell the items they are working with. Models and theory require the ability to think creatively and abstractly. You can't touch it so you must envision it within your head. This requires the ability to create images and associations to formulate a picture of what is going on.
Models are created to explain some event that is occurring in our environment. If an experiment produces a positive outcome it is possible to start creating theories that apply to similar situations. The model is used over and over to either support or deny a theory lending or taking credibility over time.
For example, a researcher develops a model that could potentially improve productivity and successfully applied that model to solve a problem. Another company sees what is happening and applies that model again successfully. Eventually a theory develops that can be used to explain and predict outcomes.
Applying theory is important for executives. They will face unforeseen problems and will need to use their strategic thinking skills to solve them. How does one create a strategy if they can't research what other companies are doing, find new solutions, and apply those solutions? If they cant do this their utility as an executive are limited.
Graduate school is sowing the seeds that will make it possible for graduates to be high end users of existing theory by knowing how to apply models to their workplace. Teaching application of abstract ideas to concrete situations is helpful in showing students how to use modern knowledge to solve practical businesses dilemmas. If a school does this well their graduated will have market demand as companies seek employees with the capacity for higher performance.
4 Factors that Make San Diego a Great City for Business Meetings
Few people pick a meeting spot in rural Alaska unless they are trying to engage in some corporate team building exercises. Instead they option for places like San Diego and Florida because they love the weather and fun that goes along with the resort style culture. The location hits the top of the list in desirability.
Hospitality: Tourism, hotels and resorts are already great attractions. There is little wonder why people prefer San Diego to other places. They are not coming only for the business meeting but all of the perks associated with such meetings.
Accessibility: San Diego is easily accessible with its airports and ports. Not only is there excellent foot traffic accessibility but also public transportation. Ride Sharing, Cabs, and alternative transportation are available for those visiting without cars.
Recreation: Once the meeting is over people want to do something fun. From downtown to the beaches there are plenty of activities and events. You can't get bored in San Diego!
Restaurants: If your looking for great places to eat San Diego offers some of the best selection of cuisine. Old Town, Gas Lamp, and Little Italy are some of the favorites. You might consider whale watching and dining tours.
Weisberg, L. (August, 12, 2015). San Diego No. 4 in U.S. for meetings. The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/aug/12/san-diego-top-meeting-convention-destination-us/
Reducing Stress by Focusing on Each Day
Life can be stressful and we make plans, and more plans, and more plans but find we are still subject to the powers of fate. Goal setting and daily objectives is a great way to get ahead; research supports their utility in long term success. Keeping focus on each day helps to reduce the stress from all the "what ifs". Plan and move on.
Planning for life and emergencies is helpful. We plan for our futures, make vacation plans, project plans and strategic plans. We can even make contingency plans where X or Y will receive response M and Z. If four factors are together then we can have option S over F.
Highly developed strategic planners can make contingency upon contingency and have an entire operating system mapped out. The only problem is that sometimes life throws curve balls by bringing in unknown factors in combinations few could foresee. In such cases you just have to deal with it.
Make reasonable plans and then live each day like it is your last day. If you have the mind of a strategist then make a few alternative back up plans and then start living those plans. Focus on putting one foot in front of the other and on things that happen each day while temporarily not worrying about unknown futures.
Be confident in your skills to handle these unknowns when they occur. Planning reduces these fires but one must still be in the present to reduce the cognitive load associated with calculating and recalculating. Stress is beneficial for motivation and getting over small events but can be difficult over the long run.
Planning for life and emergencies is helpful. We plan for our futures, make vacation plans, project plans and strategic plans. We can even make contingency plans where X or Y will receive response M and Z. If four factors are together then we can have option S over F.
Highly developed strategic planners can make contingency upon contingency and have an entire operating system mapped out. The only problem is that sometimes life throws curve balls by bringing in unknown factors in combinations few could foresee. In such cases you just have to deal with it.
Make reasonable plans and then live each day like it is your last day. If you have the mind of a strategist then make a few alternative back up plans and then start living those plans. Focus on putting one foot in front of the other and on things that happen each day while temporarily not worrying about unknown futures.
Be confident in your skills to handle these unknowns when they occur. Planning reduces these fires but one must still be in the present to reduce the cognitive load associated with calculating and recalculating. Stress is beneficial for motivation and getting over small events but can be difficult over the long run.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
In College Time Management and Grades Are Related
Time management is not an exercise in futility and can have significant impact on grades. Those who wait to try and finish their work often find themselves short on time and full of distractions. Lack of time management will impact grades as it will impact work habits in the future. Students who start early and maintain focus are more likely to be successful in college and life.
To most people, the last thing they enjoy doing is homework. Writing papers and reading books must compete with watching television and playing games. As each day passes the motivation to get the work done decreases and it seems more like a chore. Then one day its due!
Trying to ensure that there is an opportunity to pass the class and pick up as many points as possible the student rushes to get the work done. They cut corners and go for the basics. When the paper is finished and submitted thoughts are not really well developed, citations are sparse, and the conclusions are weak.
The same process is likely to be revised in the workplace when projects are due on certain dates. Managers are unlikely to accept chronic excuses and will soon move to terminate employment. That is part of the habit as well. One time the manager will understand, twice they will question, and the third time they depict the employee as hopelessly lazy.
Getting into the habit of managing time wisely by starting work early and completing a certain amount of work each day will go a long way to finishing products on time. If a paper needs research then it is wise to start outlining a paper and looking in the library right away. If consistent effort and schedule are maintained it is possible to leave a few days for additional review and improvement creating an excellent paper.
To most people, the last thing they enjoy doing is homework. Writing papers and reading books must compete with watching television and playing games. As each day passes the motivation to get the work done decreases and it seems more like a chore. Then one day its due!
Trying to ensure that there is an opportunity to pass the class and pick up as many points as possible the student rushes to get the work done. They cut corners and go for the basics. When the paper is finished and submitted thoughts are not really well developed, citations are sparse, and the conclusions are weak.
The same process is likely to be revised in the workplace when projects are due on certain dates. Managers are unlikely to accept chronic excuses and will soon move to terminate employment. That is part of the habit as well. One time the manager will understand, twice they will question, and the third time they depict the employee as hopelessly lazy.
Getting into the habit of managing time wisely by starting work early and completing a certain amount of work each day will go a long way to finishing products on time. If a paper needs research then it is wise to start outlining a paper and looking in the library right away. If consistent effort and schedule are maintained it is possible to leave a few days for additional review and improvement creating an excellent paper.
Early Mornings Are the Best Time for Strategic Creativity
Some people don't like early mornings while others live for them. Early mornings are the best time to think about strategy and get your creative juices going. Whether you are a business planner or an artist the ability to keep your mind clear and focused is an asset to anyone who wants to be innovative. Good ideas rarely come when you are distracted. Mornings are a great time to ponder the possibilities.
In the mornings our minds are free from the natural distractions that are rampant throughout the day. When we wake up we are clear and then begin to load our brains with all the things we should get done. Getting up, grabbing a cup of java, and then spending some time thinking and writing is beneficial.
Great ideas don't often bubble out of no where. During our normal sleep cycles we process information and ideas to appropriately categorize and integrate them with previous knowledge. Without this process we would have too many ideas going on at once. The night time allows for ideas to simmer in latency and then come forth anew in the morning.
Finding your time to shut out the world of distractions and focus on your main ideas is helpful. For some this might be early in the morning while for others it could be in the evening. Experiment with various times to find that time which allows new ideas to flow. Keep a diary to help you better analyze at what times you be your most creative.
In the mornings our minds are free from the natural distractions that are rampant throughout the day. When we wake up we are clear and then begin to load our brains with all the things we should get done. Getting up, grabbing a cup of java, and then spending some time thinking and writing is beneficial.
Great ideas don't often bubble out of no where. During our normal sleep cycles we process information and ideas to appropriately categorize and integrate them with previous knowledge. Without this process we would have too many ideas going on at once. The night time allows for ideas to simmer in latency and then come forth anew in the morning.
Finding your time to shut out the world of distractions and focus on your main ideas is helpful. For some this might be early in the morning while for others it could be in the evening. Experiment with various times to find that time which allows new ideas to flow. Keep a diary to help you better analyze at what times you be your most creative.
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