The Need for Variability in the Higher Education Market

Higher education is in the process of self-reflection where the form of our universities will be decided based on how we vote and legislate. There are those that call for more government oversite and those that discuss the need to allow for more variability in the market. While quality is important point of discussion so is the need for allowing different kinds of institutions to meet the  needs of our growing population.

Consider now how very traditional schools are accepting online education as part of their core offerings in an effort to attract working adults. A demographic shift that has forced them to accept the benefits of virtual classrooms outside of the traditional 18 year old model. They saw the merits of a new way of doing things and incorporated them into their traditional model.

That would not have been possible unless some variability was allowed in the market to create avenue for developing an online educational system. At first stakeholders didn't like the idea but then accepted their ideas. The debate seems to have shifted from online to organizational structure as a method of determine outcomes.

I wonder what happened to outcomes and quality output?

One size does not fit all when it comes to higher education. New products, services and ideas need an avenue to grow and peculate outside of heavily bureaucratic institutions that have multiple layers of approval before something gets tested and used. Our education process should main its ability to be innovative and serve the needs of a changing population.

Think of variability in the market as a living lab. Ideas are tested on the fringes because large institutions don't have a strong enough early stake to try them out on their own. Individuals within those institutions have invented these products but getting university to use them is a different process--alternative places are sought.

Traditional institutions are protected by legislature, tax dollars, culture and public support insulating them from the need for change. New higher education institutions must do things different to survive. They have to differentiate themselves. American education is falling behind our European counterparts and doing more of the same isn't going to get us into a leading position.

Imagine if we legislated out of the system all variability. We might have found ourselves in a place where online education never came to exist on a mass scale, our population might be less competitive because they can't gain access to education that keeps their skills relevant, and as a nation we would stay behind the market.

A certain percentage of variability is beneficial to traditional and non-traditional institutions. It helps them explore new possibilities and how those discoveries can be adapted for the benefit of everyone. Non-traditional institutions have the capacity to change and accept new methods based on their entrepreneurial mindsets and have a place in the market.

How Economics Will Reform Some American Institutions

Economics filters throughout our lives and impacts just about every aspect of national identity. Both institutions and people function in an environment where economics impacts the choices we make and the institutions we live in. As the global economy changes we will find pressure being placed on our institutions in a way that will likely transform them.

All systems need resources to survive. As the financial resources change institutions will also change to meet new market realities. The availability of resources will make a difference in they way in which these organizations function and adapt. That adaptability will keep them thriving as positive contributors to society.

As a nation must pick up its capacity to compete in a more complex world it will also need to adjust its internal operations. Those operations come in the form of our institutions that seek to process information, resources, and people to beneficial outcomes. Reform will be through them and how they impact the environment.

Consider how national competitiveness draws in new resources through the exportation of products and services that are sold on the market and draw back income used to finance our institutions. When an economy is competing well it will create paying jobs and increase tax revenues leaving more resources for everyone.

The problem is that when the competitiveness of the nation changes so does its ability to muster resources to support its institutions. Chronic budget crisis will ensue. There will be change because the economics will force change as the nation ponders the ramifications of the risk of being the worlds second largest economy.

Leadership will need to think more on the lines of how to draw in international investment, reduce expenses that do not serve an institutions purpose, and to create more opportunities for people to succeed. Institutions will be seen as a support to that change and adjustment and will often be the first targets of reform.

National competitiveness and institutional reform should be a major concern in our economy. Whether we are discussing law enforcement or healthcare we will need to ensure that institutions help us become more competitive. Their purpose, process, and accountability are part of any reform process to ensure the greater system, based on our principles, flourishes.

The Health Benefits of Eating Organically and Fresh

Food is likely our number one biological priority that requires constant care and attention. In ancient times, we foraged most of the day and spent a large amount of energy keeping ourselves alive. Today, food is abundant and we can eat when we want. That creates a new problem with what we are eating and the long-term impact on our bodies.

The first argument is that the more you prepare your food the worse it will be for you. Processed foods that taste great because of the butter and batter end up clogging your arteries and packing on the calories. The preparation of the food and the type of oils and add-ons make all the difference in food quality.

A lean piece of meat is very different then a burger. The same can be said for fried fish and natural fish. All foods are subject to the same degradation process when they are overly processed and lose their natural benefits. Just because our body craves highly fatty foods doesn't mean we should eat it.

The second argument is that processed foods contain a lot of chemicals, hormones, and byproducts. Opting for less processed and organic foods helps reduce some of the negative influence of the environment and the industry that seeks to maximize poundage for profit. A vicious cycle of hormones, more sales, and health costs ensues.

Companies use a common growth hormone called rBGH which helps to improve productivity. It would be hard to feed the world unless the fish and cows we eat end up producing more than their natural cycles will allow. This has been shown to influence the factors that increase other risks of cancer, obesity, and a wide range of other medical conditions.

When given the option to choose between a highly processed food and ones that are less processed; choose the later. If you can get organic for a descent price at your local food store I would suggest you go ahead and move in that direction. Eating healthy is about the many small choices we make each day. These small choices add up over time.

International Conference on Business and Governance

International Conference on Business and Governance 8th to 9th November 2016 Doral, Florida, United States of America Topic for the Conference: Leadership and Governance Panels: Business Education Government Development Conference Chairs: Dr. Otto F. von Feigenblatt, Royal Academy of Doctors of Spain Dr. Edel Lemus, Albizu University Sponsor Organizations: The International Academy of Social Sciences (IASS) Albizu University (Miami, Florida) Journal of Asia Pacific Studies The Central American Institute of Asia Pacific Studies (CAI-APS) part of the United Nations Academic Impact Program Diplomatic Society of St. Gabriel Concilum Research Group, accredited by the Universidad Complutense (Madrid, Spain) Forum for Public Relations and Communication (Madrid, Spain) Spanish Iberoamerican Society for Communication (Madrid, Spain) The Royal and Merciful Society (Belgium) Registration: Types of Presentations: Traditional Presentations: 10 Minute presentations based on research papers Virtual Presentations: Pre-recorded 10 minute presentations based on research papers Poster Presentation: Tri-fold presentation based on research paper (recommended for junior scholars) Non Profit Organizations: 10 Minutes Presentations based on practice Registration Fees: Enquiries: journalalternative@hotmail.com Web address: http://www.japss.org/Conference.html Sponsored by: Albizu University

Organizations That Reach New Heights

Organizations can reach new heights when they master the many small challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. Adjusting and adaptive organizations that face difficulties start the process of change and growth right away. They don't wait until the market leaves them behind. Reaching the peak requires a lot of small steps that lead to a larger goal.

The size of the organization doesn't really matter. The process is relatively the same. Each new hump requires a different kind of effort. Yet each one leads to the same peak. We must only keep our mind on the main goal and make all the small steps that lead to great achievements.

Helping people see that goal is important. If they don't know what they are working for then they don't know how to respond to the small challenges they face everyday. Having a vision and a solid mission statement can help them in this process when they evaluate each of their actions.

Each organization should align around their core goals and adjust all of their operations appropriately. Every activity in the organization should be based on reaching the peak. It doesn't matter if it is HR or operations. The processes should be efficient and focused.

It takes time and effort to get to the top. Organizations can change and adjust but how they do this is more complex. They must face their many challenges and go after what is important to be successful. They will need to work together and get all of the mechanics in just the right place to pull themselves up rock by rock.

Helping Your Team to Work Together

Teams are one of the most fundamental building blocks of any organization. Teams are made up of different types of people with varying backgrounds. Depending on the nature of the business and the objectives of the team the members can be very diversified or narrow in backgrounds. All teams will have some conflict. Getting your team to work together is founded on a few principles of vision, respect, and decision-making process.

Vision: The shared goals and vision of the organization that allow people to work together.

Respect: The ability to work with other people in a mutually respectful way.

Decision-making Process: A method of understanding and making decisions that reduces conflict while allowing for adaptability.

Teams are formulated from different perspectives and personality and need some direction. Team leaders can off a vision and purpose for the team so that actions can be weighed as either moving toward those things or away from those things.

Likewise, teams are based on mutual respect. It is difficult to have a strong team if members are bickering, violating each other's boundaries, and self-seeking.

Finally, teams should have a formal mechanism for making decisions so that the loudest voice doesn't win. This mechanism can be a formal charter or it can be a dictatorship with the team lead making all final decisions.

Use the Mornings to Get Prepared for the Work Day

The mornings are one of the best times to get prepared for the day. Your mind is clear, you have the smell of coffee in the air, and you are  not yet distracted.  Spend a moment thinking about your personal goals and the tasks you have to accomplish for the day. 

Do you get a sense that not all of your tasks are related to your goals?

If this is the case consider getting rid of some of those tasks unless they help you get through the day, accomplish your goals, or pay your bills. You will find that a large percentage, perhaps most of your tasks, have little benefit for you. 

We are creatures of habit. Many of the things we do are not necessary but habits we either learned over time or habits we picked up to accomplish some task but are no longer relevant. Many of them we can let go. 

Consider a habit of going to the grocery story after work everyday. Is it possible to combine them do it once every other day, once a week, or have someone else do them? If so you can simplify your life. 

There is a benefit to analyzing what needs to be done, writing them them down, getting rid of those that are not helpful and combining those that are maintenance oriented. 

The mornings offer you an opportunity to sit before your brain gets clogged and think about what you want and try and align your life around those things. Be introverted for a moment and reflect on your life.