response to tim higgins...

this holiday season is supposed to help sony's business. do you think with the current recession sony will get good sales this season?

sony has many different items so there is no doubt in my mind that this holiday season will help them, it certainly wont hurt them. the playstation 3 price reduction will make it a more realistic gift this holiday season as well as the increased advertisements for how it is more than just a gaming machine.

however, im not sure this holidayseason wil;l be benefical enough to boost sales and allow sony to put out the 3d tv out any earlier. with the recession all products will sell less and most items will be pushing back their release dates.

do you think a 3d television set will be enough to pull sony out of the lowest stock prices or do you think it wont sell as expected?

black friday

with the holiday season drawing near and thanks giving in the past now we have run into black friday and the crazed holiday shopping season. it is a very important time for retailers to be on top of their game in every aspect of the business so they can capitalize on the enormous amounts of cashflow recoreded at this time. what are some other major seasons when it is most important for the manaers of the businesses to be on top of their game and why do you think this?

leadership

today in class we discussed leadership in many different ways and that leadership is a key component of many managers today. we also discussed the argument that people are born with leadership qualities or can they develope them. i am a firm believer that many leaders are born with these attributes. i do believe however that a person who is dedicated can pick up certain things that will make them a decent leader through a lot of hard work, but overall i believe that true leaders are born that way.

what is your take on this issue and what are some ways a person with a lack of leadership qualities can still be an effective manager?

in response to jack...

how important is innovation in this difficult economic time?

i think that jack has a very good question here, we all obviously know that continuous innovation and improvements are important but this is especially true in a time where individuals are saving money. we need to develope things that are "worth buying" or else they will not sell. technology that will make our lives much easier and more enjoyable is a must have for many people whether we're in a rough time or not.

which types of items do you think sell best during recessions and why do you think that is?

responce to Lauren Foley...

Lauren Foleys Management Blog: "Should one company be able to dominate and become so powerful, that if they go bankrupt it causes the whole market to crash?"

i feel that there are so many chances for companies to become a competitor that it is not the powerful company's fault when they are able to create such a dominant structure. the way our government is set up is that the best business plan and execution of that plan will lead to the most success. yes it is too bad if they find themselves facing bankruptcy but that only opens a new door for different businesses to step up and take over the lost power in the company.

what we really need to find is the answer to why these businesses are failing. is it all due to not being able to meet the expectations of the consumer or is some of it based on greed? if the wealth in the industry was better spread would it solve these problems when bankruptcy hits?

stress in the workplace...

recently there have been many tradgic incidents in the news that are very closely related to the massive amounts of stress in workplaces all over america. These incidents, yet tradgic, can teach us a lot about how the american business ways are effecting everyone. we need to find new ways to be proficient producers while still stopping to ensure a less stressful atmosphere to provide a safe environment to work in.

what are some new methods or ideas to lower the stress level in different workplaces? please explain why these methods could help the current stress problems.

in responce to aaron...

Aaron asked, "what are some ways that a person can improve himself if he is not performing well and might get laid off?"

well i think the first step is to go talk to the manager to find out exactly what you need to improve on. once the manager gives you an answer you just need to focus and stay on the right track. if you truely want to keep your job you will be able to keep it if you stay motivated and concentrated.

What are new ways that people can find motivation to continue to perform well in their jobs? money is a great motivator but sometimes it takes more...

The Power of the Internet Isn't for Every Organization

I read an article titled The Power of the Internet Isn't for Every Organization. in this article Andy Marken suggests that, "Today, organizations of all sizes are rushing to the Internet. By the turn of the century, industry pundits are predicting that firms that aren't on the INet will be the exception, rather than the rule... Benefits will also spell disaster for organizations and managers that can’t or aren't willing to articulate goals and give up managing processes to empower their people to succeed while protecting them from failure."

i feel that this is a very strong statement, especially because there are always people who aren't happy with making purchases online and dealing with the hassle. Do you find this statement to be true or is your take different on the subject? please give examples to support your thoughts

in responce to katie...

Are reciepts that important in our everday life? do we really even need them?

I know that i often use reciepts to keep a balance in my checking account after i use my debit card a lot. i know that a lot of people are old school and like to keep a hard copy of every transaction they make so i feel strongly that no matter if we need them for much longer that they will still stay around to make people feel more comfortable with their purchases.

if you do think that a paper reciept will become nonexistant then when will you estimate this change will take place and why?

All Together Now: Diversity at Work.

Les Gore wrote an article titled, All Together Now: Diversity at Work. In this article Gore says, "Last year, Watson Wyatt Worldwide's. WorkUSA research asked 7500 workers at all job levels across diverse industries to respond to 130 statements about their workplaces. Watson Wyatt broke down the responses to look for diversity patterns across demographics including whites versus minorities, men versus women, and people over and under 30 years old.
The research found more similarities than differences, especially in the categories respondents rated as most important to them. People agreed about what inspires their commitment to a particular employer."

Do you feel that this is shocking information considering Gore's diverse workplace consists of anyone of color who is over forty, including the disabled and women? there are many things we think might be different in our lives and the lives of the diverse workers but as it comes down to the workplace, all of our thoughts tend to be exactly the same.

I thought this was a well made point by Gore and i would like to know your thoughts. do you think it is right to label workers as minorities if they have the same beliefs and thoughts in the workplace as the majority?

al schuele's article

I was reading an article by Al Schuele called Building a Successful Company: Goals are Key to Getting Things Done. under the section labelled Defining Success, the article states, "Achieving the plan defines success. Goals are necessary to succeed in every business strategy. Defining them correctly, communicating them clearly and then rewarding their achievement builds confidence and morale in both individuals and organizations - a recipe that will build a successful and healthy company".

I feel this is not the only way to messure success, is it not progress and positive to accomplish sections of goals? i feel like moving in the right direction also builds confidence within a team structure.

What is your take on this statement by Alan Schuele and what do you think is the best way to raise morale inside the workplace?

Response to serena's post...

Why do you think their is still prejudice today and how does it affect our employment opportunities?

I think there is still prejudice today because some people are raised very isolated and do not understand that all people are different. as a child it is hard sometimes to look past what are parents think because we are taught that they are always right.

Its too bad that this has to affect the job market so much. there are many jobs that are not only unavailable because of race but also other aspects such as appearance. yes, its illegal to profile a person and not hire them but there are many ways business's get around these issues. it is too bad that there are not tighter reviews of who is getting employed and why. women are taught that they must be beautiful to get a job when brains are actually the aspect more needed in the job world.

Do you think there are ways that job searchers can get around the prejudism that circles throughout the job market? And if so, how?

responce to kathy cross...

Should the company be responsible for the actions of its employees?

i feel that a company should most certainly be help accountable for the actions of their employees as long as the actions are business related. if the actions affect the business in any way what so ever then i feel that very strong that the business must punish the employee no matter the success of his business. if the actions are not altering the business in any way then i don't feel it is the business's right to punish the employee.

when is it apparent that personal problems are beginning to affect the ability for the employee to do business?

response to josh...

What are some companies that go over the edge in polluting the environment?

i found this a very interesting question so i decided to look more into it and research. some lists were hard to find but i was able to come up with this list from http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/top-10-power-plants-47111507 .

Here's a look at the 15 power companies responsible for the most carbon dioxide emissions. The biggest corporate responsibility reflects the biggest continental responsibility, with Asia leading North America, and the biggest national responsibility, with China and the United States topping the list as near equals.

1. Huaneng Power International, China
2. Eskom, South Africa
3. NTPC Ltd, India
4. China Huadian Group Corp., China
5. China Power Investment Corp., China
6. Southern Co., U.S.
7. American Electric Power Co. Inc., U.S.
8. E.ON AG, Germany
9. North China Grid Co. Ltd., China
10. RWE AG, Germany
11. Datang Intl. Power Gen. Co., China
12. Duke Energy Corp., U.S.
13. AES Corp., U.S.
14. Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S.
15. Datang Intl. Power Gen. Co.

i was surprised that i didn't recognize many of the companies on this list and was wondering why is it the companies we hear about everyday aren't at the top of the pollutting list even though they are some of the largest companies in the world?

The Global Environment

As i read article on the international businesses and read chapter 6 in our text book i kept noticing pictures in all different languages and i seemed to always know what the advertisements were for. i find it remarkable that we have these business logos scarred into our minds so even if there is no way to read the ad we still get hooked in.

Think of the golden arches and you realize its mcdonalds. see the red roof and know immediately that its for the world famous pizza hut. the fact that americans are so focussed on these symbols is amazing to think about

the advertisments we see each day while watching tv, flipping through a magazine, or in some cases, just going for a drive down the street all play a crutial role in drilling their company's logo into our minds. the more times we see it, the more we will remember it. these marketing experts use the same methods that teachers use to mold our minds, and it works pretty damn well.

say you find yourself driving down the street in a cab one day in a foreign country. you have no knowledge of the language of this nation and very little knowledge on the culture. you dont usually eat fast food but you are starving and searching for a place to get some decent food. you finally come across the large golden M that you immediately associate with the ever so familiar, McDonalds. i know i would pull over in an instant just because i know its reliable for food.

After thinking about the symbols businesses use to hook us in i couldn't stop thinking of how trained i have been while not even realizing it. what other tactics or methods do these large corps use to hook us in or ensure our business?

response to Michaela Picco...

Should there be some sort of informational meetings in high school or during orientation that can help students make the best decision on which marketers to pick?

I think there should surely be classes and meeting to help students out with their marketers. I took an economics class my senior year of high school and one section of the course was focused on how to choose banks that will be best for you. it seemed like a pointless section at first but now that i have learned the specifics of how credit cards can scam you i see how important it really is to be knowledgable on the topic. many kids get caught in the dark when they first enter college and get tricked into debt. while they might not see the debt as that big of a deal in the moment, it is something that can eventually take over their lives in the long run and cause many issues for them.

we always seem to hear about the bad aspects of credit cards but there are really many good things that come out of them if they are used correctly and in moderation. list some of the main benefits you see in credit cards and why you think these benefits get abused so often.

responce to Social Entrepreneurs article...

i think that this idea that Neal Keny-Guyer took advantage of was genius, especially in this time of economic struggle. many not-for-profit organizations have been struggling because, frankly, no one is donating like they used to. no one has the extra money to give away to charities no matter how beneficial they can become. not-for-profit businesses need to stop relying on hand outs and take charge of their own capital. this approach to creating capital for a not-for-profit business is well designed and if it works it will most likely be the structure for all not-for-profits to come.
overall, as we watch this new business develope, we will be able to mold it even more so it can continue to fit the needs of new businesses or we will be able to see its weaknesses and either improve them or throw the whole idea away like we have done with many other industries in the past.


do you agree with Bill Gates's statement in BusinessWeek that the most effective way to make social progress is through partnerships among nonprofits, businesses, government, and philanthropists? Why/ why not?

Numerati responce

This article caught my attention and made me really amazed about how much can come from everyday web surfing. This advancement in technology has certainly had a great impact on scientific management. These internet businesses make money by spying on your 1s and 0s and selling them to companies.
The organization of this process amazes me, and quite frankly, frightens me. As technology advances, more and more privacy decreases. Soon our privacy will be lingering in the hands of these spies who know our life patterns before they even shake our hands.
At the same time, it is spectacular that we are able to improve so much. In a relatively short amount of time, we went from counting pebbles to technology as we see it today. In this new technological era we find more and more opportunities to manage businesses in so many different fields. Each new advancement encourages more and more people to use their creativity and find new businesses to run with the available resources.

What is your take on the "spying" that occurs so frequently on the internet? Is it a good or bad quality of technology and why do you feel this way?

In responce to Carrie Hall's post

What would you recommend to do at interviews to increase your chances of being hired?


I would recommend dressing for the part and acting respectful but not coming off as over friendly or fake. By dressing the part i mean dont wear a three piece suit to an interview for a farming job. Immediately they will feel that you either arent taking the job seriously or you have no idea what youre in for.
Make the interviewer feel comfortable with you. they need to be able to trust you if the are going to employ you so coming off as responcible and respectful can almost promise you a chance to work for their company.
lastly, make sure that you show some sort of knowledge toward the job. a resume will catch their attention but you need to show them its not just ink on a page, no one wants to hire a box of rocks.


When in an interview for a job, is it smart to take control and show confidence with leading the conversation or should you stay laid back and let the interviewer decide everything?

response to kendyll

I think that the ability to perform in the workplace is much more important. many people have the drive to succeed but fall short because a lack of natural ability. some people are born as leaders and some people aren't. with a lack of ability it is very hard to overcome your competitors if they have the ability to perform.

when a business is lucky enough to find too many workers for their positions is it right to fire employees or should they ask the employees to take pay cuts?

training/education or experience?

Personally I am a big fan of experience over education. Many new jobs are hectic when thrown into the mix but as time goes on you tend to get a feel for the job and begin to feel more comfortable in the situation, this tends to make you a better employee.
I am a freshman this year and happened to land a job at the NOC. my first few shifts ended up being placed right during the sizzler hours which many of you many know can get pretty crazy. At first I thought I was done for and would never remeber everything to do, but once the first break in the action came I had a pretty solid understanding of the work I needed to do. Granted, the prior training I went through prepared me with the knowledge to complete all the tasks I was assigned.
Overall, experience gave me the boost of confidence i needed to strive while the education would have kept me as a basic employee.

What makes an employee special, or stand out to a business and how can they seperate themselves from the rest of the pack?