Everyone has things about them that they don't necessarily want their employer to know. Generally, one wants their employer to know as little about one's home life as possible without making one appear to be psychotic. This is a difficult balance to strike at times, particularly if you happen to be a geek like me.
Quick aside: I play Dungeons and Dragons every week. I'm the treasurer for VCU's literary society. In addition to blogging about my favorite board games, I love going to conventions and renaissance faires.
As Meriah is fond of saying: honesty is not always the best policy. While I'd never lie about who I am or what I enjoy doing, I don't want every boss of mine to know the extent of my geeky-ness.
Why? For the same reason that one normally wouldn't want to disclose a health condition, history of drug abuse, or domestic problem unless you are legally required to do so: your employer may discriminate against you if they know.
It may sound like I'm overreacting, but I'm not. Should I ever enter government service, I could be denied security clearance (effectively fired) just for playing D&D. Even though my hobby is as harmless as any, it has a lot of baggage associated with it that I need to be aware of.
Of course, it's not always possible to keep the secret. One time I actually got caught mid-game by some people I worked with. While I wasn't elated to be "outed", I didn't have much to worry about. Most people don't actually care what I do with my free time, but then again, some do, and some of those people have power.
For this reason, I usually don't mention what I do with my free time.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Advertising Plan
Succeeding without TV, Radio, or Newspapers
Our corporation, Negative Weight Solutions, is a company that creates low-fat, healthy, and delicious culinary alternatives and then sells them to restaurants in the market for healthy food. We decided to form a health food company due to a shared concern in interest in healthy eating among the board members. However, we realized that supermarkets are already pretty choked with health food from a billion different brands. We did not wish to try our luck by throwing more money into the veritable constellation of competitors that make up this very saturated market. Instead, we decided that rather than create an entire line of healthy food and market it to grocers, we’d create recipes and market them to restaurants. Additionally, once we were established, we could begin operating on commission, extending our efforts to creating McDonald’s next Fruit and Walnut Salad, or whatever came our way.
Among the corporations making up the class, Negative Weight Solutions is rare, perhaps unique, in offering services to the business community rather than the consumer market. Due to this unusual arrangement, Negative Weight Solutions has additional concerns and restrictions to consider. For one thing, our board has unanimously decided that most marketing channels would be ineffective at moving our products. We reached this conclusion on the assumption that restaurants do not purchase recipes in the same way that consumers buy groceries. There’s a greater investment on the part of the restaurant, for if a consumer doesn’t like the brand of ricotta cheese they bought one week, they can change their decision and suffer only minor consequences. If a major restaurant buys a recipe and it doesn’t fly, then the restaurant is probably out several hundreds of thousands of dollars in advertising alone. Given their circumstances, most restaurants simply can’t afford to purchase anything based on television, newspaper, or radio advertisement.
With this in mind, Negative Weight Solutions determined that the best way to sell our products was to make direct with our customers, putting a focus on trade shows. Using the trade show as a springboard, we could talk directly with buyers and management, offer samples, network, and negotiate. A secondary focus would be querying these companies with our products directly. Our reasoning is that once a company realizes the large demand for healthy food and our expertise at creating it, they’ll be happy to do business with us, to the enrichment of both parties. We would also, of course, have a presence in trade magazines.
Our corporation, Negative Weight Solutions, is a company that creates low-fat, healthy, and delicious culinary alternatives and then sells them to restaurants in the market for healthy food. We decided to form a health food company due to a shared concern in interest in healthy eating among the board members. However, we realized that supermarkets are already pretty choked with health food from a billion different brands. We did not wish to try our luck by throwing more money into the veritable constellation of competitors that make up this very saturated market. Instead, we decided that rather than create an entire line of healthy food and market it to grocers, we’d create recipes and market them to restaurants. Additionally, once we were established, we could begin operating on commission, extending our efforts to creating McDonald’s next Fruit and Walnut Salad, or whatever came our way.
Among the corporations making up the class, Negative Weight Solutions is rare, perhaps unique, in offering services to the business community rather than the consumer market. Due to this unusual arrangement, Negative Weight Solutions has additional concerns and restrictions to consider. For one thing, our board has unanimously decided that most marketing channels would be ineffective at moving our products. We reached this conclusion on the assumption that restaurants do not purchase recipes in the same way that consumers buy groceries. There’s a greater investment on the part of the restaurant, for if a consumer doesn’t like the brand of ricotta cheese they bought one week, they can change their decision and suffer only minor consequences. If a major restaurant buys a recipe and it doesn’t fly, then the restaurant is probably out several hundreds of thousands of dollars in advertising alone. Given their circumstances, most restaurants simply can’t afford to purchase anything based on television, newspaper, or radio advertisement.
With this in mind, Negative Weight Solutions determined that the best way to sell our products was to make direct with our customers, putting a focus on trade shows. Using the trade show as a springboard, we could talk directly with buyers and management, offer samples, network, and negotiate. A secondary focus would be querying these companies with our products directly. Our reasoning is that once a company realizes the large demand for healthy food and our expertise at creating it, they’ll be happy to do business with us, to the enrichment of both parties. We would also, of course, have a presence in trade magazines.
Public Relations vs. Advertising
In the world of communications many people confuse the Public Relations and Advertising industries with one another. It is not rare for companies to being a hiring process for someone in the advertising field and then expect them to perform public relations duties or vice versa. This is mostly due to the lack of understanding in the difference between the two fields.
Public Relations and advertising are similar because both deal with reaching out to different publics, both participate in publicizing whom ever they are representing, and both work in the interest of whom ever they are representing. However, there is in fact a major difference even with these similarities.
Public Relations is more concerned with publicity of something or someone rather than producing sales through publicity like advertising. For public relations, publicity is gained on relationships that are made; in public relations publicity is never bought or paid for. This is because typically the publicity typically sought is to inform, raise awareness, make an important announcement, or attract attention. This is why it is crucial to the careers of people in public relations to build relationships with other members in the communication industry like journalists, broadcasters, and news reporters.
Advertising must always pay for their space whether it be on television, radio, or in a newspaper. This is due to the fact that advertising is trying to achieve goals that correlate to sales through the placement in any of these mediums. Advertising is extremely important for companies to have within their business because not only does their placement correlate to sales, but can also persuade an audience to do something, change minds or perceptions, and create awareness of a product.
Both professions are equally important because they affect a business’ publics in different ways in order to help their growth. However, when improperly hiring for these positions the tasks are not performed correctly and can either be ineffective or actually hurt the business. There are certain ways each profession is taught to research, plan, communicate, and evaluate. The processes are quite different in the two industries. If they are not carried out in the correct manner it will not produce the desired outcome.
Therefore, when hiring for either position it is crucial to the betterment of your business to hire a person that has studied or has extensive experience in that particular field. Pay close attention to the kind of publicity the business needs, whether it is to raise awareness or sales. It will make all the difference in the world.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Handling Business in France
The manner of communication in France varies slightly between the social and business scene. Generally, France uses a high-context manner of communication, and is often indirect to avoid confrontation or speaking in an overly direct way. This indirect way of speaking changes in the business setting, where the French can be argumentative and blunt during negotiations. Generally, French businessmen tend to place importance on relationships and status, but still conduct business with high-context communication. Verbally, the French favor indirect language to direct speaking, and often use Cartesian logic to explain themselves. The French language allows for this flourish in speaking, which may get lost if explained in a different language.
Upon meeting in a business setting it is normal to shake hands while keeping eye contact. With men, the man of higher status must initiate the handshake, and with women it is optional whether or not to offer one’s hand. When speaking to French businessmen, French is the language generally used, although several of the businessmen can speak English. Buyers will usually allow English or German to be spoken, but when dealing with exporters they expect French. Even written business items should be written in French, and Parisians especially expect your French to be good.
To initialize contact in France for business matters, usually meeting at trade shows or through mutual contacts is a good start. It is also normal to be introduced through business associations such as trade associations or banks. Requesting to meet through a formal letter written in perfect French is acceptable as well. Upon meeting, business cards are exchanged without any type of proper ritual. Cards from France are normally larger than other countries. On the business card it is common courtesy to include a side that is translated in French. It is also common to include the academic degrees you may have on the card.
Managing in France is influenced by the social manners and etiquette of the country. Some of these common manners that are conducted in France include maintaining eye contact, avoiding confrontations during negotiations, as well as precise contracts to set agreements in stone. In French negotiations business is conducted in a proper and formal manner. Following France’s polychronic behavior of ‘taking their time’ decision making in France is a longer process than in other countries. Decisions are not made in business meetings, which are simply meant for discussion. Generally the decisions are made by the senior member in France, but are not necessarily a fast procedure. Business meetings conducted slowly as well. This is due to the fact that the French analyze all the details of proposals or negotiations. Business presentations should explain everything in a logical manner without high-pressure tactics. If it so happens that serious business matters needed to be discussed, they would be put off until an invitation was offered to have a business lunch.
There are several characteristics that define France’s management style. One of these characteristics includes the autocratic manner in which France conducts business, placing authority on managers. Managers are expected to be able to answer any questions its employees may have, and are unwilling to delegate authority. Team work is not common in French companies, and when information is given it out it’s on a selective basis. Reporting to the manager is not common as well. The French consider reporting a sign of weakness and an opportunity for criticism. There are also a few business etiquettes that should be followed when managing in France. Before conducting business in France it is important to build rapport with the people you are dealing with. Normally this involves discussing your knowledge of the French culture and language, as well as the food and art. By building rapport and earning their trust, it is building a relationship with them so they can better communicate with you. It is also important to understand that they are more concerned with the quality of the business negotiation as opposed to the amount of time it takes. Business presentations should be detailed and any questions they pose you must be able to answer. In negotiating business it is also preferable to be face-to face, but you must remember to not speak of business during meals.
Upon meeting in a business setting it is normal to shake hands while keeping eye contact. With men, the man of higher status must initiate the handshake, and with women it is optional whether or not to offer one’s hand. When speaking to French businessmen, French is the language generally used, although several of the businessmen can speak English. Buyers will usually allow English or German to be spoken, but when dealing with exporters they expect French. Even written business items should be written in French, and Parisians especially expect your French to be good.
To initialize contact in France for business matters, usually meeting at trade shows or through mutual contacts is a good start. It is also normal to be introduced through business associations such as trade associations or banks. Requesting to meet through a formal letter written in perfect French is acceptable as well. Upon meeting, business cards are exchanged without any type of proper ritual. Cards from France are normally larger than other countries. On the business card it is common courtesy to include a side that is translated in French. It is also common to include the academic degrees you may have on the card.
Managing in France is influenced by the social manners and etiquette of the country. Some of these common manners that are conducted in France include maintaining eye contact, avoiding confrontations during negotiations, as well as precise contracts to set agreements in stone. In French negotiations business is conducted in a proper and formal manner. Following France’s polychronic behavior of ‘taking their time’ decision making in France is a longer process than in other countries. Decisions are not made in business meetings, which are simply meant for discussion. Generally the decisions are made by the senior member in France, but are not necessarily a fast procedure. Business meetings conducted slowly as well. This is due to the fact that the French analyze all the details of proposals or negotiations. Business presentations should explain everything in a logical manner without high-pressure tactics. If it so happens that serious business matters needed to be discussed, they would be put off until an invitation was offered to have a business lunch.
There are several characteristics that define France’s management style. One of these characteristics includes the autocratic manner in which France conducts business, placing authority on managers. Managers are expected to be able to answer any questions its employees may have, and are unwilling to delegate authority. Team work is not common in French companies, and when information is given it out it’s on a selective basis. Reporting to the manager is not common as well. The French consider reporting a sign of weakness and an opportunity for criticism. There are also a few business etiquettes that should be followed when managing in France. Before conducting business in France it is important to build rapport with the people you are dealing with. Normally this involves discussing your knowledge of the French culture and language, as well as the food and art. By building rapport and earning their trust, it is building a relationship with them so they can better communicate with you. It is also important to understand that they are more concerned with the quality of the business negotiation as opposed to the amount of time it takes. Business presentations should be detailed and any questions they pose you must be able to answer. In negotiating business it is also preferable to be face-to face, but you must remember to not speak of business during meals.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Have you Done Your Homework?
I believe that everyone that starts a business wants to be successful, otherwise why did they start there own business. I also believe that if you work hard to start a business that you should be rewarded and not punished for your success, your reward of course is a higher income. My question is this, should we as business owners be punished with higher taxes for becoming successful?
My wife’s uncle lost his job a few years ago. He was a hospital administrator before he lost his job. He then purchased a struggling company and turned things around. He works very hard doing jobs that aren’t very pleasant but he has become very successful and has made a lot of money. Should he be punished for his hard work with higher taxes?
We are all going to school right now to better improve ourselves and hopefully obtain a high paying job. We are currently working on mock companies, ideas which hopefully will pay off. The same lessons and questions that we learn with these mock companies can be applied to our real life situation. If our company becomes successful should we be punished? Or in other words, if we work hard as a group, should part of our grade go to another group and in affect lower our grade? No, I didn’t think so.
As some of you may have caught on I am talking about the current election we have. One candidate believes you should keep your hard earned money while the other believes that it’s better to take your success and give it to someone else. Now I’m not going to tell you which candidate believes what because that’s your job and the purpose of this blog. Do you know your candidate? Have you done your own research or are you relying on others? What are you basing your decision on, race, sex, party lines, peer pressure, or perhaps rumors? If you are basing your decision on any of the above if so why? We have an opportunity to participate in a process that not everyone in the world has and wouldn’t it be a shame to waste by voting for one of the above reasons.
All I ask is for you to do your own homework; search all candidates not just the two from the major parties. Look at their respective websites and don’t just go on hearsay. Don’t just go off of what your college professors say because they are human and can be biased as well. Research their public records after looking at their website to verify their clams and be weary of some blogs.
Now as a final passage I want to dispel two rumors that are out there. First Barack Obama is not a Muslim and those that say that he is are just trying to scare you. He turned to Christianity years ago, hence the whole Jeremiah Write issue. Second, the fact that John McCain does not use the internet is true; however what people don’t tell is the reason why. He can’t use a computer because of his injuries that he received as POW during the Vietnam War. Both of these examples have been exploited by both sides. Hopefully this will send you on your quest for finding the right person for you. Remember, don just think about your current situation but where you see yourself in a few years because how you vote will not only affect your current circumstances but your future situation as well.
My wife’s uncle lost his job a few years ago. He was a hospital administrator before he lost his job. He then purchased a struggling company and turned things around. He works very hard doing jobs that aren’t very pleasant but he has become very successful and has made a lot of money. Should he be punished for his hard work with higher taxes?
We are all going to school right now to better improve ourselves and hopefully obtain a high paying job. We are currently working on mock companies, ideas which hopefully will pay off. The same lessons and questions that we learn with these mock companies can be applied to our real life situation. If our company becomes successful should we be punished? Or in other words, if we work hard as a group, should part of our grade go to another group and in affect lower our grade? No, I didn’t think so.
As some of you may have caught on I am talking about the current election we have. One candidate believes you should keep your hard earned money while the other believes that it’s better to take your success and give it to someone else. Now I’m not going to tell you which candidate believes what because that’s your job and the purpose of this blog. Do you know your candidate? Have you done your own research or are you relying on others? What are you basing your decision on, race, sex, party lines, peer pressure, or perhaps rumors? If you are basing your decision on any of the above if so why? We have an opportunity to participate in a process that not everyone in the world has and wouldn’t it be a shame to waste by voting for one of the above reasons.
All I ask is for you to do your own homework; search all candidates not just the two from the major parties. Look at their respective websites and don’t just go on hearsay. Don’t just go off of what your college professors say because they are human and can be biased as well. Research their public records after looking at their website to verify their clams and be weary of some blogs.
Now as a final passage I want to dispel two rumors that are out there. First Barack Obama is not a Muslim and those that say that he is are just trying to scare you. He turned to Christianity years ago, hence the whole Jeremiah Write issue. Second, the fact that John McCain does not use the internet is true; however what people don’t tell is the reason why. He can’t use a computer because of his injuries that he received as POW during the Vietnam War. Both of these examples have been exploited by both sides. Hopefully this will send you on your quest for finding the right person for you. Remember, don just think about your current situation but where you see yourself in a few years because how you vote will not only affect your current circumstances but your future situation as well.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Your Move Games' bad first impression: A cautionary tale
Back in June, a friend (hereafter called Bill) invited me to go to a gaming convention with him. Normally, this would be a big expense, but we could go on the cheap by working for a gaming company called Your Move Games.
Our jobs would be simple and relatively easy. We were to help the company set up and demo their product. Bill had already done this a couple times before, but it would be a first experience with me, which led to a couple of problems later on.
After a long but enjoyable trip (despite West Virginia), we arrived in Columbus only a little behind schedule. Having ventured further west into America than I'd ever been before, and being at my first gaming convention. I was elated. There was tons of stuff to do and see. First things first, though, so Bill and I dutifully made a beeline for the exhibitor's hall where I'd meet my bosses.
We got a lukewarm welcome. Nobody smiled, laughed at my jokes, or even looked me in the eye. I don't know why. Maybe it was because we were a little bit late and missed their set-up time. Maybe they weren't thrilled at having me around or paying our gas to get to the Con. Maybe these people were just plain unfriendly. In any case I certainly didn't feel welcome or appreciated, so I did what people usually do when they get that reaction from near-strangers.
I went the hell away.
Yes, after that initial meeting I went straight back, talked it over with another friend who was also attending the Con, and decided to share a hotel room with him instead of working for Your Move Games. It might not have been very professional of me to bail on them like that, but I wasn't about to spend my first gaming convention rooming with and working for people who didn't seem to like me that much.
I write this as a cautionary tale to any business professional who might hire somebody on a temporary basis, or indeed hire anyone at all. Everybody wants to be appreciated, even temps. So, even if you're only hiring somebody as a favor, even if you're only working with them for a week, be nice.
The cautionary aspect of this story hinges, of course, on Your Move Games suffering for their stand-offishness. I doubt they suffered much, but they did ask if I was available to help them during busy times. I wasn't. And, then, here I am, 4 months later, writing about the treatment I received. Why would any company want to risk that, when all I wanted was a hello to keep me happy?
Our jobs would be simple and relatively easy. We were to help the company set up and demo their product. Bill had already done this a couple times before, but it would be a first experience with me, which led to a couple of problems later on.
After a long but enjoyable trip (despite West Virginia), we arrived in Columbus only a little behind schedule. Having ventured further west into America than I'd ever been before, and being at my first gaming convention. I was elated. There was tons of stuff to do and see. First things first, though, so Bill and I dutifully made a beeline for the exhibitor's hall where I'd meet my bosses.
We got a lukewarm welcome. Nobody smiled, laughed at my jokes, or even looked me in the eye. I don't know why. Maybe it was because we were a little bit late and missed their set-up time. Maybe they weren't thrilled at having me around or paying our gas to get to the Con. Maybe these people were just plain unfriendly. In any case I certainly didn't feel welcome or appreciated, so I did what people usually do when they get that reaction from near-strangers.
I went the hell away.
Yes, after that initial meeting I went straight back, talked it over with another friend who was also attending the Con, and decided to share a hotel room with him instead of working for Your Move Games. It might not have been very professional of me to bail on them like that, but I wasn't about to spend my first gaming convention rooming with and working for people who didn't seem to like me that much.
I write this as a cautionary tale to any business professional who might hire somebody on a temporary basis, or indeed hire anyone at all. Everybody wants to be appreciated, even temps. So, even if you're only hiring somebody as a favor, even if you're only working with them for a week, be nice.
The cautionary aspect of this story hinges, of course, on Your Move Games suffering for their stand-offishness. I doubt they suffered much, but they did ask if I was available to help them during busy times. I wasn't. And, then, here I am, 4 months later, writing about the treatment I received. Why would any company want to risk that, when all I wanted was a hello to keep me happy?
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Managing Stress Before the Flu Season
Stress is an extremely common factor in any workplace. What comes from stress however can end up being worse than the stress itself. According to a recent article I read on the CDC website, stress has been linked to many more serious conditions. It is know that stress weakens our immune system and makes us more prone to anything that may be going around at the time. Now studies suggest a link to conditions such as: cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, psychological disorders, injuries, cancers, and even ulcers.
Now that the flu season is rapidly approaching, we will be seeing more and more people absent from work. The flu is definitely something to take serious since it is highly contagious and in high stress environments this risk can nearly double. So I would like to remind people to please take it seriously! If you have the flu or any illness make sure you take the time to rest and recover before exposing your body to more stress than it needs.
Furthermore, make sure look out for the signs of stress affecting you. Common signs are of this are: headaches, trouble sleeping, stomach discomfort, trouble concentrating, and many more. Plus before the flu season comes into full affect start learning how to manage your stress before it becomes out of control. Tips can be found at the following article. Please take these into consideration and do your best to stay healthy!!
Article for consideration: Stress Tip Sheet
Now that the flu season is rapidly approaching, we will be seeing more and more people absent from work. The flu is definitely something to take serious since it is highly contagious and in high stress environments this risk can nearly double. So I would like to remind people to please take it seriously! If you have the flu or any illness make sure you take the time to rest and recover before exposing your body to more stress than it needs.
Furthermore, make sure look out for the signs of stress affecting you. Common signs are of this are: headaches, trouble sleeping, stomach discomfort, trouble concentrating, and many more. Plus before the flu season comes into full affect start learning how to manage your stress before it becomes out of control. Tips can be found at the following article. Please take these into consideration and do your best to stay healthy!!
Article for consideration: Stress Tip Sheet
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