Changing a well established brand is always risky, but because McDonald’s is such a strong worldwide power and does not appear to be suffering economically, they can probably get away with it. As it is, most people see McDonald’s as just a building in which to get really cheap food that may or may not taste okay. The décor and overall appearance does not really come into play for the millions of customers all over the world.
If they’re interested in expanding the operation even more, a severe overhaul could definitely work. If the atmosphere is nicer and invites customers to stay longer and enjoy the facility at a new level, it could definitely draw in new customers. Returning customers most likely will not object to the changes unless they have a really intense affinity for places that look cheap, sterile, and uncomfortable.
However, simply changing the décor and environment of an eatery is not enough to make new customers stay. As it is, much of the food at McDonald’s tastes cheap, which is fine because it is cheap, but customers that are drawn to a more upscale environment and eat at McDonald’s because of the décor and otherwise would not are not going to be impressed by cheap food. They might try it once or twice, but the current menu is not going to make them stick around.
I agree that the menu also needs an overhaul if McDonald’s wants to change their image completely. However, this is even riskier than spending billions of dollars to change their buildings. The customers that have made the business the multi-billion dollar entity that it is might not want the menu to change. If they drive away their recurrent customers, their profits could deplete very quickly.
Still, revamping so many locations in such a severe way is a waste of time and money if it fails to draw in new customers. If new people are not drawn to the new look, only the same customers that have always bought their food will come. Why spend all the money to change so many locations in such a major way if the only people that come in are the ones that liked the big ugly red roof and hard booths? To get new customers drawn in by the new atmosphere to continue to frequent the establishment, severe changes to the menu are needed; however, this must be done without changing staple items or inflating prices as not to turn away longtime customers.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Instructor Post # 4
Since we've been discussing McDonald's, take a look at these two articles - one from MSN (you may want to pause the video that starts playing) and one from Business Week - about how the company has been trying to change its image. You can reference Super Size Me if you'd like, but I'm interested in your reactions to the idea changing a well-established brand. Why change, and why change in this way? Let's say McDonald's came to you for advice on how to go about this change - what would you tell them? What issues need directly addressed for the switch to work? If you're sick of talking about McDonald's, what are some other companies attempting to change their image, what are some examples of past successes and failures to do something similar to this, and what would you tell those other companies if they asked for your feedback?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Post #3
The article starts out saying that women make up half of the workforce but have little to show for it. This may be true, but I don’t believe women should be given a promotion based on gender. That is no different than 1940’s when the corporate workforce was made up of white males. It is only a matter of time before the workforce evolves to be a 50-50 split.
Parental leave is now available to both parents however was not available just 30 years ago for the father. It was the mothers “job” to be a housewife. This has changed over the years now that more and more women are completing college and working their way into and up the workforce ladder.
The article states Norway, Spain, and soon Netherlands will have a minimum requirement for the number of women in the boardroom. Britain’s David Cameron party wants to make it a law for boardrooms to be made up by a minimum of 30% women, equal pay audits, flexible work schedules for parents, and name-blind applications. I believe this does not cure the problem of discriminating against women; it makes it legal to reverse discriminate. If this was an issue of religion, companies could be required to employee a certain number of Catholic, Buddhist and Jewish. If the issue was race, would companies be required to employee one of each race? That goes against everything we have been taught about equality.
This may be a good idea, but it is just that; an idea.
Parental leave is now available to both parents however was not available just 30 years ago for the father. It was the mothers “job” to be a housewife. This has changed over the years now that more and more women are completing college and working their way into and up the workforce ladder.
The article states Norway, Spain, and soon Netherlands will have a minimum requirement for the number of women in the boardroom. Britain’s David Cameron party wants to make it a law for boardrooms to be made up by a minimum of 30% women, equal pay audits, flexible work schedules for parents, and name-blind applications. I believe this does not cure the problem of discriminating against women; it makes it legal to reverse discriminate. If this was an issue of religion, companies could be required to employee a certain number of Catholic, Buddhist and Jewish. If the issue was race, would companies be required to employee one of each race? That goes against everything we have been taught about equality.
This may be a good idea, but it is just that; an idea.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Post 3 Gender Equality in the Workplace
I agree with some points made in the article. I believe that they should implement the 12-month parental leave and recognize that men take care of children as well as the women. They said in the article that women have child care and education responsibilities and therefore wouldn't be as equipped to handling higher order jobs. As time progresses more men are taking on child care responsibilities as well. According to a report done in 2008 by Katherine Lewis, 49 percent of men take most or an equal share of child care responsibilities. I also agree with the no name job applications, however, I'm not sure how that would work. It would help employers not discriminate when looking through them but not sure how they would contact the person.
There are also a few points in this article that I do not agree with. Germany has incentives to have about 30 percent of board seats assigned to women with some companies with a minimum of 40 percent. I think this could have a reverse effect. If companies look too much into incorporating women into them then they may be missing out on a lot of men who could serve the company better. I don't think they should have a certain number of men or women in the workplace but should ultimately decide based on qualifications and experience.
There are also a few points in this article that I do not agree with. Germany has incentives to have about 30 percent of board seats assigned to women with some companies with a minimum of 40 percent. I think this could have a reverse effect. If companies look too much into incorporating women into them then they may be missing out on a lot of men who could serve the company better. I don't think they should have a certain number of men or women in the workplace but should ultimately decide based on qualifications and experience.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Post #3 Gender equality in the workplace
This article touches on a topic that should be addressed utilizing our government and laws; however, it poorly represents the true issue. I believe the issue that government is able to address is the unfair practice of gender pay discrimination. When a person of any gender, age, race, or religion is discriminated against strictly because of these factors then I believe the company should be held liable. The issue arises when the government begins to enact laws that force companies to hire solely based on someone’s gender, age, race, or religion.
This article mainly focuses on the idea that women are discriminated against in the work force. While this can be the case people are discriminated against for many reasons. Should we then write laws forcing companies to hire a certain number of people because of their race, age, or religion? Where does the control the government over companies stop?
The article misuses statists to prove its point. The article states that, “the Center for Work-Life Policy demonstrate that while 47% of college-educated entry-level corporate professionals are female, women comprise a mere 21% of senior executives, 17% of Congress (PDF link) and 15% of board directors.” The 47% represents the number of entry-level corporate professionals. This means that almost half of the people being hired today for entry-level positions are women. This number cannot be used to compare the number of women that are eligible to be senior executives, Congressmen, or board directors. This statistic only shows that 47% of people being hired for these positions are women, nothing more. Where are the statistics that show the number of qualified men to the number of qualified women who are applying for these positions. Statistically if 100 men are applying for a position to every 47 women it would more than likely show that men are being hired more than women.
In response to the Contract for Equalities stated in the article I believe some points are valid while others will cripple the future of companies. The first point addressed is that, “Half the slate of candidates would have to be female and any company which had a board made up of fewer than 30% women would have to set out what steps it was taking to remedy the situation.” There is nothing that shows just because of someone’s gender they are qualified to be a board member. This type of law would only serve to diminish the quality of people serving on the board. With a law like this in place would not one also be needed that at least 50% of the board member be men? If not, are we not beginning to discriminate against men?
The point made in the second bullet about legislation, requiring any employer who loses an employment tribunal case on grounds of gender pay discrimination to undergo a compulsory pay audit covering the entire company, is not a bad idea. The third point both the fathers and mothers being able to take off after a child has been born is better than a law only enforcing companies to insure this for the mother; however, this is not in the best interest of companies. The idea in the forth bullet point is also not in the best interest of the company. If companies are forced to comply with what is best only for the employee then companies will cease to be profitable. The fifth point is discriminatory in itself. It represents only one facet of those who could benefit from a mentoring program such as this. I have never understood why it is acceptable to discriminate against a certain venue only to benefit the party being discriminated against.
This article mainly focuses on the idea that women are discriminated against in the work force. While this can be the case people are discriminated against for many reasons. Should we then write laws forcing companies to hire a certain number of people because of their race, age, or religion? Where does the control the government over companies stop?
The article misuses statists to prove its point. The article states that, “the Center for Work-Life Policy demonstrate that while 47% of college-educated entry-level corporate professionals are female, women comprise a mere 21% of senior executives, 17% of Congress (PDF link) and 15% of board directors.” The 47% represents the number of entry-level corporate professionals. This means that almost half of the people being hired today for entry-level positions are women. This number cannot be used to compare the number of women that are eligible to be senior executives, Congressmen, or board directors. This statistic only shows that 47% of people being hired for these positions are women, nothing more. Where are the statistics that show the number of qualified men to the number of qualified women who are applying for these positions. Statistically if 100 men are applying for a position to every 47 women it would more than likely show that men are being hired more than women.
In response to the Contract for Equalities stated in the article I believe some points are valid while others will cripple the future of companies. The first point addressed is that, “Half the slate of candidates would have to be female and any company which had a board made up of fewer than 30% women would have to set out what steps it was taking to remedy the situation.” There is nothing that shows just because of someone’s gender they are qualified to be a board member. This type of law would only serve to diminish the quality of people serving on the board. With a law like this in place would not one also be needed that at least 50% of the board member be men? If not, are we not beginning to discriminate against men?
The point made in the second bullet about legislation, requiring any employer who loses an employment tribunal case on grounds of gender pay discrimination to undergo a compulsory pay audit covering the entire company, is not a bad idea. The third point both the fathers and mothers being able to take off after a child has been born is better than a law only enforcing companies to insure this for the mother; however, this is not in the best interest of companies. The idea in the forth bullet point is also not in the best interest of the company. If companies are forced to comply with what is best only for the employee then companies will cease to be profitable. The fifth point is discriminatory in itself. It represents only one facet of those who could benefit from a mentoring program such as this. I have never understood why it is acceptable to discriminate against a certain venue only to benefit the party being discriminated against.
Blog 3
It’s very surprising to me that gender discrimination is still occurring in 2010. The article did a very good job explain how gender discrimination is taking place not only in the United States but also in different countries around the world. So why it is that woman are underpaid? We all know it’s not their inability to perform as well as men. The first reason maybe because of the frequent choice to drop out for a few years to raise children obviously lowers women's income statistics in those years. Mothering experiences also changes many women so that they often do not rejoin the climbing-the-ladder job track. Then the type A (workaholic) behavior that most top executives choose is not chosen very often by women, which would be another reason men earn more money. Also in my opinion, women tend to go for the lower-paying, more people-friendly jobs more then men or they tend to charge less for their services.
I think the article overall was very interesting and like most people I would like to eliminate gender discrimination world wide. People should be paid a certain amount based on their performance and their skills, not because of gender. I would definitely support the bill mentioned in the article. I’ve seen different articles on gender discrimination in the past years and I feel like nothing is being done. Complaining about the issue but not taking the measures needed to eliminate it, is not doing any good for anyone. Hopefully we will see some progress in the near future and maybe men and women will feel equal in this country.
I think the article overall was very interesting and like most people I would like to eliminate gender discrimination world wide. People should be paid a certain amount based on their performance and their skills, not because of gender. I would definitely support the bill mentioned in the article. I’ve seen different articles on gender discrimination in the past years and I feel like nothing is being done. Complaining about the issue but not taking the measures needed to eliminate it, is not doing any good for anyone. Hopefully we will see some progress in the near future and maybe men and women will feel equal in this country.
Blog #3
First off I have to say that I don't feel that this article is telling us anything new. We all know most of the information about how women are under paid and discriminated against in the work place. Also we always try to blame it on the government or the company, but yet most people will sit there and do nothing. This article may have good truth to it and may even get under your skin about how unfair women can be treated. Yet the article fails to mention why women are treated unfair. The author had many raw facts to support them, but if you think about it almost anyone can find facts to support what they are trying to say.
One thing I noticed that I didn't really like was in the paragraph where they said
"In France, Nicholas Sarkozy is pushing a bill (which is expected to pass) that will force large companies to reserve 40% of their boardroom seats for women."
I didn't like that because what if there are not enough women qualified for the job? They are suppose to give the seats to unqualified candidates? I don't really feel that we should have to force companies to reserve seats for women, but the women who do hold sets need to be treated just as the men. Because those women are obviously qualified and perfectly capable of doing the same job as the men or else they wouldn't have it. If women can do the job just as well as man than prove to that company that you can.
The article overall was interesting to see what efforts people are willing to go to, to help out the gender discrimination. We need to learn that men and women think, react, and do things different. It is good to have a good balance of women and men in a company because if you need to have some big group project it will turn out totally different if a group of all men do it verse if a group of all women do it. If you have an equal amount of women and men than you get a good combination of the two for the project. There will probably always be someone or someones who feel they are being discriminated against for being a women, but if companies keep trying to make it equal and doing their best to help, than i think it will greatly cut down the gender discrimination. It won't happen overnight so people can't expect that, it won't even happen in a week. It will take a while to break the cycle but if we keep being persistent than they will have to break the cycle sometime.
One thing I noticed that I didn't really like was in the paragraph where they said
"In France, Nicholas Sarkozy is pushing a bill (which is expected to pass) that will force large companies to reserve 40% of their boardroom seats for women."
I didn't like that because what if there are not enough women qualified for the job? They are suppose to give the seats to unqualified candidates? I don't really feel that we should have to force companies to reserve seats for women, but the women who do hold sets need to be treated just as the men. Because those women are obviously qualified and perfectly capable of doing the same job as the men or else they wouldn't have it. If women can do the job just as well as man than prove to that company that you can.
The article overall was interesting to see what efforts people are willing to go to, to help out the gender discrimination. We need to learn that men and women think, react, and do things different. It is good to have a good balance of women and men in a company because if you need to have some big group project it will turn out totally different if a group of all men do it verse if a group of all women do it. If you have an equal amount of women and men than you get a good combination of the two for the project. There will probably always be someone or someones who feel they are being discriminated against for being a women, but if companies keep trying to make it equal and doing their best to help, than i think it will greatly cut down the gender discrimination. It won't happen overnight so people can't expect that, it won't even happen in a week. It will take a while to break the cycle but if we keep being persistent than they will have to break the cycle sometime.
BLOG #3
In response to the article, I think it basically reiterated information we already know with targeting the blame of discrimination on the government. We know that companies typically hire more men than women, and that those women also receive unequal salaries and wages compared to men with the same or inferior job titles. This is the main problem with discrimination within the workplace because it hits our biggest war; man vs. woman. Even with this information holding truth, the article fails to give an account as to why these things happen. Why is it that women are treated unfairly compared to men in the workplace? Why the inequality?
Put aside government alliances for a minute and focus on the root of the problem. Companies' reputations and outlooks can only reflect those who run those companies. I saw in the comment section of this article a great example of how biased companies can be. One woman had several interviews with a company. Although she personally had not made any plans of having kids, her interviewer had no knowledge of whether or not if they had hired her that she may leave the company soon after the hire. Simply because she was a woman in her early 30's, there was a likelihood. Another interesting part of her comment was that as soon as she took off her wedding ring in her interviews, the number of callbacks she received had doubled.
I think it was interesting to see the effort that was put in the hire an equal amount of both men and women. With gender equality came real results. The point that was made with gender balance countering groupthink speaks volumes. It's obvious that males think differently than females, therefore when groups are created for brainstorming ideas or holding meetings, the groups must be equal. One group made up of entirely males entirely females would produce completely different results compared the the opposite group. Companies need to know these basics in order to produce results within the workplace. This problem of gender discrimination will always be present, but if companies actively work to counteract this, then there will be a much smoother operating system, and more equality.
Put aside government alliances for a minute and focus on the root of the problem. Companies' reputations and outlooks can only reflect those who run those companies. I saw in the comment section of this article a great example of how biased companies can be. One woman had several interviews with a company. Although she personally had not made any plans of having kids, her interviewer had no knowledge of whether or not if they had hired her that she may leave the company soon after the hire. Simply because she was a woman in her early 30's, there was a likelihood. Another interesting part of her comment was that as soon as she took off her wedding ring in her interviews, the number of callbacks she received had doubled.
I think it was interesting to see the effort that was put in the hire an equal amount of both men and women. With gender equality came real results. The point that was made with gender balance countering groupthink speaks volumes. It's obvious that males think differently than females, therefore when groups are created for brainstorming ideas or holding meetings, the groups must be equal. One group made up of entirely males entirely females would produce completely different results compared the the opposite group. Companies need to know these basics in order to produce results within the workplace. This problem of gender discrimination will always be present, but if companies actively work to counteract this, then there will be a much smoother operating system, and more equality.
Prompt #3
Although women are typically paid less than men and are often discriminated against in the workplace in other ways, the issues mentioned in the article are perhaps not the most effective means of communicating this frustration and demanding action.
The author of the article uses a fact-finding mission posed as significant “research” to support a predetermined hypothesis. Instead of looking at all the facts and developing an argument accordingly, the author found specific facts to suit theories and came and tried to show it off as scientific research. Any opinion can be supported with evidence if one knows where to look, how to find it, and how to mold it to fit a given model of what the author wants to convey.
The author used raw percentages of corporate men and women to depict a level of success that she deems desirable for everyone. These percentages are probably indeed true facts, but the numbers fail to show the areas in which highly educated women choose to enter into non-corporate jobs in a non-business field because their interests do not align with the money-making enterprise. As a humanitarian and not a capitalist, I was personally offended by the notion that I must desire a corporate job or one with power and prestige, and unless I fight for that position, I am somehow aiding the system that discriminates against women in the workplace.
Women that pursue options outside of capitalistic gain and employment that seeks power and advancement are not taken into account in the research done for this article. Additionally, low-level corporate employees can be satisfied with their positions and choose not to seek advancement, but this article assumes that everyone has the same goals, and the direct amount of pay and prestige that accompany a high-power position is the absolute, most desirable attainment for American women.
However, that is not to say that the fact that women do make less than men in the same positions, and adequately qualified women are passed over in favor of lesser- qualified men on a regular basis. This does happen often and is a reprehensible issue in today’s society, for the women that seek these promotions and elevated salaries. That said, attacking specific governmental institutions currently in place is not going to solve anything. The issue is not caused by the current administration, and it cannot be as easily solved as the author of this article suggests.
Instead of attacking a small group of people that the author deems responsible for a generational problem, promoters for equal pay and opportunities for women need to really examine the root of these issues. It is not really the way the current administration operates, and it is not even in the way that the government is designed. The issue is the opinions of the masses, the people in charge of various career paths, and the opinions of the people that put them in power. These basic fundamental ideals of the people at the top of several different agencies, governmental and corporate enterprise alike, differ in America than they do overseas. What works for the people currently in charge of every aspect of “success” desired by “everyone,” according to the author of this article, is the current system, which does discriminate against women. They fail to see the issue, and the people that keep them in power share the same opinions, and they also have no desire to seek change.
America is fundamentally different in values in the current corporations than countries that value men and women equally. Until everyone in desired corporate and government positions, not only Obama, see women and men as equals, nothing can change. Rather than focusing on the government, focusing on the beliefs of the masses that support the current patriarchal system is the only way to change anything on a large scale. It would also help to acknowledge that not all women, or men for that matter, value the same things in employment, and to assume that high-paying prestigious positions are the things that everyone most desires is an unfair generalization.
The author of the article uses a fact-finding mission posed as significant “research” to support a predetermined hypothesis. Instead of looking at all the facts and developing an argument accordingly, the author found specific facts to suit theories and came and tried to show it off as scientific research. Any opinion can be supported with evidence if one knows where to look, how to find it, and how to mold it to fit a given model of what the author wants to convey.
The author used raw percentages of corporate men and women to depict a level of success that she deems desirable for everyone. These percentages are probably indeed true facts, but the numbers fail to show the areas in which highly educated women choose to enter into non-corporate jobs in a non-business field because their interests do not align with the money-making enterprise. As a humanitarian and not a capitalist, I was personally offended by the notion that I must desire a corporate job or one with power and prestige, and unless I fight for that position, I am somehow aiding the system that discriminates against women in the workplace.
Women that pursue options outside of capitalistic gain and employment that seeks power and advancement are not taken into account in the research done for this article. Additionally, low-level corporate employees can be satisfied with their positions and choose not to seek advancement, but this article assumes that everyone has the same goals, and the direct amount of pay and prestige that accompany a high-power position is the absolute, most desirable attainment for American women.
However, that is not to say that the fact that women do make less than men in the same positions, and adequately qualified women are passed over in favor of lesser- qualified men on a regular basis. This does happen often and is a reprehensible issue in today’s society, for the women that seek these promotions and elevated salaries. That said, attacking specific governmental institutions currently in place is not going to solve anything. The issue is not caused by the current administration, and it cannot be as easily solved as the author of this article suggests.
Instead of attacking a small group of people that the author deems responsible for a generational problem, promoters for equal pay and opportunities for women need to really examine the root of these issues. It is not really the way the current administration operates, and it is not even in the way that the government is designed. The issue is the opinions of the masses, the people in charge of various career paths, and the opinions of the people that put them in power. These basic fundamental ideals of the people at the top of several different agencies, governmental and corporate enterprise alike, differ in America than they do overseas. What works for the people currently in charge of every aspect of “success” desired by “everyone,” according to the author of this article, is the current system, which does discriminate against women. They fail to see the issue, and the people that keep them in power share the same opinions, and they also have no desire to seek change.
America is fundamentally different in values in the current corporations than countries that value men and women equally. Until everyone in desired corporate and government positions, not only Obama, see women and men as equals, nothing can change. Rather than focusing on the government, focusing on the beliefs of the masses that support the current patriarchal system is the only way to change anything on a large scale. It would also help to acknowledge that not all women, or men for that matter, value the same things in employment, and to assume that high-paying prestigious positions are the things that everyone most desires is an unfair generalization.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
blog
The article about the women in the workplace was a interesting and informative one. There were a lot of good facts that pointes tword women recieving less pay than men and doing the same job just as good or better. I am for equal rights and believe that you will get paid what you agree upon and what the company you are working for thinks you deserve. with that being said I am implying that the market of wages runs itself because if you believe you are being underpaid then you will most likely look for another job that will give you more pay. This situation is a little different because we are talking about a gender difference with less pay than the other.
I think it is funny how everyone blames the government for problems. This article if you did not catch it is essentually targeting the Obama administration for women not getting paid as much as men. I think this is a classic example of the general population wanting the government to fix everything. In these economic times is it really a top priority to chase down companys for not paying women as much as men? unemployment is the highest it has ever been since the great depression and there are articles being written about how the current administration is not doing anything to help women get equal pay as men. How obserd does one have to be to target the Obama administration on this article. They are also trying to imply that having equality in the workplace will help us recover for the economic disaster we are in faster because companys with more equality have higher profits.
For closing statements, he, as in the writer, procedes to say that with president obama electing another women to the supreme court is just a small motion to make it look like he supports womens rights but really does not because he is not advocating enough to equal pay. does this mean that presidents before him who elected men to the supreme court and also did not pass legislation to help women recieve equal pay are sexist? I really believe this person needs to rethink who he should target this article to because the current government administration is not the right one i am afraid.
I think it is funny how everyone blames the government for problems. This article if you did not catch it is essentually targeting the Obama administration for women not getting paid as much as men. I think this is a classic example of the general population wanting the government to fix everything. In these economic times is it really a top priority to chase down companys for not paying women as much as men? unemployment is the highest it has ever been since the great depression and there are articles being written about how the current administration is not doing anything to help women get equal pay as men. How obserd does one have to be to target the Obama administration on this article. They are also trying to imply that having equality in the workplace will help us recover for the economic disaster we are in faster because companys with more equality have higher profits.
For closing statements, he, as in the writer, procedes to say that with president obama electing another women to the supreme court is just a small motion to make it look like he supports womens rights but really does not because he is not advocating enough to equal pay. does this mean that presidents before him who elected men to the supreme court and also did not pass legislation to help women recieve equal pay are sexist? I really believe this person needs to rethink who he should target this article to because the current government administration is not the right one i am afraid.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Women workforce
I believe that it is unfair that women are underpaid in the workforce and are discriminated against when it comes to job applications. I think it is a good idea in making sure they cant discriminate by putting in blind surveys, but at the same time that could be majorly misused so it may not go over to well. I do have to say that you can't just expect change to come very quickly, the workforce should be fair but that doesn't mean everyone will will be fair.
While I do believe this manifest is meant to be helpful. There are some things in it that don't make sense and I think should be dropped. One of them is flexible work ours. Most jobs will try to work with this, and in many cases this is not very useful to the company. Company's cant just be told conform to this persons standard. If that was true it would make company's fall apart. On most applications they ask u if you have things in your schedule that conflict with your work. They will try and help, but you cant expect them to just drop everything for someones own problems all the time. As for the making it so that boards have equal numbers of new candidates gender wise doesn't really force them to hire women, it just makes them make more candidates till they get it the same way they want it. and making them forcibly have women in the board just means they can fill it with who they want same as any company.
I will agree that having these rules on the manifesto may help some women in the future when it comes to equal employment. I think it is a good idea to give them the same rights as anyone else. The mentoring idea to get more women into starting up company's seems good to me if more women ran companies then maybe they would higher more fairly and pay more fairly. I will say this though, anyone who has a job will tell you that most companies and businesses are out to make money not friends. All we can do is keep trying to get better pay and equal rights.
I believe that this was an okay article. It gets the point across that women are not being treated fairly and that it should change, however it seems to leave out important information about why that some company's don't higher as many women. Its easy to just state that all the company's are sexist, but sometimes company's just don't discriminate and still end up with more men then women and the other way around.
While I do believe this manifest is meant to be helpful. There are some things in it that don't make sense and I think should be dropped. One of them is flexible work ours. Most jobs will try to work with this, and in many cases this is not very useful to the company. Company's cant just be told conform to this persons standard. If that was true it would make company's fall apart. On most applications they ask u if you have things in your schedule that conflict with your work. They will try and help, but you cant expect them to just drop everything for someones own problems all the time. As for the making it so that boards have equal numbers of new candidates gender wise doesn't really force them to hire women, it just makes them make more candidates till they get it the same way they want it. and making them forcibly have women in the board just means they can fill it with who they want same as any company.
I will agree that having these rules on the manifesto may help some women in the future when it comes to equal employment. I think it is a good idea to give them the same rights as anyone else. The mentoring idea to get more women into starting up company's seems good to me if more women ran companies then maybe they would higher more fairly and pay more fairly. I will say this though, anyone who has a job will tell you that most companies and businesses are out to make money not friends. All we can do is keep trying to get better pay and equal rights.
I believe that this was an okay article. It gets the point across that women are not being treated fairly and that it should change, however it seems to leave out important information about why that some company's don't higher as many women. Its easy to just state that all the company's are sexist, but sometimes company's just don't discriminate and still end up with more men then women and the other way around.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Instructor Post #3
Read this blog article about gender equality in the workplace.
Now, I want you to write a response to the article. You may either agree or disagree with the European policies Hewlett mentions, discuss your own ideas, the importance of such measures in America, bring in outside research, etc. But regardless of what topic you choose to engage, take special consideration in how you engage it, paying attention to tone and avoiding bias language. Though we should get a sense of your feelings on this issue (and they're allowed to be strong feelings), we should feel your argument is made in an objective, non-biased and intelligent fashion.
Now, I want you to write a response to the article. You may either agree or disagree with the European policies Hewlett mentions, discuss your own ideas, the importance of such measures in America, bring in outside research, etc. But regardless of what topic you choose to engage, take special consideration in how you engage it, paying attention to tone and avoiding bias language. Though we should get a sense of your feelings on this issue (and they're allowed to be strong feelings), we should feel your argument is made in an objective, non-biased and intelligent fashion.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Post #2
Brian Busick has quite an impressive background in entrepreneurial ambitions. Throughout his career, he never became complacent but instead sought after new opportunities and went after them. Busick always desired to "better" himself by letting his knowledge and experience grow. Following business trends, Busick saw opportunities he was interested in and grew into a more experienced businessman. What is most interesting in his case is that this man in particular had an immense amount of drive and integrity. He was willing to put in the work in order to get results. It was interesting to see that the first major jump into landing his secure career in serving public schools was due to an on-a-whim phone call. Even though details regarding that event were omitted, it still stresses the importance of the ever-strong message of hard work. If you work hard and put yourself out there, opportunities will come your way.
Another interesting factor in Busick's success is that he took initiative to grow his business. He was the one who went out and gathered contracts, did his research, and took action on the available opportunities. He also made a point to provide incredible business. He realized who his customers were and morphed his business plan according to their needs. Busick made sure the students ate food they enjoyed and was healthy for them and also made sure they paid as little as possible for it.
Busick's story was a true testament to how an entrepreneur can be successful. One has to be committed and determined to produce results by putting forth the effort. It was an encouraging example to anyone interested in success, not only in the business world, but in the real world in general. While I may not have any present ambitions in the entrepreneurial realm, I do have ambitions of marketing myself to become as successful as I can be. It seems simple to say that with hard work comes results, but it really is that simple. If one does not work hard for their own success, how will it happen? No one can give success to another person because it is something that is earned. For me, if I want success, I have to put forth the effort in order to have it be mine.
Another interesting factor in Busick's success is that he took initiative to grow his business. He was the one who went out and gathered contracts, did his research, and took action on the available opportunities. He also made a point to provide incredible business. He realized who his customers were and morphed his business plan according to their needs. Busick made sure the students ate food they enjoyed and was healthy for them and also made sure they paid as little as possible for it.
Busick's story was a true testament to how an entrepreneur can be successful. One has to be committed and determined to produce results by putting forth the effort. It was an encouraging example to anyone interested in success, not only in the business world, but in the real world in general. While I may not have any present ambitions in the entrepreneurial realm, I do have ambitions of marketing myself to become as successful as I can be. It seems simple to say that with hard work comes results, but it really is that simple. If one does not work hard for their own success, how will it happen? No one can give success to another person because it is something that is earned. For me, if I want success, I have to put forth the effort in order to have it be mine.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Prompt #2
Brian Busick is a very ambitious guy. It takes a lot of motivation to open up just one business let alone three of them. I remember taking an entrepreneur class in high school where we had to make a business plan of our own. I chose to do a drive-in theater and just writing out the plan was difficult. It took a lot of thought in finding the location, coming up with the funds, figuring out payroll and hours as well as trying to convince investors that it will be successful.
Although it's not my ultimate goal, I wouldn't mind opening my own business one day. I could open up a tax firm or something. I commend Mr. Busick on his willingness to keep going. I think I would open up a business and focus on maintaing it while he kept moving on to other businesses. He always came out with fresh new ideas and switched up the type of work he did from the software company to fast food franchises to serving school lunches.
My boyfriend wants to open up a gym one day. He has the drive to do it and is working on trying to get that done now and I hope to help him one day. Once I get a plan set I can be just as determined to get something going as Mr. Busick.
Although it's not my ultimate goal, I wouldn't mind opening my own business one day. I could open up a tax firm or something. I commend Mr. Busick on his willingness to keep going. I think I would open up a business and focus on maintaing it while he kept moving on to other businesses. He always came out with fresh new ideas and switched up the type of work he did from the software company to fast food franchises to serving school lunches.
My boyfriend wants to open up a gym one day. He has the drive to do it and is working on trying to get that done now and I hope to help him one day. Once I get a plan set I can be just as determined to get something going as Mr. Busick.
Blog 2
Brain Busick seemed to be a very driven man who was never going to settle for less. He took his education, spirit, and drive to make something of his life. Busick wanted to change something and that is exactly what he did, he took an idea and ran with it and now it's an amazing business. Being that he has started and built up a business before, when it came to the Schoolhouse Grill, it was probably a little easier to start up from going through it before. It may have not been the same kind of business, but he had the knowledge of how to start and run a business to make it successful. I imagine that when he started his first business it was very hard and he had many downs or setbacks. What makes him the successful businessman is that he did not let those setbacks keep him from moving on and pressuring the business.
As for me having any entrepreneur dreams, I can't say I have any. I do have really high goals for myself but what I want to do I don't see myself starting my own business. I really want to join the FBI or US Marshals. But I do have some experience with people who start their own business. My mother actually started her own catering business with her best friend. They aren't well known yet, but they are doing wonderful with their company and keep getting more and more clients.It takes a lot of drive and spirit to start up and run your own business. I don't think if my mother was has strong willed and driven as she is that her business would of been so successful. Being that I don't have any ideas or dream to start my own business I don't feel that makes me less driven then Brian, it just mean that we have different dreams and ways of getting them. As for anyone who wants to start up a business I would say keep your head up and keep chasing your dreams. You will succeed if you give 100% and never back down!
As for me having any entrepreneur dreams, I can't say I have any. I do have really high goals for myself but what I want to do I don't see myself starting my own business. I really want to join the FBI or US Marshals. But I do have some experience with people who start their own business. My mother actually started her own catering business with her best friend. They aren't well known yet, but they are doing wonderful with their company and keep getting more and more clients.It takes a lot of drive and spirit to start up and run your own business. I don't think if my mother was has strong willed and driven as she is that her business would of been so successful. Being that I don't have any ideas or dream to start my own business I don't feel that makes me less driven then Brian, it just mean that we have different dreams and ways of getting them. As for anyone who wants to start up a business I would say keep your head up and keep chasing your dreams. You will succeed if you give 100% and never back down!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
blog #2
Brian has a great entrepreneurial spirit and that leads him to building up successful businesses. His hard work and dedication has a proven record that helps him build other businesses. If you have built a successful business before, you have an upper hand in building or starting another one. The first one is always the hardest because there are so many situations that you have not experienced and have had to work through. Brian’s latest business is one that he methodically thought out. I can say that just by reading his article. He found a niche market and built a business to satisfy their demand. He knew that public schools were state funded so he went after private schools and day cares where lunch still needs to be served, but where it has yet to be provided. I am assuming that most of those kids bring their lunch or buy it from the schools. I went to a private school and that was my two choices. He is saving the school a lot of headache because they do not have to hire a cooking crew or store food at the school. The prices are also very competitive, which makes the deal even more attractive. At $3.50 a meal, I don’t see how the schools can compete and make it worth their time to cook for the kids themselves. He is also working with dietitians and the school to find appropriate meals that should be fed to the kids. This shows that he is dedicated and committed to making good food and working with the schools to see what they want.
Stories like Brian’s are good learning tools to show other entrepreneur’s ideas and examples about how to build a small business and make it successful.
Stories like Brian’s are good learning tools to show other entrepreneur’s ideas and examples about how to build a small business and make it successful.
Post #2
Entrepreneurial ideas are not in short supply. The work needed to make an idea successful is where many people fall short. I believe Brian Busick has become successful in his business because he has dedicated himself to his work. Small companies take time to manage and this is not a glamorous idea to the American culture. Mr. Busick has discovered the American dream and the work it requires to accomplish that dream. I am very encouraged by this story because it describes the hard work and dedication that it takes to start your own business. I would love to run my own business however I also love the time that I have with my family. When my kids are grown and out of the house I would love to open my own business or become partners with the business I am currently working at. I am happy with where I am at in my career at the moment because it gives me both time and finances to spend quality time with my family to ensure that they leave my home with the values I wish to instill in them.
Mr. Busick was able to successfully start his business after many years of being in the job market. The years working for other companies and for himself prepared him to be successful in his company. He was also able to attend college and attain a degree that I am sure helped him with his success. Companies fail for many reasons however financial difficulties are among the top reasons. Brian Busick’s degree in finance may have helped him to manage his bottom dollar and understand the importance of reinvesting in his company. The story does not give great detail into the reasons for his success other than his hard work and chance. Mr. Busick was able to successfully show 23 of the 40 schools that he proposed to how he could accommodate them while staying within their budget. This is usually done by being able to put together a presentation in a professional format. This would take written and oral skills that he possibly learned in college or during his time at other companies.
Brian Busick is an example of the determination and hard work that it takes to start and successfully run a small business. I am currently part of a small business that has been functioning for 28 years. The exciting part is that we are just now expanding our company and are being very successful. I believe it is through the same hard work and dedication that our company is growing as well. I believe that we will grow stronger and be more successful just as Brian Busick is at his company. I believe that if we continue to educate our employees and everyone puts in the hours needed we can become one of the largest landscaping companies in the nation.
Mr. Busick was able to successfully start his business after many years of being in the job market. The years working for other companies and for himself prepared him to be successful in his company. He was also able to attend college and attain a degree that I am sure helped him with his success. Companies fail for many reasons however financial difficulties are among the top reasons. Brian Busick’s degree in finance may have helped him to manage his bottom dollar and understand the importance of reinvesting in his company. The story does not give great detail into the reasons for his success other than his hard work and chance. Mr. Busick was able to successfully show 23 of the 40 schools that he proposed to how he could accommodate them while staying within their budget. This is usually done by being able to put together a presentation in a professional format. This would take written and oral skills that he possibly learned in college or during his time at other companies.
Brian Busick is an example of the determination and hard work that it takes to start and successfully run a small business. I am currently part of a small business that has been functioning for 28 years. The exciting part is that we are just now expanding our company and are being very successful. I believe it is through the same hard work and dedication that our company is growing as well. I believe that we will grow stronger and be more successful just as Brian Busick is at his company. I believe that if we continue to educate our employees and everyone puts in the hours needed we can become one of the largest landscaping companies in the nation.
Post #2
It sounds like Brian Busick has made some fantastic business decisions in his life. I am sure the writer left out his failures, if any, on purpose. Based on the article, Mr. Busick cannot make a bad decision when it comes to making money.
I would be interested to know what he did for advertising. Also, why did that first school call his restaurant in the first place? The article mentions that Mr. Busick invested $250,000 in a state of the art kitchen after adding 23 schools in 2006. What is not mentioned is the staffing requirements to go along with the volume. Growing that quickly in such a short amount of time is not easy. It can be difficult to find dependable employees with the correct requirements for providing lunches to school children.
The article makes it sound like he learned the school meal requirements, student and teacher requests and added more schools overnight. It also sounds like anyone can do it, but I believe it takes the right kind of person to get started in such an industry.
I would be interested to know what he did for advertising. Also, why did that first school call his restaurant in the first place? The article mentions that Mr. Busick invested $250,000 in a state of the art kitchen after adding 23 schools in 2006. What is not mentioned is the staffing requirements to go along with the volume. Growing that quickly in such a short amount of time is not easy. It can be difficult to find dependable employees with the correct requirements for providing lunches to school children.
The article makes it sound like he learned the school meal requirements, student and teacher requests and added more schools overnight. It also sounds like anyone can do it, but I believe it takes the right kind of person to get started in such an industry.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Prompt #2
In Brian Busick’s aspirations, written communication was more than likely an integral part of his success. Had he not been at least proficient at effectively communicating his own ideas and coordinating them with outside input, he never would have become the prosperous entity that he is today.
First, business startup procedures require vast amounts of paperwork. This would have needed to be completed clearly and concisely with very minimal errors. Potential supporters and investors would have been extremely leery of entering into any business proposition written with anything other than the most professional and cleanly-edited business plan.
Second, in any business venture, making solid professional contacts is the best way to expand, combine, and grow as a company and as a profit-making venture. The article mentions “a professional recruiter around 2000 hooked him up as the chief financial officer at Etegral Partners” as well as “around 2004, he contacted Jerry's Subs & Pizza.” Neither of these events could have taken place without adequate, proper professional communication. Any person in power, such as a chief financial officer, would not be granted that position unless he or she had proven capable at communicating with mass amounts of people in an effective manner. Additionally, partners in inter-business communication would never seriously consider a professional relationship with another company if the representative of that company could not effectively efficiently communicate.
Finally, no business can hope to become or stay successful without its faithful clients. The article mentions Busick approaching private schools with a proposal regarding their lunches. Effective business communication would have been most important at this stage because no large-scale consumer would place its faith in the hands of someone appearing unprofessional or uneducated. Although Busick advertised school food, he was essentially selling a reciprocal business opportunity for services provided. With an educational facility especially, it was extremely important for him to not only communicate his plan and proposal effectively, but also to convey to each school that he was responsible, reliable, and professional. The majority of this interaction, including the most important and integral parts, would have taken place through written communication.
Brian Busick’s abilities in professional communication were of vital importance, but he also achieved his great success by learning about people and business in practical, on the job applications. He had to be very driven and self-motivated to notice the similarities between a college job at a bank and an entrepreneurial venture ending in a significant profit. His abilities to interact with other people as well as his environment and to take note of standardized business principles that are beneficial in any professional venture helped to make him the success that he is today.
First, business startup procedures require vast amounts of paperwork. This would have needed to be completed clearly and concisely with very minimal errors. Potential supporters and investors would have been extremely leery of entering into any business proposition written with anything other than the most professional and cleanly-edited business plan.
Second, in any business venture, making solid professional contacts is the best way to expand, combine, and grow as a company and as a profit-making venture. The article mentions “a professional recruiter around 2000 hooked him up as the chief financial officer at Etegral Partners” as well as “around 2004, he contacted Jerry's Subs & Pizza.” Neither of these events could have taken place without adequate, proper professional communication. Any person in power, such as a chief financial officer, would not be granted that position unless he or she had proven capable at communicating with mass amounts of people in an effective manner. Additionally, partners in inter-business communication would never seriously consider a professional relationship with another company if the representative of that company could not effectively efficiently communicate.
Finally, no business can hope to become or stay successful without its faithful clients. The article mentions Busick approaching private schools with a proposal regarding their lunches. Effective business communication would have been most important at this stage because no large-scale consumer would place its faith in the hands of someone appearing unprofessional or uneducated. Although Busick advertised school food, he was essentially selling a reciprocal business opportunity for services provided. With an educational facility especially, it was extremely important for him to not only communicate his plan and proposal effectively, but also to convey to each school that he was responsible, reliable, and professional. The majority of this interaction, including the most important and integral parts, would have taken place through written communication.
Brian Busick’s abilities in professional communication were of vital importance, but he also achieved his great success by learning about people and business in practical, on the job applications. He had to be very driven and self-motivated to notice the similarities between a college job at a bank and an entrepreneurial venture ending in a significant profit. His abilities to interact with other people as well as his environment and to take note of standardized business principles that are beneficial in any professional venture helped to make him the success that he is today.
This story shows me that sometimes simple ideas turn into bigger and greater ideas. Brian Busick started buy getting a normal job, then went back to school to learn how to manage a business. Some time later he would hook up with a software company. He would then eventually buy the company and sell it for a seven figure profit, about this time in the story would be when I would be taking time off and having a rather good time or vacation. He instead buys four franchises and starts his life in the fast food industry. He would then go about doing a side job with his fast food chain to supply a school with lunch once a week, and eventually starts selling them food for every day of the week. At the end of the article he is showing a gross of over one million and was still looking for more schools to sell lunches to.
I cant believe how much determination Brian had to make his business bigger and better every time. He not once, not twice, but three times finds a profitable business and just continues on to a new industry each time. He goes from bank, to software, to fast food, and eventually goes to school lunches. Every time he buys a new business or joins in he makes more money and gets things going smoothly. Reminds me of King Meitus in some ways sense everything he touched turn to profit. I enjoy the idea that every time he did something he brought hard work and ingenuity to all his business. This is a good example of opportunity I believe because each time he was given an chance at something new he took it and he became a very successful career man as we have read. I myself have never been much of an entrepreneur but, looking at this mans success in all these industries gives me hope that even a small Enterprise like school lunches can make you very successful and turn into a great business man.
I believe that like Brian Busick if you devote yourself to something and do as much as you can to make it better. Eventually you can make it successful and expand on it. The one thing about this article that I think I enjoyed the most was, that Brian kept changing jobs and looking for one he enjoyed. I can only hope that one day i can find a job that I can enjoy as much as he enjoys his.
I cant believe how much determination Brian had to make his business bigger and better every time. He not once, not twice, but three times finds a profitable business and just continues on to a new industry each time. He goes from bank, to software, to fast food, and eventually goes to school lunches. Every time he buys a new business or joins in he makes more money and gets things going smoothly. Reminds me of King Meitus in some ways sense everything he touched turn to profit. I enjoy the idea that every time he did something he brought hard work and ingenuity to all his business. This is a good example of opportunity I believe because each time he was given an chance at something new he took it and he became a very successful career man as we have read. I myself have never been much of an entrepreneur but, looking at this mans success in all these industries gives me hope that even a small Enterprise like school lunches can make you very successful and turn into a great business man.
I believe that like Brian Busick if you devote yourself to something and do as much as you can to make it better. Eventually you can make it successful and expand on it. The one thing about this article that I think I enjoyed the most was, that Brian kept changing jobs and looking for one he enjoyed. I can only hope that one day i can find a job that I can enjoy as much as he enjoys his.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Written communication in the workplace
Weber and Associates
1234 Webb Rd.
Wichita, KS
New policy concerning communication in the workplace:
No text message style communication will be tolerated in any workplace communication.
It has come to my attention that there has been a misunderstanding concerning communication in the workplace. We need to be very careful that we are using professional language when communicating between ourselves at work and more importantly, when communicating with our clients and outside vendors. Text message style wording will not be tolerated. We want to give our best impression when communicating with others. Here is an example of what was recently sent in an email to one of our clients:
"Subject : What's up?
I just wanted 2 say thanks for allowing me to come by and talk to you about some of the services we offer. I think you'll find us competitively priced and that our 1 on 1 service is unbeatable. Let me know what you decide and we can go from there.
TTYL,"
If I had received this as an email from a vendor, I would probably think twice about doing business with them. We want our clients to have confidence in the services that we provide. Here is an example of how this e-mail could have been worded to be more professional:
"Subject : Following up
I would like to thank you for allowing me to come by and talk to with you about some of the services we provide. I think that you'll find us competitively priced and that our one on one service is unbeatable. If there is anything that I can do for you, please give me a call at 555-5555.
I look forward to hearing from you,"
It is important to note that the way we talk to our friends is not the way that we communicate in the workplace. I appreciate your cooperation and look forward to our continued professionalism.
Thank you,
Jake Chapin, CEO
1234 Webb Rd.
Wichita, KS
New policy concerning communication in the workplace:
No text message style communication will be tolerated in any workplace communication.
It has come to my attention that there has been a misunderstanding concerning communication in the workplace. We need to be very careful that we are using professional language when communicating between ourselves at work and more importantly, when communicating with our clients and outside vendors. Text message style wording will not be tolerated. We want to give our best impression when communicating with others. Here is an example of what was recently sent in an email to one of our clients:
"Subject : What's up?
I just wanted 2 say thanks for allowing me to come by and talk to you about some of the services we offer. I think you'll find us competitively priced and that our 1 on 1 service is unbeatable. Let me know what you decide and we can go from there.
TTYL,"
If I had received this as an email from a vendor, I would probably think twice about doing business with them. We want our clients to have confidence in the services that we provide. Here is an example of how this e-mail could have been worded to be more professional:
"Subject : Following up
I would like to thank you for allowing me to come by and talk to with you about some of the services we provide. I think that you'll find us competitively priced and that our one on one service is unbeatable. If there is anything that I can do for you, please give me a call at 555-5555.
I look forward to hearing from you,"
It is important to note that the way we talk to our friends is not the way that we communicate in the workplace. I appreciate your cooperation and look forward to our continued professionalism.
Thank you,
Jake Chapin, CEO
To all employees:
It has come to my attention that there are many members of our team using unprofessional writing styles. Using text message-type style is just not acceptable. I believe, for the sake of the company's reputation, it is essential to keep our messages, emails and speech professional. We do not need to cut corners when it comes to communication. We are all educated professionals and I think it is necessary to act like in such a way that our clients see that. Using abbreviations and dropping letters from words is not a good way to gain our clients trust and respect. While you all may use this communication style in your personal lives, it is simply unacceptable in the workplace. I expect everyone to do their best at acting, writing and speaking in a professional way.
Thanks,
Kena Laha
It has come to my attention that there are many members of our team using unprofessional writing styles. Using text message-type style is just not acceptable. I believe, for the sake of the company's reputation, it is essential to keep our messages, emails and speech professional. We do not need to cut corners when it comes to communication. We are all educated professionals and I think it is necessary to act like in such a way that our clients see that. Using abbreviations and dropping letters from words is not a good way to gain our clients trust and respect. While you all may use this communication style in your personal lives, it is simply unacceptable in the workplace. I expect everyone to do their best at acting, writing and speaking in a professional way.
Thanks,
Kena Laha
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