Learn other Languages

Learn other languages

If you speak another language or any world language in your house hold other than English you have an advantage over the work manifold. Having the ability to speak another language makes you more diverse and gives you the ability to communicate with many different types of people. Many corporations are global today so having the ability to speak another language is an advantage for you and you never know when you will be able to use you skills. College is the best time for you to learn another language and get involved in a study abroad program. I feel that this is a very important skill to have in todays business world. It makes you a more diverse employee and employers are always looking for that. I personally speak another language and I feel that it sets me apart from other applicants out there when I am applying for a job. The article which I choose illustrates exactly how important it is to speak another language. Doctors are using translators to be able to communicate with their patients to be able to treat them. “Going to the doctor can be an uncomfortable and intimidating experience. But imagine if you couldn't communicate with your doctor or nurse to describe your symptoms or explain your medical history. As the nation becomes more diverse, demand for trained, skilled interpreters to help doctors and patients communicate — and avoid potentially deadly misunderstandings — is growing. Health care regulations require medical providers who receive federal funding to provide interpreters. There's also growing research on the effects of bad communication on patient safety, said Izabel Arocha, executive director of the International Medical Interpreters Association.( Marohn and Dickrell) "There's just been a huge increase in awareness that has changed these practices," Arocha said. This just goes to show how industries are in need for translator or interpreters. There is a huge demand out there so get out there and learn another language you never know how it will benefit you. You want to make yourself the best candidate when going to apply for a job the more attribute you have to offer such as speaking another language will give you a leg up on the competition. More people need to get out there and learn new languages or use the languages they know to help them business wise. I feel that this is one of the more valuable skills to have.

http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/1755007

How important are soft skills in the business world today?

 
How important are soft skills in the business world today?
 
In the book cha ching it clearly discusses the vast importance of soft skills in the business world. We are usually and most commonly not taught these critical skills and how they will help us advance our careers. Throughout school we have always been taught hard skills and there has been little to no focus on soft skills. There are seven essential skills which are important for us to develop. These skills consist of conflict management, team building, problem solving, influencing, sales, negotiating, and marketing. Conflict management is important because there are always going to be instances where we do not agree with coworkers, clients, and even our bosses. We need to know how to control the situation and resolve it. The number one rule for conflict management is treat people with respect. Team building is an essential skill to develop because we are always going to be working with people. We need to mow how to function within a team with diverse situations. Team building also has sub-skills which are affiliated with it such as listening, learn to let go, make deals, and accepting your team. Problem solving is the next skill with is important to learn life is full of challenges and we need to be educated on how to solve them. "successful people take problems head on and do not run away from difficulties of life."(Grinbaum) Even the most pressing issues in life are going to have some type of positive aspect to them. You need to be able to think outside of the box and remember that every successful person has overcome tremendous obstacles. No matter how difficult a problem maybe look at it as a learning experience and an opportunity to grow. Influencing, sales, and negotiation are probably the three most important skills. Everything in life is sales and we need to remember that. Whether it is selling ourselves in an interview, selling yourself to your coworkers, or even a potential partner. We have to have the skills to negotiate with different types of people in different situations. You need to have a strong influence and sales pitch to get peoples attention. Once you are able to master these skills you will be unstoppable. Having these seven essential soft skills are greatly important in being most successful in life and the business world. In the case I choose an individual went off to a conevention over his thanksgiving break and found that most companies there focused on soft skills.” While you may be juggling the end of fall recruiting and studying for final exams, you’re probably looking ahead, at the same time, to next term’s classes in your MBA program. If you’re like many MBA students, you’ll likely try to take as much finance, marketing, strategy, operations, and other classes in hopes that the knowledge gained will help you secure the right summer internship and, eventually, a full-time position.Taking these “hard skills” classes is important, especially if you’re a career changer. In addition to taking these foundational classes, however, you should also start thinking about what you need to know for the future for a particular job function or industry. If you plan ahead now, you’ll be more likely to succeed later and move through the ranks more quickly once you land in your career after graduation.Thanksgiving week, I had the opportunity to travel with some of our students to Los Angeles to meet with companies in the media and entertainment industry. I spent an interesting couple of days talking with representatives from seven organizations and hearing their thoughts on the most important skills needed on the job. The biggest surprise to many students was the emphasis on soft skills. But to succeed longer term in any of the organizations we visited, having strong team skills and knowing how to build and manage relationships were seen as just as important.”(Hori) As we progress in our careers, we will move beyond doing the nitty-gritty work most MBAs are focused on in the first few years of their career. “Leadership roles, the key skills that will determine your success will be around your ability to interact with others in a highly effective fashion.”(Hori)” Soft skills are an essential tool to progressing in the business world and advancing your career.

http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2012-12-05/why-soft-skills-matter

Why is networking is essential to success?

Blog #6
Why is networking is essential to success?
 
We really do not realize all of the networking that we do whether it is in school, at parties, or at gatherings we are always networking. To be successful yup need to be able to network with the right type of people who will help you advance your career. " in business, if you have a goal (and your goal is to have several great job offers lined up well before you graduate), then you have got to be able to network."(Grinbaum) the definition of networking is using and developing contacts made in business for a purpose beyond the initial meeting. The best way to build your network is know your industries associations. Every industry has some sorts of associations. You want to get involved in these associations. Another way which you can build your network is trade shows. There are ample trade shows and conventions out there pertaining to your particular career. Go to them network, get to know people this is the way you are going to build your network. Another great way to network is through social media such as linked in, Facebook, twitter, ect. This is the easiest way for you to put yourself out there and network with millions of people in your industry. Now a days everyone has some type of social networking affiliation be a part of them all. You are able to connect and stay in youch with business professionals in your feild that could possibly help you get a job one day. It is always a positive thing to have lots of options out there and the only way which that can be possible is if you network. Lastly contacting journalist will also help your networking expand to more and more people. You can contact these journalists in your field of work, send them interesting information about your field, and it could possibly happen that they will end up featuring you in one or more of their publications. We do not realize how important our networking is and how much it can affect our careers. It is always a good thing to know people in your field of business because you never know when you are going to need them. Also the more people who recognize you and know your name the more likely you will be noticed by the big time company executives. The case which I choose illustrates an individual who has embraced networking and is using it to their greatest ability. “Hal Westmoreland, Owner and CEO of PNC bought the company several months ago and plans to grow the networking group by keeping it “inexpensive, educational and relevant.” Westmoreland said that when you join PNC, they “lock up that category so no one will be competing with you.” Currently, they have networks in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. “My goal is to be in every metropolitan city within five years,” Westmoreland said. One of the benefits PNC offers its members is an “email blast” twice a month that will send your company’s marketing information to all their members. Patty Ebel, a Resell Representative for ADT Security Systems, focuses on small businesses that use ADT equipment. She was there to develop relationships with other sales people and exchange leads. “You can find out which leads are really credible so that when you are out working with your customer and they say they need this or that, I know good people to refer them to. We can create additional business opportunities for each of us.”(Abegg) These companies are using networking to help improve their companies and expand them. It is so important to a company’s success that they are able to network to many of people and keep their company relevant.

http://easley.patch.com/articles/sharing-leads-and-information

Why social networks are important to business communication?

Blog post #4

Why social networks are important to business communication?

The relationship between social networking and the business world is currently complicated. Some business professionals embrace social network and realize all of the positive aspects it has to offer to them and to their company. Social networking allows companies to connect with consumers who buy their products and allows business professionals to connect with one and other. Over then next few years social networking is going to be the primary communication system for a significant portion of the work force over the next few years. There are a few major reasons why social networking such as Face book, linked in, and Twitter are essential to the communications in the business world. First off it offers the ability to easily gather market information because there are hundreds of millions of people expressing themselves about how they feel about things and companies are listening. Social networks are extremely important tools for distributing information as well as gathering business information about the business environment.  Recruiting new employees and finding business partner is another positive aspect to social networking in the business world.  Another positive aspect is sharing product information. Product promotion is being able to be achieved by companies but need to be done in a low key and indirect way. Lastly there is user generated content. Many of the companies out there today now encourage user generated content as a way to engage their stakeholders and provide additional value through shared expertise. I choose this topic because it is taking over the business world in more ways then one. People need to get involved in some type of social media communication to keep up to date with their companies and industries. It is so critical that companies embrace social media because in the next few years they will be more then likely forced to. Social media has so many positive attributes that it can bring to a company and to an industry. It is an extremely easy way for people to distributing information as well as gathering business information about the business environment. The case which I choose is just proof that major companies and industries are embracing social median and realize how important it is to the success of their companies and industries. “Leading CMOs from MasterCard, The Hertz Corporation, Footlocker, Sears, Restaurant.com and Outback Steakhouse will be discussing how social media impacts on broader marketing goals at the Corporate Social Media Summit next June 12-13th in New York. Useful Social Media, the leading business intelligence company on corporate social media use, today announced the leading brands who will join their flagship Summit in June 2013. Over 250 big brands from across America will gather in New York to discuss how to become a social business for a superior marketing response, sharper corporate decision-making, enhanced innovation and a happier, more loyal customer. According to Forbes, the vast majority of social media directors are still using social media simply as a marketing tool. However, it is becoming increasingly obvious that such a limited focus restricts corporate growth, opportunities for direct customer engagement, enhanced loyalty and a more customer-centric business. 2013 is increasingly recognised as the year for business to ‘get closer to customers’ and by doing so facilitate increased revenues, cost reduction and efficiencies’ (IBM’s Part 1: what customers want Report, 2012).”(Herald) This just goes to show how important it is to be involved in social media and how many companies are embracing this advantage. I feel that this is one of the most important things which a company can do to help insure that their company will be prosperous and be able to reach the most amounts of consumers.

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/12/12/4479690/useful-social-media-global-cmos.html#storylink=cpy

Electronic media for Business Communication

Electronic media for Business Communication

            Electronic media for business communication is an extremely critical took now days when it comes to communicating in the work force. If you are not up to date when it comes to the new innovative ways to communicate electronically you will fall behind. In this day and time you can send an email and you are able to receive a response in seconds. Years ago this was never possible, we are able to communicate in a faster for efficient way.  In the past email was the new innovative way to communicate quickly but now it is instant messaging and text messaging. We all carry our phones every where with us and we are always available. We can be contacted at basically any time throughout the day. Whether it is a phone call, email, instant message, or text message we are always available. The range of options for short business messages continues to grow with innovations in electronic and social media. There are a few most common ways which we are able to communicate briefly and efficiently. These ways include social networking and community participation websites, email, instant messaging, text messaging, blogging, microblogging, podcasting, and online video. This type of business communication is always changing and innovating so we have to be able to keep and stay in tune with the constantly changing times. It is vastly important that we are communicating in the most efficient way possible.  Even though there is a widespread of electronic media, printed memos and letters still play an important role in business communication. Business professionals and companies need to see how important it is for them to get involved in some type of electronic media for business communication. I chose this topic because I feel that it is extremely important to how businesses function. I feel that it is important for everyone to have some type of electronic media to be able to connect with people. People now a days need to be available all the time really. It is so easy to get in contact with each other. Growing up we were introduced to so many ways to connect with our friends and family this is now spreading to the business world. We need to be able to keep up with the changing times and the constant changes which occur with electronic media. We need to always be involved and keeping up to date with new and improved ways to communicate. The case which I choose is about someone in their workplace realizing the changes which were occurring when it came to electronic media.” During the past year, I’ve noticed a shift in the way business communications take place in my workplace. When it comes to putting out information to groups of people, emails often go unopened, while text messages and Face book posts are read quickly and often receive responses. Wondering if my experience was unique, I set out to see what the research said. Turns out some significant changes are taking place in how people choose to communicate in both the workplace and their personal lives.These changes are being fueled by increased use of mobile devices along with continued, significant problems with email spam and viruses.According to the Pew Research Center, as of September 2012, 85 percent of American adults had a cell phone and 45 percent had a smart phone. Sales of smart phones were greater than personal computers in 2011 and will be nearly double that of personal computer sales in 2012, a Business Insider Intelligence report said. As more people get smart phones and take them wherever they go, it stands to reason these devices have become integral work communication tools for many. CompTIA surveyed 500 business and IT professionals and found that 84 percent use their smart phones at work. " (the new star)

http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20121205/BUSINESS/121202003/Businesses-face-communication-challenges?nclick_check=1

The advantages of a diverse workplace

Blog#2

The advantages of a diverse workplace

            The diversity of today’s workforce brings advantages to businesses in the following ways a broader range of views and ideas, a better understanding of diverse, fragmented markets, and broader pool of talent from which to recruit. Even if you have never traveled to a foreign country you will interact with colleagues from a variety of cultures, with a wide range of characteristics and life experiences. Over the past few years employers have changed their view on diversity from a legal requirement to seeing it as a strategic opportunity to connect with customers and take advantage of the broadest possible pool of talent.  Your workforce does not need to consist of immigrants to constitute it as a diverse work force. Immigration and workforce diversity creates many advantages but you can also be faced with some challenges for business communications throughout the world.  It is extremely important that there is a vast variety in the work place for your company to grow and prosper. The majority of the most prospers companies are also the most diverse. Having an extremely diverse workforce brings many fresh, new, and innovative ideas to your business. Diversity is a simple fact of life for all companies. This is one of the most important attributes which your company or organization can posses.” Workers from Africa, Asia, and the middle east are moving to Europe in search of new opportunities, while workers from India, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia contribute to the employment base of the Middle East.”(pg.63) This just goes to show that there is diversity in the work place occurring all over the world. I chose this topic because I believe that it is an important quality which all companies should adapt. Companies need to realize how important diversity among its employees and its business. Having new , fresh, and different ideas is important to the progression of a business. Businesses across the world are embracing having a diverse work force. I feel that most companies should not see having a diverse work force as a legal requirement but as a positive contribution to your company and even your industry. Though there may be some differences among the vast diversities within your company the positive contributions which they offer are abundant. It is so important for people and companies to embrace diversity and spread it through out your company or industry.

            The case which I choose for this particular business communication topic is one about the MGM casino in Las Vegas Nevada. They are embacing the diversity which is present with in their company. “Taking place December 16 – 18, “Inspiring Our World" is a commitment to its employees by MGM Resorts that features 70 employee-performers. Original music, exotic costumes, dynamic choreography spanning multiple cultures and styles come together in an arena where the likes of Prince, Bob Seger and Bon Jovi have performed. Comprising a 1.5-hour production simultaneously performed in English, Spanish and American Sign Language, and digitally represented in 14 languages, the program seeks to educate employees on the company’s mission, its values and its commitment to being a leader in diversity, philanthropy and sustainability.’’(MGM international) This is such an amazing thing which the MGM Company is doing for their employees. ““We respect and value our diverse and immensely talented team members as the foundation of our success as a global company,” said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. “By engaging our employees in the core values of our company – from Teamwork, to Integrity to Excellence – we foster a healthy workplace, as well as dynamic and sustainable communities where our employees live and work, and where our guests visit.” MGM really values their employees and the diversity which is present within their company. There should be more and more companies out there that should see MGM as a great role model for diversity and take after them. “Engaged employees are one of the most important components of the guest experience,” Murren said. “Happier employees nurture a higher level of guest satisfaction, providing a competitive edge for the company in the long term.”(MGM international) Diversity is such a great thing to have incorporated within your company. Diversity does in fact help build a stronger more successful company.

http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/34984-MGM-Resorts-Presents-Commitment-To-Diversity-In-Workplace-With-Inspiring-Our-World-

Why is communication important to your company?

Blog #1

Why is communication important to your company?

            Having effective communication in your company yields numerous business benefits. Though there are personal benefits communication should be important to you because it is important to your company. Having an effective business communication is critical in having a successful business. Without this critical skill there will not essentially be cohesiveness through out your company. There really can not be emphases on how important this is to a companies success not just internally but also externally.  Effective communication helps businesses in numerous ways such as.

·         Closer ties with important communities in the market place

·         Opportunities to influence conversations, perceptions, and trends

·         Increased productivity and faster problem solving

·         Better financial results and higher return for investors

·         Earlier warning of potential problems, from rising business costs to critical safety issues

·         Stronger decision making based on timely, reliable information

·         Clearer and more persuasive marketing messages

·         Greater employee engagement with their work, leading to higher employee satisfaction and lower employee turnover

In the article which I chose is one about five steps to improve meetings in the workplace and improve workplace communication. Companies are finding that to have effective work place meetings is actually improving workplace communication. With every successful business there is effective communication through out the entire company. These five steps which the author concentrate on are establish a meeting objective, plan and prepare, have respect for time, communication and feedback goes both ways, and end your meeting with action. I chose this article because it illustrates how in business communication matters. Meetings is where we come to meet and discuss things if we do not have effective communication our business will not be effective. “These steps will ensure that; your meeting time is not wasted, employees leave meetings feeling like they have accomplished something, and communication in your company continuously improves. These guidelines can be applied to every meeting in the workplace, including departmental meetings, company-wide quarterly meetings, meetings with customers, or even one-on-one performance reviews.”(Alexandre)  This topic is highly relative to the business concepts which are discussed up above. Some people do not realize how important it is to have an extremely effective business communication. It has many important apects to it such as Closer ties with important communities in the market place, Opportunities to influence conversations, perceptions, and trends, Increased productivity and faster problem solving, Better financial results and higher return for investors, Earlier warning of potential problems, from rising business costs to critical safety issues, Stronger decision making based on timely, reliable information, Clearer and more persuasive marketing messages, Greater employee engagement with their work, leading to higher employee satisfaction and lower employee turnover. All of these aspects of business communication tie into what this article is about it is important that all communication throughout the company if affective so that the business is effective and prosperous.

http://www.business2community.com/strategy/5-steps-to-effective-meetings-and-improved-workplace-communication-0350252