...A Little Bit of Soul and a Lot of Success* IN the fall of 1983, a young man from Houston, named Michael, enrolled in the University of Texas intending to major in pre-med as his parents had wished. While taking classes, he continued the business he had begun in high school, upgrading personal computers for friends and teachers—this time out of his dorm room. By the start of the second semester, he had made enough money to move himself (secretly) and the business to a condo. By semester's end, he had rented office space, hired a few employees, and officially launched the Dell Computer Corporation. University days were over, and a great American business success story had begun. Ten years later at age 28, Michael Dell had become the youngest person to be CEO of a Fortune 500 company. During the 1990s, his startup had surpassed IBM to become the second largest computer manufacturer in the world. And by the end of that decade Dell passed Compaq to claim the title as top computer manufacturer and seller globally. In doing so, Dell achieved a seemingly impossible goal he had set early on. Michael Dell's success was due in part to his high intelligence, healthy ambition, and exceptional will to win. He also surrounded himself with smart people and allowed them to manage important functions of the company. He developed the strategic vision of being a global leader in personal computer markets by staying close to the customers and selling direct. And, Dell worked closely with his...
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...Joan Didion: What is Home? In Joan Didion’s essay “On Going Home” she writes about leading a double life. She feels like one person when she’s with her husband and daughter in Los Angeles, and a completely different person when back “home” surrounded by her childhood family in the Central Valley of California. During this particular trip, she begins to reflect on her life in Los Angeles. Didion contemplates the fact that she often feels uneasy around her husband, just like he feels uneasy being around her family. At a crossroad, she must decide not only who she is, and the life she wants, but also the kind of life she wants for her daughter. Her life in Los Angeles has cleansed her from her youth—one that was dusty and full of useless trinkets. She ponders the time her husband wrote the word “D-U-S-T” on those useless trinkets and she remembers her feelings of sadness and indignation. She says, “We live in dusty houses…filled with mementos quite without value to him” (139-40). The dust-covered trinkets signify what is important to her, or what needs to be addressed in her marriage. Yet, these objects just lay there waiting for someone to see them—for someone to dust them off and care for them—not unlike how Didion wishes her husband would see her and nurture her in their marriage. Didion wonders which of her two homes is normal or if they are both flawed. When she and her husband are with her family, he becomes apprehensive about her behavior, “…because once there I fall...
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...bestsellers in the genre, and it is now widely regarded as a modern classic of management theory. Collins takes up a daunting challenge in the book: identifying and evaluating the factors and variables that allow a small fraction of companies to make the transition from merely good to truly great. ‘Great,’ an admittedly subjective term, is operationally defined according to a number of metrics, including, specifically, financial performance that exceeded the market average by several orders of magnitude over a sustained period of time. Using these criteria, Collins and his research team exhaustively catalogued the business literature, identifying a handful of companies that fulfilled their predetermined criteria for greatness. Then, the defining characteristics that differentiated these ‘great’ firms from their competitors were quantified and analyzed. The resulting data are presented in Good to Great in compelling detail. Over the course of 9 chapters, Collins addresses a number of management, personnel, and operational practices, behaviors, and attitudes that are both conducive and antithetical to the good-to-great transition. One overarching theme that links together virtually all of Collins’ arguments is the need to define a narrowly focused objective and field of competency and then focus all of the company’s resources toward that area of strength. Repeatedly, Collins warns that straying too far from a company’s established strengths is inimical to the attainment of greatness...
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...Commonalities and Successes Jacqueline Friederich BSHS/425 April 6, 2015 Joanie Blamer Commonalities and Successes Human service organizations are unique from organizations in the general business world. In this paper will explicate the essential focal point of all human service programs. It will as well identify the trends of human services, and identifying qualities of human service agency's associate with and how the office contributes to success. Central Focus of Human Service Programs Human service agencies work together, sharing the same goal in each program to enhance the client’s well-being (Lewis & Packard, 2012). In order to assist clients to improve their lives as human service professionals work together in different program settings. The common denominators are essential in the delivery of services. In order to enhance the client’s lives, each organization provides specific services but maintain the same goal. According to Harvey (1998), “having a very clear sense of purpose, direction, mission, or vision and a focus on its accomplishments is necessary to achieve excellence in Human Service Organization.” The human service mission is the needs of the client’s first and the commitment to improving the quality of life with the client and those in the community. Trends In Human Services Throughout the years, trends have changed the service delivery on the specific time. The different factors that change the service deliveries are political...
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...Definition of Success A mansion, a sports car, and financial freedom are all very alluring signs of success to some. To others, success includes materialistic things such as a yacht, a camper, and a cottage tucked away by the lake. According to a study conducted by World Health Organization, 15% of people in high-income nations report being depressed, while only 11% in lower-income countries report being depressed (Bromet). Looking at these statistics, one can assume that the correlation of wealth and depression are positively related. It is clear, as shown by the previously stated statistics, that money does not always lead to happiness. To others, success may also be defined as “the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame” (“Success”). However, the true definition of success does not include any of these things listed above. Success does not include material goods but it is rather tied to expansive, more meaningful perceptions such as happiness, persistence, and overcoming hardships. One way to measure success is by how happy a person is. For some people, they might feel their happiest when they have lavish items. However, this is not true for everyone and is not a correct scale of success. Happiness for most people is a joyful and affectionate family. If this is what success means to someone, then one’s family is what outlines one’s success. Dr. Dennis Kimbro, author of multiple best sellers, interviewed many successful people about their definition of success. One woman...
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...freedom. For some, it includes a boat, a RV, and a cottage by the lake. However, another definition of success doesn’t list any of these. Success does not have anything to do with material goods but is rather tied to broader concepts. One measure of success is how happy a person is. For some people, they might feel their happiest when they have luxurious items. However, this is not universally true and is consequently not a true measure of success. Happiness for most people is a happy and loving family. If this is someone’s definition of success, then their family is what defines their success. For some, this success might mean trying new things and a lifestyle that supports it. Success is tied in with happiness because they are both highly subjective. Health can also be considered a defining factor in success. People feel unsuccessful if they, or someone they love, are not healthy. For instance, can father feel successful if his child is ill? This is why doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and hospitals are so important. Not only do they allow people to live longer, but they also allow people to feel successful in their life. Finally, success can mean overcoming hardships. No one likes hard and rough times with tears and pain. Someone who has come through the pain often feels like he or she has accomplished something. An individual that has overcome an obstacle achieves a measure of success. As David Brinkley has stated, a man can be proud if he has laid “a firm foundation with the bricks...
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...OUTLIER’S REACTION PAPER The book „Outliers‟ is basically are success stories wherein Malcolm Gladwell, a renowned writer, gives practical explanations of how extraordinary people gain success. The stories situated in the book always involve different aspects of success such as the environment, patience and hard work, coincidences and other things happening around. Basically, the ideas give „common-sense‟ answer to the question. These people have succeeded because of the things that surrounds them and not just only by themselves. As stated “It makes a difference where and when we grew up”, this clearly explains that a person don‟t achieve success not only by himself but it matters on the situations and opportunities that lies around him. Gladwell investigates place, time and culture of these success stories in order to come up with practical explanations behind it. This also includes the relevant events that happened in certain period of time where these people are part and been to these events. So in other words, these people have been to certain event in their lives that made them succeed. Gladwell thought of these idea to see the logic about being successful or not, in this case is by asking where these people came from. One way Gladwell explains it is by determining the important events in certain period of time which are based on patterns of birthdates of a group of people such as the Canadian hockey team, Czechoslovakian National Junior Soccer team and the people behind...
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...Companies that have been Unsuccessful because of their Refusal to Implement Project Management Student’s name Institution Introduction To begin with, the major objective of a business is to maximize profits. At the beginning or startup of a business, the owner expects that the business will earn him or her higher returns from his or her invested funds. However, this is not always the case almost businesses fail to meet this desired goal. What then are the causes of these disappointments? How can the problem be resolved? Well, project management is among the best techniques or strategies that can enable a business to attain its desired goal of profit maximization. Failure to implement project management in a business has been found to affect the performance of many businesses (Robbins & Coulter, 2005). This paper contains a detailed explanation of three companies that have been unsuccessful because of their refusal to implement project management. The three companies with some background information Alpa, MiniScribe and Panther are among the companies that have become unsuccessful due to lack of implementing project management. Beginning with Alpa, it previously used to design and manufacture 35 mm SLR cameras. It was known as among the best companies in this task. However, Alpa could not attain their goal. Not only did they fail to earn higher returns or profits but they ended up experiencing a bankruptcy something that made them to sell the company. Today, those who...
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...freedom. For some, it includes a boat, a RV, and a cottage by the lake. However, another definition of success doesn’t list any of these. Success does not have anything to do with material goods but is rather tied to broader concepts. One measure of success is how happy a person is. For some people, they might feel their happiest when they have luxurious items. However, this is not universally true and is consequently not a true measure of success. Happiness for most people is a happy and loving family. If this is someone’s definition of success, then their family is what defines their success. For some, this success might mean trying new things and a lifestyle that supports it. Success is tied in with happiness because they are both highly subjective. Health can also be considered a defining factor in success. People feel unsuccessful if they, or someone they love, are not healthy. For instance, can father feel successful if his child is ill? This is why doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and hospitals are so important. Not only do they allow people to live longer, but they also allow people to feel successful in their life. Finally, success can mean overcoming hardships. No one likes hard and rough times with tears and pain. Someone who has come through the pain often feels like he or she has accomplished something. An individual that has overcome an obstacle achieves a measure of success. As David Brinkley has stated, a man can be proud if he has laid “a firm foundation with the bricks...
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...Success Success can have a billion and one definitions, all depending on the person defining it. Therefore, making the search for success a difficult journey. For some individuals it only means fame and money while for others it is something more personal. For me success is a balance of both the materialistic and the spiritual. My idea of success is having the financial freedom to maintain my family, accept and love myself, and also being an active member of my future community. Regardless of the definition people may have on success, it can only be reached through certain qualities that not every individual possesses. To reach success one must have patience. We all heard of the famous sang “patience is key” yet we fail to apply it to our problematic situations. Without patience we soon give up and move along the path of life in search for something else that will take less time. Nothing that...
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...[pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic][pic] [pic] [pic] I.I- Why change is important...............................I I.II- Definition of change management...............I I.III- Organization’s function...............................II I.IV- Organizations mission statement.............III IV- Organizations aims.....................................III [pic] …...................IV II.I- Make urgency happen..................................IV II.II- Create a motivated and diverse team …....V II.III- Showing directives for change …..............V II.IV- Exemplifying the steps for success..........V II.V- Face barriers................................................VI II.VI- Search for short-time results.....................VI II.VII- Moving on to change.................................VI II.VIII- Assuring the change is implemented in the company...............................................................VI II.IX-SWOT Analysis..........................................VII II.X-TOWS Analysis.......................................VIII-IX [pic] …................X [pic] IV.I- First recommendation..................................XI IV.II- Second recommendation ….......................XI IV.III- Third recommendation …..........................XI IV.IV- Forth recommendation ….........................XI IV.V- Final recommendation...............................XI [pic] …..............
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...Syracuse University is a business technology analyst. She have a dual degree in Finance and Information Management and Technology. She is aspire to become an effective international business communicator and is currently have more than one year working experience as business technology analyst. Practices that will cause failures in IM management In this specific position, the practice that you cannot correctly translate the business requirement into technical requirement will most likely be the case failure in IM management. Considering the specific profile listed above, it is possible for her to incorrectly translate the requirement since she didn’t have the strong technology background. Business analyst is now crucial for the success of the information management. Since this position provide the “translation service” for the business department and technology department, and imprecise translations will result in failure of the project. A study [2] has showed that poor definition requirements (50%), communications problems (14%) and inadequate risk management (17%) are the major reasons for failure of projects. And these are all related to business analyst. Illustration As shown above, poor definition requirements is the condition that most likely lead to the failure. For example, Business requirements are high level requirements that management and a board of directors would typically...
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...Defining the Issues/Problem Statement: Introduction Arauco was formed in 1979 when two construction companies merged together to become one. A year after Arauco had already begun expanding, which included “purchasing land and plantations and the installing new technology.” The early expansion of Arauco paid off because the end result of expansion was tremendous. During the 1990s, Arauco introduced new systems and product lines to support more growth. By the early 2000s, Arauco was one of the world’s “premiere forestry enterprise.” Arauco. This led Alejandro Perez, “president and CEO of Chilean forestry company,” to propose a recommendation to invest in a “new state-of-the-art chemical pulp plant.” There are many factors to consider before making an important decision regarding expansion and investment. The Problem/Issue The problem is the CEO of Arauco is planning to invest in a chemical pulp plant in order to make Arauco the largest producer of market pulp. Although Perez wants the best for Arauco, he is concerned about the “downward trend in market pulp prices over the last few years.” The problem does not to be immediately addressed because currently Arauco is in phenomenal financial standing. Also, the problem does not require an urgent address. Being ahead of Aracruz as the biggest producer of market pulp would be a great way for Arauco to successful grow as a company. However, Arauco is in good standing where it already is. Arauco is beyond successful in the market...
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...Personal Responsibility Essay Imagine going through your entire life without taking personal responsibility for absolutely anything. How would this method of operation affect your life? Day to day life would be chaotic, career advancement would be impossible, and concepts like intrapersonal relationships would quickly become overwhelming and unfeasible. The ability and drive to take personal responsibility in life is a central focal point in the areas of creating a successful life, defining goals and priorities, and creating a structure with which to effectively guide your life. When working toward a successful life, personal responsibility is a vital cornerstone. The concept of personal responsibility is more than just being accountable for your mistakes, it involves being accountable for your actions at large, both to yourself and to others. When one is not willing to take responsibility for their own actions and advancement, the idea of personal growth becomes impossible. Accountability is the only path to true, lasting growth. In life, missteps and slip ups are inevitable, but without taking accountability for these they will just pass by as unheeded, missed opportunities to learn. Similarly, if one does not take personal responsibility for driving one’s own advancement, many opportunities will fall by the wayside and just drift by. Being truly honest with oneself and others about what you want and need is integral in establishing personal responsibility. This truth is...
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...Everyone wants to be successful and lay strategic plans of reaching it (success). A narrow interpretation of success however makes many people to have limited chances of achieving success. This is because these people will continue to find themselves jeering towards the wrong direction, hence missing out the opportunities, and happy moments along their way. The term success therefore seems to be rooted in higher educational discourse; hence it logically leads to the following three questions. • What constitutes success among the students? What are the ways of defining or describing the students' success? • What are the ways in which post secondary learning institutions promote success among the students? What are the some specified types processes in education that will contribute to, or increase...
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