BORDERS GOES BUST
The Borders bookshop chain in the UK has gone into administration.
Administrators MCR said all 45 Borders and Books Etc stores would remain open while it sought a buyer for all or some of the outlets.
Borders has suffered from increased competition from online retailers and supermarkets, and its website recently stopped taking new book orders.
DUBAI DEBT CAUSES WOBBLE
European shares have been hit by concerns over Dubai's financial health, after a government-owned company asked for an extension on repaying its debts.
The UK's FTSE 100 index lost 3.2%, its biggest one-day fall since March, after Dubai World asked creditors to postpone upcoming repayments until May 2010.
Banks were hit particularly hard on concerns over Dubai's ability to pay back its debts.
Share indexes, however, are trading at their highest levels for over a year.
JAPAN COMING OUT OF RECESSION?
Japan's exports fell at their slowest annual rate in a year in October, providing further evidence of the country's emergence from recession.
Exports from the world's second largest economy totalled 5.3tn yen ($60bn; $36bn), a fall of 23.2% from the same month a year earlier.
The main reason for the improvement was higher demand in Asia, analysts said.
Last week, Japan posted figures showing it had grown between July and September for the second straight quarter.
TESCO AND i-PHONE TEAM UP
Supermarket giant Tesco has joined a growing number of UK firms offering Apple's popular iPhone.
A spokesperson for the firm said that it hoped to offer the phone "in time for Christmas".
Although Tesco has not revealed tariffs, the spokesperson said that its prices were "competitive".
In September, it was revealed that O2 had lost its exclusive deal to sell the phone, which had been in place since its launch in 2007.
Both Vodafone and Orange have signed deals to sell the phone.
CHINA TO GO GREEN?
China has unveiled its first firm target for limiting greenhouse gas emissions, two weeks before a global summit on climate change in Copenhagen.
Beijing said it would aim to reduce its "carbon intensity" by 40-45% by the year 2020, compared with 2005 levels.
Carbon intensity, China's preferred measurement, is the amount of carbon dioxide emitted for each unit of GDP.
AND FINALLY...
The US Secret Service is investigating reports that a couple gatecrashed Tuesday night's state dinner at the White House, US media say.
Tareq and Michaele Salahi were reportedly not invited but later posted photos of themselves on Facebook.
Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said the pair were screened and the president was never in any danger, but former FBI agent Brad Garrett described the incident as a "real concern."
The Washington Post described the Salahis as "polo-playing socialites" with Ms Salahi said to be on the cast of the Real Housewives of Washington television programme.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
Who will win 3H Admin's Coca Cola Challenge?
Subject Pages
- Administration ICT Skills
- Higher Administration
- Higher Business Management
- Intermediate 1 Administration
- Intermediate 1 Business Management
- Intermediate 2 Administration
- Intermediate 2 Business Management
- S1 IT
- S2 IT
- Standard Grade Accounting & Finance
- Standard Grade Administration
- Standard Grade Business Management
What do you want to be when you grow up?!
HGS Digital Pilot Video - Chemical Reactions
Friday, 27 November 2009
Wellworths... 8months later
The Woolworth's store in Dorchester that closed and then reopened as Wellworths is getting ready for the busy Xmas period.
Claire Robertson, the manageress who bought over the failing branch remains upbeat and confident about the future.
She is the epitome of the little person who refuses to let a dream die. Whether or not she can keep her unique Wellworth's store alive in such hard fiscal times is another matter.
Indeed many Woolworth's employees are struggling to find work. Woolworth's was not only the most sentimental casualty of the recession, but it left the most people unemployed.
Fingers crossed that Claire and her team (including 20 former Woolies veterans) can survive and prosper.
Claire Robertson, the manageress who bought over the failing branch remains upbeat and confident about the future.
She is the epitome of the little person who refuses to let a dream die. Whether or not she can keep her unique Wellworth's store alive in such hard fiscal times is another matter.
Indeed many Woolworth's employees are struggling to find work. Woolworth's was not only the most sentimental casualty of the recession, but it left the most people unemployed.
Fingers crossed that Claire and her team (including 20 former Woolies veterans) can survive and prosper.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Are school leavers employable?
Two of Britain's top bosses, Sir Stuart Rose (Mark's and Spencers) and Terry Leahy (Tesco) have slated school leaver's basic education and skills when they come into their organisations.
Sir Stuart said: 'They cannot do reading. They cannot do arithmetic. They cannot do writing.'
A major poll by the charity of around 2,000 business leaders over 18 months found the education black hole was their second biggest headache after the recession.
Many young people simply do not have the ' employability', lacking skills from reading and writing to punctuality, presentation and communication, it found.
Yesterday business lobby groups also weighed in. Stephen Alambritis, from the Federation of Small Businesses, said many bosses spend 'two to four weeks' helping to educate young people when they join the firm.
Tesco boss, Sir Terry recently said: 'As the largest private employer in the country, we depend on high standards in our schools. Sadly, despite all the money that has been spent, standards are still woefully low in too many schools.
'Employers like us are often left to pick up the pieces. This is before they can start teaching them about the job they have been hired."
A recent CBI study found that 52 per cent of employers are dissatisfied with the basic literacy of school leavers and 50 per cent with their basic numeracy.
A similar amount said some teenagers are 'unable to function in the workplace', claiming they cannot make simple calculations.
The upshot of all this is the skills and knowledge gap that exists in society today.
Therefore it should be everyone's goal not only to gain the knowledge to pass exams, but to develop both the hard skills and soft skills needed to work in the 21st Century.
Basics like reading, writing and counting are essential as are timekeeping, attendance, and dressing smart.
Remember there will be hundreds of people going for the jobs, careers and professions that our pupils want. So you guys have to be at least equal if not superior in attitude and determination to compete.
It all starts in school, and remember the old adage: "There is no substitute for hard work!"
Sir Stuart said: 'They cannot do reading. They cannot do arithmetic. They cannot do writing.'
A major poll by the charity of around 2,000 business leaders over 18 months found the education black hole was their second biggest headache after the recession.
Many young people simply do not have the ' employability', lacking skills from reading and writing to punctuality, presentation and communication, it found.
Yesterday business lobby groups also weighed in. Stephen Alambritis, from the Federation of Small Businesses, said many bosses spend 'two to four weeks' helping to educate young people when they join the firm.
Tesco boss, Sir Terry recently said: 'As the largest private employer in the country, we depend on high standards in our schools. Sadly, despite all the money that has been spent, standards are still woefully low in too many schools.
'Employers like us are often left to pick up the pieces. This is before they can start teaching them about the job they have been hired."
A recent CBI study found that 52 per cent of employers are dissatisfied with the basic literacy of school leavers and 50 per cent with their basic numeracy.
A similar amount said some teenagers are 'unable to function in the workplace', claiming they cannot make simple calculations.
The upshot of all this is the skills and knowledge gap that exists in society today.
Therefore it should be everyone's goal not only to gain the knowledge to pass exams, but to develop both the hard skills and soft skills needed to work in the 21st Century.
Basics like reading, writing and counting are essential as are timekeeping, attendance, and dressing smart.
Remember there will be hundreds of people going for the jobs, careers and professions that our pupils want. So you guys have to be at least equal if not superior in attitude and determination to compete.
It all starts in school, and remember the old adage: "There is no substitute for hard work!"
Branding: Burning £1 million worth of stock!
When building a brand, one doesn't think about burning £1 million worth of stock. But that is the reality facing Scottish golf clothing manufacturer, Lyle & Scott.
Lyle and Scott have been trading for over 100 years. Some of their sweaters sell for £140 a time! The Managing Director Derrick Campbell told colleagues in London that to keep the image of the company he'd rather torch some 20,000 items of stock worth a cool £1 million than let a discount outfit such as TK Maxx sell them to customers.
Such brand protection is also a key feature of Dior and Channel's Brand Strategy. They do not wish to follow Gucci's disasterous licensing agreement of the late 80s and early 1990s where Gucci allowed other companies to make products with their name on it, and this soon flooded the market with too many Gucci products. Supply outstripped demand and prices fell. Gucci as a brand was devalued and the image of the firm suffered due to the quality of the products not always being guaranteed by the licensees.
Of course many premium brands sell their product to supermarkets who them re-brand them as their supermarket own brands. This increases profits, but do so under the label of Tesco or Marks and Spencer for example.
Of course Lyle and Scott's announcement to the Press and Media that they are willing to burn £1 million of stock makes for good copy and indeed is some free publicity, something that every brand needs.
So perhaps Lyle and Scott are being very, VERY clever about the whole incident! Lyle and Scott have been doing well of late since they targeted a younger segment of the market. Sales are up 50% from last year and seem to be going from strength to strength. So a firm to watch out for!
Lyle and Scott have been trading for over 100 years. Some of their sweaters sell for £140 a time! The Managing Director Derrick Campbell told colleagues in London that to keep the image of the company he'd rather torch some 20,000 items of stock worth a cool £1 million than let a discount outfit such as TK Maxx sell them to customers.
Such brand protection is also a key feature of Dior and Channel's Brand Strategy. They do not wish to follow Gucci's disasterous licensing agreement of the late 80s and early 1990s where Gucci allowed other companies to make products with their name on it, and this soon flooded the market with too many Gucci products. Supply outstripped demand and prices fell. Gucci as a brand was devalued and the image of the firm suffered due to the quality of the products not always being guaranteed by the licensees.
Of course many premium brands sell their product to supermarkets who them re-brand them as their supermarket own brands. This increases profits, but do so under the label of Tesco or Marks and Spencer for example.
Of course Lyle and Scott's announcement to the Press and Media that they are willing to burn £1 million of stock makes for good copy and indeed is some free publicity, something that every brand needs.
So perhaps Lyle and Scott are being very, VERY clever about the whole incident! Lyle and Scott have been doing well of late since they targeted a younger segment of the market. Sales are up 50% from last year and seem to be going from strength to strength. So a firm to watch out for!
Monday, 23 November 2009
The Last Cheque Book?
350 years after it was invented, the dear old cheque book may have seen its last dawn. Senior bankers are planning on withdrawing the service, which costs banks far more than using credit cards, direct debits or other forms of payment.
However, the move was criticised by consumer groups, business lobbyists and charities representing the elderly. They cost around £1 each to process, which is four times as much as electronic payments. Cheques could be phased out by 2018.
This also comes on top of the revelation that banks may start charging us £2.50 for withdrawing cash from their ATMs unless we have our mortgages with that bank! Apparently Santander have offered no charges for several banking services, but only if you are a mortgage customer!
Banks are sure to be in the firing line again soon, especially as some of the big bonuses are starting to appear again.
FUN FACTS
The ancient Romans are believed to have used an early form of cheque known as praescriptiones in the first century BC
The English word cheque comes from the Arabic ṣakk, which refers to a written note of credit used by Muslim merchants
The first cheque in the UK was written in 1659
Cheques are likely to be abolished in Britain in 2018
Cheque volumes in the UK peaked in 1990 when 4 billion were written
The predicted number of cheques written per day in the UK in 2018 is 1.6m
The number of cheques received each year by the average adult is five
The average value of a personal cheque payment is £227
The amount of retail spending still paid for by cheque is 3.9 per cent
Oversized cheques are often used during charity events and, regardless of size, can still be redeemed for their cash value as long as they have the same parts as a normal cheque
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest ever oversized cheque was 12m by 25m (39 ft × 82 ft)
However, the move was criticised by consumer groups, business lobbyists and charities representing the elderly. They cost around £1 each to process, which is four times as much as electronic payments. Cheques could be phased out by 2018.
This also comes on top of the revelation that banks may start charging us £2.50 for withdrawing cash from their ATMs unless we have our mortgages with that bank! Apparently Santander have offered no charges for several banking services, but only if you are a mortgage customer!
Banks are sure to be in the firing line again soon, especially as some of the big bonuses are starting to appear again.
FUN FACTS
The ancient Romans are believed to have used an early form of cheque known as praescriptiones in the first century BC
The English word cheque comes from the Arabic ṣakk, which refers to a written note of credit used by Muslim merchants
The first cheque in the UK was written in 1659
Cheques are likely to be abolished in Britain in 2018
Cheque volumes in the UK peaked in 1990 when 4 billion were written
The predicted number of cheques written per day in the UK in 2018 is 1.6m
The number of cheques received each year by the average adult is five
The average value of a personal cheque payment is £227
The amount of retail spending still paid for by cheque is 3.9 per cent
Oversized cheques are often used during charity events and, regardless of size, can still be redeemed for their cash value as long as they have the same parts as a normal cheque
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest ever oversized cheque was 12m by 25m (39 ft × 82 ft)
Graphology
Today in Higher Administration, as we were looking at different recruitment and selection methods, one that is always thrown up as being a bit off the wall is GRAPHOLOGY - the analysis of handwriting.
This technique is still popular in France and Poland. Indeed many cover letters sent with CVs are handwritten in order to analyse the personality of the person behind the scrawl.
I talked about a signature I remembered from a Pyschology class when I was at University, and I have found it!
This technique is still popular in France and Poland. Indeed many cover letters sent with CVs are handwritten in order to analyse the personality of the person behind the scrawl.
I talked about a signature I remembered from a Pyschology class when I was at University, and I have found it!
This is the evolving signature of disgraced US President, Richard Milhous Nixon, who when faced with a US election in 1972, had spies bug the Democratic convention in the Watergate building.
Nixon, who was infamous for spreading the Vietnam war to Cambodia, was found guilty of wrong-doing. He was and still is the only US President to be impeached (although Bill Clinton was dangerously close!). Nixon left office with the immortal words on TV: "There can be no whitewash at the White House."
Nixon's tempermental life has been shown in movies such as Nixon (by director Oliver Stone, and portrayed by Anthony Hopkins) and Frost/Nixon, where he was played by Frank Langella.
In our examples of his signature, we can see that in 1968 and 69 his handwriting was distinct and even quite nice! But by 1973 when details of the scandal broke it got worse, and by 1974 it was just like a flatline.
Nixon and the Watergate scandal has one lasting impact on modern society... any public scandal now has the suffix GATE, as in Irangate, Dianagate, and Boozegate.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Future of Sportsmanship in Football
The furore following France's World Cup playoff victory over Republic of Ireland has opened up the whole technology debate again. Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his hand, not once, but twice before crossing the ball for Gallas to score.
The referee came in for some criticism, but I believe there is another culprit.
After this shameful incident pundits and fans alike have been crying out for TV evidence to be introduced, much in the same way as American Football, Cricket, Rugby and even Tennis.
However I think everyone is missing the point. For too long Footballers have ducked responsibility. Footballers are always cheating during a game, whether diving for a penalty, making an injury look worse to get an opponent sent off, or handling the ball. Now this is not gamesmanship, it is pure 100% cheating.
The argument that because football is a billion dollar industry and is results orientated does not hold water. Tennis, Golf and Snooker all have million dollar prizes, but the competitors in such sports call fouls on themselves.
Football is a sport that has many young people viewing. Footballers have to be role models and conduct themselves appropriately on and off the park. They are well paid so they can surely see good behaviour during the game, and good behaviour when they are out in the town as occupational hazards.
The integrity of Football is at stake. Money and TV have seen Football sell its soul with sporting miracles, David and Goliath stories becoming fewer. In fact most football matches are rather dull. Over exposure is in danger of killing it off.
Football has to win over the next generation of fans who are used to playing XBox and PS3 rather than go out on a wet, muddy pitch.
But I firmly believe Football has to clean up it's act if it is to remain relevant for the 21st Century. The very least that should happen is that Thierry Henry and players who do what he did are given life bans. That would change the game overnight. It wouldn't be worth their while to cheat.
The referee came in for some criticism, but I believe there is another culprit.
After this shameful incident pundits and fans alike have been crying out for TV evidence to be introduced, much in the same way as American Football, Cricket, Rugby and even Tennis.
However I think everyone is missing the point. For too long Footballers have ducked responsibility. Footballers are always cheating during a game, whether diving for a penalty, making an injury look worse to get an opponent sent off, or handling the ball. Now this is not gamesmanship, it is pure 100% cheating.
The argument that because football is a billion dollar industry and is results orientated does not hold water. Tennis, Golf and Snooker all have million dollar prizes, but the competitors in such sports call fouls on themselves.
Football is a sport that has many young people viewing. Footballers have to be role models and conduct themselves appropriately on and off the park. They are well paid so they can surely see good behaviour during the game, and good behaviour when they are out in the town as occupational hazards.
The integrity of Football is at stake. Money and TV have seen Football sell its soul with sporting miracles, David and Goliath stories becoming fewer. In fact most football matches are rather dull. Over exposure is in danger of killing it off.
Football has to win over the next generation of fans who are used to playing XBox and PS3 rather than go out on a wet, muddy pitch.
But I firmly believe Football has to clean up it's act if it is to remain relevant for the 21st Century. The very least that should happen is that Thierry Henry and players who do what he did are given life bans. That would change the game overnight. It wouldn't be worth their while to cheat.
Friday, 20 November 2009
Digital Economy Bill
The Government plan to pass a new bill which will deal with many problems of our Digital Age.
It includes:
Taking action against illegal file-sharing forcing ISPs to take action against infringers. This includes the controversial measure which could see repeat offenders cut off
Amending the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act if in future new communications technologies allow content to be copied in new ways
A new duty on Ofcom to encourage investment the spread of next-generation broadband. Part of this involves that £6 telephone tax - but that will be introduced via the pre-Budget report
Digital "safety measures" to stop firms registering domain names for illicit use
Compulsory age ratings on video games aimed at players aged 12 and over
It includes:
Taking action against illegal file-sharing forcing ISPs to take action against infringers. This includes the controversial measure which could see repeat offenders cut off
Amending the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act if in future new communications technologies allow content to be copied in new ways
A new duty on Ofcom to encourage investment the spread of next-generation broadband. Part of this involves that £6 telephone tax - but that will be introduced via the pre-Budget report
Digital "safety measures" to stop firms registering domain names for illicit use
Compulsory age ratings on video games aimed at players aged 12 and over
How can we feed the planet?
With an uncertain future and a rapidly expanding human population, how are we going to avoid famine on a massive scale?
1 Hold on to water
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says irrigated areas must expand by 11 per cent by 2025, yet the ancient aquifers that feed much of the world's food production are running dry.
2 Stop ploughing
For 1000 years, farmers have turned over the top layer of soil to bury and kill weed seeds. This is expensive, damages soils and releases greenhouse gases.
3 Go back to basics
Creating high-yielding seeds is only worthwhile if farmers have access to them, and can sell their produce for a profit. "There are varieties of maize that resist climate stress or disease, but how do you get them to farmers?" asks Prabhu Pingali, deputy head of agriculture at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
4 Boost yields
Mark Rosegrant of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) calculates that crops that will yield 25 per cent more food would boost African food production more than doubling irrigation would. It might also be easier. "We have tremendous options to enhance yields," says Hans Braun, head of wheat at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
Source: New Scientist.
Read more here: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427353.500-four-ways-to-feed-the-world.html
1 Hold on to water
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says irrigated areas must expand by 11 per cent by 2025, yet the ancient aquifers that feed much of the world's food production are running dry.
2 Stop ploughing
For 1000 years, farmers have turned over the top layer of soil to bury and kill weed seeds. This is expensive, damages soils and releases greenhouse gases.
3 Go back to basics
Creating high-yielding seeds is only worthwhile if farmers have access to them, and can sell their produce for a profit. "There are varieties of maize that resist climate stress or disease, but how do you get them to farmers?" asks Prabhu Pingali, deputy head of agriculture at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
4 Boost yields
Mark Rosegrant of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) calculates that crops that will yield 25 per cent more food would boost African food production more than doubling irrigation would. It might also be easier. "We have tremendous options to enhance yields," says Hans Braun, head of wheat at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
Source: New Scientist.
Read more here: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427353.500-four-ways-to-feed-the-world.html
The 1000 mph Car
The race is on to build a supersonic car capable of travelling 1,000 mph (1609 km/h)
3 teams are invovled: the Bloodhound SSC Team from the UK, and Canadian-American (Northearn Eagle) and Australian competitors.
The existing land speed record is 800 mph, which is held by the UK team.
The Northern Eagle team are not actually building a car at all. They are converting a rocket for land!
This reminds me of the X-Prize which was the attempt to put a private rocket into space and return it safely.
The need for speed is something that has fascinated mankind throughout human history, and the advances in technology in the 21st Century make us wonder what is possible and what will just always be out of the reach of human engineering and ingenuity.
Cars that go faster than aeroplanes are certainly something new!
3 teams are invovled: the Bloodhound SSC Team from the UK, and Canadian-American (Northearn Eagle) and Australian competitors.
The existing land speed record is 800 mph, which is held by the UK team.
The Northern Eagle team are not actually building a car at all. They are converting a rocket for land!
This reminds me of the X-Prize which was the attempt to put a private rocket into space and return it safely.
The need for speed is something that has fascinated mankind throughout human history, and the advances in technology in the 21st Century make us wonder what is possible and what will just always be out of the reach of human engineering and ingenuity.
Cars that go faster than aeroplanes are certainly something new!
Monday, 9 November 2009
How will we solve our energy needs in the future?
How will the UK supply the increasing demand for power in the future?
Fossil fuels? Nuclear power? Renewable energy?
We have to consider financial cost, impact on the enviroment, public safety, and the quantity/volume that can be delivered.
Have a look at the BBC's energy calculator to see if you can decide what you think is the best way for the future:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/06/electricity_calc/html/1.stm
Fossil fuels? Nuclear power? Renewable energy?
We have to consider financial cost, impact on the enviroment, public safety, and the quantity/volume that can be delivered.
Have a look at the BBC's energy calculator to see if you can decide what you think is the best way for the future:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/06/electricity_calc/html/1.stm
Brazil to be a major player by 2026!
From BBC News:
Brazil has often been derided as the eternal country of the future. But now, it seems, that future has a date: 2026.
Brazil is stronger than before it went into recession, says Guido Mantega
At present, Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world and has the fifth-largest population as well.
But in 17 years' time, it will also be the fifth-largest economy in the world, says its finance minister, Guido Mantega.
"These figures are from the Economist Intelligence Unit," he told an audience of businessmen and journalists in London.
As he spoke, a slide showing a series of league tables outlined exactly how Brazil is expected to achieve this.
According to these projections, it will leapfrog the UK, France and Italy as early as 2011, before reaching the number five slot in 2026 with a gross domestic product of $5.721tn in purchasing power parity terms.
"If we took the World Bank figures, we would already be in fifth place in 2014," he said.
"We were more modest and took statistics that put us there in 2026, when China will already be the number one world economy."
This is interesting in that Rio has been awarded the Olympics for 2016 and the World Cup is going to Brazil in 2014. This means that Brazil's international profile will be huge for basically most of the upcoming decade. Investment in Brazil's infrastructure and economy will surely have a knock-on effect on the living conditions of some of the deprived people living in favellas.
The positive aspect of a nation having a vision is crucial. I remember how Malaysia ran the 2020 project which aims for that South East Asian nation to become a member of the developed world and helped Kuala Lumpur win the 1998 Commonwealth Games and built the Petronas Twin Towers and the Menara KL Tower. KL is a bustling, booming city. One of the jewels of the Far East.
Brazil and Rio are perhaps aiming to be the first true South American global player. A continent rich in natural deposits has for too long been exploited by the West and Multinational corporations at the expense of the local people.
Hopefully if Brazil does see its economy grow they will also feel the weight of world responsibility to protect the Amazonian rainforest and all the important species of plants, animals and birdlife that live in that ecosphere. Conservation of the Amazon is hugely important to the future of the planet. So we all have an interest in the future of Brazil.
Study Points:
- What are the future implications of large nations such as Brazil, China and India becoming heavily industrialised by the early 21st century?
- What are the benefits to Brazil of hosting the 2016 Olympics and 2014 World Cup?
- How can the International Community help Brazil save the rainforest?
Top 10 Inventions of All Time
A public vote to find the best inventions uncovered the following results:
1st place - X-ray machines
2nd place - Penicillin
3rd place - DNA double helix
4th place - Apollo 10 capsule
5th place - V2 Rocket Engine
6th place - Stephenson's Rocket
7th place - Pilot ACE Computer
8th place - Steam Engine
9th place - Model T Ford
10th place - Electric Telegraph
Source: BBC News
1st place - X-ray machines
2nd place - Penicillin
3rd place - DNA double helix
4th place - Apollo 10 capsule
5th place - V2 Rocket Engine
6th place - Stephenson's Rocket
7th place - Pilot ACE Computer
8th place - Steam Engine
9th place - Model T Ford
10th place - Electric Telegraph
Source: BBC News
Friday, 6 November 2009
2009 Higher Business Research Project Champions!
This year's winners with the very interersting Wal-Mart presentation were:
Stuart Annetts
Ryan Barnstaple
Calum Innes
The class was judged by Miss Dunlop's S3 Administration class and Head Judge PC Jim Foy.
Well done to the winners and to everyone who took part. The slides will be available on www.slideshare.net
Stuart Annetts
Ryan Barnstaple
Calum Innes
The class was judged by Miss Dunlop's S3 Administration class and Head Judge PC Jim Foy.
Well done to the winners and to everyone who took part. The slides will be available on www.slideshare.net
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
AB Tests - November
Just a bit of prior warning to senior pupils!
This year's AB test will take place on the following dates:
Higher Business Management
19th November 2009
Higher Administration
20th November 2009
Remember these tests are designed to judge how you are performing. They are as important as prelims, make no mistake about it!
Higher Business Management AB Test will be a 50 mark paper, made up of past paper questions. This is half a prelim since we will have only covered about half the course by then.
Make note of the command words!
Higher Administration AB Test consists of 2 papers. Paper 1 is a 30 mark written exam; Paper 2 is a 30 mark practical (ICT) exam. I believe that this AB Test in particular helped Higher Administration pupils a great deal as they had to deal with time pressure early on in the course.
You will not be asked something that hasn't been taught yet, so make sure you have already started studying - i.e. revising and ordering your notes. This is also why making a good attempt at homework is vital. Homework gives you an opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them without the pressure of an examiner! Homework is there to aid learning, not as a stick to beat you over the head with!
So I want to see you guys become Booksmarts!
This year's AB test will take place on the following dates:
Higher Business Management
19th November 2009
Higher Administration
20th November 2009
Remember these tests are designed to judge how you are performing. They are as important as prelims, make no mistake about it!
Higher Business Management AB Test will be a 50 mark paper, made up of past paper questions. This is half a prelim since we will have only covered about half the course by then.
Make note of the command words!
Higher Administration AB Test consists of 2 papers. Paper 1 is a 30 mark written exam; Paper 2 is a 30 mark practical (ICT) exam. I believe that this AB Test in particular helped Higher Administration pupils a great deal as they had to deal with time pressure early on in the course.
You will not be asked something that hasn't been taught yet, so make sure you have already started studying - i.e. revising and ordering your notes. This is also why making a good attempt at homework is vital. Homework gives you an opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them without the pressure of an examiner! Homework is there to aid learning, not as a stick to beat you over the head with!
So I want to see you guys become Booksmarts!
Monday, 26 October 2009
The Apprentice is back!
Tonight on BBC 1 at Midnight (great time for pupils to watch... NOT!) the best TV show in the world is back. Forget grumpy Alan Sugar and his UK version.
The Apprentice with Donald Trump is the original and best show! We're finally getting to see Season Four after a lengthy gap of two years.
So what makes Trump's version so good?
Well it is actually pretty educational and of course it is entertaining. The characters on the show make some of the craziest decisions known to man!
I normally don't get excited about TV but this is my favourite show of recent years. Some of the reasons for people getting fired are incredible! Remember Brian who was going to sort everyone out in the Board Room?
TRUMP: "Who should I fire, Brian?"
BRIAN: "You should fire me me."
TRUMP:"I should fire you?"
BRIAN: "Yes, Mr Trump."
TRUMP:"Okay Brian, you're fired. That was the quickest Board Room ever!"
TV gold!
The Apprentice with Donald Trump is the original and best show! We're finally getting to see Season Four after a lengthy gap of two years.
So what makes Trump's version so good?
Well it is actually pretty educational and of course it is entertaining. The characters on the show make some of the craziest decisions known to man!
I normally don't get excited about TV but this is my favourite show of recent years. Some of the reasons for people getting fired are incredible! Remember Brian who was going to sort everyone out in the Board Room?
TRUMP: "Who should I fire, Brian?"
BRIAN: "You should fire me me."
TRUMP:"I should fire you?"
BRIAN: "Yes, Mr Trump."
TRUMP:"Okay Brian, you're fired. That was the quickest Board Room ever!"
TV gold!
Friday, 23 October 2009
Nokia take on Apple
TWhen you have been No. 1 in any industry, the only was is down. This happened to Nokia, the Finnish mobile phone giant.
Nokia makes beautiful phones, but they needed to offer extra funtcions to keep up with Apple. To create a smartphone!
The iPhone has become the gold standard by which all other mobiles are measured.
Nokia has lost substantial ground in the North American cell phone market.
Apple, according to Nokia, has gotten a free ride since the iPhone launched—a very fast ride. Apple commands 22% of the smartphone market in the US, and globally, it holds 12% of the market, more than doubling its share from last year.
Meanwhile, despite its best efforts, Nokia has steadily lost ground. It holds 40% of the market, down from 43% last year, according to IDC. And in the competitive North American market, Nokia is barely holding its own with just 3%.
Nokia is now ringing the changes to create a range of smartphones able to match Apple's iPhone. But will it have it's rival's 'cool' factor?
Source: Fortune
Nokia makes beautiful phones, but they needed to offer extra funtcions to keep up with Apple. To create a smartphone!
The iPhone has become the gold standard by which all other mobiles are measured.
Nokia has lost substantial ground in the North American cell phone market.
Apple, according to Nokia, has gotten a free ride since the iPhone launched—a very fast ride. Apple commands 22% of the smartphone market in the US, and globally, it holds 12% of the market, more than doubling its share from last year.
Meanwhile, despite its best efforts, Nokia has steadily lost ground. It holds 40% of the market, down from 43% last year, according to IDC. And in the competitive North American market, Nokia is barely holding its own with just 3%.
Nokia is now ringing the changes to create a range of smartphones able to match Apple's iPhone. But will it have it's rival's 'cool' factor?
Source: Fortune
Question Time and Free Speech
I normally do not wade into politics, but tonight on Question Time the leader of a rather nasty party appeared. I do not wish to even name the person, who is an MEP(!) but it is important that in our modern and democratic society that everyone has a right to be heard.
What I would point out is that any sensible person would distance themselves from the ideals of such a party based on hate and division. The MEP's party stands for subject matter that is distasteful in the extreme.
I have often wondered when we as a people, as a species (ONE species I hasten to add!) are going to mature and grow up? We often say this to students and we are so proud when we see the maturing and self-realisation of what life is about among the young! When they realise they can have fun and excitement learning and celebrating diversity. Life is such a short experience that we should make the best of it and try and help people, not hinder them.
Imagine if the world all worked together in peace? How incredible would that be? Would it be like the world of Star Trek? Where we could explore the universe? Or would it be a world were we didn't have to spend money on weapons and armies and instead devote ourselves to feeding the hungry, helping the poor and curing disease?
Well we can live in hope. And hopefully the great job that educators around the world do to sharpen young inquiring minds will make a difference to the future.
What I would point out is that any sensible person would distance themselves from the ideals of such a party based on hate and division. The MEP's party stands for subject matter that is distasteful in the extreme.
I have often wondered when we as a people, as a species (ONE species I hasten to add!) are going to mature and grow up? We often say this to students and we are so proud when we see the maturing and self-realisation of what life is about among the young! When they realise they can have fun and excitement learning and celebrating diversity. Life is such a short experience that we should make the best of it and try and help people, not hinder them.
Imagine if the world all worked together in peace? How incredible would that be? Would it be like the world of Star Trek? Where we could explore the universe? Or would it be a world were we didn't have to spend money on weapons and armies and instead devote ourselves to feeding the hungry, helping the poor and curing disease?
Well we can live in hope. And hopefully the great job that educators around the world do to sharpen young inquiring minds will make a difference to the future.
Scratch Programming
This week I attended a CPD course on Scratch Programming which is a fun way to introduce pupils to programming - a topic many students dread!
The excellent course was run by Frank Frame, the Advisor for Computing, and it was very hands on. We got to create some programs from scratch (no pun intended) as well as following the excellent resources.
Scratch is obviously going to fit in well with the aims of Curriculum for Excellence. An interesting piece of news was that apparently the uptake for Computing courses in Higher and Further Education is not as high as it once was, and there are many concerns about this. Scratch is one such reaction to this, by trying to remove the 'nerdy' or 'geeky' image of Computing and trying to make it more interesting to pupils.
I have found this pretty interesting since Business subject degrees (in all their many forms such as Economics, Marketing, Accounting, Management, Human Resources, Operations, Logistics etc) are among the highest uptake in Higher and Further Education Institutions. Yet the experiences of pupils in schools differ from school to school. If Business is so popular at University and College then surely with our new Curriculum for Excellence there should be MORE Business courses available for pupils from 3-18 rather than less? I am sure this was at the forefront of the inclusion of Business outcomes and experiences in the Social Subjects document.
Business subjects offer students the chance to learn hard and soft skills which are vital in the workplace. Indeed, Business subjects are uniquely positioned to help pupils gain insight into industry which is after all where we hope our young people will eventually end up and contributing to society as a whole!
The excellent course was run by Frank Frame, the Advisor for Computing, and it was very hands on. We got to create some programs from scratch (no pun intended) as well as following the excellent resources.
Scratch is obviously going to fit in well with the aims of Curriculum for Excellence. An interesting piece of news was that apparently the uptake for Computing courses in Higher and Further Education is not as high as it once was, and there are many concerns about this. Scratch is one such reaction to this, by trying to remove the 'nerdy' or 'geeky' image of Computing and trying to make it more interesting to pupils.
I have found this pretty interesting since Business subject degrees (in all their many forms such as Economics, Marketing, Accounting, Management, Human Resources, Operations, Logistics etc) are among the highest uptake in Higher and Further Education Institutions. Yet the experiences of pupils in schools differ from school to school. If Business is so popular at University and College then surely with our new Curriculum for Excellence there should be MORE Business courses available for pupils from 3-18 rather than less? I am sure this was at the forefront of the inclusion of Business outcomes and experiences in the Social Subjects document.
Business subjects offer students the chance to learn hard and soft skills which are vital in the workplace. Indeed, Business subjects are uniquely positioned to help pupils gain insight into industry which is after all where we hope our young people will eventually end up and contributing to society as a whole!
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
In the News...
CHINESE ELECTRIC CAR
Chinese firm BYD says that its new E6 electric car due out before the end of the year will do 250 miles (400km) on a single charge.
This is a very big number. The Tesla electric sports car does almost as much, but has little room for anything else in the car but the battery.
The E6 is roomy with space for five passengers and a good-sized boot. The battery tucks under the back seat.
It needs 7-8 hours with a domestic plug to charge the car but BYD - it stands for Build Your Dreams - says a specially developed fast charging point with a lead the diameter of a fire hose will fill up the car in just one hour. You can get half a charge in only 10 minutes.
If these claims are accurate and if BYD can persuade either the Chinese government or a Chinese city to install a network of the fast chargers, then this large hatchback could be the vehicle that makes the breakthrough for electric cars.
VW TO BUY 50% OF PORSCHE
Europe's largest carmaker, Volkswagen, has said it is to buy 49.9% of sports car maker Porsche by the end of 2009 for about 3.9bn euros (£3.54bn;$5.8bn).
In August VW and Porsche agreed the details by which VW will merge with its German compatriot by 2011.
VW had initially been set to buy a 42% stake in Porsche by the end of this year for 3.3bn euros.
The deal will end months of acrimony between the two firms, and would end Porsche's failed efforts to buy VW.
APPLE PROFITS UP
Apple has shrugged off the recession with profits surging on demand for its iPhones, laptops and desktop computers.
The technology giant made a net profit of $1.67bn (£1bn) in the three months to 26 September, up 47% on a year earlier. Sales rose 25% to $9.87bn.
Computer sales grew 17%, and iPhone sales climbed 7%, though there was an 8% drop in the number of iPods sold.
The results come ahead of rival Microsoft launching its new Windows 7 operating system later this week.
Shares in California-based Apple closed at $189.86 on the Nasdaq index, but rose to above $200 in extended trading on the results, which were well ahead of what analysts had forecast.
Source: BBC News
Chinese firm BYD says that its new E6 electric car due out before the end of the year will do 250 miles (400km) on a single charge.
This is a very big number. The Tesla electric sports car does almost as much, but has little room for anything else in the car but the battery.
The E6 is roomy with space for five passengers and a good-sized boot. The battery tucks under the back seat.
It needs 7-8 hours with a domestic plug to charge the car but BYD - it stands for Build Your Dreams - says a specially developed fast charging point with a lead the diameter of a fire hose will fill up the car in just one hour. You can get half a charge in only 10 minutes.
If these claims are accurate and if BYD can persuade either the Chinese government or a Chinese city to install a network of the fast chargers, then this large hatchback could be the vehicle that makes the breakthrough for electric cars.
VW TO BUY 50% OF PORSCHE
Europe's largest carmaker, Volkswagen, has said it is to buy 49.9% of sports car maker Porsche by the end of 2009 for about 3.9bn euros (£3.54bn;$5.8bn).
In August VW and Porsche agreed the details by which VW will merge with its German compatriot by 2011.
VW had initially been set to buy a 42% stake in Porsche by the end of this year for 3.3bn euros.
The deal will end months of acrimony between the two firms, and would end Porsche's failed efforts to buy VW.
APPLE PROFITS UP
Apple has shrugged off the recession with profits surging on demand for its iPhones, laptops and desktop computers.
The technology giant made a net profit of $1.67bn (£1bn) in the three months to 26 September, up 47% on a year earlier. Sales rose 25% to $9.87bn.
Computer sales grew 17%, and iPhone sales climbed 7%, though there was an 8% drop in the number of iPods sold.
The results come ahead of rival Microsoft launching its new Windows 7 operating system later this week.
Shares in California-based Apple closed at $189.86 on the Nasdaq index, but rose to above $200 in extended trading on the results, which were well ahead of what analysts had forecast.
Source: BBC News
V for Victory! 80s TV Nostalgia!
Childhood in the 1980s was so different to that of the modern schoolkids of the new millennium. Not only did we not have mobile phones, but all we had was the very basic Atari video game console and having to live with the very real threat of thermonuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union.
However, there were some iconic TV moments that affected kids all over the world. I have already mentioned in a previous post the brilliance of Carl Sagan's Cosmos, but another TV event that was just simply earth shattering was a 1983 sci-fi mini series called V.
V was the story of the arrival of 50 alien motherships over the major cities of Earth. The Visitors, as the aliens became known, looked like us and promised to cure disease in return for some much needed gases to help their own world.
But as everyone knows what made this sci-fi programme that little bit different was the real intentions of the aliens and the obvious parallels with the Nazis in the 1930s. The Visitors were not benign. They rounded up scientists and people who did not cooperate to either put them to work or make them disappear just like Hitler and Stalin did.
There was one true ace card that V had that would be hard to replicate now. The shock factor of their true appearance! The Visitors did not look like us at all. Instead they were reptiles and they fed on mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats... you name it. Indeed the two scenes ("Mousey, Mousey... and Steven and Diana's feast) with food were replicated on many playgrounds. Also the Visitors were not here for gases, but for our water and to stockpile humans for food!
The heroic resistance fought against the Visitors and while Mike Donovan - a TV cameraman come action hero was a poor man's Han Solo - the real star of the show was the alien's chief science officer, the afore mentioned Diana. Diana became the breakout character of the show and its sequel and subsequent series. She was cool, efficient and rather nasty! But she was easily the most popular character in the show.
Which leads me to the new reimagining by US TV. The new V is being premiered on November the 3rd but rather than the 1930s parallels it will be more relevant to the post-9/11 world. But in this new series the leader of the Visitors is called Anna. It seems Diana has been left alone, which is good in one sense (because who else could play Diana other than Jane Badler?) and bad because she was such a fun character.
There is a very poignant scene in V at the end of the very first episode. Kids are spray painting a poster of the Visitors but it is just like graffiti. An old Holocaust survivor, Abraham, shouts at them and tells them to "do it right!" Abraham sprays the titular 'V' on the poster and in a truly uplifting moment tells them: "V. For victory!"
However, there were some iconic TV moments that affected kids all over the world. I have already mentioned in a previous post the brilliance of Carl Sagan's Cosmos, but another TV event that was just simply earth shattering was a 1983 sci-fi mini series called V.
V was the story of the arrival of 50 alien motherships over the major cities of Earth. The Visitors, as the aliens became known, looked like us and promised to cure disease in return for some much needed gases to help their own world.
But as everyone knows what made this sci-fi programme that little bit different was the real intentions of the aliens and the obvious parallels with the Nazis in the 1930s. The Visitors were not benign. They rounded up scientists and people who did not cooperate to either put them to work or make them disappear just like Hitler and Stalin did.
There was one true ace card that V had that would be hard to replicate now. The shock factor of their true appearance! The Visitors did not look like us at all. Instead they were reptiles and they fed on mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats... you name it. Indeed the two scenes ("Mousey, Mousey... and Steven and Diana's feast) with food were replicated on many playgrounds. Also the Visitors were not here for gases, but for our water and to stockpile humans for food!
The heroic resistance fought against the Visitors and while Mike Donovan - a TV cameraman come action hero was a poor man's Han Solo - the real star of the show was the alien's chief science officer, the afore mentioned Diana. Diana became the breakout character of the show and its sequel and subsequent series. She was cool, efficient and rather nasty! But she was easily the most popular character in the show.
Which leads me to the new reimagining by US TV. The new V is being premiered on November the 3rd but rather than the 1930s parallels it will be more relevant to the post-9/11 world. But in this new series the leader of the Visitors is called Anna. It seems Diana has been left alone, which is good in one sense (because who else could play Diana other than Jane Badler?) and bad because she was such a fun character.
There is a very poignant scene in V at the end of the very first episode. Kids are spray painting a poster of the Visitors but it is just like graffiti. An old Holocaust survivor, Abraham, shouts at them and tells them to "do it right!" Abraham sprays the titular 'V' on the poster and in a truly uplifting moment tells them: "V. For victory!"
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Higher Administration Study Guide
Pupils in Higher Administration this year have been set the task of creating an e-book on the Theory elements of the course.
We were inspired by the Higher Still Revision Notes created by pupils some years ago. I have been wanting to do it for quite some time, but this year we have 6 periods and I think we can donate 1 a week to this revision task.
I also think changing the order of the course is working. Moving Spreadsheet and Database skills up to the start of the course and moving Word Processing back is a good move. Plus doing ITFM first and leaving Administrative Services until now is also a good idea.
So the Higher Administration eBook Team are already underway creating the ITFM element of their ebook. Everything must be original and this will include images, diagrams and photographs. A big challenge, but worthwhile all the same.
We were inspired by the Higher Still Revision Notes created by pupils some years ago. I have been wanting to do it for quite some time, but this year we have 6 periods and I think we can donate 1 a week to this revision task.
I also think changing the order of the course is working. Moving Spreadsheet and Database skills up to the start of the course and moving Word Processing back is a good move. Plus doing ITFM first and leaving Administrative Services until now is also a good idea.
So the Higher Administration eBook Team are already underway creating the ITFM element of their ebook. Everything must be original and this will include images, diagrams and photographs. A big challenge, but worthwhile all the same.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
James Cameron's Avatar
With Hamilton Grammar School working on our greenscreen it is quite appropriate that the next step in motion picture evolution is being pioneered at the same time by legendary Oscar winning director James Cameron. His movie Avatar is shot in 3-D and almost everything is computer generated.
The heroes of the movie, the Na'vi are ten foot tall blue aliens who are not cartoons but an ever better generation of CGI from Gollum.
The film is about the human colonisation and exploitation of a small planet called Pandora. And the planet is so hostile that humans use clones of the Na'vi to roam the planet... the avatars of the title. The avatars are created but have a human mind implanted into it. For the hero of the movie, Jake Sully - a crippled war veteran - it offers him a new life.
Using CGI and greenscren technology really fires the imagination, so hopefully we can come up with some great projects of our own!
For more information about this movie go to:
http://www2.avatarmovie.com/
The heroes of the movie, the Na'vi are ten foot tall blue aliens who are not cartoons but an ever better generation of CGI from Gollum.
The film is about the human colonisation and exploitation of a small planet called Pandora. And the planet is so hostile that humans use clones of the Na'vi to roam the planet... the avatars of the title. The avatars are created but have a human mind implanted into it. For the hero of the movie, Jake Sully - a crippled war veteran - it offers him a new life.
Using CGI and greenscren technology really fires the imagination, so hopefully we can come up with some great projects of our own!
For more information about this movie go to:
http://www2.avatarmovie.com/
Monday, 5 October 2009
Divided States of America?
It seems that not everyone is being nice to each other during this time of recession. In the United States the 50 States are all competing hard against each other for new businesses to locate in their state and also the good old tourist dollar.
One state in particular, Indiana, seems to be poaching more than its fair share of custom! Indiana is relying on negative advertising, slagging off some other States and an aggressive sales visit task force to nearby states such as Ohio and Michigan.
Read more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8273664.stm
Tourism is in the Service Sector, the Tertiary Sector. As Developed nations become less industrialised services such as Tourism, Retail and Banking are becoming more and more important. We have also witnessed this in Dubai with their attempts to move away from their oil rich past and present. They are preparing for an oil-lite future!
One state in particular, Indiana, seems to be poaching more than its fair share of custom! Indiana is relying on negative advertising, slagging off some other States and an aggressive sales visit task force to nearby states such as Ohio and Michigan.
Read more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8273664.stm
Tourism is in the Service Sector, the Tertiary Sector. As Developed nations become less industrialised services such as Tourism, Retail and Banking are becoming more and more important. We have also witnessed this in Dubai with their attempts to move away from their oil rich past and present. They are preparing for an oil-lite future!
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Michael Palin - A Salute!
Who is my favourite Travel writer/presenter? Some go for the comedians such as Billy Connolly, Paul Merton or Griff Rhys Jones; others for the flamboyant Italian Francesco Da Mosta, while QI egghead Stephen Fry is gaining more fans by the minute with his very interesting series America and his Last Chance to See programmes.
But... "I didn't want to be a Business Teacher. Oh no. I wanted to be ... a LUMBERJACK!"
No I haven't lost it. Michael Palin is not only one sixth of Monty Python, but he is the most genial and interesting travel guide anyone could have. Palin roughs it whether in the burning Sahara or the high peaks of the Himalayas. He converses with the locals with skill few can match. He genuinely likes people and can laugh with people of different ethnicities and religions, as well as learn from them and also teach them bits of our own culture. I think part of Michael Palin's wanderlust has rubbed off on me as I have a lot of places that I want to visit. Many are not very touristy and some are downright dangerous!
There was a scene on the Volta Ferry in Ghana when an incredible amount of people spilled off a tiny boat (resembling the Western Ferry) and cars and trucks went past in a puff of black smoke. Mr Bowen commented: "It's like a Michael Palin travelogue!" Too true!
From his original Jules Verne Around the World in 80 Days, to his Pole to Pole adventure and then to my personal favourite Full Circle, where he circumnavigated the Pacific Rim, Michael Palin gets you excited about travel.
Travel broadens the mind and perhaps that's why I am so interested in what happens in other cities, countries and cultures. I love looking at what is similar and different among peoples and nations. Diversity is what makes life worthwhile. How boring it would be if we were all the same!
My experience in Ghana means that South America is the only continent I have not yet travelled to, but I aim to go sometime within the next 2 years. Brazil and Peru are high up my list. Brazil even more so with Rio de Janeiro being announced as the host city for the Olympics in 2016!
To any students past or present reading this I would encourage you to travel the world either before or after university as it is something I do regret. But hey, I have plenty of interesting places to visit before I retire!
But... "I didn't want to be a Business Teacher. Oh no. I wanted to be ... a LUMBERJACK!"
No I haven't lost it. Michael Palin is not only one sixth of Monty Python, but he is the most genial and interesting travel guide anyone could have. Palin roughs it whether in the burning Sahara or the high peaks of the Himalayas. He converses with the locals with skill few can match. He genuinely likes people and can laugh with people of different ethnicities and religions, as well as learn from them and also teach them bits of our own culture. I think part of Michael Palin's wanderlust has rubbed off on me as I have a lot of places that I want to visit. Many are not very touristy and some are downright dangerous!
There was a scene on the Volta Ferry in Ghana when an incredible amount of people spilled off a tiny boat (resembling the Western Ferry) and cars and trucks went past in a puff of black smoke. Mr Bowen commented: "It's like a Michael Palin travelogue!" Too true!
From his original Jules Verne Around the World in 80 Days, to his Pole to Pole adventure and then to my personal favourite Full Circle, where he circumnavigated the Pacific Rim, Michael Palin gets you excited about travel.
Travel broadens the mind and perhaps that's why I am so interested in what happens in other cities, countries and cultures. I love looking at what is similar and different among peoples and nations. Diversity is what makes life worthwhile. How boring it would be if we were all the same!
My experience in Ghana means that South America is the only continent I have not yet travelled to, but I aim to go sometime within the next 2 years. Brazil and Peru are high up my list. Brazil even more so with Rio de Janeiro being announced as the host city for the Olympics in 2016!
To any students past or present reading this I would encourage you to travel the world either before or after university as it is something I do regret. But hey, I have plenty of interesting places to visit before I retire!
Rio is the winner!
Yesterday it was announced that the 2016 Olympics will be going to South America for the very first time.
I read that Rio had bid before in 1936, 2004 and 2012, and failed on all three previous occassions. I did predict Rio to win for many reasons, but I do feel that for the Olympics to be truly international every part of the world deserves a turn. So South America this time and perhaps somewhere in Africa in 2020?
What will the Olympics bring to Rio and to Brazil?
Not only will there be an upsurge in Tourism, it will lead to better infrastructure within the city and the region. Also the sports stadia that will be built for the games will be a lasting legacy for the young people of Brazil to aspire to perform in.
The economic cost is great but a good games actually makes money... or does it? That is something I want my students to investigate as you do read contrary reports.
The one good thing for Brazil is that Rio is now a focal point again for the world... starting now and for the next seven or so years. Mind you they do have the small matter of the FIFA World Cup to worry about in 2014! So interesting times ahead for Brazil.
I read that Rio had bid before in 1936, 2004 and 2012, and failed on all three previous occassions. I did predict Rio to win for many reasons, but I do feel that for the Olympics to be truly international every part of the world deserves a turn. So South America this time and perhaps somewhere in Africa in 2020?
What will the Olympics bring to Rio and to Brazil?
Not only will there be an upsurge in Tourism, it will lead to better infrastructure within the city and the region. Also the sports stadia that will be built for the games will be a lasting legacy for the young people of Brazil to aspire to perform in.
The economic cost is great but a good games actually makes money... or does it? That is something I want my students to investigate as you do read contrary reports.
The one good thing for Brazil is that Rio is now a focal point again for the world... starting now and for the next seven or so years. Mind you they do have the small matter of the FIFA World Cup to worry about in 2014! So interesting times ahead for Brazil.
Friday, 2 October 2009
G20
The leaders of the Group of 20, or G20, of the world's most powerful countries met in the US city of Pittsburgh, to discuss how to tackle the economic crisis which threatens the world!
On the BBC website there are details of each of the countries problems and responses to the crisis.
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Indonesia
Italy
Japan
Mexico
Russia
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
South Korea
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States
European Union
Linked to the business and economic problems faced by these nations, it is also important to recognise that many of the current Governments in these countries will face elections, which may end up with the existing leaders ousted and replaced with new Presidents or Premiers... assuming they are democracies!
Angela Merkel recently held onto power in Germany. But will Gordon Brown be able to win over the voters when the General Election occurs in the UK in 2009-2010?
Higher Administration: Workflow and ICT
One question that seems to be giving candidates a problem is the one about the impact ICT has on workflow in an organisation.
Workflow is the way information is recived, processed and delivered by an organisation.
Input, Process and Output
INPUT
email can be used to recieve information from customers instantly. This can also come from internal or external sources.
Data capture forms can also be used to collect information from external sources.
Online registration/order forms can collect information from customers, such as orders, quantity, products bought and the customer's contact/delivery details
PROCESS
Spreadsheets, Word Processing and Databses packages are used to process information.
Spreadsheets can be used to calculate and create charts;
Word Processing can be used to create letters, memos and reports;
Databases can be used to create customer and/or employee records.
OUTPUT
For effective and efficient communication, transmission and presentation of information, PowerPoint, the Internet, e-Diaries can be used.
Workflow is the way information is recived, processed and delivered by an organisation.
Input, Process and Output
INPUT
email can be used to recieve information from customers instantly. This can also come from internal or external sources.
Data capture forms can also be used to collect information from external sources.
Online registration/order forms can collect information from customers, such as orders, quantity, products bought and the customer's contact/delivery details
PROCESS
Spreadsheets, Word Processing and Databses packages are used to process information.
Spreadsheets can be used to calculate and create charts;
Word Processing can be used to create letters, memos and reports;
Databases can be used to create customer and/or employee records.
OUTPUT
For effective and efficient communication, transmission and presentation of information, PowerPoint, the Internet, e-Diaries can be used.
Olympics 2016 City to be announced
Today the host city for the 2016 Olympics is due to be announced.
The candidate cities are:
Chicago, USA
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Madrid, Spain
Tokyo, Japan
Each city has its own unique benefits and disadvantages.
CHICAGO - the hometown of President Obama and a great location on the shores of Lake Michigan. However the USA have held the Olympics a few times before and it may be that someone else deserves a turn. The favourite with the bookies and a city I have visited and was very impressed with. But I have a feeling it won't be The Windy City's turn.
RIO DE JANEIRO - the most 'friendly' South American City which could lead to a massive party if successful. Already has tourism doing well, but there are issues over construction, national debt, and crime rates in this most famous Latin American metropolis. South America has never hosted the Olympics, yet they have hosted several FIFA World Cups, so perhaps they are overdue one. My personal tip for the Olympics 2016.
MADRID - the Spanish capital, and Europe's highest capital city. Madrid is a fine city but could it outdo their bitter rivals Barcelona - the 1992 host city? Possibly not. Europe has held the Olympics the most of any continent and with London hosting in 2012 I doubt the Spaniards will get the nod.
TOKYO - hosts of the 1964 Olympics, and the dark horse in this race. The infrastructure of Tokyo and the whole cultural experience would be incredible. But Beijing hosted in 2008 and perhaps going back to Asia too soon counts against such a fabulous and modern city.
Which one do you think you would like to see becoming the host city for 2016?
Please vote in the poll and leave comments here why you voted!
In the News...
INTERNET ADS BEAT TV!
Online advertising spending in the UK has overtaken television expenditure for the first time, a report has said.
Online spending grew 4.6% to £1.752bn in the first half of 2009, while TV spending shrank 16.1% to £1.639bn.
Overall advertising fell 16% compared with the same period in 2008, said the study by the Internet Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
E-mail campaigns, classified adverts, display ads and search marketing are all classed as online advertising.
JAPAN UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN
Japan's jobless rate unexpectedly fell to 5.5% in August from July's record high of 5.7%, official figures showed.
But the number of people unemployed hit a six-year high of 3.61 million in August, a figure which was up 32.7% on the same month of 2008.
Official figures also showed that household spending rose 2.6% in August from a year earlier.
The markets will also be focusing on unemployment figures from the US, which are due out later on Friday.
Analysts had been expecting the Japanese jobless rate to rise again in August.
UK HOUSE PRICES BACK TO 2008?
UK house prices have now recovered to the same level as a year ago, according to the latest Nationwide figures.
The average price of a home last month rose by 0.9% to £161,816, almost identical to September 2008.
The building society said house prices had now risen for the fifth month in a row.
However, the nation's homeowners continued to pay off more of their mortgages between April and June, according to the Bank of England.
A further £7bn was added to people's equity in the country's housing stock, as homeowners accelerated the repayment of their home loans, or put down bigger deposits when taking out a new mortgage.
EU INVESTIGATES AIRLINE MONOPOLIES
The European Commission's competition authorities have raised concerns about the transatlantic plans of British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia.
The Oneworld alliance members want to operate as a joint business on flights between the EU and North America.
If they are to go ahead they will also need approval from US regulators.
The Commission has sent its Statement of Objections to the airlines, and they now have the chance to respond before a competition decision is reached.
The Commission confirmed that it was still looking into similar plans for co-operation by Star Alliance members Lufthansa, Continental, United and Air Canada and between Skyteam members Air France/KLM and Delta/Northwest.
Source: BBC News
Online advertising spending in the UK has overtaken television expenditure for the first time, a report has said.
Online spending grew 4.6% to £1.752bn in the first half of 2009, while TV spending shrank 16.1% to £1.639bn.
Overall advertising fell 16% compared with the same period in 2008, said the study by the Internet Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
E-mail campaigns, classified adverts, display ads and search marketing are all classed as online advertising.
JAPAN UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN
Japan's jobless rate unexpectedly fell to 5.5% in August from July's record high of 5.7%, official figures showed.
But the number of people unemployed hit a six-year high of 3.61 million in August, a figure which was up 32.7% on the same month of 2008.
Official figures also showed that household spending rose 2.6% in August from a year earlier.
The markets will also be focusing on unemployment figures from the US, which are due out later on Friday.
Analysts had been expecting the Japanese jobless rate to rise again in August.
UK HOUSE PRICES BACK TO 2008?
UK house prices have now recovered to the same level as a year ago, according to the latest Nationwide figures.
The average price of a home last month rose by 0.9% to £161,816, almost identical to September 2008.
The building society said house prices had now risen for the fifth month in a row.
However, the nation's homeowners continued to pay off more of their mortgages between April and June, according to the Bank of England.
A further £7bn was added to people's equity in the country's housing stock, as homeowners accelerated the repayment of their home loans, or put down bigger deposits when taking out a new mortgage.
EU INVESTIGATES AIRLINE MONOPOLIES
The European Commission's competition authorities have raised concerns about the transatlantic plans of British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia.
The Oneworld alliance members want to operate as a joint business on flights between the EU and North America.
If they are to go ahead they will also need approval from US regulators.
The Commission has sent its Statement of Objections to the airlines, and they now have the chance to respond before a competition decision is reached.
The Commission confirmed that it was still looking into similar plans for co-operation by Star Alliance members Lufthansa, Continental, United and Air Canada and between Skyteam members Air France/KLM and Delta/Northwest.
Source: BBC News
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