Donald Trump, Roman Abramovitch and Bill Gates may well be licking their lips in anticipation.
We all know Dubai is in deep financial trouble - somewhere in the region of £85 billion, and sadly RBS is also involved.
But what I was not aware of was just some of the fabulous assets owned by Dubai:
QE2 - even in retirement, still the world's most famous liner.
Turnberry - one of the meccas of golf, and an Open championship course.
Barneys - a New York department store.
Cirque du Soleil - the world famous show.
Kerzner's Hotels - the South African enterpreneur Sol Kerzner's hotel empire.
Standard Chartered Bank
MGM Mirage - a stake in the Las Vegas hotel.
Properties include:
Adelphi on the Strand
Grand Buildings in Trafalgar Square.
Rothschild Bank have been called in to oversee the divestment plan.
But apart from the billionaire buyers who else would or could cough up the dough for such glittering prizes?
Well the emirate of Abu Dhabi are very interested! Together along with other emirates, Abu Dhabi and Dubai make up the UAE (United Arab Emirates) but it seems that the £10 billion they invested earlier to their friends means nothing.
Abu Dhabi have their eyes on Emaar, a property company who own the Burj Dubai skyscraper, Dubai Mall shopping centre, and Dubal, Dubai's aluminium company.
It could well be the most incredible firesale in history.
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Jeopardy!
In my Higher Business Class I was talking to Greg who works in McDonald's in Hamilton. Greg answered 17 and a half minutes.
What was the question?
What was the question?
Recruitment Day
On Friday Higher Administration pupils underwent our annual recruitment programme but with an added twist!
Pupils had been given a job advert with the job description and person specification for a position as an Administration Assistant for an ICT company. Pupils then had to fill in an application form and then were divided into 2 separate pools.
They were given a list of possible questions they could be asked by the 2 seperate interview panels (who were made up or Mr MacLeod and 2 seniors, and Miss Boag and 2 seniors).
During the interview process the pupils were filmed using FLIP cameras. Once it was over, the panel typed up their notes and we will edit together the footage so the pupils can watch everyone's performance along with the feedback.
Hopefully this will give them some insight into the recruitment and selection process and also develop skills as interviewees and even interviewers.
Next week it will be our Int 2 class's turn, which will give some of the Higher pupils who were interviewed an opportunity to be the interrogator!
Congratulations to Emma and Hannah who were the two selected by the interview panels to get the job!
Pupils had been given a job advert with the job description and person specification for a position as an Administration Assistant for an ICT company. Pupils then had to fill in an application form and then were divided into 2 separate pools.
They were given a list of possible questions they could be asked by the 2 seperate interview panels (who were made up or Mr MacLeod and 2 seniors, and Miss Boag and 2 seniors).
During the interview process the pupils were filmed using FLIP cameras. Once it was over, the panel typed up their notes and we will edit together the footage so the pupils can watch everyone's performance along with the feedback.
Hopefully this will give them some insight into the recruitment and selection process and also develop skills as interviewees and even interviewers.
Next week it will be our Int 2 class's turn, which will give some of the Higher pupils who were interviewed an opportunity to be the interrogator!
Congratulations to Emma and Hannah who were the two selected by the interview panels to get the job!
SBEA Conference 2009
Miss Dunlop and myself attended the SBEA conference in Perth on Saturday. This was my 3rd consecutive time at the event and again it was very worthwhile.
Following in Peter Hughes and Colin Semple's footsteps was Ian Ritchie CBE, who has a list of highly impressive achievements in Software and Web Technology companies. One of his companies OWL were involved with the forerunner to the World Wide Web and sold one of his firms for somewhere in the region of $100 million! Serious money!
On a lighter note we learned that Ian was not a fan of Dragons' Den. Ian invests in many business start-ups and as he gave great insight into the mind of an investor. Investors are looking for on average 5 times their money back, and they accept out of every 10 investments 2 will fail, 6 will perform okay, 1 will do well and 1 will be a runaway success. It is this jackpot investment that keeps the system going. It reminded me of the Hollywood Studio system whereby they have several flops but only need 1 or 2 blockbusters a year to make a healthy profit!
The main focus for us was Curriculum for Excellence and we attended Norma Mathieson's presentation on the new materials being offered by Leckie and Leckie for S1/S2, CfE Outcomes delivered by representatives from LTS, and finally the best was saved for last by Monica Greer and Eileen Erikson who exemplified the CfE work being implemented currently in Inveralmond Community School.
All in all an excellent and inspiring day. In fact we were treated to a brilliant quote from William Arthur Ward (though I am certain it said Word on the presenter's powerpoint!!!)
"The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires."
Simple, yet powerful. And it encapsulates everything Teaching and Learning should be about, in my opinion.
In fact I will cite as an example the most incredible lecturer I have ever witnessed at University, a Strategic Management lecturer called Phillip Holden. Mr Holden is an author of several financial tomes and self-help books, but for me he was the most enthusiastic and incredible presenter I have ever witnessed. Phillip Holden looked like a respectable bank manager. Quiet, unassuming, wearing spectacles. You'd walk by him in a crowd. But once he got into that lecture hall he transformed into a different entity altogether. He was lively, funny, unpredictable but all in all he was exceptional. Charismatic and inspiring.
I reckon he is my inspiration and hopefully I can pass some of that on to my own students.
Following in Peter Hughes and Colin Semple's footsteps was Ian Ritchie CBE, who has a list of highly impressive achievements in Software and Web Technology companies. One of his companies OWL were involved with the forerunner to the World Wide Web and sold one of his firms for somewhere in the region of $100 million! Serious money!
On a lighter note we learned that Ian was not a fan of Dragons' Den. Ian invests in many business start-ups and as he gave great insight into the mind of an investor. Investors are looking for on average 5 times their money back, and they accept out of every 10 investments 2 will fail, 6 will perform okay, 1 will do well and 1 will be a runaway success. It is this jackpot investment that keeps the system going. It reminded me of the Hollywood Studio system whereby they have several flops but only need 1 or 2 blockbusters a year to make a healthy profit!
The main focus for us was Curriculum for Excellence and we attended Norma Mathieson's presentation on the new materials being offered by Leckie and Leckie for S1/S2, CfE Outcomes delivered by representatives from LTS, and finally the best was saved for last by Monica Greer and Eileen Erikson who exemplified the CfE work being implemented currently in Inveralmond Community School.
All in all an excellent and inspiring day. In fact we were treated to a brilliant quote from William Arthur Ward (though I am certain it said Word on the presenter's powerpoint!!!)
"The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires."
Simple, yet powerful. And it encapsulates everything Teaching and Learning should be about, in my opinion.
In fact I will cite as an example the most incredible lecturer I have ever witnessed at University, a Strategic Management lecturer called Phillip Holden. Mr Holden is an author of several financial tomes and self-help books, but for me he was the most enthusiastic and incredible presenter I have ever witnessed. Phillip Holden looked like a respectable bank manager. Quiet, unassuming, wearing spectacles. You'd walk by him in a crowd. But once he got into that lecture hall he transformed into a different entity altogether. He was lively, funny, unpredictable but all in all he was exceptional. Charismatic and inspiring.
I reckon he is my inspiration and hopefully I can pass some of that on to my own students.
Friday, 27 November 2009
In the News...
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
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
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)
Higher Business Management - 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 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.
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!
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