FYI:
The Exam Diet for 2009 is as follows
5th May - Standard Grade Administration
Foundation - 9am - 10am
General - 10.20am - 11.35am
Credit - 1pm - 2.30pm
18th May - Business Management Higher - 9am -11.30am
19th May - Business Management Int 2 - 9am - 10.45am
20th May - Administration Higher - Paper 1 (Theory) 9am - 10.20am, Paper 2 (ICT) 10.40am - 12 noon
Home study should be in overdrive by now. Remember even if you think you know it all, a little bit of extra studying helps.
Remember the COMMAND WORDS. Answer the flamin' question!!!
Good luck to everyone. It has been a pleasure to teach you all this year and for the senior pupils I hope you all are going to Prom as I look forward to our class photos together!!! Naturally I will show you up as I will need a fake tan and some hair care to get up to the standard of what is expected in these Beckhamesque days. Oh how I pine for the Cloughie era!!!
Go do your best in all your subjects and try to make the best account you can. I knwo it is a hard time in school, but you have to remember it is the same stresses and strains that every other schoolkid in Scotland is going through and they are your competition for uni and college places.
If I think you can get an A, then prove me right. If I think you will struggle, prove me wrong.
You may not believe this, but I would be so happy to be proved wrong. Everyone involved with Hamilton Grammar wish you all well. The best things in life are free and the sense of achievement when you do your best and your are rewarded is something you will never forget.
I salute you all.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Thursday, 23 April 2009
The Budget
There we go another Budget from the Government and Alastair Darling, the Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer.
KEY POINTS IN THE BUDGET
1. 50% tax rate for earnings over £150,000
2. Big debt and deficit increases
3. Economy shrinks at record rate
4. Public spending squeeze planned
5. Books not balanced until 2018
6. 2p on fuel, 1p on a pint of beer and 7p on cigarettes
7. £15bn public sector 'efficiency savings'
8. Claw back tax relief on top earners' pension
9. £2bn help for young unemployed
10. £1bn to boost housing market
11. £2 ,000 car scrappage scheme
Source: BBC Business News
1. 50% tax rate for earnings over £150,000
2. Big debt and deficit increases
3. Economy shrinks at record rate
4. Public spending squeeze planned
5. Books not balanced until 2018
6. 2p on fuel, 1p on a pint of beer and 7p on cigarettes
7. £15bn public sector 'efficiency savings'
8. Claw back tax relief on top earners' pension
9. £2bn help for young unemployed
10. £1bn to boost housing market
11. £2 ,000 car scrappage scheme
Source: BBC Business News
It looks like we are all going to pay for the collapse of the Global Banking System. Taxes will inevitably rise and public spending cuts. So I wonder what is the future for hospitals, schools, and the police, as well as every service provided by Local Authorities.
It is a huge gamble by Darling. He's borrowing money to use to offset the increasing unemployment rate we face. We just all hope it works!
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
S1/S2 Enterprise Group
Our junior entrepreneurs now at long last have a company name... Market Matters, as voted by 27% of the 79 people who cast their vote.
Before we start ordering our stock, their next job is to create a company logo and assign job roles.
Our senior Enterprise people are going to judge the best logo!
Before we start ordering our stock, their next job is to create a company logo and assign job roles.
Our senior Enterprise people are going to judge the best logo!
Young Enterprise Examinations 2009
Congratulations to the following pupils:
Danny Gray
Kyle Jeffrey
Edison McKenna
Fraser Porteous
who all passed the Young Enterprise Examination.
Kyle received a Credit pass.
All four of the pupils have contributed greatly throughout the year. Well done!
Danny Gray
Kyle Jeffrey
Edison McKenna
Fraser Porteous
who all passed the Young Enterprise Examination.
Kyle received a Credit pass.
All four of the pupils have contributed greatly throughout the year. Well done!
Friday, 3 April 2009
From Woolies to Wellies
In Dorchester, an ex-manager of the failed Woolworths brand has created a phoenix from the ashes, documented in a show on BBC 1 last night.
Claire Robertson re-employed all the axed Woolies staff and renamed it Wellworths. She changed the stock a bit - with help from a new buyer who was obssessed with picture frames - and changed the look of the store slightly. She axed the poor selling CDs and DVDs - which did not keep everyone happy - but it was a cold blooded business decision.
The famous pic and mix was still there for everyone to see. Claire got a £100,000 loan and an agreement with her landlord for 3 months. The Wellworths store had a target of £38,000 sales to make every week in order to keep the business solvent.
Under huge time pressure the store opened and Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans did the honours - giving Claire and her shop well wearned national publicity.
Who knows how long the store will remain open in these troubling times of recession but good luck to Claire and her team. There was something about Woolworths that we all liked even if we didn't always shop there.
Claire Robertson re-employed all the axed Woolies staff and renamed it Wellworths. She changed the stock a bit - with help from a new buyer who was obssessed with picture frames - and changed the look of the store slightly. She axed the poor selling CDs and DVDs - which did not keep everyone happy - but it was a cold blooded business decision.
The famous pic and mix was still there for everyone to see. Claire got a £100,000 loan and an agreement with her landlord for 3 months. The Wellworths store had a target of £38,000 sales to make every week in order to keep the business solvent.
Under huge time pressure the store opened and Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans did the honours - giving Claire and her shop well wearned national publicity.
Who knows how long the store will remain open in these troubling times of recession but good luck to Claire and her team. There was something about Woolworths that we all liked even if we didn't always shop there.
In the News...
G20 Summit
Barack Obama has hailed the G20 summit as a historic turning point in the pursuit of world economic recovery.
Leaders pledged new spending and tougher financial regulations, in what the US leader called an unprecedented set of actions to ease the crisis.
He now heads to Strasbourg for talks with the French and German leaders, before a Nato summit begins.
RBS Axe Jobs
Royal Bank of Scotland expects to shed more jobs worldwide, the bank has said.
RBS has already announced that about 2,700 posts will go but "this will not be the end of the story", according to chairman Sir Philip Hampton.
He also called for an "end to the public flogging" of the bank over its past mistakes.
Directors of RBS will face shareholders at the bank's annual general meeting in Edinburgh where they will be rebuked over their pay and pensions policy.
Sir Philip will tell shareholders that more redundancies are expected, although it is too early to say how many jobs will go or where the cuts will be made.
In February RBS reported it made a loss of £24.1bn in 2008 - the largest annual loss in UK corporate history.
Trade-ins Boost German Car Sales
German car sales soared 40% in March compared with the same time a year ago, with a spate of buying encouraged by a trade-in plan to scrap old cars.
The VDA automobile federation said sales in March hit 401,000 vehicles.
In Germany, drivers get 2,500 euros (£2,220; $3,170) for trading in a car more than nine years old. The scheme will be phased out by the end of 2009.
The figures come a day after the US auto industry's monthly sales were 45% down on this time last year.
And South African new vehicle sales plunged by 30.1% in the year to March, industry figures there showed on Thursday.
EU Working Hours Dispute
The European Parliament and EU governments are starting a new round of talks aimed at resolving a dispute over the EU's Working Time Directive.
The UK and 14 other EU member states have an opt-out from the directive, objecting to the 48-hour limit it sets on the working week.
But in December members of the European Parliament voted to scrap the opt-out.
MEPs also say on-call time counts as working time. A decision on that would affect key sectors such as healthcare.
The current "conciliation" is the final stage in the legislative debate. Both sides have until May to thrash out a deal, and if none is reached the European Commission will have to present new legislative proposals.
Sources: BBC News
Barack Obama has hailed the G20 summit as a historic turning point in the pursuit of world economic recovery.
Leaders pledged new spending and tougher financial regulations, in what the US leader called an unprecedented set of actions to ease the crisis.
He now heads to Strasbourg for talks with the French and German leaders, before a Nato summit begins.
RBS Axe Jobs
Royal Bank of Scotland expects to shed more jobs worldwide, the bank has said.
RBS has already announced that about 2,700 posts will go but "this will not be the end of the story", according to chairman Sir Philip Hampton.
He also called for an "end to the public flogging" of the bank over its past mistakes.
Directors of RBS will face shareholders at the bank's annual general meeting in Edinburgh where they will be rebuked over their pay and pensions policy.
Sir Philip will tell shareholders that more redundancies are expected, although it is too early to say how many jobs will go or where the cuts will be made.
In February RBS reported it made a loss of £24.1bn in 2008 - the largest annual loss in UK corporate history.
Trade-ins Boost German Car Sales
German car sales soared 40% in March compared with the same time a year ago, with a spate of buying encouraged by a trade-in plan to scrap old cars.
The VDA automobile federation said sales in March hit 401,000 vehicles.
In Germany, drivers get 2,500 euros (£2,220; $3,170) for trading in a car more than nine years old. The scheme will be phased out by the end of 2009.
The figures come a day after the US auto industry's monthly sales were 45% down on this time last year.
And South African new vehicle sales plunged by 30.1% in the year to March, industry figures there showed on Thursday.
EU Working Hours Dispute
The European Parliament and EU governments are starting a new round of talks aimed at resolving a dispute over the EU's Working Time Directive.
The UK and 14 other EU member states have an opt-out from the directive, objecting to the 48-hour limit it sets on the working week.
But in December members of the European Parliament voted to scrap the opt-out.
MEPs also say on-call time counts as working time. A decision on that would affect key sectors such as healthcare.
The current "conciliation" is the final stage in the legislative debate. Both sides have until May to thrash out a deal, and if none is reached the European Commission will have to present new legislative proposals.
Sources: BBC News
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
S1 and S2 IT Course Review Pupil Vote
Please can you spare a few minutes to cast your vote on what you feel has been the best unit in S1 and S2.
For S1 votes go to:
www.s1it.blogspot.com
and for S2 go to:
www.s2it.blogspot.com
Your vote counts!
For S1 votes go to:
www.s1it.blogspot.com
and for S2 go to:
www.s2it.blogspot.com
Your vote counts!
Thursday, 26 March 2009
BBC School Report
Today is the day!
After a lot of planning and anticipation Hamilton Grammar's News Club and Writer's Group are in the process of investigating and reporting on news events in and around the school.
Mr Bowen and Mrs Kelly have done a fab job in helping the pupils learn about journalism and presenting, but now is the time for the pupils to come into their own!
I am hoping that these new found skills will encourage the pupils to join in HGS Digital and Weh TV! I know a few of the BBC kids have already been instrumental in our pilot programme, but the more the merrier.
I have helped some of the BBC School Reporters with podcasting and again I hope they use their skills to great effect!
Here is a link to the practice day http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report/7842302.stm
and here is the news as it happens!!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report/default.stm
After a lot of planning and anticipation Hamilton Grammar's News Club and Writer's Group are in the process of investigating and reporting on news events in and around the school.
Mr Bowen and Mrs Kelly have done a fab job in helping the pupils learn about journalism and presenting, but now is the time for the pupils to come into their own!
I am hoping that these new found skills will encourage the pupils to join in HGS Digital and Weh TV! I know a few of the BBC kids have already been instrumental in our pilot programme, but the more the merrier.
I have helped some of the BBC School Reporters with podcasting and again I hope they use their skills to great effect!
Here is a link to the practice day http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report/7842302.stm
and here is the news as it happens!!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report/default.stm
The Apprentice Back on BBC 1
Sir Alan Sugar, the man behind Amstrad, is looking for a new Apprentice. Last year Lee McQueen won despite lying on his CV (heavily criticised by other business leaders) and performing his incredible reverse pterodactyl.
This year we have 8 bossy females and 7 cocky males. One of the men already quit. He 'bottled' it according to Sugar.
Last night the teams were divided into boys and girls. The boys took the rather dodgy name of Empire which signified their Britishness, whereas the girls came up with Ignite.
The task was to run a car valleting service. There wasn't much in the actual takings or the eventual profit which caused one of Businesses worst cliches to rear its ugly head...again:
"Turnover is vanity; profit is sanity". It is very true but every Tom, Dick and Harry now use it. Duncan Bannantyne is particularly prone to it in Dragons Den!
Things came to a head in the girls team and in the Boardroom when losing Project Manager Mona took Debra and Anita back into the firing line. A series of digs at each other and lack of accountability riled Sir Alan. Eventually it was 35 year old Business Strategist and hot shot lawyer Anita who was fired.
She claimed Sir Alan doesn't like lawyers (a couple of years ago feisty Scots attorney Karen Bremmner was a brilliant candidate and yet was harshly fired early on) but Sugar insisted that she had not displayed any business acumen.
Anita had really set herself up for a fall though by claiming she was exceptional and outstanding and other hyperbolic terms.
If you talk the talk you have to walk the walk!
I do hope you watch it as it is educational and highly entertaining. Though it does not come close to the superior and original USA version starring my hero... Donald Trump!
Brian Clough - Managerial Genius
Some of you will be too young to remember Brian Clough. He was a remarkable and controversial figure when I was a lad.
He is now coming again to prominence thanks to the book The Damned Utd by David Peace and the new film of the book starring Michael Sheen.
Cloughie was a prolific goalscorer for Middlesbrough (his hometown team) and Sunderland in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His goals were all in the lower leagues and he only gained 2 full England caps. A bad collision with the Bury goalkeeper in winter 1962 ended his playing career early.
Clough then went in to management at Hartelpools (as they were called then) generating publicity for the club - and even drove the team bus!
He then took over at Second Division Derby County and won them the Second Division Championship and then the League Championship in 1972. He took Derby to the semi-finals of the European Cup only to lose to Juventus. His after match remarks caused great controversy when he accused the Italians of being in cahoots with the West German referee. This diplomatic gaffe was one of the reasons he was never appointed to his dream job: England manager.
He had a flourishing TV career and was TV's most controversial football pundit. This led to clashes with his Derby chairman and he resigned!
He then accepted the job at Leeds United - the best team in England and the current champions. He had previously slated Leeds for being cynical and dirty - and he disliked their successful manager, Don Revie. Clough lasted only 44 days.
He then went to sleepy Nottingham Forest who were near the bottom of the Second Division and not only got promotion but then won the League Championship in 1978. Cloughie then won two successive European Cups with Forest in 1979 and 1980. This was an achievement even the great Leeds Utd team of Don Revie could not achieve.
Why was Brian Clough so special?
He believed in discipline, having control of everything football related, but most of all he was a motivator. He created belief in his players.
This charismatic style of leadership is not very common as most managers in business will control, lead or manage through fear and bullying. Clough was accused of bullying but perhaps we can view it as Autocratic leadership style.
The difference is that Clough was loved by his players. They respected him and respected his achievements.
Clough was also an excellent communicator, an important role for any manager. And even though it didn't look like it to the cameras, he has excellent interpersonal skills in knowing how to deal with people. Some he would challenge and motivate to produce their best; others he would take under his wing and build their confidence.
Cloughie was also a team player as he worked for large parts of his career with Peter Taylor, his valued assistant. They were never as good apart. Taylor could spot potential in players which other scouts missed.
Perhaps Jose Mourinho is the nearest thing we have to a modern day Clough, but I would say Jose is Clough-lite.There may be many great football managers and leaders, but there is only one Brian Clough.
To leave you this is best perhaps the ultimate Brian Clough quote:
"I don't think I am the best manager in the business. But I am in the top one."
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
HMIe Inspection Report
Our school, Hamilton Grammar was recently inspected by HMIe.
The report has been published and is available to review here.
The report has been published and is available to review here.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
International Education and Building Links with Global Schools!
We now have three schools in three different continents which we have set up blogs and email communication for future curricular development!
We have Pierre Elliot Trudeau in Ontario, Canada...
Southern River College in Gosnells, Western Australia
Donkorkrom Agricultural School in Ghana.
I will be visiting Donkorkrom in the summer, but fingers crossed in the future I may get to go to Canada and Australia!
I have set up the blogs with the schools and hope to help the educators from across the world to get blogging.
Once they are up to speed with events then we can get our students sharing experiences and perhaps even working on projects together.
My S3 Admin class are in the process of starting correspondence with a Year 11 English class in Western Australia, and hopefully from this small start we can then tailor off to relevant subject areas. But I guess we have to walk before we can run as the time difference is crazy!
I'm going to create a welcome podcast with my pupils and post it to the blogs to see if we can create more discussion and dialogue with our International Partners.
Citizenship is such a worthwhile cause... I was always very interested in global affairs and other nations, peoples etc ever since I was in Primary school. To get to speak and communicate with educators and students across the world is mind blowing!
Anyway, I'll keep posting updates on here as we go.
We have Pierre Elliot Trudeau in Ontario, Canada...
Southern River College in Gosnells, Western Australia
Donkorkrom Agricultural School in Ghana.
I will be visiting Donkorkrom in the summer, but fingers crossed in the future I may get to go to Canada and Australia!
I have set up the blogs with the schools and hope to help the educators from across the world to get blogging.
Once they are up to speed with events then we can get our students sharing experiences and perhaps even working on projects together.
My S3 Admin class are in the process of starting correspondence with a Year 11 English class in Western Australia, and hopefully from this small start we can then tailor off to relevant subject areas. But I guess we have to walk before we can run as the time difference is crazy!
I'm going to create a welcome podcast with my pupils and post it to the blogs to see if we can create more discussion and dialogue with our International Partners.
Citizenship is such a worthwhile cause... I was always very interested in global affairs and other nations, peoples etc ever since I was in Primary school. To get to speak and communicate with educators and students across the world is mind blowing!
Anyway, I'll keep posting updates on here as we go.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Enterprising Education in St Andrew's and St Bride's Secondary
Earlier today I visited St Andrew's and St Bride's Secondary in East Kilbride to discuss their enterprising methods of teaching.
It was very interesting and centred mainly on some excellent work undertaken by the Science department in the school. I was shown round by Mrs Agnew, a DHT.
Without giving too much away, as I don't want to steal their thunder, the basis for the work was to have pupil centred lessons whereby the S2 Science students were working towards a realistic design brief which was part of the course. A fictitious company called Besto Boilers was created to put all the learning into context.
Pupils worked in small teams and researched the design problems and over a period of time collated the information and presented it back to teachers and their peers in a presentation.
This obviously improved communication, team working and presentation skills, not to mention their research and analytical skills.
Pupils were encouraged to become independent learners and the principles of the tasks were planned with Curriculum for Excellence in mind.
A comparison of pupils learning in this enterprising way with the more traditional method is to be undertaken. The results will be interesting!
The hard work of the teaching staff has paid dividends by the feedback they have received so far. It certainly is much more interesting and enjoyable for pupils to learn in this way.
It has given me a few ideas and I will share what I saw with Mr Colin Stewart, our Headteacher and Mr Dyer, the Faculty Head of Science. Perhaps Mr Dyer and I can chat about this in Ghana!
It was very interesting and centred mainly on some excellent work undertaken by the Science department in the school. I was shown round by Mrs Agnew, a DHT.
Without giving too much away, as I don't want to steal their thunder, the basis for the work was to have pupil centred lessons whereby the S2 Science students were working towards a realistic design brief which was part of the course. A fictitious company called Besto Boilers was created to put all the learning into context.
Pupils worked in small teams and researched the design problems and over a period of time collated the information and presented it back to teachers and their peers in a presentation.
This obviously improved communication, team working and presentation skills, not to mention their research and analytical skills.
Pupils were encouraged to become independent learners and the principles of the tasks were planned with Curriculum for Excellence in mind.
A comparison of pupils learning in this enterprising way with the more traditional method is to be undertaken. The results will be interesting!
The hard work of the teaching staff has paid dividends by the feedback they have received so far. It certainly is much more interesting and enjoyable for pupils to learn in this way.
It has given me a few ideas and I will share what I saw with Mr Colin Stewart, our Headteacher and Mr Dyer, the Faculty Head of Science. Perhaps Mr Dyer and I can chat about this in Ghana!
Friday, 13 March 2009
Harvard Business School
Some of you will have heard of Michael Porter, one of the world's leading business consultants and an expert on Competitive Advantage.
Michael Porter is one of the professors at Harvard Business School - the world's premier Business School.
Harvard invented the Case Study Method for learning and teaching, which is used in many disciplines but obviously is very important and effective in examining what has happened to failing businesses at certain points of time.
Harvard Business School also publishes the best business quarterly, the Harvard Business Review, which contains research on all aspects of business: Marketing, Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Consumer Psychology and Strategic Management.
Harvard's MBA is one of the most prestigious qualifications in the world. It opens many doors for the budding entrepreneur and aids their networking!
From wikipedia:
The school's faculty are divided into ten academic units: Accounting and Management; Business, Government and the International Economy; Entrepreneurial Management; Finance; General Management; Marketing; Negotiation, Organizations & Markets; Organizational Behavior; Strategy; and Technology and Operations Management.
Harvard look for students who are leaders, have the capacity for intellectual growth, and are driven to make a difference in their community.
Alumni include:
Robert S. McNamara - former president of Ford Motor Company, president of the World Bank but most famously as US Secretary of Defense in both the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations
Orin C. Smith - former CEO of Starbucks
Robert Kraft - CEO of the Kraft Group
George W. Bush - the 43rd President of the United States
In the USA Business is serious stuff!
Michael Porter is one of the professors at Harvard Business School - the world's premier Business School.
Harvard invented the Case Study Method for learning and teaching, which is used in many disciplines but obviously is very important and effective in examining what has happened to failing businesses at certain points of time.
Harvard Business School also publishes the best business quarterly, the Harvard Business Review, which contains research on all aspects of business: Marketing, Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Consumer Psychology and Strategic Management.
Harvard's MBA is one of the most prestigious qualifications in the world. It opens many doors for the budding entrepreneur and aids their networking!
From wikipedia:
The school's faculty are divided into ten academic units: Accounting and Management; Business, Government and the International Economy; Entrepreneurial Management; Finance; General Management; Marketing; Negotiation, Organizations & Markets; Organizational Behavior; Strategy; and Technology and Operations Management.
Harvard look for students who are leaders, have the capacity for intellectual growth, and are driven to make a difference in their community.
Alumni include:
Robert S. McNamara - former president of Ford Motor Company, president of the World Bank but most famously as US Secretary of Defense in both the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations
Orin C. Smith - former CEO of Starbucks
Robert Kraft - CEO of the Kraft Group
George W. Bush - the 43rd President of the United States
In the USA Business is serious stuff!
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Billionaires Go Bust
Even Billionaires have been hit by the credit crunch. Everyone is losing money and Warren Buffet - the man who ended Bill Gates's 13 year reign as the World's Richest Man lost $25bn!Bill Gates lost $18bn himself but now is back at the top of the pile with $40bn.
As for the distribution of billionaires worldwide, the USA still has almost double that of Europe.
New York is now the number one city for Billionaires, with Moscow - the previous top dog - slipping to third. London is number two.
Who knows what lies ahead, but the numbers floating around boggle the mind.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Mr Arthur has created a blog page for SG Admin past papers which I will post on the other pages also.
http://adminpapers.blogspot.com/
http://adminpapers.blogspot.com/
In the News...
Bank nationalisation 'not needed'
Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, has reiterated that the government has no plans to nationalise the banking sector.
His comments come two days after the government increased its stake in Lloyd Banking Group to 65% from 43%.
Principles' 2,300 staff face axe
A significant number of the 2,300 staff at the Principles high street fashion chain are to go, administrators said.
Lee Manning from Deloitte blamed "current market conditions" for the failure to sell the brand.
Sixty-six shops will close and department store Debenhams will acquire most of the stock.
Mr Manning said staff will be put on a "fast track" for redundancy payouts. More than 100 head office staff were made redundant on Friday.
Principles was owned by parent company Mosaic, which collapsed earlier this week with debts of about £400m.
Sir Jackie waives fee to help RBS
Sir Jackie Stewart has agreed to waive any fees he would have earned this year from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
The former world motor racing champion works for RBS representing the company at events across the world.
The bank, which lost £24bn last year, said that Sir Jackie offered to fulfil his obligations in 2009 without pay.
Last month, tennis star Andy Murray offered to renegotiate his deal with the troubled bank which has supported him since he was 13.
RBS said that Sir Jackie wanted to help the bank with its new strategic objective of rebuilding standalone strength by serving its customers well, in the UK and globally, in the next three years.
Credit Crunch Success Stories....
And read here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7920836.stm about Nespresso, the George Clooney endorsed coffee that is reversing the trend of the credit crunch. The whole thing really is based on once you have bought the equipment to make the espresso you have to use the capsules made by Nestle or else it doesn't work. This obviously means repeat purchases. Genuis!
Source: BBC Business News
Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, has reiterated that the government has no plans to nationalise the banking sector.
His comments come two days after the government increased its stake in Lloyd Banking Group to 65% from 43%.
Principles' 2,300 staff face axe
A significant number of the 2,300 staff at the Principles high street fashion chain are to go, administrators said.
Lee Manning from Deloitte blamed "current market conditions" for the failure to sell the brand.
Sixty-six shops will close and department store Debenhams will acquire most of the stock.
Mr Manning said staff will be put on a "fast track" for redundancy payouts. More than 100 head office staff were made redundant on Friday.
Principles was owned by parent company Mosaic, which collapsed earlier this week with debts of about £400m.
Sir Jackie waives fee to help RBS
Sir Jackie Stewart has agreed to waive any fees he would have earned this year from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
The former world motor racing champion works for RBS representing the company at events across the world.
The bank, which lost £24bn last year, said that Sir Jackie offered to fulfil his obligations in 2009 without pay.
Last month, tennis star Andy Murray offered to renegotiate his deal with the troubled bank which has supported him since he was 13.
RBS said that Sir Jackie wanted to help the bank with its new strategic objective of rebuilding standalone strength by serving its customers well, in the UK and globally, in the next three years.
Credit Crunch Success Stories....
And read here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7920836.stm about Nespresso, the George Clooney endorsed coffee that is reversing the trend of the credit crunch. The whole thing really is based on once you have bought the equipment to make the espresso you have to use the capsules made by Nestle or else it doesn't work. This obviously means repeat purchases. Genuis!
Source: BBC Business News
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Yellow Fever Strikes Again, International Links and a Budding Primary Teacher!
After another short spell off ill (a reaction to Yellow Fever) I am back at work. It really took a lot out of me and I am still not yet 100%! It is a bit worrying, but it is a lot better than getting Yellow Fever when over in Ghana.
Anyway some news.
Hamilton Grammar is developing another international link with Southern River College in Western Australia. A former pupil of HGS, Paul Currie is a DHT in the afore-mentioned school. Hopefully we can get the blog up and running and have our students seperated by thousands of miles to communicate and share ideas and opinions.
Also congratulations to one of my S6 pupils, Jemma Burns, who has just received a conditional offer for a place at Primary School Teacher training at Jordanhill College, University of Strathclyde. Jemma would be a brilliant teacher as she has a great personality and has excellent ICT skills. Jemma also helps out with one of my S1 classes and she even has taken them for a few mini-lessons to give her more experience. Fingers crossed Jemma will get the grades she needs and will get in.
Anyway some news.
Hamilton Grammar is developing another international link with Southern River College in Western Australia. A former pupil of HGS, Paul Currie is a DHT in the afore-mentioned school. Hopefully we can get the blog up and running and have our students seperated by thousands of miles to communicate and share ideas and opinions.
Also congratulations to one of my S6 pupils, Jemma Burns, who has just received a conditional offer for a place at Primary School Teacher training at Jordanhill College, University of Strathclyde. Jemma would be a brilliant teacher as she has a great personality and has excellent ICT skills. Jemma also helps out with one of my S1 classes and she even has taken them for a few mini-lessons to give her more experience. Fingers crossed Jemma will get the grades she needs and will get in.
World Book Day
Today is World Book Day, as I have been reliably informed by our National Treasure, Mrs McComb the school librarian.
So I am going to ask a few of my S1s to use a bit of ICT and share their favourite books and characters with us.
My own personal favourite book as a child has to be Roald Dahl's brilliant Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I remember my Primary school teacher reading it to us and we were so excited as we wanted to find out what was inside the factory making all the amazing bars of chocolate.
They don't make'em like they used to, that's for sure.
I am pretty interested to see what will come up in the S1 classes. I'll wager Harry Potter will do well!
So I am going to ask a few of my S1s to use a bit of ICT and share their favourite books and characters with us.
My own personal favourite book as a child has to be Roald Dahl's brilliant Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I remember my Primary school teacher reading it to us and we were so excited as we wanted to find out what was inside the factory making all the amazing bars of chocolate.
They don't make'em like they used to, that's for sure.
I am pretty interested to see what will come up in the S1 classes. I'll wager Harry Potter will do well!
Thursday, 26 February 2009
1P7 African Adventure Class Winners
The first of the class finals took place today and were judged by 3 S4 pupils: Alannah, Kimberley and Nicola.
In joint 2nd place was Kenya (Harry, Heather and Grant) and Ghana (a great performance by Lisa who had to present on her own as her partner was off!)
And the winner is Egypt (Nicola and Scott)!
The quality of the presentations this year were very good. Many had the national anthems of their African country in the presentation and a few had questions at the end, which I thought was a very mature touch.
It will be great to see the best of the best taking part in the Year Final.
In joint 2nd place was Kenya (Harry, Heather and Grant) and Ghana (a great performance by Lisa who had to present on her own as her partner was off!)
And the winner is Egypt (Nicola and Scott)!
The quality of the presentations this year were very good. Many had the national anthems of their African country in the presentation and a few had questions at the end, which I thought was a very mature touch.
It will be great to see the best of the best taking part in the Year Final.
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Mangos, Yellow Fever and Ghana
Yesterday I went to the Glasgow Airport Travel Clinic and received my Yellow Fever jag. I felt a bit sick and had a slight headache. But Yellow Fever prevention is mandatory before going to Ghana or else you simply will not get in.
Mr Dyer of Science (who has been several times and is the person who has made all the brilliant links with our friends in Donkorkrom) is going as is Mr Bowen of Modern Studies and History. I am also going to go and am looking forward to it.
It will be great to see the mango farm being planted while we are over there. The firms that are sponsoring our Carbon Offset project will see pictures of us there and also at the Spartanburg Orphanage where the proceeds of our fundraising go to.
It promises to be a very interesting and exciting trip and I look forward to making a contribution while over in Ghana. Adding value as my friend Mr Derek would say (he's living the high life in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
So early July is the date we set off and hopefully by then we shall have many more sponsors on board. I was delighted we got Schuh on early and also Scot-Tel. Mr Dyer secured Hollandbush Nursery, and Mr Stewart is in talks with Scottish Power and Community Windpower. I am also looking at Timber firms such as Tower Doors and Kelvin Timber. Our modernisation builders, Morgan Ashwood are also interested.
Next step is to create some flyers to see if we can attract some more interest!
Mr Dyer of Science (who has been several times and is the person who has made all the brilliant links with our friends in Donkorkrom) is going as is Mr Bowen of Modern Studies and History. I am also going to go and am looking forward to it.
It will be great to see the mango farm being planted while we are over there. The firms that are sponsoring our Carbon Offset project will see pictures of us there and also at the Spartanburg Orphanage where the proceeds of our fundraising go to.
It promises to be a very interesting and exciting trip and I look forward to making a contribution while over in Ghana. Adding value as my friend Mr Derek would say (he's living the high life in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
So early July is the date we set off and hopefully by then we shall have many more sponsors on board. I was delighted we got Schuh on early and also Scot-Tel. Mr Dyer secured Hollandbush Nursery, and Mr Stewart is in talks with Scottish Power and Community Windpower. I am also looking at Timber firms such as Tower Doors and Kelvin Timber. Our modernisation builders, Morgan Ashwood are also interested.
Next step is to create some flyers to see if we can attract some more interest!
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
In the News...
Some Business headlines at home and abroad....
Hundreds lose jobs as mill closes
Over 350 jobs are set to be lost after it was decided Inverurie Paper Mill is to close.
International Paper has announced the mill in Aberdeenshire will shut by the end of March as no financially viable alternative has been found.
Slowdown in house price decline
Scottish house prices have continued to fall but the rate of decline has slowed, according to research by Lloyds TSB.
The bank's Scottish House Price Monitor showed the average domestic property dropped in value by 2.3% in the three months to 31 January.
The previous figures published in November showed a 4% fall - the largest in the 16-year history of the monitor.
On an annual basis house prices have risen by 1.6%.
Lloyds TSB said the average mix adjusted Scottish house price was now £158,820.
Domino's delivers strong profits
Domino's Pizza has reported strong profits growth in 2008 after consumers looked to cheaper alternatives to eating out during the downturn.
Profits at the pizza firm in the UK and Irish Republic rose 24.7% to £23.4m, with like-for-like sales up 10%.
The company opened 52 new stores during the year and created 1,800 jobs, with total sales up 18.4%.
Fast food and home delivery chains are some of the few businesses profiting during the recession.
Indeed a third of the company's 2.7 million customers during the year were new customers.
The company has also seen a strong start to the new year, with like-for-like sales up 15% in the first six weeks of 2009.
Domino's plans to open another 50 new stores this year, taking the total number of Domino's outlets to over 600. It hopes to have at least 1,000 open within the next 10 years.
Air bag jacket 'could save lives'
Dozens of motorcyclists' lives could be saved every year if air bag jackets were made compulsory, accident and emergency doctors have said.
The jackets are the equivalent of car air bags and inflate if the rider is thrown off during a crash.
In one version, the jacket is attached to the bike by a lead which detaches when the rider has come off suddenly.
The Department of Transport said it had no plans for a new law but said it welcomed anything to improve safety.
China warns against protectionism
China has warned that protectionist measures in other countries' economic stimulus packages will make the bad financial situation even worse.
A commerce ministry spokesman expressed "deep concern" about the measures.
At the weekend, a commentary published by the official news agency Xinhua singled out the "Buy American" provisions in the US' stimulus package.
China fears this is a sign the Obama administration will pursue protectionist policies in the future.
America's multi-billion dollar stimulus package was approved by Congress on Friday.
20,000 jobs may go in California
Cash-strapped California is to start notifying 20,000 state workers that they may lose their jobs.
A spokesman for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made the announcement after California lawmakers failed to approve a $40bn (£28.2bn) budget.
California, the world's eighth biggest economy, has been hit by the housing crisis, unemployment and falling consumer spending.
The jobs on the government payroll would be cut in June.
It would be done in preparation for the next fiscal year, which starts in July.
"In the absence of a budget, the governor has a responsibility to realise state savings any way he can," said Aaron McLear, a spokesman for Republican governor Schwarzenegger.
"This is unfortunately a necessary decision."
Japan finance minister steps down
Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa has resigned, amid claims that he was drunk at a recent G7 meeting.
Mr Nakagawa said earlier that he would wait until parliament had approved a supplementary budget to step down.
But he brought forward his departure after calls for his immediate exit escalated.
Prime Minister Taro Aso said he respected Mr Nakagawa's decision and named Economics Minister Kaoru Yosano to take over the finance portfolio.
Mr Nakagawa apologised for "causing such a big fuss" and told journalists: "I decided that it would be better for the country if I quit."
Intel announces $7bn plant plan
Computer chipmaker Intel has announced plans to build new plants worth $7bn (£4.78bn) weeks after announcing the closure of five plants.
The world's biggest chipmaker says the investment will fund 7,000 jobs in Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico.
Last month, Intel said it was cutting up to 6,000 jobs in response to slowing consumer demand for computers.
It also aims to increase production of faster chips. Two of the plants being closed make older-style chips.
"Spending this money will lower our costs and give us more competitive products. It's something that's fundamental to our business model," said Intel chief executive Paul Otellini.
"From our perspective this is a cheaper, better technology," he said.
Source: BBC News
So there are some headlines from, around the world. Interesting that some firms such as Domino's are bucking the trend of shedding jobs. Also this is the first real test of the Asian/Pacific Tiger Economies of which you know I am quite interested in. Japan had a long deflationary period and a recession of its own, but now it is the turn of South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and also the new powerhouse on the block, China.
Remember the video on Wal-Mart? Most of their goods were made in China. Even during the boom times the terms and conditions for the employees were pretty scandalous... so what will it be like now?
How does the world recover from this recession? That is the $1 Trillion Dollar question. Obviously more public money will be used to start spending projects (in the Great Depression the Americans built the Interstate system and the Nazis built the Autobahns) but it doesn't always work. Perhaps it is just a case of the balance or equilibrium falling back into place. So that after times of over-inflated prosperity there has to be times of hardship. Not good news, I know, but perhaps closer to the truth.
If you have time, look at what is know as the Kondratiev Wave theory and also look up a little known US politician Huey Long.
I'll be asking about this in class and I will post the answers in a week or so. Both are interesting and relate to what is happening at present.
Hundreds lose jobs as mill closes
Over 350 jobs are set to be lost after it was decided Inverurie Paper Mill is to close.
International Paper has announced the mill in Aberdeenshire will shut by the end of March as no financially viable alternative has been found.
Slowdown in house price decline
Scottish house prices have continued to fall but the rate of decline has slowed, according to research by Lloyds TSB.
The bank's Scottish House Price Monitor showed the average domestic property dropped in value by 2.3% in the three months to 31 January.
The previous figures published in November showed a 4% fall - the largest in the 16-year history of the monitor.
On an annual basis house prices have risen by 1.6%.
Lloyds TSB said the average mix adjusted Scottish house price was now £158,820.
Domino's delivers strong profits
Domino's Pizza has reported strong profits growth in 2008 after consumers looked to cheaper alternatives to eating out during the downturn.
Profits at the pizza firm in the UK and Irish Republic rose 24.7% to £23.4m, with like-for-like sales up 10%.
The company opened 52 new stores during the year and created 1,800 jobs, with total sales up 18.4%.
Fast food and home delivery chains are some of the few businesses profiting during the recession.
Indeed a third of the company's 2.7 million customers during the year were new customers.
The company has also seen a strong start to the new year, with like-for-like sales up 15% in the first six weeks of 2009.
Domino's plans to open another 50 new stores this year, taking the total number of Domino's outlets to over 600. It hopes to have at least 1,000 open within the next 10 years.
Air bag jacket 'could save lives'
Dozens of motorcyclists' lives could be saved every year if air bag jackets were made compulsory, accident and emergency doctors have said.
The jackets are the equivalent of car air bags and inflate if the rider is thrown off during a crash.
In one version, the jacket is attached to the bike by a lead which detaches when the rider has come off suddenly.
The Department of Transport said it had no plans for a new law but said it welcomed anything to improve safety.
China warns against protectionism
China has warned that protectionist measures in other countries' economic stimulus packages will make the bad financial situation even worse.
A commerce ministry spokesman expressed "deep concern" about the measures.
At the weekend, a commentary published by the official news agency Xinhua singled out the "Buy American" provisions in the US' stimulus package.
China fears this is a sign the Obama administration will pursue protectionist policies in the future.
America's multi-billion dollar stimulus package was approved by Congress on Friday.
20,000 jobs may go in California
Cash-strapped California is to start notifying 20,000 state workers that they may lose their jobs.
A spokesman for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made the announcement after California lawmakers failed to approve a $40bn (£28.2bn) budget.
California, the world's eighth biggest economy, has been hit by the housing crisis, unemployment and falling consumer spending.
The jobs on the government payroll would be cut in June.
It would be done in preparation for the next fiscal year, which starts in July.
"In the absence of a budget, the governor has a responsibility to realise state savings any way he can," said Aaron McLear, a spokesman for Republican governor Schwarzenegger.
"This is unfortunately a necessary decision."
Japan finance minister steps down
Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa has resigned, amid claims that he was drunk at a recent G7 meeting.
Mr Nakagawa said earlier that he would wait until parliament had approved a supplementary budget to step down.
But he brought forward his departure after calls for his immediate exit escalated.
Prime Minister Taro Aso said he respected Mr Nakagawa's decision and named Economics Minister Kaoru Yosano to take over the finance portfolio.
Mr Nakagawa apologised for "causing such a big fuss" and told journalists: "I decided that it would be better for the country if I quit."
Intel announces $7bn plant plan
Computer chipmaker Intel has announced plans to build new plants worth $7bn (£4.78bn) weeks after announcing the closure of five plants.
The world's biggest chipmaker says the investment will fund 7,000 jobs in Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico.
Last month, Intel said it was cutting up to 6,000 jobs in response to slowing consumer demand for computers.
It also aims to increase production of faster chips. Two of the plants being closed make older-style chips.
"Spending this money will lower our costs and give us more competitive products. It's something that's fundamental to our business model," said Intel chief executive Paul Otellini.
"From our perspective this is a cheaper, better technology," he said.
Source: BBC News
So there are some headlines from, around the world. Interesting that some firms such as Domino's are bucking the trend of shedding jobs. Also this is the first real test of the Asian/Pacific Tiger Economies of which you know I am quite interested in. Japan had a long deflationary period and a recession of its own, but now it is the turn of South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and also the new powerhouse on the block, China.
Remember the video on Wal-Mart? Most of their goods were made in China. Even during the boom times the terms and conditions for the employees were pretty scandalous... so what will it be like now?
How does the world recover from this recession? That is the $1 Trillion Dollar question. Obviously more public money will be used to start spending projects (in the Great Depression the Americans built the Interstate system and the Nazis built the Autobahns) but it doesn't always work. Perhaps it is just a case of the balance or equilibrium falling back into place. So that after times of over-inflated prosperity there has to be times of hardship. Not good news, I know, but perhaps closer to the truth.
If you have time, look at what is know as the Kondratiev Wave theory and also look up a little known US politician Huey Long.
I'll be asking about this in class and I will post the answers in a week or so. Both are interesting and relate to what is happening at present.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
In the News...
Amazon profits from festive sales
Amazon's sales increased despite the recession.
Profit at online retailer Amazon rose 9% in the final three months of last year, as the company enjoyed a robust holiday shopping season.
Car sector contracts in January
The car industry has been hit by the slowdown
The number of new cars registered in the UK in January declined 30.9% year-on-year, according to industry figures, worse than December's contraction.
Further cut in UK rates expected
The Bank's latest rates decision is due at midday
The Bank of England is widely expected to reduce UK interest rates to 1% from the current 1.5% when it makes its latest monthly decision later.
Obama unveils executive pay cap
President Obama: 'We're demanding restraint in exchange for Federal aid'
US President Barack Obama has announced a $500,000 (£355,000) limit on executive pay at US firms that need substantial fresh government aid.
Vauxhall staff cut working hours
The Ellesmere Port plant stopped production for one month
Staff at Vauxhall's car plants in Ellesmere Port and Luton are taking a cut in pay after agreement was reached to reduce their working hours.
Amazon's sales increased despite the recession.
Profit at online retailer Amazon rose 9% in the final three months of last year, as the company enjoyed a robust holiday shopping season.
Car sector contracts in January
The car industry has been hit by the slowdown
The number of new cars registered in the UK in January declined 30.9% year-on-year, according to industry figures, worse than December's contraction.
Further cut in UK rates expected
The Bank's latest rates decision is due at midday
The Bank of England is widely expected to reduce UK interest rates to 1% from the current 1.5% when it makes its latest monthly decision later.
Obama unveils executive pay cap
President Obama: 'We're demanding restraint in exchange for Federal aid'
US President Barack Obama has announced a $500,000 (£355,000) limit on executive pay at US firms that need substantial fresh government aid.
Vauxhall staff cut working hours
The Ellesmere Port plant stopped production for one month
Staff at Vauxhall's car plants in Ellesmere Port and Luton are taking a cut in pay after agreement was reached to reduce their working hours.
Links with Canada
Hamilton Grammar school are developing links with Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School in Ontario!
So hopefully some of our Business classes can get involved with our Canadian counterparts. I think it would be interested to see what differences in curriculum there are.
I have visited 3 American schools before (all in Minnesota) and were very impressed by their facilities. In particular Apollo High in St Cloud and Sartell High in Sartell.
The blog we have set up for correspondence is http://worldview2020.blogspot.com/.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Pro Boards
Mr McAlpine has used this already with his classes and so now is Mr Arthur, so I have decided to follow suit!
I have created forums for Higher Business Management, Higher Administration and Standard Grade Administration.
I will get you to create accounts in classtime, and then it gives you an interactive forum to ask questions and actually study together online!
I know I do not have to tell you guys but obviously you know you have to behave accordingly.
It is a brilliant resource and I implore you to use it.
I have created forums for Higher Business Management, Higher Administration and Standard Grade Administration.
I will get you to create accounts in classtime, and then it gives you an interactive forum to ask questions and actually study together online!
I know I do not have to tell you guys but obviously you know you have to behave accordingly.
It is a brilliant resource and I implore you to use it.
Rich Task CPD
Last night I attended a CPD event run by former Hamilton Grammar staff member and now Head of English at Hamilton College, Paul Mason.
Paul introduced the concept of the Rich Task - having pupils work independently on a project that involves cross-curricular themes.
The one Hamilton Grammar did was on Planetary Colonisation and had Primary kids who were coming up to the big school plan everything to do with starting out on a new world. It involved Science, Maths, Geography and English.
The Rich Task idea came from Queensland and is now very much part of the CfE!
It got me thinking that the two S1 units myself and Mr Robbie Alexander introduced into the S1 IT curriculum last year were in fact mini Rich Tasks.
Rather than just teaching pupils powerpoint we created African Adventure - which not only had pupils working in teams but having to touch on many different subject bases (Geography, Modern Studies, Languages, Business) as they investigated, researched and presented their findings to a class final and then through to the Year final. Our project was a success and seems to be going well again this year. It was mainly based on the idea of Citizenship and getting pupils to think about the wider world.
The other unit was a mock Dragons Den whereby the skills they had learned through the year were brought together to create a final product. They had to send emails, use graphics to draw prototypes, type up letters, create posters, scan in images, and research competitors. It was basically to introduce some Enterpreneurial spirit into our S1!!!
So while our ideas did not come under the Rich Task banner, I do feel there is some commonailty and perhaps writing a proper Rich Task could be the next step. As Paul explained there are ways to write the planning sheet which I actually quite like.
One final thing though which I have to point out to Paul... our S1 African Adventure DID have Presentation Assessment criteria! That was one of the main ideas behind it. It was not just the actual powerpoint skills that were being assessed but also the content and the delivery. I like teachers to add value and if we can teach pupils presentation and communication skills at an early age then that helps every subject and pupil in the long run!
Paul did a great job and I look forward to seeing what new Rich Tasks he will conjure up in the future.
Paul introduced the concept of the Rich Task - having pupils work independently on a project that involves cross-curricular themes.
The one Hamilton Grammar did was on Planetary Colonisation and had Primary kids who were coming up to the big school plan everything to do with starting out on a new world. It involved Science, Maths, Geography and English.
The Rich Task idea came from Queensland and is now very much part of the CfE!
It got me thinking that the two S1 units myself and Mr Robbie Alexander introduced into the S1 IT curriculum last year were in fact mini Rich Tasks.
Rather than just teaching pupils powerpoint we created African Adventure - which not only had pupils working in teams but having to touch on many different subject bases (Geography, Modern Studies, Languages, Business) as they investigated, researched and presented their findings to a class final and then through to the Year final. Our project was a success and seems to be going well again this year. It was mainly based on the idea of Citizenship and getting pupils to think about the wider world.
The other unit was a mock Dragons Den whereby the skills they had learned through the year were brought together to create a final product. They had to send emails, use graphics to draw prototypes, type up letters, create posters, scan in images, and research competitors. It was basically to introduce some Enterpreneurial spirit into our S1!!!
So while our ideas did not come under the Rich Task banner, I do feel there is some commonailty and perhaps writing a proper Rich Task could be the next step. As Paul explained there are ways to write the planning sheet which I actually quite like.
One final thing though which I have to point out to Paul... our S1 African Adventure DID have Presentation Assessment criteria! That was one of the main ideas behind it. It was not just the actual powerpoint skills that were being assessed but also the content and the delivery. I like teachers to add value and if we can teach pupils presentation and communication skills at an early age then that helps every subject and pupil in the long run!
Paul did a great job and I look forward to seeing what new Rich Tasks he will conjure up in the future.
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Big Chef takes on Little Chef
Here was a programme that if the swearing was edited out (like Kitchen Nightmare's) would be a great resource for Business Management pupils.
Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal who runs the Fat Duck pub in Bray is famous for hsi scientific approach to food.
Little Chef, the British roadside icon asked him to help rejuvinate the dying brand. Heston did so... to an extent.
He encountered marketing problems, including conducting his own market research as well as designing/developing the product (the menu) and even had HR issues such as training up the Little Chef staff and turn them from microwave heater-uppers into cooks.
A very interesting and entertaining programme, a bit stage managed though, but I guess that is TV.
Perhaps we could write to Heston and ask him some questions about his experiences?
Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal who runs the Fat Duck pub in Bray is famous for hsi scientific approach to food.
Little Chef, the British roadside icon asked him to help rejuvinate the dying brand. Heston did so... to an extent.
He encountered marketing problems, including conducting his own market research as well as designing/developing the product (the menu) and even had HR issues such as training up the Little Chef staff and turn them from microwave heater-uppers into cooks.
A very interesting and entertaining programme, a bit stage managed though, but I guess that is TV.
Perhaps we could write to Heston and ask him some questions about his experiences?
Vozme - From Text to Speech
While taking a look around Douglas Semple's ICT Maverick blog I found his post on another blogger's page, Jane Knight.
It centred around what is called Vozme and can be found here
It turns text into speech, so I think we will give that a try for revision!
Perhaps even all my long winded notes can be uploaded and then turned into speech for download to your iPod or mp3 player.
Worth a go anyway!
It centred around what is called Vozme and can be found here
It turns text into speech, so I think we will give that a try for revision!
Perhaps even all my long winded notes can be uploaded and then turned into speech for download to your iPod or mp3 player.
Worth a go anyway!
Monday, 19 January 2009
In the News...
JAPANESE OUTPUT FALLS
Industrial output in Japan dropped 8.5% in November compared with the previous month, larger than initially estimated.
The drop represents the biggest fall since records of such output statistics began in 1953.
Compared with a year earlier, the country's industrial output fell 16.6%, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.
KPMG OFFER SHORTER WEEK TO STAFF
Staff at accounting and consulting giant KPMG have been told they can save their jobs by working a four-day week or taking a short break on 30% pay.
The firm is attempting to stave off redundancies among its 11,000 strong workforce.
A spokesman said it was impossible to rule out job cuts in the future but the offer was on a voluntary basis.
IRISH BANK TO BE NATIONALISED
The Irish government has said it is to nationalise the Anglo Irish Bank after its funding problems continued.
The state had planned on pumping 1.5bn euros (£1.4bn) into the bank, but has decided that recapitalisation is not the way to secure its future.
Anglo Irish has about 100bn euros on its books, but there was no need for customers to act, the state said.
HERTZ SLASH WORKFORCE
Car rental firm Hertz is to cut more than 4,000 jobs as it makes further cost savings amid slowing demand.
Hertz has already cut its workforce by 22% in the last two years. The new cuts mean the firm has trimmed its staff numbers by 32% since August 2006.
The firm, which has about 29,350 workers in 144 countries, said the cuts would occur across all regions.
Sources: BBC Business News
Industrial output in Japan dropped 8.5% in November compared with the previous month, larger than initially estimated.
The drop represents the biggest fall since records of such output statistics began in 1953.
Compared with a year earlier, the country's industrial output fell 16.6%, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.
KPMG OFFER SHORTER WEEK TO STAFF
Staff at accounting and consulting giant KPMG have been told they can save their jobs by working a four-day week or taking a short break on 30% pay.
The firm is attempting to stave off redundancies among its 11,000 strong workforce.
A spokesman said it was impossible to rule out job cuts in the future but the offer was on a voluntary basis.
IRISH BANK TO BE NATIONALISED
The Irish government has said it is to nationalise the Anglo Irish Bank after its funding problems continued.
The state had planned on pumping 1.5bn euros (£1.4bn) into the bank, but has decided that recapitalisation is not the way to secure its future.
Anglo Irish has about 100bn euros on its books, but there was no need for customers to act, the state said.
HERTZ SLASH WORKFORCE
Car rental firm Hertz is to cut more than 4,000 jobs as it makes further cost savings amid slowing demand.
Hertz has already cut its workforce by 22% in the last two years. The new cuts mean the firm has trimmed its staff numbers by 32% since August 2006.
The firm, which has about 29,350 workers in 144 countries, said the cuts would occur across all regions.
Sources: BBC Business News
Sunday, 18 January 2009
My Great Scot - Adam Smith
With all this hoo-hah over the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation's favourite poet, Mr Rabbie Burns, I thought I'd just present a case for my own personal favourite, Adam Smith.
Sadly many people do not know who he is, but he is "the Father of Modern Economics" and while that may not sound that impressive, trust me it is.
Adam Smith's views on Trade could be found in his famous book published in 1776: "The Wealth of Nations". I am working on a slideshow about Adam Smith and intend to make a video also.
Perhaps this could be a job for Weh TV or HGS Digital?
Anyway back to Adam Smith, who I admit I hadn't really heard much about until I did Economics at University.
He basically is an advocate of laissez-faire or 'hands off' meaning that the Government should not interfere with the nation's economy and let businesses run themselves for profit and thereby creating jobs and providing goods and services. He believed in free trade, free enterprise and free economy.
This is obviously good for the entrepreneur, but it can lead to ethical considerations. Employees have interests that have to be satisfied, with safety obviously being the first port of call. Would Adam Smith approve of firms cutting corners to profiteer? Adam Smith believed that by creating jobs and making a profit the wealthy would put back into society and therefore it would lead to social good. Yet, if we think of Gordon Gecko's infamous line in Wall Street: 'Greed is good'.
He coined the phrase The Invisible Hand, which means that the market guides itself. In other words what we need and want and consume will eventually be found out by firms who will then produce the items needed to satisfy customers/consumers.
He also was an advocate of the division of labour, in other words dividing a product into small stages that workers can work on and then finally assemble the finished product, a bit like the modern assembly line. Again, what would he think of Linn Products and the employee-technician who makes the entire sound system from scratch? Naturally the advantage of division of labour is that you can produce more quantity and volume, which was what was needed back at the onset of the Industrial Revolution.
Linn Products of course are a highly skilled company and aim for a very exclusive niche in the market. High volume products do not, they target a far wider market.
Adam Smith would not have approved for the National Minimum Wage either!
He did however not believe in monopolies which are naturally bad for customers as a monopoly can set their own prices.
I wonder what Adam Smith would make of the recent Government funding of so many failing banks?
So I leave you again with Adam Smith as my Great Scot because without him the world would be very different!
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