Oh well another year almost over. Our plucky Int 2 and Higher Business Management candidates sat the exam today.
As I write this, our pupils have 15 minutes or so and they will be out. Fingers crossed they all did themselves justice.
I await the verdict with bated breath!
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Monday, 9 May 2011
BBC Bitesize for Higher Business Management
I have done some work for the BBC and it is finally up on the web. It contains revision notes for all the outcomes of the Higher Business Management course, as well as some short test bites which are intended to aid recall of the information.
Naturally, students will have to still be aware of the SQA command words and be able to apply their knowledge in the context of the question.
I would like to thank Bruce Munro at the BBC who was a pleasure to work for.
The hyperlink is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/bitesize/higher/business_management/
I hope you find it helpful and another useful web resource to help you pass your exams.
Naturally, students will have to still be aware of the SQA command words and be able to apply their knowledge in the context of the question.
I would like to thank Bruce Munro at the BBC who was a pleasure to work for.
The hyperlink is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/bitesize/higher/business_management/
I hope you find it helpful and another useful web resource to help you pass your exams.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Social Media Career Blunders
With Facebook, My Space, Bebo etc being used more and more by employers to vet employees there is now a list of famous blunders by staff. From Investopedia (read more http://financialedge.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0410/6-Career-Killing-Facebook-Mistakes.aspx) Inappropriate Pictures It may go without saying, but prospective employers or clients don't want to see pictures of you chugging a bottle of wine or dressed up for a night at the bar. Beyond the pictures you wouldn't want your grandparents to see, seemingly innocent pictures of your personal life will likely not help to support the persona you want to present in your professional life. Complaining About Your Current Job You've no doubt done this at least once. It could be a full note about how much you hate your office, or how incompetent your boss is, or it could be as innocent as a status update about how your coworker always shows up late. While everyone complains about work sometimes, doing so in a public forum where it can be found by others is not the best career move. Though it may seem innocent, it's not the kind of impression that sits well with a potential boss. Posting Conflicting Information to Your Resume If you say on your resume that your degree is from Harvard, but your Facebook profile says you went to UCLA, you're likely to be immediately cut from the interview list. Even if the conflict doesn't leave you looking better on your resume, disparities will make you look at worst like a liar, and at best careless. (Social networking can also be used as its own job. Statuses You Wouldn't Want Your Boss to See Everyone should know to avoid statuses like "Tom plans to call in sick tomorrow so he can get drunk on a Wednesday. Who cares that my big work project isn't done?" But you should also be aware of less flamboyant statuses like "Sarah is watching the gold medal hockey game online at her desk". Statuses that imply you are unreliable, deceitful, and basically anything that doesn't make you look as professional as you'd like, can seriously undermine your chances at landing that new job. Not Understanding Your Security Settings The security settings on Facebook have come a long way since the site started. It is now possible to customize lists of friends and decide what each list can and cannot see. However, many people do not fully understand these settings, or don't bother to check who has access to what. If you are going to use Facebook professionally, and even if you aren't, make sure you take the time to go through your privacy options. At the very least, your profile should be set so that people who are not your friend cannot see any of your pictures or information. (These rules apply to Twitter as well, and you can also use Twitter to find a new job. Losing By Association You can't control what your friends post to your profile (although you can remove it once you see it), nor what they post to their own profiles or to those of mutual friends. If a potential client or employer sees those Friday night pictures your friend has tagged you in where he is falling down drunk, it reflects poorly on you, even if the picture of you is completely innocent. It's unfortunate, but we do judge others by the company they keep, at least to some extent. Take a look at everything connected to your profile, and keep an eye out for anything you wouldn't want to show your mother.
India fights corrpution with Zero Rupee
A novel approach to curbing corruption by officals and police in India is well underway. People who feel they are being ripped off by having to pay additional charges are now handing over what is called 'Zero Rupees' which is a replica of the Indian currency which is thicker than normal and is difficult to fold over - a common sign of corruption.
This is the brainchild of the 5th Pillar organisation, and more can be read here: http://india.5thpillar.org/ZRN and also here: http://zerocurrency.org/.
Bribery is a serious crime in India and so when a person hands over a zero rupee the recipient and potential fraudster feels embarrassed and ashamed.
Zero currency notes are being planned for other notorious hotspots of corruption.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Japan hit by massive earthquake
Devastating scenes from Japan. An earthquake measuring a massive 8.9 on the Richter Scale has struck Sendai region and Tokyo. A 33 foot high tsunami wave swept across the region earlier today. Many people are mising and the damage to land and property will probably be counted in billions.
This incredible graphic shows the time it takes for the tsunami wave to travle across the Pacific. South American nations have the longest warning time in this case. Ecuador has already started an evacuation along its coastlines.
Indonesia is also bracing itself for a tsunami, though thankfully nothing on the scale of the 2004 Boxing Day wave.
Japan is famous for its volcanoes and earthquakes as it sits at a key geological position on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Japan has an incredible amount of seismic activity each year and that is why Japanese homes used to be made of paper, and how they created skyscrapers that can swing and sway during earthquakes.
Tokyo's two main airports, Narita and Haneda are both closed at present, but hopefully it won't be long before Japan is back to normal and the bullet trains - designed to stop during an earthquake - are back running again.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
In the News...
SLOW PAY RISES FOR UK
Private sector pay at UK listed companies has risen at the slowest rate on record, a survey suggests.
Earnings rose at an annualised rate of just 0.5% in the three months to February, according to the Vocalink FTSE 350 index.
The rate is well below consumer prices index (CPI) inflation, which is currently running at 4%.
Manufacturing employees were hardest hit, seeing a sudden 0.6% shrinkage in pay packets during the period
UK MANUFACTURING ON THE UP
UK manufacturing in January grew at its fastest annual pace in more than 16 years, official figures have shown.
Manufacturing output was up 6.8% on January last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, its strongest pace since October 1994.
Month-on-month, output increased by 1% as firms recovered from a weather-related drop of 0.1% in December. The figures suggest the economy is rebounding from the 0.6% contraction seen in the last quarter.
GERMANY BETTER THAN ENGLISH SPEAKERS?
Is Germany better at teaching university courses in English than universities in English-speaking countries?
Germany has been named as the most supportive country for overseas students, in an international league table.
Among the attractions for international students is the increasing availability in Germany of courses taught entirely in English, so much so that students can complete degrees without ever having to speak German.
In the international zones of these classes, students from Germany, the United States and China participate in seminars conducted by German professors speaking in English.
Source: BBC Business News
Private sector pay at UK listed companies has risen at the slowest rate on record, a survey suggests.
Earnings rose at an annualised rate of just 0.5% in the three months to February, according to the Vocalink FTSE 350 index.
The rate is well below consumer prices index (CPI) inflation, which is currently running at 4%.
Manufacturing employees were hardest hit, seeing a sudden 0.6% shrinkage in pay packets during the period
UK MANUFACTURING ON THE UP
UK manufacturing in January grew at its fastest annual pace in more than 16 years, official figures have shown.
Manufacturing output was up 6.8% on January last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, its strongest pace since October 1994.
Month-on-month, output increased by 1% as firms recovered from a weather-related drop of 0.1% in December. The figures suggest the economy is rebounding from the 0.6% contraction seen in the last quarter.
GERMANY BETTER THAN ENGLISH SPEAKERS?
Is Germany better at teaching university courses in English than universities in English-speaking countries?
Germany has been named as the most supportive country for overseas students, in an international league table.
Among the attractions for international students is the increasing availability in Germany of courses taught entirely in English, so much so that students can complete degrees without ever having to speak German.
In the international zones of these classes, students from Germany, the United States and China participate in seminars conducted by German professors speaking in English.
Source: BBC Business News
The decline of Western civilization?
I was watching Professor Niall Ferguson’s programme about the decline of Western civilization and how China had turned inward on itself circa 1500s and let the European nations overtake her as the most advanced nations on Earth.
He argues that the return to the natural order may be happening in the Pacific just now, as China has woken up to capitalism and with relish.
I also read in Time magazine an interesting article about how Germany has confounded the odds and is boosting economic growth even in times of hardship. Also the USA are actually projecting to growth faster than first expected.
Then it occurred to me what all three nations still do so well that to a large extent the UK and Scotland do not: MAKE things. Germany is a world class producer not so much of lots of goods, but rather of quality products. German precision engineering can be found in some of the best automobiles in the world. China are not only manufacturing a myriad of products and exporting them abroad, but they are also investing in education and transport. This will secure prosperity for the future.
Indeed it was also argued that the boom times of 1950s America was partly due to the massive investment FDR made in the 1930s by building the Interstate roads. Perhaps China’s massive high speed rail programme will pay dividends also for them.
Worryingly in the UK we have long hung up our manufacturing boots and focus on the Tertiary sector or the service industries. While this may be good as it builds soft skills it sadly is prone to imitation and also to move work to cheaper places abroad. Whereas at one time we built the best ships in the world on the River Clyde and Clyde Built was a stamp of quality people would pay good money for. Can we turn back the clock and offer jobs, apprenticeships and training to turn our workforce into highly skilled craftsmen and women? I fear if we somehow do not we will become a nation of call centre workers which while this is needed it is vulnerable to be outsourced to another country, as we have seen with many help lines and support lines being moved in the past to India, where labour is cheaper.
He argues that the return to the natural order may be happening in the Pacific just now, as China has woken up to capitalism and with relish.
I also read in Time magazine an interesting article about how Germany has confounded the odds and is boosting economic growth even in times of hardship. Also the USA are actually projecting to growth faster than first expected.
Then it occurred to me what all three nations still do so well that to a large extent the UK and Scotland do not: MAKE things. Germany is a world class producer not so much of lots of goods, but rather of quality products. German precision engineering can be found in some of the best automobiles in the world. China are not only manufacturing a myriad of products and exporting them abroad, but they are also investing in education and transport. This will secure prosperity for the future.
Indeed it was also argued that the boom times of 1950s America was partly due to the massive investment FDR made in the 1930s by building the Interstate roads. Perhaps China’s massive high speed rail programme will pay dividends also for them.
Worryingly in the UK we have long hung up our manufacturing boots and focus on the Tertiary sector or the service industries. While this may be good as it builds soft skills it sadly is prone to imitation and also to move work to cheaper places abroad. Whereas at one time we built the best ships in the world on the River Clyde and Clyde Built was a stamp of quality people would pay good money for. Can we turn back the clock and offer jobs, apprenticeships and training to turn our workforce into highly skilled craftsmen and women? I fear if we somehow do not we will become a nation of call centre workers which while this is needed it is vulnerable to be outsourced to another country, as we have seen with many help lines and support lines being moved in the past to India, where labour is cheaper.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Libya's Oil
With Libya descending into civil war oil prices look set to rise again. Who knows how long it will be before the crisis is resolved peacefully. Perhaps Colonel Gaddaffi will leave of his own accord?
The above image displays the countries receiving oil from Libya. It will be interesting to see if Italy and Germany's economies are hit harder than the rest due to the fact they rely so much on Libyan oil.
Italy may be the next European nation to go into financial meltdown in the same way Iceland, Greece and Ireland have.
Fuel saving tips for drivers
Here are some tips given by the BBC on how to save fuel when driving to work:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12664047
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12664047
In the News...
JOHN LEWIS MAKES A PROFIT
John Lewis' profits rose by 20%, or £61.3m, to £367.9m last year but 2011 may be very difficult.
Chairman Charlie Mayfield described the figures for the year ending 29 January as a "strong performance". But he said 2011 would see the impact of higher VAT, rising unemployment, and higher food and raw material costs.
Staff at the employee-owned partnership will each receive a bonus worth an average of more than nine weeks' pay. The 76,500 staff will share a bonus of £194.5m, with bonuses worth 18% of partners' salary.
TOYOTA TARGET 10 MILLION SALES
Japanese carmaker Toyota has said it is aiming for global sales of 10 million vehicles a year by 2015, compared with 8.7 million in 2010.
The company is also targeting annual operating profit of 1 trillion yen ($12bn; £7.4bn) "as soon as possible".
CHINA TO INVEST $200 BILLION IN HOUSING PROJECTS
China will build 10 million low-cost homes this year at a cost of $200bn (£124bn), a government minister has said.
The move comes as soaring home prices spur complaints about affordability.
In January, prices of new homes rose in 68 of the 70 cities monitored by the government compared to a year earlier.
The spending is a part of a commitment to construct 36 million low-cost homes over the next five years.
CREDIT CARD FRAUD FALLS IN THE UK
Fraud losses on UK credit and debit cards fell to the lowest level for a decade in 2010 as awareness of the issue increased.
The amount lost still reached £365.4m, but this was 17% lower than the previous year, the UK Cards Association said.
The biggest drop was in the amount lost through cloned or skimmed cards, which fell by 41%.
But the amount lost through cards being intercepted in the mail was up 22%.
EDINBURGH AIRPORT PREPARES FOR WINTER 2011
At least £1.5m of equipment has been ordered to help keep Edinburgh Airport open during heavy snow next winter.
BAA Scotland airside and autonomy director David Lister announced the move at the Scottish Parliament's transport committee on Tuesday.
Mr Lister said that extensive studies had been carried out at airports in various countries to find ways of remaining open during extreme weather. The airport was closed several times in December and January due to snow.
PRESTWICK AIRPORT LOSE 40% OF PASSENGER TRAFFIC
Prestwick Airport has suffered a sharp decline in passenger numbers this winter, down by 40% in recent months.
Since Ryanair cut back on its winter schedule, the Ayrshire airport has shed about 40 staff, out of more than 400, some by compulsory redundancy.
The air hub has been boosted by bad winter weather, forcing diversions from snow-bound inland airports. But that has been overshadowed by Ryanair focusing traffic from north and central Europe on Edinburgh.
Domestic traffic has fallen steeply, and there are fewer flights linking to Stansted. Passenger traffic in January fell to 61,000 from 103,000 in January 2010. In the previous two years, passengers for that month were at 131,000 and 145,000.
Source: BBC News
John Lewis' profits rose by 20%, or £61.3m, to £367.9m last year but 2011 may be very difficult.
Chairman Charlie Mayfield described the figures for the year ending 29 January as a "strong performance". But he said 2011 would see the impact of higher VAT, rising unemployment, and higher food and raw material costs.
Staff at the employee-owned partnership will each receive a bonus worth an average of more than nine weeks' pay. The 76,500 staff will share a bonus of £194.5m, with bonuses worth 18% of partners' salary.
TOYOTA TARGET 10 MILLION SALES
Japanese carmaker Toyota has said it is aiming for global sales of 10 million vehicles a year by 2015, compared with 8.7 million in 2010.
The company is also targeting annual operating profit of 1 trillion yen ($12bn; £7.4bn) "as soon as possible".
CHINA TO INVEST $200 BILLION IN HOUSING PROJECTS
China will build 10 million low-cost homes this year at a cost of $200bn (£124bn), a government minister has said.
The move comes as soaring home prices spur complaints about affordability.
In January, prices of new homes rose in 68 of the 70 cities monitored by the government compared to a year earlier.
The spending is a part of a commitment to construct 36 million low-cost homes over the next five years.
CREDIT CARD FRAUD FALLS IN THE UK
Fraud losses on UK credit and debit cards fell to the lowest level for a decade in 2010 as awareness of the issue increased.
The amount lost still reached £365.4m, but this was 17% lower than the previous year, the UK Cards Association said.
The biggest drop was in the amount lost through cloned or skimmed cards, which fell by 41%.
But the amount lost through cards being intercepted in the mail was up 22%.
EDINBURGH AIRPORT PREPARES FOR WINTER 2011
At least £1.5m of equipment has been ordered to help keep Edinburgh Airport open during heavy snow next winter.
BAA Scotland airside and autonomy director David Lister announced the move at the Scottish Parliament's transport committee on Tuesday.
Mr Lister said that extensive studies had been carried out at airports in various countries to find ways of remaining open during extreme weather. The airport was closed several times in December and January due to snow.
PRESTWICK AIRPORT LOSE 40% OF PASSENGER TRAFFIC
Prestwick Airport has suffered a sharp decline in passenger numbers this winter, down by 40% in recent months.
Since Ryanair cut back on its winter schedule, the Ayrshire airport has shed about 40 staff, out of more than 400, some by compulsory redundancy.
The air hub has been boosted by bad winter weather, forcing diversions from snow-bound inland airports. But that has been overshadowed by Ryanair focusing traffic from north and central Europe on Edinburgh.
Domestic traffic has fallen steeply, and there are fewer flights linking to Stansted. Passenger traffic in January fell to 61,000 from 103,000 in January 2010. In the previous two years, passengers for that month were at 131,000 and 145,000.
Source: BBC News
Walmart in equal rights court action
Yesterday was International Women’s Day. So perhaps it is pertinent to highlight an impending court case in the United States between 6 female workers (or associates) and Walmart.
The women claim they have been overlooked wrongfully for promotion and pay increases during their tenure with the supermarket giant. If the case is proven successful by the US Supreme Court then it could change corporate history and perhaps at least in the supermarket industry provide equality for women.
This class action – which is when a small number of claimants sue on behalf of a larger group – it could result in a payout to over 1.6 million women Walmart associates.
The claim is filed in the famous 1964 Civil Rights Act which was passed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and is more famous for trying to improve the rights and freedom of African Americans in the US.
So if Walmart loses the case then they could not only find their reputation damaged severely, but out of pocket to the tune of billions of dollars!
Walmart in equal rights court action
Yesterday was International Women’s Day. So perhaps it is pertinent to highlight an impending court case in the United States between 6 female workers (or associates) and Walmart.
The women claim they have been overlooked wrongfully for promotion and pay increases during their tenure with the supermarket giant. If the case is proven successful by the US Supreme Court then it could change corporate history and perhaps at least in the supermarket industry provide equality for women.
This class action – which is when a small number of claimants sue on behalf of a larger group – it could result in a payout to over 1.6 million women Walmart associates.
The claim is filed in the famous 1964 Civil Rights Act which was passed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and is more famous for trying to improve the rights and freedom of African Americans in the US.
So if Walmart loses the case then they could not only find their reputation damaged severely, but out of pocket to the tune of billions of dollars!
The women claim they have been overlooked wrongfully for promotion and pay increases during their tenure with the supermarket giant. If the case is proven successful by the US Supreme Court then it could change corporate history and perhaps at least in the supermarket industry provide equality for women.
This class action – which is when a small number of claimants sue on behalf of a larger group – it could result in a payout to over 1.6 million women Walmart associates.
The claim is filed in the famous 1964 Civil Rights Act which was passed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and is more famous for trying to improve the rights and freedom of African Americans in the US.
So if Walmart loses the case then they could not only find their reputation damaged severely, but out of pocket to the tune of billions of dollars!
Friday, 4 March 2011
Hamilton Grammar Secure Fourth Green Flag
Hamilton Grammar School was inspected on Wednesday 2nd of March for our fourth and final green flag for Eco-schools.
A lot of preparation was done and the inspection went well and the school were awarded the permanent green flag, only the second school in Scotland to achieve this.
It has been a lot of hard work by the pupils and ex-pupils who have created something truly special at the school.
Also Mr Dyer, Head of Science, has to take enormous credit as he was the main driver of the Eco group for several years. I know he and our Headteacher, Mr Stewart, are very proud of the pupils' tremendous achievements!
Congratulations once again to all the pupils involved.
A lot of preparation was done and the inspection went well and the school were awarded the permanent green flag, only the second school in Scotland to achieve this.
It has been a lot of hard work by the pupils and ex-pupils who have created something truly special at the school.
Also Mr Dyer, Head of Science, has to take enormous credit as he was the main driver of the Eco group for several years. I know he and our Headteacher, Mr Stewart, are very proud of the pupils' tremendous achievements!
Congratulations once again to all the pupils involved.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Cash Budget Mnemonic
I have been working on some Mnemoics for study and I have one for cash budgets and their uses.
MEAT
Cash budgets can Motivate employees as they can see how the firm is performing.
They can be used to control Expenditure in order to keep a positive cashflow.
Cash budgets can be used to take corrective Action by arranging a loan to ensure the firm does not go bust.
They can also be used to set Targets for managers, employees and departments to meet.
MEAT
Cash budgets can Motivate employees as they can see how the firm is performing.
They can be used to control Expenditure in order to keep a positive cashflow.
Cash budgets can be used to take corrective Action by arranging a loan to ensure the firm does not go bust.
They can also be used to set Targets for managers, employees and departments to meet.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Fair and Unfair reasons for dismissal
With the topical disciplinary issues surrounding both Hugh Dallas and Andy Gray, it is perhaps a good time to look at fair dismissals, illness and unfair dismissals.
FAIR DISMISSALS
These issues relate to both your conduct in the workplace and your ability to do your job.
- continually missing work
- poor discipline
- drug or alcohol abuse
- theft or dishonesty
- you haven't been able to keep up with technological changes to your job (eg introduction of ICT systems)
- you can't get along with your colleagues
- long-term or persistent illness makes it impossible for you to do your job
ILLNESS
There are also some issues surrounding being ill or unwell. Employers have decisions to make when it comes to:
- how long it will take you to recover
- how certain it is that you will recover (with some illnesses, like broken bones, it is clear how - long it will take but with something like stress it can be uncertain)
- how easy it is to get cover for your job
- whether your job can be kept open
UNFAIR DISMISSAL
Here are grounds for unfair dismissal:
- your employer does not have a fair reason for dismissing you (eg if there was nothing wrong with your job performance)
- your employer did not follow the correct process when dismissing you (eg if the have not followed their company dismissal processes)
- you were dismissed for an automatically unfair reason (eg because you wanted to take maternity leave)
EMPLOYEE'S ENTITLEMENTS
- a written statement of employment particulars
- an itemised pay statement
- a minimum notice period
- maternity, paternity or adoption leave
- time off for antenatal care
- parental leave
- time off for dependants
- the right to request flexible working arrangements
- not to be discriminated against because of your gender, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age
- guaranteed pay when work is not available for you
- time off for public duties (eg jury service)
- protection against unlawful deductions from wages
- remuneration during suspension on medical grounds
Source: www.direct.gov.uk
- refusing to do shop or betting work on a Sunday
- making a public interest disclosure or ‘blowing the whistle’
FAIR DISMISSALS
These issues relate to both your conduct in the workplace and your ability to do your job.
- continually missing work
- poor discipline
- drug or alcohol abuse
- theft or dishonesty
- you haven't been able to keep up with technological changes to your job (eg introduction of ICT systems)
- you can't get along with your colleagues
- long-term or persistent illness makes it impossible for you to do your job
ILLNESS
There are also some issues surrounding being ill or unwell. Employers have decisions to make when it comes to:
- how long it will take you to recover
- how certain it is that you will recover (with some illnesses, like broken bones, it is clear how - long it will take but with something like stress it can be uncertain)
- how easy it is to get cover for your job
- whether your job can be kept open
UNFAIR DISMISSAL
Here are grounds for unfair dismissal:
- your employer does not have a fair reason for dismissing you (eg if there was nothing wrong with your job performance)
- your employer did not follow the correct process when dismissing you (eg if the have not followed their company dismissal processes)
- you were dismissed for an automatically unfair reason (eg because you wanted to take maternity leave)
EMPLOYEE'S ENTITLEMENTS
- a written statement of employment particulars
- an itemised pay statement
- a minimum notice period
- maternity, paternity or adoption leave
- time off for antenatal care
- parental leave
- time off for dependants
- the right to request flexible working arrangements
- not to be discriminated against because of your gender, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age
- guaranteed pay when work is not available for you
- time off for public duties (eg jury service)
- protection against unlawful deductions from wages
- remuneration during suspension on medical grounds
Source: www.direct.gov.uk
- refusing to do shop or betting work on a Sunday
- making a public interest disclosure or ‘blowing the whistle’
Thursday, 13 January 2011
In the News...
RETIREMENT AGE SCRAPPED
The Default Retirement Age (DRA) is to be phased out this year, the government has confirmed.
It means employers will no longer be allowed to dismiss staff just because they have reached the age of 65.
The Department for Business said that as well as benefiting individuals, "the freedom to work for longer will provide a boost to the UK economy".
Employers had called for the changes to be delayed for a year to allow greater legal clarity over the plans.
AMAZON CREATE NEW JOBS IN SCOTLAND
The online retail giant Amazon is to create 950 new jobs in Scotland.
The majority of the posts - 750 - will be created at a newly-built plant distribution centre in Dunfermline, Fife, off the M90 motorway.
That facility will replace a smaller plant at Glenrothes, also in Fife. Existing staff will transfer.
Another 200 jobs will be added at the firm's warehouse in Gourock, Inverclyde, with possibly up to a 1,500 temporary jobs at times of peak demand.
The new one million sq ft distribution centre in Dunfermline - about the size of 14 football pitches - will be Amazon's biggest in the UK.
FIRST BUS HIT BY WEATHER
Scottish-based transport firm has said the recent severe weather has cost it £7m.
However, First Group Plc said it remained on course to achieve its earnings targets for the year ending 31 March.
The Aberdeen-based company said its bus and rail operations had been hit hardest by the freezing weather.
The cost was revealed in the firm's trading update for the third quarter, from 1 October to 31 December 2010.
The company, which also owns Greyhound in North America, said that the trading environment had remained "challenging" since early November, but that its overall trading was in line with management expectations.
Source: BBC News
The Default Retirement Age (DRA) is to be phased out this year, the government has confirmed.
It means employers will no longer be allowed to dismiss staff just because they have reached the age of 65.
The Department for Business said that as well as benefiting individuals, "the freedom to work for longer will provide a boost to the UK economy".
Employers had called for the changes to be delayed for a year to allow greater legal clarity over the plans.
AMAZON CREATE NEW JOBS IN SCOTLAND
The online retail giant Amazon is to create 950 new jobs in Scotland.
The majority of the posts - 750 - will be created at a newly-built plant distribution centre in Dunfermline, Fife, off the M90 motorway.
That facility will replace a smaller plant at Glenrothes, also in Fife. Existing staff will transfer.
Another 200 jobs will be added at the firm's warehouse in Gourock, Inverclyde, with possibly up to a 1,500 temporary jobs at times of peak demand.
The new one million sq ft distribution centre in Dunfermline - about the size of 14 football pitches - will be Amazon's biggest in the UK.
FIRST BUS HIT BY WEATHER
Scottish-based transport firm has said the recent severe weather has cost it £7m.
However, First Group Plc said it remained on course to achieve its earnings targets for the year ending 31 March.
The Aberdeen-based company said its bus and rail operations had been hit hardest by the freezing weather.
The cost was revealed in the firm's trading update for the third quarter, from 1 October to 31 December 2010.
The company, which also owns Greyhound in North America, said that the trading environment had remained "challenging" since early November, but that its overall trading was in line with management expectations.
Source: BBC News
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
GM New ENV
US car-manufacturing giant General Motors has just unveiled the Electric Networked Vehicle (EN-V) – a two-wheeled ride that's the manifestation of the famous marque's vision for the future of urban transport.
Measuring at less than half the length of a Smart Fortwo, GM's EN-V concept is so small that you can fit six units into a car parking space. Yet, somehow, there's still sufficient room to accommodate two passengers inside.
While those facts alone are very impressive, it's the GM EN-V's autonomous driving capability, including a feature that allows it to park itself and automatically return to the owner when summoned from a smartphone app, that clearly marks it out as a car of the future.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Higher Business Management - Empowerment
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."
Empowerment is a term coined to mean giving more responsibility to employees. It is a form of delegation.
This has both advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
Disadvantages
For more reading or information on the theory and concept of Empowerment, look up the works of Management Guru Rosabeth Moss Kanter.
General George Smith Patton, Jr.
Empowerment is a term coined to mean giving more responsibility to employees. It is a form of delegation.
This has both advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
- decision making should be quicker as it is the employees at the centre of decision making
- staff motivation is increased as they feel valued and important
- staff are better suited for potential promotion
- the workforce become more skilled
- the workforce's problem solving skills increase
Disadvantages
- Managers may not trust staff to make decisions
- it can be expensive to train staff
- not every employee wishes responsibility
- there are financial implications as staff will have to be paid for some extra responsibilities
For more reading or information on the theory and concept of Empowerment, look up the works of Management Guru Rosabeth Moss Kanter.
Higher Business Management - Staff Appraisal
An appraisal is an annual review between employee and employer. It is used to help identify strengths and weaknesses and allow for training.
Sometimes employee performance may not be up to standard. Therefore there are different measures a line manager may take. These include:
Sometimes employee performance may not be up to standard. Therefore there are different measures a line manager may take. These include:
- arrange appropriate training for the underperforming employee
- setting targets for the employee
- look to best use employee's skills
- ensure they meet more often to see how things are going
- positive feedback may be given to the employee
Monday, 10 January 2011
In the News
CHINESE BOX OFFICE RISING
Chinese box office takings increased by 64% last year, helped by Hollywood blockbusters such as 3D movie Avatar.
Revenue surged to 10.2 billion Chinese yuan (£966m), though local officials said Chinese film-makers needed to up their game to compete with US movies.
Avatar was the biggest film in China in 2010, having taken $204m (£141.5m). In contrast the top-grossing Chinese film, Aftershock, made just $100m (£64.5m).
SAINSBURY'S CREATE JOBS
The UK's third-biggest supermarket group, Sainsbury's, says it is to create 20,000 in the next three years.
The firm, one of many UK companies meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron, had already said it would create 6,500 jobs in 2011.
Sainsbury chief executive Justin King said the new posts would be a mix of full and part time jobs. The company has close to 900 stores across the UK and currently employs 150,000 people.
Source BBC News
Chinese box office takings increased by 64% last year, helped by Hollywood blockbusters such as 3D movie Avatar.
Revenue surged to 10.2 billion Chinese yuan (£966m), though local officials said Chinese film-makers needed to up their game to compete with US movies.
Avatar was the biggest film in China in 2010, having taken $204m (£141.5m). In contrast the top-grossing Chinese film, Aftershock, made just $100m (£64.5m).
SAINSBURY'S CREATE JOBS
The UK's third-biggest supermarket group, Sainsbury's, says it is to create 20,000 in the next three years.
The firm, one of many UK companies meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron, had already said it would create 6,500 jobs in 2011.
Sainsbury chief executive Justin King said the new posts would be a mix of full and part time jobs. The company has close to 900 stores across the UK and currently employs 150,000 people.
Source BBC News
Monday, 20 December 2010
Stella wins The Apprentice
So Stella English the corporate PA finally won The Apprentice 2010.
In the end it wasn't very close as Chris did his best but he was knocked for six by Stella's one true flash of genius.
The task was to design, create and promote a new spirit. Chris went for a very startling looking bottle and called his 3 mixture Prism. So far so good except the colour was pinkish - more suitable for women.
Stella made a slight variation on bourbon and called it Urbon - which was inspired and to be honest I think that won her the task there and then.
Chris did a better job presenting than earlier in the competition as both he and Stella had been accused of being wooden.
Stella was the consumate professional in her entire performance, though she did have a go at Chris in the boardroom which Chris said he would not go down that route. He had done so at an earlier juncture against Alex and others.
Overall for once the right person won but it would have been a better contest if Liz had reached the final.
Next up is the Junior Apprentice and then the new one will start again sometime soon.
I just hope we get to see the original and best Apprentice with The Donald in the meantime.
Congratulations Stella!
In the end it wasn't very close as Chris did his best but he was knocked for six by Stella's one true flash of genius.
The task was to design, create and promote a new spirit. Chris went for a very startling looking bottle and called his 3 mixture Prism. So far so good except the colour was pinkish - more suitable for women.
Stella made a slight variation on bourbon and called it Urbon - which was inspired and to be honest I think that won her the task there and then.
Chris did a better job presenting than earlier in the competition as both he and Stella had been accused of being wooden.
Stella was the consumate professional in her entire performance, though she did have a go at Chris in the boardroom which Chris said he would not go down that route. He had done so at an earlier juncture against Alex and others.
Overall for once the right person won but it would have been a better contest if Liz had reached the final.
Next up is the Junior Apprentice and then the new one will start again sometime soon.
I just hope we get to see the original and best Apprentice with The Donald in the meantime.
Congratulations Stella!
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Brands and Own Brands
A brand is the identity of a specific product or service. A brand can take many forms, including a name, sign, symbol or slogan. It is a trademark and registered under copyright.
Nike is a brand and the famous Nike swoosh is their logo. The slogan 'just do it' is also synonomous with Nike.
Brands attempt to create a positive image in the minds of customers. Levi's jeans claim they are of higher quality than their rivals even though this is disputed. Levi sells their higher priced jeans on the image of being cool and being aspirational - their advertising has long traded on Levi being rebellious yet cool.
Brands can charge premium prices and aim for customer loyalty. If Brands provide quality products and services over time then customers will come back again and again. It aslo makes it easier for Brands to launch similar products creating a family of products.
Brands take time to create and develop, and are fragile. If bad press affects a product it can damage the whole product range and the company (in the same way one franchisee's behaviour can ruin the reputation of the entire franchise).
Own Brands are sold by retailers such as the large supermarkets Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's. Own Brands often imitate the colours and shapes of the more expensive Brand.
Dorito's Salsa dip is roughly £1.38. Whereas Tesco's own dip is 96p.
Sometimes the Brand sell their goods to the retailer who repackage the product as their own brand in order to maximise profits.
Normally customers view own brands as cheaper and of lower quality.
In the USA own brands are called Private Label Brands. The generic term is Store Brands, however in the UK we call them Own Brands.
Examples of Own Brands
Asda (Smart Price, George)
Tesco (Florence & Fred)
Morrison's (The Best, Eat Smart, Wholefoods)
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Higher Business Management - Kanban Card
An often asked question is... what is Kanban?A Kanban is a card which helps a firm monitor and gain information on the flow of materials, stock and components through their production line.
Kanban cards contain information on where the component came from (the previous stage) and where it is headed (the next stage. It may include the quantity in the order or components, and it may contain information about the final customer.
Kanban cards now use barcodes enabling customers to phone up about the status of their order and find out exactly where it is.
Kanban cards are also used to signal components are running low or being depleted and need to be re-ordered.
It is used in Just-in-time aka Lean Production.
You can find out more about JIT, Lean Production and Kanban in my slideshow about Toyota: http://www.slideshare.net/Marcus9000/toyota-supermarket-for-cars
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Higher Business Management - What you should be studying
Ok so we can't be in school but thanks to the wonders of modern technology you can still revise and look at topics.
As you know our second NAB will be coming up very soon - so the final two topics for you to look at in Operations are:
- Methods of Production
- Quality
I will post some questions for you very soon for you to attempt - but also go over to my forum for more interactive questions at www.mrmcgowan.proboards.com
Remember the weather will not be taken into account when you sit your exams in May!
Weather
Made it home safely yesterday after a rather hazardous journey from the school to my home. 6 hours of gridlock, but by all accounts I was one of the lucky ones.
Some friends were stranded on the M8 for 12 hours and some unlucky colleagues spent the night in Hamilton Grammar - though I see only Hamilton College made it on national TV!
On a business note, perhaps pupils can actually problem solve and think of ways our infrastructure could cope better with such issues.
Everytime a city or a nation wins a World Cup bid or Olympic bid one of the factors mentioned is improved infrastructure. What benefits could that bring to Scotland?
A larger and more improved motorway network?
A better and more integrated public transport system for the trains, buses and subways?
It is all very interesting as my relations in Minnesota are iced up for basically 6 months of the year and yet they still get to work and go to school no problem. Mind you my cousin's husband is actually a school caretaker who is in at 5am and drives the snowplough to unblock the car park. American cars are so much hardier than ours!
Joe - I salute you!
Friday, 3 December 2010
Do we stifle creativity?
Here is an interesting video clip and article by Sir Ken Robinson who talks about how traditional forms of Education may in fact be killing creativity among our young people.
Food for thought!
Thursday, 2 December 2010
World Cup Winners!
Well now we know.
2018 Fifa World Cup will be hosted by Russia, who surprised everyone by beating what was considered a superior bid by England.
2022 Fifa World Cup will go to Qatar - who beat Korea, Australia and the USA.
RUSSIA 2018
The vastness of the world's largest country could pose a few problems for travellers and fans.
Moscow 4 stadiums:
Luzhniki Stadium (Final)
Dynamo
Spartak
Stadium Moscow
Sochi (2014 Olympic Winter Games)
St Petersburg
Kazan
Kalinigrad
Nizhny Novogorod
Saransk
Krasnodar
Rostov-on-Don
Samara
Yaroslavi
Volgograd
Yekaterinburg
So a few interesting names to try and get used to before 2018.
QATAR
The success of Formula 1 may have something to do with the first hosting of the World Cup in the Middle East.
The venues we know of so far are:
Lusail
Doha (2 stadiums)
Al Khor
Ash-Shamal
Al Wakrah
Part of Qatar's bid was a brilliant plan to build and then take apart brick by brick new stadia and deliver them to other countries.
The oil-rich state will have everyone watching! It promises to be even more interesting than in Russia as temperatures can hit 50!
The Apprentice Hots Up
Last night high drama during the infamous purchasing task!
The boys team only got 7 out of the 10 difficult to find items while the girls, led by Liz, got all 10. However the girls were late back to the Boardroom but when the totals were added up they had been beaten by the boys - despite the lads' high fines.
The secret of the boys success? Negotiating.
Liz took Laura and Stella in for a catfight and in the end Laura was sent packing by Lord Sugar. However Liz really tried to bury her biggest rival Stella. She even kept it going when back at the house. Liz so far has been pretty brilliant, but perhaps her halo is slipping. I also think the accusations of Stella being 'wooden' and 'too corporate' are a bit harsh on her. I think Stella is professional and a great role model for women in business. I hope she wins.
Stuart Baggs was pretty quite this week - but next week promises a bit of hilarity and conflict.
I think this is one of the UK Apprentice's best ever seasons. But - you know what I am going to say - it is a pale imitation of the now legendary original US version starring everyone's favourite billionaire... Donald Trump.
Trump had two TV shows on in the UK this week. One was about his Aberdeen golf course and the people who are against him, and the other was a profile of the controversial tycoon. Trump is Trump: brash, loud, egotistical, but still charming and as we have seen over the years in The Apprentice, he is actually very fair. He fires people for underperforming not because of their lack of entertainment value. This is a lesson Lord Sugar should take on board. After all, he can only dream of having a net worth like The Donald!
Thursday, 18 November 2010
The UK Apprentice 2010
Last night's episode was a corker!
The task was to create a personal DVD experience for customers held in a London shopping mall, Westfields I think it was called.
Sandeesh was project manager up against Stuart Baggs - The Brand!
After much running about and changing of ideas, price, product and presentation, Stuart's team limped home by £40!
Stuart's DVD experience was a toy car being raced around Brands Hatch. Baggs even found time for a jolly by driving the real car around for the footage that was needed.
Sandeesh was in the Board Room with Liz and Chris but she could not beat them in the argument and sadly she was fired.
I am convinced unless there is a major faux pas by one of them it will be a Stella v Liz grand finale. Or Sugar may even throw a curveball and have a 3 person final.
Liz and Stella seem to be the only ones with common sense - which often means a business brain!
Higher Business Management - Methods of Market Research
Remember divide market research into:
Field Research
Desk Research
Now...
Examples of Field Research include:
- Personal Interviews
- Telephone Surveys
- Postal Surveys
- Observations
- Online Surveys
- Consumer Panels
- Hall Tests
- Focus Groups
Now for each one you will need to be able to describe the process in a sentence or so, and then give some advantages and disadvantages.
It is important to be able to write about these methods under the following criteria:
- COST
- RESPONSE RATE
- REACH
i.e. Telephone Survey is a questionnaire conducted by phone. Telephone surveys are cheaper than using a personal interviewer, but the response rate is lower than a personal interview. However a major advantage is that you can reach a wide geographic audience.
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