How much is too much to spend on a designer hand bag? An Hermes' Birkin just sold at auction for more than $80,000. Is that too much to pay? It was made of genuine crocodile and had a diamond studded clasp, still too much? Believe it or not, that is not the most expensive bag available, not even close. Forbes recently put out a list of the world's most expensive handbags, at $80,000 that silver Birkin did not even make the top 5.
So what is the phenomenon with outrageously priced designer bags? Is there any limit to their extraordinary prices or to their appeal. Well, I guess that depends on who you ask. I don't think my mom ever paid more than thirty or forty dollars for a hand bag. She seems perfectly happy and always has a place for her wallet, pack of Kleenex and her cell phone. It does the job. I can't imagine my mom ever looking longingly at someone else's Louis Vuitton tote. She is too much of a practical Yankee to ever consider spending hundreds never mind thousands on something so unimportant.
Yet for others the hand bag takes precedent over everything else. I once witnessed a mother rebuke her teenage daughter for spending $450 on several articles of rather practical clothing saying, "Four hundred and fifty dollars! You could have bought a hand bag for that much!" When did this turn take place? When did a handbag become more important than back to school clothes? When did teens become the sensible ones and adults go over the deep end?
Obviously the women who can afford to spend tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands on a single handbag live in world very different than the rest of us, with their own motives and rationale that the rest of us may never understand.
So what about the rest of us? Those of us that are willing to save our money or cut our budgets elsewhere so we can afford a Louis Vuitton or a Coach bag, how do we know what's a good investment and what's just paying too much? A classic handbag in a neutral color is going to give you more mileage than a trendy bag in a seasonal color way. You're paying not only for the name but for the design and most of these bags are designed with great attention to detail. The perfect bag for you is one that suits all your needs, not only aesthetic. It should be of a size and shape that's fits you comfortably. Most women are more comfortable with a bag they can carry on their shoulder and that is slim enough to sit under their arm. Even a small bag should have compartments to accommodate all your stuff and to keep essentials within easy reach.
If you prefer a bag that grabs attention or is more about the current trends than longevity your investment might seem to be short lived, remember the Louis Vuitton cherries of a few years ago? Even these flash in the pan trends can be saved, clean 'em up, put 'em in their dust jackets and stash it in the back of your closet. In a few years these currently trendy bags can be very retro chic. A good quality bag will last for years.
So where are the best deals? Buying from an authorized dealer has definite advantages. First being the service. The service you receive in a store like Channel is a part of the experience of buying and owning a designer bag. You can shop all their styles and see which one truly suits you in a way you can not when buying online. Also you know that what you are buying is the genuine article. The after care can often justify paying a premium price. The better design houses will take care of your purchase for its lifetime. Being able to register it with the company can help if you ever need to submit an insurance claim if it is ever lost or stolen.
Sales don't just happen at discount stores but you will rarely see one advertised at any important designer's store. To get the inside track on the good sales you have to have a connection. (See my earlier posts on shopping sales.) Having a relationship with your sales person will get you tipped off when your coveted clutch hits the markdown sheet. At the premium brands all the great sale deals go to their clients and the general public never even knows it's happened. At Georgio Armani the first day of the sale 90% of all the mark downs are already sold, having been waiting on hold in the back room with a name and credit card number waiting for the big day. By the time you hear of it, if you hear of it, all the best pieces are gone. The "clients" scooped them up weeks earlier. Why? Because they got a phone call inviting them to come pre shop the sale.
If you prefer finding great deals on-line there are plenty of options though not all are legit. There is a lot of fraud going on out there. Many online sellers represent counterfeit bags as the real McCoy and getting your money back from a criminal like that, well, good luck. Doing your research here is very important. There are lots of e-bay sellers offering deals on legitimate products. E-bay is a great place to buy vintage bags. With so many buyers only interested in "New with tags" you can pick up a used bag for pennies on the dollar and having that patina of use adds to the look. It also shows that your bag, while not off the lot new, is genuine. Fake bags don't age well real bags age beautifully.
There is another on-line option, rent the bag! There are several companies offering new bags for rent! If you love the idea of growing a collection that you can pass down this is not the option for you. If you always want the newest and the best and then move on to the next this can be a great way to save some money. Rather than paying thousands for tomorrow's cast off you can spend a couple of hundred, use it for a month or two, send it back and get something completely different. This idea would definitely throw my mom's head into a tail spin, hundreds of dollars for a handbag for a MONTH! But if you are spending thousands and only using your purchases for a season anyway, it would actually save you loads of money. For many hand bag renters it's the only way they can afford the real thing, it could be a great option for going to an event. Who wouldn't like to walk into their high school reunion with an Hermes' Birkin on her arm, no one there needs to know she couldn't possibly afford it. It is better to have the real thing for one month than to have
Thomas Swider
http://www.insideretailer.blogspot.com
What Makes Prada Handbags Fashion Must Haves?
When it comes to designer handbags, many people think one expensive bag as just like any other expensive bag. This article gives advice on how to select the best handbag for any occasion.
Finding the right handbag can be a wonderful or frustrating as sifting through a box of chocolates. You can't simply just select one based on outward appearances alone. Finding joy in shopping requires a short checklist of decision making criteria, but it can be fun and a great experience if you set out with the right frame of mind. When it comes to designer handbags, many people think one expensive bag as just like any other expensive bag. But, au contraire, my beautiful friend. No two chocolates are alike and neither are the luxurious goods from a far. From the exotic, to the classic, high fashion to everyday practical, special occasion to evening casual, the reasons and styles for designer handbags vary as much as the contents carried within.
One of my favorite lines is the iconic collection of Prada Handbags. From satchels to totes, shoulder bags to hobo bags, clutches, frame bags and more, Prada Handbags have provided the classic and simple elegance that is true to Italian style. When selecting your newest addition of style and statement, a few things should be considered prior to the hunt.
What's the end use?
Will this handbag be for a special occasion, event or reason or are you just in the mood for that latest and greatest of Prada Handbags? Either way, once you've determined the cause of the shopping extravaganza, you should now consider size.
Size - How much do you need to bring with you?
If size wasn't determined by the use, you need to determine how large or small of a handbag you'll require for your must have possessions. We all know that for weddings and special occasions where the dress is the focal point, you don't want to overpower your formal wear with a purse that is too prominent, either in size or color. If this isn't for a special occasion, but rather an everyday handbag, then you move onto your daily valuables. If you're the kind of gal that tags her entire makeup collection everywhere she goes, then you'll want to forgo the clutch style and opt for a Hobo or Shoulder Bag that provides ample room for all your beauty necessities. I myself, tend to me a bit of a minimalist when it comes to items to carry, but I love making a statement with accessories. This is where I find my connection with Prada Handbags. Since they are always on the cutting edge of fashion, I know that with the simple addition of my Prada Glace Bowler Handbag, that I can wear just about anything on my body and still look glamorous and convey a sense of style, class and of course, luxury. Prada is well known for simple elegance. Dating back to the company's origins in 1913, where it began as a small luxury goods and accessories shop, the Prada name became a fashion must have in the mid 1980's and has maintained its simplistic yet very desirable allure over the years. Once a Prada girl, always a Prada girl.
Price - Do you have a budget or is price of no concern?
Even designer handbags like Prada Handbags, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Chloe & Fendi can vary in price. You can always get a great savings if you're not too concerned with last seasons fashions being part of your newest addition. Also, there are many great deals that can be found online, but be careful as not all dealers sell authentic merchandise. This leads us to our next consideration.
Authenticity - Know the tell tale signs and stick with reputable merchants
Check that the merchant has a solid return policy, look for reviews from previous buyers and do your homework. If it looks too good to be true, it is. In fashion like anything else, I stand by my golden rule of you get what you pay for. If it was a steal of a deal…it very well could've been in more ways than one. When it comes to forking over your hard earned cash, you want to make sure that you A)don't pay more than you have to, but B) you don't pay for something that is not worth its value. Pay attention to the details. Your handbag should carry the same quality on the inside as it does on the outside. If the outside material looks passable for the real thing, but the inside material looks less than perfect, you've got a knockoff. Check that the hardware looks as high quality as the rest of the purse. If it looks less cheap, doesn't function properly, carries a off odor or isn't aligned correctly, it's more than likely a fake. Another tell tale sign is the stitching. Crooked, loose or poor stitching means its not the real deal.
Style - Sense & Sensibility
Now that you've gone through a few of the basics, you're on your way to hunt, scour and have an adventure. Finding the designer handbag that best fits your personality, style and expression can be one of the most fulfilling pastimes. When you find the bag, it's like no other feeling, except of course when you sink your teeth into just the right morsel of chocolate in a box filled of surprises, mediocre selections and some down right wrong mixtures. But when you get the one…it's a little bite of heaven. So ladies, I've provided a few helpful hints for those new to the designer handbag scene. I'm going to take my collection of designer handbags and my box of chocolates and have myself a little mini celebration of two of life's greatest joys...chocolate and Prada Handbags.
About the author: As a personal shopper, Sam A. Brown follows the latest trends in designer handbags and is a longtime fan of Prada Handbags and Prada Shoes. (www.intrends.com)
Finding the right handbag can be a wonderful or frustrating as sifting through a box of chocolates. You can't simply just select one based on outward appearances alone. Finding joy in shopping requires a short checklist of decision making criteria, but it can be fun and a great experience if you set out with the right frame of mind. When it comes to designer handbags, many people think one expensive bag as just like any other expensive bag. But, au contraire, my beautiful friend. No two chocolates are alike and neither are the luxurious goods from a far. From the exotic, to the classic, high fashion to everyday practical, special occasion to evening casual, the reasons and styles for designer handbags vary as much as the contents carried within.
One of my favorite lines is the iconic collection of Prada Handbags. From satchels to totes, shoulder bags to hobo bags, clutches, frame bags and more, Prada Handbags have provided the classic and simple elegance that is true to Italian style. When selecting your newest addition of style and statement, a few things should be considered prior to the hunt.
What's the end use?
Will this handbag be for a special occasion, event or reason or are you just in the mood for that latest and greatest of Prada Handbags? Either way, once you've determined the cause of the shopping extravaganza, you should now consider size.
Size - How much do you need to bring with you?
If size wasn't determined by the use, you need to determine how large or small of a handbag you'll require for your must have possessions. We all know that for weddings and special occasions where the dress is the focal point, you don't want to overpower your formal wear with a purse that is too prominent, either in size or color. If this isn't for a special occasion, but rather an everyday handbag, then you move onto your daily valuables. If you're the kind of gal that tags her entire makeup collection everywhere she goes, then you'll want to forgo the clutch style and opt for a Hobo or Shoulder Bag that provides ample room for all your beauty necessities. I myself, tend to me a bit of a minimalist when it comes to items to carry, but I love making a statement with accessories. This is where I find my connection with Prada Handbags. Since they are always on the cutting edge of fashion, I know that with the simple addition of my Prada Glace Bowler Handbag, that I can wear just about anything on my body and still look glamorous and convey a sense of style, class and of course, luxury. Prada is well known for simple elegance. Dating back to the company's origins in 1913, where it began as a small luxury goods and accessories shop, the Prada name became a fashion must have in the mid 1980's and has maintained its simplistic yet very desirable allure over the years. Once a Prada girl, always a Prada girl.
Price - Do you have a budget or is price of no concern?
Even designer handbags like Prada Handbags, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Chloe & Fendi can vary in price. You can always get a great savings if you're not too concerned with last seasons fashions being part of your newest addition. Also, there are many great deals that can be found online, but be careful as not all dealers sell authentic merchandise. This leads us to our next consideration.
Authenticity - Know the tell tale signs and stick with reputable merchants
Check that the merchant has a solid return policy, look for reviews from previous buyers and do your homework. If it looks too good to be true, it is. In fashion like anything else, I stand by my golden rule of you get what you pay for. If it was a steal of a deal…it very well could've been in more ways than one. When it comes to forking over your hard earned cash, you want to make sure that you A)don't pay more than you have to, but B) you don't pay for something that is not worth its value. Pay attention to the details. Your handbag should carry the same quality on the inside as it does on the outside. If the outside material looks passable for the real thing, but the inside material looks less than perfect, you've got a knockoff. Check that the hardware looks as high quality as the rest of the purse. If it looks less cheap, doesn't function properly, carries a off odor or isn't aligned correctly, it's more than likely a fake. Another tell tale sign is the stitching. Crooked, loose or poor stitching means its not the real deal.
Style - Sense & Sensibility
Now that you've gone through a few of the basics, you're on your way to hunt, scour and have an adventure. Finding the designer handbag that best fits your personality, style and expression can be one of the most fulfilling pastimes. When you find the bag, it's like no other feeling, except of course when you sink your teeth into just the right morsel of chocolate in a box filled of surprises, mediocre selections and some down right wrong mixtures. But when you get the one…it's a little bite of heaven. So ladies, I've provided a few helpful hints for those new to the designer handbag scene. I'm going to take my collection of designer handbags and my box of chocolates and have myself a little mini celebration of two of life's greatest joys...chocolate and Prada Handbags.
About the author: As a personal shopper, Sam A. Brown follows the latest trends in designer handbags and is a longtime fan of Prada Handbags and Prada Shoes. (www.intrends.com)
Coffee in the USA - It's All About the Experience
There has never been a better time for coffee in the USA than today. This is an incredible feat when measured against the ever-growing tea and bottled water markets, and, of course, the every-increasing soda market.
Many people believe the high consumption of coffee in the USA, more than one million people drinking at least 3.3 cups of joe per day, is greatly due to Starbucks’ meteoric rise in popularity. In the 1990s, Starbucks became a household name, and almost overnight it seemed that there was a Starbucks coffee shop on every corner. This, in turn, led other coffee lovers to give into their entrepreneurial streak and open their own coffeehouses, giving coffee consumers even more places to go to get their fix.
Suddenly, coffee in the USA wasn’t just a drink anymore—it was an experience. People who’d been drinking a couple of cups of black coffee a day at the office were drawn to coffeehouses of all types where they could experiment with new kinds of coffees and enjoy the homey, or in some cases, bohemian, coffee shop atmosphere at the same time.
And this, of course, led to those same folks wanting to recreate that oh, so special coffee experience at home. Demand for coffee makers, coffee roasters, coffee grinders, and other coffee preparation and brewing equipment skyrocketed. Manufacturers responded to this demand with hi-tech gadgetry and equipment certain to please coffee enthusiasts of all types.
Even major restaurant chains such as McDonalds, Burger King, and Dunkin Donuts are trying to cash in the coffee in the USA craze. For example, McDonalds started the McCafe where you can purchase different types of coffee and pastries much as you can at Starbucks, though the variety is not nearly as wide.
All of this is good news for coffee lovers in the USA. There’s a wider variety of coffee and specialty coffee available than ever before. Plus, there are far more places where you can get a great cup of coffee than there were, say, even ten years ago. And if you love grinding, roasting, and brewing your own coffee, you have so many choices in equipment that it just could make you dizzy trying to decide which to buy.
As with most things these days, the Internet plays an important role in the coffee in the USA craze. With a quick click of the mouse, you can find everything from fine Jamaican coffee to Hawaiian-grown Kona coffee to top-notch Colombian coffee. You can also easily find any type of coffee beans your heart desires, along with any coffee preparation equipment you want online, often at discount prices—and that can usually make most any cup of coffee in the USA, or anywhere else for that matter, taste even better.
About The Author
Shane Vicars
Helping you find the perfect cup of coffee.
http://www.online-coffee-stores.com
Many people believe the high consumption of coffee in the USA, more than one million people drinking at least 3.3 cups of joe per day, is greatly due to Starbucks’ meteoric rise in popularity. In the 1990s, Starbucks became a household name, and almost overnight it seemed that there was a Starbucks coffee shop on every corner. This, in turn, led other coffee lovers to give into their entrepreneurial streak and open their own coffeehouses, giving coffee consumers even more places to go to get their fix.
Suddenly, coffee in the USA wasn’t just a drink anymore—it was an experience. People who’d been drinking a couple of cups of black coffee a day at the office were drawn to coffeehouses of all types where they could experiment with new kinds of coffees and enjoy the homey, or in some cases, bohemian, coffee shop atmosphere at the same time.
And this, of course, led to those same folks wanting to recreate that oh, so special coffee experience at home. Demand for coffee makers, coffee roasters, coffee grinders, and other coffee preparation and brewing equipment skyrocketed. Manufacturers responded to this demand with hi-tech gadgetry and equipment certain to please coffee enthusiasts of all types.
Even major restaurant chains such as McDonalds, Burger King, and Dunkin Donuts are trying to cash in the coffee in the USA craze. For example, McDonalds started the McCafe where you can purchase different types of coffee and pastries much as you can at Starbucks, though the variety is not nearly as wide.
All of this is good news for coffee lovers in the USA. There’s a wider variety of coffee and specialty coffee available than ever before. Plus, there are far more places where you can get a great cup of coffee than there were, say, even ten years ago. And if you love grinding, roasting, and brewing your own coffee, you have so many choices in equipment that it just could make you dizzy trying to decide which to buy.
As with most things these days, the Internet plays an important role in the coffee in the USA craze. With a quick click of the mouse, you can find everything from fine Jamaican coffee to Hawaiian-grown Kona coffee to top-notch Colombian coffee. You can also easily find any type of coffee beans your heart desires, along with any coffee preparation equipment you want online, often at discount prices—and that can usually make most any cup of coffee in the USA, or anywhere else for that matter, taste even better.
About The Author
Shane Vicars
Helping you find the perfect cup of coffee.
http://www.online-coffee-stores.com
USA Zip Code Map Services
Maponics has established an affiliation with the US Postal Service whereby zipcode-finder.com refers business Clint to Maponics for their ZIP Code maps, carter route maps, and more. We suggest super, beautiful maps at aggressive prices. Our ZIP Code maps are the most contemporary and perfect on the market - we update our ZIP Code Map data each month, and street data quarterly. Learn more about data accuracy with regard to our ZIP Code Maps. We can create convention ZIP Code Maps optimized to show precisely your area and the features you need.
We can distribute your ZIP Code map in digital, print and flush interactive Flash-based format for web sites. Many of our ZIP Code maps for customary areas are available for instant download. Our mapping experts make working with us easy, and ensure your satisfaction. Interested in knowledge more or getting an extract on a custom ZIP Code map. Our Zip Code Lookup is for five digits entered and returns the city, state, population the total covering units declared in public information sources, the land area, water area, the latitude and longitude in this data ... Not all data uses the same format; for instance We have several calculators dealing with latitude and longitude, conversion of degrees and navigation.
You can get to them from the calculators and converters main menu. Longitudes and latitudes for areas often fluctuate because of the position of the extent. These measurements are approximately the geographical center of the zip code coverage. Some are taken at specific location and some at government facilities, such as national parks, fire stations, weather stations, military installations and navigational facilities. Enter the five digit zip code and click on Lookup. This data is from the US Geological Survey mapping service but is resident on our server and available. The information will be displayed in a take separately window that you can close when finished. If you are looking to find a zip code, try the USPS information base. They also have many useful web tools available online.
This is write Robert williams will be dealing with Zip Code as they were defined for the purpose of Zip code Map PHP Script summary.
We can distribute your ZIP Code map in digital, print and flush interactive Flash-based format for web sites. Many of our ZIP Code maps for customary areas are available for instant download. Our mapping experts make working with us easy, and ensure your satisfaction. Interested in knowledge more or getting an extract on a custom ZIP Code map. Our Zip Code Lookup is for five digits entered and returns the city, state, population the total covering units declared in public information sources, the land area, water area, the latitude and longitude in this data ... Not all data uses the same format; for instance We have several calculators dealing with latitude and longitude, conversion of degrees and navigation.
You can get to them from the calculators and converters main menu. Longitudes and latitudes for areas often fluctuate because of the position of the extent. These measurements are approximately the geographical center of the zip code coverage. Some are taken at specific location and some at government facilities, such as national parks, fire stations, weather stations, military installations and navigational facilities. Enter the five digit zip code and click on Lookup. This data is from the US Geological Survey mapping service but is resident on our server and available. The information will be displayed in a take separately window that you can close when finished. If you are looking to find a zip code, try the USPS information base. They also have many useful web tools available online.
This is write Robert williams will be dealing with Zip Code as they were defined for the purpose of Zip code Map PHP Script summary.
Leadership: Management Team Network
This article is designed to provide guidance for managers who are involved in leading the strategic direction of their organisations. Here we look at the actions that successful leaders must take in order to create and establish a management teams network to successfully support the organisation’s strategies.
Establishing An Appropriate Organisational Structure, by: considering the strategic direction and objectives of the organisation; considering the desired organisational culture; identifying the critical activity areas of the organisation; deciding on an appropriate organisational structure. This is an essential first step. Before any changes or new directions can be taken the leaders must decide on an organisational structure that will support the strategic direction being taken, and an organisational culture that they will be aiming to create. The management teams network that is then put in place will be compatible with the structure and contribute to developing the desired culture.
Deciding On A Management Teams Structure, by; planning a network of management teams to match the requirements identified in the previous activity; agreeing individual team structure; agreeing individual team objectives, roles, responsibilities, size, location, resource needs; identifying team member and team leader profiles for each management team. The planning undertaken here will provide the template for the new structure, when implemented. This planning is best carried out as a factual, needs based, exercise. The role of the team, and its objectives, should be allowed to dictate size, location, team leader and team member profiles. Resource implications should be dealt with after the structure has been agreed. Existing and potential personnel should be assessed against these only at the next stage, when the teams are populated. Option 1: Assessing Existing Teams, by: identifying existing management teams; analysing the objectives of existing teams; evaluating the performance of existing teams; evaluating the performance of individual team leaders; comparing each management team profile with the newly defined requirements. In many, if not most, organisations this will be necessary due to legislative constraints and-or ethical considerations. However, the existing teams are unlikely to be appropriate, other than in part, and the outcomes of this action will simply identify what are likely to be major gaps and changes that will need to be made, in order to match the new requirements. Option 2: Removing Existing Teams, by: removing the old structure completely. This option is the most effective – a total reengineering - but the most radical. If possible, this is the better option, as the organisation can make the changes required to most appropriately match the new strategic direction, and move forward unhindered by partially or wholly unsuitable management teams.
Implementing The New Management Teams Network, by: providing information about the changes to all affected - in most organisations this will mean at all levels and both internally and externally; selecting team leaders and team members; establishing the teams in their locations; training each team in its new role, responsibilities, objectives, and operational activities; providing appropriate resources for each team; launching the new network into active service. A critical stage, this needs to be managed as a major change activity, and as a major project. An executive level manager should be appointed to oversee the changes. Communication with all stakeholders - who will be many, at many levels, and both internal and external to the organisation – will need to be managed carefully.
Implementing A Management Team Performance System, by: designing a rigorous teams performance appraisal system; monitoring the performance of individual teams; taking appropriate corrective action where when necessary. Many organisations operate an effective employee appraisal system, but this usually only applies to operational employees and junior managers. Middle and Senior managers must also be appraised on a regular basis, ideally more frequently than operational employees, as the managers’ actions usually have greater negative or positive impact. This line of thinking must also be applied to management teams, because of the degree of influence and impact of the team collective decisions and actions. The leaders of the organisation must be continuously aware of the performance levels of their management teams, and take action to maintain or raise that performance level as necessary. Implementing a performance appraisal and continuous improvement approach to the network of management teams is vital. In the early stages of the life of the teams the focus will be on awareness and understanding of the objectives of the team, and identifying training and development needs to support new or adjusted roles. As the team grows and matures, the monitoring will focus firstly on consistency of performance, and then on supporting a continuous improvement in that performance. At all stages in the life cycle of each team, performance appraisal must be a regular and visible process.
Network Review And Refresh, by: arranging regular reviews of the appropriateness of the management teams network; assessing the suitability of each part of the network against newer versions of the strategic objectives; assessing the structure of the network against the current organisational structure and culture; making appropriate changes to individual components and-or the overall structure of the network. A major review should be held every year, as a key part of the review and adjustment of strategies and objectives in the annual strategic planning process. At this review point minor or major changes should be agreed, to adjust the network so that it continues to match the requirements dictated by the refreshed strategic and operational objectives. In addition, the condition of the management teams network should be an agenda item on at least quarterly executive level meetings, where corrective action can be decided on where necessary.
In Summary: establishing a compatible management teams structure is an essential first step in ensuring that the organisation’s strategies are implemented successfully. Without a robust network of management teams, appropriate to the size and complexity of the organisation and its strategic objectives, the strategic and operational objectives will not be achieved. Effective management teams are the driving force behind the achievement of objectives. This network cannot be successful if it is weak or flawed. It is the role of the leaders of the organisation to ensure that the management teams network is strong, dynamic, and focused on achieving its objectives, in its individual parts and collectively.
About the author
CJ Williams is a tutor and management consultant currently working with Brighton School of Business and Management in the UK, specialising in Business and Management courses taught via distance learning. The writer, CJ Williams, can be contacted via http://www.brightonsbm.com
Establishing An Appropriate Organisational Structure, by: considering the strategic direction and objectives of the organisation; considering the desired organisational culture; identifying the critical activity areas of the organisation; deciding on an appropriate organisational structure. This is an essential first step. Before any changes or new directions can be taken the leaders must decide on an organisational structure that will support the strategic direction being taken, and an organisational culture that they will be aiming to create. The management teams network that is then put in place will be compatible with the structure and contribute to developing the desired culture.
Deciding On A Management Teams Structure, by; planning a network of management teams to match the requirements identified in the previous activity; agreeing individual team structure; agreeing individual team objectives, roles, responsibilities, size, location, resource needs; identifying team member and team leader profiles for each management team. The planning undertaken here will provide the template for the new structure, when implemented. This planning is best carried out as a factual, needs based, exercise. The role of the team, and its objectives, should be allowed to dictate size, location, team leader and team member profiles. Resource implications should be dealt with after the structure has been agreed. Existing and potential personnel should be assessed against these only at the next stage, when the teams are populated. Option 1: Assessing Existing Teams, by: identifying existing management teams; analysing the objectives of existing teams; evaluating the performance of existing teams; evaluating the performance of individual team leaders; comparing each management team profile with the newly defined requirements. In many, if not most, organisations this will be necessary due to legislative constraints and-or ethical considerations. However, the existing teams are unlikely to be appropriate, other than in part, and the outcomes of this action will simply identify what are likely to be major gaps and changes that will need to be made, in order to match the new requirements. Option 2: Removing Existing Teams, by: removing the old structure completely. This option is the most effective – a total reengineering - but the most radical. If possible, this is the better option, as the organisation can make the changes required to most appropriately match the new strategic direction, and move forward unhindered by partially or wholly unsuitable management teams.
Implementing The New Management Teams Network, by: providing information about the changes to all affected - in most organisations this will mean at all levels and both internally and externally; selecting team leaders and team members; establishing the teams in their locations; training each team in its new role, responsibilities, objectives, and operational activities; providing appropriate resources for each team; launching the new network into active service. A critical stage, this needs to be managed as a major change activity, and as a major project. An executive level manager should be appointed to oversee the changes. Communication with all stakeholders - who will be many, at many levels, and both internal and external to the organisation – will need to be managed carefully.
Implementing A Management Team Performance System, by: designing a rigorous teams performance appraisal system; monitoring the performance of individual teams; taking appropriate corrective action where when necessary. Many organisations operate an effective employee appraisal system, but this usually only applies to operational employees and junior managers. Middle and Senior managers must also be appraised on a regular basis, ideally more frequently than operational employees, as the managers’ actions usually have greater negative or positive impact. This line of thinking must also be applied to management teams, because of the degree of influence and impact of the team collective decisions and actions. The leaders of the organisation must be continuously aware of the performance levels of their management teams, and take action to maintain or raise that performance level as necessary. Implementing a performance appraisal and continuous improvement approach to the network of management teams is vital. In the early stages of the life of the teams the focus will be on awareness and understanding of the objectives of the team, and identifying training and development needs to support new or adjusted roles. As the team grows and matures, the monitoring will focus firstly on consistency of performance, and then on supporting a continuous improvement in that performance. At all stages in the life cycle of each team, performance appraisal must be a regular and visible process.
Network Review And Refresh, by: arranging regular reviews of the appropriateness of the management teams network; assessing the suitability of each part of the network against newer versions of the strategic objectives; assessing the structure of the network against the current organisational structure and culture; making appropriate changes to individual components and-or the overall structure of the network. A major review should be held every year, as a key part of the review and adjustment of strategies and objectives in the annual strategic planning process. At this review point minor or major changes should be agreed, to adjust the network so that it continues to match the requirements dictated by the refreshed strategic and operational objectives. In addition, the condition of the management teams network should be an agenda item on at least quarterly executive level meetings, where corrective action can be decided on where necessary.
In Summary: establishing a compatible management teams structure is an essential first step in ensuring that the organisation’s strategies are implemented successfully. Without a robust network of management teams, appropriate to the size and complexity of the organisation and its strategic objectives, the strategic and operational objectives will not be achieved. Effective management teams are the driving force behind the achievement of objectives. This network cannot be successful if it is weak or flawed. It is the role of the leaders of the organisation to ensure that the management teams network is strong, dynamic, and focused on achieving its objectives, in its individual parts and collectively.
About the author
CJ Williams is a tutor and management consultant currently working with Brighton School of Business and Management in the UK, specialising in Business and Management courses taught via distance learning. The writer, CJ Williams, can be contacted via http://www.brightonsbm.com
Smart Management - The Next Best Thing To Cloning Yourself
Business management can be both exciting and frustrating: sometimes both at the same time. Hopefully, you’ve got more of the exciting and less of the frustrating, but in any case, there are things that you can do to make life in the office more pleasurable for you and your staff.
Let’s look at the roots of excitement and frustration. Excitement comes when you capitalize on opportunity, things go right, and you claim the reward for a job well done. Frustration comes from the opposite.
If you’ve read our articles in the past, you know that we’re firm believers in setting up the right environment first. (We’re including systems, procedures, tools, knowledge, etc. as part of the environment.) And plugging people into that environment comes second. So often, when a decision maker is frustrated, it’s the result of working with people first (morale-building activities, teamwork sessions, incentive programs, etc.), then working on the environment as almost an afterthought. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Wrong, because when basic needs go unmet, people can’t perform the most basic of tasks…even with help, even with teamwork, even with incentives. Take a talented graphic artist and sit him in front of a TV instead of a computer for 8 hours. Will he produce print-ready artwork? Will he if you cheerlead, ask him to express his feelings, or give him a better health insurance program? He may want to do the job, but he needs the right tools to do his job. Would you expect an emaciated, starving dog to eagerly fetch a paper? Maybe with a steak rolled in it, but his mind is on eating, not on playing games.
Sure, there are times when you want your staff to work interdependently, meaning together to get the job done. Then there are times when you want them to be able to use their heads, make the right decisions, fix minor problems (ideally prevent most problems before they occur), and leave you to do the planning and strategizing so you can move your firm forward. Again, that all boils down to the environment that you build, foster, and refine.
Furthermore, the steps you learn here, if applied, will build productivity and self-sufficiency from upper-level management straight through to your front line. Be patient with yourself and others. Every person has his own body of knowledge and experiences to draw from, and every person will have a different learning curve. The important thing to acknowledge is that the shift to thinking and functioning independently is an ongoing process.
For example, an executive from Carrier Air Conditioning (United Technologies Corp.) once said that when he first started with the firm, he only saw what was happening around him, yet he thought he understood the bigger picture. When he was promoted to a more senior position, he noticed that he learned so much more as his skills were expanded by the corporation. When he moved higher yet, his picture expanded once again, and he was surprised at what he used to think of as being informed. It's like mountain climbing; the higher you climb the more you see. Good education of management places individuals at higher ground, and it shows them what to do with the larger picture that they're seeing.
Here are some ways that you can elevate your perspective and bring subordinates to higher ground:
1. Build a structure that facilitates success. There's a point in any growing business where our ideas must be passed on to managers to follow out the requests and needs of the corporation. Building a structure in terms of operational and organizational design will allow for the most powerful management control. Think of it in terms of an office building. Some facilitate people working well together, and others add to confusion. The key is to enable the manager to navigate his or her course and complete the mission without disruption. The right structure is the environment that fosters employee success.
2. Supply your managers with management tools. It's just like a computer. In order for it to function, one needs hardware, software and “humanware.” For management, hardware might mean computers, intranet and extranets, scanners, cars, voicemail, budgets, etc. On the software side, it may mean spreadsheets and operational software. For humanware, the tools may be strategic and tactical, new product and service development, alliance development, leadership, competitive intelligence, globalism, economics, understanding trends, or reading financials.
3. Learn to coach and educate people properly. Do you ever sit down with management or employees after you've made a decision and explain to them in detail HOW you came to that decision? How can we expect employees to think and act like management, if we don't teach them the background data? It's not enough to say you made the decision. The listener most likely does not have your scope of knowledge. Tell your managers that you purchased a piece of equipment, because of 14 elements—from good sales and cash flow to a large order you think may be secured. Explain to them why you fired Linda. She was often late, her numbers were well under what you expect, there were issues of harassment, and poor use of company time. The more your employees know HOW you're thinking, the more you can assist them when they make decisions. And when you aren’t there to hold their hands, they can draw upon the experiences you’ve ../shared with them in order to make the sound choices.
4. Educate your managers about the tools you use to be successful. Then, ask them to share the tools they use. The exchange can be a real eye opener. Ooops, you do it off the top of your head! Then expect your employees to do the same. Empowerment is more than letting people go. To avoid let downs and costly mistakes, empower your people by giving them the knowledge and though processes to be successful. Imagine if you got a call from Steven Spielberg today and he said, “(Insert your name here) you've been given you the authority to produce my next Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Most of us would be clueless without guidance and some structure. Make sure you’re giving both to your people.
The final and most important element to getting management to think on their own is to do all of the above and then GET OUT OF THE WAY! Give people some space to learn alone, to experiment and experience, and to learn their own lessons. When you step back and let others do their jobs, you tell them that you trust them. Your trust, combined with a success-breeding environment and tempered guidance, builds their confidence, their minds, and their abilities as leaders and managers. That's how people learn to think on their own.
About the author
David and Lorrie Goldsmith are managing partners of a firm that offers consulting and speaking services internationally. David was named by Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the “26 Hottest Speakers in the Industry.” A best selling author characterized David in this manner; "David Goldsmith is unique in that he can see a 30,000 feet view of business and then delivers the hand-to-hand tools for combat. Few people can do what he does." More information at http://www.keynoteresource.com/
Let’s look at the roots of excitement and frustration. Excitement comes when you capitalize on opportunity, things go right, and you claim the reward for a job well done. Frustration comes from the opposite.
If you’ve read our articles in the past, you know that we’re firm believers in setting up the right environment first. (We’re including systems, procedures, tools, knowledge, etc. as part of the environment.) And plugging people into that environment comes second. So often, when a decision maker is frustrated, it’s the result of working with people first (morale-building activities, teamwork sessions, incentive programs, etc.), then working on the environment as almost an afterthought. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Wrong, because when basic needs go unmet, people can’t perform the most basic of tasks…even with help, even with teamwork, even with incentives. Take a talented graphic artist and sit him in front of a TV instead of a computer for 8 hours. Will he produce print-ready artwork? Will he if you cheerlead, ask him to express his feelings, or give him a better health insurance program? He may want to do the job, but he needs the right tools to do his job. Would you expect an emaciated, starving dog to eagerly fetch a paper? Maybe with a steak rolled in it, but his mind is on eating, not on playing games.
Sure, there are times when you want your staff to work interdependently, meaning together to get the job done. Then there are times when you want them to be able to use their heads, make the right decisions, fix minor problems (ideally prevent most problems before they occur), and leave you to do the planning and strategizing so you can move your firm forward. Again, that all boils down to the environment that you build, foster, and refine.
Furthermore, the steps you learn here, if applied, will build productivity and self-sufficiency from upper-level management straight through to your front line. Be patient with yourself and others. Every person has his own body of knowledge and experiences to draw from, and every person will have a different learning curve. The important thing to acknowledge is that the shift to thinking and functioning independently is an ongoing process.
For example, an executive from Carrier Air Conditioning (United Technologies Corp.) once said that when he first started with the firm, he only saw what was happening around him, yet he thought he understood the bigger picture. When he was promoted to a more senior position, he noticed that he learned so much more as his skills were expanded by the corporation. When he moved higher yet, his picture expanded once again, and he was surprised at what he used to think of as being informed. It's like mountain climbing; the higher you climb the more you see. Good education of management places individuals at higher ground, and it shows them what to do with the larger picture that they're seeing.
Here are some ways that you can elevate your perspective and bring subordinates to higher ground:
1. Build a structure that facilitates success. There's a point in any growing business where our ideas must be passed on to managers to follow out the requests and needs of the corporation. Building a structure in terms of operational and organizational design will allow for the most powerful management control. Think of it in terms of an office building. Some facilitate people working well together, and others add to confusion. The key is to enable the manager to navigate his or her course and complete the mission without disruption. The right structure is the environment that fosters employee success.
2. Supply your managers with management tools. It's just like a computer. In order for it to function, one needs hardware, software and “humanware.” For management, hardware might mean computers, intranet and extranets, scanners, cars, voicemail, budgets, etc. On the software side, it may mean spreadsheets and operational software. For humanware, the tools may be strategic and tactical, new product and service development, alliance development, leadership, competitive intelligence, globalism, economics, understanding trends, or reading financials.
3. Learn to coach and educate people properly. Do you ever sit down with management or employees after you've made a decision and explain to them in detail HOW you came to that decision? How can we expect employees to think and act like management, if we don't teach them the background data? It's not enough to say you made the decision. The listener most likely does not have your scope of knowledge. Tell your managers that you purchased a piece of equipment, because of 14 elements—from good sales and cash flow to a large order you think may be secured. Explain to them why you fired Linda. She was often late, her numbers were well under what you expect, there were issues of harassment, and poor use of company time. The more your employees know HOW you're thinking, the more you can assist them when they make decisions. And when you aren’t there to hold their hands, they can draw upon the experiences you’ve ../shared with them in order to make the sound choices.
4. Educate your managers about the tools you use to be successful. Then, ask them to share the tools they use. The exchange can be a real eye opener. Ooops, you do it off the top of your head! Then expect your employees to do the same. Empowerment is more than letting people go. To avoid let downs and costly mistakes, empower your people by giving them the knowledge and though processes to be successful. Imagine if you got a call from Steven Spielberg today and he said, “(Insert your name here) you've been given you the authority to produce my next Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Most of us would be clueless without guidance and some structure. Make sure you’re giving both to your people.
The final and most important element to getting management to think on their own is to do all of the above and then GET OUT OF THE WAY! Give people some space to learn alone, to experiment and experience, and to learn their own lessons. When you step back and let others do their jobs, you tell them that you trust them. Your trust, combined with a success-breeding environment and tempered guidance, builds their confidence, their minds, and their abilities as leaders and managers. That's how people learn to think on their own.
About the author
David and Lorrie Goldsmith are managing partners of a firm that offers consulting and speaking services internationally. David was named by Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the “26 Hottest Speakers in the Industry.” A best selling author characterized David in this manner; "David Goldsmith is unique in that he can see a 30,000 feet view of business and then delivers the hand-to-hand tools for combat. Few people can do what he does." More information at http://www.keynoteresource.com/
How Do I Manage Projects Better
Efficient project management is an ace in the executive card deck. That’s because everything you do is a project. Maybe you’ve never thought about it that way before. Let’s say you operate a shipping terminal for Con-Way Central Express and you need the place cleaned up. It's a project. Your reasons: a dirty dock is a potential OSHA nightmare and proper order brings better profits. If you turn to your staff and say clean it, they will do it their way. Good or bad, the results are unpredictable. If you attack the cleanup as a project, you may find operational efficiencies that will get everyone home for dinner or keep the place clean enough that you don’t have to do the overhaul again in the future. The same could be said for putting on a conference, implementing new hardware, running a new product development group (NPDG), or developing a new marketing video.
Many of today’s successful leaders recognize how project-management methods and software keep them ahead of the competition by shortening work time, eliminating errors, coordinating staff, and achieving predictable reliable results. That’s why the project-management industry has exploded in recent years. What automation was to the manufacturing floor is what project management is to the managerial office. Yet most companies are still behind the times in this area, handling projects as linear events. Whether you want to keep pace, work in a group environment, or rocket past your competition, project management tools help it happen.
Massachusetts research firm, The Standish Group, found that in 1994 the overall project success rate was 16.7% and by 1998 that rose to 26%. (Fortune 500 companies only came in at 24%.) Not so good, but illustrates how project-management has improved success rates. How does your company measure up?
Project management is now addressed and taught as a specialized business tool. Project-management software is also gaining popularity, just as PowerPoint did to presentation development. When projects are successfully completed, the company can move forward into other profitable areas. On the other hand, when projects must be scrapped, the time, money, and human resources that were invested to date are also scrapped. The costs of unsuccessful projects can’t be measured properly, because no one can accurately calculate the costs of lost opportunities.
One advantage is that computer technology and software prevent elements from falling through the cracks. They enhance the tracking of plans and improve the communication among people working on projects. In the past, one change in a project meant that all other areas had to be manually changed and everyone notified. Not anymore. Quite often manual systems also missed elements due to human error, causing snags in the project. Current technology will automatically send a change in one area to other areas for automatic adjustments. For example, when engineers make a change to a product feature that affects how the packaging must be designed, the industrial designers know immediately and can begin making adjustments to packaging design. If one arm of the project needs an additional week to complete a task, other arms of the project are automatically adjusted and due dates are changed accordingly.
Want to bring your company up to speed? For starters:
§ Spread it around. Recognize that project management is used in every area of your business, from how the exterior grounds are maintained to how the phones are answered. Don’t limit project management to specific departments or programs.
§ Morph. Instead of being a task “doer,” become a project manager. Change how you look at activities like purchasing new equipment, building new offices, expanding product lines, creating media campaigns, putting on trade shows, or developing new manuals.
§ Take charge. Ask yourself whether you manage projects or if projects manage you? Do projects end on time, on budget, and with the results you expect? If not, it’s time to execute the right way, and that comes with educating yourself.
§ Map out a plan. Successful projects require good planning. Planning allows you to think the process through and to cover all bases before you move money and people.
The Project Management Institute ( www.pmi.org) is one of the fastest growing associations in the country. PMI is ideal for project managers, but executives can find useful learning material here, as well. Decision makers, get your education from taking the time to read two types of books. Awareness books, such as The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt (very good read), teach project-management concepts and ideas minus the how-to lesson. To learn the gritty facts, try how-to books such as The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management or Operations Management for Competitive Advantage Richard B. Chase, Nicholas J. Aquilano and F. Robert Jacobs. (It's an 800-page textbook, so be ready.)
The key here is to avoid getting bogged down with too much of the "process." You want to use the tools and the concepts that the tools exploit. Project-management courses are also available at local colleges. Do your homework before buying to make sure you’re getting more information than you would have gleaned from reading a couple of books on your own. Some institutions offer certification as well, like Villanova University ’s four PM-certified courses. Work at your own pace and never leave your desk.
Also, here are three tools you might consider for managing projects better:
1. Limited budget solution. CPM (Critical Path Method) Charts that can be built on any spreadsheet program such as Excel. By using your drawing tools, you can create a plan that allows others to know the direction in which you're building the project.
2. Packaged inexpensive software solutions. Microsoft Project: The number-one, most-used project-management tool in the world with several million copies sold. It is primarily a Gantt Chart builder, but one that can be used in teams. (A Gantt Chart is a mechanism that organizes and tracks a project’s progress, including dates, resources, and accountabilities.) One change in a project will alter everything and unfortunately the "best laid plans" change. The program, like so many software programs, automatically makes adjustments of single changes by carrying them throughout the plan so that you don't have to go back and make all the adjustments manually. This is a great low-end-collaboration software program. To supplement its use, pick up Ron Black’s book, Complete Idiot’s Guide to Project Management with Microsoft Project 2000.
3. More extensive alternatives. Primavera: Another widely used software program that enables you to easily manage multiple projects in much the same way you would manage individual projects. HP and Compaq use this software to manage many of the IT projects they coordinate and develop. Big teams, big projects, big results.
When you recognize that every function in your business is a project to be managed, you see how important it is to be a strong project manager. Give yourself a new homework assignment, and learn a new project-management tool. It should save you time and money, because good planning helps avoid crises early. Your employees will like knowing what’s expected of them now and in the future. Any you’ll all be happy to have a good road map to find your destination. Although it sounds too good to be true, it can become a reality. Just stack the deck in your favor by improving your project management skills.
About the author
David and Lorrie Goldsmith are managing partners of a firm that offers consulting and speaking services internationally. David was named by Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the “26 Hottest Speakers in the Industry.” A best selling author characterized David in this manner; "David Goldsmith is unique in that he can see a 30,000 feet view of business and then delivers the hand-to-hand tools for combat. Few people can do what he does." More information at http://www.keynoteresource.com/
Many of today’s successful leaders recognize how project-management methods and software keep them ahead of the competition by shortening work time, eliminating errors, coordinating staff, and achieving predictable reliable results. That’s why the project-management industry has exploded in recent years. What automation was to the manufacturing floor is what project management is to the managerial office. Yet most companies are still behind the times in this area, handling projects as linear events. Whether you want to keep pace, work in a group environment, or rocket past your competition, project management tools help it happen.
Massachusetts research firm, The Standish Group, found that in 1994 the overall project success rate was 16.7% and by 1998 that rose to 26%. (Fortune 500 companies only came in at 24%.) Not so good, but illustrates how project-management has improved success rates. How does your company measure up?
Project management is now addressed and taught as a specialized business tool. Project-management software is also gaining popularity, just as PowerPoint did to presentation development. When projects are successfully completed, the company can move forward into other profitable areas. On the other hand, when projects must be scrapped, the time, money, and human resources that were invested to date are also scrapped. The costs of unsuccessful projects can’t be measured properly, because no one can accurately calculate the costs of lost opportunities.
One advantage is that computer technology and software prevent elements from falling through the cracks. They enhance the tracking of plans and improve the communication among people working on projects. In the past, one change in a project meant that all other areas had to be manually changed and everyone notified. Not anymore. Quite often manual systems also missed elements due to human error, causing snags in the project. Current technology will automatically send a change in one area to other areas for automatic adjustments. For example, when engineers make a change to a product feature that affects how the packaging must be designed, the industrial designers know immediately and can begin making adjustments to packaging design. If one arm of the project needs an additional week to complete a task, other arms of the project are automatically adjusted and due dates are changed accordingly.
Want to bring your company up to speed? For starters:
§ Spread it around. Recognize that project management is used in every area of your business, from how the exterior grounds are maintained to how the phones are answered. Don’t limit project management to specific departments or programs.
§ Morph. Instead of being a task “doer,” become a project manager. Change how you look at activities like purchasing new equipment, building new offices, expanding product lines, creating media campaigns, putting on trade shows, or developing new manuals.
§ Take charge. Ask yourself whether you manage projects or if projects manage you? Do projects end on time, on budget, and with the results you expect? If not, it’s time to execute the right way, and that comes with educating yourself.
§ Map out a plan. Successful projects require good planning. Planning allows you to think the process through and to cover all bases before you move money and people.
The Project Management Institute ( www.pmi.org) is one of the fastest growing associations in the country. PMI is ideal for project managers, but executives can find useful learning material here, as well. Decision makers, get your education from taking the time to read two types of books. Awareness books, such as The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt (very good read), teach project-management concepts and ideas minus the how-to lesson. To learn the gritty facts, try how-to books such as The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management or Operations Management for Competitive Advantage Richard B. Chase, Nicholas J. Aquilano and F. Robert Jacobs. (It's an 800-page textbook, so be ready.)
The key here is to avoid getting bogged down with too much of the "process." You want to use the tools and the concepts that the tools exploit. Project-management courses are also available at local colleges. Do your homework before buying to make sure you’re getting more information than you would have gleaned from reading a couple of books on your own. Some institutions offer certification as well, like Villanova University ’s four PM-certified courses. Work at your own pace and never leave your desk.
Also, here are three tools you might consider for managing projects better:
1. Limited budget solution. CPM (Critical Path Method) Charts that can be built on any spreadsheet program such as Excel. By using your drawing tools, you can create a plan that allows others to know the direction in which you're building the project.
2. Packaged inexpensive software solutions. Microsoft Project: The number-one, most-used project-management tool in the world with several million copies sold. It is primarily a Gantt Chart builder, but one that can be used in teams. (A Gantt Chart is a mechanism that organizes and tracks a project’s progress, including dates, resources, and accountabilities.) One change in a project will alter everything and unfortunately the "best laid plans" change. The program, like so many software programs, automatically makes adjustments of single changes by carrying them throughout the plan so that you don't have to go back and make all the adjustments manually. This is a great low-end-collaboration software program. To supplement its use, pick up Ron Black’s book, Complete Idiot’s Guide to Project Management with Microsoft Project 2000.
3. More extensive alternatives. Primavera: Another widely used software program that enables you to easily manage multiple projects in much the same way you would manage individual projects. HP and Compaq use this software to manage many of the IT projects they coordinate and develop. Big teams, big projects, big results.
When you recognize that every function in your business is a project to be managed, you see how important it is to be a strong project manager. Give yourself a new homework assignment, and learn a new project-management tool. It should save you time and money, because good planning helps avoid crises early. Your employees will like knowing what’s expected of them now and in the future. Any you’ll all be happy to have a good road map to find your destination. Although it sounds too good to be true, it can become a reality. Just stack the deck in your favor by improving your project management skills.
About the author
David and Lorrie Goldsmith are managing partners of a firm that offers consulting and speaking services internationally. David was named by Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the “26 Hottest Speakers in the Industry.” A best selling author characterized David in this manner; "David Goldsmith is unique in that he can see a 30,000 feet view of business and then delivers the hand-to-hand tools for combat. Few people can do what he does." More information at http://www.keynoteresource.com/
Grow coffee at your home
To grow a coffee plant at home is a wonderful experience that would assist you in learning and appreciating the job involved in producing a good cup of coffee. Growing coffee at home is very easy. You need to take care of the plant especially during flowering or cherry development. Ideally you need to start with a freshly picked coffee cherry.
Harvesting Coffee Seeds
Based on the county where your coffee is being grown, the coffee beans can be further harvested as little or much in year depends on the county’s plant and accessible climate. Coffee plant flowers and fruit are purely dependent on the cycle of wet seasons. Growing coffee beans nearer to equator gives you more and more chance to harvest. The cherry is normally pulped by hand, washed with clean water, and fermented in a small container. The fermentation stage is now complete when the mucilage no longer clings to the coffee. Wash away the fermented mucilage with clean water.
Each year coffee is generally harvested during the dry season only, when the coffee cherries are extremely bright red, glossy and firm adequate to be harvested. These processes are called as careful picking, stripping and mechanical harvesting, respectively.
Germination
If coffee cherries are not readily accessible green coffee could also be bought from a home supplier, but it is vital that the bean is of a current crop and current shipment. The probable for germination would then go on for almost four months, but after this time the germination rate is numerous fold less and germination time is drastically longer. Fresh seeds need to be germinated in 2.5 months, but old seeds could as well take as long as 6 months.
Proper Care
The temperature in countries outside the Tropic belt is too unstable and too cold to permit the tree to grow. It is suggested watering the tree twice per week as full watering and a half watering. In a half watering, we can simply add some water to the soil and let it to drain. In a full watering add water with fertilizer and let it to drain. The key is to maintain the soil most, but well drained.
After two or three years flowering and probably cherries could be expected, but do not hope for high-quality coffee unless you are at a high altitude and are watching the conditions of the artificial micro climate carefully. Once the cherries are grown you could harvest, pulp, ferment, dry, roast, and have a drink of your own coffee production.
--
Adam Akelis is a professional copywriter who has a sound knowledge on coffee, his favorite drink. Not only Adam, there is lot of coffee lovers all over the world interested in knowing the benefits on coffee intake. To know more on coffee, its types (roasted coffee, gourmet coffee, Cains Coffee etc...) and its benefits please visit http://www.bluehillcoffee.com/ and to contact Adam Akelis mail to adamakelis@gmail.com.
Harvesting Coffee Seeds
Based on the county where your coffee is being grown, the coffee beans can be further harvested as little or much in year depends on the county’s plant and accessible climate. Coffee plant flowers and fruit are purely dependent on the cycle of wet seasons. Growing coffee beans nearer to equator gives you more and more chance to harvest. The cherry is normally pulped by hand, washed with clean water, and fermented in a small container. The fermentation stage is now complete when the mucilage no longer clings to the coffee. Wash away the fermented mucilage with clean water.
Each year coffee is generally harvested during the dry season only, when the coffee cherries are extremely bright red, glossy and firm adequate to be harvested. These processes are called as careful picking, stripping and mechanical harvesting, respectively.
Germination
If coffee cherries are not readily accessible green coffee could also be bought from a home supplier, but it is vital that the bean is of a current crop and current shipment. The probable for germination would then go on for almost four months, but after this time the germination rate is numerous fold less and germination time is drastically longer. Fresh seeds need to be germinated in 2.5 months, but old seeds could as well take as long as 6 months.
Proper Care
The temperature in countries outside the Tropic belt is too unstable and too cold to permit the tree to grow. It is suggested watering the tree twice per week as full watering and a half watering. In a half watering, we can simply add some water to the soil and let it to drain. In a full watering add water with fertilizer and let it to drain. The key is to maintain the soil most, but well drained.
After two or three years flowering and probably cherries could be expected, but do not hope for high-quality coffee unless you are at a high altitude and are watching the conditions of the artificial micro climate carefully. Once the cherries are grown you could harvest, pulp, ferment, dry, roast, and have a drink of your own coffee production.
--
Adam Akelis is a professional copywriter who has a sound knowledge on coffee, his favorite drink. Not only Adam, there is lot of coffee lovers all over the world interested in knowing the benefits on coffee intake. To know more on coffee, its types (roasted coffee, gourmet coffee, Cains Coffee etc...) and its benefits please visit http://www.bluehillcoffee.com/ and to contact Adam Akelis mail to adamakelis@gmail.com.
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When it comes to designer handbags, many people think one expensive bag as just like any other expensive bag. This article gives advice on h...
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If you hate to shop then you most likely run out of steam after finding the clothes - accessories seem way too overwhelming to consider. The...
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Just about everyone who is in touch with the pricey world of high end fashion knows that any purse created by a well-know fashion guru is go...
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How much is too much to spend on a designer hand bag? An Hermes' Birkin just sold at auction for more than $80,000. Is that too much to ...
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Shopping online can be scary, especially for clothing and dresses for women, as items usually look completely different once they're put...
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Fashion is a concept that changes as often as the seasons and to most women, keeping up with the latest trends is a must! Knowing what'...
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When wanting a replica bag, much research has to be done. There are about 90% crappy bag sites versus about 10% that have great quality repl...
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Wholesale prices are the greatest thing that can happen to those who have a passion for designer handbags . You will find a large variety of...