"Too Busy to Notice You're Too Busy"

This image, by Alex Eben Meyer, is from an article from the New York Times. The image instantly grabbed my attention. Its use in the article describes how technology has made us busier. Wherever we go we are tied to our mobile devices. Cell phones interrupt our classrooms, meetings, and everything in between. I even see people using their cell phones in the public restrooms. By carrying a cell phone, we have invited more tasks to keep us running around. We can not live without the benefits of our mobile devices. This article describes the increased difficulty in prioritizing our tasks and finding some down time.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/business/31shortcuts.html?pagewanted=1&ref=business

Fighting for What is Right...

In this photo by the Associated Press, it shows the determination of a Chinese woman, Wu Ping. She is in a 3 year battle to protect her house from land developers who have bought all the surrounding residential buildings and have begun to excavate around her house. Wu Ping stated, "I'm not stubborn or unruly, I'm just trying to protect my personal rights as a citizen."

I believe that this shows the true dedication of a woman to stand up for what she believes in. There have been many cases of land developers illegally siezing land working with the Chinese government. It is my belief that in business you need to stand up for what is right and protect the morals and ethics that you live your life by. Do not let others boss you around and force you to do something against your will.

How to Stay Competitive in a Global Job Market

For those who are going to graduate this year this article maybe interesting to look at. It is about some skills necesary at todays challenges of a globalized world market. Enjoy!!!

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Departments/AdultLearning/?article=HowStayCompetitive&GT1=9178

How can humor increase sales?

Instead of listing out its specifications this commercial uses humor to help promote its newest machine out in Thailand. I believe it's an effective way hopefully stimulating the crowd to get this bike rather than just pointing out it's specifications. After watching this commercial I can see how Thailand have a ton of these bikes on the street.

A Risky Profile

I found this photo in the March 2nd issue of The Wall Street Journal. It was printed three days after the major drop in the Chinese stock market and is a perfect example of the stress investors were going through. This picture personally humbled me as the Chinese market plunges in the background while the two gentleman are holding their heads in dismay. A good thing can only last so long, and greed can easily overtake those who aren't careful.

Art in Sand

I do not know where this video was shot. My cousin sent me the URL and I am just posting it. As with the video of MS Paint is amazing how creativity works.

http://198.104.137.238/data/200701/20070112010950_oceano_de_arena.wmv

Postsecret.com

Postsecret.com is a website that is based off of an art project. People make their own postcards depicting a secret about them that nobody knows about. I found the website very visually stimulating and has a lot of deep personality behind each postcard sent in by users. I recommend checking this out and you may find out how you, your work, and others around you are hiding behind an invisible curtain.

Productivity Vs. Internet

This comic strip from comics.com (kyle miller) reminded me of how much time people procrastinate on email, facebook, myspace, etc. i work at the froint desk at a resort and whenever my coworkers are not helping a guest they are logged on to myspace and it destroys our productivity immensly.

Protesters in Sao Paulo

"Riot police and protesters clash in Sao Paulo as US President George W Bush arrives at the start of a Latin American tour." The BBC has a great section which displays the week of news in pictures. Doesn't this image along with the caption convey a much stronger message than just a written caption alone?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6435025.stm

Video games

This image shows how distracting video games can be, and their affect on others. Video distract people, and affect their work performance. As you can see, this can greatly affect your co-workers or you boss. Video games are a great way to pass the time, but should not poke their heads outside of your home.

Bubblegum at Bergdorf's

I found this photo in the February 15th edition of The Wall Street Journal Online. It features a teenage girl sitting on a Liz Claiborne comforter with her Tiffany necklace, Louis Vuitton purse, iPod, and other design products. This represents the new trend that is taking over the younger generation of America. Designer companies are no longer just for the older and sophisticated, but now have specific lines that are geared toward 13-, 14-, and 15-year olds. This shows just one example of how "teen tsunamis" have hit the U.S., a term used to describe the amount of teens who are buying into the new look.

CEOs Better Learn Fast

Most CEOs have been born from financial departments. The understanding of how to control the company's resources to increase profit margins make CFOs the next in line to become a CEO. The advancements of Information Technology are quickly changing this assumption. Research provided by the Cranfield School of Management for the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) identifies a new risk to traditional CEOs. Their study focused on the success rates of IT projects and documented the relationship between the CIO and the CEO. A CEO familiar with IT development is going to have better chance of success and communicate more effective with the CIO. If CEOs fail to adapt to the new face of business, SDSU students are on their way to replace them!!

Article: CEOs Must Know IT--Or Else

"Face to Face" Project

A Catholic nun stands in front of a photograph depicting a Rabbi, a part of the art project 'Face to Face', pasted on the controversial Israeli barrier in the West Bank town of Bethlehem March 4, 2007. The art project, by placing portraits of Palestinians and Israelis side by side, hopes to contribute to a better understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. REUTERS/Oleg Popov (WEST BANK)


More Images from the "face to Face" Art Project

This is actually part of a collection of images from an art project in Bethlehem. I think it is a creative way to portray everyones humanity and similarities. Like the caption says, the project hopes to improve understanding between people.

KFC logo viewable from space

KFC has created a logo out of 65,000 12'' x 12'' painted tiles that is large enough to be seen from space. I think this takes advertising to an entirely new level. To me it seems like a wild gimmick just to get the media's attention, but I am sure that is exactly what the marketing team at KFC wanted. Though I have not researched whether other companies have done the same, this could be the strangest trend that may take off and lead to even bigger advertisment campaigns. On the other hand, I could see environmentalists becoming very concerned about our planet getting covered in logos. The funny thing is, this is a great way to get advertising space on Google Earth.

-vincent

http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/kfc_logo_the_first_to_be_seen_from_outer_space.php

Dilbert

This comic strip was posted in newspapers on february 2nd. of this year. As the dialogue on the comic you just has to comment on how useless are some upgrades on software (i.e. minor changes from Windows 95 to 98) versions.

Is MS Paint just as good as Photoshop?

Who would have known MS paint is just as good as those 500 dollar programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Paintshop Pro. Only since I have watched this video, I always thought MS paint was just a simple drawing program that does mediocre enhancements. This goes to show you that you don’t need a 500 dollar program to show off the artistic side of yourself. I must admit that I do own one of the professional drawing programs; however none of my pictures turn out like what you have just seen. It goes to show to never underestimate the power of MS paint, yet the functionality and features seem simple it can still pack a mean punch!

Networking?

Two Sumatran tiger cub sleep with two baby orangutans in a nursery room at the Taman Safari zoo Wednesday Feb. 28, 2007, in Bogor, Indonesia. The tiger and orangutan babies, which would never be together in the wild, have become inseparable playmates after they were abandoned by their mothers. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

This photo could be used to show the value of networking. Networking can be made in the business world in the most unlikely of places and with the most unlikely of people. You never know what the person you are sitting next too can offer and how you could possibly help each other. These two completely different species will possibly continue to be life long friends. Keep your eyes open and you could find life long friends in the most unlikely of places.

Are you getting paid enough?

Have you ever wondered about how much you get paid compared to others who work in the same industry. Well, now you can. A company called, "PayScale" was created for that reason. PayScale allows users to plug in their information such as their total compensation, employer, work experience, and schooling and the system will tell them if they are underpaid or overpaid. By paying a fee of $20, you will have subscription to "enhanced access to the site for six months and deeper drill-downs of their salary reports." This might be a great tool to use when you are tyring to negotiate a pay raise with your current employer. PayScale might also be helpful for those seeking a new job. It gives job seekers an opportunity to see how much they should be expecting to get paid with a particular occupation. From an employer's point of view, this tool will help employers determine how much they should pay their employees. This ensures that they're paying out proper compensation (not too much, not too little).

The full article can be accessed here:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2007/03/01/8401032/index.htm?postversion=2007030106