I had the pleasure of reading Michael Porter's interview about the state of the economy in USA Today. Dr. Porter is a professor at Harvard University and a top economic expert. Reading the economic news I have come across great opinions and those opinions that have no basis in economics. Dr. Porter's analysis of the economy and the Trans-Pacific Partnership appears to be accurate and based on well thought out logic.
Trans-Pacific Partnership:
Consider the need to ensure the U.S. has a level playing field in international markets. We have great potential in this country, and still maintain that potential, but have failed in our and foreign policies. This failure is sometimes based in the misconception that other countries must follow our rules while at other times we develop poorly designed policies that don't protect our own future.
Countries have engaged in unfair trade practices that have damaged our economy through tariffs, product dumping, subsidies, and other policies seeking short-term advantages. Getting respite for these grievances through the World Trade Organization can be difficult at best and muted in their impact. The central power being the ability of this country to connect countries to our economy in ways that benefit both parties fairly.
The need for a broad based economic platform has been in the making for some time. Our policies have been someone short-sighted and seeking to hen pick the market. The Trans-Pacific Partnership is an attempt, albeit imperfect, to create a broader framework to ensure that we have access to resources while opening markets for our products.
Wages and Value:
Secondly, the discussion on wages is beneficial. In disagreement, with Dr. Porter I can say cost of wages does have an impact, but in agreement with him, I can say the ultimate value of a wage is its ability to be productive, adaptable, and innovative. Wages are only a measure of the value of output. Problems arise only when wages and output are not in alignment.
Low wages are great...but high value output with solid wages is even better if investment from overseas is drawn back to the U.S. and contribute to taxes, spending, and quality of life. Treaties should seek to ensure American workers are maximizing their earning potential through full human development and economic engagement.
Our economy is complex but does fundamentally rest on how we use resources such as raw materials, physical, and informational components to make market leading products. All of this is dependent on our intellectual and human capital and its ability to use these materials wisely. Government must ensure all of their policies have the focus of creating the best environment for using human potential to maximize returns on resource investments. The problem with economics up to this point is not the ability of businesses to compete but the way in which we allow them to do so.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/11/16/michael-porter-harvard-interview-trade-deal-economy/75599090/
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Monday, November 16, 2015
When Research Becomes Important
Throughout history research and information has been ignored, and sometimes ridiculed, because it doesn't fit into the standard mold. I am not discussing the quality of the research but the mold in which it was driven and its eventual results. Every great idea breaks the "status qua" in some way and if it isn't being criticized it isn't worth anything.
Sometimes it takes a decade or more to realize the profound nature of findings. Events take place that make the search for information important to societal stakeholders and result in rediscovery of past research and its importance. Time is the ultimate judge of the quality of findings when seemingly useless findings start taking greater and greater meaning.
Looking back through history you will find that uniqueness and novel have not always been rewarded in society. People expect others to act and be as they are in order to validate the benefits of both themselves and their social groups. In science, there should be no such social buffoonery and instead focus on the method rather than the nature of the research.
Validity of findings are based on their relevancy in explaining a model or an event. Groundbreaking research can be discovered in any field. Sociological research could result in predicting and explaining future events or a discovery of a new pathogen could lead to the savings of thousands of lives. What was once seen as irrelevant can sometimes become profound.
That relevancy is based in a level of accuracy of prediction. Nothing else beyond this matters if the theory actually explains, describes, and predicts some phenomenon. The theory will continue to be adjusted and shifted as now information and events unfold.
As a person who engaged in research, and has done so throughout much of my life, I would say that some of the greatest discoveries were almost lost or ignored. As time passes and policy makers seek answers that research becomes more and more important. Sometimes it can be so beneficial it influences all research after it in the ultimate adjustment of perspective-a paradigm shift!
Sometimes it takes a decade or more to realize the profound nature of findings. Events take place that make the search for information important to societal stakeholders and result in rediscovery of past research and its importance. Time is the ultimate judge of the quality of findings when seemingly useless findings start taking greater and greater meaning.
Looking back through history you will find that uniqueness and novel have not always been rewarded in society. People expect others to act and be as they are in order to validate the benefits of both themselves and their social groups. In science, there should be no such social buffoonery and instead focus on the method rather than the nature of the research.
Validity of findings are based on their relevancy in explaining a model or an event. Groundbreaking research can be discovered in any field. Sociological research could result in predicting and explaining future events or a discovery of a new pathogen could lead to the savings of thousands of lives. What was once seen as irrelevant can sometimes become profound.
That relevancy is based in a level of accuracy of prediction. Nothing else beyond this matters if the theory actually explains, describes, and predicts some phenomenon. The theory will continue to be adjusted and shifted as now information and events unfold.
As a person who engaged in research, and has done so throughout much of my life, I would say that some of the greatest discoveries were almost lost or ignored. As time passes and policy makers seek answers that research becomes more and more important. Sometimes it can be so beneficial it influences all research after it in the ultimate adjustment of perspective-a paradigm shift!
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Enhancing Job Satisfaction at Large Firms
Job satisfaction leads to retention of qualified individuals and in turn raises the intellectual capital of an organization. Not all organizations know how to develop job satisfaction. Certainly, pay, independence, culture and other company factors can make a big difference but they are not the deciding factor. Smaller firms are more likely to to cultivate job satisfaction than larger firms (Tansel & Gazioglu, 2014).
Job satisfaction seems to rest on the relationships people have with their bosses and their co-workers. When these relationships are strong and positive people naturally feel more "in tune" with their environment which raises their positive impressions. When these relationships are positive the enjoy coming into work.
The study highlights the importance of humans capacity to be social. This social ability impacts just about everything within one's life. Job promotion, pay, friendship, stress, and even romance are all based in the ability to connect with others and engage. It stands to reason that strong relationships at work raise the overall satisfaction with the job.
Smaller social circles are more intimate than larger circles. The same process occurs in a group of friends, a large vs. small town, or a large vs. small business. Satisfaction rests on the quality of these relationships and their ability to mitigate any negative aspects of day-to-day stress. Getting people to interact is a win-win situation.
Large companies are not doomed to lower satisfaction. It means that managers should have the ability interact on a positive and professional manner, stay close to their employees, and develop real relationships. The technical size of the building or its income is not a real factor beyond the way in which people treat each other.
Ways to Improve Employee Satisfaction:
-Treat employees as valuable,
-Find a unique contribution for each,
-Listen and interact,
-Encourage employees to interact with others,
-Have a strong mission statement that gives purpose.
-Help employees find meaning beyond a "job".
Tansel, A. & Gazioglu, S. (2014). Management-employe relations, firm size and job satisfaction. International Journal of Manpower, 35 (8). Job satisfaction seems to rest on the relationships people have with their bosses and their co-workers. When these relationships are strong and positive people naturally feel more "in tune" with their environment which raises their positive impressions. When these relationships are positive the enjoy coming into work.
The study highlights the importance of humans capacity to be social. This social ability impacts just about everything within one's life. Job promotion, pay, friendship, stress, and even romance are all based in the ability to connect with others and engage. It stands to reason that strong relationships at work raise the overall satisfaction with the job.
Smaller social circles are more intimate than larger circles. The same process occurs in a group of friends, a large vs. small town, or a large vs. small business. Satisfaction rests on the quality of these relationships and their ability to mitigate any negative aspects of day-to-day stress. Getting people to interact is a win-win situation.
Large companies are not doomed to lower satisfaction. It means that managers should have the ability interact on a positive and professional manner, stay close to their employees, and develop real relationships. The technical size of the building or its income is not a real factor beyond the way in which people treat each other.
Ways to Improve Employee Satisfaction:
-Treat employees as valuable,
-Find a unique contribution for each,
-Listen and interact,
-Encourage employees to interact with others,
-Have a strong mission statement that gives purpose.
-Help employees find meaning beyond a "job".
Monday, November 9, 2015
International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Research Technology
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Sunday, November 8, 2015
Improving Communication Skills to Develop Management Techniques
Communication is an essential skill that makes or breaks a manager's career. Those who can communicate effectively and in a positive manner in a way that motivates others and creates trust are going to be more influential than those who can't. People live within a social network and take cues from their managers in ways that determine employees' work engagement.
You might wonder why communication is so essential to strong management? A department is a social network based in shared knowledge and work function similarities. Managers use their work experienc and people knowledge to create greater performance.
The manager should be the center of work communication within his/her network. The manager is the one who communicates the daily work tasks to fulfill organizational objectives. Without this knowledge and ability to keep the social group moving forward toward organizational objectives t every idea of management dissipates.
Effective communication is about steering the ship in the right direction by getting everyone working together as a team. To reach each of the members it is necessary to find different ways and methods to communication. Even though conciseness and honesty are fundamental the methods the manager uses to communicate are fundamentally important.
Some employees will respond to some communication methods while others will respond to different methods. Some want things brought to them concisely while others want the information relayed in a way that doesn't damage their perception of self. The seasoned manager understands his/her employees and how information is heard and interpreted.
Effective communication should:
1.) Be clear and concise
2.) Avoid confrontation unless absolutely necessary
3.) Have a clear objective and goal
4.) Be professional
5.) Show empathy and concern
6.) Cater to the audience
7.) Understand how people view information differently.
You might wonder why communication is so essential to strong management? A department is a social network based in shared knowledge and work function similarities. Managers use their work experienc and people knowledge to create greater performance.
The manager should be the center of work communication within his/her network. The manager is the one who communicates the daily work tasks to fulfill organizational objectives. Without this knowledge and ability to keep the social group moving forward toward organizational objectives t every idea of management dissipates.
Effective communication is about steering the ship in the right direction by getting everyone working together as a team. To reach each of the members it is necessary to find different ways and methods to communication. Even though conciseness and honesty are fundamental the methods the manager uses to communicate are fundamentally important.
Some employees will respond to some communication methods while others will respond to different methods. Some want things brought to them concisely while others want the information relayed in a way that doesn't damage their perception of self. The seasoned manager understands his/her employees and how information is heard and interpreted.
Effective communication should:
1.) Be clear and concise
2.) Avoid confrontation unless absolutely necessary
3.) Have a clear objective and goal
4.) Be professional
5.) Show empathy and concern
6.) Cater to the audience
7.) Understand how people view information differently.
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