Through Good Times and Bad-Character Definition

Life will have its ups and downs. Sometimes you might be on time while at other times if feels more like you are scrapping the bottom. We experience this because life has lots of challenges each of us must overcome. We have lots of things to do and many different stresses but the definition of our character is formed by how we handle it.

When times get tough is when your character is defined. Its not about how much money you have, how many friends you have or the things you brag about. At those dire times it is about the true quality of your character. Your essence can't be hidden when you must pull yourself up from your boot strings.

Some people get through tough situations and then look back and find that it was worthwhile experience because it changed their perspective forever. While it may not have been fun to go through and it could have been full of sorrow or challenges they are able to accept and improve on their lives.

We must consider that deeply rooted character is not always defined by what people see from another person's outward shell. As a person we are unlikely to be aware of who we truly are at the core and how we will handle the worst of situations. Boastfulness and arrogance shatter and break under enough pressure leaving your true naked self.

Its easy to handle the ups side of life but much more difficult to handle the downs. When people learn to change the way they think about their downs and what they can gain from them they are better able to develop the resilience needed in life. Over time this success builds and their confidence builds and they are able to accomplish great things.

The Methods Used by Government to Spur Innovation

Governments seek to create innovation within their districts to develop a more robust economy. The process of doing this can take many forms but at the root of their strategy is innovation. It is believed that innovation leads to economic growth and the employment of more people. An article in the International Journal of Innovation Science helps us understand what many governments are doing (Jacknis, 2011).

Many of the strategies governments use were based in the Industrialization Age where hard products were created. The modern age is more technological and service oriented. It is my perspective that better online collaborative communities are likely to spark that innovation at a fraction of many of the previous programs.

The methods in use service specific functions such as either sparking, transferring, or rewarding innovation. The author cites the following approaches:

Copy-write and Patent Protection: Legally protecting new developments to reward the inventor. While not cited in the article it is beneficial to reign in infringements in nations like China.

High speed Internet: Local governments are creating high speed Internet infrastructure that encourage increasing information transference.

Tax Credits: Property for relocation, sales and research tax credits.

Investments: Encouragement of investment into regional research centers, new technology and investment loans. There are some governments which invest public pension funds.

Prizes and Rewards: Offer prizes and rewards for entrepreneurs, innovators and inventors that work for the government or contract through them.

Knowledge Transfer: Universities that received federal funds will transfer their new technology to the private sector to encourage greater innovation.


Jaknis, N. (2011) Government's Role In Facilitating An Innovative Economy. International Journal of Innovation Science, 3 (3).

Pharmaceutical Companies in San Diego Snap Up Life Science Companies

I'm reading the San Diego Union Tribune and come across an article by Bradley Fikes entitled San Diego's science allure draws in big partners. San Diego has a robust bio diversity and life science industry that is attracting big pharmaceutical companies hoping to capitalize on new innovations and developments.

The drugs business is huge and attracts big investment. Life science companies that have promising portfolios and new discoveries are a hot item for investment. As these companies are encouraged to develop and invent they have willing investors that can connect them with larger production capabilities. 

This industry thrives because of the years of scientific development off of the natural ocean front and diverse sea life. Much of its history has included the conservation and scientific development of its natural resources. They have effectively capitalized on their history and local geography to create a viable industry. 

Clusters often work with shared knowledge. When companies attract and recruit highly intelligent people they will begin to create synergy in knowledge and science. The more they share that knowledge, the more innovation that occurs, and the more investment will be created. 

Government has a responsibility to support this development through "start up" friendly legislation and research oriented encouragement. With proper government policy the San Diego government can continue to not only encourage this development but also encourage secondary industries which can spark whole new clusters of development creating future economic growth. 

World Conference on Education – 2017

World Conference on Education – 2017 (WCEDU – 2017)
12th – 13th October 2017
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Researchers are invited to send abstracts for all modes of Oral, Poster and Virtual Presentations. Submit Abstracts on one of the following Conference tracks but not limited to;

- Participatory Learning
- Diversity in Learning
- Global Issues in Education
- Education in Asia
- Business Education
- Peace Education
- Technology use in education
- Youth and Education
- Climate change and Education
- Vocational Education
- Counsellor Education
- Learning Assessments
- Research Management
- Language Education
- Pedagogy
- Terrorism and Education
- Education in the African region
- Art Education
- Course Management
- Research Management
- Curriculum Development

Read more at - http://educationconferences.co/call-for-paper/

Abstract submission deadline: 31st July 2017
Early-bird Registration Deadline: 30th August 2017
Submit your Abstract at - abstract@educationconferences.co

America Still Needs Investment

Unemployment is low and companies are making profits but growth beyond 2% is difficult. We can't look to labor and we can't look to corporate profits. We can look to where those corporate profits are spent and whether or not CEOs are gaining the highest return on investments. Putting money back into American made businesses can make a difference for the future economic vitality of the nation.

Much of this money is going overseas where companies over the past few decades believe they can make the most money. The problem is that that money is lost to Americans for purposes of improvement of national competitiveness and the balancing of government budgets. Reinvesting this money into productivity and expansion can provide greater growth for the nation.

Productivity improves on costs and production outcomes by enhancing workers skills so that higher quality products are produced. Training in skilled labor skills, general knowledge, and high technology industries helps both the American worker's wages as well as long-term profits of the company.

There is also the option of investing much of this money back into higher technology that improves the industries themselves. As cost and time saving equipment is added companies are better able to compete with the low cost providers overseas. Reinvestment can beat out lower technology industries with advancement.

There is also research investments that provide future dividends. Where new technology and skills won't return the industry to a competitive stance, additional research is needed to raise the abilities of these companies. Investments into new technology and products helps in the process of spring-boarding American companies forward.

We currently enjoy a competitive advantage and many of our companies have money to spend. Where they choose to spend it is another matter. From a strategic standpoint it makes sense to use that money to set up economic strength that can last well into the future. However, without reinvestment many of our companies will continue to set up operations overseas.

Make the Best of Every Situation

Everyone has ups and downs and we often run across situations where we face some challenge or set back. Instead of feeling upset it is better to think about the possibilities of where you can learn and see if the set back created new opportunities. The process of developing stronger and more positive approaches to life is helpful in the long-run and you will find yourself growing.

The process of thinking about opportunity works in both our personal and professional lives. You may be starting to think about starting a business and find yourself blocked. Perhaps you have a new relationship and feel that it isn't going as well as planned.

Don't think the worst!

Start thinking about what you can learn from it and where you can go from the new knowledge. If it is a difficult problem in business you might work on finding a solution. If it was tough for you it will likely be tough for others as well. Solving that problem could give you a "leg up" from other businesses that can't solve it.

Perhaps you have contemplated on the problem for a long time and still can't find a solution. Think of who you could outsource the problem, change your business model, or find an alternative. This kind of thinking can often lead to greater outcomes over time.

1.) Think about what happened and why it happened. Find the root cause.
2.) Determine what you could do better next time.
3.) Think of alternatives.
4.) Evaluate the alternatives.
5.) Pick the best one and make it happen.

The Resort Area of Mackinaw Island

Mackinaw Island is a historical tourist and resort location located between the Upper Peninsula and Lower peninsula of Michigan. It has its roots in Jesuit missionaries, French fur traders, Native American tribes, the War of 1812 and the American revolution. Once a strategic location that protected the Great Lakes it became a historical landmark.

The island has a small town that allows for businesses and houses. Some people actually live there year round while the wealthy buy homes and visit during the summer. There are no cars allowed on the Island and people resort to walking, biking, and horseback riding.

You will need to ferry across to the Island from Mackinaw City or Saint Ignace. Most of the ferries leave about every half hour. Island workers are often either local, owners of the businesses or imported summer labor. The Island has a lot of things to do for families. Staying on the Island can be quite expensive so consider either of the two towns on the mainland.