You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'Business' category.
I came across an interesting idea from Effective Business Communications about job application. I’m like most people, I would only apply for a job from an advertisement, and would never thought of sending out an unsolicited application letter in fear that the company might think it’s a waste of time, and kind of surprised to read that it’s the other way around.
It’s actually a good idea to send out an unsolicited application letter, for several reasons, firms like to receive applications for jobs that they have not advertised. With a file of unsolicited applications, a firm can achieve several objectives such as save advertising costs; fill jobs more quickly because the personnel department can look in the file and be in touch with an applicant in a short time; save personnel department time because the department may find a suitable worker from a small file of unsolicited letters, otherwise an advertisement may bring fifty or a hundred invited applications, all of which require some attention; avoid possible goodwill-losing situations because some who have applied may be embittered when they are not employed; get applicants who possess the qualities of initiative and foresight, and be fairly certain that any present employee who may not be measuring up to performance standards can be replaced.
As from the applicant’s point of view, the unsolicited application letter also has advantages that it increases the number of jobs from which you can select. It meets with less competition than it would have if it were sent in response to an advertisement. It could create a job if it persuaded the employer to believe that a worker was needed to do something that is not now being done. It may assist in getting a better job because the highly preferred jobs are often filled before any applications are invited. It may also suggest initiative on your part.
Basically, the unsolicited letter of application is a sales letter that sells you. Its goal is to secure an interview in which you can continue to sell yourself, so it’s best to try to get attention, arousing interest, presenting convincing evidence, and asking for action.
All communication must involve both a sender and a receiver of messages, simply because you send a message to someone and s/he is not available to receive a message, then sending doesn’t exist. Of course we often think of communication in the form of written or verbal, but communication conveys through actions are also as important, and if not more so in the business world, this is Kinetic messages. A simple gesture such as a wink, a frown, a smile, a sigh, a nod, they all convey messages. So do grooming, attire, posture, temper, punctuality, and so forth.
I think many times we sent Kinetic messages without realizing it and it’s being sent and received continually. In fact, they are very important because they determine whether people can get along and work together harmoniously, and whether a business can maintain good relationships with its customers. Typically the message transmitted through action will have greater impact than the message transmitted through words, I guess that’s why they say “actions speak louder than words.” I would say that business people have to be just as concerned about what they do as much as what they say, many people that I know got fired from their job because of the Kinetic messages, the verbal just made things worse.
As for me, another types of communication that’s interesting is the Metacommunications. These are messages in between the lines, and at this point, I think it’s good to be a mind reader, sadly I’m not one but I do have good hunches. These messages are not literally expressed in words, but they accompany messages that are expressed in words. Kind of confusing in my opinion and of course they also vary in meaning, I can read the message, and think it’s one thing, and someone else could read the same message and interpret it differently. Also both Kinetic and Metacommunications are present in all messages, whether written or spoken, these messages convey ideas in addition to the ideas expressed in words. All actions, or even failure to act at all have meaning, something to think about.
I’m happy to announce my sister’s online store, Bee’s Design and Finds.
Bee’s Design and Finds offers handcrafted pillows featuring unique designs, wall mirrors, upholstered items and furniture, which includes leather sofas showing here.
These leather western pillows are handcrafted from the finest materials.
Beautiful leather/cowhide with hair western design pillows.
When we first came to America back in the 80s, like most refugee from Laos, we didn’t have a lot, so minimalist lifestyle was not a luxury, but a necessity for us, we learned to live with very few items. I think that all had changed when we moved to North Carolina, I discovered myself having a new addiction, buying furniture. This was not a surprise to me, or shouldn’t be to anyone because after all, some regard the city as the Furniture Capital of the World and it is called ‘North Carolina’s International City’ due to the semi-annual High Point Market that attracts 100,000 exhibitors and buyers from around the world.
These furniture are not cheap if you were to buy them in the store, such as the Hickory Furniture Mart, but that’s not where I get my furniture, I’d buy them from my sister’s work place, which they sell to their employees for a bargain price, and they often have something that I like. When I moved into this house, I realized that I’ve too much furniture, and stopped going to all the furniture sale until yesterday. These are Lane Venture of Furniture Brands company, they were selling their overstock items, returned or damaged pieces, and their other well known names are Broyhill, Thomasville, Drexel Heritage, and Henredon.
This one was opened to the public, I went to one about 9 years ago and the place opened at 9 AM, and we started lining up at 6 AM, I recalled I bought a whole bunch of stuff back then. This one opened at 10 AM and my sister said that people started to line up early, and by the time I got there at 11 AM, most of the items were sold, a bit baffled, so I asked one of the employees that works there, and he said “It has been crazy, I want to shoot myself.” I asked him where did they get the money to buy this because some of these items are not cheap, and I knew most places cut back their hours and most don’t get to work their full week. He said that the only thing that he could think of was that they must have purchased with borrowed money and apparently have very good credit. As for me, I was just looking around, and not wanting anything in particular, they started moving the furniture to the loading dock area when I got there, and loading onto their pickup truck or trailer to take them home.
The furniture were still there, but the tickets were gone, which meant that the item has been sold.
My oldest sister wants some outdoor furniture for her new place, and 9 years ago you can get one of these for less than $35, but not anymore, these were selling for $145 each, a bit pricey for her.
When I saw these images, I scratched my head a couple of times, not sure what to think of this new building, and certainly don’t expect to see this in Bangkok, Thailand, see for yourself. This image from their website made me think of 9/11.
MahaNakhon is a new 77-story high-rise complex, the construction will begin in Fall 2009. It’s a residential and hotel tower designed by internationally celebrated German architect Ole Scheeren, partner of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA). The 77-story will become Thailand’s tallest building, and will be completed in 2012.
From OMA Website: The design moves beyond the traditional formula of a seamless, inert, glossy totem, and instead actively engages the city: MahaNakhon’s pixelated and carved presence embraces and connects to the surrounding urban fabric rather than overpowering it. Its glittering stacked surfaces, terraces and protrusions will simultaneously create the impression of digital pixelation and echo the irregularity of ancient mountain topography. This architectural geography is conceived to convey the energy, intensity and inclusiveness of Thai society and celebrate Bangkok’s emergence as a true global capital, fitting the Thai meaning of the name MahaNakhon, translated as ‘great metropolis’.
The building will feature seven floors of retail (including cafes and restaurants), residential units (the Ritz-Carlton Residences with 200 single-level and duplex homes managed by The Ritz-Carlton, the units will offer owners 5-star amenities and interiors designed by David Collins), a hotel and a Sky Bar. A public plaza and outdoor atrium at the foot of the building will connect MahaNakhon with the Cube, a seven-story leisure- and-dining complex. (source, to read more about the project, and also project overview at e-architect.co.uk)
When I heard the phrase ‘You can’t be great by yourself,’ I thought he actually has a point. He went on and said even the greatest inventor needs expertees to test out his inventions, of course he needs someone that he can trust, the one that won’t steal his ideas. Right…sounds to me like an ideal world or the Internet world where people share information and everyone is happy.
Of course, in a real business world, there is no such thing as trust anymore, even amongst friends or business associates, it’s wised to require a Non-Disclosure Agreements that parties agree not to disclose confidential information, even this is not guaranteed that your information is safe, someone might try to create the same application but alter it slightly and can get away with it, it’s a dog-eat-dog world we’re living in, the last couple of months has proved that for me.
I seem to be running into this type of people more and more this day, trying to take credit that is not theirs, twisting my words around, what ever happen to teamwork effort? I heard on the radio a while back that the number 1 word that Americans like to use is a curse word, some might use as many as 100 times per day, shocked to hear this, such a sailor mouth I thought to myself, and I didn’t understand at the time how can someone curse so much, now it all makes sense to me. I think people need to focus less on the ‘ME!’ aspect, and more on the ‘WE’ as in teamwork.
I considered myself a very patient person, and here I have to keep telling myself to stay calm because time will take care of itself, and it has thus far. Amongst all these stressful situations that I’ve to face, I’m still thankful that I’ve a loving family, Bo who is very supportive and understanding and Lee, a joy to be around and same with Max, a very happy dog, and of course, my garden, a place to sit and relax.
Recent Comments