Strong culture is one of the most powerful tools that a skilled manager can wield. As his or her
organization grows, it soon becomes impossible for the general manager personally to be involved in
every important decision, such as who to hire or promote, when to kill an ageing product line, or
whether to bid or not bid on a particular order. The most the manager can hope for is that all of the
people making decisions in the organization will make them in a way that is consistent with the goals
of the company. The sum of the many autonomous decisions made by various employees must have
the cumulative effect of taking the organization where the manager wants it to go. The only way this
can happen is if the organization has developed clear priorities that employees instinctively employ
as criteria in their dispersed decision-making activities. In other words, strong culture is essential to
consistent decision-making as the organization’s size and scope expand.
Similarly, it becomes impossible for the general manager to participate in or oversee every process
that solves problems and creates value in the organization, such as the new product development
process or the process for following up on new sales leads. Inevitably, as an organization grows,
these things must be done by more and more people, and yet the manager must ensure that the
quality of the output of each of these processes is consistent with the company’s strategic goals.
Again, a strong culture—within which the best ways of getting the job done are instinctively assumed
by all members of the organization—is a powerful tool by which effective managers ensure
consistency.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Organization’s Culture
Culture is a unique characteristic of any organization. While the phenomenon of organizational
culture is difficult to define succinctly, understanding it can help a manager predict how his or her
organization is likely to respond to different situations; to assess the difficulties that the organization
might experience as it confronts a changing future; and to identify the priority issues for the
leadership to address as they prepare the organization to compete for the future. Organizational
culture affects and regulates the way members of the organization think, feel and act within the
framework of that organization. Culture is the result of common learning experiences. Because
culture forms the basis of group identity and shared thought, belief, and feeling, one of the most
decisive and important functions of leaders—particularly the founders of a company—is the creation
and management of its culture.
culture is difficult to define succinctly, understanding it can help a manager predict how his or her
organization is likely to respond to different situations; to assess the difficulties that the organization
might experience as it confronts a changing future; and to identify the priority issues for the
leadership to address as they prepare the organization to compete for the future. Organizational
culture affects and regulates the way members of the organization think, feel and act within the
framework of that organization. Culture is the result of common learning experiences. Because
culture forms the basis of group identity and shared thought, belief, and feeling, one of the most
decisive and important functions of leaders—particularly the founders of a company—is the creation
and management of its culture.
TIPS TO REDUCE STRESS
1) CREATE MIND/BODY BALANCE
• Practice deep breathing – This is both a short and long-term relaxation option. For a quick
way to de-stress, take 10 deep breaths. Focus on breathing in through your nose and out
through your mouth. As you exhale, imagine all of your stress and worries flowing out of
your body. Using breathing exercises daily will leave you feeling calmer.
• Exercise – Many studies have demonstrated that exercise is one of the most effective forms
of stress relief. Exercise can also counteract depression. Try to pick an activity you enjoy.
From a low-intensity activity like walking to a high-intensity activity like kick-boxing, all
forms of physical exercise can be a big help.
• Sleep – This is one of the hardest areas to adjust for most people. Sleep is essential but
sometimes the pressures of assignments and other commitments mean that we fall well
below the 7-9 hours recommended. If you know you have a late night ahead, consider
resting for 30 minutes to an hour in the afternoon.
• Eat well – Taking care of your body by giving it proper nutrients is extremely important.
Try to eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Drink plenty of water and take
a multivitamin. Avoid excess sugar, caffeine, and other substances that will cause your
energy levels to fluctuate dramatically.
2) POSITIVELY ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE
• Know and respect your limits – Many of us try to impose order or control on areas over
which we have little power. When facing a difficult situation, take a step back and evaluate
which parts of the situation you have control over (your actions, etc.) and which parts you
do not (others’ behavior). If you realize a situation is largely out of your hands, let it go
rather than fighting it.
• Be an advocate for yourself instead of a critic. – Celebrate your successes rather than
dwelling on what you perceive as your weaknesses.
• Visualize success – Before any big event, visualize the scenario. Try to picture all aspects of
the situation and how you might feel during the event. This kind of mental practice can
make the actual event seem far less intimidating.
3) REACH OUT
• Shift your focus – When stressed, many people focus their thoughts inward. This internal
focus can heighten stress and anxiety. Rather than constantly thinking about the issues that
are causing you stress, try to focus more on the external environment.
• Talk to others – Sharing your feelings of frustration, worry, and more with others you are
close to can help alleviate stress. Others’ perspectives can also help you see that while
things may appear bleak, they are actually not as bad.
• Practice deep breathing – This is both a short and long-term relaxation option. For a quick
way to de-stress, take 10 deep breaths. Focus on breathing in through your nose and out
through your mouth. As you exhale, imagine all of your stress and worries flowing out of
your body. Using breathing exercises daily will leave you feeling calmer.
• Exercise – Many studies have demonstrated that exercise is one of the most effective forms
of stress relief. Exercise can also counteract depression. Try to pick an activity you enjoy.
From a low-intensity activity like walking to a high-intensity activity like kick-boxing, all
forms of physical exercise can be a big help.
• Sleep – This is one of the hardest areas to adjust for most people. Sleep is essential but
sometimes the pressures of assignments and other commitments mean that we fall well
below the 7-9 hours recommended. If you know you have a late night ahead, consider
resting for 30 minutes to an hour in the afternoon.
• Eat well – Taking care of your body by giving it proper nutrients is extremely important.
Try to eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Drink plenty of water and take
a multivitamin. Avoid excess sugar, caffeine, and other substances that will cause your
energy levels to fluctuate dramatically.
2) POSITIVELY ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE
• Know and respect your limits – Many of us try to impose order or control on areas over
which we have little power. When facing a difficult situation, take a step back and evaluate
which parts of the situation you have control over (your actions, etc.) and which parts you
do not (others’ behavior). If you realize a situation is largely out of your hands, let it go
rather than fighting it.
• Be an advocate for yourself instead of a critic. – Celebrate your successes rather than
dwelling on what you perceive as your weaknesses.
• Visualize success – Before any big event, visualize the scenario. Try to picture all aspects of
the situation and how you might feel during the event. This kind of mental practice can
make the actual event seem far less intimidating.
3) REACH OUT
• Shift your focus – When stressed, many people focus their thoughts inward. This internal
focus can heighten stress and anxiety. Rather than constantly thinking about the issues that
are causing you stress, try to focus more on the external environment.
• Talk to others – Sharing your feelings of frustration, worry, and more with others you are
close to can help alleviate stress. Others’ perspectives can also help you see that while
things may appear bleak, they are actually not as bad.
CAUSES OF STRESS MANAGEMENT
Many external and internal factors can cause stress.
• Environment – We all have highly individual responses to the world around us. One person
may feel equally comfortable in a small town and a big city whereas another person may be
overwhelmed by a city’s noise, intense pace, and crowded streets.
• Events – From taking final exams to introducing your significant other to your family, many
situations can lead to stress. Some examples of stressful events include personal or family
illness, increased work load, roommate conflicts, and more. Multiple events often combine and
can leave you feeling weighed down.
• Expectations – Many of us demand a lot from ourselves and from others. Examples of
expectation-related stress include receiving lower grades than expected and not getting certain
internships or jobs. Stress has a close link with perfectionism.
• Environment – We all have highly individual responses to the world around us. One person
may feel equally comfortable in a small town and a big city whereas another person may be
overwhelmed by a city’s noise, intense pace, and crowded streets.
• Events – From taking final exams to introducing your significant other to your family, many
situations can lead to stress. Some examples of stressful events include personal or family
illness, increased work load, roommate conflicts, and more. Multiple events often combine and
can leave you feeling weighed down.
• Expectations – Many of us demand a lot from ourselves and from others. Examples of
expectation-related stress include receiving lower grades than expected and not getting certain
internships or jobs. Stress has a close link with perfectionism.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
stress ('stres)
bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent
equilibrium
For many people, stress is a daily reality. Some events, such as an important sports competition or
a deadline for a paper, can cause stress that helps motivate us to perform at our best. Unfortunately,
stress often becomes a negative presence in our lives. As the above definition states, stress throws
us off balance and can have serious health consequences if left unchecked. Learning how to
manage stress will make you more able to handle challenging situations and significant events in
your life.
bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent
equilibrium
For many people, stress is a daily reality. Some events, such as an important sports competition or
a deadline for a paper, can cause stress that helps motivate us to perform at our best. Unfortunately,
stress often becomes a negative presence in our lives. As the above definition states, stress throws
us off balance and can have serious health consequences if left unchecked. Learning how to
manage stress will make you more able to handle challenging situations and significant events in
your life.
Measuring diversity
The present requirements on the (diversity) concept have made it mandatory to have a straightforward way
of measuring the very diversity in concrete situations or markets. This led to the search of indicators or
indexes to assess diversity. Supposing a suitably characterised context is given, basic elements for the
construction of such indexes are a well-defined set of objects, outcomes or types, say 1, 2, …, n, and an
associated frequency (or probability) distribution pi , 1 i n, i pi = 1.
A common mistake, still present in many studies and arguments, is to associate diversity with the sheer
multiplicity of types (variety), forgetting that their relative frequencies are also crucial for defining “the
amount of diversity” (balance). In spite of different options duly taking into account the two basic
constituents above, the Shannon-Wiener entropy index seems to be most favoured and, to many a number
of viewpoints, the best candidate. Indeed, since Shannon (1948), several proofs of optimality of the entropy
index have been produced. Its definition, as known, is:
HSW = - i pi lnpi ,
of measuring the very diversity in concrete situations or markets. This led to the search of indicators or
indexes to assess diversity. Supposing a suitably characterised context is given, basic elements for the
construction of such indexes are a well-defined set of objects, outcomes or types, say 1, 2, …, n, and an
associated frequency (or probability) distribution pi , 1 i n, i pi = 1.
A common mistake, still present in many studies and arguments, is to associate diversity with the sheer
multiplicity of types (variety), forgetting that their relative frequencies are also crucial for defining “the
amount of diversity” (balance). In spite of different options duly taking into account the two basic
constituents above, the Shannon-Wiener entropy index seems to be most favoured and, to many a number
of viewpoints, the best candidate. Indeed, since Shannon (1948), several proofs of optimality of the entropy
index have been produced. Its definition, as known, is:
HSW = - i pi lnpi ,
Monday, March 22, 2010
Internet hosts
CIA World Fact Book claims there are less than 4 million Internet hosts in the USA (about one-tenth of Japan) in 2007. [6] Is it true?
CIA defines a Internet host as a computer connected directly to the Internet; normally an Internet Service Provider's (ISP) computer is a host. [7]
Anwar 15:34, 18 October 2007 (UTC)
I doubt that the description is up-to-date, given that they talk about "hardwired terminals" and "institutional mainframes". The description would include everybody on an DSL/cable internet connection. Netherlands (16M inhabitants) is listed with 11M hosts, which would include all household and office computers. Weird that the US is listed with just 4M hosts. Han-Kwang (t) 22:19, 18 October 2007 (UTC) CIA lists almost 200 million Internet hosts in the USA in 2005 (about 9 times that of Japan).[8] This seems lot more reliable.Anwar 15:11, 25 October 2007 (UTC)
CIA defines a Internet host as a computer connected directly to the Internet; normally an Internet Service Provider's (ISP) computer is a host. [7]
Anwar 15:34, 18 October 2007 (UTC)
I doubt that the description is up-to-date, given that they talk about "hardwired terminals" and "institutional mainframes". The description would include everybody on an DSL/cable internet connection. Netherlands (16M inhabitants) is listed with 11M hosts, which would include all household and office computers. Weird that the US is listed with just 4M hosts. Han-Kwang (t) 22:19, 18 October 2007 (UTC) CIA lists almost 200 million Internet hosts in the USA in 2005 (about 9 times that of Japan).[8] This seems lot more reliable.Anwar 15:11, 25 October 2007 (UTC)
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