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Module 8: Controlling, Information, and Technology

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Module 8: Controlling, Information, and Technology

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This article when over the difference between quality assurance and quality control. This is extremely helpful when your running a business.

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Quality Assurance vs Quality Control - Learning Resources | ASQ

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Quality assurance and quality control refer to ways of ensuring the quality of a service or product. Click to learn more.

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Module 8: Controlling, Information, and Technology

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Module 8: Controlling, Information, and Technology

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This picture shows the base of what production looks like in different businesses.

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Module 8: Controlling, Information, and Technology

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Module 8: Controlling, Information, and Technology

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This article informed me on the different careers and certifications IT's can achieve.

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Welcome! In all likelihood, you have come to this site to find out more about the exciting field of computing. The goal of this web site is to provide additional details that will help you prepare for a career in this area.

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Module 8: Controlling, Information, and Technology

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Module 8: Controlling, Information, and Technology

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This picture represents how powerful and important technology is and how we depend on a handful of people to fix it and develop it. This picture makes me think of IT majors and how technology is in the palm of their hand.

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I enjoyed this video because it explained 10 ways to motivate employees. Amongst those 10 ways my favorite was reward your employee because people like to be acknowledged for their hard work and dedication. What better way to show that then rewarding them!

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This picture motivates me personally because it shows the long way women have come over the years and the rights we've earned. Women keep making a difference and keep pushing through the m any obstacles that have came up. Thus just motive ages me to keep fighting for other woman. We can do it!

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This article went over the characteristics of highly effective leaders which is beneficial to know because leaders have a lot of responsibilities.

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A remarkable amount of time, effort, and money has been devoted to the study of leadership. Despite all this research, there is little agreement about exactly what leadership is.

Still, people know effective leadership when they see it. And while great leaders may sometimes be born that way, there are certain traits that great leaders share in common that anyone can practice and adopt to become more effective.

What qualities are those? Well, to be a highly effective leader, you must ...
... inspire action.
Try to paint a vision of the future that inspires your people to do whatever it takes to get there. The best leaders also clear away the organizational roadblocks that constrain employees' natural creativity and initiative, unleashing a tremendous amount of energy in the process.
... be optimistic.
We all want to work with and for people who lift us up into the clouds instead of dragging us down into the mud. Make sure to seek out the positives in your people, helping them overcome their own feelings of self-doubt and spreading optimism throughout your organization.
... have integrity.
Research shows that the top thing that employees want from their leaders is integrity. Be honest, fair, candid and forthright, and treat everyone in the same way that you yourself would want to be treated.
... support and facilitate your team.
For people to do their very best work, they need an organizational environment that supports them by making it safe to take risks, to tell the truth, and to speak up ... without being punished for doing so. Support your employees by creating this kind of environment, and it will facilitate their progress toward attaining your organization's goals.
... have confidence.
Highly effective leaders know deep down inside that they and their team can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Failure is not an option. Tentative leaders make for tentative employees. If you're confident, your people will be too.
... communicate.
In any organization, knowledge is power, and great leaders ensure that every employee, from the very top to the very bottom of the org chart, is provided with complete and up-to-date information about the organization's goals, performance, successes and failures. To achieve this level of connection, you should also provide ample channels for two-way communication between employees and managers, actively soliciting their ideas for improvement and rewarding employees for submitting them.
... be decisive.
One of the most basic duties of any leader is to make decisions. Highly effective leaders aren't afraid to be decisive and to make tough calls quickly when circumstances require it. Once you have all the information you need to make an informed decision, then don't hesitate--make it. And once you make a decision, then stick with it unless there is a particularly compelling reason for you to change it.

No matter what type of organization or industry you're in, it's possible to become a more effective leader, inspiring your people to give their very best every day of the week. Make a point of practicing these 7 leadership traits, and you will be a highly effective leader too.

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A remarkable amount of time, effort, and money has been devoted to the study of leadership. Despite all this research, there is little agreement about exactly what leadership is. Still, people know effective leadership when they see it.

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This video made me feel like I could do anything. I think a great leader should make his/her followers feel this powerful and encouraged.

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Best Motivational Speech For Success in Life By Joel Osteen 2016 - The Mind

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Top Most recommended motivational books http://amzn.to/2aYoxon Best Books for Entrepreneurshttp://amzn.to/2b0mKfe Best books for Happiness and Self-Help http://amzn.to/2azMD9f Please watch: "Success Motivational Speech 2016 - Sacrifice" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fvGHC2Dayg -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- Best Motivational Speech For Success in Life By Joel Osteen 2016 This is the best motivational and inspirational video by Joel Osteen, about the mind, this motivational video can help you program your mind and go get what's yours.

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This picture is important because it shows that communication is all about receiving feedback as well as engaging in a conversation or exchanging information. Its a two way street and you have to be willing to listen to others.

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I found this article very helpful because it went over effective communication skills.

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The ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and staff is essential, no matter what industry you work in. Workers in the digital age must know how to effectively convey and receive messages in person as well as via phone, email, and social media. Good communication skills will help get hired, land promotions, and be a success throughout your career.

Top 10 Communication Skills

Want to stand out from the competition?

These are the top 10 communication skills that recruiters and hiring managers want to see on your resume and cover letter. Highlight these skills and demonstrate them during job interviews, and you'll make a solid first impression. Continue to develop these skills once you're hired, and you'll impress your boss, teammates, and clients.
1. Listening
Being a good listener is one of the best ways to be a good communicator. No one likes communicating with someone who only cares about putting in her two cents and does not take the time to listen to the other person. If you're not a good listener, it's going to be hard to comprehend what you're being asked to do.

Take the time to practice active listening. Active listening involves paying close attention to what the other person is saying, asking clarifying questions, and rephrasing what the person says to ensure understanding ("So, what you're saying is...").

Through active listening, you can better understand what the other person is trying to say, and can respond appropriately.
2. Nonverbal Communication
Your body language, eye contact, hand gestures, and tone all color the message you are trying to convey. A relaxed, open stance (arms open, legs relaxed), and a friendly tone will make you appear approachable, and will encourage others to speak openly with you.

Eye contact is also important; you want to look the person in the eye to demonstrate that you are focused on the person and the conversation (however, be sure not to stare at the person, which can make him or her uncomfortable).

Also pay attention to other people's nonverbal signals while you are talking.

Often, nonverbal signals convey how a person is really feeling. For example, if the person is not looking you in the eye, he or she might be uncomfortable or hiding the truth.
3. Clarity and Concision
Good communication means saying just enough - don't talk too much or too little. Try to convey your message in as few words as possible. Say what you want clearly and directly, whether you're speaking to someone in person, on the phone, or via email. If you ramble on, your listener will either tune you out or will be unsure of exactly what you want. Think about what you want to say before you say it; this will help you to avoid talking excessively and/or confusing your audience.
4. Friendliness
Through a friendly tone, a personal question, or simply a smile, you will encourage your coworkers to engage in open and honest communication with you.

It's important to be nice and polite in all your workplace communications. This is important in both face-to-face and written communication. When you can, personalize your emails to coworkers and/or employees - a quick "I hope you all had a good weekend" at the start of an email can personalize a message and make the recipient feel more appreciated.
5. Confidence
It is important to be confident in your interactions with others. Confidence shows your coworkers that you believe in what you're saying and will follow through. Exuding confidence can be as simple as making eye contact or using a firm but friendly tone. Avoid making statements sound like questions. Of course, be careful not to sound arrogant or aggressive.

Be sure you are always listening to and empathizing with the other person.
6. Empathy
Even when you disagree with an employer, coworker, or employee, it is important for you to understand and respect their point of view. Using phrases as simple as "I understand where you are coming from" demonstrate that you have been listening to the other person and respect their opinions.
7. Open-Mindedness
A good communicator should enter any conversation with a flexible, open mind. Be open to listening to and understanding the other person's point of view, rather than simply getting your message across. By being willing to enter into a dialogue, even with people with whom you disagree, you will be able to have more honest, productive conversations.
8. Respect
People will be more open to communicating with you if you convey respect for them and their ideas. Simple actions like using a person's name, making eye contact, and actively listening when a person speaks will make the person feel appreciated. On the phone, avoid distractions and stay focused on the conversation.

Convey respect through email by taking the time to edit your message. If you send a sloppily written, confusing email, the recipient will think you do not respect her enough to think through your communication with her.
9. Feedback
Being able to appropriately give and receive feedback is an important communication skill. Managers and supervisors should continuously look for ways to provide employees with constructive feedback, be it through email, phone calls, or weekly status updates. Giving feedback involves giving praise as well - something as simple as saying "good job" or "thanks for taking care of that" to an employee can greatly increase motivation.

Similarly, you should be able to accept, and even encourage, feedback from others. Listen to the feedback you are given, ask clarifying questions if you are unsure of the issue, and make efforts to implement the feedback.
10. Picking the Right Medium
An important communication skill is to simply know what form of communication to use. For example, some serious conversations (layoffs, changes in salary, etc.) are almost always best done in person.

You should also think about the person with whom you wish to speak - if they are very busy people (such as your boss, perhaps), you might want to convey your message through email. People will appreciate your thoughtful means of communication, and will be more likely to respond positively to you.

More Skills Lists: Employment Skills Listed by Job | Lists of Skills for Resumes

Read More: Top Skills Employers Seek in Job Applicants | Skills Not to Put on Your Resume

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These Are the Communication Skills Employers Look for in Employees

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The ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and staff is essential, no matter what industry you work in. Workers in the digital age must know how to effectively convey and receive messages in person as well as via phone, email, and social media.

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This article discussed the differences between a group and a team. This important to know in a workplace so you know how to work with others.

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Groups Versus Teams

The words 'group' and 'team' are, for the most part, interchangeable - at least most people use them that way. But there are distinct differences between groups and teams. For example, we have a football team, not a football group - or we have a special interest group, not a special interest team. While the differences are subtle, they are indeed different, and we need to understand what those differences are.

The main difference is that a team's strength or focus depends on the commonality of their purpose and how the individuals are connected to one another. On the other hand, a group can come from having a large number of people or a cohesive willingness to carry out a focused action - political reform, for example.

While these differences might be subtle, we have to understand that a group is a number of individuals forming a unit for a reason or cause, and a team is a collection of accomplished people coming together for a common goal that needs completion. The subtleness of these differences are more pronounced when we take these words a step further and look at a work group and work team.

Work Groups and Work Teams

In the business world, we have work groups and work teams. A work team has members who work interdependently on a specific, common goal to produce an end result for their business. A work group is two or more individuals who are interdependent in their accomplishments and may or may not work in the same department. Once again, the differences are subtle, but the main thread is a team works together and shares in the outcome, while a group is more independent of each other.

Additional aspects of work groups and teams are:

The leader acts as a facilitator.

The leader dominates and controls the group.

The members have active participation in the discussions and eventual outcome.

The leader is apparent and will conduct the meeting.

The team members decide on the disbursements of work assignments.

The leader usually assigns work to the members.

So, as we can see, a work team is much more formal, with a focused goal and objective, while also having its members take a participative role in how the work team functions. On the other end of the scale, we have work groups who work more independently of each other and usually have one leader directing work flow.

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the difference between groups and teams: definition & contrasts - video & lesson transcript | study.com

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The Difference Between Groups and Teams: Definition & Contrasts - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

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The words 'group' and 'team' are, for the most part, interchangeable - at least most people use them that way. But there are distinct differences between groups and teams. For example, we have a football team, not a football group - or we have a special interest group, not a special interest team.

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I like this picture because everyone is pulling there own weight. When your part of a team you can't sit around and watch other people work.

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This picture clearly shows that organization is key to success. The man on the left looks frustrated, while the man on the right looks happy to be working.

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This picture shows what authority looks like. Someone that lays down the rules and foundation for everyone else. They do the hard part of building the road while others watch.

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This picture gives all of the responsibilities and characteristics of authority. Thus helps me understand what it takes to have authority over others.

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This picture keeps me motive ate to keep things in their places because it makes the workplace flow much smoother.

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This video gives a step by step breakdown of the SWOT acronym which is great for my learning strategy.

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This picture breaks down every section of the SWOT acronym. It also provide examples to help you figure out what each section means.

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This picture was helpful to me because it used a real company and broke it down by sections. This helps me understand how to use this diagram.

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This article breaks down every section of the SWOT acronym. It also provides multiple examples .

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How to Do a SWOT Analysis

Avoid relying on your own, partial understanding of your organization. Your assumptions could be wrong. Instead, gather a team of people from a range of functions and levels to build a broad and insightful list of observations.

Then, every time you identify a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, or Threat, write it down in the relevant part of the SWOT analysis grid for all to see.

Let's look at each area in more detail and consider what fits where, and what questions you could ask as part of your data gathering.

Strengths

Strengths are things that your organization does particularly well, or in a way that distinguishes you from your competitors. Think about the advantages your organization has over other organizations. These might be the motivation of your staff, access to certain materials, or a strong set of manufacturing processes.

Then turn your perspective around and ask yourself what your competitors might see as your strengths. What factors mean that you get the sale ahead of them?

Remember, any aspect of your organization is only a strength if it brings you a clear advantage. For example, if all of your competitors provide high-quality products, then a high-quality production process is not a strength in your market: it's a necessity.

Weaknesses

Weaknesses, like strengths, are inherent features of your organization, so focus on your people, resources, systems, and procedures. Think about what you could improve, and the sorts of practices you should avoid.

Once again, imagine (or find out) how other people in your market see you. Do they notice weaknesses that you tend to be blind to? Take time to examine how and why your competitors are doing better than you. What are you lacking?

Be honest! A SWOT analysis will only be valuable if you gather all the information you need. So, it's best to be realistic now, and face any unpleasant truths as soon as possible.

Opportunities

Opportunities are openings or chances for something positive to happen, but you'll need to claim them for yourself!

They usually arise from situations outside your organization, and require an eye to what might happen in the future. They might arise as developments in the market you serve, or in the technology you use. Being able to spot and exploit opportunities can make a huge difference to your organization's ability to compete and take the lead in your market.

Think about good opportunities that you can exploit immediately. These don't need to be game-changers: even small advantages can increase your organization's competitiveness. What interesting market trends are you aware of, large or small, which could have an impact?

You should also watch out for changes in government policy related to your field. And changes in social patterns, population profiles, and lifestyles can all throw up interesting opportunities.

Threats

Threats include anything that can negatively affect your business from the outside, such as supply-chain problems, shifts in market requirements, or a shortage of recruits. It's vital to anticipate threats and to take action against them before you become a victim of them and your growth stalls.

Think about the obstacles you face in getting your product to market and selling. You may notice that quality standards or specifications for your products are changing, and that you'll need to change those products if you're to stay in the lead. Evolving technology is an ever-present threat, as well as an opportunity!

Always consider what your competitors are doing, and whether you should be changing your organization's emphasis to meet the challenge. But remember that what they're doing might not be the right thing for you to do. So, avoid copying them without knowing how it will improve your position.

Be sure to explore whether your organization is especially exposed to external challenges. Do you have bad debt or cash-flow problems, for example, that could make you vulnerable to even small changes in your market? This is the kind of threat that can seriously damage your business, so be alert.

A SWOT Analysis Example

Imagine this scenario: a small start-up consultancy wants a clear picture of its current situation, to decide on a future strategy for growth. The team gathers, and draws up the SWOT Analysis shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. A Completed SWOT Analysis.

Strengths What do you do well? What unique resources can you draw on? What do others see as your strengths?

Weaknesses What could you improve? Where do you have fewer resources than others? What are others likely to see as weaknesses?

We are able to respond very quickly as we have no red tape, and no need for higher management approval.

We are able to give really good customer care, as the current small amount of work means we have plenty of time to devote to customers.

Our lead consultant has a strong reputation in the market.

We can change direction quickly if we find that our marketing is not working.

We have low overheads, so we can offer good value to customers.

Our company has little market presence or reputation.

We have a small staff, with a shallow skills base in many areas.

We are vulnerable to vital staff being sick or leaving.

Our cash flow will be unreliable in the early stages.

Opportunities What opportunities are open to you? What trends could you take advantage of? How can you turn your strengths into opportunities?

Threats What threats could harm you? What is your competition doing? What threats do your weaknesses expose to you?

Our business sector is expanding, with many future opportunities for success.

Local government wants to encourage local businesses.

Our competitors may be slow to adopt new technologies.

Developments in technology may change this market beyond our ability to adapt.

A small change in the focus of a large competitor might wipe out any market position we achieve.

As a result of the team's analysis, it's clear that the consultancy's main strengths lie in its agility, technical expertise, and low overheads. These allow it to offer excellent customer service to a relatively small client base.

The company's weaknesses are also to do with its size. It will need to invest in training, to improve the skills base of the small staff. It'll also need to focus on retention, so it doesn't lose key team members.

There are opportunities in offering rapid-response, good-value services to local businesses and to local government organizations. The company can likely be first to market with new products and services, given that its competitors are slow adopters.

The threats require the consultancy to keep up-to-date with changes in technology. It also needs to keep a close eye on its largest competitors, given its vulnerability to large-scale changes in its market. To counteract this, the business needs to focus its marketing on selected industry websites, to get the greatest possible market presence on a small advertising budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About SWOT Analysis

1. Who Invented SWOT Analysis?

2. What Does SWOT Analysis Stand For?

SWOT Analysis stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

3. What Can a SWOT Analysis Be Used For?

SWOT analysis is a useful tool to help you determine your organization's position in the market. You can then use this information to create an informed strategy suited to your needs and capabilities.

4. How Do I Write a SWOT Analysis?

5. How Do SWOT Analysis and the TOWS Matrix compare?

6. What Are the Biggest SWOT Analysis Mistakes?

Making your lists too long. Ask yourself if your ideas are feasible as you go along.

Being vague. Be specific to provide more focus for later discussions.

Not seeing weaknesses. Be sure to ask customers and colleagues what they experience in real life.

Not thinking ahead. It's easy to come up with nice ideas without taking them through to their logical conclusion. Always consider their practical impact.

Being unrealistic. Don't plan in detail for opportunities that don't exist yet. For example, that export market you've been eyeing may be available at some point, but the trade negotiations to open it up could take years.

Relying on SWOT Analysis alone. SWOT Analysis is valuable. But when you use it alongside other planning tools (SOAR, TOWS or PEST), the results will be more vigorous.

How to Use a SWOT Analysis

Use a SWOT Analysis to assess your organization's current position before you decide on any new strategy. Find out what's working well, and what's not so good. Ask yourself where you want to go, how you might get there - and what might get in your way.

Once you've examined all four aspects of SWOT, you'll want to build on your strengths, boost your weaker areas, head off any threats, and exploit every opportunity. In fact, you'll likely be faced with a long list of potential actions.

But before you go ahead, be sure to develop your ideas further. Look for potential connections between the quadrants of your matrix. For example, could you use some of your strengths to open up further opportunities? And, would even more opportunities become available by eliminating some of your weaknesses?

Finally, it's time to ruthlessly prune and prioritize your ideas, so that you can focus time and money on the most significant and impactful ones. Refine each point to make your comparisons clearer. For example, only accept precise, verifiable statements such as, "Cost advantage of $30/ton in sourcing raw material x," rather than, "Better value for money."

SWOT Analysis Tips

Here are four tips for getting more out of a SWOT analysis:

1. Be specific. The more focused and accurate you are about the points you write down, the more useful your SWOT analysis will be.

2. Work backwards. Experiment with filling in the four sections of your SWOT analysis in a different order, to stimulate new ways of thinking. Working backwards, in particular, from threats to strengths, may cast new light on the situation.

3. Get together. Highlight the most useful people to contribute to your SWOT analysis, then gather information and ideas from them all.

4. SWOT your competition! To stay ahead of your competitors, carry out a regular SWOT analysis on them. Use everything you know about them to evaluate their situation, and use SWOT analysis to plan your competitive strategies accordingly.

SWOT Analysis Infographic

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SWOT Analysis With SWOT Templates and Examples !

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SWOT Analysis is a simple but powerful framework for analyzing your organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Includes template. Access on-demand resources, expert videos by becoming a Mind Tools member now!!

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I found this article helpful with promoting a business. It gave different ways to market your organization and spread the word. The more people know about your business, the larger it grows and expands globally.

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So you wrote that great article, shot that video, and designed that "sure-to-be-viral" infographic. Congrats! Content such as articles, videos and infographics are a great way to attract your targeted online prospects, convert them into leads and ultimately nurture them into sales.

But here's the thing - creating unique online content only gets you half of the way to those sales. The rest of the work is all about getting noticed and the best way to do that is by finding the best places to spread content.

It makes sense right? You want to capture your targeted prospects' attention, but if you publish or promote your content in spots where they don't hang out, then you're playing to an empty theater and all your hard work goes down the drain.

Let's take a look at different ways to spread content, whatever it is.

How to Spread Content

Post Strategic Social Media Updates

Social media updates continue to lead the pack if you want to get your content in front of your targeted prospects. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn all provide one huge advantage - your targeted prospects are already visiting them so spreading your content there means they'll find you.

A word of warning though - don't get caught up in the trap that "your business needs to be on each and every social media site."

Updating a wide range of sites is a lot of work and you need to spend your time wisely. The solution? Use posts like this to find out which social media sites your targeted prospects use and then focus your efforts there.

Also, remember to promote your updates by using hashtags. Facebook, Twitter and Google+ all enable you to use hashtags that are then used to include your updates in results when folks conduct a search on those sites.

Participate in Social Groups and Communities

Groups and communities are excellent spots to spread your content as they're gathering spots for people with particular interests. Interests that can be served by the products and services your company provides.

You can use groups and communities in two ways:

Post an update similar to a regular social media update.

Post the entire piece of content.

When posting content in a group or community, you need to avoid self-promotion. We know that seems counter-intuitive to what you want. However, if you're useful and entertaining and provide calls to action that benefit members, you'll get the results you want.

For example, if you sell surfboards and you join a surfer group, create an eBook that details the best surf spots in the world and then tell the members of the group that they can download it once they fill out this simple form. They get a useful guide and you get leads - everybody wins.

On Facebook, you can search for both public and private groups. While spammers overrun a number of the public groups, private groups are another matter all together. Thanks to the hard work of the founder(s), private groups are usually kept spam-free and focused.

If you want to join a group, send a request to the group manager. Once you're in, make sure to follow the rules and warnings or you'll just get kicked back out.

On Google+, groups are called communities and they can also be public or private. Unlike Facebook, many of the public communities are spam-free, though it remains to be seen how long that continues.

One of the amazing things about Google+ communities is their size. Some groups have thousands of members and posting there while following the rules is a sure way to spread your content. We've seen this work time and again and it's a powerful method.

Publish Content On Other Websites

For many years, the Internet has been very website-centric. It makes sense. Websites are the primary building block of the World Wide Web and to this day, every business needs to have one if it wants to appear legitimate.

However, your website may not be the best place to publish your content.

Think about this - it takes more than a year of consistent content creation and promotion to drive traffic regularly to your website. Why work that hard when other sites have already built a steady stream of traffic?

One example of this is LinkedIn. Since February 2014, the "social media for business" site has allowed its users to publish "long-form posts" (i.e. blog posts) to its Pulse section. If your business market is B2B, then this was the signal for you to jump into action.

Publishing posts on LinkedIn has many benefits, the top two of which are:

1. When you publish a post to Pulse, LinkedIn notifies each of your followers that you've done so. This is powerful because the notification doesn't come from you, but from LinkedIn. And, if someone's opted in to get those notifications, you have a good chance of being noticed. Your followers consist of two groups: your connections and the folks who've read a previous post and hit the "Follow" button.

2. LinkedIn's Pulse app is a great way to get your content noticed. Using a proprietary algorithm, LinkedIn features content from large publishers and an eclectic mix of smaller posters (that's you!). If you get featured there, you're views and followers can shoot up higher than you'd ever hoped.

Quora is another great spot to publish your content. Seen by many as the successor to LinkedIn Answers, Quora is full of people looking for advice just like the advice you know how to give.

Surprisingly, spammers have not overrun the site so the value is high. Best of all, even if you answer a question that's years old, everyone who followed that question will receive your answer in their inbox (if they have notifications switched on).

Use Email Newsletters

Yes, email marketing is still alive and well.

One of the advantages that email has over every other way to spread content is the fact that the folks on your list opted-in - they stood up and said, "I want to get your content."

That fact remains, spreading your content via email is a little different than the two ways to spread content we've discussed thus far. Your subscribers are already leads, now its time to nurture them into sales.

The best strategy to use here is to target your content as tightly as you can. First, make sure your email system records the product, service or offer that drove them to sign up in the first place. Then, watch each member's actions - which emails do they open and what links do they click on?

Armed with that information, you can send tightly targeted content to small pieces of your list. Since this information plays to their already expressed interests, the probability of a sale is that much greater.

Create Feeds in Content Curation Sites

Another way to spread content is by taking part in a content curation site like scoop.it.

Scoop.it enables you to create your own news feed by drawing from multiple sources online. For example, if you sell surfboards, you can create a news feed that provides news on everything surfing - from equipment and locations to weather.

Now here's the cool part. When you publish a piece of content on scoop.it, either your own uploaded content or a link to yours or someone else's content, other scoop.it members can discover the content using the tags you provided and then include it on their own surfing news feed. Now that's a slick way to spread content.

Conclusion

To spread content far and wide, you need to get off your site and focus your efforts in spots where your targeted prospects hang out online. The more likely they are to be there, the greater the chance they'll see your content.

Remember, you're not just trying to entertain or inform your prospects, you want to convert each one of them into a lead. So provide a call to action such as a link to a form where they can do just that.

No matter which of the ways to spread content you choose, you're sure to attract the attention of your targeted prospects online. Add a call to action and the leads will follow.

More in: Content Marketing

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5 Ways To Spread Content, Whatever It Is

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So you wrote that great article, shot that video, and designed that "sure-to-be-viral" infographic. Congrats! Content such as articles, videos and infographics are a great way to attract your targeted online prospects, convert them into leads and ultimately nurture them into sales.

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This picture shows a map of the many countries that have a Pizza Hut. It also shows one of the ways they get promoted which is through FaceBook which it used all around the world. There using all of their resources to promote.

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This article gave important tips on how to expand a business globally. It spoke about building a firm foundation and expanding your vision. This stood out to me because I agree that in order to expand your organization, you must expand your vision of that company and dream bigger.

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The dream of every small business is to grow beyond your own shores, but it comes with many challenges.

Not only will you face language barriers and time differences, but your business model can take a different shape when it expands globally. For a business to sustain itself on a global scale, it needs team members that understand the brand. This bottom-up approach enables key developments to stay constant across cultures.

For those of you wondering how to take the next step and grow your business globally, follow the four tips below:

1. Develop firm foundations.

If you're thinking of expansion, ask yourself if your company has a solid local foundation first. Do you have enough resources and a solid local crew to juggle an overseas venture while maintaining your current customer base?

These people are not your typical employees but human assets who have been hired for their ambition and vast entrepreneurial potential. These are your changemakers and social innovators who see what you see, and will be ready to push things forward to accomplish your company's vision. With a solid team, you can then forge a strong vision to ensure you have the financial and structural stability locally and in due time set sights for expansion globally.

2. Expand your vision.

In recent years, companies have been looking to emerging markets like Asia. As some of the fastest growing economies, this has opened up many new markets for ventures seeking global expansion. Take Singapore, for example, which has been ranked world's second best business hub in PWC Cities of Opportunities report.

According to thereport, Singapore was ranked highly because of its economic and social indicators such as technological readiness, ease of doing business, demographics and livability. As such, Singapore has become a hotspot for many companies looking to expand, raising the country's importance as a gateway to Southeast Asia. A simple market study can help you decide whether your business will thrive in specific countries or cities.

3. Consult global experts.

Expanding your business globally is hard, and it pays to have specialized consultants. As an example, Pura Vida Concepts, a Singapore-based consultancy focuses on helping small businesses around the world expand into all parts of Asia. The CEO, Nimrod Gabriel, created the company with a vision that would enable small businesses with a global outlook to achieve better opportunities abroad. According to Gabriel, "Having a local expert is crucial when it comes to expansion. Not only are we able to provide companies with localized solutions for logistics, marketing and local representation, we also understand the local market and culture to help you adapt your business for a smooth expansion."

It is important to note that a product or system that works well locally may not have the same appeal overseas. That is why consulting local experts can help you better determine the demand.

4. Penetrate markets effectively.

As a small company, your budget can be a big concern when expanding globally. However, penetrating global markets doesn't always have to come at a hefty cost. For starters, begin to penetrate the market with your brand by using the right technology and marketing strategy to bring about a local brand presence. With the widespread use of technology and social media, you can reach global coverage without actually going through the bureaucratic hassle of incorporation in that country.

If budget is a concern, it's good to have a narrow approach when expanding globally. If you are planning to target southeast Asia, then start in one country, not all of them. This helps you develop local brand recognition before spreading yourself too thin.

Choosing the right strategies to expand globally depend on the type of business you own. Remember to always do your due diligence when working abroad. Global expansion is a big challenge and decision. It requires time and appropriate business assessment before moving forward.
Related:
4 Tips for Expanding Your Business Globally
Helping Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Make the Digital Transformation
Some Early Clues Signaled these Entrepreneurs to take their Product Global

Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved

This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com

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4 Tips for Expanding Your Business Globally

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Not only will you face language barriers and time differences, but your business model can take a different shape when it expands globally. With a solid team, you can then forge a strong vision to ensure you have the financial and structural stability locally and in due time set sights for expansion globally.

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This picture shows how McDonalds had too change their language and items on the menu when they expanded globally. This change can be difficult to adjust too because of the different cultures around the world.

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I enjoyed this article because it gave me a definition of social responsibility as well as some examples.

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We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill.
Being Socially Responsible means that people and organisations must behave ethically and with sensitivity toward social, cultural, economic and environmental issues. Striving for social responsibility helps individuals, organisations and governments have a positive impact on development, business and society with a positive contribution to bottom-line results.

Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) to achieve Corporate Social Responsibility (CSP)

ISP may appear to be a new concept in relation to CSP, but it is a concept as old as The Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. ISR expands on this by promoting a proactive stance tow ards positively influencing and affecting the people and environments outside your immediate circle. ISR is at the roots of CSR, because a corporate comprises of individuals and hence determines the social responsibility culture it creates. This is the intermingled relationship between CSR and ISR. Individuals are becoming more socially responsible and, in response to this Corporations and Companies need to become more socially responsible to meet consumer demand.

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) states: "In the wake of increasing globalisation, we have become increasingly conscious not only of what we buy, but also how the goods and services we buy have been produced. Environmentally harmful production, child labor, dangerous working environments and other inhumane conditions are examples of issues being brought into the open. All companies and organisations aiming at long-term profitability and credibility are starting to realise that they must act in accordance with norms of right and wrong."

Socially responsible individuals are demanding companies and organisations to become more socially responsible.

How Does an Individual Become Socially Responsible?

The Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation (WCIF), Bulgaria, describes ISR in its position statement on Social Responsibility as,
"The individual social responsibility includes the engagement of each person towards the community where he lives, which can be expressed as an interest towards what's happening in the community, as well as in the active participation in the solving of some of the local problems. Under community we understand the village, the small town or the residential complex in the big city, where lives every one of us. Each community lives its own life that undergoes a process of development all the time. And everyone of us could take part in that development in different ways, for example by taking part in cleaning of the street on which he lives, by taking part in organization of an event, connected with the history of the town or the village or by rendering social services to children without parents or elderly people. The individual social responsibility also could be expressed in making donations for significant for the society causes - social, cultural or ecological. There are many ways of donating, as for example donating of goods or donating money through a bank account or online"

Social Responsibility can be "negative," in that it is a responsibility to refrain from acting (resistance stance) or it can be "positive," meaning there is a responsibility to act (proactive stance). Being socially responsible not only requires participating in socially responsible activities like recycling, volunteering and mentoring, but to actually make it a lifestyle. Only through a commitment to embrace and embed social responsibility into your personal value and belief system can you truly become socially responsible in all you do.

According to The Harris Poll ®#57 , June 18, 2007[7], when it comes to individual social responsibility, there are three types of people:

1. Two-thirds of U.S. adults have "Good Intentions" - they believe that social responsibility is a good idea, and they do what they can in terms of volunteering, but they do not sacrifice huge amounts of time or money.

2. At the top end of the spectrum, 8 percent of U.S. adults "Practice What They Preach" and for this group, individual, as well as corporate, social responsibility is extremely important.

3. One-quarter of U.S. adults, however, follow a philosophy of "To Thine Own Self Be True" and, for this group, social responsibility has little consequence in their lives.

On the other hand the trends show that the biggest growth for big charitable organisations in the world is coming through individuals and not through Corporations and Governments [8].

To take a proactive stance, ISR can start off as a simple act of philanthropic behaviour. My husband and I actually budget for giving, just like we do for living or car expenses. Add to this the campaigner, volunteer and activist in you that picks-up and supports issues affecting society. You may just start off volunteering once a month somewhere that suits your skills, abilities or interests. The other day, I asked a friend if he could teach my son guitar. We determined a tuition cost but instead of me paying him, he asked me if I could pay the charity of his choice. If you have the choice of two products and one product supports a good cause or was produced in a more ethical way, then purchase that product. You may only be one person but if everyone did their part, we could change the world!

All Social responsibility, both individual and corporate, is voluntary; it is about going above and beyond what is called for by the law(legal responsibility). It involves an idea that it is better to be proactive toward a problem rather than reactive to a problem. Social responsibility means eliminating corrupt, irresponsible or unethical behavior that might bring harm to the community, its people, or the environment before the behavior happens.
Social Responsibility Quotes:
"I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live." ~George Bernard Shaw

"The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor." ~Hubert H. Humphrey

"One is a member of a country, a profession, a civilization, a religion. One is not just a man." ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wartime Writings 1939-1944, translated from French by Norah Purcell

"Each of us is a being in himself and a being in society, each of us needs to understand himself and understand others, take care of others and be taken care of himself." ~Haniel Long

"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt

"Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect whether he chooses to be so or not. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

"Independence"... [is] middle-class blasphemy. We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth." ~G.B. Shaw, Pygmalion, 1912

"A machine has value only as it produces more than it consumes - so check your value to the community." ~Martin H. Fischer

"A man is called selfish not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor's." ~Richard Whately

"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men." ~Herman Melville

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We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill. ISP may appear to be a new concept in relation to CSP, but it is a concept as old as The Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

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I chose this article because it talked about many corporations promoting social responsibly and spreading the message to other businesses.

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I'm sure you've heard all about the millennial generation. Those 20- to 36-year-olds, pampered throughout their lives by their baby-boomer parents, have grown up to be self-absorbed, entitled narcissists, right? Actually, this isn't an accurate picture of millennials-and since they now represent the largest share of the American workforce, that's good to know. Despite widely held perceptions about their supposedly "me-first" ways, these younger workers rank social responsibility as an important tenet of life and are looking to work for companies that share their sense of social responsibility.

In case you doubt the desire of millennials to align themselves with socially responsible companies, look no further than the Horizon Media's Finger on the Pulse study, which found that 81 percent of this younger generation expect companies to make a public commitment to good corporate citizenship. Millennials also put their money where their mouth is: According to the 2015 Cone Communications Millennial CSR Study, 62 percent are willing to take a pay cut to work for a socially responsible company-a full six percentage points higher than the average response of all age groups surveyed.

Obviously, then, companies need to do more than just offer perks like free snacks to recruit and retain this valuable workforce segment. Having a formal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program is the key way for companies to demonstrate their commitment to the positive ideals their employees espouse. And here's a PR bonus for you: By promoting corporate social responsibility, you're also conveying to your customers that you care about the world outside your company's walls.

At most companies, the HR department falls into the organizational sweet spot for managing the CSR program. As Angela Schettino of Think People Consulting observes, a company's HR strategy links to the four components of any successful CSR initiative. First, of course, are employees, in keeping with HR's focus on their rights and well-being, but the three other components-environment, community, and marketplace-also fall under HR's domain.

HR's most appropriate role in managing a CSR plan would be to monitor its adoption and then document its successes throughout the company. In the area of energy conservation, for instance, the HR department could start by implementing a company-wide recycling program and promote earth-friendly practices like subsidizing public transit costs or encouraging employees to shut off the lights, computers, printers, and copiers during non-work hours.
Try These CSR Initiatives
Here are some other ideas for HR departments and companies to consider as they implement and manage their CSR program.

Create a company culture compatible with CSR. As Strategic HR Inc. describes, this can start with your job advertisements and interview process. Use corporate social responsibility as a recruitment tactic, which will attract the socially responsible employees who will support and sustain your program. Perhaps even consider adding a position-Chief Sustainability Officer-whose role would be consistent with your company's focus on CSR.

Pick a cause. Look at what other successful companies are doing and see if your organization can model a similar CSR program. Starbucks, for instance, has several programs in place to promote environmental sustainability. Toms has a program called "Giving Shoes," in which the company donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of shoes purchased. To date, the company has given away more than 70 million new pairs of shoes.

Allow time off for volunteering. Salesforce.org does this as part of its Employee Engagement Program, giving employees seven days of Volunteer Time Off (VTO) per fiscal year to do something meaningful in their communities.

Donate to a good cause. Take a cue from companies like Jersey Mike's Subs, which has raised more than $20 million since 2010 by donating 100 percent of its sales nationwide on its annual Day of Giving. Or consider the corporate goodwill generated by Patagonia, a sustainable clothing brand that gave all $10 million from its Black Friday 2016 sales to hundreds of grassroots environmental organizations.

Match employee contributions. Convey to employees that "we're all in this together" by matching their contributions to a charity of their choice. It's a way for them to stretch their giving dollars-and for you to demonstrate firsthand that the causes they value are causes that you value as well.

Demonstrating your company's commitment to the communities and environment in which you work isn't just the right ethical decision, it's good business. As Patti Dunham, MA, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, states "...becoming socially aware and responsible helps the company's bottom line. The impact on the organization's public image and becoming an "employer of choice" because of these initiatives is immeasurable." If you haven't already done so, consider empowering your HR department to implement and manage a Corporate Social Responsibility program this year.

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Be the Change: Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility

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I'm sure you've heard all about the millennial generation. Those 20- to 36-year-olds, pampered throughout their lives by their baby-boomer parents, have grown up to be self-absorbed, entitled narcissists, right? Actually, this isn't an accurate picture of millennials-and since they now represent the largest share of the American workforce, that's good to know.

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This picture has a strong message behind it. You can see mother nature shaking hands with the city. This gives off the impression that we must work with and we have an obligation to take care of this earth.

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I picked this picture because its a perfect example of what individual people should be doing in their workplace. Each person should be taking the initiative to help their communities.

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This picture represents the many opportunities

you have as manager. There are many careers and paths to take with a management degree.

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This video defines management, the evolution of it, what they do, and why it is important. I found this very informative

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Management Tutorial - What is management?

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This picture represents a diagram of one person being the "leader" and the others follow. It also shows how the arrows of communication are pointing in both directions.

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This picture is a perfect example of management. The man look very professional and calm yet has a thousand responsibilities.