College Degree, No Class Time Required

     The University of Wisconsin is certainly being innovative with their Flexible Option program.  This is allowing people to get  degrees who may not have been able to get degrees otherwise.  I think this is a great idea and it will help many people have better qualities of life.  In today's society education is extremely important for success and the University of Wisconsin is helping people achieve that success.  Today's world is extremely busy so many people who want to receive a college education simply do not have the time and money.  This option solves both those problems and you receive the degree from your home and the cost is much less than receiving the degree from on campus.
     Some people may think that the Flexible Option program is making the University of Wisconsin less credit-worthy.  I do not agree with this.  I think the University is helping people get an education in an attainable way.  If the curriculum is to be the same as the on campus program then there should be no lack of quality on the education received.
     I am quite interested in learning how this turns out and if other colleges and universities will follow in the University of Wisconsin's footsteps.

College Degree, No Class Time Required Article Website

Restaurants Crave Smaller Venues

Image Website

     This article relates to Chapter 1 of the textbook we are reading in class.  It deals with the topic of maintaing innovation in a tough economy. 
     The social environment is forever changing and businesses must be able to keep up with these changes or they will fail.  Creating smaller venues will allow these companies to reach their target markets for their business.  These businesses are understanding their consumers financial situations and are working to fit in with the consumers new spending habits.  If companies continue to put the consumers first they will succeed as a company and this will make the consumers and the companies both happy.






Restaurants Crave Smaller Venues Article Website

More Children Get ADHD Diagnosis

     A few thoughts and questions come to mind after I read this article.  All of the thoughts are against that more children actually have ADHD but are just being diagnosed as a quick fix to other problems.
First, are wealthy children more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children from poorer families because they have the money to afford the doctor appointments and treatment?  Also, are the wealthier families not as involved with their children because they are working to provide for their children and because of that the lack of interaction with their children this causes them to be less discplined?  The parents may rather choose a quick fix with medication than truly finding the root of the problem.
     I believe that ADHD exists but I don't believe that every child who is diagnosed actualy has the disease.  I also find it extremely hard to believe that children can be diagnosed at the age of 4!!  Children are just beginning to be part of a class environment at this age and of course they need time to adjust.  Also, kids have tons of energy and that should not be found to be the same as being unable to focus.

Picture taken from:http://www.hdwallpapers.in/walls/cute_kids_cute_play-wide.jpg

More Children Get ADHD Diagnosis Article Website

The Trouble with Tinkering Time

      I found this article to be very interesting, especially because during my first night of class of Marketing Strategy, we watched a video that basically said today's children are having their creativity taken away from them and we are potentially missing out on some great ideas because of it.
      The key to success for many companies is innovation and I am sad to say that the key has been missing for quite sometime.  In order for innovation to exist employees should have creative discussion meetings because one person's small thought can trigger into something that can be profitable to the company.  Even though the article recommends an external company for their thoughts rather than the company's own employees I do think the company needs their employees as no one one knows the company better than the people who work there.

Image from article (website below)

      I do agree with the external company as well though because as I know in my job dealing with the product everyday and all day long can make one too close to the product and this can hold you back from discovering future opportunities. I think both an external company and their new set of eyes as well as the employees and their knowledge of the company are both key assets in creating innovation for the company.
The Trouble With Tinkering Time Article Website

China Begins to Lose Edge As World's Factory Floor

      This article is one I can relate to very much so as my job deals with manufacturing in China.  Many of the products that my company produces are made in China so everything the article was stating I am dealing with as well.  Wage and product cose increases is a trouble area for sure.  The workers of the factories I deal with are getting accustomed to a better way of life and to achieve that more money is the answer. 
      The prices of our raw materials are increasing and it is a struggle to not have to carry the increase to our customers.  We are absorbing this increase and it is affecting our profits.  How much longer the company will be able to take this is loss is a big issue that does not have an answer yet.
      As the article states that many companies are looking to other countries and mainland China for new production facilities and this is the same with the company I work for.  Easier said than done though.  Only time will tell.

China Begins to Lose Edge As World's Factory Floor Article Website

Apps Aim to Detect Cancer

      This article really shows how much the world is relying on technology.  It is quite scary actually.  Apps are being created to tell you information what once only doctors were able to tell you.  Yes, the app creators are saying this is not to take the place of a real doctor but I'm sure many people will go solely on the app as their form of healthcare.  Apps can save people time especially with some of the month long wait lists that exist to schedule appointments and money but is that worth actual correct results and your life?  I don't think so.


Example of an app, Mole Detective
(taken from article, website below)

      Everyone knows the worst thing to do when you have a symptom of any kind is to NOT look online.  Online will list hundreds of things that can be wrong with you and when in fact 9 times out of 10 those hundreds of diagnosis' will be incorrect.
      Only doctors are able to detect diseases and diagnose symptoms.  We must remember that and not get caught up in the cheaper and easier access of the apps.  This is your life and you cannot trust a $5 app with it.  I know I don't and won't.

Apps Aim to Detect Cancer Article Website

Introduction

Hi!  My name is Kendyl and I am brand new to the blogger world!  I follow a few blogs but this is my first time creating one.  I am creating one because it is part of my requirement for a Marketing course I am taking at Saint Joseph's University.  Even though this is a requirement I am actually kind of excited to create one. I enjoy trying and experiencing new things and this definitely counts as that. This course and the SIX (woohoo!) remaining courses I have left are all going towards an MBA degree with a focus on marketing or international business...I am still undecided.

A little about me...I am 28 years old and live in the Philadelphia area and have so my whole life.  I graduated from Villanova University in 2006 and as you know currently attend Saint Joseph's Unviersity for the MBA program and hope to graduate in December 2014!  I am a Product Manager in the Scunci division at Conair Corporation.  I deal with hair accessories on a daily basis and I absolutely love it! My job is great and I enjoy going to work everyday.  I have been given many great opportunities at Conair and have traveled all over the United States as well as to Asia!  I hope my MBA can allow me to continue on this career path.  Onwards and upwards as they say.

This is all I have for a first post but be sure to check back frequently for my posts on current events.

Have a good day!