Ashes to Ashes...Dust to Dust....Aussies Rule over England

Be sure to check out Michael Clarke and the rest of the Aussies as they finish off the Brits.

Go to cricinfo.com or cricket-online.tv for scores and highlights!

Go Aussies!

I believe I deserve

I believe I deserve an A- or B+ in INDS 430. Throughout the semester, I learned things that I never thought possible, for example learning how to post and create links, formulating a new business, and improving my social inter-action skills. Overall, the most rewarding part of the class was using all the traits and new knowledge that I learned throughout the semester to develop a business with my Random Racing Team members.


Justification:

Service Slides
Journalist Interaction
Entrepreneur Essay
Cell phone assignment
Social Interaction
Financing
Increasing Traffic SEO
Leadership Interaction
Target Market

Being a Leader

At my job, being a leader is important in order to get things "done". Working amongst over 250 people in one office is challenging and sometimes it can be hard to find ways to establish my leadership qualities but my position at the company requires it. I demonstrate leadership in order to create an impression or gain respect from co-workers and customers so they can give me business, possibly a referral, or actually manually work for me. That being said, I am constantly praising co-workers for their efforts, ideas, labor or appearance. For example, just the other day I complimented a woman co-worker on her new hairstyle. She was shocked but I knew just a little remark like that would go a long way when time comes for price reductions in purchasing. Anyways, trying to make the environment more relaxed or energetic by creating lighthearted converstation inside and outside of the work environment is also another skill of a leader. In addition, I try to never tell people what to do but instead ask questions...why? when? As well as, rewarding or praising people when a job is well done.

Financing Loans

My first source of funding would come from a life long friend.

See below for contact information:

Brian Picker
Branch Manager
1st Mariner Bank/Mortgage/Small Business Loans
10065 Baltimore National Pk #2
Ellicott City, MD 21042
443-828-9020 - MAIN Office
443-573-2296 - Office
443-828-9016 - Fax
bpicker@1stmarinerbank.com

My second source of funds or support (if necessary) would come from my cousin at Eaton Vance.

See below for contact information:

William Holt
AVP/Analyst, Bank Loan Group
Eaton Vance Corp.
255 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
800-225-6265
www.eatonvance.com
william_holt@alumni.brown.edu

Secret Socrates Interaction

I attempted to apply the secret of socrates method over the break and struck out several times with friends and customers. It wasn't until I tried it on the ever reliable person in my life, my Mom. On occassion she and I will have dinner or she will stop by my place and chat. Well, a lot of times she asks me about my finances and I always complain about dry-cleaning and how expensive it is. I followed up by saying how I enjoyed the times when she would do my laundry and iron my pants. Pants are more expensive then the shirts for the record, almost twice as much at most dry-cleaners. Anyways, so she responded "yes, I bet it was nice for you and I really didn't mind the ironing because it allows me be active during Oprah." Ofcourse, I laughed and went right into how much money it saves me if she were to iron my pants. Well, that was pretty much the end of it. Until Friday, when she asked me what my plans were for the weekend. I told her that I was going to be in the neighborhood, so she told me to throw my dry-cleaning in the car and she would iron whatever pants I needed done for the following work week. In the end, she saved me more than $40 because I accumulated about a dozen pairs of pants to be ironed over the past month and she did them all.

Journalist Interaction

I contacted contributing writer for the Retriever Weekly, Jessica Blitz. She is actually in another class of mine as I discussed last class, and I would say my experience meeting her face to face was pleasant. Since we met she has written two more columns and she was impressed when I told her, via email, that I had also read those as well. Overall, I would say that I have found a new acquaintance at the Retriever Weekly. Her passion for criminal justice is evident when reading her columns.

(http://www.retrieverweekly.com/module=displaystory&story_id=4263&format=html)

Service Slides

Increasing Traffic - SEO

I have added my blog to my linkedin profile. Linkedin is a business networking site.

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/7/299/808

Social Interactions # 2

First interaction happenend over the weekend in NY, I was out to dinner with some family and ordered everyone a cocktail at the bar while we waited for our table. The bartender proceeded to bring every drink but mine. I smiled, asked if she forgot my drink and used her name that I saw on her nametag. I said it was no big deal, and said that I could just order at the table when it becomes ready. Kelly insisted on making the drink and never charged me.

Second interaction was with my little sister. She was a bit frustrated with my cousin while we moved my grandmothers things from her house. I told her to calm down and relax. I just reiterated the fact that we were all doing this for grandma, forget about our idiotic cousin.

Third interaction was Friday and with my boss at work. I heard it was going to be his sons first birthday over the weekend so inquired and sincerely congratulated him on the occasion. It worked out well, he noticed my sincerity and invited me to the party. Good thing I had out of town plans this past weekend.

Fourth interaction was with my buddy Jimmy again from Mama Lucia's. I did go back for the BBQ chicken pizza, but while waiting for it to heat up I asked him a few questions about his cell that he happenend to be holding. Jimmy had the Verizon Treo. The exact same one that I have! He mentioned how he strictly uses it for email and text. He can't stand the phone service. I asked him if he would rather have another phone. He said he has enough phones already.

My last interaction was Sunday, over the phone with a gentleman from a credit card company. He was trying to get me to sign up for a new credit card. I started to ask him about his interests and his life as soon as he paused. He was thrown off by it and tried to change the subject back to the benefits of the card and mentioned that this was being recorded. I continued to ask him silly questions and eventually after 5 minutes he just hung up.

Service Slides

Social Interaction

OK, I think I got one.

A social interaction that I care to blog about happened today while at at a local pizza spot in College Park (Mama Lucia's). GREAT PIZZA by the way. Anyways, I have been going there for quite some time now and I never say anything. I just go in, order and mind my own business. Today was different. While walking up to the door I was thinking how much I would love it if they had their specialty pizza with the BBQ chicken. Well of course, right on cue they sold out just before I walked in. I couldn't believe it! So I finally spoke up and decided to use the principles from HTWFAIP. I introduced myself and said how I am a regular for lunch and how I really enjoy the food. The gentleman replied that I look familiar so I jumped right in and asked him his name. Come to find out this gentleman was the owner, Jimmy. Jimmy began to explain how they were sold out and making one big pie for one person just wouldn't make sense. I was frustrated (but didn't show it) and quickly changed the topic. I referenced the television and what was being discussed regarding the A-rod story and the Yankees. Turns out he is a Yankees fan.....and we got to chattering about sports and such. In the end, he made me a Large BBQ chicken pizza just for me and only charged me for two slices. Good deal I'd say plus Jimmy is a new friend for next time!

Cell Phone Assignment

Cell Phone: iPhone3G

Carrier: Verizon

DP primarily uses the phone for text messaging, ipod/music, Internet, email, calendar, TV, directions, photo and video capture. A funny situation occured, DP mentioned that he uses his phone to watch his favorite TV show, "Family Guy", while in the bathroom at work.

I would classify DP in the early adopters catagory according to "Crossing the Chasm". He mentioned how he was one of the first to purchase the iphone after pre-ordering the phone online.

When asked if he would prefer another phone, DP's response was clear. Absolutely not! He said "I am a MAC guy. I will always try to stay ahead or up to date with my gadgets".

Target Market Slide

Maryland Entrepreneur

An American entrepreneur that I admire but don't necessarily cheer for is Baltimore Ravens majority owner, Steve Bisciotti . Being the die hard New Orleans Saints fan that I am, you will never see me sporting purple and black, but as silly as it may sound coming from an opponent. Steve Bisciotti in my opinion exemplifies a successful American entrepreneur. You may wonder why I am not doing my assignment on the Saints owner, Tom Benson, and its simple. He made his money in the automobile business selling cars. So therefore I don't trust him.

Bisciotti was born in Philadelphia but grew up in Baltimore from roughly the age of 1. He went on to attend Severna Park High School in Anne Arundel County and eventually earned his college degree in liberal arts from Salisbury (MD) State in 1982. After being unemployed at age 23, he and his cousin Jim Davis, started their own staffing company in the aerospace and technology sectors with second hand equipment. After the first year they produced $1.5 million in sales. Today Aerotek/Allegis Group is currently the 3rd-largest staffing firm in the United States – 6th in the world (Ravens Biography). Bisciotti’s incredible business success was not well known to the general public as he and his business partners kept a low profile. It wasn't until 2000 when Bisciotti's name catapulted into the lime light and many "public" fortunes. That is when he purchased part ownership of the Ravens for $600 million (Forbes 08 Team Value). Something that he handles with class and supreme professionalism. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a work function in 2006 and he was as cool and smooth as he appears on television. In addition, one afternoon driving down I-95 I heard his phone interview that he had with local disc jockey Anita Marks on ESPN radio. He recalled how the Ravens weren't his initial franchise in mind when deciding on purchasing a team. Especially considering Art Modell, then current Ravens owner, was a good friend. He explained how at first he had been a partner of a franchise group that bid on the Minnesota Vikings when their franchise was for sale in the late 90's. However, there was just one problem he was told that he would be alone a lot. His wife would not be in favor of the move from Maryland (Silverman). Obviously things did not work out in Minnesota, and he and Model agreed that Bisciotti was to be part owner with an option to be majority owner in 04. In the deal, the option allowed him to buy the majority stake in the franchise for the remaining 51% for $325 million (Hensley). He went it to detail on what has made him successful and it was because of the people he has hired to run his businesses whether it be CEO and President of Aerotek Thomas Thornton or General Manager of the Ravens, Ozzie Newsome.

Bisciotti's business savvy and instincts are top notch. Case in point was his decision to fire long time coach and previous Super Bowl Champion with the club, Brian Billick. Billick had led the Ravens down a path of mediocrity and Bisciotti and the Ravens brass made a radical move. They hired an inexperienced coach with a reputation for discipline in John Harbaugh. It paid off with a return to the playoffs in 08, and its business moves such as this that has allowed the 3rd youngest owner in the NFL to be successful (Forbes 08 Team Value). Bisciotti stated on the ravens website - "I’m very active, but would not describe myself as an owner who is involved in all of the day-to-day decisions. I want to be included and continually educated. But, in the end, I want those qualified in their respective fields of expertise to make the decisions. I don’t know more about acquiring players than Ozzie does. I don’t have the coaching expertise that [the head coach] has..."(Ravens Biography). Qualities such as these display superior leadership and our needed to run a successful business. I recall Carnegie said "hurting people does not change them, it is never called for and honest appreciation gets results where criticism and ridicule fails (Carnegie 28).

I am someone who is interested in the business side of the sports industry and he is a quality personality to admire. Of course the sport on the field, diamond, pitch or court is fantastic and fascinating and so are the players themselves. But, the self made businessman behind these sports franchises are in my opinion the true icons. In 08, Bisciotti had the Ravens on the Forbes top 10 list for most valuable sports NFL franchises' and he didn't even play sports beyond high school, go figure.

Works Cited:

"Baltimore Ravens - Biography." Staff - Overview. 12 Feb. 2009

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Staff/Executive/Steve_Bisciotti.aspx

"NFL Team Values for 2008". Staff - Overview. 09.10.08

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/30/sportsmoney_nfl08_Baltimore-Ravens_309106.html

Hensley, Jamison - Baltimore Sun - March 21, 2003 "Bisciotti plans to buy out Modell"

http://www.kdvr.com/bal-modell032103,0,3466806.story

Silverman, Barry - Press Box - Issue 3.32: August 7, 2008 "Bisciotti Hits the Airwaves"

http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=3955

Carnegie, Dale. How to Win Friends and Influence People. Ed. Arthur R. Pell. New York: Pocket, 1990 (28)