Comparative International Compensation - 1824 Words

Introduction Increasingly, today, globalization is a reality for organizations of almost any size. Only the smallest companies seem unaffected by the disappearance of global boundaries among organizations, markets, and people. Globalization has increased awareness of and concern for creating internationally equitable compensation systems in many companies. The complex nature of international compensation dictates that it receives special attention from organization operating in a multi-national environment. It is crucial that organizations understand the kind of employees employed by international firms, the elements that comprise an international compensation system, and the special problems associated with returning citizens on†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Establishing an overall compensation policy can be very challenging, partly because of the various forms of allowances, such as: o Cost-of-living allowance o Housing allowance o Relocation allowance o Education allowanc e o Home leave allowance o Hardship allowance Cost-of-living Allowances (COLA) †¢ COLA receives the most attention, to compensate for differences in expenditures between the home country and the foreign country (e.g., to account for inflation differentials, currency fluctuations, etc.). †¢ The COLA may also include payments for housing and utilities, personal income tax or discretionary items. †¢ The provision of a housing allowance implies that employees should be entitled to maintain their home-country living standards (or, in some cases, receive accommodation that is equivalent to that provided for similar foreign employees and peers). †¢ International comparison of cost of living is difficult and can be problematic. Relocation Allowances †¢ Usually cover moving, shipping and storage charges, temporary living expenses, subsidies regarding appliance or car purchases (or sales) and down payments or lease-related charges. o Allowances regarding perquisites (cars, club memberships, servants and so on) may also need to be considered (usually for more senior positions, but this varies according to location). o TheseShow MoreRelatedCoca-Cola and Pepsi Pension1013 Words   |  5 Pages ACC: 305 Abstract In this paper I will cover the comparative analysis case study of the pension plans offered by the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, Inc. I will compare the pension plans of both of these entities and indicate the types of plans they offer as well as the funded status of each at2009 year endRead MoreUnderstanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 1 Essay824 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 1 Two research studies, The Workers Compensation Experience: A Qualitative Exploration of Workers Beliefs Regarding the Impact of the Compensation System on Their Recovery and Rehabilitation and A Comparative Study between Army Civilian Workforce and Private Industry Workforce Workers Compensation Claims Management, pertaining to worker’s compensation will be analyzed. This paper will identify the research design used in each article, the strengthsRead MoreCoca Cola vs Pepsi1313 Words   |  6 Pagescompetitive comparison. 1. Compare the pension plans of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, including type of plan and funded status at 2007 year-end. PepsiCo, Inc. has a voluntary defined benefit pension plan that includes all full time U.S. employees and some international employees. This plan is a noncontributory plan; the employer is the only contributor funding the plan therefore they bear the entire cost of the plan. This plan is a qualified pension plan allowing tax incentives for employer contributions whichRead MoreDoubts Over the Effectiveness of Free Trade Economic Theory Essays727 Words   |  3 Pagesnot on the greater or less compensation which is paid for that labour† (Ricardo, 1821, p. 1.1). It was his theory that specialization, even to the point of eliminating certain industries in a country, optimized a country’s trade advantage (p. 31.17). As Krugman points out, governments’ strategic trade policy intervention in free trade, through import restrictions or quotas, export subsidies, tariffs, and other trade interventions, have substantively moved international markets away from free tradeRea d MoreNotes On Economics And International Trade Theory1222 Words   |  5 PagesPrice: The quantity of payment or compensation given by one party to another in return for goods or services. 6. Absolute Advantage: An economy can produce a good for lower costs than another. It means that less resources are needed to produce the same amount of goods. 7. Comparative Advantage: The benefit or advantage of an economy to be able to produce a commodity at a lesser opportunity cost than other entities is referred to as comparative advantage in international trade theory. 8. Import: ARead MoreComparative Human Resource Analysis : Coca Cola And Pepsico1465 Words   |  6 Pages Comparative Human Resource Analysis: Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Abhiram Satyadev Goldey Beacom College Course Name 02/16/2017 Table of Contents 1. Competition for Employees†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.3 2. Compensation of Employees†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 3. Legislation Concerning Employees.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...5 4. Human Relations Discussion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..6 5. Conclusions†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7 6. References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 Comparative HumanRead MoreThe Human Resource Management Strategy Essay1368 Words   |  6 PagesGoogles human resource management strategy maintains a compensation strategy that is very competitive. The compensation strategy focuses on addressing the interests of well performing employees at the company. The company’s career development program is designed in a way that ensures that all its employees are given considerable opportunities for their personal and professional career growth. This competitive compensation strategy and the career development programs which are very holistic enablesRead MoreEmployee Compensation And Benefits Package944 Words   |  4 PagesEmployee Compensation and Benefits Package The organization for which I am designing the compensation package is a company that offers internet solution to customers in the domestic US market and the global market. The position that I am hiring is that of a company secretary. The secretary will be required to work in the office of the human resource manager and will handle all the papered and paperless documentation. The position comes with numerous benefits and packages as outlined herein. AfterRead MoreThe Role Of Selection And Appointment Of The Party Leadership Team826 Words   |  4 Pages1985) argued the influence of selection and appointment of the Party leadership team both at the governmental and business levels. Von (Von Glinow Teagarden, 1988) proposed the transfer of western HRM to the joint ventures active in China. The compensation structure reforms (Shenkar Chow, 1989) and reforms related to the education system especially management and training were assessed (Warner, 1986; Borgonjon Vanhonacker, 1994) when the reforms were taking place; and how the policies of ChineseRead MoreInternational Human Resource Management. Introduction.1701 Words   |  7 PagesInternational Human Resource Management Introduction Human resource managers, outlines, directs and facilitates the regulatory elements of an association. They supervise the selecting, meeting, and contracting of new staff; counsel with top officials on the key Strategic obligation; and fill in as a connection between an association s administration and its workers. To flourish in the disorderly and turbulent business condition, firms need to always enhance and be â€Å"on the ball† regarding business

Bbarfree Free Essays

The results of these investigations help to eve beyond â€Å"common sense† knowledge and individual experience to understanding larger complex social issues and processes. This course will introduce students to the various sociological research methods used to explore diverse social processes, as well as methods of inquiry, strategies and tools used by social researchers. Students will also be introduced to the philosophical foundations of research methods and the practical, theoretical and ethical concerns for conducting both quantitative and qualitative social research. We will write a custom essay sample on Bbarfree or any similar topic only for you Order Now Course Objectives By the end of the course, students will be able to understand: . The foundations of sociological research b. Various methods used in sociological research c. How data is collected and interpreted to form theoretical arguments d. The steps involved in designing a sociological research project Required Readings 1 . Research Methods: Exploring the Social World First Edition by Diane Cymbal’s. A hardcopy of the textbook or an e-book option is available for purchase at the Brock Campus Store. 2. There may be additional seminar readings available on Assai. These readings will be identified on the seminar schedule posted Assai. Course Evaluation 1. In class test #1 (Cot 2, material covered from Septet 11 to Septet 25) 25% 2. In class test #2 (Novo 6, material covered from Cot 9 to Cot 30) 25% 3. Written Assignment (due Novo 20) 10%4. Take home exam (essay format, distributed November 27) 30% 5. Seminar participation Please note: Detailed explanations of course evaluation and expectations will be posted on Assai and discussed in class and/or seminar. In addition, brief lecture outlines will be posted On Assai prior to lecture. Seminar Schedule: A seminar schedule will be posted on Assai. It will outline he weekly seminar expectations, readings, possible discussion questions and assignments. There are 8 seminars in total. Successful completion of this course will depend on your engaged presence at all seminars. You are expected to read the assigned material in advance of the corresponding seminar. Accessibility: Please notify the professor if you have accessibility issues and concerns. These concerns will be passed on to accessibility@brocku. Ca. Also, for more information please go to http://www. Brocks. Ca/accessibility. Class changes or cancellations: Any changes or cancellations of lectures, miners, and office hours will be posted on Assai and/or announced in class and/or emailed to students. Late Submissions are subject to a penalty of 2% per day, except for the take- home exam which is 5% per day, including weekends, unless arrangements have been made with the course instructor. An assignment, for example, that would have received a grade of 80 % (A-) submitted 2 days late, will receive a grade of 76% (B). The student should be prepared to provide some form of official documentation, such as a doctor’s note, to support any request for an extension. Also, it is advisable to keep an extra copy of any written assignment due for this course. Grading (from Brock University Undergraduate Calendar) A+: 90 – 100 work of outstanding quality that provides clear evidence of a rare talent for the subject and of an original and/or incisive mind A: 80 – 89 excellent, accurate work that demonstrates a certain flair for and comprehension of the subject. B: 70-79 competent work that shows a sound grasp of the course goals without being distinguished C: 60 – 69 work of adequate quality that suffers from incompleteness or inaccuracy D: 50 – 59 the minimum requirements of a course are barely satisfied F: 49 or lower minimum requirements have not been met, and no credit has been given for the course Academic Misconduct: Because academic integrity is vital to the well-being of the university community, Brock University takes academic misconduct very seriously. Academic misconduct includes plagiarism, which involves presenting the words and ideas of another person as if they were your own, and other forms of cheating such as using crib notes during a test or fabricating data for a seminar assignment. The penalties for academic misconduct can be very severe. A grade of zero may be given for the assignment Or even for the Course, and a second offense may result in suspension from the university. Students are urged to read the section of the Brock University Undergraduate Calendar that pertains to academic misconduct. How to cite Bbarfree, Papers

Article Review for Scientific Method in Sociology- myassignmenthelp

Question: Write about theArticle Review for Scientific Method in Sociology. Answer: The article Why Be Queer? by author Barry D. Adam is a powerful narrating enumerating in detail social intolerance towards homosexuality, marking it as a pathological disease and mental illness. In the process of narrating about the suppression of natural homosexual tendencies, the article touches upon topic which are pertinent to any student taking active interest in social structure, state and church autocracy, the development of social institutions to curb and criminalize homosexuality, gay and lesbianism, and gender policing. The article has a compact structure which not only strives to humanize homosexuality and lesbian relationship but provides the reader with a very interesting and personal perspective on gender fluidity. As a consequence the paper shows the sheer cruelty and absurdity that lie underneath the facade of criminalizing homosexuality, labelling it as a taboo. In the concluding paragraph, the author questions how bar it is possible to assign roles to genders and th e possible outcomes of gender dictatorship. It leaves quintessential questions regarding our own conformity to gender roles and the restrictiveness that it henceforth brings. After reading the entire paper it becomes apparent how western countries have not only prohibited homosexuality but has assigned and confirmed job roles to specific gender. This is quite a violation of peoples personal preferences and aspirations. In this way the author has documented the serious implications of such gender biasness that has even taken a concrete shape in schools and families, thereby taking possession of the psychological landscape of children bullying others who do not fall into the demarcated category of gender roles. Adams has also included in the paper a number of previous research paper s dealing with the social implications of gender policing which is a result of homophobia that is inherent in society. Many research papers have written in detail how gender policing has evidently worsened male pupils academic performance making them more engaged in male-centric activities bordering on violence. The author makes it apparent how in this way the core concept and ideas regarding the mannerisms of cis men and women have perpetuated in the society. It brings to the forefront how even parents of western countries tend to normalize the behaviour due to the ideas and fear surrounding homosexuality, deep-rooted into their minds. The victims, according to the paper mentioned in the essay, is not merely the homosexual people but the entire society, who are forced to act stepping beyond their comfort zones. The book Sociology, A Brief Introduction, written by Schaefer, also discusses how far the idea of str ict gender identity has penetrated into the society. School going male population are constantly under the burden of aligning oneself to the established norms of the society. The book talks about social imagination which allows an individual to visualize the world through a different lens. As a result of this stereotyped gender identity that social institutions like church, school and law has constructed, isolation has taken over individuals. As estimated by WHO more than a million number of people fall victim to suicide due to social oppression and isolationmembers (Schaefer 2008: 8). Durkheim has concluded that one of the primary reasons of growing number of suicide rates is due to the failure of integrating oneself within the accepted social circle. The article clearly states how state has spread homophobia in order to ensure the entire population is functioning according to the role stipulated by orthodox churches and rigorous religious practices. It is almost like living in a p rison where religious authorities getter the upper hand in deciding about peoples sexual preferences and orientation. Adams has made a careful observation on how this tenets have restricted peoples natural behavior and desires. Max Weber has observed how absurd it to impose restrictions on peoples behaviour and wants as there cannot exist a clear definition of social behavior which has only be assessed completely by determining the actions that lie behind such behavioral patterns. Therefore, the absurd way of imposing or deciding sexuality, spread and constant checking of homophobia can only separate the society into minority and majority groups. It will increase the number of persecution of the members of society because of their sexual orientation. The article has opened the discussion for how people prepare masks in order to get socially accepted, the formation of dual identities or double consciousness where the individuals identity gets divided into several sections in order to live up to the expectations of the society or his/her family members (Schaefer 2008: 50). The social theorist DuBois and his followers questioned social order and norms. The book states how gender role has given birth to absurdities starting from the birth of a child which is nothing short of suppression and racism. It makes the child imbibe ideas to act in a specific gender-oriented manner so as not to attract the scorn and contempt of family and friends. The research methods used by the authors Schaefer and Barry D. Adam in the study are mostly scientific method in order to comprehend society and the major drawbacks. Sociologists need to analyze human behavior and modes of interaction and therefore the usage of scientific method is most suitable (Ellwood 1931: 20). It answered a number of questions important to the study, peoples notion of gender identity. With scientific research methods the author has given viable answers to a number of important social questions therefore forming a pattern for better understanding of the society. The paper by author Adams has used historical research method by which the author has carefully studied the events and processes of the past social order which has helped the readers in a better understanding of the concept of homophobia and its immediate consequences on the society. This has helped in the interlinking of past and present social changes, the origin and development of homosexual relationsh ip, the gradual worsening of the scenario by church authorities and law and finally criminalizing it. The happenings of past and their study are therefore is equally necessary in understanding the present changes. Furthermore, the research method has also made it possible for the readers to understand that society is a product of time and evolution and an understanding of the present will be incomplete without the past. The key findings presented by the author Adams in his paper are how homo-erotic relationships are shaped and developed according to the elements of the given society. How the western country has perverted the concept of homosexual relationship which was previously practiced in a full-fledged manner even by the minority section of the society. It is evident that the taboo associated with gay and lesbian relationship is a product of excessive church authority and enforcement of their views on the individuals. The study also points out these kinds of relationships were prevalent in mythology and in indigenous societies. Gender fluidity was more apparent then, that it is in the modern times. Readers come to the conclusion that deliberate gender stereotyping thwart men and women from practicing their own choices and decisions in their own lives, deprives children of their innocence and childhood. Homophobia gives rise to sexism and marginalizes the LGBT community. It even prevents women f rom certain jobs and unjustifiably persecutes people with homosexual tendencies. The book Sociology A Brief Introduction expands on the suppression of women which is a direct consequence of homophobia and assigning of gender roles, which can be explore further by students who are interested in womens studiesthat has been talked about in Why Be Queer?. The female population is subjugated by being set under numerous expectations regarding their choices especially of sexual partners therefore resulting in female self-injury. The article is an interesting read on misogynistic society and its burden on the women and LGBT population. Reference List: Ellwood, C. A. (1931). Scientific method in sociology.Social Forces,10(1), 15-21. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/3006109 Geist, C., Reynolds, M. M., Gaytn, M. S. (2017). Unfinished Business: Disentangling Sex, Gender, and Sexuality in Sociological Research on Gender Stratification.Sociology Compass,11(4). doi/full/10.1111/soc4.12470 Gilman, C. P. (2017).WOMEN ECONOMICS: A Study of the Economic Relation between Men and Women as a Factor in Social Evolution: From the famous American feminist, social reformer, sociologist and the author of The Yellow Wallpaper and Herland. 1st Edn, pp 189-200, Musaicum Books. Haines, E. L., Deaux, K., Lofaro, N. (2016). The times they are a-changing or are they not? A comparison of gender stereotypes, 19832014.Psychology of Women Quarterly,40(3), 353-363. agepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0361684316634081 Schaefer, R.T. (2008)Sociology: A Brief Introduction, 7th Edn, pp 44-372, McGraw-Hill.

please help Essays - Arab, Saudi Arabia, Arab Culture, Marketing

The aftermath of the 1990 Middle East war and the region's subsequent exposure to Western technologies and lifestyles has contributed to an accelerated opening up of Arabic culture to Western ideas. Often relegated to a secondary role in the Arab culture, changing market conditions have helped increase the importance of many marketing functions and, in particular, personal selling. Given the increased importance of personal selling in a high context culture, such as that of Saudi Arabia, the development of a qualified salesforce should significantly improve a firm's competitive position. This exploratory study examined the extent to which sales training philosophies and practices differ between Saudi Arabia and the United States. Findings reveal the limited extent of Saudi sales training programmes and offer insight into the future development of marketing and sales training in this Arab culture as well as implications for both Arab and foreign businesses.

exam answer Essay

exam answer Essay exam answer Essay Semester 2, 2007 Exam Question 1: (a) Financial report disclosure and AGM (5 marks) Pierce Pty Ltd was formed recently. During Pierce Pty Ltd’s first year of operations it hired 75 employees and was expected to be extremely profitable this year. Its three shareholders and respective shareholdings are Burns owns 4% of Pierce Pty Ltd’s shares; Donovan Ltd owns 76% of Pierce Pty Ltd’s shares; and McIntyre Pty Ltd owns 20% of Pierce Pty Ltd’s shares. Burns was concerned when Pierce Pty Ltd’s directors told him that it would not send him a financial report. In addition, Burns was also worried that Pierce Pty Ltd would not have an annual general meeting (AGM) even though Burns asked for one to be called. Burns particularly wanted to use the AGM to force Pierce Pty Ltd to use less polluting practices in its production processes. Explain whether Pierce Pty Ltd must give Burns its current annual financial report and hold the AGM to vote on the pollution reduction issue Burns was concerned with. Burns desires to view the Pierce’s financial report and hold an AGM, thus the issue in this case deals with the requirements in the Corporations Act on annual financial report and general meetings for private companies. Annual Financial Report: Large proprietary companies are required to disclose financial reports under s.292(1). However, small proprietary companies are not required to prepare audited financial reports unless directed to do so by shareholders holding 5% or more of the voting shares (s.293). Pierce have 75 employees which satisfies one of the criteria under s.45A(2) to establish a small proprietary company. Assuming that ‘extremely profitable’ does not mean that the company earn more than $25 million revenue and that their assets are less than $12.5 million in value then the company can be assumed to be a small proprietary company, otherwise, if it satisfy one more criteria, it is a large company. Thus, as a small proprietary company, he is unable to direct the company to prepare audited financial reports as he only has 4% of the voting shares, unless he can convince another shareholder. However, as a large company, they are required to prepare financial reports. Annual general meeting: Under s.250N, only public companies are required to hold annual general meetings, whereas proprietary companies are not required unless their constitution requires it. Subsequently, as Burns does not have more than 5% of the voting shares, he is unable to call and arrange a general meeting under s.249F. Among other things, without having more than 5% of the voting shares, Burns can’t give a company notice of a resolution that they propose to move at a general meeting. Under s.249Q, a general meeting must be held for a proper purpose which the proposed meeting by Burns was not as it seeks to interfere with the directors’ exclusive power to manage the company’s business (NRMA v Parker). Conclusion: Burns will not be able to force Pierce to provide annual financial reports and to hold a general meeting due to his lack of voting shares and also that the meeting was for an improper purpose. (b) Altering constitution and Share expropriation (5 marks) Donovan Ltd operated a successful toy importing business. Its directors recently discovered that 10% of its shares were owned by Sleazy who was a convicted child molester. Fearing that Donovan Ltd’s wholesome reputation would suffer if Sleazy’s shareholding became common knowledge, the directors considered the following proposals (i) call a shareholders’ meeting to insert a new clause in Donovan Ltd’s constitution forcing any shareholder with a criminal conviction to sell their shares to the other shareholders. (ii) call a shareholders’ meeting to pass a resolution reducing the company’s capital by cancelling Sleazy’s shares and paying him the issue price. Explain how case law or the Corporations Act operates in relation to both of the proposals The issue

How We Launched 4 Features in 4 Weeks with a Culture of Shipping

How We Launched 4 Features in 4 Weeks with a Culture of Shipping Here at , we just completed a major sprint to launch four major new features in less than 6 weeks. Whew. It was a lot of fun. Were leaving 2016 BIGLY so that you can consolidate your toolset in 2017! Welcome our 4th NEW feature in 6 weeks: #Instagram Scheduling https://t.co/srhEwtJpin Garrett Moon (@garrett_moon) November 29, 2016 In case you missed it, here’s what we launched. If you only want to learn how we did it, feel free to skip ahead. Four Features In Under Six Weeks: ReQueue is the most intelligent way to automate your social media. This is one of my favorite features ever, because it helps you make the most of the hard work you put into social media schedule. Now, will help you reuse to best social messages again when it sees a gap in your schedule. It’s the perfect social companion for the busiest of marketers. Instagram has quickly become one of the most important social networks for marketers and now you can schedule Instagram messages right from , along side the rest of your marketing strategy. Instagram publishing really makes the one-stop tools for your entire marketing strategy. Content UX included a major update to how content is managed on the calendar. While it included a massive design refresh, it also added a lot of functional changes around usability and user experience that make easier to use and collaborate with you team. Social Media Analytics helps our users prove the ROI of the work they do by eliminate the tedious process of gathering, analyzing, and reporting on your analytics. Now you can do it from one place with ’s social message analytics and Social Engagement Reports. Long story short, that’s a lot of code to ship in short amount of time. So, how did we do it? How A Culture Of Shipping Drives Our Work EthicI call it a culture of shipping. Its one of our core values: Bias for Action. We know that ideas don’t matter unless they become action. We always err on the side of shipping, failing fast, and getting better as we go along. But before we get too far, I want to let you in on our dirty little secret. We don’t launch 100% of our features all at once. Don’t get me wrong, these were great features, but they were the 1.0 version. This means that for every aspect of the feature we actually launched, there are between 3 and 4 major improvements that were left on the to do list. In general, I believe that the common concept of a â€Å"launch† is very misleading. Most of the time, we think of a launch as a singular event. We slave away for months in hiding while building something brand new. When it finally comes time to make it public we launch, and make a big splash. There are blog posts, tweets, press releases, and sometimes fanfare. And then it’s over. We move on to the next project and look forward to another â€Å"big launch.† But, that’s not really how things work. Your audience will never absorb your launch the way you expect them to. They’re busy and distracted. You’re probably going to have to tell them about feature XYZ three or four times before they actually pay attention. In short, launches shouldn’t be a singular event. They are just the beginning. They should really be just one singular step in an overall process of iteration. Launches should be one singular step in an overall process of iterationIteration is really at the heart of what makes for a great â€Å"culture of shipping.† Everything is iterative, including your skills and abilities, your marketing efforts, and your feature launches. A process of getting something out there and then making slow and steady improvements over time is what defines ’s culture. It isn’t sexy, but dang it if it doesn’t work. So, let’s get practical. What can you do to make sure your team builds a culture of shipping? Here are a few of the things we do every day to keep the shipping alive. 1. Wins Make for More Wins When planning something new you are bound to develop big visions of excellence and grander. Take it easy cowboy/girl. Rather than trying to build the biggest and best right out of the gate, break your project into pieces. Think of it as a series of â€Å"launches† rather than one massive unveiling. Breaking projects down into tiny launch-able pieces will give you and your team some early wins. Wins can easily turn into momentum and momentum is exactly what fuels a culture of shipping. Around here, we like to break feature development into a series of 1-2 week projects- each one ending with a launch of some kind. We try not to focus on the whole enchilada. Rather, we focus on the smaller iterative goals that will need to be met in order to succeed. This ultra simple framework keeps us focused and motivated, and ultimately leads to the big win. Wins make for more wins.2. We Assume that Our Customers Know More Than Us When planning a new feature or launch, it can be easy to assume that you are the smartest person in the room. Work on a feature long enough and you’ll believe that no one understands it better than you. Unfortunately, you’ll probably be right. So, what if no one understands it but you? Feedback matters a lot. The world loves to emphasize the myth of the â€Å"lone genius† or the Steve Jobs personality in all of us. WRONG. There isn’t a such things as a lone genius in real life. In real life those geniuses had spouses, colleagues, or competitors that drove them and made them better. For a startup like , those drivers are our users. With every feature we launch, we try to leave a lot of room for customers to influence version 2.0. When a new feature goes live, our list of back burner items becomes irrelevant. From that point forward, customer feedback shapes version 2.0. There isn’t a such things as a lone genius in real life.3. We Focus on Failing Fast Most of us try to avoid making mistakes. If we can’t avoid them, we at least try to make sure no one notices them when they happen. But, this reflex is in itself a mistake. Instead, the better approach is to assume that you will fail and build it right into your process. We call this failing fast. Rather than trying to be perfect, aim to fail as quickly as possible. If you’re building something new, show it to someone else as soon as you can. Even before you’re ready. Get feedback. Figure out what’s wrong The sooner you know what’s wrong, the sooner you can improve it, and that will help you move faster. My background is in graphic design, and this can be a huge problem in that industry. Designers love to â€Å"move pixels† and make things perfect before showing their work to anyone. But, this is a mistake. It makes them slow and oftentimes damages the end result. Don’t assume you know it all. Assume that you will fail, and build it right into your process so that you know to expect it. Assume that you will fail, and build it right into your process so that you know to expect it.4. We Keep Things Simple Complicated features are bad for users (and for you). At , we’ve paid that price before. For example, the first version of ReQueue was overbuilt. Because we didn’t ship soon enough, the feature ended up getting too complicated and messy. When we gave it to a set of beta users and they were confused. They didn’t understand how to make the feature do what we said it could do. We ended up scrapping the entire project and building something different that was much simpler and more iterative. It was a lesson we don’t want to have to learn twice. Over time, we’ve learned to keep things as simple as possible. Sometime complex features are necessary, but it is better to iterate our way into them, rather than building it all at once. Stay iterative. Keep it simple. Ship on time! #aCultureOfShipping #OverheardAt5. Despite What You Believe, Launch Day Doesn’t Really Matter I’ve already mentioned that launch day barely matters, but it bears repeating. Teams routinely put a lot of time into their big unveiling to find out that no one was really paying attention. The true art of the launching comes from realizing that launching is a process, not an event. It’s about the process of shipping, not just launching. From a marketing standpoint this means that we should be talking about new features for week and months after they launch. From a product standpoint this means that we should be building and perfecting a feature for months after they are live. This isn’t a one and done type of scenario. We are so conditioned to believe that launch day is an event. We believe that our marketing is a narrative and that customers read every page, but they don’t. Marketing is messy. Shipping is messy. You’re better off with a process that embraces the mess than one that works against it.

Chinese Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Chinese Philosophy - Essay Example It became well established throughout the vast nation during the 300's A.D. It is surprising, then, to learn that at one time, most of the Chinese people viewed the religion with skepticism, considering it to be little more than a strange foreign cult. Many of the early Chinese converts to the Buddhist religion risked ostracism and persecution simply for practicing their beliefs. Buddhism reached China from India around 100 A.D. For many years, almost all Chinese subscribed to either of two native religions. One was Confucianism, which was based on the ideas of Confucius, the revered philosopher. The tenets of this belief system included obedience to authority, the promotion of education, societal order, and a deep respect for one's ancestors and for the past. Confucius was born about 550 B.C. and the religion based on his teachings emerged shortly after his death in the 470's B.C. The other traditional Chinese religion was Taoism. The basic teachings of this belief system included a reverence for nature and routine celebration of the faith's many protective gods. Taoism began during the 300's B.C. and is based on a book entitled the Tao Te Ching (The Classic of the Way and the Virtue). Taoism was also heavily influenced by elements of Chinese folk religion. When Buddhists first began to appear in China, most Chinese deeply mistrusted them. Their mistrust was easy to understand. According to Sources of Chinese Tradition, written by Theodore Debary, Buddhism was a radically different religion from both Confucianism and Taoism. Buddhism itself was founded about 500 B.C. in India by the teacher named Buddha. Buddha was born about 563 B.C. in southern Nepal. His actual name was Siddhartha Gautama. He was a member of a powerful royal family. Despite Gautama's wealth and high social standing, he was a deeply unhappy young man. At age 29, the future Buddha sank into a debilitating depression. He was convinced that life was full of misfortune and heartache. His feelings of melancholy caused him to leave his own family to seek spiritual enlightenment as an itinerant monk. After six years of nonstop traveling, Gautama finally experienced enlightenment. He was convinced that he had discovered why life was so full of woe. In addition, he was convinced that he had discovered how human beings could escape their feelings of misery. He soon had many followers. These followers called him Buddha, which means the Enlightened One. According to Theodore Debary in his work, Sources of Chinese Tradition, much of the Chinese people's initial misgivings about Buddhism stemmed from simple xenophobia (p. 277). China possessed one of the world's earliest great civilizations; Chinese writing history goes back thousands of years ago. The Chinese people were greatly accomplished, and not surprisingly, this great culture tended to view other peoples as being inferior. The Chinese seemed to view India with contempt, and many Chinese felt that a religion that came from India would have a negative, corrupting influence on the population (p. 277). Much mistrust was also triggered by simple and seemingly shallow cultural differences between the Indians and the Chinese. For example, many Chinese were originally dismayed upon learning that Buddhist clerics took vows of celibacy