...aspects of obtaining information and then breaking it down to meaningful data that can be used to prove a hypothesis. It was five years of field work that contributed to what has become known as "The Vai Project," a combination of surveys, ethnographies, interviews, and experiments conducted by Cole and Scribner in a small Liberian population in Africa. The goal of this project was to create a greater understanding of the psychology of literacy, that is, how different social situations affect, shape, or change human thought. This book is the story of their experiences and findings in the relation between cognition and culture. The purpose of this study was to observe and study a group of people in Africa (Liberia) and determine whether or not literacy shapes the human mind. And if so, does the "mastery of a written language affects not only the content of thought but also the process of thinking--how we classify, reason, remember”? (Scribner, 2008). What Cole and Scribner hoped to bring back was if there was anything in the Vai experience that could be used to improve the effectiveness of educational programs in other parts of Liberia or other parts of the world? Cole and Scribner were able to hone in on these questions by looking at the Vai population since Vai people have their own script. The script is taught at home, rather than school, allowing the researchers to separate school-based education from literacy. Although their language is widely used within...
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...The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience Carmine Gallo Columnist, Businessweek.com New York Chicago San Francisco Lisbon London Madrid Mexico City Milan New Delhi San Juan Seoul Singapore Sydney Toronto Copyright © 2010 by Carmine Gallo. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. ISBN: 978-0-07-163675-9 MHID: 0-07-163675-7 The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: ISBN: 978-0-07-163608-7, MHID: 0-07-163608-0. All trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than put a trademark symbol after every occurrence of a trademarked name, we use names in an editorial fashion only, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. Where such designations appear in this book, they have been printed with initial caps. McGraw-Hill eBooks are available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions, or for use in corporate training programs. To contact a representative please e-mail us at bulksales@mcgraw-hill.com. TERMS OF USE This is a copyrighted work and The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“McGraw-Hill”) and its licensors reserve all rights in and to the work. Use of this work...
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...Case Analysis: Apple Computer Course number: NETW583 Date: May 10th, 2013 The innovation of apple computer began with Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in the garage of the parents of Steve Jobs in Mountain View, California. On 1st April 1976, fool’s day, the first apple computer was formed by Ronald Wayne, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. The following year, 1977 the apple company was incorporated. The first Apple Computer was a failure and was followed by the second one which was successful. Today Apple Company is one of the most revolutionary computer companies in the world that is involved in designing, developing and marketing personal computers, media devices, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. (Datamonitor, 2011) The timeline gives us an outlook of Apple’s biggest successes and failures. Some of the Apple’s successes come from the reinvention of Apple computer and Apple’s culture. The first success came from the Apple II in 1977. The Apple II was designed for mass production and broad consumer appeal and that must have contributed to the success of Apple II. In 1984, the introduction of first Macintosh was a success. To appeal to the consumes, Apple created hype around the Macintosh with its infamous "1984" Super Bowl commercial, and announced it...
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...company is structured and how they operate. External factors are the things beyond control like lending conditions, government regulations and competition. Apple’s internal factors are functions they have control over like planning, and organizing leading. External factors would influence controlling; learning and changing with the market competition and the ever changing market. Internal and external factors specifically influence innovation, diversity, and ethics. Apple remains flexible and universal due to producing consumer needed products, products that are a common need and ethically leading the way as a successful company. Apple Inc. formerly Apple Computer, Inc. was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976. During the first phase of management; the planning process, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak designed the Apple I, a handcrafted computer that was sold for $666.66. For more than twenty years Apple Computer was mostly manufacturing personal computers with their own integrated software called the Macintosh, marketed as Mac. The company suffered low sales and market share during the 1990’s mainly affected by external factors such as the market domination of Bill Gates and his line of computer software Microsoft Windows. In an effort to attract new consumers Apple shifted their philosophy by changing their products into simple designs, which are known for being more “user friendly”. The company had to go back to planning; the first phase of...
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...Microsoft. Currently, Apple is among the most profitable and innovative companies in the world with the largest market share for tablets. Creating a good technology strategy is normally a messy affair. Apple’s ability to anticipate and distinguish the direction emerging markets in technology take has been essential to its technology strategy. It has been able to track strategic technologies and use forecast to plan corporate strategies. Apple focuses on product discovery with the goal of creating innovative products that are not understood yet. This underlines its strategy statement, to contribute to the world by making tools for the mind that advances humankind. In order to meet this goal, Apple has continually involved stakeholders. Steve Jobs for example was able to convince record companies that online music was the future for their industry. This way, he was able to lead the establishment of the iTunes music store, clearing the way for the iPod, the first successor to Sony’s Walkman. Apple has been able to demonstrate a human-focused technology strategy thereby changing the world through technology. A culture of focusing on the future growing inspiration on...
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...is Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer stepping down? | Strategic Management BUS4040 Assignment 1 | | | 赵睿10302001432013/10/15 | | Introduction Two months ago (August 23, 2013), there was an announcement from Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft, declared that he would retire in the next 12 months, which had attracted much public attention because of its sudden. It was neither planned nor as smooth as portrayed. The interview with many people inside and outside the company indicate that Ballmer had not aimed to leave this soon and especially after the recent restructuring of the company that he had intensely planned. However, Ballmer’s timeline had been moved up drastically. The nine-member board, including his longtime partner and Microsoft co-founder and chairman Bill Gates all agreed that it was best if he left sooner than later. It seems that it was due to a number of increasingly problematic issues on the immediate horizon, including a potentially nasty proxy fight, continued business performance declines, and Ballmer’s leadership was becoming a very obvious problem. In this report, I will analyze this issue by the following aspects, which includes the background of Steve Ballmer, the development of Microsoft these years and current situation about the company. Background of Steve Ballmer Ballmer, 57, who came to Microsoft in 1980 as its first business manager, was the first CEO after founder Bill Gates left the post in 2000. Steve Ballmer was born...
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...extraordinary which we utilize it every day. Steve Jobs was one of the greatest people who affect our lives not only because his amazing products, but his creativity has enhanced the current products to follow its style and design. For example, the iPhone have led the chief of cellphone industry; the iPad is leading the android tablet and windows tablets to follow its shape and design. That is only the positive side of him. What about his negative side about the ethics of a successful businessman and inventor can be barely seen? Not everyone is perfect. Steve Jobs was one of the kind. The categorical imperative is the best term that depicts Steve Jobs’ behavior because he broke the contract with the shipper. As the categorical imperative telling us, we should not adopt a principle if we cannot make a promise to others. When Steve Jobs returned to Apple as a CEO, he complained that their shipping company did not do their work fast enough and did not even ship Apple’s spare parts on time (AUSTEN). However, the shipping company said they could not do better anymore and they didn’t want to do. Because the shipper has signed a contract with Apple, Apple would involve lawsuit if they break the contract with the shipper. Without any consideration, Jobs did not want to play game with the shipper any more, then fired the shipper. Then of course the shipper did sue Apple. Consequently, Apple had to spend a lot of money on the lawsuit. That was the way Steve Jobs did his business. The categorical...
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...strength in the industry. In the past fifteen years, Apple Inc. has brought a revolution in the personal electronics, telecom, computer and media by string of excellent products, offering unique, designer and exciting customer experiences. They have exceeded industry expectations thereby exerting significant power over both customers and industry players, with outstanding financial results. In August 2012, Apple inc was announced the most valuable listed company having a market value of $ 623 billion. In September 2012, it had the highest cash reserves of USD 121 bn. achieves a net margin of 20 % with a revenue increase from us $ 65.2 bn in 2010 to us$108.2 bn in 2011 and to US $ 156.5bn in 2012.( This feat was achieved under the late Steve Jobs and will outlive Jobs as apple has attained a quantum strategy which is rare and very difficult for competitors to imitate. Noteworthy is that apple is able to strike a balance of intense operations efficiency with outstanding serial innovation and addictive product-design, commanding premium pricing and redefined...
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...Donna Dubinsky and Apple Computers, Inc. Why was Dubinsky initially successful at Apple? Donna Dubinsky was initially successful at Apple because she projected a lot of confidence and conviction in her beliefs. Donna was a decision maker who battle for procedure. Donna was focused primarily on her caring and honest relationships with her subordinates. Donna was aggressive with her convictions; she pushed hard for an interview with Apple and received an offer only after pointing out that they would never find another Harvard MBA that wanted to work in customer service. Donna took advantage of every opportunity with to advance at Apple through her direct and hard-nosed style. Donna’s individual performance was impressive. She was able to deliver results and her groups performed well on key metrics. Apple was the perfect place for Donna since being a young company light on formality that underwent frequent reorganizations. Apple’s fast growth, loose organization, and corporate culture allowed Donna to make decisions “above her pay grade” and thus demonstrate her ability to perform at higher levels of responsibility. Place yourself in Dubinsky’s position. Why did she respond the way she did to the JIT proposal? Donna could never understand why the JIT proposal was even being discussed. She didn’t see any problems in the distribution area, and thought this was a cost cutting measure by Jobs because the Mackintosh division was underperforming. Donna never understood...
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...Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 Paradoxical Thinking in Organizations………………………………………………………........ 4 Apple Inc. and Paradoxical Thinking……………………………………………………………... 5 Learning Paradoxical Thinking…………………………………………………………………… 7 Paradoxical Thinking as a Skill of Intelligence…………………………………………………... 8 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………... 9 References……………………………………………………………………………………….. 10 Abstract Paradoxical thinking is looking at a problem from a different perspective and coming up with a solution. We live in an ever-changing, dynamic environment. In order for organizations to be successful, they must be willing to resolve conflict and contradiction using apparently opposite ideas and beliefs. It is vital for organizations to understand and embrace paradoxical thinking. This paper will further discuss what paradoxical thinking is, analyze how Apple Inc. has demonstrated paradoxical thinking, discuss whether paradoxical thinking can be learned, and finally review paradoxical thinking as it relates to the eight skills of intelligence. Paradoxical Thinking in Organizations Paradoxical thinking should be the cornerstone of all organizations. A paradox exists when two seemingly inconsistent or contradictory ideas are actually both true (Quinn, Faerman, Thompson, McGrath, & St. Clair, 2011). Paradoxical thinking involves, among other things, switching to the opposite of what is conventional (Ravi, n.d.). Many organizations do...
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...Apple has won several excellence in marketing awards. Why? Marketing plays an integral role for Apple Inc. It is the best way for them to let their consumers whats in store for them, increase revenue, alert their competitors that they are always working to provide their consumers with the best and be one of the best electronic and software companies worldwide. Apple tries to target every group of people; students, parents, and children. Apple targets their customers and focuses on giving customers what they really want. Four months out of the summer, they provide their students with educational pricing. All they need is their school ID or school email and they are discounts provided on all apple products especially laptops and iPads. Students can receive up to one hundred to two hundred dollars off the Apple product plus and additional fifty to one hundred dollars in iTunes gift cards. This allows students to purchase any applications, music, and/or books from the iTunes store. This is advertised all over Apple’s Website. Apple focuses on cooperative customer support (Moorman, 2012). In terms of customer support, they under how busy their stores can get. Upon walking into an Apple Store, you will find an array of all Apples products on display for interactive use. Students, parents can be entertained just by using the different products in the store while they wait for customer support specialist. The company has also provided a new way to wait for you help. For example...
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...Steve jobs the man who thought different A biography written by Karen Blumenthal. The book is divided into three parts and had 22 chapters. Each chapter includes generous detail about his life. It consists of so much information about him and his work that provides an outstanding learning to the reader. I would like to start from part 1. Steve jobs born on February 24, 1955 and adopted by Clara and Paul jobs. Jobs was a curious and difficult child. He was very much admired by his father. He learned from his father the importance of doing things right. Until his fourth grade he was just a trouble maker for the school and he was not interested in school. Mrs. Hill showed him the right path. Steve called her ‘’ one of the saints in my life ‘’. He became an excellent student, but still he found it difficult to understand to understand the purpose of studying and reading. Steve was growing in the Santa Clara valley. The valley was fully packed with engineers. Steve was very much interested in electronics. That’s where his passion start in the Santa Clara when he see 9100A the first personal computer developed by Hewlett-Packard. Steve jobs and Steve Wozniak became friends. Steve took admission in Reeds College. Where he became friend with Daniel kottke and Friedland. Jobs decided to drop out of the college after his first semester. His mind was sharp and he got a job in Atari a gaming company. But his life was very complicated he was searching for something that can give him satisfaction...
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...Steve Jobs I am going to be telling you about a great man of our time. He was a great business man and inventor. He started from nothing and made it big. Steve Jobs is a hero for the whole world to look up to. He started out as an adopted child worked his way up to being a millionaire. When he was younger he liked the idea of building things and he was interested in computers. Over the years he tried many things and finally ended up going to college (Steve Jobs Encyclopedia Britannica). After a short time he dropped out, in my opinion a bad idea but it seemed to work out for him. He ended up sleeping on his friend’s floor and only had money from turning in bottles (all about Steve Jobs.com). Steve Jobs finally found his calling when he was desperate for money. He took a job at Atari. He learned a lot from Nolan Bushnell the founder of Atari (all about Steve Jobs.com). This is where he got his love for working on computers. He started his company with a friend Woz. To start building the computers that Woz had come up with they sold a VW Van and an hp 65 calculator (all about Steve Jobs.com). Steve came up with the name Apple for the company’s name and they had a friend Ron Wayne help them set up the company. Their first customer was Paul Terrel and he bought 50 computers (all about Steve Jobs.com). After that they started building the computers in Steve’s garage. They started selling them by them self and tried to sell to a company homebrew and got turned down...
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...Steve Jobs’ Legacy. Name: Course: Institution: Date: Steve Jobs is known as “The Father of Digital Revolution” according to his mastery in innovation in design of his products. He inspires many people due to his achievements in technology. Apart from his inventions in technology, he has an influential biography. After being sacked from his managerial obligations in Apple, he started another incorporation and made a robust profit. Apple faced an economic crisis and the management of Apple had to call Jobs. He returned as an advisor and embraced the business as acting executive officer. He took this as an inspiration and was ready to work again. (Isaacson, 2011) Although Jobs has passed on, his legacy still lives. When he was, ill he was still intended to be involved in the development and coming up with new ideas. He left the company under the current CEO Tim Cook. Jobs took the opportunity of changing the world as an inspiration and worked towards changing technology in his business career. He was willing to take risks on coming up with new ideas and did not gain satisfactorily in small innovations. He was empowered by improving the standards and went further to improve the features of basic computers where he got away with old technologies like floppy drives and removable batteries. His products have been considered of high quality due to his brilliance. In his first action at Apple, he came up with the idea of a personal computer, the Apple II....
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...needed to gather d its resources and fight a battle toward standardized software as... Abstract Apple Computer, Inc. is a leader in the technology industry. Whenever one thinks of Apple, computers are the first product that comes to mind. A study of Apple’s history shows that while computers may be the public’s idea of their flagship product, in truth iTunes is the product that propelled Apple’s entrance in a host of other product offerings. Apple’s challenge remains how to maintain the music division of the company while continuing their sponsorship of two equally lucrative products: the iPhone and Apple TV. After all, few companies can have the Wal-Mart effect, being able to be a one-stop-shop. Entrance into the Music Business When Steve Job returned to leadership at Apple Computers Inc. in 1997, Apple was primarily concerned with resolving the dispute between Apple and Microsoft over making operating systems and computers compatible. Eventually he was able to resolve the issue and got on with the...
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