by Megan Bullard on March 9, 2010
The entertainment industry produces an estimated 2,000 films per year. Of those films only around 600 are released into select theatres all over the globe, and of those 600 only a handful are captivating enough to leave a lasting impression on audiences and the academy. This year’s 82nd Academy Awards nominated a whopping 10 films for the honor of Best Picture. These nominated films were recognized for their ability to tell a story unlike any other film, but at the end of the night “The Hurt Locker” beat out blockbusters like “Avatar” and “Precious” for the award.
This scenario could be likened to the surplus of American talent currently seeking employment. The job market is still recovering from the recession. The ratio of those unemployed to available jobs is dramatic. Companies are struggling to process the volume of applications received per available position. Like Oscar Night, only a handful of applicants will impress enough to be considered. Choosing Best Picture is simple. The Academy simply votes. But how do you ensure that of the handful of qualified applicants you choose the best?
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by Megan Bullard on March 4, 2010
Imagine experiencing one of the worst natural disasters in history and living to tell about it. Imagine the destruction and chaos that follows an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8. The people of Chile are desperately trying to regain control over the fallen regions of their nation, and while many would expect national unity in the aftermath, some individuals have taken to acts of lawlessness and theft as a means of survival.
The catastrophe in Chile is horrific, and it is undeniably one of the greatest natural disasters in history. The people of Chile need support and aid now more than ever if they are to rebuild. Despite the devastation, the people of Chile have learned important lessons about the future. This disaster also provides several learning opportunities for those involved in business. The difficult state of the economy means that companies worldwide have had to make difficult decisions such as reducing workforces, reducing budgets, and redistributing employees. In the eyes of an employee, any of these three scenarios can be seen as a devastating and catastrophic. How can managers keep the peace in the office after the company is shaken by change or reconstruction?
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by Megan Bullard on February 25, 2010
Imagine this scenario. A star employee is hired. They walk in the door the first day with a stellar resume that boasts a wealth of professional experience. Their references gushed about their professionalism and capability to perform. The entire office is buzzing about the potential the new employee will bring to the company and the success that is bound to come with his arrival. Then, unexpectedly, the superstar disappoints and the only thing he succeeds at is underwhelming the entire office.
Unfortunately a similar situation played out in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. American superstar Bode Miller was expected to take gold. Miller arrived at the games with a poor attitude and high expectations to fill. He was rude and often crass. Fans were disappointed to see their American hero leave the games empty-handed.
Miller shocked all when he won the gold for Alpine Skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics on Sunday. Until this win he was the only Olympic skier to have won four alpine medals without a gold. He has been polite, well-mannered and supportive throughout his time in Vancouver. What happened to ignite such a change? How did this underperforming individual make a complete turnaround to win the gold?
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