Boise State Business

Last night Boise State University came into town to play the Aggies. Usually when an opposing university comes to down they bring there team and a handful of fans. Not Boise State. They bring literally thousands of fans and a national TV audience.

Now in a football sense its a not a good thing when this team comes but in an economic sense its amazing! Parking at the stadium was raised from $5 to $10 for this game. Hotel rooms were so hard to find in Cache Valley, some BSU fans had to spend the night in Tremonton. Restuarants, such as Angies, this morning were packed with people clad with Bronco orange and blue. No doubt it was a good day to be business owner in the valley.

Along with the direct effects of such a big football program coming to down, national television was given to Cache Valley. This could and probably will bring in countless more tourism dollars to the area, not to mention more students for the university and football recruits.

Big games equal big money! Hopefully next time the Ag's can pull off the win!

Technological Collaberation

So that we cab get the group project completed on time and efficently we have been using technologies such as text-messaging and e-mail. These technologies are not only convienient, they are super easy to use. Each member has been e-mail are group leader research we have done. Also our group has recieved vital information via e-mail from one of the group members relatives.

Two Keys to Presenting

The two things that I have found most important while speaking in front of a group are (1) being prepaired and (2) keeping contact with the audience.

If you want to give a presentation, you must truly be prepaired. You have to know your subject. Research should be started weeks before your presentation. This gives you enough time to mull over what is going to be said. You'll have time to think of what you are going to say, ancedotes for it, and how it is all going to flow together.

There are multiple ways to keep in contact with your audeince. Some of the main ones are questions or visual aids. Most importantly I believe eye contact is how you keep your audiences attention. It makes it seem like you are speaking to them, not at them.

Keep these tricks in mind and you should have a succseful presentaion.

Pyramid Schemes

Today, while on a walk with my mom, we passed some friends. After some small talk, they invited my mom to come to a meeting at there house on Wednesday night to learn about a multi-level company that helps people get out of debt. Like any other pyramid scheme great returns were promised. Overall pyramid schemes work for the people who are at the top of the pyramid but once you get down to a certain level it is impossible to make money. The following article published by the Security and Exchanges Commission explains it all. Pyramid Schemes

Get to the Point

I really believe that in most cases the direct approach, in writing and speech, works best. People are very strapped for time in this day and age. There is also so much information to sipher through, that when writing or speaking in a business situation if the point of the memo is not clear people may continue reading or listening but start thinking about other topics; hence not giving your item there full attention. Three main areas when the direct approach should be used are (1) asking a question, (2) having a normal request, and (3) a positive or yes answer.

There are a few situations that an indirect approach may be appropiate. One is when speaking to some one in authority. It would appear rude to come right out and shoot a supervisors idea down. Another time to use the indirect approach is for any negative answer, some kind words are always nice lessen the blow.

Hand Written Letters- A Thing of the Past

I both agree and disagree that the art of letter writing is archaic. Let me explain.

In this day of modern technology to write and mail a business letter by postal service is absurd. There are so many other ways to voice a complaint or order items. For these things, technologys such as company web sites, telephone, and e-mail are much more sufficent to use.

On the other hand, there is nothing nicer than recieving a letter of thanks or commondation by the mail. It means so much to me to see that somebody took the time to write something nice and mail it. These letters, however, probably are a lot less formal than business letters.

In conclusion I believe that while it is important to know proper presenation for a letter that the art is dying. Much more time should be spent on electronic communications.

Dress for Success

Parents always say not to judge a book by its cover but in most cases that is exactly what happens. When I, myself, first see a person for the first time I immediately "judge" them, or that is try to figure out there story, by there appearance. I believe most people do this as well, it is something that is just human nature. That original impression stays with you until you actually get to know the person and in an interview situation it is rare that you will have enough time to change that impression.

When interviewing for a position, one should always dress at least one level higher than there position they are applying for. In most professional business situations a suit and tie would be appropriate for the interview, especially if that is what you would be wearing to work.

You are what you pretend to be, let your dress show that you are ready for that success!

An Insightful Day

Yesterday I went with my dad to Ogden to watch one of my childhood friends play football for Montana State. One of my dads friends from college had relocated to the Ogden area and was now a big Weber State booster. The seats this friend had got us for the game were located in the luxury boxes! It was quite impressive. As the game went on all kinds of people came to visit this friend and we were introduced. People such as the Weber State mens head basketball coach and former Aggie assitant coach, Randy Rahe, the Weber State Athletic Director, the owner of several Wingate Hotels, and even Frank Layden, former coach and executive for the Utah Jazz!

After reflecting on the day, it became apparent on how true the topics of the previous blogs were: "It's not what you know, its who you know," and "It's not who you know, it's who they know." These were important people who I had met all through this single connection. It also became very apparent how important having a good elevator pitch would be. If I was in the market this would have been a great place to find a job since it is one of my goals to do accounting for the sports industry! I would only have a few minutes to get to sell myself to these people. Overall it was a very insightful expierence and I look forward to going to another game when I can really "sell" myself.

It's actually how well they know you and who they know!

As I was researching this weeks blog topic, I found many alterings to the original statement "It's not what you know, it's who you know." Two that I found interesting were, "... it's who knows you," and "It's not who you know, its who they know."

Sure, you might "know" many people but if you haven't made yourself stand out or you haven't made a good name for yourself with the person they aren't going to hire or give you a reference. They have plenty of other contacts that have done those things.

"It's who they know" plays right into the fact that you need to make a good name for yourself. Most likey a persons first job isn't there dream job. One will have to climb up the career ladder. The climb up can me made so much easier by the person who knows youpassing your name along to somebody they know. However, since you will be a reflection on them, they are only going to do this if they feel confident in you.

It's not what you know, it's WHO you know!

I never realized how true the statement "It's not what you know, it's who you know" was until I moved away from home to come to college here at Utah State. Back home I had made connections through school, through my family, through church, etc.

These connections made it possible for me to always have a job. For example we were family friends with the golf pro at the local course so when I was old enough to start working it was easy for me to get a job at the course. The cafe manager from the golf course then hired me to work at the Hickory Farms store she managed in the mall during the holiday months. Jobs opportunities were everywhere.

When I moved to Logan I was just another college kid, just another face on the street. Even though I was qualified for jobs I didn't standout to any employer because I didn't have the social connection.

Now being in Cache Valley for over two years, I feel I have once again built up that social network, allowing me to obtain a plethora of jobs if need be. It wasn't overnight that I felt this confidence though , it took being actively involved in organizations and making all types of friends, old and young. I have found it is important to take the opportunities that are given to you because you never know what will come from them!

Sun Valley Club

This past weekend my father and I took a trip to Sun Valley, ID, to play golf. From the moment we arrived, I could tell this place was special.

After checking in, we headed out warm up and hit the complimentary range balls. Our golf clubs had already been loaded on the cart. There were also water bottles and towels provided on the cart. I have been to resort courses like Sun Valley before but never before had I received service like this.

The practice facilities were amazing. There were the normal amenities, all in good condition, but what was really interesting was the 18-hole mini-golf course! Not your normal permanent, cement mini-golf course but one cut into a real green, with tee boxes and movable pin places. What set the practice area apart even more was the sounds of jazz music coming from the clubhouse patio restaurant.

Views of Mt. Baldy and the Sun Valley Ski Resort were prevalent throughout the course. Out of all 18 holes of the Trail Creek Course only two were generic. The course plays shorter than its actual yardage because of the high altitude but is still challenging with elevation changes and natural streams coming into play on most holes.

The brand new club house was immaculate. I was particularly int rested in the hallway with pictures of celebrities and dignitaries enjoying the Sun Valley summers. A full service bar and lounge with big screen t.v.'s make this a great 19th hole.

Sun Valley has always been known for its excellent skiing, but with a facility like this it soon will be known for its golfing.

What a professional blog can do for a business

Blogging can help a business in many ways. First of all it brings much more traffic to the company's website. Blogging is also a good way to introduce your business to potential customers. Blogs show that the business is made up of individuals just like them, not just money hungry managers.

Even blogs not directly owned or operated by the company can still promote the business. For example a restuarant owner may invite a blogger to a meal at the restuarant in exchange for a review in his next blog. My next blog will be a further example of this.