8 Ways to Train Your Brain to Learn Faster and Remember More !!!

8 Ways to Train Your Brain to Learn Faster and Remember More !!!

1. Work your memory:-

If you think this is anything less than a feat, then think again.

The practice of both remembering events or things and then discussing them with others has actually been supported by brain fitness studies. Memory activities that engage all levels of brain operation—receiving, remembering and thinking—help to improve the function of the brain.

Work your memory

Now, you may not have dancers to correct, but you may be required to give feedback on a presentation, or your friends may ask you what interesting things you saw at the museum. These are great opportunities to practically train your brain by flexing your memory muscles.

2. Eat right–and make sure dark chocolate is included:-

Foods like fish, fruits, and vegetables help your brain perform optimally. Yet, you might not know that dark chocolate gives your brain a good boost as well.

Now that you know how to train your brain, it’s actually time to start doing. Don’t just consume this content and then go on with your life as if nothing has changed. Put this knowledge into action and become smarter than ever!

Eat Black dark chocolate

When you eat chocolate, your brain produces dopamine. And dopamine helps you learn faster and remember better. Not to mention, chocolate contains flavonols, antioxidants, which also improve your brain functions. So next time you have something difficult to do, make sure you grab a bite or two of dark chocolate!

3. Avoid crossword puzzles:-

Many of us, when we think of brain fitness, think of crossword puzzles. And it’s true–crossword puzzles do improve our fluency, yet studies show they are not enough by themselves. Are they fun? Yes. Do they sharpen your brain? Not really.

Crossword Puzzles

4. Do something different repeatedly:-

Think back to when you were three years old. You surely were strong enough to hold a knife and a fork just fine. Yet, when you were eating all by yourself, you were creating a mess. It was not a matter of strength, you see. It was a matter of cultivating more and better neural pathways that would help you eat by yourself just like an adult does. And guess what? With enough repetition you made that happen !!!

Something Different

By actually doing something new over and over again, your brain wires new pathways that help you do this new thing better and faster.

5. Learn something new:-

Learning a new language exposes your brain to a different way of thinking, a different way of expressing yourself.

Learn Something New

It might sound obvious, but the more you use your brain, the better its going to perform for you. For example, learning a new instrument improves your skill of translating something you see to something you actually do.

6. Spend time with your loved ones:-

If you are an extrovert, this holds even more weight for you. At a class at Stanford University, I learned that extroverts actually use talking to other people as a way to understand and process their own thoughts.

Spend More Time With Your Loved Ones

If you want optimal cognitive abilities, then you’ve got to have meaningful relationships in your life.  Talking with others and engaging with your loved ones helps you think more clearly, and it can also lift your mood.

7. Work your body:-

Even briefly exercising for 20 minutes facilitates information processing and memory functions. But it’s not just that–exercise actually helps your brain create those new neural connections faster. You will learn faster, your alertness level will increase, and you get all that by moving your body.

Work Your Body

You knew this one was coming didn’t you? Yes indeed, exercise does not just work your body; it also improves the fitness of your brain.

8.  Follow a brain training program:-

The Internet world can help you improve your brain function while lazily sitting on your couch. A clinically proven program like BrainHQ can help you improve your memory, or think faster, by just following their brain training exercises.

Brain Training Program

Thank You !!!

How to Become a Leader in Your Industry Using Social Media

How to Become a Leader in Your Industry Using Social Media

Be A Leader Not A Boss

1. Find the Right Social Channel First :-

The first steps to becoming a thought leader in your industry are deciding which social platforms fit your expertise and audience and then directing your efforts to those particular channels.
They have a product that is highly specialized to marketers and business owners. In order to capture the attention of that professional audience, Market software has to know where those people spend their time. In this case that social channel is LinkedIn—so that’s where Market software spends most of their time sharing content.

2. Cross-check and Engage :-

The best place to share your content as the first point up is on the network where your audience is most active. However, that doesn’t mean you should disregard the other social channels. You want to give your content the best chance at being seen.
Before you start sharing, research best practices on each social platform. Even if you have the best content and a receptive audience, your shares will fall flat if they aren’t spread effectively.

Learn How To Lead Better

3. Create Relevant Blog Content :-

Many brands complain that social doesn’t work for them because they have nothing to post. The reality is, they’re probably right. If you aren’t busy doing, creating or finding relevant and interesting things to post about, social media will never work for your brand.
In most instances blogging is in an important part of conveying expertise. Of course, different industries call for different types of content, so look at creating videos, case studies, whitepapers and infographics—whatever works for your audience.

4. Mingle With Social Influencers :-

Fashion retailer Zara famously built their brand by eschewing expensive marketing and simply building their stores next to high-end fashion retailers. The lesson here is that an association with the right brands (or individuals) is a valuable asset when it comes to establishing credibility.
By inviting these influencers to work with them, Buffer is able to get free quality content and tap into the influencer’s established trust and credibility when those influencers share the content across their own social channels.

Lead In A Effective Leadership Way

5. Explain the Objective :-

Always start by defining the objective of your Twitter chat. Find a topic that will appeal to your target audience. The chat needs to provide value to your audience to be successful. Don’t make it just about your company; tailor it to how you can help your community. For example, if you’re in the photography industry, invite guests to discuss photo editing tips, black-and-white photography, photography inspiration, etc.

6. Invite New Friends :-

Invite New Friends everyday. Start securing Friends at least two weeks prior to your chat. If it’s your first Twitter chat, make sure you have a commitment from at least four Friends a month in advance. Friends are often busy, so you need to book them in advance.

THE END

Thanks n Regards,
Saini

Read More At :-  http://goo.gl/IgRTNK

Read More At :-   http://deepaksainiseo.blogspot.in/

What Is Master of Business Administration (MBA) ???

Master of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an internationally-recognized degree designed to develop the skills required for careers in business and management. The value of the MBA, however, is not limited strictly to the business world. An MBA can also be useful for those pursuing a managerial career in the public sector, government, private industry, and other areas.

Master of Business Administration

Most MBA programs include a "core" curriculum of subjects, such as accounting, economics, marketing, and operations, as well as elective courses that allow participants to follow their own personal or professional interests. Some schools require that MBA candidates complete an internship at a company or organization, which can lead to concrete job opportunities after the program.
Quality business schools generally require that candidates have at least a few years of professional work experience before starting an MBA program. Applicants are also asked to submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores, academic transcripts, letters of reference, and an essay or statement of purpose that reflects why they want to pursue an MBA. Non-native English speakers usually have to prove adequate English skills with TOEFL or IELTS scores, or through previous academic experience.
The MBA is currently the most popular professional degree program in the world. Today there are over 2,500 MBA programs offered worldwide; most are offered in English. First introduced at universities in the United States around the turn of the 20th century, MBA programs have evolved to keep up with the demands of the times.

Master of Business Administration

While traditional two-year MBA programs are still common, especially in the United States, one-year programs have become increasingly popular. Part-time and online programs are also widely available for professionals not willing or unable to take a year or two off to do a full-time program. Executive MBA (EMBA) programs are part-time programs targeted at professionals with more years of managerial experience than traditional MBA candidates.

Why did I score low in CAT even after preparing hard for it?

Why did I score low in CAT even after preparing hard for it?

We realised, this is probably the most common question asked by an MBA aspirant. Despite preparing well for CAT and other entrance exams, candidates fail to get a good score.

CAT even after preparing hard for it

What follows, is the feeling of ‘Where did I go wrong?’.

While there are some brilliant answers posted on the forum for it (including answers from two CAT 100 percentilers), we decided to talk to two experts and dig out our own answers.

According to Parasharanchari, COO of Endeavour Careers, “Students get tend to carried away with preparation. Once the course preparation is over, candidates tend to jump into mocks. In some mocks, quant is easier and in others, verbal is easy. In some mocks overall difficulty level is easy and accidentally, they end up getting good scores. Such students are unable to pinpoint and identify the problem areas.”

He gave us a four step solution:-

Step 1: Course Preparation

Candidates should look at finishing the entire course by August. Do not stretch the course till the very end.

Step 2: Speed-building 

Focus on speed building separately after you finish the course. Work on reduced difficulty level material and ensure you solve a lot of questions.

A candidate can progress in speed building only after developing the art of selecting questions properly. To practice question selection, one should not work on difficult questions all the time. One should focus on easy questions and figure out how to solve them quickly. This helps students understand when to leave the marginally difficult question and when to solve the easy question. Preparation is more to do with:

-Selection
-Prioritisation of questions

These two points can give a good direction to speed building. Candidates will know the topics on which they have a better control.

Step 3: Accuracy building & sectional timed tests

The next step is accuracy building or subject-wise efficiency building. Take sectional timed-tests to develop control on each section.  Pick up Quant or Verbal or Data Interpretation. Allot a sectional timing to each subject and practice. This will help develop expertise in the subject. Attempt any standard online test to work on this.

Step 4: Full-length mock test

Only after mastering Step 3, take full-length mock tests. Often, students taking full-length tests do not diagnose their problems properly. It’s essential to analyse the test properly.

Elaborating further on mock tests, Tarun Malik of Career Launcher, said, “Working hard and scoring well in CAT are two completely different things. If a candidate takes a full length three-hour mock test, they need to take off the rest of the day to analyse the test properly. Candidates generally don’t analyse mock tests properly and limit themselves to finding the correct answers. Analysing mock tests properly includes understanding selection of question. It also involves focusing on time management. How long did you take to complete the paper? Compare your time with topper’s time.”

 Indeed, question selection, time management and correct attempts are a crucial part of mock test analysis. A complete and thorough analysis will lead towards improvement.

“Candidates should keep manipulate their own exam strategy well before the exam. For instance, in CAT 2014, there was no time limit for a section. One could attempt Quant first, followed by other sections (or vice versa). Candidates need to build their strategy with practice and analysis. So take mock tests, analyse it and figure out the drawbacks. Don’t end up making similar mistakes both at the beginning and end of preparation. Also, if a candidate is focusing on maths but ends up getting difficult maths section, it becomes demoralising for them. And as a result they mess up their good section,” says Mallik.

 Studying and completing CAT course is just 50 per cent of preparation. The rest is sectional and mocks tests and analysis.

“CAT preparation is all about tests. And tests cannot be taught. It has to be taken on their own,” says Malik.

India’s High Growth Will Reduce Global Inequalities

India’s high growth will reduce global inequalities :-

Just as news reports of India overtaking China to become one of the fastest growing major global economies hit the headlines comes yet another study which discusses the impact of India’s higher growth on the global economy. The study brought out by the Peterson Institute for International Economics points out that successful reforms and higher economic growth in India would reduce global inequalities and pull out a few hundred millions out of poverty in the next two decades up to 2035. However, this will not only throw up new business opportunities but also exert more pressures on the environment and pose new challenges for policy makers.
The study which begins with tracing the developments in the global economy at the overall levels estimates that the global GDP of $ 98.5 trillion of 186 countries having a total population of 7.02 billion in 2013 will more than double to $ 210 trillion by 2035 while the population push up to 8.6 billion. Per capita GDP will go up from $ 14,000 to $ 24,500 during this period. The developing and emerging economies will register a per capita GDP growth of 3.5%, with the growth rates varying from 3.5% in Sub Saharan Africa, to 4.4% in China and 4.8% in India.

Developing India

And India’s growth will have a sizable impact on the global economy especially since it will reduce inequalities in the global distribution of income, if inequalities within India does not worsen substantially, and give a big boost to consumption especially in the emerging and developing economies. Though size of the population is expected to pick up from 7 billion in 2013 to 8.6 billion by 2035 with most of the increase happening in Sub Saharan Africa and also in India and parts of South and East Asia the gains on the economic front are also expected to be very significant with the number of people living below the poverty level (those with a daily income of less than $ 1.25 at 2005 prices) going down from 850 million in 2013 to 300 million by 2035. The number of working poor will decline by as much as 1.2 billion.
Consequently the number of people in the low income group earning between $1144 and $3252 will go up by around 500 million at the global level mostly in sub Saharan Africa and India. Similarly the population in the middle income group earning between $3252 and $ 8874 will also go up by another one billion with most of the additions also coming in in India and Sub Saharan Africa. However, the biggest gains are to be in the highest income group of above $ 8874 where the numbers will shoot up by around $ 1.2 billion mostly in China and other advanced economies
What is even more significant is that the marginally higher growth rate in India during the next two decades, as compared to China, will have a salutary impact of on global inequality. This is in sharp contrast to the impact of high growth China which will increase global inequalities. This is mainly because China per capita income has shot up above the global median income even by 2013. Consequently India’s higher growth will ensure that the Gini Coefficient figures, which reflects the extent of inequality, will fall from 64.9 in 2013 to 62.7 in 2035 which means that the global distribution of income will become less unequal.

Indian Currency 

And the baselines scenario projects that by 2035 China will be by far the world largest economy accounting for around one fifth of the global economy (20.6%), followed by USA (13.5%), European Union (12.7%) and India (10.6%). Consequently the share of advanced economies in the population in the top decile will come down from 80% to 60% while that of China will double from 10% to 20%.
The bottom decile of the global population will be more concentrated in Sub Saharan Africa which will account for more than half. In contrast the share of India and China in the middle and top deciles will improve substantially. This will pose new challenges for both countries as the substantial increase in consumption would have a negative impact on the environment and the lives of the people.

IIBS Surface - 2014

IIBS Surface is one of THE EVENTS by IIBS to encourage every management students to showcase their talent. Not only talent, but it also teaches students to plan and implement the cultural events and programmes in the given time. IIBS’ SURFACE is an annual cultural fest to encourage students to showcase their distinctive & creative talent. Students, who otherwise would only have pursued academic, get an opportunity to find expressions to their innate and unique talent in front of their peer group as well invitees from academic & corporate world. Though it might seem to be an occasion to frolic & entertain, SURFACE is conceived on the idea that it enhances their capabilities to work as a team and level of self-confidence in interacting with fellow students and peers. It is believe that would act as confidence booster before they eventual make the big leap into the corporate world. IIBS Surface-2014 event was held at the leading Ambedkar Bhawan of Bangalore. The students participation of more than 300 MBA, undergraduate and Pre-University students, to showcase their latent talent through various stage performances.
   

 In an effort to inculcate managerial skills amongst students, IIBS’ SURFACE is allowed to be planned & organized by students themselves, with little supervision from the management. And, it is commendable the way the students have managed event ever since it was incepted. The event has steadily been growing both in terms of composition as well as duration.

 

 Just to give a glimpse of diverse cultural events that surface at IIBS’ SURFACE, there are classical dance(solo), classical dance (group), synchro, nostalgia, semi-classical (solo), semi-classical  (group), mimicry, mono-act, movie spoof, karaoke, classical music, folk song, patriotic song, fancy dress, classical music, mime, light music, western (solo), western (group), instrument percussion, instrument string,  drama, elocution English, and so on.

 

























  "IIBS" SURFACE is truly an inspirational platform to bring your talent to the fore.

IIBS Surface

IIBS Surface

IIBS Surface-Encourage every Management Students to Showcase their Talent :-

IIBS Surface is one of THE EVENTS by IIBS to encourage every management students to showcase their talent. Not only talent, but it also teaches students to plan and implement the cultural events and programmes in the given time.

IIBS’ SURFACE is an annual cultural fest to encourage students to showcase their distinctive & creative talent. Students, who otherwise would only have pursued academic, get an opportunity to find expressions to their innate and unique talent in front of their peer group as well invitees from academic & corporate world.

Though it might seem to be an occasion to frolic & entertain, SURFACE is conceived on the idea that it enhances their capabilities to work as a team and level of self-confidence in interacting with fellow students and peers. It is believe that would act as confidence booster before they eventual make the big leap into the corporate world.

IIBS Surface-2014 event was held at the leading Ambedkar Bhawan of Bangalore. The students participation of more than 300 MBA, undergraduate and Pre-University students, to showcase their latent talent through various stage performances.

In an effort to inculcate managerial skills amongst students, IIBS’ SURFACE is allowed to be planned & organized by students themselves, with little supervision from the management. And, it is commendable the way the students have managed event ever since it was incepted. The event has steadily been growing both in terms of composition as well as duration.

Just to give a glimpse of diverse cultural events that surface at IIBS’ SURFACE, there are classical dance(solo), classical dance (group), synchro, nostalgia, semi-classical (solo), semi-classical  (group), mimicry, mono-act, movie spoof, karaoke, classical music, folk song, patriotic song, fancy dress, classical music, mime, light music, western (solo), western (group), instrument percussion, instrument string,  drama, elocution English, and so on.

20 Bad Habits You Need to Quit Now

20 Bad Habits You Need to Quit Now :-

Satisfying late night cravings with pizzas and chocolate cake might be a tempting way to end each day, but it's not doing your body any favors. It can impact you and your overall health on a long term basis.
Unintentionally, at times we end up hurting our body and our health on a daily basis due to our habits. Today, Dr. Vihang Vahia - Psychiatrist at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai, lists out the top 20 bad habits that you need to quit today. If you have any of these habits, then it's never too late. Reverse these habits and start enjoying a healthy and happy life today.....

Stop Bad Habits & Secure Your Future

1: Nose/mouth picking :-
This annoying and silly habit of 'digging gold' is one of the worst habits that goes un-questioned. This habit is not only bad for your health but it is also against common social etiquette. Picking your nose can spread various infections like cold and flu, as cold virus is passed into your body through the mucus. After touching several things and then taking the same finger into your nose, you will land at the doctor's clinic. Hence, stop this awkward habit of pulling sticky substance from your nose, or fetching left over food strands from your mouth.

2: Binge drinking :-
Binge drinking, causes many deaths and hospitalization all over the world says - Dr. Vihang. Binge drinking causes long term health problems like liver trouble and immediate problems like weight gain, dizziness and fatigue. To save yourself from such damage, the key is limitation.

3: You became an 'Owl' at night :-
Many of us, burn the midnight oil for exam preparations and work. But if this becomes routine, you will damage your body in the long run. Without 6-8 hours of good sleep, you are damaging your immune system and other body processes and systems. Due to lack of sleep, your immune system becomes weak and thus produces fewer 'germ fighters' - lowering your tolerance for withstanding common bugs in your environment. To fight against various diseases, it is necessary to at least get a minimum of 7-8 hours of good sleep on most nights of the week. A good night's sleep also helps you stay awake and fresh throughout the day.

4: I am so 'lonely' :-
Dr. Vahia says - the key for good health is a healthy and fresh mind. If your mind is unhealthy, it will affect your immune system and put you at several health risks. If you spend most of your time obsessing over your loneliness, and any other social challenges, or whatever could cause feelings of despair and frustration, then you are harming your mental health, detaching yourself from people, and stressing your mind and body.

5: Wearing headphones for long hours :-
Headphones or earphones are the sole companions for some of us throughout the day. We listen to music to pass time, while travelling or while working out. But, if you have plugged in for hours, with no breaks, then you need to keep this habit under check. Dr. Vihang says - listening to loud music via earphones, can cause hearing loss. He further adds - headphones aren't the culprits, it is the volume and the hours that can land you in trouble. Besides, ignoring minor symptoms of hearing loss is also one of the biggest criminals.

6: TV trouble :-
Sitting for hours on the couch, watching that idiot box can put your heart and eyes at risk. Watching too much TV can put you at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and obesity. The more you are glued to the TV, the more immobile life will affect your levels of fat and sugar in your blood. Besides, it also strains your eyes and causes damage to the refractive lens.

7: Wearing heels :-
Women who wear heels on a daily basis, do lots of harm to their bodies. Dr. Tina Mahendraker - Physiotherapist, Mumbai says - high heels can affect your posture, put pressure on joints - which can cause arthritis, back pain and tendon injuries and other heels related accidents. Thus to prevent such horrible effects on your health Dr. Tina says - limit your heels to not more than 1.5 inches, and wear insoles to reduce the pressure on your joints.

8: Carrying an extra heavy bag :-
We love to carry our world wherever we go, because we can't afford to miss a single thing. This habit of hauling the world with our (lots and lots of) worldly things on the back or shoulder causes lots of harm to our health. Carrying heavy bags can cause various long term effects like serious back pain, neck pain and poor posture - says Dr. Tina. Hence, to avoid ageing your body prematurely, do yourself a favour and empty that bag.

9: Sleeping with Makeup :-
Many girls have a habit of sleeping with their makeup still on. Whatever the reason could be, this habit can cause grave damage to your skin. Sleeping with your makeup on, leads to clogged pores, congested skin and spots. Besides, mascara and other eye makeup can cause irritation, which can also lead to vision loss.

10: Snacking, even if not hungry :-
If you disrupt your regular eating pattern, then your body will no longer send hunger signals and you may end up eating even when you are full. This extra eating can flood your body with extra calories and unhealthy ingredients, which can further cause serious chronic health problems like diabetes, heart problems and acidity.

11: Can't live without a smoke :-
In every health tip, behind every cigarette pack, we read this,' Smoking kills', but people still persist with the smoking habit. Dr. Sunesara says - smoking even a single cigarette a day, can cause blood clots, which may prevent swift flow of the blood and hence develop plaque in your arteries and blood vessels. Besides, you may also damage the life of the non-smoker who is living with you.

12: Lying constantly :-
Surprised to see this one on a healthy living post? Those minute white lies can cause serious damage to your health. If you lie constantly, you will have constant fear of the truth being disclosed, this will create a feeling of stress in you, says - Dr. Vihang. Stress, is the worst thing for your body, as it damages your heath due to the release of stress hormones. Besides, it further leads to headaches and anxiety.

13: You live on medicines :-
If you pop a pill for regular headaches, menstrual cramps or normal tummy trouble then you need to stop now. Constant pill popping is an extremely harmful habit that will put your health at stake. Dr. Sunesara says - if you are eating a balanced nutritious diet then you don't need extra nutrients. If the intake of any nutrient increases, it may create severe side effects. Hence, always check with your doctor, before popping any pill.

14: Skipping breakfast :-
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day - says Ms. Eileen - Nutritionist, Mumbai. If your entire breakfast comprises one cup of rushed coffee and a toast, then you're setting yourself up for an unhealthy future. This will affect your digestive system. Besides, it will also harm your energy reserves and negatively affect your metabolism. If you skip your breakfast, you are likely to eat more during the other meals and this can lead to weight gain. Eileen says - the key to a good breakfast is a balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

15: You are in love with junk food :-
Fast food is rich in trans fat, sugar, spices and artificial preservatives. But a life dependent on constant fast food will add to your waistline and cause serious health problems like high cholesterol, diabetes and heart problems in the long run. As fast food is rich in bad fat, it raises the bad cholesterol in the body and leads to the hardening of the arteries, which can further cause plaque deposits. Hence, switch to a healthy diet and protect yourself from weight gain and other serious health problems.

16: Nail biting :-
This habit of using your teeth to cut your nails, just for time pass or due to extreme nervousness, can cause germ entry into your body. Dr. Sunsesara says - your hands are constant travellers, they pick several things throughout the day, and then taking these nasty, germ-filled fingers into your mouth can make you bed-ridden for days, due to cold or flu. So, stop this dirty habit right away.

17: Ignoring sex :-
Whatever the reason for a low libido might be, whether too much work or stress, avoiding sex altogether for many days and months at a time is not good. Sex is good for you and your health. It helps to improve your immune system and relationship. But if you are not interested in this pleasurable act, then you need to talk to your doctor immediately. Because, a low libido can be beyond stress, it can be caused due to an under active thyroid, hypertension or simply a hormonal imbalance.

18: Fast eating :-
Eating at lightning speed due to work pressure or lack of time can adversely affect your digestive system. You should take at least 20 minutes to finish each meal. If you just gulp your food, without chewing it properly, it can cause acidity, bloating and excess gas in your stomach. Hence, slow down and enjoy your food.

19: Being in an unhealthy relationship for a long time :-
If you are in a relationship wherein you don't manage to get your share of joy and happiness, then it's better to leave the knot at that moment itself. If you have been suffering an unhealthy relationship for a long time, i.e., a relationship that is abusive verbally or physically, or encourages you to participate in unhealthy activities, then you're harming your health. An unhealthy relationship causes stress and this further lowers your blood pressure, immunity and digestive system.

20: Picking at your skin :-
If there is some flaw on your face, you must resist yourself from constantly stressing on it. If you constantly keep worrying about acne by touching it, it will act up more. Besides it will lead to scars and inflammation. Hence, stop picking at your face to avoid worsening skin issues.

Giving Education A Sporting Chance

Giving education a sporting chance

You are probably wondering what a UN official is doing writing about the World Cup. So let me start with an assurance. I’m not about to offer post-match analysis, express a view on the vuvuzela or take a position on the merits of the official World Cup football.

A British football manager was once asked whether he thought football was a life or death issue. “Of course not,” he replied, “it’s much more important than that.” When you ride the roller coaster of the World Cup, you get a sense of what he meant. Whole nations hold their breath, experience those moments of soaring hope, and then slide into collective anxiety. Yet in the end football is game. What makes this World Cup different is that it has given football and South Africa a chance to tackle a real life and death issue – a global crisis in education that is blighting the lives of a whole generation of children in Africa and beyond.

Learning By Sports

In football, both teams follow the same rules. Matches are won or lost through the skill of the players, the tactics of the coaches and sometimes moments of chance.
Nobody would think it fair if a match kicked off with one team’s forwards having their feet tied together. Yet poverty and gender inequalities in education shackle the talents of Africa’s children. This is one of the greatest social injustices of our time.
The 1Goal campaign – a global partnership between the world soccer federation Fifa and civil society organisations across the world – has helped to focus attention on this crisis in education. On July 11, the campaign will culminate in a special education summit in Cape Town, hosted by President Jacob Zuma. The aim: to get the 72-million primary-school-age kids currently denied an education into decent quality schooling by 2015.
This World Cup summit is a one-off chance to galvanise the leadership and the financial resources needed to make this happen. So far, political leaders have failed to treat the education crisis with the urgency it merits. Perhaps that’s because you don’t see kids dying for want of schooling. But when 72 million children don’t have a chance to go to school, there are deep social, economic and human costs.
Consider the links between maternal education and child survival. Children in Africa born to mothers with a secondary education are half as likely to die before the age of five. Put differently, universal secondary education in Africa would avert around 1.8 million deaths a year – a stark illustration of the fact that gender inequalities in schooling cost lives.
Failing to educate young girls, the majority of those out of school, is not just immoral and a violation of their human rights – it’s also plain stupid. Denying girls an education is bad for economic growth, bad for the health of the country and bad for democracy. It’s like missing an open goal in the World Cup final.
Achieving the 1Goal ambition will not be easy. If we carry on as we are, the target of “Education for All by 2015″ will be missed – there will still be 56 million children out of school. At a time when rich countries are struggling to come to terms with fiscal deficits, more aid is vital. Estimates by our Global Monitoring Report suggest that another $11 billion will be needed annually.
Yet despite repeated pledges to do more, donors have been cutting aid to education. If broken promises to the world’s children merit a caution, several G8 governments would be heading for a red card and an early bath.

Learning While Playing

The education summit on July 11 provides an opportunity to chart a new course. True, the price tag might prompt some people to question whether the aims of the 1Goal campaign are realistic. But how “realistic” is it to deny vulnerable girls and boys a passport out of poverty? As the old saying goes, if you think education is expensive, try ignorance.
As Nelson Mandela once put it, “Education is the great engine of personal development.” It equips people with the skills they need to work their way out of poverty, to broaden their choices, and participate in political processes that affect their lives. And in our increasingly knowledge-based global economy, education is the surest route to higher economic growth, decent jobs and future prosperity.
When it comes to global reach, soccer could make the United Nations green with envy. The World Cup will be watched by a cumulative audience of 26 billion people for all matches. In a world scarred by so much violence and conflict, football cuts across ethnic, religious and cultural divides – and unites people across national borders.
In two weeks’ time, the final whistle will blow and the winning team will collect the World Cup. One set of supporters will be euphoric. The rest will be left trying hard to remember that football is just a game, and that there will be another World Cup in four years.
Whichever team we are backing, all of us should be supporting the demand for an education summit that delivers a result. Education is not a game. And kids get only one chance to go to school. Giving them that chance would really make this a World Cup to remember.

Measuring Gender Equality in Education

Measuring gender equality in education: A challenge for the Sustainable Development agenda :-

As we look to the post-2015 agenda, discussions are turning to how we can expand our thinking around girls’ and women’s education from just gender parity (comparing numbers of girls to boys in the classroom) to gender equality. The focus on parity since the EFA goals were set in 2000 is widely acknowledged to have left serious obstacles to girls’ and women’s educational opportunities, including gender insensitive curricula and learning materials, classroom practices that undermine gender equality, and school management ignoring or minimizing incidents of school related gender based violence (SRGBV).
It is important to move the discussion on from parity to equality. Hiding behind what may seem like parity, for example, may be vast differences in the quality of education girls and boys receive.

Equality in Education

How can we measure gender equality?

There are two main challenges associated with measuring gender equality in education. The first is the imprecision associated with the current measurement system. Critics note that current metrics provide limited perspectives for policy discussion. The data routinely collected through administration channels or household surveys does not lend itself to explore more complex processes of inequality. The challenge of finding a way to define and measure SRGBV, which is one of the entrenched forms of gender inequality in education, is an important example.
Questions arise about whether we can measure gender equality in terms of what certain groups do or do not possess, or can gain through education—for example, access to schooling, adequate resources (teachers, textbooks) or qualifications. But measuring who has what leads to the concern that gender equality would again be viewed in a parity perspective. Gender equality in education has a far broader meaning than this.


Why should we measure gender equality?

The second main challenge around measuring gender equality is that there has been a failure to clarify why it is something worth measuring. Is it, for example, because we want education systems to be more efficient or is it due to concern for social justice and human rights? It is one step, after all, for critics of gender parity (and the simple measure of distribution) to say that it is not an adequate measure of gender equality in education. It is an altogether more difficult proposition to say what measuring gender equality in education should entail and how it should be accomplished.


Gender equality has a broad meaning.

Given the history of women’s exclusion, subordination and injustice, noted in every country in the world, it is important that the voices and perspectives of women are considered in how gender equality in education is measured and for what purposes. The metric for gender equality must include the right of women to articulate, review and critically comment on justifications for social arrangements. The metric must also consider the political economy and socio-cultural norms and practices that maintain injustices towards certain groups and exacerbate gender inequalities. Measures must additionally evaluate processes for real change towards greater gender equality and social justice. And lastly, because of the significance of bodily and emotional vulnerability in many meanings of gender, measuring or evaluating gender equality in education must aim to promote progress towards reducing all forms of gender-based violence and ensuring women are empowered to exercise their rights to reproductive health and autonomy.


Towards a common definition of gender equality in education.

A useful way to move beyond this impasse is to use list-based approaches to defining what gender equality in education is, while subjecting this process to rigorous scrutiny and debate. This approach has been successfully used by the UNDP and OECD to develop gender equality measures, although, as of yet, their measures in relation to education still only focus on gender parity and only at the national level. Thus a further challenge is to ensure relevant measures are developed at other levels—for example, the community, school, teacher and individual student levels–in order to assess and change discriminatory gender attitudes and behaviour.
We urgently need an informed political and technical discussion on how to develop a normative approach to defining gender equality in education. And on the basis of this discussion we will be able to work on developing improved and policy-relevant measures. Without this discussion, and consensus on the definition, whatever measurement we develop will attract the criticism that we have only reworked gender parity using imperfect proxies. It is important we get the parameters right early on in the post-2015 era. If we do not, we will find we have not reached the vision we are aiming for by 2030.

There is Nothing as Important as Education

“There is nothing as important as education”

The campaign to ensure that education for all is a lasting impact of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Weah, the first African soccer player to have been named FIFA’s World Player of the Year, calls on his own experiences growing up in Liberia to illustrate his point that “Africa’s future depends on education for all.”
Liberia, battered by two civil wars, is one of the countries we’ll look at in the 2011 Education for All Global Monitoring Report, which will focus on conflict and education. In his article, George Weah – who ran for president of Liberia in 2005 – draws attention to the need to ensure that children get a chance not just to go to school, but to get education of a high standard.

Education

 He emphasizes the importance of keeping class sizes down  – a crucial factor in Liberia, where children often have to sit three or four to a desk in classes of over 100, as our photo shows.

Will Change in Attitude Bring Happiness?

Will Change in Attitude Bring Happiness?

Attitude is a very important aspect of the human personality.

A Zen master once performed an experiment on water. First, the composition of water was observed under a powerful microscope; he then invoked the attitude of love in the water and the composition of the particles changed! He then invoked the attitude of compassion and again the composition of the water changed. Our body is made up of 80 percent water; we can thus influence our own body. The power of attitude, the power of intention and our philosophy, are all very important.

Attitude Is The Key Of Success

How do I view myself, how do I view God, and how do I view the world? How I respond to myself, God and the world depends on this view and this attitude. Our intention and feelings all influence the world around us. We cannot observe an object without influencing it. If I have a feeling of guilt then I respond by blaming myself, God and the world. Some of us have an attitude of anger and respond to the world with anger. I may have an attitude of want…I am incomplete…I do not have enough. Or there may be an attitude of pride…I have so much money, education, fame. In both these attitudes, I am judging myself on what I have, not what I am.

The most important is the attitude of acceptance. If I accept myself, God and the world, then I respond well. Non-acceptance creates a division within me. So let me honestly ask myself how do I respond to other’s success? How do I respond to other’s happiness?

Grow Up A Positive Attitude In Yourself

Higher than the attitude of acceptance is the attitude of wisdom; if I have a sound understanding of life in totality…of karma…of right and wrong, then can I re-contextualize my life and change my perspective. Higher than wisdom, is the attitude of love. The higher divine qualities of love and compassion have no opposite. Hate is the opposite of attachment not pure love.  There is no opposite of God.

Do not fight with your negativeness, just remove them. Bring in the positive. Only when a person learns to love is there happiness – otherwise we experience pleasure – only love gives us joy, but subtler than love is peace. When I come to recognize the oneness of the world, I find peace. The world we see is the world of effects, separate from the cause. Get established in the cause, in the oneness and peace will spread. We see this in the lives of the rishis, who are established, in ahimsa, peace; even wild animals give up violence in their presence.

How do we bring about change in our attitude?

1. Be in the company of those with a higher attitude.
2. Recognise and assert those higher attitudes - that love within.
3. Read about the lives of those who lived with a higher attitude.
4. Use the power of will – A powerful prayer is “May I become good, may my negativeness go away”.

Attitude alone can help to transform our life and life around us.

HOW TO TURN AROUND A DISTRESSED HOTEL ASSET IN 6 MONTHS

HOW TO TURN AROUND A DISTRESSED HOTEL ASSET IN 6 MONTHS :-

We have been faced with this challenge many times, and it seems it often boils down to the same. It might surprise you that generally the problem is due to a lack of insight in independent hotels on how the travel industry really works. There is also a shortage of understanding in the business in general. As a result hotel assets become distressed and are in dire need to be turned around.
Many properties are built without sufficient planning and ran by under qualified management. Yes, unfortunately many hotel businesses are challenged with not having the right staff and management that truly comprehend their job. They lack the capability of connecting the dots between the work they are doing and the financial results of the hotel.
A perfect example would be a conversation I had a little while ago with a very experienced revenue manager at a 5 star resort of a renowned international hotel chain. At the hotel she was assigned to take on, offers were being extended to distributors with discounts, rebates and override commissions that were in reality not contributing to the bottom line. Actually they were costing money. Yes they were selling rooms, but the hotel essentially had to chip in money to make the guest stay feasible.
How come a sales manager is capable of negotiating deals that end up costing money? To me it is amazing the shortage of understanding many people in the hotel have on what their real contribution and impact is on the bottom line of their hotel.
I have just used an example of a sales manager, but unfortunately they are not the only ones in our industry unfortunately. Many General Managers and Front Office Managers as well lack a deep enough insight in how to really manage a hotel operation and business.

HOW TO TURN AROUND A DISTRESSED HOTEL ASSET IN 6 MONTHS

SPEED TO MARKET :-

A distressed hotel probably got to its current situation through a slow process of decline. Over time business and profitability eroded. To get out of the slump you need to get momentum back on your side.
Takeover management is done with speed to re-energize the organization and the employees. You need to get the team huddled up. With motivation levels up again you will be able to get a long way.
So look for some quick wins to show them your approach has a positive impact, and you will get people on your side for the long battle ahead of you.


WAKE AND SHAKE THEM UP :-

Yes of course the downturn happened with the team you are now managing. But is it their fault? No, of course not; they were probably not shown correctly, trained or properly managed.
Motivate them by leading by example. Get your hands dirty and fix the problems. Show that you can do the job, and love doing it. Treat them with respect, and soon you will see the spark lighting back up in their eyes.
And don’t forget you can learn from them as well. They know the ins and outs of their hotel and market place. Show you care about what they know, and soon the will know you care. Little things matter, call them by their name!
From the beginning you have to set the expectations clearly. Let the sales, marketing and reservations team now what will be coming and what you expect from them. They probably have been neglected and left to their own resolve. If explained in a constructive manner they will welcome the new support and guidance you can provide them.


SIMPLIFY IT ALL :-

When we take over hotels I generally find that rate structures, marketing and distribution strategies are over complex. And as a result they become time consuming to manage. At one point you don’t even know anymore where and at what price you are selling your hotel rooms.
I have seen many hotels having absolutely having no control over their rates and inventory, just because they jumped on every promotion distributors proposed. Just imagine, an early bird discount of 10%, combined with a stay 4 pay 3 nights offer, and free breakfast for weekdays from 2 nights, and a 5% override commission. Do the math and we are talking about a 43% discount. Now subtract 15% commission from this and we only have 49% left of the price we set out to sell.


PRESENCE, REACH & EXPOSURE :-

You need to be visible to your potential guests. They search multiple websites to find a hotel where they would like to stay. So you have to make sure you can be found. And just being on websites is not merely enough. You need to make sure your online profile is much more attractive than your competition with many images, video’s, great customer feedback and good review scores.


CASH IS KING :-

A distressed hotel basically needs money. So it’s important to get the cash flow jump started quickly. Non-essential cost should be scrapped immediately of course to assist in a quick transition towards a healthy cash surplus. But cost control is not the only method. If the hotel is faulting occupancy, you might think about launching flash sales campaigns to get more people coming through the doors.


PUTTING THEORY INTO PRACTICE :-

I can hear you thinking. Fantastic theories, but do they even know how to do this for real. Yep, we do. Do it on a daily basis. Let me share with you a success story of a recent hotel turnaround strategy we implemented.
It is in the embattled market of Seville, Spain, which is heavily suffering from a deep crisis. The country has an unemployment rate of 27,5% and the economy is in shambles, putting a lot of pressure on companies.
Corporate travel budgets have been sliced to all time lows. MICE events are also down tremendously from pre-crisis levels. And national tourism is down the toilet.
Moreover the hotel is not located in the city center, but rather on the fringes, nor is it close to the trade-fair. And accommodation supply has also by far outgrown normal demand levels due to over-construction.

CONSUMER BUYING BEHAVIOUR - AIR CONDITIONER MARKET IN INDIA

CONSUMER BUYING BEHAVIOR - AIR CONDITIONER MARKET IN INDIA :-

The success of a product in India is not predictable as it is very difficult for market researcher to understand the buying behavior of a consumer in India as their purchase decision is entirely different form needs stated. For past few years due to country’s economic growth and increasing PPP( purchasing power parity) households form middle and lower middle segment of SEC (socio-economic category) are able to afford consumer durables like air conditioner.

Air conditioner was once considered as a mark of luxury and only upper socio-economic category household were able to afford it. According a Euro-monitor article disposable income of Indian households are increasing but the air-conditioning industry is increasing at even higher rate. According to All India Air conditioning & Refrigeration Association (AIACRA) CAGR of air conditioning system is 15-20% which is highest among all the countries.

CONSUMER BUYING BEHAVIOR FOR AC

Penetration rate of ACs are very poor in Indian household which is less that 4%. Main reasons behind low penetration rate are low income and load-shading in smaller cities and rural areas. ACs have reached very small numbers of households in small cities and towns on the other side rural market is totally untapped and it would take quite a time to penetrate in rural market.

Buying Behavior Of AC In India :-

Due to increasing purchasing power parity, favorable weather conditions, growing Indian economy, me-too attitude of Indian consumers and other factors air conditioning is strengthening its foothold in Indian market. Buyer make an informed decision as product like ACs are very high involvement product. To understand the buying behavior of ACs in India lets understand the needs, usage, benefits and motivation behind purchasing this product.

Needs of AC in India:-

Changing lifestyle: As Indian population is moving towards service sector from manufacturing and agriculture sector, their lifestyle have changed over this transition period. Middle class population and above are getting habituated of comfortable life and products like ACs fit right in place in these situation.

Social Status: For Indian consumers it is really important to keep up to the society. If one household buys some product it triggers a chain reaction of purchase in the society to prove their capability to own a similar product.

Fresh air and lesser noise: ACs refines the air before emitting air which keeps a room fresh and cool. On the other hand one need not open the doors and windows for fresh air which reduces noise level in the room. Which gives a feeling of sanity in chaotic life of overcrowded cities.

Hot and humid climate: Average temperature of India has been increasing over years which demands a mode to keep the heat down. Households which can’t afford ACs they use air cooler to keep the temperature down.

Usage of AC in India:-

Major customers of air conditioner are commercial sectors. Almost all the offices, malls, big and medium sized shops or market places are equipped with ACs. Apart from these commercial sector many household have also started consuming ACs. ACs in India are mainly used in the summer when heat and humidity is at its peak. Most of the Indian households are cost driven. So, unless air conditions are indeed required most of the household refrain from using it in order to save electricity bills.

Penetration of ACs in Indian household in less than 4% which is very low numbers. This number is higher in metro or tier 1 cities. Rural market is still untouched.

Benefits from Using ACs:-

Middle class in India consists major chunk of population. And this SEC category is highly driven on cost. Though disposable income of these households are increasing these households take every possible measure to cut down the cost of running the household.

Jain et al. have showed in his research that energy labeling have very less impact on buying behavior of consumers. Initial price and other social benefit outweighs the benefits derived from ACs consuming lesser power. Social benefits: Me-too behavior and reputation in society yields major benefits for middle class families. Clean and clear air: ACs help in keeping air clean in the house which reduces the chances of getting breathing diseases. Unaffected by weather and heat: This is the final benefit derived from using this product.

Inspiring Story Of Acceptance

Power of Acceptance :-

My maid works in another house where another maid is also working. This maid washes the vessels in their house. She washes vessels in 3 other houses. Her husband is a driver in some call center. He does not have a fixed schedule to work. He comes home at different times. He calls her when she is working in some house. He expects her to be at home within few minutes as soon as he calls. She has to make hot food for him. The madam in those houses are scolding this maid for leaving the vessels in half and running to her house. If she does not go to the house on time, her husband is beating her. On top, her husband bought a two wheeler and asked her to pay the installments, as she is working. Now, she is struck, she could not quit the job and could not manage both. She was telling this to my maid. My maid suggested acceptance. She said, this is your situation. This is reality. Accept it. When he calls, why are you getting tensed? Just leave the vessels and tell the madam confidently that I have to leave. But I will come back and do the vessels for you for sure. At home, chop the vegetables in advance etc. Cook fresh and give. If this madam shouts after you leave, I will do the vessels for you. Don’t worry.

Inspiring Story Of Acceptance

She felt nice and did the same thing. In two months time, the madam accepted her. In fact, one day the madam’s husband and son said, change this maid, she is most of the days leaving the vessel in half and going. The madam said, but she comes back and does. Her husband is beating her. That is why. She will come back and do. On the husband front, she said, it is two months since she has taken the beating. He suddenly told her, you don’t have to pay the installments of the two wheeler and I will pay. She feels very nice and she is asking my maid, tell me more about the gyan and teach me meditation, I will meditate.

Important Note :- She didn't fight with the madam. She didn't ask her husband to cook or help her in cooking or why can’t he cook and eat on his own or why can’t he eat precooked food and she is also working, is she not equal, why can't the husbands share the household work? only acceptance. In situations where there is no choice, acceptance is the solution. Acceptance brings equality and freedom.

Importance Of Education

Importance of Education:-

Education is very important for our lives. Without education people wouldn't have their high-developed machine and would believe that the Earth is a planet around that all another planets are moving. Why people want to have their high education? As for me I have my reasons why I want to get high education. 

First reason I want to get high education is for career purpose. From the early age parents very often tell to their children that education is very important to find a good job. And this is true because if you want to be a doctor or a lower, or an engineer you must have an education. Among my friends in Russia when I was asking them why they wanted to get their high education very often they were telling me that it is necessary to get a good job and to make a good career. I agree with them because I think that it is easier to begin my career not from nothing, but with the experience and all education that I would gain in the University. 

Importance Of Education

Another reason why I want to get high education is because all members in my family have already received their high education. My father has finished the Institute of Technology, and my mother has finished Medical Institute. All my life I was listening from them that it is very important to get high education. When I was trying to pass my exams for the University in Russia my family was very nervous. It looked like that it wasn't me who wanted to get to the university, but the whole family were trying with me to pass all exams. I think that family’s support in getting education is very important. At least it was so for me.

Also I want to get my high education because I enjoy studying. All my life I thought that it is very important to be independent and I was trying to be independent since I was a child. I didn't like to ask my parents to help me with my homework and I was sitting with my homework sometimes till late night but I did myself understand that all must be dependent from yourself and not from someone else. I loved to study and in a high school was an excellent student.