Robert Collier

The great successful men of the world have used their imagination... they think ahead and create their mental picture in all it details, filling in here, adding a little there, altering this a bit and that a bit, but steadily building - steadily building

Top Ten U.K. Business Schools

This is a useful ranking taken from Guardian UK and it is targeted to all of you who wish to continue their studies in England for a postgraduate degree, as I plan to do. This list helped me a lot.

Have you ever thought which are the elements that contribute in the ranking of a university?...I didn’t!



I searched and I found out that the level of difficulty plays an important role. The level of students and the level of requirements are also considered. Let’s don’t forget the level of instructors and the percentage of the university’s graduates that are going to be occupied with a satisfying job as soon as they finish their courses.

Any information about these universities you can find in their sites. Just google the name and you will find anything you need.

So, these are the top business universities in England for 2008-09:

1. Oxford
6. London School of Economics
2. Cambridge
7. Edinburgh
3. Imperial College
8. Warwick
4. St.Andrews
9. Loughborough
5. UCL
10. Bath


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Goals aren't only in Football

Everyone keeps talking about goals.

"What are your goals?"
"Did you accomplish your goals?"
"Did you see how many goals he scored"
What the heck is all the hype about goals? Can't we just go with the flow? Who are we to decide what we want out of our lives?
If you're the type of person that will allow life to decide your future than whatever I have to say after this sentence is of no interest to you.

For those of you who want to be in control of where your lives will go you need to set goals. Setting the goals is the easy part, accomplishing them, now that's the hard part. You need three important things if you have any chance of accomplishing your goals.

- Skills - knowledge, experience, natural talent
- Resources - ownership, money
- Support - people, organizations

- Skills - Super achievers have ambitions and goals that are in harmony with their natural talents. Someone who has natural a talent for composing music will have a low efficiency rating developing mechanical designs. Someone who has natural talent for mechanical designs will have a low efficiency rating for composing music. (There are exceptions, but they are rare.) It is important to discover your natural talent and set goals that are in harmony with it. This discovery may be difficult, but it is generally related to personal interest or what motivates you.

- Resources - Money, money, money, money,.....money!!!( Remember that song? anyways) is a very important resource that must be managed wisely. If you are broke, trust me, it will be much, much harder to get your goals accomplished. You have to learn to live within your means.

- Support - Socialize with people who have similar interests as you. Make connections! People will help you if you ask them to, so don't be afraid of accepting help in order to acheive your goals.

- Besides the three things that help you set accomplish goals you need to be organized and plan as well. Most major goals require mini goals. Acquiring skills can be considered a mini goal. The same could be true for resources. When you see your mini goal accomplished, you get excited and naturally begin setting bigger goals. eventually we get to where we want to be.

" We become what we think about all day." If we are focused on our goal, we will achieve it. If we spend all day thinking about how much money we owe - we will continue to owe money.

A person does not know what they are capable of until they try.

Trying and failing is better than not trying at all.

Remember - Money, power and influence are not goals - they are rewards ONLY for personal achievement.

Set a goal and don't let anybody, even yourself, get in the way of acheiving it!!


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By Dardane

10 Tough Interview Questions and 10 Great Answers

Mental fear of the unknown is often what produces the physical symptoms of nervousness. In addition to preparing yourself physically, you need to prepare yourself mentally. The best way to prepare mentally is to know what may be coming. Fear of the unknown can only exist when there is an unknown. Take the time to understand some of the “standards” when it comes to interviewing questions.

The following are some of the most difficult questions you will face in the course of your job interviews. Some questions may seem rather simple on the surface — such as “Tell me about yourself” — but these questions can have a variety of answers. The more open ended the question, the wider the variation in the answers. Once you have become practiced in your interviewing skills, you will find that you can use almost any question as a launching pad for a particular topic or compelling story.

Others are classic interview questions, such as “What is your greatest weakness?” Questions most people answer improperly. In this case, the standard textbook answer for the “greatest weakness” question is to provide a veiled positive such as: “I work too much. I just work and work and work.” Wrong. Either you are lying or, worse yet, you are telling the truth, in which case you define working too much as a weakness and really do not want to work much at all.
The following answers are provided to give you a new perspective on how to answer tough interview questions. They are not there for you to lift from the page and insert into your next interview.
They are provided for you to use as the basic structure for formulating your own answers. While the specifics of each reply may not apply to you, try to follow the basic structure of the answer from the perspective of the interviewer. Answer the questions behaviorally, with specific examples that show that clear evidence backs up what you are saying about yourself. Always provide information that shows you want to become the very best _____ for the company and that you have specifically prepared yourself to become exactly that. They want to be sold. They are waiting to be sold. Don’t disappoint them!

1. Tell me about yourself.

It seems like an easy interview question. It’s open ended. I can talk about whatever I want from the birth canal forward. Right?
Wrong.
What the hiring manager really wants is a quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who you are and why you’re the best candidate for this position.
So as you answer this question, talk about what you’ve done to prepare yourself to be the very best candidate for the position. Use an example or two to back it up. Then ask if they would like more details. If they do, keep giving them example after example of your background and experience. Always point back to an example when you have the opportunity.
“Tell me about yourself” does not mean tell me everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.

2. Why should I hire you?

The easy answer is that you are the best person for the job. And don’t be afraid to say so. But then back it up with what specifically differentiates you.
For example: “You should hire me because I’m the best person for the job. I realize that there are likely other candidates who also have the ability to do this job.
Yet I bring an additional quality that makes me the best person for the job--my passion for excellence. I am passionately committed to producing truly world class results. For example . . .”
Are you the best person for the job? Show it by your passionate examples.

3. What is your long-range objective?

Make my job easy for me. Make me want to hire you.
The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.
For example: “Within five years, I would like to become the very best accountant your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example, here is what I’m presently doing to prepare myself . . .”
Then go on to show by your examples what you are doing to reach your goals and objectives.

4. How has your education prepared you for your career?

This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral examples in your educational background which specifically align to the required competencies for the career.
An example: “My education has focused on not only the learning the fundamentals, but also on the practical application of the information learned within those classes. For example, I played a lead role in a class project where we gathered and analyzed best practice data from this industry. Let me tell you more about the results . . .”
Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key competencies for the career. Then ask if they would like to hear more examples.

5. Are you a team player?

Almost everyone says yes to this question. But it is not just a yes/no question. You need to provide behavioral examples to back up your answer.
A sample answer: “Yes, I’m very much a team player. In fact, I’ve had opportunities in my work, school and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For example, on a recent project . . .”
Emphasize teamwork behavioral examples and focus on your openness to diversity of backgrounds. Talk about the strength of the team above the individual. And note that this question may be used as a lead in to questions around how you handle conflict within a team, so be prepared.

6. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?

Note that if you say no, most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.
For example: “Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other person’s perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of view, then I seek to work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .”
Focus your answer on the behavioral process for resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.

7. What is your greatest weakness?

Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: “I work too much. I just work and work and work.” Wrong. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.
You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: “I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, I’m now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner . . .” then show them your planner and how you are using it.
Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.

8. If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what would they say?

This is a threat of reference check question. Do not wait for the interview to know the answer. Ask any prior bosses or professors in advance. And if they’re willing to provide a positive reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation.
Then you can answer the question like this:
“I believe she would say I'm a very energetic person, that I’m results oriented and one of the best people she has ever worked with. Actually, I know she would say that, because those are her very words. May I show you her letter of recommendation?”
So be prepared in advance with your letters of recommendation.

9. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?

Focus on two words: leadership and vision.
Here is a sample of how to respond: “The key quality in a successful manager should be leadership--the ability to be the visionary for the people who are working under them. The person who can set the course and direction for subordinates. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of their abilities. I'd like to tell you about a person whom I consider to be a true leader . . .”
Then give an example of someone who has touched your life and how their impact has helped in your personal development.

10. If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?

Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change.
For example: “Although I’m overall very happy with where I’m at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship…” …then provide examples.

Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.In reviewing these responses, please remember that they are only to be viewed samples. Please do not rehearse them verbatim or adopt them as your own. They are meant to stir your creative juices and get you thinking about how to properly answer the broader range of questions that you will face


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What's Your Motivation!!!

- What is Motivation?
- What Motivates you?
Is it food? Is it a car, a house, or a new cell phone? Is it a hobby you have or a goal you want to achieve? Really, tell me, WHAT MOTIVATES YOU!

Ask any person who is successful in whatever he or she is doing what motivates them, and probably the answer will be "My goals".

As cheap of an answer as that is, setting goals is a must if you want to acheive anything in life. The only people who can get through life without goals are those who win or steal money. Most likely you will not fall into this category so start thinking!!
What motivates you?

Why are you in school? Are you are in school because mommy and daddy want you to be. If your doing something you don't want to do, how the heck are you going to motivate yourself? Sure, I guess you can succeed with someone else providing the motivation for you.

"If you graduate from college, I'll give you a car!"
What is that? Really!!

If your motivations are not coming from within then you lost the game pal!
Really, it doesn't matter how smart you are or what computers or gadgets you have to use, if nothing is motivating you, you won't use those smarts, the computer, or the gadgets to acheive anything!
Think about this analogy.
You have a car with a full tank of gas, a well-tuned engine, good set of tires, quadraphonic CD system, and a sleek, polished exterior. Aren't you flippin cool!
And it's sitting there. Just sitting there gathering dust! Did I mention this car has incredible potential.("You have such potential!" I'm sure you've heard that before?)
The thing is, until a driver sits behind the wheel, puts the key in the ignition, and cranks it up, the car doesn't mean squat!!
To get corny on you, the KEY is the MOTIVATION. (It sounds so cute, doesn't it?)

Where do you find motivation?

C'Mon!! It's easy!
What interests you!
As much as you might not want to admit it, You like to learn!! It's natural to want to learn! You can't get around it!
When you put your interests and your want to learn together in a mixing bowl, you mix up a nice batch of SUCCESS.
And guess what, once you start becoming successful it's like a drug, and you become addicted to it! More succes and more success and more success!!

So, be honest with yourself! Do you REALLY want to be in school? Are you setting goals for yourself? When it comes to motivation, it isn't KNOWING, it is DOING.


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By Dardane

Ansoff's Matrix, Hmmm...Sound's Complicated

Mr. Ansoff is one of the many creators of these flippin models that make our lives hard during school. I mean, really, where do they get the time to come up with these! Anyways, for those of you who need further clarification on what Mr. Ansoff is talking about...this one's for you.

First of all................what is Ansoff's Matrix used for?
This matrix is another nice pretty little packaging of information. This matrix is used to decide which direction to take in regards to product and market growth.
As you can see in top right model, there are four different options.
1. Entering an existing product into an existing market.
This is called Market Penetration Strategy.
Why?.......................because Mr. Ansoff says so!

It's pretty much the same product for the same customers with some extras or some sort of change.

What does this mean?
Well, when you have an existing product in an existing market, what do you do to increase market share?
It's not going to increase by itself!
The options for increasing market share are pretty much two.You can find ways for the product to be used more per occasion, or find new uses for it.
Ex. Ever see when shampoo and conditioner bottles say in the directions rinse and REPEAT! Ha! Nobody washes their hair and then rewashes it! This is asked so that you use more of the product and in turn, buy more of the product. Sneaky! Sneaky! Or, have you ever seen on the back of baking soda boxes, where they show you all sorts of different ways to use the baking soda? Do you think they like you and want to be helpful? No! That my friends, is a way to make you think that they are really nice and in return you use more of their product which eventually makes them more money!

Or......You can turn non users into users.This is pretty much promotion. You got to convince the other people in that particular market that they should be using the product that the other people in their market segment are using.
2. Existing products into New markets
This is called Market Development Strategy.
Why?..................Because by entering a new market you are developing markets, or at least Mr. Ansoff felt that to be so.
Anyways..............what does this mean?
There are a few different options for existing products to be introduces into new markets. Remember, using the Market Development Strategy you have to clearly define your market. Defining the criteria for the market includes geographic, demographic, psychographic, user status, and so on criteria. After you define your existing market then you decide how you will enter the new market. You can go into another country or geographical location.You can alter aspects such as the packaging in order to attract different market segments.You can enter new distribution channels.You may even change the price to attract new markets. Pretty much what it gets down to is, any change that will attract new markets is New Market Development Stategy.
3. New Products into Existing Markets
This is called Product Devopement Strategy.
Why?.................because here we are developing the existing products or making new ones!
This isn't so hard to understand. Your basically making a new product that you will introduce into the market that you already have. Ex. You make shampoo, now you make hair gel. The product is aimed at the same group of people, its just something new. Even adding something to a product technically makes it new. Like adding strawberries to cereal. Its still cereal, but now it has strawberries!
4. New Products into New Markets
This is called Diversification Strategy!
Why?................Why not?
This is where you get risky. You are taking a new product and you are taking it into a new market.
Ex. You make cars and now you decide to open a chain of fast food places. Two completely different products in two completely different markets.
Now you should be able to answer that multiple choice question on your mid-term regarding Ansoff's Matrix!
Good Job!
By Maria