Glenn R. Jones - Free Market Fusion: Global Convergence of the Business and Social Models

As a former employee of Comcast Cable, I was referred to Jones International University to complete my MBA. Jones International University was the first fully online, accredited university started by Mr. Glenn R. Jones, JD.

The following are great examples of Mr. Jones discussing "Free Market Fusion" and its relevance to producing corporate leaders and the demands for affordable education:

Is Entrepreneurship in the Wireless Industry ALIVE? Part 2

The following is a great video discussing the issues facing Telecos that are building broadband services in rural area:

The Communicators: Digital TV & WiFi Technology

Will You Accept the Charges?

As of March 31, 2009, AT&T rolled out a call feature, “AT&T Collect to Wireless” for their cell phone service. It is quite transparent that AT&T is offering features to appeal to customers who have abandon their landline services. The collect call feature works like this:

1) A person calls a toll free number (1-800-Call-ATT) to place a call
2) The customer dials in the wireless subscriber and records his or her name.
3) The phone call is connected when the wireless subscriber accepts the call.

In an “Always On” culture, do I really want to accept calls from people that can’t even afford to call me? Most friends and family have cell phones or some sort of landline service and call me on their dime. On the surface it sounds like a great idea but under further scrutiny it left me some questions. With this feature, Can I set my preferences to allow collect calls from specific numbers? What about blocking telephone scammers like prisoners who are incarcerated and use collect call to conduct scams?

Here are some additional barriers to entry:
• Customers who use this feature have to remember the 1800 number
• International customers may find the process cumbersome
• Kids now have yet another way to connect to friends and run up MOM and DAD's cell phone bill (without Mom & Dad knowing)
• This service does not bind non AT&T customers to the cell phone service.
• Business customers have no need for such a feature

I would love to hear your opinion; Do you think this is a great idea? If a collect call was placed, “WILL YOU ACCEPT THE CHARGES?” As always, I appreciate your feedback.

Keep Achieving
NaShawn

Is Entrepreneurship in the Wireless Industry ALIVE?

I love the telecommunications industry. It is one of the only industries that fosters entrepreneurship. It thrives in emerging markets and is only limited by creativity and imagination. The telecom industry’s stocks have continued to do well despite the economic woes. It is a gladiator market full of corporate giants that influence public policy, market trends and keeps FCC lawyers busy, busy, busy…

According to the Wall Street Journal, VP of Sprint, Anna Gomez was named Deputy Director of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on Feb. 3. (click here for the full article) After that announcement, according to Maisie Ramsay, author of Wireless Weekly, “Telecom-related programs will get $7.2 billion under the economic stimulus bill set for President Barack Obama’s signature today, with $6.39 billion of those funds targeted at promoting broadband access in rural areas with little to no broadband access.”(Click here for the full article)

This is a clear “RED FLAG” that there is an opportunity here. I am always on the look out to develop new businesses but this may be a great challenge to identify a sound business model that can be deployed and compete with other wireless leaders. OK, it's time to stop writing, roll up my sleeves, and do some research. I will keep you posted on any new developments - so stay tuned for my next posting. As always, I welcome your feedback.

Keep Achieving
NaShawn

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Today we celebrate one of the greatest leaders of our time… Dr. Martin Luther King Day!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a United States holiday marking the birthdate of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of King's birthday, January 15. It is one of three United States federal holidays to commemorate an individual person.[1]
King was the chief spokesman of the nonviolent civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. He was assassinated in 1968.

Happy Holidays from NaShawn Branch

As we venture into the new year, I just wanted to say, Happy Holidays!

25 Ideas for GROWING Business

1. E-mail Promotional Campaign
2. Search Engine Utilization
3. Direct Affiliate Programs
4. Online Ad Campaign
5. Direct Mail Campaign
6. Events (high visibility at trade shows and events)
7. Strategic Partnerships(utilization of reciprocal links)
8. Telemarketing Campaign
9. Local Daily Newspaper Campaign co-branded advertising with 72 newspapers)
10. Sponsorship of Colleges and University- ( Co brand brand corporate identity in Computers labs , community areas and book stores)
11. TV Commercials
12. Radio Ads
13. Co Branding with Software and Hardware Companies (Place logo on computers similar to XP or Computer processors.)
14. Walking Billboards at Large Events (Similar to the football fans that paint their bodies team colors)
15. Promotional Items (pencils, mugs, hats, etc)
16. Weather Balloon or Hot Air balloon
17. Coupons in Other Products Such as on the label of Mountain Dew
18. My Space, You Tube and other Web2.0 sites
19. Sponsorship of Presidential Candidate: For example hold a press conference and announce that the business company indorsed…..John Doe for President.
20. Pay athletes to advertise through endorsements.
21. Commercials on Cell Phones and PDAs
22. Corporate Discount Programs, offered discount through other corporation’s websites and place co-brand your logo
23. Community Involvement (sponsor little league games and community programs such as Habitat for Humanity)
24. Allow Independent Developers Free Access to Develop Additional Programs for products.
25. THROW A PARTY! - (invite as many people as possible, have drinks and have the logo displayed everywhere.

Ecommerce in Europe - A Good Opportunity

Going global...consider Europe as a first stop. Because of it's small language barriers and high income per capital ratio, it is an ideal choice. If you have an e Commerce business, Europe itself has the most expansive e-commerce policy.



Europe e commerce policy
eMarketer reaffirms its projection that pan-European e-commerce revenues will increase from $169.81 billion by the end of this year to nearly $1trillion by year-end 2004. Ongoing investment in the region’s information and communication technology infrastructure in spite of economic distress and a growing Internet user population constitute positive signs for Europe’s consumer and business-to-business (B2B) e-markets. (Emarketer, 2001)


E-Commerce Revenues in Europe, 2000-2004 (in billions)
2000 $34.30
2001 $68.89
2002 $169.81
2003 $415.97
2004 $979.83
Source: eMarketer, 2001 033339 ｩ2001 eMarketer, Inc. http://www.emarketer.com/


Percent of Leading Global Companies Participating in On line Exchanges, by Region, 2001
North America 32.4%
Europe 41.7%
Asia-Pacific 21.2%
Global average 33.2%
Source: Computer Sciences Corporation, 2001 035605 ｩ2002 eMarketer, Inc. http://www.emarketer.com/

Cultural Courtesy: America Vs. England

Originally, I thought England had some of the same cultural courtesies as America. I was wrong. After doing some research on cyber.com, here some unique differences between American and English Culture:



Appearance

• Business attire rules are somewhat relaxed in England, but conservative dress is still very important for both men and women.
• Dark suits, usually black, blue, or gray, are quite acceptable.
• Men's shirts should not have pockets; if they do, the pockets should always be kept empty.
• Additionally, men should wear solid or patterned ties, while avoiding striped ties.
• Men wear laced shoes, not loafers.
• Businesswomen are not as limited to colors and styles as men, though it is still important to maintain a conservative image.
  

Behavior

• Always be punctual in England. Arriving a few minutes early for safety is acceptable.
• Decision-making is slower in England than in the United States; therefore it is unwise to rush the English into making a decision.
• A simple handshake is the standard greeting (for both men and women) for business occasions and for visiting a home.
• Privacy is very important to the English. Therefore, asking personal questions or intensely staring at another person should be avoided.
• Eye contact is seldom kept during British conversations.
• To signal that something is to be kept confidential or secret, tap your nose.
• Personal space is important in England, and one should maintain a wide physical space when conversing. Furthermore, it is considered inappropriate to touch others in public.
• Gifts are generally not part of doing business in England.
• A business lunch will often be conducted in a pub and will consist of a light meal and perhaps a pint of ale.
• When socializing after work hours, do not bring up the subject of work.
• When dining out, it is not considered polite to toast those who are older than yourself.
  

Communications

• "America and Britain are two nations divided by a common language" George Bernard was once quoted as saying.
• In England, English is the official language, but it should be noted that Queen’s English and American English are very different.
• Often times ordinary vocabulary can differ between the two countries.
• Loud talking and disruptive behavior should be avoided.
• One gesture to avoid is the V for Victory sign, done with the palm facing yourself. This is a very offensive gesture.
• If a man has been knighted, he is addressed as "Sir and his first name" example: Sir John. If writing a letter, the envelope is addressed "Sir First name and Last name" example: Sir John Roberts
  

Refernces:
Cyberlink.com, Retreived 10/09/08, http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/united_kingdom.htm