Beware of These 10 Myths About Innovation

poseidon greek myth
Most people think innovation is all about ideas, when in fact it is more about delivery, people, and process.

Entrepreneurs looking to innovate need to understand the execution challenge if they expect their startup to carve out a profitable niche in the marketplace, and keep innovating to build and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage.

Everyone thinks they know how to make innovation happen, but I can’t find much real research on the subject. At the same time, myths about innovation are commonplace in business. Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble, in their new book “The Other Side of Innovation: Solving the Execution Challenge” have done some real research on this subject over the past ten years.

Everyone agrees that the goal of innovation is positive change, to make someone or something better. Entrepreneurs need it to start, and established companies need it to survive. The front end of innovation, or “ideating” is the energizing and glamorous part. Execution seems like behind-the-scenes dirty work. But without the reality of execution, big ideas go nowhere, even in startups.

Their book takes you step-by-step through the innovation execution process, and also outlines the ten most common myths about innovation, which I think are particularly instructive:

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How to Find a Suitable Online University


How to Find a Suitable Online University

Apr 22, 2010 Cirrelia Thaxton

Going to an online college or university involves a contemporary approach to education. Online schools provide greater access to classroom materials and function to offer quality instruction in real-time over the Internet.

Do In-Depth Research

Choosing the right place to get an online education involves a series of steps. The first step for potential distance learners is to doing research on the online colleges or universities of their choice. They should begin by surfing to an online website which features a detailed listing of the best online educational institutions. High caliber colleges and universities have the following characteristics:

  • They are accredited, which means they have been evaluated for credibility and competency.
  • They offer a wide selection of degree programs.
  • They have engaging individual courses (online and on-campus).
  • They have a reputable faculty and staff.
  • They have quality resources (labs, libraries, etc.).
  • They have an efficient and diverse community (student and alumni services).

Online students do not have to worry about campus location unless they are in a blended program, which combines traditional and online coursework. Of other college selection issues, reputation and opportunity are often considered essential characteristics. Distance learners usually prefer studying in well-known, well-liked educational organizations where students are expected to make great strides in academic achievement.

Visit the School's Website

After locating the right educational institution, the second step is to go to its website for a thorough visit. From there, the potential student will be able to identify key information regarding his or her academic needs. For instance, click on the school’s About Us link to locate its vision and mission statement. Are the school’s academic goals and objectives motivating? If so, this school may be a number one choice. Students who evaluate a school’s performance carefully often make the best career decisions.

One advantage of online schools is that classes are always available. Most of these institutions provide access to online classrooms and other academic resources twenty-four hours a day. Students can be enrolled in synchronous or real-time instructional programs or in asynchronous programs in which students use online tools without an instructor being present. Both kinds of online programs are useful in that they offer educational materials for independent and group study.

Request an Information Packet

Third, it is wise to request information from the chosen college or university. Schools distribute packets containing details about their admissions process, campus activities, tuition and fees, etc. It is quite helpful to read through the school’s program offerings in order to make the decision to apply. Conscientious students select the schools that suit their basic needs to be satisfied and self-sufficient. Therefore, receiving an information packet allows the student to begin the application process after weighing both academic and financial options.

Information packets are mailed directly to interested students who hope to learn more about the college or university. It is extremely important to compare and contrast two or more colleges. In this manner, the hopeful learner can take notes on the best programs offered in his or her field of study. After choosing a degree program, the learner will want to narrow down college or university choices.

Speak to a School Representative

If the student is an undergraduate or an adult learner seeking a graduate degree, the fourth step to follow is calling the school. By speaking with a representative, people can gain a better perspective of the school’s offerings. Additionally, the student can ask unlimited questions to prepare for the application process.

Overall, a person must want to study online and understand that online education is a challenging undertaking. Because students work and study in non-traditional settings, online learning requires students to be both autonomous and self-directed. It is extremely important understand online student status versus traditional student status. This self-knowledge will improve the chances of getting accepted.

Becoming a successful online learner in a major program of study in a reputable school takes time and dedication. Knowing where to go and understanding how to get there are key steps along the path to a fruitful online education.

Sources

Hansen, Randall S. Choosing a College that's Right for You. (Accessed April 21, 2010).

O'Connell, Martha. How to Choose a College That's Right for You. (Accessed April 21, 2010).

Copyright Cirrelia Thaxton. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.


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University of Toronto St. George: Where To Eat, Clubs & Fitness


University of Toronto St. George: Where To Eat, Clubs & Fitness

Apr 30, 2010 Lori Bosworth

New students of the University of Toronto will feel in awe as they walk among and study in the expansive 19th century buildings that embody Romanesque and Gothic Revival architecture. In order not to get lost on such an enormous campus, students will feel more comfortable once they know where to eat, study, and work out on the U of T campus.

Becoming a student of the University of Toronto St. George Campus is a proud moment because the institution is steeped in tradition. Built in 1827, University of Toronto alumni include former Prime Minister Paul Martin, former UN special envoy Stephen Lewis, Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff, former Chief Justice of Ontario Roy McMurtry, former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, and author Margaret Atwood.

Where to Eat at U of T

Affectionately called "Fort Book" in the past, Robarts Library is the main library on campus and is located right in the center of U of T at St. George Street and Hoskin Avenue. While lacking in the ambiance that other U of T libraries have, Robarts does have the most comprehensive selection of resources for U of T students to grind out that essay or class presentation and is a one-stop spot to eat and to study. There is a cafeteria on the second floor that serves fast food favourites, as well as sandwiches and salads.

Situated at the top of King's College Circle, University College is one of U of T's oldest colleges. The lawn south of UC is known as the front campus and is the center of the university. University College has its own library on the second floor with a somewhat austere ambiance for concentrated study, and one cafe, Diablo's. Located in the Junior Common Room (the 'JCC') at the northwest corner of UC, Diablo's is one of the best U of T places to eat with surprisingly good food such as fair trade coffee, wraps, samosas, and hot entrees, although the JCC can be a bit noisy for studying.

U of T Faculty of Arts and Science students will have many of their classes at Sid Smith Hall, located about a block south of Hoskin Avenue, on the west side of St. George. On the main floor of Sid Smith is a Second Cup, as well as a large common study room which is a good place to study as it is fairly quiet. In the basement, there is a large cafeteria, which is a great place to eat between classes. Food served includes pizza, hamburgers, hot entrees, sandwiches, fruit, and salads.

University of Toronto Clubs, Fitness

Hart House is the social hub of U of T, and contains an athletic centre with track and pool on the lower level where many fitness classes are offered for free or for a small fee. Home to the Hart House Theatre that has performed Shakespeare productions, as well as musicals such as Jerry Springer The Opera, Hart House has a cozy wood-panelled library on the second floor to read that great classic novel, as well as couches where many students enjoy a snooze after a night out at a bar or concert.

Hart House also other recreation activities such as a vinyl library, pool tables on the main floor, the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery, and is home to many of U of T's clubs such as archery, camera, debating, jazz choir, investment, and chess. Sammy's Student Exchange, on the lower level, is a great place to eat, with a licensed cafeteria that includes a nutritious multicultural and Halal menu with vegetarian options, and live music in the evenings.

Convocation Hall U of T

Located on the southwest side of King's College Circle, Convocation Hall is where many students begin and end their university days. Due to the large seating capacity, Con Hall is used for many 100-level classes such as introductory psychology and sociology courses. With any luck, Convocation Hall will also be the last building students enter during their university days as it is the building where graduations occur.

Convocation Hall is also the location where many high-profile guests lecture. In the past, visiting lecturers have included David Suzuki, Margaret Atwood, and Stephen Lewis, as well as professors from Harvard and Princeton universities. These lectures are usually free for U of T students.

Attending the University of Toronto is a thrilling experience because the St. George campus is rich in tradition. Knowing the best places to eat, study, enjoy club activities, and work out will provide students with confidence. Students will enjoy spending time at University College, Robarts Library, Hart House, and Convocation Hall as they feel the collective presence of former students, many of whom have gone on to achieve greatness.

Copyright Lori Bosworth. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.


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The Major Benefits of an MBA in Today’s Job Market

The Major Benefits of an MBA in Today’s Job Market

July 22, 2010

It shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that right now is a bad time to be deciding on a career path. Industries across the board have suffered layoffs and even bankruptcy due to our failing economy. For the student intent on choosing a viable profession, this makes the employment opportunity landscape look pretty bleak and there is even more pressure to choose correctly (rather than pursuing a subject of interest or passion). However, there are a few professions that continue to hold strong and even seem to be expanding despite the financial setbacks facing the global economy. And one of the best ways to ensure that your job options are flexible enough to take advantage of one or all of these fields is to work towards an online MBA.

The best thing about a Masters of Business Administration is that it is so versatile. While most degrees specialize in a particular field, an MBA will allow you access not only to a wide range of industries (literally any type of business you can imagine, from food service to corporate offices to government contracting), but also to an assortment of job possibilities within those sectors. The MBA is, first and foremost, a degree in management. So it will prepare you to lead a team of otherwise specialized individuals. However, where you choose to implement your skills is entirely up to you. You can certainly become a product manager or something similar, but you may also be interested in working in human resources, public relations, financial analysis, or corporate administration (since your education will no doubt include such diverse topics as resource management, communications, and advanced mathematics).

In addition, you don’t have to start out in business in order to enter an MBA program. A bachelors degree in any field can turn into a business degree because every industry requires people who have knowledge of the way business works. So if you’re interested in fashion, you may start with a BFA in design and shoot for an MBA as a way to begin managing retail stores, heading up a purchasing department, or even promoting your own line (rather than manning the register and stocking sweaters). Or if your music degree didn’t turn into a job opportunity with the New York Philharmonic as planned, perhaps earning an MBA in order to oversee a music store or become an executive at a record label is a better option. You could even start your own company if you use your time in school to form a sound business plan.

The point is, a business degree can take you places you never dreamed of. It can allow you to pursue an interest in any field and your job opportunities could range from creative to technical (or include some of both). You may end up leading a small team or an entire company, or you can finally realize your goal of shirking the job search entirely in favor of starting your own business and being the boss. Whatever the case, you simply can’t go wrong with a degree in business during an economic downturn. It will offer you the widest range of possibilities when searching for a job.

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The 5 Biggest Mistakes College Students Make

The 5 Biggest Mistakes College Students Make

September 01, 2010 02:07 PM ET | Lynn F. Jacobs , Jeremy S. Hyman | Permanent Link | Print

Next week, more than 3 million students will start college. Many will make basic mistakes that can easily be avoided—if you only know what they are. This week we point out the five most common mistakes, and offer parents tips on how they can set their child on the path to success at college:

Problem No. 1: Cutting classes. Many students figure they can miss six, eight, 10 lectures in each course and still do well.

The fix: Encourage your child to take responsibility for making all the classes. Point out that each lecture contains 3 percent of the course content, and costs about 1/350th of the tuition (i.e., $35,000 tuition equals $100, pre-paid, per lecture; $7,000 tuition equals $20 a lecture).

[Read How to Build Your Own Scholarships.]

Problem No. 2: Overloading. Some students think it's a point of pride to load up on as many courses as the college allows (five, six, even seven a semester). And then they sign up for a double (sometimes even triple) major, and a minor to boot.

The fix: Encourage your child to sign up for the standard course load and concentrate on doing well in those courses. Point out that, unless the majors make sense together (business and Mandarin Chinese, physics and mathematics, or social work and psychology, for example), employers won't be impressed by the sheer numbers.

[Read 10 Secrets to College Success.]

Problem No. 3: Overmedia-ing. Many college students spend hours and hours a day on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Then they complain that they don't have enough time for studying and that they have trouble focusing on any content not dished up in bite-sized pieces.

The fix: Encourage your kid to set up "media-free" zones each day. And encourage your child to retrain his or her attention span to process longer units of contents, such as those offered in the lecture or the reading.

Problem No. 4: Procrastinating. Many students believe in "no work before its time." They put off papers until the last possible minute and pull "all nighters" right before the test.

The fix: Impress on your child that careful planning and time management are essential to college success, and that, without parents and teachers to tell you what to do (and when to do it), "you're in charge of this college thing."

[Read How to Avoid Getting Sick at College.]

Problem No. 5: Going it alone. Many students shy away from going to see their professor or teaching assistant, either because they're too scared, they think the prof won't want to see them, or they think you should only go when you're in trouble. As a result, they end up blowing a test or paper when a few minutes with the instructor could have easily cleared up the problem.

The fix: When your kid comes to you for help, point out that professors are required to hold twice-weekly office hours and that they would like to help you do well in their course. That's why they went into teaching, after all.

© Copyright 2010 Professors' Guide LLC. All rights reserved.

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How to Get In: University of Miami School of Law

We posed questions to admissions officials at the University of Miami School of Law regarding the application process, what they look for in applicants, and what sets their school apart. These are their responses: 

1. What can applicants do to set themselves apart from their peers?  

Each person has a story to tell that will be relevant to those reading the file. Applicants should use all aspects of the application to reflect their strengths, skills, accomplishments, and goals so that we have a sense of what type of student they'll be in the classroom and what they'll contribute to the law school community and the legal profession. Hopefully recommenders will confirm what applicants are saying about themselves: I am a bright, motivated, disciplined, and professional individual who will be someone you'll enjoy as a member of the law community and be proud to claim as an alumna/alumnus.

 Submitting the application early places applicants in the best position for both admission and scholarship consideration. At the beginning of the season, we're just starting to read files so we're fresh and eager to dig in. Later in the cycle, after having read thousands of files, it is harder to stand out, especially for individuals who fall in the "gray" area. Therefore, applicants should optimize their chances by being first in line. 

2. What do you look for in the application essays? What do the essays tell you about a candidate?  

If you had five minutes in a room with the individuals reviewing your file, what would you highlight and why is it relevant? Your essay tells us who you are, what you'll bring to the table, what type of student you'll be, what you'll contribute and whether you'll be a good match for our institution. The essay should be well written, concise and short (approximately two pages). 

3. How important is the applicant's LSAT score? How do you weigh it against undergraduate GPA and work/internship experience? Which of these carry the most weight? The least?  

Realizing that there is no one formula that fits all applicants, our goal is to approach each file holistically. The weight of the GPA and LSAT score shifts with the strengths and weaknesses of each applicant. The LSAT might be more important if someone has a low GPA but presents other factors such as a number of years of work experience, or a graduate degree along with a solid LSAT score. Applicants who present high LSAT scores but have consistently underperformed academically will have to provide convincing arguments that this lack of achievement will not repeat in law school. We value the writing experience of applicants who have engaged in a senior or honors thesis or have other significant writing experience. Regarding GPAs, grade trends, rigor of courses, and majors and minors are all reviewed with a serious eye. 

4. How much does prior work/internship experience weigh into your decision making? What's the typical or expected amount of work experience from an applicant?  

Maturity (regardless of age), professionalism, seriousness of purpose, and time management skills are valued at Miami. Thus, while work/internship experiences are not expected, we appreciate that professional, internship, leadership or volunteer experiences indicate exposure to team work, time management, responsibility, and accountability. We pay heed to applicants who have taken interest in the world outside of their scope of well-being through public service and volunteer work. Miami likes to see applicants who have made it their business to learn how to navigate and get the most out of each experience, whether in an academic or professional setting. 

5. What sets you apart from other schools? What can students gain from your school that they might not be able to find anywhere else?  

Leadership! In her first year alone, Dean Trish White, a leader with vision and experience, has ignited an exciting momentum at Miami. She has greatly expanded collaborative efforts with other departments within the University (such as the newly created J.D./Masters in Music Business and Entertainment Law and for undergraduate business majors a triple degree option—J.D./M.B.A./LL.M. in Taxation or Real Property), heralded an extensive externship program, actively supported the new specialization in international arbitration (headed by one of the world's most powerful international arbitrators, Jan Paulsson), approved new clinics (the immigration clinic and the human rights clinic slated to begin in spring, 2011), as well as added several new study abroad options in Versailles, France, Hamburg, Germany, Haifa, Israel and the Africa Neutral Trial Observer Initiative. These outstanding new offerings hold promise for many more to come. 

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Guide For Searching Good Thesis Topics


Guide For Framing Good Thesis Topics

Aug 17, 2010 Yfur Porsche Fernandez

If there is one thing that senior students consider as the greatest academic challenge in their college or university lives, it is probably making their undergraduate theses. Upon entering the first day of senior year, advisers keep on reminding their students to be keen in searching for their potential thesis topics. These topics pertain to those, which can be made into valid pieces of discourse based on facts and research.

The initial step in framing a thesis topic is, of course to look at possible thesis topics with much consideration in a student’s major or course nature. Panicking is the easiest yet the worst thing that students can do when they find themselves left out of good topics.

Here is a guide for searching a good thesis topic following the SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound.

Specific Thesis Topic

Essaytown.com, in its article called "Thesis Topic" writes, “thesis topics should be very specific—specific enough that the writer will be able to fully explain the topic and defend his thesis in the space of the assigned text. Therefore, the process of selecting a thesis topic will likely involve some revision. It is best to begin the selection process by determining an area of interest that falls within the scope of the particular class and assignment.”

Since there is a need for thesis writers to take into account their particular field of discipline, thesis topics need to be specific. For example, a social science student will possibly write something about the general plight of residents and not about bacteria strain identification in a particular slum area, in a given period. Avoid settling to broad ideas, to get away from vague and incomprehensible thesis topics.

Measurable Thesis Topic

Thesis requires empirical data and processed information to validate feasible hypotheses and to verify practical conclusions. Thesis writers do not work on speculations and personal analysis or opinion. They need facts from their respondents to make a truthful, accurate, credible and honest discourse. In this case, a thesis topic needs to be measurable.

Acquire the Mastery of Creating Thesis states, “The thesis hypothesis you propose should be measurable and researchable. Similarly, the thesis question should be significant and allow for investigating phenomena that is worth exploring. Your tentative choice of research methodologies and data analysis should be linked with these key thesis decisions.”

Attainable Thesis Topic

Thesis topics are realistic, rational and achievable. Since thesis writers are bounded by available resources, they are expected to consider thesis topics which are viable and realizable. Helpful Tips for Choosing Your Thesis Topics advices that, “topics cannot be mere piece of interesting material. It must incorporate viable, attainable, and manageable research investigation or problem.”

An undergraduate science student who considers a topic on "investigating essential bodies" suggests a non-attainable thesis topic. This is for simple reasons that the said topic cannot be achieved without the aid of professional astronauts, strong background and experience on aeronautics and suited equipment for space exploration.

Relevant and Time-bound Thesis Topic

The relevance of both the topic and the literatures to be used are crucial in a thesis topic. The relevance of a thesis topic shows its “worth” and “significance” as a valuable literature today and in the future. Some of the best thesis topics are derived out of current affairs. For example, a social science student may write about journalism suppressions in consideration to a current event involving political clans and media killings.

Since a thesis writer is only given a semester or two to complete an undergraduate thesis, he has to outline a topic, which is workable in the said period; otherwise, this may only lead to wasted effort, time and money due to non-subscription to the scheduled submission date.

Time-bound undergraduate thesis topics take into account both the time allotted for the actual research and the favorable time needed to pass other academic majors while taking the actual thesis-writing course.

Copyright Yfur Porsche Fernandez. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.


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Dental School Scholarships


Dental School Scholarships

Aug 24, 2010 Jacqueline Gonzales

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of dentistry is expected to grow 16 percent from 2008 to 2018. At the same time, dentistry is a very lucrative career, with the median salary in May 2008 being $142,870 annually. Dentistry requires attending dental school. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), in 2008, 79 percent of dental school graduates had over $100,000 in student debt and more than 50 percent had over $175,000 in debt. Fortunately, there are resources available to take some of the sting out of going to dental school.

National Associations

Several national dental associations have scholarships and grants available to dental students. The American Dental Association Foundation offers the Dental Student Scholarship Award and the Underrepresented Minority Dental Student Scholarship.

The International Association of Dental Research (IADR) offers the John Gray Fellowship, which awards $10,000 to a dental student who is in an accredited dental school and sponsored by a faculty adviser. IADR also offers the Norton Ross Fellowship for $2,800 with the same requirements.

Minority Scholarships and Grants

According to the ADA, only 12 percent of students entering dental schools are minorities while minorities make up 25 percent of the general population.

Several minority associations offer scholarships for dental schools. The Japanese American Citizens League offers the Dr. Kiyoshi Sonoda Memorial Scholarship to dental students who are members of the Japanese American Citizens League.

The Chinese American Medical Society has three scholarships available to either dental or medical students. While it does not specify that you must be of Chinese ancestry, the application does ask for information leaning toward Chinese-American students, including if you or a family member is part of the Chinese American Medical Society. Two of the three scholarships go to students with documented financial hardship. Also, a letter from the dean students , two letters of recommendation, a personal statement including career goals, and personal vitae are needed to apply.

The Indian Health Service is a section of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services focused on Native Americans and Alaska Natives, which has a grant available to students for dental school for federally recognized Native Americans or Alaska Natives. You are required to pay this back in the form of service to a Native American or Alaska Native group. You must give one year of service for every year of funding, up to four years.

School-Specific Scholarships

Dental schools often are granted money from alumni or through the federal government to use as aid for students to attend. In order to find out more about these programs, you will need to contact the financial aid department of the school you are attending.

The University of Florida offers over 10 different scholarship programs for dental students. All are based on academic performance and most on financial need. To apply, you must include your financial information, including that of your parents.

The University of Pennsylvania offers a grant to those who show financial need and a scholarship given to the top students based on college grade point average, Dental Admission Test scores, and associated documents. The scholarship will cover half of the dental student's yearly tuition.

These two programs are not the only schools to offer aid, so check with the financial aid office in your school for information about school specific scholarships.

Copyright Jacqueline Gonzales. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.


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