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Sunday, March 27, 2016

How to Kill a Good Idea

How to Kill a Good Idea


Who needs an innovative proposal that might disrupt the routine or, worse, make you look bad?

Corporations are complex entities. There are many people working for them, usually. And by “many” I mean more than two. This creates politics and conflicting agendas and fuels the constant battle between forward ­momentum and inertia—with proponents on both sides.
Somewhere in all of that, an idea is occasionally born. A little flower pops its delicate head up through the organizational macadam and, against all odds, succeeds in blossoming into a healthy plant. Most of the time, though, somebody comes along with a heavy vehicle and runs over it.

Given that reality, it’s important to review why and how organizations kill ideas. I hope you find this exercise helpful the next time you want to be the one driving the truck. Or when your flower is about to get crushed. To begin, let’s look at some reasons an idea might get killed.
 

1. It’s bad: 85.4% of all ideas are useless, time wasting, distracting, aggravating to too many people, dangerous, boneheaded, or just plain superfluous. Unless they come from a senior officer, they are easily squelched.

2. You didn’t think of it: Other people’s ideas are a drag, aren’t they? You were doing something else. Now you have to think about this? Forget it.

3. It threatens your territory: Sure, it’s an intriguing notion. But executing it would put Bob or Barbra into your meeting zone. Who needs them in there?

4. It conflicts with something you’re doing: Like lunch. Or vacation. Or that trip to L.A. Or whatever, right?

5. Oswald thought of it: And you hate that preening little weasel.

6. You’re an insecure weasel yourself: Other people may get the credit, and there’s only so much credit to go around!

7. It’s inconsistent with prevailing culture: In the ’80s, you had to be for excellence. In the ’90s, you had to be for greed. Now you have to like disruption and open offices. Any contradictory notions must be terminated.

8. It’s good: Good ideas are deeply threatening to the everyday run of business. They get in the way of all the other things people are doing.
That’s the motivation side. As for implementation? There are a host of ways that even the best idea can be strangled in its cradle. Here are some classics.


1. Meeting it to death: This is often referred to politely as a “Japanese no.” Meeting after meeting is held to reach absolutely no conclusion, and even if one is reached, it’s never communicated. Anybody who’s ever had a movie script “in development” can relate.

2. Depositing it with the well-meaning but powerless: Earnest subordinates generally have a lot of good ideas of their own, but a limited ability to execute them. After a time, they will produce an excellent document that can be studied until it isn’t.

3. Bigfooting it: You don’t have to be a very big yeti to step on things. You just have to have a loud opinion. A strong view is relatively rare in corporate life. Those who have one often prevail.

4. Championing it to death: Hurray for this great idea! We’ll get to it next Tuesday!

5. Shooting the messenger: There are many, many organizations that actually punish the bearer of an idea that’s not generated by an ultra-senior executive. In such places it’s best not to have ideas at all. But that doesn’t stop people, does it?
Okay, I’ll admit it. This wasn’t a totally academic exercise. Last month a guy who works for me had a smart idea. I sent him to the proper part of the organization to get it underway. But now they’ve put it in a committee of some kind. I’m told that a report is coming soon.

Screw that. There’s one thing that eradicates this kind of nonsense: an angry senior officer. That’s me. I know who to talk to. Don’t worry. It won’t take them long to get the idea. 

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Full Tuition Fee LLM Scholarships, University of Warwick, UK



Full Tuition Fee LLM Scholarships, University of Warwick, UK

Full tuition fee scholarships are available for UK, EU and international students commencing LLM degree at University of Warwick – UK. There are 4 (four) scholarships available for new students with the most outstanding academic performance in law.

Relevant subject degree and work experience will also be considered. Applicants must have already hold an offer from the School of Law, University of Warwick, and meet the English language requirements. Applicants do not need to submit separate application for the scholarship. Applicants only need to email application statement outlining the reasons why you deserve the scholarship (max. 500 words).

 

Level of Education

Scholarships only available for Master degree.

Subjects or Fields of Study

Scholarships available for LLM program only.

 

Amount of Scholarships

The scholarships will cover the full tuition fee for LLM degree.

Duration of Scholarships

Scholarships are available for the duration of the program.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must meet all the eligibility criteria below:
  • Applicants must meet all the entry requirements for LLM degree program.
  • Scholarships available for new students only.
  • Applicants must show outstanding academic performance in law. Relevant subject degree and work experience will also be considered.
  • Applicants must hold an offer from School of Law for the LLM program.
  • Applicants must meet the English language requirements.

Number of Scholarships Available

4 (four) scholarships are available.

Nationality

Scholarships available for all students from any country. There is no restriction on the nationality.

Selection Criteria

Selection will be based on your academic performance. Applicants will be required to submit an application statements (max 500 words) outlining the reasons why you deserve the scholarship.

How to Apply

You must already hold the offer from School of Law for the LLM program. You then need to send an email with an application statements explaining why you deserve the scholarship (max 500 words).
Do not forget to state your Warwick student ID and your name on the application statement.

Application Deadline

The closing date is March 31, 2016.

Please take note of the deadline. Late submissions will not be entertained!

Result Notification

Successful applicants will be notified by end of May 2016.

Important Notes

  • Scholarship applications from those who do not hold the offer from School of Law, University of Warwick, will not be considered.
  • There is no separate application for the scholarship. You only need to email your application statements.
  • DO NOT FORGET to include your Warwick student ID and your name on your application statements.









Thursday, March 10, 2016

Fully Funded Master Scholarship for Student from Developing Country, University of Westminster, UK





Fully Funded Master Scholarship for Student from Developing Country, University of Westminster, UK

University of Westminster is offering fully funded scholarship for a student from developing country to study Master degree at the university.

The scholarship will cover full tuition fee, stipend for living expenses, accommodation, and two-way flights to London. Applicants must hold an offer to study full time Master degree at the university. Applicants must hold First Class Honours degree or equivalent. Applicants will be assessed based on their financial need and development potential.

Level of Education

Scholarships available for Master degree only.

Subjects or Fields of Study

Scholarships available for any subject offered at the University of Westminster.

Amount of Scholarships

This scholarship program will pay full tuition fees, stipend for living expenses, accommodation, and two-way flights to London.

Duration of Scholarships

Scholarships available for the duration of your study.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must meet all the eligibility criteria below:
  • Applicants must come from a developing country.
  • Applicants must meet all the entry requirements for Master degree program.
  • Applicants must meet the English language requirement.
  • Applicants must hold an offer to study Master program.
  • Applicants must hold First Class Honours degree.
  • Scholarship only available for full time students. Part time students are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Number of Scholarships Available

1 (one) scholarship is available for this program.

Nationality

Scholarships available for students from a developing country.

Selection Criteria

Please take note on the above eligibility criteria carefully. The team will assess you based on your nationality, degree, financial need, and development potential.

How to Apply

  1. Applicants must submit application for the full time Master program.
  2. Applicants must hold an offer to study at the University before applying for the scholarship.
Please check their website for further info and guidance on how to apply for this particular scholarship.

Application Deadline

The closing date for this scholarship is October 14, 2016.
Please take note of the deadline. Late or incomplete submissions will not be entertained!

Result Notification

Please contact University of Westminster for further info regarding the result.

Important Notes

  • This scholarship program is only for student from developing country.
  • Applicants must hold offer to study before applying for this scholarship.
  • Scholarship only available for full time Master program. 

For further info please visit: www.westminster.ac.uk.