What Are Business Articles?

This is the global business world, because we are now very far from the Stone Age. Now people are not establishing the new businesses but expanding the businesses. The top brands and the companies are famous all around the world. Therefore, the business articles are the demand of the age and these are the articles, which deal with the ideas, and the terminologies related to the business areas. In the simple words business articles are targeting to the Internet users who have the interest in the business news and the companies, and also the educational sector for understanding the terminologies of the business. Therefore, there are many websites on the Internet, which are specifically targeting the business section.

Topics Under Business Articles

Business is a diverse subject and as it has been divided in to two types, the first is the profit-focused business and second is the non-profit business. Therefore, a difference has to be maintained between the articles writing under the two areas. The topics covered under the business articles include the company histories, innovation discussions and the ideas, leadership styles and the critical views, general business articles, discussion on the global business, entrepreneurship histories, maintaining the businesses, operating the businesses, expanding the businesses and many other guidelines related to the business areas.

Importance Of Business Articles

Importance of the business articles is not stuck to the businessmen only because there are many diverse areas in the business articles as mentioned above. These articles are very important for the companies that are operating in the business world. Through such articles the companies can understand the history of the other companies and they can analyze the business environment in favor of such companies. Secondly, the business students can get a lot of information from such articles like they can understand the terminologies in their subjects and at the same time they can know the practices of various companies. Moreover, such articles can be very useful for the companies, which are planning to invest in any business, and they can collect the business information and can analyze the profitability and the other aspects of the business in a specific place. You can get the information on the stock exchanges the gold rate and many other things only on the business articles containing websites. In all of the news websites there is a separate column of the business.

Contents Of Business Articles

The content of the business articles usually include the introduction to the companies, the business, and then the facts about the specific topic and finally the analysis of the writer. Most of the times it has been noticed that unlike the literature topics the business requires the understanding of the actual practices more than the theoretical basis. Therefore, all of the business articles with the quality contents include the real examples and the facts, which increases the compelling power of the arguments. One thing that the writers of the business articles should consider is the continuous in touch with the news because business can be on the top or down in one second. The more the writer will have the involvement with the current issues the better he will be able to come up with the quality writing. Just take the example of any product selling business, if the writer himself is not aware of the services of the company with the products how can he provide the reader the quality reading.

Project Management for Business, Engineering, and Technology

Description
Project Management for Business, Engineering and Technology, 3rd edition is a direct response to the ever-increasing need for better project management. First covering the essential background, from origins and philosophy to methodology, the main bulk of the book is dedicated to the concepts and techniques of practical application, including project initiation and proposals, scope and task definition, scheduling, budgeting, risk analysis, control, project organization and all-important "people" aspects--project leadership, team building, conflict resolution and stress management.

The Systems Development Cycle is used as a framework to discuss project management in a variety of situations, making this the go-to book for managing virtually any kind of project, program or task force. Focusing on projects as goal-oriented systems of interrelated components functioning in a larger environment, the book targets the ultimate purpose of project management--to unify and integrate the interests, resources and work efforts of many stakeholders, as well as schedules, budgets, and plans, to accomplish the overall project goal.

This new edition provides:

* A comprehensive, balanced view that emphasizes both the behavioral and quantitative sides of project management

* Methods, procedures and systems for defining, planning, scheduling, controlling and organizing project activities

* Methods and procedures for handling the organziational, managerial and human behavioral issues relevant to project management

* Tools and concepts of growing importance, including project methodology, the project management office, project portfolio management and international project management

* Over 100 examples and case studies to illustrate theory in practice

* Full instructor support package with PowerPoint slides and answers to all questions in the book when you log in to Elsevier's textbook site at http://textbooks.elsevier.com/companions/9780750683999

This book is intended for advanced undergraduate and graduate university students, and for practicing managers in business, engineering and technology.

John Nicholas is Professor of Information Systems and Operations Management, Loyola University, Chicago. He is an active teacher, writer and researcher in project management and manufacturing management.

Herman Steyn is Professor at the Department of Engineering and Technology Management, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Audience:
Project management courses at advanced undergraduate or masters level; Management courses for engineers and technologists; Students on modules covering management of service, product and engineering projects; Project managers in industry.

EBDM (www.ebdm.biz) is a management consulting and research firm extending advisory and implementation services to a broad range of clients in the non-profit, private and public sectors. EBDM specialises in monitoring & evaluation, research, project management, organisational development, strategic management and technology solutions. EBDM also manages its own business initiatives.

The Firm is a small but rapidly growing organisation and requires a young and dynamic individual to become a member of the Firm’s Project Management Office. The candidate will be required to contribute significantly to organisational development and therefore must have effective leadership qualities, which will prepare him/her for future senior management positions. The candidate should therefore be prepared and willing to invest at least the next three years of his/her career in the Firm.

GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK

With the vision of developing a project management centre of excellence, the Project Managment Expert will help establish a project management office that will enable standardization of the firm’s project management practices by adopting best practices from the industry. In line with the firm’s values of a consultative and participative approach, the PM Expert is expected to guide, coach and monitor project teams in the implementation of the project management methodology. The goal is to enable project managers in performing their tasks efficiently and effectively. The PM Expert must have exceptional skills in all knowledge areas of project management and be meticulous at filing and archiving project documents. Excellent communication skills are expected. Furthermore the project expert is expected to develop and manage a pool of consultants to enable quick identification and utilization of required resources for various projects.

The job of a PM Expert is demanding at EBDM as the person will need to quickly adapt to different working environments and technical fields for example environmental conservation, economic development, various industrial sectors, health, governance, education etc. The function requires regular interaction with clients and their staff and therefore travelling is a regular feature of the job.

One of the first assignments of the PM Expert will be to provide technical support to the Afghan Refugee Population Profiling, Verification & Response project. The objective of this project is to assess the needs of the Afghan population in Pakistan on the one hand and provide critical policy and strategy information that enables informed decision-making by important stakeholders on the other hand. After the successful completion of the pilot phase, the project has been scaled up to cover the entire Afghan population in Pakistan. The candidate should be prepared to commence work on this large-scale survey immediately under the supervision of senior technical experts in research, M&E and project management.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Actively participate in the development of the project management office with the vision of turning it into a project management centre of excellence.
2. Coach and guide project team members in the implementation of a project management methodology.
3. Develop a feedback mechanism for the continuous improvement of the project management methodology.
4. Develop a management dashboard for tracking and monitoring of all projects
5. Help functional project managers in developing scope statements, work breakdown structures and project schedules.
6. Develop a risk management programme for all projects and keep it alive throughout the life of the projects.
7. Maintain a central issue log for all projects issues
8. Maintain project documentation and be responsible for the regularly updating and communicating project management plans to stakeholders.
9. Establish quality assurances processes for all projects and regular monitor and report compliance.
10. Develop communication plans for all projects and maintain a regularly updated stakeholder register.
11. Develop and maintain a pool of knowledge experts who can be utilized for various projects of the firm.
12. Be responsible for tracking all project deliverables and regularly report on their status.
13. Be responsible for quality delivery of all assigned intermediate and final outputs of the Business Unit;
14. Actively participate in project formulation and planning activities including but not limited to preparation of concept notes, proposals and business plans;
15. Be responsible for managing client relationships with regard to the projects developed or undertaken by the firm;
16. Develop management frameworks for projects, programmes and organisations; Ensure effective implementation of the frameworks;
17. Ensure proficiency in use of necessary project management applications.
18. Develop and manage the Firm’s knowledgebase;
19. Any other task relating to the function assigned by the supervisor(s)

ADDITIONAL RESPONIBILITIES

1. Facilitate other Business Units in quality assurance of various reports and publications, as and when required;
2. Facilitate senior management in strategic planning and organisational development of the Firm, whenever required;
3. Facilitate other Business Units in achieving and maintaining the level of quality in operations required by recognised international management standards;
4. Through R&D projects/undertakings, identify and initiate business opportunities for other Units of the Firm.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master’s degree in project management, general management or information technology from a recognised university;
2. At least seven years of relevant post qualification professional experience, with at least four years of specific experience in project management;
3. Certified Project Management Professionals (PMP) or Program Management Professionals (PgMP) will be given preference;
4. Excellent writing and general communication skills in English language. The candidate should be able to prepare and finalise extensive project proposals, business plans, evaluation and technical reports and effectively communicate with senior management officials of large corporations, donor agencies and international NGOs; Candidates who have scored well in the IELTS/TOEFL will be given preference;
5. Candidates who have prior experience of working with international bi-lateral or multi-lateral development agencies, international NGOs and/or multi-national companies in a similar position will be given preference;
6. High level of proficiency in MS Office required. The candidate should be proficient in using data processing and statistical tools such as MS Excel, Access and SPSS;
7. The candidate must be an independent worker who can carry out required tasks and responsibilities diligently, with minimum guidelines and instructions from senior management;
8. Ability to cope with challenging work routines; delivering under tight deadlines, multi-tasking and willing to travel extensively. Travelling will usually include visits to remote and rural areas of Pakistan and frequent visits between main cities of the Country;
9. Demonstrated leadership and vision in managing staff groups and major projects or initiatives;
10. Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style;

Agricultural business and earning

INTRODUCTION
The Water and Crop Production Management Training Programme provides a broad background in the interrelationship between water, plants, soil and the environment, along with the principles of irrigation system design and water management. An effective irrigation system and water management plan can enhance the quality of the land and conserve water resources. It can affect the crop production and food supply in given environments. Special attention is given to the design of irrigation systems and water management for different crops and income generation. This seminar will focus on water resource management and in particular the use of wastewater for irrigation. The Crop Production Management programme will focus on developing the tools needed by transitional countries to improve local conditions in supplying food for their country. Modern harvesting, post harvesting and shipping methods will be discussed in depth. The seminar will discuss Israeli background and experience in this field and possible applications from local agriculture to the participants’ own countries.

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMME
The seminar is largely aimed at strengthening Project Management capabilities at both senior and middle management level in Crop Production businesses; Aid organisations working in Agricultural and Rural development; Water Resource Departments; Entrepreneurs; NGOs and Agricultural Projects of Rural and Semi Urban communities. The seminar will train the participants to improve management of food production, marketing chain and available water resources in their countries. The seminar aims to assist the Crop Production sector to more efficiently manage their production techniques, shipping, harvesting and processing of their products. The seminar should equip each participant with further skills and advanced techniques to enable the planning of the irrigation of agricultural lands and to introduce participants to various methods of water conservation and irrigation. The seminar will equip the participants with a deeper understanding of the issues at hand while planning farming projects which implement all aspects of advanced crop production. Additionally, the seminar will train participants to share their newly acquired knowledge with their colleagues who can then, in turn, train others in their own countries.

SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS
This seminar is designed for official and professionals involved in the planning, design, operation and management of agricultural farming projects; plant production management; water resource management; personnel involved in implementing irrigation and drainage systems; personnel involved in agricultural development projects, land reclamation, water reclamation and the farming of small plots; personnel in agribusiness.

CURRICULUM

General
Project Management:-
Concept & Development
Timing & Budgeting
Evaluation

Management of Water Resources
Different Irrigation Methods (drip, sprinkler, subsoil, micro irrigation)
Irrigation applications with different water types (recycled, reclaimed, marginal)
Water and Irrigation Methods in Different Crops
Irrigation Systems Components (pipes, dripper lines, sprinklers, filtration, water meters,
remote controls, flushing systems etc.)
Hydraulic Considerations in Water Management

Crop Production
Economic Considerations in Crop Management
Marketing of Agricultural Products
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Nutrient Management
Soil Fertility Management
Soil - Plant - Water Relations
Agro Technologies - An Overview
Harvesting, Postharvest Treatment and Storage
Agro Industries; the Israeli Experience
Open Pasture Production
Sustainable Agriculture in Arid land; the Israeli Experience

Desertification Mitigation
Land Degradation and Desertification
Afforestation as an Anti-desertification Measure
Intensive Dry-lands Agriculture
Arid and Semi Arid Water Resource Management (water conservation, drilling, rain
harvesting, desalination, recycling )

STUDY TOURS
Sapir - National Water Carrier – Jordan District
Jordan Valley Water Authority
Sea of Galillee Water Authority
Water Recycling Plant
Water Meters Production Plant
Sweet Water Local Well Production
Water Plants Production - Natural Water Purification
Export Shipment Facilities
Planting Material Nurseries
Potatoes Production & Packaging Facility
Shading Nets Production
Research Centre in the South of Israel; Arid Zone Irrigation and Plant Research
Irrigation Systems Production
Jojoba Plantation with Subsoil Irrigation
Vegetables Seeds Production
Biofuel
Rain Harvesting Facilities and Flood Mitigation
Water Desalination Plant
Afforestation Project in an Arid Zone
Arid Zone Agriculture utilising Saline and Marginal Water

Low productivity: Social networks or irresponsible employees?

Let’s face it, the workplace is full of distractions. On any given day, a coworker may come up to you while you are busy for a quick conversation. When that ends you get an unexpected phone call. After you take that phone call, you get asked to jump on another conference call you weren’t planning for. Next you get asked to join an impromptu meeting in someone’s office that wasn’t on your calendar.

The workplace has long been the ultimate manufacturer of distraction with good intentions. Everyone wants to get things done as fast as possible with as much quality as they can. Some companies are starting to shutdown access to various social media sites saying that company productivity is taking a big hit since social media’s adoption and popularity has grown.

Recently I read a post by Brad Friedman on Social Media Today that provides some actual numbers and dollar values associated with low productivity due to digital distractions. He references a survey done by harmon.ie where they commissioned 515 IT users working in the U.S. and various global companies. The goal of this survey was to better understand electronic distractions in the workplace. I’m not at all surprised by the numbers BUT I can’t say that these numbers reflect a whole comprehensive truth as to why. For the same reasons that we can’t blame violent video games for a child’s misbehavior, or a specific genre of music for the lawlessness in the personal lives of its fans, we can’t blame social media for a worker not managing their own time effectively.

According to Brad’s post regarding the survey results:

“57% of work interruptions involve either the use of social tools like email, social networks, and text messaging, or switching windows among disparate standalone tools and applications, as well as personal online activities such as Facebook and Internet searches. The remaining 43% of workplace distractions comes from activities like phone calls, talking with co-workers and ad hoc meetings.”

“45% of employees surveyed reported they work only 15 minutes or less without getting interrupted and 53% waste at least one hour each day due to all types of distractions. That hour per day translates into $10,375 of wasted productivity per person, per year, assuming an average salary of $30/hour. Doing the math we learn for businesses with 1,000 employees, the cost of employee interruptions exceeds $10 million per year.”

Reading these statistics it was clear to me that generally speaking, more time needs to be spent between managers and their employees (sans micromanagement of course) to define what productivity actually means and what it looks like.

Your employer is not a babysitting service

I’ve been working in the corporate world now for fifteen plus years. I’m definitely not the most organized person at work but I have a lot of responsibility and it’s my duty to figure it out and take care of business. If I’m not sure how to manage or organize my time, I can always pick the brain of my more naturally organized friends, coworkers or hit up my manager for tips and tricks. Regardless of who I go to or what types of things I try, the bottom line is that it’s still my issue. I need to manage my own time as a professional.

Working in social media all day, it can be difficult to concentrate on doing the work I do on Facebook business pages and on Twitter while ignoring the notifications that keep coming in from my friends and family. However, managing this is still my responsibility and I need to take it seriously if I want to stay employed. My employer should not have to come up with software solutions or new policies that block, manage, organize my time so that I can be productive. That is my job.

Many of us long-time creative/marketing types have complained and butted heads with techie IT admins about locking down certain websites or connectivity. IT has always been the ceiling of digital oppression in the workplace for those of us that like to traverse the world outside our firewalls. But while philosophically I disagree with putting network tools in place for the sake of ‘increasing productivity’ by locking out certain websites and domains, looking at the numbers in the study I mentioned above, it’s apparent that almost half of employees who’s job involves being online, getting email, etc. need some education and tips on time management at work. To that end, I can understand why IT would be encouraged to put something in place.

The issue however can and should be accomplished and dealt with using real people, regular discussion, and good management. The Orwellian approach to productivity is not the right path. Network security is important for many obvious reasons, but network solutions used solely to ‘increase productivity’ through digital imprisonment are wrong on every level.

If I can’t have Facebook open (when I’m not doing work on it) or a Twitter client used for my personal account running while I’m working on something else because it’s distracting, I need to close them. End of story. If I’m in a meeting and my iPhone is blowing up with social media notifications and distracting me, I need to turn it off (I still suck at this).

An employee’s inability to manage their own digital distractions is no one’s fault but their own.

Business Systems Packages Petroleum Production

Differing Plastics Flavors (Article)

Abstract: There is no one process used when manufacturing plastic products, since manufacturing methods depend on the final product. Indeed, products range from injection molding and plastic extrusion, to extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, stretch blow molding, and thermoformed plastics. (...)

Excerpt related to business systems packages for petroleum production: There is no one process used when manufacturing plastic products, since manufacturing methods depend on the final product. Indeed, products range ...

Published 2006-09-06

The Tricky Enterprise Applications Needs of Plastics Producers (Article)

Abstract: General enterprise resource planning (ERP) providers, even those which are viable companies with a solid product, typically do not meet the tricky requirements that are vital to the plastics industry and related so-called mill or material converter businesses. (...)

Excerpt related to business systems packages for petroleum production: General enterprise resource planning (ERP) providers, even those which are viable companies with a solid product, typically do not meet the tricky...

Published 2006-09-05

SAP Industry Solutions for Mid-market Companies (Article)

Abstract: For over a decade, SAP has offered industry-specific applications, starting with oil and gas and utilities solutions. Media, insurance, chemicals, banking, and public sector offerings have followed, highlighting SAP's lesser-known side as a market-oriented provider of industry-tailored solutions. (...)

Excerpt related to business systems packages for petroleum production: For over a decade, SAP has offered industry-specific applications, starting with oil and gas and utilities solutions. Media, insurance, chemicals,...

Published 2006-05-25

SAP Industry Solutions for Mid-market Companies (Article)

Abstract: For over a decade, SAP has offered industry-specific applications, starting with oil and gas and utilities solutions. Media, insurance, chemicals, banking, and public sector offerings have followed, highlighting SAP's lesser-known side as a market-oriented provider of industry-tailored solutions. (...)

Excerpt related to business systems packages for petroleum production: For over a decade, SAP has offered industry-specific applications, starting with oil and gas and utilities solutions. Media, insurance, chemicals,...

Published 2006-05-25

AspenTech Completes Another Piece of the Refining Puzzle With ... (Article)

Abstract: Aspen Technology recently acquired Petrolsoft Corporation, a maker of software for downstream refining distribution and replenishment. (...)

Excerpt related to business systems packages for petroleum production: Aspen Technology recently acquired Petrolsoft Corporation, a maker of software for downstream refining distribution and replenishment.

Published 2000-06-22

AspenTech Completes Another Piece of the Refining Puzzle With ... (Article)

Abstract: Aspen Technology recently acquired Petrolsoft Corporation, a maker of software for downstream refining distribution and replenishment. (...)

Excerpt related to business systems packages for petroleum production: Aspen Technology recently acquired Petrolsoft Corporation, a maker of software for downstream refining distribution and replenishment.

Published 2000-06-22

Go Fygir! SCT Defeats Incumbent AspenTech at Texaco, Shell Venture (Article)

Abstract: ERP vendor SCT Corp. recently sold its Fygir Demand Planning product to Equilon, a joint refining venture of Shell Oil and Texaco that had signed Aspen Technology’s largest deal for its PIMS™ planning and scheduling software. (...)

Excerpt related to business systems packages for petroleum production: ERP vendor SCT Corp. recently sold its Fygir Demand Planning product to Equilon, a joint refining venture of Shell Oil and Texaco that had signed ...

Published 2000-04-28

Supply Chain Planning in 2000: The Brains Behind Internet ... (Article)

Abstract: The supply chain planning market will top $2.5 billion in 2000, driven in large part by the needs of Internet customer fulfillment. (...)

Excerpt related to business systems packages for petroleum production: The supply chain planning market will top $2.5 billion in 2000, driven in large part by the needs of Internet customer fulfillment.

Published 2000-04-04

Supply Chain Management (SCM) Software Evaluation Report (Software Evaluation Report)

Abstract: This complete rating detail report covers the vendor or provider's responses to TEC's comprehensive research model. The report answers your concerns about how your chosen vendors will support your requirements. (...)

Excerpt related to business systems packages for petroleum production: ... Supply Chain Management (SCM) software packages , Supply Chain ... RF prompt to capture Julian production date for ... to host (ERP, OMS) business systems; Create new ...