GMATPREPNOW!

Just going through SC lessons on http://www.gmatprepnow.com

Brent did a great job in explaining the concepts. Check out if you are having some problems at solving SC questions!

Will finish this module tonight for sure and will start MGMAT SC guide tomorrow!

5 Essential Skills For Any Marketer In 2013

As more business owners become marketing savvy and technology expands our reach, it’s getting harder to stand out from the noise. Successfully marketing your product or service requires a mix of skills and personality traits. Here’s a quick overview of five traits that will set you on the road to marketing success this year. In case you want to develop any of these areas, we’ve also provided some recommendations for further exploration.

 

1.  Copywriting: Many successful entrepreneurs cite the book Influence by Robert Cialdini as single most important book they’ve read. In Influence, Cialdini breaks down the process of influencing buyers to easy steps ranging from showing social proof to building authority. Copywriting is the art of using persuasion in writing to develop sales and marketing materials. Good copywriting drives a company’s website, written materials, packaging, and social media. If you haven’t developed this skill, two popular courses include AWAI’s Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting and John Carlton’s Simple Writing System.

2. Social media:Social media is a critical channel for anyone that’s actively marketing products. It’s important to be able to evaluate which social networks are best for your business, based on where your customers spend their time online. Knowing the technical aspects of managing an account as well as how to engage people is important. To learn more about social media marketing, check out the archives of the site Social Media Examinerwhich is a best-in-class resource for different social platforms.

3.  Market research:As a marketer, it’sessential that you understand what your customers want. It’s not good enough to guess. Instead, you need to be able to conduct effective market research from designing surveys to setting up focus groups and conducting interviews. Market research doesn’t require a Ph.D. in research design. Instead, you have to be willing to get out there, ask the right questions, and continuously test your assumptions. Market research can inform everything from your branding to your product design. If you want to build a solid foundation in market research, start with this presentation on SlideShare.

4.   Networking:One of the skills that sets marketers apart is the ability to network. From establishing joint ventures in your market to wooing customers, being able to hold your own in a conversation is important. A good networker can mingle at an industry event, get through to decision makers on cold calls, or wow a new client over lunch. Being a good networker relies on being comfortable with rejection, building your relationships over time, and understanding how to create value for other people. For more info on good networking, check out the forthcoming Your Network is Your Net Worth by former Virgin America V.P. Porter Gale.

5.  Analysis:From a company’s financials to its web analytics, marketers are bombarded with data every day. It’s key that marketers be able to read and interpret this data, and use it to inform their strategies. Simple data can tell you whether or not an effort is drawing customers, whether the costs of acquiring a customer through a certain kind of advertisement is profitable, and more. Marketo’s Definitive Guide to Market Metrics and Market Analytics is a great place to start.

When you’re planning where to invest your time in terms of learning, developing these essential skills can add rocket fuel to your marketing career. From selling through great copy to improving campaign performance based on analytics, each contributes greatly to the marketing cycle. Do you have a resource to help interested marketers further explore one of these five areas? Let us know your favorite references in the comments below.

About the Author : Julianne Parrish is a mother of one beautiful daughter. She loves spending time with her and catching up on reading otherwise. Julianne also likes reviewing sites like Optiva, which is a leader in LED signs.

 

 

The 10 Best CPA Exam Tips

Undertaking a CPA exam requires that you be well prepared. Some students fail the exam because they did not plan or manage time well. Many people have a perception of a CPA exam being difficult, but one thing you should know is that once you follow the most important tips on how to pass a CPA exam, you will be on the safe side. Passing will be achievable for you. After all, you wouldn’t want to get that degree in accounting and not be a licensed accountant!

Try to consider the following best CPA exam tips:

Always have a fresh mind

It is important to have a fresh mind on a daily basis. Staying up all night should be a forgotten routine to avoid confusion and lack of concentration on the day of your exam. With rest and continual focus and concentration over time, you will eventually grasp more information concerning your CPA exam.

Have a plan

It is always advisable to have a work schedule if you are currently working and a study schedule for your CPA exam. A schedule will propel you toward graduation with a degree in accounting, and then you can plan to take your exam to avoid any inconveniences.

Always keep in mind that every exam is different

If you are taking a CPA exam for the first time you should clearly be aware that it will be different from the previous exams. For instance, 2013’s exam will be completely different from last year’s exam. This means that you have to make sure that you get high scores to avoid failure. A CPA course has four sections and you are required to pass all of them or you will have to retake parts of the exam.

Revision is important

Always review your notes on a regular basis to enhance your memory capability. With this you will be able to remember and apply what you will have read during your exam. Prepare short summarized notes and avoid cramming. You can easily download your review notes from the comfort of your home through use of a computer, a phone or even a tablet. With these materials, you can study any time anywhere you want.

Talk to your instructor

Try to inform your instructor on your plans to take a CPA exam and get their feedback as quickly as possible bearing in mind that the CPA credential is the key entry to career development.

Use your exam tricks

If you have your own invented methods of learning use them if they are efficient for you.

Work hard

Burying yourself in books won’t help you if you do not know what your main purpose is. You should at least allocate some time for yourself to have fun. This will help you relax and once the exam comes, you will easily ace it.

Stay away from social media

If you have a Facebook or twitter account log them out and stay completely away from internet to enhance concentration.

Remind yourself why

Have a purpose for taking a CPA exam or a degree in accounting.

Understand what CPA is

CPA is all about diligence as well intelligence!

 

Career Planning:Current Degrees to Set You Up In Tomorrow’s Growing Industries

Earning a degree is an exciting and important investment in your future. Deciding which degree to pursue, however, can be a difficult choice. Certainly you want to consider your natural interests and abilities, and you also want to choose a degree that will provide you with the best job prospects upon graduation. Therefore, knowing which industries are growing and creating the most job opportunities is an essential part of your decision-making process.

According to research conducted by the United States government, as well as other organizations who track industry and employment trends, three of the fastest-growing industries over the next decade will be healthcare, business, and construction. With a relevant degree, you can expect to find a variety of interesting and rewarding job opportunities within any of these arenas.

Healthcare

Growth in the healthcare industry will be driven primarily by our country’s aging population.  Senior citizens and other people with health issues will continue to need the direct medical care provided by doctors, but they will also need the type of care provided by nurses, home health care services, and physical therapists. So, it’s not surprising that the fastest-growing occupations in the healthcare industry are projected to be nurses, home health aides, and physical therapist aides.

People with health issues also need medical equipment and medication, and medical offices need to track their patients’ information accurately. This means that pharmacy technologists, medical office assistants, and medical transcriptionists will also be in high demand.

Degrees:  If you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, the hottest degrees in the foreseeable future will be nursing, physical therapy, and masters in human services. While the first two are more career specific, a masters in human services would open many doors and give you a broader career field to choose from.

Business

People with general business skills are always highly sought after because they have the knowledge required to adapt to a variety of roles. Over the next decade, however, those with financial analysis and accounting skills can expect to do particularly well as the economy continues to strengthen. Likewise, market researchers and marketing analysts will also be in high demand.   

Degrees:  If business is what interests you and you like the idea of being flexible, consider a degree in business administration. If you enjoy working with numbers and spreadsheets, a degree in finance, accounting, or market research might be the right choice.

Construction

Although the construction industry was particularly hard-hit during the recent economic downturn, delayed demand for new buildings and improvements on existing buildings means that this will be one of the fastest-growing industries for years to come. Interest in green and sustainable building will be especially strong given the increasing interest in environmental issues. People with traditional construction skills like carpenters, plumbers, and electricians should do increasingly well in the job market, but those with knowledge of sustainable building practices and technologies will find that they have particularly strong employment prospects.

Degrees:  A degree in construction management, building science, or civil engineering will allow you to take advantage of the expanding opportunities in this industry. Also, a degree in urban or regional planning will position you for career success.

Tips For a Successful Online Education

Currently there is emphasis on higher education. People are furthering their studies and getting a master’s degree and even pursuing doctoral studies.

There is a broad variety of online degrees available and several of the most popular are in the human resources field. Availability of online master’s in human resources for those who want to further their studies has made things much easier for people with busy schedules. The obvious benefits that come with online studies are that you do not have to attend classes physically, it is usually cheaper and it offers flexibility for those who want it – even if they’re not busy.

Despite many advantages associated with online masters in human resources, getting a degree online requires self-discipline and self-motivation. No one will follow up on you to determine if you “attend” classes. Below are some essential tips about having a successful online education that students should know in order to manage their online studies.

Managing Time
Time is of the essence and you need to manage your time properly in order to be successful in everything you are doing. You need to establish the time of day that you are most focused and likely to study well without much interruption. Some people may study well early in the morning, while others may prefer late into the night. After you establish the time of day that you can be focused and study well, you then allocate appropriate time for your course.

Location, Location, Location

One of the greatest things about online masters in human resources is that you can attend classes online from any location. Since an individual can study from any place, you may have to determine the most suitable place to study.

Some people prefer absolute silence and no interruptions hence such individuals can consider studying at the library or a particularly studious coffee shop nearby. If you do not mind interruptions within the house, then you can simply study anywhere or set up a work study room. To avoid any inconveniences, it is essential that when you determine that optimal time for you to study; you do that while having in mind the place you will do your studies.

Can You Be Flexible?

Most people who take online courses do so because of the flexibility it provides to manage personal obligations and still pursue a career. If you cannot balance these and need the structure of a physical classroom, you need to realize that, as well.

It’s an understatement to say, the internet has been helpful since you can get almost any information there. When you take an online course, you have a wide range of resources you can access over the internet. Additionally you can participate in various group discussions through video conferencing with other students who are pursuing a similar career. You are likely to virtually meet various students from all over the world and thus exchange ideas, share information and learn a lot from each other.

Pursuing an online degree is beneficial only if you are self- disciplined, motivated and willing to interact with students from various parts of the world and learn from them.

Student loan

THE COLLEGE CONSPIRACY

THE COLLEGE CONSPIRACY

I just came to know about the documentary about College Conspiracy and thought it will be helpful to you guys also. It may shatter your dreams or make you frustrated the way colleges exploits us. Now, I am left with thinking from where I will get my money to finance my MBA, if I get into B-school.

Anyhow, here is the link to the documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A75KERKwEQM

The Inheritance of Loss

I have picked up another book ‘The inheritance of Loss’ by Kiran Desai. The last book I read, The Diary of Young Girl by Anne Frank made me realize that you must write. I love writing and I have written many articles but the Diary of Anne Frank touched my heart and I keep thinking about that little girl and what she had to go through in all those years of WWII. This diary made me to realize I can express myself to the unknown world and at the same time I can avoid being sad about the loneliness. No matter I do have 1000+ contacts in my gmail id and there are many people around me but I still feel alone sometimes. I feel sad, frustrated and sometimes cry for the same reason.  All this was felt by Anne Frank almost 70 years back and she overcome with all that with her writing and I believe I can also. So, guys fasten your seat belts, I am gonna take you to the ride through my blog! 

Okay, coming back to the novel ‘The inheritance of Loss’ is Man Booker Prize winner novel for year 2006. It’s main theme is migration. I will keep you guys updated about the book!  

Interpreting Dreams!

In last few days, I am dreaming almost a same dream. Yes, I have witnessed many times a dream in which I am back in college! Last day, while sleeping I saw a dream in which I was attending classes at CBS! CBS man, oh my god! 

In another dream I was at my Engineering college and in another dream I was stuck at stairs of my Engineering college and was not able to come out of these. In one another dream I was walking around the campus of some European college. All these dreams are strange and may be I am witnessing all these because I have thought about going back to college so much.  

What is going on man, am I dreaming a dream? I wish!  

‘Argo’ takes away Oscar for best movie!!

Can you believe ’Argo’ takes away Oscar for best movie? I don’t think anyone would have been expecting this! Or were you? It is good movie but Oscar? Congratulations !!