Image courtesy of Chris Metcalf.

We constantly hear people say they want “job security and career advancement opportunities.” The good news is that you have taken the first step toward this lofty goal as you enrolled in the Ashworth College Small Business Management program designed for entrepreneurs. Starting and operating your own business is one way to take control of your future. Is it possible to become indispensable in today’s workplace? As you recognize your strengths, you will also build confidence, realizing that you have what it takes to market yourself and your new business; yes, you can become indispensable!

The term, indispensable means that which is necessary or essential. In other words, if you are to become indispensable, then you must become necessary or essential to the marketplace. As we consider what this means for you and your new business, let’s consider your strengths. Hopefully, your strengths include what I like to call, “The 9 E’s to BEcoming Indispensable:”

1. Enthusiasm
2. Effective communication skills
3. Ethical work habits
4. Effective employees
5. Effective problem solving and decision making skills
6. Endearing customer relationships
7. Energetic work habits
8. Education
9. Experience!

Let’s take a quick look at each of these important aspects which may catapult you to becoming indispensable. There is a reason why the word, “Enthusiasm” is first on the list. Enthusiasm is contagious! If you are enthusiastic about your abilities, your company, and your product, others will “catch” the excitement, too. Don’t you just love to be around someone who is excited about their work? It isn’t necessarily the words they use; instead, it is their non-verbal language which conveys the energy and enthusiasm they have.

Effective communication skills are vital to the success of an entrepreneur. Not only must you have a good command of the English language, you must effectively practice communication skills through writing and speech. I’ve written two helpful books which have been published by Pearson Publishers of Boston. “Going from Stress to Success,” published in 2007, is a public speaking textbook. “Basic Writing for Business: A Technical Approach,” published in 2008, is a textbook which details the basic skills of business writing. A combination of the two texts should help you to become proficient in writing and in speech. Other books are available on the market. If you feel you are deficient in your writing and speaking skills, take a course or purchase a book which will help you to develop your communication skills.

Job security is out there for people who exhibit ethical work habits. Think before you say or do anything. Make sure that your actions are consistent with business principles of moral conduct. Just remember that your work should be of the caliber that you would be proud to sign your name to it at the end of the day. (more…)

Image courtesy of Giovanni Portelli.

Earlier today, I was notified by our help desk person about a problem that users across the network were experiencing—a textbook example of what we cover through your Computer Networking program.

First off, to outline how our IT personnel is structured, there is a help desk person who answers emails and phone calls from users across our network. Many of the issues that she is asked about are simple problems that she easily handles. Issues that she is unable to solve are then forwarded to one of three IT technicians who address level 2 problems. Issues that they are unable to address are then forwarded to me which we can refer to as level 3 problems.

Like many large networks, we manage Windows updates through a Windows Software Update Services (WSUS) server. It is a dedicated server which synchronizes with Microsoft on a daily basis checking for recent updates. I have configured the WSUS to download updates for Windows 7, XP, Server 2000, Server 2003, Server 2008, SQL 2005, Office 2007 and all security updates. The WSUS emails me whenever new updates are downloaded. I then approve or disapprove each update for our network. The approved updates are then dispersed to their corresponding computers across the network. This aspect is handled by something called Group Policy Management, which is beyond the scope of this course.

Some network administrators will first install new updates on experimental computers first to ensure that the updates don’t conflict with their current configurations but most organizations don’t have the man power or time to do this. I base my decision on how Microsoft categorizes the update and what its for.Recently, I approved an update for Internet Explorer 8 or IE8. Microsoft supplies numerous updates for IE as it is prone to attacks. Today, only a week after approving the update, the help desk began to get emails that users weren’t able to save Office 2007 files to their hard drives. (more…)

As leaders in the online education field, our faculty and staff here at Ashworth College believe it’s very important to continuously innovate dynamic ways to communicate with our student community. Our Ashworth College “Live” Events initiative has proven to be quite a hit and has helped us take our vision in exciting new directions, which is why we continue to exponentially increase the number and frequency of these events every month. These events are terrific opportunities to interact with Instructors on the cutting edge of their field and gain career advancement insights that only a true expert can provide.

In addition to our career training oriented chats, we host weekly student orientation chats that are open to existing students and anyone else simply interested in learning more about what Ashworth College is all about. The orientation chat allows you to get all of your questions answered and issues resolved by an Ashworth Student Advisor via “live” video stream. You don’t even need a web cam to participate—just show up and gain plenty of valuable personal, educational, and career advice to help you get ahead!

We’re adding new events on a daily basis, so please check out the Ashworth College Event Calendar for the latest information. Thanks everyone!

Original image courtesy of JoeBehrSoCal.

As students in the Fashion Retailing Program, I’d like to get your feedback on the influence of celebrities on fashion. As a former dress buyer, I often think of this question in relation to the Oscars and other major awards shows, when everyone quickly tries to copy the dresses that were hot for prom—from a silhouette to color. Hairstyles, shoes, and accessories are also scrutinized to see what is hot and what is not. Fashion has consistently defined some of the most memorable moments in Hollywood award shows from Jennifer Lopez a few years back with a dress that was barely there to Bjork’s infamous swan dress. The tradition continues with pop icons such as Lady Gaga, whose’ highly experimental style and perpetually evolving fashion identify on is perhaps even more trend setting than her music.

Here’s the fundamental question: How do you think celebrity styles translate to the mass market and how much influence, in terms of affecting consumer buying behavior and what’s culturally hot, do these celebrities ultimately have in your opinion? On a personal level, do celebrities influence your style? Let me know why or why not this is the case. I look forward to reading your feedback. Thanks everyone!

Kimberly Schorr
Fashion Retailing Instructor
Ashworth College