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The only fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System which enables the user to determine their location, speed direction and time is the GPS. The Global Positioning System (GPS) includes 24 satellites, in circular orbits around Earth with orbital period of 12 hours, distributed in six Orbital planes equally spaced in angle. Each satellite carries an operating atomic clock (along with several backup clocks) and emits timed signals that include a code telling its location. Since its inception, the only major users of this technology were the army. But it has now evolved in to a commercial product used by diverse industries throughout the world and attracts customers due to its innovative features and applications. The potential of GPS is widespread and GPS satellites are gradually revolutionizing driving, flying, hiking, exploring, rescuing, and map making.
The two basic operations for the GPS are: Tracking and Navigation systems.

1. Tracking devices combine the possibility to locate itself using technologies like radio transmission. It’s useful since it enables tracking the position of people of vehicles in real time without them telling explicitly. Tracing is another application which is used regularly.

2. Navigation: It is perhaps the most well-known of all the applications of GPS. Using the appropriate software, the GPS coordinates are found which helps locating the intended route, dynamically selecting the best route in real time. The first such application is the car navigation system, which allows drivers to receive navigation instructions without taking their eyes off the road, via voice commands and makes driving easy.

Consumer receivers are the approximate size of a hand-held calculator, cost a few hundred dollars. There are new cutting edge applications being developed all the time, as the surrounding technological environment becomes more advanced. Commercial industries like Hotels, Automobile and Telecommunication are the most involved in GPS business. The services which are currently grabbing the market’s attention and are expected to evolve on a larger scale are:

1. In-car navigation services: A GPS system in a car (such as Garmin Nuvi or the recently announced Harman-Kardon GPS-300) lets the user plan a route just by typing in an address, and then following voice prompts that tell you where (and when) to turn. The on-screen display shows a bright easy-to-see find arrow for directions. Most recent cars have an in-built GPS in them. The device also can have in built information about local coffee shops with high-speed wireless access, the birthplace location of famous people or even the best restaurants in small towns. The system is user friendly and reliable.
2. Hiking, Bike rides or outdoor workouts: One of the most common uses for a GPS is just going for a hike, walk, run or bike ride Forerunner 305(Garmin), which is a GPS watch worn on the wrist shows exercise data such as current heart rate, speed and distance, and your total workout time. The Software included with the Forerunner also provides map of the route on a PC and then tracks your workout progress.
3. Geocaching: One idea for a very popular corporate event or after-work activity is to go geocaching. Geocaching has become a corporate "urban game" activity on a large scale. Microsoft recently hosted an event through GeoTeaming where each employee uses a GPS device for a scavenger hunt or a small treasure hunt activity. The event aims at providing motivational teamwork and planning.
4. Boating and Fishing: Fishing is another sport where a GPS provides several fishing perks beyond the basics. The GPS provides information about the fishing and hunting schedules for the best days and times to fish and which species are in season. There's also sunrise and sunset information, to judge how much light is available for nighttime outings and tide tables for those who fish on the ocean..
5. Golf: The GPS allows choosing clubs more accurately. The map of the area can be manually set by walking the course and setting waypoints. Then, when you play the course, the GPS shows the current location and the distance to the next hole. An easier approach is that it gives not only the pin distances, but bunker locations and other hazards to avoid such as lakes and even the best lay-up positions. (Brandon, 2007)
Unfortunately, as with all technology, there are a few drawbacks. As advanced as GPS technology is, it must be realized that no machinery can function 100 percent of the time. In order for a GPS system to provide accurate information it must be able to receive a signal from a minimum of four satellites. Inclement weather or tall buildings can interfere with signal reception. Another disadvantage of GPS is its dependence on battery power. Even though using a battery enables a GPS system to have portability, a battery can fail without warning. However in spite of these drawbacks the market for GPS has been booming especially in the consumer market.
MARKET GROWTH
Because of the open platform it is built on and the versatile options provided by the device, the in-car navigation, tracking and consumer applications (golf, fishing, geocaching) would lead the global GPS market to rise above $22 billion by 2008, driven by new applications and led in part by demand for timing devices.
• The vehicle mapmakers: It is forecasted that total map volume will increase to 65 million in 2011 from 7 million in 2006. In all, approximately 4 million vehicle navigation systems were sold in North America last year and approximately 13 million in Europe.
• Fleet Management: The GPS market for Fleet Management Worldwide is approximately US $ 4 Billion in the year 2005 and it is expected to grow at 3.4 % by the year 2010.
• Consumer’s applications like hiking, Golf and fishing have also led to quick appreciation of the attractiveness of GPS services. In dollar terms, the market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 13% over the same period to approximately $1.9 billion in 2011. (Find Articles.com, 2005)
The market for consumer GPS products has been booming because of its innovative features and lucrative price since the past few years and is definitely to continue to rise thus making it one of the best areas to invest.

REFRENCES
1. Six innovative uses for GPS during your business day: Brandon, John (June 22, 2007). Six innovative uses for GPS during your business day. Retrieved October 25, 2007, from Six innovative uses for GPS during your business day Web site: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9023359
2. The Many Benefits and Applications of GPS systems : Thompson, Guy Lecky (June 22,2007). Palo wireless GPS resource center. Retrieved October 27, 2007, from The Many Benefits and Applications of GPS systems Web site: http://www.palowireless.com/gps/gpsbenefits.asp
3. GPS manufacturers report sales growth : (March, 2005). GPS manufacturers report sales growth. Retrieved October 27, 2007, from GPS manufacturers report sales growth-Find Articles Web site: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BPW/is_3_16/ai_n13471750
4. Navteq, Garmin: CIBC Research Sees Continuing GPS Growth-Seeking Alpha : McQueen, Mark (April, 2007). Navteq, Garmin: CIBC Research Sees Continuing GPS Growth-Seeking Alpha. Retrieved October 26, 2007, from Navteq, Garmin: CIBC Research Sees Continuing GPS Growth Web site: http://seekingalpha.com/article/32563-navteq-garmin-cibc-research-sees-continuing-gps-growth
5. The Price is Right! GPS Prices Drop for Consumers. : Colwell, Stephen (2007, April 12). Business Outlook — The Price is Right! GPS Prices Drop for Consumers. Retrieved October 27, 2007, from The Price is Right! GPS Prices Drop for Consumers Web site: http://cp.gpsworld.com/gpscp/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=418965

Posted by Vibhashreya Srivatsan at 03:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

“Buy-in” is a leadership strategy. It can be defined as the steps taken and tools used to achieve objectives by developing an inspiring vision and utilizing the emotions of people. The concept brings in a radical change yet practical approach to: Creating a strategic story intended to project a positive future to the audience concerned. The strongest leaders are those who create a positive vision of the future.
“Buy-In” can also be thought of as a language which instills commitment and has a powerful impact on the thoughts and emotions of the listeners. This language will empower people to produce the results needed with greater ease, speed and effectiveness. Mark S Walton an award winning journalist provides the readers with a new perspective of “Buy-In”. His concept of using a storyline, the “big picture”, to depict a tool that fulfills their audience’s agenda, correlates to their situation in the organization and persuades them to believe and work towards the goal.
I agree with the author when he talks about the importance of the emotional factor involved in making decisions and how it impacts the work of the employees. When a promising and motivating future is projected, people seem to work better in that environment. This brings us to one of the most basic skills a leader should master: Communication. Powerful leadership communication can bring unprecedented buy-in throughout any organization.
The examples of individuals and organizations, like from Abraham Lincoln to Coca Cola, who have excelled at persuading people to do or buy, reiterates the necessity to develop the persuasive and stimulating communication skills that will guarantee their buy-in. However success can be achieved only by putting the “Buy-In” language into use, that is, exercise his strategies to design, target, and deliver stories that win the commitment of all who hear them.

Posted by Vibhashreya Srivatsan at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Human Communication- The power of interaction

Human communication can be viewed as a concept, a field of study about interaction, collaboration and also an art to be practiced and mastered. It forms the basis of understanding the interrelationship between individuals or groups. This can also be considered as a method for transmitting information by co-relating it to the Shannon-Weaver model, which states that “the message sending environment comprises of a sender, a receiver, a medium for transmission and noise.”So typically, communication also follows these protocols.
Human communication comprises of various aspects and features and through the course of the paper I will emphasize their significance.
Communication theory as a field:
As stated by Stephen W.Littlejohn “Theories communicate about communication” (Littlejohn, 2007).Human communication theory can be considered as a field of study since it reflects its eclectic nature in ordinary life. Theories revolve around analysis and synthesis. So, we move on further to the analysis and synthesis of communication.
Analysis: When looked into the facts of how communication has evolved we realize that there are some tools used for communication:
• Language- It is one of the bases of communication. One major advantage o human language is that it’s flexible. Meaning of words can be changed and new ones created. An example of how this evolved can be understood by considering the English word: nice, which now generally means pleasing or agreeable. However in the earlier days it meant foolish or even wicked. Language provides a fundamental structure to the communication process.
• Speech: It is the verbal form of representing language. It is the outcome of the actual use of language.
• Discourse: also a means of communication, is “organization of words”- Stephen W Littlejohn, and requires coherence, which means the ability to stick together to make sense.
Careful examination and analysis of the sequence of words, their origin and etymology help understand the root of communication process.
Synthesis: Information organization
Organization of information produces some sense during communication. The two issues involved with it are:
• Interpreting the meaning: This could be better explained with an example. Consider a rose. People can relate it to beauty or sweet smell while other could relate it to its ugly thorns. Depending on how the mind interprets the message eventually changes the way of communicating.
• Attribution: As stated by Litlejohn “Once you make an attribution you are apt to stick to it”. So the predisposition in human minds towards things influences the thought and communication.
• Perspective/opinion: As aptly stated by Tina Coburn “Culture and past experiences play a major role in a person’s language or perspective in communicating”. (Coburn, 2007). Past experiences like tasting food which we like makes us change our opinion about it and makes us to react positively. Change in perspective, also, make us to “take a broader view of our domain” (J.Gillette, 2007), where people start thinking out of the box which in turn is shown in their behavior.
Communication Levels:
“Human communication is the field dedicated to understand how people communicate” with themselves, (intrapersonal communication), another person (interpersonal communication), within groups (group dynamics), through technology (mass media), across culture (cross-cultural communication)”. (Yaich, 2007)
Consider a mass media environment, the purpose is to distribute and provide information to a large number of heterogeneous audiences. So such kind of information needs to be persuasive with the aim of influencing the mass.
• Group dynamics: involves working in teams, communicating with each other common views and work together to achieve the goal. Communication here would be a more one-on-one basis to convey the appropriate thoughts.
• Organizational level: This is a professional atmosphere. Communication changes with authority relations, like when communicating with a boss it is different from communicating with a colleague.

Types of communication:
• Verbal: is related to talking, or it’s the expression of thoughts through words. It involves use of appropriate language to convey information.
• Non-verbal: Actions speak more than words. Like using body gestures or facial expressions to communicate. Most non verbal communication occurs at an unconscious level. An example could be to shrug shoulders. Two people can say the same sentence but convey different meaning by simply using their body language.
• Written: This could be in the form of emails, letters or any written document. One of the most practiced in the written of communication is professional writing.
Why does the communication process fail?
“Communication usually fails, except by accident”- Wiio’s laws
Most of the time what is expressed is never what is understood. Communication fails mostly due to
• Language and culture: for example misinterpretation of the meaning when spoken in a different language.
• Personal differences: When assumed that people have prior knowledge on the subject it fails in a larger group of audience.
As stated by Nick Clark “Without response, the cycle of sending and consequently communication is often terminated” (Clark, 2007). So when there is no response from the other person the message is lost. Similarly when the listener does not pay attention the process fails.
Simple misinterpretations of meaning and behavior also cause failure.
Communication has since long been used as a tool for collaboration, to understand and interact. Thus it’s important to know the techniques to good communication. Clarity, observation and listening skills are important aspects since it’s with these that we make sense and transact with our environment and people in it.
• Clarity: Clear and concise expression of thoughts helps deliver the intended message. Clarity of observation is also necessary for effective and efficient communication.
• Communication involves information storage and retrieval. The other two aspects fall under this category.
• Observation: Scrutinizing and analyzing every small detail of what is being spoken and the environment is often beneficial in a common process.
• Listening: “Good listeners provide quick feedback and act on what they hear”. (Peters, 1987). It enhances communication skills and provides good outcome. The art of listening needs to be practiced and mastered.
Communication- the human connection is the key to personal and career success”-Paul J Meyer
To be a successful leader in today’s world it is important to manage and lead. A leader needs to have an inspiring vision and simultaneously the ability to motivate the workforce, which in turn means that they need to have good communication skills.
Today’s successful leaders will work diligently to engage in their cause. Oddly enough the best way by far to engage others is by seriously listening to them. If talking and giving orders was the administrative model of the last 50 years, listening is the model for the 1980’s and beyond”- (Peters, 1980).By saying so Tom Peter’s emphasizes the need for good listening and observational skills to be able to communicate effectively. Thus good communication skills are vital if we want to be in a successful professional leader and individual.

Posted by Vibhashreya Srivatsan at 03:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CHINA INC.

“Made in China” is the slogan of the consumer market today. The words emphasize the penetration of Chinese goods and its influence into the world market for a long time now. It has marked the emergence of a new era in production, distribution and trade of commercial goods.
The book “China Inc.” by Ted Fishman talks about how China’s economy has begun to influence the daily lives of workers, consumers, governments and people worldwide. China has grown from being an impoverished country to one of the most dominant industrial power. The country has demonstrated how little value-added commoditized manufacturing has become. He talks about China being a “Pirate Nation” that is, how by counterfeiting any product, irrespective of its quality, the sales never seems to drop. Be it electronic gadgets, CD’s and DVD’s or clothes counterfeiting seems to create jobs and support the entire economy, with the support of the government to a large extent. China is now manufacturing nearly everything -computers, cars, jumbo jets, and pharmaceuticals that the United States and Europe can, at perhaps half the cost. Counterfeiting has also given the growing companies the means to compete with the powerful foreign rivals.
With increase in popularity of Chinese goods, Ted Fishman also voices the concern of how it might prove detrimental to the American market. It is important for American and European countries to shake out of their complacency, take a few basic steps to protect their market goods. This would begin at improving the quality of education at the student level. Also recognizing it is imperative to realize that the globalization growth at a fast pace is not just due to the large workforce willing to work for low wages or creativity but more due to its under-developed domestic market.

Posted by Vibhashreya Srivatsan at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

EUROPEAN RENAISSANCE- The era of Great Men

The famous Renaissance historian Jacob Burkhardt argues in his essay, “ Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy, that the Renaissance was, as an historical event, the transition from medieval times, during which the focus of all life had been religion, to modern times, in which that focus expanded to include learning, rationality, and realism. Whereas in the Middle Ages, religious salvation had occupied the position of utmost importance, during the Renaissance, humanism, stressing the need for individuals to reach their potential in this world, rose up to accompany and rival the goal of salvation”
Many Italian cities were part of the Renaissance such as Florence, Ferrara, Milan and Venice. These cities consisted of many wealthy merchants who spawned the interest on different things, other than trade items such as painting, learning, new systems of government and other literary works. This major event in history was a turning point in terms of enlightenment of minds.

The era also marked the difference in the term: Renaissance and enlightenment. Both involved bringing about major changes in culture, art, religion, science, mind (philosophy) and mathematics. While Renaissance is associated with rebirth of literature, architecture and humanism the Enlightenment calls to mind the scientific method, industrialization and rationality.

There was a change in political scenario with the beginning of the modern era. People started becoming more interested in politics and the world outside their cities. Religious beliefs changed due to growth of literacy. The church began to lose its monopoly as Renaissance gave people the opportunity to think out of the box, explore the world and access to different things which were unheard of in the Middle Ages.

The European Renaissance also produces many great minds. Leonardo Da Vinci was one such great artist cum intellectual thinker of the time. His famous works includes: the Mona Lisa and
The Last Supper. He was also a great inventor and a number of blueprints for devices he had created are still present. He was also interested in human anatomy. He dissected corpses to learn more about human anatomy. One of his famous diagrams of the human body is the Vitruvian Man.

Another famous Personality is Michelangelo Buonarroti, a renowned sculptor. “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free”- Michelangelo. He created two free-standing sculptures, the Madonna and Child and David. He is also well known for being the chief architect of the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome

Many other sculptors, painters, architects, ambitious and influential artists of the Renaissance era include: Giuseppe Arcimboldi, Botticelli, Leonardo, Raphael, Titian, and E Greco.
Thus the European Renaissance marks the awakening of Europe and describes the intellectual and economic changes which led to the growth from economic stagnation of the Middle Ages to a spurt of financial growth in the Modern era.

References:

http://www.cyberessays.com/History/24.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-the-renaissance-and-the-enlightenment.htm

http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96mar/michelangelo.html

http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/

http://arthistory.heindorffhus.dk/frame-Michelangelo.htm

Posted by Vibhashreya Srivatsan at 02:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Information Renaissance-Rebirth of Knowledge

Renaissance – marks birth, revolution or change of any sort. The Renaissance marked the 14th through 17th century era. It was a cultural movement which began in Italy and spread through Europe. It highlights the need for revival of learning. The Renaissance, since its inception has had huge impacts in the intellectual thought process and is well known for the artistic aspects it bought along with it.
The Information Renaissance marked the change in the way of thinking of people. People who lived in Europe in the Middle Ages were more or less blindfolded by the Church’s preaching’s and believed in the stories and myths passed on across generations. The period of Renaissance bought about enlightenment among the people to come out of their fears and explore the world.
The other new change was the growth of humanism and humanists. These were the people who made it a point to broaden their horizons by removing the suppressions on their minds imposed by the Church long ago. These Humanists moved on from the life of spirituality to focus on subjects and issues dealing with new ideas on human rights, freedom and life.
These people also began to move out and explore the world in search for knowledge. This bought about a way for people to share cultures and learn about new cultures in turn. There was a wide spread knowledge penetration throughout Europe and the Humanists took the opportunity to educate people.
Art and religion grew tremendously. A lot of literary works were produced in this era. To name a few renowned innovators: Masaccio in painting, Brunelleschi in architecture, and Donatello in sculpture. The social status of the artists rose to the extent that they were now the elite crowd in towns and was called skilled artisans rather than simple craftsmen. “The idea of artistic genius became popular; Michelangelo was called "divine" because of the greatness of his creative powers.”
Art also gave way to growth of new scientific fields of study: Anatomy and Mathematics. Both Art and Science strived together to unveil the mysteries of the physical and spiritual world. The other fields which flourished in the period were: Architecture, Sculpture, Poetry, Literary works and Religion.
The Renaissance period also opened doors for the growth for enlightenment among the women. A few of the women in the Renaissance era were: Isabella d'Este, also called as the First Lady of Renaissance and Catherine de Medici. Both of them were great patron of art and helped the Renaissance flourish.
Thus the Information era opened doors for young budding artists and other talents to flourish and expand and spread their intellectual knowledge.

References:
http://vlib.iue.it/carrie/texts/carrie_books/gilbert/07.html
http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/RAY_RHU/RENAISSANCE_THE.html
http://www.berge2002.ch/exp/enc/people/viewstowardsalps/renaissance.html
http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/projects/renaissance/renaissancewomen.html

Posted by Vibhashreya Srivatsan at 02:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

WEB 2.0

One of the renowned definitions for Web 2.0: “Web 2.0 is the network as platform, spanning all connected devices; Web 2.0 applications are those that make the most of the intrinsic advantages of that platform: delivering software as a continually-updated service that gets better the more people use it, consuming and remixing data from multiple sources, including individual users, while providing their own data and services in a form that allows remixing by others, creating network effects through an architecture of participation, and going beyond the page metaphor of Web 1.0 to deliver rich user experiences”.-Tim O’Reilly
Web 2.0 is about people and their needs. It is about connecting people and bringing technology in their hands. The web started out as giving instruction to the users. Today, Web 2.0 takes instructions from the users, giving them the control. It is said that Web 2.0 started out when there was “a brainstorming session between O'Reilly and Medialive International”. It marked a new version of the Web. A user oriented Web was created.
More than the technology, a new meaning to the phrase “social networking” was born. The web was now more a place where people all over the world could collaborate. A recent example to this is Second Life. It is a virtual world created by people using it according to their imagination. People meet the world they create online as “Avatars”. These are digital representatives of people to experience a vast digital continent to team up with people, for entertainment and opportunities. Its popularity has grown now so much that it is now used for conducting interviews and important conferences.
“Human Network” is a phrase which is in vogue in today’s computer world and Web 2.0 is all about that. Though it’s a synonym to social networking it specifies more about the relationship’s shared by the individual people across the web. What I mean by this is that it gives the opportunity for people to relate and share ideas. Cisco has also bought about the “Human network concept”. When we look at their ad’s the word collaboration stands out the most. The web today is all about collaboration and collaborating with the human network.

Posted by Vibhashreya Srivatsan at 02:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)