All About Britney Spears

Why is it so hard to find information about Music management and booking agencies?? I was just trying to do some research about my favorite artist's management companies/booking agencies, but I can't seem to find information on them anywhere. Most specifically: Creative Artists Agency, and The FIRM management both are based in Los Angeles. I can't find websites for either of them-or information online about most music managements/agencies. Any insight?? Thanks-

Please explain when and why MCA (Music Corp. of America) stopped handling artist management.? At one time MCA represented artist along with have a record company to exploit them on. At some point the artist management side seased.

does anyone know of a good management company for music producers or composers? I'm mainly looking for ones that work with mainstream artists and labels please don't answer if you don't know

Why do people think that breaking into the music industry is hard? It is easy.? I set up a company 5 years ago and asked artists to send demo's ect. Most the wanna be artists didn't have demo's, the rest generally only had cover song demos. No one wanted to sign management contracts ect (6 month contact to help establish a record deal). Half the artists are delusional, they think they are going to be ripped off. If you have talent it is easy to get a record deal.

i need help Executive Summary: could gather my information the on bottom?

hey i need help my business plan :: give your opinion or try to help me? Executive Summary: 1. Applicant/Company Information -Name: Design coffer shop -Address:132 Cedar Grove Rd, Ruckersville, CA 90324 -Phone: (909) 834-3434 Fax: 904.326.1039 -Contact Person: Evelyn Reyes -Business Structure: Sole Proprietorship - Banking Information: Bank: Wells Fargo Bank Address: 3035 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA 92503 Phone: (951) 351-3402 Contact: Erica Smith, Financial Services Manager -Anticipated Start Date: Design coffee shop it well began operations in November 2009, and we going to prepare the plans to undertake a small expansion. As soon as possible after the scoping plan approval. Brief outline of your business concept: Design coffee shop is company involved more greatest the originally coffee shop. It providing graphic design and marketing communication services. it not provide big business . It just likes a small business Every day, millions of Americans wanted to sit down and enjoy the smell cup of coffee and lay back & see the background artwork from graphic design artist. "A person had dreamed to spend more than 50 cents for a cup of coffee. A few years, now they glad to pay $1 to $4 for their cappuccino, mocha latte or vanilla ice blended drink." The specialty-coffee business is growing at a healthy pace. The completive the Starbucks, The Coffee Bean, Pet’s, Dietrich’s and other major chains serve average quality drinks in establishments that have the same generic design appearance. Indeed, Starbucks and The Coffee Bean are often referred to as "fast food" coffeehouses due to their "cookie cutter" design. Now that Americans' coffee preferences have broadened and matured, many are asking for more from their design coffee shop. We offer high-quality products in an upscale environment. Furthermore, our high-profile location in San Bernardino provides a mixed customer base that will maintain high levels of business in every season, at all times of the day, every day of the week. Vision and Mission Statement The design coffee shop will become the more like small museum. We will serve a perfect product at a very reasonable price. We will also be a meeting place for graphic design artists and a place for them to show off their work. We will create an atmosphere conducive to creative expression and promote the creative process. Our primary goals over the next year are: 1. Secure financing for start-up of at least $10,000 for space and equipment. 2. Renovate our space in Old Town. 3. Acquire equipment necessary for business, i.e. coffee pot, cappuccino machines, blenders, etc. 4. Make agreement with coffee distributors, and bakery vendors. 5. Create a cozy, artist friendly environment (i.e. choice of colors, choice of music, decor) 6. Open for business and become the foremost coffeehouse in the area. MARKET OPPORTUNITY Marketing will play a vital role in the success of small company is java net because they will put some our advertising, I not want exert gate too much our company. it something sample for customer to understand. It only one or two location be. The design coffee shop is our target market is mostly student. Because it when come student they wanted to sit back and relax. Design coffee shop going to be locate one of San Bernardino. Ownership The Design coffee shop is a general partnership between Lisa and Sandy Mason. Each partner is equally involved in operation and management of the shop, each to her own abilities. Location and Facilities The Design coffee shop is located in the Old Town section of San Bernardino, California. We currently own the building we will occupy, though painting and renovation are sorely needed. Products and Services Description of Products and Services The Design coffee shop will offer high quality coffee, tea, hot coca, and cappuccino, at a very reasonable price. We will also sell homemade cookies, brownies, and doughnuts, also reasonably priced. Key Features of the Products and Services All drinks will be made with filtered water and the highest quality ingredients we can get. Frozen drinks will have caramel or chocolate syrup drizzled in the glass and over the drink. Cappuccino and hot coca will have whipped cream toppings as well as the option for candy sprinkles. Cookies will have the option of a chocolate or caramel dip and sprinkles. We will offer designer flavored cream and five kinds of sweetener, i.e. sugar, honey, Equal, Splenda, and Sweet-n-Low. Cream and sweetener is at no extra charge. Production of Products and Services We will use only filtered water and will brew our coffee in commercial coffeepots that will be thoroughly cleaned between uses. We will bake cookies and brownies in our own on-site oven from proven recipes, daily. Future Products and Services Within the next three to five years we expect to branch out into catering and offer homemade pies, whole or by the slice. Comparative Advantages in Production Our low overhead and cheaper pricing will be the key to our success. Industry Overview Market Research There are other businesses that serve only coffee in our Old Town. Size of the Industry Nationally, the coffee shop industry is quite large, but in somewhere, there are more. Key Industry Trends This industry is booming at the present time, there is a trend toward small cozy places and away from the large generic chain. Industry Outlook The coffee business does not show signs of slowing down. With new innovations such as flavorings and additives, it should continue for some time. Marketing Strategy Target Markets Our target market is a artist and writers who need a nice quite cozy place to think and do their work. Description of Key Competitors Of the three coffee shops in the area, one is a large chain with a very expensive product, one is really a home-style restaurant, the last one, and our biggest competitor is an antique store with a "tea room". Analysis of Competitive Position Our pricing strategy and comfortable atmosphere will be the key to our success. None of the other shops in the area can offer this. Pricing Strategy We will offer three sizes of drinks, small $1.00, medium $1.50 and large $2.00. Our cookies and brownies will sell for $1.00 each. Promotion Strategy We intend to advertise in the local newspapers and offer a "frequent drinkers club" discount to our best customers. We will also send out ads via direct mail, which will include cents off coupons. Management and Staffing Organizational Structure Our organizational structure will be a simple pyramid style with the owners putting in as much work as the employees. Management Team April and Arlene will share management and supervisory responsibilities equally. Arlene for the morning shift. April for the afternoon shift. Staffing We will hire two busboys and two waitresses; these will be recruited from the local high school. Labor Market Issues In this area there are many high school students looking for work, part time or full time, we want to fill that need. Market Risks The main risk is monetary. The area may not be ready for a place like ours and we may not do a great business. Implementation Plan Implementation Activities and Dates 1. Begin building renovation 12/08 2. Complete renovation 2/15/09 3. Begin preliminary advertising 2/15/09 4. Purchase and setup equipment 2/15/09 5. Open for business 5/1/09 Financial Plan Balance Sheet Current Assets: Building $150,000 9 computer $10,800 Furnishings $5,000 Equipment $5,000 Cash Arlene $5,000 April $4,500 Accounts Receivable None Inventory Coffee $1,000 Tea $500 Other Assets Cups $3,000 Total Current Assets $182,800 Liabilities: Accounts Payable (monthly) Water $200 Phone $150 Electric $500 Donut Vendor $1,000 Warehouse Club $1,000 Coffee Distributor $1,000 Wages $5,000 Advertising $1,000 Taxes Payable Property Taxes $500 Employee Taxes $2,000 Operating Loans Payable Startup Loan $500 HP Design jet Z2100 Photo Printer series- models $ 97 Total Liabilities $12,947 on going per month Projected Income March 05 Coffee $6,000 Tea $2,000 Cookies $1,500 Donuts $2,500 Misc. $4,000 Total Income for March $16,000 Total Projected Net Profit (Cost/Benefit) $3,150 for March This would assume 20 pots of coffee sold a day, plus an assortment of other items. This also assumes the market will not increase or decrease due to weather or economics. This would be an average month. my major is graphic design i don't know how making business plan] i have the layout just email me evelynreyes12@yahoo.com you want see it this for my class project

Help! Im being sucked into the corporate world :-(? Ive been out of school for two years...and feel very out of place at my work. I have nothing in common with anyone that I work with (including age) and feel sad because my friends all have social jobs (hair dresser, makeup artists, club promoters) while I sit at a cubicle and work in a virtually silent company (no music, my manager would rather email me than talk in person and shes only 2 feet away). I went to school and worked really hard and make ALOT better money than my friends. How can I find something more social that pays me similar? My degree is a BA of science in commerce- accounting and management major! HELP!!!!

Any one know what types of radio job opportunities are in Orlando, fl.? I would like to know if any one has any tips for a finding a job on the radio in florida. I'm am a Christian recording artist & graduating in a few mths with a degree in Accounting & Business Management. Since I want to get more into the music industry for more opportunities I'm try to get a job on the radio- instead of a company thats not in the music business- I kind of what to put music & business together.... So if any one would know of any website's where they post radio jobs and what types of jobs on the radio. Also If you have any additional tips on landing these jobs that would be great! Also I'm currently out side of the Orlando, fl area. Please let me know.

hey i need help my grammer? Design Coffee Shop will begin operations in July 2009. Plans also include undertaking a small expansion with 6-8 months of beginning operations." Brief outline of your business concept: Design coffee shop is company involved more greatest the originally coffee shop It providing graphic design and marketing communication services. it not provide big business . It just likes a small business Every day, millions of Americans wanted to sit down and enjoy the smell cup of coffee and lay back & see the background artwork from graphic design artist. "A person had dreamed to spend more than 50 cents for a cup of coffee. A few years, now they glad to pay $1 to $4 for their cappuccino, mocha latte or vanilla ice blended drink The specialty-coffee business is growing at a healthy pace. The completive the Starbucks, The Coffee Bean, Pet’s, Dietrich’s and other major chains serve average quality drinks in establishments that have the same generic design appearance. Indeed, Starbucks and The Coffee Bean are often referred to as "fast food" coffeehouses due to their "cookie cutter" design. Now that Americans' coffee preferences have broadened and matured, many are asking for more from their design coffee shop Vision and Mission Statement The design coffee shop will become the more like small museum. We will serve a perfect product at a very competitve price We will also be a meeting place for graphic design artists and a place for them to show off their work. We will create an atmosphere conducive to creative expression and promote the creative process. Our primary goals over the next year are: 1. Secure financing for start-up of at least $1,000 for space and equipment. 2. Renovate our space in San Berniorndio. 3. Acquire equipment necessary for business, i.e. coffee pot, cappuccino machines, blenders, etc. 4. Make agreement with coffee distributors, and bakery vendors. 5. Create a cozy, artist friendly environment (i.e. choice of colors, choice of music, decor) 6. Open for business and become the foremost coffeehouse in the area. MARKET OPPORTUNITY Ownership The Design coffee shop is a general partnership between Lisa and Sandy Mason. Each partner is equally financial involvement in operation and management of the shop, each to her own abilities. Location and Facilities The Design coffee shop is located in the Old Town section of San Bernardino, California. We currently own the building we will occupy, though painting and renovation are sorely needed. Products and Services Description of Products and Services The Design coffee shop will offer high quality coffee, tea, hot coca, and cappuccino, at a very reasonable price. we also buy cooking from other store. Key Features of the Products and Services All drinks will be made with filtered water and the highest quality ingredients we can get. Frozen drinks will have caramel or chocolate syrup drizzled in the glass and over the drink. Cappuccino and hot coca will have whipped cream toppings as well as the option for candy sprinkles. Cookies will have the option of a chocolate or caramel dip and sprinkles. We will offer designer flavored cream and five kinds of sweetener, i.e. sugar, honey, Equal, Splenda, and Sweet-n-Low. Cream and sweetener is at no extra charge. Production of Products and Services We will use only filtered water and will brew our coffee in commercial coffeepots that will be thoroughly cleaned between uses. Future Products and Services Within the next three to five years we expect to branch out into catering and offer homemade pies, whole or by the slice. Comparative Advantages in Production Our low overhead and cheaper pricing will be the key to our success. Industry Overview Market Research There are other businesses that serve only coffee in our Old Town. Size of the Industry Nationally, the coffee shop industry is quite large, but in somewhere, there are more. Key Industry Trends This industry is booming at the present time, there is a trend toward small cozy places and away from the large generic chain. Industry Outlook The coffee business does not show signs of slowing down. With new innovations such as flavorings and additives, it should continue for some time. Marketing Strategy Target Markets Our target market is a artist and writers who need a nice quite cozy place to think and do their work. Description of Key Competitors Of the three coffee shops in the area, one is a large chain with a very expensive product, one is really a home-style restaurant, the last one, and our biggest competitor is an antique store with a "tea room". Analysis of Competitive Position Our pricing strategy and comfortable atmosphere will be the key to our success. None of the other shops in the area can offer this. Pricing Strategy We will offer three sizes of drinks, small $1.00, medium $1.50 and large $2.00. Our cookies and brownies will sell for $1.00 each Promotion Strategy We intend to advertise in the local newspapers and offer a "frequent drinkers club" discount to our best customers. We will also send out ads via direct mail, which will include cents off coupons. Management and Staffing Organizational Structure Our organizational structure will be a simple pyramid style with the owners putting in as much work as the employees. Pyrimid a tall hierarchical structure, in other words, then I would be the boss, with a general manager working as your employee, who has a team, that on its turn supervises the employees. I think I mean a Flat structure (with the owners being “one of the guys”) Management Team April and Arlene will share management and supervisory responsibilities equally. Arlene for the morning shift. April for the afternoon shift. Staffing We will hire two busboys and two waitresses; these will be recruited from the local high school. Labor Market Issues In this area there are many high school students looking for work, part time or full time, we want to fill that need. Market Risks The main risk is monetary. The area may not be ready for a place like ours and we may not do a great business. Implementation Plan Implementation Activities and Dates . Complete renovation 2/15/09 Purchase and set up equipment Interview staff Hire staff 3. Begin preliminary advertising 2/15/09 (Not yet) Operate for 1 week unannounced (to get the kinks out, people notice "new" businesses, word of mouth will get out there, be ready) Notify local newspaper your grand opening will be (no advertising cost, you'll be swamped!) 4. Purchase and setup equipment 2/15/09 (This is mentioned above.) 5. Open for business 7/1/09 Financial Plan Balance Sheet Current Assets: Building $150,000 5 computer $ Furnishings $5,000 if I go for a good atmosphere, you’ll need more than that probably, unless you get money from the government (you are promoting culture in the end!) Equipment $1,000 Cash Arlene $5,000 April $4,500 Accounts Receivable None Inventory Coffee $1,000 Tea $500 Other Assets Cups $3,000 Total Current Assets $182,800 Liabilities: Accounts Payable (monthly) Water $200 Phone $150 Electric $500 Donut Vendor $1,000 Warehouse Club $1,000 Coffee Distributor $1,000 Wages $5,000 Advertising $1,000 Taxes Payable Property Taxes $500 Employee Taxes $2,000 Operating Loans Payable Startup Loan $500 Printer $ 97 Total Liabilities $12,947 on going per month Projected Income March 05 Coffee $6,000 Tea $2,000 Cookies $1,500 Donuts $2,500 Misc. $4,000 Total Income for March $16,000 Total Projected Net Profit (Cost/Benefit) $3,150 for March This would assume 20 pots of coffee sold a day, plus an assortment of other items. This also assumes the market will not increase or decrease due to weather or economics. This would be an average month.

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Do you want to be a rapper or singer? A lot of wannabe rappers or singers think they know everything about getting into the music business. But the truth is, if you really are serious, you need to be humble and be a sponge for knowledge. Courses for Success is a company that gives people like you the knowledge you need to be a success in the music business. Check out this e-book, written by John "Mook" Gibbons, CEO and manager of WU-TANG Management: www.coursesforsuccess.com It covers everything you need to know, whether you're an artist, you want to manage other artists, or you want to own your own record label. Check it out www.coursesforsuccess.com You can download it and be able to read it right away. We're trying to give people the info they need so they don't get run over by certain people in the music industry that like to use and abuse. We're honest, hardworking people that want to spread the knowledge. Good Luck! -cfs-maven1 Whether you want to be a singer or rapper, this e-book will help you. Also, if you check out the site and you don't like it for some reason, post back here and tell us why. We want to make it appealling to those who are serious about being in the music industry. Thanks guys. When you get it, let me know. Just want to make sure everything is working properly.

how this is work for you? What are the attributes of a creative manager? “Openness, perceptiveness, flexibility, responsiveness, involvement, a capacity and willingness to draw out the creativity in others, a focus on possibilities, the potential of networking and other opportunities rather than procedure,” says Jane Henry, editor of Creative Management and Development ( www.sagepublications.com). Facilitation and communication skills help, and so does a participative and inclusive style of management, she adds. Henry heads the Centre for Human Resources and Change Management at the Open University School of Management in Milton Keynes, UK. A chartered psychologist with extensive consultancy experience, she is also the author of several books. Her research looks at ways in which organisations can develop their creativity and innovation and how individuals with different styles can best enhance their development over time. “Creative management is more about open perception than a route map, an attitude that is flexible enough to listen to others and respond intuitively to opportunities, secure enough to allow their staff freedom to find their own way. The right way of doing this will vary according to culture and circumstances,” explains Henry during a recent e-mail interaction with The New Manager. Excerpts from the interview: First, what is creative management? Creative management is a form of management associated with sustainable self-organisation. It is common in organisations wishing to engage the creativity of their workforce in improving products, processes and services, enhancing workforce commitment and customer/client/ staff satisfaction. Can creativity be developed in organisations? Are there clear measures of creativity that can be used, for example, in a corporate context? Creativity can be developed in organisations at the level of the individual, team, organisation and cross-organisation networks. Many people use tests of divergent thinking, i.e. how many uses can one think of for a plastic cup, as a measure of creativity. This is a very poor measure of creativity and not very helpful in organisations. Another approach measures people’s cognitive style differentiating between different ways of being creative — those who like to do things better and those who like to do things differently. Those with an adaptive preference are more likely to be more comfortable working within existing frames and improving existing products. Those with an innovative preference are naturally more inclined to challenge the status quo and aim for breakthroughs. Other measures of organisational creativity that have been used include the number of suggestions per employee and level of absenteeism, with the former increasing and the latter decreasing in creative companies. Have there been breakthrough findings in recent years about creative management? This depends on your perspective and location. In the West, creativity had been associated with innovative breakthroughs — inventing processes from scratch and glorified through individuals such as Einstein, Edison, Anita Roddick or Richard Branson. One of the changes in the West over the last quarter century is that organisations have come to appreciate the importance of engaging the entire workforce in improving processes and made clear attempts to empower the workforce to do so. Is increased competition the only driver for creative management? Definitely not; many creative people are motivated intrinsically, i.e. with a marked preference for working on areas of interest to them. Freedom as to how people engage with tasks is often a sufficient driver for people to develop a more creative approach. Humans are naturally very creative so long as they feel safe enough and engaged enough to bother to try out new ways of doing things. Organisational bureaucracy can sometimes get in the way of these natural instincts. What is the role of tacit knowledge in organisational creativity? Tacit knowledge is central to creativity, organisational or otherwise. Cognitive science has shown clearly that we know things long before we realise we do or are able to explain how we know. Creative ideas generally emerge tacitly, when people are relaxed. Organisations where people feel a measure of freedom, rather than those that are committee-bound and where people feel obliged to look busy, are more likely to be safe enough for people to feel able to explore the half-baked tacit notions that develop into new creative ideas with a bit of nurturing. Many processes that attempt to encourage creativity in groups use processes that aim to tap into tacit ideas. Are there lifestyle features that are associated with creativity? The socially-embedded do indeed generally report themselves as happier than the more isolated amongst us. There is some work to suggest that those in a positive mood find it easier to make more associations and that these broad associations make it easier for them to be more creative. The creatively-fulfilled tend also to be happier, not the least as their work offers meaning and often purpose. Does creativity run the risk of turning into ‘spin’ or manipulated messages one finds so commonly used by politicians to their advantage? Creativity is an essential component of human advancement through the ages. Currently it has extra kudos in the UK for example, as politicians wonder if other organisational sectors can build on the success of the creative industries (pop music, fashion, design and so on). ‘Cool Britannia’ seems to be a successful spin building on aspects of creative life in the UK. Many high-wage economies see creativity as a means of adding value in the face of increasing competition. In more hierarchical cultures there is often an appreciation that organisations might be more creative if the culture could be somewhat more open. Is creativity linked to income and wealth levels? How far is creativity relevant to developing economies, as compared to the developed countries? Do you think creative solutions can be applied for bigger problems that prevail in the developing countries? Creativity can be applied at any level from very large to very small issues and in any country. As I write, scientists all over the world are advancing new technologies to help alleviate climate change and micro-credit unions finance mini-creative ventures for very poor would-be entrepreneurs. In my work in India, Malaysia and China I have found managers as open to the idea that they need ways of opening up and pushing more responsibility down as in the West, though the form this may take can differ. I also use similar approaches advising and facilitating government officials and NGOs attempting to address large-scale issues such as corruption, for example, and when helping companies make technological breakthroughs. The key here is to free up thinking to help people reach new and better way of doing things. Are there negative states of creativity? What are the differences between creativity of nature and nurtured creativity? Should education be so geared to ensure the development of creativity? Creativity is generally defined as something that is new and apt, so inherent in the definition is the notion that the creative idea or product is not any old worthless invention but something that offers quality and answers a need. At the same time, it is no accident that Shiva is the God of creativity and destruction embodied, as one usually has to destroy something to create something new. There are win-win situations where all parties benefit from a new idea, approach or agreement; but often bringing in the new advantages may involve extra work or disadvantaging others. Shifts to greater creativity in organisations, for example, often entail middle managers giving up some of their power. Many organisations have found about 10 per cent of their managers are unable to adapt to the new ways of working. Can there be a tussle between staying the course with a sustainable idea and trying out a creative idea, as for example with product launches? Can dynamism in creativity lead to negative returns at times? Generally, to make way for something new something else has to be destroyed. We see this with new products and processes all the time; the ice selling industry lost out when home refrigerators came in, film gives way to video, analogue to digital TV. There is generally a conservative tendency in organisations and a preference for sticking with the status quo. Any creative endeavour is going to involve something new; it takes persistence and often a champion or sponsor to steer new ideas through an organisation. Historically, companies that stick with what they are good at without creatively adapting to circumstances tend to fare badly in the long-term. Socialisation, externalisation, internalisation and combination — which of these knowledge conversion modes has the highest impact on creativity? There are many different ways of being creative and different people favour different routes. For example, different people may use very different processes to get to the same creative idea, some people are more comfortable with analytical techniques like checklists and matrices, other warm to the fun involved in lateral thinking like imagining how your hero/heroine (whether Gandhi, Superman or Tata) would tackle the issue, others prefer more intuitive approaches such as visualisation. Socialisation, externalisation, internalisation and combination modes of knowledge creation can all have their place at different stages of the creative process. Does luck play a role in creativity, especially in the commercial success of the product? Luck plays a role in many situations including creative ones. However, experience and good judgment are also critical. Generally, in organisations, good timing owes as much to the latter two as the former. On creativity versus type of work, genders, age, and technology. There is scope for creative action in professional, craft, farm and organisational work. The degree of creativity that is appropriate varies according to the situation. Research scientists have a lot of scope for being creative. In contrast most of us are happy that an aeroplane pilot sticks to some standard procedures for checking that the plane is in a good condition to fly. Both sexes are creative. All ages can be creative though the peak age for important breakthrough varies by domain; in mathematics many breakthroughs are made by the rather young, many writers on the other hand have creative success late in life. The creative process also varies by sector. Many artists and poets choose to work alone, whereas many innovative technological breakthroughs involve a group of people with different skills combining their talents. The opportunity for creative action is satisfying to the people involved as they are able to contribute something meaningful. Satisfaction is related to a number of factors including temperament and the degree to which one is socially supported. A key factor is control. On the whole, people who have more control of their lives, including their work, tend to report themselves as being more satisfied than those with less control. Temperament also plays a big part in satisfaction. In the West, extroversion is associated with greater happiness. It would be interesting to see if in a culture such as India, where surrender is more readily accepted as a route to happiness, a different pattern emerged.

Personal statement???? how should i end it? My grandparents are successful entrepreneurs owning a chain of Chinese restaurants and a factory producing soya bean products in Scotland. Therefore from early childhood, I was exposed to a business related environment. I enjoy the many challenges of running a business; however I realised that a business evolves and problems arise through economic cycles. Hence unless I get a good grounding in Business Studies at university I would not be able to meet these challenges. More importantly, at school I enjoy Business studies, Economics and Art which I took for my A-Levels and Mathematics for my AS. I think these subjects’ compliments each other really well and will bring great advantages to my Higher Education in Business. I believe having a good understanding in Economics will be a good foundation for Business, also my interest in Art enables me to be innovative and think ‘outside the box’ which is one of the key elements in Business Studies. A good understanding in Maths will also benefit me from further education in Business as managing finance is a fundamental part in the subject. I took Business Management in standard grade and A-Level; it has always been my strongest subject and the subject which I enjoy the most. So I wish to continue my enthusiasm in the subject at university. I am currently completing the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland (CIOBS) qualification, which is really beneficial to my further studies in business and helped me to understand the workings of the banking industry(I.e. how the market customers, how the banking industry evolved and the financial side of it.) I am fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin which I believe is a great advantage since the Asian market is growing rapidly and by speaking the language and having a good understanding of their cultures will be very valuable for understanding International business. In August 2007, I was presented with the opportunity to work as a full time “Administrative Assistant” for Capital Artists Ltd, a venture division of SCMP group in Hong Kong. The company dealt some of the biggest names in the Hong Kong and International music industry. My main responsibility within the company was to ensure there were no copyright infringements on songs owned by the company. This job opportunity also helped me to improve my communication skills as I had to establish a working relationship with my boss and other employees who were more mature and knowledgeable than me. In addition, provided me with a deeper insight of the music industry – its inner workings and evolving problems. During my work experience I was able to apply my knowledge of Business Studies into real life situations and problems such as strategic planning. Having the position as a House prefect and Art Reputation at school, I’ve learnt the importance responsibility and developed a good communication skill as I was given tasks to fulfil and had to find ways of bonding and taking care of younger students. Being a black belt (1st Dan) in Karate has taught me to be really hard working and ambitious. feedbacks?

how this is work for you? What are the attributes of a creative manager? “Openness, perceptiveness, flexibility, responsiveness, involvement, a capacity and willingness to draw out the creativity in others, a focus on possibilities, the potential of networking and other opportunities rather than procedure,” says Jane Henry, editor of Creative Management and Development ( www.sagepublications.com). Facilitation and communication skills help, and so does a participative and inclusive style of management, she adds. Henry heads the Centre for Human Resources and Change Management at the Open University School of Management in Milton Keynes, UK. A chartered psychologist with extensive consultancy experience, she is also the author of several books. Her research looks at ways in which organisations can develop their creativity and innovation and how individuals with different styles can best enhance their development over time. “Creative management is more about open perception than a route map, an attitude that is flexible enough to listen to others and respond intuitively to opportunities, secure enough to allow their staff freedom to find their own way. The right way of doing this will vary according to culture and circumstances,” explains Henry during a recent e-mail interaction with The New Manager. Excerpts from the interview: First, what is creative management? Creative management is a form of management associated with sustainable self-organisation. It is common in organisations wishing to engage the creativity of their workforce in improving products, processes and services, enhancing workforce commitment and customer/client/ staff satisfaction. Can creativity be developed in organisations? Are there clear measures of creativity that can be used, for example, in a corporate context? Creativity can be developed in organisations at the level of the individual, team, organisation and cross-organisation networks. Many people use tests of divergent thinking, i.e. how many uses can one think of for a plastic cup, as a measure of creativity. This is a very poor measure of creativity and not very helpful in organisations. Another approach measures people’s cognitive style differentiating between different ways of being creative — those who like to do things better and those who like to do things differently. Those with an adaptive preference are more likely to be more comfortable working within existing frames and improving existing products. Those with an innovative preference are naturally more inclined to challenge the status quo and aim for breakthroughs. Other measures of organisational creativity that have been used include the number of suggestions per employee and level of absenteeism, with the former increasing and the latter decreasing in creative companies. Have there been breakthrough findings in recent years about creative management? This depends on your perspective and location. In the West, creativity had been associated with innovative breakthroughs — inventing processes from scratch and glorified through individuals such as Einstein, Edison, Anita Roddick or Richard Branson. One of the changes in the West over the last quarter century is that organisations have come to appreciate the importance of engaging the entire workforce in improving processes and made clear attempts to empower the workforce to do so. Is increased competition the only driver for creative management? Definitely not; many creative people are motivated intrinsically, i.e. with a marked preference for working on areas of interest to them. Freedom as to how people engage with tasks is often a sufficient driver for people to develop a more creative approach. Humans are naturally very creative so long as they feel safe enough and engaged enough to bother to try out new ways of doing things. Organisational bureaucracy can sometimes get in the way of these natural instincts. What is the role of tacit knowledge in organisational creativity? Tacit knowledge is central to creativity, organisational or otherwise. Cognitive science has shown clearly that we know things long before we realise we do or are able to explain how we know. Creative ideas generally emerge tacitly, when people are relaxed. Organisations where people feel a measure of freedom, rather than those that are committee-bound and where people feel obliged to look busy, are more likely to be safe enough for people to feel able to explore the half-baked tacit notions that develop into new creative ideas with a bit of nurturing. Many processes that attempt to encourage creativity in groups use processes that aim to tap into tacit ideas. Are there lifestyle features that are associated with creativity? The socially-embedded do indeed generally report themselves as happier than the more isolated amongst us. There is some work to suggest that those in a positive mood find it easier to make more associations and that these broad associations make it easier for them to be more creative. The creatively-fulfilled tend also to be happier, not the least as their work offers meaning and often purpose. Does creativity run the risk of turning into ‘spin’ or manipulated messages one finds so commonly used by politicians to their advantage? Creativity is an essential component of human advancement through the ages. Currently it has extra kudos in the UK for example, as politicians wonder if other organisational sectors can build on the success of the creative industries (pop music, fashion, design and so on). ‘Cool Britannia’ seems to be a successful spin building on aspects of creative life in the UK. Many high-wage economies see creativity as a means of adding value in the face of increasing competition. In more hierarchical cultures there is often an appreciation that organisations might be more creative if the culture could be somewhat more open. Is creativity linked to income and wealth levels? How far is creativity relevant to developing economies, as compared to the developed countries? Do you think creative solutions can be applied for bigger problems that prevail in the developing countries? Creativity can be applied at any level from very large to very small issues and in any country. As I write, scientists all over the world are advancing new technologies to help alleviate climate change and micro-credit unions finance mini-creative ventures for very poor would-be entrepreneurs. In my work in India, Malaysia and China I have found managers as open to the idea that they need ways of opening up and pushing more responsibility down as in the West, though the form this may take can differ. I also use similar approaches advising and facilitating government officials and NGOs attempting to address large-scale issues such as corruption, for example, and when helping companies make technological breakthroughs. The key here is to free up thinking to help people reach new and better way of doing things. Are there negative states of creativity? What are the differences between creativity of nature and nurtured creativity? Should education be so geared to ensure the development of creativity? Creativity is generally defined as something that is new and apt, so inherent in the definition is the notion that the creative idea or product is not any old worthless invention but something that offers quality and answers a need. At the same time, it is no accident that Shiva is the God of creativity and destruction embodied, as one usually has to destroy something to create something new. There are win-win situations where all parties benefit from a new idea, approach or agreement; but often bringing in the new advantages may involve extra work or disadvantaging others. Shifts to greater creativity in organisations, for example, often entail middle managers giving up some of their power. Many organisations have found about 10 per cent of their managers are unable to adapt to the new ways of working. Can there be a tussle between staying the course with a sustainable idea and trying out a creative idea, as for example with product launches? Can dynamism in creativity lead to negative returns at times? Generally, to make way for something new something else has to be destroyed. We see this with new products and processes all the time; the ice selling industry lost out when home refrigerators came in, film gives way to video, analogue to digital TV. There is generally a conservative tendency in organisations and a preference for sticking with the status quo. Any creative endeavour is going to involve something new; it takes persistence and often a champion or sponsor to steer new ideas through an organisation. Historically, companies that stick with what they are good at without creatively adapting to circumstances tend to fare badly in the long-term. Socialisation, externalisation, internalisation and combination — which of these knowledge conversion modes has the highest impact on creativity? There are many different ways of being creative and different people favour different routes. For example, different people may use very different processes to get to the same creative idea, some people are more comfortable with analytical techniques like checklists and matrices, other warm to the fun involved in lateral thinking like imagining how your hero/heroine (whether Gandhi, Superman or Tata) would tackle the issue, others prefer more intuitive approaches such as visualisation. Socialisation, externalisation, internalisation and combination modes of knowledge creation can all have their place at different stages of the creative process. Does luck play a role in creativity, especially in the commercial success of the product? Luck plays a role in many situations including creative ones. However, experience and good judgment are also critical. Generally, in organisations, good timing owes as much to the latter two as the former. On creativity versus type of work, genders, age, and technology. There is scope for creative action in professional, craft, farm and organisational work. The degree of creativity that is appropriate varies according to the situation. Research scientists have a lot of scope for being creative. In contrast most of us are happy that an aeroplane pilot sticks to some standard procedures for checking that the plane is in a good condition to fly. Both sexes are creative. All ages can be creative though the peak age for important breakthrough varies by domain; in mathematics many breakthroughs are made by the rather young, many writers on the other hand have creative success late in life. The creative process also varies by sector. Many artists and poets choose to work alone, whereas many innovative technological breakthroughs involve a group of people with different skills combining their talents. The opportunity for creative action is satisfying to the people involved as they are able to contribute something meaningful. Satisfaction is related to a number of factors including temperament and the degree to which one is socially supported. A key factor is control. On the whole, people who have more control of their lives, including their work, tend to report themselves as being more satisfied than those with less control. Temperament also plays a big part in satisfaction. In the West, extroversion is associated with greater happiness. It would be interesting to see if in a culture such as India, where surrender is more readily accepted as a route to happiness, a different pattern emerged.