We are born.. Our parents take care of us, they teach us what is right, what is wrong, we go to school, teachers reward us for studying hard, they punish us for not doing our home work. The society influences us by its voice of telling us what should and shouldn't we do. And for that we get certain rewards (it doesn't have to be in material form) or get punished.
The essence of socialization is to make people dependent on social controls, to have them respond predictably to rewards and punishments. And the most effective form of socialization is achieved when people identify so thoroughly with the social order that they no longer can imagine themselves breaking any of its rules.
Our experience as humans becomes externalized while we are being dragged from one corner of the street to another longing to become something that the "outside" world expects from us!
In a complex society, many powerful groups are involved in socializing, often pulling us to contradictory goals. On the one hand, official institutions like schools, banks, try to turn is into responsible citizens willing to work hard and save. On the other hand, we are constantly called from advertisers and manufacturers to spend our earnings on products that will produce most profit for them. Finally, the undergroung system of forbidden pleasures, run by drug dillers, gamblers, pimps (which is (in)directly linked with the official institutions) promises its own rewards - provided that we pay. The messages are very different, but their outcome is essentially the same: they make us dependent on a social system that exploits our energies for its own purposes.
IS THIS ALL THERE IS?
There is no question that to survive it is necessary to work for external goals and to postpone immediate gratifications. But a person does not have to be turned into a puppet dragged through life by social controls. My believe is that we should gradually become free of societal rewards and learn how to substitute with rewards that are under OUR powers, by developing set of our own goals. If a person learns to enjoy and find meaning in the ongoing stream of experiences, in the process of living itsels, the burden of social controls falls from our shoulders. Before all else, achieveing control over experience requires a drastic change in attitude in WHAT IS IMPORTANT and what is NOT?
When is the last time we have reflected on WHAT WE VALUE in life? Are the things that I am doing now connected with WHAT TRULY MATTERS to me?
Understanding "what we truly want" makes our lives much simpler and focused in our pursue of happiness and fulfillment.
As I had in my first post on September "So far..", I focus my attention into putting my efforts 3 areas: Career, Family and Friends. I believe, being successful in each area will get me closer to self-fullfilment and happiness..
Which are the area's you want to spend "your hours" of life?
anTONIo
Dec 14, 2008
Nov 3, 2008
Strategic Planning Process of my company!
I am excited to be part of a very interesting and critical moment of the development of my company.
We are launching a new product on the market (joepiedepoepie.nl) and we are doing very well with our current product (canvascompany.nl) Demand is getting higher for both products and it will increase even more in the upcoming months (Christmas period) Employees stay in same number, but more resources are needed.
CanvasCompany.nl is becoming the "CashCow" for our Star product "JoepiedePoepie.nl.
We are facing some internal challenges with our efficiency because of switch in priorities within the company. We need to standardize and improve our internal efficiency processes in alignment with our objectives! There is a need to create a strategic plan and understand what do we want to do and how are we going to do it!
I took the responsibility of creating the Strategic Planning Framework and facilitate the entire Strategic Process with the top management of the company.
We are going to start from "personal" assessment and building the team and continue with "organizational" assessment and creation of the Strategic Plan.
Before going into the whole process I involved two people to support us by performing an External Research and Structuring the Internal Processes. The Strategic Planning Process will most probably start on 5th January and will continue with 3 more meetings along the month.
All this is gonna be a lot of fun as I am interested in SME's development, seeing the challenges and supporting them in achieving their goals.
I wanna start reading a book on "Strategic Planning for SMEs", I still don't have anything concrete book in mind, so feel free to recommend me some and to share your opinion on this..
Thanks,
Toni
Oct 27, 2008
Oct 23, 2008
Just a thought..
"Being able to see an opportunity means being able to visualize a picture of the future, from the things you see in the present.."
Oct 21, 2008
"Generation Y"
The first time I heard more about "Generation Y" was on IC '07 in Turkey. It was one my favorite panel discussions on the Congress that got my complete attention. Since then, I read and learn more about this "generation" of people that are shaping global life styles, becoming future customers, employees and leaders of organizations.
What is Generation Y actually?
These are the people born between 1982 and 2001.
Research shows the biggest divide facing our society is not a gender or racial
divide, income or technology divide, but it is the generational divide. Those different generations are:
• Lost Generation (1883–1900)
• Greatest Generation (1901–1924)
• Silent Generation (1925–1942)
• Baby Boomer (1943–1960)
• Generation X (1961–1981)
• Generation Y (1982–2001)
• Generation Z (2001–)
Obviously the age or life-stage of each generation makes them unique. Generation Y are young and with that they have different priorities and different needs from older generations, obviously because they go through a different experiences. These different experiences create the paradigms through which the world is viewed and decisions are made.
Baby Boomers were influenced by the advent of the TV, Rock and Roll, the Cold War, Vietnam War and the threat of nuclear war. Xers saw in the Personal Computer, AIDS, single parent families, the growth in multiculturalism, and the downsizing of companies. Generation Y’s have lived through the age of the internet, cable television, globalization, September 11, and environmentalism.
What most influences Generation Y?
While the Boomers make decisions based on data and facts, post-modern youth are more likely to make a decision based on the influence of their own peers. Rather than making independent decisions based on core values, they live in a culture encouraging them to embrace community values, and to reach consensus.
Young people today are less idealistic than generations past due in part to the media and pop culture that fills their life. Movie, TV and internet are the most influential shapers of Generation Y.
Generation Y people require more flexibility at work and they search for meaning in their lives. They are not looking only for friendships, but they want to feel part of a bigger community.
Companies that are ignoring these evolving values and different needs in young people are doomed to wasting a lot of money on meaningless marketing campaigns. As generational marketing experts say: “Marketers who don't bother to learn the interests and obsessions of Gen Y are apt to run up against a brick wall of distrust and cynicism. Most marketers perceive them as kids. When you do that, you fail to take in what they are telling you about the consumers they're becoming.”
That is why I believe people interested in Marketing and Entrepreneurship should explore and learn more about this topic in order to define the right strategies and be successful in their businesses. I usually read by googling "Generation Y", but if anyone has a more extensive and reliable sources for learning, feel free to share it.. And also to share your opinion on this ;)
Kind regards,
Toni
What is Generation Y actually?
These are the people born between 1982 and 2001.
Research shows the biggest divide facing our society is not a gender or racial
divide, income or technology divide, but it is the generational divide. Those different generations are:
• Lost Generation (1883–1900)
• Greatest Generation (1901–1924)
• Silent Generation (1925–1942)
• Baby Boomer (1943–1960)
• Generation X (1961–1981)
• Generation Y (1982–2001)
• Generation Z (2001–)
Obviously the age or life-stage of each generation makes them unique. Generation Y are young and with that they have different priorities and different needs from older generations, obviously because they go through a different experiences. These different experiences create the paradigms through which the world is viewed and decisions are made.
Baby Boomers were influenced by the advent of the TV, Rock and Roll, the Cold War, Vietnam War and the threat of nuclear war. Xers saw in the Personal Computer, AIDS, single parent families, the growth in multiculturalism, and the downsizing of companies. Generation Y’s have lived through the age of the internet, cable television, globalization, September 11, and environmentalism.
What most influences Generation Y?
While the Boomers make decisions based on data and facts, post-modern youth are more likely to make a decision based on the influence of their own peers. Rather than making independent decisions based on core values, they live in a culture encouraging them to embrace community values, and to reach consensus.
Young people today are less idealistic than generations past due in part to the media and pop culture that fills their life. Movie, TV and internet are the most influential shapers of Generation Y.
Generation Y people require more flexibility at work and they search for meaning in their lives. They are not looking only for friendships, but they want to feel part of a bigger community.
Companies that are ignoring these evolving values and different needs in young people are doomed to wasting a lot of money on meaningless marketing campaigns. As generational marketing experts say: “Marketers who don't bother to learn the interests and obsessions of Gen Y are apt to run up against a brick wall of distrust and cynicism. Most marketers perceive them as kids. When you do that, you fail to take in what they are telling you about the consumers they're becoming.”
That is why I believe people interested in Marketing and Entrepreneurship should explore and learn more about this topic in order to define the right strategies and be successful in their businesses. I usually read by googling "Generation Y", but if anyone has a more extensive and reliable sources for learning, feel free to share it.. And also to share your opinion on this ;)
Kind regards,
Toni
Oct 16, 2008
See what you CAN do and not what you CAN NOT!
Circle of influence!
It is simply one of the strong elements that the book from Stephen Covey "7 habits of highly effective people" influenced me.
Focusing on things that you have power to change and stop bothering with things that you can not influence creates a sustainable change!
and everything starts with YourSelF! As you move into a certain direction by working on the things you CAN change, your power of influence increases and you are able to DO a larger-scale CHANGE!
It is one of the things I strongly believe! It makes me push harder and go into a certain direction!
That is why I mainly don't bother with politics! Especially in Macedonia! (and on the Balkas in general). I think that many, non-political studying, young people on the Balkans, bother too much with politics and that makes them stuck in a "not-moving" BOX! And they actually don't do anything about it!
I mean if you really want to do some change, don't just talk about it, but involve yourself into! See what are you doing in your everyday life in order for that CHANGE to be created! And create the CHANGE in what you believe in!
Do you know in what do you believe? What do you want to succeed in? Do you work hard to achieve that? Do you Walk your talK?
My current chosen fields of development are Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development. I bother about things connected with these areas and I am working hard to achieve my objectives!
And I am grateful that my current working environment is also supporting me in that direction and makes me successful!
Look around you! Maybe not the people around you need to change!
What could YOU have done better in order for you to have more positive output in each situation?
Stephen Covey is one of my favorite writers and I would suggest you to read some of his books when you have time..
Well, I am going to finish this post with one of the most influencial quote from Gandhi:
"Become the CHANGE that YOU want to see in the world!!"
Have a good evening,
Toni
It is simply one of the strong elements that the book from Stephen Covey "7 habits of highly effective people" influenced me.
Focusing on things that you have power to change and stop bothering with things that you can not influence creates a sustainable change!
and everything starts with YourSelF! As you move into a certain direction by working on the things you CAN change, your power of influence increases and you are able to DO a larger-scale CHANGE!
It is one of the things I strongly believe! It makes me push harder and go into a certain direction!
That is why I mainly don't bother with politics! Especially in Macedonia! (and on the Balkas in general). I think that many, non-political studying, young people on the Balkans, bother too much with politics and that makes them stuck in a "not-moving" BOX! And they actually don't do anything about it!
I mean if you really want to do some change, don't just talk about it, but involve yourself into! See what are you doing in your everyday life in order for that CHANGE to be created! And create the CHANGE in what you believe in!
Do you know in what do you believe? What do you want to succeed in? Do you work hard to achieve that? Do you Walk your talK?
My current chosen fields of development are Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development. I bother about things connected with these areas and I am working hard to achieve my objectives!
And I am grateful that my current working environment is also supporting me in that direction and makes me successful!
Look around you! Maybe not the people around you need to change!
What could YOU have done better in order for you to have more positive output in each situation?
Stephen Covey is one of my favorite writers and I would suggest you to read some of his books when you have time..
Well, I am going to finish this post with one of the most influencial quote from Gandhi:
"Become the CHANGE that YOU want to see in the world!!"
Have a good evening,
Toni
Oct 15, 2008
Education in Macedonia vs Netherlands!
I am currently working closely with the International Business School in Groningen as part of my JD in CanvasCompany.
I can immediately recognize the difference in quality between the Educational Systems in Macedonia and Netherlands. The students that "exit" the Faculties and Business Schools are more prepared to enter their professional lifes and start their careers more prepared.
The Educational System in the Netherlands (and Western Europe in general) are providing many different experiences to their students, from academic, professional and cultural aspect. The students follow their theoretical lectures, work closely with the private sector, have internships in good companies and going for studying semestar abroad for 6 months.
As a graduated student from Macedonia, I must say that the Educational System in Macedonia (and on the Balkans in general) is only 1/3 from the whole experience mentioned above.
I believe that many of our faculties and ministries are putting a lot effort in improving the Educational System, but it is going with a slower pace.
I might be interested in involving myself in improving the Educational System on the Balkans and I believe there are many ways to provide full development experiences to the young people in Macedonia!
I enjoy myself working wiht IBS Groningen. I learn a lot and I meet really cool people. And I am thinking about the future.. ;)
Toni
I can immediately recognize the difference in quality between the Educational Systems in Macedonia and Netherlands. The students that "exit" the Faculties and Business Schools are more prepared to enter their professional lifes and start their careers more prepared.
The Educational System in the Netherlands (and Western Europe in general) are providing many different experiences to their students, from academic, professional and cultural aspect. The students follow their theoretical lectures, work closely with the private sector, have internships in good companies and going for studying semestar abroad for 6 months.
As a graduated student from Macedonia, I must say that the Educational System in Macedonia (and on the Balkans in general) is only 1/3 from the whole experience mentioned above.
I believe that many of our faculties and ministries are putting a lot effort in improving the Educational System, but it is going with a slower pace.
I might be interested in involving myself in improving the Educational System on the Balkans and I believe there are many ways to provide full development experiences to the young people in Macedonia!
I enjoy myself working wiht IBS Groningen. I learn a lot and I meet really cool people. And I am thinking about the future.. ;)
Toni
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