Tag: Individual

How can we identify and authenticate individuals?

In the age of intelligence, identify and authenticate individuals; everyone has become accustomed to using biometric features such as fingerprints and faces to verify and identify identities. In fact, from ancient times to the present, to prove “you are you” and identify “who you are”. People have come up with countless ways, so let’s first understand how ancient people identified a person’s identity.

Here are the articles to explain, we identify and authenticate individuals

Since ancient times, people have discovered biometrics. Such as fingerprints are more convenient and accurate than items and passwords as identity proofs. With the rapid development of science and technology, people have also found palmprints, faces, iris, voiceprints, gait, etc. Have unique and unique properties similar to fingerprints, which can use for identification and verification.

Entering the era of artificial intelligence, with the comprehensive application of high-tech means such as computers, optics, acoustics, biosensors, and biostatistics, biometrics, which uses “biological keys”. Such as the inherent physiological characteristics and behavioral characteristics of the human body, to realize personal identity. The identification technology has a broader space for technological development, few types of identify and authenticate individuals below are.

Fingerprinting: Top of the ID Evidence

Fingerprint identification is based on the feature points of fingerprints to identify. Due to the characteristics of fingerprints that remain unchanged for a lifetime and can restore after injury. As well as the perfection and ease of operation of fingerprint recognition technology. Fingerprint recognition has always been the most important biometric method, appearing in all aspects of life.

Moreover, since fingerprint features are difficult to obtain directly, and are more difficult to trace the source. It is not easy to associate with personal private information such as action trajectories. There is a broad development space for privacy protection and security, and it has attracted the attention of the biometrics industry.

Palmprint: password in the palm

Palmprint recognition is to use the features of lines, points, textures, and geometry of palmprints for identification. The most important feature is the features of lines. The clearest lines in the features of lines are, The lifetime does not change, and can still identify in low-resolution and low-quality images.

Due to the characteristics of simple sampling, rich image information, high user acceptance, not easy to forge, and less affected by noise. It has attracted extensive attention from researchers at home and abroad.

Palm Vein Recognition: A New Hotspot in the Field of Identity Authentication

Palm vein recognition uses the characteristics of hemoglobin in human blood to absorb near-infrared light to obtain palm vein images.

Since the palm vein is an internal physiological feature in the skin. It is difficult to obtain and forge, and it has its living information, so it has extremely high privacy.

Iris: the identity code is hidden in the eye

Iris recognition is mainly through the comparison of many interlaced spots, filaments, crowns, stripes, crypts, and other detailed features in the iris.

Since the iris formed in the fetal development stage. It will remain unchanged and unique for life, so it has a very high recognition accuracy. However, iris recognition greatly affects by the environment, such as light, glasses, or colored contact lenses, which will cause recognition difficulties.

Voiceprint: Hearing and Knowing People

Due to the complex mechanism of human vocalization, the voiceprint maps of any two people are different. Therefore, voiceprint comparison can perform based on features. Such as pitch, intensity, duration, and pronunciation method.

However, the characteristics of the voiceprint have variability, and the recognition process has a great impact on the recognition results due to physiological, psychological, camouflage, and other disturbances, and because the voiceprint can easily obtain from the telephone and recording, it has a high value in the application. security risks.

Face recognition: strong identity association

Due to the large changes in people’s faces, face recognition mainly compares parts such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and chin. As well as the features of these parts and the structural relationship between them, then identify and authenticate individuals. You can check out demos of such technologies at SkyBiometry.

Nowadays, the development of face recognition technology is becoming more and more mature. The method of extracting vectors based on deep learning can achieve extremely high accuracy and overcome the influence of various factors. Click here to find out whether face recognition technology can still work accurately when individuals have their eyes closed.

From the characteristics of the above biometrics, it can be found that compared. With other biometrics, fingerprint, palmprint, and palm vein recognition have the advantages of needing to know and being difficult to trace.

In addition, in terms of accuracy, due to the difference in the number of feature points. For example, the Dlib library stands commonly used for face detection to detect feature points. While a fingerprint usually has 80-120 features. The point, it has more advantages in recognition accuracy and larger storage capacity performance.

Face verification and face recognition are different in the process of face recognition. First, the concept of face recognition introduce, followed by a comparative analysis of face recognition and face verification, and the introduction of related concepts. Finally, for these two The evaluation process stands described.

Concepts of face recognition

Face recognition (Facial Recognition), that is, obtaining the user’s facial image through the video capture device. Then using the core algorithm calculates and analyzes the facial features, face shape, and angle of the face, and then compares it with the existing templates in its database Yes, to determine the real identity of the user. In the face recognition algorithm, after detecting the face and locating the key feature points of the face. The main face area can be cut out, and after preprocessing. It is fed into the back-end recognition algorithm. The recognition algorithm needs to complete the extraction of facial features and compare them with the known faces in the inventory to complete the final classification.

The principle of the face recognition algorithm:

The system inputs one or a series of face images containing unidentified identities. Several face images or corresponding codes with known identities are in the face database. And its output is a series of similarity scores indicating the identity of the face to be recognized.

Comparison of Biometrics

Previous studies have compared the application difficulties, distinguishability, permanence, ease of collection, acceptance, and ease of forgery of various biometric technologies. The study found that finger and palmprint recognition performed well in all aspects.

With the maturity and improvement of biometric technology. People began to pay attention to the security issues of identity recognition beyond convenience.

As an industry-leading artificial intelligence basic technology and platform company, Moqi Technology takes finger palmprint and palm vein recognition as the core innovates and develops irreversible, non-associated, and revocable biometric technology for privacy protection, and is committed to serving billions of people. Provide privacy-protecting, secure, and reliable next-generation identity authentication services.

Today, these technologies have been widely used in some important areas of the national economy and the people’s livelihood, and are the first to achieve second-level, high-precision, fully automated comparisons on the order of 2 billion fingerprints worldwide. In the future, Mokey Technology will continue to expand the application of non-contact finger, palmprint, and palm vein recognition, and further lead the future of the next generation of biometrics.

How can we identify and authenticate individuals? Image by Tumisu from Pixabay.

February 11, 2023
Internal management of individual law firms
Strengthen the rules and regulations for the internal management of individual law firms. The establishment and also management of individual law firms should adhere to the principle of standardization. Gradual improvement by the law, and actively and steadily promote systematic construction. It relates to Person Law Firm in Management Systems. First, read the Development status of the individual law firms in Taizhou. After, Management defects of Personal Law Firms in Taizhou. Then, the Construction of individual law firms.

Here are the articles to explain, Internal management of individual law firms

Take the established Zhejiang Yongmo Law Firm as an example. Furthermore, the author recommends that individual law firms should set up the following systematic and standardized management mechanisms：
- Democratic management and regulation, implement a democratic management system under the responsibility system of the chief lawyer, establish and improve operating regulations, and protect the legal rights and interests of the law firm and all staff.
- The rules of procedure of the lawyers’ conference, the lawyers’ conference is the management body of the law firm. Mainly for the decision-makers of the law firm to provide reference opinions on the management and development of the law firm.
- Also, administrative management regulations, are under the premise of implementing the director’s responsibility system. The law firm’s administrative management implements a system of division of responsibilities and realizes the standardization of daily administrative management.
- Personnel management regulations, standardize the labor and personnel issues of law firms and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of employees.
A Part 01
- Regulations on social security benefits, social security, and welfare. Under the conditions of complying with the “Labor Contract Law” and related regulations. Reflect the principle of distribution according to labor and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all employees.
- The rules for party building work, strengthen the scientific management of lawyers in the business of lawyers and ensure the healthy and stable development of lawyers’ careers. Also, It is necessary to deal with the relationship between the Party organization. The law firm’s administrative management and self-management. The Party’s construction must regard as the political guarantee for the development of lawyers’ careers.
- Subject to case process management regulations, ensure the standardization of the law firm’s case process management work and strengthen risk control and prevention capabilities.
- Conflict of interest management regulations, strengthen the legal service quality of lawyers in the firm. Also, Improve the credibility of practice, and reduce practice risks.
B Part 02
- Regulations on reporting on major sensitive matters, and a report registration system for major sensitive matters shall implement. Which shall be uniformly registered by the legal assistants of law firms. Also, Implemented under the supervision of the chief lawyer of the law firm.
- Risk notification regulations, by the “Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China”. “Civil Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China”, “Administrative Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China”. “Lawyers Law of the People’s Republic of China” and relevant laws and judicial interpretations. Lawyers may be notified in advance of the risks and responsibilities that may exist at all stages of criminal, civil, and administrative litigation.
- Fee regulations, standardize the case collection and financial activities of law firms, prevent accidents, and formulate them. By the relevant provisions of the law firm’s “Articles of Association” and financial standards.
- The cost of handling cases regulate. According to the “Lawyers Law” and its related regulations, when lawyers undertake various types of cases. Furthermore, the actual economic costs of handling cases shall be borne by the client. However, due to the failure of industry leaders in the region to issue corresponding guiding opinions. It is easy to raise objections. To properly handle the relationship with the client. Likewise, the law firm should make provisions on the cost of handling the case of the relevant lawyer for implementation when handling the case.
C Part 03
- Cooperation is subject to case management regulations, standardizing the handling of cases by lawyers of law firms or inter-firm cooperation, accelerating the development of lawyers in the direction of specialization, and formulating these regulations according to the actual situation of the law firm.
- The project meeting of the consulting unit implements regulations. In the process of providing legal services to the legal counsel unit. Special regulations formulate to regulate the participation of lawyers in the project meeting activities of the legal counsel unit.
- The management and regulation of legal service documents for consulting projects. In the process of providing legal advisory services by lawyers of the law firm. Also, Corresponding legal documents will produce based on the content of the services. To facilitate the management of legal service documents, regulations have existed formulated.
- File management regulations, to standardize the business file management of the firm. By the relevant regulations of the state and also the legal profession file management, a special degree of customization make.
D Part 04
- Electronic document archiving and management regulations, to strengthen the management of lawyers’ archives and ensure the safety, effectiveness, standardization, and also order of digital archive information, by the “Archives Law of the People’s Republic of China”, “Electronic Document Archiving and Management Norms” and other relevant laws and regulations, combined with the actual situation, the “Digital Archives Electronic Document Archiving and Management System” system has been specially formulated.
- Financial management regulations, to establish and improve the internal financial management system of law firms. Do a good job in the basic work of financial management, truthfully reflect the financial situation, calculate and also pay national taxes by the law. And ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of all lawyers and staff are not harmed. , Special customization.
- Seal management regulations, to strengthen the seal management of law firms, prevent practice risks, and also improve work efficiency, special regulations have existed formulated.
- Confidentiality regulations, to protect lawyers’ practice by the law, standardize lawyers’ behavior and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the parties, special regulations have existed formulated by the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Preservation of State Secrets” and also the “Lawyers Law of the People’s Republic of China”.
E Part 05
- Practice complaint work regulations, to standardize the management of law firms, by the relevant provisions of the “Lawyers Law of the People’s Republic of China” and also the “Zhejiang Lawyers Industry Complaint Investigation and Handling Work Rules”, special regulations have existed formulated for the actual situation of the firm.
- The management and regulation of practice risks and accountability, by the “Lawyers Law of the People’s Republic of China” and the relevant regulations of the Zhejiang Provincial Bar Association, to strengthen standardized management, enhance the sense of responsibility of all lawyers and staff, learn from the lessons of the industry, live in peace of mind, and also held accountable for violations of laws and regulations, special regulations have existed formulated.
- As a useful attempt to establish and improve the practice management of individual law firms. Also, the aforementioned regulations should adjust moderately to their own actual needs.
Internal management of individual law firms; Photo by Giammarco on Unsplash.
September 4, 2022
Construction of individual law firms

Thinking about the standardized construction of individual law firms. It relates to Person Law Firm in Management Systems. First, read the Development status of the individual law firms in Taizhou. Then, Management defects of Personal Law Firms in Taizhou.

(1) Standardize the creation system construction of individual law firms

The new “Lawyers Law” stipulates that the registered capital for starting an individual firm is RMB 100,000. This is relatively difficult for economically backward areas, but for economically developed areas, the capital conditions are very low. Therefore, for the financial conditions for individuals to start a business, the competent inter-provincial judicial authorities should set their standards of not less than RMB 100,000 based on the local economic situation and divide them into provincial, prefecture-level cities, central cities, remote or economically underdeveloped areas for hierarchical setting.

The job title conditions of the founders of law firms should also include in the considerations. For regions with developed economies or a high proportion of individual law firms. The title of middle (high) lawyer (third-level lawyer or above) should introduce. One of the conditions for entry barriers is to limit the proliferation of individual law firms. These regulations are conducive to the adjustment of regional differences. In addition, there should be regulations on the location of individual law firms.

Lawyers should encourage to open individual law firms in remote or economically underdeveloped areas. And restrictions should place on the establishment of individual law firms in urban areas. As far as Taizhou City is concerned, it is an indisputable fact that the number of law firms in Jiaojiang District and Wenling City accounts for the high proportion of law firms in Taizhou City, while Sanmen, Xianju, Yuhuan, etc. stand relatively limited. Therefore, lawyers should encourage to start businesses in the aforementioned underdeveloped areas of the legal profession to meet the legal needs of the local people.

(2) The construction of a system for the employment of lawyers in individual law firms

At present, the management of the lawyer industry tends to advocate the large-scale. Professional and corporate construction of law firms to build an aircraft carrier of law firms. It believes that this move is the development trend of our country’s lawyer industry. But is not optimistic about the construction of individual law firms.

In fact, in Western countries with relatively mature development of the rule of law. The legal profession has developed from the Middle Ages to the present. The large law firms (companies) created an account for only a few. Most of the legal services are still undertaken by individual law firms or small and medium-sized law firms.

For example, half of the law firms in the United States are individual firms or small firms with less than 5 people. Among the more than 700 law firms in Hong Kong. There are only 26 larger law firms with more than 10 partners. But 44% of the law firms stand invested by individuals. Most law firms are small and medium-sized law firms with fewer than 5 partners.

Construction of a system

The development of the legal profession has to follow the laws and order that the legal service market should have. Of course, the development of the western legal profession has time and space conditions suitable for its democratic constitutional process. But it is not completely consistent with the national conditions of a large country with a population of 1.3 billion.

For a country where the lawyer system has only existed restored for more than 30 years and lacks the tradition of the legal system. The progress of the legal profession is still unable to escape the synchronous limitations of the degree of the rule of law and cannot design subjectively.

Therefore, the development of individual law firms should be an important part of the future development of the law industry. The competent judicial administrative authorities and the bar association should review. Revise the existing norms and policies that are not conducive to the development of individual law firms accordingly. To encourage the normal flow of lawyers and support the construction of individual law firms to create good conditions.

(3) Build a management system for special committees of industry associations

Based on the successful experience of the American bar association, the American Bar Association (AmericanBarAssociation) and the bar associations of various states have established special committees for individual practicing lawyers and small law firms (with 5 or fewer law firms). The latter’s services include but do not limited to, the provision of quarterly legal newsletters. Such as the Journal of the American Bar Association, and the development of convenient legal service tools (such as client lists and forms) to increase revenue, specifically for the development of cheap, complete, and easy-to-use office management systems and legal practice systems. With the help of the American Law Association, individual lawyers and small lawyers across the United States have gained huge development opportunities.

As a successful peer experience, we have good reasons to share and cultivate its useful reference to the bar association. And set up a special committee to strengthen the guidance and management of individual law firms. Especially the establishment of an exchange platform for individual law firms. To further strengthen the publicity of individual law firms, use various media, the Internet, etc. To promote the deeds and achievements of advanced the construction of individual law firms, and increase the social influence of individual law firms. And provide sustainable industry support for the development of individual law firms, which will surely bring benign effects.

(4) Improve the system for the reduction and reduction of taxes and fees borne by individual law firms

Individual law firms are new things and deserve support from industry policies and enjoy the corresponding industry, tax, and other policy preferences, especially to focus on solving the current problem of excessive taxes and fees for lawyers, to encourage the development of individual law firms. In 2012, the Beijing Bar Association stipulated that the group dues of partnership law firms reduce from 10,000 yuan to 5,000 yuan per year. While individual law firms are exempt from paying group dues.

Improve the system 01

The Beijing Bar Association deals with the issue of lawyers’ dues from the perspective of economically developed regions and has played a role in thinking and innovating the management of lawyers across the country. For the consideration of the economically developed coastal areas, the Bar Association of Zhejiang Province and even Taizhou City are fully qualified to meet with Xian Siqi and waive the group dues of individual law firms or make a significant difference between the group dues of individual law firms and partnership law firms until the final reduction.

The current national tax collection and administration law stipulate that. There are two types of tax collection methods for the lawyer industry in our country, including account collection and approval collection. In 2000, To standardize and strengthen the collection and management of personal income tax for law firm employees, the State Administration of Taxation issued the “Notice on Business Issues Related to the Collection of Personal Income Tax on the Income Obtained by Law Firm Employees” (National Taxation Issued [2000] No. 149), clarifying the relevant personal income tax issues.

However, with the development of the lawyer industry and the changes in the form of the income distribution. As well as the gradual change of the tax department’s collection method from approved collection to account collection, new situations and problems have gradually emerged.

Improve the system 02

To this end, Based on fully listening to the opinions of law firm practitioners and tax cadres, the State Administration of Taxation, by the principle of actively promoting the investigation and collection of accounts in the lawyer industry, while taking into account the actual situation of the lawyer industry, formulated and issued the “Announcement on Personal Income Tax Issues for Law Firm Practitioners”, raising the standard for case expenses to 35%, and it will implement from January 1, 2013. According to statistics, under the approved taxation method, the tax rate borne by our country’s legal profession accounts for 9% to 15% of income. However, under the method of accounting and collection, the overall tax burden of the law firm (including business tax and additional taxes) accounts for more than 25% of its operating income.

Due to the small size, the small number of personnel, and the small business volume of individual law firms. Such as the unified implementation of the accounting and collection method. It stands bound to increase the negative tax pressure and is not conducive to their development. Therefore, to promote the healthy development of individual law firms. Under the conditions that the state should implement preferential tax policies for individuals. It is not advisable to use the method of checking accounts and collecting taxes for individual law firms. But should use approved taxation as appropriate.

(5) Create a professional risk-sharing system for professional lawyers in individual law firms

It can see from the business model and debt-bearing methods of individual law firms that the founders of law firms are both investors and taxpayers. They are both self-employed and workers; they are both operators and managers. As a lawyer with more than five years of practice experience, he should abandon the previous mentality and thinking that case handling is out of touch with management, and personal interests have nothing to do with the overall interests and use his personal ability, charm, and strength to build, plan, and operate a personal law firm.

Regardless of the scale of operations or asset management. It is difficult for individual law firms to compare with large-scale law firms. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the risk control of the practice. Reduce operating costs and practice risks at the same time. The control of risks of individual lawyers shall control through the establishment and improvement of guarantee systems. Such as risk research and risk sharing mechanisms (including supporting lawyers’ practice liability insurance).

Other things;

It is undeniable that it is very difficult to implement comprehensive tax control over the lawyer industry, but if the tax department conducts tax management by checking accounts and collecting, the law firm with the problem mentioned in the question will have a greater risk of management blind spots and loopholes. Back then, Dalian Chen Dehui Law Firm was investigated for so-called “tax evasion” under the condition of a tax package (approved collection). Although it was finally acquitted, the lesson was particularly profound, warning that individual law firms should attach great importance to tax issues.

Taking into account the current financial system establishment and tax payment situation of individual law firms in Taizhou City. The author recommends that comprehensive considerations should be made of the size of the individual law firm. The number of practicing lawyers, the number of years of practice of lawyers, and the performance of the individual law firm. The approved collection measures for individual law firms should be formulated, and the approved collection management should be fully implemented. In summary, the standardized construction of individual law firms is not a one-day effort. It requires judicial and administrative organs, bar associations, law firm founders, and practicing lawyers. And other parties to work hard to innovate and improve from multiple angles. Such as creating conditions, talent teams, peer collaboration, innovation regulation, and risk control.

Conclusion

The creation of an individual law firm requires very high business credibility and integrity requirements. The number of regions marks the advantages and disadvantages of a local rule of law environment. And its healthy development requires a fairly developed and perfect rule of law environment. The development and management of individual law firms should respect the laws of the development of the law industry. Draw moderately on the successful experience of the development of the lawyer industry in western countries. In the specific system planning, national conditions and regional differences need to be considered. Especially in terms of policy incentives and business support measures.

The joint efforts of judicial administrative organs, bar associations, law firms, and individual lawyers. They are required to continuously improve them, and then promote the healthy and stable development of individual law firms. Individual law firms should work hard to improve the overall quality of lawyers, work hard on industry innovation and development, work hard to establish the image of lawyers, and further strengthen the construction of lawyers’ own industry culture, enhance the political quality, professional quality and moral quality of lawyers, and provide better legal services to various groups in society to establish a good social image. Next, Internal management of individual law firms.

Construction of individual law firms; Photo by Trent Erwin on Unsplash.

September 4, 2022
Do you Know What are Employee Relations?

Learn and Understand, Do you Know What are Employee Relations?

Employee Relations, An organization can’t perform only with the help of chairs, tables, fans or other non-living entities. It needs human beings who work together and perform to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization. The human beings working together towards a common goal at a commonplace (organization) are called employees. In fact, the employees are the major assets of an organization. Also learn, Employee and Industrial Relations, Do you Know What are Employee Relations?

“The success and failure of any organization are directly proportional to the labor put by each and every employee.” The employees must share a good rapport with each other and strive hard to realize the goal of the organization. They should complement each other and work together as a single unit. For the employees, the organization must come first and all their personal interests should take a back seat.

Definition of Employee Relations:

“Communications between management and employees concerning workplace decisions, grievances, conflicts, problem resolutions, unions, and issues of collective bargaining.”

According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, the use of industrial relations to describe workplace relations is no longer as prevalent, due to the widespread deindustrialization of developed economies and declining union membership. Instead, employers now use the term “employee relations,” which refers to relationships that exist in both unionized and nonunionized workplaces. Employers hope to manage employee relations successfully with each respective individual, as a means to raise morale and productivity.

Employee relations is your company’s structure of managing the rapport between the bosses and the staff. “Well in that case, what is the difference between HR and employee relations?”

That’s an easy one, employee relations are just one facet of the role of HR. HR is an umbrella term which includes tasks such as payroll, updating employee databases and many more responsibilities – one of these being managing ER.

Our knowledge of how important ER is has helped us shape how we make our HR software. Features such as letting an employee clearly keep track of their staff benefits and tools to let their workers get to know more about them are all in place to create a happier workplace.

Better Understand, What are Employee Relations?

Every individual shares a certain relationship with his colleagues at the workplace. The relationship is either warm, so-so or bad. The relationship can be between anyone in the organization – between co-workers, between an employee and his superior, between two members in the management and so on. It is important that the employees share a healthy relationship with each other to deliver their best performances.

An individual spends his maximum time at the workplace and his fellow workers are the ones with whom he spends the maximum hours in a day. No way can he afford to fight with his colleagues. Conflicts and misunderstandings only add to tensions and in turn, decrease the productivity of the individual. One needs to discuss so many things at work and needs the advice and suggestions of all to reach a solution which would benefit the individual as well as the organization.

No individual can work alone. He needs the support and guidance of his fellow workers to come out with a brilliant idea and deliver his level best.

Employee relations refer to the relationship shared among the employees in an organization.

The employees must be comfortable with each other for a healthy environment at work. It is the prime duty of the superiors and team leaders to discourage conflicts in the team and encourage a healthy relationship among employees.

Life is really short and it is important that one enjoys each and every moment of it. Remember in an organization you are paid for your hard work and not for cribbing or fighting with each other. Don’t assume that the person sitting next to you is your enemy or will do any harm to you. Who says you can’t make friends at work, in fact, one can make the best of friends in the office. There is so much more to life than fighting with each other.

Observation says that a healthy relationship among the employees goes a long way in motivating the employees and increasing their confidence and morale. One starts enjoying his office and does not take his work as a burden. He feels charged and fresh the whole day and takes each day at work as a new challenge. If you have a good relationship with your team members you feel going to office daily. Go out with your team members for a get together once in a while or have your lunch together. These activities help in strengthening the bond among the employees and improve the relations among them.

An employee must try his level best to adjust to each other and compromise to his best extent possible.

If you do not agree with any of your fellow worker’s ideas, there are several other ways to convince him. Sit with him and probably discuss with him where he is going wrong and needs a correction. This way he would definitely look up to you for your advice and guidance in future. He would trust you and would definitely come to your help whenever you need him. One should never spoil his relations with his colleagues because you never know when you need the other person.

Avoid using foul words or derogatory sentences against anyone. Don’t depend on lose talk in office as it spoils the ambiance of the place and also the relationships among the employees. Blame games are a strict no-in office.

One needs to enter his office with a positive frame of mind and should not unnecessarily make issues out of small things.

It is natural that every human being cannot think the way you think, or behave the way you behave. If you also behave in the similar way the other person is behaving, there is hardly any difference between you and him. Counsel the other person and correct him wherever he is wrong.

It is of utmost importance that employees behave with each other in a cultured way, respect each other and learn to trust each other. An individual however hardworking he is, cannot do wonders alone. It is essential that all the employees share a cordial relation with each other, understand each other’s needs and expectations and work together to accomplish the goals and targets of the organization.

May 10, 2018
Difference Between Employee and Industrial Relations
Learn about the difference employee industrial relations. Understand the significance of interpersonal dynamics and employer-worker relationships in organizations. Define Employment relations, distinguish between the terms “industrial relations” and “employee relations” and identify the different disciplinary inputs which comprise the study of employment relations. The term employee relations lays stress upon the processes of interpersonal relationships among individuals as well as the behavior of individuals as members of groups. The term industrial relations use widely in industrial organizations and refers to the relations between the employers and workers in an organization, at any specifies time. Also, learn and Understand Entrepreneurship Theories and Empirical Research.

Learn, What is the Difference Between Employee and Industrial Relations?

Thus, while the problem of employee relations are personal in character and are relate to the behavior of individuals where moral and social element predominate, the term industrial relation is comprehensive covering human relations and the relations between the employers and workers in an organization as well as matters regulated by law or by specific collective agreement arrived at between trade unions and the management. Roles of HR Management in Organizations on Difficult Times.

However, the concept of industrial relations has undergone a considerable change since the objective of evolving sound and healthy industrial relations today is not only to find out ways and means to solve conflicts or resolve difference but also to secure unreserved cooperation and goodwill to divert their interest and energies toward the constructive channel.

The problems of industrial relations are, therefore, essentially problems that may solve effectively only by developing in conflicting social groups of an industrial undertaking, a sense of confidence, dependence, and respect and at the same time encouraging them to come closer to each other for removing misunderstanding if any, in a peaceful atmosphere and fostering industrial pursuits for mutual benefits.

Employment relations in general:

Employment or human relations cover all types of interactions among employees such as cooperative efforts, interpersonal and group relationships. The purpose of employment relations is to deal with the people, the business employees, and the issues arising from their employment. Acquiring, developing, maintaining, and motivating staff in all aspects that are cover by the employment relations area. Employment relations are necessary as the employee is the most important part of a business and turn it either into a successful unit or drive it to catastrophe.

‘Industrial relations‘ is generally understood to refer to the relationship between employers and employees collectively. The term is no longer widely used by employers but summons up a set of employment relationships that no longer widely exist, except in specific sectors and, even there, in modified form. What is an e-HR (Electronic Human Resource)?

The term ‘employee relations‘ conceived as a replacement for the term ‘industrial relations‘ but its precise meaning in today’s workplaces needs clarification. Business managers have come to recognize that their employees are the most important part of a business and through effective management, a business can gain a competitive advantage.

The skills, knowledge, and creativeness of employees is the main potential that a business has over its competitors, and thus the realization that the employee has the most influence over important aspects such as its profitability, competitiveness, and adaptability has led to the idea that managing these human resources to develop their maximum capabilities.

Human resource management or employee relations is the process of finding the people the business needs, developing their skills, knowledge, talents, careers. Motivating and maintaining their commitment to the business.

History;

The turn from industrial relations to employee relations can spot on several different dimensions. From a peak of some 12 million-plus, union membership has fallen to around 7 million today. Between 1980 and 2000, the coverage of collective agreements contracted from over three-quarters to under a third of the employed workforce.

The Workplace Employment Relations Survey (WERS) 1998 showed that union officials spent most of their time not on negotiating pay and conditions but in supporting grievances on behalf of individual members. Even where collective bargaining continues, its impact on the exercise of management discretion was greatly diminishing.

Industrial relations:
- Became inevitably associated with trade unions, collective bargaining, and industrial action;
- Had too strong a tendency to view the world of work as synonymous with the heavy extractive and manufacturing sectors of employment, sectors which were dominated by male manual workers working full-time and which are in decline in nearly all developed economies.
Using the term employee relations enables the adoption of a broader concept that:
- Encompasses the now dominant service sector which, in many developed countries, now employs more than 70 percent of the workforce, and the changes in the composition of the labor force such as more women working and more part-time, temporary and fixed-term contracts;
- Include non-union as well as union scenarios and relationships.
The meaning of employee relations with employers:

Some broad conclusions emerging from research are:
- Employee relations can see primarily as a skill-set. Or a philosophy, rather than as a management function or well-defined area of activity.
- Despite well-publicized instances of industrial action, the emphasis on employee relations continues to shift from ‘collective’ institutions. Such as trade unions and collective bargaining, to the relationship with individual employees.
- The ideas of ’employee voice’ and the ‘psychological contract’ have been accepted by employers. Reflected in their employee relations policies and aspirations.
- Employee relations skills and competencies are still seen by employers as critical to achieving performance. Benefits through a focus on employee involvement, commitment, and engagement.
- Employee relations sees as strategic in terms of managing business risk. Both the downside risk of non-compliance with an expanding body of employment law. The upside risk of failing to deliver maximum business performance.
- Nearly two-thirds of unionized employers regard the relationship between management and unions as either positive or very positive.
- Public sector managers are more likely than those in the private sector to see union influence as strong. With, almost three-quarters reporting union influence as significant or very significant.
Disciplinary inputs of employment relations:

Many national labor laws contain provisions on the employment relationship. Despite certain similarities, however, not all national labor laws provide exhaustive or equal coverage of the subject. Some provisions deal with the regulation of the employment contract as a specific contract. Its definition, the parties, and their respective obligations. Other provisions are intending to facilitate

recognition of the existence of an employment relationship and prescribe administrative and judicial mechanisms for monitoring compliance. In general terms, the employment relationship creates a legal link between a person who performs work. The person for whose benefit the work is performed in return for remuneration. Under certain conditions established by national law and practice.

The determination of the existence of an employment relationship should guide by the facts of what was agree upon. Perform by the parties, and not on how either or both of the parties describe the relationship. This knows in law as the principle of the primacy of fact. The legislation adopts in some countries since the end of the twentieth century contains provisions refocusing.

Extra knowledge;

The employment relationship to extend the scope of the law and hence its protection to new categories of workers; to combat disguised or fraudulent employment relationships and improve compliance with the law, and to ease the burden of proof on the worker in particular. When seeking to prove the existence of an employment relationship in a given case.

To conclude, employment relations involve the body of work concerned with maintaining employer-employee relationships. That contribute to satisfactory productivity, motivation, and morale. Essentially, Employee Relations is concerned with preventing and resolving problems involving individuals which arise out of or affect work situations.” Why is the Need Entrepreneurship for Small Business?

Parallel to this regulatory response to the growing concern at the lack of protection for workers. Who are in fact in an employment relationship which might be ambiguous or disguise? There has also been a continuing tendency in case law to apply. The traditional approach to the employment relationship to new and complex situations.
November 21, 2017
Positive Relationships with Individual and Organization Outside

How to Develop Positive Relationships with Individual and Organization Outside of Your Business

It’s vital for a business to develop as many external contacts as possible. This simple approach can lead to valuable/positive relationships and opportunities that would not otherwise have occurred. How Do You Know Your Company Wants Help From The Outside? Below are some of the best ways you can develop relationships with individuals and organizations outside of your business. Do You Really Want to your Own a Business?

What is Meaning about Positive Relationships? Positive, productive relationships demand the best of us. For a friendship or marriage to allow both people to flourish, each person is an active participant in helping create the other one’s positive future.

“A direct relationship between two variables in which as one increases, the other can be expected to increase, Also called direct relationship. Compare negative relationship.”

“Positive relationships with others, Will be happier and more fulfilled and feel more supported, supportive, and connected.”

Define of Positive Relationships; “Positive correlation is a relationship between two variables in which both variables move in tandem. A positive correlation exists when one variable decreases as the other variable decreases, or one variable increases while the other increases. In statistics, a perfect positive correlation is represented by 1, while 0 indicates no correlation and negative 1 indicates a perfect negative correlation.”

Develop Your Communication Skills and Communication Channels

Before you reach out to certain individuals and organizations, it’s important to prepare properly and have the skills and knowledge required for communicating in an effective way.

For instance, if you want to interact with local government representatives and agencies in a more productive way, you may need to hire a consultant or someone who has completed an online masters in public administration and who has a great working relationship with the public sector.

“Communication is the act of conveying intended meanings from one entity or group to another through the use of mutually understood signs and semiotic rules.”

In other situations, it may be a good idea for you or someone in your organization to enroll in an online master in public administration degree course or similar program provided by universities like Norwich University, so that you have a permanent person in your company who can deal with government entities that can help your business.

Attend Networking Events

Most people prefer to deal with other individuals and businesses they are familiar with. This means you and your business need to get public exposure.

Attending networking events like Chamber of Commerce meetings, conferences, and industry seminars is an effective way to do this. The more times you are seen at these events, the more people will become familiar with you and start to trust you.

Give Your Own Presentations

Initially, when you attend networking events you may be there to listen to other people. However, eventually you could participate more in these events by giving your own presentations in the area you have expertise in. This once again could lead to a lot of new opportunities, including business offers and referrals from those who listen to your presentations. Why You Should Be Balancing Your Books on Every Single Month.

Join Online Communities

Today’s business owners live busy lives and it’s not always possible to attend networking events. In other cases, the people you want to interact with may not attend these types of events or they live a long distance away. This is where the Internet can come to the rescue because a wide range of online business communities exist.

These communities are usually open to novice business owners, established business owners and people who have a keen interest in the same industry or niche. Interacting with other community members is extremely easy and most members of these websites are more approachable online.

Build Your Own Online Social Profile

It’s important to maintain professional online social media profiles. A huge number of people prefer to use the Internet to find out about a business or the people in a business. Become an Instagram Millionaire but How?

The more informative your social media profiles are, the more impressed others will be, and the more likely it is that they will want to find out more about you and your business.

Networking and building positive relationships with individuals and businesses outside, your own organization is an important step if you want your business to succeed and grow. This is not as difficult as it may sound, especially if you follow the steps above.

November 11, 2017
Develop Positive Relationships, Individuals and Organizations

How to Develop Positive Relationships with Individuals and Organizations Outside of Your Business?

It’s vital for a business to develop as many external contacts as possible. This simple approach can lead to valuable relationships and opportunities that would not otherwise have occurred. Below are some of the best ways you can develop relationships with individuals and organizations outside of your business.

Develop Your Communication Skills and Communication Channels

Before you reach out to certain individuals and organizations, it’s important to prepare properly and have the skills and knowledge required for communicating in an effective way. For instance, if you want to interact with local government representatives and agencies in a more productive way, you may need to hire a consultant or someone who has completed an online master in public administration and who has a great working relationship with the public sector.

In other situations, it may be a good idea for you or someone in your organization to enroll in an online master in public administration degree course or similar program provided by universities like Norwich University, so that you have a permanent person in your company who can deal with government entities that can help your business.

Attend Networking Events

Most people prefer to deal with other individuals and businesses they are familiar with. This means you and your business need to get public exposure. Attending networking events like Chamber of Commerce meetings, conferences, and industry seminars is an effective way to do this. The more times you are seen at these events, the more people will become familiar with you and start to trust you.

Give Your Own Presentations

Initially, when you attend networking events you may be there to listen to other people. However, eventually, you could participate more in these events by giving your own presentations in the area you have expertise in. This once again could lead to a lot of new opportunities, including business offers and referrals from those who listen to your presentations.

Join Online Communities

Today’s business owners live busy lives and it’s not always possible to attend networking events. In other cases, the people you want to interact with may not attend these types of events or they live a long distance away. This is where the internet can come to the rescue because a wide range of online business communities exists.

These communities are usually open to novice business owners, established business owners and people who have a keen interest in the same industry or niche. Interacting with other community members is extremely easy and most members of these websites are more approachable online.

Build Your Own Online Social Profile

It’s important to maintain professional online social media profiles. A huge number of people prefer to use the internet to find out about a business or the people in a business. The more informative your social media profiles are, the more impressed others will be and the more likely it is that they will want to find out more about you and your business.

Networking and building positive relationships with individuals and businesses outside your own organization is an important step if you want your business to succeed and grow. This is not as difficult as it may sound, especially if you follow the steps above.

August 16, 2017
The Creative Process

The Creative Process

Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible (such as an idea, a scientific theory, a musical composition, or a joke) or a physical object (such as an invention, a literary work, or a painting).

Scholarly interest in creativity involves many definitions and concepts pertaining to a number of disciplines: engineering, psychology, cognitive science, education, philosophy (particularly philosophy of science), technology, theology, sociology, linguistics, business studies, songwriting, and economics, covering the relations between creativity and general intelligence, mental and neurological processes, personality type and creative ability, creativity and mental health; the potential for fostering creativity through education and training, especially as augmented by technology; the maximization of creativity for national economic benefit, and the application of creative resources to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning.

The Creative process can be broken into stages:

Preparation

This is the first phase, which most people call “work.” A writer, for example, prepares by writing, by reading, or by revising earlier work. A musician plays scales, chords, or songs; a painter messes with paints or visits an art gallery; an entrepreneur researches problems to solve; a programmer plays with code. In each example, the creative is going through relatively mundane processes.

The reason I say most people call this phase “work” is that these processes may or may not be inherently enjoyable. They’re also fairly mundane and tedious, but the creative has learned that this process is necessary to plant the seeds that lead to…Preparation is the background, experience, and knowledge that an entrepreneur brings to the opportunity recognition process. Just as an athlete must practice to excel, an entrepreneur needs the experience to spot opportunities. Over time, the results of research suggest that as much as 50 to 90 percent of start-up ideas emerge from a person’s prior work experience.

Incubation

Incubation is the stage during which a person considers an idea or thinks about a problem; it is the “mulling things over” phase. Sometimes incubation is a conscious activity, and sometimes it is unconscious and occurs while a person is engaged in another activity. One writer characterized this phenomenon by saying that “ideas churn around below the threshold of consciousness.”

This would be the mystical process if there were one, because you often don’t know that you’re incubating an idea, or if you do know you’re working on one, you don’t know when it’s going to come out. It’s during this phase that your conscious and subconscious minds are working on the idea, making new connections, separating out unnecessary ideas, and grabbing for other ideas.

This is the phase that most people mess up the most with distractions and the hustle and bustle of daily lives. Modern life, with its many beeps, buzzes, and distractions, has the strong tendency to grab the attention of both our subconscious and our unconscious mind, and as result, the creative process stops and is instead replaced by more immediate concerns.

Insight

Insight is the flash of recognition when the solution to a problem is seen or an idea is born. It is sometimes called the “eureka” experience. In a business context, this is the moment an entrepreneur recognizes an opportunity. Sometimes this experience pushes the process forward, and sometimes it prompts an individual to return to the preparation stage. For example, an entrepreneur may recognize the potential for an opportunity but may feel that more knowledge and thought is required before pursuing it.

Evaluation

Evaluation is the stage of the creative process during which an idea is subjected to scrutiny and analyzed for its viability. Many entrepreneurs mistakenly skip this step and try to implement an idea before they’ve made sure it is viable. Evaluation is a particularly challenging stage of the creative process because it requires an entrepreneur to take a candid look at the viability of an idea.

Elaboration

Elaboration is the stage during which the creative idea is put into a final form: The details are worked out and the idea is transformed into something of value, such as a new product, service, or business concept. In the case of a new business, this is the point at which a business plan is written.

Illumination

This is the “Eureka” moment that many of us spend our days questing after. When it hits, the creative urge is so incredibly strong that we lose track of what else is happening. The driving impulse is to get whatever is going on in our heads down into whatever medium it’s intended for.

The most frustrating thing for me is that the “illumination” moments happen at the most inopportune times. They invariably happen when I’m in the shower when I’m driving by myself, when I’m working out, or when I’m sitting in mind-numbing meetings that I can’t get out of. Of course, the bad part is as I said above: the impulse is to get the idea out as soon as possible, so it’s not at all uncommon for me to stop showering, driving, or working out and run to the nearest notepad – and, in meetings, I start purging immediately anyway. I’ve yet to gain enough clout to excuse myself from the meetings, but I’m working on it.

I was speaking to a friend a few weeks ago, and I told her I was frustrated because I was pregnant with ideas and didn’t have time to get them out. Keeping with the analogy, when a Eureka! moment hits, it’s much like labor – you’re done with incubating, and it’s time for…

Implementation

This phase is the one in which the idea you’ve been preparing and incubating sees the light of day. It’s when that written piece comes out, when that song flows when that canvas reveals its painting, and so on. It’s also when a good creative starts to evaluate the idea and determine whether it’s good or not – but only after they have enough to see where it’s going.

Most of the creative I know or work with get really frustrated with others during this phase. Other people only see the creation at the end, and they don’t recognize or care much about the process that generated that idea. This is especially true with some supervisors and bosses who expect the end product on a certain schedule, even though the creative process does not work that way. Creative know that for every good idea, there are at least a few that don’t work out, but they can’t know ahead of time what’s going to work out and what won’t.

The creative process begins with work and ends with work. The takeaway point here is that creativity is not just percolating and Eureka: it’s percolating and Eureka sandwiched between work phases.

April 10, 2017
Successful Characteristics of Entrepreneur

Successful Characteristics of Entrepreneur

Have you ever thought about striking out on your own? After all, being your own boss can be an exciting prospect. However, owning a business isn’t for everyone. To be a successful entrepreneur, you must have or develop certain personality traits. Here are nine characteristics you should ideally possess to start and run your own business:

I. Motivation: Entrepreneurs are enthusiastic, optimistic and future-oriented. They believe they’ll be successful and are willing to risk their resources in pursuit of profit. They have high energy levels and are sometimes impatient. They are always thinking about their business and how to increase their market share. Are you self-motivated enough to do this, and can you stay motivated for extended periods of time? Can you bounce back in the face of challenges?

Meaning of Motivation is a theoretical construct used to explain behavior. It gives the reason for people’s actions, desires, and needs. Motivation can also be defined as one’s direction to behavior, or what causes a person to want to repeat a behavior and vice versa. A motive is what prompts the person to act in a certain way, or at least develop an inclination for specific behavior. According to Maehr and Meyer, “Motivation is a word that is part of the popular culture as few other psychological concepts are.”

II. Creativity and Persuasiveness: Successful entrepreneurs have the creative capacity to recognize and pursue opportunities. They possess strong selling skills and are both persuasive and persistent. Are you willing to promote your business tirelessly and look for new ways to get the word out about your product or service? Meaning of Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible (such as an idea, a scientific theory, a musical composition, or a joke) or a physical object (such as an invention, a literary work, or a painting).

III. Versatility: Company workers can usually rely on a staff or colleagues to provide service or support. As an entrepreneur, you’ll typically start out as a “Solo-entrepreneur,” meaning you will be on your own for a while. You may not have the luxury of hiring a support staff initially. Therefore, you will end up wearing several different hats, including secretary, bookkeeper and so on. You need to be mentally prepared to take on all these tasks at the beginning. Can you do that? Meaning of Versatility; ability to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities.

IV. Superb Business Skills: Entrepreneurs are naturally capable of setting up the internal systems, procedures and processes necessary to operate a business. They are focused on cash flow, sales and revenue at all times. Successful entrepreneurs rely on their business skills, know-how and contacts. Evaluate your current talents and professional network. Will your skills, contacts and experience readily transfer to the business idea you want to pursue?

V. Risk Tolerance: Launching any entrepreneurial venture is risky. Are you willing to assume that risk? You can reduce your risk by thoroughly researching your business concept, industry and market. You can also test your concept on a small scale. Can you get a letter of intent from prospective customers to purchase? If so, do you think customers would actually go through with their transaction?

VI. Drive: As an entrepreneur, you are in the driver’s seat, so you must be proactive in your approaches to everything. Are you a doer — someone willing to take the reins — or would you rather someone else do things for you? Meaning of Drive; operate and control the direction and speed of a motor vehicle. Propel or carry along by force in a specified direction.

VII. Vision: One of your responsibilities as founder and head of your company is deciding where your business should go. That requires vision. Without it, your boat will be lost at sea. Are you the type of person who looks ahead and can see the big picture? Meaning of Vision; the faculty or state of being able to see. The ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. An experience of seeing someone or something in a dream or trance, or as a supernatural apparition.

VIII. Flexibility and Open-Mindedness: While entrepreneurs need a steadfast vision and direction, they will face a lot of unknowns. You will need to be ready to tweak any initial plans and strategies. New and better ways of doing things may come along as well. Can you be open-minded and flexible in the face of change? Definition of Flexibility; The quality of bending easily without breaking.

IX. Decisiveness: As an entrepreneur, you won’t have room for procrastination or indecision. Not only will these traits stall progress, but they can also cause you to miss crucial opportunities that could move you toward success. Can you make decisions quickly and seize the moment? Definition of Decisiveness; The ability to make decisions quickly and effectively. the conclusive nature of an issue that has been settled or a result that has been produced.

April 10, 2017
Personal Characteristics of the Entrepreneur

Personal Characteristics of the Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is typically in control of a commercial undertaking, directing the factors of production – the human, financial and material resources that are required to exploit a business opportunity. They act as the manager and oversee the launch and growth of an enterprise. Entrepreneurship is the process by which an individual (or team) identifies a business opportunity and acquires and deploys the necessary resources required for its exploitation. The exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities may include actions such as developing a business plan, hiring the human resources, acquiring financial and material resources, providing leadership, and being responsible for the venture’s success or failure.

How did Michael Dell come up with the idea of a “build it yourself” computer company? How did Dave Roberts, the founder of Pop Cap Games, figure out that there is a large and growing market for “casual” electronic games?

Researchers have identified several characteristics that tend to make some people better at recognizing opportunities than others. Before we talk about them, there is an important yet subtle difference between two key terms pertaining to this topic. We’ve already defined an opportunity as a favorable set of circumstances that create the need for a new product, service, or business. But, the term opportunity recognition refers to the process of perceiving the possibility of a profitable new business or a new product or service. That is, an opportunity cannot be pursued until it’s recognized. Now let’s look at some Personal or specific characteristics shared by those who excel at recognizing an opportunity.

Prior Experience

Several studies show that prior experience in an industry helps entrepreneurs recognize business opportunities. For example, evidence over time about the founders of firms appearing on the Inc. 500 list shows that well over 40 percent of those studied got the idea for their new businesses while working as employees for companies in the same industries. This finding is consistent with the findings of research studies the National Federation of Independent Businesses’ group has completed over time. There are several explanations for these findings. By working in an industry, an individual may spot a market niche that is under-served. It is also possible that while working in a particular area, an individual builds a network of social contacts in that industry that may provide insights that lead to opportunities.

Once an entrepreneur starts a firm, new venture opportunities become apparent. This is called the corridor principle, which states that once an entrepreneur starts a firm, he or she begins a journey down a path where “corridors” leading to new venture opportunities become apparent. The insight provided by this principle is simply that once someone starts a firm and becomes immersed in an industry, it’s much easier for that person to see new opportunities in the industry than it is for someone looking in from the outside.

Cognitive Factors

Opportunity recognition may be an innate skill or a cognitive process. There are some who think that entrepreneurs have a “sixth sense” that allows them to see opportunities that others miss. This sixth sense is called entrepreneurial alertness, which is formally defined as the ability to notice things without engaging in the deliberate search. Most entrepreneurs see themselves in this light, believing they are more “alert” than others. Alertness is largely a learned skill, and people who have more knowledge of an area tend to be more alert to opportunities in that area than others? A computer engineer, for example, would be more alert to needs and opportunities within the computer industry than a lawyer would be.

The research findings on entrepreneurial alertness are mixed. Some researchers conclude that alertness goes beyond noticing things and involves a more purposeful effort. For example, one scholar believes that the crucial difference between opportunity finders (i.e., Entrepreneurs) and non-finders is their relative assessments of the marketplace. In other words, entrepreneurs may be better than others at sizing up the marketplace and inferring the likely implications.

Social Networks

The extent and depth of an individual’s social network affects opportunity recognition. People who build a substantial network of social and professional contacts will be exposed to more opportunities and ideas than people with sparse networks. This exposure can lead to new business

starts. Research results over time consistently suggest that somewhere between 40 percent and 50 percent of those who start businesses got their ideas through social contacts. In a related study, the differences between solo entrepreneurs (those who identified their business ideas on their own) and network entrepreneurs (those who identified their ideas through social contacts) were examined. The researchers found that network entrepreneurs identified significantly more opportunities than solo entrepreneurs but were less likely to describe themselves as being particularly alert or creative.

An important concept that sheds light on the importance of social networks to opportunity recognition is the differential impact of strong-tie versus weak-tie relationships. Relationships with other people are called “ties.” We all have ties. Strong-tie relationships are characterized by frequent interaction and ties between coworkers, friends, and spouses. Weak-tie relationships are characterized by infrequent interaction and ties between casual acquaintances. According to research in this area, it is more likely that an entrepreneur will get a new business idea through a weak-tie than a strong-tie relationship because strong-tie relationships, which typically form between like-minded individuals, tend to reinforce insights and ideas the individuals already have. Weak-tie relationships, on the other hand, which form between casual acquaintances, are not as apt to be between like-minded individuals, so one person may say something to another that sparks a completely new idea. An example might be an electrician explaining to a restaurant owner how he solved a business problem. After hearing the solution, the restaurant owner might say, “I would never have heard that solution from someone in my company or industry. That insight is completely new to me and just might help me solve my problem.”

Creativity

Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible (such as an idea, a scientific theory, a musical composition, or a joke) or a physical object (such as an invention, a literary work, or a painting).

Scholarly interest in creativity involves many definitions and concepts pertaining to a number of disciplines: engineering, psychology, cognitive science, education, philosophy (particularly philosophy of science), technology, theology, sociology, linguistics, business studies, songwriting, and economics, covering the relations between creativity and general intelligence, mental and neurological processes, personality type and creative ability, creativity and mental health; the potential for fostering creativity through education and training, especially as augmented by technology; the maximization of creativity for national economic benefit, and the application of creative resources to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning.

Creativity is the process of generating a novel or useful idea. Opportunity recognition may be, at least in part, a creative process. On an anecdotal basis, it is easy to see the creativity involved in forming many products, services, and businesses. Increasingly, teams of entrepreneurs working within a company are sources of creativity for their firm.

April 10, 2017