Select an MBA Program with Global Recognition

Graduating with an MBA will change the course of your career, opening opportunities for advancement into management and executive roles. With over 10,000 schools offering MBA programs worldwide, it can be difficult to choose a school with high academic standards, distinguished faculty members and a reputation amongst employers. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, also known as AACSB International, exists to recognize business schools that perform to a higher standard. The AACSB accredits less than five percent of institutions worldwide. As a prospective student, AACSB accreditation should be on your list of criteria for selecting the program that will advance your career.

The AASCB requires the schools it accredits to undergo a quality evaluation every five years. This process examines the quality of their faculty, interactions between students and faculty and strategic management. As a student, enrolling in a program accredited by the AASCB means a better education and graduating with a reputable degree respected by major employers across the globe. Some companies have found that employees who graduated from schools not accredited by the AACSB even performed worse than their colleagues who had.

All of the top MBA programs in Canada are accredited with the AASCB and looking for this status is a great way to narrow down your search for programs. But when the time comes to make your decision, there are some other factors you should take the time to learn about on Lazaridismba.ca.

A school’s reputation with employers is always an important factor to consider and programs that build relationships through recruitment, internships and coop programs excel at placing graduates in leading roles. You should research a school’s performance at case competitions where students have a chance to connect with corporate recruiters who are always looking for new talent. The Aspen Institute International Case Competition, won last year by the team from the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics, is one case competition that draws the attention of corporate recruiters year after year.

If you are pursuing an MBA to start a career in finance, you should also look into programs that can help you compete your CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exams. There are three stages to the CFA exams and the process is a demanding one, with each level posting pass rates between 40 and 55 percent. In order to help students prepare for these exams, schools like the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics have become members of the CFA’s University Recognition Program and exam preparation is part of the curriculum of their unique MFA with CFA designation program.

Finally, search for a school with a strong coop program, especially if you are entering your MBA directly from an undergraduate or you are changing careers. A coop program will help you build the necessary work experience alongside your MBA to take on leadership roles in your future career. The Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (or CAFCE) accredits Canadian universities with quality coop programs as part of an MBA.

AASCB accreditation, success at international case competitions, membership in the CFA’s University Recognition Program, and CAFCE accreditation are all signs that an MBA program has globally recognized. Attend a school with the right reputation to help you drive your career forward.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/michaelsanduso/select-an-mba-program-with-global-recognition/

5 Cool Ways To Make Your Tired Old Garden Look Magical Again

Are you attached to your garden at the moment? If you’re like most people you fell out of love with it a long time ago, but it’s not too late to get the spark back. If you want to feel like your garden is magical again there are tons of things you can do, but we’re going to focus in on a few important ones you should concentrate on first.

Work Around A Focal Point

How many homes have a living room with every seat pointed towards the television? It’s the default way to design your living room, and the reason it works well is because the TV acts as a focal point. Your garden will look just as good if you follow the same rules, but electronics don’t do well outside so you’ll have to get creative. Fire pits have become extremely popular at the moment and they’ll let you sit outside at night.

Always Add A Dash Of Color

Did you know Darwinism affects the flowers in your garden too? Survival of the fittest meant the colorful plants would be the ones bees pollinated, so over the course of millions of years they got brighter and brighter. They’ve worked hard to become a thing of beauty in your garden today, which means you should always have a dash of color on show. There are species out there for every month of the year.

Choosing The Right Shed

One of the first things you need to do is throw your old shed out, because it likely takes up a fair chunk of space. That would be fine if it was attractive, but it’s going to be old and falling apart. You need to choose the best shed for your garden if you don’t want to see an eyesore every time you look out the window. If you can try to pick one with a unique design it always helps add a touch of class.

Back In The Good Old Days

At one point in time you used to think your garden was stunning, but you’ve neglected it for so long. Sometimes to increase the beauty of a garden it involves peeling back the layers like you’re on an archeological dig. Hire a pressure washer to attack your dirty path and patio slabs, plus pick all the weeds out from in between them. Spend a day giving your fence a fresh coat of paint. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results.

Grow Citrus Trees On The Porch

If you’re going to sit outside the chairs will probably be on the porch, so you need something gorgeous sitting beside you. There are a lot of options available, but nothing says tropical like a couple of dwarf citrus trees in stunning pots. Even if the weather doesn’t resemble a tropical sky, your lovely oranges and lemons will cheer you up every time you look at them. Luckily, they’re also easy to grow.

Don’t Wait Around For Another Year

When your garden looks great you’re much more likely to spend time outside. You will stop feeling stressed when you look out the window too. It’s unfortunate how many people ignore their garden, but just because it’s normal you don’t have to be one of them. Start working on the ideas we’ve talked about today whenever possible, and you should also let them open your imagination up to new things.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/twitter-epicninjadaboss/5-cool-ways-to-make-your-tired-old-garden-look-magical-again/

4 Tips to Get Rid of Your Junk and Get Organized

Junk doesn’t just create physical clutter in your home; it also breeds mental clutter. When your home is full of junk, you’ll typically feel stressed about the mess, ashamed of the disorder you’ve created, and confused about how to solve the problem. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Follow these tips to banish your junk and start enjoying the benefits of clutter-free living.

Use Mind Power

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image via Flickr by Sean MacEntee

You can’t think away your junk, but getting into a positive mindset can make tackling the problem more achievable. Thinking you’ll never get on top of the clutter can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, visualize the way your home will look without the junk, then take steps to turn that vision into reality. Take inspiration from the people you know who have tidy homes. If they can do it, so can you!

Purge the Excess

Travel room by room through your home, identifying the excess items you no longer need. You might have old VHS tapes or a VCR you no longer use because you watch Blu-rays now. Perhaps there’s a hide-a-bed sofa you had before you could afford a full-sized bed for guests. You might still have the gym equipment you bought years ago but never used. Old magazines, unused appliances, and outgrown clothes are more examples of excess items.

Once you’ve identified these items, work on getting them out of the house. Yard sales are great for getting rid of excess items. The promise of making some extra cash may even convince you to purge items you’re on the fence about. Anything you can’t sell should be donated to Goodwill or taken to the landfill. Junk removal companies can help you move large, bulky unwanted items that are difficult to transport.

Store Items of Value

Getting rid of real junk is relatively easy. Purging items of sentimental or monetary value that are no longer serving you can be much harder. Give yourself a break and put them into storage instead. Hiring storage gets the items out of your house, making space for the things you really need without forcing you to surrender your seldom-used treasures.

Adopt Healthy Habits

Junk starts taking over our homes because we get into unhealthy habits. We can’t resist the bargains we see in stores and online and fail to purge the items we already have in our home. Once you’ve gotten rid of your junk, you’ll need to replace those unhealthy habits with healthier behaviors to stay organized.

Don’t bring a new item into your house without throwing something else away. Sort through your closets every six months, purging the items you no longer wear. Deal with mail as it arrives rather than letting it pile up. Buy a filing cabinet, then file documents when you receive them. Adopting these healthy habits will make sure the clutter you’ve worked hard to remove doesn’t creep back.

Don’t spend another day allowing junk to rule your life. Follow this advice, and you’ll find that it’s easier than you might have thought to clear the clutter and get organized.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/sambradford/4-tips-to-get-rid-of-your-junk-and-get-organized/

Taking a Winter Class? 4 Things to Keep in Mind

Whether you are in high school or college, many students take a winter class to get ahead on coursework between semesters to lighten their load for the rest of the academic year. Taking a class in the winter session can be a lot to take on, so be sure you’re ready to tackle what’s ahead. To ensure you are up for the challenge, here are four things to keep in mind as you begin your winter class.

Accelerated, intensive curriculum

Ultimately, it depends on the school, but winter courses are often worth the same number of credit hours or units as your courses offered in the traditional semester. In addition, the learning objectives in a winter course offering will likely mirror that of the equivalent course in a fall or spring semester. However, you are covering the same material in a condensed time frame. Compressing a 16-week syllabus into just three to five weeks can make any course feel intensive and, possibly, overwhelming. Due to these circumstances, be prepared to attend class and study on a daily basis. To help ensure your success, you will need to set a rigid schedule allowing yourself enough time to focus on preparing for class and studying.

Limited course selection

Because enrollment in the winter session is not mandatory, and is often seen as an opportunity to either catch-up or get ahead, the course selection can be limited. You may be able to find your general studies courses, such as English and math, but it might be harder to find a more specific or advanced course. Before you get attached to a specific winter course, be sure to consult with an advisor to ensure what you’ve registered for matches your goals and will give you the appropriate credits you need.  

Prepare for distractions

Along with colder weather, winter also ushers in the holiday season. Whether you enjoy seasonal festivities or not, they can cause quite a distraction for a student enrolled in a demanding winter course. If you have family or friends in town, enjoy the snowfalls, or tend to have a lot of personal commitments around the holidays, you’ll need to prepare even more thoroughly for your rigid study schedule (see above). Although it is not impossible to take a class while celebrating the holidays and spending time with loved ones, you will absolutely need a strict plan to maintain your academic performance and not let these distractions get the best of you. Let your family and friends know you are taking a winter class so that you have their encouragement, support, and understanding. Create a detailed winter calendar to schedule class time, study time, and any leisure time or personal commitments. The best way to prepare for distractions is to have a plan and stick to it.  

Sparse financial aid

Have lot of time over the winter and can’t wait to get some credits out of the way? Before you get too excited, consider your financial situation and whether or not you can actually afford to take this class. Winter courses are often charged at the regular rate of tuition, but unfortunately, there is not always as much financial aid available in the winter. Again, this depends on the school at hand, so just to be sure, talk to your financial aid office to find out if you’re able to use leftover financial aid or if there are any specialized grants or scholarships available for winter.

There are many things to consider as you sign up for a winter class. If you aren’t sure what to do, seek advice from an academic advisor or a school counselor. They should be able to help you determine if a winter class is the right choice for you. Best of luck!

Brenna Tonelli is a contributing writer for Varsity Tutors, a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/varsitytutors/taking-a-winter-class-4-things-to-keep-in-mind/

Is Unlocking Your Cell Phone Legal?

This year, two of the most anticipated cell phones were released: the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the iPhone 7. Naturally, some consumers want the newest, greatest phones on the market, which is welcome news for those looking to purchase a gently used iPhone6 or Samsung Galaxy S6. However, it’s hard to find a phone that works with your carrier, limiting the phones you can use. To get around this, there’s the option of purchasing or selling an unlocked phone.

“Locked” cell phones prevent the transfer of a phone from one carrier to another. They feature a software lock that makes it so the phone is only compatible with certain networks. Carriers created this software so that users wouldn’t switch carriers as soon as someone else offered a better deal.

But there are ways around it. You can “unlock” the smartphone so that it’s compatible with other carriers, but is that considered unlawful?

A New Law Makes Unlocked Cell Phones Legal

It’s actually perfectly legal, thanks to a new law change. In August of 2014, President Barack Obama signed the “Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act” into law. This repealed an action from the Library of Congress in 2012 that stated that unlocking a cell phone from a closed carrier was a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The law contradicted laws that prevent monopolies in the United States, so unlocking phones once again became legal.

This is exciting news for cell phone owners, but there are some limitations. It doesn’t prevent cell phone carriers from locking cell phones, for starters. They will likely still have rules about switching contracts that you can’t break without paying a fee.

Also, you can’t do “bulk unlocking,” which is something that people have tried to do as a business platform. They’ll purchase a variety of carrier-specific cell phones, unlock them, and try to make a profit.

There will also be a very different process for unlocking smartphones. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular are all part of the same industry cell phone unlocking standard, but they usually have small differences in their unlocking processes. For example, most of these major carriers require that you pay off your entire contract before you’re able to unlock the device.

Because the federal and state governments largely stay out of commerce, they probably won’t make a law repealing a carrier’s refusal to unlock cell phones before a contract is paid in full.

How Do You Unlock Your Phones?

As mentioned previously, there are different procedures for unlocking cell phones according to the carrier. In some instances, the carrier will unlock your device for you. You can take it to the store or even have them unlock it remotely over the phone. Either way, you’ll have to take the device to the carrier rather than getting it unlocked from the phone’s manufacturer.

Other times, the phone carrier will have a strict policy that says they won’t unlock cell phone for you, particularly if the phone has not been paid off or the contract hasn’t expired. Oftentimes, they’ll only unlock the device if it’s older. Also, when you present the phone to them, they cannot charge you to unlock it.

If your carrier will not unlock your phone, you can do it yourself by purchasing codes to unlock your phone. This is useful if you’re trying to sell the phone before the contract is up. Again, this is completely legal and may be the easier route.

Once it’s been unlocked, the phone can be used for any carrier by simply changing the SIM card. This makes it a lot easier to sell and transfer, often making it a more valuable item for you.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/larryalton/is-unlocking-your-cell-phone-legal/

2017 Plan – 4 Ways People Make Money Online; And You Can Too

If you want to find some work online, but you have no clue where to start, you’ve come to the right place. I understand that thinking about it can be overwhelming and confusing. Everyone who started considering this option was uncertain at some point and they had their fair share of fears and doubts.

Most people are used to having jobs “in the real world”, and for them, the concept of working for someone who’s on the different side of the planet is very awkward. To people who haven’t had any experience with online work, it seems strange to work from their homes and not have a workplace where they have to come to every day and talk to their colleagues and bosses on a regular basis.

However, working online has many benefits. Apart from the fact that you will work from your home, in front of your computer, you will also have the option of organizing yourself the way you see fit and do your work when you feel like it.

1. Part-time writing

One of the most common ways of earning money online is to do some writing. A lot of people think they can’t do this because they are not professional writers. Yes, you will need to have decent writing skills, but writing is a very broad area, and you can write different topics using different languages.

Ghostwriting includes writing pretty much everything you can. You can write website content, blog posts, product descriptions, commercial storylines and much more. You are obligated to write these things for a fee and you lose the rights to your work the second you get paid.

Another way to earn money is by translating texts and, of course, it requires knowing two or more languages. You can also start blogging and build a community around your blog in order to be able to advertise someone else on your blog or let people guest blog for a fee.

2. Doing online surveys

One of the quickest and easiest ways you can earn money online is by finding paid survey sites.  It’s important to find real survey websites so as not to get scammed. There are a lot of people who had bad experiences, since they didn’t pay attention to obvious red flags. Find sites that are reliable and then apply to write as much surveys as possible.

The more sites you apply to, the higher your chances of getting chosen. The registration is usually quite simple and they only require your email and basic information. After you’ve done this, make sure that you constantly check these sites for any new surveys. It’s easy work, and if you are ready invest your time, you can really earn a decent amount.

3. Teaching online

Yet another popular method for making money online is by teaching people. You might think to yourself “I never taught people anything”, but have no fear, because you don’t really have to be a professional teacher to do this, although of course you could get more money and find a job more easily if you are.

For example, there are various English-teaching websites where even an average English speaker can teach language to students. You usually get the material you need to go through, you learn it before the lesson and, depending on the platform you choose, you might have one on one courses or you can teach multiple students at once.

In most cases, these students have very little knowledge of English and you will be teaching them the basics. There will be students that simply want to talk to someone in English, to improve their pronunciation.

4. Streaming

In case you are a gamer who can play certain games really well, you have a good opportunity to make some money online. Streaming platforms such as Twitch can broadcast your gameplay, just like a TV channel, and you are the one who is supposed to be entertaining and act as the commentator.

People enjoy watching others play games on Twitch. They like watching them do anything else for that matter, because there are many streamers out there who aren’t gamers. The key here is to be interesting and to find an innovative things to do or to have an interesting approach to doing something.

When you stream, you will rely on people that visit the streaming platform to watch your broadcasts and donate money. These are small donations, but once you have 50 people that donate $3 per day, you already can say that you are a semi-professional streamer.

Earning a decent amount of money is not that difficult, but on the other hand, if you want to earn more, the possibilities are endless. Some of the top-earning streamers enjoy luxurious profits and they do this job full time.

The best place to start are some of the many freelancing platforms. Here, you can gain the knowledge needed on how making money online works. Additionally, getting some experience and doing small jobs is essential in order to learn how things go. Hell, you can even land some serious work online.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/vladzivanovic/make-money-online/

What Is A Wireless Router And How To Choose One For Your Home

The Internet has undeniably changed many of life’s mundane activities. Shopping, communicating and even transportation have changed, due to the invention of the Internet. At the same time, the technologies involved with the Internet have improved significantly over the past few years. Today, the modem router is capable of providing the consumer with lightning fast speeds.

In the past, the consumer was stuck with dial-up Internet access and excruciatingly low speeds. While the router is definitely a major improvement, it is also far more complex than plugging in a simple telephone cable. For your convenience, you will learn more about the router below.

What Is A Wireless Router

A wireless router extender is a necessity in large two-story homes, since the existing Internet router will not work efficiently throughout the entire house. If you are experiencing dead zones or intermittent interference, you will need to install a wireless extender in your home.

However, you should first begin to do your homework, by learning exactly what the wireless router is and how it functions. The device is capable of functioning in a wired local area network (LAN) or mixed wired/wireless network. Of course, this will depend on the model and brand, so delve a little further to find this information, which should be located in the manufacturer’s buying guide.

The best wifi router functions as a wireless access point, providing access to a private computer network or the Internet. It will basically direct traffic flow between a group of local computers meshed together via Radio Wave Technology or Ethernet cabling.

Hard-wired networks utilize Ethernet cabling, but these are much more difficult to set up and more expensive than the wireless network. Setting up a wireless network does not require running cables from one machine to another.

Parental Controls

The World Wide Web is a dangerous place for small children, since they are unaware of the imposing dangers of social media. There are also forbidden websites that you do not want your child to access, so be sure to invest in a router, with parental control options.

The router’s management software should be accessible by both parents and grandparents, giving full control over what content the children can access on the Web. You will also find some management software, with built-in “black lists”.

These lists contain adult websites and questionable content that may be harmful to youth. This will save you the trouble from needing to do any configuration until later on.

There are also some brands that offer live parental controls through cloud services. The parents will be able to access the cloud management service and make setting changes in the interest of their children.

Considering Signal Strength

At this point in time, most consumers should be more than familiar with signal strength. This is something that is relevant for walkie talkies, cell phones, and even routers. When attempting to choose one of the best wireless routers, it is pertinent to carefully examine the device’s signal strength and your precise application. Do you intend to utilize the Internet, while roaming throughout your home? Do you want to be able to access the Internet from your backyard?

If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, you’ll need maximum signal strength. Also, it is essential to remember that some environmental factors and home décor items can deflect the Wi-Fi signal. A better signal will ensure you experience fewer disconnects and will be able to access the Internet from anywhere inside and outside of your property.

Check The Band Or Standard

As mentioned above, Internet technologies and the associated devices have changed substantially over the years. Today, there is an abundance of different wireless standards, including A, B, G, N, and AC. The 802.11b standard was originated in July of 1999.

As the date suggests, it is slight prehistoric compared to the alternatives. 802.11b can only offer maximum speeds of 11 Mbps. Each consecutive standard improved to some degree. If you’re looking for the best router for home use, you will want to opt for a router utilizing the 802.11ac standard.

This technology is backwards compatible and works fluidly with the b, g, and n standards. It also works on the 2.4 GHz frequency and the 5 GHz frequency. On the 2.4 GHz, the user will receive maximum speeds of 450 Mbps. On the 5 GHz, you’ll be able to browse the Internet with maximum speeds of 1,300 Mbps. At this point in time, 802.11ac is the best money can buy!

Safety Features And Guest Access

With hackers become smarter by the day, it is essential to take steps to protect yourself. This is why you need to make sure your router of choice is equipped with a good firewall and effective encryption. This combination will help to protect you and your family, while preventing unknown individuals from accessing your network.

When it comes to encryption, you will typically be able to choose between WEP, WPA and WPA2. Make sure the options available are compatible with the devices that you utilize.

You should also consider guest access. If you have a lot of guests at your house, it is likely these individuals will want to access the Internet at some point or another. A router with guest access will create a separate network of sorts that can be dedicated specifically to these individuals. This will allow them to access the Internet, without forcing you to give out your username and password.

Customer Support And Warranty

While you’re at it, you’ll also want to check out the manufacturer of the router and the warranty provided. While these two factors may not enhance the overall performance of the router, they may prove to be incredibly important in the future.

You may run into a problem and find yourself in desperate need of assistance. If this happens and the company isn’t up to par, you will not be able to obtain the help you need. If the company offers excellent customer support, they’ll be able to rectify your problem rapidly.

The warranty will ultimately help to prolong the longevity of the device, while further protecting your investment. If something happens and the router becomes inoperable or defective, the warranty will help to ensure the product will be replaced or repaired for free. Always try to get the longest warranty possible!

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/twitter-moneyhomeblogg/what-is-a-wireless-router/