Business Blog

Hi I just staring in the Business. I would like to have a good experience in this new adventure of knowledge.

Last month, a Carnival Cruise Lines ship, the Triumph, was left adrift in the Gulf of Mexico following a fire in the engine room. The guests were left without power and with few working bathrooms. It took 5 days from the day of the fire to bring the ship to shore and guest complaints were wide spread. As if all of this and a pending class-action lawsuit against Carnival wasn’t enough of a PR nightmare, more Carnival Cruise ships have faced problems this week.

The Carnival ship Dream this week experienced issues when some elevators and toilets stopped working part way through a seven day cruise. This resulted in the cruise being ended early. Also, the Carnival ship The Legend has experienced problems this week with sailing speed, and this resulted in canceling a scheduled stop and heading back to port.

While Carnival has tried to compensate guests for the issues, the abundance of the issues has many cruise goers second guessing their choices.

As a student enrolled in Ashworth’s Bachelor Degree in Business Management program, or one of Ashworth’s other Business Programs, you know that Public Relations is a very important aspect to any business, and consumers hold the power to make or break a company. With this in mind, what is your opinion on how Carnival should handle these issues and the PR disaster that is unfolding? Do you think the Carnival issues are affecting the industry as a whole or just Carnival?

Image courtesy of liz-lemonism.

Image courtesy of liz-lemonism.

Image courtesy of liz-lemonism.

This is what they do undercover

Many of us have had those awkward moments in a job interview. Maybe it was something you did and maybe it was something the interviewer did. Maybe it was not knowing enough about the company before showing up.  Everything from an awkward question to a wardrobe malfunction to tipping over the chair you are sitting in has occured at job interviews, and sometimes these may cost you the job. So how can you prevent this from happening to you?

When it comes to interviewing, practice makes perfect. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when going to a job interview:

1. Do your research on the company and the position you are applying for.
2. Have a friend or family member sit down and practice interview questions and answers with you.
3. Dress appropriately. You can never go wrong with some nice slacks and a button up top.
4. Make sure that your phone is off or on silent before you arrive.
5. Keep your energy upbeat and positive throughout the interview.
6. Arrive early. Be sure to also schedule in time in case of traffic.
7. Take your time answering questions and remember to take a deep breath.

What are some of your worst job interview moments? Is there a way to come back from an awkward moment?

Linkedin can help you find a job.

Companies and recruiters all around the world utilize Linkedin to find recruits for open positions. By ensuring you have an up to date Linkedin with key skills highlighted, you allow for these potential job offers to come your way. Many times, Linkedin is used to find candidates that hiring managers may not come across otherwise.

It will help you to develop and grow your networking abilities.

An important aspect of any type of business is networking. As a current or future business professional,  enrolled in Ashworth’s Business Management Degree program, this means that you will need to learn how to network and build upon those relationships. Use Linkedin to gather recommendations from previous employers, coworkers, and clients and to build your professional brand.

Become an Expert in your field.

Linkedin offers the ability for you to constantly learn. There are many groups that you can join and have discussions with those in your industry about the latest and greatest. Use this to your advantage and get involved. You can easily learn the industry lingo and who is who in the industry this way while also allowing people to see who you are as a professional.

Has having a Linkedin profile helped you in your professional career? What tips for others do you have about using Linkedin?

Learn more about Ashworth’s Business Management Degree Online Program