Although I would be more than happy running this perspective business that I proposed, it is imperative that you keep your options open, and consider the other opportunities that you may be presented with along the way. SU claims that most students will change their major at least if three times before graduating, therefore knowing about the fields that are available in Information and Technology studies is extremely important.
There are many different IT Department jobs, and within each category, many opportunities to explore. For instance, in the Systems Development and Programing field, there are opportunities for one to obtain a degree and/or become a computer games designer, a computer scientist, a technical lead, and a web software developer. I would be interested in the department of Training, to become a corporate trainer in which you can go into different corporations and teach employees how to use software, design and develop systems to increase efficiency of their staff, all with a bachelor's degree. In Technical Services, there are opportunities for fields to intertwine as forensic scientists are entering the field of IT to become "Digital Forensic Scientists." This line of work entails collecting evidence found on computers and sometimes, on "destroyed" hardware's.
Even if you are in a computer-based profession, you must be able to keep yourself on the cutting edge. You must seek ways that will keep you intune with the trends and develop new skills as the technology changes. Some ways that you can do so are through personal networks, professional growth and continuing education activities and websites, and with certifications. Certifications can be very beneficial as some companies may offer benefits to those employees that are certified since they are higher valued employees. Plus, you can gain confidence within your company that they will continue to grow in skill and enusre job security. Either way, I would be interested in gaining a certification to set yourself aside and even above your competitors when applying for jobs as well.
Well, there it is! My last blog for a while! Thank you for an enjoyable semester!!!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Catching the Clcik Happy Employees....Enterprise Computing
As your restaurant expands, there is a great possibility that you may choose to go corporate and soon, you could be considered a SMB or a service enterprise. A smb is a small and medium sized business that is smaller in size than an enterprise and typically does not have international presence. Nevertheless, these companies may use the same technologies that enterprises use, but on a smaller scale. In this day and age, I would highly recommend using the same systems as an enterprise since it could greatly behoove you! For today's scenario, we are going to assume that your restaurant really took off, you are now the executive manager of a corporate company...
When a company in the restaurant industry goes corporate, you are guaranteed to see multiple functional units develop. With head quarters all over the United States, you desire to have each unit functioning under the same set of standards and procedures. IST 195 taught you that maintaining a solid and secure network is imperative to making this happen! What many employees don't realize though is that every move they made while signed onto this network may be monitored. This is a major asset for you as the executive management to know and understand how this system works.
Employers are able to monitor an employees productivity, liability and even security using a surveillance system. You can track the sites that your employees are visiting on work computers, scan through their emails to make sure that pertinent information is not being leaked, monitor phone calls, and even watch for illegal online activities that could negatively represent your company. It is hard to believe that your company is at this risk, but it is also nieve to believe that none of your employees will try and take advantage of their scheduled work hours on a computer. With labor costs being the most costly expenditure for a restaurant, do not take the risk of lazy employees surfing the web.
When a company in the restaurant industry goes corporate, you are guaranteed to see multiple functional units develop. With head quarters all over the United States, you desire to have each unit functioning under the same set of standards and procedures. IST 195 taught you that maintaining a solid and secure network is imperative to making this happen! What many employees don't realize though is that every move they made while signed onto this network may be monitored. This is a major asset for you as the executive management to know and understand how this system works.
Employers are able to monitor an employees productivity, liability and even security using a surveillance system. You can track the sites that your employees are visiting on work computers, scan through their emails to make sure that pertinent information is not being leaked, monitor phone calls, and even watch for illegal online activities that could negatively represent your company. It is hard to believe that your company is at this risk, but it is also nieve to believe that none of your employees will try and take advantage of their scheduled work hours on a computer. With labor costs being the most costly expenditure for a restaurant, do not take the risk of lazy employees surfing the web.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Today, I would advise learning the basic skills necessary to create and modify a query using Microsoft Access 2007. This program is very efficient and useful in your restaurant, if utilized. I would recommend using Microsoft Access to create a survey style query on your web page.
Using Microsoft Access, you can design a survey in which panelists can answer in multiple fashions. For instance, you can insert check boxes, yes and no answers, true and false, text boxes, and multiple choice. All of these options are available and will help you form both quantitative data as well as qualitative.
I would suggest always adding a few demographic questions so that you can make sure you are hitting your target market. Questions need to be worded to pull information about popular items, and even likes and dislikes. They must be specific enough so that you can gain detailed and accurate results. Also, please note that the program can be modified to send you an email after someone fills out your survey.
Preforming a task like this may be a bit time consuming, but it well worth the wait if the results help you to pinpoint issues and star items of your restaurant. People will finally have a way to give their input in, and feel as if their opinions matter, and there is nothing as important as customer satisfaction!!
Using Microsoft Access, you can design a survey in which panelists can answer in multiple fashions. For instance, you can insert check boxes, yes and no answers, true and false, text boxes, and multiple choice. All of these options are available and will help you form both quantitative data as well as qualitative.
I would suggest always adding a few demographic questions so that you can make sure you are hitting your target market. Questions need to be worded to pull information about popular items, and even likes and dislikes. They must be specific enough so that you can gain detailed and accurate results. Also, please note that the program can be modified to send you an email after someone fills out your survey.
Preforming a task like this may be a bit time consuming, but it well worth the wait if the results help you to pinpoint issues and star items of your restaurant. People will finally have a way to give their input in, and feel as if their opinions matter, and there is nothing as important as customer satisfaction!!
Photoshop Fixers
Photoshop is by far my favorite application and program on computers. I could spend days doing nothing but editing pictures, and you could benefit from this program as well! Hospitality is all about marketing, and whether you are trying to market your business as a whole, or your food, pictures are the way to go. Giving guests a visual of what they receive at your location is essential to your success. Therefore we will discuss the many advantages and tools that you will find beneficiary in Photoshop.
Taking photographs of food is a lot harder than you would expect, but when creating your menu, or when you are putting out a promotional add, your images have to sell the items for themselves. Your photograph must be cropped perfectly, the colors must be accurate, and most importantly, the clarity of the image must be perfected as this photograph has to sell, the item for you. A good photograph can be easily turned great by using photoshop.
The most useful tool is cropping. Cropping is done by dragging and selecting the area of the photo that you want to keep. Photoshop will automatically get rid of the surrounding area that you wish to discard. You can also use this device to rotate photos and center something that may have been left adjusted or crooked.
Other editing features include the stamp tool. The stamp tool will allow you to select an area of your image, and repeat the color sequence on another area. For instance, if your image is of a fillet of salmon, and one spot on the fish is a bit discolored, or possesses too much pepper in that area, you can select a similar area of the image and repeat the color sequence over top of the blemish.
Levels will also behoove you. Using levels you can alter the lighting composition of the image. If your snapshot is underexposed or overexposed, Photoshop will help you amend the error.
Photoshop is a great amenity, costly, but worth every cent. Every computer owner needs this great application!
Taking photographs of food is a lot harder than you would expect, but when creating your menu, or when you are putting out a promotional add, your images have to sell the items for themselves. Your photograph must be cropped perfectly, the colors must be accurate, and most importantly, the clarity of the image must be perfected as this photograph has to sell, the item for you. A good photograph can be easily turned great by using photoshop.
The most useful tool is cropping. Cropping is done by dragging and selecting the area of the photo that you want to keep. Photoshop will automatically get rid of the surrounding area that you wish to discard. You can also use this device to rotate photos and center something that may have been left adjusted or crooked.
Other editing features include the stamp tool. The stamp tool will allow you to select an area of your image, and repeat the color sequence on another area. For instance, if your image is of a fillet of salmon, and one spot on the fish is a bit discolored, or possesses too much pepper in that area, you can select a similar area of the image and repeat the color sequence over top of the blemish.
Levels will also behoove you. Using levels you can alter the lighting composition of the image. If your snapshot is underexposed or overexposed, Photoshop will help you amend the error.
Photoshop is a great amenity, costly, but worth every cent. Every computer owner needs this great application!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Security
A virus could attack your computer at any time without you even knowing it. Therefore it is imperative that you are aware of the possible computer crimes that you could encounter, and how to protect yourself from them. Especially, your work computer needs to have a firewall or other antivirus program installed to prevent these risks.
Unauthorized access is the use of a computer or network without permission. To prevent this hacking, it is very important that you use passwords and user names as access controls. For instance, you can even set your preferences on your computer that forces users to enter in a password or set of digits to even turn on your computer.
Also, you need to be aware of spam ware. Spam is an unsolicited e-mail message or newsgroup posting sent to multiple recipients at once. A picture of a cute little kitten may pop up in your inbox, but beware that it is possible that it may be an encrypted message. It could ultimately destroy your computer. Programs such as Antivirus and firewal can protect you from these attacks.
Taking preventative measures to secure your computer is not just an option, it is an imperative precaution that you must take. Sleep easy at night knowing that you will not be receiving any cookies or spam that could destroy your computer. Your employees can feel safe that their personal information such as social security numbers and credit information is safe as well.
Unauthorized access is the use of a computer or network without permission. To prevent this hacking, it is very important that you use passwords and user names as access controls. For instance, you can even set your preferences on your computer that forces users to enter in a password or set of digits to even turn on your computer.
Also, you need to be aware of spam ware. Spam is an unsolicited e-mail message or newsgroup posting sent to multiple recipients at once. A picture of a cute little kitten may pop up in your inbox, but beware that it is possible that it may be an encrypted message. It could ultimately destroy your computer. Programs such as Antivirus and firewal can protect you from these attacks.
Taking preventative measures to secure your computer is not just an option, it is an imperative precaution that you must take. Sleep easy at night knowing that you will not be receiving any cookies or spam that could destroy your computer. Your employees can feel safe that their personal information such as social security numbers and credit information is safe as well.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Data made Digital
Taking inventory can be a time consuming and a tedious task. But to simplify this aspect of your business, I would recommend utilizing a database. A database is a collection of data or information that is organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data. This system can make the process of collecting and analyzing your inventory very efficient.
Many people argue that they do not feel comfortable trusting a computer to hold all of their data in fear of a crash or accident. But databases are very durable. The most recent changes that you have made can be found in most cases, using a recovery utility. The recovery utility allows the user to use logs and backups to restore the database using rollback and rollforward techniques. Continuous backup is also available.
Plus, with the ability of databases to preform a validation, you can ensure that the data that you are entering is correct. For instance, you can set the preferences to preform a range check (to make sure you ordered 11 cartons of eggs instead of 111, an easy mistake to be made when entering a lot of numbers quickly). A consistency check would also be useful in our needs in the Hospitality field.
Even though databases have so many great applications, you should be cautious when using them. Since databases are distributed, they can be accessed multiple places, and sometimes, can fall into the wrong hands if you are not careful. Therefore, make sure that you understand the risks as well as the benefits before accessing or preforming a web database.
Many people argue that they do not feel comfortable trusting a computer to hold all of their data in fear of a crash or accident. But databases are very durable. The most recent changes that you have made can be found in most cases, using a recovery utility. The recovery utility allows the user to use logs and backups to restore the database using rollback and rollforward techniques. Continuous backup is also available.
Plus, with the ability of databases to preform a validation, you can ensure that the data that you are entering is correct. For instance, you can set the preferences to preform a range check (to make sure you ordered 11 cartons of eggs instead of 111, an easy mistake to be made when entering a lot of numbers quickly). A consistency check would also be useful in our needs in the Hospitality field.
Even though databases have so many great applications, you should be cautious when using them. Since databases are distributed, they can be accessed multiple places, and sometimes, can fall into the wrong hands if you are not careful. Therefore, make sure that you understand the risks as well as the benefits before accessing or preforming a web database.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Behind the Scenes of Networking
If you want to get anywhere in the world, networking is the way to go. But with so many hundreds of ways to network, how do you know which avenue to chose? Especially with the advancements that have been made over time, the use of natural language in communications has made incredible bounds. Now, we no longer have to use little beeps and series of sounds to communicate, but technology has advanced so much that we can have face to face contact with people that aren't even in the same country as us! Keeping in touch with the people you meet on a day to day basis is imperative in life, and I'm here to help you figure out which systems are best for you.
Deciding to have internet access within your business is a given. Since you can find practically anything online, it is crucial to your business to find a reputable and reliable internet service provider. If you are running your business out of your home, a home network may be just what you need. Through a home network, you can connect to the internet with multiple computers at the same time, access files and programs on the other computers in the home, share peripherals such as printers, scanners, etc... and even use VoIP. But if you are a larger operation such as the restaurant example that I have been using, you may choose to use a wireless modem, or a network card. I have had much experience in the past with network cards. If you are using a laptop with the card, all you have to do is insert a portable device into your usb drive and the computer will connect you to the internet. This device is very handy as it can be used almost anywhere, and is great for businesses that have to travel a lot.
Besides just deciding on what type of digital modem you would like to invest in, you must also decide on how much bandwidth you need. Bandwidth is the channel transmits capability. A cable modem has more bandwidth than a dial-up modem. This should definitely be taken into account when making your decision. Latency should also be a deciding factor. Latency is the time it takes a signal to travel from one location to another on a network. Common things that interfere with latency are distance that the data must travel, type of transmission media, and the number of nodes that the data must travel over the communications channel. My best advice is that your bandwidth should be high, while your latency should be low.
Once you have decided on the source of internet access that you want, you must know what type of computer communications that you will be using. Computer communications allow you to transfer data, instructions, and information. You can go about this using anything from text messaging, blogs, emails, video conferencing, and wiki's. many software products provide a means for you to collaborate with other users as well. For the restaurant industry, I would highly recommend Groupware. Groupware is a software that allows you to work on projects together, share information, and even partake in screen sharing. Skype is a great option as well. This program is available on the internet and allows people to video chat with other skype users. This ability has the potential to save your business thousands of dollars in travel fees because you will no longer have to pay for transportation to send your employees to trainings or corporate meetings.
Knowing your computer needs will help you to determine what type of networking you would like to participate in. By recieveing the exact package and capabilities you desire and no more or no less will save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Best of luck on your search!!!
Deciding to have internet access within your business is a given. Since you can find practically anything online, it is crucial to your business to find a reputable and reliable internet service provider. If you are running your business out of your home, a home network may be just what you need. Through a home network, you can connect to the internet with multiple computers at the same time, access files and programs on the other computers in the home, share peripherals such as printers, scanners, etc... and even use VoIP. But if you are a larger operation such as the restaurant example that I have been using, you may choose to use a wireless modem, or a network card. I have had much experience in the past with network cards. If you are using a laptop with the card, all you have to do is insert a portable device into your usb drive and the computer will connect you to the internet. This device is very handy as it can be used almost anywhere, and is great for businesses that have to travel a lot.
Besides just deciding on what type of digital modem you would like to invest in, you must also decide on how much bandwidth you need. Bandwidth is the channel transmits capability. A cable modem has more bandwidth than a dial-up modem. This should definitely be taken into account when making your decision. Latency should also be a deciding factor. Latency is the time it takes a signal to travel from one location to another on a network. Common things that interfere with latency are distance that the data must travel, type of transmission media, and the number of nodes that the data must travel over the communications channel. My best advice is that your bandwidth should be high, while your latency should be low.
Once you have decided on the source of internet access that you want, you must know what type of computer communications that you will be using. Computer communications allow you to transfer data, instructions, and information. You can go about this using anything from text messaging, blogs, emails, video conferencing, and wiki's. many software products provide a means for you to collaborate with other users as well. For the restaurant industry, I would highly recommend Groupware. Groupware is a software that allows you to work on projects together, share information, and even partake in screen sharing. Skype is a great option as well. This program is available on the internet and allows people to video chat with other skype users. This ability has the potential to save your business thousands of dollars in travel fees because you will no longer have to pay for transportation to send your employees to trainings or corporate meetings.
Knowing your computer needs will help you to determine what type of networking you would like to participate in. By recieveing the exact package and capabilities you desire and no more or no less will save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Best of luck on your search!!!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Podcasting
When you enter a restaurant, your senses are overwhelmed with the aroma's leaking out of the kitchen, the dim lights illuminating your table, the sounds of pots, pans and laughter... but most of all the taste of carefully prepared dishes touching your tongue. Restaurants have mastered the technique of marketing their restaurants on their websites, but they can't express how good their diners expirence really is unless you take the time to visit their establishment. So far, the leaders in the industry, such as Carrabba's, have utilized the technological advancements available to persuade guests into their dining rooms to learn more. Their most successful form of advertisements are their pod casting.
Carrabba's is just one example of a restaurant that is experimenting with transforming information in the real world into something that can be stored in a computer. This process requires digitization. For instance, in order to switch information from analog to digital, you need an ADC converter. The devices that take in a signal and create a real world experience via the Internet are called transducers. Presently, there are transducers for light, sound, and motion. Pod casting is an example of a transducer because you are able to speak into a microphone, then record your voice onto a computer in small segments, then edit that information how ever you'd like, then upload onto the web for others to hear.
As great as these advancements are, there is still room for more growth in the industry. There are no transducers for the sense of taste of touch. Perhaps this is because these senses are based on chemistry, and the different reactions that your body has. Software programs such as ZNose are still in development. Game controllers are getting closer with the sense of touch as they simulate the feeling of hitting a brick wall in Motor cross or Wii fit being the prime example.
If we could create the technology to have a transducer for the sense of taste, I can guarantee that there would be a huge impact on the restaurant industry. As well as uploading the menus to your businesses web site, how cool would it be to allow guests to sample each dish? I feel as though your revenue would reach exceptional rates with this advancement.
Regardless of our hopes for the future, it is imperative that restaurants remain open to the tools that we already have. Pod casting is a prime example of an underutilized tool that should be embraced by our industry. Try it out, it's simple!
Carrabba's is just one example of a restaurant that is experimenting with transforming information in the real world into something that can be stored in a computer. This process requires digitization. For instance, in order to switch information from analog to digital, you need an ADC converter. The devices that take in a signal and create a real world experience via the Internet are called transducers. Presently, there are transducers for light, sound, and motion. Pod casting is an example of a transducer because you are able to speak into a microphone, then record your voice onto a computer in small segments, then edit that information how ever you'd like, then upload onto the web for others to hear.
As great as these advancements are, there is still room for more growth in the industry. There are no transducers for the sense of taste of touch. Perhaps this is because these senses are based on chemistry, and the different reactions that your body has. Software programs such as ZNose are still in development. Game controllers are getting closer with the sense of touch as they simulate the feeling of hitting a brick wall in Motor cross or Wii fit being the prime example.
If we could create the technology to have a transducer for the sense of taste, I can guarantee that there would be a huge impact on the restaurant industry. As well as uploading the menus to your businesses web site, how cool would it be to allow guests to sample each dish? I feel as though your revenue would reach exceptional rates with this advancement.
Regardless of our hopes for the future, it is imperative that restaurants remain open to the tools that we already have. Pod casting is a prime example of an underutilized tool that should be embraced by our industry. Try it out, it's simple!
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Five Mother Sauces
Equivalent to that of the five mother sauces that every chef knows by heart; (bechamel, veloute, tomato, hollandaise, & espagnole) are the five main components to a computer; (the motherboard, ram, the power supply, hard drive, and software programs).
The motherboard is the head of the operation and also considered to be the most important part of the computer. this very complex machine is also known as the Central Nervous System of computers. Motherboards include PCI’s AGP, North Bridge, Processor Socket, Memory, IDE, South Bridge, and BIOS.
RAM or random-access memory is a form of computer storage data that will temporarily save data onto your computer. I say temporarily because these files may be erased when you power-off your computer or of it accidentally turns itself off. RAM directly affects the speed that your computer runs at.
Hard Drive is a non-volatile storage device that stores digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating rigid platters with magnetic surfaces. In the restaurant business, we create a mother sauce using many different ingredients, and in the same respect, the hard drive is comprised of a platter, a spindle, a head, an actuator, an actuator axis, a power connector, a jumper block, and an IDE connector.
The power supply is the unit that allows for the "magic" of computers to happen. This input of energy is converted into a low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer to use. The input must be converted so that it does not fry your computer.
We have already covered software programs at length so I feel there is no need to discuss them again. Just be aware that they can be added to many computers to enhance a users experience, and make their "stupid slow machine" run to their advantage.
All of the parts that make up your standard computer are 100% necessary in order for this machine to operate correctly. There are many advantages from creating your "recipe" from scrape, such as the pride and know-how behind it, yet there are also advantages to purchasing pre-made ready-to serve, if you will, functions. May it be buying a computer or making a sauce, be sure to look into your options before you just start getting your hands dirty!
The motherboard is the head of the operation and also considered to be the most important part of the computer. this very complex machine is also known as the Central Nervous System of computers. Motherboards include PCI’s AGP, North Bridge, Processor Socket, Memory, IDE, South Bridge, and BIOS.
RAM or random-access memory is a form of computer storage data that will temporarily save data onto your computer. I say temporarily because these files may be erased when you power-off your computer or of it accidentally turns itself off. RAM directly affects the speed that your computer runs at.
Hard Drive is a non-volatile storage device that stores digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating rigid platters with magnetic surfaces. In the restaurant business, we create a mother sauce using many different ingredients, and in the same respect, the hard drive is comprised of a platter, a spindle, a head, an actuator, an actuator axis, a power connector, a jumper block, and an IDE connector.
The power supply is the unit that allows for the "magic" of computers to happen. This input of energy is converted into a low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer to use. The input must be converted so that it does not fry your computer.
We have already covered software programs at length so I feel there is no need to discuss them again. Just be aware that they can be added to many computers to enhance a users experience, and make their "stupid slow machine" run to their advantage.
All of the parts that make up your standard computer are 100% necessary in order for this machine to operate correctly. There are many advantages from creating your "recipe" from scrape, such as the pride and know-how behind it, yet there are also advantages to purchasing pre-made ready-to serve, if you will, functions. May it be buying a computer or making a sauce, be sure to look into your options before you just start getting your hands dirty!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Excell with Excel
Numbers numbers numbers! Ever feel like you're drowning in them? On 4-05-06 the average plate cost was $6.87 and tomorrow at 5:45 you have to be in room 455 for 55 minutes, and you have to remember to pay that electric bill by 3-23-2010 for $213... It's never ending! But no worries, there is a software program that will quickly solve all you numerical needs. Spreadsheet software's like excel, allow their users to organize data on a clearly readable worksheet, and set their mind at ease.
For our restaurant, Excel is a great tool. Instead of keeping all of your recites and paper copies of your companies history is a messy cabinet file system, you can easily create a worksheet that will keep track of all of this data and compile it into understandable means. For instance, you have the ability to make a graph to represent how much your labor costs have increased over the past five years with a bar graph, or use a pie chart to see where you spend your most money. By entering labels, values or formulas into a cell (the intersection of a column and a row), you can keep all sorts of information organized. You can also format each cell with a different color, font, underlining etc... Doing so makes the worksheet very comprehensible.
Excel has the capability to compute hundreds of formulas, in seconds. For instance, you could use a sum formula to add up all of the costs in this months inventory. Or you could use excel to figure out how much gratuity should be added to a bill for a banquet. But you are not only limited to formulas. Excel has predefined formulas that preform common calculations such as adding the value of multiple cells known as a function. For example, the function =SUM(B8:B23) instructs the spreadsheet to add up all of the numbers in cells B8 through B23, instead of clicking on each one. Functions are a huge time saver, and in this industry, we know, time is money.
Besides excel, you can also purchase other software programs to use in the kitchen. For instance the Cook's Palate will automatically scale recipes for you, generate shopping lists from recipes, plan and schedule meals, and import popular recipe formats from web sites, other recipe programs or even scanned recipes.
Technology is making the kitchen life simpler by the minute, and saving you time and money!
For our restaurant, Excel is a great tool. Instead of keeping all of your recites and paper copies of your companies history is a messy cabinet file system, you can easily create a worksheet that will keep track of all of this data and compile it into understandable means. For instance, you have the ability to make a graph to represent how much your labor costs have increased over the past five years with a bar graph, or use a pie chart to see where you spend your most money. By entering labels, values or formulas into a cell (the intersection of a column and a row), you can keep all sorts of information organized. You can also format each cell with a different color, font, underlining etc... Doing so makes the worksheet very comprehensible.
Excel has the capability to compute hundreds of formulas, in seconds. For instance, you could use a sum formula to add up all of the costs in this months inventory. Or you could use excel to figure out how much gratuity should be added to a bill for a banquet. But you are not only limited to formulas. Excel has predefined formulas that preform common calculations such as adding the value of multiple cells known as a function. For example, the function =SUM(B8:B23) instructs the spreadsheet to add up all of the numbers in cells B8 through B23, instead of clicking on each one. Functions are a huge time saver, and in this industry, we know, time is money.
Besides excel, you can also purchase other software programs to use in the kitchen. For instance the Cook's Palate will automatically scale recipes for you, generate shopping lists from recipes, plan and schedule meals, and import popular recipe formats from web sites, other recipe programs or even scanned recipes.
Technology is making the kitchen life simpler by the minute, and saving you time and money!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Power behind PowerPoints
Knowing how to use basic software programs is no longer looked at as a skill when in the interview process. Rather a mandatory necessity in order to succeed and make yourself a valid employee. Some of the greatest programs to become comfortable with are powerpoint, project management software, and application software.
Powerpoint is a presentation software that allows users to create aids to presentations; to communicate ideas, and messages. But now, powerpoint can do much more than that. Users have the capability to add pictures, graphs, clipart, and even sound to your presentation as well. These aspects enhance your presentation, keep the audiences focus on you and the topic, and can add much flare to your weekly report meetings. When creating your presentation, you may even set it to a timer so that the program will run itself and change slides to keep up with you. Yes, you will have to practice your presentation multiple times to ensure that you have the correct timing, but the tool is more than worth it as it can relieve nerves and have one less thing to worry about when you're up in front of a large group.
Project Management software is definitely applicable to all of the event planners in our industry as well. It allows its users to plan, track, schedule, and even cost a project that they are working on. This program has the ability to keep a record of reports, notes, graphs and charts, and even keep you on track with a calendar. Even restaurants can use this program fir catering events and staffing. It is a guaranteed way to stay organized and have all of the details of your project in writing. Although I have never used this program, I would highly recommend trying it out for yourself since it has such a great amount of potential, and a place in our hospitality home.
Different types of application software can be used for communication for your business as well. VoIP has become one of the greatest things the web can offer business professionals as they can now speak to other users using the Internet. This significantly cuts down on travel expenses for meetings, and conventions. Instead of having to catch the next flight to NYC to meet with the executive boss, you can simply log onto your computer. Businesses are relying upon this application software daily, and its saving them thousands of dollars. Plus, small businesses should be utilizing this capability as well. It can help you to network with others in the industry and to get your name out there in your target market.
The internet and software programs are not something to fear, rather a tool that will help you expand your business and promote efficiency if it is used correctly. Best of luck!
Powerpoint is a presentation software that allows users to create aids to presentations; to communicate ideas, and messages. But now, powerpoint can do much more than that. Users have the capability to add pictures, graphs, clipart, and even sound to your presentation as well. These aspects enhance your presentation, keep the audiences focus on you and the topic, and can add much flare to your weekly report meetings. When creating your presentation, you may even set it to a timer so that the program will run itself and change slides to keep up with you. Yes, you will have to practice your presentation multiple times to ensure that you have the correct timing, but the tool is more than worth it as it can relieve nerves and have one less thing to worry about when you're up in front of a large group.
Project Management software is definitely applicable to all of the event planners in our industry as well. It allows its users to plan, track, schedule, and even cost a project that they are working on. This program has the ability to keep a record of reports, notes, graphs and charts, and even keep you on track with a calendar. Even restaurants can use this program fir catering events and staffing. It is a guaranteed way to stay organized and have all of the details of your project in writing. Although I have never used this program, I would highly recommend trying it out for yourself since it has such a great amount of potential, and a place in our hospitality home.
Different types of application software can be used for communication for your business as well. VoIP has become one of the greatest things the web can offer business professionals as they can now speak to other users using the Internet. This significantly cuts down on travel expenses for meetings, and conventions. Instead of having to catch the next flight to NYC to meet with the executive boss, you can simply log onto your computer. Businesses are relying upon this application software daily, and its saving them thousands of dollars. Plus, small businesses should be utilizing this capability as well. It can help you to network with others in the industry and to get your name out there in your target market.
The internet and software programs are not something to fear, rather a tool that will help you expand your business and promote efficiency if it is used correctly. Best of luck!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Taste with Twitter
Sharing personal information with the world wide web is something that never appealed to me. Why would anyone want to share all kinds of personal information across the web for all to see, and possibly, use to their advantage? My mistake, I was merley thinking about the hundreds of facebook stalkers on campus, and completely blocked out the advantages that Twitter can have if applied to the real-world. Business are a great example of proper utilization of organizations and social networking programs online. Microblogging is a service which allows a subscriber broadcast a short message (140 characters) to other subscribers of the service. So far, people have used Twitter to broadcast what is on their mind, the new adventures that they face each day, and to simply keep in touch with people who they don't get to see everyday. Nevertheless, businesses are beginning to use Twitter just as much as they broadcast coupon codes, and advertisements to Twitter followers.
A great example is Food Service Enablers out of Western New York. This organization pays their employers to post "tweets" online to keep their followers informed on all the different programs that they have to offer. Advertising for Local restaurant is HUGE with FSE. Currently FoodServiceGirl is constantly updating her followers on restaurants that are participating. This not only advertises for those businesses, but promotes her event.
Twitter is so easy to use, that literally anyone could do it. And better yet, everyone is doing it! What better place to do advertising for your restaurant than somewhere that already has an established fan base and can be updated instantly? Plus it's free! On this website, you could definitely post coupon codes, promote new dishes and specials daily, offer discounts for regulars, and even keep in touch with your employees. Companies have even used this as an outreach to post job opportunities. Advertising for events works too. Restaurants that have nightly entertainment utilize this source as well. It's a great way to get your name out there!
Keeping up with the Jones may not be such a bad thing afterall!
A great example is Food Service Enablers out of Western New York. This organization pays their employers to post "tweets" online to keep their followers informed on all the different programs that they have to offer. Advertising for Local restaurant is HUGE with FSE. Currently FoodServiceGirl is constantly updating her followers on restaurants that are participating. This not only advertises for those businesses, but promotes her event.
Twitter is so easy to use, that literally anyone could do it. And better yet, everyone is doing it! What better place to do advertising for your restaurant than somewhere that already has an established fan base and can be updated instantly? Plus it's free! On this website, you could definitely post coupon codes, promote new dishes and specials daily, offer discounts for regulars, and even keep in touch with your employees. Companies have even used this as an outreach to post job opportunities. Advertising for events works too. Restaurants that have nightly entertainment utilize this source as well. It's a great way to get your name out there!
Keeping up with the Jones may not be such a bad thing afterall!
TheFIveRIngs
Passion is the main ingredient of a restaurant, Mix in a little crazy, & add a dash of ‘likes to work long hours and never see family & friends’ and then you have the perfect restaurant owner"
For convenience matters, this blog will be centralized primarily around an imaginary restaurant concept that I developed entitled, The Five Rings (title courtesy of Christopher H). In honor of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, with all ethnic cuisines to the Vancouver area, this restaurant will celebrate the historic event and keep the tradition alive year round. The tread runs throughout the restaurant from clever names to dishes such as the triathlon duck, to the paralympic pan-fried gyozas. Forget being a five star restaurant, we've got rings!
Hopefully, this mock restaurant will show readers how easily technology can be used to advertise for an up-incoming restaurant, be utilized as a resource to ease work loads and mechanisms in the kitchens, and teach owners how to minimize labor costs by using technology to speed up processes behind the scenes.
Wish us luck as we venture down the road of modern technology
& I hope you find something to tantalize your tastebuds outside of the cuisine!
Enjoy!
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