Oman And The Middle East Stratum - 1183 Words

Over the past thousand years, Oman has occupied a key strategic space in the Middle East stratum. With its vast mountain ranges, desert terrain, and steep cliffs along the coast, Oman over the years has proven to be very difficult to invade. This has allowed Oman to repel the majority of attacks from foreign militaries and maintain their sovereignty. The Southern and Eastern coastline of the country represents the key that makes Oman so important to the strength of the Middle East. Oman is a major piece to the peace in the Middle East. Oman lies in the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula right on the Tropic of Cancer latitude line (International, 2011). Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates border Oman from the southeast, west, and the north. Oman also claims many islands in the Arabian Sea and in the Strait of Hormuz off Oman’s northern tip. Similar to its surrounding nations, Oman has a mountain range that spans the country. The Hajar mountain range begins at the north-west tip and extends down its western border to the southwest, near Yemen (International, 2011). The Omanis compare The Hajar to a human backbone, for it forms a great arc much like the human skeleton. The Interior of Oman is mostly sand dunes, rocks, and gravel, which is very similar to the entire Middle East region (International, 2011). Oman’s coastline stretches 1,700 km from North to South. Low hills and wastelands with little vegetation is what fill these coastlinesShow MoreRelatedStrategic Piece Of Middle East Peace1189 Words   |  5 PagesStrategic Piece to Middle East Peace Over the past thousand years, Oman has occupied a key strategic space in the Middle East stratum. With its vast mountain ranges, desert terrain, and steep cliffs along the coast, Oman over the years has proven to be very difficult to invade. This has allowed Oman to repel the majority of attacks from foreign militaries and maintain their sovereignty. The Southern and Eastern coastline of the country represents the key that makes Oman so important to the strengthRead MoreMarket Analysis of Jeans Industry in Surat17928 Words   |  72 Pagesthe organized Retail sector in India. The growth pattern in organized retailing and in the consumption made by the Indian population will follow a rising graph helping the newer businessmen to enter the India Retail Industry. In India the vast middle class and its almost untapped retail industry are the key attractive forces for global retail giants wanting to enter into newer markets, which in turn will help the India Retail Industry to grow faster. Indian retail is expected to grow 25 per cent

Benefits of leadership Free Essays

The Benefits of the Leadership Course Responsibility O A responsible person Is one who is able to act without guidance or supervision, because he or she Is accountable and answerable for his or her behavior. C) You will be prepared for both the risks and the opportunities that accompany new roles. C) Your responsibility will grow, giving you an edge on others O A person who does as promised deed can be considered as reliable. We will write a custom essay sample on Benefits of leadership or any similar topic only for you Order Now C) How does being responsible pay? C) A person who has a reputation of being responsible is trusted to do things on his or her own, without supervision. Leads to self esteem, promotions, Develops Leadership Qualities O Questions How do you handle yourself in unexpected or uncomfortable situations? An effective leader will adapt to new surroundings and situations adjust. O You can develop Important qualities Having these qualities Improves your self-esteem and Job situations Major qualities include open-mindedness, enthusiasm. Inconsistency, courage, and confidence C) You will be prepared to deal with real life situations Example is getting a job O Gain feedback on your existing strengths – and weaknesses – as a leader Service Opportunities O it makes you get involved O colleges see the amount of service hours O by volunteering and helping others, you get to learn and see more about your community C) colleges want to see you being more productive and caring to others and not just yourself. C) It gets you familiar with the environment of the working class and the business roll O questions do you volunteer at any organization? What does your organization do to help your community? Have you learned anything by doing this service? Develops Leadership Ability in Extracurricular Activities (D gives you ability to lead in your club/sport’s team C) gives you extra edge over other students/athletes C) enables you to hold a leadership position on a sport’s team In school or In a club (D gives you opportunity to hold office in student council How to cite Benefits of leadership, Essays

Technology Audit & Technology Assessment

Question: Describe about the Technology Audit Technology Assessment. Answer: Introduction Audi is one of the leading car manufacturers that produce high quality premium cars with modern designs. The company is currently operating in over 100 markets of the world. It has several manufacturing units in Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and China. 3D printing is an additive manufacturing technology in which objects are produced using layer by layer addition of small nano sized particles. This report would explore the concept of 3D printing, its applications, its limitations and industry scenario. Audi is one organization that has adopted 3D printing for printing its parts and thus, in the reflective section of this report, the case of Audi would be explored and a framework for technology adoption of 3D printing would be created for Audi as an automotive brand. This framework would be based on the understanding of the concept learned about technology management in the course curriculum. Article Summaries Additive Manufacturing: The effects of 3D printing The paper explored global opportunities for 3D printing considering consumers, SMEs, and large corporations. The technology is already used in crafts and animation by consumers, medical services, auto parts and toys manufacturing by SMEs and industrial RD by large corporations. Companies have also started to use it for apparels, food, bicycles, life science experiments, and power tools. Some applications are still being researched such as organ replacement and consumer electronics(KANDELA, 2015). In additive manufacturing very small components of the size of 100 nanometers are made and deposited to create an object. Initially, the technology was used only for mockups and prototyping but now its use is spread to production of finished parts as well as products. 3D printing can produce light weight materials at lower costs. Scientists today are exploring if it can be used to produce self-organizing materials that can change shape based on the changes in the environment. 3D printing is growing fast today and is expected to reach $5 billion sales by next year, 2017. Major industries using it include automotive, industrial, aerospace, and healthcare. 3D printing has many benefits as well as challenges that were described in detail in this paper such as the benefits of inexpensive single item prototyping, reduced lead times, and rapid innovation, and challenges of dependence on printer speed, limitations on materials, and high cost of production in large volumes. 3D printing adoption framework was presented in the paper that identified steps including establishing initiative, investing in the technology, creating a network, changing organization with respect to skills and abilities, and implementation of innovation(Halmes Pierreu, 2014). The Impact of 3D Printing on the Automotive Sector Factors like continues improvements in manufacturing processes, expiring patents, and newer processes of manufacturing such as 3D printing have created several opportunities for automotive organizations and newer consumer segments are emerging as a result. With the use of 3D printing, manufacturing parts and tools can be produced at lower costs. 3D printing has got much media attention and questions have been raised on its potential to replace traditional manufacturing processes. This report explored various companies cases to examine how 3D printing technologies like those provided by Stratsys and 3D systems are being used in automotive sectors(IHS, 2015). How will 3D printing make your company the strongest link in the value chain? 37% of German companies have already adopted 3D printing technology for improving their supply chains while 12% are planning to adopt. Traditional machines and materials are being replaced by that 3D printed. This has helped companies in two ways - produce lightweight or complex components that improve the quality of the product and allowing customization even in low volume production. Further, 3D printing makes a flexible and low cost production process for spare parts that can help companys turnaround their supply chains. However, there are still some barriers to its adoption such as high level of initial investment and technical limitations on size, color and material printing. Yet, because of its sustainability potential and cost effectiveness, companies have started to adopt it in large numbers. Operational models of companies using 3D printing as the manufacturing process can involve an acquisition of a facility, joint establishment, or use of existing 3D printing network of suppliers. The choice of operational model is dependent on value add by process, necessity for in-house production, cost of implementation, and so on. 3D printing can help a company at three levels: Supply chain operations that can be made more cost effective and efficient with reduction of transportation and inventories; product designing through new structures and use of customization; and company through addition of business models and value chain re-positioning(EY, 2016). The Current Status and Impact of 3D Printing - An Analysis of Six Case Studies The paper talks about some benefits of 3D printing such as reduced need of fixed assets, low cost production even in low volumes, and ability to easily produce complex shapes in parts. It also highlighted major applications of 3D printing such as consumer products, medical products, commercial hardware, and toys. The paper also discussed intellectual property implications of replacing traditional parts with 3D printed parts. AS per European Design Directive while producing a new part with 3D printing, it should have new design and must also have separate individual characteristics that do not match with existing produces manufactured using patented traditional manufacturing processes. The paper presented some case studies on different markets included automotive, domestic appliances, and customized goods. Automotive market case study covered 3DP parts, automotive aftermarket, additive manufacturing drivers, AM limitations, and data considerations. Domestic appliances use cases were described. It was found that Am presented many short-term opportunities in automotive production but parts produced cannot fully replicate traditionally produced parts. In domestic appliances production, 3D printing is still majorly used for DIY products and its use for production of spare parts is still in the nascent stage of adoption. The paper also highlighted the fact that consumers have started to act as designers with the use of 3D printing solutions like MakiLab, UCODO, and N-E-R-V-O-U-S system making way for many online production tools(Reeves Mendis, 2015). The 3D opportunity in the automotive industry 3D printing has changed the way companies design, develop, manufacture and distribute products. Additive manufacturing is majorly used by Original Equipment Manufacturers for rapid prototyping. OEMs in automotive sector are few due to high entry barriers but competition in suppliers is high as there are over $1.5 trillion suppliers of parts and accessories of automotive sector. Additive Manufacturing can become a game-changer when considering the competition between the manufacturers as it provide a source of innovation, can reduce overall costs of production, reduce lead times, and reduce complexity of supply chain. When considering the value provided by AM, there can be performance trade-offs like capital versus scale and capital versus scope. If a company uses less of capital and is still able to achieve the scale, it can affect the configuration of supply chain and if it can achieve a greater scope with it, the impact would be on product design(Wahlstrm Sahlstrm, 2016). While using AM, companies can take any of the four tactical paths from improving value delivery, transform supply chains, achieve innovation with performance improvement, or alter both supply chain and products. Most automotive companies are currently on the path 1 or stasis which involves only improvements in value delivery and no radical changes are made. In this path of adoption of 3D printing, companies use it for product design improvements, rapid prototyping, customizing tools, and reducing tooling costs. In future, companies are likely to adopt path III and IV with more complex designing, production cost reduction, improvement in market responsiveness, and creation of smaller supply chains. There are some key drivers to adoption of AM such as greater choice in material and their properties, reduced preprocessing, and improved quality of AM manufactured product. There are also certain challenges such as low volume production, limitations on production of large parts, shortage of talent, and concerns of intellectual property rights. Despite these challenges, AM has the potential to support automotive companies through improvement in performance and through innovation(Giffi, Gangula, Illinda, 2014). Framework A technology adoption and management framework may be used for describing the adopting of 3D printing technology by Audi manufacturing organization. Before going into the technology adoption by any organization, a world view may be used for understanding its current operations and their connection with the external environment and the industry. The World view creates boundaries of knowledge in any area of technology including micro environment which explores the organization, its customers and competitors, and macro environment explores industry trends, technology trends, and political trends. Using the model, Audi as a company and automotive industry can be exploring with respect to 3D printing as a potential technology to adopt for manufacturing. Automotive industry is moving towards the use of 3D printing for making small parts that can be used while assembling cars in production line. However, critical parts that go inside the car are not being produced using 3D printing. The automotive industry uses 3D printing mainly for two purposes - one, is to reduce cost of production and second, to bring innovation through flexibilities in part designs. For managing technology, a framework which links technological resources with the objectives of the company can be used in the following ways: Objectives of the company: The Company aims to introduce new models to the market and thus, is spending on building new production capacities and producing innovative automobiles. 3D printing adoption supports the objective as it would help company produce more innovative vehicles and produce them faster with 3D printed parts such that time to market is less and the company is able to achieve its strategic goal of introducing new vehicles and increasing its sales. Environment: The business environment of the company is affected by the fluctuations in currency and variations in the economic environment which can affect operations of the organization. In such a situation, if the cost f production can be reduced such that the margins of the company increase, it would be able to sustain in such fluctuations and still get decent profits. When using 3D printing is used, the cost of production can be reduced drastically which would help Audi company to sustain in the highly dynamic business environment(Audi, 2004). Technology adoption can be seen from technological and commercial perspectives which would the lenses used for exploring strategy, innovation capability and operational decisions of the organization. How each of these factors would be managed in the management of 3D printing technology by Audi is discussed below: Strategy: The Company aims to launch new vehicles which would bring more business value as the company would make more sales in the market. 3D printing would help company produce external parts that are different and innovative designs which would bring an opportunity for the company to come up with more variants and thus, make more products to sell in the market. Innovation: 3D printing can bring in innovation as it provides flexibility in production of parts with varied and complex designs. Moreover, the parts produced by 3D printing can be tailored to individual models of vehicles making the innovation work differently for different models. From the perspective commercial impact of such innovation, it can be observed that innovation would help company sell to wider segments and thus, make more business. Moreover, innovative designs can be priced higher from base models which would further increase the profit margins for the organization. Operations: The Company had already purchased its own 3D printing facility which it is using for the production of some parts of the automobile and in future the same can be used for production of more and more parts. This can be a huge cost at the time of acquisition of the technology but once that is done, it would save on the operational and production costs later on. Conclusions This report was prepared to understand how technology adoption works. A case of Audi was taken and the technology explored was 3D printing. The paper took 5 research reports that were explored to understand 3D printing, its applications, its limitations, adoption and more. A framework for adoption of 3D printing as a business model for Audi was presented. References Audi. (2004). Our Vision, Mission, Strategic Goals, and Objectives. USA department of Commerce. (2016). How will 3D printing make your company the strongest link in the value chain? ErnstYoung GmbH. Giffi, C. A., Gangula, B., Illinda, P. (2014). 3D opportunity in the automotive industry:Additive manufacturing hits the road. Deloitte University Press. Halmes, M., Pierreu, L. (2014). Additive Manufacturing: The effects of 3D printing. Deloitte. IHS. (2015). The Impact of 3D Printing on the Automotive Sector. IHS Technoology. KANDELA, A. R. (2015). IMPACT OF DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESSES. Jamshepur: XLRI. Reeves, P., Mendis, D. (2015). The Current Status and Impact of 3D Printing - An Analysis of Six Case Studies. CIPPM. Wahlstrm, T., Sahlstrm, J. (2016). Additive Manufacturing in Production. Lund University.

Companies Need To Actively Follow Dynamic †Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Companies Need To Actively Follow Dynamic? Answer: Introduction Retailing has today reached a tipping point, no longer getting to avoid omnichannel shopping. The changing demographics and technologies have also permanently altered how consumers behave and the retailers have faced this in a completely unprecedented manner. Today, simply proactively managing store portfolios would not do companies need to actively follow a dynamic, advanced and data-centric outlook to build the operations store portfolio for ensuring continuing viability (Walsh 2016). Discussion E-commerce is growing, and the growth will continue. However, it does not imply that brick and mortar would die because of it, at least not in the near future. Brick and mortar retailers have knowledge and supply chain capabilities. What they lack is technological knowledge and understanding, which can be managed by organically by means of hiring people or by partaking in acquisitions (Agrawal 2017). Shoppers are always into wanting to touch, feel and experience the product they want to buy, before buying it. They might be using digital means for researching and narrowing down their choices, but when the matter comes to compensating and buying, they look forward to seeing it in real and making sure they are making the correct choice. The future of retail is situated at the juncture of brick and mortar and e-commerce. The two shopping experience forms must be seamlessly integrated and must complement each other. The main objective for each of these shopping experiences is the same - making the method of buying products for customers as stress-free and exciting as possible. Today, as the modern shoppers have gained admittance to new technologies and changed what they wish to buy, both e-commerce and brick and mortars companies have had to alter their approached and adapt (Popomaronis 2017). It is difficult to present to customers a convincing and sticky brand experience online, especially if the products on display are non-utility items similar to accessories, apparels and home goods. In this process, many businesses have already lost money online and still offline they have been highly profitable. This tendency is getting compelled by a wish to exploit the growth in the experience economy buyers are selecting to purchase experience over products. E-commerce might be expedient, but consumers look for surprise and extemporaneity while shopping, which is only available in a brick and mortar environment. Among convenience and smart shopping, there exists a positive tension, which exist with the knowledge that there would be a pragmatic element too. At the end of the day, it is all about the comprehension of the different needs and preferences of the consumers and meeting them by means of exciting and quirky ways, not only with the help of online of offline experience, but with the connection that exists between them all (Shearman 2016). Conclusion Online shopping is trending upward and some sections of retail feel the influence more than others, like apparel and consumer goods. Online sales still today do not alone represent the whole of retail spending the need and demand for physical stores still exist and its role inside the omnichannel world still remains critical. References Agrawal, A. 2017.Does eCommerce Success Mean Physical Stores Will Disappear in the Future?. [online] HuffPost. Available at: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/aj-agrawal/does-ecommerce-success-me_b_8904146.html [Accessed 10 Sep. 2017]. Popomaronis, T. 2017.Survival In Today's Retail Environment Means Merging Physical And Digital. [online] Forbes.com. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tompopomaronis/2017/06/30/survival-in-todays-retail-management-means-merging-physical-and-digital/#45843ba16e9c [Accessed 10 Sep. 2017]. Shearman, S. 2016.Back to bricks and mortar: how e-commerce has embraced the real world. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2016/jul/07/bricks-and-mortar-ecommerce-retail-digital [Accessed 10 Sep. 2017]. Walsh, M. 2016.The future of e-commerce: bricks and mortar. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/30/future-of-e-commerce-bricks-and-mortar [Accessed 10 Sep. 2017].

IB History Paper

IB History PaperIt is time to explore IB history and sample essays. You've spent months or even years studying, grading and preparing for the IB exams. Now is the time to take the next step by preparing for a challenging, yet rewarding and all-encompassing IB course.A course like the IB is designed to give you an advanced level of your degree. All students who enter IB, must complete the IB Level I course in order to be awarded the degree. You've earned your credit hours through working hard and choosing wisely.Completed IB paper contains different levels of difficulty. Some students have higher expectations and expect the level of the paper to be high. This kind of students should prepare a detailed essay that is easier than the one for the others. Of course, this does not mean that the higher student has the right to lower the standards.Some students are not comfortable with writing essays and prefer to work on self-tests instead. These types of students can do this through the hel p of a variety of online resources. These materials are meant to be used for studying, which is often a time consuming activity and makes them less useful for a standardized test.It is important to remember that the IB is not just a standard test. It also includes an essay, a detailed test, interviews and a lecture that should be thoroughly understood before getting the results.The IB course of study includes the type of essay that you will have to write. The essay will most likely be based on a research project, your studies, or an actual experience. The reason for this is that the IB also expects students to speak up in person, answer questions, and give a presentation as well.IB history paper contains a lot of preparation. Make sure that you have read and understand the IB guidebook carefully and practice some if you can.

The Decline of the Dutch Republic in 1650 to 1713 Essay Example

The Decline of the Dutch Republic in 1650 to 1713 Paper The Decline of the Dutch Republic in 1650 to 1713 The Dutch Republic, in 1650, was an intimidating power; the Dutch Republic boasted dominant commercial, financial, and naval power. The Dutch Republic accredited much of their power to their most power province, Holland. Holland, dominated by Amsterdam, was a leading trading center in Europe. Although The Dutch Republic enjoyed a domineering power before 1650, the Peace of Utrecht brought about the decline of the Dutch Republic, due to a series of European wars, internal disunity and conflict, and a loss of trade dominance and economic prosperity. The Dutch Republic was the center of multiple European wars, that contributed to its decline. The Treaty of Dover, of 1670, promised a war on the Dutch Republic, in which France and England would join forces to bring about the downfall of the Dutch Republic. In a Resolution of the Amsterdam City Council, in 1671, it was noted that the monarchs waging war against the Dutch Republic were solely interested in taking parts of the Dutch Republic for their own kingdoms. In a letter from the Dutch ambassador to England in 1672, Konrad Van Beuningen reported that the onslaught of war from France and England could deteriorate the commerce of the Dutch Republic. The citizens of the Dutch Republic suffered socially from the wars that the Dutch Republic fought. We will write a custom essay sample on The Decline of the Dutch Republic in 1650 to 1713 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Decline of the Dutch Republic in 1650 to 1713 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Decline of the Dutch Republic in 1650 to 1713 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In a letter about the Dutch reaction to losses suffered in the war. An English resident in the Dutch Republic notes that the enormous draw of males to fight the war is taking a toll on the citizens of the Dutch Republic. The losses suffered from the wars with France and England brought on the deterioration of the Dutch Republic, through their economic and internal struggles. The Dutch Republics decline was, in part, caused by the economic declination; which was catalyzed by the wars France and England waged on the Dutch Republic. Although Sir George Downing, the English ambassador to the Dutch Republic in 1664, may have been exaggerating the shattered state of the Dutch Republic, in a letter to the English government, Downing described the Dutch Republic as being shattered and a divided thing that depends on the previously wealthy province of Holland. The national debt of the Dutch Republic in 1688 increased immensely, so that in 1713 the national debt of the Dutch Republic more than tripled. The national debt in 1688 was a result of the war against England and France and the Dutch Republic never recovered due to the wars the Dutch were forced to fight against France. Although the debt was so immense, that every province of the Dutch Republic felt it, the few wealthy citizens of Amsterdam remained virtually untouched and stayed the wealthiest citizens of the Dutch Republic. The heavy class distinctions of the Dutch Republic during 1650 to 1713 contributed to the growing unease within the provinces. The disunity and conflict within the Dutch Republic contributed to its overall decline as a major power during 1650 to 1713. In a government report of the Dutch Republic in 1683 reports on the fact that the different provinces of the Dutch Republic cannot agree on how to oppose the attacks of Louis XIV in the war against France and England. Although the government report on the Dutch Republic seems unbiased and is therefore to be trusted, the political pamphlet published in Amsterdam, 1683 is to be regarded as slightly exaggerated. The pamphlet describes the wealth citizens of Amsterdam with some bitterness. The pamphlet is sympathetic to the struggling citizens of the Dutch provinces and describes them as the only source of wealth in the Dutch Republic. The political pamphlet illustrates the disunion within the Dutch Republic as a result of economic hardships brought about by the wars the provinces participate in; the very wars that affected the once great trade power that the Dutch Republic was. The decline of the Dutch Republic was caused by the economic hardships prompted by the wars the Dutch Republic was forced to defend itself against. The trade competition caused by the English East India Company was reported to be the real cause of the war between England and the Dutch Republic by Marquis de Pomponne, the French ambassador to the Dutch Republic, in a report to the French government in the early 1680s. In the map of the Dutch Republic and Rival States in the Late Seventeenth Century, the map shows the numerous naval battles the Dutch Republic was fighting against England. As a result of the naval battles fought, the Dutch Republic suffered great losses from their trading. There was an estimated 2,000 to 2,700 Dutch shops seized by the English during the Three Anglo-Dutch Wars in 1652 to 1674. To make up for the lost revenues that resulted from a massive number of Dutch trading ships seized, the Dutch Republic planted heavy taxes on merchants. In an anonymous pamphlet published in the province of Holland in 1669 an unnamed citizen of the Dutch Republic notes that the heavy taxes set of the merchants are a burdensome addition to the losses they are already suffering from the naval battles the Dutch Republic is involved in. Although the writer of the pamphlet is clearly biased towards the merchants, the pamphlet is to be regarded as true because the writer, most likely a merchant, experienced the burden of the taxes first hand. The wars waged against England did not solve the trade problem as illustrated in a letter to the directors of the Dutch East India Company in 1705 from a Dutch colonial administrator. The letter reports that the East Indian trade is not earning any profits because of the competition with other countries. The Dutch Republic was previously an intimidating and dominating power in Europe. Its decline was caused mainly by the many wars it was forced to defend itself against. The wars the Dutch Republic fought caused great economic losses. The wars touched the Dutch Republics trading ships and caused further disunion within the provinces. The decline of the Dutch Republic was caused by a series of European wars, internal conflict, and a loss of trade dominance and economic abundance.

Track Your Time and Boost Your Bottom Line

Track Your Time and Boost Your Bottom Line Do you keep track of how long it takes you to finish each writing project? Doing so will not only show you how much you earn per hour but will provide other great side benefits as well. For most of my freelancing career, Ive resisted tracking my writing time. I worried that it would affect the quality of my writing and, perhaps more importantly, that Id find out I would be better off flipping burgers. Thankfully, I discovered otherwise. Being aware that the clock is ticking, forces me to jump straight into the story instead of trying to find the perfect opening. Its also helping me stay focused on the writing, which means that I get more writing done in a shorter period of time. Im also motivated to stay on track so I can stay within a certain income range. When I start slowing down, I know its time to stop for a break. Theres no point in forcing myself to keep going because thats when the quality takes a dramatic nosedive. What surprised me the most was that this process has led me to look at time differently. Since I have two other careers, my writing sessions are often limited. In the past Id look at the clock and think, Whats the point. I only have half an hour. I felt it was barely long enough to get warmed up. Now I see those same thirty minutes and ask myself a critical question: What part of my story can I work on? In this way, Im able to fix a weak beginning, or an awkward ending, and oftentimes both. Additionally, Im better at not letting interruptions stop me, especially when Im in the flow. A favorite response of mine now is: Can it wait? I just need a few more minutes. Tracking your writing time will also help you determine how long you might need to finish a project requested Keeping track of your writing time is as simple as using a timer or jotting down the time when you start and end each writing session. Then transfer your total into a four-column spreadsheet with headings for: Title, Writing Time, Date, and Notes (optional). Once your story is completed, add your daily totals and voil! When you sell your story, youll know exactly how much you made per hour. And how much did I make with this article? I wrote in short bursts totaling about two hours, thus netting me $25 per hour. Not bad for someone whos never mastered the fine art of burger flipping! Although these numbers might not make me rich overnight, theyre a great starting point for helping me set goals that will increase my bottom line down the road while improving my efficiency and productivity.