Benefits of Taking Photography Classes

Whether you want to take photography as a career or hobby it’s important that you take photography classes.Benefits Of Photography ClassesThere are many benefits that come with taking the classes. These benefits include:Access to the best technology and equipment: to be competitive, most photography schools have world-class cameras, computers and studio equipment. When you attend the classes you will be able to access these equipments and master how to use them.Mentorship: photography can be boring especially when you are unsure of the direction you want to take it. When you attend the classes you will meet people who have made it in the industry and you can emulate. You will also have the opportunity of meeting people who will guide you even after leaving the school.Professional certifications: do you dream of working with corporate entities? There is no company that will hire you if you don’t have the papers to show that you know your stuff. Once you are through with your classes you will get a certification that will aid in taking your career to another level.Exposure: in addition to being exposed to people with similar dreams and ambitions, you will also get exposed to the different types of photography such as landscape, editorial, photojournalism, product, portrait, and architectural. You will also have an opportunity of trying out the different photography types and settle on the one that pleases you.Job placement: some colleges provide job placement opportunities to their students; therefore, you have higher chances of getting a job without looking for it. Almost all colleges have career counsellors who will help you in writing your resume, put together your portfolio, locate employment opportunities and prepare for job interviews.What To Expect In A Photography ClassMany schools offer 20 hour classes. You will spend half of the time in the darkroom, studio and laboratory.You should expect to undertake basic photography lessons that cover basic things such as camera, film types, depth of field, exposure mechanism, and camera handling.In the darkroom you will learn film development and the various printing techniques.In the studio you will learn how to take professional photos, how to set the lights, how to pose the subject among many other things.ConclusionThere are many photography schools, colleges, and studios where you can take your photography classes. These institutions are run by very skilful people and are ready to make you a better photographer.

Compare Life Insurance Plans to Get the Best Coverage For Yourself

The picture of loan and insurance market seems to be very puzzling for most of the people even in this competitive age. In spite of this fact, developments in both the domains are taking place at regular intervals. In the fast and steady lifestyle of today, it would not be a decision of a fool to hold a life insurance policy.Our life usually gets patched with various colours and its quite impossible for everybody to expect nothing and live frugally on surprises. Though, it is quite evident that surprises may be in the form of certain accidents or sudden financial crisis. Moreover, such surprises are not welcomed by us. In order to make yourself secure and want to live a healthy and wealthy life then getting insured would not be a bad decision.Now, if you are thinking of getting yourself insured then first and foremost you should do life insurance comparison. This would positively help you to get the best policy and that too at very affordable rates. Viewing the popularity of the insurance policies among the masses, one can find numerous insurance policies available in the market. Moreover, these policies are offered to you at very considerable rates. Depending on your requirement and income, you should select a suitable insurance policy.For this, you should gather sufficient information regarding the various types of insurance policies available in the market in the present times. In this context, it needs to be mentioned that in these policies, not only your money or your life gets secured but also the life of your spouse and children gets secured. Moreover, various top notch companies such as LIC, Aviva Life Insurance Company, ICICI Prudential, MetLife India and TATA AIG offer various types of insurance policies to their valued customers.As multiple options are open to you, it becomes even more important for you to do a life insurance comparison. While comparing, your mind should be very clear regarding which type of policy you actually want. At this point of time, you would come various types of insurance policies such as term life insurance, short/long term insurance, joint term, permanent life insurance, universal life insurance and whole life insurance etc. As such, first make up your mind and then jump into any profitable conclusion.All these policies differ from one another in some aspects. For instance, the short/long term insurance basically insures you for a certain period of time. However, you can renew the short term policies for several years and at the same time, also pay the same premium rates. The USP of these type of policies is that one can even convert his/her policy into a permanent insurance policy. The long term insurance policies are popularly known as cash value life insurance. These policies offer death benefits and at the same time, they even accumulate cash value. Now in the case of the permanent life insurance policies, there is a twist in the tale. This policy actually comes with a cash value. In this type of policy, the premium rate remains fixed and offers the concerned person death protection as long as he/she lives.As such, you might find it a Herculean task to select a suitable life insurance policy after doing a life insurance comparison. However, one should try to act smart and invest wisely because no one knows what would happen tomorrow. It is always a safe option to invest money wisely so that you can get in return a handsome amount. Due to these justifications these policies have started gaining momentum among the masses. You can even seek the support of the World Wide Web to get a better insight regarding the best insurance plans in India. By logging on to the concerned websites, you can get a perfect picture of the insurance market and even find the pros and cons of various insurance policies.However, it must be borne in mind that while comparing the different policies, you must make a comparison of the monthly premium rates that you are obliged to pay. Moreover, apart from all this, if you have a reliable insurance agent to guide you then half of your work is done. As such, just chalk out your tensions, get yourself insured and enjoy a secured, prosperous life.

International Business Organization Development Factors For Consideration

International Business Organization

Export/International business can take on many challenges as it unfolds. Goal should be to construct the company’s strategic building blocks, using it’s assets to support international opportunities. The outline is formatted from a more basic approach, increasing through stages of complexity. There will be points below that overlap and dovetail. Some corporations may have already touched on many of these points. The examples below are geared toward the food/protein industries. Nevertheless, the concepts are transferable to many others. Below are organizational ideas for consideration:

I. International Business Unit Establishment- Create P&L.
A. Budget to encompass 3-5 key trade shows and conferences that support the geographic strategy.

- Restaurant Chain Shows (Subway, McDonalds, etc.)- Important shows that demonstrate a company’s willingness to globally expand with the chains.

- Distributor Shows.

- Trade organization conferences. Provide key insights to new emerging markets and trends i.e., USMEF, USDEC, etc.

B. Forecasting- By product category and market to determine business profitability.

C. Expenses- Identify expenses against the business. Be fiscally prudent.

II. Geography- Are the most immediate markets being efficiently addressed by export? Begin with the immediate opportunities i.e., target nearest or import friendly international geographic markets.

A. Canada-

B. Mexico-

C. Caribbean-

D. Domestic Exporters-

III. Export Product Portfolio- Product’s export potential? What are the popular US items sold? Using meat products as an example:

A. Pork- More than likely highest export potential.

B. Poultry- Certain drawbacks (Avian viruses), but often has the necessary price points for market entry.

C. Beef- Still questionable into many overseas markets (BSE). Slowly improving.

D. Other- Veal and lamb offer the specialty items often sought in many of the smaller boutique markets i.e., Caribbean. Should be a high margin opportunity?

IV. Utilize and maximize current customer base. Grow internationally with domestic customers.

A. Chains- What chains are currently being serviced (i.e., McDonalds)? What are the int’l springboard applications of those chains?

B. Distributors- GFS,US :: GFS, Canada; Sysco, US :: Sysco, Canada…Sysco, Export
C. Schools- Offer products supplied to the US to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Guam have same requirements.

D. Retail.

V. Expand Geography- Be first in emerging markets. Chains, trade organizations and trade shows will assist in breaking into new venues.

A. Australia, open to US pork imports. US plants must be Australian approved.

B. Brazil and Argentina- as economies improve, so should pork imports.

C. Middle East- Israel.

D. Asia- SE Asia, Latin America.

VI. Product adaptation-

A. A commitment to international product customization. Overcome import non-tariff barriers through product modification.

B. As point “A” is evaluated, determine volumes and pricing with the customer completing the value proposition.

C. New protein introduction- Growing US Hispanic community looking to satisfy traditional diets i.e., goat. US ranchers begin to emerge from their traditional ranching habits to fill a consumer need. Shift creates new export opportunities.

D. Profit Margin/Revenue Growth- Theoretically, there is no competition for custom production and margins should reflect business value.

VII. Resource utilization-

A. R&D efforts to meet a qualified opportunity. Example, a 51% breaded product can be exported to Canada vs. a product with less than 50% breading.

B. Account Managers- Joint calls on corporate to further support the chains international expansions.

Distributor Managers- Joint calls in evaluating immediate opportunities extending across borders.
C. School Managers- Joint calls in US territories to expand and maximize product presence.

VIII. International Partnership Arrangements. Partnering/Joint Ventures with like businesses overseas. Some ideal targets are Japan, Australia, Mexico, China. Key defining terms…product novelty, business profitability, uniqueness, pricing, product demand, market distribution, language understanding, product understanding. If there is a commitment from an overseas manufacturer who understands the product/species, but lacks certain manufacturing capabilities, a partnership should be suggested.

A. Responsibility considerations :

o Raw Material Hedge

o Currency Hedge

o Brokerage Agreement

o Time lines

o Production Capacity

o Legal contract/Export Insurance

B. Partner’s Responsibilities:

o Volume Projections

o Co-Pack Agreement

o QA Plant Approval

o End User Presentations

o Stand-by Letter of Credit/Purchasing Contract

o Exclusivity

o Currency Hedge

o Other product opportunities

Notice currency hedge may fall under both and is open for negotiation. It depends on relationship’s strength. Many times it should be for the account of the partner. An exception may be made to consummate the deal, or as a long term service insuring a yearly contract renewal.

IX. Licensing- Often used as a barometer in evaluating potential opportunities and minimizing immediate risks.

A. Brand Licensing- What is the true value of a certain brand in an international market? Would be determined by the partner company in that country.

Example. What was the value of the Parkay brand in Canada? Became the second best Canadian margarine brand. Produced by Parmalat in Canada. Brand was licensed by ConAgra US.

B. Technology- Minimizes capital overseas investment, while transferring US production technology.

X. Mergers and Acquisitions- Up to this point a corporation may be supplying and evaluating their export potential. Simultaneously, it should be considering the business worthiness of certain key markets. Ultimately, it may consider investment in those markets.

A. Partnership/JV company may be ripe for buy-out.

B. Margin potential internationally warrants an acquisition for corporate diversification purposes.
C. Many similarities i.e., language, business culture, profitability, increased product demand from growing middle class, business supporting political environment.

D. Overcome stringent food import barriers i.e., EEC. Example- Companies have improved international exposure, opening manufacturing plants within the EEC. An example has been the recent purchase of Sara Lee European brands by Smithfield.

XI. Summary- These idea compilations are based on 20 years of international business experiences with four major corporations and an MA in International Business. No one size fits all. The outline can be used to build new profitable opportunities that may not otherwise have been realized or fully exploited.

RICHARD J. PORWIT has been an International Sales and Business Director with extensive food and CPG experience, including new product development, market growth, profit and loss accountability in retail, food service and business to business markets. Consistently known for exceeding set goals, division turn arounds, with cross-functional team leadership in customized product development. Recognized for ability to establish and expand international markets in Asia, Latin America/Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Sales Management and Business Development Strengths are:

• Building Customer-Centric Relationships
• New Product Development
• Food service development and management of distributors and brokers
• Retail brand establishment and marketing focused on value-added brand attributes
• ROI Based Decision Making
• Strategic Planning with executional excellence