Today knowledge has become the main pilar in our pursuit of a achieving perfection in our lives here on planet earth. Hence, change has become an inevitable aspect of life that occurs at any given time.

By R Arifin Nugroho (as transcripted from Kompas, 16 Feb 2009)

Analogous to Charles Darwin’s statement, human beings that do not want to go extinct need to possess the quality of being adaptive. In this process of adaptation, effectiveness is needed to respond to change.

This essential quality of being adaptive lead to the rise of communication technology with its capability to penetrate the boundaries of space and time. The newest discoveries of the world can be found instantly with only a laptop. Education Agents
A technology that has the ability to facilitate knowledge is Google. Google, which was created as a result of an accidental meeting between Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1995, has redefined the boundaries of information.

It was on 7 September 1998 that the search engine “embryo” called BackRub finally was transformed into its perfect manifestation. The sophisticated search engine can look up words appearing in thousands of websites within seconds.

In the world of education, the search engine has shifted the mindset of education practitioners. A student may conduct a vast and comprehensive search to explore a new area of knowledge; looking up the meaning of a word, individual subjects, even the latest technological breakthroughs is a breeze.

The overload of information has become a pleasant phenomenon to be enjoyed. The understanding of subject matter material can be nurtured better. Students no longer need to spend lots of money to buy books. Just click and there you have it!

Educators have also welcomed the arrival of this amazing new search engine technology; searching syllabi, exam problems, and the latest scientific articles can be accessed with ease. The knowledge transfer process between teachers and students can take place effectively. The “libido of knowledge” which has been restricted now can be channeled conveniently.

Better than Google
On one particular day a teacher got red flashes because of Google. That morning a student had eaten his “breakfast” by accessing the latest technology update by using Google’s services.

Coincidentally, the day’s lesson was about the same subject he had discovered early. To make a long story short, the student questioned his teacher about that particular subject, testing his knowledge as the class watched. The teacher – who had only eaten rice and ‘tempeh’ for breakfast that morning – answered as best as he could; and the answer was wrong. He stood stuttering in front of the class ridiculed by his students for the error he had made.

The illustrated scene shows just how important it is for a teacher to upgrade herself. Students today no longer enter the classroom empty-handed, but totally equipped with fantasy and scientific exploration.

Looking at the situation, do we then still need teachers? Isn’t Google superior to a teacher?

If a teacher were to face off against Google in a speed competition to find a definition, there is no doubt that the teacher would lose. What then will happen to teachers?

It is important to remember that the role of a teacher goes beyond the function of simple knowledge tranfer, but encompasses a function to humanize individuals to reach perfection. Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Mathew 5:48)”.

The saying “eling marang sangkan paraning dumadi” (translated: know the purpose of your creation) is a teachers’ most basic ammunition. Teachers are not simply competitors to Google as a tool for the transfer of knowledge. Teachers have a more important role to play, which is to make perfect an individual’s life so that it reflects the image of the Creator; getting students from merely “having”, to “being”.

In the Hindu religion, teachers are crowned to be more than Sharer of Knowledge, but as a holy place filled with knowledge (vidya); this places the teacher at a more lofty position.

Teachers remain superior to Google since teachers are endowed with the ability to teach humanistic aspects that a search engine – no matter how advance – would be unable to do. In real life, we need more than knowledge, but also a humanistic side in order to humanize the knowledge we possess and to humanize individuals allowing them to relate to other human beings.

Not a Zoo
If teachers remain simply tools of knowledge transfer, schools would not be anything more than a zoo. Education is not a taming process, but one of preparing for the wild. Education should make an attempt at making wild, at bringing out those qualities typical of human beings as the most basic quality, which the Creator has given this creature called a human.

Education is not like a zoo which features circus-like entertainment. What happens inside a zoo is the domestication of animals, that is, the restraining of the wild inside the animal. As a result, the qualities that are typically human will not be brought out.

Barbed wire, confining walls, and field rations are all tools for domestication. Animal shows that we often encounter at zoos reinforce our observation of how their lives are being limited. The animals are no longer taught how to survive in their intended habitat, but instead are taught to perform strange acts.

How would a monkey in the jungle ever learn to ride a bicycle? How would a dolphin in fare in the fierce competition of the ocean with his ability to do arithmetic.

If teachers have forgotten to teach the humanizing aspects of a science and to humanize students, the learning that occurs resembles quite frankly the learning that occurs in zoos.

We need to revitalize our understanding that technology is only the end result of knowledge that is materialistic, that can break, that can change, and one day may be of no use. Therefore, interaction between humans that is based solely on technology will feel empty because it is only of material value.

Education cannot lean on technology alone, but must also involve the heart – which every man possesses.

In the end Charles Darwin’s words will be increasingly “on target” and continue to survive when combined with the beautiful words of Mariah Carey in her song titled”: If you look inside your heart…you know you can survive.

R. Arifin Nugroho
Senior High School Teacher at SMA Kolese De Britto
Yogyakarta

WPP-owned research company Millward Brown puts Google at number one in its annual top 100 global brand power list for the second year in a row with a 30% year-on-year increase in its value.

Google beat General Electric to the top spot, with the NBC Universal owner’s brand value estimated at $71.4bn.

The next most valuable brands are Microsoft at $70.89bn, Coca-Cola at $58.2bn and China Mobile at $57.2bn, according to Millward Brown.

“Google’s rank has been driven by fantastic financial performance and equity value,” said Peter Walshe, the global account director at Millward Brown.

The top five remained unchanged year-on-year, with each company recording an increase in brand valuation by between 15% and 39% compared with 2007.

However, Millward Brown’s annual BrandZ research, which takes into account the financial performance of a company combined with a measure of brand equity determined by a 100,000-strong global consumer survey, produced a number of changes in the ranking of the brands that make up the remainder of the top 10.

IBM’s brand value increased by 65% year-on-year to $55.3bn, moving the technology company up three places in the BrandZ list to sixth spot.

Apple was the biggest mover in the top 10, and a new entry, moving up nine places to rank seventh, with a massive 123% increase in brand value to $55.2bn.

“Apple’s 123% rise has proved to be from a mix of a slue of innovative products such as the iTouch, iPhone, Leopard and computers for which consumers have given the brand a lot of credit,” said Walshe.

Fast food giant McDonald’s brand value grew by 49% – in eighth at $49.49bn, while Nokia was up 39% and in ninth at $43.9bn.

Cigarette giant Marlboro was the only marque to drop in the top 10, down four spots to 10th, with a 5% drop in brand value to $37.3bn.

“You have to remember that these are global valuations,” said Walshe, explaining why in an anti-smoking era the tobacco company still did so well in the ratings.

“The business is expanding in markets including Asia and South America. It is only in the west that we see decline. Its brand contribution [to the brand valuation] is also extremely high.”

Mobile operator Vodafone was the top-ranked British brand, up 12 places on the back of a 75% increase in value to $36.9bn (£18.5bn).

Millward Brown tracks 50,000 brands globally, which are whittled down for its annual BrandZ top 100 list.

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1. A brand drives shareholder value
2. The brand is led by the boardroom and managed by brand marketers with an active buy-in from all stakeholders
3. The brand is a fully integrated part of the entire organisation aligned around multiple touch points
4. The brand can be valued in financial terms and must reside on the asset side of the balance sheet
5. The brand can used as collateral for financial loans and can be bought and sold as an asset
6. Customers are willing to pay a substantial and consistent price premium for the brand versus a competing product and service
7. Customers associate themselves strongly with the brand, its attributes, values and personality, and they fully buy into the concept which is often characterized by a very emotional and intangible relationship (higher customer loyalty)
8. Customers are loyal to the brand and would actively seek it and buy it despite several other reasonable and often cheaper options available (higher customer retention rate)
9. A brand is a trademark and marquee (logo, shape, colour etc) which is fiercely and pro-actively protected by the company and its legal advisors

Purpose
This brief survey is designed to identify the dimensions and qualities of the John McCain and Barak Obama brands. It will explore how different customer segments perceive each of these two presidential candidates differently. It will also explore the alignment of these candidates with the qualities that are most important to the people registered with the parties that they represent.

Neutrality
This survey is not supported by any political party or interest group. It was created by our chief brand strategist Brad VanAuken, author of Brand Aid, for the sole purpose of exploring the presidential candidate brands. Individual responses will remain confidential. All responses will be explored at a group level (men versus women, Democrats versus Republicans, etc.).

Incentive
Anyone who takes the survey will have the opportunity to win one of the following: a copy of Brand Aid, an Amazon.com gift certificate or a Starbucks gift card through a random drawing.

Well done!
my team work is done now,, for making our corporate stationery.. this series is complete set for our company promotion. printed catalogue, exhibition backdrop, presentation kit, and the corporate stationery. I’ll be show in my other post.. i make the concept, the art taste and off course the final step! most bored one! presentation for my management

please give comment guys! by clicking this acrobat pdf link :
1a ; 1b ; 2a ; 2b

bee - at 6.00 AM

At morning yesterday, i saw the great object outside my house!

i saw this amazing bee in my sun flower . so i grab ma camera and set my macro lens
transfer and editing with my photoshop software..
adjust little for curve adjustment and shadowing.. so have a seat..

Therefore it makes sense to understand that branding is not about getting your target market to choose you over the competition, but it is about getting your prospects to see you as the only one that provides a solution to their problem.

The objectives that a good brand will achieve include:

• Delivers the message clearly
• Confirms your credibility
• Connects your target prospects emotionally
• Motivates the buyer
• Concretes User Loyalty

To succeed in branding you must understand the needs and wants of your customers and prospects. You do this by integrating your brand strategies through your company at every point of public contact.

Your brand resides within the hearts and minds of customers, clients, and prospects. It is the sum total of their experiences and perceptions, some of which you can influence, and some that you cannot.

A strong brand is invaluable as the battle for customers intensifies day by day. It’s important to spend time investing in researching, defining, and building your brand. After all your brand is the source of a promise to your consumer. It’s a foundational piece in your marketing communication and one you do not want to be without.

I am often asked how an individual can brand themselves and if personal branding is as valuable as corporate branding. Personal branding can single an individual out as an expert in their field, but are there downfalls to personal branding vs. company branding?

Truth is personal branding is easier than company branding. Why? Because if you believe in your talent, in your skills and ability – it’s easier to sell what you believe in. Your image is already created – you just have to market it. How do you market yourself? That’s easy. You must become:

A pro in your industry; an expert in your field.

With that said are there downfalls to personal branding? Absolutely. Unless you plan to work until your last living day, it will be difficult to transition the brand to someone else.

fter all you are the BRAND! If you are ok with the fact that in order to transition out of the brand you will need to create a new one that your consumers can grasp onto then personal branding may just be for you.

When branding yourself remember that you must create a strong and consistent brand. You cannot skimp just because it’s about you.

Strong brands are clear about who they are and what they are not; which is why branding yourself can be an easy process. You already know who you are and what you are not. Strong brands are also consistent; it’s easy to be consistent in who you are.

Let’s take for example Madonna. She was her brand. Since the start of her career she has had the ability to change consistently throughout her career. This made her stand out from among other performers. This in essence strengthened her individual brand.

By branding yourself effectively you will:

• Establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field.
• Build a solid reputation within your industry.
• Increase your notoriety and improve your perceived value in the marketplace.

The key to successfully branding yourself and doing it effectively is to first establish a personal brand identity. Once you have done that focus that message on who you are and what you stand for within your chosen field. Your final step is to get the word out through a variety of media channels that are viewed by the people most likely to be interested in your message.

As people begin to see your name and become aware of the benefit and knowledge that you offer, before you know it thousands of people will not only know who you are but they will begin to seek out your services and expertise. They will identify with your brand which is YOU.