Islamists on Thursday rushed to approve a draft constitution for Egypt without the participation of liberal and Christian members, aiming to pre-empt a court ruling that could dissolve their panel and further inflaming the clash between the opposition and President Mohammed Morsi.
The move advances a charter with an Islamist bent that rights experts say could give Muslim clerics oversight over legislation and bring restrictions on freedom of speech, women's rights and other liberties.
The assembly that has been working on the constitution for months raced to pass it in a single marathon session that continued past midnight, with members voting article-by-article on the more than 230-article draft. The lack of inclusion was on display in the nationally televised gathering _ of the 85 members in attendance, there was not a single Christian and only four women, all Islamists. Many of the men wore beards, the hallmark of Muslim conservatives.
For weeks, liberal, secular and Christian members, already a minority on the 100-member panel, have been withdrawing to protest what they call the Islamists' hijacking of the process.
The sudden rush to finish came as the latest twist in a week-long crisis pitting Morsi and his Islamist supporters against a mostly secular and liberal opposition and the powerful judiciary. Voting had not been expected for another two months. But the assembly abruptly moved it up in order to pass the draft before Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court rules on Sunday on whether to dissolve the panel.
To come into effect, the draft must be passed in a nationwide referendum, which Morsi said Thursday will be held "very soon."
"It is trying to impose a constitution monopolized by one trend and is the furthest from national consensus, produced in a farcical way," the National Salvation Front said in a statement, read by Waheed Abdel-Meguid, one of the assembly members who withdrew.
Thursday's vote escalates the already bruising confrontation sparked last week when Morsi gave himself near absolute powers by neutralizing the judiciary, the last branch of the state not in his hands. Morsi banned the courts from dissolving the constitutional assembly or the upper house of parliament and from reviewing his own decisions.
Speaking in an interview on state TV aired late Thursday, Morsi defended his edicts, saying they were a necessary "delicate surgery" needed to get Egypt through a transitional period and end instability he blamed on the lack of a constitution.
"The most important thing of this period is that we finish the constitution, so that we have a parliament under the constitution, elected properly, an independent judiciary, and a president who executes the law," Morsi said.
Street clashes have already erupted between the two camps the past week, leaving at least two people dead and hundreds wounded. And more violence is possible.
The opposition plans another large protest for Friday, and the Brotherhood has called a similar massive rally for the following day, though they decided to move it from Tahrir to avoid frictions. Bands of youths have been daily battling police on a road leading off the square and close to the U.S. Embassy.
At least three independent daily newspapers are threatening not to issue editions on Tuesday in protest against Morsi's edicts and the rushed constitutional vote, according to the National Committee for the Defense of Freedom of Express, which called for the move.
The Constitutional Court's announcement that it would rule on the legitimacy of the assembly was a direct defiance of Morsi's edicts. It will also rule Sunday on whether to dissolve the upper house of parliament, which is overwhelmingly held by Islamists. Most of the nation's judges are on indefinite strike to protest the edicts.
It is not clear what would happen to the approved draft if the court dissolves the assembly. The crisis could move out of the realm of legal questions and even more into the more volatile street, to be decided by which side can bring the most support.
The opposition is considering whether to call for a boycott of any referendum on the constitution or to try to rally a "no" vote, said Hamdeen Sabahi, a National Salvation Front leader who ran in this year's presidential race and came in a surprisingly strong third.
"The people should not be made to choose between a dictatorial declaration or a constitution that doesn't represent all the people," he told independent ONTV, referring to Morsi's decrees. "He is pushing Egypt to more division and confronation."
During Thursday's session, assembly head Hossam al-Ghiryani doggedly pushed the members to finish. When one article received 16 objections, he pointed out that would require postponing the vote 48 hours under the body's rules. "Now I'm taking the vote again," he said, and all but four members dropped their objections.
2012年11月20日星期二
Cobblers Share Secrets to a Long Shoe Life
When the two men who operate Alex Shoe Repair on First Avenue tell you to steer clear of dog droppings and salt on the sidewalk this winter, you would be wise to listen up.
With five generations of combined cobbling experience, Shalom Dekhkanov and Mario Emmanuel know a thing or two about how to keep shoes in shape during the harsh winter months.
"It is killing the leather," said Dekhkanov, who works in the store with his cousin Emmanuel, of the perils facing pedestrians trying to navigate things like dog poop and salt spread out on the sidewalk to melt snow and ice. "They destroy it."
Dekhkanov's father was a cobbler, and Emmanuel followed both his father and his grandfather into the business.
The Lower East Side and East Village are dotted with numerous shoe-repair shops that draw on generations of cobbling knowledge, skill and passion for their craft. As shoe styles shift from summer to winter — aided by a struggling economy, in which customers choose to fix their shoes rather than buy new ones — cobblers are in the midst of busiest time of the year as they ready footwear for winter.
"People walk. In Manhattan, they walk more and they don't drive much," noted Erik Koynoe, of Erik Shoe Repair on Grand Street, giving a simple reason as to why the city goes through more shoes than any other. "Different cities, they drive more and don't walk as much."
Koynoe works from his hole-in-the-wall storefront, near Essex Street, which is packed with shoes on the mend, products and equipment — such as his manually-operated Singer sewing machine from 1929.
A combination of wet weather, concrete and sidewalk salt can create a tough environment for the city's shoes, he explained.
"If you see some salt stains, you can use some white vinegar to wash them out," he said, offering an inexpensive home remedy for blemished leather.
All three cobblers agreed that shoring up shoes as soon as they are purchased is ideal for surviving the winter.
"If you have a leather bottom, put on a rubber protector," said Koynoe, of the approximately $25, which will extend the life of any pair of shoes.
He also has plenty of advice for Gotham's shoe-crazed ladies.
"You have to build it up to protect it," he said, noting that he can add tips to the pointy ends of a woman’s heels to protect it against collisions with concrete and cobblestone streets, which are always treacherous for any stiletto-wearer.
Galoshes, a rubber overshoe that was popular in previous decades, are still being sold to customers of all ages, Dekhkanov added.
Starting with a quality brand is also another recommendation from Koynoe. He singled out Aldo, Florsheim, Allen Edmonds and Mephisto as value for money brands that had both superior leather and craftsmanship.
"You pay more for the name, but it looks good," said Koynoe, of expensive and high-end brands such as Prada and Chanel.
Dekhkanov suggested looking at a shoe's country of origin to indicate a well-made pair, mentioning Spain, Brazil, America and Romania as some of the best.
As for Dekhkanov and Koynoe, they attribute their shoe skills to their Russian heritage.
"[Russians] didn't have all the machines, but they do a beautiful job by hand — everything," said Dekhkanov, of how he leaned the craft in his home country while it was still a part Soviet Union. "Everything by hand is a beautiful thing — it lasts longer, it's stronger.
"In that time, maybe it was an art form," added Dekhkanov, who came to the United States in 1991.
He said he still enjoyed working with his hands, recalling one pair of shoes he took in that was mauled by a dog three separate times.
"The dog chewed the whole back of the shoe and the heel. There was nothing left," he said, noting he had to match new leather to the shoe and completely rebuild the heel — three times over.
"I said, ‘God bless your dog, lady," he joked of the returning business.
For Dekhkanov, given the knowledge and experience passed on from his father, his passion for shoe repair is irreplaceable.
With five generations of combined cobbling experience, Shalom Dekhkanov and Mario Emmanuel know a thing or two about how to keep shoes in shape during the harsh winter months.
"It is killing the leather," said Dekhkanov, who works in the store with his cousin Emmanuel, of the perils facing pedestrians trying to navigate things like dog poop and salt spread out on the sidewalk to melt snow and ice. "They destroy it."
Dekhkanov's father was a cobbler, and Emmanuel followed both his father and his grandfather into the business.
The Lower East Side and East Village are dotted with numerous shoe-repair shops that draw on generations of cobbling knowledge, skill and passion for their craft. As shoe styles shift from summer to winter — aided by a struggling economy, in which customers choose to fix their shoes rather than buy new ones — cobblers are in the midst of busiest time of the year as they ready footwear for winter.
"People walk. In Manhattan, they walk more and they don't drive much," noted Erik Koynoe, of Erik Shoe Repair on Grand Street, giving a simple reason as to why the city goes through more shoes than any other. "Different cities, they drive more and don't walk as much."
Koynoe works from his hole-in-the-wall storefront, near Essex Street, which is packed with shoes on the mend, products and equipment — such as his manually-operated Singer sewing machine from 1929.
A combination of wet weather, concrete and sidewalk salt can create a tough environment for the city's shoes, he explained.
"If you see some salt stains, you can use some white vinegar to wash them out," he said, offering an inexpensive home remedy for blemished leather.
All three cobblers agreed that shoring up shoes as soon as they are purchased is ideal for surviving the winter.
"If you have a leather bottom, put on a rubber protector," said Koynoe, of the approximately $25, which will extend the life of any pair of shoes.
He also has plenty of advice for Gotham's shoe-crazed ladies.
"You have to build it up to protect it," he said, noting that he can add tips to the pointy ends of a woman’s heels to protect it against collisions with concrete and cobblestone streets, which are always treacherous for any stiletto-wearer.
Galoshes, a rubber overshoe that was popular in previous decades, are still being sold to customers of all ages, Dekhkanov added.
Starting with a quality brand is also another recommendation from Koynoe. He singled out Aldo, Florsheim, Allen Edmonds and Mephisto as value for money brands that had both superior leather and craftsmanship.
"You pay more for the name, but it looks good," said Koynoe, of expensive and high-end brands such as Prada and Chanel.
Dekhkanov suggested looking at a shoe's country of origin to indicate a well-made pair, mentioning Spain, Brazil, America and Romania as some of the best.
As for Dekhkanov and Koynoe, they attribute their shoe skills to their Russian heritage.
"[Russians] didn't have all the machines, but they do a beautiful job by hand — everything," said Dekhkanov, of how he leaned the craft in his home country while it was still a part Soviet Union. "Everything by hand is a beautiful thing — it lasts longer, it's stronger.
"In that time, maybe it was an art form," added Dekhkanov, who came to the United States in 1991.
He said he still enjoyed working with his hands, recalling one pair of shoes he took in that was mauled by a dog three separate times.
"The dog chewed the whole back of the shoe and the heel. There was nothing left," he said, noting he had to match new leather to the shoe and completely rebuild the heel — three times over.
"I said, ‘God bless your dog, lady," he joked of the returning business.
For Dekhkanov, given the knowledge and experience passed on from his father, his passion for shoe repair is irreplaceable.
2012年11月12日星期一
who avoids shopping in mainstream retail stores
With the increased tuition; financial aid delays; and surge in book, gas and Metro pass costs, fashion-forward Valley College students may find it difficult to stay stylish in this economy. But, thrifty students know a secret.
These in-the-know students hit budget-friendly thrift stores to remain fashionable, purchasing
designer clothes for bargain prices, exchanging old clothing for the new and discovering outstanding vintage pieces.
Student Morghan Carter’s mother introduced her to thrift
shopping at age 8. Buying secondhand has saved Carter money for college fees, she said.
“You have to go to school every day of the week. You have to pay
for books … bus passes … what you eat on a daily basis,” Carter said. “To be able to go to the thrift store on the weekend [and] spend a very small amount for a couple of different items is comforting.”
Instead of throwing unwanted clothes in the trash, fashionistas can explore creative ways to save bank by recycling clothes, exchanging old garments for new threads at secondhand stores, such as Buffalo Exchange and Cross Roads Trading Co.
For students who like to stay on trend, these two chic, recycled clothing shops are a way to stay trendy and not go broke.
“I took a bunch of my old clothes to Buffalo Exchange on Ventura Boulevard,” said communications major Monica Diaz. “I got about $20 for a shirt and some pants, then I used money for gas and a Nine West bag for school.”
Cinema major Jahsaudi Perkins, a student who avoids shopping in mainstream retail stores, enjoys local recycled clothing store THRIFTnoho in North Hollywood.
THRIFTnoho’s prices range from $1 to $10 for most items. The store has major deals on a variety of clothing, from women’s and men’s apparel to brand-name shoes, dresses, jeans, snapback hats and much more.
On random days, THRIFTnoho delights customers with 50-percent off the entire store. The owners of the thrift store also alter and customize articles of clothing customers bring in, producing a new, original piece.
“I recently gave THRIFTnoho a drawn out sketch of what I envisioned would be a great design,” said Perkins, 20. “The owners design it in no time. I was amazed
by the craftsmanship.”
Those searching for something unique or vintage, such as sociology major Chryz Ortega, look to Goodwill for jewelry, clothing and house supplies from different eras.
While prices at this donation chain are already cheap, on Saturdays,
Goodwill chooses a tag color to be on sale throughout the week.
“Unique and vintage is what I love about it,” said 20-year-old Ortega. “It saves me a lot instead
of buying $200 worth of clothing. I can save a lot and use the money for books and gas. I feel less guilty, too.”
Thrift shopping can help ease the burden of college finances, and by becoming a “thrifter,” a student can seek new styles without burning a hole in their pockets.
Rev. David L. Boyle Sr. was known for his positive ministry, descriptive sermons, love of education and encouraging spirit, which manifested in daily conversations when he bestowed on everyone the divine title of "Saint."
"He called me Saint Win," recalled Rev. Eric Winston, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church on South Parkway in Memphis. "He would call everybody saint. Even though we weren't saintly in our actions, he would say to us, 'That's where you're going to be.' It's as if he were speaking our future in the midst of our mess."
Rev. Boyle, a Memphis native and well-known pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Whiteville, Tenn., died on Nov. 5. He was 60.
Winston described his longtime friend as a "Prince of Preachers," who held several advanced degrees and loved to read. He'd often leave the bookstore with five copies of the same book to pass out to friends so they could discuss it.
These in-the-know students hit budget-friendly thrift stores to remain fashionable, purchasing
designer clothes for bargain prices, exchanging old clothing for the new and discovering outstanding vintage pieces.
Student Morghan Carter’s mother introduced her to thrift
shopping at age 8. Buying secondhand has saved Carter money for college fees, she said.
“You have to go to school every day of the week. You have to pay
for books … bus passes … what you eat on a daily basis,” Carter said. “To be able to go to the thrift store on the weekend [and] spend a very small amount for a couple of different items is comforting.”
Instead of throwing unwanted clothes in the trash, fashionistas can explore creative ways to save bank by recycling clothes, exchanging old garments for new threads at secondhand stores, such as Buffalo Exchange and Cross Roads Trading Co.
For students who like to stay on trend, these two chic, recycled clothing shops are a way to stay trendy and not go broke.
“I took a bunch of my old clothes to Buffalo Exchange on Ventura Boulevard,” said communications major Monica Diaz. “I got about $20 for a shirt and some pants, then I used money for gas and a Nine West bag for school.”
Cinema major Jahsaudi Perkins, a student who avoids shopping in mainstream retail stores, enjoys local recycled clothing store THRIFTnoho in North Hollywood.
THRIFTnoho’s prices range from $1 to $10 for most items. The store has major deals on a variety of clothing, from women’s and men’s apparel to brand-name shoes, dresses, jeans, snapback hats and much more.
On random days, THRIFTnoho delights customers with 50-percent off the entire store. The owners of the thrift store also alter and customize articles of clothing customers bring in, producing a new, original piece.
“I recently gave THRIFTnoho a drawn out sketch of what I envisioned would be a great design,” said Perkins, 20. “The owners design it in no time. I was amazed
by the craftsmanship.”
Those searching for something unique or vintage, such as sociology major Chryz Ortega, look to Goodwill for jewelry, clothing and house supplies from different eras.
While prices at this donation chain are already cheap, on Saturdays,
Goodwill chooses a tag color to be on sale throughout the week.
“Unique and vintage is what I love about it,” said 20-year-old Ortega. “It saves me a lot instead
of buying $200 worth of clothing. I can save a lot and use the money for books and gas. I feel less guilty, too.”
Thrift shopping can help ease the burden of college finances, and by becoming a “thrifter,” a student can seek new styles without burning a hole in their pockets.
Rev. David L. Boyle Sr. was known for his positive ministry, descriptive sermons, love of education and encouraging spirit, which manifested in daily conversations when he bestowed on everyone the divine title of "Saint."
"He called me Saint Win," recalled Rev. Eric Winston, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church on South Parkway in Memphis. "He would call everybody saint. Even though we weren't saintly in our actions, he would say to us, 'That's where you're going to be.' It's as if he were speaking our future in the midst of our mess."
Rev. Boyle, a Memphis native and well-known pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Whiteville, Tenn., died on Nov. 5. He was 60.
Winston described his longtime friend as a "Prince of Preachers," who held several advanced degrees and loved to read. He'd often leave the bookstore with five copies of the same book to pass out to friends so they could discuss it.
2012年11月8日星期四
To see the voters that made up that coalition
John Lewis was encouraging voters in Ohio to re-elect President Barack Obama, he heard words that took him back 47 years.
It was a time when African-Americans like Lewis weren’t guaranteed the right to vote, when they organized, marched, sang and bled for that right. Lewis himself was beaten unconscious by baton-wielding Alabama state troopers on a bridge in Selma in March 1965.
At an early voting site in downtown Cincinnati on a dreary morning this fall, “one young lady said to me, ‘Congressman, I started to get out of this line, but I thought about the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and I said I have to stand here,’ ” Lewis said.
Lewis, a legend of the civil rights movement who got his start as a college student in Nashville, was back in the city Thursday, two days after Obama, the nation’s first African-American president, won a second term.
The congressman from Atlanta said he didn’t cry this time, as he had when Obama made history in 2008. But he still found the president’s victory stirring.
“I was very moved,” he said in an interview after honoring his old friend, Tennessean Chairman Emeritus John Seigenthaler, at a luncheon.
“To see the voters that made up that coalition, it represents another major step down a very long road to create a more perfect union, to create a truly multiracial, democratic society.”
He said the right to vote was something he and many others fought for, culminating in President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signing of the Voting Rights Act in August 1965. In his memoir, Walking with the Wind, Lewis recalls Johnson telling him at the White House that day, “Now John, you’ve got to go back and get all those folks registered.”
That was why he “took it so personally” when he saw many states, including Tennessee, implementing laws that he says make it harder to vote by imposing photo ID requirements.
“It’s sort of sad, almost painful to see people wanting to revert back to another period,” he said. “We’ve made too much progress to go back, so we have to continue to push forward.”
Supporters of voter ID laws say they discourage fraud at the ballot box.
Seigenthaler’s wife, son and daughter-in-law held a $250-per-person fund-raiser Thursday evening for Lewis, who was elected Tuesday to his 14th term in Congress.
Lewis praised Seigenthaler, a friend for more than 50 years, at Thursday’s luncheon, where Seigenthaler received the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Seigenthaler returned the favor, saying Lewis had done more to “change the moral fiber of this community” than anyone.
“When you look at John Lewis standing here, you don’t see the John Lewis I saw as a young reporter,” he said. “The blood he and others shed during those days has long since faded from those sidewalks. But I will tell you, it was their courage, it was their vision, it was their commitment to nonviolence, it was their determination to make this a more livable city that helped us understand who we are today.“
While Obama has been criticized by some people for not doing enough for African-Americans during his first term, Lewis said he doesn’t agree.
“He’s the president of all Americans,” the congressman said. “He’s going to reach out during the next four years and try to create a better country, a more just society for all Americans.”
He said the country is already a much better place than it was when he was a student at American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, a Freedom Rider, a founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and a speaker during the March on Washington.
“It is so amazing, out of the ordinary, to see the distance we’ve come and the progress we’ve made,” Lewis said. “Some people say, ‘Well, you haven’t come that far, you haven’t made enough progress.’ The only thing I say is, ‘Come and walk in my shoes.’
“It’s a different world. To look out and see black men and women, white men and women, Latinos, Asian-Americans, Native Americans standing together, crying together as a result of the election.”
He paused amid the sound of plates clinking together as the catering crew cleared tables nearby.
It was a time when African-Americans like Lewis weren’t guaranteed the right to vote, when they organized, marched, sang and bled for that right. Lewis himself was beaten unconscious by baton-wielding Alabama state troopers on a bridge in Selma in March 1965.
At an early voting site in downtown Cincinnati on a dreary morning this fall, “one young lady said to me, ‘Congressman, I started to get out of this line, but I thought about the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and I said I have to stand here,’ ” Lewis said.
Lewis, a legend of the civil rights movement who got his start as a college student in Nashville, was back in the city Thursday, two days after Obama, the nation’s first African-American president, won a second term.
The congressman from Atlanta said he didn’t cry this time, as he had when Obama made history in 2008. But he still found the president’s victory stirring.
“I was very moved,” he said in an interview after honoring his old friend, Tennessean Chairman Emeritus John Seigenthaler, at a luncheon.
“To see the voters that made up that coalition, it represents another major step down a very long road to create a more perfect union, to create a truly multiracial, democratic society.”
He said the right to vote was something he and many others fought for, culminating in President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signing of the Voting Rights Act in August 1965. In his memoir, Walking with the Wind, Lewis recalls Johnson telling him at the White House that day, “Now John, you’ve got to go back and get all those folks registered.”
That was why he “took it so personally” when he saw many states, including Tennessee, implementing laws that he says make it harder to vote by imposing photo ID requirements.
“It’s sort of sad, almost painful to see people wanting to revert back to another period,” he said. “We’ve made too much progress to go back, so we have to continue to push forward.”
Supporters of voter ID laws say they discourage fraud at the ballot box.
Seigenthaler’s wife, son and daughter-in-law held a $250-per-person fund-raiser Thursday evening for Lewis, who was elected Tuesday to his 14th term in Congress.
Lewis praised Seigenthaler, a friend for more than 50 years, at Thursday’s luncheon, where Seigenthaler received the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Seigenthaler returned the favor, saying Lewis had done more to “change the moral fiber of this community” than anyone.
“When you look at John Lewis standing here, you don’t see the John Lewis I saw as a young reporter,” he said. “The blood he and others shed during those days has long since faded from those sidewalks. But I will tell you, it was their courage, it was their vision, it was their commitment to nonviolence, it was their determination to make this a more livable city that helped us understand who we are today.“
While Obama has been criticized by some people for not doing enough for African-Americans during his first term, Lewis said he doesn’t agree.
“He’s the president of all Americans,” the congressman said. “He’s going to reach out during the next four years and try to create a better country, a more just society for all Americans.”
He said the country is already a much better place than it was when he was a student at American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, a Freedom Rider, a founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and a speaker during the March on Washington.
“It is so amazing, out of the ordinary, to see the distance we’ve come and the progress we’ve made,” Lewis said. “Some people say, ‘Well, you haven’t come that far, you haven’t made enough progress.’ The only thing I say is, ‘Come and walk in my shoes.’
“It’s a different world. To look out and see black men and women, white men and women, Latinos, Asian-Americans, Native Americans standing together, crying together as a result of the election.”
He paused amid the sound of plates clinking together as the catering crew cleared tables nearby.
2012年11月6日星期二
We break the business into definable subsets
Nike, the apparel and footwear giant, is aiming to reflect the "culture of sports" in everything from its management style to innovation, and thus more successfully engage consumers.
Mark Parker, the firm's CEO, told Fast Company in an interview: "Our management approach hasn't come from studying and reading business books. It's more intuitive, from the culture of sports. We're constantly looking for ways to improve."
From conducting scientific research with athletes to examining emerging trends by understanding fields like street art, Nike has sought to gain in-depth knowledge of its core customer.
"We're a big global brand, we have great resources. We break the business into definable subsets based on different consumer cultures and go deep, to be meaningful and relevant to them," Parker said.
In evidence of the rigorous approach being pursued, Parker has adopted a model he calls "edit and amplify", or focusing on core goals and criteria. For example, Nike reduced the number of R&D schemes it was working on from 350 to just 50 earlier this year.
"The ability to edit and amplify is so critical," he said. "There's a real discipline to this. It's going to sound bureaucratic, but it's not. There's a difference between discipline and bureaucracy ... At Nike, we have incredibly strong people. They know what to do."
In demonstration of its flexibility, Nike has created a new method of making its shoes, known as FlyKnit, via which they are sewn from thread rather than cut from fabric.
"If we said, okay, we have the formula for design and manufacturing footwear – that's a myopic and short-term view," Parker said. “One of the challenges of innovation is challenging a set model."
Moreover, Nike Air, which has a visible air cushion, and the company's range of Free footwear mimicking the effect of running barefoot, both began as "side projects" that went on to be major hits.
“You don't need to be here four or five years to have great ideas heard," Parker said. "In many cases, things that happened off the grid have become a massive success.
"Ideas may come from the bottom up but the direction and support can go top-down ... That ratio, top-down to bubble-up, will shift based on situations. I'm a big believer that there's no one single approach."
The rise of digital tools are also providing new possibilities for the company when it comes to R&D, as they connect diverse groups of employees from different departments and geographies.
"The biggest sources of opportunity are collaboration and partnership," Parker said. "And today, with digital communication, there is more of that everywhere. We need to expose ourselves to that as a matter of doing business."
HISTORY was created at Albury Racing Club yesterday when Victoria Shaw became the first female to call a meeting at the track.
The late Ted Ryder and Geoff O’Brien spent many years in the role, but no female had graced the caller’s booth high above the grandstand until yesterday.
Shaw was a last minute call-up for the Albury meeting on the biggest racing day of the year.
But her short career to date has seen her call at Rosehill, Newcastle, Mount Gambier, Darwin and even King Island.
She made her debut at Hanging Rock in 1998 and last Sunday was behind the microphone at Kilmore.
“I have ridden horses, but not very well I must say,” she said.
“I was lucky enough to have a former racehorse as a pet, which I rode as a hack.
“I like live radio as a medium so much. There is no opportunity for take two.”
Shaw’s determination to break into the largely male domain of race calling came after a stint at Gippsland radio station, 3TR, in the early 1990s.
She discovered legendary racecaller, Bill Collins, began his career at the station and was inspired to follow his lead.
Mark Parker, the firm's CEO, told Fast Company in an interview: "Our management approach hasn't come from studying and reading business books. It's more intuitive, from the culture of sports. We're constantly looking for ways to improve."
From conducting scientific research with athletes to examining emerging trends by understanding fields like street art, Nike has sought to gain in-depth knowledge of its core customer.
"We're a big global brand, we have great resources. We break the business into definable subsets based on different consumer cultures and go deep, to be meaningful and relevant to them," Parker said.
In evidence of the rigorous approach being pursued, Parker has adopted a model he calls "edit and amplify", or focusing on core goals and criteria. For example, Nike reduced the number of R&D schemes it was working on from 350 to just 50 earlier this year.
"The ability to edit and amplify is so critical," he said. "There's a real discipline to this. It's going to sound bureaucratic, but it's not. There's a difference between discipline and bureaucracy ... At Nike, we have incredibly strong people. They know what to do."
In demonstration of its flexibility, Nike has created a new method of making its shoes, known as FlyKnit, via which they are sewn from thread rather than cut from fabric.
"If we said, okay, we have the formula for design and manufacturing footwear – that's a myopic and short-term view," Parker said. “One of the challenges of innovation is challenging a set model."
Moreover, Nike Air, which has a visible air cushion, and the company's range of Free footwear mimicking the effect of running barefoot, both began as "side projects" that went on to be major hits.
“You don't need to be here four or five years to have great ideas heard," Parker said. "In many cases, things that happened off the grid have become a massive success.
"Ideas may come from the bottom up but the direction and support can go top-down ... That ratio, top-down to bubble-up, will shift based on situations. I'm a big believer that there's no one single approach."
The rise of digital tools are also providing new possibilities for the company when it comes to R&D, as they connect diverse groups of employees from different departments and geographies.
"The biggest sources of opportunity are collaboration and partnership," Parker said. "And today, with digital communication, there is more of that everywhere. We need to expose ourselves to that as a matter of doing business."
HISTORY was created at Albury Racing Club yesterday when Victoria Shaw became the first female to call a meeting at the track.
The late Ted Ryder and Geoff O’Brien spent many years in the role, but no female had graced the caller’s booth high above the grandstand until yesterday.
Shaw was a last minute call-up for the Albury meeting on the biggest racing day of the year.
But her short career to date has seen her call at Rosehill, Newcastle, Mount Gambier, Darwin and even King Island.
She made her debut at Hanging Rock in 1998 and last Sunday was behind the microphone at Kilmore.
“I have ridden horses, but not very well I must say,” she said.
“I was lucky enough to have a former racehorse as a pet, which I rode as a hack.
“I like live radio as a medium so much. There is no opportunity for take two.”
Shaw’s determination to break into the largely male domain of race calling came after a stint at Gippsland radio station, 3TR, in the early 1990s.
She discovered legendary racecaller, Bill Collins, began his career at the station and was inspired to follow his lead.
2012年11月4日星期日
The car park has been divided into two sections
Organised by Agenda Suria Communication Sdn Bhd (ASC) and the Malaysia-India Chamber of Commerce (MAICOM), the carnival is on until the eve of Deepavali at the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex's open-air car park A, instead of the KL Sentral car park in Brickfields.
ASC director D. P. Ganaa said the need for more parking and traffic congestion are the main reasons for relocating the carnival site from Brickfields.
"We want our customers to enjoy hassle-free shopping.
"In previous years, we used to receive numerous complaints from our visitors, who said they had to spend more than an hour searching for parking because of the massive traffic jam in Brickfields.
"Now that we have moved our site to the sports complex, visitors from Seremban, Kajang, Rawang and other places can shop here with ease," he said.
Ganaa said the organisers have also requested RapidKL to increase the frequency of its bus trips to Bukit Jalil during the festival.
The exhibition opens from noon until 10pm daily.
The car park has been divided into two sections -- an air-conditioned canopy and warehouse covering 8,550 sq m and housing 230 shop lots -- giving visitors more shopping options.
Ganaa said 58 booths showcase products by traders from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, with the rest featuring local products.
Ganaa said this year's carnival is targeting 700,000 to 800,000 visitors by offering a wide variety of products ranging from textiles, fashion accessories and shoes to home decorations and traditional Indian sweets.
He added that there will also be performances such as dance competitions, evening shows by local celebrities and food stalls.
"This year, we brought in the latest items to the fair, including handicrafts, jewellery, pearls and other wares from Kashmir, Orissa, Punjab, Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
"The products are reasonably priced, except for the expensive jewellery.
"But what makes the fair appealing is the chance for shoppers to bargain with the traders," he said.
"Clothes such as jeans and children's clothes, toys, carpets and watches are also on sale at the carnival," said Ganaa.
There will also be stalls that provide services such as threading, henna tattoos and make-up consultations.
A trader from Delhi, India, Rajeev Chawla, who sells hand-painted art, said there are many interesting new items on sale this year.
He encouraged customers to take this opportunity to shop, as most of the products are affordable.
"The artworks that I am selling are painted on velvet sheets using colours from fruits, flowers and vegetables. The paintings are priced from RM70 to RM100," said Rajeev, who added that it takes about three to five days to complete a painting.
Manoj Mahadik, a trader from Mumbai, manufactures and exports organic skincare products.
He said his products, which include spa soaps, hair-care products, skin-treatment creams and facial kits, cater to different types of skin.
A visitor, Rita Menon from Seremban, said she got to know about the festival through the advertisements and the event's official website.
"We just made a quick stop here to see the latest items at the carnival.
"I will here return in two or three days with my family." she added.
ASC director D. P. Ganaa said the need for more parking and traffic congestion are the main reasons for relocating the carnival site from Brickfields.
"We want our customers to enjoy hassle-free shopping.
"In previous years, we used to receive numerous complaints from our visitors, who said they had to spend more than an hour searching for parking because of the massive traffic jam in Brickfields.
"Now that we have moved our site to the sports complex, visitors from Seremban, Kajang, Rawang and other places can shop here with ease," he said.
Ganaa said the organisers have also requested RapidKL to increase the frequency of its bus trips to Bukit Jalil during the festival.
The exhibition opens from noon until 10pm daily.
The car park has been divided into two sections -- an air-conditioned canopy and warehouse covering 8,550 sq m and housing 230 shop lots -- giving visitors more shopping options.
Ganaa said 58 booths showcase products by traders from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, with the rest featuring local products.
Ganaa said this year's carnival is targeting 700,000 to 800,000 visitors by offering a wide variety of products ranging from textiles, fashion accessories and shoes to home decorations and traditional Indian sweets.
He added that there will also be performances such as dance competitions, evening shows by local celebrities and food stalls.
"This year, we brought in the latest items to the fair, including handicrafts, jewellery, pearls and other wares from Kashmir, Orissa, Punjab, Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
"The products are reasonably priced, except for the expensive jewellery.
"But what makes the fair appealing is the chance for shoppers to bargain with the traders," he said.
"Clothes such as jeans and children's clothes, toys, carpets and watches are also on sale at the carnival," said Ganaa.
There will also be stalls that provide services such as threading, henna tattoos and make-up consultations.
A trader from Delhi, India, Rajeev Chawla, who sells hand-painted art, said there are many interesting new items on sale this year.
He encouraged customers to take this opportunity to shop, as most of the products are affordable.
"The artworks that I am selling are painted on velvet sheets using colours from fruits, flowers and vegetables. The paintings are priced from RM70 to RM100," said Rajeev, who added that it takes about three to five days to complete a painting.
Manoj Mahadik, a trader from Mumbai, manufactures and exports organic skincare products.
He said his products, which include spa soaps, hair-care products, skin-treatment creams and facial kits, cater to different types of skin.
A visitor, Rita Menon from Seremban, said she got to know about the festival through the advertisements and the event's official website.
"We just made a quick stop here to see the latest items at the carnival.
"I will here return in two or three days with my family." she added.
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