The flipped classroom model is considered one with increased interactive learning and engagement, yet it may not work if executed badly. It can be an extremely effective method for an executive MBAyet some pitfalls need to be avoided. The classroom must not imitate any production house full of cameras. Business research suggests that cameras make students and teachers alike uncomfortable. The video based presentations must remain short and crisp. Flipping does not mean creating video or audio based content and then just launching the same on to the students. The students need to be nurtured and coached just like traditional methods. Also the methodology must include assessment criteria as without testing students do not feel accountable and do not make the additional effort. 

Europe is witnessing a surge in travel jobs as the continent has become 25% cheaper this year for tourists from the USA and other countries like China. US bookings have in fact risen by a fifth already this year. The European Central Bank (ECB) is weakening the Euro thanks to Greece’s massive debt restructuring and the zone’s subdued growth. The Chinese are also making a beeline for Europe due to the increased economic growth in China. Greece and Spain are two countries which have seen good growth in inbound tourism numbers closely followed by France, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and the Netherlands.

Businesses exist as part of society and thus at the end of the day are liable for community welfare. Every medium to large firm today must have this aspect firmly embedded in its corporate strategy. Social media has now provided firms with another channel to broadcast its depth towards community initiatives. Some methods exist to demonstrate the same. Community engagement must be done across platforms such as Facebook or Twitter. Community must feel a sense of empathy emanating from the firm in terms of shared joys and challenges. The sense of passion regarding the brand must come out in the digital marketing. Community members must be encouraged to interact among each other. Certain influencers of opinion must be identified with whom fruitful relationships are to be developed. Successes at community or regional level must be reported across platforms for people to know. The community must also get some joy or entertainment out of the firm’s social media content. Crucially, community members must get a feel that the firm cares for the welfare of the same.

As per business research, the tourist arrivals in the USA are expected to top eighty million by the year 2018 compared to less than seventy million for 2013. Rising affluence in Asia and South America have been quoted as significant reasons. This provides great opportunity to develop more and more tourism jobs in the USA. Certain major global events affect the tourists numbers as hallmark events like the Football World Cup in 2014 in Brazil, London Olympics in 2012 or the 2011 Cricket World Cup in India boost numbers. On the other hand, outbreak of the feared Ebola disease in west Africa disrupted tourism in much of that region. Medical tourism is one field which is growing at electric pace.

The MBA has diverged from the traditional classroom teaching to incorporate online education. Executive MBA is now a module followed by number of business schools and appropriate for students who do not wish to take out separate time for full time study. Smart devices are coming in aid of these courses. A university in Australia has devised an online based study module where students are provided with Apple i-Pads pre-fitted with video based classes and study material. Coursera is providing an online platform so popular that more than ten million users are now registered with the same. Even Stanford University in California has developed a LEAD Certificate programme specifically for executive MBA. The trend is set to grow as recent market researchhas revealed that more than four million tablets and PCs sold out in the third quarter of 2014 in the US education sector alone.

Successful referrals have proved a timeless strategy to ensure growth in sales. Business research has demonstrated certain methods which have been successful in chasing referrals. They must always be asked for as just part of life rather than some target to be achieved. Customers must be trained as to the sales pitch to be deployed during referrals. One must ensure that the prospects referred must be taken proper care of and not seen as profit centre. The referrer must feel important even if conversion does not take place. Importantly the one who asks for referrals must start doing so oneself and start generating referrals.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is set to change the world in many different ways. Traditionally people used to interact with physical products but now gadgets have enabled an interaction between intelligent devices across the globe. Certain firms may not survive in this scenario but others will see opportunity. Instead of trying to fool the customer, the new age firms will try to use business analytics to gauge actual customer needs and will customize product/ service accordingly. Separate KPIs will be developed for demographic segments. Cloud computing has enabled the constant interaction between devices.