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By Tara Swords
August 2010
Shared-services organizations are growing in popularity for some obvious reasons. First—as is evident at Verizon—the cost savings can be huge. Second, shared services give businesses a chance to rethink existing processes from scratch and redesign them based on the latest best practices. Both of those benefits are attractive to executives in all parts of an organization.
But one of the biggest reasons that shared services are catching on among executives is that they operate in terms that any executive can relate to. The shared-services organization is a business within a business. It must maintain and meet service-level agreements with other business units. It assigns pricing to its services and requires that business units budget for the services they want. It tracks results and reports metrics just as an outsourced provider might.
In other words, it demystifies IT operations for decision-makers and reports back to them in terms they value.
"You want your shared-services center to compete for the business just like a third-party service provider would and win the business based on a series of commitments it makes and that you can measure," says Stan Lepeak, head of global research at EquaTerra. "[The shared-services organization] can say, 'We've sold you these cost savings, and we've delivered on it.'"
The model can also protect IT from being pushed to take on more than it can handle. That creates accountability all around, and accountability is something that decision-makers cherish.
"If you want additional services, you have to pay for them, just like you would a third party," Lepeak says. "It can help the shared-services center not be in a position where, just because you're part of the company, you have to do everything everyone asks. That's where you can get into trouble—because you're trying to be everything to everyone and you end up not being anything to enough people who matter."
For More Information
Verizon's Billion-Dollar Story
Software. Hardware. Complete.
Oracle Solutions for Communications
Software. Hardware. Complete.
Photography by Shutterstock


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Engineered Cards: Part I
Viewer Comments
Thanks so much for bringing us the week of webisodes - the card ideas are wonderful!
I love these webisodes. Thanks for your hard work in presenting them to us.
Love the webisodes, and the ideas are over the top.
Thanks so much for the wonderful ideas and new techniques! These webisodes are just what I was needing to perk up my cardmaking! Keep up the great work and thanks for taking care of us so well!
WOW what great ideas and templates to boot. Thank you for sharing your creative talents.
I am loving the card making Webisodes! I have learned so much just the first 2 days that I made birthday cards already last night using your techniques. They turned out wonderful. I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the week and hope you do this again. It is fantastic for us beginner card makers. Thank you so much!
Fantastic card ideas!! Thanks!
I liked the webisode for engineered cards part one, but when I try to watch the other days episode - I keep getting a repeat of the engineered cards part one.
This is just so informative. I love the last card ! Thanks.
Thank you for all the great ideas. I am really enjoying this webisodes week, and the goodies every day.
Loved this webisode, which included so many creative ideas that as an amateur like me can use. Thanks so much.
I LOVE these cards! I'm not a huge card maker (YET!) but these have inspired me to become one... thanks!
One question though: is the download at 100% or do they need to be resized at all? The witch hat card seemed to print rather small. Could be my printer...
Can't wait for part two of the engineered cards tomorrow!
I'm loving the week of webisodes. I've never attempted cards before just pages, but after seeing these, I can't wait to make my own.
I love the engineered cards on the webisode today. Adorable ideas and thanks for the downloads.
OUTSTANDING IDEAS!!!! Love the lessons...thanks for sharing all the info....greatly appreciated!
Gorgeous cards! I'm loving your Webisodes. Very informative, very exciting! Thanks
Just wanted to say this is the best idea ever! Love the show. Keep up the good work!
wonderful video, great card ideas... and two ideas for Halloween that I will definitely use this year! The download is a great treat... please keep the videos coming! Sometimes its very hard to understand written instructions, but with a video I can replay over and over.
I am just loving these cards. Like many others, I don't always have time to make a card when needed. This weeks cards are simply fabulous. Thank you so much! What a wonderful week of cards it's been so far!
Paper Wishes Weekly Webisodes feature free scrapbooking video classes and card making video classes! Every week Paulette and LeNae bring you new online scrapbooking or card making classes demonstrating the very latest paper craft and scrapbooking techniques. Each of our free card making and scrapbooking classes also gives you unique project ideas and tips from Paper Wishes' Design Team. Come back often so you don't miss any of the fun in our card making and scrapbooking classes! You are sure to be inspired! Also watch for our "Week of Webisodes" events where we feature new scrapbooking video classes daily!

subset: commoncrawl


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"You can change your wife, change your politics, change your religion. But never, never can you change your favourite football team!" This memorable line, taken from Ken Loach's comedy-drama film *Looking for Eric, *during which the central character idolises French legend Eric Cantona, is an appropriate summary of the relationship that every supporter enjoys with his chosen side.
Supporting a football club is an activity that lasts a lifetime, and for some passionate individuals, it is a life in which practically everything revolves around following their heroes. FIFA.com takes a look at the services offered by clubs that help their most loyal fans achieve just that, be it in birth, marriage or even death.
It is often difficult to put an exact finger on the moment someone decides to become a fan of a certain team, but Hannoversupporters no longer have this problem. Since the autumn of 2009, the German outfit has placed a delivery room at the disposal of expectant mothers, who are now able to bring new devotees into the world at the Friederikenstift clinic, located right next to the AWD-Arena, in a room entirely decorated in green and white, the club's official colours.
The new arrivals are not only presented with a club-branded babygrow, but automatically become members of the club. "Youth is the future – this project could enable children to identify with our club very early on in life," explained Hannover President Martin Kind, whose name in German translates rather fittingly as "child".
There are many other clubs around the world who have understood the importance of this message. In Argentina, while teams have not yet begun to sign babies still playing in their cots, they do play a crucial role in children's education. Estudiantes, Lanus and Banfield are just three examples of clubs that have opened nurseries or primary schools, but the pioneers in this field are River Plate.
In 1982, the Buenos Aires giants opened their own school, the purpose of which was to offer a comprehensive education to their apprentice footballers. "We tend to encourage playing together as a team rather than promoting competitiveness," Marcos Capurro, head of physical education at Instituto River Plate, told French magazine Foot Citoyen.
"Of course, we guide the most talented children towards sports at which they excel, because we never lose sight of the fact that we are part of a club that's in a results-based business. But the main objective remains teaching them to work together, and for that, sport is the ideal instrument," he continued.
Life-long union
The mixed-sex establishment, whose former pupils include Pablo Aimar, Javier Saviola, Gonzalo Higuain and Javier Mascherano, is attended by over 1,000 students, 60 per cent of whom are socios (members) of the club. But supporting River is not part of the selection criteria, and some of the children do not hide their feelings for Boca Juniors, Independiente or Racing Club in the playground, despite it being located in the shadows of River's legendary stadium, El Monumental.
Los Millonarios are not the only ones to provide their supporters with more than just a vantage point to watch matches. Taking the expression "Football is a religion" to its natural conclusion, a number of clubs now possess their own churches
In Germany, both Hertha Berlinand Schalkeallow fans to tie the knot at a venue where they would normally worship their footballing heroes. But for a truly memorable marriage, the prize goes to Eintracht Frankfurt, who offer the chance to say "I do" at the Commerzbank-Arena in the presence of a prestigious witness, namely Attila the eagle, the club mascot, or Charly, the stadium mascot.
Youth is the future – this project could enable children to identify with our club very early on in life.
In Scotland, *Celtic *leave the choice of witnesses and guests up to the bride and groom, but will take care of practically everything else. Not only are the happy couple given total access to the pitch and dressing room, they are helped along the way by a wedding planner, who ensures that all goes smoothly on the big day, including getting hold of a garter in club colours from the club shop.
The Glasgow club may well have drawn inspiration from Real Madrid who, in 2010, launched their own range of luxury lingerie. "I'm sure that a club with a great history and such special fans will sell a lot of these products," predicted Real defender Pepe at the time.
Followers of Lyondo not yet have the possibility to show their support via their underwear, but on the day of a match, there are many other ways that they can do so. With their Lyon telephone package, they can call Lyon's taxi service – which may not actually be required, if they passed their test after lessons at Lyon's driving school.
The latter can arrange for them to be dropped off at the official Lyon hairdresser, where they can get an attractive new haircut in preparation for their upcoming holiday, organised through Lyon's travel agency. And how would they pay for it all? With a Lyon-branded bank card, of course.
Till death do us part
Several clubs offer credit cards to their devotees; South African outfit Kaizer Chiefs have been doing so for over a decade. In addition, in order to ensure fans' well-being for as long as possible, the Soweto side also provide health insurance in the event of hospitalisation. And because football supporters famously remain loyal until the very end, they even offer funeral services to the Chiefs' faithful.
Atletico Madrid extended this concept in 2008 by opening a columbarium to store the ashes of its socios. *Some *4,200 ceramic urns, upon which the greatest moments in the history of the club are depicted, are now held within the Vicente Calderon stadium. The idea has since caught on, with Real Betis, EspanyolandManchester City following suit.
Argentinian heavyweights Boca Juniors have gone one step further, as they literally accompany their supporters to their final resting place. In 2006, they became the first football club to create their own cemetery, an idea since copied by HamburgandSchalke.
"Many fans leave instructions in their wills for their loved ones to scatter their ashes on the pitch," said former Boca marketing director Orlando Salvestrini. "They would just turn up at the stadium with their urns," he added
Now, they can buy a burial plot and spend eternity alongside fellow fanatics and legendary players such as former goalkeepers Juan Estrada and Julio Elias Musimessi. Inevitably, the coffins that Los Xeneizes make available to their fanbase are painted blue and yellow, the team's traditional colours.
This initiative was also adopted by Reading, who offer personalised coffins featuring the English club's colours and badge. "But it's not a market that we're looking to explore further," pointed out marketing manager Boyd Butler. "Our supporters are much more valuable to us alive than dead."


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March 2014 Performance Data
Total Incoming Calls
This chart provides trends of weekly call volumes received by Winnipeg 311 for the period beginning on the Monday for each week shown.
Service Request vs Information Request
This chart displays a breakdown of the activity of interactions at 311. Service Requests are classified as interactions where a reference number is provided to the citizens for follow up and tracking purposes. Information requests are volumes of interactions where no additional action is required to be taken by the City to address the issue.
Service Requests by Department
This chart provides a breakdown of the percentage of 311 service requests by department.
Interactions by Channel
This chart provides a breakdown of 311 service requests received by channel. In August 2013, 311 launched the "Winnipeg 311" mobile app enabling the public to instantly submit service requests via their smartphones without the need to call the 311 Contact Centre.
Top 10 Service Requests
This table details trends of the top 10 Service requests generated in a given time period.
Top 10 Information Requests
This table details trends of the top 10 requests for information generated in a given time period.
Last updated: February 11, 2019


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Last week I went to the Israel Museum. Here are a few of the pictures I took there. The big featured exhibit is "Dress Codes: Revealing the Jewish Wardrobe." Don't make do with viewing my photos; the exhibit is breathtaking. Also Face to Face: The Oldest Masks in the World is gorgeous.
I actually have more photos in my camera, but these form the phone were easier to post.


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The Spektra Direkt 2 has been designed to push cartridges as well as standard needles. The MultiVise System allows you to use any grip on the market: screw on grips and grip with a traditional backstem. The Direkt 2 comes with stroke caps in three different sizes: 2.8, 3.4 and 4.0 mm, so you can you can adjust the stroke length to your preferences.
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nepal —
British police say a Chinese businessman wanted for the killing of four members of the same family has been extradited from Morocco.
Central England's Northamptonshire Police said Wednesday that Anxiang Du was arriving on a flight from Casablanca.
Du, who was detained in Tangiers in August 2012, is the prime suspect in the killings of Jifeng "Jeff" Ding, his wife Ge "Helen" Chui and their two daughters, 12-year-old Alice and 18-year-old Xing.
They were all found stabbed to death at their home in Wootton, central England, on April 29, 2011. The shocking case and the manhunt for Du sparked significant media interest.
Police say Du is scheduled to appear at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Thursday.


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* Names of specified shades, colors, textures, smells, flavors, shapes are not trademarks protected by the laws of the Russian Federation
For convenience in finding the right shade of color of the product MULTILAC gel- lacquer 4-in-1 and gel- lacquer Shaper there was developed a system of codes, colors/shades and textures of gel- lacquers. MULTILAC gel- lacquer 4-in-1 and gel- lacquer Shaper is a combination of letters, symbols (words), which allow identifying such properties as color/shade of color and texture.
For color palettes of MULTILAC gel- lacquer 4-in-1 and gel- lacquer Shaper manufactured under the trademark RuNail Professional there was developed a dual system of properties of product identification.
The texture of MULTILAC gel- lacquer 4-in-1 is available in four options: classic, shimmery, glitter, and pearl. And two variants for gel- lacquer Shaper: classic and shimmering.
To identify the correct shade color of MULTILAC gel- lacquer 4-in-1 and gel- lacquer Shape in the diversity of colors and shades on the website, in the catalog, or when you contact us by phone/email you can also use a letter code of color/color shade that will help avoiding mistakes and choosing the right shade.
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Hornady 45 Long Colt LeverEvolution 225 Grain Flex Tip Expanding
Hornady custom rifle ammunition offers more consistency and accuracy than standard ammo. This ammunition is manufactured to the tightest production tolerances in the industry and combines the highest quality brass, primers, and powders to deliver peak performances from a factory load.
SPECIFICATIONS:Mfg Item Num: 92792 Category: AMMO CENTERFIRE Caliber :45 Long ColtBullet Type :Flex Tip ExpandingBullet Weight :225 GRMuzzle Energy :405 ft lbsMuzzle Velocity :900 fpsRounds/box :20 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per Case


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ANIMAL KINGDOM – Trainer Graham Motion sent the Kentucky Derby winner out for his morning gallop in front of about two dozen members of the media at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Md.
The Team Valor International homebred colt did his exercise on the all-weather Tapeta track at the facility in rural northeast Maryland, 60 miles from Pimlico Race Course. Motion uses the Tapeta track when Fair Hill's dirt track is muddy. He said his colt galloped about 1¾ miles.
Animal Kingdom will gallop up to the race and will be shipped to Pimlico on Saturday morning. Motion said he likes the way the colt is looking and acting.
"I think he's super," he said. "I feel very good about where he's at."
Animal Kingdom goes out with a set of Motion's horses, typically between eight and 10, which Motion said helps keep him focused on the task at hand.
"I think he benefits from having company," Motion said. "He's better off having other horses around him than being on his own. He starts looking around a little bit when he's by himself. He's a relatively inexperienced horse, so I think he benefits from more activity.
"No doubt, he exceeded my expectations," Motion said. "Even though he had a very, very good work on the dirt, it was certainly an unknown to us at that point as to how he was going to handle it. We certainly had a good feeling about running him on the dirt, but until you actually lead them over there you don't really know."
Animal Kingdom is scheduled to go to the track at Fair Hill at 9 a.m. each day. Per Graham Motion's request, TV crews are asked to set up in the vicinity of the clocker's stand, where he will try to accommodate each request to the best of his ability.
ASTROLOGY – Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton's A.P. Indy colt arrived at the Pimlico Stakes Barn shortly after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday after taking a flight from Louisville, Ky. to Baltimore. Never worse than third in seven career starts, Astrology has finished second in his two races this year, the Sunland Derby (G3) and the Jerome (G2).
Astrology will be trainer Steve Asmussen's fifth Preakness starter. Asmussen finished fifth with Snuck In in 2000 and Easyfromthegitgo in 2002 and saddled Preakness winners Curlin (2007) and Rachel Alexandra (2009).
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who rode Prairie Bayou to victory in the 1993 Preakness, has the mount on Astrology.
Photo by Jerry Dzierwinski, Maryland Jockey Club
CONCEALED IDENTITY – Linda Gaudet and Morris Bailey's Concealed Identity breezed three furlongs in 36 1/5 seconds at Bowie Training Center before being entered in the Preakness Stakes.
"He kind of open galloped and we let him pick it up for the last three-eighths. He did everything we asked him," said Linda Gaudet, whose husband, Eddie Gaudet, trains the Maryland-bred gelding. "He'll go to the gate tomorrow."
Sheldon Russell, who was aboard the Federico Tesio Stakes victor last time out, will ride in his first Preakness on Concealed Identity.
DANCE CITY – The son of City Zip, who had an easy early-morning gallop at Churchill Downs under the supervision of assistant trainer Mike McCarthy, arrived at Pimlico shortly after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday following a flight from Louisville to Baltimore.
"He'll have a couple days to get acclimated to Pimlico, and he seems to acclimate well wherever he goes," said trainer Todd Pletcher from his base at Belmont Park.
Pimlico will be the fourth different track in five starts this season for Dance City, who has won twice and has never been worse than third.
Ramon Dominguez, a former champion jockey on the Maryland riding circuit, will have the mount on the Estate of Edward P. Evans' colt for the first time.
"Just talking to the ownership, they felt like Ramon knows the track really well at Pimlico," said Pletcher, whose colt was ridden by Javier Castellano last time out. "He was based there for a number of years and we've had a lot of luck with him – and he was available. Javier rode him really well both times he rode him and he'll be riding a filly for us that day in the Shuvee (at Belmont Park). It wasn't at all about Javier's ride on Dance City."
The Virginia-bred colt was a close third in the Arkansas Derby, missing all the money by less than two lengths in his stakes debut only four months after his first start. Pletcher said he had planned to get the colt to the races last summer, but Dance City didn't make his debut until Dec. 2.
"It was just typical baby stuff, a couple minor setbacks along the way," he said. "He was going to be ready to run at Saratoga, but he popped a little splint and needed some more time. Otherwise, he's been steadily in training since last May."
Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
DIALED IN – Robert LaPenta's Dialed In galloped 1 ½ miles at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning, before shipping from Louisville on the second of two planes that carried eight Preakness horses.
Trainer Nick Zito will saddle Dialed In for a chance to make amends for an eighth-place Kentucky Derby finish in the Preakness. A victory in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown would produce a $6.1 million payday, including a $5 million bonus for LaPenta and a $500,000 bonus for Zito. The son of Mineshaft became eligible for the MI Developments' Preakness 5.5 bonus with his victories in the Holy Bull (G3) and Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
Although disappointed by his stretch-runner's eighth-place finish, Zito was hardly discouraged by the Derby favorite's performance, which was hindered by the slow early pace.
"You don't like to say, 'Throw out the Derby,' but a lot of horses have done that over the years – whether they don't get a break the way the race is run or they have traffic problems," Zito said. "In our case, we didn't get a break the way the race was run. We've got a lot of people starting to give him credit for the race he ran."
Zito knows first-hand that a disappointing Derby finish doesn't necessarily have a negative impact in the Preakness. The Hall of Fame trainer saddled Louis Quatorze for a track record-equaling victory in the 1996 Preakness that followed a 16th–place finish in the Kentucky Derby.
"I just think for some reason with 20 horses – the big field – some of these horses really don't get the chance to show how good they are. Again, to say, 'Throw out the Derby,' is hard to believe, but sometimes you just have to do that. I don't know why, "With Louis, I don't know what happened, but he came back in the Preakness and set a track record."
Dialed In will be ridden by Julien Leparoux again.
FLASHPOINT – The Peachtree Stable's colorbearer had one final gallop over the Polytrack at Keeneland Wednesday morning before heading to the airport for the flight to Baltimore.
"He did great. He's been training beautiful and we're in great shape," said trainer Wesley Ward, who was set to follow the colt north later in the day.
As the lightest-raced entrant in the field (three career starts), the son of Pomeroy should also be one of the freshest runners in this year's Preakness. His last start came on April 3, a fourth-place finish in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
"He's probably got less war wounds than everybody else," said Ward, who was given the training job by Peachtree after the colt's last start for previous trainer Richard Dutrow.
Flashpoint won his first two starts sprinting by a combined 13 1/2 lengths, taking down the highly touted Travelin Man in the Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 26. He didn't race again until the Florida Derby, and he will have had 48 days between starts when he enters the gate Saturday.
"He seems ready to go," said Ward, a former jockey looking for his first Triple Crown race victory. "He couldn't be any better going into this race than he is today. He's doing fantastic. He got two-turn experience in the Florida Derby, so I don't think that will be too much of a factor. I'm looking very forward to it; it should be very exciting."
A $100,000 purchase in the 2009 Keeneland September sale, Flashpoint will again be ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, who has been aboard for his three previous starts.
ISN'T HE PERFECT – Trainer Doodnauth Shivmangal has secured the services of former Maryland riding champion Edgar Prado for his first Triple Crown race runner, and the Hall of Fame jockey was aboard the colt Wednesday morning for a gallop around the Belmont Park training track.
"Edgar Prado rode for me before," Shivmangal said. "I'm very proud to have a jockey like him. I wanted him to ride the horse this morning so he could get a feel for the horse. Prado said he wanted to go around again."
Persistent rains continued to render most of the tracks on the East coast in less than ideal condition, including those in New York.
"The track was very, very sloppy here, but we did it after the break, immediately after the harrowing," the 58-year-old Guyana native said. "I normally don't gallop horses on the wet track, but I really had no choice because yesterday we shedrowed him. I had to do something with him today."
Prado, despite his remarkable success at Maryland tracks before moving to New York, has never won the Preakness in 13 previous attempts. His best opportunity undoubtedly came in 2006 with ill-fated Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who suffered serious leg injuries after the start and ultimately had to be euthanized.
Isn't He Perfect, one of the mainstays of Shivmangal's cousin's Kharag Stables, is scheduled to van from Belmont on Thursday around noon.
KING CONGIE – West Point Thoroughbreds' King Congie galloped 1 ¼ miles at Belmont Park Wednesday morning.
The son of Badge of Silver is slated to van to Pimlico on Friday, following the same schedule used by trainer Tom Albertrani with Bernardini, who captured the 2006 Preakness Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths. The 53-year-old Brooklyn native recalled the bittersweet triumph of his only Preakness starter in the race in which Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was pulled up on the front-stretch with injuries that would eventually claim his life.
"Before the race I was very confident that Bernardini would run well. I'm not saying that he would have beaten Barbaro, but I know my horse was quite ready and I know he was up to the challenge," Albertrani said. "When I saw the race unfold, I was a little bit gutted when you see Barbaro getting eased into the first turn. It was really strange because here's a horse on the track, and it's something you feel bad about for the connections involved. But I'm happy to see my horse run a big race. I always felt that there would always be a good future for him later on."
Bernardini went on to win the Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup before being named 3-year-old champion.
MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE – Arnold Zetcher's homebred War Chant colt had some light exercise at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning before boarding a flight to Baltimore for the Preakness.
"He jogged today and looked good," said trainer Bob Baffert, a five-time winner of the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown. "He's healthy. All systems go."
Midnight Interlude stepped into the national spotlight with a victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 9. He was a non-factor in the Derby, finishing 16th, but Baffert decided to bring him to Pimlico because he didn't expend much energy in the Derby and looked good in a three-furlong breeze over a sloppy, sealed track at Churchill Downs on Monday morning.
"I think he's sharper for this race," Baffert said. "He's going to have to be. That last race was such a puzzler."
Midnight Interlude is a late-developing colt who did not make his first start until Jan. 29, which is late for a horse that ends up in the Kentucky Derby. He broke his maiden on March 20 in his third career start and Baffert took a shot with him in the Santa Anita Derby. He won by a head to earn a trip to the Kentucky Derby, but he never was a contender at Churchill Downs.
"He was sort of ready in December. He just came around once I started running him," Baffert said. "I think he got uncomfortable being behind and sort of blocked in there in the big field at the Derby. He didn't like that. He's going to be in the race."
MR. COMMONS – St. George Farm Racing's colt had by far the longest journey to the Preakness, a two-day transcontinental trip from California to Maryland through Kentucky. He flew to Kentucky Tuesday, spent the night in a stall in trainer Ian Wilkes' barn at Churchill Downs and jogged Wednesday morning before boarding a flight to Baltimore.
John Shirreffs, who handled Horse of the Year Zenyatta for Jerry and Ann Moss, trains the son of Artie Schiller, a son of El Prado, for St. George Farm owner Ian Banwell. Mr. Commons emerged as a candidate for the Triple Crown series with a third-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 9.
Mr. Commons was bred at Banwell's farm near Lexington, Ky. and went through the 2009 Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale, but ended up as a member of Banwell's racing stable. Bloodstock advisor David Ingordo, Shirreffs' stepson who picked Zenyatta out of a sale for the Mosses, bought Mr. Commons but subsequently recommended that Banwell reacquire him.
Ingordo said he had known Banwell for a few years when he was asked to check out the yearlings on the farm in the spring of 2009.
"I looked at two or three and then Mr. Commons came out," Ingordo said. "The farm manager Craig Boone turned them all out in the field and I just liked how the horse looked. As a matter of fact, I loved him and said to myself, 'man, that's a really nice horse.' He reminded me of some of the El Prado line that I had seen that could run. At the time, he kind of reminded me of Medaglia d'Oro, just with the head and the body that he had.
"There were about 15 colts turned out in this field and when he ran, he kind of rated himself and then he made a big move, this big, sweeping run. I said, `this horse is OK.'"
Ingordo said he bought the colt at the sale – the listed price is $70,000 – which was a little bit higher than the reserve, or minimum acceptable price set by the seller, then recommended that Banwell consider taking him back and racing him.
"I told Ian, 'If you don't want this horse, I will take him, but he's pretty nice and you probably ought to keep him,'" Ingordo said. "A day or two later – I had sent him back to his farm until he decided – he said, 'yeah, I'll keep the horse.'
Ingordo said that Banwell met Shirreffs that year and later decided to send Mr. Commons and another 2-year-old to California for him to train. Shirreffs is handling a homebred who technically went through the sale, but is racing for his breeder.
"It wasn't intended to be a buy back," Ingordo said. "With my clients, if I buy a horse of theirs and they like it, and they say, 'well, if you like him, maybe I'll keep him,' I try to be real fair. Ian loves racing and he knew I liked the horse a lot.
"His farm manager, Craig Boone, and his vet, Dr. Brian Boone, are brothers and they had done the mating and they had known the horse for a long time. So everybody kind of liked him. Ian is a big racing fan and hopefully it could turn out to be a great story on Saturday afternoon."
MUCHO MACHO MAN – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team Racing's Mucho Macho Man was the first Preakness horse to arrive at Pimlico Wednesday when he stepped off a van at 10:17 a.m.
After walking her Kentucky Derby third-place finisher off the van and around the shedrow of the Preakness Stakes Barn several times, trainer Kathy Ritvo expressed her pleasure with how Mucho Macho Man handled the ride from Belmont Park. She was also pleased with her 3-year-old colt's accommodations in Stall 10.
"It's beautiful. How can you get better than this? The stalls are huge and there's grass on the other side," the South Florida-based trainer said.
Mucho Macho Man, who worked four furlongs in 49 1/5 seconds at Belmont Park Tuesday, walked the shedrow before being loaded onto the Pimlico-bound van.
NORMAN ASBJORNSON – Thomas McClay and Harry Nye's homebred colt galloped two miles and schooled at the starting gate at Bowie Training Center Wednesday morning.
Norman Asbjornson will be trainer Chris Grove's first starter in the Preakness Stakes, which will be a proud moment for the Frederick, Md. native and his family. The son of former jockey and current Maryland state steward Phil Grove began his racetrack career galloping horses for veteran trainer Donald Barr on the Maryland circuit.
"It was a good experience for me because Donnie had a lot of good horses at the time. He had Who Wouldn't, who won the (1995) General George," Grove said. "He won five in a row and was an old class horse with a lot of problems. That kind of taught me how to take care of the older horses and get the best out of them.
"He had a horse called Richie the Coach who made around $500,000. He ran a distance of ground and won several stakes. He set the record for a mile and a quarter at Laurel. He was a pleasure. I loved getting on him. Anytime you put him on the fence, he'd give you everything he had. I got on a lot of nice horses, and got to know what a good horse felt like."
Grove was the leading trainer in Maryland in 2010 with 95 trips to the winner's circle.
SHACKLEFORD – Trainer Dale Romans, who came within three-quarters of a length of victory with First Dude in last year's Preakness Stakes, hopes to do even better this time with the Kentucky Derby pacesetter.
Shackleford galloped over a track listed as "good" at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning under exercise rider Faustino Ramos before boarding the second of two flights to Baltimore.
Romans said he has witnessed no ill effects from the quick turnaround from the Derby, in which Shackleford and rider Jesus Castanon set the pace before weakening to fourth behind Preakness entrants Animal Kingdom and Mucho Macho Man.
"I think we had a perfect trip," Romans said. "Coming out of a race like that can knock you out, but I haven't seen that from him. It looks like he's moving forward. It seems like everybody is more impressed with him now than when he ran second to Dialed In (in the Florida Derby)."
Castanon, who has never had a Preakness mount, has been aboard in all four of Shackleford's starts this year. The son of Forestry, by virtue of his participation in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, is eligible for a $550,000 bonus from MI Developments' Preakness 5.5 bonus series should he win the Preakness.
SWAY AWAY – The good-looking son of 2005 Preakness winner Afleet Alex stepped off a van at Pimlico shortly after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and settled into his assigned stall at the Preakness Stakes Barn.
Assistant trainer Miguel Carranza accompanied the colt, who departed by air from Louisville shortly after 9 a.m., along with Preakness rivals Dance City and Astrology. Deputizing for West Coast-based trainer Jeff Bonde, Carranzo said the fourth-place finisher in the Arkansas Derby jogged before heading to the airport.
"He had no problems at all," said Carranza, who has been with the colt since he shipped to Churchill in hopes of making the field for the Kentucky Derby. Sway Away ended up being the 21st horse on the graded-stakes list and was denied a spot in the 20-horse starting gate that ultimately became 19 with the scratch of Uncle Mo.
"He's been working very good at Churchill," Carranzo said. "We're going to gallop him tomorrow morning. We hope he likes it here as much as he did in Kentucky."
Garrett Gomez will ride in the Preakness for Bonde, who is scheduled to fly in from California on Thursday to join his first Preakness runner since Menacing Dennis finished 10th in 2002.
Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club


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Feldstedt, Viktoria; Helvad, Christian (Frederiksberg, 2013)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/4006
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I krydsfeltet mellem selskabsretten og skatterettenNybro Jensen, Maibritt (Frederiksberg, 2016)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/6237
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Firm-Makerspace CollaborationSchøsler, Mads; Farbøl, Henrik Islann (Frederiksberg, 2015)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: As knowledge has become increasingly distributed, innovative solutions are often available outside the R&D labs of major firms. The potential for these firms to acquire and leverage external knowledge is therefore an important agenda in current management literature, as the pace of change in knowledge may exceed firms' ability to address external developments. Individuals engage in shared knowledge creation through the internet, but are also moving these creative processes off-line in shared workshops called makerspaces. Novozymes, a biotechnology firm, has attempted to access these knowledge sharing processes by engaging with one such makerspace, namely BiologiGaragen, in open collaboration. The collaboration led to the creation of a prototype for an open software bioethanol sensor. An analysis of this collaboration was conducted in order to develop an understanding of the firm-makerspace collaboration process and define areas for further studies. Thus, this study examines how a large R&D-intensive firm can engage in open collaboration with makerspace communities, and how it can affect the firm's ability to alter its resource base in a dynamic capability perspective. The process model of Interactive Coupled Open Innovation, a model combining Open and User Innovation perspectives on distributed innovation, served as a framework for analyzing the firm-makerspace collaboration. Related literature on managing Open Source Software and firm-hosted communities, along with literature on dynamic capabilities, were applied to the framework in order to establish initial propositions for investigation. Empirical research was conducted in the form of semi-structured interviews with Novozymes employees, makerspace participants and external experts. The qualitative data was analyzed and coded in an iterative process. The analysis found support for several of the propositions but unexpected results led to amendments to the propositions and a revision of the initial framework. Intrinsic motivation for engaging in firm-makerspace collaboration was found for makerspace participants and firm employees. Additionally, the former were motivated by social interaction, while the latter desired challenges not found in their daily work and for management to approval. Initial contributions from employees were found important in order to establish a relation. Furthermore, makerspace participants needed to be involved in the process of defining projects. Dedicating employees to participate and contribute actively to the community was found conducive to sustaining collaboration, building trust and enabling employees to influence project work. Formal control was ceded by the firm as the collaboration was loosely governed to adapt to the characteristics of the makerspace. However, this led to issues of employees doubting the value of firm-makerspace collaboration. Benefits from firm-makerspace collaboration could be realized by establishing new resource configurations through three modes of dynamic capability: 1) leveraging existing resources in new ways, through employees participating in projects in makerspaces 2) accessing external resources, including alternative innovation processes and the human capital of makerspaces and 3) creating new resources internally, through knowledge and experiences from firm-makerspace collaboration. These findings together led to a revision of the initial framework, from a model of four consecutive stages to one of three dynamic and interdependent stages. The contribution of this research is thus to provide explorative theoretical and empirical insights and propose a process model for firm-makerspace collaboration. Future research within this field is required to test and elaborate on the framework as a larger amount of empirical cases emerge over time. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/5618
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In a corporate governance perspectiveBrun Christensen, Philip (Frederiksberg, 2013)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The focus of the thesis is accounting based performance pay, used in Danish companies. According to agency theory there exist a problem since the agent's interests is not aligned with the principal's. It is this problem that bonus contracts are used to solve. Recently there has been an increased debate concerning stock shares and stock options in relation to the financial crisis. The thesis focuses on accounting based bonus contracts in order to assess their ability to align management's interest with the owner's interest. The thesis has identified seven bonus criteria that are used to evaluate accounting based bonus contracts. These seven criteria are; congruency, controllability, simplicity, objectivity, low number of accounting issues, cost efficient to develop and timeliness. The most important criterion is the congruency, fulfilling this criterion ensures that company value is created which is in the owner's interest. These criteria are used to evaluate the three components of a bonus contracts; performance measure, performance standard and pay for performance structure. The recommendation to remuneration boards and shareholders is to use accounting based bonus contracts that include EVA, as the performance measure, an external peer-group, as the performance standard, and a linear pay for performance structure. Furthermore the bonus contract should include a bonus bank where a predetermined share of the bank balance is paid out annually. Thereby ensuring the bonus contract reflects performance over multiple-periods. The bonus bank also facilitates that poor performance can be punished. This symmetry between the upside and downside of the performance-based compensation is recommended by the OECD – Principles on Corporate Governance, as well as the Danish Committee on Corporate Governance. This combination of performance measure, standard and pay-for-performance structure is the one according to theory that especially fulfils the congruence, controllability criteria. The empirical findings do not support the use of the above bonus components. The empirical findings is characterised by using absolute performance measures, which excludes balance sheets items, budget standards that which management are able to influence and pay for performance structure that is of the non-linear type. Evaluating these bonus components with the prior mentioned bonus criteria reveals that this combination of bonus components has a low congruence with value creation, they are however simple, cost efficient, since income statement items are already reported and budgets are usually developed annually. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/4821
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Business plan formulation in science based start-ups and using Venture Cup competition to teach Calculative EquipmentPierrel Mikkelsen, Louise (Frederiksberg, 2011)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Entrepreneurship is fundamentally important to firms and government agencies worldwide. Innovation is the core dynamics of modern capitalism, and the entrepre-neur is ―the driving force of the whole market system‖ (Mises, 1998). The following thesis describes how the practice of formulating a Business Plan transforms Science innovators into Entrepreneurship Organizers. The provided answer is framed in Actor Network Theory by Michel Callon and uses Entrepreneurial economics by Joseph A. Schumpeter, Business Strategy & Organiza-tion by Peter Drucker and Technological Entry-Barriers by Daniel J. Teece to inves-tigate the accounting, a successful Business plan must encompass. In order to prove the usefulness of the theory, 3 empirical cases of science based start-up attempts are narrated by involved science students, who have participated in the Venture Cup Competition Final. This thesis argues that 1) the act of Entrepreneurship is rational and can be ex-plained as such and 2) that natural science students can gain important real world Calculative Equipment by participating in the Venture Cup Competition Petri Dish. But 3) Traditional Valuation Analysis is lacking when dealing with start-up compa-nies, 4) The Venture Cup competition is biased toward low-cost start-up in Services and Software, and 5) Technological innovations in Lifescience and Cleantech will never grow as independent companies due to the incubative structures and capital organization through Banks and Venture Funds in Denmark. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/3192
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The effects of behaviour change on attitudesSigurðarson, Jóhannes Páll (Frederiksberg, 2014)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Background: Through the years people have argued whether comes first, attitude change or behaviour change. The predominant view has been that attitudes precede behaviour but with new technology and insight changing behaviour rather than attitudes has received more attention. From that a phenomenon has emerged which is in this thesis called action-based advertising. It is defined as a behaviour that an individual performs towards a brand which is not the action of purchase or consumption. Purpose: To research the effectiveness of action-based advertising a theoretical framework was needed. The research theory chosen is self-perception theory. The basic postulate is that individuals come to know internal states from observations of their own overt behaviour, when they believe that the behaviour stems from their own internal motivations. Method: An experiment was performed to see whether a designed behaviour would have an effect on the attitude measures of involvement and brand attribute beliefs. This was done by having an experimental condition perform the behaviour and comparing it to a control group. The experiment examined the effects on both high- and low-involvement product categories. Conclusions: The experiment could not prove the effectiveness of action-based advertising. A possible explanation for this is that participants in the experiment were not motivated to perform the behaviour. According to self-perception theory the participants attributed the behaviour to external factors and not infer their attitudes from it. Theory however predicts that action can be a powerful catalyst for attitude and behaviour change, so the phenomenon should be researched further. Recommendations: An assumption was made from the experiment that action-based advertising adheres to the same principles as traditional marketing communications. Therefore campaigns for low-involvement products should convey a simple message while high-involvement products can be more complex. Suggestions for future studies: Future research for action-based advertising should rather explore the effects of a behaviour on a subsequent one. This facilitates motivation of the behaviour and eliminates the intervention of measuring attitudes. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/4788
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An empirical examination of the performance of actively managed emerging markets and US large cap equity fundsMose, Alexander Pahlow (Frederiksberg, 2014)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This paper present insight into whether two different categories of European-based actively managed mutual funds, solely separated by their geographical investment mandate, provide investors with equivalent returns during the period 2003 to 2014. One of the models employed used traditional performance measures influenced by the Capital Asset Pricing Model. Realizing the effect and as a means to address one of the major shortcomings of the model, a decision to incorporate the more recent Conditional Performance Evaluation techniques was made. Finally, in order to provide an alternative view of how well the managers performed during the 11 years of observation, this study employed a third method to estimate the value added and manager skill of the examined funds. The overall results suggest that neither the average emerging market nor the average US fund manager was able to create abnormal performance as indicated by the net expense alphas. However, the emerging market category documented point estimates closer to neutral. When employing gross returns the results indicated a positive tendency, suggesting that the average fund manager was able to outperform the market. The inference of this was that the value created by active investment strategies is primarily reaped by the management company itself. In response, this study found fund expenses to have a negative (US funds) to neutral (emerging market) impact on performance as documented by the deviating performance of low- and high-expense funds. The estimates of value added document a similar trend. Albeit the average estimates of value added were negative, noticeable differences between the emerging market and US funds were discovered, especially when considering shorter investment intervals. Finally, performance persistence was documented both when using the abnormal performance estimates and the value added estimates, suggesting that past performers were able to extend their good/ poor performance to subsequent periods. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/4846
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An empirical investigation of the evidence behind the critical claims of poor performance and closet indexing in 14 of the largest domestic equity funds in DenmarkVestergaard, Andreas (Frederiksberg, 2013)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This paper investigates the empirical evidence behind the critical claims of the Danish mutual funds for being mostly passive and generating poor performance. Based on the analysis of activeness and performance, the historical correlation between the two measures is analysed to reveal if there is support for using Active Share to identify the future outperforming managers as suggested by Cremers & Petajisto (2009). The empirical findings are used in a qualitative discussion of investments in active mutual funds, and how to select the best future performing funds. It is found that most of the funds are primarily following passive investment strategies despite being marketed as active. 12 out of 14 funds are labelled as "closet index funds"1. Despite the low activeness in the funds, on average, they have generated statistically significant outperformance relative to benchmark index in the trailing 1, 3 and 5-year period while they have performed neutrally in the trailing 7-year period. On all four periods analysed (1, 3, 5 and 7-year), the most active funds have outperformed the rest of the group, with a margin of up to 8% p.a. These findings are compared with existing literature and used to qualitatively discuss active investment management in Denmark, which results in the following suggestions: The investors should not drop the active funds, as they have demonstrated significant superior historical performance and there is evidence that the best funds can be selected based on their activeness. To select the best active funds it is found that investors should combine Active Share and cost (TER), to calculate a proposed new measure, Active Cost Ratio, which can be used to select the funds that are best positioned to deliver future outperformance. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/4247
Files in this item: 1andreas_vestergaard.pdf (2.451Mb)
Implementing an Investment StrategyHilsted, Johan Christian (Frederiksberg, 2012)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This thesis aims at creating an investment strategy for active portfolio management to outperform the MSCI Denmark from 1992 to 2011. The index development of the Danish stock market has been quite impressive as it has performed remarkably better than other national indices. It is therefore interesting to investigate whether active portfolio management constitutes a winning strategy superior to investing in the MSCI Denmark. There is no generally accepted approach to conduct active portfolio management. This thesis approaches the subject by comparing two internationally diversified portfolios to the MSCI Denmark as benchmark - one portfolio submitted to a 20% maximum asset representation restriction, the other portfolio left unrestricted. From investment strategy we conclude that combining strategic and tactical asset allocation constitutes an appropriate investment strategy for active portfolio management, as it limits the long-term portfolio investment opportunities and allows for short-term portfolio repositioning. The information ratio constitutes the performance measure of active portfolio management, as it optimizes portfolio construction by comparing expected returns of portfolio and benchmark – the residual return. The Capital Assets Pricing Model (CAPM) was utilized for return estimations for both investment opportunities and benchmark. Mean-variance portfolio construction was conducted based upon investment opportunities expected to outperform the benchmark. The MSCI Denmark provides realized average monthly return of 0,65%, while the actively managed portfolios produce average realized monthly return of 0,34% and 0,37%, respectively. In that regard, active portfolio management has not outperformed the benchmark, and statistical findings cannot suggest portfolio timing skill. However, considering the systematic risk adjusted return, both portfolios yield significant alpha, or value added, with the unrestricted portfolio being the best performing portfolio. In conclusion, active portfolio management cannot produce higher return than the MSCI Denmark, but has proven to benefit the investor, as the market risk exposure justifies both inferior and superior portfolio return to the benchmark. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/3878
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Steemann Nielsen, Morten (Frederiksberg, 2016)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/6288
Files in this item: 1morten_steemann_nielsen.pdf (535.1Kb)
The art of Chastening InnovationsØstergaard Nielsen, Mikael (Frederiksberg, 2015)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Proponents of Actor-Network Theory (ANT) has for some time challenged classical constructivist approaches, such as diffusion theory, in explaining the success or failure of innovations1. Classic sociology tends to reduce explanation to the intrinsic qualities of either humans or objects2. On the other hand, ANT is an empirical grounded approach that takes into consideration the complex and changing context of human and non-human entities in contrast to the famous diffusion model which supposes an irremediable separation between an innovation and its environment3. Instead of aiming for generic explanations ANT makes no assumptions about the qualities of humans or objects, but explores the connections between these elements that make an innovation durable Innovation projects that involve entities from the social, technical, economic and political domain can be a challenge for any innovation manager to chasten. This was experienced in France where the construction of a wind farm met severe and unexpected resistance from actors whose interests were not considered5. In Kenya a similar, but much larger wind farm project, is being constructed and has been under development since 2005. The project is called the Lake Turkana Wind Power project (LTWP) and is of the same complex nature that large-scale energy projects typically are embedded in. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis has been to utilize ANT in order to investigate how the Lake Turkana project has been mobilized and how ANT can be used to manage innovation projects. The investigation takes it point of departure in the hypothesis that an explanation can be reached if we aim for a saturated description of the innovation project. By combining concept-driven coding, meaning condensation with the concepts and the model of interessement that ANT offers, a description of the innovation project is made. From the translation process and the case description it can be seen how actors are associated in the innovation project and how each actor has contributed to, or been in resistance with, the mobilization of the Lake Turkana project. The findings in this thesis shows how the success of innovations are relying on knowing the interests of actors so that negotiations can be made that convinces the actors to be in compliance with the network. It further shows how ANT can be used to create a methodology that can be used to describe complex innovation projects. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/5662
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Understanding it controversies at Tectra – an ANT perspectiveRøder, Mads (Frederiksberg, 2013)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This thesis focuses on how Actor-Network Theory (ANT) can be used to analyze and understand a change process in the case company Tectra. The motivation behind it is partly because ANT allows a unique perspective and approach to analyzing change processes, and partly to test if ANT is applicable to my case, and whether there are any discrepancies between theory and empirical data. The research question then, is: How does the change process affect the involved actors, including the proposal itself, and why does the proposed change to the patent database encounter problems? The case description details the CEO of Tectra and his struggle to change the way Inteum C/S is used by the employees of Tectra in order to improve the reporting foundation. Empirical data stems from qualitative interviews with the CEO and other key employees as well as my own observations during my 6-month work period, and various manuals and folders. In my thesis I assume a social constructionist stance. The analysis is structured according to the four moments of translation as formulated by Callon, and through them is examined what happens as the CEO introduces a range of new actors into the network. The analysis examines how and why the network is transformed as both external and internal forces exert influence over actors and relationships. At the outset of the case, the CEO is the primary actor, but this changes over the course of time, altering the original intent and purpose of the database. I end the analysis by examining an alternative to the CEO as primary actor; what would happen if the database, Inteum C/S was used instead (since ANT does not discern between human and non-human actors). In the conclusion I revisit the research question and discuss the viability of ANT in my thesis, its strengths and shortcomings. I conclude that using ANT as theory of choice enabled me to analyze the case at a more granular level than otherwise possible: The CEO experienced issues because he did not take into account the relations between actors, as well as the relations that make up the actors themselves. By analyzing actors, relations and the influence they exercise during the translation process it becomes clear that as the CEO seeks to change all the actors in Tectra, he himself as well as his whole program of action is changed in turn, altering his perception of Inteum C/S and the end goal of the database. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/3785
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How dynamic capabilities and slack resources shape performance in 'a new competitive landscape'Østergaard Hansen, Anders (Frederiksberg, 2013)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: 9/11, a bursting .com bubble, and the Great Financial Crisis of 2008 are but some of the many events that within recent years have contributed to 'a new competitive landscape', in which firms compete in markets that are more turbulent and unsettled. Both strategic management and finance scholars have sharpened their focus on how firms can adapt to increasingly volatile and dynamic markets. This thesis argues that the firm can strengthen its competitive advantage in such a new landscape through building and enhancing its dynamic capabilities, that enables it to adapt it's resource base to comply with new demands in its environment. Furthermore it is argued, that slack resources, i.e. the resources that are above and beyond what it takes to run the everyday business, play a key role in this adaptation process by broadening the range of strategic options that a firm has in any given change of environmental circumstance. This thesis joins together the previously disjointed theoretical constructs of dynamic capabilities and slack resources into a theoretical framework with aid from the logic underlying real option theory. This framework sets forth two key hypotheses: firstly, that more effective dynamic capabilities is associated with higher return and lower risk outcomes, and secondly that this relationship between effective dynamic capabilities and attractive risk/return outcomes is stronger in firms operating with higher levels of slack resources. The hypotheses are tested on two samples of US listed corporations during the two distinct time periods, 1991-2000 (1,097 firms) and 2001-2010 (1,234 firms). The two time periods enable an investigation into the effect of macroeconomic conditions on the hypothesized relationships. To enable empirical testing of the assertions, the thesis proposes a measure of the effectiveness with which a firm develops and deploys its dynamic capabilities, namely the average standard deviation of return on assets during a ten-year period. By use of ordinary least squares multiple regression analysis, the empirical study broadly supports the assertion, that more effective dynamic capabilities can drive higher return outcome at lower risk. As expected this effect is stronger during the more turbulent macroeconomic conditions of the 2000s compared to the 1990s. However, only moderate support is found for the second assertion, that the effective dynamic capabilities have a more attractive risk/return effect in firms with higher levels of slack resources. The supportive effect of higher levels of slack resources seems to be most evident during the 1990s, while it is only partially present during the 2000s. This underlines the role of macroeconomic conditions as well as the importance for managers in striking a balance between the adaptability and cost features of slack resources. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/3863
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Adding value to Amazon fulfillment process by means of supply chain partners' integration. Implementation of standard packaging for e-commerce.Business Process Redesign (BPR) for Amazon Fulfillment Center.Goujov, Dmitrij (Frederiksberg, 2015)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Disruptive technologies based on new Internet communication approaches changed the way in which information about products is exchanged. E-Commerce transformed traditional retail Industry and has become a global trend expected to accelerate in the next several years, building scale, brand equity and penetrating new markets. Fulfillment execution will remain a key indicator in overall performance of e-commerce companies. Amazon supply base is characterized by a high number of small, medium and large suppliers, high degree of product variability, and inefficient levels of interrelationships between supply chain partners. Amazon fulfillment centers are often inflexible due to a large amount and high variability of processed items complicated by inefficient prep and inbound delivery performance, which cause product buffers, long waiting time on conveyer lines, and requires rework and repackaging activities. Company's policy considers each individual Supplier as an expert in e-commerce packaging. Suppliers are provided with DIY instructions in prep of the products, and Internet links where they can purchase necessary materials and equipment to make products e-commerce ready for further fulfillment and shipment to the customers. However, fulfillment centers use a lot of time, labor and materials for sortation, and rework of received packages. In Amazon fulfillment center, problem solving accounts for 6 – 10% of labor, 25 hours of average extra time, and extra materials for additional handling and repackaging. This Thesis provides a conceptual framework for adding value to fulfillment process in Amazon Distribution Centers. It is an indicator of the direction in development of e-commerce Industry, and a decision-making tool that can help businesses to access costs and benefits from implementation of proposed initiatives. The research is based on assumption that Supply Chain partners' integration and implementation of standard packaging for e-commerce can add value to prep and fulfillment process. The research was carried out to fulfill the demands of a business organization in e-commerce Industry. Investigated key areas of the research are the cause and consequences of existing prep and fulfillment problems in Amazon supply chain, and the premises for process improvement. Discussed topics are concerned with the premises for adding value to customer order fulfillment process.Discussions feature business process reengineering, orientation and optimization, supply chain partners' integration, concepts of modularization and postponement in the context of new product development, process waste minimization and decision-making support. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/5781
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An empirical study of cross-cultural spouse adjustment in DenmarkFranke Nielsen, Line (Frederiksberg, 2008)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The focus in families that relocate has long been on the expatriate, however, a shift can be seen towards more focus on the spouse and on the family, as these are main components to the success of the expatriate and the international assignment (IA). Also many studies have shown that the spousal adjustment is more difficult then the assignees' as the spouse is more in contact with the local society and she/he is more alone in the adjustment phase.(Harvey and Wiese, 1998) Therefore, it is essential to the success of the assignment that the spouse is adjusted. This has been apparent in the last 20 years or so, but there is still a lack of empirical studies done on spouse and family adjustment. Most of the studies done have been theoretical grounded and only a couple of studies (e.g. Black and Stewart, Shaffer and Harrison) have formulated a theory concerning the aspects that influence the spouse's adjustment. This paper sets out to conduct an empirical study of spousal adjustment in Denmark while testing Shaffer and Harrison's theory on spouse adjustment. The reason for this is the intake of international companies in Denmark, as many big international companies are choosing to locate their Nordic headquarters in Denmark, such as Mars (former Masterfoods) and IBM. With these companies' move, an increase in expatriates and their families relocating to Denmark is natural, and the adjustment of these families become important for the Danish business environment and the society in general. This might pose a special challenge in Denmark, as the country has gotten a reputation, in the last ten years, as a difficult country for foreigners to live in, and the Danes are portrayed as less welcoming than many other European populations. These characteristics are built on the experiences of other population groups than the expatriate, and hence I find it intriguing to find out how the expatriate families see Denmark. Furthermore, as I feel that the spousal adjustment process has been neglected, I chose to focus on their adjustment instead of the expatriate's adjustment process. The aim with this paper is to find out whether the spouses are adjusting in Denmark and to figure out how the Danish culture has influenced their adjustment process. In order to do this, the expatriate spouses will be interviewed about their adjustment to the Danish society. This analysis will be compared with a description of the Danish culture to see whether there is a connection. The goal is to be able to give the companies, who are bringing expatriates to Denmark, some advice on some areas to especially focus on during the training, so that the expatriate families and especially the spouses are better prepared before coming face-to-face with Denmark. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/266
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A Theoretical Conceptual ApproachHjertø, Hege F. (Frederiksberg, 2014)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/4810
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Landvogt, Lisa Maria; Malpiedi, Amelia Maria (Frederiksberg, 2015)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Executive summary: Neuroscientific studies have proposed that it is primarily emotions and not rationality that plays a vital part in influencing decision-making, perception, memory, and behaviour. Therefore, an understanding of emotional processes is vital for successful branding, as it depends on understanding and developing an emotional appeal towards consumers. In terms of this thesis, brand memory is considered crucial for branding activities, as all brand decisions are at least practically based on memory. However, as emotional processes cannot be investigated using traditional research methods because they are reflected in the brain and physiological reactions, it is proposed to apply neuroscientific research studies. Thereby, generated knowledge can be used to develop a better understanding of how emotional processes influence consumer memory. Despite the widespread recognition of the importance of emotions in advertising by practitioners and scholars, no systematic research on how it relates to advertising effectiveness based on brand memory has been conducted. This study will contribute to recent developments in two ways. First, it will reflect on the theoretical foundations of marketing, demonstrating that traditional models based on the rational consumer are out-dated and that new models including the intuitive consumer, driven by emotions are needed. Furthermore, it will be discussed that memory of a brand is crucial for advertising success, as consumers do not make purchase decisions during ad exposure. To underline the theoretical literature review, this study contributes in a second manner, namely by investigating how emotions influence memory formation during ad exposure. Here the authors distinguish between ad and brand memory, because cues that are typically used during brand decisions, may not be retrieve from an ad, but from brand memory. The issue is explored through a laboratory experiment, using over 100 participants to view 16 TV commercials. During the experiment neuroscience tools such as the EGG and facial coding were used. The findings of the study have shown that ad-induced emotions do have a crucial impact on memory formation, where results were not always as expected. Emotions are found to be a complex matter, which must be looked at in great detail. The findings therefore reinforce the importance of further research in the area, supporting neuromarketing as a field with increasing interest. Moreover, from the presented study valid new insights informing the academic and corporate fields about the internal mechanisms of advertising effectiveness can be drawn. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/5182
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Et bud på fremtidenSilkensen Nielsen, Allan; Bøgebjerg Hansen, Kenneth (Frederiksberg, 2014)[More information][Less information]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/4681
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Urban Hansen, Peter Just (Frederiksberg, 2010)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: In this paper I estimate whether a sample of stocks at NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen is related to the probability of informed trading (PIN) for the period 6th of October – 30th of December 2009. Furthermore we highlight The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) to infer details which could give rise to adverse selection problems. That is Best Execution and investor protection. I use a sequential trade model developed by Easley and O'Hara to estimate PIN. The overall finding is a risk of close to 17% of facing someone better informed. Although you should be cautious when comparing PIN estimates across exchanges due to different market design, classifying of trades etc. the result is thought to be at the same level as findings at the German stock market. Further I calculate the realized spread (LEE, 1992) by using trade data and decompose it in to three levels to indicate if the spread is subject to adverse selection. The three levels are < DKK 15.000, ≥ DKK 15.000 < DKK 50.000, ≥ DKK 50.000 and the results are striking. Theory advocate the possibility of systematic behavior in spreads as U-shaped. My data support this finding. During the trading day, the effective spread deviates with up to 50%, which indicate that an investor should be aware of his market entry or selective with regards to which type of order he chooses. The same behavior is observed for volume. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/1535
Files in this item: 1peter_just_urban_hansen.pdf (2.030Mb)
Afdækning af valutatransaktions- og translationsrisiko i ikke-finansielle koncerner i henhold til regnskabsstandarden IAS 39Kjærgaard, Allan Ries (Frederiksberg, 2009)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Denne fremstilling omhandler afdækning af virksomhedernes valutaeksponering iht. den internationale regnskabsstandard IAS 39 med fokus på afdækning af transaktions- og translationseksponering i koncernforhold. Fremstillingen søger at afklare følgende problemstillinger i denne forbindelse: • Hvordan har forskellige internationale koncerners forretningsstruktur betydning for typen og omfanget af valutaeksponering? • Hvordan fastlægges og praktiseres valutarisikostyring i koncernforhold? • Hvilke muligheder for afdækning af transaktions- og translationseksponering i koncernforhold eksisterer der i IAS 39, og hvordan kan disse muligheder praktiseres i koncernforhold? • I hvilket omfang benytter børsnoterede virksomheder sig af afdækning af transaktions- og translationseksponering, og hvilke finansielle instrumenter anvendes i givet fald til afdækning heraf? • Hvilke styrker og svagheder er der i IAS 39 i relation til afdækning af transaktions- og translationseksponering med fokus på koncernforhold? URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10417/733
Files in this item: 1allan_ries_kjaergaard.pdf (619.6Kb)
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Lexiconers Hailish and ForJazz began a website called TwiLOL.com, which combines the idea behind the ever-popular icanhascheezburger.com and the Twilight Saga.
In short, they translated the entire saga (the important scenes, at least) into lolspeak, and made little banners for each scene. They post a new LOL every day – and are almost halfway through Twilight currently. It's all in good fun – they are both avid Twilight fans and love everything having to do with it. They have all the books, the movie and other random items. Check it out for a good laugh.


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Addressing the life insurance needs of clients who run small family-owned businesses is challenging. Often, those needs can't be served by turning to the traditional second-to-die joint life insurance policies that many married couples favor. In many cases, the surviving spouse is an inactive partner in the business who may need substantial assistance in continuing or liquidating the business, or simply covering living expenses. While the second-to-die joint policy is still useful, as it provides liquidity for estate tax purposes, it simply does not address the problems of the modern family business. Adding a first-to-die rider can give your business clients the security they need, so that the business and family finances are protected if the primary business manager is the first to die.
Second-to-Die or "Survivorship" Joint Life Insurance
Typically, a second-to-die joint life insurance policy, or "survivorship policy," provides insurance on the lives of two people, but the benefits do not pay out until the death of the second insured. The policies are often used by married couples to provide death benefits to their children after the death of the second parent. This provides the children with the liquidity they need to pay estate taxes and other expenses associated with liquidating their parents' assets.
These policies can be much less expensive than purchasing two separate policies on the parents' lives, because the insurance company knows that the benefits will likely be paid much later than with a traditional single-person policy. It also may be easier for a couple to purchase a joint policy if there is a substantial age disparity between the spouses, because the premiums are based on their average age.
While a second-to-die joint insurance policy is usually a better option than purchasing two separate life insurance policies, it may not be the best option for every client. No funds are paid until after both insured parties have died, so it's an unattractive option for clients who anticipate financial need after the death of the first insured.
Benefits of a First-to-Die Rider
Modern joint life insurance policies can now solve the problems presented by second-to-die joint life insurance by offering optional first-to-die riders within the second-to-die joint life insurance policy, so that a portion of the proceeds is paid upon the death of the first insured, and the remainder paid after both have died.
For a married couple, a first-to-die rider is useful in two-income families where each spouse relies upon the other for income, or in situations where the surviving spouse may need help paying debts or taxes after the first spouse has died. If the couple owns a family business, a first-to-die rider may be essential to securing the business if the primary business manager dies first, because it will provide the cash necessary to sustain the company while the surviving spouse determines how (and whether) to continue the business.
First-to-die riders are also useful in protecting partners in small businesses that are not family owned, and can be much less expensive than a traditional policy if there is an age disparity between business partners because, again, the ages of the two parties are averaged. The riders are especially valuable in buy-sell arrangements—the surviving partners can use the proceeds that are paid pursuant to the first-to-die rider to purchase the decedent's share of the business from her estate.
Modern life insurance products are evolving to ensure that the specific needs of your client are addressed. The use of a first-to-die rider in connection with a second-to-die joint life insurance policy is just one of the ways in which a policy can be tailored to a client's individual situation.
For additional coverage of this issue and similar ones, we invite you to sign up with AdvisorOne's Summit Business Media partner, AdvisorFX, for a free trial.
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The Associated Press reports that the dry-goods sales-and-marketing company Nike has provoked a reaction by selling t-shirts designed to provoke a reaction. The shirts include "the phrases 'Dope,' 'Get High' and 'Ride Pipe,'" the AP reports.
The shoe and athletic apparel company said the terms are part of the lingo used by the skaters, snowboarders and participants in other extreme sports it's trying to target with the shirts. But critics say the slogans endorse drug use.
Places, everyone! "It's gone past edgy," said [a spokesperson for an advocacy group]. [A politician] asked that the shirts be removed from a window display in [the city where that politician holds office].
Nike, based in Beaverton, Ore., recently has increased its marketing surrounding extreme sports and said the new shirts promote sports — not illegal drug use.
"[Drugs are bad]," said [an executive of a crusading anti-drug organiation]. "Totally irresponsible," [the executive] said.
Nike has long pushed the envelope with its products and marketing efforts.
[A sports-business academic at a sports-business institute, whose name and affiliation were given in duplicate, in consecutive paragraphs by the AP] said, "I understand their edginess...[but] it is in poor taste."
However, [the sports-business academic] and other marketing experts said Nike might be laughing all the way to the bank. The controversy could generate more attention and spur sales of the shirts, they say.
"I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing," said [a different sports-business academic].
The shirts are 100 percent cotton and are $20 at Nike's online store.


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That's it, all our coverage, our pictures, our impressions and our stories from this year's New York Comic Con. In case you missed something here's our full run down:
The Cosplay of NYCC (Part 1)
This Blue Dragon 'Shu' Mascot Is Really Creepy
The Cosplay of NYCC (Part Two)
Square-Enix Brings Toys, Not Games, To NYCC
Michael Buffer Gives A Wii To The Best "Rumbler"
Now Is Not The Time To Be Selling $1000 Halo Costumes
The Gaming Swag of NYCC
Activision's Green Screen A Hit At Comic-Con
A Look At The Gaming Booths From Comic-Con
The Best Way To Play F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
This Is Entirely Way Too Much Pac-Man Stuff, Namco
New Wolfenstein Features Otherworld
Prototype Preview: Slick, But Not A Stand Out
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Preview: A Bloody Good Time
Battlefield 1943: Pacific Preview: A Much Needed Upgrade
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Preview: Don't Cross The Streams
inFamous Preview: Ride The Lightning
Sonic And The Black Knight Preview: It's Probably Not For You
Velvet Assassin Preview: Metal Gear Lite
Red Faction: Guerrilla Preview: Search And Destroy
A Quick Look At Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao
A Quick Look At Bomberman Ultra
90 Minutes With GTA: Chinatown Wars


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It was going to suggest splitting it but then i reread and saw you did that anyway. But maybe instead of having a file for each icon and add them to the map one by one, make a file that is the same size as the map image and place all the icons in their correct places on that, then you save that as a png whenever you make a change and when you add it to your map you dont have to place the icons everytime.
Although im not too familiar with photoshop method so there might be a better way to do it. But that is the best i can think off.
Or you could just not edit your icons again.


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Apple has been in news for quite a long time now. Is Apple's doom near?
Conference for artists or the project?
This incident shows that there is an entity which is noticing every step of Social Networking majors.
Creativity and huge paychecks go hand in hand. A Creative person ceases to be creative if he does not get paid well for long time.
With increasing incidences of Cyber crime, setting up certain norms would be a good move.
Tweeting is fun for some and a necessity for some.
Apple users find their computer security under threat. So what's the next step. Will someone sue FBI?
Patents & Copyright are some of the words which are being used quite often now-a-days. And I find one name in common. and i.e. Apple.
Another News for our consideration. ;)
The battle begins between Apple and Samsung. Samsung is going to be a King in the tech arena soon..
Apple is going to face tough competition from Samsung. Good news. We can get same quality products at lower price.
If you want privacy and it is more important than anything else. As simple as that.. Don't carry your mobile phones with you...!!
Why was it not allowed in the first place..? And now suddenly what happened that it was allowed..?? Realization of mistakes or someone just made them know the meaning of GPS...!!!
Achieving a position and maintaining that position are both important. Looks like Craigslist is struggling to do the latter one.
Living for 200 years would be great but only if the first 150 years is of youth. The rest 50 years is enough to live an old age.


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30 July, 2019
10 years ago...By far the best concert I've ever been to! The weather was perfect that night. It was our 1st date night out since having our 1st baby, now she's 10, and I'd love to take her to her first concert with my favorite band of all time. Hard to believe it's been 10 years, please come back to Oklahoma soon. Norman loves U2!
27 October, 2010
first concertI brought my daughter for her first concert ever. She loved it and sang along with the songs. Thanks for the 'cool mom point' you[pl] got for me that night. She got to stay up late on a school-night, too! I work at OU, so I walk by the stadium everyday. It was a great adventure to try to peek at the stage being built before the concert. Then, days after the concert I felt as if I could still hear the music echoing from the buildings nearby. The stadium seems a lot smaller now and it will never be as nearly-spiritual again.
07 April, 2010
Even Better than Last timeLast time I saw u2 I had to travel all the way to St. Louis for the PopMart tour which was awesome!!! I couldn't belive it when I saw they were coming to Norman!! Thanks for the Unforgettable Fire, it was by far the highlight for me. I wish you had played Bad, my favorite song. maybe next time . Cant wait for the dvd in June I have all U2's dvds. Thanks for bringing your show to us Okies!!!
19 January, 2010
Sencillamente EXCELENTE!!!What a great flight from Colombia for to be with the best group!!! That was one of my best experiences of my life, I knew a Angels from Norman, they help me during my two days at Norman. The concert was perfect!!, the lights, the sound, the music!!!. U2 eres grandioso!!!
24 November, 2009
enjoyed reading the commentsI enjoyed reading all these comments. I left the show thinking to myself, "If I never get a chance to see them live again, that would be o.k." I honestly do not know how they can top what happened Oct. 18, 2009. But, I hope I do get to see them again. And I bet they could find some more spacey music from Actung Baby, Zooropa, Pop that would fit in quite nicely with the stage setup they're working with now. Still...just so glad I got to see them that night.
04 November, 2009
Excellent time had by everyoneThe Black Eyed Peas told everyone "It's Gonna Be a Good Night" and they couldn't have been more right! I loved every minute of it. The lights, the claw, the sound-everything was perfect. The band was really tight, loved hearing the old songs like The Unforgettable Fire since they never played it live before this tour. I'm so glad I went to this show rather than the Cowboys Stadium show the week earlier. People left that show because of sound problems caused by the stadium's design.
27 October, 2009
EPIC!!!This was the most AMAZING concert I've ever been to. I've been to loads of concerts in my life time but nothing can compare to what U2 threw down! Hearing "Until the End of the World" live?!! Nearly fainted! It was a very emotional night. Just completely unbelieveable! I was 12 when Achtung Baby came out and could have seen the Zoo Tv Tour but sadly missed out. So after 17 very long years my dreams finally came true! I cannot thank U2 enough for making a stop in Oklahoma and I truly hope it doesn't take y'all another 26 years to come back. We love you!
26 October, 2009
Great Show!!!My wife and I flew in from Northern California to see the show and it was well worth the time and energy to do so. This was my 15th time seeing these guys and they never cease to amaze me. The highlight for me was "One", which is my all time favorite song. "Unforgettable Fire" was a great surprise as well. Looking forward to seeing them again in June in Oakland, Ca!!!
25 October, 2009
A Dream Finally Realized!!!It was surreal to finally see my beloved Irish boys live in concert after having their music serve as the soundtrack for my life. Rarely has any news been so thrilling as when it was announced they would be be playing in my Oklahoma home! They definitely did not dissapoint, and to have the Black-Eyed Peas open for them . . . . well, let's just say my cup runneth over that cold, Sunday night in Norman. I thought my life would be complete once I finally saw U2 live, now I know I HAVE to see them again! WOW!!!
24 October, 2009
U2OK!My journey with U2 in concert started 26 years ago at Red Rocks and Norman marks my 13th time seeing the boys live. My road compadre and I drove 700 miles starting at 3 AM on Sunday morning to be in Norman, stopped at a World War II Japanese internment camp on the way to the show and the Kansas Cosmosphere on the way home. An incredible 48-hour spiritual, cosmic journey topped off by the most incredible spectacle and performance I have ever experienced. Thank You Larry, Bono, Adam and Mr. The Edge! Now let's get a show scheduled for Denver!
23 October, 2009
Great concert in Norman OK!!The best concert! Thank you U2 for giving us a great show, I have waited over 20 yrs to see a live U2 concert and enjoyed every minute!!! Our daughter and her fiance sat next to us we sang and danced along with the Black Eyed Peas!! Then, U2 gave us a spectacular show-more singing and dancing!! Oklahoma may not have a huge population, but you have our love. And we love your music!
23 October, 2009
Loved the showWe drove to OKC from Kansas City to catch the show and weren't disappointed. We saw the Vertigo tour in Chicago when they filmed the last DVD, and this show blew the doors off that one. The stage was amazing and the access to the crowd was fantastic. I'm usually not a fan of "in-the-round" shows as you spend half of your time looking at the band's back, but there was always something going on and we truly had a great time. My wife and I were lucky enough to be very close to the stage in the inner circle so we did take some great photos. One of our favorites is of Bono looking a bit sly as he is reaching for a Michael Jackson-like pose. Great show guys and I hope you make it to Kansas City next year. Arrowhead Stadium awaits your spaceship. Cheers!
23 October, 2009
Incredible Show!My brother and I have been to alot of shows. He has always been a huge U2 fan and has seen them several times. He told me that I did'nt realize what I was about to see. HE WAS RIGHT! This was the best show that I have ever been too. The Black Eyed Peas were incredible which got the night off to a good start. It just got better from there. Set list was great. Wish they would have played some stuff off of POP but its alright. Owen Field is a very special place to a lot of Oklahomans and it was incredible to see one of the biggest bands in the world playing there. Please dont wait another 26 years to come back!
22 October, 2009
One of the best days of my life!A long time fan - since jamming to October and War while stationed in Germany with the Army sooooo many years ago. I've seen many concerts in my life but this was by far the best!!! Thanks U2 for the songs that have been a part of my life for so long and for a show that completely blew me away!
22 October, 2009
What a night in Oklahoma!!!All I can say is WOW. This is without doubt, the BEST CONCERT I HAVE EVER SEEN, and I have seen quite a few. I was totally blown away. Starting off with the Black Eyed Peas to U2, I couldnt have asked for more. All I have to ask of U2, is that they COME BACK TO OKLAHOMA, we LOVE you guys. 26 years was WAAAAY too long to wait for our second show. I think, no, I KNOW that Oklahoma City put its self back on the musical map Sunday. And I must say, I though the way the stage was placed here, is BY FAR the best of any of the shows so far. Talk about a TRUE U2 360 experience. There was not a bad seat in the house. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for making Oklahoma one of your SELECT few stops this year. We are HONORED... GOD BLESS U2.
22 October, 2009
i was there 2WOW!!! what a show and stage highlights had to b Edge's solo lead on the end of the world on the bridge with Bono singing next to him then they touch fist.. cool night... First time to see U2 and hope to see them again. section 20 row 46 hope to have closer seats Sound was perfect!! heard many songs from new album and Breath is my fav that an magnifcent thanks again for the smiles you gave me guys and please come back to ok soon.. Why no Bullet the Blue Sky on this tour!!
22 October, 2009
BEST CONCERT EVER!!I saw U2 in Dallas in '92 and was looking forward to seeing them again. Avoided going to the big Cowboys stadium and drove from Dallas to Norman at OU (my alma mater). Boy was I glad that we made the drive. It was well worth it!! U2 was FANTASTIC!! And the stage was something out of this world! On a personal note, thank you for playing 'Bloody Sunday' for the people of Iran. My husband's family is from Iran and it brought tears to my eyes when you played the song and showed the pictures of the Iranian protesters. If only those Iranian people could feel the power that I felt. It made me wonder if those people are even still alive or in a prison somewhere held for no reason but wanting to be free. If only they could have been there in Norman to see and feel what I felt. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING A WONDERFUL NIGHT!! Looking forward to your next concert, for sure.
22 October, 2009
Chris A.Hands down best show I've ever been to. Me and my fiance drove from Dallas and was completely worth it. I could not get over the stage and visuals. I'm a bit of a sound nerd and I could not complain about the presentation at all. I could clearly hear each part and I'm so glad we got tickets to Oklahoma rather than Dallas. I heard that there were many issues with the sound at Dallas. I've been to about 30 concerts the past 6 years and this completely trumped them all. Thank you U2 for giving me a chance to see you. Been waiting since I was 5. PS: 1 more item checked off my bucket list! :^)
21 October, 2009
terrimclWow! The Norman show was fantastic! This was my 5th U2 concert: ZooStation 92, Elevation 02, Vertigo 05 & now 360 x 2! I went to the 1st Chicago show 9/12 & that was amazing! Then, the Norman show...in my opinion, EVEN BETTER than the Chicago show (and that's a tall order!). Chicago show was so amazing! Norman was my husband's first U2 show & he was blown away. I loved "In a Little While" , it's one of my favorites & I can't believe it was played...beautiful! We traveled by car from St. Louis to Chicago for the first show & then from St. Louis to Norman for the second show. It was absolutely worth every second!!!!! Thanks for putting on such a GREAT show for us U2 fans!!!!