Slideshow Revision Strategy

After reading my instructor's feedback, I have to make a title slide in my slideshow script.  I have a title, but I don't have it in my table.  Also, I should think about finding a new picture for my first slide since I use it at the end, but I'm having trouble finding good pictures so I will see what I can do.  I have already fixed my image reference list to put them in the order they are shown and I found an example of cloud labor and explained and commented more after my sources so it isn't source after source.  

After reading my peer's feedback, I should say my name at the beginning of my slideshow so the audience knows who I am.  I should get rid of the one stumble in my speech so that it's totally smooth.  Also, I have a references slide in my slideshow, and I don't need that, so I will have to delete that.  I should consider having a slide that says thank you and maybe has the title of the book listed, although I do have a picture of the book on a slide.  

These peer reviews will definitely help because I didn't notice all these things that I could fix before.

Slideshow ethos/pathos/logos

1) Boystown Prostitution Slideshow
-ethos - he gives oral citations like "according to laws.com...."  and uses a lot of percentages like 20% (show pic of a graph)

-logos - He gives an example of a male and female prostitute in the beginning and logically shows that male prostitutes look like everyday people

-pathos - he shows a picture of a guy using drugs which is emotional

2) Supermoon Slideshow

-ethos - he gives oral citations like according to Jack Chester of U.S. laboratory

-logos - says that moon will look bigger than normal especially when by horizon because it's closer to earth

-pathos - shows pic of houses under water during natural disaster - strikes emotions (he does clarify that these supermoons don't always cause natural disaster); shows pic of really big moon - makes audience gaze in wonder

How do you use those three appeals? 

ethos - I use alot of oral citations like according to John Winsor, etc.

pathos - I show pictures of a child at a drinking fountain in Africa and poverty in Africa, which are emotional to the reader

logos- I logically show how crowdsourcing can benefit a company (save money and innovate) and third world countries (let people know where nearest hospital is, when water is coming next, etc.)

Which do you think you rely on the most, given your topic and purpose in the slideshow? 

I think I rely mostly on Ethos, I cite alot of stuff from John Winsor and Crowdsourcing.org for example.  I think that helps my credibility though, since I myself have not engaged in crowdsourcing.  These sources help inform the reader on how crowdsourcing is another form of outsourcing and how it can benefit them and poor countries as well.

Which of the rhetorical devices mentioned in the slideshow prompt do you use?

I don't really see any rhetorical devices in my slideshow.  I don't use an anecdote, or emotive language, parallel language etc.  That is probably something I should work on then to make my slideshow more interesting.  Because right now I kind of just state the facts.  I think my tone and intonation were pretty good though, I think I sound interested in my topic and vary my voice.  

Podcast and Slideshow Titles

Podcast

1) Outsourcing and the Entrepreneur (noun phrase)
2) How to Outsource in Small Businesses (how to fragment)
3) Outsourcing: Beneficial for the Entrepreneur? (question)

-which best serves audience? – I think all of them work for the audience, because the audience for the podcast is small business owners or entrepreneurs, and all the titles mention the audience in them.

-which will I choose? – I’m not sure yet which one I will choose, I like the “Outsourcing and the Entrepreneur” one the best right now. I think it’s vague enough so that it sparks the interest of the reader.

Slideshow

1) Crowdsourcing for Your Business (noun phrase)
2) Crowdsourcing: Beneficial for Your Business? (question)
3) Crowdsourcing: The Alternative to Outsourcing (noun phrase)

-which best serves audience? – I like the last title because if the audience isn’t a fan of outsourcing, I think they will be intrigued to read the article because it’s about an alternative to outsourcing.

-which will I choose? I think I would choose the last title for the reason stated above.

Strategies for Expansion and DevelopmentDo I need more of these to support my idea?
Would another example help me make my point more clear?
     -I will go through all the main sections of my webtext to answer these questions
1) Types of Outsourcing
     -I probably should cut this section because my webtext is just on international outsourcing anyway - if I cut this section and get rid of all the headings, in text citations, etc, my word count is 1502 words...
2) Positive Impact on U.S. Business
     a) focus on core activities
          -maybe I could give an example of core activities and say a company who mainly does graphic design     won’t outsource this function b/c it’s a core activity
     b) cut costs
          -possibly expand ideas of how those overseas are more specialized in their tasks....or expand on the tax break...
      c) open up bigger product market
          -could add idea that there’s better customer service if plant is overseas - can respond to foreign customers faster and better...
     d) gain flexibility
          -don’t see anything to fix...
3) Negative Impact on U.S. Businesses
     a) outsourcing too much can lead to consumers not being able to differentiate products
          -don’t see anything to fix...
     b) U.S. has higher standards of living and business than other foreign countries
          -possibly describe standards of living because I just talk about the business standards...although I don’t know if it would overkill the idea if I talked about standards of living...
      c) increase costs
          -don’t see anything to fix
     d) changing exchange rates
          -maybe show example of this actually happening...
4) Impact on American Workers
     a) lose jobs...not whole picture though
          -don’t see anything to add...
     b) example of Delta airlines - looks good
     c) something I could fix in these paragraphs is the topic sentences...and maybe say whether or not the impact is good or bad...
5) President Obama and U.S. Manufacturing
     a) Obama says outsourcing weakens economy
          -can add why he thinks this, his reasons for saying this...
     b) International Trade Association supports U.S. manufacturing
          -not much else to say about this...
     c) prove above 2 points wrong
          -maybe mention again that higher paying jobs can be created, or refer back to Delta Airlines example...or find new example...
6) Intro and Conclusion
     -I think my intro and conclusion are pretty good...not much else to say...

Have I identified or introduced all the experts to my readers?
-no - I still have to introduce the Weidenbaum author and the Kotabe author to let my reader’s know why they are credible people
Have I effectively used statistics in comparison with other statistics?
-I could possibly give statistics of how many firms outsource and how much they outsource
Do any of my terms need to be defined for my readers?
-I don’t see any terms that business people don’t already know...
Other questions to ask yourself are,
Does each section of my Webtext have a topic sentence or have I only listed the information?
-I could work on the topic sentences under the Impact on American Workers section
Have I explained the significance of any lists I do offer?
-I don’t give any lists...
For your visuals in your Webtext, ask
Have I created a caption for each of the visuals in my written text and does that caption suggest a relationship between its content and my topic?
-I think my captions connect the image to my topic pretty well
Have I explained all the charts/graphs/images I use to my audience?
-Are we supposed to explain these in the actual webtext?? Or just in the caption? Because I only made captions under the pictures...
Have I discussed their significance to my main point or the point of the section?
-Again, are we supposed to explain the picture in the actual webtext paragraphs or just the captions??
Examine the overall structure of your Webtext and ask
Do I need a more effective introduction that leads my reader into my main point?
-seems good to me...
Have I effectively broken up my text with appropriate headings reflecting the content of each?
-yes, the sections tell the reader what they will be reading about
Are my anchor texts leading the reader to additional, meaningful information?
-I believe so
Have I created anchor texts for any definitions I think are necessary?
-Yes
Have I written a conclusion that does more than summarize my webtext by offering my readers some reflection on the topic and a call to action?
-I call the reader to analyze their business and see what they can/can’t outsource
Have I given my readers enough secondary sources, recommended readings and such, to help them find additional information on my topic?
-yes

-I haven’t gotten my interview email back yet, so hopefully once I get that back I will have more things to add to my webtext in regards to what businesses should/shouldn’t outsource, how they determine that, etc. I only have 4 sources so far, so I will have to check out where my sources get their info from, to give me some more info.

Slideshow Pics

Crowdsourcing 101 [Web Photo]. (2009). Retrieved March 27, 2012 from: http://www.cooltownstudios.com/images/crowdsourcing-cartoon.jpg

This photo shows the crowd of people helps the one man achieve his idea, which is the basic concept of crowdsourcing.  I could use this when describing the concept of outsourcing.

Tsevis, C. (Photographer). (2008). Crowdsourcing coversourcing. [Web Photo]. Retrieved March 27, 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tsevis/2253528945/

I like this picture because the man is made up of a bunch of different people and I think the words on the picture are appropriate too.  It sums up crowdsourcing in a nutshell.  This is actually a crowdsourced picture, where the artist designed this cover for a book by Jeff Howe on Crowdsourcing.  I could use this while I continue to describe crowdsourcing or maybe mention the book by Jeff Howe which made people more aware of crowdsourcing (or for further reading).

Free Political World Map [Web Image]. Retrieved March 27, 2012 from: http://www.freeworldmaps.net/download/maps/political.gif

I could use this picture to show that people from around the world can engage in crowdsourcing.  They can help a company market their product, give feedback on a company’s product, donate/invest money to an entrepreneur, etc. 

saikofish. (Photographer). (2006). All sizes. [Web Photo]. Retrieved March 27, 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lou/138926410/

I will talk about how crowdsourcing is done more and more because of the internet and computers which makes it easier for people around the world to contribute to.

noviceromano. (Photographer). (2008). Crowd at the french open. [Web Photo]. Retrieved March 27, 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/noviceromano/2548697541/

This is a crowd of people showing some diversity of people.  In crowdsourcing, anyone can contribute to a business idea.  I might use this while describing what crowdsourcing is.

thelampnyc. (Photographer). (2006). Diversity_hands. [Web Photo]. Retrieved March 27, 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelampnyc/5885934765/sizes/o/in/photostream/

This photo shows the diversity of people working together for a common cause.  This relates to crowdsourcing where diverse people can contribute to a business idea or concept.  This again could go pretty much anywhere in my slideshow.

401K. (Photographer). (2012). Money. [Web Photo]. Retrieved March 27, 2012 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/68751915@N05/6848823919/

This photo helps show the concept of crowdfunding, where people all over the world can donate money or invest in new business ventures.  I will use this when I talk about crowdfunding.

Standpipes installed in dr congo. [Web Photo]. (2006). Retrieved March 27, 2012 from: http://www.soil-net.com/album/Water/Drinking_Water/slides/Standpipes%20installed%20in%20DR%20Congo.jpg

I found an article about how crowdsourcing is helping the developing nations of the world.  A project called NextDrop uses crowdsourcing through mobile technology.  Utility workers notify NextDrop when the water supply will be turned on, and Next Drop in turn sends text messages to those who have the service in Africa.  It’s a simple concept, but was just recently done. 

Sources to use for script of slideshow (need annotated bib and APA citation yet)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46810745

www.crowdsourcing.org

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jun2009/id20090615_946326.htm

http://www.forbes.com/sites/benkerschberg/2012/03/21/how-crowdsourcing-is-tackling-poverty-in-the-developing-world/

Slideshow Info

I think for my slideshow I will look at different companies like Coca Cola and see what they outsource. I have googled a lot of the main companies but I think they really censor what news it put on the internet about outsourcing, because it’s been very tough to find anything about these companies. I will definitely need to keep researching because I don’t think I have even 3 minutes worth of material to talk about, but at least I can have pictures of company names and pictures of jobs they outsource. I don’t know if I should just focus on one main company or what, but like I said it’s been tough to come up with information on this.

Annotated Bibliography

Collier, J. G. (2009, October 01). Coke outsourcing data center to hp. Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved from http://www.ajc.com/business/coke-outsourcing-data-center-151851.html

Summary

This is a short newspaper article found in the Atlanta Business News. It basically talks about how Coca Cola outsourced its data center to HP, and 90 people were affected by it. These 90 people will either be offered jobs at HP or will get severance. Coca Cola wanted more productivity so that’s why they outsourced.

Assessment

I think this source is useful if I talk about what Coca Cola outsources, but it concerns me that it is pretty short. I think the information is reliable because Coca Cola is Atlanta based and the news article is from the Atlanta Business News. The author seems credible because he is a business writer who went to business school.

Reflection

If I talk about what Coca Cola outsources I think I could use this source, but again it is very short. It was helpful in letting me know that Coca Cola has outsourced its data center to gain more productivity.


Annotated Bibliography

Carlson, C. (2010, October 06). Simposium: Outsourcing strategies at home depot and coca-cola. Retrieved from http://www.fiercecio.com/story/outsourcing-strategies-home-depot-and-coca-cola/2010-10-06

Summary

This article found on FierceCio talks about the different outsourcing strategies that Home Depot and Coca Cola have. Since I probably won’t be talking about Home Depot, I will just talk about Coca Cola’s strategies. Coca Cola says that individual relationships are key when it comes to outsourcing. There needs to be trust between you and your vendors. They also say that when they plan to outsource something, they get perspectives from people in each department. If something goes wrong, get the executives together and do something about it. Another good thing to have is multiple vendors to ensure flexibility incase something goes wrong.

Assessment

I believe this is a very useful and reliable article. The author has worked over 15 years in information technology and telecommunications and writes for other papers as well. She seems credible too because she talked to the director of G&A and IT sourcing from Coca Cola so she’s not just making this stuff up.

Reflection

I will definitely use this source in my slideshow because it shows how Coca Cola decides what to outsource and how they deal with their vendors. It seems credible as well.

3/18 - podcast/printed essay

A Podcast Text has headings like Intro, Opening, Content, and Conclusion.  This is so that if the reader just wants to look at the intro for a basic rundown, they can.  People don’t usually read all the text on a webpage.  The first line of text in each paragraph is not indented, and the paragraphs are single spaced.  This is how text on websites is laid out.  Also, the sentences in a podcast text are relatively short in order to keep the listener’s attention.  If the sentences are really long and wordy, then it’s hard for the listener to follow along.

A printed essay has an intro, body, and conclusion as well, but headings are not included.  The first lines of text in each paragraph are indented, and the paragraphs are usually double-spaced.  The sentences vary in length.  A printed essay is different in these ways because the audience is going to read straight through the whole essay.  So they don’t need headings because they aren’t going to skip anything.  Sentences vary in length so that the paper flows smoothly and the reader doesn’t get bored.  The text is double spaced because it’s a little bit easier to read that way. 

The text in a podcast and a printed essay both have an intro, body, and conclusion.  The text in essence is the same, like using the same arguments and content, it’s just the layout that’s different like mentioned above.

Notes on articles 2/28

Primary Field Research
-helps gather info or new breakthrough ideas for you research
-1st hand observations are key - take notes, follow-up visit
-interview - take notes, get permission to quote them, set-up appt in advance, have questions ready
-survey - figure out purpose of survey, make it simple with some open ended questions
-some other field research includes TV, radio, film, lectures, conferences, online discussions

Accompanying Protocol
-must write 250 word protocol/procedure for research - who/where/why/how interviewing, what you want to learn from interview

Webzine Prompt
-webzine is variety of webtexts in one website under a common banner

Truth A/b Girl Scouts and the Need for Digital Literacy
-Republican State Rep. Bob Morris wouldn't sign resolution that recognized the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts
-he concluded Girls Scouts were closely connected w/ Planned Parenthood
-didn't get info from Planned Parenthood or Girl Scouts websites
-didn't see if the sites he got info from had their own agenda to promote which could make them less accurate
-never assume only your intended audience will read your stuff

Podcast problem/solution

Problem

-entrepreneurs and small business owners have a lot of costs associated with starting and maintaining a business

-small businesses just don’t have all the resources that big businesses do (Desouza, 2007)

Who Cares

-business owners, small business owners, entrepreneurs

Effects of problem/how effects affect audience

-starting up a business is very tough for an entrepreneur, and many times they think they can run every aspect of their business but this is not very feasible; it is very costly as well and overwhelming

Causes of problem

-entrepreneurs, because they are risk takers, think they can control everything in their business; and they think outsourcing is just for big global companies

Practical solutions to problem

-outsource some jobs like bookkeeping, web design, graphic design, etc in order to focus on the main jobs or activities of the business that entrepreneurs need to engage in personally in order to set their business apart from the rest; this frees up some time for the entrepreneur and saves money (Jackson, 2010)

-“The goal for an entrepreneur is to identify value-added tasks critical to business success and non-value-added tasks that steal time” (Desouza, 2007)

-the best outsourced jobs are “highly skilled”, “highly repetitive” or require “specialized knowledge” (Jackson, 2010)

-take time to find good contactor/vendor, and take time making a contract (Jackson, 2010)

Working main point sentence

-Outsourcing can be very useful for small business owners and entrepreneurs who don’t have as many resources as big businesses do.

Main point

-outsourcing can be smart for even entrepreneurs who are starting up their own small business; not only used in big business

2 sources

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/204652#

http://www.entrepreneurship.org/en/resource-center/outsourcing-and-opportunity.aspx

Why suited for oral presentation

-many entrepreneurs are into technology these days and listen to podcasts, so a podcast is a great way to reach my audience

How it will complement webtext

-in my webtext, I don’t talk about how outsourcing can be used in small businesses, I focus more on global companies; so it still relates to my topic but it’s not the same as my webtext

Podcast Notes

Indiana Jones: Saving History or Stealing it?

-there’s a male and female speaker in this podcast

-Some think Indiana Jones is an archaeologist, some think he’s a professional looter because he only dug where the treasure was

-some movie clips are played in the podcast

-at first Indiana Jones took some treasure because he thought museums should have it but in later movies he kind of wanted some fame

-Students think archaeology is going to be sweet because you just find treasures, but then when they find out it’s mostly dating trees and such, some are turned off

-Indiana Jones is about adventure, not science, even though he has a Ph. D.

Belief in Climate Change Hinges on Worldview

-A lot of scientists report that the planet is becoming very warm, but many Americans are calling this a hoax, based on their worldview

-2 opposing sides (hoax vs. non-hoax) are cited

-many experiments show that people believe the facts that are consistent with their worldview

-messenger effect – people believe facts that came from people like them

Conference

During my conference, Miss Dieterle asked me why I chose the colors I did for my webtext.  I responded that I was trying to make it professional-looking with the creamish background, and dark gray and orange accents.  I decided to make my sources orange to tie in with the orange bar at the top.  I chose black text Verdana because it's easy to read, and professional.  We discussed how I was doing in the class, and Miss Dieterle helped me with my image text boxes.  I believe she said my draft for my webtext was very good so far.  My peer also liked my webtext.  The one thing she suggested changing was to cite my images at the end of my webtext so that the images fit in the webtext.  Am I allowed to do that?  And if I did that, how would readers know which picture went with which citation?  Also, I was wondering if you gave us feedback for our webtexts yet?  If so, where do I find this feedback?

I might use Obama's speech as a source for my webtext - from cnn.com.  Remember to still make annotated bibliography.

http://www.supplychaindigital.com/outsourcing/Maintaining%20a%20global%20reach%20is%20a%20huge%20part%20of%20outsourcing.png

This image has a darkish blue background which gives a sense of strength, reliability, quality, and integrity. Blue is also good for corporate sites to use. The white world jumps out at you as well as the colorful company names. I think this picture helps show the global outreach of companies who outsource. To me it logically shows that if you’re smart with outsourcing, your company could obtain a big global name. It also shows the vast product market that is opened up to companies who outsource.




http://outsourceportfolio.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/intelligentOutsource.png

This image has a light blue background with cash falling from the sky. The foreground of the picture shows a hand holding a wad of cash. The light blue color is a calming and relaxing color, while the greenish money emphasizes cash, wealth, and influence. This picture logically says to me that if you undergo intelligent outsourcing, then you will be rewarded with tons of extra cash. The text “intelligent outsourcing” helps prove the point I just said, and connects the picture to my topic. If it didn’t say intelligent outsourcing, I don’t think it would send as strong of a message. Intelligent combined with outsourcing really makes outsourcing seem very beneficial as well.

Questions, Concerns – Conferences
How do you make hyperlinks?  I know you showed us, but I don't quite remember.  When I tried making hyperlinks for my sources found in the PUC library, clicking on the hyperlink just brought up a blank screen...

What is my grade in this class?

I can't think of anymore questions right now, but when I get farther on my webtext, I'm sure I will have questions.

Lee, R. P., & Kim, D. (2010). Implications of service processes outsourcing on firm value. Industrial Marketing Management, 39(5), 853-861. Retrieved from http://primo2.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com:1701/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do?frbrVersion=3&tabs=detailsTab&ct=display&fn=search&doc=TN_sciversesciencedirect_elsevierS0019-8501(10)00003-9&indx=9&recIds=TN_sciversesciencedirect_elsevierS0019-8501(10)00003-9&recIdxs=8&elementId=8&renderMode=poppedOut&displayMode=full&frbrVersion=3&fctN=facet_tlevel&fctN=facet_tlevel&dscnt=3&vl(1UI0)=contains&vl(7369302UI0)=any&scp.scps=scope:("CALUMET"),primo_central_multiple_fe&fctV=online_resources&fctV=peer_reviewed&frbg=&tab=default_tab&dstmp=1329025999035&srt=rank&vl(4167432UI1)=all_items&mode=Basic&dum=true&tb=t&vl(freeText0)=outsourcing benefits&vid=PUCL

(I’m not sure what to do about the extremely long website…and again I can’t seem to do a hanging indent on the citation…)

Summary
This article talked about how contract duration, outsourcing functions, and outsourcing locations help determine the effect of outsourcing on a firm’s performance.  It had a nice picture showing these three things as well.  The authors state that “outsourcing provides firms with a generally positive cumulative abnormal return” (Lee & Kim, 2010).  It listed many of the same pros and cons as other articles I have read, but the authors additionally said that “the stock market reacts more favorably to offshore than onshore outsourcing” (Lee & Kim, 2010).  Lastly, they suggest that businesses should not outsource IT for a long period of time, because it could reduce innovation.

Assessment
I also think this source is useful and reliable.  The authors biographies looked credible again, and this was a peer-reviewed journal I found through the Purdue Library.  


Reflection
I will use this source for my project, for some of the additional pros and cons I mentioned above, and maybe the picture of the 3 factors that help determine how outsourcing effects a business.

Kotabe, M., Mol, M., & Murray, J. (2008). Outsourcing, performance, and the role of e-commerce: A dynamic perspective. Industrial Marketing Management, 37-45. Retrieved from http://primo2.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com:1701/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do?frbrVersion=2

(I know the source above has to be indented on the bottom two lines, but I cant tab on this post for some reason.)
Summary
This article gave some arguments for and against outsourcing.  Some arguments for outsourcing were that a firm can focus on its core activities, lower production costs, and be more flexible (for example if something goes wrong then the company can easily switch suppliers, which would be a lot more expensive if happened in-house).  Some arguments against outsourcing were that if a company outsources too much, consumers might not be able to differentiate their products from competitors.  Other cons include possible lower product quality, changing exchange rates, and a high cost for coordinating all the outsourcing.  According to Rottman and Lacity, “the transaction costs for offshore projects neared 50% of contract value, compared to 5% to 10% for domestically outsourced projects” (Kotabe, Mol & Murray, 2008).  This article also included a graph of firm profitability and degree of outsourcing, concluding that there’s an optimal point of outsourcing for companies.  Information technology encourages businesses to outsource more today, but they must make sure they have the right balance of outsourcing.


Assessment 
This source will be useful to my project.  It seems to be reliable information, and the authors look credible, judging by their biographies.  This is also a peer reviewed journal as well, so I trust the information.  I found this article through the Purdue Library.


Reflection
I think I will use this source for my project for some pros and cons to outsourcing, as well as a graph on firm profitability and degree of outsourcing.  This was a helpful topic and enlightened me on a few new pros and cons.

I am using the definition of outsourcing from a Contemporary Business Textbook.  I'm not sure that I can make an Annotated Bibliography on a textbook, because it covers such a wide range of topics.  All I want to use from this textbook is the definition of outsourcing.  So I don't have a summary, assessment, or reflection really about this book.

Background for Issues
During these tough economic times, many businesses are struggling.  Outsourcing is one of the main issues that comes up nowadays.  Some say outsourcing overseas eliminates jobs in the U.S., while others beg to differ.

Summary of Project’s Purpose and How Will Accomplish It
The purpose of my project is to determine whether or not international outsourcing is beneficial for the U.S. to engage in.  I will accomplish this by researching the pros and cons of outsourcing.  

Working Title:  Outsourcing: Good or Bad for the U.S.?

Questions to be Answered
Key Question:  Is international outsourcing a beneficial economic activity for the U.S. to engage in?
Sub-Questions:  How many jobs are lost due to outsourcing overseas?  How many jobs are gained due to outsourcing?  What are the dangers of outsourcing overseas?  What are the benefits of outsourcing?  What services do U.S. businesses outsource?  What do foreign companies outsource to the U.S.?

Locate Website that Provides response to at least 1 question (APA Annotated Bibliography)

Lamb-Hale, N. (2012, January 20). The manufacturing council: A public/private sector partnership for progress. Retrieved from http://blog.trade.gov/2012/01/20/the-manufacturing-council-a-publicprivate-sector-partnership-for-progress/

Summary
This trade.gov website points out the cons of outsourcing.  In the blog article contained on this website, the U.S. Department of Commerce says they are striving to help U.S. manufacturers.  So they are against outsourcing manufacturing jobs overseas.  This website also contains the Free Trade Agreement, which helps decrease trade barriers between countries and makes it easier and cheaper for the U.S. to export to those in the trade agreement.  There are graphs which show the amount of exports to imports as well.    

Assessment
I think this source will be very useful in my research.  From what I gather, this website really promotes U.S. manufacturing and strives to increase the amount of U.S. exports, because the U.S. is importing a lot more than exporting.  I definitely think this website is reliable, because it’s a government website for the International Trade Association and U.S. Department of Commerce.  I don’t think this source is biased because again, it’s a government website.

Reflection
I will probably use this website in my project because it brings out the cons of outsourcing overseas and stresses the importance of U.S. manufacturing.  Before I was pretty set on explaining on how outsourcing overseas is overall beneficial for the U.S., but now this makes me question that a little bit just because of all the U.S. manufacturing jobs going overseas.  Because a lot of our manufacturing has gone overseas, we don’t have near as many U.S. exports.

Is this website valuable for my project?  Explain.

I think this website is valuable for my project because like I said, it points out the major cons of outsourcing, which is what I will need in my project.

Annotated Bibliography
Weidenbaum, M. (2005). Outsourcing: Pros and cons. Business Horizons, 48(4), 311-315.

Summary
This source covered the pros and cons of outsourcing overseas.  It showed how the pros of outsourcing outweigh the cons.  Some dangers of outsourcing are that the U.S. has really high standards of living and business compared to some foreign countries.  Other countries might not have such a high standard of quality and performance like we do.  Also, to engage in outsourcing is not easy for a company.  They must go through all the tax and legal issues.  Some say that Americans lose their jobs due to outsourcing, but this is not the whole picture.  International outsourcing helps businesses become more competitive and opens a bigger product market.  This in addition to the money saved from cheaper labor can increase the efficiency and productivity of a company, causing them to expand and create more jobs in the U.S.  Some other things to keep in mind are that foreign countries outsource to the U.S. as well, and most services can’t be outsourced overseas like dentists and lawyers, etc.  You can’t outsource “the management, responsibility, or accountability” of your company (Weidenbaum, 2005).  

Assessment
I think this source will be very useful for my project.  The article covers a wide range of pros and cons of outsourcing overseas, which is what most of my project will be based on.  The information seems reliable because the author cites credible-looking sources (ethos).  This is also a peer-reviewed journal, which strengthens the authors credibility.  I don’t think this source is biased, because the author always cites sources to logically back-up their claims.  I googled the author, Murray Weidenbaum, and he is the honorary chairman of Murray Weidenbaum Center on Economy, Government, and Public Policy at Washington University.  He was the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy from ’69 to ’71.  Currently Weidenbaum is the Edward Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor.  This being said I think he has great authority to speak on outsourcing.    

Reflection
After reading through this article, I will definitely use it for my project.  It will give me a great start on further expanding upon the pros and cons of international outsourcing.  This source has shown me that there are definitely some major benefits to outsourcing, and I don’t think we should stop outsourcing altogether.  I think it’s healthy to have some amount of outsourcing.
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Are the “evaluating websites” websites valuable to my project? Explain.
These websites that help me evaluate whether or not sources are biased, accurate, or timely are definitely helpful.  I can’t just accept whatever is written on the internet.  It’s important to see too if the author has authority to speak on the subject they are talking about.  Also, the websites that show how to do APA references is again helpful as well, since I’ve never used APA style before.      

The current issue I wrote about previously in Week One was the pros and cons of domestic and international outsourcing.  My connection to this topic is that I am majoring in Business Management, and I read about outsourcing  in my Management 101 class. 

Here is the research question I first came up with.

1)      What are the pros and cons of domestic and international outsourcing for the U.S.?

After reading the articles on narrowing and broadening my question, here are some new questions.

              -Narrow

                             2)  How does outsourcing affect the average American worker today?

                            3)  Is outsourcing a good activity for U.S. business owners to engage in today?

              -Broad

                             4)  What are the pros and cons of outsourcing?

                             5)  What are the impacts of domestic and international outsourcing on the U.S.?

In my questions, I am not sure whether I should talk about only domestic or international outsourcing, so I don’t know if you had an opinion on that?

Possible Semester Topic

I am going to be honest, I am having a hard time figuring out what topics to write about and narrowing them down.  So I guess I will just throw out some possible ideas. 
 My major is business management.  Something that interests me in the business world is outsourcing.  A few months ago I had no idea what outsourcing was, until it came up in a management class.  After that I became intrigued and researched it a little bit more for another class.  I learned that there’s overseas outsourcing and domestic outsourcing.  I only researched the overseas outsourcing a little bit, and learned that some companies send their manufacturing processes and information technology services overseas.  The benefits being lower production costs overseas and skilled IT workers especially in India.  Some say that outsourcing overseas kills the American economy because American jobs are lost, while others say that outsourcing actually creates American jobs because companies tend to become more efficient after outsourcing and thus can expand.  If I used outsourcing as my topic, I could research domestic outsourcing more, the pros and cons of domestic and overseas outsourcing, and research whether or not outsourcing (both kinds) is a good activity for the U.S. to engage in.  My audience would be those who have their own businesses and are wondering whether or not they should be involved in outsourcing.  My audience could also be workers in general, because their jobs are affected by outsourcing.  So some keywords to research this topic are “domestic outsourcing pros and cons”, “overseas outsourcing pros and cons”, and “effect of outsourcing on U.S. economy”.  In connection with this, I could research globalization of businesses, and whether or not it is good for companies to go international or not.         

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My first writing journal entry!