Thinking about success

Luck
Opportunity
Skill
Hard work

1. Hard work
2. Opportunity
3. Luck
4. Skill

I think hard work is the most important quality because a person can be skilled, but if they chose not to use that skill, then they will get no where. I think opportunity and luck fall in the same category, but opportunity is more important than luck. A person can come across an opportunity purely by luck, or because they were determined to. But, this is not more important than hard work because hard work will led to success. I think skill is the least important because a person can become skillful in an area if they are truly determined and they work hard to become skillful. To become economically successful, a person has to have an idea of where they want to be in the future. If they know where they want to go in the future, they can be wise economically in managing their finances and making decisions. I always think of Thomas Jefferson's quote when I think of the importance of luck in relation to hard work. Thomas Jefferson says, "I am a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more of it I have." If a person works hard, they get really lucky and they are able to become successful.

What I learned on November 19th

I think it is fascinating how good the communications are in the Zara store. They are able to make their own stuff and change their clothing styles based on what they are hearing and what people are buying from their stores. I think the Zara company is smart because they have invested a lot of time and money to have the organizational skills that they have today. Because of that, they are able to run more successfully than some companies that face going into bankrupcy because they haven't been able to meet the demand. They are also always on the front end of the fashion trend curve, since the products are able to be manufactured much quicker.

It is also clever that the stores decide not to put out all of their fall clothes at once. The system that H&M has where they have a main fall collection and many sub-collections is smart because then the store will not lose their customers. Shoppers will always be coming back to shop more and it gives the idea of a mystery: shoppers don't know what will be out next, so they keep coming back and becoming enticed to buy more. It is also interesting that H&M has changed the lead times based on locations.

It is interesting that in a time of recession in many places around the world, Zara has been able to maintain a low rate of purchase at the markdown price, only 15-20%. This is astounding compared to 30-40% generalized rate of purchase at the markdown price. In doing so, Zara can make more money and not have clothing just lying around waiting to be sold.

It is also pretty amazing how clothing retailers have to be good at getting into a person's mind and knowing what the person wants to buy, before they even see the product. For example, the head of the Uniqlo company has stated that they focus more on what the "next big thing" will be. They approach the fast fashion idea as a long term process than a short term process. In doing so, the company will never be out of stock and never be stuck for ideas.



Uniqlo store in Japan

History Test-Letter to Home

Dear brother,

I arrived in New York almost a month ago. At first, I experienced a rough start. The children and I lived in these buildings in one room and there was another family living with us. Jack and I had to go find work, while Mary and Leslie ran household chores. It has been tough since John died on the ship, having to raise the kids on my own. Finding food the first few weeks was tough and the first two weeks have been miserable.

When we decided it would be nice to move away to this dreamland known as "America," I had thought that everything would be easy. Pulling into the harbor, I saw the beauty that is America through the buildings and knew that things would get better, even without John. However, as we docked and actually got into the city, I realized that we were alone. This adjustment would be harder than I had imagined.

Leslie was out looking for a market to purchase goods in when she ran into another family from France. They immediately took us out to this building where many other French families were living and we were able to find a place to live. It is amazing, brother. People do not live in individual houses here. Instead, they live in the buildings with separate rooms and multiple homes and multiple families may share one building. I feel insecure at times, having to live in a building with families I have not grown up with. But, sadly, I feel as if I have no choice.

Jack and I were able to find work close to the building, where other French families live. Every so often, our group of French families will go out and some of the kids will put on a show to entertain the adults. One of the men may even steal a bottle of rum from the store and we will drink and enjoy, as we often did in France.

The first two weeks were difficult and I thought we would all die of starvation. But, meeting the new family, my hopes have been revived. These last two weeks have been looking hopeful and I am glad to think that even in a new country, Leslie, Mary, and Jack will get to grow up in a culture that is French. They will know, in some small way, how we grew up: putting on entertainment for the adults as they would drink and everyone was one tight knit family. But at the same time, they will live a different life in a new place and they will get to make a new life for themselves.

Yesterday, something amazing happened. This man came up to us offering us groceries and a real job for Jack! All we had to do in return, was sign our names on something, saying we will vote for this man named Tweed and he would bring us groceries once a week and Jack would have a job! How amazing is this! I do not know what the word, "vote" means, but if he is willing to help us get a life here, I will definitely "vote" for him. It seems as if God is answering my prayers and finally sending help. I've enclosed an image of Jack playing in the streets. He looks so much like his uncle, like you, and I hope you will save it.

Love, your sister,
Martha




Image of Tenements playing ball