General George S. Patton III

I had struggled with finding a leader that I admire and respect. There are so many individuals in this world who have show strong leadership skills and have through their demeanor and actions have required admiration and respect. One person, who for me has been a leader I looked to, respected, and admired is General George S. Patton III. While some might question using this man as a personal model for leadership, I believe his tactics on the battlefield during World War II warrant at least respect and admiration.

The exuberance and powerful Oscar winning performance of George C. Scott acting as George Patton has misled many people in understanding Patton. While the film does portray his battlefield tactics and some of the personal elements of his life accurately, it is not well known that the General was soft spoken, but commanded with might.

George S. Smith was born November 11, 1885. He was born into a military family. His family had taken part in the United States Civil War, which meant that from an early age he was surrounded by military ideology, which might, as we will go over, explain his leadership on the battlefield. He read classics and military history, and was surrounded by stories of military glory. These bread in him a desire to become a military hero and aspired to become a General.

Through Patton’s desire to become a General and a hero, he pursued military education at Virginia Military Institute and eventually transferred after his first year to the United States Military Academy, who forced Patton to retake his first year. He passed the first year at the United States Military Academy with honors, which set him on the correct path he was aspiring for. He graduated from USMA in 1909 and immediately received his commission as a cavalry officer.

Patton took part in numerous battles and wars, starting with the Mexican Revolution. The Mexican Revolution brought fame to Patton. After Pancho Villa’s forces had crossed into New Mexico, killed several Americans, Patton was instructed to move on the town of Columbus where the opposing forces were located.  He and ten others from the 6^th Infantry Regiment, with 3 armored cars (early tanks) performed an attack. This was the world’s first armored vehicle attack, and it would not be the last for Patton. Patton along with his fellow infantry men killed 2 leaders of the Mexican forces, and brought them back to Brigadier General Pershing’s Headquarters. Patton brought them back in such spectacle that he was regarded with fame throughout the United States.

The most well-known portion of Patton’s career took place in World War II. He took part in the North African Campaign, Sicily Campaign, Normandy Campaign, Lorraine Campaign, and Ardennes Campaign. After several defeats, Major General Patton replaced Major General Lloyd Fredendall as the commander of the II Corps. At the same time, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. It is well documented that Patton’s leadership style attributed to the success the II Corps had. It is said that his troops preferred to serve under Patton rather than Fredendall because they believed they had a higher chance of survival with Patton.

Patton believed in manliness and discipline as a soldier. He instituted a requirement that all personnel wear metal helmets, his troops wear lace-up canvas leggings which prevented injury from the natural elements including scorpions, spiders, and rats. He instituted a system of fines that insured discipline among the men in their uniforms. While it is said that these new approaches were strict, they did restore discipline and a sense of unit pride that was lacking under the previous leadership. Through his leadership the II Corps were able to attack on the counter-offensive, which pushed the Germans and Italians eastward. His military strategies and leadership were very instrumental in the successes of his campaigns throughout the European Arena.

Even though there is conflicting evidence to the Great Man Theory, I do believe that this theory does explain that leadership qualities in George Patton. While yes, the qualities of leaders can be learned and acquired, there are certain qualities that are just inherent within individuals, and I believe that Patton’s qualities were inherent. Patton as a general was a very exploitative autocratic ruler, which means that he demanded and ordered things to his subordinates expecting no questions in return. Patton was very efficient in communicating to his officers during the campaigns. Patton was especially good at military strategy. He planned and implemented military maneuvers which proved a success in the war. Patton did not believe that he knew it all, and continuously studied military tactics in order to achieve a higher success than he already had achieved. Another one of Patton’s leadership qualities was in his control. Patton was able to control II Corps. While most of the control was set forth in the people Patton either placed as a subordinate to himself or promoting individuals within the II Corps to position of leadership. Through his example, the II Corps was successful both in the military battlefields off those fields within the military.

Internet’s Impact on Events Industry

           As the events industry grows larger, more individuals are pressed towards two questions. What are the issues facing the event’s industry and how are they being addressed. This essay will focus on one issue, and will try to view the issue from multiple angles in order to give a well rounded discussion. The issue chosen to investigate more thoroughly is how the internet is affecting the events industry.

The internet is a growing phenomena as it evolves to meet the needs of its users. Fifteen years ago users used the internet primarily for communication through email or instant messaging. Other used the internet to form groups such newsgroups and message boards. As more people started using the internet, the use and need began to change. Users demanded more bandwidth and speed, as well as faster update times.  The internet is a tool that can have both a positive and negative impact on the events industry.

The negative impact the internet can have on the events industry is by the early leaking of product information. Companies desire to release their products to consumers in their own way. This is usually through press releases at first, and eventually through event product launches. By product information leaking out before the product is displayed at an event, the company cannot control how and when their product can be viewed by the public. In some cases product leaking has hurt companies financially because the public gets a false impression by information that is either incomplete or untrue. Sometimes products are leaked on the internet as too good to be true, or other times they are criticized to the extreme. Any time product information is not allowed to be controlled to be shown first at an event it usually has a detrimental outcome to a company.

There is a common misconception that everyone has internet capabilities. There are countless individuals who are either stuck on dial-up or have no internet at all. Some people do not feel the need for the internet, but these people still have interests in certain events. If event coordinators tried to use the marketing toward the online audience, he will, in effect, cut off possibly thousands of his target audience because many people do not have the capabilities to gather information off the web. Sure, if they have dial-up they can see websites, but many sites in the modern internet use Flash or Java which are bandwidth heavy. Bandwidth heavy means that dial-up users would take a relatively long time to load and view the website. Therefore the internet has a negative impact on reaching the target audience.

Another negative impact the internet can have on the events industry is through incorrect information. Information is easily spread on the internet, and if the date, time, product, or show type is off, a large portion of the target audience may not end up coming to the event. Later in this essay, we will explore the positive impact of internet through correct and regulated information.

The internet can be used in a positive way in order to impact the events industry. These positive ways can be seen through advertising, online surveys, e-mail marketing, and information. The positive impact the internet can have on the event industry is advertising, surveys, communication, and regulated correct information.

Regulated correct information transmitted through and on the internet is probably the number one positive element that impacts the event industry. Information is crucial for knowledge, communication, advertising and marketing. Without information the target audience and consumers would not know what type of event or even if there was an even occurring, but on a deeper level, information allows consumers to understand the event more completely. Information could be displayed on event or venue websites. Information that would be displayed could be the title of the event, type of event, hours of operation, cost of the event, driving or transportation directions, schedule of events, and depending if the event is multiple days, a calendar. With this aspect, consumers are able to make smart choices in the events they choose to attend.

The internet enables Communication. Communication is critically important in the event industry. Event coordinators, sponsors, or patrons could all communicate through email. Newsletter emails could be sent out to a mailing list of individuals who have previously come to this type of an event, or to individuals who have shown interest in this organization. Email marketing is a simple way for event organizers to reach their target audience.

Advertising and marketing are key elements in the event industry because these elements target the audience a venue is trying to draw to an event. These two elements effectively use the regulated correct information to spread to the target audience. The internet enables event organizers to deploy advertising and marketing more cost effectively, and more quickly.

Surveys are a key element in the feedback process of event coordinators. The surveys allow event coordinators to design their events better in the future. These feedback tools are available online, which allows the consumer to complete surveys in the comfort of their own home, while giving them the opportunity to voice their opinion on any event they attended. Surveys online are quicker and can have more reporting tools to enable event coordinators to plan more effectively in the future.

In the elements this essay has discussed, the internet has some negative impacts on the events industry, but the positive impacts far outweigh a few negatives. The internet is a tool that is needed in the future of the event industry because the target audience is increasingly going online, and it is becoming an essential tool in everyday life.

Event Critique of Capitals vs. Panthers February 7, 2009

            February 7, 2009, an event took place at the Verizon Center. The Washington Capitals played the Florida Panthers. As warned by my Professor, this event is fine-tuned event, but there are still definite strengths and weaknesses in an event no matter how many times the event is run. I saw things that were strengths and weaknesses in the events.

I went with my girlfriend as a Valentine’s Day gift. Being with someone else at the event, I was able to point different things out to her, and in turn she started critiquing certain things as well. It was refreshing. Since the event is massive, it was nice to be able to have someone else’s eyes to notice things I may or may not be able to see. For instance, I can only observe the Men’s restroom facility, but I cannot see the faults or strengths in the women’s restroom. I can try to critique in such a way so that I’m viewing the event as facilitating both genders.

            Because we only took one avenue of transportation to the Verizon Center, it is impossible to evaluate all the types of transportation. I do know that the center does have the capacity for a group or individuals to drive and park. I’m not sure how large or what the capacity is, but from what I saw at the end of the game, the majority of people take the Metro-Rail as the main transportation. The mode of transportation we took was Metro-Rail. The Metro stop is literally one block from the Verizon Center. The Metro Station is on 9^th Street and G Street, while the center is 7^th Street and F Street.

            Getting into the Verizon Center is extremely quick. I’ve been to the center several times, and each time is the same. There are several entrances surrounding the center, which allows the large audience to permeate the center quickly and efficiently. The center is open hours before the game started because there are bars, grills, and restaurants. There are other activities one may do before the game. I just was not able to spend the money to do those activities.

                        I have been to the Verizon Center numerous times sitting in different seats. This specific time point I was sitting in section 100, row H. The seats were 8 rows from the ice. From this vantage point I was able to get a unique and a highly involved experience.

            There are numerous stores throughout the concourse, which offer the specific teams memorabilia. The stores are laid out well on the upper and lower concourses. They are spread out so that every each corner of the ellipse had a merchandise shop. I believe that the set up for these shops were well thought out because no matter which entrance one entered, they would have to at some point pass one of the merchandise shop. Even upon exiting the arena, groups or individuals would have to pass the shops. The prices for the merchandise were too high, in my opinion, but that did not affect the event.

 The food concessions were on the outer loop of the same hallway whether it was the upper or lower concourse. There were 3 basic types of food concessions, and these were scattered throughout the concourse. Verizon Center is also doing its part in being responsible while serving alcohol. The food concession stands cut off alcohol purchases before the start of the 3^rd period. Each of the prices at all of the concession stands had the taxes in the prices. Therefore if the price is $7.50, your exact cost is $7.50. If anything I would make the prices more affordable only because the ticket prices for the tickets should more than cover food expenses.

            The music for one was a positive use within the event. The genre of music was alternative rock, which for the style of sport fit well. Hockey is a high octane game, with a roughness and grit. The music definitely drew out that type of emotion. I thought the music at times was ear-splitting, but I believe that is because the speakers positioning on the rafters were pointing directly down in my direction. When I sat in the upper deck, 402 section, the music was just fine. It was very enveloping, but not uncomfortable to me.  By being too loud, the sounds began to blend in, which limited the distinctiveness of the sound.

            There were a lot of signs in the Verizon Center, and they were well informative. But there were times where the signs did not inform very well. These signs were in reference to the restrooms. They did not show you which direction to find either the men’s or women’s restroom. I had to walk in one direction in order to find the restroom because I knew I would eventually come across it. Another bad signage was upon exiting. If I did not know the Verizon Center or the streets surrounding it, it would have taken me more than double the amount of time it took me to exit the building. Though exit signs are clearly posted and labeled properly, they did not have anything but “exit” on the sign until you got to a specific exit where it would tell you where these exit doors would lead you. There should be signage pointing the direction of the street side exits, or at least a sign pointing the general direction of where you are walking towards.

            The restroom lines formed quickly. For men, it was really long and moved slow. Even though there were two entrances, for some reason the men formed a line in only one, which slowed the process even more. If there was a sign directing the men into both sides, then the line would move in a timely manner. For women, the lines were sporadic. Some were extremely busy and long, while others were not, but were better organized.

            The seating was definitely more comfortable than the 400 level. The 400 level had plastic seating, while the 100 level had cushion seats. The 100 level was safer than the upper level. When I sat in the 400 level seats, it is incredibly steep that the tops of the seat would be parallel to the next row above. One feels like if they would fall over, they would topple to the bottom of the 400 section. Since this is a facility side, there is little one can do to change this.

            One of the best feelings during the event is when the Capitals would come on the ice just before the initial face-off before any one of the 3 periods. The lights would dim, and spotlights shaped as stars would move across the ice. The LED’s across the middle section, which would normally have advertisements, are now turned red with patterns. This red glow would permeate the Arena, as the Capitals would come out in their home red jerseys. This was excellent form of creating anticipation and excitement.

            Overall the event went smoothly as expected because it was an event that occurs over 82 times during any one season. It is extremely hard to have a full critique of the event because in a arena that seats over 18,000 people, it is impossible to experience the event from every vantage point, but from what I could, I drew upon to critique.