How virtual strangers become virtual teams - MaRS

How virtual strangers become virtual teams - MaRS





Now this global entrepreneurial energy is finding new expression virtually thanks to the ubiquity of mobile technology, social media and intuitive collaborative platforms. Over 65 virtual business incubators have launched around the world. For example, the MIT Technology Licensing Office uses a “virtual incubator” model to start up new enterprises based on MIT technology. In the United Kingdom, the National Virtual Incubator is supported by Cisco Systems. Similarly, Brandeis University just introduced a master of science in information technology management program that covers topics including the leadership of virtual and global teams. These examples are just the tip of an immense global trend and opportunity.

Permaculture

Permaculture

While traditional farming asks: “What can I get from this land?  Permaculture practitioners ask: “What does this land have to give if I cooperate with it?” Traditional agricultural practices in the USA have been the cause of many negative environmental impacts such as deforestation, soil degradation, pollution and waste just to name a few, and permaculture offers solutions to these current problems.  

Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria

Quality Assessment, Certification and Marketing | DestiNet


There are more than 100 independent certificates for environmentally friendly and/or socially responsible "sustainable" tourism services, destinations and tour operators reflecting worldwide diversity based on local circumstances. A set of Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for hotels and tour operators has been developed to harmonize the discussion on what sustainable tourism means for business development, giving guidance to regional, national and international certificates and other stakeholders in the global market place.



We are currently witnessing the linking of quality and sustainability evaluation processes, in which the assessment of product and service quality requires the inclusion of sustainability criteria and vice-versa. This combined approach addresses the need for sustainable businesses and destinations to be competitive and give customer satisfaction.



Marketing and branding of certified tourism have become important features of sustainable tourism development. The growing number of marketing tools and channels reflect the diversity of tourism worldwide.



Increasing the coverage of sustainability issues, ensuring the transparency of standards and procedures, maintaining the credibility of assessments and promised qualities, and improving visibility of the best choices are key to raising the market share of sustainable tourism. Independent control and financial affordability are essential to secure the short and long term participation of tourism businesses and stakeholders.