Latest news with #Sloan
Extra.ie
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
A look at the best Irish players in Serie A after Ferguson completes Roma move
It's always interesting to see Irish players move away from the UK. For too long Irish players have limited their horizons to our neighbours across the Irish Sea but in recent years we've seen more players move into continental Europe including Evan Ferguson's loan move to Roma. Ferguson, still only 20, has had a rough time in the Premier League after making his initial breakthrough, most recently going on loan to West Ham where he struggled for games at the London Stadium. However he's now made the move to the Italian capital where he has the chance to get away from the Irish and British media and concentrate on his football. Ireland actually has a decorated history of players who have played in the Italian top flight so here's a brief look at some Irish players to have made an impact in Italy. AS Roma new signing Evan Ferguson poses with his new jersey. Pic: Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images While Sloan isn't the first player to have played in Serie A (that possibly goes to Matts Kunding who played for both Turin sides Torino and Juventus) Sloan is the first that has confirmed Serie A appearances. Born in Armagh, Sloan made a name for himself at Arsenal before moving to AC Milan in 1948. He scored nine goals in 30 appearance in a season in Milan and became known as 'The Tiger'. He would leave the Rossineri after one season and played for Torino, Brescia and Udinese before returning to the UK in 1951. It would be over 30 years before another Irishman lined out in Serie A and when Liam Brady stepped onto the field in Turin to make his Juventus debut in 1980, few in Dublin could've imagined the impact he would have in Italy. He's considered one of the best English speakers to ever play in Serie A, won two Scudetti (league) titles, scoring the decisive penalty to win it in 1982, and played for Sampdoria, Inter Milan and Ascoli before leaving Italy a legend in 1987. Liam Brady for Juventus during the Serie A 1981-82, Italy. Pic:Robbie Keane is one of the greatest goalscorers to ever come from this island. The Tallaght man is has over 100 Premier League goals but before he become a legend at White Hart Lane, Keano embarked on an exciting journey to Milan to play for Inter, moving there for £13million from Coventry in 2000. However Keane's time at the San Siro wouldn't be as successful as Brady's. Keane lasted six months, scoring three goals in 14 games for Inter before going to Leeds United on loan in January 2001. Robbie Keane playing for Inter Milan. Pic: Stuart Franklin /Allsport With these two still soon into their careers and having played together to Udinese it's only fair to put them in together here. Ebosele made the move to the very north of Italy in 2022 after impressing at Derby County while Abankwah made a name for himself in the League of Ireland, lining out for St Pats as a 17-year old. James Abankwah of Udinese. Pic:Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images Both played in the Serie A, Ebosele more often but neither have made a huge impact in Italy. Both were farmed out on loan to Udinese's sister club Watford with Abankwah re-signing with The Hornets for next season while Ebosele has chosen to continue his career in Europe with Istanbul Basaksekir. There's also a number of youth players who have played in Italy in recent years without playing in the Serie A. These players include the likes of Kevin Zefi, Justin Ferizaj and Cathal Heffernan to name a few. This is a great opportunity for Ferguson to restore his reputation after as couple of rough seasons. The Serie A has been kind to ex-Premier League players in recent seasons where the likes of Scott McTominay and Ademola Lookman have revitalised their careers in Italy. You can bet that a Ferguson Roma jersey is going to be one of the most popular kits in Ireland for this season too.
Boston Globe
18-07-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
‘I'm still so shocked!' Woman thought she won $10K on a scratch ticket, but it was much more
Sloan was told to visit the Dorchester headquarters to claim her prize, and she ended up choosing the cash option, receiving a one-time payment (before taxes) of $650,000, lottery officials said. Sloan purchased the winning '$2,000,000 Diamond Cashword' scratch ticket at Village Knoll Variety in Millbury, according to lottery officials. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling Sloan's winning ticket, lottery officials said. Advertisement Sloan said said she plans to invest her winnings and help her children. Visited our Worcester Regional Office thinking she hit for $10,000, but it was actually a $1 MILLION winner 🤩 Playing $2,000,000 Diamond Cashword ($10) — Mass. State Lottery (@MAStateLottery) Emily Sweeney can be reached at
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Guru Purnima: The gurus who rebuilt the corporate world
Guru Purnima is meant to honour those who shape how we think, not just spiritually but intellectually too. In Indian tradition, a guru doesn't just teach; he shifts your worldview. Business, too, has its own set of gurus. They didn't merely invent products or run companies. They change the way we understand leadership, management, marketing and strategy. They're not CEOs in the spotlight or charismatic founders. They're the architects behind the ideas that run modern organisations. From management frameworks to competitive strategy, these thinkers build the intellectual scaffolding of the business world we now take for granted. Let's look at some of the most influential minds who redefined how businesses operate, and why their thinking matters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Would you like to know more? Undo Frederick Taylor (1856–1915): Making efficiency a science Before Taylor, work was based on tradition and trial-and-error. After him, it became measurable, optimisable and replicable. His scientific management approach was about breaking down tasks, timing them to the second and removing inefficiencies. Live Events Taylor invented time-and-motion studies and standardised tools and processes to drive productivity. He separated planning from execution, giving managers the job of figuring out the best way to work, and workers the task of following that system. Critics said he turned people into machines. And yes, Taylorism had its dark side, stripping work of autonomy and nuance. But he also laid the groundwork for modern operations management. SOPs, KPIs, performance bonuses, all trace back to his ideas. He made the system, not the person, the star. And that thinking still underpins most industrial and logistics operations today. Alfred Sloan (1875–1966): Designing the corporate machine While Henry Ford made the assembly line, Alfred Sloan built the company that could run it, at scale, over decades, across markets. At General Motors, Sloan created the now-familiar structure of modern corporations: decentralised business units with centralised control. Each GM brand — Chevrolet, Pontiac, Cadillac — ran its own show, but within a unified corporate strategy. It was a breakthrough. He introduced planned product updates to keep customers coming back and created the concept of market segmentation, aligning brands with different income groups. You weren't just buying a car; you were buying a rung on the social ladder. Sloan's model became the blueprint for managing complexity in large enterprises. If your company has divisions or brands targeting different customers but is still answerable to a central board, Sloan wrote that playbook. From Unilever to Procter & Gamble, his fingerprints are everywhere. W. Edwards Deming (1900–1993): Quality as a system Deming was an American statistician and management consultant, credited with helping transform Japanese manufacturing and advancing total quality management. His philosophy emphasised improving quality through process improvement and statistical methods. Deming's '14 Points for Management' created a blueprint for transforming organisational culture — Constancy of purpose: focus on long-term goals, not short-term profits; Cease dependence on mass inspection: build quality into the process from the start; Drive out fear: let employees raise concerns freely; Institute leadership: support and empower, not dictate. He also introduced the System of Profound Knowledge, combining systems thinking, variation, knowledge theory and psychology. His PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act) became foundational in continuous improvement. Deming's work transformed Japan's industrial economy in the post-war years. His emphasis on systems thinking and statistical control helped Japanese firms outpace global competitors on quality and reliability. In the West, his principles drove the total quality management and Six Sigma movements. His mantra, that 'quality is everyone's responsibility,' changed how businesses approach performance. Peter Drucker (1909–2005): Humanising the manager's job Drucker, the Austrian-American thinker often called the father of modern management, reshaped how we think about what managers actually do. Management, in his view, wasn't about power or control; it was about enabling people to perform. He saw management as a social function, not just a corporate one. Having lived through the rise of fascism in Europe, he believed that strong, ethical, well-run institutions were essential to keeping societies stable. At the core of his thinking was this: a functioning organisation must balance purpose, people and performance. He coined the term 'knowledge worker', recognising that most of the modern workforce would be using their heads, not their hands. Managing these workers meant trusting them, not micromanaging them. He championed Management by Objectives, the idea that people work better when they have clear, measurable goals. He also pushed for decentralisation, arguing that decisions should be made closer to where the action is. The best organisations, he said, break big problems into smaller, actionable parts. And long before 'customer obsession' became a buzzword, Drucker had already laid it out plainly: 'The purpose of business is to create a customer.' Today, every quarterly goal-setting session, every company that prizes its employees' minds, every pitch about putting the customer first owes a debt to Drucker. Philip Kotler (b. 1931): Turning marketing into a mindset Kotler didn't just write the book on marketing, he wrote THE book. His textbook 'Marketing Management' became the global standard, but his bigger achievement was to take marketing out of the advertising department and put it at the centre of strategic thinking. He reframed marketing as the entire journey from identifying unmet needs to delivering value. His classic 4 Ps (product, price, place, promotion) became the template for how businesses think about positioning and customer experience. He went further. With his concept of social marketing, Kotler showed that marketing tools could be used to tackle public problems. He pioneered holistic marketing, tying together internal culture, external messaging, customer relationships and performance. He recognised the shift toward digital early and helped marketers rethink their playbook through the 5A customer journey: aware, appeal, ask, act, advocate. If you've ever heard a company say, 'We don't sell a product, we sell a solution,' you're hearing echoes of Kotler. He made marketing strategic, human and endlessly adaptable. Stephen Covey (1932–2012): Building leaders from the inside out Covey brought ethics, empathy and purpose into management conversations. His '7 Habits of Highly Effective People' became a bible for anyone serious about personal and organisational development. His habits weren't just tips; they were a complete framework for how to think, act and lead. From being proactive and focusing on what matters, to listening deeply and renewing yourself, Covey's ideas cut across cultures and industries. His version of success started with values, not metrics. By making leadership principle-based, he gave organisations a language for building trust and empowering people. Today, his teachings are baked into HR programmes, leadership retreats and personal development plans around the world. C. K. Prahalad (1941–2010): Strategy with soul Prahalad was the rare strategist who could speak to both Fortune 500 CEOs and development economists and be equally compelling to both. With Gary Hamel, he introduced the concept of core competence, the idea that companies shouldn't just focus on products but on the deep capabilities that make them special. It changed how companies approached innovation. But his bigger revolution was the Bottom of the Pyramid theory. Prahalad argued that the world's poorest people weren't just recipients of aid — they were a market. Companies could create sustainable profits and solve social problems by designing products and services for low-income populations. That thinking led to microfinance, sachet marketing in FMCG, low-cost healthcare devices and more. He gave business a moral spine without sacrificing growth. Michael Porter (b. 1947): Making strategy a science Porter brought discipline to strategy. His 'Five Forces' model helped companies understand not just their competitors, but the entire industry ecosystem — buyers, suppliers, new entrants and substitutes. He showed that competitive advantage isn't random. It can be built through cost leadership, differentiation or focus, but you have to pick one and go deep. Porter also gave us the value chain, a way to dissect every activity in a business to see where value is created and where it leaks. His ideas turned strategy into a repeatable process. They're taught in every business school, used in every board deck and embedded in how companies think about positioning and profitability. When companies try to avoid being stuck in the middle, that's Porter talking. Clayton Christensen (1952–2020): Decoding disruption Christensen was a Harvard Business School professor best known for creating the theory of disruptive innovation, one of the most influential business ideas of the last century. Disruptive innovation explains how small, scrappy companies with low-end products can slowly climb upmarket and overtake giants. Incumbents focus on improving their core offerings (sustaining innovation), ignoring the threat below until it's too late. 'The Innovator's Dilemma', his best-known book, explores why good management, focused on serving existing profitable customers, often leads companies to miss the next big shift. He also introduced the 'Jobs to Be Done' theory: customers 'hire' products to do specific jobs. If you understand that job deeply, you can build better products. This flipped product design from features to outcomes. Christensen gave Silicon Valley and the broader business world a language for understanding market shifts. The idea that successful companies can be disrupted by newcomers from the fringe has become a foundational rallying cry across industries. Jim Collins (b. 1958): Turning greatness into a method Collins isn't your typical management thinker. He doesn't hand out advice. He digs into data until patterns emerge. His books 'Built to Last' and 'Good to Great' were based on years of comparing high-performing companies with average ones to find what really sets them apart. From that work came 'Level 5 Leadership': leaders who combine humility with intense will. And the 'Hedgehog Concept': focus on what you do best, what you love and what drives your economic engine. His most famous metaphor? 'Get the right people on the bus.' It's not about having a flashy strategy, it's about having the right team first. He made leadership about integrity and consistency, not hype.
Daily Tribune
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Olivia Munn speaks out about her experiences filming The Newsroom
Bang Showbiz | Los Angeles Olivia Munn has spoken out about her experiences filming The Newsroom, alleging repeated creative clashes with a director on the HBO series led to professional conflicts on set — and attempts to derail her career afterwards. The 44-year-old actress discussed the situation during an episode of the Armchair Expert podcast, in conversation with host Dax Shepard. Oilvia, who starred as financial reporter Sloan Sabbith in the Aaron Sorkin–created series from 2012 to 2014, said tensions escalated during the second and third seasons, particularly as her character became romantically involved with Don Keefer, played by Thomas Sadoski, 48. The star claimed the director repeatedly pressured her to play the romantic arc from Sloan's perspective only. 'The director kept trying to force me to carry that storyline only on my side,' she said – adding: 'I'm in the middle of working and I've got this new Bloomberg machine, and I'm so excited, and he's like, 'Can you look out at him and smile?' 'And I'm like, 'Why? She's busy doing this.' Or, 'Can you stop and snuggle up to him or flirt with him or can you give him a kiss?'' A particularly contentious moment occurred, Olivia said, when her character discovered Don had committed insider trading using confidential information she had shared. 'I was like, 'Are you kidding me? This is insane,'' she recalled. According to Oilvia, the director disagreed with her interpretation and insisted Sloan should find the situation 'kind of funny'. The conflict culminated in a standoff during filming.
Hamilton Spectator
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Canal Days hits all the right notes with 2025 lineup announcement
This year's Canal Days Marine and Heritage Festival will have an all-Canadian sound with a musical showcase featuring rock icons Sloan, Finger Eleven, The Trews and Big Sugar. The City of Port Colborne has officially unveiled the musical and event lineup for the 47th annual festival, promising a holiday long weekend of free concerts, fireworks, cruises and family fun Aug. 1 to 4. 'This is one of my favourite events each year,' said Mayor Bill Steele during an announcement at Vale Health and Wellness Centre. 'We couldn't have Canal Days without our amazing media partners, sponsors and volunteers.' Kicking off Friday, Aug. 1, at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park, the main stage will open with HTZ-FM Rocksearch winners Small Town Strip Club, followed by 2024 winners The Feral Minks. Sloan and Big Sugar will headline the evening. On the Saturday, Ottawa's Boston Levi will start the evening by getting the crowd going before Finger Eleven takes the stage playing such hits as 'Paralyzer' and 'One Thing.' The Trews will close out the night with their classic songs, such as 'Not Ready to Go' and 'Highway of Heroes.' A planned rooftop concert for the Sunday was relocated due to logistical hurdles. 'I had to call (U2's) Bono and say, 'Guys, we can't have you on the roof,' Steele joked. 'He said, 'We're not coming.'' Instead, the music will continue on ground level at West and Sugarloaf Street, where U2 tribute band Desire will perform ahead of a 10-piece set by Main Event Music during a fireworks display. Steele addressed some of issues last year's festival encountered when a rowdy crowd eager to enter a free Billy Talent concert forced its way through fencing, saying steps have been taken to improve security. 'This year, we have committed to security upgrades to ensure the festival is a safe place for everyone,' he said. Capacity at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park has been increased to 15,000, with gates opening at 6 nightly. Entry is not guaranteed to people who show up late, the city said in a press release. It is working with a festival security expert and adjusting the concert layout and entrances to improve crowd flow. A new security team, in co-ordination with emergency management partners, will oversee all safety measures. Additional rules include bag checks, no outside alcohol and a ban on smoking and pets. Lawn chairs are only permitted on Sunday at the West Street stage. Off stage, the festival brings back a suite of attractions. The 61-metre-tall topsail schooner Empire Sandy will offer cruises on Lake Erie and the Welland Canal, with discounted tickets available until June 30. The Kids Zone and Recreation Zone will return to King George Park, sponsored by South Coast Home and Sullivan Mahoney. Festivalgoers can also explore an artisan market, lighthouse tours, an indoor craft show run by the Optimist Club and a classic car show. 'Last year, (the car show) had approximately 900 antique and classic cars,' Steele said. 'All kinds of muscle cars, original 1920s Fords, Chevy Pontiacs, (they're) pretty cool cars so I encourage you to come down.' Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum, from where Canal Days began in 1979, will host historical demonstrations and performances from Strong Water Singers and Métis Nation of Ontario. 'With each celebration, the event has grown,' said museum director Tami Nail. 'The grounds are filled with so much more marine and heritage fun for the whole family, we have games prizes and food.' The museum will have free admission. New is a Niagara Diecast Toy Show and downhill race at Vale Health and Wellness Centre. The festival will also have a sponsor-exclusive space with refreshments and air conditioning during the Sunday fireworks. GIO Rail, which signed on as presenting sponsor in 2024, renewed its commitment for four more years, alongside a $75,000 donation in sponsorship. 'We are honoured to return as Canal Days' presenting sponsor for 2025 and beyond,' vice-president and chief operating officer Neil Johnson said in a statement. Volunteers are still needed for the festival. Those interested can apply online or contact the city directly. 'We're so lucky to have the best group of volunteers, quite frankly, in the country, if not anywhere in the world,' said Steele. Full festival details and updates can be found at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
