This is my final reflective blog entry for my introduction to management course, thanks to everyone that read my blog and left a comment your feedback has been very encouraging and helpful.
It is important that organisations communicate effectively to their employees and stakeholders, to prevent confusion and keep their organisation stay organised. Five key steps to communicating effectively are:
Form of Communication
Choosing the proper form of communication is important, not all issues need to be dealt with face to face or it is not feasible for all the needed participants to meet face to face. Sometimes its is best to have a face to face meeting to deal with sensitive issues, or you may send a email to ask a quick question. The right medium for communication will allow all parties involved to participate in a constructive and effective manner.
Be Prepared
Being prepared and focused can help the communication of new ideas and information, doing your homework on subjects you want to introduce to the work place will help you communicate with confidence and help you clarify any misunderstanding there may be. Even the most mundane emails should be thoughtful and be treated with some professionalism.
Find Solutions
When dealing with problems don't just dump the issues on the laps of your co-workers, help find solutions and work with people to come to the best possible conclusion. Being actively involved in problem solving is important to instilling a sense of team work in the organisation.
Composure
Sometimes emotions can get the best of us, we may feel someone isn't listening or they are being inconsiderate, it is important to keep a cool head and not say or do anything we may regret. It may be necessary to take a brake and collect our thoughts so we can look at things in a rational manner. If you notice someone is loosing there composure try to listen to their opinion or give them some time to cool off so communication can be productive and meaning full once again.
Listening and Feedback
I feel listening is the most important part of communication, if you clearly understand what is being said and asked, you will be able to move forward appropriately. Ask questions and be involved in the conversation, it will help you understand and let the other person know you are involved in the activity. Giving feedback will help the other party improve their skills in communicating ideas in a meaningful manner or provide additional information if required.
All members in an organisation have to communicate with each other, doing it in a productive and organised manner is important to the future success of any company.
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Friday, 17 August 2012
Models of organizational change 9-2
In this blog post I will discus three steps to manage change in an organization. The three steps I will use as examples are unfreeze, move and refreeze as outlined in our text book. I feel these three steps are necessary to effectively manage change in the workplace.
Recently the shop I work at has introduced a computer system to do our work orders and as a time sheet, this decision was made by the top line managers at our company to allow them to better monitor their staff and help in organising our inventory better. Our old system was all paper based and many of our mechanics were not in favour of this new change. This was a top-down change and was implemented in a matter of a month.
Unfreezing the status quo was accomplished by our managers by having a staff meeting to explain the changes to the staff and why the new system is necessary to the operation of the shop. The managers also explained that this new computer system will allow everyone to be more efficient and spend less time doing paper work.
The move to the new computer system was accomplished by training the staff to properly use the system and we also implemented a transition period where the system was not live and we still used the paper as a back up un till all staff were comfortable using the new system. We also brought in extra help to do inventory and input all needed data into our parts data base.
Refreezing the new status quo was re enforced by implementing a new bonus structure to reward those employees that were meeting their productivity and quality standards. This was a great incentive and actually boosted moral in the shop and was a great way to refreeze the change.
If properly managed changes can be implemented in a positive and constructive way that benefits all stakeholders in any organisation. My workplace has been more organized and the mechanics have been productive since the computer system was implemented and because the managers took the proper steps to make the change there was very little resistance or issues to the new way of doing things.
Recently the shop I work at has introduced a computer system to do our work orders and as a time sheet, this decision was made by the top line managers at our company to allow them to better monitor their staff and help in organising our inventory better. Our old system was all paper based and many of our mechanics were not in favour of this new change. This was a top-down change and was implemented in a matter of a month.
Unfreezing the status quo was accomplished by our managers by having a staff meeting to explain the changes to the staff and why the new system is necessary to the operation of the shop. The managers also explained that this new computer system will allow everyone to be more efficient and spend less time doing paper work.
The move to the new computer system was accomplished by training the staff to properly use the system and we also implemented a transition period where the system was not live and we still used the paper as a back up un till all staff were comfortable using the new system. We also brought in extra help to do inventory and input all needed data into our parts data base.
Refreezing the new status quo was re enforced by implementing a new bonus structure to reward those employees that were meeting their productivity and quality standards. This was a great incentive and actually boosted moral in the shop and was a great way to refreeze the change.
If properly managed changes can be implemented in a positive and constructive way that benefits all stakeholders in any organisation. My workplace has been more organized and the mechanics have been productive since the computer system was implemented and because the managers took the proper steps to make the change there was very little resistance or issues to the new way of doing things.
Sunday, 29 July 2012
Critical Incident Analysis
In this reflective blog post I will be doing a critical incident analysis. The incident I will be discussing happened many years ago at a repair facility I was working at.
I was working on a evening shift as an apprentice mechanic, I was working with a licenced mechanic and the shops foreman. I was performing maintenance (lube oil and filter) on a customers tanker truck by myself, I found several defects on this unit and informed the foreman of the defects found, as it was close to quitting time the foreman instructed me to finish the oil change and leave the repairs for the next day. I arrived to work the next day and the owner of the shop called me into his office, he informed me that I had missed several defects on the service I had done the night before, the driver of the truck that I had serviced was very mad and had filled a complaint. I informed the owner that I had found the defects and informed the evening shift foreman of them, the owner said he had talked to him and he knew nothing of them. Before I could defend myself the owner sent me home and told me not to come back for one week.
As a result of what I thought was unfair treatment I handed in my resignation and found a new job. The foreman of the shop lied to save himself from being reprimanded and was later fired for stealing from the shop. After that foreman was let go I took my old job back and worked there for many years.
Q: Why do I view the situation like that?
A:I felt the foreman had lied to save himself based on his selfish nature, and this was verified when he was caught stealing.
Q: What assumptions have I made about the situation?
A: I assumed the owner would have come to the same conclusion of the foreman's character, and hoped the owner would have wanted to hear my side of the story
Q: How else could I interpret the situation?
A: I might have thought the foreman might have forgotten about our conversation of the defects I had found.
Q:What other action could I have taken that might have been more helpful?
A: I could have waited until the owner calmed down and talked to him then, and I might have been able to defened myself and make him realise I had found the defects.
Q: What would I do if I am faced with a similar situation in the future?
A: I have changed the way I report any defects found to prevent any miss understandings, I now write down and leave a note for any repairs that were not finished during my shift.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
6-2 controlling for success
In this blog entry I will be discussing Apple Inc and how they are a "recession winner". Out of all the companies we could have chosen for this assignment I feel Apple Inc and Steve Jobs out shined all the others, apple really re-invented themselves in 2007 with the introduction of the I-phone, and I-pod touch.
In 2007 Steve Jobs announced that Apple computer Inc would be from that point on be known as Apple Inc because computers were no longer the main focus of their company, their new focus was now mobile devices, the following day apple shares have risen and never looked back. With these mobile devices came new types of software know as apps, the "app store" is where you can purchase new apps and creates billions in revenue, along with the "I-tunes store" where you can purchase music and videos. Apple has changed the way many people buy software and music (whens the last time you bought a cd?) In 2010 Apple introduced the I-pad, a tablet media device that would share many of the same apps as the I-phone and I-pod touch. Shares in October 2010 would hit $300 per share, and Apple had become the third largest producer of mobile phones in the world, not bad considering they had only been in that market place for four years.
Bellow is a video from www.youtube.com about the possibility of Apple Inc being the first company worth a trillion dollars.
In a time when many companies were just clinging on to what they had to keep their heads above water Apple not only grew but changed the way the world interacts with media, art and each other. Who among us doesn't have a smart phone? I am willing bet someone will eventually read this blog on their I-phone. Apple Inc is "winning" and not in the Charlie Sheen sense of the word they have run their business like there was no recession at all.
In 2007 Steve Jobs announced that Apple computer Inc would be from that point on be known as Apple Inc because computers were no longer the main focus of their company, their new focus was now mobile devices, the following day apple shares have risen and never looked back. With these mobile devices came new types of software know as apps, the "app store" is where you can purchase new apps and creates billions in revenue, along with the "I-tunes store" where you can purchase music and videos. Apple has changed the way many people buy software and music (whens the last time you bought a cd?) In 2010 Apple introduced the I-pad, a tablet media device that would share many of the same apps as the I-phone and I-pod touch. Shares in October 2010 would hit $300 per share, and Apple had become the third largest producer of mobile phones in the world, not bad considering they had only been in that market place for four years.
Bellow is a video from www.youtube.com about the possibility of Apple Inc being the first company worth a trillion dollars.
http://youtu.be/j93NHi6cVjc
In a time when many companies were just clinging on to what they had to keep their heads above water Apple not only grew but changed the way the world interacts with media, art and each other. Who among us doesn't have a smart phone? I am willing bet someone will eventually read this blog on their I-phone. Apple Inc is "winning" and not in the Charlie Sheen sense of the word they have run their business like there was no recession at all.
Monday, 2 July 2012
Sustainable development policies
In this reflective blog assignment I have created three internal company polices in regards to sustainable development. I feel sustainable development is about wealth creation, environmental protection and social responsibility going hand in hand when making decisions and planning for long term benefits. My three policies are based on the environment, the community and company operations.
The Environment:
Conserving energy and natural resources particularly those which are scarce or non-renewable while still producing a safe and comfortable working environment.
The Community:
The impact on local communities will otherwise be improved in response to feedback and comments received from stakeholders within communities we conduct our business in.
Company Operations:
Educating, training and motivating staff, contractors, suppliers and distributors to work in a more sustainably responsible manner and to be active in future ideas, policy making and initiatives the company will be implementing.
The above sustainable development polices will help the company move forward in a positive and responsible manner. Its important that all companies be environmentally friendly and be aware of whats important to the community they operate in so they can continue to produce goods and services profitably and responsibly. Having all the members of a organization be a part of sustainable development will help promote sustainable practices and behaviors.
The Environment:
Conserving energy and natural resources particularly those which are scarce or non-renewable while still producing a safe and comfortable working environment.
The Community:
The impact on local communities will otherwise be improved in response to feedback and comments received from stakeholders within communities we conduct our business in.
Company Operations:
Educating, training and motivating staff, contractors, suppliers and distributors to work in a more sustainably responsible manner and to be active in future ideas, policy making and initiatives the company will be implementing.
The above sustainable development polices will help the company move forward in a positive and responsible manner. Its important that all companies be environmentally friendly and be aware of whats important to the community they operate in so they can continue to produce goods and services profitably and responsibly. Having all the members of a organization be a part of sustainable development will help promote sustainable practices and behaviors.
Saturday, 23 June 2012
my IDEAL COMPANY
Starbucks now spends more on health care than it does on coffee beans. They are putting people first. My ideal company would take an ethical and social stance similar to Starbucks, it would be a bistro/cafe, serving refined food and beverages. It would be trendy and attract a young, hip, and professional customer. My essay will explore the use of a utilitarian model of ethics as it relates to my ideal company.
I feel it is very important as a manager to demonstrate a commitment to the welfare and sustainability of the people, and the places that produce our products and services. A code of ethics is a good way to let your employees, suppliers, and customers know what the core beliefs of your business are. This is the code of ethics for my company.
Code of Ethics
- Treat all co-workers, customers, suppliers and the environment with respect and dignity.
- No illegal or unethical conduct on the part of directors, employees, or affiliates.
- All health and safety regulations must be followed at all times.
- Perform all duties with integrity and safely to provide the customer with quality products and services.
As a top level manager of this company, I will stress the importance of the code of ethics and make it a core value to all employees. Any employees found acting in a manner that is not in accordance to this code will be disciplined. It is also important that clear lines of communications exist so all employees can report any issues or concerns they have.
It will be a priority for my company to find and work with local suppliers who share our values. Suppliers will also be held to our code of ethics. We will strive to use only sustainably raised and grown products to give our customers the best end product.
By taking a proactive approach to social, professional ,and individual ethics, I feel my company can provide products and services that our customers want, in a responsible manner. Our efforts to work with suppliers who share our commitment and values to social and environmental responsibility will ensure we have a positive effect on our community as a whole.
"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally" - David Frost
Friday, 15 June 2012
Forces and Competition
a look at MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP
For this week's blog assignment, I have chosen to look at Mountain Equipment Co-op. I've been to their retail location several times to purchase backpacks and other supplies. Their store is in a central location located in downtown Calgary which is quite convenient.
The first thing I noticed when I entered their store is the wide selection of varied goods they have, from canoes to clothing, they have everything you need no matter what outdoor activity you want to embark in.
For this week's blog assignment, I have chosen to look at Mountain Equipment Co-op. I've been to their retail location several times to purchase backpacks and other supplies. Their store is in a central location located in downtown Calgary which is quite convenient.
The first thing I noticed when I entered their store is the wide selection of varied goods they have, from canoes to clothing, they have everything you need no matter what outdoor activity you want to embark in.
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| MEC logo from www.mec.ca |
MEC was started 40 years ago, by 6 climbing enthusiast who were unable to find the equipment they needed to climb locally. They decided to start a co-operative business where they could help other climbers and outdoor enthusiast get the goods they need. Today they have approximately 3 million members, all of whom bought a $5 share in the co-operative and 15 retail locations across Canada.
So what are the impacts of economic, technological, demographical, political, and global forces that affect MEC?
Well, MEC is a company that is very socially and environmentally responsible which can come with a price tag. Finding ethical sources for your goods is a time and resource consuming task. Ethically sourced products are also often more expensive to manufacture. In today's turbulent economy, consumers are looking for the best deal possible. However, MEC has done a great job of educating their customers and share holders of the importance of being socially responsible.
MEC has utilised technology in several different ways. They have always provided their customers with the most advanced products available and developed their own products to sell. They also utilize the internet and social media to market goods and inform people about their company.
MEC's key demographic is the outdoor enthusiast. Being that the company was started by like minded people, MEC really knows how to market themselves to their customers. This gives MEC an advantage with this demographic as they know what is important to them. With this knowledge they can focus on the products and services that matter most to their customers.
MEC has taken responsibility of ethically sourcing suppliers and distributors in the global market place that share the same political and social views. They have made it a priority to give back to the local communities and communities around the world.
By being socially, environmentally, and ethically conscious MEC has created loyalty among their target demographics. Having a very good understanding of what their customers need and value gives MEC an advantage over their competitors. Being a co-operative empowers their customers and creates brand loyalty that other retailers can not provide to this demographic. I feel MEC will continue to have a strong growth in the Canadian marketplace now and in the future.
So what are the impacts of economic, technological, demographical, political, and global forces that affect MEC?
Well, MEC is a company that is very socially and environmentally responsible which can come with a price tag. Finding ethical sources for your goods is a time and resource consuming task. Ethically sourced products are also often more expensive to manufacture. In today's turbulent economy, consumers are looking for the best deal possible. However, MEC has done a great job of educating their customers and share holders of the importance of being socially responsible.
MEC has utilised technology in several different ways. They have always provided their customers with the most advanced products available and developed their own products to sell. They also utilize the internet and social media to market goods and inform people about their company.
MEC's key demographic is the outdoor enthusiast. Being that the company was started by like minded people, MEC really knows how to market themselves to their customers. This gives MEC an advantage with this demographic as they know what is important to them. With this knowledge they can focus on the products and services that matter most to their customers.
MEC has taken responsibility of ethically sourcing suppliers and distributors in the global market place that share the same political and social views. They have made it a priority to give back to the local communities and communities around the world.
By being socially, environmentally, and ethically conscious MEC has created loyalty among their target demographics. Having a very good understanding of what their customers need and value gives MEC an advantage over their competitors. Being a co-operative empowers their customers and creates brand loyalty that other retailers can not provide to this demographic. I feel MEC will continue to have a strong growth in the Canadian marketplace now and in the future.
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| MEC logo from www.mec.ca |
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