Management is not simple,
All positive ideas are good thoughts,
Nothing can’t be impossible,
Agree or disagree,
Get firms organized.
Easy to solve problems,
Managing conflict avoids trouble,
Every decision is important,
Need to be consider,
Time to take control.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
The ABCs of DISC
On the class activity of the leadership/management diagnostic, I got the result of C-S which means conscientiousness and steadiness. I think the test got it right. I am the person of working conscientiously within existing circumstances to ensure quality and accuracy. I will pay attention to key directives and standards, and then I do it. I like to follow rules and I am a good cooperator with others to carry out the task. However, I can’t be a leader to make decisions. I usually don’t want to talk a lot and state unpopular positions. I don’t wish and can’t become another type because this is my personality. I can’t force myself to become another type, and that will cause me many pressure.
It is helpful to determine people’s management type to better understand where they are coming from. It is better to help people to make decisions or handle works if they understand what type of management they are. They can do it well within their ability.
It is helpful to determine people’s management type to better understand where they are coming from. It is better to help people to make decisions or handle works if they understand what type of management they are. They can do it well within their ability.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Communicating via Blog
The use of this Blog for the class is interesting, unique, and effective way to get value from this class. We can read other people’s blog and know who they are, and what their thought. This is a good way to communicate with other people because even though we are classmates, and we meet twice a week, we rarely talk to each other in class or outside the class. Through the blog, we can talk and know each other, and also it is a way to present ourselves.
I talk very little in the class because I am a quiet person. On the other hand, we don’t have much time to talk to others and share out thoughts and ideas during the class. I really feel I benefited from meeting others online. I can write more beside talk more, so writing a blog is easier for me than talk more in classes. Moreover, we have more time outside the classes, so we can interact via the blog anytime without the time restriction.
The topics for blog entries relate to our in class activities. In classes, we might just follow the steps that the professor said, and didn’t have a chance to thing about what were the purposes to do that. But the question for the blog entries explain the activities very clear, so we can thing about in-class experiences with the activities back to the lessons we were studying. For example, in learning the communication process, one way communication would be the worse way. It was difficult to understand what the person said with non-verbal and without asking questions communication. All explaining of the person is about his own perception. Two way communication is better and clear than one way. We can ask questions, the person can get feedback, but it is easy to run out of time and repeat the same thing again and again.
Management can be different ways. It is good to learn from other people via the blog. Reading other’s blogs and writing a blog entry can improve our reading and writing skills, thing critically, learn from others.
I spend more time for this 20% of my grade than prepare for the test. It seems this 20% is heavier than the test. However, it is interesting and I enjoy doing this kind of assignment. We can learn more outside the lecture. Because of this 20% of the total grade, I clearly understood that I have to finish all the assignment to be sure I would get the whole points. I would also worry about the last day I had to post online. I feel that I will continue to post my feeling and ideas about school, work, and life after this class has ended but it will be shorter than these posts.
The blog is only for students to learn from other students, it could be useful information to know what students thought and their idea for professors. In my opinion, it is better to remain the blog as a component of this course.
I talk very little in the class because I am a quiet person. On the other hand, we don’t have much time to talk to others and share out thoughts and ideas during the class. I really feel I benefited from meeting others online. I can write more beside talk more, so writing a blog is easier for me than talk more in classes. Moreover, we have more time outside the classes, so we can interact via the blog anytime without the time restriction.
The topics for blog entries relate to our in class activities. In classes, we might just follow the steps that the professor said, and didn’t have a chance to thing about what were the purposes to do that. But the question for the blog entries explain the activities very clear, so we can thing about in-class experiences with the activities back to the lessons we were studying. For example, in learning the communication process, one way communication would be the worse way. It was difficult to understand what the person said with non-verbal and without asking questions communication. All explaining of the person is about his own perception. Two way communication is better and clear than one way. We can ask questions, the person can get feedback, but it is easy to run out of time and repeat the same thing again and again.
Management can be different ways. It is good to learn from other people via the blog. Reading other’s blogs and writing a blog entry can improve our reading and writing skills, thing critically, learn from others.
I spend more time for this 20% of my grade than prepare for the test. It seems this 20% is heavier than the test. However, it is interesting and I enjoy doing this kind of assignment. We can learn more outside the lecture. Because of this 20% of the total grade, I clearly understood that I have to finish all the assignment to be sure I would get the whole points. I would also worry about the last day I had to post online. I feel that I will continue to post my feeling and ideas about school, work, and life after this class has ended but it will be shorter than these posts.
The blog is only for students to learn from other students, it could be useful information to know what students thought and their idea for professors. In my opinion, it is better to remain the blog as a component of this course.
Monday, May 10, 2010
A Special Order in McDonald’s
Managers might face different problems and situation many times. The ways they solve problems might affect their companies. I was given an assignment which is to choose a McDonald’s restaurant to order a special order, and watch the management process.
In April 12, 7:50pm, after I finished my classes and took the train back to home, I went to a McDonald’s restaurant that near by my home, where is located in 40-18 Main Street, Flushing. Because this McDonald is on the crowded Main Street, there are usually so many customers inside. I waited on the middle line and there was only one person in front of me. When the person finished his order, I smiled and walked to front a little, and placed my order. I said to the cashier that I wanted a small hamburger with exactly 4 pickles, and I repeated the exactly 4 pickles again. He said to me with a smile that he took this same order before plus French Fried with no salt. I said to him that I needed the small French Fries well done and with no salt, and I needed the receipt to show this order too. Then he asked another older staff who did not wear uniforms and looked like a manager to put this special order into the computer. The manager asked me what were my order and I had to repeat again. He started to put my order into the computer. After a while, he said that he would make the French Fries with no salt, but no well done, but he would try the best. And then he changed and said that he would do well done, but not “no salt.” I asked him why, but he did not answer me and just continued to finish his job. After he finished the order, he left. The cashier turned over to place the order for other person, and then he give me my special order and told me that it charged me $3.68. I was very surprise when I heard the price. I thought that I should pay $2 plus tax. I asked him why the price is over $3, and a small hamburger and a small order of French Fires were a dollar each. He told me that there was no more dollar menu. After I paid, I checked the recipe. I was really shock that they charged “4 extra pickles” for $0.80, and “take out tax” for $0.30. It told the staffs to complete this special order for 10 minutes. They spent more time to take the order and showed them on the recipe, but they did very fast for preparing the food. I think this is acceptable time wait in a fast food restaurant because they need to do extra work. However, the order was completed incorrectly. When I received I order, I opened the burger and count the pickles, they put 4 exact pickles in it, but there was another pickle inside already, and they did not count, or take it out. I asked the cashier to take one out, but they already charged me the extra pickle.
During this special order, I do not think that they do well in the staff’s management process overall. They do fast for the manufacturing process; they spend more time for technology problem and less time for food preparation. They have very good organization. Every position has a different job liability and connects each other, so they have reasonable time for most orders. However, I do not satisfy with the communications and customer service. In this experience, I had to repeat my order 3 times and I also remained them that I needed 4 exact pickles, but they still gave me “extra” 4 pickles, not “exact” 4 pickles. I also did not understand why they charge that little extra pickles and they did not tell me that they would charge them before I paid. Moreover, they could not satisfy everything that customer’s reasonable needs. The manager did solve the problem, but did not complete correctly. If I were brought in as a consultant to McDonald’s to help them improve their efficiency, I would put a computer which face to customers to show them what they order and the price, so if they do wrong, they could fix the order immediately, and customers have no question and complain for the order.
In April 12, 7:50pm, after I finished my classes and took the train back to home, I went to a McDonald’s restaurant that near by my home, where is located in 40-18 Main Street, Flushing. Because this McDonald is on the crowded Main Street, there are usually so many customers inside. I waited on the middle line and there was only one person in front of me. When the person finished his order, I smiled and walked to front a little, and placed my order. I said to the cashier that I wanted a small hamburger with exactly 4 pickles, and I repeated the exactly 4 pickles again. He said to me with a smile that he took this same order before plus French Fried with no salt. I said to him that I needed the small French Fries well done and with no salt, and I needed the receipt to show this order too. Then he asked another older staff who did not wear uniforms and looked like a manager to put this special order into the computer. The manager asked me what were my order and I had to repeat again. He started to put my order into the computer. After a while, he said that he would make the French Fries with no salt, but no well done, but he would try the best. And then he changed and said that he would do well done, but not “no salt.” I asked him why, but he did not answer me and just continued to finish his job. After he finished the order, he left. The cashier turned over to place the order for other person, and then he give me my special order and told me that it charged me $3.68. I was very surprise when I heard the price. I thought that I should pay $2 plus tax. I asked him why the price is over $3, and a small hamburger and a small order of French Fires were a dollar each. He told me that there was no more dollar menu. After I paid, I checked the recipe. I was really shock that they charged “4 extra pickles” for $0.80, and “take out tax” for $0.30. It told the staffs to complete this special order for 10 minutes. They spent more time to take the order and showed them on the recipe, but they did very fast for preparing the food. I think this is acceptable time wait in a fast food restaurant because they need to do extra work. However, the order was completed incorrectly. When I received I order, I opened the burger and count the pickles, they put 4 exact pickles in it, but there was another pickle inside already, and they did not count, or take it out. I asked the cashier to take one out, but they already charged me the extra pickle.
During this special order, I do not think that they do well in the staff’s management process overall. They do fast for the manufacturing process; they spend more time for technology problem and less time for food preparation. They have very good organization. Every position has a different job liability and connects each other, so they have reasonable time for most orders. However, I do not satisfy with the communications and customer service. In this experience, I had to repeat my order 3 times and I also remained them that I needed 4 exact pickles, but they still gave me “extra” 4 pickles, not “exact” 4 pickles. I also did not understand why they charge that little extra pickles and they did not tell me that they would charge them before I paid. Moreover, they could not satisfy everything that customer’s reasonable needs. The manager did solve the problem, but did not complete correctly. If I were brought in as a consultant to McDonald’s to help them improve their efficiency, I would put a computer which face to customers to show them what they order and the price, so if they do wrong, they could fix the order immediately, and customers have no question and complain for the order.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Power of Vision
The video “The Power of Vision” tell us the importance to have some positive vision for our future. Everyone needs a sense of vision, and having a positive vision can drive us to the way of success. We see how our work supports and contributes to the larger vision, our work will seem more meaningful and can be more directed. A vision is a clear, concrete guiding picture of the results or condition you want to achieve. Toward these visions, we must study and work hard to achieve the goals to become true.
After about one year, I should graduate from Baruch College. My original target to attend college is to learn English and some professional skills in order to get a steady and good income job. So my first vision is to get a job in the field of accounting in a good company to get some experience. I will continue study in the college if I have a good GPA in order to pass the CPA exam.
My other vision for my future is to open an accounting company by myself or with a partner. I must to become a CPA and have enough accounting experience to start my own business.
My another vision for my life is to buy a big and new two family house in Bayside or Flushing, so my family can have more space and live better. Moreover, I can pick up my parents from China and take care of them. Also, it is able to rent one family out to support the mortgage. The houses in NYC are very expensive now and a good two family house is around a million dollars. However, I like to live here with more fresh and different food. It is not easy to pay at least 50% down payment, so my husband and I must earn more and save more money to achieve this goal.
After about one year, I should graduate from Baruch College. My original target to attend college is to learn English and some professional skills in order to get a steady and good income job. So my first vision is to get a job in the field of accounting in a good company to get some experience. I will continue study in the college if I have a good GPA in order to pass the CPA exam.
My other vision for my future is to open an accounting company by myself or with a partner. I must to become a CPA and have enough accounting experience to start my own business.
My another vision for my life is to buy a big and new two family house in Bayside or Flushing, so my family can have more space and live better. Moreover, I can pick up my parents from China and take care of them. Also, it is able to rent one family out to support the mortgage. The houses in NYC are very expensive now and a good two family house is around a million dollars. However, I like to live here with more fresh and different food. It is not easy to pay at least 50% down payment, so my husband and I must earn more and save more money to achieve this goal.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Decision Making
In 3/15/10 class activity, our class had to make a decision for the test with 100% agreement. I believe that it is very difficult for everybody agrees with the one decision in one hour. Time runs fast, our entire class had to either come up with a decision or get nothing and stay of the beginning. We just came up with one decision for the last test and didn’t make a decision for the next test at the end.
I got a very bad scored in the essay part, so I really wanted to erase the essay, but some people against it. Most people tried to think of themselves only, but with the time run out, we got a final decision with 100% agreement. I think people realized that it was very little time left and they all believed that it was the best solution which I also agreed.
The great thing is that somebody emerged as a leader. She was really helpful through the decision making process. She tried to present problems and asked individual's respond. She never influenced people’s decision and we had freedom to think and make decisions. She did a great job.
We all tended to give idea that it was the best for ourselves so that the conflicts would come out. I chose avoidance and accommodation to handle the conflict. I agreed the final 2 solutions were the best choice and just hoped nobody against them, so I still have a chance to raise my grade on the second test. We didn’t come up with the decision for the next test because only one person against some ideas, but we didn’t have time to ask the person why wasn’t the best choice. I think the better way to make a decision is to split up into smaller groups, and every group comes up with 2 decisions, so we can discuss at the entire class. It is easier to come up a decision that everybody agrees, and less conflicts.
I got a very bad scored in the essay part, so I really wanted to erase the essay, but some people against it. Most people tried to think of themselves only, but with the time run out, we got a final decision with 100% agreement. I think people realized that it was very little time left and they all believed that it was the best solution which I also agreed.
The great thing is that somebody emerged as a leader. She was really helpful through the decision making process. She tried to present problems and asked individual's respond. She never influenced people’s decision and we had freedom to think and make decisions. She did a great job.
We all tended to give idea that it was the best for ourselves so that the conflicts would come out. I chose avoidance and accommodation to handle the conflict. I agreed the final 2 solutions were the best choice and just hoped nobody against them, so I still have a chance to raise my grade on the second test. We didn’t come up with the decision for the next test because only one person against some ideas, but we didn’t have time to ask the person why wasn’t the best choice. I think the better way to make a decision is to split up into smaller groups, and every group comes up with 2 decisions, so we can discuss at the entire class. It is easier to come up a decision that everybody agrees, and less conflicts.
Monday, March 15, 2010
An Eggs-cellent Way to Plan
We had a class activity on egg planning to learn a group’s planning process. Our group succeeded at building the effective egg protector. Our method was to connect 5 straws by using as less as masking tape, and then put the remained 3 straws to around the raw egg by using tape too to protect the egg. Last step was to use one side of remained tape to around the egg, and the other side connect to the straw. So the egg, about 2 feet of masking tape, and 5 straws all connected in order to make a stripe as long as enough. We used all of the materials and did not waste anything. Our goal was to reduce the distance and collision from the egg to the floor, so the egg won’t break.
Actually, this idea did not come up first in our group planning, and we chose it finally at the last 8 minutes. We all thought of other ideas at first liked other groups did. We had several designs, but not everyone agree on the solution. The problem was whatever how we used the straws to protect the egg, but when we dropped the egg from a height of 10 feet, the egg would break anyway. One of our group member told us that his friend did it before by using the way which finally we chose, but he was not sure that whether his friend success or not. Most of us agreed that this was a smart idea and decided to use it because this way could reduce the distance. When we got the materials, we evaluated our plan: how long we would have if we connect the straws and tape. In the planning action, everybody involved to make it, so we were done very fast and still had time for testing. After we finished all the steps, we tested the outcomes by checking all the connected points.
Overall, I believe that our group did very well in the management planning process, and the performance as a team member was good. Everybody involved for the planning process. We heard each other’s ideas and gave feedback. We went through the planning process steps. Even though we did not choose a leader, a girl in out group liked a leader. She asked us if someone had any good idea, presented her designs, gave feedback and make the last decision.
Actually, this idea did not come up first in our group planning, and we chose it finally at the last 8 minutes. We all thought of other ideas at first liked other groups did. We had several designs, but not everyone agree on the solution. The problem was whatever how we used the straws to protect the egg, but when we dropped the egg from a height of 10 feet, the egg would break anyway. One of our group member told us that his friend did it before by using the way which finally we chose, but he was not sure that whether his friend success or not. Most of us agreed that this was a smart idea and decided to use it because this way could reduce the distance. When we got the materials, we evaluated our plan: how long we would have if we connect the straws and tape. In the planning action, everybody involved to make it, so we were done very fast and still had time for testing. After we finished all the steps, we tested the outcomes by checking all the connected points.
Overall, I believe that our group did very well in the management planning process, and the performance as a team member was good. Everybody involved for the planning process. We heard each other’s ideas and gave feedback. We went through the planning process steps. Even though we did not choose a leader, a girl in out group liked a leader. She asked us if someone had any good idea, presented her designs, gave feedback and make the last decision.
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