Management

                             Management

Management is the act of getting people together

To accomplish desired goals and objectives

Management styles come in all types and sizes

First line, Middle and Top

They can be effective or non effective try that for size

They are responsible for PLOC

Planning, Leading, Organizing and Controlling

But some are out of control

Like the dictators who lack emotional intelligence                                                                                                

And work there staff to the bone

Then there are the lazy bums

Who sit and smack gum

Bring me this, that and the other

Relying on others to use their intelligence to get the job done

These bums are the problem avoiders

Let’s not forget the problem solvers and seekers

Who peek and sneak

For creative ways to improve products and services

The brains behind creative exploration

What kind are you?

Communication

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Communication

I am a very private person. When I first found out that I had to post my thoughts to a site I was wary and skeptical. Then I found out the blogs would be worth points so then I had to do it. I found the blogs interesting, enlightening and sometimes entertaining.

The first blog delt with culture and was both informative and entertaining. It did allow for a wide range of diverse cultures to be explored, which I otherwise would not have explored.

I believe it is a good platform to communicate and you should continue to have this as part of the class.

As for me this will be my blog experience for now,  or as the need arises.

Mr. McGangBang

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The ABC's of DISC

I found this class exercise very interesting and somewhat off.  I say off, since I would react differently depending on the circumstances or environment in which I was in.   Hence I don't believe the test reflects correctly my leadership/management style.

I believe if a situation presented itself in which one had to adapt to get ahead or for the greater good of a group, organization etc., a person can become another type. 
Life experiences help to shape our personalities, our outlook of the world.  For example, a person who was bullied as a child, may become a tyrant boss/manager.  That same individual can choose to turn things around by not treating others the way he was treated, hence breaking the cycle.

It is definitely helpful to determine people's management type or style. It makes it easier to understand their directives (providing there is effective communication) to expedite tasks efficiently and effectively.
Knowledge is power, if you understand a person's management style, you know what to expect or what is expected of  you.  Hence there is little room for error or conflicts.
A Chief Investment Officer who meets with executives of organizations to negotiate lucrative business deals has to be aggressive in convincing others to seal the deal for his organization.  A passive or shy individual may buckle under intense negotiations (pressure). 

The Power of Vision

Vision

Thursday, March 31, 2011

The Power of Vision

What is life if one does not have a vision?  We would be mere beings existing, drifting through life.  I know someone like that.
It has always been my vision to own a business,  a house, other investment properties and work in the Investment Division at my job.  In order to achieve the first two goals I have meetings with my Financial Manager to map out a course of action, to implement these actions to accomplish these goals.  Hence, I am cutting back on unnecessary spending.  I started with Time Warner Cable, I had the triple play package, that's an extra $100 plus dollars a month that is being invested.  I save a significant amount of my salary per month which is also being invested to bring about significant returns. 
Of course, since I like to shop I am purchasing items that are on sale and for which I receive coupons.  This helps, since I double and sometimes triple my savings, this depends where you shop of course.  It feels good to look at my receipt and delight in my savings.
Likewise in Fall 2008 I decided to return to college, majoring in Finance and Investments.  I do assist a lawyer in the Investments Division on my job so I am also gaining valuable experience as well as achieving accreditation.
I enjoyed Joel Barker's video.  It was inspiring and no professor it was not cheesy!  It was thought provoking and made you think of your future, that is if you haven't as yet.  The saying:

Vision without action is just a dream

        Action without vision merely wastes time

                     Vision coupled with action can make things happen

resonated with me and was powerful because it is so true.  So many of us have dreams but are too intimidated to pursue these dreams because of fears or our own insecurities.  Visions are significant to life since you have something to live for and strive to achieve.  It is very important to set goals and to achieve them, even if you didn't succeed, at least you tried.  There is a saying, " It is better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all."  At least with failure you have an idea of what not to do the next time and find alternative ways to achieve your goals.

Management Skills

Our Management class two Mondays ago was an interesting and somewhat entertaining class.  It displayed the time management skills of us all.  One individual decided to take the lead by laying out the scenario and asking everyone if they were in agreement with her suggestion, as well as asked for their input.  That approach was very clever, never did she give the appearance of being in control, she let the class know they were in control the way she worded her statements, questions.

There were a lot of suggestions that led to various disagreements with others who preferred not to have an essay question on the next exam.  Eventually others decided to join the sole classmate on the platform trying to take control of the proceedings, by shouting and acting as if they were talking to unruly children.  That approach was offensive, and did nothing to solve the confusion.

The atmosphere was that of a circus, I found it somewhat entertaining at times.  At one point I began to think this class was staged, but you (professor) clarified that it wasn't.

I believe I took the avoidance approach, after all the majority of the class had already decided to go with what I wanted even though you didn't actually hear me voice my opinion because of all the shouting, I guess I could have joined the shouting match, I chose not to.  My classmate Valentino compromised and I believe he did this because it was close to the end of the class and he didn't want the class as a whole to suffer.

The formation of small groups, would have been more productive.  Each member would have made at least one suggestion, presented our ideas to the leader who could have written them on the blackboard.  Ideas that seemed to surface frequently in the various groups and that were reasonable could have been those selected for the exam.  Or there could have been a vote taken on the frequently mentioned suggestions. 

With this approach, everyone would have contributed and had more ideas to make the best selection. Those  individuals who did poorly on their first exam may have benefited from this approach.

Eggs-cellent Way to Plan

The members of the group were very anxious in expediting the activity in the allotted time period.
The goal was to secure the egg with the resources we had to prevent it from breaking.  A lot of emphasis (resources) was placed on the based and not on securing the sides of the egg. I was the only female in the group and I felt that a particular male was trying to take charge and tried to pretend I wasn't there.  Despite that I made my contribution to the group.
We did go to the drawing board several times to test several scenarios, but what was missing was a solid plan to secure the sides.  Time caught up with us and we tried to secure the sides the best we can, while at the same time exposing 50% of the egg.
Suspending the egg, while securing the base and sides would be an alternative, either in the shape of a pyramid or square.  The egg must be secured with tape so as not to fall out when dropped.  When released our contraption tilted to the side, which probably occurred because the base was too heavy.
Division of labor comes into play here.  Two group members work on the base, another two with securing the egg in its cushion of tape and straws, while the remaining members work on the sides.  On completion the pieces are secured together, every straw is checked to make sure it is securely attached with tape, since a weak link will ruin our plan.  Make sure that all angles in the plan were followed, tweaking here and there as needed and finally enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Cultural difference, my perspective

I came to America over 16 years ago from Guyana, a country in the Caribbean. I came with the perception that everything is good in America and this is the place to be. After all people who came here painted a rosy picture of this country. Needless to say was I surprised when I saw pot holes in the street. Yes! Something as simple as that caught my attention.
Some differences I observed were: Hugging, saying 'I love you', loud chatter, kids throwing tantrums, women seemed to be controlling their relationships with their men, etc.
The words 'I love you' were never verbally expressed in my family, this was only said to a boyfriend our husband. The words 'I love you' were expressed in cards (I remember making these at school for my parents on Mother's and Father's Day, and other important holidays, like Christmas). In America the words are used commonly or loosely to almost everyone. Hugging was never done in my family in Guyana. Americans and other cultural groups greet each other with hugs and kisses. 
Expressing one's self as a child was seen as being rude and often resulted in the rod (bamboo stick, which was also called the wild cane)which left welts on the body.
In this society I admire young children expressing themselves intelligently, and with such confidence. Hence, when I became a mother, I made every effort to change a lot of things in terms of the way I brought up my sons. I spoke to them about almost everything (that was something my parents never did, my father always encouraged us to read. As an adult I came to realize, this was probably his way for me and my siblings to gain knowledge. To date my parents are still not forthcoming with information when asked, and that is very frustrating). 
Kids throwing tantrums and hitting their parents, surprised me (my first thoughts were can't these people control their children, how are they allowing these kids to hit them. 
Another cultural difference was that the children here could call the cops on their parents, dial 911 and Child Protective Services to report a whipping from a parent. Not in my country, there was no such reprieve.
I came to realize that this service is vital, since there are a lot of children who are ligitimately being abused.
In Guyana, in relationships the man is the dominant figure, making the decision, is the bread winner while the woman take care of the house. In my culture the women are expected to be subservient, I always had a problem with that, and acted contrary, hence my first marriage ended. For the record I was gainfully employed from the time I graduated high school, until I came to this country.
In America the women seem to be in control of their relationships and are very vocal and independent. I have witnessed women talking down and embarrassing their partners in public, shouting at these guys as if they were idiots. Maybe in some situations the roles have changed, women being the breadwinners are now acting like the men used to act! Somthing to think about!!!My family have adapted somewhat to the American culture, but are still holding on to their roots.

History

Hi,
     I am Deirdre Morrison, a mom to two wonderful teenage sons who are my pride and joy. 
In 2008 I returned to college after an 8 year hiatus.  I made the decision to return to college to get my bachelor's degree and to elevate myself in the state office where I work.  My current position as a secretary is not fulfilling and is not at all challenging. 
Needless to say, my return to college was a bit challenging, since I was working on group presentations with younger students, who I must say seemed to wait until the last minute to make their contributions for presentations.  I later came to realized these individuals do their best work at the last minute.
The use of blackboard for assignments and online textbooks, were new to me but a welcome and convenient change.
My motivation to return to college was also to be an example to my sons and to encourage and motivate them to be the best they can be.