Management 3120
My first adventures into Management 3120 was unforeseen
I learned about planning, communication, motivation, which is done usually
But with the help of legos, jellos, and egg oh nos, could this be a dream
Learning and hands-on experiencing, also known as playing, was new to me
I know college is meant to be serious and can even annoy
But, as for Management 3120 with Professor Kurpis, now that I can enjoy
-A.C.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Looking Back
It's been a pleasure to share my thoughts and opinions with you as we journeyed through Management 3120. This was the first class that I’ve ever had to work on Blog assignments, and I've got to say it was fun, interesting, and a great way to manage my grade (which is always a plus in my book)! As a person who doesn’t say what’s on their mind in class, the Blog was a great way for me to let it all out. And not only to say my mind, but to hear if other people had similar opinions as mine and to see what other people in the class, like me, have to say. I enjoyed reading all of your blogs, reading and learning about different experiences and views. We all are unique with our own voice, and I felt the blog helped all our voices to be heard. Also, the blog was very helpful, for me, in reflecting back on our group activities and linking them to what we learned from class. I, still, remember the different types of ways people deal with decision-making conflicts (take a look back at "Decisions, Decisions...") and the steps of the planning process (take a look back at "An Eggs-cellent Way to Plan: The Untold Story of the Egg in the Basket"). Formal HW assignments are good at helping to teach for exams, but the Blog helped me to remember my class experiences without fear of not getting the right answer. I never thought that I'll be blogging, being the private person that I am, but I enjoyed it. I am not sure what the future holds about my Blog, just yet, but for future Students of Management, I think the blog should remain a part of this course and a part of their adventure into Management!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Who do you think I am?
Whenever I take a personality test, I never know what to think about the results. Do the results portray me spot on or not? Everyone's personality is different and unique, that sometimes it is hard for me to believe that a personality test, that puts people into four or whatever number of categories, can tell people who they are and how to approach them. Also, there are many different factors that can affect your results. For example, you may answer differently to questions in different situations, or you may even fib/stretch the truth to certain questions to arrange a more favorable result in your eyes. But, I guess if I like the results, then the personality test got it right!
Well, on the recent leadership/management diagnostic that I took in class, I think the result was close to my personality, so I guess the test got it right. The results of the DISC test stated that I am a C sub d, which means I am conscientious and slightly dominant as well. I think I am conscientious because I am the kind of person who loves planning ahead, needs to know what my job is exactly so I know how to execute my work to the best of my ability, and I am very analytical. Yet, I am, also, slightly dominant in that I do enjoy challenges and new situations that just make work interesting and allows me to come up with creative ways to approach things. Also, I like freedom from supervision and I am looking for opportunities for advancement (I mean I, ultimately, want to be a CEO of a hotel or other business that I've created.).
Although, this test was pretty accurate in identifying my management orientation, I don't think it was 100% accurate because some days I behave like an S type, steadiness, with emphasis on cooperating with others. This leads me to the issue of whether or not this kind of diagnostic is helpful to determine people’s management "type" to better understand where they are coming from and how to interact with them. I think it is both helpful and not. It is helpful because, at least for me, it can show my employer that I have the ability to be dominant and authoritative, which s/he, probably, wouldn't have thought of at our first interaction since I tend to act shy with new people. On the other hand, it isn't helpful because how can a test tell the boss who you are and how to interact with you. Maybe you're different or better in person than in paper. Also, as I said before we all are different, and if the boss is just managing you based on your C type, he/she might be missing out on another effective way of managing you based on your unknown S type. I don't wish I was another management "type" because I think Cd portrays me the best in how I work, but on any test, I think we should look to the results not as an accurate depiction of someone, but more as a guideline for yourself on determining how this person works, something to get the ball rolling. Meeting or working with the other person never hurts, too.
Well, on the recent leadership/management diagnostic that I took in class, I think the result was close to my personality, so I guess the test got it right. The results of the DISC test stated that I am a C sub d, which means I am conscientious and slightly dominant as well. I think I am conscientious because I am the kind of person who loves planning ahead, needs to know what my job is exactly so I know how to execute my work to the best of my ability, and I am very analytical. Yet, I am, also, slightly dominant in that I do enjoy challenges and new situations that just make work interesting and allows me to come up with creative ways to approach things. Also, I like freedom from supervision and I am looking for opportunities for advancement (I mean I, ultimately, want to be a CEO of a hotel or other business that I've created.).
Although, this test was pretty accurate in identifying my management orientation, I don't think it was 100% accurate because some days I behave like an S type, steadiness, with emphasis on cooperating with others. This leads me to the issue of whether or not this kind of diagnostic is helpful to determine people’s management "type" to better understand where they are coming from and how to interact with them. I think it is both helpful and not. It is helpful because, at least for me, it can show my employer that I have the ability to be dominant and authoritative, which s/he, probably, wouldn't have thought of at our first interaction since I tend to act shy with new people. On the other hand, it isn't helpful because how can a test tell the boss who you are and how to interact with you. Maybe you're different or better in person than in paper. Also, as I said before we all are different, and if the boss is just managing you based on your C type, he/she might be missing out on another effective way of managing you based on your unknown S type. I don't wish I was another management "type" because I think Cd portrays me the best in how I work, but on any test, I think we should look to the results not as an accurate depiction of someone, but more as a guideline for yourself on determining how this person works, something to get the ball rolling. Meeting or working with the other person never hurts, too.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Life after College
Thinking about the future can be scary, especially for those of us who will be graduating college soon. I don't know if there will be jobs out there for me, and I don't know if I'll be able to pay for graduate school if I decide to take that route in life. But according to a video, "The Power of Vision," that I saw in my management class, as long as you have a positive vision, goal, for the future, you will have a purpose for the future and most likely, find success. This view of the future sounds very optimistic and promising. It may even sound too good to be true, but I think the video is right.
I've always been a goal-oriented person. Ever since I was in Elementary School, I would set out visions of my future, such as my goal of getting into the same High School that my sister went to and my goal of becoming a teacher who owned a Jaguar. I did get into the same High School by getting high grades in elementary school, and for my second goal, although my career path has changed, I did start a Jaguar Fund that didn't raise much money, but had me start thinking about saving my money in a bank account for the future. Either way, for me, having a vision of the future helps me know where I am going, what I should be doing today, and makes me feel a little secure about the unpredictable future.
Today, my vision for my future, after graduating college, is to become a manager of a hotel, own a condo in the city, and publish my own song. Well, after my teacher phase, I fell in love with the idea of running a hotel because I love to travel and love business, so I thought why not have a career that combines both things that I love. In making this vision true, I am planning to get an internship at a Hotel in the city, and hopefully move up from there. In making my vision of owning a condo true, I will, hopefully, obtain a successful, financially secure job and I will be saving my money until I have enough to pay a good down payment. Now, my vision of publishing my own song has been a personal goal of mines ever since I was in Junior High. I've been writing lyrics that's been accompanied by beats from other people, but I would one day want to hear a song that I wrote on the radio. I am trying to achieve this by learning to write my own music, so I will be able to publish my song. Then, all I need to do is to send my song to recording studios, and have someone want to use it for their album.
I don't know what tomorrow holds or even if my visions will come true, but I do know that as long as am working hard towards a goal that is meaningful to me, my future will feel a lot less scary and a little more brighter.
I've always been a goal-oriented person. Ever since I was in Elementary School, I would set out visions of my future, such as my goal of getting into the same High School that my sister went to and my goal of becoming a teacher who owned a Jaguar. I did get into the same High School by getting high grades in elementary school, and for my second goal, although my career path has changed, I did start a Jaguar Fund that didn't raise much money, but had me start thinking about saving my money in a bank account for the future. Either way, for me, having a vision of the future helps me know where I am going, what I should be doing today, and makes me feel a little secure about the unpredictable future.
Today, my vision for my future, after graduating college, is to become a manager of a hotel, own a condo in the city, and publish my own song. Well, after my teacher phase, I fell in love with the idea of running a hotel because I love to travel and love business, so I thought why not have a career that combines both things that I love. In making this vision true, I am planning to get an internship at a Hotel in the city, and hopefully move up from there. In making my vision of owning a condo true, I will, hopefully, obtain a successful, financially secure job and I will be saving my money until I have enough to pay a good down payment. Now, my vision of publishing my own song has been a personal goal of mines ever since I was in Junior High. I've been writing lyrics that's been accompanied by beats from other people, but I would one day want to hear a song that I wrote on the radio. I am trying to achieve this by learning to write my own music, so I will be able to publish my song. Then, all I need to do is to send my song to recording studios, and have someone want to use it for their album.
I don't know what tomorrow holds or even if my visions will come true, but I do know that as long as am working hard towards a goal that is meaningful to me, my future will feel a lot less scary and a little more brighter.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Decisions, Decisions...
When thinking of how I make decisions, the first thing that comes to mind is my decision to go to Baruch College. I wouldn't say it was an easy decision, but Baruch was the choice that suited my best interests: it was a good business school and affordable. Now putting myself in a group setting, as I was in in my Management class, making a decision becomes more difficult because everyone in the group has their own goals that they want to get out of from the decision.
After receiving our first exam grades back for this class, our professor told us that we had the choice of deciding unanimously if we wanted to have a curve and extra credit to increase our grades that were slightley low, at least for my taste. Also, we were able to decide on changing the exam's format, which, currently, was true/false, multiple multiple choice (this mean there can me more than once choice that is correct), short answers, and an essay. I was excited to have the power to better my grades and my future grades.
My agenda for this decision making exercise was to have a curve, have the chance to get extra credit, and get rid of the multiple multiple choice and the essay parts of the exam. Unfortunately, at least for me, I decided not to fight tooth and nail for the extinction of those parts of the exam. We had a time limit; we had to decide unanimously; some people wanted essays, while others wanted multiple multiple choice; therefore I decided to hear them out. Everyone's strengths are different, and although my strengths aren't writing and multiple multiple choice questions, I could live with those parts because the real problem I felt was that there was a lot to study from (which I know we can't change the curriculum). Using technical terms, I used the Accommodation method during the decision making exercise. I didn't fight for my agenda and let others decide for me on this problem because I thought others needed to keep the format the same.
Also, there were some compromises of the multiple multiple choice and essay parts, which made it easier to accept the minor changes that made those parts a little less threatening to take on during a test. For the multiple choice questions, the professor had to identify which questions had more than one answer. For the essay, one student didn't want the essay at all, which you can say acted in a Compete to Win way, but the student believed the majority of the class already decided not to have an essay in the exam, which I saw was true as well. But in the chaos, people were trying to compromise because some people wanted an essay. What can you do when people are persistent and some may say persuasive? In the end, we compromised, after hearing the arguments from both sides and down to the last minute, to say if we were to have an essay, giving the decision to be made by the professor, we would have more than one topic to choose from in picking our essay choice.
I think the better way, for me, to handle this decision making conflict would have been through collaboration. There are a lot of people in the class, and with more people, it can mean more different agendas. I think if we had more time, we could have split into groups, get a better account of everyone's agenda and prevent people withdrawing from the decision making process. Also, we could have had different ways to approach the grading system that could've benefited everyone. Overall, there would be less conflict because everyone would have been heard.
Decisions, Decisions...You can't win them all.
After receiving our first exam grades back for this class, our professor told us that we had the choice of deciding unanimously if we wanted to have a curve and extra credit to increase our grades that were slightley low, at least for my taste. Also, we were able to decide on changing the exam's format, which, currently, was true/false, multiple multiple choice (this mean there can me more than once choice that is correct), short answers, and an essay. I was excited to have the power to better my grades and my future grades.
My agenda for this decision making exercise was to have a curve, have the chance to get extra credit, and get rid of the multiple multiple choice and the essay parts of the exam. Unfortunately, at least for me, I decided not to fight tooth and nail for the extinction of those parts of the exam. We had a time limit; we had to decide unanimously; some people wanted essays, while others wanted multiple multiple choice; therefore I decided to hear them out. Everyone's strengths are different, and although my strengths aren't writing and multiple multiple choice questions, I could live with those parts because the real problem I felt was that there was a lot to study from (which I know we can't change the curriculum). Using technical terms, I used the Accommodation method during the decision making exercise. I didn't fight for my agenda and let others decide for me on this problem because I thought others needed to keep the format the same.
Also, there were some compromises of the multiple multiple choice and essay parts, which made it easier to accept the minor changes that made those parts a little less threatening to take on during a test. For the multiple choice questions, the professor had to identify which questions had more than one answer. For the essay, one student didn't want the essay at all, which you can say acted in a Compete to Win way, but the student believed the majority of the class already decided not to have an essay in the exam, which I saw was true as well. But in the chaos, people were trying to compromise because some people wanted an essay. What can you do when people are persistent and some may say persuasive? In the end, we compromised, after hearing the arguments from both sides and down to the last minute, to say if we were to have an essay, giving the decision to be made by the professor, we would have more than one topic to choose from in picking our essay choice.
I think the better way, for me, to handle this decision making conflict would have been through collaboration. There are a lot of people in the class, and with more people, it can mean more different agendas. I think if we had more time, we could have split into groups, get a better account of everyone's agenda and prevent people withdrawing from the decision making process. Also, we could have had different ways to approach the grading system that could've benefited everyone. Overall, there would be less conflict because everyone would have been heard.
Decisions, Decisions...You can't win them all.
Monday, February 21, 2011
An Eggs-cellent Way to Plan: The Untold Story of the Egg in the Basket
Working in a team involves trust, communication, cohesiveness and hard work. But, as I soon found out while working on a group project in Management class, is that time can be another factor.
Our mission, as a group, was to devise a plan to make an apparatus out of straw and duck tape that would cover less than 50% of an Egg and prevent the Egg from breaking when dropped ten feet from the air in 25-35minutes...code name: Egg in the Basket. Also, known as Mission Impossible. Reward: 10 free points for the first exam.
Our planning process began with such high hope. Our objectives were to sketch an outline of the apparatus we'll use, and then build it. Step 2 was to evaluate our resources, which we accomplished successfully as well. We understood that we had limited resources, so we began to think of designs that wouldn't need a lot of duct tape and ways to use the most out of the straws.
But, I think where we made our fatal mistake was in step 3: come up with alternative ideas on approaching our mission. The minute the stopwatched started, one of our group members informed us that we need to protect the side of the egg, the most vulnerable part to be cracked. So, we developed a basket-like apparatus that would cover most of the egg's sides. That was it. It took some convincing for some members, but with the clock ticking away, we all agreed to the design right away. Now looking back, I think we should have had better communication with each other to truly get an overall idea of different methods to accomplish our mission. But then again, we needed more time to do that.
We accomplished step 4 by going all in with our one strategy and assigning one person to drop the egg and one to write down our objectives on paper. Step 5, the last leg of the race, we assembled our idea. Our revisions were minor, and only to improve our design better. We sticked to our plan. My group members said it was all in the way the egg will be dropped, but after a test run, I learned that gravity can have some other plans for us. I was sure holding onto our design for dear life because there was no time to change anything that would make a big difference. I had hoped for the survival of our egg, maybe if we do drop it perfectly, we'll win the free points, but I did hold my breath as I saw it fall into the trash can.
In the end, we didn't manage our planning very well, at least according to the results. I think my group was great, inventive, and truly committed to this mission, as you can tell with our disappointed faces after our egg dropped, but unfortunately, I have to say---Mission Failed---, and along with that mission, we lost a great, oval Egg.
I guess the moral of the story is to follow the 5 step planning process, but also, in general, learning to manage in a group setting because, although time may not be on your side, communication is the real key to getting the best out of your group.
P.S. Congrats to the team that won! I hope your Egg has a long and ful-filling life!
Our mission, as a group, was to devise a plan to make an apparatus out of straw and duck tape that would cover less than 50% of an Egg and prevent the Egg from breaking when dropped ten feet from the air in 25-35minutes...code name: Egg in the Basket. Also, known as Mission Impossible. Reward: 10 free points for the first exam.
Our planning process began with such high hope. Our objectives were to sketch an outline of the apparatus we'll use, and then build it. Step 2 was to evaluate our resources, which we accomplished successfully as well. We understood that we had limited resources, so we began to think of designs that wouldn't need a lot of duct tape and ways to use the most out of the straws.
But, I think where we made our fatal mistake was in step 3: come up with alternative ideas on approaching our mission. The minute the stopwatched started, one of our group members informed us that we need to protect the side of the egg, the most vulnerable part to be cracked. So, we developed a basket-like apparatus that would cover most of the egg's sides. That was it. It took some convincing for some members, but with the clock ticking away, we all agreed to the design right away. Now looking back, I think we should have had better communication with each other to truly get an overall idea of different methods to accomplish our mission. But then again, we needed more time to do that.
We accomplished step 4 by going all in with our one strategy and assigning one person to drop the egg and one to write down our objectives on paper. Step 5, the last leg of the race, we assembled our idea. Our revisions were minor, and only to improve our design better. We sticked to our plan. My group members said it was all in the way the egg will be dropped, but after a test run, I learned that gravity can have some other plans for us. I was sure holding onto our design for dear life because there was no time to change anything that would make a big difference. I had hoped for the survival of our egg, maybe if we do drop it perfectly, we'll win the free points, but I did hold my breath as I saw it fall into the trash can.
In the end, we didn't manage our planning very well, at least according to the results. I think my group was great, inventive, and truly committed to this mission, as you can tell with our disappointed faces after our egg dropped, but unfortunately, I have to say---Mission Failed---, and along with that mission, we lost a great, oval Egg.
I guess the moral of the story is to follow the 5 step planning process, but also, in general, learning to manage in a group setting because, although time may not be on your side, communication is the real key to getting the best out of your group.
P.S. Congrats to the team that won! I hope your Egg has a long and ful-filling life!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Culture Shock
School work, looking for an Internship, and working, all at the same time, is tough to manage. Today, it is getting even more tough to manage our daily lives, as society, businesses are moving towards more of a multi-tasking, competitive, and fast-paced environment. As I was reminded in class last week, American businesses believe that time is money, which I think is definitely true in America. If I go to a party, the next day I'll have to work hours straight to catch up on my work. Our time has become so valuable, its not as easy to take a break, knowing there's something else more meaningful to do. But at the same time, if we don't relax, stress will be knocking on our doors. Hard-work is great, but learning to relax is something valuable for our own health.
When I went to Spain last summer with my family, it was a culture shock seeing such a relaxed atmosphere. Businesses, stores and restaurants, would close midday, which left me in a panic, as we often forgot to eat at the right time. People would be out in the park painting or exercising in groups. Being in Spain during the World Cup, people would gather together to see the games in plazas and restaurants, not only at night, but during the day too. On the other hand, my family, so used to the fast-paced environment, would be running around trying to see all the popular sites before our vacation ended. (I sometimes think we should go on the Amazing Race since it's been like we've been practicing every vacation). I love America's great work ethic. To reach my dream of managing a store, I know I have to continue to work hard and sharpen my managerial skills, but I think, especially when we are overwhelmed, we all can learn something from the Spaniards :
To Relax and Enjoy Life!
When I went to Spain last summer with my family, it was a culture shock seeing such a relaxed atmosphere. Businesses, stores and restaurants, would close midday, which left me in a panic, as we often forgot to eat at the right time. People would be out in the park painting or exercising in groups. Being in Spain during the World Cup, people would gather together to see the games in plazas and restaurants, not only at night, but during the day too. On the other hand, my family, so used to the fast-paced environment, would be running around trying to see all the popular sites before our vacation ended. (I sometimes think we should go on the Amazing Race since it's been like we've been practicing every vacation). I love America's great work ethic. To reach my dream of managing a store, I know I have to continue to work hard and sharpen my managerial skills, but I think, especially when we are overwhelmed, we all can learn something from the Spaniards :
To Relax and Enjoy Life!
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