Sean Detwiler's MGMT 250 Journal http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/ My Thoughts on MGMT 250: Assignments, Texts and Case Studies, etc. en-us Mon, 11 Dec 2006 16:01:58 EST Mon, 11 Dec 2006 16:01:58 EST sean.detwiler@case.edu sean.detwiler@case.edu http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Movable Type v3.121 HR Simulation Final Report http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/12/11/hr_simulation_final_report Once again, we had the opportunity to reflect on our decisions and results from the HR Simulation. Our second fiscal... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/12/11/hr_simulation_final_report MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Mon, 11 Dec 2006 16:01:58 EST Once again, we had the opportunity to reflect on our decisions and results from the HR Simulation. Our second fiscal year was quite different from the first. For various reasons, we had a substantial budget that allowed us to run each program, spend money on incidents, and raise wages and benefits every quarter. One of the main things that we were forced to learn during the second fiscal year was that deciding what to do with excess employees could not have a positive result. When we terminated excess level one employees, morale dropped considerably. When we decided to leave the additional employees on the payroll, productivity was severely affected. This result is a very unfortunate one for companies that have varying levels of production each quarter. Overall, the simulation provided many such insights that I am sure will be beneficial for me to have learned in the future.

]]> Discipline and Termination http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/12/11/discipline_and_termination The last topic that we discussed in class this semester was discipline and termination. I can imagine that it is... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/12/11/discipline_and_termination MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Mon, 11 Dec 2006 16:01:25 EST The last topic that we discussed in class this semester was discipline and termination. I can imagine that it is very difficult for a manager to have to discipline an employee, and even more difficult to terminate an employee. Such a situation can be upsetting in many different ways. For the employee, losing one’s job is clearly demoralizing and can have emotional and financial consequences. For the manager, it is difficult to have to experience the employee’s grief, to know that the employee may suffer emotionally and financially from the experience, and also to realize that hiring the individual may have been a bad decision in the first place. I can only hope that my career in management will see few such situations.

]]> Performance Management http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/12/11/performance_management Performance management was one of the more interesting topics of the semester, which we read about and discussed in class... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/12/11/performance_management MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Mon, 11 Dec 2006 16:00:45 EST Performance management was one of the more interesting topics of the semester, which we read about and discussed in class for several days. In today’s business world, it is clear that companies must have detailed and effective performance management systems in order to ensure maximum performance from employees. Each step is vitally important; from setting goals, to training, to rewarding employees for their hard work. If even one of these steps is executed properly, then employee performance will suffer. My first job did not have any type of performance management system, and while I worked there I experienced first hand that employee performance was far worse than it should have been. Not too long after I left, I was not surprised to find out that the store had been shut down.

]]> Feedback http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/12/11/feedback In the last several weeks of class, we frequently discussed feedback. At first, we talked a lot about people’s fear... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/12/11/feedback MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Mon, 11 Dec 2006 16:00:14 EST In the last several weeks of class, we frequently discussed feedback. At first, we talked a lot about people’s fear of feedback. I can understand why people are afraid to be critiqued, but it is still a very important mechanism of the learning process that cannot be ignored. Receiving feedback is one of the primary ways that people learn from their actions. Without proper and timely feedback, people will continue to make the same mistakes, and that is unacceptable on a personal and professional level. Perhaps the most important aspect of feedback is its timeliness. For example, if a professor neglects to return a graded exam in a timely manner, students may not remember the exam well enough to learn anything from the results.

]]> Goal Setting http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/12/11/goal_setting Throughout the semester, this class has strongly stressed the importance of goal setting and career planning. We were introduced to... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/12/11/goal_setting MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:59:27 EST Throughout the semester, this class has strongly stressed the importance of goal setting and career planning. We were introduced to the SMART and START NOW goal frameworks for use in our learning plans. Each of these frameworks forced me to further specify the details of my goals and the actions I would take to attain them. This specification helped me to truly understand my goals, and I believe that I am better prepared to work towards them now. I intend to make use of these strategic frameworks in the future whenever possible, and I am sure that doing so will always be beneficial.

]]> Ethics in Business http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/11/10/ethics_in_business In a recent MGMT 250 session, we discussed ethics and corporate governance in business. This topic was also the focus... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/11/10/ethics_in_business MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Fri, 10 Nov 2006 17:06:08 EST In a recent MGMT 250 session, we discussed ethics and corporate governance in business. This topic was also the focus of my SAGES seminar last semester. What angers me the most about instances of fraud and deception in corporations is not the fact that they occur, but the fact that it is possible for them to occur. People are greedy and are always looking to get more money. When companies are struggling, many executives do not want to accept failure, so they alter financials to mask the truth. I believe that those are the two most frequent reasons for fraud in corporations. Recent years have seen attempts to improve corporate governance through the SEC, the PCAOB, the FASB, and acts of congress, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Hopefully new regulations and procedures will continue to be established to reduce the ability of individuals to commit acts of fraud in businesses, since they always result in such terrible losses for everyone with any ties to the company.

]]> HR Simulation Annual Report http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/11/10/hr_simulation_annual_report The annual report for our human resources simulation was just completed last week. It provided a chance to reflect on... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/11/10/hr_simulation_annual_report MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Fri, 10 Nov 2006 17:05:08 EST The annual report for our human resources simulation was just completed last week. It provided a chance to reflect on our team’s performance in the first fiscal year and redefine our goals and strategies. We immediately learned the importance of the programs in the simulation after failing to implement any of them in the first quarter. We did not realize that increased wages was not the highest concern of the employees. In fact, morale decreased after the first quarter despite the fact that we significantly raised wages and benefits. Morale only increased after we dedicated significant amounts of money to improve safety and training procedures. While wages are certainly an important factor in selecting a job, they clearly are not the most important.

]]> Jonah Creighton Case http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/11/10/jonah_creighton_case Recently, we read the Jonah Creighton case study put together by the Harvard Business School. It was disheartening to read... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/11/10/jonah_creighton_case MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Fri, 10 Nov 2006 17:04:25 EST Recently, we read the Jonah Creighton case study put together by the Harvard Business School. It was disheartening to read that such discrimination was allowed to occur in a corporation so recently. It was even more discouraging that Jonah nearly lost his job for trying to end the discrimination. However, in our class discussion many people believed that Jonah could have taken different actions that would not have ruined his relationship with his boss. However, regardless of the actions Jonah could have taken, I do not believe that he would have succeeded in ending the discrimination before losing his job. I certainly hope that such situations no longer occur in businesses because they are completely unethical and unjust.

]]> Training http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/11/10/training In a recent class session of MGMT 250, we discussed the importance of training. There are many different methods that... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/11/10/training MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Fri, 10 Nov 2006 17:03:19 EST In a recent class session of MGMT 250, we discussed the importance of training. There are many different methods that can be used to train employees, and each one of them is particularly effective in a different situation. I was surprised by the number of different training methods that exist, but I was even more surprised to realize that I had experienced most of them before. The most interesting training method, from my perspective, is simulation training. Accurate simulations are great tools because they allow their users to learn through experience without exposing them to any of the real dangers. I wonder if driving simulations will be a part of driving education courses in the future, as I assume that they would greatly improve the skills of new drivers.

]]> Harrah’s Casino Case http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/11/10/harrahas_casino_case Recently, I completed my analysis of the Harrah’s Casino case study prepared by the Harvard Business School. Harrah’s main problem... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/11/10/harrahas_casino_case MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Fri, 10 Nov 2006 17:01:55 EST Recently, I completed my analysis of the Harrah’s Casino case study prepared by the Harvard Business School. Harrah’s main problem was figuring out how to make its incentive plan more motivating for employees. The current incentive plan involved receiving a fixed cash bonus for meeting customer satisfaction goals. While this gain sharing program was effective at its inception, it was clearly not going to succeed in continuing to motivate employees in the long run. I recommended that Harrah’s implement a profit sharing program because profit is something that can continue grow over time and the firm will always be working towards making a profit.

]]> Careers http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/10/07/careers Over the past few days, I interviewed two business professionals about their careers for the learning plan assignment. Working in... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/10/07/careers MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Sat, 07 Oct 2006 15:33:32 EST Over the past few days, I interviewed two business professionals about their careers for the learning plan assignment. Working in the corporate world is very appealing to me, but so is working as a self-employed entrepreneur. For this reason, I chose to interview a man who works as a corporate executive and a man who owns his own business. Though each job is relatively different in terms of specific responsibilities, I found that the most apparent difference is actually just the level of risk and potential reward. For that reason, it also became apparent throughout the interviews that working in the corporate world is a good place to start a career, and that owning a business is usually better to do in the latter part of one’s career. Hearing that opinion from both men was reassuring since I had already come to that same conclusion.

]]> Writing http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/10/06/writing Writing is one of the most important skills that students learn in school. At least, that is what the teachers... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/10/06/writing MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Fri, 06 Oct 2006 00:08:10 EST Writing is one of the most important skills that students learn in school. At least, that is what the teachers have always said. I only recently realized that writing actually is quite important. Particularly among managers in the business world, communication skills are highly valued. Ineffective communication can lead to misunderstandings, which can have a strong effect on efficiency and productivity. I think that stressing writing skills among students can have a very positive effect on their future careers and successes throughout life.

]]> Teamwork http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/10/04/teamwork Recently, we have been discussing teams and teamwork in class. I have had a lot of previous experience with teams... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/10/04/teamwork MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Wed, 04 Oct 2006 15:26:02 EST Recently, we have been discussing teams and teamwork in class. I have had a lot of previous experience with teams in many different settings. I have worked in large teams and small teams, athletic teams and academic teams, and each one was quite different. It is interesting to see how different the dynamics of a team can be depending on the people involved and the goals that must be met. Working in a team can be a great way to be creative and productive, but only if the team members are comfortable with each other and are dedicated to the goals that have been set. Otherwise, the team becomes dysfunctional and can be even less productive than individuals working alone.

]]> Decisions http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/09/23/decisions In preparing our team plan for the simulation this weekend, I realized just how many variables managers have to consider... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/09/23/decisions MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Sat, 23 Sep 2006 17:41:30 EST In preparing our team plan for the simulation this weekend, I realized just how many variables managers have to consider when running a company. The simulation certainly is scaled down, but it provides a fairly well distributed set of factors. Even though I am typically very busy, the most difficult decisions I make in a given day consist of when to get up, what to eat, and which class I should do work for first.

It seems to me that managers in many companies have a difficult time taking all of the necessary factors into consideration. In a case study I read recently, a manager at a successful company decided to spend a large amount of money on a factor that had nothing to do with the problem he was trying to solve. Reading about these situations can sometimes be discouraging. The problem seemed so obvious, and yet even the manager at the firm did not really know how to handle it.

I am looking forward to starting the simulation though. It should be very interesting to see how the decisions we make affect conditions in the company.

]]> Emotional Intelligence http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/09/18/emotional_intelligence I recently read Chapter 2 in the Tucker text on emotional intelligence. I found that the chapter made a... http://blog.case.edu/SeanDetwiler_MGMT250/2006/09/18/emotional_intelligence MGMT250 case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:42:44 EST I recently read Chapter 2 in the Tucker text on emotional intelligence. I found that the chapter made a lot of sense. I have often noticed people’s inability to deal with emotional situations, and frequently these people are uncomfortable in social settings as well. This trait has even been apparent in many instances where the individual was highly intelligent, which is a clear sign that intelligence and skills alone cannot be the sole indicators for professional success. It has been my belief that self-esteem and confidence are significantly influenced by childhood experiences, in the home and in school. It would be interesting to see information and data from a study on such influences. I imagine it would be very useful in determining methods for developing higher self-esteem and confidence.

I have always felt in control of my emotions: able to think clearly in stressful situations and identify causes of my feelings and their true nature. I had the chance to take the first EI test that was recommended in the Tucker text, and the results were very encouraging. I scored a 124 out of a maximum 150 on the assessment, indicating a high emotional intelligence, but still leaving me plenty of room to improve. I am very interested in finding out more information on this topic, as well as techniques used to improve EI levels. If anyone has a recommendation, please feel free to post it in a comment.

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