December 06, 2006
Reaching the End
The conclusion of the HR simulation has finally come. One of the challenges I have had in recent years is a fear of group work. Looking back upon my experience in MGMT250, however, I have a much more favorable opinion now. I can attribute this success to the individual team members without doubt. Hopefully I can work with such committed individuals in my future endeavors.
December 04, 2006
A Cynical Look at Tom Mendola
As I was preparing to write a blog entry, I remembered that I needed to read the Tom Mendola case. An overwhelming sense of cynicism came over me as I read the page. Individuals can argue over sympathy and welfare all day, but the fact of the matter is that Tom Mendola is a slacker. While quitting school is usually not a great choice, it might have been necessary in his case. However, if he understood the significance of his family's problem, he would have worked harder regardless of his interest in the job. I think the more interesting perspective on this case (especially if we had more information) would be the pattern of poor choices between parents and children. Having ten children you cannot support is about as respectable as being lazy when your family needs you the most. Yes, I know this sounds heartless, but even I cannot have sympathy for Tom Mendola.
November 30, 2006
A Method of Discipline
Today we discussed discipline and termination in class. A number of classmates shared their personal stories related to these matters, and upon thinking of an idea for a blog entry I recalled a discipline method used by one of my former employers, a large package distributor. Package handlers who load trucks are required to check the ZIP code of each package as it is placed into a truck. One way managers would test employees would be to take a package and toss it into the chute of a truck where it did not belong. If the package handler did not catch it, he or she would be asked to go home early. This method was used to motivate and discipline employees who earned an hourly wage.
November 28, 2006
Sold on the Career Center
I do not believe Amy Sindelar said anything earth-shattering today in class. Whatever she said, on the contrary, has convinced me to pay a visit to the Career Center. I think a number of factors have accumulated that make me want to utilize the center in the near future. Early this semester I had considered taking the interest inventory. Now that I know the results of that inventory can be analyzed in addition to the MBTI, I am more interested in learning what the results mean for me. Furthermore, all this discussion of internships makes me wonder if I should consider an internship this summer instead of taking classes to meet 150 hours (for the CPA examination) before I graduate in May 2008. I have a feeling a representative from the Career Center might have an opinion about that.
November 27, 2006
Analyzing Goals
I had to decide whether to use SMART or START NOW to analyze one of my goals while working on the second part of my learning plan. The goal I set (in generic terms here) was to be an effective organization leader. Because such a goal (even in the specificity I used in the paper) is not a single, concrete activity, I ruled out SMART. On the other hand, I do not feel START NOW is effective for anything more specific or concrete than developing a habit. After doing a START NOW analysis, however, I feel like I have a better awareness of what I need to do and how I need to act in order to achieve my goal. If nothing else, START NOW has provided me assurance I am moving in the right direction to meet my goal.
November 09, 2006
The Challenge of Feedback
The topic of feedback in the workplace (and in other areas of social interaction) was discussed today in class. Professor Piderit placed emphasis on the nature of feedback being very difficult. What I am beginning to ponder, however, is for whom feedback is more difficult: the giver or the receiver. Clearly, the answer depends on the qualities of each party involved. A successful giver of feedback is often outgoing, assertive, and mindful and not passive and careless. On the other hand, I think the best receiver is a listener who can remove emotions from the situation. A receiver who cannot step back and objectively evaluate the delivered feedback will have a more difficult time making use of the feedback. As I move forward in life, I will attempt to take this knowledge and use it to both take feedback in the most useful way possible and to give it as well.
November 08, 2006
Heavy Temptations for a Dream
One of the dreams I wrote in class yesterday was to serve in public office. For someone who likes security and certainty in life (as I wrote in my learning plan) the whimsical career of someone earning a job through the ballot box seems quite contrary to my desires. However, serving in public office would only come after I do establish security, particularly financially, in my life which is another dream I wrote. As they always do, watching the election results last night piqued my interest in serving in public office. The day when I have the opportunity to achieve that dream, however, is far off and so now I will focus on my goals in the nearer future as I will write soon in my learning plan.