I have recently been accepted into a grad school program. I consider admission offices to be a huge business, that must be extremely organized in order to be successful. I have received lots of mail associated with graduate school, but I am beginning to think that the admission's office is a little unorganized. I have received many times the same notices. I even received a statement about a deposit after I had sent in my money. That makes me feel as if someone is not keeping track with the funds that are being sent to the office.
I appreciate personal letters from admission offices. "Dear Accepted Student" versus "Congrats Samantha!", has a totally different feeling behind it. Personal letters provide a sense of accomplishment. Knowing that admissions took the time to personalize letters about deadlines, orientations, financial aid, etc., all helps build my confidence and gives me the extra push to do well in school. This allows me to feel supported and encouraged. I feel as if I already am a member of the department before I step foot into a classroom.
S Graves
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
New Store Owner
Recently the store I have been working at for over a year was purchased and we have a new owner. I have known we were getting a new owner for months, however I did not think of the type of impact having a new owner would have on my work experience. The new owner took over the store last week and spoke to me and my coworkers at the monthly meeting. She is aware that we know much more about the store she purchased than she does and was willing to here out input. She wrote a list of the daily tasks that need to be completed and asked if the list was correct. She missed a lot of information, but was happy to hear that we knew what other tasks needed to be added. She also wanted to get us involved in the marketing plan. She told us everything that she was currently doing and asked what we thought of her plans. She also told us that she wanted to encourage us to get other people to come to the store and that we would figure out a way to know who referred customers to the store. We will receive 10% commission of the amount of money that person spends on the store. Most people spend between $120 to $200 each month they come into the store. I think it is great that she is willing to reward us so much and that she is excited and wants us to help her create the best store she can. When I tell her ideas, she listens and writes them down and gives me her input. The old owner never came to the store and worked for Capital One in addition to owning the store. We had a manager that ran the store on her own. She did not tell us anything that was going on, and the way we heard about sales promotions the store was doing was when customers would come in and have a coupon or other promotional tool that was used. This made us look very uninformed and not trained very well because the customer knew more about the sales promotion than we did. We also were lacking a lot of the equipment we need to run the store and the new manager had us write a list of what we thought we needed to make the store run more efficiently. She then went out and purchased everything on the list. Although the new manager is having problems with making sure there is enough inventory of a certain item and does not know what to do in a certain situation, she is willing to receive our help. I am excited to continue on with my job now that I have such a great manager.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Perks In The Business World.
K. Smith
I was reading an article in the Sunday's newspaper about perks given to the big CEO's. It is not a big secret that top CEO's get paid big money. Along with the big pay check these people receive additional compensation throughout the year. Some top CEO's received over 100,000 for the personal use of commpany cars and also received payment for snacks from the company dining room and also received some out-of-pocket medical costs. One top executive received two sets of tires per year and reimbursed himself for the taxes on the income associated with that benefit. I would assume this is how the rich stay rich. A new proxy was passed to require companies to disclose perks that cost more than 10,000, a much lower threshold than the previous requirement of 50,000, or 10% of total annual compensation. Since the proxy was passed some executives have given up their perks. Now that all perks have to be accounted for most executives do not want the perks. One executive voluntarily returned his company-provided leased car and will no longer receive a company car.
I was reading an article in the Sunday's newspaper about perks given to the big CEO's. It is not a big secret that top CEO's get paid big money. Along with the big pay check these people receive additional compensation throughout the year. Some top CEO's received over 100,000 for the personal use of commpany cars and also received payment for snacks from the company dining room and also received some out-of-pocket medical costs. One top executive received two sets of tires per year and reimbursed himself for the taxes on the income associated with that benefit. I would assume this is how the rich stay rich. A new proxy was passed to require companies to disclose perks that cost more than 10,000, a much lower threshold than the previous requirement of 50,000, or 10% of total annual compensation. Since the proxy was passed some executives have given up their perks. Now that all perks have to be accounted for most executives do not want the perks. One executive voluntarily returned his company-provided leased car and will no longer receive a company car.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Presentation skills - Jackie I.
Watching everyone in class present their topics using a PowerPoint slide show got me thinking about a few things that some people did really well. Good presenting skills are an important part of the business environment. You need to be able to relate important information to those people that need to know in an easily understood and time-efficient way. It's probably a good idea to film yourself or have a good friend watch you as you practice presenting so you can make sure your doing everything you should.
A good slide show is the first thing you need to make sure you have. Pertinent information on each slide, but not too wordy so that your audience isn't too overwhelmed with all the reading. You should have just enough so that you can refer to it when your explaining your topic in more detail. And we know that the words should be bold and in black with an appropriate design template. Of course you need to also be prepared to know what you're going to say and in what order so you don't stumble or confuse yourself(and your audience) when up there speaking.
Other things that are important when presenting is that you speak clearly, have knowledge of the topic, make eye contact, don't read directly from the slides all the time, or your paper in front of you, don't flip through the slides to quickly, etc. Practice makes perfect of course, so you'll get better as you go on. But to be aware of these things and work to fix them right away we'll be very helpful to your presenting sucess in the future.
A good slide show is the first thing you need to make sure you have. Pertinent information on each slide, but not too wordy so that your audience isn't too overwhelmed with all the reading. You should have just enough so that you can refer to it when your explaining your topic in more detail. And we know that the words should be bold and in black with an appropriate design template. Of course you need to also be prepared to know what you're going to say and in what order so you don't stumble or confuse yourself(and your audience) when up there speaking.
Other things that are important when presenting is that you speak clearly, have knowledge of the topic, make eye contact, don't read directly from the slides all the time, or your paper in front of you, don't flip through the slides to quickly, etc. Practice makes perfect of course, so you'll get better as you go on. But to be aware of these things and work to fix them right away we'll be very helpful to your presenting sucess in the future.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Healthy tips for corporate world.
Kim Smith
In the business world, the office is usually busy and demanding. There are days where work can be so hectic and there is not enough time to take a break. As the workforce grows, reponsibilities for each individual gets greater. Greater responsiblities creates less time to eat a well balanced diet. A well balanced diet should consist of 4-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and atleast 4-10 bread and cereals a day. Baked foods are more healthier due to less fat content. Salads are popular because they are quick and filling. A balanced diet provides the nutrient requirements for individuals to obtain the energy needed to strive everyday. In the hustle and bustle of corporate life, eating at fast food restaurants or quick take out seems to be the way to go in many businesses. Individuals must realize how many trans-fatty acids are in most fast foods. Eating a diet with a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats will increase energy during the day. Also reccomendations of walking during lunch time will increase energy expenditure. When you maintain physical activity your body remains leaner, which will make you feel 100% everyday.
In American society we are rushing all the time. Time is of the essense at all times. In other cultures individuals go outside of the office with coworkers to eat lunch. Eating is a social event. A time to clear the air and relax from business. A well balanced diet with some sought of physical activity everyday can give the individual the optimal level of energy at the business table.
In the business world, the office is usually busy and demanding. There are days where work can be so hectic and there is not enough time to take a break. As the workforce grows, reponsibilities for each individual gets greater. Greater responsiblities creates less time to eat a well balanced diet. A well balanced diet should consist of 4-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and atleast 4-10 bread and cereals a day. Baked foods are more healthier due to less fat content. Salads are popular because they are quick and filling. A balanced diet provides the nutrient requirements for individuals to obtain the energy needed to strive everyday. In the hustle and bustle of corporate life, eating at fast food restaurants or quick take out seems to be the way to go in many businesses. Individuals must realize how many trans-fatty acids are in most fast foods. Eating a diet with a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats will increase energy during the day. Also reccomendations of walking during lunch time will increase energy expenditure. When you maintain physical activity your body remains leaner, which will make you feel 100% everyday.
In American society we are rushing all the time. Time is of the essense at all times. In other cultures individuals go outside of the office with coworkers to eat lunch. Eating is a social event. A time to clear the air and relax from business. A well balanced diet with some sought of physical activity everyday can give the individual the optimal level of energy at the business table.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Debit/Credit-Sylva G
I have been a dedicated debit card users since I am came to college in 2003. There has been numerous occasions where I or close friends of mine have had debit card purchase nightmares. I use to get so stressed out when I saw errors on my bank statements. The small hassle I have to go through to get the problem fixed is just as much work as changing a light bulb. But sometimes these small errors can lead to huge overdraft fees and hours of phone conversations with bank employees.
My first occurrence was with a new, local ice cream parlor. I was charged twice for a huge order. The next day I was in total shock. My account was negative! I went into a panic and immediately called my mother. She told me how to go about getting the problem solved. I called the ice cream parlor and spoke with a manager. The manager was at first, somewhat confused about the situation, however he assured me that by the end of the week, the money would be put back into my account.
Another example of debit card usage gone wrong occurred at a local bar and grill. For amateurs like myself, I did not know exactly what happens when you "run a tab". A lot of bars now have pre-authorization charges. This means that basically they check to make sure you actually have the money in your account to pay for what you order. My pre-authorization charge was fifty dollars! I was horrified. I had only spent fifteen dollars! Again, I talked to a great manager who explained the situation and by the following week, my money was back into my account.
My only suggestion for companies with pre-authorization charges is to state that somewhere in the facility or on the receipts. It may take a little time to get the message out but the effort can save more time and decrease the amount of calls a business gets from angry and confused customers. My advice to fellow debit card users is that using this card takes risks and requires patience. Yes, there will be several times when you buy gas with your card and it seems like forever before the transaction is complete. That's why it's best that you keep track of your money on your own--Know what you are spending.
My first occurrence was with a new, local ice cream parlor. I was charged twice for a huge order. The next day I was in total shock. My account was negative! I went into a panic and immediately called my mother. She told me how to go about getting the problem solved. I called the ice cream parlor and spoke with a manager. The manager was at first, somewhat confused about the situation, however he assured me that by the end of the week, the money would be put back into my account.
Another example of debit card usage gone wrong occurred at a local bar and grill. For amateurs like myself, I did not know exactly what happens when you "run a tab". A lot of bars now have pre-authorization charges. This means that basically they check to make sure you actually have the money in your account to pay for what you order. My pre-authorization charge was fifty dollars! I was horrified. I had only spent fifteen dollars! Again, I talked to a great manager who explained the situation and by the following week, my money was back into my account.
My only suggestion for companies with pre-authorization charges is to state that somewhere in the facility or on the receipts. It may take a little time to get the message out but the effort can save more time and decrease the amount of calls a business gets from angry and confused customers. My advice to fellow debit card users is that using this card takes risks and requires patience. Yes, there will be several times when you buy gas with your card and it seems like forever before the transaction is complete. That's why it's best that you keep track of your money on your own--Know what you are spending.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Thank you Notes
I feel sending a thank-you letter after an interview is very important. After I interviewed for my internship in NYC, I sent a thank-you letter as soon as I came home. Two weeks later I was offered the internship and I feel that sending the thank-you note helped differentiate me from other applicants. The following is some guidelines when sending a thank-you letter. Almost immediately after an interview, you should write a thank-you letter to the interviewer. You can use e-mail to do this, but sending a letter or card is more thoughtful and shows you took more effort. If more than one person was involved in interviewing, sending a note to each one would be awesome. Try to get business cards from everyone you met so that you can spell their names correctly. Sending a card with the names spelled wrong will most likely erase any chance you had of getting the job. Also make sure that it is legible with correct spelling and grammar. Since so few people do this, you will really be memorable. If you cannot obtain their names, send a letter to the head interviewer and address it to the person and the interview panel. Thank-you letters should express gratitude for the interview opportunity, particular attention or kindness shown to you, assistance provided, or other experience that provided a memorable occasion for you. When writing a thank-you note, reconfirm your interest in working for the company and indicate that you hope to hear positive news soon. You can also try to better answer a question that was asked of you during the interview, but only do this for a couple questions that were asked of you. If you don’t hear from anyone within two weeks of sending the thank-you note, call or email the company to see if they have decided on an applicant.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Competitors web site analysis
Competitor #1: Trimspa
web site: http://www.trimspa.com/
Analysis:
The Trimspa web site is totally dedicated to the late Anna Nicole Smith. The main page of the web site has several pictures of her. It also has a letter written in her dedication by the Founder and CEO of the company. At the bottom, there is a link that takes viewers to another page which have quotes by Trimspa customers eulogizing Anna Nicole Smith.
From an advertisement perspective, the Trimspa web site is not very effective. The web site does not provide any information about their product. The web site design is also very plain. It uses a simple black background and white text. There are no logos to speak of on the web site besides the pictures of Anna Nicole Smith. However, it could be argued that Smith had taken the part of a logo for Trimspa. The web site is easy to navigate because it only has one link. As previously stated, the content is irrelevant to product they sell.
Competitor #2: Lipocerin
web site: http://lipocerin.com/
Analysis:
The Lipocerin web site is totally dedicated to the Lipocerin weigh loss formula. The site consists of one massive page and is divided into six parts which include: Home, How It Works, Clinical Proof, Testimonials, FAQ, and Buy it. These six parts are listed at the top of the web site and clicking on them take you to that specific part of the web site. The way to navigate away from the main page is by clicking on links at the very top right corner of the page.
The overall layout of the site is effective because the information about the product is on a single page. However, the fact that all the information is on a single page always raises some suspicion and makes the company advertising the product look cheap. The overall lay out of the web site and graphics bring to mind a "made for TV advertisement." Instead of using a single page for our company, I would use several pages to rid the customer of that "made for TV" aura. This particular web site does not boost a logo. It simply has a picture of the boxes in which the consumer would receive their product.
Competitor 3: Xenical
web site: http://www.xenical.com/xen_do_home.asp
Analysis:
The Xenical web site has a simple yet novel design. The main page introduces the product and attempts to discriminate between individuals who actually may need it. The body-mass index calculator is a nice tool they provide to see if you may be in need of their product. The tabs at the top and at the left of the main page provide for easy navigation when searching for something in specific. The tabs at the right side of the main page link to some informative information that you and your doctor may need to know before starting their product.
The web site is effective because everything is organized in a coherent manner. The colors of the web site are very plain and don’t take away attention from the text. However, some may see the use of plain colors as a potential flaw. The logo depicts some type of plant with some object sprouting from it. I envision our company using the same pragmatic web site design but using more vivid colors.
web site: http://www.trimspa.com/
Analysis:
The Trimspa web site is totally dedicated to the late Anna Nicole Smith. The main page of the web site has several pictures of her. It also has a letter written in her dedication by the Founder and CEO of the company. At the bottom, there is a link that takes viewers to another page which have quotes by Trimspa customers eulogizing Anna Nicole Smith.
From an advertisement perspective, the Trimspa web site is not very effective. The web site does not provide any information about their product. The web site design is also very plain. It uses a simple black background and white text. There are no logos to speak of on the web site besides the pictures of Anna Nicole Smith. However, it could be argued that Smith had taken the part of a logo for Trimspa. The web site is easy to navigate because it only has one link. As previously stated, the content is irrelevant to product they sell.
Competitor #2: Lipocerin
web site: http://lipocerin.com/
Analysis:
The Lipocerin web site is totally dedicated to the Lipocerin weigh loss formula. The site consists of one massive page and is divided into six parts which include: Home, How It Works, Clinical Proof, Testimonials, FAQ, and Buy it. These six parts are listed at the top of the web site and clicking on them take you to that specific part of the web site. The way to navigate away from the main page is by clicking on links at the very top right corner of the page.
The overall layout of the site is effective because the information about the product is on a single page. However, the fact that all the information is on a single page always raises some suspicion and makes the company advertising the product look cheap. The overall lay out of the web site and graphics bring to mind a "made for TV advertisement." Instead of using a single page for our company, I would use several pages to rid the customer of that "made for TV" aura. This particular web site does not boost a logo. It simply has a picture of the boxes in which the consumer would receive their product.
Competitor 3: Xenical
web site: http://www.xenical.com/xen_do_home.asp
Analysis:
The Xenical web site has a simple yet novel design. The main page introduces the product and attempts to discriminate between individuals who actually may need it. The body-mass index calculator is a nice tool they provide to see if you may be in need of their product. The tabs at the top and at the left of the main page provide for easy navigation when searching for something in specific. The tabs at the right side of the main page link to some informative information that you and your doctor may need to know before starting their product.
The web site is effective because everything is organized in a coherent manner. The colors of the web site are very plain and don’t take away attention from the text. However, some may see the use of plain colors as a potential flaw. The logo depicts some type of plant with some object sprouting from it. I envision our company using the same pragmatic web site design but using more vivid colors.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Business Posting - Jackie I.
Our upcoming assignment in class involves researching our competitors and comparing their business techniques and visual standards to ours, more specifically the online websites. This idea of researching and being very aware of our competitors presence is very unique to surviving in business. You can't just think that your product or your idea is one-of-a-kind and no one else can touch it. The odds are that someone out there has already thought about it, so a business person running a company needs to not only immerse themselves in their own product but also all those products similar to it.
Researching the competition can give you new ideas or new approaches to things, and it can also be a good indicator as to how not to do something. Business is all about innovation, and the only way to accomplish this is to constantly try to over think your competition, to be essentially one step ahead. In order for you product to succeed in the market it has to be recognized and known by the public. Your competition is out there trying to attract the same people, so it's important to know what they have and what they're doing so that you can do it better.
Another important reason to be aware of companies selling similar products to yours is to look out for any new market trends or standards that need to be met. The business world has many aspects of it that change without notice, given the rise and fall of consumer confidence and other economic indicators. So research is vital so that you're knowledgable of everything involving your product and can stay ahead of everyone else.
Researching the competition can give you new ideas or new approaches to things, and it can also be a good indicator as to how not to do something. Business is all about innovation, and the only way to accomplish this is to constantly try to over think your competition, to be essentially one step ahead. In order for you product to succeed in the market it has to be recognized and known by the public. Your competition is out there trying to attract the same people, so it's important to know what they have and what they're doing so that you can do it better.
Another important reason to be aware of companies selling similar products to yours is to look out for any new market trends or standards that need to be met. The business world has many aspects of it that change without notice, given the rise and fall of consumer confidence and other economic indicators. So research is vital so that you're knowledgable of everything involving your product and can stay ahead of everyone else.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Experience-Sylva G.
Friday's class discussion and assignment really got me thinking about job capabilities. For the assignment, I chose Rose Massin for the job position. My decision was based on the facts I knew about her, and I started to compare her to my mother. Even though my mother has worked continuously throughout her life, maintaining her last job for almost 30 years, I still saw some of my mother in Ms. Massin. My mom currently works with a lot of young adults who have at least Bachelor degrees. However, in the 1970's, the position that my mom currently holds did not require a college education. My mom has the advantage due to her experience and has basically grown with the business.
Currently, many people associate more education with being more suitable for jobs. However, it has not always been this way. Experience has been the key essential for landing a position. Nowadays, education has been stressed and is a definite criterion for being successful. Gutierrez versus Massin situation opened my eyes to this difference. Since, society stresses education so heavily now, potential career holders of today have a setback. How do you gain experience without the opportunity to get experience? I think about Gutierrez when I hear that question. He has all the right credentials, yet no experience. Potential can only get you so far. If you are never given an opportunity to gain experience, how will you stand out? These questions will always be unanswered in my book. A lot of companies state that "experience is needed", but where do u start?
Currently, many people associate more education with being more suitable for jobs. However, it has not always been this way. Experience has been the key essential for landing a position. Nowadays, education has been stressed and is a definite criterion for being successful. Gutierrez versus Massin situation opened my eyes to this difference. Since, society stresses education so heavily now, potential career holders of today have a setback. How do you gain experience without the opportunity to get experience? I think about Gutierrez when I hear that question. He has all the right credentials, yet no experience. Potential can only get you so far. If you are never given an opportunity to gain experience, how will you stand out? These questions will always be unanswered in my book. A lot of companies state that "experience is needed", but where do u start?
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Why having a good manager is important.
This week I learned the importance of having a good manager. I had read a book titled Zapp for a class that focused on how to be a good manager and the importance of having one. I did not understand how important that was though until this week. There is a woman at my work that washes the dishes. She has two degrees from school so she is overqualified for this position and is therefore very unhappy with her job. She makes it very clear that she hates her job by complaining about it to me and the rest of my coworkers. She will get upset when we bring dishes back to her and makes comments that “She does everyone else job” which is false, because she barely does her own job. We all have complained several times to the manager, who is only a couple of years older than me. She has not done anything that has fixed the problem up to this point. This weekend, she yelled at one of my coworkers and she quit and I was ready to quit as well. I could not understand why my manager seemed to rather keep the dishwasher in her position than to try to make her other employees happy by firing her. We had our monthly meeting this week and we all decided that we would talk to the manager all at the same time so she would understand how serious the problem was. We were not as upset with the dishwasher as we were with the manager, because we knew we will have to work with people we do not get along with in life, but what is most important is how that problem is taken care of by the manager. She agreed that we would all sit down next week and have a meeting with the dishwasher and let everyone know what we expect from each other while at work. My manager agreed that if the woman did not improve her attitude after this meeting that she would be fired. If my manager had done the right thing and solved this problem a long time ago, one of our very good coworkers would still be working with us, but instead we are short staffed.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Tips on Communicating with different cultures in the Business world.
Intercultural communication is the process of sending and receiving messages between people of different cultural backgrounds. In the business world communicating with different cultures is on the rise. One needs to know how to properly communicate with others who communicate different then them. In the communication process it is difficult enough when there is no cultural differences. Some things that affect the process are stereotypes, topic, nonverbal ehavior, sytle of communication, status and power and language. Communication among those who are different races or nationalities have different values and cultural beliefs, so always be prepared to communicate with them in some way.
Also in the communication process such barriers that will exist is the tone differences, which might be formal or informal. Perceptions of individuals who speak or look different from you can cause a barrier. People who speak different languages actually view the business world in different ways. For example Asian business people rely heavily on nonverbal and sublte situational cues when communicating. For Americans we rely on words to convey meaning in our communicaton. Also in our culture a firm handshake seals the deal, but for another culture touch of any kind is not allowed.
A few things to remember when communicating with individuals who are different- always speak clearly. Don't talk down to the other person and address international correspondence properly. Learn some foreign phrases to help enhance communication. Research and be prepared for communicating with any culture that is different than yours. The business deal will go through smoothly and positively.
Also in the communication process such barriers that will exist is the tone differences, which might be formal or informal. Perceptions of individuals who speak or look different from you can cause a barrier. People who speak different languages actually view the business world in different ways. For example Asian business people rely heavily on nonverbal and sublte situational cues when communicating. For Americans we rely on words to convey meaning in our communicaton. Also in our culture a firm handshake seals the deal, but for another culture touch of any kind is not allowed.
A few things to remember when communicating with individuals who are different- always speak clearly. Don't talk down to the other person and address international correspondence properly. Learn some foreign phrases to help enhance communication. Research and be prepared for communicating with any culture that is different than yours. The business deal will go through smoothly and positively.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Business Posting - Mihran O.
I am currently employed as a tutor at the Campus Learning Center in the University College. This job has allowed me to learn some subtle lessons which can be applied to the business world. As a tutor, the product I "sell" to students is knowledge and just like any business, knowing how to package my product makes all the difference.
Students who are in need of tutoring can set up private appointments for one on one tutoring. This private tutoring is a classic example of knowing how to package my product.
The student usually comes into the tutoring room and I introduce myself as their tutor. The first thing I do is try to get an idea of how much background information they have on their topic in question. If the student has a pretty good idea of what is going on, I will answer their questions as directly as possible. If the student is not too sure of themselves, the "packaging" begins. Before answering their specific question, the student and I work backward to figure out the last pieces of information the student understood. Then from that baseline knowledge, I try to explain the answer to their question in a way that I think they will clearly understand. If that’s not possible, it becomes necessary to explain some new information that will allow the student to have the baseline knowledge to figure out the answer to their own question. Each step the student and I take towards achieving their ultimate goal of resolving their questions is another way of packaging information for their consumption. The payoff occurs when the student says something to the effect of, "That’s it? That was easy." And I say, "Yes, it was that easy."
Students who are in need of tutoring can set up private appointments for one on one tutoring. This private tutoring is a classic example of knowing how to package my product.
The student usually comes into the tutoring room and I introduce myself as their tutor. The first thing I do is try to get an idea of how much background information they have on their topic in question. If the student has a pretty good idea of what is going on, I will answer their questions as directly as possible. If the student is not too sure of themselves, the "packaging" begins. Before answering their specific question, the student and I work backward to figure out the last pieces of information the student understood. Then from that baseline knowledge, I try to explain the answer to their question in a way that I think they will clearly understand. If that’s not possible, it becomes necessary to explain some new information that will allow the student to have the baseline knowledge to figure out the answer to their own question. Each step the student and I take towards achieving their ultimate goal of resolving their questions is another way of packaging information for their consumption. The payoff occurs when the student says something to the effect of, "That’s it? That was easy." And I say, "Yes, it was that easy."
Monday, February 19, 2007
Business Posting - Mihran O.
I learned a very valuable lesson while working at the Little Yogurt Shop in Carytown. Giving the customer what they want, even if it means bending the rules, always pays dividends. I worked at the Little Yogurt Shop part-time over the 2004 Fall Semester. My job description basically consisted of standing behind a counter and serving high quality frozen yogurt and ice cream. During my shifts I was the only individual working and it allowed me to bend some rules that benefited my employer and I.
I was instructed in the amazing difficult art of pulling down the lever of frozen yogurt machines and scooping ice cream from buckets in a large freezer. I was told to only give a specific amount of frozen yogurt or ice cream for each particular size the customer requested. However, I quickly noticed a direct relationship between how much extra frozen yogurt I gave and the amount of money I made in the form of tips. This relationship was also true for the amount of toppings I put on a customers ice cream or frozen yogurt. Now after careful consideration and knowing that I was the only person working during my shift, I decided to make the practice of giving a little extra, a staple of my serving routine. The customers literally and figuratively "ate it up." I had customers who would come during my specific shifts to get the little extra that they could not normally enjoy. They were not afraid to show me their appreciation in the form of tips. Furthermore, some customers who came in would specifically tell me that they came during the time I work, from a recommendation of their friends. Needless to say, this created a win-win situation because the amount of tips I made and the reputation of the Little Yogurt Shop for quality customer service grew with leaps and bounds.
I was instructed in the amazing difficult art of pulling down the lever of frozen yogurt machines and scooping ice cream from buckets in a large freezer. I was told to only give a specific amount of frozen yogurt or ice cream for each particular size the customer requested. However, I quickly noticed a direct relationship between how much extra frozen yogurt I gave and the amount of money I made in the form of tips. This relationship was also true for the amount of toppings I put on a customers ice cream or frozen yogurt. Now after careful consideration and knowing that I was the only person working during my shift, I decided to make the practice of giving a little extra, a staple of my serving routine. The customers literally and figuratively "ate it up." I had customers who would come during my specific shifts to get the little extra that they could not normally enjoy. They were not afraid to show me their appreciation in the form of tips. Furthermore, some customers who came in would specifically tell me that they came during the time I work, from a recommendation of their friends. Needless to say, this created a win-win situation because the amount of tips I made and the reputation of the Little Yogurt Shop for quality customer service grew with leaps and bounds.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Business Posting - Jackie I.
Though I am yet to actually have a professional career where many of the things we discussed in class occur, I have learned some valuable lessons from the couple part-time jobs I have had. Not just in these past jobs but also from experience with working in groups in many, if not all, of my classes since being here at college.
One important key element to success in any field or situation is using effective communication with those you're working with. Without good communication a lot of tasks that could have been accomplished quite easily may become complicated and time consuming. Or worse, many things may get done incorrectly or not at all. There aren't many jobs out there where some form of communication with other people isn't essential for many tasks to get accomplished.
My new store manager at my current job in a retail store provided me with a good example of ineffective communication with her new coworkers. It was one of her first official days at the store and a couple of us working with her we're unsure at times what she wanted us to do. Her thoughts that she made verbal to us were unclear and incomplete. You could tell she needed help at times but did not ask. When another assistant manager of mine came in for the day, this new store manager failed to discuss with her issues that needed to be brought up and made known.
Her ineffective communication aggravated me and shows me how important it is to always communicate with my peers, coworkers etc. When work needs to be done, questions need to be asked and issues resolved and made clear, everyone needs to speak up and talk through everything thoroughly.
One important key element to success in any field or situation is using effective communication with those you're working with. Without good communication a lot of tasks that could have been accomplished quite easily may become complicated and time consuming. Or worse, many things may get done incorrectly or not at all. There aren't many jobs out there where some form of communication with other people isn't essential for many tasks to get accomplished.
My new store manager at my current job in a retail store provided me with a good example of ineffective communication with her new coworkers. It was one of her first official days at the store and a couple of us working with her we're unsure at times what she wanted us to do. Her thoughts that she made verbal to us were unclear and incomplete. You could tell she needed help at times but did not ask. When another assistant manager of mine came in for the day, this new store manager failed to discuss with her issues that needed to be brought up and made known.
Her ineffective communication aggravated me and shows me how important it is to always communicate with my peers, coworkers etc. When work needs to be done, questions need to be asked and issues resolved and made clear, everyone needs to speak up and talk through everything thoroughly.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Business Posting- Sylva G. 12/14/2007
I currently work for a survey lab that is constantly mailing and receiving surveys for different projects. The process to mail out the surveys is very drawn out. There is constant reviewing of every introductory letter, actual surveys, and post-survey letters. Our current project is dealing with attorneys critiquing judges all over Virginia. This is a very confidential project that took several months of planning, analyzing, and reviewing by our Project Managers. I realized that a good first impression does make a huge statement about our company. I recently have received hundreds of these surveys completed by the assigned Attorneys. However, I did notice that a majority of the Attorneys circled and left several comments about the introduction letter of the survey. They stated that sentences were not understandable and there were even misspelled words. I know that the head Managers of this project will feel humiliated considering the time and effort they “thought” they spent reviewing these letters. I really thought that maybe the Head Managers would take even more time to review these letters. In class we discussed that the first thing you should do before preparing a document for anyone is to know and connect with who is actually receiving the document. Attorneys are generally very educated people, with lots of experience in law and basic language skills, and this should have been taken into account. I remember in class that a different set of eyes could detect errors that others cannot see. Perhaps now the project managers will try to include us in the reviewing process and get our input about things. Overall, I do feel that the Attorneys will take the surveys seriously, however I know that the company I work for has lost some respect for their carelessness.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
New Company Description
Thin Again Incorporated is the hottest new company in the field of weight-loss. The weight-loss world should be prepared for a revolutionary new product. This product will help countless individuals who are struggling with their weight problems. Thin Again Incorporated has patented a new weight-loss pill, Miraculum, which is ready to take the world by storm.
Thin Again Incorporated is an upstart herbal diet company with humble roots in the Swiss Alps. The story behind its establishment is one of intrigue and legend. It centers around the careers and friendship of five individuals: advertising mogul Jackie Isberner, designer extraordinaire Leslie Brady, distribution genius Kim Smith, finance guru Sylva Graves, and distinguished physician and researcher Mihran Ozbalik.
The legend begins when Mihran was hiking in the foothills of the Alps near the city of Bern, Switzerland. He was out to locate a new herb to center around his groundbreaking research in the field of weight-loss. The motivation for his search was very near and dear to his heart. Mihran had an obese cat, Snuggles. His daily hike led him to an area of the Alps unexplored in his previous journeys. After strolling around the area for some time he came upon a species of plant he had never used before in his research, Petroselinum crispum. He took samples of Petroselinum crispum back to his laboratory at the University of Bern. There he conducted several studies, in coordination with universities all over Europe, that proved Petroselinum crispum had active ingredients critical for weight-loss in humans (as well as cats). Along with Petroselinum crispum, Mihran added other herbal extracts such as calamus, clove, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and green tea to promote overall body health. After realizing the affordability of the process of bringing together these gifts of Mother Nature, he immediately called his four most trusted contacts in the business world, and the rest is history.
For Thin Again Incorporated to operate, it needs dedicated individuals who are willing to work for the consumer. Fortunately we have those individuals in Sylva Graves, Kim Smith, Leslie Brady, and Jackie Isberner.
Miss Sylva Graves heads up the finance division of Thin Again Incorporated. She has the vision and knowledge necessary to keep Thin Again Incorporated competitive and the passion to keep Miraculum affordable for everyday people.
Miss Kim Smith is in charge of distribution and takes great pride in the fact that packages of Miraculum can be shipped anywhere around the globe within several days notice. Her hard work ensures local grocery shelves from Tokyo to Houston stay stocked with Miraculum, ready and waiting for the moment consumers want to help themselves.
Miss Leslie Brady runs the public relations and design sector of Thin Again Incorporated. She checks the pulse of consumers by hosting focus groups and is not afraid of pushing the borders of design. Her creative designs of packaging are what have made Miraculum the successful and recognizable herbal weight-loss pill that it is today.
Miss Jackie Isberner manages the advertising division of Thin Again Incorporated. Whether through television, radio, newspaper, or Internet, Miss Isberner spreads the good news about Miraculum. She achieves success when her advertisements reach individuals who choose to take control of their health and buy Miraculum. Thin Again Incorporated is a new and small company based in San Francisco and employs the five aforementioned individuals
Thin Again Incorporated is an upstart herbal diet company with humble roots in the Swiss Alps. The story behind its establishment is one of intrigue and legend. It centers around the careers and friendship of five individuals: advertising mogul Jackie Isberner, designer extraordinaire Leslie Brady, distribution genius Kim Smith, finance guru Sylva Graves, and distinguished physician and researcher Mihran Ozbalik.
The legend begins when Mihran was hiking in the foothills of the Alps near the city of Bern, Switzerland. He was out to locate a new herb to center around his groundbreaking research in the field of weight-loss. The motivation for his search was very near and dear to his heart. Mihran had an obese cat, Snuggles. His daily hike led him to an area of the Alps unexplored in his previous journeys. After strolling around the area for some time he came upon a species of plant he had never used before in his research, Petroselinum crispum. He took samples of Petroselinum crispum back to his laboratory at the University of Bern. There he conducted several studies, in coordination with universities all over Europe, that proved Petroselinum crispum had active ingredients critical for weight-loss in humans (as well as cats). Along with Petroselinum crispum, Mihran added other herbal extracts such as calamus, clove, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and green tea to promote overall body health. After realizing the affordability of the process of bringing together these gifts of Mother Nature, he immediately called his four most trusted contacts in the business world, and the rest is history.
For Thin Again Incorporated to operate, it needs dedicated individuals who are willing to work for the consumer. Fortunately we have those individuals in Sylva Graves, Kim Smith, Leslie Brady, and Jackie Isberner.
Miss Sylva Graves heads up the finance division of Thin Again Incorporated. She has the vision and knowledge necessary to keep Thin Again Incorporated competitive and the passion to keep Miraculum affordable for everyday people.
Miss Kim Smith is in charge of distribution and takes great pride in the fact that packages of Miraculum can be shipped anywhere around the globe within several days notice. Her hard work ensures local grocery shelves from Tokyo to Houston stay stocked with Miraculum, ready and waiting for the moment consumers want to help themselves.
Miss Leslie Brady runs the public relations and design sector of Thin Again Incorporated. She checks the pulse of consumers by hosting focus groups and is not afraid of pushing the borders of design. Her creative designs of packaging are what have made Miraculum the successful and recognizable herbal weight-loss pill that it is today.
Miss Jackie Isberner manages the advertising division of Thin Again Incorporated. Whether through television, radio, newspaper, or Internet, Miss Isberner spreads the good news about Miraculum. She achieves success when her advertisements reach individuals who choose to take control of their health and buy Miraculum. Thin Again Incorporated is a new and small company based in San Francisco and employs the five aforementioned individuals
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