Discussion one:
Hello Professor and fellow classmates:
According to our textbook, today’s managers perform four management functions. They are planning, organizing, leading and controlling. Planning is a process that includes defining goals, establishing strategy, and developing plans that coordinate activities. Organizing is the process of determining tasks to be done, who is to do them, how they are grouped and who reports to whom. Leading is a function that includes motivating and directing employees, communicating and resolving conflicts. Controlling is monitoring activities to ensure they are being done as planned and correcting any mistakes in those activities as needed. (Robbins & Judge, 2013)
As a caterer, I have performed these functions as follows: I planned a cocktail reception for 500 people to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Church’s building. I planned the menu, the decorating of the hall and how many servers the event would need to ensure the best possible outcome for the invited guests. I organized a volunteer event committee that consisted of the president of the parish, and 10 other key church individuals. We had 3 months to finalize the details, plan our agenda for the day of the event, and make all the food, order the flowers/centerpieces, the linens, the china and anything else needed for a spectacular celebration. I led my team through all the planning meetings, directed them in the preparation of the menu items (we made all the appetizers for the cocktail reception, 20 different passed and buffet items), resolved issues with the linen company (they sent the wrong color tablecloths the week before the event), used email and cell phone communication channels for all decisions and activities planned. The day prior to the event, I was at the church hall controlling and ensuring that all activities where being done as planned, the tables where set with the linen (the new corrected color), the china, the centerpieces and all décor. I made sure that all the food was being prepared to my specifications and taste, did a half hour training of the service staff (40 of them) to ensure they knew what to serve on what platter and with what accompaniment, and to make sure they had the right tools to do the best job.
This was the largest catering job that I had attempted in my career, so I feel that the planning was the most crucial function that I needed to control. Organizing and leading where the second most important functions and controlling was the final function performed. I enjoyed the challenge and I know that we did an exceptional job because I have since booked over 75 (and counting) new events from the people that attended the event and told me how impressed they were with the quality of our food, décor, and organization and how well our staff handled themselves.
Fay
Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2013). Organizational behavior (15th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Discussion 2
The three characteristics that are key to developing professional image are Attire, Confidence, and communication skills. The person who impressed me as a professional is my brother. My brother is Ass
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The three characteristics that are key to developing professional image are Attire, Confidence, and communication skills. The person who impressed me as a professional is my brother. My brother is Assistant District Attorney for the state of florida, whether he is in court, or giving a talk to teenagers, or answering questions in a panel of professionals he is always protraying a professional image. My brother first job was at walmart, we both went into are interview dressed in suits, and dressed the same way in our orientation. Later on we found out we were the first hired simply because of the image we presented. Communication skills are very important, as a lawyer the way you speak is vital to your success, when you talk to a jury, you should not stumble over your words, or use words like ums, or pausing in your speech. Confidence is important, sometimes confidence can be persuasive. I need to work on my confidence and communication skills, when it comes to email, and writing im good, i could always do better, its my speech that i need to work on.
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Dav
Modified: 11/13/2014 3:15 PM
id Dunlap
11/13/2014 3:13:16 PM
RE: Unit 1: Discussion – The Characteristics of a Professional
Discussion Topic – Characteristics of a Professional Hello once again Professor & class, Professionalism is a word that encompasses a lot of different meanings and may have different e
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Discussion Topic – Characteristics of a Professional
Hello once again Professor & class,
Professionalism is a word that encompasses a lot of different meanings and may have different expectations associated with it, based solely on an individual-to-individual basis. However, many of us can identify what we consider to be a “professional” based on some of his or her characteristics. For example, many of you would probably agree that a professional is someone who is acknowledged as a specialist in their respective field. Or, a person who has gone above and beyond the average person to refine their skills and to improve their chances of success. Similarly, many of us see a professional as someone who has succeed or one who is successful in what they have set out to do.
For me, the foremost important professional characteristic is image. A professional is someone who dresses appropriately, whom is well-groomed, and who has an air of confidence that reassures us that they know what they are doing (Smith, 2014). Although stereotypical, many of us would probably much rather deal with someone who looks professional rather than someone who does not but claims to be. One should be able to identify you as a professional and as such feel comfortable in seeking you out.
Second, expertise – or communication skills which exhibit them. By expertise, I don’t mean speaking mumbo jumbo techy-wiz stuff. I mean an individual who shows an understanding of the subject matter in which he or she practices and the ability to communicate it back to me. For example, if I were to call and ask when an auto shop opened up and the employee said “I don’t know.” I would not consider them a professional for the simple fact that they do not show any knowledge of the business. Or, if they do, they have no demonstrated it by acknowledging my question with a clear and concise answer. A professional, to me, would be someone who is willing to state that they do not know, but also, is willing to find out for you.
Third, self-regulation. Which is the ability to handle an escalating situation. All too often, we find ourselves overwhelmed by emotion or pressure. It could be for any number of factors, however, the idea behind self-regulation is finding the ability to professional handle that situation by staying calm, keeping your business-like demeanor, and doing everything in your power to make things right again (Smith, 2014). And, if needed, re-directing that individual you are having issues with to somebody else who can better handle the situation.
While these characteristics can be applied to just about any field, I find that these three in particular are especially important in Information Technology and as a computer/network technician. For me, I wouldn’t want the guy sitting at my desk, fixing my computer, to smell funky or to be dressed inappropriately. It’s extremely important to be make those around you feel comfortable and trustworthy. Also, going back to expertise, it’s important to demonstrate your knowledge of the system without making the other person feel inferior or stupid about it. If they ask you a question, you should be able to answer; but until then, try to keep things simplistic and easy to understand so they know what’s going on while you work. Finally, it can be frustrating trying to work on a system or get a network backup when you have someone, or worse, your supervisor breathing down your next. But it’s important to realize and to remember that they are depending on you and they rely on your skills to do their own job. Thus, keeping self-regulation is important for not only keeping your professional presence; but also, for keeping your job!
– Dave
Reference
Smith, C. (2014). Professionalism – Developing This Vital Characteristic. Retrieved November 13, 2014 from: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/professionalism.htm
