https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv Module 8 - Visual Journal Assignment en-us 2017-04-22 19:05:18 UTC 2025-11-01 17:13:47 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Manbag.png mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/167643328 This article may be on the shorter side, but it screams with information about why communication is vital not only in the workplace, but when transacting business in the world. My job title has changed in the last few months from receptionist to Receptionist/Accounting Assistant. Juggling both jobs is not only challenging, but my boss doesn't seem to be listening to me when I say that I am frustrated (being the I'm handling the receptionist part of the job), while also learning the accounting aspect of the job. My boss doesn't catch my verbal queues and tone changes, which makes the job a little more frustrating. ]]> 2017-04-22 19:11:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/167643328 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/168236235 I found this cartoon too funny not to share. It shows that if management rewards an employee after they do something good or even doing their job correctly every time they do it correctly, then both parties aren't affected by it.  Rewards are nice but only when truly deserved and in moderation. ]]> 2017-04-25 20:55:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/168236235 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/168619028 The reason behind attaching the article is because it goes in depth about learning and growing into a more accepting person.  "Spending time with culturally diverse co-workers can slowly break down the subconscious barriers of ethnocentrism and xenophobia, encouraging employees to be more well-rounded members of society." Not only do you grow as a person morally, but you become a better person socially. I unfortunately work in an office where the owners are fearful of a certain races and religions, and show it by starting a starting stories with either the color of their skin or religion. I also grew up with my father's side being extremely racist to the point that if anyone were to date a non-white person, they were frowned upon. It is very hard not to see color when you are surrounded racism]]> 2017-04-27 13:11:02 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/168619028 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/168672851 This picture really is worth a thousand words. There are an increasing number of mothers returning to the workforce. This picture represents how mothers are able to balance work and family life, and do so in a non-binding way. This mother also represents the fact that her family comes first, as her child is held higher than the briefcase full of work. Although she is working, she continues to look at her child as first priority. ]]> 2017-04-27 15:43:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/168672851 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169032023 This article really breaks the difference between multi and transnational. When I first heard about the two, I thought of the two switched, if you will. I thought that multinational did not have centralized management system. When I think of the word multi, I think of multipurpose or multitask, which you would think doesn't have any centralization whatsoever. Being that multinational companies face challenges because of their centralized management system, it is hard to remember that they don't have much freedom, whereas transnational companies do because they do not have a centralized system, they are able to receive more business in the markets that they are in.]]> 2017-04-29 22:21:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169032023 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169033898 I found this picture helpful when deciding how to interpret the managerial decision making process. What some don't know id the fourth step, evaluating alternative courses of action, includes so many different approaches, such as the legal aspect as well s the financial aspect. Most people don't think that making managerial decisions has anything to do with the legality side of business, but if a manger needs to terminate a position, they need to make sure that all of the proper paperwork is in order, W-2 forms be sent to a correct address, and that they terminated employee receives the correct amount of pay, up until their termination. The financial aspect of it is something I see far too often at my place of business; working in the insurance industry I see many cancellation notices for non-payment of premiums. When one our clients forgets to pay, the owner charges the payment to the company credit card, in order to keep that client. Obviously, the company does that with trusted clients. ]]> 2017-04-29 23:44:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169033898 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169036277 This topic and article speak volumes to where I am in my current work position. I am a receptionist for an insurance agency, who has also "taken on" the task of being the accounting assistant. The reason for the quotations is because I was never officially offered the position or asked if I was comfortable doing it. I've gone from entering simple commission statements to doing all of the accounts payable work. My manager doesn't understand that she cannot just "dump", if you will, most, if not all, of the accounting work, while I am handling my actual job (that I am getting paid for) on top of that. She is not grasping my communicative queues and is not listening when I tel her that I am already swamped as she gives me more accounting work.  As stated in this article, "A major factor is the failure of organizations to assure that the supervisors and managers know how to delegate effectively.  Often, managers think that they are delegating when they assign tasks to employees. Sometimes this is merely dumping on people." Those statements are exactly what I am going through on daily basis. I enjoy my job, but not when I am up all night with anxiety for the next day. ]]> 2017-04-30 01:57:53 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169036277 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169036469 This again relates to my current job position. Being that insurance is a fast moving industry, everyone wants everything yesterday, and some even think that they are the only one's that we attend to. When something goes array, such as payment was taken though the insured hasn't received any forms, or someone called for a quote and hasn't heard back from the agent in over a week is something that happens more often that it should. Management wants too make sure that the client is happy; "if the client is happy then we stay in business.", as management puts it. No one cares to stop and ask, "Well why did this happen in the first place?" Being that we are a family-owned corporation, with only eight agents, and over a thousand cliental, some things are bound to go wrong. But not getting back with someone about a quote for over a week is just not right. It's always go, go, go and don't ask questions. Much of the time, agents are just too busy to remember what they were doing before they got caught up in a busy mess, but whenever I get swamped, I make sure to finish what I was doing before I got busy. Then I move onto a priority and go down a list to make sure that everything gets done before the end of the day.]]> 2017-04-30 02:09:13 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169036469 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169036720 After the New Year, management has the entire office come together for a "Word" meeting. This meeting is one where each employee must come up with a work that they will work by to achieve more greatness than they did in the previous year. For example, when I first started working at the company, my word of the year was 'Consistency'; being that I was still fairly new at the start of the New Year, I wanted to show my fellow co-workers that I was to try to be consistent with my work and make less mistakes. With this New Year, my word is 'Patience', which I think fits perfectly with my position of answering phones, greeting cliental, doing all of my receptionist duties, and now with becoming the accounting assistant, I definitely look at my word at least four times a day to remind myself to a breathe. Being in a customer service industry, management's main focus is the client, which is understandable, though at the expense of your employee's sanity is stretching it a bit. When management fills a position, they throw that new person right into the mosh pit without taking the time to really train them. I have seen countless new employees come in on a Monday and leave that same Wednesday, because they are just too overwhelmed with the job. I too was overwhelmed when I first started this position and even thought about quitting after the second day, but even in all the stress, I am glad I toughed it out and stayed. Sometimes I just want to tell management that they need to take it slow.]]> 2017-04-30 02:24:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169036720 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169036914 "The second most important factor in a manager's ability to motivate employees is creating a work environment and organizational culture that fosters employee motivation and engagement." This statement could not be any more truer. I consider productivity and motivation one in the same; if one feels motivated they are more productive. When one is productive, they feel motivated to finish the job. My office has a "today's hit" radio station that plays, pastel colored walls, and greenery that floods the lobby. There are times that I jam out to song, or just look at a plant and think about something other then work for a minute. But those are everyday things. Our company is not one to celebrate Casual Friday, unless of a major holiday or when the owners are out of town. When casual Friday comes around, everyone is so much more positive and excited with the day. We also have company potlucks, though again only when a major holiday comes around, which is five times a year, or when the Bulldog vs Gator game is upon us (which is another big motivating factor). If the company would change up the music or get some different pictures on the wall, I would feel more motivated to get the job done. ]]> 2017-04-30 02:35:54 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169036914 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169083760 This article breaks down the "ins and outs" of informal communication. What I seem to forget is the difference between informal, formal, verbal, and non-verbal communication. Informal communication is communicating through instant messaging, email, etc. While informal and non-verbal communication seem to be one-in-the-same, non-verbal is more of gestures, tone of voice, more literal non-verbal communication. Whereas informal communication is that of communicating, just not face-to-face. Informal communication, such as email, is becoming more popular so to have a paper trail to be able to go back to should the need arise. ]]> 2017-04-30 22:03:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169083760 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169084300 Formal and informal groups relate to my job. By working at an insurance agency, which is different than an insurance company being that we contract through insurance companies to bring them the business. We do all lines of insurance, meaning commercial, personal, health, life, disability, professional E&O, etc. Our office is divided by commercial and personal insurance. Those divisions are formal groups, whereas the commercial lines, personal lines, upper management, and accounting work with me in an informal group, as I work on different projects with them. I personally like working in an informal group because they come to me when they have a project that they need assistance on. Management never sets me up with anybody. Each individual comes to me when needed. ]]> 2017-04-30 22:13:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169084300 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169084863 In high school I managed my football and gymnastics teams. In that role, I encouraged, supported, guided, and directed my fellow teammates. I never told them what to do , I merely supported when they unsure of themselves, and guided them to try something new or assisted them when trying something new. The office manager at my work doesn't step into her role until upper management needs her to interview an applicant or when the owners are out of the office and a client asks to speak to a manger. She is just a regular agent until the owners need her to fill the role of office manager.  Realistically, management is all about the control and regulation of resources. A leader is good at handling the tangible and intangible needs of the people under their charge.]]> 2017-04-30 22:22:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169084863 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169085331 In a real sense, the pyramid goes Leader, then Manager, and then Subordinate. A leader sees a vision, makes the plan, then hands it off to the manager to accomplish with the subordinates. Managing is about power and control, whereas leading sees the people and focuses on the long-term goals. Even though both roles want to accomplish the goal, leaders want more teamwork, whereas managers want to just get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible. ]]> 2017-04-30 22:30:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169085331 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169085726 Production management deals with manufacturing of products like (computer, car, etc) while operations management cover both products and services. Production and operations management are difference in the sense of output, usage of output, classification of work, and customer contact.  Also the strategic management process for the two contrast each other by their competitive analysis, goal setting, strategy formulation, and implementation. ]]> 2017-04-30 22:35:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169085726 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169086483 As the picture states, data is just the facts as they are, whereas information gives meaning to the data. One, like myself, just think that data and information are more like the chicken and the egg scenario. They seem like one-in-the-same, but if you really do think about it; you need information to tell you what the data actually is.]]> 2017-04-30 22:44:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169086483 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169092966 This pictures depicts the functions of management perfectly. It shows how one function leads into another. You cannot be an efficient and/or effective manager without all of these things. One cannot be an effective and/or efficient manager if they believe that they skip a function. One must follow the steps of the functions to be a successful manager.]]> 2017-05-01 00:09:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169092966 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169093437 In the business world, the rule of ethics is like a two-way street. You either make the right decision that benefits the company. Or make a wrong decision that destroys the reputation/ integrity of the company name. Everyone in the business world knows of the Enron scandal that lasted about 12 years. One bad seed planted creates a field of rotten potential, which is exactly what Enron was; a huge corporation flies and scandal. They put the company's integrity along with stockholders money in a giant shredder after the first tip of their lying hat. ]]> 2017-05-01 00:15:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169093437 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169094492 While most people think the biggest risk for doing international business is the economy, according to the WEF, the says that interstate conflict, extreme weather events, failure of national governance, state collapse or crisis, unemployment or underemployment are the five biggest risks for global business. Speaking of failure of national governance, France is in a bit of a political discourse as they are int he middle of an election for a new president. Now the country is not failing in their government, but there is much tension between the two candidates and with the citizens themselves.]]> 2017-05-01 00:25:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169094492 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169095170 When leading employees, one is remember that you are one of them. You are no different when achieving the desired goal. You are simply leading the pack to the end result. ]]> 2017-05-01 00:32:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169095170 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169095549 Understanding organizational structure can help employees and supervisors understand their place in the organization.  What type of structure is better depends on the type of organization and the people within the organization.  The culture of an organization is not something that is written down when the organization is founded but created over time and is often thought of as the organization's facade. Organizations almost always have these things in common: adaptability, involvement, and a clear mission.  Cultures can change when new management and/or leadership is brought in, but often it is deeply entrenched in the organization.]]> 2017-05-01 00:37:19 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169095549 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169096203 The Human Resources department of an organization works for the organization and will always do what is in the best interest of the organization. If an employee goes up against Human Resources, they are going to do whatever it takes to protect the integrity of the organization.  The main purposes of Human Resources are: Recruiting, Selection, Training and Performance appraisal.
  ]]> 2017-05-01 00:48:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169096203 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169096535 The key to an effective workplace employee motivation strategy is to provide a range of incentives that will appeal to different personalities. While one individual may be highly money motivated another may find job satisfaction or creative opportunities as more powerful factors.]]> 2017-05-01 00:54:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169096535 mannsm2 https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169096811 n any organization, management and leadership comes with a certain level of power. There are five main types of power in business: coercive, expert, legitimate, referent and reward. Many leaders use just one type of power, but the most effective way to use these powers is to implement a balanced combination of the positive types.]]> 2017-05-01 00:59:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mannsm2/yeys5ghfo7fv/wish/169096811