Reflection on Personal Performance in Business Strategy Game

Reflection on Personal Performance in Business Strategy Game Business strategy games involving management process before confirming the decision to be made. Lesson learned taken from the business game, from the process and the content from the case (industry and situation condition of the business). Management Process Planning was the first process taken. Reading and understanding the relevant information was necessary and plays a significant role in planning process. Expectation was established in the planning, and followed stepping process until all aspects have been determined, including all distinctiveness in production (capacity, model, etc.), transportation (shipping), labor, etc. Planning is critical, and it was indicated in the business strategy games, in which it required quite some time to achieve an agreement. Time was also a factor should be considered, and it drove the discussion on the planning to obtain the agreement. Organizing was also needed in the game to obtain optimal process. One opinion was listened and it organized the discussion and the direction of the process toward certain strategy. Other opinion was taking in to consideration, whether support or as devil advocacy to the strategy. The process also managed by organizing the flow of discussion to center on the strategy with already decided to be focused on. One person plays role as organizer at one time became a source person or follower in the other time. This approach of organizing made the progress of the discussion in the one focal point that describes the strategy taken which leads to the decision. When a member played the role as organizer, then the member did directing the process and content according to the chosen strategy, and also can happened that the strategy can be changed according to the expected result and considering assumption of strategy of the competitors. Some times in the process, one or more member can have their drive going down. In this situation other member did motivated the team to keep up the winning spirit. Controlling was also involved in the process, by focus on one thing and sacrifices in other thing, align with the strategy. These four processes of management were implemented i n the process of gaining the final decision and in determining the content to be made (such as production/manufacturing, shipping, labor, price, etc.), in which the final decision was made by consensus. The experience in the game gives the learning point in practicing of implementing management process, planning, organizing, directing, and controlling. Within a given time, group should be able to do planning (including crafting the strategy, and establish the goal), organizing the process (including agreed on the road map of the process, listening and expressing opinion, and adjusting to the characteristics of the group), directing (including do and accept direction, motivating others, make or initiate decision), and controlling (to be aligned with strategy). Management Functions Strategy plays a critical role in the process, and aim to make the company have differentiation that creates competitive edge compare with the competitors. Decisions are determined align with the chosen strategy. Strategy such as increasing market share and or increasing price to obtain more profit, and or have a low cost production by moving the manufacturing to the low cost location, and or lowering the labor cost, and or increasing the quality of the product, etc., were became the issues discussed during the process. Any decision made in the process should be linked to the strategy and eventually to the expected result (goal). Marketing management initiatives plays important role in the process. Attention was put in the advertising or promotion program. The decision on the initiatives was made in relation with other initiatives, and initiative should be congruence to be able to reach expected impact. Operations management was also applied, in order to have efficient and low cost production, to be able to lower the price, or put emphasizing in better quality of product and therefore adjust the price to a higher number. Having different locations of manufacturing was also part of consideration in operation management, including the days needed for shipping, and inventory level. Financial management was critical. At the end of the day, the success of the strategy, whether the plan was achieved of not, was determined by facts and figures which was analyzed and interpreted in terms of financial. The situation or condition of the company was considering of profitable, safe or potentially bankrupt, and whether the strategy was effective or not was determined from numbers including financial ratios. Production plan and realization, exchange rate, labor cost, product sold or unsold, inventory level, price, etc. were contributed to the financial condition, and will be analyzed further for determining next strategy (for next run). Human Resource was also had major role in the decision process. Number of labor involved, salary and incentives, were several factors considered in human resource function. During the discussion it was also considered incentive factors as the factor that can boost the motivation of the employees, in which can increase the productivity and eventually proportionally can lower the cost. Experience in the business games told that the management functions will be more effective if it was take into consideration in integrated way. The strategy made was comprise of many functions of management, Working in Teams Team work was a factor that can smooth the progress of the practice toward a productive way. At one time one member took the role as leader, and expressed the idea or opinion which regarded as reference that was supported or argued by other members. The leader than guide or direct the process toward obtaining acceptable or best solution. Other member played role as follower, tried to understand point of view of the leader, and gave opinion to enrich the information for having the decision. In one process it can happened that the role of leader was switch from one member to another member, and lead the discussion toward the decision. Working in team in the business games demonstrated by listening to other opinions or ideas and, gave contribution to the group by doing analysis and expressing constructive argument and idea or opinion to the group. In the process of making group decision, group tried to obtain consensus, with all group members support the decision. Experience and Lesson Taken to Working Place In leading unit in the working place, it is important to have clear goals for the unit, which are determined in the process of performance planning that usually take place at the beginning of the year. The goals comprises of organization (unit) objective, and individual objective which should be clear and measurable (refer to SMART Goals principle) and cascaded from top to bottom, means that the goals are aligned from executive or manager position to staff position. Having a clear goals or expectations will make all employees within the unit know exactly what are expected to be achieved and will make the monitoring of performance become more effective, and eventually it will make the evaluation of the achievement more effective. Leader should be able to define the goals, which reflected what the unit wants to be, particularly for the respective year. For the unit, strategy than decided to define what is the best way to achieve the goals or answering how to get there. Leader should be able to determine the strategy, which should consider of having different way of doing rather than just following the same thing. Strategy should have put into consideration opportunities and obstacles that can potentially will be faced along the year. For the unit performance, flow of work, service level agreement, number of employee, training and development program that will have impact to the quality of work, compensation practice, etc. should be considered in order to have effective strategy. Every people in the organization have potential, and leader should put effort to unleash the potential of the individual and support them to perform in their work. Many initiatives of improvement or programs come from the people in the unit that can give positive impact to the unit. Motivation is needed to keep the work spirit not fall to the lower level. Leader should do coaching to ensure people in the unit understand and on track, make sure that people move to the same direction with same strategy. Every function of management can be implemented to achieve optimum result. Managing the operation implemented to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of work. Human resource management will help in ensuring what unit do are align with the business. Financial management can be implement whether in business or support function, for instance to measure Return on Investment of certain initiatives. As member of management team, we should contribute in a positive way by giving opinion and ideas, or doing what has been decided productively. Discussion should be conducted in conducive way, listen what other people say and express opinion to reach to the decision. When decision has been made, member should follow and committed to perform the decision in effectively. Success of the unit is also determined by the competency, performance, and contribution of the members. To have an optimum result, member should be able to look the purpose as unit purpose not individual purpose. This principle can create synergy between members in the team and can contribute more to the performance of the team. The business strategy games provide inspiration that can be applied in the working situation. Having competitors that can affect the result of one group convey the message that in establishing standard, one unit should not look into inside factors, but should also consider outside factors. The capability of the unit can be seen differently and will lead to different goals and strategy. Strategy can be different if the external condition is supportive and indicates opportunity and will be different if the external conditions are not accommodating. Macro and micro analysis can be conducted to have a more comprehensive analysis for obtaining effective and right decision.

Abraham & Isaac Essay

In this classical piece of art, there is a connection with the biblical story of Abraham abiding to God’s command. Abraham is commanded to sacrifice his one and only son. â€Å"Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt-offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.† (Genesis 22:1-2) And so the picture depicts the last moments of Abraham and his son, where Abraham is about to make the greatest sacrifice; therefore, God sends down an Angel to stop him and bless him afterwards for showing great faith. â€Å"Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore†¦ said the Lord† (Genesis 22:15) See more: Recruitment and selection process essay By analyzing the painting, we can distinguish the characters and determine the setting, harmonizing with the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac. First, there are three important characters in the painting that are drawn in great detail. The first character we can identify is Abraham who is in the center of the picture, where all the action is happening. We can tell that Abraham is the one who is holding the knife in his dominant hand ready to make sacrifice, with Isaac on the table. The main character Abraham, is wearing bright colors of red and purple, known to be royal colors and revered. Abraham is also clothed fully from top to bottom showing little skin. The Angel in the background is wearing a bright white garment clothed from top to bottom. We can tell that the Angel is advising Abraham because Abraham’s attention is towards this Angel. We know this is an angel who came down from heaven because of the white wings on its back and how it is levitating from the ground. And know that Isaac is on the table because of how young he looks and little he is clothed. I also identified how innocent they are by observing the skin tone in each character. Abraham is the darkest because of his life experience and coming of old age, the Angel has a mild tone after Abraham, and then there is Isaac who is palest of them all. I also interpreted their level of maturity by the color of their hair. Abraham being the oldest having white hair, the Angel having mild brown hair, and Isaac being the youngest with healthy dark, black hair. Looking at the position of the characters we can also depict the hierarchy levels in each character. Angel remains on the highest ground, then Abraham, and then Isaac. I find it particularly interesting to find the lamb being on higher grounds than Isaac, this could be to show the importance of this animal that is chosen to be sacrificed for God. Before Abraham is to make his sacrifice, he kneels before the wooden altar staying close to his son. We can pick up senses that the father has a loving relationship for his son. There are also emotions in these characters. Abraham exhibits sadness and worry in his facial expression. Isaac has a helpless, sad expression, where he knows his end will come by his own father’s hands. What I find amusing the most is that in this painting, Isaac may have knew he was going to be the sacrificial lamb. I believe Isaac knew from the point when he asked his father where the lamb for burnt-offering was. I conclude that he knew of this because the way he is tied up. Isaac is not tied up by the feet, nor is his hands tied to the table. If Isaac really wanted to run away he could’ve easily done so. Instead Isaac accepted the fact that he was going to be sacrificed and so he did not struggle. Next, the scenery helps us identify the setting of the biblical account on Abraham sacrificing Isaac. The picture background clearly identifies that the sacrificing takes place in a mountain. In the background there is large land below their elevation noting how high this is taking place. With the details in the picture we can tell that the setting took place in a dark shady area. This picture also exhibits the time of season, around the time of fall because there are missing leaves on the branches. On the right bottom corner there is moss growing on rocks, and moss only grows in moist and shady areas. With the details of the moss and dark colors we can get a sense of dark atmosphere of something is not right in the picture. The location of the sun and the angle of the shadow on the land below do not correspond with each other. The area where it’s brightest above the Angel’s finger can actually represent God or the Heavens above. The sun should be more towards our left in front of the characters where the light shines on the tree and the characters. Also the branches and the angle of this painting show that it is pointing to the West. I can only conclude that the reason to pointing to the West has to do something with the sun rising in the West and setting in the East. Even the Angel and the lamb are looking to the West while Abraham and Isaac is the only one in the picture looking to the East. In conclusion, I can speculate from the details in the painting that it interprets the biblical text of the Lord testing Abraham to sacrifice his own son. This painting exhibits a theme of fear. Abraham fears the Lord and so he chooses to pursue God’s command by free will. Isaac displays fear in his facial expression but does not struggle for his life.

Sacred Hoops

Phillip Douglas Jackson was born on September 17, 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana. Jackson was known as the best NBA head coach of all time, leading the Chicago Bulls to six titles and the Los Angeles Lakers to three. Before Phil became known as a victorious head coach, he was an ordinary athlete. Phil Jackson played basketball, football, and baseball in high school and was recruited to North Dakota University to play basketball after graduation. While attending the college, Phil helped his team win third-and fourth-place finishes in the NCAA Division II championships. Jackson was known as the â€Å"Zen Master† to the game of basketball. In 1967, Phil Jackson was drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks, where he played as a favorite substitute for years. Phil grew older and realized he wanted to stay into the game by wasn’t going to play. Jackson began his coaching career in the lower leagues, receiving his big break in 1987 when he was hired as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls. Phil Jackson was promoted to head coach in 1989 and helmed the team until 1998. Despite the success, tension grew between Phil Jackson and the Bulls general manager Jerry Krause. After winning the title in 1999 he took a year off. Previously after 1999, Phil decided to take his coaching skills and intelligence to Los Angeles California, coaching the Lakers. Phil Jackson had endless success winning three championships straight with the Lakers, beating the New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers, and also the Philadelphia Seventy Sixers. Tension grew between two star players on the team; consequently, Jackson decided to leave. After the Lakers had a disappointing season 2004-2005, Phil was rehired as a head coach. 2007 Phil Jackson was known to be the highest paid coach in the NBA. Through all of his magnificent achievements, Phil Jackson managed to write a book called â€Å"Sacred Hoops. † In the book Sacred Hoops, Phil talks a lot about motivation, teamwork; moreover, learning how to keep calm in tough situations. Phil Jackson states, â€Å"Not only is there more to life than basketball, there’s a lot more to basketball than basketball. Jackson offers in the book an unusual mixture of new age advice and basketball knowledge, a sort of Zen and art of pro hoops. Jackson talks a lot about Zen metaphors, his message can be boiled down to two simple precepts: â€Å"The team is more important than one player or coach; furthermore, you have to live in the moment, on and off the court. † Phil explains succinctly how the Zen Buddhist concern with cleaning the mind of impurities to focus on immediate sensation can be put to use in a range of situations. Phil decided to write this book mainly for people who cannot work through difficult situations, â€Å"it’s almost a guideline to help you throughout your days† Jackson states. Phil Jackson was known to be one of the greatest coaches of all times, creating a dynasty with the Los Angeles Lakers. Phil Jackson was able to succeed by his meditated thoughts and ways to conquer the game. Jackson won eleven rings throughout his years of playing basketball and coaching the game of basketball. Phil will also be known as the â€Å"Zen Master† of basketball. Sacred Hoops Phillip Douglas Jackson was born on September 17, 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana. Jackson was known as the best NBA head coach of all time, leading the Chicago Bulls to six titles and the Los Angeles Lakers to three. Before Phil became known as a victorious head coach, he was an ordinary athlete. Phil Jackson played basketball, football, and baseball in high school and was recruited to North Dakota University to play basketball after graduation. While attending the college, Phil helped his team win third-and fourth-place finishes in the NCAA Division II championships. Jackson was known as the â€Å"Zen Master† to the game of basketball. In 1967, Phil Jackson was drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks, where he played as a favorite substitute for years. Phil grew older and realized he wanted to stay into the game by wasn’t going to play. Jackson began his coaching career in the lower leagues, receiving his big break in 1987 when he was hired as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls. Phil Jackson was promoted to head coach in 1989 and helmed the team until 1998. Despite the success, tension grew between Phil Jackson and the Bulls general manager Jerry Krause. After winning the title in 1999 he took a year off. Previously after 1999, Phil decided to take his coaching skills and intelligence to Los Angeles California, coaching the Lakers. Phil Jackson had endless success winning three championships straight with the Lakers, beating the New Jersey Nets, Indiana Pacers, and also the Philadelphia Seventy Sixers. Tension grew between two star players on the team; consequently, Jackson decided to leave. After the Lakers had a disappointing season 2004-2005, Phil was rehired as a head coach. 2007 Phil Jackson was known to be the highest paid coach in the NBA. Through all of his magnificent achievements, Phil Jackson managed to write a book called â€Å"Sacred Hoops. † In the book Sacred Hoops, Phil talks a lot about motivation, teamwork; moreover, learning how to keep calm in tough situations. Phil Jackson states, â€Å"Not only is there more to life than basketball, there’s a lot more to basketball than basketball. Jackson offers in the book an unusual mixture of new age advice and basketball knowledge, a sort of Zen and art of pro hoops. Jackson talks a lot about Zen metaphors, his message can be boiled down to two simple precepts: â€Å"The team is more important than one player or coach; furthermore, you have to live in the moment, on and off the court. † Phil explains succinctly how the Zen Buddhist concern with cleaning the mind of impurities to focus on immediate sensation can be put to use in a range of situations. Phil decided to write this book mainly for people who cannot work through difficult situations, â€Å"it’s almost a guideline to help you throughout your days† Jackson states. Phil Jackson was known to be one of the greatest coaches of all times, creating a dynasty with the Los Angeles Lakers. Phil Jackson was able to succeed by his meditated thoughts and ways to conquer the game. Jackson won eleven rings throughout his years of playing basketball and coaching the game of basketball. Phil will also be known as the â€Å"Zen Master† of basketball.

The Father Of Modern Police Administration - 1296 Words

Biological Sketch August Vollmer Many persons are familiar with the story of policing in regards to its British origins involving Sir Robert Peel. However, very few are acquainted with the story of August Vollmer, who is hailed as the father of modern police administration in the United States. Vollmer, a pioneer of the criminal justice system, revolutionized policing by providing the foundations to the practices that we see today. August Vollmer was born on March 7th, 1876 in New Orleans, the son of German immigrants. At the tender age of fifteen, Vollmer s ailing mother had relocated the family to Berkeley, California (Bancroft Library). It was in Berkeley a boy would not only become a man, but he would later be known as the Father of Modern Day Policing. Although an advocate for higher education, Vollmer s schooling did not reach beyond the vocational skills, he attained in bookkeeping, typing and shorthand at the New Orleans Academy. However, Vollmer s protà ©gà © O.W. Wilson stood firm in his belief that, His inquiring mind and insatiable curiosity have driven him to devour mountains of books and scientific journals in a surprisingly wide field of interest. He probably attended more university lectures than many undergraduates who have obtained degrees (Northwestern University). At the age of eighteen, Vollmer decided that he no longer wished to work for others, rather he would like to pursue entrepreneurship. Thus, he along with a partner opened a fuel and feedShow MoreRelatedCompare And Contrast Robert Peel And August Vollmer1377 Words   |  6 PagesIn the United States, police began in 1838 and officers had no real training, education or procedures but that did not last forever with the help of Robert Peel and August Vollme r. Sir Robert Peel was born on February 5th 1788 and died on July 2nd 1850. Peel was a British Conservative Party statesman and even served as the Prime minister of the United Kingdom twice (1834-35 and again 1841-46). 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