Thursday, December 11, 2014

Team Work by Shane Light, Ethan Jones, Annissa Smith, Paul Peret

Teams and Teamwork


Ethan R Jones, Shane Light, Anissa Smith, Paul Peret
Teams differ from other type of groups in that members are focused on a joint goal or product
Example: a presentation, completing in-class exercises, taking notes, discussing a topic, writing a report, or creating a new design or prototype.
 
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/teamwork
Types of Teams
1.Working Teams
2.Special Purpose Teams
3.Multi-Functional Teams
4.Self-Directed Teams
5.Management Teams
Effective Teams 
Individuals carry their own weight
Clear unity
Free to EXPRESS
 Lots of DISCUSSIONS
  Types, Techniques and Tips 
Teamwork DO’s  
Effort directed toward one goal
Communication
Harmony
Clarity
Trust
Team Building Exercise #1 
Team Building Exercise #2 
Forming 
The team meets for the first time.
Members learn about the challenge the team is facing.
Team members are often extra polite to eachother, but are very focused on themselves.
Roles and responsibilities have often not been agreed.
Storming 
Different ideas compete for consideration.
The team considers solutions to challenges.
Team members may vie for influence.
Decisions often don’t come.
The way the team will work start to be identified.
Some teams never leave this stage and it is a common point of failure for teams.
Norming 
Team members often work through this stage by agreeing on rules, values.
The team members can be expected to take more responsibility for making decisions.
Commitment and unity are strong.
As new tasks come up, the team may lapse into typical storming stage behaviour.
Performing 
 Finding ways to get the job done is smooth and effective without inappropriate conflict or the need for external supervision.
Adjourning 
No team lasts forever and the break-up of a team needs to be planned to ensure organizational, team and individual goals are managed.

Josh Rogers - Personal Branding

      How to build your own personal brand.


     First Figure out what your brand is. Who you are, Who you are trying to sell to, what your values are, and where you want to go

     Next you need to change your appearance to match your brand.
despite what people may like to believe, people do judge a book by its cover. Which is why its important to look the part even if you're not there yet. It more then just changing your cloths though. Confidence is key, No one will believe in you or what you're trying to sell if you don't first believe in it your self. You also need to be consistant, if you're always changing your look you will be hard to follow and may come accross indicisive or as if you're still growing up and "finding yourself".

    Go online, Make a linkedIn, Facebook, ect. You want people to be able to find you and you want to also be able to control what they see about you.
    Network, do it online and in person. Make business cards to give out. Speak up and be confident, your personality is like a product you are trying to sell. You need to network to so people can see your product.

    

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Saudi Arabia - High Context and Conflict - Chris Ingram

Saudi Arabians are a high-context culture.  They communicate heavily through the use of hand gestures and silences.

It's typical in Saudi Arabia for men to greet each other with a handshake.  Kissing on the cheek is acceptable between two friends (not a common sight in the USA).  However, in public, members of the opposite sex do not greet each other unless they are within the same family.  Usually after a formal greeting, Saudi Arabians will take the time to converse with each other through small talk, and it's important to be patient.  It's customary to respect another as a person and get to know people on a personal level.

When having a conversation with a Saudi Arabian, it's important to remember not to ask about female family members unless the other person brings them up in conversation.  It's regarded as having a romantic interest in a female family member, and considered rude.  Being a patriarchal society plays into it as well, as women have a lesser role than men.  Also, never use the left hand for a handshake or any hand gesture--for cultural reasons, it is considered unclean and only used for hygienic reasons.

Compared to the US, Saudi Arabians do not value personal space.  It is not uncommon for another citizen to stand close, where most US citizens would consider their space violated.

As a society, they place great importance on elders.  When regarding elders, they will usually use a formal title along with their full name.  As a culture, they also put high regard on the family and consider that the center of their society.

When it comes to conflict, Saudis tend to emphasize competition in the workplace, as well as a strong work ethic.  In personal conflicts, men tend to settle their conflicts physically rather than avoid them.  While the United States prefers to face conflicts directly, Saudi Arabians tend to be a collectivist culture and as a society, tend to avoid conflict.  This is because unlike the US belief that not standing up for one's self is a sign of "submission," Saudi's believe there is no face to gain, because an individual's face is already determined by social standing.

Sources:

http://dpuadweb.depauw.edu/$1~mkfinney/teaching/Com227/culturalPortfolios/Saudi_Arabia/Communication.htm
http://www.iorworld.com/saudi-arabia-pages-498.php
http://geert-hofstede.com/saudi-arabia.html
http://hopeinterculturalcomm.weebly.com/conflict.html
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/saudi-arabia-country-profile.html

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Personal Branding: Physical Brading (Lily Franklin)





Personal Branding: Physical
·         “Packaging”
  • Your physical and outward appearance has a determining factor in how people see you
  • “Name brand” or “Great-value” ? 
  • Often represents personal characteristics which may be true or assumption
  • These can be tailored to fit even if you don’t have those specific character traits



Verbal: What you say
Vocal: How you say it
 Visual: How you look when you say it



Verbal
  • What is your intent and what are you using to get that across?
  • Word choice is important. 
  • Seem intelligent while still keeping the atmosphere relaxed and open 
  • Be aware of loaded words or controversial topics but don’t necessarily avoid them completely as they are important to tackle.
  • Be aware of wording issues and multiple interpretations.


Vocal
  • Tone of voice is powerful can make or break content
  • Many beloved characters new and old rely on the power of vocal ques rather than words. 
  • An entire idea can be reversed with improper tone or attitude
  • Confusion/nervousness/uncomfortable tones can be heard and may put people off just as well as anger.


Visual
  • Appearance not just in clothes but in body language
  • Improper body language can confuse or negate ideas as well as tone
  • Appearing open and inviting can be a big plus to your appearance and thus your "brand".
  • Fit in to what you want achieve.....but be unique
  • Individuality is not an all or nothing issue, you can even show yourself in a very strict setting. 
  • Assumptions can and will be made so it's best to appear neat and in control of your look. 
  • People don't like to think of themselves shallow but physical appearance means a lot to humans as a whole so keep that in mind.


Consistency
  • Be consistent with yourself, the "brand" you are trying to convey and the positions you make. 
  • This doesn't bar you from change but keep in mind how the change appears to others.



This outward appearance ties in deeply with your physical and social sphere’s that are essential in business. Your physical being is your own avatar for the "game of life" so it is what is seen first and remembered most often.  It also strongly effects your online persona as well.






Bibliography: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-chritton/personal-brands_b_2729249.html
http://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/27987/_PARENT/layout_details_cc/false
http://www.businessenglishhq.com/personal-branding-tips/

Monday, December 8, 2014

Cameron Woodard-Littrell Personal Branding

 What is personal branding and why is it so important?

The world of work has been changing rapidly during the past decade due to increased globalization, the proliferation of online social media, and technological advances which are blurring the boundaries between work and personal lives.
Personal Branding has been around for a while and really caught on when Tom Peters authored an article called "The Brand Called You" in a 1997 issue of Fast Company magazine. In this article, he talks about how everyone is a brand and has a chance to stand out, not just the large consumer products companies with massive marketing budgets.
"Today brands are everything, and all kinds of products and services—from accounting firms to sneaker makers to restaurants—are figuring out how to transcend the narrow boundaries of their categories and become a brand surrounded by a Tommy Hilfiger-like buzz.

"Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You."

–Tom Peters

What Makes You Unique, Makes You Successful


Personal Branding is about identifying and then communicating what makes you unique and relevant and differentiated for your target audience, so that you can reach your career and/or business goals. If you understand your strengths, skills, passions, and values, you can use this information to separate yourself from your competitors and really stand out.
Personal branding is very powerful because it sends a clear, consistent message about who you are and what you have to offer. A strong, authentic personal brand helps you become known for what you're good at, sets you apart from everyone else, and can position you as a niche expert.


Extract, Express, Exude; 1-2-3- Success!™

"Extract" phase, where you do your own market external research and introspective analysis.


"Express" phase, you decide how you are going to communicate your unique attributes and qualities to the people who need to know about you (your target audience).


"Exude" phase, you learn about how to reflect your brand in everything you do, including your personal network, your use of technology, office surroundings, your identity system, your appearance, your volunteer activities, etc.


How Can Personal Branding Help Me in my Job Search or in my Business?

In today's competitive job market, you need to think of yourself as a brand.
Branding breathes life into your career marketing documents (which are often quite "flat" and "boring") and creates a vivid way to generate interest in you, helping you land faster and, hopefully, at a higher compensation level. If you are a small business owner or solopreneur, branding helps you narrow down the target market you want to service and develop highly differentiated messages for that audience.When you navigate a career change, job search, or a business launch with your unique brand, you're working from a position of power.


What are the benefits of a strong personal brand?

Personal Branding enhances your self-awareness.


Personal Branding helps you clarify and reach your goals.


Personal Branding helps you create visibility and presence.


Personal Branding is about differentiation.


Personal Branding offers more control and power.


Personal Branding creates wealth.


Personal Branding offers resilience.

Monday, December 1, 2014

First Year On The Job


By: Cammy McAdams, Kurtis Buck, Sophia Cansigno, Kaitlyn Kitchens and Harrison Moore 



I had a professor whose favorite saying was “Today is the first day of the rest of your life” At no time is this truer than when starting a new career. In the past people would go to a company with the intent on staying and retiring as time went on and people began to take control of their financial future this trend changed to a 5 year plan. Today the plan has even changed more according to Forbes magazine. There is now a 3year plan going into effect. Learn all you can from a company and move up in your career is the thinking. Taking this into account the first year on a job is the more important than ever before.
 
 

Statics’ show 33% of new hires will leave in their first year with 22% of them leaving in the first 3 months and 3% of these 22% leave in the first week simply because they weren’t ready. 


You can see on here the most common reasons for leaving a job in the first 3 months.


 

Today is the first day of the rest of your life now use it wisely prepare for what is to come. The today I am referring to here doesn’t begin with the first day on the job. Today begins with the day you are hired or even with the day you graduate college. I have said that 22% will leave their job in the first 3 months.


Approximately 3% of these actually leave in the first week simply because they weren’t ready for the culture of the business they went to work for or they hadn’t successfully transitioned from college life to the business world. Greg Smith an employee retention expert advises all college students to take some time off prior to going to work after college if possible to get prepared for a different life a complete change to life as you have known it.


During this time re-define yourself. You have 20 some odd years to define yourself as a student to let your dress style to help define you. Now’s a time to Re-define yourself as Harrison pointed out learn the culture of the business find out how to dress for your new job before the first day. You don’t want to show up under dressed it is much easier to overcome being overdressed than to be under dressed. I have an Uncle who worked for EF Hutton in Dallas Texas for 25 years. Every day he went to work he wore a tailored suit but he had three sets of cloths that hung in his office an off the rack suit because he said that his tailored suit was too much for some of the businesses he represented and would lead to mistrust where his tailored suit was a must for most of his clients. He also had a polo shirt and trousers for a casual meeting that might come up that a suit was inappropriate for and then he also had a pair of jeans and button down shirt for an acentric millionaire client he had. He had to re-define himself many times a week. So you might need to go out and do some shopping before you start your new job.

  

Another thing to do during the time you are re-defining yourself is get ready for anything. Remember when you first started college you got sick a lot or had a lot of problems getting to class for whatever reason alarm clock didn’t go off, flat on the way and so on. Plan for problems take vitamins just as you were introduced to new germs in starting college and got sick easily at first. You are going to introduced to new germs once again plus stress of the unknown can cause illness. Have you vehicle check out have a backup plan and if the alarm clock doesn’t wake you get a loud one. Another thing pointed out by Mr. Smith was that many times people will go celebrate the night before starting a new job. This is a big no no make sure you get a good night’s rest it’s going to be a long stressful day.


Now you’re ready for the first day let’s make it through the first 3months.As has already been pointed out Watch and learn, take notes, don’t attach yourself to any of the clicks, find you a mentor someone you can talk to and learn from. Read everything you can, talk to your boss find out what’s expected of you if you’re not happy with things talk them over with your boss but don’t challenge things right away get a feel for how and why things are done accept any criticisms as a tool for your success learn from them . Try to fit in and learn the office politics. There will come a time when you can challenge but it is closer to the 6 month mark usually when a new comer challenges in the first 3 months it’s looked at like you’re trying to take over or a “who do they think they are attitude”. Whereas if you bit the bullet and wait for them to get to know you and you them you will be better received.
Once you have made it past the 6 month mark most think “I have it made” and if you have followed the plan you are on the right track but don’t let your guard down. Don’t fall into old college habits keep a positive outlook don’t get discourage when someone doesn’t say something about you doing a good job. There will be more opportunities begin to open to you now don’t just jump to the first new thing. This is where there is a big turn over weigh all your facts before you act and you will make it through your first year with flying colors.


We have introduced you to the key’s to succeed in the first year of your new job. Learn, Read, get to know the people you work with, attend meetings, and take notes, schedule time with your boss when you have concerns, use criticisms to grow not to fester new problems. There will be criticisms your boss is required to find some there is no perfect employee. One last note don’t let competition become why you leave or stay at a job you will find this everywhere in some form. Jonathan Marder of Random House says“If somebody’s dad is head of the company, fine; if someone spends their life sucking up to your boss, that’s fine too. Concentrate on yourself and your own abilities. Work to get credit for what you do without knocking the other guy down.” (Jonathan Marder, VP of Special Marketing at Random House)

HOW to adapt to the culture of the workplace:

Get involved!
    -introduce yourself
    -socials, lunch, et cetera
    -can help boost your confidence and standing in the company

Get familiar!
    -are they strict with being punctual? is early late?
    -boss and co-workers; learn who does what and who does it well

Ask questions!
    -shows an eagerness/enthusiasm to learn
     -can take you further in the right direction

Brush up on important skills!
    -especially "lacking" skills
    -work on anything you feel might benefit the company

Figure out the protocol!
    -any "ground rules"?
        *no personal calls? reduce faux pas as much as possible
    -adapt to their style!
        *every workplace has their own way of doing things, do your best to adapt to it so you can thrive!

Why?

It shows you are willing and capable of progress and could potentially be a vital part of the company!

First impressions are IMPORTANT, initial attitudes and opinions can set you up for success or failure within the     company

Can lead you to BIGGER, BETTER opportunities!!



 How To Get Noticed

Getting noticed your first year on the job requires leadership and the ability to be involved in teamwork. Teamwork in the new workplace unites people and inspires them, which is healthy for the company in whole.

Don’t try to sell yourself-
            People that try to sell themselves are often unprepared to take opportunities when it actually presents itself. They are impatient and try to cut corners which doesn’t help them in the end. These people lack the real confidence that it takes to be consistently significant and spend too much time putting on a fake show for the managers and higher-level employees.

Be a silent influencer-
            The workplace is divided into two primary groups which are the loud and disorganized and the silent influencers. The silent influencers are what most people are curious about and posses quiet confidence but speak up often enough to make their voices heard. When doing this, it has a bigger influence. You need to be quick to see opportunity but don’t flaunt your success.

Do more than your job description-
            Always look around, beyond and beneath the opportunities that you seek. You should approach every new day seeking something more than just what you “have to do.” You need to continuously look for new ways to expand your influence throughout the workplace and help others do their job so they will help you in the future.

Help your colleagues succeed-
            Helping your colleagues is a sign of self-confidence, self-trust, teamwork and collaborative leadership. The more career opportunities you make for people the more doors will open for you. You also should be equally passionate about learning from those you are helping because it is also a learning and growing experience for you.

Don’t be involved in the politics-
            You need to stay focused on your ability to create an impact and influence your work. Stay away from the drama and the politics at your new workplace and keep yourself and colleagues focused on growth, innovative and opportunity because that is the reason you are there in the first place.

Constructive Conflict-
            Playing it too safe at work will make it more difficult for you to get noticed. You need to be able to test your ideas and be mindful enough to challenge the status quo respectfully. You will get noticed because you are being courageous enough to “shake things up” and test new ways of helping the organization grow.

Be yourself-
            This is the more important way to get noticed your first year on the job. It gives you permission to have fun and work again and your energy will be contagious. You do not need to be perfect, just pace yourself, observe, learn, deliver results and make sure that the organization keeps winning.

 8 Mistakes to Avoid in your First Year on the Job

To make your first job a stepping-stone and not a dead end, try to avoid these eight pitfalls:

1. Being Impatient
You want to start making a meaningful contribution on your very first day -- but there's a fine line between taking the initiative and appearing presumptuous.
"Do not to go in guns a-blazing and insist on making your mark right away," says Alexandra Levit, the author of They Don't Teach Corporate in College. "Pay attention to how things are done, how other people bring up ideas." Once you have a feel for how the business works, give your boss some ideas for improvement and ask for feedback.

2. Being Too Patient
Just as you shouldn't arrive at your first department meeting with a list of suggested changes, neither should you spend your first month sitting in your cubicle and waiting for your new coworkers to introduce themselves. Instead, get to know your coworkers and their jobs. "Don't get a bad attitude because people aren't paying attention to you," Levit says.

3. Using Technology Inappropriately
Whether it's OK to text during a business meeting or post to Facebook from your desk will depend on the company culture. Levit advises paying attention to what everyone else is doing. Do colleagues use email or instant messages? Is it OK to use your laptop during a meeting? Or listen to your iPod while you work? "Every workplace is different," she says.

4. Making a Bad First Impression
From your workplace attire to your handshake, people will form opinions of you early on. "Be very mindful of how you act when you meet people for the first time," Levit says. Make a special effort to remember people's names and something about them. Don't take two-hour lunch breaks, even if you don't have much work to do yet. And watch your colleagues for signs that it's quitting time. "You should never be the first one out the door or the last one," Levit says.

5. Not Discussing Your Goals With Your Boss
You should find out what your boss's expectations are for you in your first 90 days. "Touch base with your manager on a regular basis," says Peter Jacobs, a career consultant and coach. "Make sure everybody is still on the same page."

6. Not Understanding Your Boss
Your boss may not like to communicate the same way you do -- and it's important for you to match your boss's preferences. Jacobs says you should ask yourself, "How does the person like to receive information? And how often?"

7. Going It Alone
Your boss is a great resource, but to build a strong career you'll need advice from more than one source. "Look for people who might be good mentors and sounding boards as you progress and develop," Jacobs says.

8. Not Appreciating It
Your job may not be "the be-all and end-all of career stardom," Levit says, but you can view it as an opportunity to gain new skills, learn about the business world and make valuable professional networking contacts.
"You might as well enjoy the time to take care of yourself and learn as much as possible, because you won't have that time forever," she adds.

                                                                                                                               

Importance of a Mentor

            What is a mentor?  A mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice.  Mentoring is becoming very important in the workplace because it provides many benefits to the employer, the employee (or mentee), and in most cases, the mentor.  Mentoring is very goal oriented.  It promotes professional and personal growth to develop and retain the skills needed in the workplace.  Companies usually want mentoring programs for the following benefits: Employee career development, High potential development, Diversity training, Reverse mentoring, and Knowledge transfer.  

Employee career development is used to develop future leaders and retain skilled employees within your business.  In order to use this effectively, you must understand employee career goals and align them with organizational goals.  This allows companies to give employees that are willing to advance professionally guidance and development opportunities.  Encouraging this learning culture benefits a company by spreading knowledge through interpersonal links between individuals, building both leadership and career development, and helping employees feel more engaged within the organization.  This leads to happier employees and a stronger organization.

        High potential mentoring and diversity initiatives are valuable assets to any company, but are not easily obtained.  Mentoring helps retain these skills in the workplace.  By helping employees develop strong leadership skills, a business is ensuring the employee is learning what they need to strive for better roles, thus increasing high potentials and the company leadership chain.  Learning easily spreads throughout and organization improving internal resources and cutting costs to a minimum.  Diversity in the workplace helps create new innovation and business strategies.  Mentoring gives employees the power to share opinions, ideas, knowledge, and experience.  Employees gain cultural awareness of their importance to their company.  This mentoring method allows employees to speak out and reach decisions, as  well as inspiring them to perform to their highest ability.  Mentoring helps retain this diverse talent setting the company aside from other companies.

        Knowledge transfer works both ways, affecting both mentor and mentee.  Knowledge transfer allows more experienced employees to pass on expert knowledge crucial to new employee development.  Mentoring shortens the learning curve, enhances productivity, and helps employees sync with their companies strategies.  Knowledge transfer also helps mentors gain knowledge by refreshing their memory and allowing new employees to give experts new ideas and opinions.  Knowledge transfer ensures that when an executive retires, someone with plenty of company knowledge will be ready to fill that position.

        Mentor-ship programs allow business to engage their employees mentally and emotionally, ensuring they feel immersed in the company making them a vital part of the organization.  This helps employees feel committed to accomplishing their work while retaining the vision of the company.




Resources:
10 Tricks to Starting Your New Job On the Right Foot
A transition plan for beginning your new gig.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2013/10/14/6-ways-to-immediately-get-noticed-at-work-without-self-promotion/2/

http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/starting-a-new-job/eight-mistakes-to-avoid-in-your-first-real-job-hot-jobs/article.aspx