Update:
It has been a while ago, but last week, we received the grade for our graded pair presentation. The final frade was a 7,7. I was quite satisfied with this result. Like I mentioned, there is always room for improvement, so I will try to take all the feedback I received into account and I will try to perform even better next time!
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Letter of advice: Mind the gap!
Helle again to everyone!
Since this is my first year in college and I'm getting more and more experienced with the study and the English language, I would like to write down some advice for next year students studying IB&M.
IB&M, or International Business and Management, can be an interesting study. You will meet a lot of new people and a lot of international students as well. I think, when you decide to study IB&M, you are quite interested in other cultures. Therefore, I think it's really interesting to meet these international students.
However, it is not one of the easiest studies. There are a lot of teamwork assignments, and in the first weeks, you might need to get used to this. Furthermore, the language of the study is English. When you're from high school or from another non-English study, you might have to get used to this as well. Lastly, in order to pass the courses, you have to overcome the possible problems in your learning style you might meet when you're from high school. When I came from high school, I was kind of lazy. I always started studying as late as possible. In the beginning of this year of college, I tried to apply this strategy as well. However, I noticed that this didn't work out very well.
My advice for all of you, considering doing this study, would be: work hard on everything!
This might sound a little bit like a cliche, but it's true. Like I mentioned, the manner of completing assignments is different, as well as the language, the people, the exams and the needed learning style. As a matter of fact, everything is different. If you are willing to work hard, you will overcome these difficulties and the study will become more and more interesting and appealing.
To put this in other words, you could say that there is a gap to overcome between high school (or a non-English study) and the study International Business and Management. As a prospective student, you should be aware of this. Once you are aware of it and once you're used to all the new things, you will like this study!
Since this is my first year in college and I'm getting more and more experienced with the study and the English language, I would like to write down some advice for next year students studying IB&M.
IB&M, or International Business and Management, can be an interesting study. You will meet a lot of new people and a lot of international students as well. I think, when you decide to study IB&M, you are quite interested in other cultures. Therefore, I think it's really interesting to meet these international students.
However, it is not one of the easiest studies. There are a lot of teamwork assignments, and in the first weeks, you might need to get used to this. Furthermore, the language of the study is English. When you're from high school or from another non-English study, you might have to get used to this as well. Lastly, in order to pass the courses, you have to overcome the possible problems in your learning style you might meet when you're from high school. When I came from high school, I was kind of lazy. I always started studying as late as possible. In the beginning of this year of college, I tried to apply this strategy as well. However, I noticed that this didn't work out very well.
My advice for all of you, considering doing this study, would be: work hard on everything!
This might sound a little bit like a cliche, but it's true. Like I mentioned, the manner of completing assignments is different, as well as the language, the people, the exams and the needed learning style. As a matter of fact, everything is different. If you are willing to work hard, you will overcome these difficulties and the study will become more and more interesting and appealing.
To put this in other words, you could say that there is a gap to overcome between high school (or a non-English study) and the study International Business and Management. As a prospective student, you should be aware of this. Once you are aware of it and once you're used to all the new things, you will like this study!
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Leatty: assessment report
Hello everyone,
After the holidays, we had to hand in a graded assessment report for English. For this report, you had to work in couples. The subject was the company Leatty, which is a major property developer. The company has been involved in several projects in China. Now, however, it is experiencing problems with their latest project in China. For instance, they are behind schedule and the costs of the project seem to be too high. Like I already mentioned, we had to work in couples. Lennard and I (managers of Leatty) had a meeting with another couple. We had to devise a rescue strategy, to save the multinational project in Shanghai. We incorperated our suggestions in the assesment report, which I posted below.
I hope you'll like the report!
After the holidays, we had to hand in a graded assessment report for English. For this report, you had to work in couples. The subject was the company Leatty, which is a major property developer. The company has been involved in several projects in China. Now, however, it is experiencing problems with their latest project in China. For instance, they are behind schedule and the costs of the project seem to be too high. Like I already mentioned, we had to work in couples. Lennard and I (managers of Leatty) had a meeting with another couple. We had to devise a rescue strategy, to save the multinational project in Shanghai. We incorperated our suggestions in the assesment report, which I posted below.
I hope you'll like the report!
Memo/Asessment Report
To: CEO of Leatty
From: Rick van der Werf – manager Leatty
Date: 8-1-2012
Subject: Devise strategy to rescue Leatty’s project in Shanghai
Introduction
On 12 December 2011, the management of Shanghai works and the representatives of Leatty discussed suggestions for a strategic plan to rescue Leatty’s project in Shanghai. Because of nationality differences in our team, there are communication, coordination and internal problems to overcome in order to rescue the project in Shanghai. In this memo report, we will focus on these problems as well as what can be learned from the first phase of the project.
Communication and coordination
Communication and coordination
In order to improve the task coordination and information exchange, we suggest using video conferences at Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8.00 am. This time is most applicable to overcome the time difference. Furthermore, videoconferences are more personal, which will lead to more confidence for participants to speak up. Moreover, we suggest implementing an online ‘Blackboard’ system. This is a website, which will be accessible for every member. In this way, it will be easier to coordinate tasks and responsibilities.
Morale and atmosphere
Morale and atmosphere
The morale as well as the atmosphere among members of the company is damaged. In order to overcome this problem and enhancing the team spirit, we suggest creating a stronger culture by organising ‘get-togethers’ and discussing problems personal with employees by bringing them together. Furthermore, we advise ensuring jobs. This will have a reassuring effect on employees which will lead to a better atmosphere.
Working practices
The working schedules concerning this project are not very realistic and acceptable. This lead to demotivation and will work out ineffective. Therefore, we propose creating realistic schedules. Furthermore, we suggest implementing extrinsic rewards. For instance, implementing a bonus-system for employees, will lead to more motivation and effectiveness.
Learning cycle
Learning cycle
The first phase of the project brought a lot of problems across. In order to prevent these problems to occur in the second and third phase, we suggest improving the coordination by applying the strategy mentioned above. Furthermore, we propose creating a backup-plan. This means consulting more subcontractors in order to prevent large delivery delays.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Taking everything into consideration, the project management of the Chinese subcontractor realises that the changes mentioned above might bring across relatively high costs. But taking these costs into perspective with the costs of an unsuccessful project will show that the changes will be more efficient. We strongly recommend implementing these changes in order to rescue the project. We are confident that this will lead to a successful end of the project.
We are looking forward to your reaction and we hope our recommendations will contribute to the company's new strategy.
Rick van der Werf
Manager of ‘Leatty’
Manager of ‘Leatty’
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Happy New Year!
I will wish you all a very happy new year! All the best for 2012 and a lot of blogfun!
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Graded pair presentations: Erstaunliche Autos
Hello everyone,
I would like to update you about the presentation I gave with Lennard three weeks ago. The presentation was about Erstaunliche Autos, which is a fictional car brand. The presentation consisted of recommendations for the company, to improve their efficiency. In order to be able to explain all our recommendations and underline the necessity of the changes, we used charts of the productivity rate of EA and it's competitors from different countries. In this way it became clear that it was recommended for EA to move their production partly to India.
To give you an idea of how our presentation looked like, I added the powerpoint presentation here. I hope you will like it.
Ea Presentation
We both thought the presentation went pretty well. We were able to tell everything we had prepared and there were no real complications. Of course, it's always possible to perform better and there is always room for improvement. For myself, I know it is important to watch the tone of my voice. Because of the fact that I have a quite low tone of voice, it can easily sound like 'drumming the story up'. Furthermore, I could use some more non-verbal communication. Having a look at the feedback we received, we expect the grade to be sufficient.
I would like to update you about the presentation I gave with Lennard three weeks ago. The presentation was about Erstaunliche Autos, which is a fictional car brand. The presentation consisted of recommendations for the company, to improve their efficiency. In order to be able to explain all our recommendations and underline the necessity of the changes, we used charts of the productivity rate of EA and it's competitors from different countries. In this way it became clear that it was recommended for EA to move their production partly to India.
To give you an idea of how our presentation looked like, I added the powerpoint presentation here. I hope you will like it.
Ea Presentation
We both thought the presentation went pretty well. We were able to tell everything we had prepared and there were no real complications. Of course, it's always possible to perform better and there is always room for improvement. For myself, I know it is important to watch the tone of my voice. Because of the fact that I have a quite low tone of voice, it can easily sound like 'drumming the story up'. Furthermore, I could use some more non-verbal communication. Having a look at the feedback we received, we expect the grade to be sufficient.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Hazel: Press Release and presentation
Hello everyone,
I would like to share my first Press Release in English with you as well as the presentation about it.
Our group for English was devided in teams. Each team had to devise a new strategy for the company Hazel, in order to enhance their efficiency. Hazel is one of the largest direct sellers in cosmetics and beauty products. Unfortunately, their sales were too low. For this reason, they instituted a new CEO, who had to improve their sales. The strategy with which every team came up with, had to be presented in a powerpoint. This presentation should contain a SWOT-analysis, website redesign, a new logo and face, an advertising campaign and a mission statement. The powerpoint was meant to announce the new strategy to the board of directors. The press release, however, was meant to announce it to our (potential) customers.
The presentation as well as the press release are posted below. I hope you will like it!
The presentation as well as the press release are posted below. I hope you will like it!
Hazel presentation
Press Release
Hazel Silk touch is a skin- as well as an environment-caring product, which mainly focusses on the young and eco-conscious women of today.
Press Release
PRESS INFORMATION
PARIS, FRANCE, November 26, 2011
NEW PRODUCT FOR HAZEL
Hazel Cosmetics has announced the launch of a new and innovative product, the Hazel Silk Touch, which is the perfect solution for today’s demanding and eco-conscious young women of today who want to get the perfect Hazel-skin. This product gives women the chance to preserve their skin and the environment at the same time.
“With our new product, Hazel Silk Touch, we are setting the new standards for skin care,” said Bernd Heimann, Hazel’s CEO. “Thanks to Hazel Silk Touch, the eco-conscious young women of today will be able to experience a unique, high quality product which gives them the chance to simultaneously preserve their own skin and the environment.”
One of the main characteristics of the new product, Hazel Silk Touch, is the fact that it is a make-up as well as a high quality skin caring lotion. This innovation allows customers to look beautiful and take good care of their skin at the same time. The customer is even preventing the skin from fast ageing. A second innovation is the eco-consciousness. The product’s packaging is environmental friendly, because it is totally recyclable. These two innovative characteristics give the customers the chance to simultaneously preserve their skin and the environment in the best possible way.
“With our new product, Hazel Silk Touch, we are setting the new standards for skin care,” said Bernd Heimann, Hazel’s CEO. “Thanks to Hazel Silk Touch, the eco-conscious young women of today will be able to experience a unique, high quality product which gives them the chance to simultaneously preserve their own skin and the environment.”
One of the main characteristics of the new product, Hazel Silk Touch, is the fact that it is a make-up as well as a high quality skin caring lotion. This innovation allows customers to look beautiful and take good care of their skin at the same time. The customer is even preventing the skin from fast ageing. A second innovation is the eco-consciousness. The product’s packaging is environmental friendly, because it is totally recyclable. These two innovative characteristics give the customers the chance to simultaneously preserve their skin and the environment in the best possible way.
Hazel Silk touch is a skin- as well as an environment-caring product, which mainly focusses on the young and eco-conscious women of today.
END
About Hazel
Hazel, founded in 1990, has now grown into one of world’s largest direct cosmetics sellers in the world. The company is actively operating in more than 32 countries worldwide, with – besides Hazel Silk Touch – a large range of product. The head office is placed in the heart of the cosmetic world: Paris. The headquarters in Paris is also the main office of Bernd Heimann, Hazel’s CEO. He is running the business for 3 years now, after the former CEO was dismissed because of fraud. With this new CEO, Hazel is getting in the right direction. Hazel’s mission? “To provide today’s young women with exclusive, state-of-the-art make-up products while preserving their skin as well as the environment.”
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