Understanding Organization Behaviour

Upcoming module:
Understanding Organization Behaviour
Date: 15 Dec 2010 (Wed)
Time: 8.00am - 7.00pm
Venue: BTC Academy, Puchong, Selangor.

Synopsis:
This course is designed to expose students to the concepts and theories in organizational behaviour, which is important in order to understand human behaviour in work environments. Firstly, students will be introduced to the nature of organizations, the roles played by individuals in the organization, theories of motivation and stress. Next, they will have the opportunity to understand group dynamics and the importance of effective conflict management practice. This course also emphasizes on inter-group relations from topics such as power, politics and leadership. Finally, the student will learn issues related to organizational culture and change.

Retail Business Communication

Upcoming module:
Retail Business Communication

Date: 14 Dec 2010 (Tues)
Time: 8.00am - 7.00pm
Venue: BTC Academy, Puchong, Selangor.

Synopsis:
This module is task-based in nature and its activities are designed within the context of business communication that focuses on the techniques of producing good spoken and written discourse which include impromptu speech, presentation, group discussion and negotiation. Aspects of clear speech will be emphasized to improve intelligibility and communicability. Basic principles of non-verbal communication will also be introduced for effective communication. Some principles of effective business communication writing will also be covered. Students will have substantial practice in oral communication through in-class tasks and activities. These tasks and activities will enhance students’ confidence in using English.

I was Given a Chance...

A 26 years old young man Terrence Tan Wei Chun with only SPM, today he is the franchisor and event manager of I-GATE Group Companies because he was given an opportunity to learn, to growth and to have fun together.

“I joined retail industry because I have no choice at that time with no paper qualifications. This job provides the lowest entry requirements and the fastest opportunities to growth” said Terrence.

Terence continued “I really want to thanks Desmond Ng, CEO of I-GATE Group for given me the chance. I was forced by him to join the Executive Diploma in Retail Business Management (EDRBM) programme at the first place but now I know his intension. I really learn a lot! Thanks him!”

He is a street smart guy, although he has no paper qualifications, but it did not stop him to progress further. He always showed great enthusiasms in class and did not miss any class although he is busy with his current job. “This programme has broadened my knowledge and enables me to relate my studies to my everyday works. Now I know how to become a good leader rather than just a manager. I understand the important of motivation and use mind mapping methods to link and create more business ideas…” said Terrence.  

Leadership and Team Management - Day 2

One of the games of this programme is to arrange all the participants' birthday in sequence without saying it out verbally. This game test the leadership of the student in a group.  

 Matching experience... "Terrence, you act as the sales person and try to match Steven gesture" said the lecturer.

"I have to leave if you can't give a the lowest price..." said Steven. 

 "A women Marakumaganesh a/p Mutumariam was sleeping on the bed. Suddenly, thunder stormed, light burnt out. She saw a man Syed Mohammad Akram Hakim standing in front ..." Ray had to remember all the story and convey it to the next person during an effective communication game.

 "What is the name of the woman already? I really can't remember... Is it Makaganesh...Mangkali..." Ah Chong Thang tried very hard to remember the story conveyed by Ray just now.

 Haha...it really test my memories. But I have no problem, it is just kacang putih for me...

 "A women name Mdm "forget" saw a man Mr. "forget"... all I remember is ..." said K.K Wong.

 Students and lecturer enjoyed a wonderful lunch in a vegetarian restaurant after the class.

 Presentation time... Ray and Terrence presented their idea and answer in front of the class. But this group seems did not put enough efforts compare to other groups.

Rose and Nadiahtul are well prepared and they presented it confidently in front of the class.

Leadership and Team Management - Day 1

"The key elements of leadership are leaders and followers, influence, orgnisational objectives/goals and change...."

 "The differences between Leaders and Managers are..." explained by Steven Ng during the lecturer.

Participants are required to point to their north direction and as the result all participants have their own direction ... Therefore it is important for leaders to provide direction and set clear goal for the organisational.

 "Let's work out the most highest and stable building compare to other groups...." said Celyn Koh.

 "Roll... roll... roll..." Ah Chong Thang group tried very hard to build their own building as possible.

 "Before I work out a project, I really need to build my energy before building the tallest buiding..." said Terrence.

 Selling kacang puteh? This team seems like do a lot of kacang puteh corn... Can they become the winner?  

 Haha... we are the best ship builders and we will be the tallest boot in the world!

We are the "fatter" building and the stable one...

This is the winner group which produce the stable and tallest building compare to the other teams.

Let see my strength, I will able to blow off their building. 

K.K. Wong seems like blowing candle in the candle light dinner.  

Alamak... all building collapse! I think I am the strongest women compare to those men above.

Employee Satisfaction and a Winning Culture

Employees are the important assets of your company. But how many companies really look into this matter seriously? May be I should asked in another way round, how satisfy is your staffs about your company?

Employees come and go, the supervisors and CEO of retailing industry are headache because the turnover staffs of retailing industry is very high. The shortage of talents is one of the major challenges faced by all retailers. HR and supervisors always busy looking for people to fill in the frontline job. The unfilled hour will then be replaced by the existing staffs. To avoid continue in this loop (unsatisfied on working overtime), the existing staffs will choose to work in 9 to 5 job which the working time is more stable or job hopping to other retailing companies. End up, the problem is unsolved and it creates other problems. 

Today young generation doesn’t believe on “work harder” philosophy like our ancestor. They prefer more on “play hard and work smart” concept. One of the reasons retailing industry fail to recruit talented youth is because young generation always perceived retailing career as last choice due to long working hour and lower wages. Some even rejected it because of their bad experiences gained during their part time job (Broadbridge, 2003). 

Before recruiting new talents which I believe the same things will happen, I think it is better for the management to think about how to create your company’s employee satisfaction and a winning culture in retailing industry. I remember reading the “Business Stripped Bare” book by Richard Branson, the first section he put in his book is People and then follow Brand, Delivery, Learning from Mistakes and Setbacks… One of the stories shared by Richard Branson when acquired Euro Belgian Airlines. He turned it into Virgin Express with aims to create a cheap, cheerful, go-getting budget airline. Although faced with fierce competition and debilitating European Regulations. One of the major challengers he mentioned is on people issue which best described as follows:

‘Almost for the first time in my life I can’t sleep at night. Fighting the outside world is easy. Trying to make peace among one’s own staff is hell. We must never allow another company to get into this mess.’

The existing staffs are cynical about the business, no fun, no camaraderie, no real sense of ownership… which make the whole business progress slow down and difficult to manage. Luckily, he got Neil Burrows as the CEO who able to turn the business around with great hard work and great leadership.

The ‘primary attitudes’ of Virgin’s group shared by Richard Branson is as follows which I think is worth of sharing:
1. Employees are number on. The way you treat your employees is the way they will treat your customer.
2. Think small to grow big
3. Manage in good times for the bad times
4. Irreverence is Ok
5. Have fun at work
6. Take the competition seriously, but not yourself
7. Think o the company as a service organization that happens to be in the airline business
8. Do whatever it takes
9. Always practice the Golden Rule, internally and externally

Leadership and Team Management

Upcoming module:
Leadership and Team Mangement
Date: 23-24 Nov 2010 (Tues - Wed)
Time: 8.00am - 7.00pm
Venue: BTC Academy, Puchong, Selangor.

Synopsis:
This course examines the contemporary definitions of leadership, and developing a personal definition; It emphasises on the nature of leadership, leadership traits, explore selected of  models of leadership, and how individual styles compare to such models; responsibilities and privileges of leadership, including moral and ethical decisions and the use of authority and power; Another portion of the course will be devoted to developing an understanding of the importance of managing effective team mostly central to which is the relationship between the individual and the group; application of the foundational areas of leadership to practical and real-life situations