Session 1 for Professional Practice Blue Phase

In this lesson, we have had discussion about our chosen company's progress that we will monitor every week together with FTSE 100. Each of us were asked to bring 'Financial Times' along to be able to understand very well how the market works. I have learned how to calculate the index of the weekly value together with understanding how much are the prices indicated in each section (which are in pence). In order to have further understanding towards the topic, Jay have prepared the 'this is money' site in the scheme of work. 'This is money' website helps us to know what company will be suitable for us to monitor as too big and too small company will give us difficulties in doing this module. The website have variety of company together with their updated daily performance (the share prices; which shows whether the company's progressing well or not). It also has the FTSE 100 which I can look st every week to see the changes on the Market's progress.

This is a screen shot I've got from 'This is money.co.uk' this shows the share price of my chosen company as well as the percentage and change which I have to calculate and get each of their index with the FTSE 100 value. This task shows me further knowledge regarding of how/which company is best to choose in terms of buying shares. It is very helpful in the future when I finish my studies and decides to have my own business or if I want to invest to companies. The reason for this is because I would be able to identify how are the companies doing well and the value of FTSE 100 which will show whether it is the right times to introduce a new business to the mass. I would be able to identify these if I would monitor my chosen company weekly together with the FTSE 100.

Presentation day and module review

It was a success having the presentation and all the tasks for this module done.

Preparing the presentation was as straight to the point as preparing the debate. Dorina and I have seen Rita to talk about how are we going to present our report about the debate. Doing this was a very big help to both of us. We have managed to understand more about what topic needs to be covered on the power-point presentation. The meeting also given us opportunity to ask or point out come mistakes that we have done during the debate and what can we do differently for the presentation. Our tutor has given us brief information and tips on getting everything right whilst on the debate. After-wards, Dorina and I went to the Learning Center and discussed who's doing what (dividing the tasks makes it easier and faster to both of us to finish the slide-show presentation). We have set meetings and kept in touch with each other via e-mail and phone to keep each other up-to-date and to know whoever needs help. Meeting up, as I have realized is much better than having conversation through electronic devices because we can see each others expression ad explain things very well visually (for better understanding towards each others explanation on the tasks given). Also, Having a meeting helps us to put each of the tasks we have done together and neatly on the slide-show presentation to lessen hustle on the presentation day (because we will know when we need to talk as we can have practice after finishing it off).

On the presentation day, I believe that I have quite prepare for it as well as my group member; Dorina. My only problem was whenever I get nervous on the presentation or whenever I'm talking to someone; everything will be blank. This is what happen whilst I'm doing my part for the presentation. When Dorina and I practiced last minute before our presentation it did lessen my nervous and felt more confident, but when I was in the middle of talking my topic I just stumble and forgot the lines I was supposed to discuss. I must say, audiences' eye contact on me made me intimidated and loosen my words up. Thankfully, my team member, Dorina was there to help me. It is essential that I have applied all the right doings that I must do on the presentation as I was talking about what we have done wrong on the debate and what could we have done differently/ we must do on our next presentation/interview/debate. Having a good presentation shows evidence towards our topic, therefore, it is essential that I have been more confident than I was.

In general, I have enjoyed every session that I had from Rita's module (Professional Competencies)  as I have learned a lot of lesson towards my strengths and weaknesses on my communication skills and many more. I think, what I need to develop to help me achieve my goals in life are self-esteem, effective communication skills, think critically and be more reflective on my writings instead of being descriptive and manage my time wisely. I just need to push my self a little harder to be able to have these skills because I can sometimes be a procrastinator which leads me on the wrong way; failing, instead of achieving success.

Special thanks to my tutor for being so helpful and lovely teacher/friend to us. She always listen whenever we're having difficulties on certain things and try to get it solve, thank you for caring.

The Debate Day

It was on Friday, 20th of January 2012, Dorina and I were in the proposing team, arguing against Flavia and Tricia who were in the opposing team. Our group believes that Primark can still be environment friendly/ ethical when having low cost goods and trade. We have time limits on every part of the argument; introduction, main arguments, question and answer and conclusion.

I did the introduction for our group then comes the main argument which was done by Dorina and I equally. For the main arguments, we have 10 minutes to state all the information of what we are arguing for. We have chosen 6 most reliable information and sources to deliver our message; of what we believe, to the opposing group afterward, the opposing group talk about their believes. Both groups had very efficient main argument, both were very clear and straight to the point which gives the audience a clear understanding of who's arguing for and against. Moving on, next, was the question and answer portion; teams member in each group will have a certain time to ask and answer questions. In this section, I believe that we did very well so as Flavia and Tricia. This was proven in the video that was recorded by our tutor, Rita. Both teams had had answer every question efficiently together with acknowledgment of trustworthy websites.

Having this debate has thrilled me a lot, our arguments were superb because of the fact too that we have planned it very well before the date of our debate. It was grateful to have this experience as I will be needing it in the future. I have learned my strengths and weaknesses and what I should do and should not do next time I will have a debate or interview. Knowing all these allow me to change and improve things that needs improvement because I know this will be a big help in the future.This experience can be related to work for example: a lady complaining about certain things; it will be easier for me to handle this kind of situations if I have full confidence and knowledge in stating things at her ( body language is necessary).

Our tutor, Rita, recorded our debate which made me see ho well did I do and each of us on the debate. I have seen that I had little to contribute in terms of answering questions of opposing group. Therefore, I will have to make an action to improve this, so it would be fair for my team member/s too.

In my own conclusion, both teams did very well in general. We have equally stand-out because we did not let our team to get stuck in any issue during the debate. One thing we necessarily need to do next time were doing debate is practice our lines (what we are going to say). This will make us look more professional as we will have a good body language and able to make an eye contact. Also, will make us look confident and may intimidate the opposing group via eye contact.

Planning the debate

Our tutor, Rita have set groups of people for each team to debate with each other. Our debate topic was ''Is it Possible for Primark to trade goods with low cost and not affecting environment?''. Dorina and I are in the proposing group, Our group says that yes, it is possible. We are arguing against the opposing team which are Tricia and Flavia which we may consider researching about information they may have.

It is essential that we make a plan before having a debate, to ensure reliable and efficient information together with sources. We have made a plan to give each other tasks and ensure that we can gather as much information as we need before the day of the debate to be able to revise our notes. Revising our notes will give us confidence in answering every question they may ask, because we know that we have knowledge in every aspect of the debate topic.

My tasks for the debate was to make a research about the information opposing team may have such as negative publicity (the BBC panorama), questions and answers they may have for us. Also, I have research about the ethical doings of Primark in a variety of reliable sources to support my statement. Ethical doings such as recycling to help the environment and support children in need.

It was pleasant having Dorina in my team as we get along with each other very well.We both discuss and agree in any situation such as who's doing what, what are the things needs to be done, when to we plan to finish certain things and what are the most reliable sources and information to be put on our introduction, main argument and conclusion. Having all of these discussed before the debate will give us clarity in all aspects of our information, allow us to be much organized regarding on every information we have.

6th session on Professional competencies

In this session we have had further discussion about communicating effectively in personal and academic life. Before having discussion we were first asked to read about 'The Building Society Association' telling us the process, advantages and disadvantages (barriers) of communicating in Business industry. Our tutor given us time to read and understand on how to communicate effectively. We were asked question when we have finished reading, for example; why is it important to communicate effectively in a business and the process that are involved? The process in communicating in a particular business is Sender-message-medium-receiver-feedback. It is vital that the message is being send at the right person, in the right time and at the right format as this will affect the progress of the business.

I have answered every questions my tutor have asked me. However, this does not make me a good communicator, because I should speak out of my self too, sometimes, if needed, without being ask. An example to this are; if I did not understand the question or the topic and if I know the answer; I should volunteer and speak to the class without a teacher pointing me out. I have learned that from now onward it will always be necessary to feel free and speak if you  need to.

Also, I have learned that in order get a good progress in any organization, stakeholders must learn how to communicate effectively with each other. It is essential that employees give and receive message from the right person to avoid conflicts.

5th session- Debate about Pizzeria

Our teacher started today's lesson by giving us an article about Pizzeria. Our task would be getting as much information as we can about Pizzeria to support what we are proposing for the debate.

The article given to us was about the pizzeria's policy towards the customers orders. The policy is each of the customer will have to have pizza otherwise do not even bother coming and if there are 4 people in a group there is a minimum of 3 people who have to order pizza. There were 4 people in a group and 2 people ordered pizza and the rest want to have some salad; therefore, the manager came and asked them to leave. The boss of the Pizzeria said that it is not about the money that's why they have that policy, it's just about the passion about pizza and they want to have people to come dine in their restaurant who have the same passion as they have.

I was in the proposing group which says that Pizzeria has the right to choose their customers as it is their policy. The law support this as all of the business have the rights to do the same way too (based on reliable source). We were given 10 minutes to make a research and gather as much information as we can to support our beliefs. Therefore we all set certain tasks to each of the member of the group for example Trisha's doing the research about pizzeria's background/culture/beliefs, Suna's researching about the ingredients and Patsy Jane and I will be researching about people's view. After gathering information, we then moved on to conclusion and sharing ideas on what we are going to say when we stand and talk. Each of us in the team had a chance to talk and say what our beliefs. To be able to make our audience (our tutor) believe that we are the one who is on the right side of the debate we have gathered information in reliable sources. We produced a copy of a source we looked through to give evidence/ back up towards our conclusion. As we thought that what we are going to say will remain an opinion if we will not conclude evidence.

This video shows that to be part of a debate; you should be prepared; being prepared helps you to increase confidence as well. It is necessary to take note of what you will be saying as you will lose point as well if you just keep on looking at your notes and literally just reading it. You will have to put an eye contact to your opponent in a debate as well as appropriate body gesture is important having this both will make you look professional and confident. Lastly, you should speak clearly to avoid interruption and time consuming in explaining and going through things that you just have said.

I have learned that in order to have strong arguments, we have to search for reliable sources and/ or evidence to support our statement. Both group were great, but we stood out as we have shown evidence of our statement regarding 'every business have the rights to choose their customers and make their own policy.

I have work well in a team as I've contributed and fulfilled everything I was asked to do by my team members.However, I felt that I need to practice to talk more on the debate and gain self-esteem.

4th session- Methods of communication

For today's session our tutor prepared a power-point presentation and discuss to us about different kinds of methods in communicating to people.There's verbal communication which is face-to-face and written which includes notice boards, news papers, e-mail, telegraph and so on...

In business industry it is essential that all of the employees know how to communicate effectively in any other way. For example: a client made a phone call to the boss of the company regarding a particular product; as a secretary it is her job to make it clear and confirm a certain information to the client about what he/she wants. The company will lose a lot of money if one person in the sector will not be clear towards the information that he/she is saying and make decisions regardless of they have wrong information.

This video tells us tips on how to communicate effectively to each and one another either inside or outside workplace. It is our daily basis to communicate to each other; friends, families, strangers (people you just me or do not know), colleagues and classmates/ schoolmates. Therefore, it is crucial to practice our communication skills in any aspects of your daily life because it is a big help in your future.

 

This video tells us tips on how to communicate effectively to each and one another either inside or outside workplace. It is our daily basis to communicate to each other; friends, families, strangers (people you just me or do not know), colleagues and classmates/ schoolmates. Therefore, it is crucial to practice our communication skills in any aspects of your daily life because it is a big help in your future.

Moving forward, we have done an exercise towards our communications skills; our tutor asked us to sit in pairs, opposite each other. It was a really fun and exciting task to do; the game will have a listener and communicator. The communicator is the one able to look at the paper and say what on it to the listener. Whilst, the listener will draw what ever he/she understands on what the communicator was saying. This practices our speaking and listening as well as teamwork skills. It enables all of us to see what are the advantages and disadvantages of communicating without eye contact. It is very important to use an eye contact if a person was to use a verbal or face to face communication as it shows whether he/she is sincere of not.

I have learned that in order to have  a good communicating skills you will need not just good in talking but also good in listening. It is beneficial if you are a good communicator and it will be more beneficial if you are also a good listener.



I enjoyed this task a lot as we have won the prize which was SMARTIES! my partner; Dorina and I managed to communicate effectively which results a nearly identical drawing of what she have and what I drew through what she has told me to.

Also, I believe that anyone could be a good communicator if they want to be, we have a choice whether to be a good or bad communicator. I am a good communicator in a way that I ask questions if I don't know the meaning of a certain thing or did not understand what a person is saying. I may sometimes be a bad communicator to the fact I don't deliver the message to the person/people very well and they misinterpret what I was saying, the main barrier for this is the language. I am a good listener in a way that I listen very carefully before having conclusion or objecting a particular issue. It is an advantage having this skill because not a lot of people are able to listen and communicate.

These skills are beneficial for my personal life because we cannot prevent using it as communicating to people is our day-to-day basis. It is efficient using my communication skills effectively in my daily life as I have responsibilities at home and is useful in meeting up friends.

Also in academic, It is crucial and required to have these skills to be able to pass your course; having a bad communication skills may lead you to misinterpretation regarding on e.g. assignments due date . An example to this  is I thought the date of our debate in Professional competencies was on the 29th of January 2012, but it was actually on the 13th. I needed to do and ask for a confirmation from my tutor and she told me that it's on the 13th of January 2011. This shows that having a bad communication skills may lead you into serious trouble, as I can be not prepared when our debate day comes and fail the module.

Lastly,it is an advantage being able to communicate and listen at the same time at work to be able to handle problems easily, for example: a customer is looking for a particular item and she wants you to do a product search, whether you have it in the store. I always encounter this kind of situation at work especially when customer is talking through phone, you have to be patient and focus onto what he/she is saying as people have different accents that you may not understand. I have focused, listen and understand  every word she was saying and communicate effectively to her e.g. asked her to describe the product so that it will be easier for me to find it. As a result to this, I have found the product and and made the customer happy and satisfied.