Haiku

Time needs Management
If Time is of the Essence
Manage to find time

Communication via Blog

I believe that the blog was very effective in allowing us to share our thoughts and opinions among our classmates. I also consider the blog to be a stress reliever because it gave us an outlet to speak on whatever was on our mind. Whether it was personal or class related. The blog definitely helped boost interaction between the students in the class. Not only were we able to interact during class but we were also able to continue the interaction from home through the blogs. The blog also really helped offset the anxieties that came from exam grades. They were not difficult at all. Primarily, because they were based on our own opinions about our experiences. I would recommend that the blog assignments remain a component of the course because they encourage interaction and allows for students to provide feedback. Which will definitely help improve the course activities.

DISC Profile

I would have to say that I agree with my results from the personal profile system. The test accurately gauged my management orientation. According to the test, conscientiousness was the most intense attribute and second to that was dominance. I believe that the test was accurate. I do feel that I am very conscientious. According to the interpretation, a conscientious person tends to be a very analytical and critical thinker. I do tend to analyze certain things or situations a lot. I tend to focus a lot on key details. Though being conscientious may hinder me from making quick decisions. I believe that it is a strong characteristic because it ensures quality and accuracy. Though I may not make a quick decision, the time I take to analyze pros and cons will help produce a strong and effective decision. But my second strongest characteristic according to the test, was dominance. I think that if you put conscientiousness and dominance together. It makes for a strong mix. Not only do I think analytically and pay attention to detail, I also get immediate results by taking action. I think that those are two strong characteristics. I feel that the personal profile system is helpful in determining a person's profile type. It seemed really accurate when it came to the outcome of my characteristics.

Xtra Credit

Upon entering McDonald's, I noticed that there weren’t many people in line. It wasn’t busy inside the restaurant. The drive thru was much busier than the front. Most of the employees were focused on the drive thru, rather than the registers up front. There were only two employees working the front registers, which was sufficient enough for the amount customers. I was then called up by the manager, who placed my order. I realized that the manager was not only giving orders but was also participating by working the register.

It can be related to Likert’s leadership system which involves participation. The fact that most of the employees were tending to the drive thru, allowed the manager to help out the front by taking orders. As I told her my order, she didn’t ask any questions as to why the order was so specific. I believe that was professional of her to respect my order. I was under the impression that it didn’t matter to her because satisfying the customers’ needs was important. I told her exactly what I needed and I also told her that the exact order had to be printed on the receipt and she did it no questions asked.

When I told her to make the fries well done with no salt, she went back and told one of her employees to make sure it was exactly how I had ordered them. The employee emptied a whole new batch of fries into the fryer and left it in there for a little longer than usual. She also made sure not to put salt on them afterwards. All the employees handling my order seemed focused on getting the order correct. In the back, I noticed that the employees working on my hamburger were working together. One of them would get the meat ready while the other added the ketchup and pickles.

They also worked very fast; as they should being that it is a fast food restaurant. When the manager handed me the order, she made sure to confirm with her employees whether the fries were well done with no salt and the hamburger had four pickles. Before leaving the restaurant, I made sure to take a look at my food. Everything was prepared exactly how I ordered it. I also checked the receipt and everything I had ordered was printed on the receipt exactly. They did a good job.

I got my food very quick, I didn’t have to repeat myself, and I didn’t have to ask them to correct my order. I thought the team was efficient, because the manager had enough people to handle the busy drive thru and the front. She assigned them to their locations depending on the area that was busier. I believe that their accuracy was also excellent because my food was done exactly how I had ordered it. There was also good communication involved in the process, especially on the managers’ part.

In terms of organization, the team worked well together. They each were assigned a task. Some would make the food; others would put the food in the bag if it was to go or tray to stay. There was also someone taking the order and another collecting the cash. The only thing I would recommend is for them to be a little more enthusiastic but I can understand. My first job was at Burger King, so I can relate. It is a very exhausting job. Working in the drive thru, the employees have a timer to track how fast the orders are delivered to the customer. It also doesn’t help that you are always standing up.

"Power of Vision"

Having a vision for the future is definitely important but you also need to have the drive and ambition to pursue your vision. Also, be able to persevere through any obstacles that may try to veer you off your course. I really liked the example given in the video, "Power of Vision", about the river. The narrator compared the journey to our vision to a river with strong currents. In order to get to our vision, we have to cross that river. The only thing holding us back, is the strong current. Which represents the obstacles that we have to overcome, in order to reach our vision. But like the narrator stated, having a plan is almost like having a rope to guide us across the river. In the future, I envision myself possessing personal attributes that will lead me to success in my personal life and my professional life.

1. Confidence
2. Focus
3. Assertiveness
4. Perseverance
5. Acquire a career in real estate development

These are attributes that I would like to possess or strengthen. I feel that these attributes are very important. I am a shy person. I also tend to be self-conscious, which makes me a bit apprehensive at times. I feel that strengthening my self-confidence and being more assertive will definitely help me become less timid. I also tend to worry a lot about things that aren't even important and shouldn't be stressing over. Being more focused will increase my self-commitment and allow me to drop thoughts that create stress. On the journey to fulfilling my goal, I will definitely encounter obstacles. Perseverance will help me overcome the struggle and keep me on track to reaching my goal. All these attributes are precursors to reaching my ultimate goal upon graduating. Which is to acquire a career in real estate and live a life full of success.

Decision Making

Once Professor Kurpis gave us control of making a decision in which 100% of the class should agree on, someone immediately took on the leadership role. It was definitely necessary, especially with a class as large as ours. The leader was able to keep the class organized and she was also able to multitask. She not only got everyone's input but she also recorded everyone's ideas on the board to keep track. The process we went through to come up with our decision was effective, as long as everybody participated in it. The main problem i saw, was time. I felt that getting everyone's opinion individually, was too time consuming. This caused us to rush some of the ideas. So we rushed the final decision. I think the ideal way to go through the process, is to separate the class into several groups. Let each group come to a decision that each person in the group can agree on. Then after every group has come to an agreement, each group can present their ideas. Then the whole class can come to a decision based on every groups alternatives. Based on the way people handle conflict, I feel that I took on the compromising position. I also think that the class used the compromising method because some of the ideas were composed of two different ideas. This helped gain the satisfaction of those people that disagreed with one or the other. I think that method was ideal because each side was satisfied. I think that the compromising method is effective. Because when two people are in disagreement, compromising can help provide a solution that both sides can agree on.

Planning Process ( egg project )

Our groups egg contraption didn't hold up, which caused our egg to crack. Though we didn't achieve success with the outcome, I feel like we did a pretty good job of going through the steps of the planning process. The only thing we didn't have was a leader. But everyone in the group gave their input. We were able to visualize our ideas and draw our design. We went through the first phase of planning, which was to define our objective and goals. Our goal was to develop a contraption that was going to secure the egg and allow for a clean landing. As for the 2nd step, which was to determine our resources, we had discussed exactly what we were going to do with the straws and tape as soon as we got them. We didn't want to waste any time. Someone also asked each one of us whether we had any strengths in physics. Which can be used to an advantage. We were also able to come up with a couple of other designs, just in case our initial design became unrealistic. We developed a tactical plan for our initial design. Which was to cut all our straws in half as soon as we got the scissors, in order to multiply the amount we can use to cushion the egg. After we got our resources, we all worked together in creating the contraption. Some cut the tape, another handled the egg, and another the straws. Though we failed our objective, which was to land the egg on the ground safely, our planning process was effective. We all worked well together and we stayed focused on our goal.

Dominican Culture

I have traveled to many places within the United States. But the only country I have visited outside the United States, is the Dominican Republic. Which is where my parents were born and raised. Most of my family lives in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican way of life is significantly different from an average American lifestyle. For one, the Caribbean sun is unbelievably hot, but I really enjoy the tropical weather. I can dress comfortably and not have to worry about putting on layers because it is always hot. As for holidays, Christmas and Halloween are not celebrated in the Dominican Republic. Three Kings day is celebrated which is equivalent to Christmas here. Three Kings day is on January 6. In tradition, the three kings arrived on Jan. 6 bearing gifts to baby jesus, which is why gifts are usually opened on that day. Dominican Independence day is also celebrated, which occurred on February 27. During this day every year, there is a carnival where Dominicans are dressed in very colorful and scary looking costumes. Aside from holidays, the Dominican cuisine is also much different. In the U.S., most people would normally eat toast, cereal, scrambled eggs, and/or pancakes for breakfast. While in D.R., Mangu' is traditionally served, which is mashed plantains accompanied with fried onions and fried salami, eggs, or fried white cheese. For lunch, the main course is usually rice, beans, salad, and meat. Breakfast and lunch are usually very heavy meals. Dinner is light, usually a sandwich or just tea. I always enjoy staying at my grandparents house when i would go visit in D.R. At lunch time, there would be so much food prepared, you would think that they were expecting many guests. I definitely put on weight when I am over there. The Dominican Republic is also big on hospitality. Whenever you visit someones house, they go out of there way to make sure you feel comfortable and at home. You are treated royally, and Dominicans take pride in being hospitable. As the saying goes, "mi casa es su casa."

My Intro

Whats your name? Carlos Almonte Where are you from? Well, both my parents were born in the Dominican Republic but i was born in New York City where I lived until I was about 12 yrs. old. I then moved to New Jersey where I have been living for about 9 years now. How has your college career been so far? After graduating High school, I attended Bergen Community College which is in New Jersey. I attended Bergen Community for two years before transferring to Baruch College. Which is actually the school I originally planned on attending right after high school. Due to me being lazy my first two years of high school, i wasn't accepted into any of the colleges i applied to. That just fueled my motivation, which pushed me to do well in community college and allowed me to transfer to Baruch. Though college can be very stressful at times, I try to remain focused and I don't let a grade control me. As long as I know I put in hard work I am satisfied. What year are you in and what do you plan to major in? This is my junior year at Baruch and the major I am focused on is Real Estate Development. Do you currently hold a job and what do you do on your spare time? Yes, I am currently employed at a law firm in New Jersey. My position is in the legal department where I electronically process documents for our clients. During my spare time, I enjoy hanging out friends, I also enjoy traveling and visiting different places. I also like to work out, which keeps me stress free and in good shape.