teamwork week 13

• Give an example of a time when you have worked in a team and you were successful. Identify why you feel this team worked so successfully using relevant theory bases.

During my college career, I have worked in teams for lots of different activities and it has provided me many different experiences.
Our project was to produced a business plan and the web site for our business.
When we came together all of us were from different classes just for this project.
Out of all the team work team that I was involved in this one was the most successful. This was because we were well organised and everyone had pull their weight also I was the team leader in that occasion.
One of the main reasons why I felt it was successful is because we could trust each other and one of our team members has actually used the business plan to set up the business that we produced.
According to Belbin (1993) to make a successful team necessary have different role players and Belbin has identify nine different roles such as shaper which like to be challenge and likes to motivate the team.
Implementers are the people who turn ideas into actions and usually they are well organised.
Complete finisher which is people who goes through the whole entire project and make sure everything tasks is completed.
Coordinators are usually the leader in the team and skilled at listening to team members so he or she can recognise their team members’ skills.
Team worker are those who support and making sure the team is completing the tasks and they usually get along with all the team members.
Resource Investigator is those who like to find out investigate the available options.
Plant is usually the creative team member and they likes to come up with new ideas.
Monitor Evaluator is the skilled at evaluating ideas and carefully points out the pros and cons of the ideas.
Specialist which is people has the knowledge to get the task done and they are expert in their field.
Another reason why I felt it was successful is because everyone different roles and there were three team members. Everyone had different skills, for example, one of the team members was very creative and according to Belbin (1993) he is classified as a plant. Everyone was a team worker because we supported each other throughout our tasks.
One of our team members was a resource investigator because she collected all the information that we needed in order to produce the business plan. I was the completer because I made sure everyone completed their part of the tasks


• Using Tuckman’s theory on group development, review the group you worked with for your first assignment for People and Orgs. Did your group progress through all of the key stages? Relate this to the success, or otherwise, of the group.

In 1965 Tuckman introduced four "Tuckman's Stages" for a group which are Forming, Storming, Norrming and Performing.
Forming – is when groups come together to get to know each other and this is the beginning stage. Usually the group members are polite, protective and this is the bonding satge.
Storming – this is where team members start to have issues with one another and it can be anything, for example, have different ideas and views. If this issues is handled unsuccessfully it can make team members leave the group.
In Tuckman (1965) this is one of the most important stages for a group to go through in order to reach norming.
Norming – at this stage the group starts to develop trust in each other and agrees with the tasks.
Performing – this is where the group works toward their aims and they are comfortable with the people they are working with.

In 1977 Tuckman have introduced the new fifth stage which is Adjourning, which is where the group and the tasks come to an end. Team members may feel anxiety or sadness about the separation.

In our first assignment for People and Organisation we formed a team.
Our team performance and overall issues was well managed because in the first stage we all knew each other for reasonable amount of time.
In the storming stage, we did come across some different ideas and views but the problem was quickly resolved. Also everyone contributed the best they can.
In the norming stage we all knew what our tasks were and when the deadline is. In one of the planning stages we organised tasks sheet which indicated what we needed to do and when.
In the performing stage we achieved the aim which is to pass the assignment.
On the adjourning stage were not quite there because we were still working in the same team but this time for another assignment.


• Using the link below to “The Times Top 100 companies to work for”, review 2 companies where teamwork has been identified as a major contributory factor to their success.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/career_and_jobs/best_100_companies/
The two companies that I have chosen are Beaverbrooks the Jewellers and Edward Jones which provide financial services. According to the Sunday Times (2009) Beaver Brooks was given first top place for companies to work for and closely followed by Edward Jones.
When I visited Beaver Brooks and asked a member of staff “what is like working for Beaver Brooks” and the staff answered we have regular team work activities and it is consider the base structure of the company because the activities can strengthen up our relationships with other members.
Also the environment is always friendly and all the member of staff has sense belonging like a family.
According to Edward Jones web site mentioned they want build long term relationships not only with the clients but also their staff too. Also according to their web “a true partnership is our home who shares combination of passion for serving our clients and moving careers forward”.


Bibliography and References

Chimaera consulting limited (2001) Famous models stages of group development [online] Available at: http://www.chimaeraconsulting.com/tuckman.htm [Accessed 3 January 2010]

Edward Jones (2010) Welcome to your Edward Jones [online] Available at: http://careers.edwardjones.com/us/index.html [Accessed 3 January 2010]

Mind tools limited (1995) Belbin team roles [online] Available at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_83.htm [Accessed 3 January 2010]

The team building company (2010) Forming, storming, norming, performing [online] Available at: http://www.teambuilding.co.uk/Forming_Storming_Norming_Performing.html [Accessed 3 January 2010]

week 15 HR Planning

• Explain why it is vital for organisations to have HR plans. What might be the problems if they do not?
It is very important for an organisation to have human resources (HR) plans because the plan provides an outline all the tasks that the organisation needs to cover, for example, how many people does the organisation need in order to complete the tasks or duties and what skills, qualifications and any special licences, for example, fork lift truck are needed (Mullins, 2007). It also outlines the budget for the organisation so managers know how much they need in order to achieve the tasks.
The planning can analyse and investigating what sort of problems that the organisation can avoid. It can also provide solutions, for example, budget training so managers do not over spend.
If an organisation does not do any HR planning then tasks and duties may be jeopardised and especially HR managers will find it harder to achieve their aims and the organisation may breach regulations and laws. If an organisation does not do any planning then all the money and time maybe wasted because the organisation may employ the wrong person to do the tasks or provided the incorrect training for the staff. Lack of a clear job description can lead to many problems, for example, unsuitable candidates may apply. This will lead to a high staff turnover and it will affect the public image to the organisation.

• Using Rodger’s seven point person specification (in Foot and Hook) draft a person specification for a university lecturer.
In 1952 Alec Rodger introduced the seven point person specification and it is one of the best known theories to use in it field (Foot and Hook, 2009).
To explain the seven points person specification by using a university lecturer specification:-

Physical make up – this includes a healthy life style, also should have clear and good communication – speaking, presentations skills, full express themselves on the subject.

Attainments – degree in education - teaching and motivation skills, should have experienced in the teaching industry and give guidance to students.

Intelligence – adept to new equipments, be creative and able to improvise

Aptitudes – abilities to operate day to day equipment e.g. IT.

Interest – should enjoy socially interact with students and lecturers.

Disposition – good sense of humour, willing to improve knowledge.

Circumstances - must be will to give up their own time, for example, cover other lecturers lesion, may need own transportation.


• If Waitrose were considering opening a new store in High Wycombe, what are the key labour questions they would need to ask. Give at least 5 answers.

When Waitrose is considering opening a new store in High Wycombe, Waitrose should take the following into account because it can determine if the project will be profitable or not.

Demography and Geography in the area, what sort of age group is the highest
What is the level of education in the?
What is their average income?
Where is the location of the store?
What is the unemployment rate in the area?
Is there any government support e.g. grant?
How many competitors are in that area?

In conclusion it is very important for an organisation to do HR planning before carrying out any tasks and it also makes the aims clearer. The plan outlines the problems that organisations need to take into account, which may lead to better performance.

References:
1) Foot, M. and Hook, C. (2009). Introducing Human Resource Management. 5th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
2) Mullins, L. J. (2007). Management and Organisational Behaviour. 8th ed. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall.