Topic #1: The Managers Role

Managers have multiple responsibilities, and need to be able to stay organized so that their responsibilities do not get overlooked. I believe managers should be able to focus on their overall purpose rather than just their 'task'. A manager should be able to recognize purpose over task so that they may be the best leader within that company and help their employees. Based on my own experience I believe the definitions given in the video as well as in the readings are accurate. The video discussed a manager being able to develop people with energizing trust as well as having the manager focus on executing tasks on a group level and not just an individual level. Most managers that I have had experience with are concerned with the team executing the task rather than just one person. In the Hill reading, she talked about how becoming a manager is a "learning experience". You learn as you grow into a great manager. If those managers didn't learn any lessons while becoming managers than they would not be able to relate to their employees would not be able to develop people with energizing trust. Which goes back to the definition in the video. 

Topic #2: Using Systems thinking

In my previous life I worked for Washington Gas on the Non-regulated side of the business. My role consisted of managing the counterparty settlement process. This consists of buying and selling of gas. One of my customers at the time was BP (British Petroleum). Since we were a startup company we didn't have established policies, procedures and necessary systems uploaded. We tracked everything in Microsoft Excel through daily data entry input by temporary staffers. At the end of each month we established a tracking log to ensure timely uploading of system Inputs to create customer billing of Invoices.

The settlement process consists of emailing Invoices to a Settlement Accountant who will validate the invoice for the month for accuracy and completeness on his/her ends. Errors came into picture after the first month of business operations due to lack of system capabilities on our end to properly calculate customer billing. We weren't properly prepared to " go live" in this type of business venture due to lack of involvement from Senior Management from the standpoint of proper system applications and key essential employees with the necessary skill set to aide in the development newly hired employees.

Peter Senge suggests in The Fifth Discipline how organizations should think in terms of feedback loops. In our situation Management should have established communication line of concern to seek and understand the issues staffers are faced with due to system constraints and industry knowledge. As a result of this action subject matter experts could be brought in to aid and consult on the development of staff and address management concerns with Industry wide knowledge.

Topic #3: My Goals

I am excited to finally be embarking on an MBA program. While some of my goals are specific, others are intangible. Concerning the intangibles, I hope and expect that my experiences in the program will expose me to ideas and opportunities that I had not anticipated or identified as goals, and that will help me mature and evolve as a professional.

My goals:

* Learn to conceptualize a business idea and develop a business plan that addresses critical components such as financials, marketing, human resources, customer service, etc.

* Hone analytical skills that can help me be more effective in analyzing situations and developing and proposing solutions.

* Learn concepts that will help me understand how best to lead and support my team and my organization, helping them to reach their fullest potential.

* Build a better understanding of how to work effectively with C-suite executives, and learn skills that may help me achieve a position at that level.