Monthly Archives: February 2023

 Week 1 Discussion COLLAPSE

Perceptions of Human Resources

Do the HR talent management practices at your organization put people first? Answer the questions below:

• In your view, do the HR talent management practices at your organization reflect this idea?
• Ask one co-worker for their opinion of HR practices at your organization, and report their answer.
• Name one other organization that values people particularly well; explain what you admire about their approach.

This week only, post your initial response by Friday, midnight of your time zone, and reply to at least 2 of your classmates’ initial posts by Sunday, midnight of your time zone.

1st response

 
Tiara Collins RE: Week 1 DiscussionCOLLAPSE

Hello Professor and Class,

Do the HR talent management practices at your organization put people first? Answer the questions below:

• In your view, do the HR talent management practices at your organization reflect this idea?

I believe in my organization, certain people put people first, but the organization as a whole does not put people first. The management team in my office understands the value of each person, and as Patty McCord says, Netflix did and be a “fully formed adult (1).” The organization does not see people at all. Because the organization comprises many offices, they only see the people as pawns to get results. Now and then, we will have a manager who comes in for the organization and tries to understand the people’s wants and tries to put a program in place, but the bureaucracy of the government comes along and stops the process. Hence, the person gives up and gets another job.

• Ask one co-worker for their opinion of HR practices at your organization, and report their answer.

I asked my co-worker Doreen about the HR department. She was very disturbed. She explained that no one knows what they are doing, and no one knows the policies or laws that should be followed. She explained that there was a lot of the problems that Moody, Golden, and Tornone explained in the article, such as state, federal and local laws creating a patchwork that they have to fill in the blanks, fighting harassment and improving inclusion and ballooning employee debt and a focus on financial wellness education (2). She did not care for how long it took to hunt down an answer for anything about why one person may have one thing, and another does not.

• Name one other organization that values people particularly well; explain what you admire about their approach.

I believe I am very fond of Verizon. I have had many friends that have been in the company and have been personalized from day one in their career path, and they take care of the employees. They give proper career growth to many of their employees and helps lessen their financial burden while assisting them in improving their talent and skills without charging them out of pocket. I decided to look up the reviews customers gave about Verizon and working with them. They gave them pretty good thoughts about working with the company. The cons are about the type of work they do but not too many negative reviews about the company (3). Looking at the Verizon Code of Conduct, the first thing that comes up is integrity, and setting the tone of credibility at the top is within the first three pages of the packet. This tells me that they want to establish the trust that David Lapin talked about (5). Verizon understands that being transparent and understands holding people accountable helps create trust, so the employees are willing to go above and beyond.

Tiara Collins

1. McCord, Patty. (2011). How Netflix Reinvented HR. HBR.
2. Kathryn Moody, Ryan Golden, Kate Tornone. (2018). 10 Trends that will shape HR in 2018
3. https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Verizon/reviews?fcountry=ALL&fjobtitle=Human+Resources+Manager
4. https://www.verizonwireless.com/dam/aboutus/pdfs/Code_of_Conduct.pdf
5. David Lapin. (2018). Unlock MagicalnPerformance

2Nd response 

 RE: Week 1 Discussion COLLAPSE

Hello Professor and Class:

• In your view, do the HR talent management practices at your organization reflect this idea?

The company that I was laid off from was a private company.   There was a HR generalist that was in place. So my answer to this question for my previous company is no. Covid 19 was a perfect example. The HR person was literally a mouth piece for the management team. Supporting the idea or image that we all know to well. The managers made the decisions and she carried out the tasks of delivering the news. Before Covid-19 there were no initiatives in place to create an atmosphere of inclusion, working there was only about the bottom line. They did not care about the employees, The turnover at the company was rampant. I saw people start and quit in the same week. Candidates were under not clearly sure of what their roles were or what was required.   She was just that nice face that did nothing but follow orders. There was turnover in HR as well. This is where the company could take some advice from Bob Keegan by fostering a partnership with HR. 

• Ask one co-worker for their opinion of HR practices at your organization, and report their answer.

I asked my co workers at my current job and I was told they are a great resource and the practices that are in place is why the retention rate is high and the in house promotions are common. They see their employees as an investment.  Open door policy, team building initiatives and diversity training are amongst the practices of their HR department.They are also a global company and employ a diverse group so HR is held to a high standard and they adhere to it.

• Name one other organization that values people particularly well; explain what you admire about their approach.

I interviewed with Lyft a couple of months ago, for a position in San Francisco. I contemplated moving because of the company culture. They really care about their employees in corporate from my interaction. The facility, the work life balance, the support and stated respect for everyone. The ability to advance within the company as well creating a great space to work is why I considered relocating. Their stance on Inclusion and Diversity is evident they care about their employees as well as the community.

https://www.lyft.com/careers

https://www.clariant.com/en/Careers

Week 1 Lecture: Perceptions of HR 

Conaty & Charan, Chapter 11: Get the Right Talent Management Processes

 Consider one aspect of the future of work and society you would be most excited to see changed. What would need to be understood and/or done differently now in order for your hope for the future to be realised (min. 200 words)? 

 Watch the video “The Power of HR Metrics: Growth, Performance, Sustainment” (3m 35s) on the importance of metrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJRHRxa6O7s

 Based on the video, your readings this week, and the case study, please respond to the following questions: 

• Do you believe that a program of HR metrics and workforce analytics might be useful in Regional Hospital? 
• What opportunities do you see regarding where and how metrics and analytics might be applied in this organization? 
• Identify three analyses and associated metrics you think might be useful for Regional Hospital to consider

Locate and briefly summarize a case decision where an employer or union was found guilty of bad faith bargaining (or not!). Briefly summarize the decision and explain whether you agree or disagree with the outcome.

Make sure to post the URL and the full APA reference.

Cybersecurity attacks and ransomware can take their toll on any company but those involved in logistics may see a ripple effect across multiple chain partners. Even the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has been working with major players to protect the nation’s supply chain.

Module 3: Week 1 Discussion Background Readings

Breaking News – Walmart Canada and DLT Labs™ Launch World’s Largest Full Production Blockchain Solution for Industrial Application (2019)

Going the Distance: Securing Supply Chains from Cyber Attack (2019)

Supply Chain Manager’s Confidence Declines as Cyber Threats and AI Emerge as Key Threats (2019)

Cyber Attacks Top List of Risks Impacting Supply Chain (2019)

2019 Cyber Threatscape Report: Supply Chain (2019)

WEEK 1 DISCUSSION POST

The week’s background addresses cybersecurity in the supply chain. Find at least one other recent resource for support. For your post:

• What precautions need to be taken to enhance supply chain cybersecurity?
• Share at least two technology solutions to mitigate supply chain security.
• Using the resource beyond this week’s readings, provide a real-world example of a company that is addressing cybersecurity (from a supply chain perspective). (The article should be less than two years old.)

Select one of the following case studies (located in your textbook.) 

• Case 11-1: Discounting Everything but Compensation at Costco.
• Case 11-2: Employee Red-Lining at CVS: The Have and the Have Not.
• Case 12-1: Best Buy or Best Scam? Trying to Get Commission Results on So-Called Noncommission Pay.
• Case 12-2: Barclays Bonus Bank: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul.

Then complete the following: 

• Add your opinion about the choices and decisions being made—if this was your company, would you make this choice?
• What would you do differently?

You are strongly encouraged to make your initial post by the middle of each week so that you have plenty of time to respond to your classmates.

Assignment 1: Position Paper One – Media and Society

This is the first of two (2) position papers based on the following scenario to be completed in this course. 

Imagine  that you are running for a state office (e.g., governor, senator, or  Congressional representative) and you have to prepare a position paper  for a debate on controversial issues in the news. (Select one (1) of the  topics addressed in the first four weeks of this class.) Remember that  you are addressing a significant segment of your state’s population and  you want to be elected to public office, so your topic will have to have  a broad appeal, such as the importance of family values, the fair  treatment of women in the workplace (equal pay for equal work), the  treatment of minorities, and the media and one’s self-image, among other  topics from those chapters.
 

You  will want your position paper to demonstrate critical thinking, sound  logic, valid claims, personal passion, and credible support that is  cited correctly because the paper will be provided to the news media  before the debate and will be scrutinized by the media and reported on  regarding these criteria.

Write a two to three (2-3) page (500 to 750 words) paper in which you:

1. Introduce  your position using a thesis statement in the first paragraph,  including a quote, question, or statistic from your reliable sources and  an overview of the main points you will cover. (It’s important to grab  the audience’s interest and inform the audience of what the main and  support points are.) 
2. Provide two or three (2-3) major points to support your thesis statement. (Put each major point in a separate paragraph.)
3. Provide one (1) paragraph in which you identify and answer an expected argument against your view. 
4. Organize arguments and support your claims effectively. 
5. Demonstrate  personal passion for your position and critical thinking with  persuasive language, sound logic, valid claims, and credible support for  the claims. 
6. Use  the Strayer University Library at https://research.strayer.edu to  locate and provide two to three (2-3) credible and reliable sources (in  addition to the textbook) about current events, which have been  published in the last five (5) years and are cited correctly in the  position paper. (Wikipedia, dictionaries, and encyclopedias are unacceptable and will not count toward your number of credible sources.)

    

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be  typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with  one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow Strayer Writing Standards. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. 
• Include  a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s  name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover  page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment  page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Apply critical thinking skills to the analysis of issues involving mass media and society. 
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in media and society.
• Write clearly and concisely about media and society using proper writing mechanics.

1.Check all of the following tangible benefits of well-crafted visions that are primarily cognitive components: Underline all that apply 

A. Great profits and dividends 

b. Provide road maps, direction 

c. Enable sounds strategic planning 

d. Recruit talent- provide feeling of engagement 

e. Develop distinctive competencies 

f. Aspiration 

g. Inspiration 

2. Which of the following statements explains why a vision is more critical to change than a mission statement? 

A. a mission statement focuses on what an organization is and does. A vision focuses on the possible future scenario a change can bring. 

B. a mission statement imagines a new future the change will bring. A vision is a dream that will never be real. 

c. a mission statement explains who we are now. A vision focuses on where we are going. 

3. which of the statements below are Pendlebury’s three components of vision that are key to change management. Check all that apply.  

A. why the change is needed 

b. the mission of the organization 

c. the aim of the change 

d. a stringent plan and budget 

e. the change actions that will be taken 

4. Match the approach for crafting a vision to when it is used. 

1. Tell       2. Co-create    3. Consult      4. Test      5. Sell 

Match each of the options above to the items below. 

Involvement is not seen as important 

Chief executive is attracted to the vision and wants others to adopt it 

Chief executive wants to see which aspects of the vision find support 

Chief executive needs to help develop the vision 

Chief executive wants to identify shared visions throughout the organization 

5. To what extent do stakeholders influence a plan and subsequent implementation of organization restructuring that accommodates change? 

1. Stakeholders are incidental to the change process. 
2. Stakeholders are not decision makers and cannot influence the potential outcome of organizational restructuring. 
3. Stakeholders expertise in managing change is very limited, and should not be considered by change leaders in the planning of adaptable organizational structures. 
4. None of these 

6. Barbara, a change manager, has good political skills. She has built a range of relationship across and outside the organization. These characteristics of Barbara are an example of ______________  dimension of political skills. 

1. Networking ability 
2. Apparent sincerity 
3. Interpersonal influence 
4. Social astuteness 

7. Sam, a change manager, has many competencies. One particular strength is his ability to gather meaningful data through interviews, surveys, and observations. These characteristics of Sam are an example of the _______________ skill of a change manager. 

8. An important CMI change manager competency includes personal responsibility, prioritizations and time management, resilience, flexibility, and emotional intelligence. This competency is best described as: 

1. Strategic thinking 
2. Self-management 
3. Coaching for change 
4. Scouting 

9. Which of the following are the undesirable characteristics of a change manager? Check all that apply. 

1. Recognizes and deal with office politics 
2. Accepts risks and challenges 
3. Has high need for praise and recognition 
4. Impatient and lacking persistence 

10. When coaching for change, it is important to have a good grasp of (check all that apply) 

1. Adult learning principles 
2. Why the change is needed 
3. Role models 
4. Cost management 
5. Complex research models 

11. The ability to market your skills and persuade internal customers to use your services is an example  of : 

1. Initiation skills 
2. Diagnostic skills 
3. Implementing skills 

see details

Group Research Project

This assignment is worth 25% of your final grade. It gives you an opportunity to work with a group of peers to research and develop a team charter that will guide your work on the Group Consulting Project. Your charter should be the original work of your team; the team may not use papers or any part of papers from a previous class or from another person. If you have any questions about this assignment, please post them in the Ask the Professor discussion forum so that everyone can benefit from the answers. The assignment addresses Course Objectives1, 2, and 3.

Introduction

In your first assignment, you analyzed and wrote about the trends you observed in the High Performing Work Teams (HPWT) survey.  You also discussed what team members could learn from taking such a survey. 

Some of what you may have learned by working through the assignment was that the survey and the grouping of the questions provide a good model for the elements required to facilitate team efficiency and effectiveness. 

· The mission provides a statement of the team’s purpose which provides the motivation and direction for team members. 

· The goals are the results the team needs to achieve within specified time frames. Team members perform more efficiently and productively when the goals are easily understood.

· In addition to goals, role clarification helps team members understand what is expected of each person in order for the team to achieve its goals.  By discussing roles the team ensures that all the responsibilities for achieving the team’s goals are covered and being performed. 

· HPWTs also decide early on the “rules of engagement,” or how they are going to work together.  They determine things like how and when they are going to communicate; the frequency of meetings; how disagreements and conflict will be handled; and how to handle social loafing, when team members don’t do their fair share of the work.

· Respect, honesty, and trust among team members are hallmarks of effective teams and how they work together.  People are different – they have different experiences and different values – so team members need to commit to work with each other despite their differences. The level of respect, honesty, and trust the team develops allows the team to work through conflicts that may occur and successfully achieve the team’s goals.  

By paying attention to what you have learned from your analysis of the high performing work teams, in conjunction with the stages of team development, you and your team will be able to establish the roles, rules, and norms of how you will work together early on in your team’s development.  For more information on ensuring team success, please read the Team Work document posted in the Week 4 Supplemental module in our classroom. The document includes a 14-step action plan and some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about team work.

YOUR TASK

For this assignment you will be placed in a team.  This will be your team for this assignment and for the Group Consulting Project you’ll complete later in the term.  There are two deliverables for this assignment: 

· a team charter and 

· an individual reflection paper. 

Team Charter

Working together with your team, you will research elements for an effective team charter. Please use the UMUC library to identify a minimum of five appropriate sources about team charters.  Appropriate sources are scholarly or practitioner journals and academic books published within the last ten years.  Your team will use the results of your research to create a team charter that will guide how you will work together to complete the Group Consulting Project. Your team charter should include, but is not limited to, the following elements:

· A team mission and vision – an initial team vision that summarizes what your team needs to accomplish and describes how you will interact in order to accomplish its mission. Include any other thoughts to help your team form and focus.

· A communications plan – agree on how you will communicate, parameters for communication (e.g., no phone calls after 9:00 p.m. EST); how frequently you’ll check in with each other; how your interactions will be documented (meeting agendas, minutes of meetings), etc.

· A work division plan – agree on how you will divide work, who will take on what role (will you have a team leader or coordinator or will leadership rotate?), expectations about quality and quantity of work.

· A conflict management plan – discuss areas of potential conflict for the team; decide and document how your team will deal with conflict and resolve disagreements. 

Please add other elements to your team charter, based on your research. Once everyone signs off on the charter, one team member will post a copy in the appropriate discussion forum so other students can read and give your team feedback on the charter. Decide how you will handle responding to comments and questions posted in the discussion forum. 

Each team member will upload a copy of the team’s final charter to his/her assignment folder. Make sure your team number and the names of all team members appear on the cover page of your charter.

Name your team charter this way:
Team X_Charter

(Example: Team 1_Charter)

Please include this academic integrity statement on the cover page of your team charter:

This charter is the work of our team that we jointly created specifically for this course and this section.  All research or material that we used in preparing this charter has been properly acknowledged within the assignment in accordance with academic standards for complete and accurate citation of sources.

Individual Reflection Paper

After your group has completed your team charter, each person in your group will then write a 2-3 page reflection paper (not counting cover and reference pages) discussing: (1) what you personally learned from working on developing the team charter; (2) your thoughts on how the process worked within your group; and (3) the advantages and disadvantages of using this process to create team charters. Since this is a reflection paper, you may write it in the first person (e.g., I, we, me, our). There is no minimum number of references required for your reflection paper; however, the paper should cite appropriate sources to support your statements and opinions and can include sources cited in your team’s charter. Use APA style for all citations, quotations, and references. Your paper should be double spaced, with one inch margins and a font size of 11 points or larger. 

Name your reflection paper this way:
YourLastNameFirstInitial_Reflection

(Example: StudentJ_Reflection)

Please include this academic integrity statement on the cover page of your Individual Reflection Paper:

This paper is my own work that I created specifically for this course and this section.  All research or material that I used in preparing this paper has been properly acknowledged within the assignment in accordance with academic standards for complete and accurate citation of sources.

Due Date: Sunday, [insert date], 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

Your grade for this assignment will be a combination of a team grade for the charter and an individual grade for your reflection paper. The team charter is worth 55% of the total grade and your reflection paper is worth 45% of the total grade. Please review the grading criteria on the following pages.