Book Review: Creating Effective Teams Essay

Creating Effective Teams: a Guide for Members and Leaders is a book by Wheelan (2013) designed to do as the title states; guiding members and leaders to create effective teams. Wheelan (2013) begins the book by highlighting the reasons that groups are important. Wheelan (2013) states that throughout history, â€Å"Groups have played a major role in both the survival of human beings and the development of human culture† (p. 1). The majority of the book is based on 4 stages that create a group of individuals into an effective team. The first stage is called dependency and inclusion. According to Wheelan (2013), the first stage of the group is characterized by group members becoming dependent upon the group leader. During this first stage, members must learn to trust each other. Wheelan (2013) highlights three goals that should come out of the first stage. The first goal is to have group members begin to develop a sense of belonging as well as recognize predictable patterns of interaction. The next goal is to develop loyalty to the group. The final goal is to create a safe environment for members in order for them to share and contribute ideas and suggestions. The second stage is called counterdependency and flight (Wheelan, 2013). This stage is the natural transition from reaching the goals of stage 1; members will begin to feel that they don’t need to be dependent upon the leader, which results in group members fighting amongst themselves. This is an inescapable part of the process and is actually healthy for the group if managed properly. With the proper management, Wheelan (2013) identifies one goal for stage 2: creating a cohesive set of goals, values and operational procedures. According to Wheelan (2013), the third stage is called trust and structure. If the group is able to work through the conflicts and is abiding by the goals set in stage 2, then group members begin to trust each other, become more committed to the group and cooperation greatly increases. There are two goals identified by Wheelan (2013). The first goal of stage three is to solidify positive relationships between members. The second goal is to engage in more mature negotiations about group roles and organizational procedures. Once the three are stages are worked through the n the fourth stage, Work (Wheelan, 2013), can be accomplished. Wheelan (2013) identifies the fourth stage as a time of intense team productivity and effectiveness. This is the stage that is the result of creating the effective team. Once the four stages have been identified and understood, Wheelan (2013) goes on to elaborate on how a group leader can keep the team effective. Wheelan (2013) speaks of 10 keys to productivity (goals, roles, interdependence, leadership, communication and feedback, [discussion, decision making and planning], implementation and evaluation, norms and individual differences, structure, cooperation and conflict management). Wheelan (2013) also shares the ways that group members become effective team members (don’t blame others, support the leader, promote effective problem-solving, etc†¦) as well as how a leader can be an effective team leader (be direct and confident, involve members in leadership, adjust your leadership style to the group, etc†¦). Finally, Wheelan (2013) highlights effective organizational support for teams, which includes an organization support checklist. Concrete Response There really wasn’t a video roll that played in my head, but I can apply this concept to my job. Currently, I am a supervisor for a wellness center that works with people living with a mental illness. I see the group that I work with as a team because we are working toward one goal. This goal is to help the members living with a mental illness learn to gain independence, work on social skills and work on personal goals that they would like to establish. I feel as if my job is to create and effective team, first with my co-workers and then next with the members of the wellness center. As I was reading the four stages of a group, I can definitely see how that works out. When I first started there, I was definitely in the first stage with my co-workers and the members. Eventually stage two did happen and conflicts began because as a new supervisor, I had changed some rules and regulations that were received poorly at first. Eventually we were all able to work through the new changes and developed trust, stage 3. Once trust was developed, then we were able to get to the task at hand, which was achieving the goals set by each member and are now in the working stage of the team. It was interesting to read the text and apply to my personal life. The one thing that I did notice is that I’ve been there for almost a year and I can confidently say that it took a few months of hard work to be where I am not with the members and my co-workers. Reflection I really enjoyed the book and I can definitely see how a team can become effective when each stage is performed properly. The questions that I had with reading the book were; what happens if I am not able to complete a stage? What happens if the group members are not cooperative? And how do you handle a group that is there voluntarily versus involuntarily? While the book offers great advice and ideas, there didn’t seem to be much room for error. Even when it came to the four checklists (team performance, effective member, effective leader and organization support) there were grades, but there was no explanation or tips on how to turn your poor grade into a positive grade. This book is a great conceptual book and a good book for advice but I feel as if Wheelan (2013) designed the book to be used as a resource that should be worked with other books and your own personal viewpoint. I don’t think that I am trying to outsmart Wheelan (2013); but for me as a reader, my assumptions of the book based on the title were not what I had expected. I was partially correct that this was a how-to book, but what I did not expect was that there wouldn’t really be anything about how to correct problems. This is almost like a user’s manual for group leaders; it tells you what to do, but not what to do when you make a mistake. I would use this book with another resource. Action So what am I going to do about it? How will I take this book and apply it to my life? What is a 3 step action plan that I can take? There are a lot of different steps that I can take with this book, but what hit me the most is the chapter on how I can be an effective team leader. So the first step that I would like to do is learn how to apply the leadership skills applied for each stage. According the Wheelan (2013), during the first stage I need to learn to me a directive and confident leader. During the second stage, I need to understand that when members begin to demand more participation in running the group, I must slowly begin to empower them to have it. During the third stage I need to be able to involve members in the leadership of he group. Finally, during stage four, I must be able to participate as an expert member of the team. Being able to master those skills will greatly help me when it comes to team leadership. The second action plan that I will do is to take those checklist and actually fill them out and see if I need to change in the areas of team performance, effective membership, effective leadership and organizational support. I feel as if what I will do what the checklists are to make copies of them or look for them online and pass it out to my team members and the wellness center members also. Finally, what I would like to do is to audit the productivity of the team based on the 10 factors highlighted by Wheelan (2013); (goals, roles, interdependence, leadership, communication and feedback, [discussion, decision making and planning], implementation and evaluation, norms and individual differences, structure, cooperation and conflict management). As stated in the section above, I will be using this book as an additional resource to really help improve my leadership abilities; especially at work, but also in other aspects of my life.

Health and social care management Essay

INTRODUCTION This essay the author will be able to evaluate current systems for managing finances Resources in health and social care settings. Therefore will evaluate how financial Decisions are made and the need to monitor budgets. This will then enable the author to Evaluate the impact of financial considerations on an individual using health and Social care services. Furthermore will provide a core understanding of the range of systems available, and How these are used in the planning and financial management of health and social Care budgets. The unit further will encourage understanding the importance of Monitoring budget expenditure and its influence on the provision of health and social Care services. LO.1 1.1PRINCIPLE OF COSTING AND BUSINES CONTROL SYTEMS Analysis of current situation against budget and forecast, classification and coding, job costing, Contract costing, actual cost ascertainment,allocation/apportionment COSTING DEFINITION: Costing it describe as According official terminology the technique and procedure of ascertaining cost. These valuation systems including main beliefs and system to determine the cost of goods or services. It also the  quantity of supply used in replacement of goods or services. The income used can be financed or money’s value, Semi Variable Semi Fixed Cost Cost: Cost is an amount that has to be paid or given up in order to get something Cost Unit: The unit cost is the cost incurred by a company to produce, store and sell one unit of a particular product. Unit costs include all fixed costs and all variable costs A cost center is part of an organization that does not produce direct profit and adds to the cost of Running a company. Examples of cost centers include Cost object: Cost object is often a product or department for which cost is accumulated or measured. For example, a product is the cost object for direct materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead also the factory maintenance department is cost object for the cost of the maintenance employees and the maintenance supplies. Cost benefit analysis: Is A cost object is a tangible input for a product manufactured/service provided, like labor or material. For example a cloth manufacturing firm requires some Break even analysis: Classification of cost means, the grouping of costs according to their common characteristics. The important Cost behavior The way a specific cost reacts to changes in activity levels is called cost behavior. Costs may stay the same or may change proportionately Variable Cost / Product Cost: Variable costs are the Fixed and Variable cost A cost is fixed if, within a specified period of time, it does not change in response to changes in the level of activity. A variable cost is one that changes in response to changes in the level of activity, it changes in direct proportion to the volume of activity, that is, doubling the level of activity will double the total variable cost total cost over a period of time for the variable inputs. Any increase in the volume of production results in an increase in the variable cost and vice versa. For example, of variable costs is the cost of raw material. Semi-Variable Cost / Semi-Fixed cost: These costs are in part fixed and in part variable. For example: repair machine fees. Semi-variable cost includes both a fixed and a variable element. For example, a telephone bill contains a fixed standing charge and  a variable charge based on the number of units dialled. A semi-fixed cost or stepped cost is one where the cost remains constant for a range of activity; then when the activity increases still further the cost will take a step upward. Break-even Analysis is an expected component of most business plans, especially for start-up companies. It shows how much revenue you need to cover for both fixed and variable costs and cost benefit analysis are frequently used by health and social care organisation to monitor cost and make decision about expenditures. Cost data are very useful in budget preparation and forecasting for the financial year, the Providers use cost data to manage services and improve operational efficiency. Cost data are also used to support the development of pricing and currency design for reimbursement purposes A direct cost is especially noticeable to a set cost object. A cost object is a product, procedure, section, or action for which the health administration requirements to assess the cost, such as a medical test, a care appointment, or a health check process. Indirect costs cannot be traced to an agreed cost purpose not including resorting to some arbitrary method of assignment. Hand, is directly involved in producing revenues, and, if it is managed well, its revenues exceed its cost and it produces a profit. The six principles of costing are: Stakeholder engagement: Stakeholder engagement is the process by which an organisation involves people who may be affected by the decision it makes or can influence the implementation of its decision Materiality : is in accounting relates to the significance of transaction, balances and errors contained in financial statements. . Consistency For some costing purposes, a consistent approach is required across or within organizations. Data accuracy, Accurate costing relies on the quality of the underlying input data. Transparency Costing should be transparent and auditable Causality and objectivity Importance of costing: Costing help an organisation to manage is company to incur a cost with the  expectation of profit Example: A company may have a variety of distinct departments,division,or operating groups,each with separate responsibilities and each contributing to the overall success of the company.cost centers,for example,such as accounting,auditing,or inventory control,have costs,but does not contribute revenues. As a result, they do not produce profits. 1.2 The information needed to manage financial resources Is to understand the role of planning in the management of health and social care budgets also the importance of monitoring budget expenditure. Such as transparent and Accurate accounting Information, risk management, short and long term Forecasts, audit report. Information 1 Need is business costs, people, equipment, finance, buildings, consumable items, administration; Income streams; trends and external influences, e.g. changes in policy, competitive factors, legal requirements. 1.3Regulatory requirements Legislation and codes of practice, audit, accountability, policies. Systems: sources of income, how budgets are set, administration of budgets, cost centers, accountabilities, Audit requirements Information: business costs: people, equipment, finance, buildings, consumable items, administration; Income streams: trends and external influences:changes in policy, competitive factors, legal requirements. 1.4 System for managing finance Is a plan, assuring that resources are obtained and used effectively, efficiently in the accomplishment of the organization’s goals. Therefore, it focuses on programs and responsibility center and it is a total encompasses of all aspects of a firm’s operation and usually built around a financial and accounting structure need two types of information for management control planned date such as, budgets, standards, and projections) and  actual data. Budgetary control system Cost control system Financial control system Internal control and audit Enterprise resource management system IT control systems Importance of business control system LO2: ROLE OF PLANNING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CARE TECH BUDGET Care tech annual report Financial Review The Group has repeated the good progress of recent years in 2013 The UK market Group has continued to be progressive and has made encouraging progress during the year. The underlying operating profit remains strong at  £23.2m compared with  £21.7m last year. Transaction on 28 August 2013 to acquire two property portfolio businesses, leading to an annual rent saving Of  £4.4m. Income Statement 2013 2012  £m  £m Growth Revenue 114.3 114.1 0.2% Gross profit 45.6 45.3 Administrative expenses (19.2) (20.4) Underlying EBITDA 26.4 24.9 6.0% Underlying EBITDA margin 23.1%, 21.8% Depreciation (3.1) (3.1) Share-based payment charge (0.1) (0.1) Underlying operating profit 23.2 21.7 6.9% Net financial expenses (5.7) (5.0) Underlying profit before tax 17.5 16.7 Taxation (3.4) (3.4) Effective tax rate 20.0%, 20.0% Underlying profit for the year 14.1 13.3 Weighted average number of diluted shares (millions) 51.3 50.4 Underlying diluted earnings per share 27.43 26.47 Full year dividend per share 7.00p 6.50p Revenue Revenue of  £114.3m (2012:  £114.1m) was 0.2% higher than in 2012. In the established Adult Learning Disabilities segment we continued to experience high levels of occupancy 2.1 Diverse sources of income 2.2 Factors that may influence the availability of financial resources 2.3 Types of budget expenditure 2.4 Decisions about expenditure TASK 3: IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING BUDGET EXPENDITURE IN CARE TECH 3.1 Managing financial shortfalls 3.2 Financial fraud actions 3.3 Budget monitoring arrangements LO.4: INFLUENCE OF SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES ON CARE TECH SERVICES 4.1 Information required in making financial decisions: Different types of information are needed by decision makers depending upon the stage of operation they are in. The decision involved can be Quantitative or qualitative. Judgments regarding movements in future share prices, likely future dividend payments and management efficiency. Ratios to determine management efficiency. Data to compare the market trend and future estimates. 4.2 Relationship between care service delivered and ‘costs and expenditure’ 4.3 Impact of financial considerations on a service user 4.4 Improving care services through changes in financial systems and processes Bottom of Form . Of fraud. 4 Understand how systems and processes for managing financial resources influence health and social Care services Financial decisions: responsibility for decision making, information available, sources of income, priorities The relationship between service delivery, costs and expenditure: cost-benefit, pricing policies, purchasing Arrangements. Impact on individuals: quality of service, access to service. Recommendations: options available, supporting evidence, information to be presented for discussion by financial decision makers. : Information about the business environment and external influences Good understanding Of the business cost by health care managers will aid the management of financial resources in health care organisation. The information includes Staff cost (Wages and salaries, Pension cost) Medical equipment and appliances cost (Hoist, Buckets, Buckets, Stretcher, Trolley, Wheelchair) Cost (Outright purchase or lease – Operating or finance lease Cost of consumable items (Food, toiletries, Soap, Kerosene, lantern Administrative cost and Professional fees The revenue (income) receives depend on the service and business engagement of the health organisation which includes normal business activities such as (Adult Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Young People Residential Services, Foster Care rents and service charges from social housing lettings and leasehold management revenue grant, tax support contribution. The Regulatory body They are alot of regulatory required for satisfying while managing financial resources, but in this essay the author will mention a few such as, Care tech holding PLC in 2013 financial ending. Care Quality Commission,  Healthcare Sector Regulator Monitor, NHS Commissioning Board, 1. Important to monitor to avoid fraud and eoror What is Importance of costing in HSC 1.2Intoduce by defining business control systems Identify and explain the different business controls systems in BULLETS (Budgetary control system, Cost control system, Financial control system, Internal control and audit, Enterprise resource management system, IT control systems) Conclude with the importance of business control systems.

The impact of Information Technology on Transportation system and Research Paper

The impact of Information Technology on Transportation system and technolog - Research Paper Example So the transportation business and system is being basically changed through new evolutionary information systems and information technology. In the past airlines as well as big hotel chains, for instance, have been the untimely implementers of innovative and new technologies like that CRSs (Computer Reservations Systems). It is observed that new evolutionarily network system are offering sharing of data in addition to information being employed through the Transportation business and industry is in a lot of modes, depending upon 3rd parties like that Computer Reservations Systems dealers or else travel representatives who have customarily warranted their subsistence in the course of a dedicated technology arrangement as well as precise acquaintance (Ira, Semeijn, Talalayevsky, & Alexander, 1998; Turban, Leidner, McLean, & Wetherbe, 2005) & (Nijkamp & Blaas, 1994; YOSHIMOTO & Toshinori NEMOTO, 2005 ). The main intention behind this research is to assess and analyze some of the main areas and impacts which have been brought by the innovative implementation of IT and IS technology at the transportation business industry. A generally mentioned influence of information technology is that the appearance of electronic marketplaces will encourage the evasion of mediators. The idea of this influence is mainly formed on the capability of IT to considerably decrease the costs of dealings. The technology also supported and facilitated the customers to have an easy access and competence to enjoy simple system that we reserve and manage for their travelling requirements (Ray, 2004; Laudon & Laudon, 1999). The arrival of the World Wide Web, Internet and other online operational management services, unified by extensive implementation of personal computers through businesses as well as customers, had directed to an increasing job planned for electronic commerce in the worldwide financial system. Here

Current Macroeconomic Situations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Current Macroeconomic Situations - Essay Example In the first quarter of this year the US economy has grown only by 1.8% whereas in the previous quarter it grew by 3.1% (Bangalore, 2011). As far as unemployment rate is concerned, it was at 9.1% in the month of August, 2011. There is hardly any improvement when compared to the data of previous months. According to a report that is recently published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at present, almost 14 million people are unemployed in the country (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011). What is more important is that in August the US economy could not create any ‘net new’ jobs. In July almost 85000 jobs were created but it is much lower than the expected figure 1,17,000 (BBC, 2011). It is found that Afro-Americans are mainly unemployed (16.7%) followed by the Hispanics (11.3%). There are many experts who believe that such a situation is actually the signal of the fact that US economy is preparing to get into another recession in the near future. In August it was found tha t the probability of recession in US was one fourth. A more dangerous report came in when Wall Street Journal published the result of a survey in September. According to this study, economists now believe that the chance of US economy sliding into another recession within next one year is now stands at 1-in-3 (Zappe, 2011). Inflation, in US is not a big concern. However, in 2010 inflation rate was 1.6% which is quite high as compared to previous year’s figure (-0.3%) (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.). In August, 2011 inflation rate was found to be at 3.8%. The consumer price index has increased by 0.4% in that month (Trading Economics, n.d.). The current economic situation in US can be viewed as the failure of fiscal and monitory policies that are adopted by the government. Considering the facts like GDP growth is affected, jobs are not getting created and consumer confidence on US economy

Marketing Essential Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing Essential - Assignment Example The return on assets of the bank was only 0.65% as compared to the average industry return approximated to be only 0. 81%. According to research, this low performance was due to the low interest from the public sector, that gives about 48% of the deposits and 28% of the loans (Thomas 2001). The country's government, in its proposed housing report has given a directive to the Bank to give 100% mortgage finances to its civil servants for three years (Roger 2000). The strategic plan of the Bank for the period starting 2001 to 2004 does not however include this directive from the government, as the competition for the deposits is still high . This situation therefore is a clear indication that the Bank has a great task to manage and give funding for this kind of loan deposits if it's to work with the guidelines of the Central Bank. The government, however, has given the Bank an opportunity to increase its market share as the deal would generate more money. Therefore, there need to raise the required money through deposits, while giving the Bank a greater market share in the local industry and increase the profits for the bank in the coming three years. This has been analyzed by looking at both the internal and external factors. The external factors has taken a look at the â€Å"macro-environment† , and the rivals in the market, while the internal factors was the analysis of the performance of the Bank, its management, infrastructure, the mission statement and its market coverage. There was the â€Å"SWOT† analysis that was aimed at identifying the Bank's strengths, weakness, opportunities and the threats. The analysis gives the Bank an indication that their need to change the strategies the bank used that and to give the market coverage the importance. This does not show that the Bank should ignore its existing market such as giving service to the public sector but refocusing the already being used mission. This would help the bank to achieve her stat ed objectives over time. Introduction The directive by the government to the Bank to give mortgaging, financing to the public servants puts the bank in a hard situation to get the deposits required to finance these servants. The mortgages will have a repayment period of 15 years with the interest rates based on 7. 5 per annum. The mortgage amount the Bank is expected to raise for the civil servants is $ 65 million and according to a research the new mortgage plan is to amount to $10 million in the first year, $18 million in the second year, and $37 million in the third year. This marketing plan for the Bank is intended to enable it raise the required funds for the directive, while to secure a strong position in the market industry and get higher profits for the 3 year period and the future plan (Carl 2000). In order to achieve this objective, the Bank had to deal with the issue of retaining the existing customers, come up with new customers, raise the $65 million to fund the civil s ervants over the next three years, increase her market share, maintain loans to deposit ratio to be in line with central bank's guidelines (appendix A), and to increase the company profits (Mintel 2001). Analysis of the Company Situation Competition In the country, there are four other related banks that offer similar services as the Kenya Commercial Bank. The banks include, the Barclays bank, the Standard Chartered bank, the Equity Bank, and K-Rep bank. These banks have all been successful in their

Religious diversity in the US public agencies Term Paper

Religious diversity in the US public agencies - Term Paper Example It is because of such situations that the American government has worked towards ensuring that the various instances of religious discrimination are identified and dealt with appropriately so that all people in the workplace can be able to conduct their activities in an environment where there is no fear of being treated differently because of their religion (Marsden 1990, p.45). Moreover, individuals such as Dalia Mogahed have worked tirelessly to ensure that there is an understanding of the Muslim faith in the western world, especially in the United States so that there can be more interaction between people of other religions and Muslims instead of isolation based on stereotypes. Dalia Mogahed, through her organization Mogahed Consulting has worked to ensure that there is a better understanding of Muslims, their culture, and their aspirations so that a more positive light of Muslims can be developed on the global arena (Schultz & Harvey, 2010).. Mogahed Consulting realizes that many individuals in the western world believe that it is Muslims who are largely responsible for many of the problems in the world such as the rise in terrorism. This perception became even more prevalent after the 9/11 attacks when the stereotype of Muslims as potential terrorists became hardened. This perception was even transferred to the workplace, where Muslims were treated differently and at times with fear because some believed that they were all potential terrorists (Paulson, 2008). Moreover, there were and continue to be instances where Muslims become victims of discrimination in a manner where it is hard for them to gain employment that they apply for because of their religi ous beliefs. Mogahed Consulting helps in the dispersal of these stereotypes so that a better perception of Muslims all over the world can be seen where Muslims are not considered to be the cause of

Development of the Constitution Act of Canada and the sections which Essay

Development of the Constitution Act of Canada and the sections which apply to immigration - Essay Example Immigrants were freely allowed in to Canada so that they could occupy the available lands and create market for Canadian commodities. Two years later, in 1869, the government passed the first immigration Act that had a few discriminatory restrictions. The discriminations were for strategic reasons and was supported by some Acts such as the1885 Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act (Makarenko). The Second World War made the Canadian government to enact more legislations on immigration that did not allow immigrants from enemy countries. These restrictions were enacted in the Wartime Elections Act and War Measures Act. After the world war there was need to create a more socially integrated nation that would favor economic growth considering that there were immigrants from counties that were perceived as enemies. Later the government banned immigration of Chinese people due to Canadians losing their jobs to immigrants. In 1976, the Canadian government introduced another law that provided a new policy for admission of immigrants and it gave categories of immigrants. The categories were independent, humanitarian, assisted-relative and family classes. Later, in 1978, the government recognized refugees as legal immigrants (Makarenko). The government still recognizes the earlier reasons for the need for immigrants. The country still needed immigrants for economic growth and thus in 2001 the government passed Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that put restrictions on immigration eligibility (Government Of Canada, 2001). Later the government got into agreement with America and British-Columbia so as to regulate inflow of refugees from these two countries (Makarenko, 2012). Makarenko, J. (2012, August 12). Immigration Policy in Canada: History, Administration and Debates. Retrieved from Maple Leaf Web: