Operational Issues Hardships and Challenges

Question: Discuss about theOperational Issues for Hardships and Challenges. Answer: Introduction: Every organization wants to earn profits, but during the initial stages, there are so many hardships and challenges which one has to face. For sustainable growth, there is always a need for additional income for local and domestic manufacturing businesses, nevertheless large or small they are. Apart from this, they are always under the pressure of local competitors (Oltra Luisa Flor, 2010). There are so many management theories which can be applied from time to time to overcome the challenges faced during production. Some of them are total quality management, just-in-time and theory of constraints. With the help of these presumptions, one can avoid the changes production system which can happen over the period either financially or operationally due to the above-mentioned reasons. The production business has changed drastically. Today, before starting any new manufacturing industry people are doing the research work and calculate the break-even cost to ensure the period by which the y come to no profit and no loss stage. Hawkesbury Cabinets Pty Ltd was initially set up to cater to the needs of the Chinese community in Hawkesbury. The major focus of the company was on the customised kitchen cabinets. The designs were unique and not were neither identical in nature nor regarding design. These were made in lesser volumes only on orders and were delivered to the customer after completion. Every item was made according to the preference and taste of the client. The primary concern of the business was customer orders. Due to the uniqueness of designs and customised cabinets the products were not stocked. Therefore, there is no wastage of resources of finished goods which keep on lying in the warehouse. The business was purely customer oriented with an aim to manufacture cabinets on time and proficiently (Yeh, 2000). A higher level of uncertainty and variety affects the production system and makes the processes complicated as compared to other organisations. The time of delivery is also long which is the gr eatest disadvantage as the production would start only after receiving the new order and completing the existing order. Due to this reason, there are lesser people now-a-days who look for customised products. The other major constraint due to the variability of the manufactured goods is that the technological requirement differs which leads to increase in the production cost. A detailed production plan is required for offering the trustworthy service and delivery on time, to the customers (So, 2000). With the growth, the client base became more and more diverse, and the production system changed and started encountering production problems which affected the overall financial performance of the organisation. The company has now started accepting low volume contracts with high-quality standardised cabinets. The original production system changed. The products were standardised hence the production will be done in small batches which are known as job shop production (Ponnambalam, Ramkumar, Jawahar, 2001). The flow of the production is still intermittent because the batches ranged from one to five cabinets. Not only this each operation requires a different direction or different material which resulted in the unpredictable time of finishing every batch. Due to this, the management came in trouble of managing the operations efficiently because of limited machines and limited labour. A high flexibility manufacturing equipment is required to accommodate this kind of small unique batch es. The competition for the processing time grew manifold because of the addition of builders kitchen. The number of equipment was quite less. One equipment was doing the work for customised as well as standardised cabinets. Further, the processing also changed from client to client and from builder to builder. Hawkesbury Cabinets Pty Ltd was using both the productions make to order as well as standardised kitchen cabinets. The production system used is known as the hybrid shop. In this, two or more forms are combined with the modification of output (Yokoyama, 2001). The production layout with the different type of equipment will be grouped together. Assembly lines were located in the area of production. With the increase in sales, there is an addition of job schedules as well as in the volume of work in progress. Due to increase in production of make to order and standardised kitchens the job scheduling became the cumbersome task which in turn leads to the production problems. The problems that arose at that time were related to staffing, scheduling of machines, etc. It was not easy to do the processing of each job with one equipment at all working areas for standardised as well as custom based cabinets. Also, the processing changes rapidly from one client to another. Therefore there was a need to come up with efficient schedules of production. Subsequently, there is an increase in the volume of cabinets that resulted in a factory setting where the partially finished products were made (Miltenburg, 2008). Due to this, there is the shifting of working pattern from builders kitchen to customised cabinet production without the pattern. It led to the difficulty in predicting the load of the work which has stopped because the client orders were flexible and diverse. Since the demand has increased of standardised cabinets this decision of changing the system deemed fit. The new arrangement brought in new challenges. The requirement of standardised products is low, but the cost of inventory is high. Therefore a large storage space is required. The coordination of all the systems i.e. production, inventory and distribution, are necessary to minimise the cost and maximise the production. The maximum output, can be obtained with a single machine which can help in the manufacturing of different designs at a workplace. This problem is commonly found in small shop business. Further, a production plan will be required that will help in knowing which material and resources are necessary for completing the jobs on the stipulated time. The daily decisions will take into consideration the demands of builders and make on order cabinets, pending orders of customers, availability of raw material, the level of inventory, the capacity of production. Besides, the operational issues are complicated because it is a multi-task process that includes diverse operations di stributed in the whole process (Priya Datta Roy, 2011). To cater all kinds of needs, a strategy is required. Several factors need to be considered while developing an operational plan. A production system comprises of both the standardised as well as customised cabinets created a complicated demand. Customised cabinets reflected the individualism and breaking of usual social taste. Products are not merely products rather they reflect the taste and status of the individual. Therefore, the strategy should be such that caters to the demands of the end user as well as the production concerns. The strategy should be different from the market based on the capacity, competency, resources, and capability. Certain operations theories which can be implemented to achieve the effectiveness are the theory of constraints, just-in-time and total quality management. Theory of constraints will help in focusing on the limitations of the production system. Just-in-time focuses on lean manufacturing and total quality management emphasise on producing the rig ht output in the first time. Apart from this cost and profit related objectives needs to be taken into consideration from the economic point of view (Eden, 2004). The overall revenue comes from the inventory in the warehouse, work- in progress and finished products. The performance is assessed from the work-in-progress as well as from in-time performance. These issues affect the revenue of the company (Ross, Miller, Carpenter, 2010). Operational issues also influence the performance of the business. The contract from the builders affected the operational strategy which has impacted the profit of the organisation to a great extent. The customised products which were started at the inception stage had higher profit margins, at the same time, it was pushing the capacity of manufacturing to its limit (Huang Wu, 2014). Even after approaching it to limit the company was unable to make the profit. In todays competitive era, manufacturers are not only under pressure to develop their operations but also to sustain the development of the business and maintain the competitive advantage. To obtain the goal of profit well-designed product and successful operational strategy goes hand in hand. Small manufacturing businesses face enormous challenges in their way. In this essay due to nonavailability of profit the company started looking at other options apart from make on order cabinets and began to produce for builders kitchen. This action increased the volume of inventory for which the company was pushed to spend on the warehouse. It is evident that this move has impacted the outcome of the business to a great extent. Some of these kinds of production problems seemed hard to resolve but still there were several choices which were incorporated from time to time for improving the processes. It clearly implies that an effective strategy will result in a positive performance of the orga nisation. References: Eden, C. (2004). Analyzing cognitive maps to help structure issues or problems. European Journal Of Operational Research, 159(3), 673-686. Huang, K. Wu, C. (2014). Dynamic Optimization Production Model in the Multi-Stage of Make to Order Production Strategy. AMR, 909, 293-304. Miltenburg, J. (2008). Setting manufacturing strategy for a factory-within-a-factory. International Journal Of Production Economics, 113(1), 307-323. Oltra, M. Luisa Flor, M. (2010). The moderating effect of business strategy on the relationship between operations strategy and firms' results. Int Jrnl Of Op Prod Mnagemnt, 30(6), 612-638. Ponnambalam, S., Ramkumar, V., Jawahar, N. (2001). A multiobjective genetic algorithm for job shop scheduling. Production Planning Control, 12(8), 764-774. Priya Datta, P. Roy, R. (2011). Operations strategy for the effective delivery of integrated industrial productà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ service offerings. Int Jrnl Of Op Prod Mnagemnt, 31(5), 579-603. Ross, A., Miller, S., Carpenter, M. (2010). When methods and theories collide: Toward a better understanding of improving unit performance in a multimarket firm. Oper Manag Res, 3(3-4), 172-183. So, K. (2000). Price and Time Competition for Service Delivery. Manufacturing Service Operations Management, 2(4), 392-409. Yeh, C. (2000). A customerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ focused planning approach to makeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ toà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ order production. Industr Mngmnt Data Systems, 100(4), 180-187. Yokoyama, M. (2001). Hybrid flow-shop scheduling with assembly operations. International Journal Of Production Economics, 73(2), 103-116.

Deaf in America voices from a culture by Carol A. Padden, Tom L. Humphries

Biography of Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady

Biography of Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady Occupation:  First Lady 1963-1969; businesswoman and ranch manager Known for:  Beautification campaign; support for Head Start Also known  as:  Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson. Named Lady Bird by a nursemaid. Dates:  December 22, 1912 - July 11, 2007 Lady Bird Johnson Facts Born  in Karnack, Texas, to a wealthy family: father Thomas Jefferson Taylor, mother Minnie Patillo Taylor Married Lyndon Baines Johnson, November 17, 1934, after meeting him that summer Children: Lynda Bird Johnson Robb (1944-): married Charles Robb in East Room of the White House, December 9, 1967Luci Baines Johnson Nugent Turpin (1947-): married Patrick Nugent August 6, 1966, at the White House, marriage annulled 1979; married Ian Turpin at the LBJ Ranch, March 4, 1984 Lady Bird Johnson Biography Lady Bird Johnsons mother died when Lady Bird was five, and Lady Bird was raised by an aunt. She loved reading and nature from an early age, and graduated from St. Marys Episcopal School for Girls (Dallas) and earned a history degree from the University of Texas (Austin) in 1933, returning another year to earn a degree in journalism. After eloping with Congressional aide Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1934, Lady Bird Johnson miscarried four times before giving birth to their daughters, Lynda and Luci. Lady Bird told Lyndon, during their short courtship, I would hate for you to to into politics. But she financed his campaign for US Congress, using her inheritance as collateral to get a loan, when he ran in a special election in 1937. During World War II, Lyndon Johnson was the first Congressman to volunteer for active duty. While he served in the Navy in the Pacific 1941-1942, Lady Bird Johnson maintained his Congressional office. In 1942, Lady Bird Johnson bought a financially-troubled radio station in Austin, KTBC, using her inheritance. Serving as manager of the company, Lady Bird Johnson brought the station into financial health and used it as the basis for a communications company that also grew to include a television station. Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson also owned extensive ranching property in Texas, and Lady Bird Johnson managed those for the family. Lyndon Johnson won a seat in the Senate in 1948, and in 1960, after his own bid for the presidency failed, John F. Kennedy selected him as running mate. Lady Bird had taken a public speaking course in 1959, and in the 1960 campaign began more active campaigning. She was credited by JFKs brother Robert with the Democratic win in Texas. Throughout his career, she was also known as a gracious hostess to his political and diplomatic guests. Lady Bird Johnson became First Lady when her husband succeeded Kennedy after his assassination in 1963. She hired Liz Carpenter to head her press office, to craft her public image in the wake of the immense popularity of her predecessor, Jacqueline Kennedy. In the 1964 election, Lady Bird Johnson actively campaigned, again emphasizing Southern states, this time in the face of strong and sometimes ugly opposition because of her husbands support of civil rights. After LBJs election in 1964, Lady Bird Johnson took on several projects as her focus. She is best known for her beautification programs to improve urban and highway environments. She actively worked for legislation (unusual for a First Lady) to pass the Highway Beautification Bill, which passed in October 1965. She is less recognized for her role in promoting Head Start, a preschool program for disadvantaged children, part of her husbands War on Poverty program. Because of her husbands ill health his first heart attack had been in 1955 and increasing opposition to his Vietnam policies, Lady Bird Johnson urged him not to run for reelection. She is credited with making his 1968 withdrawal speech even stronger than he had originally written it, adding I will not accept to I will not seek the nomination. After her husbands withdrawal from the 1968 election, Lady Bird Johnson maintained many of her own interests. She served on the University of Texas System Board of Regents for six years. She worked with her husband before his death to open his presidential library in 1972. They gave the LBJ ranch to the United States as a national historic site in 1972, while retaining rights during their lifetimes. In 1970, Lady Bird Johnson converted hundreds of hours of taped daily impressions shed made while in the White House, publishing them in book form as White House Diary. In 1973, Lyndon Baines Johnson suffered another heart attack, and soon died. Lady Bird Johnson continued to be active with her family and causes. The National Wildflower Research Center, founded by Lady Bird Johnson in 1982, was renamed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center in 1998 in honor of her work with the organization and issue. She spent time with her daughters, seven grandchildren, and (at this writing) nine great-grandchildren. Living in Austin, she spent some weekends at the LBJ ranch, sometimes greeting visitors there. Lady Bird Johnson suffered a stroke in 2002, which affected her speech but didnt completely keep her from public appearances. She died July 11, 2007, at her home.

Sustainable Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sustainable Development - Essay Example Pollution is also reduced enormously due to this sustainable technique. For legislation and funding the programs, the agencies have introduced six livability principals (Assadourian et al, 2012). The livability principals proposed in the suggested article mainly focus and discuss some practical issues for the development of sustainable development. They are mostly related to the day to day problems faced by the citizen and their solutions. Specific and certain points are given in order to increase the productivity and social positivity of the overall developments taking place. For example the first livability principal is giving emphasis on increasing the transportation choices for the people so that they can enjoy safe, quick and affordable charges of transportation. The transportation has been a very basic human need since a very long time after industrial revolution. Similarly, linking this transportation issue with overall economic factors of the country is also very much important because our dependence on foreign oil and quest to gain more profits in order to meet the increasing expenditures outside our country can cause a bad effect on the fares of the transportation and this in turn has been sustained by the general public. In the similar fashion, the effect of good livability principal in regards to transportation will sort out different practical ways to minimize the green house damage on the environment by the pollution and it must use scientific research. Similarly, the other principal emphasizes to increase the completion and race in the economic arena of development lifecycle so that people can exploit more and more chances of economic growth and can improve their life style by competing and taking challenges at par. It also says that instead of targeting the new communities, the principal of sustainable development must and should resist from the side of existing communities and promote maximum land

How effective have The European institutions been in dealing with the Dissertation

How effective have The European institutions been in dealing with the economic crisis - Dissertation Example It goes without saying that the game has evolved a fair bit over the past couple of centuries. While profits and returns will of course remain as the deciding factor when it comes to success, there are other factors that will also make a difference when it comes to the final result. Indeed, to succeed in today's economy requires one to have comprehensive understanding and mastery of business systems, marketing strategies, resource management and goal setting. And from there, both macro- and micromanagement skills are required in order to achieve the best possible results. Such may seem simple and easy enough at first. However, when considers how all these concepts are influenced by the various factors that affect the economy and the market itself, the truth of its complexity can easily be seen. Given how either economy or market conditions can change at the drop of a hat, the burden falls on the organization itself, as well as those running it, to make the necessary adjustments in re sponse. First and foremost, one needs to know the rules of the game in order to understand what his objectives ought to be, so that he might then strive toward them. Of course, it should also be noted that some ways of doing so are smarter and more effective than others, which explains the need to have effective marketing strategies. Different strategies have varying viability in various situations, and so one needs to consider this and then plan accordingly. One also needs to be able to be aware of his limitations with respect to resources, and thus keep those in mind as he does what he needs to do to succeed. And finally, just as one's strategies need to be viable and practical, so too must goals be set in a manner that is practical and realistic. Aiming high is always a good thing, but aiming far too high is not - in fact, it may even end up backfiring. At a glance, one can already guess at the complex and many-layered nature of the economy, but understanding the underlying struc tures reveal that even the word 'complex' hardly begins to describe it. The global economy in this day and age is such that neither capital nor technical knowledge alone will guarantee one's survival, especially in an increasingly competitive corporate environment. Most companies choose to deal with this by making sure to hire only the most competent and skilled employees. This is actually a valid strategy, and a rather effective one at that, considering that it is the company's employees who happen to be its single greatest untapped resource, and its biggest weapon in the fight to attain competitive advantage. Managerial staff also qualify to a lesser extent, if only because even their most brilliant strategies, schemes and plans will hardly bear any fruit without a competent workforce to put them into action. Conversely, even the most skilled employees will be limited in terms of their capabilities if their managers and supervisors leave much to be desired by way of competence. Ne edless to say, a company that has a competent workforce in addition to competent managerial staff stands the greatest chance of attaining competitive advantage. As has been stated, it is a perfectly legitimate and effective strategy for a company to keep an eye out for the most talented individuals to be recruited into their ranks to

Examining The Objective Of Industrial Training Information Technology Essay

Examining The Objective Of Industrial Training Information Technology Essay Industrial Training (OMT 330) course is compulsory to all students that taken a Diploma in Office Management and Technology program under Mara University of Technology. During the course duration, students need to follow practical training for 15 weeks that as many 4 hour credit. The objective of Industrial Training is to allow practical students to the opportunity to apply the theoretical part of knowledge obtained in academic programs to a practical work experienced. The major purpose for Office Management students is to go through this course so they can gain experiences in administration and management in the organization. An additional objective of this course is to present exposure to the OM114 trainers about the preparation, adding knowledge and to move up their skills in their workplace, along with raising their self-confidence for going into the real world of employment. Beside that, OM114 students also obtained their experiences about the agencies and how the staff in the agencies administrated efficiently. We was able to understand a movement of the duty or the job that given. We also found that each section of agencies always needs cooperation with each other. The purpose of this report is as the evidence that I was done a practical and for my reference in the future. Then, it also requires 30% from the overall grade. Lastly, the most important of the existence of this course, a student will be able to learn and know everything about an agency which I havent know before this. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND UiTM is Malaysias premier institution of higher learning that has experienced an extraordinary growth since its establishment in 1956. The university has expanded nationwide with 3 satellite campuses, 12 branch campuses, 6 city campuses, 25 franchise colleges and a smart campus for the future. Its formation is based on a vision of outstanding scholarship and academic excellence that is capable of providing leadership in all fields of internationally recognized professional study. This serves as channel for greater strides in the development of the university and the nation. During these years of growth, UiTM has built on the educational infrastructure placed by its founders to a level comparable to many international universities. Today, it draws strength from the initiatives of these leaders to aspire to be world-class in all its activities to explore the frontiers of knowledge, to master new technologies and harvest the abundant riches of diverse cultures, markets and new industries. THE HISTORY OF UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA Dewan Latihan Rida (Rida Training Center) 1956 1965 RIDA Training Center was the inspiration of Dato Onn Jaafar, the founder and former president of United Malays National Organization (UMNO). The idea was conceived as a result of a study visit of Sri Lankas rural development programmed in 1951. A working paper of the visit outlined the establishment of RIDA and its objectives of rebuilding the rural society, as well as improving its economy. There were two centers under the auspices of the Rural and Industrial Development Authority: Taman Asuhan RIDA (Kuala Lumpur) and Dewan Latihan RIDA (Petaling Jaya). Dewan Latihan RIDA began operations in November 1956 under its first principal, Tuan Syed Alwi bin Syed Sheikh Alhadi. It was officially opened by Dr. Ismail bin Dato Abdul Rahman, the Minister for Trade and Industry on 14 February 1957. In 1964, Dewan Latehan RIDA held its first convocation and 50 graduates were awarded certificates by Tun Abdul Razak, the then Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. Maktab Mara (Mara College) 1965 1967 Dewan Latihan RIDA become known as Maktab MARA or MARA College in June 1965.The name change also meant that the college no longer operated under RIDA and instead become the most important unit of the MARA Training Division. Institut Teknologi Mara (Mara Institute Of Technology) 1967 1999 MARA College was officially renamed Institut Teknologi MARA on 14 October 1967. Its establishment came as a response to a crucial need in the country for trained manpower in the professional and semi-professional levels, especially among Bumiputeras. ITMs rapid development during those years came about with the expansion of its educational programmes, which was in line with the requirements of an increasingly demanding job market. Many courses were internationally affiliated and the institute had advanced diploma courses, which were equivalent to a degree. ITMs development is the best seen in three phases that span a period of 32 years in total. The first phase (1967 1976) came with the declaration of the institute as an autonomous body with its own 300-acre campus in Shah Alam and was placed under the Ministry of Rural Development. The second phase (1976 1996) saw ITM rapidly harnessing its potentials as an institution of higher learning. It led to the passing of the ITM Act of 1976 that placed the institute directly under the Ministry Of Education. Universiti Teknologi Mara (August 26, 1999) In August 1999, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad announced the change of name of ITM to Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). With this acknowledgement from the government, a major restructuring exercise was carried out in order to consolidate the Universitys resources for optimum productivity. UITM PAHANG BRANCH HISTORY Founded in January 1985, UiTM Pahang began operations in a temporary campus in Kuantan. The Pahang state Government allocated 1,000 acres of land in Bandar Jengka. Constructions started in year 1988 and the campus moved from Kuantan to Bandar Jengka in May 1993. The first phase was to accommodate 2,500 students. The existence of UiTM Pahang in the Jengka region acts as a catalyst towards the development of Bandar Jengka. The former campus in Kuantan is maintained as a campus conducting flexible learning and off-campus programs. In year 2002, the Pahang campus has a total enrolment of 5,131 students, with 4,002 in Bandar Jengka campus, and 993 in Bukit Sekilau campus and 136 in the city campus of Raub. Beginning the next intake, the educational study plan will change and the campus will absorb degrees courses and the new students are lucky. UiTM mission; enhancing the knowledge and expertise of Bumiputeras in all fields of study through professional programs, research work, and community service based on moral values and professional ethics. It is important to know the vision of this institution, with phrases and act to establish UiTM as premier university of outstanding scholarship and academic excellence capable of providing leadership to Bumiputera`s dynamic involvement in all professional fields of world-class standards in order to produce globally. Every members of UiTM should be pleased to achieve these mission, vision, and objectives. COMPANYS MISSION, VISSION AND OBJECTIVE UiTM MISSION: To establish UiTM as a premier university founded on the tenets of scholarship and academic excellent capable of promoting Bumiputeras dynamism in all profession field of world-class standard and producing ethical and globally competitive graduate. UiTM VISION: To enhance knowledge and expertise of Bumiputeras in all fields of study through professional programmers, research work and community services founded on moral values and professionals ethics. UiTM OBJECTIVE: To provide maximum opportunities for bumiputeras to persue professionally-recognized programmer of study in science, industry, technology, business, arts and humanities. To provided quality and innovations of study relevant to current market needs and customer demands and in line with the policies of national development. To establish a university-wide human resource development programmed for instilling sound value system within the university community. To ensure that UiTM graduates are adequately prepared to join the local as well as the international workforce. To establish UiTM as a centre of excellence that ensures the sound and effective management of its human resource, and finances and assets. FACULTY OF OFFICE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY The faculty of Office Management Technology has been located at Jengka Branch since 1993. The programs offered by the Faculty are Bachelor in Office System Management (Hons.) and Diploma in Office Management Technology. The Head of Program OM114 (diploma level) is Mrs. Norlaili binti Harun while Mr. Azmi bin Salim is the Head of Program OM 221 (degree level). These programs focus on the office administration of any organization, with emphasis on the office procedures, office management, office automation, office competencies, communication, personality development and second as well as third languages. The main objective is to enhance the backbone operations in any organization. The total number of academic staff is 25 and currently the Faculty has 800 students at Jengka branch. The faculty always makes continuous efforts to ensure that all staff are highly qualified and dedicated in their profession. Students enrolling in the program would have a great learning experience since they will be trained and guided in a friendly environment. The program has been given recognition from various industries since it was first offered. As such, besides offering the program on a full- time basis, the Faculty is also offering the program on a part-time basis. The syllabus that has been covered in diploma level is including administrative management, office competencies, business laws, communication and etc. Students graduating from the program would have promising careers in any organization. Organization chart Name of lectures those not in the picture: Cik Noorsuraya bt Mohd Mokhtar Cik Zuria Akmal bt Saad USE OF OFFICE TECHNOLOGY Office technology is technology of office equipment that being used in completing the office tasks and at the same time it will help our organization to produce a good quality performance. Nowadays, many companies provide the latest technology in the office to help their employees enhance their productivity in order to achieve company goals. In UiTM Pahang, the entire departments including Faculty Office Management and Technology use the basic operation software for the daily tasks. (A) Word Processing Package Word processing package is the most vital method for us to ensure our daily tasks run smoothly. Word processing package that use by our division are including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Front Page, Microsoft Access and Microsoft Publisher. During my External Industrial Training, I usually use Microsoft Word Processing in daily routine. It includes the preparation of correspondence such as memos, letters, flyers, newsletter, manual, offer letters and other types of printed communication. For me, it is a simple job task and it is easy to be done because I had learned this software through a document processing subject. Through Microsoft Word Processing, we are able to adjust the format of the letter whether it is a left bound or in a right bound format. Beside that, this software enable us to check our spelling and grammatical errors. During my practical, I have been given responsible to prepare letters for invitation speaker in Program Motivasi and Pemantapan Akademik Pelajar, Pelantikan sebagai Pelaras Khusus and others. All of the letter that has been produce by UiTM must have a letterhead, and it is compulsory to state the UiTM Motto. Sometimes, I also need to draft and type a memorandum using a correct format. Normally, Puan Norlaili bt Hj Harun asked me to prepare a memorandum to inform OM114 students about a latest information related to their Academic such as validation date and intersession program. Before that, I have problems in handling a Microsoft Excel Package. But, after been ask by my supervisor to complete a task that uses the software, I gain new knowledge and skills. I have responsible to key in the data including name of the Diplomas students and also all the information about lecturers Faculty of Office Management and Technology. Using a Microsoft Excel, it really teach me to be patient person because it so complicated to adjust the format, layout, and etc. When I am facing a problem in handling this package, Puan Norlaili bt Harun will help me. She willing to spend time to teach me on how to delete cells, edits, and adds cells and so on. I am very grateful for her guidance. (B) On The Job Training During my practical training, I had no problem with any unfamiliar package that was offered to me. For the software that I am not very familiar such as Adobe, I was trained to use the package by my supervisor through guidelines and instructions. (C) Others Office Equipment Computer During my External Industrial Training, I use my own computer because they not provided a computer for trainee. Its maybe because of insufficient budget. Actually, it is compulsory to provide a computer for each staff. Nowadays, computer becomes more vital and the purpose of providing computer is to help the entire task run smoothly. Basically, 90% of our daily task is using the computer. Through an email, the staff will communicate each other and sending the important information faster. Printer Normally computer will links with the printer. The function of the printer is to produce the output that has been process by a computer. I have been exposing in using a printer which is HP Laser Jet Printer. This printer can receive, transmit, store, print and copy any data. It also can produce copies sources such as computer file, graphic scanners, or even pictures. It uses a narrow beam of light to form images on paper. It produces beautiful printed originals with great speed. This printer also will produce an output in graphics or produce in color. Normally, I will used a printer to print an application letter, memorandum, budget, question paper, forms for external practical and also booklet. Photocopy Machine Photocopy machine produces copies directly from an original document. The original can be handwritten, printed or drawn. This machine is used to make copies of any documents. Photocopy will be made in black color or full color. One more thing that I dislike in handling a photocopy machine is when the paper has jammed or stacked. I need to check the tray one by one and put out the paper that has jammed. I have use a photocopy machine to print a letter, receipt, questions paper, brochure, monthly report, minutes of meeting and also certificates. The purpose of copying any documents is for future reference and as a backup file. Usually, the maximum number of copy is 30 copies and if it is more than that, we will riso that document. Photocopying is now widely available and is a fairly economical way to print a small number of books. Facsimiles Machine Sometimes, I need to fax a document such as a letters, proposals, syllabus courses, and forms to outside of the organization. At UiTM Pahang, facsimiles machine only provided at Examination Units and HEA (Academic Affairs Department). Before this, I think that facsimiles machine is complicated to use but later, I notice that my perception is totally wrong. Facsimiles machine is an output device that scan image and sent it electronically over the phone line to be receive by fax machine which print the signal or image the text or photo and recreate it on paper. The types of facsimiles machine that use by the organization is multifunction which is combine an impressive arrangement of office tool. A facsimile automatically reports transmission of a facsimile message upon transmitting the facsimile message. For reporting the message transmission, facsimile numbers of called parties are stored in a memory together with their corresponding telephone numbers. Then, the facsimile message is transmitted to a section called facsimile corresponding to any one of the facsimile numbers receiver. Thereafter, the facsimile immediately dials the corresponding telephone number to transmit a transmission reporting voice message. At one times, I failed to fax an important document to UiTM Shah Alam because the line is so busy. I need to try and waiting for a long time to make sure this document is successfully being sent. TELEPHONE TECHNIQUES Todays telephone technologies play a role key in the demand for worldwide communications. As a worker, we required to use a variety of technologies as well as the telephone for daily communications. These technologies will continue to evolve the organizations search for ways to increase productivity, efficiency and the quality of customer services. Telephone calls are often less time-consuming than a memo, letters or even e-mail. The telephone techniques that used in this company are really consistent with what I have taught in Office Administration II course. Because the telephone is such an important communications tool, I must use proper telephone techniques while answering incoming and making outgoing calls. To create a positive image for the organization, I do my best to develop good communication skills. The voice, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, as well as my attitude, are important in making a good impression when communicate via telephone. During telephone conversation, I have to convey the pleasure and willingness to help, alertness and courtesy. The ensure that my voice sounds friendly; I put a smile on my face before answering the phone. In addition, I put aside any personal matter while handle any business calls. Besides that, I may request to screen calls, give information or take messages. I was instructed to use the telephone system by my supervisor. Usually, my supervisor instruct me to answer the incoming calls, setting any appointments, seeking information, making confirmation, and etc. My supervisor also taught me how to handle the callers. For all outgoing calls, the numbers begin with 9 and followed by contact number. For example, 9 0123456789 for mobile phone and 9 094602022 for any business contact. But if we want to make inside calls, we just use an extension number especially to connect with Head of Programs, lecturers or other divisions. For example, 2323 is extension number to Puan Norlaili Haji Harun, while 2020 is extension number to Financial Department, and so on and so forth. Usually, my supervisor instruct me to answer the incoming calls, setting any appointments, seeking information, making confirmation, and etc. There are several techniques that we can practice in our daily tasks while answering telephone calls: Listen carefully to the caller and try to avoid other interruption. Try to answer the telephone call within the three rings. First step, when answering a phone call is your should greet the caller, identify the caller, offering help and speaking clearly. Focus on the caller. Let the caller satisfied with your services and feel that you are really give a full attention to his/her message. Prepare yourself. Always have a pen, note book and list of the telephone extension, be ready to answer any of the questions from a caller and give accurate information for them. During telephone conversation, I have to convey the pleasure and willingness to help, alertness and courtesy. Transferring calls if necessary. Ask a few information if the caller want to leave a message. Take a message carefully and with the details information such as the caller name, company name, telephone number; date and time of the calls, message, action required and also for whom message need to be transfer. Thank the caller by using the callers name and let the caller hang first. As a trainee, I always practice myself to end the conversation with a positive tone. So, that the caller will know that we are appreciating them. RECORD MANAGEMENT Filling (Records Management) Records management is a vital component of an agencys which have wider management and information systems. The life-cycle concept, as what have been taught in record management can be seen in the three phases of the life of the record are seen as the equivalent of the three biological ages; current, semi-current and non-current records. Filing is the process of storing office records in an orderly manner within an organized system. A records management filing system is a set of procedures used to organize, store, retrieve, remove and dispose or records. The main purpose of records management systems is to ensure records are available when needed so that the organization can operates efficiently. Such a system fulfills this purpose in several ways by: using storage media, providing proper storage equipment and supplier or outlining procedures for filing. Record can be arranged more accurately by numbers because numbers are easier to read and arrange than alphabet letters. A consecutive numeric system expands quickly and easily because new numbered files can be added at the end of the system of drawers or shelves. The UiTM management, also have decided a specific number to file different types of documents such as: 100: Administrative 200: Building Assets 300: Office Equipment 400: Financial 500: Position 600: Main Function/Specific As a trainee, I have responsible to manage variety types of file and usually it happen every day. This is important to make sure all of the relevant information is updated. If the file has been full with documents, then the file need to be closed. The new file will be created and labeled with a specific code. Normally, there are five steps in managing records which is: creation, distribution, use, maintenance, and disposition. The Record Cycle: Creation Created through dictation, handwritten drafts, voice mail, electronic mail, or using computers and word processors. Created outside the business and received through e-mail, personal delivery, fax machine, voice mail and other communication delivery system. Distribution Records must be distributed to persons requiring the data. It may be sent to users within the company or outside the company. Use Used to make and documenting decisions for answering questions, references, or fax. Records used most often shortly after they created. The older records, the less used. Maintenance Filing and retrieving records occur during the maintenance phase. Organization selects filing method and design filing system for efficient retrieval records. Finding records after they have been filed is the goal of filing system. Disposition Disposition will move rarely used records and provide space for new records. During my External Industrial Training, I learned lots of valuable information and it can be concluded as the procedure that has been use in handling a record in our organization is similar with that I have learned in the syllabus of Record Management Course (Part II). COMMUNICATION Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages, whether through exchanging e-mail, giving a formal presentation, or chatting with co-workers around the espresso machine. Communication can be verbal, printed, recorded and so on. However communication is considered effective only when others understand your message correctly and respond to it the way you want them to. Effective communication will help us manage work flow, improves business relationships, enhances professionals image and also provide a variety of other important benefit. In office, Bahasa Malaysia is one of the medium and important language when communicates with each others. As a trainee, I will practiced a good communication skills when try to communicate among the staff at UiTM Pahang especially with the Director, Executive, Head of Programs/Lectures, Guards, Official Clerks and also maintenance staffs. They also give a positive feedback and willing to cooperation with me when handling specific tasks. I will often be called on to communicate across differences in gender, ethnic background, age, profession and so on. So, to make my message effective, I will use concrete language, specific detail and information that is clear, convincing, accurate and ethical. Basically, there are two types of communication which is internal communication and external communication. When we exchange information with people inside in the organization it is called as internal communication and when the information and ideas is exchanges with outside organization, is called external communication. External communication flows into and out of the organization along formal lines (carefully prepared letters, announcement, e-mail, face to face meeting and so on. Preparation of Correspondence One of my major duties is preparing letters. Most of the letters wrote have to be signed by my supervisor. Letter is one of the documents that can be used to exchange the information. When sending written communication to inside or outside of the organization, familiarize yourself with their written communication preferences and adapt your approach, style and tone to meet their expectations. Usually, I will practice a simple technique when preparing a correspondence (letters) which is: Use simple, clear language. Use precise words that do not have the potential to convey multiple meanings. For instance, the word rich has at least half a dozen different meanings, whereas wealthy has exactly one, leaving no room for ambiguity. Be brief. Use simple sentences and short paragraphs, breaking information into paragraph that are easier for your reader to understand and translate. Use transitional elements. Help readers follow your train of thought by using transitional words and phrases. Precede related points with expressions such as in additional, and first, and so on. Address correspondence properly. Use a correct address and simple salutations. During my External Industrial Training, there are three steps, which I used when preparing any letters. After identify the main points (content) that my supervisor has told, I will draft and then typing the letter according the usual format. On this step, I used my own ideas and words to complete the sentences of the letters. After print out the letters, my supervisor will check it to ensure there is no mistake and standardize. Besides that, I also responsible to wrote a memorandum. Memos are used for the routine, day-to-day exchange of information within an organization. Because of their open construction and informal method of delivery (e-mail or interoffice mail), memos are less private than letters. Normally, I will wrote a memos to inform the students about the simple briefing, to booked a laboratories for presentation and also produce memos to appreciate a certain divisions. There are several advantages when using a written media as a medium to communicate. It will allow the users to plan and control the message, offer a permanent, verifiable record and they minimize the distortion that can accompany oral messages and it can be used to avoid immediate interactions. Telecommunication Technology Used Nowadays, telecommunication technology are widely use such as switchboard, facsimile machines, teleconferencing, voice mail, e-mail, telephone and etc. At UiTM Pahang, we were using the Lotus Note (e-mail) to send or receive any information. E-mail offers speed, low cost, increased access to other employees, portability and convenience (not just overcoming time-zone problems but reaching many receivers at once). Its best for brief, noncomplex information that is time sensitive. With such a quick turnaround time, e-mail tends to be more conversational than traditional media. However, e-mail ease and speed can contribute to poorly conceived, confusing messages that waste more time than they save. When my supervisor asked me to send the information for the students or lectures, I will choose an e-mail and telephone as a medium to communicate. We can converse through e-mail and telephone if they confused, they will asked me some questions. Eventually, we should perform good communication skills because every day we will be dealing with the public. I also use facsimile machine to fax document outside the organization. Besides, in UiTM Pahang also use teleconferencing. For example teleconferencing with Vice Counselor UiTM, Dato Shahol bin Hamid. All lecture and staff need to hear the amanat from him who at UiTM Shah Alam. Travel Arrangement Travel arrangements are made in accordance with organization policy. Large firms may have a travel department for this purpose. However, smaller firms may rely on the services of a travel agency or an office worker has to make the travel arrangement for his or her boses. To prepare the travel arrangement, the officer should schedule meetings and appointments to be held during the trip. Shortly, before the trip, contact each individual with whom they plan to meet to confirm the appointment date, time, and meeting place. I had experience this task where I need to make a travel arrangement for my supervisor because she had a meeting at UiTM Shah Alam for two days. I was take to printed form from Administration division and submit it back after fill all the information required in the form. Next, the manager will check the travel management. After it has been approved, the preparation and the groundwork will be arranged. While preparing travel arrangements, usually I use telephone in making reservation in order to fulfill their needs such as accommodation, transportation and food. HUMAN RELATIONS IN THE OFFICE The term human relations in its broadest sense cover all types of interactions among people-their conflicts, cooperative efforts and group relationships. Many organization include UiTM Pahang, are organizing their workers into teams in which each employee plays a part. Organization eager to improve quality, improve job satisfaction, increase worker participation in decision making and problem solving and improve customer service is turning to teams. When working in teams, it can achieve a higher level of performance than individuals because of the combined intelligence and energy of the group. For example, OMSA (Office Management Students Association), KIK (Creative Innovative Group), PSKK (Sport Association), and also the management at UiTM Pahang are already worked in team. They will interact each other and try to resolve a problem together during a meeting. Besides that, they also will organize a program to improve a relationship among the staff, lecture and also students. I had experiences in team activities such as OPKIM (Operasi Khidmat Masyarakat) organize by Faculty of Office Management and Technology which held at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Tahan, Jerantut. Through these activities, all of the staff can be familiar with each other and it will create a friendly environment in the office. Experiences When Dealing With Supervisor It is my responsibility to follow all instruction given fro

Adapting the Unfamiliar… Through Translation.

Adapting the Unfamiliar†¦ through Translation. Marjorie Agosin (born June 15, 1955). Source: Wikipedia. 07/12/2012 Komal Shah Eng. 101C- 24 R. C. Muniz 333 Adapting the Unfamiliar†¦ through Translation. By Komal Shah. Change†¦ is a very powerful and emotionally supercharged word. It is inevitable and the process of becoming different.The inspiring narrative, Always living in Spanish,  by Dr. Marjorie Agosin, originally written in Spanish, tells of Dr. Agosin’s Chilean childhood and her continuing struggle to embrace the change that came with moving to America. â€Å"Destiny and the always ambiguous nature of history continued my family’s enforced migration†¦ (Agosin, 22)† she states. Her story uses personal details to bring her childhood in Chile to life. It is her clear love for her people and the constant battle to not let go of her identity that inspires her poetry all of which is written in Spanish.For her, like many others, writing a nd thinking in Spanish is a â€Å"gesture of survival† through her journey from Chile to Georgia, as from her Chilean childhood to American adulthood. Philosophers often say that it is important to find yourself, to identify who you are. But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates through the process of change. The Encarta Dictionary: English (North America) defines identity as â€Å"the name or essential character that identifies somebody or something† (def. 1). We all have sets of characteristics that we recognize as belonging uniquely to ourselves.This constitutes his or her individual personality for life. The concept of identity in Dr. Agosin's essay is shown best when she states â€Å"Daily, I felt the need to translate myself for the strangers living all around me, to tell them why we were in Georgia, why we are different, why we had fled, why my accent was so thick, and why I did not look Hispanic. Only at night, writing poems in Spani sh, could I return to my senses, and soothe my own sorrow over what I had left behind. †(Agosin, 22) For a while Marjorie was at a loss; the loss of the familiar, and more importantly, the loss of her identity.She found a way to reconnect herself with her identity by doing something that reminded her of language, culture and history she was born with. Bringing all of her characteristics together in a consolidated place where she can let go and just remember herself as she is intact with her identity. In America, when we hear someone’s poor spoken English with a thick accent or when we see someone not getting an American Sarcasm, we may not know what their ethnicity is, but we are sure that the person is an outsider.That is because of the shape of someone’s identity is by the usage and understanding of a language. A Korean- American novelist, Chang-Rae Lee narrates this thought particularly well in her short story Mute in English-only World. She talks about her Ko rean mother’s mental struggle in an English speaking world by saying, â€Å"In Korean she could be fiery, stern, deeply funny, and ironic, in English just slightly less so† (Lee, 801). All languages have their distinct ways of expressing happiness, sadness and other feelings.Those differences decide how one translates themselves in the society they live in. As Dr. Agosin says, â€Å"Translators are not traitors, as the proverb says, but rather splendid friends in this great human community of language† (Agosin, 24). It is hard to adapt and accept the changes that language barriers bring to our lives when we leave our homes. But that is what brings us one step closure to our true selves and how we were made.Despite of more than seven billion of our own kind on the planet earth, there are times we feel shipwrecked and alone when we are away from the familiar, because as a social animal we have grouped ourselves into ethnicity, cultures and countries. It is where w e currently are that has to be our new home away from home. We all secretly desire a perfect life, a perfect family or a perfect boss. After all if a pair of shoes wouldn’t have changed Cinderella’s life then she would be one of us. She would have moved for a better life, learned English, and gotten a better job with a healthcare package.CITATIONS Agosin, Marjorie. â€Å"Always Living in Spanish: Recovering the Familiar through Language. †Ã‚  The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings and Handbook 2nd Edition. New York: W. W. Norton ;, 2009. 21-24. Print. Lee, Chang-Rae. â€Å"Mute in an Enlgish-Only World. †Ã‚  Everything's an Arguement. 4th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2007. 800-02. Print. â€Å"Encarta Dictionary(Online College Dictionary)Review. †Ã‚  Encarta Dictionary (Online College Dictionary). N. p. , n. d. Web. 11 July 2012. ;http://www. really-learn-english. com/encarta-dictionary-online-college-dictionary. html;.