Pandemonium

Coming into the class after the test, I was very curious to see what the professors idea of the most important class would be. When he told us that we would be able to figure out what we wanted to do with our grades on the first test and decide on a format for the second test I was shocked that a professor would even entertain that idea. I thought to myself, this is every students dream. But when the professor stated we had to have 100% agreement and I looked around at the size of the class I quickly realized that this could end up being much harder that everyone thinks.

All that being said, when the assignment began I partook in the accommodation approach. Being that i was happy with my grade, I took a more hands off approach and asked the people around me what they thought we should do. I got mixed responses, usually based on how good or bad the individual did.

As I looked around the room I realized that everyone was basically doing what i was doing. That is, they were conferring with everyone in their immediate vicinity. I realized that this was very ineffective because we would never come to a 100% consensus this way. Finally, a few people began to realize this and started to grab peoples attention towards the front of the room. Once one person had everyone's attention we were able to make some progress but time and personalities were working against us. This process ultimately led us to our final decisions, although I think they could have been better.

Our final decisions could have been better if we would have elected a leader from the beginning to help mediate everyones ideas. In this way, the entire class would of had more time to come to a consensus. By wasting half of the class talking amongst our respective groups we were not able to generate the best ideas possible.

The "Yo-Yo" Egg

In terms of the planning process my group did a great job in defining our goals and determining our resources. We were very aware of our 25 mins to plan and identified that the 10 minutes of constructing time was very little. Everyone in the group took part in brainstorming different ideas but 2 individuals came up with the idea on the "Yo-Yo" egg. We all decided that we liked the idea of taping 8 straws together and proceed to lower the egg down. But after analyzing the straws a little better we realized that the length of the 8 straws tapped together would still leave the egg to drop 4-5 feet. We then came to the conclusion that it would be best to cut the straws in half the long way in order to double the length. We then proceeded to ask professor Kurpis a few questions about whether or not our yo-yo egg complied with the assignments rules. At this point we felt ready to put our idea to the test.

When the ten minutes began we knew one of our hardest task would be to actually get the scissors, so we had one group member dedicated to that. Another group member showed that she was the best taper so she was in charge of taping the straws together. Another group member had the responsibility of cutting the straws in half and straightening them out. The other two guys where in charge of protecting the egg and attaching the egg to the end of the straws. We worked down to the final seconds be when it was all said and done our egg survived!


Looking back at the planning process I realized my group never had any alternative strategy and we never put together a tactical plan. At the end of the 25 minuets the yo-yo egg was our only well thought out plan. And now i realize we could have planned a little better by delegating responsibilities before the 10 mins started rather than during. This way, we wouldn't have been so pressured for time during the 10 mins.

Never the less, I believe my group did an outstanding job. We were able to think outside the box and come up with a plan that actually worked all while finding a way to cause our classmates greif.

My Managemnet Dilemma

Over the 3 years that my brother and I have taken over the construction company (MAC Maintenance), we have changed the structure of the organization. When we were handed the company we had 23 employees all of whom had no specific job or title within the company. We currently have 26 employees, 6 of whom are foremen that each control a different aspect of the company such as framing, joint-taping, painting, etc. We gave the six foremen their roles based on seniority and performance.
5 of my foreman have really embraced their leadership roles but 1 of them is having a hard time doing the same. This one foremen has trouble rallying guys around him mainly because of character issues. We have talked to him several times about him and his section of the companies shortcomings but this was to no avail. My dilemma lies in that this foreman's workmanship is great but leadership qualities are poor. And if I was to demote him I would have to promote a guy with significantly less experience but better leadership qualities.

About Me

Hello Fellow Bloggers, my name is Michael Tarachand and I am a junior at Baruch Collage. I'm a full time student majoring in Entrepreneurship and minoring in economics. I also work part time (although it feels like full time) helping manage a family owned construction company doing commercial renovations in midtown Manhattan. My father established the business 30 years ago and handed it down to my brother and I 3 years ago. I plan on using my time here at Baruch as a means to expand our business ventures in the future. If anyone is looking to reach out to me, I can be contacted at TBros@verizon.net