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“Skyis the limit, to dream is to begin a wonderful journey”
A CompetencyBuilding PersonalPortfolio
DCU BUSINESS SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT & ARTICLES SUBMISSION
STUDENT NAME: TAMANNA NAZNEEN RAHMAN
STUDENT NUMBER-59100397
PROGRAMME: BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (MSBM)
PROJECT TITLE- NGM PORTFOLIO
MODULE CODE- MT 5113
LECTURER- DES McLAUGHLIN
PROJECT DUE DATE- 10/06/2014
DECLARATAION
I the undersigned declare that the project material, which I now submit, is my own work. Any
assistance received by way of borrowing from the work of others has been cited and acknowledged
within the work. I make this declaration in the knowledge that a breach of the rules pertaining to
project submission may carry serious consequences.
I am aware that the project will not be accepted unless this form has been handed in along with the
project.
Signed: Tamanna Nazneen Rahman
I am thankful to God, my parents, my loving mother who has given me so much strength since I
was a baby and my late father who had showed how to be successful in life. He is the one who
taught me English and a well disciplined person. I am thankful to my Chair of school Des, all the
teachers. My friends Tushar, Udit, Stuart, Jenny, Mina, Gulya, Fatima, Enzo, Arick, My khalu
have given me a lot of support too. My work is dedicated to my Father and my mather. I love them
so much.
Tamanna.
Table of content:
Introduction
Reflection on PODS with synthesis:
1. Personal career development
a. Accenture Workshop: DCU Student Business Consultancy Society
b Advanced CV Writing
c. Carr Communications
d. Emotional Intelligence
e. Interview skills session
f. Leadership development
g.Mind inerviewMcKinsey
h. NGM Interview lecture
i. The science of creativity
2. Business and society
Fences
ILP
Ethics, sustainability in Business
3. Research
Music video
Focus group/s
CV writing
Interview skills
Questionnaire
SPSS
Market research panel
Methodology for research
4. Digital skills and media and communication
Cloud computing
Twitter
LinkedIn
Webinars
Guy Kawasaky
Here's the summary of my PODS in POD minder
Conclusion to my portfolio with PODS completed successfully
Introduction to my portfolio:
The portfolio that you are reading is my work from two semester in MSBM in DCU from 2013-
2014. As required by Dublin City University I took 20 credits Next Generation Module. As to do
with this course I had to take workshop, seminars, activities which were together 40 known as 40
PODS necessary to make this portfolio. These PODS I took has certainly changed me a lot as a
person and made me more career orientated for the future. These activities I took were linked with
my Personal Development Plan (PDP) I had taken to better myself and hence the 40 PODS fulfill
my PDP. I did more but I reflected the ones which will fill my deficiency in my competencies.
Honestly speaking I learnt the term competency and how useful it is after I have done the
reflections and the activities. These 40 PODS were divided into four categories:
1. Personal career development
2. Business and society
3. Research
4. Digital skills and media and communication
Each of this headings has 10 respective PODS and together they make 40 PODs.
I have conducted these 40 PODS in the two semesters. These have taught me lot. I have learnt new
skills, improved my old skills, dealt with problems, found logical solution and have organised 40
reflections. I am sure each PODS are going to help me in my Business management field by
making. The main outcome from this PODS were to create perfect graduates, make better
understand of the four categories and sort of created a challenge among us to learn and understand
them. I believe most of the NGM students feel they cope with these headings much better than the
start of the year. But there were some PODS I didn't want to take but I still took them because they
were core PODS. And thankfully I did. I now understand a better side of these PODS. The practical
knowledge and the sheer amazing experience I had from these PODS are too be kept with me
forever. However, my understanding of these PODS might be less than some of the excellent
students in NGM. But I have tried in my power to reflect what I have learnt from these 40 PODS.
I am a mature student and I got this opportunity because the DCU Business Department has seen
something good in me and has given me the opportunity to show my skills and what I have learnt.
I am really truly grateful for this opportunity. It is my life changing and will bring me good in my
career and future life. Thank you once again for giving me the scope of broadening my horizons
through practical teaching of knowledge that I have experienced in the Next Generation
Management.
Best Regards,
Tamanna.
Next generation management:
I learnt a lot in 2 semesters. I have gained practical experience through NGM activities which I
couldn't have learnt from only reading books or sitting in exam halls. This module has created me
to tackle any situation at my work place. I feel I am a better and reshaped person. I have filled the
lackings in my PDP through the PODS. I have gather confidence, skills, self control, emotional
control, working and handling team through team work and so on. NGM is very important for any
student I found. This is reach and has a clear vision to create a perfect human being. This module
has brought out the best in me. In NGM the categories have made me learn a lot. But in here at the
portfolio I am only mentioning the ones that is linked mostly with my PDP. These are:
1. Personal career development
a. Accenture Workshop: DCU Student Business Consultancy Society
b Advanced CV Writing
c. Carr Communications
d. Emotional Intelligence
e. Interview skills session
f. Leadership development
g.Mind inerviewMcKinsey
h. NGM Interview lecture
i. The science of creativity
2. Business and society
Fences
ILP
Ethics, sustainability in Business
3. Research
Music video
Focus group/s
CV writing
Interview skills
Questionnaire
SPSS
Market research panel
Methodology for research
4. Digital skills and media and communication
Cloud computing
Twitter
LinkedIn
Webinars
Guy Kawasaky
The prince 2 was good experience though I didn't get quite good but I have learnt from the
interactive tool. I used my Prince 2 learning's in GOMC campain and got a good report.
The first lecturer for leadership and development Claire Gubbins has told us to write or reflect our
learning in a story telling way. She made her classes very interesting and I have enjoyed a lot.
below are the reflection from
Leadership and personal development:
PDP 's the Personal Development Competencies:
All the seminars and workshops and activities I have taken is to make my PDP resolution full. At
the start of my MSBM academic year I had to write the competencies I lack and I want to get them.
Also some competencies which I have but want to improve them. I had long time goal to acquire
some and short term goal. After taking the PODS I have successfully completed my PDP. It is a
wonderful thing that some of the competencies I never thought I should have, and after doing the
PODS I have them now. I know that this PDP and POD has thought me to find out anything that
needs to be done, set a guideline, and timeframe to complete them, complete the task and one can
get success through applying practical knowledge like I have in NGM. I tend to write and speak
to the point. I don't have the habit the exaggerate, hence my reflections are to the point basically
what I have learnt from it and how I can improve myself more with the availed knowledge.
I should tell a little about my personal self and to let you know where I am coming from and what
I have in me to offer. It's not everyone that gets chance to do their Masters Degree in MSBM. The
opportunity to take Next generation management has given me the sheer opportunity that I feel
blessed to be here part of a wonderful learning atmosphere.
So who am I ? And how I see myself from my auto biography perspective! I have written this
for Clare in NGM project .
Tamanna Nazneen Rahman, born in 1984 in Dhaka Bangladesh born in a family of mother Azmeri
and father Dr.Md Mizanur Rahman. Her father was professor, head of Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering ,BUET, Bangladesh. She is a Bangladeshi girl. She got her primary
schooling done from BUET teachers school and her childhood was going great within the BUET
teachers compound, where everyone and everything was familiar. She was really good in all sorts
of sports, cricket, badminton, athletics. She learned Bengali music for 13 years. She won national
award in Art. Life was going smoothly in her little world with her, mother, father, her friends and
her relatives.
Then happy days turned upside down in a moment. Her dad got really sick suddenly. Her mother
brought him to Ireland for treatment in 1999. In Ireland her mother's sister resides. But even
though all stones unturned, doctors couldn't save her father. He passed away in 17th November,
1999. Tamanna'a world got devastated. Everything turned unknown, everyone seemed scary and
all the relatives showed their true colours. She stopped music, art, sports and her favourite hobby,
writing poems. Her father was her inspiration. Since he is gone everything seemed meaningless to
her. She stopped celebrating life. She and her mother had to leave the BUET campus since her
father wasn't working in the university any longer. Then after a few years of depression, her mother
decided to bring her to Ireland, thinking a change of surrounding will make her come back to life
again. So, she came to Ireland, living with her aunts. She started doing her 4th year in the High
School Rathgar. In new setting, she tried to start another life without her father. After the Living
Cert. she had to go home with her mother because her grand-mother was sick. She couldn't let her
mother be alone like that. So, she went home to Bangladesh. In 2008, her grandmother passed
away. She then decided to come back to Ireland. She realized the education in Ireland will give
her an upper-hand than millions of students in home.
Then in 2009 she joined DCU. She started living on her own, her mother went back home to
Bangladesh. She always called her mother. She had to get allowance that her mother sent her
through her aunt. She sets a goal. She got into DCU MSBM course luckily. This was about Her
now. So she worked hard, and got her Masters degree. During this time she in Masters she won
another gold medal in Badminton in Student Sports Ireland 2013/2014. Her mother was so proud.
There has been countless issues, but yet the success has erased all the gloomy days. She found
love in DCU during her undergrad. She made the greatest friends in DCU who gave her constant
moral support.
She then got a job visa for a year. During that time she got herself in Google. She always wanted
to work in Google. She became manager of the creativity department. She has the team work
sports, creativity from art, bravery from learning from a tough life. She loves her work. 4 years of
working in Google she got the stamp four and applied for her mother to come stay with her. And
in a year thankfully the Irish Govt. granted her mothers Visa. She is now a senior employee in
Google, bought a house, learned driving, and has the biggest room in the house for her mother
So life gave her everything, taken the most special person away, but has thought her to be strong.
She is strong, wise, and a very friendly person. Even after all this she respects her aunt. Because
elders are always to be respected. One can gain anything with, love , caring and respect. She has
come so far and she has more dream of achieving more in life now. Badminton is still her favourite
pass time. She wants to be successful in life and create a small happy family with her fiancé soon.
All this were God's will and her mothers constant support. No one can break anyone in this world
if one has the will of survival.
So that was a biography of myself and hopefully I can do a lot with my NGM knowledge in my
career and help myself and others around me to success.
1. Personal career development PODS: First of all this POD has helped me develop my self.
Through the PODS like the Accenture workshop I have understood what the employment people
seek from college graduates. If a presenter is lively and friendly it is easy to understand him and
take his or her points on board. Like our Lecturer Ms. Claire was so lively and energetic that I was
willing to listen to her. I learnt to speak like her in front of crowds. Her body language, her flow
of clear speech and sense of humour has made me interested to be more confident like her. Like
this PODS all the PODS which was set over nine months has definitely gave me a clear view of
myself. I learnt a lot about myself. I learnt that working in a group can be hard if the group mates
do not work properly, but then again if one can lead the group well and set out tasks and goal then
the group communicates clear and flawless. This notion is going to help me throughout my career
I am sure. The PODS I have taken for Personal career development were many but the ones which
are most relevant to my PDP are the ones I reflected on:
1. Personal career development
a. Accenture Workshop: DCU Student Business Consultancy Society
b Advanced CV Writing
c. Carr Communications
d. Emotional Intelligence
e. Interview skills session
f. Leadership development
g.Mind inerviewMcKinsey
h. NGM Interview lecture
i. The science of creativity
So as one can see from the headline, from applying to a job, to interview to successful team
management everything was taught in this headline. I am sheer glad that I know them now. I have
applied the cv writing technique for to get a PhD scholarship and they are evaluating my request.
I have used the interview skills at getting a pertime job. I had clear eye contact and was confident
at the interview board. I am writing the reflections below:
a. Accenture Workshop: DCU Student Business Consultancy Society
This POD will be cantered around an interactive workshop given by Brian Smyth, from Accenture
as part of an event been held by the DCU Student Business Consulting Society.
Wednesday, 19th February
It will provide students with an opportunity to gain tips and skills related to a career in consultancy,
as well as students who are particularly keen to begin a career with Accenture. There will be a
discussion on 'How to Best Approach a Project' and the event will conclude with a Q&A Session
with Brian. I am aware that there has been a lot of Accenture related POD's but this event would
allow students who have either not attended the Accenture pods earlier in the year or those who
are only seeking a potential career in consulting.
This was a great POD presented by two energeting young individuals working at Accenture. They
were really helpful and told us how to get grad jobs. They also helped us NGM students in DCU
to understand and strength our competencies. Both presenters name were Brian.
This is the picture of the
eve where some of the happy NGM students learnt from the workshop. Brian encouraged us to ask
questions in the middle of the seminar. He was funny, witty and showing us that how much he
enjoys his work. Working at Accenture seemed fun. Its consultancy based work. So he said that
they do not stay and work at their super fab office at Accenture. There work place depends on
where the client has them working. He said its long hours but they have the time to complete their
task in their own time. So its not our usual 9 to 5 office hours. It can be 9 am till 10 pm. After
listening to him I tried to apply for a job their. Cause I have in built consulting skills in me. I help
a lot of people with advices. I can understand a person well, can read their problem and try me best
to give solution. This was shaped better in my MSBM consulting skills class. But unfortunately I
won't be able to apply for Accenture. Because after graduation I have one year to search for a job
if I want to stay in Ireland. But I have to leave if I can't secure a job till then. And Accenture has
already selected people for this year. Brian from Accenture told us to say every good things we
can to sell ourselves for a job. Being a member of clubs and socs are great he said. He said he was
in a lot of clubs and socs when he was in DCU and it helped him a lot. He said team work is really
important in today's world of employment. Usually its groups and projects, and project leaders so
that's why association with various clubs, socs, voluntary body can come to play good for a
business grad while exploring the right job. Timing and preparation, vision, mission is good too. I
have seen that working in KFC and even getting place in DCU MSBM was boosted up for my
involvement in the clubs and socs during my undergrad years. So Accenture workshop was a fun
and informative POD to take something onboard for me in the future. I will sell myself to the
employer with all the qualities and experiences I uphold which will get me the job hopefully.
Reference:
What Accenture workshop comprises at available at : http://www.accenture.com/us-
en/technology/technology-labs/Pages/service-technology-innovation-workshops-summary.aspx
[Accesses 06/05/2014]
b.Advanced CV Writing:
Learn how to shape your CV to match what employers are looking for.
In this session learn how to:
Recognise what key points the employers need to know about you
Identify your key skills, experience and qualifications
Ensure your CV reflects the key skills, qualifications and experience the employer has requested.
Date: 6th March 2014,1PM
Venue: DCU
Why POD:This could be a great opportunity to get feedback and improve my CV as I continue to
try make myself more more presentable at this crucial time for applying for jobs post completion
of the master's program.
About this POD: This was an interesting POD. The speaker showed us how to make good CV's.
She also picked a few CV's from the audience and asked us to say if we think weather it is okay or
not. Then she gave us her feedback on how an actual cv should be form. Structure, layout, contents
everything. Cause before an interview an employer will look at the CV before interview to take or
leave the candidate. So a CV should be clean, professional looking and only hold information
which are relevant to the employer. It should have clear information about the candidates work
experience, educational background etc. She showed us how to write our name and contact
number. Where it will lay on the cv and so on. It was very important session for me. When you
see other good cv's you autimatically know how bad ones cv is. Where to change, what to add etc.
When someone guides you is even better.
What I have learnt from this POD: A CV is not just information about me, it is also an advertise
for me. Reading this advertisement an employer will see that weather I am suitable enough for his
or her organisation. Do I have it in me? My CV should be better than other people who wants the
same job. The employer should see that I have extra or more value adding prospects. If one's CV
is good they are half way there. Being called for an interview is not of less opportunity. CV is the
key for an interview. All the PODs on Interview told us about how important interview is , how
useful a good cv can be and so on. But This POD showed me how to make the CV I need for an
interview.
Conclusion: This POD was very useful and certainly helped with my PdP. I have taken this
technique to submit a CV for a PhD proposal and they have accepted to see more to my proposal.
Clearly This POD will help me throughout my life.
Reference. Importance of a good CV available at :
http://www.legalsecretaryjournal.com/?q=the_importance_of_a_good_cv [Accessed on the 5th
June 2014]
Personal Development Synthesis
c. Carr Communications
Presenter: Declan Ferrell from Carr Communications
This POD is about how to deliver effective presentation
Date the event took place: 25/10/2013, 1pm till 4pm at Q15
Description of the event: The POD is about learning how to deliver
presentations effectively. The presenter showed the audience how to
deliver, improve presentation skill. He used slides with elaborate visuals
such as posters and slides. Slides were small precise with bullet points
which he explained. He showed us to give presentations confidently.
Analising this topic I will give Self analysis, analysis of my learning and
application in context.
Self analysis: When it comes to presentation, I get nervous and didn't
quite know the step by step way to present a topic. below this is what I
learnt from the Carr Communications presentation seminar.
Analysis of my learning: The POD is about analysing the skills to
deliver effective presentation. According to Carr communications an
effective presentation is where the audience remembers the presentation
especially the aspects where the presenter wants and needs them to
remember. The presentation should have specific message points ands
visual aids such as posters, bullet points. He showed us how to prepare a
presentation which has an impact and the way it should be presented. It is
important to bear in mind the type of audience we are presenting, how to
say something which will interest, effect or benefit them. The presenter
also have to understand what he or she can achieve through the
presentation. He should know a little about how the audience is engaged
with the presenter. Are they giving attention to the topic, taking down
important points which will benefit them or not listening to the presenter
at all. So the presenter should see what the audience is currently thinking,
saying or doing and how the presenter wants them to use this cognitive
functions after the presentation. How many key messages to deliver and
for the audience to remember the points examples, data, stories can be
used to make these points memorable to the audience. When telling the
story it should be coherent, and the story should have connected points
from the beginning to the end. While presenting the topic the presenter
showed be confident enough to know his material, own his material. The
way presentations are delivered is very important too. The speaker should
have a good body language, have effective eye contact with the audience,
should have good use of gesture, strong voice and he should not be
directly reading from scripts. He can use unexpected elements, humour to
add zest to the presentation. The presenter should use PowerPoint with
proper visual (diagram, picture, posters, clips) help. Visual help works
where it is difficult to explain and is eased by using this method. To
create the slides the presenter should use light on dark or dark on light
back ground not light on light. He should use plain background. He
should use reasonable conservative colours. The speaker should practice
and rehearse before he deliver the presentation. Cause knowing about
something and talking about something are two different things. The
presenter can use notes and read it between pause and hold it openly.
After presentation the presenter should anticipate for likely questions. He
should paraphrase the answer, expand to a new point.
Application in context: After attending the POD on improving
presentation skill I have learnt a lot from it and have positively applied
it in my presentations in class. I have created slides with effective bullet
points, gave pictures as visual aids. I have created small ply cards which I
used as notes. But now I tend to deliver the presentation without looking
at the notes. I am confident enough because I rehearse and practice in
front of a mirror before I go in front of my audience. I give examples ,
diagrams to explain my topic well and in a manner which will create
interest among the audience and they can remember the points which
might benefit them as well.
Evaluate: The presentation skill seminar was well effective because
of the speakers help and enriching us with the effective presentation
techniques. He explained every aspects of delivering effective
presentation which will help us throughout our academic carrier. How to
give a presentation, how to create a presentation using PowerPoint, slides,
pictures as visual aids, How to link points and make a statement is taught
to us by Carr Communications.
Reconstruct self concept: Now I am not nervous about presentation
even the crowd is huge. I am well prepared and confident because I know
how to create my presentation, prepare well in advance for it and deliver
effectively which I have learned from the Presentation skills seminar.
This has definitely developed my personal skills.
Application of knowledge: As I have explained I have applied my
personal development presentation skill during my class presentation
in a effective manner. The feedback which I got from my lecturer and
the audience made me realise I have done well. But there's still room
for improvement. Public speaking is an art. Everybody can speak
but speaking in a manner which is creative and which audience will
remember and benefit is what I want to achieve.
d. Emotional Intelligence (Queendom)
Venue: www.queendom.com
I took this test and gave me a score below 50. May be I didn't answer some of the questions
correctly. Because there were so many. I like quizzes but I don't like too many questions, kind of
get disorientated from the current scene. So here's a snapshot of my score:
So this was the result. I am usually very empathetic. For example at work when I finish my task
and even my hours are over, I stay back and help my colleagues as much as I can. If someone is
sick I always cover their shift. Even out side work all my friends come to me for advice, I help
them out as much as I can. I do this with no expectation. But When I am at trouble I have seen a
very few friends come to help me out. Others are usually BUSY! So times like these you realise
who are your true friends. My best friend from childhood one day started playing with this girl in
the afternoon whom she use to talk negative all the time. And she wasn't playing with my group.
Then I realised that she had changed school and the girl's father was giving my ex best friend and
his daughter lift to school everyday. I was very sad but didn't say anything to anyone. After three
months later my ex bestie came back to play with us as if nothing had happened. During the 3
months she was like bestie with the other girl. Now we found out that her so called new friend was
leaving the country cause her dad had got a new job in England. We took her to our group but I
could never be that good friends with her again. I get hurt if my close ones lies to me, but I still
help them out as much as I could. But from this quizz I learnt to see through people more. I should
read people more. Observe them, and try to understand them rather than blindly trusting their
words. My mother always tells me to see, hear and not to talk too much. Because she saw me
getting hurt over and over again. But I believe in one thing that if we don't have trust and if we
don't have hope then there won't be any humanity left. I will be careful though. There were 146
questions in this emotional evaluation of self. I think it is important for a person to know about
their own self before getting to know others. Relationship, friendship everything is sensitive. It
takes a lot of time to build them but breaks at a moment. But can be rebuilt again. If everyone in
this world becomes less greedy, selfish and helps one person only then the whole world will be a
safer place to be. I have gone through time that I wanted to end myself, but I looked at what I have,
I have my mother, I have my life and I felt life. I felt I can do more and do good to others. I cry,
but try to keep others happy. Life has been really harsh on me. Losing my father at early age,
broken hurt, fake friends I saw a lot. But I have seen good people who reminded me that there's
always day after the night. So I always tell people smile because there is always tomorrow .
e. POD/Event description: Interview Skills and Assessment Centres Skills Session
When: 29th October: 1pm-2pm
Where: QG15
Who is the organiser/speakers: Careers Service
Topics covered: interview preparation, goal-setting, learn to be more rested and relaxed, learn to
listen actively and try to offer more direct and concise answers. I want to learn about what kind of
tasks are assigned at assessment centres also and how I can prepare for them.
URL to POD/event: https://www4.dcu.ie/students/careers/newsletter/september-27th-2013.shtml
About this POD: This was an interesting POD held by DCU careers service. This is a big help
for NGM students ho want to do great in careers in the future. They told us about different
techniques of interviews. There were speakers who told us the Do's and Don'ts at interviews. They
practically showed us Mock interviews to show how well a interview may go or how disastrous it
might turn out. But They didn't mention the key concepts of interviews. Which is to keep it short
and keep it simple and too the point. It was well but it could have better. I went to see if I can learn
something more then I know to get grad jobs. It was ok but not totally helpful. They weren't telling
us the secret recipe to find a proper job. Which was networking. Facebook, twitter, emails, chats,
LinkedIn etc are great platforms to enhance ones community to get advice and be connected to
professional world.
How relevant this POD is for me: Though I know I am good at interviews but I want to learn
more. There is always room for improvement I believe. What is interview? An interview is
between two people where questions are asked to gather facts or relate answers which matches
with the interviewer. It's usually a systematic approach according to seidman, I(1998). Interview
can be done qualitative and quantitative, in interview board for jobs or any kind of research. In
NGM classes I have learnt different ways to gather data through different researches and acquiring
and organising the data which will help me more in my future because I want to do PhD and I need
to know a lot about research methodology. During the POD they showed us interviewing people,
how they are answering, what are the techniques that are relevant. But I found that they forgot to
mention one thing. Which is keep you answer to the point, clear, and short. But if employer wants
more information then give specific information. But overall they spoke about the interview skills
and techniques like communication, teamwork, researching etc. There are different types of
interviews they showed like open-ended, closed, formal etc.
How will I use it in the future: This POD will be of benefit if I use it for the kind of professional
jobs they were telling us like working as fresh graduates. But if someone were to start work after
a few years after further education, this might be a little difficult. But they could have told us to
keep an eye on the ever changing hiring scenario. In a few years one to one interview sessions
might be gone to save a HR manager save time and money. In that case how to fight with the
current situation!! Well I have faced a situation like this before in an interview where there were
more that one or two interviewee at the same time.
. I was having a cup of coffee with my friend at a cafe then I met an old friend. He told us that they
will be taking in staff at Insight & Ideas, and weather we are interested? me and my friends were
like are we!! YES we are. So when is it? He said its in 1 hour. I was like are you kidding me? I
don't even have my CV with me. He was like I will go with you and tell them that they can take
your interview now and you will bring your CV in if you are accepted. That sounded strange that
interview without CV!! But no problem, there's an opportunity so got to grab it. So me, my friend
and the old friend took off to the interview place. The office was 20 minutes from where we were
sitting and its about 20 minutes away from my home. Excellent location. So, finally we reached
the office 10 minutes before the interview. We were stuck in the traffic jam. Just want to say that
if one wants to attend a wedding reception starting at 7pm, he should leave house at 5pm (just to
be save and not to miss the food, fun and all). So you can see that we were early if you think about
the crazy traffic (but at present Dhaka traffic is better because they have built a lot of flyovers).
Anyways, after that we went to the office and saw about 100 people waiting for the interview. I
had a little idea about the organisation but not too much. I thought they will call us one by one like
the way interviews are. But it was surprising that they called all of the interviewees to a big
conference room. I had no idea that Bangladesh was so modern. The room had projectors, Big
screens on the wall, the whole place was like a first world country. My friend who told me about
the interview also told me to be 100% honest. I told him that I am always. So the interview started.
They were going to hire 8 people. they will be broken down into to teams and the general
introduction of the organisation. First thing was we were only to raise our hand if we agree, or the
answer is yes. First question was who speaks English fluently, can write well too? I raised my
hand. And about 40 others. The rest were told to leave the room. Then the question was who can
speak Bangla fluently and write too? I raised my hand. After that question 20 were left. Then they
asked who smokes cigarette? This question panicked me cause in Bangladesh it is bad if a girl
smokes, but I smoked. So I thought twice and raised hand. Then there was 10 left. Out of the ten
they gave us some logical questions to complete. To speak for 5 minutes in whatever we like. I
was chosen. And I worked there for 2 years before I came to Ireland to join DCU as an undergrad
student. The researches were mostly on cigarette brands, and B&H introduced new smokes and
that's why we needed to be both fluent in Bangla and English to conduct the researches and report
taking, interviewing etc. And for the event management they needed people with high energy to
work at the reception, manage guest lists, etc. So that was my interview in Bangladesh.
Conclusion: The interview POD was good for the NGM class, but they will have to include some
more options than traditional approach of interviews and make the session more interactive and
interesting.
f. Leadership Development Seminar
Date: 11th April
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: QG15
Title: "Implementing Leadership Development in the Context of Rapid Change & High
Turbulence" This seminar will be delivered by Professor Jack McCarthy.
About this POD: In this POD the presenter was excellent. He was energetic, clear and for a non
native English speaker, I understood everything he said . He was very friendly and answered a lot
of my questions. The POD was about Leadership. It is one of the competencies we need to prosper
in our lives. He spoke about the context of leadership today, the determents of being successful,
implications of leadership, taking action, the Wilhemsen lines case, lessons and adjourns. He
stayed with this titles but he gave examples to get the picture clear to us.
What I learnt from this POD and How relevant it is for me: I saw this video at the start of the
presentation about a chocolate farm where a new employee starts work and the manager just comes
and tells her what to do. She does not show her how to work. Thus the poor girl starts work with
another employee and loses track of the speed and production line gets messed up. Similar thin
happened to me at my work place. When I started to work in KFC they didn't show me how to
work on and I as confused. I observed others and learnt. This kind of leaders wants things done
and they want the maximum results without showing the employee how to actually work and
perform the best. So what I do now is show new employees how to work step by step so they won't
be confuse or scared to mess up their work properly. A good leader is an icon. Everyone will follow
him. So what is good leader? I think a good leader is who is charismatic, gives credit to the
employees who are trying to work their best, motivates employees. According to Foster, D (2001),
A style of leadership by a leader is to set plan, motivate people and instruct them to get to the goal.
There are various kinds of styles of leadership'. Out of all the styles of leadership I like democratic
style leadership. A democratic leader is motivating, nice, caring, wise, creative and builds
creativeness among his sub ordinates as well according to Foster, D (2001).
I like this kind of leadership because this leader cares about his employees, can make decisions
which is not biased to stakeholders and conducts corporate social responsibility. In the POD he
told us about how different situation can arise at work and what kind of leadership style might
work. For example the new leader Mr. Ingar at SAS, tackling the difficult situation with his unique
leadership style. He called it a new leader style.
This POD I took because I might become someone big at an organisation someday or may be just
to lead a particular team needs to know how to manage groups or team members. I was the captain
of DCU Badminton team and lead my team to victory for Student Sport Ireland 2013/2014. We
won the cup and gold medals. The feeling was shared by the whole group. I maintained clear
communication, I involved my team members while making a decision, who is going to play
single, who is going to play doubles were made from previous individual players winning history.
Before the winning we practiced every week 3 times. I have per time job but I had a coach who
were there every Wednesday to conduct the training. Everyone played their parts well,
communication was clear, there were a lot of hard work and the result was the victory which was
the goal. If a leader gives a higher goal the teams are going to try and achieve them. Everyone likes
challenges and rewards. It does not have to be monitory rewards, good words, phrases, employee
of the week sort of things can boost one energy level to work hard and thus can achieve anything.
Like the Tom Cruise 'Mission Impossible' movies I believe as human beings we can achieve
anything and everything if we know , try and believe.
Reference: definition of leadership and the leadership styles are available at : Foster, D (2001).
"A Method of Comparing Follower Satisfaction with the Authoritarian, Democratic, and Laissez-
faire Styles of Leadership", New York.
g. McKinsey&Company interview preparation
I would like to apply to McKinsey&company. After having search a few tips on internet, it appears
the interview is quite demanding. Forbes (2013) ranked McKinsey as the most difficult job
interview among other multinationals.
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/08/09/the-25-companies-that-give-the-most-
difficult-job-interviews/) collected from PODMINDER
This book 'The McKinsey Way' is by Rasiel,M.E.. He also helped writing the McKinsey Mind.
Resonto read this book and its relevance: It is a easy read book and has a lot of ideas to help
individuals and businesses to work in McKinsey way. Their ideas gives an insight to jin their
company and how to work like them. It has a lot of ideas as I have said but not to lengthy.
So how it is useful for interviews: The book talks about various issues that arises. It has 5 sections.
the first section talks about business issues and coming up with strategy to overcome those issues.
This section finishes with eighty by twenty rule.The second part is how to sell measures to the
issues from the view of a consultant. He gives good advice, how to negotiate with clients in a
business farm. Third part talks about the surviving ingredients at this farm the hiring details. This
part is the important one because it will help NGM students to realise what a farm looks for in an
candidate. And this part gave me a lot of insight to get familiarise with the work load they have
and the ways to tackle the work in an organised manner. Any bid work place will have more or
less work pressure. It is vital to know the work environment so one can effectively start their day
without any confusion. At work time is money. So an employee has to bare in mind the importance
of time, save time, utilise time and so on. So how their task is formulated to reach their goals etc
are described in this section. The fourth part of this book deals with the Structure of the
organisation. I understood its not the organisation structure but the work structure they are
continuously saying. The last part is how to use the experience learnt from this experience. I am
calling it experience because when I read a book, I imagine the situations, and present myself there
in my imagination.
What I learnt from this book as a POD: After gathering knowledge from this book or place I
can use it to any real life business place to tackle business problem. I have seen that learning to
use technology, a lot of reading with current businesses helps individuals to be ready for the future.
So if one is ready the future is not uncertain. We should know what kind of result we will get
because of the kind of hardwork we put into it. I liked this book because it teaches individuals how
to be ready for an organisation, their hiring, interviewing and the tackling of business problems in
simplistic manner. Every university student should read this book to broaden their knowledge. If
I wanted to work with this organisation it will help me after I read the book but it still didn't reveal
a lot. Like what kind of questions will come up. But then again, If I know my act there is no
problem conquering the interview. We guess we just have to research more and more and have a
lot of experience to back us up. This POD will help me to get a job in the future cause I am more
aware of what to expect even though I have seen the whole thing working in KFC.
Reference: McKinseys recruiting available at:
http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/join_us/the_interview_process [accessed on the 1st June 2014]
The book The McKinsey Way available at google books:
http://books.google.ie/books/about/The_McKinsey_Way.html?id=UtNZZU6JLiQC&redir_esc=y
[ accessed on the 1 st June 2014]
The Mckinsey Mind available at google books:
http://books.google.ie/books?id=jFlx_H0f6O0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+McKinsey+Min
d+google+books&hl=en&sa=X&ei=iSGXU5T7HeeR7Aas14C4Aw&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=
onepage&q=The%20McKinsey%20Mind%20google%20books&f=false [ accessed on the 1 st
June 2014]
h. NGM Interview lecture
Date 25/03/2014
Venue: DCU QG-15
Presenter: with Invited Employer Recruitment & Talent Sourcing Specialist
This Pod was really interesting. It taught us how to improve interview skills. Tackling interviews
weather its for a job, or for a career choice or for any reasons needs to be clearly and well composed
. I have seen that confidence is good but with that certain knowledge and research does good for
the interviewee.
My Idea of interviews and life examples: Till now I haven't been rejected in any interviews. I
always do a little homework of the work place I am going for an interview. I try to look good, wear
formal wear, have correct gestures and make eye contact with the people. I also tend to be myself
in the interview board. If I know some answers I tell them but if I am unaware of any answers I
tell them that I do not know the answers, and apologise for not finding it during my research. I
learnt from my father how to speak in a formal institution. He was a professor and also the Dean
of Mechanical and manufacturing dept, and later Industrial Production Engineering in Engineering
University Bangladesh . He used to hire professor, PhD students and so on. So since I was a kid I
learnt from him. I learnt the art of speech. I asked him once why did you hire him he doesn't know
that much and why did you not hire the person who has a lot of knowledge? He told me the man
he hired wants to learn, he is natural, honest and confident but not too confident. He also liked the
way he spoke, his gestures and what he had to offer to the department. And the person he didn't
take was too confident, knew everything, was not willing to learn and quite over-confident. This
guy was fisting his palm and my father didn't think he was good enough even though he had a Post
Doc degree. Amazingly the person he hired became a senior professor in a few years and was
doing really good for the department. This was one example, I have seen many and heard many.
When I went for a job in Bangladesh at the age of 23 it was quite challenging. It was a research,
interpreting and event management job. It was pertime but the pay and the working environment
was top class. I was having a cup of coffee with my friend at a cafe then I met an old friend. He
told us that they will be taking in staff at Insight & Ideas, and weather we are interested? me and
my friends were like are we!! YES we are. So when is it? He said its in 1 hour. I was like are you
kidding me? I don't even have my CV with me. He was like I will go with you and tell them that
they can take your interview now and you will bring your CV in if you are accepted. That sounded
strange that interview without CV!! But no problem, there's an opportunity so got to grab it. So
me, my friend and the old friend took off to the interview place. The office was 20 minutes from
where we were sitting and its about 20 minutes away from my home. Excellent location. So, finally
we reached the office 10 minutes before the interview. We were stuck in the traffic jam. Just want
to say that if one wants to attend a wedding reception starting at 7pm, he should leave house at
5pm (just to be save and not to miss the food, fun and all). So you can see that we were early if
you think about the crazy traffic (but at present Dhaka traffic is better because they have built a lot
of flyovers). Anyways, after that we went to the office and saw about 100 people waiting for the
interview. I had a little idea about the organisation but not too much. I thought they will call us
one by one like the way interviews are. But it was surprising that they called all of the interviewees
to a big conference room. I had no idea that Bangladesh was so modern. The room had projectors,
Big screens on the wall, the whole place was like a first world country. My friend who told me
about the interview also told me to be 100% honest. I told him that I am always. So the interview
started. They were going to hire 8 people. they will be broken down into to teams and the general
introduction of the organisation. First thing was we were only to raise our hand if we agree, or the
answer is yes. First question was who speaks English fluently, can write well too? I raised my
hand. And about 40 others. The rest were told to leave the room. Then the question was who can
speak Bangla fluently and write too? I raised my hand. After that question 20 were left. Then they
asked who smokes cigarette? This question panicked me cause in Bangladesh it is bad if a girl
smokes, but I smoked. So I thought twice and raised hand. Then there was 10 left. Out of the ten
they gave us some logical questions to complete. To speak for 5 minutes in whatever we like. I
was chosen. And I worked there for 2 years before I came to Ireland to join DCU as an undergrad
student. The researches were mostly on cigarette brands, and B&H introduced new smokes and
that's why we needed to be both fluent in Bangla and English to conduct the researches and report
taking, interviewing etc. And for the event management they needed people with high energy to
work at the reception, manage guest lists, etc. So that was my interview in Bangladesh.
In Ireland I joined KFCabout a year and half ago. I dropped CV online and also at the shop. During
the interview they asked me if I could do upselling. I said yes and a lot. They asked me why do I
want to work in KFC? I said I love chicken. They hired me. I am still there, and I up sell three four
times more than other cashiers, my lobby cleaning is superb, and my customer relation is quite
good. There are some customers they wait at the cue at my cash point even if it is long.
How relevant this POD is for me: Though I know I am good at interviews but I want to learn
more. There is always room for improvement I believe. What is interview? An interview is
between two people where questions are asked to gather facts or relate answers which matches
with the interviewer. It's usually a systematic approach according to seidman, I(1998). Interview
can be done qualitative and quantitative, in interview board for jobs or any kind of research. In
NGM classes I have learnt different ways to gather data through different researches and acquiring
and organising the data which will help me more in my future because I want to do PhD and I need
to know a lot about research methodology. During the POD they showed us interviewing people,
how they are answering, what are the techniques that are relevant. But I found that they forgot to
mention one thing. Which is keep you answer to the point, clear, and short. But if employer wants
more information then give specific information. But overall they spoke about the interview skills
and techniques like communication, teamwork, researching etc. There are different types of
interviews they showed like open-ended, closed, formal etc.
Conclusion: This POD was a good education for me. I learnt that to say what I have even being
the member of badminton team and winning for badminton team for DCU can be of relevant for
interviews too. Anything to sell oneself is good at interview but with facts and honesty will carry
a long way.
References: Interview availavle at :Seidman, I (1998). A Guide For Researchers in Education
and The Social Sciences. College press New York,
i. The science of cretivity in the form of Mentors and students
Presented by Arick Shama and Francheska Chamber
Date: 12/12/2013 till 09/05/2014
Venue: Google, phone, chat, email
The topic: The more creative a person is the more power resolving solution they have. I have seen
that networking is to me is a form of creativity. Cause connection and reaction is kind of like the
law of physics. Hence networking is the science of creativity. The bigger and broader ones network
is the more connection they build. And to use one's connection wisely is very important. According
to Redstone,S the Chair of Vicom 'content's king'. Creativity is power. So when one ones to do
marketing networking is important by all means.
Why I chose this POD and modified a bit from the heading for similarity: Networking is an
important part of ones success in career path. Through times we might have to mentor others in
career path according to Chao,97. I am a person who takes action before thinking. So I do a lot of
things like this linking to my career. Currently I am working pertime in KFC.I was getting 7 hours
a week. But I was telling new stuff how to do things and coaching them. My main manager saw
this and now KFC calls me up to train new employee and I am getting good hours too. I am
broadening my network at work by mentoring others. I do this cause when I started work there
was no one to show me and I used to get very scared to think wheather am I doing things right. I
didn't want the new comers to feel scared like me so I started helping them and it went to my
favour surprisingly. Hence I took this pod and kind of modified it to my learning context to prove
that mentoring is beneficial. I added this because this POD connected with PDP. My nervousness
overcoming needed a boost. So this POD helped me overcome
Detail of this POD: According to Karm, 1985 the phases for teaching or mentorship is in four
catagories. These are Cultivate, Initiate, Redefine, Separate. All the four stages I have learnt here.
They can be used step by step or can be used from one phase to last. Or one phase can be adopted
only for the situation specified. For my KFC context I took the initiate step. I started showing the
new employees with out getting any orders from my superiors. And the cultivate, separate work
etc came automatically among the new employees. They are helping others who are learning too.
So a good mentor can create a good student and a good student can become a great mentor too. Its
a ongoing process I have seen. My studying in MSBM has helped me lot get over my nervousness.
I tried to use my emails, my connections as I learned from this POD. I emailed my connections
and chatted with them to overcome my fear. Some times arguments happened I learnt to deal with
them with logical explanations I learnt about my mentors from a previous NGM student. He linked
me up with them so here networking helped. Francesca Chambers is one of my mentors who is
running an website. The name of this website is red alert politics. She and I had same problems
such as dealing with the politics in the workplace. This POD is about the science of creativity and
I have gave advices and shown people mentorship skills which I have gathered from this POD. It
has helped me as well to deal with my personal problem at workplace. The other person who
mentored me is Arick Shama. She is from Bangladesh and did her DUEL major in Economics and
Physics and currently working in German Office in Dhaka. She has helped me with her advice in
my study field in how to be calm and also in workplace situations. I contacted her through
Facebook, phone, emails etc. She helped me when my workplace wanted to get rid of me and
wanted to take someone who wanted to take their friend. So she advised me to go to a solicitor. So
I did and it went well. The work people couldn't just fire me without any reasons, that would have
been an unfair dismissal and I am saved. But Francesca and my mentoring relationship is new
according to kram, 1997.
Arick has helped me a lot. She has advised me to join the German office who works at Bangladeshi
field level to help the poor people. So she is helping me now and she is my well wisher in future.
She has told her boss about me, I met her and her boss when I went to visit Bangladesh. I still
email Arick for various queries and she never puts me down. I am learning a lot from her.
Conclusion: The science of creativity is to take instant decision when there's a problem or where
ever new ideas needed. I wasn't a great mentor. But I think I have in me. I have helped myself out
of situations by using my networks and also mentoring others who are in need of some guidance.
I have helped my friends and classmates in different occasions. I learnt from Kram and Higgins,
2001;as I am a mature student I have learnt the importance of mentorship and handling relationship
sensitively. Earning mentorship ability will help one approach well towards their career path.
DCU's NGM has helped me to learn mentorship and creativity skills through networking in a great
deal. This I will take with me to future to enhance my career and help anyone so they will be alright
too. The key to mentor is to know both the people and the work involved. It's good to categorise
and then implement the competency so there will be less confusion and more positive result. And
through practice this will work. Learning the theory through the POD, practicing with connections,
implementing in real life at ones work place and finally knowing which step to adopt and which
to let go for future situations will make one perfect at this.
2. Business and Society : Then the second theme was Business and society. In this heading I
undertook and lot of seminars, activities too. Reading books etc was among them. I have learnt the
business ethics, sustainability which is valuable for a greener planet. I want my next generation to
have a beautiful planet and secure future, hence this POD taught us all the value of good business
practices and how to deal with the stakeholders and the people who are directly affected by the
businesses day to day activities. The PODS I took were many but I am reflecting on the business
and society PODS which fulfill my criteria for PDP only. I have also taught elderly computer
skills, which is good for the society. Educated society is countries assets. I believe education is for
everyone people from all race , age, class. Computer literacy is vital for this digital era. So if my
little effort can help anyone to understand and use the computer for their benefit is my pleasure. I
am from a developing country and I have seen that only through education one can better her or
his situation and have a prospective future. I get things done, I don't speak much about my work,
the result tells it all. So I will keep on working to improve myself and help others. I also am
reflecting to the point, I am going to apply the practical knowledge like I have done for ILP in my
career. Here are the PODS I had for this heading:
a. Fences & Windows
b. ILP
c. Ethics, sustainability in Business
So here what I have learned, reviewed and gathered from the business and society PODS are
reflected here
a. Fences & Windows - Dispatches from the front lines of the Globalization debate by Naomi
Klein
Picture from: Amazon.co.uk/fencesandwindows
Book Review
Review of this book: This book deals with anti globalisation situations, law enforcement tackling
strikes and protests. This book was in UK and US published. There are opportunities represented
through windows and fences which show the obstacles depicted in this book. The chapters talk
about how the US is showing itself towards the world that it is not a hamburger which done through
the US dept of states. And the other part discusses about the calamities of the war effects. Naomi
the author of this book, talks about the anti-globalisation-movement by America. She also talks
about the protests and how the law enforcement tackled it. I have read her book No Logo swoosh.
There she spoke about the Nike brand, how they are exploiting the labour and how much they are
generating by selling a pair for 100's dollar and it costs 2 dollars to make. She is a ice breaker. I
love her style of writing, very independent, fact based. This book Fences & Windows is no
different. Here she is also very clear with what point she wants her readers to get. The book looks
like a newspaper, it has a lot of personal wordings which she has infusioned. Her facts are her
statements, a lot of the statements she hasn't backed up which was lacking I suppose. But the
statistical data, the fun critique-based points are enjoyable to read.
What did I learn from this book:
Naomi's supporting anti-globalisation made her realise the suffering of fastfood workers in Italy,
farmers with no lands, teachers and mentors in Argentina, tomato pickers in Maxico, homeless
kids, coffee beans growing people and so on. She saw that these people directly suffer. Her
movement is new and is different from the political view of the left-wing movement from previous
activists at grass root. The idea is gathered by individuals and organisations and do not make
anyone in charge. Her another notion was law enforcement stopping people at pre strike, arresting
people before getting to the point. She is against war because police violence aginst the strikers
are leagalised. At the end I have found that this book is very interesting. Some fact are so dramatic
that it's hard to believe even the data. Political organisations can be so bad I had no idea. Because
they stop the hope of people who are not getting the rights of working, living and they can not
even protest!!
Conclusion: Globalisation is good but sometime anti-globalisation movements are necessary for
the people who needs to have their voice heard for the right reason. Globalisation gives to much
power to some first world countries but the oppressed gets worse in their situation. America the
worlds police should be neutral and use their power to save not to overpower the neglected.
References:
The book reviewed is available at : Klein,N (2002) 'Fences & Windows' , Flamingo, USA and UK.
b. Inter-generational Learning Program: Business & Society 4 (4 POD)
I have been volunteering to teach elderly ladies for past three months now. I will assist them again
after the Summer vacation. I absolutely love this. I have two reasons to. The first one is that I want
to be a teacher and that is why I am teaching the ladies and the second one is that I loved to teach
my grandma how to use new things like mobile phone, computer games, hair dryers etc. I taught
my mother how to use computer, and email. I taught her how to use mobile phone and texting. So
even though I am miles away she texts me everyday and I call her in the morning. So I knew I can
help them learn technologies in a fun way.
I have had three students. I had in mind that they might like technology or they might not. So I
have to be very caring, patient and be as explainable I can. So My first student Mary.
ILP with Mary: Mary was brilliant student. Her children got her an Ipad so she could keep in
tough with them. I wanted to teach her photo editing as Carmel and I thought. But she wanted to
learn to email. So I thought her how to use an email. I explained that email is secure, fast and very
effective. As she will not now about the formal language used for email I explained that email is
usually in a formal structure. So I showed her the formal structure to write emails. Then I told her
she can use how ever way she likes to write to her children. I used to write this step by step on her
diary so she could follow up when she had gone home. it was like, first type in www.google.com.
In the search box type gmail.com. Then sign in your credentials. After that log on to the email, I
wrote her the meaning of the technical jargons too. Then I told her the detailed way to compose,
send emails. Now she is emailing her bank for information. Then I helped her learn how to do
internet banking. She asked me to teach her this so she can operate from home. She is the leader
in a Church group and she has to monitor the funds she said. So now she knows how to do internet
banking with the bank of Ireland. Then I showed her how to look for recipes in youtube. I showed
her that in Youtube she can watch anything. Any movies, any cartoon for her grandchild etc. She
cooked dinner for her son and sons family from youtube. I was very pleased. I also showed her
how to take photoes using her Ipad from front camera and reer. And then showed her how to edit
her picture online using an easy picture editor like the picmonkey. Then I showed her how to save
the pictures on the Ipad's desktop and send the picture to her sons and daughters using the email.
At the end of the day I was so pleased. She was a great student, very willing to learn. I used to get
to lattes one for a good teacher like be and one for my great student. Mary loves latte. I have learnt
a lot from her too. She used to advice me many important things. Hopefully I will see her again
after the Summer.
ILP with my other two students: The next two months I taught the new two elderly students.
They didn't have their I pad. One student had her laptop and other was using the University desktop
computer. Just like Mary I taught them email, youtube, but I taught them about online shopping
aswell. They learnt how to order from retailers like tesco online, and get items delivered home
conveniently. I taught them how to read newspaper article online. Basically I teach my students
google and youtube because they can do a lot if they know this two. Then I have showed them
knitting websites. I taught them picture editing in Picmonkey like Mary. They also opened
facebook for their children. I taught all my students Micosoft word who has windows to write what
they like. One of my students has started writing her travel and holidays experience. Hopefully
one day she can publish her book. I helped them learn to listen to songs and see the movies on
youtube they haven't seen in years. I try to make learning interesting. I ask them what would they
like to learn and thus teach them their interest.
Teaching these student's are so good. They were unaware that they can do so much with the
internet. I make sure what ever I teach them I write them down step by step and tell them to try it
at home so they won't forget. Practice will make them better in this. Now my students are not
scared of computer and internet. They wait for every class to learn more and more. I am so happy
I am making a digital generation. And I will continue till I am in DCU. I thank NGM and DCU
ILP service to let me volunteer and experience such amazing people with interest to learn. I felt
the best when Mary said 'you should be a teacher because you will makea great teacher'. I received
a certificate from Carmel the last day of this session. I am so happy. I told my mother and she is
very happy too. Hopefully I can do more things to people because as human beings our
responsibility is to care for others and help others. This is how we can make this world a better
and a happier place. In here in a digital way.
Third theme was research. Mr. Gerry did a lot of hard work to make us understand the topic and
he has done a great job. At the end of this I am much more learnt about research and how to conduct
research using different techniques and tools. The reflections are here:
c. Business & Society 2
Doing Business Ethically: Ethical models, Stake
holders and Sustainability'
Delivered by Dr. Fiachra O'Brolcháin
DCU Institute of Ethics.
Dated, time and place: 04/12/2013, 2pm till 4 pm at QG 15
Description of the event: It was a POD on Business and society and
during the event the speaker spoke on various aspects. The POD is
about learning how to act ethically in society, in market to save our
environment too. The presenter used slides with elaborate visuals such as
posters and slides. Slides were small precise with bullet points which he
explained.
Self analysis: I was a little aware of the pollutions and green house effect
causing great harm to our environment. But I didn't know the ethics
involved in market and the other aspects the speaker showed us. I didn't
know how important it is and how I can learn from it to better situations.
Analysis of my learning: I learned the evidence the speaker put in front
of us about global worming. Our speaker said warming of the climate
system is unequivocal. Since the 1950s, many of the observed changes
are unprecedented over decades to millennia. The IPCC’s Fifth
Assessment Report states that the atmospheric concentrations (CO2),
methane, and nitrous oxide have increased to levels unprecedented in at
least the last 800000 years. CO2 have increased by forty percent since
pre-industrial times, primarily from fossil fuel emissions and secondarily
from net land use change emissions. The ocean has absorbed about 30%
of the emitted anthropogenic carbon dioxide, causing ocean
acidification.Sea-levels is rising as well. It is very likely that the mean
rate of global averaged sea level rise was 1.7 mm yr– 1 between 1901
and 2010, 2.0 [1.7 to 2.3] mm yr–1 between 1971 and 2010 and 3.2 mm
yr–1 between 1993 and 2010. If this continues land will be flooded
especially the low lying countries. Ice-loss is where ice is melting. Over
the last two decades the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have been
losing mass, glaciers have continued to shrink almost worldwide, and
Arctic sea ice and Northern Hemisphere spring snow cover have
continued to decrease in extent. Ocean warming dominates the increase
in energy stored in the climate system, accounting for more than 90% of
the energy accumulated between 1971 and 2010 . It is virtually certain
that the upper ocean warmed from 1971 to 2010, and it likely warmed
between the 1870s and 1971.Each of the last three decades has been
successively warmer at the Earth’s surface than any preceding decade
since 1850. In the Northern Hemisphere 1983–2012 was likely the
warmest 30-year period of the last 1400 years. Greenhouse gases are
causing negative impact on our environment. Carbon dioxide is the
dominant contributor to current climate change .The last time CO2 was at
this level was the Pliocene era which ended 2.5 million years ago. Seas
were 30 feet higher and camels lived in the high arctic. Average Arctic
temperatures increased at almost twice the global average rate in the past
100 years. As predicted the global mean surface temperature is expected
to rise by between 0.3° C to 4.8° C by the end of the 21st century (W. G.
1 IPCC, 2013) . Freshwater availability projected to decrease in Central,
South, East and Southeast Asia by the 2050s; coastal areas will be at risk
due to increased flooding; death rate from disease associated with floods
and droughts expected to rise in some regions.
Currently world population is 7 billion. Projections recently issued by
the United Nations suggest that world population by 2050 could reach
8.9 billion, but in alternative scenarios could be as high as 10.6 billion
or as low as 7.4 billion. Depends on mortality and birth rate which is
effected by education, better life, great inventions of science (
medicines) etc can prolong life span. Between 30 and 50% of the
Earth’s land surface is used by humans. Since 1900 the percentage of
the world’s oceans have either been fully exploited left with no fish .
Climate change is likely to increase the frequency and severity of
droughts and heat-waves which has bad effect on agriculture. Some
animals are getting extinct for global warming. E. O. Wilson estimates
that at current rates of human disruption of the biosphere, one-half of
all species of life will be extinct by 2100. Jared Diamond’s Five Point
Framework for a societal collapse are Environmental Damage, climate
Change, Hostile Neighbours, Decreased Support by Friendly
neighbours, societal response. The carrying capacity of an
environment represents the maximum population level that can
possibly be stable over time. Human population growth is worsening
environmental conditions and persistent poverty increases the risk of
new zoonotic diseases becoming pandemics. Ethics that fall under
Ethical categories and systems have had a primarily human focus.
Normative environmental ethics is concerned with the principles plus
values in which human impacts on the natural environment might be
morally evaluated. Ethical response to environmental destruction is
human-centered and so does not compel a re-examination of ethical
concerns and structures. Therefore, for some, normative
environmental ethics is simply the application of principles and values
that are thoroughly human-centered. He spoke about harm, politics
and other aspects too. He said that developing world is responsible for
climate change, so they should act upon creating a better, cleaner
environment.
Ethics in market is briefly explained the way speaker said: free
market efficiently distribute limited resources, Libertarian political
philosophy protects the rights of people to use their property as they
wish. The zest of this approach is individual freedom. Also to think
clearly about the economics of exhaustible resources like oil and coal,
it is necessary to look far into the future, to assess their value as they
become more scarce.
Is this goal still justifiable as the primary goal of political organisation
is in doubt, patents provide incentives for products designed for 1st
world markets
Application in context: There are 2 ways our environment can be
saved, collective approach and individual approach. If we know what
creates pollution, global warming we can fight it to save our planet.
If individually makes a difference such as staying clean, keeping
surrounding such as house, road, etc clean will mean a lot when others
join for a ethical approach. I have already helped in Ballymun project
to clean litters from the road side and from the fields.
Evaluate: This was not only a presentation but also a very important
education. Everyone should be well addressed of our worlds pressing
matter. If everyone becomes conscious and responsible they can
create a positive impact on this world. We can limit C02, greenhouse
effect, stable the climate change so stopping a rise in sea level and
saving agriculture, fisheries, animal kingdoms and human race from
extinction. We have to be ethical and know our responsibility to save
our environment.
Reconstruct self concept: After attending this POD I am fully aware
of the ethical way of saving our planet and securing our future. Now I
know how global warming is related to all the other climatic, aquatic
and environmental changes. Now I am educated in this field.
Application of knowledge: I went to my home country which is a
developing world country. I have told my friends not to litter here and
there and use bins provided to throw litter. So individually we can
make small changes which will add up to huge positive impact which
will save our environment.
Reference:
Environmental business ethics is available at : http://smallbusiness.chron.com/environmental-
business-ethics-64692.html [accessed 1st June 2014]
3. Research: Under the research heading Prof Gerry has broaden our knowledge on how to use
and translate data into results using statistical and scientific approach. He has taught us different
ways of research methodology and this has personally helped me. I had to do a PHd proposal and
had to introduce research methodology. So I put the new knowledge from my research PODS and
the authority of the PhD scholarship are looking at my proposal they haven't denied it. So that's
one step of success. I will hopefully do PhD sometime in my life and these research PODS are
going to help me big time with gathering quantitative and qualitative data. My understanding of
research ha become better after taking seminars, labs, exams, activities under the research PODS.
Here are the PODS I reflected on out of others I took. But I am putting them down because they
link with my PDP and helped me reach my goal. Reasearch is more to create a report of findings
out of the result gathered from various tests and experiments. So I am reflecting on only what I
have learnt. I think talking too much about the topic will get derailed from the result. So the
outcome and how I will apply it in my life in my future is what I am dealing with.
a. Music video
b+c Focus group/s
d CV writing
e Interview skills
f. Questionnaire
g. SPSS
h. Market research panel
i. Methodology for research
a. Music video Research Synthesis
Artemisa Jaramillo, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
Going interactive with the BRANDS depicted in digital music video
Date and time and place: 2-8 December 2013, Henry Grattan Labs.
Description of event: We were given instructions by Artemisa. She
showed us a hyper video which is a modern technology which enables
its audience to interact with the video. We were told to use desktop pc,
internet connection and pen drive to work on.
Self analysis: I know how to use computer and internet But I had no idea
that one can interact with the brands in a music video. I didn't know that
this kind of interactive software is programmed. This was amusing to me.
I didn't believe it when I heard that audience can interact with a music
video.
Analysis of my learning: This is a modern technology which enables
its audience to interact with the video directly. It also shows results on
how interactivity can make audience recall the brands they were showed
in the music video. This is a great way of marketing products. Songs,
music videos are easier to remember. So if one is listening to a song, they
might think of the product and purchase it because they might picture the
branded product when they listen to the particular music video . Product
placement is brand placement too. This is an important phenomenon that
deserves close study cause it has broader scope in digital world. This is a
outstanding marketing phenomenon.
According to our speaker In a hypervideo, it has interactive
placements, clickable spots are activated on celebrities and branded
products within a video. It lets the viewer to get the information,
even buy brands products portrayed on the screen. Interactive product
placement will let audience recall and recognition, as audiences engage
with the brands portrayed. Research suggest strong recall effects
associated with interactivity and product placement there are studies that
present evidence on how such interactivity may result overwhelming to
audiences and decrease their cognitive capacity .
This study maintained an experimental between-group design.
The dependent variables experimented were brand recall and recognition
(presence/absence) resulting from product placement in an online music
video in two conditions .. A laboratory experimental setting was used
to control the settings of the test and maximise internal validity. Two
versions of an online music video were prepared using human computer
interaction (HCI) recording software and each condition was allocated
to a different laboratory to reduce contamination. The experiment was
conducted with a sample of 94 postgraduate students with each student
exposed to one experimental condition only. Participants were told to
explore a digital music video and then were asked to complete a post-
test questionnaire assessing recall and recognition consistent with similar
research. After an interval of one week, participants were asked to
complete a second questionnaire. The study suggests significantly greater
brand recall in the interactive condition. Prior familiarity with the musical
artiste and the specific music video were examined for impact and no
significant impact was identified.
Application in context: I learned how to use this technique and
listened to a black eyed peas interactive video song and answered some
questionnaire.
Evaluate: I learned that online music research is very interesting. It
helped me realise that marketing can be done using various platforms, in
this case a music video. I will look for more songs like this.
Reconstruct self concept: After this POD I know that there are
interactive software's which broaden a products demand worldwide using
digital and latest technology. Now I believe that this kind of interactive
software has been developed. Should be called smart software.
Application of knowledge: I have showed my other friends how to log
on and use this interactive video. This is really fun and helps recall a lot
of brands showed in the video. Lots of small , medium businesses can use
this digital interactive music videos to sell their products.
b. Find and be a participant in 1 or more Focus Groups
Prof: Vera Sherdian, DCU
SALIS
During my undergrad I did quantitative research for my dissertation. I chose focus group because
I wasn't cleared for interview or questioning. So indirectly being a mature student and the topic
was the barriers mature students in Ireland faces to go back to education, sat with the focus group.
The host of the programme had male and female segmented in one focus group and mixed in other
focus group. I sat for the both being a mature student and I too had gaps in my education career.
But I wasn't taking down notes for my answers.
According to Howard and sharp (1983, p.6) the definition of research is "seeking through
methodical process to add one's own body of knowledge and hopefully , to that of others , by the
discovery of non-trivial facts and insights."
Fundamental reasons for data collecting methods:
Denscombe(2003,p.237 till 267) says that social methods for collecting data are divided into two
groups. In quantitative methods numerical data are used and the results are shown in tables, charts
and graphs, whereas in qualitative methods data is from experiences, behaviours, relationships of
participants and the findings are shown in cultural context and language used. The researcher used
qualitative data because it gives a data filled with information in depth and also of good quality.
As said before ,qualitative method allows participants to express their minds without and most of
the time is not bounded by the frames of set questions. It was significant approach for the
researcher to use the most suitable method to obtain data and this case qualitative method bearing
in mind that some of the focus group participants had literacy problems so the researcher made
sure that the participants will not feel uncomfortable having to write answers. On this situation
Denzin, Lincoln (2000) says for people who can not read and write, questionnaire are limited to
them because it won't allow them to express freely. The researcher used a set of questioner just to
guide herself through the themes during the focus group meeting.
Focus groups:
Focus groups were used by the social scientists which was developed in 3 phrases in the 1920's (
Denzin and Lincoln 2000,p.837). The method of using focus groups was usually done for surveys
and questionnaires. In 1970's market researchers used this method to figure out people's wants and
needs. In 1980's this method was used to find out issues on health and sexual behaviour in social
science and other social science issues.
Advantages of focus groups:
This is when focus groups were considered as a very useful qualitative research method. Hughes,
D and Dumont, K (1993,p.21,775-806) says that focus groups have sampling advantages for
research method. Never to discriminate people who can't read. Rather than one to one interview it
is better to engage participants in a discussion with other group participants. This will encourage
them to say more and not be unresponsive.
Disadvantages of focus groups:
With the advantages of focus groups there are disadvantages of focus groups as well. According
to Birn R, H (1990,p. 85) said a researcher has less control over the focus groups over the
interviewing because the participants may start discussing on irrelevant issues which might not be
suitable for the research. This could be difficult for the research to get accurate data from the
discussion. This may create a problem. That's why Birn recommended the researcher to allocate
experienced observer during discussion to get relevant data for analysing.
Usually in focus groups participants number are kept at a minimum by Denscombe (2203, p. 168).
It is very important to keep the discussion focused to the point using triggers and prompts. The
host or the interviewer should be objective but should voice options, the value should be kept open
to the groups while collecting information. It is important to understand the collective view of the
focus group rather than collecting individual comments.
Focus group that the researcher reviewed consisted of 13 participants. It was ensured by the host
to the researcher that everyone was included in the discussion. The researcher observed that some
of the participants felt comfortable in a group setting than one to one interview technique. The
researcher also observed that some of the participant were discussing more on their views than
other participants in the focus group. For this the researcher asked the host to ask everyone for
their views for it was crucial to get collective views than certain individual views as the researcher
took Denscombe (2003,p. 168)'s advice. Denscombe(ibid) also says participants in a focus group
might not reveal personal, sensitive, political issues in front of others . Saying this however the
facilitator should operate through a plan to maintain a balance when inviting people both quite and
talkative.
Key Ethical Principles while conducting a research:
There are 3 main ethical principles a researcher should follow according to the OFMDFM ( Office
of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister). These are:
Respect the rights and dignity of all those are involved in the research or are affected by the
research: Connolly says (2003, p. 9-13) that the researcher respects the rights and dignity of the
participants. The essence of free and fully informed consent is the right of the participant to be free
to decide to agree or not to agree to take part in a study for research based on comprehensive
understanding of the purpose and the nature of the research.
The researcher received additional consent from the participants for personal data gathering
equipment such as writing information on a notepad and typing in MS word in a laptop and also
informed the participants what the researcher intended to do with the information gathered. The
researcher and the host of the focus group discussion also explained to the participants that they
were free to leave the room if they feel uncomfortable during the study.
Ensuring as far as possible of the physical, social and psychological well-being of the
participants taking part in the research or are affectedby it according to Connolly (2003,p.6).
The researcher made sure that the interests and the wellbeing of the participants in the focus group
discussion will be protected and they will not be affected or harmed as a result of their participation
in the research programme. The researcher made the participants aware of the confidentiality of
the study. The participants were reassured that any personal information given by them during the
study will not be revealed and their identity would be protected. Denscombe (2003,p.136) and
Connolly (2003,p. 20) says by ensuring this to the participants in a research , researchers are
obligated under the Data Protection Act 1998. It is really important that the researcher lets the
participants knows about the whole procedure, the limitations and protect confidentially associated
with this research.
Conduct researchers professional work integrity by the researcher in writing and help other
researchers on the research findings: Creswell(2002,p.66-77) says that ethical issues in a
research are not only involved in collecting data but also in writing the report of the research. It is
very important the words and language used by the researcher will not offend people in term of
gender, ethnic group, sexual orientation, age or disability.
The researcher was aware of the cultural diversity in the focus group. The researcher was fully
aware of not using discriminatory language while writing the report.
Participants in the research:
In the focus groups age ranked from 20 years to 55 years. 13 people took part in the focus group
discussion. (11 female and 2 male). In the focus group 4 women were from travelling community,
2 women were members of a local community and youth development project, one women was an
community worker for education, two participants were mature students and the other participants
were voluntary members of a management committee of a local community project.
Equipment and documents used for the research:
The researcher contacted the participants via the host who arranged the discussion. Through her
people were made aware of the research project and what it consists of through phone. The
participants were told that other equipments will be used during the study. Participants were aware
about the equipment used for the research and the research process are conducted by phone
contacting to gain access to them, laptop for typing the information in MS word and analysed later
by the researcher, taking down notes on notepads, questions given to the host to tailor the
discussion which will be utmost helpful for the researcher to avail necessary data, the set of
questions is going to help run the discussion in a systematic way and with relevant discussion from
group involvement.
Research process :
The researcher was accommodated with a room for the focus group by the local community
development project Le Chile in Dundalk. The researcher made this arrangement because the
people participating in the research would feel comfortable in known environment. The researcher
was ensured by the host that all the participants were at good health and would not be affected by
the research being carried out.
Data Collection:
The researcher collected the data through the focus group meeting which was carried out on the
25th July, 2013 in a rapid revitalising area. During the meeting a number of issues(personal) were
disclosed by the participants which are not recorded as the participants requested. The host
thanked the participants also on behalf of the researcher. The researcher reassured that their
identity will not be revealed in the reporting. Connolly (2003, p.20) said that it was important to
ensure the well-being of those who participated in the research. He clearly stated the importance
of confidentiality and anonymity of the participants.
Summarising statement:
One of the important aspects of the research was to understand and ensure the views of the
participants were noted and heard. Therefore the research was carried out in a comprehensive
manner.
Limitations:
The research limitation was that the researcher had time constraints and therefore was unable to
carry out further larger study with the focus group.
Reference:
Chapter 3
Methodology Reference:
Howard, K. and Sharp, J, A. (1983) The Management of a Student Research Project. Aldershot:
Gower. ( Cited in Bell. 1999.) Doing your research project.
Denzin, N.K Lincoln, Y.S. (2000. 2nd ed) Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage publications,
California 91320.
Creswell, J.W. (2002 2nd ed) Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods
Approaches. University of Nebraska, Lincoln Sage Publications, International educational and
professional publisher. Thousand Oaks, London, New Delhi.
Ragin , C.(1994) Construction Social research : The Unity and Diversity of Method. Pine Forge
Press.
Denscombe, M. (2003 2nd ed). The GoodResearch Guide for small-scale social research projects.
Open University press McGraw Hill Education Maidenhead Berkshire England SL62QL.
Miles, M. Huberman, A.(1994) Qualitative Data Analysis. Thousand Oaks. CA: Sage cited in
Denscombe, M. (2003 2nd ed). The GoodResearch Guide for small-scale social research projects.
Open University press McGraw Hill Education Maidenhead Berkshire England SL62QL.
Mc Cracken, G. (1988) The Long Interview in Qualitative Research Methods. series 13, A sage
University paper, Sage publications, California 91320.
Maynard, M. Purvis, J. (1994) Researching Women's lives from a feminist perspective, Published
by Tyler and Francis, London and Bristol.
Marshall, C.Rossman, B.G. (1995) Designing Qualitative Researcher. Sage Publications London
New Delhi.
Kitzinger, J Research fellow Qualitative Research : Introducing focus groups. Glasgow University
Media Group, Dept. of Sociology, University of Glasgow G128L.
Hughes, D and Dumont, K Using Focus Groups to facilitate culturally anchored research.
American Journal of Community Psychology (1993,p.21,775-806) cited in Kitzinger, J Research
fellow Qualitative Research : Introducing focus groups. Glasgow University Media Group, Dept.
of Sociology, University of Glasgow G128L.
Birn, R. H, P. (1990) A Handbook of market research . London Routledge and Keegan, Paul cited
in Marshall, C.Rossman, B.G. (1995) Designing Qualitative Researcher. Sage Publications
London New Delhi.
Connolly, P. (2003) Ethical Principals for researching vulnerable groups. University of Ulster,
Central Print Unit.
c. Find and be a participant in 2 or more Focus Groups
Supervisor Prof: Vera Sherdian, DCU
During my undergrad I did quantitative research for my dissertation. I chose focus group because
I wasn't cleared for interview or questioning. So indirectly being a mature student and the topic
was the barriers mature students in Ireland faces to go back to education, sat with the focus group.
The host of the programme had male and female segmented in one focus group and mixed in other
focus group. I sat for the both being a mature student and I too had gaps in my education career.
But I wasn't taking down notes for my answers.
According to Howard and sharp (1983, p.6) the definition of research is "seeking through
methodical process to add one's own body of knowledge and hopefully , to that of others , by the
discovery of non-trivial facts and insights."
Fundamental reasons for data collecting methods:
Denscombe(2003,p.237 till 267) says that social methods for collecting data are divided into two
groups. In quantitative methods numerical data are used and the results are shown in tables, charts
and graphs, whereas in qualitative methods data is from experiences, behaviours, relationships of
participants and the findings are shown in cultural context and language used. The researcher used
qualitative data because it gives a data filled with information in depth and also of good quality.
As said before ,qualitative method allows participants to express their minds without and most of
the time is not bounded by the frames of set questions. It was significant approach for the
researcher to use the most suitable method to obtain data and this case qualitative method bearing
in mind that some of the focus group participants had literacy problems so the researcher made
sure that the participants will not feel uncomfortable having to write answers. On this situation
Denzin, Lincoln (2000) says for people who can not read and write, questionnaire are limited to
them because it won't allow them to express freely. The researcher used a set of questioner just to
guide herself through the themes during the focus group meeting.
Focus groups:
Focus groups were used by the social scientists which was developed in 3 phrases in the 1920's (
Denzin and Lincoln 2000,p.837). The method of using focus groups was usually done for surveys
and questionnaires. In 1970's market researchers used this method to figure out people's wants and
needs. In 1980's this method was used to find out issues on health and sexual behaviour in social
science and other social science issues.
Advantages of focus groups:
This is when focus groups were considered as a very useful qualitative research method. Hughes,
D and Dumont, K (1993,p.21,775-806) says that focus groups have sampling advantages for
research method. Never to discriminate people who can't read. Rather than one to one interview it
is better to engage participants in a discussion with other group participants. This will encourage
them to say more and not be unresponsive.
Disadvantages of focus groups:
With the advantages of focus groups there are disadvantages of focus groups as well. According
to Birn R, H (1990,p. 85) said a researcher has less control over the focus groups over the
interviewing because the participants may start discussing on irrelevant issues which might not be
suitable for the research. This could be difficult for the research to get accurate data from the
discussion. This may create a problem. That's why Birn recommended the researcher to allocate
experienced observer during discussion to get relevant data for analysing.
Usually in focus groups participants number are kept at a minimum by Denscombe (2203, p. 168).
It is very important to keep the discussion focused to the point using triggers and prompts. The
host or the interviewer should be objective but should voice options, the value should be kept open
to the groups while collecting information. It is important to understand the collective view of the
focus group rather than collecting individual comments.
Focus group that the researcher reviewed consisted of 13 participants. It was ensured by the host
to the researcher that everyone was included in the discussion. The researcher observed that some
of the participants felt comfortable in a group setting than one to one interview technique. The
researcher also observed that some of the participant were discussing more on their views than
other participants in the focus group. For this the researcher asked the host to ask everyone for
their views for it was crucial to get collective views than certain individual views as the researcher
took Denscombe (2003,p. 168)'s advice. Denscombe(ibid) also says participants in a focus group
might not reveal personal, sensitive, political issues in front of others . Saying this however the
facilitator should operate through a plan to maintain a balance when inviting people both quite and
talkative.
Key Ethical Principles while conducting a research:
There are 3 main ethical principles a researcher should follow according to the OFMDFM ( Office
of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister). These are:
Respect the rights and dignity of all those are involved in the research or are affected by the
research: Connolly says (2003, p. 9-13) that the researcher respects the rights and dignity of the
participants. The essence of free and fully informed consent is the right of the participant to be free
to decide to agree or not to agree to take part in a study for research based on comprehensive
understanding of the purpose and the nature of the research.
The researcher received additional consent from the participants for personal data gathering
equipment such as writing information on a notepad and typing in MS word in a laptop and also
informed the participants what the researcher intended to do with the information gathered. The
researcher and the host of the focus group discussion also explained to the participants that they
were free to leave the room if they feel uncomfortable during the study.
Ensuring as far as possible of the physical, social and psychological well-being of the
participants taking part in the research or are affectedby it according to Connolly (2003,p.6).
The researcher made sure that the interests and the wellbeing of the participants in the focus group
discussion will be protected and they will not be affected or harmed as a result of their participation
in the research programme. The researcher made the participants aware of the confidentiality of
the study. The participants were reassured that any personal information given by them during the
study will not be revealed and their identity would be protected. Denscombe (2003,p.136) and
Connolly (2003,p. 20) says by ensuring this to the participants in a research , researchers are
obligated under the Data Protection Act 1998. It is really important that the researcher lets the
participants knows about the whole procedure, the limitations and protect confidentially associated
with this research.
Conduct researchers professional work integrity by the researcher in writing and help other
researchers on the research findings: Creswell(2002,p.66-77) says that ethical issues in a
research are not only involved in collecting data but also in writing the report of the research. It is
very important the words and language used by the researcher will not offend people in term of
gender, ethnic group, sexual orientation, age or disability.
The researcher was aware of the cultural diversity in the focus group. The researcher was fully
aware of not using discriminatory language while writing the report.
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency
Final Portfolio on Competency

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Final Portfolio on Competency

  • 1. “Skyis the limit, to dream is to begin a wonderful journey” A CompetencyBuilding PersonalPortfolio DCU BUSINESS SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT & ARTICLES SUBMISSION STUDENT NAME: TAMANNA NAZNEEN RAHMAN STUDENT NUMBER-59100397 PROGRAMME: BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (MSBM) PROJECT TITLE- NGM PORTFOLIO MODULE CODE- MT 5113 LECTURER- DES McLAUGHLIN PROJECT DUE DATE- 10/06/2014 DECLARATAION I the undersigned declare that the project material, which I now submit, is my own work. Any assistance received by way of borrowing from the work of others has been cited and acknowledged within the work. I make this declaration in the knowledge that a breach of the rules pertaining to project submission may carry serious consequences. I am aware that the project will not be accepted unless this form has been handed in along with the project. Signed: Tamanna Nazneen Rahman
  • 2. I am thankful to God, my parents, my loving mother who has given me so much strength since I was a baby and my late father who had showed how to be successful in life. He is the one who taught me English and a well disciplined person. I am thankful to my Chair of school Des, all the teachers. My friends Tushar, Udit, Stuart, Jenny, Mina, Gulya, Fatima, Enzo, Arick, My khalu have given me a lot of support too. My work is dedicated to my Father and my mather. I love them so much. Tamanna.
  • 3. Table of content: Introduction Reflection on PODS with synthesis: 1. Personal career development a. Accenture Workshop: DCU Student Business Consultancy Society b Advanced CV Writing c. Carr Communications d. Emotional Intelligence e. Interview skills session f. Leadership development g.Mind inerviewMcKinsey h. NGM Interview lecture i. The science of creativity 2. Business and society Fences ILP Ethics, sustainability in Business 3. Research Music video Focus group/s CV writing Interview skills Questionnaire SPSS Market research panel Methodology for research 4. Digital skills and media and communication Cloud computing Twitter LinkedIn Webinars Guy Kawasaky Here's the summary of my PODS in POD minder
  • 4. Conclusion to my portfolio with PODS completed successfully
  • 5. Introduction to my portfolio: The portfolio that you are reading is my work from two semester in MSBM in DCU from 2013- 2014. As required by Dublin City University I took 20 credits Next Generation Module. As to do with this course I had to take workshop, seminars, activities which were together 40 known as 40 PODS necessary to make this portfolio. These PODS I took has certainly changed me a lot as a person and made me more career orientated for the future. These activities I took were linked with my Personal Development Plan (PDP) I had taken to better myself and hence the 40 PODS fulfill my PDP. I did more but I reflected the ones which will fill my deficiency in my competencies. Honestly speaking I learnt the term competency and how useful it is after I have done the reflections and the activities. These 40 PODS were divided into four categories: 1. Personal career development 2. Business and society 3. Research 4. Digital skills and media and communication Each of this headings has 10 respective PODS and together they make 40 PODs. I have conducted these 40 PODS in the two semesters. These have taught me lot. I have learnt new skills, improved my old skills, dealt with problems, found logical solution and have organised 40 reflections. I am sure each PODS are going to help me in my Business management field by making. The main outcome from this PODS were to create perfect graduates, make better understand of the four categories and sort of created a challenge among us to learn and understand them. I believe most of the NGM students feel they cope with these headings much better than the start of the year. But there were some PODS I didn't want to take but I still took them because they were core PODS. And thankfully I did. I now understand a better side of these PODS. The practical knowledge and the sheer amazing experience I had from these PODS are too be kept with me forever. However, my understanding of these PODS might be less than some of the excellent students in NGM. But I have tried in my power to reflect what I have learnt from these 40 PODS. I am a mature student and I got this opportunity because the DCU Business Department has seen something good in me and has given me the opportunity to show my skills and what I have learnt. I am really truly grateful for this opportunity. It is my life changing and will bring me good in my career and future life. Thank you once again for giving me the scope of broadening my horizons through practical teaching of knowledge that I have experienced in the Next Generation Management. Best Regards, Tamanna. Next generation management: I learnt a lot in 2 semesters. I have gained practical experience through NGM activities which I couldn't have learnt from only reading books or sitting in exam halls. This module has created me to tackle any situation at my work place. I feel I am a better and reshaped person. I have filled the lackings in my PDP through the PODS. I have gather confidence, skills, self control, emotional control, working and handling team through team work and so on. NGM is very important for any student I found. This is reach and has a clear vision to create a perfect human being. This module
  • 6. has brought out the best in me. In NGM the categories have made me learn a lot. But in here at the portfolio I am only mentioning the ones that is linked mostly with my PDP. These are: 1. Personal career development a. Accenture Workshop: DCU Student Business Consultancy Society b Advanced CV Writing c. Carr Communications d. Emotional Intelligence e. Interview skills session f. Leadership development g.Mind inerviewMcKinsey h. NGM Interview lecture i. The science of creativity 2. Business and society Fences ILP Ethics, sustainability in Business 3. Research Music video Focus group/s CV writing Interview skills Questionnaire SPSS Market research panel Methodology for research 4. Digital skills and media and communication Cloud computing Twitter LinkedIn Webinars Guy Kawasaky The prince 2 was good experience though I didn't get quite good but I have learnt from the interactive tool. I used my Prince 2 learning's in GOMC campain and got a good report. The first lecturer for leadership and development Claire Gubbins has told us to write or reflect our learning in a story telling way. She made her classes very interesting and I have enjoyed a lot. below are the reflection from Leadership and personal development:
  • 7. PDP 's the Personal Development Competencies: All the seminars and workshops and activities I have taken is to make my PDP resolution full. At the start of my MSBM academic year I had to write the competencies I lack and I want to get them. Also some competencies which I have but want to improve them. I had long time goal to acquire some and short term goal. After taking the PODS I have successfully completed my PDP. It is a wonderful thing that some of the competencies I never thought I should have, and after doing the PODS I have them now. I know that this PDP and POD has thought me to find out anything that needs to be done, set a guideline, and timeframe to complete them, complete the task and one can get success through applying practical knowledge like I have in NGM. I tend to write and speak to the point. I don't have the habit the exaggerate, hence my reflections are to the point basically what I have learnt from it and how I can improve myself more with the availed knowledge. I should tell a little about my personal self and to let you know where I am coming from and what I have in me to offer. It's not everyone that gets chance to do their Masters Degree in MSBM. The opportunity to take Next generation management has given me the sheer opportunity that I feel blessed to be here part of a wonderful learning atmosphere. So who am I ? And how I see myself from my auto biography perspective! I have written this for Clare in NGM project . Tamanna Nazneen Rahman, born in 1984 in Dhaka Bangladesh born in a family of mother Azmeri and father Dr.Md Mizanur Rahman. Her father was professor, head of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering ,BUET, Bangladesh. She is a Bangladeshi girl. She got her primary schooling done from BUET teachers school and her childhood was going great within the BUET teachers compound, where everyone and everything was familiar. She was really good in all sorts of sports, cricket, badminton, athletics. She learned Bengali music for 13 years. She won national award in Art. Life was going smoothly in her little world with her, mother, father, her friends and her relatives. Then happy days turned upside down in a moment. Her dad got really sick suddenly. Her mother brought him to Ireland for treatment in 1999. In Ireland her mother's sister resides. But even though all stones unturned, doctors couldn't save her father. He passed away in 17th November, 1999. Tamanna'a world got devastated. Everything turned unknown, everyone seemed scary and all the relatives showed their true colours. She stopped music, art, sports and her favourite hobby, writing poems. Her father was her inspiration. Since he is gone everything seemed meaningless to her. She stopped celebrating life. She and her mother had to leave the BUET campus since her father wasn't working in the university any longer. Then after a few years of depression, her mother decided to bring her to Ireland, thinking a change of surrounding will make her come back to life again. So, she came to Ireland, living with her aunts. She started doing her 4th year in the High School Rathgar. In new setting, she tried to start another life without her father. After the Living Cert. she had to go home with her mother because her grand-mother was sick. She couldn't let her mother be alone like that. So, she went home to Bangladesh. In 2008, her grandmother passed away. She then decided to come back to Ireland. She realized the education in Ireland will give her an upper-hand than millions of students in home.
  • 8. Then in 2009 she joined DCU. She started living on her own, her mother went back home to Bangladesh. She always called her mother. She had to get allowance that her mother sent her through her aunt. She sets a goal. She got into DCU MSBM course luckily. This was about Her now. So she worked hard, and got her Masters degree. During this time she in Masters she won another gold medal in Badminton in Student Sports Ireland 2013/2014. Her mother was so proud. There has been countless issues, but yet the success has erased all the gloomy days. She found love in DCU during her undergrad. She made the greatest friends in DCU who gave her constant moral support. She then got a job visa for a year. During that time she got herself in Google. She always wanted to work in Google. She became manager of the creativity department. She has the team work sports, creativity from art, bravery from learning from a tough life. She loves her work. 4 years of working in Google she got the stamp four and applied for her mother to come stay with her. And in a year thankfully the Irish Govt. granted her mothers Visa. She is now a senior employee in Google, bought a house, learned driving, and has the biggest room in the house for her mother So life gave her everything, taken the most special person away, but has thought her to be strong. She is strong, wise, and a very friendly person. Even after all this she respects her aunt. Because elders are always to be respected. One can gain anything with, love , caring and respect. She has come so far and she has more dream of achieving more in life now. Badminton is still her favourite pass time. She wants to be successful in life and create a small happy family with her fiancé soon. All this were God's will and her mothers constant support. No one can break anyone in this world if one has the will of survival. So that was a biography of myself and hopefully I can do a lot with my NGM knowledge in my career and help myself and others around me to success. 1. Personal career development PODS: First of all this POD has helped me develop my self. Through the PODS like the Accenture workshop I have understood what the employment people seek from college graduates. If a presenter is lively and friendly it is easy to understand him and take his or her points on board. Like our Lecturer Ms. Claire was so lively and energetic that I was willing to listen to her. I learnt to speak like her in front of crowds. Her body language, her flow of clear speech and sense of humour has made me interested to be more confident like her. Like this PODS all the PODS which was set over nine months has definitely gave me a clear view of myself. I learnt a lot about myself. I learnt that working in a group can be hard if the group mates do not work properly, but then again if one can lead the group well and set out tasks and goal then the group communicates clear and flawless. This notion is going to help me throughout my career I am sure. The PODS I have taken for Personal career development were many but the ones which are most relevant to my PDP are the ones I reflected on: 1. Personal career development a. Accenture Workshop: DCU Student Business Consultancy Society b Advanced CV Writing c. Carr Communications d. Emotional Intelligence e. Interview skills session f. Leadership development g.Mind inerviewMcKinsey
  • 9. h. NGM Interview lecture i. The science of creativity So as one can see from the headline, from applying to a job, to interview to successful team management everything was taught in this headline. I am sheer glad that I know them now. I have applied the cv writing technique for to get a PhD scholarship and they are evaluating my request. I have used the interview skills at getting a pertime job. I had clear eye contact and was confident at the interview board. I am writing the reflections below: a. Accenture Workshop: DCU Student Business Consultancy Society This POD will be cantered around an interactive workshop given by Brian Smyth, from Accenture as part of an event been held by the DCU Student Business Consulting Society. Wednesday, 19th February It will provide students with an opportunity to gain tips and skills related to a career in consultancy, as well as students who are particularly keen to begin a career with Accenture. There will be a discussion on 'How to Best Approach a Project' and the event will conclude with a Q&A Session with Brian. I am aware that there has been a lot of Accenture related POD's but this event would allow students who have either not attended the Accenture pods earlier in the year or those who are only seeking a potential career in consulting. This was a great POD presented by two energeting young individuals working at Accenture. They were really helpful and told us how to get grad jobs. They also helped us NGM students in DCU to understand and strength our competencies. Both presenters name were Brian. This is the picture of the
  • 10. eve where some of the happy NGM students learnt from the workshop. Brian encouraged us to ask questions in the middle of the seminar. He was funny, witty and showing us that how much he enjoys his work. Working at Accenture seemed fun. Its consultancy based work. So he said that they do not stay and work at their super fab office at Accenture. There work place depends on where the client has them working. He said its long hours but they have the time to complete their task in their own time. So its not our usual 9 to 5 office hours. It can be 9 am till 10 pm. After listening to him I tried to apply for a job their. Cause I have in built consulting skills in me. I help a lot of people with advices. I can understand a person well, can read their problem and try me best to give solution. This was shaped better in my MSBM consulting skills class. But unfortunately I won't be able to apply for Accenture. Because after graduation I have one year to search for a job if I want to stay in Ireland. But I have to leave if I can't secure a job till then. And Accenture has already selected people for this year. Brian from Accenture told us to say every good things we can to sell ourselves for a job. Being a member of clubs and socs are great he said. He said he was in a lot of clubs and socs when he was in DCU and it helped him a lot. He said team work is really important in today's world of employment. Usually its groups and projects, and project leaders so that's why association with various clubs, socs, voluntary body can come to play good for a business grad while exploring the right job. Timing and preparation, vision, mission is good too. I have seen that working in KFC and even getting place in DCU MSBM was boosted up for my involvement in the clubs and socs during my undergrad years. So Accenture workshop was a fun and informative POD to take something onboard for me in the future. I will sell myself to the employer with all the qualities and experiences I uphold which will get me the job hopefully. Reference: What Accenture workshop comprises at available at : http://www.accenture.com/us- en/technology/technology-labs/Pages/service-technology-innovation-workshops-summary.aspx [Accesses 06/05/2014] b.Advanced CV Writing: Learn how to shape your CV to match what employers are looking for. In this session learn how to: Recognise what key points the employers need to know about you Identify your key skills, experience and qualifications Ensure your CV reflects the key skills, qualifications and experience the employer has requested. Date: 6th March 2014,1PM Venue: DCU Why POD:This could be a great opportunity to get feedback and improve my CV as I continue to try make myself more more presentable at this crucial time for applying for jobs post completion of the master's program. About this POD: This was an interesting POD. The speaker showed us how to make good CV's. She also picked a few CV's from the audience and asked us to say if we think weather it is okay or not. Then she gave us her feedback on how an actual cv should be form. Structure, layout, contents everything. Cause before an interview an employer will look at the CV before interview to take or leave the candidate. So a CV should be clean, professional looking and only hold information which are relevant to the employer. It should have clear information about the candidates work
  • 11. experience, educational background etc. She showed us how to write our name and contact number. Where it will lay on the cv and so on. It was very important session for me. When you see other good cv's you autimatically know how bad ones cv is. Where to change, what to add etc. When someone guides you is even better. What I have learnt from this POD: A CV is not just information about me, it is also an advertise for me. Reading this advertisement an employer will see that weather I am suitable enough for his or her organisation. Do I have it in me? My CV should be better than other people who wants the same job. The employer should see that I have extra or more value adding prospects. If one's CV is good they are half way there. Being called for an interview is not of less opportunity. CV is the key for an interview. All the PODs on Interview told us about how important interview is , how useful a good cv can be and so on. But This POD showed me how to make the CV I need for an interview. Conclusion: This POD was very useful and certainly helped with my PdP. I have taken this technique to submit a CV for a PhD proposal and they have accepted to see more to my proposal. Clearly This POD will help me throughout my life. Reference. Importance of a good CV available at : http://www.legalsecretaryjournal.com/?q=the_importance_of_a_good_cv [Accessed on the 5th June 2014] Personal Development Synthesis c. Carr Communications Presenter: Declan Ferrell from Carr Communications This POD is about how to deliver effective presentation Date the event took place: 25/10/2013, 1pm till 4pm at Q15 Description of the event: The POD is about learning how to deliver presentations effectively. The presenter showed the audience how to deliver, improve presentation skill. He used slides with elaborate visuals such as posters and slides. Slides were small precise with bullet points which he explained. He showed us to give presentations confidently. Analising this topic I will give Self analysis, analysis of my learning and application in context.
  • 12. Self analysis: When it comes to presentation, I get nervous and didn't quite know the step by step way to present a topic. below this is what I learnt from the Carr Communications presentation seminar. Analysis of my learning: The POD is about analysing the skills to deliver effective presentation. According to Carr communications an effective presentation is where the audience remembers the presentation especially the aspects where the presenter wants and needs them to remember. The presentation should have specific message points ands visual aids such as posters, bullet points. He showed us how to prepare a presentation which has an impact and the way it should be presented. It is important to bear in mind the type of audience we are presenting, how to say something which will interest, effect or benefit them. The presenter also have to understand what he or she can achieve through the presentation. He should know a little about how the audience is engaged with the presenter. Are they giving attention to the topic, taking down important points which will benefit them or not listening to the presenter at all. So the presenter should see what the audience is currently thinking, saying or doing and how the presenter wants them to use this cognitive functions after the presentation. How many key messages to deliver and for the audience to remember the points examples, data, stories can be used to make these points memorable to the audience. When telling the story it should be coherent, and the story should have connected points from the beginning to the end. While presenting the topic the presenter
  • 13. showed be confident enough to know his material, own his material. The way presentations are delivered is very important too. The speaker should have a good body language, have effective eye contact with the audience, should have good use of gesture, strong voice and he should not be directly reading from scripts. He can use unexpected elements, humour to add zest to the presentation. The presenter should use PowerPoint with proper visual (diagram, picture, posters, clips) help. Visual help works where it is difficult to explain and is eased by using this method. To create the slides the presenter should use light on dark or dark on light back ground not light on light. He should use plain background. He should use reasonable conservative colours. The speaker should practice and rehearse before he deliver the presentation. Cause knowing about something and talking about something are two different things. The presenter can use notes and read it between pause and hold it openly. After presentation the presenter should anticipate for likely questions. He should paraphrase the answer, expand to a new point. Application in context: After attending the POD on improving presentation skill I have learnt a lot from it and have positively applied it in my presentations in class. I have created slides with effective bullet points, gave pictures as visual aids. I have created small ply cards which I used as notes. But now I tend to deliver the presentation without looking at the notes. I am confident enough because I rehearse and practice in front of a mirror before I go in front of my audience. I give examples ,
  • 14. diagrams to explain my topic well and in a manner which will create interest among the audience and they can remember the points which might benefit them as well. Evaluate: The presentation skill seminar was well effective because of the speakers help and enriching us with the effective presentation techniques. He explained every aspects of delivering effective presentation which will help us throughout our academic carrier. How to give a presentation, how to create a presentation using PowerPoint, slides, pictures as visual aids, How to link points and make a statement is taught to us by Carr Communications. Reconstruct self concept: Now I am not nervous about presentation even the crowd is huge. I am well prepared and confident because I know how to create my presentation, prepare well in advance for it and deliver effectively which I have learned from the Presentation skills seminar. This has definitely developed my personal skills. Application of knowledge: As I have explained I have applied my personal development presentation skill during my class presentation in a effective manner. The feedback which I got from my lecturer and the audience made me realise I have done well. But there's still room for improvement. Public speaking is an art. Everybody can speak but speaking in a manner which is creative and which audience will remember and benefit is what I want to achieve. d. Emotional Intelligence (Queendom)
  • 15. Venue: www.queendom.com I took this test and gave me a score below 50. May be I didn't answer some of the questions correctly. Because there were so many. I like quizzes but I don't like too many questions, kind of get disorientated from the current scene. So here's a snapshot of my score: So this was the result. I am usually very empathetic. For example at work when I finish my task and even my hours are over, I stay back and help my colleagues as much as I can. If someone is
  • 16. sick I always cover their shift. Even out side work all my friends come to me for advice, I help them out as much as I can. I do this with no expectation. But When I am at trouble I have seen a very few friends come to help me out. Others are usually BUSY! So times like these you realise who are your true friends. My best friend from childhood one day started playing with this girl in the afternoon whom she use to talk negative all the time. And she wasn't playing with my group. Then I realised that she had changed school and the girl's father was giving my ex best friend and his daughter lift to school everyday. I was very sad but didn't say anything to anyone. After three months later my ex bestie came back to play with us as if nothing had happened. During the 3 months she was like bestie with the other girl. Now we found out that her so called new friend was leaving the country cause her dad had got a new job in England. We took her to our group but I could never be that good friends with her again. I get hurt if my close ones lies to me, but I still help them out as much as I could. But from this quizz I learnt to see through people more. I should read people more. Observe them, and try to understand them rather than blindly trusting their words. My mother always tells me to see, hear and not to talk too much. Because she saw me getting hurt over and over again. But I believe in one thing that if we don't have trust and if we don't have hope then there won't be any humanity left. I will be careful though. There were 146 questions in this emotional evaluation of self. I think it is important for a person to know about their own self before getting to know others. Relationship, friendship everything is sensitive. It takes a lot of time to build them but breaks at a moment. But can be rebuilt again. If everyone in this world becomes less greedy, selfish and helps one person only then the whole world will be a safer place to be. I have gone through time that I wanted to end myself, but I looked at what I have, I have my mother, I have my life and I felt life. I felt I can do more and do good to others. I cry, but try to keep others happy. Life has been really harsh on me. Losing my father at early age, broken hurt, fake friends I saw a lot. But I have seen good people who reminded me that there's always day after the night. So I always tell people smile because there is always tomorrow . e. POD/Event description: Interview Skills and Assessment Centres Skills Session When: 29th October: 1pm-2pm Where: QG15 Who is the organiser/speakers: Careers Service Topics covered: interview preparation, goal-setting, learn to be more rested and relaxed, learn to listen actively and try to offer more direct and concise answers. I want to learn about what kind of tasks are assigned at assessment centres also and how I can prepare for them. URL to POD/event: https://www4.dcu.ie/students/careers/newsletter/september-27th-2013.shtml About this POD: This was an interesting POD held by DCU careers service. This is a big help for NGM students ho want to do great in careers in the future. They told us about different techniques of interviews. There were speakers who told us the Do's and Don'ts at interviews. They practically showed us Mock interviews to show how well a interview may go or how disastrous it might turn out. But They didn't mention the key concepts of interviews. Which is to keep it short
  • 17. and keep it simple and too the point. It was well but it could have better. I went to see if I can learn something more then I know to get grad jobs. It was ok but not totally helpful. They weren't telling us the secret recipe to find a proper job. Which was networking. Facebook, twitter, emails, chats, LinkedIn etc are great platforms to enhance ones community to get advice and be connected to professional world. How relevant this POD is for me: Though I know I am good at interviews but I want to learn more. There is always room for improvement I believe. What is interview? An interview is between two people where questions are asked to gather facts or relate answers which matches with the interviewer. It's usually a systematic approach according to seidman, I(1998). Interview can be done qualitative and quantitative, in interview board for jobs or any kind of research. In NGM classes I have learnt different ways to gather data through different researches and acquiring and organising the data which will help me more in my future because I want to do PhD and I need to know a lot about research methodology. During the POD they showed us interviewing people, how they are answering, what are the techniques that are relevant. But I found that they forgot to mention one thing. Which is keep you answer to the point, clear, and short. But if employer wants more information then give specific information. But overall they spoke about the interview skills and techniques like communication, teamwork, researching etc. There are different types of interviews they showed like open-ended, closed, formal etc. How will I use it in the future: This POD will be of benefit if I use it for the kind of professional jobs they were telling us like working as fresh graduates. But if someone were to start work after a few years after further education, this might be a little difficult. But they could have told us to keep an eye on the ever changing hiring scenario. In a few years one to one interview sessions might be gone to save a HR manager save time and money. In that case how to fight with the current situation!! Well I have faced a situation like this before in an interview where there were more that one or two interviewee at the same time. . I was having a cup of coffee with my friend at a cafe then I met an old friend. He told us that they will be taking in staff at Insight & Ideas, and weather we are interested? me and my friends were like are we!! YES we are. So when is it? He said its in 1 hour. I was like are you kidding me? I don't even have my CV with me. He was like I will go with you and tell them that they can take your interview now and you will bring your CV in if you are accepted. That sounded strange that interview without CV!! But no problem, there's an opportunity so got to grab it. So me, my friend and the old friend took off to the interview place. The office was 20 minutes from where we were sitting and its about 20 minutes away from my home. Excellent location. So, finally we reached the office 10 minutes before the interview. We were stuck in the traffic jam. Just want to say that if one wants to attend a wedding reception starting at 7pm, he should leave house at 5pm (just to be save and not to miss the food, fun and all). So you can see that we were early if you think about the crazy traffic (but at present Dhaka traffic is better because they have built a lot of flyovers). Anyways, after that we went to the office and saw about 100 people waiting for the interview. I had a little idea about the organisation but not too much. I thought they will call us one by one like the way interviews are. But it was surprising that they called all of the interviewees to a big conference room. I had no idea that Bangladesh was so modern. The room had projectors, Big screens on the wall, the whole place was like a first world country. My friend who told me about the interview also told me to be 100% honest. I told him that I am always. So the interview started. They were going to hire 8 people. they will be broken down into to teams and the general
  • 18. introduction of the organisation. First thing was we were only to raise our hand if we agree, or the answer is yes. First question was who speaks English fluently, can write well too? I raised my hand. And about 40 others. The rest were told to leave the room. Then the question was who can speak Bangla fluently and write too? I raised my hand. After that question 20 were left. Then they asked who smokes cigarette? This question panicked me cause in Bangladesh it is bad if a girl smokes, but I smoked. So I thought twice and raised hand. Then there was 10 left. Out of the ten they gave us some logical questions to complete. To speak for 5 minutes in whatever we like. I was chosen. And I worked there for 2 years before I came to Ireland to join DCU as an undergrad student. The researches were mostly on cigarette brands, and B&H introduced new smokes and that's why we needed to be both fluent in Bangla and English to conduct the researches and report taking, interviewing etc. And for the event management they needed people with high energy to work at the reception, manage guest lists, etc. So that was my interview in Bangladesh. Conclusion: The interview POD was good for the NGM class, but they will have to include some more options than traditional approach of interviews and make the session more interactive and interesting. f. Leadership Development Seminar Date: 11th April Time: 1-3pm Venue: QG15 Title: "Implementing Leadership Development in the Context of Rapid Change & High Turbulence" This seminar will be delivered by Professor Jack McCarthy. About this POD: In this POD the presenter was excellent. He was energetic, clear and for a non native English speaker, I understood everything he said . He was very friendly and answered a lot of my questions. The POD was about Leadership. It is one of the competencies we need to prosper in our lives. He spoke about the context of leadership today, the determents of being successful, implications of leadership, taking action, the Wilhemsen lines case, lessons and adjourns. He stayed with this titles but he gave examples to get the picture clear to us. What I learnt from this POD and How relevant it is for me: I saw this video at the start of the presentation about a chocolate farm where a new employee starts work and the manager just comes and tells her what to do. She does not show her how to work. Thus the poor girl starts work with another employee and loses track of the speed and production line gets messed up. Similar thin happened to me at my work place. When I started to work in KFC they didn't show me how to work on and I as confused. I observed others and learnt. This kind of leaders wants things done and they want the maximum results without showing the employee how to actually work and perform the best. So what I do now is show new employees how to work step by step so they won't be confuse or scared to mess up their work properly. A good leader is an icon. Everyone will follow him. So what is good leader? I think a good leader is who is charismatic, gives credit to the employees who are trying to work their best, motivates employees. According to Foster, D (2001), A style of leadership by a leader is to set plan, motivate people and instruct them to get to the goal. There are various kinds of styles of leadership'. Out of all the styles of leadership I like democratic
  • 19. style leadership. A democratic leader is motivating, nice, caring, wise, creative and builds creativeness among his sub ordinates as well according to Foster, D (2001). I like this kind of leadership because this leader cares about his employees, can make decisions which is not biased to stakeholders and conducts corporate social responsibility. In the POD he told us about how different situation can arise at work and what kind of leadership style might work. For example the new leader Mr. Ingar at SAS, tackling the difficult situation with his unique leadership style. He called it a new leader style. This POD I took because I might become someone big at an organisation someday or may be just to lead a particular team needs to know how to manage groups or team members. I was the captain of DCU Badminton team and lead my team to victory for Student Sport Ireland 2013/2014. We won the cup and gold medals. The feeling was shared by the whole group. I maintained clear communication, I involved my team members while making a decision, who is going to play single, who is going to play doubles were made from previous individual players winning history. Before the winning we practiced every week 3 times. I have per time job but I had a coach who were there every Wednesday to conduct the training. Everyone played their parts well, communication was clear, there were a lot of hard work and the result was the victory which was the goal. If a leader gives a higher goal the teams are going to try and achieve them. Everyone likes challenges and rewards. It does not have to be monitory rewards, good words, phrases, employee of the week sort of things can boost one energy level to work hard and thus can achieve anything. Like the Tom Cruise 'Mission Impossible' movies I believe as human beings we can achieve anything and everything if we know , try and believe. Reference: definition of leadership and the leadership styles are available at : Foster, D (2001). "A Method of Comparing Follower Satisfaction with the Authoritarian, Democratic, and Laissez- faire Styles of Leadership", New York. g. McKinsey&Company interview preparation I would like to apply to McKinsey&company. After having search a few tips on internet, it appears the interview is quite demanding. Forbes (2013) ranked McKinsey as the most difficult job interview among other multinationals. (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/08/09/the-25-companies-that-give-the-most- difficult-job-interviews/) collected from PODMINDER This book 'The McKinsey Way' is by Rasiel,M.E.. He also helped writing the McKinsey Mind. Resonto read this book and its relevance: It is a easy read book and has a lot of ideas to help individuals and businesses to work in McKinsey way. Their ideas gives an insight to jin their company and how to work like them. It has a lot of ideas as I have said but not to lengthy. So how it is useful for interviews: The book talks about various issues that arises. It has 5 sections. the first section talks about business issues and coming up with strategy to overcome those issues. This section finishes with eighty by twenty rule.The second part is how to sell measures to the issues from the view of a consultant. He gives good advice, how to negotiate with clients in a business farm. Third part talks about the surviving ingredients at this farm the hiring details. This part is the important one because it will help NGM students to realise what a farm looks for in an candidate. And this part gave me a lot of insight to get familiarise with the work load they have and the ways to tackle the work in an organised manner. Any bid work place will have more or less work pressure. It is vital to know the work environment so one can effectively start their day
  • 20. without any confusion. At work time is money. So an employee has to bare in mind the importance of time, save time, utilise time and so on. So how their task is formulated to reach their goals etc are described in this section. The fourth part of this book deals with the Structure of the organisation. I understood its not the organisation structure but the work structure they are continuously saying. The last part is how to use the experience learnt from this experience. I am calling it experience because when I read a book, I imagine the situations, and present myself there in my imagination. What I learnt from this book as a POD: After gathering knowledge from this book or place I can use it to any real life business place to tackle business problem. I have seen that learning to use technology, a lot of reading with current businesses helps individuals to be ready for the future. So if one is ready the future is not uncertain. We should know what kind of result we will get because of the kind of hardwork we put into it. I liked this book because it teaches individuals how to be ready for an organisation, their hiring, interviewing and the tackling of business problems in simplistic manner. Every university student should read this book to broaden their knowledge. If I wanted to work with this organisation it will help me after I read the book but it still didn't reveal a lot. Like what kind of questions will come up. But then again, If I know my act there is no problem conquering the interview. We guess we just have to research more and more and have a lot of experience to back us up. This POD will help me to get a job in the future cause I am more aware of what to expect even though I have seen the whole thing working in KFC. Reference: McKinseys recruiting available at: http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/join_us/the_interview_process [accessed on the 1st June 2014] The book The McKinsey Way available at google books: http://books.google.ie/books/about/The_McKinsey_Way.html?id=UtNZZU6JLiQC&redir_esc=y [ accessed on the 1 st June 2014] The Mckinsey Mind available at google books: http://books.google.ie/books?id=jFlx_H0f6O0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+McKinsey+Min d+google+books&hl=en&sa=X&ei=iSGXU5T7HeeR7Aas14C4Aw&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v= onepage&q=The%20McKinsey%20Mind%20google%20books&f=false [ accessed on the 1 st June 2014] h. NGM Interview lecture Date 25/03/2014 Venue: DCU QG-15 Presenter: with Invited Employer Recruitment & Talent Sourcing Specialist This Pod was really interesting. It taught us how to improve interview skills. Tackling interviews weather its for a job, or for a career choice or for any reasons needs to be clearly and well composed . I have seen that confidence is good but with that certain knowledge and research does good for the interviewee.
  • 21. My Idea of interviews and life examples: Till now I haven't been rejected in any interviews. I always do a little homework of the work place I am going for an interview. I try to look good, wear formal wear, have correct gestures and make eye contact with the people. I also tend to be myself in the interview board. If I know some answers I tell them but if I am unaware of any answers I tell them that I do not know the answers, and apologise for not finding it during my research. I learnt from my father how to speak in a formal institution. He was a professor and also the Dean of Mechanical and manufacturing dept, and later Industrial Production Engineering in Engineering University Bangladesh . He used to hire professor, PhD students and so on. So since I was a kid I learnt from him. I learnt the art of speech. I asked him once why did you hire him he doesn't know that much and why did you not hire the person who has a lot of knowledge? He told me the man he hired wants to learn, he is natural, honest and confident but not too confident. He also liked the way he spoke, his gestures and what he had to offer to the department. And the person he didn't take was too confident, knew everything, was not willing to learn and quite over-confident. This guy was fisting his palm and my father didn't think he was good enough even though he had a Post Doc degree. Amazingly the person he hired became a senior professor in a few years and was doing really good for the department. This was one example, I have seen many and heard many. When I went for a job in Bangladesh at the age of 23 it was quite challenging. It was a research, interpreting and event management job. It was pertime but the pay and the working environment was top class. I was having a cup of coffee with my friend at a cafe then I met an old friend. He told us that they will be taking in staff at Insight & Ideas, and weather we are interested? me and my friends were like are we!! YES we are. So when is it? He said its in 1 hour. I was like are you kidding me? I don't even have my CV with me. He was like I will go with you and tell them that they can take your interview now and you will bring your CV in if you are accepted. That sounded strange that interview without CV!! But no problem, there's an opportunity so got to grab it. So me, my friend and the old friend took off to the interview place. The office was 20 minutes from where we were sitting and its about 20 minutes away from my home. Excellent location. So, finally we reached the office 10 minutes before the interview. We were stuck in the traffic jam. Just want to say that if one wants to attend a wedding reception starting at 7pm, he should leave house at 5pm (just to be save and not to miss the food, fun and all). So you can see that we were early if you think about the crazy traffic (but at present Dhaka traffic is better because they have built a lot of flyovers). Anyways, after that we went to the office and saw about 100 people waiting for the interview. I had a little idea about the organisation but not too much. I thought they will call us one by one like the way interviews are. But it was surprising that they called all of the interviewees to a big conference room. I had no idea that Bangladesh was so modern. The room had projectors, Big screens on the wall, the whole place was like a first world country. My friend who told me about the interview also told me to be 100% honest. I told him that I am always. So the interview started. They were going to hire 8 people. they will be broken down into to teams and the general introduction of the organisation. First thing was we were only to raise our hand if we agree, or the answer is yes. First question was who speaks English fluently, can write well too? I raised my hand. And about 40 others. The rest were told to leave the room. Then the question was who can speak Bangla fluently and write too? I raised my hand. After that question 20 were left. Then they asked who smokes cigarette? This question panicked me cause in Bangladesh it is bad if a girl smokes, but I smoked. So I thought twice and raised hand. Then there was 10 left. Out of the ten they gave us some logical questions to complete. To speak for 5 minutes in whatever we like. I was chosen. And I worked there for 2 years before I came to Ireland to join DCU as an undergrad student. The researches were mostly on cigarette brands, and B&H introduced new smokes and
  • 22. that's why we needed to be both fluent in Bangla and English to conduct the researches and report taking, interviewing etc. And for the event management they needed people with high energy to work at the reception, manage guest lists, etc. So that was my interview in Bangladesh. In Ireland I joined KFCabout a year and half ago. I dropped CV online and also at the shop. During the interview they asked me if I could do upselling. I said yes and a lot. They asked me why do I want to work in KFC? I said I love chicken. They hired me. I am still there, and I up sell three four times more than other cashiers, my lobby cleaning is superb, and my customer relation is quite good. There are some customers they wait at the cue at my cash point even if it is long. How relevant this POD is for me: Though I know I am good at interviews but I want to learn more. There is always room for improvement I believe. What is interview? An interview is between two people where questions are asked to gather facts or relate answers which matches with the interviewer. It's usually a systematic approach according to seidman, I(1998). Interview can be done qualitative and quantitative, in interview board for jobs or any kind of research. In NGM classes I have learnt different ways to gather data through different researches and acquiring and organising the data which will help me more in my future because I want to do PhD and I need to know a lot about research methodology. During the POD they showed us interviewing people, how they are answering, what are the techniques that are relevant. But I found that they forgot to mention one thing. Which is keep you answer to the point, clear, and short. But if employer wants more information then give specific information. But overall they spoke about the interview skills and techniques like communication, teamwork, researching etc. There are different types of interviews they showed like open-ended, closed, formal etc. Conclusion: This POD was a good education for me. I learnt that to say what I have even being the member of badminton team and winning for badminton team for DCU can be of relevant for interviews too. Anything to sell oneself is good at interview but with facts and honesty will carry a long way. References: Interview availavle at :Seidman, I (1998). A Guide For Researchers in Education and The Social Sciences. College press New York, i. The science of cretivity in the form of Mentors and students Presented by Arick Shama and Francheska Chamber Date: 12/12/2013 till 09/05/2014 Venue: Google, phone, chat, email The topic: The more creative a person is the more power resolving solution they have. I have seen that networking is to me is a form of creativity. Cause connection and reaction is kind of like the law of physics. Hence networking is the science of creativity. The bigger and broader ones network is the more connection they build. And to use one's connection wisely is very important. According to Redstone,S the Chair of Vicom 'content's king'. Creativity is power. So when one ones to do marketing networking is important by all means.
  • 23. Why I chose this POD and modified a bit from the heading for similarity: Networking is an important part of ones success in career path. Through times we might have to mentor others in career path according to Chao,97. I am a person who takes action before thinking. So I do a lot of things like this linking to my career. Currently I am working pertime in KFC.I was getting 7 hours a week. But I was telling new stuff how to do things and coaching them. My main manager saw this and now KFC calls me up to train new employee and I am getting good hours too. I am broadening my network at work by mentoring others. I do this cause when I started work there was no one to show me and I used to get very scared to think wheather am I doing things right. I didn't want the new comers to feel scared like me so I started helping them and it went to my favour surprisingly. Hence I took this pod and kind of modified it to my learning context to prove that mentoring is beneficial. I added this because this POD connected with PDP. My nervousness overcoming needed a boost. So this POD helped me overcome Detail of this POD: According to Karm, 1985 the phases for teaching or mentorship is in four catagories. These are Cultivate, Initiate, Redefine, Separate. All the four stages I have learnt here. They can be used step by step or can be used from one phase to last. Or one phase can be adopted only for the situation specified. For my KFC context I took the initiate step. I started showing the new employees with out getting any orders from my superiors. And the cultivate, separate work etc came automatically among the new employees. They are helping others who are learning too. So a good mentor can create a good student and a good student can become a great mentor too. Its a ongoing process I have seen. My studying in MSBM has helped me lot get over my nervousness. I tried to use my emails, my connections as I learned from this POD. I emailed my connections and chatted with them to overcome my fear. Some times arguments happened I learnt to deal with them with logical explanations I learnt about my mentors from a previous NGM student. He linked me up with them so here networking helped. Francesca Chambers is one of my mentors who is running an website. The name of this website is red alert politics. She and I had same problems such as dealing with the politics in the workplace. This POD is about the science of creativity and I have gave advices and shown people mentorship skills which I have gathered from this POD. It has helped me as well to deal with my personal problem at workplace. The other person who mentored me is Arick Shama. She is from Bangladesh and did her DUEL major in Economics and Physics and currently working in German Office in Dhaka. She has helped me with her advice in my study field in how to be calm and also in workplace situations. I contacted her through Facebook, phone, emails etc. She helped me when my workplace wanted to get rid of me and wanted to take someone who wanted to take their friend. So she advised me to go to a solicitor. So I did and it went well. The work people couldn't just fire me without any reasons, that would have been an unfair dismissal and I am saved. But Francesca and my mentoring relationship is new according to kram, 1997. Arick has helped me a lot. She has advised me to join the German office who works at Bangladeshi field level to help the poor people. So she is helping me now and she is my well wisher in future. She has told her boss about me, I met her and her boss when I went to visit Bangladesh. I still email Arick for various queries and she never puts me down. I am learning a lot from her. Conclusion: The science of creativity is to take instant decision when there's a problem or where ever new ideas needed. I wasn't a great mentor. But I think I have in me. I have helped myself out of situations by using my networks and also mentoring others who are in need of some guidance.
  • 24. I have helped my friends and classmates in different occasions. I learnt from Kram and Higgins, 2001;as I am a mature student I have learnt the importance of mentorship and handling relationship sensitively. Earning mentorship ability will help one approach well towards their career path. DCU's NGM has helped me to learn mentorship and creativity skills through networking in a great deal. This I will take with me to future to enhance my career and help anyone so they will be alright too. The key to mentor is to know both the people and the work involved. It's good to categorise and then implement the competency so there will be less confusion and more positive result. And through practice this will work. Learning the theory through the POD, practicing with connections, implementing in real life at ones work place and finally knowing which step to adopt and which to let go for future situations will make one perfect at this. 2. Business and Society : Then the second theme was Business and society. In this heading I undertook and lot of seminars, activities too. Reading books etc was among them. I have learnt the business ethics, sustainability which is valuable for a greener planet. I want my next generation to have a beautiful planet and secure future, hence this POD taught us all the value of good business practices and how to deal with the stakeholders and the people who are directly affected by the businesses day to day activities. The PODS I took were many but I am reflecting on the business and society PODS which fulfill my criteria for PDP only. I have also taught elderly computer skills, which is good for the society. Educated society is countries assets. I believe education is for everyone people from all race , age, class. Computer literacy is vital for this digital era. So if my little effort can help anyone to understand and use the computer for their benefit is my pleasure. I am from a developing country and I have seen that only through education one can better her or his situation and have a prospective future. I get things done, I don't speak much about my work, the result tells it all. So I will keep on working to improve myself and help others. I also am reflecting to the point, I am going to apply the practical knowledge like I have done for ILP in my career. Here are the PODS I had for this heading: a. Fences & Windows b. ILP c. Ethics, sustainability in Business So here what I have learned, reviewed and gathered from the business and society PODS are reflected here a. Fences & Windows - Dispatches from the front lines of the Globalization debate by Naomi Klein
  • 25. Picture from: Amazon.co.uk/fencesandwindows Book Review Review of this book: This book deals with anti globalisation situations, law enforcement tackling strikes and protests. This book was in UK and US published. There are opportunities represented through windows and fences which show the obstacles depicted in this book. The chapters talk about how the US is showing itself towards the world that it is not a hamburger which done through the US dept of states. And the other part discusses about the calamities of the war effects. Naomi the author of this book, talks about the anti-globalisation-movement by America. She also talks about the protests and how the law enforcement tackled it. I have read her book No Logo swoosh. There she spoke about the Nike brand, how they are exploiting the labour and how much they are generating by selling a pair for 100's dollar and it costs 2 dollars to make. She is a ice breaker. I love her style of writing, very independent, fact based. This book Fences & Windows is no different. Here she is also very clear with what point she wants her readers to get. The book looks like a newspaper, it has a lot of personal wordings which she has infusioned. Her facts are her statements, a lot of the statements she hasn't backed up which was lacking I suppose. But the statistical data, the fun critique-based points are enjoyable to read. What did I learn from this book: Naomi's supporting anti-globalisation made her realise the suffering of fastfood workers in Italy, farmers with no lands, teachers and mentors in Argentina, tomato pickers in Maxico, homeless
  • 26. kids, coffee beans growing people and so on. She saw that these people directly suffer. Her movement is new and is different from the political view of the left-wing movement from previous activists at grass root. The idea is gathered by individuals and organisations and do not make anyone in charge. Her another notion was law enforcement stopping people at pre strike, arresting people before getting to the point. She is against war because police violence aginst the strikers are leagalised. At the end I have found that this book is very interesting. Some fact are so dramatic that it's hard to believe even the data. Political organisations can be so bad I had no idea. Because they stop the hope of people who are not getting the rights of working, living and they can not even protest!! Conclusion: Globalisation is good but sometime anti-globalisation movements are necessary for the people who needs to have their voice heard for the right reason. Globalisation gives to much power to some first world countries but the oppressed gets worse in their situation. America the worlds police should be neutral and use their power to save not to overpower the neglected. References: The book reviewed is available at : Klein,N (2002) 'Fences & Windows' , Flamingo, USA and UK. b. Inter-generational Learning Program: Business & Society 4 (4 POD) I have been volunteering to teach elderly ladies for past three months now. I will assist them again after the Summer vacation. I absolutely love this. I have two reasons to. The first one is that I want to be a teacher and that is why I am teaching the ladies and the second one is that I loved to teach my grandma how to use new things like mobile phone, computer games, hair dryers etc. I taught my mother how to use computer, and email. I taught her how to use mobile phone and texting. So even though I am miles away she texts me everyday and I call her in the morning. So I knew I can help them learn technologies in a fun way. I have had three students. I had in mind that they might like technology or they might not. So I have to be very caring, patient and be as explainable I can. So My first student Mary. ILP with Mary: Mary was brilliant student. Her children got her an Ipad so she could keep in tough with them. I wanted to teach her photo editing as Carmel and I thought. But she wanted to learn to email. So I thought her how to use an email. I explained that email is secure, fast and very effective. As she will not now about the formal language used for email I explained that email is usually in a formal structure. So I showed her the formal structure to write emails. Then I told her she can use how ever way she likes to write to her children. I used to write this step by step on her diary so she could follow up when she had gone home. it was like, first type in www.google.com. In the search box type gmail.com. Then sign in your credentials. After that log on to the email, I wrote her the meaning of the technical jargons too. Then I told her the detailed way to compose, send emails. Now she is emailing her bank for information. Then I helped her learn how to do internet banking. She asked me to teach her this so she can operate from home. She is the leader in a Church group and she has to monitor the funds she said. So now she knows how to do internet banking with the bank of Ireland. Then I showed her how to look for recipes in youtube. I showed her that in Youtube she can watch anything. Any movies, any cartoon for her grandchild etc. She cooked dinner for her son and sons family from youtube. I was very pleased. I also showed her how to take photoes using her Ipad from front camera and reer. And then showed her how to edit
  • 27. her picture online using an easy picture editor like the picmonkey. Then I showed her how to save the pictures on the Ipad's desktop and send the picture to her sons and daughters using the email. At the end of the day I was so pleased. She was a great student, very willing to learn. I used to get to lattes one for a good teacher like be and one for my great student. Mary loves latte. I have learnt a lot from her too. She used to advice me many important things. Hopefully I will see her again after the Summer. ILP with my other two students: The next two months I taught the new two elderly students. They didn't have their I pad. One student had her laptop and other was using the University desktop computer. Just like Mary I taught them email, youtube, but I taught them about online shopping aswell. They learnt how to order from retailers like tesco online, and get items delivered home conveniently. I taught them how to read newspaper article online. Basically I teach my students google and youtube because they can do a lot if they know this two. Then I have showed them knitting websites. I taught them picture editing in Picmonkey like Mary. They also opened facebook for their children. I taught all my students Micosoft word who has windows to write what they like. One of my students has started writing her travel and holidays experience. Hopefully one day she can publish her book. I helped them learn to listen to songs and see the movies on youtube they haven't seen in years. I try to make learning interesting. I ask them what would they like to learn and thus teach them their interest. Teaching these student's are so good. They were unaware that they can do so much with the internet. I make sure what ever I teach them I write them down step by step and tell them to try it at home so they won't forget. Practice will make them better in this. Now my students are not scared of computer and internet. They wait for every class to learn more and more. I am so happy I am making a digital generation. And I will continue till I am in DCU. I thank NGM and DCU ILP service to let me volunteer and experience such amazing people with interest to learn. I felt the best when Mary said 'you should be a teacher because you will makea great teacher'. I received a certificate from Carmel the last day of this session. I am so happy. I told my mother and she is very happy too. Hopefully I can do more things to people because as human beings our responsibility is to care for others and help others. This is how we can make this world a better and a happier place. In here in a digital way. Third theme was research. Mr. Gerry did a lot of hard work to make us understand the topic and he has done a great job. At the end of this I am much more learnt about research and how to conduct research using different techniques and tools. The reflections are here: c. Business & Society 2 Doing Business Ethically: Ethical models, Stake holders and Sustainability' Delivered by Dr. Fiachra O'Brolcháin
  • 28. DCU Institute of Ethics. Dated, time and place: 04/12/2013, 2pm till 4 pm at QG 15 Description of the event: It was a POD on Business and society and during the event the speaker spoke on various aspects. The POD is about learning how to act ethically in society, in market to save our environment too. The presenter used slides with elaborate visuals such as posters and slides. Slides were small precise with bullet points which he explained. Self analysis: I was a little aware of the pollutions and green house effect causing great harm to our environment. But I didn't know the ethics involved in market and the other aspects the speaker showed us. I didn't know how important it is and how I can learn from it to better situations. Analysis of my learning: I learned the evidence the speaker put in front of us about global worming. Our speaker said warming of the climate system is unequivocal. Since the 1950s, many of the observed changes are unprecedented over decades to millennia. The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report states that the atmospheric concentrations (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide have increased to levels unprecedented in at least the last 800000 years. CO2 have increased by forty percent since pre-industrial times, primarily from fossil fuel emissions and secondarily from net land use change emissions. The ocean has absorbed about 30% of the emitted anthropogenic carbon dioxide, causing ocean acidification.Sea-levels is rising as well. It is very likely that the mean
  • 29. rate of global averaged sea level rise was 1.7 mm yr– 1 between 1901 and 2010, 2.0 [1.7 to 2.3] mm yr–1 between 1971 and 2010 and 3.2 mm yr–1 between 1993 and 2010. If this continues land will be flooded especially the low lying countries. Ice-loss is where ice is melting. Over the last two decades the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have been losing mass, glaciers have continued to shrink almost worldwide, and Arctic sea ice and Northern Hemisphere spring snow cover have continued to decrease in extent. Ocean warming dominates the increase in energy stored in the climate system, accounting for more than 90% of the energy accumulated between 1971 and 2010 . It is virtually certain that the upper ocean warmed from 1971 to 2010, and it likely warmed between the 1870s and 1971.Each of the last three decades has been successively warmer at the Earth’s surface than any preceding decade since 1850. In the Northern Hemisphere 1983–2012 was likely the warmest 30-year period of the last 1400 years. Greenhouse gases are causing negative impact on our environment. Carbon dioxide is the dominant contributor to current climate change .The last time CO2 was at this level was the Pliocene era which ended 2.5 million years ago. Seas were 30 feet higher and camels lived in the high arctic. Average Arctic temperatures increased at almost twice the global average rate in the past 100 years. As predicted the global mean surface temperature is expected to rise by between 0.3° C to 4.8° C by the end of the 21st century (W. G. 1 IPCC, 2013) . Freshwater availability projected to decrease in Central,
  • 30. South, East and Southeast Asia by the 2050s; coastal areas will be at risk due to increased flooding; death rate from disease associated with floods and droughts expected to rise in some regions. Currently world population is 7 billion. Projections recently issued by the United Nations suggest that world population by 2050 could reach 8.9 billion, but in alternative scenarios could be as high as 10.6 billion or as low as 7.4 billion. Depends on mortality and birth rate which is effected by education, better life, great inventions of science ( medicines) etc can prolong life span. Between 30 and 50% of the Earth’s land surface is used by humans. Since 1900 the percentage of the world’s oceans have either been fully exploited left with no fish . Climate change is likely to increase the frequency and severity of droughts and heat-waves which has bad effect on agriculture. Some animals are getting extinct for global warming. E. O. Wilson estimates that at current rates of human disruption of the biosphere, one-half of all species of life will be extinct by 2100. Jared Diamond’s Five Point Framework for a societal collapse are Environmental Damage, climate Change, Hostile Neighbours, Decreased Support by Friendly neighbours, societal response. The carrying capacity of an environment represents the maximum population level that can possibly be stable over time. Human population growth is worsening environmental conditions and persistent poverty increases the risk of new zoonotic diseases becoming pandemics. Ethics that fall under
  • 31. Ethical categories and systems have had a primarily human focus. Normative environmental ethics is concerned with the principles plus values in which human impacts on the natural environment might be morally evaluated. Ethical response to environmental destruction is human-centered and so does not compel a re-examination of ethical concerns and structures. Therefore, for some, normative environmental ethics is simply the application of principles and values that are thoroughly human-centered. He spoke about harm, politics and other aspects too. He said that developing world is responsible for climate change, so they should act upon creating a better, cleaner environment. Ethics in market is briefly explained the way speaker said: free market efficiently distribute limited resources, Libertarian political philosophy protects the rights of people to use their property as they wish. The zest of this approach is individual freedom. Also to think clearly about the economics of exhaustible resources like oil and coal, it is necessary to look far into the future, to assess their value as they become more scarce. Is this goal still justifiable as the primary goal of political organisation is in doubt, patents provide incentives for products designed for 1st world markets Application in context: There are 2 ways our environment can be saved, collective approach and individual approach. If we know what
  • 32. creates pollution, global warming we can fight it to save our planet. If individually makes a difference such as staying clean, keeping surrounding such as house, road, etc clean will mean a lot when others join for a ethical approach. I have already helped in Ballymun project to clean litters from the road side and from the fields. Evaluate: This was not only a presentation but also a very important education. Everyone should be well addressed of our worlds pressing matter. If everyone becomes conscious and responsible they can create a positive impact on this world. We can limit C02, greenhouse effect, stable the climate change so stopping a rise in sea level and saving agriculture, fisheries, animal kingdoms and human race from extinction. We have to be ethical and know our responsibility to save our environment. Reconstruct self concept: After attending this POD I am fully aware of the ethical way of saving our planet and securing our future. Now I know how global warming is related to all the other climatic, aquatic and environmental changes. Now I am educated in this field. Application of knowledge: I went to my home country which is a developing world country. I have told my friends not to litter here and there and use bins provided to throw litter. So individually we can make small changes which will add up to huge positive impact which will save our environment. Reference:
  • 33. Environmental business ethics is available at : http://smallbusiness.chron.com/environmental- business-ethics-64692.html [accessed 1st June 2014] 3. Research: Under the research heading Prof Gerry has broaden our knowledge on how to use and translate data into results using statistical and scientific approach. He has taught us different ways of research methodology and this has personally helped me. I had to do a PHd proposal and had to introduce research methodology. So I put the new knowledge from my research PODS and the authority of the PhD scholarship are looking at my proposal they haven't denied it. So that's one step of success. I will hopefully do PhD sometime in my life and these research PODS are going to help me big time with gathering quantitative and qualitative data. My understanding of research ha become better after taking seminars, labs, exams, activities under the research PODS. Here are the PODS I reflected on out of others I took. But I am putting them down because they link with my PDP and helped me reach my goal. Reasearch is more to create a report of findings out of the result gathered from various tests and experiments. So I am reflecting on only what I have learnt. I think talking too much about the topic will get derailed from the result. So the outcome and how I will apply it in my life in my future is what I am dealing with. a. Music video b+c Focus group/s d CV writing e Interview skills f. Questionnaire g. SPSS h. Market research panel i. Methodology for research a. Music video Research Synthesis Artemisa Jaramillo, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland Going interactive with the BRANDS depicted in digital music video Date and time and place: 2-8 December 2013, Henry Grattan Labs. Description of event: We were given instructions by Artemisa. She showed us a hyper video which is a modern technology which enables its audience to interact with the video. We were told to use desktop pc, internet connection and pen drive to work on. Self analysis: I know how to use computer and internet But I had no idea that one can interact with the brands in a music video. I didn't know that
  • 34. this kind of interactive software is programmed. This was amusing to me. I didn't believe it when I heard that audience can interact with a music video. Analysis of my learning: This is a modern technology which enables its audience to interact with the video directly. It also shows results on how interactivity can make audience recall the brands they were showed in the music video. This is a great way of marketing products. Songs, music videos are easier to remember. So if one is listening to a song, they might think of the product and purchase it because they might picture the branded product when they listen to the particular music video . Product placement is brand placement too. This is an important phenomenon that deserves close study cause it has broader scope in digital world. This is a outstanding marketing phenomenon. According to our speaker In a hypervideo, it has interactive placements, clickable spots are activated on celebrities and branded products within a video. It lets the viewer to get the information, even buy brands products portrayed on the screen. Interactive product placement will let audience recall and recognition, as audiences engage with the brands portrayed. Research suggest strong recall effects associated with interactivity and product placement there are studies that present evidence on how such interactivity may result overwhelming to audiences and decrease their cognitive capacity . This study maintained an experimental between-group design.
  • 35. The dependent variables experimented were brand recall and recognition (presence/absence) resulting from product placement in an online music video in two conditions .. A laboratory experimental setting was used to control the settings of the test and maximise internal validity. Two versions of an online music video were prepared using human computer interaction (HCI) recording software and each condition was allocated to a different laboratory to reduce contamination. The experiment was conducted with a sample of 94 postgraduate students with each student exposed to one experimental condition only. Participants were told to explore a digital music video and then were asked to complete a post- test questionnaire assessing recall and recognition consistent with similar research. After an interval of one week, participants were asked to complete a second questionnaire. The study suggests significantly greater brand recall in the interactive condition. Prior familiarity with the musical artiste and the specific music video were examined for impact and no significant impact was identified. Application in context: I learned how to use this technique and listened to a black eyed peas interactive video song and answered some questionnaire. Evaluate: I learned that online music research is very interesting. It helped me realise that marketing can be done using various platforms, in this case a music video. I will look for more songs like this. Reconstruct self concept: After this POD I know that there are interactive software's which broaden a products demand worldwide using
  • 36. digital and latest technology. Now I believe that this kind of interactive software has been developed. Should be called smart software. Application of knowledge: I have showed my other friends how to log on and use this interactive video. This is really fun and helps recall a lot of brands showed in the video. Lots of small , medium businesses can use this digital interactive music videos to sell their products. b. Find and be a participant in 1 or more Focus Groups Prof: Vera Sherdian, DCU SALIS During my undergrad I did quantitative research for my dissertation. I chose focus group because I wasn't cleared for interview or questioning. So indirectly being a mature student and the topic was the barriers mature students in Ireland faces to go back to education, sat with the focus group. The host of the programme had male and female segmented in one focus group and mixed in other focus group. I sat for the both being a mature student and I too had gaps in my education career. But I wasn't taking down notes for my answers. According to Howard and sharp (1983, p.6) the definition of research is "seeking through methodical process to add one's own body of knowledge and hopefully , to that of others , by the discovery of non-trivial facts and insights." Fundamental reasons for data collecting methods: Denscombe(2003,p.237 till 267) says that social methods for collecting data are divided into two groups. In quantitative methods numerical data are used and the results are shown in tables, charts and graphs, whereas in qualitative methods data is from experiences, behaviours, relationships of participants and the findings are shown in cultural context and language used. The researcher used qualitative data because it gives a data filled with information in depth and also of good quality. As said before ,qualitative method allows participants to express their minds without and most of the time is not bounded by the frames of set questions. It was significant approach for the researcher to use the most suitable method to obtain data and this case qualitative method bearing in mind that some of the focus group participants had literacy problems so the researcher made sure that the participants will not feel uncomfortable having to write answers. On this situation Denzin, Lincoln (2000) says for people who can not read and write, questionnaire are limited to them because it won't allow them to express freely. The researcher used a set of questioner just to guide herself through the themes during the focus group meeting. Focus groups:
  • 37. Focus groups were used by the social scientists which was developed in 3 phrases in the 1920's ( Denzin and Lincoln 2000,p.837). The method of using focus groups was usually done for surveys and questionnaires. In 1970's market researchers used this method to figure out people's wants and needs. In 1980's this method was used to find out issues on health and sexual behaviour in social science and other social science issues. Advantages of focus groups: This is when focus groups were considered as a very useful qualitative research method. Hughes, D and Dumont, K (1993,p.21,775-806) says that focus groups have sampling advantages for research method. Never to discriminate people who can't read. Rather than one to one interview it is better to engage participants in a discussion with other group participants. This will encourage them to say more and not be unresponsive. Disadvantages of focus groups: With the advantages of focus groups there are disadvantages of focus groups as well. According to Birn R, H (1990,p. 85) said a researcher has less control over the focus groups over the interviewing because the participants may start discussing on irrelevant issues which might not be suitable for the research. This could be difficult for the research to get accurate data from the discussion. This may create a problem. That's why Birn recommended the researcher to allocate experienced observer during discussion to get relevant data for analysing. Usually in focus groups participants number are kept at a minimum by Denscombe (2203, p. 168). It is very important to keep the discussion focused to the point using triggers and prompts. The host or the interviewer should be objective but should voice options, the value should be kept open to the groups while collecting information. It is important to understand the collective view of the focus group rather than collecting individual comments. Focus group that the researcher reviewed consisted of 13 participants. It was ensured by the host to the researcher that everyone was included in the discussion. The researcher observed that some of the participants felt comfortable in a group setting than one to one interview technique. The researcher also observed that some of the participant were discussing more on their views than other participants in the focus group. For this the researcher asked the host to ask everyone for their views for it was crucial to get collective views than certain individual views as the researcher took Denscombe (2003,p. 168)'s advice. Denscombe(ibid) also says participants in a focus group might not reveal personal, sensitive, political issues in front of others . Saying this however the facilitator should operate through a plan to maintain a balance when inviting people both quite and talkative. Key Ethical Principles while conducting a research: There are 3 main ethical principles a researcher should follow according to the OFMDFM ( Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister). These are: Respect the rights and dignity of all those are involved in the research or are affected by the research: Connolly says (2003, p. 9-13) that the researcher respects the rights and dignity of the participants. The essence of free and fully informed consent is the right of the participant to be free
  • 38. to decide to agree or not to agree to take part in a study for research based on comprehensive understanding of the purpose and the nature of the research. The researcher received additional consent from the participants for personal data gathering equipment such as writing information on a notepad and typing in MS word in a laptop and also informed the participants what the researcher intended to do with the information gathered. The researcher and the host of the focus group discussion also explained to the participants that they were free to leave the room if they feel uncomfortable during the study. Ensuring as far as possible of the physical, social and psychological well-being of the participants taking part in the research or are affectedby it according to Connolly (2003,p.6). The researcher made sure that the interests and the wellbeing of the participants in the focus group discussion will be protected and they will not be affected or harmed as a result of their participation in the research programme. The researcher made the participants aware of the confidentiality of the study. The participants were reassured that any personal information given by them during the study will not be revealed and their identity would be protected. Denscombe (2003,p.136) and Connolly (2003,p. 20) says by ensuring this to the participants in a research , researchers are obligated under the Data Protection Act 1998. It is really important that the researcher lets the participants knows about the whole procedure, the limitations and protect confidentially associated with this research. Conduct researchers professional work integrity by the researcher in writing and help other researchers on the research findings: Creswell(2002,p.66-77) says that ethical issues in a research are not only involved in collecting data but also in writing the report of the research. It is very important the words and language used by the researcher will not offend people in term of gender, ethnic group, sexual orientation, age or disability. The researcher was aware of the cultural diversity in the focus group. The researcher was fully aware of not using discriminatory language while writing the report. Participants in the research: In the focus groups age ranked from 20 years to 55 years. 13 people took part in the focus group discussion. (11 female and 2 male). In the focus group 4 women were from travelling community, 2 women were members of a local community and youth development project, one women was an community worker for education, two participants were mature students and the other participants were voluntary members of a management committee of a local community project. Equipment and documents used for the research: The researcher contacted the participants via the host who arranged the discussion. Through her people were made aware of the research project and what it consists of through phone. The participants were told that other equipments will be used during the study. Participants were aware about the equipment used for the research and the research process are conducted by phone contacting to gain access to them, laptop for typing the information in MS word and analysed later by the researcher, taking down notes on notepads, questions given to the host to tailor the discussion which will be utmost helpful for the researcher to avail necessary data, the set of
  • 39. questions is going to help run the discussion in a systematic way and with relevant discussion from group involvement. Research process : The researcher was accommodated with a room for the focus group by the local community development project Le Chile in Dundalk. The researcher made this arrangement because the people participating in the research would feel comfortable in known environment. The researcher was ensured by the host that all the participants were at good health and would not be affected by the research being carried out. Data Collection: The researcher collected the data through the focus group meeting which was carried out on the 25th July, 2013 in a rapid revitalising area. During the meeting a number of issues(personal) were disclosed by the participants which are not recorded as the participants requested. The host thanked the participants also on behalf of the researcher. The researcher reassured that their identity will not be revealed in the reporting. Connolly (2003, p.20) said that it was important to ensure the well-being of those who participated in the research. He clearly stated the importance of confidentiality and anonymity of the participants. Summarising statement: One of the important aspects of the research was to understand and ensure the views of the participants were noted and heard. Therefore the research was carried out in a comprehensive manner. Limitations: The research limitation was that the researcher had time constraints and therefore was unable to carry out further larger study with the focus group. Reference: Chapter 3 Methodology Reference: Howard, K. and Sharp, J, A. (1983) The Management of a Student Research Project. Aldershot: Gower. ( Cited in Bell. 1999.) Doing your research project. Denzin, N.K Lincoln, Y.S. (2000. 2nd ed) Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage publications, California 91320. Creswell, J.W. (2002 2nd ed) Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. University of Nebraska, Lincoln Sage Publications, International educational and professional publisher. Thousand Oaks, London, New Delhi. Ragin , C.(1994) Construction Social research : The Unity and Diversity of Method. Pine Forge Press. Denscombe, M. (2003 2nd ed). The GoodResearch Guide for small-scale social research projects. Open University press McGraw Hill Education Maidenhead Berkshire England SL62QL.
  • 40. Miles, M. Huberman, A.(1994) Qualitative Data Analysis. Thousand Oaks. CA: Sage cited in Denscombe, M. (2003 2nd ed). The GoodResearch Guide for small-scale social research projects. Open University press McGraw Hill Education Maidenhead Berkshire England SL62QL. Mc Cracken, G. (1988) The Long Interview in Qualitative Research Methods. series 13, A sage University paper, Sage publications, California 91320. Maynard, M. Purvis, J. (1994) Researching Women's lives from a feminist perspective, Published by Tyler and Francis, London and Bristol. Marshall, C.Rossman, B.G. (1995) Designing Qualitative Researcher. Sage Publications London New Delhi. Kitzinger, J Research fellow Qualitative Research : Introducing focus groups. Glasgow University Media Group, Dept. of Sociology, University of Glasgow G128L. Hughes, D and Dumont, K Using Focus Groups to facilitate culturally anchored research. American Journal of Community Psychology (1993,p.21,775-806) cited in Kitzinger, J Research fellow Qualitative Research : Introducing focus groups. Glasgow University Media Group, Dept. of Sociology, University of Glasgow G128L. Birn, R. H, P. (1990) A Handbook of market research . London Routledge and Keegan, Paul cited in Marshall, C.Rossman, B.G. (1995) Designing Qualitative Researcher. Sage Publications London New Delhi. Connolly, P. (2003) Ethical Principals for researching vulnerable groups. University of Ulster, Central Print Unit. c. Find and be a participant in 2 or more Focus Groups Supervisor Prof: Vera Sherdian, DCU During my undergrad I did quantitative research for my dissertation. I chose focus group because I wasn't cleared for interview or questioning. So indirectly being a mature student and the topic was the barriers mature students in Ireland faces to go back to education, sat with the focus group. The host of the programme had male and female segmented in one focus group and mixed in other focus group. I sat for the both being a mature student and I too had gaps in my education career. But I wasn't taking down notes for my answers. According to Howard and sharp (1983, p.6) the definition of research is "seeking through methodical process to add one's own body of knowledge and hopefully , to that of others , by the discovery of non-trivial facts and insights."
  • 41. Fundamental reasons for data collecting methods: Denscombe(2003,p.237 till 267) says that social methods for collecting data are divided into two groups. In quantitative methods numerical data are used and the results are shown in tables, charts and graphs, whereas in qualitative methods data is from experiences, behaviours, relationships of participants and the findings are shown in cultural context and language used. The researcher used qualitative data because it gives a data filled with information in depth and also of good quality. As said before ,qualitative method allows participants to express their minds without and most of the time is not bounded by the frames of set questions. It was significant approach for the researcher to use the most suitable method to obtain data and this case qualitative method bearing in mind that some of the focus group participants had literacy problems so the researcher made sure that the participants will not feel uncomfortable having to write answers. On this situation Denzin, Lincoln (2000) says for people who can not read and write, questionnaire are limited to them because it won't allow them to express freely. The researcher used a set of questioner just to guide herself through the themes during the focus group meeting. Focus groups: Focus groups were used by the social scientists which was developed in 3 phrases in the 1920's ( Denzin and Lincoln 2000,p.837). The method of using focus groups was usually done for surveys and questionnaires. In 1970's market researchers used this method to figure out people's wants and needs. In 1980's this method was used to find out issues on health and sexual behaviour in social science and other social science issues. Advantages of focus groups: This is when focus groups were considered as a very useful qualitative research method. Hughes, D and Dumont, K (1993,p.21,775-806) says that focus groups have sampling advantages for research method. Never to discriminate people who can't read. Rather than one to one interview it is better to engage participants in a discussion with other group participants. This will encourage them to say more and not be unresponsive. Disadvantages of focus groups: With the advantages of focus groups there are disadvantages of focus groups as well. According to Birn R, H (1990,p. 85) said a researcher has less control over the focus groups over the interviewing because the participants may start discussing on irrelevant issues which might not be suitable for the research. This could be difficult for the research to get accurate data from the discussion. This may create a problem. That's why Birn recommended the researcher to allocate experienced observer during discussion to get relevant data for analysing. Usually in focus groups participants number are kept at a minimum by Denscombe (2203, p. 168). It is very important to keep the discussion focused to the point using triggers and prompts. The host or the interviewer should be objective but should voice options, the value should be kept open to the groups while collecting information. It is important to understand the collective view of the focus group rather than collecting individual comments. Focus group that the researcher reviewed consisted of 13 participants. It was ensured by the host to the researcher that everyone was included in the discussion. The researcher observed that some of the participants felt comfortable in a group setting than one to one interview technique. The
  • 42. researcher also observed that some of the participant were discussing more on their views than other participants in the focus group. For this the researcher asked the host to ask everyone for their views for it was crucial to get collective views than certain individual views as the researcher took Denscombe (2003,p. 168)'s advice. Denscombe(ibid) also says participants in a focus group might not reveal personal, sensitive, political issues in front of others . Saying this however the facilitator should operate through a plan to maintain a balance when inviting people both quite and talkative. Key Ethical Principles while conducting a research: There are 3 main ethical principles a researcher should follow according to the OFMDFM ( Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister). These are: Respect the rights and dignity of all those are involved in the research or are affected by the research: Connolly says (2003, p. 9-13) that the researcher respects the rights and dignity of the participants. The essence of free and fully informed consent is the right of the participant to be free to decide to agree or not to agree to take part in a study for research based on comprehensive understanding of the purpose and the nature of the research. The researcher received additional consent from the participants for personal data gathering equipment such as writing information on a notepad and typing in MS word in a laptop and also informed the participants what the researcher intended to do with the information gathered. The researcher and the host of the focus group discussion also explained to the participants that they were free to leave the room if they feel uncomfortable during the study. Ensuring as far as possible of the physical, social and psychological well-being of the participants taking part in the research or are affectedby it according to Connolly (2003,p.6). The researcher made sure that the interests and the wellbeing of the participants in the focus group discussion will be protected and they will not be affected or harmed as a result of their participation in the research programme. The researcher made the participants aware of the confidentiality of the study. The participants were reassured that any personal information given by them during the study will not be revealed and their identity would be protected. Denscombe (2003,p.136) and Connolly (2003,p. 20) says by ensuring this to the participants in a research , researchers are obligated under the Data Protection Act 1998. It is really important that the researcher lets the participants knows about the whole procedure, the limitations and protect confidentially associated with this research. Conduct researchers professional work integrity by the researcher in writing and help other researchers on the research findings: Creswell(2002,p.66-77) says that ethical issues in a research are not only involved in collecting data but also in writing the report of the research. It is very important the words and language used by the researcher will not offend people in term of gender, ethnic group, sexual orientation, age or disability. The researcher was aware of the cultural diversity in the focus group. The researcher was fully aware of not using discriminatory language while writing the report.