Doing

Hello Readers,

I have been reading and searching on environmental asset management and knowledge management. i am quite astonished how wide the scope is. i feel i often get lost when i am search and looking through the various journals. No wonder these two areas are studied as masters degrees course. I have learnt so much from the KbAm module and i have to say that i think it encompasses everything thing I learnt from the MBE program. Honestly, I am quite PMA fatigue and i ham so glad there are no more class with less than 7 weeks left and me having to restructure my entire project is very tasking (I have just been feeling very down). I just feel that i have accumulated so much stuff that that my brain is saturated at this point, i feel like i do not want to learn anymore i just want to do(i.e. apply). I know this sounds cliche as a lot of us are wishing that the deadline can be moved by at least a month. I just really can not wait for this journey to be over so i can begin a new one.

Oge

: 03 Jul 2014 15:10 |  Tags: 2014 Kbam Mbe |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Quality over quantity: The issue of blogs

Hello Readers,

I also said something concerning the blogs and how they are assessed. Paul assesses them according to the number and quality of blogs you write and does something with the average to give an overall score (not sure what it is). Frankly from my previous PMA results despite my consistency I have not gotten the desired marks it is one if two things (I suck or Paul does not agree with me). I think it it is the former hence the irregularity of my daily blogs for KBAM. I think that the aim should be quality over quality, what i understand is that Paul is using the blogs so we can develop our thought process but I think it is wrong to assess someone’s thought process based on the quantity (Maybe there is formula i am not aware of). WE can have this conversation all day but I will take quality over quantity anyday just like the TQM approach which is after the benefits really than the costs. I mean Its difficult to think about something new everyday and then assessing it by the quantity (if you are not naturally gifted) but i guess that is how it happens in organisations, you have to continuously revamp yourself to remain relevant and productive.

Oge

: 08 Jun 2014 05:36 |  Tags: 2014 Kbam Mbe |  Comments (3) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Pressure and Costs

Hello Readers,

The seminar was really fun coupled with a ton of controversial questions and heated arguments….lol. Paul asked the reason what we do not share reflections when he asks and honestly i really can not answer that question. I just think we are all under pressure from our dissertation and we really just want classes to end early so we can all get back to what exactly we were doing (not sure if i am speaking for everyone). However this is worst possible way to learn and it is one-sided but at least is is efficient right…:( I have to say that maintaining assets incur a ton of costs as paul said these cost can it is not surprising that organization now are trying to do more with less, i have be direct and indirect and the picture of the iceberg shows that the indirect costs are a direct condition for the direct cost.. Also form PEUSS a tool that can be used to identify the root cause is the Fault tree analysis. Hence it is important to fix the cause of the problem rather than the problem itself.. as the problem can reoccur

Oge

: 08 Jun 2014 05:34 |  Tags: 2014 Kbam Mbe |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Communication and Effective communication

Hello Readers,

Just as Paul said technology does not help communicating as it of little use- you have to be willing to communicate. I have personally struggled with keeping up with my friends, i have the free internet alongside social media. however it is a constant struggle, I realised that i am super lazy. When i think about this i imagine how it is in organisations, especially when they have to constantly remind employees about the same activities more than 10times. Doesn’t it get irritating for both the employee and the employer, i say this because the employee may feel that reminding them more than once is fine and the employer will spend money on the various forms of communicating sources (e.g. printing costs). This is just a thought as i see myself as someone who really does not like to be bothered all the time, even working with people for group works if tasks are been delegated, i don’t expect anyone to remind me. I am learning that communication is not enough if it is not effective, hence the importance of effective communication and this makes employees engaged as they know what their organisation is up to at any point in time. I am now trying to keep in touch with my friends which requires a lot of effort if i do say so myself. If organisations want employees to go an extra mile, they have to willing to go an extra mile to engage them.

Oge

: 08 Jun 2014 05:31 |  Tags: 2014 Kbam Mbe |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Work–life balance

Hello Readers,

To ensure safety of employees of employees in the organisation, i think it is important to align job activities or tasks in line with his personal life. Simply put ‘work-life’ balance.

The problem is that sometime the organisation is too static as it is an entity and does no have a mind of its own. sometimes employees do not make it comfortable for them. This just dhows that it is important to hire right, if the employee is the right fit, make sure he gets rewarded appropriately, be aware this he has a life of his own outside the organisation and i believe this will maintain a good psychological contract between the employee and the organisation.

Oge

: 08 Jun 2014 05:31 |  Tags: 2014 Kbam Mbe |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Paradigm

I believe paradigm is vital in understanding culture. A paradigm is a way of thinking, perceiving, communicating or viewing the world. It is often called a worldview or a mindset. It has been said since the beginning of MBE that change begins with you.. we learn all this stuff but is no use to us if we do not apply. For me when something works i just stick to what i know instead of looking for ways to make myself better, i think it the same for a lot of people.. How do you change people if you do not model excellent behaviour, how do you then change if you do not strech out of you comfort zone. if i am going to ensure excellence i have to change my mindset.

: 04 Jun 2014 21:33 |  Tags: 2014 Kbam Mbe |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Engaging environment

Hello Readers,
Organizations want to achieve more in less time without increasing costs; having engaged employees is a powerful tool for competitive advantage. Communication is important, this has been going obvious especially in high reliability industry such as the airline industry whereby communication is dependent on actions taken this literally means that employees have to be engaged, I was reading an article for my OPP pma and I came across the four enablers of an engaging environment (Macloed and Clarke) which I will briefly discuss
Create a strategic narrative: Create a buzz. Every organization has a story, about their current state and what is wants to be (Vision). Short and long term goals should be communicated effectively so employees can align their performance with the organization.
Engaging Managers: it is important to have engaging managers. Managers in my opinion are the heart of organizational culture, they constantly communicate with employees, influence performance, and relationships.
Give Employee a Voice: ‘Seek to understand, before been understood’. Communication is vital but listening is ultimate. Creating platforms where employees’ opinions can be heard gives them a sense of value. Also the organizations can know where to focus on
Organization Integrity: ‘Walk the talk’ to be successful there has to be integrity. Prioritizing integrity sustains the employer-employee relationship and creates a robust operation.
I believe having an engaging environment would facilitate the information flow; decisions will be made rapidly and accurately.
Oge

: 02 Jun 2014 19:29 |  Tags: 2014 Kbam Mbe |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Crossing the Road

Today’s class got me thinking in a more practicable/futuristic manner rather than using my current judgment. Not being aware of the external environment, making poor decision and not accessing risks involved are a recipe for disaster. From the situational awareness video I learnt that errors made by humans involve 3 aspects information gathering, interpretation, and anticipation. Paul used an example of crossing the road; I decided to apply it to myself. Growing up in Nigeria we never had the pedestrian lights so it was no surprise to me when I find myself crossing the road randomly especially when there is no car in sight. Gathering information? Not really as I always aware of speed limits, traffic light and the road. Interpretations? Well I am not sure I know always check the roads before I cross so I guess I think about crossing before I do, Although I see myself as been paranoid at times but I guess I have quite a lot of confidence in my crossing skills and I try not to think of the possible accidents. This contribute to my judgment, assumptions of how fast I can get across giving certain circumstances which, can be limiting in terms of thinking ahead of the variations (weather, amount of traffic, road constructions) and special causes (someone maybe late and decide to exceed the authorized speed limit). Anticipate? I have not been able to learn from this although I have come close to being in an accident, Paul said when you feel you have been doing something for a long time you are confident this can possibly lead to being complacent. I believe my overconfidence limits me- I hope to learn from this, as my mental model can be incorrect. Also I think that to be a change agent it should not just be limited to the organization but as to your lifestyle.

: 02 Jun 2014 18:22 |  Tags: 2014 Kbam Mbe |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

KBAM

Hello Readers,

KBAM has started as usual there is always a group project, Paul said that asset management and knowledge management are masters course. i just knew alot of work has to be done, little did i know it involves putting in 40hours not collectively but individually (that is a like pma). This involves alot of time into investigations and research and frankly time i do not have.

As for the task itself, well I did not accept the leadership position because i have MOC pma pending, i am still not sure if i did the right thing as i see my self as one who tends to micro manage things (still working on it), again i have to trust others. Kbam i think is very different for other modules as it kinda encompasses everything i have learnt in CBE….. well i will see as the module goes on.
from the meetings my group have had the presentation seems like a we have to complete autonomy of the assumptions we make, real-life situations, facts and figure, this means that we are all accountable for our decisions thereby having a high level of responsibility. So far i would like to believe it is going well as well have focused on specific areas to enable us have a good work structure and also everyone has freedom to work. Paul say we should not do the presentation for marks…. hmm i’m not sure i can. Using the wiki-page as advised has not been adhered to and i think that in the pursuit of excellence in the team we need some kind of knowledge management the wiki is a good tool/database to manage such information. in addition communicating efficiently and clearly is essential for information control, it is not surprising that organizations fail at this.

Oge

: 02 Jun 2014 17:31 |  Tags: 2014 Kbam Mbe |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Be a Cheerleader.

Hello Readers,

During this past weeks of writing and researching on the leadership theories, i think that what they have in common is that they all seem to motivate oneself or others to achieve their various goals.
We all as individuals we have achieved something and this because family, friends, teachers, mentors were there to support and encourage them. For an organisation to continue to grow it is improve for the top management to show that they care not just by giving bonuses but by continually talking to them, taking into consideration their concerns, ideas, innovative skills and so on to help the organisation grow. I tend to see employees as the internal customers in the organisation and it is important for the management to make decisions based upon their requirements because as the saying goes “a happy wife is a happy life’. Satisfying the employees and creating an environment whereby everyone looks out for each others best interest is essential because i think it yields the best results.
I am sure that we all at some point appreciated the fact that our family or friends supported and encouraged us when we needed them the most. As paul always stressed empathy is important.

Oge

: 25 Mar 2014 10:13 |  Tags: 2014 Leadership Mbe |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem