HRM (Assignment 9)

Before I go down on the concept of nature, scope and role of Human Resource Management, I would like to see a very concise background of a Human Resource Manager.

Human Resource Manager

A human resources manager is responsible for managing and overseeing the personnel department within a company, organization or agency. This includes posting advertisements or approving advertisements for new employees, screening resumes and applications, setting interview appointments and being involved in the hiring process. In most agencies the human resources manager is also key in providing employee supervision and evaluations, retraining employees, offering mediation services for struggling employees as well as firing employees that are not meeting standards.

He must be aware of local, state and federal employment guidelines, manage payroll issues, maintain employee records, complete and record insurance and other programs offered to employees and be able to assist employees in understanding and evaluating the participation in these programs. Human resource managers may also be actively involved in retraining or training new employees or existing employees or answering questions that employees may have on policies or procedures within the company or agency. Workplace safety, employee absenteeism and health issues are also addressed by the human resources manager. The manager may be able to work directly with outside agencies to provide on-site counseling or even specialized programs for additions or crisis intervention counseling or services. Many human resource managers act as the bridge between management and workers in non-union companies. Conflict resolution and improving overall workplace moral is a key part of the role of a human resource manager.

And from the various definitions of Human Resource Management, I like to choose this understanding.

Human Resource Management

Administrative activities associated with human resources planning, recruitment, selection, orientation, training, appraisal, motivation, remuneration, etc. HRM aims at developing people through work.

The Concept on the Nature, Scope and Role of HRM

Human resources may be defined as the total knowledge, skills, creative abilities, talents and aptitudes of an organization's workforce, as well as the values, attitudes, approaches and beliefs of the individuals involved in the affairs of the organization. It is the sum total or aggregate of inherent abilities, acquired knowledge and skills represented by the talents and aptitudes of the persons employed in the organization.

The human resources are multi­dimensional in nature. From the national point of view, human resources may be defined as the knowledge, skills, creative abilities, talents and aptitudes obtained in the population; whereas from the view­point of the individual enterprise, they represent the total of the inherent abilities, acquired knowledge and skills as exemplified in the talents and aptitudes of its employees.

Nature:

Human Resource Management is a process of bringing people and organizations together so that the goals of each are met. The various features of HRM include:

- It is pervasive in nature as it is present in all enterprises.
- Its focus is on results rather than on rules.
- It tries to help employees deve­lop their potential fully.
- It encourages employees to give their best to the organization.
- It is all about people at work, both as individuals and groups.
- It tries to put people on assigned jobs in order to produce good results. -
It helps an organization meet its goals in the future by providing for competent and well-moti­vated employees.
- It tries to build and maintain cordial relations between people working at various levels in the organization.
- It is a multi-disciplinary activity, utilizing knowledge and inputs drawn from psychology, econo­mics, etc.

Scope

The scope of HRM is very wide:

Personnel aspect-This is con­cerned with manpower planning, recruitment, selection, place­ment, transfer, promotion, train­ing and development, layoff and retrenchment, remuneration, incentives, productivity etc.

Welfare aspect-It deals with working conditions and ameni­ties such as canteens, creches, rest and lunch rooms, housing, transport, medical assistance, education, health and safety, recreation facilities, etc.

Industrial relations aspect-This covers union-management rela­tions, joint consultation, collec­tive bargaining, grievance and disciplinary procedures, settle­ment of disputes, etc.

Role

The existence of a human resources department is vital to overall productivity and efficiency of the strong workforce in any thriving company. In most professional organizations, the role of the human resources department is not sidelined or eclipsed by other departments. In fact, good human resources can be one of the most valued and respected departments in an organization; their job is people, and people are the company's most important asset.

The human resource function has gone from the traditional hire and fire role to a strategic partner at the table with finance, operations and other business centers that are not centers of profit for the organization. The job of HR, as is the job of all such departments, is to ensure that the business gets the most out of its employees. Another way to put this is that the human resource management needs to provide a high return on the business's investment in its people. This makes it a highly complex function - because it deals with not just management issues but human ones as well.

Strategic Role for HR

- “contributing at the table” to organizational results
- HR becomes a strategic partners by:

• Focusing on developing HR programs that enhance organizational performance
• Involving HR at the strategic planning onset
• Participating on decision making on mergers, acquisitions and downsizing
• Redesigning organizations and work processes
• Accounting and documenting the financial result of HR activities

In the case of the visited company (Ansuico, Incorporated):

As I could remember during an interview with the company’s HR manager, she mentioned less on the nature, scope and roles of the HR Management. It’s because, they were not allowed to talk much about the company for the reason that the management keeps it confidential. Below are from the above information that befit the company’s nature, scope and role of HR Management:

Nature:

- It tries to help employees deve­lop their potential fully. -
It encourages employees to give their best to the organization.
- It is all about people at work, both as individuals and groups.
- It tries to put people on assigned jobs in order to produce good results. -
It helps an organization meet its goals in the future by providing for competent and well-moti­vated employees.

Scope:

Personnel aspect
- con­cerned with manpower planning, recruitment, selection, place­ment, train­ing and development, incentives, productivity etc.

Welfare aspect
-It deals with working conditions and ameni­ties such as trainings, assistance, education, health and safety, etc.

Industrial relations aspect
-This covers union-management rela­tions, joint consultation, collec­tive bargaining, grievance and disciplinary procedures, settle­ment of disputes, etc.

Roles:

- Aiding in the self-development of employees at all levels.
- Developing and maintaining motivation for workers by pro­viding incentives.
- Recruitment, selection and place­ment of personnel.
- Training and development of employees

Administrative role
- clerical and administrative support operations (payroll and benefits work)
- Technology is transforming how HR services are delivered Operational and Employee

Advocate Role
- “champion” for employee concerns
- Employee crisis management -
Responding to employee complaints

References:

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/human-resource-management-HRM.html http://www.jobprofiles.org/bushrmanager.htm http://ezinearticles.com/?Human-Resource-Management---Nature,-Scope,-Objectives-and-Function&id=2658370 http://www.scribd.com/doc/12925140/CHANGING-NATURE-OF-HUMAN-RESOURCE-MANAGEMENT http://jobfunctions.bnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=260304&promo=100511

HRM (Assignment 8)

The SONA 2009

Her administration faced many challenges, full of accusations and threatens by the opponents who fight for what they believe in. But despite the allegations that surround her undisputed presidency, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo delivered her State of the Nation Address last July 27, 2009.

The said SONA receives both critique and salutation. As we could expect, her opponents will continue to throw their mouths on her and for those who believed her will give her applause.

On her SONA, the president cited the progress of the country despite global crisis. And one area that was mentioned was related to the Human Resource Management. What are these manpower relations and how will these become a way to improve our quality of life?

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s)

The country cannot support the needs of jobs for many of the Filipinos, thus, most of our countrymen has to find their luck to the other countries. With these, the OFW’s played a very dramatic role in supporting our dying (as many said) economy. It records $ 16 B last year and is expected to grow this year. What an advantage isn’t it? But the hard work, perseverance and sacrifices of our fellowmen cannot be equalized. For they endure loneliness to be away from home.

“Meanwhile, we should make their sacrifices worthwhile,” the president quoted. She said that we have to protect and give importance with the earnings the OFWs gained. And that was through a stronger consumer protection for OFWs to property and products back home. Thus, Investors Protection Task Force is addressed.

When we will try to see the brighter side of this area, we could say that it contributed an improvement and progress to our quality of life. Aside from the fact that the government cannot suffice our needs for jobs, we should have to work for the family to have a better life style. And some find the answer through going across the sea. Though it was very hard then to be far away from home, looking at the future will give courage to choose an overseas work if there’s an opportunity. It improves the quality of life because as we could see, if one will find a better job there, then he/she could support the financial needs of the family. The shelter, education, foods, clothing etc… Therefore, we could see the difference if we will just sit here and wait for the years to come and the problems will still not be addressed or find the right thing to do at the moment despite that the exchange would be our happiness, if it’s for the betterment of the family, we can bear the pain and loneliness. Filipinos are tough!


Technical Education and Skills Training

This one is really a big help. The popularity of TESDA has contributed a lot of opportunities for those who had never get the chance or those who doesn’t like to enroll in degree courses. Like the one the president had mentioned, “Narito si Jennifer Silbor, isa sa sampung milyong trainee. Natuto siya ng medical transcription. Now, as an independent contractor and lecturer for transcriptions in Davao, kumikita siya ng P18,000 bawat buwan. Good job, Jennifer”. It only shows that there are many possibilities and chances to improve our quality of life only if we have the courage to find it. And of course, the government had been helping to made it possible. And this type of trainings engaged in a less consuming time, therefore, you will not spend many years to have the changes in your life. And with hard work, honesty and perseverance, a successful life would be a guarantee.


CARP


The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) was a land reform law mandated by Republic Act No. 6657, signed by President Corazon Aquino on June 10, 1988. It was the fifth land reform law in fifty years, following the land reform laws of Presidents Manuel Quezon, Ramon Magsaysay, Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand Marcos.
According to RA 6657, CARP aims “for a more equitable distribution and ownership of land.” It meant to distribute lands to farmers in a span of 10 years, but was extended by the 11th Congress due to delays in land distribution and lack of budget allocation.
Section 3 of RA 6657 defined agrarian reform as the “redistribution of lands, regardless of crops or fruits produced, to farmers and regular farm workers who are landless” and “all other arrangements alternative to the physical redistribution of lands, such as production or profit-sharing, labor administration and the distribution of shares of stock which will allow beneficiaries to receive a just share of the fruits of the lands they work.”
Vast agricultural lands are distributed to the farmers tilling the land, whereas only a maximum of five hectares can be retained by the landlords and three hectares for each of their children.
However, a common CARP loophole was that landlords escaped relinquishing their lands through land reclassifications. Lands classified by local zoning ordinances as residential, commercial and industrial lands are excluded from CARP.

SOURCE:
Department of Agrarian Reform website, http://www.dar.gov.ph (By Neil Jerome C. Morales)

“Sa pagpapamahagi ng milyun-milyong ektaryang lupa, 700,000 na katutubo at mahigit isang milyong benepisyaryo ng CARP ay taas-noong may-ari na ng sariling lupa. Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na ipasa agad ang pagpapalawig ng CARP, at dapat ma-condone ang P42 billion na land reform liabilities dahil 18% lamang ang nabayaran mula 1972. Napapanahon, it’s timely because it will unfreeze the rural property market. Ang mahal kong ama ang nag-emancipate ng mga magsasaka. Ii-mancipate naman natin ngayon ang titulo”, the president said.
The passage of this Act gives hopes to the people who dedicate their life in tilting the land to have their own. As the president has told, millions of hectares have been distributed for the people to have their own land. And since this State policy promotes the rights and welfare of landless Filipino farmers and farm workers, as well as social justice, in pursuit of sound rural development and industrialization. The many years of sacrificed have been justified. It is established to help landless Filipino farmers to own directly or collectively the lands they till or, in the case of farm workers, to have a share of the fruits harvested or produced. Thus, it improves the quality of living because the farmers will not depend on their landlords when it comes to their shares during reaping time. They can have their own income and there’s no need to cut portions that won’t equal their effort. They could produce their own farm products without a need to worry that they might receive less than what they sow. They wouldn’t be a slave to their own right but they were now a master of their own property.


Education

“Ang magandang edukasyon ay susi sa mas magandang buhay, the great equalizer that allows every young Filipino a chance to realize their dreams”, president Arroyo.

"It seeks to mainstream early childhood development in basic education. Our children are our most cherished possession. In their early years we must make sure they get a healthy start in life. They must receive the right food for a healthy body, the right education for a bright and inquiring mind—and the equal opportunity for a meaningful job".

They said that the quality of manpower of a nation can be justified by the figure of educated persons belonging in it. Will it mean that education must be a key to achieve progress and development? Probably yes! If we could see, powerful nation’s starts with their creative minds, thus, they were able to sustain the needs and growth of their territory. But it doesn’t meant that the Filipinos were left behind in terms of powerful minds, maybe, we were just influenced by our culture, thus, affecting our drive to a more progressive way of living.

Our educational system should make the Filipino fit not just for whatever jobs happen to be on offer today, but also for whatever economic challenge life will throw in their way. For the government believes that education is one strongest way to establish a strong nation. From basic to vocational school or college, the government tried to sustain their needs, financial needs.

Education improves the quality of life. If all of the Filipinos can have the chance to enroll themselves and went to school, everyone can get a better job, everyone knows how to use their time, everyone knows their responsibility as an individual, everyone knows how to be productive and no one will have to suffer poverty. Though others might say that education is not the only way to uplift their status, it can’t be denied that it is the main door to enter the possibility of our dreams. Education improves the quality of life because it has its way that people will realize the importance of their existence. And more so…

Tax Revenues

“We will work to increase tax effort through improved collections and new sin taxes to further our capacity to reduce poverty and pursue growth. Revenue enhancement must come from the Department of Finance plugging leaks and catching tax and customs cheats. I call on tax paying citizens and tax paying businesses, help the BIR and stop those tax cheats”.

This will help the improvement because the returns can be a benefit to all. The infrastructures, the roads, and any other government projects help the people. Though many claims that they cannot feel the benefit from the taxes they’re paying, still, it cant be denied that, sometimes, we were just trying to ignore the existence of the projects that the government give back to our community.

HRM (Assignment 7)

The Human Being

It is commonplace for people generally to think of the human body as being merely an elaborate machine, with all the non-material aspects of the human being- thinking, feeling, attitudes, emotions, mores, imagination, etc., etc, as being merely the result of the physico-chemical activities which take place in the physical body. However, the human organism is not a machine and does not operate under the aegis of chemical and physical laws.


Human beings are the most important…

Among any other creation of God, human being is the most important. It’s because human beings are one, merely one, of the many living beings that originated in a long and complicated process of evolution despite the fact that many philosophical and religious arguments have been constructed to ideologically underpin the idea that human beings are the focus and goal of the cosmos and of cosmic evolution. It is important to understand what we are as human beings. Amongst living beings, humans enjoy great abilities and capacities. We are special and precious and there’s no other around the universe that can compare to our uniqueness. The present state of knowledge of the human being is one which has been informed by the materialistic thinking of modern technological science.

Manpower is the most important because human is the heart of an organization. In the first place, there are no existing tangibles without the presence of humanity. Despite the age of technology, human is the core of all the activities that has taken place in an organization. Organization composed of individuals and these individuals are human individuals who addressed the status and put life to an organization.

…potent and critical resource…

Yes! Human beings are he wielding power of an organization. Among any other assets, human being is the only one that is incomparable. There’s no other like that could give beyond what the human can. And most critical, yes!Because human has its limitations. We get tired, we need rest, we need water, food and shelter. Humans are critical because we can be sick and died if we overused our body. We are critical because once we are broken; we cannot be fixed like a machine. Once we are destroyed, we cannot be replaced. We are critical because we need much attention and human need cares and understanding among any other resources of an organization.

Yet, human beings are the least understood and worst managed…

Sometimes our differences and pride has overcome our senses and it could create judgment, opinions, doubts and even lost of trust.

HRM (Assignment 6)

What is a corporation?

In a general sense, a corporation is a business entity that is given many of the same legal rights as an actual person. Corporations may be made up of a single person or a group of people, known as sole corporations or aggregate corporations, respectively.

Source:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-corporation.htm

A corporation is a legal entity separate from the persons who own it or the persons who manage or operate it. In British tradition it is the term designating a body corporate, where it can be either a corporation sole (an office held by an individual natural person, which is a legal entity separate from that person) or a corporation aggregate (involving more persons). In American and, increasingly, international usage, the term denotes a body corporate formed to conduct business, and this meaning of corporation is discussed in the remaining part of this entry (the limited company in British usage).

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporation


The Corporation...


The corporation's fate over the next century is as fascinating to contemplate as it is difficult to predict. But as a general proposition, there is no reason to think that the corporation has reached the limits of its adaptive powers. Over the decades, it has proven a remarkably flexible vehicle for spreading commercial risk (and reward) and for organizing investment on a great scale over vast geographic distances. As we speed ahead into a future that is unknowable by definition, it is useful to pause and glance in the rearview mirror. Today's corporation is not an empty vessel waiting to be filled by the future. It is the product of a long and tumultuous history, of opportunities grasped and crises overcome--and it is all the stronger for it.


The transformation...


Because of the spark of the rapid development of new technologies, particularly the Internet, the corporation is undergoing a radical transformation that is reaching far across the globe and in every corner of the world. From the early practices, features and structures, corporation in the 21st century will show off beyond what we can imagine.

The Web gives everyone in the organization, the ability to access a mind-boggling array of information in just a click, from anywhere. Instead of seeping out over months or years, ideas can be spread out around the globe in the blink of an eye. That means that the 21st century Corporation must adapt itself to management via the Web. Already, old business models that emphasized fixed assets, working capital, and economies of scale have become increasingly vulnerable to nimbler organizations that employ new technologies to reduce costs.

Leading-edge technology will enable workers on the bottom rungs of the organization to seize opportunity as it arises. Employees will increasingly feel the pressure to get breakthrough ideas to market first. Thus, the corporation will need to nurture an array of formal and informal networks to ensure that these ideas can speed into development. In the near future, companies will call on outside contractors to assemble teams of designers, prototype producers, manufacturers, and distributors to get the job done. Emerging technologies will allow employees and freelancers anywhere in the world to converse in numerous languages online without the need for a translator.

And this rapid flow of information will permeate the organization. We could imagine that orders will be fulfilled electronically without a single phone call or piece of paper. The ''virtual financial close'' will put real-time sales and profit figures at every manager's fingertips via the click of a wireless phone or a spoken command to a computer. And in just a blink of an eye, everything you wanted to know about your company will come in just a second.

Making a Difference...

In the beginning, the global company was defined as one that simply sold its goods in overseas markets. Later, global companies assumed a manufacturing presence in numerous countries. The company of the future will call on talent and resources--especially intellectual capital--wherever they can be found around the globe, just as it will sell its goods and services around the globe. Indeed, the very notion of a headquarters country may no longer apply, as companies migrate to places of greatest advantage. The new global corporation might be based in the U.S. but do its software programming in Sri Lanka, its engineering in Germany, and its manufacturing in China. Every outpost will be seamlessly connected by the Net so that far-flung employees and freelancers can work together in real time. All this work will be done in an instant. With the use of the internet, speed is the biggest impact in terms of actions, deliberations, and information. And it leaves the old, process-oriented corporation in a total revamp. With everything from product cycles to employee turnover on fast-forward, there is simply not enough time for deliberation.

It is said that the very core of the 21st century Corporation is technology. It simply means that human minds and hands have been removed from an organization's most routine tasks and replaced them with computers and networks. Having this ideal to digitize everything from employee benefits to accounts receivables to product design cuts time, cost, and people from operations, resulting in huge savings and vast improvements in speed.

Despite a handful of leading-edge companies, the true 21st century corporation, at least as it will eventually emerge, does not yet exist. But there is no one company today that embodies all the possibilities and promise of the super efficient 21st century corporation.

The truly great 21st century companies will recognize that the real power of technology is not just the ability to make a business more efficient but also its potential to spark transformative change. Much of that change will involve the company's relationship with its customers. In an era of unprecedented choice, in which prices and product specs for almost anything are only a click away, companies will have to offer a lot more than bargain prices.

True 21st century corporations will also learn to manage an elaborate network of external relationships. That far-reaching ecosystem of suppliers, partners, and contractors will allow them to focus on what they do best and farm everything else out. And it will let them quickly take advantage of fleeting opportunities without having to tie up vast amounts of capital. Outsourcing and partnering, of course, are hardly new. But in the coming century, such alliances will become more crucial.

http://www.businessweek.com/common_frames

HRM (Assignment 5)

DOWNSIZING! The very term strikes fear in the heart of many. But given today’s financial crisis, downsizing has become a nightmare turns to reality for many organizations.

What is Downsizing?

According to the common source which is the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layoff, downsizing is the ‘conscious use of permanent personnel reductions in an attempt to improve efficiency and/or effectiveness’ (Budros 1999, p. 70).

Another definition of downsizing by Huber & Glick, (1993) is "a set of activities ... undertaken on the part of management, designed to improve organizational efficiency, productivity, and/or competitiveness. It represents a strategy that affects the size of the firm's workforce and its work processes"(p.24).

Huber & Glick (1993) sites key attributes of downsizing :
(1) downsizing is intentional;
(2) downsizing usually involves, although is not limited to, reductions in personnel;
(3) downsizing is focused on improving the efficiency of the organization; and
(4) downsizing affects work processes knowingly or unknowingly.

In the corporate world or business enterprise, downsizing is reducing the number of employees on the operating payroll. It only means a loss of one’s job and workforce reduction of an organization. And there are number of corporations that undergone downsizing process. One to be named is the Colgate-Palmolive Company.

What is a Colgate-Palmolive Company?
http://www.colgate.com

Colgate-Palmolive Company is an American diversified multinational corporation focused on the production, distribution and provision of household, health care and personal products, such as soaps, detergents, and oral hygiene products (including toothpaste and toothbrushes). Under its "Hill's" brand, it is also a manufacturer of veterinary products. The company's corporate offices are on Park Avenue in New York City, across from the Waldorf Astoria.

Causes / Reasons of downsizing

Their aimed is to improve global competitiveness through cutting costs and improving efficiencies. During this time, 24 of Colgate's 112 global factories will be closed or reconfigured. Some 3,000 workers worldwide, which are 8.5 percent of their 36,000 workforce, will lose their jobs. For these restructuring and administrative changes, Colgate will take a $369 million after tax charge in the third quarter.The main reasons for Colgate's recent restructuring are:

(1) Reduced trade barriers in Europe and Latin America;
(2) The need for new technology in manufacturing to improve competitiveness;
(3) The trend toward more concentrated products such as laundry detergent, which requires less production; and
(4) Acquisitions that result in adding more plants.

Cameron and Associates found three implementation strategies: workforce reduction, organizational redesign, and a systematic strategy focused on changing the attitudes, values, and culture of the organization (Huber & Glick, 1993).

Workforce Reduction

The focus is mainly on headcount reduction and employs such tactics as early retirement, transfers and out-placement, buy-out packages, golden parachutes, attrition, job banks, and layoffs or firings. It is most often done by top-down directives, and almost always implemented across-the-board since the goal is to reduce headcount numbers quickly. The disadvantages of this method are it is difficult to predict who will be eliminated and who will remain, and impossible to determine what knowledge and critical skills will be lost to the organization. The advantages are it provides immediate reduction, captures the attention of members of the organization to the seriousness of conditions, motivates cost savings, and creates readiness in the organization for further change (Cole, 1995).

Organizational Redesign

This approach aims at cutting out work in addition to or in place of eliminating workers. Strategies include eliminating functions, hierarchical levels, divisions, or products; consolidating and merging units; and reducing work hours. These are medium-term strategies that require advanced analysis of the areas that should be consolidated or redesigned. The focus is on work reduction over manpower reduction (Cole, 1995).

Systemic Strategies

This approach focuses on changing the organization's systems, culture and attitudes of employees, not just the size of the workforce, configuration of the structure, or the magnitude of the work. It focuses on systems in two ways. First, on internal systems, values, communication, etc. and on external systems, i.e. the production chain including upstream suppliers and downstream customers. This strategy involves redefining downsizing as a way of life, as an ongoing process, as a basis for continuous improvement instead of a program or target. Downsizing is equated with simplification of all aspects of the organization. Instead of being the first target for elimination, employees are defined as resources to help generate and implement downsizing ideas in other areas. All employees are held accountable for reducing costs and finding improvements. Serving customers, meeting their needs, and exceeding their expectations remain a core goal of downsizing activity, not just size reduction.

This strategy is the most compatible with principles of Total Quality Management (Cole, 1995).

Common Outcomes of Downsizing

Positive:

Downsizing announcements usually lead to positive reactions at least for some surveys. Favorable reactions occurred because of a promise of cost savings, reduced expenses, and increased competitiveness. Stockholders and analysts continue to assume that downsizing produces desirable financial results. But it should be noted that this positive outcome of downsizing ( e.g increase in stock value), does not always occur at least in the short-term. Most of the companies felt they did a good job handling the change process and sufficiently attended to the needs of the remaining employees. Many also thought they did a good job in communicating with employees. However, in open-ended questions, communication was cited again and again as the greatest challenge during reorganization. (Right Associates, 1995).

Negative:

It is said that nearly 68% of all downsizing, restructuring, and reengineering efforts are not very successful (Clark & Koonce, 1995). In many cases, companies that downsized and restructured to become more profitable and efficient have not achieved either. Instead they have experienced tremendous fallout, especially in the areas of decreasing employee productivity and morale, and increasing levels of absenteeism, cynicism, and turnover. A look at the reasons for diminished productivity and morale in downsized organizations reveals a changing corporate machine.

CRITICISM OF DOWNSIZING

While companies frequently implement downsizing plans to increase profitability and productivity, downsizing does not always yield these results. Although critics of downsizing do not rule out the benefits in all cases, they contend that downsizing is over-applied and often used as a quick fix without sufficient planning to bring about long-term benefits. Moreover, downsizing can lead to additional problems, such as poor customer service, low employee morale, and bad employee attitudes. Laying workers off to improve competitiveness often fails to produce the intended results because downsizing can lead to the following unforeseen problems and difficulties:

• The loss of highly-skilled and reliable workers and the added expense of finding new workers.

• An increase in overtime wages.

• A decline in customer service because workers feel they lack job security after layoffs.
• Employee attitudes that may change for the worse, possibly leading to tardiness, absenteeism, and reduced productivity.
• An increase in the number of lawsuits and disability claims, which tends to occur after downsizing episodes.
• Restructuring programs sometimes take years to bear fruit because of ensuing employee confusion and the amount of time it takes for employees to adjust to their new roles and responsibilities.
  

Instead of laying employees off, critics recommend that companies eliminate jobs only as a last resort; not as a quick fix when profits fail to meet quarterly projections. Suggested alternatives to downsizing include early retirement packages and voluntary severance programs. Furthermore, some analysts suggest that companies can improve their efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness through quality initiatives such as Six Sigma, empowering employees through progressive human resource strategies that encourage employee loyalty and stability, and other such techniques.

Sources:
http://www.enotes.com/management-encyclopedia/downsizing-rightsizing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layoff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colgate-Palmolive

HRM (Assignment 4)

Career people find themselves on top of the world when the work they're doing falls under what can be described as their dream job...

As a sweet little angel, I dreamed to be a teacher. That was long ago when I realized that I'd like to be a Lawyer. But when I graduated in High School, I took up BS Accountancy...That time, I really thought of being a successful CPA someday and I once told myself, I will be a CPA Lawyer. I became slave of my far and wide imaginations. I wished to top the board exam. I even imagined myself in a coat and tie, with my car...everything that anybody would like to have in the future!!!! Since I have a very good foundation especially in mathematics, anyone who knows me says that I would be a good engineer or accountant. And that was before, long before when I thought that life is just fair. But for the many times of my life, I felt the pain of the harsh reality. I dreamed! I believed! And suddenly, I was broken. The rest is history...

Enrolling in this Degree is none in my wild imaginations. Being an IT student never crossed in my mind. My choice is Engineering, Accountancy and any course related to business and architecture. But when the wind blows and changed the path that I have taken, I have learned to embrace this course, for I can do nothing to return and just grieve. Hehehe, ng-emote…

Anyway, the main concern here is “how can the university help me achieve what I want to be in the future?” based on my answers in Assignment 2 & Assignment 3. Well, whether I like it or not, this would be my last investment. I am determined to pursue what I have started, again. Be it means that I have to drop more tears. Be it means that I would have to squeeze more and more whatever!! The university, whether we admit it or not, plays a big role in the success of a student in the future. In the first place, a university is the center of excellence. Education is a basic need that colleges and universities have provided. Though the best learning is from our very own experiences, it can’t be denied that going to school is still the best experience that every individual had. Every corner of a school is an eye-opener. Everything that your eyes have laid on teaches many lessons that you yourself will soon to discover. And one more thing, bringing the name of your school is an identity. It’s either an advantage or not, the mere fact is that a school you had will be posted on your person.

In this case, first thing is that I do really have a big respect in this university. I came from a private school, which I really consider as one of the best school I had. In fact, I have now the comparison between public and private schools, especially colleges and universities (So I have the guide na puhon,hehehe). But when I became part of this university, I have discovered its pros and cons. I became a living witness of its weakness and strength.

The university has its set of standards that would push you to strive hard. The mentors had their own style and teaching strategies. One thing is that, most of them are Nosebleed, ika nga! But as an IT student, I would say that the university is lack of IT facilities. Our department doesn’t have its own building. Well, we understand that. But in terms of introducing technology trends, it seems that the university doesn’t see its own vision and doesn’t understand its own mission. A support in IT needs doesn’t satisfy students.

For me, maybe it would be a great help for us students if the university will address our basic needs as an IT student. Like say for instance, the computer laboratories. It should be conducive and student-friendly environment. The computers will have to be in good condition. There should be no limit in using computer laboratories for practice. The implementation of free WiFi in the campus should be realized. Such benefits like these would help the students to improve in such a way. Also, I consider that instructors should have known the current trends inside an industry to relate more on actual jobs than more on theory. We understand that our mentors had their best to sustain our learning needs. Next is, there should be a library that would parade latest computer books for some references. Though we can find lots of information through internets, some still consider readings books (to minimize radiation exposure, hehehe). Another is, we don't have our own classroom right? We just borrowed two at the top floor. At least, these two rooms are pleasant to our senses. (Duha lang gni, pastilan!) It should be given attention that a student needs a friendly learning environment. In addition to that, competitions in several categories related to the course will help to boost the interest of the students to be more participative and give way to the idea of technological innovations that will of course drag the hidden talents and skills of the students out of their shell. And also, establishing seminars or any form of learning experience that will enhance the knowledge of the students will do. These are just few considerations that the university will have to see.

In connection to our assignment, my dream job is very ambitious. I must say that the university in current situation does not sustain our very basic needs as an IT student or I may call it, not enough for us to develop ourselves inside this university. The university’s mission and vision calls for a new system of administering technology. The Institute of Computing is one to be considered as an asset in the university thus, this department should not be taken for granted. As a whole, the university can help me at least, to achieve what I want to be in the future if simple things above should be given a chance and would be done.

Finally, I strongly believe that what you are today is your decision yesterday. Skwela tarong para makahuman….

A GLIMPSE at COMDDAP EXPO

COMDDAP DAVAO EXPO 2009

COMDDAP stands for: Computer Manufacturers, Distributors, and Dealers Association of the Philippines

What is COMDDAP all about?

COMDDAP is an association of the country's top information technology businesses. Its primary objective is to promote the sustainable development of the of the country's information technology industry through voluntary collaboration of its member companies. It is the goal of COMDDAP to be able to provide its members general views and updates from different sectors - private and government, and highly regarded individuals to further uplift the morale and knowledge of its organization.
The vision of promoting and elevating the standards of Information technology (IT) in the Philippines fueled a group of prominent computer companies to form the Computer Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines or COMDDAP. Its initial member-companies represent the world's leading makers and providers of computer products, solutions and peripherals.
In 1997, the manufacturing sector - represented by industry leaders Hewlett Packard, Epson and Compaq, among others - was integrated into the COMDDAP membership, making the association a more diverse representation of the IT sector and thus the new name, COMPUTER MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.

http://www.comddap.org/aboutus.htm

The Seminar

July 02, 2009 marks the two-day exhibit visit of the IT sectors at the Apo View Hotel here in Davao. And as an IT student, we are told to attend the seminars conducted by the Nexus Group as what I have seen on the screen.
The exhibit composed of different technology products such as latest phenomenal gadgets, computer stuffs and different kind of technology. Anyway, I haven’t spent much time on roaming around to examine those displayed things but I have attended seminar on four different topics.

Here are the interesting topics that we were able to attend:

• Enterprise Resource Information and Control (ERIC-DMS)

• Brilliant Dealer Management System

• HP Thin Client

• Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System

• Open Source for Business Applications

1. ERIC-DMS

Presented by Mr. Celmer L. Santos from Jupiter Systems, Incorporated. He talked much on Brilliant Dealer Management System that widely used by Car Businesses. Anyway, Jupiter Systems, Inc. is a 24- year old software company and one of the members of the ERP systems of the Philippines. Their clients include Mitsubishi, Honda, Mazda, Volvo, and Nissan. Their Database Management Systems flow starts with the pre-sales, then vehicle sales and last is the after sales.


The Jupiter Systems’ has also Service Management General Features which are the following:

• Advance bookings or Customer appointments

• Operation maintenance or FLAT rates

• Repair orders

• Repair Estimates

• Customer Service

• History Technician

• Time-in or Time-out

• Parts requisitioning and picking

• Service invoicing

• Warranty claims and processing

• Field Service Actions (Campaigns)

2.HP Company

(The Thin Client)

Presented by Leonard Zapa, Market Deveopment Manager of HP Company. He started with talking about Linux, CE, and XPe.


He also mentioned the following topics:

Data security, reliability, easier
Management
Remote PC alternatives
Virtualization
Lower TCO
Broadband and related

(Challenge for IT Professionals)

Provide information securit
yDeployment and maintenance
Total cost of ownership (TCO)

He also introduced the widely used HP Thin Client. This is a computing device without a hard drive and can be used independently.

Here some of its features:

- Enhanced security
- Easy manageability
- High reliability
- Environment – friendly
- Lower overall costs

Also he sites its advantages over the usual PC power system:

- Hardened embedded OS
- Free Management Tools
- ¼ failure rate, 10x higher MTBF
- 10x higher MTBF
- Longer life
- ONSITE, Whole unit replacement
- Up to 80% lower power
- Space saving
- Reduced (by 75%) foam and board (by 40%) packaging
- Minimal heat
- Lower initial hardware

Well I guess, the audience are more alive when the discussions was about to end. Why not? The speaker had given tokens for those who can answer their questions. 2-Gig Flash drives, t-shirts and the most exciting is the last token which is an 8-Gig USB. Wow! Usepians got most of the token.

3. Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System

I could remember that the speaker had mentioned that one of the clients of this system is Petron.

RMS Key Features:

Inventory control and tracking
Purchase orders.
Pricing, sales, and promotions
Sales TrackingPowerful, flexible reports

Key Benefits:

Streamline operations
Improve profit margins
Build customer loyalty
Manage business, not technology
Have a life outside your business

4.Open Source for Business Applications of the Spinweb Productions, Incorporated

The speaker asked the audience particularly those who are employed of their definition about Open source. Some shared the following understanding: source code, free, open, contributor, no license, etc.

As the discussions go deeper, it was cleared that Open Source has license but only that it is free. Unlike any other proprietary software you have to pay the licenses that are obviously expensive.

Also the speaker talks about the benefits of using Open Source over Proprietary soft wares applications.
Reliablewidely usedhighly scalableproven performance

Some of the sites that were given are:

lullabot.com
joomlapolis.com
joomla.org.ph
openwp.org.

Some of Open Source Software:Ubuntu
GIMPOpen office
PHPOS commerce
MySqlMozilla
DrupalWHY we have to use Open Source Software?• No vendor Locking• Large Support• More Secure


Evaluation:

Well obviously, it’s another experience that would add up our learning. Seeing different kinds of new technology trends, and experiencing to know more about it must be another thing. As an IT student and a future IT professional, it is an opportunity to expose ourselves in the current trends of the growing technology. It is a challenge for us to be more aware of the world that we are going to travel in the near future. The fast changing IT environment challenged us to go deeper in our chosen field. Also, it was so nice to meet those people who shares their experiences and who promote their respective career. And before I forgot, I was stuck with the conversation, I mean when (Jaime?) intervene the discussions and talks the automated election issue. He shares that the said electoral reform with regards to software’s do not guarantee best performance yet when talks about software, he suggested that many things have to be considered before choosing either open source or proprietary.

THE END…