Week 62 (23.6.08)

Learn

Preliminary Information Gathering - Section 3, AMA Module

• on the possible problem or business opportunity
• Sources of information : organisational records, knowledge of staff, internet & library search
• Nature of information: SPECIFIC to the PROBLEM or CHALLENGE yet BROAD in nature
• BROADER information can be classified as:

1. Background information of the organisation
2. Managerial philosophy, company policies and other structural aspect
3. Perceptions, attitudes and behavioural responses of organisational members

Literature Review

• Past research on the phenomenon under investigation must play key role in the process of problem formulation
• A literature review is not a listing of studies but a Critical Evaluation of previous research or studies
• A literature review requires a researcher to find, evaluate, and integrate past research into present investigation.
• When writing a review, it is necessary to provide references for all materials that the researcher did not think of him/herself.
• References are cited briefly in the text and in detail at the end.

Unlearn

NIL

Relearn

More alert when in reading business research proposal papers that the investigator actually find, evaluate and integrate past research into his/her present investigation. This adds value to me when reading it because i learn how the investigator critically evaluates the paper.

Week 61 (15.6.08)

Learn (AMA Module)

10 Stages of Research Process

1. Catalyst for Research - something sparkle to take off as threat or opportunity
2. Information Gathering/Literature Review
3. Problem Definition
4. Framework Development
5. Research Objectives
6. Research Design
7. Data Gathering
8. Data Analysis
9. Interpretation of findings
10. Conclusion & Report

Research Process - T.E.A.R

1. Theoretical Stage - Pre data collection, Identify research problem, Develop conceptual framework, Postulate hypothesis, Operationalise variables
2. Empirical Stage - Research Design, Sampling, Data source & collection
3. Analysis of Results Stage - Post data collection, Data analysis, Desscription of data, Hypothesis testing
4. Research Report - Style & Format

Unlearn

NIL. New learning.

Relearn

Understand better on the business research process which can help individually on the needs to get to know better something before making any decision. Hopefully by the end of my assignment, i will be skillful to conduct any business research when in need to assist better for my business decisions.

Week 60 (8.6.08)

Learn

Business Research (AMA Module)

• A systematic & objective process of generating information for aid in making business decisions.
• The discovery of the solution is undertaken through a detailed study of the situational factors related or associated with the problem.
• Detached and impersonal rather than biased
• It facilitates the managerial decision process
• Purpose : Reporting, Description, Explanation & Prediction
• 2 types of research : Basic Research & Applied Research
• Basic Research: Attempts to expand the limits of knowledge. Not directly involved in the solution to a pragmatic problem.
• Applied Research: Conducted when a decision must be made about a specific real-life problem
• 2 types: Quantitative & Qualitative Research
• Quantitative Research: Study that employs empirical data to investigate phenomena
• Qualititative Research: In depth study of phenomena by observing a particular case or unit of analysis. Research that produce descriptive data ie people's own written or spoken words and observable behaviors

Unlearn

NIL

Relearn

Started to realize on some of the company's survey questionnaires objectives that I had filled in recently ie Survey for Company's Incentive Trip for 2008. It contains approximately 10 questions with both quantitative and qualitative questions. The research aims to get employees feedback on their choice of destinations and employees' satisfaction.

Week 59 (1.6.08)

Learn (Lessons from IDEO - AMA Module, pp 3-2)

Notes were taken when watched the way IDEO deals in creating a new shopping cart for its customers:

Deep Dive Guidelines

• One conversation at a time
• Stay focused
• Encourage wild ideas
• Defer judgement
• Build on the ideas of others

Practices

• Very little hierarchy
• Everyone votes/equal votes
• Small groups/multiple prototypes
• Project leaders-based on facilitation vs tech/tenure

Unlearn

Learnt before on brainstorming process. However, this module reinforce the techniques and practices.

Relearn

I organized a group meeting on 8th May with 10 Sales Executives (SE) and 1 Sales Manager. I shared on the opportunity to improve on our teams' product knowledge (as GfK results showed needed improvement). To have better understanding on why and what actions should the team adopt for continuous improvement, I conducted a survey with them (Ask Question!).

I changed the venue from meeting room to go to our gym. At first, the tone and content were the same as when we were in the room. But wonderful things started to happen! Six SE started walking around and loosening their ties. Several of them went over to the cycle machine and got on them. Two others found a ball and started playing catch. And while all of this was going on, I was asking questions and they were coming up with ideas-fresh and exciting ideas! I wrote on the flip chart while they played and talked. Very little hierarchy, everyone contributes and no criticism of any ideas were permitted. We stayed focus on the topic until the whole session was over. I thanked them for their contributions and the plan of action committed. I believe there is a better buy-in because all were committed for the improvement to take place.