What would you do? (INTRICT)

This week in Intrict Class, Sir Oli tossed us a problem that puzzled us for at least the whole 1 hour and 30 minutes of the duration of the class. Here's the scenario. Sir Oli is an owner of a big company, a company that makes coconut juice to be exact. He is having problem with his products because he is losing a lot of income due to the spoilage of the coconut juices. If you were the company consultant what questions would you ask him in order to help you solve the problem?


We all thought that the asking part was quite easy. But after asking about 13 questions, he told us that none of them were even close in getting us to solve the problem. Here are some questions we've asked
1.) Where do I get the raw materials?
2.)How do I transport the coconut?
3.)Where do I store the coconut?
4.)How many coconuts do I get? What I order?
5.)How long does it take to transport the coconut?
6.)How long does the process of making coconut juice take?
7.)How many coconuts do I process in a day?
8.)How many coconut juice are being stored?
9.)What do I currently use (equipment) to produce coconut juice?
10.)How long does it take me to deliver?
11.)How much do i buy the coconuts and how much do i sell them as juices?
12.)How much sales do I make in month?
13.)How much do i lose for spoilage?

Well, it's sad that none of our efforts was even close. At least we tried right? :)


In order to solve a problem in a company, we have to stay close in the problem instead of exploring away from it. Questioning is one good method of collecting data in order to solve a problem of a company. So here is a question that was called "perfect question" by Sir Oli. "What day, month, year do the juice usually spoil?" This question is really essential in order to get closer in solving the problem. With this, we would know when do the coconut juices usually spoil and would be able to avoid losing lots of income. It is also our part where we would integrate technology in order to help the company. We also have to learn whether which system or systems does the problem occur. Basically, in this scenario, the problem occurs in the inventory, production and Sales. The problem occurs because of the lack of communication of these systems. Sales doesn't have a clear view and knowledge about the number of products that has been produced and stored. So we have to integrate a technology in these systems in order for them to work together by communicating to each other. This way, we could avoid spoilage and lose of income. This is basically the main solution to this problem. There are other different solutions with different approaches in solving this problem. So if you were one of us, what would you do?

Another week in Intrict (INTRICT)

Last week in Intrict class, we learned the true meaning of what an IS really is. An IS is basically an accurate information acquired anywhere, anytime when needed by people who works for an organization. This is the main reason why people creates an IS. There are also some indirect reasons and effects in creating an IS for an organization. One, it increases productivity. Two, it produces a higher and better quality of products. Three, it looks cool and etc. The demand of an IS in companies is quickly increasing because of the fact that it is really quite essential these days. It gives an internal improvement in the conduct of operation, meaning, it hastens and lessens the process in a given task (Productivity). It also help in internal correction of problems hampering the operations. This means that an IS helps solve our daily problems in work. An example of this is the help of a form of technology that integrates several different system in a company in order to work and communicate together in a better and faster method. It is also essential to have an IS because of the fact that a lot of other competing companies have an IS in their enterprises. No one would like to be left out right? It is also proven that it is strategically determined. Having an IS will definitely save not only money but time as well. After saying all of these, it seems that an IS is too perfect to be true. Well, it is not. (P.S the following information you are about to read is not from INTRICT class. It's just my opinion towards the topic.) An IS may have a lot of beneficial things to give and share to us but it does have some weaknesses. One, having an IS in a company will definitely cut a lot of jobs. Why would you need 5,000 people payed 350++ pesos a day if you can have 100 people or less and an IS? A lot of people will lose their jobs because of the replacement of technology. Looking in the deeper effect, more unemployed Filipinos equals a sucky economy. Two, An IS is really quite expensive. Not all companies can afford one. Lastly, it's against the will of God.. Nah just kidding.. Well basically, an IS is really kick ass and cool but it still have some weaknesses that we should all think about and consider. If it is for the better, then go for it. We'll never know what might happen next. Maybe next time not companies alone would have an IS in their's but also jeepneys running around Metro Manila.

INTRICTview Part 2 (INTRICT)

Last Wednesday, some of the groups in our class did their presentation about their interview with the Operational and tactical managers. We (my group) were lucky enough to not be called by our prof. Sir Oli was really scary during the questioning part. He'll really dig deep down in to your presentation and question it detail by detail. Well, I learned some new information in my block mates' presentation like how the operational manager controls the whole 9 sectors of an enterprise (e.g sales, finance, marketing, etc.)
These presentations are really helpful and essential to us. I think that we should do more of these presentations so that we can improve our communication skills and self-confidence because these two are very important in our profession and will definitely come in handy in the very near future.

Looking forward for presentation #2

INTRICTview (INTRICT)

Last Thursday, June 19, 2008, We had an interview with the manager of KICARCO PHILIPPINES at Starbucks near Araneta. The manager was Mr. Jun Lacson (any relation with Senator Ping?) Jun Lacson is the operational and tactical manager of KICARCO PHILIPPINES. Before the interview, i was worried and nervous because i never interviewed anyone until now. I was the one assigned to do the talking and questioning while my other group mates do the back up and writing (THANKS A LOT!) First of all, i introduced myself (Hi! I'm Kenneth) and thanked him for the time. I asked him the simple questions like what does an operational manager do and what are the differences of an operation and tactical manager. He said that an Operational manager plans and organizes the things that the employees would do. And basically, the differences of an Operation and Tactical is that an Operational plans the day to day activity while the Tactical plans the long term management of the enterprise. He also stated that an Operation Manager is like a parent of a family. He is the one who organize the employees and their budget. Just like a father of the family who organizes the family and supports their financial capabilities. Even though a person with a job of his caliber gets payed a huge amount of money, he said that it is hard because of the bigger pressure and responsibility given to him. It really makes sense because the higher you go in the job pyramid, the bigger the pressure given in to you. At the end of the 20 minute interview, we got to learn some new things about being a manager. Maybe someday I'll be one myself. But until then, I'm just a simple manager of this blog.

ICTM WARRIOR (INTRICT)

Hello reader! Today, I won't be talking about Google (Thank God!) I'll be sharing my thoughts about the different technical and non-technical skills that an ICTM professional should have. So sit tight, relax and read (especially you Mr.Malabanan who's going to check this blog!)

What is an ICTM professional? For me, It is someone who has a broad knowledge and background about technology. One should possess a variety of skills such as basic programming language like JAVA. You will never be labeled as an ICTM professional without a knowhow in computer languages. As i browse to www.jobstreet.com for different job opportunities in the field of computers, i found out one similar requirement. They all need someone who truly understands and can manipulate JAVA/C/C++ which are popular programming languages. Having the ability to understand the software development lifecycle and methodology is also a technical skill needed for most of the ICTM jobs. As seen at the graph, Java is the most essential and required knowledge that someone should acquire in order to become an ICTM professional.

Technical skills aren't the only skills that we should have in order to become a successful ICTM professional. Like I say, "Aanhin ang quad core kapag dial-up ka lang. " ICTM professionals should also have different non-technical skills. One can't survive with Java mastery alone. ICTM professionals should have the ability to communicate and interact to their environment in order to become more productive. Working alone cuts people's productivity (I think.) Being fluent in multiple languages also helps. In this way, they can interact with different kinds of people (Language is Power!) Anyways, one should also have the ability to be organized and disciplined to one's self. This trait goes to any job. And lastly, I believe that the most important non-technical skill that one should acquire in order to become a true ICTM warrior is to see things in a positive way. I think that this is a must. Being positive is an aura that helps not only yourself but also the people around you.



Developing all of this skills will surely take time. All we need is discipline and courage to take that extra step. Push ourselves and break our limits. This way, we can become a true ICTM warrior ^_^

I got most of my research in www.jobstreet.com. I searched for a couple of jobs that have something to do with Computer/IT and pooof!

http://ph.jobstreet.com/jobs/2008/5/s/20/1866549.htm?fr=J
http://ph.jobstreet.com/jobs/2008/5/s/20/1866566.htm?fr=J
http://ph.jobstreet.com/jobs/2008/5/o/60/1321371.htm?fr=J
plus a lot more...
Basically their requirements are all the same XD


BE AN ICTM WARRIOR!

or


an ICTM ARCHER!

hahahaha..

My Google Part 2 (INTRICT)

After introducing some of my backgrounds and knowledge about Google, I am now going to sight more facts and details about its power. Google can really help students to maximize their time especially in Intrict class. For me, it is the stepping stone to our success in this profession. Google will help us evolve and be more aware of the growth of our technology today. Basically, understanding and becoming a good manipulator of Google applications will help us not only solve most of our problems but also maximize and organize our actions and projects in a very easy manner.

Productivity is Google. Google is productivity. It is amazing to think how Google can help us in a lot of ways. Calendars, Blogs, News, In Web hard drives are just some applications why i see Google as a very productive website. Most of our technologies increases productivity. But is Google a technology? A lot of people would only see technology as the hardwares (e.g Cellphones, PC, Laptops, Gaming devices and etc.) But they do not know that things such as Google is a very high class of technology. Technology decreases the amount of time needed to accomplish a certain task while increasing quality. Isn't Google doing this? Yes, it is. Google helps us to become more productive by decreasing the time while increasing the quality of our work. Take Google DOCS as an example. This is a very clever application where 2 or more people from different places can actually work on a single project at the same time.

There are a lot more Google applications that can bring us more productive things. So what can I suggest people do to increase their productivity? Use Google and learn how to maximize each and every of its applications.

HAIL HAIL GOOGLE!

My Google (Intrict class)

Google, a simple yet powerful website that can truly bring comfort to our daily work. I've been a big fan of it since I moved from Internet Explorer to Mozilla Fire Fox (4 or 5 years ago) I remembered the first time i opened a Google search engine. I was amazed and astounded by its simplicity. Its simplicity is one of its attributes why i love using Google compared to Yahoo. But before being in Sir Olive's class (INTRICT), i never got to try any of Google's applications except for its search engine. Gmail before was not as popular as it is today. Some years before, Gmail was not open for everyone to use. I wanted to join Gmail but i didn't know how (It was in Close Beta). And so after a couple of years, i forgot Gmail and didn't bother being part of its mailing community. But everything changed when i entered Intrict class. I saw the wonders and magics of Google and its applications. For instant, Google Docs is one of the most helpful applications of Google. It's like an office which you can access anytime and anywhere (internet access is a must.) Google Calendar is also a pretty useful application to use. Imagine being reminded by Google via text messaging anytime and anywhere FOR FREE! Isn't that amazing? (YEY MAY KATEXT MATE NA AKO :P) There are still a lot of applications that Google has such as TALK, BLOGGER, GROUPS and etc. Definitely all of these are very useful not only for students but for professionals as well. Well for now, I'm still feeling a little bit newbie in using these Google applications. I don't feel like I'm going to use these applications a lot NOW (NOTICE THE EMPHASIS in the word now) but i know someday, maybe a couple of years or months or just even days, I would be using Google APS a lot. Google is evolving in a rapid manner. We'll never know what's in store for us next. Maybe someday, Google would create an application, an application that would not need an INTERNET ACCESS. You'll just need a GOOGLE ACCESS. :)NEAT HUH?

PROS:
-It's Simple and has user friendly applications
-It's very useful and versatile
-Never goes DOWN
-Pretty cool and playable (Google Earth :D)
-Sugar, Spice and everything nice =)

CONS:
-What's not to love? :)