The Party Planner

I have not yet had the opportunity to plan a professional event or activity.  In my personal life I have had many opportunities to plan  social events.  One of my fondest planning memory is when I planned a Halloween party that my roommates and I had when I lived in Colorado.


There was a lot of tasks that had to be done.

• First, we had to pick a date.
• Then we had to come up with a theme.  Since it was a Halloween party, that was very simple.
• Between my roommates, Brandy and Carla, we had to come up with a guest list.
• Once we had an idea of how many people we were going to invite, we had to come up with a menu with food and drinks we were going to supply.
• I made the invitations for the party and we all handed them out to the people on our guest list, about 2 weeks before the party.
• About a week before the party, all three of us girls went shopping to get supplies and decorations.
• The day before the party, we also had to go to the store again to get last minute food items.
• On the day of the party, Brandy was in charge of cleaning the house up and Carla was in charge of setting up decorations.  I was in charge of making all the appetizers. 
• I made pigs-n-a-blanket, which looked like mummies.
• I made deviled eggs that looked like eye balls.
• I made Rice Krispy treats that looked like pumpkins and some that looked like candy corn.
• I also had basic appetizers that were not Halloween themed: chips and salsa, vegetable trays with ranch dressing, and meat balls and mini sausages in BBQ sauce.
•  I also made "Witches Brew", which consisted of the combination of Orange, Mango, and Pineapple juice in a huge pot.  I put dry ice in the Witches Brew so it made it look steamy and spooky.
• After the party was over, we had to clean up.  That was my least favorite part!!

(Left to Right) Brandy, Me, and Carla

Looking back, there is not very much I would change.  Our decorations were awesome and kind of spooky too.  The food was great as well and every body loved the themed appetizers.  Every one's costumes were great and very creative!

If someone is looking to do a similar party, there are a few helpful hints that I would tell them.

• Don't spend a lot of time and money on appetizers.  No matter what kind of food is out, people will eat it.  Your guests don't pay too much attention to the spread.
• Make the clean-up process as easy as possible.  That night or the next day, you are not going to be wanting to clean up a big mess.  Use disposable plates and serving wear.
• If you are doing a Halloween themed party, use black lights!!!  We changed all the light bulbs in the house to black lights and it was so cool to see how every one's costumes looked.  It also made for some neat pictures.

Purchasing Cards

Purchasing Cards are a form of charge cards that companies issue to employees.  Employees are to use these cards for business purposes only.  Employers can put limits on these cards, such as purchase amounts and number of times the card can be used.  Three of the biggest Purchase Cards are:

1. Visa Purchase Card
2. Corporate Purchasing Card by American Express
3. U.S. Bank Purchasing Card

The purchasing card I found to be the best option was the U.S. Bank Purchasing Card.  As stated on their website, many of their clients have saved as much as $78.58 per transaction, when using the purchasing card.

There are multiple benefits of using a purchasing card.  By using a purchasing card, you dont have to worry about filing the paper work for authorizing, tracking, and reconciling the purchases. Transactions can be tracked and automatically posted to the general ledger.  Employers can manage and monitor employee compliance and they can also enforce card-usage policies for employees.

One of the biggest benefits for the U.S. Bank Purchasing Card are that employers can control and limit spending by:

• Capping the number of transactions and dollar amounts per day, per month, or any other desired period of time.
• Having a single-purchase limit for the cardholders.
• Having a limit on how much the cardholder can spend per 30-day billing cycle.
• Blocking purchases of specific commodities and services.

Other benefits of the U.S. Bank Purchasing Card that help boost efficiency and decrease cost are:

• Worldwide card acceptance
• Reduced paperwork
• 24-hour customer service
• Liability Waiver protection program
• Online account setup and maintenance
• Online web-enabled reporting
• Flexible authorization system
• Cardholder spending controls

Records Management in My Personal Life

When you are planning your personal record keeping system, there are three factors that play a big importance: findability, confidentiality, and safety.  Findability basically means how easy is it for you to find something particular that you are looking for.  Confidentiality is the process of keeping personal information private.  Safety is the freedom from harm and danger.  Confidentiality and safety go hand-in-hand.  If you do not keep your documents confidential, then your safety is at risk.  If your personal and private documents fall into the wrong hands, your life could be turned upside down.  I would keep all my personal medical documents in one folder, because those are very confidential.  I would mark confidential on the folders as well.  I am not exactly sure how helpful that would be, but I am willing to give it a shot to see how it would work out.

Right now, my filing method is not a good one and is very weak.  I usually just throw all my random documents into a basket and have to dig through it when I need to find just one of the documents.  I need to improve my personal record keeping habits.  I just recently purchased a filing box and some folders so that I can start to file my documents properly.  I am going to create the following folders:

• AT&T
• Bank Account Info
• Car: PT Cruiser
• Car Insurance
• Credit Card Statements
• Electronics Information
• Life Insurance
• Vet Paperwork
• Warranties

As I am going, I will make more folders for paperwork that shows up.  The folders I bought are color coded.  I will put the folders that have confidential information in the red folders.  I am going to use the green folders for folders that have financial information in them.  For paperwork that is not too confidential (warranties, vet paperwork, etc.), I will use the orange folders.  

Using Sky Drive & Google Drive

I have had great experiences using both Sky Drive and Google Drive.  I love the fact that we can save documents on both of them and then we can pull them up on a different computer.  We do not have to use a thumb drive to save our work on to transfer from one computer to another.

Before this current semester, I have used Sky Drive.  I would work on assignments at school and I would save them on Sky Drive.  Then when I got home, I could pull it up off of Sky Drive and I could continue working right where I left off.  I have also used it to create a document and then print it off at another computer location.  This semester I was introduced to Google Drive.  As far as I can see, it is used the same way.  The only thing I have created on Google Drive was a survey.

I plan on utilizing these two features more in the future.  It is a lot easier to save it on either Sky Drive or Google Drive and then pull it up at another location.  Doing it this way, you do not have to mess with a thumb drive.  Another plus is that you do not have to worry about losing your work if your thumb drive gets lost.

Written Communication

This chapter has helped me recognize that I can strengthen my written communication in the following ways:

• I will write more effective and make sure to include plenty of details in my sentences.
• I will not use wordy expressions as much and try to keep the sentences concise.
• When I am righting a letter, I will determine what the goal of it is and make sure the format matches the goal.
• I will start to use more positive expressions and try to use less negative expressions.
• I also realize that I need to gather and organize the appropriate information.
• Once I have a finished copy of the letter, I need to make sure I set it down and come back to later to proofread it.
• When writing a letter, I need to determine if I need to be direct, indirect, or persuasive to be the most effective.

A Poor Customer Service Experience

As an external customer, I have had such poor customer service with Sears lately.  I recently had a window broken by a flying object, while I was mowing the lawn.  When I purchased the new windows about 4 years ago, I was told there was a full lifetime warranty.  I have called the warranty number multiple times, over a two week period, leaving messages with my information for them to call me back.  Finally, I was able to get through to a customer service representative and was informed that the  warranty was only good for materials and not labor.  They are now telling me that I need to pay $100 for labor, just for them to come out here; not including how long it takes them to replace the window.  Then the customer service representative informs me that it might not actually be covered because it shattered and that the warranty covers cracked or damaged windows.    I am very disappointed with Sears.  They sold me the windows with a lifetime guarantee and now they do not want to honor it.  I guess Sears's warranty is only good for when they want to honor it.

A few suggestions for Sears to handle this situation better is:

1. They should be loyal to their customers.  Happy customers always return.
2. They should honor their lifetime warranty.
3. They could have returned my multiple messages that I left over a two week period.
4. They could be willing to do a one time discount for this repair.
5. They should update their warranty information to be more accurate to their actions.

This is not the first problem I have had with Sears.  I always give companies multiple chances because I understand that not everyone is perfect.  But this is probably one of the last times I will use Sears to buy products that might need to be replaced during their warranty period.

Future Leader

This chapter has made me think about my future role as a leader in the following ways.

I have never really considered myself to be a leader.  I don't like to be in charge of tasks or people.  I like to be given directions and just do my work.  I am not a big risk taker; I like to play it safe.  The older I get, the more of a leader I become.  In college, I am now finding myself taking charge of group projects and activities.  In the future I am going to use the following advice:

• Always plan well and accordingly.
• Before the first group meeting, I will try to develop strategies that will help accomplish the goals of our group tasks.
• I will set a good example for my fellow employees.  If I lead by example, it will motivate them to follow in my footsteps and become a better employee and group member.

One idea that I have never considered was to invest in people.  This is important because you need to create relationships with your co-workers.  If you are loyal to your co-workers and employees, they will be loyal to you in return.

Ethical Situation

In one of my previous jobs, I found myself in an uncomfortable situation.  Because I was so young, I was not quite sure how to handle the situation.  The manager above me was married, which I hold to be sacred.  About once a week, a gentleman would come in and disrupt her work.  He would come in and flirt with her or take her to lunch or go into the break room together.  I didn't ask to many questions but was told that they were "just friends".  If her husband were to call and she was gone or busy with this gentleman, I was told to tell her husband that she was not available and was in a meeting.  Whether she was having an affair or not, it was none of my business.  I was just concerned that she was being paid to be there working and she would often be too busy doing personal things.  I even saw, on multiple occasions, that she would be in chat rooms and dating websites during working hours.  I never brought it up to the boss above her because I was afraid of retaliation.    Overall, I loved working for this company; I just wish I would have had a better manager to look up to.

My Current Stressors

Currently in my life, I am very stressed.  Whether it is with school or family, I cannot seem to catch a break. The four top stressors in my life are as follows:

1. Financial Matters
2. Family Problems
3. Lack of Time
4. Relationships

     One of the biggest stressors in my life right now is money, or lack there of.  I am trying to go to school to better myself and finish all three of the AS degrees I have been working towards.  I am putting myself through college and not relying on anyone for help financially.  Hopefully this will only be a short term stressor because I need some extra income and I have applied for a couple more part time seasonal (holiday) jobs.

     Another big stressor in my life is family problems.  My parents are going through a divorce.  Divorce should not effect the children, but it always does.  I am thankful that this is happening now and not when I was younger.  To help me deal with the stress that this has placed upon me, I like to stay out of the conversations that are taking place.  I would consider this to be a chronic stress because  even when the divorce is finalized, there will always be problems between the two parties involved.

     Currently, a huge stressor in my life is lack of time.  I'd like to think that I am pretty well at organizing and maintaining my time, but I always try to squeeze in more things that I don't have time for.  This is definitely chronic stress in my life because this is a regular, occurring thing.  Recently, I have replaced some optional activities with required activities and that seems to be helping.  The remaining optional activities aren't happening very often but they are a great way for me to relieve stress.

    The last of the top four stressors in my life is my relationship with my Fiance.  I get stressed out because he is now back in Massachusetts and we are having to do the long distance relationship.  I am hoping this is a short-term stress because that would mean the long distance relationship would be over soon.  But I know this will be an issue for at least the remainder of this semester and next semester, unless his job transfers him to California.  I need to finish my three AS degrees before I think about joining him out there.

Goals

There are four goals that I am working towards, two short term and two long term.  The two short term goals are:

1. I will give my puppy a bath by September 27th by allowing myself extra time in the morning.
2. I will graduate from Modesto Junior College with 3 AS degrees by Spring 2014 by completing four more classes.

The two long term goals are:

1. I will buy a new car by the summer of 2018 by saving $50 a month until I have at least $4,000 for the down payment.
2. I will get married in September of 2015 by saving $100 a month to go towards the wedding expenses.

"Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too." -Unknown Author

I find this quote very inspiring.  I often see co-workers delegating out most, if not all, of their work and then doing tasks that irrelevant to their job.  If other team or group members see this happening, they are liable to not finish the delegated tasks.  The co-worker delegating needs to lead by example.  Delegating work helps finish multiple tasks at one time. It will only work if everyone is doing their part, including the one who is delegating.

Strengthening Personal and Work Characteristics

The following personal characteristics that I need to strengthen are:

• Openness to change
• Time management 

The following work characteristics that I also need to strengthen are:

• Paying attention to details
• Keeping my desk area clean

I am a creature of habit and I do not handle change very well.  I am organized person, but sometimes I keep my working area too cluttered.  Sometimes I skip over little details, so I need to work on paying more attention.  I manage my time pretty well, but there is always room for improvement to strengthen my time management.

Appropriate Business Attire

I find this picture full of appropriate attire for a business man.  The slacks and jackets are both neutral colored.  The ties have color that are very modest, but not bright and distracting.  

The dress pumps/shoes in this picture are appropriate because they are simple, yet elegant for a business woman.  The jewelry is also appropriate because it is conservative and not over the top or flashy.

Both of the outfits are appropriate for a man or woman in the business field.  They are conservatively warn and neutrally colored.  For females, Nylons should be worn. Males should be clean shaven and have their hair combed, just like in this picture.

This outfit is appropriate because the slacks and blazer are coordinated.  Her makeup is natural and her hair is out of her face and neatly curled.  

I especially like the outfit on the right.  The skirt makes it a little more feminine, but still professional.  Also, the limited amount of jewelry is good.  The shoes are very conservative, which is appropriate for a business professional.  Also, the brief case is a great added touch!

Areas of Growth for Fall 2013

There are a few main areas that I would love to grow in this semester:

• Increase my keyboarding to atleast 60WPM
• Learn how to use the 10-key appropriately
• Learn Accounting type software: Quickbooks and Sage 50.
• Creative thinking 
• Being able to delegate
• Learn proper proofreading techniques

My Skills

Personal Skills:

• Following directions
• Listening and communication
• Time management and multi-tasking
• Goal Setting
• Problem Solving
• Motivated
• Willing to learn
• Ability to self-manage and self-motivate
• Filing Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable

Computer Skills:

• Entry level keyboarding (50 wpm)
• Windows
• Internet
• Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access

Equipment Skills:

• Answering and using multi-line telephones
• Can use copier, fax machine, and scanner

Hello Mrs. Backlund!