Leaders create,
they must alter the way you see,
the way you relate, operate.
Take time to know you.
They leave you impressed,
manage your spirit and help you acheive your best.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Can I Have Four Pickles Please?
Can I Have Four Pickles Please?
As we have been taught, leadership comes in many different forms. Some positions require leaders to be hard on their employees while other situations require leaders to be soft and understanding. What kind of leadership does the McDonald’s franchise require? The McDonald’s chain I visited was located on Bay Parkway and 66th St. in Brooklyn N.Y. My experience there was a friendly one. My order had to involve a total of three McDonald’s employee’s to complete, one for taking the order, and two from the kitchen to make my meal.
I walked into the McDonald’s chain a few minutes before 3:00pm. I patiently waited in line for about 50 seconds and then my turn came. I felt a little nervous placing the order, assuming I would get a few “he’s crazy” stares from the individuals around. I started off by speaking slowly and placing my order, “can I please have one cheeseburger with exactly four pickles and a small fries but please I absolutely no salt on the fries. Please make sure the fries are really well done also.” The woman taking my order seemed quite pleasant. She started smiling as I was explaining to her what I wanted.
“Lastly, I need everything I just asked you for to reflect on the receipt. The four pickles must be stated and the fries must be listed as well done and without salt.” She explained to me the best she can do with the receipt was write that I requested one extra pickle, as the norm is three, and for the fries can only list the term WITHOUT as there is no way she can enter that I requested them well done. I tried asked her to somehow manually type in what I had asked for, but she denied saying she just had no way. I took interest in the fact that the whole time we were discussing the receipt I can clearly notice her holding back a smile. I took no offense to it, but I understood this was a unique situation. Finally I agreed to what she offered, and the process began.
The kitchen was only a few feet away from the employee taking the order, unfortunately I did not get her name but her initials are listed as KS on the receipt, so I will refer to her as that. KS walked closer to the large hole opening to the kitchen and told two people there that I did not want salt on my fries and to make sure they were well done. KS was just an order taker, but she clearly was in charge of what the cooks provide on the food. I do not at all believe it was a formal position, but more of an informality between peers. She mentioned nothing about the pickles, so it is safe to assume her entering one extra pickle on the ordering pad was enough for the cooks in the back to know what to do. It is also safe to assume since she can only write WITHOUT on the ordering pad the cooks would not know what exactly I did not want on my fries. I moved to the side to make sure I had a better view of what went on in the kitchen and what response the cooks may have had to this. My assumptions were clearly correct, KS started laughing after she told the cooks what I had requested. I heard the cooks speak but could not make out the words due to all the noise. I bet it was something along the lines of “what on earth?” KS then went to the fries section on her right and started to toss the fries. Normally KS would have given me the fries from that section, but those fries are all salted and since I requested no salt, she did not take any for my order. About 40 second after she started the fries my food was ready. These cooks are extremely fast, everything must have already been somewhat premade. The fries and cheeseburger were given to her in hand and she made sure to ask whether or not the fries are without salt and well done. The cook confirmed she neatly placed them inside the bag for me. I would have been happier if she had asked about the pickles as well, but I’m assuming it’s not her responsibility at that point, she did her part by entering it in the system. KS told me this was my order and I was good to go. I pulled to the side, opened my bag to make sure everything was perfect. I do not eat McDonald’s food so my goal was to return the food. I first checked the fries with my hand to make sure there was no salt. These guys did a great job, not only was there no salt, but they were extremely well done without being burnt. I put the fries back into the bag and opened up the whole cheeseburger right there on the ordering counter. At that point KS had nicely informed me that maybe I should sit down at a table. “Believe me, there’s a reason to my insanity” I responded with a smile. Four pickles just as requested. I packed everything back into the bag and told her “please give this to someone who would enjoy it, this experience was for a management class to watch how you all perform, good job!” KS started laughing, took back the meal and I was on my way.
The experience went smoother than I expected. I do not believe there is any education what so ever necessary to be hired at McDonald’s, and with that many individuals form stereo types of the kind of people that work there, I was one of those individuals. You assume a simple task would be hard for them, but these guys laughed about the order, and without question completed it perfectly. If McDonald’s had asked me to come in as a consultant and improve the management process I would give the order takers a formal supervisor position where they were fully in charge of what the customers had requested. KS did not confirm that there were four pickles on my cheeseburger. Though the cooks did get the order correct, what if they did not? That would mean extra time spent to change the order and an upset customer who requested small change to the normal McDonald’s menu. I attempt to put myself in their shoes, someone requesting such a special and odd order to be made. I can understand the fries, but why exactly four pickles? I too would have cracked a smile. There were no managers necessary to perform an out of ordinary order, KS took the leadership role, made sure that what I had requested was completed correctly, and did so in a friendly manner. Definitely not the experience I assumed I would have. Thanks McDonald’s!
As we have been taught, leadership comes in many different forms. Some positions require leaders to be hard on their employees while other situations require leaders to be soft and understanding. What kind of leadership does the McDonald’s franchise require? The McDonald’s chain I visited was located on Bay Parkway and 66th St. in Brooklyn N.Y. My experience there was a friendly one. My order had to involve a total of three McDonald’s employee’s to complete, one for taking the order, and two from the kitchen to make my meal.
I walked into the McDonald’s chain a few minutes before 3:00pm. I patiently waited in line for about 50 seconds and then my turn came. I felt a little nervous placing the order, assuming I would get a few “he’s crazy” stares from the individuals around. I started off by speaking slowly and placing my order, “can I please have one cheeseburger with exactly four pickles and a small fries but please I absolutely no salt on the fries. Please make sure the fries are really well done also.” The woman taking my order seemed quite pleasant. She started smiling as I was explaining to her what I wanted.
“Lastly, I need everything I just asked you for to reflect on the receipt. The four pickles must be stated and the fries must be listed as well done and without salt.” She explained to me the best she can do with the receipt was write that I requested one extra pickle, as the norm is three, and for the fries can only list the term WITHOUT as there is no way she can enter that I requested them well done. I tried asked her to somehow manually type in what I had asked for, but she denied saying she just had no way. I took interest in the fact that the whole time we were discussing the receipt I can clearly notice her holding back a smile. I took no offense to it, but I understood this was a unique situation. Finally I agreed to what she offered, and the process began.
The kitchen was only a few feet away from the employee taking the order, unfortunately I did not get her name but her initials are listed as KS on the receipt, so I will refer to her as that. KS walked closer to the large hole opening to the kitchen and told two people there that I did not want salt on my fries and to make sure they were well done. KS was just an order taker, but she clearly was in charge of what the cooks provide on the food. I do not at all believe it was a formal position, but more of an informality between peers. She mentioned nothing about the pickles, so it is safe to assume her entering one extra pickle on the ordering pad was enough for the cooks in the back to know what to do. It is also safe to assume since she can only write WITHOUT on the ordering pad the cooks would not know what exactly I did not want on my fries. I moved to the side to make sure I had a better view of what went on in the kitchen and what response the cooks may have had to this. My assumptions were clearly correct, KS started laughing after she told the cooks what I had requested. I heard the cooks speak but could not make out the words due to all the noise. I bet it was something along the lines of “what on earth?” KS then went to the fries section on her right and started to toss the fries. Normally KS would have given me the fries from that section, but those fries are all salted and since I requested no salt, she did not take any for my order. About 40 second after she started the fries my food was ready. These cooks are extremely fast, everything must have already been somewhat premade. The fries and cheeseburger were given to her in hand and she made sure to ask whether or not the fries are without salt and well done. The cook confirmed she neatly placed them inside the bag for me. I would have been happier if she had asked about the pickles as well, but I’m assuming it’s not her responsibility at that point, she did her part by entering it in the system. KS told me this was my order and I was good to go. I pulled to the side, opened my bag to make sure everything was perfect. I do not eat McDonald’s food so my goal was to return the food. I first checked the fries with my hand to make sure there was no salt. These guys did a great job, not only was there no salt, but they were extremely well done without being burnt. I put the fries back into the bag and opened up the whole cheeseburger right there on the ordering counter. At that point KS had nicely informed me that maybe I should sit down at a table. “Believe me, there’s a reason to my insanity” I responded with a smile. Four pickles just as requested. I packed everything back into the bag and told her “please give this to someone who would enjoy it, this experience was for a management class to watch how you all perform, good job!” KS started laughing, took back the meal and I was on my way.
The experience went smoother than I expected. I do not believe there is any education what so ever necessary to be hired at McDonald’s, and with that many individuals form stereo types of the kind of people that work there, I was one of those individuals. You assume a simple task would be hard for them, but these guys laughed about the order, and without question completed it perfectly. If McDonald’s had asked me to come in as a consultant and improve the management process I would give the order takers a formal supervisor position where they were fully in charge of what the customers had requested. KS did not confirm that there were four pickles on my cheeseburger. Though the cooks did get the order correct, what if they did not? That would mean extra time spent to change the order and an upset customer who requested small change to the normal McDonald’s menu. I attempt to put myself in their shoes, someone requesting such a special and odd order to be made. I can understand the fries, but why exactly four pickles? I too would have cracked a smile. There were no managers necessary to perform an out of ordinary order, KS took the leadership role, made sure that what I had requested was completed correctly, and did so in a friendly manner. Definitely not the experience I assumed I would have. Thanks McDonald’s!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Vision
Everyone has similar dreams, success, family, career advancement, etc. Everyone also has other beliefs that are particular to themselves. I have thought about my future countless times and I am happy to share some of my thoughts. My future consist of reliance, implying each goal relies on the previous one. In order for me to be accomplished, I need to make sure start my career off right. I plan on getting my MBA from Cornell. I have recently started studying for my gmat exam, but in order to be accepted I must complete a few years of work experience. The program Cornell offers is very demanding. As an mba student you are required to work on real like analytical problems with large firms. Most of my family and friends work for major firms so hopefully obtaining the experience I need to be accepted into Cornell will be a breeze. A second goal I would like to share is fitting into my fathers shoes. I have and always will look up to my father, no matter what type of disagreements we have. He has finished two universities and is currently a highly respected manager in a large firm. He came to America with nothing and was able to establish himself very comfortably in a short amount of time. In order for me to accomplish what he has, I must continue my education and complete my MBA as planned. My final goal may sound a little absurd to some, but I want to be able to help people. I am not talking about helping by traveling to a third world country and doing charity, I am discussing helping individuals on a macro scale, based on my profession. Expanding companies and creating jobs. I believe if an individual has a well paying job, it will be easier to piece together other life problems and in the end provide a better way of life. In order for me to accomplish this I need to always remain focused, never losing track of my objectives. Only recently have I started to think more about others rather then focusing on myself.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Class Agreement
Unfortunately I was not in class the day the excerise was assigned but I do know what position I would have taken if I was. I would have acted with the collaborating mindset. The reason behind doing so involves the notion that the exercise was not only for myself nor only for the other students, it is an exercise that would have benefited every student who took the test. With that in mind I believe it would be the most fair and understanding position to take.
Monday, March 15, 2010
"Sally"
Our egg was named Sally. Unfortunately our egg was one of the many eggs that broke. Our team worked hard to make sure the contraption to secure sally was as we planned. During planning time we knew what was needed and quickly started creating our egg "protection". We knew we must keep all of sallys sides carefully protected with the few tools we had to use. Our group did have a number of ideas that were given but in the end I do not believe we all fully agreed on a final draft. The good part about having different ideas was when the time came to create our contraption other parts of second and third contraption suggestions were incorporated. Right before we had out ten minutes to start building, each of us volunteered to help build the contraption, or draw the picture, or any of the other responsibilites we had. We were able to have everything completed and myself at the front of the board within the last ten seconds. I really was under the assumption that our egg, without our fort, would make it without breaking. Its too bad that it broke, Sally did actually come from a group of people trying to reach the same goal.
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Trip to Montreal
Just recently I traveled to Montreal, Quebec and as many of you may know, Montreal is considered part of the 'French' Canada. The city has many beautiful architectures but a little too cold for my liking. Culturally I noticed a many differences from what I now call home. Originally I am from Odessa, Ukraine but I have not called that home in 17 years. Home has been New York since I was 5 years old and I could not be happier. I am very much accustomed to being able to step outside to the store at any time of day and buy anything from a toothbrush to food.
Moving on to my trip in Montreal, we decided at 10AM to get breakfast in what is called "Old Montreal". I do not exaggerate when I say EVERY restaurant was closed. The earliest one opened was at 11AM and that was an exception as others that serve breakfast was at 12PM. We sucked up our new york pride and walked around until 11. After visiting a few museums, lunch time came. I guess the French in Montreal had the same idea.. because every restaurant was once again closed from 3-5PM. Apparently this is the norm, so we spoiled new yorkers either had to wait it out or head out of Old Montreal. This may not seem like such a big concern, but I get cranky when I don't eat, thus small concern for 'normal' people = big concern for me.
After getting past food concern, we did a little bit of driving around. New city, new streets.. eventually I got lost. Coincidentally, my GPS chooses to stop working. I asked plenty of different people for help. Generally I try to be as pleasant as possible when asking for help, and normally I get a pleasant response back. Unfortunately, when I told people I was from new york and had gotten lost, most of them refused to help. Huh? I didn't get it. Everywhere I travel when I tell people I am from New York they love me (mostly because of the financial stereo type I believe) but these guys just had the opposite reaction. Very frustrating when you are lost and people just respond in a very nasty tone. Hey I could be wrong, maybe people just don't get lost in Montreal?
I do not want to convey just the bad parts of what I consider part of the French culture, I did have a great time. Everyone was very nice when it came time to take my money... joke. The hotel personal was very pleasant throughout the whole experience and we did meet a few pleasant French people that were very interested in chatting it up with us. All in all, I would definitely recommend someone take a few days off to go to Montreal, it is beautiful. Oh and one more thing, do NOT go to club 'circus'. It truly is filled with a bunch of clowns.. how could a club not serve alcohol?
Moving on to my trip in Montreal, we decided at 10AM to get breakfast in what is called "Old Montreal". I do not exaggerate when I say EVERY restaurant was closed. The earliest one opened was at 11AM and that was an exception as others that serve breakfast was at 12PM. We sucked up our new york pride and walked around until 11. After visiting a few museums, lunch time came. I guess the French in Montreal had the same idea.. because every restaurant was once again closed from 3-5PM. Apparently this is the norm, so we spoiled new yorkers either had to wait it out or head out of Old Montreal. This may not seem like such a big concern, but I get cranky when I don't eat, thus small concern for 'normal' people = big concern for me.
After getting past food concern, we did a little bit of driving around. New city, new streets.. eventually I got lost. Coincidentally, my GPS chooses to stop working. I asked plenty of different people for help. Generally I try to be as pleasant as possible when asking for help, and normally I get a pleasant response back. Unfortunately, when I told people I was from new york and had gotten lost, most of them refused to help. Huh? I didn't get it. Everywhere I travel when I tell people I am from New York they love me (mostly because of the financial stereo type I believe) but these guys just had the opposite reaction. Very frustrating when you are lost and people just respond in a very nasty tone. Hey I could be wrong, maybe people just don't get lost in Montreal?
I do not want to convey just the bad parts of what I consider part of the French culture, I did have a great time. Everyone was very nice when it came time to take my money... joke. The hotel personal was very pleasant throughout the whole experience and we did meet a few pleasant French people that were very interested in chatting it up with us. All in all, I would definitely recommend someone take a few days off to go to Montreal, it is beautiful. Oh and one more thing, do NOT go to club 'circus'. It truly is filled with a bunch of clowns.. how could a club not serve alcohol?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Phase Two
So I decided I wanted to share some of my business experience with the class.
At 14 I started a job that allowed me to enter the telecommunications field. I started working at a cell phone store. At 14, you really arent picky with where you work, I thought if it puts a little extra money in my pocket and its not a dirty job, its perfect. Long story short, and a few stores later, I was working directly for Verizon Wireless an Assitant Manager. Great corporate experience (these guys are worse then some financial firms on privacy!) I had a number of management courses there and eventually decided to go on my own, I left the company and opened a Verizon Store in bay ridge brooklyn. It was always a desire to own a business, and here I was at 20 years of age having my own. Another great experience, because with it out I never would have realized how much responsibility and time is necessary to operate a successful business. A year into it (a quite successful year I may add), I realized it is not at all what I want, I was running a store 7 days a week 24 hours a day, waking up at 3am realizing I forgot to lay a mouse trap (yes, it happens). I sold the business and got involved in the medical field. I worked for a sleep center that grew to the top 10 in the country under my supervision. I handled the finances, marketing, PR, etc. I like getting involved in everything, because unfortunately its rare to find someone who will dedicate the same passion as the individual who is liable. The challenges allowed me to grow my mind and abilities, but unfortunately only one commitment can receive 100% from anyone at a time, and my college classes began to suffer, at that point I was going to night school. I had to leave the center and found a part time job in the same business I was in for 7 years, verizon wireless. Currently I work at a few VZW stores and (finally) I am graduating Baruch this year.
At 14 I started a job that allowed me to enter the telecommunications field. I started working at a cell phone store. At 14, you really arent picky with where you work, I thought if it puts a little extra money in my pocket and its not a dirty job, its perfect. Long story short, and a few stores later, I was working directly for Verizon Wireless an Assitant Manager. Great corporate experience (these guys are worse then some financial firms on privacy!) I had a number of management courses there and eventually decided to go on my own, I left the company and opened a Verizon Store in bay ridge brooklyn. It was always a desire to own a business, and here I was at 20 years of age having my own. Another great experience, because with it out I never would have realized how much responsibility and time is necessary to operate a successful business. A year into it (a quite successful year I may add), I realized it is not at all what I want, I was running a store 7 days a week 24 hours a day, waking up at 3am realizing I forgot to lay a mouse trap (yes, it happens). I sold the business and got involved in the medical field. I worked for a sleep center that grew to the top 10 in the country under my supervision. I handled the finances, marketing, PR, etc. I like getting involved in everything, because unfortunately its rare to find someone who will dedicate the same passion as the individual who is liable. The challenges allowed me to grow my mind and abilities, but unfortunately only one commitment can receive 100% from anyone at a time, and my college classes began to suffer, at that point I was going to night school. I had to leave the center and found a part time job in the same business I was in for 7 years, verizon wireless. Currently I work at a few VZW stores and (finally) I am graduating Baruch this year.
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