SECTION 1
OL 125: Personal Development Plan – Setting Your Vision (Milestone One)

Student Name: John Rokos
Date: November 4, 2013

Hello, What have I learned about myself so far? Loaded question since I feel that everything that has been brought to my attention through these 2 chapters are things I have heard before. Some things are new but overall, I am not surprised by the results. I am hoping to find ways for me to stay in control and to motivate others at the same time. I would like to find ways of coping and to build from within to make my team and the other teams around me better.

Revision
December 15, 2013
This course has shown me ways that I can improve in my ways to motivate others. Either in a team environment or as an individual. For both I do tend to use the reward method. I will buy a little treat for somebody who has helped me out with the project I am working on at the moment. I know that no job is done by one person. I also will bring in donuts or coffee to the team in the morning just for a good will jester. Just acknowledging them goes a long way.
As for the keeping in control, I will use ideas that I have read throughout the course in all of my future position both in professional and personnel life. Stepping back and taking a deep breath from time to time will be very beneficial for me. The assessments step quizzes did help point out what I didn’t want to hear but knew along.

John Rokos

SECTION 2

John Rokos
December 15, 2013

A SWOT chart looks like this:

Strengths I get the job done. I have the drive to see projects through | Weaknesses Get easily frustrated dealing with lazy people who need to help me with the project | Opportunities I gain the trust of my team and customers to get the results they are looking for. | Threats People seems to view my determination to get job done as a bad attitude. As I stated, I tend to get frustrated when people are not doing their job. So when I see people not working when I have a customer looking for an answer, I tend to get angry | | |

When completing this assignment back in week 4, I didn’t interpret the assignment fully so I am here to correct that. I was using this tool to help me with my interview process. Looking at the chart above, I changed that to reflect my last position and try to bring attention to my reviews from supervisors in the past and what they have said. My biggest fault is the fact that I get easily frustrated and I let that affect my work. This course has taught me to keep things at even keel and if I can stay in control, I would be getting a better response from both coworkers and from clients. Everything revolves around what’s best for the customer. My strengths are my ability to get the job done. I will always find a way to do this. I have always liked problem solving so I take that and incorporate it with my work. I have a hard time taking no for an answer when I know I can do it. If I am able to limit my weakness, I know I will just continue to get better.

SECTION 3

POLITICAL FACTORS 1) We need to set up regulations for both local and abroad as the firm is international 2) With the merge of the two trading firms 6 years ago, need to establish a more dedicated chain of command 3) Along with that merge, we also need to blend and mold two very different environments to form a new solid operations team 4) Multiple styles of business and customers
POLITICAL OPPORTUNITY
With the merge, we have a chance to take the best from both styles and merge them to one working style and to have this as the blueprint across the firm. One of the results was the “follow the sun” operations. We established customer service teams to follow the sun. Our customers could call or send emails with concerning issues any time of the day and with the follow the sun, one of our offices in either Japan Singapore, London, New York or Chicago would be able to help.
POLITICAL THREATS
The biggest threat is that the 2 companies coming together. There has been push back from both former companies thinking that each system is better than the others. The threat is getting a team mentality within the organization. This will only lead to poor service to the customers.

ECONOMIC FACTORS 1) The merge was able to combine two fairly large French banks to form a large bank with a larger presence. 2) With the merge, layoffs are expected and will happen as departments overlap 3) The firm will think that by merging the two firms that it could free up capital to invest in infrastructure
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Because of the merge of the two firms, this allowed the 2 trading facilities to become one and this vaulted the firm to #1 in the futures business in segregated funds and total volume traded in the futures industry. Another impact from the merge is that the new firm can promote itself as the largest futures firm.
ECONOMIC THREAT
Customers getting lost in the shuffle. With any merge of two fairly large trading firm, some customers could get “lost” and if the right customer does feel that they are being neglected, this could prompt them to leave to another firm.

SOCIO-CULTER 1) The firms multiply global cultural and economic factors 2) Global office structure and hierarchy. 3) Global holidays and vacation policies

SOCIO CULTER OPPORTUNITIES and THREATS
The firm has several hubs when it comes to department heads. For the operations, it is all based in Chicago. Customer Service is based out of London, and the billing has been moved to Singapore. Well, I am combining these together, as I think that there are several opportunities for each department to create their own structure, the threat is that, because of distance and time zones, the training and questions of concern are delayed and will halt the natural flow.

TECHNOLOGICAL 1) There will be a greater global presence 2) Bringing together systems 3) More people will generate more ideas

TECHONOLOGICAL OPPORTUNITIES

This will be a great advancement for the firm since this will bring together al systems under one roof. Blending the different bookkeeping systems will be a task, however, in the long run, this will provide a new system that everybody is on and will make it global. Knowing that you can help and explain how to book something to somebody in Singapore from Chicago, will eliminate confusion and ultimately make a more team environment. The greater outcome from this standpoint is cohesiveness throughout the firm.

TECHONOLOGICAL THREATS
As mentioned above, the opportunity could be a threat. Bringing together multiple systems is a long and tedious project and could experience several push backs. With so much technological systems and each office having their own system, getting them to believe that ONE system is better will be hard. Habits are hard to break.

Revision
December 15 2013

As I have stated throughout the course, I have been let go from the position that I was at when I was referring to the assignment above. What I do know is that one of the banks involved with the merger has bought out the other. All signs point to going back to where it was 7 years ago. There are times that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Speaking to some of the people still there, they all fell like the firm will try to go back to where it was and more controllable. The growth of the firm was great, but it caused too many issues that were causing mistakes and resulted to errors. I’m sure that the “new” firm will keep all of the positive accomplishments that were made in the merge. Becoming smaller will help out the under staffed departments so that they can handle the day to day issues that are being missed. Now smaller is a relative term as when it was two separate firms, both were ranked in the top ten as a clearing firm, so I believe that if they follow through with the rumors, they will be able to have continue success.

SECTION 4
Student Name: John Rokos
Date: December 15, 2013

Goals | Action Steps | Potential Obstacles | Plan to Overcome | Ability to stay in control of feelings. I have a tendency to get frustrated easily. | I have seen that I need to step back and take a deep breath. Sounds easier than it is due to the fast paced environment of the industry | Me. Remember to stay cool. Remember what I read and follow through on those ideas and tips. | As Nike would say. Just do it. If I have a chance, I like to place a print out and place it in view so I remember to keep my cool. | To continue to be a more motivational coworker | Give encouragement and help when needed. I am a more of an do as I do person I need to make an effort to talk and interact more than I have been | My criticisms could be taken the wrong way. I like when people are up front with me. Each person is different | Read my audience. Know who I am talking to. Each person is different and I need to address them each different. | Decision making as a leader | I have a tendency to find a solution and go with it instead of getting other ideas and choosing the best one. Leadership needs to be open to everything | Force of habit. I need to become more open to hear other suggestions. Even though I get the job done, there may be easier ways to get it done and I need to listen to people’s ideas and suggestions | Slow down. Take a step back and listen to what others have to say when it comes to planning and doing. I will be open to others ideas and suggestions. I would think that I am a little both Transformational and Transactional leader, and I would continue to grow to be a stronger leader |

The plan dictated above is my plan to be a better coworker. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and I will and need to concentrate on those. I will try my best to limit my weaknesses so that it doesn’t limit my potential. First goal of staying in control of feelings is something I have been working on for some time and I have improved. My frustration level sometimes gets the best of me but over time, I have seen a difference and I plan on using the lessons from this course to help me in the future. My second goal would be motivation. It has never been a problem with me. I am encouraging by nature. I want everybody to do well. My issue that I need to work on is to give constructive criticism a little softer. I like when people are blunt with me and tell me like it is. Not everybody is like that and I will work to do better. I would and will never have a critical conversation in front of other coworkers. I have had that done to me in the past and it never turns out well. Number 3 is to be a better leader. Everybody has a bit of leadership in them and should never stop working on this. When I was reading chapter 7, I felt that I was or hope I was using the best aspects of both Transformational and Transactional leadership traits. To have the charisma to reach people, the inspirational motivation to inspire other to do their best, and to have a passive management style that lets your team or group to make decisions on their own. To become a better leader it helps to build confidence as an individual or as a team. Nothing brings a team together when each person can voice an opinion and it isn’t just brushed off. Knowing that you make a difference makes you feel more of the team. It will make you want to do your best for yourself and for the business. I truly believe that what I have read in this course will help me going forward in both personnel and professional life. The assessment quizzes brought to light where my strengths are and what I need to keep doing, however, it did bring up some issues that I have known about and will continue to work on. I really liked the leadership and motivation chapters. Always good to gather new ideas to include in your thinking. Will I reach my goals? Only time will tell, but with this course, it is up to me to make it happen. I am glad I have these references at my disposal and I will refer back to them when needed.

Thanks for all of your help this term.

John Rokos