Final Portfolio on Competency

“Skyis the limit, to dream is to begin a wonderful journey”
A CompetencyBuilding PersonalPortfolio
DCU BUSINESS SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT & ARTICLES SUBMISSION
STUDENT NAME: TAMANNA NAZNEEN RAHMAN
STUDENT NUMBER-59100397
PROGRAMME: BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (MSBM)
PROJECT TITLE- NGM PORTFOLIO
MODULE CODE- MT 5113
LECTURER- DES McLAUGHLIN
PROJECT DUE DATE- 10/06/2014
DECLARATAION
I the undersigned declare that the project material, which I now submit, is my own work. Any
assistance received by way of borrowing from the work of others has been cited and acknowledged
within the work. I make this declaration in the knowledge that a breach of the rules pertaining to
project submission may carry serious consequences.
I am aware that the project will not be accepted unless this form has been handed in along with the
project.
Signed: Tamanna Nazneen Rahman

I am thankful to God, my parents, my loving mother who has given me so much strength since I
was a baby and my late father who had showed how to be successful in life. He is the one who
taught me English and a well disciplined person. I am thankful to my Chair of school Des, all the
teachers. My friends Tushar, Udit, Stuart, Jenny, Mina, Gulya, Fatima, Enzo, Arick, My khalu
have given me a lot of support too. My work is dedicated to my Father and my mather. I love them
so much.
Tamanna.

Table of content:
Introduction
Reflection on PODS with synthesis:
1. Personal career development
a. Accenture Workshop: DCU Student Business Consultancy Society
b Advanced CV Writing
c. Carr Communications
d. Emotional Intelligence
e. Interview skills session
f. Leadership development
g.Mind inerviewMcKinsey
h. NGM Interview lecture
i. The science of creativity
2. Business and society
Fences
ILP
Ethics, sustainability in Business
3. Research
Music video
Focus group/s
CV writing
Interview skills
Questionnaire
SPSS
Market research panel
Methodology for research
4. Digital skills and media and communication
Cloud computing
Twitter
LinkedIn
Webinars
Guy Kawasaky
Here's the summary of my PODS in POD minder

Conclusion to my portfolio with PODS completed successfully

Introduction to my portfolio:
The portfolio that you are reading is my work from two semester in MSBM in DCU from 2013-
2014. As required by Dublin City University I took 20 credits Next Generation Module. As to do
with this course I had to take workshop, seminars, activities which were together 40 known as 40
PODS necessary to make this portfolio. These PODS I took has certainly changed me a lot as a
person and made me more career orientated for the future. These activities I took were linked with
my Personal Development Plan (PDP) I had taken to better myself and hence the 40 PODS fulfill
my PDP. I did more but I reflected the ones which will fill my deficiency in my competencies.
Honestly speaking I learnt the term competency and how useful it is after I have done the
reflections and the activities. These 40 PODS were divided into four categories:
3. Research
Each of this headings has 10 respective PODS and together they make 40 PODs.
I have conducted these 40 PODS in the two semesters. These have taught me lot. I have learnt new
skills, improved my old skills, dealt with problems, found logical solution and have organised 40
reflections. I am sure each PODS are going to help me in my Business management field by
making. The main outcome from this PODS were to create perfect graduates, make better
understand of the four categories and sort of created a challenge among us to learn and understand
them. I believe most of the NGM students feel they cope with these headings much better than the
start of the year. But there were some PODS I didn't want to take but I still took them because they
were core PODS. And thankfully I did. I now understand a better side of these PODS. The practical
knowledge and the sheer amazing experience I had from these PODS are too be kept with me
forever. However, my understanding of these PODS might be less than some of the excellent
students in NGM. But I have tried in my power to reflect what I have learnt from these 40 PODS.
I am a mature student and I got this opportunity because the DCU Business Department has seen
something good in me and has given me the opportunity to show my skills and what I have learnt.
I am really truly grateful for this opportunity. It is my life changing and will bring me good in my
career and future life. Thank you once again for giving me the scope of broadening my horizons
through practical teaching of knowledge that I have experienced in the Next Generation
Management.
Best Regards,
Tamanna.
Next generation management:
I learnt a lot in 2 semesters. I have gained practical experience through NGM activities which I
couldn't have learnt from only reading books or sitting in exam halls. This module has created me
to tackle any situation at my work place. I feel I am a better and reshaped person. I have filled the
lackings in my PDP through the PODS. I have gather confidence, skills, self control, emotional
control, working and handling team through team work and so on. NGM is very important for any
student I found. This is reach and has a clear vision to create a perfect human being. This module

has brought out the best in me. In NGM the categories have made me learn a lot. But in here at the
portfolio I am only mentioning the ones that is linked mostly with my PDP. These are:
Fences
ILP
Ethics, sustainability in Business
3. Research
Music video
Focus group/s
CV writing
Interview skills
Questionnaire
SPSS
Market research panel
Methodology for research
Cloud computing
Twitter
LinkedIn
Webinars
Guy Kawasaky
The prince 2 was good experience though I didn't get quite good but I have learnt from the
interactive tool. I used my Prince 2 learning's in GOMC campain and got a good report.
The first lecturer for leadership and development Claire Gubbins has told us to write or reflect our
learning in a story telling way. She made her classes very interesting and I have enjoyed a lot.
below are the reflection from
Leadership and personal development:

PDP 's the Personal Development Competencies:
All the seminars and workshops and activities I have taken is to make my PDP resolution full. At
the start of my MSBM academic year I had to write the competencies I lack and I want to get them.
Also some competencies which I have but want to improve them. I had long time goal to acquire
some and short term goal. After taking the PODS I have successfully completed my PDP. It is a
wonderful thing that some of the competencies I never thought I should have, and after doing the
PODS I have them now. I know that this PDP and POD has thought me to find out anything that
needs to be done, set a guideline, and timeframe to complete them, complete the task and one can
get success through applying practical knowledge like I have in NGM. I tend to write and speak
to the point. I don't have the habit the exaggerate, hence my reflections are to the point basically
what I have learnt from it and how I can improve myself more with the availed knowledge.
I should tell a little about my personal self and to let you know where I am coming from and what
I have in me to offer. It's not everyone that gets chance to do their Masters Degree in MSBM. The
opportunity to take Next generation management has given me the sheer opportunity that I feel
blessed to be here part of a wonderful learning atmosphere.
So who am I ? And how I see myself from my auto biography perspective! I have written this
for Clare in NGM project .
Tamanna Nazneen Rahman, born in 1984 in Dhaka Bangladesh born in a family of mother Azmeri
and father Dr.Md Mizanur Rahman. Her father was professor, head of Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering ,BUET, Bangladesh. She is a Bangladeshi girl. She got her primary
schooling done from BUET teachers school and her childhood was going great within the BUET
teachers compound, where everyone and everything was familiar. She was really good in all sorts
of sports, cricket, badminton, athletics. She learned Bengali music for 13 years. She won national
award in Art. Life was going smoothly in her little world with her, mother, father, her friends and
her relatives.
Then happy days turned upside down in a moment. Her dad got really sick suddenly. Her mother
brought him to Ireland for treatment in 1999. In Ireland her mother's sister resides. But even
though all stones unturned, doctors couldn't save her father. He passed away in 17th November,
1999. Tamanna'a world got devastated. Everything turned unknown, everyone seemed scary and
all the relatives showed their true colours. She stopped music, art, sports and her favourite hobby,
writing poems. Her father was her inspiration. Since he is gone everything seemed meaningless to
her. She stopped celebrating life. She and her mother had to leave the BUET campus since her
father wasn't working in the university any longer. Then after a few years of depression, her mother
decided to bring her to Ireland, thinking a change of surrounding will make her come back to life
again. So, she came to Ireland, living with her aunts. She started doing her 4th year in the High
School Rathgar. In new setting, she tried to start another life without her father. After the Living
Cert. she had to go home with her mother because her grand-mother was sick. She couldn't let her
mother be alone like that. So, she went home to Bangladesh. In 2008, her grandmother passed
away. She then decided to come back to Ireland. She realized the education in Ireland will give
her an upper-hand than millions of students in home.

Then in 2009 she joined DCU. She started living on her own, her mother went back home to
Bangladesh. She always called her mother. She had to get allowance that her mother sent her
through her aunt. She sets a goal. She got into DCU MSBM course luckily. This was about Her
now. So she worked hard, and got her Masters degree. During this time she in Masters she won
another gold medal in Badminton in Student Sports Ireland 2013/2014. Her mother was so proud.
There has been countless issues, but yet the success has erased all the gloomy days. She found
love in DCU during her undergrad. She made the greatest friends in DCU who gave her constant
moral support.
She then got a job visa for a year. During that time she got herself in Google. She always wanted
to work in Google. She became manager of the creativity department. She has the team work
sports, creativity from art, bravery from learning from a tough life. She loves her work. 4 years of
working in Google she got the stamp four and applied for her mother to come stay with her. And
in a year thankfully the Irish Govt. granted her mothers Visa. She is now a senior employee in
Google, bought a house, learned driving, and has the biggest room in the house for her mother
So life gave her everything, taken the most special person away, but has thought her to be strong.
She is strong, wise, and a very friendly person. Even after all this she respects her aunt. Because
elders are always to be respected. One can gain anything with, love , caring and respect. She has
come so far and she has more dream of achieving more in life now. Badminton is still her favourite
pass time. She wants to be successful in life and create a small happy family with her fiancé soon.
All this were God's will and her mothers constant support. No one can break anyone in this world
if one has the will of survival.
So that was a biography of myself and hopefully I can do a lot with my NGM knowledge in my
career and help myself and others around me to success.
1. Personal career development PODS: First of all this POD has helped me develop my self.
Through the PODS like the Accenture workshop I have understood what the employment people
seek from college graduates. If a presenter is lively and friendly it is easy to understand him and
take his or her points on board. Like our Lecturer Ms. Claire was so lively and energetic that I was
willing to listen to her. I learnt to speak like her in front of crowds. Her body language, her flow
of clear speech and sense of humour has made me interested to be more confident like her. Like
this PODS all the PODS which was set over nine months has definitely gave me a clear view of
myself. I learnt a lot about myself. I learnt that working in a group can be hard if the group mates
do not work properly, but then again if one can lead the group well and set out tasks and goal then
the group communicates clear and flawless. This notion is going to help me throughout my career
I am sure. The PODS I have taken for Personal career development were many but the ones which
are most relevant to my PDP are the ones I reflected on:

So as one can see from the headline, from applying to a job, to interview to successful team
management everything was taught in this headline. I am sheer glad that I know them now. I have
applied the cv writing technique for to get a PhD scholarship and they are evaluating my request.
I have used the interview skills at getting a pertime job. I had clear eye contact and was confident
at the interview board. I am writing the reflections below:
This POD will be cantered around an interactive workshop given by Brian Smyth, from Accenture
as part of an event been held by the DCU Student Business Consulting Society.
Wednesday, 19th February
It will provide students with an opportunity to gain tips and skills related to a career in consultancy,
as well as students who are particularly keen to begin a career with Accenture. There will be a
discussion on 'How to Best Approach a Project' and the event will conclude with a Q&A Session
with Brian. I am aware that there has been a lot of Accenture related POD's but this event would
allow students who have either not attended the Accenture pods earlier in the year or those who
are only seeking a potential career in consulting.
This was a great POD presented by two energeting young individuals working at Accenture. They
were really helpful and told us how to get grad jobs. They also helped us NGM students in DCU
to understand and strength our competencies. Both presenters name were Brian.
This is the picture of the

eve where some of the happy NGM students learnt from the workshop. Brian encouraged us to ask
questions in the middle of the seminar. He was funny, witty and showing us that how much he
enjoys his work. Working at Accenture seemed fun. Its consultancy based work. So he said that
they do not stay and work at their super fab office at Accenture. There work place depends on
where the client has them working. He said its long hours but they have the time to complete their
task in their own time. So its not our usual 9 to 5 office hours. It can be 9 am till 10 pm. After
listening to him I tried to apply for a job their. Cause I have in built consulting skills in me. I help
a lot of people with advices. I can understand a person well, can read their problem and try me best
to give solution. This was shaped better in my MSBM consulting skills class. But unfortunately I
won't be able to apply for Accenture. Because after graduation I have one year to search for a job
if I want to stay in Ireland. But I have to leave if I can't secure a job till then. And Accenture has
already selected people for this year. Brian from Accenture told us to say every good things we
can to sell ourselves for a job. Being a member of clubs and socs are great he said. He said he was
in a lot of clubs and socs when he was in DCU and it helped him a lot. He said team work is really
important in today's world of employment. Usually its groups and projects, and project leaders so
that's why association with various clubs, socs, voluntary body can come to play good for a
business grad while exploring the right job. Timing and preparation, vision, mission is good too. I
have seen that working in KFC and even getting place in DCU MSBM was boosted up for my
involvement in the clubs and socs during my undergrad years. So Accenture workshop was a fun
and informative POD to take something onboard for me in the future. I will sell myself to the
employer with all the qualities and experiences I uphold which will get me the job hopefully.
Reference:
What Accenture workshop comprises at available at : http://www.accenture.com/us-
en/technology/technology-labs/Pages/service-technology-innovation-workshops-summary.aspx
[Accesses 06/05/2014]
b.Advanced CV Writing:
Learn how to shape your CV to match what employers are looking for.
In this session learn how to:
Recognise what key points the employers need to know about you
Identify your key skills, experience and qualifications
Ensure your CV reflects the key skills, qualifications and experience the employer has requested.
Date: 6th March 2014,1PM
Venue: DCU
Why POD:This could be a great opportunity to get feedback and improve my CV as I continue to
try make myself more more presentable at this crucial time for applying for jobs post completion
of the master's program.
About this POD: This was an interesting POD. The speaker showed us how to make good CV's.
She also picked a few CV's from the audience and asked us to say if we think weather it is okay or
not. Then she gave us her feedback on how an actual cv should be form. Structure, layout, contents
everything. Cause before an interview an employer will look at the CV before interview to take or
leave the candidate. So a CV should be clean, professional looking and only hold information
which are relevant to the employer. It should have clear information about the candidates work

experience, educational background etc. She showed us how to write our name and contact
number. Where it will lay on the cv and so on. It was very important session for me. When you
see other good cv's you autimatically know how bad ones cv is. Where to change, what to add etc.
When someone guides you is even better.
What I have learnt from this POD: A CV is not just information about me, it is also an advertise
for me. Reading this advertisement an employer will see that weather I am suitable enough for his
or her organisation. Do I have it in me? My CV should be better than other people who wants the
same job. The employer should see that I have extra or more value adding prospects. If one's CV
is good they are half way there. Being called for an interview is not of less opportunity. CV is the
key for an interview. All the PODs on Interview told us about how important interview is , how
useful a good cv can be and so on. But This POD showed me how to make the CV I need for an
interview.
Conclusion: This POD was very useful and certainly helped with my PdP. I have taken this
technique to submit a CV for a PhD proposal and they have accepted to see more to my proposal.
Clearly This POD will help me throughout my life.
Reference. Importance of a good CV available at :
http://www.legalsecretaryjournal.com/?q=the_importance_of_a_good_cv [Accessed on the 5th
June 2014]
Personal Development Synthesis
Presenter: Declan Ferrell from Carr Communications
This POD is about how to deliver effective presentation
Date the event took place: 25/10/2013, 1pm till 4pm at Q15
Description of the event: The POD is about learning how to deliver
presentations effectively. The presenter showed the audience how to
deliver, improve presentation skill. He used slides with elaborate visuals
such as posters and slides. Slides were small precise with bullet points
which he explained. He showed us to give presentations confidently.
Analising this topic I will give Self analysis, analysis of my learning and
application in context.

Self analysis: When it comes to presentation, I get nervous and didn't
quite know the step by step way to present a topic. below this is what I
learnt from the Carr Communications presentation seminar.
Analysis of my learning: The POD is about analysing the skills to
deliver effective presentation. According to Carr communications an
effective presentation is where the audience remembers the presentation
especially the aspects where the presenter wants and needs them to
remember. The presentation should have specific message points ands
visual aids such as posters, bullet points. He showed us how to prepare a
presentation which has an impact and the way it should be presented. It is
important to bear in mind the type of audience we are presenting, how to
say something which will interest, effect or benefit them. The presenter
also have to understand what he or she can achieve through the
presentation. He should know a little about how the audience is engaged
with the presenter. Are they giving attention to the topic, taking down
important points which will benefit them or not listening to the presenter
at all. So the presenter should see what the audience is currently thinking,
saying or doing and how the presenter wants them to use this cognitive
functions after the presentation. How many key messages to deliver and
for the audience to remember the points examples, data, stories can be
used to make these points memorable to the audience. When telling the
story it should be coherent, and the story should have connected points
from the beginning to the end. While presenting the topic the presenter

showed be confident enough to know his material, own his material. The
way presentations are delivered is very important too. The speaker should
have a good body language, have effective eye contact with the audience,
should have good use of gesture, strong voice and he should not be
directly reading from scripts. He can use unexpected elements, humour to
add zest to the presentation. The presenter should use PowerPoint with
proper visual (diagram, picture, posters, clips) help. Visual help works
where it is difficult to explain and is eased by using this method. To
create the slides the presenter should use light on dark or dark on light
back ground not light on light. He should use plain background. He
should use reasonable conservative colours. The speaker should practice
and rehearse before he deliver the presentation. Cause knowing about
something and talking about something are two different things. The
presenter can use notes and read it between pause and hold it openly.
After presentation the presenter should anticipate for likely questions. He
should paraphrase the answer, expand to a new point.
Application in context: After attending the POD on improving
presentation skill I have learnt a lot from it and have positively applied
it in my presentations in class. I have created slides with effective bullet
points, gave pictures as visual aids. I have created small ply cards which I
used as notes. But now I tend to deliver the presentation without looking
at the notes. I am confident enough because I rehearse and practice in
front of a mirror before I go in front of my audience. I give examples ,

diagrams to explain my topic well and in a manner which will create
interest among the audience and they can remember the points which
might benefit them as well.
Evaluate: The presentation skill seminar was well effective because
of the speakers help and enriching us with the effective presentation
techniques. He explained every aspects of delivering effective
presentation which will help us throughout our academic carrier. How to
give a presentation, how to create a presentation using PowerPoint, slides,
pictures as visual aids, How to link points and make a statement is taught
to us by Carr Communications.
Reconstruct self concept: Now I am not nervous about presentation
even the crowd is huge. I am well prepared and confident because I know
how to create my presentation, prepare well in advance for it and deliver
effectively which I have learned from the Presentation skills seminar.
This has definitely developed my personal skills.
Application of knowledge: As I have explained I have applied my
personal development presentation skill during my class presentation
in a effective manner. The feedback which I got from my lecturer and
the audience made me realise I have done well. But there's still room
for improvement. Public speaking is an art. Everybody can speak
but speaking in a manner which is creative and which audience will
remember and benefit is what I want to achieve.
d. Emotional Intelligence (Queendom)

Venue: www.queendom.com
I took this test and gave me a score below 50. May be I didn't answer some of the questions
correctly. Because there were so many. I like quizzes but I don't like too many questions, kind of
get disorientated from the current scene. So here's a snapshot of my score:
So this was the result. I am usually very empathetic. For example at work when I finish my task
and even my hours are over, I stay back and help my colleagues as much as I can. If someone is

sick I always cover their shift. Even out side work all my friends come to me for advice, I help
them out as much as I can. I do this with no expectation. But When I am at trouble I have seen a
very few friends come to help me out. Others are usually BUSY! So times like these you realise
who are your true friends. My best friend from childhood one day started playing with this girl in
the afternoon whom she use to talk negative all the time. And she wasn't playing with my group.
Then I realised that she had changed school and the girl's father was giving my ex best friend and
his daughter lift to school everyday. I was very sad but didn't say anything to anyone. After three
months later my ex bestie came back to play with us as if nothing had happened. During the 3
months she was like bestie with the other girl. Now we found out that her so called new friend was
leaving the country cause her dad had got a new job in England. We took her to our group but I
could never be that good friends with her again. I get hurt if my close ones lies to me, but I still
help them out as much as I could. But from this quizz I learnt to see through people more. I should
read people more. Observe them, and try to understand them rather than blindly trusting their
words. My mother always tells me to see, hear and not to talk too much. Because she saw me
getting hurt over and over again. But I believe in one thing that if we don't have trust and if we
don't have hope then there won't be any humanity left. I will be careful though. There were 146
questions in this emotional evaluation of self. I think it is important for a person to know about
their own self before getting to know others. Relationship, friendship everything is sensitive. It
takes a lot of time to build them but breaks at a moment. But can be rebuilt again. If everyone in
this world becomes less greedy, selfish and helps one person only then the whole world will be a
safer place to be. I have gone through time that I wanted to end myself, but I looked at what I have,
I have my mother, I have my life and I felt life. I felt I can do more and do good to others. I cry,
but try to keep others happy. Life has been really harsh on me. Losing my father at early age,
broken hurt, fake friends I saw a lot. But I have seen good people who reminded me that there's
always day after the night. So I always tell people smile because there is always tomorrow .
e. POD/Event description: Interview Skills and Assessment Centres Skills Session
When: 29th October: 1pm-2pm
Where: QG15
Who is the organiser/speakers: Careers Service
Topics covered: interview preparation, goal-setting, learn to be more rested and relaxed, learn to
listen actively and try to offer more direct and concise answers. I want to learn about what kind of
tasks are assigned at assessment centres also and how I can prepare for them.
URL to POD/event: https://www4.dcu.ie/students/careers/newsletter/september-27th-2013.shtml
About this POD: This was an interesting POD held by DCU careers service. This is a big help
for NGM students ho want to do great in careers in the future. They told us about different
techniques of interviews. There were speakers who told us the Do's and Don'ts at interviews. They
practically showed us Mock interviews to show how well a interview may go or how disastrous it
might turn out. But They didn't mention the key concepts of interviews. Which is to keep it short

and keep it simple and too the point. It was well but it could have better. I went to see if I can learn
something more then I know to get grad jobs. It was ok but not totally helpful. They weren't telling
us the secret recipe to find a proper job. Which was networking. Facebook, twitter, emails, chats,
LinkedIn etc are great platforms to enhance ones community to get advice and be connected to
professional world.
How relevant this POD is for me: Though I know I am good at interviews but I want to learn
more. There is always room for improvement I believe. What is interview? An interview is
between two people where questions are asked to gather facts or relate answers which matches
with the interviewer. It's usually a systematic approach according to seidman, I(1998). Interview
can be done qualitative and quantitative, in interview board for jobs or any kind of research. In
NGM classes I have learnt different ways to gather data through different researches and acquiring
and organising the data which will help me more in my future because I want to do PhD and I need
to know a lot about research methodology. During the POD they showed us interviewing people,
how they are answering, what are the techniques that are relevant. But I found that they forgot to
mention one thing. Which is keep you answer to the point, clear, and short. But if employer wants
more information then give specific information. But overall they spoke about the interview skills
and techniques like communication, teamwork, researching etc. There are different types of
interviews they showed like open-ended, closed, formal etc.
How will I use it in the future: This POD will be of benefit if I use it for the kind of professional
jobs they were telling us like working as fresh graduates. But if someone were to start work after
a few years after further education, this might be a little difficult. But they could have told us to
keep an eye on the ever changing hiring scenario. In a few years one to one interview sessions
might be gone to save a HR manager save time and money. In that case how to fight with the
current situation!! Well I have faced a situation like this before in an interview where there were
more that one or two interviewee at the same time.
. I was having a cup of coffee with my friend at a cafe then I met an old friend. He told us that they
will be taking in staff at Insight & Ideas, and weather we are interested? me and my friends were
like are we!! YES we are. So when is it? He said its in 1 hour. I was like are you kidding me? I
don't even have my CV with me. He was like I will go with you and tell them that they can take
your interview now and you will bring your CV in if you are accepted. That sounded strange that
interview without CV!! But no problem, there's an opportunity so got to grab it. So me, my friend
and the old friend took off to the interview place. The office was 20 minutes from where we were
sitting and its about 20 minutes away from my home. Excellent location. So, finally we reached
the office 10 minutes before the interview. We were stuck in the traffic jam. Just want to say that
if one wants to attend a wedding reception starting at 7pm, he should leave house at 5pm (just to
be save and not to miss the food, fun and all). So you can see that we were early if you think about
the crazy traffic (but at present Dhaka traffic is better because they have built a lot of flyovers).
Anyways, after that we went to the office and saw about 100 people waiting for the interview. I
had a little idea about the organisation but not too much. I thought they will call us one by one like
the way interviews are. But it was surprising that they called all of the interviewees to a big
conference room. I had no idea that Bangladesh was so modern. The room had projectors, Big
screens on the wall, the whole place was like a first world country. My friend who told me about
the interview also told me to be 100% honest. I told him that I am always. So the interview started.
They were going to hire 8 people. they will be broken down into to teams and the general

introduction of the organisation. First thing was we were only to raise our hand if we agree, or the
answer is yes. First question was who speaks English fluently, can write well too? I raised my
hand. And about 40 others. The rest were told to leave the room. Then the question was who can
speak Bangla fluently and write too? I raised my hand. After that question 20 were left. Then they
asked who smokes cigarette? This question panicked me cause in Bangladesh it is bad if a girl
smokes, but I smoked. So I thought twice and raised hand. Then there was 10 left. Out of the ten
they gave us some logical questions to complete. To speak for 5 minutes in whatever we like. I
was chosen. And I worked there for 2 years before I came to Ireland to join DCU as an undergrad
student. The researches were mostly on cigarette brands, and B&H introduced new smokes and
that's why we needed to be both fluent in Bangla and English to conduct the researches and report
taking, interviewing etc. And for the event management they needed people with high energy to
work at the reception, manage guest lists, etc. So that was my interview in Bangladesh.
Conclusion: The interview POD was good for the NGM class, but they will have to include some
more options than traditional approach of interviews and make the session more interactive and
interesting.
f. Leadership Development Seminar
Date: 11th April
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: QG15
Title: "Implementing Leadership Development in the Context of Rapid Change & High
Turbulence" This seminar will be delivered by Professor Jack McCarthy.
About this POD: In this POD the presenter was excellent. He was energetic, clear and for a non
native English speaker, I understood everything he said . He was very friendly and answered a lot
of my questions. The POD was about Leadership. It is one of the competencies we need to prosper
in our lives. He spoke about the context of leadership today, the determents of being successful,
implications of leadership, taking action, the Wilhemsen lines case, lessons and adjourns. He
stayed with this titles but he gave examples to get the picture clear to us.
What I learnt from this POD and How relevant it is for me: I saw this video at the start of the
presentation about a chocolate farm where a new employee starts work and the manager just comes
and tells her what to do. She does not show her how to work. Thus the poor girl starts work with
another employee and loses track of the speed and production line gets messed up. Similar thin
happened to me at my work place. When I started to work in KFC they didn't show me how to
work on and I as confused. I observed others and learnt. This kind of leaders wants things done
and they want the maximum results without showing the employee how to actually work and
perform the best. So what I do now is show new employees how to work step by step so they won't
be confuse or scared to mess up their work properly. A good leader is an icon. Everyone will follow
him. So what is good leader? I think a good leader is who is charismatic, gives credit to the
employees who are trying to work their best, motivates employees. According to Foster, D (2001),
A style of leadership by a leader is to set plan, motivate people and instruct them to get to the goal.
There are various kinds of styles of leadership'. Out of all the styles of leadership I like democratic

style leadership. A democratic leader is motivating, nice, caring, wise, creative and builds
creativeness among his sub ordinates as well according to Foster, D (2001).
I like this kind of leadership because this leader cares about his employees, can make decisions
which is not biased to stakeholders and conducts corporate social responsibility. In the POD he
told us about how different situation can arise at work and what kind of leadership style might
work. For example the new leader Mr. Ingar at SAS, tackling the difficult situation with his unique
leadership style. He called it a new leader style.
This POD I took because I might become someone big at an organisation someday or may be just
to lead a particular team needs to know how to manage groups or team members. I was the captain
of DCU Badminton team and lead my team to victory for Student Sport Ireland 2013/2014. We
won the cup and gold medals. The feeling was shared by the whole group. I maintained clear
communication, I involved my team members while making a decision, who is going to play
single, who is going to play doubles were made from previous individual players winning history.
Before the winning we practiced every week 3 times. I have per time job but I had a coach who
were there every Wednesday to conduct the training. Everyone played their parts well,
communication was clear, there were a lot of hard work and the result was the victory which was
the goal. If a leader gives a higher goal the teams are going to try and achieve them. Everyone likes
challenges and rewards. It does not have to be monitory rewards, good words, phrases, employee
of the week sort of things can boost one energy level to work hard and thus can achieve anything.
Like the Tom Cruise 'Mission Impossible' movies I believe as human beings we can achieve
anything and everything if we know , try and believe.
Reference: definition of leadership and the leadership styles are available at : Foster, D (2001).
"A Method of Comparing Follower Satisfaction with the Authoritarian, Democratic, and Laissez-
faire Styles of Leadership", New York.
g. McKinsey&Company interview preparation
I would like to apply to McKinsey&company. After having search a few tips on internet, it appears
the interview is quite demanding. Forbes (2013) ranked McKinsey as the most difficult job
interview among other multinationals.
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/08/09/the-25-companies-that-give-the-most-
difficult-job-interviews/) collected from PODMINDER
This book 'The McKinsey Way' is by Rasiel,M.E.. He also helped writing the McKinsey Mind.
Resonto read this book and its relevance: It is a easy read book and has a lot of ideas to help
individuals and businesses to work in McKinsey way. Their ideas gives an insight to jin their
company and how to work like them. It has a lot of ideas as I have said but not to lengthy.
So how it is useful for interviews: The book talks about various issues that arises. It has 5 sections.
the first section talks about business issues and coming up with strategy to overcome those issues.
This section finishes with eighty by twenty rule.The second part is how to sell measures to the
issues from the view of a consultant. He gives good advice, how to negotiate with clients in a
business farm. Third part talks about the surviving ingredients at this farm the hiring details. This
part is the important one because it will help NGM students to realise what a farm looks for in an
candidate. And this part gave me a lot of insight to get familiarise with the work load they have
and the ways to tackle the work in an organised manner. Any bid work place will have more or
less work pressure. It is vital to know the work environment so one can effectively start their day

without any confusion. At work time is money. So an employee has to bare in mind the importance
of time, save time, utilise time and so on. So how their task is formulated to reach their goals etc
are described in this section. The fourth part of this book deals with the Structure of the
organisation. I understood its not the organisation structure but the work structure they are
continuously saying. The last part is how to use the experience learnt from this experience. I am
calling it experience because when I read a book, I imagine the situations, and present myself there
in my imagination.
What I learnt from this book as a POD: After gathering knowledge from this book or place I
can use it to any real life business place to tackle business problem. I have seen that learning to
use technology, a lot of reading with current businesses helps individuals to be ready for the future.
So if one is ready the future is not uncertain. We should know what kind of result we will get
because of the kind of hardwork we put into it. I liked this book because it teaches individuals how
to be ready for an organisation, their hiring, interviewing and the tackling of business problems in
simplistic manner. Every university student should read this book to broaden their knowledge. If
I wanted to work with this organisation it will help me after I read the book but it still didn't reveal
a lot. Like what kind of questions will come up. But then again, If I know my act there is no
problem conquering the interview. We guess we just have to research more and more and have a
lot of experience to back us up. This POD will help me to get a job in the future cause I am more
aware of what to expect even though I have seen the whole thing working in KFC.
Reference: McKinseys recruiting available at:
http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/join_us/the_interview_process [accessed on the 1st June 2014]
The book The McKinsey Way available at google books:
http://books.google.ie/books/about/The_McKinsey_Way.html?id=UtNZZU6JLiQC&redir_esc=y
[ accessed on the 1 st June 2014]
The Mckinsey Mind available at google books:
http://books.google.ie/books?id=jFlx_H0f6O0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+McKinsey+Min
d+google+books&hl=en&sa=X&ei=iSGXU5T7HeeR7Aas14C4Aw&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=
onepage&q=The%20McKinsey%20Mind%20google%20books&f=false [ accessed on the 1 st
June 2014]
Date 25/03/2014
Venue: DCU QG-15
Presenter: with Invited Employer Recruitment & Talent Sourcing Specialist
This Pod was really interesting. It taught us how to improve interview skills. Tackling interviews
weather its for a job, or for a career choice or for any reasons needs to be clearly and well composed
. I have seen that confidence is good but with that certain knowledge and research does good for
the interviewee.

My Idea of interviews and life examples: Till now I haven't been rejected in any interviews. I
always do a little homework of the work place I am going for an interview. I try to look good, wear
formal wear, have correct gestures and make eye contact with the people. I also tend to be myself
in the interview board. If I know some answers I tell them but if I am unaware of any answers I
tell them that I do not know the answers, and apologise for not finding it during my research. I
learnt from my father how to speak in a formal institution. He was a professor and also the Dean
of Mechanical and manufacturing dept, and later Industrial Production Engineering in Engineering
University Bangladesh . He used to hire professor, PhD students and so on. So since I was a kid I
learnt from him. I learnt the art of speech. I asked him once why did you hire him he doesn't know
that much and why did you not hire the person who has a lot of knowledge? He told me the man
he hired wants to learn, he is natural, honest and confident but not too confident. He also liked the
way he spoke, his gestures and what he had to offer to the department. And the person he didn't
take was too confident, knew everything, was not willing to learn and quite over-confident. This
guy was fisting his palm and my father didn't think he was good enough even though he had a Post
Doc degree. Amazingly the person he hired became a senior professor in a few years and was
doing really good for the department. This was one example, I have seen many and heard many.
When I went for a job in Bangladesh at the age of 23 it was quite challenging. It was a research,
interpreting and event management job. It was pertime but the pay and the working environment
was top class. I was having a cup of coffee with my friend at a cafe then I met an old friend. He
told us that they will be taking in staff at Insight & Ideas, and weather we are interested? me and
my friends were like are we!! YES we are. So when is it? He said its in 1 hour. I was like are you
kidding me? I don't even have my CV with me. He was like I will go with you and tell them that
they can take your interview now and you will bring your CV in if you are accepted. That sounded
strange that interview without CV!! But no problem, there's an opportunity so got to grab it. So
me, my friend and the old friend took off to the interview place. The office was 20 minutes from
where we were sitting and its about 20 minutes away from my home. Excellent location. So, finally
we reached the office 10 minutes before the interview. We were stuck in the traffic jam. Just want
to say that if one wants to attend a wedding reception starting at 7pm, he should leave house at
5pm (just to be save and not to miss the food, fun and all). So you can see that we were early if
you think about the crazy traffic (but at present Dhaka traffic is better because they have built a lot
of flyovers). Anyways, after that we went to the office and saw about 100 people waiting for the
interview. I had a little idea about the organisation but not too much. I thought they will call us
one by one like the way interviews are. But it was surprising that they called all of the interviewees
to a big conference room. I had no idea that Bangladesh was so modern. The room had projectors,
Big screens on the wall, the whole place was like a first world country. My friend who told me
about the interview also told me to be 100% honest. I told him that I am always. So the interview
started. They were going to hire 8 people. they will be broken down into to teams and the general
introduction of the organisation. First thing was we were only to raise our hand if we agree, or the
answer is yes. First question was who speaks English fluently, can write well too? I raised my
hand. And about 40 others. The rest were told to leave the room. Then the question was who can
speak Bangla fluently and write too? I raised my hand. After that question 20 were left. Then they
asked who smokes cigarette? This question panicked me cause in Bangladesh it is bad if a girl
smokes, but I smoked. So I thought twice and raised hand. Then there was 10 left. Out of the ten
they gave us some logical questions to complete. To speak for 5 minutes in whatever we like. I
was chosen. And I worked there for 2 years before I came to Ireland to join DCU as an undergrad
student. The researches were mostly on cigarette brands, and B&H introduced new smokes and

that's why we needed to be both fluent in Bangla and English to conduct the researches and report
taking, interviewing etc. And for the event management they needed people with high energy to
work at the reception, manage guest lists, etc. So that was my interview in Bangladesh.
In Ireland I joined KFCabout a year and half ago. I dropped CV online and also at the shop. During
the interview they asked me if I could do upselling. I said yes and a lot. They asked me why do I
want to work in KFC? I said I love chicken. They hired me. I am still there, and I up sell three four
times more than other cashiers, my lobby cleaning is superb, and my customer relation is quite
good. There are some customers they wait at the cue at my cash point even if it is long.
How relevant this POD is for me: Though I know I am good at interviews but I want to learn
more. There is always room for improvement I believe. What is interview? An interview is
between two people where questions are asked to gather facts or relate answers which matches
with the interviewer. It's usually a systematic approach according to seidman, I(1998). Interview
can be done qualitative and quantitative, in interview board for jobs or any kind of research. In
NGM classes I have learnt different ways to gather data through different researches and acquiring
and organising the data which will help me more in my future because I want to do PhD and I need
to know a lot about research methodology. During the POD they showed us interviewing people,
how they are answering, what are the techniques that are relevant. But I found that they forgot to
mention one thing. Which is keep you answer to the point, clear, and short. But if employer wants
more information then give specific information. But overall they spoke about the interview skills
and techniques like communication, teamwork, researching etc. There are different types of
interviews they showed like open-ended, closed, formal etc.
Conclusion: This POD was a good education for me. I learnt that to say what I have even being
the member of badminton team and winning for badminton team for DCU can be of relevant for
interviews too. Anything to sell oneself is good at interview but with facts and honesty will carry
a long way.
References: Interview availavle at :Seidman, I (1998). A Guide For Researchers in Education
and The Social Sciences. College press New York,
i. The science of cretivity in the form of Mentors and students
Presented by Arick Shama and Francheska Chamber
Date: 12/12/2013 till 09/05/2014
Venue: Google, phone, chat, email
The topic: The more creative a person is the more power resolving solution they have. I have seen
that networking is to me is a form of creativity. Cause connection and reaction is kind of like the
law of physics. Hence networking is the science of creativity. The bigger and broader ones network
is the more connection they build. And to use one's connection wisely is very important. According
to Redstone,S the Chair of Vicom 'content's king'. Creativity is power. So when one ones to do
marketing networking is important by all means.

Why I chose this POD and modified a bit from the heading for similarity: Networking is an
important part of ones success in career path. Through times we might have to mentor others in
career path according to Chao,97. I am a person who takes action before thinking. So I do a lot of
things like this linking to my career. Currently I am working pertime in KFC.I was getting 7 hours
a week. But I was telling new stuff how to do things and coaching them. My main manager saw
this and now KFC calls me up to train new employee and I am getting good hours too. I am
broadening my network at work by mentoring others. I do this cause when I started work there
was no one to show me and I used to get very scared to think wheather am I doing things right. I
didn't want the new comers to feel scared like me so I started helping them and it went to my
favour surprisingly. Hence I took this pod and kind of modified it to my learning context to prove
that mentoring is beneficial. I added this because this POD connected with PDP. My nervousness
overcoming needed a boost. So this POD helped me overcome
Detail of this POD: According to Karm, 1985 the phases for teaching or mentorship is in four
catagories. These are Cultivate, Initiate, Redefine, Separate. All the four stages I have learnt here.
They can be used step by step or can be used from one phase to last. Or one phase can be adopted
only for the situation specified. For my KFC context I took the initiate step. I started showing the
new employees with out getting any orders from my superiors. And the cultivate, separate work
etc came automatically among the new employees. They are helping others who are learning too.
So a good mentor can create a good student and a good student can become a great mentor too. Its
a ongoing process I have seen. My studying in MSBM has helped me lot get over my nervousness.
I tried to use my emails, my connections as I learned from this POD. I emailed my connections
and chatted with them to overcome my fear. Some times arguments happened I learnt to deal with
them with logical explanations I learnt about my mentors from a previous NGM student. He linked
me up with them so here networking helped. Francesca Chambers is one of my mentors who is
running an website. The name of this website is red alert politics. She and I had same problems
such as dealing with the politics in the workplace. This POD is about the science of creativity and
I have gave advices and shown people mentorship skills which I have gathered from this POD. It
has helped me as well to deal with my personal problem at workplace. The other person who
mentored me is Arick Shama. She is from Bangladesh and did her DUEL major in Economics and
Physics and currently working in German Office in Dhaka. She has helped me with her advice in
my study field in how to be calm and also in workplace situations. I contacted her through
Facebook, phone, emails etc. She helped me when my workplace wanted to get rid of me and
wanted to take someone who wanted to take their friend. So she advised me to go to a solicitor. So
I did and it went well. The work people couldn't just fire me without any reasons, that would have
been an unfair dismissal and I am saved. But Francesca and my mentoring relationship is new
according to kram, 1997.
Arick has helped me a lot. She has advised me to join the German office who works at Bangladeshi
field level to help the poor people. So she is helping me now and she is my well wisher in future.
She has told her boss about me, I met her and her boss when I went to visit Bangladesh. I still
email Arick for various queries and she never puts me down. I am learning a lot from her.
Conclusion: The science of creativity is to take instant decision when there's a problem or where
ever new ideas needed. I wasn't a great mentor. But I think I have in me. I have helped myself out
of situations by using my networks and also mentoring others who are in need of some guidance.

I have helped my friends and classmates in different occasions. I learnt from Kram and Higgins,
2001;as I am a mature student I have learnt the importance of mentorship and handling relationship
sensitively. Earning mentorship ability will help one approach well towards their career path.
DCU's NGM has helped me to learn mentorship and creativity skills through networking in a great
deal. This I will take with me to future to enhance my career and help anyone so they will be alright
too. The key to mentor is to know both the people and the work involved. It's good to categorise
and then implement the competency so there will be less confusion and more positive result. And
through practice this will work. Learning the theory through the POD, practicing with connections,
implementing in real life at ones work place and finally knowing which step to adopt and which
to let go for future situations will make one perfect at this.
2. Business and Society : Then the second theme was Business and society. In this heading I
undertook and lot of seminars, activities too. Reading books etc was among them. I have learnt the
business ethics, sustainability which is valuable for a greener planet. I want my next generation to
have a beautiful planet and secure future, hence this POD taught us all the value of good business
practices and how to deal with the stakeholders and the people who are directly affected by the
businesses day to day activities. The PODS I took were many but I am reflecting on the business
and society PODS which fulfill my criteria for PDP only. I have also taught elderly computer
skills, which is good for the society. Educated society is countries assets. I believe education is for
everyone people from all race , age, class. Computer literacy is vital for this digital era. So if my
little effort can help anyone to understand and use the computer for their benefit is my pleasure. I
am from a developing country and I have seen that only through education one can better her or
his situation and have a prospective future. I get things done, I don't speak much about my work,
the result tells it all. So I will keep on working to improve myself and help others. I also am
reflecting to the point, I am going to apply the practical knowledge like I have done for ILP in my
career. Here are the PODS I had for this heading:
a. Fences & Windows
b. ILP
c. Ethics, sustainability in Business
So here what I have learned, reviewed and gathered from the business and society PODS are
reflected here
a. Fences & Windows - Dispatches from the front lines of the Globalization debate by Naomi
Klein

Picture from: Amazon.co.uk/fencesandwindows
Book Review
Review of this book: This book deals with anti globalisation situations, law enforcement tackling
strikes and protests. This book was in UK and US published. There are opportunities represented
through windows and fences which show the obstacles depicted in this book. The chapters talk
about how the US is showing itself towards the world that it is not a hamburger which done through
the US dept of states. And the other part discusses about the calamities of the war effects. Naomi
the author of this book, talks about the anti-globalisation-movement by America. She also talks
about the protests and how the law enforcement tackled it. I have read her book No Logo swoosh.
There she spoke about the Nike brand, how they are exploiting the labour and how much they are
generating by selling a pair for 100's dollar and it costs 2 dollars to make. She is a ice breaker. I
love her style of writing, very independent, fact based. This book Fences & Windows is no
different. Here she is also very clear with what point she wants her readers to get. The book looks
like a newspaper, it has a lot of personal wordings which she has infusioned. Her facts are her
statements, a lot of the statements she hasn't backed up which was lacking I suppose. But the
statistical data, the fun critique-based points are enjoyable to read.
What did I learn from this book:
Naomi's supporting anti-globalisation made her realise the suffering of fastfood workers in Italy,
farmers with no lands, teachers and mentors in Argentina, tomato pickers in Maxico, homeless

kids, coffee beans growing people and so on. She saw that these people directly suffer. Her
movement is new and is different from the political view of the left-wing movement from previous
activists at grass root. The idea is gathered by individuals and organisations and do not make
anyone in charge. Her another notion was law enforcement stopping people at pre strike, arresting
people before getting to the point. She is against war because police violence aginst the strikers
are leagalised. At the end I have found that this book is very interesting. Some fact are so dramatic
that it's hard to believe even the data. Political organisations can be so bad I had no idea. Because
they stop the hope of people who are not getting the rights of working, living and they can not
even protest!!
Conclusion: Globalisation is good but sometime anti-globalisation movements are necessary for
the people who needs to have their voice heard for the right reason. Globalisation gives to much
power to some first world countries but the oppressed gets worse in their situation. America the
worlds police should be neutral and use their power to save not to overpower the neglected.
References:
The book reviewed is available at : Klein,N (2002) 'Fences & Windows' , Flamingo, USA and UK.
b. Inter-generational Learning Program: Business & Society 4 (4 POD)
I have been volunteering to teach elderly ladies for past three months now. I will assist them again
after the Summer vacation. I absolutely love this. I have two reasons to. The first one is that I want
to be a teacher and that is why I am teaching the ladies and the second one is that I loved to teach
my grandma how to use new things like mobile phone, computer games, hair dryers etc. I taught
my mother how to use computer, and email. I taught her how to use mobile phone and texting. So
even though I am miles away she texts me everyday and I call her in the morning. So I knew I can
help them learn technologies in a fun way.
I have had three students. I had in mind that they might like technology or they might not. So I
have to be very caring, patient and be as explainable I can. So My first student Mary.
ILP with Mary: Mary was brilliant student. Her children got her an Ipad so she could keep in
tough with them. I wanted to teach her photo editing as Carmel and I thought. But she wanted to
learn to email. So I thought her how to use an email. I explained that email is secure, fast and very
effective. As she will not now about the formal language used for email I explained that email is
usually in a formal structure. So I showed her the formal structure to write emails. Then I told her
she can use how ever way she likes to write to her children. I used to write this step by step on her
diary so she could follow up when she had gone home. it was like, first type in www.google.com.
In the search box type gmail.com. Then sign in your credentials. After that log on to the email, I
wrote her the meaning of the technical jargons too. Then I told her the detailed way to compose,
send emails. Now she is emailing her bank for information. Then I helped her learn how to do
internet banking. She asked me to teach her this so she can operate from home. She is the leader
in a Church group and she has to monitor the funds she said. So now she knows how to do internet
banking with the bank of Ireland. Then I showed her how to look for recipes in youtube. I showed
her that in Youtube she can watch anything. Any movies, any cartoon for her grandchild etc. She
cooked dinner for her son and sons family from youtube. I was very pleased. I also showed her
how to take photoes using her Ipad from front camera and reer. And then showed her how to edit

her picture online using an easy picture editor like the picmonkey. Then I showed her how to save
the pictures on the Ipad's desktop and send the picture to her sons and daughters using the email.
At the end of the day I was so pleased. She was a great student, very willing to learn. I used to get
to lattes one for a good teacher like be and one for my great student. Mary loves latte. I have learnt
a lot from her too. She used to advice me many important things. Hopefully I will see her again
after the Summer.
ILP with my other two students: The next two months I taught the new two elderly students.
They didn't have their I pad. One student had her laptop and other was using the University desktop
computer. Just like Mary I taught them email, youtube, but I taught them about online shopping
aswell. They learnt how to order from retailers like tesco online, and get items delivered home
conveniently. I taught them how to read newspaper article online. Basically I teach my students
google and youtube because they can do a lot if they know this two. Then I have showed them
knitting websites. I taught them picture editing in Picmonkey like Mary. They also opened
facebook for their children. I taught all my students Micosoft word who has windows to write what
they like. One of my students has started writing her travel and holidays experience. Hopefully
one day she can publish her book. I helped them learn to listen to songs and see the movies on
youtube they haven't seen in years. I try to make learning interesting. I ask them what would they
like to learn and thus teach them their interest.
Teaching these student's are so good. They were unaware that they can do so much with the
internet. I make sure what ever I teach them I write them down step by step and tell them to try it
at home so they won't forget. Practice will make them better in this. Now my students are not
scared of computer and internet. They wait for every class to learn more and more. I am so happy
I am making a digital generation. And I will continue till I am in DCU. I thank NGM and DCU
ILP service to let me volunteer and experience such amazing people with interest to learn. I felt
the best when Mary said 'you should be a teacher because you will makea great teacher'. I received
a certificate from Carmel the last day of this session. I am so happy. I told my mother and she is
very happy too. Hopefully I can do more things to people because as human beings our
responsibility is to care for others and help others. This is how we can make this world a better
and a happier place. In here in a digital way.
Third theme was research. Mr. Gerry did a lot of hard work to make us understand the topic and
he has done a great job. At the end of this I am much more learnt about research and how to conduct
research using different techniques and tools. The reflections are here:
c. Business & Society 2
Doing Business Ethically: Ethical models, Stake
holders and Sustainability'
Delivered by Dr. Fiachra O'Brolcháin

DCU Institute of Ethics.
Dated, time and place: 04/12/2013, 2pm till 4 pm at QG 15
Description of the event: It was a POD on Business and society and
during the event the speaker spoke on various aspects. The POD is
about learning how to act ethically in society, in market to save our
environment too. The presenter used slides with elaborate visuals such as
posters and slides. Slides were small precise with bullet points which he
explained.
Self analysis: I was a little aware of the pollutions and green house effect
causing great harm to our environment. But I didn't know the ethics
involved in market and the other aspects the speaker showed us. I didn't
know how important it is and how I can learn from it to better situations.
Analysis of my learning: I learned the evidence the speaker put in front
of us about global worming. Our speaker said warming of the climate
system is unequivocal. Since the 1950s, many of the observed changes
are unprecedented over decades to millennia. The IPCC’s Fifth
Assessment Report states that the atmospheric concentrations (CO2),
methane, and nitrous oxide have increased to levels unprecedented in at
least the last 800000 years. CO2 have increased by forty percent since
pre-industrial times, primarily from fossil fuel emissions and secondarily
from net land use change emissions. The ocean has absorbed about 30%
of the emitted anthropogenic carbon dioxide, causing ocean
acidification.Sea-levels is rising as well. It is very likely that the mean

rate of global averaged sea level rise was 1.7 mm yr– 1 between 1901
and 2010, 2.0 [1.7 to 2.3] mm yr–1 between 1971 and 2010 and 3.2 mm
yr–1 between 1993 and 2010. If this continues land will be flooded
especially the low lying countries. Ice-loss is where ice is melting. Over
the last two decades the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have been
losing mass, glaciers have continued to shrink almost worldwide, and
Arctic sea ice and Northern Hemisphere spring snow cover have
continued to decrease in extent. Ocean warming dominates the increase
in energy stored in the climate system, accounting for more than 90% of
the energy accumulated between 1971 and 2010 . It is virtually certain
that the upper ocean warmed from 1971 to 2010, and it likely warmed
between the 1870s and 1971.Each of the last three decades has been
successively warmer at the Earth’s surface than any preceding decade
since 1850. In the Northern Hemisphere 1983–2012 was likely the
warmest 30-year period of the last 1400 years. Greenhouse gases are
causing negative impact on our environment. Carbon dioxide is the
dominant contributor to current climate change .The last time CO2 was at
this level was the Pliocene era which ended 2.5 million years ago. Seas
were 30 feet higher and camels lived in the high arctic. Average Arctic
temperatures increased at almost twice the global average rate in the past
100 years. As predicted the global mean surface temperature is expected
to rise by between 0.3° C to 4.8° C by the end of the 21st century (W. G.
1 IPCC, 2013) . Freshwater availability projected to decrease in Central,

South, East and Southeast Asia by the 2050s; coastal areas will be at risk
due to increased flooding; death rate from disease associated with floods
and droughts expected to rise in some regions.
Currently world population is 7 billion. Projections recently issued by
the United Nations suggest that world population by 2050 could reach
8.9 billion, but in alternative scenarios could be as high as 10.6 billion
or as low as 7.4 billion. Depends on mortality and birth rate which is
effected by education, better life, great inventions of science (
medicines) etc can prolong life span. Between 30 and 50% of the
Earth’s land surface is used by humans. Since 1900 the percentage of
the world’s oceans have either been fully exploited left with no fish .
Climate change is likely to increase the frequency and severity of
droughts and heat-waves which has bad effect on agriculture. Some
animals are getting extinct for global warming. E. O. Wilson estimates
that at current rates of human disruption of the biosphere, one-half of
all species of life will be extinct by 2100. Jared Diamond’s Five Point
Framework for a societal collapse are Environmental Damage, climate
Change, Hostile Neighbours, Decreased Support by Friendly
neighbours, societal response. The carrying capacity of an
environment represents the maximum population level that can
possibly be stable over time. Human population growth is worsening
environmental conditions and persistent poverty increases the risk of
new zoonotic diseases becoming pandemics. Ethics that fall under

Ethical categories and systems have had a primarily human focus.
Normative environmental ethics is concerned with the principles plus
values in which human impacts on the natural environment might be
morally evaluated. Ethical response to environmental destruction is
human-centered and so does not compel a re-examination of ethical
concerns and structures. Therefore, for some, normative
environmental ethics is simply the application of principles and values
that are thoroughly human-centered. He spoke about harm, politics
and other aspects too. He said that developing world is responsible for
climate change, so they should act upon creating a better, cleaner
environment.
Ethics in market is briefly explained the way speaker said: free
market efficiently distribute limited resources, Libertarian political
philosophy protects the rights of people to use their property as they
wish. The zest of this approach is individual freedom. Also to think
clearly about the economics of exhaustible resources like oil and coal,
it is necessary to look far into the future, to assess their value as they
become more scarce.
Is this goal still justifiable as the primary goal of political organisation
is in doubt, patents provide incentives for products designed for 1st
world markets
Application in context: There are 2 ways our environment can be
saved, collective approach and individual approach. If we know what

creates pollution, global warming we can fight it to save our planet.
If individually makes a difference such as staying clean, keeping
surrounding such as house, road, etc clean will mean a lot when others
join for a ethical approach. I have already helped in Ballymun project
to clean litters from the road side and from the fields.
Evaluate: This was not only a presentation but also a very important
education. Everyone should be well addressed of our worlds pressing
matter. If everyone becomes conscious and responsible they can
create a positive impact on this world. We can limit C02, greenhouse
effect, stable the climate change so stopping a rise in sea level and
saving agriculture, fisheries, animal kingdoms and human race from
extinction. We have to be ethical and know our responsibility to save
our environment.
Reconstruct self concept: After attending this POD I am fully aware
of the ethical way of saving our planet and securing our future. Now I
know how global warming is related to all the other climatic, aquatic
and environmental changes. Now I am educated in this field.
Application of knowledge: I went to my home country which is a
developing world country. I have told my friends not to litter here and
there and use bins provided to throw litter. So individually we can
make small changes which will add up to huge positive impact which
will save our environment.
Reference:

Environmental business ethics is available at : http://smallbusiness.chron.com/environmental-
business-ethics-64692.html [accessed 1st June 2014]
3. Research: Under the research heading Prof Gerry has broaden our knowledge on how to use
and translate data into results using statistical and scientific approach. He has taught us different
ways of research methodology and this has personally helped me. I had to do a PHd proposal and
had to introduce research methodology. So I put the new knowledge from my research PODS and
the authority of the PhD scholarship are looking at my proposal they haven't denied it. So that's
one step of success. I will hopefully do PhD sometime in my life and these research PODS are
going to help me big time with gathering quantitative and qualitative data. My understanding of
research ha become better after taking seminars, labs, exams, activities under the research PODS.
Here are the PODS I reflected on out of others I took. But I am putting them down because they
link with my PDP and helped me reach my goal. Reasearch is more to create a report of findings
out of the result gathered from various tests and experiments. So I am reflecting on only what I
have learnt. I think talking too much about the topic will get derailed from the result. So the
outcome and how I will apply it in my life in my future is what I am dealing with.
a. Music video
b+c Focus group/s
d CV writing
e Interview skills
f. Questionnaire
g. SPSS
h. Market research panel
i. Methodology for research
a. Music video Research Synthesis
Artemisa Jaramillo, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
Going interactive with the BRANDS depicted in digital music video
Date and time and place: 2-8 December 2013, Henry Grattan Labs.
Description of event: We were given instructions by Artemisa. She
showed us a hyper video which is a modern technology which enables
its audience to interact with the video. We were told to use desktop pc,
internet connection and pen drive to work on.
Self analysis: I know how to use computer and internet But I had no idea
that one can interact with the brands in a music video. I didn't know that

this kind of interactive software is programmed. This was amusing to me.
I didn't believe it when I heard that audience can interact with a music
video.
Analysis of my learning: This is a modern technology which enables
its audience to interact with the video directly. It also shows results on
how interactivity can make audience recall the brands they were showed
in the music video. This is a great way of marketing products. Songs,
music videos are easier to remember. So if one is listening to a song, they
might think of the product and purchase it because they might picture the
branded product when they listen to the particular music video . Product
placement is brand placement too. This is an important phenomenon that
deserves close study cause it has broader scope in digital world. This is a
outstanding marketing phenomenon.
According to our speaker In a hypervideo, it has interactive
placements, clickable spots are activated on celebrities and branded
products within a video. It lets the viewer to get the information,
even buy brands products portrayed on the screen. Interactive product
placement will let audience recall and recognition, as audiences engage
with the brands portrayed. Research suggest strong recall effects
associated with interactivity and product placement there are studies that
present evidence on how such interactivity may result overwhelming to
audiences and decrease their cognitive capacity .
This study maintained an experimental between-group design.

The dependent variables experimented were brand recall and recognition
(presence/absence) resulting from product placement in an online music
video in two conditions .. A laboratory experimental setting was used
to control the settings of the test and maximise internal validity. Two
versions of an online music video were prepared using human computer
interaction (HCI) recording software and each condition was allocated
to a different laboratory to reduce contamination. The experiment was
conducted with a sample of 94 postgraduate students with each student
exposed to one experimental condition only. Participants were told to
explore a digital music video and then were asked to complete a post-
test questionnaire assessing recall and recognition consistent with similar
research. After an interval of one week, participants were asked to
complete a second questionnaire. The study suggests significantly greater
brand recall in the interactive condition. Prior familiarity with the musical
artiste and the specific music video were examined for impact and no
significant impact was identified.
Application in context: I learned how to use this technique and
listened to a black eyed peas interactive video song and answered some
questionnaire.
Evaluate: I learned that online music research is very interesting. It
helped me realise that marketing can be done using various platforms, in
this case a music video. I will look for more songs like this.
Reconstruct self concept: After this POD I know that there are
interactive software's which broaden a products demand worldwide using

digital and latest technology. Now I believe that this kind of interactive
software has been developed. Should be called smart software.
Application of knowledge: I have showed my other friends how to log
on and use this interactive video. This is really fun and helps recall a lot
of brands showed in the video. Lots of small , medium businesses can use
this digital interactive music videos to sell their products.
b. Find and be a participant in 1 or more Focus Groups
Prof: Vera Sherdian, DCU
SALIS
During my undergrad I did quantitative research for my dissertation. I chose focus group because
I wasn't cleared for interview or questioning. So indirectly being a mature student and the topic
was the barriers mature students in Ireland faces to go back to education, sat with the focus group.
The host of the programme had male and female segmented in one focus group and mixed in other
focus group. I sat for the both being a mature student and I too had gaps in my education career.
But I wasn't taking down notes for my answers.
According to Howard and sharp (1983, p.6) the definition of research is "seeking through
methodical process to add one's own body of knowledge and hopefully , to that of others , by the
discovery of non-trivial facts and insights."
Fundamental reasons for data collecting methods:
Denscombe(2003,p.237 till 267) says that social methods for collecting data are divided into two
groups. In quantitative methods numerical data are used and the results are shown in tables, charts
and graphs, whereas in qualitative methods data is from experiences, behaviours, relationships of
participants and the findings are shown in cultural context and language used. The researcher used
qualitative data because it gives a data filled with information in depth and also of good quality.
As said before ,qualitative method allows participants to express their minds without and most of
the time is not bounded by the frames of set questions. It was significant approach for the
researcher to use the most suitable method to obtain data and this case qualitative method bearing
in mind that some of the focus group participants had literacy problems so the researcher made
sure that the participants will not feel uncomfortable having to write answers. On this situation
Denzin, Lincoln (2000) says for people who can not read and write, questionnaire are limited to
them because it won't allow them to express freely. The researcher used a set of questioner just to
guide herself through the themes during the focus group meeting.
Focus groups:

Focus groups were used by the social scientists which was developed in 3 phrases in the 1920's (
Denzin and Lincoln 2000,p.837). The method of using focus groups was usually done for surveys
and questionnaires. In 1970's market researchers used this method to figure out people's wants and
needs. In 1980's this method was used to find out issues on health and sexual behaviour in social
science and other social science issues.
Advantages of focus groups:
This is when focus groups were considered as a very useful qualitative research method. Hughes,
D and Dumont, K (1993,p.21,775-806) says that focus groups have sampling advantages for
research method. Never to discriminate people who can't read. Rather than one to one interview it
is better to engage participants in a discussion with other group participants. This will encourage
them to say more and not be unresponsive.
Disadvantages of focus groups:
With the advantages of focus groups there are disadvantages of focus groups as well. According
to Birn R, H (1990,p. 85) said a researcher has less control over the focus groups over the
interviewing because the participants may start discussing on irrelevant issues which might not be
suitable for the research. This could be difficult for the research to get accurate data from the
discussion. This may create a problem. That's why Birn recommended the researcher to allocate
experienced observer during discussion to get relevant data for analysing.
Usually in focus groups participants number are kept at a minimum by Denscombe (2203, p. 168).
It is very important to keep the discussion focused to the point using triggers and prompts. The
host or the interviewer should be objective but should voice options, the value should be kept open
to the groups while collecting information. It is important to understand the collective view of the
focus group rather than collecting individual comments.
Focus group that the researcher reviewed consisted of 13 participants. It was ensured by the host
to the researcher that everyone was included in the discussion. The researcher observed that some
of the participants felt comfortable in a group setting than one to one interview technique. The
researcher also observed that some of the participant were discussing more on their views than
other participants in the focus group. For this the researcher asked the host to ask everyone for
their views for it was crucial to get collective views than certain individual views as the researcher
took Denscombe (2003,p. 168)'s advice. Denscombe(ibid) also says participants in a focus group
might not reveal personal, sensitive, political issues in front of others . Saying this however the
facilitator should operate through a plan to maintain a balance when inviting people both quite and
talkative.
Key Ethical Principles while conducting a research:
There are 3 main ethical principles a researcher should follow according to the OFMDFM ( Office
of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister). These are:
Respect the rights and dignity of all those are involved in the research or are affected by the
research: Connolly says (2003, p. 9-13) that the researcher respects the rights and dignity of the
participants. The essence of free and fully informed consent is the right of the participant to be free

to decide to agree or not to agree to take part in a study for research based on comprehensive
understanding of the purpose and the nature of the research.
The researcher received additional consent from the participants for personal data gathering
equipment such as writing information on a notepad and typing in MS word in a laptop and also
informed the participants what the researcher intended to do with the information gathered. The
researcher and the host of the focus group discussion also explained to the participants that they
were free to leave the room if they feel uncomfortable during the study.
Ensuring as far as possible of the physical, social and psychological well-being of the
participants taking part in the research or are affectedby it according to Connolly (2003,p.6).
The researcher made sure that the interests and the wellbeing of the participants in the focus group
discussion will be protected and they will not be affected or harmed as a result of their participation
in the research programme. The researcher made the participants aware of the confidentiality of
the study. The participants were reassured that any personal information given by them during the
study will not be revealed and their identity would be protected. Denscombe (2003,p.136) and
Connolly (2003,p. 20) says by ensuring this to the participants in a research , researchers are
obligated under the Data Protection Act 1998. It is really important that the researcher lets the
participants knows about the whole procedure, the limitations and protect confidentially associated
with this research.
Conduct researchers professional work integrity by the researcher in writing and help other
researchers on the research findings: Creswell(2002,p.66-77) says that ethical issues in a
research are not only involved in collecting data but also in writing the report of the research. It is
very important the words and language used by the researcher will not offend people in term of
gender, ethnic group, sexual orientation, age or disability.
The researcher was aware of the cultural diversity in the focus group. The researcher was fully
aware of not using discriminatory language while writing the report.
Participants in the research:
In the focus groups age ranked from 20 years to 55 years. 13 people took part in the focus group
discussion. (11 female and 2 male). In the focus group 4 women were from travelling community,
2 women were members of a local community and youth development project, one women was an
community worker for education, two participants were mature students and the other participants
were voluntary members of a management committee of a local community project.
Equipment and documents used for the research:
The researcher contacted the participants via the host who arranged the discussion. Through her
people were made aware of the research project and what it consists of through phone. The
participants were told that other equipments will be used during the study. Participants were aware
about the equipment used for the research and the research process are conducted by phone
contacting to gain access to them, laptop for typing the information in MS word and analysed later
by the researcher, taking down notes on notepads, questions given to the host to tailor the
discussion which will be utmost helpful for the researcher to avail necessary data, the set of

questions is going to help run the discussion in a systematic way and with relevant discussion from
group involvement.
Research process :
The researcher was accommodated with a room for the focus group by the local community
development project Le Chile in Dundalk. The researcher made this arrangement because the
people participating in the research would feel comfortable in known environment. The researcher
was ensured by the host that all the participants were at good health and would not be affected by
the research being carried out.
Data Collection:
The researcher collected the data through the focus group meeting which was carried out on the
25th July, 2013 in a rapid revitalising area. During the meeting a number of issues(personal) were
disclosed by the participants which are not recorded as the participants requested. The host
thanked the participants also on behalf of the researcher. The researcher reassured that their
identity will not be revealed in the reporting. Connolly (2003, p.20) said that it was important to
ensure the well-being of those who participated in the research. He clearly stated the importance
of confidentiality and anonymity of the participants.
Summarising statement:
One of the important aspects of the research was to understand and ensure the views of the
participants were noted and heard. Therefore the research was carried out in a comprehensive
manner.
Limitations:
The research limitation was that the researcher had time constraints and therefore was unable to
carry out further larger study with the focus group.
Reference:
Chapter 3
Methodology Reference:
Howard, K. and Sharp, J, A. (1983) The Management of a Student Research Project. Aldershot:
Gower. ( Cited in Bell. 1999.) Doing your research project.
Denzin, N.K Lincoln, Y.S. (2000. 2nd ed) Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage publications,
California 91320.
Creswell, J.W. (2002 2nd ed) Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods
Approaches. University of Nebraska, Lincoln Sage Publications, International educational and
professional publisher. Thousand Oaks, London, New Delhi.
Ragin , C.(1994) Construction Social research : The Unity and Diversity of Method. Pine Forge
Press.
Denscombe, M. (2003 2nd ed). The GoodResearch Guide for small-scale social research projects.
Open University press McGraw Hill Education Maidenhead Berkshire England SL62QL.

Miles, M. Huberman, A.(1994) Qualitative Data Analysis. Thousand Oaks. CA: Sage cited in
Mc Cracken, G. (1988) The Long Interview in Qualitative Research Methods. series 13, A sage
University paper, Sage publications, California 91320.
Maynard, M. Purvis, J. (1994) Researching Women's lives from a feminist perspective, Published
by Tyler and Francis, London and Bristol.
Marshall, C.Rossman, B.G. (1995) Designing Qualitative Researcher. Sage Publications London
New Delhi.
Kitzinger, J Research fellow Qualitative Research : Introducing focus groups. Glasgow University
Media Group, Dept. of Sociology, University of Glasgow G128L.
Hughes, D and Dumont, K Using Focus Groups to facilitate culturally anchored research.
American Journal of Community Psychology (1993,p.21,775-806) cited in Kitzinger, J Research
fellow Qualitative Research : Introducing focus groups. Glasgow University Media Group, Dept.
of Sociology, University of Glasgow G128L.
Birn, R. H, P. (1990) A Handbook of market research . London Routledge and Keegan, Paul cited
in Marshall, C.Rossman, B.G. (1995) Designing Qualitative Researcher. Sage Publications
London New Delhi.
Connolly, P. (2003) Ethical Principals for researching vulnerable groups. University of Ulster,
Central Print Unit.
c. Find and be a participant in 2 or more Focus Groups
Supervisor Prof: Vera Sherdian, DCU
During my undergrad I did quantitative research for my dissertation. I chose focus group because
I wasn't cleared for interview or questioning. So indirectly being a mature student and the topic
was the barriers mature students in Ireland faces to go back to education, sat with the focus group.
The host of the programme had male and female segmented in one focus group and mixed in other
focus group. I sat for the both being a mature student and I too had gaps in my education career.
But I wasn't taking down notes for my answers.

Fundamental reasons for data collecting methods:
Focus groups:
Focus groups were used by the social scientists which was developed in 3 phrases in the 1920's (
Denzin and Lincoln 2000,p.837). The method of using focus groups was usually done for surveys
Advantages of focus groups:
Disadvantages of focus groups:

talkative.
Key Ethical Principles while conducting a research:
Respect the rights and dignity of all those are involved in the research or are affected by the
research: Connolly says (2003, p. 9-13) that the researcher respects the rights and dignity of the
participants. The essence of free and fully informed consent is the right of the participant to be free
to decide to agree or not to agree to take part in a study for research based on comprehensive
Ensuring as far as possible of the physical, social and psychological well-being of the
with this research.
Conduct researchers professional work integrity by the researcher in writing and help other
researchers on the research findings: Creswell(2002,p.66-77) says that ethical issues in a

Participants in the research:
Equipment and documents used for the research:
group involvement.
Research process :
Data Collection:
manner.
Limitations:
Reference:
Chapter 3
Methodology Reference:

California 91320.
Press.
New Delhi.
London New Delhi.
Central Print Unit.
d. Music video online research.
Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

BRANDS depicted in online digital interactive music video
Date and time and place: 2-8 December 2013, Henry Grattan Labs.
I am adding this with my study to research methodology to show that qualitative research on online
video and what I see or observe as a researcher. In anthropology a researcher can be experimenting,
observing or take various methodology to conduct a research and get suitable answer to back up
the theory. In here I will try to see weather interactive music video can attract viewers and weather
it can help identify brands.
A research can be conducted in numerous possible ways. The researcher has observed and learned
this possible ways to use an appropriate method to carry out the social research. Ragin (1994) says
the research which is carried out by social scientists is called social research. This can be also used
in other fields like social anthropology and education. The study that contains for the research of
social scientists :from hundreds and thousands of people, to deep analysis of a person about what
happened in the streets hundred years ago. Social scientists uses numerous methods to explore and
understand social life.
Qualitative research:
Denzin and Lincoln (2000, p.1) says 'Qualitative research has a long and distinguished history...
in the human disciplines'. According to Creswell (2002,p.181) in qualitative research the
researcher has to build up credibility with the people involved in the study and will not try to
'disturb the site'. The methods necessary for this kind of study are usually open (interviews,
observations and documents). The advantages of qualitative research is explained by Denscombe
(2003, p. 280) is that ' their data and analysis have their roots in the condition of social science'
thus works excellent in complex social context. The importance of qualitative research is explained
by Huberman (1994, p. 10) that it is of well gathered qualitative data "one major feature is that
they focus on naturally occurring, ordinary events in natural settings, so that we have a strong
hold on what 'real life' is like".
Quantitative research:
Quantitative is another kind of research . Maynard, Purvis (1994) says that for a long quantitative
method has been more recognised method in the field of social science. Quantitative research is
based on closed set of questions. This research is important in the field of social science because
it defines category before a study has taken place. The disadvantage of quantitative research is that
the long-established methods were not understood by the disadvantage groups because they could
not fully explain or speak their voices.
2. Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative research methods:
Their are four differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods which have been
identified as McCracken (1988, p.16) and is presented in the table below:

Numbers Qualitative Quantitative
1 Goal is to isolate and define categories
during the research process.
Goal is to isolate and define catagories
before study is undertaken and then
determine the existing relationship.
2 Looks for patterns of inter relationship
between many catagories.
Looks for precise relationship between a
few catagories.
3 Offers open question to the
participants which will allow
participants to express themselves
fully.
Offers closed questions to the participants
to respond readily to the research.
4 This research needs access as the issue
than generalisation.
This research needs a sample size from the
larger population to generalise to larger
population.
This research will use a qualitative research method to find out data from participants in relation
to their own life experiences.
The research designing:
Ragin (1994) says there are various tools which can be used for both qualitative and quantitative
methods. For example, qualitative researchers will use focus groups, participant observation and
also other methods whereas quantitative researchers will use surveys, questionnaires and
secondary analysis of statistical data which has been collected for surveys or censuses. It is
important that the researcher uses the right tool for to collect data, and this case I am observinghow
interactive video can be good or bad for brands as Denscombe (2003,p.164) say 'Qualitative
approach gave a voice'.
Description of event: We were given instructions by Artemisa. She
showed us a hyper video which is a modern technology which enables
its audience to interact with the video. We were told to use desktop pc,
internet connection and pen drive to work on.
Self analysis: I know how to use computer and internet But I had no idea
that one can interact with the brands in a music video. I didn't know that
this kind of interactive software is programmed. This was amusing to me.
I didn't believe it when I heard that audience can interact with a music
video.

Analysis of my learning: This is a modern technology which enables
its audience to interact with the video directly. It also shows results on
how interactivity can make audience recall the brands they were showed
in the music video. This is a great way of marketing products. Songs,
music videos are easier to remember. So if one is listening to a song, they
might think of the product and purchase it because they might picture the
branded product when they listen to the particular music video . Product
placement is brand placement too. This is an important phenomenon that
deserves close study cause it has broader scope in digital world. This is a
outstanding marketing phenomenon.
According to our speaker In a hypervideo, it has interactive
placements, clickable spots are activated on celebrities and branded
products within a video. It lets the viewer to get the information,
even buy brands products portrayed on the screen. Interactive product
placement will let audience recall and recognition, as audiences engage
with the brands portrayed. Research suggest strong recall effects
associated with interactivity and product placement there are studies that
present evidence on how such interactivity may result overwhelming to
audiences and decrease their cognitive capacity .
This study maintained an experimental between-group design.
The dependent variables experimented were brand recall and recognition
(presence/absence) resulting from product placement in an online music
video in two conditions .. A laboratory experimental setting was used

to control the settings of the test and maximise internal validity. Two
versions of an online music video were prepared using human computer
interaction (HCI) recording software and each condition was allocated
to a different laboratory to reduce contamination. The experiment was
conducted with a sample of 94 postgraduate students with each student
exposed to one experimental condition only. Participants were told to
explore a digital music video and then were asked to complete a post-
test questionnaire assessing recall and recognition consistent with similar
research. After an interval of one week, participants were asked to
complete a second questionnaire. The study suggests significantly greater
brand recall in the interactive condition. Prior familiarity with the musical
artiste and the specific music video were examined for impact and no
significant impact was identified.
Application in context: I learned how to use this technique and
listened to a black eyed peas interactive video song and answered some
questionnaire.
Evaluate: I learned that online music research is very interesting. It
helped me realise that marketing can be done using various platforms, in
this case a music video. I will look for more songs like this.
Reconstruct self concept: After this POD I know that there are
interactive software's which broaden a products demand worldwide using
digital and latest technology. Now I believe that this kind of interactive
software has been developed. Should be called smart software.
Application of knowledge: I have showed my other friends how to log

on and use this interactive video. This is really fun and helps recall a lot
of brands showed in the video. Lots of small , medium businesses can use
this digital interactive music videos to sell their products.
Reference:
California 91320.
Press.
New Delhi.

London New Delhi.
Central Print Unit.
e. Questionnaire 1
Complete and analyse a questionnaire e.g. student survey
This POD taught me a lot but what I have done was according to books and went well for my data
gathering. I completed a questionnaire for a focus group for qualitative research in 2013. The
questions were not directly raised by me. The speaker in the room asked the questions to the focus
group and I gathered the information. the questionnaire as follows:
Student name: Tamanna Nazneen Rahman
Student ID: 59100397
A list of questions to guide the researcher with the focus group discussion. The host of the
discussion programme introduced the researcher and explained to the participants why people were
there. She explained the focus group was to get people's opinions on returning to education.
A questionnaire for mature students:
1. Please circle your age range:
23-25 26-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70+
2. How far did you get before you left the education system?
3. What are the reasons for not continuing?
4. What made you decide to continue with your education?
5. What are the factors that will encourage, or did encourage you to return to education?
7. Will people take up education or training in their local community or outside? What are the
reasons?
9. How do you think third level education can be better?
10. What do you think stops people to further their education after junior certificate or leaving
certificate?

11. To sum up, what are the most important things which make people:
leave education -
think about returning –
stop them from putting the plan into action -
finally decide to return and begin their education again -
12. How can families help?
13. How can government help?
[NB: The questions above serve as a guide to the researcher to the focus group investigation to get
data and creates suitable themes relevant to the topic of discussion. And are not unduly followed
sequentially.]
The interview was carried out in a mixture of semi-structured and unstructured way. The host used
the researcher's questions to guide the discussion. It allowed the participants to elaborate, talk
freely and clarify what has been asked for.
The research started asking the focus group about their educational experiences,
When did you leave school?
"After my father died my older brother told me I had to leave school , because no one else lived at
my home and my mother no other income and she was living only on a pension and I had to get a
job to help out."
Another participant replied saying,
"I left school before sitting my leaving cert exams. Because having done badly in my junior
certificate I was afraid that I would fail the leaving certificate and would rather tell people I
dropped out than failed. I had no confidence in my own ability to sit an exam and pass it."
Did you complete your junior or leaving certificate?
Response of one participant was,
"I was 16 years of age and had done my junior certificate and left school."
If not why/ if yes did you go onto third level?

" Got married and had small children, but every year when courses were on in the Tech I would
want to do them, but the kids were going back to school in September with buying books and
uniform and I have no money, and the course started then."
What encouraged you returning to education?
"I had the opportunity over the years to do course interested in, different organisations, no cost and
money was big incentive."
People talked about their past educational experience:
"When I was at school, primary secondary, I was not able to keep up with the rest of the class. I
always felt like the stupid one in the class. Any activities that the teacher needed help with in the
class, she always picked the smart children."
Two women commented on their experience in education:
One woman commented: " When you spend a lot of time on as essay and get a poor mark or don't
pass it knocks your confidence."
Another woman commented: "I wanted to leave a few time."
What were your fears/ barriers returning to education?
The fear it's a long time since I left school, everything changed world not be able to fit to cope."
Another participant commented: "The cost of course, childcare, time of course, will I get time out
of work."
What supports were in place (if any) that enabled you to stay in education?
"The local CE scheme, I got paid so financially I was comfortable to do course there I wanted. I
was older and did not have to rely on babysitter, time in the evening suited me no commitments,
and peer support of friends there was around 8 to 10 of us and felt confident because friends were
from the same background."
Another respondent commented:
"I drive everyone chips in for petrol for less cost, goal is to finish. I have a 16 year old, if I dropped
out easily I would not be a good role model for his future education. His older brother did not stay
in education."
Do you think that you would have returned to education if you did not get the opportunity through
APEL?
"Out of education a long time, was not overly confident, did not know if I was doing things right."

Another participant responded to this topic: "I would not go through without the support of tutors,
encouragement from them and the support network."
Another respondent said: " I got the opportunity to achieve a third level education I am proud of.
I am more confident than a year ago at times during the course was over my head."
Is accreditation important to you and would you have completed the course if it was not accredited?
"I am too old to do courses not accredited over the years I did courses not accredited I got now
where."
Through your experience where do you prefer to do your course?
In the community like Apel , but I did not mind college because I have a car, other women in the
group don't drive.
Achievement:
One participant said: " When I get my degree I will be so proud of myself".
Another person said, " If I get my degree I don't care what level it is at. I will be proud of myself
because I have achieved a life's ambition and know that it was through my own hard work."
Research process :
Data Collection:
manner.
Limitations:

Some participants did not speak freely for the males present in the room. Some female participants
responded later.
e. Research Journal Article
By Rahman,T.N (2013)
Title: Barriers mature students faces while returning to education and how others return even
though they have the same barriers.
Submitted SALIS, DCU.
The first chapter of the dissertation:
In Ireland a lot of people have not finished schooling and some people never got the chance to go
to school. Some people who went to school had only Junior Cert. For the lack of qualifications
these people have suffered poor lifestyles. Because they had jobs with minimal pay they could not
live a comfortable and luxurious life. Some under qualified people may also have looked for jobs
for many years in their lives. But these people have a way to better their situations. This is through
educating themselves. And the society and community they live in can provide them with
Community learning opportunities for school leavers or mature students.
The aim of this study is to find out:
 what is causing people not to further achieve their education.
 What are the obstacles they have that is not allowing mature students to come back and
acquire knowledge from educational institutions.
This research is going to be from qualitative approach, focus group meetings and data collected
according to themes appropriate to the topic as a study to see people who who do not come back
to education and thus methodology is going to be based on the focus groups and the data collected
is derived from their own true story. There will be themes (researchers set of questions which will
be asked by the mediator to the focus group) under which the research topic will generate its data.
Thus, summarising from the focus groups discussion will help evaluate the topic question:
 What are the barriers they face and
 how will they overcome them or
 will they not overcome the barriers between them and education?'
And the methodology used:
Methodology
1. Defining Research:

A research can be conducted in numerous possible ways. The researcher has observed and learned
this possible ways to use an appropriate method to carry out the social research. Ragin (1994) says
the research which is carried out by social scientists is called social research. This can be also used
in other fields like social anthropology and education. The study that contains for the research of
social scientists :from hundreds and thousands of people, to deep analysis of a person about what
happened in the streets hundred years ago. Social scientists uses numerous methods to explore and
understand social life.
1.1 Qualitative research:
Denzin and Lincoln (2000, p.1) says 'Qualitative research has a long and distinguished history...
in the human disciplines'. According to Creswell (2002,p.181) in qualitative research the
researcher has to build up credibility with the people involved in the study and will not try to
'disturb the site'. The methods necessary for this kind of study are usually open (interviews,
observations and documents). The advantages of qualitative research is explained by Denscombe
(2003, p. 280) is that ' their data and analysis have their roots in the condition of social science'
thus works excellent in complex social context. The importance of qualitative research is explained
by Huberman (1994, p. 10) that it is of well gathered qualitative data "one major feature is that
they focus on naturally occurring, ordinary events in natural settings, so that we have a strong
hold on what 'real life' is like".
1.2. Quantitative research:
Quantitative is another kind of research . Maynard, Purvis (1994) says that for a long quantitative
method has been more recognised method in the field of social science. Quantitative research is
based on closed set of questions. This research is important in the field of social science because
it defines category before a study has taken place. The disadvantage of quantitative research is that
the long-established methods were not understood by the disadvantage groups because they could
not fully explain or speak their voices.
2. Difference between Qualitative and Quantitative research methods:
Their are four differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods which have been
identified as McCracken (1988, p.16) and is presented in the table below:
Numbers Qualitative Quantitative
1 Goal is to isolate and define categories
during the research process.
Goal is to isolate and define catagories
before study is undertaken and then
determine the existing relationship.
2 Looks for patterns of inter relationship
between many catagories.
Looks for precise relationship between a
few catagories.
3 Offers open question to the
participants which will allow
participants to express themselves
fully.
Offers closed questions to the participants
to respond readily to the research.

4 This research needs access as the issue
than generalisation.
This research needs a sample size from the
larger population to generalise to larger
population.
3. Appling qualitative research method on this paper and how it is relevant:
The literature review presented earlier in this paper shows that adults from disadvantaged
background who return to education and who do not return to education will both face the barriers
returning to complete or pursue education or training due to the financial, childcare, lacking of
confidence and their attitude as factors which become barriers. So the main objective of this study
is to find out the barriers that are contributing factors for adults engaged in education.
This research will use a qualitative research method to find out data from participants in relation
to their own life experiences. The aim of my study is to find out the barriers that adults face when
engaging in education. This study will allow people to express their experience and discuss about
the factors encourages or discourages them to return to education in terms of community education
or Govt. run educational programmes.
This study will go through the barriers which people face, and yet overcome them and return to
education. Also the study will look at the barriers which are stopping people who wants to return
to education. This qualitative research will allow participants to express their experience and tell
their views of the educational system.
4. The research designing:
Ragin (1994) says there are various tools which can be used for both qualitative and quantitative
methods. For example, qualitative researchers will use focus groups, participant observation and
also other methods whereas quantitative researchers will use surveys, questionnaires and
secondary analysis of statistical data which has been collected for surveys or censuses. It is
important that the researcher uses the right tool for to collect data, and this case focus group and
unstructured interviews and used questions to guide her through the focus group discussion. This
way the participants responded more to the interviewer(who acted as a mediator between the focus
group and the researcher) more broadly on issues from the questioner letting the interviewee to
talk more on the points of interest. This way of getting data got more information from the
interviewee as Denscombe (2003,p.164) say 'Qualitative approach gave a voice to disadvantaged
people who normally are not given the opportunity'.
5. Ways of interviewing:
According to Denscombe (2003,p.166) there are three kinds of interview techniques. These
interviews are structured, unstructured and semi-structured. For this focus group the researcher
used unstructured interview. The researcher used this interview technique because Denscombe
(2003, p.167) said, this insures the data collected from this is relatively easy to analysis.
Unstructured interviews lets the participants to speak what they want freely on a theme or topic
the by interviewer and the researcher. Not using set of questions and binding their answers to the
questions directly, allows participants to react freely and thus lets the researcher to learn about the
complex issues and derive the useful data needed. Semi structured interview has a set of questions

and a list of issues and this interview is more flexible letting the participants talk openly on the
issues raised by the interviewer by not having to answer questions in a orderly fashion. So it can
be said that the focus group interview was a mixture of semi-structured interview and unstructured
interview to collect data.
6. Fundamental reasons for data collecting methods:
7. Focus groups:
Focus groups were used by the social scientists which was developed in 3 phrases in the 1920's
(Denzin and Lincoln 2000,p.837). The method of using focus groups was usually done for surveys
7.1. Advantages of focus groups:
7.2. Disadvantages of focus groups:

talkative.
8. Key Ethical Principles while conducting a research:
8.1. Respect the rights and dignity of all those are involved in the research or are affected by
the research: Connolly says (2003, p. 9-13) that the researcher respects the rights and dignity of
the participants. The essence of free and fully informed consent is the right of the participant to be
free to decide to agree or not to agree to take part in a study for research based on comprehensive
8.2 Ensuring as far as possible of the physical, social and psychological well-being of the
with this research.
8.3. Conduct researchers professional work integrity by the researcher in writing and help
other researchers on the research findings: Creswell(2002,p.66-77) says that ethical issues in a

9. Methodology used in the current study on the focus group:
The remaining part to this chapter is going to focus on the participants in the research, the
documents and equipment used for the research and the research process.
9.1 Participants in the research:
9.2. Equipment and documents used for the research:
group involvement.
9.3. Research process :
9.4 Data Collection:
25th July, 2013 in a rapid revitalising area. During the meeting a number of issues (personal) were
10. Summarising statement:
manner.
11. Limitations:

Reference:
Chapter 3
Methodology
California 91320.
Press.
New Delhi.
London New Delhi.

Central Print Unit.
Sign up to a market research panel
Market research panel is a focus group panel. According to an online article in Market research
panel there are two types of focus groups in market research panels. One is the b 2 b and the other
is the consumer. business and consumer makes business so they are the topic discussion. This POD
helped me learn the importance of ones opinion can make. If a lot of consumer wants something
then that item is kept. For example, I work in KFC. And there is a guest check book for some
guests. If they like a new promotion like the Supercharger burger the authority will keep the
promotional item in the menu for good. But things like hot shot 2 for 1:49 Euros were not they
popular so they used to appear every 3 months. But the recent customer panel didn't like it that
much hence its taken off the menu or promotional offer for good. So consumers are powerful in a
products lifecycle. In KFC at current we have this new attraction burger, mini fillets, chicken pop
corn, side and drink and people vote for it to stay more than 2 weeks and if it sell well then they
will surely keep it. So the survey, the impact of economy are part of this trend. I have been a panel
member at Irish Opinion.com. They send me boots vouchers when they want to reward me for my
opinion. This is a brilliant way of research. Very modern, a little expensive but the researcher will
get the results he wants for sure.
Reference:
f. Market research panel available at http://marketresearchpanels.com/market-research-
panels/what-are-they/ [Accessed 6 th of June 2014]
SPSS Advanced Class
Presenter: Gerry Conyngham
Venue: DCU
This POD helped me lot to develop my idea on using analytics in advanced level. Gerry helped us
a lot to understand with lots of examples. It improved my personal cognative development aswell.
This POD helped to data manipulation in this software which gives statistical measurement. It will

help me in my career to do data evaluation and it is a very helpful software or app. For a researchers
I found that SPSS is very good in terms of quantitative research. Before it would have been difficult
to evaluate data statistically but now it is quite easy because I have learnt SPSS. I have taken the
exam as well. I have to admit I was sometimes getting confused with all the new terms and
mathematical explanations. But I tried harder and I slowly copped on. But it was scary when others
around me seemed to understand everything me but me. But never give up is my motto so I keep
on trying regardless what the result is going to be. Moreover I try to understand a subject matter.
And I need to practice a lot to be perfect at anything. In the advanced SPSS I made sure I gave my
extra attention to the lecture. Because this were serious topics that will help me in my future career
and even for myself if I want to do PhD. I learnt various kind of analysis like factor, quantitative
etc. I learnt statistical techniques, analise to get result of the data. Me and my friends practiced a
lot and sat for the exam in the lab. It went well. The main this is understanding. If it is clear then
the scary feeling of maths goes away. And the exam was alright. I have been a panel member at
Irish Opinion.com. They send me boots vouchers when they want to reward me for my opinion.
This is a brilliant way of research. Very modern, a little expensive but the researcher will get the
results he wants for sure.
Fourth POD I took is under Colm Bennet. And in this POD I have learnt a lot about digital
dimension and technology. I personally don't like technology that much because it backfire at me.
For example a 3 weeks ago my laptop crashed and I had a pile of work to be dose and saved in my
laptop. But I got it fixed and back about a week ago. I had finally it was digital POD by Colm. He
was very helpful and guided us to learn the digital way of career horizon. I learnt how to use the
web to broaden our knowledge using Google drive is brilliant to save and access it from anywhere,
networking power, online power of platforms. I only write results of the findings from my
reflection which is connected to my PDP here. I have learned a lot in the two semester from the
digital PODS and by all means I like technology a little better than before. The PODS I had for
digital headings are:
a.Cloud computing
b.Twitter
c.LinkedIn
d.Webinars
e.Guy Kawasaky
a.Webinar: Guy Kawasaki's 10 Tips for Building a Social Media Following
Guy Kawasaki's 10 Tips for Building a Social Media Following is presented by Guy Kawasaki,
one of the most influential people in marketing today and curator of one of the biggest followings
of any marketer/entrepreneur in the world. He will teach you his tips and tricks on expanding your
audience, and maintaining a strong following.
link to event: http://offers.hubspot.com/building-a-social-media-following
Along with reviewing relevant literature this webinar could help me to get insight into social media
following

CB- OK,I like Kawasaki so I'll approve this webinar (in general I'm not going to approve webinars
like this). This is a public POD, do a combined reflection/report showing how you implemented 4
of the 10 tips on your own social media presence.
Guy told in his webinar how social media can be good if one has a lot of followers. He told to
create a super bowl . He advised to make social media interesting and fun to get more followers.
He gave us some tips and I am taking four from this.
Number one is to create social place which he calls the platform now and not to wait for to
formulate a business idea or launch a new product. For example the platform for the new phone
one plus one is so ultra that they are getting more and more popular everyday. I believe that they
are going to top android phone and apple when they are launched. Who ever have a new notion
should immediately put it out to the public using the best platform 'YouTube'. Then the followers
will follow automatically.
Number two is to catagorise what you have to offer He told us to keep in mind the five p's to do
so. Social media sites can help when these five p's are kept in mind. these are Pimping in LinkedIn
where one can portray what they have to sell, then Pinning in using Pininterest by showing the
photoes of the idea or the product. Then Passions in Google by showing people what they can get
which they don't have, then Perceptions with Twitter by connecting to the networks of people and
followers, finally People in the world's powerful social network Facebook to the relatoions one
already has. So like Galaxy S5's advertising, put it out the platforms using this five p's. And now
it is one of the most desired phone even before launching.
Number three is to make a good profile to let others recognise you and remember you. Guy has
shown how one can create a good profile by completing the profile, make a nice, trusting, accepting
profile. He also tells us to make our picture genuine. Make a good profile like the dating sites and
then it is up to the audience to like your profile and follow you. They might not if they are not
interested. Like the Samsung phone you have to give it a good look for people to buy it and make
your product a success.
Number four is to cheat a little. What he means by this is to be wise in what you are showing, or
telling in the social media. Tell audience what has been liked before and share them to gain more
and more interest. For example one plus one did take idea from the previous winning phones and
still they are really desired because they are offering same thing in a different tune.
b.Demystifying the Cloud Conference Nov 5th/6th RDS
Approved for 2 PODs for attendance at at least one session plus associated task (make something)
or report (elaborate on one of the areas touched on in the session).
Remember you cannot miss core classes to attend a POD, watch the session timings.
When: Nov 5th 6th
Where: RDS
Challenges will be explored with leading exponents of the Hosting, Managed Services and Cloud

industry. This is your opportunity to listen to the debates, ask questions, seek clarity and most of
all provide you with a direction and understanding of the questions you should be asking, to whom
and ultimately what roadmap is best for you and your business.
http://www.managedservices-ireland.com/
This is a seminar to help understand businessmen and individual to understand cloud in computer
science.This show showed how cloud works, what it actually is, how can business and individuals
can use cloud and its many benefits. Cloud can help with many computer useage solution. It is
good for to save in cloud.
This show didn't use much technical terms. So I understood quite well. Some lecturers from UCD,
some employees at cloud computing explained difficult terms in a understandable and fun manner.
Cloud computing is perfect for small and medium firms. They can cut a lot of cost of they shift
their computer data storage and use clouds benefits.
According to Owens,D (2013) "Cloud computing has been around for a long time but Irish
Businesses are now seriously investigating implementation'.
What I learnt was - what is cloud and how does it work? Who is cloud computing for?, How can
it reduce cost of a business organisation or individual?, How can one shift to cloud computing?, Is
it safe to use cloud computing? The difference between Public and private cloud computing?, and
many more.
Improve Twitter Skill & Performance
Twitting is like improving communication skills. The more and interesting Tweets one has the
more followers that person will have. I have a Twitter account but I still am getting used to it.
Because I like Facebook better. Moreover I like to talk to people face to face. But after doing
PODS in NGM I have realised the value of social networks and the importance to build a good
platform. For social or work communication which is clear and to the point are essential. This
causes less confusion and more production at work. So using a social network is no different. The
better one will tweet or the more the gossiping it is the viral it might get. Sometimes we hear this
celebrity has said certain things which they have to be sorry for. For example a bollywood actress
remarked another actress being fat. And the whole media world portrait this , came in the news
that Karina has made such remark about her. So it is important a business not to say rubbish about
other . This will generate negative publicity. Small businesses can tweet about their product to be
known to a bigger segment of consumers. Some things or competencies can be improved through
twitter that I have.
Improve written communication skills through twitter. One has to use 140 words to comment so it
is important to learn and convey a message with that space clearly to the public without creating
any confusion. Twitter has made my witting ability clear and better. So social network does good
to people not bad all the time. For past years I am with twitter and It has been a great journey. I

have friends, family, my favourite cricket players, heroes , heroines in here. This is such a vast
space one can utilise it if they are wise enough.
Through twitter one can learn about others personality. Because through tweets you can figure out
the person. When some is writing negative tweets or sad tweets all the time I tend to talk less with
that person. But people who tweet important things, nice things I follow them more. So interest is
big here. the more interest one can portrait the more popularity he or she will get. A business that's
why should always keep their tweet interesting like Guy Kawasaki says in his webinar.
There are negative aspects but I found mostly positive. My tweeting skills has improved, my
writing skills, my expression of thoughts and hopefully in the future I will use this platform for
better use. This POD was well educative communication building with networking effect.
Reference: Guy Kawasaki's 10 point's http://offers.hubspot.com/building-a-social-media-
following [accessed 2 nd June 2014]
c. Learning HTML and CSS using Codecademy
I tried to learn HTML and CSS using the code academy. It is really difficult but I will practice to
learn it. What ever challenges me I have to tackle it its in my nature. So this POD has definitely
benefitted me.
1. HTML: HTML can be created anyways. Its interlinked with CSS, Java and some other
programming languages. HTML is easily convertable and can be compatable with can be used to
run various programmes easily. A programmer has ease to use HTML because of its flexibility to
een create interactive websites. That's why to create interesting website I want to learn to use
HTML well.
2. CSS: The are some reasons to learn CSS and this POD has helped me learn these and might
help me. But I do need to practice a lot. colours, text, words, fonts can be controlled by CSS.It was
very difficult for me to learn this and I haven't learnt quite. But over the summer I willl use the
learning outcomes of this POD and learn CSS. I can't imagine that I will be able to play with the
layout of websites if I can bag this talent well. Some reasons I learnt CSS:
a. I can change the sites and make them how I like: There are free web designing softwares I can
use to create an website. I can also build the website built before the way I like.
b. I can save money by designing the websites because web designers demand minimum 500 euros
to build a quality website. So if I ever open up a business I can
c. I will be able to earn money by designing websites, fixing old websites and making them look
up todate. I can study further and become a certified web designer.
d. I can design my website , others website and teach others as well. So it is good to learn CSS
even though its difficult.
e. POD: LinkedIn webinar
POD/Event title: Finding your dream job just got easier
POD/Event description: Build a profile that attracts recruiters and hiring managers by learning
about strategies and best practice to leverage my LinedIn profile. This will expand my professional
network.
When: October 9th 2013 OR October 23rd

Where: Online - Webinar
Who is the organiser/speakers: Lindsey Pollak
Relevant NGM Theme: Digital
Your expected role: View Webinar - set up LinkedIn
Justification of why activity is a POD: Build, improve and tailor a LinkedIn Profile to target
employers
URL to POD/event: http://learn.linkedin.com/jobseeker/?sf8762693=1
Suggested POD weight: 2
Lindsey Pollak explains the best to create a good LinkedIn profile to attract employers.
a. She says that its like a diary or album of a person:
Through LinkedIn one can search their suitable profession, or meet people who are working at the
organisation to earn previous knowledge about that place before interview. Our MSBM consulting
skills lecturer advised us to do that through LinkedIn. All the positions of career has detailed
information so one knows what to do, how to be ready, what to tudy and its a wonderful way to
get ready for tomorrows challenging world.
b. Through LinkedIn one can get introduced to new people : It is effective cause they can find
people who are similar to them and has similar interest. They can become good friends and help
is other be more knowledgeable.
c. LinkedIn has a lot of free features which is handy for a student or a job seeker. But they can
upgrade to the next level. But the free options are also helpful. This information has details about
career, successful people, connecting with new people and so on. In one word it is absolute
networking and using your connection to find what you are looking for to rave up your career.
d. Career services there are a lot of skilled and experts in LinkedIn who are there and who can
help with a student with their career queries and can help find a candidate get suitable information
for their dream jobs. It is like a career service platform.
So if one tries LinkedIn and gets the most out of the connection he or she has , it will certainly go
to their favour. And they can help others who seek their advice. So it is like a helping circle of
quality people. Hence this POD has increased my opportunity to venture more in my academic
career.
f.Cloud Success Roadshow
When: Thursday, 12 December 2013 from 14:00 to 17:00
Where: Bewley's Hotel Dublin Airport
Speaker: David Owens Managing Director of Let's Operate, the Irish Hosted Desktop provider
and he is a former Lecturer in Statistics at UCD.
Your Expected Role: To learn about cloud computing from the talk David Owens gives through
real business case studies, top cloud concerns, pitfalls and benefits, example financial projections
and more.
Why is this a POD: I would like to find out exactly what Cloud Computing is. I consider this to be
a digital POD as a lot of companies are operating in the cloud and it is an area that is growing
quickly. With smartphones and computers having the ability to be backed up the cloud.

Website:
http://cloudsuccessroadshowdublinnorth-
es2.eventbrite.ie/?rank=3&sid=e9fcdbd9479011e3a0ae123139057c14
The task I plan to do is report on something from the event.
CB - This looks like it may well be just a pitch for the company's product. Attend at your peril! If
that is what it is then you will find it difficult to prepare a report on the topic and will end up not
using the POD.
many more.

many more.
Conclusion:
These are the reflection and synthesis of the PODS I am presenting to my honourable readers. I
hope you will like it and appreciate the time, energy and the vision of future I have put in my
portfolio. It is not the best one but there is always room for improvement. I thank you to spend you
time and effort to read my creation and hopefully you have enjoyed from my journey of knowledge
acquired in my PDP with the help of PODS in the module Next Generation Management.

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