Topic 1 : Group Introduction

1.Introduction of Ourselves

Yuen Hiu Nam (Alex) I'm a student in MSOCM.  I am a part time student.  I work in the back office (settlement) of a foreign bank and I have been in the banking industry for many years.  My job requires me to work a lot with colleagues around the world.  So I hope I am able to streghten my negotiation skills in order to better collaborate with other people and teams for higher performance.
My Contact:  goobie113@yahoo.com.hk


Angie Chow How do you like to identify a person?  Well, if you consider the personality test is reliable, I am classified as an "Enthusiast" according to Enneagram.  In other personality tests, I am described as an "Inspirer". Both of the terms share the common features: I am the kind of person who focused externally where I take things in primarily via my intuition. Internally, I deal with things according to how I feel or how they fit in with my personal value system. Sound inspiring?
Having been working in the people Learning & Development discipline for more than 10 years, I will describe myself as a "Dynamic person". Just like the people I meet everyday are dynamic too.  That's why the MSOCM interested me as "Change" is always be the norm of life. I believe everyday is a new lesson ahead that will build up/change my value system.  And this system will influence my family, co-workers and my trainees too.   Through reading this blog together with my partner Alex,  I hope you can get some insights that can inspire you too.  Welcome to drop me a note via Asquareblog@gmail.com


2. Why ASquare  A² and what does it mean?

Our group name is A².  Basically it is the combination of 2 letter A (Angie & Alex).  It is neither  2xA nor A+A.  It is the SQUARE POWER the 'As' meaning that the collaboration of Angie and Alex will create extraordinary synergy power in this course.

What is the meaning of the Logo?
 2 letter ‘A’ helping each other to reach the top for the meaning of collaboration.  Different color represent interaction of diverse people.  The logo looks like a tower with a star at night giving a unique sense of outstanding and directional.


3.Our Group Goals for the class "High Performance Collaborations" in relations to work and life
Our group goal in this class in relation to work and life would be to bring something home that will benefit both of us in our personal, as well as professional life.  Under the globalized business environment nowadays, to a certain extend nobody is able to work or live by themselves.  You may agree or disagree but do look around and you will see everybody collaborate with other people to a certain extend.  If this is so then 'High Performance Collaboration' will definitely be something you must equip yourself with in the today's highly competitive world.

4.The Class Topic that most excites us?
It's so interesting that when both of us select the topic from the checklist individually, it turned out the same choice   "Building Trust among Diverse Individuals" . But Why? When we discussed further, we agreed that "Trust" is something that relating to emotions and personal perception. It is a subjective item with an intangible nature and difficult to measure.  It is based on individual experience and interpretation.  However, it is also the building block of a relationship and a team.  We consider that no one can easily get hold of it because what you trust is different with others.  The only way you can understand is through experience. How can we turn theory into experience is challenging. We are looking forward to the challenging task.

5. Additional Topics our group would like to learn
"Engaging Employees" ~ lots of studies and theories finding in internet but not a full satisfaction one we can apply in our working environment. It is also relating to trust, but the most challenging part is about the way to "sustain the trust".

"Managing your boss" - It is an art. We study management so long and what emphasize most is about skills and knowledge of how to "get things done through other people".  The term "People" is not just referred to co-workers and subordinates, it also refers to the "key holder", OUR BOSS.  I am sure it will benefit most for our career development.

6.Myth about "COLLABORATION"
"Collaboration" take advantages of Synergies.  Many people believe that "Together everyone can achieve more".  Through Collaboration, every team member can focus on their expertise and can bring the most benefit, the new insights to a team and a project.

However, in the workplace, it is hard to achieve synergy when the team grows.  It is normal of "conflict of interest" happens when different entities come together and form a project team. In order to achieve a common goal, we need to trade off.  More time is spend on lobbying and meeting. Without an effective collaboration, the trade off stuff could possibility be the most special and creative idea.